A Year in Haiku

All Good Things (and some mediocre ones as well) Must Come to an End

2008-12-31T15:06:00.002-05:00

One final haiku
To finish Two Thousand Eight:
Thank you for reading.

Yes. Thank BOTH of you for reading. Hahaha! With the closing of A Year in Haiku check with dullgloomy tomorrow for information on a new project (or two) for 2009.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Out of the Box

2008-12-30T23:59:00.000-05:00

From long-closed boxes
Come odds and ends from the past --
Pale ghost memories.

There were a few rather amusing little tidbits, like cards and letters from old friends, random pictures from the walls of my teenaged room, and little cards and pictures made by kids who are now college aged (or older).

Save Your Intervention

2008-12-29T23:40:00.002-05:00

I fell prey again
To an enormous book sale.
Hey, I'm not on crack!

If one is to be addicted to something, it may as well be books (and movies), right?

Bang Bang!

2008-12-28T23:41:00.001-05:00

A goofy waiter
And a fun musical that
Starred a flying car.

That was my day.

Season Finale

2008-12-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

As of this evening,
It's the end of an era
For a ten-year gig.

One of the places I work is closing up and relocating, and even though I plan to move with it, it still seems like a chapter coming to a close. It was great having a bunch of friends come and join me on that last shift.

Boxing Day

2008-12-26T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hangin' out with kids
Was a fine diversion on
This year's Boxing Day.

Merry Happy

2008-12-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

A nice quiet day
Spent with a few old people
With whom I share genes.

It was a pleasant, laid back Christmas day with the parents. Tomorrow will see the rest of the family join us before I head back home. Merry Christmas!

C.E.

2008-12-24T23:56:00.002-05:00

From friends to fam'ly,
Christmas Eve has taken me.
Merry Christmas, All!

Promiscuous Visitation

2008-12-23T23:59:00.000-05:00

Friends, friends, then more friends:
That's my kind of holiday.
(It just needs more naps.)

Evening Spent

2008-12-22T00:30:00.000-05:00

Friends came for dinner
Tea, snacks, and conversation.
Happy Holidays!

Finish Line

2008-12-21T23:59:00.000-05:00

Christmas shopping's done
(At least I believe it is)
Let wrapping begin!

Declining Balance of Patience

2008-12-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Gift Card Woman:
When you ask for fifteen cards
We want to kill you.

There was a woman in front of me at the ole Tim Hortons today and she was getting at least fifteen cards (that's how many I could actually count in the piles she had lined up; there may have been more) each being loaded up with with five bucks. Needless to say, we didn't appreciate it as we were just waiting patiently while each was taken, swiped, loaded up, receipt printed, and packed back into its little envelope. Naturally there was difficulty with a few of them, not loading up properly on the first try. One woman just gave up and left. Can't say I blame her.

Blizzard

2008-12-19T23:59:00.001-05:00

Ridiculous snow
Confirms this is Canada
And that winter's here.

Stupid amount of snow fell today.

Jolly

2008-12-18T23:32:00.002-05:00

Happy singing man,
Despite your lack of talent
You did make me smile.

This enjoyable fellow was doing a little bopping dance while waiting in line, occasionally singing along with the carols playing in the store, and was jubilantly wishing people a Merry Christmas. It was very enjoyable.

Commentary

2008-12-17T23:11:00.002-05:00

Always flattering
To be told that one looks tired,
Even if it's true.

I love it when people just come out and say things like that.

"You look tired."

"You feeling alright? You look sick."

"Man, you're ugly as sin on a gatepost."

Mercury Rising

2008-12-16T23:59:00.000-05:00

A frosty morning,
Both on the inside and out,
Gives way to new warmth.

The furnace has been fixed. After awakening to 49 degree F temperatures in the house, I was eager to have everything taken care of promptly.

Aged

2008-12-15T23:24:00.001-05:00

Informal visit;
Happy Birthday to Sonya.
Take-out and a couch.

Woohoo! Still, it was nice to just hang out.

Bob

2008-12-14T23:59:00.000-05:00

Another season
Of Survivor has ended.
It was a good one.

I was pleasantly surprised. I was resistant to the whole Survivor thing for the first while, then a friend made me start watching and I've caught it more often than not since. I'm not tooth-and-nail about seeing it, but I catch it when I can. This season was pleasantly entertaining.

Spells Relief

2008-12-13T23:59:00.000-05:00

What a pleasant change
To fill my take with gas for
Less than thirty bucks.

Seriously.

Labourous

2008-12-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

Work in the morning,
Work in the afternoon, and
Work in the evening.

My day in a nutshell.

Engage!

