Almost and better than ever after day-surgery

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Removing cataract is slick and gave me 20-20 vision

Somehow one day after having the cataract taken off my right eye, I have 20-20 vision which I didn’t have since my 20s.

It was an amazing process that unnerved me a little although the doctor and the hospital were amazingly kind and efficient.

I noticed blurry vision at night years ago but no one told me it was a cataract until last spring. “Don’t rush,” they said so I took them at their word.

The ophthalmologist appointment took until December 23rd and seemed pretty straight forward. He had a booklet for me that explained everything in detail. What to expect, what to do, how long it would take to see better.

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Where has our wandering boy been today?

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Been to the hospital for day surgery

My eye

They called yesterday afternoon so I took the window and got a cataract taken off today. Quite an interesting process as the doctor drills at your eyeball with a bright light. Almost relaxing but not quite. They say I’m allowed up to eat and go to the bathroom. The computer was on the way to the bathroom right? See you all tomorrow.

Christmas morning baby

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Stephen Pate

By KK+ from Flickr

Thanks to Charlottetown Firefighters who are retiring

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Stephen Pate

And to all the brave who work and volunteer to save our lives and property

Volunteer and paid firefighters are some of our bravest and noblest public servants. They risk life and limb for our lives and our physical property.

Six of Charlottetown’s finest are retiring Charlottetown fire department loses century of experience

“Six firefighters with more than 100 years of service to the city are leaving Charlottetown’s fire department.

The retirements include the department’s two staff members and members of the volunteer brigade.”

What can we say but thanks. And thanks to those who continue to serve.

My first thought was my dad when the Yankees won

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Yankees clinch 27th World Series

The New York Yankees always mean more than the team. They are my dad’s team

The Yankee’s World Series win would have been special to my dad but he’s been gone for eleven years now. I knew this would happen, that the win would bring up old memories.

Related story – When your dad is gone

Dad was a big sports nut, big baseball fan and a Yankee. He followed all the games. I can remember watching the World Series with him on black and white TV in the 1950′s. They had day games then so it meant the afternoon off school.

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Gram and her Sid

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Pottie's at Mary's wedding - Jimmy, Sid, Pops, Eddie, Cam, Clary (dad), Mary, Gram, Charlie, Margaret, Pat and Johnny

Growing up hidden Acadian in Halifax

(updated)

This is a follow up to a reader’s comment on My uncle Sid. One family story leads to another.

My grand-mère was as strict an Acadian Catholic as God made. Half Scottish and half Acadian from Arichat, Isle Madame, Cape Breton, she would use Gaelic when angry.

I remember rabbit pie on the stove at home in Halifax, which amazingly which gets honorary mention in an Ecole Buote lesson plan.

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Honesty and kindness in a busy world

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Islanders have had a love-hate relationship with Island Waste Management. We want to save our environment but the rules about sorting and schedules were bothersome at first.

We seem to be settled in and have the nicest surprises in dealing with IWMC. They are great people just like everyone else.

One day the driver explained that if I don’t sort correctly and he takes it that way, they might fine him. OK, it’s not fair to give him unsorted garbage.

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Nicole Eggert is back in Baywatch

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Nicole Eggert is BACK IN BAYWATCH! from Nicole Eggert

Real women gain weight

Nicole Eggert made this satirical video to lampoon male attitudes to the perfectly thin woman. From Funny or Die

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Six degrees of separation from Gordon Lightfoot

Posted on September 7, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Is it six degrees of separation or only two? We are connected to each other in this world.

Relationship chart, Vue software see note below - click on chart to see full view

I came across stories about Red Shea’s death in June 2008 from cancer. (Toronto Star)

Somehow I became connected to Red Shea so I put the theory to the test.

Looks like I’m only 2 degrees from Red Shea a great artist I never met and 2 degrees from Gordon Lightfoot.
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Washington Post promotes superficial disability stereotypes

Posted on September 5, 2009 by Stephen Pate

Lori Coates heads down the aisle after 12 fruitless years when rocket scientist looks beyond the superficial photo: Washington Post

Well employed rocket scientist ignores personal history of social wallflower

Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, September 5, 2009 satire based on superficial Washington Post

After a dozen years fruitless dating, Lori Coates signed up for eHarmony. She found a brilliant rocket scientist with a high-paying job at NASA who was willing to ignore her social failures and think positive.
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