I Forgot To Tell You ...

Remember Neil, Ms J? I wrote volumes about him a few years ago. He was diagnosed with cancer later, and I was wrestling with the idea of contributing to a fund that was started for him at work. Frankly, I was astonished that anyone even cared.

Anyway ... He's dead. It probably happened months ago, but I only just heard about it.

I'm sorry for his wife; I wonder if maybe she's better off now.

And yes, I did contribute to his fund at the time. You knew I would, didn't you?

***

Pearly Whites

I visited the dentist a few months ago, to have my teeth cleaned. My niece is a dental hygienist, my brother's daughter. I adore the girl. Sherri did a great job and later took a plaster impression of my teeth. My plan was to have my teeth whitened and a custom fitted tray is required to contain the whitening gel.

“Does it cost to have this done, Sherri?” I asked. “Or will my dental plan cover it?”

“No way, Daley,” she grinned. “It costs about $250.”

I held my hand up.

“Honey, I don’t have $250. I can’t afford this. I thought ---“

Sherri took my hand in hers and smiled again showing perfect, white teeth.

“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “It won’t cost you a dime.”

The impressions were made in five minutes and a few weeks later, Sherri gave me the trays and a supply of whitening gel. I only recently began the treatment.

After a fortnight of treatments, I can see a marked improvement in the whiteness of my teeth. The treatment involves using a syringe-type applicator to insert small drops of hydrogen peroxide gel into my custom-fitted tooth trays, and then wearing the trays for an hour each night before bed.

After years of drinking red wine and coffee and tea, my teeth were really looking yellow. I quit smoking eight years ago, but I'm sure they still bore the stains. But now, Ms J, my smile is white again. I am not afraid to open my lips when I smile.

They're not as white as Colleen’s perfect teeth, or Meagan's. I doubt they’ll ever be that white again. But my smile's a lot brighter than it was.



Thanks Sherri!

(The photo above was taken a year ago last summer, Ms J, before the whitening treatment.)

***

Window Shopping

Way back in May, I decided I'd like to buy some new windows for my little house here in Mimico. A new front door, too. The front windows are very draughty and when the winter winds blow from the west, I can actually feel the chill near the windows. Let's face it, Ms J, the house was built in 1932. It's time for replacement windows. On the advice of a neighbour, I phoned a company called Becker Windows. They sent a salesman round to visit. His name was Walter. Walter was Russian, I think. Or Polish. He was full of ... promises. And he needed a shave.

"Vee can make it new veendows for you, Del," he said. "And vee geeve you best price."

He took some hasty measurements and scribbled in the blank spaces on an estimate form.

$4700.

"Five veendows, von door, complete instoled. Best price for you, I guarantee."

I took the paper from him and turned toward the door.

"Thanks, Walter. I'll think about it."

I thought about it, Ms J, for about five months or so. Mustn't rush these sorts of things. Then I called another company. Pella Windows and Doors. They sent me Meredith. Meredith is young and gorgeous. Meredith could easily have a career as a model. Beautiful blue eyes, full lips, golden hair, buxom figure. Meredith could sell sand to the Arabs. She took my measurements while I silently guessed at hers.

"You may find a better price, Dale, but you won't find a better product. I promise you, Pella's wooden windows are the best in the market."

I can't vouch for that, Ms J, but I will tell you Pella's salespeople are the prettiest. It was worth booking an appointment just to spend an hour with Meredith.

Five windows, one lovely door. $10,300

Last week, I called Home Decor Windows and Doors. Paul came to visit. Paul is a large man. I doubt Paul has missed a meal in years. He has a ready smile though, and a sarcastic wit not unlike my own. I felt immediately at ease with Paul. He showed me photos of the work his company had done, and offered me phone numbers of neighbours who might give references. There's a website I visited later where I found more evidence of the quality work they do. And unlike Pella, they're a Canadian company located not far from here.

Five windows, one lovely door, a little masonry work, and a roll-away screen. $8000.

My house gets a much-needed makeover and Home Decor gets the job.

They'll start in January, Ms J. I'll let you know how it turns out.

***

These Words Must Go!

As you know, Ms J, I'm a words guy. I'm a lover of language. I like to use it, and rarely abuse it. Language serves to both amuse and confuse. Words are fun. But lately, I've been hearing certain words and phrases that spoil the language and take the fun out of it. Some of these expressions have become hackneyed and tired. It's time to take them out of our language.

"24/7" - Is it really that difficult to say "all the time"?

"Fairly unique" - Unique means the only one of its kind. How can it be "fairly" so?

"At this time" - Verbose. Perfect for politicians and others who pride themselves on their loquacity. Whatever happened to "now"?

"In terms of" - This one really makes me hump and gather. I hear this phrase every day, Ms J. Often more than once. How on earth did we manage, in terms of speaking, before we discovered this gem?

"Absolutely" - What's wrong with "I agree"? Or "sure"? Or "certainly"? Or a simple nod of the head? Absolutely. I'm afraid I'm guilty here too.

"Clearly" - Clearly, this word is over-used. We're clearly implying that our listener is poised to disagree. And that is clearly not always the case.

"Like" - I've saved the worst for last. This one must currently be the most over-used, oft' heard, most irritating word in the English language. Kids today use it to replace the word "said". "I was talking to Luba today and she's like 'What are you doing with my crayon?' and I'm like 'It's not your crayon. I found it in the box' and she's all like 'Well I'm telling the teacher' and so I'm like 'I don't care because I had it first'." This word is LIKE driving me mental!

