Really, I should have been writing more but there is so little to say. Does anyone really want to know that I have been cleaning my house, weeding our many gardens and flower beds, working out and desperately trying to find time to prepare for the next school year. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed when I think of everything that needs to be done and I'm really only okay when I take a deep breath and keep doing a little at a time. Sometimes, I find myself improving at letting things go; I mean at not trying to do everything. I get up in the morning and pretty much work until bed time with few breaks; this is normal, I suppose. Does anyone else feel that if they stop doing "stuff" they will get so behind that they will never catch up. I feel more calm when I am accomplishing a task on my list than I do if I take a break because I know that everything will be there for me later. Crazy, I know!
Anyway, back to The Office and back to Michael, the best/worst boss in the world. If I was doing this properly, I would cite quotations from the show but really that is something that I do not have time to do (see above)! Consequently, I will just roughly summarize situations that I remember from the show. I was considering the hyperbolized personalities from The Office the other day and I realized that some of the personalities are directly due to Michael's treatment of them: Oscar, and Stanley, Ryan and Toby to some extent. Then there are the others Angela, the conservative lady; Phyllis, the sometimes gutsy, sometimes meek "chubby" salesperson, Kevin, the underqualified, larger than his IQ personality; Andy, the classic artsy singer, somewhat akin to some people I knew from my days in the music hallway; Kelly, the girl whose maturity level never progressed passed grade eight, Meredith, the office alcoholic with "loose morals shall we say"; and Creed, oh-my-gosh I can't believe he just said that. Though I am leaving out many other minor characters, I think that covers all of the major characters, excepting of course my all-time favourite funny-guy: Dwight.
Contrary to my training in the English Language Arts, I am going to begin with Creed instead of the first person on the above list because Creed cracks me up and I'll forget what I was going to say if I don't write it quickly. I love the episode where Ryan is explaining how he set up a blog (ooh, meta-blogical; I'm writing about a blog in a blog!) for Creed. Really what he did was open a word-processing document that Creed thinks is on line. Ryan comments that what he read of the material would be questionable, even for the internet. And, from his other "I can't believe he said that without laughing" comments about his "cultish" and wacky activities from his life previous to working at Dunder Mifflin, I believe Ryan. Creed is the token creepy guy: Creed --> creepy! Interesting.
Anyway, Oscar, the token homosexual with a much mentioned Mexican heritage gives Michael multiple ways to be unknowingly rude. Michael goes out of his way to explain to everyone that Oscar is gay, trying to be helpful and un-homophobic when really it is quite the opposite. Really, Oscar is one of the most normal guys in the office but Michael's treatment of him as the only one in the office with a different sexual preference makes him stand out as different from the others.
Stanley, because of Michael, stands out as the token African American. I find it quite hilarious how Michael assumes that Stanley spent part or most of his childhood on the streets. Stanley, whether out of exhaustion or hilarity goes along with this, answering Michael's questions and comments as if he, Stanley, had been part of some sort of street gang. This similar stereotype of black people occurs again when another employee is found to have a previous criminal record. He is African-American and Michael assumes he his felon, hardened by his life behind bars when really he did some easy time for a white-collar crime. The funniest part of the episode is when Michael is trying to convince the other office employees that prison is horrible by becoming "Prison Mike." If you haven't seen the episode, you should.
With that I must go and speak of the others later. Really, my posts on this subject are not quite as interesting as they seem when I mull them through in my head. So what. Don't read them if they are boring!
Bedtime for the kids. See you!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Why I cry every time I watch Jim and Pam's Wedding
For those of you who are English people (ie. English teachers and the like) we'll call this free-writing. Please do not expect any coherence or organization; however, I hope that the thoughts are interesting enough to have potential.
Anyway, every time I watch Jim and Pam's wedding (on The Office) I cry, and I actually don't cry often during movies. Of course, I rarely watch "chick flicks" anymore and really, why would I cry when watching Paranormal Experience? At some point I realized that Jim and Pam are everyday, ordinary people like most of the rest of the world and this allows me, and perhaps others, to believe that their cute little romantic life is not just a possibility in TV. I have to be careful not to insult my wonderful husband here: he is an awesome guy but never led me to believe that he was romantic before we married (so I knew what I was getting into) and this has not really changed. I'm sure he would concur on this point. He is beyond wonderful in many other ways!
Now that my apology to my husband is over with, I will return to Jim and Pam, whose names even depict their unoriginal characters. In fact, no one would even take such an interest in their lives so much if they were not juxtaposed against the extra-ordinary characters with whom they work. Jim and Pam are ordinary living in a an office full of hyperbolized, stereotyped extra-ordinary characters.
