Month: June 2013

The Daily EO: June 14th, 2013

I have a vivid memory of being in a store – I don’t remember which one – and my dad pulled out a five dollar bill to pay for whatever he was buying.  We waited to pay and while we did, he showed me how crisp the bills were – right fresh from the bank – by snapping his fingers on them.  He leaned over and showed me.  Snapping them and letting me feel the firm unmarred paper.  I was old enough to start understanding the concept of money, but too young to have any of my own.  I understood that $5 was a lot of money.

Dad was so pleased with these fresh bills – he fingered and snapped those bills the whole time we stood to waiting to pay.  He was especially pleased that he didn’t have to hand over all the new bills he had – that his wallet would have more to feel later.

Every time I pull out a crisp fresh bill, I think of my dad and snap my fingers over it.

June 14th, 2013 Extra Ordinary:  The simple pleasure of touch.

The Daily EO: June 13th, 2013

I’m finally back.  And a difficult time it has been.  Year End, then inventory, and demand explosions at work and my grandma being admitted to the hospital in my personal life.  I haven’t been sleeping much, simply spending hours sitting in the hospital listening to detailed explanations of lunch or working late into the night trying to cram 10,000 units in a shift that only has the capacity to run 7,000 units.  Surely, if everyone just skipped lunch and worked a little faster.. . .

Grandma is out of the hospital – and all chipper and relaxed after a week of people taking care of her –  and I actually decided that the cramming could stop for tonight.

I drove home today and had little recollection of driving on the highway to get this far.  I thought this might be dangerous and vowed to myself that an early night was in order.  As I turned the corner off McGill onto Powell, there was a Kangaroo standing on the corner.   I considered how hungry I was, and thought perhaps that it was time for me to take in some food, get some sleep, and try to relax.   Perhaps then I will stop seeing foreign animals on the street.

This kangaroo was standing there with a man who was pushing a baby carriage.  And it didn’t seem particularly pouchy or jumpy.  But there she was – standing there in mid June – hanging out on the street corner wearing a thick kangaroo costume like it was a normal thing to do.  Whatever works.

June 13th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:   Just because you see an Australia Marsupial doesn’t mean you need to better manage your stress.  But it could.