Music, Mugs, and Digital Meetings

Once again, I find myself in front of the keyboard at the end of the week. It’s time to look at the week with the kind of introspection some people like to subject themselves to–and others run away from with the intensity of a Hollywood disaster movie.

The road between my house and the bus stop is lined with a lovey park on one side and a group of shops that occupy an unusual series of buildings on the other. What I mean is that they look more like a small villa than a shopping centre–that is until you reach the Asian store located across the parking lot–that is unmistakably a supermarket. Many of these stores have an upscale image and must survive on a well heeled clientele–some of the stores are far too niche to survive otherwise. There are a few restaurants, some designer boutiques, a comic book shop, a Dutch bakery, and a children’s book store. There are also a number of other stores, but I don’t do much shopping there.

As I got off the bus on Thursday, I noticed a number of tents set up in the small parking lot. I was curious, but I was also pretty tired from teaching. I couldn’t make anything out, but since I had never seen tents in that parking lot….well, my curiosity got the better of me. As I got closer, I could see that someone was on the microphone and playing a rather large instrument. I didn’t get very close, but I got close enough that the person who turned out to be the singer invited us over. I generally don’t like being picked out of crowd like that…but I guess since there were only two of us that isn’t really a crowd. We approached.

As I took up position near the events, a person approached us to explain that this was a performance put on by the Aurora Cultural Centre–which has been somewhat homeless since the Aurora Library and library square started renovations. The performer was Sophie Lukacs and in addition to singing also plays the 21 stringed Kora. Her voice was quite good and the instrument was unique. She was singing a kind of folk music on an instrument I had never heard or seen before. I really enjoyed it. We spent a bit of time listening, but weariness overtook us and we headed home. For the short time we were there, it was great to enjoy the music.

On Friday, a student presented me with a fabulous gift. It was a large coffee mug emblazoned with “the best Teacher ever.” What I need to explain about this person and this mug is that while she has been at the school, she wasn’t actually my student. During some part of the pandemic, she joined my online class from Brazil. I had other online students, but at the time, she was one of the very few that weren’t actually in Canada, or more specifically in Toronto. She had internet issues and eventually paused her studies.

Some time ago, she decided to do her last two weeks in person. She toured around the country first. I knew this because I follow her on Instagram. When she showed up at the school, she knocked on the teacher’s door to introduce herself. Because I had been following her, and because she is pretty memorable, I was able to say her name before she introduced herself. She was relieved, or happy. or some emotion like that. So that’s how I earned my mug and title without actual teaching.

Today, in the midst of writing this post, my two best friends and I got together for a video chat. I am so grateful for technology. It was good to hear what both of them had been up to. These are the same people I met up with recently in my post One More for the Road. It is with pride that I say I have had the same friends for more than 30 years. We’ve all got our adventures and I am glad to see we are all living an interesting life.

I hope everyone reading this has a Monday that is somewhat better than your average Monday.

If you found this post interesting, please visit the ongoing site where this post originated from. It can be found at todaysperfectmoment.wordpress.com

Hot Chocolate in a Snowman Mug

The writing of this blog is an act of introspection on my part. I have written about it before….at length. Rather than repeat myself and explain how I choose the what I am going to write about, I would rather explain a little bit about what happens, sometimes, after I choose. This will also explain why this isn’t the post I meant to write for you.

Sometime before now, and I can’t really be that specific, I chose a Moment for Today’s Perfect Moment. I spun it around in my head, possibly composed the either the first few lines of this blogpost, or had some ideas of what I was going to write. Then I forgot it. It completely slipped my mind and no amount of prodding was going to bring that back. Since this has been happening with quite a bit more frequency, I could apply the same solution I have been using lately–that is to say, I could just skip writing the blog and go to bed.

The other option, and the one I am going to take (this time), is to write about my back up Perfect Moment. It might have come in second, but that is because I had already chosen the original topic and completely forgot it. Regardless, let us begin.

Some days you just need a cup of hot chocolate. That’s a bold statement, but no bolder than “some days, you need a good/strong cup of coffee, In my case, it was too late for a cup of coffee and I was craving something sweet.

I was on the couch, watching a documentary about Ernest Hemingway that I had recorded from the PBS station across the border (WNED). It had been on my PVR for quite some time. I had missed the first episode and was reluctant to start on the second. The first had covered my favourite Hemingway book–the Sun Also Rises–and I was less interested in the rest. On this day, however, I decided to hit play and see what it was all about.

