I tried something new today -- I took the day off <smile>. I spent time getting groceries and just wandering in a few stores, something that I rarely have time to do during the week. I walked out to the bank and further down the street to do a few other errands. It was hot during the afternoon -- but there was a bit of breeze at times that seemed to come from different directions as I walked along. I chatted with friends in a couple places today -- nice to see familiar faces and have people ask how I was doing <smile>.
Doing new things can be invigorating. I didn't even look at e-mail today. I'll get it all cleared out tomorrow when I head to the office. I will be trying to do some fun things while on vacation in another week, but today I just needed a day for me. Many times we avoid newness, just plodding along in our comfortable routines. Yet, looking for and taking opportunities to try new things can keep life fresh.
A song that came to mind is an older song from a Canadian female group from Montreal. The three members had been backup singers before starting a recording group during the early disco and funk eras. A lot of newness in that sentence. <smile> Their harmonies are tight giving them a great sound. Enjoy!
I began the day finishing the movie I began yesterday evening. Breakfast and a movie -- something new <smile>. The day was bright and sunny, though not too warm -- just right for comfort. I spent most of the day indoors. I had a great catch-up call with a friend. We made plans to get together next month. Chatted with another friend outside for a while, too. The sun made the house warmer than the outdoors, but without a breeze, nothing would enter the house. It is to cool more overnight, so I hope for a slight breeze from north or south so the house begins cooler tomorrow. Weather folks predict hotter temperatures for the next few days.
The weather today matched the feelings I had -- sunny days seem to be linked to positive emotions. With the house being bearable though hot, it didn't affect my mood. Given that sitting in the sun isn't my favourite thing to do, and I know many others who dislike this activity, why is sun seen as a positive. We do need sun for plant growth and warmth, but too much of this can slow growth and be way too hot for health. Grey, cloudy days are associated with negative emotions. Rain is needed for plants and water systems. Yet, too much of that can be damaging. Too many cloudy days in a row can be problematic since it can become dreary feeling after two weeks. When at school in Manitoba, the summers were generally sunny. Two grad students were from the Atlantic coast. Interestingly, these two people felt depressed when there were fewer cloudy and rainy days. So, it could be that we feel comfortable with what we grow up with. Stereotyping weather doesn't work well, just as lumping a group of people together as being all the same based on a single characteristic.
A summer song that glorifies sunny weather came to mind. While I'm not one to sit out in the sun -- I burn easily even with gobs of sunblock -- the lyrics do speak to the joys of being out in the sun. The relaxing aspect of summer sneaks in here, too. The orchestration of this song is wonderful. Enjoy!
Saturday. The day has been rather usual -- laundry and household cleaning. I managed to move into some specific yearly cleaning and sorting -- but only just on the edge of that list <smile>. A walk to the store for milk and out to care for a friend's cat while she is away were the only outings of the day. It was cloudy most of the day and it seemed like it might rain. It didn't. The air was damp and it felt a bit uncomfortable. Plans for the coming week were begun. So -- a pretty ordinary Saturday. I recorded a movie from the '70s that my students would term a definite old movie <smile>. I plan to watch that while I have my evening chai and snack. So, that would be the unusual part of this Saturday. <smile>.
A song by a member of a Canadian music dynasty pretty much says it all for my day today. Enjoy!
An odd weather day -- major clouds that looked filled with storm and rain; a strong breeze (read: wind) to make it feel cooler than it was; and sporadic blue sky and hot sun appeared. All in all, a day filled with unexpected events. I wore a jacket whenever out walking -- just in case it rained before I got to where I was going. Just trying to be prepared as I learned in girl guide training. <smile>
On the upside, the vehicle is back in the driveway -- and this time it works. I've been amazed at the feeling of lost ability and freedom that not having it brought. At least here, walking is fairly easy for most places I go to regularly -- except the grocery stores and the vet. If needed, taxis have a flat rate to anywhere in town. So, it is not like I was stuck at home with no way to get to where I needed to be. Yet, the feeling of dependence was heightened during this time. Given the bill, the problem should be fixed <smile>. It will be nice to be spontaneous and go anywhere that strikes my fancy whenever I want. I'm not sure I will do a lot in the next week or so, but I do have some plans for day trips in the coming month. Even if I don't go far, just knowing I can improves the stress level.
A song that I listened to a lot years ago came to mind today. The lyrics and music embody a sense of freedom and recognize the positives of going for a drive. This Canadian band had several wonderful hits and this was one of my faves. Enjoy!
Much time was spent staring at a flickering screen to edit and pull together several major documents. A late meeting meant heading home after 7:30 PM to a very late supper. An early phone message left me wondering if there was some conspiracy afoot or if fate just wanted to continue to mess with me. Parts for the car were ordered yesterday with the promise of delivery today. One of the two parts ordered arrived today with the other now expected tomorrow. The part that has to be replaced first is the one that will arrive last. So -- the car has been at the garage for four days. I was to have it back today, but now wonder if it will really be ready tomorrow.