I must begin with Michael, the boss, and possible the most rude, crude, racist, sexist... boss there could be unbeknownst to him. He is rude beyond belief and gets away with his un-boss-like antics because it is television; really, the way he treats his African-American co-worker, Stanley, and his homosexual co-worker, Oscar and his Indian-American co-worker, Kelly would have gotten him fired so long ago and slapped with so many law-suits that even the job he would get at 7-11 would support his legal fees. I formally apologize to anyone reading this who works at 7-11. Where would I be without your Diet Pepsi Big Gulps? We'll return to discussion about Michael at a later date.
We'll have to continue this conversion at a later date; I should help Jason care for our children. If I remember, I will talk about each major character and then return to why Jim and Pam's wedding makes me cry.
If you have never seen the episode where Dwight lights the office on fire to test their fire-readiness skills and then pulls a "Silence of the Lambs," it is my favourite episode. I laughed so hard I cried!
Over and out!
Anyway, every time I watch Jim and Pam's wedding (on The Office) I cry, and I actually don't cry often during movies. Of course, I rarely watch "chick flicks" anymore and really, why would I cry when watching Paranormal Experience? At some point I realized that Jim and Pam are everyday, ordinary people like most of the rest of the world and this allows me, and perhaps others, to believe that their cute little romantic life is not just a possibility in TV. I have to be careful not to insult my wonderful husband here: he is an awesome guy but never led me to believe that he was romantic before we married (so I knew what I was getting into) and this has not really changed. I'm sure he would concur on this point. He is beyond wonderful in many other ways!
Now that my apology to my husband is over with, I will return to Jim and Pam, whose names even depict their unoriginal characters. In fact, no one would even take such an interest in their lives so much if they were not juxtaposed against the extra-ordinary characters with whom they work. Jim and Pam are ordinary living in a an office full of hyperbolized, stereotyped extra-ordinary characters.
I must begin with Michael, the boss, and possible the most rude, crude, racist, sexist... boss there could be unbeknownst to him. He is rude beyond belief and gets away with his un-boss-like antics because it is television; really, the way he treats his African-American co-worker, Stanley, and his homosexual co-worker, Oscar and his Indian-American co-worker, Kelly would have gotten him fired so long ago and slapped with so many law-suits that even the job he would get at 7-11 would support his legal fees. I formally apologize to anyone reading this who works at 7-11. Where would I be without your Diet Pepsi Big Gulps? We'll return to discussion about Michael at a later date.
We'll have to continue this conversion at a later date; I should help Jason care for our children. If I remember, I will talk about each major character and then return to why Jim and Pam's wedding makes me cry.
If you have never seen the episode where Dwight lights the office on fire to test their fire-readiness skills and then pulls a "Silence of the Lambs," it is my favourite episode. I laughed so hard I cried!
Over and out!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Still Here; No Internet
Clearly, several days have past since I have taken the time to write.
We left Revelstoke and proceeded on to our last stop: Banff. I spent most of the time at a Music for Young Children conference. The conference was informative in unexpected ways. I found the National conference less intimate than our regular provincial fall and spring conferences, but this is to be expected. I had trouble with the internet at our conference accommodations so I didn't check email or blog.
Thankfully, I also had time to do a little shopping in Banff.
Because accommodations in Banff are so expensive, my parents agreed to bring their fifth wheel to Banff. The six of us and my parents stayed together. Unfortunately, several of the days were cool and rainy so while I attended the conference, Mom, Dad and Jason occupied the kids their large but still limited fifth wheel. They made it to the hot springs and climbed a small mountiain but we will have to take a trip up the gondola next time.
I now write from home. Ahhh...... The only bad thing is keeping up with housework and yard work that we left behind when we were gone.
We left Revelstoke and proceeded on to our last stop: Banff. I spent most of the time at a Music for Young Children conference. The conference was informative in unexpected ways. I found the National conference less intimate than our regular provincial fall and spring conferences, but this is to be expected. I had trouble with the internet at our conference accommodations so I didn't check email or blog.
Thankfully, I also had time to do a little shopping in Banff.
Because accommodations in Banff are so expensive, my parents agreed to bring their fifth wheel to Banff. The six of us and my parents stayed together. Unfortunately, several of the days were cool and rainy so while I attended the conference, Mom, Dad and Jason occupied the kids their large but still limited fifth wheel. They made it to the hot springs and climbed a small mountiain but we will have to take a trip up the gondola next time.
I now write from home. Ahhh...... The only bad thing is keeping up with housework and yard work that we left behind when we were gone.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Relaxing and doing laundry
I don't have much to report. Actually, for once, I am blogging two days in a row. Everyone except my oldest is asleep right now (or at least resting). We are doing laundry. I spent the morning exploring Revelstoke a little and here we are. One more night here and then we will set sail for Banff, sailing in our Grand Caravan of course.
