Got the garden cleared out yesterday. It took 4 trips to the dump in a large cargo van we rented but all the large debris is gone. As a result we are both worn out, scratched and have tickly throats. We got all the leaves up and cleared out rubbish that was laying around. We both worked so hard yesterday. Today all that is left is to mow the lawns, fix up the pergola, put down 20 bags of mulch and tidy up the bushes down the side of the house by the road. Then we can arrange the pots and garden furniture and the garden will be presentable. Then we can put the house on the market and make sure we can get a house we want where we want to move to.
I'm a little fuzzy headed today after yesterday, I'm not cracked up to lots of manual labour. Still the stuff today is much easier that what we did, the only heavy lifting will be the bags of mulch. We do have a wheelbarrow to help with that but we discovered yesterday it has a flat tyre so nothing heavy can go in that.
All this since gardeners are slackers, we've not heard back from either of the ones we had around and they seem to be ignoring us. Afraid of a bit of hard work it seems even though that is what they get paid for. So much for that. You wonder how they stay in business sometimes.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Not the man I was
Sitting here feeling shattered. Just pulled down almost a literal ton of vegetation from around the house. Seriously the pile of debris is huge and needs hauling away. As a result my body is just wobbly and scratched and not wanting to do anything. There are aches I've never had before. So this is what it is like for your body to start wearing down huh? I just can't do what I used to and I'm not that old. Sucks.
Still all that we have to do in the garden now is remove all the debris we have created. It took some doing but we chopped and pulled everything we had to. Now we just need some large truck or dumpster to get rid of everything. A lot of effort but it will be worth it in the end when we sell this place and move. Just have to think of it that way as my body calls me various rude names for subjecting it to this.
Still all that we have to do in the garden now is remove all the debris we have created. It took some doing but we chopped and pulled everything we had to. Now we just need some large truck or dumpster to get rid of everything. A lot of effort but it will be worth it in the end when we sell this place and move. Just have to think of it that way as my body calls me various rude names for subjecting it to this.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tempted
Getting tempted to buy some games again. I've got through my Christmas stash and played most of the add on for Skyrim I got. That means after 3 months I'm finally done with that lot, it takes me a while sometimes with the amount of time I have to play. From what I can see Bioshock Infinite came out extremely well and the latest Tomb Raider actually seems half decent compared to the older ones. Then there is the stuff that is slowly being announced for the end of the year with the release of the PS4 coming up, I suspect there will be quite a few good ones in there.
Then there is the temptation of my wife sitting next to me. Looking all great in a short skirt and blouse. Something about that combination really does it for me. It really makes her body look great, something about her cute little behind being just up that skirt I suppose. Glad I don't have too much work left to do today and nothing that has to be done right now.
Then there is the temptation of my wife sitting next to me. Looking all great in a short skirt and blouse. Something about that combination really does it for me. It really makes her body look great, something about her cute little behind being just up that skirt I suppose. Glad I don't have too much work left to do today and nothing that has to be done right now.
Close but no cigar
Keep getting the odd new house that comes on to the market from the agent where we are moving to. Nothing matching what we want yet, either too close to neighbours or needs too much work inside. At this rate though we will have something we like very soon and our house will be up for sale even sooner once the garden is finished. It shouldn't be too hard to find somewhere away from neighbours that is up to date so we don't have to do too much work. We did a lot on this house and don't want to do that again or live somewhere that we are not happy with the state of. It takes a lot of effort, time and money to do up a house and we are at the point in our lives where we can't do that any more. We just want to be enjoying our lives as is.
Speaking of which, going in to the office the last couple of days felt weird. I've not been doing it long but working from home just feels so much more right than the long drive to the office, doing stuff in my cube for the day with the very occasional interaction with someone else then a long drive home. Being able to just look across at my wife and still get my work done and get paid for it is so much better. It can't be stressed enough how this should be the way for people like me to work. It really is a relic of old industries that everybody goes to a physical location to do their occupation. Virtually nothing of what I do is physical as it were, it is all logical stuff running on a computer somewhere that I rarely have to physically touch. That is the whole point of networks, making the physical location of something irrelevant. Therefore the logical conclusion is the physical location of a person is irrelevant as well.
So here's hoping that something comes up very soon. It is all within our grasp now, we just need to see the proper place for us and make it happen. This should be the final hurdle to us being somewhere we can be happy at.
Speaking of which, going in to the office the last couple of days felt weird. I've not been doing it long but working from home just feels so much more right than the long drive to the office, doing stuff in my cube for the day with the very occasional interaction with someone else then a long drive home. Being able to just look across at my wife and still get my work done and get paid for it is so much better. It can't be stressed enough how this should be the way for people like me to work. It really is a relic of old industries that everybody goes to a physical location to do their occupation. Virtually nothing of what I do is physical as it were, it is all logical stuff running on a computer somewhere that I rarely have to physically touch. That is the whole point of networks, making the physical location of something irrelevant. Therefore the logical conclusion is the physical location of a person is irrelevant as well.
