I've been doing Bikram yoga (aka Hot yoga or the Bad kind) for about 6 years on and off. I've had such a love/hate relationship with it. I discovered early on that it is fantastic for my arms and if I'm doing it regularly, my arms and hands don't hurt in my job. Bonus! Doing massage with pain-free hands and elbows is a good thing. When I stop going to yoga for more than a couple weeks, the pain returns. I've tested this over and over again when I get slack about going.
I never entirely understand why I get slack about going because I know how much it benefits me. I just start to think about how hard it is, especially in certain poses, and that whiny 3 year-old in my head takes over - I DON'T WANNA! - and I opt out.
So I did a 30-day challenge in June, which was incredibly hard, but also much easier than I thought because it took the decision making out of going. I didn't have to make that choice every day because I had committed to going, and the only decision there was was which class I was going to attend.
Since I've finished the 30 days, it has become more challenging again to get myself there. I planned to go 5-6 days a week for several more months to keep up the momentum, but it has been more like 4, and since I haven't been feeling well the past few weeks, it has been more intermittent.
But I've been taking a workshop this weekend which breaks down all the poses and discusses what they do for you, which muscles, joints and even chakras they affect. It is also reinforcing the idea that there should be no expectations going into class. Every class is your first, so it doesn't matter where you got in a pose yesterday or last week, it is all about where you are today. It's really freeing, providing you can turn off your ego and brain, and even what the teacher is saying to you, and just go with it. Some instructors have said this in the past, but others are always trying to get you to go further and further regardless of what's going on with you at that exact moment.
The class is surprisingly small - I guess spending an extra 8 hours in a hot yoga studio during a heat wave and long weekend isn't appealing to everyone - but I especially wish more instructors were in attendance. There's some profound shit going on and I wish they could pass it along to lots of people.
I had an amazing class yesterday after the workshop, and left feeling like I'd been hit by a Mac truck, but in a good way. I'm not sure I buy into all the stuff they're saying as my new-age-bullshit detector went off a couple times, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a bit and see where it gets me.
Namaste!
August 02, 2009
April 11, 2009
Clearing it out
I've been going to counselling for a while to help me deal with the grief over Mum's death. It seems to be helping although there are still good days and some very bad days. It will be a year next month since she died and I know May is going to be a very rough month for me. My counsellor is great, though, and she's definitely giving me some tools to get through it more easily.
One thing I didn't expect from the counselling sessions was to discover childhood issues that affect me to this day. I was bullied by my friends pretty badly in primary school and it never occurred to me that I'd have leftovers from that 25 years later. I mean, we're all screwed up by our childhoods, right? But in examining things is great detail, I've learned that a big part of why I'm very cautious at making friends, and rarely put myself into vulnerable positions with people until I'm really comfortable is because of the way those "friends" treated me. Go figure!
Anyway, the gist of the whole thing is that I did a bunch of intense processing and have managed to let go of a pile of those issues and will hopefully be able to move forward with fewer hangups. I feel lighter and freer and it's pretty cool.
One thing I didn't expect from the counselling sessions was to discover childhood issues that affect me to this day. I was bullied by my friends pretty badly in primary school and it never occurred to me that I'd have leftovers from that 25 years later. I mean, we're all screwed up by our childhoods, right? But in examining things is great detail, I've learned that a big part of why I'm very cautious at making friends, and rarely put myself into vulnerable positions with people until I'm really comfortable is because of the way those "friends" treated me. Go figure!
Anyway, the gist of the whole thing is that I did a bunch of intense processing and have managed to let go of a pile of those issues and will hopefully be able to move forward with fewer hangups. I feel lighter and freer and it's pretty cool.
February 08, 2009
What is the opposite of linear?
Grief is weird.
One would think that it was a very linear process: you'd feel really crappy at the beginning, then as time goes on, you'd feel better and better. It's simply not the case.
In fact, for the first couple years, it seems to be a reverse process. In the beginning, you're actually doing fairly well. You're in shock more than anything, even if the death was expected. I don't think we ever believe death will truly happen, even if you've been watching it get closer and closer.
