A number of people I've spoken to this week have sounded less enthusiastic than usual. Granted, the academic term is now 1/3 over, so assignments, grading and exam preparation are in high gear. This generally means more work in the same number of hours. Other work sites are fully back into work mode after the holidays. For many we are moving toward the end of the fiscal year and the accounting and banking industries are filled with RSP and tax season business. Winter weather has taken a large toll -- often eating into the leisure hours of our days with snow shovelling and ice removal. It isn't expected that any groundhog will tell us that there will be an early spring, which adds to the dread as the forecasters predict further bouts of nasty weather. The lack of sunshine and hours of light compound daily life for many at this time of year, too. Unfortunately, this is when viruses are making the rounds, finding it easy to attack systems that are over-worked and over-tired.
This is the time of year that I find the need to do something out of the ordinary. This is difficult when my energy level is just as low as everyone else's. A dinner out with friends, a day spent watching movies, an afternoon window shopping -- can help recharge. Tonight it was a long soak in a bubble bath. Music works for me, too. I have to remind myself sometimes to pause and breathe, relax my shoulders, close my eyes and just listen. I want to use my iPod at work for a single song and a 5-10 minute break with a song that relaxes or one that energizes. That refocusing may help me to feel less frenetic and think more clearly. It certainly will give a moment for me, something that seems to be lacking when working 'for' so many others. I'll let you know how it goes <smile>.
The selection of the day is something to energize -- one that perks me up. So, get up and dance for a minute or two <smile>. Enjoy!
The third New Year of the Winter Season has arrived. (Gregorian, Julian, and Lunar). Like the others, this brings with it a sense of renewal. It also brings memories of being in Hong Kong for Lunar New Years Eve and at the Kai Tak Airport on New Years Day. It was the Year of the Horse then, too. Our travel group of four went shopping with everyone else in Hong Kong. Crossing the street was an unforgettable experience. There were hundreds of people waiting to cross with the lights. The four of us had to grab hold of each other to even stay together -- we couldn't see each other at times. All those people were out shopping for new clothes, housewares and wonderful blooming branches of plum blossoms. In the evening there were fireworks over Victoria Peak and a lion dance in the hotel lobby.
The year of the horse is said to bring with it prosperity. I wish this for all of you. Today's musical selection deals with the theme of horses. Enjoy!
In the past couple of weeks, I've been reminded of what a friend of mine has termed 'jumping to hyperbole.' Another friend wrote a note on his FB page describing the use of hyperbole in what he called 'catastrophizing'. Yet another person called it 'drama' earlier this week.
These reminders are what we all may require at times. It can be easy when tired, over-worked or overwhelmed to become that 'drama queen' and make something small seem like the world's biggest problem. I have caught myself doing this at times -- making everything all about me <smile>. I may have some level of importance in the system, but I'm just not that important, nor is the issue at hand. <smile> The reminders from others talking about this behaviour in themselves or others, reminds me that I need to stop, breath and re-centre. Looking at things through a different lens could help me to decompress and focus on working with the problem from a positive place rather than that frenetic place I had been inhabiting. It may also help me to help others calm and move into a more constructive place.
That said, hyperbole fits well into a poetic turn of phrase. We can use it to draw attention or make a point. It has a place in writing and speech, and can compliment metaphor well, but overuse to bemoan daily events may not be the best use of hyperbole.
So -- thank you to those who speak to this type of behaviour and remind me to breathe. <smile>
Today the world is a poorer place with the passing of Pete Seeger, a prolific song writer and activist for civil rights, environmental issues, and peace. He did leave us with numerous musical memories, however. Countless songs, familiar to many, have been written or recorded by this man, individually or as part of a group, over much of his 90+ years. A good summary of his life and work was published by The Telegraph today -- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/10601115/Pete-Seeger-10-great-songs.html
The appellation of 'folk music' seems reasonable to describe much of Seeger's musical work, but may almost diminish the great body of work pushing for social action and change. Folk music has reflected issues of daily life for centuries, often including some aspect of criticism or advocacy within liberal political climates. Music as the soul of life and working classes as the soul of societies and economies are often described with great eloquence. Pete Seeger spoke to many generations about life with all its joys and warts.
I have had trouble finding a single song to share today, so for this one day there will be three (and there are so many more I'd like to share -- but you should go explore and find your favourites <smile>). The first is one I have loved for many years as it describes the ebb and flow of life, that rhythm that we often rail against, expecting life to be all sunshine and roses <grin>. This version was not recorded by Seeger but by another group -- the first Seeger tune I recall hearing.
Turn, turn, turn -- The Byrds
The second item speaks to Seeger's antiwar protest songs -- another favourite from earlier in my life -- one that shaped my desire to promote peace in all its forms.
