My boss printed this article, "VHS era is winding down", for me from the LA Times. Truly, it's the end to an era. I guess I'll be going out and buying the last of the blank tapes that will hopefully last me for a few more years. Click on the blog title to see the article.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sub-for-Santa Moment II
Inge: Hi, Santa sent us to deliver a few gifts. Are your parents home?
Howard (13-yrs-old): No, our mom is at work.
Inge: Are you home alone to watch your little sisters? Do you want us to stay with you?
Howard: It's okay. We’ve been through worse.
Howard (13-yrs-old): No, our mom is at work.
Inge: Are you home alone to watch your little sisters? Do you want us to stay with you?
Howard: It's okay. We’ve been through worse.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Antiquated Electronics
I didn't realize how antiquated my electronics are until I attempted to fix or to replace a few things that broke down.
First my desktop computer caught a virus and died after downloading high school reunion pictures from myspace last year. It was so ancient that when I took it to Geek Squad, they no longer have the necessary equipment to run a full diagnosis. STRIKE ONE!
Luckily, my boss gave me her old laptop to use and that worked out great for about a year, until the operating system corrupted the week of Thanksgiving. STRIKE TWO!
One morning about a month ago, I decided to tape a show on TV. When I sat down to watch it later on that evening, I got audio but no video. Apparently, my 11-yr-old VCR has provided me with more than my money's worth (found out later that a VCR's life-span is about 4-5 years). When I went to buy a replacement stand-alone VCR at WalMart, the associate's response was, "HA! ... Oh, you're serious?" I didn't ask for help at Target and Shopko. The kid stocking the shelves at Shopko asked if he could help me, but looked confused when I told him that I was looking for just a VCR. When asked where I may be able buy a replacement stand-alone VCR, the WalMart associate suggested a thrift store. STRIKE THREE!
Thanks a great deal at Costco, I got a netbook and gave up dial-up internet connection and learning about wi-fi. Dave W. looked around at a DI and I now have a back-up stand-alone VCR that is somewhat new for $5. Hopefully, that will be all the mishaps I'll have with electronics for a while. You don't realize how dependent you are on gadgets until it's not there for you to use. I'm listing in my mind the things that may need replacing and what options I should consider in back-ups and replacements and planning on saving up some money for an electronics fund in the new year. There's my PDA, cell phone, mp3 player, TV, DVD player ...
First my desktop computer caught a virus and died after downloading high school reunion pictures from myspace last year. It was so ancient that when I took it to Geek Squad, they no longer have the necessary equipment to run a full diagnosis. STRIKE ONE!
Luckily, my boss gave me her old laptop to use and that worked out great for about a year, until the operating system corrupted the week of Thanksgiving. STRIKE TWO!
One morning about a month ago, I decided to tape a show on TV. When I sat down to watch it later on that evening, I got audio but no video. Apparently, my 11-yr-old VCR has provided me with more than my money's worth (found out later that a VCR's life-span is about 4-5 years). When I went to buy a replacement stand-alone VCR at WalMart, the associate's response was, "HA! ... Oh, you're serious?" I didn't ask for help at Target and Shopko. The kid stocking the shelves at Shopko asked if he could help me, but looked confused when I told him that I was looking for just a VCR. When asked where I may be able buy a replacement stand-alone VCR, the WalMart associate suggested a thrift store. STRIKE THREE!
Thanks a great deal at Costco, I got a netbook and gave up dial-up internet connection and learning about wi-fi. Dave W. looked around at a DI and I now have a back-up stand-alone VCR that is somewhat new for $5. Hopefully, that will be all the mishaps I'll have with electronics for a while. You don't realize how dependent you are on gadgets until it's not there for you to use. I'm listing in my mind the things that may need replacing and what options I should consider in back-ups and replacements and planning on saving up some money for an electronics fund in the new year. There's my PDA, cell phone, mp3 player, TV, DVD player ...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
My Kind of Christmas
Q: Wrapping paper or gift bags?
A: Both.
Q: Real tree or Artificial?
A: Pre-lit artificial with fiber optic lights.
Q: When do you put up the tree?
A: Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), but not at all this year. I don't have the time and won't be home much to enjoy it.
Q: When do you take the tree down?
A: Weekend after Christmas.
Q: Do you like eggnog?
A: No. It tastes like watered down batter.
Q: Favorite gift received as a child?
A: Don't really remember a favorite toy. Grew up in Indonesia (Muslim country), I usually got a set of color pens/pencils and a drawing pad or some small toy. Besides, my family is not big on holidays.
Q: Hardest person to buy for?
A: Everyone. I try to give meaningful and thoughtful gifts within a certain budget and that makes everyone hard to buy for.
Q: Easiest person to buy for?
A: Noone for the same reason above.
Q: Do you have a nativity scene?
A: Yes, it's the only thing coming out to be displayed this year.
