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the_siobhanSeptember
1 – World Letter Writing Day: Do you still write actual letters to anyone (email doesn't count!)? Did you have penpals when you were young(er)? Do you miss receiving actual letters in the mail (or any mail other than junk/flyers)?
2 – Bring Your Manners to Work Day: Bring Your Manners To Work Day was created by The Protocol School of Washington to remind people of the importance of treating people with courtesy and respect in the workplace. How important is it to you to have fulfilling relationships both with colleagues and customers/clients? Have the challenges posed by COVID changed how you view the concepts of courtesy and respect in the workplace?
3 – World Beard Day: Beards -- yay or nay?
4 – Mouthguard Day: Have you ever had to wear a mouthguard, either because you practised a certain sport, or as protection because you tend to grind your teeth at night, or for some other reason?
5 – Be Late For Something Day: Does the mere thought of "celebrating" this cause you anxiety? Should lateness ever be celebrated?
6 – Fight Procrastination Day: Procrastination can really be the bane of our existence, with another day coming around the corner, there’s no real reason that we can’t put it off till tomorrow is there? What are some of the things you do to fight putting off those things you keep putting off? To-do lists? Setting your alarm for earlier? Enlisting friends or family to give you a hand?
1 – In the days before internet I used to write people occasionally. I've pretty much fallen out of the habit.
2 – I am a strong proponent of being polite but taking no shit.
3 – Don't care. Do what you want with your face. However, if I could grow a beard I would want one like Michael Sheen's.
4 – I was thinking about getting one for cycling because messing up my teeth was my biggest fear, but since I can't cycle any more anyway it's off the table.
5 – Honey, I take public transit in Toronto. I'm late for everything.
6 – I make lists. If it's something I'm putting off it's usually because it's something I hate doing, so I'll set a specific appointment in my calendar to force me to get it over with.
7 – Buy A Book Day: Do you buy books or are you pretty much a borrower -- be it from the library or friends and family? What was your most recent book purchase? Did you buy it for yourself, or as a gift for someone else?
I have a library card and I'm not afraid to use it.
The big cancer hospital in Toronto started having yearly lotteries about a decade or so back as part of their fundraising efforts. And their top prizes were to win a house or cottage. Well apparently that was really popular, so they upped it to three or four times a year and the prizes are these absolute massive tasteless monster homes out in the 'burbs - or these itty bitty one-room condos in central Toronto that cost $4 million retail.
Anyway, after Darrell died I started buying tickets. I never once won anything. But then the local children's hospital woke up and realized there was a really successful fundraiser going on right across the street, and also started a 'win a house' lottery. Really given the state of the Toronto real estate market, they'd be nuts not to. And well, they're the ones who diagnosed and treated my sister when she was a kid, and they patched up my nephews broken bones and terrifying asthma attacks, so why not?
I did not win a house. What I did win was a gift certificate to a Canadian book outlet. So I bought a Spanish grammar book to suppliment my Duolingo habit.
***
Monday night's usual plans were postponed so I made good on that promise to myself take a walk down to the lake after dinner. I had the vague idea there was a pedestrian bridge that crosses Lakeshore Boulevard, and it took a few false starts but I managed to find it. It's not signed anywhere, and the sidewalks just... stop... at what is essentially the side of a highway.
I thought it would be cold and windy but it was actually surprisingly calm and warm. It was pitch black of course. I spent a couple of hours just trekking along the boardwalk and listening to the Canada geese. It ended up being very soothing, and I am really glad I did, because... *drumroll*
***
Tuesday hit like a fucking shit avalanche. First my sister starts texting me that she's getting messages from our dad's wife - he has a worrying health situation that went shit sideways very dramatically and very suddenly. A ton of back and forth went on pretty much for the entire day and he's apparently somewhat better today, but we're both more than a little freaked out. Part of our concern is that his wife is a big proponent of alternative medicine and he's super avoidant and he already neglects really important health shit because he just can't be arsed.
And to top that off, the housemate takes my elderly gentleman cat to the groomer - because he will not let us brush him and his knots are right up against his skin where I can't get at them - AND SHE CUTS MY FUCKING CAT. To the tune of an emergency vet trip and $450 worth of staples and antibiotics.
I have no fucking words.
***
So today:
My sister texts me to say she is moving back to Canada, both so that she can assist in getting dad some supports and so that she can spend some time with him. She'll need to sort out a job and a place to live, but those are solvable problems.
The knowledge that I do not have to juggle assistance for another elder is... a relief, I'm not going to lie. His wife is, I think, starting to realize how exhausting this is going to be on just her shoulders so she seems willing to let us get her some help. And there's also the not-minor concern she's not vaccinated and doesn't mask, so there's a good chance she'll end up sick at some point and possibly need help herself.
The builder also showed up with a plan in writing for how he's going to get the work on our house finished before he goes in for surgery. Then he proceeded to build an entire deck right outside my window while I watched him from my office chair.
And elderly cat seems to have forgiven us for what happened and is being his usual affectionate self. (Although I'm certainly not over being fucking pissed off.) I might just ask the vet to shave the knots off when he goes back to get the staples out.
It has been A Week and it's not even Thursday yet.
1 – World Letter Writing Day: Do you still write actual letters to anyone (email doesn't count!)? Did you have penpals when you were young(er)? Do you miss receiving actual letters in the mail (or any mail other than junk/flyers)?
2 – Bring Your Manners to Work Day: Bring Your Manners To Work Day was created by The Protocol School of Washington to remind people of the importance of treating people with courtesy and respect in the workplace. How important is it to you to have fulfilling relationships both with colleagues and customers/clients? Have the challenges posed by COVID changed how you view the concepts of courtesy and respect in the workplace?
3 – World Beard Day: Beards -- yay or nay?
