Season's Greetings from Nowhere....

It was very recently brought to my attention that I have (had) this blog. 

Whoops !!

Time apparently FLIES when you're living an alien life on an alien planet....aka The Alberta Tar Sands or what I generally prefer to call Nowhere. 
(There's actually a Bridge To Nowhere....which I cross to get here ....but that's another story entirely....)

SO.....

Much has transpired in the seven months (yes I cringed in horror when I typed that...who knew?) since I arrived in Nowhere, and currently AM for the duration of these holidays.  No smiley sticker for that one but I'm working hard on getting through and over it .....

That said, I honestly wouldn't even begin to know where to start, which stories to tell.......ever so much has happened in the last few months (!)

In a nutshell, it never ceases to amaze me the sheer variety and magnificance of the individuals I have encountered up here....all walks of Life from all over the World. Perhaps it's only the incredibly stark contrast between the environment and the people but they are, truly, entirely amazing and I have been most fortunate in my companions for these last few months (for the most part, there is always a rotten apple trying to spoil the cart, anywhere, perhaps just harder to avoid in the contained bubble of Nowhere )

If ever I do find myself able to write again (strange side effect of Nowhere dwelling it seems) ...the stories I have to tell !!!

Meanwhile I'm just dropping by to say HELLO and apologise for forgetting this wee continuum entirely. My life has altered dramatically and I prefer to maintain that it's entirely transitional in nature...perhaps that's part of the block but for now there's  nothing for it. It just IZ.

A very, VERY Merry Christmas to anyone and everyone who still drops 'round this wee space though !!

All the very best throughout the holidays and into the coming year, may it find you Happy and Healthy and enjoying each and every moment you are blessed with in STYLE !

I'll try my best to tell a few tales....I've got plenty stored up, just need to find the time and space to relate them properly.  In this moment , however, I felt the need to drop a quick line and let you know I am well, thinking of all of you often and wishing you much Merriment in 2012.  I plan on getting caught up, re-prioritizing and making some rather radical changes (like this wasn't enough , right? LOL) and catching up on some 3D time with the people I care most about.

Look OUT Toronto, Texas, Colorado.......Edmonton again for sure and toss in a few rounds of Kelowna .......this wee breeze shall most certainly be wafting across your walkways in 2012.

I promise.  Really. 

Watch Me

*GRIN*

Much Love in the interim......catch y'all again soon on the flipside ;)

(I'll say See You Next Year.....he he.....corny yes, but TRUE and it feels absolutely fabulous ;)

Namaste

xoxoxoxo

'Home' Again.....Jiggity Jig.....then Off again too.......

This posting finds me having just sailed through my Refugee Home of Oil Sands Camp.......on my way through to actual Fort McMurray for an emergency dental visit (!)

For starters, let me clarify that, under 'normal' circumstances, this is (only) a 2 1/2 hour drive....one way.....Kearl sitting North East of the actual city of Fort.
That said, Transportation is spotty at best, occasionally involving the odd spitting camel and/or donkey cart.

Camel One  deposited me, at the end of the day, back at OSL for the evening.  I'd entirely forgotten how attached to that particular place and people I had gotten....rather intense was the situation at that time (!) I was ever so happy to see so many familiar and friendly faces and I genuinely am most thankful for the warm greetings I received.

Good people are just GOOD PEOPLE.  Thank You Universe.

I awoke again this morning, at 3 am , to the ever familiar sound of Bird Bangers....I'll never get used to saying that I don't imagine......for a 5am appointment with Camel Two....which took me here to Fort.  Somewhat of a convoluted path of travel , yes, but entirely common here in the middle of Nowhere.

So, here I sit in a rather expensive motel ("Transport" requires that I stay one night in town or they don't send the camels) approximately 8 hours before I can actually check IN.

Walmart?  Closed.  Seriously.  ONLY in Nowhere is Walmart not allowed to be open 24/7.  Dashed therefore are my hopes of killing time with Walmart People....I was planning on taking pictures and everything ! 

So.

I get to People Watch in the Lobby.  Even at 6am this is not an uninteresting prospect.  The people here are, well, different.  Living in Nowhere for extended periods of time...working long days, days and days and days in a row..... it both attracts some seriously different characters and somewhat changes, over time, the nature of pretty much everyone else.  At the moment I am surrounded by rather rough looking fellows....all of which are clearly off to work in one of the holes up here judging by the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) they are all wearing.  It's a sea of fluorescent orange and yellow...rounded out nicely by the broad silver reflective strips.  There are many tatoos.......some fellows are in work boots, others flip flops....some appear to be wearing nothing at all underneath their overalls (!).....most of them are unshaved and unwashed and appear to not care less really.....oh MY.  What a very odd way to start the day and what a completely different scene from the clients that are my usual landscape (Thank You Universe for that :)   ....interesting though. 

Remind me, please, to always CARE , regardless of how much time I spend up here......and to always shave, shower and wear clothing under my overalls, should I ever be required to wear them LOL 

.....................................Briefly interrupted by an ANGEL there.  Her name is Gloria and, oddly enough, she is from Hamilton.....City across the bridge from MY original Hometown.  Said Angel hath not only waved the $500 security deposit but hath checked me IN...WAY early to an absolutely smashing room, complete with King Sized bed (pinch me!) kitchen, flat screen tv AND ginourmous tub.  Toss me somethin' shiny (and yes it is that easy) and I am in HEAVEN. 

