Ubi Caritas’ Neighborhood

gray weather=bad photos

Katiebell
2 days ago
7 comments

Since I returned to Florida, it seems the weather has not cooperated with my photographic aspirations.

While blue skies peek through, but for the most part we have had a lot of rain and gray skies. This is our dry season so it's been a bit odd.

I've been out walking with the dog and hoping for good photos. The most irritating thing is that I've been seeing some new birds, rather than the same old herons and cranes. And all the pictures I have of them are horrific!!!

Grainy and noise filled. Not enough light.

ah well here are some of them.

Ahinga3

2 comments

This is an Anhinga. It's also known as a Snake bird. It does not have the oils on its feathers to help keep feather dry, so it's often photographed drying its wings. It's called a snake bird because when it swims its totally under water except for its head, and it looks like a snake....

It's supposedly a common bird here in Florida, but this was the first time I had seen one. and that photo just isn't that great...

Onwards to the next gray weather travesty.

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Turtle. It's totally out of focus, and would have been such a fun shot. This may be less the gray weather and more my learning of the new camera, but I'm blaming it on the weather!!!

and the worst is my Osprey. I drove up to the Hospital where I have an interview at this week, and since it is beside a lake, I took my camera.

I found an Osprey perched on a light pole at the hospital itself.

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Just look at how horrid and grainy the photo is. It's like Newsprint....

and then the Osprey did this odd thing....

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I think it was thinking of flying away, but it didn't It just eventually tucked the wing up...

Just horrid light.

Well.....today started out raining AGAIN, so I gave up and decided to post these anyway as examples of what not to do......

good gracious. I have a feeling as soon as the skies clear up, the interesting birds will disappear!!!

Career growing pains.

Katiebell
4 days ago
16 comments

Whew. What a Week. It was exciting, but not really a good kind of exciting!

I went back to work on Sunday which was rather uneventful. I worked triage which is nice because it's kind of removed from everyone else but the tech with you.

On Tuesday I found out with everyone else that my friend Lynn had been fired on Monday. Admittedly they said the fantastic euphanism "Moved on from the hospital" but they knew we knew and we knew they knew, etc etc. I know it's sort of a sad thing, but frankly she had become very difficult to work with and was not really promoting the mission of the hospital. It's hard to admit that about a friend, but the truth will set you free yes?

I also found out that the job at Celebration Hospital had never been a job. It was one of those myths that are posted. I had to call Human Resources and complain that I had heard nothing to get that news. The Human resource gal was extraordinarily apologetic, stating that the Manager did want to hire me but the job didn't exist. Celebration then offerred me "PRN" as needed employment. This rather stinks because that just then means they get you to work for them when they need it. No Benefits, no paid days off. I refused. I mean, the manager didn't bother to call or email. He clearly didn't care that much about me, so.

So. This week was mostly spent navigating onwards in my career.

Nurse-at-helm1111

I called the local hospital. I had interview there on November 5th. At the time the manager told me she had offered the full time days position to another and was waiting to hear back. She offered me the PRN position. So, I figured it now being a month later, the position would be filled or not filled. HR called me then next day and told me (ANd I QUOTE! "The manager has offered the position to someone and is waiting on a reply, but she really wants you PRN" Well. That hospital pays less than what I am making now, the only reason to work there is the short commute and the Health insurance bennies. PRN workers aren't eligible for those. I told the HR person no thanks. The lady then acted very surprised, stutterred and said, "Well it's just until after the holidays and something might come open" and actually begged me to keep them in mind. Clearly the PRN thing is the preferred way to go for Managers these days. They don't have to pay any benefits or commit to the growth and development of that staff person. It is definitely a sign of the times that things are not really that great with the economy.

I won't lie. I was really disappointed. Even though all the hospitals so far have offered to employ me they didn't offer the golden ticket, the Full time employment.

Oddly, I remembered that there is a 200 bed hospital, owned by my hospital system about 30 minutes from my house.

It's a rather new facility. I checked and they had 4 positions posted. I clicked on the apply for this job button and everything started to roll again.

ArmyNurse2003-11-24

The above photo is just about what my current job entails every day.

