Author Archives: mathan

The long commute – Part 3: This time it’s business

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Ravioli, Double Rum and Coke Zero, and a chocolate chip cookie

Coming to you live and direct from the international Maple Leaf Lounge here at Pearson International Airport where I’m, once again, headed back to Montevideo.

This time in a much deserved Executive First seat on a 767 headed south for 11 hours.  I’ve been looking forward to this experience since well before I earned Elite status.

The last time I flew British Airways back from the UK with Scott in 2001, we had business class seats that were somewhat lie flat , however it felt like a quasi-business/cattleclass with the seat setup they had and not much privacy.

So in many respects, this is my first real lie flat experience.  Given I’ve not been able to sleep well on the previous flights, this will be a real treat.

This time, being in the A row, we have the back of the B row facing us so I have even more privacy.

I’m bringing about $75 worth of Maple Syrup in my bags to give to my coworkers and for those who said they wanted more.  I’m also bringing a surprise for everyone, to be cooked up by me during the Asado being held in another week. *GRIN*

The weather in Montevideo has warmed up!  A low of 9C and a high of 21C this week, unfortunately mostly rainy.

We’ll see what adventures I get up this trip!

Sadly, I’m missing the excitement of the bathroom renovation.  It’s like Christmas everyday with seeing new changes.

The start of the bathroom renos

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Scott and I have started our bathroom renovation today with the tearing down of our shower and bath, removal of the vanity, and floor tiles.  We’re using Attention To Detail Contracting Services.

Tomorrow is plumbing and electrical day.  We’re adding two pot lights and completely changing our shower layout.

We’ve only had one miscommunication on the project so far around who was going to order the actual faucets for the shower and sink.  As a result, we’re a bit nervous about a diverter that we need as we’re installing a shower head and a hand held unit.  We can’t get the diverter unit from Home Depot or Lowes, so the contractor is looking for the diverter we want tomorrow.  If not, it will delay part of the plumbing.

Beyond that, we’re REALLY happy with everything so far.  The teardown crew were VERY professional, they were quick and clean for such a messy job.  Kudos!

Below are the faucet sets we choose – Kohler Cavata, and we’re adding Kohler Flipside shower heads.  The sink faucet was selected to be purposely high so that Scott can wash his hands and arms for his practice more effectively.  I like the modern look.

 

I’m one of them…

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  • You see their bag tags as you’re in line for customs
  • You see them and their exclusive line for check in
  • They get their bags off the carousel first
  • They’re up front while you’re 6ft3 frame is stuck in the back

Okay okay, I’ve been half of one of them for two years and today as Air Canada Top Tier Prestige, and I’ve been able to use the Executive Check In line.

I’m now officially a Star Alliance Gold.  My Air Canada Top Tier Elite membership package showed up in the mail today which gets me:

  • Maple Leaf Lounge access
  • Star Alliance Gold Lounge access
  • Priority baggage
  • Priority security at Pearson and other airports

Just in time for my flight to San Francisco this weekend!


Will this man play a concert in Toronto?

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I was a HUGE Corey Hart fan in the 1980s.  I had “Boy in the Box” and “Fields of Fire” on vinyl, and “First Offence” on tape.  I never invested in another Corey Hart album after that time period…

Fast forward 30 years, yes 30 years, and here is the first Corey Hart single in 10 years.

Corey is expected to announce, on Wednesday, a big concert in Toronto.  Come hell or high water, Scott and I will be at that concert.

One more day, one more night

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This is my second last night in Uruguay for this trip and I am glad to be going home. Three weeks is a long time down here.

Admittedly, I am kind of tired of:

  • Having to take taxis everywhere
  • Having to have the gate of the hotel opened for me to go out for dinner
  • Having to have the gate of the hotel opened for me when I arrive back from work or dinner
  • Winter
  • Dark nights
  • Having to really think about what I want to say
  • Crazy drivers
  • Having to be really vigilant walking across intersections

At the same time I know I am going to miss:

  • The weight loss I’ve had down here, let’s hope I can continue it at home
  • The vibe of my new coworkers down here
  • Asado
  • People walking around with thermoses and Mate
  • Crazy drivers
  • New experiences
  • Lunches at El Refugio
  • The different models of cars down here
  • Jamón y queso para desayuno
  • Medialunas
  • Orange-carrot juice

I just want to see my husband, cats, family, drive my car, a public transit system, a bath tub I fit in, a hot tub for my back, not be locked in to a compound, my bed, familiar things…

Buen viaje en Buenos Aires

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Usually when I travel it’s usually with some degree of confidence.  But with the big bang of the last trip and being a bit more vigilant, not speaking the language fully, and some of the fears people had mentioned to me – pick pockets and the streets not being that safe here in Buenos Aires, I decided to play it safe.

Now that I know the lay of the land, the next trip will be that much better.

This city is spectacular!  It’s a gorgeous city, much like a combination of New York, London, Paris and various cities in Spain, yet it’s own flavor.

La comida-Excellente!

Thanks to Gustavo, Roberto and Luke for showing me around.

Tomorrow – a 3 hour ferry ride to Montevideo.  I will post pictures when I get back to Montevideo.  In the meantime, Buens Aires, I will be back.

15th Anniversary

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As Scott wrote on Facebook:

So… on this day (June 27th), in the early afternoon, exactly 15 years ago, I met my bear (Iain Bennett). We had chatted a bit on-line and he thought I was a bit of a creep (gasp!), but I guess he took his anti-creep pills that day, and the rest is history. Thank you Mr.Bear for 15 wonderful, love-filled, fun (and sometimes not so much), and challenging years. Thank you for being the one that was alway quietly humming and LIVING out the words of “I am by Your Side” to me, even when it was hard for me to hear….and always pointing me towards “Never Surrender”. May we continue to love and grow and share together for many years to come. Happy “official” Anniversary. 🙂

and then further…

We consider our “anniversary” as the date we met. We officially started dating sometime in August…. but in the distance of time neither of us could remember what the date was…. so we use this one instead. The actual date was June 27th, the “event” that it occurred in conjunction with is the Dyke March during Pride. Not married yet.

Well, the video below is my response. *GRIN*

Here is a direct link to the video (M4V format). This page uses HTML5.

YouTube:

 

By the way, I highly recommend 1Love featuring Corey Hart – The Truth Will Set U Free