8:22 PM

Where can you get a Baba when you need one?

I am struggling with a cold and really wishing that I could find a baba to borrow to make me homemade soup, boss me into bed early and generally coddle me.

In the meantime I've warmed up some M&M cabbage rolls and boiled some perogies which was ok but not the same as homemade and then today picked up some Thai green curry sauce and ColdFX. I've watched bad television - well as much as you really watch bad television as having it on in the background, I've read a bit but my focus isn't great and I've surfed the web. (I got a netbook for Christmas and got wireless set up so I can surf from the couch!)

I think the web is interesting on a number of fronts but today I've noticed that if I want to find in-depth information it's there but if I only want to browse some surface level stuff the web offers that too. Something for everyone really and truly.

Now if only I could find a Baba rental website...

12:07 PM

Hello Media? You're not helping!

"OTTAWA - Canadians have plunged into a "psychology of recession" that could further damage the economy, says the Conference Board after its latest survey found consumer confidence skidding to the lowest level in 26 years."

Hmm....do you think the fact that every news channel and paper has been nothing but doom and gloom for the past month or two has anything to do with this?

I love that later in the article they sneak in:

"While the jobless rise in 2009 will hurt, it's still a far cry from the last two recessions, however. Unemployment hit 13 per cent in the 1980-81 decline, when industrial North America - mainly the steel and auto sectors - went through a painful restructuring.

In the early 1990s the recession hurt real estate and retail sectors and pushed the jobless rate to 10 per cent."

I'd love to see the economy bounce back but I'd also love to see some responsible journalism....or is that about as real as Santa Claus?

**Update** In another gloomy article I found this gem "RBC has revised its GDP forecast to 2.1% for next year, down from a previous estimate of 3%."

2.1% GROWTH....yes, that's still economic growth that their predicting here in Alberta!

11:35 AM

I don't know how he fits it all in the sleigh but...

Gingerbread men…with heads
Chewy ginger cookies
Baby brownies
Lemon poppyseed shortbread
Cranberry shortbread
Pumpkin cookies with frosting
Almond Roca bars
Buttertart slice
Apricot almond biscotti
Cranberry choc chip biscotti
Greek biscotti

Some of the recipes didn't make much...and then there was the sampling factor but it still all needs to fit in a carry-on. No, Air Canada, I do not trust you with my Christmas baking in checked luggage.

8:02 PM

Calgary - it's closer to Toronto than you might think!

Ok so it snowed here on Friday...and Saturday. And yes, it snowed quite a lot. Then it got bitterly cold - really not quite what would qualify as bitterly in Winterpeg but still when the wind chill is -39 here it's a shocker. So we had Sunday to get snow cleared and get used to the temps. Today we didn't have to call in the army but my commute in (on relatively dry pavement) took about an hour and a half. My commute home took 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Were there accidents? You bet. Were some of the intersections slippery? Yes again. Should it have more than doubled the commute? I don't freakin' think so!

Put down some sand and let's get on with things people. Wait, what's this I heard on the radio? It's too cold to put anything on the roads? Who came up with that story? Because in Winnipeg at -50 I have seen sanding trucks and graders out. But apparently here in the metropolis, it's too cold for that.

It is not so cold though that people would want to move into the center of the train to let other people freezing their arses off on the cement platform outside in -30 get on the train. It was a 4 train wait to get on a train going home. And the next time transit tells me it's only 3-5 mins between trains at rush hour I would like to know what kind of math they use since 4 trains = 32 min. Thanks for putting a clock on the platform.

So what do you do on a day like today when you get home? Make 2 kinds of dip (salmon spread and cream cheese with spicy mango chutney) and provide quality control for the buttertart slice; even though you tested it yesterday too.

And then go rant on your blog.

And hope you're not in the ditch tomorrow when you get your car back with it's summer tires still on.

**Update** I should have kept quiet about the commute...Wednesday my commute in also took 2 hours! Today I'm working from home...commute time 0 minutes; work attire - sweats and a Harvard Business School t-shirt that is too snug; multitasking - dog cookies baking in the oven :-)

11:21 AM

Merry Christmas from Boo's cousin Bailey

10:42 PM

Santa, we need to talk

Hey S.C.