I have a few other thoughts I may add later. I had thought that this blog could contain my musings about The Office, which I have surprisingly many thoughts about and not just that it is funny. This will have to be later because I need to go check our laundry.
Adieu.
I have a few other thoughts I may add later. I had thought that this blog could contain my musings about The Office, which I have surprisingly many thoughts about and not just that it is funny. This will have to be later because I need to go check our laundry.
Adieu.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
This must be heaven
Wow, what a change from last night to tonight. Our second night of camping was okay but the kids kept waking up, partly because it was really windy above us, but not in the valley in which we were camping. The trees, however, swayed and made noise that made Emily anxious.
The kids had used the pool the night previous but it was closed for cleaning in the morning. We had showers--very cold showers and headed out. After a few stops, we found ourselves searching for a hotel in Revelstoke--well we really didn't find our doubles or anything like that!
Anyhow, we scored a suite at the Sandman Hotel and when I went to ask for a second night, the lady at the desk "oohed" at the rate we got, even she thought it was great. Apparently when Jason checked in he got the manager. What a blessing!!!
We now have a kitchen (not kitchenette), living area with futon, two bedrooms and two bathrooms!!!! Yeah! We used the pool this evening and will hopefully have several more chances before we leave. Two nights of being clean!! This is heaven for me.
Because we paid a bit more for the room, we decided to use the kitchen instead of going out. Not to worry, it even has a dishwasher. I sit here at the hotel computer (because their connection in the rooms is slower than the connection at the campsite!) and blog to you about the eventful, yet uneventful day. I heard someone at the desk ask for a suite; I guess there all taken.
Tata!
The kids had used the pool the night previous but it was closed for cleaning in the morning. We had showers--very cold showers and headed out. After a few stops, we found ourselves searching for a hotel in Revelstoke--well we really didn't find our doubles or anything like that!
Anyhow, we scored a suite at the Sandman Hotel and when I went to ask for a second night, the lady at the desk "oohed" at the rate we got, even she thought it was great. Apparently when Jason checked in he got the manager. What a blessing!!!
We now have a kitchen (not kitchenette), living area with futon, two bedrooms and two bathrooms!!!! Yeah! We used the pool this evening and will hopefully have several more chances before we leave. Two nights of being clean!! This is heaven for me.
Because we paid a bit more for the room, we decided to use the kitchen instead of going out. Not to worry, it even has a dishwasher. I sit here at the hotel computer (because their connection in the rooms is slower than the connection at the campsite!) and blog to you about the eventful, yet uneventful day. I heard someone at the desk ask for a suite; I guess there all taken.
Tata!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Camping with 6 people in a small tent
Well, we attempted (and pretty much succeeded) at stuffing our whole family into the small tent I bought when I was still in my teens (8ft by 8 ft). Actually, most of it was okay, though a little hard on the back considering we do not have mattresses.
Olivia tried every way possible to annoy everyone so it was an exercise in ignoring her so she didn't get the reaction that she truly wanted. The four girls are in the tent trying to get to sleep right now and she is doing the same thing. The other girls kept telling her that they will call dad to get her to stop and when they finally went to do it, Jason and I heard her say, "No, no, don't call Dad." She really tries hard to push everyone's buttons these days.
We left Nanaimo on Monday, taking the 8:30 ferry. Shortly after lunch we made it to the Vancouver Aquarium which the kids loved! I will eventually upload some photos but I am running on battery power right now! We saw the dolphin show and got splashed by the whales. The girls loved the other animals in their tanks and enjoyed the walk through the tropical habitat. We even saw a three-toed sloth hanging from the roof, free to roam (though very slowly)!
After dropping Jason's brother Rene off at a Hotel (so he could take a flight out to Europe the next morning), we spent most of our driving time exiting greater Vancouver. In fact, we spent a lot of time lost in Vancouver, after somehow missing the Lion's Gate Bridge, until we finally stopped at a market for a map of the city. Because they did not have any maps (apparently people that live there know their own neighbourhood), a helpful grocer gave us his.
Outside the city, we stopped at Bridal Falls to tent as a family of 6 for the first time. On my morning run I found the trail to the falls and ran up part way until I felt too uncomfortable running through the brush alone. Animals tend to be attracted to this type of quiet movement. I also ran over to the water park to see how much it would cost and later suggested to Jason that it would probably not be worth the $110 plus tax that it would cost us!
The campground, however, had a pool that was more reasonably priced: free with camp fees. We used these facilities until it was time to go and then hopped into the van to get groceries in Hope, B.C. Now here we are in Cache Creek, again at a site with a pool which we used to tonight and will use tomorrow morning, we hope. Hopefully the kids go to bed well tonight!
Adios!