Thank You Universe for rewarding this extended camel trip through a literal desert with this wee Oasis.  Vastly appreciated !!

Having now received The Warnings (I am Downtown Fort McMurray, sandwiched between a homeless shelter and rehab facility...the rumours you hear about this place are actually quite factual, it is most certainly not a vacation destination ) I shall depart for Walmart....then a few cab hops to the dentist.......please pray on that one .......I'll catch y'all later !!

Light,

K

Briefly.......a request

Hola !

My apologies for neglecting this space.....after all of THAT there's really not a lot of excitement in my life these days.  Tough Act to follow and all.....just a tad.

I DO have some stories brewing but am, in this moment, inclined for more practical matters........such as finding a reliable house/pet sitter for several months time..........

TIM (who's contact info I do not have with me).............if YOU are still sofa surfing whilst finishing up your PhD ??........................have I got a deal for YOU !!!!!

:~D

Seriously........drop me a line please and I'll be happy to fill in the details over Vietnamese.....I'll buy .

(sorry folks but it's my blog and I'll do what I want with it ...priorities at the moment.....LOL)

NAMASTE

Prayers Please.....

Again, for Our Miss Vic ........BOIL them thar Bats...........

Thank You  :D  

Time's FUN.....

.....when you're having flies.  According to Kermit anyhow ;)


I cannot believe that time has passed so quickly and that so much has happened in such a seemingly short period of time.  Above and beyond everything else....from dealing with a staph infection, cursing massive forest fires, propane poisoning and being batted about like a ping pong ball...on another planet entirely too.....I have LEARNED , plenty.


I've learned that PEOPLE are far more important than I realised.
Having largely been quite content to occupy my own carefully constructed personal spaces for ever so long have I been.....Strip 'that' away?  Remove absolutely everything that is even remotely familiar and everyone that you truly care about?  Toss in some rather extreme circumstances and completely remove any possibility of fleeing ???


What's left? 


Just Me. 

And I'm pretty danged Cool I think ;) 

The fears, uncertainty and general overall poor state of everything in my core for the past year or so has had quite the software upgrade.  I have, literally, faced THE Fires............I have NO fear now and therefore uncertainty is no longer a concern.  I am STRONG, having gained a crystal clear image of who I truly am and what I can do...BE......Do.

Metaphorically speaking, I am now officially bulletproof and that my friends?  THE most amazing feeling in the World.

For this I largely owe the truly remarkable group of people that have graced this weird world I find myself in these past two weeks.  Those people who took me in, made me feel HOME...when I didn't really have one.  Who appreciated Just Me, frequently and vocally.........mere words cannot express how wonderful and badly needed each and every one of those daily "Darlin" "Sweetheart" "Sunshine" and "Luv"s have been.  WOW.

I find myself writing this from my original camp, where I arrived back earlier this evening.  I miss the friends I made and left behind but am quite content to be settling back into this sweet little place where the only thing exceptional is the people involved.  It changes your focus, it changes WHO you are when there's absolutely nothing else.....I believe it to be a Very Good Thing :)

So.  Complete turnaround.....hard to believe it and  I still frequently think I'll wake up back on my Island (I will, actually, in four days LOL ).........two weeks .  Who knew?

Thank You Universe, for getting me through all these strange happenings in this strange place.  For surrounding me with amazing and caring people who have loved me up, made me laugh (a lot ) and generally just provided those wee soft spots to land amidst the chaos.

You ROCK.

I do too now, without a single doubt, because of it.

Life.

Happens.

GO with it...............................................

'Night  from the Kearl Girl :) 

Words of The Day

"Moximize" Verb:  To overcome hardship with Sass, Courage, Spunk, Determination  and Attitude ;)

"Krisalize"  Verb:  The Art of surviving Humanity's insanity. 


With many thanks to the two absolutely beautiful women who coined these terms and to each and every one of you who support me unfailingly and keep me laughing , frequently and with fervor.

You ROCK !!!!

Thank You Universe, I think I may be starting to see method to the madness this has all been and it feels really, really........GOOD :)

Namaste and happy recovering from that hockey game (!)..........LOL

K

Brief Update ...

EVER so sorry it's taken so long.......I've been updating everyone individually as much as possible but have been working 10 and 12 hour days and entirely too tuckered out to wander this way.

The short version (I'll fill in the details later I hope) is that The Fire still burns......over 300,000 hectares now.  They have brought in my favourite Mars Bomber http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/06/03/edmonton-massive-water-bomber.html      (oddly enough, from back HOME in BC) Makes sense (finally) to bring in the largest water bomber in the World to fight the largest fire Alberta's ever seen.........

That said, clearly I remain a Refugee at that other camp LOL.  In as much as I am wishing for a return to my smaller, cozy little camp at Kearl Lake, I have NO desire to be evacuated again, ever.  Best to wait until the return is permanent, until the next fires of course (which will be a long, long way away because there won't be anything left to burn) The people here at Posh have been exceedingly kind and helpful really, under nothing less than extraordinary circumstances.  I have been put to work in Housekeeping as my job was with Kearl.  It's been a confusing and seriously humbling week.......no real information combined with working, hard, physically.....ten and twelve hours a day.  Toss in some snow (really) , bovine bartering (story) , an apparent Staph infection (!)  and suitably Atomic meds for same and ?.....................I haven't had a whole lot to say really :(

Until today my future has remained entirely uncertain, back to Kearl?  sent home?  I didn't know and it's been incredibly tiresome.  I have however, now found out that I am staying, here at OSL until my scheduled return to my Island on the 15th.  I will (THANK YOU UNIVERSE !) be removed from my current drudgery in the trenches and placed in the office, where I belong, to be fully trained for my position at Kearl...........whenever we may all be able to go back there.  It's most unfortunate however that a coworker that I am rather fond of hath been sent packing early today.....in as much as I am thrilled with my seeming salvation in this strangest of situations, I am NOT happy with it being at someone else's expense.

