Censorship is good
To anyone who saw my earlier post, consider yourself lucky. Several of my friends suggested I remove it. Upon reflection, I think they're right.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Gotcha!
I've wanted to post this entry for a long time. But to do so would have ruined the surprise. I think I was a part of the best Mother's Day celebration my wife has ever had. For a couple of weeks now, I've been scheming to secretly bring our daughter into town for Mother's Day without anyone finding out about it. I'll spare the details (which would take several paragraphs to explain), but just say the secret was well-kept, and my wife didn't know our daughter would be in town until she looked out of the car window and saw her at the curb at the train station.
The entire weekend went absolutely perfectly. I'm so grateful to my daughter for deciding to come down for the weekend, and for the secrecy we were able to maintain.
Happy Mother's Day, honey!
I've wanted to post this entry for a long time. But to do so would have ruined the surprise. I think I was a part of the best Mother's Day celebration my wife has ever had. For a couple of weeks now, I've been scheming to secretly bring our daughter into town for Mother's Day without anyone finding out about it. I'll spare the details (which would take several paragraphs to explain), but just say the secret was well-kept, and my wife didn't know our daughter would be in town until she looked out of the car window and saw her at the curb at the train station.
The entire weekend went absolutely perfectly. I'm so grateful to my daughter for deciding to come down for the weekend, and for the secrecy we were able to maintain.
Happy Mother's Day, honey!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Birthday wishes
Happy Birthday, dad. Though I continue to go to twice-daily prayer sessions in your honour, I try as much as I can to get on with my life. Still, on what would have been your 85th birthday, it's the first time I haven't gotten you a card, or visited you at home for your special day. I don't cry about you very often - probably only twice since you passed away, because all the memories I have of you are happy, and I smile when others might cry. Today, though, I miss you alot, and hope you're happy.
Happy Birthday, dad. Though I continue to go to twice-daily prayer sessions in your honour, I try as much as I can to get on with my life. Still, on what would have been your 85th birthday, it's the first time I haven't gotten you a card, or visited you at home for your special day. I don't cry about you very often - probably only twice since you passed away, because all the memories I have of you are happy, and I smile when others might cry. Today, though, I miss you alot, and hope you're happy.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Those three little words
At times like this, when I'm feeling a bit stressed about my job situation, it takes very little in the way of a positive message to raise my spirits. So it made me feel really good tonight, while I was wading through stacks of email to get one that made me smile. The message was short, sweet, and music to my ears. You've got cash! True to his word, the buyer of my second piece of eBay merchandise sent his payment tonight. The minute I know that it's cleared the international paypal bank and is safely in my local account, I'll begin preparations for sending the receiver on its way.
At times like this, when I'm feeling a bit stressed about my job situation, it takes very little in the way of a positive message to raise my spirits. So it made me feel really good tonight, while I was wading through stacks of email to get one that made me smile. The message was short, sweet, and music to my ears. You've got cash! True to his word, the buyer of my second piece of eBay merchandise sent his payment tonight. The minute I know that it's cleared the international paypal bank and is safely in my local account, I'll begin preparations for sending the receiver on its way.
Finally - it's official
I'm unemployed (well, not quite yet, but I've received my termination notice). I've taken note for some time that the queue of pending assignments was shrinking. There were times when I had to beg for work to keep me busy. And then there were those assignments that looked like they'd be a piece of cake, only to turn into quagmires. The combination of inefficiencies and lack of work were my ultimate undoing. My boss still wants me to work on a piece-work basis (translation: work when we need you, with no benefits). I may keep that option alive, but only until I can find something more stable.
I'm not ruling out a more entrepreneurial direction, but right now, money's really tight - so I have to find a position with a regular paycheque. I think I was a lot more depressed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Having had some time for the shock to hit me, I'm a bit calmer. But only a bit.
I'm unemployed (well, not quite yet, but I've received my termination notice). I've taken note for some time that the queue of pending assignments was shrinking. There were times when I had to beg for work to keep me busy. And then there were those assignments that looked like they'd be a piece of cake, only to turn into quagmires. The combination of inefficiencies and lack of work were my ultimate undoing. My boss still wants me to work on a piece-work basis (translation: work when we need you, with no benefits). I may keep that option alive, but only until I can find something more stable.
