Every day, I will share something that makes me think 'Wish You Were Here.'

Monday, February 17, 2014

February 17/14

It's Family Day here in Ontario, and in several other provinces around the country; last Monday, it was Family Day in BC.  And no matter how you slice it, it's a provincial holiday, not a statutory holiday, so that means we had to go to work today.  While everyone was out taking in the last day of Winterlude here in the Nation's Capital, I was having a busy day at the office.

Good Friday is on April 18th this year.  That's 108 days after the last statutory holiday, January 1st.  

In case you're counting, that's way too frigging long for most people.  The daily grind, unending, in the dead of winter?  Yeah, that's a winning combination for productivity.

If I seem grumpy lately, think about that.

I need a break...

...Wish you were here.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

February 16/14

When the most active part of your Sunday is waking up at 7:30 in the morning to do five loads of laundry, it's a slow day.  By 9 AM, I'd finished two loads of laundry, started another three, fed Purrball, eaten Breakfast number one, and done the dishes.  Etienne slept.  I did all of that because I didn't want to fight all day for laundry room machines--nine loads of laundry to do, and no patience for doing it.  As Brent and Cassie were coming over to watch the Canada-Finland game, it meant that we also had to be up and clean before noon.

Chores suck.  I need a housekeeper...

...Wish you were here.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

February 15/14

Today, I've had a hell of a time getting this song out of my head.  It's quite good, it's got a great hook, but the thing I enjoy most about it is that the lyrics and title are telling us a story from the perspective of someone who was in Pompeii as Mt. Vesuvius erupted and set in motion events that gave us a stunning landmark of death and destruction.  It's not your typical fair for a song, and I do delight when obscure subjects are captured in a good song.



Ear worms that make you smile...

...Wish you were here.

Friday, February 14, 2014

February 14/14

(Hi there, it's me.  I actually hand wrote this last night--the 14th--but am typing it out today.  Why?  Because I was sangria and Florence and the Machine drunk.  Looking back, I'm surprised that I was this coherent...)

When you think about it, we humans are stupid creatures; we create and socialize events like Valentine's Day to feel something in this big group.  The love we share everyday with someone special is supposed to be more amplified.  Why is that?  Because the greeting card industry tells us it's that way?  Big Chocolate?  The diabolical Flower Cartel?  No, but in this age of cynicism, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's that.

What makes Valentine's Day different is that it's a day set aside to remember a unique martyr.  There are conflicting stories about the martyr who we would come to know as St. Valentine.  The more common interpretation is that a priest disobeyed the Emperor by marrying christians, then a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire.  The emperor had hoped that by outlawing rights such as marriage, he could prevent the spread of christianity.  By performing marriages, Valentine was recognizing that we are all humans with emotions and connections that we want recognized in the eyes of those around us.

Legend has it that Valentine was arrested, but as the emperor was fond of him, he was indulged.  It was only when he tried to convert the emperor that he was sentenced to death.

Forbidden lovers wanting society to acknowledge and the state to sanction their relationship?  Sound familiar, anyone?

We live in an epoch in human history where we construct artificial barriers to the artificial institutions we created, specifically the social and state recognition of the pair-bond.  Last century and earlier, it was an artificial barrier of race--two humans of different racial profiles were forbidden by law from pair-bonding.  In recent years, the fight has shifted to same-sex and queer relationships.

St. Valentine was martyred because he dared to help members of a persecuted minority get married.  We should remember that.  That man was beaten and beheaded in the name of a state that wanted to suppress a love, a connection, a pair-bond between two people, for no good reason.

That, to me, is the reason to celebrate love today.

Happy Valentine's Day...

...Wish you were here.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

February 13/14

Okay, so Etienne and I do enjoy a good commercial when we see one (the Golden Lions are becoming an annual tradition), but when we see a commercial too often or one that is flawed, we jump on it.  Like this one:


In this 33 second spot, we see the boy with the balloons arrive, and the girl in the building being all giddy at the window.  We see him take off his hat, and we see a ring box in his hand behind the back.

Etienne and I have speculated on what's going on here.  First of all, where'd his hat go?  If he's got one hand solidly on the massive cascade of balloons, and he uses the other to remove the hat, but also to hide the ring behind his back, what did he do with that stupid hat??

