It has been the best of years and the worst of years. I got a second job that, so far, has exceeded all my wildest dreams, but I'm still chuckin' the local newsrag. I got a Christmas bonus after working for the company for only a week, but I broke a salable item the same day....

As I've mentioned before, delivering papers isn't the funnest job, and it sucks when your efforts go completely unrewarded, but every now and then, someone will thank you and it makes it...maybe not better, but certainly less sucky.

This year has been better than the last couple, with more people showing their appreciation. I've actually made half as much in tips as I normally do delivering for a whole month! It's been nice to have a bit of cash on hand when I get off work, so I can stop at Subway and not have to figure out what I'm going to make for dinner. But I don't always get money when I get "tipped." In fact, this year I have had three subscribers who have given something other than money (well, one of them gave money as well as a gift item), and it's been kind of interesting to see what they give when they do.

The first non-cash "tip" came in the form of a bucket. As I approached the porch to leave the paper I noticed said bucket sitting on the edge of the top step. Being the gift-giving time of year I did look a little closer at it and, sure enough, it indicated it was for the paper carrier...but I didn't take it. Why? Because it was addressed to "our special paper boy." Oh dear...I'm not a boy. So, how do I know they don't take another paper that is delivered by a boy and the bucket was for him? So I left it there. Later that day I found a voicemail message from the paper saying that the bucket was for me and it would be left out again the next day (there was also some mention of: perhaps I didn't know it was for me). So the next morning I approached the porch and it wasn't there. I merely smirked. The day after that, it was back, with the following amendment: "...to our special paper person."

The second non-cash "tip" came in the form of a woman at my front door bearing a large, but squishy gift. I wasn't sure why she gave me that bemused look when she found out I am her paper carrier...but it all became crystal clear when I opened the present (my participation in Christmas is a bit more passive this year...no decorations and I open presents as I get them because there's no point waiting when I don't have a tree to put them under). It turned out to be a blanket with hearts and frogs...you know, the kind you'd buy your 5-year-old. Not sure how old she thought I was, but she knows I'm not that young now (I have been told I don't look my age -- which is 35 --but sheesh, I don't look that young!).


The third non-cash "tip" came to me today while I was hoping for at least another $10 so I could buy some yarn to make a blanket for a friend. And it was that sweet little lady who thanked me so graciously before! What a dear sweet lady she is, and she certainly is a joy to serve! But when she caught me this morning (nearly scared the life out of me as I was walking back to the van) she thanked me profusely again (those are the people I enjoy delivering the paper to and the ones who will get extra special service--like the couple who tip me every month; sure they have a box, but if it's snowing I'll bag it anyway) and gave me the cutest little kitchen angel; and it's handmade, too! (She also gave me a card with, not a 10, but a 20!)


But enough effusive gratitude to the little lady who thanks me with such sincerity, the point of this ramble is that there are people who, for some strange reason, still assume that paper carriers are all 12-year-old boys. This actually makes no sense to me because I personally know of four, yes, that's right, four, other paper carriers who are adults! And in California, it's illegal for children to deliver papers! The one that really kills me is the bucket people...they had actually seen me before they put that out! At least the blanket lady had the excuse that she'd never seen me before. But really, none of this should have gone the way it did for the simple reason that you can no longer assume that things are the way they were 5, 10, or 20 years ago. Don't assume that your paper carrier is a kid or a boy, but do tip them, because delivering papers is not as easy as so many people seem to think it is.

Some of you know that I recently got a second job; I am working for an antique/collectible mall in the north end of the valley (if you live in this area you should come by and see it) doing research and, when necessary, running the register.

This is very nearly my dream job -- the only thing that would make this job dreamier is if it somehow incorporated genealogy and cemeteries. Part of what makes this job so great, is the fact that I get to see the awesome stuff before it gets out on the floor and someone else has a chance to buy it first. Of course, knowing me, that could also be a draw-back (it's that whole limited budget thing...I really need for Publishers Clearing House to stop pussy-footing around and just pick my name already).

But so far I've been very good and am only picking things that I a) can afford, and b) really, really want. See, I believe that if you see something and it speaks to you, you should probably buy it because, if you don't, it will haunt you for ages (have had this happen to me before). Well, on the first day of work, I came across a few things that spoke to me, and today, I brought two of them home.

