Geez..maybe I just needed to let off a little gas, to get the crap moving..Finished the last spew, and just settled back , when suddenly another popped into my head.
Now..this is something as a toilet scrubber, I, and my fellow scrubbers have often wondered about. I figure what the heck, might as well put it out there, maybe I will get an answer.
So..I have ranted about tips before, perhaps I have ranted about this matter, and forgot, but..here it comes again!
So, we have Joe Blow. He has found himself stuck in Hick town B.C. for months on end, holed up in a hotel. Hey, he lives his life, he works, he showers, he poops, he does things to "relax" in bed. He gets pimples, he scratches, he gets "wounds" that foul his bedding. He is pretty easy going, not a difficult guest, but....has his little picky things, and..we as the housekeeping staff , quickly clue in, and cater to these whims. See, when you are the ones who wander in behind the locked doors, you see stuff that others don't. Your job is to clean this stuff up, and make things all crisp and clean again.
O.K. we talk. We call fellow workers in, when we find stuff that is gross, but...we have to clean it. Sometimes others will help, then they know, perhaps they have to be on the "look-out" when they end up behind that door. We know who they are, we know that we will likely meet the one who made the grossness, during our work day. We smile, we say how cold it is, or how nice it is, but....we also look at this person and know what we cleaned up, and...they really must look at us, and know we know, right? Hey, all part of the job.
The problem I have is, tipping. Now.....don't get me wrong, I don't expect tips..oh, I like the few and far between surprises, but, they are definitely few and far between. However, our work place also has a restaurant attached. Those who stay long term use that for their meals. In the restaurant they tip, every meal the wait staff gets something, and...I understand, that is a good thing. The wait staff brings their food, cleans up their dishes afterwards, and is, hopefully, friendly. Man cannot live without food, so...they serve comfort and satisfaction.
Thing is, man cannot live comfortably in filth, apparently some cannot live without clean towels daily. Man does not feel the urge to flush all the time, and...sometimes they coat the toilet with glue poo, and....yes, it is us, the magic poop fairies who whisper in, with our toilet brush wands, and scrub that sh*t, sometimes for 15 minutes, until it comes off, leaving no sign of splatter. Man can splatter his wound weeping all about the bedding, just a day after getting crisp clean sheets, and, again, the magic happens...He returns to a bed, covered in fabric softener smelling sheets, with no sign of gross on them.
The same man who laughs and smiles, and hands over a daily tip to the person who brings their food to their table, packs up after 4-6 months of having the magic fairies even wash his dishes from time to time, so he can arrive in his room, after a long work day, and not have to clean that mess up, and heads home. What does he leave those who have learned his habits, and tried to make him feel at home, just a little? Yep, you guessed it, nothing!!
We have seen them take gifts to the wait staff, walking right past us, as if we didn't exist. We have heard about the large tips, and seen the little trinkets (O.K. cups and glasses). When we go into these rooms after the guest has stayed with us for 1/2 a year, we may find 1/2 a yoghurt container in the fridge, or a cup of Cheerios in an open box, but...never, do we find a tip!! Oh, we could get a single black fuzzy sock left under the bed, or a well used pair of boxers forgotten in the sheets, but, unless we save those socks and make a few pairs, they are worthless.
Yes, we get wages, however, so do the wait staff, so.......the question is, why do guests feel the need to acknowledge the one who takes their order, and brings their meals? Those who wipe their little pubies out of their shower, scrub their feces off the toilet, pick their kleenex off the floor beside their bed, remove their skidmark sheets and replace them, hang their towels or fold them, in the area they feel is more acceptable, wash their dirty dishes, wander back and forth until they see fit to allow us the time to go into their rooms, and do our jobs, we, apparently are not worthy of acknowledgement.
Just seems a little wonky to me..perhaps someone has the answer?
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Blogged Down
Just had to title this the above as, in truth, I am feeling bogged down, therefore, I just have not been able to sit and send off daily, or even weekly rants. I have far too many rants stewing away, getting rid of one at a time, just isn't possible. I can't pick the one thing I want to send out into cyberspace, and my grey matter is becoming overloaded.
I recently made the decision to cut back my work days. One would imagine scrubbing toilets is a pretty menial job, with very little thought process needed. Well, the actual scrubbing procedure is very basic, but, somehow, outside issues worm their way into even a simple job, and one begins scrubbing a toilet with the weight of a cement barricade resting on their shoulders.
I started working at a fairly young age, in a job that required some thought process. I was also required to dress appropriately, be friendly, and helpful. Those were what my employee expected. There were a whole lot more rules handed out by my parents. My Mother had a whack of morals that she would hand out on a daily basis to me. I guess I will share some of these with the world, as, like Aesop's fables, a lot of my view of how I live my life, has been based on these snippets.
One of the most heard.."remember who butters your bread". Now those butter'ers were at one time, my parents, and my boss. Without them, my bread would be pretty dry,and hard to swallow, geez, without my parents, I wouldn't even have bread!! I use that to this day. I may not agree with everything my employer does, but....they are the ones who slap the butter on my bread twice a month.This saying is not limited to a job, it suits life, as a whole. Some say to "remember which side the bread is buttered". If one looks about, and can clearly see who supports them, who gives them friendship, love, and makes life a better place, then, one must always remember, they provide the butter..butter is one of my favourite things, along with chips and, of course, bacon!