2008-12-11T22:43:00.001-05:00

Children being cute
Means that the season is now
Officially on.

The Doctor is In (Apparently)

2008-12-10T22:35:00.002-05:00

Something in my face
Must beckon, "Please talk to me,
Though we are strangers."

Seriously. People strike up mini-conversations with me despite my best attempts at looking prickly and unapproachable. I'm just glad I no longer have to use the laundromat. Those places were packed with persistent conversationalists.

Hello, My Name is Claude Rains

2008-12-09T23:59:00.001-05:00

Nothing like being
Treated as invisible
By the store sales staff.

I hate that! You wait patiently, trying in vain to get help in a store. Then, after actually physically speaking with someone, they disappear and don't return for another fifteen minutes to actually assist you. Grrr. I really need to stop being polite and well-mannered.

Accessibility Options

2008-12-08T21:28:00.001-05:00

DVD makers
Really ought to consider
The colour-blind folks.

I hate it when I can't tell what's highlighted on a menu. Drives me nuts. Just put a little symbol that moves around, okay? Is that asking so very much?

Paging Nancy Drew

2008-12-07T23:59:00.000-05:00

I wish to solve the
Mysterious vanishing
Of my winter boots.

Pancakes and Prophets

2008-12-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

Perkins past midnight:
Theological debates
At volumes too high.

While enjoying a late night meal with Jackie, I had to endure the intense (and sometimes bizarre) theological interpretations of a woman one table over at extremely high volumes. It was rather difficult to focus on my own conversation as a result. The two gentlemen with whom the loudspeaker was dining were, in contrast, very gently spoken and mellow.

Homeward

2008-12-05T23:59:00.000-05:00

On a midnight drive,
Snow drifting in street lamp light,
Winter deceives me.

Deceives me how, you ask? Into almost believing that it's not so bad. But nay, dear readers, I shall not be fooled, for I know that this is not all that winter is or shall be. It will soon turn ugly with bitter cold, damp winds, and plenty of pain.

Colour Blind

2008-12-04T21:26:00.002-05:00

Dear Sedan Driver,
When I have a light that's green
It means I can go.

I nearly slammed into the side of the aforementioned sedan when the driver decided that he could enter the intersection on a red light. Fear not. The crisis was averted. Dennis would be proud.

Aesthetics

2008-12-03T23:28:00.000-05:00

It takes a good friend
To tell you your eyebrows have
Gone out of control.

Yeah. Thanks.

Proverb

2008-12-02T23:46:00.000-05:00

Early to bed and
Early to rise will make me
Bitter and grumpy.

Okay, so that's perhaps a bit overstated, but I'm not a morning person.

Ground Control to Major Tom

2008-12-01T23:49:00.002-05:00

The Countdown is on:
A Year in Haiku will soon
Complete its last month.

Subtle

2008-11-30T23:59:00.001-05:00

Brightman in concert.
Sarah's secret love for me
Was expressed throughout.

It's true. Ask Betsy.

Recap

2008-11-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

Several visits
And a decorated tree.
It was a good day.

I Got Rhythm (why don't you?)

2008-11-28T21:55:00.002-05:00

Dear Mall Pianist:
When playing those much-loved tunes,
Learn to find the beat.

I was in Chapters this evening with Jackie and they had a little electric piano set up with a guy playing. He was KILLING me while SLAYING some melodies that I love. It was almost more than I could bear. He seemed to be someone with some technical skill but absolutely no sense of musicality. It was like nails on a chalkboard which was, in turn, being used to smack me up the side of the head. (I won't even get into the woman who occasionally sang ...)

Moving Forward

2008-11-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

Now having survived
Another parents' visit
Life can continue.

Exhausted

2008-11-26T23:23:00.001-05:00

A funeral and
A visit from my parents.
Time to go to bed.

Compliance

2008-11-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

Water meter gal
Took all of twenty seconds
To check my meter.

So glad I rushed home from work.

"Madge! I soaked in it!"

2008-11-25T00:06:00.001-05:00

How kind of Sonya
To risk getting dish pan hands
For my benefit.

Thanks! Come visit anytime, even if you don't do housework! Haha!

No Refunds

2008-11-23T23:59:00.000-05:00

Went to see Repo:
The Genetic Opera.
The jury's still out.

There were good things about it, which is not the same thing as saying it's a good movie. I enjoyed going to see it (and enjoyed the company of those with whom I saw it), but can't quite predict that it'll achieve cult or classic status. It looks good, features some good performances (I terribly enjoy Anthony Stewart Head and Sarah Brightman), and was a fun night out.

