I think the universe has been teaching me a valuable lesson. You see, the last time I worked, I ended up working for 11 and a half hours, because we just didn't have enough people scheduled. I was working with a new employee...well, he'd worked there two summers ago, but it was his first day back. And he LEFT ME. with almost ALL the cleaning to do. I could not believe it. He just - snuck out! I called my boss, who was just as surprised...and thankfully that guy is no longer working for Trilogy. I'm especially thankful because of what happened today, which is what I was referring to in saying the Universe is teaching me a lesson...
so, I saw him today at work, twice. He works as a dock boy for a company that often brings us fish to process, so he's coming by with loads of fish a lot. The first time he apologized. But then he came back, and totally took it all back, saying that it was justified because he'd SAID he was leaving at 11 to drive his friend home, etc, so I should have known, and also that because I took one 5 minute break to gulp down some pizza...the ONE BREAK I TOOK IN A 12 HOUR SHIFT...that he had done his share of the clean-up. because I took a break and he didn't. which, he did, actually, but I didn't waste time arguing with him. Actually, I was speechless. I raised my eyebrows at him and said, "Ok, anyways..." and got him to tell me what was going on with the fish he'd just brought, and went back inside. Then the comebacks came into my head and I was fuming. I HATED that I hadn't had the head to shoot him down in the moment, because what he said was so ridiculous. I mean, HE was the one who was fired...whereas I got thanked for that night, so can he seriously think...?
anyway, not going to get too involved in THAT line of thinking. Because what I was saying about that lesson! I realized that I could feel burned by the whole thing, or not. It was a choice. I didn't do anything to feel badly about that night, so why should I be upset? This little boy...he's only 18...obviously was feeling the pain of a sore ego. his uncomfortableness has nothing to do with me. it's his own battle. he was trying to feel better. I don't even have to take part. so maybe it's good I just totally ignored all of that and didn't take any bait. After all, it was MY ego that was upset over it also. The me underneath the ego couldn't care less.
But...after saying all that...I mean, it was still hard not to be upset. I'd just start thinking about it while I was busy. I was upset I hadn't been able to stand up for myself. So I vented to my co-workers. And Brit told John. And their reactions were so satisfactorily shocked as well that I was appeased. I am not perfect. Oh no. I have high ideals, though!
I learned how to make salmon smokies today!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Mondee
It's my Monday today. I've had two luxurious days off. They were WONDERFUL. The sun was shining and hot, the breeze was perfect, the trees waving and rustling lazily. My first day off I went to the beach with Maike and Celine and we lay out on a blanket in a sunny corner and ate watermelon and blueberries. I provided a knife for the watermelon. They were impressed I had a knife in my purse. Truth is, since fubman has started working at method, he has indulged in a bit of a knife addiction. Not only did he buy a rainbow-coloured array of throwing knifes, but also a machete, a practical rope-cutting knife for himself, and a little one for me. When I got back from the beach, I got some Gary's kitchen (chinese), and fell asleep for 3 glorious hours. I woke up as fubman came in the door, home from work, at 9:30. That night I slept for 11 hours. I still sigh with satisfaction, thinking of it.
YESTERDAY, was the best day. Shawn and I picked up Maike, and we all went to long beach to surf. Maike's a beginner like me, and we stayed together in the whitewash while Shawn paddled out to the deeper surf. It was the most fun, the best time I've EVER had trying to surf. My fear was gone - it was so sunny and sparkly, the water was so clear, you could always see the sandy bottom. I was trying out Shawn's big red long board for the first time. It was twice my size, but light and easy to turn. It caught every single wave I paddled for. I stood up for a few seconds...TWICE! I rode many a wave in a crouch, or on my stomach. It was SO MUCH FUN! I don't know what happened to my fear or resistance...they were just gone! After our surf, we separated to have showers, than Maike and I walked to the grocery store to buy some things for dinner. We'd already gone to Trilogy and gotten some seafood - some clams, some crabs, and some salmon smokies. Then we made dinner together. It was chaotic, because Shawn invited Maike to use our kitchen as well, and there just wasn't enough room! so the clams were cold by the time we ate. but delicious. I steamed them in butter and lime juice and garlic and ginger and a dash of beer. When they were finished, I added some cream to the sauce, reduced it down, and poured it over top...oh yeah, and some fresh chopped cilantro. The crabs we just boiled and dipped in butter-garlic-lime sauce. Shawn pan fried the salmon smokies and cut them up, instead of having them in ciabatta buns, but they were delicious. Maike made the most delicious potato salad and warm spinach-feta dish, and we also invited Darren over, who made a 'lish green salad with avocado and cilantro. Mmm. It was good eats. Afterwards, Darren and Maike stayed to watch some of Cloud Atlast, but we all started falling asleep, so we parted ways not long after the movie started. It was a good day.
