A Hot Mess

• Wakingdream's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Guelph

Trip Start Feb 21, 2007 Previous
Entry Trip End Ongoing Next
Entry

  Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Friday, August 31, 2007

As I sit here overheating I feel like a chocolate bar gone bad. A little dashboard, a little too much sun and voila!  A big freakin' mess. It has been HOT HOT HOT during these August dog days and surprisingly, and thankfully, it's been really cool at night.

These days I am definitely not living in the moment! Though that's something I always strive for, damn, it's hard! One thing that brings me careening back into moments of NOW is my new little nephew, who's not exactly my nephew but we Euros have weird relations to each other! He is a darling. He has these long arms and he flails them maniacally which has brought on the nickname "Puddin' Pops" from his proud pops. You know, the old Bill Cosby Puddin' pops commercials? Anyway, I have a sneaking feeling I will be calling him that even when he's 18 and hopefully he finds it really embarrassing!

The Hungarians have left the country and there has been a BIG sigh of relief from all. They are just very odd. Not b/c they're Hungarian, but b/c they are very odd! And somewhat difficult. The steak isn't cooked right. The water is too cold. The coffee isn't ready?! I MUST sit in the front seat. Why am I not getting a refund for paying CDN taxes?? The beer is too bitter. Young women shouldn't drink alcohol. WHAT? That was about all I could take and I turned off.

At first I chalked it up to cultural differences. Then I got to thinking. Anywhere I have been, with absolutely NO exceptions, I have always been grateful for what's been provided.

The most financially challenged people have offered me food, drink and good conversation. Even if I absolutely couldn't stomach the food, I ate it with a big smile, a thank-you and (possibly) lost it all later. I have always been thankful and kind, no matter how odd certain customs have seemed.

 Is this a cultural thing? I personally don't really think so, but maybe it is. Maybe in some countries it's quite alright to be rude but I don't think that makes you very many friends in the long run.

I have met rude people for sure, and I have met them everywhere I've been. A purposeful shove here, a connivingly stolen seat there, a ripped off parking spot....you get the picture and I know I am not the only one.

Rude people. Why is it so hard for them to just shut up and say thanks? To allow someone to pass instead of rudely skipping in front? To eat their grub and smile and say MMMM this is really good! while quietly choking on the inside? Personally I believe b/c some people believe it is their god-given right to complain.

Complainers ruin it for everyone. The Hungarians complained incessantly and it surprised me b/c my dad, who is their relation, is one of the most gracious and kind people I know.

I determined quickly that culture isn't the case and decided that instead of harping on the negative I would simply take the lesson learned. There is just no pleasing some people and the best thing you can do about it is walk very, very FAR away! Done and Done.

So you see, the sigh of relief was getting rid of all that proved to be mostly unpleasant with a little fake niceness here and there. There, now that wasn't so bad. No stooping to their level. Smile and play nice and be glad when it's over!

I've been taking some lessons from Strunk & White on Rules of Usage and trying to polish up what little writing skills I may have left! So far, so good. I'm onto another guide, this one drawing quite a bit of excitement from me: Malaysia! After much U.S.A. it seems as tho I may have paid my dues. Hopefully. I can only pray. I am praying now!

Soon the big project of outdoor exterior will start. One step closer to finishing which means another step toward another trip. A house can really tie up funds I'll tell ya! A neighbor is selling their house and I nearly died when I saw what they were asking! Living in the Heritage section of the city sure does pay off! It made me ponder the tough times we've had to endure with this monumental project and realize that in the long run it will all be worth it.

Slowly the house guests have been trickling in. Today one of my best friends in the whole world is coming back from working through a co-op with a vitner out east. He had a very unfortunate accident. If you're squeamish stop reading HERE.

He was working in the field as he has been doing all summer. Successfully I might add. fast forward to his second-last day on the job. In a few days he would be back home and attending a wedding with all of us which we dubbed his Welcome Back party. A wrong move and he got a large, metal stake right in his eye! I mean RIGHT in there. It slid into the corner of his right eye and ripped the muscle and membrane at the back of his socket. So much so that his eyeball pretty much popped out! Seriously. Total chaos. RCMP investigation to rule out anything criminal, labor relations investigations and worst of all he got pumped full of morphine and whisked to the hospital all the while having NO idea what the hell was going on.

He says it was his biggest miSTAKE. Ahaha. At least his sense of humour wasn't damaged! So he had to ditch his plane ticket as the pressure would have likely just popped his eye out more and maybe given some unsuspecting passenger a coronary. Now wouldn't that be weird. You're sitting on a plane and OH MY GOD!! I am shuddering.

So, with more tests and doctors appointments it was determined that he has to have surgery to correct the muscle and he will have to be a one-eyed bandit for some time. The doctor said it was a miracle that he didn't lose his sight. Can you imagine? I am still shuddering!

So Steve will be back today and I can't wait to see him. Summer seems to be sticking around and keeping us HOT and Fall is around the corner. A photographer's delight 'round here. So far I have not been anywhere that has been blanketed in such beauty as here in Ontario with the myriad of colors brightening everyone's day.

Winter will be left in the dust as we begin to prepare for yet another sojourn.

Print this entry Share Guelph hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry