Does Google Maps update?

Doesn't look like it. I was just looking at Beirut, Lebanon with the satelite function, and the infrastructure seems to be in place.

So it's at least 13 days behind now. Get your daily update at Ahmad's blog, Cold Desert, there in the blogroll sidebar. [I'd link to it, but Blogger is acting strange this a.m.]

In the news...

Nag has a great post here -- a very visual representation of the 'sides' in this cruel and disgusting undeclared war on the Lebanese people, from the Independent.

I went, trying to find the original, and found a font of other interesting articles instead. Including this one, with some great quotes from some influential people in England:

Alexei Sayle, WRITER

Anyone can see that what Israel is doing is unacceptable, violent, cruel, evil and wicked. If Israel is behaving in the manner of a psychotic bullying child, then Britain and the US are like its mad tattooed parents.

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN

By wilfully turning a blind eye to Israel's indiscriminate killing of women and children and the destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure, we have further tarnished how our country is viewed in the eyes of the Muslim world. There can be no doubt that Israel's actions constitute war crimes.

Mark Thomas, COMEDIAN AND ACTIVIST

It is absolutely shameful that our Government is standing by while collective punishment and war crimes are meted out on the people of Lebanon. Let us be clear: if America and Britain had not given Israel the green light to do this, then it would
not be happening. It is beyond horrific.

Here's hoping someone, with some influence where it matters, can use it to stop Israel.

Lori

Progress...

...is transitory.

Since we've moved into our place, I've discovered a new joy: using the clothesline instead of the dryer. Not only is it cost-effective, it's good for the environment, it's a pleasant experience, and the clothes smell nice. My mom thinks I'm crazy -- but she's from a generation that had to use clotheslines...changes your perspective.

It's a phenomenon. Hand-made soap is a luxury item, hand-woven sweaters sell for hundreds of dollars...elements of lives past become the luxuries of today.

Or the necessities of tomorrow, if you live in Lebanon. Go over to Metro to get his (rather good, in my unbiased opinion) take. But don't forget to visit Ahmad's blog, with his daily updates (and links to other Lebanese bloggers).

Nothing today

The only absurd thing in the world today is that world 'leaders' are doing nothing to stop Israel's unwarranted attack on the Lebanese people and infrastructure.

Read Cold Desert's blog if you haven't already. Follow this link to Metro's latest post, and send an email to the 'leader' of your choice.

Lori

The Five Love Languages

Was wandering around the web, and happened upon a nice blog, one I'd like to visit again: take-u-away. A bit of a romantic, he blogged about the Five Love Languages. So I took the test.

Here are the results (Metro, pay attention!):

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Acts of Service.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		11
Acts of Service:		9
Words of Affirmation:		6
Physical Touch:		2
Receiving Gifts:		2

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Lori

Over a year has passed!

Wow. I first blogged over a year ago, on July 2, 2005.

I blog.

I am blogging.

I have blogged.

I have been blogging for a year and 10 days.

Lori

Good gift ideas

What is the definition of a good gift? I've always thought it was something that showed the giver's insight into the recipient's mind, by surprising that person with something they would have bought for themselves, if they'd thought of it, or had the extra cash.

Metro and I have recently been the recipients of a lot of presents, having just gotten married, and I'm finally in a position to write our 'thank yous' -- my computer is out of storage, and my wedding gift list is on it, in digital form only.

Great gifts...Euros for a Paris honeymoon. Cash for a couple facing the upheaval of a move. The useful odds'n'sods of a domestic life. We'll finally be thanking people for those things.

Here's a great idea: My realtors in Vancouver gifted Metro and I with the news that they'd hired someone to clean the apartment once we'd moved. I'd never felt so...relieved!

And another great idea, which we just finished appreciating: a basket filled with ice cream sundae ingredients...and long-handled spoons to get the last bit of deliciousness from the bottom of lovely blue ceramic parfait cups.

Thank you.

Lori

"Respect for the Aged"

Saturday morning, as Metro and I were closing off the street for the Farmers' Market, it was a typical quiet morning. It was maybe ten minutes before 7 a.m., and a couple of vendors were already setting up.

