#243 Parental RelaShawns

Well, after a week with the parents, it's now just Marcel and I and the dogs at the cottage. (Mom and Dad were here for the first week.)

For as much as we bitched and moaned about their slowness and creakiness and hardness of hearing and sketchy memory; the cottage is certainly missing something without them.

We are more than happy to have the place to ourselves for the following week, but it's a bittersweet moment when they left.  You're sad to see them go, but you kinda wish they'd stay too.

You don't pick your family,but in the case if my Parents I'm not sure I could have chosen any better.

#242 Friendly InteracShawn

Good Friends.

Good Food.

Wine.

...and Cards Against Humanity.

Had a wonderful evening with our friends Reg and Will.  Had a great meal and then ended the evening playing Cards Against Humanity.  Never has being Politically Incorrect ever been so much fun!

...it would have been MORE fun had I won the game, but Marcel did and I was only one point behind him, so, it wasn't a total loss... it was more of a Silver Victory. And that's just how I am going to remember it. 

In fact it was such a great evening, we're going to repeat it on Friday night here at the cottage.  Friends, Food, Booze and Inappropriate Humour. 

#241 Exquisite NutriShawn

Tonight was our annual Lobster Dinner with my Mom and Dad. They insist on taking us out each summer for a lobster dinner, to refuse them would be the ultimate insult.

The last few years we went to Fisherman's Wharf in North Rustico, but Marcel was wanting to go old school and go to one of the more traditional and original Lobster Dinner Halls they still exist on the Island.

We opted for the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. This was a place our family used to go to years ago.  They started serving Dinners there in the Summer of 1958. When a place has been serving the same meal for more than 55 years, you know it's going to be good.

Limitless Steamed Mussels, Seafood Chowder and Salad and Home-made Dinner Rolls (I had 3 bowls of Chowder and 6 Rolls, on top of 2 Salad Plates and a couple dozen Mussels). And then the mail course of a 1.5 lb Lobster. And for dessert some old school, home made chocolate cake.

We rolled ourselves out of there. Satisfied and sated. 

#240 SocializaShawn

Today was social visit day.

We don't do social visits often. It's not that we're not social, it's just that we prefer to not be around people. :-) Okay, that's not entirely not true, we have friends... we visit them once a year when we're on the Island.  lol 

We had a great visit with our friends Reg and Will. Shootin' the shit. Critiquing such cinematic block busters as "Sharknado", "Fido", Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter" and so on... Then on to a discussion about anti-depressants and their side-effects, and then onto comic book stores and customer service. You know, the basics.

It was a good time and on Saturday Night we're going over to their place for dinner and a game of Cards Against Humanity.  Should be a good time... we have very little hope for Humanity so we should be naturals at the game.

#239 Rose PlantaShawn

'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'

Truer words, my friends. Truer words.

Every year when Marcel and I are at the cottage, my Mom asks us to weed the garden around the front deck. And by "weed" she means remove all new sod of grass that has grown in because she never plants anything. 

Well this year I told her "No. Unless something is planted we are not going to do all the work just to have nothing planted next spring and then have to do the same work again next year."

I told her point me in the direction of a good nursery where I can buy some old fashioned rose bushes and I'll do the work it takes to dig up the "garden" again and this time plant some perennials - Rose bushes and we'll be done with it.

One day later I now have 8 rose bushes, 2 sedums and 2 day lilies to plant.  Sure it's because I opened my big mouth, but I have to tell you  I LOVE old fashioned rose bushes, so I really don't mind. Only problem is we will have to wait a year to see any noticeable results...

#238 Parental Technology EducaShawn

Last summer, my Mom fell in love with our Nexus Tablets. Of course all she did was play Majong, but he was in geeky Techno Love.

So this spring Marcel and I talked about getting her one for Christmas this year. But given the learning curve, and to be honest, just the set-up we realized it was not a good gift since we'd not be able to walk her through it in person.

Well, this vacation she was again asking to use the tablet to play games. And she wanted me to go out shopping with her to get one.  Well okay... I guess I can do that. We finally found some at Target. And she was going to buy one but her bank card wasn't working, so I said let me get it and bam... a minute later I kissed her on the cheek and said "Merry Christmas"

Then as we left Target she said, "Okay, now I want to get an iPhone." I just did NOT have it in me to walk her though this.

