A true story a friend told me the other day! Her uncle went into retirement, however, must have soon gotten bored and decided to start up a new business. His business? Cleaning cat litters for people. I'm not sure (even as the crazy cat lady) what would possess a person to take that up as a profession, but he did.
Recently he was hospitalized with a bronchial infection that resulted in pneumonia. When they did some tests they discovered something a little alarming. His bronchial parts were coated with a cement like material that they determined was a result of cat litter dust, as he never wore a mask. It is treatable, and he'll be fine.
The kicker of the story, and again, I'm not making this up...his previous occupation that he retired from, that you'd think he'd know better - a respiratory therapist. Maybe he wasn't a very good one?
Moral of the story, if your respiratory therapist tells you not to worry about wearing a mask while cleaning cat litter boxes, don't believe them. Just do it!
Tia
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Cry Wolf and Catch 22
Today we're dealing with the wind which has nicely decided to follow up the big storm that parts of Saskatchewan had to endure yesterday. A storm which tornado chasers and storm watchers were predicting as early as last Wednesday and Thursday could bring us severe systems.
There was much hype leading up to these last couple of days about tornados and cyclones and how we better start getting the basement ready for some possible "big ones". Then the system petered out and didn't produce what everyone thought should live up to the hype.
I too was one of those people who last week and into the weekend was a little peeved with hype machine. But as Monday and Tuesday rolled around and the real possibility of something big started shaping up on the radar, I'm not ashamed to admit I took food and water to the basement and got ready. As someone who was watching the system tracking eastward from Moose Jaw, and as someone who lives on the outskirts of the city on the far edge of the Cathedral area, I was worried. Let's face it, you've likely seen what did tear through a field southwest of Moose Jaw.
I also watched all those people who on social media proclaimed their disappointment with the storm falling short of its hype status. True. But here's the thing: never have we been so well informed, and so quickly informed about a storm than nowadays with social media. And the technology nowadays being used by weather watchers is so bang on that last night they were predicting in units of minutes, as to the arrival of when a storm would hit a location. They were pretty much bang on with the ETA of what we got hit with in Regina.
Sure, the hype might have cried wolf, but had a tornado hit hard in a town or city, and we didn't hear anything about it's path or destination, we would all be crying and pointing fingers at whoever about being un-informed! Catch 22. Our parents and grandparents never had this technology we have to be informed like we can be in 2012. I personally would rather be over-informed than under.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get my food from the basement and return it to the cupboards.
Tia
There was much hype leading up to these last couple of days about tornados and cyclones and how we better start getting the basement ready for some possible "big ones". Then the system petered out and didn't produce what everyone thought should live up to the hype.
I too was one of those people who last week and into the weekend was a little peeved with hype machine. But as Monday and Tuesday rolled around and the real possibility of something big started shaping up on the radar, I'm not ashamed to admit I took food and water to the basement and got ready. As someone who was watching the system tracking eastward from Moose Jaw, and as someone who lives on the outskirts of the city on the far edge of the Cathedral area, I was worried. Let's face it, you've likely seen what did tear through a field southwest of Moose Jaw.
I also watched all those people who on social media proclaimed their disappointment with the storm falling short of its hype status. True. But here's the thing: never have we been so well informed, and so quickly informed about a storm than nowadays with social media. And the technology nowadays being used by weather watchers is so bang on that last night they were predicting in units of minutes, as to the arrival of when a storm would hit a location. They were pretty much bang on with the ETA of what we got hit with in Regina.
Sure, the hype might have cried wolf, but had a tornado hit hard in a town or city, and we didn't hear anything about it's path or destination, we would all be crying and pointing fingers at whoever about being un-informed! Catch 22. Our parents and grandparents never had this technology we have to be informed like we can be in 2012. I personally would rather be over-informed than under.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get my food from the basement and return it to the cupboards.
Tia
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Do you Ever Wonder....
Why companies always come out with products that are "new and improved"? It always makes me ask myself "what was so wrong with the previous product that it had to be improved? And if it's always having to be improved, is it really that worthy of a product?"
Who decided and what prompted the decision to issue expiry dates for condoms? I thought of this while I was doing up the ziplock on my turkey breast bag.
Are the makers of Dyson aware of how phallic their TV commercials are? "That's why all our new vacuums have balls." Then the narrator is followed by text on the screen that says "No awkward moves, no loss of suction." And that doesn't sound dirty to anyone else other than me??