So, the picture is of my market block, at 7 a.m., from the middle of the block, where I normally set up my table. On the sidewalk is where I drop off my box of miscellaneous stuff: a bright table cloth, brochures, photo albums, recipes, my water bottle...you know.

Well, this weekend, I was walking back towards my spot, when I saw an old guy on one of those mobility scooters, stopped at my stuff. He sees me coming, shuffles back into position on his roadster, and toddles off.

Sitting on top of my basket was a lone, blue bottle cap. That rat-bastard had rummaged around, found my water bottle, emptied it, tucked his 5 cent recycling profit away, and left the bottle cap (and wet sidewalk) as spoor.

"Hey, buddy!" I yelled after him, "That was my water bottle!"

I start walking quickly, following him down the sidewalk, yelling. He doesn't look back...just keeps on truckin'.

At this point, I have to stop. Otherwise I'd be chasing down and kicking octogenarian butt, and that would just not be cool.

His pennies of profit cost me another $1.50 to hydrate myself for the morning. And left me with such a load of annoyed anger, that it took me two days to blog on it.

Well, I doubt age has turned him into an ass. I'm sure he always was one.

Lori

Back to the absurdities...

...and there are lots when you are a homeowner.

For example, last night, Metro picked up some ant traps at that most fabulous of fabulous retail establishments, Canadian Tire. Now, I before I put down poison I don't need, I will try my method: scrub their chemical trail with my own chemical cleaners, then sprinkle some chili powder in the area.

Anyway, I wish I had my scanner set up, because this ant trap package says, no lie, "May contain peanuts." It's ant poison. If your kid picks it up and ingests some of it, wouldn't you have other worries than the possibilities of peanuts?!? Plus, who cares if the ants have nut allergies -- you're trying to kill them!

Speaking of allergies, I'm glad I'm not allergic to anything -- Yesterday, an angry wasp stung me twice on the arm...damn! that hurt! Luckily, raincoaster was on the scene and used the wisdom gleaned from some obscure Viggo film to rescue me: ice to freeze the venom (0r whatever it is they have) in place, then a paste of baking soda and water to draw it out.

Oh yeah, we bought some wasp traps as well!

2 More Sleeps!!

I can barely contain my excitement.

Yes, it's going to be a lot of work to unpack everything. Yes, I have a lot to catch up on (wedding thank yous being the #1 priority). Yes, our monthly 'outgo' is going to be very close to our monthly income.

But...

only two more sleeps!

Lori

A rant on wages...

A few weeks ago, a local business columnist spoke to a group of professionals who are actively seeking meaningful work (me included). He told us about how a group of business leaders had met and discussed their challenges: finding good people to work. He cited one business owner who had 40% staff turnover a month, or some such ridiculous figure.

We all jumped in and pointed out that it was no mystery for us -- obviously the guy paid shit. It's all about the money, unless the work is totally rewarding in some intrinsic way to an individual. Oh, it might be the benefits, the flexible hours, the perks...but if the money is too low, why would anyone stay?

In the lovely valley where I now live, the businesses were enticed in over the last 20 years with the promise of cheap labour and beautiful environs -- and people were told, when they complained about low wages, that it was a 'sunshine tax'. [From "Okanagan Sustainable Prosperity Study" 2004]

Another feature of sustainable prosperity was the upward growth in wages. Historically, the Okanagan had been known for its “sunshine tax” where jobs simply paid less in the Okanagan than in other places because people took a pay cut to experience the quality of life. Unfortunately, that strategy had started to create disgruntled workers and frustrated employers who were not accustomed to paying the salaries necessary to get qualified people—even if those people assumed
a pay cut based on salaries in Toronto.

Well, that time is over, but businesses are still figuring that out (the study cited above says the transition from "sunshine tax" to a living wage has been relatively painless.) Stores can't get/keep service staff. There's a huge need for skilled labour. "Help Wanted" signs are peppered all over town, some companies are raising their starting wage, but it's still not enough. It is more and more expensive to live here, and the rental market is tight.

