It'll get better as I get used to it. Today, I couldn't remember where I'd put my computer. I usually leave it at Cowork, but I don't have a locked desk there anymore. It took me about fifteen or twenty minutes to find it in the most sensible place I could have thought of: on my roll-top desk at home. Fortunately, everything that goes with it was all there, so I hadn't lost anything.
Having it at home since last Friday afternoon was a blessing, because on Friday night Cowork was broken into, and people lost laptop computers, hard disks, camera equipment and a couple of bikes. My stuff was safe at home--even though I forgot where.
Then I tried to use my cell phone here a few minutes ago. Battery dying, red line! Charging cord? At home. Luckily, one of the guys here lent me his, so my phone is now charging. Must not forget to pack that in my suitcase and keep the computer et al there too.
I must pack the suitcase ready for all eventualities.
The only other thing that I'm missing is my log book. I always take note of the day, date and time of my attendance at Cowork, and what I intend to do on arrival and how much I've accomplished or what I didn't get done, when I pack it up for the day somewhere around six or seven at night. I call a cab and go home around that time. I also note how much money I spend on taxis and lunches, etc. That notebook is at home, somewhere safe, no doubt.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
desk in a suitcase 1
I'm not a fan of change. But it has occurred to me that I'm not making best use of the resources I have. For example, I have a desk and a filing cabinet and two bookcases and a sofa in a small room. So why do I have to rent a desk at Cowork (my favourite get-away)? I can do what I did when I first moved to Penticton. I can "hot desk" at Cowork. That means, instead of having a desk that is just for me, with locked drawers where I can keep my computer and "stuff", I just use any vacant desk and pay for the time I actually use it. Or I can pre-pay for eight days a month. For less than $130 per month (plus $25) I can go in any 8 days of the month, and have access to the building 24 hours a day 7 days a week so I can stay past the 5pm closing time, and come in on weekends, etc. As it is, I still have the 24 hours privilege as well as the locked desk, but I rarely go there more than eight days in a month. The locked desk, etc., comes to roughly $430 per month.
In addition to saving a few dollars every month, I think I can work more efficiently if I develop my idea of a desk in a suitcase.
My suitcase is quite small--it will fit in an overhead bin on an airplane. It has good wheels and a matching tote-bag that fits on top, attached to the collapsible handle. I can easily get it to and from Cowork, and keep all my work with me at home as well as at the office.
I'll let you know how that works out for me.
In addition to saving a few dollars every month, I think I can work more efficiently if I develop my idea of a desk in a suitcase.
My suitcase is quite small--it will fit in an overhead bin on an airplane. It has good wheels and a matching tote-bag that fits on top, attached to the collapsible handle. I can easily get it to and from Cowork, and keep all my work with me at home as well as at the office.
I'll let you know how that works out for me.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
February birthdays
Hallelujah! This morning at 12:33 a.m., I was blessed with a new great-grandson! His name is Grayson. Although I have other great grandchildren, all of whom I adore with all my heart, this one is the first to continue the male line in our family. My eldest son (Frank, who died on Nov. 30, 2005) had only one son, and he drowned on May 22, 2005. My second son, Ken, who also died (Aug. 14, 2012), had three sons and one daughter. One of his sons has a daughter and a step-daughter. Ken's daughter has two sons, but they do not carry on the male line (the Jones name--which as you know is in danger of dying out! Not!) But now, Ken's second son, Dustin, has a son, Grayson. Lucky Grayson has an older (half) sister. My daughter did a count of all my grandchildren and great grandchildren and came up with the fact that Grayson is #20. I'll leave the math to others. I'm just so happy to have these wonderful young people in our family.
The heading says February birthdays. So, here they are: February 8th was Ken's birthday. February 12th is Ken's first grandson's birthday. Now, Grayson's is February 13th. My mother-in-law's birthday was Valentine's Day (but she died in 1974, I think). My eldest son, Frank's birthday was February 16th, and his dad's is February 17th, as was my father-in-law's. My dad's birthday was February 20th. I don't think there is another month in the year with so many birthdays in our family.