What goes through a dog's mind as it stands and watches its owner take out a plastic bag and clean up its doo-doo? "I really need more bran in my diet."
How could we work it so that the NHL playoffs are done in March?
If robins think we're imbeciles for coming up with the song "Rockin Robin"?
How hilarious it would be if dogs meowed and cats barked??
Why grocery stores who claim they want to help the environment don't teach their employees how to more efficiently pack plastic bags? "Ok, I'm going to put your bread in a separate bag all by itself, and your meat in a bag on its own, double wrapped."
And last but not least, do you ever wonder what banana coffee would taste like?
That is all.
Tia
Who decided and what prompted the decision to issue expiry dates for condoms? I thought of this while I was doing up the ziplock on my turkey breast bag.
Are the makers of Dyson aware of how phallic their TV commercials are? "That's why all our new vacuums have balls." Then the narrator is followed by text on the screen that says "No awkward moves, no loss of suction." And that doesn't sound dirty to anyone else other than me??
What goes through a dog's mind as it stands and watches its owner take out a plastic bag and clean up its doo-doo? "I really need more bran in my diet."
How could we work it so that the NHL playoffs are done in March?
If robins think we're imbeciles for coming up with the song "Rockin Robin"?
How hilarious it would be if dogs meowed and cats barked??
Why grocery stores who claim they want to help the environment don't teach their employees how to more efficiently pack plastic bags? "Ok, I'm going to put your bread in a separate bag all by itself, and your meat in a bag on its own, double wrapped."
And last but not least, do you ever wonder what banana coffee would taste like?
That is all.
Tia
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Rainy Day Memories
Despite being a rainy day, I chanced being a crazy person who went for a nice, long walk through Les Sherman Park. Needless to say it was just me, the wet walking path, and the ducks. I returned home soaked through and through with wet wavy hair all over the place, but it was worth it. It reminded me of those things that I think of when it rains.
Like that time when I was just a kid that Grandpa and Grandma Gilmer had an auction at their log house out at Gooseberry Lake. How it rained all day and was so cool you could see your breath. I think we spent most of the day in the cabin drinking hot chocolate.
When I travelled to Europe in Grade 12, the experience was hampered by rain pretty much the whole time, whether we were in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland or France. I believe it was actually the last day we were there and flying out of Frankfurt that the sun finally made an appearance.
Rain reminds me of that time when I lived in Lethbridge and decided to drive out to BC to see my mom. As I was going through the Crowsnest Past, the rain was coming down so hard that my windshield wipers were having a hard time keeping up, and I was having a hard time being able to see my way through the twists and curves you encounter when you take that route. When it got to higher elevations, it started snowing (in June) and this poor guy coming towards me on his motorbike was having a tough time having to keep wiping the snow off his visor.
It makes me think of the year that my friends Barb and Patti and I decided to take in the Cathedral Arts Festival. It was pouring, so instead of chancing the rain, we made up our own little pub crawl through the afternoon. It was pretty much the last time that all three of us hung out together as everyone's lives went separate ways.
The rain takes me back to that July 1st Sandfly Festival in Medicine Hat when a then unknown Gord Bamford was on stage when the sky let loose and poured cats and dogs. With nowhere to really retreat, we just decided to make the most of it and danced like fools in the rain while he continued to play on. Within 20 minutes, the clouds parted again, the rain subsided and the sun returned for what turned out to be a beautiful rest of the day.
It takes me back to summers at the Craven Country Jamboree where a storm rolls in out of nowhere and suddenly it's coming straight down while everyone is trying to run for cover to the bathrooms or beer gardens. Mud becomes your best friend and the grandstand area becomes the Flip Flop Graveyard. Good luck trying to find a store that has rubber boots in stock still the week leading up to Craven.
The curse of rain follows me every time I go to Toronto. My first visit, it rained every day I was there. All I had for shoes was flip flops and let's just say my feet got a lot of exposure to the rain. My friend Krista brought me her husband's Maple Leafs umbrella. I had never used an umbrella before and ended up wrecking it when I was trying to close it. I felt pretty bad. A couple of months later I went back, this time in November. And again, it poured. I remember being with my friend Brianne in Kensington Market. We had been in this little coffee shop for a bit. When we came out, it was coming straight down so she ran across the street to this little Chinese place and got a cheap $5 umbrella. I think every time we've gotten together when I'm there, it's rained.