And with the right skills, the labour market is wide open -- with fierce competition for the right workers. A career coach with a column on Castanet.net (the Central Okanagan news site) says:

I’ve recently spoken with a recruitment company who are seeking Class 1 Drivers
with air brake tickets. This company has been contracted to find lesser paid
drivers in the interior of BC to go work in Alberta’s oil patch. In particular
this company is focusing its attention on the Okanagan Valley. The reason for
looking in the Okanagan is because workers have been paid less than elsewhere.
In the Okanagan workers have experienced something known as the “sunshine tax.”
Say goodbye to the “sunshine tax!”

The local paper had two articles this morning that were related: one about illegal basement suites hopefully being legalized to help with the rental market. The other was about entry level service jobs being so plentiful here that teenagers were finding it easier to wake up with a hangover after partying all night to just go find another job than to call their old job to quit.

So folks....think of going into skilled trades if you're not already there, and don't live in the United States of America, where the Senate, in its overpaid 'wisdom', has voted to NOT increase the minimum wage of $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour -- to have come into effect gradually over 2 years!! Some bleeding hardship that woulda been.

I can't really think of anything scathing enough to say...

Lori

7 Days!!

I can't believe it! Next Wednesday, at noon, we take possession of our house. That afternoon, we have movers booked to pack up our storage unit, and transfer it all to the house.

Want to see another couple of pictures?

The hot tub on the deck.











The kitchen.












The living room, with its gorgeous front window, and lovely (yes, trendy) colour.














And the master bedroom, with the patio doors opening on to the deck, and the hot tub!







Sigh....

Not soon enough.

Lori

When is not getting the job a good thing?

Okay, so not a good thing, but not such a terrible thing....

In order of icky, the first being the ickiest:

1. your application is ignored, lost in the ether, no acknowledgement, no human contact
2. you don't get an interview, but you get an automated response
3. you don't get an interview, but a human is involved in the response (has to print off the form letter, saliva on the stamp)
4. you get the interview, teach the sample lesson, give them an hour or more of your time, and you have to call them because you've heard nothing for weeks
5. you get the interview, but screw up somehow, are deemed inappropriate, and get the 'we've gone with someone else' phone call
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. the least icky of all, is you get to the second interview, but still don't get the job. I don't mind not being hired after the second interview. Now it's no longer personal, you didn't screw up, it's down to skill set/experience...and that's understandable.

Of course, the un-icky version would be to get the job...

But ya can't win 'em all.

(So ya, I didn't get the job, but I did get called back for a second interview.)

And I have another interview next Friday morning.

Lori

A mountain side...

We went to visit friends this weekend on their substantial hunk of property on Hwy 3a, on the way to Keremeos.

Some of their horses are wandering around out there...Now, that's the life!

These three came thundering home from the range as we arrived.

They rested, got some attention, and then were let loose again.

Of course, Metro was helping to build a fence while I was appreciating the environs...

Lori

Job Hunt Irony

Have you ever noticed how ironic/annoying the job hunt is?

The "can't get the job without experience, can't get experience without the job" is the rage of the 19-year-old out of high school.

The "can't get work without the right attitude, can't maintain the right attitude without work" is the reality of the I-didn't-choose-to-be-between-jobs group.

Women still have to play the high heels and stockings game in a lot of arenas...but then, men have to still wear the portable noose, otherwise known as "a tie."

Then, if you're in career transition and you need a cash flow job until your dream job comes along, you're stuck in the "You're overqualified" trap.

But then, when you're at that stage, your dream job will likely not be advertised anyway, so you're stuck with the "hidden job market" bullshit...companies who know, or don't know, they need help, and you have to convince them that you are the One.

Now, it's a matter of planting the seeds of a network, watering it, watching it grow, and harvesting it at the 'ripe' moment -- even then, you'll not know the quality of the fruit until each and every lead is (oh, so casually!), squeezed for all it is worth.

I have the luxury to not be desperate for work, due entirely to my rather traditional man who satisfies some Maslow-ian need in supporting me.
(But where in the hierarchy is it?)

But I have my own ironies to add...Me, a woman who has gone through a slew of books & counselors on the subject of getting hired, and who has been carefully applying the principles, had an interview today for a position as an Employment Facilitator -- essentially someone who helps others find work.

