Our poor Mookie was put to rest last Tuesday May 5th. He was somewhere between 15 and 17 years old.
Those who follow my sporadic posts will recall I inherited Mookie when my father passed away nearly six years ago.
Mookie was starting to show his age over the last few weeks. For example, he would sit in his water bowl while he ate. He stopped shredding my furniture in the pursuit of sharpening his claws. He stopped waking me up at the crack of dawn. In his final days, he simply stopped taking care of himself.
When it comes to senior cats there is indeed a balancing act. One wants to make sure kitty is still content and comfortable. When there is any indication that that stops happening, it's time to make a trip to the vet.
That is the harshest moment in cat ownership - packing up a kitty in a carrier, knowing full well it will be the last he will see of his home. While kitty is oblivious.
I tend not to get too emotional over the loss of a pet. I have had far more heart-wrenching experiences. I've lost family members, friends and ex-boyfriends. I'll save my mourning for those events.
Farewell Mookie. You lived a full life, and I'm happy to have given you another six years.
Categories: Mookie
2009-05-11
2008-11-10
The Voicemail
Howdy folks!
This has been kicking around for a while. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen - it'll put a smile on your face. Actually, even if you have heard it, enjoy it again!
To set this up, some guy who works at the Jack in the Box head office is leaving a voicemail for his boss as he's running late. While he leaves the message, he witnesses a car accident and provides a play-by-play on the voicemail.
While it is not known whether this really happened, Jack in the Box did confirm the voicemail's existence. It was forwarded internally so much that their voicemail system crashed.
Categories: People, Space
This has been kicking around for a while. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen - it'll put a smile on your face. Actually, even if you have heard it, enjoy it again!
To set this up, some guy who works at the Jack in the Box head office is leaving a voicemail for his boss as he's running late. While he leaves the message, he witnesses a car accident and provides a play-by-play on the voicemail.
While it is not known whether this really happened, Jack in the Box did confirm the voicemail's existence. It was forwarded internally so much that their voicemail system crashed.
Categories: People, Space
2008-08-28
The Axe
As you know, I've been on a stint for the last couple years and have been working for the same company for nearly six. They recently announced, after a year of being burdened with hammering our a buy-out, to expect a cut of 15% of managers. I ended up being one of them.
Which sux.
I have fortunately been through this before. Fortunate in that I know what to emotionally expect not only from myself but from others as well. Hence I am familiar with the suckiness of the situation - a situation one never grows used to. many find transitions to be difficult. A job transition is near the top of the list. Forty hours a week being being pulled from under your feet - the differing levels of stability that goes with it - really fux with one's ego.
It's been two weeks. My mind continues to work in overdrive. The thoughts - the things I dwell on - change from day to day and sometimes minute to minute. Those thoughts run the gamut. Stress, relief, sadness, anger, dread. Everything. It is exceedingly difficult for one to escape this thoughts. It keeps licensed establishments in business during the afternoon for sure.
One of the biggest voids is the removal of regular interaction with people. A good chunk of my friend base (and most people I suppose) were acquired through work. Some I won't miss to be sure and I have already forgotten them. Others I miss dearly. These friendships are in fact forever changed. Maintaining these relationships is suddenly a formidable task.
I met up with a number of my peer friends last week. It is very similar to going to one's own funeral. In situations like these I end up having to manage my friends. Half of them tell you everything will be OK. the other half need reassurance. I am fortunate to have the number and diversity within my friend base. (I in fact have a draft post kicking around where I discuss my fortunes from a friend perspective. Perhaps now I'll have time to finish it off).
As dirty as it sounds, I need to manage my friend Rolodex more than ever. The ones I can utilise for support, I will. They will not be allowed out of my sight. Those with a good network will also be kept close. Some I will inevitably let drift away. Our paths perhaps will cross again.
So two weeks in, the initial shock has been replaced with a lingering dread.
And so begins a new phase in my life.
Categories: Friends, Life, Work
Which sux.
I have fortunately been through this before. Fortunate in that I know what to emotionally expect not only from myself but from others as well. Hence I am familiar with the suckiness of the situation - a situation one never grows used to. many find transitions to be difficult. A job transition is near the top of the list. Forty hours a week being being pulled from under your feet - the differing levels of stability that goes with it - really fux with one's ego.
