Time, as I've said before, is a cruel thing. It's really quite selfish,
too. I mean, it never asks what *I* want. For real, it's never even
consulted me.  It just "creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
to the last syllable of recorded time..."

Today, I cleaned my grandparents' apartment....out. All the furniture
and such was already all gone, but I deep cleaned. There were also a
whole bunch of boxes which had been packed up by sundry family members,
ready to be carted off to the dump by "Judy's Junk"...the local
overall-wearing, flannel-clad tough entrepreneurial chick haul away
operation.

All of this went fairly well, without incident, until I was completely
finished, ready to go, and turning out the lights. In this empty place,
once so full of life--grandkids running around, sneaking snacks out of
grandma's freezer; the chatter of the adults over coffee, grandma
making sure that everyone had signed the guest book--all that now
exists is a cold, empty space. I sagged against the wall where the sofa
used to sit, looking around, just remembering. And then....remembering
some more. Silly little things, like Grandma's ichiban cabbage salad,
how my Grandpa would hum as he watched the news channel on mute,
annotating some new idea on his notepad, already filled to the
margins with his thoughts, and the like.

Grandma and Grandpa are now in a permanent care facility. We're never
really prepared for some of the things that we know will happen in this
life. And then one day, before we know what's really happened, we're
doing something like cleaning out an apartment, wiping away all
evidence that two dear people once lived there, leaving behind instead
the fresh scent of citrus and the sour smell of windex. I hate
this.  I hate time.

I must admit that I had a bit of an emotional moment today when I made
my last rounds, shutting the drapes, walking to the front door, and
pulling it shut--locking it behind me. I'm a real sucker for the
symbolism of things, and this hit me particularly, the locking of their
door behind me. Now, suddenly, it wasn't their door, and I had no
business behind it.

As I've said, I hate time.

Haiku Friday: Remembrance Day

What we remember:

Remembrance Day occurs in Canada each November 11. It is a day of national commemoration for the 116,031 Canadians who have died in military service. The costs for Canada, with its relatively small population, have been substantial.

I'm off the detox, folks. Yes, I lasted four days. So did my brother, so I don't feel too badly.

Tonight I ate tortellini with a mushroom cream sauce, and for kicks, I just went and got a cheap, sugar-and-creamed coffee (ewww). Yay, caffeine! Hmmm...anyways. Detox, schmetox.

Detox - Day Three

Yeah, still feeling like shite. Headache all day again. There was a
moment at work where a wave of dizziness came over me and I thought I
might faint. Then I ate a leaf of spinach and I was ok. *sigh*

Definitely not going ten days on this. DEFINITELY not. I'll be lucky if I make seven!

"...and the leaves that are green turn to brown....and they wither with the wind....and they crumble in your hand...."

Day 2 of the Raw Foods Diet Detox.

I feel like shite. Truly....tired and headachey and just kind of
miserable. I'm considering making this a one-week detox, because the
idea of ten days is becoming unbearable.

Right now I'm going to one of my favourite Calgary pubs with a friend,
and I can't even sup on the delicious and apparently toxic Irish fare.
Nor can I drink of their bountiful selection of brews, which flow like
milk and honey. No, no. I will drink water. And if I'm feeling particularly saucy,
I'll ask for some lemon in it.

Anyway, as my friend Bob (Marley) says, "so much things to say." Unfortunately I can't.

Another overnight shift at the group home:

• iTunes
• Online Wheel of Fortune or Checkers
• Coca-Cola Zero
• Paperwork
• A whole lotta craziness

Tomorrow, my brother
and I are starting a Raw Foods Diet Detox. This is basically pretty
self-explanatory: we will only eat raw foods (fruits, vegetables,
beans, grains, nuts, etc.) in order to get rid of the toxins in our
bodies. Apparently this works quite well. Apparently, as well, you can
start to feel the toxins being released by your cells, and it can cause
muscle pain, nausea, and a host of other lovely ailments. Luckily,
however, no anal leakage.

So anyway, this thing is to last for 10 days. I sure hope I don't die.

More to come later. Love to all.

~Drew~

Currently Drinking

McNally's Extra Ale
By Big Rock Brewery
see related

Currently Burning
Vetiver Woods Candle
By Banana Republic
see related

Currently Reading
The Alchemist

By Paul Coelho
see related

Inspired by Kibibi:

You're Canada!

People
make fun of you a lot, but they're stupid because you've got a much
better life than they do.  In fact, they're probably just jealous.
 You believe in crazy things like human rights and health care and
not dying in the streets, and you end up securing these rights for
yourself and others.  If it weren't for your weird affection for
ice hockey, you'd be the perfect person.
Take the Country Quizat the Blue Pyramid

I can't write a haiku today. My heart's not in it. How bout you take the one from yesterday and just pretend it's for today?

Yeah, that will work.

Six AM, can't sleep.
Thought it would be light out. Oh--
Daylight Savings Time.