Today I had an interview with a Financial Services company. I won't name names but they're on the web and a quick search of their name turns up with the words "Fraud" and "Scam" quite often, there are entire website dedicated to this company and their so-called recruiting techniques.
From many of the things I read it reminded me strongly of that AMerican mail order company that would find a WAY to reel people in then pressure them to recruit friends and families. I don't think it was so much about selling any merchandise as it was about bringing bodies into the meetings and signing them up. Not saying anything against that company, but it seemed Scammy and Fraudulent to me as well and awfully cultish.
Back to today, I went to the interview not because I was interested in a Sales Job (er, excuse me Entrepreneurial Opportunity) that is 100% commission based in terms of remuneration but because I wanted some practice with interviewing and I wanted to see, for myself, if all the hype was what it actually was.
The gentlemen I met with was extremely nice, I addressed the internet info early on and the lines he used to cover it were pretty much what the websites said they would say. So one for the websites.
We talked about me and my background, my aspirations, it was very much like a job interview which is unlike what the websites said was their process, so one for them.
He was definitely setting me up though to "buy" into their opportunity. And by buy I do mean buy as they will tell me (during the second of 3 interviews he's told me I'll have) that I require a license to operate and that the licensing fee is 200+. So not only will I not be earning a salary or wage but I'll be paying for the privilege of working for them, of selling the products and services. Yeah not so much. I can't officially award this point to the websites just yet but I will put a tentative mark on their side for now.
Overall the interview experience was good, not a chance in hell I'm going to become one of their agents but it was a good experience for me to go through. At least I think it was.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Recipe Sunday
Today I offer Kebsah. Kebsah is a traditionally Arabian dish with versions unique to various regions throughout the Middle East. Also, this dish is traditionally made with Lamb.
The SU and I have changed it up, we use Chicken and this is a recipe of our own making. The first time I made this for the SU I called it Mock Kebsah, as I didn't have a recipe and had only had Kebsah once before. We've made a few changes since that first experience but this is, according to the SU a true Kebsah dish.
Enjoy Kebsah:
6-8 pieces of chicken, skin and bone on.
8 cups of Water
1 Large (or 2 small) Onions, diced
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Garam Marsala
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp Dill Seed
2 cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
1 (or more) Jalapeno (optional)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
3 Cups of Basmati Rice
1 tbsp of Vegetable Oil
In a large sauce pan, add the oil to the bottom of the pot, allow to heat.
Add the onions to the heated oil and cook until they begin to become translucent
Add the Garlic, Jalapeno and all the dried spices and the Salt and Pepper.
Stir frequently to coat the onion and flavour the pot while allowing the spices to begin to heat through.
Add the chicken pieces, a few at a time, to sear the outside of the chicken remove when seared on all sides and add the next pieces until all have been seared.
When all the chicken pieces have been browned, place them all back in the pot and cover with all the water. Stir well to get all the flavour off the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and turn down to a simmer for 30-45 minutes until all the chicken is cooked through.
At this point, remove the chicken from the water and pour the water into the a large bowl.
Return the pot to the stove, turn the heat back to high and add the rice to the pot. Stir the dried rice to pick up flavour and to brown the rice. Avoid burning the dried rice. Salt the rice to your tastes.
Add the chicken pieces to the surface of the dry rice. Use a ladle and measuring cup to measure out 6 cups of the cooking broth to add back to the rice/chicken pot. Note if the there is not enough broth left, use tap water to top up the amount or if you have additional chicken broth (store bought or home made) use that to make up the difference. You will want a 2-1 ratio for the Rice to cook properly.
Bring the water to a boil, reduce to low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Allow the rice to cook for 12-15 minutes or until done and all the water is absorbed.
When the rice is cooked, empty the whole pot onto a large platter and serve family style in the middle of the table, allowing everyone to help themselves to rice and chicken.
Serving suggestions:
This is a staple meal and can be seen to be a little dull - it's pretty much only rice and chicken after all. Serve it with a Cucumber-yogurt salad or with a tomato salsa type salad or tahini salad. Any of these served as side and spooned over the rice on the plate will add an extra flavour element to this classic meal.
The SU and I have changed it up, we use Chicken and this is a recipe of our own making. The first time I made this for the SU I called it Mock Kebsah, as I didn't have a recipe and had only had Kebsah once before. We've made a few changes since that first experience but this is, according to the SU a true Kebsah dish.
Enjoy Kebsah:
6-8 pieces of chicken, skin and bone on.
8 cups of Water
1 Large (or 2 small) Onions, diced
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Garam Marsala
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp Dill Seed
2 cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
1 (or more) Jalapeno (optional)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
3 Cups of Basmati Rice
1 tbsp of Vegetable Oil
In a large sauce pan, add the oil to the bottom of the pot, allow to heat.
Add the onions to the heated oil and cook until they begin to become translucent
Add the Garlic, Jalapeno and all the dried spices and the Salt and Pepper.
Stir frequently to coat the onion and flavour the pot while allowing the spices to begin to heat through.
Add the chicken pieces, a few at a time, to sear the outside of the chicken remove when seared on all sides and add the next pieces until all have been seared.
When all the chicken pieces have been browned, place them all back in the pot and cover with all the water. Stir well to get all the flavour off the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and turn down to a simmer for 30-45 minutes until all the chicken is cooked through.
At this point, remove the chicken from the water and pour the water into the a large bowl.
Return the pot to the stove, turn the heat back to high and add the rice to the pot. Stir the dried rice to pick up flavour and to brown the rice. Avoid burning the dried rice. Salt the rice to your tastes.
Add the chicken pieces to the surface of the dry rice. Use a ladle and measuring cup to measure out 6 cups of the cooking broth to add back to the rice/chicken pot. Note if the there is not enough broth left, use tap water to top up the amount or if you have additional chicken broth (store bought or home made) use that to make up the difference. You will want a 2-1 ratio for the Rice to cook properly.
Bring the water to a boil, reduce to low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Allow the rice to cook for 12-15 minutes or until done and all the water is absorbed.
When the rice is cooked, empty the whole pot onto a large platter and serve family style in the middle of the table, allowing everyone to help themselves to rice and chicken.
Serving suggestions:
This is a staple meal and can be seen to be a little dull - it's pretty much only rice and chicken after all. Serve it with a Cucumber-yogurt salad or with a tomato salsa type salad or tahini salad. Any of these served as side and spooned over the rice on the plate will add an extra flavour element to this classic meal.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Job Fairs and Migraines
Well it's really spring, the weather in Toronto this weekend is gorgeous. Mid 20s (C) and mostly sunny. And I'm sitting indoors, cause the damn sunlight is killing me.
First off Friday.
Friday there was a job fair at a local civic centre, which is very close to my home. I planned to arrived about half an hour before opening, as I expected there to be a line up. I was right.
I arrived, actually, about 20 minutes before opening to find about 300 people already in line waiting to get in. I joined the line right away, it continued to grow and by the time the doors opened I would say the line was easily twice as long as when I arrived.
Apart from the economy being so bad and so many people being out of a job at the moment, I suspect the real draw was that the Toronto Transit Commission is hiring. This is an organization the runs the transit system across Metropolitan Toronto. As soon as the doors opened, and the speeches were finished (the job fair was sponsored by local politicians and they had to have their say - you always have to pay the piper eh?), there was a mad dash to the TTC's booth. I choose to go the other way. As a result, I was able to get in early at several booths that were under attended at the beginning. I worked my way around the to pretty much all the available booths, skipping only those that were only seeking seasonal help (Centreville on Toronto Island - a small theme/amusement park on Toronto's Island Park and The Metro zoo - Toronto's big zoo).
The longer I spent there though, the more crowded other booths became and the competition to speak to individuals at the booths was fierce. A tiny little Chinese woman, that stood all of 4'11" and must have been at least 60, nearly bowled me over to get to a booth, just to get one up on me at a booth for a local commuter airline that is hiring and I'm a pretty big solid hard to move guy.
I had a couple of on site interviews, one with a company selling investment plans for Parent to build RESP (Registered Education Savings Plans) for their children. It was all good until they told me it's all commission based on how much I sell and that I have to pay them almost several hundred dollars up front to become licensed to sell their products. Yeah I'm going to pay you to sell you shit. Don't think so.
I've got a few leads and am expecting a couple of call backs early in the week. So it may have been a good deal that I went. One of the call backs is at a company that is very close to my condo, in the summer, I could walk in 20 to 30 minutes. It would be great.
I'm glad I went but I nearly missed it. I put the date on my calendar to remind myself and using the sticky notes in the sidebar in Vista I put a note on my desktop to remind me of it. And still only remembered when I went to bed on Thursday (technically Friday morning around 2). I did get up and got there early as I planned.
Fingers crossed and thinking only positive thoughts.
However, coming home from the fair I started to get a bit headachey. Nothing big, I thought, just tired didn't get a full night sleep after all, after going to bed at 2 I was up at 7:30. That's all it is I thought. I got home and the SU had been up early and wanted us to go have a nap (a real nap - no euphemisms here) before he had to go to work. So still feeling headachey I took some Tylenol and I lay down with him and tried to sleep.
By the time we got up and he got ready to go to work, my headache a blossomed into something more. Every movement hurt. I was nauseous. I couldn't stand the volume on the TV. I laid back down as the SU busied himself with getting ready for work.
By the time he left I was in agony.
I've been getting migraines all my life, the earliest one I remember I was 7 or 8. Usually I have warning signs and I can head them off but not on this day, it came out of the blue, I had no warning signs at all.
Left alone in my pain, I pulled all the blinds closed, shut off the TV, shut off the computer, my phone, tried to lay very still on the sofa - then the screaming started.
OMG can these people not control their child????
We have a neighbour that leaves their child/ren with the grandmother during the day as both parents work. I believe the grandmother let's the child/ren run in the halls to burn off energy. Well yesterday he/she/they started wailing. WAILING!!!
Christ!!
If I opened my door, I probably would kill someone so I tried one of my old remedies, I don't know why this works for me (and it doesn't always but does sometimes), I filled a hot bath and submerged my head, leaving only my nose above water. For some reason, this seems to ease the pain for me but not yesterday.
I soaked for nearly 30 minutes in hot steamy water, keeping my head submerged most of that time. By the time I got out the migraine was not any better but the damn kid(s) had shut up. Quiet resumed.
I tried to doze on the sofa (after taking more Tylenol) but was not able to as the pain just got worse and worse. After about an hour, I decided that even though I'd had 4 Tylenol in 4 hours, that I would take Excedrin for Migraine. They don't sell this in Canada, so I have to get it in the States (or have someone get it for me), as such my supply is limited and I try to not take them unless I absolutely need to. Yesterday I absolutely needed too.
It was now approaching 6 and I'd been in pain since noon and feeling miserable. The sun outside was mocking me with it's brightness and warmth. I had planned to spend a day with my notebook at a park or the Bluffs writing and being inspired by being outside in the beautiful weather. Sadly I was in bed.
After taking the Excedrin, which almost always works for me, I curled up in bed with the room as dark as I could get it and lay very still. And mercy of mercies I slept. Sleep is the cure all for my migraines. If I can get to sleep, I will almost always wake up pain free. Almost always.
The SU came home from work around 10, he'd texted me several times but I was out. When he got home he was confused as to where I was and poked his head into the room, where he spotted me just beginning to stir.
It was good when I first woke up, I was pain free. Of course, I hadn't moved yet. I've had that happen before where I'll be still and have no pain but as soon as move - bamn! pain. Luckily yesterday was not one of those days. I was tired, drained, worn out but pain free.
I spent a couple of hours with the SU, he ate, I had no appetite but forced a few mouthfuls of Fetta (an Arabian dish of bread, rice and chicken) down but that was all could manage. I began to feel a dull ache behind my eyes again and though shit will this never end.
At 2, we both tried to go to bed, as the SU had to be up for work this AM at 9. I couldn't sleep at all and ended up getting up and staying up for most of the night.
