JBR - Lager With A Scary Story

Beer: Ghost Bride 

Type: Lager

Date Tried: Saturday October 17, 2020 

Location: Vermillion Room, Fairmount Banff Springs Hotel

Meal: An amazing steak dinner!
General thoughts from Jason, when asked for his review: "I don't know, fine." 

Another Custom Brew: This beer was also a limited edition made specifically for the hotel by Big Rock Brewery.
Editor's note: We heard the story last night during the Ghost Tour of the hotel.

Quotes From Alberta

As I mentioned before, Jason and I went to Alberta this weekend. We flew out Friday evening and came back overnight Monday to Tuesday. It was a quick visit but I got to see my GeoConnection girls, their spouses, Mike, Aimee and the babies. Here are some quotes from the trip that I found amusing:

----

Pointing out the car windshield...
Jason: Oh God! How cold is Edmonton? Is that a penguin?!?
Me: Huh? What?
Jason: That black and white bird that is waddling.
Me: Oh! That is a magpie, they are like my favourite! I don't understand how everywhere has them except Ontario.

----

(Said at various different times) Coming out from the changes rooms at the resort spa, wearing the hooded plaid bathrobes provided:
ERin: Ooo, I feel like I am at Hogwarts
Matt: Totally lookin' like a boxer here
Anne: Reminds me of Dementors
Sutik: Is this some sort of Illuminati thing?

----

Me: Are you just the cutest thing ever?!
Maya: I'm Maya!

Salem In October

Yesterday we went to Salem, which is just north of Boston. (It is actually on their commuter rail system it is so close, but we drove.) The town is really busy in October and was so beautiful. I definitely want to go back. The historic homes are incredible, they have houses dating back to the 1600s. There was a lot that we didn't get to see, just being there for a day. It is a harbor town and we didn't even make it down to the waterfront area. We were mainly there to learn more about The Salem Witch Trials.

If you don't know about this strange point in American history, I really suggest you look it up. The Wikipedia entry linked above gives a decent overview but I am sure there are other sites as well. Both Kristen and I consider this a common knowledge point but there are so many historic events in the USA it seems it isn't as known about as I had assumed. There is also a lot of miss information, and the Salem Trials get confused with facts from those that occurred in Europe.

Here are some things I was surprised about:
- Not as many deaths as I had thought, they 'only' executed twenty people
- Trials are well documented, there are surviving transcripts from witness interviews
- They relied on spectral evidence, which was a thing
- It all ended when the Governor's wife got accused
- They didn't 'test' the women in water, might have been a European thing
- Starts with accusations from afflicted children
- Along with sexism issues, racism was a factor too

Things Jason Does Not Believe In

- Religion
- Astrology
- Vitamins

Cartouche Has Returned To Me

Item Lost: My Cartouche Deck
Time Lost: Some time in Rrunuv Bayit, maybe end of 2015
Last Place I Remember: With other decks of cards on the white bookcases
Place Found: In an old plastic storage shelf which a bunch of sunglasses

Since we moved into Casa Verde a few boxes and plastic multi-drawer storage containers have been kept in our office, waiting for me to unpack them. These are filled with old jewelry, pens, sentimental items and such. They have been driving Jason crazy so I finally decided to go through them all.

I was able to whittle what I wanted to keep down to about a shoe box worth of things that have important memories attached to them, a small bag of office supplies to take into work, and apparently over 100 tampons. We donated a lot of things, including two different point-and-shoot cameras that we came across.

I think the most important thing I found was my Cartouche cards! I mentioned missing them a few months ago. So glad they weren't lost forever, going to start using them again. Let's see what the future holds!

Out Like A Lamb

I decided to follow up yesterday's post with a bit of research on the strange animal proverb used for the month of March:

"In like a lion, out like a lamb."

