Out of Title Ideas

Today, I am at a complete loss of what to title should be labelled. Should I just call it busy, and how we are now into our busiest season at work...(one of the few depts at the Company where I work that is). Hence, I have had almost no time to update my Blog (less alone do my Christmas Shopping). This year, I am afraid my family is going to be receiving their presents after Christmas (how truly horrible am I to ship off my gifts) in time for them to have them the week after Christmas. I can assure myself and my family, that next year I will be shopping throughout the year and will have my shopping complete before the first of December.

Now my second issue is with my ISP. I have not been able to use their software for approximately 5 days now. A few weeks ago, I upgraded to their new Security release and since then - when I attempt to VPN/Remote Desktop into my work desktop, it shuts me down and kicks me completely out. It appears as if something recognises that the port is open (and it takes it approximately 30-90 seconds to recognise this) and I get tossed off not only remote desktop, but VPN and my ISP as well. I was going to work on the issue myself, but quite frankly I have not had the time. Therefore, after confirming that this was not work related I contacted my ISP. God help me, I should have worked on resolving the issue myself. I have now gone from VPN issues to not being able to use/upgrade/reinstall my ISP software (what was I thinking contacted their Tech Support). I have spoken with 3 Tech Support Helpdesks in all different parts of the world (for a total of 7.5 hrs), and I am now even worse off than the original issue. The worse is that I pay $48 and change (per month) for this service (on top of the rest) and I cannot use it. Today, I am writing to my ISP (well, E-mailing them) and I am not fully paying for this service until it is resolved.
The Tech Support Analysts are either reading scripts or manuals (not sure that they are even computer techs), and they have no thoughts as to what the root cause is. The last one told me that because I know what I am doing with Computers, that is was up to me to fix it. After I confirmed with them, that I heard correctly I was too stunned to protest. I am now using a direct connection to my ISP in order to be on the Net, and my VPN/Remote Desktop works. My connection is definitely slower, but my frustration grows by the day.

And that is my rant of the day. :(

The Last of My Blog Tag Posts

Blog Tag Post Final #4
The last of my Blog Tags

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

1. Share my good fortune with family and friends


2. Purchase land right on the Ocean in NS and build my log home. Design it myself, and have it so that when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see is the ocean.


3. Give money to Animal Shelters/Humane Societies and the Canadian Cancer Society


4. Go back to school full time


5. Invest the rest because what does a Million dollars buy you these days?

Five things you like doing (no particular order):

1. Going for long walks in the snow


2. Going to the Theatre


3. Going for long walks along the beach


4. Reading


5. Museums

Five things you would never wear again:

1. Legwarmers – Had enough the first go round


2. Bubble Skirts – What we were thinking?


3. A Papa Smurf Costume in a Christmas Parade – have you even been chased by a group of kids all wanting to meet you (Intimidating)


4. Perms – I look like a poodle


5. Light Jackets in the Winter – Now I just want to be warm

Five favorite toys (no particular order):

1. Trivia Games


2. Stuffed Animals


3. “Clue” the Board Game


4. Card Games


5. Science and Exploration

Games Night

Games Night was a blast, and I learned that I have absolutely no acting skills (Thanks Hoopla). It was a great evening, and everyone was so wonderful about teaching me how to play the various games. I have to give a big thank you to Taras for picking me up. :)
As well, thank you to our host Chris, who I now fully believe is the real life MacGyver. I also finally got to see the famous "Garland"!

I just wish I did a better job of avoiding all the cameras, as I truly hate having my picture taken.

Thank you to everyone who was there for such a perfect evening! :)

Favourite Snack Addition

I do not know how I forgot to list my number one favourite snack, but I did neglect to mention it.

Favourite snack food of all time is: Watermelon :)

Blog Tag Post #3

Five snacks you enjoy:

1. Humpty Dumpty Cheesies – no other ones come close – not even Cheetos


2. Roast Chicken Chips – I can only find these in Nova Scotia


3. Clementines - I love how easily they peel


4. Red Delicious Apples – Yummy – But I have to admit I prefer the American Red over the Canadian one {hanging my head in shame}


5. Carmel Flakies – Again – only found in Nova Scotia

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:

1. Farewell To Nova Scotia (as Malice has clearly stated – All Bluenosers know this one)


2. O Canada – I should hope I know this one


3. Jingle Bells – Just do not ask me for the second verse


4. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Is there a second Verse?


5. Away In A Manger – First Two Verses

Blog Tag Post #2

What were you doing 1 year ago?

Working in Downtown Toronto, and getting ready to go home for Christmas.

Christmas in the City is hard on me. Perhaps, it is because I was born and bred in a small town where everyone knows your name (sounds like “Cheers”). I am not kidding. Growing up one of my favourite things to do was to go for long drives in the car. Let me tell you, before I even pulled in the driveway – my parents would know where I was – how fast I was going – and what music was playing (usually "Prince" or “The Cars”).. My tastes have evolved since then. These days, I am more likely to play one of the “Phantom of the Opera” soundtracks or “Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky”. However, I still love my Depeche Mode, but have found that Classical Music and Opera soothes my soul (though I am just a beginner when it comes to learning about the composers).

Anyways, I am off topic…back to my answer:
Christmas in a small town is absolutely wonderful. One always has food and drinks ready for the guests who just “Drop In”. There is no such thing as making an appointment to visit a friend/family (it is actually considered bad manners to do so). People throughout the season go from house to house, visiting and enjoying the goodwill of mankind. Everyone makes you feel welcome, and there is so much joy in the hearts of all.

So just about this time last year, I was doing my last minute shopping and making sure I had room in my suitcases. Counting down the days until my flight left. Making sure that I had everything ready in time (never happened…and of course there was last minute rushing but it was a nice dream to even think I would be prepared beforehand).

Blog Tag Post Answer #1A

Blog Tag Post Answers # 1A

Let’s Try This Again…perhaps it was a sign to tell me that my answers were too long the first time.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago, I was living in Etobicoke and working at Smithbooks in Sherway Gardens. The Store is no longer there, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
Our Store had a higher than normal percentage of regular customers, and those customers became our friends. In fact, they became our family; not only did we have our regular customers, but our staff remained essentially the same as well.
At Christmas time, we exchanged cards with our special customers. In some cases, we would exchange gifts with them as well. Our customers were very generous towards us, and the gifts that they would give were filled with love, and warmth.
I absolutely loved our customers, and I still keep in touch with a couple today. I loved picking out books for them, and separating the books into piles (for each individual customer) for I knew their tastes as well as my own. We would always call them to notify when their favourite authors would come in. We would also contact them if we thought that we discovered a new author that they would enjoy.
Several of our customers, would bring in their family and friends to meet us. Nothing warms your heart, and makes it beam as the honour of meeting these people. How incredible for us to have touched our customers lives in some way, that they would think you are worthy of meeting those closest to them.
As it turns out, I will be responding to the answers in segments. Good Night

Christmas Countdown

Countdown Has Begun

Blog Tag Post #1

Thank you to the "Lone Consultant" for tagging me :)

I might try to do this in one shot. Let's go :)


Finally: Answer the questions below
What were you doing 10 years ago?
What were you doing 1 year ago?
Five snacks you enjoy:
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Five things you like doing:
Five things you would never wear again:
Five favorite toys:

***Okay - after being about 60% finished with my replies - one wrong click and I have lost it all. I know better than that as I usually save drafts.***

Sorry folks, I am off to bed. I will redo it on the week-end.