Here I am at work, and like 85 000 + VIP NCAA fans and 132 000 + Regular fans I am waiting in my virtual line waiting to get into the site to watch the big dance. Now that a pretty darn long line up, potentially the longest in the world; until they do a similar thing with world cup soccer of course. I’m happy though; I am number 5711 in line, which I think is good. Its definitely better than waiting in line outside for something, or waiting in traffic line ups, or even air traffic line ups. I hate line ups, especially one’s I physically have to stand in. This line up is much better, log into the site, spend 10 mins trying to remember my password for VIP access and then let the computer line up for me while I try to get a days worth of work done so I can relax and watch the games.
Just as I feel like complaining I get in!!! Woo hooo the VIP pre registration sign up worked! I get to pick my game first. Defiantly wanting to watch Kansas making far so that I gain max points on my bracket. But the Georgia vs Xavier seems like it will be more entertaining. I notice as always they have a handy “boss” button. What can I say, the ppl who invented this have perfected it. Though maybe they might want to look into adding a couple of food delivery buttons especially for the first couple of rounds where games are all day. Ok so I have about 20 mins left before tip off, I am comfy in my seat. I need to make sure that I am well hydrated and fed. Of course I should probably go to the bathroom in a couple of mins…..Sports fans, basketball fans, and everyone who is bored at work….let the madness begin!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Gifts and the 5 Rules
**Note this post was written in early Feb but posted now
Its that time of the year… Valentines, Easter, Navroz, March madness. No this post isn’t about the best sports tournament in the world (I will save for its own couple of post) but rather the madness of everyone in my family being born in March and the gift buying procedure combined with the general gift expectation for Vday, Navroz, Easter, and all the other holidays. This is a post I’ve wanted to write this post at most major holidays and gift giving times but never really got around to it so here it is….
Gifts are a way of showing someone that you care. No matter what the media and shops and whoever decides when the gifts are to be exchanged… in the end gifts are to show you care. When selecting gift it is vital for you to remember this.
So how do you choose a gift for someone? Rule #1 never get them something they don’t do or
like. If they don’t read then don’t get them a book. It doesn’t matter how meaningful that book could be, doesn’t matter if the book is about something they like, in the end they don’t read get some them something they will like. When choosing a gift for someone it is pretty easy if they tell you what they want. If they tell you what they want, get it for them. Its pretty simple, as long as its in your budget and your effort range, get it. Don’t try to push your values or the things you like on someone as a gift. Ex: If you like golf and you want your wife to play, don’t buy her golf clubs if she hasn’t shown interest in it before. Golf clubs would be you pushing something you want on her, rather than getting her something she wants. Which is really what its all about.
Gift Certificates:
Some people think this might be impersonal and in some way it can be. Rule #2 A gift certificate, which someone will use, is much better than a crappy gift! Some good examples of when gift certificates should be used is when you don’t really know the person, you know the person enjoys a certain thing but you aren’t sure what specifically they don’t already have or what size/style they would enjoy. Ex: if someone is athletic and loves basketball but you don’t know what their favorite team is… a sports stores gift certificate would be appropriate over buying them something of a team they dislike. The more you know about a person the more specific the gift card should be, as in if you really know nothing about someone then go with a mall gift card as if offers a variety of things they can pick, and if you know someone well then go with a specific store. Gift Cards work especially well when you are sending the gift long distance (via mail). Keep the receipt though in case the card get demagnetized.
Food gift cards can also be good gifts, if you know someone loves Starbucks coffee but only buys it on special occasions and buys Tims coffee otherwise. A Starbucks gift card for them to indulge would be an awesome gift. A Tim’s card however, probably wouldn’t be as appreciated.
Also note that it is important not to give someone a gift from a store they have you a gift card for. Especially if the amount of the gift is less than the amount of gift certificate which they gave you. Example, someone gives you $50 gift card for store X and then you buy them something from that store worth $20. Not only is this bad in terms of regifting it is also obvious in terms of money value.
