I caught a virus over the weekend, stayed home from work on Monday, went in to work yesterday (mistake) and was sicker than ever today. Stayed in bed half the day, then spent another few hours lying on the couch reading.
I'm glad I went Chapters shopping before I got sick. Today I cracked the spine on The Art of Fielding, Chad Harbach's debut novel. I was holding onto it until I had time to give it a proper read. I like this part - a very true thing he writes about coaches...
" Schwartz knew that people loved to suffer, as long as the suffering made sense. Everybody suffered. The key was to choose the form of your suffering. Most people couldn't do this alone; you needed a coach. A good coach made you suffer in a way that suited you. A bad coach made everyone suffer in the same way, and so was more like a torturer."


I got bored of reading mid-afternoon but, feeling like a bag of poo, didn't feel like going anywhere. God, my hair and skin are dry. I remembered there was half an avocado going brown in the fridge - no good for eating but perfect for a honey-avocado face mask. I put the leftover in my hair and wrapped it in cling film. I ransacked the baskets in my bathroom, pulling out all the scented gift products I've received - SPA DAY!! After a jacuzzi, I feel much better, softer, smoother and my house smells like shea butter and coconut.

I was talking to Chrissy and she's sick too. I would think that we caught it at Melissa's wedding on Saturday except that it's been going around our office. This week there've been at least four people off sick every day.  Anyway, we both cancelled out of Pilates so Janet is proposing to the group that we go Sunday evening instead. I hope everyone goes for it because I hate to miss a session. I'm going up to Collingwood for the weekend but was coming home Sunday night anyway. You know, I was hoping my flu shot would protect me from stuff like this but I guess not.

Schools are on March break this week and we've taken most of our servers down for upgrades or whatever so there's time for a little upgrading on my blog.

The last time I wrote, I was at the funeral for K.C. and Mariane's mom. The church was packed, overflowing in fact. People who arrived late had to sit in side rooms. The priest who spoke wasn't known to the family but was, as he let us know, currently a resident at a nearby nursing home and the funeral home called on him frequently to perform services. He rambled on for a bit and then trailed off and seemed to remember what he was there for. A few words into the service he went into an old-man coughing fit. It went on just a few seconds too long so everyone started to look a little concerned.
Once the family members started getting up to speak, everyone relaxed. Johanne's sisters spoke with much love and humour, ignoring a fire alarm that went off for about 5 minutes. KC, Marianne and her brother all spoke. There were lots of tears when they talked about the graduations, weddings, grandchildren and other life events she would miss.
Everyone gathered in the foyer after the service. Great that so many friends were able to make it. I had been planning to jet as soon as it was over, KC understood since she was originally going to be coming to Melissa's wedding, but there were so many people to see.

Eventually I was on the road (after a quick Starbucks stop by Eighth Line). I forgot how far it is to Hamilton. And the weather out that way was brutal, icy and windy, making the roads super-slick. I got to the Old Mill in Ancaster just as everyone was sitting down to dinner. I knew I was sitting with Jess/Del and Chrissy/Jeff but it was a nice surprise to find that Sarah Bell and Amanda Wessell along with their significant others were at the same table. Sarah's mom was at the wedding also. Besides the girls, there were a bunch of other paddlers there; Chris, Dustin, Kyle and their respective girlfriends.

I know people always say this but Melissa really was beautiful! And so happy. I've only met John once before at national team trials but he seems like a truly nice person. It was one of those weddings where everyone is relaxed and having a good time.

Instead of clinking a glass or singing a song with the word "love" in it, each table or group had to make a lego addition to Melissa & John's "home". The dance floor was full all night, the cheesier the song the better. I got a chance to speak with everyone I wanted to catch up with before I left around 11:30pm. Great party!

Very sad news, KC and Marianne's Mom passed away suddenly. Funeral is set for Glen Oaks Memorial on Saturday at 3:30.

Melissa is getting married on Saturday at 2:30. Unfortunately I'll miss the ceremony, at which her brother will preside, but I will be out there for the reception. (fyi, there'll be a J.of P. on the side to make it official)

Cool stuff...Matt Abbott on a German tv show. Two twenty-somethings apply for jobs; a girl trying to become a waitress in a UK restaurant and a guy who wants to work rescue in British Columbia - Silver Star to be exact. The show flips back and forth between the two subjects. The segment for Silver Star begins around 16:34 but Matt's not in it until a little later, closer to 28:40 (he's the patient in black).

A beautiful, sunny day - I was thinking a trip down to Queen West would be a good plan but Ryan was working and the shopping trip just wouldn't be the same without my Q-West sidekick. I decided that downtown Oakville would suffice. When did they dial down the speed limit along Lakeshore Rd, west of Southdown? It's still 70 at the bottom end of Southdown but as soon as you round the bend, it drops to 60.

Oakville didn't disappoint. House Warmings was having a HUGE sale. So big, in fact, that I was concerned they were going out of business. Nope, even better news, they are just making room for the spring shipment. I don't think I've ever spent less at that store. And I came home with more than I usually purchase.

I could have sworn I saw Adam in town but he was across the road, a little too far to catch his attention and I was headed in the opposite direction. I thought he was in Florida but with the Grand Finale of Gold Medal Plates happening in Kelowna next weekend, it's very possible he stopped home on his way there.

At least one pair of petrocan deer have become pets of a sort. They were hanging around at the fence when I went out and when I came back 2 hours later. I imagine they're a good selling feature for the realtor having an open house across the road!

I seriously want to go dancing tonight. A few years ago (okay, a decade), if no one was up for it, I'd have just gone to a giant club around 11pm and done my thing - nobody would notice. But 52 is 52. The last time I went to see a live band at the Hideout , I was just hanging, leaning up against a wall enjoying the music. A guy who was completely stoned and reeked of weed was fascinated with me. He kept asking me who I was, he was guessing along the lines of Chrissy Hines or some ex-Toronto band front-woman. I told him I was no one, I just liked live music, but he wouldn't let it go. It was kind of crazy. I had to go to the ladies and wait a few minutes before I could go back to my wall pillar unmolested. Still, I saw him pointing me out to his friends. Actually, I was fine with that.  Another time I was in a club enjoying the band, I was with friends this time, and a guy asked if I was a narc. I was like, really?? No, not a narc. So what was I doing there? Looking for my kid? I just shook my head and walked away. Anyway, guess I'll be dancing in my living room tonight.

I went on a Port Credit pub crawl on Saturday night. We started in the Cue (nice to see both Conor (tending bar) and Donal (working the door)) and then moved to the Stable, Pumphouse, Harp and Spice. We ran into a few friends along the way. It was a great time! I bailed after Spice - couldn't drink any more.
On Sunday, I spent most of the day on the comfy couch in my pyjamas. Watching tv. So...relaxing. I liked it a lot.