Of course, I needed something to drink while watching. I briefly considered something stronger in solidarity with Hemingway, but ultimately rejected it. Instead, I reached into the cupboard and got down the snowman mug (a cross between Frosty and Raymond Briggs’ snowman). I made the hot chocolate, went back to the TV, considered the mug and all its holiday implications, glanced over at the tree and the already wrapped gifts underneath, and pressed play. If only it had been lightly snowing outside.

The program was quite good.

A Gift of a Book

Do you give books as gifts? This questions is rhetorical. Whatever you write (or don’t write but think to yourself) in response probably won’t change my thoughts on the subject. I truly love to give books as gifts.

I gave my girlfriend a book as one of her birthday gifts. She had mentioned having a copy, but since that one is in another country, and air travel is still difficult, that copy might as well be buried in the back of a lost and found room at a major train station–no, I don’t know why I thought of it that way. As you’ll see, books conjure lots of images in my head.

When choosing a book for someone, it probably falls into three categories (when I started writing this paragraph I only thought of two. In the space of ten words, I had to totally revise my ideas.) These categories are:

1. A book you love that you want to share with everyone (Barney’s Version, Waterland, A Prayer for Owen Meany, ….)
2. A book you think is perfect for them–why you think it is “perfect” for them is a matter of conjecture, but I don’t have time to discuss that or why we are so often wrong in this area.
3. A book they expressed a desire to read or that is quite popular at the moment. ( I suppose this could be two things, but not always)

The first of these is pretty easy. We all have books we love and we want to share. Sometimes we can’t give the book, but we can recommend it hard enough that we might as well have driven the person to the bookstore, slapped the copy to their chest and taken the money from their wallets to pay for it. (see what I mean by those images). If they were smart they could just go to the library and borrow it for free–but that doesn’t do much for creating an image unless your library is one of those beautiful museum style libraries they always managed to show in films. Don’t be surprised or upset if they don’t love it as much as you do. How could they?

Is there a book you have given as gift multiple times?

The second is much harder. If you know them well, and you are well read, you may well be great at this. I am not so good at this. My oldest sister reads broadly and I cannot really discern what she would like that she hasn’t already read. My second sister would rather reread Helter Skelter than find a new book. My youngest sister has a passion for Canadian literature. Sadly, I only know of one bookstore that makes an effort to have a Canadian section. It is near my workplace, but since the start of the Pandemic, it really hasn’t been available to me. It features used books, but my youngest sister doesn’t mind. She sees it as more environmentally friendly and more cost effective. My father would like another series like Lonesome Dove. My mother is really into biographies. My girlfriend likes Harry Potter and the Horse Whisperer. Since I have already bought those, I am going to be hard pressed to come up with something next time.

As for getting books that are “hot” or “popular”–this explains why I have copies of the Satanic Verses, A Brief History of Time, and the Complete Solution to the Rubik’s Cube. They were good reads, but I haven’t heard any of them spoken of since.

As for me, these days, I have been collecting books about bicycle maintenance and the science of riding better and stronger. I have collected some DIY and woodworking books (with many more on my Amazon wishlist). I picked up a few classics from the bargain table back when the bookstore was open. I have been reading about the fascinating history of postage stamps and their place in critical historical events.

I do hope stores will open up again and maybe I can go rummaging through a used bookstore in hopes of finding something unique–like the time I came across seven Harlan Ellison novels in a used bookstore in London Ontario. After all, the hunt is the amazing part.

Is there a book or series of books you are looking for? Is there a book you found in the most unlikely of places that you would like to tell us about?

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What Your Amazon Wish List Says About You

I don’t know exactly how it started, but we were having a family discussion about Amazon wish lists.  I think my mother was wondering what to buy my sister for her birthday.  My mother knew that I had a wish list and then started to quiz me on who had a wish list.  She asked if my sister had one.  I replied yes.  She then asked if my other sister had one.  While I wasn’t sure, I hedged my bets and said I thought so.  After a few more names, she wondered aloud if everyone had one.  My only reply was that everyone should.  It would save a lot of hassle when it came to buying them gifts.

On numerous occasions, my family and friends have expressed relief that I had several wish lists to choose from.  They had no trouble finding gifts for me.  My nephew was surprised when he saw a desk lamp on my list.  He wondered if I truly wanted it even after he bought it and gave it to me.  I was happy to tell him that it was a central part of my stamp collecting desk and that I had ordered the same one for my hobby room.

Today, I spent a bit of time perusing my list.  I am also reading Malcolm Gladwell’s “Talking to Strangers” and I had just read a chapter in which people are analyzing other people by the words they wrote down on a random blank word quiz.  While it struck me as complete nonsense that you could judge people based on this (and I think the psychologists who planned the tests weren’t testing the people who wrote the words, but rather the people who used the words to make judgments about them) I started to wonder if we could judge someone based on what is on their Amazon wish list.

