Digging in the Dirt of Life
"What do you want more of in your life, Yvonne?" The question was provided as a way to break the ice between the participants. It was a Powerful Question - capital P, capital Q. Employed with the right coaching hands, a Powerful Question could cut through the bullshit people tell themselves and others, or so... Continue Reading →
Traditionally, Yvonne's longest day of the year is long in the 'not good' sense. The longest day of the year has all too often turned into a sobbing and heartache marathon because of this break-up, that disappointment, or that rejection. While Christmas may be the 'sad season' for some, Yvonne has grown to dread the... Continue Reading →
It was happening again. If Yvonne's mind hadn't been in hijacked by her amygdala, she'd likely have stood agape anyway. How was this happening AGAIN? Her supervisor continued aggressively, "You can't say that!" spittle flew from his mouth. "It's discrimination. It's like saying Harold does things differently because he's from India." Huh? And, if Yvonne's... Continue Reading →
There are days when Yvonne rages. She actively seeks out reasons to violently ram her cheap but quickly-moving vehicle into a slower-moving vehicle. She imagines the rush of *finally* breaking free of societal restrictions, of letting her emotions burst forth from the corset of the anal-retentive bourgeoisie, and of teaching that stupid, brake-happy, distractedly-driven, performance... Continue Reading →
Calgary ain't got nothing on Downton Abbey. But it tries. Like a 19-year old woman fast approaching spinsterhood in Victorian London, Yvonne is networking as if her life depended on it. Freelance writing and editing isn't a full-time gig, and Yvonne needs to secure herself an income. However, instead of focusing on a rich husband,... Continue Reading →
Yvonne watched from the corner of her eye as the white car flipped into the air and landed on its hood into the lane beside her, its front bumper swinging within a foot of her own front bumper. "Huh," Yvonne's mind contemplated, "I guess Hollywood got something right." She put on her indicator, pulled over... Continue Reading →
**To me, Christmas holidays means chilling out with family and friends and being entertained. Here's some entertainment for you all from when I was last in the field. Hope you enjoy and are having a fantastic holiday! It finally happened. Yvonne has visited the Fort McMurray hospital. Unfortunately it was for all the wrong reasons.... Continue Reading →
** To celebrate the Alberta September field season, it's shortening days and industry tempers, I give you a little tidbit of it here. For those of you in archaeology, may you have good food, good company, and good digging soil. After a year of being away, after a week of being sick, Yvonne is back... Continue Reading →
"You know how spring usually smells like dog poo?" Yvonne called across the cubicle to her co-worker. "This year I think it smells more like chicken crap." "You know chickens?" "Well, no. I know pigs. But I have driven through Abbotsford." Yvonne's co-worker then proceeded to tell her about how she sanitized her brothers pig... Continue Reading →
Yvonne is learning to play. To bring out her inner child and artist, she is endeavoring shut the inner critic in the closet and be in the moment.To this end, Yvonne is taking drawing lessons. It isn't on her bucket list, but it is on her list of Artist Dates (see The Artist's Way). The... Continue Reading →
The Reluctant Archaeologist 