Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Sea of Pink
Having three girls I should have expected a certain amount of pinkness in my life but sometimes for no reason it seems to really explode. In a good way. Although my girls are sporty and love things like star wars, lego, and Jack London stories, every once and a while they really have to get their pink on. Like on Saturday after hockey with their little cousin joining in. Enjoy!
Monday, 24 February 2014
No Play Allowed
I was at a school park with my kids the other day after school hours. My children were happily playing on the play structure which was fairly snowy, but since it was constructed mostly of wood and not very dangerous looking I didn't really see it as a problem. Now there is a sign on said play structure that says Ottawa District School has closed this structure until spring. "Ok that sounds clear enough Ryan", you say? Wait! The park near the school is actually owned by the city so while the school has rights to the structure during school hours they do not after school is over. So I took it upon myself to ignore the stupid rule sign and let my children play on the "dangerous play structure"; can dangerous play structure even go in the same sentence? I digress,,.
From the school came abounding two very well meaning ECE workers who help run the day-care within the school. " Sorry but the play structures closed for the season you can you it in the spring", they said in their patronising veiled with concern tone. "But, but, it's only a bit snowy, and it's after 4 pm, and, and, its a dumb rule" I said, somewhat reverting into a fourth grade version of myself. "Sorry it's just way too dangerous in the winter to use it" said the ECE teacher. "OK, fine, we will go play on the two story high snow hill beside the parking lot" I say. Which is actually dangerous but with no other options what can you do?
Now it's not that I think this is the teachers or maybe even the schools fault. This is an insurance problem. The schools insurance will not cover student injuries in the winter, so they have to lie to students, parents and even themselves and say that it is because the play structure is dangerous in the winter. The problem with this is that everyone starts believing this lie. Students really think it's very dangerous to play on a meter high playground in the winter in Canada. Where it is winter like 9ish months of the year.
Meanwhile we have a huge push in Ottawa schools to curb obesity. Fresh fruit Fridays, no candy, one candy a day after Halloween, and exercise themed days every so often. How bout we can all that crap, start teaching them to read more often, and open that dammed play structure. Free the children I say!
I know this will not be happening anytime soon. Not while there is a huge insurance company holding the play structures at ransom. I hope that Canadian children are able to shake off their imposed fear when they are older and learn the difference between real danger and a crazy town idea of danger. And I hope that the school boards ubber health strategy doesn't do more harm than good in their students lives. Personally I would much rather have a bunch of kids falling off play structures in the winter if it meant we could give them a more carefree existence during school recess. But maybe thats just me.
From the school came abounding two very well meaning ECE workers who help run the day-care within the school. " Sorry but the play structures closed for the season you can you it in the spring", they said in their patronising veiled with concern tone. "But, but, it's only a bit snowy, and it's after 4 pm, and, and, its a dumb rule" I said, somewhat reverting into a fourth grade version of myself. "Sorry it's just way too dangerous in the winter to use it" said the ECE teacher. "OK, fine, we will go play on the two story high snow hill beside the parking lot" I say. Which is actually dangerous but with no other options what can you do?
Now it's not that I think this is the teachers or maybe even the schools fault. This is an insurance problem. The schools insurance will not cover student injuries in the winter, so they have to lie to students, parents and even themselves and say that it is because the play structure is dangerous in the winter. The problem with this is that everyone starts believing this lie. Students really think it's very dangerous to play on a meter high playground in the winter in Canada. Where it is winter like 9ish months of the year.
Meanwhile we have a huge push in Ottawa schools to curb obesity. Fresh fruit Fridays, no candy, one candy a day after Halloween, and exercise themed days every so often. How bout we can all that crap, start teaching them to read more often, and open that dammed play structure. Free the children I say!
I know this will not be happening anytime soon. Not while there is a huge insurance company holding the play structures at ransom. I hope that Canadian children are able to shake off their imposed fear when they are older and learn the difference between real danger and a crazy town idea of danger. And I hope that the school boards ubber health strategy doesn't do more harm than good in their students lives. Personally I would much rather have a bunch of kids falling off play structures in the winter if it meant we could give them a more carefree existence during school recess. But maybe thats just me.
