The Secret

Who came up with this 'Secret Santa' crap? I really want to know.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with this inane tradition in the workplace: You are forced to draw a name and purchase a cheap gift for someone you wouldn't cross the street to spit on if they were on fire.

These people are, more often than not, just co-workers. They aren't your friends. You don't know anything about them other than the fact that they cannot spell, or they don't know how to walk with a cup of coffee without spilling it across the entire office floor. Not really great criteria for gift purchasing. And, to make matters worse, you get stuck with something stupid and useless that you have to thank someone else you hardly know for. I'm sure there are those that would love a tissue box cover that looks like a koala bear. I'm not one of them. Take this stupid thing back and leave me alone.



This is one of the stupidest things about this overblown religious-cum-retail holiday. Useless gifts from strangers. Ugh.

Luckily, there are others that feel the same way I do.

Behold.

The Music of Your Life

For those of you who know me, you know that there is rarely a time that I'm not listening to music. It's just one of those things. I need music in order to function...

Lately, I rediscovered Last.FM - and I'm enjoying it immensely. I had created an account with them years ago but forgot all about it. Now I am using it even as we speak.

This wonderful site allows you to program your own radio station, playing only the artists you choose - or, if you prefer, choose a group/artist you enjoy and let Last select other artists similar to that one for you. Last FM can be used directly through itunes, Winamp, Mediaplayer and several other applications. It is as versatile as it is wonderful.

You can also find friends according to musical tastes and check out what they're listening to as well. The site is international and it furthers the belief that music is the universal language. It is both strange and wonderful to know that people in the Ukraine, Iceland, Spain and the Hawaiian Islands all share my love of Steely Dan.

I have had the pleasure of being added to a few friends lists and have been introduced to some very good music - by artists I had been previously unaware of.

If, like me, you love music and have the desire to expand your library or are looking for music that you haven't heard since you were knee high to a duck, I strongly recommend Last.FM.

Check it out - you won't be sorry.

Incidentally, if you want to see what I listen to - add me to your friends list...I'm listed under Cordyn (of course).

A caveat, however; my musical tastes are far from mainstream and run the gamut between Bach and Black Sabbath.

Emergency?

Websters International Dictionary defines Emergency thusly: a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.

The Man did an ass-plant the other day in the parking lot outside of his place of employment. As amusing as that may have been to witness (I missed it - but heard about it), it left him with an incredibly sore hip and the inability to walk, sit or stand up without an accompanying 'Yeeeaaaarrrrrrrgghhhh' sound. He came home from work this morning at around 11:00 AM as he was no longer able to sit in his chair at his desk due to intense pain in his lower back.

Being employed by corporate slavers, leaving early requires a certificate from a doctor stating that you left to seek out medical attention. Without said certification, pay is docked and suspicion is roused - thus labeling one a 'liar' or 'layabout'.

SO...off to the hospital emergency room we go for proof of medical consultation, and hopefully an x-ray or two.

That was at noon. It is now 6:55 PM - and I have come home to 1) let the cats in, 2) take medication and pick up my husband's meds to take back to him and 3) vent.

Seven freakin' hours...and he hasn't even seen a doctor yet!!!!!!

Free health care may be a wondrous thing where there are plenty of health care professionals - but holy-mother-of-cheese...! There are others in the emergency waiting room who had been there long before The Man and I arrived. They too are still sitting there...waiting.

There are doctors in the hospital - it's not like there aren't. However, the two doctors that are on call today are idiots and boobs and I wouldn't trust either of them to know a pimple from a pot hole. Still, all The Man needs is an x-ray and a note saying that he'd been there...and still, we wait.

I'm so angry...~grrrr~. No. Make that ~GRRRRRRRRRR~.

Many people came through the emergency room doors, took a quick look around and left. Smart. No doubt they drove the half hour to a neighbouring town such as Renfrew or Deep River to seek medical attention. Had I thought The Man could stand the drive, I'd have done the same.

Unfortunately, the Renfrew hospital and the Deep River health care service don't particularly care for people coming from out of town to frequent their hospitals because it throws off their statistics. Understandable - but so is the predicament of those of us subjected to the ridiculous wait times and incompetence of our own hospital staff.

Okay...enough of this.

I have to get back to The Man before he kills someone out of frustration. I also need eight more dollars for parking at that infernal hell hole. Don't even get me started on that...

If I am not jailed for inciting a riot, I will be back to finish this.

Lego My Xmas Present

Okay...

I never ask for anything for Christmas because I really don't care about it.

Usually if someone asks me what I want for Christmas I say 'world peace'. Of course, they roll their eyes and say ' sorry...anything else?'...to which I reply 'nope'.

BUT - I found something today that really caught my attention and tickled my fancy.

Silly, frivolous and childish...and absolutely perfect.

Check it out:



How cool is this? Lego jewelry!

Eat your heart out, Barbie! You can have your dream home, your horses, your pink sports car, your glittery dresses and your day-spa....they don't make Lego jewelry in your size. Hahahahaha....

~ahem~ Santa...if you're reading this...see above picture.

World AIDS Day

It's World Aids Day.

Living where I do, the AIDS epidemic is something I only hear about on the news. I'm sure there are people in my city and community with the disease - it would be foolish to think that there aren't. But it isn't something I am confronted with daily.

However, when I lived in Toronto it was different. I knew people with the disease...all of whom are gone now. Good people...compassionate, caring people. Gone. Some were former intravenous drug users, others were gay...some were straight. But they all had one thing in common; an incurable disease that eventually took their lives.

The statistics on AIDS/HIV are frightening...staggering, even. Is it lack of knowledge or apathy on the part of the general public that allows this nightmare to run rampant?

Here in Ontario, I know that the public school system makes learning about HIV, AIDS, and other STD's a part of the regular curriculum. This, in my opinion, is a good thing.

I remember when I was in high school some parents were up in arms that they were teaching sexual health classes in the school - and that condoms were provided for the asking by the health care nurse. Seems foolish to me to be upset, seeing as the consequences of not having the knowledge and the ability to protect oneself can result in pregnancy, sickness and yes, even death (although not instantaneous).

If you are a parent and your child is of an age to learn about such things, find out if your child's school provides health classes that will cover these subjects. If they do not, there is a multitude of resources at your disposal to provide you with all the knowledge and tools to teach them yourself - the internet being among the best. Yes...it's not just for porn anymore.

There are many, many organizations and foundations in support of AIDS research. Surely you can find the time and the strength of character to help them out somehow. Donate money, time, or provisions...

Open your heart and your mind.

The future depends on it.