Finally, the third today is a recording written by Peter Tork and recorded by the Monkees. Tork has stated that he titled this, not for himself, but with Seeger in mind.
Up early for the first class today. Felt tired from the time I woke this morning. Not sure what this is all about. It better not be some nasty virus -- there just isn't time as we head down the stretch to mid-terms. <sigh>. So, I haven't been on top of things as I like to be today. I slept poorly due to a lot of extraneous noise from the snow removal equipment around downtown and from some creature that felt compelled to scratch around on the roof as I slept. Hopefully, with some good sleep tonight, tomorrow will be better.
The weather brought freezing temperatures overnight again and rain during the day with a second flash freeze this evening. Ice, ice, everywhere!
Given these two main aspects of my day -- I've chosen to share a song whose title says it all for me today -- tired of waiting -- to see what this tiredness is all about and for spring to arrive <g>. The band featured is from town, though they've gone a long way. Enjoy!
Tired of Waiting -- The Trews -- video quality low, but audio is great
Well, it seems I was so engrossed in making slides for lectures yesterday, that I missed reading the calendars to see that it was Robbie Burns Day. I'm almost afraid to confess this, living in the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia as I do. <smile> This area was settled by Scots back in the 1700s after the risings and during the clearances after Bonnie Prince Charlie failed to regain the throne. I'm sure the highlanders found this part of the world much like home in topography -- major hills, forests and the ocean all around. The climate is cold and wet in the the winter and hot and wet in the summer.
This area is very unique. Our university is the only one in the country that accepts Gaelic as a teachable subject for an education degree. People in the highlands of Cape Breton speak a dialect that hasn't been spoken in Scotland in centuries. The step dancing here is equally historic. In fact, people from this area, including at least one of our past graduates, have taught summer school in Scotland to help re-establish these treasures into their culture. The town here has held an ancient heavy games competition each summer for 150 years. Our street signs are in English and Gaelic. We sing O Canada in French, English and Gaelic at official events on campus, after being piped in by one of the many local pipers. I've been to a dinner where the haggis was piped in, addressed in Gaelic (words by Burns) and followed by a wee dram. In fact, during the Highland Games, there are pipe and drum as well as highland dance competitions. The space behind my house was used as a staging ground for individual competitors -- 12 hours of snare drum rolls, bass drum beats, and bagpipe tunes. Interestingly, the snare drum was the one that was most difficult to manage. I think I actually like bagpipes <smile>.
Today I've chosen to share a relatively recent song about Scotland complete with bagpipes, so be forewarned if they aren't your favourite. <smile> The lands shown in the video could easily be those of this part of the province in the summer. Quite breathtaking. Enjoy!
Much of today was filled with that usual weekend stuff -- laundry, cleaning and such. It also comprised several hours of preparing lectures for the next section of a course -- usual stuff for academics it seems <smile>. It was definitely a day with far less physical activity than the past few days, which had been filled with snow removal and much walking through drifts. The many trips to the basement today for laundry and retrieving things from the pantry were far less strenuous <smile>.
This evening I chose to soak in the tub for a while, hoping this might help the still sore muscle groups from pushing and lifting many many times my body weight in snow. While soaking I chose to listen to some relaxing music. A favourite album of mine, Tropical Campfires, did the trick tonight. It has fun up tempo songs and others that are slower -- a blending of calypso and western beats. The vocals are breath-taking -- such a fantastic voice that has changed little in the past decades -- thankfully <smile>.
This song has delightful arrangements and orchestration. Enjoy!
Wonderful sunny day today -- cold but sunny with almost no wind. It reminded me of winter at home on the prairies. <smile> On my way back home tonight after wading through the snow in behind the neighbour's yard -- it is a two block shorter route to my yard -- I saw my shovelled pathways from the backyard to the front street. This property runs uphill from the back of the lot where the house is to the front of the lot out by the street. The shovel-width pathway is about 100 feet long. The knee- to thigh-deep walls and the slight curves in the path instantly reminded me of a luge run. Perhaps I should hire out track time to aspiring Olympians for the next winter Games <grin>.
The selection for today takes us back to the Calgary Olympics in 1988 -- where I saw Pirmin Zurbriggen win gold in men's downhill -- amazing day at the track. This song is from the movie Cool Runnings. And it looks like there will be a team in Sochi! Enjoy!
