Well, it's that time - the time to jump on the bandwagon (and live up to the title of my blog) and post my many reflective "musings" regarding the ups and downs of the past year and my hopes and goals for the next. I don't really enjoy jumping onto bandwagons as such, but I can see why all of this list-making and reflecting is going on, as it's the start of a new year - essentially a turning point in time, or a starting point from which to begin again depending on how you look at it.
In any case, I suppose my mind is as ripe with reflection as the next person's at this time (though really my mind is like this pretty much on a daily basis regardless of the date on the calendar). I can safely say that 2009 was one of the most tumultuous years of my life to date - I experienced a few large life changes which left me reeling (in good and bad ways) but also taught me invaluable lessons about life and myself. I hate to sound so cheesy but sometimes the truth really IS cheesy.
I've been stressed, sad, tired, excited and reckless. Many people have left my life and a few others have entered it. I definitely feel that my personality and attitude has changed - I've become more confident, more independent (who would have thought THAT was possible?!), more patient, and more self-aware. I feel as though I'm being carried into 2010 on a positive wave, stemming from these changes in my awareness and psyche. And that makes me happy. And hopeful. I've realized there is a lot that I don't know but that's ok, and I've realized that I am a very lucky person with a life that I'm 99% very happy about and grateful for. And it's a life that I've built for myself and I'm proud of myself for that.
I could go on and on waxing poetic about all of the specific achievements and events from the past year and essentially put my entire personal life ala the past 12 months up for scrutiny to the entire interwebs, but I've always been more of a "big picture" person so I'm settling for the posting of a few general impressions from the year that speak to me most.
I could also go on and on with specificity (is that a word, because if not it should be!) about the NEXT 12 months and all the things I plan to do but if I've learned anything in the past few years it's that you never know what's coming around the corner and all you can really do is make assumptions, dream and hope. I certainly have hopes, dreams and obligations for the next year already in my head - eating better (I know everyone says they should do this and I'm notorious for not being able to stick with this, but I REALLY need to!) working hard at the last 6 mths of my job, watching and helping my best friend get married, take a trip or a class or two (or 5), and possibly make my first move away - but regardless of what happens or doesn't, I'm confident that this will be the most exciting year yet. Because I'm going to make it that way. Or at least try to.
For the most part, I'm just going to try to take life one day at a time, not stress or worry more than I need to, be as outgoing as I can even if it scares the shit out of me, help others more, procrastinate less, and tell and show the people I care about how much I love them as much as I can. Perhaps these are silly, lofty, unrealistic goals and I will probably forget about them by the time Valentine's Day rolls around, but I figure it's the intention that matters and it's a good place to start!
Happy New Year to you and yours - I hope you are as excited by this new year as I am and that at least some of your hopes and dreams come true for you.
Some milestones of this year:
> Moved in to my first apartment (and moved in with a boyfriend)
> Adopted my brother's cat
> Bought furniture for the first time ever
> Was let go from a job and was unemployed for the first time ever (and coincidentally my first job after graduating from University)
> Had my first ever dinner party
> Became single again for the first time in a year and a half
> Took my first ever business trip
> Went back to the Tattoo choir after a 2 yr hiatus
> Had an article published in a local magazine & published my first public newsletter
> Bought a new laptop
> Met new friends, lost old ones, rediscovered and cultivated my love for writing, ate at a lot of restaurants, drank a lot of coffee, went to a lot of movies and concerts, laughed and cried, and most of all learned, grew and gained confidence and clarity.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Taking Things Personally
Is it just me or is everyone in the world taking things more and more personally these days?
A growing wave of individualism and personal expression has been sweeping in slowly for the past few years, but it seems ever since this pesky recession everyone keeps talking about, the wave has grown into a full-blown tsunami. Everywhere you go there are initials scattered on everything from necklaces to notebooks, and customizable everything.
You can build your own computer at http://www.dell.ca/ and include as few or as many snazzy specifications you can think of to suit your everyday needs. Jean "bars", such as https://thebluesjeanbar.com/ allow you to order from a "menu" of brands, styles, washes and sizes just as you would order a martini at a downtown hotspot. Ralph Lauren's Rugby label offers shoppers a multitude of shapes and vintage patches to construct their own Rugby shirts http://www.rugby.com/makeyourown/?ab=topnav_myo (so you can achieve that varsity-cool look of a campus jock even if you don't know the difference between a "ruck" and a "maul"). And it's safe to say most of us have walked by that suburban mall staple and little kid lure "Build a Bear" at some point in our lives and gawked in the windows (if they ever come up with a Coco Chanel or Lady Gaga bear, I might be lured in myself).
