Photo Album
The album crackles as I open the pages.
Glossies, time machines for the nostalgic,
transport me
Here is a picture of Brendan and I
we’re hanging moons for the camera.
Catherine, arms spread wide, body tilted to the left,
Big grin, bright eyes…”TA DAAAAAA!”
She seems to say.
And there is a shot of Meme under the Christmas tree,
she is dressed in a fuzzy red housecoat.
I laugh now because I know years ahead
the only thing to change about Meme
is the colour of the housecoat.
Look!
A fading photograph
of four pleasant babies in their Sunday Best.
Ron, Cas, Terry and Tony,
members all of the balding “BIG 6”;
And this one, its a favourite of mine.
It captured almost everyone, even Billy, Chris and Phillip,
They are all squeezed one atop the other,
squat together on Grandma’s couch
I can hear laughter, squeals of pain,
and “Hurry up and take the picture”
Mom took that one.
This is everything I know about family.
And here, a picture of Grandma
dancing like a leprechaun in the backyard.
Under the summer sun.
Smiling a silly grin that says she is up to no good.
There is one of Granddad and Grandma
in bed, posing coquettishly.
Grammy is raising a glass of wine to the camera.
I wonder if that is the homemade Rhubarb Wine?
She gave me a glass of that stuff one Christmas:
“This will set you on your ear,” she said.
It did.
This one is of Granddad and I dancing at my wedding.
He is telling me not to cry,
leading me smoothly across the floor.
This last one is where it all started,
a black and white photo,
Grandma and Granddad on their honeymoon.
They stand together beside a car,
Granddad is holding her tight,
smiling in a way that seems to say:
I hold the world in my arms.
This is everything I know about love.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Another hurdle
Screening interview: pass
Panel Interview: pass
Technical test: pass
Phone advanced technical interview with the company's DBA: complete. Not sure of results yet.
Interview with VP of Company: Not offered yet, but it is on the menu if above went ok
Is it me or is this whole process a bit over the top?
Panel Interview: pass
Technical test: pass
Phone advanced technical interview with the company's DBA: complete. Not sure of results yet.
Interview with VP of Company: Not offered yet, but it is on the menu if above went ok
Is it me or is this whole process a bit over the top?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dealing with idiots
I have learned to handle all kinds of different people, but I have to admit, there are a few I just can't deal with.
Now, if I was a proctologist, I might be able to manage.
Now, if I was a proctologist, I might be able to manage.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Limbo
Give me heaven, or give me hell.
But don't stick me somewhere in between waiting.
I hate waiting.
But don't stick me somewhere in between waiting.
I hate waiting.
The interview steeple chase
It has been a busy week for my job searching husband.
After about two solid weeks of searching, cold calling, submitting, begging and pleading, the phone calls have finally started to come in.
On Monday he got an interview with a company for a a DBA position in Toronto. He got all dressed up, prepared himself for the uncomfortable onslaught of questioning and judgment that is the interview process, and headed on down to the big smoke.
He made it through that process with flying colors.
On Wednesday he moved on the the next step in the hiring process, and met with a panel of people he would be working with to see if he would fit in. Of course there was be the usual plethora of technical questions.
He nailed that.
They told him they were very impressed with his interview, and thought he would be a good fit personally in their organization. But, he has few more hurdles to jump yet.
The next step is to write a technical exam. If he does well with that, he needs to meet with the Vice President of the company.
I am not sure what the heck they would have him do after that meeting; a little tête-à-tête with Billy Gates perhaps? Organ donation? What?
The problem is that the technical test is supposed to be administered sometime today, and will be timed, but they haven't told him when it is coming, and he has another interview today for a local job. He has to go to that.
The local job is not exactly what he wants, the pay will be a lot less, and is more of a Web Manager role than strictly DBA, but it is local. He is almost afraid that they will offer it to him today, before he has a chance to complete the interview steeple chase for the Toronto job has been completed. What happens if they offer him the Web job on the spot? Or later today? What does he say without pissing off potential employers?
Any thoughts?
After about two solid weeks of searching, cold calling, submitting, begging and pleading, the phone calls have finally started to come in.
On Monday he got an interview with a company for a a DBA position in Toronto. He got all dressed up, prepared himself for the uncomfortable onslaught of questioning and judgment that is the interview process, and headed on down to the big smoke.
He made it through that process with flying colors.
On Wednesday he moved on the the next step in the hiring process, and met with a panel of people he would be working with to see if he would fit in. Of course there was be the usual plethora of technical questions.
He nailed that.
They told him they were very impressed with his interview, and thought he would be a good fit personally in their organization. But, he has few more hurdles to jump yet.
The next step is to write a technical exam. If he does well with that, he needs to meet with the Vice President of the company.
I am not sure what the heck they would have him do after that meeting; a little tête-à-tête with Billy Gates perhaps? Organ donation? What?
The problem is that the technical test is supposed to be administered sometime today, and will be timed, but they haven't told him when it is coming, and he has another interview today for a local job. He has to go to that.