The heading says February birthdays. So, here they are: February 8th was Ken's birthday. February 12th is Ken's first grandson's birthday. Now, Grayson's is February 13th. My mother-in-law's birthday was Valentine's Day (but she died in 1974, I think). My eldest son, Frank's birthday was February 16th, and his dad's is February 17th, as was my father-in-law's. My dad's birthday was February 20th. I don't think there is another month in the year with so many birthdays in our family.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Epiphany 2019
Every year, in January, we celebrate Epiphany instead of Christmas. We started this years ago when our kids started getting married and having their own traditions--in their own homes or with in-laws or with friends. So, instead of trying to compete, we set up our own tradition and invited all family members to come for brunch on Epiphany to celebrate the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. This celebration has taken different forms over the years, but the core of it remains constant. The question is not what do you want to get, but what do you want to give. Jesus said that whatever we do to "the least of these my brethren" (the poorest people) you have done it to him. So, like the Magi, we give gifts to Jesus instead of to each other. For this, we use the World Vision catalogue.
The day usually goes something like this: family members begin to arrive about 11a.m. The coffee is put on, and we chat for a while. I have plates of cookies, Japanese oranges, nuts, chocolates, etc. for nibbles. Then one of my sons (Steve does it now) goes into the kitchen to make the brunch. I have about three dozen eggs, 6 cans of asparagus, 3 dozen English muffins, and a couple of hams all set out to be made into Eggs Benedict without the sauce. On the dining table there are two big punch bowls of juice and pop. No alcohol since the year one of my grandsons got drunk drinking the "adult" punch instead of the kids' punch. He was only four years old. In the fridge, there are a couple of trifles to be set out when the eggs and ham are done. Again, no more alcohol in the trifles--just Jello, pudding, cake and fruit.
We used to play a circle game, like musical chairs, for those who brought gifts to pass around. That died out a few years ago. But we still play the bucket game. I have a bucket filled with wrapped gifts--some of them are pretty good like chocolates or wine or a gift card to a restaurant. Other gifts are cheap and silly, like a set of kids' blocks or a pair of pantyhose or a deck of cards. People take turns choosing a gift. They open it up and show everyone and the next person has the choice of stealing a gift that is already open, or choosing a wrapped one from the bucket.
This year we added "chalking the door"--an ancient religious ceremony where a member of the family, or a priest if one is handy, take some chalk (which is supposed to have been blessed, but we didn't have any blessed chalk this year) and writes on the lintel of the main entrance:
"20 C + M + B 19". This is 2019, broken up so it begins with 20, then we add C, M, B, and close it up with 19.>2019. C stands for Caspar, M is for Melchior, and B is for Balthazar, the supposed names of the three kings who followed the star to visit Jesus, the Magi. The other interpretation of the letters is Christus Mansionem Benedicat, or May Christ bless this house. The crosses between the letters represent the cross of Jesus, his death and resurrection.
Best of all is the gathering of family members. This year we had all three of our surviving children, a couple of grandchildren and two great grandchildren (one a teenager the other a babe-in-arms).
I've been writing my autobiography, If Anyone Should Ask. I've been writing it in decades rather than chapters. Last September, on my 80th birthday, I distributed Decade One. At the Epiphany Brunch this year, I distributed Decade Two. We expect that the great-grandson who visited us this Epiphany will be baptized at Easter (hopefully) and we'll have a family gathering for that. At that time, I hope to be able to distribute Decade Three--but first I have to write it.
The day usually goes something like this: family members begin to arrive about 11a.m. The coffee is put on, and we chat for a while. I have plates of cookies, Japanese oranges, nuts, chocolates, etc. for nibbles. Then one of my sons (Steve does it now) goes into the kitchen to make the brunch. I have about three dozen eggs, 6 cans of asparagus, 3 dozen English muffins, and a couple of hams all set out to be made into Eggs Benedict without the sauce. On the dining table there are two big punch bowls of juice and pop. No alcohol since the year one of my grandsons got drunk drinking the "adult" punch instead of the kids' punch. He was only four years old. In the fridge, there are a couple of trifles to be set out when the eggs and ham are done. Again, no more alcohol in the trifles--just Jello, pudding, cake and fruit.