You function fairly well initially because there's so much to do. There's simply no time to fall apart when so much planning and organizing has to happen. Of course there are blips when it hits hard, but then you have to get back to getting stuff done.
A few months later, some of that numbness starts to wear off and you start feeling things. Bad things. But at this point, people expect you to be feeling better, not the reverse. You're back at work and involved in activities, and it's hard to explain why you want to take to your bed now, rather than immediately following your loss.
This cycle of normalcy and misery bounces back and forth for a long time. Strange things set it off either direction. I've watched a movie that mimicked my experience without feeling much, then something seemingly unrelated will just shatter me and every raw feeling will be right there at the surface. It's very exciting (not in a good way!) because you never know when it's going to happen. I've started crying while singing Christmas carols. I sobbed every time I saw a trailer for the movie "Australia", though not during the movie itself (a little dull). Other times, I just feel crappy or angry for a few days, a few weeks, and can't seem to shake it.
Having been through this before with my dad, I know that over time it does get much better and ebbs and flows of grief level off, but I also know it doesn't happen for the first couple years. I'll be bursting into tears at inopportune times for a while to come now, but I know it is all a part of the process.
One would think that it was a very linear process: you'd feel really crappy at the beginning, then as time goes on, you'd feel better and better. It's simply not the case.
In fact, for the first couple years, it seems to be a reverse process. In the beginning, you're actually doing fairly well. You're in shock more than anything, even if the death was expected. I don't think we ever believe death will truly happen, even if you've been watching it get closer and closer.
You function fairly well initially because there's so much to do. There's simply no time to fall apart when so much planning and organizing has to happen. Of course there are blips when it hits hard, but then you have to get back to getting stuff done.
A few months later, some of that numbness starts to wear off and you start feeling things. Bad things. But at this point, people expect you to be feeling better, not the reverse. You're back at work and involved in activities, and it's hard to explain why you want to take to your bed now, rather than immediately following your loss.
This cycle of normalcy and misery bounces back and forth for a long time. Strange things set it off either direction. I've watched a movie that mimicked my experience without feeling much, then something seemingly unrelated will just shatter me and every raw feeling will be right there at the surface. It's very exciting (not in a good way!) because you never know when it's going to happen. I've started crying while singing Christmas carols. I sobbed every time I saw a trailer for the movie "Australia", though not during the movie itself (a little dull). Other times, I just feel crappy or angry for a few days, a few weeks, and can't seem to shake it.
Having been through this before with my dad, I know that over time it does get much better and ebbs and flows of grief level off, but I also know it doesn't happen for the first couple years. I'll be bursting into tears at inopportune times for a while to come now, but I know it is all a part of the process.
May 19, 2007
Kayaking
Oh, one non-computer thing I've been up to this year is Kayaking. Theovis, Chris and I took some lessons out at Deep Cove. It is incredibly beautiful out there! And I think the water is cleaner than most places near the city, which makes a difference when one needs to practice capsize and recovery techniques.
Being upside down underwater attached to a boat is such a surreal experience. The first time I practiced I got out with no problem. The second time involved much flailing and panic when I couldn't find the toggle to release my spray skirt. Thankfully, pushing my feet as hard as I could against the bottom of the boat popped me out. I'm not a big fan of the whole capsizing thing since it involves me being in the water but getting back in the boat by oneself is often such a challenge I was almost willing to stay in the water.
In our third class, I had an unexpected capsize while practicing bracing techniques (ironically supposed to keep one from capsizing). I was out of that boat before I'd even really realized what happened, which was excellent. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing a wetsuit and the pacific ocean in mid-May is not the ideal temperature for swimming. Thank the heavens for hot showers!
Being upside down underwater attached to a boat is such a surreal experience. The first time I practiced I got out with no problem. The second time involved much flailing and panic when I couldn't find the toggle to release my spray skirt. Thankfully, pushing my feet as hard as I could against the bottom of the boat popped me out. I'm not a big fan of the whole capsizing thing since it involves me being in the water but getting back in the boat by oneself is often such a challenge I was almost willing to stay in the water.