One of the other sayings.."don't shit where you eat". Hellooooo...along with the "piss pot out the upstairs window" hearing my Mother say shit, always made me stop and take heed. My parents seldom used foul language in our home, and shit was a pretty "dirty" word. She generally used "crap", so this one certainly made it's point. Again, this moral,perhaps has lost its shine. I see people shitting where they eat, all the time, and...they seem to come out smelling pretty damn rosey. When I was given this tidbit, it was because my Mother tried to teach me, to leave my personal (home) life outside my workplace door. She always told me, to keep job and life separate. As I have aged, I see the importance of this. I understand, work should not rule one's whole life. To find peace, and relaxation, one must be able to separate, something I often find a struggle. But, shitting where you eat, basically means, don't mix business with pleasure, because this will cause some pretty huge potholes. Maybe messing about with a co-worker at the annual Christmas party, and then surprise..you have to go back and spend the rest of the year attempting to deal with the ramifications. Maybe telling your boss something very personal, and then having to face them day after day, knowing they know far too much about you. Fellow employees and employers, are not always the best choice for social partners, because......so much rides on how you get along.
Oh don't get me wrong, I consider some of my fellow employees friends..LOL..you know who you are, and that hasn't changed, some days are better than others, but I do need you in my life. I simply mean, do NOT try and mix work and what a person needs outside the daily grind, to find peace and relaxation, and that time that is suppose to be your profit from working so hard. When your job becomes your life, what exactly are you working for?
I have been feeling like there is an awful lot of farting going on where I eat. I am not quite sure what I have been eating, that is causing this gas. But...I still want butter on my bread. I need to have the cement barricade lifting off my shoulders, and cut back on whatever shit I have been nibbling on. I know what is important in my world, and I am finally going to listen to my Mother! Bring on the Butter, and the Bread, I want the things I once had,the things that made my job, perhaps not so much enjoyable, but certainly not dreadful. I want to be able to laugh, and spoon that butter in big gobs, on thick pieces of bread, with those who matter most..my friends, and my family.
It is well past time to have a picnic, to eat where there are no piles of shit, to find peace and relaxation, and enjoy the butter, after our hard work!
I recently made the decision to cut back my work days. One would imagine scrubbing toilets is a pretty menial job, with very little thought process needed. Well, the actual scrubbing procedure is very basic, but, somehow, outside issues worm their way into even a simple job, and one begins scrubbing a toilet with the weight of a cement barricade resting on their shoulders.
I started working at a fairly young age, in a job that required some thought process. I was also required to dress appropriately, be friendly, and helpful. Those were what my employee expected. There were a whole lot more rules handed out by my parents. My Mother had a whack of morals that she would hand out on a daily basis to me. I guess I will share some of these with the world, as, like Aesop's fables, a lot of my view of how I live my life, has been based on these snippets.
One of the most heard.."remember who butters your bread". Now those butter'ers were at one time, my parents, and my boss. Without them, my bread would be pretty dry,and hard to swallow, geez, without my parents, I wouldn't even have bread!! I use that to this day. I may not agree with everything my employer does, but....they are the ones who slap the butter on my bread twice a month.This saying is not limited to a job, it suits life, as a whole. Some say to "remember which side the bread is buttered". If one looks about, and can clearly see who supports them, who gives them friendship, love, and makes life a better place, then, one must always remember, they provide the butter..butter is one of my favourite things, along with chips and, of course, bacon!
One of the other sayings.."don't shit where you eat". Hellooooo...along with the "piss pot out the upstairs window" hearing my Mother say shit, always made me stop and take heed. My parents seldom used foul language in our home, and shit was a pretty "dirty" word. She generally used "crap", so this one certainly made it's point. Again, this moral,perhaps has lost its shine. I see people shitting where they eat, all the time, and...they seem to come out smelling pretty damn rosey. When I was given this tidbit, it was because my Mother tried to teach me, to leave my personal (home) life outside my workplace door. She always told me, to keep job and life separate. As I have aged, I see the importance of this. I understand, work should not rule one's whole life. To find peace, and relaxation, one must be able to separate, something I often find a struggle. But, shitting where you eat, basically means, don't mix business with pleasure, because this will cause some pretty huge potholes. Maybe messing about with a co-worker at the annual Christmas party, and then surprise..you have to go back and spend the rest of the year attempting to deal with the ramifications. Maybe telling your boss something very personal, and then having to face them day after day, knowing they know far too much about you. Fellow employees and employers, are not always the best choice for social partners, because......so much rides on how you get along.
Oh don't get me wrong, I consider some of my fellow employees friends..LOL..you know who you are, and that hasn't changed, some days are better than others, but I do need you in my life. I simply mean, do NOT try and mix work and what a person needs outside the daily grind, to find peace and relaxation, and that time that is suppose to be your profit from working so hard. When your job becomes your life, what exactly are you working for?
I have been feeling like there is an awful lot of farting going on where I eat. I am not quite sure what I have been eating, that is causing this gas. But...I still want butter on my bread. I need to have the cement barricade lifting off my shoulders, and cut back on whatever shit I have been nibbling on. I know what is important in my world, and I am finally going to listen to my Mother! Bring on the Butter, and the Bread, I want the things I once had,the things that made my job, perhaps not so much enjoyable, but certainly not dreadful. I want to be able to laugh, and spoon that butter in big gobs, on thick pieces of bread, with those who matter most..my friends, and my family.
