Northern Holidaze

Well that was a nice week of mostly sloth and indulgence...topped off today by a huge brunch and soak in the Takhini Hot Springs with my friend L. - it was about -22C so steam flying off the springs and we played with the ice crystals that formed on the edge of the sizzling pool, and our damp hair froze in the frosty air, providing glimpses of our more senior years when white hairs have overtaken our heads.

Tomorrow is shopping for turkey dinner on New Year's Day, then possibly a Star Wars marathon at my daughter's boyfriend's parent's house (that's a mouthful!) and I've also been invited out to a campfire at a local lake. Next day is of course, cooking the bird and visiting with friends...then an overnight with a friend, before coming back to my daughter's to pack and fly home the next day.

And then the longest part of our cold and dark winter begins...let the games begin...

West For Christmas

The only place west of the NWT (in Canada) is the Yukon...which is where I've landed for the holiday season. And I'm pleasantly surprised to find it quite a bit warmer too...which is NICE after the deep freeze in Yellowknife. It's been -15C here and above...nice change after the -35C I left behind in YK.

All the shopping is done, the gifts are all wrapped, and just a few things left to do - put up the tree (have to pick it up from someone first) and make some pies and fudge. Lots of activity throughout the holidays, time with friends, time to veg out, and time to READ! Yes, Read. I have been ignoring my many novels for many months now, but this vacation I am determined to finish a few.

I have already overdosed on chocolate...

Calendar Girl

I have been so busy lately (and lazy when I have some free time) that I have been neglecting my blog! I am headed to Whitehorse today to see my gal, so may get the chance to blog regularly over Christmas. My social calendar has been hopping since my move to the city, and I haven't had a chance to get out and look around to take photos to post. It's so dark these days, I don't get to see much daylight. Dark when I go to and from work...and DAMN COLD. It is -35C here today...factor in the windchill and you get DAMN COLD. I am so very glad to have my down jacket...now if I can get a down skirt to go with it...

The New Digs

Well, I finally whipped the apartment into an acceptable state for now. All is not yet done, with no living room curtains up (can't find the brackets - movers!!!) and a few odds and ends left to put up on the wall...oh, and the mess in the spare room...

so here is the nearly finished apartment...standard rooms I reckon you can figure out for yourself...Henry was trying to "help" and managed to get a time out in the bathroom...

Sunset Return to YK

The sunset on the return flight from Fort Resolution to Yellowknife today was magnificent. The plane was small, just 8 seats, including the pilot and co-pilot. It was a beautiful day for flying and it was like old home week when I went about the community for the day on several home visits. Kid were running up and throwing their arms about me, it was great!

25 minutes and we're thrust back into the city again. Brrr...it has finally warmed up from -32C to -20C...thankfully...

What A Mess

The movers came on Monday and left me with this fine mess. I have managed to sort some of it out...the bare necessities...but I have run out of steam...anyone want to come over and help me out?

Ptarmigans in the Tree

These are the ptarmigan that hang out in the tree outside my apartment building - gorgous! I need my tripod to steady the camera though. Henry snuck out while the door was open...he wasn't impressed with the frigid cold. It is -32C today with a windchill to -45C. Brrrr...

Damn Cold - Cozier Inside

Yes, damn cold for sure. Last night when I got home it was about -30C or more. My car only registers up to -30C so it very well could have been colder. My apartment was too hot last night though and the windows were frozen shut so I opened the door to the balcony - it wasn't long SUCKING the heat out of my apartment and I was comfortable again.

Saw some lovely FAT ptarmigan/partridges yesterday in a tree behind my apartment building. I can see the tree from my balcony, however they are not there this morning. I didn't have a camera with me when I saw them yesterday while K. and I were unloading my car...they were all up in a tree, about 15 or so of them, brilliant! So I shall be haunting the tree until I get my photo. Hopefully they are not stewing in someone's apartment by now...