Colleen uses it frequently as well, Ms J, but differently. The more frustrated she is, it seems, the more she uses it.

"Can I just tell you something? When you, like, put things on your blog that like, tell things about me that maybe didn't actually happen that way, and then you like, write about it as though I'm like ... Like why don't you mention it to me first instead of blabbing about it to, like the whole world? Like .... Sometimes, it's like ... GRRRRRR!"

And so on.

Clearly, we don't need to use these words 24/7. They may seem fairly unique at this time, but don't you think we might consider other alternatives in terms of verbal expressions? Absolutely! It's like ... GRRRRRR!

***

Is There Hope for The Future?

I must admit, Ms J, I really don't follow politics. I find it frustrating. I can't bear to read about powerful men who consistently abuse their power or fail to act to make things better. I know it's not quite as simple as that. I know there are many factors to consider. But still ...

I hear the Yanks have elected a new leader. I hear he's black. Errr ... I suppose he's not black, is he? He's a person of colour. Whatever. The Media compare him to JFK. Charismatic. Handsome. Compassionate. "Change is coming." Americans appear hopeful. Indeed the world seems hopeful. Maybe this man will be the one to lead us toward peace. Maybe he'll declare an end to the madness in Iraq and bring our soldiers home.

Does anyone truly understand the objective there? What are we trying to achieve in that conflict? Won't someone please tell me why a hundred Canadian boys have died there? Does America honestly believe the continued waste of billions of dollars and the death of some 4000 young Americans will have any lasting effect on Iraq? Why does Canada participate? Why does Britain?

Will this Obama fellow see the folly and the wanton waste in this pointless endeavor? Will he see it clearly, as just another Vietnam, another war that can't be won? Or will he continue to support it because war is good for the U.S. economy?

It's Remembrance Day. Today, we pause to remember sacrifices made by those in two world wars, sacrifices necessary to preserve our freedom at home. At home.

Enough have died in Iraq. Enough blood has been shed. There's been enough suffering, enough mourning.

It's time for Change, alright.



Bring them home, Mr. Harper.



Bring them home, Mr. Brown.



Bring them home, Mr. Obama. All of them.



The world awaits your "change."

***

Hmmm ... What Shall I Write About?

Hello, Ms Journal. How have you been? I've been fine, really. Still enjoying my new job at VIA. Still madly in Love with Colleen. And still worrying about my children. Dan has no phone and so it's difficult to contact him. Colleen has suggested sending a card to let him know I'm thinking of him. He does phone occasionally to ask for money, so if I don't hear from him, I assume he's OK. Meagan is back with her mum after things went rather pear-shaped in August. I wish she'd come back to live with me and go to school and grow and thrive and live and ...

But she won't.

"It's my Life, Dad," she says. And she's right.

She's sixteen. Her brother is twenty-two. I can't direct their Lives. It breaks my heart to see them stagnate this way, but I'm powerless to change things. I guess all I can do is let them know I care about them, try to keep lines of communication open, and pray. I have lots more to say on this topic, Ms J, but it only upsets me and robs me of sleep. Best leave it alone for now.

---

What else is new?

Well, I've gotten some new glasses. New frames. I have been complaining about my glasses for a while now.

“Damn these glasses, Colleen,” I say and tilt my head back and try to focus.

Reading is becoming increasingly difficult.

Recently, Colleen and I went to Hakim Optical on Bloor Street and ordered new glasses. Frames too. I gave the girl there the prescription I’d gotten from Dr. Skrapits. My new glasses are ready today. And I ordered prescription sunglasses as well.

Colleen says my new frames are more modern, and better suit a young man like me.

I love you, Colleen.

---

Everywhere I look these days, I see young men with their hats on sideways. Baseball caps, Ms J. You know the type. Or pulled down over their ears. It looks ridiculous. They're ball caps, guys. With peaks on them to shade your eyes from the sun. They are not meant to be worn sideways, or over your ears. Put them on properly for goodness sake. And pull up your trousers. You look as though you're brain damaged. This stupid fad can't end soon enough to suit me.

---

Christmas is coming. Bah. I'm not a fan of the Christmas season. December is my least favourite month. I look forward to January to put Christmas behind me. December is a stressful month, filled with obligations and expectations and ending often in disappointment. That's how it's been for me these past few years. What gifts shall I buy for my kids? Will I see them over the holidays? Will they make attempts to see their dear, ol' dad? Or will I have to chase them down and beg for their time? What about my grandson, Baby David? I haven't seen the boy but a few times since he was born. He lives with his Grandmother, my ex-wife. Seeing David would mean seeing her, Ms J, and I just can't do it. Sorry. But I can't. I don't want to. I've never gotten a gift for David before, so I guess there's no point in it now, is there?

Christmas used to be less stressful. My ex and I would take turns having the kids Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They were younger then, of course. I saw them every other weekend for years. But now it's all changed. We've grown apart it seems. Oh well. I still have my brother and sisters and Mum and Dad. We'll get together I'm sure. And I'm welcome to share Christmas with Colleen's family.

It's funny, you know. When my kids were little, I looked forward to them growing up. Now that it's happening, I hate it and long for the past. Never happy, I suppose. I feel a bit jealous of guys who talk about their successful children and grandchildren. I wanted that, Ms Journal. I really did. But I have a grandson I don`t know and two kids who are too busy to keep Dad in the loop. Yes, I tried getting them cell phones, but they abused them and I've had to suspend the accounts.

Oh well. I'll just live my Life as well as I can and wait for them all to grow up a little more. It may be a long wait. I'm fifty years old and still a child in many ways.

I'll see you later, eh?

***