I just wanted to update the blog. I have much to say - but alas by the time I reach the computer at night all the provocative thoughts are gone....
But here is a preview of what I will be blogging about when I actually get back to blogging (maybe when back at work when my nanny will be here?).
1. going back to work with 3 small kids.
2. the NANNY!
3. HWSNBN's trip to Las Vegas
4. Being a MOB (even though I am now a MOB/G I still feel like I am forever in the camp of the MOBs).
5. A) The Sell
B) The Move....
6. Finding a tenant....
Wow this is an exciting list! Well maybe for me... and hopefulLY I can wax poetic about these topics...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Welcome to Canada
I saw the Robert Dziekanski taser video a few nights ago. I must admit to FUMING afterwards but thought it best to cool down a bit before I blogged about it.
I want to first say that I have friends who are members of the RCMP, VPD, DPD. I would trust those individuals with my life. My comments regarding the video are directed only to the members that were involved that night.
I was actually terrified after I saw that video. I could hear the relief in Mr. Dziekanski's voice when he said 'Polizia'. I almost cried when he was crying out 'Why' after the first taser. I was red with rage when I heard that they had tasered him 5 times. And left the handcuffs on while he suffered a heart attack and did not render assistance. My heart broke for his mother who has had to see this video time and time again.
Remind me again how 4 RCMP officers have the ability to judge a situation with only 10 seconds to assess? That must be some wicked ESP they have... but wait. It wasn't ESP. They were caught being lazy police officers. They were caught on tape being bullies. That's right, you read me right. The RCMP officers that night at YVR were using lazy police practices when they used their tasers on Mr. Dziekanski. 5 TIMES.
So who is to blame? Unfortunately I have little respect for the CBSA and expect nothing less than subpar behaviour from them. It is criminal that not one member of the CBSA thought to get a polish interpreter at all costs after Mr. Dziekanski had been in the terminal for a few hours. Criminally negligent given the outcome. I hope someone lost their job.
And YVR - where is your shame for running a third rate International airport that does not provide translation services? Haven't we all paid enough 'airport' improvement fees to allow you to have translators on hand?? That does not confirm for waiting family on the other side the fact that their relative is only feet away at Immigration? Again I hope someone lost their job. I hope that they are all sued for wrongful death. Maybe you could work on not participating / being implicit through neglect to the death of any more new Canadians? The world is watching for 2010 you know.
My problem is that I expected more from the RCMP. I TRUSTED the RCMP to show some compassion. I have worked with many competent police officers who would have been appalled by the behaviour of those officers that night. 10 seconds to assess? From what I could see Mr. Dziekanski was upset. He was pissed off. As ALL of us would be if we were detained by CBSA for 10 hours after a long flight from Europe. In fact if one of us were stuck there we would have raised a holy stink. And for 10 hours of not getting anywhere with the stars of CBSA I think most of us would be throwing chairs (if not leaping across the counter and shaking the living lights out of the CBSA agent).
We no longer have the death penalty in Canada. But I am starting to think that the Taser is now the poor man's executioner. Mr. Dziekanski's tragic circumstances not withstanding - I believe that too many police officers (both RCMP & city police forces) are relying on the Taser. Honestly when you are Tasering senior citizens for parking infractions and teenagers while they are in locked cells, maybe it is time to review the use of these weapons.
So now along with all the other things I have to teach my children I will need to test them on their capacity to explain themselves in 10 seconds or less in the event they are confronted by the police or RCMP under any circumstances. Thanks a lot.
The RCMP needs to clean house. After the Ian Bush incident and several other high profile screw ups I no longer have unconditional trust in our boys and girls in blue. Work on your training and get rid of the Taser. Too many people have given their lives to this 'non lethal' police tool.
10 hours at Immigration without food or water.
10 seconds for RCMP to assess situation.
5 tasers to kill.
1 video camera - priceless.
I want to first say that I have friends who are members of the RCMP, VPD, DPD. I would trust those individuals with my life. My comments regarding the video are directed only to the members that were involved that night.
I was actually terrified after I saw that video. I could hear the relief in Mr. Dziekanski's voice when he said 'Polizia'. I almost cried when he was crying out 'Why' after the first taser. I was red with rage when I heard that they had tasered him 5 times. And left the handcuffs on while he suffered a heart attack and did not render assistance. My heart broke for his mother who has had to see this video time and time again.
