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Bailey's new cut. [18 Nov 2008|04:13pm] giish [ mood | okay ] [ music | The Ground That We Walk On - Hawksley Workman ] When I went away to Igloolik for a couple of days, I had to get a 'dog sitter' for Bailey. I could have taken him with me, but given that even I didn't know where I was staying, I didn't think he'd look too kindly upon too much change. So, I went to the family I had adopted him from and asked them to look after him (for a small fee, of course). They agreed and even offered to through in a hair cut. I said "Sure!" and even told them to just do the cut in the way they normally did (he is around 12 or something). So, I left him in those caring hands and went about my business. I missed him but not as much as normal, knowing he was with his old family and probably loving it. So here is a photo I took this past summer of Bailey. He was slightly puffier a couple of weeks ago, but this is generally how he looked. Old Bailey: Then. I picked him up after his baby sitting adventures. And this is what I got: New Bailey: I didn't even recognise him. I kept looking over the smiling children and jumping little dog, wondering...where's Bailey? Then I realised that the skinny, jumping little dog WAS Bailey. I was speechless. Poor guy. I mean, here we are in -36 (with the windchill) weather and he gets stripped of all his insulation. It definitely limits the time he spends outside. Although, truth be told, he didn't spend that much time out there to begin with (thank god). But, I just wanted to update quickly before heading home for a veggie dinner and Bailey, to watch Frasier reruns and go to bed early. Aloha, G. 1 comment|post comment

when it used to take only one... [14 Nov 2008|12:58pm] giish [ mood | okay ] [ music | Two - Ryan Adams ] I have been staying at work through lunch lately. Not because I'm being super efficient or anything like that, mostly because it's too cold to walk home and I would spend more time walking there than actually eating lunch and relaxing. So, I just throw a can of tuna or something into my backpack before leaving in the morning. And plain tuna from the can is no fun, let me tell you. If I were more interested or involved in the whole cooking thing, I'd be making something in the morning that would be tasty to eat at lunch. But that spells a bit more effort and time than I am willing to put in, at the moment. Work is...still work. I made some tentative plans with an old friend yesterday. I just decided that I would go to Ireland to visit her. I'm looking at 3 weeks in June. Air fare isn't too expensive and I'm already planning to pack my purple filter to take greener than green photos of Irish countryside. Can't wait to waste my time in a pub, too. The only other thing that is on my mind about that trip is that I haven't seen this friend of mine in well over 10 years. And you know I am...awkward, etc. But I've given myself a stern talking-to: no acting like a pussy. Just jump in and enjoy life with other people. Even if you have to fly to Ireland to do it. I'm glad the weekend is here so I can sleep in on purpose. I have to take photos of Bailey and his awesome new haircut. When I left the house this morning at 9, the moon was still out. Soon it will be dark all the time. Anyway, I am planning on photos this weekend. I don't know of what, or who (other than Bailey) but there should be something interesting to look at the next time you come here to read. I still have to upload some photos from the time I spent in Igloolik last weekend. It's just so painful to do. The internet is so slow and it takes forever to load up photos to Flickr. I'm starting to resize them smaller and smaller so it takes less time. Speaking of time; it's going by so quickly. I will be heading homeward for the holidays, spending time at my mother's then later, heading to London to live up the city life (har, har). Really, I'm just going for the take-out food. Just kidding. Oh, and by far the best news: my sister graced us with another little nephew. He was born on Wednesday around lunch time. I was happy to hear everything had gone so well. And a bit sad because I wasn't there to see him. He will be about a month old by the time I make it down that way. 8 pounds, 2 ounces. God, I can ramble. In any event, I'm off to smoke outside. G. post comment

