As I’ve said before, one benefit of my job is meeting new people and encountering new perspectives. In early 2020, I was in another city for meetings (strange to think that was the last time I was on a plane!), which started with several of the attendees gathering at a pub for supper. (As all …
This wasn’t meant to be a new year’s post. But I’ve put off writing in favour of eating a lot of cheese, drinking a lot of red wine and dark beer, and watching a lot of Netflix. And now it’s December 31, and here we are. Last year, I posted a summary of the first …
A couple days ago, I learned it was International Men’s Day. I confess: I didn’t know there was an International Men’s Day. The person who brought it to my attention was a woman. Another person in the conversation was a man, and he said he felt uncomfortable acknowledging a day to celebrate men. And then, through the …
Throughout elementary school in the small town where I grew up, I was in Brownies and Girl Guides. Every November, we sold poppies to support the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Selling poppies meant going door to door in northern Alberta, freezing our butts off. This was still when dresses were a mandatory …
I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “but”. Sure, now you’re thinking, “Oh, here she goes…this is one of those ‘Kelli’s in her head again’ blogs.” Really? If you read this thing, you know that’s pretty much all it ever is. Seriously though. As I recently said to someone, the three little letters in “but” can …
I recently visited Washington, D.C. for the first time. After arriving, I walked a few blocks to the National Mall, and thought a little about the impeachment trial occurring nearby. But mostly, I thought about free speech. A large part of the Mall was blocked that day, with several streets and walkways closed. Bus after …
I know I’m not the only one who notices how things change as we get older. In particular, there’s something about traditions, holidays, and milestone events that allow for a comparison through time. Last week, for example, the Canadian Finals Rodeo became a bit of a time machine for me. I joined my mom on …
Continue reading Holding each other up, through 25 years of finals
I once worked with an executive who had his own way of saying things. For his retirement, we made posters with a caricature of him and all his favourite catchphrases. While this one didn’t make the poster, I do remember him telling me, "Everyone seems equally pissed off with us, no matter what side they …
Here’s an easy-to-swallow statement: I think it’s sad when people die. I’m going to assume most people generally agree with me there. But let’s digress for a moment. (Although I’m pretty sure you’ll see where I’m headed.) A few days ago, I completed a government survey on supervised drug consumption sites. As I wrote in …
The first time someone told me I was introducing myself incorrectly was several years ago. Coworkers and I spent a learning day with Elder Casey Eagle Speaker, and we didn’t get far into the morning before our first lesson. As we attempted to introduce ourselves, he interrupted us. Eventually, he said something to the effect …
