28 Feb 2010
by Lauriein Cow & Toaster, February 2010 "Ties", Life, NaBloPoMo
When Vancouver put up a bid for the 2010 Games I was against the idea. When it was announced that Vancouver won the bid to hold the games I heard a huge roar in downtown Vancouver, and a co worker and I turned to each other and moaned “nooooo!” I voted no in the Vancouver Olympic plebiscite (we lived in East Vancouver at that time).
I thought that all of the money being poured into the games should have been used for other things (like helping the Downtown East Side, paying for more doctors, etc.) but I realized that the Olympic money wouldn’t have been available for these things. I know that the games are going to end up costing the city, province, and country a lot of money, and I am worried about what’s going to happen with city employee’s contracts.
But you know what, it was a great time. Corny as it is, I feel so much pride for our country and our athletes. I feel proud of the athletes from around the world who overcame huge obstacles and put in countless hours of training to just be here.
I’ve never seen as many smiling faces as I did last Saturday when Paul, Dale and I went to wander around Vancouver. It felt great to give in and enjoy the experience.
Yes, it’s true that the hockey games were pretty much the big deal for most people, and I doubt the mood tonight would be as happy if we didn’t win. Maybe it was bread and circuses. But goddamn it, for a few days we were united for a common purpose and celebrated something greater than ourselves.
It’s not over yet. The paralympics start in just over a week and those athletes are heroes. Those men and women are brave, and have more guts than I can imagine. I wish they got more recognition, because they truly deserve it.
11 Feb 2010
by Lauriein February 2010 "Ties", Life, NaBloPoMo
Dear universe,
I’ve been kind of kicked when I’ve been down this week. Not sure if you’re to blame for it, or if it’s just the way things worked out. But I must confess, your latest message has be a little confused.
Is this a “help me help you” type thing? A “don’t say I never do anything for you”? A sign saying “THIS IS A SIGN – DO IT”?
I know that somethings your messages are a little unclear or mixed. It’s okay, everyone’s communication skills could use a little work. Would it be too much to ask you to use some sky writing or a neon sign?
Am I tempting your friend fate to jump in here? Or your best pal Murphy who practices law?
Universe, can you please just say what you mean, and mean what you say?
KTHX, toast.
09 Feb 2010
by Lauriein February 2010 "Ties", Motorcycles, NaBloPoMo
The weather has been nice lately. It seems very spring-like: the crocus are blooming, the grass is green, the pussywillow tree is all fuzzy…even the cherry blossoms are starting to open on the tree outside my clinic.
You know what spring means, right? I get my Ninja back!
We would have taken our bikes out already this year if they were close by and if it wouldn’t mess with the storage insurance (that little problem will be fixed when we re-insure – the third party insurance we’re going to get allows you to change to and from storage whenever we want).
It’s hard to be patient, though. Every day it seems like I see more and more bikes on the road. On the way home from work today I saw a couple of Harleys, four sportbikes, and a sport-tourer.
Instead of obsessing (heh) over the upcoming riding season, I’ve been putting together lists of stuff that we need, and all of the things we’re going to do.
08 Feb 2010
by Lauriein February 2010 "Ties", NaBloPoMo, Work
I spent a great deal of time this weekend reading a practice management book for work so I could glean some ideas for our clinic. I came up with lots of great (if I do say so myself) ideas.
This was supposed to be part of a big meeting with my boss to discuss the clinic, my role, and his goals. It kind of sprang from me telling him why I was missing from work for two days last week. I thought that it was important for him to know, and for him to know that my anxiety started with work and expanded outwards. Not that I’m blaming work for my problems/illness, but my message to him was if things don’t change then I have to leave. I thought at the time that he understood and wanted to work things out so I wouldn’t be so stressed out.
Now I’m not so sure.
The meeting was originally scheduled for last Thursday, the day after I came back. It didn’t happen, we got busy, blah blah blah – story of my life here. So we made arrangements to meet today, off site, as it’s not a day that my boss is scheduled to be in the clinic. Well, if that meeting did happen, this post probably wouldn’t, heh.
I called him to see if he was coming and and no, he’s not. He’s too tired from the weekend.
I spent a good portion of my weekend doing work and research – as I was asked – and the meeting is cancelled.
Now I’m sitting here, quietly angry.
So, the theme for February’s NaBloPoMo is “ties“. What ties me to this dysfunctional practice?
I guess this is something that I’m going to have to examine.
06 Feb 2010
by Lauriein February 2010 "Ties", NaBloPoMo
I had some very vivid dreams last night; maybe because it’s the first night that I’ve had decent sleep in awhile. My brain must have had a lot of junk to process though because they were weird.