It's now Saturday afternoon, outside the temperature is in the mid 20s C (high 70s low 80sF) and the sun is blasting down, it looks great out. I'm still headachey though, and somewhat sensitive to the light, so I'm not venturing out today which is killing me.
Pain on this scale is hard to deal with. When I was diagnosed in my late teens with Migraines, they told me that the bright side is that they would happen less often and become less intense as I grew older. While the less often part has become true, I think they're more intense, if anything. Or perhaps just as intense as they ever where but as I don't get them as frequently as I less acclimated to the level of pain.
Don't know. It's just something I'll have to cope with and not much to do about it.
First off Friday.
Friday there was a job fair at a local civic centre, which is very close to my home. I planned to arrived about half an hour before opening, as I expected there to be a line up. I was right.
I arrived, actually, about 20 minutes before opening to find about 300 people already in line waiting to get in. I joined the line right away, it continued to grow and by the time the doors opened I would say the line was easily twice as long as when I arrived.
Apart from the economy being so bad and so many people being out of a job at the moment, I suspect the real draw was that the Toronto Transit Commission is hiring. This is an organization the runs the transit system across Metropolitan Toronto. As soon as the doors opened, and the speeches were finished (the job fair was sponsored by local politicians and they had to have their say - you always have to pay the piper eh?), there was a mad dash to the TTC's booth. I choose to go the other way. As a result, I was able to get in early at several booths that were under attended at the beginning. I worked my way around the to pretty much all the available booths, skipping only those that were only seeking seasonal help (Centreville on Toronto Island - a small theme/amusement park on Toronto's Island Park and The Metro zoo - Toronto's big zoo).
The longer I spent there though, the more crowded other booths became and the competition to speak to individuals at the booths was fierce. A tiny little Chinese woman, that stood all of 4'11" and must have been at least 60, nearly bowled me over to get to a booth, just to get one up on me at a booth for a local commuter airline that is hiring and I'm a pretty big solid hard to move guy.
I had a couple of on site interviews, one with a company selling investment plans for Parent to build RESP (Registered Education Savings Plans) for their children. It was all good until they told me it's all commission based on how much I sell and that I have to pay them almost several hundred dollars up front to become licensed to sell their products. Yeah I'm going to pay you to sell you shit. Don't think so.
I've got a few leads and am expecting a couple of call backs early in the week. So it may have been a good deal that I went. One of the call backs is at a company that is very close to my condo, in the summer, I could walk in 20 to 30 minutes. It would be great.
I'm glad I went but I nearly missed it. I put the date on my calendar to remind myself and using the sticky notes in the sidebar in Vista I put a note on my desktop to remind me of it. And still only remembered when I went to bed on Thursday (technically Friday morning around 2). I did get up and got there early as I planned.
Fingers crossed and thinking only positive thoughts.
However, coming home from the fair I started to get a bit headachey. Nothing big, I thought, just tired didn't get a full night sleep after all, after going to bed at 2 I was up at 7:30. That's all it is I thought. I got home and the SU had been up early and wanted us to go have a nap (a real nap - no euphemisms here) before he had to go to work. So still feeling headachey I took some Tylenol and I lay down with him and tried to sleep.
By the time we got up and he got ready to go to work, my headache a blossomed into something more. Every movement hurt. I was nauseous. I couldn't stand the volume on the TV. I laid back down as the SU busied himself with getting ready for work.
By the time he left I was in agony.
I've been getting migraines all my life, the earliest one I remember I was 7 or 8. Usually I have warning signs and I can head them off but not on this day, it came out of the blue, I had no warning signs at all.
Left alone in my pain, I pulled all the blinds closed, shut off the TV, shut off the computer, my phone, tried to lay very still on the sofa - then the screaming started.
OMG can these people not control their child????
We have a neighbour that leaves their child/ren with the grandmother during the day as both parents work. I believe the grandmother let's the child/ren run in the halls to burn off energy. Well yesterday he/she/they started wailing. WAILING!!!
Christ!!
If I opened my door, I probably would kill someone so I tried one of my old remedies, I don't know why this works for me (and it doesn't always but does sometimes), I filled a hot bath and submerged my head, leaving only my nose above water. For some reason, this seems to ease the pain for me but not yesterday.
I soaked for nearly 30 minutes in hot steamy water, keeping my head submerged most of that time. By the time I got out the migraine was not any better but the damn kid(s) had shut up. Quiet resumed.
I tried to doze on the sofa (after taking more Tylenol) but was not able to as the pain just got worse and worse. After about an hour, I decided that even though I'd had 4 Tylenol in 4 hours, that I would take Excedrin for Migraine. They don't sell this in Canada, so I have to get it in the States (or have someone get it for me), as such my supply is limited and I try to not take them unless I absolutely need to. Yesterday I absolutely needed too.
It was now approaching 6 and I'd been in pain since noon and feeling miserable. The sun outside was mocking me with it's brightness and warmth. I had planned to spend a day with my notebook at a park or the Bluffs writing and being inspired by being outside in the beautiful weather. Sadly I was in bed.
After taking the Excedrin, which almost always works for me, I curled up in bed with the room as dark as I could get it and lay very still. And mercy of mercies I slept. Sleep is the cure all for my migraines. If I can get to sleep, I will almost always wake up pain free. Almost always.
The SU came home from work around 10, he'd texted me several times but I was out. When he got home he was confused as to where I was and poked his head into the room, where he spotted me just beginning to stir.
It was good when I first woke up, I was pain free. Of course, I hadn't moved yet. I've had that happen before where I'll be still and have no pain but as soon as move - bamn! pain. Luckily yesterday was not one of those days. I was tired, drained, worn out but pain free.
I spent a couple of hours with the SU, he ate, I had no appetite but forced a few mouthfuls of Fetta (an Arabian dish of bread, rice and chicken) down but that was all could manage. I began to feel a dull ache behind my eyes again and though shit will this never end.
At 2, we both tried to go to bed, as the SU had to be up for work this AM at 9. I couldn't sleep at all and ended up getting up and staying up for most of the night.
It's now Saturday afternoon, outside the temperature is in the mid 20s C (high 70s low 80sF) and the sun is blasting down, it looks great out. I'm still headachey though, and somewhat sensitive to the light, so I'm not venturing out today which is killing me.
Pain on this scale is hard to deal with. When I was diagnosed in my late teens with Migraines, they told me that the bright side is that they would happen less often and become less intense as I grew older. While the less often part has become true, I think they're more intense, if anything. Or perhaps just as intense as they ever where but as I don't get them as frequently as I less acclimated to the level of pain.
Don't know. It's just something I'll have to cope with and not much to do about it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It's Recipe Sharing Sunday but first this message
It's been a quiet week. Not much happening on the job front, although I did get a good lead from a friend and I've applied, we'll see if anything comes of that.
The SU was invited to a First Communion ceremony for the daughter of a co-worker and friend of his. The SU is a Muslim so, of course, he'd never been to one before. I'm not catholic but have family members that are, so I've been to a couple of them over the years.
We purchased a small silver cross as a gift for the young lady (she is only 7) and headed out Saturday for the ceremony. The family made a huge deal over the event, which I guess it is for those of the faith. The Communion mass was followed by a small gathering of about 150 people to help the young lady celebrate her First Communion. And her father spared no expense. The food was top notch. The family is of East Indian descent so the food was an Indian buffet, the DJ played great music all evening, the booze was free and plentiful and the company outstanding.
We forgot our camera though, we just not photo people I guess.
We met a lovely couple, also Indian, that it turns out live only around the corner from us. We had some great conversations with them through the evening. They have lived such lives so far, growing up in India, living 17 years in Saudi Arabia (so the SU and they had much to discuss) and then after sending their 2 sons to North America to study, they followed so the family could be closer together.
Overall we had a great evening and really enjoyed the festivities. We were even given a small gift as we left the party (each guest was given a momento) which was completely unexpected.
A big Thank You to our hosts and congratulations to a lovely young lady.
Recipe Time
I've though about which recipe to share this week. Something complicated? Something simple? Something versatile (gotta love versatility - especially in a man but that's a different topic all together).
In the end I decided on a simple Hummus Recipe.
Hummus is a chick pea dip or spread that is used throught the Mediterranean and Middle East. Each region has their own version of this simple staple. The version I am sharing today is generally how the SU and I would prepare it for breakfast. A simple Middle Eastern breakfast is often boiled eggs, Hummus and fresh Pita (at least it was in the SU's home - can't speak for the entire Middle East, of course).
Hummus is also a very flexible dip, in that it can be tweaked in so many ways, add hot peppers to make it spicey, add roasted red pepper for a sweeter peppery taste, add more or less garlic, fresh herbs, dress it up or dress it down, it's versatility is almost endless. The chickpeas in Hummus can be either canned or dried. The version used here uses canned.
Here is our Basic Hummus recipe
1 19 (20?) ounce can of Chick Peas
2 cloves of garlic (use more or less depending on your taste)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon of Lemon rind
2 tbsp Tahini sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
Empty the chick peas into a pot (with the liquid - some recipes recommend not using the liquid but we find that it's just fine to do so). Bring to a boil and cook until the chickpeas are heated through and tender (only a few minutes for the canned chick peas - longer for dried).
Remove from heat and allow to cool a few minutes and then empty the pot into the bowl of a food processor.
Add the garlic, lemon juice, tahini and lemon rind. Add a pinch of Salt and Pepper at this time. Blend until desired consistancy. Some prefer the Hummus to be completely smooth, others prefer a bit of texture. Try both to see which you would prefer.
If you want thicker Hummus, add another tbsp of Tahini paste. Careful though as the Hummus will thicken as it cools (somewhat).
Taste the hummus and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste, pulse for a few seconds on the food processor to mix in the salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a vegetable tray or with sliced pita.
The SU was invited to a First Communion ceremony for the daughter of a co-worker and friend of his. The SU is a Muslim so, of course, he'd never been to one before. I'm not catholic but have family members that are, so I've been to a couple of them over the years.
We purchased a small silver cross as a gift for the young lady (she is only 7) and headed out Saturday for the ceremony. The family made a huge deal over the event, which I guess it is for those of the faith. The Communion mass was followed by a small gathering of about 150 people to help the young lady celebrate her First Communion. And her father spared no expense. The food was top notch. The family is of East Indian descent so the food was an Indian buffet, the DJ played great music all evening, the booze was free and plentiful and the company outstanding.
We forgot our camera though, we just not photo people I guess.
We met a lovely couple, also Indian, that it turns out live only around the corner from us. We had some great conversations with them through the evening. They have lived such lives so far, growing up in India, living 17 years in Saudi Arabia (so the SU and they had much to discuss) and then after sending their 2 sons to North America to study, they followed so the family could be closer together.
Overall we had a great evening and really enjoyed the festivities. We were even given a small gift as we left the party (each guest was given a momento) which was completely unexpected.
A big Thank You to our hosts and congratulations to a lovely young lady.
Recipe Time
I've though about which recipe to share this week. Something complicated? Something simple? Something versatile (gotta love versatility - especially in a man but that's a different topic all together).
In the end I decided on a simple Hummus Recipe.
Hummus is a chick pea dip or spread that is used throught the Mediterranean and Middle East. Each region has their own version of this simple staple. The version I am sharing today is generally how the SU and I would prepare it for breakfast. A simple Middle Eastern breakfast is often boiled eggs, Hummus and fresh Pita (at least it was in the SU's home - can't speak for the entire Middle East, of course).
Hummus is also a very flexible dip, in that it can be tweaked in so many ways, add hot peppers to make it spicey, add roasted red pepper for a sweeter peppery taste, add more or less garlic, fresh herbs, dress it up or dress it down, it's versatility is almost endless. The chickpeas in Hummus can be either canned or dried. The version used here uses canned.
