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Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me smile this week: The dentist made me smile when she said i had beautiful teeth.

Something i struggled with this week: The dishwasher has not learned to unload itself.  I’m trying, and failing, to teach it.

Something tasty i ate this week: Turkey & Black Bean Chili - add some crushed red pepper for extra kick.

Something i learned this week: The extensions of wiki page attachments are case-sensitive.  Include MyPicture.png and you have no problems.  MyPicture.PNG won’t display, and you’ll waste an hour of your day trying to figure out why.

Something from the bridge table: A double-dummy problem from the bridge club.

Some thing i am doing towards my goals: Visiting my brother counts as part of the lifelong goal to have good relationships with my siblings.

Something i am reading: A Feast for Crows, by George R. R. Martin

Something happening around the house: The kitchen is amazingly clean, after an afternoon of cooking food for the coming week.  A huge pile of laundry waits on the bed to be folded; alas, it has to be done tonight, else there will be nowhere we can sleep.

Something i am thinking: It may be time to rid myself of my hotmail account.  I just checked it for the first time in about a week and found pages and pages of unread messages, and all but three of them were spam.

Something i am hoping: For safe travels this week.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Chicago!  Seeing my brother and his girlfriend/fiancee, going to a couple of baseball games, Blue Man Group, the Shedd Aquarium and just being tourists.

Something random: Does it really make a difference if i take the stairs instead of the elevator every day?  It’s three flights.  I make the ascent once or twice a day.  Will it make me skinnier faster?  Some days i just want to ride the elevator…

Something captured: Just a moment before, Nugent was snoozing peacefully, with his head upon the pillow, like a human.  But he’s afraid of the camera; i think he’s afraid it will steal his soul.

Yesterday i trimmed the bushes in front of the house.  I also trimmed back some of the trees and weeds around the walkway to our front door and the driveway.  Then i put the clippings in the trash cans so the city can haul it all away later this week.  It wasn’t a huge project, and couldn’t have taken more than about 45 minutes.

I have at least 24 insect bites on my right leg alone.  I say at least because i counted 24, but there are probably some that haven’t started to itch yet that i couldn’t see.  I have quite a few on my left leg, arms and neck as well.  I was easily bitten, on average, more than once per minute.  Right now, the ones on the backs of my legs are the itchiest, in case you wanted to know.

The thing is, i know better than to wear shorts and work in the yard.  It was just so hot!  And i didn’t think i’d be out there very long.  But, Self?  Yard work always takes longer than you think.  And even if it’s hot, WEAR PANTS!!

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me smile this week: Being Daddy’s little girl.  I still am and always will be.

Something i struggled with this week: I had the best of intentions to go to the gym this week, but never did make it.  Friday, i actually did go over there and got dressed, but when i tried to put on my shoes, i realized i had two right feet.  I have two identical pairs of gym shoes and had brought the right foot of both.  Whoops.

Something tasty i ate this week: Corn on the cob.  Yum.

Something i learned this week: All diet plans are essentially the same.  I’ve tried several, and this week i attended Weight Watchers meeting to see what they are all about.  Learned about their points system - i am hopeful it will help me stay on track.  The system has a kind of built-in way to manage falling off the wagon, which happens to all of us now and then.

Something from the bridge table: My partner Sue and i won $72 at the Friday night IMP game!

Some thing i am doing towards my goals: I’m working on a lot of ongoing or long-term items, such as Toastmasters, 5Ks, and work stuff.

Something i am reading: A Storm of Swords, by George R. R. Martin

Something happening around the house: I trimmed the bushes in the front of our house.  They had grown so tall you could barely see off the porch.

Something i am thinking: I don’t know if i would survive if i had to live off the land.  I’m awful with gardening.

Something i am hoping: That my presentation at work this week goes well.  I’m demoing my pet project to about a dozen people.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Book club - i missed the last couple of meetings, and it will be nice to catch up with the girls.

Something random: I like cooking.  I’m no gourmet chef, but i can make tasty, healthy dishes.  I just have to make time for it - that is the hardest part.

Something captured: Nugent models a classic t-shirt.

I like purses.

I have bags of used purses in the back of my closet.  I should donate them or throw them out, but i can’t.  I went a lot of places with those purses!  What if i want to use them again?  They might be a little worn out, but there is still utility in them.  So there they sit, waiting to be needed.

