Award of Excellence (plus a bit of surgery)

 

Last week was a whirlwind, to put it mildly!

To begin with, the Friday before last, I was notified of a date of June 11 for surgery to replace the tubes in my ears. I'd been waiting for this for a year so, despite the very short notice, I took it. But that meant dealing with a flurry of last minute calls, meetings, and appointments. And a lot of driving, in the case of my Dad!

After a few days of hearing tests, pre-ops, and putting in a week's worth of work in roughly one day, Thursday was surgery day. A few minor complications with my oxygen levels, but everything went pretty well!

But wait! If you think surgery was the highlight of my week, you'd be wrong...

Amidst all that aforementioned craziness, something pretty awesome happened.

A couple months ago, I was notified by my job coach that LiveWorkPlay was in the process of putting my name up for consideration for an award. They went to several coworkers from CanNor and got more good info than they actually needed. Roughly a month passed, and I was told that I'd won! Aside from my family, I had to keep it a secret until the official announcement.

That official announcement came last Wednesday evening during an awards dinner which was part of the 31st annual conference for the Canadian Association for Supportive Employment (CASE), where I was set to accept the Philip Emerson Award for Employment Excellence, an award that "recognizes an outstanding individual that has made significant contributions to the promotion of full citizenship and personal capacity through employment and innovation within the workplace in Canada."

My parents and sister were with me, of course. Also in attendance were my job coach and several other members of LiveWorkPlay. 

I'll be honest and admit that the scope and significance of the award didn't hit me until the moment it was being announced. Presenting it to me was Philip Emerson himself (really good guy), whose intro touched on my time with LiveWorkPlay, starting at CanNor and eventually moving to Communications, and my work with CanNor's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) committee. 

I walked to the stage, past a standing and cheering crowd, graciously accepted the award, and gave a small impromptu speech, thanking everyone and emphasizing the independence and joy the job at CanNor has given me!

After my award, and listening to an amazing speech by one of CASE's founders, we were directed to the lobby for photos. 

It was a heck of a night, one that I still can barely fathom nearly a week later! 

I remember a moment a couple days before the ceremony where I actually wondered aloud "Why?" and "What's the point?" But a day or two after, a friend whose family I've known for quite a while now, posted on Facebook about her teenage daughter, who has Joubert syndrome like me, getting her first job at a Lego mini-figure store with the help of a group like LiveWorkPlay. Put things right into perspective!

Infinitely big thank-you's to my family, coworkers, and all the folks at LiveWorkPlay and CASE for making this possible.

Cheers!

Of Heroes and Hosers

 

Heromachine 3, much like the use of my right hand, has been revived! So guess what I've been doing aside from work and wrist exercises lately??

Version 2.5 is really good, but some of my characters just look soo much cooler in the updated hero creator. 

Take, for example, a Canadian super team I came up with recently. Dubbed The Great White Watch (thanks to ChatGPT), the team consists of heroes ranging from an Acadian-inspired warrior woman from Nova Scotia, to a hockey goon (literally named Goon) with strength-enhancing gear (pictured in red and blue), to a humanoid water panther deity. The team already has an origin, several villains, and event too!

I get a good distraction from work and health-related things, and the Scooterverse continues to grow!

Cheers!

A pre-Summer Challenge - Monsters Maintaining Mental health

 

Recent positive test results and doctor's appointments have shown me that my monthly exercise/DVD watching/reading challenges are doing something right.

After a year of waiting, I finally have surgery to replace the tubes in my ears scheduled for later this week. Preceding that will be a few days of short notice pre-op chaos and another special non-medical event which I'll write about later. In the weeks following my surgery, I've got a few other appointments scheduled.

For the month of June, and maybe a little into July, my challenge is a fairly small one: make it through the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and finish The Demon King, the most recent (and also last, I think) book in Peter Brett's Nightfall saga and overall Demon Cycle universe.

Given the appointments, surgery, then more appointments, this challenge is less about exercise, and more of a mental health break.

Cheers!

41 in a (simulated) Galaxy Far, Far, Away (and the office)

 

The Earth makes another full rotation and, just like that, I'm now into my 40's!

On the list of blockbusters running from early May to mid-December, The Mandalorian and Grogu fell closest to my birthday and seemed like something my family might enjoy as well, so that's the movie I asked to see the weekend before my 41st.

