Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Disappointment

Recently I ordered a book on ebay about scrambling. Scrambling is the summiting of smaller mountains by hiking/climbing using hands & feet. This is an activity I would like to take up this year. I've been researching safety and courses I should take to ensure my safety. I've also found two books outlining various scrambles, access and egress to them in areas not far from where I live. I bought topographic maps and have been reacquainting myself with my orienteering skills just in case my GPS unit were to fail.

One of the two books outlining routes was the one I found on ebay for a good price, so I bought it. I have been waiting for it's arrival and today there was a parcel box key in my mail box. So with much anticipation I opened the mail box and found .....

...an empty envelope. I can see where it's been cut open. Why deliver an empty envelope?

I have contacted the seller regarding this because I have never encountered this problem in any ebay transaction before. Now I sit awaiting their reply. I have paid for a product I have not received, but who is the responsible party? I do know this, it will be a long time, if ever, that I shop on ebay again. I can't afford to be tossing my money away so someone else gets a free product.

Very disappointing.

PS: I have thought maybe customs however, they generally tape a pkg back together and make a note on the pkg so you know it was they who were into it. So I've ruled that out. The pkg was clearly marked as to what the contents were as well. Grrrrr

UPDATE: I received a response from the seller, they are as flabbergasted as I am and have never experienced this before either. I contacted Canada Post and the selller will contact USPS ... so hopefully something will be determined. I am not holding my breath. I made sure the seller knew that I did not blame them in anyway. I am disappointed however at the dishonest people that reside in our world, I have never understood how you can take what is not yours and live with yourself. I do hope they find the person/s responsible....isn't tampering with/stealing mail a federal offense?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Who Will I Be When I Die?


I have never claimed to understand where my thoughts go, or why they go where they do ... I just go with it...

Today I was laying in bed, happily anticipating the nap I was planning to have when my thoughts started swirling, and I wondered, "Who will I be when I die?"

Sounds silly doesn't it. I dissected my thoughts. What my inner self was really asking is, am I living my life the way I want to be remembered when I am gone. Am I treating people in a manner that they would truly miss me if I wasn't here? Am I someone who is making a positive impact/difference in the lives of others? Am I living up to my full potential? Do I practice kindness and humanity? Do I genuinely care about my world and those in it? Do I practice optimism as opposed to pessimism? Do I see the beauty and remember to stop and smell the roses? Do I take enough time to truly enjoy my world? Do I remember to breath...laugh...love? Am I truly living or just going through the motions, one minute at a time?

I wondered, will I be one of the ones whose demise causes those around them, those who knew and loved them to say with a smile, "Ahhh, she was one of the good ones, she will be missed." Or, will they speak in hushed whispers behind upheld hands "Not to speak ill of the dead...but..."

I want to be the first scenario. While I may not always succeed I try to be that person.

Who will you be when you die?

Monday, February 9, 2009

Feel Good Flowers

This picture never fails to make me smile, it is my wallpaper on my laptop for this reason. I took this picture last summer. It wasn't a planned photo, it was one that just happened when I was fooling around waiting for my buddy to finish shooting the pics he was taking. It has, however, become one of my favorites.

As I sit here feeling Spring Fever set in... feeling so sick of the cold weather, overcast days and dirty snow, this picture can lighten my mood. It reminds me that summer is right around the corner. Spring, the season of rebirth and growth is even closer. Soon buds will be emerging and springing forth with their blooms.

This picture also reminds me that sometimes the most beautiful, most treasured things in our lives are those that are not planned. They just happen.

Rejoice in the beauty of your life today.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

LITERARY AGENT - CAN YOU HELP?

A member of my writing group is currently travelling in the US looking for a legitimate literary agent.

Since we are all only six degrees away from any one person in this world I thought I'd put this out there. I figure someone has to know an agent.

He is a very talented writer, engaging and humorous and he deserves to be given a chance. He has several novels written and is now chasing his dream. I, and I know he will appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

If you would like to see a sampling of his writing please visit www.writers-ink.net , he is the featured writer there, Ken Kanten. If you wish to contact him please email me at fnygrl68@telus.net and I will forward on to him then he can reply directly to you.

Thank you in advance.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

A Child's Plea

I don't usually share anything I've written on here (aside from my random blog posts which ARE written by me, I'm sure you know what I mean), but a member of my writer's group encouraged me to post this one so I am. I was inspired to write this after hearing the verdict of Penny Boudreau, the mother who killed her daughter, Karissa, in Bridgewater, NS.

This is by no means Karissa's story, it is written for all children who suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to love and care for them. It is written in the hopes that some day children will not know this sort of evil. Rest In Peace Karissa.

************************************************************************************

A Child’s Plea

When I was in utero
You smoked and drank and used
It all affected me
It hurt
I cried
“Mommy don’t…”

When I was an infant
You ignored my cries
Leaving me all alone
I was frightened and insecure
I cried
“Mommy don’t …”

When I was a toddler
You were not patient
You yelled and
You struck
It hurt
I felt unloved and unwanted
I cried
“Mommy don’t …”

As I got older
Your indifference grew
Displeasure a frequent visitor to your face
Love you did not show
I was a burden
No place for me in your world
A growth you had to remove
As you tightened the twine around my neck
I cried
Tears rolled down my face in a silent, heartfelt
Plea
“Mommy don’t …Please don’t”


Copyright © JLChristman
Jan 31/09
1320

**Inspired by the murder of Karissa Boudreau, Bridgewater, NS**