Secrets From The Desert

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." It's also when the heat is turned on, and every microbe of dust finds its place near me. Spoiler Alert: I have a cold. This writing is about the fantastic things I did to stay healthy. 

• The Love of My Life aka Dettol - We play a game together. My childhood favourite game was Hide and Seek. In this game, the dust is to be found. I am the seeker, and Dettol is the one who screams, "Dust, I found you in the trim over the doorway!" The best part: obliteration. You can't do that to most things. That's why I love Dettol. Its tagline: "Effective protection from Germs that cause Infections" 
• Water - My Uncle usually brings me bottles of Eska. I assure you, I am aware of the evils of plastic. This is a luxury I allow because having a bottle of water means I will drink more water. Also, there is a tangible recollection of what I have consumed. To compensate environmentally, I research how and where items can be reused in communities (instead of, being recycled or thrown away) 
• Homemade Caesar Salad- What I am going to address (get it? address? dressing?) is the chemistry of garlic. The dressing was put in a glass jar, and left in the fridge for an hour, merely for convenience. What happened was a marvel. The garlic saturated everything. Add crispy, hydrating romaine lettuce and it's like jumping in a lake, on a hot humid day. 

As previously stated, I got a cold anyway. So why for cotton picking sakes am I telling you this? It makes me feel good. A cold is a virus we receive from others. Let's not forget care. If we stayed away from every one, we possibly could protect ourselves from sickness. Where is the love in that? 

Clam

There is a story about how pearls are made. A piece of sand gets stuck, and as the oyster, annoyed, tries to be rid of it, a pearl is formed. Oh, how cute. I just read an article on depression; and while, some of it was valid, it has also annoyed me to no end. Yes, I did have a healing experience when I freaked out over a negative situation. Instead of being ignored (as was common in the workplace bullying season) steps were taken within my community to deal with sexual abuse, large scale. That was pretty awesome.

What annoyed me is that the article seemed to express: after a depressed person gets beyond the ruminating of negative situations by receiving support from others, they will be healed. They will have found the answer for which they were seeking. How is that possibly annoying? Well, in and of itself it is virtuous. What has happened in my case is that I have had people pressure me. Anytime I'd be feeling well, and take up a task, certain people felt they had to push my limits...so I could get better. Gee thanks.

What annoys me is how people feel they have to have a handle on my illness. They have to provide a solution. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if it was from a place of genuine care. I feel like I am their project, and should get well so they can be a success.

Smile - The Guide to My Toothpaste

On this I can depend. I have a toothpaste for whatever faces me.

My Toothpaste Guide

• Foaming. There is something absolutely glorious about brushing your teeth in the shower. To fully enjoy it, the toothpaste has to foam, and run out of your mouth. As you raise your head to the faucet, allow the water to swirl in your mouth. It's like a giant waterpick. 

• Cinammon or Tea Tree Oil. You've just had a coffee. You know you're going to eat soon, but there's a gooey film over your tongue, and you are not inclined to it. You drink water; and yet, it still exists. You don't want to use flouride. These toothpastes are perfect. They clean out the taste of coffee without leaving a residue. You can brush your teeth and not concern yourself with whether you eat right away or not.

• The Super Duper "I'm more than you ever imagined possible". This toothpaste will continue to work for you, fighting off bacteria and keeping colds at bay. Use it before you go to bed. If you still feel vulnerable, you can follow up with mouthwash, and put a drop of tea tree oil in each ear. 

I can't control what happens from day to day. What I can do, is face it with a smile. 

Do You Miss Toronto?

"I don't need you like the stars don't need the sky. I won't love you longer than the day I die. You don't thrill me when you hold me; No, not much. My head gets hazy from your cool and crazy touch. Baby, if you ever go, Could I take it? Maybe so. Oh, but would I like it; No, not much." - Song No Not Much

My friend and I were going for a walk when we found a quaint place. The server was talkative and friendly. When she asked, "Do you miss Toronto?" it stuck with me.

All of us do whatever we have to do. There are bills to pay, and other responsibilities. The most important responsibility to which I've responded is my heart.  I know that can be dangerous, so here's to hoping the people surrounding me are somewhat wise.
It was not a heart motive that led me to move to Elliot Lake. Stuff happened, and it was an opportunity to gather myself together. That was over a year ago. I came back and visited Toronto in that time, and the same 'stuff ' was happening. I  made the decision to stay in Elliot Lake.

