It's been a long time.

We closed the schools to everyone but staff last week, and were kind of scrambling for ways to complete outstanding work with no students in sight. This week it's spring break, so I've got a week to practice how I'm going to go on. We've got video conferencing tools built into our learning management system, and they don't look too hard to manage.

I brought home both of the work laptops; one is school-issued and the other older one we purchased for yearook work. And I have one at home courtesy of my work with a provincial teachers' organization. I figure I can use one computer to play my PowerPoint/SMART Notebook files and cast them to my TV, another to manage the webcasting, and a third to read chat/comment with students. Here's hoping our WiFi can keep up with the demand! I'll definitely be putting the new fibre to the test over the next three months.

I acknowledge that I am ridiculously fortunate in these circumstances. My job will continue, we will be paid as usual (it's actually in our contract regarding mandated school closures), and I have the funds, technology and abilities to manage what for many people is an incredibly stressful event.

I miss seeing all of my friends at the pool, though I'm not horribly disappointed at not getting up at 5 any more to go swimming. All the rec centres have been shut down, and I'm waiting for the weather to warm enough so that the sidewalks are safer for walking. My knee has definitely not improved its attitude.

Hoping you're all keeping well, mentally and physically out there.

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I'm feeling a little: hopeful

The Act of Remembrance:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them.

Thank you for remembering, Canada.

L’Acte du Souvenir:

Ils ne vieilliront pas comme nous, qui leur avons survécu.
Ils ne connaîtront jamais l'outrage ni le poids des années.
Quand viendra l'heure du crépuscule et celle de l'aurore,
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux.
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux.

Merci de vous souvenir, Canada.

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#mylivejournal #lj18 #happybirthday

I'm feeling a little: amused

Jesus wept.

Getting to be a once-a-year visit here. :( But all the best to you all for the new year. Can't be worse than the last one.

I'm feeling a little: optimistic

My Dad died last night at about 3:30 am, peacefully, and in hospice. Myself, his cousin and her daughter, and his little dig Frannie were all able to be there with him at the end. We still can't really comprehend the reality of his absence; the house is permeated with his presence.

The last words I heard clearly from him were "I love you."

I love you too, Dada. I hope you knew how much.

I got that call from the hospital that no one ever wants to hear. My Dad is no longer breathing very well, and by his own request does not want any heroic measures taken.
His cousin Heidi Ross and I are heading back to the hospital to be with him as soon as we can. He'll be comfortable and we'll be with him.

I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend these last weeks here with him. Between the hard times there have been some very good times. We made crepes together, and he makes the best garlic bread that you've ever tasted. We got out shopping and to various appointments together. We laughed at how he was hardly ever able to stay awake for an entire episode of America's Got Talent.

We were very different in temperament; I'm not sure he knew where his left-leaning introverted daughter came from, but he loved me and was always there for me in any way that he could be when I needed hep.

I love you Dada. I hope you know how much.

Wishes for everyone in the new year.


http://youtu.be/ZWRFY71jnWI

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I'm feeling a little: awake

Happy day to my birthday family jadestarla, speaker_to_customers and sparkindarkness. Hope you all have a great day. I'm planning to drive out to Banff tonight for some quality fondue time. And then I'll have to book an appointment at the drycleaner to get the oil smell out of my clothes...

I'm 11000 today, if you can count in binary.

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I'm feeling a little: chipper

We're fine; high and dry 13 stories up, and far from the rivers. But it's been essentially a 100-year flood; no one has seen such devastation since about 1923.



The Stampede pledges to go ahead, even though it's less than two weeks now to parade day. We'll be a long time recovering.

ETA: Above photo is from the Calgary Herald gallery on the flood here

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