Unshelved	by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum

Have a safe and happy new year

I'm signing off for a few days, the last weekend that I should be without Internet access for awhile. I'm off Monday and taking off Tuesday, which is also when they deliver the cable modem stuff. I'm going to try to get a tyre on Tuesday, since it's so difficult to get them to put one on in a reasonable time when so many other people are off work, but Tuesday should be when most people are back, so there shouldn't be a problem.

I'll write more then. Until that time, please have a safe, reasonably sober (or at least, if you're going to drink, don't drive) New Year. Take care.

Eilir raved on 14:20 Links to this post

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Male domination of Internet over

A new study finds that 68% of men and 66% of women use the Internet, but since there are more women in general that means more women use the Internet than men. They also found that men and women use the internet quite differently; men choose solitary pursuits like fantasy sports or games and women e-mail friends or otherwise use the Internet to enrich relationships. I didn't catch where the study took place; it's obviously Western, 'first world' with ready access to the Internet. But considering how men have traditionally dominated the technology fields it's nice to see women catching up. Now if we could just attain equal pay. :)

Eilir raved on 10:27 Links to this post

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Good for them

Two teens accused of being lesbians sue school that expelled them

Eilir raved on 10:17 Links to this post

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Fun :)

D is getting broadband access the day after I do, so even though we can't chat on the phone yet, we can instant message all we want. Yay!

Eilir raved on 09:00 Links to this post

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I forgot to mention

I've rescheduled my oral surgery for Wednesday, January 25th. My driver had a conflict to work around and then I went and didn't realise that the schedule at the station would be made through Wednesday of next week and was supposed to work that afternoon, which wouldn't have been possible with the surgery. Given that it was easier to reschedule than get someone to sub for me, I rescheduled. This also meant that I didn't need to pay the $134 until later in the month, by which time I should have my flexible spending debit card, but if not, it's right after the 'free' paycheque (the one not dedicated to rent) from the hospital.

Yay!

Eilir raved on 11:07 Links to this post

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I came in this morning

to find a card on my desk from someone anonymous, with a cheery holiday wish and $20 in it. I'm thrilled, of course, but I kind of feel funny taking it, too, especially as I'm not quite as destitute as I have been throughout the year thanks to the new (third) job. But it will be a nice cushion for some groceries, etc. So, thank you, whoever you are. I promise that I'll pass on the goodwill when I can to someone who needs it, too. And Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, to you as well.

I went through the money I still have after my paycheques at the gas and television stations and I have enough to pay my electric, get some more gas, get the tyre my car needs, and still have some for food. Next week I get paid at the hospital and the gas station, and that together makes my rent, and on time to boot. Because it'll be on time, that's about $35 in late fees avoided. I've budgeted out for the next six months at least on a preliminary basis, and my rent should be on time throughout that period. The gas station's weekly paydays really helps in the cash flow department; even though I'm not getting much, it adds a cushion I didn't have before. I actually may be able to start saving next month! And so far I budgeted based on how much I was making at 10 hours a week, when I've been working 19 of late. So that's just a little extra to go to debts and savings.

In the meantime, I went ahead and paid a back balance with the cable company and as of next Tuesday I'm getting Internet service from them. They had a special deal and I didn't have to pay for installation (as I'm doing it myself). This will help me with my second job at the television station because much of what I do is on the Internet, and I can work from home at hours when the office is closed but still keep up with e-mail, etc. Just not paying the rent late will pay for most of that. I'm not getting cable itself, one because of the extra cost and two because I don't watch much TV and when I do I usually watch with a friend over at his house. I tend to spend my free time on the computer instead. What I would like to eventually do, though, after paying back another debt, is to get Vonage phone service. It's $15 a month and it would really help keep up with friends and family and also in terms of job hunting better than my little pay-as-you-go cell phone, which is really better for emergencies, but not great for chats and rants.