Anyone with two feet and a heartbeat (and the desire to be an individual) can design and/or purchase anything they could possibly want exactly to their personal specifications. There has been a resurgence (in these economically uncertain months) in DIY - crafting, cooking (and with local food), and working at home/freelance jobs. All of these activities involve an element of personalization and smack of a desire to get back in touch with our "true" selves. People are not just spending time and money helter-skelter - they are thinking about the impact of what they do on themselves (short/long term), their families, and their neighbourhood. Plus, there is a reason that haute couture is still alive and well even though the economy is not, social networking systems such as Facebook and Twitter are growing exponentially each day, and there seems to be an iPhone app for just about anything (including the Ralph Lauren Make Your Own Rubgy, by the way).
I find this to be a very interesting phenomenon in a society which, arguably, in many ways is becoming more and more homogeneous. With technology advancing at warp speed, we have access to any information we could possibly want at the touch of a button, and as a result our lives are easier but also in a way more complicated. This advancement is also eliminating some of the need and desire for personal interaction, and self-sufficiency.
So, perhaps this wave of personalization is a counter-point to these changes in society - a life preserver for those struggling to stay afloat in the enormous flood of consumer messages and information out there, particularly with the advent of the Internet. Perhaps, we are looking for ways to carve our own niche within the madness and make ourselves known in a world that is becoming less and less personal - a form of protest and a coping mechanism all in one.When it comes right down to it, I feel most humans are simply looking to be understood and to understand in life, and this is what drives us toward personalization. We just want to find meaning in what we do.
I find this trend simultaneously worrisome (in terms of it being proof of our society's decline) and exciting. But, as someone who has always been attracted to and supportive of people and trends outside the mainstream, I plan on riding this wave for a little while. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a bear to build with its own special rugby shirt and jeans and I need to post it to my Facebook page ASAP.
A growing wave of individualism and personal expression has been sweeping in slowly for the past few years, but it seems ever since this pesky recession everyone keeps talking about, the wave has grown into a full-blown tsunami. Everywhere you go there are initials scattered on everything from necklaces to notebooks, and customizable everything.
You can build your own computer at http://www.dell.ca/ and include as few or as many snazzy specifications you can think of to suit your everyday needs. Jean "bars", such as https://thebluesjeanbar.com/ allow you to order from a "menu" of brands, styles, washes and sizes just as you would order a martini at a downtown hotspot. Ralph Lauren's Rugby label offers shoppers a multitude of shapes and vintage patches to construct their own Rugby shirts http://www.rugby.com/makeyourown/?ab=topnav_myo (so you can achieve that varsity-cool look of a campus jock even if you don't know the difference between a "ruck" and a "maul"). And it's safe to say most of us have walked by that suburban mall staple and little kid lure "Build a Bear" at some point in our lives and gawked in the windows (if they ever come up with a Coco Chanel or Lady Gaga bear, I might be lured in myself).
Anyone with two feet and a heartbeat (and the desire to be an individual) can design and/or purchase anything they could possibly want exactly to their personal specifications. There has been a resurgence (in these economically uncertain months) in DIY - crafting, cooking (and with local food), and working at home/freelance jobs. All of these activities involve an element of personalization and smack of a desire to get back in touch with our "true" selves. People are not just spending time and money helter-skelter - they are thinking about the impact of what they do on themselves (short/long term), their families, and their neighbourhood. Plus, there is a reason that haute couture is still alive and well even though the economy is not, social networking systems such as Facebook and Twitter are growing exponentially each day, and there seems to be an iPhone app for just about anything (including the Ralph Lauren Make Your Own Rubgy, by the way).
I find this to be a very interesting phenomenon in a society which, arguably, in many ways is becoming more and more homogeneous. With technology advancing at warp speed, we have access to any information we could possibly want at the touch of a button, and as a result our lives are easier but also in a way more complicated. This advancement is also eliminating some of the need and desire for personal interaction, and self-sufficiency.
