Friday 31 December 2010

All The Best

Here's wishing you and yours all the best for the coming year.

May 2011 bring you more joy, love, peace, happiness, togetherness, health, and wealth than 2010.

Thank you for always being here for me and supporting me even if you're just sending good, happy thoughts my way or even if you're just reading and feeling like you're not the only one, or even if you just stop by for something to do during your day. I appreciate it.

Happy New Year my friends, may it be an amazing one!

Love,
Victoria

Thursday 30 December 2010

My Dangerous Life


A light bulb tried to kill me.

No, seriously, it did.

I lie in bed each night reading, always have, sometimes for hours, sometimes just for a chapter or two, but it's my nightly ritual (and often what I most look forward to at the end of the day.)

We've had some windy weather around here lately, par for the course at this time of year and my parents keep having their power go out on them so it's something I've had at the back of my mind.

So when I was reading the other night and there was a giant bang, a bright blue light followed by darkness my first thought was "power outage."

My second thought was something along the lines of "power surge causing power outage" because the bang and the blue light seemed more like electricity over-doing itself than under-doing itself.

I stumbled out of bed in the dark to figure out what was going on and saw that my bedside clock was still running so I deduced it wasn't a power outage (I'm smart like that) but rather that my light bulb had probably blown.

I flicked on the overhead light and went back to deal with the burnt out light bulb except it wasn't there.

Yep, you read that right, the light bulb wasn't there.

Now you know how when you're reading at night you can get really into the book but you can also get a little zoned out because it's late and bedtime and well that's the reason I think my brain thought that maybe the light bulb had gotten so hot it had disintegrated somehow. You know, vaporized.

I really thought that. But just for a moment.

Then, once I'd figured out that that wasn't physically probable, I started looking for shards of glass; evidence that the light bulb had somehow shattered.

It was on this search that I found the bulb itself, very much intact, wedged next to my pillow, inches from where my head had been. (Alas, it missed its mark and did not manage to assassinate me as it was obviously planted to do by a rival spy agency thank you very much.)

Still not really understanding, I looked up inside the shade of my bedside lamp and found the rest of the light bulb, the silver screw in portion, still safely screwed into the lamp.

I was still pretty sure this wasn't real, but after unplugging the lamp (I'm smart like that) and using my pliers (I'm handy like that) I found that the bulb part of the light bulb had shot out of the screw in base part of the light bulb.

It turns out that the bulbs are glued in there under some pressure and that occasionally (rarely) they heat up and the glue melts and the bulb is shot out.

It also turns out that I can't seem to throw away the two light bulb pieces. They're amusing me to no end.

It also also turns out that I won't be buying cheap light bulbs again.

The end.

(Or is it? Duh duh duuuuuuuuuh!)

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Groo

It's hard getting back into the groove of things, especially with two short weeks in a row.

Christmas usually is difficult for me and this year it was especially so and I'm finding myself in a slump. I guess it'd be fair to say I have reasons for feeling so low, but it's still no fun.

It's kind of like Christmas and the days leading up to it are a giant balloon and while the balloon may not be easy to keep afloat or pretty or anything it still had its good points and now that it's deflated there's nothing to keep going, nothing to keep going for either.

I kind of want to hole up and not talk to anyone or leave the house or interact in any way so I did that on Monday with the exception of a long, chilly walk.

This is a weird week. The celebrations are over, but they're not because now it's time for New Year's, which, by the way, also isn't much of an upper for us singles.

But anyway, I needed to get back into the blogging mode/habit so here I am with a not very good/happy/interesting post, but a post nonetheless.

Is the good tv at least coming back on this week?

Tuesday 28 December 2010

Back To Reality

Well, I guess it's back to life, back to reality.

Sort of.


Soul II Soul - Back to Life

Happy Monday... er Tuesday y'all.

Thursday 23 December 2010

Hey


So I'm home and have a good few days off (which is so so nice and so so needed) for relaxing and doing a whole lot of not much.

I was actually off yesterday too but decided to be lazy and let myself not post. It was nice. I got my hair cut and a massage instead. Ahhhhhhh.

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone who celebrates Christmas a lovely, joyful, healthy one and to wish those who don't Celebrate Christmas a lovely, cozy warm Winter weekend.

Big hugs all round and make sure to hold your family extra tight this year.

See you soon, Merry Christmas!

Monday 20 December 2010

Sort Of

I'm heading out of town for a couple of days and then it's sort of Christmas I guess so just in case I don't get around to posting this is serving as a placeholder.