YESTERDAY, was the best day. Shawn and I picked up Maike, and we all went to long beach to surf. Maike's a beginner like me, and we stayed together in the whitewash while Shawn paddled out to the deeper surf. It was the most fun, the best time I've EVER had trying to surf. My fear was gone - it was so sunny and sparkly, the water was so clear, you could always see the sandy bottom. I was trying out Shawn's big red long board for the first time. It was twice my size, but light and easy to turn. It caught every single wave I paddled for. I stood up for a few seconds...TWICE! I rode many a wave in a crouch, or on my stomach. It was SO MUCH FUN! I don't know what happened to my fear or resistance...they were just gone! After our surf, we separated to have showers, than Maike and I walked to the grocery store to buy some things for dinner. We'd already gone to Trilogy and gotten some seafood - some clams, some crabs, and some salmon smokies. Then we made dinner together. It was chaotic, because Shawn invited Maike to use our kitchen as well, and there just wasn't enough room! so the clams were cold by the time we ate. but delicious. I steamed them in butter and lime juice and garlic and ginger and a dash of beer. When they were finished, I added some cream to the sauce, reduced it down, and poured it over top...oh yeah, and some fresh chopped cilantro. The crabs we just boiled and dipped in butter-garlic-lime sauce. Shawn pan fried the salmon smokies and cut them up, instead of having them in ciabatta buns, but they were delicious. Maike made the most delicious potato salad and warm spinach-feta dish, and we also invited Darren over, who made a 'lish green salad with avocado and cilantro. Mmm. It was good eats. Afterwards, Darren and Maike stayed to watch some of Cloud Atlast, but we all started falling asleep, so we parted ways not long after the movie started. It was a good day.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
hard workn'
Yesterday I worked for 10 and a half hours. I started at 2, and didn't finish with my co-worker Mat until half past midnight. At around 10pm, when it was obvious we wouldn't get out until 12, I was on the edge of a melt down. It was just the fact that I hadn't eaten, or even managed to drink water. It felt like there was such an enormous load of work dumped on me and Mat. I didn't manage to drink water because there wasn't time to stop moving!!
and...it was only my monday. And I got called in on my day off, so I only got one day off. And I may have to work 6 days again this week. AND I ONLY GET PAYED $13/HR!!!
ai-ai-ai...
and...it was only my monday. And I got called in on my day off, so I only got one day off. And I may have to work 6 days again this week. AND I ONLY GET PAYED $13/HR!!!
ai-ai-ai...
Sunday, July 7, 2013
'nother day
I'm freshly back from work. It was a short day today - baggn' fish and vacuum-packing. I work mostly in the back now and I like it sooo much better. It's so simple and I don't have to deal with any interruptions, it's got a much more laid-back feel.
when I went camping I acquired what I thought was a black fly bite, because it had a spot of blood in the middle and had formed a huge welt. My friend told me to put cut onion on it, and I did so...which made it get all hard and concentrated, into TWO separate bumps, side by side. looking at it closer, I discovered that I must have been bitten by a HUGE spider. I just...I just had to share the horror!!
when I went camping I acquired what I thought was a black fly bite, because it had a spot of blood in the middle and had formed a huge welt. My friend told me to put cut onion on it, and I did so...which made it get all hard and concentrated, into TWO separate bumps, side by side. looking at it closer, I discovered that I must have been bitten by a HUGE spider. I just...I just had to share the horror!!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Canada
I wrote a whole lovely post and...and it was deleted!! I know many others of you have felt this pain.
I wanted to write of Canada day, because it was a day of perfection for me. Brit gave it to me off, purposefully (I love my job!!) and I spent it luxuriously. Shawn was working, so I went shopping in the first part of the day, and spent the middle part with my awesome neighbours. Milos was in this kitchen with a pile of wood shavings around him, working on his hummingbird box. Maike had just come back from a surf (she's a beginner like me...and we're going to go out together!). We were going to go into town and join all the hubbub in the village green, and I was going to meet up with Shawn when he got off work, but we took so long visiting at home that by the time we got into town, Shawn was already off work. I was obliged to be whisked away from my friends, out on a boat into the sound, where we rafted up to about 10 other boats by the Deadman Islands. It was foggy, and it felt so strange to watch Tofino slide away across the water - that hunk of land I'm usually locked to. There's freedom on the water, but there's isolation too. The fireworks were beautiful in the fog over the sound. There was a very festive air amongst the rafted boats.
I started writing this post on Canada day, and wanted to wax all poetical about the land that's always embraced me in freedom and loveliness and strength...but now so many other things have happened too!
For example, Shawn and I went camping last night. We bounced and jerked around in circles on a network of pot-holey gravelled road before finally finding the right road (one that we'd, incidentally, STARTED going down many times...) that took us down to the beach. On the way we saw two bears. One as we were crossing a high bridge over a shallow, sparkling river. I spotted a young one with huge ears, sitting in the long grass at the river's side and munching on something contentedly. Then, just down the road, a large sleek one was seen ambling into the thick brush at the side of the road. Anyway, the beach!