It's been two weeks. My mind continues to work in overdrive. The thoughts - the things I dwell on - change from day to day and sometimes minute to minute. Those thoughts run the gamut. Stress, relief, sadness, anger, dread. Everything. It is exceedingly difficult for one to escape this thoughts. It keeps licensed establishments in business during the afternoon for sure.
One of the biggest voids is the removal of regular interaction with people. A good chunk of my friend base (and most people I suppose) were acquired through work. Some I won't miss to be sure and I have already forgotten them. Others I miss dearly. These friendships are in fact forever changed. Maintaining these relationships is suddenly a formidable task.
I met up with a number of my peer friends last week. It is very similar to going to one's own funeral. In situations like these I end up having to manage my friends. Half of them tell you everything will be OK. the other half need reassurance. I am fortunate to have the number and diversity within my friend base. (I in fact have a draft post kicking around where I discuss my fortunes from a friend perspective. Perhaps now I'll have time to finish it off).
As dirty as it sounds, I need to manage my friend Rolodex more than ever. The ones I can utilise for support, I will. They will not be allowed out of my sight. Those with a good network will also be kept close. Some I will inevitably let drift away. Our paths perhaps will cross again.
So two weeks in, the initial shock has been replaced with a lingering dread.
And so begins a new phase in my life.
Categories: Friends, Life, Work
2008-07-13
My Zippo
Here's a shot of my current Zippo:
I've had it for two or three years. It was manufactured in January 05 in any event.
I purchased it to replace another black one, which was complete with a bumpy finish. (Zippo calls it "Crackle.")
I really liked it and had it since 2002. It is the first Zippo I owned in years. A little metal piece (called a cam spring) broke off, so the lid didn't stay closed anymore. Zippos come with a lifetime guarantee. I decided change is a good thing, so I bought my current model instead of bothering to send it in.
A very good friend Riz got me a zippo for my birthday in '04.
The JD was significant in that my friend and I had recently taken JD shots - something I hadn't done for a very long time because of a drinking event that included JD back in 1990. I loved the sound that this Zippo makes; a more solid sound due to the JD metal overlay.
I lost this lighter on Pride Weekend in '05. Michael (my Haunt's favourite bartender) and I were in the back alley. He felt I was irrationally attached to the friend who had given me the lighter, and for my "own good" skidded it under a fence complete with barbed wire, ensuring it and I were parted forever.
Interestingly, Michael and I are still friends and I haven't heard from Riz in ages.
My first Zippo was a mini. A gift from my sister for Christmas when I was 16 or 17. The hinge eventually broke on it. It sported a major dent on one of the corners, a dent it obtained only a week after I got it.
A friend from school was having a New Years' party at her apartment, which was next to our school. She ended up clearing the place out at about 11:40 because things were getting a little out of hand. About 4 or 5 of us took our liquor, and ended up ringing in the new year in the smoking area at school.
We were walking past the friend's building, and heard a female yelling from her balcony near the top floor. She was wishing us a Happy New Years. We returned the sentiment, and was then invited up to her place.
As soon as we got in her apartment, I knew something was amiss with this young lady. She kept saying repeatedly, "Don't tell my mother you guys came over." The poor thing had a bat or two in the rafters.
We quietly organised our retreat, this being a drawn-out affair as one of us decided he could 'get lucky.' In any event, she went into the kitchen and we made our escape.
We were in front of the building again when I realised I left my smokes - and my Zippo - in the apartment. I needed to go back. My friends told me to leave it, but I just got the lighter as a gift.
Just then, a voice from the balcony cried down, "You forgot your cigarettes"
She threw them off the balcony. I went to pick them up, suddenly remembering I hadn't kept the Zippo in the pack. The next thing I new, a mere few inches from me, my Zippo ricocheted off of the sidewalk.
And hence the dent.
Categories: Breeders, Haunt, Life, Party
I've had it for two or three years. It was manufactured in January 05 in any event.
I purchased it to replace another black one, which was complete with a bumpy finish. (Zippo calls it "Crackle.")