The sun is just coming up above the hill behind my apartment...I'm going to like this...I can finally see sunrise and sunset again. Photos will follow, I'm certain.

So yeah, it's cold here. I know...I am living in the north, I should expect it. I do expect it, I just don't have to like it. I put up with it. Brrrrr...I am really loving my down jacket though, as it is colder here than it was in Fort Resolution last year from what I can remember. I don't think we saw below -20C until January. December is such a busy social month, all that shopping, Christmas parties, and visiting. I have bought a hat and new down jacket, but I think I still need a fluffy big scarf...so still looking and not finding much. The last thing I need are boots. I have one pair, but they are not that warm, and the grip is not great. So still some shopping to do...maybe next week.

Welcome to Yellowknife.

Thanks To Ducks

I have a very nice down jacket that is keeping me warm through this first cold spell. -30C tonight ladies and gentelmen aka friggin cold. It might go to -35C tonight, aka damn cold...

I also bought a knitted hat with braids, you know the kind. I just like the ear flaps, and something easy to grab on. The windchill these past few days has been -35C to -40C. Nice and chilly. My car is plugged in. Unfortunately someone did not turn the power on to the parking lot plug-ins...not my branch, anyhow. So I start my car a couple of times a day, just to keep things running. I'll be in to see the landlady on Monday to sort THAT out. I'm paying for the spot, so the power should be on.

Henry is enjoying the thick frost building up on the windows. He is wet much of the time, from crawling over it, licking it, smelling it. Such a kitten...lol

Thanks, ducks...for the down in my jacket. There may even be goose...I will have to check.

Northern Winters

Sure, they're cold. I can take the cold. They don't get a ton of snow like back east, and they certainly don't get any storms (at least not in the towns I've been in) at all. They do get snow often, but just an inch or two at at time and because once the temp goes down, it stays down, the snow continues to accumulate. No problem. I can handle that. What confuses me is the fact that they do not plow in the north. Yes, you heard me right. They rarely plow. Matter of fact, I have hardly ever seen a plow. Not because there isn't enough to plow. There is at times, more than enough to plow. But they don't. I've heard from locals that it isn't in the budget to do too much plowing. WTF? We are in a climate that has winter 9 months of the year...why the hell isn't it in the budget is my response.

So instead we end up with ruts of snow, snow piled up on all roads, just like driving in sand dunes. Some of the snow is so churned up it's like brown sugar. There are layers of ice and snow under the layers of ice and snow. I just don't understand the thinking behind it. Seems rather simple to me - when it snows, you plow the snow. That's what snowplows are for - for PLOWING SNOW.

And if I hear "Welcome to life in the north" one more time, I shall scream. What a lousycop-out.

Winter In The City

It snowed last night...actually it is snowing now, and just -3C I think. Who said northern living was cold and miserable? lol...I know the cold will come...give it time. This time last year I was in YK (Yellowknife) for training and it was bitter cold, with more snow. The days are getting shorter and dark comes quick. Sunrise is now at 8:55am, and sunset at 3:50pm...the days will get shorter still. I haven't been out to take any photos yet...been so very busy. I was in Whitehorse last weekend to see my girl, in Edmonton on Thursday for a medical appt, and the new job has been very busy. I think I will like the job though, and am just getting organized these past few weeks. Next week I'll be diving into the home studies and meeting clients.

In less than 2 weeks I should be moved into my new apartment. My stuff has arrived in Yellowknife, so at least it's on the right side of the Mackenzie River. They don't usually pull that ferry until later in December though, so I wasn't really worried. They will store it until I can move into my apartment at the end of the month. Things are going well at my friend C.'s though I fear Henry is driving her nuts. He is driving me nuts...he is just a kitten though and quite an imp. He has already chewed through her mini-blinds in the kitchen, the cord to her keyboard, and the tassels on the curtains in my room. I think he is just bored and restless, and misses our stuff. Stormy is much better behaved, and right now is just laying on the bed beside me, watching Henry. They get along so very well, and groom one another all the time.

