Double-Click the Lab Rat

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Tentative Equinox North

I have to remind myself upon occasion that being at the computer does not necessarily mean I’m also being effective. I’ve had this uncomfortable realization lately that after a certain amount of time that really, I’ve just become a lab rat, pressing a lever for my pellet. Entertain me. Click. Tell me something. Click. Do something interesting. Click. Has this got news? Click. Any useless information? Click. Have you at least got a joke? Click. (Repeat ad nauseum.)

It’s also a bit like weight lifting. Once you’ve burned out your muscles, (or ‘worked the muscle to failure,’ in gym-speak) you get no additional benefit from more repetitions. More reps will just put you in danger of injury. And at times, I’m at risk of Click-itis.

I don’t think it’s an accident that that clicky device is called a mouse.

I’m re-naming my mouse ‘lab rat’ just to remind myself I need to step away from the computer unless I know what I’m there to do.

And on that note, I think I’ve made my point, so it’s time to hit publish and clear out of here.

Comments?

Posted in Minor notes in the celestial chord, Observatory | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Introducing The Book Pile

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Tentative Equinox North

I’ve added a page to my site called The Book Pile 2009. On this page, I will list the books that I have on my nightstand each month and add quick reviews as I finish them, (or in some cases the reason why they were abandoned). 

If you’re on subscription, make sure to stop on by.

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Who was that masked man?

Posted on January 1, 2009 by Tentative Equinox North

Whew! Is he gone? I didn’t want to say anything bad about 2008 while he was still in the room, but like, WOAH! Where did that year COME from? AND a leap year to boot so we got to enjoy his company for a whole extra day. Talk about staying past your welcome.

I’m not sure what moon moved into the seventh house of Uranus, but overall, I’d have to say I’m glad to see the back end of that guy.

[And don’t let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out! And you know, showering occasionally is a sign of good social graces!]

I’m going to leave most of the world stage commentary to those better suited than I, but wow, what a year! The year the economy set new records and not a in a good way. The year of bailouts, foreclosures, and runs on banks. The year we lost Paul Newman and Heath Ledger. The year the long shot took an election, mobilizing the planet like we haven’t seen since Princess Diana’s funeral. The year we Canadians almost got a coalition government and found out what the word ‘prorogue‘ means.

But more importantly, in my own personal universe, it was the year of autism. The year that ‘Mom’ and ‘cancer’ got used in the same sentence.

I grant you, there’s some stuff in the ‘good column’ too: playing the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe, being a winner in  NaNoWriMo08, going to Disneyland, getting paid to perform at the Fusion Festival, completing the SunRun, taking up bjournalling and tap dancing, discovering Fast ForWord and JUMP Math. And, although I say this grudgingly, autism (because autism is one of those good news/bad news things–it’s an unwelcome diagnosis, but it comes with so much more assistance,  and so it finds itself in both columns).

Am I alone in this? Was 2008 a year of extremes for you too? Please weigh in in the comments.

So, if 2008 was a person, who would it be to you? Vote!

 

Posted in Aliens and uncharted planets, Big Bang, Dark side of the Moon, Gravity, Winter Solstice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Year in Bjournalling

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

So, my bjournal anniversary was on the 27th. (For those of you just joining us, I don’t like the word blog and have chosen to replace it in my universe with the word bjournal, much nicer don’t you think?) I have been bjournalling a whole year and have not run out of things to say, well, let me rephrase that. I have not run out of things to write about. Whether or not I actually have anything to SAY is a matter of debate. However, I remain optimistic.

It’s been an interesting journey (how’s that for a non-descriptive descriptor?). I started bjournalling because I was so often getting stuck with all these thoughts in my head which at best got put down in a journal and I wanted a forum to put it out there to more than just myself. Writing for an audience changes how you write. It also helps to clarify your thoughts in much the same way that teaching someone else is sometimes the only way to learn things, or the way in which I finally learned to act was by directing.

The things I wrote about this year surprised me. I wrote much less about theatre and much more about parenting than I expected. I realized that my contribution to society at large might be parenting children with that holy trinity of brain issues (learning disabilities, ADHD and aspergers). I am looking for a cure (not exactly the right word, but it’s the closest to what I’m talking about) not just compensations. I love my children and accept them for who they are AND I believe their ‘brain issues’ can be overcome. Those things are not mutually exclusive. So, if you’ve found my site because you’re looking for that too, welcome! (If you’re not, you might just want to move along, I’m not changing my mind and don’t wish to enter a debate about it. There are plenty of places for you to go if you just want support.)

