So, did I get the “whom” thing right? I think I missed that day in Grade IV, which took place in two provinces and left other holes in my education. Anyhow, that’s not the point. Today I had the new experience of being a client while my son was working.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Who’s working for whom? | 319 words
Lending a helping hand just isn’t worth my time, some days. I’m like most “Good Time Charlies”, willing to provide my “professional” advice at the best price around (free), but after a while, my attitude gets a bit like old vinegar: stinky and foul tasting. In nicer terms, I find that the attitude of some users is stifling my altruism.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Stifling altruism | 311 words
Sometimes a sad story hides behind another. Today, while local attention was concentrated on the election in progress, the local cheese factory announced it was closing. Just another economic downturn? Not quite, as this factory has been running a deficit for more than four decades. Obviously it was time to stop spilling milk. Not quite. This cheese was special.
posted in economy, history | Comments Off on And then there was no more cheese | 287 words
The local newspapers today carried (to extremes) a story that is comical in some ways. A group of tourists visited a “cabane à sucre”; a restaurant that has a menu based on maple syrup, pancakes fried in lard, beans, bacon, pea soup, crispy bacon. Pigs and sugar for the rest of us.
posted in economy | Comments Off on The client is always right, right? | 225 words
Today, with only a few days of delay due to various software issues, we completed the largest payroll in our history. I’m proud to have been part of such an endeavour, because we all like to be paid, don’t we. Still, any time the “envelope” reaches seven figures deserves a tiny celebration. So here goes: Whoopee!
posted in computing, economy | Comments Off on Just an old-fashioned transfer | 256 words
Although I haven’t seen any palm trees nearby, or sensed that the glaciers are melting in the neighbourhood, I agree that it’s time to be a little more rational in my use of energy. I am one small bean in a larger pot of chili, but there is a body of scientific knowledge that reassures me my efforts, at least, won’t hurt.
posted in economy | Comments Off on I’m on the conservation bandwagon | 264 words
When you’ve had a few birthdays the celebration becomes less important in the greater scheme of things. I’ll leave the exact definition of “a few” for another time. It may be that after a lot of such anniversaries (which get closer together, as time is an elusive thing) that they will seem more important, but I’m not there yet. So, I’m going to journal a birthday, as seen through another’s eyes.
posted in economy, media | Comments Off on As seen through another’s eyes | 387 words
It must be very special to shop in parts of the world where prices are fixed in advance. Anything I’ve ever read about markets in areas where the buyer and the seller have a relationship that goes beyond the “pay this or else” model mention that prices are open to negotiation. Not here.
posted in economy | Comments Off on We don’t bargain around here | 267 words
Unexpected question of the day: Dad, could you buy me a metronome? Answer: Sure, how soon do you need one? And off we go on another shopping expedition. Big city evening.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Ready to set the beat | 352 words
Hindsight is priceless. I’m at the age where I can reflect on choices made decades ago, and present evidence that my decisions are still “right” in the present context. Finally, a good reason for age!
