Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Metrics
The UK uses the metric system. Sort of. I started thinking about it after last night's ramble. We began going metric some considerable time ago, as a consequence of our E U membership. But with typical British eccentricity didn't quite make it all the way.
The metric system is the one taught in schools (and has been for somewhere between 25 & 30 years) unlike my school days where we still learnt the Imperial system with its many quaint measurements. As a result of that I not only know how many yards there are in a mile (1760 if anyone's interested) but I know what chains are, and furlongs, and cubits, and I still know how long a rod, pole or perch, is. My 20-year-old nephew doesn't - and he can't really picture a pound of apples. Half a kilo, yes. But a pound?? Nope.
Most of our measurements are metric. I buy petrol (gasoline), juice, oil, vinegar, paint, etc. in litres, (though draught beer in pubs is still sold by the pint. As, I believe, is milk delivered to the doorstep). Apples, potatoes, marge, plaster, concrete, etc are sold by the kilo, tins of beans, catfood, etc. by the gramme.
I measure my wallpaper and my doors by the centimetre, and I buy my wood by the metre. In fact when dealing with wood, plaster or any other work-related material I no longer think in Imperial - I can't - I'm so used to dealing in metric that I can visualise that I want a two-metre plank for that gap but I can't quite figure out what I would need in feet or inches. And when I give my weight (or when I used to give my dogs weights) I give them in kilos. I can only offer an approximate weight in Imperial. I know exactly what I weigh in kilos.
But when it comes to buying jeans my inside leg is 32. That's 32 inches. I have no idea what size that is in centimetres. That's the British for you. Weird.
Oh and while I'm on the subject - people who refer to a "metric ton" - No. Ton is Imperial. If it's metric it's a tonne, and you don't need the word "metric". Not that it matters because an Imperial ton, an American ton (American measurements are sometimes slightly different to Imperial even though they bear the same name. A US gallon is smaller than an Imperial gallon, for example) and a tonne are very nearly the same weight.
Know what I'm going to do now?? I'm going to let curiosity get the better of me and I'm going to measure my inside leg in centimetres. Because I want to know, damnit.
See you next week, goodnight and may you God/s go with you.
Ze
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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Shopping for Jeans
I never did tell you about shopping for clothes, did I?? Well, the first thing I need to do is emphasise very clearly - it wasn't my fault. Honest it wasn't. I was merely in the vicinity.
It started when the knee on my work jeans tore. This was a fairly good indication that I needed a new pair. I had no intention of letting them get as worn (and therefore as fragile) as my old, much-missed, pair. Even though the boxers-of-doom are ash, drifting on the breeze, I didn't want to take chances. And since work jeans get a lot of hard use, they have to be bought new. This meant a shopping trip.
I hate shopping (unless it's for books). I especially hate shopping for clothes. I get in, get what I want and get the hell out. I also have a tendency to find something I like and buy multiples of it. About 7 years ago a local sports shop had a special offer on polo shirts with the word "England" across the front. There were two types, red with black letters and dark blue with white letters. I liked them. They fit well. I bought 20 of each. I'm wearing one of those in about half the photos that have been taken of me in the years since then. I still have 4 blue and 3 read that I haven't worn.
I actually needed two pairs of jeans. My gardening jeans had also given up the ghost. So my scruffy, hanging-round-the-house jeans were demoted to gardening jeans. My not-smart-but-ok-for-supermarket-trips jeans became my scruffy etc. My second best pair became my not-smart-but-ok pair and my best pair became my second best pair. I needed a new best pair.
So it was off to Jean Genie (named for the song). As the name suggests they specialise in denim. Jeans, skirts, dresses, jackets. I could find a pair for work with no problem. The had a table right near the door with cheap but strong work jeans (with the extra pockets for a rule, screwdriver; and a loop for a hammer). Looking for a best pair was more difficult. I knew what I wanted but could I find it?? There must have been a couple of thousand pair of jeans there but I couldn't for the life of me see the type I like. As assistant bustled over. "Can I help you??" I resisted the temptation to correct her grammar. I was proud of myself for that. Instead I said, "Yes, please." Then I told her what I wanted. A pair of button-fly, straight-cut, easy-fit, dark blue, 32 inside leg but not 501s. She asked me to repeat what I'd said. Twice. Finally she understood and led me to some shelves. I pointed out, politely, that these were all boot-cut not straight-cut. Plus they were 501s.
She led me to another set of shelves. I politely remarked that these were zip-fly - and still boot-cut. We tried a third set. Skinny fit. I could tell she was regretting coming over to me. She led me to the back of the shop where there were several, rather high, loose stacks of jeans. They were straight-cut, there were easy-fit in amongst the other styles. And they were button-fly. I grew hopeful. There were 30 inside leg, there were 34 inside leg (quite a lot of those actually). There were 38 inside leg. There was even a single solitary pair that declared themselves to be a 42 inside leg. (Bloody Ada - how tall would you need to be for that!!).