On another totally unrelated note, I'm trying a different tack with my feet. I know, time will help. But I'm having ginger feet for a day or two after working and hobbling around like an old woman. I've actually been tempted to use those scooter carts in the grocery due to the pain. So...I took the gel soles and transferred them to my old pair of short boots. They've got ankle support, lots of room for my toes (I think they're boy's shoes) and I can't roll onto the outer edges of my foot as much as with my other shoes. Granted, they're a dark brown that doesn't really match my office wear that well, but my feet feel better than they have in days. I'm definitely trying these tomorrow at the station to see if that helps.

Eilir raved on 10:03 Links to this post

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Disaster Remembrance Week

World Wide Help: Remembrance Week - 26th December, 2005 - 1st January, 2006

Eilir raved on 13:51 Links to this post

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It's thundering and lightning

in December. Weird. Just weird.

Eilir raved on 13:13 Links to this post

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*Warning: I will now commence whinging*

My feet hurt. Even with gel soles. Even with ibuprofen. The standing for hours at the gas station takes its toll, and they don't seem to be getting used to it, maybe since I don't work everyday. I feel like I can barely walk, and my soles are bright red. That is all.

*Whinging ceases*

Eilir raved on 13:05 Links to this post

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It was bound to happen evenutally

Alias Doghouse Reilly - Murder on the Polar Express, Part 1

Eilir raved on 10:59 Links to this post

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Oooh...the last book will soon be started

J.K.Rowling , in the 'Christmas present' message on her website, talks of her both the excitement and dread in approaching the last book in the series of Harry Potter. She's been going over the planning stage and doing some fine-tuning, and is set to start writing next month.

I know. That means we'll have to wait a year or two to see the finished product. But it's one step closer to finding out how it all turns out.

You might want to check out the Scotsman article speculating on whether her comments mean that Harry will die in the last book or if it simply rules out a second series.

Eilir raved on 10:33 Links to this post

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A tad longer year than normal for 2005

Telegraph | News | Leap second means 2006 will arrive late

Eilir raved on 10:25 Links to this post

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My babies

Here's some experimenting with the new camera.

There's Cerys licking me. Yes, she has a bare butt from all those years of rolling in grass.
Here's her front.
And finally, Darius, wishing you a happy holiday.

Eilir raved on 13:27 Links to this post

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I really enjoyed the holiday

And I didn't do too badly with my list from November, especially as only one gift was a direct result of reading it online.

Okay, it's really not about things, but I'm including this catalogue anyway.

Things I gave: a multipurpose massage pillow (A), a UK women's basketball media guide (A), a massaging cushion for home or car (J), lead crystal hurricanes and peppermint candles (MC), a bath set (M), popcorn/puzzle set (D&E), a book (Y), tiny one-certificate-per-day-of-Hanukkah gift certificates to a favourite store (Y), 3 videos (Y), a dream journal (DD), a blank book (B), and for my Secret Santa, a melts warmer, some bath lotion, a picture frame, a candle holder and candle, and some chocolate covered cookie bars. All things considered, I did really well, and I didn't go over $150 for everyone which if you include the little $1 gifts for the Secret Santa averages out to be about a little over $6 per gift, but everyone got something pretty nice and and I think they liked them, and I was able to give without any real money stress thanks to the timing of my cheque and a gift card to Wal-Mart from the hospital.

Things I got: A gift certificate to Joseph-Beth and a Li'l Cthulhu desk calendar (Y&A), a fruit basket and money I used to buy a very professional looking briefcase/purse (MC) and shoes for interviews, money I used for a really nice meal at Joe Bologna's including homemade carrot cake (D&E), money I'm using for a digital camera and car tyre (M&J), a velvet box with a black Bast cat statuette and blue-white Bast statuette pendant (B), and a Goddess of Willendorf double-sided bead (my boss at the television station). Things I got from my Secret Santa: Heath bars, several blues CDs, tealights, a red mosaic tealight holder with shade, and a hat/gloves/scarf set.)

