Blackouts and the wheel of life

Good morning, friends! The photo above was taken in Malvern, England, while I was on holiday there with my parents last year.

If you're interested, the plaque beside the sculpture reads as follows:

‘Malvhina’ sculpture by Rose Garrard 1998

This sculpture combines three themes proposed by local residents. Its form reflects ancient Celtic standing stones with spiral markings, Medieval religious statuary and Victorian Pre-Raphaelite imagery, suggesting three of the most significant periods in Malvern’s history. The Malvern spring water flows from a bronze disc where three circles interlink symbolising the sacred triple of the Celts, the Christian Holy Trinity and the three springs which combine here. The sculpture is named Malvhina after a Celtic Princess which some Victorian historians romantically connected with the meaning of Malvern itself.

Anyway. Because it was pretty much exactly one year ago that we were there, I've been fondly recalling my memories from the trip. I thought this particular photo would be appropriate for this blog...

So, my last post was 11 days ago. What's new since then?

We had a big windstorm here on Saturday. So big, in fact, that the power was out for thousands and thousands of people in the area... including us! When I got home from work that day we had no electricity. It's funny how it makes one realize just how much one takes it for granted that there will be light and working appliances and everything. I found myself automatically reaching for light switches even though I knew the power was gone. My landlord lent us a monstrous flashlight, and I had a little pocket one besides, so we managed ok for light. We couldn't use the stove, though, as it's an electric one... I was so put out by the idea of no evening cuppa that the Fox brought out the camp stove and I went out to buy some propane cylinders, and we made boiling water on that in the carport. Ha! It was for the novelty of it, too, if I'm honest. We've never used that camp stove before and it's brand new, so it's good to know that it works.

Anyway, the power came back on sometime in the night, luckily. Many more people were without power for much longer than we were. The Fox was saying how he enjoys blackouts, because they remind him of when his mom used to live in a remote cabin type house between farmers' fields in Alberta. I theoretically enjoy blackouts, but really, I just get annoyed that I can't go on the internet. I may have an internet addiction...

So, we spent the evening just chatting and playing around with his Nerf guns (well, that happens pretty much every night actually). It was nice, but... I still like having power better, ha.

Work has been the same as ever. I had a performance review yesterday which was generally favourable. The only thing I can improve on is the same thing that I can always apparently improve on... being more extroverted. What can I say? I don't know if I really want to try and change myself in that area. Being introverted (antisocial?) is part of what makes me unique.

In the context of the review, my boss did tell me that I don't need to change my personality or anything; they just like to promote customer interaction. Or customer engagement as they call it. I guess I am sometimes guilty of avoiding customers rather than actively trying to help people... ha.

Anyway, it's not a big deal. They have to think of something to tell you, and the rest of the review was positive: friendly, reliable, efficient, retains information well, etc. Things to make me feel good without getting a raise, in other words!

So work is still work, more or less. I'm looking forward to getting a spot in either of those two colleges I applied at. I realize that medical lab assistants still have to deal with the public, but at least they get a needle to brandish threateningly at their clients in case of any belligerence.

Saturday was the local Pagan Pride Day, which I was thinking of popping by after work, but as a result of the windstorm, trees were falling in the park it was being held in and they had to cancel the event. I feel bad for all the people who worked so hard to put the event together, and the vendors who dragged all their stuff out there only to have to drag it away again without selling much, I'm sure. Oh well, such is life sometimes. This Wednesday is the first pagan group at the Unitarian Church; which reminds me, I should call the organizer and find out what room it's being held in. I've never actually been inside the building so I have no idea where to go. I'm wondering how many people will be there and if they'll all know each other already and what kinds of things they'll be talking about or doing... guess I'll find out.

Oh yeah... I've sort of taken a hiatus on the Artist's Way. I abruptly decided that it wasn't worth it to get up at 4:30am every day to do these morning pages, especially when I can't see the use of them. I might just take a little break and then get back to it, maybe after Faerieworlds (which we leave for on Friday!!).

I've been drawing more the past week, which is good. Just doodles of little monsters and creatures and whatnot. I find myself craving watercolour and ink. If I have time today I'll do a bit of that, perhaps. I have quite a list of errands to run... and we are supposed to go visit the Fox's grandma, who might not have much time left by the sounds of things. Sad. She has dementia and things, so I don't know what to expect. It will be hard for him, I'm sure. I remember my own grandma eventually losing the ability to recognize me due to Alzheimer's. It's very heartbreaking to see.

Speaking of heartbreaking... well, there's been quite a lot of sad news in my circles lately. My cousins' cousins' dad (figure that family connection out) passed away the other day. He had been ill for a long time, so it wasn't entirely unexpected, but I think it was rather sudden, and of course it's still very sad. I always used to see him at family events. He leaves behind three sons and a wife.

Also, my cousin's husband's dad (again, figure that family connection out) has been diagnosed with a cancer which is both advanced and aggressive. When my mom told me, it was at our little family BBQ that we put together last weekend for our immediate families. I had to excuse myself to go make tea because I didn't want everyone to see me bawl! I managed to hold it together for the evening, but on the way home I just cried. (While driving. Not advisable.) He's been a part of our family for many years now and they're always at our family dinners and such. Of course, I hope the treatment works and goes well, but realistically I know that there's not a lot that can be done once the cancer has metastasized around the body.

And then there's the Fox's grandma. So, that's all pretty sad news. But death is a natural part of life... as sad as it makes us, we can't do much to stop it. It's just the circle of life in action. Without death there would be no life.

That's enough of that philosophical talk. What else is new?

We leave for Faerieworlds on Friday. I'm so excited! I actually dreamt about buying a Wardruna tshirt last night. Ha! I need to get some American currency before we go so I have a little spending money. I have to be careful... I know there will be a whole lot of cool stuff there that I'm going to want to buy! However, I need to control my spending and only get things that I really truly want. Like signed art prints from Brian Froud (who will be there!!), if he will be selling any. And a Wardruna tshirt, now that I've dreamt about it!

Well, I better wrap this up so I can go take care of the dishes and tidy the house a little. The Fox is sleeping in today (he hasn't been sleeping well due to the vertigo). He's applying for disability benefits from the government... we'll see how that goes. I hope he qualifies for them, because it would take a little financial pressure off. I still hope he's going to eventually get better. He has to call the specialist back now that they've done all those fancy diagnostic tests. Even though the results were inconclusive. It seems that they don't really know what's up with his balance system... not encouraging, really...

The next time I post will probably be after Faerieworlds! Until then.