Okay, so maybe it isn’t a debate but it is a classic Canadian conversation. Zambonis. I feel like growing up Canadian it is an essential part of childhood. To anyone that hasn’t actually attended a hockey game, gone skating or experienced an ice rink you are truly missing out. As a brief explanation, it is a small vehicle that smoothes the ice surface between skates.
Firstly it is a fabulous word, secondly it is truly exciting to see a zamboni when you are a small child (I still greatly enjoy seeing them) and finally there are so many unanswered questions. Really annoying, you have too much time on your hands type questions, but questions none the less. What does the zamboni driver do when they aren’t zamboniing (pretty sure that isn’t a word but I like it anyway)? Does every rink have a zamboni or do near by rinks share one (this started a great debate in university)? How do you get to be the kid that rides the zamboni at the hockey games (a most coveted experience)? How do you become a zamboni driver? Do you just need a drivers licence? How do they master the pattern on the ice? What do they do if they miss a spot?
In my youth it was a habit to make up inaccurate answers to all of these questions t and then debate them with friends. Some of the discussions became quite heated in my university days. I recall one time having over a 30 minute conversation about zambonis that I am sure said nothing of relevance. Still it is a fond memory whenever I attend a game and see a zamboni come out onto the ice.
In conclusion, it’s the little winter things that make me happy to be back in Canada, even if I am adjusting poorly to the cold. Other things I am enjoying: festive coffee drinks, the smell of winter and that wearing a scarf with everything is appropriate.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Personal vs. Professional
As an employee in the marketing field I always question this line, should I have separate facebook accounts, twitter accounts and possibly make my blog private? As an employee I don’t feel that I speak for the groups that I work for, unless representing myself in that capacity, so how to divide my personal life from my professional, or do I even need to?
Fortunately I like to think that nothing too questionable is on my facebook, so with a limited profile I stop most of the damage that could be done to my good name. By limiting my profile I have only really blocked tagged pictures (the most dangerous of all pictures). Not all friends respect that some events don’t need to make it to public view. Now that I think of it, maybe no one needs to see my tagged pictures, not even me. Hypothetically employers are starting to consider the social media available about you to reflect who you are and if you are employable by any given organization. Well, what is appropriate? Can I hold a glass of wine? What about my dance moves, that may be mistaken for drunkenness , I assure you they are purely my lack of dance skills. What about the people I associate with or my political views?
Personally I feel it may all come down to what field you work in, what you are comfortable with the world knowing and what you would be okay with your mother reading. Hi mom. These are the ways that I base most decisions of what I post, what I allow others to see and when I call a friend on questionable facebook/blog/twitter posts. Some things should be kept to in person or email. But more frequently than not, maybe they just don’t need to be said. However, were would the entertainment be in that... Regardless, if you were to have a conversation with me, you would probably hear many of the things I would post in a blog… just cuts out the other person. Maybe social media is just a way to talk to yourself and convince yourself that someone might pay attention.
Really, I don’t think I answered any of the big questions, but I will continue to question my status until one day, maybe if I have children, I will try to wipe out my thoroughly entertaining and not so perfect (but not too dodgy) past.
Fortunately I like to think that nothing too questionable is on my facebook, so with a limited profile I stop most of the damage that could be done to my good name. By limiting my profile I have only really blocked tagged pictures (the most dangerous of all pictures). Not all friends respect that some events don’t need to make it to public view. Now that I think of it, maybe no one needs to see my tagged pictures, not even me. Hypothetically employers are starting to consider the social media available about you to reflect who you are and if you are employable by any given organization. Well, what is appropriate? Can I hold a glass of wine? What about my dance moves, that may be mistaken for drunkenness , I assure you they are purely my lack of dance skills. What about the people I associate with or my political views?
Personally I feel it may all come down to what field you work in, what you are comfortable with the world knowing and what you would be okay with your mother reading. Hi mom. These are the ways that I base most decisions of what I post, what I allow others to see and when I call a friend on questionable facebook/blog/twitter posts. Some things should be kept to in person or email. But more frequently than not, maybe they just don’t need to be said. However, were would the entertainment be in that... Regardless, if you were to have a conversation with me, you would probably hear many of the things I would post in a blog… just cuts out the other person. Maybe social media is just a way to talk to yourself and convince yourself that someone might pay attention.
Really, I don’t think I answered any of the big questions, but I will continue to question my status until one day, maybe if I have children, I will try to wipe out my thoroughly entertaining and not so perfect (but not too dodgy) past.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Go Canucks!
