Good morning, world!
That salutation was probably deceiving. I'm actually not all alert and cheery and feeling fabulous. But hey - sometimes persuasion works. Just ask Austen. (Wow. Nerdy book reference much?)
Anyway, last night I went out for a few pints after work with some old colleagues. We all had to go our separate ways at a respectable hour, but of course, I'm like Frank the Tank and once the beer hits my lips, I can't say no to it. So, I went home and met up with my brother and some friends for a few more beers. And before I knew it, I was feeling pretty good.
Fast forward to this morning... my eyes pop open at 4am and I can NOT fall back asleep, no matter how hard I try. This happens to me every time I have a few drinks the night before. I can't sleep the next morning and then spend the rest of my day tired and cursing the demon rum.
When will I learn?
Later on tonight I'm sure I'll relive more moments that happen to me every single day-after-drinking. You know: on the Go train home, my head will start doing the "nod and bob" as I try to keep my heavy, heavy eyelids open. Or, at home, I'll wake up completely startled, unsure of where I am, what time it is, or even who I am, only to find that I'm on the couch in the very same spot I've been in all evening.
Ah, yes. Drinking is so smart.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Work and tea and books and more tea
I had the opportunity to work from home yesterday. Usually, I do the old finger quotation mark gesture to emphasize the "working from home" part of that sentence. Meaning, I say that I'll work from home, but then I actually end up doing other stuff instead.
Yesterday, I actually had to work. Damn work. Getting in the way of my "from home" time.
Anyway, it wasn't too bad. Because I actually got a taste of what it would be like to freelance and work from home for a living. And I've got to say... me like.
I set myself up at our dining room table, with a mug of tea and my slippers warming up my tootsies. I had my trusty mac laptop in front of me, all connected and junk (thanks to our wireless internet). And I worked away. And then, when I needed it, I took a break and chatted with hubster (who works shifts and was off yesterday).
After I had completed everything I needed to do, I decided to give myself a bit of a late-in-the-day lunch break and headed off to Chapters with hubby. We drank our mochas and teas (in the festive Starbucks cups, I must add) while snuggling in to comfy chairs and chatting about everything from becoming an uncle and aunt soon to what we want for Christmas. Then, we browsed the books. Slowly and leisurely.
Can you ask for more in a day? I don't think you could.
Yesterday, I actually had to work. Damn work. Getting in the way of my "from home" time.
Anyway, it wasn't too bad. Because I actually got a taste of what it would be like to freelance and work from home for a living. And I've got to say... me like.
I set myself up at our dining room table, with a mug of tea and my slippers warming up my tootsies. I had my trusty mac laptop in front of me, all connected and junk (thanks to our wireless internet). And I worked away. And then, when I needed it, I took a break and chatted with hubster (who works shifts and was off yesterday).
After I had completed everything I needed to do, I decided to give myself a bit of a late-in-the-day lunch break and headed off to Chapters with hubby. We drank our mochas and teas (in the festive Starbucks cups, I must add) while snuggling in to comfy chairs and chatting about everything from becoming an uncle and aunt soon to what we want for Christmas. Then, we browsed the books. Slowly and leisurely.
Can you ask for more in a day? I don't think you could.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Live, feel dawn, see sunset glow
I feel very strongly about Remembrance Day. If you consider yourself a Canadian, you should, too.
Every year on November 11th, I'm reminded of one summer day in Ottawa. I was visiting a friend from university at her home. And, after just completing a course in Canadian Military History, I asked if we could stop by the Canadian War Museum.
We wandered through... reading... quietly learning. And as I stopped to look at a photograph of a an injured soldier being taken care of by a nurse in a hospital, I felt someone approach beside me. Before I had time to acknowledge the person beside me, I heard an old man's voice say "Just checking to make sure I'm still here".
He was pointing at the photograph. That injured soldier was standing right next to me. Smiling warmly. And I was absolutely speechless for a moment.
This man fought for our country. He gave up everything to defend a country that I can only imagine he loves and is proud to be a part of. There's something so incredible about that act that just makes me well up with tears every time I think of that moment.
I really don't agree with war. But then again, I'm sure many of those men who fought don't either. And yet, they did. For us.
Remember that. Today.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae
Every year on November 11th, I'm reminded of one summer day in Ottawa. I was visiting a friend from university at her home. And, after just completing a course in Canadian Military History, I asked if we could stop by the Canadian War Museum.
We wandered through... reading... quietly learning. And as I stopped to look at a photograph of a an injured soldier being taken care of by a nurse in a hospital, I felt someone approach beside me. Before I had time to acknowledge the person beside me, I heard an old man's voice say "Just checking to make sure I'm still here".