Remind me again how 4 RCMP officers have the ability to judge a situation with only 10 seconds to assess? That must be some wicked ESP they have... but wait. It wasn't ESP. They were caught being lazy police officers. They were caught on tape being bullies. That's right, you read me right. The RCMP officers that night at YVR were using lazy police practices when they used their tasers on Mr. Dziekanski. 5 TIMES.
So who is to blame? Unfortunately I have little respect for the CBSA and expect nothing less than subpar behaviour from them. It is criminal that not one member of the CBSA thought to get a polish interpreter at all costs after Mr. Dziekanski had been in the terminal for a few hours. Criminally negligent given the outcome. I hope someone lost their job.
And YVR - where is your shame for running a third rate International airport that does not provide translation services? Haven't we all paid enough 'airport' improvement fees to allow you to have translators on hand?? That does not confirm for waiting family on the other side the fact that their relative is only feet away at Immigration? Again I hope someone lost their job. I hope that they are all sued for wrongful death. Maybe you could work on not participating / being implicit through neglect to the death of any more new Canadians? The world is watching for 2010 you know.
My problem is that I expected more from the RCMP. I TRUSTED the RCMP to show some compassion. I have worked with many competent police officers who would have been appalled by the behaviour of those officers that night. 10 seconds to assess? From what I could see Mr. Dziekanski was upset. He was pissed off. As ALL of us would be if we were detained by CBSA for 10 hours after a long flight from Europe. In fact if one of us were stuck there we would have raised a holy stink. And for 10 hours of not getting anywhere with the stars of CBSA I think most of us would be throwing chairs (if not leaping across the counter and shaking the living lights out of the CBSA agent).
We no longer have the death penalty in Canada. But I am starting to think that the Taser is now the poor man's executioner. Mr. Dziekanski's tragic circumstances not withstanding - I believe that too many police officers (both RCMP & city police forces) are relying on the Taser. Honestly when you are Tasering senior citizens for parking infractions and teenagers while they are in locked cells, maybe it is time to review the use of these weapons.
So now along with all the other things I have to teach my children I will need to test them on their capacity to explain themselves in 10 seconds or less in the event they are confronted by the police or RCMP under any circumstances. Thanks a lot.
The RCMP needs to clean house. After the Ian Bush incident and several other high profile screw ups I no longer have unconditional trust in our boys and girls in blue. Work on your training and get rid of the Taser. Too many people have given their lives to this 'non lethal' police tool.
10 hours at Immigration without food or water.
10 seconds for RCMP to assess situation.
5 tasers to kill.
1 video camera - priceless.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What Is In A Name?
Well it certainly has taken me a while to get back to blogging!
But here I am - at it again.
Today Linden asked me why we chose his name to be Linden. I told him that it was one of my favourite names because it was an old english name (reference to a Linden Tree) and the spelling came about because of our favourite Canuck - Trevor Linden.
Despite this heartfelt explanation he gave me a quizzical look. And asked:
'Why not Poison Ivy?'
I responded that Poison Ivy was never on the list. And Linden asked:
'You never even considered it? Never thought that I might like it?'
Alas no.....
But it got me thinking - what is in a name? How important is a name? Why do names go in and out of fashion? Why do we name our children at birth before we know what their personalities will be? Why do some of us name our children before they are born (when they are only really a wish of a personality)?
Should we wait to name our kids? Lets face it - the name never really sticks for the first few days anyway- at least not for me. I had to keep reminding myself what their names were. And more than once I referred to all of my children in their infancy by someone else's name.
So it brings me back to the naming... and I will leave you with this story.
When my mom was pregnant with me she met a little girl at a park in West Vancouver. She asked the little girl her name and was told it was Tassi. Short for Anastasia.
My mom was hooked. I am not sure if they had already decided on Anastasia, but Tassi at the park sealed the deal.
In 1993 I worked at a summer camp in Penhold Alberta. At that camp was a woman named Tassie Micheals. And she was about 5 years older than me and she lived in West Vancouver.
Coincidence that I ended up working with my namesake 17 years later?
It is a small, small world.
Where ever you are Tassie - thank you.
So was I born into my name, or did my name grow to represent me?
But here I am - at it again.
Today Linden asked me why we chose his name to be Linden. I told him that it was one of my favourite names because it was an old english name (reference to a Linden Tree) and the spelling came about because of our favourite Canuck - Trevor Linden.
