Yesterday was definitely an "I could have done without that" kind of day.
I could have done without getting up at 5 a.m.... but I had to shower and figured out what I'm allowed to eat for breakfast in time to be out the door before 7 for the drive to Brantford
I could have done without it being so damn cold. I've really had enough of this winter thing... I mean, the snow can be pretty to look at in a general way, but enough is enough! ;)
I could have done without getting shot in the crotch at the paintball Young Gunz event. I think D might be starting to worry about my luck *laugh* Just one more reason to be happy I'm not a guy, I guess ;)
I could have done without the first accident we saw on the way home... traffic was backed up on the 403... looks like someone failed to consider the weight and required stopping distance of the vehicle(s) behind them when the made the decision to brake or bail. Probably about 7 cars involved.
I REALLY could have done without the second accident. the 403 was actually closed in Ancaster 'cuz of it. Took us close to an hour to go one exit, and then there was no avoiding seeing the aftermath when we were trying to exit... bits of car everywhere (and I mean bits and everywhere)... and there, in the middle of the highway... the proof that it was a fatal crash. Wrapped in white, laid on a black bag, strapped to a gurney... and just left there. Hardly respectful treatment of the dead. Why not move them to whatever vehicle the gurney came out of?
I could have done without the last minute notice that I was driving Dad somewhere in the exact opposite direction of where I had planned on going... but I did it. Just meant that dinner was delayed a half hour *shrug*
And I could have done without a 3rd night running of strange dreams... although it's probably an improvement over the week preceding them where I know I slept, but sure didn't feel like it. *shrug*
So... today will be a day with no "I could have done without that" moments! I have decided. It will be so! I got all those moments for the week out of way at once! Of course, the fact that my plans for the day include surfing, playing with the cats, and not leaving the house at all, that shouldn't be hard *laugh*
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
This'll be a long one.....
I'd like to thank the folks who responded to my last post... thank you for your kind words, and I will do my best to work on my self-esteem and tunnel vision ;)
Now... on to updates!
Still no job. That one I mentioned to some of you that I was kind of excited about has been staffed. No interview. *shrug* Severance is running out next week, so that's a bit stressful. But, I've applied for a job with the company D works for. Not my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but the pay would be better than EI, and the benefits package is decent... and I have an 'in' since D is held in pretty high regard... so here's hoping.
I'm taking the plunge... no, not that plunge (took that one already ;) )... I'm signing onto the WeightWatchers bandwagon. I'm tired of being a whale. I just hope it works. It'll be a long road... so any spare will-power you've got lying around, I'll happily give a new home to! *laugh*
Paintball. Ah yes... paintball. D and I played again last Friday night. I suck at this game *laugh* But I'm having a blast with it, and with the guys on D's team. I think D is starting to have a few concerns about my luck, though... so far I've collected:
- 1 knuckle shot (apparently one of the really bad ones... this was my first hit)
- 1 hip shot
- 1 straight-on shot in the butt... after I was already out, and thanks to one of the people on my own darn team!
- 1 shot to the upper arm (which left a nice 2" diameter bruise... pretty colours)... that one hit right where a few muscle groups come together, so it hurt like a mo-fo... the paint went through 2 layers of clothing, too... not so good.
- 1 bounce shot to the collar bone. I'm told bounces hurt more... which makes sense when you consider the physics of it. THAT one REALLY hurt
- 2 shots at close range to the back... again after I was already out... and from someone on my own team. I'm guessing it was from the captain for the game... who falls firmly in the "lead from behind" camp. He actually bitched at myself and another newbie "you have to move up, you can't just stay back here"... said from BEHIND us. Asshat. We understand the theory, but come on... NEWBIES! And girls, to boot.
I've been told that I need some armor of some kind for the torso... 'cuz as a girl I oddly enough have girl parts *laugh* D's team-mates take good care of me :)
So the team has a sponsorship from the company that makes the markers they prefer and the company that distributes them. One of the guys with the distribution company posted on the forums last week that he had a research assignment for which he'd "pay" with one of his personal paintball markers. I, being one of the few folks on the board with no equipment, jumped at the chance... spent a few days (because I got the assignment Thursday afternoon and had to have it to him before Monday morning... and we played Friday night) digging through websites getting the info... and now have a marker and reloader on their way to me :) A barely used BT-4 Banshee with Reloader II hopper... one trip out and only about 500 balls through it. Should arrive next Wednesday :) And one of the guys on the team is giving me a pod belt. So I've got the basic gear (or will by the end of next week)... marker, mask, means of carrying additional paint. Now if only I could actually PLAY *laugh*
Not much else going on, really... which is probably good, because this entry is long enough already! Thanks for hanging in, if you made it this far :)
Now... on to updates!
