Down Discovery Lane

Even after 3 days of being in my new place, the reality still seems a little fuzzy. I can hardly believe that was able to get the apartment that I wanted and relatively easily too! It was finally something good after weeks of drowning in the crap the universe was throwing at me.

And so, I have revelled in my good fortune for these past few days. Taken long walks to get to know the neighbourhood and some of the neighbours as well like the kindly gentleman from the Realtor office downstairs who was nice enough to help with sorting out a leasing agreement. And the guy from the grocery store around the corner who turns out to have an aunt who lives quite near to where I grew up in Bombay and who kindly offered me a cup of tea as we chatted about a city far far away. There's all sorts of interesting little stores along the main street. Butchers, bakers and if I hunt hard enough I'm sure to discover a candlestick maker somewhere nearby as well! Two large grocery stores just down the road and a hop, skip and jump away from the subway, the train station and all sorts of handy dandy bus routes. My local library is a mere 7 minute walk away. 5 if I hurry. Best of all, the neighbourhood seems to have a lovely sense of being a community and not just a random collection of houses and shops all jammed together in one location. Wandering further down the main street, I stumbled upon more good news. Rows and rows of thrift stores run by every single charity foundation imaginable. Which meant loads of opportunities to pick up some very good deals! On just my first round I found table coasters (brand new), a spice rack (only needs a lick of paint), laundry basket and an indoors drying rack. And I haven't even begun to investigate all of the wonderful second hand books I saw in all the stores. Who knows what else is just waiting in there to be discovered.

The Meaning of Love

As I contemplate the state of my relationship (if I still have one) and think about all the mistakes I have made where dating and love are concerned, it pleases me to think that in this big world of often false hopes and promises there's one promise that has endured a long long time.

64 years ago a young man told his bride that he would love, honour and respect her for as long as they both shall live. I'll imagine that there were some not so good times in there, some royal tiffs and probably a What have I gotten myself into? at least once over the past years. But more often than that, there was evidence of love. Not a fairy tale romantic sort, rather a quite love that comes from being part of another life for almost as long as each of them has been alive. A love that is demonstrated through backing each other in good times and bad and in recent years, through a lot of sickness. Of night vigils at hospital bedsides and a quite comfort in each others company in their home.

And so, I'd ask that you dear reader raise your glass in a salute to this love. Happy Anniversary Nana and Papa.

At Last

It is 11 pm and I'm tired to the bone. I'll be going to be soon. In my OWN room, in my OWN apartment.

It's going to be the sweetest sleep in a long time. And boy am I looking forward to it. I wanted to write a lot more about the move and today, but its going to have to wait until after I get some desperately needed shut eye!

Stay tuned.

Momma's No Fool

Excerpts from my Mum's emails over the past week. She doesn't know a thing about what's been going on here. Yet......

Dear Pixy,

I was very uneasy and worried after talking to you
on Saturday. I sensed
that all was not quite okay.
I am praying for you that things may work out,
but
only if it is going to be good for you both. I also
pray that you may
get some kind of employment
to sustain yourself.

Pixy, you have
never given me a ear, but there
are some things I would like to say. You have
a
choice to heed and take note or to ignore and cast
it
aside.

There are a lot of compromises that one has to
make in a
relationship. For this it is very important
to talk for very often each one
is just assuming
what the other is thinking. Please change your
slip shod
ways and be neat with your things. That sort of
thing can really put
somebody off.

Remember you can't always get your way also
try to
see things from the other person's point
of view. Learn to swallow your pride
and admit
if you have done something wrong. It never hurts
to say you are
sorry.

I don't know how soon you plan to move out and
get a
place of your own. I know you still don't have
a job and that could pose a
problem. Take up even
a small job if you have to in the meantime so
that
you have something coming in. Talk to VBF for
advice; she has
done well for herself.

Last but not the least, pray. Go to Him for
help and
you will be surprised as to how He can help. Just talk
to God
and that in itself is prayer. Maybe this is your
time to get back to where
you left off with God. Try it.