Despite this heartfelt explanation he gave me a quizzical look. And asked:
'Why not Poison Ivy?'
I responded that Poison Ivy was never on the list. And Linden asked:
'You never even considered it? Never thought that I might like it?'
Alas no.....
But it got me thinking - what is in a name? How important is a name? Why do names go in and out of fashion? Why do we name our children at birth before we know what their personalities will be? Why do some of us name our children before they are born (when they are only really a wish of a personality)?
Should we wait to name our kids? Lets face it - the name never really sticks for the first few days anyway- at least not for me. I had to keep reminding myself what their names were. And more than once I referred to all of my children in their infancy by someone else's name.
So it brings me back to the naming... and I will leave you with this story.
When my mom was pregnant with me she met a little girl at a park in West Vancouver. She asked the little girl her name and was told it was Tassi. Short for Anastasia.
My mom was hooked. I am not sure if they had already decided on Anastasia, but Tassi at the park sealed the deal.
In 1993 I worked at a summer camp in Penhold Alberta. At that camp was a woman named Tassie Micheals. And she was about 5 years older than me and she lived in West Vancouver.
Coincidence that I ended up working with my namesake 17 years later?
It is a small, small world.
Where ever you are Tassie - thank you.
So was I born into my name, or did my name grow to represent me?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Fast Times in the ER (well not really....)
Early this morning my lovely 5.5 month old daughter looked at me and projectile vomited on me twice. While changing the sheets her majesty yakked again. By vomit #3 there was bile and I was frantically looking on the internet at webMD to determine how serious these events were. Serious for the clothes as I am sure bile stains - but more importantly were we off for our first ER visit?
While researching Ev yakked agin - very sad to see an infant throw up bile. Again and again and again. Trying to wade through the google hits was painful too - most of the articles that were found talked about vomiting in 5 month old dogs (dashuhounds seem to be especially prone - beware).
Finally decide to ditch the web search (somewhere between puke 5 & 6) and call the nurses line. I know what they are going to say even before the words leave their mouths. I have never called them and not had the same CYA response. You need to see a doctor within 12 hours or my personal favourite you need to go NOW.
So then the decision. My gut is saying BCCH because we have a history there and there is little chance of a drug addict walking into the waiting room asking for spare change. But it is 2:30am by this point and HWSNBN has voted for SMH. He toddles back to bed to wait for the call and I pack up the van with babe. Who has yakked again in her car seat.
The ER is surprisingly quiet. I thought that maybe with the stat some people would be tying one on. I was fully prepared to turn around and book to BCCH. We triaged and waited with 2 homeless people in the waiting room. One was passed out and the other commented how cute Ev was (she was sleeping). But the comment was followed by some high pitched preaching about God so all the warm fuzzies that I take from those compliments was washed away and replaced with a desire to sit as far away as possible.
Finally we are called back to the peds section of the ER. Admitted. Yakking ensues. More bile with time with foam. Nurse goes to tend to stupid 17 year old who doesn't want to sign consent to get her appendix taken out - even though she is becoming toxic. Almost removed her and signed the consent myself just to get closer to having a pediatricians attention. Stupid girl eventually concedes that she does not want to die in a cess pool of toxic shock and is wheeled away.
But then the nurse starts to comment that WADE the pediatrician has not been by her ward all shift (he didn't even come to see 'too stupid to live' again because he had seen her earlier in the day and she was now in the hands of the surgeon). So I slept in a chair with my head on Ev's crib mattress. For about 15 minutes before asthma baby started to wail. Again thought about removing him from his incompetent mother and placing with other care provider who would actually remember his nebulizer the next time they went to visit rellies with cats. Thankfully Ev slept for a few hours.
Mercifully WADE went off shift at 7am without showing his fizzog and Dr. Chung arrived and saved the day with some Gravol and a syringe of water. Nurse Courtney (no not my sister but another equally charming Courtney) administered first Gravol and syringed water. Babe slept. Took 3 ccs more of water without yakking. Sent home at 9am to sleep it off. Probably a stomach bug. Why couldn't WADE have taken the 10 minutes to to that at 4am??? If I ever find WADE I am going to make him scrub out bile stains from Ev's clothes until he cries.
So the morale of the story is - go to BCCH. Even if your kid only has an infected hangnail. Otherwise you could wait a whole shift for WADE to make an appearance. At least at BCCH you can wait in peace without hiding your purse and constantly worrying about the public toilet.