In our third class, I had an unexpected capsize while practicing bracing techniques (ironically supposed to keep one from capsizing). I was out of that boat before I'd even really realized what happened, which was excellent. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing a wetsuit and the pacific ocean in mid-May is not the ideal temperature for swimming. Thank the heavens for hot showers!
Can't stop!
I finally got an account on Facebook and have been at it all day. I can't seem to walk away. I'm adding photos and randomly searching out friends. I really should be doing English homework but this is a whole-lot more fun.
March 12, 2007
More updating thanks to late patients
Okay, where was I? It's only taken 4 months to have another look at this.
We took an amazing cruise to Alaska in September to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. It was just phenomenal. We aren't in love with the cruise lifestyle, though we would do one again, but Alaska is so beautiful! It is very similar to BC, but I love BC, so what's not to love about Alaska.
In Juneau it was pouring. We wandered around the city for a while and eventually found the State Museum. Every port in Alaska is filled with awful tourist shops near the dock that are owned by the cruise ship companies. You have to wander much farther to find anything of interest to see. None of the descriptions of the port provided by the ship mention anything to do other than their excursions and their shops. It left a pretty bad taste in our mouths.
Anyway, Juneau. After being soaked by a passing bus, I changed my clothes and we went on a whale watching expedition. It was so awesome! We saw at least 7 humpbacks and many playful sealions. A young humpback was doing impressive tail thumps and waving his pectoral fin in the air. Wow!
Next stop was Skagway. It was a gorgeous morning with mist rising off the water and the mountains had received a dusting of snow. We planned to go hiking but got pulled into a tour by a local guide. We were so glad we did! We got a lot of history of the very interesting Gold Rush town and had a spectacular bus ride up the White pass to where the prospectors headed into the Yukon gold fields. It is really amazing any of them made it considering the gear they would have had in the late 1800s. The jagged mountain peaks were spellbinding.
We next sailed into Glacier Bay and spent the day looking at calving glaciers. The thunderous sound of ice hitting water has to be experienced to be believed. It was pouring rain again and very cold but we bundled up and stood out front on the deck to see nature's performance art. While we sailed to the next glacier, we went inside to dry our gear before the afternoon's viewing. I had to dry my long johns with the hairdryer in the room. The second glacier was at least as stunning and we laughed to see a lone bald eagle sitting on an iceberg, also enjoying the show. He sat there almost as long as we did.
Our final stop was Ketchikan. We took a sea kayaking tour in the morning where we saw bald eagles, sea stars, sun stars, a menacing bull sealion (who wasn't pleased our boats were too close) and a humpback whale who surfaced then was feeding about 50 metres away from us. I was panicky but Theo thought it was awesome. Once I was back on dry land, I agreed it was awesome. In the afternoon, we took a float plane tour of the Misty Fjords National Monument. Wow! They were some mighty misty fjords. So beautiful. And I was very proud of how calm I was my first time in a float plane.
All in all, an amazing trip. We're definitely planning to do more kayaking this year. And another trip to Alaska has been added to my lengthy "places to go" list. Next time I want to see Denali National Park!
We took an amazing cruise to Alaska in September to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. It was just phenomenal. We aren't in love with the cruise lifestyle, though we would do one again, but Alaska is so beautiful! It is very similar to BC, but I love BC, so what's not to love about Alaska.
In Juneau it was pouring. We wandered around the city for a while and eventually found the State Museum. Every port in Alaska is filled with awful tourist shops near the dock that are owned by the cruise ship companies. You have to wander much farther to find anything of interest to see. None of the descriptions of the port provided by the ship mention anything to do other than their excursions and their shops. It left a pretty bad taste in our mouths.
Anyway, Juneau. After being soaked by a passing bus, I changed my clothes and we went on a whale watching expedition. It was so awesome! We saw at least 7 humpbacks and many playful sealions. A young humpback was doing impressive tail thumps and waving his pectoral fin in the air. Wow!
Next stop was Skagway. It was a gorgeous morning with mist rising off the water and the mountains had received a dusting of snow. We planned to go hiking but got pulled into a tour by a local guide. We were so glad we did! We got a lot of history of the very interesting Gold Rush town and had a spectacular bus ride up the White pass to where the prospectors headed into the Yukon gold fields. It is really amazing any of them made it considering the gear they would have had in the late 1800s. The jagged mountain peaks were spellbinding.