The next hour was spent setting up her gmail account and prepping her table. And repeating the basics.  On. Off. Volume. Email. Face Book,  Download Games.  

And now I've guaranteed myself to endless calls of It doesn't work. What's Wrong. Fix it... all over the phone...  

And god forbid when I get my NEW iPhone in the fall and send my 4G to her... 

I have pretty much guaranteed myself a quicker path to the grave... the years this is going to take off my life...

Pray for me.

#237 Leash EmancipaShawn

I don't know what I love more...

... being on the beach with Marcel and the Dogs, or watching the dogs go mental, running about off their leashes.

As city dogs,  they only get to walk on their leash. And as they, well more specifically Santiago is a bit of a dick around other dogs, taking them to Dog Parks or Dog Runs is out of the question. So, this is their one time of year where that can go run amok and for the most part we don't have to worry.   

The first day they kind of spin their tires in circles at the initial joy of being off the lead. Then, on subsequent days, it's all about chasing the seagulls, sniffing the dead crabs and seaweed and just enjoying their freedom.

IT's really a win win. They get some great exercise, as do we, AND we also get to de-stress and chill with endless walks on the beach.

It's pretty much Vacation Perfection

#236 Peaceful PerfecShawn

You don't have to do much to have a perfect day on PEI.

To start off, you wake from a very restful sleep.  

Then you have a relaxing morning.

Head into town and run a few errands.

Then get back to the cottage and head down to the beach for a peaceful 90 minute walk.

Now we sit and wait for a perfect sunset to end a perfect day.

PEI is Peaceful Perfection.

#235 DestinaShawn PerfecShawn

We have finally arrived.

Ahhhhhhh

#234 it's not the midway point, it's the destinaShawn

After 6 hours on the road, we've reach the half way point to our ultimate destination. PEI. 

Our goal is Hampton PEI, but for tonight we are in a hotel in Edmundston, New Brunswick. 

Edmundston is not the sort of place your stay in for long.  It's a momentary stop. It's a step on the stairway to heaven. 

Tonight we sleep in Edmundston, tomorrow we rest in Paradise. 

#233 Pre-VacaShawn

In less than 24 hours we will be on Vacation.

I still must pack, but who cares?!

In less than 24 hours we'll be on Vacation.

17 days of rest and relaxation.

Vaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacation!

#232 Focus: VacaShawn

Vacation is so close now... 

I can hardly contain myself and keep focused on day to day tasks.

Every few minutes my mind wanders to endless walks on the beach... endless morning sleeping in...  endless meals filled with seafood...  endless laughs with my parents... endless walks with the dogs...

12:30pm Friday can NOT come soon enough.

#231 Office Drama ExploShawn

Well some serious poop hit the fan today in the office, and it was spectacular. 

Our main financial analyst gave her notice today, to her boss (the CFO) who was in to sign some docs (he's currently on vacation). Oh, to have been a fly on that wall!

It's a bitter sweet moment...

Bitter because she was one of my fav co-workers. A real sweetheart of a gal. Amazing at her job and a real asset to the company.

Sweet because her boss, like mine, is an A-list ass hat. And he deserves what he's getting.  The beauty to this is that he's only been here for about a year and a half, originally contacted as an assistant or some such to the General Manager (remember her...?  She's gone now) He's been the CFO for about 8 months, and he hasn't a clue what this company is about, far less any actual acumen for Finance. (It really amazes me how these people get upper management positions) Basically she's been carrying his sorry ass to get things done in the Finance dept. And all during that time he's treated her like crap. He really is a dick. Personally, my interactions are few but even I know more than he does about how this company runs.  He asked her to stay til the end of the first week of Sept to help him with the Month and Quarter End.  She flatly told him no. (GOD why couldn't I have been there for that?!?!)

Then for the next 45 minutes he was out pacing in the parking lot on his phone, constantly either rubbing his temples with his free hand, or flailing it about.

It was most entertaining to watch.

We'll survive this loss of a great employee, provided they are able to find a qualified replacement. I just hope it does not start an exodus. If  it does, I hope those in a position to nail it down and chuck the deadwood...

In the meantime seeing a useless cog in the wheel bouncing about is some entertaining consolation. 

#230 Serenity DeleShawn

Are you freaking kidding me?!

