LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): The sun at the career angle of your chart, allied to Uranus, planet of surprises, means that new opportunities are heading your way, so be ready for them. If you expect the unexpected over the next few days you won't go far wrong, and come the new moon on Saturday you'll be on the up escalator to success!
P.S. I got the job! WOO HOO!!! :)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Stupid Stupid Stupid
I stopped in the grocery store last night after work and headed towards the produce section so I could buy some Granny Smith apples. I suddenly realized there was this woman there, feeling up the empire apples with one hand, while holding her cellphone to her ear with the other. Her cart was blocking my access to the apples, so I said "Excuse me".
Nothing.
"Excuse Me!"
Again, nothing.
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
Finally she turns around and tells me that she is trying to stop all the apples from rolling on the floor (but she's only using one hand).
So I said, "Maybe if you put your cellphone down, you could use both hands."
"Oh no! I just HAVE to talk to my friend Joanne!!!"
She eventually moved her cart and I was able to choose some apples. As I left the store some time later, she was still wandering around, with an empty cart, but finally off the phone. I guess whatever earth shattering crisis she and Joanne simply HAD to solve was over and the world was again as it should be.
Nothing.
"Excuse Me!"
Again, nothing.
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
Finally she turns around and tells me that she is trying to stop all the apples from rolling on the floor (but she's only using one hand).
So I said, "Maybe if you put your cellphone down, you could use both hands."
"Oh no! I just HAVE to talk to my friend Joanne!!!"
She eventually moved her cart and I was able to choose some apples. As I left the store some time later, she was still wandering around, with an empty cart, but finally off the phone. I guess whatever earth shattering crisis she and Joanne simply HAD to solve was over and the world was again as it should be.
Monday, July 09, 2007
The Procession
On our way back from out of town last night, Rob happened to turn on the radio to the news/weather/traffic station and we were informed that the Don Valley Parkway was closed for "The Procession". My stomach contracted as the reality of what those two words meant. The latest six fallen Canadian soldiers were on their way from a repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton, after being received by their loved ones, to the Coroner's Office here in downtown Toronto. This has been the protocol for all of our dead, once they have been returned from the field.
We were almost home when I turned to Rob and said that I would like to see it, if possible. We headed up to Bloor Street, with the hopes of making our way to the bridge spanning the Parkway. As we made the turn towards the intersection, I could see the flashing lights of police cruisers and an officer with his flourescent green traffic vest stopping all traffic on Church Street, while directing the dwindling traffic on Bloor Street onto nearby side streets. The guys in the car beside me asked what was going on and after I explained it to them, the passenger in the car said, "So you mean we're just going to have to sit here until its over?" I gave him a rather terse "Yes".
Finally, there was no traffic and at Rob's suggestion, I got out of the car and walked to the corner. People were out strolling, enjoying the hot summer evening, their faces showing confusion as to why one of the largest streets in downtown Toronto had suddenly grown eerily quiet, police and flashing lights all around them. I think they sensed something important was happening but I doubt any of them really knew the significance of the moment. I distinctly heard the crackle of a walkie talkie on the belt of the officer nearest to me and a voice say, "They are at Castlefrank." This is the exit from the DVP to Bloor Street.
Suddenly the quiet of the night was broken by the sound of sirens and the officers all around us snapped to attention, saluting the empty street. The lights from three police motorcycles approached us from the east and as Rob joined me on the corner, I grabbed his hand with my left hand and put my right hand over my heart as the first of the six hearses came into view. I was expecting them but it was still a shock to see them so close. Tears rolled down my face when I realized how many dark limos were following them for I knew they were filled with the families and friends of the fallen. They seemed to stretch on forever.
As suddenly as it began, it was over. Rob and I made out way back to the car and I noticed that the passengers in the cars all around us were quiet. Within minutes, the cops were gone, the traffic was moving and it was if the moment never happened. To my mind, the ultimate sacrifice paid by these young men, along with their families, and the thousands of men who came before them, should be honoured daily as a reminder to all of us to treasure this country and the riches found in our everyday lives.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Canada Day in the U.S.A.
We went to Columbus, Ohio this past weekend to see an old friend of Rob's. It was fun because we flew on Saturday afternoon as opposed to sitting in traffic for hours on Friday after work, trying to get to the border at Buffalo, so we could wait in line at Customs with a bazillion other Canadians trying to get into the States, while a bazillion Americans tried to get into Canada. Flying is much more civilized, even when you have to be bussed from Terminal 1 to a much smaller terminal and get on a Dash 8 (can you say prop plane?) with 15 other people. And although I am a pilot's daughter, I still get nervous flying and I still suffer from motion sickness. Like a 4-year-old, I have to take Gravol or I will barf everywhere. *sigh*
So what is there to do in Columbus, Ohio you ask? Not much except eat and drink with my new American friends. Our hostess invited over her niece and nephew-in-law who, as it turns out, were also born in 1958. So I kept referring to them as "my peeps". As much as I usually hate using current vernacular, this seemed somewhat fitting since we were all a mere two months apart in age. But I learned that the world of a teenager growing up in Columbus, Ohio is much, much different than growing up in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Columbus is ruled by football; Ohio State football to be exact, and the biggest and brightest achievement for a young woman in the late 1970s was to be accepted to the male-dominated Ohio State Marching Band. I think my biggest achievement was not being arrested for drinking under age. Vive la difference, eh!
