The Weekend

Posted on December 8, 2013 by kdarcy21

The weekend is now half over.  Yesterday was a pretty busy day.

I was up early, of course.  I am not sure why I am waking up so early recently.  I guess one advantage is that I get a lot done in the morning.  It also allows me to take a massive nap in the afternoon, on the weekends I mean, they would likely frown on nap time when I am supposed to be working.  I am up even earlier today, it is now 3:05am and I have been awake for about 30 minutes.  Oh well.

Anyway, back to yesterday.  It was the Big Brothers Big Sister Christmas Party hosted by the Keg out by McMahon Stadium.  It was pretty good, excellent food – hamburgers and fries and cookies we could decorate.  They had some games for the kids and crafts and Santa was there of course.  Unfortunately, I was too old to get a gift, figures.

I brought my little brother and also gave his brother a lift and we met up with his “big couple” there.  I told my sister JB that they were referred to as a “big couple”, she didn’t care for that term for some reason.  We left around 12:30 or so to zip over to my house to let my dogs out and then off to the Subway Soccer Centre for NM’s (my little brother) soccer game.  Cross town traffic was fairly bad – I have ranted about Calgary drivers before, so I guess there is no need to right now.

As far as soccer goes, it was a pretty boring game.  But, on the bright side, NM’s team won, 5-3 after scoring a late game go-ahead goal and then the insurance goal.  DM (my little brother’s brother) and I watched from the stands, playing with my iPad Mini (excellent tablet, if you are in the market for one, I highly recommend).  DM accidentally knocked over my vanilla latte that I had just purchased – that was nice.  He thought that I was mad at him – no, annoyed perhaps, but it wasn’t like he did it on purpose.  Well, off we go to find someone to clean it up and then off I went for another.  The lady at the coffee stand charged me $4 for the replacement, as opposed to $4.75 – worked out in her favour anyway since I gave her $5 and told her to keep the change.  I held onto that one.  🙂

After the game, I drove the boys home and visited my old neighbourhood to pick up some mail.  The lady who used to walk my dogs had collected some mail for me in the last week.

Got my income tax audit papers back.  The CRA, as expected, accepted my moving expense deductions so no changes to my taxes.  I guess they didn’t mind that I had filed the paperwork a few weeks late.  I wasn’t expecting them to reject it anyway, but, it is nice to have that behind me.  I also received my insurance renewal forms and payment schedule.  For a year of car insurance and house content insurance, I am paying $1149 for the year.  Not a bad deal at all.

That will hopefully, that will be the last of the mail to arrive there.  I didn’t pay for forwarding service from Canada Post, it has gotten expensive.  I guess in their never ending ways to make money, they have jacked the price all the way to $90 for that.  The last time I took advantage of it, I think it was around $30-$35 – times have changed.

The rest of the day was spent with some shopping – I had to replace my coffee maker.  It was dropped during the move and exploded into about a million pieces – it was the one item “lost” during the move.  I looked online and could not locate a replacement pot for the machine that I had just purchased.  Of course, all of the different coffee makers have different pot types, this doesn’t surprise me at all.  I also purchased a carafe for the coffee.  On the weekends, I typically make an entire pot and then drink it over a number of hours – now it will stay hot and fresh.  Coffee is my friend.

It was an early night, likely one of the reasons why I wake up so early, I was in bed and asleep before 9pm.  I must be getting old or something.  The problem is, if I stay awake until 11pm, I still wake up way too early so there is no win-win there.

My fridge is supposed to be delivered today, between 8am-1pm.  I am doubtful.  In fact, I’ve bet the LL (land lady) that they won’t deliver it – we made the bet for $20.  If they don’t, I am $20 richer and if they do, somehow show up, it will be worth $20.

Presuming that it does arrive, I will need to purchase a few groceries and frozen goods.  If it doesn’t, oh well.

I think the deep freeze is supposed to have left us.  This morning, it is a much more tolerable -15C so I think I will take the dogs to the dog park for a walk.  There is one near my house, just have to find it.

Well, that was my weekend.  Did you do anything?