Second, how did she know to go to the window?  Etienne speculated that he called her to go to the window, and she was all "okay!"  But I know how that conversation would go, and it would not be slick at all:

Him: "Hey babe, can you do me a favour and walk to your window?"
Her: "Why?"
Him: "Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Why?  What's going on?" *grows suspicious*
Him: "There's just something I want to show you."
Her: "Well then just come up."
Him: *exasperated* "No, I can't.  Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Oh my gawd, is something happening?  What is it?"
Him: "You know what?  Forget it.  Nevermind."
Her: "What?  No!  Tell me!  Please?"
Him: "No."
Her: "C'mon, please?  Okay, I'll come to the window."
Him: "Fine."

Why?  Because when we girls get strange requests from our longtime boyfriends or girlfriends, we know something's up.  So, the phone call beckoning her to the window is clearly out of the running.

We've mocked this commercial every time.

Well, at least one mystery is solved:



The answer is that the dude was probably going to stand out in the cold with those balloons until someone, anyone from her office noticed him standing there and called her over.  Mission accomplished, right?

Not entirely.  We still don't know what happened to that stupid hat.

Anxiously awaiting this year's Golden Lions...

...Wish you were here.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

February 12/14

It was yet another ordinary day in my world.  Get up, go to work, work, run errands, go home.

But on the other side of the world, it was an extraordinary day for Canada's Olympic Team.

Earlier this week, during a cross-country sprint, a Russian skier went down in a crash.  He tried to get back up to finish the race, but it was clear that one of his skis was broken.  Out of nowhere, one of the Canadian coaches ran out onto the course with a ski, helped the skier into it, and sent him off to the finish line.  This act of kindness alone made me proud that Canada's team is made up of people who look beyond the competition to demonstrate real olympic spirit of respect and humanity.

Well, you can just imagine how blown away I was when I heard today that Denny Morrison won a silver medal in the Speedskating 1000m event BECAUSE his friend and teammate Gilmore Junio volunteered to give up his qualifying spot to Morrison, who had missed qualifying because he fell during the qualifiers in December.

Gob.  Smacked.

And not only did Junio give up his spot to Morrison, but when Morrison raced today, Junio was watching down front, cheering and beaming with pride for his teammate.

Seriously, if the Olympics gave out awards for complete and total awesomeness in the sport of humanity, Canada would have a strong lock on it.

Go Canada!

...Wish you were here.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

February 11/14

I'm normally an average adopter of new technologies and programs--I'm not into getting the very latest thing, but I also don't result change at all costs.

However, today, my day was pretty much buggered by technology.  While I was away at French class yesterday, my computer was upgraded, and first thing this morning, I returned to work and encountered problems with my email.  As my job is fairly dependent on email, it was interfering with my ability to work on urgent tasks.  By lunch hour, that issue was sorted, but then my trouble with the internet started, as pages wouldn't load and suddenly favourite links stopped working.  Again, interfering with my work.

We're so dependent on technology, and it occurred to me that I wouldn't last a day without some kind of advanced technological assistance, particularly at work.  It makes me wonder if I will ever find the will power to step back.

The course of Windows never did run smooth...

...Wish you were here.

Monday, February 10, 2014

February 10/14

It's another "little things" day here in the old Daily WYWH...

It's *such* a tough life when you have to decide between some delicious Mexican food and some delicious Indian food.  I mean, both are awesome, it's so hard to decide!  Yes, I know, it's a perfect example of what Tweeters like to call a first world problem (#FirstWorldProblems).

We opted for Indian because we live over a decent Indian restaurant here in the Market, so the convenience factor was very high.  It was the right choice based solely on the breads.

I *love* naan bread.  Plain and simple Tandoori Naan that tastes like pancakes.  If you have never had naan or even experienced Indian food, I suggest this as an extremely safe and simple choice.  Also, the papadum, if you can get it.  It's an extremely thin flatbread that is crispy and disc-shaped.  Our place downstairs uses lentil flour, so it's gluten-free and Etienne gets to enjoy its crispy goodness.  And I was excited to see that the restaurant has added a gluten-free roti bread to its menu, which Etienne decided to take a chance on.  Turns out it was extremely tasty, so yay!

