I thought it was kind of strange that two major and opposing political parties had signs on the same lawn. Both of the signs spanned about 6 feet long on opposite signs of the yard. And then the truth was revealed with a painted wood sign attached on its own post. One said “His” the other said “Hers”. Good to know they’ve reached some sort of a compromise.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
“Are you here to hurt my new baby?”
His four year old voice was laden with concern and the intention to protect his new baby sister. He spoke to me very matter of factly. I knew I had to state my intention immediately.
“Nope, I have a present for your new baby”. I showed him the bag of books I had carried into the room.
This seemed to please him. We talked together about books, and what his new baby was seeing and hearing. He seemed to like the books and the idea of reading with his baby sister. I knew things were going a different way when he climbed up on the bed, lifted the blanket off of his mom’s belly. He patted it gently and affectionately.
“You know what?” He interrupted in a tone that suggested I had better listen.
“The baby was in Mommy’s tummy, and then it just popped out her vagina!”
He said it with such enthusiasm and pride.
His parents were mortified. I just laughed. because kids really do tell it like it is.
His four year old voice was laden with concern and the intention to protect his new baby sister. He spoke to me very matter of factly. I knew I had to state my intention immediately.
“Nope, I have a present for your new baby”. I showed him the bag of books I had carried into the room.
This seemed to please him. We talked together about books, and what his new baby was seeing and hearing. He seemed to like the books and the idea of reading with his baby sister. I knew things were going a different way when he climbed up on the bed, lifted the blanket off of his mom’s belly. He patted it gently and affectionately.
“You know what?” He interrupted in a tone that suggested I had better listen.
“The baby was in Mommy’s tummy, and then it just popped out her vagina!”
He said it with such enthusiasm and pride.
His parents were mortified. I just laughed. because kids really do tell it like it is.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
This is the first time all day that I’ve felt like I can stand tall. And to tell you the truth, the only reason I can/am is because I have new shoes on. They’re tall shoes—2 inch wedge cork heel tall.
I’ve spent the better part of the day feeling small. Knowing I did what I needed to do, but wishing there was a better way or an easier way. Right or wrong doesn’t matter, the decision and the repercussion of it still leaves me standing smaller. Probably somewhere in the neighbourhood of 3 apples tall.
And I wonder, after everything that has happened, if I’ll ever be barefoot or flat shoes tall again. Or maybe, it’ll be wedge heels for the next little or long while. Its good I bought them in both beige and black.
I’ve spent the better part of the day feeling small. Knowing I did what I needed to do, but wishing there was a better way or an easier way. Right or wrong doesn’t matter, the decision and the repercussion of it still leaves me standing smaller. Probably somewhere in the neighbourhood of 3 apples tall.
And I wonder, after everything that has happened, if I’ll ever be barefoot or flat shoes tall again. Or maybe, it’ll be wedge heels for the next little or long while. Its good I bought them in both beige and black.
Dad’s beard was a little more salt than pepper. The hair on top of dad’s head was a little more pepper than salt.
Each patch on Dad’s head was affectionately named after one of the three girls. The patches grayed more or less – depending on what antics my sisters and I got up to. Sometimes they stayed gray, sometimes they grew back dark.
I’m glad I don’t have a beard. Instead, I’ve shown stress in another way – a massive breakout. Each bright red pimple that has erupted from my face tells another story. I’ve started dishing out the responsibility – claiming to know what each one represents. And what if they don’t go away? Does the mean I’m uncurable? And what if they do? Does that mean I’m fixed.
You know, it’s time like this that really make me wish I could grow a beard. Then I would at least be able to hide something.
Each patch on Dad’s head was affectionately named after one of the three girls. The patches grayed more or less – depending on what antics my sisters and I got up to. Sometimes they stayed gray, sometimes they grew back dark.
I’m glad I don’t have a beard. Instead, I’ve shown stress in another way – a massive breakout. Each bright red pimple that has erupted from my face tells another story. I’ve started dishing out the responsibility – claiming to know what each one represents. And what if they don’t go away? Does the mean I’m uncurable? And what if they do? Does that mean I’m fixed.
You know, it’s time like this that really make me wish I could grow a beard. Then I would at least be able to hide something.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Somewhere along the way I forgot what it's like to be nine years old.
"I'm a very good dancer." She said to me very matter-of-factly.
"And I've also taught myself Karate. I'm very good at it."