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Well, half way there

Posted on December 6, 2013 by kdarcy21

My stove was delivered today, around noon, slightly before that perhaps.  The fridge on the other hand would not fit through the door which sort of surprised me.  They took the door off and still no go.  So, a new fridge, narrower, was purchased.  I am told that it will be delivered on Sunday.

Well, given the Brick’s current record, I am doubtful.  I mean, there is a chance it could be delivered on Sunday, but, I am not going to hold my breath.

I actually bet my LL (Land Lady) $20 that it wouldn’t be delivered.  Again, given the track record, I am thinking it is a pretty safe bet.  Guess I will see come Sunday.  Everyone can use an extra $20.

The stove is great.  I have never had a new stove before – so nice and clean.  I made pasta and sauce for dinner – it boiled my water, so, as far as I am concerned, it works.  I will try the oven out this weekend perhaps.

Tomorrow is the Big Brothers / Big Sisters Christmas Party.  I am picking up my Little at 9:45 and bring his brother along with us.  I spoke with his mom tonight and she asked me to bring them to their soccer game after the party.  No problem there, she has to work until 5pm or so.  I don’t particularly enjoy soccer, but I will survive.

Should be a good weekend – everyone loves parties, right?  Free food is always good too.  No plans Sunday, other than waiting for the fridge.  LOL

Nothing big going on at work next week, not that I am aware of anyway.  The week after, I am off to Grande Prairie.  Right before that, the dogs go to their Pet Resort and I host my House Warming / Holiday Party.

It will be a busy couple of weeks – always is this time of year.

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Appliances today? I hope so…

Posted on December 6, 2013 by kdarcy21

I moved in a week ago, well not quite a week ago, I got the keys at noon last Friday.  My first experience in the new place was not a particularly good one.  Telus came to install my TV and Internet at 2pm and the tech was right on time.  Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to really know what he was doing.  The TV worked and was downloading an update when he left.  He didn’t wait to see if everything else was working, no, he had to run off to an appointment.  Well, the Internet wasn’t working and was slower than dial-up.  Telus came through big time though and got everything going for me which was awesome – thank you Telus for providing great customer service.

Originally, my appliances (fridge and stove) were supposed to arrive on Friday but that was changed to Saturday between 11-2.  I was here for most of that time, unloaded my worldly possessions.  I had to zip back to the old place to do the move-out report with the property manager so the land lady came over for the appliance delivery.  At 2:05pm, she texted me that the appliances would now be delivered between 4-6.  OK, fine.

I was just heading back to my new place when I got a call from the LL, the Brick was here – I told her that I would be back within 10 minutes.  They didn’t wait.  Well, of course not – why would they wait 10 minutes when they left us waiting all day?  That would be insane.

So, they were supposed to be back Sunday, so I was told.  Nope.  Nothing Sunday.

Monday?  Still no appliances.  There was a snow storm on Monday, I think that is what their excuse was – not sure.  Wednesday was the day.  This would work well, I work from home on Wednesday’s.  That will work out perfectly.

I texted the LL in the morning – she replied that the warehouse was closed on Tuesday because of the snow storm and now, the appliances would be delivered today, Friday, a week after I moved in.

I was not overly happy about that and let her know that as well.  My frozen food was all ruined since it was in the truck on Saturday and the temperature climbed to above freezing, it all thawed out.  Right now, it is -27C out there, it would have stayed frozen forever.  I asked that I be compensated for the lost food – I am supposed to get some sort of gift card from the Brick –  I will believe that when I see it.

In fact, I will believe that I have appliances when I see them too.  Since the LL has not met my dogs as yet, I will have to zip home whenever the Brick is supposed to be here.  It is only a few minute drive, presuming that the traffic isn’t bad.  I am now less than 3km from the office, so it should be quick.

Shit will hit the fan if they don’t deliver today.  I am getting tired of take-out food, if you can believe that one.  That is the other thing that still needs to be installed – the fan, in the bathroom.  Hopefully it gets installed today.  If not, what is the shit going to hit if the Brick screws up again?

