Category Archives: Job

COVID-19 Journal Entry 48

I did something yesterday that I don’t usually do. It went thusly:

I was all ready to walk to work with my running shoes and backpack, but as soon as I stepped outside I discovered it was raining. This was despite me looking out the window before I left the apartment and seeing no rain. (In the rain’s defence, it was still a little dark out, and none of the puddles I use as a gauge for rain has not yet formed). So not wanting to put up with this, I got in my car and drove instead.

As I drive I predicted that the rain would stop as soon as I parked. I was right.

What I don’t usually do is drive to work since it only takes about 5 min and it’s just as worthwhile to walk. Also, if there is any way of talking myself out of driving, I will. But it was raining big *plop plop* rain so I felt encouraged to not walk.

Lindsie’s policy in regards to her commute.

  • Walk most days, unless:
    1. It’s raining and I don’t want to walk, or
    2. I’m tired and I don’t want to walk, or
    3. I have to transport something heavy and I don’t want to carry it, or
    4. My feel hurt, or
    5. I feel like driving
  • Policy is subject to change when I feel comfortable taking the bus again

I’m on my annual birthday holiday for two weeks now. In the scheme of things where I travel somewhere fancy for my birthday every other year, I should be on my way to London or Mexico right now. This isn’t a very well established scheme since it’s only happened once, but I had vague plans to do it again. In true COVID fashion, I have instead purchased three flavours of coconut-based frozen dessert … that’s not even a little bit the same thing! There are such glorious vegan desserts in London I could be sampling.

Vegan Dessert, circa March 23, 2019

COVID-19 Journal Entry 45

I stopped writing here for a while because winter was kindof gloomy and my daily routine was kindof repetitive and boring. But spring is here again! My routine is still repetitive and boring but now I feel like sharing it.

Tulips Mean It’s Springtime (growing in my apt. circa Late Feb, 2021)

I have a newish habit of going shopping for my groceries every single Saturday morning around 8am. The time isn’t new for me – I like being into town and out again before there’s any traffic, but I never went every week. I go mostly so I as sure to be driving my car somewhere at least one time every week. I’ve driven to work a few times, just for fun, or just when it’s rainy, but that’s hard to do when it starts to get sunny and bright in the morning. This week was sunny and cold, which is my favorite combination. Sunglasses and mittens!

This week’s groceries afforded me ice cream and celery, which I will not be consuming in combination, but I am excited about each individually. Ice cream, just because it’s ice cream. I sort of forgot about celery? But, if I remember to eat it before it gets droopy, it’s good with hummus. I also bought some grocery-store-sushi, which tasted like grocery-store-sushi, and led to the composition of a new song:

SUSHI FOR BREAKFAST!
SUSHI FOR BREAKFAST!
TRALALALALALALALALALA!
LALALA!

Things I Want to Remember about the Pandemic

(The first in an ongoing, and possibly numbered list)

Number 1: As I may have mentioned five or six times already, since the start of the pandemic (or near the start) I have been working from home at the beginning of the week, and then going into the office on Thursdays and Fridays. Lovely. Since around the end of November, whenever I go into the office I get an email at the start of the day that asks me “Are you sure you don’t got the COVID?” There are then voting buttons where I can select either “Yes! I don’t have the COVID!” or “No! I got symptoms and I’m going home!” Presumably I might have noticed if I had symptoms before I set out for work in the morning, but one never knows how these things work. While I do greatly enjoy clicking the little voting button each day, I’m not sure I’d feel the need to go into the office to click “No.” Note that I still get the email when I’m working at home, but I don’t have to answer it and take great delight in deleting it outright.

COVID-19 Journal Entry 43

I’ve been thinking about time today. Truthfully, though, not so much “today” as just a few minutes ago when my mind drifted away from the story of the book I just started reading. It’s a new year and I’ve decided to read books. Maybe some, maybe lots. If I read 3 I’ll have read more than I did last year, and that’s my resolution.

I considered my alarm clock this morning. It’s an actual stand-alone clock + radio that lives on my bedside table and not just the clock app on my phone – although the reception for the radio is only clear when my phone is resting on top. The alarm may be set so that I wake up to the sound of CBC Radio instead of a loud alarm sound, thus, I may wake up peacefully instead of scared. I do in fact wake up to the sound of the radio, even if some days I stay dozing a bit and dream the radio stories instead of hearing them.

The key of this radio + clock deal is that there is digital clock on the front in a massive font so that I can see it without my glasses on, and so that I only have to open my eyes and/or turn my head to see the time (Instead of picking up my phone).