It is well past time to have a picnic, to eat where there are no piles of shit, to find peace and relaxation, and enjoy the butter, after our hard work!
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Anti-Everything, Pro-Everything
I recently read an article, that is popping up all over Facebook. The title was Anti-Everything. It, of course was a rant on those who are attempting to slow down LNG, to slow down hydro-electric projects, etc. It appears when someone attempts to put a halt to anything, they suddenly become ANTI.
I wonder, do I come across ANTI everything? If I do, I am not expressing myself properly. I am not against everything in regard to natural resources. I also do not believe most of those who are speaking up to try and stop huge projects, are also, anti everything.
Why are folks labelled anti when they ask questions? If the answers to the questions were given, and made,....wait for it....common sense, most average citizens would be willing to accept. The problem is, questions are NOT answered, the only words given are money amounts. Money, great as it is, often does not offer a return of what is sold, and selling is exactly what all of this anti-pro everything is all about.
Our government is selling off what belongs to all of us, the treasure, in and on the land, and water, the very substance that gives us the ability to call ourselves British Columbians. These treasures are NOT the government's to give, they belong to the people..pro, anti, and yes....those in the middle. Our government has somehow managed to split the population, to drag racism up from the hole it was buried in, and to make enemies out of neighbours. If one person does not like the idea of losing what they enjoy, so that a couple of other folks can make a quick fortune, they are branded anti-progress.
Again, I state, I am not against progress, I fought in a battle about 10 years ago,in a small group, for progress. I believed in what I was fighting for, my choice, my personal opinion. If I heard a statement regarding H2S, and how it might kill off bus loads of students, unknowingly driving past a sudden sour well, I went on-line, and did some studying. Hey, they could have been right, and I wasn't going to simply accept either side..I took my time. I am not an expert on what I fought for, however, I do know some facts, and that..that is what some of us are asking for!
I want facts on why all of this is necessary, and why it is moving along too quick for my personal comfort. I want a chance to study up, and weigh both sides, so I can see for myself where I want to stand on things.
I do not want my stance to be based on Crusty's minions warning that if we do not rush into this, we are going to be sorry, and we will lose out on any chance of profit. We won't lose. Crusty has given everything that has come across her desk the golden seal of approval, so that whatever money is possible, will drop into the coffers on her watch. Then, of course, she can almost guarantee another stab at her position, because look what she did for us!!
Do any of you know how much money comes from the area I live in? Oil and Gas abounds here, and all these companies pay a hefty price to our government. What are they doing with all of that money? Do you see a huge increase in benefits because of all that money that was not there, say 10 years ago? We certainly don't see diddly squat!! We have sh*t a$$ health care, that is getting worse by the moment, we have education shortages, we have pi$$ poor highways, and pi$$ poor ambulance service, but..there is this enormous amount of money coming from right next door to our homes.
Now we are suppose to believe, if we accept even more pipelines, and yes, a huge Hydro project, suddenly our government is going to have a ton of spare money to hand over all that we have not seen yet. Sorry...I certainly wasn't born yesterday!! It seems each time the government gets a whack of cash, the cost of everything rises, to suck that cash right up.
That is why I seem to be on the ANTI side. I am not jumping into any of this, without checking outside the box. I am sick and tired of some feeling that those who question are whiners, and green, and hippies, and welfare bums, and hypocrites.
When the world stops questioning, and everything government wants, is done, lickitty split, we will be in some serious trouble. Those folks sitting in areas that are just on the verge on all this exciting oil and gas, are rubbing their hands together with the thoughts that they are going to benefit. Oh, oil and gas companies don't litter, they don't drink, they don't do drugs, they have strict rules. Ki$$ my butt!! They are NO different than any other frigging huge company. They have their share of f*ck-ups, they are just human!!
No drugs!! That is the one thing I can speak from experience! You would be blown away by the amount of drugs!! No drinking,,,get real!! No littering..grow a brain!! To blindly spew how perfect oil and gas is, is just as stupid as stating rig rats are all dirty pigs. That is a lie as well. Many rig rats work so damn hard, they don't have time to do anything else, they barely get time to sleep. Some of the cleanest guests we have had in the hotel are drillers, and rig labourers. Some of them are the most polite, and thoughtful guys I have met. I have actually attempted to contact a drill company to tell them how amazing their crew was. But...on the other hand, some of the filthiest, drug users have been the pipeliners. So...reality is, they are companies, staffed by all walks of life. If some of you figure they will pour into your area, never blow a stop sign, never drop an empty on the side of the road, or you will have instead, nothing but drunks, snorting up behind the bushes, and grabbing all the local females, get a grip.
However, I suppose there are only two sides to all of this, pro and anti. No one is allowed to do some research, and no questions are to be answered, because that is only stopping progress. Those who must change their way of life, those who will be impacted, should simply swallow, and suck it up, otherwise they are anti! Those who have decided the price is worth what they feel they will reap, and willing to rush blindly in without a care, because they feel they can walk away without effect, they are the pros.
There is, no matter how those pros feel, a third group, those who try and keep an open mind, those who just want to pause and check facts out. Those who have questions that dollar amounts don't answer. Those who feel the future deserves a few moments of the present, a bit of due diligence, to ensure those who follow, are not left with a mess. We just want to make sure we do things to the best of our ability, not as quickly as possible, because jobs that are done too quickly, often miss some pretty important spots. Maybe we are the "special" ones, the slow learners, the ones sitting on the fence, waiting to see which side looks the best. Give us some time, we will figure it out at some point, but, we need our own group for just awhile longer. We are simply the "Check- Everything"group.