I really liked it and had it since 2002. It is the first Zippo I owned in years. A little metal piece (called a cam spring) broke off, so the lid didn't stay closed anymore. Zippos come with a lifetime guarantee. I decided change is a good thing, so I bought my current model instead of bothering to send it in.
A very good friend Riz got me a zippo for my birthday in '04.
The JD was significant in that my friend and I had recently taken JD shots - something I hadn't done for a very long time because of a drinking event that included JD back in 1990. I loved the sound that this Zippo makes; a more solid sound due to the JD metal overlay.
I lost this lighter on Pride Weekend in '05. Michael (my Haunt's favourite bartender) and I were in the back alley. He felt I was irrationally attached to the friend who had given me the lighter, and for my "own good" skidded it under a fence complete with barbed wire, ensuring it and I were parted forever.
Interestingly, Michael and I are still friends and I haven't heard from Riz in ages.
My first Zippo was a mini. A gift from my sister for Christmas when I was 16 or 17. The hinge eventually broke on it. It sported a major dent on one of the corners, a dent it obtained only a week after I got it.
A friend from school was having a New Years' party at her apartment, which was next to our school. She ended up clearing the place out at about 11:40 because things were getting a little out of hand. About 4 or 5 of us took our liquor, and ended up ringing in the new year in the smoking area at school.
We were walking past the friend's building, and heard a female yelling from her balcony near the top floor. She was wishing us a Happy New Years. We returned the sentiment, and was then invited up to her place.
As soon as we got in her apartment, I knew something was amiss with this young lady. She kept saying repeatedly, "Don't tell my mother you guys came over." The poor thing had a bat or two in the rafters.
We quietly organised our retreat, this being a drawn-out affair as one of us decided he could 'get lucky.' In any event, she went into the kitchen and we made our escape.
We were in front of the building again when I realised I left my smokes - and my Zippo - in the apartment. I needed to go back. My friends told me to leave it, but I just got the lighter as a gift.
Just then, a voice from the balcony cried down, "You forgot your cigarettes"
She threw them off the balcony. I went to pick them up, suddenly remembering I hadn't kept the Zippo in the pack. The next thing I new, a mere few inches from me, my Zippo ricocheted off of the sidewalk.
And hence the dent.
Categories: Breeders, Haunt, Life, Party
Photo Mosaic
I totally stole this off of Sean's blog:
1. type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. using only the first page of results, pick one image.
3. copy and paste each of the url’s for the images into big huge lab’s mosaic maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.
1. what is your first name?
2. what is your favorite food? right now?
3. what high school did you go to?
4. what is your favorite color?
5. who is your celebrity crush?
6. what is your favorite drink?
7. what is your dream vacation?
8. what is your favorite dessert?
9. what do you want to be when you grow up?
10. what do you love most in life?
11. what is one word that describes you?
12. what is your flickr name?
Categories: Life
1. type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. using only the first page of results, pick one image.
3. copy and paste each of the url’s for the images into big huge lab’s mosaic maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.
1. what is your first name?
2. what is your favorite food? right now?
3. what high school did you go to?
4. what is your favorite color?
5. who is your celebrity crush?
6. what is your favorite drink?
7. what is your dream vacation?
8. what is your favorite dessert?
9. what do you want to be when you grow up?
10. what do you love most in life?
11. what is one word that describes you?
12. what is your flickr name?
Categories: Life
Friday Feast #196
Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
On July 1st I got a trim. Usually get one every couple months. I don't do anything exciting with may hair as I don't have much, and I have no patience. Ten minutes is my limit. I went next door to my usual place at Church and Wellesley. The guy told me I'm handsome, and asked if he could trim my chest hair.
Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
Summer vacation.
Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
I have to go with butter; it was a staple growing up. I tend to use more margarine than butter just for the health considerations.
Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
French. It is a definate asset in Toronto, and will give me the ability to move to Montreal.
Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
43
Categories: Feast
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
On July 1st I got a trim. Usually get one every couple months. I don't do anything exciting with may hair as I don't have much, and I have no patience. Ten minutes is my limit. I went next door to my usual place at Church and Wellesley. The guy told me I'm handsome, and asked if he could trim my chest hair.
Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
Summer vacation.
Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
I have to go with butter; it was a staple growing up. I tend to use more margarine than butter just for the health considerations.
Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
French. It is a definate asset in Toronto, and will give me the ability to move to Montreal.
Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
43
Categories: Feast
2008-07-02
Friday Feast #195
Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?
It is overcast with a few light showers; should be a decent day windy and 26
Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?
I've been puttering around as of late and give myself a 7. I'm in the process of bumping that up - to be successful you need to be at least a 9.
Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?
Cheap blinds in the bedrooms and vertical blinds in the living room. I want to change them but can't decide between curtains or blinds.
Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.
I'm more complex than that! Something as simple as a chocolate bar usually does the trick, though.
Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?
I go through a cycle with this. I have two alarms set, one 20 minutes after the first. I then hit snooze once on the second alarm. About once a month I make a full-out effort to just get up with the first alarm (it's better if you do) and manage to do so for a few days.
Categories: Feast
2008-06-22
Sounds of the City
Southbound train at Bloor station. Friday June 13th 16:42
Passenger, coming into the train: "Is this the Eastbound train?"
Second passenger: "I don't know."
Third passenger: "This is actually the Southbound train."
First passenger, moving further into the train: "Oh, good."
I have no idea what all of this means. How can you not know what direction you're going? I can only figure out that the second passenger was in fact the first passenger, but stuck in some sort of space-time continuum conundrum. Or that she's a typical, self-centered Torontonian.
Categories: Heard, Transit
Passenger, coming into the train: "Is this the Eastbound train?"
Second passenger: "I don't know."
Third passenger: "This is actually the Southbound train."
First passenger, moving further into the train: "Oh, good."
I have no idea what all of this means. How can you not know what direction you're going? I can only figure out that the second passenger was in fact the first passenger, but stuck in some sort of space-time continuum conundrum. Or that she's a typical, self-centered Torontonian.
Categories: Heard, Transit
Friday Feast #194
Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?
I think Australia is the obvious answer, but I'd have to consider all of the continents. Because it's for a year, I'd likely go to Europe.
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?
I think Australia is the obvious answer, but I'd have to consider all of the continents. Because it's for a year, I'd likely go to Europe.
Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?
I have to live with IE at work, but use FireFox for my personal surfing. I don't know anyone who doesn't like FireFox, but I know a lot of people who hate IE.
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?
I think I'm on the high end of average and therefore give myself a 6. I have an interest in Canadian history and am starting to acquire the books to prove it.
Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is…
the all-consuming essence of our being.
Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?
No.
Categories: Feast
Friday Feast #193
Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
I'm a pretty pessimistic sort of guy. I must be really annoying to hang around with.
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
I'm a pretty pessimistic sort of guy. I must be really annoying to hang around with.
Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
My preference is black.
Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?
OMG, I'm not that gay.
Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?
The online world has not provided me with anything. She's just hungry for my time.
Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?
In the dining room. I'm in the market for a computer desk for the corner of my living room. But that means rearranging the furniture. I've been waiting for it to rearrange itself.
Categories: Feast
2008-06-09
Today's Free Item
Went to the Loblaws for a few things on the weekend.
The Cottage Cheese price still isn't fixed. So I scored another one.
This time I had to wait quite a while for the price check. I had plenty of time to come up with the idea of simply taking a picture of the shelf label with my cell phone next time. I know I shouldn't complain about the wait, because after all, I'm getting the item for free. But hell, I think that clerk was the only person in the store that didn't know the shelf label was wrong.
Categories: Retail
The Cottage Cheese price still isn't fixed. So I scored another one.
This time I had to wait quite a while for the price check. I had plenty of time to come up with the idea of simply taking a picture of the shelf label with my cell phone next time. I know I shouldn't complain about the wait, because after all, I'm getting the item for free. But hell, I think that clerk was the only person in the store that didn't know the shelf label was wrong.
Categories: Retail
Friday Feast #192
Appetizer
When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?
I love drinking pop out of glass bottle. The only time I pour it in a glass (assuming the pop is drinking size) is to mix with Rum. Other than that, I drink it out of the very vessel that transported it to my mouth.
Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?
I typically stay up later than I should anyway. If it's on too late, I program my trusty VCR.
Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.
I think Runescape is brilliant.
Main Course
Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?
I would do it for the 4 day week. I take transit. 'Nuff said.
Dessert
If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?
A geek.
Categories: Feast
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