When you get your hopes up or almost make plans, it is very defeating when fate intervenes. I understand that online ordering can fail when two orders for the single item in inventory will mean that one gets the item a nanosecond before the other order. On the upside, the back order was available from another national warehouse and we didn't have to go around the world to find the elusive item. Positive thoughts are in place for tomorrow to be reunited with my vehicle and get to the outlying areas for the errands left undone on Monday. <fingers crossed>
There were a few moments early in the day when I felt the universe laughing at me. One song only came to mind from that moment -- one by a wonderful Canadian band from the '70s. The youthfulness of the lead voice gives me chills now just as it always has -- and still does <smile>. Enjoy!
After a day of meetings and writing reports, it ended on an up note. We attended the local summer theatre festival performance tonight. There are 4 plays over July and August, with 3 play readings offered this year, as well. Tonight it was Hound of the Baskervilles though not as many of us remember it. It was presented as a comedy with three actors and minimal stage dressing -- yet there were about 17 characters being played. While the story loosely followed the Conan Doyle story of Holmes and Watson, this one took some liberties. The pace was frenetic -- with a lot of physical activity and constume changes. It was a major workout for the three men involved, but you could tell they were enjoying every minute. The audience was involved in conversation at times, which kept the attention of all in the nearly sold out seating. I loved the whole thing and haven't laughed that much over a 2 hour period in a very long time. I was almost gasping at one point and had laughing tears a few times. So, while the day ended later than expected -- returned home at 10:45 PM -- it was totally worth it.
The performance reminded me of some concerts I'd been to, where the audience and band were fully engaged. The selection today is a song by a Newfoundlander from Petty Harbour. The lyrics clearly show the joy of performance and the engagement of the audience. Enjoy!
Another grey day dawned today, with rain (mainly drizzle after early morning) and cool temperatures. This is still a delight after the heat and humidity. I was tired much of the day, with the concentration needed for editing adding to the fatigue. One major project is nearing completion while the others remain in piles on the side of the desk. Further editing needed tomorrow for two projects. Time is running short for both of these and the others on the desk. Nothing new on the vehicle report -- another couple of diagnostics to happen tomorrow before we know what parts need to be replaced.
Being tired doesn't help me to deal with minor irritations. The feeling that something huge is looming over my shoulder just out of eyesight is a manifestation of the anxiety of daily living. It becomes more intense with the tiredness. I have plans for a social outing tomorrow that should involve some laughter. I try to find the absurdities in frustrations and smile or laugh. Again, with multiple small items, this takes more energy. I've seen several other very tired people on campus, but misery doesn't really enjoy company <smile>.
A song by a younger Canadian singer-songwriter seemed fitting for today. I love the juxtaposition of the lyrics with the melody and tempo. All that and a keyboardist to boot. It makes me smile <smile>. Enjoy!
Cool air filled most of the house overnight. Sleeping became more comfortable than in recent days. There was bright hot sun during the morning and early afternoon, but by supper time clouds had moved in and the wind was cool. I could have used a jacket on the walk home, but I decided to soak it in -- it will be hot again soon. The vehicle went in for diagnostics and remains there overnight. They couldn't begin work until the afternoon. More will be known in the next day or so.
Throughout the day, that anxious feeling seemed to be waning -- not leaving entirely, but dissipating. It seemed to be cooling, much like the weather. At times like this, when something needs fixing or replacing, a feeling of inadequacy can creep into my head. Working to calm the anxiety, can help to see that I have some of the knowledge to deal with many things AND I have contacts who can assist where my expertise stops. I'm not alone in this, though I have to request the help -- difficult when I want to be so independent. I guess this is where the interdependence that we speak about in courses needs to move further into my thought processes. Interesting.
The song that seems to fit the thought train for today has wonderful lyrics. The singer has a lovely voice. Even with the up tempo of the song, it is fun and relaxing. Enjoy!
Today began with a smile and ended with anxiety induced nausea. The sun was pleasant and the air cooler and drier than the past week. The door could be left open so the breeze entered to help to cool the house. Grocery shopping went well without crowds at the store. The car has been acting oddly recently and today was worse than usual. The battery is dead though the dash display showed that it sensed a door was open -- none of them are unlatched, so not sure why it chose to leave the lights on and drain the battery. So, the morning will begin with a call to CAA for a tow truck to either provide a boost so I can drive to the dealership or to tow the car there themselves.
I found myself feeling betrayed and disappointed -- as if the car were a friend. It seems we often become attached to inanimate objects that we interact with daily. If the computer or cell phone or other device freezes up, it can create something akin to anger that often is rooted in other emotions. Fear and anxiety are often part of the negative feelings that ensue. These two emotions can manifest in many ways -- none of them comfortable. Knowing that I can call for help tomorrow and someone can find the root cause is a positive. Not knowing what cost will be associated with that cause can make a stomach churn. Given a newer vehicle was on the agenda for sometime in the near future, frustration results with the current situation -- should have obtained a new one sooner <sigh>. So, we descend into the woulda, coulda, shoulda place of self flagellation.
At times like this, I miss my dad more than usual. I could always ask him what he thought was happening with a car, giving me the differential diagnoses. From there, I could be prepared for the cost of fixing the various possibilities. This reminded me of a song about the feeling of home, written by a Canadian singer-songwriter. This version is sung by him with another major Canadian artist -- an interesting pairing of voices and guitarists. Enjoy!
