Sunday Update

I haven't completely given up blogging. Clearly, this is because I'm still getting something out of it. I love getting comments from you readers. After some reflection, I thought in this weekly update, I'd be a little more directive with you about my current needs, so that I could optimize on your inspirational and supportive comments. Here goes:

1) The internet is still destroying my brain. I'm now playing Scramble with XUP which is fun because she is not as skilled as Zoom who continues to kick my ass. What I'm trying to say is - XUP, please continue to support me by losing in Scramble. Zoom, I'm not going to play with you anymore, because it is damaging to my self-esteem.
2) My workplace is completely dysfunctional, and I can't blog about this. Let's just say I'm not empowered. I do need your encouragement, though. Generic workplace encouragement required. Refer to the motivational literature if necessary. I'm open to anything right now.
3) I'm not as stressed out this week thanks to the bucketfuls of St. John's Wort I've been ingesting. The stuff works, folks. No need for comments on this one.
5) I attended a Quaker wedding this week. It was beautiful in its non-ceremony, and interesting, but I discovered I couldn't be a Quaker because a) all the silence makes me uncomfortable; b) I like a bit more structure; c) I don't like the idea of opening the floor to just anyone. No need to comment on this one. I like the Quakers and my opinion here really means shit.
6) I'm getting another cat in the new year, and I'm looking for a really bloggable one, but not one that will pee in my bed. Suggestions?
7) I want to win a trip somewhere warm, and I would like people to send me contests I could participate in. Thanks.

Ok. That's the weekly update with directions for comments. Thank you in advance.

Aggie Update

I have not been in blogging mode/mood lately. Not much to report. The ESIs are giving me some support during this transition period, although they could be doing a whole lot more....

In other news: Scrabulous has been taken off Facebook. Thank God, Zoom weaned me off of Scrabulous and onto Scramble. I've taken to Scramble like a duck to water. Zoom continues to kick my ass.

I thought briefly today that I still "had it" after buying some new lip gloss called "Mango Juice", strutting my stuff on Bank Street, and receiving smiles from two attractive young men. Then, I realized my fly was down.

Aggie update and random thoughts

1) I'm still sick, but I won't blog about that because that's boring.

2) I am bracing for a big transition ahead: starting work next week, moving back to Ottawa, etc. You can bet I'll be calling an ESI emergency meeting to discuss--how to support Aggie while she goes through this rough transition.

3) I'm feeling ambivalent about blogging these days because I'm trying to reduce my screen time and do other things like a) cook
b) read c) get well d) sleep e) watch TV (it's a different screen, I know...) f) talk/communicate g) spend quality time with my person and cat unit h) make stuff out of fabric i) organize my life. I am aware that blogging itself doesn't take a lot of time. But, once I get on here, it's hard to get off. I'm definitely removing myself from Facebook. No point being on there now that I've reconnected with all my exes and discovered that they have become gay, breeders with SUVs, or really happy in some way that annoys me.

4) [Redacted] ... A rant about a friend getting married again, and me questioning that decision and the whole institution. I read what a wrote and I didn't like my tone. So .... redacted!

5) I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

Things I've been doing instead of blogging

1) Looking for a place to live -- without success.
2) Writing -- serious writing as opposed to a trashy little story.
3) Watching hockey. Yes, I am a Habs fan. Sorry about that to all of you Sens people.
4) Crafting wildly. Making merch for Astronaut Love Triangle. More on this later....
5) There is no fifth thing.
6) Wondering how I'm going to have time to blog when I get really busy again.
7) Getting excited about the quilting workshop I'm going to do with famous quilter Jennifer Beckley.
8) Celebrating my birthday and embracing getting older.
9) Attending a Buddhist workshop on death. Very very interesting. More on this later.
10) Drinking all the alcohol people gave me for my birthday. Thanks everyone!

Boring Aggie Update

This one will be in point form, because I'm feeling point-formish.

1) I have been off-line for a few days, and it was nice, but I did feel there was something missing in my life.
2) I'm not at odds with Christmas this year. Am participating in family functions, attempting baking projects, crafting and shopping. I even made a shopping plan for tomorrow, complete with maps and charts.
3) My bank card was "compromised", according to my bank, which meant an hour and a half at the counter getting it sorted out. The teller thought that the card was probably not really compromised, but that the bank thought it was because I had used it in various places across the country. Don't people travel this time of year? Am I supposed to inform my bank when I go somewhere?
4) No shagging happening here. Difficult to find shagging opportunities when you are on a futon or sofa in your family members' homes. I know you are thinking that a true shagger would seek opportunities in unexpected places. I'm trying to think outside the box here. Ha!
5) There is no fifth thing.

Monday snapshot

Here is a snapshot of today:
1) Why do I live in this country? It's snowing slush this morning. It's April. Yeah, the cruellest month, but still!!
2) When I arrive at work today, two people are getting their knickers in a knot over a box of lost clear, transparent push pins. Were the push pins lost? Could they have been stolen?
3) During the day I wonder if the silver lining of my spider solitaire addiction will be that I won't lose my mind in old age. Will people say, "Her liver's gone, but she's still sharp as a tack."
4) I need exercise. I can't rely on an empire waist to do everything for me. But no, better to stay at home with a movie, a cup of tea, pie warmed up in the microwave and a magic bag (also warmed up in the microwave).
5) I hate tanned people and their all-inclusive lives. And, no, I'm not jealous!
6) I understand people who don't go outside.