With all my prayers and
love,
Mama

And then yesterday:

Hey great news. Congratulations! This is a first for you
Your own apt.
And I'm glad it is one that you like.

I'm sure you are feeling better now that at least one
thing
has fallen in place. I had written to you about compromise,
but I do
want to add that the compromise has to come from
both sides. In compromising
don't bend so far back that
you break. At all times keep your self esteem and
respect
and don't compromise on that. There are bound to be many
ups and
downs in your relationship and these can be sorted
out by talking
together.

We received the post card sent from Israel. I spoke to
Granna
and Papa a couple of days ago and they too have received
one and
are thrilled about it. I know you will be busy moving
on Monday but do
remember their anniversary on the 1st.

Send us pictures of your
apt. when possible. You will need
a lot of stuff but don't be hasty and buy
things too soon.

Bye and be safe.
Mama

I Take Thee....

Saw two more apartments today, but I was distracted the entire time. I kept thinking of the Crow Road apartment I saw yesterday. The location was great - close to bus routes, the subway and the train station, the room the right size (not too big; I hate being lost in a room), the potential roommate seemed nice (chatty and fun, but not too much - you know what I mean). And the rent. Perfect!

Texted the guy to let him know I was interested in taking the room and for good measure sent along an email as well.

Now, I wait. And anxiously chew on my fingernails in the mean time.

On the Hunt

Armed to the teeth with information on the flats, and a handy dandy map book of the city, I set off to view the first lot of apartments on Tuesday evening. I'd just heard back from Ginger (VBF's friend) that she'd spoken with the roomies and everything was a go for Thursday. Suffice to say I was feeling good about things.

JellyCake had offered to come flat viewing with me and together we walked down to the first stop. On our way there, I get a call from Beans; Just done with work now... meet you at the flat. Again, confusing. He has the opportunity to have an entire evening of alone time - something he said he was craving - then he chooses to come spend it with me? Bizarre behaviour indeed. But, I digress... back to the story.

We found the door of the first flat sandwiched between 2 pubs on Hope Street. NOT the best start. Already, I envisioned the doorstep being used as a urinal every Friday and Saturday nights! Called the girl and she came down to get us. We followed her up a narrow winding staircase. Half way up, she stopped to unlock a door. Then, more narrow winding stairs. Another door. This time it looked like the front door thankfully. JellyCake was about to have a coronary. She opened the door - more steps! And after all that, the apartment was nothing to write home about. But I will anyway!! Dirty, dusty, messy, icky. That about sums it up. The girl proceeds to tell us that the landlords won't do a formal tenancy agreement and just want to be paid in cash every month. Shady Indians! And the clincher; there is no buzzer to the apartment, so every single time you have a guest, or a delivery or even the post, you have to walk down 4 flights of stairs and past 3 doors to get it yourself! As we made our way down, JellyCake joked about the possibility of putting in a fireman's pole to speed up the process.

The next place was by Glasgow Green. And what a difference! Ground floor apartment with beautiful 14ft high ceilings. Large airy rooms. Beautiful modern kitchen. All the rooms tastefully decorated and very clean and tidy. The landlord who was showing us around commented that it used to be a firehouse and both JellyCake and I giggled and asked if there was a pole!

JellyCake had to leave, so Beans and I carried on to the last place of the day. A lovely roomy apartment at the other end of Glasgow Green. Two girls who I gleamed to be around my age showed us around. Chatty owned the apartment and was relocating to Ireland. Smiley was staying behind and judging by the terrific smells from the kitchen area - was a great cook! (Score!) AND there was 2 full washrooms which meant no sharing! (Double Score!)

The location however was a bit out of the way with narry a shop or bus stop in sight. The only way to get to the apartment was walking past the Green, which Beans told me was not the best place after dark. Still, those girls had lived there for 2 years now and they seemed happy enough. I wished the place was better located. It just had such a happy vibrant feel and I saw myself being able fit in there quite happily.

Day 2 of the apartment hunt took us to Queen Margaret Road near the Botanic Gardens. Beautiful area, HORRIBLE flat. T'was a bedsit to begin with (a bachelor for those on the other side of the Atlantic) and not the nicest. As Beans put it on the way out, it would take a supreme human being not to loose the will to live after being in that place for a month.

