Thursday, March 23, 2006
The learning curve has been steep, at my new job. But I'm starting to get the hang of it. Some people who call, despite the urgency in their voices, are repeat callers. One particularly alarming man, who sounds as if he is mortally wounded, is usually just blind drunk and wants to chat. One elderly lady has a crisis every few days and needs everyone from the fire marshall to the bylaw officer to come down and take care of her. Yesterday she called with another urgent matter. But I'm getting wise. Later on in the day, one of the guys who knows her came in to start his shift, and I said to him, "I think Mrs. K's lonely, maybe you could go visit her later if you get time." I know he goes and has tea with her periodically, takes her fish or caribou if he's been hunting or fishing. I'm also learning that the folks who call and abuse me when they're drunk are likely to call back a few days later and be sweetness and light.
Monday, March 20, 2006
When I watch tv, I get a little jolt from seeing green landscapes. It has been white and flat for so long here. Admittedly, it's not going to get any less flat, but a bit less white would be nice. Also street/mall scenes full of white folks look strange now too. One becomes accustomed to being a minority.
Work continues to be challenging and interesting. Although I am still fighting a toothache. On Friday I went to the nurse to get another round of antibiotics, as the dentist isn't coming until the 3rd of April. And that's if I can get an appointment. Otherwise it might be me and a pair of pliers. I know, I'm not Tom Hanks on a desert island... I seem to be existing in one of two uncomfortable states. Either the pain medication is working and I'm stunned and can't bring myself to do much of anything, or the pain medication is not working and my tooth is sending shock waves through my entire head, rendering me incapable of doing much of anything. Argh.
Jazzy is a bit better, but not completely. She's finished her meds, and Miguel's going to email the vets. They had said something about doing a biopsy next, but I don't really want to send her to Yellowknife by herself. Poor old sweetie.
Work continues to be challenging and interesting. Although I am still fighting a toothache. On Friday I went to the nurse to get another round of antibiotics, as the dentist isn't coming until the 3rd of April. And that's if I can get an appointment. Otherwise it might be me and a pair of pliers. I know, I'm not Tom Hanks on a desert island... I seem to be existing in one of two uncomfortable states. Either the pain medication is working and I'm stunned and can't bring myself to do much of anything, or the pain medication is not working and my tooth is sending shock waves through my entire head, rendering me incapable of doing much of anything. Argh.
Jazzy is a bit better, but not completely. She's finished her meds, and Miguel's going to email the vets. They had said something about doing a biopsy next, but I don't really want to send her to Yellowknife by herself. Poor old sweetie.