I think.

Saturday 18 December 2010

Hi


It's Saturday.

Which is good.

And that's all I've got in me today. Just that it's Saturday and I'm glad.

So have a good one. Stay warm. Get hugs. Eat something delicious. Smile.

Happy Saturday

Friday 17 December 2010

So

This made me smile:


UC Men's Octet - I Like Big Butts

So did this:


On The Rocks - Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy - 2/29/08

I love a man who's a)not afraid to be silly and b) is musical and not afraid to show it.

I kind of adore men's acapella.

Thursday 16 December 2010

Oh

There are two blog post ideas sitting on my stickie note of posts pad but they both involve funny conversations I had with my Dad over the last month or so and I just don't quite feel like writing them right now.

So instead, how about you tell me what you think about Christmas cards.

I send them every year and it often feels more like a chore than anything else. (I like to send birthday cards to people but Christmas cards feels like a "have to" rather than a "want to")

I get cards back from some of the people and then I read them and put them up and then, eventually recycle them.

So I'm not really sure why I do it and if I need to or want to anymore.

So what do you think about them? Do you like getting them? Sending them? Would you mind if the whole tradition was scrapped?

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Novel


I think I've always wanted to be a writer.

A book author, a novelist, someone who got paid real money to write stories that other people read.

I've always written things. My Mom has boxes full of little books I wrote and illustrated as a kid, the staples as binding and sometimes? The stories still make me laugh. I think I was a cute kid. I'd have liked to have met me.

I write here, yes, and I'm glad I do for a number of reasons, but I'd also really like to write a book.

It fascinates me to read books. To read the world that someone has invented, the people they created, the stories they go through.

And that's where I get stuck.

Sure, I write here and tell a version of my life, but I can't figure out how you tell a story that's not yours. How you tell a story that's not true.

But I want to, would love to make enough that that was what I did.

I'd love to write a book, a novel, but the only story I know is mine, and I still don't know how it ends.

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Sploosh

It's been quite rainy around here lately.

Some might say it's been very rainy around here, but it's all relative really.

Ok, maybe it's been very rainy, but there have been breaks and pauses so it doesn't exactly feel like it.

I had to sleep with earplugs in last night, the rain was that noisy. I suppose I could have closed my window too, but then things get stuffy and warm and man I'm a picky sleeper sometimes.

I still got woken up though, even with the earplugs. Something about someone's toque Damn IT! And then a cat/racoon/devil fight that didn't last long but had me wide awake, heart racing.

Not that that has anything to do with the rain, but you'll allow me a few tangents this week won't you. . .

Last week, it got so dark at 3 or 3:30 a couple of days that streetlights were going on. I guess earlier evenings combined with massive, heavy rainclouds meant dark enough for streetlights.

I also ran in some torrential rain last week. Hadn't been out in a few days, half lazy, half busy, half too dark and alone, half unable to do accurate math.

Had been for a walk earlier and enjoyed the fresh air so laced up my shoes and took off.

Knew I'd get wet, didn't realize I'd get soaked.

Discovered puddles the depth of lakes, laughed as my feet turned into small lakes inside my shoes.

Decided to call it a short run and came home literally dripping.

I think my underwear were still dry, but that's about it. I soaked through layers of clothing and gear and was terribly amused by the whole thing.

We had flooded roads this weekend and when you're driving, you get to know the spots that will throw up water and where the dips in the road are and you try your best not to spray the vehicle next to you but sometimes you giggle when the busses accidentally drench a car when they pass through one of the dips.

So we've had some rain.

Welcome to the coast.

Monday 13 December 2010


Another one of those posts where I'm unsure how to begin, or what to say or how much.

I've spend this weekend in a daze. My Dad went into the hospital on Friday and we brought him home yesterday with the news that there was damage to his heart and they'd done some surgery and that things would have to change and there would be medications for the rest of his life.

It just all came as a surprise. No blood pressure issues, no cholesterol issues, no family history of heart problems and then this; such a shock and an unwelcome surprise.

I keep trying, we all do, to see the good in this, the positive, but right now I'm still shocked and my dreams aren't restful and then I wake up in the morning and feel good until I remember and then it all seems really surreal and it reminds me of when Bird got hurt; one moment I'd be fine, and the next I'd be crying.

I'm so very up and down and have to use the up moments when they're here. I'm assuming it'll get better and we'll adjust and all will be well and good and better but the ground's moving under my feet and I know my parents are older but I didn't want and don't want proof of that.

