Work Musings

We are deep in the land of convention planning these days. Between now and May, things just get more and more intense and the overwhelming stress and anxiety, sleepless nights and urges to vomit that come along each year with our big conference are settling in. This year's meeting is my colleague's first - she joined us in September and the Halifax convention will be her baptism by fire.

It's only the two of us here in the Montreal office which means that if we didn't jive, coming in to work each day would be a nightmare. But, thankfully, after working for six years with 'the devil wears Walmart', I'm finally working with someone who is not only really incredible at her job, but who I actually look forward to seeing every day.

The Halifax convention this year is from May 31 - June 3rd which means our set up day is May 30. Simon's birthday. My little boy chose the most in-opportune time to be born - right around conference season. My body was likely so used to being stressed out at that time of year - it popped him out 4 weeks early. Last year I just had to fly to Toronto so I managed to get a late night flight allowing us to have supper and cake together. This year, I leave on the 29th which means I'm not here at all on his birthday. I've already warned my colleagues that I will likely be cursing profusely, crying intermittently and drinking during breakfast on the 30th. We'll have his party on the Saturday before and he's still young enough to not really realize which date is his actual birthday, but I KNOW when it is and not being there cuts me apart.

On a lighter side, I must share a public inquiry we received earlier this week which I cut and paste verbatim: "Can you please tell me why the bottom of my feet are so hot , TENDER and a bit swollen. Thank you." And to top that one - this was the closing line of an email from one of my residents: "I'll try not to get undressed in the bar this time." I couldn't make these up if I tried.

The cleaning service in the office space we moved into last February is horrible. I've been here in the evenings when they come in. They are armed with huge caddies of cleaning supplies but none of them ever seem to get used. A typical cleaning routine involves someone emptying the garbage cans by just dumping out the contents without changing any of the bags. I think I've had the same Starbucks-streaked, gum stuck, post-it note clad garbage bag in my can for a year now. They then vaccuum the main path around the front area (never inside the individual offices) and are done. Our kitchenette has now moved into the 'dirty bachelor' level of filth. We keep saying we're going to clean it top to bottom ourselves but it never seems to happen. Both of us put a shake of Crystal Light in our water every day so most of the floors and counter are covered in a layer of powder. I fear our boss is going to send us for drug testing if we don't get the white stuff cleaned up soon.

We turn the page...

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Rich's father, Stanislaw. He died last Wednesday at the age of 74. We'd been waiting for 'the call' since the Sunday previous. He was hospitalized with pneumonia the week before and on Sunday night, his residence called us to tell us he wouldn't last the night. He hung on until Wednesday thus proving to everyone one last time how strong he really was.

He had been in ill health for several years - suffering the worst of his strokes just over two years ago which left him unable to speak and then eventually unable to walk. Simon never really knew him as a result. A man of few words (especially in English), I really hardly knew him myself. But I am forever grateful that he came to this country and bore a son who stole my heart. Simon carries on the family name with pride. We will tell him loads of stories about his Dziadek.

Here he is in better times with Rich and a very, very newborn Simon (2 weeks old) on Father's Day 2003.