Bittersweet.

I probably shouldn't publish this as it's not really in keeping with the Spirit of  Me :) but we all have our breaking points and I have been hauled right to the very edge of mine.  I'm certain, however, that  I'll get right back to just being a Spazz again shortly... once I'm healthy again and can manage to fit it a few days without any further strange happenings !! Entirely too much to process this whole last week has been........

THANK YOU ALL FOR HANGING IN THERE WITH ME  !!!

Off I go now to watch some hockey , rest up and gear up for the next eleven days of work....at least I know I have it now and for that I am immensely thankful.

Back at you soon with  adventures in the Canteen (I only just walked down the hall and returned with fresh fruit salad, a warm bran muffin and two rice krispie squares...my meds are frequent and require lots of water and food....how handy this is ...he he ;) ......bovine stories and tall tales of my visit on the malaria side of life......LOL........

Life's weird. 

Love it and Live it is the best we all can do :~)

Namaste

K

a few pics from my day yesterday....trip into Fort McMurray to the clinic.....just NASTY really....for miles and miles and miles and miles......it's impossible to even imagine unless you see it (and you really don't want too I'm certain )
OH how I look forward to my LUSHNESS again in a few weeks :~D 

Seriously......left the pepper spray behind at Kearl too LOL



Oil Country-next time you fill up think of this one.......

God's Armpit (I'm sure of this now LOL )

Sometimes You Say It BEST

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/Fire+near+Fort+McMurray+forces+temporary+work+stoppage/4863861/story.html


.....when you say nothing at all . 

Namaste

When Smoke gets in your Eyes......

Last night I'd done a new entry and, due to a crotchety net connection, I lost a half hour's work before I could save it.  Lesson learned.

MUCH has transpired since I arrived here 72 hours ago (likely THE grandest understatement I will ever make)

Though 'here' is now 'there' due to an Emergency Evacuation today.  Well, not quite.  It was supposed to be....this morning.....then got put on hold until we all finally bugged out to various other locations this evening, where I now AM.  Not entirely sure where....but about an hour South of my previous two night's sleeps  (I did wake up in the same bed this morning though....who knew?)..

There are FIRES here............BIG ones.  Ginourmous really, if you can wrap your brain around the 90,000 acre 'thing' .....check these out (10 is our current issue) :


http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=282464&q=320342392&qz=fd06c3

http://maps.nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/cwfisapps/interactivemap/index.phtml


that BIG blob in Northern Alberta, rimmed in pink?  Zoom IN a little.....THAT is where I am .  I've seen it, I've inhaled the smoke and picked the falling ashes out of my hair for the last few days too and I STILL can't wrap my mind around it. I think of the 'fuel' ....lovely trees ....and the wildlife involved and it very nearly makes me sick.  So, I try to not do so..........

I have, literally, landed in The Twilight Zone.  The last few days have been SO far removed from anything even remotely conceivable to me that if I was a Betting Gal I would have bet you a million dollars a mere week (not even actually, I accepted this job last Monday) ago that you were INSANE had you told me any of this would happen.  WOW.

So now, again, I've shifted and am a Refugee of sorts, from a home I was settling quite nicely IN to.  Small, not so posh Camp..........FABULOUS people.  A large extended family of sorts.  There are ever so many stories (like the one that got lost last night) about that place and the people there already.....I have been most fortunate to have landed amongst such a wonderful little group.  We have now been tossed to the winds somewhat.....not sure what happens past this point ? 

I'm now in Posh.  I have a room that's three times the size of my former one, with it's own bath, climate control and in a seriously impressive, much newer and much larger facility.  I don't think I care for it so much though.......it does not FEEL the same and THAT, my Friends, is absolutely Everything really.
I also don't have a job  now until (if) we all get shipped back 'home'..........let's just hope that's SOON, very.  I won't mind at ALL packing up again and bugging right back out of Posh.  Please and Thank You Universe.  I think perhaps, that I won't unpack at all :) 

For now I am just plain ol' tuckered out.  The last 72 hours of my life have been, frankly, bat chit CRAZY.  I've learned a lot about wildfires (!) , people and how very valuable extended Families are for those of us (and if they can find a way to keep me I WILL stay :) that are either forced or choose to earn their livings so very far away from their homes.  It's not about Posh.....that much is obvious.

I'm leaving this wee space for a bit now, to rest and recuperate from this latest Big Adventure (!) and figure out what Plan B is looking like.........then I'll be back to tell some of those stories.  Monster Gophers, Christmas Dinner in May.....SqueeeeEekey Jugs....My Future Husband According to Peggy (aka my son needs a wife !) ...Yummy Medics too  ;)

It's probably All Good.....the people certainly are in any case.....it's just been a tad strange getting there thus far......just a tad............

That's What She Said.......