We used to play a circle game, like musical chairs, for those who brought gifts to pass around. That died out a few years ago. But we still play the bucket game. I have a bucket filled with wrapped gifts--some of them are pretty good like chocolates or wine or a gift card to a restaurant. Other gifts are cheap and silly, like a set of kids' blocks or a pair of pantyhose or a deck of cards. People take turns choosing a gift. They open it up and show everyone and the next person has the choice of stealing a gift that is already open, or choosing a wrapped one from the bucket.
This year we added "chalking the door"--an ancient religious ceremony where a member of the family, or a priest if one is handy, take some chalk (which is supposed to have been blessed, but we didn't have any blessed chalk this year) and writes on the lintel of the main entrance:
"20 C + M + B 19". This is 2019, broken up so it begins with 20, then we add C, M, B, and close it up with 19.>2019. C stands for Caspar, M is for Melchior, and B is for Balthazar, the supposed names of the three kings who followed the star to visit Jesus, the Magi. The other interpretation of the letters is Christus Mansionem Benedicat, or May Christ bless this house. The crosses between the letters represent the cross of Jesus, his death and resurrection.
Best of all is the gathering of family members. This year we had all three of our surviving children, a couple of grandchildren and two great grandchildren (one a teenager the other a babe-in-arms).
I've been writing my autobiography, If Anyone Should Ask. I've been writing it in decades rather than chapters. Last September, on my 80th birthday, I distributed Decade One. At the Epiphany Brunch this year, I distributed Decade Two. We expect that the great-grandson who visited us this Epiphany will be baptized at Easter (hopefully) and we'll have a family gathering for that. At that time, I hope to be able to distribute Decade Three--but first I have to write it.
the new year, 2019
I really blew it with my Epiphany Letter this year! I hate to think my memory is going--I cherish it so much. But somehow I totally forgot what happened last New Year's Eve and wrote about the year before. Really! I still don't remember what we did New Year's Eve 2017/18. But it was the previous year that Frank had his stroke at midnight and then had to have the pacemaker put in. And that's what I announced in my annual newsletter. Our friends and relatives who knew better must have thought I'd really lost it, or maybe Frank had another attack. No, he's fine. But as for last year? I have no idea.
This year's New Year's Eve was peaceful. We had a light supper of leftover turkey soup, then I set out a platter for the two of us, of just crackers and Kerrywood Dubliner Cheese and some green olives. I opened a bottle of sparkling rose wine, and we started our nibbling and sipping about 6 pm. By midnight, the bottle was almost done, as were the nibbles. We toasted the new year, banged some kettles and things outside on the patio to announce the arrival of 2019. Then Frank went to bed and I watched tv for a while.
So, here's to a new year filled with happy memories--some of which I hope I'll be able to recall this time next year!
This year's New Year's Eve was peaceful. We had a light supper of leftover turkey soup, then I set out a platter for the two of us, of just crackers and Kerrywood Dubliner Cheese and some green olives. I opened a bottle of sparkling rose wine, and we started our nibbling and sipping about 6 pm. By midnight, the bottle was almost done, as were the nibbles. We toasted the new year, banged some kettles and things outside on the patio to announce the arrival of 2019. Then Frank went to bed and I watched tv for a while.
So, here's to a new year filled with happy memories--some of which I hope I'll be able to recall this time next year!
Monday, December 10, 2018
"It's a Wonderful Life"
Yes, it is a wonderful life, even with all its ups and downs. Last post, I was especially despondent, and have still not come to grips with that set-back. However, that has to wait for another time.
It's December and everyone is busy. Fortunately, I don't have the usual baking and shopping stresses that I once had, when my children were little and we had to play Satan Claus and do all that crazy stuff. Now that I've cast off Satan and things that promote greed and unachievable goals, I feel much better. I pity people who still do all that.
For me, Christmas won't come until December 24/25th, and then it will be over as fast as it arrives. Before that, we have Advent--a time of waiting and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. I love the lights and some of the music, and the general feeling of people at least feigning happiness while they grumble about the stress. At least they're trying to find happiness. The smiles are contagious, and the intentions are to appear joyous. For me, it's no more joyous than Lent. In fact, I find Lent more joyous because even though that leads to the crucifixion of Jesus, it ultimately blossoms with the Resurrection at Easter.