I'm not ruling out a more entrepreneurial direction, but right now, money's really tight - so I have to find a position with a regular paycheque. I think I was a lot more depressed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Having had some time for the shock to hit me, I'm a bit calmer. But only a bit.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Disillusioned
How quickly we fall. Buoyed by the success of my first foray into eBay, I had high expectations for the second sale. I suppose I should be happy that my item sold for more than any other identical model in the past few months (the results of past auctions are only available for a limited time). Still, the condition of the equipment had led me to believe the ultimate selling price would be higher. What I hadn't counted on was the fact that, throughout the one week auction, four other identical models of the equipment were put on sale.
With such a choice, I guess none of the buyers felt compelled to pay a premium for my particular one. But that's not even what bothers me the most. While the buyer of my first item was communicative and active in the process of closing our deal, the buyer of the latest item is worse than reclusive. He has avoided all attempts at contact, by email or phone. His posted information was "out of date" (some might claim purposely elusive), and I only managed to track him down by doing what I do best - using the power of the internet. He was not pleased that I managed to track him down. In fact, the only email he did answer was in response to a phone message that threatened to cancel the transaction.
Will I get paid? That remains to be seen. One thing is for sure... if the payment does arrive, it will be in my bank for a good long time before I ship any goods.
How quickly we fall. Buoyed by the success of my first foray into eBay, I had high expectations for the second sale. I suppose I should be happy that my item sold for more than any other identical model in the past few months (the results of past auctions are only available for a limited time). Still, the condition of the equipment had led me to believe the ultimate selling price would be higher. What I hadn't counted on was the fact that, throughout the one week auction, four other identical models of the equipment were put on sale.
With such a choice, I guess none of the buyers felt compelled to pay a premium for my particular one. But that's not even what bothers me the most. While the buyer of my first item was communicative and active in the process of closing our deal, the buyer of the latest item is worse than reclusive. He has avoided all attempts at contact, by email or phone. His posted information was "out of date" (some might claim purposely elusive), and I only managed to track him down by doing what I do best - using the power of the internet. He was not pleased that I managed to track him down. In fact, the only email he did answer was in response to a phone message that threatened to cancel the transaction.
Will I get paid? That remains to be seen. One thing is for sure... if the payment does arrive, it will be in my bank for a good long time before I ship any goods.
Monday, April 04, 2005
I'm hooked
After the success of my first ebay experience, I was encouraged to try selling another of my retired stereo components. It went on the block yesterday, with a minimum purchase price set higher than would normally be considered prudent. I was asking nearly three times what was being asked by others for the same model.
Before the night was out, I had a bidder (and therefore, a guaranteed sale). If other auctions are any indication, I could see bidding go up by as much as 250 - 300% before the auction ends next weekend.
I guess I'm going to keep on doing this until I run out of old stuff to sell!
After the success of my first ebay experience, I was encouraged to try selling another of my retired stereo components. It went on the block yesterday, with a minimum purchase price set higher than would normally be considered prudent. I was asking nearly three times what was being asked by others for the same model.
Before the night was out, I had a bidder (and therefore, a guaranteed sale). If other auctions are any indication, I could see bidding go up by as much as 250 - 300% before the auction ends next weekend.
I guess I'm going to keep on doing this until I run out of old stuff to sell!
April Fool?
In the town of Essex, a few miles from here, one romantic gentleman chose Friday night (April Fool's Day) to propose to his girlfriend. To his delight, she said yes. Good thing too! The very next morning, the newly-engaged girlfriend was awakened at 7:00AM. When she answered the door, she was greeted by the entire wedding party! They got married on April 2nd.
What I find amazing is that this man got the idea last December of proposing to his girlfriend, then marrying her the very next day. In order to do that, he had to plan an entire wedding, invite the guests, book the church, book the honeymoon, and buy a wedding dress, all without the knowledge of his girlfriend. The last element of the plan seemed like it would be the toughest.
To pull it off, this clever gentleman had a couple of his friends "pretend" that they were going to elope. When the friends went to buy their wedding attire, the "real" couple was invited to join them to offer advice. Just as the fake bride was to try on her wedding dress, she feigned illness, and the "real" bride (who is similarly sized) offered to try on the dress to help with the fitting.
By last week, the entire town knew what was going on, and the topic was discussed in gossip groups everywhere (without naming names). Fortunately, lover-boy managed to keep his girlfriend away from the main social hangouts, and the secret was preserved.
I've got to hand it to this guy. Not only does he become one of the few men to help with the planning of his wedding, he's probably the first to do it without the knowledge of his intended.
