The New Floodgates of the Mind

…and I’m currently a mess. We had a very teary farewell last night and only got to bed at about 2am… with a 6:30am wake-up call. In a way it was good we got so many tears out of the way last night because it helped us keep our composure this morning. We all held out until we said good-bye at the gate. But, it wasn’t too bad. I guess we were being strong for each other (weak smile). Her flight, if on schedule, should leave in about 5 minutes from now, which means she could be in Toronto before noon.

The kids… I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t exactly sure they knew what was going on although I suspected James understood. He was adamant last night that he come with us to the airport this morning. They were well-behaved and at the gate gave Chantale a big monkey-hug each 🙂 We waved good-bye and left. As we got through the parking gate and made our way onto the 520, James got very quiet and before I knew he, he burst into tears saying how much he missed her. Of course, I was tearing as well and attempted to console him while keeping an eye on the road. He calmed down after a bit and then, by the time we merged back onto the 40, I found Melyssa all bunched together. When I told her to sit up, I realized she was crying. No, she was bawling. All the way home I couldn’t console her enough. In fact, when we finally parked the car and got out, my mom was worried about why Melyssa was crying. When she told her that she was missing Chantale, my mom almost started crying.

It’s only a month. It’s only a month. It’s only a month. It’s only a month… but right now it feels like eternity…

Supper at my folks was nice tonight. Nothing outrageous, just a short meal. Afterwards, the kids opened up a few gifts and then we all came back upstairs. They each took a bath and got ready for bed, while Chantale kept running from one room to the next to keep gathering all the stuff she needs to take with her. I kept the laundy machine and dryer well fed and after a viewing of Frosty the Snowman with the kids, they went to bed.

So, Chantale is still packing and I figured I’d take some time to get a grip on my own stuff (while helping out when needed, of course 🙂 ). Her 12pm flight was cancelled so she had to reschedule for 10am. Thus, we’re leaving the house by about 7:30am tomorrow. Emotional farewell? Yeah, I can imagine. But I’m trying to stay strong (weak smile).

Supper at my folks is only at 6pm tomorrow, so I’ll have a whole afternoon with the kids to try to regain myself 🙂

As I was skipping lunch today in order to leave early, I ran out quickly because I had 2 quick stops to make: 1- pickup another New Zealand travel book for Chantale, and 2- pickup a bus pass for January. I head to the used book shop in the Faubourg and see a sign: buy 3, get one free. I think to myself, ‘no big deal – I never buy anything there as the prices are too high for used books’. Well. I start to look through the Entertainment Table (which really are the books I buy most) and the first thing to jump out at me? Julius Schwartz autobiography -Man of Two Worlds. At 7.99 there’s no way it’s staying there! I keep moving, and 3-4 Beatles book jump out at me, too! I flip through them and decide to hold onto them: Abbey Road to Zapple Records, Lennon in America, Tell Me Why (the Beatles: album by album, song by song).

I’m not even half-way through the table. Luckily, I know how to teach myself to stop. And I do. But not before I pick up a Bill Hana biography: Cast of Friends (after all, I have a Joe Barbera bio and they are, after all Hanna Barbera 🙂 ), and Star Trek Phase II (a book on how the second series in 1977 almost came to be… and later turned into the Motion Picture). With the New Zealand book, I just needed one free one. I searched but found nothing I liked until: Laurel & Hardy – From the Forties Forward (it’ll make a nice companion to my Abbott & Costello bio).

It would figure that today would be the day I decide NOT to bring my bag to work. 🙂

Wow. I’m gonna have a TON of things to read this month! Holey Moley!! 🙂

Where does the time go? Was in bed by 1am, up at 4am due to Melyssa needing her pump, and then tossed and turned for a bit trying to get to sleep knowing my alarm was due to ring at 6:20am. How in hell are you supposed to sleep expecting an alarm!?! Bah. Ended up resetting it for 7:15am and still made it out of the house by 8am. Felt like I was on another planet as I walked to the bus stop with NO ONE in sight. Weird.