We next sailed into Glacier Bay and spent the day looking at calving glaciers. The thunderous sound of ice hitting water has to be experienced to be believed. It was pouring rain again and very cold but we bundled up and stood out front on the deck to see nature's performance art. While we sailed to the next glacier, we went inside to dry our gear before the afternoon's viewing. I had to dry my long johns with the hairdryer in the room. The second glacier was at least as stunning and we laughed to see a lone bald eagle sitting on an iceberg, also enjoying the show. He sat there almost as long as we did.
Our final stop was Ketchikan. We took a sea kayaking tour in the morning where we saw bald eagles, sea stars, sun stars, a menacing bull sealion (who wasn't pleased our boats were too close) and a humpback whale who surfaced then was feeding about 50 metres away from us. I was panicky but Theo thought it was awesome. Once I was back on dry land, I agreed it was awesome. In the afternoon, we took a float plane tour of the Misty Fjords National Monument. Wow! They were some mighty misty fjords. So beautiful. And I was very proud of how calm I was my first time in a float plane.
All in all, an amazing trip. We're definitely planning to do more kayaking this year. And another trip to Alaska has been added to my lengthy "places to go" list. Next time I want to see Denali National Park!
November 08, 2006
Killing Time
Okay, it looks like my 1:45 patient is not going to turn up at all, considering that it is 2:38 at the moment. I've done all my charting and figure I might as well put some spare time to good use updating what the heck I've been up to for the past 9 months.
Feb-June: A second massage therapist joined my clinic but had to leave again when her husband was transferred to the interior of BC. I kind of figured she wasn't in it for the long haul and wasn't terribly surprised when she left. It was a good educational experience and I learned a lot about what to ask when I hired someone else.
Theo and I did a 4-day camping trip to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It was very lovely and a great trip but I was totally disgusted by all the giant flying ants. They should be banned. Yick! We went to the hot springs in Olympic National Forest and soaked in their stinky, sulphuric wonder. After an hour or so I couldn't stand the stench anymore but my muscles felt fantastic and we were able to take advantage of the shower facilities in the complex. Hooray for less stench! Hopefully we can get more days off next year so we can head to the Oregon Coast.
July-Sept: A new massage therapist joined the practice and is still going strong today. We seem like a better fit and I'm really glad to have her here.
Sept-Present: An acupuncturist joined the practice as well so both of my clinic rooms are being utilized most days. There still are a couple gaps but I really can't complain. It is nice to have other people helping me out in paying for expenses.
Okay, gotta sign off now. Will finish soon.
Feb-June: A second massage therapist joined my clinic but had to leave again when her husband was transferred to the interior of BC. I kind of figured she wasn't in it for the long haul and wasn't terribly surprised when she left. It was a good educational experience and I learned a lot about what to ask when I hired someone else.
Theo and I did a 4-day camping trip to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It was very lovely and a great trip but I was totally disgusted by all the giant flying ants. They should be banned. Yick! We went to the hot springs in Olympic National Forest and soaked in their stinky, sulphuric wonder. After an hour or so I couldn't stand the stench anymore but my muscles felt fantastic and we were able to take advantage of the shower facilities in the complex. Hooray for less stench! Hopefully we can get more days off next year so we can head to the Oregon Coast.
July-Sept: A new massage therapist joined the practice and is still going strong today. We seem like a better fit and I'm really glad to have her here.
Sept-Present: An acupuncturist joined the practice as well so both of my clinic rooms are being utilized most days. There still are a couple gaps but I really can't complain. It is nice to have other people helping me out in paying for expenses.
Okay, gotta sign off now. Will finish soon.
Rummy resigns!
I know it's been a shockingly long time since I posted anything but my new business has been taking up most of my time and creativity. I did need to break out of my written hiatus to mention my joy at the news of Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. I am thrilled to not have to see his smug face and hear his condescension for anyone who disagrees with his ideas. I don't know much about the new guy but count me tickled pink to see what he can do.
