2011 was a fantastic year for music. There were some great records by established artists, some fantastic newcomers, and some records that took a while to make but were worth the wait. Here are some of my favourites, in no particular order (click the album cover for iTunes links!):
Annoyances: Kijiji, Freecycle, People in General
The internet has made selling things so much easier. With the rise of eBay and online classifieds, as well as forums and other sites, you are much more likely to find a buyer for those items that are taking up space, or that you need to sell so you can upgrade to the latest and greatest model.
Unfortunately, even though you are using the internet, you still need to deal with people. Annoying, stupid people. The same people who would come to your yard sale and try and haggle with you over a $2 set of dishes are now harnessing the power of e-mail and low-balling you on the iPod you are selling on Kijiji.
I can’t count the number of times I have received ridiculously low offers for items I have for sale on Kijiji. I know everyone loves a good deal, but if I’m selling something that is in great condition at an incredibly reasonable price, offering me a fraction of that price is annoying.
The Most Rewarding Moment
Next Friday is my last day working as a Client Trainer for GBS Communications/TELUS. Last week I had the most rewarding experience since I began this position last October.
I had a training session with a client who had purchased a new iPhone. I noticed from his account information that the phone was for his construction business. I always like to tailor the training to the clients needs and interests, especially if they own their own business as there are many ways a smartphone can help in that regard. Halfway through the session, I asked him if he still worked on the “front lines” or if he was in more of a management position.
He told me he ran the company. Four years ago he realized family is what is most important and that he decided he needed to be home more and have a better life/work balance.
my healthy kick: week 1 update
Photo by godwelder on flickr.
Last week I started my healthy kick. For the whole week, I ate mostly fruits and vegetables, and drank green tea and water. I lost over 5lbs. These first pounds are the easiest to shed, but it still felt great. The best part was I did not find myself hungry or jonesing for the bad stuff. I did have an ice cream and some s’mores on the weekend to reward myself, but it didn’t affect my weight.
This week while in Toronto, I will try my best to eat well and maybe even exercise and swim at the hotel. However, this will be my vacation, something I haven’t had in a little while since I have been doing my Master’s and working during the usual vacation times over the past two years. Rest assured that next Monday I will be back on the train fully. :)
recipe: vegetarian chili
Photo by Marxfoods.com, on flickr
Mmm. This stuff is good. And pretty healthy too! It makes a huge pot, 6-8 good-sized portions.
Try and buy local produce, and reduced-sodium canned beans if you can!
Note 1: For the cans, most beans, etc. that we have here in NS/Canada come in 19-oz. cans, but sometimes they come in 15-oz cans. The recipe is for 19-oz cans, but you can adjust things accordingly depending on what you pick up.
Note 2: Do not drain the cans of beans/tomatoes/corn!
My Healthy Kick: Summer 2011 Edition
Photo by foshydog, on flickr.
In the summer of 2009, I lost over 20lbs. I have always had a high metabolism, and I used to be able to eat anything and still look unhealthily skinny.
That started to change as I entered my mid-twenties, and by age twenty-eight all the beer and ice cream was catching up to me. All of a sudden I was the heaviest I had ever been – I had cracked 200lbs, and it scared me. It only showed in two places – my face and the tire above my waist – so it kind of surprised people when I told them how much weight I wanted to lose. “There’ll be nothing left of you if you lose twenty pounds…”