The last of a four-day week draws to a close. The rain arrived during the afternoon with several small showers into the evening. This did add to the humidity but the temperature is forecast to drop overnight and tomorrow to be a cooler and drier day for a change. Temperatures will begin to rise again by Monday, but in the meantime, I might be able to coax some cooler air into the house to bring the heat down inside, too. Work involved reading, writing and preparing for a discussion on writing a paper that will occur during the weekend. It is fun to get into something like that instead of sorting and pitching so much. <smile>
Friday is thought of as a day to party or celebrate the end of a work week -- for those working Monday to Friday jobs, at least. I've worked all types of shift work with various days off during the week. It just isn't the same when those days are Tuesday and Wednesday <grin>. The common concept that work is something unpleasant seems prevalent. That makes me somewhat sad -- that people work at something they dislike for most of their time. No job is perfect. I've had many and some were more perfect than others, but all had downsides. That didn't make me hate them all, but when I had Saturday and Sunday off it made the world more normal somehow. Interesting that we put so much on two days, though Friday night and Saturday are more relaxation days in colloquial parlance than Sunday -- the day to prepare for work on Monday. There must be a way to capture that joy and feeling of freedom during the week -- well, perhaps there should be.
The song shared celebrates Friday. The lyrics and tempo exude fun, as does the video shot in St. John's, NL <smile>. The arrangement combines country and Celtic genres well. Enjoy!
It's Friday -- Dean Brody ft. Great Big Sea
Friday, 6 July 2018
Day 5 - 186 -- Sweltering
The day was hot and humid. Even the office provided a tropical feel. Air-conditioning helped, but not a lot. I had to keep washing my hands as I worked through more files, binders and such. The humidity made them feel wet and any dust or paper debris seemed to stick to the palms -- or so I imagined <smile>. By the end of the day, the stickiness of the humidity made me wish for a shower to de-stickify. I finally read the e-mail that had arrived during the work day and found one from my wonderful neighbours. They found a great spot for me to park the car for the next 3+days -- in behind the house next to them. Students generally rent there, but only one is present this summer leaving oodles of room for my car. Yay! As I read this and was cheering, I noticed an invitation for supper, too. They have three window air conditioners in the large house so it is cooler than outside. She had even used the oven to bake the meal! So, the day ended with a lovely visit.
The sidewalk construction and heat made me feel disoriented -- a feeling that was echoed as I sorted through older research files. Some files to save, some to shred, some to recycle. It is rather mind-numbing and required me to take brief breaks to walk around the building in hopes of clearing my head. The weather outdoors and indoors clouded the mind even with the bit of physical activity. The illusion of sleep occurred last night, but the heat indoors made is less restful. I found neighbours sitting on the front porches in the evening -- even with the construction just a few feet away. Given the noise or the indoor heat, they chose the noise. I think I understand that choice <smile>.
With the noise from the street today, a line from a song came to mind. It is one from the '80s with a voice that was with us from 1960s-2016. Enjoy!
The Heat is on -- Glenn Frey
The sidewalk construction and heat made me feel disoriented -- a feeling that was echoed as I sorted through older research files. Some files to save, some to shred, some to recycle. It is rather mind-numbing and required me to take brief breaks to walk around the building in hopes of clearing my head. The weather outdoors and indoors clouded the mind even with the bit of physical activity. The illusion of sleep occurred last night, but the heat indoors made is less restful. I found neighbours sitting on the front porches in the evening -- even with the construction just a few feet away. Given the noise or the indoor heat, they chose the noise. I think I understand that choice <smile>.
With the noise from the street today, a line from a song came to mind. It is one from the '80s with a voice that was with us from 1960s-2016. Enjoy!
