Nord perdu

Nancy Huston's musings on belonging strike home again. An English Canadian who made her home in France, Huston is forever à cheval between cultures. She brilliantly details subtle and not-so-subtle instances of gotchas (when people remark she used the wrong gender agreement and 'outs' her as an outsider) and plain foreignness.
She expresses the pain of being displaced wherever she is - the inevitable chasm created by the day-to-day activities not shared by those who stayed behind. They know a certain part of you, but not the everyday fabric of your life and so, visiting friends back in Canada, she is immersed in her childhood which only takes into account part of the total person she has become.
A reflection on growth, change, expectations and the need to belong all wrapped up in one beautifully crafted little book.

GPS-challenged

I got a GPS for Christmas! Surely I will never get lost again? But, wait! You are talking to a pro.

No, seriously, I love my GPS. We had to make a few adjustments though: why is it annoyed that I am on the Queensway? Why is it urging me to take the off-ramp again and again while running a parallel route? Why does it never ever suggest I use the highway though it is clearly the quickest way home? Why does it tell me I will be there in 6 hours instead of 45 minutes? I checked the clock ad I have the right time. What is it I forgot?? (obviously, to read the User's manual)

You can actually use the GPS to get around on foot and I seemed to have accidentally changed the parameter from driving to walking.... So - no highway for me - ever, ever, ever - and well, I walk very quickly (never a word of praise though).

We used it while going to a friend's place (with the walking setting) and it kept telling us to get off the Queensway. After a while, it started sulking (I called it "my GPS with an attitude") and basically ignored us. We thought it was hilarious and I started making up conversation with it. I am sure it could be a hit at parties.

Another thing is it can't find our address so we can't tell it to "Go Home" (well, we tricked it and we can now but I am talking early days). On an overcast day, it took so long to give me directions that I called home to get directions (no I didn't have a map in the car - I NEED a GPS, ok?).

Another time, I followed a circuitous road home (I was on the walking setting so no highway for me). You don't have to plug it in when it is charged so I didn't. It was a dark night, I was in a place I didn't know) when... the battery stopped dead. I was clearly impressed. I actually, I started laughing and fumbled a bit before plugging it back in (no there was no irate driver behind me. You have to be thankful for lonely deserted roads). I disregarded its instructions and headed for the highway... It kept recalculating and frantically trying to lure me away. I thought I had received a neurotic GPS. Turns out it's only as smart as you are and... it turns out I could be smarter.

What I found interesting was that I discovered I had habits I did not know I had, shortcuts I enjoy, places I avoid. It made me more aware of my likes and dislikes and so I can use it as a tool of self-discovery. I think it is a hidden benefit.