Saturday was a day filled with entropy. The thermal energy in the system could not be converted to mechanical energy. I did the laundry, swept and dusted. Very little of note occurred. The temperature inside and outside was hot and with the humidity, it was unbearable. Moving created the feeling of being even hotter. Any activity required rests to complete and hydrating was a major focus.
Throughout the day, I felt like something should happen -- an anxiety of sorts, while wanting to do something fun and not being able to deal with the heat. That made me think of summers as a child when we'd feel bored and want something new to do. It didn't seem to matter what was suggested, nothing took away that anxious feeling. Then came the memories of the days filled with simple activities, but lots of fun with friends and family. We'd often go to the lake for a supper picnic, which allowed us to go for an afternoon swim, too. Wiener roasts in the park by the river brought the fun of cooking dinner and dessert of roasted marshmallows. While the adults sat and chatted, we'd run up and down the trails on the hills -- a form of escarpment in the river valley. If we didn't travel anywhere, there were the dinners on the patio from a combination of salads and barbecued burgers, chops or steaks (when we had company). I do miss those get-togethers. Perhaps today seemed to be a day when I missed them more -- just had to figure out where the feeling was coming from.
Recalling the summer fun of youth fits the lyrics of the song selected for today. The Canadian group has been featured recently on this blog. The video is special for the baby faces and the hair. <smile> Enjoy!
The Google doodle today celebrates the 106th anniversary of the birth of Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian media theorist. During the 1960s and 1970s, he proposed several ideas that were controversial at the time. In many ways, they were visionary, predicting the change in communication via electronic devices. He did this at a time when computers filled entire rooms and where paper punch cards were used to input data and basic mathematical equations. Electric media were present in the form of televisions, radios and component stereos, but electronic devices were not present. Even cell phones the size of a brick were not found. McLuhan may not have fully described the electronic media found everywhere today, but he understood how they would change the way humans surfed that 'electronic skim.'
McLuhan is known for many sayings, but the most commonly recognized is likely "the medium is the message." While pondering the many changes in communication devices that have occurred since his theories were first posited, I was struck by how well the current technology fits his theories. Even in the past 20 years, communication media have undergone major convergence -- something predicted long before it actually occurred. A telephone became a camera, that became a way to surf Web 1.0 and then devices to interact with the 'global village' through the social media of Web 2.0 (or 3.0 depending on your viewpoint). This convergence seemed far-fetched when we spoke of it in the 1990s. Yet, here it is and it did indeed give evidence to the way the medium affected humans rather than only the message it carried.
While walking home and admiring the many shades of day lilies and the excessively tall clouds that may become thunder clouds, I was still thinking of McLuhan. My doctoral work dealt with his theories and those of the post-McLuhan or neo-McLuhan era. One can get lost in his ideas. It came to me about half-way home. The Google doodle is a fantastic representation of McLuhan's ideas of the medium affecting everyone globally. Discussions, such as this blog post, occur online where they are available to readers across the world. As McLuhan stated, "We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." Information becomes available to everyone instantly, with comments and questions keeping the conversation moving. How we communicate has changed our individual and collective experiences -- how we interact and associate with each other. Cool. <smile>
There are two links I want to share today. One is a very short summary of one of McLuhan's key theories. The second one is a song about the man and his messages. The latter is by a Canadian surrealist comedy group. The video is fun and uses stop-motion animation. Each of these videos demonstrates the quirkiness of McLuhan's mind. Enjoy!
Digital Prophecies: The Medium is the Message -- Daniel Savage (director) and Alex Chow (narrator)
The weather remained hot and humid again today. Thick, wet air hung everywhere. Walking in to work was very uncomfortable. I don't deal well with heat and particularly when it is mixed with high humidity. The walk home felt more comfortable due to partial cloud cover and a breeze. Walking off campus, the wind was very strong. Downtown -- literally down from the campus on a hill -- this turned into a light breeze . Both were warm winds with little chance of cooling. Once the sun set, the air became still. So -- another night with closed windows and no cooling air.
Summer heat can be oppressive for some people and worshiped by others. I often say it would be a boring world if we were all the same. A friend loves hot, humid days and often goes for a run then. Someone has to enjoy those days, just like someone has to enjoy the cooler, cloudy days. Some of us eat chocolate and others don't. Neither is right or wrong, but just different. Noting and accepting these differences can give us a broader viewpoint. So, while I strongly dislike this weather, knowing that other people are happy and enjoying such days gives a bit of perspective outside myself.
Having the feel of the tropics outside my front door, made me think of songs from that part of the globe. A wonderful Canadian singer and musician covered a song that seems perfect for today. Enjoy!
Working on two major tasks today saw one finished and the other with a good start. My goal is to finish the second project by the end of the work week. I found that I was taking time to laugh at a few silly things rather than letting them pull me down. The temperature was warm but with cloud cover this morning. That made walking into work pleasant.