Onwards then to Highburn Road near Hillhead subway and to what can only be described as the house that was featured in the recent issue of modern city living. Immaculately decorated and beautifully maintained. A nice enough guy for a landlord, but I didn't get a nice homely vibe off the place. In fact, I was almost too terrified to step onto the rug with my wet boots or sit on the couch and muss up the upholstery! The guy mentioned how he likes things clean and tidy, but is not (with emphasis) a neat freak. Readers, you could have performed open heart surgery off the dining table. As we walked away, I thought about some of my friends and how I would NEVER EVER be able to invite them over should I take that room. Apparently there is such a thing as too beautiful!

Today was a roaring success! Two flats, both in the west end, both good prices and locations and nice roommates. The first an Irishman who turns out was recently best man at the wedding of one of Beans' high school classmates. (Does everyone know everyone in Ireland?) The other a lovely lady in her late 30s who at first was all quite and shy, but then turned out to be in HR and seemed quite pleased that it was my field as well. The second place was a bit of a walk to the subway and the shops, but SUCH a beautiful apartment with a wee little garden as well. As for the groceries, online shopping is just the ticket. Beans also confirmed that the location was simply tops. The sort of place that would never give us any business he declared cheekily.

And so ended another day on the hunt. More safari stories to follow.

The Kindness of Strangers

Four days after Beans decided to drop his little bombshell on me, I'd had enough of the blow hot, blow cold attitude. He'd make an advance towards sharing time with me, then behave as if I was something off the short bus. I love the man (yes, am using the present tense), but there's only so many veiled insults a gal can take.

I was already in the process of looking for a place of my own, but even the quickest turn around would be a week, maybe two. I needed a stop-gap solution or else I was going to totally loose my mind - and whatever little self worth I had left.

I started looking around for short term stays at hostels and at the university residence halls. There just didn't seem to be anything available for the (little) money I had and what I could afford was all sold out. And then, salvation! VBF called to tell me that she called around to some of her pals and one of them had a spare room that I could use for around 2 weeks. Just the ticket! A quick series of calls and texts and voila, I had a confirmation on a place to stay.

I'd like to point out that that I'd met this girl all of 3 times before and she'd just literally opened up her house to me. Talk about the right time to believe in a world of kindness again.

And so, I'm moving in with her on Thursday and boy am I looking forward to it! Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm busting back! Its time for a turnaround.

Time and Space

Is it the Theory of Relativity that is explained along the lines of sitting on a stove for a second can feel like it was an hour and sitting with a loved one for an hour can feel like just a second. Well this past weekend felt like I was in a weird time warp that didn't quite follow all of the necessary rules of time and space.

Like on Saturday morning, when Beans returned from his usual weekend bike ride and cheerfully announced that we would go shopping for the printer ink and paper that I needed. Or when that turned into a lovely walk around Glasgow's city centre followed by lunch on a patio when even the rain held off for a few hours enough for us to enjoy a meal in the sunshine. And then he went further to suggest that we should make the most of the glorious day and take the bus tour around the city so that I could known more about the local sights and sounds. All along the tour, he was the poster boy for charm and wit and by the end we were laughing and joking and having a rather wonderful time.

And so, passed Saturday and Sunday as well. And I couldn't help wondering just what was going on. This was not the man who a few days ago could barely look at me and acknowledge that I was in the room and who categorically stated that he couldn't think of one - not one - thing that two of us had in common in order to keep at our relationship.

Today, I look back at the weekend. Yes, it was a more pleasant experience than being ignored and shunned, but was it real? Not once was there a glimmer of love or even genuine friendship. Not one gentle touch or caress... or even a quick hug. A lovely day around the city does not constitute a relationship. Its the little things that really matter. The little things are now non existent. The little things that I had come to count on, and believe in and look forward to that now were memories of what seemed like a very very distant past.

What are my options now?

I can push away my pride, and let it be known that I want this relationship and that I will do all it takes to turn things around. It will probably mean accepting the blame for the failure and trying to do things differently henceforth all the while hoping that it will change the situation and his feeling for me.

