We play the waiting game around here a lot.  Most military families do.  You wait for your the serving fmily member to finish training.  You wait for the shift to end.  You wait to find out if/when your spouse will be sent away. You wait for tid-bits of information.  You wait to make plans because you never know if/when your spouse will be sent off to the great white north, western wilds, down south, or overseas. You wait to find out where in the country you’ll be living next.  You either get used to waiting or you split up.

I suck at waiting.  I don’t like surprises either.  Through most of our “waiting periods” I’ve been fortunate enough to be gallivanting all over the world.  Waiting for answers doesn’t seem as bad if you’re not stuck at home while you wait.

We’ve been in hurry up and wait mode since January of this year.  The election call has now extended that wait period.  I’m not-so-slowly going crazy.

On odd occassions I can manage waiting if there is an end goal in sight.  Ergo, I’ve been struggling with patiently waiting for my grades from last semester to be released.  For weeks the student portal has indicated final grades would be posted on Sept. 12.  I’ve tried my best not to log in every day checking to see how I did in my Summer courses.  It’s not been easy avoiding the site and it’s shiny Login button.  Somehow I manged.  Today’s the big day.  I logged in at 8am.  Did I mention I have today and Monday off?  Finally took some vacation days.  I’m supposed to be studying and doing my assignments for this semester’s courses.  Not actually happening but that was the plan.  Anywho, I’m way off in another plane I’ve digressed so far. Meanwhile back at the student portal… My grades weren’t posted at 8am.  They weren’t posted when I checked again at noon.  It’s now 4:15 MT and they’re still not posted.  Which means they won’t be posted before Monday now.  Cause it’s after 6pm in ‘Scario and no one – especially not academics and government employees – is working after 6pm in ‘Scario on a Friday!

You might as well reserve my room at Alberta Hosp. in Ponoka.  If I’m not nuts already – and I suspect I am – I will be by the time my waiting is over…

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

I remember waking up that morning thinking it was just another day at work. I remember thinking it was a beautiful morning in Winnipeg and laughing along to Tom and Joe on the radio as I drove into work. I remember the shock of hearing the first plane had crashed into a tower while on Kenaston, a few feet from Scurfield. I remember driving into the parking lot and sitting in my car, waiting for more news.

I remember walking into the office thinking it was a tragic accident and feeling heartbroken for the family members of those on the plane. I remember thinking that the damage to the office and resulting injuries would likely be minimal.

I remember logging into my computer and starting my work day. I remember the commotion on the production floor when the second plane hit. I had barely sat down at my desk. I did not stay.

I remember standing in the lunch room, glued to CNN, watching in disbelief as both towers collapsed. I don’t remember leaving there for hours.

I remember the panic in the voices of US based co-workers. I remember learning we had offices in one of the towers.

I remember customers calling – reaching out – just to hear another human voice on the line. I remember that we talked to each and every one of them, no matter how long it took.

I remember the news that planes were being diverted and receiving a quick phone call from my hubby telling me he had no idea when he would be allowed to return home. I remember hearing that members of 402 Sqn at 17 Wing were guarding three planes on the base side of the airport. I remember he didn’t come home for three days and how sympathetic he was for the people forced to remain on the aircraft while he and his fellow soldiers patrolled the tarmac.

Many forget that not every passenger on those diverted planes were allowed to disembark and find temporary housing in hotels, schools and people’s homes. I remember.

I remember sitting in my living room reaching out via telephone for help making sense of what had happened. I remember feeling the world was slipping sideways. I remember talking to my dad – he who grew up during the blitz and had survived many an air raid and bombing in London during WWII – hoping for answers and gaining none.

It has been seven years. Just as I have never forgotten Tiananmen, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Challenger disaster, I will never forget 9-11.

May the tragic loss of life as a result of terrorist actions in New York on September 11, 2005 never be forgotten. Each life was special. Each loss devastating to friends, family and co-workers.

Je me souviens. I remember.

Stephen Harper finally made it official and called a general election.  Anyone who didn’t see that one coming must be living under a rock.  With most of the previous mandate completed – for better or worse – and all parties spending far too much time posturing and not nearly enough time attempting to govern the country, it was time for an election.  Sure, some will complain that by calling this election, it plays havoc with the nice new piece of legislation surrounding mandated election dates.  Me, I’m not so sure the previous government should have held on that long.  These past few sessions have seen a lot accomplished.  This is especially interesting considering power has been balanced through the magic of a minority government.  More impressive is that minority’s longevity.  It’s lasted for over 2 years at this point.  I doubt it would have stood much longer.

I see the election as a good thing.  I’m still waffling over who I’d like to see in power and to what degree.  For the moment, I think I’d be satisfied with another minority Conservative government.  It was oddly effective and I, for one, would like to see government continue to move forward.  Mistakes have been made but nothing yet on the scale of the previous Liberal scandals (imho).

With the election call made I’ve begun to be bombarded with invitations to join virtual groups relating to the election or political parties.  Since I’m more of a “vote for a policy or local politician” type of girl, these “rah rah” Federal party invitations are getting on my nerves.  Even more annoying are the number of invites to groups I’ve had that are encouraging me to vote.

I can imagine the potential power of nagging suggestion inherent in social networking software, such as Facebook, I just don’t know whether or not I subscribe to the concept that those who join groups advocating voting in the upcoming Federal election will actually take the time to get off their duff’s and vote when the day comes.

Call me crazy; I like to vote.  I enjoy exercising my rights in a democratic society.  I especially enjoy the evening’s entertainment – where we gather around the TV and rant and rave about the election results.  I get to complain about the results because I voted.  I’ve voted in snow storms and in the middle of downpours.  I’ve voted when it’s bright and sunny outside.  When I’d rather be camping.  I’ve voted when it’s -40C and I’d rather have been snuggled safe at home under a blanket.  I even managed to vote in absentia for the last Federal election.  No mean feat considering I was 1/2 way around the world and knew more about the upcoming election than the official at the Canadian Consulate did.

Don’t take it too hard when I don’t join your virtual group or forward all the “sky is falling” emails.  Don’t worry though.  You can always count on me to vote.

I registered for ISSoTL today.  Thank goodness for student rates!  Despite the discount my visa is still smoking…It’s much easier to afford conferences when you’re not paying for school at the same time.

I checked my assignment schedule and have a Psych paper on the final day of the conference.  Guess I’ll have to be extra diligent and ensure that my paper is completed long before I step foot into the Shaw Conference Centre.  The location is pretty handy – I can take the LRT to the Shaw each day.

I’ve been to a number of professional and technical conferences but never to an academic one.  I’m quite looking forward to it.

I’d like to say I shamelessly stole then when I was visiting Joy over at a Spot of T. However, it’s really hard to steal something when you’re being encouraged to play the “game”.

Before we get on to the good stuff I must remember to buy tickets to Cats and STOMP soon. Otherwise I’ll be stuck up in the second balcony behind someone with a beehive hairdo.  Perhaps my loverly husband who is still working his way through my honey-do list would like to attend?  I know he’d love STOMP but I just can’t picture him engrossed in Cats.  Then again, he did love the Lion King…

Who am I kidding?  Before I even look at tickets for Cats and STOMP I need to check out the schedule for the 2008/2009 Opera season and run the numbers to see if we can afford both season tickets and for me to go to school…  I miss having season tickets to the Opera.  The winter seems duller and harsher without fantastic musical nights out to experience.

Where was I?  Oh yes.  Playing Joy’s game. The rules are simple:

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember. And if we’ve never met in real life, leave me a comment of your favorite post I wrote and why it was your favorite.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually quite funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.