I’ve toyed with the idea of separating my primary foci into different bjournals–one for parenting, one for art, one for life observations, but many years ago while I was working in administration by day and performing at night, I finally decided that I was one person and that all these different facets of my personality and life reality were just going to have to coexist peacefully and not be walled off from each other. I find it much too crazy-making to try to make it work any other way. My boundaries have remained largely porous in that regard, one life mixing into the other. And, in the big picture, my “I am one person” philosophy has worked for me. Likewise, I think my bjournal needs to remain that way too. If you’re here more for one thing than the other, feel free to just skip over the parts with which you don’t connect.

 

The Bjournal Year in Review:

 

My first post:

My favourite post:

My most popular post (over 2,000 hits so far):

My best insights:

Shortest Post:

Most commented on posts:

Best kid speak (one for each):

Most exciting commenter (you’ll have to click it to find out who):

Best Google-mis-direction inspired post:

Most wish my parents didn’t read my bjournal post:

My best list:

 

I could probably go on and find enough categories to eventually list all of my 164 posts (best use of commas, best unintended puns, most unfairly ignored), but really, I’ve got to get on with my day, so I just want to wrap up by saying thanks to those of you who have become readers and a special thanks to my frequent commenters. It’s lovely to get your thoughtful, humourous responses.

Thanks for joining me here over the past year.

Posted in Observatory, Star Catalogue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Solstice Philosophy

Posted on December 24, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

Someone got directed to my site using “winter solstice philosophy” as their search string.

Sometimes I’m baffled by what Google thinks I have answers to.

But, Google, since you’ve put your faith in me, I gave it a little bit of thought. Do I have a winter solstice philosophy? After letting my subconscious ponder the question while I had a long winter’s nap, I discovered that I do.

Here is my winter solstice philosophy:

Sleep.

I turn into a bear in the winter, complete with a bit of extra fuel in the mid-section and the impulse to hibernate. And, of course, grumpiness when woken up before I’m ready (which may be springtime, I’ll let you know).

To everything there is a season, and wintertime is the time for sleep. Do the bare minimum. Don’t try to go for a jog in the snow, that is craziness. Make sure you get naps. Instead of all this running around, make your gifts simple and meaningful. This is what we did this year for all the teachers and those that we wanted to acknowledge for their contribution to the wellbeing of our family.  

My personal recommendations for this solstice time (when you’re between naps): red wine, hot buttered popcorn, heartwarming movies and books, lllooonnnggg conversations with good friends, snuggles with sleepy children and wrapping your arms around your blast furnace of a husband (and I mean that in the best possible way dear), pyjamas, slippers and a warm fuzzy robe. Use your waking moments to draw, write, and eat (and don’t forget to drink) stuff that’s bad for you.

This is what I said last year about winter and I still believe that the nap revolution is the way to go.

Sign up for the napping revolution. And let me know what you’re recommendations are for enjoying the winter solstice hibernation.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Posted in Moon, Observatory, Winter Solstice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Another Random Act of Kindness

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

We have been hit with snow. Whoo boy. For us pansy-ass West Coasters it is apocalyptic snow–the like of which we haven’t seen round these parts for over a decade. We’re breaking some 40 year old records for cold. The wind storms of 2006 no longer count as extreme weather anymore apparently, because that only meant that we didn’t have power for three days. This means we’re cold. Cold! I tell you. The kind of cold where you walk across the floor in the middle of the night and cold-burn your feet. The kind of cold that sends you to Canadian Tire for snow tires and not the fancy new silicon wiper blades that yours truly is hoping to find in her Christmas stocking. (I’m a sucker for fancy wiper blades.)

On the plus side, the interior of BC has hit the requisite -30 degrees Celsius so we’re well on our way to putting a dent in the pine beetle infestation that’s killing our forests. So, we’ve got that going for us.

Of course the in-laws in Saskatchewan and the NorthWest Territories (!) mock laugh at my complaining. And the prairie-born Pool Boy has only now deigned to wearing pants instead of his usual shorts mocks me regularly. (And if you’re reading my blog dear, for the love of God, will you stop turning the thermostat down!?) He’s hardy stock that one.

Anyhoo.

This morning, I had to dig the car out after not driving it since Saturday morning. I was just giving orders for the kids to get dressed so they could assist me in the chore (this is why I had children after all, so they could assist me with the chores I don’t want to do) when I glanced outside to assess just how bad the task ahead of us was.