Yes, I miss Toronto. I was born here. I ran my first marathon here. I found my dog and my cat here. And it's more than that. Toronto entices me to be socially involved. That's a big deal for some one who could spend forty-eight hours in a room, reading a paperback.

Yes, I miss Toronto. Then, I think of the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Sometimes there is no major plan. You just grab a last beer at the pub, and then hang on for dear life, as you journey to your next destination.  And the people seem really strange, because they're nothing like those from 'home', but you deal with it, knowing that 42 can be reduced to 21.

And so, I rejoice in my youth. And I let the days of my youth cheer me. There is much sadness, when I consider my loss. And I'm not yet at the place where my settlement is a gain, but I am young. Finally. I am young. While all that once surrounded me grows old.

More than 140 Characters

Well, hello there. Just a minute. I< have to find something to make me feel more comfortable.> [bottle of water, pillow, _________ ] That's better. (music in the background- "Free Your Mind, and the Rest Will Follow")

It's kind of [weird, awkward, exhilarating]  typing something that is more than 140 characters.

                                                               ***************

There was nothing on television. The last two minutes were about how to survive a snowmobile accident in water/ice. Let's hope that never happens. [intermittent pause] I decided to write instead! ("I am dying to live" -quote by Metallica)

Confirmed. Twitter has got me wrapped up like a bow on a Christmas tree...most of the time. Today, was a special time with the dog. We used to have this 'time' every week. Today, I kept feeling like there was something I should do. Anything. Be productive. It was like I was trying to convince myself out of enjoying the day with my fluffy puppy.

Fortunately, she was full of energy. We had just a completed a 6 hr [drive, tour, ____________ ]
When she made her way to the bus stop, the bus was coming, so we hopped on. There was another little dog. He had to sit on the floor. I am certain it is not easy being a little dog.

We then took the subway to The Danforth, and got the MOST AMAZING beef souvlaki, which we shared together, at the fountain. I bought potato chips that have been made in avocado oil, special salad dressing, and bubble gum Pop Rocks. We walked westbound.

When we got to the bridge, I sang. PixietheDog loves music. I [looked, stared, ____________ ] over the DVP and sang ("I'm on the Top of the World, Looking down on creation, And the only explanation I can find, Is the love that I found ever since you've been around" by The Carpenters) Pixie wagged her tail.

It's now 1am. TV Guide used to be my favourite magazine. I'm not sure I want to subject myself to bloody crimes scenes, and survival skill stories again, so I think I'll do something else on the computer. [mumbling] Wish I brought the jigsaw puzzle.

Toronto Maple Leafs- The Game of the PowerPlays

The Toronto Maple Leafs just lost. Every goal scored against them occurred on a power play. This is the game that happened while I am in Toronto. If I was superstitious, I would consider it a bad omen. Instead, I am smiling with the very realization that I am physically in Toronto.

I have spent the past year living in Northern Ontario. It is really beautiful, but for me, maddening. I love details and stimuli. Where I live, there is water, trees, and rocks. That's it. Everywhere you go. All the houses look the same. The city was developed in 1958, as a mining community. It happened really fast, so not a lot of thought was put into the dwellings. The people who live there, are the people who moved there because some one in the family was a miner.

When it was discovered that uranium causes terminal lung problems, the mines were shut down. Every one there grew up together, and went through these hardships together.  Some people have a lot of money, and collect vehicles. One of the guys I see at the pub always carries a thousand dollars in cash. It fascinates me, and I have yet to tell him of my desire to organize his bills. I've had a job counting cash and depositing it, but to have so much in one's own wallet is mind-boggling.

Anyway, last time I lived in Toronto, I followed my heart and moved downtown. The commute to my Mississauga office job became too much, so I quit, thinking I would get permanent employment. I was so close to the Financial District. How could there not be work?

I had incredible experiences working in events, my default job. It was the perfect place for me. I love meeting new people, and being a part of what is happening. I also ran a dog walking/housecleaning business. And lived off credit. Until I lost my place. I knew which bridge I wanted to live under, but it never came to that. The last few months at my downtown apartment were amazing. I often walked my dog along the trail of Rosedale Valley Blvd.

I can relate to the way the Leafs lost. It may not be the way they see it. The way I see it, is they were scored against when they were one-man down. They came back, and they fought, but in the end, it wasn't enough. It sounds sad. It would be nice if they won. But there is something far more important. They bear the name: Toronto. Yeah, I need a job/money. I am "one man down". But I am in Toronto.

Razor - High Speed Metal