I've always felt guilty for taking a naan bread when Etienne can't, now I get to greedily scarf it down to my heart's content because he has a comparable treat.  More yummy yummy pancake bread!

The little things are so important...

...Wish you were here.


Sunday, February 9, 2014

February 9/14

We're living in a sports crazy period at the moment, what with the Winter Olympics, the 6 Nations Rugby cup, the Scott Tournament of Hearts, and of course, the Premier League action, but the most impactful news story in the sports world today is that a potential NFL draftee, Michael Sam, came out as gay today, just weeks before the draft.

While there is some argument that we shouldn't care so much when an athlete comes out, the fact is that the world of professional team sports is unforgiving when it comes to queer players, which is evidenced by the fact that there are so few professional team sport players who are out and active.  Several have come out after they retired from professional play, but here is a young man who decided he needed to *start* his professional career with the honest truth.

Best wishes to you, Michael, I genuinely hope you experience the support of a good, strong organization.

Here's hoping the day comes soon that it will be no big deal to be a gay professional sports athlete...

...Wish you were here.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

February 8/14

So, I get my music through a variety of sources, so I usually don't hear an entire album unless I find something strong enough to warrant my searching for more.  A few years ago, I heard 'Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic, and really, it became a significant part of my life.  That song dropped in my lap at a time of great upheaval in my life, and it means a great deal to me still.

So this evening, I finally got around to looking for more OneRepublic songs on YouTube.

Turns out, I'm extremely lukewarm on the rest of the OneRepublic catalogue.  If I'm totally honest, I did not see that coming.  I mean, Say is such a part of my story since 2009 and even today, it can still elicit tears from me, depending on my mood.  I don't mean to belabour the point, but genuinely, that song resonated to deeply with me and my innermost wishes.  How can it be that something so evocative can come out of a band that I otherwise could take or leave with utter indifference?

Is this a case of "Even a broken clock is right twice a day?"

All I need...

...Wish you were here.

Friday, February 7, 2014

February 7/14

I know you are just dying for an update on the interviews today, but you'll have to wait a couple of weeks, for two reasons: one, the competition is still on-going and several of our friends and colleagues have yet to have their interviews, and two, oh.  my.  gawd.  I had an experience that just defies common sense, and I need time to get over the nerves about it and move on to the 'look back and laugh' stage.

Instead, you will be treated to my thoughts on the Olympics opening ceremony!

The Fashion Parade:

The big flops were Argentina, France, the US, Italy, Israel and Canada.  Argentina underwhelmed with boring, dark, straightforward colours.  France...I don't know what to say to you, Lacoste.  Fail.  The French as supposed to be known for their fashion instincts, and instead, they kitted out their team in mismatched comfortable tan dungarees and depressing medium grey coats.  Oy.  The US...I believe I heard it somewhere on The Colbert Report or some comedy show, but honestly those jackets look like a cardigan fucked a quilt and the result was that coat design.  Italy, I mean, come on, Giorgio Armani, are you just phoning this in?  Bo-ring!  Israel...your team genuinely looked like you raided your grandfather's closet and stole his leisure suits (multiple, because he finds them so comfortable, he bought a dozen so he'd always have them around).  And Canada, it wasn't awful, but we've done so much better in the past, this was just not up to those standards.  Honourable mention to Georgia, which had way too many flags and their country name covering every surface.

The big winners were the Austrian and Slovenian toques, the Norwegian 60s hipster-fabulous hats, the Danes boots and laces, the Czech hats (YES!  FTW!), and the Russian teams coordinated pants and jackets look.  Honourable mention goes to the Slovaks for putting their enormous flagbearer, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in a uniform covered in hearts.  It was an AWWW moment.

The Show:

I liked the tributes to the arts and literature of Russia, but they totally lost me once the goofy whale made of dancers and dancing buildings came on the scene.  My attention was completely gone by the time the 1917 Revolution dragged its way across the arena.  After that there was a floating hammer and sickel, a brilliant Soprano singing the Olympic Anthem, and, oh hey, a Chinese Baby tricking out of a skateboard, that's adorable!