I saw my next door neighbour shoveling our walkway.

 Wha?” said I, with my usual flair for the quotable quote.  

My daughter got out there first and by the time I joined them (I had lunch-making duties to attend to first) they were working very agreeably together. We all shovelled snow for another 1/2 hour chatting amiably intermittently while we cleared the car, the driveway and front sidewalk. He said he’d had a burst of energy and just kept going after he’d cleared his drive and walkway.

When he was done, he said “Thanks” (Thanks? I know, he THANKED me for letting him help us shovel snow) and went back to his house.

What a fabulous random act of kindness. And this from the neighbours that I’ve always thought didn’t like us very much.

More snow in the forecast though. At least relations between neighbours are thawing.

Peace on earth, goodwill towards men (and neighbours).

Posted in Comets of Kindness, Sun, Winter Solstice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More than a Mechanic

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

I had to visit my mechanic the other day (it’s becoming an all-too-regular occurrence unfortunately). I have two regular mechanics, one out by my work and one close to where we live. This was the close-to-where-we-live mechanic–a real salt of the earth guy with a thick Dutch accent and his mechanic’s shop in his back yard. He’s always been a little, I don’t know, cool with me. I put it down to detached professionalism, although to be frank, with the kind of money we’ve been handing over to these guys, they should really be learning my name, the names of my kids, and discussing the weather. A free pen would not be out of order.

Anyhoo.

The mechanic had to leave me a message at work, which I guess is the first time that he’s done that, since I usually leave my car with him when I’m at home (see the wisdom there in having two mechanics?) When I went in to pick up my car, after I paid my bill, I was just about to leave, when he kind of launched into conversation awkwardly with:

You verk for ze arts somezing like zat?

(He must have gleaned this information from my work message.)

Yes, it’s a theatre company

Oh, zo not visual arts zen?

No…(I then explained a little bit more of the particulars, with which details I won’t bore you)

Ah, ya, I zee. (here he paused) I’m glad you verk there the arts (shy smile).

The next time I walked into his office –which sadly for us, turned out to be in the not so distant future–when he spotted me, his face lit up.

How very sweet. Our mechanic is an arts lover. Who knew? How wonderfully multi-dimensional people can be.

Posted in Observatory, Sun | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Squished!

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North
So, I got squished yesterday.

Yes, it was time for the annual mammogram. And in keeping with Rocks in my Dryer, I now have the opportunity to use the word ‘squish’ and all its derivates (squished, squishes, squisher, metasquish, squishy, squishesque, desquish, unsquish, presquish, postsquish) like about a squatillion times which is awesome.

What a slick operation. I left my house at 8:36 and returned home at 9:29 and that included a twenty minute drive both ways and a stop at Tim Horton’s to reward myself with an extra large coffee with double cream postsquish.  

I won’t even hold it against my squish tech that she can pull off a fuschia pink hospital uniform with white knee socks. See, how I’m so over that? I don’t even feel the need to mention it.

My clinic of choice didn’t require a hospital gown, which I have to say is very forward thinking–and has to be a huge savings for the medical system (no gown purchases, no laundry). I was told to go in the change room, take off my bra and just put my top back on. Once in the room, I could just take off the top once required. I like that, because I think there’s nothing that can make you feel more sick than a hospital gown. Nope, this was more like I was auditioning for the local strippery.

Sophie the Squisher (left)

Sophie the Squisher (right)

More importantly though, my squishing machine’s name was Sophie. It was tattooed right on her forehead. So, you know like Rosie the Riveter, Sophie the Squisher. I like it when machines have names. That way, once the machines become sentient and we finally dispense with the illusion that humans are running the show, I will be on a first name basis with my squishing machine. And, frankly, I think that THAT is an important machine to be on a first name basis with. I can just imagine the squishing horror if I’m introduced to my squishing machine and make the faux pas of not remembering her name. Although I’ll have to remember not to add ‘The Squisher’ when we meet. A tough enough broad to to have her name tattooed on her forehead head she might be, but that toughness might not extend to appreciating a human invented nickname. I can just see it…The servant with the fuschia uniform brings me in for my ‘audition.’

Christina, you remember Sophie?

Ah, yes, Sophie the Squisher. Nice to see you again.

I’m sorry, what did you just call me? (I can see her flex her squishing muscles)

Huh? What? Oh, is that my phone? Gosh, I think we’re going to have to re-schedule. I’ll call to re-book. Bye.