So here's hoping that something comes up very soon. It is all within our grasp now, we just need to see the proper place for us and make it happen. This should be the final hurdle to us being somewhere we can be happy at.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Old age
Well my last brother/sister of my grandparents gets buried/cremated today. At least as far as I know, there were a lot of them but I think they are all gone now. She was 89 in the end, another long lived female relative, my grandmothers living to 88 and 93. My grandfathers on the other hand made it to roughly 67 and 70 (I think, I don't know their exact ages). Not sure whether this is a good sign for me or not, neither of my grandfathers lived a healthy lifestyle, both smoking and eating the wrong things whereas my grandmothers didn't. Then again my great aunt whose funeral is today smoked like mad. I suppose it should be good news for me as to my expectancy though assuming I live a healthy life, which other than a bit of unhealthy eating I do roughly.
Given that rough age range I'm almost half way through my life. That is still a long time and a lot of stuff I can do with it. Sure I may be a little bit more infirm in the latter part of it but when I was really young I also wasn't capable of doing most thing due to my age. I do wonder what I'll get up to in the rest of my life, especially after we move. It's not like my life has been uneventful or bad up to now, just what else will it bring? I also wonder if I'll be the last of my generation. I have a younger brother and four younger cousins and two older cousins so it is weird to think we will be the old generation like our parents are now. What will we get up to once that time comes in the next few decades? So much to wonder about and look forward to.
Given that rough age range I'm almost half way through my life. That is still a long time and a lot of stuff I can do with it. Sure I may be a little bit more infirm in the latter part of it but when I was really young I also wasn't capable of doing most thing due to my age. I do wonder what I'll get up to in the rest of my life, especially after we move. It's not like my life has been uneventful or bad up to now, just what else will it bring? I also wonder if I'll be the last of my generation. I have a younger brother and four younger cousins and two older cousins so it is weird to think we will be the old generation like our parents are now. What will we get up to once that time comes in the next few decades? So much to wonder about and look forward to.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Definitely the right choice
Well after quite a bit of time looking at houses and around the area the choice of where to move seems to the right one. It is a nice quiet area but not too far out of the way that we can't get things that we need. The only shame was that we didn't find the right combination of house, location and price. We got close and there were some good possibilities but nothing quite right. What we can get for the price we want though is very doable, we just need to find the right one.
The end goal of all this is to be somewhere quiet and nice so that my wife and I can live in peace. It is exciting that it is happening now and more than ever I'm certain this is the right thing. I really can see us living there for a long time, probably until I retire at which point we can go somewhere cheaper and quieter still.
Looking to try and get a few other minor things arranged today. Make sure the gardener is ready to clean up the garden, keep working on the money side (bonus, pay raise, other stuff?), check on some other things to be ready for moving. That kind of thing.
Even the drive there and back was pretty easy, basically almost 400 miles on one freeway. Strange how far you can drive in this country on one road. Getting back to the more populated area of California really brought out the idiot and/or arsehole drivers. Not going to miss that when we move.
The end goal of all this is to be somewhere quiet and nice so that my wife and I can live in peace. It is exciting that it is happening now and more than ever I'm certain this is the right thing. I really can see us living there for a long time, probably until I retire at which point we can go somewhere cheaper and quieter still.
Looking to try and get a few other minor things arranged today. Make sure the gardener is ready to clean up the garden, keep working on the money side (bonus, pay raise, other stuff?), check on some other things to be ready for moving. That kind of thing.
Even the drive there and back was pretty easy, basically almost 400 miles on one freeway. Strange how far you can drive in this country on one road. Getting back to the more populated area of California really brought out the idiot and/or arsehole drivers. Not going to miss that when we move.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Not long now
Just about done with work for today. Then a little bit of stuff around the house and we are off tomorrow. Our future place of living is an option in the next few days. Depending on what we see etc. Strange to think about that things could change soon. Just the small matter of putting in offers on a house, putting our one up for sale, getting decent offers and getting through all the work and paperwork involved in buying and selling. Then the minor point of actually moving, getting set up in the new house and making sure I'm set to work from home from there.
The only thing this house needs to be put on the market is a bloody gardener to turn up so we can finish cleaning up the back garden. Other than that and a small tidy up the house is presentable for selling. So close with this stuff now.
The only thing this house needs to be put on the market is a bloody gardener to turn up so we can finish cleaning up the back garden. Other than that and a small tidy up the house is presentable for selling. So close with this stuff now.