I have an interview on Thursday. I'm sort of hoping against hope that they actually offer me a position that I didn't apply for but I saw posted after I applied. They initially had just the 4 positions. But the next day when I was trolling around, I saw a Charge nurse position posted for Days. I would hope that within their organization they actually are planning on promoting someone and just have to post the position for legal reasons. On the off chance though that they do want to hire someone in from the outside, I am hoping it's me! It would mean a pay raise and also a chance to move up a bit, and have the ability to shape the culture of the place I am working a bit more.

Staff_nurse_sally

I love nursing, but I am getting a little tired of being Staff Nurse sally all the time. So I am feeling positive again about things.

I really hope that this job offer comes through even for the staff nurse. I would be so so humbled if no one wants to hire me!

Nothing else really going on. Weather is too gray for good photos...I can not run, going back to the MD in 2 weeks.

TIme is just creeping away on me! BUt I gotta say my house is getting spectacularly clean....all that time not runnign translated into cleaning things!!!!

Sorry to blather on. I had to vent out the frustration somewhere. I hope you at least enjoyed the vintage Nurse pictures as much as I did!!!

Friendly neighbourhood bloggers

As I emerge from the darkness of not posting for nearly a year(!), I've taken to exploring Vox a bit. Some marvellous stuff, from all over the world. Now I have a few more neighbours (but I still miss Loony).

And that's how I discovered Strive2Be in Canada. The condoms caught my attention (I know I know), but the whole thing's a delight. Well worth dropping in, if just to see her exquisite picture of moonrise... & do read the comments. I did.

QotD: Rockin' around the Christmas Tree

Katiebell
7 days ago
4 comments

The holidays are in full effect, so tell us: What's your favorite holiday song? Bonus points if you share it with us!

I Love love love Christmas. So, of course, I love Christmas Music. I think a few years ago I posted my Favorite song as "Oh Holy Night" but I have to admit this year, thinking about it, it's really different. I'm enamored with "Go tell it on the Mountain"
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy li--ght
Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed our Savior's bi--rth.
Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas mo--rn.
Refrain

Interestingly this song, considered a "christian Spiritual song" Has had many positions beyond the Holiday season. It was used by Fannie Lou Hamer, during the 1960's Civil Rights Movement in America. Because of the style of the song multple lyrics have been added or subtracted to suit the needs of the singers.
SO bonus points, 2 Versions! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

The Blind Boys of Alabama

And Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Bpob Marley's Go tell it on the Mountain

And the Winner Is...

And the Winner Is.........

http://strive2be2.vox.com/library/pos...

Do you think someone is trying to tell us something? It appears as though we're not listening, though. Look at all the baby products compared to the...ummm....baby prevention products. Care to comment on which you would prefer to purchase? *wicked grin* This is worth a close-up look!

what a mess

Katiebell
Nov 30, 2009
4 comments

Sorry no photos for this one....

Everything lately has been so messy.

I am not running. I can't run. I have some trouble walking without pain. I need to go back to the Podiatrist, but, I am not very hopeful that they can fix anything without the surgery they suggest. I can't take 8 weeks off to recover. and the risk of them removing and re-attaching the achilles tendon to me seems frightening.

So, I am dealing with the fact that I am not a runner. It's so so weird. I make most of my friends through running. Running has shaped my day for years. It's shaped my vacation plans, my diet, my reading....etc.

I'm a little confused now as to what to focus on. Talking to some people over at the gym seems to be helping. They are the only people who get how oddly distressing and strange this is for me. Everyone else can't quite get it. It's going to take me some time to figure out how to rearrange things and such.

So thats pretty messed up.

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1 comment

I keep hoping that one day I'll just wake up and the pain will go away. BUt it is a really horrible pain, I can not ignore it away, and I have been pretty good at ignoring lots of other bad pains, the partially torn achilles, the stress fractures...

Ah well. So I am moving into what it means to be a non runner, so far, it's pretty boring.

