25 Days of Thanks- Day 6

Thankful- IPods

When I got my first (and only) IPod, I was a little hesitant to accept it.  I thought with me being a gadget fan, that I had probably 20 other doo-hickeys that did the same exact thing.  But, I was sooo wrong.  

It's a perfect music machine.  Everything gets loaded on there.  With it, I can borrow music from other folks and rip it right to the device.  Throw in the ease of the Apple Store and downloading music, I don't know what I'd do without it.  It's also awesome for long trips down the thruway.  No more changing stations as I pass in and out of radio signals.  

One thing that has changed with my IPod is that I used to listen in the car through a device that would broadcast the music over a specifically tuned radio station.  If I was travelling with someone in another car, I could also play DJ on WJEF.   On a recent trip to Boston, my sister got to hear WJEF for the last time as now my Corolla has an IPod In jack.  

Not So Thankful- The Snooze Button

7:45am

Beeeeeeeeepppp....

Devil sitting on one shoulder: Go ahead, press it.  10 more minutes of blissful sleep.  

Angel on the other: GET YOUR BUTT UP!  This way, no rushing.  You could enjoy the morning for once!

Devil:  Oh, go ahead, press it and really enjoy the morning! You could dream of beaches, winning the superbowl, seeing tha...

WHACK!

7:55am

Beeeeepppppp

Angel: Ok, that's 10 minutes, you got it in.  Now get up!

Devil: Oh come on, 10 more minutes, that 8:05.  You'll be fine.  

WHACK!

8:05am

Devil: Do I really need to say anything?

WHACK!

8:15am

Angel: 45 minutes to get to work

Devil: You live on campus.  Your office is on campus

WHACK!

8:25am

Angel: YOU NEED TO SHAVE!

Devil: Isn't the scruffy look in right now?

WHACK!

8:35am

Angel:  HAHAHA  25 minutes... dumbass.  I tried telling you!  You learn one day.

Me: Crap

_____________________________

You've just read my morning routine Monday thru Friday.  It never changes.  I even found a clock that has does not have a snooze button but I have quite built up enough faith in it yet.  Yes, the thing is loud but it's a once or nothing thing.  There's no leeway.  The snooze alarm is the bane of my morning existence.  

25 Days of Thanks- Day 5

A few minutes late, but hey, it's a Friday night!

Thankful- Thunderstorms

My perfect house includes a screened in porch perfectly attached.  The view from it is majestic with no trees, no other houses, and no city lights affecting the view of the stars or an incoming thunderstorm.  I love a good thunderstorm.

My brother and I used to stay up at night and rate the lighting strikes near the house.  I think it was my dad though that got me excited for a good storm.  He would take me outside and we would watch the lighting until the last possible safe moment.  Then we'd head inside the house but he would still leave the front door open to watch.  This would soon be followed by a "discussion" between my mom and dad about the "danger" of what he was doing.  I think we were probably safer there though than the window we'd eventually get to.

Anyone ever seen lighting during a snow storm?  I can remember exactly where I was and who I was talking to at the time.  Standing on the balcony of the Main Delevan Apartments at Canisius College, I had stepped outside to talk to my grandparents about the huge snowstorm that Buffalo was in the process of getting.  I remember my grandma getting on the phone as I stepped outside and interrupting her mid story to say, "Is it possible that there could be lighting during this?"  I was floored.

If I can't have the house with the screened in porch, then I hope to have my second favorite place, atop a tall building in NYC.  When I lived and worked at 26th Street Residence Hall at NYU, myself and a few others were "allowed" to go up on the roof to take in the view or get some peace and quiet.  If the storm was coming in the right way, you could see the lighting off in the distance and the thunder would roll through the streets in an amazing way.  Granted, I was always too scared to stay up there when the storm got close but if you caught it right, it was an amazing view.   I love a good thunderstorm.

Not So Thankful- Blu Ray

I am a techie.  I'll admit it.  I'll also admit to getting a hunger for the latest gadget out there.  But when the HD DVD/ Blu Ray war started, I picked my side way to early.  It's like the scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indiana is in the chalice room.  A cup gets picked and the old crusader says to the bad guy, "He chose... poorly".  I should have waited and learned more about how the format war was going to play out.  Instead I sunk some money into a HD DVD player and am now stuck with it.  Granted it upgrades the DVDs I currently have, but that hunger is back for the surviving format.  I've got the self discipline to make it through it (that, and a limited budget:-)) but it does look purrrdy seeing it in the stores.    

