A co-worker was looking at a picture I had on my desk of my sister the other day, trying to determine if there was any resemblance. When we were younger, everyone knew we were sisters. The dark hair and dark eyes combined with the rugrat look we so proudly displayed gave it away.
I'll be the first one to admit though, I was a horrible big sister. Let me count thee ways!
We used to help clean houses when we were little for spending money. One time at the next door neighbour's while cleaning one day, I talked her into getting into the dryer. God only knows how I charmed her into that, but it worked, so I turned the dryer on. She did a couple of rotations with some very loud thumping before I opened the door. She was nicely air-fluffed with only a minor cut on her toe.
Another time dad left us in the car alone for perhaps too long of an extended period. I, being a little ADD'ish was getting bored, so I thought it would be fun to throw the gum I was chewing into my sister's hair. Keep in mind, she had long beautiful hair that was my mother's pride and joy. After this, not so much. Every trick in the book didn't get the wad of gum out of her locks. Only the scissors and a good hair cut solved that beauty. My mother loathed me.
What else? There was this girl named Denise Gould who kept breaking every bone in her body. A tragedy really, but she always got a lot of attention out of it. My sister decided she also needed attention, so I told her if she broke a bone, maybe it would help. So she went and got a hammer and took it to her leg to try and break it! Unfortunately she turned out to be quite hardy, and could only muster up some pretty nasty bruises.
I believe it was around that age that she also started getting a little hair on the legs. So I told her she should start shaving her legs. Well she was maybe a little young for that, but she, again, listened to me and went for it. Of course, once you shave that first time, it only comes back thicker and faster. Let's just say, her puberty was perhaps brought on a little sooner than she would have liked, in part, thanks to me.
I was evil, what can I say? I'm grateful I didn't grow up to be a horrible person and she still speaks to me. But after reading this, how can you not think my sister was THE MOST gullible person in the world lol??
Tia
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
He's Purr-fect!
About 5 years ago, I took in this scrawny, beat up, scratched up stray who I named Capone because of the scars you could see on his face from his many tom-cat brawls. He was actually quite friendly for a stray, and it didn't take long to find his weak spot - belly rubs. Soon I was taking walks with my little orange guy walking right alongside me like most people would walk their dogs. He'd just follow along, happy as spit. He's still the same to this day.
One of his oddities though was that when I found him, he didn't know how to purr! He'd get excited and snort through his nose like a dragon trying to breathe fire. It was the funniest, but saddest thing, at the same time. After 5 years though, he has found his purr, although a quaint one.
Last night while in bed, he was laying on top of my leg. The world was peaceful and quiet enough that I could feel him purring and if you listened closely, you could hear his little purr. These moments in life are what make me smile.
Tia
One of his oddities though was that when I found him, he didn't know how to purr! He'd get excited and snort through his nose like a dragon trying to breathe fire. It was the funniest, but saddest thing, at the same time. After 5 years though, he has found his purr, although a quaint one.
Last night while in bed, he was laying on top of my leg. The world was peaceful and quiet enough that I could feel him purring and if you listened closely, you could hear his little purr. These moments in life are what make me smile.
Tia
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Travel Bug
I would probably be a much richer person if I didn't always have the travel bug. It's the reason my visa is dying a slow death and why I can replicate a good security pat down.
It all started when I turned 30. I decided that year that life was too short and I had seen very little outside of Alberta or Saskatchewan. It became my life's mission to take a trip somewhere each year where I'd never been before. My first destination was San Fransisco! Well South San Fransisco. Apparently they're different cities. Little did I know this when I booked my hotel is South San Fran. Luckily there was a lovely bus route right by my hotel that accounted for about 40 minutes of my day each way.
Since then I've been to Jacksonville in Florida, Jekkyl Island and Savannah in Georgia, Corpus Christie and South Padre Island in Texas, New Orleans, Vancouver, Toronto and even Winnipeg. This summer if all goes well and I don't get fired, laid off or go broke, I'm hoping to go to the Carolinas.
