Continuing saga of the compost. After delaying the job twice Got-Junk showed up yesterday with two different chaps who decided the job could be done for less money which we thought in the first place so they quoted an amount which included tax but then they decided to add on the tax after the job was done, or I should say half completed. They decided the steel posts (8) were to difficult to get out and would required a bit of work so they were left claiming they were hired just to shovel out the compost but in fact were hired to clean out the whole area (including wood sides and steel posts). The whole concept of hiring someone and paying an outrageous amount was that we would have a clean area to put some gravel down. Now we have a big job to dig out the posts - sometimes you just cannot win!!! I guess the saying is true that "if you want a job done to your satisfaction do it yourself". Should also mention they were not really equipped to do the job and we provided a wagon to make their job easier hoping that would give them the incentive to do a thorough cleaning of the area!!

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Contractors, ugh! Hired a contractor mid July who asked for an arm and a couple of legs to get rid of an old compost disaster and do a small landscaping job - this guy had a wonderful webpage which glorified his projects and he seemed like a good honest contractor. He gave us the run around for about 6 weeks making promises and then neglecting to answer our calls and e-mails. Decided enough of that and cancelled the contract - this ignorant person had the gall to say "tough, if you have no patience do the job yourself". Patience was not the issue but a lack of common courtesy was. How do these people stay in business? Anyway, hired Got-Junk which should be called Got-Bucks who appeared on Friday but put it off until Saturday - then put it off until Monday.......... and we shall see?? Another big maple across the street bit the dust yesterday by tree murderers!!! These tree contractors were not so swift but very polite and courteous and offered to take away our compost if needed for a lot less - I guess it is the difference between small time contractors and those who get to swell headed to deal with common folk.

Friday, August 27, 2004

Thought for Today

"Drama is life with the dull bits left out"

-----Alfred Hitchcock

Sunday, August 22, 2004

Found out my body is more out of shape than I thought - neighbour suggested a bike ride as I was
returning from a walk with Samantha and I figured this lady who is several years older than I and
the owner of a 1950's bike she picked up at a garage sale with only peddle speed could not be to
intimidating to me with my "21" - get that "21" - speed bike that could climb mountains if and
when required. I normally cruise around the area at a slow speed as I do not want to miss
anything but before I knew it we were about a mile and a half down the road circling around the
Perley Hospital and I realized that while she was moving along at a nice easy speed I was pedaling
like crazy and becoming rather tired. I arrived home a hour later and realized it was time I found
out just what the "21" speed variations are all about or perhaps trade my bike in for a 50's bike!!

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Article in the newspaper entitled "30 going on 18" is indicative of the fact that adulthood no longer begins when adolescence ends. Scientists have identified a new "life stage" called "early adulthood" which is an "ever-lenghtening transition" in which young people are no longer adolescents but not yet ready to take on the full responsibilities of adulthood. Two thirds of young adults in their early 20's receive economic support from their parents, while about 40% still receive some assistance in their late 20's. Only a century ago it was the other way around when young adults typically helped their parents when they first went out in the workforce. If growing up is harder to do these days, the causes are not simply economic ones but the fact that many young people just want to be carefree and avoid the responsibilities of adulthood for as long as possible. In the 50's and 60's people who did not marry and couples who were childless by choice were considered selfish, peculiar or morally flawed. The changing notions of adulthood may come to mean that childhood and youth will take up nearly half the average lifetime - scary thought!!!

Monday, August 16, 2004

My pet peeve today is in regard to the fact that neighbours three doors down are having an in-ground swimming pool installed and the equipment was offloaded and reloaded again right in front of our place and they drove away leaving piles of dirt, clay, etc for us to clean up. I have seen this more often than not and wonder why these contactors have not been put to task to clean up after themselves. At least it was a nice sunny day today which tended to negate me going after them with a piece of my mind - like they would care!!!

Friday, August 13, 2004

What is it with men and the need to chop down trees - is it a need to prove something? We used to have lots of trees in this neighbourhood but much to my dismay many of them have been cut down. Next door neighbours have a nice maple tree that I have watched grow for the past ten years or so, actually we bought it and donated to the infamous "butthead" whose life amibition was to make our lives miserable, and it was a bit iffy from the start but finally got big enough to give us some shade in the summer afternoons and nice color in the fall. Told new owner he could not cut it down but did he listen - no, as if my opinions did not count there he was up in the tree with a machette no less and hacked the poor tree into an awful mess - plans to have it down next time he comes to town (second big maple three in the area to be cut down by a machete this week!!). I thought of protesting this tree's demise with a big sign but since it is his property I do not think it will have any great impact.

Sunday, August 08, 2004

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Remember.. life's not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and
well preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and
loudly proclaiming..."Wow, what a ride" So enjoy it as you only get to ride once.

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

My big accomplishment this week was to drag George out digging his heels in all the way to buy a new suit - he saw no reason for this purchase having bought a new suit over ten years ago - knowing he would rather chose to have root canal done I accepted the fact that my task would not be easy. First I had to get him to change clothes - then we had to pick a store as one store is about all he can handle. He walked up to the rack picked out a navy suit and said "this is it" - should you try it on - no reason to I know it fits!! Salesman suggested he try it on while I went in search of a shirt and tie (ha ha). He returned to say the pants did not fit - not one to say I told you so I showed him the blue shirt I picked out - what, not a white shirt and I want short sleeves?? I looked at the salesman, please help - salesman agreed on long sleeves for this suit and bless his heart he picked out a tie (I could not help but notice that he sported a beautiful large diamond about four times the size of mine but who is counting carats?). No longer than 15 minutes we were back on our way home - a similar purchase for me would have taken me to dozens of stores - dozens of tryons and enjoy every minute of it (plus the purchases that I did not intend to buy) - MEN!!!!!!!