Still no job. That one I mentioned to some of you that I was kind of excited about has been staffed. No interview. *shrug* Severance is running out next week, so that's a bit stressful. But, I've applied for a job with the company D works for. Not my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but the pay would be better than EI, and the benefits package is decent... and I have an 'in' since D is held in pretty high regard... so here's hoping.
I'm taking the plunge... no, not that plunge (took that one already ;) )... I'm signing onto the WeightWatchers bandwagon. I'm tired of being a whale. I just hope it works. It'll be a long road... so any spare will-power you've got lying around, I'll happily give a new home to! *laugh*
Paintball. Ah yes... paintball. D and I played again last Friday night. I suck at this game *laugh* But I'm having a blast with it, and with the guys on D's team. I think D is starting to have a few concerns about my luck, though... so far I've collected:
- 1 knuckle shot (apparently one of the really bad ones... this was my first hit)
- 1 hip shot
- 1 straight-on shot in the butt... after I was already out, and thanks to one of the people on my own darn team!
- 1 shot to the upper arm (which left a nice 2" diameter bruise... pretty colours)... that one hit right where a few muscle groups come together, so it hurt like a mo-fo... the paint went through 2 layers of clothing, too... not so good.
- 1 bounce shot to the collar bone. I'm told bounces hurt more... which makes sense when you consider the physics of it. THAT one REALLY hurt
- 2 shots at close range to the back... again after I was already out... and from someone on my own team. I'm guessing it was from the captain for the game... who falls firmly in the "lead from behind" camp. He actually bitched at myself and another newbie "you have to move up, you can't just stay back here"... said from BEHIND us. Asshat. We understand the theory, but come on... NEWBIES! And girls, to boot.
I've been told that I need some armor of some kind for the torso... 'cuz as a girl I oddly enough have girl parts *laugh* D's team-mates take good care of me :)
So the team has a sponsorship from the company that makes the markers they prefer and the company that distributes them. One of the guys with the distribution company posted on the forums last week that he had a research assignment for which he'd "pay" with one of his personal paintball markers. I, being one of the few folks on the board with no equipment, jumped at the chance... spent a few days (because I got the assignment Thursday afternoon and had to have it to him before Monday morning... and we played Friday night) digging through websites getting the info... and now have a marker and reloader on their way to me :) A barely used BT-4 Banshee with Reloader II hopper... one trip out and only about 500 balls through it. Should arrive next Wednesday :) And one of the guys on the team is giving me a pod belt. So I've got the basic gear (or will by the end of next week)... marker, mask, means of carrying additional paint. Now if only I could actually PLAY *laugh*
Not much else going on, really... which is probably good, because this entry is long enough already! Thanks for hanging in, if you made it this far :)
Monday, January 12, 2009
A challenge to my readers... all 3 of you *laugh*
ok, ok... there might be more than 3 of you.
Anyway, chatting with a few people over the past few days, and it being the New Year and a season for improvement and change, I thought I'd challenge the folks who read here.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to leave me a comment telling me how you feel about me. Good, bad, indifferent. BUT... there's a catch... any criticism must be constructive and couched in diplomatic terms. None of these lazy-ass insults... you've got to phrase it in a way that I won't automatically tune out.
What do I hope to achieve here? Well, a few things. I hope to learn what I'm doing right and not-so-right in my life/relationships/writing/whatever. I hope to learn what people really think about me. And I hope to challenge the people who give a rats ass to find diplomatic ways to express the less savoury thoughts they have to share.
For example:
"You're depressing to be around and thrive on misery"... not constructive, not diplomatic, and really not worth my time to consider.
"You've got a wicked sense of humour and should try to show it to more people more often"... highlights the positive, but encourages personal development.
Of course, I'll welcome purely positive responses, too *laugh*
Reply with your blogger profile... or reply anonymously if you feel more comfortable...
The challenge has been issued... who will rise to the occasion?
