Quarantine Candy

 I had to be careful here because I was going to write (She/Him) in brackets, but I didn't want to offend anyone. The reality is that one of my "Wise Men" is "Anodea" and I honestly have no idea if that is a male or female name.    (Not that in 2020 it matters anyways because we can all associate with whatever suits us best.) I even struggled with Three Wise Men.    Should it be Three Wise People or Two Wise Women + A Wise Man or maybe the man isn't wise at all and it's Two Wise Women + A Man? I compromised.   Three Wise Men (She + Him) I think I safely covered everyone. *** I think I have solved my mental health. (insert footnote) I realize that is a hell of a bold statement to make and I'm a teeny bit afraid to say it publicly in case I have an absolute meltdown tomorrow and I'm dead wrong. I say "solved"  though because I don't think mental health is something to be cured, I think it's a problem to be solved. Sometimes it is ...

I can hear the sirens now getting louder and louder as December unfolds. The Goal Setting Police are coming. We are 19 days away from counting down with that New Year's Rockin Eve to the last drink, last bite of chocolate, last cigarette or last carb, and this is where we all start to create those grandiose ideas of what we are giving up January 1st. Last year, my decision to "give up wine during the week" lasted one full day. (And only because the liquor store was closed). Until November, when I gave it up for the month, and then again in December when I decided to "change the way I drink" which is completely different to "giving it up" altogether.    So, I have had 4 drinks since December 1st - and not that I require a medal for this move, but I'm rather pleased about it (and so is my liver, I believe.)  (I lied.   It was 5.   It was a bottle of wine but if you pour the glasses big enough, you can say it was only 4). (There is also no guarantee ...

  Sunday, November 22 - Dry cough started at 1pm  Monday, November 23 - Strange, must be a fluke.   Cough gone. Tuesday, November 24 - Sore throat Wednesday, November 25 - Sore throat is the same Thursday, November 26 - Sore throat doesn't seem to want to go away Friday, November 27 - Worrying.   Sore throat hasn't changed and chest is really tight.  Feels like there is a clamp on my chest and I'm having to use too much energy to teach.  My breathing is shallow and it's scary. Saturday, November 28 - Couldn't teach.   Asked my partner to teach because I didn't have enough air.   Made appointment for COVID test.   Really scared about my breathing. Sunday, November 29 - I seem to feel okay first thing in the morning but get worse at the day goes on.  Breathing continues to be a challenge.   Tightness in my chest.  Sore throat seems better today though.    COVID test scheduled for 4:25pm at ...

I was once told it would be a bad decision for me to pursue a career path of an Area Director role because I was "better suited" as a Service Manager.   At the time, I wanted to justify all kinds of reasons why I "deserved" an Area position like boasting about my math skills, that I got an 88 in Financial Accounting at the University of Guelph.  ( Not bragging.   I also failed Chemistry the same semester) (I mean honestly, what does Chem have to do with Hospitality anyways)    Anyways, I know how to read a P&L statement and how to create an "Austerity Plan", cut costs and create a Mission, Vision and Values set of statements and direction.  I could lead a task force committee on pretty much anything, so why the limitations to Service? As time goes on, and I am blessed to experience the opportunity to work for multiple organizations, I am realizing that perhaps what I have to offer and recognize isn't "just" a Service mindset, perhaps i...

"Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love."  - Nate Berkus *** Actual quotes that have been uttered from my lips. "I could live in one of those tiny houses you see on Facebook." "I don't need a television." "I don't need a balcony." "I don't need a microwave." "I don't need a couch.  I'm not going to have any visitors anyways." "I'm going to be the perfect example of minimalist living." **** Those tiny houses you see on Facebook do not have plumbing.   That idea was rather short lived and turned into a hard NO once I saw the porta potty style toilet that I can imagine around January is a wee bit chilly.   (No pun intended on the wee wee.) I currently do not have a television, although when I failed at my attempt to cancel Bell (like many of the population), I was sold on alt-TV "just in case" television, " in case " I decided I m...

"  If you hover your mouse over the little microphone icon, you will be able to click it and unmute yourself." "John, John. I can hear the echo in your background.   Can you please click on the microphone beside your name in the participant panel and mute yourself please?   Thank you." "Okay Mary.   Thank you for volunteering Mary.  No, we can't hear you Mary.   Mary, you need to unmute yourself. Mary, click on the unmute button please. Never mind, I will unmute you Mary.  Mary, you may now speak. Mary, are you still there?" "Can you hear me?" "No, we can't hear you Jane.   Unmute yourself Jane." Repeat daily until 5pm. *** It's actually quite brilliant this whole technology thing.    We are able to control people in ways that could never exist in a meeting room or a live classroom, all by the power of a mute button.   It's like we have the ability to wave a magic wand. "aaaaand you are SILENCED." No mo...

In the past week, I've read two books.    The first book is called " Light is the New Black" by Rebecca Campbell.   I read it in 3 days, and if I ever actually sit down and write the book I keep talking about, I would write in this exact same style, but geared towards mental health.   It would be a personal story, followed by challenging all societal beliefs on the subject, with questions and exercises at the end of each chapter - all focused towards finding your true purpose in life and watching as anxiety, depression and despair miraculously disappear.   Light is the New Black is laid out in that same format, but spiritually based and targeted towards women.  I absolutely loved it and might even go as far as saying its' in my top 5 favourite spiritual reads to date.   It is like the Artist's Way presented in a light ( no pun intended ) and easy-to-read manner.    LOVE.   LOVE. The second book I read is the " 4 ...