It's named Gravel Bar, an extremely unromantic name for such a spectacular beach. There's no gravel...I think it was named that by surfers who are referring to the long spit of large, smooth, rounded rocks that creates a wave.
Anyway, it was so peaceful there, and there were so many eagles. Walking along the beach to find kindling and firewood, I suddenly noted that the only footprints on the beach were mine, and some tiny paw prints that presumably came from a river otter. Darren came and joined us and ended up staying and sleeping in his truck. The water was calm and bright blue, and there was a slight breeze rippling the surface of it. Tall, sun-drenched trees bordered the beach...and a medley of misty golden islands stood out amongst the calm blue ocean...and finally, the backdrop of distant mountain slopes set against the sky, the sky which quickly became pale blue streaked with violet and peach as the sun sank.
We pan fried some fresh salmon in butter on the coleman and had salmon buns for dinner. the salmon, which had been caught that day, was AMAZING. we all had two buns. Shawn hooked his portable speaker into his mp3 player and we listened to good tunes. I was full of happiness. We also saw another bear, as we were cooking dinner. It was ambling good-naturedly down the spit that borders the far edge of the beach, probably looking for shellfish. Shawn chased it away with a bear banger... watching him do it, I really got the impression of one animal marking his territory to another! hah!
It was an INCREDIBLY uncomfortable sleep...and I don't really know how I managed to sleep at all. That was the one downfall. But I woke up to a chorus of birds, mixed with happy eagle chirping, such as I'd never before heard. And when I got up, probably at around 5:30, the tide was out all the way, and the colours of the exposed beach had me in awe. the most alive of bright greens, scarlet reds, dusky purples. it was foggy and peaceful and intensely alive.
I wanted to write of Canada day, because it was a day of perfection for me. Brit gave it to me off, purposefully (I love my job!!) and I spent it luxuriously. Shawn was working, so I went shopping in the first part of the day, and spent the middle part with my awesome neighbours. Milos was in this kitchen with a pile of wood shavings around him, working on his hummingbird box. Maike had just come back from a surf (she's a beginner like me...and we're going to go out together!). We were going to go into town and join all the hubbub in the village green, and I was going to meet up with Shawn when he got off work, but we took so long visiting at home that by the time we got into town, Shawn was already off work. I was obliged to be whisked away from my friends, out on a boat into the sound, where we rafted up to about 10 other boats by the Deadman Islands. It was foggy, and it felt so strange to watch Tofino slide away across the water - that hunk of land I'm usually locked to. There's freedom on the water, but there's isolation too. The fireworks were beautiful in the fog over the sound. There was a very festive air amongst the rafted boats.
I started writing this post on Canada day, and wanted to wax all poetical about the land that's always embraced me in freedom and loveliness and strength...but now so many other things have happened too!
For example, Shawn and I went camping last night. We bounced and jerked around in circles on a network of pot-holey gravelled road before finally finding the right road (one that we'd, incidentally, STARTED going down many times...) that took us down to the beach. On the way we saw two bears. One as we were crossing a high bridge over a shallow, sparkling river. I spotted a young one with huge ears, sitting in the long grass at the river's side and munching on something contentedly. Then, just down the road, a large sleek one was seen ambling into the thick brush at the side of the road. Anyway, the beach!
It's named Gravel Bar, an extremely unromantic name for such a spectacular beach. There's no gravel...I think it was named that by surfers who are referring to the long spit of large, smooth, rounded rocks that creates a wave.
Anyway, it was so peaceful there, and there were so many eagles. Walking along the beach to find kindling and firewood, I suddenly noted that the only footprints on the beach were mine, and some tiny paw prints that presumably came from a river otter. Darren came and joined us and ended up staying and sleeping in his truck. The water was calm and bright blue, and there was a slight breeze rippling the surface of it. Tall, sun-drenched trees bordered the beach...and a medley of misty golden islands stood out amongst the calm blue ocean...and finally, the backdrop of distant mountain slopes set against the sky, the sky which quickly became pale blue streaked with violet and peach as the sun sank.
We pan fried some fresh salmon in butter on the coleman and had salmon buns for dinner. the salmon, which had been caught that day, was AMAZING. we all had two buns. Shawn hooked his portable speaker into his mp3 player and we listened to good tunes. I was full of happiness. We also saw another bear, as we were cooking dinner. It was ambling good-naturedly down the spit that borders the far edge of the beach, probably looking for shellfish. Shawn chased it away with a bear banger... watching him do it, I really got the impression of one animal marking his territory to another! hah!
It was an INCREDIBLY uncomfortable sleep...and I don't really know how I managed to sleep at all. That was the one downfall. But I woke up to a chorus of birds, mixed with happy eagle chirping, such as I'd never before heard. And when I got up, probably at around 5:30, the tide was out all the way, and the colours of the exposed beach had me in awe. the most alive of bright greens, scarlet reds, dusky purples. it was foggy and peaceful and intensely alive.
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