Both Christmas and Easter bring better weather, sort of. Christmas is around the winter equinox and so with it the days begin to grow longer and brighter, leading to Lent, which brings Easter springtime and then summer. Both are harbingers of more light in the world. Sort of.
At Advent, I set aside the busy-ness of tasks I've taken on during the year. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. For example, I've taken on a couple of jobs for Franciscans, and those are on hold for now. At the moment, I have the excuse of the Canadian postal strike--can't trust anything to go through right now, so may as well wait until that settles. That's as good an excuse as any for my procrastination.
This year, like last year, I'm in a play. Last year, I had a couple of bit parts in "A Christmas Carol" and this year I'm playing Ma Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" and enjoying it very much. I think this will likely be my last foray onto the stage--I'm getting too old for all the hustle and bustle backstage. On stage, it's fun--even when I'm struggling to recall my next line.
All this means that writing is on hold--except for my autobiography. I've already distributed Decade One to the family. I hope to have Decade Two done and ready for distribution at our Epiphany brunch.
It's December and everyone is busy. Fortunately, I don't have the usual baking and shopping stresses that I once had, when my children were little and we had to play Satan Claus and do all that crazy stuff. Now that I've cast off Satan and things that promote greed and unachievable goals, I feel much better. I pity people who still do all that.
For me, Christmas won't come until December 24/25th, and then it will be over as fast as it arrives. Before that, we have Advent--a time of waiting and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. I love the lights and some of the music, and the general feeling of people at least feigning happiness while they grumble about the stress. At least they're trying to find happiness. The smiles are contagious, and the intentions are to appear joyous. For me, it's no more joyous than Lent. In fact, I find Lent more joyous because even though that leads to the crucifixion of Jesus, it ultimately blossoms with the Resurrection at Easter.
Both Christmas and Easter bring better weather, sort of. Christmas is around the winter equinox and so with it the days begin to grow longer and brighter, leading to Lent, which brings Easter springtime and then summer. Both are harbingers of more light in the world. Sort of.
At Advent, I set aside the busy-ness of tasks I've taken on during the year. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. For example, I've taken on a couple of jobs for Franciscans, and those are on hold for now. At the moment, I have the excuse of the Canadian postal strike--can't trust anything to go through right now, so may as well wait until that settles. That's as good an excuse as any for my procrastination.
This year, like last year, I'm in a play. Last year, I had a couple of bit parts in "A Christmas Carol" and this year I'm playing Ma Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" and enjoying it very much. I think this will likely be my last foray onto the stage--I'm getting too old for all the hustle and bustle backstage. On stage, it's fun--even when I'm struggling to recall my next line.
All this means that writing is on hold--except for my autobiography. I've already distributed Decade One to the family. I hope to have Decade Two done and ready for distribution at our Epiphany brunch.
Third attempt at this post!
I have to wonder what's happening to all my posts! This is the third time I've started this one. Most irritating!
Maybe the fact that I'm using this opportunity for my annual anti-Satan Claus rant, and Satan doesn't like it. Too bad. I'm going to try again.
As I was saying, before this stupid computer rudely dumped every previous attempt, I'm all in favour of Advent.
Dead against Satan Claus. (Not a typo)
The "jolly old elf" is NOT a Christian saint, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Nor is he "Old Saint Nick" because he is not a saint--doesn't even claim to be one. So, if he's not a saint, then he is "Old Nick" which is another name for the devil.
So, I'll try again to link these words for you to take a closer look.
I'm trying to link Advent
and Bishop of Myra
and Old Nick.
Pray that it works this time!
It looks like it might have worked this time.
Maybe the fact that I'm using this opportunity for my annual anti-Satan Claus rant, and Satan doesn't like it. Too bad. I'm going to try again.
As I was saying, before this stupid computer rudely dumped every previous attempt, I'm all in favour of Advent.
Dead against Satan Claus. (Not a typo)
The "jolly old elf" is NOT a Christian saint, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Nor is he "Old Saint Nick" because he is not a saint--doesn't even claim to be one. So, if he's not a saint, then he is "Old Nick" which is another name for the devil.
So, I'll try again to link these words for you to take a closer look.
I'm trying to link Advent
and Bishop of Myra
and Old Nick.
Pray that it works this time!
It looks like it might have worked this time.
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