As a recent grad I was hit with the realization - if I floss I will save money. Many years have gone by and I have to say, well, I’m not saving money. I still have not been able to get flossing into my daily schedule - the floss on the wand apparently doesn’t count. I finally found a new dentist this year - this one being the fourth one since I’ve been in Boston. Looks like it’s working out, except, I have a bunch of catch up in the dental world. This morning, I just got done having some fillings and made one last appointment. Apparently my teeth are good and all my cavities are between the teeth - where I’m not flossing. I can tell you that I will floss tonight, and again tomorrow, but then Thursday might get skipped and the rest is downhill. My dentist suggested I try a water pick. Has anyone had any experience?
In the meantime, I sit here writing this at lunch. Very very hungry. The novocain hasn’t worn off yet which means I’m a mess. I keep absent mindedly taking a sip of water at my desk while I’m working. Except it doesn’t all quite make its way into my mouth. And then I tried nibbling at some food and I’m very conscious that it’s not just my teeth and tongue that work to get the food processed while keeping everything contained. Granted, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what dental work without pain relief would be like. I’m off to research water picks.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Good News Friday
I had a colleague share with me recently a little work secret - he likes to share good news on Fridays. It's a good way to start off the weekend. Hey, who could argue with that approach?!
Well, today, I was wrapping up some work after the office got quiet with everyone heading out for the weekend. I was responding to emails including several that had just come in, including some from my boss. Next thing, I'm getting a call from my boss. We chat and then he asks if I could pop up to his floor for a quick chat.
Well, clearly I've given away the end, it was good news. But on that elevator ride up I scroll through everything it could be, from the good to the bad. The unknown can be quite fearful. My boss was in the presidents office so I pop my head in and am asked to have a seat. What could it be?
Turns out they wanted to recognize my good work and give me a little something in recognition. I shouldn't go into the particulars in public. Just a simple, you've been doing great and we want to give you something for all your hard work. I love that I didn't have to ask for anything - it was a complete surprise. I'm really loving this job.
Of course I wasn't as eloquent in my acceptance of praise as I would have liked. And of course I did a little happy dance once I was in the elevator. And of course, when I go to call folks to share the good news with, no one answers. So instead, I will share the good news with my blogland friends.
And I should add that the colleague who shared his little Friday secret - that was my boss. I gotta say, I'm appreciating his approach!
Well, today, I was wrapping up some work after the office got quiet with everyone heading out for the weekend. I was responding to emails including several that had just come in, including some from my boss. Next thing, I'm getting a call from my boss. We chat and then he asks if I could pop up to his floor for a quick chat.
Well, clearly I've given away the end, it was good news. But on that elevator ride up I scroll through everything it could be, from the good to the bad. The unknown can be quite fearful. My boss was in the presidents office so I pop my head in and am asked to have a seat. What could it be?
Turns out they wanted to recognize my good work and give me a little something in recognition. I shouldn't go into the particulars in public. Just a simple, you've been doing great and we want to give you something for all your hard work. I love that I didn't have to ask for anything - it was a complete surprise. I'm really loving this job.
Of course I wasn't as eloquent in my acceptance of praise as I would have liked. And of course I did a little happy dance once I was in the elevator. And of course, when I go to call folks to share the good news with, no one answers. So instead, I will share the good news with my blogland friends.
And I should add that the colleague who shared his little Friday secret - that was my boss. I gotta say, I'm appreciating his approach!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Farewell Blackberry
My blackberry for work finally petered out and today was replaced by a new iphone. I was excited and nostalgic simultaneously. I still like the blackberry over the iphone for some things. I remember when I switched jobs and went from iphone back to blackberry some friends thought I was crazy - that I could go back to being iphoneless. But it’s much easier to use the blackberry with one hand while walking and with gloves on. I do sometimes miss the extra features smartphones have though too. So am happy with the upgrade.
I wasn’t expecting the turn around to happen so quickly. That I’d have the blackberry for another week so I wasn’t ready yet to say farewell. I remembered to pull off the random photos and videos. Now the camera on the blackberry is not great so I didn’t take too many pictures. But there were a few that brought back smile.
First was this fellow who I met one night after a late night working, waiting for my bus home. The Red Sox game had just gotten out and they were on their way home. He was very amiable and friendly. The Sox must have won. I had to take a picture of him because he was all blinged out. Of course the camera didn’t capture the important part. The big glowing light is the reflection off of his California license plates. I forget what the letters were but he had gotten two vanity plates that were coded for the years the Red Sox won the World Championships when he lived in California. Gotta love the Bostonians!
I wasn’t expecting the turn around to happen so quickly. That I’d have the blackberry for another week so I wasn’t ready yet to say farewell. I remembered to pull off the random photos and videos. Now the camera on the blackberry is not great so I didn’t take too many pictures. But there were a few that brought back smile.
First was this fellow who I met one night after a late night working, waiting for my bus home. The Red Sox game had just gotten out and they were on their way home. He was very amiable and friendly. The Sox must have won. I had to take a picture of him because he was all blinged out. Of course the camera didn’t capture the important part. The big glowing light is the reflection off of his California license plates. I forget what the letters were but he had gotten two vanity plates that were coded for the years the Red Sox won the World Championships when he lived in California. Gotta love the Bostonians!
