Random Act of Gratitude #59: Environmental Savings

Seriously. I'll be caught up before the weekend's through.

My class is doing a wee experiment to expand the composting program at the school, so I figured I'd better hurry up and get the new green bins, so off it was to the Habitat for Humanity store where the region distributes such things.

I'd hoped to get a new grey bin for my house, too, having lost mine to a ridiculous wind storm a year ago, but sadly, they were out.

BUT the news remains good! Apparently I had arrived on the final day of a deal wherein the green bins were only $6 (that's right, six bucks!). As of Monday, they're up to $16 (which still is a good deal; they're really nice bins).

Woot! $30 savings!

Random Act of Gratitude #58: Dennis Makes a Decision

Almost there...

This evening, it was time to hop into the car and drive up north of Toronto to meet up with Sonya so we could see our friend, Charlotte, in a show.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I'm not the most decisive person on the planet. And anyone who knows Sonya can probably predict that she's not impressed with that.

So, of course, once we'd met up the question of dinner came up. To Sonya's credit, she had scoped out some options for dining, but quickly became frustrated with my lack of concern over where we eat. I'm quite sure she might have had a homicide on her hands had my phone not rung in my pocket.

It was Dennis calling to update me on the ridiculousness of his afternoon. While I had him on the phone, I asked him where we should eat and it took him all of 15 seconds to tell us where to eat (Mediterranean).

See? That's someone who is used to just deciding instead of trying to force the issue!

Thanks, Dennis. My meal was delicious.

Random Act of Gratitude #57: A Surprise in the Mailbox

Seriously. I will catch up.

I came home from work today (which had its distinct ups and downs) to find that a bag of those oft-referenced Rosemary and Basil chips had magically appeared in my mailbox! Unless my letter carrier (who is great, might I add) reads this page, I doubt it came from him.

I have NO IDEA who dropped off this unexpected surprise, but how great and toughtful is that? Who knows how many people are scouring the shelves of the region for delicious chips because I've voiced my love of them? Who knew that speaking about delicious things would bring such acts of generosity?

For the record, I also love hybrid vehicles and cash.

Thanks, mystery giver!

Random Act of Gratitude #56: Lunchtime Companions

Working on it...

My Wednesday job is going well. I quite enjoy what I'm doing and, as you know, I immensely like the consultant with whom I'm working. The added bonus is that other friends and colleagues work out of the same building, though they're not always there when I am there.

Today was one of those days when several of us were there at the same time and a small crew of us headed across to the old Subway for lunch. Even the woman I didn't know at all was entertaining and enjoyable!

Is there anything better at work than chatting and laughing over food at lunch?

(As an aside, Glynnis met with Gerda and I in the morning and in true Glynnis-and-Jerome form, we were horribly divergent. I hope Gerda didn't mind.)

Random Act of Gratitude #55: A Home When Needed (Part II)

I'm determined to be caught back up by Monday. Wish me luck.

The summer after I finished teachers' college was an interesting one. Within three days of finishing, I had packed my belongings into the car, gone to see a friend get married, seen my cousin admitted into the hospital, and had surgery myself. What followed were a few months of recovery, part-time jobs, and uncertainty in my career.

Things weren't in a great place for new teaching jobs at the time, and I eventually resigned myself to the dauting reality that I might well end up having to live with my parents for a year in the small town where they had moved and where I knew nobody.

I was splitting my time between a daycare and a lumber mill (yes, re-read that and laugh) and proceeded to set up an after-school program through the daycare.

Then I got the call offering me a slot as an occasional (supply) teacher. Despite the risk that comes with unguaranteed employment, I accepted and called up the woman who had been my landlady for the last two years of school, knowing my chances were slim-t0-none. The wee apartment was cheap and centrally located in the city.

"I can't believe you called," she said. "The man living there just told me yesterday that he'll have to move out in a few weeks."

And so I was back (for about a decade, as it turned out).

But in the meantime, I had no place to stay.

Enter Cheryl and Chris. Cheryl had been my associate teacher for my first major teaching block at the school where I now teach.

Upon hearing about my situation, she might have blinked before offering to put me up until the apartment became available.

And so I became the guy in the basement at their home for a month or so. Cheryl, Chris, and their oldest (and only, at the time) daughter invited me into their home and family. Toss in that their house was right on the lake, and it was particularly lovely.

We still laugh about a few odd misconceptions that came from that time.

#1. Despite what Cheryl somehow came to believe, I do not love fish sticks. Who loves fish sticks? Still trying to figure out how on earth she got that idea.

