Monday, April 30, 2012

Quotes

I saw this in someone's status today.  It made me giggle.

A farmer is a man outstanding in his field.

*snicker*

The (Laundry) Saga Continues...

I hate everybody.

Yup, it's that kind of day.  Okay, it won't be that kind of day for long cause I'm going out for dinner with my parents tonight, but let me whine a little....

I went to the hair salon downstairs and they vow they don't use any chemicals that would dis-colour my clothes like that (almost bleach-like appearance).  Anything they do use (highlights) aren't like they used to be in the 'old days' and most of it would be rinsed out anyways prior to towel use.  She also said nothing else they use (spa wise) wouldn't cause that sort of damage (though if it did, she said, she wouldn't be able to tell because their towels are white and my clothes are dark).

So... feck.  Someone's using something in the machine they shouldn't.  And it's REALLY pissing me off.  And there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

Sigh.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Dirty Laundry

Okay.. another dilemma in need of feedback/suggestions/advice.

I use communal laundry in my building.  In the usage of said communal laundry, is the salon downstairs (one of the businesses attached to the building).  I was doing laundry last night and as it sometimes happens, I used the washer after them.  And as it SOMETIMES HAPPENS my clothes get stained from their (hair/bleaching/dying, etc) product.  After last night, I've had it.  I had it the last time, but I never said anything.  Now I'm ready to say something.  Why they don't have their own damn washer is beyond me, but such is life.

How would you approach the business?  I have half a mind to take all the articles of clothes affected and demand money to replace said clothes.. as some I can no longer wear (they're too ruined.. and why is it always my new stuff?!?!).  Now, they can just as easily retort back that how can I prove it's them?  Fair.  Though we both know it is.  Every. Single. Time.

Sigh.

Yelling won't get me anywhere, and I know how to make an efficient complaint (having worked in the retail business for years), but any external advice would be appreciated.  The sooner the better.  It happened last night but I'd like to go to them Monday (to avoid weekend heavy traffic).  My idea is to pull the manager aside (I'm not there to make a scene with nearby customers and will explain as much), but what would you say?

Reason #437 why I need to move.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

So.... Yeah...

I now know why I didn't go into Psychology.

/random

Union Dues

So I decided to shake things up tonight and go to a union meeting at the hospital after my shift.  Never been before (which apparently I've been mistaken; more later) and was going to support a friend/co-worker getting elected as a Health and Safety Officer.  Turns out I didn't have to elect at all (someone else who was electing him showed up; I was just back-up).  It was nice, though, to hear a bit of union news; we discussed the cutbacks the government wants to make (similar to the Harris gov't some 15 years back.  Lets say if the gov't wants to cut back 30 beds, that affects many people.. including my job.  No beds, no mouths to feed, no job), how the gov't wants to slash housekeeping jobs and contract them out to an external company for minimum wage (worst. idea. evar), how the public views unionized jobs and how they really are, etc, etc.  I digress.

Since there were two of us there that were new (my friend and I) we had to be sworn in.  I had like, 4 people say to me with strange looks, "I thought you were".. which means I would have been to a meeting.  I said if it was, it would have been a loooooong time ago.  Anyways, we did it again just for kicks.

So... I almost got elected for a position with the union - Bylaw Officer (I had to hear first, what it entailed).  But there was some chatter, and by the time someone elected me, the nominations were closed.  "Not meant to be," I said.  Really, I'd probably escaped doing some really boring work, but, I would have gotten paid for my time in the meetings and if elected, I would have honestly invested my time in it and taken it seriously.

I've always said up till now that I hate unions, they're not for me, I pay union dues for nothing (yada, yada, yada) but when I go to meetings like tonight, it's nice to hear what's going on in the background.  We really do need people in the union (every day workers, not just officer positions) fighting for our rights.  Is that me?  Not so much.  I'm the ... strong, silent type.  I don't go to Parliament Hill and protest that we don't have this-or that.  We need the people that do and God love them for going, but it's not up my alley.

I don't know if I'll go to many more meetings.  I will probably go next month to elect my friend in and get him as many votes as possible, but... I don't know.  Part of me thinks it'd be good to be involved in something, but the other part of me thinks... I have no intentions of being a lifer, so why bother?  I don't know; with this union stuff, do you see me getting involved?  Am I the type?