Here is our Basic Hummus recipe
1 19 (20?) ounce can of Chick Peas
2 cloves of garlic (use more or less depending on your taste)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon of Lemon rind
2 tbsp Tahini sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
Empty the chick peas into a pot (with the liquid - some recipes recommend not using the liquid but we find that it's just fine to do so). Bring to a boil and cook until the chickpeas are heated through and tender (only a few minutes for the canned chick peas - longer for dried).
Remove from heat and allow to cool a few minutes and then empty the pot into the bowl of a food processor.
Add the garlic, lemon juice, tahini and lemon rind. Add a pinch of Salt and Pepper at this time. Blend until desired consistancy. Some prefer the Hummus to be completely smooth, others prefer a bit of texture. Try both to see which you would prefer.
If you want thicker Hummus, add another tbsp of Tahini paste. Careful though as the Hummus will thicken as it cools (somewhat).
Taste the hummus and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste, pulse for a few seconds on the food processor to mix in the salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a vegetable tray or with sliced pita.
Friday, April 17, 2009
sunny days
I'm still unemployed but spring has truly sprung and with it comes warm sunny days.
Today it's about 70F and sunny in Toronto. A nice breeze, that can be a little strong at times, is blowing across the city. A good day to get out of the house and enjoy some outdoor activities.
So I grabbed a light jacket, which it turns out I didn't need, and headed out but was undecided on where to go.
First option: The beach. Toronto has extensive beaches as we spread widely along the shores of Lake Ontario. One of the longest stretches is not too far from my house. Kew Gardens or Woodbine beach feature a long boardwalk, jogging tracks, volleyball courts, rocky outcrops and man made piers that extend into the water. Not that it is warm enough to swim yet. The park system is extensive and there are plenty of places to sit, both in shade or sun.
Second Option: The Bluffs are a region of in Scarborough region of Toronto which feature small cliffs that rise high over the waters edge. Fronted by parks, and hiking paths both at the top and along the base of the bluffs it is an excellent area for exploring and taking in some fantastic views.
Option 3: The local Park. Over the last 2 years a new park was constructed just down the block from our condo. We've only been there once or twice but it's a pleasant little park, with a few benches (frankly needs a few more), expansive lawns (I guess they expect people to sit on the grass), 2 soccer fields (one with tiers benches or stands), a playground area for smaller tykes and a ball court for the older kids.
I choose door number 3 today and set out in black jeans, puma sneaks, a short sleeve shirt and a light jacket. With me I took my book, my ipod, my phone and sunglasses. All I needed for todays outing.
The weather was amazing, the breeze kept me from overheating and read quiet a bit of my book while sitting on the soocer field stands, as the few benches were all occupied and I did not wish to sit on the grass at this time.
I started to get a little pink after about an hour and half of reading in the full sun.
Tomorrow is forecast to be a duplicate of today. Woohoo.
Today it's about 70F and sunny in Toronto. A nice breeze, that can be a little strong at times, is blowing across the city. A good day to get out of the house and enjoy some outdoor activities.
So I grabbed a light jacket, which it turns out I didn't need, and headed out but was undecided on where to go.
First option: The beach. Toronto has extensive beaches as we spread widely along the shores of Lake Ontario. One of the longest stretches is not too far from my house. Kew Gardens or Woodbine beach feature a long boardwalk, jogging tracks, volleyball courts, rocky outcrops and man made piers that extend into the water. Not that it is warm enough to swim yet. The park system is extensive and there are plenty of places to sit, both in shade or sun.
Second Option: The Bluffs are a region of in Scarborough region of Toronto which feature small cliffs that rise high over the waters edge. Fronted by parks, and hiking paths both at the top and along the base of the bluffs it is an excellent area for exploring and taking in some fantastic views.
Option 3: The local Park. Over the last 2 years a new park was constructed just down the block from our condo. We've only been there once or twice but it's a pleasant little park, with a few benches (frankly needs a few more), expansive lawns (I guess they expect people to sit on the grass), 2 soccer fields (one with tiers benches or stands), a playground area for smaller tykes and a ball court for the older kids.
I choose door number 3 today and set out in black jeans, puma sneaks, a short sleeve shirt and a light jacket. With me I took my book, my ipod, my phone and sunglasses. All I needed for todays outing.
The weather was amazing, the breeze kept me from overheating and read quiet a bit of my book while sitting on the soocer field stands, as the few benches were all occupied and I did not wish to sit on the grass at this time.
I started to get a little pink after about an hour and half of reading in the full sun.
Tomorrow is forecast to be a duplicate of today. Woohoo.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
job interviews
You know how you can sometimes just tell?
A couple of weeks back I took part in a phone interview and was subsequently told that one other person and I were being invited to in-person interviews. Great 50-50 chance, I'll take those odds.
The interview was delayed, in fact, I thought they changed their mind or something but I finally got my appointment.
I did my research, showed up early, engaged the receptionist in pleasant chit chat. This particular interview was a 2 person panel, interviewing me. The HR person and the individual that would have been my manager.
This person could not have been any less involved or dis-interested in the process. She might as well not even have shown up. She was unresponsive to questions, except to correct what the HR person had told me in the previous phone interview. She sat there like a sleepy frump.
Right away, I just knew I wasn't getting this job. And that affects your energy level during the interview.
I assume she either did not like me on sight or may have already seen the other candidate and was predisposed to that individual. Whatever the case was, she did not like me. This job required two basic skill sets, both of which I have. The one skill set was General Accounting knowledge. I started my career working in Accounting positions and have a strong foundation in that area but haven't really used it in 10 years or more (other then to train accounting modules). The other aspect was training in which my experience is extensive and current.
And yet the reason I was not considered, as given by her, was that I lacked training experience, they were more then happy with my accounting knowledge. WTF??? I was not given a chance to rebutt her reasons.
So I didn't get the job and it's back to the drawing board for me.
My frustration levels mount as the economy sinks.
Decisions regarding the sale of our condo will have to be made soon. Very very soon.
A couple of weeks back I took part in a phone interview and was subsequently told that one other person and I were being invited to in-person interviews. Great 50-50 chance, I'll take those odds.
The interview was delayed, in fact, I thought they changed their mind or something but I finally got my appointment.
I did my research, showed up early, engaged the receptionist in pleasant chit chat. This particular interview was a 2 person panel, interviewing me. The HR person and the individual that would have been my manager.
This person could not have been any less involved or dis-interested in the process. She might as well not even have shown up. She was unresponsive to questions, except to correct what the HR person had told me in the previous phone interview. She sat there like a sleepy frump.
Right away, I just knew I wasn't getting this job. And that affects your energy level during the interview.
I assume she either did not like me on sight or may have already seen the other candidate and was predisposed to that individual. Whatever the case was, she did not like me. This job required two basic skill sets, both of which I have. The one skill set was General Accounting knowledge. I started my career working in Accounting positions and have a strong foundation in that area but haven't really used it in 10 years or more (other then to train accounting modules). The other aspect was training in which my experience is extensive and current.
And yet the reason I was not considered, as given by her, was that I lacked training experience, they were more then happy with my accounting knowledge. WTF??? I was not given a chance to rebutt her reasons.
So I didn't get the job and it's back to the drawing board for me.
My frustration levels mount as the economy sinks.
Decisions regarding the sale of our condo will have to be made soon. Very very soon.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Recipe sharing Sunday
I'm going to start posting some recipes that the SU and I have been working on, where the recipes are our original creations we will note that, where they are sourced from someplace or someone else that will be noted (and the proper accreditation given, if I can remember where I got the original). In any case we will have changed the original recipe or instructions to suit our needs and the revised recipe is what will be posted here.
For my first posting, I'm offering of a classic, yet simple dessert that requires only a few minutes of prep time and is tasty, flavourful and always a hit This first recipe was found online sometime ago. I'm do not remember where, however, so I can not quote a source directly. We have changed the cooking instructions as we found the original to be a bit vague and added some notes and serving suggestions as well but the ingredients list is the same as the original.
If you try this recipe, please give me some feedback on how successful it was for you.
Here is your Simple Chocolate Soufflé
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup of Sugar
5 Ounces of semi-sweet Chocolate
3 Egg Yolks
5 Egg Whites
A pinch of Salt
For 1 Large Souffle dish
For 6 Small Souffle dishes
Variations
Serving Suggestions
For my first posting, I'm offering of a classic, yet simple dessert that requires only a few minutes of prep time and is tasty, flavourful and always a hit This first recipe was found online sometime ago. I'm do not remember where, however, so I can not quote a source directly. We have changed the cooking instructions as we found the original to be a bit vague and added some notes and serving suggestions as well but the ingredients list is the same as the original.
If you try this recipe, please give me some feedback on how successful it was for you.
Here is your Simple Chocolate Soufflé
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup of Sugar
5 Ounces of semi-sweet Chocolate
3 Egg Yolks
5 Egg Whites
A pinch of Salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Lightly butter one large souffle dish or 6 small ramekins
- Melt the chocolate over hot water (in a double boiler) and set aside to cool
- Place all 5 egg whites in a mixing bowl, add the pinch of salt and whisk (using a hand mixer or table mixer) until soft peaks form
- Add 1/3 cup of Sugar gradually while continuing to whisk
- Add the egg yolks (one at a time) into the cooled, melted chocolate -- it is important to have allowed the chocolate to cool so as not to cook the egg yolks
- Scoop about a cup (one or two rubber spatulas worth) of the egg whites into the chocolate and fold carefully
- Add the mix to the remaining egg whites
- Fold gently until well mixed, working fast but carefully so as not to deflate the egg whites
For 1 Large Souffle dish
- Bake in the middle of the oven until crusted on top and practically cooked in the middle, approximately 25-35 minutes
For 6 Small Souffle dishes
- Place the 6 small ramekins (soufflé dishes) on a cookie sheet, divide the mix equally among the six ramekins evenly
- Bake in the middle of the oven until crusted on top and practically cooked in the middle, approximately 18-25 minutes
Note:
Oven temps and cooking times vary greatly depending on where you are, you know your own oven, judge the cooking times accordingly and check them without opening the oven too often. You will have to open to check them eventually, though. The top should be firm and spongy while the inside is moist (use a small fork or toothpick to check for doneness).
For my own oven, I don’t even check the small ramekins until the 20 minute mark. You may want to check as early as 15 minutes in (20 minutes in for the large soufflé), the first time you make them at least – after that you should know, make a note on the recipe for yourself.
Be careful not to overcook the soufflé
The Soufflé will rise beautifully while cooking but collapse, somewhat, on resting – this is normal.
Variations
- Flavour the chocolate with orange extract for a delicious fruity flavor
- Add a shot of Baileys (or liqueur of choice) to flavour the chocolate - do not add too much
Serving Suggestions
For the large Soufflé, scoop a serving on a dessert plate
For the small Soufflé, serve directly in the ramekin
Top with sliced fruit (Strawberries or other fresh berries, Bananas, Kiwis)
Top with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream (or other flavours that won’t compete with the chocolate)
Add a dollop of whipped cream
Combine all of the Toppings above and serve with them all
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
job interviews
Off the top, let me just say that I dislike phone interviews. In person you can read body language, gage facial expressions to your responses, see when you've made a misstep and cover. On the phone you have no clues, unless you hear something the interviewers voice.
Today I had a phone interview. I got the interview via a headhunter. They cold called me. Alright but the position sounded good, in my field, money was excellent and it's downtown, so far all aces. The agent (for the HH) sends me the job description and says he can't emphasize enough how important it is to these people that I be prepared, "so visit their website and do some research," he says. Which I did based on the job description he sent me.
The interview came this morning and it started fine but then I asked a few key questions, to demonstrate that I had researched and knew something of the position only to find out that that position is another project all together what I would be doing was this other thing.
DAMN!!!!
I mean really. So I did the best I could do to cover, mentioned that the HH must have sent me the wrong thing (the HH and the interviewer are old friends). The interview lasted about 35 minutes but was only supposed to be 10 or 15. Long is good I think. It means they were interested, I believe.
