So Superwife, Trinity and I are in the throes of some fairly sizable changes these days.
I recently requested a job transfer back to my home town in Northern Ontario, so that we can be closer to my wife's family, and thereby get some much needed support. We've been living near Niagara Falls for about 5 years now, and even though we are within an hour's drive of a pile of Superwife's extended family, we never see or hear from any of them unless we make the effort. And to be honest, that got old pretty quick. The only people that we do have around here are a few really good friends and the only family member outside of my wife and daughter that I actually give a flying fuck about, my sister, and we see her only rarely these days. And with my wife staying home to raise our daughter while I work, its not near enough. She is lonely and frustrated and I don't blame her a bit, and that's why I asked to be transferred.
And I have been so looking forward to moving. We're from a fairly small community, and after living in a large city for the last few years, I actually want to buy a house in the sticks again, and change simple tasks like hitting the grocery store into major events again. I miss running into people I know every time I'm out. I miss feeling like I'm part of a community. I actually miss knowing that local gossip will let everyone in the area know our business before we tell anyone because it will save me the trouble. I also know that I won't miss these things once I'm back and experiencing them again.
One thing I won't get tired of is knowing that I can always get a table at my favourite restaurant because I washed dishes there when I was 12. Familiarity, it turns out, is one of those things that you take for granted when you have it, but you certainly notice it when there isn't any.
I have a very serious respect for causality: I know that if we hadn't moved down here, and made the myriad decisions that we have over the past 5 years, I would not now have my wonderful daughter and the deeply satisfying relationship with Superwife that I do, nor would I have landed the job that is allowing me to move back with the chance to make a decent living. So I regret living away from my home town not at all. But its going to be so good to be home again.
I recently requested a job transfer back to my home town in Northern Ontario, so that we can be closer to my wife's family, and thereby get some much needed support. We've been living near Niagara Falls for about 5 years now, and even though we are within an hour's drive of a pile of Superwife's extended family, we never see or hear from any of them unless we make the effort. And to be honest, that got old pretty quick. The only people that we do have around here are a few really good friends and the only family member outside of my wife and daughter that I actually give a flying fuck about, my sister, and we see her only rarely these days. And with my wife staying home to raise our daughter while I work, its not near enough. She is lonely and frustrated and I don't blame her a bit, and that's why I asked to be transferred.
And I have been so looking forward to moving. We're from a fairly small community, and after living in a large city for the last few years, I actually want to buy a house in the sticks again, and change simple tasks like hitting the grocery store into major events again. I miss running into people I know every time I'm out. I miss feeling like I'm part of a community. I actually miss knowing that local gossip will let everyone in the area know our business before we tell anyone because it will save me the trouble. I also know that I won't miss these things once I'm back and experiencing them again.
One thing I won't get tired of is knowing that I can always get a table at my favourite restaurant because I washed dishes there when I was 12. Familiarity, it turns out, is one of those things that you take for granted when you have it, but you certainly notice it when there isn't any.
I have a very serious respect for causality: I know that if we hadn't moved down here, and made the myriad decisions that we have over the past 5 years, I would not now have my wonderful daughter and the deeply satisfying relationship with Superwife that I do, nor would I have landed the job that is allowing me to move back with the chance to make a decent living. So I regret living away from my home town not at all. But its going to be so good to be home again.
Labels: everything else
Yeah, I know that the Mac vs PC thing has been done to death. And then some. But this was too good to pass up.
I love Superman a lot more than the next guy, and that's why this is so funny. We laugh at what we love.
As I lay here on my couch after being awake for close to 24 hours, I was just thinking that its funny how some things you just can't miss seeing/playing/reading/doing as soon as you possibly can, and others you put off forever, but each can be equally satisfying, albeit for different reasons.