January 31, 2006
New Clinic
I realized that I haven't written anything since I opened my clinic on December 1. It is going super-well. If anything I am too busy and am really feeling the physical ramifications of working so hard. The online booking program I have is working really well and I just spoke to another therapist who will be joining me in the space in a couple weeks. Huzzah!
6 Weeks of Rain
The last day of January 2006. How the time has flown by. In Vancouver we've had almost nothing but rain since the end of December and this year, I'm not depressed. I'm angry.
It is quite ridiculous to get angry at the weather but it feels a little more proactive than the usual blues. Instead of hiding in my house, I consider every excursion into the outside world as a "Fuck you right in the ear!" to the rain. Besides work, I have returned to ballet class, joined a salsa class, had many dinners out with friends as part of "Dine out Vancouver", gone to yoga twice a week and seen several new movies with gal friends on Friday nights.
Tonight we're "Dining out" at Aqua Riva and I am kind-of dreading my walk to the skytrain in the double whammy rain-and-wind combo we've got going today but I refuse to let it win.
Who am I kidding? I'm winning a few skirmishes but as far as the war goes, the weather is wiping the floor with me. Dinner is overrated. Maybe I'll just stay in bed...
It is quite ridiculous to get angry at the weather but it feels a little more proactive than the usual blues. Instead of hiding in my house, I consider every excursion into the outside world as a "Fuck you right in the ear!" to the rain. Besides work, I have returned to ballet class, joined a salsa class, had many dinners out with friends as part of "Dine out Vancouver", gone to yoga twice a week and seen several new movies with gal friends on Friday nights.
Tonight we're "Dining out" at Aqua Riva and I am kind-of dreading my walk to the skytrain in the double whammy rain-and-wind combo we've got going today but I refuse to let it win.
Who am I kidding? I'm winning a few skirmishes but as far as the war goes, the weather is wiping the floor with me. Dinner is overrated. Maybe I'll just stay in bed...
November 29, 2005
Getting there
I am getting closer to December 1, which is the first day I will see patients in my new clinic. The place still has a long ways to go as far as getting ready - a huge part in the delay being that there was a flood in the place last Thursday thanks to a burst pipe on the 6th floor which made it down to my suite on the 4th. There were driers and dehumidifiers in there all weekend while we were setting up the computer etc. Currently, they have ripped off all my baseboards in 3 of the rooms and the carpet needs to be cleaned in all of those rooms. One of which is my intended treatment room, so I am probably going to have to use the second room for a few days until I get a chance to set up the other one once the workmen are done. It just adds to the excitement, I guess.
So, instead of getting a bunch of things ready this afternoon, I went to see Rent. And now I have that "Fivehundredtwentyfivethousandsixhundredminutes" song stuck in my head.
And now I'm baking muffins. There's always tomorrow, right?
Oh, crap. There's only tomorrow!
So, instead of getting a bunch of things ready this afternoon, I went to see Rent. And now I have that "Fivehundredtwentyfivethousandsixhundredminutes" song stuck in my head.
And now I'm baking muffins. There's always tomorrow, right?
Oh, crap. There's only tomorrow!
November 15, 2005
Clinic is Go!
I got the keys to my new clinic today. After months of stress and hassle, I have a location and a lease and now, keys to the premesis. Woot! I'm now filled with all kinds of nervous energy about getting the place painted and furnished and ready-to-go for December 1. You can check out the clinic website - www.serenityclinic.com - and even book an appointment for a treatment through my online booking system. Hooray!
Plus, anyone who wants to help me paint or move stuff in (especially Nov 29), is mighty welcome.
Plus, anyone who wants to help me paint or move stuff in (especially Nov 29), is mighty welcome.
November 10, 2005
Remembrance
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day here in Canada. It is one of those days that make me feel especially Canadian and especially proud to be Canadian. I'm pleased that we have an actual holiday to celebrate our veterans and that a lot of average people go out to the cenotaphs to participate in Rememberance Day ceremonies. And that businesses, events, TV and radio will come to a standstill at 11:11 to observe a minute of silence. As a child in the Brownies and Girl Guides, I marched in Rememberance Day parades every year. My dad was an incredibly proud Legion member - he served in the Australian militia (reserves) during the Vietnam era - and as a Boy Scout leader encouraged us to participate. My brother and I had no problem with the ceremony but didn't like the Northern BC November weather though it was the only time of year I could wear jeans with my uniform instead of a skirt. The cold just made the hotdogs and hot chocolate served after the parade taste even better.
