It's a well known fact about me that I'm pagan, and I have been for ten years, my devotion to my craft has always stayed the same. I still perk up with interest when I discover a piece of information that has anything remotely to do with my spirituality, it's actually a very deep very geek-like bit of hunger I have inside me. I can never seem to learn enough about my craft I am always hungry and searching for more. It was said that is what makes a pagan a true practitioner of the craft, the constant search for knowledge, wisdom and the ability to share it and pass it on with others.
More often then not I've taken to not wearing my religion on my sleeve like I did when I first discovered my path through the woods, and while I am still passionate about defending my religion to...other people who liken to ignorance over intelligence. But something today made me feel fiercely proud of my paganism.
As of tonight at midnight it'll be ten years since my first initiation. I held a mini-celebration last may when the three three's of years that had passed came to be, but something was missing. Something very vital to my paganism.
The person who instigated and introduced me fully to wicca, witchcraft and then supported my adventurous steps out of the sparkly teen-minded enthrallment and truly learned what it was to be pagan. In honour of another one of her effects on my life I will call her 'She Who Must Not Be Named' since she got me HOOKED on HP. Bitch.
You-know-who stepped out of our friendship a few years passed and while it cut me to the quick I've come to accept that well, we've washed our hands of each other, (me doing so despite my being in total darkness as to why) and have mourned the passing of our friendship. Today You-Know-Who practically smacked me in the face. As I was busing home, I realized I was nearly staring her older brother in the face as he got on the bus. I nearly didn't recognize him with his frothy beard (Srsly dood, I almost spoke to you, your beard is crazy!!) and I had a moment of pure panic as I looked around for his sister. You-know-who wasn't on the bus and when I realized that I kinda balked at myself. I don't care about this person anymore, they're nothing more then a stranger to me, and instead of dwelling on this, I went back to my book and enjoyed the rest of my long ride home.
Huh.
It dawned on me while I was fiddling around a moment if this was a portent or sign. It prompted me to write about it to sust out the conclusion.
I'm back tracking at this point. Ms. Dragon-fly is going through a rough time (to say the least) her life and she, being religious (of a different denomination) asked for a sign from her god. She got one. She asked my opinion on signs and portents and if I believed in them. I do. So when she told me what she asked and what her sign was, I told her to take it in both hands and fucking race like the wind. I really truely hope she does. Seeing her happy would make my day, but I digress.
Signs and portents. Subtle hints, and nudges from the gods telling you which way to go to succeed, or fail and learn a lesson you need to learn.
The key word is subtle. Who ever nudged me might as well have smacked me in the face.
I wonder if I should contact her, or accept that the acknowledgment of apathy and continue on my merry way.
The only reason I am perturbed about this is, of course, the anniversary and her original involvement.
I'm baffled.
Also.
Its fucking BEAUTIFUL right now. There are plants in full bud and bloom everywhere. I can't wait for more flowers. Really I see them coming up everywhere and I am so excited!
BELTAIN!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
An Open Letter to OC Transpo
Dear OC Transpo;
I'm writing on behalf of all the riders who sat on the corner of Bank and Queen today for forty five minutes, plus, waiting for their buses to arrive.
In light of the recent strike, the inevitable price hike and the general poor quality of drivers, customer service and well, anything resembling any sense of respect or gratitude that it is our hard earned money paying your wages, I have to admit that you are all useless wads of flesh.
No, really. I have seen strung out mdrug-users do more useful things with their burned out existence that your twisted sense of service in this town. You should be ashamed. Truly, deeply ashamed.
Not only was I one of the VERY few people who defended you during the strike, I was willing and eager to return to riding the bus so I could visit my friends, return to my normal work hours, shop for more then a two days worth of groceries, etc. You know, return to normal transit riding life. I even grinned and bore the rude, defensive behavior your drivers extended as a way to keep themselves from being skived by angry users who felt gipped by what you pulled over the holiday season.
(By the way, that was insanely tactless and you do know you'll all be rotting in the hot place for that.)
Heck I even defended a driver who was faced with a rude man who started to swear off at him, but mostly because I didn't want my peaceful morning disrupted by the so-called security task force you've enlisted to help keep the buses safe. I say 'so called' because more often then naught, I've been witness to their belligerence towards riders before the riders themselves returned belligerence with belligerence. Really, we're suppose to be friendly Canadians, not aggressive hate-monger's here. Get a hold of your inadequacy issues and try dealing with people in a civilized manner. You might get a better response and hey! Maybe even a genuine show of respect from us! I know, shocking, you lot actually earning respect...utterly shocking.
I digress.
This last few weeks I understand that service has been slowed along the Wellington St. routes because of the Tamil protesters (refraining from starting a rant about THAT lot...sheesh) but if you INSIST on rerouting traffic, PLEASE, PLEASE let the riders know! The first time, on April 7th when the protesters streamed on to Wellington, can be understood. It was unforeseeable. But today, when it was announced that the protest was going to reach well into the thousands, you could have at least shown an iota of intelligence and contacted the media about the buses being rerouted down Slater. Or even sending one of your many over paid under worked employee's driving around in their nice Dodge Chargers to place a 'Not In Service' sign on the stop. Foresight, again, clearly eludes you flesh-wads.
