Company-wide laptop issue

I'm glad that I took Monday off. My company had a worldwide laptop issue. It makes you wonder what the IT department loads that causes every single laptop to flicker and die.

I got my first work broadcast text. I don't have my cell phone number listed publicly in our company directory, but it is there for emergencies. It worked.

I did boot up my laptop tonight and it works fine. It's just in time for my returning to work later on today.

Making chili from scratch, but with a kit

On Sunday, I made chili that came in a small kit. It included raw beans that required soaking overnight.

I see why I like buying canned beans to make chili. I don't have to deal with soaking them, simmering them, and then getting to the actual chili-making phase. I went through the whole process and my chili turned out well.

Frankly, I like making my own chili. I can control the sodium in it. I used a chili flavour pack that came with this kit and it had more salt than I was used to.

The chili tasted a lot better a few hours later. I imagine that it will be fabulous later on today. I made a lot and it's so filling. I may change things up and make nachos with some of it.

I have two more weeks before there's a long weekend. I am enjoying not doing as many online Zoom calls. It's so much better to use see the world as safely as possible. 

A surprise connection dealing with my retirement savings accounts

On Thursday, I decided to call my bank to make an update to my retirement savings account. I got a nice man on the phone who took the time to explain everything to me.

I am doing a couple of moves. I'm updating my savings portfolio within my retirement savings account. I am also transferring two other RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) from a bank that I despise over to my current bank.

At the end of our call, which was the first phase, he noticed my place of employment and said that his son had finished a year of his internship at the same company. I asked what the his son's first name was. When he said it, I was delighted. I worked with him closely over the past year. We were on the same software development team.

He let me know that his son has a job lined up after he graduates from university next April. I was thrilled, as he was concerned about getting a job and asked me for help. His dad was appreciate.

Small world, huh?

Somebody, Feed Phil makes me happy

I haven't been using Netflix as often as I should be during this pandemic. It has taken a show that I truly love for me to get back into using my Netflix account.

I love Somebody, Feed Phil. Phil Rosenthal loves food. I enjoy how delighted he is eating new foods and travelling around the world. He's a nice person who genuinely appreciates eating yummy food.

It's nice to enjoy such a cheerful series in light of what's happening in the world.

World Cup pool aftermath

I didn't win the World Cup pool at work. I came fourth. I did better than I had expected.

When I first broke the news to my guy, he told me not to be sad. He said that I had a great run. He was right.

He reinforced that feeling the other night.

"I'm so proud of you. You're not European or male, and you managed to give everyone a run for their money," he said.
"You're being your sweet self," I replied.
"No, I really mean it. You were a threat and you predicted well," he noted.
"Thanks, sweetie. I was the top female, which is something to be proud of," I replied.

It was fun. I am glad that I don't have to think about the World Cup for another four years.

World Cup fever

I am in a World Cup pool at work. There are roughly three women in a heavily male-dominated office pool.

"I am leading the pool," I told my guy.
"Really? That's cool!" he exclaimed.
"Thanks. I have been leading for over a week. I hope that I can hang on. That's the bonus that I never got at work this year," I replied.
"I have full confidence that you'll win it," he said, smiling.

My guy loves when he learns new things about me. I am a hockey fan. However, I have loved watching World Cup games since 2002. I got laid off in the States that year and moved back to Canada. I had nothing better to do than watch games at odd hours of the day.

Here's hoping that I can hang on and win.

Being compassionate is positive

I am fortunate to have three students this term. One of them, before she started her internship, had indicated that she needed surgery in July.

She had her surgery last Wednesday. She stayed in the hospital for a couple of days and has been discharged. She is resting comfortably at home.

I am a sensitive person when it comes to such matters. When my manager injured his eye, I got everyone on the team to chip in for a fruit bouquet. When another writer on my team got injured in a car accident, I ordered a flower and food basket while I was in Montreal training writers over there on behalf of our team.

With my other two students, I made the suggestion to send her a get-well gift. They liked the idea.

As expected, the one student who started in May took the initiative to look up floral gifts and even order it! The other one, who has worked with me the longest, is the youngest, and doesn't exhibit as much initiative, seems to be more comfortable with these two students than the last one that she was with. I am glad, because the other two are slightly older and are mature beyond their years.

We all corresponded back and forth about the floral gift, how to expense it, what to write, and so on. It was a good exercise in being caring human beings.

They will do just fine in this world.

Playful chat on being a good girl

Texting on Skype is a lot of fun with my guy (MG).

Me: I'm being good
MG: Oh, no. Don't start with this again.
Me: I'm a goodie girl
MG: I had an indisputable confession from you
Me: In a goodie wo-o-rld
MG: No, no, no
Me: No, that doesn't count
MG: Of course, it does
Me: Nooo
MG: Yessss
Me: Noooo * infinity
Me: I win. Yay!
MG: Yessss infinity and beyond
MG: I win yay!
Me: Yes, Buzz
Me: Noooo
Me: Me win first!
MG: We'll see
Me: Okay, says this good girl
MG: Bad, very bad
Me: Nooooo. Good girl forever!
MG: Nope
Me: Oh, well. Just need to continue convincing you
MG: Won't work

It's fun acting like little kids. Playfulness is always encouraged, especially when we are kilometres apart.

N is for for World Naked Bike Ride Day

Saturday was World Naked Bike Ride Day. It's a day where you ride naked on your bike to reduce your dependency on oil and express yourself freely by letting everything hang out.

I could never ride on a bike naked. First, there is enough chaffing happening when you are wearing clothes. Why ride naked and injure yourself more? Second, you really would need to invest in a comfortable bicycle seat. Third, you would need to launder your bicycle seat cover like you would your clothes. Fourth, why would I subject everyone to see all of me?

There is an exception to the last point. My guy wouldn't mind seeing me that way. I am not sure about being on a bike in public for the whole world to see, though. In my case, I would probably be riding with a rosy backside, moments after my guy has spanked me.