Cabin Fever

Suddenly we have cabin fever here; I have cabin fever.  Curses!

Besides the now ongoing challenge of cabin fever, life is pretty good.

As often happens, the universe conspires to delight me in small ways.  For instance, as I was glumly driving to work yesterday morning the sun suddenly illuminated a panorama of beauty, right in front of me.  Although it is all private property, this beautiful landscape, the trees and clouds and snow and sunshine do not for one minute acknowledge the hubris of entitlement.  The universe reminds me that it is real, more real than any rapacity the powerful minority of humans can muster.  This scenery, this natural force, is that to which I will return.  I find that beautiful.

And then of course, there is chocolate cake!  My birthday has come and gone, and it was a good one.  It went according to plan; I talked/corresponded with loved ones, had my pizza and chocolate cake and watched a good movie with Attila.

Kobo customer service continues to disappoint.  I still cannot access the book I purchased, nor have I received my discount coupon promised at time of purchase.  What they seem to be doing is to answer the phones, take down the information, “escalate” the call to unnamed individuals and then leave you waiting for a reply.  Since January 24th there has been no reply.  They also ask you to rate the call to customer service, which you really cannot do because no one has addressed your issue, they only escalate it into the ether.  The questions on the customer survey are not designed to explore the issues that concern me.  I am not happy with the Kobo support team right now.

The food labeling “write-in” has reached 3,690 as of early this morning; thanks to everyone who has participated. I do hope it succeeds, it would make my life much more bearable.

It looks like our plans to visit the little house in the city must be canceled again!  Lows of -20C to -26C mean that we have to stay at home to keep the hearth fires burning.  We have been trying to get away for just one night since the beginning of January.  Maybe next week!  Curses!

My desk was clear and clean just a few days ago, really it was.  Now it is piled high with bills, notes-to-self, doodles of a portable bed design I thought of while watching the fire this morning, professional magazines, flyers, notes on phone calls I have to make, forms I have to fill out…  Unfortunately not one of the items on my desk is interesting in the slightest.  My goal for today is to resolve all bits and pieces and clear my desk again.

Worldly Distractions

Weather

-18 °C
Condition: Clear
Pressure: 101.2 kPa
Visibility: 16 km
Temperature: -18.0°C
Dewpoint: -18.9°C
Humidity: 93 %
Wind: 4 km/h
Wind Chill: -21

Quote

“I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.”
Thomas Jefferson
1743 – 1826

Note

Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_fever