I wonder, do I come across ANTI everything? If I do, I am not expressing myself properly. I am not against everything in regard to natural resources. I also do not believe most of those who are speaking up to try and stop huge projects, are also, anti everything.
Why are folks labelled anti when they ask questions? If the answers to the questions were given, and made,....wait for it....common sense, most average citizens would be willing to accept. The problem is, questions are NOT answered, the only words given are money amounts. Money, great as it is, often does not offer a return of what is sold, and selling is exactly what all of this anti-pro everything is all about.
Our government is selling off what belongs to all of us, the treasure, in and on the land, and water, the very substance that gives us the ability to call ourselves British Columbians. These treasures are NOT the government's to give, they belong to the people..pro, anti, and yes....those in the middle. Our government has somehow managed to split the population, to drag racism up from the hole it was buried in, and to make enemies out of neighbours. If one person does not like the idea of losing what they enjoy, so that a couple of other folks can make a quick fortune, they are branded anti-progress.
Again, I state, I am not against progress, I fought in a battle about 10 years ago,in a small group, for progress. I believed in what I was fighting for, my choice, my personal opinion. If I heard a statement regarding H2S, and how it might kill off bus loads of students, unknowingly driving past a sudden sour well, I went on-line, and did some studying. Hey, they could have been right, and I wasn't going to simply accept either side..I took my time. I am not an expert on what I fought for, however, I do know some facts, and that..that is what some of us are asking for!
I want facts on why all of this is necessary, and why it is moving along too quick for my personal comfort. I want a chance to study up, and weigh both sides, so I can see for myself where I want to stand on things.
I do not want my stance to be based on Crusty's minions warning that if we do not rush into this, we are going to be sorry, and we will lose out on any chance of profit. We won't lose. Crusty has given everything that has come across her desk the golden seal of approval, so that whatever money is possible, will drop into the coffers on her watch. Then, of course, she can almost guarantee another stab at her position, because look what she did for us!!
Do any of you know how much money comes from the area I live in? Oil and Gas abounds here, and all these companies pay a hefty price to our government. What are they doing with all of that money? Do you see a huge increase in benefits because of all that money that was not there, say 10 years ago? We certainly don't see diddly squat!! We have sh*t a$$ health care, that is getting worse by the moment, we have education shortages, we have pi$$ poor highways, and pi$$ poor ambulance service, but..there is this enormous amount of money coming from right next door to our homes.
Now we are suppose to believe, if we accept even more pipelines, and yes, a huge Hydro project, suddenly our government is going to have a ton of spare money to hand over all that we have not seen yet. Sorry...I certainly wasn't born yesterday!! It seems each time the government gets a whack of cash, the cost of everything rises, to suck that cash right up.
That is why I seem to be on the ANTI side. I am not jumping into any of this, without checking outside the box. I am sick and tired of some feeling that those who question are whiners, and green, and hippies, and welfare bums, and hypocrites.
When the world stops questioning, and everything government wants, is done, lickitty split, we will be in some serious trouble. Those folks sitting in areas that are just on the verge on all this exciting oil and gas, are rubbing their hands together with the thoughts that they are going to benefit. Oh, oil and gas companies don't litter, they don't drink, they don't do drugs, they have strict rules. Ki$$ my butt!! They are NO different than any other frigging huge company. They have their share of f*ck-ups, they are just human!!
No drugs!! That is the one thing I can speak from experience! You would be blown away by the amount of drugs!! No drinking,,,get real!! No littering..grow a brain!! To blindly spew how perfect oil and gas is, is just as stupid as stating rig rats are all dirty pigs. That is a lie as well. Many rig rats work so damn hard, they don't have time to do anything else, they barely get time to sleep. Some of the cleanest guests we have had in the hotel are drillers, and rig labourers. Some of them are the most polite, and thoughtful guys I have met. I have actually attempted to contact a drill company to tell them how amazing their crew was. But...on the other hand, some of the filthiest, drug users have been the pipeliners. So...reality is, they are companies, staffed by all walks of life. If some of you figure they will pour into your area, never blow a stop sign, never drop an empty on the side of the road, or you will have instead, nothing but drunks, snorting up behind the bushes, and grabbing all the local females, get a grip.
However, I suppose there are only two sides to all of this, pro and anti. No one is allowed to do some research, and no questions are to be answered, because that is only stopping progress. Those who must change their way of life, those who will be impacted, should simply swallow, and suck it up, otherwise they are anti! Those who have decided the price is worth what they feel they will reap, and willing to rush blindly in without a care, because they feel they can walk away without effect, they are the pros.
There is, no matter how those pros feel, a third group, those who try and keep an open mind, those who just want to pause and check facts out. Those who have questions that dollar amounts don't answer. Those who feel the future deserves a few moments of the present, a bit of due diligence, to ensure those who follow, are not left with a mess. We just want to make sure we do things to the best of our ability, not as quickly as possible, because jobs that are done too quickly, often miss some pretty important spots. Maybe we are the "special" ones, the slow learners, the ones sitting on the fence, waiting to see which side looks the best. Give us some time, we will figure it out at some point, but, we need our own group for just awhile longer. We are simply the "Check- Everything"group.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
No Clue
Perhaps I will speak of my very limited time in the military, as today is the day we set aside to remember the fallen, and the fighters. I have been around for 58 November 11th memorial days. I have some of my military uniform still hanging in my closet, however, I do NOT consider myself a Veteran. I was only in for a few years, during peace time. I will, however, tell you what made me decide to join up to serve my country. I did not join up, because it was peace time. That part had nothing to do with what called me. I would have joined, knowing I could very well be sent off to war.