The Heat is on -- Glenn Frey
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Day 5 - 185 -- Disrupted, Disturbed, Dislocated
Where to begin? It was a day of altered plans. Disruptions appeared at every turn. I began by heading out to get new fluorescent bulbs for the kitchen light which ceased to function yesterday evening. I headed straight home with the things only to find that the sidewalk replacement crew had placed cones in front of my driveway. I noticed the neighbours were out, so quickly parked in their drive, left the precious lights in the kitchen and headed off to work. When I returned home in the evening, I couldn't get in the drive even if I moved the cones. They dug up the old sidewalk and had frames in place to pour cement tomorrow. This is not what the contractor had noted. He was going to do up to the house next door first and then move to the next two yards. Somewhere his plans changed and so did mine. My neighbours kindly let me park behind them for the next couple of days while the cement cures. Given the humidity, this may be weeks off. <smile>
Driving from home to the office meant taking a different route due to the street fair on Main Street. Many other people had the same idea so were using my street with all the construction to try to bypass the blocked street. Some even backed up and turned in the middle of the street when the equipment closed one lane for mere seconds. One of these individuals nearly backed into me as I left my driveway. Wouldn't be the first time someone backed into me as they drove in reverse down a major road. <sigh> So -- armed with the knowledge that the bozo factor was high today for in-town driving, I set off while trying to watch in all directions.
The weather was another disruption. Temperatures soared past the forecast numbers and the humidity made things feel in the 40s again today (well over 100 F). When I got home, the house was even hotter and wetter feeling than outside. The dehumidifier filled in about 12 hours. I put a fan on in the living room where the furry one was stretched out. The basement is cooler, but he chooses not to head that way often. He is enjoying the fan and I'm enjoying the one by the bed. I will head out earlier in the morning to do the errands on Main Street and then back to the office to continue the clearing and decluttering -- again trying to find order among disorder. Thankfully, the office has a/c so it is bearable -- still humid and warm, but not like outside the window.
As my plans were thwarted numerous times today, I hope to find a place and time (as in soon) with fewer needs to change plans. An older song lyric fits the altered plans well. It has been covered by many smooth male vocalists from the 1940s to 1950s. I got it down to two and just had to do a mental coin toss to choose. Both were great recordings so either would have worked. Hope this one works for you. Enjoy!
I Guess I'll have to Change my Plan -- Bobby Darin
Driving from home to the office meant taking a different route due to the street fair on Main Street. Many other people had the same idea so were using my street with all the construction to try to bypass the blocked street. Some even backed up and turned in the middle of the street when the equipment closed one lane for mere seconds. One of these individuals nearly backed into me as I left my driveway. Wouldn't be the first time someone backed into me as they drove in reverse down a major road. <sigh> So -- armed with the knowledge that the bozo factor was high today for in-town driving, I set off while trying to watch in all directions.
The weather was another disruption. Temperatures soared past the forecast numbers and the humidity made things feel in the 40s again today (well over 100 F). When I got home, the house was even hotter and wetter feeling than outside. The dehumidifier filled in about 12 hours. I put a fan on in the living room where the furry one was stretched out. The basement is cooler, but he chooses not to head that way often. He is enjoying the fan and I'm enjoying the one by the bed. I will head out earlier in the morning to do the errands on Main Street and then back to the office to continue the clearing and decluttering -- again trying to find order among disorder. Thankfully, the office has a/c so it is bearable -- still humid and warm, but not like outside the window.
As my plans were thwarted numerous times today, I hope to find a place and time (as in soon) with fewer needs to change plans. An older song lyric fits the altered plans well. It has been covered by many smooth male vocalists from the 1940s to 1950s. I got it down to two and just had to do a mental coin toss to choose. Both were great recordings so either would have worked. Hope this one works for you. Enjoy!
I Guess I'll have to Change my Plan -- Bobby Darin
Tuesday, 3 July 2018
Day 5 - 184 -- Looking for Calm
The first of a four-day workweek is behind me. Much clearing of research files occurred today -- items that one is required to keep for 5 or 7 years for ethical purposes., depending on the type of study. With many projects undertaken over the past decades, there are many files or boxes of materials to store and then discard years later. Many files will remain as the allotted time has not yet past. Revisiting these projects was interesting -- mostly in a positive way <smile>. I will admit to feeling tired with the sorting and carrying of filled bags to the recycling pick-up down the hall. My right arm is feeling troublesome today, when generally it has been the left. Go figure.
