(Almost) Back

So I’m back in the real world (and the blog world) after a (mostly) lovely Christmas vacation. AM is still off, so the kiddo is home with him today, meaning that my first morning back run-around was significantly simpler than usual. Between that, and the lighter holiday season traffic, I was at work pretty early. So early in fact, that, ah, there was no one here…and the door was locked. There was a Very Helpful Sign on the door that said “Dear tenants, the building will be closed on December 27 and 28, 2010 for statutory holidays.”

Uh, yeah. See Christmas and Boxing both fell on a weekend this year, so there apparently had been some variation in how companies worked this out – my agency gave us Friday and Monday as stats, and the building company apparently decided that Monday and TUESDAY would be better. I returned to my car, and parked with a view of the door to see if anyone else showed up. They did, and apparently had some super-secret, special way of getting in the building (how was I to know that our swipe cards would work for the outer door too?) and I followed them in. So everything worked out, but for arriving so early, I won’t also get to leave as early as I thought I would at end of day, since I didn’t start working until later. *grumble grumble*

Can’t wait till Friday, when we’re off for New Years. And at least I’ll know what to do NEXT week when the building will be closed on MONDAY.

No more sleeps

Today is my last day of work before I take some much needed vacation time. It's been a busy week (as usual) and I've tried to ensure that I would have everything in order before I went away, as I didn't want to spend today rushing to finish. I had a nice, quiet office day planned, with only one in office intake, and a supervision meeting in the afternoon. So I admit it: when I walked in this morning and saw my phone flashing with a voicemail message, I rolled my eyes. My brain wondered what kind of emergency or last minute mini-crisis was going to disrupt my day...

Turns out, it was just a client calling to say "Merry Christmas!"

Worry? Me? Nah.

Voicemail left by a client:

"…I know I asked you for that taxi voucher thing last week so I could go to the food bank? But I was just calling to ask you if I could use it to go to my doctor for my stomach instead, I can get to the food bank, I don’t know if you know that guy George? He’s that kind of blind guy that goes there a lot, but he drives around and I can get a ride with him. So I just wanted to call you to tell you don’t worry about it. Call me back!"

How Time Flies

It's started. I'm writing January 3, 2010 2011 on client appointment cards. We'll see if I can break the habit sooner rather than later. Mid-February would be impressive!

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6. I couldn’t let the whole day go by without remembering that it has been 21 years since the Montreal Massacre at Ecole Polytechnique. Vigils will be held across Canada today to remember the woman who were killed or injured, and to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.




Throughout this year the ongoing debate about the long gun registry has reached a fever pitch. The registry was put in place after the events of December 6, 1989 in hopes of preventing future tragedies. I hope this story doesn’t trump important discussions of femicide and violence around this time.



It seems more encouraging to highlight things like the December 6 fund, an initiative of the YWCA offering interest free loans to women leaving violent and abusive homes. We know that finances are one of the major reasons that women may not leave an abusive relationship. Initiatives like this that offer women the opportunity to use their own ideas and skills to create a new life are invaluable. I’ve known a couple women who have benefited from this fund, and they continue to be grateful.



So here’s to an end to all gender-based violence, and a rose to remember the women who have suffered it.

Let it...

Hmm, first major snowfall of the year.  I'm gonna go out on a limb here and bet that my new intake is going to be a no-show.

December Rush

December is here, the busiest time of year for many. Those of us working in social services are certainly not exempt (it’s not as bad now as when I was working for the Salvation Army, but that’s a story for another day) so what a time for by Blackberry calendar to stop synching properly!


I’ve already been double booked once due to this technological fail, and as a result had to beg on hands and knees to get a taxi approved for my client so she can go to the food bank before Christmas.

Only 15 days until vacation…