a union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife

[primroseburrows]

• Eeeeeeee! The only thing is, I dunno if I should go because tapped_trish's baby might decide to show up when I'm four hours away. Or he/she might decide to show up before, or after, in which case, hmm...
  
  
• You say "covered in muck" like it's a BAD thing.
  
  
• Speaking of which, here's a tiny news blurb on the subject.
  
  
• FIC REC: Every once in a blue moon I come across a story that I'm positive I've read only to find that er, no I haven't, I just thought I had because I've known about it for so long and it's part of the Fandom Primer of Fic Everyone's Read. So, um. It turns out I hadn't read minervacat's That's Where All of the Gangsters Live, and if some you haven't either (and check, you may just think you have), you need to go do that. It's Ray K gen with a little F/K and a dash of Stella thrown in, but mostly it's Ray/Chicago.
  
  I love stories that paint pictures of the landscape anyway (nos4a2no9 does this. Go read her stuff, especially her beautiful F/K story The Price of Distance), and this one is great because it also paints an amazing picture of Ray K., and character studies are another one of my favourite kinds of stories. It's also a good intro for someone just peeking into dS fandom. And yay, now I want to go to Chicago. *adds to list*
  
  
• I need to make a plan for my life. Like, I have to get my BSN and I really want to finish up the doula certification. And then there's the whole thing about where I'm going to live (NOT IN PAWTUCKET, DEAR GODS NO). I also want to do travel nursing, which is one reason I need the BSN: Certain Countries Which Shall Remain Nameless expect you to have one to work as an RN), I have a vague idea of all of this stuff, but no organized plan. I should maybe sit down with a Life Coach or something, but I've always thought Life Coaching to be silly, so, um.
  
  
• Book Rec: The Long Exile by Melanie McGrath. I'd bought this at Borders after hearing an interview with the author on the radio, but then I proceeded to leave it at work where it disappeared. So when I was in Ottawa last month I found another copy at Chapters (I almost overlooked it because the size, cover and even the TITLE were different from the US Version). It's heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time. It made me sad and angry and hopeful and also made me think about how much assumptions about my own culture and way of life get in the way of understanding people different than me, and how often that's hurtful to those people. I try to be aware of my own prejudices, but I don't think any of us really can do that completely. Anyway, I really recommend this book. So far, I'm also liking Farley Mowat's No Man's River, which I bought on the same trip to Chapters.
  
  
• This whole random list is nothing but an excuse not to clean my house. I should really do that. Now Soon.
  
  
• Non-LJ friend Sandra wants to go to Montréal before it gets too cold. She wants me to go with her. She's talking Columbus Day Weekend. Er. That would be THIS WEEKEND. *headdesk* Maybe I can talk her into Veteran's Day and buy her some leg warmers?
  
  
• It's chilly in my room. Getting up and doing housework would really get me warmed up. So would going to Three Sisters and buying a hot fudge sundae. Well, okay, no, that last part wouldn't.
  
  
• Speaking of ice cream, there's still an ice cream truck trolling the neighbourhood (is 'trolling' the right word?), even this late in the season (This probably has to do with the high school up the street letting out for the day). Currently it's repeat-looping an music-boxy version of what is probably Red Wing but my mind is singing "Oh, you can't scare me, I'm stickin' to the Union". Which would be a strange but oddly cool thing for an ice cream truck to be playing. Also far less depressing than "Red Wing". Here, have a video sung by the Gods:
  
  

Comments

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

*pokes you gently* Miss ya, darlin'

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the DL link!

If there is anything I can do or send you regarding getting your Bachelor's in Nursing, let me know!!

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

I think it's trawling.

The life coach thing is probably silly for some people, but I could totally see people like us benefiting from it. Due to, you know, the non-firing synapses or whatever the hell is (not) going on in my brain.

I went to Quebec (city) in November once. .... (wait for it) .... Once.

Fricken froze my ass off. whenever I hear the word "sleet" I remember Quebec City. It was very beautiful, from what I could see when not overcome with shivering. Of course, Mtl is not so far north, but still.

I'm going to check out that book.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I was in New York City with Sandra on the coldest day of the year winter before last. I don't know why she has to go before it gets cold. She used to live in Toronto, fergodssake. :And Buffalo, which is even worse because it gets more snow. If cold-weather-hating me can deal with NYC in February, she most likely would be fine with Montréal in November.

Book is Awesome. Jury still out on Life Coach.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm going to call Isaac and ask him how the bloody hell to re-install AIM because it's not working for me. I have to go into work and get my phone because I left it in my locker, though. Tonight maybe, tomorrow definitely (after work).

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm probably going to go through a state university, probably either URI or RIC. They both offer RN to BSN programs and are cheaper than going out of state. I thought about going through a school in Canada and doing it online but I'm not sure what the rules are for reciprocal degrees and besides, it's way expensive. I still would love to have a degree from Dalhousie or something, just so I can, y'know. Have a degree from Dalhousie (and DUDE. They have an ARCTIC NURSING program. How cool and completely unnecessary would that be?). :D

[peacey.livejournal.com]

A, pardon me what did you call it, life coach?

