Today is Coffee Day, according to the hosts of a morning TV show. It didn't appear that they were all drinking coffee, but they mentioned the day with a few cracks about coffee drinkers. I don't drink coffee, but I love tea. I'm not sure a day goes by without a cup or several of tea. My days begin and end with chai latte. During the day I am currently drinking a fantastic Kenyan blend early in the day followed by a decaf blend. I've tried many kinds of tea and really only enjoy black tea without milk -- despite the rude comments made to me by a tea barista type at a world famous tea company store. I did walk out without buying anything there and went to a different store with specialty teas and went crazy. <smile> I don't drink flavoured tea, with the exception of chai and then only a particular blend of chai with a hit of pepper for that bolder, in your face taste. No fruity things. I do enjoy African blends which come from the rift valley as well as blends from Malaysia and stronger more bracing breakfast blends. I know many coffee connoisseurs who are just as precise with the blends and roasts that they enjoy most.
Caffeine is likely the world's most socially accepted drug. Addicting a new generation through creamy, flavoured drinks seems the current way to keep the business going. Coffee is a major economic enterprise, sitting second only to oil in the trading in stock exchanges and futures markets. It is very big business. Just think where you go everyday and how often you pass by some place that will pander to your addiction. As a drug, if we stop consuming caffeine there are withdrawal symptoms -- headaches, crankiness, agitation and such. Yet, we see this as acceptable in order to have the wonderful beverages that offer that zing.
A song for the day seemed easy. There are many that came to mind. I settled on one that deals with more than just coffee, though coffee is the core topic of the lyrics. It has been sung for decades in many cover versions. Enjoy!
Gray cloud filled most of the day along with a bit of a breeze and cooler temperatures. I did a lot of walking today -- Into work, then off to the eye doctor in mid-afternoon and finally home again after the appointment, this time in a light mist. In between the walking there were two classes and a couple of short meetings regarding upcoming assignments -- a basic day at the office <smile>
On the walk out to the afternoon appointment I had time to look at the wild plants along the highway heading south of town. The road mostly runs by vacant land, which still holds much of the wildness of regional flora. Today there were the beginnings of orange and a few shades of red appearing in the trees. At ankle to knee level there were a number of flowering plants with splotches of white, lilac, dark purple and yellow. The predominant plant was a small lilac multi-petal flower generally the size of my thumb nail. Today I saw clumps the size of a loonie -- something I'd never seen before. These appear in mid- to late-September. I'd not seen anything like these before moving here. It wasn't until several years had passed when it dawned on me that these were the September flower -- the aster. As a child I'd asked my mom what an aster looked like, since it was the flower of my birth month. She noted they were like a daisy, but purple. It took me a long time to recognize something far smaller than a daisy as an aster -- it didn't match the picture I'd had in my head for decades <smile>.
The walk and flowers made me think of several songs. The one I settled on is from when my parents were young. There are many versions of this song available, both instrumental and vocal versions. I recall my dad saying that this man made singing seem effortless. This song highlights the range of this well-known voice along with his trademark phrasing. Enjoy!
Deep Purple -- Bing Crosby ft. Matty Malneck and his orchestra
It was another very cool day with temperatures below expected values for this time of year. There was some sun in the morning but mainly cloud as the day progressed. The good part of this was that when out walking to appointments, the sunglasses and the clouds helped to keep the light from creating further issues with the migraine -- the old photophobia. Still managed to get the key things done for the day, but no grading once I got home -- just food and sleep. Interestingly, I find that often with a migraine, I need to eat something every 2 hours or so -- that is the window for getting something into the system that will stay there. <sigh>
I've been contending with software issues for the past 3 weeks -- pretty much since I returned to the office for the fall term. The e-mail program seems to be acting up. The downloaded version will not load. Last week the IT folks removed the last download and reinstalled. Everything worked like a charm for a day and a half. I sent off an e-mail to let them know things had reverted to the 'not working' mode. Haven't heard from them. Chose to wait for a day before phoning as the headache can make me go to anger before anything else -- not the best way to ask for assistance. It is urgent, though, since there have been several e-mails that don't show up on my end in the inbox, junk folder or spam folder. I've noted this in the past but very sporadically. There have been numerous missing messages in just the past week. A different software package runs the classroom management software -- the place where the course documents, slides, assignments and quizzes and such are housed. The same issue as last year is still front and centre. I can work on files without making them visible to the class members. Once I do 'turn them on' they are visible. I check to ensure this is indeed the case before logging off. Yet, several times a week, the files become hidden again once I log out. I've redone the 'show' files process and it sometimes sticks. This is a problem others seem to have, so I know I'm not losing my mind and students have encountered this in other courses, as well. The e-mail issues however, seem to just be me. There hadn't been any other reports of such goofiness when I spoke with the tech last week.
I've said it before, I am not a luddite, and I find technology interesting and fun -- when it works <grin>. The glitches present in new upgrades bring frustration since most of the daily work requires that these programs function adequately. When an upgrade to the operating system occurs, it often will stop something in the office suite from functioning, resulting in IT needing to find a work-around for it. There are times that I wonder if going back to typewriters and overhead acetates might just work better -- or <gasp> chalk <giggle>. I had mentioned to someone today that I needed to upgrade to a newer phone and she admitted to not owning a mobile device of any sort. I think I admire people who can work without such technology and choose not to buy into the continual upgrades needed.