Overall, I don't mind the rain. Days on end of it back to back can get a little old real fast, but for the most part, a little time in the rain never hurt anyone did it? At least it's not snow :)
Tia
Like that time when I was just a kid that Grandpa and Grandma Gilmer had an auction at their log house out at Gooseberry Lake. How it rained all day and was so cool you could see your breath. I think we spent most of the day in the cabin drinking hot chocolate.
When I travelled to Europe in Grade 12, the experience was hampered by rain pretty much the whole time, whether we were in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland or France. I believe it was actually the last day we were there and flying out of Frankfurt that the sun finally made an appearance.
Rain reminds me of that time when I lived in Lethbridge and decided to drive out to BC to see my mom. As I was going through the Crowsnest Past, the rain was coming down so hard that my windshield wipers were having a hard time keeping up, and I was having a hard time being able to see my way through the twists and curves you encounter when you take that route. When it got to higher elevations, it started snowing (in June) and this poor guy coming towards me on his motorbike was having a tough time having to keep wiping the snow off his visor.
It makes me think of the year that my friends Barb and Patti and I decided to take in the Cathedral Arts Festival. It was pouring, so instead of chancing the rain, we made up our own little pub crawl through the afternoon. It was pretty much the last time that all three of us hung out together as everyone's lives went separate ways.
The rain takes me back to that July 1st Sandfly Festival in Medicine Hat when a then unknown Gord Bamford was on stage when the sky let loose and poured cats and dogs. With nowhere to really retreat, we just decided to make the most of it and danced like fools in the rain while he continued to play on. Within 20 minutes, the clouds parted again, the rain subsided and the sun returned for what turned out to be a beautiful rest of the day.
It takes me back to summers at the Craven Country Jamboree where a storm rolls in out of nowhere and suddenly it's coming straight down while everyone is trying to run for cover to the bathrooms or beer gardens. Mud becomes your best friend and the grandstand area becomes the Flip Flop Graveyard. Good luck trying to find a store that has rubber boots in stock still the week leading up to Craven.
The curse of rain follows me every time I go to Toronto. My first visit, it rained every day I was there. All I had for shoes was flip flops and let's just say my feet got a lot of exposure to the rain. My friend Krista brought me her husband's Maple Leafs umbrella. I had never used an umbrella before and ended up wrecking it when I was trying to close it. I felt pretty bad. A couple of months later I went back, this time in November. And again, it poured. I remember being with my friend Brianne in Kensington Market. We had been in this little coffee shop for a bit. When we came out, it was coming straight down so she ran across the street to this little Chinese place and got a cheap $5 umbrella. I think every time we've gotten together when I'm there, it's rained.
Overall, I don't mind the rain. Days on end of it back to back can get a little old real fast, but for the most part, a little time in the rain never hurt anyone did it? At least it's not snow :)
Tia
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Are you Ready to Strike While the Iron is Hot?
I don't often use my personal blog to give insight into the music industry, but I'm going to this time.
Last night on the season finale of Criminal Minds, the final scene of the show was a touching, poignant moment where the character of Emily Prentiss was basically saying goodbye to her team-mates after 6 years on the show. As the scenes are rolling there's an amazing voice singing the perfectly picked song that had words that made that farewell even more emotional.
Pretty much as soon as the show was done, myself and seemingly a lot of other people got onto a computer and starting searching for this song called "As it Seems". It turns out it's by an unknown singer named Lily Kershaw. Upon searching her name last night, very little came up for results aside from a MySpace page from how many years ago. Further to that, under the "music" tab of her MySpace page, she has no songs posted whatsoever, including this one.
My point is, here is an artist who clearly is missing an incredible opportunity. Today everyone wants to know everything about her, but there is nothing current out there "marketing" this singer/songwriter. All those years that she's spent crafting her art and to be given this song showcase on such a hit show, and she may not be able to strike while the iron is hot. In the music business, 15 min of fame is just that, and if she wants to capitalize on it, she's going to have to hurry to get an updated website, pics, etc.
I suspect Lily Kershaw's life today, is not the same as it was yesterday. The moral of the story moreso directed at my music friends still trying to catch their break is: you never know when someone will want to find you, or more about you. Ensure that you've got an updated website, that all content is current, that your latest songs are posted, your contact information is current and that it looks good. The other thing is, ensure there's a consistency in the look and sound between all social media you're utilizing. I've seen some artists maintain a MySpace page that they never update, it's different from their ReverbNation look, and what they're doing on Facebook doesn't seem to be in line with what they're doing everywhere else. You may not have the big record deal, but you have all these tools out there with technology these days to market yourself like a rock star. So just do it!