Money value when giving gift certificates, can be complicated. Usually they come in standard amounts $15, $20, $25, $50, $100…etc. It really is up to you how much you spend; everyone had a different budget. It should be noted however that a $15 Holt Renfrew gift card would be ridicules in the same way a $100 McDonald gift card would be. Keep in mind what you hope the person would get from the gift certificate and the general prices of things in that store.
Gift Effort:
It is obvious to see that some gifts take more effort than others. Whether that effort is actually the time to find something really specific, or if you have to physically make it. Rule # 3: It is important when you think of your budget that you also think of the effort needed to give this gift. For example, if you’re planning to order something online note that potentially American credit cards are only accepted, or that you will need extra time for it to get to the person in time or that if its something specific it won’t actually be what you wanted. If you are physically making something, try to ensure that you start it early enough to have it completed by the time you want to give it as a gift. Usually people are good with understanding things take time and that potentially have stalls along the way but sometimes it just seems like there is a lack of effort, usually if this is with a closer friend or family member.
Gift Teasing:
If you know someone would really love something which might be out of their range or is just something that they haven’t gotten around to getting and you were planning to get it for them but some complication happened, Do not tell them about it! Rule # 4: People don’t want to hear about the amazing gift you tried to get them but couldn’t. It’s a tease, its hurtful and it overall rude. I don’t really know why people do this, or what about telling you what they were trying to get will make you feel better about the shitty gift you just got. I don’t really understand it. I’ve had many people do and say this to me and it really just hurts and probably effects my willingness to gift them later on. I know there are things in life which are complicated and expensive, just the same as you do, so don’t tell me you wanted to get something expensive or complicated and then give me something you know I will just return. Also on that note; Rule #5: If you say you’re getting someone something make sure you follow through. False promises suck, even if its months before a bday or an occasion to get a gift for someone, if you say you will buy X for them on Christmas, you better suck it up and buy X no matter what that means in terms of money and effort.
Gift Returns:
Many people think different things on this issue but this is how I see it; if you won’t use or appreciate a gift then return it and get something you want. There is no use to announce this to the person but do try to let them know that you’re not really interested in X. This must be done in a professional way. There is no use to tell someone you love their gift of X when you really don’t. This is especially important for people who have allergies and such.
Some gifts cannot be returned easily and so the regifting issue arises. This can be another stick situation and there are several things to consider, would someone you know appreciate the gift or are you just getting rid of it and is this a personalized gift where it really only meant for you. Please look at the gift certificate note for gifting someone something that you’ve received a gift certificate for. I really don’t see a problem with regifting as long as you remember Rule #1.
Happy Gifting All
Its that time of the year… Valentines, Easter, Navroz, March madness. No this post isn’t about the best sports tournament in the world (I will save for its own couple of post) but rather the madness of everyone in my family being born in March and the gift buying procedure combined with the general gift expectation for Vday, Navroz, Easter, and all the other holidays. This is a post I’ve wanted to write this post at most major holidays and gift giving times but never really got around to it so here it is….
Gifts are a way of showing someone that you care. No matter what the media and shops and whoever decides when the gifts are to be exchanged… in the end gifts are to show you care. When selecting gift it is vital for you to remember this.
So how do you choose a gift for someone? Rule #1 never get them something they don’t do or
like. If they don’t read then don’t get them a book. It doesn’t matter how meaningful that book could be, doesn’t matter if the book is about something they like, in the end they don’t read get some them something they will like. When choosing a gift for someone it is pretty easy if they tell you what they want. If they tell you what they want, get it for them. Its pretty simple, as long as its in your budget and your effort range, get it. Don’t try to push your values or the things you like on someone as a gift. Ex: If you like golf and you want your wife to play, don’t buy her golf clubs if she hasn’t shown interest in it before. Golf clubs would be you pushing something you want on her, rather than getting her something she wants. Which is really what its all about.Gift Certificates:
Some people think this might be impersonal and in some way it can be. Rule #2 A gift certificate, which someone will use, is much better than a crappy gift! Some good examples of when gift certificates should be used is when you don’t really know the person, you know the person enjoys a certain thing but you aren’t sure what specifically they don’t already have or what size/style they would enjoy. Ex: if someone is athletic and loves basketball but you don’t know what their favorite team is… a sports stores gift certificate would be appropriate over buying them something of a team they dislike. The more you know about a person the more specific the gift card should be, as in if you really know nothing about someone then go with a mall gift card as if offers a variety of things they can pick, and if you know someone well then go with a specific store. Gift Cards work especially well when you are sending the gift long distance (via mail). Keep the receipt though in case the card get demagnetized.Food gift cards can also be good gifts, if you know someone loves Starbucks coffee but only buys it on special occasions and buys Tims coffee otherwise. A Starbucks gift card for them to indulge would be an awesome gift. A Tim’s card however, probably wouldn’t be as appreciated.
