Geeky Cat Miusings

Did you turn out the lights for the first ever global Earth Hour?

I was happy to note that I can see just fine with the lights turned off, but maybe I shouldn’t be too happy about it because it means that the city lights are pretty bright and the city is using a lot of power to keep the streets well lit. But I’m glad to hear Toronto has exceeded its goals for power savings.

I’m hoping that this will encourage people to reduce their power consumption because we all need to make changes in our lifestyles — everyone makes an impact on the environment and everyone has the power to reduce their impact. It was duly noted that people that go to bed early use less power than those that go to bed late. Well, every little bit helps

Earth Hour video

My boss decided that I needed a whiteboard on my wall so that everyone in the office can keep track of my projects and see what my work load is like, so we ordered a medium whiteboard and it arrived in my office in just two days! Then I placed a request for Facilities Management to hang the whiteboard in my office and three days later a handyman arrived with a power drill in hand. While he worked in my office we discussed travelling to work and the amount of time it took us by bus and car and other miscellaneous details about commuting. The fellow lived outside the city and so he drives along a stretch of the country in his commute between home and work. He was excited when he described seeing the wildlife every morning during his commute and said he knew where to look for deer and other critters because they have their favorite grazing areas and tend to be there. His eyes lighted up when he recalled how one day he saw a wild turkey. I thought that’s cool — he was just a wildlife lover — much like I am. So I was feeling all warm and fuzzy thinking about the shared enjoyment of feeling towards the wild turkey who was on the road close to Toronto. I was jarred out of my warm feeling when he said “damn I wish I had my shotgun with me — I could have had me some wild turkey for dinner”. No more happy warm thoughts in my little head.

But my whiteboard was placed on my wall and I’m ready to get to work.

What is the first thing to go up on my whiteboard? A smiley face, of course. Always make sure there is something happy in your office, so, if you do nothing else, do put up a smiley face. When I look at my whiteboard with its long list of things to do I first look at the smiley face that reminds me that out there somewhere is someone with a smiley face…even if no one is smiling in my office. Except for the ever smiling smiley face, of course.

Every day I am updating my whiteboard list so that it is current — and at least people have something to read when they come into my office. I think I’ll try to fit in a joke of the day, but I’ll have to write smaller to squeeze it in.

Another whiteboard story: my boss and co-worker were meeting with me in my office and my boss commented that she smelled nail polish. She goes out in the hall way and tells the staff to put the nail polish away because it was smelling up the office (no mention that doing the nails is not appropriate on company time). Then she returns to my office and says that the smell is coming from my office. Well, I haven’t done my nails in weeks and I haven’t been putting any nailpolish to stop the run in my nylons either, so she got me. Finally (I’m a bit slow) I realized what she was smelling was the markers for my whiteboard. Mystery solved. At least I know how to cover up my tracks if I do decide to paint my nails at work

This week I went for a mammogram and a breast ultrasound. This is the third time I have had a mammogram and the first time for the ultrasound. There are some variations in the recommended age to begin mammograms but many doctors recommend that women get a baseline mammogram at age 40 and then every one-to-two years afterward. If there is a family history of breast cancer, which is the case for me, then they recommend that you start earlier.

Many types of small tumours can be seen on a mammogram before they can be felt by a woman or her health professional. Cancer is most easily treated and cured when it is discovered in an early stage so it is important to keep up with the testing and to do a self-examination on a monthly basis.

Getting a mammogram is usually not too painful — if it is, just advise the radiologist to back off. Sometimes they can apply too much pressure or pull the skin around the breast area — some adjustments can make you more comfortable. They also suggest not having caffeine for 2 to 3 days prior to the exam if pain is an issue for you but I can’t vouch if that helps because I love my morning coffee.

Be good and take care

It has been a few years that I’ve been wanting to go to Hugh’s Room, a 200 seat music venue in the Roncesvalles area of Toronto, but haven’t had the chance until now. This weekend I finally got to go to Hugh’s Room and it was super lucky for me because I was introduced to a new musician: Willie P. Bennett. Actually, I didn’t get to hear Willie play because he passed away a month ago but I did get to hear a variety of musicians sing his songs and play tributes to him. He has great soul so if you like folks/roots type of music you should look for some videos on youtube. Pumpkin gets really excited when I play his music on my computer.

My work place is organizing a trip to China. Oh my how much I would love to go. It is too bad that I don’t get any vacation until July because I haven’t had a chance to explore that side of the world and I think it would be great if I can get out there. I haven’t taken a vacation in a long, long time so maybe I’m due for a super exciting one. Someone told me today that I should do it now that I’m young but I don’t think my youth is going to go away in a week. I’ve got some time on youth yet.

I have picked up the clay plate I painted a couple of weeks ago and I’m going to save it for the big plate smashing event. I don’t know which plate smashing event, but if someone is getting married, that may be the right time.

So many people are showing me their new computers and I haven’t bought my new computer yet — I’m such a slow poke

I now have health insurance that covers massage Guess what kind of therapy this gal is going for. I’ll let you know how/if my health improves with this treatment. It would be great if massage can ease wrist pain (caused by using the mouse too much) but it is sure to feel GOOD!

Easter is coming and I have chocolate on my mind. A benevolent soul has been keeping me stocked with chocolates so I haven’t been deprived, but since the sight of chocolate and easter eggs is everywhere, it is understandable that I think about it more than usual.

My Tammy has a bit of a belly on her and is considered a little over weight by her vet (obese was the nasty word he choose to use). So I try to get her to exercise but it can be hard work and I generally get more exercise out of it than she does. My vet gets frustrated with me and insinuates that I am not really trying so I created this video to prove that she won’t get out of her bed to fight the tickler. Oh, she’ll take a swipe at it if it comes within clawing distance but she won’t get out of bed to chase it down. Well, the upside of it is that she is toning her arms and is getting a bit of upper body workout. But the effort involved for me…well I guess it keeps me trim

Sorry, I’ve been too busy to write my blog. Life is a bit of a juggling act. Things are going great. Working hard but making time for playing too.

A quick update:

Going to go paint some ceramic tomorrow with a pal — should be fun. Brunch too.

Seemed to have lost my iPod cable. I think it fell out of my purse… Anyone have a spare?

My desk is collapsing on me. Need a remedy or maybe a new desk.

Need new computer too.

I received notice that I will get salary increase which makes me quite happy. Must celebrate!

Will try to attend Oprah’s New Earth workshop. Read most of book. Should try to complete workbook by Monday.

Jumping up and down is still not a painless option when I’m overjoyed.

Thinking about summer a lot. Thinking about what I want to do this summer. Lots of frolicking about.