The Wiz, The Hobbit, The Stump, The Minion... and enter Mumbles

Well, I decided to crawl out of my hole about 45 min early today. And by the end of this I'm sure you will understand why. You see, as you all know, I cannot stand getting up early... but for Mumbles.. I'll make an exception. Now, back to where we finished off... oh yes, the introduction of The Wizard and The Hobbit!

As I got off the plane and was escorted to the Nursing Station, I once again marvelled at the surroundings. I will always love Northern Ontario I think. If there is such a feeling that makes your heart swell, it is seeing the Great White North for me. I love it that much.

At the station, I was greeted by the all powerful Wiz. You see, the Wiz carefully watches over all of us making sure that all things are going according to plan. She is the leader, and ensures that us little people are doing what we need to be doing in her kingdom. She has a lair too you see. It is a rather unorthodox lair, square...with a window overlooking the water, some sort of table with papers scattered about as if she had been frantically looking for something, and fluorescent lighting. The Wizard, is the Newfoundlander I spoke about in the previous blogs. Kind hearted but you know rippling just underneath the surface, that she is, "The all powerful Wiz". She is happy with the name I believe (hell its self declared!) and laughs as she tells us both that "not up to snuff, she'll teleport you right out of here with her magical powers on the next plane!" Ahh The Wiz... I missed her!

Poking your head out of a hole like a shrew (yes I said shrew hobbit, look it up), was not my idea of an introducation, but thats Hobbit. Another nurse I have met along my journey here in Cat Lake...another player in this game. Hobbit, as so affectionately named, is about 5' if she's even an inch. She is also very defensive either about her height, or her feet. You see, I tried calling her a Troll, but she didn't appreciate that much...and figured the different characteristics between a Troll and a Hobbit meant that she did NOT have warts on her feet, nor did she live under a bridge..."
She scurries around like a squirrel, meticulously placing things in their place, and checking all of her boxes that need to be checked. Always having somewhere to go, or something to finish, Hobbit is always searching for near perfection and reminds me somewhat of a cross between the Rabbit on Alice in Wonderland, and the Squirrel from Hoodwinked. I suppose they both have anxiety issues.

Now I suppose you are wondering why on earth I am "stump". Well, names stick I guess while you are away...and asking the Wizard silly and unnecessary questions warrant the name. It goes something like this "Blah blah blah blah???" To which the all powerful, all knowing Wizard stated: "What are you? Dumb as a stump? Ok Stump..." And that was it.... I was forever more Stump. Ah well...

Now the Wizard, The Hobbit and I made it through the week and the weekend, without anything very exciting happen. A trip to the Northern Store on Thursday was in order since we all know from the past, waiting till Sunday means no food for you. The best thing that happened was that 2 of the coolers broke down and all of the food was 75% off. Which is good up here, making things normal priced instead of astronomical. You know, Cheese Whiz is $18. I admired my burm from my couch, and caught up on the latest TV. All of the important shows like, The Bachelorette... (seriously, there really is nothing on TV). And while I was able to watch such educational and enlightening shows while discussing them via MSN with folks back home about "Sinus talker" and "Big hair lawyer" I had to laugh that life as I knew it had come down to this. That worrying about what was on TV was all I needed to worry about.

Clinic life is just that... clinic life. And the days went on, and the week went on... and then the weekend came. I can't stand weekends up here. Not one bit, not at all, and I don't care to relive them for any legnth of time. You see... 24hrs up here takes FOREVER and, being on call for 24hrs takes even longer than that. It has been raining all week, on and off, with just teasers of blue skies in between. It is cool enough to warrant a sweatshirt most days. And while on another adventure in the drizzle, with the air you can only smell in Northern Ontario I remembered why I love it so much up here. The air, I wish I could bottle and take home. Its sweet, and piney...and fresh. This isnt Essex County air, that after or during the rain the only thing you smell is the fish in the lake. This is a clean smell...this is the smell that warms me, that makes me smile and reminds me why Canada is so beautiful. (ok enough of that dribble)

The Wizard was leaving on Monday, and she assured me that her Minion would be in the same day. Also, I would be getting a roommate....

