I admit it - I'm in a lousy mood...My mother is brutally reminding me that my birthday is tomorrow, and is literally insisting that I drag my family into a big family dinner to celebrate the fact that another year has gone by, and I have failed at every goal I set for myself last year. My Mom set up a really nice lunch a couple of days ago, which was supposed to be my "birthday celebration". Well my brother in law didn't show, so all of a sudden it wasn't a family event anymore. Now we have to do it again! He didn't show because he doesn't like these things - and I can totally understand that. Personally, if faced with a family event (baby shower, wedding shower etc) I try to either book a mammogram or root canal for that very unfortunate time. (do you know how hard it is to book a mammogram on a Friday eve. between 7-9pm???) Anyways, my point is, not all of us like big family events, and with the stress of all the Christmas visiting looming in my mind, I am ready to find a hole to hide in until this wonderful season is over. I am rather miffed that my Mother refuses to respect my wishes to forgo the birthday BS. Really, I'm in my 40's now and I fail to see the point in taking people away from their busy Christmas preparations to acknowledge the fact that all I've been able to accomplish this year was to keep myself alive. I have not written a book; I have not lost 20lbs; I have not made a difference in a stranger's life (not that I know of at least); I have not improved my career status; I still can not offer my daughters even half of the cool things their friends have and most of all - I can not get my Mother to listen to me!
So now you are thinking to yourselves "My God does this woman not appreciate the fact that she DID stay alive for another year? She kept a roof on the family's head, kept them fed and schooled, while keeping her marriage alive? Is she not thankful that her family cares enough to celebrate with her?? She must be the most selfish B---- in the world!"
Of Course I appreciate everything and everyone in my life! It's ME whom I am disappointed with! To be deserving of other people's time and admiration, one should really have made more of an impact during the course of a full year than the one left behind on my office chair from my ass! So, YES, I am a big grouch this year, and I know that my terrific husband and lovely daughters will do their best to make my day special tomorrow - but the fact remains that life is what you make of it - if you let a year slip by without making your world a better place - then all a birthday really is, is a celebration of space taken up on the planet.
Thankfully, I am too antisocial to do the facebook or twitter thing, so I will not have to feel the false love of all my "friends" who send birthday wishes to everyone on their friend list. The only thing worse than being treated like something special when it is completely unwarranted by your family, is having a bunch of insincere well wishes from people who don't even know you. So if you don't know me, but for some strange reason, you are still reading this, don't bother to say "happy birthday you old grouch" because I won't care!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011
Call out for Outdoor Stories and Road Food Recipes
Happy Halloween to kids everywhere! This morning us lucky Calgarians were treated to snow! Certainly not as bad as in Eastern Canada and USA, but SNOW just the same! So in honour of the snow, I am having a lovely glass of red while waiting for trick or treaters to dare show up on my doorstep...and planning my Christmas Charity giving. Yes it is the time of year when I carefully choose a "good cause" and manipulate my staff into proving to the world that even salespeople and mechanics can do something to make something else better - somewhere....
Traditionally, I've adopted families - buying gifts and wrapping them, as well as shopping for all of the holiday food and decorations - We've collected for the food bank; given significant discounts to our customers for donating warm jackets to Coats for Kids; dragged the staff with me to serve hot barbeque meals to the homeless; and given paid time off to staff to fullfill their own charitable obligations. What an I going to do this year???
Well, with the announcement of the global population hitting a whopping 8 billion bodies competing for the same resourses, I've decided to to focus my financial energy on the conservation of Alberta's natural spaces and species. My inner Darwin is having a bit of a panic attack. I have only procreated twice - and I'm feeling guilty about that! Worse than that, I'm actually worried that the air and water will be too contaminated for my little angels to procreate themselves. I know - that's exactly what my long haired, dope smoking hippie freak parents were saying in the 60's - and look at me, giving them grandchildren - but have things really improved??? It seems that with every electric car produced, another freshwater source is being contaminated - these may or may not be related - that's for you to decide. But I digress - I will get to the point.
I have decided to compile a fun little book filled with trip tales, road wranglings and noshes in nowhere submitted by my fellow motorcyclists, ATVers, hunters, snowmobilers and tree huggers. Through work and the various conservation groups I belong to, there are so many fun stories and fantastic road recipes out there for the sharing. I am sharing this with you readers for 2 reasons: first, by putting this "out there" I am hoping to create some accountability for myself - as I am natorious for not completing things; and secondly to solicit some advise about doing this kind of thing. I'm a newbbie. My first decision needs to be about where to send the profits - I'm leaning towards Calgary Wildwings chapter of Delta Waterfowl. So, any words of wisdom are gratefully accepted, and any submissions will be a great start.