I keep having to tell people that he's fine, because isn't that what you say when someone's still alive? Is he fine? I don't know. We thought he was fine and it turns out he wasn't and hasn't been so now I don't know anymore.

Has this given me a glimpse of a future I don't want to get to? Absolutely.

But baby steps, no point rushing ahead, just get through today or maybe this hour and people around me are being so understanding and I appreciate that and I keep trying to pretend it's all going to be ok but we know what's inevitable. . . death and taxes.

I probably won't mention this again unless I have to, so I'll just write about the other things, the things that don't make me dizzy and don't make my eyes fill up with tears when they're not supposed to.

Like C-Dawg.

Who's here, in town, which makes this both the happiest and hardest weekend I've known.

But that's life, no? The highest highs and jumping up and down with excitement at seeing your most wonderful friend who adds so much joy and laughter to your life and those highs sit right next to the most frightening of uncertainties.

And they get along. They chat in life's waiting room, friendly, cordial. . . life's like that.

Excuse the wandering, it's all a blur.

And forgive me if I don't lie and tell you I'm ok, that he's ok, that we're ok. Because we are and we aren't.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Question

Do you replace the (good, old fashioned) flickering light bulb while it's still flickeringly alive or wait til it creepily flickers itself to death all moth-like?

Friday 10 December 2010

Seemingly Simple


They've started something new with the mailboxes around here, mainly around the downtown core so far and not all of them, but a few anyway.

They've put two mailboxes together in some places with a sign on each.

I don't remember the exact wording of the sign but the basic message is that one mailbox is for mail staying on the Island and the other mailbox is for any destination NOT on the Island.

They have pictures too. One of the Island and one of the Island with a big line through it a la Non-Smoking sign.

(Now, before you start imagining Vancouver Island as this tiny rural wee island, know that we're almost thirty times larger than Hong Kong and almost the same length as Ireland and we house our Province's Capital. So, we're not small.)

The thing is, the last time I used these mailboxes I got it wrong.

I stood, I read, I looked at the picture, and I *still* managed to put non-island mail into the Island mailbox.

You'd think it'd be super simple.

Or, alternatively, you think I'd be smart.

But I'll get it yet. Those mailboxes won't outwit me for long!

*Shakes fist at sky*

Thursday 9 December 2010

You Know?

You know?

I hate finishing a book.

Especially a good book.

Because as soon as it's finished, I miss the characters and I miss being part of their lives and knowing what's happening. I miss the story and I miss reading it.

Maybe that's why I like blogs. The story just keeps on going.

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Also

Also this weekend?

I fell in love with this song:


Low - Silent Night

Beauty.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Again

I still remember the last time I read a book that made me cry so much my pillow got soaked.

Fast forward nearly two years to last week when I finished Feed by Mira Grant, a book Sundry mentioned a while back.

I enjoyed the book, it was a good read and only gave me mild zombie nightmares. (I say that with some tongue in cheek as it was actually her more recent recommendation of a zombie based tv show that gave me the nightmares and no I'm not linking to it because I a) had to stop watching the pilot mid way through because I was so freaked out and b) only was able to watch the second episode by reading the episode recap first so I knew what was happening before it happened.)

But the ending and the loss at the end of the book left me bawling.

I won't say anything more except that if you like post-apocalyptic type books and/or zombie apocalyptic stories Feed is a good one.

You just might want tissues if you're as big a softy as I am.

Monday 6 December 2010

Of Truck Parades and 10Ks


This weekend included one of my favourite events of the Christmas season. In fact, it always manages to turn me from a bah humbug type mood into a weepy people-are-so-wonderful-and-kind kind of mood; the Island Equipment Owners Association Lighted Truck Parade.

This thing is awesome and involves I don't know how many trucks and busses and big big vehicles all lit up with lights and displays and horns a honking and people a waving and Santas smiling and it's all for charity and fun and I have never gone to one of these parades and not cried at how awesome people can be and how much we all just want to share our joy and happiness with each other.

I love the truck parade, and this year's was no exception.

I also ran this weekend.

And, sure, I know I ran last weekend and the weekend before that (repeat since September) but this time?

I ran 10 K.

(Insert photo of me grinning big here)

At the end of this post, I said "If you'd told me in January I'd be participating in a 10k in April and signing up for a learn to run clinic in September I would have told you there was no way I'd be able to do it. But I have and I did and I am and I can't help but wonder what awesome things I might challenge myself to do next."