So, perhaps this wave of personalization is a counter-point to these changes in society - a life preserver for those struggling to stay afloat in the enormous flood of consumer messages and information out there, particularly with the advent of the Internet. Perhaps, we are looking for ways to carve our own niche within the madness and make ourselves known in a world that is becoming less and less personal - a form of protest and a coping mechanism all in one.When it comes right down to it, I feel most humans are simply looking to be understood and to understand in life, and this is what drives us toward personalization. We just want to find meaning in what we do.
I find this trend simultaneously worrisome (in terms of it being proof of our society's decline) and exciting. But, as someone who has always been attracted to and supportive of people and trends outside the mainstream, I plan on riding this wave for a little while. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a bear to build with its own special rugby shirt and jeans and I need to post it to my Facebook page ASAP.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Summer Lovin', had me a blast
Well, the time has come; the end of summer. Or at least the end of August, which is pretty much the same thing. School supplies are in the stores (and parents and kids are out in droves buying them), tweeds and sweaters are filling the clothing stores along with thick coats that make one cold just to look at them. Even the weather seems to have turned Fall-ish in the past week or two with rain, cloud and chilly mornings becoming the daily norm (though today it was a lovely and unexpected 22 degrees and sunny!). It's all rather depressing. Even though I don't have to go back to school (thank god), I do have to start saying byebye to shorts, sandals, bare legs, beach trips, patios, and watch as the days get darker earlier and earlier.
*SIGH*
Oh well, it had to end sometime. And I can take solace in the fact that, despite a few personal hiccups near the beginning, this summer has been very enjoyable and full of some fun experiences. Herewith, my list of my 10 favourite experiences of this, the Summer of 2009 (not necessarily in any particular order):
1. NS International Tattoo - I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy being part of the adult choir again after a 2 year hiatus, but I was SO glad I went back in the end. I made some new friends, caught up with existing ones, sang some beautiful music, attended a pumping piper party with impromptu performances from many talented musicians, including a fife and drum band from Massachussetts, drank copious amounts of tea, and laughed til my cheeks hurt. Despite a slight swine flu spread towards the end (which, luckily, I managed to side-step), it was a wonderful experience and I can't wait until next year. (This experience gets special props for keeping me busy enough to ignore personal problems going on back at home and putting them out of my mind.)
2. I finally got to Taboo nightclub, which I had been wanting to get to since it opened. Verdict: Not as nice as I had hyped it in my head, but still fun. Plans to go back in future and this time under the guise of the "Sex and the City" party package, or something similar.
3. Joyce - This person gets her own category, simply because she was so lovely, and because we had various experiences with her. This 27 year old TESL student from Taiwan lived with my mom for 4 months until July - we introduced her to lobster and scallops, the Valley and pet cats and she introduced us to the wonderful industriousness, thoughtfulness and graciousness of her Asian culture. A package containing Taiwanese noodles, crackers, spices and cute chopsticks in their own little woven, multicoloured sleeves that arrived recently served to further cement the admiration.
4. Even though I didn't have tickets to the Paul McCartney concert (F*#K ME!!), I still managed to see him perform....well, sort of. I got to hear him anyway - there wasn't so much "seeing" considering we were standing clandestinely on the outside of the fence with all of the other stupid morons that didn't think far enough ahead to get themselves INSIDE said fence. I didn't mind - I got to hear him perform all of my favourite hits, including a rousing, power-pyro version of Live and Let Die (one of the best!) and got to absorb a little bit of the wonderful feeling of harmony and happiness that seemed to surround the concert site that night. Sir Paul, indeed.
5. I'm probably a huge dork for citing a friend's rather informal house-warming party as one of the highlights of my summer, but alas. Not only did I meet some fun, friendly new people, drink many Coronas (bliss!) and catch up with the lovely hostess, but I got to explore the most eccentric, charming house ever (opium den! magic trick room! cat doors to the basement! leopard print bathroom!) and had my first ride on a Vespa. As a result, I've developed a love for scooters that I can't afford to mollify. However, it's an idea that's in the back of my mind for next year....and besides, if I ever feel the need for a ride, I can give Justin a call!