Thursday, 16 January 2014
And Now for Something Completely Different - Snow Shoveling and Electronic Records
Hey, have you ever wondered how e-Records Cleanup is Like Shoveling Snow? I know, who hasn't, right? I explored that exact topic just a couple of weeks ago for my company's blog. Perhaps electronic records disposition and cleanup is not for you, that's understandable, however I'd still recommend checking out the link to glean some tips for shoveling snow and to sample some more fine writing from yours truly.
Enjoy!!
Monday, 13 January 2014
New Year's Coffee Revolution!!
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| The machine (in that background) that revolutionized the way I think about and drink coffee. |
Latte. Mocha Latte. Mmmmm...yes these are items that only a few weeks ago I considered indulgent. I have to admit I was a plain ol' regular coffee with a splash of milk kind of guy.
However since my wife and I received a fancy-dancy espresso machine for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad!!) my coffee habits have been revolutionized! I have discovered the sheer joy of making and partaking in such delectable specialty coffees. It is a fine feeling to sit down after a day at the office and enjoy a fine specialty coffee in my fine home with my fine family. The whole experience is...well, FINE!!
My oldest daughter is a big fan of the machine too, she is quite proud of herself because she can now make her own hot chocolate. Now the trick will be to teach her how to make a latte and then have her get up early each day (or maybe just on Sundays) so my latte is ready for me when I arise. Ahh...to dream!
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| My first attempt at latte artistry...it's supposed to be a heart with an arrow though it...made with love, for my wife! |
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Father's Perspective on Crashing
I don't want to dwell on our accident because as scary as it was it ultimately turned out alright. It was a minor trauma that could have been a major tragedy...but wasn't. So while I want to grant it its proper weight, I want to strive to keep it in perspective and avoid indulging in sensationalizing the experience. That said I've had some stuff running through my mind that I wanted to write down and then that's it, it's on to other things (except when I have to deal with insurance et al).
As a father one of my main duties is to protect my family. As a parent we strive to provide everything our kids need to be safe, healthy and generally provided for. So much of my life revolves around what is best for them. It strikes me that as vigilant and conscientious as we try to be, we are often on the edge of chaos and might not even know it. I read a lot of westerns and one of the primary themes in westerns is the thin line that exists between civilization and basically just surviving. We build up this illusion of control by making plans, working hard and preparing for anything...and in a moment it can all slip out from underneath us and make naught of all we've built. We control so little. Even something as foundational as our livelihoods are often contingent on the whims of the marketplace, the economy and a number of other variables beyond our realm of influence. So what do I do with that?
Well for starters I beleive in a God that is in control, not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside of his care. Even if we should fall, it's not the end of the world. Even through or maybe especially through difficulties I believe God is working things together for the good of those who are called according to his will and his plan - even if what is happening is not good. Put aside whether you believe God directly causes or simply allows some things or everything to happen and the theological implications of each (that is a big discussion for another day), because beauty can rise from the ashes of tragedy and there are many examples. We may not alwasy be privy to the outcome...but I must believe. As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians to "live is Christ and to die is gain," he had a hard time deciding which he felt was better.I don't have too difficult a time accepting that on a personal level.
If this is true for me, then it is true for my wife and children. While I do have a responsibility to them and for them, they are not mine. So often I view my kids as extension of myself, forgetting that they are their own unique people with their own purposes and callings. It's difficult for me to comprehend but God loves them more perfectly than I ever could and has created them for his own good pleasure and for his purpose - not mine. I've been blessed with them for a time and as long as I live I will strive to be the best father for them, to protect and provide for them as vigilantly and diligently as ever. That which I can control and plan for I will, that which I cannot I will trust that in my weakness and inability God will be glorified and his strength and faithfulness be known, and pray knowing that my family will remain in his will.
I found that it is not easy trusting someone else with those who are most precious to me...but isn't that what God has done and I'm simply recipricating?
As a father one of my main duties is to protect my family. As a parent we strive to provide everything our kids need to be safe, healthy and generally provided for. So much of my life revolves around what is best for them. It strikes me that as vigilant and conscientious as we try to be, we are often on the edge of chaos and might not even know it. I read a lot of westerns and one of the primary themes in westerns is the thin line that exists between civilization and basically just surviving. We build up this illusion of control by making plans, working hard and preparing for anything...and in a moment it can all slip out from underneath us and make naught of all we've built. We control so little. Even something as foundational as our livelihoods are often contingent on the whims of the marketplace, the economy and a number of other variables beyond our realm of influence. So what do I do with that?
