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Theecarey's Journal

theecarey
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10/13/2008 15:03 #46095

Little Known Medical Fact (fixed pics)
Category: nerd
Little known medical fact: Chuck Norris invented the Cesarean section when he roundhouse-kicked his way out of his mother's womb.

Love the Norrisisms

Oh and a post on office supplies.

yeh, office supplies.

sorry.


Office supplies are fun for some reason. I like the way certain pens and pencils feel. I love a fresh pad of yellow cambridge paper. I regularly carry a steno pad and either a binder or padfolio. I use post-its of all sizes in everything I do. If I still wrote in a paper journal, I would add that to my list. I used to love picking out a book to write in. Its been years and I still haven't finished the one I last bought. Occasionally it is written in, but not often and certainly not with any eloquence like in previous journal book writings. Also, I like my surroundings to be organized and some office supplies offer a fun, attractive way to do just that.

I have been in need of a planner. Well, a calender. But not a wall hanging one. Something that has the days of the month in blocks so I can write appointments, deadlines etc down. Yet not a big desk calender either. Nor the tiny month by month travel style- that is just too small. Yet something I can carry around with me. I know what I want and maybe only once before have I found what I really want which would be something the size of a notebook. I've been looking and had contemplated making my own (but don't really trust my skills in making it look decent). In the past, I have only found planners that have a smaller than I want full page calender followed by either a slew of pages for daily or weekly 'at a glance' with more than sufficient space to write along with a bunch of extra pages and sections for things I never use such as a special notebook section, address book, contacts, international money conversion tables and so on. I've yanked out the sections I didn't want to use and always found myself with an emaciated version of what I had originally purchased. Many of the planner options are very attractive looking, especially the cases some of them come in, but much of it is simply wasteful to me. So my search continued.
My idea of a planner is something that can't really be made for me, so I modify them to my needs, and have found that a calender style works best. My needs are simple, I write very small, and I need to view the whole month before me. Any extra notes are jotted down on a steno pad. Or a sticky note. That's how I roll.

I was quite surprised to find a planner, well, "monthly calender" that was exactly what I want. Notebook size, open it up and there is the whole month with each day displaying adequate size boxes, and a small section that shows the previous and following month, and a little "note" section. Very simple, thin and very much what I like. It even has hole punches so I can add it to my binder (used for active projects, relevant magazine articles, a notebook, pens, post its etc). Or it is thin enough to slip it into my Padfolio (carried over from back in the school days, also love this for meetings, workshops, taking notes on books, or for anytime I want to carry a specific days work project as the binder is rather big and heavy) or it can be shoved into my daily bag/purse if I wish, depending on the days itinerary. I don't really care what it looks like. This one is quite colorful, and that is fine with me. No unicorns, haha

As I have a 'thing' for office supplies (almost as much as computer stuff), I found a new padfolio for a reasonable price. My old one is just that, old. I love it, but it is beat up; more so on the inside than the outside. The leather simply holds up really well. I have another that I have used, but the front has a plate on it engraved with the name of a prior company I had worked for.Might be silly, but some parts of my past I like to keep there. My padfolio is reserved for current going-ons. So when I saw this one, I bought it. It is something new and actually much different than any of the traditional folder style I have used. This pad is slender, but it has an additional section (opposite where the paper pad lives) that allows for me to tuck away a folder (or my calander!), and a small zipper part and a place for business cards or whatever. Also, the whole contraption zips up, which I find appealing since i have been concerned in the past that the stuff in my padfolio would fall out or get torn up from all the jostling through my travels.

yup, that is my story. To make it a little more interesting, I offer pictures of my finds.

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And to back up the title of this post and opening line, a couple of clearance folders, yes, folders that I had to purchase:

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chuck norris had his tonsils removed with a chain saw

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chuck norris beat the sun in a staring contest

that is all.



just keeping it light...


theecarey - 10/14/08 16:39
thanks for reading, I'm a dork. lol
mrmike - 10/14/08 13:54
I know what you mean. I used to pick out certain types of pens for writing and for school just because they made things seem neater. Gave up the rouse years ago, but still like the feel when I do have to actually put pen to paper.

