Avery Giggles - 10 Months
November 2015
Photo by Mom
Monday, 30 November 2015
The Birthday Boy's Baby
Happy birthday to my little brother! Normally I would put up a picture of Mike, but his son is just so much cuter!! Here is a shot my mom took (she is in Edmonton right now) of Mike tickling Avery:
Sunday, 29 November 2015
My Dad As A Verb
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
Email discussion with my uncle about the potential cost of various house renovations.
Si: Are the $ figures backed up with research, etc or is it guess work? ie. Are you doing a George?
Me: What is "doing a George"?
Si: "Doing a George": deciding on a budget figure you'd be happy with without doing a ton of research.
This exchange totally made me laugh; I didn't know he did that but I am not surprised. I don't have that issue because I like to research so spend lots of time looking things up to get an idea of the risks, costs, process, etc.
Email discussion with my uncle about the potential cost of various house renovations.
Si: Are the $ figures backed up with research, etc or is it guess work? ie. Are you doing a George?
Me: What is "doing a George"?
Si: "Doing a George": deciding on a budget figure you'd be happy with without doing a ton of research.
This exchange totally made me laugh; I didn't know he did that but I am not surprised. I don't have that issue because I like to research so spend lots of time looking things up to get an idea of the risks, costs, process, etc.
Friday, 27 November 2015
A Sad Day
How do you honour your father, two years later? I don't know.
So I did my taxes and switched the sheets on my bed.
So I did my taxes and switched the sheets on my bed.
Feminist Friday - Wage Gap
It seems unbelievable that that the Gender Wage Gap exists. As in, I actually have a hard time believing the science. I don't understand how it can happen. I expect women to trend lower pay from choosing careers that pay less or due to maternity leave absences. However, even when statistics are adjusted for these variables it still shows up.
It makes me wonder if it has been some unseen force in my life. I have occasionally felt underpaid, but never because I was a girl - usually due to the company I was working for, the stage I was at in my career, that not-for-profits involve some sacrifice in pay, my skill-set and industries of preference are undervalued, etc. Never because of my gender.
However, maybe I wouldn't see it, I have never been somewhere that had lots of people doing the same job as me, the statistics have never represented a male that is physically sitting beside me and getting paid more. It feels like an issue that exists only on paper and it infuriates me that these numbers keep showing up in black and white - reflecting quiet biases back to us. It so unfair that it is unfathomable. But it also seems so abstract that it is hard to believe.
Seriously, how does it even happen? I just want this issue to go away, I know it won't fix itself but I don't really know what can be done to change it. (Besides making it illegal, but isn't it already under discrimination laws?) Someone needs to fix this.
Article from Forbes
It makes me wonder if it has been some unseen force in my life. I have occasionally felt underpaid, but never because I was a girl - usually due to the company I was working for, the stage I was at in my career, that not-for-profits involve some sacrifice in pay, my skill-set and industries of preference are undervalued, etc. Never because of my gender.
However, maybe I wouldn't see it, I have never been somewhere that had lots of people doing the same job as me, the statistics have never represented a male that is physically sitting beside me and getting paid more. It feels like an issue that exists only on paper and it infuriates me that these numbers keep showing up in black and white - reflecting quiet biases back to us. It so unfair that it is unfathomable. But it also seems so abstract that it is hard to believe.
Seriously, how does it even happen? I just want this issue to go away, I know it won't fix itself but I don't really know what can be done to change it. (Besides making it illegal, but isn't it already under discrimination laws?) Someone needs to fix this.
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Where Have I Been?
So the answer to the above question is -- I don't know! I just stopped posting for a while, somehow found it hard to find the time. Things are well with me though and I have returned!