#2: I did not hate everything she cooked. I hated the eggplant lasagna. That's it. The rest was quite delicious. Well, except for the fish sticks.

To top it off, Cheryl gave me a list of principals with whom I was to make face-to-face contact during the "get my name out there" stage of supply teaching.

And so, today, my thanks goes out to Cheryl and her family (now my pickle family) for giving me a hand and a home when I was just starting out.

Random Act of Gratitude #54: The Weather Breaks (before my body does)

See Jerome type. Type, Jerome. Type. He will catch up soon. He is getting closer with each day. Way to go, Jerome. You can do it.

Sunday was the low, low, low of my sick weekend. I took Monday off of work and somewhere around noon, I started realizing that a change was in the works. By two or so in the afternoon, I was noticeably improved and knew I would be able to return to work on Tuesday.

That's all it took. Gratitude was seeping from my pores, because I did NOT want to be Sunday-style sick for any longer than I had to be.

I wasn't 100% (and I'm still not), but I was certainly greatly improved. Thank goodness.

Random Act of Gratitude #53: The Snack Lady Gives a Gift

Still catching up. Thanks for your patience. If you're not really that patient, then thanks for keeping your snide remarks to yourself.

At the board building where I work once a week, they used to have this delicious fruit tea from the London Fruit and Herb Company. I asked the woman in charge of food, drinks, snacks, and whatnot for the building's meetings and whatnot where she got it and was told (unsurprisingly) that she got it at Costco.

And thus began a year or more of disappointment in the tea aisle at Costco. As always happens when I like something (you hear me, delicious Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Pitas from Pita Break?), they stop stocking it.

In any case, I happened to comment a few weeks back when I saw Snack Lady (whose name is Patti, by the way) that I guess I would just have to move on.

She smiled and said, "You know, I still have almost a full box. I'll bring it for you."

AND SHE DID!

For the record, the Blackcurrent Bracer makes the room smell like wine gums when you brew it. Mmmmmm.

Thanks, Patti! You're the best Snack Lady EVER!

Random Act of Gratitude #52: Concerned Callers

Still making up for lost time.

By today, I was in full-fledged sick mode, and it was becoming clear that this was no run-of-the-mill sick for me. I was not enjoying things at all, and was in no way fit for public consumption. I spent the day sleeping in fits and starts, jumping between feeling freezing and roasting, with every muscle from the shoulder blades up jacked up on tension, and the list goes on and on and on.

Suddenly my long-established Saturday evening plans went out the window. (Sorry everyone!)

Now, you're thinking, where in the midst of this diatribe on self-pity does the gratitude come in? Let me tell you!

Upon hearing of the cancellation of my evening plans, a few friends called up to check up on me, to see if I needed anything from the drug store, and even to offer to bring me dinner made by kind-hearted husbands! As is a recurring theme in this project, I really have wonderful, caring friends.

Random Act of Gratitude #51: Employment Opportunities (Part II)

I was ridiculously sick all weekend and wasn't able to post here. Seriously. You know under the weather? Go under the weather, look down, find a soft spot in the dirt, and start digging. When you get far enough for it to be sludgy and gross and dark and cold, climb in. Stay there all weekend. I'm now trying to make up for lost time here.

When a position opened up at the school where I presently teach, I definitely wanted it.

I'd done my student teaching there and loved the school's philosophy, families, and style. I'm not one of those people who think every other school's bad; I just really think that great things happen at the wee school where I am.

In any case, there's always a lengthy series of steps that a job posting has to go through. As a teacher who now had a contract, but not a full-time contract, I had to wait several postings before I was even eligible to apply.

Here's where the appreciation comes in.

The principal at the time was a very strong-willed (in a very good way) woman who kept me up to date on how the process was going and assured me frequently that she was doing what she could to get things to the point where I could finally apply.

Ironically, I don't believe this principal was originally one of my biggest fans. I'm not convinced that I had exactly won her over during my days as a long-haired student teacher and probably not even in the brief interim of supply teaching, either. The staff at the school was behind me, though, and she trusted them and so she supported me.

At long last, the time came when I could apply and sit the interview and lo and behold, I got the job. And whether or not she was originally a fan of mine, she gave me a fair shake and ended up being very supportive of me both then and through the years afterwards, when she went on to be Superintendent of Special Education, even encouraging me to apply for jobs that were coming up under her department. (Obviously I chose to stay where I was. The time didn't seem ripe for leaving.)

So, for your support back in the early years of my career, thanks, Marlene!