Tia
Last night on the season finale of Criminal Minds, the final scene of the show was a touching, poignant moment where the character of Emily Prentiss was basically saying goodbye to her team-mates after 6 years on the show. As the scenes are rolling there's an amazing voice singing the perfectly picked song that had words that made that farewell even more emotional.
Pretty much as soon as the show was done, myself and seemingly a lot of other people got onto a computer and starting searching for this song called "As it Seems". It turns out it's by an unknown singer named Lily Kershaw. Upon searching her name last night, very little came up for results aside from a MySpace page from how many years ago. Further to that, under the "music" tab of her MySpace page, she has no songs posted whatsoever, including this one.
My point is, here is an artist who clearly is missing an incredible opportunity. Today everyone wants to know everything about her, but there is nothing current out there "marketing" this singer/songwriter. All those years that she's spent crafting her art and to be given this song showcase on such a hit show, and she may not be able to strike while the iron is hot. In the music business, 15 min of fame is just that, and if she wants to capitalize on it, she's going to have to hurry to get an updated website, pics, etc.
I suspect Lily Kershaw's life today, is not the same as it was yesterday. The moral of the story moreso directed at my music friends still trying to catch their break is: you never know when someone will want to find you, or more about you. Ensure that you've got an updated website, that all content is current, that your latest songs are posted, your contact information is current and that it looks good. The other thing is, ensure there's a consistency in the look and sound between all social media you're utilizing. I've seen some artists maintain a MySpace page that they never update, it's different from their ReverbNation look, and what they're doing on Facebook doesn't seem to be in line with what they're doing everywhere else. You may not have the big record deal, but you have all these tools out there with technology these days to market yourself like a rock star. So just do it!
Tia
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Produce Department
The other day I was at the grocery store and started my adventure in the produce department to get some bananas. There was an older woman in her 60's or 70's getting a bunch of bananas which is what I was hoping to do as well. However, the selection was pretty lack lustre so I moved on banana-less. But I noticed she seemed to be fumbling with the plastic bags, although I thought she would be fine.
I moved over to the bakery section and eyed up some bread while still keeping an eye on her, and watching her still seem to be having some problems in getting the produce bag open. Again, I thought she'd surely be good to go pretty soon.
I mozied over to the deli section and looked back again to see if she had mastered her problem yet, but sadly she hadn't. Part of me thought it would make her feel uncomfortable if I went over to ask if she needed help, but by now 5 min had passed at least and she was still having issues.
I could have moved on, but decided to circle back and pretend I was eyeing up the bananas again. As I glanced over I could see her hands were that of someone who was hampered by arthritis, and she just couldn't get her fingers planted firmly enough to get that plastic bag open. Just as I turned to her to offer to help, she turned to me and said "I'm having troubles here" indicating she wanted help. I smiled, took the bag from her, rubbed the edges between my fingers and opened it up for her no problem and said "these darn bags are always so sticky and tricky," and handed it back to her. She quietly laughed this little laugh and thanked me.
Here was something that was so simple to me, yet so difficult to her. It was really a moment of revelation about perspective. All the things we take for granted about our abilities or potential that someone else physically can't do. I just hope someday when I'm 65 and struggling to get one of those stupid plastic produce bags open, that someone's kind enough to take the time and stop and help me too.
Tia
I moved over to the bakery section and eyed up some bread while still keeping an eye on her, and watching her still seem to be having some problems in getting the produce bag open. Again, I thought she'd surely be good to go pretty soon.
I mozied over to the deli section and looked back again to see if she had mastered her problem yet, but sadly she hadn't. Part of me thought it would make her feel uncomfortable if I went over to ask if she needed help, but by now 5 min had passed at least and she was still having issues.
I could have moved on, but decided to circle back and pretend I was eyeing up the bananas again. As I glanced over I could see her hands were that of someone who was hampered by arthritis, and she just couldn't get her fingers planted firmly enough to get that plastic bag open. Just as I turned to her to offer to help, she turned to me and said "I'm having troubles here" indicating she wanted help. I smiled, took the bag from her, rubbed the edges between my fingers and opened it up for her no problem and said "these darn bags are always so sticky and tricky," and handed it back to her. She quietly laughed this little laugh and thanked me.
