Packaging and waste

Last week, I placed an order for five items. I received four packages with lots of packaging. It's such a waste of materials, among other things.

It makes me shake my head when it comes to how over-packaged things are. I then ordered a cell phone case from Pela. I got one for free and the packaging was minimal. It was quite the contrast.

Speaking to a crowd and not being as petrified as I was in grade 7

Yesterday, I did a presentation online with an audience of twenty people who are my peers, including my manager's boss. I originally thought of creating a PowerPoint set of slides. One member on our team of four just said to present my points that I had summarized as my meeting minutes last week.

Well, I did. He decided to create a PowerPoint for his other group that he was leading. Geez, thanks!

On a good note, my presentation went so well that I have been asked to present it to my entire department. Yes, I will need to create PowerPoint slides. My minimalistic approach wasn't bad at all.

When I was in grade 7 and throughout most of my academic life, I was extremely nervous talking in front of roughly thirty people. I would rehearse a ton before doing any presentation. It helped.

I supposed that my work and life experiences talking within my team, training others, and hanging out with friends pre-pandemic have made me comfortable speaking in public. For yesterday's presentation, I didn't do much rehearsing or preparation work.

It's interesting how things change as you get older.

Blogger's user interface continues to change - part 2, cocktails, and tea

Okay, I have logged on and the editor looks completely minimalistic. It's weird. It'll take getting used to.

When I say weird, I mean that my left margin is right up against the left side of the browser window. Talk about using the entire browser window!

Later on today, I'm heading into Toronto to pick up some cocktail supplies for a virtual meeting. It's weird that I'm cutting out of working from home for a bit. The place is open between 2 and 4 pm. Sure, it's a limited period to be open. I'm glad that I have some flexibility in my schedule. I typically have lunch at 2 pm. I have already worked and additional 1.5 hours to make up for this time.

Decluttering continues. I spent some time organizing my tea. I had a couple of empty boxes. I'm not sure why I kept them. 

I also have the most amazing pancake tea. It smells like breakfast, especially the maple syrup. I can't wait to have it again.

Packing and restoring my iPod classic

I am packing light for my trip. I am away for three days and I am in the Twin Cities for two of them. I am technically done. I'll I need are snacks.

As of late, I want to return to simpler times. I spent some time last night restoring music on my iPod classic. Yep, folks say that it looks like a brick. However, it holds my entire digital music collection.

I like it because I don't need to stream my music. I don't have the option to check my e-mail or do searches online. I am removed from plenty of distractions.

The fact that it is probably over a decade old and still works well is nice. I am contemplating getting the newest iPod touch. It would be a distraction, as it has bluebooth, wifi, and messaging capabilities.

I'll stick with my iPod classic for now.

Taxes, finances, and date lunches

It has been a half-productive, half-relaxing weekend. Sadly, the work week is about to being several hours from now.

Any time away from work is relaxing to me. From getting groceries to blogging, I will take it all!

I spent Sunday working on income tax returns. I had filed mine in early March. My parents tend to give me their receipts and such in early April. I got them on Saturday and completed them early Sunday evening.

I have also been on a mission to look at my finances and be minimalistic. Last year, I paid and got rid of two credit cards. I was so pleased with that accomplishment. I still have some work to do.

Within the past couple of months, I have reduced my spending. I don't need to shop as often as I used to. I am doing well in that department. I am inspired to continue.

On Monday, my guy is at the office for the entire week and all of next week. It'll be wonderful having lunch with him for most days, except for those days when I am working from home. I am looking forward to having lunch dates with my favourite date.

Minimalism - cleaning and making our lives less cluttered

I spent an hour last night cleaning. A couple of evenings ago, I bought a used storage drawer. It does match the storage drawers that I already have.

I am in a minimalistic state of mind these days. It started with my finances. I decided to cancel a couple of credit cards after I had paid them off. I then went crazy and shredded bills and statements that I have amassed over the years.

Normally, I go with an e-copy of my statements. I don't know why I still get quite a number of paper statements in the mail. I wish that all companies go paperless.

On a good note, my shredder that I have had for probably a good decade still works well. It's therapeutic shredding statements and old credit cards. However, the bin is rather small and I need to empty it frequently!

I'll probably look at my wardrobe soon and go through another wave of donations. I don't need to buy any clothes. I am content with what I have, but I am sure that there are articles of clothing that I don't wear. They might was well go to folks who would like to have and make use of them.

My guy is in a similar frame of mind. He has been cleaning his home office these days.

It's neat how we are both on the same wavelength.