Or, I can call it a day. Admit that I made a mistake and move on. I will have my pride, but little else I suppose. And, I will have to face the reality that all of the reasons for me moving here is no longer valid.

Either way, I end up losing. So, does it really matter what I choose?

Record Breaking

Usain Bolt is shattering world records and reinforcing the conviction that he is the fastest man - ever! I am breaking records of another kind. Just 5 weeks (to the day) after arriving into Glasgow, Beans tells me that he doesn't think our relationship is working out.

Even in the midst of the mental turmoil right now, you've got to admit - I do have a record. I mean, it took 6 months of long distance dating to make a decision to move, and that was followed by another 4 months of preparations and anticipation for a new life and a new chapter together.

I somehow manage to shatter that in a mere 5 weeks. World Relationship Record Committee, are you listening?

I don't know where things went wrong. All I know is that I went off on vacation happy and carefree; eager to explore Israel and I returned from the same vacation with a broken heart and worse - a broken spirit. What was that last straw I wonder? Was it in Haifa, when I got yelled at for not walking along fast enough? Or perhaps it was Ein Gedi at the Dead Sea when sick to my stomach with the raging heat (it was 40C in the shade) I insisted we take a taxi back to the hostel instead of doing the 10 minute walk back.

In any case, I am now the proud holder of a record. Being able to drive away a man who declared that he was fathoms deep in love with me so much that he now cannot even look at me and acknowledge me when I am in the same room.

Unlike Bolt, there is no cheering crowd, no podium of glory and no adoring fans. Just a deafening silence in the apartment as I sit down and try to make sense of my current reality.

Wedding Preps

With just a few days until we both jet off for the wedding in London and then on to Israel, Beans and I spent most of the weekend doing some prep work. The boy looked into his (vast) closet and decided that he hadn't a thing to wear! And so, we trooped off to look for suitable desert wedding attire. 3 hours and 5 stores later, we finally had all of the ingredients to make the perfect wedding ensemble. Again - this was all for Beans.

Back home, we spread out the map across the dining table and started to plot our route around Israel. Over the next few hours we had about 10 different plans but no consensus!

Ah well.... at least we narrowed down the cities! Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, possible side trip to Bethlehem, down to Mitzpe Ramon for some desert adventures like hand gliding and absailing down the crater. Then on to Ein Gedi and Masada to chill out by the Dead Sea before heading up to Haifa. With Haifa as our base, possible day trips to the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and Akkon before heading back to Tel Aviv to catch our flight back to London.

Of course, given that Beans is "planning" this trip - it could all change in a heartbeat. Really, I'm just going along for the ride!

Royal Guest

Wednesday night is quiz night for Beans. Although he's been part of a team that consists of a couple of colleagues for just over a year now, the team itself The Crimson Knight* has been in existence for over 10 years now I'm told. The original member of the team was the department head of a large organization who earned the nic name due to his rather obvious liking for a wee bit o dram very now and then that eventually gave his face a ruddy hue. Said chieftain was also fond of keeping himself abreast on current affairs and thus found that the quiz night at the local pub was the best way for him to indulge in both of his favourite pass times! And so, a legend was sprung. Ten years later, members of the same team are still meeting at the same pub every Wednesday night for a round of drinks, laughs and to rattle those brain cells. The team is never more than 3 or 4 members at a time and attendance is by invitation only.

And so, you can well imagine my surprise when Beans asked me if I'd like to join him for pub night with the Crimson Knight last evening! Apparently, he'd told his team mates just how much I loved hearing about their weekly adventures and thought that it would be nice for me to see the action first hand, so to speak.

Pinky and the Brain were absolutely delightful individuals who made me feel very welcome. They confessed that they were just as curious to be meeting me as I was them. Again, mainly to assess what crazy person would move across the Atlantic just for Beans. (There is an alarming recurring theme to all of these meetings!)

