Huh... interesting....

I understand that companies run contests and give-aways to get information for marketing purposes.  I also understand that some companies "share" (read: sell) the information to other companies for cross-marketing.

However, I thought that the technicalities were that you had to be able to opt out of the selling or sharing of your personal info.

Seems not.

I was just on a site offering a freebie.  There was a spot to enter your email address.  Below were two check boxes... the first saying that you agree to comply with the rules of the give-away... the second saying that you agree to the sharing of your personal info with a third party for marketing purposes.  I, of course, unchecked the second box.  I want to have some control over where my contact info goes.  So, I unchecked the box and hit "Continue"... only to be confronted with an 'error' box telling me to check the box again.  Seriously, it said "please check the box verifying permission to share your information".

*boggle*


So... no freebie for me.

5 years?? 5 years!

So.  November 8th.  Happy Anniversary to us!  5 years... how did that happen already?

It's been quite the ride over the past 5 years.... lots of ups (fun trips, new house, fun car...)... lots of downs (burst pipes, flooded basements, car crashes, feline emergencies, lost job, lost loved-ones...), but I think we're doing pretty well.

So, although D's working today (poopy), we've got a decent plan to mark the event, I think.

As an anniversary gift, my parents are treating us to a "romance package" at a swank downtown hotel... and we've got a dinner reservation at 360 restaurant (in the CN tower).  Here's hoping for a relatively cloud-free night *laugh*

But seriously... how has it been 5 years already?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!???

Seriously?

So... those of you who might be reading and aren't in Toronto might need some 'background'.

We have city issued Garbage and recycling bins (and green bins for compostable materials).  Recently, the city began charging an additional fee for garbage collection based on the size of garbage bin selected by homeowners.  We also alternate garbage and recycling collections (i.e. last week they collected garbage, so this week it's recycling, and next week is garbage again).

Last week, D rolled our garbage bin to the curb for the weekly pick-up.  I completely forgot what day it was, so I didn't think to go out and bring it back in.  In fact, I completely forgot about it until 8 p.m. when he turned to me and said "Thanks for bringing in the bin!".  Oh crap.  I didn't.  You mean it's not there?  Yup... that's exactly what he meant.

Somebody stole our farking bin!

Seriously?  You've got nothing better to do that steal someone's city-issued garbage bin?  What... it's got wheels and therefore must be stolen?  WTF?!?!?

So... now I have to wander the neighbourhood to see if there's a stray garbage can sitting at the curb somewhere (since this is recycling week, it should stand out), and approach the residents of the house where it might be before taking the damn thing for a walk through the neighbourhood to bring it home.  OR, worst case, I get to call the city... get bounced around (because inevitably I will call the wrong department first, or no-one will know how to answer me)... and get to argue the "no, I don't remember what size bin I ordered, but you should be able to tell me that, since you're charging me based on a particular bin size" point.

Who steals a garbage can?

Wish me luck!