I'm thinking about heading out for some Christmas shopping later today. No time like the present to get it done. I haven't really done much of anything...sheesh...far behind for me. That's what happens when I move every November for the past 3 years. Now it's time to get my ass in gear. I don't have my Christmas newsletter done either...and that has to go out in a few weeks...where has the time gone???

I've been trying to get to a movie since I've been coming to YK, but nothing I've wanted to see has been playing when I'm here. I haven't rented anywhere yet, I'm not even sure where the closest video store is. I need to get to know my city, now that I live here...

Flying Over The Mackenzie Mountains

spectacular window viewing...

Yellowknife to Whitehorse

I took these photos and video on Thursday when we finally were able to fly to Whitehorse. These are the Mackenzie Mountains.

It Just Wasn't My Day

and I should have stayed in bed. I went to work for a few hours, and that was fine...over before I knew it and had to head to the airport. Out of order on the parking lot meter was my first sign that today was going to be one of those days. Turns out that because it was broken, they were permitting people to stay for free because it was too much hassle deal with it in person...so that part was fine. It was downhill from there.

After waiting well beyond the departure time, we 20 finally boarded the plane, bound for Whitehorse, for a conference and visit with my daughter. It was a near direct flight, with one stop in Fort Simpson, just 15 minutes and we were on our way. 30 minutes outside of Whitehorse the captain comes on and informs us that due to mechanical difficulties they have to return to Yellowknife. Sorry for the inconvienence...DAMMIT! So after nearly 3 hours in the air, that afternoon, we turned back and headed home....the reason? So they did not have to fly a few mechanics in to Whitehorse and work on it there, as it was unable to take off again until repaired. Instead the airline chose to fly we 20 back to Yellowknife, put us up in hotels, pay for meals, and taxis, and then fly we 20 all the way across the territories. Explain to me the reasoning for that.

So we landed in Yellowknife just before suppertime. I tried texting my daughter from the air on my new cell, but they didn't send until just before we landed in Yellowknife. We had pockets of signal, but because we move so fast on a plane, it wasn't long enough to send them. She got them after she had waited for about 2 hours for me...they didn't even have the courtesy to notify people at the other end, and showed our flight as arrived so she thought I just didn't come. She finally got the answer and they then showed the flight as cancelled. I was less than impressed...and the airline agent took one look at my face when I informed her that I expected to be in Whitehorse tonight and what was the airline going to provide in order to make that happen, and brought me over to the manager. We had a chat. At first he said there was nothing he could provide tonight, that it wasn't going to happen and all they could offer was to go tomorrow afternoon at 1:45pm, but I helped him move past that. He spoke to his head office and came back with an offer. It wasn't a great one, but an offer nonetheless. They had a reciprocal agreement with another airline that does provide service that could get me to Whitehorse by 1am or later tonight. However I would have to fly to Edmonton, then Vancouver, then to Whitehorse and the longest I would have between transfers was 30 minutes, that he did not expect I could make, and in that event, they would just fly me back to Yellowknife and I would spend the night here anyhow. Um...thanks...at one point in my life I would have gotten to my destination at all costs, but the thought of spending several more hours in the air and still possibly not getting there did not appeal to me. So I took the free vouchers for meals and taxi and went the hell home, after arranging to fly on tomorrow afternoon's flight.