Goodbye stuff
Just had to say goodbye to a lamp that got knocked over. Years ago when we first moved to this country we were amazed that not every room in the house that we bought (and the vast majority of US homes) had a light in the ceiling. Some rooms just had a socket controlled by a light switch. You had to provide your own lamp for it. This was really strange to us but as a result we had to go out and buy four or five lamps to use in those rooms. Over the years they broke, got smashed (the shade was glass) and just wore out or weren't needed any more. Today I accidentally knocked over the last of those lamps and broke the shade making it pretty ugly and useless. Therefore it has just been thrown away after all this time. I suspect a few things we have around here will meet that same fate in the coming weeks. Things we will never use again or just don't want or even stuff that we want new versions of when we move. In theory the more we get rid of makes it cheaper to move since we don't have to pay to transport so much stuff.
We do have a lot of stuff though, I'm a bit of a hoarder of my things and we get some stuff that we need for something and then never use again. True we may use it again but you end up with a lot of things like that. It doesn't help that we have outgrown the house we are in with what we have, we have enough beds for 3 bedrooms but one of our bedrooms is an office/library. Then we have a family room with stuff in it that we don't use since it isn't a very useful shape. Not to mention the exercise equipment that is dotted around the house. Then there is the stuff stored in the loft that we use occasionally (Christmas decorations, seasonal clothes etc). You end up with so many things over your life. Seems strange to think that when we started out all our possessions fit in one bedroom at my parents house before we got a place to live. Then when you are gone it all gets disbanded, taken by relatives or just thrown away again.
We do have a lot of stuff though, I'm a bit of a hoarder of my things and we get some stuff that we need for something and then never use again. True we may use it again but you end up with a lot of things like that. It doesn't help that we have outgrown the house we are in with what we have, we have enough beds for 3 bedrooms but one of our bedrooms is an office/library. Then we have a family room with stuff in it that we don't use since it isn't a very useful shape. Not to mention the exercise equipment that is dotted around the house. Then there is the stuff stored in the loft that we use occasionally (Christmas decorations, seasonal clothes etc). You end up with so many things over your life. Seems strange to think that when we started out all our possessions fit in one bedroom at my parents house before we got a place to live. Then when you are gone it all gets disbanded, taken by relatives or just thrown away again.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
What do we want?
Been looking at some of the house choices that we have that we are going to be actually seeing later this week. Trying to decide what we should choose is hard. There is a lot to think about beyond the basic fact that we want somewhere quiet. It needs to be large enough for us, not need lots of work, not be a hovel and out of date, be able to access services we need and a whole slew of other minor considerations. This is going to be hard, I'm not great at making decisions as it is but getting this one right and actually making it is really hard. I hope we get it right since it will be hard to do it again quickly not to mention I need to work hard at my job now to make sure it is a stable income for us.
The list is being narrowed, realistic targets are being set, absolute requirements are understood and several people are engaged in helping us. This is definitely going to be an interesting period of time.
The list is being narrowed, realistic targets are being set, absolute requirements are understood and several people are engaged in helping us. This is definitely going to be an interesting period of time.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Snack urges
Every now and then my wife and I get a snack urge. The need for something yummy and bad for you. We don't indulge that often, nowhere as near as much as we could and used to. Right now though we are eating a mixture of meat, cheese and deep fried jalapenos. Certainly delicious and tasty. Dinner tonight as a result won't be that much size wise so we don't over eat, in fact we probably couldn't eat that much after this. But craving satisfied, local fast food business made a little richer and our stomachs now gurgling absorbing the food.
Some progress
Had a weekend of doing stuff to get the house ready to sell. Some clean up in the garden (other than the gardener who will be here this week to do the big clean up in the back), some removing of weeds in the front path and driveway, some clean up and touch up of the outside of the house and a little more clearing away of things inside. The house is mostly presentable now, just a few odds and ends to do and we will be ready. Hopefully this time next week we will have an idea of what we are getting ready for. A little nervous since we need to see if we like the area and can find a house that will have what we need. There is no point doing this if we can't find what we want. Maybe this is the area, maybe it will be somewhere else, we shall see I suppose.
Fun at work tomorrow, a presentation by me and an interview to do for another department. All the things I really enjoy :| . At least I get one more work from home day today before I need to be back in the office for stuff. It is nice working like this, much less hassle from other people but then you would expect that with not being physically there. Another advantage to working from home is having a cat sit happily on your lap like I do right now with Lucy. Boots is in a basket in the corner of the room sleeping away and the other two are off napping somewhere. Mostly though I can be here with my wife and get more time with her. Just being physically present in the same room with her, get the most the time we do have together. It may be decades more but I don't care, I'm greedy when it comes to time with her.
