Wednesday, December 19, 2007

This and that

After working all day yesterday, I tackled the mountain of snow in front of our garage. This took me two hours. I started off with the snowblower that I bought last month and it lasted about an hour before a chunk of something broke the blade. The blade is plastic, much like the pivot point of a Magic Bullet. You know the Magic Bullet, the mini-food processor first sold via TV and now widely available at stores? Serge had been lured into buying one from the TV and the plastic part broke a couple weeks after. I remember thinking then as I did yesterday, "What kind of moron makes the most important part of a machine in plastic?" I probably don't need to tell you it was made in China. (No, I do not believe the Chinese are morons.) I'll see about replacing the blade or outright returning the darn thing. Anyway, I had to finish the job with my shovel and I huffed and puffed my way through the pile of snow. Neighbors passing engaged me in conversation. I was covered with snow from the snowblower and working hard. Everyone seemed to have a comment or a shared story. It was a nice way to meet neighbors, bonding over the climate and the obnoxiousness of the city.

Once done, it was dark and I went inside. I was feeling pretty smug since I had tested the clearance and took the car out and put it back into the garage. Today, I was due to teach my last class of the session out in timbuktu, for which I need the car. I checked my email and saw that I had won that little award this blog was up for - best GLBT Canadian blog. I felt gratitude for all you readers who voted, I owe it all to you. Then I got a call. It seems the class today is canceled (though I'm still remunerated) so I don't need to use the car after all. I hope the gods are laughing over their little joke. I would have been irritated too but the overwhelming knowledge that I'm done teaching for the session took over and I danced and pranced about the house, la la la laaaaa, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done. Spouse was bitter as he has three days to go before he's done done done. I'd feel bad for him, but I'm too busy gloating, as I have five glorious weeks off starting today. Woo hoo!

21 comments:

bardelf said...

Let the partying begin!

Anonymous said...

A celebratory video is in order. karma can be bitch. If you had not dug yourself out classes would not have been canceled. There are snowblowers with metal blades. They cost more but then you get what you pay for is a cliche' for a reason. It is time to open your christmas present that you already know what it is. I mean we are all adults here and what is the purpose of making you wait? Don't laugh at Serge as he goes off to work, that is so bad. (laugh and celebrate after he leaves for work) Ed

dantallion said...

I would do a happy dance for you, but I'm bitter about the 2 days off I have next week, and trhe 1 day off the week following....hmph!

Seriously, happy vacation, Wordo.

Anonymous said...

My happy dance begins at 4:15 pm today!

Bummer about the snow blower! But my experience echoes yours. There is nothing like a snowfall dumping to serve as a catalyst to meet the neighbors. I find that everyone is out shoveling and (with a few exceptions) everyone helps each other with the task at hand. Sometimes the snow brings out the best in people.

dpaste said...

Five weeks of vacation? I get four days off. I don't like you anymore. I'm on Serge's side now.

Doug said...

What, none of the neighbors offered to help?

Tell Serge: never buy anything from TV.

Congrats on the award!

Anonymous said...

Whatever are you going to do with yourself with all the free time?

Rox said...

Snow is what bonds us Canadians, Torn.

That snow blower needs to be returned. Get a good, expensive one.

I forgot to vote but I'm glad you won!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the award and I am soooo jealous....FIVE WEEKS OFF, WOW!

Enjoy the holiday and relax!!!

Patricia said...

five weeks, dang. good for you!!

we spent about 600 bucks on a snowblower. at the time i thought it was crazy.

now that i can completely clear the driveway and sidewalks on our corner lot in a matter of minutes, i am filled with gratitude 600 times over.

congrats on the well deserved award.

Snooze said...

congrats on both the win and the 5 weeks off!!!!

Anonymous said...

My gosh, I'd love to have five weeks off.

I'll likely finish clearing our driveway over the next couple nights. We only have the bare minimum cleared out now, but I want to finish it before the rains come this weekend. I dread what this place is going to be like after that happens. I'd prefer another foot of snow before getting that.

GayProf said...

Congrats on the award! It is well deserved.

I don't want to talk about winter vacation...

TJ said...

Congratulations on completion of the task of snow rearrangement and making to the end of this term. Enjoy!

The Persian said...

That's amazing about the award, you certainly deserve it!

:)

Cameron said...

CONGRATULATIONS on the award!

It is well-deserved.

I've been wondering what the outcome was.

Five weeks off means you'll be posting here at least TWICE a day, right?

A Lewis said...

Congrats on the award.....and even bigger congrats on 5 whole weeks off! You'll need it to recoverfrom all of that snow shoveling

Cooper said...

I'm with Rox. The cheapy plasticky ones are okay for minor snow clearance, but you need a heavy-duty grown-up one for serious snow.

Congrats on the award! We really, really like you!

Polt said...

Congrats on the award, man! that's awesome!

return the snow blower and get one with metal thingees....that's something you should pay a little extra for so it doesn't break at inopportune times....

HUGS...

Java said...

5 weeks! Cool. This is a good time of year for you to have five weeks off. No need to battle the weather to get to work.

I add my congrats on the award. I even think I voted for you! (Don't exactly remember)

Mark in DE said...

Either way, you still had to move the snow to get your car out. Its not like its going to melt anytime soon. You'll need the car for something, even if its not the class in timbucktu.

Enjoy the holidays!

Mark :-)