All the calmness and serenity I gained over the last two weeks, even with all the extra work that it entailed managing 3 people's desks at the office, came to a thunderous halt within 30 minutes of the return of Typhoid Mary.

Hack hack, cough cough. 

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

And then the questions started. 

And then I was done.

On the plus side she is not in the office tomorrow (roofing repairs at her home)  I'm PRAYING that it will require a 2nd day, so that I know have to deal with her on Thursday and Friday morning.

Fingers crossed.

#229 Packing PreperaShawns

We're only a few days from Vacation, so it's time to start preparations.

Sorting gifts for family and friends.  Planning what clothes to take. 

I want to pack everything now, but there will be laundry to do before we leave, and the earlier I pack, the more I pack... not the goal here.

What we can take away from this is there are only 5 days until Vacation begins. 

...getting excited!

#228 Weather AppreciaShawn

People have been bitching and moaning all week about the cool temperatures this week. (It's been ranging from 14' - 18'C for the highs this week)  

On the other-hand, Marcel and I have been digging it. As a matter of fact, as the rain allows we've been keeping the windows open. And what's more the Air Conditioner has been off for the past 3 or so days, which for US in Montreal in the middle of August is about as close to winning the lottery as we have ever been!

As self described heat haters; this week, rain aside, has been exquisite! 

Happy Dancing all 'round!

#227 JubilaShawn

I am the envy of most of the office today.

While I do not go on Vacation for another week, my Boss  is now officially on his own vacation and is not in the office next week or the week after.

So my envious co-workers are happy they will not have to see or hear him for the next two weeks. But as I pointed out to them, I will not have to see or hear him for the next three weeks AND a day.

:-)

Check and Mate!

#226 OOPS!

Only as I was posting Friday's Blog Post did I notice the I completely forgot my Blog Post for Thursday August 14th.

Mea Culpa.

#225 Mystery QuestShawn

So it was raining today. All day. And, like any day where it rains, for some strange reason there are more people on the bus.  

But today there was a ton more people... but WHY?  The buses that are on the routes that I take all are long distance routes that do not stop often, like downtown city buses that stop at every other corner or so.  No, these buses only stop two or three times per Km. So, it's not like these are all people that would otherwise walk, but because of the rain they choose to take the bus.

So, on a day like to day with LOTS of rain, 3 buses didn't stop because they were full. There's just no good reason for that. I mean, it's a complete mystery. 

I think one of these days I'm going to ask one of these people where the hell they came from. Because, when you take the same bus every day of the week, you tend to notice the 'regulars' and these Wet Weather Bus Crashers,

All of this to say I was nearly 30 minutes late getting home tonight. Damn it!

#224 The way the World works - ComprehenShawn.

I see what's going on, oh ye fickle Office Gods.

But I will not be dismayed.

I will not be defeated.

You can keep on dropping bombs at my desk, but I will persevere. I have my eyes on the prize and nothing can stop me. 

#223 Holiday MotivaShawn

So the Office Gods did not answer my prayers. Today was not a fun day. Today wasn't even an okay day. Today was a right shiite bucket of a day.

BUT...  it was still better than any Monday with Typhoid Mary.

I honestly could not tell you what I did today, although I didn't stop.  It was all a blur.

But I'm NOT complaining because I only have 8 1/2 business days left till we are on Vacation!  So I will just roll with the river, and whatever rapids I encounter.

#222 Early Morning InterrupShawns

Waking up at 5 am is wrong.

Waking up at 5 am on a Sunday morning should be against the law.

...but who are you going to sue when it's your bladder that wakes you up in the first place and then it's your imagination that keeps you up?

Such was my dilemma this morning.   I tried for 45 minutes to get back to sleep in bed, but all I was doing was tossing and turning and annoying Marcel and the dogs.  So I got up and went to the sofa.  There it only took me another 2 hours and 15 minutes before I fell back asleep, only to be awakened by the work on call phone.

And voila... wide awake again.

Certainly not my idea of an easy Sunday morning.

Thank god Marcel made Banana pancakes or else the whole day would have been ruined!

#221 Edible DonaShawn

As I entered the grocery store today there was a homeless man and a dog at the entrance with a sign that said something to the effect of "Hungry and on the street, will accept anything offered". He wasn't asking every person that passed, just sitting on the curb, and wishing the people that walked by a good day.