The idea of becoming a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, began before I graduated High School. I have told you all how I grew up in a very small town. Well, sometimes, when you live so closely with everyone, without media, of any sort, beyond a few hours of radio, you listen. I listened to stories, I heard the words of many men and women who had fought for our country. They were all over town. See, I grew up when many parents of friends had fought in World War 11, however, I also knew that many of those lonely old people, who perhaps did a fair bit of drinking, had fought for their country during World War 1. November 11th, was a solemn day, when I was a child. The Cenotaph had names listed of Uncles, and Cousins,and sons, of those who would follow the march along the Highway. I remember looking at those who lost family, and the sadness on their faces. War was very real for those who were born only a decade or so, after 1945.
In school, November 11th, was not a day off, to sleep in, it was a day we prepared for, to honour those who went without sleep, who suffered pain, who went far from home, away from their loved ones, to fight for rights and freedom. Many of these , never came home. This day, we were taught how very lucky we were to be able to live our lives, as Canadians. We were taught the price that others had to pay for this right, and we understood.
I suppose this day, perhaps made a bigger mark on me, than most. I was not the brightest student, nor the most athletic, I did not have a dream to become a teacher, or nurse, I expect I recognized these careers, were just not meant for me. However, I could do something amazing, something that truly mattered, I could write the Department of National Defence, and sign up.
Hah! I thought that would be a simple matter, so in the midst of Grade 12, I sent off my letter. The reply was not what I expected. Apparently there were no openings. Geez, that was a bit of a shock. So..I graduated, and went off first to work at the mine, and then at the local bank.
While working at the bank, I went off on a trip with a friend. We happened to stop in Vancouver, on our way home, and the hotel we stayed at, was close to the Canadian Armed Forces recruiting center. On a lark, I went into the center, asked for an application, and filled it out. It was pretty exciting, just to be in that building, everyone was in uniform, and I knew this was where I belonged. I handed the application in, and went on my merry way, back to working in the bank. A few weeks later, I got my acceptance letter, they wanted me to join up.
I will tell you, my time in the Forces, was the best time of my life! Oh, it was certainly not easy, I ended up catching the German Measles part way through my 11 weeks of Basic training, and had the pleasure of an extra 3 weeks with a second platoon, and basic training was not a walk in the park. I came close to giving up a few times, but I knew others had done this before me, and many had done so, while at war, it would get better, and..it did.
To march on parade, with 40 others, who started their training in a platoon of well over 70, to know I was one of those who "made the grade", to experience such an overwhelming sense of pride, is unforgettable.
I did not stand out, I did not receive the marksmanship trophy, or the Commandant's award. I was simply a Private, in the uniform of my country. I imagine the sense of pride I felt, is still felt by those who chose to join up. To this day, when I see a platoon on parade, I will feel the tingle. I know what it is like to stand for hours in the heat, or the rain, on the tarmac. I know the agony of the "slow march" that those who carry the caskets of our fallen must endure, along with the pain of saying goodbye to a comrade. I know most everyone of those, wearing Canada's uniform, are doing so, because, deep in their hearts, they know how precious the right to freedom is, and remember the costs, paid by those who came before us.
Today I saw a post from a friend who happened to be in a store, at the 11th minute of the 11th hour, on November 11th. She said the employees were mostly young people (likely getting stuck working the holiday). The music stopped, and everyone observed the moment of silence. To hear this, I am thankful. I am thankful that, it is not just the old people, like me, who understand the enormity of this single day..To hope, that this solemn moment, that has lasted since it was designated by King George V, back in 1919, continues on forever, seems possible.
Lest we forget
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Just a Name
Good Morning! I didn't intend to sit down and chat..but, sometimes things happen, and I get a little tweak.
This morning someone on FaceBook (yes,,once again) made a comment, that gave me pause. She was asking why someone would keep the last name of an ex-husband. Well, as someone who did, I gave her my basic answer, it is cheaper, and easier. That had her stating how she didn't mind paying the small amount it cost to change hers back, she was happy to do that.
Truth is, once, way back in time, I did give thought to going back to my maiden name. Money did factor in. Perhaps most people feel that it is worth spending the price to change your driver's license, S.I.N card, etc. But, when the urge to change hit me, guess what, we just didn't have the extra money to do this. It was eat, pay bills, or change the name, and go without something else. They were hard times, and I was, and still am, cheap. To spend that money, would have been the same as going to the Salon, something I just could NOT do, the money was slated for essentials, and a name change was certainly not essential.
Times have changed, I could afford to go about changing it now, but why? I grew up, with my Father's last name, at the age of 22, I married and happily went about changing that name to my Ex's. I had a child, and when she turned 5, we separated. I then went on to the relationship I am still in. Divorce was just not a big thing, like everything else, it costs money. Neither my Ex (in his own new relationship) or myself felt that we wanted to spend the money, we were both comfortable with the fact that we KNEW our relationship was long past,and we were able to deal with the issues that came with separation, it is just something for the government, anyhow, right?
