I'm back to work today after being off of work last week. A much needed break from the daily grind of number crunching.
Don't get me wrong here, time off is great, but too much time off can actually be a bad thing when there are deadlines to meet, especially at the close of a month coupled with the close of the year. I find out today that we not only have Thursday and Friday off (although the finance dept will be in for part of the day, but we also have off Wednesday. How the heck do they expect me to get all my work done when they keep giving me all these days off! That sounds crazy, I know!! I don't want to have to work late to make up for a day off. I hate working late. I'd rather work a partial day.
So how can I have time to write this blog? Because I'm waiting for a report to refresh and I couldn't resist the urge to blog. I'll most likely be back again.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Radio
My son having been driving the car for 6 months now (and recently having passed the rite of first crash) had asked for a car stereo a few months back. The left side speakers intermittently work.
My boyfriend is convinced that due to him listening to the radio too loud, with the bass on high, the he has blown the speaker. My son has done research and is convinced that there is written documentation that lists the left side speaker issue with the stock stereo for this car and simply replacing the stereo will fix it. I, as usual, am forced on the fence. And this has always been a bone of contention within the house . . . taking sides . . . or more precisely, the lack of taking sides.
So I decided to purchase a new car stereo for a Christmas present for my son, have it installed and see if it resolves the issue, if not, then purchase speakers. Case solved, you would think.
The purchase only causes greater issues with me "taking sides". Unfortunately, by having purchased the stereo, I have only ingrained my "status" of having taken my sons side. But quite honestly, it is my way of systematically eliminating causes to find the answer. How can not having a new stereo system in the car be a bad thing?
I took the stereo in for installation and was told I would need an "installation kit", only $15. Off to Best Buy I go, yeah the Friday after Christmas. But to my surprise, at 11 am it is relatively quite and sparsely populated. I purchased the kit and, just in case, I purchased a pair of speakers, with the intent that if needed, I had them, if not, return them. See I hadn't take sides, I bought the speakers, just in case.
I returned to the installation place, explained that if necessary, I had purchased speakers, but to only use if needed. So after all was said and done, the speakers were not needed. The speakers are all working fine, so far. I hope that they continue to work. Not to take sides, just the less expense of speakers.
So I trek back to Best Buy to return the speakers. And what a difference a few hours had made. It had turned into a mad house. To my horror, the "Customer Service" line snaked through various isles of the music section. This was just not worth it. I bag this for another day as I have 30 days to return the speakers.
So I can only hope that the speakers continue to work without issue. What if, due to the enhanced stereo system, my son now starts to listen to the music even louder and actually does blow a speaker. If he blows the left one, well there is no way of convincing "anyone" that the speaker wasn't already blown as I couldn't say for certain either. I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge if necessary.
Good night all.
My boyfriend is convinced that due to him listening to the radio too loud, with the bass on high, the he has blown the speaker. My son has done research and is convinced that there is written documentation that lists the left side speaker issue with the stock stereo for this car and simply replacing the stereo will fix it. I, as usual, am forced on the fence. And this has always been a bone of contention within the house . . . taking sides . . . or more precisely, the lack of taking sides.
So I decided to purchase a new car stereo for a Christmas present for my son, have it installed and see if it resolves the issue, if not, then purchase speakers. Case solved, you would think.
The purchase only causes greater issues with me "taking sides". Unfortunately, by having purchased the stereo, I have only ingrained my "status" of having taken my sons side. But quite honestly, it is my way of systematically eliminating causes to find the answer. How can not having a new stereo system in the car be a bad thing?
I took the stereo in for installation and was told I would need an "installation kit", only $15. Off to Best Buy I go, yeah the Friday after Christmas. But to my surprise, at 11 am it is relatively quite and sparsely populated. I purchased the kit and, just in case, I purchased a pair of speakers, with the intent that if needed, I had them, if not, return them. See I hadn't take sides, I bought the speakers, just in case.
I returned to the installation place, explained that if necessary, I had purchased speakers, but to only use if needed. So after all was said and done, the speakers were not needed. The speakers are all working fine, so far. I hope that they continue to work. Not to take sides, just the less expense of speakers.