He did say he would recommend me to the team lead and if the lead was interested I'd be invited for an in person interview. Tomorrow I'm calling the HH to complain and to see if he had any follow up.
GRRRRR!!!!
Today I had a phone interview. I got the interview via a headhunter. They cold called me. Alright but the position sounded good, in my field, money was excellent and it's downtown, so far all aces. The agent (for the HH) sends me the job description and says he can't emphasize enough how important it is to these people that I be prepared, "so visit their website and do some research," he says. Which I did based on the job description he sent me.
The interview came this morning and it started fine but then I asked a few key questions, to demonstrate that I had researched and knew something of the position only to find out that that position is another project all together what I would be doing was this other thing.
DAMN!!!!
I mean really. So I did the best I could do to cover, mentioned that the HH must have sent me the wrong thing (the HH and the interviewer are old friends). The interview lasted about 35 minutes but was only supposed to be 10 or 15. Long is good I think. It means they were interested, I believe.
He did say he would recommend me to the team lead and if the lead was interested I'd be invited for an in person interview. Tomorrow I'm calling the HH to complain and to see if he had any follow up.
GRRRRR!!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
New toys
So as we're thinking of selling the ole homestead we're doing minor changes that we've put off. One of those was to replace the shower head in the guest bathroom, as it leaked.
To that end, the SU and I headed to the Home Depot on Saturday.
Wait let me start at the beginning.
Spring is here and as the weather has warmed the SU has gotten the green thumb itch, which is all fine, except that we live in a condo and don't a green space to play in. As we have a Home Depot right across the road, we often wander into their garden centre (hey it's close and we don't have a car - don't judge).
About a week and a half ago, we were walking into Home Depot and noticed a sign for a job fair. Now I know that the Home Depot head office (the Canadian Head office anyway) has a Training Department for the various stores, so I thought, if I applied and got something part time, it wouldn't impede my regular job search and might lead to a full time position in their training department. So I noted the date but not the time and planned to attend.
On the day of the job fair, I couldn't remember the time but convinced myself that it was starting at 1, so I showered, primped and shaved and headed there at one. Big mistake.
It had started at 11. By the time I got there the line was so long that they had halted taking any further applications as they had too many people.
I was mad at myself so since shopping, like eating, is one of my de-stressers I decided to wander around the store. It was then I happened upon the shower heads.
As I said we're talking about selling, if I don't find a job, and if we do there are small fixes we need to do before we put it on the market. So I took note of the model and price and the next time the SU and I went to the garden centre I showed him the one I wanted. We also looked new faucets for the kitchen and a new range hood.
We bought the shower head. A nice rain shower head with a long hose which is really convenient as we can take out plants into the bathroom and pull this right down to water them.
The first shower I took under the "natarul" rain fall I hated. I felt there wasn't enough water pressure. The second shower I just relaxed and really enjoyed it. Now I'm loving my new toy. (sorry no shower pics - nobody wants to see that).
I'm glad we bought, we didn't go top of the line but we didn't cheap out either, it's a nice head and fits well in out bathroom. The condo has pretty small bathrooms, the guest one is slightly larger then the master bath but they're functional.
In other news, I have had a head hunter cold call me about a job. No gaurantees and I won't go into details yet, until I at least get an interview but it was nice, it made me feel good after so much silence on the job front and it's a very good opportunity. So fingers crossed it works out.
I'm remaining upbeat and the changes I discussed with the head hunter for my resume and cover letter are, I think pretty good. So I have a renewed sense of purpose and a kick ass cover letter that I can tailor easily.
Need some luck and a break or two.
Ciao.
To that end, the SU and I headed to the Home Depot on Saturday.
Wait let me start at the beginning.
Spring is here and as the weather has warmed the SU has gotten the green thumb itch, which is all fine, except that we live in a condo and don't a green space to play in. As we have a Home Depot right across the road, we often wander into their garden centre (hey it's close and we don't have a car - don't judge).
About a week and a half ago, we were walking into Home Depot and noticed a sign for a job fair. Now I know that the Home Depot head office (the Canadian Head office anyway) has a Training Department for the various stores, so I thought, if I applied and got something part time, it wouldn't impede my regular job search and might lead to a full time position in their training department. So I noted the date but not the time and planned to attend.
On the day of the job fair, I couldn't remember the time but convinced myself that it was starting at 1, so I showered, primped and shaved and headed there at one. Big mistake.
It had started at 11. By the time I got there the line was so long that they had halted taking any further applications as they had too many people.
I was mad at myself so since shopping, like eating, is one of my de-stressers I decided to wander around the store. It was then I happened upon the shower heads.
As I said we're talking about selling, if I don't find a job, and if we do there are small fixes we need to do before we put it on the market. So I took note of the model and price and the next time the SU and I went to the garden centre I showed him the one I wanted. We also looked new faucets for the kitchen and a new range hood.
We bought the shower head. A nice rain shower head with a long hose which is really convenient as we can take out plants into the bathroom and pull this right down to water them.
The first shower I took under the "natarul" rain fall I hated. I felt there wasn't enough water pressure. The second shower I just relaxed and really enjoyed it. Now I'm loving my new toy. (sorry no shower pics - nobody wants to see that).
I'm glad we bought, we didn't go top of the line but we didn't cheap out either, it's a nice head and fits well in out bathroom. The condo has pretty small bathrooms, the guest one is slightly larger then the master bath but they're functional.
In other news, I have had a head hunter cold call me about a job. No gaurantees and I won't go into details yet, until I at least get an interview but it was nice, it made me feel good after so much silence on the job front and it's a very good opportunity. So fingers crossed it works out.
I'm remaining upbeat and the changes I discussed with the head hunter for my resume and cover letter are, I think pretty good. So I have a renewed sense of purpose and a kick ass cover letter that I can tailor easily.
Need some luck and a break or two.
Ciao.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Eating my stress away
The last few months have been very stressful what with losing my job and then the diagnoses of possibly, maybe, might be something malignant but we don't know yet.
Everybody has different ways of dealing with stress. I tend to over eat and the binge of choice for me is JAM, almost any flavour will do thank you very much.
Hi my name is Don and I am a JAM addict.
I do not mean to make light of those with drug and alcohol addictions but for me JAM is my drug of choice. I kid you not. And by JAM I mean sugared fruit, boiled and sealed in jars. Spreadable on toast or just eaten right out of the jar with a spoon, with or without peanut butter.
I finally admitted to this addiction about 6 years ago, and stopped buying Jam because of it. I would go through a jar in like a day, maybe 2, certainly not longer then that and I don't mean a small jar. It was, honestly, just better not to have it around.
This was tough when I lived with my brothers, as they both loved PB&J sandwiches as well so they wanted to have Jam in the house all the time, however, things have been easier since moving in with the SU. He's not really into Jams so it hasn't been difficult not keeping it in the house.
When I first got the diagnoses, we had Marmalade in the fridge (for overnight guests). Marmalade is kinda of safe as I don't really like the orange flavour of it, however, even that wasn't a deterrent. I started eating that. And worse, hiding the fact that I was eating it by burying the jar back in the fridge so the SU wouldn't notice it and then replacing it when it got low.
Then I lost my job. Well to hell with marmalade. I bought raspberry (my personal fav) and 4 fruit jam, and strawberry jam. I've gone through loafs of bread and many jars of jam in the 2 months since then. As the diagnoses continued to move along and narrow to a possible cancer related illness the stress level just went up as did the jam consumption.
After the last results, when the malignancy was mentioned, I binged again eating PB&J for days. Some days that's all I ate. Anybody watch the Big Brother shows on CBS? When they used to put the losing food challenge members on PBJ for a week? hell I'd have thrown the comp, that is not a punishment for me.
Again, after the malignancy was indicated I kinda lost all motivation, I ate and stopped working out, stopped job searching and ate.
Now the good news is the final diagnoses is in and that it's not a malignant parotid neoplasm but only a polyp that will likely go away on it's own. The specialist was very nice and reassuring, just indicated that I continue to watch the area and if I get noticeable swelling to come see him again but he doubts that I will.
The damage is done though. I have half a jar of raspberry jam left. I've gained 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks.
Today I must rededicate myself to avoiding my addiction. People with serious drug and alcohol addictions are probably reading this and scoffing, thinking I'm making fun of them but I can honestly say this is as much a crutch for me as their addiciton is for them.
I got back on the WII Fit this morning and I'm going to continue to work out every day, I need to get the Jam out of the house and not buy more. The SU knows about my addiction (which is why I hid the marmalade I mentioned earlier) but I've been hiding other jams from him too. He doesn't know about the jar that is currently half empty. He would mention it, especially the rate that it's decreasing but he hasn't, so he hasn't spotted it.
So my first step is to come clean to him tonight when he gets home from work. And then dump the jam that's left, just get it out of the house. Second to get active again, via the WII Fit and just by taking advantage of this warm March sunny weather and getting out and walking, hiking something. The area of Toronto we live in, is close to the Scarborough Bluffs park system, there are trails both at the top of the bluff and along the base right at the water line. I could walk down to the bluffs park in 10 minutes. We've been there twice in 3 years.
Today there is a job fair at Home Depot. I think I'll walk over there and see what they have available. It is not my career of choice but if they have something part time and I'm able to get it, it will be something to get me active, to get out of the house and to help motivate me to do other things.
A clean bill of health, a warm sunny day (well warm sunny weekend really) to look forward to. It's time to get out of my funk and break my cycle of stress and mild depression.
Everybody has different ways of dealing with stress. I tend to over eat and the binge of choice for me is JAM, almost any flavour will do thank you very much.
Hi my name is Don and I am a JAM addict.
I do not mean to make light of those with drug and alcohol addictions but for me JAM is my drug of choice. I kid you not. And by JAM I mean sugared fruit, boiled and sealed in jars. Spreadable on toast or just eaten right out of the jar with a spoon, with or without peanut butter.
I finally admitted to this addiction about 6 years ago, and stopped buying Jam because of it. I would go through a jar in like a day, maybe 2, certainly not longer then that and I don't mean a small jar. It was, honestly, just better not to have it around.
This was tough when I lived with my brothers, as they both loved PB&J sandwiches as well so they wanted to have Jam in the house all the time, however, things have been easier since moving in with the SU. He's not really into Jams so it hasn't been difficult not keeping it in the house.
When I first got the diagnoses, we had Marmalade in the fridge (for overnight guests). Marmalade is kinda of safe as I don't really like the orange flavour of it, however, even that wasn't a deterrent. I started eating that. And worse, hiding the fact that I was eating it by burying the jar back in the fridge so the SU wouldn't notice it and then replacing it when it got low.
Then I lost my job. Well to hell with marmalade. I bought raspberry (my personal fav) and 4 fruit jam, and strawberry jam. I've gone through loafs of bread and many jars of jam in the 2 months since then. As the diagnoses continued to move along and narrow to a possible cancer related illness the stress level just went up as did the jam consumption.
After the last results, when the malignancy was mentioned, I binged again eating PB&J for days. Some days that's all I ate. Anybody watch the Big Brother shows on CBS? When they used to put the losing food challenge members on PBJ for a week? hell I'd have thrown the comp, that is not a punishment for me.
Again, after the malignancy was indicated I kinda lost all motivation, I ate and stopped working out, stopped job searching and ate.
Now the good news is the final diagnoses is in and that it's not a malignant parotid neoplasm but only a polyp that will likely go away on it's own. The specialist was very nice and reassuring, just indicated that I continue to watch the area and if I get noticeable swelling to come see him again but he doubts that I will.
The damage is done though. I have half a jar of raspberry jam left. I've gained 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks.
Today I must rededicate myself to avoiding my addiction. People with serious drug and alcohol addictions are probably reading this and scoffing, thinking I'm making fun of them but I can honestly say this is as much a crutch for me as their addiciton is for them.
I got back on the WII Fit this morning and I'm going to continue to work out every day, I need to get the Jam out of the house and not buy more. The SU knows about my addiction (which is why I hid the marmalade I mentioned earlier) but I've been hiding other jams from him too. He doesn't know about the jar that is currently half empty. He would mention it, especially the rate that it's decreasing but he hasn't, so he hasn't spotted it.
