Tips

So here in South Western Ontario we're waiting on Hurricane Sandy and the wind and rain that we've been told is coming with it. The East Coast of the US already has evacuations taking place and people are hunkering down and preparing for some nasty and dangerous weather.

I keep seeing people talking about how the media is over hyping Hurricane Sandy by dubbing it "Frankenstorm" and creating unnecessary fear for the public. To those people I say, "Better safe than sorry". Really, is it going to kill you to have a flashlight and some bottled water on hand? Some spare blankets? I mean c'mon. If the Red Cross is advising us to be prepared, than I'm listening. For information on what the Red Cross recommends in terms of preparing for severe weather click HERE.

Having survived Hurricane Jeanne in the Dominican Republic in 2004 and missing being crushed in a hotel in Florida by a tropical storm by only a few hours, I've thought a lot about preparedness. I've put together some of my own tips to help you through, but ALWAYS follow the recommendations of your local emergency services. These are simply my tips, emergency services save lives.

• Keep your electronics charged. Laptops running on battery can be used to charge cell phones via USB in case of prolonged power outages. 
• Don't park your vehicles under or around trees. High winds means downed branches.
• Move breakables away from windows. Should a branch or a neighbours unsecured garden gnome end up through your window you want to keep the damage to a minimum.
• Leave a few battery operated votives or a battery operated lantern (can be bought at dollarama) in the bathroom. Its easier than taking a flash light, especially if you have kids.
• Know where your kids favourite toy is at all times. The last thing you want to be doing when you have no power and an already scared kid is trying to hunt down Mr. Sprinkles.
• If you are in a zone that is expected to be hard hit, have a friend in a safe place that knows what's going on and can keep people up to date and tell people who that is. This way you arn't trying to keep everyone updated and can concentrate on yourself and your family. 
• Take pictures of your ID. Front and back, in case it is lost. Upload it to a service like Dropbox so that even if your phone is lost or you have no power you can (or a trusted friend) can access it.
• Put a few days of needed medications, a list of medical conditions, spare keys and an emergency contact number in a ziplock bag in your purse or bag. If you need to make a quick exit you only need to grab one thing.
• Have a "Powerless Fun" bag if you have kids. Fill it with books, games, crafts etc so you're not having to figure out things to do after the lights go out.

Again, these are AFTER you complete what is recommended in your area by emergency services. Don't make a powerless fun bag before you make sure you have enough food and water. Above all take all warnings seriously. This is your life and the life of your family, there is nothing more important than that. 

Have any of your own tips? Add them to the comments below. Lets help keep each other safe!

Poem

So poetry had always been a huge part of my life. The connection between poetry and music is undeniable. Ive decided to share some of mine here on occasion. No it's not quite what I made this blog for but guess what? It's my blog :P Chances are if you have to ask what a poem is about, I won't tell you. My poetry comes from everywhere. Television, music, news, my heart.



C'mere Baby and take off that hat
I like to see your eyes sparkle
Under the kitchen lights
As you tell me about your day

You know I can't really cook
But I try to make dinners edible
Every night you say it's awesome
Your favorites, you say, are the burnt ones

Sipping on cheap wine
I watch your shoulders move
As you scrub the pans I burnt dinner in
Same ones I burnt dinner in yesterday

For the first time I notice
One of your ears is lower than the other
I can't believe I missed that
I love you even more with your tiny flaw

Give up on the pan Darling
Come sit by me with our cheap wine
Sit quietly and I'll sing you a song
About a perfectly imperfect man

A man whose eyes sparkle
Who never complains about burnt food or pans
A man with one ear slightly lower than the other
Let me sing you a song Baby

Let me sing you our song.

Oops

Anyone who has ever ventured into the world of online dating more than once knows about the "Lifers". The people who always seem to be there, one week to the next, one year to the next. They may leave for short spurts, they may declare they have found the love of their lives and then be back complaining about "drama", they may just never leave. They may just come and go randomly. (I may or may not be one of the above people, maybe.)

The smart ones update their profiles and pictures and usually are actually hoping to meet someone special. The eternal optimists, god bless em. Others don't update anything, why change what isn't broken? (To them, I guess, maybe... who knows)

Anyway...

Got a message notification tonight from my dating profile. There's always a moment where you think "This could be it!". You rush to your profile to see who sent the message. What they say, what they look like, who they are, what could happen...

...And then it's a guy you talked to on the same site, met at a bar, slept with once (sorry mom) 6 years ago... Who doesn't realize who he just messaged.

What?

Just me?

Awkward.

Shit.

What?

More accurately is probably "Why"? Either way the answer is the same, I needed a new outlet.

My heart and soul is put on display from an emotional vantage point at My Accidental Life. What people don't get to see over there a lot because of the subject matter is that I have my opinions on lots of things. World issues, music, dating, parenting, friendship, spirituality, celebs, shopping, day to day life things that happen etc etc...

So here she is, my new baby. Sometimes smart, sometimes funny, sometimes obnoxious, always me.