Turns out it has been around forever! The Paris Review claims that one of the earliest know use of the phrase is from 1732. Here are some theories of where it may come from:

Changing of Seasons
When March starts, it’s still winter, and by the end of the month spring has started. Though technically true, the Spring Equinox (for our hemisphere) is March 20 this year. However, it usually doesn't feel like spring until well into April.

The Balance of Life and Weather
The long held belief that things should balance. So, if a month started with bad weather, it should end with nice, calm weather.

Religious
Jesus's first appearance was as the sacrificial lamb, but he then returns as the Lion of Judah. Like in Narnia! I hadn't heard of the Lion of Judah before, but this theory puts the animals in the wrong order.

Horoscopes and Constellations
At the start of March, Leo, or the lion sign, is the rising star constellation and by April, it’s Aries. Aries is a ram, a male sheep. (And lambs are baby sheep!) This one is my favourite theory.

Somewhere Nearby

It has been a long time since I seen my cartouche deck. I have seen it in Casa Verde so I know it wasn't lost in the move but I don't know where exactly it is. I have been doing the 'ignore it and it will show up' thing which is a variation of the 'fix it fairy.' But I think it is time to do a serious search, I miss it and want to peer into the future.

I Grew Things

I bought some bulbs at No Frills last fall and planted them beside the little front porch at Rrunuv Bayit. I think I actually used a spoon to dig the holes to push the bulbs down into. I liked the photo of the flowers on the front of the bag and I think there were 5 bulbs for $1. They are big purple balls on top of one long thick stalk that looks like something that would be on a far away planet or in a fairy's garden. 

I had seen them starting to grow before we moved over to Casa Verde and I was sad that I wouldn't get to see them flower. I stopped by the old apartment a couple of days ago and they looked so good, I can't believe I did something so simple that turned into something so magical! I am definitely going to do a lot of gardening with bulbs at the new place.

Allium In The Garden

Spring 2016 - Rrunuv Bayitt, Toronto

Photo by ME with my phone

I looked them up and it turns out they from the family of plants called Allium, which is the same as onions, leeks, etc. I can totally see that, they do remind me of a massive version of the flowers that chives get. I also want to plant lots of chive plants at the new place, not only are they delicious but so pretty!

The Year Ahead

I decided to check out my 2016 horoscope (Gemini) online to see what it said about the coming year. This is a summary from the two major sites (my notes are italics and in the square brackets.) To make them more readable I have edited the wording to take out the planet references and moved the text into first person perspective.

Horoscope.com

I am a rising star in 2016, but it will take constant effort to avoid slipping back down. Am I up for this? Of course I am! My attention is zeroed in on making progress, getting and holding on to those things I love most [I tend to focus on holding onto things 'I love the most' every year], and on not being rushed into making decisions. This year, I will ask all the right questions and refuse to proceed without solid answers and information. [Yup, sounds like me every year.]

May and September may [may? well that means nothing] be my most accomplished and solid times. September [wedding month!] is especially potent. I can easily self-correct and nudge situations and relationships to where I want them. Home life should bring much satisfaction, and possibly some karmic insights, particularly in September and October. [I need as much house karma as possible, renovations and being a first time home owner are scary prospects.]

Family mysteries may be solved, or resolved. [Interesting, can't think of any that even exist at the moment.] Emotional ties and romance are empowered in November, but it may be December when I am the most intense, powerful, and effective. [Well, that's a long way away.] I can do great things this year!

Astrology.com

I will run rampant this year. [I don't know what this means. How so?] As the year begins I need to stop in my tracks, review my status, and set a pattern for my behavior for the upcoming twelve months. [This is good advice, but I don't have a lot of time. I did try to reflect a bit during my time hiking in Peru.]

During times when testing is inevitable, there is no end to the targets: romantic unions, friendship, or career. I'll get in there and dig deep and this could be one of the most transformative years in decades. [Well a house and a wedding are both pretty big things.]  

I want my way this year [or every/any year] and will use any means to achieve that end. I have decided that my career must have more personal meaning, and look for more authenticity [I don't like this word] in all areas of my life. I will achieve inner peace with my home and family of origin. [Inner peace sounds good.]