So my first step is to come clean to him tonight when he gets home from work. And then dump the jam that's left, just get it out of the house. Second to get active again, via the WII Fit and just by taking advantage of this warm March sunny weather and getting out and walking, hiking something. The area of Toronto we live in, is close to the Scarborough Bluffs park system, there are trails both at the top of the bluff and along the base right at the water line. I could walk down to the bluffs park in 10 minutes. We've been there twice in 3 years.
Today there is a job fair at Home Depot. I think I'll walk over there and see what they have available. It is not my career of choice but if they have something part time and I'm able to get it, it will be something to get me active, to get out of the house and to help motivate me to do other things.
A clean bill of health, a warm sunny day (well warm sunny weekend really) to look forward to. It's time to get out of my funk and break my cycle of stress and mild depression.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Malignant is such an ugly word
In early December I noticed what I thought was swelling on the left side of my throat. I was convinced I felt it. I had the SU feel for it but he felt nothing but not convinced I headed off to the doctor to have him check it out. You see my father died from cancer that started in his throat and we were warned to be on the watch for similar cancers, so I don't want to take a chance.
However, the doctor doesn't feel anything either. Just to be sure though, and given my family history, he sent me for an Ultrasound.
A few days after the Ultrasound, much quicker then I'd anticipated, I get a call to come in and see the doctor as soon as I can.
It seems that the left side is completely clean, no problem at all but the Ultrasound indicates that there is an "undefined" mass on the right side attached to the Parotid gland (one of the Salivary glands). More testing is needed to determine what that mass might be.
In January I went for a CT-Scan to get a better view of the mass. It took a while to get the results back, and I think they were misplaced for a while but I finally got the results in late February. The usual time period for results is 3-4 weeks, mine took 6.
While the CT-Scan still cannot definitively say what the mass is, it is indicative of a Parotid Neoplasm, which may be malignant. More testing is needed and certainly a biopsy is indicated to determine malignancy. I know they're being careful and looking out for me but if they can't tell what it is, I think it's irresponsible to be throwing words like malignant around. It certainly scared the SU, well both of us really.
The next step, the biopsy, is scheduled for Thursday of this week, I think. I'm seeing the ENT guy at least on Thursday.
We're stressing, of course. We're trying not too but we are.
The possible diagnoses raises lots of questions. Should I continue to look for a job? If it turns out to something, even if it's a benign mass, I'm still facing surgery to remove it, add to that recovery time, kemo treatments if they're needed. It does not seem the best time to be starting a new job.
And yet I cannot continue to own my home and pay my bills unless I have a job that pays a decent salary. And if I was lucky enough to land such a job in the next couple of weeks? Would I be able to keep it having to take time off for surgery and cancer treatments? I think not.
Where to we go from here? We're not sure. Nothing is sure until we see the doctor this week.
However, the doctor doesn't feel anything either. Just to be sure though, and given my family history, he sent me for an Ultrasound.
A few days after the Ultrasound, much quicker then I'd anticipated, I get a call to come in and see the doctor as soon as I can.
It seems that the left side is completely clean, no problem at all but the Ultrasound indicates that there is an "undefined" mass on the right side attached to the Parotid gland (one of the Salivary glands). More testing is needed to determine what that mass might be.
In January I went for a CT-Scan to get a better view of the mass. It took a while to get the results back, and I think they were misplaced for a while but I finally got the results in late February. The usual time period for results is 3-4 weeks, mine took 6.
While the CT-Scan still cannot definitively say what the mass is, it is indicative of a Parotid Neoplasm, which may be malignant. More testing is needed and certainly a biopsy is indicated to determine malignancy. I know they're being careful and looking out for me but if they can't tell what it is, I think it's irresponsible to be throwing words like malignant around. It certainly scared the SU, well both of us really.
The next step, the biopsy, is scheduled for Thursday of this week, I think. I'm seeing the ENT guy at least on Thursday.
We're stressing, of course. We're trying not too but we are.
The possible diagnoses raises lots of questions. Should I continue to look for a job? If it turns out to something, even if it's a benign mass, I'm still facing surgery to remove it, add to that recovery time, kemo treatments if they're needed. It does not seem the best time to be starting a new job.
And yet I cannot continue to own my home and pay my bills unless I have a job that pays a decent salary. And if I was lucky enough to land such a job in the next couple of weeks? Would I be able to keep it having to take time off for surgery and cancer treatments? I think not.
Where to we go from here? We're not sure. Nothing is sure until we see the doctor this week.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
I'm married to Ugly Betty
So the SU has bad teeth. He needs his overbite corrected and because he hasn't been able to afford, his teeth have been pretty damaged. Almost to the point of needing to pull them.
However, he managed to get into a dental school program and they are fixing his teeth for him, at about half the cost of doing it commercially.
Yesterday we went to have his braces put on. The SU is almost 40. He's not too happy about having them at his age but the alternative (pulling teeth and getting dentures) was less appealing so he's got the braces.
They told him smooth food only for the first 4-5 days, nothing he has to chew and nothing too hot or too cold. Last night for dinner we made lentil soup, cooked until the lentil was pretty much dissolved.
The braces were supposed to be clear in the front and they are not the bright shiny metal that I've seen in some mouths but they're still visible. He's very self-conscious about it. It really doesn't help when I tell him I'm married to Ugly Betty. They'll be on for 2 1/2 years.
I've never gotten a blow job from a guy with braces before. Do I need to worry about getting anything caught? pinched? hmmm.
Keep reading for future updates about that very subject. Ummm Yeah, sure.
However, he managed to get into a dental school program and they are fixing his teeth for him, at about half the cost of doing it commercially.
Yesterday we went to have his braces put on. The SU is almost 40. He's not too happy about having them at his age but the alternative (pulling teeth and getting dentures) was less appealing so he's got the braces.
They told him smooth food only for the first 4-5 days, nothing he has to chew and nothing too hot or too cold. Last night for dinner we made lentil soup, cooked until the lentil was pretty much dissolved.
The braces were supposed to be clear in the front and they are not the bright shiny metal that I've seen in some mouths but they're still visible. He's very self-conscious about it. It really doesn't help when I tell him I'm married to Ugly Betty. They'll be on for 2 1/2 years.
I've never gotten a blow job from a guy with braces before. Do I need to worry about getting anything caught? pinched? hmmm.
Keep reading for future updates about that very subject. Ummm Yeah, sure.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Condo board foolishness
Last night we had several of my family members over for dinner. Included among them was one of my brothers. He and I lived together our entire lives until I moved in with the SU so we're close.
A few years back, my sister was given as a pup a very small toy Pom but she wasn't able to take care of the dog properly so asked if we could take her. We agreed and Casey has been with us since then.
I say us but really she is with my brother full time. The condo we live in is a No Pet building. In Ontario, tenets in rental apartments cannot be denied the right to own or have pets but Condos are not covered but that ruling. Since condos are private buildings, or communities, it's up to the community to set the standards (in this case the condo board).
So no pets.
That, as it turns out is fine with the SU and I. We find that while we do miss having the dog around, even the cat for that matter, we do not miss the mess, the shed hair, the food on the floor, the kitty litter smell. So no biggie for us not to have a pet.
Other owners in the condo building have cats, some have birds.
What does all this have to do with a family dinner? Well since my sister was going to be there, my brother decided to bring Casey so sis could see her. Not something the SU or I mind.
This morning we get a letter from the Management Office, tapped to our door. Saying that a member of the staff had noticed someone entering our unit with a dog at 4am on Wed the 26th of February.
Several things wrong with that statement. Wed was the 25th, first off. My sister stayed over and was in bed by 11:30. My brother left, with the dog around 11. The SU and I were in bed by a little after 12. So who, I wondered witnessed anyone coming or going with a dog at 4AM???
The SU is a hot blooded Arab/Italian cross and he wanted to phone the office and go off on them about this letter. In the letter it pointed that the building does not allow any pets, of any kind at all. So dogs are definitely not to be permitted.
As I mentioned we know that other owners have pets (cats and birds) so we wonder what the hell the issue is with a dog, especially a dog that is half the size of an average cat.
The board does have the right to set these kind of policies with regard to owners having pets, but we don't see the issue with a visitor, who is not staying the longer then an evening bringing a pet along for an afternoon or evening.
We're very tired of this building's management. We've had run ins with them since we first moved in. They have very poor management style, the office manager is probably one of the snootiest woman I've ever met, very pretentious and filled (overfilled really) with her own sense of importance. When I begin working again, if we haven't already sold this place before hand, we'll begin saving immediately for a house and get out of here as soon as we can. Of course, we can't buy a house in an historic neighbourhood or in a place with a strong neighbourhood oversight committee.
In some areas they are restricted houses from having outside cloths lines, as it makes the neighbourhood look run down. At the same time they want people to use dryers less and save the environment.
I guess it's crap wherever you go or can be.
A few years back, my sister was given as a pup a very small toy Pom but she wasn't able to take care of the dog properly so asked if we could take her. We agreed and Casey has been with us since then.
I say us but really she is with my brother full time. The condo we live in is a No Pet building. In Ontario, tenets in rental apartments cannot be denied the right to own or have pets but Condos are not covered but that ruling. Since condos are private buildings, or communities, it's up to the community to set the standards (in this case the condo board).
So no pets.
That, as it turns out is fine with the SU and I. We find that while we do miss having the dog around, even the cat for that matter, we do not miss the mess, the shed hair, the food on the floor, the kitty litter smell. So no biggie for us not to have a pet.
Other owners in the condo building have cats, some have birds.
What does all this have to do with a family dinner? Well since my sister was going to be there, my brother decided to bring Casey so sis could see her. Not something the SU or I mind.
This morning we get a letter from the Management Office, tapped to our door. Saying that a member of the staff had noticed someone entering our unit with a dog at 4am on Wed the 26th of February.
Several things wrong with that statement. Wed was the 25th, first off. My sister stayed over and was in bed by 11:30. My brother left, with the dog around 11. The SU and I were in bed by a little after 12. So who, I wondered witnessed anyone coming or going with a dog at 4AM???
The SU is a hot blooded Arab/Italian cross and he wanted to phone the office and go off on them about this letter. In the letter it pointed that the building does not allow any pets, of any kind at all. So dogs are definitely not to be permitted.
As I mentioned we know that other owners have pets (cats and birds) so we wonder what the hell the issue is with a dog, especially a dog that is half the size of an average cat.
The board does have the right to set these kind of policies with regard to owners having pets, but we don't see the issue with a visitor, who is not staying the longer then an evening bringing a pet along for an afternoon or evening.
We're very tired of this building's management. We've had run ins with them since we first moved in. They have very poor management style, the office manager is probably one of the snootiest woman I've ever met, very pretentious and filled (overfilled really) with her own sense of importance. When I begin working again, if we haven't already sold this place before hand, we'll begin saving immediately for a house and get out of here as soon as we can. Of course, we can't buy a house in an historic neighbourhood or in a place with a strong neighbourhood oversight committee.
In some areas they are restricted houses from having outside cloths lines, as it makes the neighbourhood look run down. At the same time they want people to use dryers less and save the environment.
I guess it's crap wherever you go or can be.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wedding guest and Oscar night
So the wedding wasn't truly horrible. It was a simple affair, in a local hall. I think it was all done on a budget but it didn't suffer for that. It could have easily gone the way of the trailer trash set but instead it had a simple elegance to it. The bride was stunning, and the groom was a very sexy bear type who looked very hot with his shaved head and tux.
Our table consisted of the SU, myself and a coworker of his (sans date), her cousin (also a friend and former co-worker of the bride) and the cousins husband.
Woof!!! The husband was hot. He sat beside me at the table and had a habit of leaning back and adjusting either his package or his belt. I can certainly tell you it was very very distracting.