The quiz itself was run by a very interesting personality who took his role as Quizmaster very seriously indeed and put together a top notch quiz each week. I'm happy to report that I was able to make quite a significance contribution to the night's answers and shone especially in the Bible round - reminiscent of my days as a Sunday school teacher!And then in the final GK round my knowledge of Jane Austen era literature also came in handy as I was correctly able to identify what is a Spinney!

We didn't win, but placed 4th out of 16 teams. Not a bad effort at all! Best of all, I was invited back. Now how's THAT for a Royal Summons?


*Name changed on request to protect the identity of the current team.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Woke up this morning to a bright and beautiful and SUNNY G Town day. Like the rain clouds, the dark and brooding mass that had taken up residence over my head for the past few days seemed to have been blown away and I felt light and refreshed and ready (again) to take on the world of (un)employment!

So, what did I get up to on my very-productive-feeling-good-about-it day?

Started with a breakfast of a bowl of Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Clusters! Seriously folks, never underestimate the power of a great morning meal! And this stuff is awesome! Almost makes up for the lack of Honey Nut Cheerios in my life.
Anyway, started off with my usual routine of checking emails in the hopes that someone out there has realised that I'M the one they need to fill that wonderful job they have open! Not today, but that's ok. Was checking emails... but today, was different. The brilliant sunshine outside made me restless. What a waste of a day it would be if I spent it indoors at the computer. And so, I showed and dressed up - yes up. Scoured my suitcase for a pair of trousers and a shirt and actually brushed my hair and even dabbed on some liner for effect and stepped out into the sunny street.

First stop, Careers Scotland where I was told I would be able to get help with understanding the best route to take towards launching my career here in Scotland. A lovely man helped me out and in the hour that I was there, we discussed my CV and how I could tailor it to be more UK specific, the websites where I should be focusing my search, information on programs should I want to upgrade my skills and take some continued learning courses - and how I could potentially qualify for financial assistance and topped that off with information on volunteer opportunities in/around the city so that I could build up both my social and professional networks. Again, like a good breakfast, never underestimate the power of volunteering. That's how I got my first break in the T Dot when I started with YI all those many years ago.

My confidence suitably boosted and my mind bursting with the endless possibilities that we'd discussed, I left the centre a much brighter and happier camper than I'd been a long while.

With all that sunshine brimming both inside and outside, I didn't feel like going back to the apartment just yet, so I took a little detour down Buchannan Street just soaking in the spirit of the city as it bustled all around me.

And since I was there, thought I'd might as well get a few errands looked after.

• Stopped into a phone store and made inquiries about getting a pay-as-you-go plan. Turns out Vodafone has a lovely deal on right now where I'd get the SIM card free! Cheers to that!
  
• Checked in a couple of stores for Birkenstocks that I'd need for the Israel trip. Had meant to buy a pair before I left, and then life got in the way. Turns out that they're WAY cheaper here and so it all worked out for the best. Now own a lovely new pair that I hope to break in before the trip next week.
• Found a Pound store and bought a bunch of odds and ends that I had been looking for.
  

Was on my way home when I stumbled upon a de-lightful little bookstore along Argyle Street on my way home and - NO, DON'T BE ROLLING YOUR EYES AT ME. I just went in for a look. OK, fine, so I bought something. But really, t'was a very useful purchase! A guide book on Scotland called The Broons' Day Oot that was a funny and novel guide to wandering around Scotland written in a most unusual style for a guide book! See... it was a USEFUL purchase indeed!

And, I'm just back home now typing this up for you, gentle reader - to whom I owe a great big "Thank You" for helping me along with your guidance, helpful hints and even just "hang in there" comments that really mean so much to me. It helps so much to know that I'm not just spewing this into the vast depths of cyberspace! Also, I have to keep reminding myself that I CHOSE to be here, that I do have some money put away - so must not fret if I don't have a job right now, that I am earning a bit from the consultancy work I'm doing for my ex VP, that being on the same side of the world as Beans is lovely and what I've wanted for a long time now and, if all of the above don't make a difference, that I should focus on the fact that I am right now having the best sex of my LIFE - and plenty of it as well. Really, the unemployment is a little bump in an otherwise decent road!