I have a lot left to do along with some 'real' work and am feeling overwhelmed. The anxiety that accompanies such feelings makes for sleepless nights and abdominal discomfort. Recovering the things that have been squirreled away in various places must also occur. Then things need to move to the research space. Several of us are doing this in the building, as two biologists chose to retire this year, as well. Simply putting things into recycle bags sounds easy, but the process feels unending.
A song that I shared a few years ago came to mind today. When stressed there are various 'happy places' where we can go in an attempt to find a moment of calm. My place always lets me see all around me with no forests or hills to block the view. I am a prairie girl after all <smile>. This song is by a woman from southern Saskatchewan who is a wonderful folk artist. This song describes just what I think of when I picture a calming place. Enjoy!
Where the skies are bigger than anywhere else -- Connie Kaldor
I have a lot left to do along with some 'real' work and am feeling overwhelmed. The anxiety that accompanies such feelings makes for sleepless nights and abdominal discomfort. Recovering the things that have been squirreled away in various places must also occur. Then things need to move to the research space. Several of us are doing this in the building, as two biologists chose to retire this year, as well. Simply putting things into recycle bags sounds easy, but the process feels unending.
A song that I shared a few years ago came to mind today. When stressed there are various 'happy places' where we can go in an attempt to find a moment of calm. My place always lets me see all around me with no forests or hills to block the view. I am a prairie girl after all <smile>. This song is by a woman from southern Saskatchewan who is a wonderful folk artist. This song describes just what I think of when I picture a calming place. Enjoy!
Where the skies are bigger than anywhere else -- Connie Kaldor
Monday, 2 July 2018
Day 5 - 183 -- Leisure or Laziness
In some ways it feels like a lost day. Monday of a long weekend provides an 'extra' day away from work and time to spend on leisure pursuits or household chores. While I did bits of extra laundry and cleaning, most of the afternoon was spent watching older movies and checking in online with friends and family. Now this isn't really a 'loss' but there were other things that I could have done -- other cleaning, reading for work and such. Going for a walk was definitely out of the picture with the weather being hot and muggy.
I've often wondered why when we spend time reading, online or watching movies, it can be termed 'doing nothing.' Is taking time to recharge a bad thing? None of the activities equate to nothing as something was done. How often when asked what we did yesterday or on the weekend, do we say nothing? The time was filled with some activity even if it seems too inconsequential to mention. Was the movie something new to you or one you really like seeing repeatedly? If enjoyed, why do we belittle the process? I've wondered if this is a backlash from the a work ethic that sees virtue in hard work. If so, then leisure could equate with laziness -- something that seems particularly so now if leisure does not involve physical activity. Does the core of past social mores support evolving social morality concepts? Hmm -- this will take more thought to clarify. <smile> Perhaps we need to be kinder to ourselves and others -- to understand that we can always be doing something else, but that doesn't mean we've wasted our time. Maybe we can learn from the time spent in any pursuit.
Lyrics about the topic of thought today brought me to a great song to share. It is from an amazing album and written by a great songwriting due, Henley and Frey. Enjoy!
Wasted Time -- The Eagles (from Hotel California)
I've often wondered why when we spend time reading, online or watching movies, it can be termed 'doing nothing.' Is taking time to recharge a bad thing? None of the activities equate to nothing as something was done. How often when asked what we did yesterday or on the weekend, do we say nothing? The time was filled with some activity even if it seems too inconsequential to mention. Was the movie something new to you or one you really like seeing repeatedly? If enjoyed, why do we belittle the process? I've wondered if this is a backlash from the a work ethic that sees virtue in hard work. If so, then leisure could equate with laziness -- something that seems particularly so now if leisure does not involve physical activity. Does the core of past social mores support evolving social morality concepts? Hmm -- this will take more thought to clarify. <smile> Perhaps we need to be kinder to ourselves and others -- to understand that we can always be doing something else, but that doesn't mean we've wasted our time. Maybe we can learn from the time spent in any pursuit.