But best of all was the time I was able to spend with people over the holiday. I really enjoyed it. I had a wonderful time at our Secret Santa party. I had a very nice meal with friends. I spent Christmas with my family. I played in the game the day after Christmas. It's been a good time of just being with others. I hope your holiday was nice, too.

Eilir raved on 12:07 Links to this post

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Yesterday was more than a post-Christmas shopping day

fuelled by so many people being off due to Christmas falling on Sunday. It was also the anniversary of the massive tsunami that killed thousands upon thousands in South Asia on December 26, 2004. I want to take a moment to recognise that, to remember those killed and those whose lives changed forever on that day. It's hard to imagine any good coming of such a massive disaster, but it did lead to unprecedented cooperation amongst groups and governments. Check out Acheh: Building Peace from its Ruins for a glimmer of hope of ending a civil war when nature's wrath united enemies, at least for a time. Let us hope peace will prevail.

Eilir raved on 10:33 Links to this post

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How does Google collect and rank results?

Google Librarian Center

To find out when other library-related newsletters are put out by Google, you can join the announcement list at http://groups.google.com/group/librarian-newsletter.

Eilir raved on 11:42 Links to this post

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This is so cool

LibraryThing | Catalogue your books online

Not only can you catalogue, you can share your library with others. It gives you 200 books for free, $10 for a year, or $25 for life. I'm thinking life...and I've got about four thousand to catalogue.

Eilir raved on 10:21 Links to this post

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Why am I up this early?

I went to bed last night around 1:30, somewhat jazzed from the English Toffee capuccinos I'd been drinking at work (all you can drink, it's a perk, no pun intended). So this morning bright and early (well, dark and early, as it was 5:30 and the sun was not in sight) I woke up raring to go. I got ready and then went out to look for the one gift I hadn't found yet. Now I just have to stop by a store where I have something on hold, pick that up, get some gift certificates there (since I'm doing both Christmas and Chanukah) and I'm finished. Go me!

So now it's just past eight and I'm blogging because I don't have to be at work until 10.

I kept things modest this year, but more robust than I can normally afford, spending a total of about $130 for thirteen gifts (eight Chanukah and five Christmas), about $55 of which was on a gift card that work had given me, so I didn't have to use a lot of cash. That's in addition to the Secret Santa, which ran about $18. Altogether, I'm happy.

I did splurge just a little this morning. Kroger had zygo cacti (Christmas cacti) for $2.99 (regular $7.99, so $5 off) and I bought one for my desk at work. It's pink and has one full bloom and a whole bunch of buds and is...well...perky.

I got paid at all three jobs yesterday. I'm keeping two of the cheques in that form until I find out whether or not I get my flexible spending debit card before the first of the year. Together they make up the $134 I need to pay for the oral surgery on the 4th of January. If I get the debit card, I can use it instead. But for now I'm saving that. I've doled out gas, phone, electric, and medicine money, too. There's some left over for groceries. The paycheque I got from the gas station was my first, for 10 hours. Last week I worked 14; this week I'm working 19. I like the idea of getting paid every week. And at least it will keep me in gas, ironically enough, plus help with rent and groceries.

I'm sleepy now. Or rather, tired but not quite sleepy, where you're both sleepy and jazzed at the same time. I probably would be a little more focussed with my Adderall, which I tried to get this morning. Turns out my doctor wrote two prescriptions (since I don't see her again until February) and the one I brought was dated for January, so I have to bring in the other one instead. Argh.

My feet hurt. I still am not used to standing for so long at the cash register. Fortunately I have a foot rest at the hospital which elevates them a little and takes the pressure off the soles. Tomorrow I work eight hours and Tuesday I work six. At least I'm getting days off in between to recuperate, and I'm off on Christmas, so I can go on home.

That's all for now. I think I'll check the news and see if there's anything blogworthy.

Eilir raved on 08:19