Runaway Future

I’ve been meaning to make this post for a while now, just following up stuff from the weekend.

First off, Colleen Jones bothers me.
Back when the nude curling calendar (hardly nude and hardly decent) first hit the news wires, Jones was quoted as saying that women might resort to curling nude just to get some recognition.
Then she said during the Curling Trials that it’s a shame that the women’s circuit here in the Maritimes hasn’t taken off like the men’s circuit had (Adams, Dacey, Gushue, Howard).
What bothers me? Colleen Jones followed up the above comment from the Trials by saying her rink has competed mainly in men’s bonspiels this season, because the competition level isn’t enough for her in women’s spiels. The team (understandably) cannot journey west of Ontario every weekend for a tournament, where all the big money is, but it opens up another problem. You have arguably the game’s top female team on one hand complaining that the sport needs to develop for women but on the other hand, turning their back on developing the women’s side of thing and competing in men’s tournaments.
Obviously, you gotta look out for yourself, but it would be a lot more admirable if Jones focused just as hard on developing the sport here in the Maritimes for future generations, especially with whispers that she’s on the downslope of a historic curling career.

Also during the weekend of the Trials, Dad and I went to RCMP HQ for a second. It was interesting, the pay for members is going up and a three year constable could make around 70 grand a year. That would require laser eye surgery, which is about 3000 bucks, but might be more because of my astigmatism.

Anyway, the whole Curling Trials experience was good. I got to hang out with Manders and Terri as a result. Talked extensively with Terri on Thursday morning, which was really good. Two days off work is also a bonus.
The best part was a whole bonding thing with Dad. With me up here and him busy with the new job, there’s been a bit of gap there for a bit. I think that might have motivated the buying of the tickets in the first place. It was a good weekend, and I had a lot of fun. Watching curling, drinking beers in the Patch, just hanging out. It was good.

I had to call my landlord because he wanted to know what I was doing for christmas break
maybe he wants me, despite the fact he’s married and travels the world with his wife working for the world bank, like some international man of mystery
unless of course he is a spy and his asking about my whereabouts during the holidays was part of his test to bring me into the top secret ranks. I must have failed the interview.
Anyways, he said about the heat here in the apartment and I nearly choked in his ear. Apparently the crazy cat lady who I share the bathroom with, told my landlord that it was extremely hot down here in the cellar and I must be burning up. Meanwhile, all weekend, Dad and I made jokes about the draft coming through my only window and now I have a little space heater. I’ve been finding myself staying away from my computer, which is under the window and huddling on my couch trying to preserve body heat. That’s only half sarcasm. Regardless, if she says it’s warm down here, don’t be alarmed if I become the next Minnesota Iceman.
While I was talking to my landlord, I took the opportunity to ask who was responsible to shovel the front walk and steps of our place. Apparently, it’s the maintenance man, but because he doesn’t live nearby, it takes some time for him to come over and get it done. My landlord said if it’s a problem, he would buy a shovel and pay me to do it….
Splendid…