In the town of Essex, a few miles from here, one romantic gentleman chose Friday night (April Fool's Day) to propose to his girlfriend. To his delight, she said yes. Good thing too! The very next morning, the newly-engaged girlfriend was awakened at 7:00AM. When she answered the door, she was greeted by the entire wedding party! They got married on April 2nd.
What I find amazing is that this man got the idea last December of proposing to his girlfriend, then marrying her the very next day. In order to do that, he had to plan an entire wedding, invite the guests, book the church, book the honeymoon, and buy a wedding dress, all without the knowledge of his girlfriend. The last element of the plan seemed like it would be the toughest.
To pull it off, this clever gentleman had a couple of his friends "pretend" that they were going to elope. When the friends went to buy their wedding attire, the "real" couple was invited to join them to offer advice. Just as the fake bride was to try on her wedding dress, she feigned illness, and the "real" bride (who is similarly sized) offered to try on the dress to help with the fitting.
By last week, the entire town knew what was going on, and the topic was discussed in gossip groups everywhere (without naming names). Fortunately, lover-boy managed to keep his girlfriend away from the main social hangouts, and the secret was preserved.
I've got to hand it to this guy. Not only does he become one of the few men to help with the planning of his wedding, he's probably the first to do it without the knowledge of his intended.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
not much happening
It's been a pretty non-eventful week. Work is tolerable, but no longer enjoyable. There's just too much background stress for my liking. I'm looking forward to a time where I can perhaps be my own boss. My health has been slipping a bit, as I am not taking very good care of myself. I went on the treadmill a couple of days ago. First time in over two years, so I don't want to overdo it. Still, it was a bit of a workout, and I'm looking forward to my next session.
That's all for now.
It's been a pretty non-eventful week. Work is tolerable, but no longer enjoyable. There's just too much background stress for my liking. I'm looking forward to a time where I can perhaps be my own boss. My health has been slipping a bit, as I am not taking very good care of myself. I went on the treadmill a couple of days ago. First time in over two years, so I don't want to overdo it. Still, it was a bit of a workout, and I'm looking forward to my next session.
That's all for now.
Friday, March 25, 2005
ebay transaction complete
There were a few false starts along the way... having never done an ebay sale, I goofed the initial money transaction - accidentally refusing the payment from the buyer! But everything got straightened out... I got paid, and a few minutes ago, the buyer got his stuff. Everybody's happy!
There were a few false starts along the way... having never done an ebay sale, I goofed the initial money transaction - accidentally refusing the payment from the buyer! But everything got straightened out... I got paid, and a few minutes ago, the buyer got his stuff. Everybody's happy!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
That was special
I tried selling something on ebay this week. The motivation for the sale is a story unto itself, but once I made the decision to place an ad, I did my homework. I had researched past sales of the same item and figured to get about $350US for it. Everything I had read about ebay said you should set a low starting price, and no reserved bid. Things like reserved bids tend to piss off people who would otherwise bid low, but continue to raise their bids as more interest developed.
It was a gamble. I set my initial price to half of what the average selling price should have been. I got an opening bid within a few hours. That meant I knew the sale was a done deal from the very earliest moments of the auction. During the course of the week, some serious bidders joined the fray, and by yesterday, bidding had surpassed $350US. Entering the last minutes of bidding, the high bid was over $400US. With under a minute, things seemed like they'd end at that number. All of a sudden, during the last 30 seconds, there was a great flurry of bidding; with the winning bid coming in a shade over $600US.
I think my wife has finally found a way to get me to clean out the garage!
I tried selling something on ebay this week. The motivation for the sale is a story unto itself, but once I made the decision to place an ad, I did my homework. I had researched past sales of the same item and figured to get about $350US for it. Everything I had read about ebay said you should set a low starting price, and no reserved bid. Things like reserved bids tend to piss off people who would otherwise bid low, but continue to raise their bids as more interest developed.
It was a gamble. I set my initial price to half of what the average selling price should have been. I got an opening bid within a few hours. That meant I knew the sale was a done deal from the very earliest moments of the auction. During the course of the week, some serious bidders joined the fray, and by yesterday, bidding had surpassed $350US. Entering the last minutes of bidding, the high bid was over $400US. With under a minute, things seemed like they'd end at that number. All of a sudden, during the last 30 seconds, there was a great flurry of bidding; with the winning bid coming in a shade over $600US.
