A couple of weeks ago I was really struggling with missed trips and vacations. A summer gone by too quickly and not enough fun occurring. I had talked with a friend of mine and we were both discussing our desire to get out of town. I told him if he ever wanted to go somewhere to let me know as I'm always looking for travel companions that have the financial means and time to travel. I didn't think much of it. Afterall, he and I had gone out twice, I wasn't interested in anything further. We've maintained an online friendship since.
The next day after that conversation, he emailed me and asked where I wanted to go for a getaway. We kicked around Chicago but one night in a hotel he thought was "cool" was $367 plus tax and parking. No Thank You. We decided to head the other direction, Detroit. We found a bus brewery tour that hits three breweries that we bought the last two tickets. A co-worker had advised of a special on http://www.restaurant.com/ that had their gift certificates 90% off and I managed to pick up $350 in gift certificates for $14.75. We plan on going to dinner at The Whitney in Detroit with our $50 gift certificate that cost under $2.00. So we are excited about a nice dinner at a reasonable cost! Then we plan on hitting one of the haunted houses in the area where he offered that I can hold his hand if needed (after a local haunted house last weekend, I'm afraid I might cry or worse at a real haunted house!)! We then hope to hit one of the casinos as he hasn't been to a casino in about a decade! I picked up a 3.5 star hotel in Detroit for $50 on http://www.hotels.com/ and a Marriott for Friday night for $40 on http://www.priceline.com/ - I LOVE naming my own price! Within two days of our initial discussion, tour tickets and hotels were purchased.
I am really excited about our getaway! We have lots of fun things planned and will get in town early enough on the Friday to enjoy dinner and hit the town before the morning beer tour. Since we made plans, we have talked on the phone once. ONCE. We have emailed, texted or instant messaged daily. I'm sure I'm not the easiest person to be around or travel with and wonder what type of travel companion he is. I wonder how this trip will turn out. Then again, my winter Christmas trip to Colorado turned out extremely well, so cheers to mini vacations! To new friends, new adventures, great times and great memories!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bandwidth & the Internet
I follow about 30 blogs. Of them, there are about 10 that I no longer have interest in reading; however, no matter how many times I try, I cannot delete myself from following. I follow the blogs in Google Reader and often read them throughout the day at work as well as Yahoo news.
I was recently informed that I am one of the top bandwidth users in my office. I was advised to immediately cease downloading movies, videos and music. I do not do any of those. I do however read blogs in Google Reader, check my yahoo email and follow the news. I was advised that anything "video" related uses bandwidth. All employees were advised to stop action and monitoring will be heightened.
As I value my job and the ability to pay my bills and maintain my lifestyle, I am ceasing all internet usage at the office unless work related. It is amazing how much time I try to kill when I don't have work, spending it online. I don't have internet access on my phone as I vowed I didn't want access 24/7 since I have a personal computer as well as internet access at work. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should as maintaining my job is far more income than the expenditure of internet on my phone per month! For now, I think that life will go on without frequent surfing of the internet. I'm not addicted to Facebook or blogs or even email, but I do wonder how I will pass the days of downtime while sitting at my desk. I've considered working out, but I can't get sweaty. I've considered reading, but the thought of getting "caught".
Any suggestions?
I was recently informed that I am one of the top bandwidth users in my office. I was advised to immediately cease downloading movies, videos and music. I do not do any of those. I do however read blogs in Google Reader, check my yahoo email and follow the news. I was advised that anything "video" related uses bandwidth. All employees were advised to stop action and monitoring will be heightened.
As I value my job and the ability to pay my bills and maintain my lifestyle, I am ceasing all internet usage at the office unless work related. It is amazing how much time I try to kill when I don't have work, spending it online. I don't have internet access on my phone as I vowed I didn't want access 24/7 since I have a personal computer as well as internet access at work. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should as maintaining my job is far more income than the expenditure of internet on my phone per month! For now, I think that life will go on without frequent surfing of the internet. I'm not addicted to Facebook or blogs or even email, but I do wonder how I will pass the days of downtime while sitting at my desk. I've considered working out, but I can't get sweaty. I've considered reading, but the thought of getting "caught".
Any suggestions?
Time & Travel
Tonight I was asked the question, "If you had one hour to do anything, without any worries, what would you do?"
Fortunately for me, I do have lots of hours of free time to do anything I want. I'm not an extreme risk taker or daredevil, so there aren't truly any "worries" that I would have. I am fortunate enough to have a job that I have both annual and sick leave to utilize when I need time off as well as built in babysitter when my son is with his dad.
The question I would prefer, "If I could go anywhere and money and responsibilities were not a factor, where would I go?"
I would love to go to Australia! I know it won't be my first travel locale due to finances, but it is definitely where I want to visit!