I know - 6 weeks is not enough time to raise money for Christmas giving by publishing a book - so I will be dragging everyone I know to some type of socially accepted holiday fundraiser - this year - but next year I will be asking anyone who will listen to buy the fantastic new book filled with stories of environmental stewardship and road kill recipes - oh sorry, that's killer road recipes!
Let me know that this is important to you too - submit something!
Traditionally, I've adopted families - buying gifts and wrapping them, as well as shopping for all of the holiday food and decorations - We've collected for the food bank; given significant discounts to our customers for donating warm jackets to Coats for Kids; dragged the staff with me to serve hot barbeque meals to the homeless; and given paid time off to staff to fullfill their own charitable obligations. What an I going to do this year???
Well, with the announcement of the global population hitting a whopping 8 billion bodies competing for the same resourses, I've decided to to focus my financial energy on the conservation of Alberta's natural spaces and species. My inner Darwin is having a bit of a panic attack. I have only procreated twice - and I'm feeling guilty about that! Worse than that, I'm actually worried that the air and water will be too contaminated for my little angels to procreate themselves. I know - that's exactly what my long haired, dope smoking hippie freak parents were saying in the 60's - and look at me, giving them grandchildren - but have things really improved??? It seems that with every electric car produced, another freshwater source is being contaminated - these may or may not be related - that's for you to decide. But I digress - I will get to the point.
I have decided to compile a fun little book filled with trip tales, road wranglings and noshes in nowhere submitted by my fellow motorcyclists, ATVers, hunters, snowmobilers and tree huggers. Through work and the various conservation groups I belong to, there are so many fun stories and fantastic road recipes out there for the sharing. I am sharing this with you readers for 2 reasons: first, by putting this "out there" I am hoping to create some accountability for myself - as I am natorious for not completing things; and secondly to solicit some advise about doing this kind of thing. I'm a newbbie. My first decision needs to be about where to send the profits - I'm leaning towards Calgary Wildwings chapter of Delta Waterfowl. So, any words of wisdom are gratefully accepted, and any submissions will be a great start.
I know - 6 weeks is not enough time to raise money for Christmas giving by publishing a book - so I will be dragging everyone I know to some type of socially accepted holiday fundraiser - this year - but next year I will be asking anyone who will listen to buy the fantastic new book filled with stories of environmental stewardship and road kill recipes - oh sorry, that's killer road recipes!
Let me know that this is important to you too - submit something!
Friday, 30 September 2011
Beware the Calgary Bikers
The weather here in Calgary has been absolutely perfect for the month of Sept. So perfect in fact, that the pedal pushers and hog hoppers have been weaving their way through city streets with the reckless abandon of a new spring day. I admire those who have the will and the time to bike into downtown every day, and I certainly appreciate the eco benefits of the motorcyclists who are able to stay on the road as long as possible during the short riding season in Calgary, BUT what is with the crazy riding this month??? It is as if "for the month of Sept, the rules of the road do not apply to the Green People" and they have full reign of all the lanes of traffic and completely control the shoulder. Traffic lights and signs simply do not apply to someone who is oobviously is top physical form and should not be required to stop - or even yield. Motorcyclists suddenly are allowed to jump red lights, weave through the centre lane and run full throttle up any patch of clear traffic. Did I miss that memo??? I might be extra sensitive to this subject as the Mom of two kids who have to be driven to two different schools every morning. During our 45 min morning commute, we encounter countless traffic violations by both pedal and motor bikers, as the bright morning sun is blinding us and we are trying our best to avoid offending any pedestrians we encounter on the roads. WHY ARE YOU BIKERS TAKING YOUR LIVES FOR GRANTED AND MAKING US COMMUTERS MISERABLE!!???