I'd say I've been pretty good this year - not perfect, but we all need something to continually strive for and knowing all the behaviour which you must see, I think we can both agree that I'm holding my own here.

So, hopefully I'm not too late to send you my wish list:


  • a special protective bubble for my car (which maybe I will get back after Christmas?)
  • a dependable guy - no, I do not mean another ex that makes a repeat appearance - that's not the kind of dependability we're talking about Santa. Kind and attractive would also be part of a nice package.
  • interesting work with good people - I think that's already covered but I just want to make sure it stays on the list
  • spruce up the economy - mostly I'm concerned that the house of never ending work may be worth less than what it cost; this is not optimal Santa so let's get that economy straightened out. I'm sure you'll be seeing this on lots of lists. While you're at it - those politicians in Ottawa that seem to have better things to do than to work on this issue should be on your list for coal delivery...or maybe rotten bananas or something.
  • grace...I could use this in a lot of areas. One of them is on that new exercise ball that the physio suggested I use....
  • more good times with family and friends; wherever we all are
  • new episodes of Grey's Anatomy - it's not very fair for me to actually make an effort to watch one show that is on too late on a work night only to find out that it is a rerun - if those people aren't producing new shows then they need to be on the same list as those politicians mentioned above
  • more pretty sparkly light displays (and less seizure inducing weird representations of the Christmas spirit). If you happen to knock out power to a couple of those here in town it might be a relief.
  • peace and harmony - mostly at our family Christmas dinnertime but it would be great if you could spread some of this around other places as well
  • and if you have a spare Miata or Camaro or something fun like that kicking around...well I'd be happy to take any surplus inventory off your hands

Santa, I'm sorry but I can't guarantee that you're getting any of the good baking again this year. I will try but the boys seem pretty convinced that oreos and milk are your fave. And my apologies to Rudolph and the crew; they don't believe they'd prefer ranch dip with their carrots either.

Love to Mrs.Claus and the Elves too,

Shelley

3:19 PM

Dating and confused

"Well, actually, nobody on this planet ever really chooses each other. I mean, it's all a question of quantum physics, molecular attraction, and timing. Why, there are laws we don't understand that bring us together and tear us apart." ~ Annie, Bull Durham.

Ok so is it the timing that's off? Should I have studied more physics? And why does attraction have to be so out of our control? Why can't we be attracted to the person who on paper is the best match for us? Why is it so hard to find a good partner??

I have been seeing a seemingly nice guy in his early 40s. We have lots in common. We can talk for 2 hrs at a time on the phone. But (you knew there was a but, didn't you?) I don't think he's that into me. And ambivalence isn't a characteristic that I find appealing; it's hard on the self-esteem and the confusion it creates sucks up a lot of time and energy for over-analyzing. On the other hand there is a much younger guy (like well beyond my usual 7 yr age limit in either direction) who is the nephew of some friends that I see off and on every so often for social evenings. On paper this is a ridiculous match but the sparks are almost tangible. He's goofy at times and makes me feel young (I know that is totally cliche) and yet seems to have his crap together - owns a house and just started his own construction business, helps out his family etc. But (yep, another but) we never seem to get it together for more than the odd spark filled evening every few months.

And why did god give men radar? 'Cause I swear that they know when there is no man in your immediate vicinity and then they can't be bothered to give you the time of day but if you get just one phone call from a potential suitor they are back to being interested. Even when logged into an online dating site I've noticed it is all or nothing - lots of emails/smiles/instant messages or nada. I would love to know what women's equivalent power is...because understanding men sure isn't it.

Annie: What do you believe in, then?
Crash: Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.

10:05 PM

Something's missing and I don't know how to fix it...

Bad case of the pre-Christmas blues compounded by pms, my sister and her boys' departure and some sad goings on of a friend.

I miss:

  • coffee with friends
  • shopping on Corydon
  • snow....hmm, maybe I'm coming down with something!
  • having company crowded into my little house
  • not having to think about the packability of gifts
  • my mom
  • being part of a couple
  • believing in Santa and the magical sparkle of the season

I am not the kind of person who is organized for Christmas months in advance which may be a good thing. Maybe as I get into the swing of things the blues will lift. My trip home this year will be very brief since I have no vacation time so I will have to enjoy all of the -30 and visiting that I can!