So I trek back to Best Buy to return the speakers. And what a difference a few hours had made. It had turned into a mad house. To my horror, the "Customer Service" line snaked through various isles of the music section. This was just not worth it. I bag this for another day as I have 30 days to return the speakers.
So I can only hope that the speakers continue to work without issue. What if, due to the enhanced stereo system, my son now starts to listen to the music even louder and actually does blow a speaker. If he blows the left one, well there is no way of convincing "anyone" that the speaker wasn't already blown as I couldn't say for certain either. I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge if necessary.
Good night all.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
What a way to start the day . . .
It's Christmas Eve and of course I can't even sleep in. I've heard the newspaper hit the porch, the garbage truck has picked up the garbage, car tires spinning their way out of their parking spots. Its raining, finally not snowing. It's going to be in the 40's today.
I get up, put on my slippers and bathrobe and head on out to get the paper. Well, might as well bring in the garbage can and lid which is haphazardly laying in the middle of the sidewalk. I grab an umbrella. (I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and never, ever owned an umbrella until I moved to New York 12 years ago)
Off the porch I go to fetch the pail, and WHAM! out goes my feet and down on my ass I go, hitting all 5 brick stairs on the way down. There I was on the sidewalk, slippers having flown off somewhere behind me, umbrella all askew and thanking god no one was around to see me. I laugh because I know just how absolutely hilarious that had to look. I take stock of my parts, all there, albeit bruised. I carefully arise, barefoot, and still slipping around. It's all ice!!! I attempt a step to the sidewalk to retrieve the pail, but there is no way. To hell with the pail, and so I very very careful go back up the stairs I have comically come down and slink back into the house.
Thankfully I am very well padded on my backside and only hitting on one side of the derriere going down I didn't bruise my tail bone. . . this time. (Oh this is far from the first time this has occurred). In the house, I sit for a few minutes to gather myself and my son joins me in the kitchen as he has actually awoken early too. We have a laugh over the morning events while I cook him something to eat.
So that's how I started my Christmas Eve. I am only concerned that come Christmas morning I won't be thinking this is so funny. Only time will tell. And I will tell.
Please have a safe and wonderful Christmas Eve.
I get up, put on my slippers and bathrobe and head on out to get the paper. Well, might as well bring in the garbage can and lid which is haphazardly laying in the middle of the sidewalk. I grab an umbrella. (I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and never, ever owned an umbrella until I moved to New York 12 years ago)
Off the porch I go to fetch the pail, and WHAM! out goes my feet and down on my ass I go, hitting all 5 brick stairs on the way down. There I was on the sidewalk, slippers having flown off somewhere behind me, umbrella all askew and thanking god no one was around to see me. I laugh because I know just how absolutely hilarious that had to look. I take stock of my parts, all there, albeit bruised. I carefully arise, barefoot, and still slipping around. It's all ice!!! I attempt a step to the sidewalk to retrieve the pail, but there is no way. To hell with the pail, and so I very very careful go back up the stairs I have comically come down and slink back into the house.
Thankfully I am very well padded on my backside and only hitting on one side of the derriere going down I didn't bruise my tail bone. . . this time. (Oh this is far from the first time this has occurred). In the house, I sit for a few minutes to gather myself and my son joins me in the kitchen as he has actually awoken early too. We have a laugh over the morning events while I cook him something to eat.
So that's how I started my Christmas Eve. I am only concerned that come Christmas morning I won't be thinking this is so funny. Only time will tell. And I will tell.
Please have a safe and wonderful Christmas Eve.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Pets
When you think of pets, you think dog or cat. Did you think of a bird?
You may think some birds are "objects" left in a cage to look at. Not mine. As I may have mentioned I have a Quaker parrot named "Scooby". I have had her for nearly 3 years now. She is of the smaller parrot variety, larger than a cockateil, smaller than a African Grey.