And I love seeing the ubiquitous red felt poppies.
We buy the poppies every year and pin them on our jackets to represent the poppies that grew in Flanders Fields (row on row) over the graves of soldiers who died in Europe in WWI. We almost always have to buy more than one poppy because the poor pin design means they never actually stay where we pin them. If we weren't Canadian, perhaps we'd come up with a new style of pin that didn't fall out but the fact that they don't stay in place is kind of part of the whole ritual to us. They don't work and that works for us. In fact, there was controversy this year because a politician had deigned to put a Canadian flag pin through the middle of his poppy to keep it on. Only Canadians could get upset about something like this.
What I don't like about poppy time is that some people don't seem to know poppy ettiquite rules.
1. The poppy goes on the left side of your jacket - closest to the heart.
2. The poppy is not a decoration to put on your baseball cap or backpack.
3. You take the poppy off after 11:11 on the 11th - because you're supposed to have pinned it on a wreath at the cenotaph after the parade.
I see people on the streets breaking all these rules and really want to yell at them but I don't want to seem crazy enough to scold people for breaking poppy rules. So, I'm crazy enough to want to scold people but not crazy enough to actually do it. I think I can live with that.
And I love seeing the ubiquitous red felt poppies.
We buy the poppies every year and pin them on our jackets to represent the poppies that grew in Flanders Fields (row on row) over the graves of soldiers who died in Europe in WWI. We almost always have to buy more than one poppy because the poor pin design means they never actually stay where we pin them. If we weren't Canadian, perhaps we'd come up with a new style of pin that didn't fall out but the fact that they don't stay in place is kind of part of the whole ritual to us. They don't work and that works for us. In fact, there was controversy this year because a politician had deigned to put a Canadian flag pin through the middle of his poppy to keep it on. Only Canadians could get upset about something like this.
What I don't like about poppy time is that some people don't seem to know poppy ettiquite rules.
1. The poppy goes on the left side of your jacket - closest to the heart.
2. The poppy is not a decoration to put on your baseball cap or backpack.
3. You take the poppy off after 11:11 on the 11th - because you're supposed to have pinned it on a wreath at the cenotaph after the parade.
I see people on the streets breaking all these rules and really want to yell at them but I don't want to seem crazy enough to scold people for breaking poppy rules. So, I'm crazy enough to want to scold people but not crazy enough to actually do it. I think I can live with that.
November 07, 2005
Lousy anterior talofibular ligament
I sprained my left ankle yesterday while walking to my car from a store. Just like the last time I blew out my other ankle, I stepped off a curb I didn't realize was a curb and WHAM! Thankfully, this time is a lot less severe - especially since I had to drive my manual transmission car back from Coquitlam - but it still hurts like a mofo and I still can't go to work. Gah! The timing sucks because I'm so busy trying to get my clinic off the ground and I'm spending tons of money so time off isn't smart. But I guess it gives me time to sit here and work on my website.
Filed in: Work
October 31, 2005
I'm here to announce...there's nothing to announce
I still haven't had any firm action on the lease/insurance front but I think I'm getting closer. After my meltdown on Thursday when I was convinced that this whole "own clinic" thing was the stupidest plan ever, I seem to be coming back around. I'm super-thankful for Annelise who was my insurance phoning hero while I was at work today. It's got to be that I will know in the next day or so for sure. For sure!
I hope.
I hope.
Filed in: Work
October 27, 2005
Leasing Woes
I was totally looking forward to announcing that I'd signed my lease today and knew exactly where my new clinic was going to be but no such luck. The main problem: insurance. I haven't been able to find an insurance agent who does commercial general liability insurance who does all of the following: a) covers massage therapy clinics, b) includes the extensive list of clauses required by the landlord, c) will return my phone calls.