TTFN

Quick Note

Briefly, to let you know that I'm still here and never so happy to wake up in a Strange Bed, ever!!! Lessee what this day has in store......no winds and some rain would just be lovely.

Happy Sunday (?) LOL Everyone ......

Light

:~D

Alien Planets and Wildfires.......

Alrighty then.  I am, for the most part and much to my surprise almost at a loss for words.....................

Late last night I arrived here, in Kearl Lake, Alberta.....my new 'Home away from Home', with the exception being that, if  I don't actually have a nervous breakdown first....'here' will actually be my place of residence 75% of the time.

Does this mean I'm Albertan  now??
(funny what stress and sleep deprivation does...last night I spent nearly an hour on the highway wondering why there were so many Albertan plates ??  Seriously.  My Driver still remains vastly amused.....)

Aside from the obvious geographical contrasts (it is seriously FLAT ) it was quite clear before I even got off the last plane that all is not well here.  The SMOKE is absolutely incredible and turns the sky the strangest hue of pinkish orange I have ever seen in  my life.  Most unsettling indeed and, once again, I was forced to place absolute and utter FAITH in the powers that BE to keep my safe and away from harm in this strange place.....The Universe flung open a door and I hopped through it, how bad could that be??....

It is also, quite clearly, OIL COUNTRY.  In as much as the home of my heart is GREEN , lush, natural........this place is NOT.  You know you're not in Paradise anymore when you , literally, drive past the infamous Thousands Of Dead Ducks zone.......wow.  (for the record, that 'issue' (!) hath apparently been solved by floating hundreds of 'buoys' with large orange 'scarecrow' type figures on them...it keeps the waterfowl from landing and then, ultimately expiring from whatever it is they get covered in.  Too  much information....I honestly do not want to know right now :/  )

From my wee vantage point, I really and truly am on another planet........

After traveling past what seemed like an obscene amount of "Camps" ...some of them so stark and massive in size they literally look like very, very unpleasant Correctional Institutions........through fairly intense smoke (I'm actually laughing, hard, at this point because it is truly quite surreal) .....I arrive at the gates to 'Home'.  Imagine a border crossing in a small and hostile country.  Guard towers, men with dogs (Security here literally has the lifelike image of a ginourmous German Sheppard emblazoned on the sides of their vehicles).....We must be stopped and Inspected.  I actually had to provide my passport and get the appropriate security clearances to proceed any further. I think I may have signed my first born  and the neighbour's cat away too but I'm honestly not sure anymore.  No Drugs No Alcohol No Cameras (really...oops) etc etc....they mean it too.  No doubt.  I am a very, very Good Girl now !!

Another drive further down the road I am in CAMP.  This is actually one of the few camps located right on a working site, hence the security issues and total lack of personal freedoms and movement.  It's DANGEROUS  out there.  The large cluster of mobile trailers stuck in the middle of absolute Nothingness is actually looking damned inviting now.  I just want to get away from the Stephen King skies and put my bags down and my feet up for a bit !  My Driver (lovely man) at this point in time is having a great time picking on me and my entire naivety regarding my new environment and when he tells me that if I step OFF the walkway leading up to said cluster of buildings , alarms will go off ?, I believe him. Totally.  (this would be akin to waiting for whales in Lake Erie as a small child as well as the plethora of water snakes in the Nanaimo harbour at the fireworks last weekend (Dave !! )....I am such a total Schmuck sometimes !)

In any case, I owe him  one.  Yup............;)

I am greeted, with a *hug* by my new Boss and, seemingly, an absolutely Fabulous and fun gal.  I am also, clearly 'green' and the subject of much interest and curiousity.  Absolutely everyone is nothing less than extremely friendly, 'off' colour and clearly very much just REAL people.  Despite my unease,overall fatigue and overwhelmed state, I LIKE these people.  Immediately.  Perhaps not the place, yet, but the people are truly lovely....it reminded me very much like my trip to San Antonio, I am not a Stranger here.  Interesting comparison but the feeling and the people are the same, just a totally different environment....again.

I spent the remainder of my evening learning that this Camp had been on Emergency Evac alerts until earlier the very same day.  Smoke and air quality issues (like I hadn't noticed !)  due to the 230, 550 HECTARE fire currently burning out of control (!!!!) above our heads.  Okee Dokee.......more forms, signatures and DNA samples required  (to be fair, also a couple of more hugs and a "you're A Keeper" which was to me at the time akin to sending me to the spa for a day really) before I am finally allowed to seek the shelter of my new room.....

I'm guessing this little dorm is about 10x15 ish.  I have a single bed, small desk and wardrobe.  I have a window (I was worried about this one actually), although I am currently unable to open it due to smoke issues and it only looks at another trailer anyhow....it is oddly comforting regardless.  I share a 'bathroom' (shower & toilet) with the room next door.  There is actually a little red light beside my door that lights up when the other occupant is using the lav....he he .....surreal.  Fortunately for me, as Staff the other room will remain unoccupied for as long as possible, depending on camp capacity.  (PRAY please :)  My own room also has a small sink, vanity and medicine cabinet of it's own (also a huge relief, the thought of bathroom wars at 5 am was frightening me) I have Satellite TV over my bed (what the heck else is one going to DO off duty anyhow ?) 
Bizarre but entirely functional.

