Inn of the Wandering Dragon

Winter is back (at least temporarily) with a bite this week. Our daytime HIGH was all of minus 29 degrees celcius. That's about minus twenty degrees farenheight, and we're not counting the wind chill yet for this one. In all reality we have been spoiled with mild winters and little snow over the past few years. I guess you could say we have become soft in our chinook riddled province. But regardless I thought I would share a few quirks this weather can bring.

The streetlight glare passing through huge billowing clouds of steam lifting off the otherwise cold river creates a gorgeous moody atmosphere the likes of which you rarely see.

It is easy enough to smell snow or rain, but clear absolutely frigid air has a unique scent all it's own. And if you don't pull that scarf over your face, you may not be smelling much of anything afterwards.

Call me weird but I have always liked the sound of the snow as I walk, whether it is squeeking and crunching benaeth my feet, or when the icy particles are rattling through the evergreens.

This past sunday I took the time to visit the Glenbow Museum downtown. My main interest this time was to view the Emily Carr exhibit that has been touring the country, and I have to say that I was pleasantly impressed.
I had seen some of her work in Vancouver a couple years ago, mainly some watercolours and some pottery. I have to say it really didn't strike a cord with me at all.
This show was well organized and showed how her work evolved over decades. From the original thin paintings depicting first nations villages, through the influence of the group of seven and the fauves, through to comming in to her personal style there were paintings well illustrating each phase of her career. I really enjoy her later works and their expressive quality. I look at the styalized trees and mountains and there is still a strong sense of weight and mass behind them.
I may have said it before but to view the originals is to really get the full effect of the piece. Repros just don't cut it, which has a lot to do with why I never really investigated this artist prior.

Black lake, black boat, two black, cut-paper people.
Where do the black trees go that drink here?
Their shadows must cover Canada.

A little light is filtering from the water flowers.
Their leaves do not wish us to hurry:
They are round and flat and full of dark advice.

Cold worlds shake from the oar.
The spirit of blackness is in us, it is in the fishes.
A snag is lifting a valedictory, pale hand;

Stars open among the lilies.
Are you not blinded by such expressionless sirens?
This is the silence of astounded souls.


Crossing the water, by Sylvia Plath

Normally I'm only getting up about this time but today I figured I would get up the same time as the boyfriend. See, the original plan was to catch a ride with him so I could go get some labwork done before work. Then without thinking I went and had breakfast, so that blew that whole idea. One of the required tests was the fasting glucose. So he's gone to work and the cat and I are hanging out.

But it gives me a chance to check the e-mails, plan my venture into the south of the city either tonight or next week. I had purchased / ordered some funky jewellery back in december and unfortunately it arrived in less than stellar condition. I have been playing telephone tag with the lady who sold it and lo and behold I finally got to talk to her after about a month. So the outcome is that I get to find her house and exchange the defunct piece there. I fully realise that she is busy with her work and family obligations but there seems to be only a minimum of effort on her part for getting this resolved so I have been less than impressed over all. Don't get me wrong, I left a message back in December that I could wait until after Christmas, after all we have more important things things going on during that time. But overall there has been a real sense that customer service takes a far back seat. While I love the jewellery, I don't think I'll go out of my way to buy from her again.

But to end on a lighter note, I think it's a good time to go scribble in my sketchbook and pet the cat before leaving for work. I love having this quiet time to relax. I'm just not enough of a morning person to make it happen every morning. :D

Friday night we were packed, ready to leave work and hit the road. Then the heating core on the truck decided to vomit fluids everywhere and so we are without one of the most precious commoditities when driving in January - HEAT! Despite deciding to abort our trip up north, we still had a good weekend overall. We shall just have to wait until Larry's sister comes back to our neck of the woods for a good visit.

Last night saw us enjoying some good company - and myself enjoying some lovely wine - at a friend's housewarming party. It's always nice to get out and meet some new people as well as re-visit some we haven't seen in a long time. Our friends have more or less settled in to their new home and I think they have done a nice job with it.

Meanwhile, the cleaning and re-arranging continues at home. At least I can see my floor now, and the table, and the cat etc. I have discovered that the cat has not learned the concept of "rationing". I left out 3 days worth of food to cover my would be absence for the 2 1/2 days, only to discover he ate it all in about 12 hours. He spent the next 36 hours curled up around his protruding belly trying to sleep it off. I think this would be the feline equivalent of a massive hangover. I am also back to working on some art cards. I signed up for a few swaps so now I'm trying to get them in the mail before the cutoff. Fun! At least I am feeling better for the week ahead.

More importantly, why should I have to be bitchy to get results? The question stems from my work interactions actually. I am trying to do my job, but when other people don't seem to place their job (which I am trying to assist) as a reasonable priority then it gets pretty frustrating. And then to top it off, I get chastised when they drop the ball. Today's example: "you should never take no for an answer" (from a co-worker) on why something was not finished. My response: "I did not take no for an answer, you said yes - and then you disappeared. Ergo said job could not be completed." To them, X is always (at the time) more important than Y.
I'm not saying that the reasons are not valid or not important. I am saying that if you see fit to blame me for the choices you make despite having the information then I don't see fit to stand there mute.

One co-worker called me a smartass today - admittedly I deserved it. But I was completely serious in my response to him that I have to be a smartass to work with this group. My job is to facilitate their job and to handle the stuff they don't want to do - the paperwork. I am surrounded by alpha personalities who don't think they should have to answer to anyone (read - me), and who do think that they are the only ones who can get the job done. They don't think they need to follow their own protocols and yet they do think I should magically know all and be able to read minds.

No, I have not called that person yet, because no one could tell me if (insert very important event here) was actually done. Therefore, why would I call?

No, I do not know how this job breaks down into cost, because this person only gave me a total instead of filling out the work order. Yes, I can go ask for the work order (for third time).

I do not know how this job breaks down into cost, because this person only gave me a total instead of filling out the work order. Yes, I have already asked for the work order four times now.

When you tell me "X is happening tomorrow" - that does not tell me that I was supposed to make the arrangements yesterday for X to be done.

No, this document is not finished, because you have not given me the very important details I need to complete the job.

I could go on but I better stop there. Hopefully I can get a good night's sleep and maybe tomorrow will be a bit better.

Maybe. Depends on how bitchy I have to be.

Well the amp is hooked up along with the speakers. It was a long day of shopping for a new TV stand but that part is done with. Personally, I like the stand (minimal yet fun - and it does the job). I'm just not thrilled with the placement. I may have said before that the speakers are big and the end result is that I have lost floor space. If I was a cat my tail would be twitching! Add to that a plot to amuse the cat in our absence resulted in a rather nice piece being broken and I was less than impressed today.
I have begun the work to de-clutter my space, beginning with the kitchen. The results are mixed so far due to less than stellar planning on the part of the original builders. Somebody (twit!) thought it would be a brilliant idea to place the primary cupboards over a heating vent - with said vent blowing hot air and dust within. This (to my mind) really limits what I can put in those cupboards. But I keep chipping away at it and in the meantime I clean out the spice cabinet (which may one day get a door put on it).

Ah the first day back at work after the holiday and the hectic pace has resumed. January is the month of trade shows for us so there is a substantial amount of work that goes into displays and whatnot. For some reason we are completely unable to get these things done with any amount of lead time, preferring the frenzy of the last minute. But everything comes together despite (or perhaps because of?) it all. The good thing is that my co-workers seem well rested and ready to dive in to the madness. I am ready too - although I may cheerfully debate the well rested part.