Met up with friends for supper (mine was on a $25 voucher for a local hotel restaurant from the airline) and the day didn't get any easier. While we had a pleasant visit, and my friends ate very well...my meal was troublesome. First the server/hostess rejected the first steak they cooked me - I had ordered it medium well done, which to me is the slightest hint of pink. They said it was too bloody, and told the cook to do another one. This time they brought it out, and it looked cooked from the outside, as they had charred it (not grilled it) but it was still bleeding inside...not at all cooked...WTF? So I told them I didn't want to try again, just get me the menu...and ordered the prime rib that one of my friends was working her way through...that at least looked cooked. One of my friends had offered me a piece of hers and it was delicious. Then they brought me a complimentary salad...caesar...which I despise and can't even manage to choke down. So I sent that back and ordered a house salad. Which he did not ask me for a choice of dressing and brought out about the only one I don't like - catalina or something red/orange like that. Sigh...so then he brought out italian...I did eventually get my prime rib, but not until after my friends had polished off their large meals, eating slowly hoping mine would show up...two were out having a cigarette by the time my food came...at least it was delicious.

After supper I went the hell home, and stayed there. I'll leave my car in it's parking space here and use the voucher to get to and from the airport now. Dammit...and see my gal tomorrow just after 4pm....I am so disappointed...I cried on the plane for pete's sake...I am also premenstrual and envisioned a mechanics wrench implanted in someone's eye socket. Don't get between a hormonal premenstrual woman and her child....

So after calling my girl, I have accepted that I won't see her for another 18 hours or so...I should have just stayed in bed today. At least I got a few photos...check out the buffalo on the tail...

Driving To Yellowknife

Saw these big fellas on the highway to Yellowknife. Altogether, I probably saw a few hundred buffalo on the sides of the highway between the Mackenzie River crossing and Yellowknife. Thankfully I arrived in YK just before dark, so didn't have to drive with these beasts on the highway, ready to trash my car as I slammed into them...in the meantime, the boys were comfy cosy in the back of the car...

New Office, New Job

So I started my new job today...not a very busy day, just settling in, packing up someone else's stuff who used to work there...so spent the day at the usual...getting my ID, cell phone, network access, raiding the office supply room, and putting up my own stuff. Also spent a good portion of the day reading The Least Detrimental Alternative by Paul Steinhaur (see, I was paying attention G!) and found some very relevant stuff in there for my new job. Tomorrow is busier, as I meet the head of the federation of foster families, look at an apartment, and have lunch with a friend.

Went to my very first pottery class tonight. What a riot! I just loved it. While I didn't throw any great works of art, I did get a feel for the clay (throwing means putting your clay on the wheel and turning it on while you work on it - not actually biffing it across the room) and have 3 pieces to go into the kiln...groovy! Dirty and tiring, but quite enjoyable. The cleanup was the worst part...ick...

Wednesday I'm off to Whitehorse for a conference and visit with my girl - SO EXCITED about that...haven't seen her since last December when I moved out of the Yukon. Getting together with some friends for a brunch on Sunday, spending Wed afternoon and all day Thurs with my gal so should be fun and plenty of catching up to do.

Weather is not as cold now, just -2C...thankfully...it was windchill of -23C a couple of days ago...

Another One Bites The Dust

No, no one died...nor did Queen visit me today...however I did make the last payment on one of my student loans. A whopping $40.14 for the final payment. Whoopeee~! I still have several more to go, but it still feels teriffic to have another one all paid off. One by one, they slowly decline...

Going Away With My Tee Pee

We had a fine lunch at the Elder's Facility today as my going away send off. My boss gave me a very nice leather journal, which I know I'll use as I journal often. And the folks from the office complex got together and gave me a tee pee lamp, crafted locally by a talented artist. Hand made, and hand painted, and even has my name over the front flap! They had seen me admiring them and so I was very excited to see it!

Move News

So I haven't written much lately - been busy and uninspired again...and I just want to get the move overwith. The movers arrive tomorrow to pack, and come back on Friday to load. I have to stay home to monitor or they will pack shit I don't want them to pack. It doesn't help to label things either...they're kind of like Canada Post that way when you mark FRAGILE on a parcel, they do their best to stomp on it.

My last full day of work is today...I'll probably go back in on Friday too, after the movers load and leave. There is some sort of going away party being planned by the office complex folks (I share a building with several other agencies) along with a lunch tomorrow with my fellow employees (who work with the same agency I do) and they promised to serve something other than fish this time...

