Whatcha Doin' - 2022 Showing 101-150 of 1,312

[Sandra, Moderator]

Wow, Shirley. Sounds very interesting! You are totally excused. :)

[Janice, Moderator]

Wow! You do sound busy, Shirley. You have lots of exciting activities going on.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

That sounds like an awesome event, Shirley! Is there a website or instagram or something we can see your posters?

I don't know of authors from the Darling Downs area, so sounds like this is a great way to educate people about local Aussie writers! But does sound like it is keeping you pretty busy and out of trouble ;)

[Jayme, Moderator]

Would love to see your posters, Shirley. I also have been AWOL from posting, but have been lurking. I think a lot of us are feeling that way, but just have to go with the flow.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "My son and I drove 5 hours to Edmonton the other day, stayed in the most uncomfortable hotel, reported to the hospital yesterday morning and was prepped for surgery. The doctor came in and told me ..."

Oh Janice, how unfortunate! I know that emergencies have to have precedence but when you're all phycid for an op and it doesn't happen, that's tough. And all the travel and expanse into the bargain!

[Janice, Moderator]

Ya, it's a bummer and plays havoc with my work schedule. I'll be working this weekend, and next weekend to meet deadlines.

They are going to do their best to make it happen at the end of the month but there are no guarantees. It would help if Covid wasn't filling up our hospitals. If there is no ICU bed for me next time, it will be cancelled again. I'm nervous because our numbers are climbing again. You know - Christmas backlash.

[Travis]

My audible membership renewed last October. I haven't used a single credit. Went to Target today. Looked over the books, closest thing we have to a bookstore,. Didn't find one that interests me. I'm in a reading slump I guess.

I drive by a library to and from work every day. One of these days maybe I'll stop in there. My grandma used to live down the street and I was in it decades ago. Except. At some point recently they moved down the street and have a brand new building. I remember being this dark dreary almost depressing place when I went there as a kid

[Travis]

Unrelated I drove by where my grandma used to live as well. Her house and garage are completely gone and a huge garage has been built over top of where they both used to be.

[Esther]

Janice wrote: "Ya, it's a bummer and plays havoc with my work schedule. I'll be working this weekend, and next weekend to meet deadlines.

They are going to do their best to make it happen at the end of the mont..."
I really hope it happen. if not, I hope you will know before you travel.

[Shirley]

Travis wrote: "This movie on Netflix right now, "Don't Look Up". Freaking hilarious. What's scary is it's probably close to true. But I highly recommend it"
I watched it a few nights ago and loved it. Cate Blanchett was brilliant as usual, as well as Leo de Cap, and Jennifer L. Absolutely loved the after-credits. I laughed out loud when the President (view spoiler)[lost her head (hide spoiler)]

[Shirley]

Rusalka - you've probably never heard of any Darling Downs authors :)
This is the fb page for Wordfest. Scroll down to early November and you'll see photos of my posters.
https://www.facebook.com/WordFestToow...

Toowoomba is a city located a few hours' drive from Brisbane. It is the regional centre for the Darling Downs to the west. Historically, the DD was (after Aboriginal people had been forced from their lands, or killed, or forced into servitude), divided into vast sheep stations, which are now separate smaller farms.
Even though I don't live there now, I spent my childhood on a small farm west of T'mba.

And to explain further about the T'mba Wordfest. My friend is retired and for something to do :) she decided to organize a huge event for T'mba the weekend of 4/5 June. There'll be author talks, and workshops, and other bookish things.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh they are very professional. And clear even in photos. This graphic designer's wife(ish) approves!

I do not know anyone in the photos or the page as yet, but there looks like a heap of authors to investigate. I have a nephew's birthday next week, so those children's authors may need a look in.

[Janice, Moderator]

I don't know if I should put this here or under our Covid thread. I got a call from the hospital today and they are so overwhelmed with covid, that they had to cancel their surgeries for next week. I've been rescheduled tentatively for March 16.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh Janice, that sucks. At least you weren't at the hospital this time.

Stupid covid.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm sorry this is being delayed again, Janice!
I agree it is better to at least know it before hand. Fingers crossed for March 16.

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's so disappointing, Janice. Agreed that it is good that you knew ahead of time this time. Hopefully, things will settle down enough again by March.

[Lilisa]

Bummer, Janice :-(

[Janice, Moderator]

There are a couple of benefits to the delay. It eases up my deadlines due at the end of January and I can take this coming weekend off. My son was able to rescind his vacation request and work as originally scheduled next week. He's on days off that week in March and won't need to use vacation days.