Here was something that was so simple to me, yet so difficult to her. It was really a moment of revelation about perspective. All the things we take for granted about our abilities or potential that someone else physically can't do. I just hope someday when I'm 65 and struggling to get one of those stupid plastic produce bags open, that someone's kind enough to take the time and stop and help me too.
Tia
Monday, April 9, 2012
Routine Poutine
There is no poutine in this blog, just so you know. There just aren't many things that rhyme with routine that get your attention nearly as much as poutine does. Where was I going with this...(who has A.D.D?)
I'm into my second week of being back to work, and the "getting back into a routine" has been great on many fronts. The biggest difference is the ability to sleep once again. Although not going to bed as early as I should yet, I do actually fall asleep shortly after going to bed, instead of the insomnia that kept me awake until 1 or 2am stuff that plagued me the last 4 months. I'm also using a clock in my room again. You might find this funny, but since November I haven't had my alarm clock plugged in. Every time I couldn't sleep, I'd look up and see those bright green numbers, and it was this constant reminder of my brain not being able to shut down. So I unplugged the stupid thing. Not that it really helped, but I'd like to think it cut down on my power bills a bit? I don't know. Work with me here.
I think the routine has also been good for my eating and drinking habits. I'm pretty sure I gained at least 10 lbs since being off work. I suppose that'll happen when you're not able to sleep at night, sleeping till 10 or 11am everyday, and at home all the time to snack and cook. Now I eat my granola bar late morning at work, eat a nice little lunch, come home by 5pm to eat a normal supper, and eat my sleepy banana before bed. It feels like the fluffiness is wearing off my waistline a bit. And you might not believe this, but I've managed to limit myself to one diet coke a day. Anyone who knows me really well will find that quite impressive!
One of the biggest differences is just being stress-free. Up until last Monday, it took every ounce of energy to get out of bed in the morning, and my brain and soul were consumed by the task of job-hunting and the stress of finances. Now, although I have to put a lot of energy into the learning curve at my new job, I feel I can spread it out beyond that again. I've had an immense burst of creative flow the last couple of weeks, I look forward to going for my daily walk, and I feel like I have the capacity to focus on relationships again.
The one thing in my routine that hasn't changed is that I still get up and feed my cats everyday and job or no job, they were still spoiled babies. Despite the penny pinching, they never once had to resort to being fed Purina or Friskies. Now that's love!
Tia
I'm into my second week of being back to work, and the "getting back into a routine" has been great on many fronts. The biggest difference is the ability to sleep once again. Although not going to bed as early as I should yet, I do actually fall asleep shortly after going to bed, instead of the insomnia that kept me awake until 1 or 2am stuff that plagued me the last 4 months. I'm also using a clock in my room again. You might find this funny, but since November I haven't had my alarm clock plugged in. Every time I couldn't sleep, I'd look up and see those bright green numbers, and it was this constant reminder of my brain not being able to shut down. So I unplugged the stupid thing. Not that it really helped, but I'd like to think it cut down on my power bills a bit? I don't know. Work with me here.
I think the routine has also been good for my eating and drinking habits. I'm pretty sure I gained at least 10 lbs since being off work. I suppose that'll happen when you're not able to sleep at night, sleeping till 10 or 11am everyday, and at home all the time to snack and cook. Now I eat my granola bar late morning at work, eat a nice little lunch, come home by 5pm to eat a normal supper, and eat my sleepy banana before bed. It feels like the fluffiness is wearing off my waistline a bit. And you might not believe this, but I've managed to limit myself to one diet coke a day. Anyone who knows me really well will find that quite impressive!
One of the biggest differences is just being stress-free. Up until last Monday, it took every ounce of energy to get out of bed in the morning, and my brain and soul were consumed by the task of job-hunting and the stress of finances. Now, although I have to put a lot of energy into the learning curve at my new job, I feel I can spread it out beyond that again. I've had an immense burst of creative flow the last couple of weeks, I look forward to going for my daily walk, and I feel like I have the capacity to focus on relationships again.
The one thing in my routine that hasn't changed is that I still get up and feed my cats everyday and job or no job, they were still spoiled babies. Despite the penny pinching, they never once had to resort to being fed Purina or Friskies. Now that's love!
Tia
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