Kids came over last night and had a blast opening stocking stuffers and gifts. It was Melyssa’s turn this year to get a sleeping bag (since we’re off camping with the Beavers in 2 weeks). She was so excited she wanted to sleep in it instead of her bed last night. Of course, James took out his bag, too (it’s identical actually) and slept in his. cute 🙂

Christmas this year was… peculiar. As opposed to being one-big-long joy-fest, it was more like a joy-fest with commercials. In other words, we had “moments” of joy and festivity interspersed with moments of… well.. not. (Heck, I came in to work this morning and found that I forgot to unplug the xmas lights I installed on my desk and they had burnt out… (shrug))

However, lots of goodies were indeed had at xmas time. Mainly, lots of nice shirts (I was really running ragged for a while), a humidor from my in-laws (way cool!), and lots of DVDs to go with our new DVD player 😉 The stocking stuffers the kids gave Chantale really hit, too. She was very suprised and very happy with them 🙂 (giggle) I like fun surprises!

Anyhow, I’m at work now. Had a bit of a rough morning but it’s all smoothed out now. Chantale’s going around today on last-minute business (getting her tickets, getting New Zealand and Australian dollars, etc). We were up late getting through the necessary packing lists (and freaking out for a bit trying to ensure she had the right baggage). Tomorrow… she flies off. Woah. It’s been a somewhat emotional weekend in that regards, but we’re holding up. I’m sure tomorrow will be another matter, though. The kids are quite sad that she’ll be gone for a month as well. She’s getting some jitters, too, but that’s mainly because there’s been SO much running around getting the plans finalized that she began to wonder if it was all worth it. I explained to her again how it IS worth it. She’ll have an amazing time. And I. Well, I’ll be counting the days, of course 🙂

Tonight, we have supper at my parents (since we can’t all be there tomorrow night). The kids will, of course, have more gifts to open. And probably a few more tomorrow when my sister and brother come over. And then one more on Jan 1st when the three of us head over to my in-laws for brunch. 🙂 Extended families may be rough some times, but you can’t deny that it makes for interesting times during the holidays 🙂

Maybe more later. If not, tomorrow. (btw, I have missed reading all your entries these last couple of days 🙂 )

Had supper at my brother’s place in St. Hubert, then headed out to church, and finally ended up at my in-laws. Lots of goodies received, including some snazzy shirts, a really cool water fountain, and finally, a humidor! Woah! 🙂

Merry Christmas, everyone!

And to all, a Good Knight! 🙂

See you in a couple of days!

Ok, who’s going to come with me to see Blue Rodeo at Theatre St. Denis??

They’re there for 3 nights, but I can only go on Jan 16th.

Yup. Subdued seems to be the right word to describe Xmas Eve so far. Coming out of the house this morning and finding snow on the ground was a nice touch. Driving to work (and actually being able to since there was hardly any traffic!) was nice and the cold made it feel all right.

But in the office, there aren’t that many kids (especially compared with last year) and the food only came out an hour ago (compared with last year) and there just doesn’t seem to be that many people or laughter (although there is some). It’s a little strange, but subdued seems to fit it more.

But the food is very yummy, though 🙂 Of course I’m only trying to nibble since I’ll basically be eating TOO often today and probably too much for the rest of the week! 🙂

I got the latest Bad Signal today and Warren Ellis explains it. He’s feeling what I’m feeling but at least he’s able to put it out right. Here it is:

bad signal
WARREN ELLIS

I wonder how many people really felt the heartpunch of Joe Strummer dying. Without The Clash, punk had no focussed political voice, and without that, the 1980s would’ve sounded very different. It’s the Clash that informed west coast American punk. It’s the Clash that told Billy Bragg that, yes, he could make songs about what was in his head, long before he found Woody Guthrie. Acts like Chumbawamba are the thinnest echo of what the Clash could be. Without the Clash, punk would’ve turned into nothing but bloody Sham 69.

Pausing to think about it, Joe Strummer sitting down and dying at 50 isn’t that much of a surprise. He pulled some infamous geographicals, disappearing on three-week binges, losing his shit on stage and harvesting fans with the edge of his guitar. These are not things conducive to a healthy cardiac system, believe me.

But it’s still a punch in the guts. Mick Jones faded away — kept moving as long as he could, with “E=MC2”, “V-13”, the autumnal “Good Morning Britain”, and then vanished into the mist. Joe Strummer kept moving. Looked back maybe once, with the Pogues, on a storming cover of “Honky Tonk Woman.” But that was it. Kept doing new things, formed new bands, developed, pushed forward. And sure, not as many people were listening. The Clash suicided around 1985, and Strummer walked away from music for what was probably a crucial period.