So, the actual divorce did not occur until my Ex wanted to re-marry, many years later,and...that was quite the schmozzle in itself, the divorce was finalized the day of his wedding. I expect there were some folks pretty concerned until the paperwork arrived, but..I wasn't one of those. I really don't care about the paperwork. That is all for the rest of the world, it didn't affect my day to day life. It certainly didn't affect my relationship, my last name was not the reason my honey and I got together.
I got the divorce papers, about the same time as we once again hit hard times. Going back to my maiden name, seemed redundant. I was in a relationship that was amazing, I hoped it would last forever, so, why change back to my birth name, if, perhaps, in the future I would end up with his last name? Just not important, it is just a name, right? Oh, it did cause one or two issues, with our children. They both carry their father's last name, I was the odd one out. Then my oldest got married and gave up her maiden name (of course, the same as mine), and I was left all alone with my Ex's last name. Some people might have questioned why I had a different name then my children, but...guess what, I did not re-marry, and in this day and age, that is not uncommon, so no big deal.
I have been called "wife" in conversations, I have called my honey "husband" in conversation, but in truth, we are neither, we are simply partners in life. We know our own rules, we file jointly with the government (for the past 28 years) and we have different last names. We don't have religious parents, worrying about our marital status, our children are quite comfortable with the way things have been all their lives, and my last name just doesn't seem to matter.
Perhaps if my Ex had been a criminal, or a really nasty person, I might have been in a hurry to get rid of my surname, but..he wasn't. We simply should never have married, we were not meant to be a couple, we remained friends, and both went on to other relationships. The name just didn't matter, and..still doesn't.
A name, unless it comes with massive power and wealth, is just a name. It does not change who I am, and it is a nice short last name (not quite as short as my maiden name) so easy to write in those little boxes when filling out forms. I have been writing that last name longer than I wrote my maiden name, so it comes naturally. I don't keep it to offend anyone, and I hope it hasn't (no one has piped up yet), I just keep it because it is simple, and I see no need to go about trying to inform everyone in my life I can be found under a new listing.
The time may come, when I make one final change to my last name, but..not in any hurry, it just is NOT at the top of my to-do list. It is NOT going to change who I am, make me happier(well maybe for a moment) and it is so much longer, it is going to be difficult to put into those little boxes. I am sure it will not make me a better, or worse person than I am today, it is just a name, a collection of letters, not who I am!
This morning someone on FaceBook (yes,,once again) made a comment, that gave me pause. She was asking why someone would keep the last name of an ex-husband. Well, as someone who did, I gave her my basic answer, it is cheaper, and easier. That had her stating how she didn't mind paying the small amount it cost to change hers back, she was happy to do that.
Truth is, once, way back in time, I did give thought to going back to my maiden name. Money did factor in. Perhaps most people feel that it is worth spending the price to change your driver's license, S.I.N card, etc. But, when the urge to change hit me, guess what, we just didn't have the extra money to do this. It was eat, pay bills, or change the name, and go without something else. They were hard times, and I was, and still am, cheap. To spend that money, would have been the same as going to the Salon, something I just could NOT do, the money was slated for essentials, and a name change was certainly not essential.
Times have changed, I could afford to go about changing it now, but why? I grew up, with my Father's last name, at the age of 22, I married and happily went about changing that name to my Ex's. I had a child, and when she turned 5, we separated. I then went on to the relationship I am still in. Divorce was just not a big thing, like everything else, it costs money. Neither my Ex (in his own new relationship) or myself felt that we wanted to spend the money, we were both comfortable with the fact that we KNEW our relationship was long past,and we were able to deal with the issues that came with separation, it is just something for the government, anyhow, right?
So, the actual divorce did not occur until my Ex wanted to re-marry, many years later,and...that was quite the schmozzle in itself, the divorce was finalized the day of his wedding. I expect there were some folks pretty concerned until the paperwork arrived, but..I wasn't one of those. I really don't care about the paperwork. That is all for the rest of the world, it didn't affect my day to day life. It certainly didn't affect my relationship, my last name was not the reason my honey and I got together.
I got the divorce papers, about the same time as we once again hit hard times. Going back to my maiden name, seemed redundant. I was in a relationship that was amazing, I hoped it would last forever, so, why change back to my birth name, if, perhaps, in the future I would end up with his last name? Just not important, it is just a name, right? Oh, it did cause one or two issues, with our children. They both carry their father's last name, I was the odd one out. Then my oldest got married and gave up her maiden name (of course, the same as mine), and I was left all alone with my Ex's last name. Some people might have questioned why I had a different name then my children, but...guess what, I did not re-marry, and in this day and age, that is not uncommon, so no big deal.
I have been called "wife" in conversations, I have called my honey "husband" in conversation, but in truth, we are neither, we are simply partners in life. We know our own rules, we file jointly with the government (for the past 28 years) and we have different last names. We don't have religious parents, worrying about our marital status, our children are quite comfortable with the way things have been all their lives, and my last name just doesn't seem to matter.
Perhaps if my Ex had been a criminal, or a really nasty person, I might have been in a hurry to get rid of my surname, but..he wasn't. We simply should never have married, we were not meant to be a couple, we remained friends, and both went on to other relationships. The name just didn't matter, and..still doesn't.