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Excited For A Fresh Start
Look what came in the mail today! Chapters was having a sale so instead of the normal $25, my yearly planner was only $20. Unfortunately, they only sell one colour (black) in the weekly-horizontal style that I use. Last year I had pink, but I think I ordered it through Amazon where there are more choices.Steph used to get them for me, when for a couple of years you couldn't get this specific layout in Canada and had to go through the USA. She used to use the one that is smaller than this one, the "pocket-size" but I don't know if she still does. Everyone's phones are so good now and calendars sync to various devices; most people have gone digital.
I actually keep mine, and look through them, it is a really cool snapshot of time to see what I was interested in or doing each year. They store in a compact way. The last couple of years I make sure to white out (or scribble over) any thing that I don't end up doing, so these planners are accurate representation of what I do. This is especially key for spinning since I am trying to keep track of how much I spin now that Tessa and I have an unlimited package (got to see if we get our money's worth.)
I have already torn open the packaging and transferred over the details for my Peru trip, the second week of which was mapped out on a blank page in my 2015 planner since they do minimal overlap between the years. I also put in all the birthdays, in two places. Usually the first 3 pages has a list-version of the year's dates and it goes in there for easy reference, in 2016 they have a full month on each page so I used that. Then I go through and put notes in the individual days too. I already made my first white-out, I tried to draw wedding bells to go beside Rob and Andrea's wedding date but they looked horrible and I had to erase them, there are hearts now instead.
Move Back On The TTC
Move to the back people! In buses and streetcars it is always more empty at the back. This isn't a new issue brought about by entitled millennials wanting to stand closer to the door, or busy yuppies with their briefcases and gym bags taking up aisle room, or even the recent influx of massive strollers blocking up the front sections - it is an age old issue. As this vintage TTC poster can attest to:
It just doesn't make sense to me. This morning there was a crowd of people in the bus I took along King St. to work (they have started to supplement the 504 Streetcar with buses). By the time I squeezed past all the people in the aisle and made it up the stairs to the back section there were tons of seats available. It should be a common etiquette rule that no one can stand in the main aisle until all the seats are taken and people have filled the aisle in the back section.That back section is just as good as the main one - just as many poles to hold on to, just as close to the rear door, just as wide. I don't get it. It is so frustrating.
Speaking of frustrating, I am not a huge fan of this sexist vintage ad from the TTC. Though I do enjoy it showing the men being really passive aggressive, and the kid crying (because that is another annoying thing that happens on public transit) though I feel like the girl is too old to be crying:
Speaking of frustrating, I am not a huge fan of this sexist vintage ad from the TTC. Though I do enjoy it showing the men being really passive aggressive, and the kid crying (because that is another annoying thing that happens on public transit) though I feel like the girl is too old to be crying:
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
KL CGA-X
By Christine Sweeton
Part 1
Part 2
- Part 3:
It took his entire commute through the lava to slow his heart rate, by the time Kit arrived at his ProPod the health indicator on his wrist had finally faded. He'd seen the red light shine through his skin at the heel of his hand right after Lu had shown him the test questions. He had quickly shoved his hand into the back pocket of his jeans and tried to take a casual pose leaning against the kitchen island. “Huh, what was that, hon?” he asked.
Kit hoped Lu hadn’t sensed his instant terror from her seemingly nonchalant questions about the possible new exam material. “Ahh, I don’t really remember the tests from one exam to the next, there’s been so many since I started. But I gotta get going, it’s review week, ya know it makes em crazy,” Kit had slowed his Northern drawl even more than usual. He then tried to calm the frantic beating of his heart and appear as natural as possible as he gathered his bag and headed out the door to start his commute. “Though it is hard to look natural when your girlfriend is showing you a highly secretive intergalactic document -- with no regard to the criminal implications -- over coffee like it was the morning weather report!” Kit thought to himself as he entered his ProfPod.
Part 1
Part 2
- Part 3:
It took his entire commute through the lava to slow his heart rate, by the time Kit arrived at his ProPod the health indicator on his wrist had finally faded. He'd seen the red light shine through his skin at the heel of his hand right after Lu had shown him the test questions. He had quickly shoved his hand into the back pocket of his jeans and tried to take a casual pose leaning against the kitchen island. “Huh, what was that, hon?” he asked.