Disney movie "Cool Running" -- Jamaican Bobsled Team
Early in the morning, I had waded through knee- to mid-thigh deep snow in my yard to get out to the street. The sidewalk plough was out but hadn't gotten to our street yet. It was very slow slogging for me and for the plough operator. I walked up my street and down to Main Street, where the sidewalk was opened just wide enough for two people to pass. It always amazes me to see this corridor cleanly sliced out of the solid pile of such deep snow. As I went up the hill to cross the bridge, I discovered that there was no walkway there. Now, my street is wide and not too busy, so walking on the road wasn't too tricky. Here, there is a major convergence of traffic and a narrower area due to the bridge. Thankfully, it is a short distance. I was out on the edge of the road hoping no transport trucks were going to appear. The snow thrown by the street plough was well above my waist, so there really was no where I could go except into that pile where I'd be lost until Spring <smile>. When I headed back home in early afternoon, there was amazing sunshine and the plough had completed clearing the bridge walkways.
I've seen a similar phenomenon many times. Resiliency and perseverance. For example, an ants' nest is disturbed or exits are covered over. Within minutes, the ants emerge out from under the dirt and begin scurrying around getting things back in a workable fashion. As I was walking down Main Street today, this visual filled my mind. Ploughs, loaders and back hoes had been busy since early morning carving out pathways to re-establish some semblance of transportation for vehicular flow and foot traffic. People were now out going about their business -- far more than had been out earlier in the day. Businesses were reopening after early closures yesterday. As I got back to my street, the plough hadn't yet been there, but there was activity along the street as walkways were being cleared. I spent 2 hours getting a shovel wide path to the general location of the sidewalk and around the side of the house to the back door. My shovelling duo arrived and cleaned out the pile left by the street plough which was over my waist. Someone with a snow blower was clearing the next door driveway and blew all the sidewalk clear in front of that house, leaving a pile taller than me at the edge of my driveway. Some people really don't think sometimes, but generally people were very considerate. Two young men up the street were trying to shovel out the end of their driveway as I went by this morning. A fellow with a plough blade on his truck drove up the street, pushed the snow out for them and didn't expect any payment -- just doing a good thing. Another neighbour called me to say they'd found someone with a snow blower who did a good job for them and wanted me to know he could likely do both our drives the next time the snow falls. All very cool behaviours that made me smile.
Today's selection has made the rounds before, but it just reminded me of the work by multiple people all moving towards freeing us all from the confines of this blasted snow. <smile> Enjoy!
Working together as a team -- Som Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
Thankfully, today's storm has been a fast moving one and not one that stalls over the area for days. That said, it did leave a lot of souvenirs in the form of snow and drifts. The wind is dying down slowly. It is far quieter out there right now than earlier in the evening. Gusts are still pronounced, so I've chosen not to head out to do any shovelling other than clearing the porch so I can open the door in the morning <smile>. I have an early class tomorrow, so will do what I can before heading into the office.
I had a 1:15 class today, so worked from home this morning after moving the snow that fell overnight. By 11:45 AM there was no notice other than one stating the University was open. So, I walked in -- didn't want to have to drive home through what I knew was on its way. It was chilly with a light breeze and a bit of snow on the ground with not much falling at that point. I arrived and booted the computer and headed off to make a cup of tea. By 12:20 PM when I saw some students in the hallway, they told me the University had closed at noon -- the notice sent as I was walking in. <sigh>. So -- I did some of the work planned for the afternoon and checked out the lab room. We had one booked for today, but will now have to find ways for students to make up the session. It was on sugar and ice crystallization -- a rather fun and yummy lab. So -- I was able to test out the penuche and divinity made yesterday afternoon. That was my treat for the weather silliness today <smile>. Both were tasty with good texture.
I headed home about 2 PM when the snow was beginning to pick up as was the wind. The temperature was warmer than when I'd gone in earlier and I almost felt too warm in my coat and scarf. Most of the journey was with moderate winds, but a couple of gusts from unexpected directions had me either walking like a mime (getting no where) or blowing across the walkway (when I could see it). Walking through the snow was like walking in sand, always moving under your feet. I reminded myself that was good exercise. The snow stuck to my black coat and ice crystals stuck to my sun glasses (worn more for protection than to deal with sun glare). When I got home, I hung everything up to dry.
The selection today fits the weather somewhat. This is a Canadian group from BC. Enjoy!
Today involved running from one place to the next with little time to spare between appointments. Both classes began a couple minutes late as I was meeting about or discussing issues that needed attention. Right after lunch, I headed out to get groceries in an attempt to avoid the major crowds that would descend after work. There is a major storm on the way overnight, a situation that always leads people to stock up. Today actually had been my planned grocery day this week. I got back just in time to run to my next meeting and then run to make the wrap up lecture in lab. Cutting things a little close all day long it seemed.
On the way out of the parking lot in the afternoon, I noticed a large plume of black smoke in the general direction I was heading. As I drove off campus, it became easier to pinpoint the general location of what was obviously a fire. That helped me to choose which of the two routes to the grocery store I should take. Emergency vehicles were present all along the highway. As we drove west, the flames became visible in an area in the Department of Highways compound. What exactly was involved wasn't clear. Based on the news report I was passing this about 15 minutes after the conflagration began. It was frightening to see and I always worry about the emergency workers. It took 4-5 light cycles for about 12 cars to turn off the highway into the store area -- past the fire and on the opposite side of the road. Pumper trucks were filling tanks from the hydrant by the grocery store, so one entrance to the lot was blocked off.