The local job is not exactly what he wants, the pay will be a lot less, and is more of a Web Manager role than strictly DBA, but it is local. He is almost afraid that they will offer it to him today, before he has a chance to complete the interview steeple chase for the Toronto job has been completed. What happens if they offer him the Web job on the spot? Or later today? What does he say without pissing off potential employers?
Any thoughts?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Starting over
I know I haven’t been posting much.
We have had a lot going on, and much of it has come to a head in recent months. Those of you who follow the blog (even now it amazes me that I have any readers left) know that last year Don made the difficult decision to leave a company he was happy with, to work at a place that was closer to home, and seemed to have more opportunity for him to grow professionally. He made the decision to leave, and in a lot of ways it was good for us.
He was home more. Not having to take the Go Train into Toronto every morning and night was amazingly good for us as a family, and when you have a young child nothing is more important the time you have to spend with them. We were able to move to a less congested town and buy a nicer home. And Don was able to get his hands into the guts of SQL Server in a way he had not been able to before.
But most importantly he was here. He was in town. He could take his son to the park while I made dinner. He came with me to send him off to daycare, and was with me to pick him up. There were no cold winter evenings bundled in the van with a baby, waiting for the GO train to decide to arrive. It was such a blessing to have that time as a family, to have that kind of access to Don.
However the new job had a very small work force, and specialized software they created. Time lines were tight, stress level was high, and the recession has hit them hard. They laid of one worker in January and cut Don’s hours in April. After they lost two contracts in May, they told Don they would now have only contract work for him. The company now has four full time employees, and like Don, faces an uncertain future.
So he has been looking for work, and it has been slow going. Not many people are hiring these days, and every time I turn on the news or open the paper I learn about even more layoffs, bankruptcies and closures.
A friend of mine works for RBC, and has told me that a few times now people have come into the bank with their house keys and left, not realizing that some banks are willing to work with their clients. It is hard times all around I guess. It is hard not to feel helpless. Hopeless.
Don has had a few leads, but nothing firm yet. We have pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that if he does find something soon, he will be once again doing that horribly unreliable, uncomfortable and uncompromising GO train travel again and missing out on a lot of family time. I will go back to feeling a little like a single parent again.
But at least we had this year together; it was all worth it for that.
We have had a lot going on, and much of it has come to a head in recent months. Those of you who follow the blog (even now it amazes me that I have any readers left) know that last year Don made the difficult decision to leave a company he was happy with, to work at a place that was closer to home, and seemed to have more opportunity for him to grow professionally. He made the decision to leave, and in a lot of ways it was good for us.
He was home more. Not having to take the Go Train into Toronto every morning and night was amazingly good for us as a family, and when you have a young child nothing is more important the time you have to spend with them. We were able to move to a less congested town and buy a nicer home. And Don was able to get his hands into the guts of SQL Server in a way he had not been able to before.
But most importantly he was here. He was in town. He could take his son to the park while I made dinner. He came with me to send him off to daycare, and was with me to pick him up. There were no cold winter evenings bundled in the van with a baby, waiting for the GO train to decide to arrive. It was such a blessing to have that time as a family, to have that kind of access to Don.
However the new job had a very small work force, and specialized software they created. Time lines were tight, stress level was high, and the recession has hit them hard. They laid of one worker in January and cut Don’s hours in April. After they lost two contracts in May, they told Don they would now have only contract work for him. The company now has four full time employees, and like Don, faces an uncertain future.
So he has been looking for work, and it has been slow going. Not many people are hiring these days, and every time I turn on the news or open the paper I learn about even more layoffs, bankruptcies and closures.
A friend of mine works for RBC, and has told me that a few times now people have come into the bank with their house keys and left, not realizing that some banks are willing to work with their clients. It is hard times all around I guess. It is hard not to feel helpless. Hopeless.
Don has had a few leads, but nothing firm yet. We have pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that if he does find something soon, he will be once again doing that horribly unreliable, uncomfortable and uncompromising GO train travel again and missing out on a lot of family time. I will go back to feeling a little like a single parent again.
But at least we had this year together; it was all worth it for that.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
I know the reviews are good, but...
I am a little worried about this Star Trek reboot.
I loved the original series. Those characters are very dear to me. I worry this is going to be a Fast and Furious in Space. And if it turns out that is what it is, I will be quite sad about that. Roddenberry wanted to create a show that was more than just special effects, and funny looking aliens. He created a show that had a social conscience which looked at the issues of the day, within the context of the future. I hope that intent is not lost with this film.
Having said all that, I did laugh my ass off at this Onion offering:
Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'
I loved the original series. Those characters are very dear to me. I worry this is going to be a Fast and Furious in Space. And if it turns out that is what it is, I will be quite sad about that. Roddenberry wanted to create a show that was more than just special effects, and funny looking aliens. He created a show that had a social conscience which looked at the issues of the day, within the context of the future. I hope that intent is not lost with this film.