I’m always on the lookout for a good purse.  It has to be just the right size - big enough to hold my normal items, with enough extra space to also hold a small book or other items i might pick up.  It must have a certain number of pockets and zippers - enough pockets to partition my items such that they will be easy to find, but not so many pockets that i can’t remember what i put where.  A good purse also has to be attractive, as well as a slightly different style than my previous purse - no, we do not do same old same old.

Finding one of those rare, great purses always fills me with excitement.  I found one!  A new era can begin!  Oh, the places we will go and the things we will see!

My favorite part of a new purse is the transfer of the belongings.  Out with the old, in with the new.  The finding of small “treasures” in the old purse can bring smiles or possibly a wrinkled nose.  Designating which pocket will be the cell phone pocket, the keys pocket, etc - these are all important decisions and must be carefully considered in order to get the most efficiency out of the purse.

Ah yes, the powerful potential of a purse.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me smile this week: The sheer delight and surprise my brother exhibited when he was examining my small DVD collection and found our childhood favorites, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Something i struggled with this week: I heard someone i love say mean and belittling things about someone who invited a bunch of us to her house and just wants to make friends.  They were unwarranted, and it makes me very sad.

Something tasty i ate this week: Green Beans with Potatoes and Bacon, using all fresh vegetables.

Something i learned this week: Bacon is worse for you than doughnuts.  And i’ve been avoiding doughnuts, while not avoiding bacon.  Conclusion: eat more doughnuts.

Something from the bridge table: Don’t Squeeze Your Partner

Some thing i am doing towards my goals: I ran another 5K this week, the Race for the Cure.  This contributes to the ongoing run 5Ks my whole life goal.

Something i am reading: A Clash of Kings, by George R. R. Martin

Something happening around the house: Watching reruns of The Office.

Something i am thinking: The birds that have taken roost in our chimney are twittering more loudly of late.  I wonder if they will leave the nest soon.

Something i am hoping:

Something i am looking forward to next week: We’re hosting another money IMP game at our house this week, which is always fun.

Something random: I get a tiny jolt of happiness when i look at the clock and the time is a repeating number.  Specifically, 11:11, 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44 and 5:55.  And pretty frequently, i find myself looking at the clock at several of those times during the day.  It’s like, my internal clock knows what time it is and prompts me to look at the repeating numbers.

Something captured: A pre-race picture at Saturday’s Race for the Cure.

I have an awkward ex-manager who i see infrequently.  He and i never really clicked, and i never truly was comfortable around him.  For example, i’d be trying to talk to him about some work-related thing, but he just wanted to make jokes all the time.  And sometimes i wouldn’t get them.  Whatever.  That’s behind me now.

I was with a friend in the cafe last week.  We walked in past the rows of tables where people were eating.  Ex-Manager was there.  I said something friendly yet mundane as we passed him, like “Hi, how are you doing?”  His response was, “I was fine, until i saw you’ve cut your hair.”

Um… thanks?  That was our entire exchange.  I’m sure i was supposed to infer that he was kidding and not be offended.  And i’m not.  But it’s at moments like that where i wish i had a camera to look at, like Jim Halpert is always doing.

The other night, we had several friends over for a game of Taboo.  I love that game.  It’s been a game enjoyed by my family during holidays for years.  I was pleased to see that our friends were going to take it seriously; i am very competetive about my Taboo.  Much laughter ensued.  Fun was had by all.

It was around midnight, and the fun was winding down.  We were at the point of the evening where everyone is just sitting around talking.  I said something like, “Well, i’m about to kick you all out.  Some of us have to work in the morning.”

And then i looked around.  Those in my company consisted of:

• Lance, poker player and bridge teacher, sets his own hours, does not have to get up in the morning.
• M1, retired, does not have to get up in the morning
• M2, seeking employment, part-time bridge professional, does not have to get up in the morning
• J, unemployed, not seeking employment, part-time bridge pro, does not have to get up in the morning
• S, a teacher who is off for the summer, every day is a vacation, does not have to get up in the morning
• D, unemployed, seeking employment, does not have to get up in the morning

It would appear some of us don’t have to work in the morning.  Just me.

No wonder i don’t get any sleep.