After 45-60 minutes, getting out of the parking area was a challenge. Long lines of vehicles could turn west (away from town) or go across the highway to the back road into town. Nothing was allowed to use the eastbound lane. This route passed by the opposite side of the fire, which had mainly white smoke now and a lot of steam from the water that was still being pumped onto the fire. It was clear at this point that it was a large storage garage. It turns out that a house next to this compound had some damage to the side and roof. No injuries have been reported, thankfully.
Now, there is a major nor'easter bearing down on this part of the world tonight. This afternoon we lost 3 snow ploughs and the 9 plough garage. There are 3 ploughs and a loader headed this way on loan from other areas of the province to help us with this next storm. They are not sure what will be available for the storms after that -- the next is expected Saturday. The first song I heard overhead at the grocery store is the selection for today. The title and main chorus phrase seemed to fit the anxiety that I felt after driving past this mess. It is another song from the '80s and was used in a movie many of you may have seen. Enjoy!
Another Monday almost over. This one began with sunshine even though temps were below freezing. I chiselled the 2-3 inches of frozen slush off the windshield and did something I never do -- drove without clearing off the roof of the Jeep -- praying all the way that nothing would slide off and damage anyone walking or driving behind me. Luckily I'm only 3 km from the office, so the car didn't warm enough for it to dislodge. Temperatures rose in the afternoon to above freezing so I was able to move it all off easily before my trip home at supper time. Sadly the afternoon brought further cloud and there will be snow this evening and overnight with a major system on its way for Wednesday with heaps of snow and much colder temperatures to be followed by another major snowfall on Friday. It begins again -- a whole series of nor'easters headed our way.
The day unfolded with many tasks begun or completed that help to set up future activities in the classroom, seminars and the need to move my research materials out of my (almost) former research space. Boxes should arrive tomorrow; a student was hired to aid in packing and heavy lifting. Among the many good news items that crossed my desk today, was approval to purchase a site licence for software that will greatly assist and improve our abilities to bring distant speakers into classrooms. We have tested a few possible items and will now have one to rely on for the rest of this term and going forward.
Today has been a mixed bag of events -- for a Monday it was better than that day of the week can be. For some reason the first day of the traditional work week has a lot resting on its shoulders -- we feel that it sets the tone for the week and we rely on this day to get us into the swing of work again. Perhaps we, as a society are deflecting responsibility here. When pondering today's musical selection, there seemed only one possibility. I hope you agree. Enjoy!
Today saw the return of snow and shovelling. There hadn't been much wind when the snow fell last evening and overnight, so the trees and bushes were coated with wet, sticky snow. It was quite beautiful. I headed out after lunch once the temperature had moved a few degrees above zero. In the house, I could hear the snow dropping on the roof from the trees. It sounded like little quadrupeds running across the roof as it rolled. By that time of day, the 4-6 inches of snow had compacted a bit. As I was pushing the snow to make a path and clear the driveway, it seemed that making large snowballs might be more productive. The shovel kept getting caught in the mud of the supersaturated soil beneath the snow. An hour later, the snow was moved around and my coat hood was wet and filled with little bits of snow and ice that kept dropping on me as I'd worked. All in all, a rather pleasant workout.
If the forecasters are to be believed, further snow and mixed precipitation is expected over the next few days. In some places it says up to 10 cm and in other places it is predicted to be less than a cm. Perhaps this is how the meteorologists can claim to be 90-some percent correct with their musings and crystal ball gazing. It would be interesting if others could have this same leeway with the specificity of what they do, but who would stand for that? A prognosis of 3 months or 30 years to live or a car warranty that lasts 1000 km or 100,000 km. What's an order of magnitude or two between friends? The variability in forecasts is explained away by the unpredictability of weather patterns that 'wobble' or 'veer off' in unexpected directions. If it is unpredictable and that is the reason stated by the predictors, there may be less science in this than we have been led to believe. Or, perhaps I'm just jealous of their ability to have fun with their science and technological playthings, get things sort of correct, and still make a living at it all <grin>.
Today's selection somewhat speaks to the concepts of science and technology. Enjoy!