Sort of a meta-job.

I'll keep you posted.

Lori

Garage Sales

What is it about garage sales that warps the human psyche? Why do we suddenly feel the desire to own a used karaoke machine for $20? or a pipe cleaner book with no pipe cleaners for $2?

Metro and I went cruising garage sales today...We were driving around, looking for signs on telephone poles -- and suddenly, there it was: "Garage Sale at ...." OUR NEW ADDRESS!

What does one do in that situation?

Well, we went. I parked half a block away, just in case they recognized our car from the frequent drive-bys we make, and we walked up.

They had absolutely nothing of value on sale. If we'd bonded with them, we may have introduced ourselves...but, no.

Weird.

What would you folks have done?

Oh, and what was your best garage sale find ever?

Lori

Okay, okay...

I did it. I started another blog: a book blog in Wordpress.com -- thought I'd learn a new system while I was at it.

So, please visit the cheesily titled Lori's Book Nook (how Dr. Seuss is that?). Only one (real) post up so far, but the musings will continue.

Lori

University of Life curriculum

If I had lots and lots of money, I would buy multiple copies of 4 books, and give them to everyone.

In no particular order, they are:

1. The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to quit school and get a real life and education by Grace Llewellyn. More than a polemic on/defence of home schooling, it celebrates an attitude about education that I wish I'd been exposed to when I was in school.
2. The Tyranny of Niceness: Unmasking the Need for Approval by Evelyn Sommers. A new classic that should be read by anyone who has ever doubted her/his need to express a true opinion or desire. That it is written by a Canadian is just too apt.
3. Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (often referred to as the guy-with-the-unpronounceable-name), a psychologist who studies creativity and 'Optimal Experience'. This book is more the 'how to' version of his more academic tome, Flow. In it, he breaks down that state one gets into when working/playing at peak efficiency...breaks it down, describes it, and challenges each one of us to try to attain that high level of experience more often.
4. Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton. "Keeping up with the Joneses" described, explained, and...forgiven. But the message is clear that your life will be better if you can rise above it, and de Botton's easy philosophical prose inspires you to re-evaluate your beliefs and values. Paradigm shifting, if you'll excuse the cliche...

Here's the challenge: What books would you add to the curriculum at the University of Life? What book has inspired you? Changed you?

Lori

Oh! Our house pictures are offline...

'Cause it's listed as "sold"!







So, I thought I'd post a couple of pictures.

The house.






And part of the back yard with the deck.











And the back of the garage (which Metro is super-excited about) with the play gym. (Okay, yes. The play gym is hopelessly pre-mature, but we're hoping our friends with kids will come out and take advantage of it!)



This is the 'up the road' view of the street...and up the road about a kilometre, it ends in a Par 3 golf course. Notice the bus stop across the street...only 5 routes in town (and one of those is the night time bus, one the weekend, lake-to-lake shuttle), and one stops outside our door. It's only 2 km to downtown, shorter if you take the shortcut along the creek, which can be found at the end of the little cul-de-sac to the left there.


Here's the creek:









And the view heading back into the centre of town, looking across the valley:








So, come and visit. We've already got three bookings for the summer (including the person I'm bribing to come help me unpack!), but if you bring a tent, there will be room for all!

Lori

You know you've done the right thing when...

Yes, it's all happened fast. Metro and I have married, honeymooned, packed, sold, moved, bought -- essentially begun anew...all in the space of two months.

How do you know you've done the right thing? Yeah, it may seem like it has all come together rather swimmingly, but...

Then Metro's boss sends him a link to an apt article. 'Apt' because he's having a hard time reconciling himself to my acres of books (where are they going to go in the new house?),and this is an article about owning, and moving, books:

"At the end of the day, and despite my own self-recriminations (all this money, all this effort, and to what end?), perhaps a personal library needs no justification. What's the alternative, after all? Outside these book lined walls, there's nothing but confusion. The culture at large has set itself directly against the slow, contemplative rigors and pleasures of reading."

But what is really remarkable is that my husband is now in a profession where people read, write, and discuss ideas.

THAT has been worth all of the stress.

Lori