Just feels a little weird at the moment, almost at what we want but not quite and waiting for things to happen. It is the bit in the middle, between when you decide and are capable of doing something and when the final thing comes together. The not knowing how it is all going to turn out is scary to me. Sure you can never be certain of everything but it would be nice to know it will work out. We may have been able to do what we intend most of the time so I suppose this should work out too I'm just nervous about it. If we pull it off and I am able to work at the same company and that lasts until I retire it is going to be good. Us living somewhere that is quiet and makes us happy. Strange to think that in life we will get what we want, so many people don't end up with that and end up angry frustrated people. I want us to be the ones who get what we want and live happily with it. We don't need to be mega rich or have everything, just enough for us to be comfortable and enjoy our time with each other.
Fun at work tomorrow, a presentation by me and an interview to do for another department. All the things I really enjoy :| . At least I get one more work from home day today before I need to be back in the office for stuff. It is nice working like this, much less hassle from other people but then you would expect that with not being physically there. Another advantage to working from home is having a cat sit happily on your lap like I do right now with Lucy. Boots is in a basket in the corner of the room sleeping away and the other two are off napping somewhere. Mostly though I can be here with my wife and get more time with her. Just being physically present in the same room with her, get the most the time we do have together. It may be decades more but I don't care, I'm greedy when it comes to time with her.
Just feels a little weird at the moment, almost at what we want but not quite and waiting for things to happen. It is the bit in the middle, between when you decide and are capable of doing something and when the final thing comes together. The not knowing how it is all going to turn out is scary to me. Sure you can never be certain of everything but it would be nice to know it will work out. We may have been able to do what we intend most of the time so I suppose this should work out too I'm just nervous about it. If we pull it off and I am able to work at the same company and that lasts until I retire it is going to be good. Us living somewhere that is quiet and makes us happy. Strange to think that in life we will get what we want, so many people don't end up with that and end up angry frustrated people. I want us to be the ones who get what we want and live happily with it. We don't need to be mega rich or have everything, just enough for us to be comfortable and enjoy our time with each other.
Friday, March 15, 2013
So much money
I'm looking at all the money to go with moving and how much I earn, how much is coming in from other things (bonus, stock, tax return etc) and the numbers are weird. Considering when I first started working 20 years ago I was only just in the 5 digit salary it is so bizarre to think about. These numbers are getting big and won't get any smaller (fingers crossed).
Then I look at the numbers for retiring and they are even bigger. We need to have enough to live comfortably on for probably quite a while. Not sure at what age I retire but I hope it is before I'm 60 to give me some time before I totally fall apart physically to enjoy my retirement. Then again I do have some potential inheritance coming around then as well (assuming my parents live as long as their parents did). Strange to think about that.
Then again if you had asked me my money situation before I was working I would have had no idea what I could achieve. Hopefully I can keep doing better and make it even easier to retire.
Then I look at the numbers for retiring and they are even bigger. We need to have enough to live comfortably on for probably quite a while. Not sure at what age I retire but I hope it is before I'm 60 to give me some time before I totally fall apart physically to enjoy my retirement. Then again I do have some potential inheritance coming around then as well (assuming my parents live as long as their parents did). Strange to think about that.
Then again if you had asked me my money situation before I was working I would have had no idea what I could achieve. Hopefully I can keep doing better and make it even easier to retire.
Blink blink
Didn't wake up in time today like I normally do. Then again the way I woke up with my wife pressed up against me is never a bad way to wake up and start the day. Don't think today is going to be quite as busy organisation wise, everything is mostly ready to go. Just need to sort out the exact list of houses to see and confirm times with the realtor which probably won't happen until early next week. Some work to do today as well, things are ticking along at a reasonable pace and no sudden emergencies right now.
Played yet more Skyrim last night and the add on content they did is actually very good. A whole bunch of stuff that makes you more powerful than the main game stuff which is appreciated. If you've finished the game you want something that expands what you've done and doesn't just give you more of the same. Also I can now control and ride dragons which isn't a bad thing at all :) . Still makes me wonder what they will come up with in their next game.
Just a lot of wondering of what our life is going to be like once we move now. What will the day to day stuff be like, what will the area we chose be like, how will my working from home go, stuff like that. A lot of unknowns coming up but changes for the better. Lets see how it all works out.
Played yet more Skyrim last night and the add on content they did is actually very good. A whole bunch of stuff that makes you more powerful than the main game stuff which is appreciated. If you've finished the game you want something that expands what you've done and doesn't just give you more of the same. Also I can now control and ride dragons which isn't a bad thing at all :) . Still makes me wonder what they will come up with in their next game.
Just a lot of wondering of what our life is going to be like once we move now. What will the day to day stuff be like, what will the area we chose be like, how will my working from home go, stuff like that. A lot of unknowns coming up but changes for the better. Lets see how it all works out.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Waiting
Lots of waiting around at the moment. Phone calls have been made, messages left, things arranged and plans coming together. However in between all that there is a lot of waiting around. Not a good thing really, you want things to happen but then when they do it gets so busy. Could we spread the busyness around a bit? Take up the slack times where we are waiting. Oh well.
