August Isn't My Month

Seems like just yesterday I was posting about Ray passing, and yet there is more news about someone who has died far too young. Last weekend I was at home, unwinding from a day at work, ready to head out and pick up dinner for Jenn when my cell phone rang. "Crap, they better not be loading another job for me" I thought. Hmmm, 807 number, this can't be good (area code for Thunder Bay, and my grandfather had been in and out of the hospital lately with breathing problems). GJ is on the other end, asking if I've heard any bad new from TBay. My first thought was "how the hell would he know about my grandfather dying before I did?", but instead I just said "no, what happened?". It turns out that the uncle of a mutual friend had passed away suddenly. I can honestly say that I've never been more surprised than I was at that moment.

Uncle Dave was a great guy...teacher, entrepreneur, and a genuinely caring person who would take the time to help anyone. Hell, he even opened his doors to us for Grey Cup in Vancouver, and it takes a special person to welcome 4 loud, drunk guys into his home for 3 days. He was also in great shape and always health conscious. Non-smoker, social drinker (if that), triathlete, etc, etc. I never would have expected the news, and I still can't believe he's gone.

Again, the news hit me pretty hard, and again, I'm asking anyone who does read this to get in touch with loved ones. I finally had a chance to sit down and talk with my grandfather this past week, and it's something I am happy I could finally do. There wasn't much to say between us, but it made me feel much better about myself, and about our relationship.

It also made me think about my life and where I'm at. I work 7 days a week, pretty much every week. I've lost touch with friends, given up hobbies and basically stopped doing anything. Since Ray's passing, I've done my best to get back in touch with some friends and family, and I'm seriously looking to get back into some of my hobbies. I may live to 100, I may drop dead tomorrow, but I want to make each day count either way, and I hope everyone out there reading this will too.

I'll miss you Dave, and give Blue a big belly rub for me too.

New Family Member

So we added a new member to the family last month, Scratch. And like the last cat we got from the humane society, it came to us sick. The first few days, she seemed to be healthy and happy, not to mention a little psychotic. After 3-4 days, though, it was just like Ella - puss coming out of her eyes, wheezy, and sneezy. She still had good energy and was eating and drinking regularly, but obviously she wasn't doing well. And here we sit, 4 weeks later, and she's still doing crap, and now Ella is sick too (eyes are goopy). The joys of pet ownership. Anywho, hopefully I'll update this with some new pictures that show a little more than her head, and how she's healthy again, but for now, this is it.

Scratch
AKA Scratch Fury Destroyer of Worlds (and socks)

Things to Make Time For

Recently I've been a bit down about work and life in general, and in talking to a friend, he suggested that I take a more active role in bettering myself and preparing for advancement at work. At my old job, I had a boss who was always trying to better himself by attending seminars, reading books, etc, etc, so I immediately thought to myself "you should email Ray to get some ideas on what to read and where to start". And I kept saying, I'll do it later. Ray passed away last Wednesday night (diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago), and now I'll never get that chance.

I really didn't think it would hit me as hard as it did...I almost started crying at my desk as I read the news, and felt the same way talking to his widow at the funeral. I don't know if it's me not grieving properly for my dad, or my fear of losing my grandfather without being there, or if it's something else, but it really shook me up. It also made me realize that I do need to make time in my life to keep in touch with those that I care about.

I also challenge anyone who reads this to get in contact with an old friend or relative who they haven't talked to in a while, and just say hi, how's it going. Not that anyone reads this thing anymore, but what the hell, at least it will serve as a reminder to me.

I'll miss you Ray, and say hi to my dad for me.