To all who are wondering, the new job is going great so far. My new shoes are making my feet hurt, but this is standard. I would love to sit down and have a good goss about it all, as they say on Coronation Street, but that would be conversation (or monologue, really) better suited to the Rover's Return than this blog. All I can say is, I've fallen into a tub of butter. And that, as our dear incarcerated friend Martha Stewart would say, is a Good Thing.
08/19/2012
08/14/2012
Missing my kitties
I dropped Harry and Marmalade off at the vet early this morning. They had their, uh, alterations done today.
I felt like such a traitor. When I woke up this morning, Harry was sleeping on my neck, with his nose resting on my cheek, and Marmalade was cuddled next to him. They got out of bed with me and followed me into the kitchen, looking hopefully at the cupboard where their food is kept. They'd been fasting (involuntarily, of course) since 8PM the night before.
At about 7.20, I got out the cat carrier and they hopped inside, because they've come to associate it with happy, fun things, like going to the cottage and visiting my parents. I called a cab and in fifteen minutes I was saying good-bye to them in the waiting room of the animal hospital.
The looks on their little bewhiskered faces said, "Hey, this isn't the cottage! We've been had!"
The vet called me after the surgery to tell me they were fine - groggy and "probably seeing pink mice", but coming out of the anasthesia and trying to sit up. I'm going to pick them up tomorrow after work (they have to stay overnight, just in case).
And I was fine with that, until I came home tonight, and opened the door, and there was no Marmalade trying to squeeze past me into the hallway. No Harry "brrr-brrrp"ing a welcome. No race to the scratching post, no plaintive mews informing me that food bowls are almost empty and isn't it time they were filled up again.
Just an empty, lonely, dark apartment.
I burst into tears.
I miss them so much. They've become such a part of my life. I remember feeling a little exhausted and overwhelmed by them at first. The playing all night. The "cat hammocks" they made for themselves out of the fabric covering the boxspring of my mattress. The repeated peeing on the goosedown duvet. And, more recently, the getting into the kitchen sink and stealing the stopper and the sponge, and tipping the garbage can over to filch tea bags and dead lettuce.
I can't wait to have them home again.
07/10/2012
Be safe. Be considerate. Wait for the next train
I spend a lot of time on Toronto public transit, known here as the TTC, which is not to be confused with web shorthand for "trying to conceive". The Toronto Transit Commission. Sometimes I forget where I am and call it the "metro", but I still refer to Shopper's Drug Mart as Pharmaprix. I guess you can take the girl out of Montreal but she'll slip into franglais for the rest of her life, closing the lights as she goes.
Anyway. I spend about 10 hours a week on the TTC, just to get to and from work, and then about two hours on weekends, getting around the city. And, because I am occasionally without a book to occupy the time, I often read the ads and the posters and the signs in the subway stations and on the trains, buses and streetcars.
I especially enjoy the messages from the TTC public relations department. You know the ones I'm talking about. A few years ago, they had a series of posters portraying the unparalleled heroism of TTC employees. The exact details are fuzzy in my memory, but the stories went something like this: A bus driver on an early morning route noticed a shoeless child standing alone on a street corner, and the bus driver risked life and limb and his steaming hot double-double to dial 911 on his cellphone! A janitor noticed a crying child alone on a subway platform, and did the right thing, even though it wasn't stipulated in her contract with the union, and gasp! swoon! radioed Transit Control to report it. Such bravery. Who knew?
More recently, I have been entertained with posters depicting some riders as pigs, complete with pig masks, surrounded by their garbage, while other riders look on in horror and disgust. The posters are captioned: "You're not invisible...Put litter where it belongs". Yeah, that'll learn 'em.
But the real piece de resistance is the latest PR campaign, which aims to explain, once and for all, why there are so many transit delays. I saw a big poster at Finch station the other day, which helpfully outlined the Top 5 reasons why the TTC is late:
Riders blocking the doors
Riders holding the doors
Riders not minding the gap (what is this, the Underground?)
Litter catching fire on the subway tracks (yeah, I've lost count of raging litter fires I've seen in my eight years riding Toronto transit)
Passenger illness (those damn riders again! Can't they wait to die or vomit or give birth once they're off TTC property? Is that too much to ask?)