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Decision Made

I thought I would write this sooner than later before y'all offer more thoughts/advice (while appreciated, not needed anymore) :)

I decided not to take the apartment in the building.  After I calmed down, I realized the next 'move' will need to be worth it.  No parking?  Laundry accessible via outside route?  Not my idea of a good time.  So.. I believe something better will come along.  I wanted to "jump" and feed my impatience (meeee? impatient? naaaaw) :P  Okay, okay, I can hear all your laughs and jeers.. settle down ;)

So, I wait.

Bleh.


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dilemma!

Ack!

I gave up and I didn't think I'd find an apartment - until today.

I'd mentioned to the landlord yesterday I was looking at apartments, etc and he said he's got one coming up in June and asked if I wanted to take a look.  My point was to move *out* of the building (parking being an issue) but .. what the hell.

If you don't mind, I'm going to talk it out because it'll help me think it out - and if you have opinions/thoughts, I'd love to hear them.  Otherwise, feel free to pass over this post.

Well... hell.  I didn't think I'd be interested in this apartment at all.  Really.  And I was trying not to - because I'm trying to get out of the building (again, parking).  The living room was maybe the same size, or a smidge bigger (pro), but it'd have to house existing current furniture plus another chair (I doubt it would fit in the bedroom).  There's a HALLWAY.  Like.. wow! (pro!)  (If you're unaware, I don't have that because my apt is more compact.)  The kitchen has more counter space (pro).  Not much more, but more than what I have, and there's a space/corner where I can add a workstation if I so desired (pro).  The bathroom is bigger!  (pro!)  Mine is (aka feels like) 2x2; literally there's room for one person and everything is in your immediate reach, where this other one has actual walking space, and a freaking towel rack for crying out loud (it's the small things).  Oh, and slightly more storage.  The bedroom is a bit smaller (meh), but has nicer closet organization (shelves) (pro).  And really, I don't need a large bedroom. Enough room for my bed, dresser and tallboy (the desk will go).  There are 3 windows (same as what I have) but face a different direction; I face NW right now (which is nice wind in the summer, not so great in the winter) and I think these windows face east only (warm in the summer (con), less cool in the winter (pro)).  I pay hydro, so the less I pay at any given time is a plus.  The windows are very close to the roof (summer - heat - con) and face the pub (noise at night when I go to bed early - con).  Also, I'm not in-building for the laundry, I have to walk a little around the building (con - especially in winter! Brr!).  And really, who wants to walk along 40ft of sidewalk/street with laundry basket in hand?  Can I get past that?

It needs a paint job (I don't mind) and I'll have to pay water (what? $20/mo?).. so.. something else to think of.  But if I was going to increase my rental budget anyways.  Parking, well, I'm working around that already. There would be no lease (and did I mention that for 150 sq.ft more he's offering it to me at the same price?).  Gah.

I have to weigh a lot of pros and cons, plus the 'hassle' (though small) of changing my address with everything PLUS asking friends/family to help me move - with stairs.  Again.  I don't know.

Short term pain for long term gain/comfort?  This theme keeps popping up....

Any thoughts?  Anyone?  Bueller?


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Abode?

So... I'm going to look at a couple apartments today.  I tried putting it out to the universe (wanting a new place, having it present itself if it was meant to be) but received nothing; so, I'm going to start looking for it and see what comes up.  I have varying questions; should I bother yet?  Is it time to move?  Moving can be a headache and a total upheaval.. even though it's something I want, do I want it NOW?  Am I giving into my impatience for my desire for change?  Do I move now knowing I'll have to move again at some point in the future? (This is true for varying hypothesized reasons.)  I look around my apartment and I really am getting cramped; I have no kitchen workspace, the cat has nowhere to run around, the neighbour's constant partying every weekend is enough to send me over the edge.  Ah, I just got an email that one of the two apartments being viewed today has been rented out, so we'll just be seeing the one.  I'll go, see what it's like, keep my options open and it'll help get me in the mentality anyways & re-assess my priorities; spacial, financial and otherwise.