Anyway, chatting with a few people over the past few days, and it being the New Year and a season for improvement and change, I thought I'd challenge the folks who read here.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to leave me a comment telling me how you feel about me. Good, bad, indifferent. BUT... there's a catch... any criticism must be constructive and couched in diplomatic terms. None of these lazy-ass insults... you've got to phrase it in a way that I won't automatically tune out.
What do I hope to achieve here? Well, a few things. I hope to learn what I'm doing right and not-so-right in my life/relationships/writing/whatever. I hope to learn what people really think about me. And I hope to challenge the people who give a rats ass to find diplomatic ways to express the less savoury thoughts they have to share.
For example:
"You're depressing to be around and thrive on misery"... not constructive, not diplomatic, and really not worth my time to consider.
"You've got a wicked sense of humour and should try to show it to more people more often"... highlights the positive, but encourages personal development.
Of course, I'll welcome purely positive responses, too *laugh*
Reply with your blogger profile... or reply anonymously if you feel more comfortable...
The challenge has been issued... who will rise to the occasion?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Blogging out the Old Year
A lot of people get hopeful and philosophical this time of year about the year to come. I prefer to reminisce. This is gonna be a long one.
So here we are. The end of 2008. Tomorrow starts 2009… a year all shiny and new. My hope for 2009 is that it will bring great things to the people who matter in my life… and that for D and I it’ll be better than the 2 years that precede it.
What does that mean? That means healthy relationships, marriages, and kids for my friends who are on those paths. It means prosperity for all our friends. It means the absolute minimum of grief. It means hopefully finding a job (or two or three or whatever it takes to not lose the house). It means steps forward on our personal project (in whatever direction necessary) with no more disappointments or losses.
The last few months have been an unusual mix. I’ve been out of work since the end of May, and have yet to uncover any realistic prospects for employment, it seems. There have been a few positions I’ve applied for and been excited about… many more that have been applied for as “at least it’s something”… but nothing’s panned out yet. So it’s looking like I might have to let go of the ideal of finding work close enough to stay living where we currently are… which brings a whole other bunch of complications with it. Like not wanting, ideally, to try to sell our house in the current economic climate. Like not wanting to abandon the kidsicles. Like D having a good, fairly recession-proof job and it’d be better if we didn’t have to give that up, too. (I say “Fairly” because I doubt that any job these days is truly recession-proof… but he’s got a good reputation with the company, and people aren’t going to stop dying any time soon, so that’s an advantage).
I’ve been attacked verbally. I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that someone I counted as a friend has said some pretty harsh things behind my back that they’re too chicken shit to say to my face, so they let someone else act as their mouthpiece. I’ve seen friends welcome new additions to their families with the mix of joy and sadness that goes with that… but I’d like to think I’ve been happier for them than I’ve been sad for us. I think. I hope.
But I’ve made some new friends who I think are truly wonderful people, too. And possibly acquired a new pastime. And this is where I sing their praises ;)
I think I may have mentioned that back in spring D took up a new hobby. Paintball. Now, those of you who know me from University days will probably remember I had a stalker. And those of you who were familiar with the situation will remember that he was an avid paintballer who, along with his paintballing friends, had serious issues recognizing boundries… any kind of boundries. And he did stupid-ass things like shooting up my residence house with paint and pellets after I went to the campus cops to report him etc. etc. etc. As a result of that, I developed a very bad mental association where paintball was concerned. I figured if this guy and his buddies from the sport were all asshats, then chances were pretty good that most people drawn to the sport were asshats. Ah, early-20s logic at its finest!
Anyway, D took up the sport. I made it clear to him that I had absolutely no interest in anything paintball related. At all. None. Zero. But he started talking about some of the people he met… and they sounded almost normal *laugh* (whatever ‘normal’ means ;) ). And then he joined a team… but not a competitive team… one that’s all about making it a safe and fun outing for everyone. And he went to their end-of-season banquet and came home with more stories. So I figured I’d like to meet these people. So I signed up on a forum they frequent… and I poked around, and observed (‘cuz it’s what I do), and posted a bit (‘cuz that’s also what I do ;) )… and attended an event with D that these guys run for kids to introduce them to the sport and train them right from the get-go. And I felt like a complete outsider, but I was intrigued, too.
