What is Time? What is Reality?

 

The past month has been the ultimate “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of whirlwind. It’s been a mostly fun, occasionally icky (health, weather-wise), time.

 Now, my Christmas treats are nearly gone, home care is resuming, and I’m back in the office. My body is desperately trying to adjust to a sudden lack of chocolate, cold medication, and late morning wake-ups. My brain doesn’t seem to be faring much better right now, either.

 It shall pass, though.

 Cheers!

Plans for 2025

 

It's a new year and the planning is already well underway.

Over Christmas break, I started adapting my Before I'm Forty plan for 2025. I realized shortly after that it becomes the Forty plan in a matter of months. (eek!)

I've kept the same basic areas I want to work on this year: Work, Myself, Travel and Events, Social, Writing, and Health. This year, Work and Health come first.

A recent cold made me realize I need to refocus on my lungs, and I need to develop new routines regarding medication and physio. I also need to get back on the treadmill, probably for longer time periods. I should probably find some longer shows to watch while I do that. 

Work, I've already written about.

When it comes to myself, I really just want to prioritize finding someone other than a family member who can cut my nails. It's one of those things that really shouldn't be so hard to find, but it is. I have the number of a footcare clinic nearby, so getting an assessment there and opening a file might be a good idea for when/if I'm in a bind. Other than that, I'll see what homecare can do.

Now for the fun stuff.

This March, I'm super excited to have tickets to see Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul live in concert!! I'll be on the floor, and will probably be hoarse or deaf the next day, but I can't wait! Digits being crossed for good health and weather.

I've written about it for the last couple years, but this May I really want to go back to TCAF and not chicken out of it beforehand. I just feel like I need to at least try, and prove it to myself that I can still do it. Plus, it's always pretty fun.

Lastly, I've chosen my next Bucket List trip: a few days at The Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Not likely a 2025 adventure, but I will start planning for it. As for other trips, the family's thinking Universal Studios for next Christmas, which I'm down for.

2025 will be the year I slowly begin to write a book, Becoming The Rare Writer. 

And finally, continued outings, especially after winter, and more with LiveWorkPlay.

Lofty goals, and I absolutely expect to write about how poorly a few of them have managed to come along over the year, but it's a decent setup for 2025

Cheers!

2024 In Review

 

It was pretty laid back compared to others, but 2024 was probably one of the best years I've had in a while.

The year began and ended with fun events with people from work.

I may not have travelled or wrote much this past year, but I read. A LOT!

I consumed all those books from Christmas to Christmas, and many more besides! (monthly comic hauls not counting)

When winter began to thaw, I was routinely out and about downtown. Periodic walks or coffee breaks with a book for an hour before or after work soon became regular occurrences when weather permitted.

The end of May, just after my 39th birthday, I got my contract extended at work and was brought onto CanNor's Communications team. It's been a busy time, but so, so great!

I spent the majority of summer on my own while my family was in Nova Scotia. Along with comics work, and junk food, I cleaned an oven for the first time, went for a pedicure, and got through a tiny cold on my own.

Autumn was pretty eventful. After six years of using them solely for employment supports, I chose to get further involved with LiveWorkPlay. I attended a fun end-of-summer barbecue, then was invited to sit as a panelist for a Disability and Work conference, my first time speaking in five years!

Having been house-bound for much of the summer, my Dad and I made a spontaneous day trip to the Biodome and Insectarium in Montreal. Both very fun.

And that was basically it. Lots of hopes for next year, and some fun things already planned.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Communications Retreat

 

*Photo used with permission*

Somehow, in a small space of time between Christmas shopping, a flu/COVID shot combo that knocked me on my rear for 24 hours straight, horrible winter weather, a pretty bad cold, AND holiday festivities, I managed to attend a two-day Communications retreat at work the week before last.

It was two days here in Ottawa, with team members visiting from the territories. After a late start due to unfortunate flight delays the day before, the retreat was kicked off with gifts from coworkers and welcomes from/a positive conversation with senior staff. Afterwards, for our first activity, we were asked to list all our individual roles and responsibilities within the team. I do more than I give myself credit for. I also received an official job title and position, which was exciting!

