I got home tonight from bootcamp (with my usual workout buddy x-ine AND my dear friend S., who survived 3 minute winds sprints along side us tonight), and as I do, started scrolling through twitter as we made dinner to see if I had missed anything. I had, the news of Steve Jobs' very sad passing has come through.
Now I am writing this post on my I.Pad. The products he created impacted my life and truly changed the world around us. I saw someone on twitter tonight saying that he will some day be compared to the likes of Edison and I fully agree. He died too young but it cannot be said he did not accomplish a great deal in his life.
To be honest, I did not actually accomplish much today, I mainly sat in meetings, but while at times I sat and couldn't help but think about all the work I could have been doing at the same time, I was intellectually engaged and talking about relevant things. I struggle at time with balancing the rest of my life with my recently ramped up work commitments and part of the problem is that I (for the most part because I am human) like my job. It is challenging and interesting, I think I am doing some good while I am also being given the opportunity to grow. I, again for the most part, like the people I work with and want the 'team' I am on to succeed. So it's hard to turn my brain off, hard to leave when I have more to do and as of tomorrow I will be receiving a crack berry (so I'll now be carrying around 2! RIM should send flowers) which will make it all the harder. But I'm kind of ok with that. Because in the long run, it is part of what I want to accomplish in my life. Probably won't have quite the impact of Steve Jobs but there will be one from me, just give me time and more caffeine as fuel.
(PS I would very much like it for men younger than my father to stop dying please, he is thank goodness quite healthy, but one of my other major accomplishments in life I am striving for will be to see him as the awesome grandfather I know he will be. Just gotta work on the father of those kids still...)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A boyfriend for Christmas
That is the resolution one of my friends has recently made. We were out at the pub a stones throw from our office (I can see the patio from my cubicle window, it is very mean on bright sunny days), and after we had moaned and groaned about the bureaucracy we inhabit and have ended up helping perpetuate, we moaned and groaned about the lack of guys in the O-town.
Now, numerically, there are many men in this fair city of mine. However, meeting these men is the challenge. If I don't work with them, play a sport with them or they are a friend or friend of friend or coworker of a friend.... I may never encounter them. Online dating helps but that comes with it's own set of special circumstances. And when you are more than slightly discerning.... It's tough.
Now I have had days this week where lunch has been an afterthought and the month ahead makes me more than slightly want to weep. But I also have my annoying friends telling me about this life balance bullshit and a boyfriend certainly would be nice... So an effort I will make. When I can. Because a boyfriend for Christmas is not a repellent idea. Now who's got one for me? ;)
Now, numerically, there are many men in this fair city of mine. However, meeting these men is the challenge. If I don't work with them, play a sport with them or they are a friend or friend of friend or coworker of a friend.... I may never encounter them. Online dating helps but that comes with it's own set of special circumstances. And when you are more than slightly discerning.... It's tough.
Now I have had days this week where lunch has been an afterthought and the month ahead makes me more than slightly want to weep. But I also have my annoying friends telling me about this life balance bullshit and a boyfriend certainly would be nice... So an effort I will make. When I can. Because a boyfriend for Christmas is not a repellent idea. Now who's got one for me? ;)
Monday, September 19, 2011
26
That is indeed how old I am now. Eesh. I had no issues with 25, was even pretty excited for it and nary a quarter life crisis but now... C'mon, I'm closer to 30 than 20! that is NOT COOL.
Though at times I talk (and text) like I'm 13.
With all the extra work pressure and many outside of work commitments, ie. Weddings weddings weddings, I have been feeling as though I should be more mature. A bit more considered in my actions, more organized, less of a potty mouth. I may not have a boyfriend but I could read a smart book, instead of the Romance novels which are my current bread and butter of literature. (Vogue counts right? The last one I bought had a profile of the new head of the IMF).
And then this weekend I went to a friends birthday party. I went with another friend and on the way over we agreed to split one bottle of wine and head out by 11:30, max.
The night ended past 2 am, in a MacDonalds, after playing (and losing hard) Kings Cup, drinking way more than half a bottle of wine, asking acquaintances 'so - you still employed?' when I know they are likely on the chopping block, and flirting with a boy who I later discovered was very much taken.
