I took for granted doing basic things around the house. Such as putting dishes in the dishwasher, or bringing laundry upstairs. Those tasks are more challenging being performed with a not so furry friend on your shoulder.
scott
The Story of My Shifting Loyalties to Hogwarts Houses
When I first read the Harry Potter books I was already an adult. They only came out when I was an adult. I even noticed a review I gave of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix way back in 2003 on this blog. My mum who was a reading teacher at the end of her teaching career suggested for a while that I read them. This was at a time when only the first three books were published. I was reluctant since I am not typically a fan of fantasy books. I like science fiction not necessarily fantasy. I had to argue the distinction with my wife and nephew the other night while talking about reading Harry Potter to the girls. Since I was travelling for work all the time at the time my mum first recommended them. I was reading books very quickly while on the plane or travelling I took my mom up on her recommendation. I bought the first book. I was hooked after that. I blew through the first three books and then waited patiently for each subsequent book to come out. I would immediately buy it and usually finished it straight away.
In general I look back on reading the books for the first time and I thought they were good. There are obviously issues I had because of some of the childish stuff they did but I would say I was generally entertained by the books even if it was first a children’s book and i read them as an adult. Reading to my kids I love how much they enjoyed each of the books. I was ecstatic that they were finally willing to read them with me. Even better when we started reading them in April 2020 as lockdown for COVID was new both girls were semi into reading. They were not yet book lovers. Now after months of reading to them they each spent time with Harry Potter and other books I feel like they are both on their way to being book lovers.
As I started reading the series again to my girls I began to have a different opinion of many of the characters then I did when I first read them. When I realise that I thought back to something my friend Amanda had once told that she did not consider herself a Gryffindor. She also said she didn’t think that I was one either and suggested a Online Quiz that sort you into your hogwarts house. I am not typically an online quiz fan however I gave it a go. I actually gave it several goes since these tests aren’t necessarily scientific I did not get the same results all the time. It did get me reading more on the defining traits of each of the houses. As I did that and the quizzes again I realised I am pretty sure I’m not Gryffindor though some part of me thinks maybe a little. I am most likely Ravenclaw. Of course only in a story are two or three general traits what put you into a social group. If I had to pick which trates I think I exhibit or prefer over the others even if I exhibit some traits from all the houses I would still say Ravenclaw stands out.
I do not want to bash their Harry Potter characters since I love the books however wow Harry and Ron and to a smaller degree Hermionne do some messed up stuff. Gryffindor might call that brave or bold. At minimum it’s borderline reckless. Even as a kid I wasn’t like that. So blue and bronze colours from me.
My self identification as Ravenclaw has only been a mild disturbance in our household. My children being Gryffindor according to them. I don’t remember what M said she associates with or if she commented all. i think she wants nothing to do with this discussion.
If have to blame anybody I blame the lockdown for a lot of free time to read the stories and background details about them to way too much detail with my children.
W Sisters Story The Wrong Side of 10
Earlier this week i decided i was not ready to be the dad of a 10 year old. My soon to be 10 year old told me that i couldn’t stop it. She was right.
Here i am with a 10 year old. Today is our first non kids party party. Instead of a party with lots of ids at a play place or at the house she is having a few friends goto the movies and dinner.
On one hand no big party to put on. Or M to put on. On the other hand I have a 10 year old.
The title of this story is because for years when talking to the girls about turning 10 i would joke that they would be on the “wrong side” of the number 10.
14 Year Workaversary
Today marks my 14th work anniversary. As with life so much is different now and so much is the same. Whenever i write about a work anniversary i have been running down the numbers related to my life since September 8, 2008. This year will not be any different.
When I started in Sept 2008, it was at Thomson Reuters. Since then I have technically worked at 3 companies. First Thomson Reuters, then Refinitiv, and now LSEG. This year my numbers are not as straight forward as in the past. I am in the process of transitioning into a totally new role. The transition is not done yet however since i have started doing the new role i am going to count the changes that role brings into these numbers.
I have worked out of 8 offices, across 2 continents. I have had 10 managers. Oddly in the past 5 years i have had 7 of those 10 managers. I have been in 7 different groups across those 14 years. Of course the lines blur a bit with the groups in some cases.
On a personal side in the same 14 years I have lived in 3 apartments and one house. Moved continents, gotten married, and had 2 kids.
New York in 2022 Feels Like London in 2012
For my London friends I know the Oyster cards have been around longer than 2012. It was 2012 when I first experienced it so…
Another thing I never had living in America…
Stress dreams centered around hanging wet laundry. Of all the things i could stress about in my sleep my mind went to laundry. Go figure.
Not Grogu’s Favourite Human Right Now
I am not sure what I did to offend the Grogu. Maybe it was just being there and thus interrupting his nap on A’s loft bed. However he did walk right onto my shoulder after this photo to take him down.
It’s one of those life mysteries.
Psssst, I Know The Location of Hogsmeed
Apparently the secret entrance is out in our garden. According to this sign I found.
Social Media Finally Pulled Me In
It finally happened. I am using social media for the purpose it was intended for. Posting of and searching for Cat pictures and videos. Today’s contribution is Grogu resting in the sun of the skylight.
A lovely Fall Day in London, In June
I still find the weather a bit odd in London. I love it, this isn’t a complaint. It is just different. Today it feels like a lovely fall day. The only thing is its late June. This isn’t an anomaly. There were many days last July that i was in a light hooded sweatshirt in the middle of the day and i had to stop and think to myself wait it’s July.