I'm checking out The Weather Network, and it seems like March* has decided to start off on a snowy, stormy sort of note.
Quite a dumping forecast for tomorrow, so I've been a little jittery thinking about Para Transpo, and the ride to and from work. Something I haven't had to think about in three years.
Fingers crossed!
*End of February technically, but it works for writing/complaining purposes.
Cheers
Last week, I took part in a three-day "retreat" for Administrative staff at work. It was three full (as in 8-4ish) days, the busiest and most social I've been since the start of the pandemic and the most I've worked, ever!
Those of us from Ottawa were joined by colleagues from Canada's Territories.
To get us settled in and acquainted with each other, the retreat's organizers set up a couple fun icebreaker activities for each morning. We started off by asking everyone else one specific question. I asked about people's favourite TV shows, and was pleased to meet another Vikings fan. Later in the week, we did "2 truths, 1 lie" and were asked what we'd do with a million dollars. In a definite sign of the times, most people including myself, said they'd use the money for a house. Just for fun, I added something about a ComicCon ticket with whatever I had left over.
The business side of the retreat included goal setting exercises and presentations scattered throughout the week from various department heads about what they do and how it relates to the Admin staff, starting with a welcome and Q&A from its President.
Wednesday afternoon, we went to the Native Women's Association of Canada, just a short cab ride away in Gatineau. Some sort of crafting activity had originally been arranged, but that fell through (I was thankful, given my poor dexterity). Instead, we played a few fun games. I won a Tim Horton's gift card at a dice game. We tried bannock balls (think large donut holes/Timbits with cranberries, glazed and dipped in maple syrup!) and watched a documentary called Last Ice, about life in Northern Canada, as well as some of the history and current issues facing the region.
During our last hour there, we were treated to a guided tour of the building. We saw various meeting rooms, lots of great artwork, and traditional medicine (spearmint smells great, bear grease not so much).
On the final day, between presentations, we had a nice group lunch at a nearby pub. The week ended with commitments to meetings and training, then a group photo and quick farewells.
It was a very busy, somewhat tiring three days, but also fun and highly productive. The weather, though not ideal for visiting colleagues hoping to experience the Rideau Canal and Winterlude, was absolutely perfect for me, with no snow, record-setting balmy temperatures, and mostly clear streets/sidewalks throughout downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. And when walking conditions did happen to get a little slushy at one point, my fellow Admins were kind enough to offer some assistance.
Speaking of those people, one of the best parts of this retreat, in my opinion, was the opportunity to finally put faces to names of people, admins and directors, whom I've been emailing for the past six months.
Personally, it was a great experience. I felt professional, included, and safe. A big step towards dealing with some of the mental health/"getting back out there" concerns I'd spoken about the week prior.
There are plans to make this a regular thing, so hopefully, should things work out, I might just be travelling up North in the future. Fingers sort of crossed for that experience!
Cheers.
Nine years old!
It's been a pretty eventful, sometimes crazy year. That just meant I had lots to write about.
Thanks for following.
Cheers!
I used Google to look something up on not one, but two cell phones (work, personal)!
It was a proud moment for my sister, who's teased me forever for being behind the times and unwilling to use the device for anything more than texting.
I guess I'm growing up.
Cheers!
Over the past several months, I've been having some issues related to anxiety about my future, reintegrating into society at large after a couple years of isolation, and concerns about a general lack of independence.
Before Christmas, I had talked with my family doctor about it during a check-up, and asked if there was anything she could do. She was happy to help and gave me a list of places I could call.
I sat on this for a while. I talked with my parents about issues like housing and finances, which helped a little, but I still found I had a few, nagging, personal concerns I wanted to get off my chest.
So the other day I picked up the phone and made an appointment, which I had yesterday afternoon.
It started off with a short questionnaire to gauge my current mental state, routines, and habits. Then, the counsellor I was speaking to began to address the issues I had mentioned when booking the appointment.
Through the world's best coincidence, the counsellor I was speaking with happened to be legally blind, so he was very understanding when I spoke about disability-related issues (I actually teared up a little when he first told me).
I told him about my background and situation, some of the supports I've currently got set up, and the worries I have about my future. Unfortunately, he couldn't provide much concrete support in regards to some of the bigger issues (finances, housing, etc.), but was sympathetic and approved of what I already have in place. We even joked a little about accessible transit, sharing one or two minor horror stories, and mutually knocking on wood for continued success.
What this counsellor did help me with, were some strategies and advice about how to cope with some of the more personal, internal issues I expressed. The big recommendation was finding more things to do, to keep my mind occupied and my body active.
I spoke about being pretty isolated due to the pandemic and respiratory issues and about how I'm currently, slowly trying to get back to being more active and social, rejoining the book club I was a part of, and planning the occasional outing. He told me to keep going for it, and how the more I get back out there, the less fear I'll eventually have. Near the end of the session, I was provided with a list of yoga exercises which would help with focus and calming, and a link to a book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, which might contain a few helpful tips.
I have the option of scheduling another appointment, which might make for a nice follow-up, after the next book club meeting and maybe purchasing that book.
It may not have provided me with anything huge or life-changing, but I'm glad I finally decided to make this phone call. Speaking with my family members and/or doctors is nice, but it was a bit of a relief to be able to unload to someone both professional and at the same time, not so personally connected to me.
I know that these issues will be ongoing, but this was a massive help, and I'm looking forward to trying some of these strategies out and seeing how things go.
Cheers.
Out of curiosity, I've started to do some analytics on the blog.
Nothing too intense or technical. I just noticed that the number of views on my posts have dropped significantly over the past couple years, so I went through and tried to pick up on any trends, good or bad, that might help me out in the future.
I started by making a list of every post I've written that's had views in the triple digits, recording the title, subject matter, date posted, and view count. From there, I whittled that down to a Top Ten list, making note of the same details. The highest ranking, my very first post, is almost in the quadruple digits! Something that surprised me about this list, was the fairly wide variety of subject matter. They ranged from simple "I did a thing"-type posts about work and homecare, to some of my more creative posts like "Life After 24" and "Mutant and Proud."
After my Top Ten, I went through the blog focused on finding my personal favourite posts. These ran the gamut. High view counts, posts with hardly any views, series, ultra serious, or inspirational posts, fun and goofy stuff. It didn't matter, as long as I enjoyed writing it.
Then I went in the other direction, listing my least favourite posts. A lot of ranting, whining, or sounding like a know-it-all in this selection. Really, anything that made me think "Why??" on a re-read.
Not sure of what, if anything could come of this, but still, an interesting and thought-provoking little exercise.
Cheers
I have a lot of books.
Almost, I'll grudgingly admit, too many.
Like, three bookshelves, several large boxes, and a floor-scatterings-worth.
I think it's almost time for a garage sale and maybe a couple Value Village donations.
But first, a (re)readthrough of as much as I can manage.
Cheers!
With some welcome advice from my family, I've been rethinking my planned trip to Toronto in the Spring. Safety concerns, as well as a few other factors, have made me decide to put TCAF on hold, at least for 2023.
Instead, I've been thinking about small things I could do through the warmer months here in Ottawa. Less expensive, relatively safer, and probably a better choice pandemic-wise, as well.
My favourite comic book shop recently moved to a location that's a short walk from where I currently work. An occasional stroll there and back, with the help of a drop-off/pick-up from Para Transpo, could make for a fun downtown mission, with added exercise.
The Ottawa Writer's Fest usually has some interesting events.
There's always bookstore browsing, writing days, and socializing, should I feel like it.
Lots to think about.
Cheers!