Here On Earth

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

Missing my dad today. Partially because Jason and I watched The Martian at the theatre this afternoon. Dad would have liked it, this is why I think so:

Ridley Scott
He enjoyed a lot of Ridley Scott's movies: Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and probably more.

Matt Damon
Dad really liked Matt Damon (and who doesn't), right from his start with Good Will Hunting, and in many films but especially as Jason Bourne.

Great Space Movie
The movie Armageddon reminds me of my dad, there is also a dad-daughter storyline that helps with that too. I would say that it is a 'great space movie' but it might be a bit of a stretch for others to consider it as such. I would parallel The Martian more with Apollo 13, though the later is based on true events, As a great space action epic, Dad would have liked The Martian.

It just came out last weekend (though it premiered at TIFF last month), go see it! The Martian was an awesome movie. It comes highly recommended by me, and I know it would have come recommended by Dad too.

Travel Diary - Sunday August 2, 2015

Date: Sunday August 2, 2015
Theme/Title: Sets
Overview: The day started with the six of us having brunch at Farmer Brown. Then we all split up. F and Greg went to Fisherman's Peir, Jason went on a bike ride, and 'the girls' spent some time together in the hotel room. I had brought my deck so did Cartouche World Readings with Teri and Monica. Afterwards there was more splitting up and I slept while waiting for Jason to return from biking. Then Jason and I met up with Teri and Greg for the porn studio tour. Afterward's Teri and I drove Mon and F to airport and were so sad to say goodbye. When we got back into downtown we got some Mexican food at Taqueria el Sol with boys. The four of us played Bananagrams before bed.
Woke-up: King bed in the 'fun room' at 9:30am - A very nice sleep in!
Transportation/Distance: A bit of time walking, a bit on buses, and a bit in the car.
Meals: Breakfast Skillet with eggs and pulled pork. Steak taco salad.
Highlight of the Day: Porn Studio Tour
Lesson Learnt: I got a bad reading in the Seventh House of my Cartouche World. This is the house of Partners (personal or professional) which includes spouses, marriage, business contacts, clients, etc. When I do a reading it has always meant 'significant other,' so in my case, Jason. I got Set (Opposition, Obstacles, Problems, and Delays) which is pretty much the only negative card in the whole deck. Then when I went to put a second card on top it was Nephthys (The Hidden One), the card that means the cards don't want to provide any more details. Even though you aren't supposed to dig further after getting that card, I did. So lastly I got The Twins, a partnership card, but it was inverted which means a separation. Scary!
Night's Accommodation: Final night at The Clift, in the double room with Teri and Greg

Signs From Heaven

------ From Facebook, from Matt Fraser

Some examples of things that dead loved ones may have used to communicate with you:

- repeating time on the clock 11:11, 12:12, or waking up at the time when they passed
- meaningful song on the radio
- birds, butterfly, signs in nature
- lights flickering
- phone calls from their number
- visits in dreams
- smells such as cigar smoke, perfume, etc
- see some who look exactly like your loved one in a public place or on tv
- finding pennies or dimes
- feeling their presence in the room with you
- random memories that just come to mind

(I believe in the concept, but not all of these apply to me.)

My Year?

Here's what 'the stars' have in store for me (Gemini) in 2015...
(I have reworded them slightly.) There seems to be a common theme of something happening in regards to my career in the summer. This is both exciting and scary as my contract at Forrec currently ends in late July. I find the Horoscope.com one the most vague and generic. At the completion of the year it would be hard to verify if it really provided any insight.

From The Globe and Mail 
There will be a continued uncertain air to your career prospects this year – it’s as if you don’t want to commit yourself too deeply in case something better arrives out of the blue. Most likely it will, but maybe not in the way you were expecting. August will bring good news about your home life, which in turn will make you more relaxed about what goes on in your working environment. It does not mean you will no longer be ambitious – if anything you will be even more determined to succeed – but you will see career choices from a higher perspective.