6. We vacation in PEI every year, but this year was especially enjoyable, particularly because it was sunny and hot EVERY DAY the week we were there. Considering it was rainy and cloudy every day last year, this was a great blessing. What's better than sitting on the beach, sand on one's feet, flipping through an engrossing book and/or thick, summer issue of the latest fashion magazine, baking one's skin and occasionally taking a stroll down to the water for a refreshing, cooling swim in the Northumberland Strait? Not much, I say...
7. I'd be lying if I said I'd like to take up pole dancing tomorrow (as a career OR pasttime...for one, it would be rather hard to do this anyway as long as your body resembles that of a round pear with stubby sausages sticking out of it) but I still had fun trying it out for a friend's bachelorette party. Say what you will about it, but my arms were sore the next day, and ya know, it kinda made me feel a little bit sexy (in an awkward, uncoordinated sort of way).
8. The Breakfast Club al fresco - two good friends, free popcorn and pop, Freak Lunchbox candy, 80's cult movie goodness...that's all I have to say about that.
9. It was rather irritating to have an entire weekend's plans (Upper Clements Park, Whale Watching, road trip) ruined by Hurricane Bill (or what turned out to be Way Over-Hyped Bill), but the weekend still turned out fun with a trip to a friend's cottage. We had a lovely Fri evening/Saturday morning and afternoon on or in the water and came away with rather harsh sunburns (which, let's be honest, are always the hallmark of a good cottage trip, wouldn't you agree?). Again, more catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a while, pigging out on chips and candy, and general enjoyment.
10. The aforementioned cottage trip was followed by an impromptu jaunt to the Halifax waterfront to see Sons of Maxwell perform (Don is the boyfriend of a friend of mine so we were playing Groupie) a fun, energetic set at Nuts4Ribs (a fundraiser to raise awareness for testicular cancer), including the United Guitar Song that has pretty much made Dave Carroll a household name. I was filled with pride for the MSVU PR program (my alma mater) after listening to a funny one-minute rap by one student about the fundraiser and it's goals ("nuts, balls, testicles, if you don't check em you could lose em, so give your doctor a call!"), and reading the various promotional signs that they designed (my personal favourite, "Grab Your Meat"). I was glad to see that the profs are still pushing envelopes and opening students' minds over at the Mount.
Of course, I had many more experiences this summer, big and small, but these are some of the most memorable. More than anything, this summer was an awakening of sorts for me - mentally and emotionally, and in positive AND negative ways. I intend on carrying this attitude on into the Fall - some plans include fitness classes at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, returning to Dartmouth Choral Society, attending various Fall events (including the launch of a new local fashion magazine I had the privilege of writing an article for, Atlantic Film Fest, Word on the Street, NS Food & Wine Fest, Valley Pumpkin Fest, etc etc...so many events, so little time and money!!), and continuing to get back in touch with myself and what feeds my soul.
Summer isn't quite over yet though, so perhaps I'll have more things to add to this list in the coming weeks. Summer days driftin' away...but I take solace in the fact that they will become Fall days and ah-oh those Fa-a-all nights.
*SIGH*
Oh well, it had to end sometime. And I can take solace in the fact that, despite a few personal hiccups near the beginning, this summer has been very enjoyable and full of some fun experiences. Herewith, my list of my 10 favourite experiences of this, the Summer of 2009 (not necessarily in any particular order):
1. NS International Tattoo - I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy being part of the adult choir again after a 2 year hiatus, but I was SO glad I went back in the end. I made some new friends, caught up with existing ones, sang some beautiful music, attended a pumping piper party with impromptu performances from many talented musicians, including a fife and drum band from Massachussetts, drank copious amounts of tea, and laughed til my cheeks hurt. Despite a slight swine flu spread towards the end (which, luckily, I managed to side-step), it was a wonderful experience and I can't wait until next year. (This experience gets special props for keeping me busy enough to ignore personal problems going on back at home and putting them out of my mind.)
2. I finally got to Taboo nightclub, which I had been wanting to get to since it opened. Verdict: Not as nice as I had hyped it in my head, but still fun. Plans to go back in future and this time under the guise of the "Sex and the City" party package, or something similar.
3. Joyce - This person gets her own category, simply because she was so lovely, and because we had various experiences with her. This 27 year old TESL student from Taiwan lived with my mom for 4 months until July - we introduced her to lobster and scallops, the Valley and pet cats and she introduced us to the wonderful industriousness, thoughtfulness and graciousness of her Asian culture. A package containing Taiwanese noodles, crackers, spices and cute chopsticks in their own little woven, multicoloured sleeves that arrived recently served to further cement the admiration.