Likes and Dislikes

After 13 days in G Town, I like:

• Living the heart of a city. Everything is incredibly close and walkable
• Living in the same city as my boyfriend. Its incredible not having to calculate forward or back in time before dialing his phone number, and wondering if I can afford the call in the first place!
• Living in the same city as my oldest friend. We are discovering our friendship all over again.
  

After 13 days in G Town, I do not like:

• The feeling of isolation each day as I am home alone looking up endless jobs online.
• The fact that a lot of my day is now taken up doing mindless chores like dish washing and laundry.
  
• The fact that planning the dinner menu is now the high point of my day.
  

If there is a job out there, please let me find it!

Honeymoon Days

My first week in Glasgow has passed in a blurry haze. If you're looking for details on the actual journey from the T Dot, see here. Beans and VBF and VBF's husband (VBFh) were all at the airport to greet me. There was a lot of hugging and kissing all around, after they'd finished pointing and laughing at me being wheeled out of course. Its all about priorities.

Beans' apartment is right in the city centre, just a 15 minute ride from the airport on the express bus. North American cities, something to think about eh? A hot shower and large serving of good Irish stew later and we were ready to head out to the pub. No, seriously - we had to. It was a friend's birthday and the gang was meeting at the pub for pints. As I sat there and looked around the table at the chatting, laughing, drinking group around me. Except for the change in faces and accents, I could still be back in the T Dot sitting around with the gang at one of our fav spots. A most surreal experience.

Beans had the next day off thanks to a very nice and sympathetic boss who understood that we might just want some time together after being apart for the past 5 months. Apparently she told Beans that he was no good to her if he were at work but his brains were at home. Beans insists she said "brains and balls" but I'm thinking not. In any case, whatever she did say, Beans was home and we did have a lovely time... ahem.... catching up. So many stories to share..............

I finally got down to working on Friday morning after the boy left for work - which is a 10 minute walk away. I could be as lucky when I finally find a job and place of my own! 5 straight hours of typing later, I was jarred to reality by the phone ringing and Beans telling me to come meet him and his colleague at the pub around the corner. Turns out that his company had decided to close shop early that day in honour of the Glasgow Fair weekend and the lads were celebrating with a little dram. Feeling like I truly deserved a break after my morning of hard work, I toodled off. Many hours later we staggered out of the pub, said goodbye to the lads and headed off to grab a bite in an attempt to soak up some of the alcohol coursing through our veins! And then since we were still in a tizzy mood we walked over to the Cineplex to grab the late night showing of Harry Potter 6 before getting home and crashing.

Saturday dawned much too early - but there was loads to be done in preparation for the birthday BBQ for the Short Angry Bastard (SAB). SAB's gf JellyCake showed up early (way early) with all sorts of food and drink goodness and we all got cracking with various preps. The guests started to show up around 2pm - each bringing more food and drinks - and the party reigned supreme until well after the sun had set on the city that night.

After the previous day's excitement, Beans and I had a well deserved lie in on Sunday. Really, we were trying to put off the inevitable cleaning that follows all good parties! Still, between the two of us (and the blessed dishwasher!) we'd gotten everything cleaned, shined and put away before settling down to a nice bottle of vino rouge and a DVD.

On Monday morning, we surveyed the colossal amount of left over food in the fridge and promptly invited SAB and JellyCake over for a post mortem BBQ lunch. Plans were made with VBF and VBFh to meet at the nearby bowling alley for a round or two later in the afternoon. Yours truly disgraced herself with multiple gutter balls in the first round, but improved considerably in round 2. I maintain that the first round was just a warm up..... the others didn't seem to be buying that! Ah, well!

And so, we are at today. Beans is back at work. I'm alone in the apartment with a cup of coffee sitting before the laptop starting on the long long long scan of the interweb in hopes of finding that one job that is out there waiting for me. Its bound to be a tiresome road, but the fact that I'm here, with Beans instead of being an ocean apart makes the prospect of the long days ahead all the more bearable. My toe still isn't healed, but I think I've found my silver lining at last.

Effective Communication 101

The scene: Facebook Chat
The players: A cousin and myself
The situtation: Talking about my move (like any other conversation happens these days!)