On a side note, AG had called last night and I didn't have a chance to call him back. I called him today and he told me about an educational opportunity of five weeks in London next year for 6 credits (which he doesn't need) for $10,000 and asked if I thought it was a good deal. Granted, I've been to London once, for 1.5 days. I loved it and would like to go back, for a few more days or maybe even a week. But five weeks? I suggested that after AG graduates this winter, he should consider actually traveling Europe. Explore tours and other vacation destinations that could afford him more traveling and opportunities for less. Tonight he called me and told me, "I agree with you." Then he asked me if he found a great European vacation, would I be game?
Unfortunately I told him "no". I would LOVE to go back to Europe. I would love to travel around without the constraints of a guided travel group. However, financially, it just isn't possible. I have been to Europe. I continue to pay off my basement bathroom. He doesn't plan on going until after January, which is going into a year of domestic travel as my son will be with me for both Christmas holiday and Spring Break. I didn't even regret saying "no", no matter how much I love to travel.
If you had one hour to do anything without worries, what would you do? If you could go anywhere for any length of time without financial concerns, where would you go?
Fortunately for me, I do have lots of hours of free time to do anything I want. I'm not an extreme risk taker or daredevil, so there aren't truly any "worries" that I would have. I am fortunate enough to have a job that I have both annual and sick leave to utilize when I need time off as well as built in babysitter when my son is with his dad.
The question I would prefer, "If I could go anywhere and money and responsibilities were not a factor, where would I go?"
I would love to go to Australia! I know it won't be my first travel locale due to finances, but it is definitely where I want to visit!
On a side note, AG had called last night and I didn't have a chance to call him back. I called him today and he told me about an educational opportunity of five weeks in London next year for 6 credits (which he doesn't need) for $10,000 and asked if I thought it was a good deal. Granted, I've been to London once, for 1.5 days. I loved it and would like to go back, for a few more days or maybe even a week. But five weeks? I suggested that after AG graduates this winter, he should consider actually traveling Europe. Explore tours and other vacation destinations that could afford him more traveling and opportunities for less. Tonight he called me and told me, "I agree with you." Then he asked me if he found a great European vacation, would I be game?
Unfortunately I told him "no". I would LOVE to go back to Europe. I would love to travel around without the constraints of a guided travel group. However, financially, it just isn't possible. I have been to Europe. I continue to pay off my basement bathroom. He doesn't plan on going until after January, which is going into a year of domestic travel as my son will be with me for both Christmas holiday and Spring Break. I didn't even regret saying "no", no matter how much I love to travel.
If you had one hour to do anything without worries, what would you do? If you could go anywhere for any length of time without financial concerns, where would you go?
Raise?
I know that I shouldn't complain, and I'm not. Everyday I'm thankful that I have a job. A very good job with excellent benefits. A job that I love, truly love, when I'm busy. Unfortunately I'm not nearly busy as I could hope or dream. Raises have been minimal, often times not getting a cost of living raise or anything at all over the years. I have had Banked Leave Time (getting paid for up to four hours less per week than worked which is then "banked" and used as vacation later) in the past and currently am experiencing two hours per pay period less.
I was happy to see that my raise was effective on my current pay check. I received a .75 cent pay raise. I have to admit after looking at my paycheck, I wonder if the raises would have been used better elsewhere.
Seriously, 80 hours at .75 nets.............$1.86.
Don't worry mom, I promise I won't spend it all at once!
I was happy to see that my raise was effective on my current pay check. I received a .75 cent pay raise. I have to admit after looking at my paycheck, I wonder if the raises would have been used better elsewhere.
Seriously, 80 hours at .75 nets.............$1.86.
Don't worry mom, I promise I won't spend it all at once!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Depression Screening Day 10/7/10: No Laughing Matter...But....
Shine from Yahoo posted an article which I read today, by Liz Brody on October 6, 2010, "6 Surprising Signs of Depression". They include, "1. Achy joints and other unexplained pain, 2. Gut reaction, 3. Diving into work, 4. Interviewing but not getting the job, 5. Paranoid thoughts and 6. Not being in the mood." For the entire article click here.
The article stated:
"These signs are some of the lesser-known symptoms of depression. which affects nearly 1 out of 10 Americans, according to CDC figures released just in time for National Depression Screening Day. Throughout the country today, October 7, you can get a free, anonymous mental health evaluation at one of 1,500 facilities or by taking a three-minute test online (click here to get started)."
I clicked on the "(click here to get started)" and it didn't work for me in Michigan and gave me a long list of errors. I recalled yesterday afternoon I had received an email at work with the subject, "NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY IS OCTOBER 7, 2010". I had deleted the email.