I stayed up late last night to watch the finale of Heroes, knowing I was going to drag my ass at work all day, and still feel that it was totally worth it. And tonight I finally finished playing through Final Fantasy XII after putting off the final boss fight for the last 2 or 3 months. And delaying changed my enjoyment not a bit. Probably the opposite. Seriously fantastic game. If I didn't already have that FFX tattoo...
My point, if I could be said to have one, is that I guess the things that a person really loves can be enjoyed just as much if they're taken slowly or consumed as fast as possible. Probably a life lesson for me there somewhere. Obviously sex notwithstanding, cause you want to get to that sweet finish as fast as you can, regardless of whether your partner makes the trip with you, right? Haha, just kidding, Superwife.
Wow, I think there ought to be a law on posting on a blog when a person is as tired as I am right now. Time for some z's.
I stayed up late last night to watch the finale of Heroes, knowing I was going to drag my ass at work all day, and still feel that it was totally worth it. And tonight I finally finished playing through Final Fantasy XII after putting off the final boss fight for the last 2 or 3 months. And delaying changed my enjoyment not a bit. Probably the opposite. Seriously fantastic game. If I didn't already have that FFX tattoo...
My point, if I could be said to have one, is that I guess the things that a person really loves can be enjoyed just as much if they're taken slowly or consumed as fast as possible. Probably a life lesson for me there somewhere. Obviously sex notwithstanding, cause you want to get to that sweet finish as fast as you can, regardless of whether your partner makes the trip with you, right? Haha, just kidding, Superwife.
Wow, I think there ought to be a law on posting on a blog when a person is as tired as I am right now. Time for some z's.
Labels: everything else, gaming, heroes
I worked all day in my backyard yesterday, slept like ass for a few hours and then got up at five am for a twelve hour shift. I am so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open, let alone type (thank you spellcheck!), but GOD DAMMIT I am not missing the season finale of Heroes.
Halfway through and already I know its worth the horrible lack of sleep I'll be experiencing during tomorrow's 12 hour shift.
Halfway through and already I know its worth the horrible lack of sleep I'll be experiencing during tomorrow's 12 hour shift.
Title pretty much says it all.
Previously I adhered to the adage 'Everything I learned in life I learned from Star Trek'. But I think most of the lessons learned here trump 'Women with pointed ears never lie.' But not by much.
In case the embedded video isn't all that embedded, you can hit it here.
Labels: everything else, funny
I love the Star Wars movies. Probably a lot more than is entirely necessary. But Luke's line from A New Hope just popped into my head while im'ing with a friend about Vader and I have to say that aside from being a poorly delivered lame bit of dialogue, it really sets the tone for Mark Hamill's character for the rest of the trilogy:
And while we're on the subject of the original Star Wars, as I seem to be, I know everyone that grew up with the movie already knows this but just in case you missed the boat or forgot, Han shot Greedo first. Greedo did not shoot at point blank range and miss Solo by a good six feet as all of George Lucas' subsequent releases of the movie would have you believe. Han shot first. He was a jerk and you weren't supposed to call him a good guy. Apparently Lucas thought that anti-heroes were only cool in the 70's, even if they were scruffy-looking nerf herders.
There, that's better.
But I was going into Tashi Station to pick up some power converters!Fucking whiner.
And while we're on the subject of the original Star Wars, as I seem to be, I know everyone that grew up with the movie already knows this but just in case you missed the boat or forgot, Han shot Greedo first. Greedo did not shoot at point blank range and miss Solo by a good six feet as all of George Lucas' subsequent releases of the movie would have you believe. Han shot first. He was a jerk and you weren't supposed to call him a good guy. Apparently Lucas thought that anti-heroes were only cool in the 70's, even if they were scruffy-looking nerf herders.
There, that's better.
Labels: scifi
I really don't know that I am using this blog the way they were intended. I go in spurts where I write in it all the time, and then I hit spots where I either don't feel like writing or don't have anything much to say. Or both. Is there such a thing as blogger's block, or it just called laziness?
Meh, either way.