This is a description of how to buy a car from an individual.  Buying from a dealership might be a different story - i don’t know.  I’m not an expert; i’m merely a consumer.  Your mileage may vary.

During our recent car-buying adventure, i was not familiar with the process of what i was supposed to do, and in what order.  How do you handle insurance?  How do you get license plates?  When do you go to the DMV?  What follows is how we went about buying the car.

1. Identify a car you’re interested in.  I found our car posted on a message board where i work.
2. Do a little research.  There are lots of consumer sites where people post reviews of cars.  You might find out if certain things tend to go wrong in that car.  You’ll definitely find out if people liked their cars or not.
3. Contact the seller and set up a time to go look at the car.  Take it for a test drive.  How does it feel?  How does it sound?  Check out the buttons.  Does everything work?  Raise and lower the convertible top yourself, if applicable.  Sit in the back seat.
4. Refuse the urge to be emotional.  Thank the seller and tell him/her you will be in touch.  Don’t say “i’ll take it” on the spot.  Instead, ask questions.  Are the service records available?  What major services have you done?  Why are you selling it?  Has it been in an accident?  What shape are the tires in?
5. Do more research, this time at Kelley Blue Book and Edmonds.  Compare what the seller is asking to what the going rate is for the car.  The car i was looking at was priced at slightly above what KBB said it was worth.
6. If you’re still interested, contact the seller and set up an appointment to take the car to a mechanic.  It cost me $20 for a pre-purchase inspection.  You really should not skip this step.  My mechanic told me the car was in great shape.  He pointed out three things: 1) the hood shocks were not holding up the hood while he was looking at it. 2) the rear struts had been recently replaced, but the front struts may need it soon. 3) the tires were slightly off-balance.  All are pretty minor.
7. When returning the car to the seller after the appointment, once again refuse emotion.  Relate anything the mechanic said.  Ask more questions.  I knew i wanted to make an offer, but i know i’m uncomfortable negotiating, especially in person.  So i waited a day before contacting him again.
8. To make an offer, consider the shape the car is in and the cost of any major repairs.  Your style of negotiating and level of aggressiveness will affect how you handle this.  When buying a used car, especially an older one, i expect that there will be some repairs along the way, so i’m willing to bear part of the cost.
9. When an agreement is reached, request the Vehicle Identification Number.
10. Call your insurance agency and supply them with the VIN.  Tell them the day you will be acquiring the car.  I found this to be an easy process, accomplished by phone and email.  They should send you an insurance card that you’ll later need at the DMV for proof of insurance.
11. Obtain a certified check or cashier’s check from your bank.  Or if you’re financing it, arrange that with your bank.  In the end, you’ll have a check addressed to the seller.
12. Meet the seller to perform the exchange.  S/he should have the title ready to sign over.  The seller’s signature has to be notarized.  The exchange can take place at the DMV, where they will provide the notary service for a small fee.  In our case, the seller had taken care of that before hand and left the buyer’s information blank, for us to fill out as we chose.  At this point, ask any final questions.  For instance, i learned that the key fob batteries were flaky and needed to be replaced ($10).  If the car is locked with the key fob, attempting to unlock it with the key will set off the alarm.  That’s the type of information i’d rather not learn the hard way.
13. Go to the DMV to handle the three T’s - tags, title, taxes.  Make sure you go to a DMV that will handle this stuff - some offices are driver’s license offices only.  And bring some cash - the notary fee is cash only, and even though we didn’t need the notary, we still had to pay $5 in cash.  It may also be useful to bring a screwdriver so you can attach the new plate (i forgot that part, and had to go back to the DMV a second time to turn in the seller’s plates).
    • Tags: Our seller asked us to turn in his tags when we went, so we were able to legally drive the car as his tags were still on it.  I don’t know how common that is.  A seller might remove the tags himself, in which case you legally have to drive a separate car to the DMV to get the new tags.  The DMV will issue your plate to you then and there, with the registration sticker on it.  Every year at this time, you will need to update the registration and pay taxes.
    • Title: Bring the notarized title from the seller.  A new title will be issued and mailed to you after approximately a week.
    • Taxes: Be prepared to pay taxes on the vehicle at this time.  You can write a check for this amount.
14. Go ahead and take the car back the the mechanic to get any repairs done.  We scheduled items 2 & 3 from the mechanic’s list, as well as an oil change.
15. Order a personalized plate if you like.  You will need your existing plate and some information from the title, so you must wait until the new title arrives in the mail.  Lance’s personalized plate will say MINUS790.