Also note that it is important not to give someone a gift from a store they have you a gift card for. Especially if the amount of the gift is less than the amount of gift certificate which they gave you. Example, someone gives you $50 gift card for store X and then you buy them something from that store worth $20. Not only is this bad in terms of regifting it is also obvious in terms of money value.
Money value when giving gift certificates, can be complicated. Usually they come in standard amounts $15, $20, $25, $50, $100…etc. It really is up to you how much you spend; everyone had a different budget. It should be noted however that a $15 Holt Renfrew gift card would be ridicules in the same way a $100 McDonald gift card would be. Keep in mind what you hope the person would get from the gift certificate and the general prices of things in that store.
Gift Effort:
It is obvious to see that some gifts take more effort than others. Whether that effort is actually the time to find something really specific, or if you have to physically make it. Rule # 3: It is important when you think of your budget that you also think of the effort needed to give this gift. For example, if you’re planning to order something online note that potentially American credit cards are only accepted, or that you will need extra time for it to get to the person in time or that if its something specific it won’t actually be what you wanted. If you are physically making something, try to ensure that you start it early enough to have it completed by the time you want to give it as a gift. Usually people are good with understanding things take time and that potentially have stalls along the way but sometimes it just seems like there is a lack of effort, usually if this is with a closer friend or family member.
Gift Teasing:
If you know someone would really love something which might be out of their range or is just something that they haven’t gotten around to getting and you were planning to get it for them but some complication happened, Do not tell them about it! Rule # 4: People don’t want to hear about the amazing gift you tried to get them but couldn’t. It’s a tease, its hurtful and it overall rude. I don’t really know why people do this, or what about telling you what they were trying to get will make you feel better about the shitty gift you just got. I don’t really understand it. I’ve had many people do and say this to me and it really just hurts and probably effects my willingness to gift them later on. I know there are things in life which are complicated and expensive, just the same as you do, so don’t tell me you wanted to get something expensive or complicated and then give me something you know I will just return. Also on that note; Rule #5: If you say you’re getting someone something make sure you follow through. False promises suck, even if its months before a bday or an occasion to get a gift for someone, if you say you will buy X for them on Christmas, you better suck it up and buy X no matter what that means in terms of money and effort.
Gift Returns:
Many people think different things on this issue but this is how I see it; if you won’t use or appreciate a gift then return it and get something you want. There is no use to announce this to the person but do try to let them know that you’re not really interested in X. This must be done in a professional way. There is no use to tell someone you love their gift of X when you really don’t. This is especially important for people who have allergies and such.
Some gifts cannot be returned easily and so the regifting issue arises. This can be another stick situation and there are several things to consider, would someone you know appreciate the gift or are you just getting rid of it and is this a personalized gift where it really only meant for you. Please look at the gift certificate note for gifting someone something that you’ve received a gift certificate for. I really don’t see a problem with regifting as long as you remember Rule #1.
Happy Gifting All
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Love Fool
The other day I heard a song on the radio which I haven’t heard in years; The Cardigan’s Lovefool (lyrics below). I used to enjoy this song back when it came out mostly for the beats and the fact it was easy to sing along. The lyrics always made me laugh as I never though anyone could really be this “lovefool”
Until yesterday I didn’t even remember this song, but as I heard it and really listened to the lyrics I can now related for somehow I have become this crazy, naïve love fool. How can this be? How have I stooped so low to feel for someone in similar ways as the song mentions? What scares me more is that I don’t think I’m the only one. I think there are at least a handful of us who have somehow become this lovefool. Why do we want someone we care about to,
“Love me love me
say that you love me
fool me fool me
go on and fool me
love me love me
pretend that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me”
Yes go so far as say pretend that you love me. Has it really become so hard to just let go that we rather have fake love, that we need this fake love to feel needed? As also stated, "Reason will not lead to solution/I will end up lost in confusion"
The Cardigans
Lovefool Lyrics
Dear, I fear we're facing a problem
you love me no longer, I know
and maybe there is nothing
that I can do to make you do
Mama tells me I shouldn't bother
that I ought to stick to another man
a man that surely deserves me
but I think you do!