Full sun on the way home made things feel very hot -- like what I experienced in Spain last September -- HOT! It was interesting to realize it had been some time since experiencing heat of this nature. To me that is a good thing. Heat and I, especially with the humidity of the day, do not fair well together. I was able to cool in the air-conditioned restaurant with a friend. Great conversations were involved. We then went to the dress rehearsal of a new play that dealt with the theme of time passing. There were many metaphorical aspects which can be pondered for some time. Three actors played five (well six really <smile>) with many lines to deliver. Things went very well for a preview night. One prop fell over near the end -- a canoe paddle -- and this was dealt with naturally by the actor. Thoreau was quoted several times regarding his thoughts on time. I found I laughed often, was fully engaged with the characters, and even teared up once. A great evening out.
With the time at work and conversations about the future today, the song that came to mind deals with time and its elusive nature. It speeds past if we don't pay attention. Goals are great, but getting there is the actual journey -- goals are just the destination. Another great Canadian band here with a video of much younger looking folks. The circular movement made me feel a bit dizzy, so be forewarned if you suffer from vertigo. Enjoy!
This morning I heard about a wonderful initiative proposed as part of Canada 150. Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary, chose to expand a challenge that had been used in his city. Thus, 3 Things Canada was born. This initiative encourages people to become involved in their community through volunteer activities. Choices could be individual, neighbourhood, regional, national or broader. The site notes that we should find something that could be done within one of our passion areas. Many opportunities exist. While they encourage people to be vocal and share their voluntary endeavors, this is not a requirement -- should people wish to remain anonymous.
Small things can mean a lot. There are many organizations and groups that could use some assistance and volunteer time. New initiatives could fill existing gaps, as well. Becoming more engaged in society and encouraging others to do the same can build capacity and connections within our communities. Volunteer at local food programs. Drive people to medical appointments. Organize a shoreline cleanup. The possibilities are endless.
This initiative challenges people to show they care. A song came to mind when listening to the announcement on television this morning. The lyrics speak to caring. While many dislike this Canadian group, this song is perfect for today. Enjoy!
Difficulties concentrating plagued most of my day. I slept little last night -- about 4 hours and not continuous. It was warm and humid inside until about 3 AM when it cooled somewhat. I was up to open the windows then with two more 'awake' times one that lasted almost 2 hours -- when the alarm was set to wake me. There is irony in there somewhere. The day was very warm with hotter 'feel like' temperatures. I tried to concentrate on revising course materials for the next term, but it was so difficult. I had my usual morning tea at the office. When meeting with someone in mid-afternoon, I had to stop myself and apologize for talking at a maniacal pace. For some reason, the caffeine affected me more than usual. The day ended well with some assistance in packing things off a book shelf to move to a research space. That space has no air circulation and no windows -- just a wee closet in the middle of the hallway. Needless to say it was like a sauna with the three of us trying to pack without being able to move much. The work went quickly and with a few laughs along the way.
The house feels hotter than last evening and I am fighting to remain awake long enough to get things ready for work in the morning. The selection shared seemed to fit the overall tone of the day quite well. The lyrics even speak to the sweaty-ness of trying to sleep in this nasty weather. I've featured this group several times -- love their quirky lyrics and fun melodies. Enjoy!
Today I spent time trying to think my way through many ideas for a writing project. More ideas than can comfortably fit into a page or word limit always present themselves. The goal is not to write a book, but something shorter that makes the point. Conciseness is key. Organization of ideas can be challenging. Some examples fit several different areas, so choosing which fit where best becomes time consuming, if not overwhelming. Something that seemed straightforward had transformed into an unwieldy multi-headed beast.
When writing, I find I often organize it all and do the early writing and reorganizing in my head. Some projects make this more difficult. I've come to understand that this difficulty rests with a lack of clear focus for the piece. Rather than include everything, a tighter goal will help to choose the parts that fit best. Sometimes the format is dictated by the type of project. Sometimes, it is wide open. The latter creates difficulties picturing the end product -- something that can help with the organization and hence, the writing.
When wondering how to get things from my head to somewhere for others to read and understand, a few lines of lyric ran through my head. The song, a wonderful example from the early career of a Canadian icon, delves into thoughts locked away. The singer-songwriter's voice is mesmerizing. Enjoy!
Saturday brought chores that are almost done -- one more load of laundry left. I shared with the neighbours the big bag of garlic scapes provided from a friend's garden. I still had some in the fridge from another friend. Even if I froze them all, there would be more than I'd use in the next few months. Sharing seemed to make sense <smile>. We had a good chat about weather, work and the neighbourhood --fun.
Garlic scapes were new to me a few years ago when I got my first ones in a local food box. I found some simple ways to use them and loved them. I add them to salads, stir fries or sautes, and pizza. Sauteed with olive oil and some leafy greens - yum. Saute with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and a bit of spinach to serve over pasta -- amazing. I read a new recipe that purees them with olive oil, sunflower seed, Parmesan cheese to make a pesto -- must give that a try. The mild garlic flavour is very pleasant. They freeze well, but can lose some flavour if kept too long. I even saw them in a frozen vegetable mix from the grocery store. So, like strawberries and rhubarb, these are the early summer garden delights. We eat a lot of them, but just at this time of year.
Other than the housework and the local foods it has been a quiet day. Temperatures are beginning to climb again, with overnight lows to be warmer than the past few nights. Early in the week it will be fairly warm and humid -- hot. The routine of much of the day made me think of a song about the usual pattern in a city in northern Ontario, sung by a true Canadian story teller. Enjoy!