Well for starters I beleive in a God that is in control, not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside of his care. Even if we should fall, it's not the end of the world. Even through or maybe especially through difficulties I believe God is working things together for the good of those who are called according to his will and his plan - even if what is happening is not good. Put aside whether you believe God directly causes or simply allows some things or everything to happen and the theological implications of each (that is a big discussion for another day), because beauty can rise from the ashes of tragedy and there are many examples. We may not alwasy be privy to the outcome...but I must believe. As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians to "live is Christ and to die is gain," he had a hard time deciding which he felt was better.I don't have too difficult a time accepting that on a personal level.
If this is true for me, then it is true for my wife and children. While I do have a responsibility to them and for them, they are not mine. So often I view my kids as extension of myself, forgetting that they are their own unique people with their own purposes and callings. It's difficult for me to comprehend but God loves them more perfectly than I ever could and has created them for his own good pleasure and for his purpose - not mine. I've been blessed with them for a time and as long as I live I will strive to be the best father for them, to protect and provide for them as vigilantly and diligently as ever. That which I can control and plan for I will, that which I cannot I will trust that in my weakness and inability God will be glorified and his strength and faithfulness be known, and pray knowing that my family will remain in his will.
I found that it is not easy trusting someone else with those who are most precious to me...but isn't that what God has done and I'm simply recipricating?
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
An Inauspicious Beginning
It has been a most inauspicious beginning to the new year for my family. My new year's day Facebook status read, "Happy New year Friends!! May the joy and peace that passes all understanding be yours in 2014 whatever may come."
It was my thought to encourage and challenge my friends to count their blessings and in all circumstances to give thanks for that which they have, even when times are tough. True joy and peace (that I receive from God) should not be dependent on if we're having a good day, but should be evident through our struggles.
Little did I know that this sentiment would be thoroughly tested in my life almost immediately in the new year. Thursday, January 2nd was a bitterly cold night. Evie had a hockey tournament in Kingston on the weekend so my family and I were planning on braving the cold night to drive to the cottage to stay. However our car battery was dead and needed to be boosted or charged.
I called my father-in-law who came over with his car and charger. Boosting it from his battery didn't work. So we decided to push it up the driveway closer to an outlet so we could plug in a charger and connect it to the battery. The two of us were no match for the snowy driveway and as I jumped into the car to apply the break to stop the car from rolling backwards onto the road, my car door that was open because I was jumping into the car clipped my father-in-law's side mirror. CRACK!! Crap...
I dug out an extension cord, plugged it in and charged the car over the next hour. We decided to postpone our trip until the next morning, thinking that would be the safest option. My Father and Mother in law graciously (considering we just smashed their car window) thought it would be nice to babysit and let Lex and I go have a coffee. I commiserated with Lex about how we just seem to be screwing up again and again. We were so depressed about what we had just done but determined finally to move on and try to be more productive in the days ahead. This was not to be.
We got up nice and early the next day, loaded up kids, hockey stuff, and suitcases. Thankfully my wife had put them all in warm winter coats and gloves; sometimes we just put warm sweaters on, as a long drive in coats often gives the girls a heat rash. The drive towards Kingston was easy going for the first forty minutes or so. We then started to notice cars in the ditch every few minutes. The weather was very cold but also bright and clear so we couldn't understand why there were so many accidents. We slowed right down to be safe and continued on.
A few minutes after Lex wondered aloud why we were seeing so many cars off the road we got our answer first hand. The car started to fish-tail like a pendulum,. small little zig zag patterns at first that got wider with each swing eventually spinning our car a full 360 degrees. I think it would have kept spinning if we had not crashed into and through three posts of the guard rail (taking them all out of the ground and splitting two in half), then for good measure we rolled our car completely over and before coming to a halting stop in the ditch, thankfully we landed tires down. We had hit some serious black ice.