There are two alarms I can set, and this is what I have was considering this morning. I set one at 7am and the other for 6:40. This isn’t like some people do, where they need two consecutive alarms in the morning to get up. I turn on the alarm for 7 for the first part of the week when I work from home and don’t need so much time to commute. The alarm for 6:40 is for the days when I go into the office and have to get ready and then walk in. I should note that these are the times I wake up, but not when I leave bed, which can vary, especially on days at home, when I don’t have to get ready to the same degree as when I leave the house.

My schedule of things shifted at the very start of COVID and I thought to myself won’t this be fun for a little while, but has switched from that to just being normal. I have to get up earlier than I did when I went into the office every day because I walk instead of taking the bus. I have two separate alarms because I might as well take advantage of the extra time working from home allows, and this being two or three times a week. In the before times I would work from home just one day a week, or two, and I would wake up at the same time as when I had to leave the house anyway. Now I’m at home for most of the week.

Time works different, too, when I have nowhere to be at any given time – very few appointments, and no after-work activities like dance or dinner out. This is causing problematic when I do have things at scheduled times as I’ve forgotten how to remember to do them. I’ve managed to get to all my in-person things, but I missed a video dance presentation I had a ticket for. I’m trying to “put things in my calendar” so I remember to do them. For a while last spring all the things I “put in my calendar” got deleted so I guess I forgot how to do that.

Also, getting up at 6:40 in the spring and summer was much more enjoyable than it is now, but at least it’s getting sort of light again now when I leave the house just before 7:30 instead of it being basically the middle of the night. Unless it’s rainy, then it’s just dark in the morning, and stays dark all day long. I think I notice the dark more this year because, first, I’m out in it more in the morning, and then after work I’m not busy. I usually have dance, where someone always mentions how dark it is after the time change, and everyone notices and says Oh Yeah! but we are all in the studio where the lights are on and where we are presently going to dance. Or I have plays or dinners out to go to. So generally just don’t pay that much attention. This year, especially before midwinter, I found myself standing at my windows (all of them on separate occasions) just contemplating how dark it was at 4:45 in the afternoons.

Now I contemplate how much time I used to spend reading books, and how I don’t do that anymore. In the short term my solution for this is to trade in the time I spend *watching silly internet videos* for book-reading time. A new year’s compromise. I won’t describe how long I have spent watching *silly internet videos* today, but to be fair, I only agreed to this self-imposed compromise about an hour ago and in that time I have not watched any.

(I want to get back to my book now so I’m not going to proofread/edit this. I will no doubt regret this at some time in the future.)

COVID-19 Journal *Entry 36*

I worked from home today. I didn’t work at home yesterday as it was my flex day. I am making fun of myself for remembering to not work on my flex day this week, as there was one recent flex day that I did work, despite there being at least three clues to tip me off. I noticed eventually what day it was, but it was in the mid-afternoon, so there was really no point in stopping. To be fair, it was the very first day after my sick leave, and that was the day after Labor Day Monday, which was confusing, as my flex day for that week was on the Tuesday in loo. I was just excited to get back into my routine.

Yes. “In loo.” That’s how I spell it. It’s funny.

My routine includes some exercise again, now that I can do some. This is both a relief and a nuisance, since I would rather not do any exercise. My default is “lazy” and I got into the habit of physical fitness through practice and personal nagging. I also got into the habit by investing much money and commitment into dance classes, which I am not participating in this year. In usual times, dance class provides regular dates and times for physical movement, in addition to the progressive advancement through the year that means it’s better to not miss any pre-arranged classes for fear of missing out on fun technique, chunks of choreography, or prime placement in a dance routine.

Do I miss dance class? A bit. Do I miss exercise? No. Do I have to remember to do some exercise anyway? Yes. And this week I have. It was only last week that I could do anything for a sustained amount of time after being sick, so that felt good, but the novelty has already worn off! I tried leaving my yoga mat out on my living room floor so I might be encouraged to plop down and do some stretching, but it just got leaves all over it (I don’t know where the leaves came from, or why they were all over my yoga mat. There were no leaves anywhere else). All I wanted to do all weekend was watch West Wing and colour in my colouring book.

Ooooh I also wanted to eat. I had some minty chocolate chip ice cream, and also big bowls of food all weekend. I have to stop eating so much. Not just because I’m plumping up from eating a lot and not moving, but also because I keep eating way too much at a meal and then feeling bleh afterwards. Smaller portions! For now. I tried this today and I feel better.

