This week was partly about getting some crucial things done at work because I was counting down the days to a staycation. I absolutely plan to get back to my renovation during that time. I’ve been holding off and letting my health improve since one cannot paint in small increments and ladders don’t go well with bouts of dizziness. With two coats left, I’m looking forward to being beyond that part of this deficiency. I read that it can take 12 weeks to really feel better. I’m not looking forward to the backsplash work, but I do want to get on with my life.
Choir registration opened for the spring session. It begins at the end of next month. Something to look forward to along with weather that became milder this week.
On Monday, I learned my former grand sensei passed away in his sleep. A peaceful way to go, but his loss leaves such a hole in that community. He gave so much to those arts in the Americas. Many students likely wouldn’t have been able to afford to grade if not for the seminar he ran. He and his group fundraised to bring sensei over from Japan and this resulted in growth of the arts across North and South America. I’ve met so many wonderful people and developed life long friendships because of one man. Rest in peace, Kim Taylor Sensei. We’ll all miss you.
On Tuesday, I woke up with a solution to one of my problems. I knew I needed to move some other things around, but I hadn’t figured out where. One of my small storage units was being used for my gaming items. I realized it was perfect to relocate into my crafting area where my bin of weapons was since I was always planning to move those. The only problem was that the bin of weapons was rather broken. But, I had a ridiculously large container for paper and cardboard recycling. I decided that would become the weapons bin and it was time to get something more appropriately sized for my recycling.
I began that move on Wednesday morning before work. Just before lunch, the fire alarm went off in the building. I decided to take a bit of a walk while they sorted that out. It was better than standing around waiting to be let back in. It felt good to get a little bit of exercise in.
I’m absolutely not OK with the gun violence that occurred this week in BC, at Kitigan Zibi, or in Ottawa. For those who aren’t aware, a school shooting happened in Tumbler Ridge, BC. It’s not that this never happens in Canada, but it’s incredibly rare. It shouldn’t happen at all, anywhere. There shouldn’t be a part of the world where drills need to happen for shootings, bombings, etc at schools. At a nearby reserve, Kitigan Zibi, a father committed a murder-suicide. He killed his two children before killing himself. My heart goes out to all of the families this week who are connected to these tragedies. Another shooting happened in Ottawa. It was our third homicide of 2026. The police have someone in custody at least, but holy crap Canada, this isn’t like us, so please stop it. A lot of things aren’t ideal right now, but this is not the way to fix anything.
I continued watching CSI New York this week. I was on the final season. Detective Mac Taylor is dealing with Aphasia. I figure this is part of the way they decided to end the series. My father is dealing with this currently and it’s a frustrating thing.
I felt like I was fighting a war against my home with a near empty fuel tank on Thursday. I fought hard to move my storage ottoman into my bedroom because the chair I planned to use was so damn uncomfortable, that I knew it could not be the chair I craft in. I’ll ultimately need a different seat here because this one is too long and too low, but it’s not bad to have it out of the way for now.
This week has been a long one and I was glad to be heading into a staycation for next week. I canned my Facebook dating profile. Too many suggestions had nothing in common with me or were located in the US. I rarely saw anyone local and if I did, they were half my age. Now, I don’t mind some gap. I’m not ageist, but there’s a limit.
I got my computer desk moved on Friday out of sheer stubbornness, but my living room is coming along so slowly in some ways that I’m unsure when I’ll be able to really make use of it again. I have too many boxes of who the hell knows what to get rid of. Still, the layout is improving, so I’m hopeful.
The Olympics continued with more hockey games on Monday. Italy vs Japan went about how I expected it to. France managed to force overtime, but they were ultimately eliminated from the tournament by Germany. As expected, USA beat Switzerland, but I was busy watching Canada vs Czechia. Marie Philip Poulin, Captain Clutch, suffered an injury and was out for the rest of the game. Instead of deflating the Canadians, it energized them. They scored several goals and showed Czechia why Canada usually makes it to finals. When I saw Poulin get hurt, I was very angry. Hands off our Captain!
Japan faced Sweden on Tuesday morning and Sweden took it. No surprises there. Italy vs Germany was one of the more equal matches in the games, but Germany took it in the end. Canada did very poor against the USA later on in the day and a lot of people are suggesting it’s the coaches, or the lines, or the age of the players, or Hockey Canada’s antiquated methods, etc. I think there are several reasons and those are probably some of them. The bottom line is that they just didn’t perform nearly as well as they should have. The team is full of skill. We see the members perform very well regularly in the PWHL. So I don’t think it’s talent or age. Whatever the cause, I hope they fix it before the medal rounds when it really counts. I didn’t watch Switzerland vs Finland since it was on at the same time. Finland took it though. Since they’re advancing anyway, I guess their positioning in quarterfinals may come down to point spread. Time will tell.
It was odd to have no games on Wednesday, but the previously rescheduled game between Canada and Finland happened on Thursday. Canada thankfully won despite it being another game without Captain Clutch. Opinions are split on whether or not she should play in Saturday’s game against Germany or be saved for the medal rounds.
Friday held the first elimination games. Czechia took on Sweden and Sweden won. I figure Czechia getting ousted is retribution for them deliberately injuring Poulin. It’s time they learned to play a cleaner game.
Italy initially started off strong against the USA, but the USA plays so well that every team has been struggling with them. Italy was also eliminated.
Saturday’s games were also quarterfinal games with Canada taking on Germany in the morning. Not that early morning though. The days of the 6AM Eastern games were thankfully done. It started at nearly 11AM, which let me get some things done around the condo.
Finally, Switzerland beat Finland and shore up the last spot in the semi-final games.
It was a tough week for many and I hope things get better from here on.
Rae
The Write Buttons 