Cousins

2008-11-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

A husband and wife
Should not look so much alike.
It appears inbred.

Indulgence

2008-11-21T23:43:00.002-05:00

I do not intend
To drag myself out of bed
'Til I darn well please.

The prospects of sleeping in tomorrow fill my heart with joy. Aaaahhhh!

Drip

2008-11-20T23:15:00.002-05:00

Why would the drive through
Leave an unprotected space
Between two windows?

How annoying in weather such as this, when water is running off the roof, to be beautifully shielded by little awning things while at the two windows, but to drive between them and have the water fall directly into your window? Nice design, people.

Forests and Trees

2008-11-19T23:32:00.001-05:00

In my living room
There's a can of Static Guard
Hiding in plain sight.

Random observation. What can I say?

Drifting Upwards

2008-11-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

Soon I will surface,
Drowning no longer in the
Sea of paperwork.

Poppin' Pussies into Pies?

2008-11-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

Eleven thirty:
A crank call to accuse me
Of killing a cat.

Haha! Although I probably should have been annoyed given the hour of the call, I couldn't help but just laugh and say, "Have a good night."

Coaster

2008-11-16T22:54:00.002-05:00

The day's ups and downs:
Hours of online paperwork
And a wrap party.

I'll let you figure out which of those was the "up" and which was the "down".

Prescribed

2008-11-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

"How are you today?"
"Too bad about the weather."
This? Subway Boy's script.

It was so funny to hear him have the same conversation opener with everyone in line. Depending on responses, he then went all improv on us, but the start? Virtually identical. Ha! I wonder if Subway management has said, "Be sure to engage the customers in friendly chatter. Talk about the weather if you have to."

Memories of Corn

2008-11-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

I had forgotten
How delicious Fritos are
Though likely deadly.

Eye Do

2008-11-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

It's so nice to see
The dollar store girl dolled up
With false eyelashes.

Do people really wear those in their everyday lives? The big, bold dance-recital ones? Who knew?

Bait and Switch

2008-11-12T23:27:00.003-05:00

Sometimes eBay stinks,
Like fishy DVDs that
Come from Malasia...

... despite being listed as coming from the UK. Hmmm.

Craving

2008-11-11T23:49:00.003-05:00

Say what you like, but
Some days eating apple chips
Doesn't quite cut it.

Healthy or not, I broke out the good old potato chips. They weren't even that great, being cheapo brand, but they served their purpose after a thirteen hour stretch at work!

Incidentally, it's just wrong to find an apple chip complete with the entire stem attached.

Colour Theory

2008-11-10T23:48:00.000-05:00

It seems post show blues
Will have to take a back seat
To paperwork blues.

Wrap

2008-11-09T23:59:00.001-05:00

With closing night comes
The end of the meat pies and
The "Ladies' Man" wig.

See. There's always silver lining!

Crunch Time

2008-11-08T23:59:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the neighbour
Shouldn't back into a car
And then ignore it.

That's right. The anti-social neighbour backed into Sonya's car today right in front of us and then got out, walked right past us without acknowledging it or saying a word, and went into his house, leaving us pretty much dumbstruck thinking, "Huminah-huh?

Ominous

2008-11-07T23:59:00.000-05:00

A long sleep awaits
If I'm not kept awake by
Sounds from the spare room.

Keep it down in there!

Blech!

2008-11-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

It caught up with me,
The sickness running rampant
Through my place of work.

Jumble

2008-11-05T23:59:00.000-05:00

Today played out as
A comedy of errors
(Not Shakespearean).

I won't even try to explain the utter chaos of the day. Suffice it to say it started around seven and went through until dinner. Ridiculous.

Changing Rooms

2008-11-04T23:49:00.002-05:00

Barack Obama
The forty-fourth president:
The world has high hopes.

Fall

2008-11-03T23:10:00.001-05:00

My poor little tree
Has lost its leaves, but fear not:
They'll return in full.

Revisited

2008-11-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

Sonya's family
Makes me laugh but even more
Do her reactions.

Diet

2008-11-01T23:59:00.000-04:00

Leftover candy
The day after Hallowe'en
Shouldn't be lunch, right?

31

2008-10-31T23:59:00.001-04:00

A parade of beasts,
Of characters and spirits.
Happy Hallowe'en!

Shady Anatomy

2008-10-30T20:08:00.002-04:00

Overheard tonight:
"Maybe there's lungs in my feet."
Don't talk, teenaged girl.

Clearly

2008-10-29T23:05:00.002-04:00

It curious that,
Even after busy days,
No haiku comes forth.

It's like my brain has checked out for the night. Don't ask me what's happened all day. My mind has dumped its cache. Ha!

