Why I Hate Banks (Ok 1 Reason I Hate Banks)

I like writing checks (cheques for the Canadians).  It feels like you are handing over money.  E-pay is convenient but soulless.

Now, speaking of handing over money. This is for a reorder of the cheapest checks available: 

Design: Fine Line
Binding Style: Single/Wallet $ 45.90
Lettering: Standard $ 0.00
Monogram: No $ 0.00
Symbol: No $ 0.00
Message: No $ 0.00
Cover: None $ 0.00
Shadow Print: No $ 0.00
Delivery and Tax (where applicable): $ 13.25
Total Price: $ 59.15


Yeah, that's about $1 per check.  The bank's not so subtle way of telling you they don't want you to write checks. Soulless bastards.

(Not So) Great Expectations

Or, "Your Boss Doesn't Think the Way You Do"

Where I work we used to have a contest during our annual meetings. Winners were awarded prizes and given a small (10" ) plaster bust of Thomas Edison (yes) in gold, silver, or bronze (yes, I know). We stopped doing this 4 years ago.

Well yesterday my boss had 3 of these in his office and I asked him how he had them (thinking perhaps he was reviving the concept). He replied in a tone of disgust that when a former employee left, she left these in her office. He added that he was surprised she didn't take them home as she had won them - that apparently she didn't value what they meant.

He had FIRED that employee about 7 months ago. And she has not worked since.

So why the hell would she take 3 plaster Edison heads home? As a reminder that she was fired?

Guess I better keep the 6 I have in the office around.

Life on the Serengeti

This WILL be the title of my dating book. No, really.

The sum of this blog? I realize you've got to watch out for the hyenas.

To set the stage: my date and I are at a bar, watching the antics of 60 or so "Santas" (in various degrees of Santa/elfness). We are having fun - various people stop by our table as we are pretty much in the pathway to the "watering hole" if you will. There's a lot of banter and laughter.

It isn't until about a week later I realize that one particular woman kept coming up to our table to chat. She was smiley and all, but I couldn't understand why she didn't just stay with her group. At her third visit, she handed us pens with her business contact information on them and talked about where the store is located, etc.

Ahhhh, sneaky. While this cat was taking it all in, the hyena snuck up and gave my date her contact information. Bravo hyena.

And the date? Well, during the date I remember thinking he'd be a good guy to have as a friend. Perhaps that's why I wasn't on guard - there didn't seem any reason to "defend my turf." And he is on his way to being a good friend. So I guess the lioness and the hyena both did ok.

Sort of Like the Circle of Life

I am reluctantly dating (again). My friends say it is good for me - personally, I find it akin to heading out to the Serengeti without any weapons - predator and prey all rolled into one.

I may share some war stories - no names of course to protect the innocent and the truly guilty.

Stay tuned.

Another flight story.

Last night's late flight in from DC. A 50 seater with 41 tired passengers. After cruising along for awhile, the pilot announces there is one of the best meteor showers he's ever seen visible from every window.

And he's right. I move to a window seat and shield the window with my hands to block the light behind me. Outside, we are above the clouds - a complete blanket that glows with patches of luminescence. Overhead, the dark sky is filled with stars and oh! There's one! And another! And another! Shooting stars surround the plane and I am completely engrossed in a fairytale world.

I start counting - over 40 falling stars before we plunge back through the clouds and come home.

A Dog's Life

For some reason, whether it is the impending snow, seeing people walk their dogs, or just a quirk, I've been thinking about a dog we had in our family years ago. Her name was Pepper - a sheepdog/bouvier mix.

What I keep thinking about is how she loved, and I mean loved, to run in the fields down by the river near our house. Pepper especially loved running in the snow, and would often come barreling up behind someone and clip them in the knees causing them to fall (displaying a rather human playfulness).

Anyway, Pepper would run - tongue & tail wagging, until she literally could not walk. My father would then pick her up and carry her home. I remember him doing that so many times.

Pepper's pure joy and go-for-broke pace makes me think - I wonder about that "all out" nature - pushing until literal exhaustion. I'd like to think of living life that way. Pushing and running at full tilt - tongue & tail wagging - until one just can't anymore.

Anything less seems half-hearted. But how does one embrace and foster the "inner-dog"?

Post-Thanksgiving Thanks

I'm thankful the Muppets were created:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY

What are you thankful for?