Have a good day.  🙂

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Unpacking, organizing, fun, fun, fun

Posted on December 5, 2013 by kdarcy21

The unpacking is done – except for a few boxes of various “stuff” that I need to decide where it goes.  The organizing is pretty well wrapped up as well.  I need to connect my stereo to the PVR and TV, connect the speakers and test that, but it is a quick job.  I need to find a place for everything.  I don’t have a lot of stuff but I did move from a 3 level, 3 bedroom place into a place which is about the same size as one of the levels in the last place.

Don’t get me wrong.  This place is exponentially better than the last place.  The washer/dryer are in the bathroom so now I can hear the dinger telling me that the clothes are washed or dried – no more wrinkles in my dress shirts.  The floors are hardwood and tile – so much easier to keep clean.  There is a backyard for the dogs to run around in – they are happier, I am sure.  I would guess that the move traumatized them a bit but I think they are getting settled now.  Blondie started eating again which is a good sign of a return to normalcy for her.

I have hung most of my decorations.  I still need to find a place for my 2002 Double Hockey (Men’s and Women’s) Olympic Gold plak – I had that done up years ago and I love it.  I have found places for most everything else.

I don’t plan to move for a while.  I doubt that I will be able to find a place that is better than this place.  I am close to work, there is a convenience store across the street (very convenient) and a liquor store beside that for those times that I need that drink.  There are shops down the street, gas stations, an M&M Meats.  17th Avenue SW is only a few blocks down and it has some of the best restaurants in the city on it – it is the entertainment district.  I am sure that I will take jaunt down there in the summer.

So, all in all, I know that I will be very happy here – I am going to love it.  🙂

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In the deep freeze

Posted on December 4, 2013 by kdarcy21

The temperature, at 6:40am MST on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 is -18C, or 0F, pretty dang cold.

Deep Freeze

 

Sorta grainy – well, I don’t have image editing software on my computer, sue me.

This forecast, from The Weather Network is better today than it was today.  Of course, I am convinced that weather people simply “guess” at the forecasts.  They are wrong, it seems, more often than they are correct.  Next day forecasts are pretty accurate, any more than two days out, I don’t believe it, other than a rough guide.  When I want to know what the weather is, I can always look out the window.

Anyway, to say the least, things are pretty frosty out there.  This morning, there are very light, almost non existent winds – that is a good thing, otherwise it would be brutal.

Zeus does not like this weather.  He will go outside to pee but that is about it.  He does not want to go for a walk, at all.  Blondie seems ok with it, doesn’t seem to affect her.  She’s tough – Zeus has always been a bit of a wimp…

So, it doesn’t look like we will have any trips to the dog park coming up in the near future – maybe on Sunday when it will be a bit warmer.

Since my fridge has not yet been delivered (scheduled for today) I have been keeping fridge foods in the “mud room” – I think it hovers around the freezing mark, not sure.  I’d prefer to use the fridge though, I don’t get cold opening that.

Stay warm…

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Lunch time and the dogs

Posted on December 3, 2013 by kdarcy21

I am planning on coming home at lunch now.  When I was living in the Forest Lawn area, I did initially come home at lunch but then when the Jeep died, I couldn’t do it any longer.  The train/bus ride was simply too long.  After only a very short time, one of my neighbours volunteered to let the dogs out on a daily basis which was very, very nice.  She wouldn’t even let me pay her.

Well, I have now moved across the city so unfortunately, she can’t let them out.  So, I am coming home.  Today, I took the bus.  It was pretty quick and dropped me off right across the street.  I am sure that Zeus and Blondie are happy to have me home, even if it is only for 20 minutes or so.

I don’t typically each lunch, I think I might change that and make a sandwich or something when I am home.  I don’t have anything to eat here right now so today, I will go hungry.  I will likely pick something up near the office.

I will drive back to the office this afternoon.  There is a parking spot available in the garage.  It will be nice to melt the snow off of the truck.  Tomorrow is another “work from home” Wednesday.  I might look into working from home on Mondays as well, not sure if they will be ok with that, but, it won’t hurt to ask.  All they can say is no.  We will see.