And I had a BLAST. I'm 26, not dead, and I still have some fun in me. I'm going to continue to try new things, but am also going to continue enjoy the things I like to do, however immature. I'm going to return to New York City with 2 fabulous ladies and have a ridiculous time. I am going to let myself unwind on the weekends, and if that involves sleeping in, lazing about, spending my hard earned money on frivolous items and booze - SO BE IT.
I'll do my best but am not promising, to keep you informed of my exploits. Commitments of any kind are still a bit beyond me and that's ok.
Though at times I talk (and text) like I'm 13.
With all the extra work pressure and many outside of work commitments, ie. Weddings weddings weddings, I have been feeling as though I should be more mature. A bit more considered in my actions, more organized, less of a potty mouth. I may not have a boyfriend but I could read a smart book, instead of the Romance novels which are my current bread and butter of literature. (Vogue counts right? The last one I bought had a profile of the new head of the IMF).
And then this weekend I went to a friends birthday party. I went with another friend and on the way over we agreed to split one bottle of wine and head out by 11:30, max.
The night ended past 2 am, in a MacDonalds, after playing (and losing hard) Kings Cup, drinking way more than half a bottle of wine, asking acquaintances 'so - you still employed?' when I know they are likely on the chopping block, and flirting with a boy who I later discovered was very much taken.
And I had a BLAST. I'm 26, not dead, and I still have some fun in me. I'm going to continue to try new things, but am also going to continue enjoy the things I like to do, however immature. I'm going to return to New York City with 2 fabulous ladies and have a ridiculous time. I am going to let myself unwind on the weekends, and if that involves sleeping in, lazing about, spending my hard earned money on frivolous items and booze - SO BE IT.
I'll do my best but am not promising, to keep you informed of my exploits. Commitments of any kind are still a bit beyond me and that's ok.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Stress relief
In the government, summer is supposed to be easy. Two thirds of staff are on vacation (or so it seems), there's no one in Parliament to ask annoying questions about your department and you're still in the dawn of the new fiscal year. Easy-peasy.
Maybe for most. But not for me and my colleagues this year.
Yes it is several months into a new fiscal year but we still don't have 2/3 of our budget in place, it was only actually secured a few weeks ago. So we suddenly have 2/3 of the time we usually do to spend all our money in a responsible fashion.
I can deal with that, we knew it was coming, but thanks to a few HR shake ups, were suddenly operating minus some very key players and I have way more responsibility than I anticipated. So I'm a little stressed, or at least, way more than I should be for August.
I was good, I took vacation, generally ignored the crack berry but several days back into working my neck was already taut with tension and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
So while I do intend to abuse alcohol on a fairly regular basis (I do have birthday in just a few short weeks) and lacking a boyfriend for that other form of stress relief (not for lack of trying, and there may even be a few promising prospects), for the sake of my liver, my own sanity and that of my friends and coworkers, I need to find some ways to RELAX.
So far this week - I had a lovely massage which included venting to my very understanding masseuse (she told me people with a lot of tension in the forearms have issues with control, I'm surprised I can still feel my fingers if that's true). It's expensive but I think a habit I'll be keeping up.
Tonight my lovely roomie and I hit bootcamp, which though it involved way too many step ups on a high ledge than I would have preferred, also includes PUNCHING. I LIKE PUNCHING. Will definitely keep this up for the fall.
Still to come this week, a trip to the hot springs with my girls (which will involve martinis) and hanging out with my very bestie (which will involve wine).
I'm always trying to reward myself like with the possibility of awesome trips in a couple of months (NYC, and somewhere warm this winter). E
Maybe I can make it through all this craziness, with judicial applications of endorphins, pampering and alcohol (post boot camp beer tonight was awesome). But I am still open to suggestions - how do you relax? Anything but for illegal drugs and baths (I can't stand just sitting there and candles make me nervous) I'm probably game.
Maybe for most. But not for me and my colleagues this year.
Yes it is several months into a new fiscal year but we still don't have 2/3 of our budget in place, it was only actually secured a few weeks ago. So we suddenly have 2/3 of the time we usually do to spend all our money in a responsible fashion.
I can deal with that, we knew it was coming, but thanks to a few HR shake ups, were suddenly operating minus some very key players and I have way more responsibility than I anticipated. So I'm a little stressed, or at least, way more than I should be for August.