Oh, right, the show.  Yeah, it ended with a racist lighting the olympic torch.  Good job, Russian Federation.  Because nothing reflects the Olympic spirit of human achievement better than the offcial torch being lit by someone who compares Black people to monkeys.  So enlightened.

And with that, I will finish my wine and go to bed.

Happy Olympicing!

...Wish you were here.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

February 6/14

'Twas the night before the interview, and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring, and gawd interviews suck.

Tomorrow morning, Etienne goes in at 9, I go in at 10:10.

Sorry I don't have much to say about today, but it's all interview prep.  Several people have provided us with resources and coaching, but at some point, you panic because you don't know anything, you think you don't have examples, and you experience a crisis of confidence so deep, you wonder how you even managed to get the job you have now, you blithering idiot, you.

I don't worry about process questions.  After four years in the public service, I know the way things (should) get done.  It's those questions like "Where do you see yourself in five years" (I don't know, I don't plan what I'm doing tomorrow night, never mind 5 years away); "What areas do you think you need improvement in" (Um, all the areas?  Do you want to hear what I'm good at or how much I suck?); or "Tell us about a time when you had a problem working with a colleague, what did you do?" (Honestly?  I get into a yelling match with her because she refused to let me talk.  Yeah, I've done that.)...those I hate.  I hope we don't get any of those tomorrow.

Wish us luck...

...Wish you were here.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

February 5/14

A year ago today, a dear friend went under the knife.  After a full year of testing, evaluation, and endless appointments, this person went into surgery, and had a kidney removed. 

To donate to someone else, anonymously.

As this person reflected back on the experience of the last two years, there was a moment where it became so simple and so clear: it was the one year anniversary of a beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, who received a kidney and got a chance to be with her kids and watch them grow.

Late last year, I got in contact with an old friend after many years; I learned this friend has a child who needs a kidney.

My friend's act was extraordinary.  It takes a very special person who possesses not only the physical requirements to be a donor, but the metal fortitude and the absolute commitment to be a living donor.  I encourage you to give it some thought, but I'm realistic that it's not something just anyone can or should undertake.  So I encourage you to do what you can: be a donor after you've died.

Until things change in Canada, we're stuck with an informed consent system of donating organs and tissues.  That means that you can sign up to be a donor with a provincial registry (or not) until the cows come home, but ultimately, the final decision to consent to your organs and tissues being donated after you've died belongs to your next of kin.  So please, signal that you wish to be a donor, and have that conversation with your loved ones.

Hopefully on some far off day after you've lived a life you can be satisfied with, your passing will result in an anniversary for someone else...the day they got their life back.

Be a donor...

...Wish you were here.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February 4/14

WELCOME TO THE CLUB, SCOTLAND!!

Today, Scotland became the latest place in this fucked up world to approve Same Sex Marriage!  Hey, England?  Yeah, you.  Ya hear that?  I believe that's Scotland telling you to GET ON WITH IT!

Seriously, I'm not in the market for a SSM myself, as I'm in a committed relationship with an opposite sex partner, but I welcome news of any place that pulls its head out of its ass and recognizes equality of rights before the law and does away with discrimination. 

It's a celebration every time a new jurisdiction does the right thing and allows SSM, and as much work has to be done to keep the momentum going, it's always one step closer than the fight for equality was before.

Get on the bandwagon, world!

To human dignity...

...Wish you were here.

Monday, February 3, 2014

February 3/14

So, who's a special little snowflake?

This girl!  Right here!

Last week, I was notified that I had passed the written exam for a job competition, and that I would receive an invitation for an interview.  The problem for me was that it was an insanely busy week last week, as we were hosting a workshop with representatives from across the country.  So I was busy workshopping AND obsessively checking my email when I had the chance.  Finally at around 2:30 on Friday, January 31st, the invitation came, with the scheduled date for February 7th. 

I quickly glanced up at my calendar and panicked..."Tuesday!" I thought.  That quick.  Oh boy.  I would have to spend my weekend cramming.  Anyway, I ran downstairs to wrap things up with the workshop, and then rushed to get the required information to respond to the invitation.  I sent off my RSVP, and then headed off for the weekend.