Liking this working from home. It mostly works out assuming the internet connection isn't playing up. Got a bad voice connection yesterday but no idea why. I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen more often. Either that or actually use my mobile phone minutes. I think I've been stuck at the maximum amount of rollover minutes for a while now.
Almost lunch time now. Wondering what to do today. Something healthy? Some kind of sandwich? Something else? Decisions decisions.
Liking this working from home. It mostly works out assuming the internet connection isn't playing up. Got a bad voice connection yesterday but no idea why. I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen more often. Either that or actually use my mobile phone minutes. I think I've been stuck at the maximum amount of rollover minutes for a while now.
Almost lunch time now. Wondering what to do today. Something healthy? Some kind of sandwich? Something else? Decisions decisions.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Exciting
Things just about happening. Trip planned and booked, houses lined up to view, agents involved in our current house and agents ready to show us houses. Lots of things bouncing around in my head and so much potential right now. If we can get a house in a quiet place with room and decent internet access we are set. The matter of selling, buying, moving etc is just a money juggle really. That and the physical act of moving our possessions from one place to another. Then changing the bills, getting new doctors, new vets, new places to shop for food, changing driving license and registration, updating the mailing address for a dozen of so places. Not much really.
Seems weird that after almost 16 years in California we won't be here anymore. True it took 26 years to leave England and for most of that I lived in the same place but still. This has become our life and we want to change it. Fun times.
Seems weird that after almost 16 years in California we won't be here anymore. True it took 26 years to leave England and for most of that I lived in the same place but still. This has become our life and we want to change it. Fun times.
Bloody people
Just trying to get some ideas of costs etc for moving. However it seems that most people out there are more interested in getting a sale and won't even guess at a cost for us without coming to our house. We are not at that point yet, we are trying to get an idea of costs so we can decide on where to move. Just help us out a bit people. Even searching the all knowing internet gives very varying answers.
It just comes down to why can't people just help out a bit. You don't have to push for the money side of your business. Be nice and work with people and you are more likely to get the business in the long run.
This is just one thing we have to deal with. It is already making me shaky and I know we have a whole lot of other hassles to sort out to go along with this. Moving really is one of the most stressful things you can do and it is already showing. We've not even decided on where to move and my wife and I are already freaking out about things. God help us.
It just comes down to why can't people just help out a bit. You don't have to push for the money side of your business. Be nice and work with people and you are more likely to get the business in the long run.
This is just one thing we have to deal with. It is already making me shaky and I know we have a whole lot of other hassles to sort out to go along with this. Moving really is one of the most stressful things you can do and it is already showing. We've not even decided on where to move and my wife and I are already freaking out about things. God help us.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Please please please please
So close to things actually moving with moving now. A trip to look around at areas to live and houses is very soon, a small start to cleaning up our current house to sell has been made, money arrangements are coming together and a ton of other small things to make this finally happen. So all I ask is that it please all happen properly so we can get past this, be in our new house and live our lives happy.
Feeling kind of weird at the moment, probably stress from the ever so close knowledge that this is happening. Still life is changing at the moment. Changing house, stuff changing at work with me being at home more and people coming and going. It throws my sensibility off from what I like, the steady constants in my life that I love. It is draining me for some reason, making my mind go like crazy thinking about all the possibilities and things to deal with.
Oh well, on with work. Fun stuff happening today that requires me to think for people since they just want to do their headless chicken impressions.
Feeling kind of weird at the moment, probably stress from the ever so close knowledge that this is happening. Still life is changing at the moment. Changing house, stuff changing at work with me being at home more and people coming and going. It throws my sensibility off from what I like, the steady constants in my life that I love. It is draining me for some reason, making my mind go like crazy thinking about all the possibilities and things to deal with.
Oh well, on with work. Fun stuff happening today that requires me to think for people since they just want to do their headless chicken impressions.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Bloody time change
Yet another annoying time change last night it seems. Doesn't help that I didn't realise until yesterday that it was happening. Makes the mornings even darker for me since I get up so early. Other than at weekends it is rare I see the sun in the morning at all. Kind of weird when you think about it. I get up, drive to work and then I'm in the middle of an office far away from any windows.
Another sign of getting old today. We did some gardening yesterday to clear up some of the overgrown plants in the front garden. A couple of hours or so. Now today I'm aching like a mofo, really not up to lots of physical labour. I think the back garden will be done by someone else with a bit of a financial incentive. No way I'll be alive if I do it, that much work will kill me.