Kit hoped Lu hadn’t sensed his instant terror from her seemingly nonchalant questions about the possible new exam material. “Ahh, I don’t really remember the tests from one exam to the next, there’s been so many since I started. But I gotta get going, it’s review week, ya know it makes em crazy,” Kit had slowed his Northern drawl even more than usual. He then tried to calm the frantic beating of his heart and appear as natural as possible as he gathered his bag and headed out the door to start his commute. “Though it is hard to look natural when your girlfriend is showing you a highly secretive intergalactic document -- with no regard to the criminal implications -- over coffee like it was the morning weather report!” Kit thought to himself as he entered his ProfPod.
Sunday, 8 November 2015
Third Person, No Capitals
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
In one Sunday Mornin' Coming Down post I shared the last comment my dad made on Always Standing before he died. This past week I ran across a bunch of comments from him as I made my Throwback Thursday post for April 2007. Dad used to start his comments on my blog with "dad says" or "dad asks" or some other strange third person intro before leaving the comment.
I like the comment he left on (No) Thoughts On Suicide - VI, a post I wrote on April 2, 2007 as I was slowly healing from my most serious depressive episode. About a week later this comment was made:
dad said .it is great to hear you are feeling more on an even keel . love you . may the wind be on your back always . keep trying
In one Sunday Mornin' Coming Down post I shared the last comment my dad made on Always Standing before he died. This past week I ran across a bunch of comments from him as I made my Throwback Thursday post for April 2007. Dad used to start his comments on my blog with "dad says" or "dad asks" or some other strange third person intro before leaving the comment.
I like the comment he left on (No) Thoughts On Suicide - VI, a post I wrote on April 2, 2007 as I was slowly healing from my most serious depressive episode. About a week later this comment was made:
dad said .it is great to hear you are feeling more on an even keel . love you . may the wind be on your back always . keep trying
Friday, 6 November 2015
Feminist Friday - An Ottawa Mayor
Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. --- Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton
Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton was the first female mayor of a major city in Canada, serving as mayor of Ottawa from 1951 to 1956 and again from 1960 to 1964.
Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton was the first female mayor of a major city in Canada, serving as mayor of Ottawa from 1951 to 1956 and again from 1960 to 1964.
Thursday, 5 November 2015
TB - April 2007
Throwback Thursday - Scroll to the bottom of the month and read up. Or click on the earliest post in the month (to view the post and the comments) then keep clicking Newer Post until you finish the month.
This is way easier to read than the last Throw Back post when I was deep into a serious depressive episode. In April of 2007, lots of my friends were commenting on posts, especially Steph, and I can often still hear their voices in my head when I read their words. I am am excited to learn more about the late Spring and Summer of 2007. It seems like it was a month when I was figuring out summer work and trying to find a new roommate. I can't really remember what happened! Was that the summer I started at GeoConnections? Was the new roommate Jake? It is strange how hard it is to put together a timeline 9 years afterwards. Guess I will have to keep reading to find out.
Noted Post: Near the end of the month I posted about a late night interaction with Taylor. I can remember the good-bye that I described and how touched I was by her sweetness and slurred compliments. It was a very strong moment, early on in our friendship. I like that, 9 years later, she is still reading my blog.
This is way easier to read than the last Throw Back post when I was deep into a serious depressive episode. In April of 2007, lots of my friends were commenting on posts, especially Steph, and I can often still hear their voices in my head when I read their words. I am am excited to learn more about the late Spring and Summer of 2007. It seems like it was a month when I was figuring out summer work and trying to find a new roommate. I can't really remember what happened! Was that the summer I started at GeoConnections? Was the new roommate Jake? It is strange how hard it is to put together a timeline 9 years afterwards. Guess I will have to keep reading to find out.
