Maybe I’ll put something interesting here

So, as mentioned before, Donna and I went on vacation to the Dominican Republic at the start of the month. It was a much needed holiday for us. Both Donna and I haven’t been on a true holiday in a while, and we’ve never really been on holiday together. Donna’s travel agent got us a fantastic deal at the Bahia Principe Bavaro in the DR. This place was absolutely massive. They have their own network of trams to take people around the resort/to the beach. To walk from our villa to the beach was about a 10 - 15 minute venture. While we were there, we did nothing. I truly mean that. We did zero. To break up the week of nothing, we went on a tour to see sharks and stingrays on Wednesday, and that was it. We spent the day sitting by the pool, swimming, reading and generally doing nothing for a whole week. It really is hard to believe how easily we killed a week doing nothing. The resort was very nice, very clean, and the staff all very friendly. The resort was also very international. All of the activities and introductions to shows etc were all done in at least 5 languages (Spanish, French, English, Italian and German). English was a bit of an issue, as not everyone on the resort spoke English, but I got by with my very VERY limited Spanish (basically enough to order drinks) and complex series of hand gestures. I would recommend this chain of resorts, and I actually enjoyed it more than the RIU in Jamaica.

It was nice to get home, but Donna and I are already looking forward to our next holiday, which will either be a friend’s destination wedding, or our honeymoon next year.

Pictures are up in the gallery.  Enjoy.

Donna and I just returned from holiday in the Dominican Republic, which I will write about in the coming days.  One of the things I wanted to jot down, before I forgot, was some thoughts on information security while on holiday.  People don’t think about these things when they go away on vacation, but with identity theft on the rise, steps should be taken to protect yourself at all times.  You use strange computers, in strange countries, with strange people possibly watching, so here are a few things that you can do:

• Before you leave, change any passwords to websites that you plan on using.  I changed my Gmail email account password.  Use something secure, but not a password that you use anywhere else.  Other good passwords to change would be Facebook and MSN (or other IM client).
• While at the resort, ensure that you log out of any sessions that you create in the browser or on the computer.  You don’t want to know how many times we logged into a computer and found MSN still logged in, and we started receiving messages.
• If you have the option, clear out the browser history, cookies, and cache of the websites that you visited.
• Do not, unless it is completely unavoidable, check any personal banking/financial website
• The best bet is not to use the computers at all.  You’re on holiday!

Donna and I had a great time, and no one got my Gmail account password. 

Good job TTC workers.  Walk off the job, piss off the whole city, and get ordered back to work anyway.  Now get back to work, you jackasses.

Until recently, I’ve been using the TTC to commute to and from work. Since moving to Burlington, I’ve started using GO Transit instead (which has it’s own share of problems). However, I woke up to this story this morning.

I have a few thoughts on this:

1. If you don’t like your job, get another one. Someone else will be happy to take your place
2. Unions have no place in the modern work force. We have laws that already protect us from doing work that would not be considered safe. If you’re doing unsafe work as is, you’re either getting compensated well for it and agreed to do it, or should be talking to the Government as your employer is doing something illegal.
3. Strikes gain NO SUPPORT for the cause from the public. When a union strikes, they inconvenience the people who pay their salary, which in this case are the TTC riders. You don’t want “angry” and “irrational” members of the public to assault you? How about you do you show up for work and do your job.
4. So many people depend on the TTC. It should be considered an essential service.

If I ran the TTC, I’d fire every last person who went on strike. I hate unions.

Cats are amusing creatures. Almost every morning, at around 5am, Tobin decides that he’s hungry. He gets fed every 12 hours (6am & 6pm). Tobin also knows that if he makes a complete nuisance of himself, chances are that either Donna or I will get up to feed him. Since bringing my bedside lamps to Donna’s place, Tobin hasn’t yet discovered them, or the fact that they have a pull cord with a metal ball. Tobin discovered that this morning. Needless to say, Tobin went to town on the pull cord this morning in an attempt to piss us off to the point of getting up.

I’m up at 5:45am anyway. So I got up. Here is where the transformation happens. Instead of continuing to be a complete pain in the ass, Tobin led me into the kitchen (while looking behind him to make sure I was following), and then rubbed up against my legs and purred away. So now, instead of causing trouble, he’s trying to convince me that he’s a good cat and he should obviously get what he wants.

I’m interested to know how cats learn the art of manipulation. Tobin is so very good at it, yet he can’t figure out that when he pulls on the feeder door, there is NEVER any food there, and he’s never figured out how to push the cover.

Regardless, his new auto feeder arrives on Monday.

As of yesterday, I am officially living at Donna’s place.  We moved my clothes, and more importantly my computers, to Burlington yesterday afternoon.  I have everything setup in my “cave” which is Donna’s spare room.   I have to share my cave with Tobin (and his litter box) but that’s cool.  He’s a good cat and so far he hasn’t tried to chew the wires (that I know of).  TekSavvy Internet arrives tomorrow, and barring any internal wiring issues, I should have much faster Internet access tomorrow night.  Donna’s current Internet is described as “ghetto Internet”.

We are stressing out a little bit about where everything will go.  When two homes are merged into one, there is a lot of stuff.  Goodwill will be benefiting from this greatly, but we have to be mindful that we will have a house some day soon, so we don’t want to be too ruthless in our cleaning.  Then again, we don’t need 2 coffee makers, 2 toasters, 2 .. well.. you get the idea.  I do miss my office chair which is still in Richmond Hill.  That will come out when I sell my condo.