So, to summarize, in haiku…

Off in the morning

chill. To get squished by Sophie.

Now, we’re best of friends.

Dec. 24 Update: Just received the letter in the mail informing me my results are NORMAL (in all caps and bolded). So there. I have a letter that proves I’m normal. Just saying.

Posted in Aliens and uncharted planets, Minor notes in the celestial chord, Observatory, Sun | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Dear? Didn’t you hear me? Honey? I’m talking to you.

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

I just have share with the world the Griffin-speak from last week…even though a lot of you reading this will have actually been there, I think there should be a record for the sake of his future relationships.

First, a little context. My parents acquired this year a set of sister cats that may be the cutest cats ever known in the cat kingdom. Here’s proof from my photographer brother…

 

Why do you keep pointing that thing at us?

Why do you keep pointing that thing at us?

 

I mean cute right? And they totally get that they are arm candy. You pick them up and they just lay there, having thoughts like “I goez good wit thees shert.”

 

Arm Candy Redefined

Arm Candy Redefined

 

You can see my brother’s photographic work here. Do a search on kittens if you want to see more of their antics and pretty kitty-ness.  

So, we’re having a family gathering and my sister (of Mahoney Musings) is holding Bijoux (the fluff ball, not the gray one). Her youngest child sees Bijoux in all her kitty gorgeousness, and in her charming two-year-old-speak is exclaiming over the prettiness of the kitty. She then went over to my Griffin-man, who she adores and follows around every chance she gets, and I can see her trying to share her excitement over the kitty cat with him. He is looking at her in what I took to be a mystified way so I decided to help out:

Griffin, she’s trying to tell you about the kitty-cat.

I know that. I just don’t care.

So, to the girlfriend or God willing, the wife, of the future, I have just one piece of information for you…

He heard you.

Oh, he heard you all right. He just may have learned by the time you’re in a relationship with him to leave off the second half of his thought process.

Just saying.

Posted in Mothership, Observatory, Sun | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Random Acts of Kindness

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Tentative Equinox North

Today, I went shopping. I needed to get frames to frame the pictures that we’re getting for some un-named in-laws. This was the fourth store that I had been at–who knew that frames were such a difficult thing to find? Now, let’s keep a few things in mind. I am behind on Christmas things because I spent a whole whack of time writing last month, so yes, thanks for reminding me that my need to prove that I could write 50,000 words in a month means that I’m not fulfilling my motherly duties as chief shopper, cleaner, and decorator, and I will remind you that I actually did it, and I will get a free proof copy for my efforts. So there.

At any rate, I’ve been playing catch-up and I’ve got presents that have to go to Saskatoon, the NorthWest Territories, and California–the time is ticking on those things. So, by the time we got out the door to tackle this project it was noon, the time when EVERYONE is out shopping. I’m not feeling great, because I’ve got this newly acquired sinus head-cold going on, traffic is hell, and I’m in a craft store with all kinds of breakable things and 3 kids in tow, who are all interested in looking at everything else in the store EXCEPT frames and all in different parts of the store. The daughter starts looking at shiny things, the middle child starts looking at science-y stuff (how to make a desert display if you must know) and the 4-year-old is of course looking at all the very expensive, very breakable models of expensive cars. Somehow, I managed to find some frames that will do the job and I’m in the middle of herding my children to the front of the store without causing anyone to report me to social services when I’m stopped by this woman. She starts showing me a store receipt and going on about how she’s got this receipt and can’t use it for her purchases. And I’m thinking to myself “What is this woman going on about? Does she think I work here?”

Finally, her words sunk in and I realized what was going on. She has somehow acquired a coupon from her last purchase at this store. The coupon entitles the bearer to 50% off a regularly priced item. But it expires today, and everything she’s buying is on sale, so she can’t use it. She is trying to give me the coupon so that someone can get the benefit of it. So, after apologizing for being a little thick, I thanked her, and took the coupon. That coupon saved me $10. (I was even able to tell her, because we crossed paths again at the dollar store across the parking lot.)

Isn’t that lovely? What a nice and simple random act of kindness. A moment when I could stop being frustrated at my fellow human beings for the way they drive, and for getting in line before me.

So, let’s get that yuletide ball of goodwill rolling. Have you been the recipient of a random act of kindness lately? Have you perhaps been the giver of one?

Share.

Posted in Sun, Winter Solstice | Tagged , , | 4 Comments