I am an employee of a local power sports dealership, and do my best to preach the "safety first" philosophy to all types of riders. What kind of message are we giving our children by riding recklessly and not wearing the proper safety equipment while doing so?? The other day, after talking to parents about safe riding and feeling like I might have made a difference - even if it is small - I was about to turn left at a set of traffic lights. As I start my turn, a motor biker suddenly whips by me on the left side, completely freaking me out and almost causing an accident. He works for me!!! I couldn't believe it! After a day of working together, selling bikes and safety equipment, our own employee is one of the bike demons on the road - giving all of us undue stress! Well - as Karma has it - less than a week later, my friend is in the hospital with a messed up leg from a bike accident. I'm not saying this particular incident was his fault, in fact, I don't think it was, but I'm wondering about the poor motorist who was involved. Did this person even see my friend? Was my friend taking unnecessary risks on the road at the time? You know the motorist is going to be charged at fault with this, but how much fault was really his??? Now my friend is off work. Everyone at work is very sad about what has happened - we are all sympathetic - we all care. At the same time, we are all overworked because we are picking up his shifts and trying to make due while holding his job for him until he returns. Yesterday, another motorcyclist did the same thing to my elderly Dad. I was in the car, so I know first hand how this moron affected our day! My Dad had his signal light on to merge into the left turn lane - he checks his mirror and (with some difficulty) shoulder checks - then, as he starts his merge, a rude Harley Hog screams by him on the left and has the nerve to give my poor father the finger!!! Of all the nerve! What good did that do to anyone? We caught up with this idiot at the next red light and I gave him a piece of my mind (to the mortification of my daughter!). My Dad could have hit him and tarnished his 79 year old perfect driving record, because naturally, he would have been at fault.... WHY?? Since when did "Share the Road" become give complete right of way to the sanctimonious idiots who think they own it?
As an employee of a bike shop I would like to plead to the Calgary Bikers to help us all stay safe on the congested, nerve fraying roads, and for heaven's sake - please start setting a better example for the next generation of bikers out there! Some of you are really ruining the sport for everyone and clearly have a superiority complex when it comes to owning the road. I could go on for a lot longer - maybe I will in future blogs, but before I end this, I want to Thank those riders out there who ARE riding with care and respecting the rules that we all have to live by. I'll bet you decent riders are just as frustrated as I am with these road hogs, and are tired of the daily hastles of dealing with them too.
Please push for more rider accountability and a sharper focus on regulating and enforcing traffic laws as they pertain to bikers. I don't care how many carbon credits you are adding up by riding to work everyday, when you could have added your own carbon footprint smeared along the pavement because you really are just an idiot - of course the car driver would be a fault - right..
I am an employee of a local power sports dealership, and do my best to preach the "safety first" philosophy to all types of riders. What kind of message are we giving our children by riding recklessly and not wearing the proper safety equipment while doing so?? The other day, after talking to parents about safe riding and feeling like I might have made a difference - even if it is small - I was about to turn left at a set of traffic lights. As I start my turn, a motor biker suddenly whips by me on the left side, completely freaking me out and almost causing an accident. He works for me!!! I couldn't believe it! After a day of working together, selling bikes and safety equipment, our own employee is one of the bike demons on the road - giving all of us undue stress! Well - as Karma has it - less than a week later, my friend is in the hospital with a messed up leg from a bike accident. I'm not saying this particular incident was his fault, in fact, I don't think it was, but I'm wondering about the poor motorist who was involved. Did this person even see my friend? Was my friend taking unnecessary risks on the road at the time? You know the motorist is going to be charged at fault with this, but how much fault was really his??? Now my friend is off work. Everyone at work is very sad about what has happened - we are all sympathetic - we all care. At the same time, we are all overworked because we are picking up his shifts and trying to make due while holding his job for him until he returns. Yesterday, another motorcyclist did the same thing to my elderly Dad. I was in the car, so I know first hand how this moron affected our day! My Dad had his signal light on to merge into the left turn lane - he checks his mirror and (with some difficulty) shoulder checks - then, as he starts his merge, a rude Harley Hog screams by him on the left and has the nerve to give my poor father the finger!!! Of all the nerve! What good did that do to anyone? We caught up with this idiot at the next red light and I gave him a piece of my mind (to the mortification of my daughter!). My Dad could have hit him and tarnished his 79 year old perfect driving record, because naturally, he would have been at fault.... WHY?? Since when did "Share the Road" become give complete right of way to the sanctimonious idiots who think they own it?
As an employee of a bike shop I would like to plead to the Calgary Bikers to help us all stay safe on the congested, nerve fraying roads, and for heaven's sake - please start setting a better example for the next generation of bikers out there! Some of you are really ruining the sport for everyone and clearly have a superiority complex when it comes to owning the road. I could go on for a lot longer - maybe I will in future blogs, but before I end this, I want to Thank those riders out there who ARE riding with care and respecting the rules that we all have to live by. I'll bet you decent riders are just as frustrated as I am with these road hogs, and are tired of the daily hastles of dealing with them too.
Please push for more rider accountability and a sharper focus on regulating and enforcing traffic laws as they pertain to bikers. I don't care how many carbon credits you are adding up by riding to work everyday, when you could have added your own carbon footprint smeared along the pavement because you really are just an idiot - of course the car driver would be a fault - right..
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