They are a pair of gold cherubs. My boss, and pretty much everyone else I work with, think they are the ugliest things, but to me they are sweet little angels straight from heaven! :-) No, seriously, I love these things. I haven't figured out where I'm going to put them (I'd like to put them on a mantle, but I don't have one), but we'll work on that once they've had a bath ('cause they're a little bit dirty).

Been a while since I've posted anything...sorry about that, I know you're all waiting with baited breath for my musings. *wry smile*

Anyway, my dad recently sent pictures of a Christmas party my parents went to, and one of them was of some of the food that was available at the party. One of the deserts looks like this:

 

Ehm...that looks like kitty litter. And the scoop...*gag*

So, yeah, that's Kitty Litter Cake...he sent a link to the recipe, which can be found here, so I won't duplicate it, but some of the "props" for this just make me a bit nauseous. But according to my dad, it's really yummy. So maybe I'll try it some time, but skip the gag-inducing "props."

An incident on Facebook has prompted me to speak out (or blog out...whatever).

There is a time and a place for humor and it takes a certain level of maturity to determine when it's appropriate. A recent news story about a teacher sexting one of her students has got a few people laughing, because, apparently, teachers abusing their position is funny.

I fail to see how this is even remotely amusing.

For years there has been this crazy double-standard where teacher-student relationships have been concerned; Van Halen even released a song about it in the 80's; but I fail to see why society seems to deem it acceptable for a female teacher to carry on a relationship with a male student but there is outrage when a male teacher has the same type of relationship with a female student. Both situations are illegal and immoral. Teachers (whether male or female) are in a position of trust and authority; both considered aggravating factors during sentencing, btw; and to use that position in order to facilitate an illegal and/or immoral action is disgusting. And to laugh about it is dangerous.

With regards to this, one individual suggested that "that's society," as if, because society laughs it off then it's somehow appropriate to do so. And that's the crux of the problem, right there. If society is suggesting that this behavior is laughable, then why is it criminal? And if it's criminal, then it shouldn't be laughable.

Someone else suggested that laughter helps to ease the situation and laughter helped ease the pain of the death of a loved one. Laughing about a serious abuse of position (that involves child sexual abuse -- which, let's be honest, is what a teacher sexting a student is) is inappropriate. Laughing at the death of a loved one would also be inappropriate. But laughing about the good times you had with that loved one would be perfectly acceptable.

If this attitude "is society," then it's time for society to get a clue. Grow up people, because children learn their behaviors from adults.

I visit a lot of websites that aren't in English. As a result, I need a good translator so I can figure out what the site says. Up until today I had one...

My translator is a Windows desktop gadget, using Google Translate, and it's served me quite well. But a few days ago there was a message on it from the creator, Photo-Bon.com, stating that Google has changed their translation policy and will now be charging for the service. This means that the translator will no longer work as the creator cannot afford to buy access to Google Translate...this presents some problems for me.

I have been trying to find a new desktop translator that is as good (and simple) as this one, and after an exhaustive search, I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing comparable; the app doesn't work once it's downloaded, it no longer exists, or it's large and not user friendly.

I did manage to find two programs that are (allegedly) desktop translators, but, unlike my little Photo-Bon translator, they don't sit on my desktop. They are also 4 times as big and one of them (Translate.Net) is just terrible. Sure it translates, but the quality is poor and the interface is not user friendly.


The only answer I have found is using Google Translator (how ironic that Google Translator is still free, but they are charging third party sources for the use of their resources...). Of the two I've found that actually work (Google and Translate.Net), it is unfortunately my new nemesis, Google, who have the better option. The fact that I have to use their translate tool, which is not as simple and accessible as my Photo-Bon translator, makes me angry. But I am resigned...I need a translator tool and it appears that Google is my only option. I hate that.

So, it looks like Spotify has some competition from a streaming audio source called MOG. If you've been paying attention, then you know I detest Spotify and everything it stands for. Well, having just found an article on The Guardian UK that tells me MOG may be even worse at paying artists, I am not pleased by this new development. It seems that once again some freeloading yuppie (that's not the contradiction you might think) has decided to take advantage of other people's intellectual property and is now offering it up as a free meal to unscrupulous "fans" who want everything for free.