Quick Entry

This has to be a quick entry.

* A couple of weeks ago I participated in a social networking event "Pumpkin Carving in the Park".  The organizer of that event changed it to carving in his backyard.  It was a nice event.  My pumpkin lasted only a day before it started to decay.  The guy said that we had to scoop out as much of the insides until the light could be shown through the shell.  With that and the fact that I cut out large shapes caused my pumpkin to start to decay fast.

* Yesterday, I met an online epal in person.  He suggested Manhattan, I suggested the comic book shop I've mentioned in the past on this blog.  That worked out great.  The epals plan was park or museum.  Problem, the guy was very late.  I didn't realize how late because I was really into the comics, so I wasn't watching the time.  About 1:53pm I received the first text message asking if I was still at the shop and that he was around the corner.  The meeting time was 1pm.  After a few minutes of wandering around the shop, the guy didn't buy anything, or seemed very interested in the books.  He knew the place(and a bit about comics), but he didn't seem to really be interested in comics.

We had lunch at Chipotle Mexican Grill.  Nice guy but seemed to be a bit of a "conversationalist".  At times, it seemed difficult to get a word.  Asking my opinion seemed to be an afterthought.  A good 5 minutes would past of him giving his opinion about something before he would ask for my opinion.  After lunch, we walked southward (I don't know why).  The conversation was nice, but nothing of substance.  Then, he takes a call on his cell phone.  For a good 7 or 8 minutes, I'm walking with a complete strange as he is laughing and talking on his cell phone.  Along the walk, I stop from time to time to look at the small electronic stores along the way.  At one point the guy is about 10 ~ 15 away before he notices that I stopped.  In the course of our walk, the conversation turns to B&N Nook (their e-readers).  E-pal is a big fan of Nook more than Amazon's Kindle.  During the conversation on why the nook is better, we come across a Barnes and Nobles.

After a stop at the classics section (he wanted to show me a classic that (as a teacher he thought I would know).  It wasn't there.  And after a bit of wandering, I spotted the sci-fi/fantasy section -- I made a bee-line for the section.  After hearing about how wonderful the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was from epal, I purchased the paperback set ($29 with my membership discount).  After B&N, we continue walking southward (I still don't know why).  However again, epal is on his phone laughing and talking.  I was annoyed!  We continued to walk with epal on the phone and me walking along in silence.  I slowed up walking hoping epal would get the hint...he kept talking.  I finally stopped walking, epal also stopped, but...he continued talking.  I sat down on the sidewalk...and yes, he still kept talking on his cell phone.  I was on that cold concrete sidewalk for a good 3 or 4 minutes.  Only when I dramatically looked at my watch did epal tell the person he had to go.  After a bit more walking, we went our separate ways. 

The guy really was a nice guy, but I don't think we really had much in common.

Missing Money

Today on my way to the supermarket, I made a quick trip to the bank.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I had spent my Christmas Club money.  Yep, not keeping up with my finances has cost me yet again.  I do remember last month at the last minute taking money out of my credit union account to cover some bills (not thinking at the time why I had a couple of extra hundred dollars in my savings).   At the time, I just thought, "Oh, I haven't made a withdrawal in several weeks, so that would explain the extra money".   I knew months before it would happen that the money would just "disappear" when it was rolled over automatically from my Christmas Club account to my savings account.  I think I mentioned this happening in a previous blog entry.  That money was suppose to be my "guilt-free spend on me" money.

Well, being a bit annoyed, I think I will withdraw the Christmas Club amount ($600) from my regular checking account before that money disappears as well.  I have half a mind to stash it under my mattress until Christmas time.  No, it isn't the safest place to keep money, but considering my lack of financial skills, the bank isn't much better.  I'll see.

Well, that didn't last long.

I think the title says it all.

Quick Entry

Quick Entry.  Really nothing to blog about.  Same bad habits carried over from week to week.  This three-day weekend was no different.  However, I'm feeling a bit pleased with myself for finally making a greater effort to stick with my "To Do" List.  I accomplished 7 out of 13 things that I had written down.  If I get off this computer, I could do another 2(possibly 3) items on my list.

Sometimes you do things (or plan to do things) a hundred times and it just doesn't click, but then one day it does.  I'm going to try using one of my extra pocket "anecdotal" notebooks as a daily "To Do" List.  I'm going to try to keep a daily "To Do" List.  Hopefully, if I can fill up one of the mini books with a bunch of lists, I won't need to be such a procrastinator in the future. 

This week(at home), I'm going to try cleaning one thing in my apartment.  And at work, I'm going to try to put 2 or 3 "items" on my list for completion by 5PM.  I'm hoping that if I can feel like I accomplished something, then I will be able to leave work at a normal hour.

Well, I better go and see if I can check off another 2 items on my "To Do" list.

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UPDATE - I was only able to check one more thing off my list (homework sheet).  Unfortunately, my computer is a liability.  After answering a couple of emails, and planning a social networking event, I don't have time to do anything else from my list.  The real test will come tomorrow.  Hopefully, I will be able to stick with my new goal.