Another week has ended with part of the wish list completed. Things should be near completion with another week -- she typed optimistically. Other duties and events push their way onto my desk top, which is no mean feat given the number of open files and projects living there right now. The night really cooled so sleeping was so much easier and the house cooled down significantly. It is to be similar tonight followed by a warm up for several days.
By the end of the day, I felt rather weary. I headed home, made a big salad and went out to the wood fired pizza trailer for take out supper. The special tonight was fantastic -- Thai chicken with orange bell peppers and banana peppers and a drizzle of a sweet spicy Thai sauce. Totally amazing as is usual. :) While chatting with the owner I told him that it was the end of a long hard week and I was so tired. We then spoke of happier things like vacation and his food trailer business north of town. His vacation occurs in the winter when these businesses are not open as regularly. They also have an ice cream part of the food stand. A new flavour was on the board that made me smile -- Parliament Chill <grin>. I asked what the flavour was since it wasn't intuitive. The response was raspberry or strawberry ripple. While waiting for the pizza to bake, the young girl working the ice cream business brought me a cone. I was shocked as I hadn't expected one, just asked what the flavour was. Her response was that it was 'on the house'. I tried it and it was wonderful. It was then I realized how hungry I was and the cone was melting so I had to eat it, right? <grin>. It was a subtle strawberry swirled in an amazing vanilla -- very yummy and a flavour worth ordering again.
Much like I'd written yesterday, kindness goes a long way. I felt perkier from the gifted cone -- not all of which could be attributed to blood sugar increase. Small things can mean so much. I associate ice cream cones with getting a treat or a special event day. We didn't have ice cream often when I was a kid. Once we got a deep freeze when I was older a gallon generally resided there. It is a food linked to fun, parties and summer vacations away from home. So, it meant a lot to me today on many levels.
Lyrics of the selection shared today recognize the joys of this food item in a quirky way. The vocals and lyrics are bound to make you smile -- just like the ice cream cone did for me. Enjoy!
It has been a day with some frustrations or disappointments -- however one looks at this. It was happily cooler today with drier air. Several tasks were moved forward. A couple of fun conversations occurred. So, it was far from a day to write off completely. After work I had an appointment and then made a trip for a few grocery items at the two grocery stores. I shop with a list. It has been my way of doing things since Dad and I used to go on Saturday mornings. While I can remember most of what is needed on most days <smile>, the list saves some anxiety at the store and frustration when I get home without a key staple kitchen product. Today I headed through the produce, frozen food and dairy aisles without realizing that the list was no longer in my pocket. I couldn't recall what else had been on the list but knew there had been more than the four items in the cart. I completed the circle and went back to the produce section -- the last time I remembered reading the list. I was scanning the floor in the very busy area -- it was just after work with the usual crowd. As I walked by the leafy greens, there it was sitting on the shelf in front of the chard. As I picked it up, I knew it was mine -- not from the handwriting, but from the words printed on the back of the paper (I reuse before I recycle). In rather large letters was THE MONKEES with some smaller printing below. Obviously it was from a printed e-mail or notice of some sort. It did make me smirk and then nearly laugh out loud -- not a great thing among all the other folks there. I did laugh later when alone in the car and again at home. Nothing like promoting a band I have loved for decades while shopping for nutrient dense vegetables <g>.
The song for tonight was decided in the parking lot of the first grocery store visited. It is a song made famous by the band in question. This cover is sung by a Canadian -- since that is what I've been doing for the past 29 days <smile>. It may even explain why I left the list behind. Enjoy!
I caught myself telling of an encounter and I used the phrase, "I was paying it forward." I immediately stopped speaking and said, "No." I understood the situation the other person was in and I lent a hand. It was a form of empathy not the obligation that seems inherent to 'paying it forward.' I recall telling someone of a time that I was alone in a restaurant in a small room. At the other larger table was a group of people visiting and having a wonderful time together. I enjoyed their laughter. A while later, I looked out the window and for a nano-second felt homesick. A voice behind me introduced themselves and noted that my bill had been taken care of and noting that they had been rather boisterous. With tears in my eyes, I thanked the man and told him how I had not found their visiting problematic in the least. To me, one of the guardian angels had been looking in on me just as I felt sad -- ever so momentarily. That had been the point of my story. Now, the person I'd been telling almost jumped at me with the reply that I should know that when that happens I am supposed to (like it was a written law somewhere) do that same for someone else. They had missed my point, and I did not agree with their point that it was an obligation. Don't get me wrong -- on that trip I did many things for others as I found them in need.
It is interesting to see the power in the words. Something simple like encouraging people to help one another somehow turns into a rule-governed behaviour. That seems to defeat the intention of being kind. When someone is having difficulty lifting a suitcase, reaching something off the top shelf at the store, or has no where to sit, we can understand their situation. Stepping in to assist seems minor and is often done without even thinking. If a person were to ask for help with directions, sorting through foreign change, or where to find a jar of capers, stepping in seems second nature to many of us. So, I will take issue with the background meaning of 'paying it forward' but will not cease to assist where I can, even if it is with just a smile.