And then we went shopping. Rob had never been to Target (we call it "Tar-ZZZEAY") and was not sure what to expect. He got into the groove with a pair of $15 jeans and a 5' x 8' Jute carpet for $80. I bought two tops, four pieces of work out wear (ostensibly to provide me with the impetus to work out -- HAHA!), and a Chihuahua fridge magnet (don't ask). Then we hit Kohl’s. I bought a beach cover up and a skirt and a white cowboy hat (don’t ask AGAIN). Rob bought dryer balls for the condo in PV and spent the rest of the afternoon talking about his “blue balls” (insert rolling eyes icon here).
We saved the best for last: Filene’s Basement. I’m afraid to admit that I made a bit of a fool of myself in the shoe department. I started “ooo-ing” and “ah-ing” so loud at the Italian shoes, Rob had to leave me and go to the men’s wear department. After drooling all over the $400 (ON SALE!) European imports, I settled for a pair of Franco Sarto’s for only $60 and a linen suit for $70. Rob got a gorgeous blue silk Bill Blass jacket and a yummy Nautica terry robe for only $20. I almost forgot that we made a quick trip to Macy's on Monday after brunch. It was my first time EVER in a Macy's. I think it is comparable to The Bay in Canada. I bought a gorgeous red silk sweater (spotted on the sales rack by My Beloved) for only $15. The sales clerk seemed fascinated when we told her we were visiting from Canada. :)
When it came time to pack, I knew we were in trouble when I looked at the bags and bags and BAGS of stuff we bought, compared to our two rather smallish suitcases. Rob packed his stuff and after looking at the suitcase, I took it all out to start over. After moving back and forth to Mexico a couple of times, I feel that I am an expert on packing lots of stuff into smallish spaces! I showed him the concept of rolling clothes and managed to fit everything (except the carpet) in our two suitcases.
We carried on our pillows and my ridiculous cowboy hat (which is now residing in the back of the Merc, waiting for our next “topless driving experience”). Rob thoughtfully suggested I buy the hat (and to be fair, he wanted to pay for it) so that when we’re in the convertible this summer, I won’t complain so much about the heat and the sun beating down on my unprotected head. He thinks I look adorable in it so I guess I will wear it just to see his sweet, goofy grin when I do.
So what is there to do in Columbus, Ohio you ask? Not much except eat and drink with my new American friends. Our hostess invited over her niece and nephew-in-law who, as it turns out, were also born in 1958. So I kept referring to them as "my peeps". As much as I usually hate using current vernacular, this seemed somewhat fitting since we were all a mere two months apart in age. But I learned that the world of a teenager growing up in Columbus, Ohio is much, much different than growing up in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Columbus is ruled by football; Ohio State football to be exact, and the biggest and brightest achievement for a young woman in the late 1970s was to be accepted to the male-dominated Ohio State Marching Band. I think my biggest achievement was not being arrested for drinking under age. Vive la difference, eh!
And then we went shopping. Rob had never been to Target (we call it "Tar-ZZZEAY") and was not sure what to expect. He got into the groove with a pair of $15 jeans and a 5' x 8' Jute carpet for $80. I bought two tops, four pieces of work out wear (ostensibly to provide me with the impetus to work out -- HAHA!), and a Chihuahua fridge magnet (don't ask). Then we hit Kohl’s. I bought a beach cover up and a skirt and a white cowboy hat (don’t ask AGAIN). Rob bought dryer balls for the condo in PV and spent the rest of the afternoon talking about his “blue balls” (insert rolling eyes icon here).
We saved the best for last: Filene’s Basement. I’m afraid to admit that I made a bit of a fool of myself in the shoe department. I started “ooo-ing” and “ah-ing” so loud at the Italian shoes, Rob had to leave me and go to the men’s wear department. After drooling all over the $400 (ON SALE!) European imports, I settled for a pair of Franco Sarto’s for only $60 and a linen suit for $70. Rob got a gorgeous blue silk Bill Blass jacket and a yummy Nautica terry robe for only $20. I almost forgot that we made a quick trip to Macy's on Monday after brunch. It was my first time EVER in a Macy's. I think it is comparable to The Bay in Canada. I bought a gorgeous red silk sweater (spotted on the sales rack by My Beloved) for only $15. The sales clerk seemed fascinated when we told her we were visiting from Canada. :)
When it came time to pack, I knew we were in trouble when I looked at the bags and bags and BAGS of stuff we bought, compared to our two rather smallish suitcases. Rob packed his stuff and after looking at the suitcase, I took it all out to start over. After moving back and forth to Mexico a couple of times, I feel that I am an expert on packing lots of stuff into smallish spaces! I showed him the concept of rolling clothes and managed to fit everything (except the carpet) in our two suitcases.
We carried on our pillows and my ridiculous cowboy hat (which is now residing in the back of the Merc, waiting for our next “topless driving experience”). Rob thoughtfully suggested I buy the hat (and to be fair, he wanted to pay for it) so that when we’re in the convertible this summer, I won’t complain so much about the heat and the sun beating down on my unprotected head. He thinks I look adorable in it so I guess I will wear it just to see his sweet, goofy grin when I do.
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