Saturday night

I've got a beer for Saturday night.  Been awhile since I last had one so I figure, hey, why not?  At least I can just go out and get one... not like Ontario.  Just heard that LCBO has set a strike date of June 24th.  Y'all better stock up!  One more reason why I love living in Montreal.

So why do I have this Bridget Jones feeling?  I just spoke with Emile and he has informed me that he has a new girlfriend.  I know I just wasn't that into him but how is it possible that this little weird guy can find someone to date and I sit here with my beer on a Saturday night?  If anyone has the answer to that question, I'd really like to know.  Then I have to wonder, am I even date material with no job and having to rely on welfare to pay for my lone beer?  I can see it now... "Hi, I'm Athena.  I live alone and I am not gainfully employed.  I can't afford to date unless we do something that costs nothing.  I used to think that I found my life's purpose but now I'm not so sure.  I might be a bit of a hot mess however I still look good." Perhaps not.

I get my welfare cheque on Monday.  Happy days!  I can buy a bus pass and groceries.  I may even pop down to Simons to get myself a cheer-up gift.  I can pay half the rent (half is better than none).  What happens next?  Chrissakes, I wish I knew.  I can't help but wonder if life is a constant conundrum... like every day is a season finale and you have to wait for weeks on end to find out what happened to your favourite character.  All my attempts to rewrite the plot have failed.

Guess all I can do on this Saturday night is just to continue searching for that elusive a-ha moment... when everything comes together -life calling, someone to talk and share with... I'm sure there's clues all around and I have yet to put them together.  From here on out Athena is on the case.

it is time

Funny is this thing called life.  Got a letter in the mail today stating that the TESL course (read: my life's next destination) is cancelled.  I did have a funny feeling about it for some time now and of course, fear has reared its ugly head.  To top it all off, EI is also a no go as I was missing 120 minutes of work to qualify.  Go Liberals & EI reform!!

Here I am at a crossroads of sorts.  I could reapply for the dole again and see what happens, I could get a whatever job or I could win the lottery.  Yes, the lottery is a possibility.  Anything is possible in Athena's World.   

Now, more than ever, I have to learn to let go.  There are forces at work out there that are beyond me and I don't seem to want to allow them to do their thing.  If I'm not in some way doing something about it then I'm not satisfied; I feel like I could've done more.  Starting today, I'm going to do just that.  My life, as it stands now, is in the hands of an entity other than myself.  

they done did it now

Third time's a charm, kids.  Luciana was supposed to visit this weekend and despite my efforts to contact her, she's a no-show.  What the hell is up with this?  Am I not worth the trip?  Of course, this rant is not directed towards Briony as she did come for New Years.  

I'm beginning to wonder if I am a friend of little or no consequence.  After all, it's just Athena - always broke, unemployed and generally not much fun.  Bah.  No wonder I've taken a very pro-Athena stance over the last year or so.  I am a very selfish person these days.  I look out for my own interests since it appears everyone else only worries about themselves.  Sure, I lack family and a significant other but it doesn't mean that I'm not worthy of companionship.  Either way, I gotta find ways to amuse myself since it's going to be another quiet weekend.  

plastic, plastic, everywhere

If I don't comment on this latest bit of absurdity I think I might burst.

Apparently the Canadian Plastics Industry Association has conducted a study on reusable bags concluding that these bags carry a lot of bacteria and could cause severe illness.  "...single use bags... are the most safest and sanitary options."

Not only is this a load of hooey, it's a desperate attempt to convince consumers to stick to using plastic bags regardless of the harm it does to our planet.  The Canadian Plastics Industry Association wants you to stop using reusable bags so they can get their profits back on track.  Plus they're using bacteria as a means to scare us back into using plastic bags, even though a lot of stores are starting to charge five cents per bag in order to reduce consumption.   

Listen up kids - Athena is about to get back up on her soapbox.  Heed not the words of this preposterous study.  The best way to fight bacteria on your reusable bags is to (survey says) wash them.  Just like your damn hands.  Any healthcare expert will tell you that the best way to fight bacteria of any sort is to WASH with soap and water.  End of.