Routine rockers and large purses

Lately I have been thinking a lot about habits, routines and rituals. In many ways, I am a creature of habit and take comfort in my various routines. When I write, for example, even if it is just a mere blog post, I light tea lights, put on some easy-listening music and wear my grandmother’s ring. I am sure it is all in my head, but when I do so, the words always seem to come.

Those close to me know that I am not a morning person. I don’t mind getting up and going to work, I’m just not capable of much interaction before 8am. I have my routine and without it, I would probably not be able to get out the door in the morning. Every weekday morning I get up at 5:30am. I stay in bed for at least 5 minutes after the alarm goes off. I eat the same thing for breakfast (bran buds with blueberries and sliced almonds) at the same time every morning. What can I say, I love my routine. What is frightening, however, is how easily I veer off course without it. One classic example of this happened last June.

Last spring, I was accepted to make a presentation with two co-workers at the 2010 Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) conference that was held in Barrie. Taking the work van meant I had to get up even earlier than usual to meet my co-workers at the AO bright and early for the drive to Barrie. The night before the big presentation, I had ironed my clothes and had everything ready to go. That morning I was preoccupied with thoughts of the presentation. I was prepared, had practiced and was ready to go, but I was still ‘preoccupied.’ We knew the Archivist of Ontario was giving the opening address at the conference, but we also found out the day before that she planned to stay for our presentation, which added some more pressure.

Walking to the subway that morning, I recall going over everything in my head to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I had my presentation notes and our power point presentation on my USB key, but I had this nagging feeling that I had forgotten something. Standing on the subway platform at 6:30am it dawned on me what my snafu had been:

I had forgotten to put on deodorant!!!

At first I was in disbelief. “Noooo, I must have.” Yet, I had no recollection of applying it. One quick check confirmed that yes, I had somehow missed that step in my routine. Preoccupied with dressing up, putting on pearls, conference notes and USB keys had knocked me right off my routine’s proverbial rocker. I recall the panic I felt, which was quickly followed by disbelief. I mean, I had been putting on deodorant every day for over thirty-five years. How could I have missed that step today of all days?

Although Toronto is a big city, I quickly discovered that there is not much open at 6:30am. Then I remembered the little convenience shop at Downsview Station. Going in I did a quick trip through the shop but didn’t see anything ‘cosmetic’ for sale. Asking the lady at the counter in a whisper if they had any deodorant for sale resulted in a very loud “EH?” At first I thought she didn’t hear me but I then realized she didn’t understand me. Not wanting to have an ESL lesson that early in the morning, I gave up pretty quickly and continued on. Getting to York, it was still too early for any of the shops in York lanes to be open. I reluctantly went to meet my co-workers who were waiting for me in the AO van. I climbed in the back seat and spent the next hour talking and moving as little as possible. I was no longer preoccupied with the presentation because my focus had of course shifted and I was completely mono-focused on trying not to sweat.

We finally arrived and in the parking lot at Georgian College and I had to confide my dilemma in someone. I took my best bud Adz (one of my co-presenters) aside and said “I have a problem.” With concern he said “What’s wrong?” I said “I forgot to put on deodorant” to which he burst into a hysterical fit of laughter. At least he didn’t think I was a grosser. It somehow always helps to just tell someone.

After registering and collecting my conference package I went to the conference host committee table and asked where the nearest drug store was. They didn’t know. They asked what I needed – and I of course was very vague with my response. As I was walking away one lady suddenly remembered that the campus bookstore was open and directed me there. Needless to say I took no time finding said bookstore. A quick sprint through the shop led me to the shelf that contained a few limited feminine products that included 3 sticks of Adidas women’s deodorant for athletes. I snapped one up and as I proceeded to the cash I recall chucking and thinking that I needed an athletic potent deodorant by that time.

The presentation went very well. The Archivist of Ontario reported back to our manager that she was very pleased with our work. And I hoped no one was any wiser as to my early day dilemma. I now carry an additional stick of deodorant in my purse ‘just in case,’ which means of course it will probably never happen again. The deodorant is in a small cosmetic bag along with dental floss, polysporin, band aids, Tylenol, and other feminine products. As a child I wondered why my Mother needed such a large purse. Now I know why.

When does your New Year start?

I never celebrate the traditional New Year. I haven’t since the early 1990s (Gerard Holland’s house party in Charlottetown has left me forever traumatized). Nor do I really believe in New Year resolutions. I am a constant list maker so as far as I am concerned as long as I continue to make lists and check the items off as I complete them then I am on the right track – or some sort of a track. Spending twenty years in school meant that for many years my New Year started in September. After working for the government for only four years, I recently realized that I have began organizing my year in quarters just like my work and now subconsciously recognize April 1st as the beginning of my New Year.

At work last week there was discussion on creating a routine servicing schedule for the Umatic and Betacam videocassette machines. It made perfect sense of course. Every year before the silage season begins my brother and father have all the necessary farm equipment serviced. Otherwise there will inevitably be breakdowns. This led me to think about the things I try to do once a year.

Due to allergies, I replace my bed pillows once a year. Once a year I try and use my Canadian Tire money. I do this to avoid overwhelming the person at the checkout, but watching the new TLC show “Extreme Couponing” this past week made me feel less guilty about this. Then of course there is the annual “big clean.” Everyone who knows me knows that I love to clean – and organize – and iron. I love having a weekend all to myself, especially to do all these things. I find it very therapeutic to clean – especially the once a year cleaning when you dig out and organize those nooks and crannies you only have do once a year. Let’s just say that this weekend I got organized. The dust flew and I was subsequently rendered with a flare up of sinus and allergies, but it was worth it.

When my Mom visited in January she got me started. We re-potted two of my three plants. Both plants have already perked up. Reviving my Zebra plant has given me a small victory for which I am sure Grammie Mahar would be proud. Grammie had such a knack with flowers and plants. The florist told me the plant needed little water and indirect sunlight. When the leaves subsequently all fell off I decided to cut it down and try the opposite – a lot of water and direct sunlight. The results were immediately obvious:





I am really looking forward to the upcoming year. The past few months have already yielded all kinds of positive results. I had one of the best Christmas vacations ever. I had a great victory at work and I just completed a writing project/deadline. I have plans and hopes for 2011 that have left me more optimistic for the future than ever. In the meantime, the one thing I am going to work on in the upcoming quarter is to read more. I’ve created the reading nook and that’s why I bought the chaise in the first place. People keep giving me books and now it is time that I wipe the dust off and start reading them.