Another Saturday almost over. Today was filled with housework as is usual at the end of the week. I also spent much of the day working on preparing lectures for the coming week. This can be tedious, but it is also fun as it is somewhat like a puzzle. Placing all needed information in a logical order, adding examples and diagrams where useful -- all a mental challenge that can be quite fulfilling. Newer information from recent research can be added to update the text information, which is often older. Nutrition knowledge constantly changes with all the new research findings appearing each year. Some findings support existing understandings, while others turn common wisdom on its ear. These are always fascinating to share and to show students how our evidence base evolves in this newer science of nutrition. That part is exciting. So, I'm always on the lookout for information that can make the basics sing, rather than seem like material for rote memorization.
So -- as most educators, I was working outside of the time that most people believe we work. This is a vocation, not a job, so the many hours that one works every week are far more than commonly understood and moves the hourly rate to something much lower than it might seem on seeing an annual salary. For the most part, I do enjoy planning and delivering course content. Looking for new activities to help instil the material can be absorbing. It can all be exhausting, too, and leave one with little time for anything else.Still it has those moments that make it all seem worthwhile, like the time the graduating class told us all that we 'taught with love' -- it is good to hear that this is seen and understood <smile>.
The selection today relates to this process of earning a living. Again, not the original version but an updated version with the original singer and a colleague -- an interesting pairing. Enjoy!
Workin' of a Livin' -- Huey Lewis and Garth Brooks
We've made it to the end of week two of the winter term. Work went reasonably well and I was able to dig through the archive pile on my desk from the past week and a bit. Finally, I got a number of things off the desk and was able to celebrate the end of week 2 with a colleague at a local restaurant -- great food, nice wine and great conversation!
Early in the day, a media call arrived, leading to a fun event for the day. CBC Main Street taped an interview asking me what could be done with the pulp left over in a juicer and what nutritional value was being sent to the composter. The intro was fun and they called this segment 'pulp fiction' and talked with a new convert to juicers, a juicer veteran and me for the nutritionist viewpoint. It came together well and they edited my piece well, too.
From the media interview today, I thought of a wonderful musical movie scene to share today. We're all off to Jack Rabbit Slim's. Enjoy!
You never can tell -- Chuck Berry (from Pulp Fiction)
Today there was actually time for me to spend catching up on the pile of things on my desk and in the e-mail inbox. Now, I didn't get through the whole pile, but there was an hour or two where I could tackle the archaeological dig that is my desk. I'm hoping this event repeats itself in the coming days, so that things get done for classes, the board and everyone else who is asking for my time and hoping that I get to things in their definition of a 'timely manner.' It is not that I don't want to do these things; I generally enjoy doing this sort of thing. That is likely a good thing since it is a major part of my job and my volunteer work <smile>. The problem arises when there are too many things all expecting to be done 'now' as we all begin a new year and are back from the holidays.
Speaking of which, I did change my FB profile picture today. I noticed this evening that it was still a Christmas tree -- so it is now something a bit more imposing -- a T. rex skull. Perhaps I should use that same picture on my office door and in my e-mail auto-response <giggle>. Actually this skull is a replica of the original which is generally found at the T. rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, SK. Before I moved to the Maritimes, I spent a day at the dig where they were casting Scotty's skeleton to move out for study. It was a nearly complete skeleton, which isn't found often.
So -- from the dim recesses of my brain, I recalled a song that fits so well with this photo and the experiences watching the dig. It is not the original song, but has the original singer and another with a similar vocal range. Enjoy!
Diggin' Up Bones -- Randy Travis with John Anderson
It was a day with few events that stood out -- a very pleasant change from the craziness of the beginning of term. There are still way too many things to do in a single day, but it will settle soon. The interesting turn of events came in the evening when I was setting up for a nice soak in the tub and discovered that the rubber tub drain plug was not on the edge of the tub as usual. Nor was it in the bottom of the tub as sometimes happens when the smaller furry being in the house chooses to play with it -- which happens often. On my hands and knees, I hunted around the bathroom floor peering behind the toilet and beside the vanity to see where the plug could have been deposited. No luck! I would have noticed if it was in the hallway outside the bathroom, but checked just to be sure. Still no luck. Thankfully, there is a second bathroom in the basement that does have a tub, so I was able to use that plug and still have my planned relax.
So, the case of the missing tub drain plug requires further sleuthing. The current hypothesis is that the plug may have been knocked off the side of the tub and landed in the waste basket courtesy of a furry culprit. If this was the case, the garbage went out to the curb on Monday, so it may be gone forever. The alternate hypothesis is that when sweeping or vacuuming on the weekend, the plug will show up under the couch or behind some door or furniture. I expect though, it will mean a trip to Canadian Tire.
While using the plug from the other tub, which seems to be a slightly different size for some reason, I was concerned that the water would drain away slowly -- or more quickly -- thus defeating the purpose of relaxing. Thankfully, this did not occur. While filling the tub, though, a line from a song from long ago ran through my head -- "you'll wash right down the drain." The version of the song I share today is from a TV program in late '80s. While only 3 of the 4 original band members are present, you can see the fun they are having and you can have fun with the '80s hair and clothing styles <grin>. The base notes from one amazing voice are wonderful. <smile>. Enjoy!