There were no 32 inside leg. She informed me that this was because 32 is the most popular size. Am I the only person who thinks that not having the most popular size in stock is just a trifle barmy??
Then she spotted a pair. Right at the bottom of the largest stack. She tugged on them. They didn't move. The stack wobbled slightly. With an uncharacteristic burst of common-sense I remarked, "I don't think that's a good idea." She replied, "I can get them." And she grabbed hold with both hands and heaved with all her strength.
She flew backwards. The pile toppled. It hit the next pile. Which also toppled. Pretty soon there were five 6-foot stacks of jeans heading towards the floor. As the assistant crashed backwards she cannoned into me. I also flew back. Into one of those chrome racks on wheels, full of jackets. It rolled. Within half-a-minute there were three more racks speeding towards destruction.
Then there was silence. Complete silence. There were approximately five hundred pairs of jeans, one hundred-and-twenty jackets, and fifteen dresses on the floor.
"I told you I could get it." She held up the jeans. I bought them. I kind of had to after that. I would have anyway because they were perfect. I did offer to help pick up the stuff on the floor, the assistant would have been happy to have me help, but the manager was a little stressed and in a rather strained voice told me that wouldn't be necessary.
I'm not 100% certain but I think I might be banned from Jean Genie in future.
But it really wasn't my fault. Honest.
Ze
posted by zero2aries - 1:18 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Monday, March 08, 2010
A new week begins...
...and it has turned cold here in Washington. We had beautiful sunny weather all day and now it's chilly. I wish the fire was roaring.
Hope your week began well. Happy reading!
Tamara
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Sunday, March 07, 2010
Changes Ahead
Please consider taking the time and signing up for our Yahoo Group as we are going through both Blogger changes (no more FTP uploads) and a web hosting change on the Uber Etc. web site.
Our Yahoo Group is a replica (in group format), and if there are issues with the web site over the next couple of weeks the Yahoo Group is a great back up. You can always get the daily email or choose to go on no mail and consider it a back up only to our web site. Also, a reminder that our Yahoo Group is once daily posts of the updates list only. In other words, no fear of an overload with this group.
Other than that, it's another Sunday night as we prepare to get ready to head back to work.
Enjoy the updates!
Elisa
posted by E - 5:49 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Saturday, March 06, 2010
Productive Day
Lots done today. Tidied the house for the Open tomorrow. E mowed the front yard and tidied outside. We also defeated a monster in Castle Age that we've been working on for days. Yippee! It's nice to be productive in the real world and pop into the virtual one every now and again for a bash or three.
Tomorrow we'll vacate the premises for several hours. Don't know what we'll do. Have fun tomorrow with whatever you decide to do with your day.
Tamara
posted by Tamara - 8:35 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Friday, March 05, 2010
Weekend Ahead
Our spring has definitely arrived. The cherry trees are blooming early and the sun shines (between clouds) daily. Should be a beautiful weekend for me to work in the yard. How perfect is sunny up to 60 in early March?
So here is hoping you all can enjoy your weekend in one fashion or another as well!
Peace, Health and Happiness to all.
Elisa
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Thursday, March 04, 2010
Off to the park....
Have at it.
Tamara
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Not a lot about not a lot.
Right. What shall I harangue you about tonight?? Nah. Don't feel like haranguing. Nothing of note happened at work. I painted the walls of three rooms (two coats each) and that's about it. England won a friendly against Egypt - though they (England) were made to look decidedly second-rate for the first half-hour. Of course I knew we'd win (even when we went one down) because I was wearing all the right things and drinking from the right mug. Always works.
Oh boy am I going to have to do the laundry a lot more frequently during the World Cup - every other day I reckon. Just to make sure I've always got the right socks and underwear when England play. I wouldn't want it to be my fault, if we get knocked out, because I hadn't washed my kit and was wearing the wrong things!!
And we will get knocked out. Probably in the quarters - maybe in the semis if we're very lucky. And it will probably be on penalties. I expect Brazil will win it again.
Not as many updates for you to read tonight (but you're probably still trying to catch up with yesterday's). So since there's less to read you've got time and opportunity to send the writers a spot of feedback. (Ok - I lied when I said I wouldn't harangue you *g*). If you read 'em - feed 'em (copyright my mate Oz from the RAOB *g*).
See you next week, goodnight and may your God/s go with you.
Ze
posted by zero2aries - 2:05 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Right as Ninepence
That's me. (Though your guess is as good as mine as to why ninepence in particular is deemed to be right.) By which I mean my back appears to be ok. I didn't get back to work last week unfortunately, but I'm back this week. And a lovely week it is so far. Crisp, cold, frosty mornings giving way to beautiful, warm, sunny days. Perfect. It won't last of course, but I'm enjoying it while it does.