Both he and the wife were very nice people and we ended up having a really good time chatting with them. The husband wasn't too keen on dancing either (as I am not) so he and I spend most of the evening in conversation.
At one point he got up to go to the bathroom and I almost followed him. Just to check him out but I'd only had one beer and a cooler, so wasn't nearly drunk enough to be a slutty bear.
I behaved.
The only thing I found strange is that way the meal was served. It was served family style. Platters of food were placed in the middle of each table for all to share. I've never been at a wedding, well a North American wedding, that served the meal that way. I have been to a couple of Chinese wedding feasts and that is how they serve the meal.
Anyway, it just seemed a strange way to do it. The food, however, was excellent, started with a salad, followed by a pasta course, then the main meal consisting of Roast beef (served with bread stuffing???) and 3 veggies with gravy on the side. The beef was done very nicely and although it was well done, it was still very tender.
We left just as the bride and groom were heading to the airport to fly out for their honeymoon.
We came home and crashed, I slept solidly for about 7 hours (which is highly unusual for me.
Sunday we didn't do much. The SU wanted to try a recipe for Chicken Biryani that he'd been given, he went shopping for materials and I played Zelda on the WII.
Sunday night we watched the Oscars. At the risk of having to turn in my gay card, I don't usually enjoy the Oscars (or any award show for that matter) but I really enjoyed last nights show. While I've read 1 or 2 disparaging reviews of Jackman's hosting abilities I thought he did a fine job.
I really enjoyed the actor awards, how they brought 5 previous winners to introduce the nominees. I liked that the stage was smaller and more intimate then in previous years.
The kept it moving along with a good pace without seeming to rush the winners speeches (one or two times, I think the music started to come up).
Overall, I can't comment on the Slumdog win as I haven't seen the movie yet but was happy to see Milk recognized, as I did see and enjoyed it alot.
It's Monday morning now and it's back to the job search, calling headhunters today and trying to get a few appointments to get my name out there.
Luck is needed.
Our table consisted of the SU, myself and a coworker of his (sans date), her cousin (also a friend and former co-worker of the bride) and the cousins husband.
Woof!!! The husband was hot. He sat beside me at the table and had a habit of leaning back and adjusting either his package or his belt. I can certainly tell you it was very very distracting.
Both he and the wife were very nice people and we ended up having a really good time chatting with them. The husband wasn't too keen on dancing either (as I am not) so he and I spend most of the evening in conversation.
At one point he got up to go to the bathroom and I almost followed him. Just to check him out but I'd only had one beer and a cooler, so wasn't nearly drunk enough to be a slutty bear.
I behaved.
The only thing I found strange is that way the meal was served. It was served family style. Platters of food were placed in the middle of each table for all to share. I've never been at a wedding, well a North American wedding, that served the meal that way. I have been to a couple of Chinese wedding feasts and that is how they serve the meal.
Anyway, it just seemed a strange way to do it. The food, however, was excellent, started with a salad, followed by a pasta course, then the main meal consisting of Roast beef (served with bread stuffing???) and 3 veggies with gravy on the side. The beef was done very nicely and although it was well done, it was still very tender.
We left just as the bride and groom were heading to the airport to fly out for their honeymoon.
We came home and crashed, I slept solidly for about 7 hours (which is highly unusual for me.
Sunday we didn't do much. The SU wanted to try a recipe for Chicken Biryani that he'd been given, he went shopping for materials and I played Zelda on the WII.
Sunday night we watched the Oscars. At the risk of having to turn in my gay card, I don't usually enjoy the Oscars (or any award show for that matter) but I really enjoyed last nights show. While I've read 1 or 2 disparaging reviews of Jackman's hosting abilities I thought he did a fine job.
I really enjoyed the actor awards, how they brought 5 previous winners to introduce the nominees. I liked that the stage was smaller and more intimate then in previous years.
The kept it moving along with a good pace without seeming to rush the winners speeches (one or two times, I think the music started to come up).
Overall, I can't comment on the Slumdog win as I haven't seen the movie yet but was happy to see Milk recognized, as I did see and enjoyed it alot.
It's Monday morning now and it's back to the job search, calling headhunters today and trying to get a few appointments to get my name out there.
Luck is needed.
Friday, February 20, 2009
It's that time, I guess
This is kind of personal. So I'll err on the side of caution and not give too much detail.
I've been unemployed for over a month now. Because the Spousal Unit was employed for part of the previous year, and I changed careers with a lower then expected base salary (and it turns out no bonuses or raises), we have depleted our emergency fund sooner then expected.
So that means that as I am on Employment Insurance (used to be called Unemployment Insurance but that was deemed to have negative connotations for those not working so the more positive EI was adopted) that I have limited funds to pay my bills. The Spousal Unit is helping but he has his own bills too.
It's that time, time to contact my creditors and credit card companies - yes I committed the cardinal sin of running a balance -- and ask to reduce my payments and my interest rate until I'm working again. I had hoped to avoid making these calls but I guess it's inevitable.
I probably should have done it when I first lost my job and we could have stretched a few months further but I was stubborn and stupid.
I am hoping that I won't have any issue with them reducing my payments or accepting the limited amount that I will be able to pay, better they get something rather then nothing, eh? I've already spoken to one and they said no problem just let them know how much and when I will be making the payments and they'll make a note.
I hate being in debt and we've talked about selling the condo to ease things but if I can arrange this then we are covered for the next 9 months, as that is as long as the EI payments will last.
The job situation is bleak. I haven't heard back from anybody (well one company asked for more info, which I sent them, followed up with them after sending it and followed up again to see if any decisions had been made) but that went no where.
Mind you, several of the jobs I've applied for have very long lead times - 5-6 week closings, so there is still a possibility for late Feb or early March for a few of them. My general thinking though is that they don't wait the six weeks, that if someone interests them they call right away rather then risk losing a good candidate.
I've gone to a few headhunters but they haven't responded or haven't found anything for me.
So, yeah, bleak.
Trying to remain positive and keep a good attitude but it's tough some days.
Enough of job shit.
Tomorrow we're going to a wedding. The bride is a co-worker of the Spousal Unit while I've met her once, I couldn't say that I know her and other then the my spouse, I'll know or be familiar with 2 or 3 other people (also his co-workers) that will be attending.
Now something you should know about me. I'm a wallflower. I hate parties and I hate crowds. Especially when I'm in the middle of them. Well that's not true I don't hate crowds, if I'm shopping at christmas, those kind of crowds don't bother me at all, I kind of feed of the energy of it all but a crowded bar, or a crowded house party - no thanks.
The Spousal Unit (henceforth to be called SU) loves parties, loves to dance and always has a good time. Me? Not so much. If it was a quiet dinner (4-8 people) at my home or someone elses house - I don't have an issue with that) but a large gathering I just kind of go into a shell and don't speak.
Last year he and I went to a work function (his) where I ended up sitting at our table by myself for most of the evening.
One on one or even 2 on 1 I can make small talk very easily, I can feel comfortable and relaxed, can speak intelligently on a wide range of topics, and enthusiastically and expertly on a few (Disney for one - visit www.singlerider.com for my aborted website for singles that are fans of Disney - started about a month before I met the SU and not touched since - bad I know).
However, put in that group enviromnemt and no go.
I may be changing though, as I think about this while I'm typing it up. At New Years the SU and I spent the evening with my sister and got dragged to her son's house for his big bash party. BORING!!!!! For me anyway. However, there was a young teen girl there that used the phrase "that's so gay" and I went off on her in the middle of the party. Not my usual thing at all but I think that people have to be aware of what they say and that it may be hurtful to others. It's funny cause, it ended up starting a long conversation between myself, the SU and some other guests that went on for over an hour and covered a wide range of topics starting with Gay rights, and tolerance in general and moving to the middle east and ending with the economy.
I really enjoyed that part of the evening. Maybe my teaching experience is allowing me to just relax and be heard in these situations where as before I wouldn't be comfortable speaking about anything.
The SU is going for his citizenship in 2 months, the process could take up to a year (before he's tested - though generally is 3-5 months) and then up to 6 months before the swearing in ceremony. He maybe be able to make the July 1st swearing in (Canada Day - think the Fourth - same deal for us but on the 1st).
After that and presuming I'm working, we'd like to plan a trip to Disney - I haven't been in 3 years and it's killing me. I mentioned the website above that I had pre-emptively started but done not a thing with. Well, I'd like to, at some point, actually do something with it, build some content. I think the idea is still valid.
My concept was to provide a place where singles that are big Disney Fans but don't necessarily have anyone in their lives that enjoy going with them - so many people see it as "for kids destination" and while it is that, it is not only that. I had envisioned a place to have travel tips, dining tips (sometimes it's awkward to eat alone), provide travel dates for those looking for others to spend a day or 2 with (not a dating site or hookup site but just a reference that could be used by singles) and some other ideas. Even though to add a page for favourite disney recipes or meals that individuals recreated based on a meal or food they enjoyed while at Disney.
For that reason, I haven't given up the site, I still own it. Just haven't had the resources or the time to pursue it any further. As a corrilary I even created a facebook group call Disney for Adults... I have one memeber and no discussions going on. If any readers have any ideas for content (on either the facebook group or the website), feel free to drop me a note or leave a comment.
I was going to post some pics of me working out on the WII Fit but damn they all look horrible and I look old and fat in them (ok I am old and fat but still), so I'll save you all the grief and just forgoe that small task.
I met my 2 week goal a little early and so I've just set a new goal for the next 2 weeks. Keeping them very reasonable but if I continue to meet them early, then it's too reasonable and I'll have to bump it.
Continuing to work out almost every day. I've unlocked all the extra tiles/games/activities. I'm really enjoying the Yoga and strength exercises. I saw another WII Fit exercise program called Personal Coach but I'm holding off on buying that until I start working again. And the SU and I started looking at fold up treadmills, something that will easily fit into the Solarium and can be folded up when not needed.
As well, the SU is finally getting his teeth fixed this coming week. He's been waiting for several years to get into the program offered by a local Universities Dental school, as that will save him about 75% of the cost of going to a commercial dentist. It's a lot of money but his benefits cover some of it and even though I'm not working, we can't pass this opportunity up, as he'd have to wait years to come back to the top of the list again. We're going ahead with it, not even an option not too. Plus he's saved for it, seperately from out emergency funds.
It's Dinner time, tonight's menu includes home made garlic bread, made with fennel seed dinner roles, fettucini in a home made tomatoe/pepper sauce with meatballs. Whatever is on your menu, enjoy the meal, enjoy the company and enjoy yourselves. Bon Appetite.
I've been unemployed for over a month now. Because the Spousal Unit was employed for part of the previous year, and I changed careers with a lower then expected base salary (and it turns out no bonuses or raises), we have depleted our emergency fund sooner then expected.
So that means that as I am on Employment Insurance (used to be called Unemployment Insurance but that was deemed to have negative connotations for those not working so the more positive EI was adopted) that I have limited funds to pay my bills. The Spousal Unit is helping but he has his own bills too.
It's that time, time to contact my creditors and credit card companies - yes I committed the cardinal sin of running a balance -- and ask to reduce my payments and my interest rate until I'm working again. I had hoped to avoid making these calls but I guess it's inevitable.
I probably should have done it when I first lost my job and we could have stretched a few months further but I was stubborn and stupid.
I am hoping that I won't have any issue with them reducing my payments or accepting the limited amount that I will be able to pay, better they get something rather then nothing, eh? I've already spoken to one and they said no problem just let them know how much and when I will be making the payments and they'll make a note.
I hate being in debt and we've talked about selling the condo to ease things but if I can arrange this then we are covered for the next 9 months, as that is as long as the EI payments will last.
The job situation is bleak. I haven't heard back from anybody (well one company asked for more info, which I sent them, followed up with them after sending it and followed up again to see if any decisions had been made) but that went no where.
Mind you, several of the jobs I've applied for have very long lead times - 5-6 week closings, so there is still a possibility for late Feb or early March for a few of them. My general thinking though is that they don't wait the six weeks, that if someone interests them they call right away rather then risk losing a good candidate.