He was pointing at the photograph. That injured soldier was standing right next to me. Smiling warmly. And I was absolutely speechless for a moment.
This man fought for our country. He gave up everything to defend a country that I can only imagine he loves and is proud to be a part of. There's something so incredible about that act that just makes me well up with tears every time I think of that moment.
I really don't agree with war. But then again, I'm sure many of those men who fought don't either. And yet, they did. For us.
Remember that. Today.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae
Monday, November 10, 2008
Let's talk
Another Monday morning is here. And I'm tired. And not quite sure what to blog about today.
Should my topic for today be about my adventures in DD'ing (designated driving) on Saturday night for my bro's birthday? (A few wrong turns and a few pieces of pineapple in the back seat later, we ended up at home safely).
Or maybe I should let you all in on how great my Sunday morning run was (7km) and how nice it was to sit and chat with my Mom over Timmy's afterwards.
I could talk about the quality time I got with my hubster and how grateful I am for that. (Love him, love him, love him.)
Or, I could discuss the really nice chat I had with the Dad of one of the hockey boys that hubster plays with. I love those kind of talks (the ones where you just leave all smiley and happy to have met someone new and learned something about them).
Hmm... let me think about this one and get back to you.
Should my topic for today be about my adventures in DD'ing (designated driving) on Saturday night for my bro's birthday? (A few wrong turns and a few pieces of pineapple in the back seat later, we ended up at home safely).
Or maybe I should let you all in on how great my Sunday morning run was (7km) and how nice it was to sit and chat with my Mom over Timmy's afterwards.
I could talk about the quality time I got with my hubster and how grateful I am for that. (Love him, love him, love him.)
Or, I could discuss the really nice chat I had with the Dad of one of the hockey boys that hubster plays with. I love those kind of talks (the ones where you just leave all smiley and happy to have met someone new and learned something about them).
Hmm... let me think about this one and get back to you.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Me
Quick, mini-update on me:
- I went to hot yoga last night and it was INTENSE. I was quite light headed for some of it - and feeling totally beat afterwards. However, I was told by the instructor that I've got a sweet cobra pose. Nice!
- I won an award this week for some work I did with my partner. I would appreciate it if everyone would refer to me as "award-winning copywriter, Hez" from now on.
- I'm going for a run tonight and a run on Sunday morning, in an attempt to counter-act the cupcakes, cake and other fatty foods I've been consuming for my hubby and brother's birthdays.
That's about it. I know... very exciting life I lead. Interesting blogs will hopefully be reappearing next week... stay tuned.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
One for the books
History has been made. Before our very eyes. The good guy won. The Americans got it right. Now it's time to wait and see what the future holds.Good luck, Obama.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Reality vote
I know this U.S. election is HUGE-ARSE important. And, if Obama gets elected, history will have been made before our very eyes. Seriously important.
But... (you knew there was a "but")
...I find the election thing a teensy bit upsetting for a few reasons:
1. Canadians everywhere are reading, watching, talking, blogging and facebook-status-ing about the U.S. election. Yet... when it came to our own election, there was a record-low interest. Of course, the U.S. election has a wide-spread effect on the world and, therefore, on us as well. But our OWN election has a big outcome on our lives. And people really didn't seem to care.
2. The whole election process is on the verge of going "hollywood". Case in point: "American Idol judge Simon Cowell has been so inspired by the theatrics of the U.S. election campaign, he plans to change the way British politics is covered... Cowell is determined to change the way political messages are delivered in the U.K. insisting he could create a TV show to help revitalize Britain's political culture".
Cowell was quoted as saying: "Politics is showbusiness these days. More and more so."
This is kind of sad, no?
But... (you knew there was a "but")
...I find the election thing a teensy bit upsetting for a few reasons:
1. Canadians everywhere are reading, watching, talking, blogging and facebook-status-ing about the U.S. election. Yet... when it came to our own election, there was a record-low interest. Of course, the U.S. election has a wide-spread effect on the world and, therefore, on us as well. But our OWN election has a big outcome on our lives. And people really didn't seem to care.
2. The whole election process is on the verge of going "hollywood". Case in point: "American Idol judge Simon Cowell has been so inspired by the theatrics of the U.S. election campaign, he plans to change the way British politics is covered... Cowell is determined to change the way political messages are delivered in the U.K. insisting he could create a TV show to help revitalize Britain's political culture".
Cowell was quoted as saying: "Politics is showbusiness these days. More and more so."
This is kind of sad, no?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)