4. Even though I didn't have tickets to the Paul McCartney concert (F*#K ME!!), I still managed to see him perform....well, sort of. I got to hear him anyway - there wasn't so much "seeing" considering we were standing clandestinely on the outside of the fence with all of the other stupid morons that didn't think far enough ahead to get themselves INSIDE said fence. I didn't mind - I got to hear him perform all of my favourite hits, including a rousing, power-pyro version of Live and Let Die (one of the best!) and got to absorb a little bit of the wonderful feeling of harmony and happiness that seemed to surround the concert site that night. Sir Paul, indeed.
5. I'm probably a huge dork for citing a friend's rather informal house-warming party as one of the highlights of my summer, but alas. Not only did I meet some fun, friendly new people, drink many Coronas (bliss!) and catch up with the lovely hostess, but I got to explore the most eccentric, charming house ever (opium den! magic trick room! cat doors to the basement! leopard print bathroom!) and had my first ride on a Vespa. As a result, I've developed a love for scooters that I can't afford to mollify. However, it's an idea that's in the back of my mind for next year....and besides, if I ever feel the need for a ride, I can give Justin a call!
6. We vacation in PEI every year, but this year was especially enjoyable, particularly because it was sunny and hot EVERY DAY the week we were there. Considering it was rainy and cloudy every day last year, this was a great blessing. What's better than sitting on the beach, sand on one's feet, flipping through an engrossing book and/or thick, summer issue of the latest fashion magazine, baking one's skin and occasionally taking a stroll down to the water for a refreshing, cooling swim in the Northumberland Strait? Not much, I say...
7. I'd be lying if I said I'd like to take up pole dancing tomorrow (as a career OR pasttime...for one, it would be rather hard to do this anyway as long as your body resembles that of a round pear with stubby sausages sticking out of it) but I still had fun trying it out for a friend's bachelorette party. Say what you will about it, but my arms were sore the next day, and ya know, it kinda made me feel a little bit sexy (in an awkward, uncoordinated sort of way).
8. The Breakfast Club al fresco - two good friends, free popcorn and pop, Freak Lunchbox candy, 80's cult movie goodness...that's all I have to say about that.
9. It was rather irritating to have an entire weekend's plans (Upper Clements Park, Whale Watching, road trip) ruined by Hurricane Bill (or what turned out to be Way Over-Hyped Bill), but the weekend still turned out fun with a trip to a friend's cottage. We had a lovely Fri evening/Saturday morning and afternoon on or in the water and came away with rather harsh sunburns (which, let's be honest, are always the hallmark of a good cottage trip, wouldn't you agree?). Again, more catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a while, pigging out on chips and candy, and general enjoyment.
10. The aforementioned cottage trip was followed by an impromptu jaunt to the Halifax waterfront to see Sons of Maxwell perform (Don is the boyfriend of a friend of mine so we were playing Groupie) a fun, energetic set at Nuts4Ribs (a fundraiser to raise awareness for testicular cancer), including the United Guitar Song that has pretty much made Dave Carroll a household name. I was filled with pride for the MSVU PR program (my alma mater) after listening to a funny one-minute rap by one student about the fundraiser and it's goals ("nuts, balls, testicles, if you don't check em you could lose em, so give your doctor a call!"), and reading the various promotional signs that they designed (my personal favourite, "Grab Your Meat"). I was glad to see that the profs are still pushing envelopes and opening students' minds over at the Mount.
Of course, I had many more experiences this summer, big and small, but these are some of the most memorable. More than anything, this summer was an awakening of sorts for me - mentally and emotionally, and in positive AND negative ways. I intend on carrying this attitude on into the Fall - some plans include fitness classes at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, returning to Dartmouth Choral Society, attending various Fall events (including the launch of a new local fashion magazine I had the privilege of writing an article for, Atlantic Film Fest, Word on the Street, NS Food & Wine Fest, Valley Pumpkin Fest, etc etc...so many events, so little time and money!!), and continuing to get back in touch with myself and what feeds my soul.