I looked at her and smiled.
"Is that so? Have you ever taken lessons?"
She told me that she hadn't. She just knows how to dance.
She put on one of her favourite CDs -- the Minipops.
I was shocked to find out they're still around. I remember dancing to the Minipops in my basement.
She took a pose and waited for the music to start. Within the next few minutes, legs and arms were flying about as she grooved in her own way to the munchkin pop music on the stereo.
I laughed and smiled as I watched her. I remember rainy days spent choreographing dances in the basement. She danced and sang along.
That so would have been me when I was nine years old.
"I'm a very good dancer." She said to me very matter-of-factly.
"And I've also taught myself Karate. I'm very good at it."
I looked at her and smiled.
"Is that so? Have you ever taken lessons?"
She told me that she hadn't. She just knows how to dance.
She put on one of her favourite CDs -- the Minipops.
I was shocked to find out they're still around. I remember dancing to the Minipops in my basement.
She took a pose and waited for the music to start. Within the next few minutes, legs and arms were flying about as she grooved in her own way to the munchkin pop music on the stereo.
I laughed and smiled as I watched her. I remember rainy days spent choreographing dances in the basement. She danced and sang along.
That so would have been me when I was nine years old.
Friday, May 12, 2006
I couldn’t figure out why the car stopped at the red light was honking at me. I looked closely, then realized, that I did not know the people in it. They honked again and flailed their arms in attempt to gain my attention. They then made a pointing gesture and I looked to see the Five dollar bill that was in my pocket was now twirling across Robie Street. Without thinking, and I seriously mean without, I did what ‘seemed’ logical – I ran after it.
As per usual, I had my Ipod turned up way to loud. Combine that with noise canceling headphones and I am a little shorter on senses than I should be. And if you don’t have any sense, let alone common sense, darting out onto Robie Street is something you do without a second thought.
Two steps off the sidewalk though, as the bill blew a few feet further away, I realized. I looked to the left and noticed a car headed in my direction. Thankfully, at this point I had enough time to return safely to the sidewalk. I kept my eye on my money, and was soon enough able to run and catch it – safely.
I thanked my lucky stars, and the guardian angel who has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion and carefully pocketed the money and continued the quest to the Starbucks.
To add insult to almost injury, on the way back from the Starbucks, I spilled coffee on my coat, and my ipod. Thankfully, I missed the seatbelt bag!
By the time I got back to work I vowed to start re-thinking the necessity of fieldtrips from work. Or if nothing else, to start paying a little more attention. It all reminds me of a bad joke:
Why did the Tracy cross the road?
Because her Starbucks money flew out of her pocket and started to get away! Yikes!
As per usual, I had my Ipod turned up way to loud. Combine that with noise canceling headphones and I am a little shorter on senses than I should be. And if you don’t have any sense, let alone common sense, darting out onto Robie Street is something you do without a second thought.
Two steps off the sidewalk though, as the bill blew a few feet further away, I realized. I looked to the left and noticed a car headed in my direction. Thankfully, at this point I had enough time to return safely to the sidewalk. I kept my eye on my money, and was soon enough able to run and catch it – safely.
I thanked my lucky stars, and the guardian angel who has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion and carefully pocketed the money and continued the quest to the Starbucks.
To add insult to almost injury, on the way back from the Starbucks, I spilled coffee on my coat, and my ipod. Thankfully, I missed the seatbelt bag!
By the time I got back to work I vowed to start re-thinking the necessity of fieldtrips from work. Or if nothing else, to start paying a little more attention. It all reminds me of a bad joke:
Why did the Tracy cross the road?
Because her Starbucks money flew out of her pocket and started to get away! Yikes!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
It was time for a change. And since the writing and posting hasn’t been going well lately I thought I would jazz up the template. So I did what every smart girl should do – I found someone and bribed them to do it for me. Thank you: as only a tray of chocolate baklava could say.
So this is essentially a test post. I blog from Word, so I just want to see how it looks in the new template.
In the meantime, what do you think of the new look? Too much, too little? Keep me posted, and I promise to start posting again soon. Cross my heart and kiss my elbow.
So this is essentially a test post. I blog from Word, so I just want to see how it looks in the new template.
In the meantime, what do you think of the new look? Too much, too little? Keep me posted, and I promise to start posting again soon. Cross my heart and kiss my elbow.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
I wonder if this will change things in the morning.