Now I'm off to not move too much, my body won't take it. Just hope the cats don't need too much chasing after today (you hear that Boots?).
Another sign of getting old today. We did some gardening yesterday to clear up some of the overgrown plants in the front garden. A couple of hours or so. Now today I'm aching like a mofo, really not up to lots of physical labour. I think the back garden will be done by someone else with a bit of a financial incentive. No way I'll be alive if I do it, that much work will kill me.
Now I'm off to not move too much, my body won't take it. Just hope the cats don't need too much chasing after today (you hear that Boots?).
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thats better
Went out for Mongolian bbq for lunch and feel very satisfied right now. Stuffed and not anywhere needing another large meal today. Amazing what an assemble your own bowl of food meal can do for you. Everything you want in the proportions and ratios you want all in one big bowl. Nom.
Given it is Friday my work week is almost over now. Got what I needed to do this week done as well as a couple of other things that popped up. Considering I was only in the office 2 days this week that should show people that this can work. If I keep at this people will get used to it and then when we move I can be at home all the time. Cool and weird at the same time. Cool that I can be with my wife but slightly weird given that I've worked in an office for 19 years now for 5 days a week. I'll have to get a work area set up for myself in the new house.
Given it is Friday my work week is almost over now. Got what I needed to do this week done as well as a couple of other things that popped up. Considering I was only in the office 2 days this week that should show people that this can work. If I keep at this people will get used to it and then when we move I can be at home all the time. Cool and weird at the same time. Cool that I can be with my wife but slightly weird given that I've worked in an office for 19 years now for 5 days a week. I'll have to get a work area set up for myself in the new house.
Scarfing food
I feel like scarfing down a big lunch right now. Something is making my mouth water for food even though I've had breakfast later than I normally do. Growing up I always ate quickly, that thing to do with growing up with a brother and trying to get the most food. There was always that competition for the biggest slice between us. It made eating out interesting with us trying to behave but yet wolf down food.
Then again I look at my belly and don't want to eat too much. Damn you delicious food. Maybe I don't eat so much tonight for dinner so I can eat more now for lunch. Dilemma. Sucks that it is hard to control what you eat when you don't have to worry about paying for what you eat and just eat it. Nothing like when my wife and I were just married and poor. We barely had enough for meals and had to stretch food as long as we could.
Then again I look at my belly and don't want to eat too much. Damn you delicious food. Maybe I don't eat so much tonight for dinner so I can eat more now for lunch. Dilemma. Sucks that it is hard to control what you eat when you don't have to worry about paying for what you eat and just eat it. Nothing like when my wife and I were just married and poor. We barely had enough for meals and had to stretch food as long as we could.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Le sigh
Just fixed a bug in the code, a crash in a sub system I wrote and maintain. A bug caused by a change somebody else made in a central library that all the sub systems use but due to luck on of my systems was the one that crashed when any one of the couple of dozen could have done so. Kind of annoying when that happens, didn't take me long to fix though. The annoying thing about it? There was a comment in the code saying not to do something since a pointer was no longer valid. Guess what, this other person used the invalid pointer to do something. Oh well. Makes me look good though fixing something really quickly. Less than an hour to see the bug, diagnose it, code a fix, test it, get it code reviewed and checked in. Pretty good turn around I think.
Went and got a yummy meatball sandwich for lunch for my wife and I to share. Another advantage of working from home it seems. Think we have pasta for dinner tonight, we cleared out some crap from the kitchen freezer (as opposed to the big chest freezer in the garage) and got that out to use up. Too much hidden food in our freezers sometimes.
Went and got a yummy meatball sandwich for lunch for my wife and I to share. Another advantage of working from home it seems. Think we have pasta for dinner tonight, we cleared out some crap from the kitchen freezer (as opposed to the big chest freezer in the garage) and got that out to use up. Too much hidden food in our freezers sometimes.
Furry adoration
No not that kind of furry that some guys I used to work with are in to. The furry animal kind. Since I'm working from home again today I have a happy purring Lucy on my lap looking up at me demanding fuss. Something about living with us makes all of our cats just require and demand our attention every day. They all need it in some form or another in varying amounts. Fudge when he is awake will have to be in the same room as us and more than likely sit right next to us. Boots will go back and forth of wanting to sit on your lap and ignoring you. The girls will require a lap to lay on and at other times just curl up nearby, again if not actively sleeping. Screw people who say cats are aloof, they simply just want to get to know you and be treated nicely by you. If that happens they are the most loving animals (without being dumb followers like dogs) I've known.
And with this last bit of typing Lucy has just jumped down to go sleep somewhere. Easy come easy go it seems. She got her attention, showed me she likes me and then went off to do her thing. I suspect Daisy will put in an appearance at some point this morning as well although it is possible the upcoming skype call my wife has with her mother will scare Daisy off, it scares me off.