As a new Vancouverite it is only right that I cheer on the Cancuks or shake my head in disappointment at appropriate moments. While I greatly enjoy watching hockey, particularly in person, I am uncertain if I would spend the big bucks to attend a Canucks game. Fortunately for my cultural education my friend Krista got free tickets and invited me to go. Favorite part? The fans! The aggressive grandma’s, overweight cursing ‘sports junky’ and the dolled up tarts are by far my favorite of the fans. If there was ever a time to people watch, sports is it! However maybe the correct term would be people listen, because clearly I want to watch the game as the Canucks just pulled it together in order to win.
Nothing beats the smell of off cheese, hot dogs, ice and perfume (from the ladies there to get a man), the cheer of the crowd as a fight breaks out (on or off the ice) and a mascot getting a little aggressive. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, one I am sure that I will want to experience again. In my mind I still prefer NBA games, but sadly there is no team in Van. Favorite sports to watch are currently basketball (preferably NCAA) and a tie between hockey and Australian footy.
Nothing beats the smell of off cheese, hot dogs, ice and perfume (from the ladies there to get a man), the cheer of the crowd as a fight breaks out (on or off the ice) and a mascot getting a little aggressive. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, one I am sure that I will want to experience again. In my mind I still prefer NBA games, but sadly there is no team in Van. Favorite sports to watch are currently basketball (preferably NCAA) and a tie between hockey and Australian footy.
“On the road I dream of home and when at home I dream of action” –The Zolas
I seem to have hit a brick wall… what some would consider ‘back to reality’, ‘real life’ and maybe some would even consider it ‘growing up’ (however I fully disagree with this last one, I have MANY years before this will be required). It isn’t such a bad thing, just more of a transition. My adventure is over, I am employed, have responsibilities, expectations and will soon commit to long term bills i.e. A lease. I don’t feel I prepared myself for this step in life (we’ll ignore that it is my second time around).
I think I am so used to there being something exciting just around the corner that I have become dependent on this feeling. I like the instability that the last year and a half has provided, not knowing what will happen next, not thinking about things too much, letting go of the expectations I had set up for myself. I am sure in this phase of life I will carry many of these things with me, but it will be an interesting balance.
Luckily my new job at UBC appears as though I will have a good work/life balance. Come the New Year, I will go back to playing Frisbee a couple of days a week. I am greatly looking forward to the purchase of a bike (bicycle, not motorcycle) as a form of transportation. But the big ‘adventure’ is settling in… less exciting. I look forward to all of the people I will meet, things I will get involved with but it is too intangible to grasp. I guess I have to adjust to ‘reality’…sigh.
YOGA UPDATE
I have no idea how I neglected to update my blog post challenge, well I completed it! Then I weighed myself, after not weighing myself for the entire month, I gained 6 lbs…. go me. While maybe this should be upsetting, I thought it was kinda funny. I will lose it again, I am more flexible and overall I am happy that I completed the challenge. Were there any life changing experiences, no. Will I continue with the yoga? On occasion. There was a point where I decided that I hated yoga and thought it might actually break me. Once I know where I am going to live I will reevaluate if I will get a membership, for now it is swimming, Frisbee and whatever other activities come up will do. I am avoiding commitments for the moment until I have a better idea of my work life, social life and determining if I have already peaked with my Frisbee skill (which would be entirely sad but quite possible).
I think I am so used to there being something exciting just around the corner that I have become dependent on this feeling. I like the instability that the last year and a half has provided, not knowing what will happen next, not thinking about things too much, letting go of the expectations I had set up for myself. I am sure in this phase of life I will carry many of these things with me, but it will be an interesting balance.
Luckily my new job at UBC appears as though I will have a good work/life balance. Come the New Year, I will go back to playing Frisbee a couple of days a week. I am greatly looking forward to the purchase of a bike (bicycle, not motorcycle) as a form of transportation. But the big ‘adventure’ is settling in… less exciting. I look forward to all of the people I will meet, things I will get involved with but it is too intangible to grasp. I guess I have to adjust to ‘reality’…sigh.
YOGA UPDATE
I have no idea how I neglected to update my blog post challenge, well I completed it! Then I weighed myself, after not weighing myself for the entire month, I gained 6 lbs…. go me. While maybe this should be upsetting, I thought it was kinda funny. I will lose it again, I am more flexible and overall I am happy that I completed the challenge. Were there any life changing experiences, no. Will I continue with the yoga? On occasion. There was a point where I decided that I hated yoga and thought it might actually break me. Once I know where I am going to live I will reevaluate if I will get a membership, for now it is swimming, Frisbee and whatever other activities come up will do. I am avoiding commitments for the moment until I have a better idea of my work life, social life and determining if I have already peaked with my Frisbee skill (which would be entirely sad but quite possible).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