I think my wife has finally found a way to get me to clean out the garage!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Bad moon risin'
I'm thinkin' the 17th might not be a good day to get out of bed. A terse email, sent to all in the company, asks that we convene in the company boardroom for a morning meeting. A special invitation was directed at the three telecommuters among us. That's it. That's all I know. Kinda gets the head spinnin'.
I work from home. It's a 4-hour commute (1 way) to the office; so if it's bad news I'll be getting, it will sure be a long way to go just to get mugged. And that's all I'll be saying on that matter.
I'm thinkin' the 17th might not be a good day to get out of bed. A terse email, sent to all in the company, asks that we convene in the company boardroom for a morning meeting. A special invitation was directed at the three telecommuters among us. That's it. That's all I know. Kinda gets the head spinnin'.
I work from home. It's a 4-hour commute (1 way) to the office; so if it's bad news I'll be getting, it will sure be a long way to go just to get mugged. And that's all I'll be saying on that matter.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
How do you please a geek
Yesterday, I had the most wonderful day. I was asked by two independent parties to provide advice on personal computer issues. Both parties accepted my recommendations and immediately put their money where my mouth was. It just seems so incredible that it would make me feel this happy!
Yesterday, I had the most wonderful day. I was asked by two independent parties to provide advice on personal computer issues. Both parties accepted my recommendations and immediately put their money where my mouth was. It just seems so incredible that it would make me feel this happy!
Friday, March 04, 2005
Happy Birthday, Mom
It was my mom's birthday today. My wife and I took her out for dinner, then back to our place for a movie. We invited my mother-in-law too. By sheer coincidence, my brother-in-law and his wife showed up at the same restaurant, so they sat at the next table over. Seeing mom in horns was a real hoot!
Anyway, it was an interesting way to spend an evening...
It was my mom's birthday today. My wife and I took her out for dinner, then back to our place for a movie. We invited my mother-in-law too. By sheer coincidence, my brother-in-law and his wife showed up at the same restaurant, so they sat at the next table over. Seeing mom in horns was a real hoot!
Anyway, it was an interesting way to spend an evening...
Friday, February 25, 2005
What's the world coming to?
I mean, when something like this happens, can the end of the world be far off?
I mean, when something like this happens, can the end of the world be far off?
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Bittersweet
The day I met the woman I would eventually marry, she was embarassed by the grandstanding of her three young children. The eldest of the girls was already 10 and quite precocious. The second daughter was 8 - cute as a button and very friendly. But on that first day, her 5-year old son was the clown and he melted my heart. The girls have long since left the nest, but our son has remained at home, save for a short stint exercising his "independence".
Tonight will be our last meal together before he, too, leaves home for what might be the last time.
Now 21, and eager to improve his lot in life, our son is heading off to Toronto to further his education in a skilled trade. To say we'll miss his acerbic wit, wry smile, and loving nature is an immense understatement. My wife has already cried many tears, as Jon, her "baby", prepares to make the journey tomorrow afternoon. I confess that I'll miss him terribly - not just because he's so helpful around the house, but because he's really a terrific human being; and I feel like our close relationship will suffer through the distance. As I try to type this entry, I'm more than a little misty-eyed.
Of course, I'm proud of his accomplishments, his desire to do better, and his commitment to the path he's chosen. I wish him the best of luck and success in his new endeavours, and hope he takes with him some fond memories of our years together.
The day I met the woman I would eventually marry, she was embarassed by the grandstanding of her three young children. The eldest of the girls was already 10 and quite precocious. The second daughter was 8 - cute as a button and very friendly. But on that first day, her 5-year old son was the clown and he melted my heart. The girls have long since left the nest, but our son has remained at home, save for a short stint exercising his "independence".
Tonight will be our last meal together before he, too, leaves home for what might be the last time.
Now 21, and eager to improve his lot in life, our son is heading off to Toronto to further his education in a skilled trade. To say we'll miss his acerbic wit, wry smile, and loving nature is an immense understatement. My wife has already cried many tears, as Jon, her "baby", prepares to make the journey tomorrow afternoon. I confess that I'll miss him terribly - not just because he's so helpful around the house, but because he's really a terrific human being; and I feel like our close relationship will suffer through the distance. As I try to type this entry, I'm more than a little misty-eyed.
Of course, I'm proud of his accomplishments, his desire to do better, and his commitment to the path he's chosen. I wish him the best of luck and success in his new endeavours, and hope he takes with him some fond memories of our years together.