Cousin M: So what's all this I hear about you moving?

Me: Yup. I leave in a few days.

Cousin M: You're going to England? London right?

Me: No. Glasgow.

Cousin M: Where's that? Is it a city?

Me: Yup. Scotland.

Cousin M: Is that in England?

Me: (a little confused now) er, no... I'm going to SCOTLAND. Glasgow is a city in SCOTLAND.

Cousin M: Is that in the same country?

Me: Technically, yes.

Cousin M: So you're going to England then! Why didn't you just say so in the first place?

Me: Er, I have to go. Packing.... etc... you know. Bye.

2 days later. Same place. Same bat channel. Different relative.

Cousin C: I heard from cousin M that you're moving. All the best. England right?

Me: *sigh*............

Wanted: Vampire Assistant and Cauldron Makers

From being in recruiter mode over the past two months, I have now switched over to the other side of the fence - job seeker. Although the overall situation seems dismal at first glance, I have been finding interesting HR positions as well as some other interesting project coordination type roles.

And it also appears that even though organizations may be posting for fewer opportunities, the ones that are being posted are certainly, erm..... intriguing!

Take Project Manager - Scrum Master for example, which incidentally I first read as "scum" and thought that it could either mean mico-biological research or working in a law firm.

Or Heavyweight Senior Business Project Manager; would you have to submit your vital stats for this posting? And certainly, no Nicole Ritchie's wanted!

And then there's this position that is actually with Beans' organization - Clerical Assistant, Twilight Post which honest to goodness sounds like a vampire coven is recruiting!

But the one that took the prize was an advert for a witch (yes, you read right) at a tourist site in Somerset. It wasn't the job functions that made me pause - live in a cave, be a witch, do things witches do. It wasn't the candidate requirements either - must be able to cackle, cannot be allergic to cats.

It was the salary.

Apparently the going rate for a first class, live-in witch at a tourist site is an astounding 50,000 GBPs. I wonder if it is hazard pay for occupational inconveniences such as occasionally being hunted down by mobs of angry villagers and potential burning at stakes?

Teenage Angst Revisited

As if the stressors described in the last post weren't enough, today my entire family descended on our house for a Canada Day/Farewell to Me party. Thankfully although we had rain clouds that moved in and out all afternoon, the actual rain held off and we could enjoy the day out in the back yard.

Apparently my body is not liking all of these recent stressors any more than I am. I woke up this morning with 3 strategically placed pimples on my mug. Terrific.

All of my family took pics with me today. Me and my 3 new pals. What a great remembrance!

This *could* be terrible

Why is it that the closer you are to life altering events, the more the potential for things to do drastically wrong? Is there some sort of warped timing fairy that decides to send along stress to ADD to existing stress? Why can't she just space it all out? As if its not enough that in a mere 15 days I leave my home, family, friends and most importantly steady employment to head off into the literal unknown. Now, add a slowly imploding Maternal Unit, stir in ambiguity around a bank statement that tells me I have $10,000 LESS than what I should have in my bank account and a garnish with a potential life altering injury to that mix, and you have the perfect cocktail a la Murphy's Law.

Although I'm (fairly) sure that the bank thingy is just an error and will sort itself out, I'm not that confident about the injury. Right now, it hurts too much and I'm petrified that its going to affect my departure AND my dancing. Both are equally important.

It all began a few weeks ago when I left dance class feeling that things were not quite OK with the big toe on my right foot. It felt like it needed to "crack" but try as I may, I couldn't get it to do so and that meant that every step I took caused a sharp pain in my foot.

I hobbled around for a day bemoaning my fate, but positive that it would "crack" and all would be well. Sure enough, 2 days later I was flexing my feet and felt the toe release and then there wasn't any pain as I walked.

Perfect!

Then, yesterday at dance class I did a routine spin turn and felt a sharp stabbing pain shoot through my entire foot like a white hot iron had been pushed against my toe. The pain was just too much and I had to leave class. Somehow I got home.