The work situation has become even more messy. I have not heard from the boss over at the other hospital. Wild rumors have been spreading that I am leaving, and I would dearly love to leave, but indeed, there is no offer on the table yet. One of the charge nurses has taken to giving me horrible assignments each day I work with her as punishment. It is a bit unpleasant. I tried to call human resources at the hospital today but they are completely unreachable. I left a message. I filled out a complete application for the hospital I interviewed at a few weeks ago, but nothing yet. I am debating filling out for another hospital. It's the hospital that treated Tiger Woods in his last debacle. (They didn't say it was that hospital, but they showed the hospital, and it has a distinct appearance, so I am sure thats it.) Or I could try to transfer to another hospital within the FL Hosp system. the kicker there is that they only have 11a-11p or 12-12 or night positions. THis seems a little yuck to me, but...Since I am no longer a runner...it might not be so bad. but really I have never liked any shift except days.

and I dont want to add more mess.....

Images

At any rate.

I feel like I have pretty much lost all control. I can't run, I can't seem to switch jobs. People are treating me as if I was already gone...

So I feel a little like:

Mr_Messy

I know there are many things that make up a person, but the two biggest things for me, the job and the running, are messed up so I feel very messed up.

I hope by tuesday I can get in touch with the right human resource person at the hospital. I hope whatever the decision is that I can accept it either way. I hope that I get over the running and find some other way to not be fat. And I hope that the feeling of hazy mess clears up really really soon.

Because you know that Mr Messy is not so adorable.

and I want to be adorable.

The hero of Lord of The Rings

I was bushwalking recently, & one of the party was a great storyteller, though quite young. He had a wonderful sense of pacing & language... obviously a descendant of the ancient bards. And he'd just started the Ring trilogy - he'd seen the movies a few times.

"You're in for a treat. There's so much more in the books. And of course, you'll find out who the real hero is."

"Wha? Isn't it, um, Frodo? Or Aragorn? Gandalf?"

"No, no, it's you!" (His name was Sam, & his nickname was Gamjee.)

He couldn't quite credit it. And glorious as the films are, they miss that crucial point, & compress the proper ending.

Quick recount: war & bloodshed, Sauron nearly wins, Gollum bites off ring. Aragorn & good guys triumphant. Coronations, speeches, etc. Then the hobbits go home (rich) & have to clean up the shire. Frodo is pining for the fjords; Bilbo, Gandalf etc. disappear from the story... & it ends with Sam getting the girl & the house & settling at last, at home.

Tolkien hints at Sam's significance throughout the books: hobbits are sturdy, slightly dull, but reliable to the end, Sam the most steadfast. Frodo even says he's one of the most important characters of all. Tolkien's language changes dramatically at the end of the series, to a more rustic style.

The movies finish with a majestic coronation, petals, clapping etc. Then Frodo takes an age to get into the blinkin' boat, the boys have a quick pint, a party & whoops Sam's a family man. Too rushed.

The little people matter. In the end, it's about us, & we come through all right. With all the Dark Knights & Potters & Twilights everywhere, we don't hear that idea often enough.