A song that covers this concept --though in a more overstated way than I've used -- is shared with you all. The singer-songwriter does a great job with the lyrics and the video depicts different situations where assistance is needed. Enjoy!
Walking in to work today, listening to the iPod, I almost laughed out loud -- an odd thing to do while walking alone down a semi-busy street <smile>. The song was about working and there I was headed uphill to the office. As the song continued, I felt there was more to it than just my journey to the office job. It made me realize that many other jobs involve greater physical labour and for many, danger. The coal miners of this part of the world lived through many mining disasters -- bumps as they are called. They lived and worked knowing that such events could happen any day. Imagine being deep underground in a shaft that extends out under the ocean. I'll admit that all my claustraphobe senses go on high alert even thinking about this. I've been into the top of a retired mine down the highway and that was plenty.
Once mined, coal fed the fires of industry. My father worked on the railway as a fireman -- that is a fire-man who manned the fires on a steam engine. His job was to shovel coal from the coal car -- always the one behind the engine -- to ensure the fire was as strong as needed for the steam required. Once diesel engines arrived in the early '60s, firemen became the second brakeman. By the '90s, only one brakeman was standard for a crew.
So today's song was one that initiated thoughts rather than the usual way the blog develops. It was interesting how this song took me on a journey with my morning walk today. This version involves two legends of Cape Breton -- the first I never saw in concert and the group I've seen several times. Enjoy!
I arrived home to a very hot house. On day's with sunshine and heat, things get unbearable inside the house. The furry one was in only-move-for-emergency mode -- not a flick of an ear or even a slight movement of the tip of the tail. It was just too hot. Within a half-hour, I realized that this was likely also due to being overly tired. An unholy banging of metal occurred. I ran to the window expecting to see the excavator up the hill moving, but instead saw a dump truck heading down the street. Now whether this had some clean fill to drop off or if some rubble from the pile that once was foundation was being loaded. As this repeated itself every 20-30 minutes, I decided it was the former. The hole that was the basement up the hill was half full when I walked by on the way home. That had to come from somewhere <smile>. During the visiting of the dump trunk, the furry fellow was clearly freaked out. If this had been going on all day, he'd be exhausted from the noise and disruption of his daily rest periods. Poor fellow -- I can't explain in a way that he understands.
Noisy disruptions leave much in their wake -- fear, anger, tiredness, confusion and so many other emotions. Even when the noise is understood, it still can wear on a person. Trying to block out something that is almost in your face takes a lot of energy. I fear that this may continue tomorrow as the hole becomes fully filled and the detritus is removed. I so wish I could let the boy know that he is safe and nothing will hurt him.
Talking calmly through the first truck dumping sound brought me to the song for today. I used the title words and then giggled. It is also a perfect song for today, the 293rd anniversary of the birth of Eva Ekeblad -- an early female scientist. She promoted potatoes as food helping with the Swedish famine. At the age of 24, she became the first female member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences -- that was about 1748. The second woman member was not admitted for another 200 years. The Google Doodle today is in her honour. So the song for today is for the events of today and for science -- sung by a great Canadian band. Enjoy!
Last night, I looked out the window and gasped. The moon was so full and bright, it was astounding. Having a clear sky at full moon isn't something that I take for granted in this maritime climate -- clouds are far too common. On the prairies, the sky is visible much more often. That got me thinking about weather patterns here and there. Since this country is so vast, there are many weather patterns common to the many regions. No wonder talking about the weather is a national pastime and many people can recognize the national meteorologist <smile>.
I'll admit that this train of thought took me back home. Recently, three people I know from here have - independently - gone to Saskatchewan for visits. I dearly wish I could have tagged along with each of them. I do miss the place. It won't be this summer, but next year, I hope. After all, I come from 'next year country.' <smile> All of this brought a song to mind -- a favourite by a Saskatchewan folk singer-songwriter. It is a short song, but says a lot of what I was thinking -- and it all began with the moon. Enjoy!
NOTE: The sound quality is not great but this is the only video I found of this song. It was recorded in the Mae Wilson theatre in my home town.
An interesting Saturday. The parade for the Highland Games was held this morning. I could hear the rain on the roof so chose not to go. It wasn't canceled so some folks marched and others stood in the rain today. I spent my afternoon getting groceries and running errands. The temperature was about 20C (68F) but the humidity made it feel so much warmer (closer to 28C/83F). The bits of breeze were pleasant. I was pleased that the day was cloudy until about supper time. If there had been bright sun, the day would have been stifling. Clouds are our friends <smile>.
The weather didn't stop neighbours half a block away from partying outside until early morning overnight and all day today -- still going strong. Standing in the rain with loud music just doesn't appeal much to me. The noise inside my house has been unbearable. I didn't sleep well due to this last night and can see yet another night of no sleep in my future. A party that disturbs others as a rarity can be dealt with, but those that are the rule rather than the exception are not easily dealt with. I can let others do their thing as long as it isn't disturbing people for a block in either direction. I have difficulty understanding why others don't see their behaviour as disruptive. As a friend has said, I tend to think too logically which only adds to my frustration. Today, I've tried to see things from other viewpoints, but it hasn't really helped. This weekend, I'll put it down to a full moon. Guess I'll just have to dig out the earplugs again.