Killing time until flight. [11 Nov 2008|02:28pm] giish [ music | Beautiful World - Coldplay ] Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. What does it say? "...from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. And..." Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch? couch cushion, end of coffee table, air. Before you started this survey, what were you doing? a little of everything: laundry, packing, cleaning, smoking, drinking pop... What is the last thing you watched on TV? part of a movie called Imortality with Jude Law. Without looking, guess what time it is. 2 p.m. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 2:32 p.m. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? music: Matthew Good's Weapon. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? a half hour ago to take the garbage out. Did you dream last night? yeah. I dreamnt my ex's mother was a ghost haunting us. Scared the crap out of me. Do you remember your dreams? sometimes yes, sometimes no. When did you last laugh? a few minutes ago. Saw a photo of John Cusack. Do you remember why / at what? photo, John Cusack. One I hadn't seen before. Mind you, I haven't seen all that many. What is on the walls of the room you are in? Nothing. I am in a 'transient social worker' unit for work. Am leaving today, going back to my messy crazy house. Seen anything weird lately? Hrmmm...no. What do you think of this quiz? useful in that it kills the time before I have to go to the airport. Also, it makes me feel like I'm really updating. What is the last film you saw? I only watched part of Imortality, but the other night I watched In the Cut with Mark Ruffio and Meg Ryan. Love that movie. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? This is a multiple answer. Paris, Prague, Miami, South America, England, Greece, Chicago, London (Ontario), Ireland, New York, Los Angeles. I want to have small apartments in each city so I can go whenever I have the urge to go somewhere. And each place would be home. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? Take care of the family. I mean, in a good way. Hahaha. And then I'd pay for all those apartments I mentioned. With upgrades, though. Tell me something about you that most people don't know. I'm bipolar. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? I'd flip the switch on everyone's 'good' side. Do you like to dance? no. Unless I'm like...loaded. Would you ever consider living abroad? I am beyond considering. Does your name make any interesting anagrams? no. Who made the last incoming call on your phone? a friend checking on how I am doing in this place. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? probably an update. My laptop does them whenever it wants to. Last time you swam in a pool? Probably 3 years ago at a friends house. Type of music you like most? singer/songwriter. I love Ryan Adams and Matt Good. As I have probably mentioned many, many times. Type of music you dislike most? I don't pay attention to anything that doesn't catch me. Usually anything overly commercial. Are you listening to music right now? yup. Generation X-Wing - The Matthew Good Band. What color is your bedroom carpet? The floor is white tile.. If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do? I'd buy a house first. I wouldn't put any money into the house I currently live in since I'm renting. In the freaking Arctic. What was the last thing you bought? Food. At the Northern store in Igloolik. I am really missing the days of random shoe buying. Have you ever ridden on a motorbike? yeah. scary but exhilirating. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Maybe if I lost some weight so I wouldn't worry so much about the cords. Do you have a garden? not since I sold my hose. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? nope. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? "Still here. Where are the cigrettes?" If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be? John Cusack. But I'd just sit there and listen to his voice. Food shmood. Who sent the last text message you received? no text-o action in the Arctic. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I usually do not buy with credit. But if no consequences...I guess any electronics store. What time is bed time? 9 p.m. usually. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? nope. How many tattoos do you have? 5. If you don't have any, have you ever thought of getting one? does not apply. What did you do for your last birthday? went to work. Do you carry a donor card? trust me, no one wants my organs. Who was the last person you ate dinner with? myself. Is the glass half empty or half full? half empty. What's the farthest-away place you've been? Here, I guess. Arctic. When's the last time you ate a homegrown tomato? I dunno. Last time I tried to grow them, I guess. Have you ever won a trophy? nope. Are you a good cook? that question is still up for debate. A great cook of what? Do you know how to pump your own gas? of course. Do they still have full service stations?? If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be? John Cusack. *grin* Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school? nope. Do you touch-type? yep What's under your bed? nothing. mattress and boxspring are on the floor. Do you believe in love at first sight? I don't think so. Think fast, what do you like right now? Music, poutine. Cigarettes. Where were you on Valentine's day? Sleeping at my mother's house. What time do you get up? 8 a.m. What was the name of your first pet? Cannelle. Who is the second to last person to call you? a friend up here. Is there anything going on this weekend? I think there are a couple of us going to try to mass bake tarts of some kind. oh butter tarts. How are you feeling right now? fine. Eager to get home. What do you think about the most? where to go next. If you had A Big Win in the Lottery, how long would you wait to tell people? I'd be on the phone as soon as it was confirmed. I mean, I'd call my family. I don't know about anyone else. Who would you tell first? My sister. What is the last movie that you saw at the cinema? The Happening. Do you sing in the shower? sometimes. What do you do most when you are bored? lurk the net? Check out jobs in the South. What do you do for a living? I'm a social worker. Woooo. Do you love your job? sometimes. What did you want to be when you grew up? A ballerina. If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be? a writer. Which came first the chicken or the egg? who cares. thank god for eggs. How many keys on your key ring? about 10. office and home keys. Where would you retire to? my many apartments around the world! What kind of car do you drive? I drive a 1983 Suburban for work (when it works) otherwise I have no car of my own...which is really weird since I used to live in my car. What are your best physical features? I guess my eyes. What are your best characteristics? god knows... If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? again, check apartment list. What kind of books do you like to read? anything that catches my attention. What is your favorite time of the day? when I get home from work. Where did you grow up? Northern Ontario How far away from your birthplace do you live now? about 3500 kilometers. Or 1.5 days by plane. What are you reading now? my dad's new book: The Demon Dragonfly and the Burning Wheel. Are you a morning person or a night owl? night Can you touch your nose with your tongue? nope Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows? wtf yeah? Do you have pets? yep, three awesome dogs and a cat. How many rings before you answer the phone? depends on how far away from the phone I am. What is your best childhood memory? I cant think of one. Doesn't mean there aren't any, just can't think of one. What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life? Cashier, call centre person, pizza hut person. Any new and exciting things that you would like to share? my new nephew is going to be born tomorrow. What is most important in life? my family. What Inspires You? my dad What time is it now? 3:01 p.m post comment