Easter Monday Aggie Update

Nothing much to report here, except the following:
1) Easter chocolate overload, resulting in serious zit outbreak.
2) I'm exciting about Bob's new drunken group Ottawa restaurant review blog. I'm looking forward to their next installment.
3) I didn't have the day off today, but decided to take the day off, and don't seem to be in any trouble.
4) I'm enjoying a new Eliza Gilkyson CD, "Paradise Hotel". This woman can sing.
5) I'm enjoying a new book by Lisa Moore, "Alligator". Twisted yet likeable characters.
6) I watched The Fog of War - a documentary about McNamara. I went in thinking he was a total hawk. In the film, he's a reflective teary-eyed old fellow with some regrets about some of the shit that went down during his time in office. Highly recommend it. I learned some history, too, something I never picked up in school.
7) I've switched my cat from "Sensitive Stomach" to "Selective Cat" food. He loves it. Apparently multiple kibble shapes appeals to finicky cats.
8) I'm not going to talk about the hockey situation here.
9) If you thought "Mommy and Me" yoga was too much, check this one out.
10) I think winter is going to be over tomorrow.

Eigga Saturday Update

I`m not feeling at one with the universe today. Yesterday, I missed two important events that I wanted to attend, and I am bitterly disappointed. Why did I miss them? It's an old problem I had that I thought I had fixed. Apparently not. I agreed to do 4 different things and convinced myself that this was possible---to attend 4 different things in various areas of the city in one evening. I used to do this a lot. I don't anymore, but it seems I did it again last evening.
Another reason why I'm not feeling at one with the universe today is that I just ran into an ex. That part is ok. The part that is not ok is that as I was leaving the house I said to myself, "I hope I don't run into anyone I know." I said that because I had done absolutely no prior-to-going-out-of the-house grooming. Not even the teeth. Sweatpants. Matted hair. No coffee. (Yes, I consider coffee part of the grooming process). Anyway, you get the picture. He looked happy and well groomed, and whistled as he walked off after saying hello. Then, my neurotic Aggie self wondered if he was pleased to see me looking so rough.

First day of spring

Yesterday, I met a few people suffering from winter burn out. Made me feel all good and schadenfreudey.
Other news:
1) Fourth Dwarf informed me that putting my stuff in a storage locker for a few months is not 'giving up my worldly possessions.'
2) Bob is back with some great music and food postings.
3) I'm giving my old car to a handsome young man who says he can fix it and use it.
4) I bought fake plastic flowers for my office and find them delightful.
5) I watched the entire first season of Corner Gas in a few days and found it delightful.
6) I've discovered that I enjoy the buzz from Advil Cold and Sinus gel tabs so much that it almost makes having a cold enjoyable. My cold is on the way out.

Slightly more productive Tuesday

I did manage to do more today. More than play Spider Solitaire. And, I learned something. Or, I should say that I relearned that All-You-Can-Eat Chinese Buffet's are always a bad idea. Of course, I knew that going into the trough.
What else have I learned today? I have to say, and I'll say it again: Megan's blog is always full of wisdom about handling all kinds of life's stuggles-- from dealing with the passport office, to battling bats to selecting sex toys. Go learn stuff from Megan, all of you!

Unproductive Monday

It is really true what they say about busy people getting more done. Last week, in a fit of stress, I cancelled all my extra-curricular activities so that I could work. I've been telling everyone how busy I am. And, I am. But, am I getting anything done? No.
Here is what I attribute to my lack of productivity:
- winter burn-out. I skated this weekend, and that was nice and everything, but the blowing snow of today just made me tired and sad.
- a Spider Solitaire addiction relapse. I was off it for a while. Now I'm on it.
- a messy home. I filled out my passport application today, and had to trash my home in order to find my Certificate of Canadian Citizenship. (The passport photo people made me take off the bandages and scowl for the picture).
- read a very depressing novel called Property.
- Attention Deficit Disorder - medicated with coffee, but sometimes that's not enough.
Here is my action plan for tomorrow:
- Get up early.
- Drink coffee.
- Make a detailed to-do list.
- Do the stuff on the list.
- Delete or disable Spider Solitaire.

Wednesday Update

1) Britney is in rehab. In case you hadn't heard.
2) Blair is taking some troops out of Iraq. In case you hadn't heard.
3) I'm still debating over whether I should buy a large expensive piece of metal. In case you hadn't heard.
4) I'm learning Spanish now. Why, you ask? Because I'm planning to spend next winter in a warm place where people speak Spanish. In case you hadn't heard.

A few things I did this weekend

1) I put my "I Escaped" Google-poem to music. I had to change the words a bit to make it work. And, I worked with someone who knows more about music than I do. I told him what to do. I said, "I want a punk sound." I may record it and post it at some point.
2) I gutted and cooked about 50 smelts. Delicious.
3) I ate a bison rib today. Also delicious.
4) I read the Business Section of the Globe for the first time in a long long time. I read about why the Gap is tanking. I don't really give a shit about the Gap. But it is a little bit interesting to learn about why they are in decline.
5) I watched the film, Transamerica. It's interesting. The actress is quite amazing: a woman who plays a man who wants to be a woman. That's a challenging role. After watching the movie, I was grateful that I don't want a sex change. I'm happy not to have a dick. And glad that I don't have to go through the business of explaining the whole sex-change things to others. It seems like that was painful business. My four-year old niece did ask me once "Are you a girl or a boy?" and that was kinda fun.