Random Act of Gratitude #50: All We Eat is Radio Ga-Ga

A family from the school entered a contest with a local radio station and won lunch for the class. Today was the day that the folk arrived from the station to serve up lunch (a rousing meal of caesar salad, chicken fingers, and potato wedges) for the class.

What was amusing was that they arrived, served my class, and said, "We still have tonnes of food left," so in the end, they fed the entire school. Haha!

What was really nice, though, was that the morning show host who came didn't just serve up the food, take a few pictures, and head on her way. She sat down with the kids and chatted with them, joking and laughing and generally taking a real interest in them. It was really great how she interacted with them.

Thanks for lunch, EZ Rock!

Random Act of Gratitude #49: A Date With Someone Else's Fiance

Tonight it was off to dinner and a movie with my dear friend (and sometimes onstage love-interest) Melanie. Don't worry: although he didn't join us, her fiance didn't mind! Ha!

We had a lovely and junky dinner and had the chance to chat and catch up a bit. It was quite surprising when we realized how long it had been since we'd been able to just sit and yak.

Then it was off to see Coraline in 3D. What crazy fun! It's quite a bit different from the book, but maintains the spirit and intentions of the book quite well. The music is great, too, so I will definitely splurge on getting the soundtrack when it's released next week.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening of film, friendship, and food. Thanks, Mel!

Random Act of Gratitude #48: Rosemary & Basil (Redux)

That Melissa with whom I work really is the Queen of Thoughtful Wee Gifts. She was in a store and saw a single, solitary, lonely bag of those delicious (but increasingly rare) Rosemary and Basil chips with which I have a mild love affair and picked them up (presumably paying for them on the way out) and left them for me on my desk at work.

Seriously. Those other coworkers of mine had better step up to the plate or Melissa's going to pull pretty majorly into the lead here. Haha!

Random Act of Gratitude #47: Family Day

Today was "Family Day" or, as I like to call it "Finally a Day Off between Christmas and March Break". This stretch is always a bit deadly in schools and having one day in the midst of it is greatly appreciated.

I admit it: I was a complete lazy bum today. I didn't do much work and I am aware that I'll pay for that later, but the opportunity to do nothing much was such a refreshing change. I slept in, read for a while, had lunch and then spent some quality time vegging out. I will have some catching up to do with paperwork, but in the end, I think I'll be a bit more up for it.

Random Act of Gratitude #46: Employment Opportunities (Part I)

When I finished teachers' college, it was a difficult time for jobs. I spent a year doing supply work and getting a fair bit of it, thanks to several schools who put me at the top of their short lists. Ironically, it wasn't one of those schools who gave me my first contract, nor was it the principal of one of those "regular" schools.

In the summer before my second year out, I received a call from a principal who invited me to interview for a long term placement covering for a maternity leave.

Seriously, she called me and invited me to apply.

How did this come to be?

Well, firstly, she was apparently one of those who interviewed me at the board level just to be put on the "eligible to hire" list. Clearly I was just too stressed out with being interviewed to really clue in to who it was that interviewed me, but also I certainly didn't figure that I would stand out in any was from the other million people that are interviewed at the board level. I was just glad to be put on that list.

After I was hired, the principal also told me that I'd supplied at the school where she had been working as vice-principal the year before. As far as I know, I was there twice and only twice. Unbeknownst to me, she had come to stand in the doorway for a while and watched while I was doing the supply teacher thing. "I thought they might eat you alive," she told me, "but I came and watched from the hallway for a while and was surprised by how smoothly things were going." I clearly didn't know she was watching and, to be honest, I have no recollection of what I might have been doing with the class. I only vaguely remember going to the school. To this day I always tell supply teachers that every time they walk into a school, it's an audition. Having been on the hiring panel at my current school several times, I know that's definitely true.

Finally, she also told me she remembered me from a few meetings we apparently attended together. I don't really recall meeting her there, but there you have it.

The point of this whole spiel is that I appreciate that someone wanted to support me getting a start in my career enough that she actually contacted me (when I should have been doing the leg-work, but hadn't heard about the job at all) and made it happen for me. She was hugely supportive of me teaching according to my own style and philosophy and encouraged my arts program in a school which was wonderful but in which my class was certainly not the norm.

To further sweeten the deal, what was supposed to be a six-month maternity leave assignment was changed at the end of the first week of school to a contract position. My foot was officially in the door.

Thank you Linda (even though you moved out to BC somewhere years ago and don't read this at all). I am grateful to this day for the opportunity you gave me to have my first class of my own.