ACK! Now onto tackling the stains from last night.
While researching Ev yakked agin - very sad to see an infant throw up bile. Again and again and again. Trying to wade through the google hits was painful too - most of the articles that were found talked about vomiting in 5 month old dogs (dashuhounds seem to be especially prone - beware).
Finally decide to ditch the web search (somewhere between puke 5 & 6) and call the nurses line. I know what they are going to say even before the words leave their mouths. I have never called them and not had the same CYA response. You need to see a doctor within 12 hours or my personal favourite you need to go NOW.
So then the decision. My gut is saying BCCH because we have a history there and there is little chance of a drug addict walking into the waiting room asking for spare change. But it is 2:30am by this point and HWSNBN has voted for SMH. He toddles back to bed to wait for the call and I pack up the van with babe. Who has yakked again in her car seat.
The ER is surprisingly quiet. I thought that maybe with the stat some people would be tying one on. I was fully prepared to turn around and book to BCCH. We triaged and waited with 2 homeless people in the waiting room. One was passed out and the other commented how cute Ev was (she was sleeping). But the comment was followed by some high pitched preaching about God so all the warm fuzzies that I take from those compliments was washed away and replaced with a desire to sit as far away as possible.
Finally we are called back to the peds section of the ER. Admitted. Yakking ensues. More bile with time with foam. Nurse goes to tend to stupid 17 year old who doesn't want to sign consent to get her appendix taken out - even though she is becoming toxic. Almost removed her and signed the consent myself just to get closer to having a pediatricians attention. Stupid girl eventually concedes that she does not want to die in a cess pool of toxic shock and is wheeled away.
But then the nurse starts to comment that WADE the pediatrician has not been by her ward all shift (he didn't even come to see 'too stupid to live' again because he had seen her earlier in the day and she was now in the hands of the surgeon). So I slept in a chair with my head on Ev's crib mattress. For about 15 minutes before asthma baby started to wail. Again thought about removing him from his incompetent mother and placing with other care provider who would actually remember his nebulizer the next time they went to visit rellies with cats. Thankfully Ev slept for a few hours.
Mercifully WADE went off shift at 7am without showing his fizzog and Dr. Chung arrived and saved the day with some Gravol and a syringe of water. Nurse Courtney (no not my sister but another equally charming Courtney) administered first Gravol and syringed water. Babe slept. Took 3 ccs more of water without yakking. Sent home at 9am to sleep it off. Probably a stomach bug. Why couldn't WADE have taken the 10 minutes to to that at 4am??? If I ever find WADE I am going to make him scrub out bile stains from Ev's clothes until he cries.
So the morale of the story is - go to BCCH. Even if your kid only has an infected hangnail. Otherwise you could wait a whole shift for WADE to make an appearance. At least at BCCH you can wait in peace without hiding your purse and constantly worrying about the public toilet.
ACK! Now onto tackling the stains from last night.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Gymboree, I love you
I must confess to becoming an insane person when it comes to shopping for the Ev.
And really only one store rings my bell these days (an honorable mention to the Gap as I adore their denim jeans & can always find something for the little men). It is Gymboree. And the reason why I love them so much is multi layered.
I don't always like shopping in their stores. The one in Bellingham is a bit scungy and the two close to me in Metrotown & Oakridge aren't really close at all. But I hold my nose and go into the stores to spend my Gymbucks - even though you can't reasonably shop with a stroller in there. I usually find several great deals and even complete sets that I thought were sold out on the website.
But what really gets me hooked is the brilliant marketing strategy. The multiple lines of clothing. The discounts. The random flipping through Cookie magazine a few weeks ago was a jack pot as there was a coupon for 20% your total bill. So I bought 8 items from a line that I had been watching. It was already 60% off. So I got 80% off! Fabulous.
And just recently I went on the website again and got multiple items and had another coupon for 30% off my total bill. I am honestly all a twitter thinking of all the money I have saved and all the great deals. Even with the dollar doing a nose dive I still feel good about these purchases.
I shouldn't be surprised. I was out shopping for Everly 5 days after my c section. That is major surgery. And there I was popping Advils and asking if a certain dress came in a 0 - 3 month size. Crazy. Maybe I need a support group.... but only if they share their coupons....