I'm feeling pretty isolated these days. Superwife and Trin have been gone for a week tonight, and they won't be back til Friday still. And its too long to be without them. I went home to let my dog out last night about 1 in the morning (night shifts this week) and went into my daughter's room, closed the door, turned off the light and just soaked it in. Her empty crib, bathed in the amber glow of the streetlight, the smell of her diapers and cream and wipes and clothes making me wince with the strength of their associated memories. I only cried for a minute or so.
I could never have imagined being this dependant on relationships with other people. If you had told me that I would end up like this 10 years ago I would have laughed at you. Hard. If there was one defining thing about my life prior to my time with my girls it was that the only person who could ever be counted on was myself. Everyone else in my life had always turned out to be a disappointment, or worse. But now, I find being away from the only people who really matter to me for any length of time is so hard its almost unbearable.
I heard that old John Waite song on the radio earlier today, the only one of his that anyone would remember, Missing You. And as cheesy a song as it is, it fit with my melancholy mood spot on.
I can't wait until my girls come home on Friday. I can't wait until I get to have some time off with them. And I can't wait to feel my little girls arms around my neck again.
Meh, either way.
I'm feeling pretty isolated these days. Superwife and Trin have been gone for a week tonight, and they won't be back til Friday still. And its too long to be without them. I went home to let my dog out last night about 1 in the morning (night shifts this week) and went into my daughter's room, closed the door, turned off the light and just soaked it in. Her empty crib, bathed in the amber glow of the streetlight, the smell of her diapers and cream and wipes and clothes making me wince with the strength of their associated memories. I only cried for a minute or so.
I could never have imagined being this dependant on relationships with other people. If you had told me that I would end up like this 10 years ago I would have laughed at you. Hard. If there was one defining thing about my life prior to my time with my girls it was that the only person who could ever be counted on was myself. Everyone else in my life had always turned out to be a disappointment, or worse. But now, I find being away from the only people who really matter to me for any length of time is so hard its almost unbearable.
I heard that old John Waite song on the radio earlier today, the only one of his that anyone would remember, Missing You. And as cheesy a song as it is, it fit with my melancholy mood spot on.
I can't wait until my girls come home on Friday. I can't wait until I get to have some time off with them. And I can't wait to feel my little girls arms around my neck again.
Labels: everything else, trinity
Dear Trinity,
Once again I am writing you a letter while you are visiting your grandparents with your Mommy. I'm starting to think that at some point it might be prudent to just move the whole team up there and start saving on all those travel costs.
I miss you and your Mom a lot, but we figured that since I am in a part of my current schedule at work where I'm either at the office or sleeping, it was a good time for your Mom to take you to see your grandparents.
This past month has seen the last dregs of cold weather swept away and replaced with the kind of warm spring that we spend every winter waiting expectantly for. And we have been taking advantage of it. We have been spending plenty of time outdoors, with you on your big wheel, taking you to the park, just going for walks. It's been really nice, and it bodes well for the coming summer.
Now that we can start making plans for the summer, I am looking forward to picnics, trips to the beach (but we'll skip the swim in the polluted Great Lake), and playing in our soon-to-be-redone backyard. We're hoping to get you a little playground with a swing and a slide once we redo the lawn back there.
One of the fun things that we did with you this past month was introduce you to the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Yeah, your Mom and I are atheists, but that isn't stopping us from having fun with all of the holidays we can throw at you. You loved the Easter Egg Hunt, but not nearly as much as you loved eating the chocolate that you found was inside them.
This last pic is one I had your Mom take of you as I was driving you both to your Mom's friend Joanne's place before she was to bring you up to your Grandparents place. I have been looking at it every few minutes since.
Can't wait to see you again.
Love Daddy
Once again I am writing you a letter while you are visiting your grandparents with your Mommy. I'm starting to think that at some point it might be prudent to just move the whole team up there and start saving on all those travel costs.
I miss you and your Mom a lot, but we figured that since I am in a part of my current schedule at work where I'm either at the office or sleeping, it was a good time for your Mom to take you to see your grandparents.