A name, unless it comes with massive power and wealth, is just a name. It does not change who I am, and it is a nice short last name (not quite as short as my maiden name) so easy to write in those little boxes when filling out forms. I have been writing that last name longer than I wrote my maiden name, so it comes naturally. I don't keep it to offend anyone, and I hope it hasn't (no one has piped up yet), I just keep it because it is simple, and I see no need to go about trying to inform everyone in my life I can be found under a new listing.
The time may come, when I make one final change to my last name, but..not in any hurry, it just is NOT at the top of my to-do list. It is NOT going to change who I am, make me happier(well maybe for a moment) and it is so much longer, it is going to be difficult to put into those little boxes. I am sure it will not make me a better, or worse person than I am today, it is just a name, a collection of letters, not who I am!
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
My Total Lack of Tolerance
Oh oh..looks like I just might have offended someone..wow, what a surprise!! It appears my message has perhaps hit home..oh no!!! The person something was definitely directed at, seems to have clued in..they must have read between the lines, and recognized themselves...Gasp!!!! What to do, what to do? Hah! Bugger all!!
Again, I say, when I sit down and spew, I have given thought to whether I click publish, I have an astounding amount of rants laying in wait, because I am not quite ready to commit them to the world. When I do click, I no longer care, if this hits home plate. Why on earth would I waste my time, putting my opinions and feelings out there, if deep down inside, I didn't hope they would either make a difference, or...allow me to feel open and honest, instead of pretending. I don't do well with pretend. The days of playing house are long past..it is not a thing like I imagined, so..I try and live my life without pretense.
I don't feel strongly about everything, just things that matter to me. To know that what I put down in words, managed to have someone randomly realize it was them, makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy. Oh, I am absolutely positive that there will be fall-out, but, bring it on!!See, I started this whole blogging thing, because others pushed me to write. They wanted me to tell things, as they are. Oh cripes, don't get me wrong, they certainly never twisted my arm, I was ready, and willing. It started innocently enough, "please write that story about that guest, we can't forget", then it was things in the news, then stuff others did..I was always eager.
My blogging has caused some issues, I am not going to lie. They are issues I accept, because, as I said long ago, this stuff cannot fester inside, it has to be set free, and this has become somewhat of a purge.
Truthfully, who am I? Does my opinion hold weight in the big world? Apparently not, as I have come to realize, I am simply a tiny clog, even in my tiny town, who has no connections that give me any sort of power, so....what I think is not going to change a thing. At first, realizing I don't matter beyond my own family, and my awesome collection of friends, was a bit of a blow. No one wants to think they have reached the age I have, and done nothing amazing, and yeah..unless I win the lotto, the chance to do amazing things, is running out rapidly. But...not too much I can do about that, I am who I am, so why not show the world me? They can sit down and read, or..just not bother. Doesn't make a lick of difference to me (O.K. it does..I do like to see the reader numbers go up a wee bit). Isn't that a great position to be in? I don't have to pretend for anyone! Yes, I am lucky, and I know it.
I get told often, to just leave things be, or, just ignore them, or, try and get through the day, everyone just tolerates... just tolerate. Nope!! Why should I have to tolerate other people, who refuse to put an ounce of energy out to simply be civil? See, just went to check the definition of "tolerate" here it is
Again, I say, when I sit down and spew, I have given thought to whether I click publish, I have an astounding amount of rants laying in wait, because I am not quite ready to commit them to the world. When I do click, I no longer care, if this hits home plate. Why on earth would I waste my time, putting my opinions and feelings out there, if deep down inside, I didn't hope they would either make a difference, or...allow me to feel open and honest, instead of pretending. I don't do well with pretend. The days of playing house are long past..it is not a thing like I imagined, so..I try and live my life without pretense.
I don't feel strongly about everything, just things that matter to me. To know that what I put down in words, managed to have someone randomly realize it was them, makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy. Oh, I am absolutely positive that there will be fall-out, but, bring it on!!See, I started this whole blogging thing, because others pushed me to write. They wanted me to tell things, as they are. Oh cripes, don't get me wrong, they certainly never twisted my arm, I was ready, and willing. It started innocently enough, "please write that story about that guest, we can't forget", then it was things in the news, then stuff others did..I was always eager.
My blogging has caused some issues, I am not going to lie. They are issues I accept, because, as I said long ago, this stuff cannot fester inside, it has to be set free, and this has become somewhat of a purge.
Truthfully, who am I? Does my opinion hold weight in the big world? Apparently not, as I have come to realize, I am simply a tiny clog, even in my tiny town, who has no connections that give me any sort of power, so....what I think is not going to change a thing. At first, realizing I don't matter beyond my own family, and my awesome collection of friends, was a bit of a blow. No one wants to think they have reached the age I have, and done nothing amazing, and yeah..unless I win the lotto, the chance to do amazing things, is running out rapidly. But...not too much I can do about that, I am who I am, so why not show the world me? They can sit down and read, or..just not bother. Doesn't make a lick of difference to me (O.K. it does..I do like to see the reader numbers go up a wee bit). Isn't that a great position to be in? I don't have to pretend for anyone! Yes, I am lucky, and I know it.
I get told often, to just leave things be, or, just ignore them, or, try and get through the day, everyone just tolerates... just tolerate. Nope!! Why should I have to tolerate other people, who refuse to put an ounce of energy out to simply be civil? See, just went to check the definition of "tolerate" here it is
allow
the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not
necessarily like or agree with) without interference.
"a regime unwilling to tolerate dissent"
accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or disliked) with forbearance.