This next picture was from a year or so ago when I had a play date with my man Cam. We had gone to the Science Museum just the two of us and had a blast. I love going to children’s museums and seeing the learning and awe through their eyes. Nothing beats it!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Fall
I love eating autumn soups. I hate having a burnt tongue.
I love the chilly days and pulling out the sweaters. I'm on step two of my four step path to winter. First, close all but two of the windows. Second, close all the windows. Three, close the storm windows. And finally caulk the old double hung windows. I'm holding out until after thanksgiving to turn on the heat. It feels very promising after a day of 70s weather.
I can't wait for daylight savings. I've been having rushed mornings since my internal clock is having me wake up at 7 instead of 6. The pitfalls of a working lifestyle sans alarm clock. Only two and a half weeks to go!
I love the chilly days and pulling out the sweaters. I'm on step two of my four step path to winter. First, close all but two of the windows. Second, close all the windows. Three, close the storm windows. And finally caulk the old double hung windows. I'm holding out until after thanksgiving to turn on the heat. It feels very promising after a day of 70s weather.
I can't wait for daylight savings. I've been having rushed mornings since my internal clock is having me wake up at 7 instead of 6. The pitfalls of a working lifestyle sans alarm clock. Only two and a half weeks to go!
Public Radio
Last night with friends we were sharing podcasts we love. I realized when I followed up this morning, sending links of my favorites, that I’m a public radio junky. Here’s my list of recommendations:
The Moth
Risk!
Selected Shorts
Michael Feldman’s Whadya Know
Frakonomics Radio
Radio Lab
Stuff You Should Know
This was assuming that they already listened to the established and well known shows:
This American Life
Prairie Home Companion
Fresh Air
Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me
Car Talk
And I shared that one of my favorite shows is “Says You” which does not have free podcasts but is well worth tuning into the show on your local radio station. I referenced the show in a past blog post. As I was looking for the website I was reminded that I’ve been meaning to send in a suggestion for a question for the show. So at lunch I came up with a few of the questions I’ve been thinking of. Here’s the questions - figure out which one of the four doesn’t belong.
1. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky
2. Delaware, Nebraska, Tennessee, Maine
3. Rhode Island, Kentucky, Vermont, Maine
4. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey
Here’s my submission:
When I stumbled upon the discovery that my step-sister and I both lived in commonwealths (MA and VA) I realized there must be a “Says You” question in there somewhere!. Several years later I’ve finally sat down and put together a few state based questions with the “Odd Man Out” format in mind.
1. Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. Odd man out is Ohio - the rest are all commonwealths. There are only four in the country and I thought putting Massachusetts in the list might be too obvious.
2. Delaware, Nebraska, Maine and Tennessee. Odd man out is Tennessee - the rest all end with “E” in their state abbreviations: DE, NE, ME. Other groupings could be considered. UT, MT, CT, and VT might be easier states to figure out this relationship.
3. Kentucky, Vermont, West Virginia and Rhode Island. Odd man out is Rhode Island - the rest all split from another state. Kentucky from Virginia in 1792, Vermont from New York/New Hampshire in 1791, West Virginia from Virginia in 1863. I left out Maine since it was merged into Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691 and later split off from Massachusetts and became its own state in 1820, but could be considered.
4. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Odd man out is New York. There were only three states that ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. The rest of the 13 colonies ratified the constitution in 1788.
Needless to say, please use what you will, edit and fact check. I hope this provides fodder for future questions on the show. From a fan!
How cool would it be if they use something on air?!
The Moth
Risk!
Selected Shorts
Michael Feldman’s Whadya Know
Frakonomics Radio
Radio Lab
Stuff You Should Know
This was assuming that they already listened to the established and well known shows:
This American Life
Prairie Home Companion
Fresh Air
Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me
Car Talk
And I shared that one of my favorite shows is “Says You” which does not have free podcasts but is well worth tuning into the show on your local radio station. I referenced the show in a past blog post. As I was looking for the website I was reminded that I’ve been meaning to send in a suggestion for a question for the show. So at lunch I came up with a few of the questions I’ve been thinking of. Here’s the questions - figure out which one of the four doesn’t belong.
1. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky
2. Delaware, Nebraska, Tennessee, Maine
3. Rhode Island, Kentucky, Vermont, Maine
4. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey
Here’s my submission:
When I stumbled upon the discovery that my step-sister and I both lived in commonwealths (MA and VA) I realized there must be a “Says You” question in there somewhere!. Several years later I’ve finally sat down and put together a few state based questions with the “Odd Man Out” format in mind.
1. Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. Odd man out is Ohio - the rest are all commonwealths. There are only four in the country and I thought putting Massachusetts in the list might be too obvious.
2. Delaware, Nebraska, Maine and Tennessee. Odd man out is Tennessee - the rest all end with “E” in their state abbreviations: DE, NE, ME. Other groupings could be considered. UT, MT, CT, and VT might be easier states to figure out this relationship.