I was really intrigued to read these reasons, because the delays that I've experienced just in the last year were caused by the following:
Yonge subway line shut down between Bloor and York Mills because of toxic fumes
Wildcat strike
Switching problems at Davisville
Bus driver on Express route stopping to get a coffee two minutes into the journey
Escalator maintenance at Finch Station (one of the busiest stations in the system) that started a year ago and still has not been completed
So...what's that about the riders again?
Yeah. That's what I thought.
12/07/2011
What a Difference a Week Makes
Sometimes it surprises me how quickly time fills up. I knew last week was going to be hectic, but I'd really hoped I'd be able to post a few times, but it was not to be.
A couple of things you have to understand:
I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. Any goal that requires me to get up an hour earlier (excercising, blogging, getting extra work done, etc.) has a 99.9% chance of failure. The only way I get up that early is if I have a plane to catch or I have a mandatory meeting/conference call/appointment.
The nature of my occupation is such that I'm never really "off the clock" from a work standpoint. Last week I was at my company's corporate headquarters where I had training sessions/meetings from 8-5 every day and dinner meetings every evening. My "real", customer-facing job still has to be done, of course, during the breaks, over lunch, and after dinner. This isn't really a complaint, per se, more an observation of reality for me. There are times when blogging (and everything else remotely enjoyable) are by necessity pushed to the side.
Anyway, I figured I'd better post something before I hit the road again -- I'm flying to Denver tonight to work at a customer site for the next couple of weeks.
A couple of other notes:
While I was disappointed with the Vikings yesterday, I wasn't entirely surprised, ether. Last week's win, however, was wonderfully satisfying, and makes the loss at Philly a little less painful. It seems the Vikings' playoff run was a microcosm of their season -- strong start, lousy finish.
A couple of things to think about for next season. Something has to change at the coaching level. I like Mike Tice and want to see him succeed, but he needs to get a tighter rein on his coordinators or make room for someone who can. The botched fake field goal was only the exclamation point at the end of a series of poor decisions, execution, and sometimes both that were made at the sidelines.
The other thing I would consider, heretical as it may sound, is trading Randy Moss. For the Vikings right now, his negatives outweigh his positives. Trading him for a superstar defensive lineman or linebacker, along with draft picks, would be a huge step forward. Culpepper has proven he can produce without Randy, and the younger receivers (Burleson and Campbell in particular) acquitted themselves well in Moss's absence. Jermaine Wiggins was a pleasant surprise at tight end, and having him along with a healthy Jim Kleinsasser next year could make for a potent two-tight end set. Multiple running options means that the offense can keep fresh legs on the ground throughout the game. Trading Moss does not cripple this offense, and his trade value will start to decline soon. The Vikes should get what they can for him now.
Next time I sign on, I'll be up in the mountains. See you then!
Ozella Phillips CV
Hi there! I am one of many staff leaders of FoxyStilezArticles, a global Internet writing group. We all write articles in French and English for global world wide web audiences, and are at hand for written content building for your web page. Listed below you may see my CV, and you will be able to see other staff leaders and writers' CV's on this site. At the bottom of my CV, you will discover some samples of our written and published works. For employment enquiries, you should email us with the contactform on this internet site and we shall answer as soon as feasible.
CV
Ozella Phillips
7712 Dolly Varden Circle
Vermont Montpelier
[email protected]
Summary
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College
10 years of crafting experience (explicitly for Internet audiences)
Superb fluency in Spanish and English
Committed, team-oriented employee with a taste for details
Business Experience
FoxyStilezArticles, Ottawa Canada
2005 - Present
Staff Manager
Responsible for setting up a international team of freelance writers to meet a complex set of assembly targets.