It was slightly better this morning, but again, I thought it would just sort itself out, so I headed out to work. By the time I got off the subway downtown, my foot was throbbing so much that I could feel the vibrations in my neck! The closest chiropractor was luckily across the road from my office and I headed over.

He poked. He prodded. He asked me a hundred questions.
He moved my foot right, and then left.
He made me flex up. And then down.
He took a tuning fork and held it to my toe. I was tempted to sing in the key of C sharp.

He looked up. I held my breath.

Its a strained tendon, maybe even torn. You'll be in pain for a while, but it will heal and then everything should be ok.

I beamed, and started to breathe normally again.

Rest it as much as possible, ice it regularly and no dancing for at least 2 months.

There goes my performance dance next week. 3 months of practice down the crapper. And that's barely enough time for me to recover before the trip to Israel - that guarantees a lot of walking around. And HOW am I going to get all of my packing and last minute preps done if I'm supposed to not walk around at all?

There's just too much cloud right now. I can't find the silver lining.

The First of Many

Got a call from my friend the Professor last week. He told me he was heading out to India to visit his brother. I'm leaving on Friday he said. We have to meet before that - can't go 2 years without a proper meet up and a last pint together!

And so, after work today, I headed over to The Artful Dodger on Isabella street and we met and talked and laughed and remembered. We'd met almost 7 years ago; I was hired by York's International department to run one of their student programs, he was hired to be my right hand. It was a bit of a rocky start, but we worked through our differences and ended up friends. Real friends. The kind that last and endure.

His girlfriend joined us later. A young little thing with the glow of graduation still on her. She's so perfect for him, and I love seeing how great they are together. Excited about her first trip to India, she chatters on asking about this... about that...

Finally it was time. The hands on the clock had be marching steadily as we sipped our pints. I stood up to leave and took an astonishingly long time to gather my belongings, delaying the moment.

A hug to Freckles. Email me if you need anything - like shopping tips! Then over to Professor. He envelopes me in a big hug. I find myself tearing up. Take care of yourself I whisper. Be nice to Freckles. She's good for you. Without her you'll probably go back to being a bastard - more so than usual - and I won't even be around to kick some sense into you.

He nodded, but still I didn't let go. I gave him a quick kiss and left. I didn't look back. It was too hard. Besides, I didn't want them to see that I was crying.

The cool night air stung my cheeks as I walked over to the subway. I took a deep breath to steady myself and thought - this was only the first. How was I to get through all the others?

A Cinderella Story

Once upon a time, there lived a little brown girl with beautiful hair called Pixy. She was a smart and sassy little thing, always ready to laugh and loved - just loved - to dance.

Pixy's cousin was about to be married. It was going to be a big family affair. She really really really wanted to look half decent at this wedding and so she asked her friend - the brilliant and talented Niffer - to help her out. She showed Niffer an old sari that belonged to her grandmother and Niffer agreed to make her something wedding worthy out of it.

Last week, Pixy dropped by Niffer's place to try on the creation. It was BEAUTIFUL. A simple pattern that was brought to life by the rich vibrant colours of the sari and the intricate gold embroidery. Pixy tired it on and felt like a princess; Niffer had waved her magic over the cloth and turned it into a living wonder. The result was almost overwhelming for the Pixy girl who usually stumbled around in ratty jeans and T-shirts. She couldn't wait for the wedding next week.

But this would not be a fairy tale without a horrid twist - would it? And here's that twist.

Pixy came home yesterday and was informed by her mother that the skirt came back from the dry cleaners - but was absolutely ruined. The entire bottom embroidery had disintegrated and some of the seams had ripped as well. There was no way she was wearing that. Ever.

She surveyed the disaster.

And then, fled to her room where stormy tears flowed freely. Pixy had set her heart on "looking nice" and now, that was all ruined. She cried for seemed like hours. For the lost chance, for the wasted material, for the lost effort on Niffer's part.

Perhaps she was over reacting. After all, it was just a dress.... and in the whole scheme of things not important. But it didn't feel like so to Pixy.

And so, she went to bed that night thinking about how she almost had the chance to live the fairy tale, but now there would not be a happily ever after.