Here is why I think this would have been brilliant. 1) the elderly woman who was at the stop on Bank and Queen long before I arrived. 2) the mother with her child, 3) the fact that the Quebec buses were still streaming down Wellington, clearly showing that yes, Wellington was in fact clear and moving quite quickly.
Then, when I was graciously interrupted my reading by a very kind gentleman who asked me how long I was waiting, complained that he was late for work again because of OC Transpo, stormed off up Bank to see he could flag a cab and spied the buses turning off Albert on Bank.
Sonofabitch.
We kindly alerted the crowd of displeased riders to this fact and made our way to the stop where the buses were indeed picking up passengers.
When my bus came, I waited until everyone boarded and I asked the driver, politely, because you know civility gets you much further in life then most (ie. oc transpo employee's) would believe, if he could call his supervisor and have someone sent to the stop on Bank and Queen to alert the next crowd that the buses have been rerouted.
The driver, I kid you not, told me 'that wasn't his job and if I had a problem with the buses, I should contact customer service,'. Not his job! Can you believe that!? I nearly died. I was stunned. I'm doing him one better and calling him on his pig-ignorance and sheer laziness and writing this (which I do plan, on btw forwarding to OC Transpo after I reread and edit out the curses,) then I'm forwarding it onto all the media in Ottawa because frankly, this business needs to stop, its ridiculous.
Seriously.
So fed up with this crap.
I'm writing on behalf of all the riders who sat on the corner of Bank and Queen today for forty five minutes, plus, waiting for their buses to arrive.
In light of the recent strike, the inevitable price hike and the general poor quality of drivers, customer service and well, anything resembling any sense of respect or gratitude that it is our hard earned money paying your wages, I have to admit that you are all useless wads of flesh.
No, really. I have seen strung out mdrug-users do more useful things with their burned out existence that your twisted sense of service in this town. You should be ashamed. Truly, deeply ashamed.
Not only was I one of the VERY few people who defended you during the strike, I was willing and eager to return to riding the bus so I could visit my friends, return to my normal work hours, shop for more then a two days worth of groceries, etc. You know, return to normal transit riding life. I even grinned and bore the rude, defensive behavior your drivers extended as a way to keep themselves from being skived by angry users who felt gipped by what you pulled over the holiday season.
(By the way, that was insanely tactless and you do know you'll all be rotting in the hot place for that.)
Heck I even defended a driver who was faced with a rude man who started to swear off at him, but mostly because I didn't want my peaceful morning disrupted by the so-called security task force you've enlisted to help keep the buses safe. I say 'so called' because more often then naught, I've been witness to their belligerence towards riders before the riders themselves returned belligerence with belligerence. Really, we're suppose to be friendly Canadians, not aggressive hate-monger's here. Get a hold of your inadequacy issues and try dealing with people in a civilized manner. You might get a better response and hey! Maybe even a genuine show of respect from us! I know, shocking, you lot actually earning respect...utterly shocking.
I digress.
This last few weeks I understand that service has been slowed along the Wellington St. routes because of the Tamil protesters (refraining from starting a rant about THAT lot...sheesh) but if you INSIST on rerouting traffic, PLEASE, PLEASE let the riders know! The first time, on April 7th when the protesters streamed on to Wellington, can be understood. It was unforeseeable. But today, when it was announced that the protest was going to reach well into the thousands, you could have at least shown an iota of intelligence and contacted the media about the buses being rerouted down Slater. Or even sending one of your many over paid under worked employee's driving around in their nice Dodge Chargers to place a 'Not In Service' sign on the stop. Foresight, again, clearly eludes you flesh-wads.
Here is why I think this would have been brilliant. 1) the elderly woman who was at the stop on Bank and Queen long before I arrived. 2) the mother with her child, 3) the fact that the Quebec buses were still streaming down Wellington, clearly showing that yes, Wellington was in fact clear and moving quite quickly.
Then, when I was graciously interrupted my reading by a very kind gentleman who asked me how long I was waiting, complained that he was late for work again because of OC Transpo, stormed off up Bank to see he could flag a cab and spied the buses turning off Albert on Bank.
Sonofabitch.
We kindly alerted the crowd of displeased riders to this fact and made our way to the stop where the buses were indeed picking up passengers.
When my bus came, I waited until everyone boarded and I asked the driver, politely, because you know civility gets you much further in life then most (ie. oc transpo employee's) would believe, if he could call his supervisor and have someone sent to the stop on Bank and Queen to alert the next crowd that the buses have been rerouted.