I had a total meltdown earlier because I was so sure I was done with all this. I just can't believe how difficult it has been to make it all happen. And the date I have to leave my current clinic is getting closer without any of this lease stuff getting any easier. *sigh*
I had a total meltdown earlier because I was so sure I was done with all this. I just can't believe how difficult it has been to make it all happen. And the date I have to leave my current clinic is getting closer without any of this lease stuff getting any easier. *sigh*
Filed in: Work
October 23, 2005
New Look
As you can probably see for yourself, I'm trying a new look for my site. I decided having my blog as the main page was a way to get myself to write more often without the effort of all the hand-coding required to do my rants and updates the old way. It will take me a while to transform the whole site but I'm pretty pleased with my start.
October 22, 2005
So I'm sitting in a café tonight eating some pumpkin pie and drinking a latte (I burned my tongue, comme toujours, but that's kind of irrelevant. Okay, completely irrelevant but I needed to mention it because it hurts). The pie arrived without whip cream - whaa? When I asked the server about the lack she explained that they didn't "do" whip cream there. Uh. Huh.
Really, there should be a warning about that sort of thing. I mean, pumpkin pie comes with whip cream. That's just the way it is. It's sort of like being at someone's house and they offer you coffee or tea but don't tell you they're out of milk until a steaming cup of black, undrinkable substance is before you. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the hospitality of being offered a beverage but I would have made a different choice had I had all the necessary information. Given the choice between black coffee and the murkiest tap water, I'd choose the water. Or recently at one of my favourite burrito places they didn't tell me they were out of cheese until my burrito was ¾ made. I'm just too polite to walk away at this point (though not too polite to bitch about it later). If they'd have told me at the beginning of the transaction, I'd have gone for sushi (I think I just realized why they didn't tell me). Eating that burrito made me feel bad for vegans because burrito minus cheese equals suck.
Like the pie. I wouldn't have chosen pumpkin pie had I known there was no accompanying whip cream. It just doesn't taste right. They could have a sign near the pie or the server could have mentioned it when I ordered it. C'mon, have you ever seen a photo of pumpkin pie sans whip? I haven't either. But once it's in front of me, I'm too uncomfortable to send it back and end up munching at it dejectedly. I just want my expectations managed - and apparently, as I read this rant back to myself, a lot of dairy.
Really, there should be a warning about that sort of thing. I mean, pumpkin pie comes with whip cream. That's just the way it is. It's sort of like being at someone's house and they offer you coffee or tea but don't tell you they're out of milk until a steaming cup of black, undrinkable substance is before you. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the hospitality of being offered a beverage but I would have made a different choice had I had all the necessary information. Given the choice between black coffee and the murkiest tap water, I'd choose the water. Or recently at one of my favourite burrito places they didn't tell me they were out of cheese until my burrito was ¾ made. I'm just too polite to walk away at this point (though not too polite to bitch about it later). If they'd have told me at the beginning of the transaction, I'd have gone for sushi (I think I just realized why they didn't tell me). Eating that burrito made me feel bad for vegans because burrito minus cheese equals suck.
Like the pie. I wouldn't have chosen pumpkin pie had I known there was no accompanying whip cream. It just doesn't taste right. They could have a sign near the pie or the server could have mentioned it when I ordered it. C'mon, have you ever seen a photo of pumpkin pie sans whip? I haven't either. But once it's in front of me, I'm too uncomfortable to send it back and end up munching at it dejectedly. I just want my expectations managed - and apparently, as I read this rant back to myself, a lot of dairy.
Filed in: rants
October 17, 2005
As I was thinking about my need to buy groceries tomorrow I got all obsessive this evening and created a master shopping list containing the things we buy most often, layed out in the design of our local Safeway. I tend write out my list in a sectional way to make the shopping more efficient but I seem to be writing out the same things all the time. Voila, the computer. I divided the page up into three parts, printed the list, then cut the pages to create convenienty-sized lists. I then stapled my grocery list pad together and put it on the fridge. I'm almost excited about going shopping now. Almost.
I'm posting the list here in case anyone else wants to adjust it to their own needs and grocery store - no, you don't have to buy Vegemite.
Happy Shopping!
I'm posting the list here in case anyone else wants to adjust it to their own needs and grocery store - no, you don't have to buy Vegemite.
Happy Shopping!
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