Anyway, I’ve let the dogs out once and now will let them out again.  Back to the office and a fair amount to do.  Enjoy the rest of your day as well.

 

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Telus – The good, the bad and the ugly…

Posted on December 2, 2013 by kdarcy21

OK, everyone who reads this or otherwise knows me knows that I have moved.

I had Telus home services at my old place in Calgary and had no issues with it and no issues with any of the various tech’s who’ve done work.  That was, until this time.

So, the Internet didn’t work on Friday and didn’t work until today actually.  So, “a quick post about them:

The Good – The Telus techs who answer queries on their Twitter feed are excellent.  I had been on the phone for a total of about 3 hours with various techs on their phone system and got no answers.  By sending a simply Tweet, the “Telus Tweeter” was able to tell me what the issue was and although they weren’t able to resolve it right away, at least they answered.  Whoever handles that account, you are doing a bang up job.

The Bad – In general, I have been very happy with Telus and I am again since the issue was resolved.  The bad is the fact that the service wasn’t working after 3 days.  Pretty bad in my books.

The Ugly – I didn’t receive a response back from any of the phone techs.  They were awful.  So was the installer.  He was a joke.  As far as I am concerned, he shouldn’t have a job.  He did nothing but complain (even worse than I am complaining now) the entire time he was here.  The lack of response to my queries left me wondering what was going on and leaving me feeling like they really didn’t give a rats ass.

I filled in the survey that I was sent, before the internet got working today.  I wasn’t overly kind.  I did request that a Manager call me to discuss, I hope they do.

Again, all in all, Telus has been excellent.  I will add that the TV worked all along and the cell service is second to none.  I would still recommend them, even if there are occasional issues.

UPDATE – Tuesday, December 2 – I received a call from the Regional Manager for Telus yesterday based on the feedback form that they asked me to fill in.  Had a great conversation with him.  He listened to my complaints, asked a few questions and have scheduled a tech to come on-site again on Wednesday (a different tech, mind you) to re-cable the connection since this one sucks.  That was good customer service.  Sometimes, it seems that some people forget that customer service is the name of the game, I know that I have from time to time.

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I’m moved, and unpacked

Posted on December 2, 2013 by kdarcy21

The move is done. The unpacking, for the most part is done. I am done, with moving. I’ve just signed a 40 year lease. Well, not really… I tell ya, I do not want to move the washer again. Heavier than, well, anything I can think of.

I still need to unpack clothes. I need to wait to install closet bars before I can hang shirts, etc. those are bring installed today. Clothes will be unpacked tonight.

I’m working from home today. There is a blizzard warning in effect, I’m sure I could make it in to the office but since I am working on the “Q”, why bother. I did get permission.

Since my internet isn’t working properly at home as yet (I’m sure that’ll be another post), I am tethered to my Android. Gotta avoid unnecessary data transfer today. Actually, the internet is faster on my Nexus 5 than it was via a network cable before I moved. Insane.

So, stay warm and safe today, I will.

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The move…

Posted on December 1, 2013 by kdarcy21

As I have blogged over the last few days, I have moved.

I was off on Friday to prepare.  I did a majority of my packing and some cleaning.  It was a fairly relaxing day.  I was supposed to move my small stuff on Friday night, that didn’t happen for a couple of reasons.

Telus screwed up on my home internet installation.  The installer showed up right at 2pm which was awesome.  The guy that they sent was a joke.  From the second he got here until he rushed out (he had another appointment), he whined and complained about everything.  You might have thought that it was me doing the install.  🙂

He complained that he couldn’t get the line into the house.  He complained that he couldn’t drill through the outside wall.  He complained about not being able to run the cable through the ceiling…  It was something else.  I told him to run the cable along the ceiling, he complained that he didn’t have staples.  I told him to go to Home Depot or something and the guy who was installing the back door and dryer vent told him where one was.  Naturally, he complained about that too.