Well, a month or so has passed now… and I’ve gone to a couple more of these things, once even without D! And I’ve met a bunch of the guys, and some of their better halves. And in another couple of days, I’m taking another step and taking the field with D and these guys (and some of their ladies). The mind… it boggles *laugh*. But as I said to D the other night… I already feel like I’ve inherited a bunch of “big brothers”. These guys have made me feel welcome… they’ve made me re-evaluate my view of the sport and the people who play it… they make me feel like part of the family. And that’s pretty damn cool.
So, in spite of all the bad of the past 18 months, I think I can say that 2008 is ending on a higher note… and that’s a nice change.
So here we are. The end of 2008. Tomorrow starts 2009… a year all shiny and new. My hope for 2009 is that it will bring great things to the people who matter in my life… and that for D and I it’ll be better than the 2 years that precede it.
What does that mean? That means healthy relationships, marriages, and kids for my friends who are on those paths. It means prosperity for all our friends. It means the absolute minimum of grief. It means hopefully finding a job (or two or three or whatever it takes to not lose the house). It means steps forward on our personal project (in whatever direction necessary) with no more disappointments or losses.
The last few months have been an unusual mix. I’ve been out of work since the end of May, and have yet to uncover any realistic prospects for employment, it seems. There have been a few positions I’ve applied for and been excited about… many more that have been applied for as “at least it’s something”… but nothing’s panned out yet. So it’s looking like I might have to let go of the ideal of finding work close enough to stay living where we currently are… which brings a whole other bunch of complications with it. Like not wanting, ideally, to try to sell our house in the current economic climate. Like not wanting to abandon the kidsicles. Like D having a good, fairly recession-proof job and it’d be better if we didn’t have to give that up, too. (I say “Fairly” because I doubt that any job these days is truly recession-proof… but he’s got a good reputation with the company, and people aren’t going to stop dying any time soon, so that’s an advantage).
I’ve been attacked verbally. I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that someone I counted as a friend has said some pretty harsh things behind my back that they’re too chicken shit to say to my face, so they let someone else act as their mouthpiece. I’ve seen friends welcome new additions to their families with the mix of joy and sadness that goes with that… but I’d like to think I’ve been happier for them than I’ve been sad for us. I think. I hope.
But I’ve made some new friends who I think are truly wonderful people, too. And possibly acquired a new pastime. And this is where I sing their praises ;)
I think I may have mentioned that back in spring D took up a new hobby. Paintball. Now, those of you who know me from University days will probably remember I had a stalker. And those of you who were familiar with the situation will remember that he was an avid paintballer who, along with his paintballing friends, had serious issues recognizing boundries… any kind of boundries. And he did stupid-ass things like shooting up my residence house with paint and pellets after I went to the campus cops to report him etc. etc. etc. As a result of that, I developed a very bad mental association where paintball was concerned. I figured if this guy and his buddies from the sport were all asshats, then chances were pretty good that most people drawn to the sport were asshats. Ah, early-20s logic at its finest!
Anyway, D took up the sport. I made it clear to him that I had absolutely no interest in anything paintball related. At all. None. Zero. But he started talking about some of the people he met… and they sounded almost normal *laugh* (whatever ‘normal’ means ;) ). And then he joined a team… but not a competitive team… one that’s all about making it a safe and fun outing for everyone. And he went to their end-of-season banquet and came home with more stories. So I figured I’d like to meet these people. So I signed up on a forum they frequent… and I poked around, and observed (‘cuz it’s what I do), and posted a bit (‘cuz that’s also what I do ;) )… and attended an event with D that these guys run for kids to introduce them to the sport and train them right from the get-go. And I felt like a complete outsider, but I was intrigued, too.
Well, a month or so has passed now… and I’ve gone to a couple more of these things, once even without D! And I’ve met a bunch of the guys, and some of their better halves. And in another couple of days, I’m taking another step and taking the field with D and these guys (and some of their ladies). The mind… it boggles *laugh*. But as I said to D the other night… I already feel like I’ve inherited a bunch of “big brothers”. These guys have made me feel welcome… they’ve made me re-evaluate my view of the sport and the people who play it… they make me feel like part of the family. And that’s pretty damn cool.
So, in spite of all the bad of the past 18 months, I think I can say that 2008 is ending on a higher note… and that’s a nice change.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
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?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!???
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?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!???
Monday, November 3, 2008
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!
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!
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