Today after reading the article on Shine, I decided I would recover the email from my trash and see what it said. The email read as follows:
"The...Employee Service Program invites you to take advantage of a free, anonymous depression self-assessment. Feeling good mentally is as important as feeling good physically, and learning to identify your moods and manage stress is important to your well-being.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening (keyword “espmi”). Screenings for depression can also be completed by calling 1-800-887-5676 and using the touch-tone keypad to respond to pre-recorded questions. You will receive immediate customized feedback. Screenings are not a professional diagnosis, but point out the presence or absence of symptoms and provide referral information for further evaluation if needed.
There is no real health without mental health, so take advantage of the free, anonymous screenings and start feeling better."
I clicked on the attached link and this is where I was directed and the response I received:
"403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied."
All I can say at this point, I am glad that I do not believe that I am struggling with Depression. I can't even begin to imagine being depressed and attempting to take the necessary steps to anonymously self-screen on National Depression Screening Day to be denied not only once but twice!
Of course after laughing at the irony of my own situation, I did become rather upset for those that are struggling with Depression, especially undiagnosed Depression. So I decided to respond to the email that I received at work by saying the following:
I just wanted to thank you for the "invite" for the free screening.
I decided to take the free screen. Fortunately for me, I do not feel depression is an issue for me, I was more curious as to the actual screen. While it isn't Friday the 13th or April Fools Day, I do find it completely inappropriate and even humiliating for those that may consider that they actually have an issue and were seeking a confidential screen.
This is the response I received when I clicked on the assessment link:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
I even signed the email with all of my contact "signature" information. Pretty big step for me to actually address an issue that I wasn't faced with in person. So I was surprised when I received an immediate response with the subject:
"Item to Massmail was undeliverable, subject: Re: NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY IS OCTOBER 7, 2010"
The content of the email read as follows:
"User not on post office
Error = D101"
Wow. Really? This whole situation is no laughing matter and after all of that, I'm almost feeling Depressed by not being allowed access to free screens of Depression. I do hope that my experiences were isolated and anyone struggling with or suffering from Depression is able to receive the necessary help. I would definitely suggest using the phone number provided and I hope that you receive more than a busy signal or being put on hold indeterminately.
The article stated:
"These signs are some of the lesser-known symptoms of depression. which affects nearly 1 out of 10 Americans, according to CDC figures released just in time for National Depression Screening Day. Throughout the country today, October 7, you can get a free, anonymous mental health evaluation at one of 1,500 facilities or by taking a three-minute test online (click here to get started)."
I clicked on the "(click here to get started)" and it didn't work for me in Michigan and gave me a long list of errors. I recalled yesterday afternoon I had received an email at work with the subject, "NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY IS OCTOBER 7, 2010". I had deleted the email.
Today after reading the article on Shine, I decided I would recover the email from my trash and see what it said. The email read as follows:
"The...Employee Service Program invites you to take advantage of a free, anonymous depression self-assessment. Feeling good mentally is as important as feeling good physically, and learning to identify your moods and manage stress is important to your well-being.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening (keyword “espmi”). Screenings for depression can also be completed by calling 1-800-887-5676 and using the touch-tone keypad to respond to pre-recorded questions. You will receive immediate customized feedback. Screenings are not a professional diagnosis, but point out the presence or absence of symptoms and provide referral information for further evaluation if needed.
There is no real health without mental health, so take advantage of the free, anonymous screenings and start feeling better."
I clicked on the attached link and this is where I was directed and the response I received:
"403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied."
All I can say at this point, I am glad that I do not believe that I am struggling with Depression. I can't even begin to imagine being depressed and attempting to take the necessary steps to anonymously self-screen on National Depression Screening Day to be denied not only once but twice!
Of course after laughing at the irony of my own situation, I did become rather upset for those that are struggling with Depression, especially undiagnosed Depression. So I decided to respond to the email that I received at work by saying the following:
I just wanted to thank you for the "invite" for the free screening.
I decided to take the free screen. Fortunately for me, I do not feel depression is an issue for me, I was more curious as to the actual screen. While it isn't Friday the 13th or April Fools Day, I do find it completely inappropriate and even humiliating for those that may consider that they actually have an issue and were seeking a confidential screen.
This is the response I received when I clicked on the assessment link:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
I even signed the email with all of my contact "signature" information. Pretty big step for me to actually address an issue that I wasn't faced with in person. So I was surprised when I received an immediate response with the subject:
"Item to Massmail was undeliverable, subject: Re: NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY IS OCTOBER 7, 2010"
The content of the email read as follows:
"User not on post office
Error = D101"
Wow. Really? This whole situation is no laughing matter and after all of that, I'm almost feeling Depressed by not being allowed access to free screens of Depression. I do hope that my experiences were isolated and anyone struggling with or suffering from Depression is able to receive the necessary help. I would definitely suggest using the phone number provided and I hope that you receive more than a busy signal or being put on hold indeterminately.
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