25 Days of Thanks- Day 4

Thankful- Snow

I love the snow.  I've been thinking about where my next move might be and while Hawaii is very tempting, 4 seasons is even more.  I love it not only for the skiing, or sleigh riding (sledding seems to be the more popular word), or other snowy activities, but I feel at a certain level of peace when walking in the snow.  It's wierd, I know.

When I'm walking in from my car, I find myself staring at the traffic light, mesmerized by the passing snow flakes.  During the day, it's still nice to look at and watch, but something about it at nighttime makes me want to go on a long walk.  It's so quiet.  I know I just wrote a post yesterday about being thankful for white noise but everyone needs thier moments of peace.  While I do get those moments in more than just the winter time, something about a good snowy night could keep me occupied for hours.  

Not So Thankful- New Car Smell

Having a new car is great.  Mine was brand spankin new.  6 miles were all that was on it when I got it.  But that also means, only 6 miles of air have moved through the darn thing.  

I got in, took a good breath, let it out, and did put a smile on my face after signing the contract.  Then, I headed to Albany, and after, oh, 100 miles of breathing in and out that new NEW car smell, my mind got to thinking, what exactly have I been breathing in.  Your mind starts wondering, the window goes down, and you find yourself inching closer and closer to the fresh air even though it's 20 degrees outside.  After a while that new car smell gets to be new "I don't feel so good" smell.  Thankfully it has passed by now, or I've just gotten used to it, but let's just say my stomach is turning a little bit just thinking about it.  

The new car smell is, understandably, a sense of accomplishment for a lot of people.  I 100% support that and encourage you all to enjoy, relish, savor, and experience that smell.  I just wouldn't recommend sitting in it for 4 hours.

25 Days of Thanks- Day 3

Thankful- White Noise

Yes, I still live in college owned housing. Proud of that fact dagnabit!  But living on campus comes with it, some, well, super powers.  It's true.  I have the uncanny ability to name you 20 songs from any bass line in a song.  I can hear conversations through walls.  I can also tell you if there's a fire truck within 5 miles.  Oh yes, it's true.

I understand living in a residence hall or apartment building, that there are college students living around me.  College students who should be able to live their lives, play their music loud, dance when they want to, and scream to let stress off.  I'm not the type of residence life person who's going to jump on every little noise or every moment of loud music. 

White noise for me is usually an air conditioner or fan.  So I am thankful for white noise for two reasons:

1. It drowns out the random noises from the different apartments around me.  
2. It's tough for me to sleep at my parents house.  Why?  It's too quiet.  There's nothing at nighttime and so I start trying to listen for any little thing. I sometimes will bring a fan or turn on a radio just to get something in the background. 

I'm sure I'll get over it quickly once I move into my own house but for right now, the fan will do.  Oh and wave to the police car that's about to go by your house/apartment right now.  I hear it coming...

Not So Thankful- TIVO Guilt

I can't take credit for the coining of this term but read this article and then come back:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/02/tivo.guilt/index.html

I have TIVO guilt and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I've gotten better at it little by little.  Due to time and space, I've dropped a few shows from my regular recording schedule just because I never watched them.  But one thing remains on there and has been there for almost a year and a half.  

I'm a big fan of the Price is Right.  Back at CCHS, a few students would eat lunch in Mr. Corbiel's classroom every day right at the time the show was on.  He'd break a few rules by letting a few people stay and watch the show with him.  Even before then, my grandparents had, what I think was, the first version of the home board game.  I grew up not loving the sentimental favorite Plinko, but the game Cliffhangers (Yo-Do-Lo-De-Oh).  Anyway, I recorded Bob Barker's final show and have not watched it since.  

I have no idea why.  What I do know is that the guilt is there.  Every time I go to my list, it pops up "The Price is Right, 6/15".  While sharing a DVR issue story with a co-worker, I let slip that I didn't want to lose that show.  Since they he and others have vowed to throw a Price Is Right themed party just to get me through the guilt.

One day, my DVR list will be clean, only to be filled back up with something else.  

25 Days of Thanks: Day 2

I'm being proactive since, technically, it's after midnight:

Thankful- Facebook

Facebook is great in a lot of ways from reconnecting with old friends and classmates, to being easy access for students to reach me.  Some enjoy it for the games or the little programs, me, I enjoy it just keep in touch with people who I might never had been able to connect with.  