Summer isn't quite over yet though, so perhaps I'll have more things to add to this list in the coming weeks. Summer days driftin' away...but I take solace in the fact that they will become Fall days and ah-oh those Fa-a-all nights.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Insert Cheesy Metaphor Here
Wow, to say that my life the past 6 months has been a rollercoaster would be a grand understatement. The past month or so of that six has been particularly tumultuous. Ironically, I feel happier and more content in many ways than I've felt in a while.I always knew that I was someone who dealt with change well, but I'm realizing more and more that I, in fact, NEED change in my life. I need to shed my skin, sweep the dust out the door and change my course every once in a while in order to stay sane and to feel in control of and happy about my life. It jolts me out of complacency! And it's a good thing, too, because I've had more changes in my life in the past few months than is reasonable. On the other hand, I've learned more lessons than I ever have before - both positive and negative (mostly the former).
For example, I realized who my true friends are and this can be a good and bad thing all at once - it's a good thing because I now know what people are better eliminated from my life, and it's a bad thing because it's depressing to find out that you don't have as much support behind you as you once thought you had. Not to mention feeling like you've lost a piece of yourself and your life experience. However, I'm not one to point fingers (this is partially my fault as well) and a lot of this is due to circumstances out of the control of mere humans (schedules, diverging interests and priorities). And this has forced to get out and hang out with new friends, or rediscover old ones (or ones that were "occasional", that I'd hoped would become good friends but never quite got there), and that's been a lovely experience.
I've also learned that you can't change people - well, sometimes you can for the better or worse, but not fundamental, deep down, ingrained parts of their character and personality. Come to that, you shouldn't try to change these parts of anyone, just as you shouldn't change yours for anyone else. If you have to change who you are to be with someone, than they are not the right person for you. On another note, don't settle - even though you care about someone and they have good qualities, this still does not mean they are the right person for you, esp. if there seems to you that there's something missing. You'll miss out on so much if you settle too early and for the wrong reasons. Now I'm naturally cynical, so I'm not inclined to subscribe to the Rom-Com-true love-there's someone out there everyone's meant to be with forever-cheesy school of thought. But, I do believe in karma - good things come to those who wait and if you live your life for YOU and work as hard as you can on yourself, that good things will come your way.
I'm been finding more and more that the harder you push sometimes, the harder things lean in the opposite direction (and this goes for anything in life, not just people). It's, of course, always a good idea to plan ahead and be organized if you can, but the fact is, life isn't organized. And just because you try and organize things a certain way does not mean that it will fall into place just as you expect. In fact, more often than not this is NOT the case. The key is to not have high expectations. I'm learning more and more to let go of control and accept this fact; to be more easygoing and spontaneous; live more in the moment and not next year. Besides, the seeds that are to be sown next year need to be planted and cultivated now (ooooo, how deep ;p)
I've always been an independent person also, but I've realized now more than ever that you can (sometimes) only rely on yourself, and if you can't rely on yourself you aren't going to be able to make anyone else rely on you. As self-absorbed as it sounds, you really do need to "look out for number 1". You need to listen to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. You should want the same things and the other person shouldn't make you stressed, worried, and moody on a daily basis - relationships are work, but they're not supposed to be that much work, otherwise why bother?
I've realized that I need time alone and I need to have space to do what I want and build my life the way I want without distractions. I've come to the realization that I'm a quiet person sometimes, and I'm ok with that; there's no point in trying to change it or be ashamed of it. I've realized I'm a very tough person who can bounce back pretty quickly from anything without help from anyone else. I can meet challenges head on, look them in the face and laugh. I want to see the world and I want to contribute to it in some meaningful way.
So, where do I go from here? I'm not sure, but I'm taking it day by day and this is one of the most exciting times in my life to date. I'm making plans and goals and I will stick with them no question, even if I have to kick myself in the ass so many times it hurts. At the same time, if plans and goals don't pan out, I will change my tactics and direction and try again. Sometimes this is a sign that you're not going the right way anyway.
I'm not doing the half-marathon I was planning on, but I am planning on sticking with running (weight loss is a MAJOR goal for me from now til Christmas) and I am formulating ideas in my head for a trip to California in January (and possibly moving there, or somewhere similar long-term once my job here at PS is finished next summer) and possibly buying a Vespa in the spring (tee hee, these ideas make me giggle with excitement, no matter how crazy they sound).