Olivia tried every way possible to annoy everyone so it was an exercise in ignoring her so she didn't get the reaction that she truly wanted. The four girls are in the tent trying to get to sleep right now and she is doing the same thing. The other girls kept telling her that they will call dad to get her to stop and when they finally went to do it, Jason and I heard her say, "No, no, don't call Dad." She really tries hard to push everyone's buttons these days.
We left Nanaimo on Monday, taking the 8:30 ferry. Shortly after lunch we made it to the Vancouver Aquarium which the kids loved! I will eventually upload some photos but I am running on battery power right now! We saw the dolphin show and got splashed by the whales. The girls loved the other animals in their tanks and enjoyed the walk through the tropical habitat. We even saw a three-toed sloth hanging from the roof, free to roam (though very slowly)!
After dropping Jason's brother Rene off at a Hotel (so he could take a flight out to Europe the next morning), we spent most of our driving time exiting greater Vancouver. In fact, we spent a lot of time lost in Vancouver, after somehow missing the Lion's Gate Bridge, until we finally stopped at a market for a map of the city. Because they did not have any maps (apparently people that live there know their own neighbourhood), a helpful grocer gave us his.
Outside the city, we stopped at Bridal Falls to tent as a family of 6 for the first time. On my morning run I found the trail to the falls and ran up part way until I felt too uncomfortable running through the brush alone. Animals tend to be attracted to this type of quiet movement. I also ran over to the water park to see how much it would cost and later suggested to Jason that it would probably not be worth the $110 plus tax that it would cost us!
The campground, however, had a pool that was more reasonably priced: free with camp fees. We used these facilities until it was time to go and then hopped into the van to get groceries in Hope, B.C. Now here we are in Cache Creek, again at a site with a pool which we used to tonight and will use tomorrow morning, we hope. Hopefully the kids go to bed well tonight!
Adios!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
several days gone by
Just as I thought. I don't know how people keep up with their blogs when there is so much to do in the real world!
We made it to Nanaimo safe and sound, bringing rain and cool weather with us as usual. The first time we made a trip out to the West Coast (Miriam was almost 1 and Emily almost 3) it rained wherever we went. This time, much the same. Consequently, the first day we went to Wal-Mart where the kids spent their gift certificates from Auntie Lisa (on things to occupy them!). In the afternoon we had a blast at the aquatic centre in the wave pool, on the water slides and getting caught in the "rapids."
Thankfully, the wedding day was beautiful in both the weather and the decorative location. We went out to Parksville to a gorgeous yard encompassed by rugged old trees. The deck overlooked a babbling creek. Chairs were set out for the actually ceremony and carried over to the tables for the reception. Two tents towered over the elegantly set tables and the tables were adorned with large glass candles (which made me a little nervous with four children). The bride, groom and wedding party entered the ceremony under a vine-covered walkway. The wedding was delightful!
The following day we hiked (an easy walk) out to a waterfall and had a picnic lunch. After this the older girls, Lisa, Jeff, and I shopped in Coombs.
Well, during the writing of this blog, and this blog only, I had to get up 5 or 6 times for one reason or another. I don't know how this work thing is all going to fit together. I know that I can do the work but getting it done with the chaos that surrounds me is yet another thing. Well, time will tell and I can judge the plausibility of such a choice in my 5 month position! I'm sure it will be fine in the long run.
So long, farewell!
We made it to Nanaimo safe and sound, bringing rain and cool weather with us as usual. The first time we made a trip out to the West Coast (Miriam was almost 1 and Emily almost 3) it rained wherever we went. This time, much the same. Consequently, the first day we went to Wal-Mart where the kids spent their gift certificates from Auntie Lisa (on things to occupy them!). In the afternoon we had a blast at the aquatic centre in the wave pool, on the water slides and getting caught in the "rapids."
Thankfully, the wedding day was beautiful in both the weather and the decorative location. We went out to Parksville to a gorgeous yard encompassed by rugged old trees. The deck overlooked a babbling creek. Chairs were set out for the actually ceremony and carried over to the tables for the reception. Two tents towered over the elegantly set tables and the tables were adorned with large glass candles (which made me a little nervous with four children). The bride, groom and wedding party entered the ceremony under a vine-covered walkway. The wedding was delightful!
The following day we hiked (an easy walk) out to a waterfall and had a picnic lunch. After this the older girls, Lisa, Jeff, and I shopped in Coombs.
Well, during the writing of this blog, and this blog only, I had to get up 5 or 6 times for one reason or another. I don't know how this work thing is all going to fit together. I know that I can do the work but getting it done with the chaos that surrounds me is yet another thing. Well, time will tell and I can judge the plausibility of such a choice in my 5 month position! I'm sure it will be fine in the long run.
So long, farewell!
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