It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, so I thought it was time for a mid-summer update.

Like many people who work for the federal government, I’ve had to go through a selection for retention or layoff process where I work. Happily, I made it through the process successfully so I haven’t been laid off, but sadly, some people I knowhave been laid off. I’m glad it’s over because it’s a huge amount of stress that has been lifted off my shoulders. Let us speak of it no more.

Last fall, I acquired my fireworks display assistant certification, which means that, legally, I can work at a fireworks display. However, simply having the card doesn’t imbue you with the knowledge and experience needed to work at a fireworks display — you get that through hands-on training with experienced display supervisors. Fortunately, I met one of the best in Canada last summer and had the opportunity to work on two shows for him this past Canada Day weekend: one show in Pakenham on June 30th and the other in Almonte on July 1st. Both days saw between seven and nine hours of setup in the blazing sun, followed by about fifteen minutes of fireworks and then an hour or two of cleanup. And I loved it! I can’t wait for the next opportunity.

I haven’t spent much time at the cottage this summer, but I’m hoping to get up there for a while at the beginning of August. I’ll have to come back to Ottawa a few times because I’m going to be one of the volunteer photographers at Les Grands Feux du Casino du Lac Leamy again this year.

I haven’t been cycling as much as I’d like because it’s been face of the sun hot here in Ottawa. It looks like it might be a little cooler in the middle of next week so maybe I’ll be able to get out then.