The Rock

"Back in Newfoundland, we played in the kitchen because it was the biggest and warmest room in the house.  Now, it's because it's the closest to the fridge."  - Alan Doyle

It is astonishingly beautiful, not to mention probably the friendliest place on earth.  Not a morsel of meat has crossed my lips since Sunday when we arrived.  It has been all fish, all the time.  This afternoon I thought I could feel gills sprouting from my sides.  I must admit there are some things about being in Newfoundland that I didn't expect - like the heat for one thing.  Everyone told me to pack my woolies.  My tiny suitcase is filled by jeans and socks, sweaters and shirts.  I wish there were a few more sundresses and a couple of pairs of sandals.  I knew outside St. John's the communities would be small but I didn't expect the vastness of the space between communities or that many, if not most of them would consist of less than ten houses.  I keep wondering about the lives of these people.  How do they cope with such isolation?  What do they do with their time?  I can't help but think about how small their lives must be.  For much of our trip we haven't even had cellphone service.

But still, part of me can see the attraction.  It is inspiring to be surrounded by such vast natural beauty.  Everyone knows everyone; speaks to everyone; watches out for everyone.  Their lives seem simpler and they seem happy.  We should all be so lucky.

It is a good vacation.  Jacob and Jonathan are great company for one another and fun to be with when we are all together.  Merv and I have guilt free quiet time without worrying that Jacob is bored.  The air is fresh.  The food is delicious.  The land is beautiful.  Who knew Newfoundland would be this spectacular?

Seriously?

"Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - Elbert Hubbard

I had a day yesterday - too many demands, not enough hours and only one frayed nerve left. Small annoyances seemed colossally aggravating. At the end of the day though, they were insignificant. But tossing in bed with a bad case of indigestion at 2 o'clock this morning, gave me some time to think about them.

My day didn't start the way I expected. I planned to do an hour of work from home and then begin running around to do the myriad of errands I needed to complete before attending a dinner party hosted by Cath and Stan to send our friend Brian off on his Olympic broadcasting odyssey. Turned out though that I was needed in the office and by the time I went in and completed my meeting, I was a full three hours behind in my schedule. As I was starved, I stopped into the little coffee shop near the office to order some toast with peanut butter. The breakfast hour was past and the lunch hour in full swing. Though I could have ordered a toasted sandwich, I was not, within the guidelines of the cafe, allowed to order toast and peanut butter. After some discussion among themselves, they acquiesced and allowed the order as a special favour. Seriously?

After hitting five stores to pick up various items, I finally made my way to Bayview Village. I went into the greeting card shop to buy a birthday card. When I handed it to the cashier, she asked for my e-mail address. Since when are people required to give an e-mail address when buying a four dollar greeting card? When did it become the standard to be asked for your postal code, e-mail address or phone number when making a cash purchase. Seriously?

Upon leaving the greeting card store, after refusing to give my address, I felt some urgency to visit the ladies room. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I know the location of every bathroom in every public place I've ever been. When I've got to go - I've got to go and I don't always have the luxury of a lot of time. So, of course, I know where the bathrooms are at Bayview Village. But I haven't been in them since the mall was renovated. I'm pleased to report that the bathrooms are renovated and lovely. The problem is, there are only four stalls. Yesterday, those four stalls were occupied and there were six women lined up ahead of me. Seriously?

It has been a far less annoying day. This morning, I stayed home.