We can add to that if you told me in January I'd be running a 10K at the end of the year I would have told you you were crazy and that there was no way, no WAY that would happen, maybe in a couple of years. In fact, I seem to remember thinking to myself "maybe in a couple of years I'll try running in the TC 10K" and in the post where I talked about my awesome experience of walking in the TC 10K this year I actually said "I already have plans to do it again next year and either walk faster or try to jog a bit in there somewhere to see how much faster I can do it."

Either walk faster to try to jog a bit in there.

Well, I blew that idea out of the water didn't I?

For those of you who're interested in this process, I stuck to the runs we ended our clinic with which were ten and ones, or in non-insane terms, running (at your own pace/speed/comfort level) for ten minutes and then walking for one minute. Rinse and repeat.

A couple of times I took a little bit of a longer walk break and there were some hilly hills and one of them had me at a walk, but I'd estimate I didn't walk more than ten minutes of the entire race.

I was worried that I'd be slow. Slow enough that everyone would have left, or slow enough that I'd be much much slower than the speed I walked the TC 10K at. I'd worked out that since on my clinic nights we run for an hour and I've mapped the route out at about 5K, the 10K would take me two. but I surprised myself greatly by beating that time and finishing much much much faster than the two hours I'd guessed at.

It's kind of blowing my mind how much faster I was actually.

But more than that, it's the fact that I wanted to do it, I signed up for it, I got someone to come with me (that was my last excuse to not do it) and I finished it. Didn't give up. (Even when I really thought that'd be more fun.) I ran a 10K you guys. Me.

I did that.

Saturday 4 December 2010

Relieved

This week was the first week I've had without the classes I signed up for and it was quite a relief to not have to rush myself around after work to get in a photo and food and exercise before heading out to get there on time.

Not that I minded, but it was nice to have the break.

It does mean, however, that I'm not seeing my friends once a week anymore, but I figure that once the holidays are over, we'll all try to make regular plans again.

Or, heck, maybe I'll sign up for another running clinic and another photography class, who knows.

Well, I'll probably sign up for another running clinic. Maybe.

I say maybe because S probably won't be and the awesome, supportive run clinic leader won't be leading this next one so I'd really only be going to keep myself going if you know what I mean and that's maybe not such a bad thing, except I don't want to have to run with a stranger on clinic nights.

We'll see.

It was nice to have the break and the time to myself though.

Which is funny, because I remember how much I liked having something to do.

Guess it's all about balance again, eh?

Friday 3 December 2010

A Sort Of Update Of Sorts


So, the online dating thing, how's that going Victoria?

Well, self, thank you for asking, allow me to elucidate.

Ok, anyway, I've been trying to hang out with that guy I already knew and was happy to run into online but our schedules haven't seemed to match up quite yet so so far we're just text message buddies, which is fine.

I've started messaging another guy who seems nice enough (you really can't tell until you meet someone) but gave me his phone number in case I wanted to call him which I don't and so that kind of freaked me out a little bit but I just have to figure out how to tell him it freaked me out without sounding freaked out if that makes any sense.

There are a couple of other guys who could be interesting and another I'm emailing with who could be fun (or crazy, again, hard to tell electronically) so I guess there's not really a whole lot to update except that I'm being a lot more discerning than I was last time and I'm not keeping the "maybes".

That doesn't make me mean does it?

Thursday 2 December 2010

My Time

My weekends are my catchup time. My do things and my me time.

I have routines that work well for me on my weekends. It's my laundry, clean the house, do some cooking for the week, catch up on tv shows and relax time.

It's my go for a run after laundry but before dark time, my turn on a trashy tv show and peel giant pomegranates time.

It's my go for a walk with someone mid-day and maybe wander through downtown but not right now because of the Christmas crazies time although downtown's not as bad as a mall, I'm not going into a mall until February time.

It's my it's ok to be lazy time and it's my catch up on blogging time. I love my weekends.

What are your weekends for?

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Shrugging


You guys?

It's December.

And I'm not sure how that happened and/or why it had to happen all of a sudden when really I'm pretty sure it's still August, or possibly September?

And also? You guys? Why is it so dark? So early?

Because, yes, I do like the light in the mornings, but then I look outside at 4:30pm and holy darkness batman!

It's weird, is it not? This shortening of days? This going around and feeling like the day's done because it's dark out and the streetlights are on and the moon is out and its dark dark dark and you're supposed to keep going and keep awake but it's dark.

Why is it so dark so early?

Can I have my days back?