Having said all that, I did laugh my ass off at this Onion offering:
Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'
Gun incident on Torbay Road, Newfoundland
Can some on explain this to me? Or will I file this under WTF?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Green House for Shaun Majumder
I remember the first time I saw Shaun on Just for Laughs, he made me laugh so hard my sides ached. I had his routine on my PVR for months before I would let Don delete it. His delivery is so causal and conversational it is like having a few drinks with an old friend.
The Burlington Newfoundland native has had a variety of roles starting with YTV's CLIPS. His stand up routines lead him to become a popular host for the Comedy Festival Just For Laughs, a recurring role on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Cedric the Entertainer Presents. All that exposure, helped propel the comedian to the big screen with Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
The Newfoundland funny man has another project in the works, and he needs your help to get it off the ground. Shaun wants to create a reality show called Shaun Majumder's Green Home. While it is not my favourite television genre ( OK, I admit it, I despise so called Reality TV), I do think this show is a good idea. Mostly because of the concept and principles behind it. The show would chronicle what it would take to build an environmentally green home. There is a rumor that at the end of the show, and the home's completion, that someone would actually win the final product.
They plan to build the home in Shaun's hometown, providing employment and exposure for the community. It also builds awareness of environmental issues, not only in Newfoundland, but for Canada as a whole. We need to be more proactive with environmental issues. Indeed, a recent report by Toronto's Corporate Knights magazine graded all the provinces on their eco-performance: the highest score, a measly 69%, went to BC, and Newfoundland ranked only slightly higher than the lowest ranked province; P.E.I.
So let's get behind this idea! Help throw your support to Shaun, and petition the CBC to back this proactive and innovative project. You can petition the cbc at this website, and you can join the Facebook devoted to the cause as well.
Pass it on!
The Burlington Newfoundland native has had a variety of roles starting with YTV's CLIPS. His stand up routines lead him to become a popular host for the Comedy Festival Just For Laughs, a recurring role on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Cedric the Entertainer Presents. All that exposure, helped propel the comedian to the big screen with Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
The Newfoundland funny man has another project in the works, and he needs your help to get it off the ground. Shaun wants to create a reality show called Shaun Majumder's Green Home. While it is not my favourite television genre ( OK, I admit it, I despise so called Reality TV), I do think this show is a good idea. Mostly because of the concept and principles behind it. The show would chronicle what it would take to build an environmentally green home. There is a rumor that at the end of the show, and the home's completion, that someone would actually win the final product.
They plan to build the home in Shaun's hometown, providing employment and exposure for the community. It also builds awareness of environmental issues, not only in Newfoundland, but for Canada as a whole. We need to be more proactive with environmental issues. Indeed, a recent report by Toronto's Corporate Knights magazine graded all the provinces on their eco-performance: the highest score, a measly 69%, went to BC, and Newfoundland ranked only slightly higher than the lowest ranked province; P.E.I.
So let's get behind this idea! Help throw your support to Shaun, and petition the CBC to back this proactive and innovative project. You can petition the cbc at this website, and you can join the Facebook devoted to the cause as well.
Pass it on!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Newfoundland's Doyle and Pinsent land Ridley Scott film!
Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea has landed a part in the Ridley Scott Robin Hood remake, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. He will play the part of Celtic musician "Alan O'Dayle" in Robin Hood's gang. Gordon Pinsent (my home town's favourite son) will also star in the film.
Good on ya b'yes!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Way to go Mark Critch!
This Hour has 22 Minutes had a great response to the nutbars hosting Fox News: "Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld," who took turns trashing Canada and its military on March 17. These drooling morons took it upon themselves to insult our entire country; to offend soldiers fighting alongside their own countrymen; and to disgust families who lost loved ones in Afghanistan, all this on the very day we lost four more Canadian soldiers in a war we didn't start.
You know the b'yes on 22 Minutes just couldn't let that go without a few fighting words of their own. Well done Mark. Well done.
You know the b'yes on 22 Minutes just couldn't let that go without a few fighting words of their own. Well done Mark. Well done.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Jon Stewart- My Hero
Jim Cramer - skewered.
It is so good to see someone really asking the tough questions, and trying to make people accountable. I wish I could embed the video, but I can't find one that stays up for long. I can only link to the Comedy network site:
http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/#clip149637
There are three parts, and each will be separated by commercials.
It is so good to see someone really asking the tough questions, and trying to make people accountable. I wish I could embed the video, but I can't find one that stays up for long. I can only link to the Comedy network site:
http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/#clip149637
There are three parts, and each will be separated by commercials.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Hey Jesus!
Come on Jesus! This is the information age, show yourself on Facebook in the middle of a Lexulous board, or on the Books application. How about a massive text message to everyone at the same time- free of charge (a miracle indeed!). For a guy who is supposed to be all knowing and all powerful, you certainly have an odd way of communicating with all your believers. I mean appearing on a cheese doodle? Is this a giant game of "Where's Waldo" or you are just dicking with us?
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