Q: Mail or email Christmas cards?
A: Every year I intend to mail cards by Thanksgiving. Although for the past few years, I've ended up emailing my well wishes for the new year instead.
Q: Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A: Angel Snot. I don't know why anyone would think I'd enjoy that gift. I regifted it at a white elephant party.
Q: When do you start shopping for Christmas?
A: Lately, it seems that I shop at the very last minute. Another reason I'm asking for no gift exchanges this year.
Q: Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
A: Yes, like the Angel Snot.
Q: Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
A: Honey baked ham.
Q: Lights on the tree?
A: Umm, yeah. How else would you illuminate it?
Q: Favorite Christmas song?
A: "With Wondering Awe" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
Q: Travel at Christmas or stay home?
A: If I can have my way, it'll always be a pajama day at home. If I have to travel, I'd rather be going on a vacation. Usually I have to travel somewhere for dinner.
Q: Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
A: Not without help. How many are there?
Q: Angel on the tree top or a star?
A: Star. Just a simple silver five-point star, nothing gaudy.
Q: Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
A: When I get it and sleep in on Christmas morning.
Q: Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
A: All the commercialism, the craziness of it all, forgetting what we are really celebrating ... oh, and stupid slap-stick/sappy Christmas TV movies.
Q: Favorite ornament theme or color?
A: Don't have one ... I do love white lights ... all year long.
Q: Favorite for Christmas dinner?
A: Honey baked ham.
Q: What do you want for Christmas this year?
A: Nothing really. I did buy a new computer because my home computers died.
Q: Who is most likely to respond to this?
A: Just replying to Dani and appearing on the blog ... after a few edits, no doubt ... eventually.
A: Both.
Q: Real tree or Artificial?
A: Pre-lit artificial with fiber optic lights.
Q: When do you put up the tree?
A: Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), but not at all this year. I don't have the time and won't be home much to enjoy it.
Q: When do you take the tree down?
A: Weekend after Christmas.
Q: Do you like eggnog?
A: No. It tastes like watered down batter.
Q: Favorite gift received as a child?
A: Don't really remember a favorite toy. Grew up in Indonesia (Muslim country), I usually got a set of color pens/pencils and a drawing pad or some small toy. Besides, my family is not big on holidays.
Q: Hardest person to buy for?
A: Everyone. I try to give meaningful and thoughtful gifts within a certain budget and that makes everyone hard to buy for.
Q: Easiest person to buy for?
A: Noone for the same reason above.
Q: Do you have a nativity scene?
A: Yes, it's the only thing coming out to be displayed this year.
Q: Mail or email Christmas cards?
A: Every year I intend to mail cards by Thanksgiving. Although for the past few years, I've ended up emailing my well wishes for the new year instead.
Q: Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A: Angel Snot. I don't know why anyone would think I'd enjoy that gift. I regifted it at a white elephant party.
Q: When do you start shopping for Christmas?
A: Lately, it seems that I shop at the very last minute. Another reason I'm asking for no gift exchanges this year.
Q: Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
A: Yes, like the Angel Snot.
Q: Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
A: Honey baked ham.
Q: Lights on the tree?
A: Umm, yeah. How else would you illuminate it?
Q: Favorite Christmas song?
A: "With Wondering Awe" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
Q: Travel at Christmas or stay home?
A: If I can have my way, it'll always be a pajama day at home. If I have to travel, I'd rather be going on a vacation. Usually I have to travel somewhere for dinner.
Q: Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
A: Not without help. How many are there?
Q: Angel on the tree top or a star?
A: Star. Just a simple silver five-point star, nothing gaudy.
Q: Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
A: When I get it and sleep in on Christmas morning.
Q: Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
A: All the commercialism, the craziness of it all, forgetting what we are really celebrating ... oh, and stupid slap-stick/sappy Christmas TV movies.
Q: Favorite ornament theme or color?
A: Don't have one ... I do love white lights ... all year long.
Q: Favorite for Christmas dinner?
A: Honey baked ham.
Q: What do you want for Christmas this year?
A: Nothing really. I did buy a new computer because my home computers died.
Q: Who is most likely to respond to this?
A: Just replying to Dani and appearing on the blog ... after a few edits, no doubt ... eventually.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sub-for-Santa Moment
“Oh, more than anything else ..." a grandma raising her three grandchildren said to me, "the children need blankets. They’ve been shivering in their beds at night.”
Friday, November 28, 2008
What I want for Christmas ...
This economy is tough on a lot of people and I've been lucky enough to lack nothing. What I want for Christmas this year is quality time with family and friends over lunch, dinner, hot chocolate, a matinee or a killer game of Scrabble. Please consider donating to your local food bank or helping out someone through a Sub-for-Santa program on my behalf. Yes, give that can of SPAM to someone who needs the lovely salted pink morsels of protein. I'll get my own.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Grateful Heart
I have been thinking all week about being grateful. I think a grateful person is a happy person. They see how much they are blessed and that gratitude propels them forward. I thought of the people I worked with on my mission in Indonesia. There were families who had very little as far as material wealth, yet they were the happiest people I know. Then there are those who have wealth, but were miserable and lonely. The difference, I observed, is a grateful heart. With that in mind and Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought I'd list the things I am grateful for (not necessarily in the order of importance).