I'm dying my hair this morning.  It's as good a time as any, and really, it's my birthday tomorrow and I'd like to *not* enter it with a plethora of white hairs protruding from my head as a constant reminder that I'm too young to be this white (not grey - white), thankyouverymuch.  But yay, it's my birthday!  No plans, really.  I'm a bit sad over that.  I don't need anything fancy and really, up to a couple weeks ago I almost forgot it was here, so it's not a huge deal; it's one of those numbers that isn't significant and won't be significant for another 4 years (eek!).  I've got the day off and nowhere to go.  That can easily change, but who knows.

I feel like I have more to write about, but I don't know where to begin.  I have a lot on my mind, but a lot of it I'll keep to myself.  Maybe if I don't find an apartment right away, I'll invest in a bigger trolly (what I use in the kitchen for more workspace since my kitchen counter is just 2 feet).  That would help a bit.  In the meantime, anyways.

I hate our Prime Minister.  /random, #news on radio

My Precious Collection

Let me preface this post by mentioning my collection of old poetry books, anything pre-1940's (don't ask why that time in history, just something random I selected many years ago).  Or, what was old poetry books, now growing into selective pieces on psychology and medical.  

The medical was added today (AR, you're going to love this).  I obtained The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser by R.V Pierce M.D ~ completely scanned by someone, if you were interested ("One of the staff of consulting physicians and surgeons at the Invalid's Hotel and Surgical Institute, and President of the World's Dispensary Medical Association").  The present edition I have was published in 1895.  Upon further research, it seems to be missing the first couple of pages inside (picture of author, minor book introductory, table of contents) but I don't care :)

I've flipped through it and it's quite interesting, listing some sketches of the Invalid's Hotel, apparatuses used in rehabilitation and even some slightly coloured plates (even if they're only 3 or 4 colours) of cell matter, anatomy and tons of testimonials (complete with picture of the person making the testimony!) etc.  His talk of "the weaker sex" is interesting (not) and feels everything can be cured by Dr. Pierce's Favourite Prescription or the Golden Medical Discovery (this last link mentions it, but also includes a bit of history about the author).  It goes without saying that "cure-alls" from this time period are complete hokum (it's even said he was an impostor) but it's an interesting read, nonetheless.  Millions bought into it at the time.

I love having a piece of history in my hands like this. I'm not sure what it's worth (I saw someone listing it on kijiji for $125) but it'll be a great addition to my collection, of which I'll take a picture of later to show you.  For now, I've included a picture of said purchase.... 



And what did I buy it for?  

One dollar.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Quotes

"Positive emotions make us more vulnerable than negative ones.  One reason is that they are future-oriented.  Fear and sadness have immediate payoffs protecting us from attack or attracting resources at times of distress. Gratitude and joy, over time, will yield better health and deeper connections - but in the short term actually put us at risk.  That's because, while negative emotions tend to be insulating, positive emotions expose us to the common elements of rejection and heartbreak.

"It's very hard for most of us to tolerate being loved."


~ George Vaillant


What do you think?
I wasn't sure of including the last line, but I thought with some it had some nugget of truth to it.


Monday, April 9, 2012

Quotes

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
~ Isaiah 55:2

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Random - Winston Churchill

I was searching on YouTube with hymns I'm singing this weekend (tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - being  Easter weekend) and I came across this by chance - an homage to Winston Churchill that encompasses his funeral, with a beautiful instrumental version of I Vow To Thee My Country.  I found it very moving.  Now, I'm sure people older than me can appreciate it more (I wish I was alive in Churchill's time to witness him, but he died 10 years before I was born) so I wanted to post it.  Perhaps you'll like it, too.  The picture they post about 24 seconds in... he looks like such a gentle and caring man.  He had such a great job to do that I don't even know the full scope of (I'll add him to my biography list).  I can't imagine what it would have been like that day.  What did Britain's feel?  What did the world feel?  Were you alive?  Were you there?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Sir Winston Churchill's Funeral.

Quotes

"... praestat fides supplementum
sensuum defectui."
~ Pange Lingua, St. Thomas Aquinas

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