Updates

So, I was laid off of my job. Er, I was laid off of my internship. You didn't know that could happen, did you? I can't say that I didn't see it coming though. NowPublic has been operating on investor contributions since its inception several years ago. Still not generating any revenue, it is no wonder to me that investors have pulled back on funding, or stopped altogether. It seems to me there should have been a goal of developing the website so they could sustain themselves, but so far that does not appear to be the case.
It is too bad for them, there are (were) some talented writers and creative individuals working for them. Even us lowly interns had a massive potential to contribute to the site (potential never tapped into, but still...) I have serious issues with the way the lay-offs occurred as well as a personal issues with how I was treated at the end, but it is all behind me now. I remind myself daily that I didn't actually like the job at all, and so it is good that it is over.
I've said it before and i will say it again. Looking for jobs stinks. I do solidly believe there is no better, faster way to lose self esteem, faith in mankind and sleep than by looking for jobs.
Luckily I have a lot of packing to do (we are moving to a new apartment this weekend!) and a visit with Julie to look forward to (March 20! Yay!) to keep me somewhat occupied when I cannot stand the sound of my own email-cover-letter-voice any longer. It is a bit chilly these last few days to really want to be outside but sitting in the sun of the windows has been nice. I talk to Moose a lot. He burps back in find response.
I haven't lost all hope yet. Spring is here and the clocks were pushed forward. Light and crocuses do make a difference. I hadn't planned on digging into my tax refund the moment after it was deposited into my account, but hey, I didn't plan on living in Vancouver all that long ago either.

An I Lost My Job Haiku.

In turn winter green
Day end night comes slow and gray-
Monday last pay cheque.

The Dream realized

It is actually (finally) happening. In past years, the lead up to the hand off seemed to go by without much thought, and within the quick flutter of an eyelid.

The last few months, to me, have dragged towards the date January 20, 2009. This date forever will be etched in my mind. Unlike November 22, or September 11 though this will be a date that represents hope, promise, and pride, not sadness or pain.

I admit I feel homesick for the grand old US of A. Though the Vancouverites seem to share in the Obamaphoria of many folks the world over, they don't have the embarrassment, and/or guilt of being one of the ugly Americans the world has grown to despise over the last 8 years.

I wish you all, American and otherwise, a happy inauguration day tomorrow and forward.

Life

So there has not been tons of exciting things to post on lately. The holidays came and went, and with them left a great big sigh of relief. Even though I was not home for the holidays, I do believe I was even more stressed because of it, knowing how emotional the days without my family and friends would be.

We did have a really fun Christmas week. Vancouver was hit with some of the biggest consecutive snowfalls of the last many years. Nothing that New England does not see at least once a winter, but for Vancouver, used to gray skies and rain but very little accumulation, this was rare. According to one blogger, who questioned the city's utter lack of preparation for such a circumstance, they just agreed, that there was no preparation. Vancouver is outfitted with 47 plows, 2 of which are actual snow plows as we know them. They decided not to even attempt to plow side streets, saying by the time they got to them the snow would be melted anyway.

It made for extremely fun snow days for us though. I got to use my new snow shoes (thanks mom and dad!) build some snow people and drink copious amounts of hot chocolate. We spent NYE going to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, (which was excellent) came home to drink champagne and then head out to our nearest pub, the Irish Heather for midnight celebrations. The celebrating was not what you hipsters may call 'off the hook.' Around midnight we heard a gentle murmur that sounded like a countdown and then a few muffled "Happy New Year!'s"

Bryan's big 30th birthday also came and went, without much fanfare. We went to a lovely tapas dinner at Bin 941 the night before, and the day of he chose a BBQ rib joint. We went for a lovely 5:30pm meal, to really reinforce the fact that he is getting old. We then came home to eat the cake that he made for himself (I offered, I swear!) watch some Dexter and head to bed. By 10:30.

Low key. That describes us pretty well these days.

I've been working, still part time, still looking for greener pastures. I am learning a thing or two and keeping up to date on current events, but not nearly as challenged as I would like to be. We've done some fun home improvement projects. We go for walks. I read. We watch movies. We play scrabble. Or Word Twist. We make fun of eachother. We cook. We eat. We drink wine.

This is my life in Vancouver.