So, off he finally goes to get staples after the dryer / door guy offered to drill the hole for him and we figured he wouldn’t be back.  Well, 45 minutes later, he returned.  He took about 30 minutes outside doing something and finally made it inside to do his work.  The TV was activating and was going to, according to the display on the tv screen, was going to take 45 minutes.  Well, this was way too long for this guy, he complained about it and left.  He told me all would be well when it was done.

Ummmm, no, it wasn’t.  The TV is working, no issues there.  The internet?  Well, it is slower than dial-up.  By dial-up, I mean way back in the day of 2400bps internet – you know, the mid 90’s.

So, I call Telus and am on the phone for an hour – they discover that something has either gone wrong or been done wrong – I will pick that the installer did something wrong.  They claim it will be fixed by Saturday morning.

Well, after finishing my move, I test it – nope, not better.  I call again and speak with some French guy.  He wants to put me on hold for 10-15 minutes, I suggest he may want to call me back.  OK, he will.  25 minutes later, he calls indicating that it has been escalated.  Oh really…  Hopefully it will be fixed today.  They gave me a full months credit AND gave me my remote tuner for free – cool – that save me about $230…

So, I was at the new place until about 9pm trying to get Telus going.  That is reason number one why I didn’t move the small stuff on Friday night.

The second reason is that the guy who was supposed to help me was at the hospital with his wife – she needed emergency surgery.  That is a good reason…  I guess I will do the move on Saturday.

I asked three people to assist – two co-workers and one of the maintenance guys from my former property.  Saturday morning rolls around and the maintenance guy has to back out – his wife is in the hospital.  I can understand that, no problem at all.  at 7:50am one of my co-workers shows up and bang on 8am, my other co-worker arrives with a friend in hand to help.  Awesome.

We have a van, my SUV and a car – my one co-worker was unable to get his dad’s truck – oh well.  The maintenance guy was going to use his truck…

We start and the first load is loaded and ready to go by 8:18 – not bad at all.  Off we go.

Well, after a full morning and three trips, everything except the washer/dryer, my BBQ and bike have been moved.  The dogs are also at the old place, likely thinking that I am going to leave them there…

After a struggle, we get the washer/dryer moved and in place.  Wow, is a front-end loader ever freakin’ heavy – insane.  I have most of the kitchen setup, part of the bedroom and part of the office.  The living room is still a mess.  I will spend a lot of time today organizing.

I am really going to like it here – the place is awesome.

 

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More on moving…

Posted on November 27, 2013 by kdarcy21

I really don’t care for moving any longer.  My last move, which, by far was the longest move that I did, was actually one of the easier moves I have had to do.  The reason being, I sold most of my stuff before I moved.  I moved pretty light and unpacking, etc., was easy and quick.

Well, I have been in Alberta for 18 odd months and I have collected a lot of “stuff” again.  I have more clothes now, I had to buy stuff for work.  I have extra shoes and boots, and coats and other outerwear.  I have a couch, a chair, a computer desk, a TV, a bike, a washer and dryer.  I guess I am a collector.  The nice thing is that I can get rid of stuff that I have not used since I moved here – that will clear out some stuff for sure.

When my roommate “left” (yeah, that is what I will call it), he left all of his stuff and junk here.  Today, I got rid of a lot of it.  He had a big screen TV, bed frame and queen size bed – gone.  A neighbour needed all that stuff so I said if you take it out, it is yours.  There is still some junk that needs to be tossed.  That won’t be too hard at all.  That will officially close that chapter of my life.

Most of my stuff is ready to go.  I still have some packing to do.  I am doing another load of laundry.  Once it is done, A) I can pack those clothes and B) I can go to bed.  It has been a long day.

I get the keys for the new place at noon on Friday.  I need to be out of my current place on noon on Saturday.  So, I have to move everything and clean in 24 hours.  I am sure those will be a busy 24 hours.

I plan on moving my couch and bed on Friday night, along with my TV, computers and food and I will stay at the new place Friday night.  That will leave the big stuff for Saturday.  I plan on moving all of the small stuff on Friday as well to make the helpers that I have coming have an easier time.

Although I don’t like moving, I am REALLY looking forward to this one.

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