I don't often give money, but then he wasn't asking specifically for that...

As I walked up and down the aisles of the store and was picking up the items on my grocery list, I started adding items to my cart from another list I mentally wrote for the two of them.

Some pre-made sandwiches from the deli, some pop and water, some cheese and apples, some protein granola bars, and some dog food and rawhide chews.

As I exited the grocery store I walked over to the man and handed him the bag of groceries and said that I got him and his dog a few things.  

He looked up into my face, thanked me, said 'God bless you' and then reached out to shake my hand, which I took and gave a firm shake back.  I said I hoped it would help and wished him well.

I walked away and my eyes misted up.  I cannot imagine being there, and pray I never am.  And it makes me question why I don't do more gestures like this. I think we all should. It certainly won't solve his situation but at least I know he and his companion will have a meal or two to fill their stomach and soul.

I have to do this more.

#220 Work Week CompleShawn

Now THAT was one great work week!
Awesome!
Amazing!

Beyond compare!

So with that in mind ...

Dear Work Gods and Goddesses,

Can we please have a a repeat of this week, starting Monday Aug 11th?

Thanks in advance.

Your humble slave,

Shawn

#219 Work Week PerfecShawn

I can't over state this enough. This has been a dream week in the office!

Okay, so today wasn't perfect, but it WAS still a good day. And tomorrow is Friday, so I can't really complain.  

Also I got a crap load of reports off my desk today, so yay me!

10 and a half work days until Vacation. It's a little premature to be coasting, but I can certainly say that I'm at the top of the hill and I'm easing off the gas pedal...

#218 Great Day RepetiShawn!

I really don't want to jinx it, but sham-wow! Another awesome day in the office!!!

I mean three awesome workdays. Tell me how often I  say that!  

I say keep on coming  I've got 12 more work days til vacation so I'm hoping this pattern keeps on coming on!

#217 Tuesday Pitch PerfecShawn

I'll tell you what, I'm gonna ride this awesome week as long as it'll let me! Another AWESOME day!

♪♫ I've got joy, joy, joy, joy, down at my desk.
Where?
Down at my desk. 

Where?

Down at my desk.

I've got joy, joy, joy, joy, down at my desk.
Down at my desk to stay... (I hope) ♫♪

Praise!

#216 Monday PerfecShawn

As God is my witness, today was the best Monday (at the office) EVER!

I said on more than one occasion today that, "I could take a Month of Mondays like today",  And that's the gospel truth.

And it wasn't just because Typhoid Mary was not there. 

And it wasn't just because it was the Civic Holiday in Ontario and the phones were a little less buty.

Okay it was BOTH of those things...   but also the "boss" wasn't a total jackass.

Today, was a good day.

#215 Premature Floral DepleShawn

Autumn has come early to our balcony.

Unfortunately because of construction and repairs to the Condo's roof and the balconies, we had to remove everything from the balcony today. So my beautiful flowers that have been a source of beauty and pride for the past 11 weeks has come to a premature ending.

This year, it is not the cooler/frosty conditions of our northern Autumn to dictate the hibernation and cleaning out of our urban garden oasis; it is construction workers.

But I could not say good-bye to all the flowers. I managed to save our Dragon's Wing Impatiens.  It's just simply far to lush and beautiful to have send to the curb. So it shall remain on our kitchen island for the following week or so until the roofers have gone and the balconies have been removed and replaced by new construction. Then he will be the center of focus and beauty on our new deck.

Until then I shall mourn and remember our summer Eden.

#214 End of the CompetiShawn

As of 10:30 PM tonight, Santiago will be the happiest doggie in Montreal. Why? Because the last night of the Fireworks Competition is tonight.  

30 last minutes of big bangs and shock waves. It seems the smaller the dog the worse it is for them. 

I'm hoping that as with previous years he continues to manage the night a little better than the week before. He does improve weekly in general, but then the last night always seems to be over the top,.

Fingers crossed, it's over soon.

#213 CelbraShawn

It's here.

Friday!

More importantly, I did it!

.. or rather I didn't do it.

I didn't explode!  

I made it through the day and now I don't have to deal with Typhoid Mary for the next two weeks!

To be honest it was very touch an go... I impressed myself!

Yay me!