I've gone to a few headhunters but they haven't responded or haven't found anything for me.
So, yeah, bleak.
Trying to remain positive and keep a good attitude but it's tough some days.
Enough of job shit.
Tomorrow we're going to a wedding. The bride is a co-worker of the Spousal Unit while I've met her once, I couldn't say that I know her and other then the my spouse, I'll know or be familiar with 2 or 3 other people (also his co-workers) that will be attending.
Now something you should know about me. I'm a wallflower. I hate parties and I hate crowds. Especially when I'm in the middle of them. Well that's not true I don't hate crowds, if I'm shopping at christmas, those kind of crowds don't bother me at all, I kind of feed of the energy of it all but a crowded bar, or a crowded house party - no thanks.
The Spousal Unit (henceforth to be called SU) loves parties, loves to dance and always has a good time. Me? Not so much. If it was a quiet dinner (4-8 people) at my home or someone elses house - I don't have an issue with that) but a large gathering I just kind of go into a shell and don't speak.
Last year he and I went to a work function (his) where I ended up sitting at our table by myself for most of the evening.
One on one or even 2 on 1 I can make small talk very easily, I can feel comfortable and relaxed, can speak intelligently on a wide range of topics, and enthusiastically and expertly on a few (Disney for one - visit www.singlerider.com for my aborted website for singles that are fans of Disney - started about a month before I met the SU and not touched since - bad I know).
However, put in that group enviromnemt and no go.
I may be changing though, as I think about this while I'm typing it up. At New Years the SU and I spent the evening with my sister and got dragged to her son's house for his big bash party. BORING!!!!! For me anyway. However, there was a young teen girl there that used the phrase "that's so gay" and I went off on her in the middle of the party. Not my usual thing at all but I think that people have to be aware of what they say and that it may be hurtful to others. It's funny cause, it ended up starting a long conversation between myself, the SU and some other guests that went on for over an hour and covered a wide range of topics starting with Gay rights, and tolerance in general and moving to the middle east and ending with the economy.
I really enjoyed that part of the evening. Maybe my teaching experience is allowing me to just relax and be heard in these situations where as before I wouldn't be comfortable speaking about anything.
The SU is going for his citizenship in 2 months, the process could take up to a year (before he's tested - though generally is 3-5 months) and then up to 6 months before the swearing in ceremony. He maybe be able to make the July 1st swearing in (Canada Day - think the Fourth - same deal for us but on the 1st).
After that and presuming I'm working, we'd like to plan a trip to Disney - I haven't been in 3 years and it's killing me. I mentioned the website above that I had pre-emptively started but done not a thing with. Well, I'd like to, at some point, actually do something with it, build some content. I think the idea is still valid.
My concept was to provide a place where singles that are big Disney Fans but don't necessarily have anyone in their lives that enjoy going with them - so many people see it as "for kids destination" and while it is that, it is not only that. I had envisioned a place to have travel tips, dining tips (sometimes it's awkward to eat alone), provide travel dates for those looking for others to spend a day or 2 with (not a dating site or hookup site but just a reference that could be used by singles) and some other ideas. Even though to add a page for favourite disney recipes or meals that individuals recreated based on a meal or food they enjoyed while at Disney.
For that reason, I haven't given up the site, I still own it. Just haven't had the resources or the time to pursue it any further. As a corrilary I even created a facebook group call Disney for Adults... I have one memeber and no discussions going on. If any readers have any ideas for content (on either the facebook group or the website), feel free to drop me a note or leave a comment.
I was going to post some pics of me working out on the WII Fit but damn they all look horrible and I look old and fat in them (ok I am old and fat but still), so I'll save you all the grief and just forgoe that small task.
I met my 2 week goal a little early and so I've just set a new goal for the next 2 weeks. Keeping them very reasonable but if I continue to meet them early, then it's too reasonable and I'll have to bump it.
Continuing to work out almost every day. I've unlocked all the extra tiles/games/activities. I'm really enjoying the Yoga and strength exercises. I saw another WII Fit exercise program called Personal Coach but I'm holding off on buying that until I start working again. And the SU and I started looking at fold up treadmills, something that will easily fit into the Solarium and can be folded up when not needed.
As well, the SU is finally getting his teeth fixed this coming week. He's been waiting for several years to get into the program offered by a local Universities Dental school, as that will save him about 75% of the cost of going to a commercial dentist. It's a lot of money but his benefits cover some of it and even though I'm not working, we can't pass this opportunity up, as he'd have to wait years to come back to the top of the list again. We're going ahead with it, not even an option not too. Plus he's saved for it, seperately from out emergency funds.
It's Dinner time, tonight's menu includes home made garlic bread, made with fennel seed dinner roles, fettucini in a home made tomatoe/pepper sauce with meatballs. Whatever is on your menu, enjoy the meal, enjoy the company and enjoy yourselves. Bon Appetite.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
It's Tuesday and this definitely isn't Belgium
The weather is turning. Well for a few days anyway. It's the February thaw. Temps are on the rise and the mountains of snow are melting.
In one respect I'm thankful to be unemployed as it means that I won't be wading to work as I cross streets and wait for buses. Still I think I'd rather be working.
Yesterday I found a listing for a magazine (an e-magazine) editor. I won't really give details but it sounded like such a fun job. I applied for it even though I don't have the qualifications they're looking for.
As I was reading the proposed duties for this position it suddenly occurred to me that I'd really enjoy that role.
I drafted a kick ass cover letter, one that tried to link my training experience to the editing process. I do have to edit lesson plans for publication - at least I did - even if it is my own work that I was editing. The job description talked about providing clear instructions (the role was to edit instructional documents) and I drew parallels between being a facilitator that eases learners through a process, guiding them to a successful finish and the editor ensuring that the instructions are clear and easy to follow.
It's out there, I know, and as I say I'm not directly qualified by still it sounds like an intriguing opportunity.
I haven't lost focus though, I am still looking in my core search area, but I'm trying to broaden that search a bit, to give me a greater range of opportunities. This is going against what the outplacement firm that is helping with my search suggested, as they suggested setting firm goals and limiting your search to within the guidelines needed to achieve those goals.
In any other economy, I could see the sense in that, but in this economy? with so many lay-offs and closures? I think that my goal is to get employed right now. Yes I would love a full time training position that is 5 minutes from my house but the reality is those jobs don't exist.
All of the networking opportunities that I've used via family, friends, old employees and former co-workers have led to naught. I think I need a new plan of attack.
I think I'll stop this post now, as I'm beginning to ramble a bit and my "work day" should begin. I have to make some calls, review the job boards, research some companies, draft a few letters and get my ass off this blog.
In one respect I'm thankful to be unemployed as it means that I won't be wading to work as I cross streets and wait for buses. Still I think I'd rather be working.
Yesterday I found a listing for a magazine (an e-magazine) editor. I won't really give details but it sounded like such a fun job. I applied for it even though I don't have the qualifications they're looking for.
As I was reading the proposed duties for this position it suddenly occurred to me that I'd really enjoy that role.
I drafted a kick ass cover letter, one that tried to link my training experience to the editing process. I do have to edit lesson plans for publication - at least I did - even if it is my own work that I was editing. The job description talked about providing clear instructions (the role was to edit instructional documents) and I drew parallels between being a facilitator that eases learners through a process, guiding them to a successful finish and the editor ensuring that the instructions are clear and easy to follow.
It's out there, I know, and as I say I'm not directly qualified by still it sounds like an intriguing opportunity.
I haven't lost focus though, I am still looking in my core search area, but I'm trying to broaden that search a bit, to give me a greater range of opportunities. This is going against what the outplacement firm that is helping with my search suggested, as they suggested setting firm goals and limiting your search to within the guidelines needed to achieve those goals.
In any other economy, I could see the sense in that, but in this economy? with so many lay-offs and closures? I think that my goal is to get employed right now. Yes I would love a full time training position that is 5 minutes from my house but the reality is those jobs don't exist.
All of the networking opportunities that I've used via family, friends, old employees and former co-workers have led to naught. I think I need a new plan of attack.
I think I'll stop this post now, as I'm beginning to ramble a bit and my "work day" should begin. I have to make some calls, review the job boards, research some companies, draft a few letters and get my ass off this blog.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Saturday night at the ole homestead
It's Saturday night.
The spousal unit is working, his store is doing inventory, so it's all hands on deck.
So I'm bored.
I've been playing WII all day. The Legend of Zelda. I went through a whole section without saving, rookie mistake number one, let me tell you. Needless to say I ended up doing a huge section over again. I've been on the current section for about on hour and just got too frustrated with my inability to jump straight. I put the game away before I was forced to break something.
This is what I've been playing all day.
I'm so bored, in fact, that I just took a few minutes to clean out the hall closet. I disposed of about 12 pairs of shoes that were so ratty and worn that they weren't even worth saving. Friends say to donate all the old stuff to goodwill but when something is garbage it's garbage. I don't want to contribute to the landfills but really ratty old shoes that I wouldn't wear (and, right now, I'm poor)-- How can I expect someone else to wear them.
Don't cry for me Imelda. Even getting rid of 12 pairs, I still have 6 pair of flip flops, 3 dressy black, 2 dressy brown, several casual brown walking shoes, 3 work out shoes, shower shoes. Suffice to say I could open a damn shoe store.
Those are only mine, I haven't touched the spousal units yet, and he has more then I do/did.
I think it's time for a general new purge. I still have my comics that I had collected as a nerdy teen. Not worth a fortune but several hundred at least. My office, here at home (also our guest bedroom) has become a real library. Bookcases line the walls, all are full and I have books stacked up on other surfaces in the bedroom and in the office. So it's time to purge some of those as well. Probably my history and sports books. I used to read a lot of history, religion (and history of religion), sports and biographies as well as sci-fi and fantasy books. I have a large collection of American Civil war books. Some were good and very interesting. Others not so much.
It been years since I've looked at them though. So I think it's probably time to get rid of them. Kijiji or Craigslist? I tried selling stuff on ebay before but I had problems with one buyer and that just put me off the entire site.
As far as collectibles and nicknack's are concerned, I have all my Disney miniatures and I think I'll get rid of those as well. Maybe not sell them or try to sell them, just donate them to goodwill, I'm sure someone with young kids would enjoy having them.
Alright, it's time that I went back to cleaning. The closet is clean now and it's time to hit the kitchen.
The spousal unit is working, his store is doing inventory, so it's all hands on deck.
So I'm bored.
I've been playing WII all day. The Legend of Zelda. I went through a whole section without saving, rookie mistake number one, let me tell you. Needless to say I ended up doing a huge section over again. I've been on the current section for about on hour and just got too frustrated with my inability to jump straight. I put the game away before I was forced to break something.
This is what I've been playing all day.
I'm so bored, in fact, that I just took a few minutes to clean out the hall closet. I disposed of about 12 pairs of shoes that were so ratty and worn that they weren't even worth saving. Friends say to donate all the old stuff to goodwill but when something is garbage it's garbage. I don't want to contribute to the landfills but really ratty old shoes that I wouldn't wear (and, right now, I'm poor)-- How can I expect someone else to wear them.
Don't cry for me Imelda. Even getting rid of 12 pairs, I still have 6 pair of flip flops, 3 dressy black, 2 dressy brown, several casual brown walking shoes, 3 work out shoes, shower shoes. Suffice to say I could open a damn shoe store.
Those are only mine, I haven't touched the spousal units yet, and he has more then I do/did.
I think it's time for a general new purge. I still have my comics that I had collected as a nerdy teen. Not worth a fortune but several hundred at least. My office, here at home (also our guest bedroom) has become a real library. Bookcases line the walls, all are full and I have books stacked up on other surfaces in the bedroom and in the office. So it's time to purge some of those as well. Probably my history and sports books. I used to read a lot of history, religion (and history of religion), sports and biographies as well as sci-fi and fantasy books. I have a large collection of American Civil war books. Some were good and very interesting. Others not so much.