Spaz

2008-10-28T22:06:00.001-04:00

Continued abuse
Of my head reduced by pills.
Thank you pharmacist!

The horrible stabbing pains haven't been completely eliminated, but the situation is much improved thanks to muscle relaxants. Let's hope they're gone by the morning.

Hurtful

2008-10-27T23:50:00.002-04:00

I've jarring pains like
Knitting needles in my head;
A cap made of ouch.

Bye Bye Miss (Non)American Pie

2008-10-26T23:59:00.000-04:00

This week will provide
A dietary reprieve:
A break from meat pies.

And thank goodness for it.

Greased Lightning

2008-10-25T23:59:00.000-04:00

Those slippery socks
Were nearly the end of me
Upon the top step.

But fear not, dear reader(s)! I didn't fall to my death!

Decomp

2008-10-24T23:59:00.000-04:00

An uneven night.
Butchered a song in Act I;
A barber in II.

Live Theatre

2008-10-23T23:34:00.001-04:00

I guess I survived
The preview night of the show
(Unlike the victims).

Miig Wech

2008-10-22T23:59:00.000-04:00

Another day spent
In meetings while living on
The great turtle's back.

Scale

2008-10-21T23:59:00.001-04:00

I think the oven
And grinder could be hideouts
For escaped convicts.

Clearly back-timed since I didn't get home until 12:30 ... and then had to do paperwork for today.

Yikes

2008-10-20T23:49:00.001-04:00

Won't even discuss
The travesty which came of
The evening's work.

Sha-Gna-Gnas

2008-10-19T23:59:00.001-04:00

Sitting on the couch
Hearing the creepy noises
From somewhere outside.

At least I hope it's outside. It sounds like an animal gnawing on my porch roof. I hope that's not it, but I'd prefer that to it being an animal gnawing in my attic...

De-Vine

2008-10-18T23:59:00.001-04:00

Finally, it's done:
That horrible vine is down.
May it not return.

Thanks once again to Jeff and Jackie who came to my assistance. Anybody need a thousand pounds of dead vine?

Cultural Integration

2008-10-17T23:59:00.000-04:00

My days really need
More napping spread throughout them.
When is siesta?

Let's work towards bring the siesta to North America, shall we?

Glitch

2008-10-16T23:59:00.000-04:00

Went to write haiku.
Computer was acting up.
Pretend it's not late.

So the browser stopped responding every time I logged into blogspot. Seems to be resolved now. Sorry.

Called to Order

2008-10-15T23:33:00.002-04:00

Funny, isn't it,
That a day filled with meetings
Can seem like a break?

It was surprisingly pleasant and relaxing. Of course, I've come to realize that I've ended up once again with lots of committees, meetings, responsibilities, and whatnots this year. Surprise surprise.

Featherbrained?

2008-10-14T23:09:00.003-04:00

Mysteriously
A wee white feather appeared
Upon my right arm.

No, it wasn't growing there, but it's still mysterious! I stepped into the shower this morning, lifted my wrist and there was a little feather. The thing is, I don't have anything stuffed with feathers. No feather pillows. No feather duvet. Nothing that has been touched or opened since I moved into the house. So from whence did it come?

A Run on Candles

2008-10-13T23:56:00.002-04:00

That latest birthday
In a long stream of birthdays
Brings wishes to June.

Seriously, the past two months have brought birthday after birthday, leading me to believe that the whole "People get bored in winter, so babies are born in fall" thing has some validity. I haven't even commented here on most of the birthdays which have come and gone. In any case, I hope June had a smashing birthday.

Back to Basics

2008-10-12T23:58:00.000-04:00

Remember when I
Said I was feeling better?
Maybe not so much.

Blech.

Hodge

2008-10-11T23:59:00.000-04:00

A curious day
Of late starts, porch sitting, and
Jackie's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Jackie!

Catching Up on Some Zs

2008-10-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

A day spent in bed
Can work wonders on one's health
And one's sanity.

I'm not back to 100% yet, but I'm improved.

WHAT?!?! POTATOES?!?! FOR REAL?!?!

2008-10-09T22:49:00.002-04:00

"Made with the goodness
Of potatoes" is how they're
Marketing french fries?

Seriously? McCain Superfries new commercial is promoting their fries with that slogan and by saying that they're vegetables? Seriously.

So we're supposed to be surprised that they're potatoes? We're supposed to suspect that other brands of fries are not?

And we're supposed to think we can count a plate of fries as a serving of veggies? Come on. Even I -- who would have a vested interest in believing so -- won't buy that.

Apparition?