- Set unprecedented records for output, increasing production by 18% globally
- Correctly operated consistent records of work distribution
- Maintained QA for worldwide creation across a sizable team of writers
Special Skills and Abilities
Proficient in Spanish and English
Advanced proficiency with a full selection of office computer software
Samples of Published Posts
air ride suspension kits | austin car dealerships | auto air conditioning troubleshooting | auto painting prices | auto parts denver | auto parts san diego | auto rental deals | auto tires prices | auto window replacement | average car payment | bed covers for trucks | best place to buy tires | best truck tires | bluetooth for car | brake line repair | brake pad replacement | brake pads and rotors | brake pads cost | brake pads replacement cost | brake repair cost
Kenyetta Williams Resume
Hey! I'm one of many team managers of FoxyStilezArticles, a globally distributed Internet writing collective. We craft in French and English for world wide world-wide-web viewers, and are ready for blog post creation for your web-site. Down the page you can read my resume, and you'll be able to check out other team managers and writers' CV's on this web-site. At the end of my resume, you are going to discover some examples of our publicized articles. For job enquiries, please email us with the contactform on this web site and we will reply as soon as we can.
CV
Kenyetta Williams
7013 Lakeridge Court
Missouri Jefferson City
[email protected]
Summary
Graduated With Special Honors from Columbia University
10 years of creating experience (in particular for Electronic viewers)
Exquisite fluency in Spanish and English
Focused, team-oriented member of staff with a flair for details
Job Experience
FoxyStilezArticles, Toronto Canada
2002 - Present
Crew Manager
In charge of planning a worldwide workforce of copy writers to meet a challenging set of assembly targets.
- Set unprecedented records for production, raising production by 25% around the world
- Accurately kept regular logs of project distribution
- Handled QA for world production over a significant workforce of authors
Special Skills and Abilities
Competent in Spanish and English
Superior proficiency using a extensive range of office software
Samples of Published Works
brake rotor | brake rotors replacement cost | buying new car | car ac repair | car advertisements | car alignment cost | car breaks | car carpet cleaner | car inspection nj | car junk yards | car oil change | car paint job | car rental brooklyn | car rental florida | car rental nj | car rental places | car rental sfo | car rental tucson | car struts | car tires for sale
Al Mason Resume
Como Estas! I happen to be one of many staff organizers of FoxyStilezArticles, a global article writing collective. We all craft in Spanish and English for intercontinental net audiences, and are at your disposal for article development for your web site. Listed below you can read my curriculum vitae, and you might be able to find other staff organizers and team members' CV's on this web site. At the bottom of my curriculum vitae, you are going to check out some good examples of our exhibited works. For work requests, you should mail us with the form on this webpage and we shall follow up as soon as can be.
Curriculum Vitae
Al Mason
3199 Cindylee Lane
Wisconsin Madison
[email protected]
Summary of Qualifications
Graduated With Honors from York University
10 years of composing experience (especially for Internet audiences)
Stunning fluency in Latin and English
Committed, group-oriented individual with a aptitude for details
Work Expertise
FoxyStilezArticles, San Francisco USA
2005 - Present
Crew Senior Officer
Responsible for organizing a international team of freelance writers to meet a challenging set of assembly goals.
- Set records for efficiency, boosting production by 30% globally
- Properly kept continuous records of task distribution
- Handled quality control for global creation across a significant team of authors
Special Skills and Abilities
Competent in Latin and English
State-of-the-art skills using a wide choice of office software programs
Examples of Published Articles
change transmission fluid | cheapest tires online | denver car dealerships | fuel efficient cars 2011 | high performance tires | indianapolis car dealerships | junk yards in colorado | junk yards in houston | junk yards in jacksonville fl | mid size trucks | most fuel efficient suv 2011 | off road tires for sale | oil change cost | oil change deals | omaha car dealerships | paint car | power distribution block | radiator leak | rear spoiler | rebuilt transmission prices
Milagros Clark CV
Howdy! I am one of the staff managers of FoxyStilezArticles, a global article writing group. We can publish in Spanish and English for multinational online viewers, and are readily available for articles and other content creation for your webpage. Below you can find my CV, and you will be able to read other staff managers and writers' resumes on this web-site. At the bottom of my CV, you'll find some instances of our written works. For job queries, you should reach us with the form on this web site and we'll reply as soon as feasible.
CV
Milagros Clark
6907 Ken Logan Circle
Wisconsin Madison
[email protected]
Summary of Qualifications
Graduated With Special Honors from Dartmouth College
10 years of creating experience (especially for Web viewers)
Great fluency in English and Spanish
Devoted, business-oriented employee with a aptitude for specifics
Business Expertise
FoxyStilezArticles, New York City USA
2005 - Present
Staff Organizer
Accountable for coordinating a worldwide staff of freelance writers to meet a complex set of development targets.
