Sunday, March 28, 2010

Crossroads

I'll probably be facing a crossroads in the coming weeks. In some ways, we face crossroads every day of our lives. The choices we make (or vainly attempt to avoid) ultimately pave a path through our lives.

I'm excited and yet nervous at the same time. As I've written before, I don't like big decisions and I don't feel very well prepared to handle them. I have always, always been trained to do as well as possible at the immediate task at hand, without much thought for the big picture.

The goal has been to keep as many doors open as possible. But eventually, we have to choose a door.

Which one? On what basis?

In truth, I do know how to make a decision. One can list the pros and cons. One can make a matrix. One can listen to one's inner voice. Or flip a coin: what is your reaction to the result? If it is relief, that's a sign; if it is concern, that is also a sign.

The unvarnished truth is the following question: do I have the courage to make a decision based on priorities that (a) are against the mainstream or (b) that may well result in regret?

CC

Friday, March 26, 2010

Bramwell Tovey

I've blogged this before, but I listen to a series of podcasts done by the CBC: conductor Bramwell Tovey talks about Beethoven's 9 symphonies. Each is about 20 minutes long, and I listen to them all the time.

If you aren't interested, then at least check out this video (click here).

Check out the story from 0:30 to 1:20. Deeply moving and indicative of Tovey's ability to convey the universal meaning of music.

CC

ps. I've had a long week, and one that may prove to be rather big. More to come....

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Thought for the day

I have a small walk-in closet that is crammed with stuff. It reminds me, vaguely, of the upstairs of my grandparents' house.

Maybe one day I'll write about that house. I could easily write a good 10 pages about the sights, scents, and homey-ness of that place.

CC

Monday, March 15, 2010

Deleting Extra Page, At End Of Doc, in Word

Much effort was exerted in finding out how to do this, so I thought I would share.

Quoteth (from here):

Here's how to get rid of the extra page: Select the paragraph mark after the
table and format it with 1 pt of font size, zero spacing before/after (and
as hidden text, too, if necessary).

NOTE: this assumes you have enabled 'show page / paragraph breaks', which is easy to discover. Disable after the above instructions.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Happy 50th

I don't think he checks this blog, but an uncle and dear friend is 50 today! Happy Birthday, R!

As mentioned several times on here, he is one of 2 'cousins' that were massively influential on my life. (One from each side of the family, as it turns out).

CC

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Vermont

Some of my gang were in Vermont for a destination wedding!

It was wonderful. The weather was gorgeous, the surroundings lovely, and a good time was had by all. I couldn't ask for a better weekend for the happy couple. A small group stayed at the same inn where the reception was held: it was terrific! A super trip....

I had forgotten the feel of the New England area. It has a palpable sense of quaintness and decorum that is different from the Maritimes, and yet closer than the Midwest.

I thought of my great-uncle Roland. Though I'm not sure if I met him, he was among some family who moved to Vermont many decades ago. (Others, including my two uncles, later moved to South Carolina. They would visit on rare occasion when I was young. My Dad visits them almost every year, and circa 1997, I drove down to the farm in SC as well.)

CC

ps. I bought a new suit for the wedding. My first one in 10 years! Dark grey with pinstripes. I may get another. I love a nice suit. (Though traveling with one is a nightmare. Delta joins AC on my 'avoid if at all possible' list.)

pps. There are only 2 kinds of suits: tuxedos and 3-piece. I only buy 3-piece jobbies. They make you feel like a mob boss from the 1920s.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Grab bag

First, I have to mention that people at work have been terrific about the Canadian victory for gold in men's hockey. I was worried about a backlash, but most were happy for Canada and Vancouver.

There is one guy with whom I do not get along at all. He is overtly, spitefully anti-Canadian and generally a punk with his colleagues. Though he was not at all warm, he stayed quiet which is a blessing in itself.

On to other news... watch this video. The setup is that the guy is not happy with service at the restaurant, and has been learning Chinese for 2 weeks before facing his nemesis. Hi-jinx ensues.

At the very end, Sheldon says "aye-yeah!" which means roughly "Oy vey" or "Oh bother". When I watched it, I realized that I work with a woman who, when frustrated with her computer, says the same thing under her breath! (Hint: her daughter was married on PEI.) I told her about it and she agreed with me. Hilarious!

A request for privacy

In the past, I've leaked my identity on here to friends who know me in my professional life. I like to keep things compartmentalized and so in retrospect, I regret that decision.

Especially as I may start blogging about my dreams with respect to my career.

I ask readers: please do not overtly disclose/link/announce anything I write here. Thanks. (I realize this is a public website, and so I will be discreet, but if you already know who I am, please do not pass that along to others.)

CC

ps. I need to do this because I don't have anywhere else to write.