When I go to people’s houses, if I have the opportunity, I always check out their bookshelf.  Most of the time, I am looking for books I can borrow rather than judging their literary taste, but there is probably some judgement in there too.

Going through my list I can make a few generalizations….or conclusions….maybe some confessions.  In no particular order:

• I must still secretly want to become fluent in Japanese since I have a few grammar books and other learning materials on the list.
• I need to let go of some old TV series even though they are cult classics, I don’t spend nearly as much time watching TV series these days. Do I really need to see all three seasons of Forever Knight?
• Also, my taste in TV is a little questionable.
• My days as an English literature major haven’t totally deserted me.  There are still a bunch of classics and post modern works that I want to read and a few I want to reread.
• My hobbies are well represented on my wish lists.  I probably spend more time reading about my hobbies than actually pursuing them.  It is probably a good thing I haven’t found a whole bunch of books on blogging–I know they are out there, but I have avoided the temptation of looking.  The first chapter probably starts out telling me I am doing everything wrong.
• Why haven’t I pulled the trigger on the hardcover complete set of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons?  Why?
• There are still a lot of Japanese things on my list.
• I need to edit my list a bit more often.  There are some items that haven’t been in stock for years.
• Sometimes I put things on the list only because I want to remember them, but not actually own them.  If they are books, I usually find them at the library, read them, and then delete them from my list.
• Why did I put a six thousand dollar bike took kit on my list?  I will never buy it.  Even if they gave it to me for free, I probably could only use fewer than 20 pieces of it.
• It is probably good that I have access to Amazon from Canada and not the US.  I know there is way more stuff available there.

I’d love to know what are the oddest, most expensive, or oldest things on your wish list.

That’s a Wrap

 

Before explaining Today’s Perfect Moment, I want to explain a few of the Honourable Mentions.

Honourable Mentions

A couple of my students gave me going away presents. I often get presents, but since Today was Valentine’s Day, I expected their chocolate/gift budget would be oriented toward their significant others.  Since it wasn’t, I got a lovely bookmark and two boxes of Lindt Chocolate.  Despite the Valentine’s Day theme, I don’t think these were for Valentine’s Day.

Preparation for the trip continues to roll on.

The temperature was into double digit lows plus the wind-chill but I didn’t have to wait for a bus today. When I arrived at the stops, the bus was already there waiting.

My lunch tasted good.

Today’s Perfect Moment

My teaching hours changed this past week. While I didn’t appreciate the shorter work hours and now have to find creative ways to recover them, there is one thing I did enjoy.  I finished work early on a Friday for the first time since….actually I don’t remember when it was.  I suspect it was mid Spring last year.

Normally I have to teach until 6:30 on a Friday. By the time, I get my administrative duties completed and putting stuff back, it is closer to 7 before I can leave the building.  Today was different.  I walked out the door at 3:30.  The sun was still shining!

I should also add that this was my last day of work until my vacation is over. This made it extra-special.  Obviously, it is Today’s Perfect Moment.  It also didn’t feel too bad when everyone wished me a great vacation either.

Appreciation

I am still not completely processed the whole, I’m now 50 thing yet. However, I have had to write that on a few forms and it is starting to sink in.  Expect some blogs in the next few days to focus on whether or not I feel any different.  In the meantime, I would like to write a short blog of appreciation.

While it wasn’t a surprise party, I wasn’t the one inviting people and I had no idea what was going to happen. I expected to see my friends and family, but I wasn’t expecting that any of them bring gifts.  While I was mistaken in that, I was blown away by their generosity.

What surprised me most is how well the people in my life know me. The gifts clearly reflect that people know me quite well.  And I thought I was a mysterious enigma.  Obviously not.

While this isn’t Today’s Perfect Moment, it is a Perfect Moment.

And, yes, my friend brought me a can of Labatt 50 to mark the occasion.  Apparently, according to the person at either the beer store or LCBO (I don’t remember where he bought it)  this is “a thing” and it happens at least once a week.

Hiking Boots: Check!

Armed with gift cards from my 50th birthday, I headed to Mountain Equipment Co-op to get some hiking boots. Part of my next adventure is a four day hike and I didn’t think it was wise to tackle it in sandals–regardless of how much I like them.

Going to the store is both wonderful and horrible at the same time. There is so much stuff that I want,  that I believe I need , that I believe I deserve…you see where this is going don’t you?  It wouldn’t take much of an effort to spend this month’s mortgage payment on equipment and stuff for my next two trips and cycling adventures.