One of my favourite words is “plump.” I named a doll Plump when I was little, which I find hilarious now, but at the time I thought it was the most beautiful name. I was four. Four-ish. Or three. However old and three-quarters because I got plump for Christmas. She has short, super straight blond hair and blinky-eyes.

I also like the word “loo.” It can also be spelled “Lieu” but that’s for fancy people who maybe don’t want it to seem like they are referencing a bathroom. It sounds the same, fancy people!

COVID-19 Journal… Entry 14

These are the flowers I walk past on my way to work! They line the walkway leading to the main doors of the Empress Hotel. I love the colours! They look good as I approach, and then they look good close up too! Some of the tulips are starting to fall apart, but that adds to the chaos of colour that’s going on. Part of me wants to do a painting of it, but it is already beautiful and perfect in real life. A painting, even this photo, can’t recreate my delight of seeing these flowers every morning, in the context of the world right now.

Or maybe it can. Is that flower bed six feet across? To be considered later. Is that doorway always roped off? I think it is, but what if it wasn’t?…

Work has been happening, as regularly scheduled. I spend the first part of the week working at home, and then Thursdays and Fridays I’m in the office. This is my rotation so far – we only get a couple weeks’ worth of schedule at a time, because these are strange and unpredictable times.

Friday nights I’ve been getting take-out hamburgers for dinner on my way home. Earl’s has been good to me, but today I found that Bin 4 has a vegan dessert, so they win for now. They also have an app, so I don’t need to make a phone call* – though I did have some human interaction at the door of the establishment when I picked up my order. I think maybe I won’t be so interested in getting take-out if it’s raining, as both places I’ve gone to so far have us waiting outside.

*I don’t like making phone calls, even for burgers. However, making phone calls for burgers isn’t too bad. “I’d like to order a burger for take-out,” is how I started usually. And it went well from there.

Other things I’m thinking about:

I’m tired on the days I go into the office. My job can get physical on some days: I work with files- ordering them in to send to various requestors. These might be single files, but they might be boxes full, and moving them around for the day, or part of the day, can make for tired times. And then because I’m working at home for half the week, by the time I’m in the office there’s lots of files to organize. So it might be that I’m doing that for the whole two days. And then on top of this. I’ve been walking to and from work to avoid public transit (I totally meant to drive today but I completely forgot. It wasn’t raining, I guess? But parking has gone cheap downtown.) That’s about a 40 minute walk one-way. So I’ve been tired after work when I get home.

I keep meaning to watch Sense and Sensibility again. This BBC one. I will soon. It’s a good, meaty version. I keep finding other things to do instead of watching TV, like reading, writing, listening to podcasts, sitting and thinking, playing with my phone. New goal of trying to read book instead of playing with phone so much. Should maybe re-read Sense and Sensibility. I’m making my way through Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie. It is rich like black forest cake, so I only consume a little at a time.

Socks of the Day

I needed socks to wear for doing ballet barre exercises in my living room. These work very well- not to mention the colour coordination I’ve got going on there.

COVID-19 Journal “Entry 8”

Working from Home

Working from home is fine. I’ve been doing it once a week since last summer, so I have everything set up already. Three days in a row is a new experience, however. I have not been left alone, however, as there have been group calls with my team both yesterday and today. You know, just for fun, and also to discuss work stuff a bit.

I keep breaking down anxious today. The logical part of my brain keeps telling the anxious part to chill: there’s enough food… and what ever else that set me off before that I can’t remember anymore?! Not implying that my anxiety isn’t 100% valid, just working through it. All your anxiety is valid. I hope you’re able to work through it, or with it.

I remember. Because I got a new credit card, and for the first transaction I’ll have to sign my receipt, or maybe just enter my PIN instead of just tap? Either way, will have to take a pen, or touch the keypad? I should remember because I just got a new card a few months ago. I didn’t have to worry about it then. Just take your own pen, no big deal. Still. I might not activate it yet.

Other stuff too. A person who normally has anxiety about small things has heightened anxiety in current times. Share your things. You’ll feel better.

Socks of the day

Photo Story! I found these socks on the couch…
And I put them on my feet!

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of me working at the place I do. Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself. The day also marks 4 years with government. Don’t know what to think about that. Been getting paid the whole time, so that’s good.

In other news, 46 days until Spain.

2011 by Lindsie

January.
Nothing. I don’t remember. No wait. I started a new job. Did I report on this last year? I started a new position with Liquor Licensing (BC Gov) on Jan 4, 2011, the same date I started with them in 2008. It was a pleasant reunion with everyone (there was hugs!) and I’ve had a good year working there. It’s nice to have a permanant job*.