not as cute as kittens

misskate
Nov 29, 2009
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Geneva gives the perception of being a safe and peaceful city, but in actuality it's not. Since I arrived more than six years ago, there has been an incredible rise in break-ins, muggings and general violence. Not that it is given particularly good coverage in the media, but it is still happening. Add to that that Geneva is home to many multinationals as well as the UN and affiliated organizations. Since my country stopped invading other countries willy-nilly, the U.S. Mission doesn't get protested nearly as often as it did, but there are still lots of organizations pissing people off. Including the UN (see the Tamil protests of not quite a year ago). This week, it's the WTO's turn. A bunch of delegates are in town for meetings. They seem to accessorize with violent protestors. Whatever your feelings on the WTO, or globalization in general, I can't really see how torching the cars of private citizens furthers your agenda. OR breaking the windows of small, independent business owners. Starbucks, yeah being a global entity, not that I'm happy about it, but a little window breakage is not going to stop them selling coffee.
Yesterday, I went out in the morning (it was beautiful blue skies and sunny) to the Clubhouse in Paquis to see a friend for coffee and walked from Mont Blanc bridge over to the bar. Thankfully, I was home by 11:30 because I had forgotten that the protest march was starting at 12:30 (two o'clock, maybe?). I did remember by the time I got home and was glad that all my errands could be achieved within a two block radius. It was Journee de Partager (I really wish they would advertise more in advance) and they were at both Migros and Coop, so they got lots of groceries from me for the food pantries. I'm a sucker for food drives so I try really hard to stick to a budget, but I totally blew it yesterday. I stayed in the rest of the afternoon doing laundry and dishes and all that.
This morning, I talked to G and she said cars had been set on fire, the police had used gas and water cannons. My neighborhood is far enough away that I didn't hear anything, but sure enough as a friend of mine and I walked from the bus to the Clubhouse (I am not going to talk about the football match, I am too sad) we saw where the cars had burned and shop windows destroyed. After the match, the three of us (G had joined us) walked over to Starbucks, place des Bergues. Their street front windows had all been replaced by wood, many of the other shops had also sustained considerable damage.
Here is a link to the local paper's photo coverage.
Look soon as I'm not sure how long they will have the photos up. It makes me sad that if there was any legitimate agenda to be put forth yesterday, that message has gotten well and truly lost in the riots. It makes me angry that idiots think destruction of other people's things and livelihoods is a joke or a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I hope they are caught and well and truly punished. I'm not sure how, though, something creative for sure. Jail time isn't going to keep them from doing it again.

Thanksgiving

Katiebell
Nov 28, 2009
6 comments

DSC_1583

Well, I did survive Thanksgiving after all, above is the Fisherman's Memorial at Point Judith, it inserted itself there by accident!

I flew up to my parents house and had a pretty nice time. My Mom gave me the new camera and I did a lot of helping her cook and clean up for some guests...

We then left early for the RHode Island Thanksgiving.

having Breakfast here:

Diner

As is obvious the weather wasn't good.

Luckily I eventually convinced my Dad to let me drive through the yukky part, up through NY, past the Tappan Zee bridge an on to a much tamer parkway.

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I hate to admit it but, my parents are not the world's best drivers.

My Dad, I swear, can not see signs well, and is used to relying on my Mom for navigation. My Mom, unfortunately is not a good navigator.

Given that their usual traffic is more like the photo below:

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I can see why that was not exactly their cup of tea.

Oddly, once I arrived in Rhode Island, I managed to not really get out my camera except for one great trip to the beach with my awesome nephews.

So the photos you are missing out on are:

*My Brother in Law's 30 pound never frozen Organic Turkey...cooked and uncooked.

*The absoloute Norman Rockwell Scene of the multiple generations spanning from 91 yrs to 4 yrs.

*the washing of the china for 22 people (good lord that took forever)

* my Niece in Laws overly sparkly outfit

Gma

Instead you get my Mom and my nephews. We were able to escape for about 2 hours on Thanksgiving morning.

THe Boys were super. I love them at this age. M. is much less Brittle and more fun to hang around with at age 6.

Mat

Here he is with his test tube of sea water...a natural scientist, his teacher says.

And2

1 comment

A. is also sporting a test tube, in front of a wrecked lobster trap, which is one of the main things in this area.

Boat

Lobs

Fishingboats

In fact, many fishermen have lost their lives, causing a Fisherman's memorial to be created:

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Clearly, the memorial is more active than some...

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Well, I have of course 200 or so photos. Most are a little artsy, some are of enormous swans, I think I'll be a while in editing these, nost of these images were raw, unedited.

QotD: Deck the Halls

A lot of people start decorating for the holidays before the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten... What about you? When are you going to start putting up your holiday decorations this year?
In Oz, Thanksgiving doesn't happen (we have the Melbourne Cup instead), but the issue here is, when should the Chrissy decs go up??? I grew up in a hard-line "Christmas Eve & not a day before" family. & of course 12 days later, down it all came.
Bit more mellow now. I've decided that early in Advent is OK. It lets us enjoy the deccies longer, it helps build up the festive spirit... & if we go camping on Boxing Day we'll at least get some return for the effort. Anyway, Advent means "Christmas is coming".