I was thinking (in a confused and muddled fashion) this week about the way the internet distances people. It brings us closer together, sure, I have friends from all over the world now, with whom I can chat at no extra cost, as often as I choose. And yet there's a separation still. Not from my friends but from people in general. It's a lack of manners, a lack of respect. Perfect strangers seem to feel that it's ok to demand things. Often in the rudest possible language. The sense of entitlement coupled with a shortage of common courtesy in gobsmacking sometimes.
People feel they have the right to demand updates to stories, that writers have placed on the web for readers to enjoy free of charge.(And sometimes (though not quite as often in my experience) writers can do the same, demanding x-number of comments before they update, sorry, but if you do that then I stop reading). And then they flounce off in a huff if they don't get one quick enough. Or worse still, offer personal insults and offensive, profane or nasty little comments. And if they do get their updates... do they say "thank you"?? Do they heck. It's free people. You don't have the right to anything!!
A writer friend of mine recently posted her latest novel on her group. Some folk weren't satisfied with this and had a whinge about the format. Because she hadn't posted it in the format they wanted for their ebook reader. She was a little frustrated and annoyed but she was still far more polite with them than I would have been. (I'd have probably sent them here). Another writer friend wrote a long email which pretty much said that people shouldn't be so damned ungrateful (but in far more polite language). I had to agree with her. And a third friend commented about the numbers. The sites and stories are getting just as many (if not more) hits as they were five or ten years ago. But only about a tenth of the feedback. Now I know it's hard sometimes, to write a long review, detailing all the things you liked, what worked for you, etc. But is it really so hard to simply say, "Enjoyed your story, thanks for writing"??
I can't claim to be a saint here, either. I seldom feed the authors these days. But I'm going to try to do so in future. If you want to keep reading, if you don't want writers to be discouraged and stop, how about you do the same?? Send thanks to all the writers out there.
If you read 'em - feed 'em.
Ze
posted by zero2aries - 2:02 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Monday, March 01, 2010
Phair Ramble Part 2
Take it away, phair For the first time since the summer of 1993, I'm not positive what comes next. I was laid off from a job I loved in 1993. I was bumped out by my manager accepting a downsize to staff level when her position was cut. My backup plan was immediately activated; money was coming in from a tiny severance package, there was potential for unemployment if things dragged out longer than six weeks, COBRA was available for health insurance, besides it was summer and we were living at the beach. So what did I do? I raced to find another job as quickly as possible. Ten days later, I started the next phase of my career by an accident of circumstance and timing. I rocketed to manager level.
The rest of my career kind of careened along in a similar manner. Staff level jobs during higher reimbursement cycles and manager level jobs during lower per diem phases. Healthcare salaries ebb and flow with stock trading. Bull markets and we are living in high times in healthcare. Bear markets mean budget tightening. When things are bearish, you might hear hospital administrators wonder out loud if, perhaps, instead of billing the patients just for the pills they are taking maybe they should be charged a nominal fee for the 4 ounces of water as well. During a particular low point in 2008, one unscrupulous nursing facility issued each patient one Styrofoam cup per day. If the cup was lost, stolen, or eaten there would be repercussions. Of course, there were repercussions, the state put the facility into receivership and forced a sale to a more responsible corporation. But, let's save discussions of corporate healthcare for another time.
We're talking about me and I'm in a free fall.
It is different than a downward spiral only in the fact that all potentials remain in play. There's no substance to be unabashed for. No health issue to be cured/treated/recurred. No family to make functional. No child care to be unissued.
I just stopped following the plan. I'm ignoring my backup plan as well. It's still there. A new job is scheduled to start next week. I have a few things more to do before I report. I can easily accomplish those things but I haven't done them yet. That's what I mean by ignoring my plan. I should be online learning to do CPR – it's required. I should be buying new clothes – my pants are baggy since I lost weight. I should get a Net book – it's trendy.
But, I not doing any of those things. Instead, I'm spending a great deal of time playing Farmville. And, I'm thinking while tending my virtual crops and milking my cartoon cows. Thinking about what I don't want to do anymore. And, more important, I'm thinking about what I actually do want to do.
I've had a running joke with my nieces for years now. Whenever I have made a job change, I tell them it is because my boss refused to appreciate my unique specialness so I fired them. Perhaps, it is less of a joke than I've ever wanted to really admit. But, there's a chance that it is not my bosses who were failing. Maybe, it's been me missing the point. It could be that I've been ignoring my unique specialness and settling for the safe plan since second semester of first grade. Maybe it is time to stop being so very safe and just live.
Free falling still. Wind racing through my hair. Heart beating triple time. Holding my breath. Waiting to see what happens next. Because, I just don’t know...