Random Act of Gratitude #45: Traveling Mercies

A small crew of us hopped in the car to drive up and see Sonya in Urinetown tonight. Almost two hours each way in a slightly tightly packed car could have been mildly contentious, but it was actually quite enjoyable.

The traffic was clear and easy (and we were amused when Sonya herself passed us on the highway, she to make it for her call time and we to get there in time for a bite to eat).

The younger folk were chatty and amusing and Dennis provided enough groan-worthy jokes and random stories to sustain us all the way. Even as we drove back (somewhere around 2 in the morning), the passengers didn't fall asleep and abandon me to my wee-hours driving tasks.

The inbetween time, also, was very enjoyable, seeing a fun show and getting together afterwards with Sonya, Laurie (with whom I've worked before), and other members of the cast and crew.

It was certainly worth the four hours of driving.

Random Act of Gratitude #44: A Day of Fun with Kids

Today was the day before Valentine's Day meaning, of course, that it was Valentine's Day at school.

What that provided was a pleasant chance to have a little bit more of a relaxed day with the kids whom I adore but who have been a bit off-the-wagon for the past few weeks. (It's February. Surprise, surprise.) They were good fun today, and now there's a nice long weekend ahead.

Ahhhh!

Random Act of Gratitude #43: The Forgiveness of Friends

I'm going to be presumptuous here.

I somehow fell slightly behind in posting here. How is that possible? It only takes a few minutes to post and yet somehow I neglected to do it!

Thank goodness I can depend on the forgiveness of my dear friends who read this. Right? Right? I'm so GRATEFUL for their willingness to let it pass.

Random Act of Gratitude #42: The Best Policy

This evening, I had to cancel out on Sonya to see Happy Days: The Musical due to my need to visit the clinic to have someone look at my crazy right eye. Since yesterday it had gotten progressively more painful and red which is why I figured I should have it looked out sooner rather than later.

After a lengthy wait (which was the reason for having to cancel out), I was told it was a minor infection, given a prescription for eyedrops (another wait to get them), and sent on my way. After using the eyedrops for the first time along with some fake Advil, the pain was significantly reduced (I could blink without hurt) and the swelling was down.

Dennis dropped by, so I agreed to go to the old Costco with him (bought crackers -- woohoo) and then he offered to accompany me and have a coffee while I ate a wee dinner at Kelsey's.

A moment after arriving, Dennis went to pop into the washroom, but returned seconds later.

He'd found a hundred dollar bill on the floor and wanted to see if they knew whose it was. That's right, a hundred dollar bill.

At first the waitress was sort of saying, "It's your lucky day, then," but Dennis basically said, "Yeah, but seriously. Could it belong to one of the servers from a bill that was paid?"

Long story short, they found the waitress who had dropped it and to say thanks for his honesty (because clearly he could have pocketed it and let the girl deal with it when she cashed out) they offered us our meals on the house. Since Dennis had already had his supper, the result was that I got my meal free because of Dennis's good deed.

So thanks, Kelsey's, and thanks, Dennis!

Random Act of Gratitude #41: A Charming (and timely) Letter

Today I received a delightful (and well-timed, considering a recent run of mild frustrations at work) letter from a former student. Seriously. It completely made my day.

Random Act of Gratitude #40: Video Sale

Is it just wrong that popping into Blockbuster and finding the Previously Viewed Video sale is way better than expected makes me happy?

It did.

It's probably wrong.

It's still true.

Random Act of Gratitude #39: A Piano

In "the old country", my father was a piano tuner / technician and since arriving in Canada, he's kept his hand in it from time to time.

Several years ago, he was offered an old beater of a piano from some place or other and it spent the next couple of years in my parents' basement, often in pieces, as he gradually repaired, rebuilt, and refinished it. When it was finally fixed up -- and my mother was becoming more vocal in insisting that it leave their home -- they gave it to me. At the time, I was living in a small upstairs apartment in a duplex, so it lived in the front entranceway at the bottom of the stairs (yes, in the worst place possible for a piano). Although my landlady and landlord said time and again that they didn't mind if I played it, I seldom did, unless I was quite certain that they were not home. (And occasionally I was wrong about that, and I'd find myself with an audience ... leading me to suddenly blush and close it up.)

When I moved into my current house, I was thrilled to have proper space for the piano and to feel like I could play it at will.

Now, I'm no great piano player by ANY stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy playing and it's come in very handy when writing music (usually for a school production) alone or with Betsy. There's something very therapeutic, also, about playing something familiar or with just improvising something or other that will never be played again.

Thanks, dad o' mine!