Insomnia, that bitch. [10 Nov 2008|04:15am] giish [ mood | tired ] fall asleep...next to me... Well, it appears that my old friend Insomnia is back for a visit. I don't know how long she will be staying. I've always thought she was a bitch to begin with, but a very smart bitch. She always seems to know when I'm vulnerable, or when I'm too tired to think of what to do next. She springs up out of my body and my mind with party balloons and unmade plans on how to spend the next few hours in her presence. I just hate her. I know she knows. But she keeps coming back to see how I am. Either she likes me or she's a sdist. Maybe she's lonely, too. I don't know. But it doesn't make me dislike her any less. I'm still Igloolik. I couldn't sleep the first night I got here and I seemed to be ok the following day. But I'm tired right now. My body is tired. I had a hot shower, the usual meds and I'm still up at 4 a.m. contemplating anything interesting that comes to mind as I lie there, breathing deep and praying for sleep. I've got a few things on my mind, but nothing that is overly pressing or stressful. My mind is mostly on the future. I can't really decide where to go next when I'm done with the Arctic. I know I talk about exotic places like Paris or New York. Maybe even Vancouver. But I can't decide where, I don't want to miss out on anything, so I skim different job postings in different areas. There are a lot out there, and so it would really just be a matter of picking a place, applying and hoping for the best. But that's the hard part: picking a place. I know that I am not likely to put in the 2 years I had initially planned on in the Arctic. The main reason has to do with work, I guess I'm just not feeling as though this job is worth the hassle and expense I go through just to be here. So, the current plan is to stay as long as I can, save as much as I can and continue to debate the merits of one new place over another. Sometimes I have dreams where I tell myself that they would make good stories. But upon waking, I run them through my head and usually decide against them. I had one such dream last night and had thought it might be worth a 2nd thought, but the details slipped out of the slippery slope of my mind and were gone. Shame. But, I suppose I will see if I can kick Insomnia out and try for 2 hours of sleep before I have to go in for work. I hope I don't feel like the walking dead tomorrow. Black and Blue - The Counting Crows. post comment

tour of duty [08 Nov 2008|05:16pm] giish in Igloolik on business. There is a restaurant here and got to enjoy a poutine, my first since August. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is to me right now. I rattle around the community in a beat up van and try to not get too lost. I can always find my way, but there are a ton of tiny roads, so getting from A to B (even when you can see it from where you are) is interesting. Work is interesting for a change, but that could be attributed to the change in scenery, so who knows. I miss Bailey who is being looked after by his former owners. I miss his company. But I go back on Tuesday so it's not long now, half way through my tour. post comment

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