The song that came to mind while running errands today is by a Canadian singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan. The lyrics of this selection reflected my thoughts about weather positives for me today and the irritation of other people as the day continued at home. I chose the studio version for the clear vocals and jangling acoustic guitar. The visual is special -- she holds a prairie lily (provincial flower of SK) and the South Saskatchewan River and Saskatoon are in the background. Enjoy!
First thing this morning, a large flat bed trailer stopped in front of the house to unload a huge excavator. The equipment parked at a house two doors up the street -- a house that has been vacant for over a year. Last fall the owner had taken off the siding and then left the foam insulation to be stripped off by the wind storms and blown around the neighbourhood. Large sheets and small bits of Styrofoam are still strewn among the trees and bushes up hill from me. I left for work not knowing when or exactly what would transpire there. Leaving campus tonight, it dawned on me that was the last time I'd walk through the parking lot and take the stairs by the library to the lower campus. The parking lot will become the marshaling area for the removal of a large classroom building. This will make room for a new centre for government, teaching and learning named for a former prime minister. The parking area will become part of the building footprint and walkways. When I arrived home, the house up the hill was no longer there and the heavy equipment was scooping debris out of the basement. The foundation remains in place, but we'll see what occurs over the weekend.
These two events made me think of the same process I use when analyzing data for research -- deconstruction and reconstruction. When something is taken apart, something else is being constructed. Whether this is a new viewpoint for understanding words and pictures or for a new use for a physical space, something new exists. When deconstructing, there is a goal or a hope for something different to develop. As the lyric from "No Matter What" (from Whistle Down the Wind) stated, "No matter where it's barren, a dream is being born." In each of these spaces something new will replace the existing structures. The one on campus will take almost 3 years to complete and the full design will be unveiled in the Fall. As for the little house uphill, something is bound to replace it -- likely another abode of one sort or another.
Newness is often seen as an improvement -- something better than what had been there before. Life does change, so new walking routes will develop to get around campus and new land use will appear in the neighbourhood. A new song by a Canadian singer-songwriter deals with dreams and changes. This album will be released in the Fall, after many years since the last one. Listen to the lyrics -- the tempo and upbeat sound of the music can be a bit deceiving in places <smile>. Enjoy!
Yesterday we discovered that the dryer in the food lab at work had failed to dry the kitchen linens that were placed in it at the end of last week. A colleague rewashed them and put them back in the dryer, which is when we discovered it didn't dry things. Someone else hung them on the cupboard doors and open drawers in the lab to air dry. I went to check them at the end of the day and many were still damp, so I volunteered to take them home to rewash and dry. As I gathered them up, they seemed to multiply, appearing around every corner on yet another set of doors or drawers. I had to use a large garbage bag to carry them all to the car -- which involved carrying the bag in both arms. It was far more than I'd ever seen in one place before -- even in the lab. There were about 60 tea towels and at least 25 dish cloths! It filled the washer -- thank goodness for large capacity machines. <smile> Lesson learned -- be careful what you volunteer to do <grin>.
I'll admit that I kidded about my heritage noting that I'd finally become the mythical Irish washer woman -- a stereotype that had been used as a derogatory term even when I was in public school. When I showed the bag to a friend, I noted that it had finally come to this -- I was forced to take in washing. While I was able to laugh, there are others for which this has been a way of making ends meet. We see it less often now that laundry facilities are more common in homes and coin-operated laundromats (which still seem to be around).
I felt a song from this group from Newfoundland would fit the way my mind had taken this task. I enjoy the traditional folk feel of many of their recordings and their harmonies are wonderful. I've seen them in person a couple of times and they have great energy. Enjoy!
There's been a lot of talk around the nation's shortcomings -- those things that need to be worked on further to provide an equitable home for all citizens. It isn't astonishing that these points arose during the celebrations this past weekend. No place is perfect -- though it appears we are headed in the right direction. There is much work to do to address the past and present grievances of indigenous peoples, lower income people, and those disadvantaged for a variety of economic, social and health reasons. We should celebrate that we live in a part of the world where voicing concerns is accepted. This can get conversations started -- it is advocacy for a cause.
Perhaps, though, there needs to be a broader conversation about two words I heard used interchangeably this weekend -- equality and equity -- for they are not the same thing. Both terms are used when discussions of fairness arise. The term equality is used most often in news and policy circles. This refers to everyone being treated the same. Equity goes beyond this basic necessity for fairness, to ensure that everyone has what they need for success -- health, education, income, peace, security, and such. Often a diagram is used to show the difference between the two concepts. Three people are watching a sporting event on the other side of a fence. One adult is tall enough to see over the fence, but the other two (an adult and a child) cannot see anything due to being shorter. The next frame shows that a step has been placed along the length of the fence so the two shorter people can stand on that to see across the fence. The second adult can now sort of see over the fence, but the child cannot see anything. The third frame of the visual shows steps of differing heights being available so that now all three people are at the same level and can see the game well. We need both concepts at play to ensure a thriving community of people. Understanding that the playing field is not at the same level for everyone can help the conversation move along. It does mean that we have to face a series of truths to understand that we are not all in the same place. Some of us are coming from a place of privilege that others do not have.