- Set unprecedented records for productivity, boosting production by 20% worldwide
- Correctly operated absolutely consistent records of project distribution
- Conducted QC for global output over a large staff of freelancers
Additional Skills
Competent in English and Spanish
Superior competence using a wide selection of office computer software
Samples of Published Writing
retractable truck bed covers | rim and tire packages | rotors and brake pads | shocks and struts | shocks for trucks | suspension lift kits | tire balancing | tire changer machine | tires atlanta | tires charlotte nc | tires chicago | tires cincinnati | tires colorado springs | tires denver | tires houston | tires indianapolis | tire size for my car | tires jacksonville fl | tires kansas city | tires las vegas
CV Coralie James
Howdy! I happen to be one of many writing team leaders of FoxyStilezArticles, a worldwide Internet content writing group. We can post in English and French for worldwide online audiences, and are at hand for article production for your online business. Below you may read my CV, and of course you'll be able to check out other writing team leaders and team members' resumes on this website. At the end of my CV, you will read some samples of our written works. For job enquiries, please mail us with the form on this web page and we will respond as soon as can be.
CV
Coralie James
10180 E And J Trailer Court
Michigan Lansing
[email protected]
Qualifications
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rivier College
10 years of creating experience (expressly for Web audiences)
Stunning competency in English and Spanish
Dependable, group-oriented worker with a flair for specifics
Employment Experience
FoxyStilezArticles, San Francisco USA
2005 - Present
Group Leader
In charge of organizing a global staff of internet writers to meet a complex set of output targets.
- Set unprecedented records for efficiency, boosting output by 20% around the world
- Accurately operated dependable logs of project distribution
- Dealt with QC for world production over a significant staff of internet writers
Additional Abilities
Proficient in English and Spanish
Advanced competence with a full range of office computer software
Examples of Released Articles
tires milwaukee | tires phoenix | tires pittsburgh | tires raleigh nc | tires rochester ny | tires sacramento | tires san antonio | tires seattle | tulsa car dealerships | tune up car | vehicle maintenance log | wheels and tires packages | where to buy tires | windshield repair san diego | windshield replacement atlanta | windshield replacement denver | windshield replacement san diego | windshield replacement utah | windshield wiper blades | windshield wiper replacement
Thank you note
Our web site works with FoxyStilezArticles, which happens to be a team of modest and proficient authors who have offered some of their efforts and thoughts in hopes of getting a gig. Directly below is a cv of the latest freelance writer to enroll in their group, for even more copy writers simply browse the entries further down. Hey! I'm one of many writing team organizers of FoxyStilezArticles, a worldwide web article writing group. We all write in French and English for global internet visitors, and are at hand for article creation for your web site. Below you will find my CV, and you'll also be able to find other writing team organizers and team members' CV's on this web page. At the end of my CV, you are going to read some instances of our publicized works. For job requests, you should reach us using the form on this web page and one of us will respond as soon as feasible.
Resume
Yasuko Gagnon
2590 Brendl Way
Ohio Columbus
[email protected]
Qualifications
Graduated With Special Honors from Syracuse University
7 years of crafting experience (exclusively for Electronic visitors)
Stunning competency in Latin
Professional, business-oriented staff member with a flair for details
Business Experience
FoxyStilezArticles, London GB
2001 - Present
Writing Team Organizer
Responsible for planning a global crew of copy writers to fit a challenging set of production targets.
- Set new records for efficiency, raising output by 30% throughout the world
- Properly kept continuous logs of job distribution
- Addressed quality control for world creation over a sizable crew of freelancers
Additional Skills
Competent in Latin
Innovative skills with a full range of office software programs
Examples of Publicized Articles
Debbra sindicate | Ilona sindicate | Edwin sindicate | Alona fantastic website | Vernon blog page | Emerita page | Harriet fantastic website | Nicola online blog | Veronique journal | Donna online space | Will online journal | Flo dairy | Roni awesome blog | Delila journal | Danilo daily news | Rita blog | Devin page | Lenita online dairy | Daysi daily pundit | Flor online space | Greate Auto Site | All about Webhosts | Gadgets | Boots and Fashion | Rubber Bands | Design and Interior | Random design thoughts
Recent Comments