That’s how we did it.  It was fairly painless.  I guess people do this all the time; it just seems intimidating if you’re not sure what to do.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me smile this week: Lance.  He was just a sweet thing this week, and did a lot of things to make me laugh and smile.  I like him; i think i’ll keep him.

Something i struggled with this week: A hangover - i don’t even know how much i drank that night, but we took a cab home and i was still buzzed when i woke up the next morning.  I haven’t done that in awhile, and won’t be doing it again soon.

Something tasty i ate this week: Bacon Turkey Bravo from Panera Bread.

Something i learned this week: Have you ever noticed that the lettering of standard license plates might be red or it might be blue?  What is the difference?  It’s not cars vs trucks.  It’s not extra cylinders or axles.  I learned this week that it’s a function of how long you’ve owned your car.  The DMV used to issue blue lettering, currently issues red lettering, and will some time in the future switch back to blue.

Something from the bridge table: Raleigh hosted a sectional tournament this weekend.  A lot of bridge was played, and there were many interesting hands and things i could say, but right now i am just too exhausted to try to write about them.

Some thing i am doing towards my goals: Nothing really.  Someone asked me if i had lost weight, so maybe i’m moving toward the feel comfortable in a two-piece goal, though i still have a ways to go.

Something i am reading: Finished A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.  Now reading the second book in the series, A Clash of Kings.

Something happening around the house: We ordered pizza because we were too exhausted to go to the store, or make something in the kitchen, or even go to a fast food place.

Something i am thinking: 22 seems so much younger to me now than it did when i was 22 and decided to get married.

Something i am hoping: I have a lot of hopes right now revolving around work and being able to get everything done that i’m supposed to do.  It’s stressful right now.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Down time - bridge tournaments are fun, but they sure wear you out.

Something random: I went to Krispy Kreme to get a bunch of doughnuts for the tournament.  There is a window showing how they glaze the doughnuts.  It’s kind of disgusting.  I didn’t eat any of the doughnuts after that.

Something captured: A new domain name - www.learnwithlance.com.

In April of 2008, Lance was driving his old car to a fantasy baseball draft.  He was on the Wade Avenue extension heading East, when his car just died.  It was an old, green Mercury Tracer.  It had a dozen bumper stickers such as “I Heart Math” and “How’s My Deriving?” along with stickers for Ohio State, Durham Bulls, Carolina Mudcats.  It was a beater, but it had personality.

It died on the side of the highway.  Since then, we have been a one-car household.  Lance works from home, so he didn’t have a huge need for a car, and decided to put it off for awhile.  For the occasional times he needed a car, it was easy for him to take me to and from work.

In the past few months, though, Lance has suddenly become a popular bridge teacher.  His specialty is groups of four who want lessons and/or supervised play.  He’s taught six different groups varying from beginners to intermediate players.  Many of the sessions are for retired folks who want lessons in the afternoons.  This has translated to his needing the car two or three times a week in order to teach.

We’ve made it work, but it’s throwing a wrench into my schedule.  He’ll drop me off at 9, and then his lesson will be over at 4.  He could come get me right away, but i’d be leaving early.  Once a week that might be okay, but two or three times is pushing it.  But if he goes home, he might work for awhile, and then i have to stay at work until 6 or later.  Additionally for me, i have to schedule any of my off-campus appointments around him, and it limits my ability to be flexible and work late if i need or want to on a given day.  And of course, it takes nearly two hours out of Lance’s day to drive back and forth to get me.

So, we started looking around for cars.  The one we bought is a 1996 Saab 900S Convertible.  Lance really likes the look of Saabs, and the fact that it’s a convertible is a bonus.  Plus, it’s red, which is perfect for this Ohio State fanatic, where even the appliances he buys are red (we have a red coffeemaker, blender and food processor).

It’s a fun car.  It’s in damn good shape for a car that old.  At 109,000, the Saab has fewer miles than my 2002 Honda Accord, and it’s six years older!  Lance looks good driving it, too.  We hope it will serve us well for at least a few years.