Shocking the Other Person

No, this post is not about me torturing someone, it is about perceptions. Last night I was chit chatting with a couple of friends, about the usual: books music, etc.. I do not remember exactly how we ended up taking about Black Flag and Henry Rollins, but we did. When I mentioned that I happened to like Henry Rollins and much of his work, one of my friends was stunned. He kept staring at me in utter disbelief, like somehow his understanding of basic logic was shattered. In response I kept asking why he was so shocked. Finally he admitted he was unable to reconcile his perception of me as a hippie environmentalist with this new information (these are my words not his...).


My friend's description of me as a "hippie environmentalist", is not something I disagree with. I think it describes a dominate aspect of my personality, I do not think that it describes my entire personality. Like everyone else I have many layers to my self and life, some of which may seem contradictory.



This is not to say that I have not experienced the exact same thing as my friend. I too have been surprised by a close friends, and in each case my surprise was due to my beliefs or perceptions. It is this perception of others that got me thinking, is it possible to have a relationship where you are not surprised by the other person because you know them so well. Personally, I'm not convinced that you can know a person that well, at least I do not seem to know anyone that well.

BTW- Sorry about the link not working. I'll keep working on this one.

Plodding along...

I figured that I would do a bit of an update about my little corner of the world.

In a few days once again I will be going to the polls, his time it is for a municipal election. Unlike the Federal election, I have no idea what any of the candidates are campaigning on or about. I do need to get my butt in gear and find out about everyone so that I can at least vote intelligently.

Work has been exceeding busy and while I am always grateful that I have steady and interesting employment, I am fearful that I am losing the work-life balance. This balance is something that is almost sacred to me. I do not wish to become an individual who either cannot or will not retire because they have nothing outside of work. Hence I ensure that my free time is spent on activities and thoughts that have nothing to do with work. Right now I am hopeful that soon work will go back to normal and I will again be able to get a decent night's sleep without the nagging worry about things that need to be done.

I signed out a couple of books from the library, in an effort to learn how to crochet and knit. This has not worked out so well and I am now looking for a class. Hopefully I will find one soon.

Not all is doom and gloom in my life. I had to take one of my kitties to the vet and after some dental work she is now in good health. There was some concern regarding a lump in her mouth, however the lump has been removed and she is back to her feisty self.

I have also been inspired by a friend of mine, and I am once again beginning to sew. So far I have started a simple nightshirt. I figure if it does not turn out exactly as I want no one need see it.

Congratulations President Obama

Last night I, like many, spent my evening glued to the television watching the results pour in. When the media finally declared Barack Obama as the next US President, I felt a sense of elation, and I was speechless. As trite as it sounds, I could not help thinking, this is history and I am a part of it. I was not sure that I would see this in my lifetime. For me, a Canadian, Barack Obama is a symbol of change and hope, even though he is not my leader. His speeches and actions were inclusionary, something I have hoped that our politicians would be. Perhaps for Canada's next election we will have our Obama.

President-Elect Obama has a tough job ahead of him. I believe that he will do a great job and I wish him and all of America the best.