Helloooooo...see, tolerate , pretend, not happening in my world. I think I have a fair bit of forbearance, been through a whack of crappy things in life, but...the archaic synonym for tolerate is suffer, and.....not about to do that for someone I don't give a rat's a$$ about, even if others feel I should. I don't have extra energy to suffer for snots, who waltz through life thinking they are all that and more..they are not..they are simply just another tiny clog, that refuses to budge, putting a stop to all movement, causing malfunctions, and oblivious to it all.
So, if my words have caused another clog to clue in, and realize I do NOT tolerate well, then I am certainly ready for the next step, because, believe it or not, most of the rest of the clogs in the machine, have run out of tolerance as well.So, either everything will come up sunshine and roses, or,someone is going to have to suffer, and....it is NOT going to be me!!
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Collateral Damage
I have reached a point in my life, where I say what I think. What I spew is my own personal opinions, and....I do NOT have a career, or a job that requires me to be politically correct. I have nothing to lose, that I haven't already lost, at least once. My Facebook comments, well..surprise..that is me, myself and I, and again, when I spew, I do so, with the full understanding of the fact, my words go everywhere. In case some of you don't realize it yet, just because the rest of the world is not on your Facebook page, it doesn't mean that through others, what you put out there, will not go places you don't intend.
So..regarding the comments. I think most of you have listened to enough from me, to understand how I feel about the rights of First Nations. Oh, sure, I hear all kinds of complaints about how they think they have the power to stop all that the average working person feels should continue, without any claims by FN. I understand, especially recently with the news stories about this Band Chief, or that Band Chief giving themselves massive salaries, and perks, and bonuses. However...facts are, this happens in all walks of life. We have those in the Church, siphoning money to their own pockets, we have those in the Banks, shuffling funds for their own benefit, we have stock brokers, and Social Assistant workers, and Policemen, and Lawyers. Look into our governments, and see the worst of this..So, why are we so disgusted with the dirty players in FN's? Why because of a few bad seed sell-outs, do we decide that we don't have to follow the promises given? Why are so many stating that they don't have to continue with the agreements, because they didn't have anything to do with what happened?
See, I have been a victim of collateral damage, more than once. I am more than positive, I have a whole whack of damage coming at warp speed in the near future. There are few things that damage a person, more than someone else deciding they do not matter in the grand scheme of things, no matter if it means ripping all their rights, and hard work away from them. I hear the words.."Why should I work hard, so they can benefit? Why do they get to have a say? Why do we have to listen to what they want? This is 2014, we have been here for decades, and worked hard for what we have!"
HELLO!!! Back in time, someone made promises, and agreements to get what they wanted. Perhaps they didn't think of the future, they possibly just thought for the present, for the fast gain. Now, that thought process is hard at work right now, once again with the leaders of our country. They are busy making agreements, and promises with a whole other country, for the quick buck. They are not thinking of the ramifications of what they write down, and sign..do you think it is because they figure they will simply do like they have done with the First Nations? Do what the majority of the country feels is fine, renege? That is what all of you people who whine about First Nation's rights are condoning. You feel that they are simply collateral damage, time to take back what was given (funny, as a child, someone who gave something and then took it back was called an "Indian Giver"). Apparently because you feel that there should have been some very small print with a time limit, because since you feel you have paid taxes and worked for 2-3 decades, and your parents and grand parents came to this country 60 years ago, you want everyone to be equal. Sorry, that is not the way it works!!
The thing is, folks, you want to change the rules, you want to erase the promises, because you feel they don't suit you, lift the lid to Pandora's Box (read the story if you haven't heard of this). Go ahead, take back all the promises..agreements mean nothing!! Open up a world of no rules. Let the bank decide they can make more money selling your home to someone else, and rip up the signed papers. Let your neighbour decide they want your car, ownership means nothing. Let the government decide they want all your money for taxes, because they claim they need it. Let the employer bring in workers from Timbuktu, because he can pay them far less, and you are simply collateral damage. Let the words of Joe Blow be accepted against your word, because the law likes him better, so off to jail you go. See, perhaps all of this seems silly, but..when agreements, no matter how long ago they were made, become impediments, the right thing to do, is work around them, not rip them up, and flush them. It might not be the easy thing, but it is the only thing, if we are to live in a civilized country.
All of you who are whining about First Nations rights, watch your backs. If our government continues on the same track as they have been traveling, very soon you will find yourselves in their same moccasins. Your government has been making agreements with China, taking all sorts of rights away from Canadians. Your environment, your natural resources, your jobs, your voice, it is all been compromised. Now you can cry how your family has been in this country for 60 years, how you have worked hard for your money, and position, and your property, and you will have your rights trampled by a totally different country. Nope, no help from government, they sold you out. Screech about the rules..they don't matter, you helped rip them up.
Facts are facts! It is very easy to find agreements signed by Canada and Great Britain, they loved to make some pretty fancy paperwork, and the National Archives are full of this stuff. That paperwork is what our Country was built on, how we became a country full of immigrants, with the First Nations agreeing to live peacefully, and allowing the newcomers to share in this great land. Rip up the promises, show the world we are not the trustworthy, friendly Canadians they think we are. Let the rest of the world see greed and corruption, and liars...Hey, your call. I myself have come to realize I too, do not matter, my voice is not heard, and what I have worked hard for, will be taken away, I am simply collateral damage...and soon, I will have plenty of company!
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