10/12/2008 17:36 #46075

Nice days
Category: weather
Awesome weekend weather-wise, hmmm? I recall this time last year we had some 80's perfect weather and in taking advantage of the gorgeous day, I took a slew of pictures, but I don't think I eve posted them here. I recall seeing people at the parks engaging in picnics, stone-skipping along the lake, people sitting individually reading in little grassy spots, boaters and so on. Even though the temps can get summer like warm, it still has that aire of autumn. The sun is lower, the earth smells are more pungent and of course, the organic scenery; leaves are turning color, pumpkins are ubiquitous, flowers are dwindling, and mums are blooming. This week we may see a day like that. Hope the wind and rain holds off, and that if you can work it, make a day of hooky happen.

So I want to get some good long walks and/or hiking in soon. I haven't really gotten out much it seems, not in comparison to other times in my life. Anyway, my boyfriend, his son (who is 3) and I went to the erie canal (in lockport) and fed the birds some old bread. We were marveling in the day, of "indian summer" and I was telling him of last years warm days as mentioned above. I said, 'if I blogged about it, then the temperature would have been documented as well.Not so much because I typed it out, but because (e:paul) has the temps included as part of each post-header information.' Just tickled me how relevant that bit of info was/is.

And as we remember, and as (e:jim,46056) posted pictures of recently, that two years before, it was much much different sort of weather than what we are enjoying right now. It is weird to see those pictures. I was just looking at a few that I took while sitting on the 290 for a couple of hours that crazy night. I was posting from my car, as well. I remember once i got close to Youngstown, not a flake of snow was to be seen.

Well, anyhow, enjoy the rest of the weekend. Get outside and play!!



mrmike - 10/13/08 09:32
It's been rejuvenatin' hasn't it

10/10/2008 13:57 #46044

Pussy Galore!....Felis Manul
Category: animals
I saw a picture of a super fluffy exotic looking cat that I hadn't seen before. Needing to find out more information, I was introduced to the Pallas Cat (felis manul). I want to hug it despite it looking like it could and would rip my face off. I love their pissy little faces. I guess they hiss a lot, even as babies. But I think they are rather cute at the same time. Kittens, of course are head exploding cute. I looked at a slew of pictures and a video of a Pallas kitten playing with a domestic kitten. It was insanely precious. I'm a dork and just spent a solid half hour looking at these cats. Oh, I found a few informative videos as well. Figured this was as good of place as any to ramble about the kitties and to post pictures for future ogling.

(WIKIPEDIA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallas%27s_cat)









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ok, this is the picture I saw that sent me off trying to figure out what sort of cat it is
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pyrcedgrrl - 10/19/08 21:46
The second-to-last picture looks like Night of the Living Dead kitties.
metalpeter - 10/10/08 18:50
Wow I don't know if I have ever seen this much pussy wow pussy galore. Those are some odd looking cats some of them it is weird because their faces don't match there body.
theecarey - 10/10/08 14:14
heh, I thought my title needed some 'pussy' placement. Think I will snag your "pussy galore" as an edit. Thanks, lol
mrmike - 10/10/08 14:10
Almost forgot to make the obligatory "Pussy Galore" joke
mrmike - 10/10/08 14:09
That second photo from the bottom looks like they belong in one of the "offices" downstairs from me.

10/09/2008 18:06 #46027

update: small business adventures
Category: life
so I'm looking into small business stuff. Such as what steps need to be done to make it "real". I have thought about it on and off (and off and off) again for too long now. Being the master procrastinator that I can be (procrastinate now, don't put it off, I say!), it is time that I carve out some self imposed deadlines and go to it. When outside forces dictate a deadline, I work magic in the wee moments leading up to it. I thrive on it actually. However, left to my own, I get easily side tracked into an ADD-like train of thought. I end up starting millions of projects, start a few more while doing them, branch off into a forest of other distractions and then find myself at Starbucks (or some other coffee joint). Really, I am pretty organized and focus when I want, but when I'm not compelled, it can be chaos.

But all in all its not such a bad thing. I just am feeling the need to have more structure and results in my going-ons, and to be 'legit'. Building my little empire, gradually take over the world. The usual.

I'm gathering that the local small business association might be a good place to start? what are your thoughts my business minded friends?

and probably a few tax courses or something might be a good idea?

other directives?

classes in general are good for me. I tend to follow through when in a class environment. Not that I want to go back to school, i just mean, a few seminars or something might be beneficial.

I'll expand more later.. I need to get back to work.
(e:strip) related procrastinations are genuinely permissible.

update: I just found a few upcoming seminars being held at NCCC Summit Extension located at 6929 Williams Rd, Niagara Falls. (Near or at Summit Park Mall, I think?)

