Contact

 

Last weekend, I had unmasked contact with some family friends and extended family members for the first time since March of last year.

First, a couple of friends of my parents were invited for dinner as surprise guests of my Mother's birthday. They know me well and have a disabled daughter, so they were both double-vaccinated and everything went well.

The following day, we had some family members briefly stay with us while passing through Ontario. Again, everyone was double vaccinated and it was a great time.

Despite knowing everything was safe, I did have the briefest bit of anxiety just before my mom's birthday dinner. It was less nerves though, and more like a "There are people here? Really??" kind of vibe. Very surreal!

I still don't feel very confident in going out and socializing just yet. I'd rather do a couple solo outings first, to be honest. Maybe try and get Para Transpo somewhere before kids go back to school.

It's another step, though.

Cheers!  

But Will It Get Me An Apartment?

 

Disability Pride flag

July is Disability Pride Month. Nice gesture, and I like the design of that flag, but what's the point? 

Is this month going to help get me my own apartment, or an increase on my disability pension? 

Probably not.

I've done a lot, despite my disability (or because of it), but getting above the poverty line and having a place of my own someday, preferably before I reach old age, would be really, really nice.

Instead of a pride month, day of acceptance, or whatever, how's about some kind of action period where serious issues facing people with disabilities like housing, transportation, employment, and income get tackled or, Saints be praised!, even fixed? 

That'll give me something to be proud of!

Cheers.

Three Years of Work

 This past week marked three years of working at Public Service and Procurement Canada, and my contract being renewed for a fourth.

The last year has been pretty strange, but I've actually been enjoying working from home and have even felt more productive, with some meatier tasks.

There's a lot of uncertainty ahead with COVID and what the future will look like, and that does make me a little nervous, but I can deal with that stuff later. For now, at least, I have another year of productivity and employment to look forward to.

Cheers!

The Reopening

 

Phase Three of Ontario's COVID re-opening after its latest shutdown goes into effect the end of next week and I'm cautiously excited this time around.

This round includes restaurants, gyms and I can't believe I can finally write this, movie theatres!!!! 

Yes, after a year and a half, and several negative blog posts on my part, theatres are finally reopening in Ottawa. Many restrictions of course, but after all this waiting, I'm totally willing to put up with them.

Fingers and toes are now officially being crossed for Suicide Squad at The Coliseum (or VIP, if I'm luckier) next month!

Cheers.

The "Before I'm Forty" Plan

 

Prior to the pandemic, I was starting to create a five-year plan for myself. When 2021 rolled around, and COVID didn't seem to be going away anytime soon, I kind of went "why bother" and ditched it. 

Lately, I've been reconsidering it. I've only got four years until the 4-0 and COVID has me a little paranoid about the possibility of another pandemic, so better to get this going now!

Work: Within the next four years, I want some kind of change with work. It looks like working from home will be the way of the future, for the government anyway, so I've been thinking about picking up a couple extra hours per week. Not a lot, but just the amount of hours I would've normally spent waiting for/riding in Para Transpo. A bit more money, plus something to do. 

Living Space: Part of the reason I want some extra work hours is because, in the next couple years, I'd like to have a place, or at least a space, of my own. I'll probably never be totally independent, but it'd still be nice to have something, whatever that is.

Travels: Something easier to accomplish is a big, bucket-list worthy trip. I'm thinking Drumheller, Alberta to the Badlands and the Royal Tyrell Museum for some dinosaurs. Or maybe something bigger with the family?

Writing: People keep suggesting that I should write a book. Could be a good idea! Not sure what it would be about though.

Advocacy: Lastly, I'd like to do something advocacy-related if possible. Years ago, before I was even close to doing anything independently, I looked into a Disability Studies program out of Ryerson University in Toronto. With my current background and experience, it might be interesting to look into again, even just to add some legitimacy to future writing or speaking.

There. It is written. Now to try and stick to it. Maybe even make it a regular blog feature.

Cheers.