05 Jan 2010
by Lauriein January 2010 - "Best", Me, me, me, NaBloPoMo
I closed my eyes at my desk. They burned more for a few seconds, then they felt better. The howling and barking in the background faded away. The dizziness I felt receded then disappeared.
For a few minutes I could have been back at home, tucked into my warm bed, all cozy in my pajamas. I could almost smell the sweet, marshmallow-y scent of TKO on my pillows and shirt. The best feeling when I’m exhausted: the comfort of my bed as I drift off to sleep. A few more seconds with my eyes closed and I’d really be sleeping…
I opened my eyes and a wave of exhaustion crashed over me.
No, I did not sleep well last night. I don’t own enough concealer to hide the rings under my eyes (they’re there even when I’m at my most well-rested). I have zero patience, and I find myself perplexed by the simplest problems.
Argh.
04 Jan 2010
by Lauriein January 2010 - "Best", Motorcycles, NaBloPoMo
For our anniversary/birthday (my upcoming birthday) and Christmas we got each other motorcycle boots. 
Paul’s are the white pair to the right (SiDi B2) and mine are the black and red pair to the left (SiDi Vertigo Lei).
These are the most expensive footwear I’ve ever owned, which isn’t really saying much because I’m not really a “shoe person”. (Purses and bags of any type are more my thing.)
There aren’t nearly as many options for women’s boots as there are for men, and the few pairs of men’s boots that I tried on were all too wide. Unfortunately the only pair that fit well and were comfortable were the most expensive boots…they’re kind of overkill for my skill level.
That being said I’ve already shredded the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in my right foot and ankle twice (once when I was in grade five involving a skateboard and again when I was 20 involving a motorcycle…) and my doctor told me it would be great if I could avoid doing it again since I already have permanent damage to the tendons.
Can’t wait to try them out on the bike!
02 Jan 2010
by Lauriein January 2010 - "Best", NaBloPoMo
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Drove a motorcycle!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did 9 out of 22. I have goals that I’d like to meet but not necessarily during 2010.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister-in-law had a baby boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, luckily.
5. What countries did you visit?
USA – Maui & Seattle.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Job fulfillment.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 28th: arrived in Maui
August 3rd: started lessons at Pacific Riding School
September 12th: picked up my Ninja
October 13th: passed my class 6 license
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Guess?
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not making any advances in my career.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing too bad. I think the worse thing was the bruising from the minor fall I had off of the bike on our second road ride.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Ninja!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment.
14. Where did most of your money go?
To Yamaha & Kawasaki.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Oh for serious, I don’t even need to tell you, do I?
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
All of Fantasies by Metric.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? Maybe a little sadder.
b) Thinner or fatter? About the same.
c) Richer or poorer? Poorer in money, but richer in other areas.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
School. I wish I had started work towards a business degree.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, agonizing, heart-eating.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
In Kelowna.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Not in a way that you might expect…but yes.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t really watch TV.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, but my dislike for certain people has remained constant.
24. What was the best book you read?
This is going to be hard because I can’t remember everything I read last year (hey, maybe I’ll keep track this year!).
The Road, Cormac McCarthy
Blindness, Jose Saramago
The Art of Racing In the Rain, Garth Stein
…I can’t remember anything else.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Metric, MGMT.
I rediscovered how much I love Underworld, Daft Punk, & Nine Inch Nails.
26. What did you want and get?
A motorcycle.
27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Took some days off work to visit my favourite places in Vancouver (Voltage, Country Beads, Banyan Books, The Naam). Went to the motorcycle show (as is traditional), went out for dinner & drinks at Dublin Crossing, went out for dinner with my Dad, Del, Graeme & Laura, had the traditional birthday dinner at my Mom & Gerald’s (with cake!)…oh, and got freaking motorcycle lessons and a bike from Paul!
I turned 30.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I could have felt more accomplishment at work.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Purple, black.
32. What kept you sane?
Riding.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No comment.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The continuing Olympics fiasco.
35. Who did you miss?
The usual suspects.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
The people at PRS (the school and classmates) were pretty awesome. Actually, everyone I’ve met through owing my bike!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer/Hard to be soft/Tough to be tender”
Help, I’m Alive - Metric
01 Jan 2010
by Lauriein January 2010 - "Best", NaBloPoMo
I signed up for January’s NaBloPoMo theme “best” thinking it would be easy…yet here I am with no idea what to post about. Huh.
Oh, I have one: the best moment of 2009 was…
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