Quaker Parrots are very curious, social and engaging and loud. They often act like they are the center of attention. Did I mention that they can be loud? I must say though that I have come to find that they are not much different than having a dog or a cat. She is very interactive, too much sometimes.
We have for the most part kept her wings clipped until recently that is. She now flies all over the house, whever and whenever she wants. Mostly to me :sigh:. I think I have turned into a magnet, because as I walk through the house, she is often sucked from wherever she may be and instantly is attached to my shoulder. My boyfriend and I play this new game . . . "Pass the Parrot". Whoever winds up with her loses.
We talk to her as one would talk to a cat or dog and worry about her getting into things, eating things she shouldn't. You might be very surprised how varied her diet is. Besides "Parrot Food" that is available to her all day, she eats the following (not all at once or even all in a day)
Breakfast: scrambled eggs, waffles, toast, hash browns
Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich (bites of mine of course) Rice, Noodles
Dinner: Usually watever I'm eating, snatched from my plate of course.
Snacks throughout the day: Apples, Grapes, Corn on the Cob, Broccoli, Nuts
Favorite Foods: Pizza Crust.
Food No-No's: Both Deadly- Avacodo and Chocolate
Even as I type this up, she is squawking for attention. When I look over at her she is quite, look away "Ack, Ack, Ack!!"
Yeah she does talk . . . a little. She says, "Step Up" and "Where's Scooby". That about sums it up. Yup, 3 years and only two things. She actually does say other things but they are very muted and "under her breath" but I know what she is saying. For example, when I get her up in the morning I say "Good Morning" and she "says" something which I know to be her version of "Good Morning".
She has quite the attitude as well. She gets very angry when we go out. Let's just say that to say "Bye-Bye" without her in the cage will most likely get you bit. She knows that Bye-Bye means she is going to be alone which she abhors.
But I love her and when I figure out how to post pictures you will see her.
You may think some birds are "objects" left in a cage to look at. Not mine. As I may have mentioned I have a Quaker parrot named "Scooby". I have had her for nearly 3 years now. She is of the smaller parrot variety, larger than a cockateil, smaller than a African Grey.
Quaker Parrots are very curious, social and engaging and loud. They often act like they are the center of attention. Did I mention that they can be loud? I must say though that I have come to find that they are not much different than having a dog or a cat. She is very interactive, too much sometimes.
We have for the most part kept her wings clipped until recently that is. She now flies all over the house, whever and whenever she wants. Mostly to me :sigh:. I think I have turned into a magnet, because as I walk through the house, she is often sucked from wherever she may be and instantly is attached to my shoulder. My boyfriend and I play this new game . . . "Pass the Parrot". Whoever winds up with her loses.
We talk to her as one would talk to a cat or dog and worry about her getting into things, eating things she shouldn't. You might be very surprised how varied her diet is. Besides "Parrot Food" that is available to her all day, she eats the following (not all at once or even all in a day)
Breakfast: scrambled eggs, waffles, toast, hash browns
Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich (bites of mine of course) Rice, Noodles
Dinner: Usually watever I'm eating, snatched from my plate of course.
Snacks throughout the day: Apples, Grapes, Corn on the Cob, Broccoli, Nuts
Favorite Foods: Pizza Crust.
Food No-No's: Both Deadly- Avacodo and Chocolate
Even as I type this up, she is squawking for attention. When I look over at her she is quite, look away "Ack, Ack, Ack!!"
Yeah she does talk . . . a little. She says, "Step Up" and "Where's Scooby". That about sums it up. Yup, 3 years and only two things. She actually does say other things but they are very muted and "under her breath" but I know what she is saying. For example, when I get her up in the morning I say "Good Morning" and she "says" something which I know to be her version of "Good Morning".
She has quite the attitude as well. She gets very angry when we go out. Let's just say that to say "Bye-Bye" without her in the cage will most likely get you bit. She knows that Bye-Bye means she is going to be alone which she abhors.
But I love her and when I figure out how to post pictures you will see her.
The way it should be . . .
How I long for things to be the way the use to be . . . . the way they should be. I've discovered that things are way to complicated now a days.
Two things of note; Banking and Christmas.