I was good, I took vacation, generally ignored the crack berry but several days back into working my neck was already taut with tension and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
So while I do intend to abuse alcohol on a fairly regular basis (I do have birthday in just a few short weeks) and lacking a boyfriend for that other form of stress relief (not for lack of trying, and there may even be a few promising prospects), for the sake of my liver, my own sanity and that of my friends and coworkers, I need to find some ways to RELAX.
So far this week - I had a lovely massage which included venting to my very understanding masseuse (she told me people with a lot of tension in the forearms have issues with control, I'm surprised I can still feel my fingers if that's true). It's expensive but I think a habit I'll be keeping up.
Tonight my lovely roomie and I hit bootcamp, which though it involved way too many step ups on a high ledge than I would have preferred, also includes PUNCHING. I LIKE PUNCHING. Will definitely keep this up for the fall.
Still to come this week, a trip to the hot springs with my girls (which will involve martinis) and hanging out with my very bestie (which will involve wine).
I'm always trying to reward myself like with the possibility of awesome trips in a couple of months (NYC, and somewhere warm this winter). E
Maybe I can make it through all this craziness, with judicial applications of endorphins, pampering and alcohol (post boot camp beer tonight was awesome). But I am still open to suggestions - how do you relax? Anything but for illegal drugs and baths (I can't stand just sitting there and candles make me nervous) I'm probably game.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Montreal
As promised, I'm back again, to tell you about my weekend in the wonderful Montreal. I got to return to my second favourite city ever (the home town has to take first) to hang with some of my very favourite people in the whole world.
X_ine and I kicked things off with a little train drinking (first, see her looking very serious reading, I was playing with my i.Pad and took a sneaky picture of her. If botany doesn't work out, I may try the spy game).
Upon arrival, we followed that drink with several margaritas in short succession to take advantage of having arrived in town during happy hour, with my FORMER roomie Liz. X_ine went off to hang with her boy but Liz and I kept going with more good friends with my masters days, following that with a little tipsy shopping (which is either hilariously or in a concerning way becoming a habit). Lesson of the evening? I am too old for Forever21.
Saturday Liz and I did some major retail therapy (I again wail: 'Whhhhhhhhhy does Ottawa not yet have an H&M???) and then in further fashion pursuits, I went with another long time friend who now lives down the street from my old apartment to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Musee des Beaux Arts. The clothes were beautiful but the mannequins with faces projected onto them, especially the one that LOOKED like Gaultier to welcome you to the exhibit... straight up creepy.
The rest of the weekend involved more drinks, frozen yogourt (another thing to add to the list that Ottawa needs NOW. Pick my flavours? Mix them? Choose my own toppings? SIGN ME UP FOR MORE), and today brunch and a teensy bit more shopping (which is the last of that for the rest of the month, le sigh, my VISA card will be weeping soon).
I love having the people of Montreal, and even the city itself, in my life. I didn't realize how much I missed it until the train ride in when I started getting bouncy, which only amped up once the train was pulling in and I saw the skyline. It's great to go there, know where I'm going, what I want to do - but always have new things to discover with some pretty amazing people. I need to get better at getting down there, it is honestly incredibly cheap and convenient, though thanks to both of our busy weekends both X-ine and I were quite tired, and are making it an early night. But as I said last time, this is the time of my life to have super fun weekends and get through Monday will liberal amounts of latte.
So there you go, my weekend in Montreal. I may whine and moan about what it has that Ottawa doesn't, but it is just down the road...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
To dos
So, um, hi.
It's July.
I went on a bit of an unexpected hiatus there, due to a combination of factors, including the fabulous x_ine moving in, meaning that I have someone to blather to in the evenings, and the usual summertime rush of so much to do! I have softball, I have evenings on patioa... it's easier to find time to blog when it's -40 outside and I have no intention of leaving my house.
But somehow, I was shocked when it was suddenly July. I had a very relaxing Canada Day, spent mainly on the dock at my cottage, reading magazines as I really had no interest in braving the crowds downtown, despite the chance of getting to see Will and Kate in person. That relaxing day gave me some time to ponder.
July 1 marks the beginning of the second half of 2011, and I turn *gulp* 26 in slightly more than two months. I started thinking about what I had done so far this year, and what I still want to accomplish. This brought me to a realization.
