Used to be, when you put a stamp on a letter, that effort paid for delivery. Even if your address changed. Not any more; today I “signed up” for a year of forwarding (junk mail, more than anything else). Just short of $10/mth, the amount is highly symbolic, but it shows how we no longer get the service we used to.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Cut or detour the services | 255 words
It worked! I now no longer own a lawn mower. A quick ad, placed yesterday online and today a buyer. Willing to come by pick up the beast. The last time a mower left the yard that effortlessly, there was a thief involved. One less thing to think about.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Robo commerce | 256 words
Let’s turn today into a tale of several boats. First of all, my role as an agent in the world of kayak sales was (mercifully) brief. We could have sold several boats… the sale to the first (oversized) client didn’t happen, leaving room for a second, more robust bid. The third caller had to find a sale elsewhere.
posted in economy, music | Comments Off on Sale ended | 256 words
I realize, as a taxpayer, that elected officials must make choices that are for the common good and within the ability of the common man to pay. However, right about now, I’d love to have more frequent garbage pickup. Or at least the right to trade in some of those simpler times when I didn’t have to put a bin out to the curb. Ours is held closed with a huge steel weight I found while mining in the basement (which is why more pickup would be appreciated).
posted in economy | Comments Off on Newly appointed as the agent | 254 words
In a city where the civilized custom of a “gas price war” is unknown, the complacent consumer has little option. If the tank is empty, you pay. If the tank is half-empty, you pay. And if someone hints that the price is about to rise, you get out, fill to the last gurgle, and pay.
posted in economy | Comments Off on In the face of rising prices | 282 words
When the bank officer asked what the SWIFT code might be for our transaction, and if we would be working in Canadian currency, I knew we had wandered into uncharted territory.
posted in economy, politics | Comments Off on Not SWIFT | 252 words
Sometime during the morning, between cups of coffee, the garbage elves came and removed our pile by the road. The one we’d requested and detailed to the city; since the office and the curb crew never speak, I felt obliged to up the ante. Got rid of a few other things that would have required effort (and space in a dumpster). Just for the record, when you turn over large objects for disposal, they send a large truck. No sorting going on here; this will be direct deposit to the incinerator.
posted in economy, environment | Comments Off on A visit by the garbage elves | 268 words
Ain’t over until it’s over, I guess. More snow, this morning, on the Island. Sufficient to push this year into the record book, as the snowiest one on record. Not that it matters, unless it doesn’t stop…
posted in economy, photography | Comments Off on Entrepreneurs under scrutiny | 266 words
Should anyone ask, I have decided to claim that I like the gut-wrenching sensation of an impending deadline. How else to explain my reluctance to file the required revenue reports? I do have until next Thursday evening, and if the internet closes, then a lot of us will be in the same position; millions of us, last report.
posted in economy, pets | Comments Off on Filing avoidance | 270 words
Am I capable of self-restraint? For sure! I actually waited all week before driving over to see if we would continue to have a discount electronics store in the neighbourhood. It was only after the call came in, to pick up our loaner dog, that I finally went to see for myself.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Definitely closed at this address | 268 words