3. Kentucky, Vermont, West Virginia and Rhode Island. Odd man out is Rhode Island - the rest all split from another state. Kentucky from Virginia in 1792, Vermont from New York/New Hampshire in 1791, West Virginia from Virginia in 1863. I left out Maine since it was merged into Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691 and later split off from Massachusetts and became its own state in 1820, but could be considered.
4. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Odd man out is New York. There were only three states that ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. The rest of the 13 colonies ratified the constitution in 1788.
Needless to say, please use what you will, edit and fact check. I hope this provides fodder for future questions on the show. From a fan!
How cool would it be if they use something on air?!
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Height
I had a great time visiting mom and the family. Nine of us descended upon her and engulfed her house. Maggie, her dog, was in heaven with everyone there. It flew by, I think in part because people arrived and left at staggered times. And I was reminded again how tall my family is. At 5'7" I was the 9th tallest! Only my mom was shorter than me.
I was supposed to fly back on a 4:30 pm flight on Monday so I'd be back at work by Tuesday. They over booked and because the people they were trying to find seats for were flight crew they went all the way up to $600! Apparently that is the maximum they can go. The next direct flight wasn't until 6:30 the next morning so they gave me hotel and food vouchers too.
It took awhile to get all the paperwork since there were several crisis the staff were dealing with, including unloading all the passengers from the plane I had just given up my seat on - technical issues with the plane. By the time I left for the hotel, which was about when I would have been landing in Boston, the plane still hadn't departed.
I swung by the main ticket counter on my way out to get a copy of my ticket for the next morning and standing besides me was this woman slightly familiar. Couldn't place her and thought at first she might be a celebrity, but then I discounted that idea to the fact that she was just nicely put together. She was a little disgruntled, I think some issue with a ticket and was checking her blackberry. When a stranger comes up and asks her something. I couldn't hear it but heard her response. She said, "yes, I'm her". Which garnered a response of, "I loved your show". She was really quite nice to the adoring fan and I finally realized she was Tracee Ellis Ross. The actor on Girlfriends and Diana Ross's daughter. She had her hair back in a bun and seemed shorter than she should be - my height. I checked online and she's 5'7" too.
So all in all a nice little adventure: I still get into work (only half an hour late), got to see a famous celebrity and am $600 richer in plane vouchers!
I was supposed to fly back on a 4:30 pm flight on Monday so I'd be back at work by Tuesday. They over booked and because the people they were trying to find seats for were flight crew they went all the way up to $600! Apparently that is the maximum they can go. The next direct flight wasn't until 6:30 the next morning so they gave me hotel and food vouchers too.
It took awhile to get all the paperwork since there were several crisis the staff were dealing with, including unloading all the passengers from the plane I had just given up my seat on - technical issues with the plane. By the time I left for the hotel, which was about when I would have been landing in Boston, the plane still hadn't departed.
I swung by the main ticket counter on my way out to get a copy of my ticket for the next morning and standing besides me was this woman slightly familiar. Couldn't place her and thought at first she might be a celebrity, but then I discounted that idea to the fact that she was just nicely put together. She was a little disgruntled, I think some issue with a ticket and was checking her blackberry. When a stranger comes up and asks her something. I couldn't hear it but heard her response. She said, "yes, I'm her". Which garnered a response of, "I loved your show". She was really quite nice to the adoring fan and I finally realized she was Tracee Ellis Ross. The actor on Girlfriends and Diana Ross's daughter. She had her hair back in a bun and seemed shorter than she should be - my height. I checked online and she's 5'7" too.
So all in all a nice little adventure: I still get into work (only half an hour late), got to see a famous celebrity and am $600 richer in plane vouchers!
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
August Pictures
I go back and forth about the iphone vs. the blackberry. I’ve had both for work (at different times), and usually prefer the blackberry for work stuff. But the iphone has some nice non-work stuff - like maps and good photos. All this is a long winded way to say I don’t have as many pictures these days since I don’t have an iphone, but did get a new camera this year and have been using it more than the old one. The pictures are so much better although they do seem to stay trapped on the camera just as long. I finally went through and downloaded them, shared them with those I promised to share them with and thought I’d post a few here as well to share with the rest of you. These are from August when we had our little reunion up in Maine hosted by Maggie and Dave.
PICTURE DIFFICULTY - WILL TRY ON A DIFFERENT COMPUTER.
I will add that every time I forget how bad traffic is going from Maine to Boston on a Sunday in summer. It took double the time - I think 3 hours! I’ve already started to forget. And it’s really just the mile or so going through New Hampshire. The upside is that it provides an excuse to break it up and stop by the outlet mall on the way back. This time I hit upon some good jewelry and sportswear (aka lounge wear for me). You never know what you’ll stumble upon.
PICTURE DIFFICULTY - WILL TRY ON A DIFFERENT COMPUTER.
I will add that every time I forget how bad traffic is going from Maine to Boston on a Sunday in summer. It took double the time - I think 3 hours! I’ve already started to forget. And it’s really just the mile or so going through New Hampshire. The upside is that it provides an excuse to break it up and stop by the outlet mall on the way back. This time I hit upon some good jewelry and sportswear (aka lounge wear for me). You never know what you’ll stumble upon.
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