The theatre I looked at had a lot of different viewing options. The show we had originally planned to see sold out just before we got there, so we chose to see it in 4DX roughly an hour later. We had looked up what 4DX was at home and were prepared, just in case. Before buying tickets we were a little nervous, but did it anyway.

4DX offers movie goers a totally immersive experience, with seats that move with the action, simulated weather and environment effects, smells, and strobe lights. 

Story-wise, The Mandalorian and Grogu is pretty good. Fun, action-packed, and even kind of cute. No need to have watched anything before, but a lot of bits from The Mandalorian and other Disney shows for those who have. 

The 4DX experience though! Almost immediately, my chair was rocking and rolling, feeling every hit amid a simulated blaster fight then lurching forward into a blast of cold air as the hero runs down a snowy peak in an Imperial walker. A few moments of character introductions and plot, and I was blasted forward into hyperspace!

During some plot time, my bladder advised me to take a quick break before the next round of action, and it was a good thing I did. 

The Mandalorian has been asked to find Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta (^ that guy). Expecting him to be captive, it turns out Rotta is a star gladiator approaching his last match. After a nice bit between Rotta and the Mandalorian, the fun begins!

Mando offers to buy Rotta's contract, only to get into a bar brawl (rough, but exciting), then ends up in the gladiator pit himself where he first fights Rotta (I got slammed by a Hutt!). After yielding, they're both forced to fight a slew of alien monsters. (intense, but I'm pretty sure I was laughing the whole time!) Everyone breaks out onto the streets, and Rotta flees. An exhilarating speeder chase, and the heroes learn who the real bad guy is. The whole sequence ends with a bouncy, blastery storming of an Imperial compound!  

Though other parts of the movie were rather jarring and a little uncomfortable, that entire fifteen to twenty minute sequence, from the moment The Mandalorian lands on the planet until he takes off with his Imperial bounty, might just have been one of the best birthday gifts I've ever gotten. It felt like I was right smack in the middle of the old Star Wars: Dark Forces computer games I used to play!

After that, there's some scary bits with a snake monster, cute stuff with Grogu, and an ending where I was flying with an X-wing squadron!

Pretty intense, but definitely an unforgettable experience!

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I also chose my birthday for my first day back in the office since breaking my wrist. I practiced some movements beforehand and had to adjust and MacGyver a few things when I got in but for the most part, everything held up. 

I was finally able to get the paper copy of an award I'd received (along with other members of my team) roughly a month ago, got a lot of nice comments and sympathies from coworkers, and was able to go for lunch and some Ribfest mini-donuts thanks to an early start! 

Next up: He-Man and two days downtown.

Cheers!

(Countdown to) Gettin' Out 2026

I wish...

The brace I had to wear for my wrist came off very early last week, and I had my first appointment for physio Friday afternoon. So far, the exercises I've been given seem to be going okay (range of motion first, strength later), and I'm even starting to be able to do a few more important things on my own!

Obviously I won't be planning anything like a trip to Toronto, but with some tasks slowly getting easier to do independently, I am very cautiously starting to plan for going back into the office and getting out for some events and movies throughout the next month and a bit!

Ribfest starts the last week of May this year. That and either Mortal Kombat II or the Mandalorian movie would make for one really good 41st birthday! And speaking of birthdays, my Dad has suggested going downtown for my annual birthday burger so we can take the LRT. Sounds like fun.

Things to look forward to and incentives to keep up the exercising.

Cheers!
 

Communications Retreat 2026

 

*Photo used with permissions
*Edited by me (explanation in post)

It's been about two-and-a-half months, but better late than never to write about the latest retreat at work.

Mid-February, the Communications team met in Ottawa for a three-day retreat. Unlike the previous time, the weather was excellent and no one faced any major delays to or from their destination!

Things kicked off with an artistic ice breaker, drawing our responses to a small series of questions. Later, we held a major brainstorming session revolving around one of my major tasks, which was very helpful! A conversation with senior staff ended the day.

Training took up much of the next morning, getting tips and a welcome outside perspective on my various tasks and roles. 

Lunch was spent out with a colleague. We've worked together on a few things and have quite a bit in common, but are in different offices so it was nice to be able to talk about work and mutual interests in person. 

Afterwards, some urgent business came up, so everything else for the day was put on hold. Even though it was all outside of my realm, I probably learnt more during that afternoon and following morning just from osmosis and being around my fellow team members.

