For the past three days every time I walk past the last street light before I get to my house, it turns off. Since I've been working late, I'm getting home at different times, but each day when I'm within 50 feet of the thing, it turns off.
I've had this happen before, randomly
Is this a freaky coincidence or a sign from some higher power? Maybe the street light is trying to tell me something! Maybe I have some kind of crazy magical powers that it reacts to (but why just this one?), or there's a street fairy living in it that reacts badly to my presence.
While I'm all for restricting smoking in certain places so I can enjoy waking up in the morning without a "cigarette hangover," this is just too much. My workplace should not be able to determine the choices I make outside work. It seems people agree, according to the poll on the site.
I'm having trouble expressing just how wrong this is. It's a violation of freedom... it crosses a line. First smoking, but what next? Obesity? Disease? Disability? Genetic predisposition or family history of health problems? Go watch Gattaca. Be scared.
I understand that taking it to this extreme is unlikely, but that's the beauty of science fiction. I have no difficulties envisioning the process which, over a long period of time, this kind of violation of personal choice and freedom becomes commonplace. The ruling elite dictating, removing all freedoms and choices. They know best.
Or would it be more subtle than that (and is it already)? I don't want to smoke, have babies with genetic weaknesses, give me my soma, television, distraction; everybody's happy.
Writing this post wasn't enough to wash the feeling of violation from me.
Back from Toronto, finally. I caught a later flight and stayed until this morning. It was worth it. The blizzard that assaulted the city Saturday was completely absurd, and we weren't able to a few of the things we had planned on. No problems though, we compromised and had a kick ass time anyway. I was able to see so many beautiful things, and I got to play: dancing through the ROM and staring at a wall instead of the exhibits; a trip out for food that turned into a subway ride, an afternoon stroll through the park, and cold bodies pressing together for warmth. I was able to experience the best tasting desert (combo) I've ever had (where "ever" = "recent memory"): a decadent chocolate cake with a raspberry flavoured beer (think raspberry topping on chocolate desert, but better because it's BEER!). So many micro-brews, all of which were fantastic. The waterfront, The Horseshoe (a landmark bar). Two days more than I had planned on, filled with great company.
I'm glad it was warm when I got back though... I've had enough of ludicrous weather.
I saw this on Tim's live journal and thought it would be fun to fill out.
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
Okay, does this mean three names I answer to ( 'cause that's almost limitless), or names I give people? I've made up names to give to guys at the bar when I think they're being morons, or I think I'm being funny...
Stephanie (K.)
Steph/Stef (yes, this is different from the above... it's weird getting mail from my Mom addressed to "Steph Mayoh")
umm.... Smurfette!
THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
Stephiroth
StephX
Axxiom
THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
My intuition
That I can be there to help out others when they need
My imagination/creativity
THREE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I overreact.
My flat feet
I expect too much.
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
Prairie
Polish
UK...ish
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
Hurting the people closest to me
Things that limit me or take away my freedom
Being hurt by the people closest to me
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
Orthotics (arch supports)
Music
Pit stick
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
My orthotics
Glasses
A cheap 'iron' ring that cost tens of thousands of dollars (thanks for this, Tim)
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS (or artists(at the moment)):
In my current mood (this can change very rapidly):
Cauterize
Delerium
Goldfinger
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS AT PRESENT:
I think of my favourite songs as song I can happily listen to over and over without getting sick of it. These are just three...
Taste of Tears - Cauterize
Missing - Everything But the Girl
Amen Omen - Ben Harper
THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO TRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
Scuba Dive
Exotic foods
Meditation/breathing exercises
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP (love is a given, so is cheese):
Affection
Stimulating conversation
Common goals and values
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (not necessarily in that order)
My job is stimulating, engaging and interesting.
My life is stimulating, engaging and interesting.
My family is full of incredible people.
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX (or same) THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
The way they move
Shoulders
Eyes that say more than words ever could
THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:
This is a tough one! I don't like to think I can't do things! I'm going to put the qualifier "yet" to every one of these.
Play the music I feel inside.
Give up. Let go. Be everything to everybody.
Change the past.
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
Learning/Reading/Writing (yes, I realise that's 3 right there, but they're all tied in to each other! Really!)
Skiing (alpine)
Adventuring/Breaking rules
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
The problem with this question is that "now" is such an ambiguous term… does it mean "this very instant" or "this particular time in my life?" Let's go with Right Now = This Instant:
Go to Toronto (wow! One more day… another WHOLE day!)
Work on my blog/website
Anything but my job (hey look! A survey!)
THREE KID'S NAMES:
wtf does this mean? Like, three names that I've got picked out for my future children? Names of kids I know? Child versions of names, like Bobby or Tommy? I'm just going to write the next three words that pop into my head:
Juniper
Armadillo
Annie
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
Write a book
Change a life
Win something huge and/or exciting, like a trip or a car
It's so dry!! I feel like I'm constantly scratching some part of my body, only to feel drier in the end. Tonight, I had a nice long hot steamy shower and spent a little time pampering myself. It took me almost 20 minutes to rub lotion into my skin, and I couldn't even manage most of my back (I'm no contortionist, unfortunately)! I think I used 1/4 of a bottle of peach-scented lotion! Good thing it wasn't a sample size, or I'd still be scratching at half my body.
I'll admit it, I like driving around in my new car. I don't want to like it though. I want to continue to bus or walk where I can. Going down to Canadian Tire (for car things!!) and South Edmonton Common can't easily be done by bus or walking (which explains why I've successfully avoided going there until now).