The driver, I kid you not, told me 'that wasn't his job and if I had a problem with the buses, I should contact customer service,'. Not his job! Can you believe that!? I nearly died. I was stunned. I'm doing him one better and calling him on his pig-ignorance and sheer laziness and writing this (which I do plan, on btw forwarding to OC Transpo after I reread and edit out the curses,) then I'm forwarding it onto all the media in Ottawa because frankly, this business needs to stop, its ridiculous.
Seriously.
So fed up with this crap.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Bronchitis
Acute Bronchitis is a viral infection in the main branches of the lungs. It comes in various strengths, shapes and debilitating forms. It's symptoms include shortness of breath, rough, broken coughing, headaches, phlegm production, rhonchi* and fatigue.
Acute Bronchitis can last several days or weeks and progress to bronchial pneumonia and even to pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Treatment is often antibiotics if the systems do not dissipate after a week. Studies show it can quicken healing by a half-day. -refrains from sputtering-
I have chronic bronchitis, which means, I have the cough all the time. It doesn't matter if I am the picture of health, I start to cough, I bark like a dog. I also get full blown bronchitis upwards of twice or three times a year depending on how well I've taken care of myself, or how unlucky I am. I've managed to go a whole year without it... I have it again and it sucks because its particularily humid and damp outside and my parents have both taken to smoking in tandem. My lungs ache from being hammered against my sternum every time I take a deep breath and start to cough, my mouth is dry, my sinuses ache and I am partially deaf from blockage. I am tired from lack of sleep and I am aching from the near constant need to clear my throat and cough. I have a headache from all the intense coughing and my only relief is moments after taking mouthfuls of Buckley's, the most vile rancid tasting 'medicine' you can get. Really. I know people who equate the taste to semen, and others to rancid tree bark. Me, I've always preferred explaining it's taste to that being what I would imagine Noxzema tasting lick if you ate a handful. Its more accurately a combination of all three. The only redeeming factor is, since taking it I can breath through my nose again for the first time in a week. The sad part...since the last time I had to take it, I've developed a wicked gag reflex stemming from a bout of the Norwall (norwalk?) virus a couple of years ago that caused me to loose about 15 pounds and most of my taste buds. You'd think having your tongue seared by bile would help the Buckley's taste less rancid. You'd be wrong.
But. It works. Kinda. I'm still waiting to be able to stop coughing long enough to use my lungs at full capacity again.
I hate you weakened immune system.
I blame my parents smoking around me for my entire life. I've always had breathing problems, asthma, allergies, bronchial infections, weakened systems, etc. I'm also very pessimistic at this time (see prior entry concerning the DSG's leaving Ottawa) so forgive me if I come off clinical and cold.
I'm sick and bitchy. Deal. At least you aren't fighting what I'm fighting. Also I'd grow and give my testicle's to be able to taste food right now. Cardboard is kinda bland.
* rhonchi is a coarse rattling sound similar to snoring.
Acute Bronchitis can last several days or weeks and progress to bronchial pneumonia and even to pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Treatment is often antibiotics if the systems do not dissipate after a week. Studies show it can quicken healing by a half-day. -refrains from sputtering-
I have chronic bronchitis, which means, I have the cough all the time. It doesn't matter if I am the picture of health, I start to cough, I bark like a dog. I also get full blown bronchitis upwards of twice or three times a year depending on how well I've taken care of myself, or how unlucky I am. I've managed to go a whole year without it... I have it again and it sucks because its particularily humid and damp outside and my parents have both taken to smoking in tandem. My lungs ache from being hammered against my sternum every time I take a deep breath and start to cough, my mouth is dry, my sinuses ache and I am partially deaf from blockage. I am tired from lack of sleep and I am aching from the near constant need to clear my throat and cough. I have a headache from all the intense coughing and my only relief is moments after taking mouthfuls of Buckley's, the most vile rancid tasting 'medicine' you can get. Really. I know people who equate the taste to semen, and others to rancid tree bark. Me, I've always preferred explaining it's taste to that being what I would imagine Noxzema tasting lick if you ate a handful. Its more accurately a combination of all three. The only redeeming factor is, since taking it I can breath through my nose again for the first time in a week. The sad part...since the last time I had to take it, I've developed a wicked gag reflex stemming from a bout of the Norwall (norwalk?) virus a couple of years ago that caused me to loose about 15 pounds and most of my taste buds. You'd think having your tongue seared by bile would help the Buckley's taste less rancid. You'd be wrong.
But. It works. Kinda. I'm still waiting to be able to stop coughing long enough to use my lungs at full capacity again.
I hate you weakened immune system.
I blame my parents smoking around me for my entire life. I've always had breathing problems, asthma, allergies, bronchial infections, weakened systems, etc. I'm also very pessimistic at this time (see prior entry concerning the DSG's leaving Ottawa) so forgive me if I come off clinical and cold.
I'm sick and bitchy. Deal. At least you aren't fighting what I'm fighting. Also I'd grow and give my testicle's to be able to taste food right now. Cardboard is kinda bland.
* rhonchi is a coarse rattling sound similar to snoring.
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