D.W. Washburn -- The Monkees (well 3kees as they have been termed by fans)
Day 2 of Week 2 and I slept through the alarm this morning. This doesn't bode well for the term. This type of fatigue doesn't usually occur until the last couple weeks of a term, but seems to have been with me since this one began. A constant parade of items requesting my attention still streamed into the office and cluttered my mind -- multi-tasking really doesn't work as well as I'd like it to when I'm tired. The day began with a barrage of things that seemed to be past due by the time I encountered them -- beginning with hearing the news 30-40 minutes after the alarm. The world is still turning, so nothing earth shattering occurred when it took me longer to respond than expected -- nothing other than me feeling stressed and hyper trying to move to the next things on the list. Most things were completed and by supper time I had chosen to leave some until tomorrow morning. Supper was an unplanned pizza with friends -- a very pleasant and relaxing way to end the work day.
Once home, I finished a few household tasks and worked to relax this evening. I spent time listening to the weather network discussing the January thaw in Ontario. Here, we expect more rain to fall mainly overnight. So while washing my hair, I began to hum today's musical selection. As a prairie person, I did not have the appreciation for rain that I have learned living in a maritime climate. So, I think I can honestly say that this song title is how I feel -- especially if it is working to rid my world of the thick ice on the ground. <smile>. Enjoy!
I've often wondered why local operators of heavy equipment such as ploughs or loaders seem to have an insatiable need to deposit snow and ice debris on my cleared driveway. This occurs after a storm and even on days like today when there hasn't been any precipitation of any kind. There were major wide tire tracks in the packed snow and ice in my driveway, but not knowing any CSI types, it is unlikely we will catch the culprit.
As I drove down the street on my way home this evening, I had to wait for an ambulance that was stopped to load someone from across the street. None of the people with the individual followed the ambulance, so I'm assuming it was not life-threatening. Once it was clear that no one was on the road or crossing the road, I drove around the vehicle to try to pull into my drive way, which was the next one down. As I was about to swing into the drive, I discovered a line of ice boulders across the entryway. I parked on the street, and muttered as I went into the house to get the shovel. As I got to the task, I was able to loosen all but one ice-rock and several were large enough to have done serious damage to the undercarriage of the 4X4 I drive. The gravel sized bits could be pushed or carried on the shovel, but the larger ones required the hands-on approach. It was then that I thought that I must look like someone practising for the highland heavy games -- specifically for the stone put. Lifting the larger stones of ice and tossing them onto the snow and ice pile on either side of the entry way to the drive. This made me smile -- something I hadn't been doing a lot of while clearing this debris so I could put the groceries away <smile>.
Today we announced much of Team Canada for the Sochi Olympics and I was outside practising for the next highland games to be held in town in July. Somewhere in that is a bit of poetry <smile>. So, in honour of this unexpected physical activity, today's selection will be a celtic folk song -- not a lot of bagpipes in this one, but a beautiful voice and a lovely tune and lyrics. Even though it is likely more Irish than Scottish, it was the first song that came to my head while heaving stones around today. Enjoy!
Well, it has been melting -- not screaming like the wicked witch, but quietly in the night. I can see the grass on my walkway, though there is still a heavy sheet of ice around the car. Much of the roof snow and ice has melted, too. It will freeze tonight, but the forecast states that it will be warm enough this week for 'salt' (a non-salt melting product I use) to actually work. Yay!
Other than marvelling at the views out the windows today, it was just a regular Sunday -- cleaning, cooking and getting ready for work tomorrow. My daily selection by Goffin and King speaks to Sunday in the neighbourhood, but from a studio demo by one of the song writers. Her voice is amazing now, but the youthfulness of the timbre is clear in this example of her early career. Enjoy!
Had a fairly good sleep last night, a bit restless and waking often, but the length was reasonable even though the quality wasn't so great. Needless to say, today I feel very fatigued yet managed to get most household chores and lecture notes for next week struck of the big weekend 'to do' list. Still more domesticity left to complete tomorrow, but it should be manageable.
As for the weather <grin> -- wind is picking up and some light rain has arrived. We'll see how intense that becomes as the next day unfolds. Ooooo -- some ice sliding off the roof as I type making an ungodly sound -- scared the little feline fellow.
For now, it is time for me to think about wrapping things up for the evening and trying to get to sleep before 2-3 AM this time. Today's selection reflects my physical feeling today and could serve as a great lullaby, especially given the wonderful voice involved <smile>. Enjoy!