The downside is that my doctor can't tell me what the risks are for a rupture, and the longer it gets delayed, the risk rises. His assistant told me that if I have a sudden severe headache, to call 911.

There's a huge thread on Twitter about this situation. Someone posted a comment saying that people need to understand that "elective surgery" just means that it's scheduled. It doesn't mean that it's optional. The only time surgery isn't elective is when it's an emergency - like a gun shot victim needing immediate intervention. I was shocked by how many people were posting they'd had their heart, brain, cancer, etc surgeries cancelled.

I read yesterday that hospitals were at 95% capacity and my client's receptionist downplayed that saying, "that's the usual. They are always at 95%". When I relayed that comment to the assistant, she said, "Yes, if you don't include the additional surgery beds we put in place. If you consider the total number of people in hospital now, with our usual bed compliment, we are actually at about 110% capacity."

I have a gigantic cold sore on my lip. My friend says, "Stress, Janice. And God knows you've been under a lot of it." Antidote - hot chocolate with spiced rum. But only one. I'm nervous to have more.

[Jenn]

I am so sorry to hear of your delay Janice. So far Sean’s is still on for tomorrow, but Fort Mac hasn’t been as bad as some of the other major centers in Alberta, so here’s hoping 🤞

[Shirley]

Oh Janice, what a stressful situation. And Rusalka. Stupid Covid indeed!

[Shirley]

And it makes my pouting about the cancellation of my RLBC very childish. Please go away, Covid.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Shirley wrote: "And it makes my pouting about the cancellation of my RLBC very childish. Please go away, Covid."

Nah, we've all had disappointments. It's not a competition of who's are bigger than who's.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Jenn wrote: "I am so sorry to hear of your delay Janice. So far Sean’s is still on for tomorrow, but Fort Mac hasn’t been as bad as some of the other major centers in Alberta, so here’s hoping 🤞"

Fingers and toes crossed!!!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "There are a couple of benefits to the delay. It eases up my deadlines due at the end of January and I can take this coming weekend off. My son was able to rescind his vacation request and work as o..."

Vegemite. Vitamin E, B and salt. Best thing for mouth sores.

I do think the term elective surgery is incredibly misleading. They've started cancelling them here too, and I am amazed at what counts as elective. I've always thought it means, "not life threatening" so a knee replacement could wait (although painful!) but brain tumor removal gets done. Nope. Only what will kill you right now, not in 3 months time.

Very sobering to realise that is where we are again.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Further to that, what drove it home for me was the twitter threads about Boris' parties in May 2020.

Realising that elective surgeries were cancelled then, and someone saying their mum couldn't have her cancer removed the day the PM was having a boozey party in his garden in London. And the mum died 2 months later.

They should be out of gov, and in jail honestly.

[Esther]

Janice wrote: "I don't know if I should put this here or under our Covid thread. I got a call from the hospital today and they are so overwhelmed with covid, that they had to cancel their surgeries for next week...."

I am so sorry. I cannot imagine how stressful it is. The only good thing is that you did not have to travel and find out.
Take the weekend and pamper yourself.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Esther wrote: "Take the weekend and pamper yourself.."

Yes!!
Unleash the fluffy slippers!!

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I don't know if I should put this here or under our Covid thread. I got a call from the hospital today and they are so overwhelmed with covid, that they had to cancel their surgeries for next week...."

Bummer! That kind of uncertainty must be so stressful Janice *hugs*

On the bright side, you are soo lucky to us all to keep you busy and distract you haha

[Margo]

Rusalka wrote: "Further to that, what drove it home for me was the twitter threads about Boris' parties in May 2020.

Realising that elective surgeries were cancelled then, and someone saying their mum couldn't h..."

Boris is unbelievable. He is shameless!!!

[Christine]

Margo who’s Boris?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Christine wrote: "Margo who’s Boris?"

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - Boris Johnson.

[Christine]

Oh ok Rusalka

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Boris is unbelievable. He is shameless!!!"

I think the question today in the parliament was perfect (paraphrased, I can't find the hansard yet):
Where are we as a nation when the PM is trying to convince the public he is stupid over incompetent/dishonest?

I cannot for the life of me remember which one was the last word of the question. But both are adpt.

[Christine]

Oh ok Rusalka

[Sandra, Moderator]

A couple of months ago the same scandal happended in Argentina. A picture of a party for the first lady's birthday, where of course was the president too. The party was back in July 2020, so when a strict lockdown was still in place.
The first lady also had fertilization assistance (she is 7 or 8 months pregnant now) when so many people was having their surgeries and other treatments postponed or cancelled.