More often than not, we pass each other on the street Monday through Friday at roughly 9:45. I’m always on my way to work. She is always walking in the opposite direction. And always, carrying 4 Tim Horton Coffees. I wonder, where is she going, and who are all those coffees for?
Whether walking hurriedly while bundled in scarves and mittens, or strolling on a sunny day, or frantically trying to avoid the rain, we always smile and exchange morning pleasantries.
I don’t quite understand it, only because the Tim Hortons closest to where we usually meet is about 7 minutes away. There isn’t much in the stretch where we usually meet, which makes me wonder where is she going with that many coffees. And as far as I can tell, there is a closer Tims. Why the loyalty to the one she has been going to? Why carry that many coffees, that many blocks?
The Starbucks opened today. This afternoon, I stopped in for my coffee. Heaven.
Will this change her morning routine? I’ll keep you posted.
More often than not, we pass each other on the street Monday through Friday at roughly 9:45. I’m always on my way to work. She is always walking in the opposite direction. And always, carrying 4 Tim Horton Coffees. I wonder, where is she going, and who are all those coffees for?
Whether walking hurriedly while bundled in scarves and mittens, or strolling on a sunny day, or frantically trying to avoid the rain, we always smile and exchange morning pleasantries.
I don’t quite understand it, only because the Tim Hortons closest to where we usually meet is about 7 minutes away. There isn’t much in the stretch where we usually meet, which makes me wonder where is she going with that many coffees. And as far as I can tell, there is a closer Tims. Why the loyalty to the one she has been going to? Why carry that many coffees, that many blocks?
The Starbucks opened today. This afternoon, I stopped in for my coffee. Heaven.
Will this change her morning routine? I’ll keep you posted.
Monday, May 01, 2006
The waiter returned with unbearable bad news – their fryers were not working. Which meant the only food we could order included sandwiches, wraps, and salads. We would need to replace our order, or leave. Either way the waiter said he’d understand.
I was halfway through a pint of beer. I took another sip and we discussed the possibility of staying.
“We’re staying – if that will sway your decision any”.
The voice came from the table that was a few feet away from ours. The two men had ordered fish and chips, but like us, they also had to change their mind to sandwiches and salads.
We all laughed together and discussed the merits of staying versus leaving. Basically, we all decided that hungry people stay – leaving was a lot of work, and where else would we go to eat?
We watched their meal arrive shortly after we replaced our order. It looked good. They said they thought so too. When ours arrived, we thought the same. We were pleased with the forced healthiness of sandwiches and salads for our supper.
As they got up to leave, we had a quick chat about how we enjoyed our dinner. We all agreed that we felt better having salads and not French fries. He came over, shook our hands and introduced himself.
“I’m Stephen, by the way.”
I extended my hand to meet his. “Tracy”.
“With or without an “E”?”
“Without”.
He then turned to my roomie.
“Megan”
“With or without and ‘H’?”
I wished I was a little wittier. I should have asked him if he was with a “V” or a “PH”. But I didn’t.
We wished each other good evening. He and his buddy left the restaurant. We laughed about the whole situation. And my first thought was, I can’t wait to blog that. That was too funny.
I was halfway through a pint of beer. I took another sip and we discussed the possibility of staying.
“We’re staying – if that will sway your decision any”.
The voice came from the table that was a few feet away from ours. The two men had ordered fish and chips, but like us, they also had to change their mind to sandwiches and salads.
We all laughed together and discussed the merits of staying versus leaving. Basically, we all decided that hungry people stay – leaving was a lot of work, and where else would we go to eat?
We watched their meal arrive shortly after we replaced our order. It looked good. They said they thought so too. When ours arrived, we thought the same. We were pleased with the forced healthiness of sandwiches and salads for our supper.
As they got up to leave, we had a quick chat about how we enjoyed our dinner. We all agreed that we felt better having salads and not French fries. He came over, shook our hands and introduced himself.
“I’m Stephen, by the way.”
I extended my hand to meet his. “Tracy”.
“With or without an “E”?”
“Without”.
He then turned to my roomie.
“Megan”
“With or without and ‘H’?”
I wished I was a little wittier. I should have asked him if he was with a “V” or a “PH”. But I didn’t.
We wished each other good evening. He and his buddy left the restaurant. We laughed about the whole situation. And my first thought was, I can’t wait to blog that. That was too funny.