I've learned a lot of tricks over the years and mastered travel for a week with only one small suitcase. The first few years I actually packed only a backpack of stuff and was on my way. But then luggage with wheels came along and seemed like a fabulous idea so I went astray like the rest of the world. I've also come to expect that I'll likely be one of those people pulled aside and questioned at the border. I just have the gypsy look or something. Although I have yet to have a full cavity search, knock on wood.
My advice though, if you have the means to travel, do! It's relaxing, interesting, enriching, and breathing the air somewhere else just makes you a better person. One thing I'd suggest though, is try to truly appreciate your surroundings. I went to Europe when I was in grade 12, and although cool, I didn't appreciate that experience the way I should have. Now, I wish I could go back and make good on that.
Tia
It all started when I turned 30. I decided that year that life was too short and I had seen very little outside of Alberta or Saskatchewan. It became my life's mission to take a trip somewhere each year where I'd never been before. My first destination was San Fransisco! Well South San Fransisco. Apparently they're different cities. Little did I know this when I booked my hotel is South San Fran. Luckily there was a lovely bus route right by my hotel that accounted for about 40 minutes of my day each way.
Since then I've been to Jacksonville in Florida, Jekkyl Island and Savannah in Georgia, Corpus Christie and South Padre Island in Texas, New Orleans, Vancouver, Toronto and even Winnipeg. This summer if all goes well and I don't get fired, laid off or go broke, I'm hoping to go to the Carolinas.
I've learned a lot of tricks over the years and mastered travel for a week with only one small suitcase. The first few years I actually packed only a backpack of stuff and was on my way. But then luggage with wheels came along and seemed like a fabulous idea so I went astray like the rest of the world. I've also come to expect that I'll likely be one of those people pulled aside and questioned at the border. I just have the gypsy look or something. Although I have yet to have a full cavity search, knock on wood.
My advice though, if you have the means to travel, do! It's relaxing, interesting, enriching, and breathing the air somewhere else just makes you a better person. One thing I'd suggest though, is try to truly appreciate your surroundings. I went to Europe when I was in grade 12, and although cool, I didn't appreciate that experience the way I should have. Now, I wish I could go back and make good on that.
Tia
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Listener
If I could pick one statue to epitomize my existence, I'd want it to be the "Listener". Because despite what I do for a living, when I'm not getting paid to talk, listening to someone else talk for a change, and people-watching, are two of my favorite things to do. I think that's why I like to travel so much.
You can learn a lot about someone by watching them talk. Watch their facial expressions, watch their eye movement and watch their gestures. Now turn it up a notch and listen to how they say their words and observe how they choose the words they use. You can sum a person up pretty good if you master these skills. Secretly I play this game all the time. I call it "Tia's amateur attempt at profiling". It's silly, but in my head, I'm having a blast!
Listening also puts life into perspective sometimes. Yesterday I was riding the subway in Toronto. As I stepped onto the train, I saw this guy sitting there reading his paper. He didn't appear to be Mr.Chatty Catty (not many on the subway are). But within 2 minutes of sitting down beside him, he flashed me a smile and went onto school me on the workings of the TTC. I didn't tell him I wasn't from Toronto, didn't let on that I didn't know toot sweet about the TTC or care for that matter, but just acknowledged his musings and let him talk. I didn't walk away from that conversation with much to help me in life, but it made me smile to think this guy put all his TTC rumblings out to a stranger who cared enough to listen. I bet he felt better about his day. I know I did. Good deed done Tia.
You can learn a lot about someone by watching them talk. Watch their facial expressions, watch their eye movement and watch their gestures. Now turn it up a notch and listen to how they say their words and observe how they choose the words they use. You can sum a person up pretty good if you master these skills. Secretly I play this game all the time. I call it "Tia's amateur attempt at profiling". It's silly, but in my head, I'm having a blast!
Listening also puts life into perspective sometimes. Yesterday I was riding the subway in Toronto. As I stepped onto the train, I saw this guy sitting there reading his paper. He didn't appear to be Mr.Chatty Catty (not many on the subway are). But within 2 minutes of sitting down beside him, he flashed me a smile and went onto school me on the workings of the TTC. I didn't tell him I wasn't from Toronto, didn't let on that I didn't know toot sweet about the TTC or care for that matter, but just acknowledged his musings and let him talk. I didn't walk away from that conversation with much to help me in life, but it made me smile to think this guy put all his TTC rumblings out to a stranger who cared enough to listen. I bet he felt better about his day. I know I did. Good deed done Tia.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Cupid Cometh Whenever
The full thrust of Valentine's Day shall be upon us tomorrow. Yet, do you ever think about how non-inclusive this holiday is? Discriminatory really if you want to be brutally honest. Is everyone in the world in love?