This week has felt at least 10 days long. I asked students in class today if they were experiencing similar impressions and received an affirmative nodding of heads. So -- a ubiquitous feeling of frenetic-ness. Having sunny weather without precipitation has helped for many of us. The very cold temps have been more bearable with sunshine <smile>.
The incredible fatigue from this marathon week is coupled with the more positive feeling of knowing I (and my colleagues) survived the week and that we accomplished most of the 'to do' and the 'must do' lists. This weekend is to bring a weather change with warming temps and 3 days of rain. Temps still not high enough to melt the snow away, so will likely leave us with more ice pack. For now, though, I am feeling ready for a long sleep and the routine of weekend house chores. So Happy Weekend all and Sweet Dreams. Enjoy
E-mail continued to flood the inbox today -- often with a sense of urgency wrapped up in the message. For some reason on days like this, I may read 'tone' where none was intended, likely as a result of my rising feeling of panic as I try to attend to all the fires that I had noted earlier this week. The shortcomings of the electronic communications that fill our lives now are many, from the old and slow e-mail to the instant text message. Reliance on these types of messages omits the nuances of interpersonal communication --active listening, body language, inflection, and careful word choice.
So -- while I was calming myself by noting all the inadequacies of email, I heard an '80s band in my head -- really, I did -- constantly repeating the word 'urgent'. That made me smile and help me relax, ready to tackle the inbox with fewer stress hormones flooding my body. While the original song was about something entirely different than my situation today, I chose it for today's entry simply because of that one word. Enjoy!
After the freeze up yesterday afternoon and the 3-4 cm snow that fell in the evening, I awoke to a very frozen, icy world today. The slush froze solid and the snow served to hide it from unsuspecting walkers. In some places, though, the snow provided the only traction available. It is treacherous for anyone walking. Seriously, the drive way looked like a zamboni had been through to polish it up while I slept.
This was how my day unfolded -- top layer of paper on the desk hiding the underlying tasks that appear to be short, but invariably contain one or two hidden parts to trip you up <smile>. So, similarly to the metaphor of crossing a stream moving from one slippery rock to another from Denny Dougherty's "Dream a Little Dream," today I felt I was gingerly walking over skating quality ice and hoping to remain upright. The day ended with a couple minor slips but no falls -- actual or metaphorical.
Today's selection, a live version, speaks to the slippery qualities of life. Enjoy!
This is day two of the winter term and it was filled with little fires that needed attention so we weren't caught in a major conflagration. Each one was important in its own right, but it was just one after another after another, it seemed. Days can be like this as students are registering and moving in and out of courses, and while faculty and staff are getting the room details, lab manuals, etc. finalized and distributed.
I've been at this job for over 15 years and terms always begin with a flurry of frenetic activity. Second term always seems to begin very abruptly. I've often said that I feel like I'm just getting situated in the starting blocks and when I look up everyone is half-way down the track already. September is frenetic, but the pace is different. Now, this happens every year, yet it always catches me by surprise. I'm not sure there is a way to prepare for this other than adequate sleep and such.
So - today in my head I heard a song that helped me see that there isn't anything in particular that one can point to as the cause of these multiple smaller 'emergencies.' Instead it is the way life unfolds within the confines of the systems within which we live and work. This selection is the original by someone we've already seen on the blog and it is only a week into the exercise <smile>. The lyrics really do speak to me, though. I hope they do for you, too. Enjoy!
Today began very early, especially for this non-morning person. Classes resumed today and I have the Monday 8:15 class time this term. It was cold when I drove into the campus -- about -12C. It was +2C when I drove home and the temp is expected to rise throughout the night to somewhere between 7C and 11C. It was pouring rain when I got home, too. Already much of the snow layer next to the ground has turned to ice pack. I will need to salt tomorrow on the way out of the yard. There will be a type of 'flash freeze' tomorrow with temps dipping to -7 PM by afternoon. Time to dig out my add on grips to wear on my boots in hopes of avoiding a fall and broken something or other.
Today is also the end of the holiday season with either Epiphany or Christmas Eve (on the Julian calendar) being celebrated. So, this is the last time until next December, when I can easily share a Christmas tune. I've chosen a classic song but in a cover with a twist. It is definitely more bluesy than the way Irving Berlin wrote this one or how Bing sang it. <smile> Enjoy!
Another day with sun and some cloud and lots and lots of snow <smile>. By noon, the end of the drive wasn't cleared as I had expected it to be and just as I was about to dial the plough-man, he called me. He was occupied shovelling snow off roofs and was sending a back hoe to clear my drive. The fellow who shovelled me out after a huge storm last year arrived at my door in the afternoon and I now have an exit path out the back door and around the side of the house. Still, at 6 PM after I'd cleared off the car, the drive had not been cleared. After another call to the plough-man the back hoe arrived shortly and cleared the drive. I then cleared the debris from the loader and sheered the tops off several drifts to make the next snow fall easier to add.