I, at times, can be somewhat single minded. Some would call it stubborn but I like single minded (says the only child who is used to getting what she wants). That single mindedness however seems to have landed me in a bit of a rut. Sure I do have lots of friends and lots of things to do, but besides buying the condo last year and having a new roomie (and cat), not much in my life has changed. This needs to change.
So what do I want to do in the time that is left in 2011 and as I start the slow march towards 30 (I'm not reeeeeeeeeeeeady)? I want to try new things. I want to go to the places I haven't been (saying it now, Argentina before I'm 30), expand my horizons in all directions(hoping to visit the Northwest Territories this year). I started boot camp this week, as I could honestly stand to lose a couple of pounds, I want to look awesome in a bridesmaid dress in a few months. So activity has to become a bigger part of my life (the new roomie is a pretty excellent influence in this regard). She says I get really focused while shadow boxing and honestly I rather enjoy it - might look into other forms of boxing!
Speaking of bridesmaids, I got to attend a pretty awesome wedding last month and seeing my friends happy brings me so much joy - but I want some of that for myself. I will continue to put myself out there (unfortunately my statement of merit hasn't garnered many applications recently - but maybe I shouldn't be quite so choosy).
I enjoy my work but I can't let it become my life. I need to find ways to give back to my community, and more importantly become better at giving back to my friends and family who support me so much. I should go back to therapy to be sure that I can express my feelings in positive ways, rather than letting the snark win, which is rarely good for any relationship.
Overall, 2011 has been a pretty good year but I'm excited what is still to come, and I want to be in the best possible physical and mental shape to seize opportunities with open arms. It's one thing to be a slightly cautious 25 year old, but this is my time to take those risks.
I'm off to Mtl this weekend, and while I'll be visiting a lot of of old friends and hitting well known haunts (delicious restaurants and stores I miss ever so much), I'll try and do something a little wacky, and will report back soon.
It's July.
I went on a bit of an unexpected hiatus there, due to a combination of factors, including the fabulous x_ine moving in, meaning that I have someone to blather to in the evenings, and the usual summertime rush of so much to do! I have softball, I have evenings on patioa... it's easier to find time to blog when it's -40 outside and I have no intention of leaving my house.
But somehow, I was shocked when it was suddenly July. I had a very relaxing Canada Day, spent mainly on the dock at my cottage, reading magazines as I really had no interest in braving the crowds downtown, despite the chance of getting to see Will and Kate in person. That relaxing day gave me some time to ponder.
July 1 marks the beginning of the second half of 2011, and I turn *gulp* 26 in slightly more than two months. I started thinking about what I had done so far this year, and what I still want to accomplish. This brought me to a realization.
I, at times, can be somewhat single minded. Some would call it stubborn but I like single minded (says the only child who is used to getting what she wants). That single mindedness however seems to have landed me in a bit of a rut. Sure I do have lots of friends and lots of things to do, but besides buying the condo last year and having a new roomie (and cat), not much in my life has changed. This needs to change.
So what do I want to do in the time that is left in 2011 and as I start the slow march towards 30 (I'm not reeeeeeeeeeeeady)? I want to try new things. I want to go to the places I haven't been (saying it now, Argentina before I'm 30), expand my horizons in all directions(hoping to visit the Northwest Territories this year). I started boot camp this week, as I could honestly stand to lose a couple of pounds, I want to look awesome in a bridesmaid dress in a few months. So activity has to become a bigger part of my life (the new roomie is a pretty excellent influence in this regard). She says I get really focused while shadow boxing and honestly I rather enjoy it - might look into other forms of boxing!
Speaking of bridesmaids, I got to attend a pretty awesome wedding last month and seeing my friends happy brings me so much joy - but I want some of that for myself. I will continue to put myself out there (unfortunately my statement of merit hasn't garnered many applications recently - but maybe I shouldn't be quite so choosy).
I enjoy my work but I can't let it become my life. I need to find ways to give back to my community, and more importantly become better at giving back to my friends and family who support me so much. I should go back to therapy to be sure that I can express my feelings in positive ways, rather than letting the snark win, which is rarely good for any relationship.