Noted Post: Near the end of the month I posted about a late night interaction with Taylor. I can remember the good-bye that I described and how touched I was by her sweetness and slurred compliments. It was a very strong moment, early on in our friendship. I like that, 9 years later, she is still reading my blog.
An Excellent Cabinet
People are getting pretty excited about the recently announced Canadian Federal Cabinet. I admit that when reading the Globe and Mail summary yesterday I felt really proud of my country. I am getting excited for the new Liberal parliament under our 23rd Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.
---- From a Facebook post by Alana and Micheal Philips
We have a Minister of Environment and CLIMATE CHANGE.
We have a Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and REFUGEES.
Our Prime Minister is a sci-fi geek.
Our Minister of Health is an actual Doctor.
Our Minister of Families, Children and Social Development is a poverty economist.
Our Minister of Science is an actual Scientist (oh, and she has a Nobel Prize).
Our Minister of Status of Women is an actual woman!
Our Minister of Veterans Affairs is a quadriplegic because he was shot in a drive-by shooting.
Our Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour is a Professional Geologist.
Our Minister of Democratic Institutions is a Muslim refugee.
Our Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities is a Paralympian Athlete.
Our Minister of Defence is a badass war hero, Afghanistan combat vet, and police officer.
OUR MINISTER OF TRANSPORT IS A GODDAMN ASTRONAUT.
Half of our Ministers are women.
Half of our Ministers are men!
Two of our Ministers are people of First Nations (Kwakwaka'wakw, Inuit).
Three of our Ministers were born outside of Canada (India, Afghanistan).
Two of our Ministers are Sikh.
At least one of our Ministers is Muslim.
At least two of our Ministers are Atheist.
One of our Ministers is battling breast cancer (we wish her well).
One of our Ministers is in a wheelchair.
One of our Ministers is blind.
One of our Ministers is openly gay.
One of our Ministers is openly ginger.
Also, Hon. Navdeep Bains has a perfect twirly moustache.
---- From a Facebook post by Alana and Micheal Philips
We have a Minister of Environment and CLIMATE CHANGE.
We have a Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and REFUGEES.
Our Prime Minister is a sci-fi geek.
Our Minister of Health is an actual Doctor.
Our Minister of Families, Children and Social Development is a poverty economist.
Our Minister of Science is an actual Scientist (oh, and she has a Nobel Prize).
Our Minister of Status of Women is an actual woman!
Our Minister of Veterans Affairs is a quadriplegic because he was shot in a drive-by shooting.
Our Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour is a Professional Geologist.
Our Minister of Democratic Institutions is a Muslim refugee.
Our Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities is a Paralympian Athlete.
Our Minister of Defence is a badass war hero, Afghanistan combat vet, and police officer.
OUR MINISTER OF TRANSPORT IS A GODDAMN ASTRONAUT.
Half of our Ministers are women.
Half of our Ministers are men!
Two of our Ministers are people of First Nations (Kwakwaka'wakw, Inuit).
Three of our Ministers were born outside of Canada (India, Afghanistan).
Two of our Ministers are Sikh.
At least one of our Ministers is Muslim.
At least two of our Ministers are Atheist.
One of our Ministers is battling breast cancer (we wish her well).
One of our Ministers is in a wheelchair.
One of our Ministers is blind.
One of our Ministers is openly gay.
One of our Ministers is openly ginger.
Also, Hon. Navdeep Bains has a perfect twirly moustache.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Mom With Candy, Dad With The Kids
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
My dad always took us trick-or-treating, and when I was really young he even dressed up. Talking with a group of friends at Teri's last night, turns out that most families sent the dad out with the kids and the mom stayed home giving out the candy on Halloween.
My dad always took us trick-or-treating, and when I was really young he even dressed up. Talking with a group of friends at Teri's last night, turns out that most families sent the dad out with the kids and the mom stayed home giving out the candy on Halloween.
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