If you think about it, this holiday is a psychological killer. We're taught from the age of 5 and up that we should be excited about the possibility of being someone's Valentine. You may remember that anticipation of getting to school to see if you got a card from that boy or girl you had a crush on. When you didn't, how sad did that make you? Crushed at such a young age. And that's just the start. Welcome to being in love!
There are pressures that go along with this special designated day. Do you get someone flowers? If you do, what colour? What message does that send? Do you buy another gift to go with the flowers? If you don't, do you come off as cheap or inconsiderate? Do you cook supper or go out with reservations you made 6 months ago. If you didn't make reservations and stand in line for 45 min, are you an idiot for not having put enough thought into it? If you go out with someone for Valentine's Day in what you think is a platonic sense, does that send a message of another sort?
Valentine's Day is stupid. There! I've said it out loud. It's an excuse to play John Michael Montgomery songs over and over and make single people want to grab a spoon and gag themselves. It's like a mini version of life. We, as a society, are told from a young age that we have to grow up, go to university, get a career, meet someone, get married, buy a house, make babies, and then retire in Arizona or Florida.
Guess what? You don't have to follow the laid out Valentine's Day path. You can buck the trend, ignore it, and be a happy single person all you want. As long as you're happy with who you are and how your life is, why should society go "oh honey" when you tell them you don't have any special plans for February 14th. Some of you may get that HIMYM Katy Perry reference.
February 14th to me, is my sister's birthday. That's why it's special. Happy Birthday sis!
Tia
If you think about it, this holiday is a psychological killer. We're taught from the age of 5 and up that we should be excited about the possibility of being someone's Valentine. You may remember that anticipation of getting to school to see if you got a card from that boy or girl you had a crush on. When you didn't, how sad did that make you? Crushed at such a young age. And that's just the start. Welcome to being in love!
There are pressures that go along with this special designated day. Do you get someone flowers? If you do, what colour? What message does that send? Do you buy another gift to go with the flowers? If you don't, do you come off as cheap or inconsiderate? Do you cook supper or go out with reservations you made 6 months ago. If you didn't make reservations and stand in line for 45 min, are you an idiot for not having put enough thought into it? If you go out with someone for Valentine's Day in what you think is a platonic sense, does that send a message of another sort?
Valentine's Day is stupid. There! I've said it out loud. It's an excuse to play John Michael Montgomery songs over and over and make single people want to grab a spoon and gag themselves. It's like a mini version of life. We, as a society, are told from a young age that we have to grow up, go to university, get a career, meet someone, get married, buy a house, make babies, and then retire in Arizona or Florida.
Guess what? You don't have to follow the laid out Valentine's Day path. You can buck the trend, ignore it, and be a happy single person all you want. As long as you're happy with who you are and how your life is, why should society go "oh honey" when you tell them you don't have any special plans for February 14th. Some of you may get that HIMYM Katy Perry reference.
February 14th to me, is my sister's birthday. That's why it's special. Happy Birthday sis!
Tia
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Loyalty Gets you Everywhere
I've been very lucky to have some amazing mentors over the course of my 20 year career. They taught me a lot about logistics, planning, problem solving, mechanics etc. But something no one can teach, but can exhibit by leading by example, is how to build loyalty.
To be able to build loyalty is an amazing tool to have in your deck of cards. To be loyal is a strength those above and around you admire. When you don't have loyalty, you shouldn't be in a leader's chair.
As a manager, it's important to me that everyone who works for me is a human being, not a slave. Consideration of their time, family, schedule and life in general is a code I try to abide by. I don't care if they're on the bottom of the totem pole and they only make $10 an hour. They're no less a person than I am. And as a manager, I try to be friends with my employees as well.You do have to be careful about friendships, and there's an art to where you draw the line, but it can be done.
