A complete immersion in Hydro

sunny, mild, temps 20

Gorgeous late summer day...slightly cool, but warming up as the day goes on. A day for a light sweater.

First, the Michael news...a bit mixed. The tear in the eye hasn't healed and the doc doesn't know if it will. He says the danger is infection. Indeed, Michael might have had that tear for a while, but the problem came when he developed conjunctivitis. In a normal eye it's an irritation, and not very attractive, but not serious. But if the eye has a wound, the infection gets inside.

So now Michael will have to, probably for the rest of his life, be very careful to guard against infections...so no more swimming underwater, lots and lots of handwashing (probably a good idea anyway!) and he's not allowed into anymore peep shows. Ha!

Not really the news we were hoping for, but it's not the worst. We're going back Thursday morning so the doc can take another look. Worst case scenario he losed the sight in that eye, but still has another one. Again, wouldn't be our first choice, but it seems we might not actually have a choice. And God knows, people get worse news everyday - they'd trade with us in an instant.

It's been a busy day!!!

Went for breakfast to Nicks - a real local joint. Sat in a booth. I had porridge and Michael had bacon and eggs.

Then I hopped a cab to CBC for my interview on the Quick Reads novella I'm writing for litercy. Saw our friend Susan there...she's coming down to spend the long labour day weekend in the cottage.

Then home...hopiong Michael had sorted Hydro Quebec, but after spending loads of time on hold he finaly got through only to be told his wife (the Litte Woman) was the one who needed to call, since the account was in my name. This heartened Michael since it also meant the bad credit rating would also be mine! Fortunately for both of us I have long been a financial liability so this won't change our relationship.

So, it was my turn to call Hydro...happily they picked up almost at once and after listening to my sad, sad tale about not getting the bills - and choosing not to comment on said sad tale - they explained told me how much we owed, we had to pay it at the bank, then call back with the confirmation number.

Ugh.

Off we went again to the bank and another wait. Paid the bills, phoned back Hydro (i now know the number better than my own, as well as all the recorded messages about weather -proofing for winter). We got it all sorted out - and once again (since this was a fresh audience) I tried out the "I never got the bills" routine. But this time to better effect. The person actually looked it up and asked... What is this Main Street address?

It's an office I rented until last year, then gave up the least. Why?

Well, we've been sending your bills there.

I figured it was useless to get upset at this poor person who clearly wasn't at fault, but why Hydro would out of the blue decide to change the address of where they billed us to an address we'd recently vacated is another of life's great mysteries. Hydro Quebec is one of the wonders of the world. People stare at it slack-jawed. In awe. How is such a thing possible???

But now power will be restored in the next day... we hope. But this is the mighty Hydro Quebec, after all, so we might be in for even more wonderment.

Then had a bookclub to speak to this afternoon...and now home quietly. having dinner tonight with Hope and Charlie - and really looking forward to it. Cab comes at 6:30am for the airport and NYC.

What a life! And I know, with care, Michael's eye will be just fine. We simply need to keep it away from the good burghers at Hydro!