Ongoing Letter - Allan's Place
Allan's journal to the world. (Sounds important, doesn't it?)
Today …
I just bought a new used car. The Kia Soul is probably scrap, so I’ve been looking at other vehicles. I found a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country. A what? Why such a big vehicle? Many reasons – plywood, mattress, camp gear, people – all will fit. More later.
Today I …
Four major things happened today. Here’s my report.
I had an interview today with TT today. It was a good interview.
Probate on Father’s house finally came through today. Finally.
I was in an accident this evening. The car is totalled, but the airbags went off, and I’m fine.
I had a new student start today. Unfortunately, I was two blocks away from his house when the accident happened, so I never saw him.
I think I’m ready for bed. <sigh>
It was apparently cleaning day at work today. T moved some desks and debris out of the office as it was a slow work flow day. I got into the kick of it later as well and finally tackled my computer keyboard, which was covered in … whatever the stuff is that collects on keyboards and the bottoms of computer mice. I tipped it up-side-down and gave it a few good whacks. What came out was surprising – not just the volume of grot but something else – a spider! I nudged it with my finger, and, sure enough, it was alive! All this time I’ve been using a keyboard with spiders in it.
Just to be clear, I’m talking about the G-string, string number 3, on my guitar. I was tuning it and adding a bit of lubricant to the nut of the guitar when so it didn’t make a popping sound and glided smoothly, when
POP!
the string broke. Oh, so sad. I rummaged around in my “household” box of stuff to find a replacement string. No such luck. I had several other strings but not the one that was needed. Luckily there was a music shop downtown. Unluckily, it was in Park Place Mall, and it was Boxing Day. Ughhh – crowds. I park at the far end of the parking lot and hiked in with my guitar. $15 later, I had a new package of strings.
But … I discovered that any similar string will do. I used a spare B-string (#2 string), and it works fine! In fact, it tunes better now than it ever has.
In the process, I learned (apparently I have learned to read within the past 7 years) that I have a George Washburn. Good name, I think. Except that this was a $150 Costco guitar. Just the same, it’s a whole lot better than my previous W30,000 (about $30) guitar bought overseas.
Anybody want an unopened package of guitar strings?
This is the Christmas break. I’ve got 10 days off work. Now at a movie theatre. We’ve got a turkey for this coming Tuesday. Typing on my phone in a movie theatre. Probably shouldn’t do that.
A couple of days ago a few things happened – I bought a new toaster, I found a printer on sale and bought it, and I got an offer for a job and accepted.
First things first – I am now a Drafting Technologist for ISP. I applied last week, had the first interview earlier this week, a phone call to come in for a second interview on Thursday, and was offered a position during that interview. I start Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 and will be reviewed after 3 months.
I also got an email from ASET congratulating me on being a Technologist in Training. Now I must work for two out of the next three and a half years go obtain my C. Tech / C.E.T. designation.
I bought a toaster. Thanks to Walmart’s Rollback price, I got a Black & Decker toaster for $18.88. Pretty cheap. It even has a bagel button.
And, finally, a printer. I thought I’d drop by the printer / scanner area to try to replace my dead machine. I was looking at a printer, and a Walmart guy came around and asked, “You’re looking for the one on sale?” “Uh … yah, I am.” Eh? I found a pile of Canon PIXMA MX492 boxes. I wasn’t expecting to pay $34 though. I’d be an idiot to not buy it.
There’s been a dead magpie hanging in the tree outside our window for a week now. I thought Parkbridge management would take it out, but no such luck. I went with gloves and mask to retrieve it.
He must have died of old age. He wasn’t eaten or pecked apart or chewed up. Imagine, dying of old age doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing – just hanging out in a tree.
Well this is embarrassing!
But these tiny spare tires are supposed to do up to 80km/h. Wow.
Even last winter when A&C were visiting, two tires went flat. Cheap iron rims. They rusted and continually lost their bead. Matt B., a tire guy I know at Elrich, told me these would probably last 3 or 4 years, especially if only used in winter. He knows his stuff, Not using them during hot weather loosens the bead, moisture gets in, and the metal begins to rust.
So I went to Kia to order rims.
What do you think? I know, I know, they’re a lot of money for just a set of rims. The point is a) I hated those winter beater car iron rims, b) I wanted something nicer to match the summer rims, and c) I hated pumping up my tires every few days.