So back to work with me, a few things to get done today like any other day. Fortunately it's nothing that requires other people, just my own stuff to get through. Then I'll see if I can get to 2500 trophies, I'm at 2489 now, close but not quite there yet. Wonder how many I'll have by the time the PS4 comes around?
And with this last bit of typing Lucy has just jumped down to go sleep somewhere. Easy come easy go it seems. She got her attention, showed me she likes me and then went off to do her thing. I suspect Daisy will put in an appearance at some point this morning as well although it is possible the upcoming skype call my wife has with her mother will scare Daisy off, it scares me off.
So back to work with me, a few things to get done today like any other day. Fortunately it's nothing that requires other people, just my own stuff to get through. Then I'll see if I can get to 2500 trophies, I'm at 2489 now, close but not quite there yet. Wonder how many I'll have by the time the PS4 comes around?
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Where to?
Starting to look at where to move now that we have the ability to move with work letting me work from home. Trying to sort out a trip to the east coast to look around an area we are interested in moving to, somewhere quiet. As usual company bureaucracy is making it slow but we should have our plane tickets soon. It is a strange feeling moving that far, it has been a long time since we took the plunge and moved countries. You have nobody nearby to fall back on other than the few people you know and in this case we don't know anyone around there. Still exciting though, change for the better always is.
Got a nice long all hands lunch meeting with the high up VP of engineering in a bit today. Not sure why since there is no agenda but since he isn't based out of this office he comes around to the other engineering offices every so often to keep in touch with us. This is especially true after the merger and my group bringing in a much needed product line to the company.
Also my wife and I finally get our new glasses later today, well sunglasses for me. It seems my prescription changed slightly from 0.5/0.5 to 0.25/0.25 or something like that, just the distance vision is slightly off for me. It'll be good to get something new to look through given the amount of driving in daylight and bright sunshine I do. Not sure how much I'll do that where we move to but still. After years of not using sunglasses it is so much easier on my old eyes to drive with them. Strange that.
Got a nice long all hands lunch meeting with the high up VP of engineering in a bit today. Not sure why since there is no agenda but since he isn't based out of this office he comes around to the other engineering offices every so often to keep in touch with us. This is especially true after the merger and my group bringing in a much needed product line to the company.
Also my wife and I finally get our new glasses later today, well sunglasses for me. It seems my prescription changed slightly from 0.5/0.5 to 0.25/0.25 or something like that, just the distance vision is slightly off for me. It'll be good to get something new to look through given the amount of driving in daylight and bright sunshine I do. Not sure how much I'll do that where we move to but still. After years of not using sunglasses it is so much easier on my old eyes to drive with them. Strange that.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Last of us
Another thought that my wife pointed out this morning. I will be the last generation of my family via my bloodline. Sure my cousins have all had children so those parts of the family will continue but the specific part from my mother and father to me and my brother will end with us. Weird that other idiots will continue life.
Got through another 3 hours of hair appointment for my wife last night. Her hair straightening thing takes that long as well as a fair bit of being scalp singed as the hot iron is used. The end results are great but it is a lot of work. I'm lucky that I don't need that kind of work doing to my hair. A bit of a trim and colour now and then and I'm good. True I don't have quite as much hair as I used to but thats getting old for you. My wife on the other hand has more hair than she has ever had and it is awesome.
I've been watching the game releases recently and nothing has taken my fancy. Usually there is something but in the last couple of months, even though a fair few games have come out, there has been just nothing that exciting. There has been Ni No Kuni, Metal Gear Rising Revengance (yay made up words), Dead Space 3, Tomb Raider, Crysis 3 and more that I simply don't recall right now. I know a lot is being held back for the release of the PS4 but there are still things being made for the PS3 just nothing for me it seems. I'll have to wait for later this year for things I'm interested in. Strange how it goes like that with nothing for ages and then lots at once.
Back to working at home for me today. Got a few things to get done, mainly making sure our analysis tools are working on all of our development servers. Something nice and obvious that only I can really do so I don't have to think too hard.
Got through another 3 hours of hair appointment for my wife last night. Her hair straightening thing takes that long as well as a fair bit of being scalp singed as the hot iron is used. The end results are great but it is a lot of work. I'm lucky that I don't need that kind of work doing to my hair. A bit of a trim and colour now and then and I'm good. True I don't have quite as much hair as I used to but thats getting old for you. My wife on the other hand has more hair than she has ever had and it is awesome.
I've been watching the game releases recently and nothing has taken my fancy. Usually there is something but in the last couple of months, even though a fair few games have come out, there has been just nothing that exciting. There has been Ni No Kuni, Metal Gear Rising Revengance (yay made up words), Dead Space 3, Tomb Raider, Crysis 3 and more that I simply don't recall right now. I know a lot is being held back for the release of the PS4 but there are still things being made for the PS3 just nothing for me it seems. I'll have to wait for later this year for things I'm interested in. Strange how it goes like that with nothing for ages and then lots at once.