*blink*

Allow me to save you some green.

Question: What do you want to do?

You now answer.

I reply: Ok. Do it.

GGC

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

Sam might could help - if you were able to call, that is.

The cat just stole my chair.

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

Buffalo is pretty darn cold, yep. NYC in February sounds ugly too. I'm going to throw on another blanket, just from the visual.

Maybe she wants to see the autumn leaves?

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

You have to keep saying "do it" at regular intervals for full value. Also, "are you doing it", "have you done it yet" and "why aren't you doing it right now". Oh, and "let me give you some ideas on how to get started".

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

...Dalhousie (... They have an ARCTIC NURSING program. How cool and completely unnecessary would that be?). :D

Well, you could always take that program after your BScN and go north for a bit: you can deliver babies and make a ton of money :)

Re: GGC

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

She probably thinks it's HER chair.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Maybe she wants to see the autumn leaves?

She can do that here, actually. We've got a zillion of 'em. :D

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Like I said, I've always found Life Coaches to be silly. But like topaz7 says, when you add ADD to the mix, all those neurons misfiring sort of gum up the works.

But yeah, you're right, dear.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

The whole Me and Extremes of Temperature thing would be a challenge, let me tell you. Although I'd rather deal with Cold than Really Hot because Cold means turning up the heat and dressing in layers and Really Hot means throwing up and passing out. I've done both of those things after being overheated (fortunately not at the same time).

Re: GGC

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

Cats are delusional from time to time.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Yes. THIS IS WHY I NEVER DID START CLEANING although I did go out with my camera and take pretty pictures of downtown Providence.

Sally (my neurology Nurse Practitioner) says that just having another person in the room, even if that person's not saying or doing anything, is helpful because of something about brain waves. So maybe someone needs to just come over and sit in my living room.

[takieya.livejournal.com]

I’m going to see Arlo for the fifth time on the 28th… I’m glad he’s still coming to Ottawa enough for me to say that. I just bought tickets today, so it’s funny to see the video posted. :P

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

I wish I could offer a bit more knowledge about becoming an RN and working/living in Canada, but I know you'll research all your options and come to the best possible decision. I'm so impressed by your willingness to pursue more education and make a drastic change in your life and living circumstances, and you definitely have the guts to follow through.

Yay for Montreal! Make sure your friend agrees to a Columbus Day trip: it really would mean three trips to Canada in three months, otherwise :-)

And thanks so much for the nod to my fic - I really love That's Where All of the Gangsters Live and it's very flattering to be mentioned in the same breath as minervacat's fabulous story. I really wish I could write the urban landscape with that kind of attention to detail, and I'm so glad you discovered the story (again).

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm so impressed by your willingness to pursue more education and make a drastic change in your life and living circumstances, and you definitely have the guts to follow through.

Well, the living situation is going to be status quo for a while (I might be able to live rent-free in Massachusetts for a few months) what with new grandbaby and all. :D :D

A coworker who is also a travel nurse recommended this company that does placements in Canada ("placements" = 12 or 13 weeks, IIRC). And I get to start off in Boston/RI, which DOES have RN placement for ASNs.

Make sure your friend agrees to a Columbus Day trip: it really would mean three trips to Canada in three months, otherwise :-)

Columbus Day weekend starts on Friday, so I'd rather wait until Veteran's Day (that's Remembrance Day in Canadian). I have a rant on how much I HATE Columbus Day, BTW, which you probably don't want to hear but I'll probably post anyway. And on Remembrance Day, I can wear my poppy. And learn how to say "poppy" in French. *g*

I really wish I could write the urban landscape with that kind of attention to detail, and I'm so glad you discovered the story (again).

You grew up in northern BC so you know the area. It sounds like minervacat either grew up in Chicago or has been there a lot. I should do a writing exercise about Providence, but um. I don't know how I could possibly set a fic in Providence. Ray and Fraser go to Rhode Island: A classic in the making. Or, y'know, not.

*uses Wee!Paul icon for no particular reason*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I've only seen him once, at the Sanders Theatre at Harvard. He was touring with his son and he actually did "Alice's Restaurant", which he hadn't done in ages up to that point. I saw Pete Seeger as part of a larger concert ; he can't sing any more, but he can still play banjo and led the audience in some Woody Guthrie songs. He's an amazing guy. I took the picture in my icon at the concert (it was actually a tiny concert in a small auditorium in Massachusetts).

And woahwoahwoah, how did I miss that you live in Ottawa? Clearly I'm overlooking the really important flist details. *g*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I lied. Columbus Day Weekend starts on Saturday. It starts on Friday for me because I don't work on Friday.

Note to self: It's not all about me.