Not So Thankful- "People You May Know" Section on Facebook

Every time I log in, there they are, staring at me.  People who maybe I've met once or twice, or people from the way distant past who I'm thinking, "Would they remember me?"  You don't want to come off stalker-ish but you also don't want to be "I'm not your friend".  3 faces.  The guilt flows through me when I log in.  Some I've just taken the jump, clicked on the "Add them as a friend" button, and put the ball in their court.  But others, I'd like to be there friend but the rejection...

Granted it's been a helpful tool a lot of times when you see someone and you think, "OH!  I didn't know they were on facebook!"  Those people it's a easy click.  

By the way, all people who are currently in my "People You May Know" section, it's not you, it's me.  I'm the problem.  I'm just not a "Oh my God I'm going to add everyone" type person.  Sometimes it's just the fun of the surprise when you come across somebody who either sends you a friend request or you see out there in someone else's profile.  But if you see me in yours, go ahead and add me.  Most of the time, I'm in.

Yep, and I've also spent way too much time thinking about this one.  Facebook, a blessing and a curse.    

25 Days of Thanks: Day 1

A lot has happened this year and with that comes a ton of reflection about the things we should be thankful for and the things we aren't.  Now my family taught me to be thankful for everything but there are just somethings in this world that you're like, "Really?  That made it into the mix of creation?"  So with that, I plan on posting, each day, one thing in each category.

Thankful- Monday Night Television

The DVR is running wild on Monday nights for me.  After finishing that first day of work from the weekend, I know I can just plop down on the couch and relax from 8- midnight.  Here's the optimal lineup:

8pm- Chuck on NBC-  Guy from nowhere becomes secret agent.  Well written and they keep things interesting

9pm- Heroes on NBC- Back to back geekdom.  Who hasn't dreamed of having the ability to fly?

10pm- One Tree Hill on CW- Trashy show that has seen it's better days but, yea, I've got nothing to justify this pick.  

11pm- Big Bang Theory on CBS- Recorded from earlier in the evening.  Some of the jokes in this show hit a little too close to home.  

11:30pm- How I Met Your Mother on CBS- Also recorded.  Each week is a different, hilarious theme.  

No So Thankful- The towels at the gym 

A while ago on this blog I mentioned that I'm trying to get in shape.  I'm continuing to do pretty good but part of one goal always kept alluding me, the not looking like a tomato when I'm done.  Admittedly, the running part has also been, well, absent, but, on average, 5 days a week I'm down at the gym playing basketball either by myself or with some co-workers.  My basketball ability will be addressed in a later post, but each time I arrive at the gym I grab a towel and a basketball.  And each time I leave the gym, I give everything back and get a funny look from the cage attendant.  I've gotten used to the funny look.  It's because my face looks like a tomato.  I'd giggle inside if I saw my face approach. But tonight it all clicked thanks to the light shining just at the right angle...

I'm allergic to the towels at the gym

Yes, there's a lot on the allergy list.  Today's reaction to the detergent or cleaner was horrible though.  Eyes and cheeks swelled up.  It was not pretty, both literally and figuratively.  So note to self for the future, bring own towel.  

No longer the owner of the worst car in America

Car buying is like taking the SATs.  You prepare, you study, sometimes you get together with friends and share tactics or quiz each other.  Then you sit down to take the test, you're excited and want to jump right in.  You give an snarky smile to the first few questions thinking, "I own this test", but soon you start hitting harder ones and the realization hits you that maybe you're not as prepared as you thought you were.  After a few sections, you are psyched for that break when you can talk to your friends about the test but soon realize with both anxiety and disappointment that everyone had a different section than you.  Finally you get back to it and by the end you're thinking, "Whatever, this sounds good... circle, circle, circle".

That is pretty similar to my recent car buying experience.  I was excited doing research on edmunds.com, chatting with co-workers and friends who had good insight, and getting out and about test driving cars.  But then I get to a dealership where the woman says to me, "You know, you own the worst car in America right now."  I giggled at her statement but then in a split second changed to an "Oh s**t" face.  I did (key word) own a Chrysler Pacifica.  Gas guzzling SUV crossover made by a company that might not be in existence next week put me in a horrible bargaining position.  The voices start to change after this ranging anywhere from ones of people offering to put my car in a lake (would have made for an awesome story) to family and friends who were trying to balance being supportive and not calling me stupid (By the way, everything friends and family said was spot on.  The information and gentle nudges helped tremendously.  I just needed to figure out what worked best for me.).  