From Horoscope.com 
2015 is an exciting year, when relationships bloom, opportunities for personal growth and maturity abound, and friends and family become more cherished. As blazing and energetic as the year begins, you have plenty of built-in pauses to stay on track and take care of all those people and things you love. January 21 to February 11 is a calmer social period; May 18 to June 11 lets you mentally regroup and rethink what might have been done with too much haste the month before. September 17 to October 9 offers a chance to take a second look at any agreements or commitments you made or that were made to you earlier in the year. Socially, you will be running in high gear all year. Eat healthy and get enough rest, and moderate social indulgences. Friends and family are there to remind you how important you are, especially in the July. It is a fun, fabulous year!

From Astrology.com 
All of your diligence and handwork is totally paying off in 2015. You've fought your way through enough bumps and bruises on the road to success over the past few years, and now you're ready to truly claim your foothold and take your vision to the next level. Spend the first half of the year pursuing excellent collaborations and stellar people to partner with. Relationships of the romantic variety will take priority in 2015 as well. You're learning and re-learning the art of partnering. This requires quality-time and attention, good boundaries, reciprocity and the ever-elusive balance of self and other. One of your strongest assets in 2015 (if not always) is your mind. The difference this year is your knack for large-scale dreaming.

You're totally a creative visionary as the New Year begins and that powerful and exuberant influence will push you to new heights for the first half of 2015. Life will be more playful and joyful with childlike enthusiasm all around. Wait until spring to launch your biggest-of-the-big-shot projects. If you've had home improvement dreams or the fantasy of a total change of residence in your brain, the second half of the year could bring tremendous opportunity for expanding your domes-tic horizons. August will bring a strong urge to spread out and take over more living space and land. You're ready to live large in whatever context that best supports your fabulous dreams of the moment. In late September and October mark your calendars for your new home or biggest renovation project during that time. Don't worry; you should be making enough cash to support some pimped out, extravagant living. You continues to bring the glamour to your career zone for the fourth year in a row.

Why, Hello Sears

So, I just finished writing the story about West Elm as a Sunday Mornin' Coming Down post. (Yes, yes, I am doing some massive back dating at the moment - deal with it. I am trying to catch up, there are a lot of partially done posts in draft form.) Anyway, I don't know how this ad got linked to Always Standing, no where in the post does it mention Sears, the company where Dad "worked in retail for his entire professional life" literally from when he graduated university to his retirement a few years ago.

But, when I turned for a quick review of Always Standing, I just saw the following under my header:

I am feeling a bit better about writing these types of posts but I don't even feel like I was "looking" this time. It was just there, and what's more, it is about the department Dad was a salesmen in for the later part of his career. (He wanted more time with his family so left management to sell major appliances when Mike and I were very young.)

There isn't a consistent sign/symbol of my father but there are definitely reminders surrounding me, which at this point in my grief process tend to bring relief and peace. I love you Dad - I miss you.

Not Around

The pain over my dad's death still comes, and like before it is strange and unpredictable. I have cried at things that range from hearing a song to seeing apple sauce, the sharp reminder that he is gone will stab like a wound and hurt in a way words can describe. Then sometimes those same things, invoking the same memories, make me smile and happy to think about his life and the great times we had. Grief is a confusing thing.

I still feel very much that he is 'missing' and I haven't adjusted to this new role he plays as my late father (a term that is very problematic, I may rant about that at a later time.) I look for so called 'signs' to feel that he is around in some way but they don't really seem to present themselves to me. I don't even think that much of it, but the first photo I took of the picture I posted this past Sunday showed up with a glare over my dad's face. The basic coincidence of using Jason's phone that he has on automatic flash (compared to mine which I keep the flash turned off), my dad being in the top centre of the picture and the photo being under glass. However, it made me stop for a second.