A roommate? WTF.

Monday came, and out went The Wizard. Soon enough in came The Minion and Mumbles...

The Minion is 2nd in command here... and laughs and jokes but keeps us in our place when that needs to happen. She can be stern and remind me that "Cluster B" is not an appropriate term for me to use, and jokes about "coddling" the younger children around here, that apparently I do. LOL! I have grown, and learned since I was last here, so we will have to see if she keeps the same opinion of me...

Mumbles however, is weird. There is no other word...no other explanation. I whined and complained at first to The Wizard, to Hobbit, and The Minion. A roommate? I came here for solitude, for peace and quiet! Suck it up buttercup...deal with it.

Mumbles talks like he is in a cave... far far away. So much its almost unintelligable..., hence the name Mumbles. He has beady eyes and gives me the creeps. But lots of people give me the creeps, so I should just shut up. The first lunch I went back to my apt overlooking the burm and Mumbles was already there. I tried to make small talk, I really did. But he is mumbling, and I can't really distinguish if they are words or not. I make my sandwich and Mumbles just stares at me. Quite curious you see...just staring. And with that, I picked up my sandwich and went to Hobbits. Hobbit and I will be spending lots of time together, I already have that feeling.

I feel a bit bad for not liking Mumbles...he truly is a boy in the middle. I have heard about him from The Wizard and The Minion... but what someone does is not my business. Some people are just naturally weird I suppose...and rub you the wrong way from day 1. Mumbles was going to be one of these people.
He is also lazy. I am always proud that I can come home to The Burm House, just the way I left it. Not with Mumbles. I feel like a mother here... cleaning up, doing dishes, closing doors, turning off lights, shutting off the TV.... and Mumbles is at least double my age. I can only imagine what his own residence appears like.
It continues like this, and now today is Thursday. I am excited that Mumbles leaves tomorrow. And will enlighten you to the events of last night, that once again left me hanging out with Hobbit.

As I came home, I was happy I was alone, if just for a bit. I bring my computer to my office now, and have been for the past few days. Not only so I can listen to down home radio stations, but also to use the internet. I am, respectful of other people. And Mumbles must have some solitare or other geek game to play I am sure of it. So I should share the internet....even though he asks if I need it again, to talk to my "fans"... GEEK.
I made my hamburger helper, and was able to talk to my husband again. Ahh... a light at the end of the day. I went to plug in my computer since I was alone and realized the internet cable was not there.. Mumbles had acquired it. Screw you Mumbles. Fine.
I turned on the TV, and ate my dinner...thinking that I really did need to get some laundry done. I stopped in to talk with Minion for about an hour. Hell, there is nothing else to do lol! And as I returned Mumbles had the internet rehooked back up and the TV directed at him (ie turned away from the couch). Double screw you.
I picked up my dessert and told Mumbles "That's fine, there's other TVs around here" and left for Hobbits'. It was only 1900hrs. GRRRRRR.

I spent the evening with Hobbit, grossing her out with bug shows, and watching cheesy sitcoms. At 1030 back home I went, the long journey across the hall....

Mumbles was still watching TV somehow and reading some geek novel. Perhaps Mumbles has 4 eyes that I haven't noticed that allow him to multitask. I don't care to find out. I am tired after 3 days of cleaning up after someone... and this time...he can turn everything off. I'm going to bed.

Which brings us to today. Up at 7am... per usual... and stumble to the kitchen. I can hear people talking...what? The Magic Bullet? Why is it so light....
I am very correct in saying I am the mother here, and make sure it is done.... The TV is on, the lights are on, the sink is full. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since Mumbles drinks my coffee every morning, I made my pot of cafe, grabbed a cup and my laptop and headed for my office.... which is why I am here, an hour and a half before my shift. If I had been smart, I would have taken the coffee pot with me.

Friday cannot come soon enough when Mumbles goes back to whatever fantasy land he lives in. Perhaps he has a maid, or lives with his mother. Doesn't matter to me... all that matters is that hopefully, at 1700 tomorrow I will once again be back in my Burm House, ALONE.

Lets hope...
And now its time to open the clinic.

Cya folks... lets hope for another installment tomorrow