Overall, 2011 has been a pretty good year but I'm excited what is still to come, and I want to be in the best possible physical and mental shape to seize opportunities with open arms. It's one thing to be a slightly cautious 25 year old, but this is my time to take those risks.
I'm off to Mtl this weekend, and while I'll be visiting a lot of of old friends and hitting well known haunts (delicious restaurants and stores I miss ever so much), I'll try and do something a little wacky, and will report back soon.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Oof
Hi again. As usual, it's on a Sunday that I find the time to catch up here.
I looked out my window yesterday morning and realized the trees have started to bud. It is finally spring, and thank goodness, because weeks of rain and cold breezes have just about done me in. Along with the ridiculous work stress. I really only had the time to glance out my window yesterday in the midst of working. Yes, on a Saturday, I was working. Don't you ever think that public service life comes without overtime. It is rare, but is always rather sucky (and yes that is the technical forestry term). Between being without a boss, having some crazy deadlines to deal with and trying to find the time to work on my french language skills in anticipation of upcoming evaluations, it has been zany. However, there is a light within sight, I hope about a week and a half from now things will settle down and I can finally stop forwarding work e-mails to my personal blackberry (which I have promising to do since... February?).
However, I try not to make this blog a whiny zone so I wanted to take a minute to highlight the things that have made the past few weeks tolerable:
- partying it up with some of my besties to celebrate one of their upcoming nuptials. I organized the bachelorette, it was on a boat style and it was pretty amazing.
- speaking of lonelyisland, this video from last night lightened my spirits a good bit (Michael Bolton is a cineophile!)
- in a fit of spring cleaning I tidied and organized my closet, organizing it by casual and work wear, and it makes planning outfits for the week (I try to plan most of the week's work outfits on Sunday night, makes mornings much easier)
- that spring cleaning fit was partly inspired by the need to get rid of boxes I had stored in my second bedroom as the lovely x-ine will soon to be moving to town and into that bedroom! I am so excited to have her here to come up with new adventures, and that I can usually peer pressure her into drinking with me so I am no longer an alcoholic drinking alone
- my friends. As usual I have some of the best friends around.
- my family, especially my mom on this mother's day. They think I'm a little nuts, don't cook enough at home, but always have my back and will give me delicious home made cookies to get me through the week.
I just have to survive a few more weeks and then it will be properly summer, and I will have the time and the new fun sidekick (plural if you count Tequila) to really take advantage. I cannot wait!
I looked out my window yesterday morning and realized the trees have started to bud. It is finally spring, and thank goodness, because weeks of rain and cold breezes have just about done me in. Along with the ridiculous work stress. I really only had the time to glance out my window yesterday in the midst of working. Yes, on a Saturday, I was working. Don't you ever think that public service life comes without overtime. It is rare, but is always rather sucky (and yes that is the technical forestry term). Between being without a boss, having some crazy deadlines to deal with and trying to find the time to work on my french language skills in anticipation of upcoming evaluations, it has been zany. However, there is a light within sight, I hope about a week and a half from now things will settle down and I can finally stop forwarding work e-mails to my personal blackberry (which I have promising to do since... February?).
However, I try not to make this blog a whiny zone so I wanted to take a minute to highlight the things that have made the past few weeks tolerable:
- partying it up with some of my besties to celebrate one of their upcoming nuptials. I organized the bachelorette, it was on a boat style and it was pretty amazing.
- speaking of lonelyisland, this video from last night lightened my spirits a good bit (Michael Bolton is a cineophile!)
- in a fit of spring cleaning I tidied and organized my closet, organizing it by casual and work wear, and it makes planning outfits for the week (I try to plan most of the week's work outfits on Sunday night, makes mornings much easier)
- that spring cleaning fit was partly inspired by the need to get rid of boxes I had stored in my second bedroom as the lovely x-ine will soon to be moving to town and into that bedroom! I am so excited to have her here to come up with new adventures, and that I can usually peer pressure her into drinking with me so I am no longer an alcoholic drinking alone
- my friends. As usual I have some of the best friends around.
- my family, especially my mom on this mother's day. They think I'm a little nuts, don't cook enough at home, but always have my back and will give me delicious home made cookies to get me through the week.
I just have to survive a few more weeks and then it will be properly summer, and I will have the time and the new fun sidekick (plural if you count Tequila) to really take advantage. I cannot wait!
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