On the condo sale front, things are going well.  I’ve had a lot of interest in the place, and may have an offer come in tomorrow.  I’ve had one offer already, but it was a joke offer.  Who is going to accept $20k below asking AND the condition that the buyer sell their place.  Uhm.. no.

So, to finish off this rambling post, things are good, I’m really happy, and I’m looking forward to vacation in a couple of weeks.

Oh.. p.s.  Marc.  Update to Wordpress 2.5.

That’s a good question really.  I’ve been all over the place.  Let me explain… no.. there is too much.. Let me sum up (bonus points to those who know where that quote comes from)

• My condo is now on the market.  It went up March 31st.  I’ve had 5 showings in 24 hours but no offers yet.  It took the guy next to me about 2 months to sell his place.  I’m hoping that this weekend will bring plenty of viewings.
• Yesterday was also my 31st birthday, which makes this my champaign year.  I’m not 100% sure what that is, but it’s supposed to be good.  I’d like to thank all my friends for their kind wishes, emails, and Facebook posts.
• Over Easter I went to Winnipeg to see my Grandma.  Mom, Dad, Donna and I went out for a brief, but very good, visit.  We did make the usual trip to Olive Garden, and we also picked up Grandma’s favorite meal of pizza and Mike’s Hard Lemon aid.  I may have also flipped over in a rolly chair.  I may or may not post the picture.
• I’ve been busy throughout the month getting ready to move to Donna’s.  I was supposed to be there as of this weekend past, but plans have changed.  I’m now shooting for either this weekend or next, depending on how things go with the condo.
• Work has been very busy, and tiring with being on the day shift.  I forgot what it’s like to be a day walker, and having to be in bed by 11pm every night.  Some nights I would be eating my “lunch” at 11pm.

Otherwise, that’s about it.  A lot of Guitar Hero, a lot of Rock Band, and a lot of not much else.  What have all y’all been doing?

I think I should have set a goal to update my blog more often as I’m obviously not doing well at that.

• Weight loss - GREEN.  Another good month.  I did some calculations for how many calories I need to eat every day and I’ve been eating bang on the number of calories to maintain my weight.  Armed with this knowledge, I’ve been eating a bit less and some more weight has come off.  I’ve finally busted the 230lb barrier and am sitting at 228lbs.  Mind you, after my birthday weekend of meat eating, I’m probably back up to 230.
• Cooking -  Yellow.  I haven’t been cooking as much at home as I’d like to.  It’s been a busy month, and with working days, I basically come home and want something quick.  I need to get back on track with this one.  I think I’ll do much better when I move in with Donna as we both like to cook for each other.
• Finance - Yellow.  I’m doing a lot better.  I’ve curbed my spending which has helped a lot.  I’m still not tracking things in a spreadsheet, but I am doing better over all.  This goal is one that I set a lot, and never seem to achieve, so I want to work on that.
• Photography - Hmm…  This is tough.  I’ve missed some days flat out.  Going to work, working, and coming home don’t make for interesting things to take pictures of.  I have been taking pictures, but not as many as I should.  I guess I have to score this one yellow (and comment on all my photos….)

Pretty good I think.  I probably should replace my work goal with my blog goal.

February was a good month for resolutions.  Check this out:

•  Weight loss - GREEN.  I have been rocking this one out.  As a previous journal post said, I am down 10lbs.  I weigh 230lbs right now.  I have 10lbs to go.  I did myself no favours this weekend, but I’m still on track.  Some smart eating and trips to the gym will keep things on track.  In other news, I have joined Goodlife in Burlington.  Donna goes there as well, and the membership is valid at any of their clubs, so if Donna comes out to my place next weekend, we can go to the gym together.  Also, this one courtesy of Donna, my new mantra is “How will this help me reach my goal”.  When I decide to put food in my mouth, I should think of this mantra, and if it will help me get to my goal, I can eat it (unless it’s my cheat day). 
• Cooking from scratch - Green.  Donna and I have been trying new recipes on weekends with some good results.  I’ve also been taking home made meals to work for lunches.  Doing well on this one.
• Finance - Red.  Yeah.  I have to put this one down as red again.  I am spending less, which is a good thing, but I’m still not tracking things.  Even with a spreadsheet to track things, I’m just not doing it.  I still need to figure out a couple of things, but I am spending less, which helps.
• Work - SUCCESS.  This objective is off the books as I’m not only working on the day shift now, but I’ve also been promoted to Team Lead of my department.  This means I can move forward with selling my place and moving in with Donna.
• Photography - Green.  I’ve been taking lots of pictures, just not updating my gallery!  I will work on this, but I am taking pictures!

Not too bad.  3 Greens, 1 red but I also have a success!  As soon as I sort out my finances, I’ll be on easy street.  Check back here for updates (and photos.. I swear)

I rolled out of bed this morning, went into the washroom and stepped on the scale.  Who needs coffee when you’ve dropped 10lbs.  That’s right friends.  I have kicked my weight loss into high gear this month and have dropped approx 6lbs so far.  Add that up with Jan’s losses and that equals 10lbs.  I must say that I’m pretty proud of myself right now.  All I need to do is resist the urge to give myself a cookie.