Back to working at home for me today. Got a few things to get done, mainly making sure our analysis tools are working on all of our development servers. Something nice and obvious that only I can really do so I don't have to think too hard.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Parents
Talked to my parents yesterday briefly after not talking to them for a while. The experience was kind of meh really. Now my life is my wife and our cats. I have no time or desire to spend time with anyone else (despite work requiring time of me) so talking to them felt a bit like a chore.
I did find out my great aunt died on Sunday, no huge surprise there. Her kidneys were gone and she wasn't going to get any new ones at her age and health. Only one more generation older than me in my family now and once they are gone I will be the elder generation. That's a weird though to have, you don't think when you are a kid that you will be the old experienced one in your family but it happens eventually.
Another couple of days of working from home this week so work get used to me working from home all the time. Pulling together the details of how, what, when etc of moving as well. Should be an interesting year that way. Exciting with the change but scary as well. Making sure it all goes smoothly is going to be fun.
Well, better finish now. Want to get home in time to feed my poorly wife and then take her to get her hair made awesome(er). Until something fun happens thats all for now.
I did find out my great aunt died on Sunday, no huge surprise there. Her kidneys were gone and she wasn't going to get any new ones at her age and health. Only one more generation older than me in my family now and once they are gone I will be the elder generation. That's a weird though to have, you don't think when you are a kid that you will be the old experienced one in your family but it happens eventually.
Another couple of days of working from home this week so work get used to me working from home all the time. Pulling together the details of how, what, when etc of moving as well. Should be an interesting year that way. Exciting with the change but scary as well. Making sure it all goes smoothly is going to be fun.
Well, better finish now. Want to get home in time to feed my poorly wife and then take her to get her hair made awesome(er). Until something fun happens thats all for now.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Brain dead already
Half a day at work back in the office and I feel partially brain dead again. What about an office environment is bad for my mind working? I get these flashes of what I know I can do and then it goes. Gah, just frustrating I have to be here as much as I do. Going to work from home again some of the days next week as well.
Strange situation working for this new company. I'm actually getting more money than just my salary. We are getting a bonus this year, my employee stock purchase plan just made me some money, my stock options are worth something even if they aren't all vested, etc, etc. It has been so long since I've been in this position it feels a little strange but exciting. Getting more money together for moving is a great thing. If only the bureaucracy wasn't so much, they are stream lining it via us pulling them forwards but we can only influence so much change. We keep doing things our way and then point out to the other parts of the company how much easier and faster our way is. We have converted quite a few people, especially engineers, so coming over to "our" way is inevitable it seems.
Played some more of the Skyrim expansion last night. There seems to be a lot of stuff dotted around in this one to do. I've run in to a dozen things to do and I've barely explored the starting area. This game just seems to get me compulsively doing everything I can find and explore every nook and cranny. At this rate my play time on my one main character is going to go over 200 hours. Kind of nuts but cool at the same time. Can't wait to see what they come up with in the next game whether it be Elder Scrolls or Fallout based.
One final thing for today. Loved going out with my wife for dinner last night. I ate a lot of food but it just being me and her out together is brilliant. Sure we live together in our house and are there a lot of the time but going somewhere different like we do every other week is so worth it. Now I just need to make sure my stomach can keep up with the dinner I order :| .
Strange situation working for this new company. I'm actually getting more money than just my salary. We are getting a bonus this year, my employee stock purchase plan just made me some money, my stock options are worth something even if they aren't all vested, etc, etc. It has been so long since I've been in this position it feels a little strange but exciting. Getting more money together for moving is a great thing. If only the bureaucracy wasn't so much, they are stream lining it via us pulling them forwards but we can only influence so much change. We keep doing things our way and then point out to the other parts of the company how much easier and faster our way is. We have converted quite a few people, especially engineers, so coming over to "our" way is inevitable it seems.
Played some more of the Skyrim expansion last night. There seems to be a lot of stuff dotted around in this one to do. I've run in to a dozen things to do and I've barely explored the starting area. This game just seems to get me compulsively doing everything I can find and explore every nook and cranny. At this rate my play time on my one main character is going to go over 200 hours. Kind of nuts but cool at the same time. Can't wait to see what they come up with in the next game whether it be Elder Scrolls or Fallout based.
One final thing for today. Loved going out with my wife for dinner last night. I ate a lot of food but it just being me and her out together is brilliant. Sure we live together in our house and are there a lot of the time but going somewhere different like we do every other week is so worth it. Now I just need to make sure my stomach can keep up with the dinner I order :| .
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