Today's strike attire - part 1!

If I was looking for a way to lose weight, well, I think I have found it. Five or so hours of walking a day, plus eating healthier, but also not being able to eat because of stress, does wonders for a person! I might even break down and invest in a scale (which I have not owned since the fire in 2006) and see what the numbers are. I know my legs from hip to ankle have slimmed down a bit. This makes me happy. Not to mention, while not collecting a regular paycheck things like buying food will happen less and less so I won't even have food to eat. I should patent this diet program and make millions from it.Most people eat when stressed. I can't eat. I don't have an appetite, nor can I keep food in my body for very long. The stress of walking up the mountain to the picket line on my body has also been seeing results. I'll have a nice, firm, bottom by the end of this!Except tomorrow we're being moved back to our original location, while I am happy that I don't have to deal with the mountain, I am also sad to lose our quiet spot, where we can leave our bags by a tree and feel safe since it's a dead-end street. Still, walking is walking and 6-7Km a day of walking non-stop is something.I didn't go in on Monday. I was nauseous and feeling ill all weekend and on Monday I knew I'd need a bathroom more than I would have access to, so I stayed home. I will of course miss out on a much needed day of strike pay, but I knew I couldn't handle the outdoors thing in my condition. So I stayed home, slept and read. I needed a mental health day I think on top of the physical part.We kid about going on medical leave once the strike is over, but I don't know how far off from the truth that will be for some people. I already know my body doesn't handle stress well. I get sick, sick, sick. Add the physical pain to the pain I already suffer from daily, which is augmented by stress, then you have a useless person on your hands. I haven't even thought about the lack of money yet. We did get our first pay today, so woo! But it's going to be very hard going forward missing out on my full salary. I am forever thankful that I don't have to worry about clothing, feeding and schooling children on top of this. Or being a single income. If I am struggling I can only imagine how miserable it is for others.

Costume change! Strike attire day 9 - Part 2!

We all have these white t-shirts that have the union name on them and say "On strike" in French and English on the back. They come in one size - large. I was delighted to find that it's not a tight shirt on me (the walking helps) but it has a tight collar, and I hate things around my neck, so I hacked at the shirt and rolled up the sleeves. Much more comfortable! I won't carry a sign or a noisemaker because I do not want to be on strike, but I can wear the shirt for part of the shift.I have to say regardless of the health issues that stress is causing me, it's not the same as if I was still in the office. I have not had a migraine in weeks, my shoulder and neck are fine and I feel healthier. The walking and outdoors is good for me. I just have to head to bathville at night - bath plus advil and then bed. I am also sick of wearing my running shoes.Still, I oddly feel healthier and it's also nice to wear yoga pants and t-shirts every day. Sort of like getting to go to work in pjs and get away with it!This is certainly an experience. One I don't particularly ever want to have to go through again. I think it's going to be a while because we're back in the saddle, so I might as well keep journaling so I have something to look back on.I do know that I would not be able to survive this without my two very best of friends. We stick together and help get through the ordeal. Friends help make even the most miserable times feel a little less miserable and I love them for it.Have any of you, my 3 or so readers, been on strike? How did you cope? I'm curious. I feel like I want to barge into a negotiation meeting and tell both sides "Suck it up! Stop being children over this and just solve the problem already!" Everyone seems to be playing a game of chicken waiting for the other side to cave. I am tired of it and it's only been 9 days. Ugh.