I don't have a CD player yet, so I listen to the radio mostly. I was happy to hear some good jazz as I scanned through the stations yesterday, and nodded my head along with the music as I drove. I almost didn't want to get out of the car when I arrived at my destinations. After listening for a while, I discovered I was on the French Radio-Canada station Espace Musique (90.1 FM). Since the songs were all in English, I didn't mind. It was also an opportunity for me to practice listening to French. I like to do that whenever I can, to make sure I don't lose that skill. While checking out the website today, I was amazed to find myself actually thinking in French again. Not only have I not lost the skill, I'm still proficient enough that my internal dialogue can slip effortlessly between the two languages, without hesitation. I didn't even notice for a few moments!
In honour of the great music I heard yesterday, which was focused on the theme of The Moon for a while, I'm going to go listen to a version of Fly Me to the Moon. Why don't you go do the same?
This morning, a mid-thirties coworker of mine was at the McDonald's in the food court, when the strangest thing happened to him. He had ordered a coffee, when the woman at the next till looked over and told him "I'll buy."
Okay, I've had that kind of thing happen before in a bar, where the bartender gives me free booze or some other guy will buy a drink, but Thursday morning at McDonald's??
Needless to say, my coworker is shocked, but (in an un-engineer-like show of social competence) finds his voice and asks "Can I ask why?"
"Oh, just because I want to," the McDonald's woman replies.
He accepted, and I ran into him as he was leaving the food court where he relates this story. Of course I had to ask: "Was she hot?" to which he replied, "Well, she was older, in her forties at least, but she might have been a looker back in the day."
I could only giggle and think I have to blog this!
While waiting for the train after work, I sat reading a book, listening to music. In the background I hear an announcement being made over the loudspeaker so I took out one headphone to listen. I didn't catch the first part, but what I did hear confused the hell out of me! It appeared that the man making the announcement was speaking to the people on the platform, as though he were talking into a video phone. He was asking somebody, anybody, to press the call button on the emergency call box. Anybody. How about you, in the blue sweater?
A woman walked over and pressed the button uncertainly, with everyone watching. The voice from the box asked about a shapeless form near the escalator - was it a person or somebody's clothes. The voice from the loudspeakers continued to speak, holding a conversation between them, looking for a response from the rest of us standing around completely stunned.
It was strangely surreal.
Okay, not really a new me - just added accessories! With the cash I got from Christmas, I've purchased a nice winter jacket and work clothes (yay boxing week sales!), a new cell phone (call me for my number! haha!) and behind door number three, A NEW CAR (think of Bob's voice from the Price is Right)! It's not as though this is surprising news to many people, as I've been talking about it since New Year's Eve, when I paid for it. But I finally get to pick it up today after sorting out the awful complicated process of insurance and registration (it doesn't help that I was insured in Sask until now, and under an Alberta driver's license). The crazy thing is that I really need it for tomorrow, since I'm driving out to site. Within a day, my newest purchase is showing it's usefulness.
Okay, I'm sure everyone is wondering *what* I bought, so as soon as I have a picture of my new baby (I'll think of a name for her soon enough... She'll tell me I'm sure), I'll post it up here. Until then you'll just have to imagine what my green 1994 Saturn SL2 (4 door) looks like. Not a bad lil' car, with most the extras - power locks, windows, etc. but with only a tape deck so I'll have to bust out the old "Hits of 1992" or else get something put in. I'm told stereos are cheap these days, so why the hell not? Merry Christmas to me, baby! Oh yeah!
Mmm food, I love it! I love eating it, and I sometimes even like cooking it!
Gayle came over and we made a completely kickass dinner of panfried chicken in a low fat creamy sauce with tomato & garlic and a serving of broccoli in cheese sauce (homemade!) over rice vermicelli noodles. Served with a glass of wine, sitting at my dining room table, listening to some funky music felt simultaneously strange/new and comfortable. It felt festive still, carried over from a very wonderful holiday season, sharing a moment with a good friend.
Tomorrow's going to be shrimp stir fry with Robin, and then I'm going to try some Chicken Tomato Skewers. My mouth is watering thinking about it! How much longer do I have to wait!?
It's been a great New Year's Eve, day, and weekend. I got to see so many people, and everyone is doing so well, I'm so happy for them. I have come so far in the past year that I feel almost like a different person. Almost. I have learned so much, and I'd like to thank everyone who taught me. If I haven't done it already to you personally, let me do it here. You're all wonderful, I love you all and wish you all the very best. I smile when I think of you. Your friendship, love, and support has been appreciated. I hope I can do the same for you if you ever need.
I've worked at the same place for a year, and I'm finally beginning to feel less awkward. Sometimes I wonder if this means that I'm buying into the lifestyle that I detested for so long, and I worry that I'm going to get stuck. My contract's been extended for another year, so I only have more time to settle. I just bought a car. A new winter jacket, clothes, a phone. THINGS. Am I being tied down by these possessions or am I enjoying the material comforts of my success and hard work? Maybe a bit of both.
It's been such an incredible month... and year. A difficult journey, a long climb, culminating in so many successes. I'm blown away by how absolutely wonderful everything has turned. Progress, acheivement, confidence in myself that I can continue this trend. It feels like I'm back after being away for so long. A better version of the person I used to be, inside and out.
In the new year, I hope this continues. I want to learn more, progress more, and at the end of the year, look back on today and once again reflect on how far I've come. I hope to figure out what I want, and go about getting it.