The song that I share today deals with the oppressive aspects of technology. The singer/songwriter is a familiar face from a long time, well known group. The song is from his solo career and a relatively recent album. Enjoy!
Well, the weather seems to have changed the plan for the week -- still cool, crisp fall temperatures, but far less rain than predicted earlier. I've been dealing with some pain for the past couple of days. The mouth has some soreness -- likely a leftover from a dental visit with cleaning last week. Seems there are a couple areas with abrasions of sorts that hurt and one area with a different gum issue that feels like a tooth erupting (all 4 wisdom teeth are fully in and have been for decades <smile>), so possibly a different gum damage. It will go away with time. My head has been sore for a the past day and a half, too -- acts somewhat like a migraine. I woke tired and cranky today and that is still present. So, migraine it will be dubbed.
All that aside, today brings with it an auspicious occasion. Today marks the 1000th blog post. It all began when a friend challenged me to do it for a year and then it just kept going. I will admit that some days are more introspective than others, but that is the way life goes - some days one is just too tired to think deeply or to get it out of one's head onto the screen. I'm still surprised that people check in regularly -- something that helps me to create the blog daily -- even when some posts are delayed by a day or two, they do get written. This outlet has helped me think through many experiences, ultimately sharing these with you all -- a gift to me for being able to do this. Responses from readers and friends show me that I may not be alone in my thoughts <smile>. Another gift to me.
So -- my gift for you all today is a song that I find so relaxing performed by a singer/songwriter/musician that I find exceptional. The lyrics speak to my feelings about the importance of music, a major part of this blog and my life. The video is a bit of a visual retrospective yet can bring a bit of video vertigo -- so beware. If that bothers you, just close your eyes and let the music take you to your happy place. Enjoy!
While there were bits of sun earlier in the day, the predominant weather was cloud and rain. It seems to be the beginning of a week of rain every day. This is the fall pattern and it begins just as fall begins this year. Throughout the day some household and office chores filled the hours. I made some supper and meals that will freeze for times when a quick supper is needed. I had planned to cook a stew but it seems I had all the ingredients but the main one -- beef. So -- that will be made next week after the next trip to the grocery store.
Listening to the rain on the roof and windows as it periodically became heavier was relaxing. I do find that sound soothing unless there is big wind and it is horizontal rain pounding on the windows. Today it was a gentle rain. The week should see an inch or two of rain fall. The heavier days are predicted to be the two days that I have afternoon appointments that I'd planned to walk to. Guess that means breaking out the heavy duty rain gear <smile>. The temperatures seem to be below normal for this time of year, too. This means layering under the rain jacket for warmth while walking.
A song that mentions rain ran through the brain today. It is an upbeat song from several decades back. Enjoy!
The Rain, the Park and Other Things -- The Cowsills
The weather was a combination of cloud, drizzle and sunshine -- something for everyone <smile>. Most of the day was spent doing housework and some school and professional service work -- all inside the house. I took a couple of hours this afternoon to head up to the annual craft show and sale. I've found fun items for seasonal gifts in the past along with some kitchen goodies for home. Today, there were several new vendors on site with lovely items -- several woodworkers, handmade jewelry, and woolen wares. The latter I steer clear of due to major wool allergy -- I touch it and my hands turn red and itchy instantly -- not pretty. The other stalls had great things, but nothing that ships easily that caught my eye for friends. One place had many new items, but one of their older styles wasn't on display. Luckily I know this woman and can order from her via e-mail and have it mailed or dropped off with her parents here in town. I did bring home a cinnamon bun made by a young woman from town -- it had a citrus flavour to it that was different than my usual sweet roll -- a very pleasant change. I also got a package of mini-oat cakes that thankfully freeze well <grin>.
I've always enjoyed local craft fairs that appear in the autumn. Most places I've lived have had wonderful annual fairs with local and regional vendors. It is wonderful to see the regulars and find new items and trends. Even when I buy very little, it is an enjoyable outing. These events are wonderful places for unplanned meetings with colleagues, neighbours and friends. Even today, I met several people I knew as well as chatting with new folks. Community gatherings such as these strengthen that sense of belonging and build stronger community ties.
The craft fair reminded me of a song from a few decades ago. The harmonies are great and the sound of the duo is unmistakable. Enjoy!
The day was cooler with rain -- very fall feeling. The moisture is needed and it was rather pleasant to listen to and to walk in when in the lighter rain phase. A few people sounded grumpy that it wasn't sunny and hot again today, but the past hotter days were far above normal. It seems odd to expect that to continue <smile>. The transition season will bring warm and cool and hopefully a lot of moisture to help the water table rise for wells.
I love walking on days like today. Frustratingly, my knee has been extra sore since returning from a week of walking on cobblestone streets. Seems that uneven ground put some strain on the foot and ankle, which in turn strained the knee. Walking up or down stairs seems not to cause any pain, but walking down the hall or across the parking lot seems to aggravate things. I've been walking more recently as way to deal with stress and to perk up when I feel a bit down. It is irritating that walking hurts right now. I've seen the physio and will likely go back a few times for this issue to straighten out. I'll also have to prioritize getting new runners -- they were on the list, but perhaps something with better cushioning and support can help the foot and the knee. Sooner seems a better idea than later <smile>.
When thinking of my need to walk more one line came to mind -- the title and chorus of a song that has been used here before. Enjoy!