But a year or two ago, Strummer was flying home from Australia with his family. Economy class. His stepdaughter was giving him shit about it: “I thought you were a big-deal rockstar.” He told her to cope with it. And then a member of the cabin crew spotted him. Said, stay here. I’m moving you to first class. You’re Joe Strummer and in 1981 I saw you live and you changed my life and you are going to fly first class. Strummer talked about it in a newspaper, with utter disbelief.

Joe Strummer had glory about him. Listen to “London’s Calling” and tell me I’m wrong.

I was talking to Laurenn about this yesterday — probably the only person I was talking to yesterday who really understood what was going on in my head, Niki won’t get it until Vince Clarke or Meat Loaf pop their clogs — and she said something to the effect of, If I’m this sad today, what will it feel like when Exene Cervenka goes? That sent me to Lydia Lunch’s website, my own personal touchstone from that era.

But that’s the thing about losing your youth. All your touchstones start dropping away into dark water.

And I live on a river.

— W

Wow.

Chantale and I just got back from Lord of the Rings: Two Towers.

Wow.

Absolutely mind-blowing. SO much stuff happening on screen.

Wow.

I’ll answer to Lord Aragon now 🙂

Ever hear that song? By Sheryl Crow? I often feel like that these days. Running from one thing to the other and back again and off again and one more time! 🙂 This weekend was definitely a case of going all over. Starting from Friday night with picking up the kids from school, going home, starting to clean up (if you can imagine this, it took me about 3 hours in total to wash and dry all the dishes that had piled up over the weekend!!), off to Picasso’s for a nice meal with Chantale, the kids, and Jeff. At home, Chantale was totally fed up with how Melyssa excema was just NOT getting better and thus headed off to the pharmacy to try to get her some 1% cream. They wouldn’t give it to her without a prescription and so Saturday morning I got up at 8am and attempted to get an appointment for Melyssa at Tiny Tots (this, after being up till about 4am chatting with Chantale). Appointment made, I took off to Wal-Mart and Zellers for some last minute-gifts (at 9:30am) and then to the copy shop to drop off the copies needed for Comicopia. Went back home, picked everyone up, and headed off to the clinic. Melyssa and I went in while Chantale and James went to Fruiterie 440. From there, we headed home for a quick lunch and then, while Chantale and the kids stayed home to bake cookies and continue cleaning up, I headed off to Maxi for groceries, Jean Coutu for Melyssa’s prescriptions, a speciality store to get an halogen bulb that had burnt months ago, the post office to try to get special mailing envelopes for Comicopia (they don’t make them any more!), back to the copy shop to get the copies, and back to Jean Coutu to get the filled prescription!

Are you dizzy yet? I am!

Finally got home just in time to rush through a shower and continue preparation for supper. My best man and his wife were coming over and as it was one of my “speciality” meals, I was getting everything ready food-wise (outside of what Chantale had already prepared – table, candles, dip). It turned out to be a really good meal, btw. With some good wine and excellent coffee 🙂 We chatted till way past midnight. I couldn’t believe I was able to stay up that late on just 4 hours of sleep from the previous night!

Sunday wasn’t that bad/hectic (outside of having to get up early because the kids were making noise). We went to church, then to the in-laws (yes, I’ve considered Chantale’s parents as In-Laws for a while now 🙂 ), for some coffee and German Donuts. Afterwards, Chantale and I went looking for Aqua Babies while the kids stayed behind to help with the baking of Apple Cakes 🙂 When we finally got home, the kids took their baths, I made supper, and we had a pretty nice fourth advent meal. We took them back (after enjoying a Petro Canada car-wash) and then headed off to pick something up for Xmas.

When we got home, we ended up turning around and heading back to the West Island for some Apple Cider at Second Cup 🙂 Crazy 🙂 A few hours later, got back home and wrapped a few more gifts before calling it a night. And still, it wasn’t lights out until after midnight…

I may be losing a lot of sleep lately, but considering it’s been filled with making the best and most of my time with Chantale, you won’t hear me complaining 🙂

Work today has been busy as well but I’m glad it’s almost over. I’m looking forward to going home even though I’ve got a stop to make at the Copy Shop again as well as another Post Office run before getting some food and then heading out to see Lord of the Rings 2 !!! 🙂

wow. that was a lot of writing. of course this means there’ll be no replies/ comments/ posts on it… 🙂