Well -- stepping off my soapbox <smile> -- when thinking about this over the past few days, one song rang through my head repeatedly. It is written (and sung) by a Canadian prairie boy and sung by a group that originated on the prairies. The lyrics talk about a future where everyone succeeds together. Enjoy!
NOTE: there is some background schmutz noise in places here -- but the video is too good not to watch. Forgive the schmutz <smile>.
Share the Land -- The Guess Who (by Burton Cummings) [from the Johnny Cash Show in 1970]
I took an extra day for an extended long weekend. The day had cooler air and a pleasant breeze. The sun was strong, but the day was partly cloudy so the sun wasn't as relentless as it can be. Several errands filled the day. I mailed letters and even got a hand cancellation for one of them <smile>. The stamps were too pretty to have some big black machine smear deposited on them. I hope they make it to their destination without damage. I do collect stamps, so I hate to see them defaced -- wonderful little works of art. <smile>. I got a few quick grocery items and stopped at the bakery in time for the half-price sale of yesterday's items. Score! <grin>. I then went for a physio appointment. My neck has been creating discomfort over the weekend, so it was time to get some outside assistance. My stretching exercises weren't enough to manage the issue.
Tomorrow the neck may be sorer than today, but that is part of the process. The day after that should be better. So, I expect some 'morning after blues' and hope that the pain subsides as the morning wears on. This is like many negative emotions or experiences -- we know there will be pain, but hope that it will leave quickly. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't. We don't know until we live through the pain. Then, on some distant day, we'll wake up with that old pain again. Having lived through it once or twice or more, we know what it is and know it will go with some work -- physical or mental exercises.
A song that deals with some of the familiar pain came to me as my mind wandered around today. This is from a major Canadian troubadour -- songwriter and singer. The lyrics are wonderfully poetic, the phrasing is fascinating, and the acoustic guitar is like a second voice. Enjoy!
Monday of a long weekend and I spent it doing a number of chores around the house. I wrote some notes to send to friends by real mail and paid some bills. Tomorrow I'll drop things at the post office. Warmer temperatures today with some humidity. It is to be cool overnight and be less warm tomorrow and a whole lot drier. <big smile>
News magazine hosts have been calling the continued festivities of the Canada Day weekend, a 'hangover.' I find this term a bit on the negative side. The rest of the year will be filled with celebrations since this is the 150th year of confederation. These are not hangovers, but an extended year of festivals. That is a good thing <smile>. Today, I watched some recorded programs developed for this year. While some were better than others, they all showed pride in the country.
A song that was part of the national Canada Day evening celebration fits my feelings today -- and many other days of the year. Enjoy!
Rain fell though the night. Clouds remained until mid-afternoon. The air was thick and heavy, making the feel like temperature very warm. When I walked out to Main Street, I was thankful that a light breeze had appeared. Forecasters state that similar air will remain tomorrow, though with much more sun, so it will likely be very uncomfortable. Considering I was wearing a fleece liner under my rain jacket last night, this is a big change. Southern, moisture laden air will continue to be pushed northward.
When outside I had wanted to deal with some weeds, but felt that breathing was a challenge with the heavy wet air. At that point the breeze wasn't available yet. Without the air movement, working seemed out of the question. Besides, the black flies have been unbelievable this year. Friends who garden a lot are covered in nasty welts. I've gotten a couple of bites walking to work and did not want any further chunks removed by the insects. So -- I did indoor chores today.
The smaller local wildlife brought a song to mind. While the song takes place in another province, the fauna in question are not unique to just one locale. The video accompanying this song shows the creatures as much larger than reality. They are very small creatures. Enjoy!
The Blackfly Song -- Wade Hemsworth (arr. Anna & Kate McGarrigle) in a National Film Board of Canada (NFB) short
Interesting celebrations seen today across the country and around the world. Ottawa had major rain early in the day that left large puddles on 'the hill'. Lots of people were out for the day despite lineups. Trafalgar Square was home to a major Canada Day fete -- outside Canada House. Other countries saw smaller groups of Canadian troops celebrating with sports events. Here in our small town, we had a wonderful program that was moved indoors due to the damp weather. It was a moving and fun event. For the first time in history, the local Mi'kmaq chief was officially part of the celebrations. We heard wonderful music with a patriotic bent from a large community choir compiled for just this event. This was accompanied by several great dance numbers with local youth dancers. One number made me smile -- those over 50 likely would recall the song from the Centennial year. It seemed fitting to hear it again at the sesquicentennial. In keeping with the multicultural nature of our country, good wishes were given in Mi'kmaw, Fante twi, Hindi, Hebrew, Farsi, French, and English. The fireworks were not cancelled due to weather, perhaps they should have been. Low hanging cloud meant the smoke did not dissipate well and just moved very slowly to fill the air in the immediate area. This fully and partly obscured the view of many explosions. Perhpas this could be called the year of the big smoke <grin>. What I saw, I loved <smile>. I just heard more than I saw.
A song from the local ceremonies seemed to fit the feeling of the day and the messages of speakers at all celebrations. The version shared here is from two years ago and was filmed on the west coast of the country. Enjoy!