I first looked at Lex and after and after seeing that she was okay turned quickly to the the girls. I think the fraction of a second it took me to look at Lex then turn my head to look back was the most scared I've ever been. I didn't know what to expect but worst case scenarios danced in my mind. The instant after was perhaps the most relieved I've ever been as three sets of terrified eyes greeted me, terrified but alert and no visible signs of injury. Everyone seemed scared but OK. The kids started crying in unison exactly 30 seconds after we stopped rolling, but once we got them out of their car seats and into our arms they soon stopped. Two cars pulled up to help us, one was a actually a family from our hockey team (I cannot tell you how nice it was to see a familiar face), the other car had two sweet grandparents from Cape Breton who offered to drive us to the Kingston arena where we were headed, "Don't worry, we won't leave you" the kind couple reassured my wife as I tried to sort out what we were going to do. I called my brother-in-law, Jason, briefly explained what happened and asked him to come to Kingston and pick up our family (they were staying at the cottage only half an hour from there). So I grabbed what we needed from the wreckage that was our car, loaded everyone up and headed on our way making the requisite call to the police to report the accident, inform them we were all okay and that we were abandoning our car in the ditch because it was freezing. Evie and I traveled with more friends from our hockey team who were a couple kilometers back when we crashed but also stopped to help, while my wife took Noli and Miriam in the nice grandparents' vehicle to the arena.
We actually made it to Evie's game on time for her to play, which I think was helpful as it was a fun distraction for the girls while we spent the whole time on the phone with various insurance and tow truck people. After the game Jason, his son and our family went to get noodles at our favourite place in Kingston and slowly started to process what had happened. After the day of hockey (Evie played in both games that day and beat the Ice wolves) I picked up a rental car in town and then we all headed to the cottage...slowly and extremely cautiously. It felt so good to get inside and know that I would not have to drive again for the next 15 hours at least.
Our family as always was so helpful and supportive the next day. Jason and I spent our whole Saturday driving around searching for my car, where it was impounded and house keys (which I thoughtlessly left in the car). We had to drive all over the place which perhaps was a good...get right back up on the horse! It was odd surveying the crash site.
Meanwhile Kath (Lex's sister) and Lex stayed back with the kids at the cottage. The kids had a cottage perfect day, spent mostly outside sledding or drinking hot chocolate. The children's resiliency and toughness amaze me!
My wife's parents were amazingly helpful and generous as usual. They spent their Saturday coordinating with a locksmith to have my house door's open (lesson learned - always keep your spare key in its place because you just never know...) They have also generously offered to give us their much newer car for free; which doesn't even surprise me (they are very generous people).
We are all back home now and safe. Lex and I have very minor stiffness in our neck and back and arms. The girls have no stiffness whatsoever, and are mostly just sad about not being able to drive our old car again. We are all trying to relax and take life a bit more slowly and gratefully now. We have learnt a lot from this. We have resolved to treat winter weather with more respect, drive even more slowly and if necessary not at all when it seems too dangerous. Our other problems which we perhaps worrying about don't seem very important anymore either. I am hoping for a more calm continuation of the year after 2014 started off with a literal BANG and pray that the joy and peace that passes all understanding continues to envelop my household.
God Bless.
It was my thought to encourage and challenge my friends to count their blessings and in all circumstances to give thanks for that which they have, even when times are tough. True joy and peace (that I receive from God) should not be dependent on if we're having a good day, but should be evident through our struggles.
Little did I know that this sentiment would be thoroughly tested in my life almost immediately in the new year. Thursday, January 2nd was a bitterly cold night. Evie had a hockey tournament in Kingston on the weekend so my family and I were planning on braving the cold night to drive to the cottage to stay. However our car battery was dead and needed to be boosted or charged.
I called my father-in-law who came over with his car and charger. Boosting it from his battery didn't work. So we decided to push it up the driveway closer to an outlet so we could plug in a charger and connect it to the battery. The two of us were no match for the snowy driveway and as I jumped into the car to apply the break to stop the car from rolling backwards onto the road, my car door that was open because I was jumping into the car clipped my father-in-law's side mirror. CRACK!! Crap...
I dug out an extension cord, plugged it in and charged the car over the next hour. We decided to postpone our trip until the next morning, thinking that would be the safest option. My Father and Mother in law graciously (considering we just smashed their car window) thought it would be nice to babysit and let Lex and I go have a coffee. I commiserated with Lex about how we just seem to be screwing up again and again. We were so depressed about what we had just done but determined finally to move on and try to be more productive in the days ahead. This was not to be.