Friday night will be spent finishing up the cleaning and then I'm outta here Saturday morning.

Slowing things down is this rotten cold I have developed...it started on Sunday and is getting progressively worse. My sore throat has now developed into a cough...and I am choking in bed at night on what is in my throat...ick

Kitties are "helping" me...Stormy looks his usually worried self - where the hell is she going now and are we going too? Henry just likes to chew on anything I put down, crawls into boxes and bags and takes things out that I just put there.

So that's the latest...today will be busy at work as I wrap up some last minute casework, and clear out my office.

Lifting Guilt

Well, heard yesterday that they hired someone for the second social worker position here...just in time for me to leave. She won't arrive for a few weeks so I will be gone when she gets here. We had a long chat on the phone and she sounds very promising. Now my guilt about leaving the community without a social worker is lifting...phew.

She's coming out of a very northern community, so this will be nothing new and likely quite a bit warmer. The community members have been very good at telling me they will miss me, and that they think I was the best social worker they've had...awww...so I hope they give her as warm a welcome when she gets here.

Now I can continue with my own plans and shake off the rest of the guilt...

Countdown Is ON

Well, I leave Res in less than 2 weeks. Yes, 2 weeks. Holy shit. I have so much to do, so little time! Found a reminder of why the move will be good when I was in Hay River on Thursday. Was considering some bacon for the weekend until I saw the price...that's JM Schneider's bacon at $9.19...he must be surely rolling in his grave. Ift it's this much just north of Alberta, how much is it in places like Colville Lake, or Holman? Sheesh...

I have to call and book the movers today, and start wrapping up my local work...lots to do there. I have a newsletter to put out by next week, my boss is back next week so have to get things organized to go over with her since there is no new social worker hired yet for here. I have to finish sorting out what to take in the car with me, and what to leave for the movers to pack. I have to find out if the movers will come here and pack...I dread the thought of having to pack all this shit myself.

Then there is the whole matter of finding an apartment....have applied at several places, and hope to get into one by December 1st, if not before. I have to prepare the outdoor stuff for moving - empty the planters, shove it all in the shed, and decide what is staying behind. More sorting to do, still want to take a run to the dump with some stuff. Meant to take the recycling to Hay River last week and completely forgot! I have bags and bags of the stuff...might end up donating it to someone yet...I wish someone would take it here.

Once I arrive in Yellowknife (aka YK) I will be there just a few days before heading to Whitehorse for a conference and a visit with my girl! Just get back from that and I have to head to Edmonton to see a specialist, hopefully just for a day as I do have to actually start my new job too (Nov 5th). Busy, busy, busy!

On The Move Again

I FINALLY heard from the job yesterday and they offered me the position, as a permanent employee, and I start in about 3 weeks. Yes. 3 weeks. Holy shit, I have to move quickly. I'm quite excited about the job and happen to be having lunch with our manager today, my soon to be supervisor so we will be gabbing about the job I'm sure. There is still an appeal period as there is for all jobs in the north, but I am hopeful that no one will win an appeal against me getting the job. (priority 1 and 2 candidates can appeal if they are not offered the job - P1 is aboriginal/inuit, and P2 is born in NWT)

I am very glad to be putting child protection investigations and casework behind me to do some more positive stuff. I am sad about leaving behind all my community development work though...so hoping to find folks to take some of the projects over. I've already found someone to take over the video project - the local college has taken it on as a term project. Now if I can unload the newsletter, the craft club, and organize the groups to be run by others, I'll be all set...

I'm having a hard time being super elated about the job though as there is some serious stuff going on my family right now with my dad's health, and it is difficult to be so far away and unable to help much. I won't say much here but if any of my friends would like to email me privately, they know how to get in touch.