1. My health. Despite being overweight (or as an Indonesian friend called me, "prosperous") and out of shape (I like to think of it as being fit enough to sit for long periods of time without tiring), I'm in pretty good health. I'm grateful that the string of virus that have caused me to cough for almost two months have brought out kind, concerned friends who offer me tips on how to get over it, cough drops, leftover prescription meds, or just calls to check up on me.
2. My job. It really isn't fair that after 13 years at the same firm, I'm still having a lot fun with my bosses. They treat me well and kindly. I could go and work elsewhere for more money, but they've earned my loyalty.
3. My friends. Too many to name and list their acts of love and kindness towards me. Suffice to say, I am lucky that I have friends I know I can call on if I'm ever in need of the spiritual, emotional, and/or temporal. Despite their snide remarks on my blog or facebook or to my face, I love my friends for making me laugh, feel loved and constantly nourishing my soul and occasionally my body with yummy foods and my mind because most of them are such know-it-alls.
4. Daily tender mercies from God. Whether it be a sunny sky, a beautiful flower I see on the way to work, or dark chocolate left by an anonymous "friend", I'm grateful for the little things that make me happy to be alive.
5. Opportunities to serve. I'm grateful for the families I'm able to help through Sub-for-Santa, they help me realize how blessed I've been throughout the year. I'm grateful for my callings in church as an Employment Specialist and the "Paper Product Coordinator" and I hope I'm doing some good and helping people.
6. My stuff. I really have too much stuff and need to learn to throw things away. My car, Chloe, that I'm constantly scraping. My home, that's overflowing with stuff I need to organize or throw out. My electronic gadgets that keep me occupied and hopefully somewhat organized and in touch with people. My card making stuff that is taking over the dining and living room. Clothes, clothes and more clothes because I'm becoming more and more prosperous and need bigger sizes.
I have much more to be grateful for. I won't bore you with all of them. However, I hope you too will take a quiet moment this week to "Count your blessings/Name them one by one/Count your many blessings/See what God hath done."
1. My health. Despite being overweight (or as an Indonesian friend called me, "prosperous") and out of shape (I like to think of it as being fit enough to sit for long periods of time without tiring), I'm in pretty good health. I'm grateful that the string of virus that have caused me to cough for almost two months have brought out kind, concerned friends who offer me tips on how to get over it, cough drops, leftover prescription meds, or just calls to check up on me.
2. My job. It really isn't fair that after 13 years at the same firm, I'm still having a lot fun with my bosses. They treat me well and kindly. I could go and work elsewhere for more money, but they've earned my loyalty.
3. My friends. Too many to name and list their acts of love and kindness towards me. Suffice to say, I am lucky that I have friends I know I can call on if I'm ever in need of the spiritual, emotional, and/or temporal. Despite their snide remarks on my blog or facebook or to my face, I love my friends for making me laugh, feel loved and constantly nourishing my soul and occasionally my body with yummy foods and my mind because most of them are such know-it-alls.
4. Daily tender mercies from God. Whether it be a sunny sky, a beautiful flower I see on the way to work, or dark chocolate left by an anonymous "friend", I'm grateful for the little things that make me happy to be alive.
5. Opportunities to serve. I'm grateful for the families I'm able to help through Sub-for-Santa, they help me realize how blessed I've been throughout the year. I'm grateful for my callings in church as an Employment Specialist and the "Paper Product Coordinator" and I hope I'm doing some good and helping people.
6. My stuff. I really have too much stuff and need to learn to throw things away. My car, Chloe, that I'm constantly scraping. My home, that's overflowing with stuff I need to organize or throw out. My electronic gadgets that keep me occupied and hopefully somewhat organized and in touch with people. My card making stuff that is taking over the dining and living room. Clothes, clothes and more clothes because I'm becoming more and more prosperous and need bigger sizes.
I have much more to be grateful for. I won't bore you with all of them. However, I hope you too will take a quiet moment this week to "Count your blessings/Name them one by one/Count your many blessings/See what God hath done."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
I apologize in advance should anyone find this offensive ...
After lunch today, I decided to go to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get a treat. Matt pointed this sign to me. This and comments by the girl behind the counter got our minds in the gutter.
After lunch today, I decided to go to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get a treat. Matt pointed this sign to me. This and comments by the girl behind the counter got our minds in the gutter.
"Whoa! Look at how big this banana is! It's probably too big for the bowl."
"You want that bagged? You know, the nuts might fall off."
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