It been years since I've looked at them though. So I think it's probably time to get rid of them. Kijiji or Craigslist? I tried selling stuff on ebay before but I had problems with one buyer and that just put me off the entire site.
As far as collectibles and nicknack's are concerned, I have all my Disney miniatures and I think I'll get rid of those as well. Maybe not sell them or try to sell them, just donate them to goodwill, I'm sure someone with young kids would enjoy having them.
Alright, it's time that I went back to cleaning. The closet is clean now and it's time to hit the kitchen.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
the search continues
I am continuing my job search, working some networks, getting the spousal unit to work his networks, and his co-workers networks. Scanning the job boards and industry boards for jobs. Looking at the news for companies that may be expanding (yeah good luck with that one) or just for opportunities to cold call (or cold mail) a company.
I think I'm doing everything right.
Still not one single bite.
I am not discouraged yet though.
We have some room to play and a few months before things become dire (finance wise) so we'll try to hang on and out last this.
In the meantime, the spousal unit bought me a WII and a WII Fit as my Christmas gift. I have been using it religiously each day since I received it which was a few weeks after the holidays, due to expected stock shortages right before Christmas.
Lest you think that I spend my whole day playing games when I should be looking for a job, think again. I do not touch the WII before 6PM every night, some nights not until around 10 but I try to keep it consistently within the same time frame.
So far, I haven't lost any weight, at least according to the scale in the WII Fit board but I do feel toner, tighter. I feel that my belly isn't sagging as much as it once did and my ass (always the first part of me to fit up) is looking fine!!! If I do say so myself.
The spousal unit and I both set up MIIs to begin the fit program but he hardly ever goes in to work out. The other day the WII Fit asked me to check on him and make sure he is OK since he hasn't worked out in a while. I about laughed my ass off.
I will continue to work out each day, as long as I am able to. At least the Yoga and Aerobics each day and targeted Strength training on alternate days.
I also realize that ultimately this is a toy and that I will need to move away from the "game" and into a real fitness routine at some point but it's a good, fun way to get me started again and so far I think it's helping.
I live in Toronto and I used to work out at the Y on Grosvenor in downtown Toronto, I miss it but my last job was outside the city limits in the the smaller community of Richmond Hill and I don't have a car. Being an inner city kid, my whole life, I've never really felt the need to own one. I do have a license and I do drive but I just rent when I need to. Getting from Richmond Hill down to the Y would have taken me a couple of hours on transit and then they Y is still 50 minutes by transit from my house. So I axed that. I did work out at a small gym in Richmond Hill for a while but I was still getting home around 9 each night, after leaving my house at 6:30 due to the 90 minute commute each way.
In my new job search I'm hoping to land something that is very close to either that Y or one of the other Y locations throughout the city. If I do, I will rejoin and work with the trainers there to develop a more rounded and complete training program.
Lots of plans and all predicated on finding that job. So back to work. As that is what finding the right job is - a job in and of itself.
Good luck to all in the same boat.
I think I'm doing everything right.
Still not one single bite.
I am not discouraged yet though.
We have some room to play and a few months before things become dire (finance wise) so we'll try to hang on and out last this.
In the meantime, the spousal unit bought me a WII and a WII Fit as my Christmas gift. I have been using it religiously each day since I received it which was a few weeks after the holidays, due to expected stock shortages right before Christmas.
Lest you think that I spend my whole day playing games when I should be looking for a job, think again. I do not touch the WII before 6PM every night, some nights not until around 10 but I try to keep it consistently within the same time frame.
So far, I haven't lost any weight, at least according to the scale in the WII Fit board but I do feel toner, tighter. I feel that my belly isn't sagging as much as it once did and my ass (always the first part of me to fit up) is looking fine!!! If I do say so myself.
The spousal unit and I both set up MIIs to begin the fit program but he hardly ever goes in to work out. The other day the WII Fit asked me to check on him and make sure he is OK since he hasn't worked out in a while. I about laughed my ass off.
I will continue to work out each day, as long as I am able to. At least the Yoga and Aerobics each day and targeted Strength training on alternate days.
I also realize that ultimately this is a toy and that I will need to move away from the "game" and into a real fitness routine at some point but it's a good, fun way to get me started again and so far I think it's helping.
I live in Toronto and I used to work out at the Y on Grosvenor in downtown Toronto, I miss it but my last job was outside the city limits in the the smaller community of Richmond Hill and I don't have a car. Being an inner city kid, my whole life, I've never really felt the need to own one. I do have a license and I do drive but I just rent when I need to. Getting from Richmond Hill down to the Y would have taken me a couple of hours on transit and then they Y is still 50 minutes by transit from my house. So I axed that. I did work out at a small gym in Richmond Hill for a while but I was still getting home around 9 each night, after leaving my house at 6:30 due to the 90 minute commute each way.
In my new job search I'm hoping to land something that is very close to either that Y or one of the other Y locations throughout the city. If I do, I will rejoin and work with the trainers there to develop a more rounded and complete training program.
Lots of plans and all predicated on finding that job. So back to work. As that is what finding the right job is - a job in and of itself.
Good luck to all in the same boat.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
New Fit Beginnings
So to go with my fresh start and I guess with the new year, is a new dedication to losing weight and, more importantly, to getting fit.
As many of you will no doubt know health and fitness is not as much about weight, no so much about a number as it is about being heart healthy, being strong and fit and being wise in the choices that you make and the decisions that you make about your health.
When the spousal unit asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him I wanted a WII and a WII Fit. Of course, this was in early December and everybody and I do mean EVERYBODY was sold out of one or both of them. So I told the hubby to not even bother to try to find them until January.
Then I lost my job.
At this point I did not expect him to still purchase either unit until I was working again. After all, money is going to be tight, very tight, until that happens.
However, he knew that stocks were always low and when the units came in, he grabbed one. He works for one the big wholesale companies. In early January, he tells me they got in 25 units of the WII console and all were sold in minutes. One of the them to him.
Last week there was a return of a new, unopened WII Fit. The staff member at the returns desk is a friend of the spousal unit and knew he was looking for one, so she called him and told him to come get it, which he did.
I now have both units and I started with the basics - the games. Slalom skiing and ski jumping being the favourites.
On the second day I took a better look at what is offered. The WII Fit game has four main sections, Yoga, Strength, Aerobics and Balance. There is also a favourites section for quick launching without jumping around.
I started with the Yoga, which encompasses basic Yoga posses and stretching. Next I moved on the Strength section, again basic exercises that can be done with mostly stretching and balancing. Aerobics includes jogging, hula hoops and a step class (reminiscent of the dance arcade games). The Balance games are largely fun.
The WII Fit experience initially begins with creating your MII -- the virtual you. Each day that you log into your WII Fit session you have the opportunity to take a Body Test - this measures your BMI and weight and gauges your balance. It is here that the system tracks your progress. Graphs showing that progress are available.
I haven't been using it long but I have already made progress, I'm down 1.1 pounds and have lost a few points of the BMI measure provided by the console.
Is this the be all and end all of fitness? the magic pill? Frankly no it isn't. However, it is another tool that, if used effectively, can become an important of a fitness regimen. One of the issues I always had when I was going to the gym is that I never stretched before or after. The fact that I had only 1 major fitness injury in all those years is, well, a minor miracle.
WII Fit is not the only option that we have for fitness though. The basic WII console system comes with WII Sports, which includes Tennis, Golf, Bowling, Baseball and Boxing. The Spousal unit and I spend a couple of hours a week playing these as well.
For my New Fit Beginnings, I'm taking advantage of the WII and WII Fit and I'm going to keep up with my routines until a routine becomes a habit and as we all know habits are hard to break.
As many of you will no doubt know health and fitness is not as much about weight, no so much about a number as it is about being heart healthy, being strong and fit and being wise in the choices that you make and the decisions that you make about your health.
When the spousal unit asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him I wanted a WII and a WII Fit. Of course, this was in early December and everybody and I do mean EVERYBODY was sold out of one or both of them. So I told the hubby to not even bother to try to find them until January.
Then I lost my job.
At this point I did not expect him to still purchase either unit until I was working again. After all, money is going to be tight, very tight, until that happens.
However, he knew that stocks were always low and when the units came in, he grabbed one. He works for one the big wholesale companies. In early January, he tells me they got in 25 units of the WII console and all were sold in minutes. One of the them to him.
Last week there was a return of a new, unopened WII Fit. The staff member at the returns desk is a friend of the spousal unit and knew he was looking for one, so she called him and told him to come get it, which he did.
I now have both units and I started with the basics - the games. Slalom skiing and ski jumping being the favourites.
On the second day I took a better look at what is offered. The WII Fit game has four main sections, Yoga, Strength, Aerobics and Balance. There is also a favourites section for quick launching without jumping around.
I started with the Yoga, which encompasses basic Yoga posses and stretching. Next I moved on the Strength section, again basic exercises that can be done with mostly stretching and balancing. Aerobics includes jogging, hula hoops and a step class (reminiscent of the dance arcade games). The Balance games are largely fun.
The WII Fit experience initially begins with creating your MII -- the virtual you. Each day that you log into your WII Fit session you have the opportunity to take a Body Test - this measures your BMI and weight and gauges your balance. It is here that the system tracks your progress. Graphs showing that progress are available.
I haven't been using it long but I have already made progress, I'm down 1.1 pounds and have lost a few points of the BMI measure provided by the console.
Is this the be all and end all of fitness? the magic pill? Frankly no it isn't. However, it is another tool that, if used effectively, can become an important of a fitness regimen. One of the issues I always had when I was going to the gym is that I never stretched before or after. The fact that I had only 1 major fitness injury in all those years is, well, a minor miracle.
WII Fit is not the only option that we have for fitness though. The basic WII console system comes with WII Sports, which includes Tennis, Golf, Bowling, Baseball and Boxing. The Spousal unit and I spend a couple of hours a week playing these as well.
For my New Fit Beginnings, I'm taking advantage of the WII and WII Fit and I'm going to keep up with my routines until a routine becomes a habit and as we all know habits are hard to break.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
a fresh start
A couple of years ago I was let go, due to cutbacks, from a job that I had held for 16 years. It wasn't a shock at all, it was in fact, expected.
Still nobody likes to be fired, even with a big settlement.
Having settlement in hand, I took advantage of the paid time off and returned to school to change my career path. In school I was very successful, graduating at the top of my class.
When school finished and just as my settlement was running out, I landed a job in my new career path. The company wasn't all I wanted, the pay certainly less then I'd like but I needed a foot in the door job, an experience job. So I took it.
Then the economy went south and so did my job. In Canada, we've not been hit as hard as some areas of the US but we're not immune to it either. Especially when the client base of my former company was largely US based.
I was hired as an Education Specialist and lots of promises were made about the projects I'd be working on and the leeway that I would have to shape the training material. None of that materialized.
I know find myself unemployed in a very tough job market, without that large settlement to fall back on this time. I face each day now as a chance to make a fresh start, to find that job that is the right fit and not just an experience job.
Here's to a fresh start.
Still nobody likes to be fired, even with a big settlement.
Having settlement in hand, I took advantage of the paid time off and returned to school to change my career path. In school I was very successful, graduating at the top of my class.
When school finished and just as my settlement was running out, I landed a job in my new career path. The company wasn't all I wanted, the pay certainly less then I'd like but I needed a foot in the door job, an experience job. So I took it.
Then the economy went south and so did my job. In Canada, we've not been hit as hard as some areas of the US but we're not immune to it either. Especially when the client base of my former company was largely US based.
I was hired as an Education Specialist and lots of promises were made about the projects I'd be working on and the leeway that I would have to shape the training material. None of that materialized.
I know find myself unemployed in a very tough job market, without that large settlement to fall back on this time. I face each day now as a chance to make a fresh start, to find that job that is the right fit and not just an experience job.
Here's to a fresh start.
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