I'm in Yellowknife for the day to attend a training session with the department's lawyer. I brought my knitting...

No News

Nope, no news on the job front. Starting to doubt that I was successful...which comes with it's own complications. I had said I was fine just staying here and keeping the current job...however I'm not as sure about that. I can DO the job, but I am becoming less and less enamored with this community and its plethora of social issues. More like overwhelmed by how many issues there are and my inability to have much impact on such long-standing problems. Part of me wants to run for the hills, while the other part of me wants to jump right in. It ain't easy being here alone. If there was just another social worker in the second position...oh the change we could affect...

Sigh...the wait continues...

Driving Home

Sunny and 15C today...nice for the drive home. I saw a bunch of buffalo, a bear, and a ptarmigan.

Conference Weekend Highlights (and lows...)

Rather than drone on about too much, here are the highlights from the weekend, and lowlights you might say...

• they gave me the wrong room when I got here on Thursday night, however they did give me a room like the one I booked the following day. Nice room, kitchenette, sofa, table, desk, and working internet, along the usual parts - tv, dresser, bed, etc...
• the multicultural night was interesting...started great with the Moonlight Drum Dancers from Paulatuk, which were very cool to watch, including this little guy who was very familiar with the music. I love the rhythm of the drums...then some really cute little highland dancers, and then there was something trying to pass for a Celtic quartet...picture the Mamas and the Papas and then change their voices to Rita McNeil on acid, and after that I couldn't hear anymore...I was hoping for something from the Dogrib and Dene, but not this time...the Filipino coconut dancers were funny to watch.
• friends and I ate out at Boston Pizza last night...our waitress ignored us most of the night - she took orders and brought food for three tables that came in after us before she even came to take our order...she brought us drinks and then ignored us, and forgot to bring our parts of our orders at times...bitch. She didn't get a tip.
• the engine light came on in my car...ruh-roh...I have to check with a local dealer to find out who does Toyota warranty work
• the conference is interesting so far...the last session of the day was quite powerful. Have met some great people so far...nice networking opportunity, and I learned great deal about women in Dogrib culture, particularly their coming of age rituals.
• the weather has been pretty mild, which is nice with so many people walking back and forth to the conference. I remember being here last November for core training and we had to trudge through snowbanks in freezing windy weather. This is better...
• took two of the youth from Res out today for some shopping at lunchtime...we also went through Mc Donalds...after one of them tells me he had 2 double big macs last night...growing boys! Was totally unimpressed at how the same cashier at crappy tire treated these aboriginal youth after serving me, thinking we were not together. I stood and watched her be quite rude and abrupt with them, when she was all kittens and rainbows with me...another bitch. the kids I was with were good boys, and didn't look like thugs.
• went out for supper tonight with friends at a nice restaurant, and while the waitress was very nice and attentive tonight, the order machine jammed and our orders were ridiculously long coming out. We didn't mind too much for a while as we sat and chatted over drinks...then we got hungry....once it came though, it was delicious!mmmm steak...went back to one of my friend's places for pie and chatter and had my cards read - good cards tonight, always a good sign. Loads of good laughs, and now an inside joke about girl's days (from back in Cape Breton - those who came know what it is).
• saw someone get arrested outside my hotel on Thursday night...and again last night when I went for a drive. ahhhh, city life...
• I bought 2 cds today - the best of Santana and Pink Floyd's The Wall. Sometimes I just like owning the music in its best form...downloads are often crap
• the boys (kitties) are settled happily at K.'s for the weekend. Miss them at bedtime!
• I am enjoying the socializing...getting a good fix before heading back to isolation...I miss my friend I. who is bodysurfing today in New Zealand...I am envious...
• turkey dinner tomorrow at the banquet...yummm...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Buffalo and The Mackenzie River

There are buffalo all over the highway from Fort Providence to Rae-Edzo. They aren't aggressive, just big animals you have to respect and give them the road...the water you see is the Mackenzie River.