Banking. . . . There was a time when you could just cash a check . . . no really, you could! Not anymore. You have to wait until it clears which usually takes 3 - 5 business days. It should matter that the check was drawn from a nationally known Insurance company and that there would be no way in hell that there would be any chance that the damn check wouldn't actually clear! If the banking industry is taking this much caution with my measly money . . . What the hell are they being bailed out for?
Christmas . . . What happened to buying out of the goodness of your heart . . and within your budget? It now seems more of a contest, who can spend more, buy better? I want to buy because I want to, not out of obligation, and not take into consideration what is being purchased for me to ensure that I give back equally. What if I don't have equally? I should be forced into debt to look good to others, feel bad about myself? What ever happened to good cheer?
Take a step back people and ask yourselves this questions. What kind of holiday is this?
This Christmas, take a hard look at how you feel about giving and receiving, not what you are giving and receiving.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Two things of note; Banking and Christmas.
Banking. . . . There was a time when you could just cash a check . . . no really, you could! Not anymore. You have to wait until it clears which usually takes 3 - 5 business days. It should matter that the check was drawn from a nationally known Insurance company and that there would be no way in hell that there would be any chance that the damn check wouldn't actually clear! If the banking industry is taking this much caution with my measly money . . . What the hell are they being bailed out for?
Christmas . . . What happened to buying out of the goodness of your heart . . and within your budget? It now seems more of a contest, who can spend more, buy better? I want to buy because I want to, not out of obligation, and not take into consideration what is being purchased for me to ensure that I give back equally. What if I don't have equally? I should be forced into debt to look good to others, feel bad about myself? What ever happened to good cheer?
Take a step back people and ask yourselves this questions. What kind of holiday is this?
This Christmas, take a hard look at how you feel about giving and receiving, not what you are giving and receiving.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
In the beginning
My first blog . . .
"Honey . . . how do you work this thing?"
So let me introduce myself, my name is CJ and I live in Brooklyn, although I'm born and bred from the Pacific Northwest.
I'm quirky, unconventional, optimistic and fun-loving.
I'm 40ish but certainly don't act a day over 21. I have two grown children and "sigh" no grandchildren . . . as of yet.
I live with my boyfriend who I refer to as my husband only because this is as close to being married as I'll ever be again and don't plan on going anywhere soon.
I have an annoying Quaker parrot named Scooby. I love her but she loves me to much and clings to me whenever I'm home. I will post alot about her.
I'm really into knitting and spend much of my spare time making things. I knit for everyone around me and hope to soon actually knit myself something.
Christmas, damn it really snuck up on me this year. Haven't done a dang thing yet. Partly because my car has been in the shop from a recent accident, (how can I have been driving for 29 years with no accidents and my son get in an accident after 6 months of driving?)
So off I go for the day, much to do . . . shoveling snow from the most recent snow fall and then knitting the afternoon away, only because after shoveling, my knee will be so swollen I won't be able to do much of anything else.
"Honey . . . how do you work this thing?"
So let me introduce myself, my name is CJ and I live in Brooklyn, although I'm born and bred from the Pacific Northwest.
I'm quirky, unconventional, optimistic and fun-loving.
I'm 40ish but certainly don't act a day over 21. I have two grown children and "sigh" no grandchildren . . . as of yet.
I live with my boyfriend who I refer to as my husband only because this is as close to being married as I'll ever be again and don't plan on going anywhere soon.
I have an annoying Quaker parrot named Scooby. I love her but she loves me to much and clings to me whenever I'm home. I will post alot about her.
I'm really into knitting and spend much of my spare time making things. I knit for everyone around me and hope to soon actually knit myself something.
Christmas, damn it really snuck up on me this year. Haven't done a dang thing yet. Partly because my car has been in the shop from a recent accident, (how can I have been driving for 29 years with no accidents and my son get in an accident after 6 months of driving?)
So off I go for the day, much to do . . . shoveling snow from the most recent snow fall and then knitting the afternoon away, only because after shoveling, my knee will be so swollen I won't be able to do much of anything else.
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