There is an odd feeling of being trapped when to leave the yard requires wading through knee deep snow. Worse perhaps is knowing the car cannot leave the driveway. A silly feeling but one that exists none the less. While waiting for the plough and clearing off the car, the line from a song entered my mind -- that ear worm sort of repeating line. Now the song speaks to something far greater than getting my driveway cleared, but in a way the act of clearing the driveway does expand my world. <smile> Enjoy!
Today was a good day. <smile> Two trips into the cold outside to shovel snow. Managed to shovel front and back porches and stairs and the long trek to the street. I actually stopped short of getting to the town sidewalk and left that for the plough-man to do when he pushes out the end of the drive for me. That will mean another hour outside tomorrow to clear off the car after I shovel a path around it so I can clear it all off. Tomorrow will be warmer -- expected to be closer to freezing (0C/32F) instead of in the high minus teens with windchill values into the minus 20s. Heavier snow, but warmer toes -- its a trade-off.
While shoveling, I paused often to stare at the sky -- it was blue -- and to look at the sun -- indirectly <g>. Everything was white and sparkly. Now, this isn't the sparkle of a -35C day in Saskatchewan. Nothing matches that wonder of walking through the frozen crystals in the air -- gorgeous. But, today was delightful in its own way.
No need for me to visit a gym, when I can do weight lifting, squats and lunges in the front yard. It seems the weather will continue as it has with one storm after another, just to help me with the fitness thing. <grin>
So -- the tune in my head today was another oldie, but this one from 1966.Gotta love Rubber Soul. Enjoy!
Today was mainly an indoor day. Blizzard howling outside all day and part of last night. I checked my doors in mid-afternoon and decided that I needed to suit up and clear off the porches so that the doors would actually open tomorrow when the major snow moving begins in earnest. The wind chill was only -21C (-4F) but 30 minutes outside made my fingers cold.
Looking out at the snow is deceiving -- depth perception functions poorly. The amount of snow was far more than it appeared when eye-balling it <smile>. Snow was about 8-10" on porches and stairs, but the drifting had filled in the walkways shovelled out over the past few weeks. So there the snow is over a foot. Now, this was at 3:30 PM. The blowing has continued and snow has continued falling most of the time since then. The benefit of the colder temperatures is that the snow is light and fluffy, so moving it will take time, but be easier than the heavy wet variety that the maritime weather patterns generally provide.
So -- I guess this was a storm day for me. Working on lecture materials for next week from home and cooking a hearty vegetable beef stew. While I was shovelling and cooking, one line from a song ran through my mind repeatedly. Today's selection is not the version by Lena Horne or Billie Holiday, but one by Etta James. Her style gives a fresh feel to this wonderful classic song. Enjoy!
Day 2 -- Well, it is officially a new calendar year and this brings with it change -- change in the year number when we sign something or write a cheque and perhaps change in the way life unfolds based on all the well wishes for peace, prosperity, health, happiness and much more. For me (and many others), the New Year means the start of a new academic term and this year I am teaching two courses that are new to me -- so much change involved with preparations for classes next week. Others may choose to change habits of daily living through resolutions and still others will renew their commitment to live that healthy lifestyle. Interestingly, the barometer is changing today, too -- yet more snow on the way for tomorrow. <smile> So my three days of leisure may be over with the return to shovelling.
When thinking through this theme, it seems clear that change is what life is all about. This isn't so much ONE change as it is another aspect of the continuing change, since as Stephen Baetz noted in his book "Change Is." -- written with a period not the usual ellipsis. Change is constant -- the natural state of things. Sometimes it is called adaptation or growth. Underany definition, we may be able to understand this, but understanding doesn't necessarily make change easy to embrace.
The selection today, though, is easy to embrace <smile>. The song has its roots in political ideology as Sam Cooke wrote it during the early days of the civil rights movement in the US. I find the lyrics can mean many things that deal with change in our lives and so I present it as today's musical selection. I've chosen the original 1963 Sam Cooke recording, though there have been many covers recorded including the more recent version by Seal used in the Obama presidential campaign. Enjoy!
Ever hear songs in your head as you go through your day? Well, I certainly do. This blog will contain daily musical selections over the coming year. Songs will be chosen based on my reflection on the events of each day. Why choose music? Well, to me this is the 'spice' in life. Without music, many memories and amazing friendships simply would not exist.
It may be that this exercise will help me understand my surround and how I fit into it. At the very least, it will provide me with a musical moment at the end of the day. Either way appears to be positive to me. :)
Perhaps I may be 'searching for something undefined' -- words from the song for this inaugural day.
I hope you will join me on this metaphorical journey. Enjoy!