We'll look forward to another update soon! Thanks for the ramble, phair! Now back to your updates...enjoy 'em!
Elisa
posted by E - 5:18 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Read away.
Not as much as yesterday but I bet you're not even caught up yet. *g*
Tamara
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Saturday, February 27, 2010
A ramble, a request and lots to read!
A ramble (part 1) from the one and only phair.
I'm beyond half way. More than midway through my life. There is little chance of me getting to be ninety two. To get to ninety two, you need to have some basic building blocks from your gene pool. Like, some direct line ancestor living to their ninety second birthday. An eighty second birthday, at least. I'm in a direct heredity line of mid seventies survivors. There is not one eighty year old among my three grandparents who knew how old they actually were. My Dad's mom does not factor into the equation. She had hedged and fibbed and outright lied about her age so much, she forgot how old she really was. However, she remembered it was important to keep the lies going. So, if you take the average of my parents' ages when they died then I'm looking at about thirty more years of living.
There are not guarantees, of course. There was no guarantee I'd get this far. Life's only constant in inconsistency. Anything could happen and a lot of it usually does. But, I've always planned for the future. No, I was not some kind of self motivated overachiever. I was a victim of my parents' ambition. They were stage parents who were not seeking a theater stage for their offspring. My parents were grooming professions and future home owners. This is the odd part. My parents were entertainers; singers and musicians. Their dreams for their children shunned the bright lights of music or acting and embraced the roles of doctors, nurses, accountants. Mom and Dad dared to pray their children would grow up and garnerfive figure salaries. Imagine their thrill, when in my first six months out of graduate school I made more than my Dad's last full year working before retirement. I thought my mother would orgasm right there at the kitchen table doing my 1988 taxes. She didn't but the imagery is still vivid.
A well planned life will face interruptions. No way to avoid the drama of the daily grind regardless of how well you map out your child's future during the last semester of first grade. I failed first grade, by the way. Then I complicated my mother's corrective actions by failing second grade. Mom and Dad were not deterred. They informed the school my low grades were due to the teachers' incompetence. I was enrolled in a different school and did marginally better which allowed Mom and Dad to re-sketch their plans for my future. However, the reimagining of my future imaginary life included a backup plan at every level. JUST IN CASE, the first grade teachers were not entirely incompetent.
Our array of back up plans included, multiple school switches and a move from the city to the suburbs. College prep high school? Absolutely! Typing elective to be on the safe side? Definitely! College applications? Yes. Ivy league University, small private college, smaller public college, and tiny junior college selections? Positively! Much to my surprise and my parents' faith, I manage to get accepted by both midrange colleges. Then to shock and horror of my high school guidance counselor, who informed me I needed a job where pictures were put on the cash register keys, I was accepted to a graduate school after successfully finishing college in four years. Okay, it took three years to get through the two year masters program but I finished and nobody has asked about the extra year since my first job as a professional.
I built an impressive career since then. I live in a nice home in a location I always dreamed about living. There is food eat in my kitchen and fuel to keep me warm and get me from here to there. Some months are tighter for cash flow than others but it is because of the things I want versus the bare necessities of living. Lap of luxury? Not really. Living comfortably? Yes...sort of.
I walked away from my day job last week. It was a career first for me. My boss knew I was leaving and was supportive of the decision but wanted thirty days. More than reasonable. It was all very civil. You might even say friendly. It was based on mutual respect and the knowledge I have a new job starting soon and the site I was leaving would be covered. No problems, I just needed to work through my notice.
But...couldn't do it. Down to the last four days, I walked out. Packed my meager possessions and handed in my name badge.
I'm in a freefall.
We will be posting part 2 (of sorts) shortly. Now a request from a reader:
Would you be able to assist in finding a story that is no longer posted anywhere I can find on the web? It was a series called "Unbroken" written by Carrie Ryan and K. Darblyn. The beginning of the second series "Unbroken: Wedding bells" is still online but it says to contact the authors for the first series. Problem, can't find the authors. Do you know the best way for me to beg, borrow or buy this series? Any input would help. It took me a week to recall the name now I am just determined to find the story. Thanks from one Tamara to another. :)
Tamara (a different one)
There you have it, can someone please help this Tamara out?
Thanks and have a great night!
Elisa
posted by E - 7:04 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Bah
I'm pooped tonight. Not sure why. My day wasn't rough. I'm darn glad the week is over though. Enjoy the updates!
Tamara
posted by Tamara - 6:08 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
End Is Near
Friday that is...been a very long week. Somehow vacation makes my desk seem like I took off a month. Oh well, I'm happy I have a job...hence long week coming to a close and I gratefully look forward to Friday.
Now enough babbling off to your update, enjoy!
Elisa
posted by E - 4:30 PM -- Email this post: Link to this entry
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