Later that evening, we went out for dinner. Recent bad weather had made walking conditions a little slick, so I was nervous and prepared to take a cab to the restaurant, but my team were super helpful and walked with me, offering me arms for support. At the restaurant, the meal, conversation, and comradery were excellent.

The following day, we heard from several branches about what they do and ways Communications can assist them. We also led individual presentations about our various ongoing tasks. Mine went well and got some nice feedback. 

The second day ended with reflections. I gave some complements, then expressed hope for getting my contract extended so I can attend the next retreat. Just before leaving, we all gathered for a couple nice and goofy photos (see above).

It was a great couple days and was so fun to finally get to see everyone in person! Also very busy. When reflecting during the last afternoon, I nearly got very emotional. In the months leading up to the Administrative retreat I participated in last winter, I had been dealing with issues related to anxiety and mental health, stemming from the pandemic and a lack of independence at the time. That retreat was nice and helped.

This time was a lot different though. Since starting with Comms back in June, I've never felt such a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment like I have with this job (pretty sure I mentioned this in the work series I wrote, too). The new title makes things seem more real, and gives me a boost of purpose and motivation, a job I can develop at. And my teammates. All of my coworkers over the last 2.5 years have been great, but I just seem to have that much more in common with this lot. Again, super friendly, helpful and inclusive.  

Like I said before, fingers and toes are being crossed in hopes I get the opportunity to do this again. But, even if I don't, it was fun times and made for some good memories.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas!

 

Hoping everyone enjoys the "big" day tomorrow.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Cheers!

Warm Flavours

 

Winter has arrived in Ottawa once again. Temperatures hit freezing last week, and snow fell on the weekend, with a major dumping between today and tomorrow.

Readers know very well by now what I think of this season. 

So it's a good thing that I've found myself enjoying many of my favourite southern flavours recently.

 I've been on a ginger beer kick, enjoying it straight or mixed with green tea or ginger ale (both very good!) and found some Mexican Cola the other day. My parents randomly found a guy selling churros (best!) at a market over the weekend. And a new find, Spicy Tropical Fusion Doritos, tasting of pineapple, jerk spice, and cilantro, get two thumbs way up! Also, I still have some real Mexican hot chocolate left from a vacation my parents took.

Maybe it's been a subconscious thing, my brain providing me with a way to cope with the cold and hated precipitation. Either way, I'm enjoying it.

Cheers!

Speaking About Work

 

This guy again

Earlier this week, I spoke as a panelist with others from LiveWorkPlay for a presentation called "Learning From Our Mistakes: Moving Towards Real Inclusive Employment" for the Disability and Work in Canada virtual conference.

I'd been invited to be a speaker a few months ago when I attended LiveWorkPlay's end-of-summer barbecue. 

Over the past month, I'd been in touch with people from LiveWorkPlay, learning more about the event and what they wanted me to talk about, then doing a practice run last week. The practice went well, with the only critique being that I could include more about my background and work history.

The day of the event, there were nerves, but not as much as with past presentations (the virtual format helped a little). There were also technical difficulties with Zoom, which were a little annoying. But, everything settled and corrected itself just in time for the panel to start.

The first presenter was one of the leads of LiveWorkPlay's employment program, and spoke a little about their history, practices, and the relationship between clients, employers, and the organization in respect to accommodations. Very interesting and informative, and nice to hear as a client.

I was up next. 

I was asked to give some examples of times during my employment journey when I've received help from LiveWorkPlay and the job coaches. I spoke about wanting help to ask for more hours with PSPC, landing the job with CanNor, and how LiveWorkPlay helped me get my contract extended to CanNor's Communications branch, emphasizing how much I enjoy the position, and how it is a much better fit with my talents and background. 

As soon as I was done speaking, I immediately thought of something I should've lead with, but that happens...

Other panelists spoke about accommodations, hiring processes, and moving towards better inclusion. Afterwards, there was a brief Q&A with some pretty interesting questions.

The following day at work, I learnt that my manager sent a couple notices about the presentation around CanNor, catching the welcome attention of several senior staff members, which I thought was nice. I was also able to brag a little on a team meeting later in the morning.

A couple little bumps, but things went really well for my first time speaking in almost five years. A huge thanks to the folks at LiveWorkPlay for inviting me to share.

Cheers!