Lyrics about the topic of thought today brought me to a great song to share. It is from an amazing album and written by a great songwriting due, Henley and Frey. Enjoy!
Wasted Time -- The Eagles (from Hotel California)
Day 5 - 182 -- Pizza, Fireworks and Music
Happy Canada Day! There was sun and heat in the afternoon, and the evening was cooler and bearable. We went to friends for the annual 'make your own pizza' evening complete with fireworks. Both parts were spectacular. I made a Greek style pizza, another one had shrimp & avocado, and the third had black olives, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms. Very yummy. Crowd favourites for the fireworks included 'shotgun wedding', 'big bubba' and 'wild thing'. <smile> It was a relaxing way to end the day with colleagues and friends.
Fifty years ago today, The Band released their first album -- Music from Big Pink. While an odd title for the album, it comes from the colour of the house where much music was pulled together for this group debut. The group formed in Toronto with Canadian and American members. I've thought of it as a major Canadian contribution to the rock-country-folk sound of the late '60s -- the country-rock and roots-rock genres. For that reason, I'm sharing a single from this first album. Writing credit was assigned to Robbie Robertson, though it may have been a group effort of all members of The Band. The lead singer for most of the song is Levon Helm with Rick Danko singing lead on the fourth verse. The Band performed this song as part of their set at Woodstock. The video is from a 1978 documentary, The Last Waltz. Enjoy!
The Weight -- The Band
Fifty years ago today, The Band released their first album -- Music from Big Pink. While an odd title for the album, it comes from the colour of the house where much music was pulled together for this group debut. The group formed in Toronto with Canadian and American members. I've thought of it as a major Canadian contribution to the rock-country-folk sound of the late '60s -- the country-rock and roots-rock genres. For that reason, I'm sharing a single from this first album. Writing credit was assigned to Robbie Robertson, though it may have been a group effort of all members of The Band. The lead singer for most of the song is Levon Helm with Rick Danko singing lead on the fourth verse. The Band performed this song as part of their set at Woodstock. The video is from a 1978 documentary, The Last Waltz. Enjoy!
The Weight -- The Band
Sunday, 1 July 2018
Day 5 - 181 -- Long Productive Career
About 10 days ago, Paul McCartney released two songs from a new album expected to release in the Fall. Why do I find this interesting? <smile> He has been called one of the greatest composers and lyricists of the modern era. For over 60 years, McCartney has been making music, performing and recording. That alone makes the new releases exciting. His career began with the fame of the Beatles and continues with several iterations of a fantastic solo career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice -- once for the Beatles and once for the solo career. He also has received 18 Grammy Awards.
Looking around I've noted many people who move from career to career -- successfully. I've done this myself -- about seven different parts to the career path. In two months, I'll move into the eighth career. I plan to retire from my current position, but will remain linked to the university to complete some ongoing research. So -- taking note of people who move on but remain successful helps me to keep positive about my chosen life change. It also explains my blog discussions about file clearing <smile>. The transition has just begun <grin>.
The song chosen for today comes from the two recently released by McCartney. I heard this first when he sang a few lines on Carpool Karaoke. The tempo is upbeat and the lyrics fun, making it a relaxing listen. The lyrics lead to questions of life -- though very different than those I'm dealing with these days <grin>. Enjoy!
Come On to Me -- Paul McCartney
Looking around I've noted many people who move from career to career -- successfully. I've done this myself -- about seven different parts to the career path. In two months, I'll move into the eighth career. I plan to retire from my current position, but will remain linked to the university to complete some ongoing research. So -- taking note of people who move on but remain successful helps me to keep positive about my chosen life change. It also explains my blog discussions about file clearing <smile>. The transition has just begun <grin>.
The song chosen for today comes from the two recently released by McCartney. I heard this first when he sang a few lines on Carpool Karaoke. The tempo is upbeat and the lyrics fun, making it a relaxing listen. The lyrics lead to questions of life -- though very different than those I'm dealing with these days <grin>. Enjoy!
Come On to Me -- Paul McCartney
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