*For now**

**Mum doesn’t like it when I add that part. Hehehe.

February.
Nothing. February sucks.

March.
My birthday. Everyone celebrate!

April.
Nothing. Oh! Except I moved at the end of the month, so I spent most of April worrying about that and packing. Fun story: on April 29 I decided that I Would Watch The Royal Wedding (as this is something that Lindsie is meant to do, having memories of the other royal wedding that happened in 1981). In order to stay up that late- the thing started at 2 in the morning or something,-I needed to keep myself occupied. As I was about to move, the kitchen needed that end-of-occupancy clean out, so I watched the wedding coverage while scrubbing out my fridge and pulling out the stove. I made it all shiney. My landlord was super impressed, and also amused with my Royal Wedding Story.

May.

Dance recitals. I was in two this year, since I was doing classes with two studios. Fun and all but I’m only at one studio this year so hopefully only one recital. This year I did tap with the teacher I had in Duncan (Nanna!) at a new school. We danced to Michael Jackson. That show was at Victoria Event Centre, where they serve alcohol. Note: performing at a place where they serve booze the whole time makes for a fun show, especially if you are late in the line-up. The other show was at the Royal, which isn’t as intimate as the other place, but has a really nice backstage area. Mum and dad came and watched, and my friend Susan, as I did some flamenco and ballet. Good show. We went for dinner afterwards.

June.

Nothing. Actually I think in June I went to Vancouver to see Wicked. That was with my friend Julie, who is my musical theatre friend. We both bought t-shirts even though neither of us meant to. P.S. I love musicals. They make me cry and want to sing along and I love them.

July.
I watched the whole of West Wing and Knitted. Summer! Also, my friends Amber and Mia visited. In our second annual summer fun time, we did fancy dinner, and took double decker busses, and went Craigdarrough castle. We also ate cupcakes.

Aug.
Some summer dance workshops. Some moping around. Went to work. Benefitted amply from the wealth of my dad’s garden. (Speaking of which, did you know you can buy green beans at the grocery store? Both fresh AND in cans. *Why Would Anyone Do This*? Doesn’t your dad grow way too many and make you take them?)

September.
Whined a lot.

October.
This wasn’t that long ago. I should remember. I got sick around Thanksgiving, which was also exactly when I took my vacation time. I didn’t have any big plans or anything, but I was Quite Annoyed. All year my health has been really good. My doctor suggested, though, that I’m now just catching everything I hadn’t caught yet. I’ve also figured out my asthma so that it’s under contol. I puff a puffer twice a day, with an “emergency” inhaler for when I need it, most importantly, just before my dance classes. Breathing Lindsie is happy Lindsie.

November.
Seriously. I bought flamenco shoes. I don’t have a couch yet, but I do have flamenco shoes. Priorities. I realize that this letter is rather dance-centric, but I think about it a lot. That and how I’m going to feed myself around all my dance classes. Two of my favorite things are dance and eating. Another favorite thing is watching TV but that’s not really something one writes about in their Christmas letter. However, I’m only writing this right now because there’s nothing on to watch.

December.
Hasn’t really happened yet. So far so good. I just vacuumed a bit. I’m trying to make my house clean and tidy before putting up Xmas decorations.

January, 2012.
This hasn’t happened yet, either, but I want to keep going….

February 2012.
I’m going to Spain to take some flamenco workshops. I’m also going to drink sherry, and do other Spain things. Spain has never been on my radar of somewhere to visit so I don’t know what to expect!

And here is a bonus story .

I had a pretty good week at work.  It was nice going to a place where everyone was happy to see me.  My co-worker and I, both starting this week, got applause at the branch meeting when we were introduced, which I liked.  I’ve also gotten welcome back hugs.  That was just the first and second day.  Mostly everyone has left me alone because I have reading to do and for the most part try to look like I’m reading it.  My goal for next week is to try and get into a better sleep routine.  Booooo to being tired all the time.

Review of my first day of my new job: just spiffy! I just remembered I have to call Mum to tell her all about it…

1/2 hour later…  I called Mum and I remembered that I forgot things in Duncan.  But I had a lot to bring, so it’s not surprizing.  I made the mistake of hanging my nice pants in the cupboard while I was there, instead of leaving them in the heap in my suitcase.  So I forgot those.  I also forgot some dips and cheese in the fridge.  I remembered the dip when I got home and there are chips here.  But where is the dip??  Arrrg!  I also meant to bring the remaining soy cheese with me because no one will eat it otherwise.