After unpacking my 80 lbs of luggage (I've already told my new Boss that, should she decide not to keep me, they can auction of all of it....lol....there is NO way I am schlepping it all back to BC.......)I discover I had inadvertently omitted a TOOTHBRUSH.  Really.  You laugh now but when you're a Zombie at 1 am on a foreign planet and you have to go to work again in a few hours??  Not.  Nor is the fact that it's very much like a hospital or casino noise wise....24/7.....nothing stops moving here......so much for sleep this particular night.....

So.

At this point in time I hath already worked 5 of my 10 hour split shift (while training only...thanks !) and don't have to be 'back'....down the hall.....he he.......until 5pm.  I am tired, more than a little freaked out (mostly in an amusing way though.....ADAPT is the obvious Plan Of Action here ) and really wondering what I've gotten myself IN to.......that said, I'll save the rest (and there's plenty LOL) for later.  I remain beyond exhausted and am going to schlep myself back to the dining room , grab lunch then 'nap' the afternoon away....or try.......until I have to stroll down the hall and back to my office.

That's my story so far and I'm sticking to it...............no apologies for bad spelling or structure...I'm like the 'this is your brain on drugs' Egg commercial (but I'm NOT and can prove it now...he he)  if anyone remembers that ? .....the things one has to DO to make a living these days (lol)

'Nighty Night for now :)

(and OH, evacuation alert remains in effect but the winds are apparently being kind and we should be OK here for awhile......no worries, they know what they're about with this stuff up here ;)   

*****Here's a little something someone, somewhere here posted on Youtube yesterday....they are SO fired if they get caught for this but I'm thankful as it helps to show you exactly what I arrived to :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZmtSiTpjMA

This Journey

(as written yesterday afternoon.....leaving it as was)

This latest, relatively Random and entirely unprecedented Road Trip hath now, officially commenced.

Tone for said Big Adventure (and , coincidentally, new Job) was set last night in absolutely Royal style.

Having recently been blessed by several more Hostesses with the Mostest, I was treated to a Send Off Feast by the duo who I will, in future, refer to as the Madames Fabulinas (not those kinds of madams either, just for the record...few know better than I how easily rumours get started ) . Said absolutely Divine creatures fed (check my links for THE best cakes on this Island) and nurtured me and sent me off into my future with much merriment & JuJu. Rarely have I felt so spoilt and utterly content.....Thank You , Ladies.....You truly ROCK.

I was also most fortunate to be delivered by one of these gals to the airport in Nanaimo. Having mentioned the travelling issues of being an Island Dweller previously I'll just say that the time spent in superb company is at least a thousand times more pleasant than the shuttle bus. Again, THANK YOU.

Imagine my surprise to find that, once again, my wee little 'local' (40 minutes away) airport has been redesigned and I no longer have a clue where , how or what I'm supposed to do or be going. Cool. Fits in the overall scheme of this latest adventure anyhow. I admit to being a little horrified that I'm apparently schlepping 85 pounds worth of 'stuff' with me (!!) but, just for a moment, ponder removing yourself to an extremely remote (no corner store if you forgot your toothbrush) location for three whole weeks. Really think about it. Those little tiny travel size containers you usually take? Replace every single one of them with a life size version. Alarm clock? SAD Light? Puter...iTouch dock?? I'm still a little amazed I didn't find a way to pack up a hound or two also. Needless to say , the GOOD news is that only half of it, if all goes well, will make the return trip. 50 lbs of “Home” will indeed remain in way back and beyond for use in future travels.

That said, imagine my complete shock to have the flight attendant of my wee little puddle hopper announce that they had to re-arrange passengers to the back of the plane (!!) because there wasn't as much luggage as they expected . Pray Jayzuz but I no longer had to worry about being responsible for a crash into the Salish Sea due to poor packing and excessive luggage !

After settling into our whopping 15 minute flight (for the record, this translates to nearly 2 hours on a ferry AND a half hour to the Vancouver airport...this'd be the reason to FLY if possible) I got settled into a wonderful conversation with the sole flight attendant, who, oddly enough, happens to be a HUGE fan of San Antonio and Texans in general. Stories were traded and both of us have enough suggestions for things to do and places to see to last several more trips. I consider it A Sign LOL

Mercifully enough (the last , Post Olympic trip was quite a shocker) the Vancouver Airport remains much the same as last time. Sans the beer however as I am no longer allowed to DO that . Saved me locating one of those invisible lavs at the last minute so as far as I'm concerned it's a Win Win anyhow .

I settled in with my borrowed laptop and got caught up with friends and, with The Fires (!) The gentleman seated beside me in the waiting lounge was headed to the same destination. His profession is dealing with fires and he hath been summoned......to......YUP.   Apparently my current destination is having some serious issues with shifting winds, smoke etc etc.....I looked it up and it's really not looking very good. This may well be a short trip (!!) We shall see...........regardless I am so far removed already from anything remotely considered 'normal' , in even my vocabulary, that it doesn't matter. These people KNOW how to evacuate and, at the very worst, I have 50 lbs less of stuff !!

So, here I AM. Inaugural twice monthly 'commute' of 8 hours and 1400 miles nearly complete. I've always loved flying, anywhere, as it is the one place that there are absolutely NO demands on your time. Sleep, read, write (he he) ..Knit (better odds of you winning the lotto on this one...just sayin') ......whatever. It's YOUR time. Totally. I for one am looking forward to exploring the possibilities therein and open to suggestions as well (other than knitting of course ;)

Time for final leg of this journey......into the (literal) fires apparently and into what quite possibly will be my new 'Home' for three quarters of my life at the moment.