I decided to get the boots today because I should break them in a bit before I leave. I have enough lead time that this is possible and shouldn’t present a problem.  These are not winter boots, but they are waterproof so I don’t suppose a few laps around the block will hurt them unless I come upon a big salt pile.

In addition to buying the boots and some expensive socks, I spent time talking to the sales associates. Though this is a retail store, the people who work there have all swallowed the kool-aid for the outdoor lifestyle.  They’ve got practical experience to help me and also have given me some questions I had better find answers to before I leave–mostly about the climate conditions of where I am going and how we will be transported.  Having the right clothing on the hike could make a difference in my comfort and enjoyment level.

I managed to leave the store without breaking the bank. I did spend a bit of time lusting over some bike parts, though.  I also lingered a bit too long at the Go Pro counter.  There is just too much to look at and dream about at that particular store.

Is there a store which makes you want to spend every dollar you have?  Is there something you really want, but can’t justify the price?

Celebrating a Milestone

Today’s Perfect Moment is a no-brainer.  Friends and family came to celebrate my Birthday.  Though it wasn’t the exact day, it was still wonderful to gather everyone and enjoy some cake.  I also happened to get some presents, which were not necessary, but greatly appreciated.  Thanks to everyone for getting together to help me celebrate.

Some reflecting on this milestone will need to be done, but until then, I will just share some pictures.

Watching the Panic

With my shopping done, and, in fact, most of the gifts already opened by my family and loved ones, my mission to find the last stocking stuffer was a pretty simple one. My mother loves Japanese Milky candies and the only place to get them is at T&T, the Asian grocery store which has a branch not too far from my house.

As I said, I had a clear game plan, but I think I was the only one. I made only two stops, and the second was mainly out of curiosity.  What I witnessed was a frenzied buying spectacle.  Clearly some last minute shoppers were desperately searching for gifts and their behaviour evoked scenes from several zombie apocalypse films I have seen.  There was no plan and they were just hoping to stumble upon a gift that they hadn’t already stumbled upon in the days and weeks leading up to this.  The panic in their eyes was unmistakable.

I know I shouldn’t mock too hard as I have been one of them and this year’s early completion is a fluke, or perhaps having learned my lesson years before, I no longer wanted to be part of the crowd desperately looking for something on the 24th of December.

After tiring of the spectacle, I decided to go and have a chicken Shawarma at a Pita place. I think I made the right choice.

Christmas Three Days Early

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Owing to a typical family situation, it isn’t possible for everyone to gather in one place on Christmas day. Families have branches and extensions and some broken branches.  The world is a hectic place and traffic has only gotten worse.

What does all this mean? It means that I had one of my Christmases on Sunday.  Three days before Christmas is quite good as I can recall having celebrated a full two weeks before the date. However, since they start playing Christmas music and decorating the mall from Halloween (or before) it wasn’t as hard as you think to get in the mood.

If you read about my problems with Canada Post, please rest assured that I got replacement gifts for almost everything that wasn’t delivered. In fact, I bought most of the same stuff at the Indigo Bookstore on a weekend that saw me get a twenty percent discount on prices that were almost as good as Amazon’s to begin with.  I think we will call that a win.

I was most excited to give my gifts to my youngest nephews and niece. I bought them bottle rocket kits and a dexterity puzzle.  I also grabbed some kinetic sand to replace the slime that wasn’t delivered.  Probably just as good.  They seemed to like it, but were somewhat more excited about the colouring books that I picked up at the dollar store.

It would be hard to pick out the Perfect Moment from all of that, but some contenders include:

• my nephew calling his dad (my brother) and “old cranky man.”
• my sister taking a sip of scotch and grimacing as it burned its way down her throat
• hearing an older nephew explain why his tattoo was a better investment than keeping his car in running shape.
• having my girlfriend with me.  We had just started dating last year and I didn’t want to subject her to the chaos of family Christmas, lest I scared her off.  Now, all bets are off.
• outsmarting my girlfriend by knowing the difference between lunch, supper, and dinner–and having the Oxford dictionary back me up.
• listening to my father rail against the Amazon’s of the world and how they would be the death of retail stores.
• tasting a different take on nanaimo bars–I am not too clear on it, but I think mint was involved
• giving my sister a collection of Roald Dahl books and noting that everyone had read James and the Giant Peach as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
• having the first turkey dinner since Canadian Thanksgiving in October
• talking hockey and Don Cherry
• wondering why my Dad’s Christmas tree looked worse than the one from the Charlie Brown Christmas
• eating on time–this is an inside family joke