And really only one store rings my bell these days (an honorable mention to the Gap as I adore their denim jeans & can always find something for the little men). It is Gymboree. And the reason why I love them so much is multi layered.
I don't always like shopping in their stores. The one in Bellingham is a bit scungy and the two close to me in Metrotown & Oakridge aren't really close at all. But I hold my nose and go into the stores to spend my Gymbucks - even though you can't reasonably shop with a stroller in there. I usually find several great deals and even complete sets that I thought were sold out on the website.
But what really gets me hooked is the brilliant marketing strategy. The multiple lines of clothing. The discounts. The random flipping through Cookie magazine a few weeks ago was a jack pot as there was a coupon for 20% your total bill. So I bought 8 items from a line that I had been watching. It was already 60% off. So I got 80% off! Fabulous.
And just recently I went on the website again and got multiple items and had another coupon for 30% off my total bill. I am honestly all a twitter thinking of all the money I have saved and all the great deals. Even with the dollar doing a nose dive I still feel good about these purchases.
I shouldn't be surprised. I was out shopping for Everly 5 days after my c section. That is major surgery. And there I was popping Advils and asking if a certain dress came in a 0 - 3 month size. Crazy. Maybe I need a support group.... but only if they share their coupons....
Monday, November 3, 2008
Made In China
A few weeks ago the kids and I were watching a show about the human body. They were excited about all the mucus and poop and whatnot. And of course there was the obligatory discussion about private parts. Boys have penises and girls have vaginas. Only when asked the kids shouted out that girls had chinas. Despite repetition to the point of boredom the kids were still affected by the speech impediment. Whatever.
But last night when I was sorting out the kids candy they asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was making sure that they didn't get any treats made in China. Both boys looked at me with the strangest expressions. Finally Linden asks the obvious - Do chinas really make candy?
It took me a few seconds to see where he was coming from. And then a few more seconds before I could stop laughing.
The moral of the story is this - always make sure your kids can pronounce important words correctly. Otherwise they may grow up to think that chinas really are magical.
But last night when I was sorting out the kids candy they asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was making sure that they didn't get any treats made in China. Both boys looked at me with the strangest expressions. Finally Linden asks the obvious - Do chinas really make candy?
It took me a few seconds to see where he was coming from. And then a few more seconds before I could stop laughing.
The moral of the story is this - always make sure your kids can pronounce important words correctly. Otherwise they may grow up to think that chinas really are magical.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Ebay and other dying hobbies
Well the plunging dollar has left me bereft with grief. For over a year I was enthusiastically buying and trading item from the US. I bought a new stroller for Everly (1/2 of the canadian price with free shipping!), a trip to Disneyland (dollar was over 1.10 us!), one black friday shopping trip with the intrepid Jackie, and many many ebay finds.
But now I am still addicted to the shops known as Ebay & Target - however my shopping high now leaves me feeling a little bit blue. And now there is far more math involved. I was so shocked into reality last week when I purchased something and the dollar was listed at 77 cents! Gasp! That is like mid 1990s!
I again made the trek down to Bellis Fair today. But this time it was to pick up a vacuum cleaner for my mom and it was still 1/2 price even with the exchange. But it didn't feel the same. Instead of gleefully telling the border guard my total, I did so today with me head hung low.
It's just not the same. But I will still shop online - whether through Canadian shops or American because you just can't beat the selection (ever tried to find a Jimmy Neutron DVD here?).
Plus there is a sale at Gymboree on the 6th - 30% off your order. A good shopper can't be kept down. Maybe I am the saviour the American economy needs? Super Tassi!
But now I am still addicted to the shops known as Ebay & Target - however my shopping high now leaves me feeling a little bit blue. And now there is far more math involved. I was so shocked into reality last week when I purchased something and the dollar was listed at 77 cents! Gasp! That is like mid 1990s!
I again made the trek down to Bellis Fair today. But this time it was to pick up a vacuum cleaner for my mom and it was still 1/2 price even with the exchange. But it didn't feel the same. Instead of gleefully telling the border guard my total, I did so today with me head hung low.
It's just not the same. But I will still shop online - whether through Canadian shops or American because you just can't beat the selection (ever tried to find a Jimmy Neutron DVD here?).
Plus there is a sale at Gymboree on the 6th - 30% off your order. A good shopper can't be kept down. Maybe I am the saviour the American economy needs? Super Tassi!
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