What is wrong with people?

He is still the president, even he shouldn't.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Jenn, finger crossed for Sean! Let us know how it goes.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Shirley, we all have had a long chain of disappointments during the last 2 years. At this point there are no "small" disappointments just because we can't stand not even one more.

[Janice, Moderator]

Jenn, I hope Sean's surgery goes ahead and with no complications. Please keep us posted at how he is doing.

Margo, thanks for the distraction. LOL!

Esther, I need to buy new fluffy slippers. I always buy the mocassin slippers with fur around the edges. The fur is pretty much worn off, and I need to buy a new pair.

[Janice, Moderator]

Alberta's provincial government has got to be the most incompetent administration I've ever encountered. The list is long - parties that infringe on the restrictions, opening up for the best summer ever by stopping all restrictions and welcoming in the Delta variant for the worst fall ever, MLA's leaving the country for holidays right after we were told not to travel, 3 MLA's in one year relieved of their posts for cause, and that's not counting the minister of health who was moved to another post after harrassing a physician (going to his home and berating him in the driveway in front of his children and neighbours) and abusing the FOIP act by obtaining phsyician's phone numbers and calling them.

The latest was our Minister of Justice. Earlier in 2021, he received a ticket for distracted driving in a school zone. He felt he was racially profiled and said he was not talking on the phone. It just came to light that he phoned the Edmonton police chief to discuss the ticket. The Minister of Justice! They both confirmed the phone call happened but that he didn't ask for it to be forgiven and he paid it within a week. That is not the point. The point was that he made the phone call ABOUT the ticket.

There is a process in place if you wish to dispute a ticket. You go to court and challenge it. Good luck trying to even get through to the police chief to discuss it. Unless you're the Minister of Justice. It's just a gong show.

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's awful, Janice. It's scary how many people aren't getting the treatment they need because the hospitals are too full. Makes me want to rant... but, I won't. I also agree that the term "elective" is very misleading.

[Jenn]

Uggh, two delays so far today, and if we don’t hear back by 2 it will most likely be rescheduled 🤦‍♀️ if we could just know already so he can eat 🤦‍♀️

[Sandra, Moderator]

Fingers crossed, Jenn!

[Janice, Moderator]

Jenn wrote: "Uggh, two delays so far today, and if we don’t hear back by 2 it will most likely be rescheduled 🤦‍♀️ if we could just know already so he can eat 🤦‍♀️"

That's so hard. I've been in that position a couple of times. How did he make out?

[Shirley]

Sandra wrote: "Shirley, we all have had a long chain of disappointments during the last 2 years. At this point there are no "small" disappointments just because we can't stand not even one more."How true.

[Roz]

I'm doing what I seem to be doing a lot of lately. Waiting for furniture to be delivered. We moved into our new place the end of October and have spent a lot of time using patio chairs in the living room (not entirely comfortable for long sitting), empty packing boxes as tables, or just empty space. The echos were incredible. We did find a wonderful consignment store nearby that we frequent quite often for counter chairs, a desk, an indoor bench with a flip up seat (love that one). But it's the main comfy seating that is taking so long. The sofa and 2 chairs have been delivered so far and today we'll get a coffee table. Little by little. Other pieces we've ordered should be ready for delivery in April or May.

[Jenn]

Yep, canceled 🤦‍♀️ tentatively rebooked for Feb 11, if they can find a bed for him 🤞

[Janice, Moderator]

Roz wrote: "I'm doing what I seem to be doing a lot of lately. Waiting for furniture to be delivered. We moved into our new place the end of October and have spent a lot of time using patio chairs in the livin..."

Boy do I understand. I worried when I first moved in that the echo would be permanent, but it's just because it was empty while I waited for furniture. I hope you won't have to wait much longer.

[Janice, Moderator]

Jenn wrote: "Yep, canceled 🤦‍♀️ tentatively rebooked for Feb 11, if they can find a bed for him 🤞"

Dang! I'm sorry Jenn. I hope it's a go on the 11th.

The theme must be "waiting". Roz, with her furniture. Sean & me with our surgeries.

[Esther]

I am waiting for spring. :)

[Janice, Moderator]

I think it's here. It's +3C right now (over 32F) and it's super windy. Yesterday it got to +6C. The snow that was packed down in my driveway has turned into ice with a film of water over top making it almost impossible to stand on let alone walk on. I'll head out shortly and sprinkle a good helping of ice melt. We're supposed to start dipping back down into the freezing temps by Thursday. It's so bizarre for January.