This past month has seen the last dregs of cold weather swept away and replaced with the kind of warm spring that we spend every winter waiting expectantly for. And we have been taking advantage of it. We have been spending plenty of time outdoors, with you on your big wheel, taking you to the park, just going for walks. It's been really nice, and it bodes well for the coming summer.
Now that we can start making plans for the summer, I am looking forward to picnics, trips to the beach (but we'll skip the swim in the polluted Great Lake), and playing in our soon-to-be-redone backyard. We're hoping to get you a little playground with a swing and a slide once we redo the lawn back there.
One of the fun things that we did with you this past month was introduce you to the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Yeah, your Mom and I are atheists, but that isn't stopping us from having fun with all of the holidays we can throw at you. You loved the Easter Egg Hunt, but not nearly as much as you loved eating the chocolate that you found was inside them.
This last pic is one I had your Mom take of you as I was driving you both to your Mom's friend Joanne's place before she was to bring you up to your Grandparents place. I have been looking at it every few minutes since.
Can't wait to see you again.
Love Daddy
Labels: trinity
You know facebook. Everyone does. It is the most recent in a long line of novelty web acts that does little more than provide a false sense of connection to people you fell out of touch with, usually with good reason. You might know it better by its skanky cousin, MySpace.
Don't get me wrong. I had (note the past tense) plenty of 'real' friends on my facebook account. But I can still talk to them through means of communication that don't take up what little bit of free time I do have.
And now that my workplace has banned the use of facebook on office computers with a draconian security policy, I would have to spend even more time at home on the thing than I was just to keep up.
So this morning I dumped my facebook account and freed up a lot of future time for myself. And dumping the account is no easy feat, as the developers want you to come back and re-activate your account. Deleting, btw is not an option. So if, like me, you feel the need to rid yourself of all the notes, wall posting, profile reading, and answering messages from people you don't remember, here's what you need to do to complete the job. Props to WikiHow for the tips:
1. If you've gotten into the habit of using Facebook messages instead of email, update your email address book so you can get in touch with your friends next week.
2. Remove every single friend from your friends list.
3. If you've started any groups, transfer admin rights to someone you trust.
4. Leave all your networks
5. Leave all your groups.
6. Delete all your photo albums.
7. Delete all messages on your wall.
8. Delete all Comments you've made
9. Delete all your messages, both sent and received.
10. Clear every last bit of information from your profile. Don't forget to remove your photo!
11. Deactivate your account.
12. You didn't forget to remove all your friends, did you? Next week you might find yourself tempted to reactivate your account, and where will that get you?
Don't get me wrong. I had (note the past tense) plenty of 'real' friends on my facebook account. But I can still talk to them through means of communication that don't take up what little bit of free time I do have.
And now that my workplace has banned the use of facebook on office computers with a draconian security policy, I would have to spend even more time at home on the thing than I was just to keep up.
So this morning I dumped my facebook account and freed up a lot of future time for myself. And dumping the account is no easy feat, as the developers want you to come back and re-activate your account. Deleting, btw is not an option. So if, like me, you feel the need to rid yourself of all the notes, wall posting, profile reading, and answering messages from people you don't remember, here's what you need to do to complete the job. Props to WikiHow for the tips:
1. If you've gotten into the habit of using Facebook messages instead of email, update your email address book so you can get in touch with your friends next week.
2. Remove every single friend from your friends list.
3. If you've started any groups, transfer admin rights to someone you trust.
4. Leave all your networks
5. Leave all your groups.
6. Delete all your photo albums.
7. Delete all messages on your wall.
8. Delete all Comments you've made
9. Delete all your messages, both sent and received.
10. Clear every last bit of information from your profile. Don't forget to remove your photo!
11. Deactivate your account.
12. You didn't forget to remove all your friends, did you? Next week you might find yourself tempted to reactivate your account, and where will that get you?
Labels: everything else