Random Act of Gratitude #38: Rosemary and Basil

Alright, this is completely pathetic, but it goes to show how little it can take to make my day.

I recently discovered Miss Vickie's Rosemary and Basil potato chips, also known as the most delicious potato chips I've ever tasted.

Shortly thereafter, they suddenly became scarce.

Cue the sad music.

About a week ago, Melissa arrived at work with a wee package of them since she knew I was pining for them. (Thanks, Melissa!)

Since then, I've been unable to find them again.

But today I found a bag -- that's right, ONE bag -- in my touring around while I ran errands. It's like a tiny little treasure trove just waiting to be eaten.

I truly hope the folks at Miss Vickie's haven't discontinued this product, as it makes me very happy whilst eating it.

Random Act of Gratitude #37: Timely Socialization

By the time I got in from work, I was tired, a bit frustrated, and slightly grumpy. Without going into any details, suffice it to say that it was "one of those days".

Thankfully, though, I have smashing friends. Though the original plans for the night ended up being vetoed, I went out to the old Costco and for a bite to eat with Dennis, then later was called by Kathie, June, and Alison to join them for a quick tea at Hortons and, having spent the evening chatting, venting, and laughing, my spirits were lifted.

Sure, I still have to deal with the frustrations of life, but at least they can't take over completely. Thank goodness for great friends. (I really worry that entries such as this might become terribly redundant-seeming. Hmmm. That's what I get for being surrounded by great people.)

Random Act of Gratitude #36: Glynnis Drops By

I had actually made it into the parking lot and was putting my work into the car when Glynnis pulled into the space beside me. Glynnis had dropped by for a visit.

Glynnis visits are always great, and just a little therapeutic, too. Ha!

The Background in Brief:

Glynnis used to work with me, first half-time, then full time, and oh! what times they were! Haha! She still jokes about those days when, after the kids had gone home, I'd wander up into her room, lay down on the piano bench, and we'd chat for a bit before getting back to work.

Then she left me! That's right, she left me! Off she went to work with the Math Curriculum department sharing her vast knowledge and experience with others. Blah, blah, blah.

Still, we've worked together on many projects over they years, and so she hasn't completely abandoned me, I suppose. And now that I'm working one day a week out in the building at which she's based, I will likely see her with at least some regularity.

So, back to today, she magically appeared just as I was leaving. Needless to say, I delayed my departure to head back inside, to chat and catch up, and to generally enjoy the unexpected dropping in of my charming friend and colleague.

Random Act of Gratitude #35: A Slight Sleep-In

I'm not exactly a morning person at the best of times, but in the winter it's even worse. Getting up when it's cold and dark, getting into the car (when it's cold and dark), and driving to work (cold and dark) makes it even worse.

But today, I had the chance to sleep in a little bit. I know, I know: it's not like I was in bed until noon, but the difference between being at work at 7:00am and leaving for work at 8:00am is enormous.

Ahhhh! Thank you, sweet morning!

Random Act of Gratitude #34: Cheap Tickets

Tonight Sarah and I took advantage of $25 tickets to Jersey Boys. We had several understudies in lead roles but the show was very enjoyable. It was also great to chat while eating delicious Indian food. Thanks for friends and friends who can arrange cheap tickets now and then!

Random Act of Gratitude #33: A Beautiful, Sunny, Warm(ish) Day in February

The occasional day like this, when the sun comes out and is noticeably warm, the ice starting to melt, that help me get through winter. (In case you haven't gathered, I'm not "winter people".)

Aaaaah! I know it won't last, but I'm happy to enjoy it in the meantime nonetheless.

Random Act of Gratitude #32: Signs of Improvement (Pet Edition)

Lately, my pet tarantula's behaviour has been unusual and I was getting a bit worried. I didn't think much of it when she dug out a little space in the substrate beneath a piece of bark and spent some quality time there -- she often digs little ditches in which to sit -- but after a few days of her not emerging, even when I gave her new water, I was starting to get concerned.

My first thought was that the bark had fallen onto her and hurt her, so I moved it gently out of the way (probably to her chagrin) but although she appeared physically unharmed, she stayed in her little ditch through the next day.

I went to buy her some crickets, to see if food would perk her up. She eats very seldom, about every six weeks, and she wasn't 'due' for another feeding, but I still thought that food was worth a shot. I dropped a few in and she grabbed them quickly. Over the next day or so, I gave her a good meal of crickets and since then she has emerged, spending time in various little corners and nooks of her aquarium. I hope she'll be back to normal soon, because the thought of her being on her last legs wasn't appealing. I'm quite attached to the little creature!