We went for dinner that night. Good food, conversation, and clear walking conditions. A few coworkers stayed around with me while I waited for a ride home, which was much appreciated!

The third and final morning, after more busyness related to events from the previous afternoon, it was photo time!

Now to explain my editing comment from above: Every photo taken over the three days was an absolute winner; however, in the one pictured above I originally look like I'm mid-sneeze, so I was able to super-impose another image of my face, taken during the last retreat, while keeping everyone else's better, non-sneezy visages.

The rest of the day was filled with catch-up and discussions, ending with final thoughts and an exercise where everyone wrote each other small notes or drawings of appreciation. A few final goodbyes, and we were done.

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Another fun and educational experience. 

While I've always felt included and productive, being part-time (by choice) and working with people spread across the country can have a silo effect every now and then. That's why this retreat seemed so much better to me than the last.

With all due credit to my other team members who were working their butts off at the time, being able to be right in the middle of such a flurry of activity on that second day was an amazing learning opportunity, providing insight into my coworkers and the jobs they do.

I also liked being able to let a work-appropriate amount of my "geek" out.  Two of my team members frequently describe themselves as major geeks. I do too but, prior to joining the Communications team, it didn't seem right to bring it up much, so it's nice to be able to have that outlet, share my hobbies and fandoms, and have some fun.

And lastly, this was my third retreat at CanNor. Compared to 2024 when I was still pretty new at Communications and, frankly, still awe-struck at the thought of having the job itself, and especially compared to the Administrative retreat a year before that when I was dealing with the final bought of pandemic-related jitters, this retreat felt natural. I was working, presenting confidently, and actively socializing!

Hoping to do this again, but maybe I can do the travelling next time??? (The Yukon IS high on my Bucket list...)

 Cheers!

Mmm...Writing *Homer Simpson impression*

 

#Canadiana

Between my arm, appointments, and work, it seems I completely spaced on marking The Rare Writer's dozen-year anniversary!

Continued thanks for continued following.

Cheers!

That Time I Broke My Wrist

 

I haven't posted on here in a little while, and for good reason: I've only got one hand to write with.

The very beginning of March, while getting ready for work, I slipped on the strap of my laptop bag, went down two stairs going to our front entrance-way, went to brace myself with my arm and crushed it. Horrible, horrible pain followed and my father drove me to Emergency. 

After five hours of triage, waiting, and an x-ray, the doctor confirmed my wrist was broken. I got a plaster cast, a shot for the pain, and another x-ray. Lousy experience, but the staff at Queensway-Carleton Hospital were great!

I took the rest of the week off work while my cast set and I adjusted to life with one arm. I couldn't use our basement, got roughly five or six hours of sleep over three days (nearly all of that in a chair in our family room), and needed help with everything (and I mean EVERYTHING!) By the weekend, I was finally able to sleep in my own bed, and my manager was nice enough to order me some pre-made food that was shipped to my house.

Week two, I was working from home, going for walks for exercise, and drive-thru's for an "out." Very reminiscent of the pandemic. And my cast was firm enough for my family to sign and draw on!

Another week and I had a follow-up appointment with Orthopedics. I still needed a cast for a few more weeks, but my arm had shrunk in the plaster so they put me in fiberglass, coloured green per my request. The fiberglass was a lot easier to cope with. It freed my fingers, so I was able to do a few small things somewhat more independently, like dress, make breakfast, carry a few small items and, most importantly, read comics properly! 

Earlier this week, the cast came off. My arm didn't really hurt, and x-rays were a million times less painful than before, but there was still the tiniest bit of healing left, so now I'm in a rather cool-looking plastic/Velcro brace for two more weeks. More hand movement and some limited grip strength. It can come off too, which meant I had a proper shower for the first time in well over a month last night! 

After the two weeks, everything comes off and then it's physio. The end is near but still, it's been a time...

So grateful to everyone, parents specifically!, for all the added help, support, thoughts, and so on.

Cheers!

Keeping Motivated with the Classics

 

Around the start of the new year, I made a resolution to do the treadmill and exercise a little more often. I also wanted to take the winter to go through all the books and DVDs I had.

 To keep myself motivated and honest about the first goal, I combined it with the second and decided to give myself regular challenges. How many episodes of a specific show could I watch while on the treadmill, and how many books can I get through, all before a specific date?