4 – Mouthguard Day: Have you ever had to wear a mouthguard, either because you practised a certain sport, or as protection because you tend to grind your teeth at night, or for some other reason?
5 – Be Late For Something Day: Does the mere thought of "celebrating" this cause you anxiety? Should lateness ever be celebrated?
6 – Fight Procrastination Day: Procrastination can really be the bane of our existence, with another day coming around the corner, there’s no real reason that we can’t put it off till tomorrow is there? What are some of the things you do to fight putting off those things you keep putting off? To-do lists? Setting your alarm for earlier? Enlisting friends or family to give you a hand?
1 – In the days before internet I used to write people occasionally. I've pretty much fallen out of the habit.
2 – I am a strong proponent of being polite but taking no shit.
3 – Don't care. Do what you want with your face. However, if I could grow a beard I would want one like Michael Sheen's.
4 – I was thinking about getting one for cycling because messing up my teeth was my biggest fear, but since I can't cycle any more anyway it's off the table.
5 – Honey, I take public transit in Toronto. I'm late for everything.
6 – I make lists. If it's something I'm putting off it's usually because it's something I hate doing, so I'll set a specific appointment in my calendar to force me to get it over with.
7 – Buy A Book Day: Do you buy books or are you pretty much a borrower -- be it from the library or friends and family? What was your most recent book purchase? Did you buy it for yourself, or as a gift for someone else?
I have a library card and I'm not afraid to use it.
The big cancer hospital in Toronto started having yearly lotteries about a decade or so back as part of their fundraising efforts. And their top prizes were to win a house or cottage. Well apparently that was really popular, so they upped it to three or four times a year and the prizes are these absolute massive tasteless monster homes out in the 'burbs - or these itty bitty one-room condos in central Toronto that cost $4 million retail.
Anyway, after Darrell died I started buying tickets. I never once won anything. But then the local children's hospital woke up and realized there was a really successful fundraiser going on right across the street, and also started a 'win a house' lottery. Really given the state of the Toronto real estate market, they'd be nuts not to. And well, they're the ones who diagnosed and treated my sister when she was a kid, and they patched up my nephews broken bones and terrifying asthma attacks, so why not?
I did not win a house. What I did win was a gift certificate to a Canadian book outlet. So I bought a Spanish grammar book to suppliment my Duolingo habit.
***
Monday night's usual plans were postponed so I made good on that promise to myself take a walk down to the lake after dinner. I had the vague idea there was a pedestrian bridge that crosses Lakeshore Boulevard, and it took a few false starts but I managed to find it. It's not signed anywhere, and the sidewalks just... stop... at what is essentially the side of a highway.
I thought it would be cold and windy but it was actually surprisingly calm and warm. It was pitch black of course. I spent a couple of hours just trekking along the boardwalk and listening to the Canada geese. It ended up being very soothing, and I am really glad I did, because... *drumroll*
***
Tuesday hit like a fucking shit avalanche. First my sister starts texting me that she's getting messages from our dad's wife - he has a worrying health situation that went shit sideways very dramatically and very suddenly. A ton of back and forth went on pretty much for the entire day and he's apparently somewhat better today, but we're both more than a little freaked out. Part of our concern is that his wife is a big proponent of alternative medicine and he's super avoidant and he already neglects really important health shit because he just can't be arsed.
And to top that off, the housemate takes my elderly gentleman cat to the groomer - because he will not let us brush him and his knots are right up against his skin where I can't get at them - AND SHE CUTS MY FUCKING CAT. To the tune of an emergency vet trip and $450 worth of staples and antibiotics.
I have no fucking words.
***
So today:
My sister texts me to say she is moving back to Canada, both so that she can assist in getting dad some supports and so that she can spend some time with him. She'll need to sort out a job and a place to live, but those are solvable problems.
The knowledge that I do not have to juggle assistance for another elder is... a relief, I'm not going to lie. His wife is, I think, starting to realize how exhausting this is going to be on just her shoulders so she seems willing to let us get her some help. And there's also the not-minor concern she's not vaccinated and doesn't mask, so there's a good chance she'll end up sick at some point and possibly need help herself.
The builder also showed up with a plan in writing for how he's going to get the work on our house finished before he goes in for surgery. Then he proceeded to build an entire deck right outside my window while I watched him from my office chair.
And elderly cat seems to have forgiven us for what happened and is being his usual affectionate self. (Although I'm certainly not over being fucking pissed off.) I might just ask the vet to shave the knots off when he goes back to get the staples out.
It has been A Week and it's not even Thursday yet.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 03:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 02:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-20 04:29 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 03:55 am (UTC)I recently wrote a thing set in 40s Toronto and discovered there was a boardwalk with a beautiful red and white themed amusement park between the Ex and Parkdale where the Gardiner cuts through now. Maybe why your sidewalks end? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunnyside_Amusement_Park I am fascinated. They just drove that thing right through there.
Some vets will routinely groom a difficult cat. We had a rescue a long time ago with severe anxiety and the vet had to do it under mild sedation.
Sorry to hear about your father. :/
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 02:51 pm (UTC)I may have to just take him to the vet going forward. Certainly I don't want to risk him getting injured again.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 05:49 pm (UTC)Poodle was like that in old age, too. Their skin gets so thin, it was super easy to nick. :/
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 11:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 02:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 02:53 pm (UTC)She is also thankfully a person who actually does the shit she commits to and having that around will be a fucking game-changer.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-19 06:33 pm (UTC)An attribute that is always good, and I'm paying more attention to it now.
Have I said before that I am really glad you are still posting about your life here? The details of your adulting-challenges are different from mine, but I identify a lot with your frustrations and ... {inarticulate hand waving} ...
(no subject)
Date: 2023-10-26 04:51 pm (UTC)