Driving home this evening from dropping off Tessa, an ambulance drove past us. This is a very regular occurrence in Toronto, but for some reason it made me completely breakdown. (Jason was driving, I was in the passenger seat with tears streaming down my cheeks.) Then right before I started sobbing I looked up as we passed a store called George's Deli, a place I had never noticed before on a street that I travel up and down very frequently. I still cried for most of the way home, but noticing that made me pause for a moment and wonder.

So much of this post or this line of thinking just seems like reaching for straws, and I am almost embarrassed to share it on Always Standing. But I am looking, I am looking for him, I am looking so hard. Because I miss him so much.

Good Advice

I saw this in one of my horoscopes recently, I think it is beautifully stated:

"Promises made in the heat of the night are easily broken in the cold light of day."

Unemployed - Undead

Zombie Me

Photo by Jeska

Edited using iPhone app

Fairy Dust

Ava slowly rolled over to the other side of the bed. It was a delicate but deliberate maneuver to unwind her limbs from Will and leave his arms to find her own stretch of mattress space. She closed her eyes and felt the light sheen of sweat cool as it dried; relishing the deep breaths of cold night air drawn into her lungs from the dimly lit space above her. Her space. Her air. Cool, cold air. It wasn't long before the sweat had dissipated from her skin and drifted into the corners of the room.

Ava's body felt still and her breath settled and slowed into long lasting streams of air. She was calm. Her mind was clear, or maybe her mind was gone. The thought didn't make her panic, the inner empty feeling was not a hollow or a fog or any other type of frightening mental existence. It was stillness, pure perfection. Then it slowly came to her like the sun rising inch by inch at a clear sharp dawn - she wasn't empty. Her mind and limbs and every inch of her felt full of fairy dust. Not heavy like sand  but similar in form. Lighter than sand, it glowed, each piece of magic rich and golden. She wondered if it would blow away into the cool air above her.

Ava's eyes closed and gradually sleep came, stealing each piece of dust from her body, one by one, moment by moment, slowly taking her stillness

Thank You Cartouche!

I thought I had mentioned this on Always Standing before but I looked back and it seems I haven't - I have a Cartouche deck! Erin AH got them for me a couple of years back; like Tarot Cards, Cartouche should not be purchased but must 'come to their owner' so I never went to go get my own deck. I was so happy when Erin gave me a deck as a present. However, I lost them in my move to Toronto and it was only a couple of months ago that I came across them again. I use them now and then, to ask questions using the Star. Last night I did my World for the next six months, and it looks like they are going to go well!

However, not everything appears to be perfect. I did get Set (Opposition, Delays and problems at all levels - otherwise known as the Death card) in the 2nd House (Money, Possessions, Financial prospects). After Set shows up, following Em's technique, I always select a card to place on top so as to get more information; the one that showed up this time was Earth (Industry, Thrift, Money and possessions, Conservation, Practicality, All things that grow). I think I need to be much more careful financially. Thank you Cartouche! I had already figured this out though - but a little more reinforcement never hurts.

Not A Taurus

It has been reported that the star signs are out of date. According to this new scientific update on astrology, I should be a Taurus and not a Gemini. Let's look at these two for a second...

Gemini
-an entanglement of paradoxes
-easy acceptance of opposites
-a world of duality
-mind can bounce around from one topic to another with great ease
-champion of cocktail party chatter and lighthearted social encounters
-fun to be with
-ability to change with the changing winds
-can be seen as shallow
-the eternally youthful child
-razor-sharp wit
-loves verbally dueling
-curious, talkative, versatile and mentally active

Taurus
-noted for determination
-will not be distracted from goals
-need for stability and simplicity
-creates a life that is functional
-may seem boring to some
-not interested in taking unnecessary risks
-attraction to material things
-less about objects more the pleasure they bring to the senses
-comfortable living and working space is important
-practical, sensible outlook on life

Yes, I am not a Taurus. (My mother is a Taurus, by both the old and new measurements, and I feel like it is fitting.) I am so very much a Gemini, thank you very much. So I'm going to ignore this new development for now.