We got up nice and early the next day, loaded up kids, hockey stuff, and suitcases. Thankfully my wife had put them all in warm winter coats and gloves; sometimes we just put warm sweaters on, as a long drive in coats often gives the girls a heat rash. The drive towards Kingston was easy going for the first forty minutes or so. We then started to notice cars in the ditch every few minutes. The weather was very cold but also bright and clear so we couldn't understand why there were so many accidents. We slowed right down to be safe and continued on.
A few minutes after Lex wondered aloud why we were seeing so many cars off the road we got our answer first hand. The car started to fish-tail like a pendulum,. small little zig zag patterns at first that got wider with each swing eventually spinning our car a full 360 degrees. I think it would have kept spinning if we had not crashed into and through three posts of the guard rail (taking them all out of the ground and splitting two in half), then for good measure we rolled our car completely over and before coming to a halting stop in the ditch, thankfully we landed tires down. We had hit some serious black ice.
I first looked at Lex and after and after seeing that she was okay turned quickly to the the girls. I think the fraction of a second it took me to look at Lex then turn my head to look back was the most scared I've ever been. I didn't know what to expect but worst case scenarios danced in my mind. The instant after was perhaps the most relieved I've ever been as three sets of terrified eyes greeted me, terrified but alert and no visible signs of injury. Everyone seemed scared but OK. The kids started crying in unison exactly 30 seconds after we stopped rolling, but once we got them out of their car seats and into our arms they soon stopped. Two cars pulled up to help us, one was a actually a family from our hockey team (I cannot tell you how nice it was to see a familiar face), the other car had two sweet grandparents from Cape Breton who offered to drive us to the Kingston arena where we were headed, "Don't worry, we won't leave you" the kind couple reassured my wife as I tried to sort out what we were going to do. I called my brother-in-law, Jason, briefly explained what happened and asked him to come to Kingston and pick up our family (they were staying at the cottage only half an hour from there). So I grabbed what we needed from the wreckage that was our car, loaded everyone up and headed on our way making the requisite call to the police to report the accident, inform them we were all okay and that we were abandoning our car in the ditch because it was freezing. Evie and I traveled with more friends from our hockey team who were a couple kilometers back when we crashed but also stopped to help, while my wife took Noli and Miriam in the nice grandparents' vehicle to the arena.
We actually made it to Evie's game on time for her to play, which I think was helpful as it was a fun distraction for the girls while we spent the whole time on the phone with various insurance and tow truck people. After the game Jason, his son and our family went to get noodles at our favourite place in Kingston and slowly started to process what had happened. After the day of hockey (Evie played in both games that day and beat the Ice wolves) I picked up a rental car in town and then we all headed to the cottage...slowly and extremely cautiously. It felt so good to get inside and know that I would not have to drive again for the next 15 hours at least.
Our family as always was so helpful and supportive the next day. Jason and I spent our whole Saturday driving around searching for my car, where it was impounded and house keys (which I thoughtlessly left in the car). We had to drive all over the place which perhaps was a good...get right back up on the horse! It was odd surveying the crash site.
Meanwhile Kath (Lex's sister) and Lex stayed back with the kids at the cottage. The kids had a cottage perfect day, spent mostly outside sledding or drinking hot chocolate. The children's resiliency and toughness amaze me!
My wife's parents were amazingly helpful and generous as usual. They spent their Saturday coordinating with a locksmith to have my house door's open (lesson learned - always keep your spare key in its place because you just never know...) They have also generously offered to give us their much newer car for free; which doesn't even surprise me (they are very generous people).
We are all back home now and safe. Lex and I have very minor stiffness in our neck and back and arms. The girls have no stiffness whatsoever, and are mostly just sad about not being able to drive our old car again. We are all trying to relax and take life a bit more slowly and gratefully now. We have learnt a lot from this. We have resolved to treat winter weather with more respect, drive even more slowly and if necessary not at all when it seems too dangerous. Our other problems which we perhaps worrying about don't seem very important anymore either. I am hoping for a more calm continuation of the year after 2014 started off with a literal BANG and pray that the joy and peace that passes all understanding continues to envelop my household.
God Bless.
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