I did not study this weekend.  I was tired, and quite frankly, I didn't know what to study for.  I knew I was meeting with my Director on Monday to do some preparation, and I figured there was no point in looking at anything until then.

This morning, I went to my Director's office to meet with her, and once we settled in, I handed her the invitation print out.  "So, this is for Friday, " she half questioned, half stated.

My head shot up from my writing pad.  "What?"

Yeah, today is February 3rd.

See, the thing is, when I took my quick glance at my calendar on Friday?  Yeah, it was still January.  Duh.  The 7th of January was a Tuesday.  Well done, Me.

So much for paying attention to detail.  I know I have the excuse that my mind was very occupied with the workshop and with a task on my main file, but really, that is a sad excuse.  I'm supposed to be better than that.

Yup.  Special little snowflake.

...Wish you were here.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

February 2/14

I was out running errands early this afternoon when I got the news.

I belong to a car sharing program here in Ottawa, mostly to do things like go out to the suburbs where the pet stores are located.  Earlier today, I went to the PetSmart in Gloucester to pick up food for Purrball, however I was disappointed to find that they had sold out of the wet food, and I would have to go out to the PetSmart in Orleans to get some.  I tried to call Etienne to let him know I'd be longer than I thought, but he didn't answer.  I set off for Orleans where made my purchase, and then started to head into Ottawa, but I noticed my blood sugar wobbling a bit, so I decided to make a detour to Taco Bell for some dirt cheap, fast, fake-meat, soft shell tacos.  I took my order out to the car to gobble them up, and as I sat there consuming my garbage food, my phone rang.  Etienne called me back.

I told him I had to run to Orleans, and that I wouldn't have enough time to stop for white wine.  He was fine with that, but then he dropped the bomb.

"So, you heard the news?"

"No.  What news?"

He hesitated.  "The actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman?  It's being reported that he died." 

BOOM!

Holy fuck.  I heard the news that one of the most talented actors of this generation had died while shoving a taco in my mouth.  Classy, Fancy.  Real Classy.  Good way to remember that moment.  It was early on, so all he could tell me was that it was reported that he was found dead in his apartment in New York City.  My classiness continued with my immediate response..."Shut the fuck up!  Are you serious?"

I don't know what to say.  It's not my finest moment. 

I'd like a do-over...

...Wish you were here.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

February 1/14

Gents, this may be one you want to skip.  Cause it's about shopping.

Today, I headed out into the heavy snow to buy...well, no, that's not it, it's not the right place to start.

Members of the Ottawa Art Gallery enjoy several perks, one of which is the ability to rent some of the pieces.  Etienne's been a member for a few years now, and we have had several pieces over the years, some of which we've purchased after three months of renting.  Last night, we checked out what was on the walls in the rentals room, and I came across a darling little piece called Monkey I.  It's relatively cheap, so I made the decision to come back and rent it.

So, here we are today, out in the heavy snow.  I trudged to the Gallery and rented my piece.  After that, I trudged to the Sir John A. for a burger that I've been craving for months now.  Since we left the neighbourhood, I haven't had a chance to go back to get that burger.  Once I was done, I left the pub in time to see that a bus was coming up Elgin, but that I would have no shot at catching it, so I walked up to Red Velvet, this cute little women's boutique, intending to wait out the snow until the next bus, but once there, I wandered over to the jewellery, and well...I missed the bus, but I got a great costume ring.

As penance for my bad decision, I walked towards home, but wouldn't you know it, I have to pass by all these stores and a mall to get there.  Are you getting where this is going?

Yeah, I ended up at The Bay.  After watching Etienne haul in these amazing deals in the last week, I admit I was jealous.  I started out on my never-ending quest to find a simple black pencil skirt, and after far too much time on my own, I walked out of the women's department with two short sweaters for the price of one.  Right into the women's shoe department sale.  Dammit.  I console myself that I turned down a darling little dress that was a third of the original price.

The thing is, I've had my eye on this last pair of lavender, patent leather heels that have been on the sale rack for a while now...marked down 50% from the already nice sale price.  $110 shoes for $35?  Yeah, I fell for it again.

Will power, why have you forsaken me?

...Wish you were here.