I'm very lucky to have a great team of ladies who work for me. Most of my street team crew have been with me for at least 2 years. Jen, the vet, has been with me since we launched the station almost 3 years ago. These girls don't make a fortune, they often attend things that aren't always the most exciting to be at, and there's some pretty nasty stuff they put up with being the face we send out on the street. But they're a loyal bunch. I have girls who offer to take sick days or use their vacation days from their full time jobs so they can come work a filler last minute shift for me. I always have someone who puts their hand up when I'm in dire straits. And if I personally ever needed anything, I'm sure I could ask for their help. I've even had one of my girls say that when I leave, she leaves.
If only I could win the fight to get them a raise, I'd be happy. I'll keep trying, but until then, I'll just tell everyone how amazing they are instead and always be grateful for their loyalty.
Tia
To be able to build loyalty is an amazing tool to have in your deck of cards. To be loyal is a strength those above and around you admire. When you don't have loyalty, you shouldn't be in a leader's chair.
As a manager, it's important to me that everyone who works for me is a human being, not a slave. Consideration of their time, family, schedule and life in general is a code I try to abide by. I don't care if they're on the bottom of the totem pole and they only make $10 an hour. They're no less a person than I am. And as a manager, I try to be friends with my employees as well.You do have to be careful about friendships, and there's an art to where you draw the line, but it can be done.
I'm very lucky to have a great team of ladies who work for me. Most of my street team crew have been with me for at least 2 years. Jen, the vet, has been with me since we launched the station almost 3 years ago. These girls don't make a fortune, they often attend things that aren't always the most exciting to be at, and there's some pretty nasty stuff they put up with being the face we send out on the street. But they're a loyal bunch. I have girls who offer to take sick days or use their vacation days from their full time jobs so they can come work a filler last minute shift for me. I always have someone who puts their hand up when I'm in dire straits. And if I personally ever needed anything, I'm sure I could ask for their help. I've even had one of my girls say that when I leave, she leaves.
If only I could win the fight to get them a raise, I'd be happy. I'll keep trying, but until then, I'll just tell everyone how amazing they are instead and always be grateful for their loyalty.
Tia
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Oh Oprah
I wonder sometimes what it's like being in Oprah Winfrey's family. Having all your laundry put out there for the entire world to see. I also wonder how much of it is really true or to what extent. I will put my hand up right now and say I cannot stand Oprah Winfrey. Truthfully I feel like she makes half the stuff up about her life for the sake of having something sensational to put on her show for the sake of viewership numbers.
Yesterday was a perfect example of that manipulation. They teased all weekend about a "shocking family secret" coming up on Monday! Ohhhhhhhhhh, awwwwwwww. Then this shocking secret that Oprah says "shook her to the core" is that she has a half sister she just found out about! What a waste of suspense.
I, too, have a half brother I've never met. I've known for a long time that I did. I don't remember being shook to the core when I found out. I have no desire to meet him or know where he is or what he's done with his life. I can't say the same for my mother. I know that she would love to find him and meet him and will till the day she dies. I wish I shared her heart's desire for her sake, but I just don't. I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason, and you should leave well enough alone. I have a sister who's one of my best friends and that's all the siblings I need.
I also have a half-eaten potato salad in the fridge. Maybe I should do a whole show of my own about that. Ratings grabber I say!
Tia
Yesterday was a perfect example of that manipulation. They teased all weekend about a "shocking family secret" coming up on Monday! Ohhhhhhhhhh, awwwwwwww. Then this shocking secret that Oprah says "shook her to the core" is that she has a half sister she just found out about! What a waste of suspense.
I, too, have a half brother I've never met. I've known for a long time that I did. I don't remember being shook to the core when I found out. I have no desire to meet him or know where he is or what he's done with his life. I can't say the same for my mother. I know that she would love to find him and meet him and will till the day she dies. I wish I shared her heart's desire for her sake, but I just don't. I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason, and you should leave well enough alone. I have a sister who's one of my best friends and that's all the siblings I need.
I also have a half-eaten potato salad in the fridge. Maybe I should do a whole show of my own about that. Ratings grabber I say!
Tia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)