Starting in January, my first challenge was to finish the first two seasons of Babylon 5 and re-read the Clash of Eagles trilogy, all by the end of February/first of March.

Even with last week mostly "off" for events and busyness at work, I managed to finish Book 3 last weekend, and walked through Babylon 5's season 2 finale earlier this week!

My next challenge will take me into the end of April, attempting to finish the next two B5 seasons (making it easier to finish the fifth and final season by my birthday the end of May). For reading, I'm going back to favourites of my youth and tackling, in as chronological an order as I can, the large and cherished collection of Avengers and Thunderbolts comics I've amassed.

Fun (and fit?) times ahead.

Cheers! 

The geek gods are smiling

 

The news right now seems dystopian, winter weather is bumming me out hard, and I have a great many medical things (up to and including surgery for my ears at some point) to look forward to later in 2026. A little pick-me-up would be nice right about now.

Fortunately, the geek gods seem to have taken notice and have already scattered a very generous amount of good entertainment throughout the year.

Once I finish my pre-birthday read-throughs, I'll have new Sigma Force and Demon Cycle novels to enjoy.

On the silver screen, we're getting:

• a new Star Wars (Mandalorian) movie (close to my birthday)
• a new Street Fighter movie
• new Mortal Kombat (also close to my birthday!)
• Masters of the Universe (releasing just AFTER my birthday)
• and a new Avengers movie (right near Christmas!)

And on the smaller screen, there's already new Game of Thrones and Star Trek series (catching up this weekend), with new Star Wars, Daredevil, and a Muppet Show revival on the way!

Still not looking forward to the appointments, tests, and surgery, but this stuff SHOULD at least give me lots to do and in good spirits.

Cheers!

What's in store for 2026??

 

I really can't believe it's 2026 already! 

As per usual, it's goal setting time.

Health - 2026 is already shaping up to be an eventful year in terms of my heath, with some overdue maintenance, many different appointments, and even surgery to replace a tube in my ear at some point. And since I don't feel like putting much of this off more than I have, or have any number of doctors criticizing me, I'm deciding to make this year a slightly healthier one. 

First, this means eating a little better. What started as an "out" during the pandemic, has turned into a bit of a habit when it's come to my pensions for junk food. Not cutting things out, but making a conscious decision to reduce my intake.

Second, exercise! I always write about doing the treadmill, and always seem to not end up doing it. Well, this time I've made a plan, set small goals for myself, and drawn up an actual schedule. I'm combining my walking with another goal to do re-watches of many of the TV series I've got on DVD. I walk and watch, then record the amount of time, series, and episode I just watched on a printed-out calendar. My first goal is to finish the first two seasons of Babylon 5 by the first of March.

Along with the treadmill, I've even started doing yoga and pilates-type exercises with my mother. They're short videos on YouTube and most of it is stuff I've been told to do for most of my life anyway. Just something different.

Now for the usual fun stuff.  

Reading - At the end of the Summer, my sister moved out and I moved into her bigger room. One of the biggest challenges was figuring out what to do with the incredibly large amount of books and comics I've amassed over the years. Despite getting a bigger room, I still had more reading material than I had space for. The next couple months were spent figuring out what I wanted to keep, then selling, donating, or simply trashing the rest. 

After the purchase of a second bookshelf, and too much schlepping, I've got things to a somewhat more stable volume. But two of my favourite novel series, James Rollins' Sigma Force and Peter Brett's Demon Cycle, will have new installments by the Spring, so I may need to make a little more room. 

Until my birthday the end of May, I'm doing a read-through of as much as I can (especially if it's something I may want to part with), keeping to a schedule similar to my treadmill/DVD calendar.

Travel - TCAF 2026 is being held at the same location on roughly the same weekend as last year, so I think I'll plan on going again! I know I've said it's expensive and wasn't quite as exciting as it used to be, but it's a short trip, convenient, and something I, and my family, know I can do independently, so it's kind of worth it. 

Going to Nova Scotia some time in the Summer to say one last goodbye to my Nanny Perkins.

If there's time, a trip to Manitoulin Island. I read somewhere recently that there's a site there called Sheguiandah with a collection of some of the oldest stone tools in Canada which would be cool to see. I've been to Manatoulin Island once before for years ago for a family camping trip, and it was a nice place.

All that and, likely, more or less.

Cheers!