2008-10-08T23:31:00.002-04:00

Returned home tonight
To find my neighbour standing
In darkened window.

It was a bit odd and creepy, to be sure. Got out of my car. Saw the silhouetted figure in the window, watching. Spooky.

Romans and Egyptians

2008-10-07T23:59:00.000-04:00

Christopher Plummer
Sure does spit an awful lot
But it's worth the risk.

I went to see Caesar and Cleopatra at Stratford last night. The production was wonderful -- funny, engaging, and beautifully designed -- and was an unexpected gem, given that we chose it simply because it was showing on the one day we could make it to Stratford. Mr. Plummer really was excellent, and Anika Noni Rose, who played Cleopatra, was delightful, holding her own quite nicely opposite him.

Mower Than Can Be Expected

2008-10-06T18:19:00.003-04:00

Proof my friends are best:
Returning home to mown grass.
Thanks, Jackie and Jeff.

This probably should have been yesterday's entry since that's when it happened. Knowing that I've been both busy and sick, my dear friends came and cut my lawn while I was at rehearsal. Isn't that completely groovy? I'm sure my lawn-loving neighbour was happy to see it, too. Ha!

End Result

2008-10-05T22:28:00.002-04:00

Today's rehearsal
Ended with a headache and
A throat like raw meat.

I've got to get a plan together for recovering my voice fully in the next week or so.

Home Again, Home Again , Jiggety-Jig

2008-10-04T20:12:00.001-04:00

To my dear Keltie,
I've got your birthday present.
Do you want it now?

It's made its round trip successfully. Shall I send it again or will we see each other at some point?

Not-So-Jagged Little Pill to Cure My Ails

2008-10-03T23:47:00.002-04:00

A day home from work
Doctor's visit and sick, too,
And yet relaxing.

Strange that my most relaxing day in weeks had to come by force of being sick. I guess it was bound to hit me sometime.

Courtesy Car

2008-10-02T16:22:00.002-04:00

When on the highway
Someone honks and waves to you,
You must, in turn, wave.

Even when you don't know who they are.

While driving to work, I heard a honk and looked over to find a car which had met my pace. The driver grinned and waved, for all intents and purposes like someone who knew and recognized me before scooting on up the road. I had no idea who it was, but waved back dutifully. Either they were mistaken or I just didn't get a good look, but either way, I felt a bit ridiculous about the whole thing.

Incoming

2008-10-01T21:52:00.001-04:00

It's nice, for a change,
to get money, not give it
to the insurance.

How often does that happen? RECEIVING cheques from the insurance company? Woohoo! It's not much, but it's a victory on principle.

Tasty

2008-09-30T23:38:00.001-04:00

Recently restocked
On my favourite new treat
For breakfast at work.

Not long ago, I discovered Pita Break's Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Pitas. Sweet mother, these things are delicious. Pop one in the toaster and in a moment you've got hot delicious apply-cinnamonny goodness. Delicious, I say!

I also enjoy that their slogan is "Happy People Baking".

Before Lunch

2008-09-29T23:02:00.002-04:00

A staffing glitch left
Me doing the job of two.
A hectic morning.

Hitched

2008-09-28T22:18:00.001-04:00

Congratulations
Sarah and Luke, on your most
Beautiful wedding.

Admission of Guilt

2008-09-27T23:59:00.000-04:00

After the parade,
rehearsal, dinner, party --
I forgot to post.

Oops!

Loophole

2008-09-26T23:59:00.000-04:00

Restraining orders
May be void when the stalker
Stays in the guest room.

That's right. Sonya's in the digger room tonight. Sleep tight, Sonya!

Common Cents?

2008-09-25T23:14:00.001-04:00

Seems a bit silly
That mayo costs twenty cents
And lettuce, thirty.

Seriously? It costs ten cents more for lettuce? It costs anything for lettuce? Oh, the burdens of trying to recapture a little of that Big Xtra goodness...

The Ring that Binds

2008-09-24T23:26:00.000-04:00

I applaud you, sir,
For standing up to your wife,
Choosing for yourself.

I was once again picking up fast food before rehearsal and the woman in front of me was rather passionately berrating her husband for ordering the onion rings.

"You ordered them last time and you didn't like them! Why would you order them again? You're not getting them! Get the fries or something healthier. You're not getting the frickin' onion rings!"

Yes. She actually said, "frickin'."

He ordered the onion rings, and I hope he enjoyed them.

I suspect that, even if he didn't enjoy them, he would have enjoyed eating them, if you know what I mean.

Retrospect

2008-09-23T23:29:00.001-04:00

I guess, looking back,
It would have been a good night
To wash the dishes.

Oh well.