They are free:

1. Thursday October 23 1:30-3:30
"Financing Sources and Business Plan Development"

2. Thursday October 30th 1:30-3:30
"Developing a Marketing Plan"

3. Thursday November 6th 1:30-3:30
"Business Organizational Forms: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporations and LLC's"

4. Thursday November 13th 1:30-3:30
"Record Keeping for Small Business"

to register: call 434-3815 or email: sbdc@niagaracc.suny.edu

If I keep looking, maybe I will find other stuff going on.
theecarey - 10/10/08 13:06
Glad to hear that the NCCC workshops are worth going to. I am officially registered to attend now. Now I will go check out the Buff State link and see what I can find there. I've taken business courses, but they were general, and I want something specific to NY. Also, classes are a nice kick in the butt too. I've dabbled in various self employed activities my whole life, and even more so these past few years. I want to make sure that I am organized in terms of tax time etc.
heidi - 10/10/08 00:51
Yes, do the courses, make a business plan - be brutally honest about your goals and detail the steps you need to take to get there. As you work through the business plan, you'll also help yourself figure out if you really want to take the leap into self-employment and all its attendant risks and responsibilities (and rewards!). The short-term steps will be readily identifiable, and there will be holes, but you'll know where the holes are and what information you need to fill them in. The bizplan will probably include a market survey, financial plan, marketing plan, organizational structure (type of business structure), etc. NCCC may be affiliated with a state-sponsored small business development center... here's the one at Buff State: :::link::: These people get paid to help you one-on-one and in small classes. take advantage of it.

Second piece of advice: get QuickBooks as soon as you open your small business checking account, unless your line of business is a bad fit for QB such as (specifically) a restaurant or car dealership. QB does great for just about everyone else and is very flexible to meet your particular needs and keep everything straight for taxes, and has an optional payroll service. There's a beautiful point-of-sale companion software, and you can set up a website that integrates QB or QB point-of-sale data with a shopping cart and ecommerce.

(I am a certified QuickBooks consultant and I help people set up their filing systems and accounting systems.)
gardenmama - 10/09/08 23:58
I have a couple of friends who were interested in starting small businesses over the last 10 years. Both attended some of the NCCC related courses (one about 8 years ago, one just a couple of years ago) and they both said the experience was very helpful to them and that they got a lot of really good information from them.
tinypliny - 10/09/08 22:00
What kind of business are you thinking of starting? :)

10/07/2008 14:36 #45978

dentist options?
Category: potpourri
I'm looking for a new dentist. My all time favorite dentist has left the association he was with and ventured off to open his own. He is very talented and I was wondering when that time would come, so good for him. He is super amazing awesome and I will eventually follow him to his new place (depending on what insurance he takes) but for a few related reasons, I am not ready to do that. So in the mean time, I will find another, simply for cleanings, and "just in case" I need someone suddenly. I could continue to go to where I am (Aesthetic Associate Center in Buffalo), but I never cared for anyone but the dentist I just mentioned, anyone else, as incredibly qualified and innovative as they are, just no longer sits well with me; and since a recent severe allergic reaction occurred under their watch (ok, not their fault, neither one of us knew I am terribly allergic to penicillin-- blog to come w/ pics soon), I feel somehow displaced. Dr. Ben YOU LEFT AND DIDNT TELL MEEEEEEE!

So before I choose someone at random, my question that I am throwing out there is: Is there anyone I should stay away from??

(or definitely go to?)

Location isn't a factor, really. Anywhere from the city of Buffalo and North. I'm rarely ever in the Southtowns.

Thanks :)


gardenmama - 10/07/08 19:24
I recommend staying away from a Dr. Melman (sp?) from Barzman, Kazimov & Vieth (I believe they've merged with and are now part of WNY Dental Group. The Group has some decent dentists but I have not been happy with her work. She gave me a crown that has caused me grief since I got it. Also, I would say she represents the antithesis of gentle dentistry. I quit going there but haven't found anyone else yet.
tiburon1724 - 10/07/08 17:56
i recently went to the dentist on Hertel next to Jenny's Clay House. It's close to Starin in an old house tucked next to the relatively new mid-rise senior living center. Best dentist's office I've ever been to. They were great and he's now my dentist for life!