I'm going to focus 110% on my job and doing it well and leaving an impression. I've joined a local Meet Up group to (hopefully) make new friends and get out to as many fun events as I can. I'm attempting to work on keeping in touch with friends and cultivating my important relationships more deeply. And, I'm not going to tie myself down to one person for a while, at least not seriously, until I can achieve some of these things I've set out for myself.
I feel as though I was walking down a road and all of a sudden I've turned and am walking down a completely different one. Or perhaps I've reached a fork and am still trying to decide which prong to follow, I dunno. Either way, that old path has ended and I must choose a new one, or several. This is a scary and overwhelming thought, but it's also so exciting it makes my mind race. The one thing I know for sure is that no matter what's around that bend - I'll be ready for it.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Pet "Pawsengers" and other Heartwarmers
Ok, so my plan for writing today was to update re. the marathon training progress, aka Kim realizing how fat and unfit she really is. However, I heard about this new thing a little while ago and, as a steadfast animal lover, I think it's so freaking adorable I couldn't resist mentioning it. Just recently, a new airline was introduced; and not just any airline but a (wait for it) PET airline! That's right Pet Airways is a "pet-only airline dedicated to pet-friendly travel". On PA, pets fly in the main cabin of the plane, not in the cargo hold, and have pet attendents attending to all their needs until they land safely at their destination. At first, it sounded to me kind of like a Disney movie, and a Disney-esque image appeared in my head of cats and dogs perched in airplane seats wearing little headphones and sipping from little clear plastic cups just like people. How cute!
Obviously, the reality isn't quite that romantic - the pets are still contained in carriers and they are placed on shelves in rows. However, the beauty of this idea is that they are not contained in the dark, cold, scary underpart of the plane with no interaction for hours on end. They don't come out at their destination traumatized or sick. Besides, it's much less stress for owners travelling with or moving their pets, not to mention other passengers who may not necessarily be comfortable with an animal in the main cabin. You can track your pet through the company's website (www.petairways.com) and sign up for the "MyPaws" club, which provides (for a small membership fee) discounts on many PA partners, including 40% off pet supplies at their online store, %10 off pet-friendly hotels, and 10% off at 1-800-PetMeds.
This issue is rather close to my heart, having had first hand experience a few months ago. When my brother moved to England the beginning of February, my boyfriend and I agreed to "adopt" his cat, NutNut (for the record, my brother named her, not me). Only problem was, he had to put her on a plane from Toronto to get her to us. Sounds simple enough except that there (of course) was a snow storm the night we were to pick her up, and as such the plane had to turn around and by the time she got here at 3:30am (about 5 hours later than she was supposed to), you can imagine what her state of mind was.
So, she spent the better part of two days in a plastic box being carried by strange people through strange places with strange smells and then being passed off to her two strange new owners. Not to mention that my brother had to sign a waiver from Air Canada stating that (basically) if she was dead on arrival, they would be cleared of responsibility. She was so thrilled by this entire experience that she spent her first two to four days with us hiding under our bed. She loves us know and is very content, but man it would have been nice to have Pet Airways back then!
As the PA website states: "You see, on Pet Airways, your pets aren't packages, they're 'pawsengers'. And every step of the journey, we'll take care of them as if they were our own. Because that's exactly the way we'd want Zoe (PA creators, Dan & Alysa's, dog who inspired the venture) to be treated."
You would have to be a total asshole not to have your heart warmed by such a statement. In this day and age of negative media stories about how crappy the economy is, what foods can cause cancer, and people leaving their pets at home while fleeing wild fires, it's nice to hear about such a positive venture, one that is based on love and compassion. Ok sure, it may seem a bit silly to shell out hundreds of dollars just to fly your pet in its own airplane with his doggie friends, but the point is (at least what any pet lover/owner will tell you) that our pets are our family. You would never put your grandmother or your child in a cargo box at the bottom of the plane (no matter how much they irritate you), so why would you do that to your pet? Wouldn't you at least like to have another option? Pets bring so much joy and fulfillment into our lives and they ask for nothing in return but food and love, so the least we can do is return the favour.
So, once again I'm amazed at the genius of some people and the amazing ideas they come up with, that I wish I had thought of. Now my only question would be....ARE THEY HIRING?!
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