So this week I got back out there again and ended up buying a car.  Talking with a good salesman he threw out an offer.  I told him it was decent but that I needed to think about it.  An hour later, I show back up and threw back a offer that cut his down payment in 2/3rds and his monthly by close to $30 thinking they would never take it.  Well crap, I either didn't undercut it enough or they were just looking to close a deal.  5 minutes before closing time, I had a deal and a car.

Two Days Later...

The dealership let me take the car home for the Thanksgiving holiday with the agreement that I'd return on Friday to complete the paperwork.  I show up, have a seat in the financial guys office and he says, "Well I've got some news for you".  He proceeds to tell me that apparently financing rejected the lease agreement.  It wasn't my credit, it was the economy, he explained.  For $500 more I'd have a car and a lower monthly payment.  

I don't bargain well.  I'm not the best negotiator with people I don't know.  I can work through a negotiation between two other people no problem when they're at each other's throats about what time the alarm goes off in their room.  I've now come to understand that wheelin' and dealin' cars isn't my strong suit.

But I don't like to be messed with either.  And that's all that's going through my head when he starts talking about, "Well do you have family who can loan you the money?"  "Could you come up with it at a later date?"  Both of which I stick to my guns and say that I just couldn't pull that cash together in any guaranteed amount of time.  Then he says, "What about a different car?"  FLAG ON THE PLAY- Bait and Switch, on the dealership, 450 mile penalty, time to go.  I start turning the tables back on him saying something to the effect of that this isn't all going smoothly and I'm ready to take the Pacifica back.  They can take the car with 450 miles on it and now that I now you all can go lower, I'm a little concerned that I got the best deal out of this.  He leaves, comes back, closes the door, shakes my hand, and says, you've got the lower monthly payment.  

Now watch, soon I get a job in a big city and I don't even need a car.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  Thanks for reading!

Support for a reader

You have probably seen by now the wildfires in California that are getting way to close to residential areas.  If you have a moment, please say a prayer or keep in your thoughts an old co-worker of my sister's who is a reader of this blog.  Heard that she and her family had to be evacuated from thier house today but have already been let back.  To Yvonne and all those affected by the fires, my family's thoughts and prayers are with you.  We'd love to give you some of the cold and snow we're getting out here but I don't think I'm in that good with the big guy upstairs!  

Daylight come and he wan' go home!

I'm sure that you have a ton of Thanksgiving stories just like my family.  I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet but I wanted to get this story out to my family before the craziness of the holiday hit.  When I was around 10 or 12 years old, my family would head over to my great Aunt Lona and Uncle Mike's apartment for dinner.  My Aunt Lona is a big singer and my Uncle Mike is a big collector.  What he collects are old TV shows, old movies, and other things on television.  One of the rooms to their apartment was dedicated to all his tapes.  It was like an early version of blockbuster with things categorized and videos from floor to ceiling.  It was amazing as a kid to see that amount of tapes.  The only problem was that they were Betamax tapes and we know what happened to those.  

After dinner would finish, my brother and I would ask him to go find a certain video that we, as kids, found hilarious.  So Mom, Dad, Chris, Amy, Aunt Lona, and Uncle Mike, do you remember this:

My brother and I would huddle around the TV, cheering for this thing to come on, and three minutes later, my mom and dad probably downed a quick shot to get themselves ready for the non stop singing of this song for the next three hours.  

The last time we were there, if I remember correctly, the tape continued.  Again, my brother and I were probably 11 and 12, Amy was 6 or 7.  My parents and others had diverted their attention back to the table and we were just continuing to watch.  Anyone ever seen the movie Porky's?  We did that night!  Well, up until one of the more graphic and loud parts when everyone realized what else was on that video.  I can remember my mom's high pitched "Oh my God" muffled by her hands covering her mouth followed by my dad's laughter.  Then Uncle Mike gently and calmly walked over and removed the tape.  Day-O was never to be played again, until now:-)

To all my friends and family, an early happy Thanksgiving.  Thank you for all the laughter, smiles, good times, good memories, and support.