So I cry, and I pray and I beg
Love me love me
say that you love me
fool me fool mego on and fool me
love me love mepretend that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
So I cried, and I begged for you to
Love me love me
say that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
I can't care about anything but you
Lately I have desperately pondered,
spent my nights awake and I wonder
what I could do have done in another way
to make you stay
Reason will not lead to solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don't care if you really care
as long as you don't go
So I cried, and I begged for you to
Love me love me
say that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
I can't care about anything but you
Until yesterday I didn’t even remember this song, but as I heard it and really listened to the lyrics I can now related for somehow I have become this crazy, naïve love fool. How can this be? How have I stooped so low to feel for someone in similar ways as the song mentions? What scares me more is that I don’t think I’m the only one. I think there are at least a handful of us who have somehow become this lovefool. Why do we want someone we care about to,
“Love me love me
say that you love me
fool me fool me
go on and fool me
love me love me
pretend that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me”
Yes go so far as say pretend that you love me. Has it really become so hard to just let go that we rather have fake love, that we need this fake love to feel needed? As also stated, "Reason will not lead to solution/I will end up lost in confusion"
The Cardigans
Lovefool Lyrics
Dear, I fear we're facing a problem
you love me no longer, I know
and maybe there is nothing
that I can do to make you do
Mama tells me I shouldn't bother
that I ought to stick to another man
a man that surely deserves me
but I think you do!
So I cry, and I pray and I beg
Love me love me
say that you love me
fool me fool mego on and fool me
love me love mepretend that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
So I cried, and I begged for you to
Love me love me
say that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
I can't care about anything but you
Lately I have desperately pondered,
spent my nights awake and I wonder
what I could do have done in another way
to make you stay
Reason will not lead to solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don't care if you really care
as long as you don't go
So I cried, and I begged for you to
Love me love me
say that you love me
leave me leave me
just say that you need me
I can't care about anything but you
Monday, March 03, 2008
in her shoes poem
The art of loosing isn’t hard to master
So many things seem filled with the intent to be lost
that there is no lost is no disaster
Loose something every day
Except the fluster of lost door keys
I lost two cities, two rivers two continents
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster
Even loosing you the joking voice
The gesture I love
I shouldn’t have lied
Its evident the art of loosing isn’t too hard to master
Though it may look like disaster
So many things seem filled with the intent to be lost
that there is no lost is no disaster
Loose something every day
Except the fluster of lost door keys
I lost two cities, two rivers two continents
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster
Even loosing you the joking voice
The gesture I love
I shouldn’t have lied
Its evident the art of loosing isn’t too hard to master
Though it may look like disaster
Slinky
There are so many amazing and cool toys out there for today’s children. I am amazing at how creative, artistic and even sophisticated some of these toys have become. One of the simplest toys in my childhood was the slinky. Pretty much a coil which mirrored wave patterns. Some of the cooler ones were colored in funky bright ways, I even recall a glow in the dark one. On the commercials for this toy it would show kids walking their slinky down stairs and having what seemed to be so much fun. I never had a chance to have this fun with my slinkys.
I had a slinky playing deficiency. Actually I still have that deficiency. I don’t know what it is about this toy, no matter how often or little I touch it, I always seem to get it all tangled up and I have no idea why. Usually this deficiency results in having to throw out the slinky, or to turn to my lil sister and show her in hopes that she will be able to fix it. Its pretty sad actually, even yesterday I played with my sister’s slinky and after all of 2 mins it was in knots. I guess there are just some things, which are too complicated. Some might think its multivariate calculus but I think it’s definitely figuring out a slinky.
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