l’azile

Just a quick note to point out that I will not be putting any more time into this venue. Aside from the general lack of time preventing me from really writing on a regular basis, I feel that I am not getting much out of it. Not to mention the fact that most of the time, the stuff I feel like writing about ends up in my personal journals.

I will leave existing writings up for archival purposes, especially since an insane number of fans of Yao Defen as well as amputee devotees seem to like dropping by here. And who knows, I may feel like writing again in the future, although I would not count it. For those curious as to what is going on with me, my flickr is usually up to date.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Gawd!, it has been so long since I have written anything of note here, it is hard to know where to start. As y’all have probably noticed, I am not much of a blogger and I most likely never will be. I like having it for an occasional rant or to point out something that I have been thinking about and stuff. And obviously, there have been periods when I had more time. But I am always amazed by the people I know (or know of) who blog regularly, tweet literally non-stop, have a full time job and then some, a bunch of other work-related activities, not to mention hobbies and such, a family, a dog, etc., etc. When do they sleep?! Anyway, just a brief update to let people know I am still alive.

Continue reading… random update #11

Ça y’est, c’est officiel, le printemps est là et je dois avouer que c’est un soulagement.

Je ne sais pas trop pourquoi ; l’hiver cette année n’a pas été particulièrement difficile, du moins en ce qui concerne la température. Mais, pour une raison qui m’échappe en ce moment, l’arrivée du printemps m’a fait sourire, comme ce souvenir éternel de ressentir le souffle chaud du soleil sur ma peau, d’entendre les bruits nocturnes de Montréal filtrer au travers la fenêtre ouverte de ma chambre, de sentir le parfum floral des parterres et balcons dans la fraîcheur d’une fin de soirée de mai, de laisser cette première gorgée d’un mojito absolument glacé couler doucement le long de mon œsophage et atterrir, avec un léger fracas, dans mon estomac.

Évidemment, vers la fin de juillet, je vais commencer à me plaindre [discrètement] qu’il fait trop chaud, qu’il y a trop de guêpes à Montréal et vivement l’automne ! Et rendu à la fin d’août, j’imagine que vous ne pourrez sans doute plus me blairer.

Mais d’ici-là, comme on dit en anglais, there is no time like the present.

Or so I have been told.

Anyway, a lot has happened since my last posting and yet, not so much. And because I would not want the year to end without at least a quick sign of life, here follows my latest random update.

I [obviously] never posted the rest of my ambitious report on Rehabilitation International’s 2008 World Congress. Now I understand that y’all have been waiting with bated breath and believe me, I did continue writing up this detailed report in my [little] free time but never got around to finishing it and at this point, doubt I ever would. So let me make it easy for you [or me] and summarise…

Continue reading… my blog is lonely

They say life is what happens while you are making other plans, or words to that effect. Well, whoever “they” are, they sure got that right. I have been, to put it mildly, very busy, with work mostly, to the point that I have given up on making any plans beyond trying to find enough time to eat and sleep.

So, because my life these last few months has been mostly comprised of work, work, work, eat, sleep, bills, bills, bills, work, work but thought I should at least give some kind of news, else people think I was dead or something, here is a quick list of stuff I feel like sharing at the moment.

Continue reading… random update #8

I have not been posting these last few weeks because I do not have Internet access at home yet (long story). I have to say, going without has been quite euh, well, bizarre. On the one hand, it does not really bother me. I have been rather busy trying to get my new appartment organised (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say trying to get me organised in my new appartment) and I can always access my personal email accounts from work. And I have been doing a lot more reading which is always good.

On the other hand though, no Internet at home has also made me feel a bit frustrated and anxious, like there is a certain void in my life. So I have not been able to keep up with my favourite blogs or other Web stuff and since I do not own a television, I have not been able to download the few tv shows I like. And of course, I have had to curb my reflex for searching for just about any word that comes to mind. Which I guess is not really such a bad thing.

I saw Michael this week at an event organised by my employer and contrarily to every one else’s reaction to the news that I am sans Internet (typically along the lines of “OMFG!”, “Hein?!”, “T’es pas sérieuse!” or “you poor thing”) all he said, in true Michaelivian fashion, was “good”. Anyway, since I am presently at my ex-flatmate’s doing laundry (because a washer/dryer is another thing I am still without), I thought I would sign in briefly and give y’all a bit of news.

Continue reading… random update #7

This will probably be my last update for the year 2007, a year that in truth I can not wait to see end because, while there were a few good things, it was generally rather crappy.

So, with regards to the new appartment, that actually turned out to be a fucking nightmare. I will spare y’all the details but let us just say that when I went to pick up my keys after it had been emptied out by the previous occupant (who, it should be noted, lived in what can only be described as a personal storage locker) and saw it in all its filthy, broken-down, rat-infested glory (which the landlord, whom I have since baptised “il basso costo” or if you prefer “el cheapo”, refused to bring up to code), I took photos, lined up my horrified witnesses and promptly cancelled my lease. Which really fucked up my plans.

Continue reading… random update #6

I am tired. I have been quite busy with work and well, life and stuff and I guess I am getting old or something because I just do not seem to have the energy I used to.

I quite clearly remember a time when I could put in full 60-hour weeks and do all the other stuff life demands (you know, like be the good friend - faithful family member - relatively aware consumer - engaged citizen - multiple pet owner - unwavering advocate - life of the party - mostly on time bill payer - girlfriend, wife and/or lover - slash - all around modern woman and whatever the fuck else the situation called for). I could party all night, among other things, and show up for work early-ish the next morning and spend the next 10 or 12 hours or so putting out all the urgent existential fires that are a natural [unavoidable] part of working for community organisations plus be a decent, respectful and helpful, mostly pleasant, sometimes even bordering on awesome co-worker (depending on who you talk to, of course ;). Ok sure, once in a while I showed up a little scrappy, in need of a change of clothes or of a breakfast that would never come and yeah, occasionally PMS-ing or just plain pissed off about something or other but I showed up more than willing and able, my drive never faltering in the process, and I could start the whole thing up again the next day.

Continue reading… random update #5

It has been a strange summer, during which nothing happened the way I thought it would, which I guess is, for the most part, not necessarily a bad thing. A time when I had to think about a lot of stuff and make some choices. Not sure I made the right ones but I imagine that we never really know until the end.

Continue reading… random update #4

Comments are back on due to popular demand. Well, actually due to one demand but hey. I am a bit wary and hope I am not plagued with disturbing spam as in the past. I have downloaded a plug-in to deal with this and hopefully, it should be ok. I have only reopened comments for the last 5 posts because I am feeling lazy but if there is something specific someone would like to comment on, let me know. And please note that if you have never commented here before, meaning almost everybody, your comment will be held in moderation.

Continue reading… random update #3