A beat up pickup and several more hours of travel await me.

That's what she said for now.

Light

K

Exactly as it should be......

http://www.attitudeiseverythingmovie.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DotENSHBe2U

Two Things to think about in the interim........It's absolutely amazing what can happen in less than 24 hours...............WOW....................

WATCH THIS SPACE !!! 

(here I GO......and Grow.............again ....he he he.......:)  

Prayer Chain

Once again could any and everyone still reading these wee therapy sessions of mine  PLEASE send your prayers, healing thoughts, JuJu ....whatever you choose to call a whole BUNCH of positive ENERGY .....in the general direction of San Antonio, Texas.

Boiling bats, burning The Chump in effigy and/or sending smoke signals is entirely acceptable if it works, this is Miss Vicki and being politically correct in any way is entirely inappropriate anyhow ;)

Thanks, in advance, for everything turning out just FINE and our very favourite Gimp Goddess getting back Home as safely and as quickly as possible.

Love You :) 


****as at Tuesday evening.......all's well and should be just fine for Miss Vic, pending a few adjustments !!  YAY !!!!!!!!  

John & Fred and Becoming UN 'Stuck'

In an effort to SHIFT 'things' I have sworn (and am now doing it publicly as well ) to the following terms;

1.  I will no longer allow these 'things' of late to define ME.  In any way.  This is a transient situation and already well on it's way to being History !

2. I will ASK for exactly what I want.  Dear Universe.......with meaning, with feeling and with the absolute and utter belief that This Too shall be TRUE.  I knew this once, forgot....look where it got Me? YIKES !!!!Lesson heard and learned, very well......

 3. I will, gladly and with a great deal of constant Gratitude for what I have and will come to have, BE FUN, feel GREAT and  focus on Every Little Thing that allows Me to do so.  A-Z remember ??  the details can work themselves out with neither further fuss nor worry from Me............

4. I will write more often.  The laptop's on it's way (because I Asked ;) and my wee purple pen works just fine in the interim.  

It's therapy, I need it.....humour me, please,  because I love you :~D 

SO.

Today's This is ME feeling GREAT moment involved  (of course) another  somewhat Random Road Trip......just a wee way down the road to a favourite coffee stop along the Nanaimo Seawall.  Here She goes again ;) ........

(as originally written....the Old Fashioned Way.... with pen & paper ;)

I am currently sitting on the Seawall with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, wee purple sign that says
  "Just say HELLO " and a somewhat silly little *GRIN*.  I DO these things, or probably should more often, anyhow :P

My first Note To Self would have to be that I really should, in future, check out the local Goings On before planning little Adventures such as this.......Parades tend to provide some substantial Parking Challenges that are probably better off avoided.  Whoops.....who knew?  I needed the walk anyhow :)

Next Note To Self....placing that wee purple sign on your wee bistro table does indeed result in some interesting looks and comments.  As much as I truly appreciated a local Busker incorporating "Just Say Hello" into his lovely Irish Folk Song (!!)........tad TOO 'unusual' , even for Me.  I'm odd but not THAT odd and yes, I did just indeed pass him a Toonie for his troubles :)

Immediately voting for slightly less conspicuous (!!) after  being turned very pink in public I'm opting to mostly disappear said sign under the pile of papers from my bag.  Oh YAY !!  Now I am just a little purple HELLO ;)....and only if you're paying attention......This Paper Malfunction should allow me to now relax enough to just LOOK around.........works !!  Now I'm merely amused instead of mortified.  Win Win !

I now notice that strollers/joggers and the overall Wee Child Transportation Systems have seriously evolved since my own "Haul It All" days.  WOW.  Here I used to live in fear of not making it over a mere curb with my ever so precious cargo....these Beasts can clearly climb WALLS now !!  No matter the number of kidlets, amount of gear or obstacles faced.....you really CAN haul it ALL now....and look really good doing it too !!  Progress :~D

I've just been interrupted again and am forced to realise the number of Lovely Hounds that people are leaving entirely unattended and at the mercy of plenty of Passers By...I would NEVER (!!!) That said, I am personally in this moment baby sitting a gorgeous and sweet Boxer/Dane (?) pup who's supposed Owner just tied to the table beside Me with a " Please make sure no one steals her !"  and vanished.....for over twenty minutes so far.  To  my horror I DO admit to more than a little temptation and a heap full of relief when said pup was eventually retrieved, without so much as a Thank You (should have taken her Home....just sayin'......LOL )

Fun Thing !  Kidlets apparently still LOVE Blue Ice Cream !!  As much as it horrified Me when my own kidlets were so afflicted, many a small Smurf inspired face hath recently skipped, smiling, past my seat here.  It truly seems like only yesterday that I myself was trying to gently wipe said Blue Goo off my own squirming kids !  HMmmmmmm.....Memories that make The Heart go *SIGH*  

More Fun !!  there are currently what appears to be a Swarm of Teenagers laughing and running amok all OVER the Seawall  !  They seem to be directed by 'grown ups' with walkie talkies....hmmmmmm Flash Mob perhaps??  dry land Marco Polo??  Perhaps if I sit here long enough their purpose will become clear? or perhaps there isn't one at all and they're just having FUN.....let's wait and see for now......

More WOW.  Spending most of my time in the Wonder Bread world of Dullsville (LOL....sorry but I am simply not old enough yet to live there much longer) ....there is ZEST here just a few miles away !!  Every size, age, shape, colour....in both human and hound alike ...appears to be present here on the waterfront.   Even ON the water itself; paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, float planes and massive yachts all bob along merrily beside one another ... YAY ! 

(Brief note here.......despite being mostly concealed now I am officially up to 7 on the "Hello" count and admitting to being very surprised.  Clearly, despite the lack of sunshine and chill here on the waterfront, Spirits remain HIGH and bolder than usual .  The Busker still , hands down, wins this odd little experiment though ;)

Oh HA !!!  A very lovely and very elderly couple only just plunked themselves at the table next to mine.  He immediately asked " Are you writing a Dear John letter?  or is his name Fred ?"  After laughing and explaining that there is neither a John nor Fred in my life at the moment he then exclaimed ......and this absolutely deserves a drum roll, coming from an Octogenarian, .........

"Oh WELL then !! your John ran off with Fred ?! "

I very nearly fainted laughing and am still trying very hard to keep breathing and not attract any further attention..........BRILLIANT !!!

I absolutely adore the wit & wisdom of our elderly population and this one was nearly as fun as the 93 year old former Disney Engineer that was wanting to buy a gas powered motor scooter only yesterday.....another story perhaps ;)

HmmmMmmmmmmmm previously mentioned Grown Ups with walkie talkies hath apparently observed both my amusement and confusion and taken a moment to wander over and explain The Swarm.  It's seven Teams, consisting of local CHURCH Groups and some Americans ;) ......Tacoma....LOL......They are playing their own version of The Amazing Race and are, Cap Guns (fun!!) in hand currently racing towards their final destination.  This would be 'Janelle', another 'grown up' ...who is now *GRIN* ing in complete abandon as she watches The Swarm both determine her location and surge towards her.

I LOVE it !!

That said, despite the hugely entertaining FUN I've been party to this last hour or so, this li'l Road Tripper is freezing her fanny off AND her Parking is about to expire :O

Off to refuel by feasting with Good Chums (did I mention I was ever so thankful for all of you ? :) and perhaps, in a little bit, climb onto a Roof Top to watch the Fireworks with self same chums.....my ocean being the mirror for colour and light and my mountains being the backdrop for a BLAST of ...DAZZLE for the evening  :)

THANK YOU UNIVERSE, please DO bring more of today's THIS...ON ...PLEASE :~D  

Happy Victoria Day , everyone, from this Rock o' Mine to wherever you may BE .

Light (the kind that sizzles in the air ;) & Laughter 

K

(transcribed, rapidly, from coffee stained, wind blown and rapidly scribbled notes......I will not edit, it's Just Me and I think  Y'all be just fine with the simplicity of it all....I now have to go back to the waterfront and watch things get Blown UP ...he he he ...PurRrrrrrfect  :~)  

Nanaimo Harbour

:~D 

My temporary charge :)  Some People .......really...

P.S...........Thank You Universe for the Sky Daisy ;) 

Some say..........

Tonight I had a very Dear Soul tell me that I 'talk in short stories' and yet I don't WRITE them.......


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


I DO......and am very aware of this.  Despite my (currently four plus ) decades of 'Life Experience' I remain, very obviously, EVER  so easily amused.....by Every Little Thing :)


That's just ME and that is indeed the stuff that ever so many short stories are made of.


Dear Universe......please.......grant me the Space..........the Freedom ($$) and the ability (hello MacBook:) to DO so??


and I swear that I will DO just that.


(toss in a little more Texas and I will write an Epic ;)


Namaste

WOW

PurRrrrrRRrrrrrfect Place Holder whilst I wrangle a few ducks.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_CDLBTJD4M&feature=player_embedded

Some things in Life are just Yummy.......THIS is one of them, may there be many more to come.

 NAMASTE

The Living in Paradise THING.....

Okay, I'm BACK now.......

After some Fuss N' Bother (!!) ........

Funny Thing today was.......

due to my current 'situation' I was, once again,  forced into discussions about moving 'back Home' (aka Southern Ontario, where I was BORN and where very nearly every living person I hold near and DEAR to my wee Heart still resides...)

I just can't DO it.  

Despite the logical considerations (it does make $$$$) , the generosity and the  LOVE involved.....

THIS is my HOME now :

Home of my Heart, if nothing else......it's Odd.....WAY out here all by my Lonesome mostly ......

THIS, is..... quite simply, IT now,  for Me anyhow :)

Last weekend, on my Ukee/Tofino wanderings and ponderings, I took A Moment.

Said Moment involved me clambering down the cliff side on some seriously precarious (! have serious bruise on Butt from soaring ten feet off a slimy wooden step to prove it  !) stairs to a small, private beach on THE Ultimate West Coast of Canada :)

It was indeed raining, it often IS here.  

(Make all the jokes you want about it but rain on Old Growth Forests, mountain peaks and miles long beaches WAY beats rain on acres of asphalt any day....... just sayin' ....)

Get used to and/or OVER it or pack your bags and move somewhere ELSE......this is THE price to be paid  LOL (November through April...ish....anyhow ;) of living in PARADISE.

Pride and Ego (I felt every single one of my years when my flailing person finally struck rock ...) aside.....once I settled  onto the BEACH it was .............suddenly.......

BLISS <insert major SIGH here>

The showers were, really, only SUN showers......designed merely to dampen but not drown. Gives you something to FOCUS on really........the payback for same?

WOW.

Major WOW !

(aka With Out Words and/or Window Of Wonder )

Whilst reading my latest Kris Radish novel ("Dancing Naked At The Edge of Dawn") I was also Blissed to watch a few Sea Lions playing......a Loon fishing...Eagles Soaring...dogs chasing sticks, children laughing and exploring Tidal Pools......sun SHINING...drizzle misting.......all accompanied by the sounds and scents of THE Sea ...with a wee trickling Brook from behind tossed in *GRIN*

There is absolutely NOTHING like it.  

NO Great Lake (and I've known a few ;) can compare......

I AM, entirely, an Ocean Girl :~D  

NOTHING.........feels the same or resonates with Just Me :)

EVERY single moment, where my Heart just 'hitched' and my Soul just SANG..........in the past seven years........involved THIS SEA.

Raw.  ALIVE........Formidable.....I 'get' it.

Period.

Watching a screening of "Oceans" in the Tofino Community Centre.....discussions following with Biologist Ron O'Dore ....only further cementing 'IT'......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owpbYmxtEJo

So, come Hell or high water (no joke in Tofino) ............I am HOME.

Such as it is.

My (often) bare feet will continue to patrol, caress and embrace my beaches.....they will giggle whilst walking ,on late mornings, upon the sun steamed moss covered rocks that I hold so dear .......

AND I will continue to simply WILL each and every one of my Ontario and Texas Heartprints.....HERE..........with Me :~D 

Works.

Meanwhile, back at this rancher, I will keep leaving place holders (aka Bait...LOL ;)

Light,

K

I'm In LOVE..........

.........with............

Living In Paradise !!!  

(GOT a few of you with that one for sure......he he he ;)

Latest Random Act Of Road Tripping???

48 Hours of 

http://www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com/

I even made the Local News ;)

Annual , March Break, 'Road Trip'............been there, DID that..........again...details to follow :)

For now this is just a place holder and a GINORMOUS Thank You Universe (!!) for just BEing........HERE...................... it helps, really.......rather a LOT *GRIN*

Many thanks to Sass and her Music Man , for hauling my lazy buns OUT there......again.  

Luvs Ya !!

Until I've unpacked, laundered, dealt with Sick Hound (Pray please !) ,

caught up on emails etc etc etc.....I'll be back....LOL........THESE  should hold this space...

Nicely ;)

Namaste.

Good News !!

With the utmost apologies to any and all bats that may have been sacrificed along the way..........

you all ROCK !!!

Miss Vicki is doing MUCH better.......prayers have been heard and answered.

THANK YOU ALL, ever so much !!

:~D  

A Prayer , or two, Please.........

Sorry but, in all honesty,  I haven't felt much like writing lately.

Despite a (Wonderful !)  recent Random Road Trip to my dearest Victoria and the company of more absolutely beautiful people (Sass and The Music Man.....you are certainly an Inspiration....Thank You :)

....as well as at least a half dozen 'drafts' lurking behind this wee curtain....AND another pending Road Trip to Long Beach, Home of This Wee Heart.........I don't know really ?

That said, in this moment I'm peeking out and asking any and all of you whom haven't stopped peering into this quirky little corner of my Universe to simply PRAY.

Frequently and with Fervor.  

PLEASE :)

There's a truly unique and entirely remarkable woman currently in room 712 that could seriously use some positive energy :)

Miss Vicki has once again landed herself, fancy new chair (I SOoOooo love The Purple, Sister ;) and all , back in Isolation.  Her itsy bitsy physical frame  is currently facing Pneumonia , Serratia AND  that Everything Resistant MRSA...........any alone  being enough to take a Bull Elephant down ...together though?  

Drug Cocktail is an understatement and yet she remains..............

THE Miss Vicki (have I told you lately that I LOVE You ?)

Force of Nature (!)  Impenetrable SPIRIT........STILL cracking jokes about gorgeous Specialists and people stealing her pants.....and posting pretty pictures and beautiful music to make all of US mere Mortals feel better.  The Gift that actually does just keep on GIVING, even when she's tired and pretty much wiped out herself.....

Very few people ever face even the smallest fraction of challenges this particular woman has.  

Fewer still overcome them......let alone THRIVE .....fewer again with the absolute Grace, Good Humour and STYLE that this one has. 

She is an Inspiration (and she hates it when anyone says that ;)  of EPIC  proportions and I have been incredibly Blessed to have found her along my particular path in Life.......a path that I PROMISED would take me back to San Antonio to see her again soon and one I mean to KEEP , because I never break my word and I can't honestly imagine never riding around in the Vader Van and picking on John with her ever again ;)

So, please, Loveliest of Peeps (and I am well and truly both blessed and incredibly  thankful for each and every one of you.....how absolutely amazing YOU are :)..................

SEND UP THOSE PRAYERS for our Vicki .  BIG ones......light a candle or two.....send smoke signals.....boil bats *LOL* ....whatever works for you that will find it's way to San Antonio ....

I'm hoping, between all that Positive Energy, my wee Wings and a Whim or Two ;)..........I should be back in San Antonio (you said May, right Sister ?) sometime soon to KEEP that Promise and let Miss Vicki find me my Cowboy ;)

THAT is the way it's supposed to BE..........Thank You (in advance) Universe.

Anything else is unthinkable and entirely unacceptable.......Just Sayin'.

Light

:)