July 4, 2005

Happy 4th

Today I have been working on State fair Pictures... I have lots of matting around, so I went ahead and matted them after I printed them. They're not due till Aug 5th.... so I have plenty of time. I can enter up to 20 (10 color, 10 b&w).

I want to get out and take some photo trips before then, but who knows if that is going to happen. Times like these I miss having a car of my own. Geoff never seems to want to do anything lately except play on the computer :P I'm hoping to go out with a friend to take pictures, but work has been annoying... we have flex time, but I need to print and staple 600 programs by Saturday... and it takes longer than you'd think. I have to do this every week for the next 7 weeks, in addition to grant writing and researching and a bunch of other duties.

Blah. I can use the money, though, cause new cars don't grow on trees.

Geoff made some steamed pork buns tonight... he's been gathering the ingredients for over a week, some were pretty hard to find. They turned out pretty well. I'm hoping to try spring rolls later this week. After all the planning, we found frozen ones at the asian grocery behind our house. :P

Continue reading "Happy 4th" »

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 4, 2005 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 5, 2005

House thing and Misc

Geoff and I are going to get some estimates on doing something like this to our house (the roof thing). It would add a lot more usable space, but depending on the cost, it may not be worth it. We need a new roof, so we figured maybe while we are getting that done, we can add on.

I also really want a privacy fence, but we found out that if we put in a new fence, we would have to move it in 4 feet from it's current location (it's currently outside the property line)- severely reducing our yard space. We would also have to angle the fence in the back, losing even more yard space. The thing is, though, that I don't like using the yard when it is in view of a busy street, so I kind of think it would be worth it. Geoff really does not like the idea, though, so we'll have to see. We're going to get estimates on that, too, and depending on the price differences, we'll probably go with one or the other.

Weird thing happened yesterday- we found a note on our door that was kind of rambling- some guy who works down the alley stored his lawn mower and some other lawn equipment on our back porch. We've never met the guy, but apparently he's seen us. So he left a note saying he'd be back today to get the stuff, but it's still there. I think that's really weird, just storing stuff in someone else's fenced in backyard. He said in the note he's mow our lawn for free in payment.

Besides having things places randomly IN our yard, we've had two bikes stolen out of our yard. This is why I want a privacy fence. :P

Riding home today, I saw a Subaru in a car lot by our house... went on a walk to get a closer look, and it's an Outback- and the asking price is $4000. That's the cheapest I've ever seen an Outback. Couldn't tell how many miles were on it... but there's gotta be something wrong with it. Gonna go check it out after work tomorrow.... keeping my fingers crossed. I would LOVE that car.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 5, 2005 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 6, 2005

The Car

There was no one at the car lot today (it's a small lot and the guy isn't always there) so I was not able to look at the Outback. In the daylight I was able to see the milage, though- looks like 170,000 miles. Ouch. Still, even with those miles on it, the asking price is under book- and I'm hoping I could get a cash discount, too. I'm gonna go test drive it tomorrow.

So I don't know. It's exactly what I want- a manual transmission station wagon. It looks good, I think it has been kept well. People tell me a Subaru will last well beyond 200,000 miles.

But, a car with THAT many miles... I dunno. Something could go wrong next month, or 5 years from now. I'm hoping I'd have a newer car sooner than 5 years.

To contrast, I saw a 2002 Kia Rio in the paper today for $5,500 with 12k miles on it. But I've read a lot that said that was not a great car.

Blah. Buying a car is always nerve wracking. I got lucky last time... Could I again?

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 6, 2005 8:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 8, 2005

The Car, Part 2

I test drove the car today... and I know one thing- I want an Outback (or maybe any Subaru), even if it is not this particular one. I think if the car were anything else, I would not even be considering a car with that many miles. BUT, it's everything I want (being a manual transmission station wagon w/ AWD) and it drives great- better than I expected, it really surprised me.

So, in short, I've learned that if this car still drives this well at nearly 174,000 miles, I can maybe expect a lot out of a younger Outback, if I can afford one of those. Surprisingly, even my dad said it may not be a bad deal- and he's been pushing me to buy a new car.

The question is, am I willing to take the gamble? Every used car is a gamble of some sort- the more money you have , the less of a gamble it is. Will it break in 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years? That's the question- because there's no question it will eventually break.

The dealer said I could have my mechanic check it out. I called my mechanic and he said this dealer is basically honest, with a tendancy to play dumb. ("oh, this car has all wheel drive?" sheesh.) He is a car dealer after all. So I may have the mechanic check it out, and hell, I may get it if I can get some sort of cash discount.

I hate gambling.

Anyway, went to see Lewis Black tonight and my face hurts from all the laughing. Will definately catch him next time he's in town again.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 8, 2005 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stupidest product... ever.

www.sprayonmud.com

From the website:

"What is it for?

To give your friends, family and neighbours the impression that you've just come back from a day of shooting / fishing / off-roading / visiting friends who live on a farm / looking for a country retreat / anything but driving around town all day or visiting the retail park!"

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 8, 2005 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 9, 2005

My new car!

Here it is

whew. Hope it works out well.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 9, 2005 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trockadero

http://www.liedcenter.org/events/detail.php?eid=137

I am so going.

edit- this was great, and I hightly reccomend it. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it even more if I knew anythign abotu ballet, but as it was it was humerous and beautiful.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 9, 2005 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 13, 2005

Job Woes.

I just spent a half hour rating things on Netflix. Dumb.

I am very distracted in general lately, just can't focus. Work is horrible, because I have a hard enough time concentrating anyway, but the environment is such that I need to do several things at once, and I'll do something and then forget this other thing that needs to get done. It does not help that whenever I am working on something and my boss tells me to do something else (like, say, sharpen 20 pencils) I am expected to drop everything and do that task, which further contributes to my short attention span. When he's in the office, these little tasks abound.

Everyone at the office is bitter and talking about finding new jobs. I could probably handle the job if a few small things changed- less random task giving, a little more consistency in tasks assigned, and a little more help in the mundane tasks - like printing, stapling and binding programs. Some more cheery coworkers would also help, but I can't blame them for being down, I just really pick up on bad moods.

I just don't know what to do. I love the flex time and the fact that it allows me to be home more, but I don't know if I really use that home time very efficiently anyway. The other nice thing about the flex time is that it allows Geoff and I to carpool, which is nice for several reasons. I get to see him more, I get to avoid the mess that is parking downtown, and I don't have to actually drive downtown and look for parking (he has a paid space.)

So this is a long way to say I am grouchy this evening and it's all because I can't make up my mind and I just want to be independently wealthy, at least till I finish school.

What I am thinking of is limiting my time at both jobs- perhaps by working 2 jobs at 15 or so hours a week each, I can avoid getting too stressed out about one. I could also hopefully avoid getting the amount of work piled on me where I feel like there's no way I can ever finish it all.

Money sucks.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 13, 2005 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thoughts on money

I was posting in comments in someone else's blog about my belief in separate checking accounts, and someone else said they did not think that was a good idea.

It has its downsides (lack of access is the only one I can really think of and that can be remedied) but I really like having separate money. Eventually I would like to have a joint account that's used for goal saving, but with Geoff making more than me, most goal saving money comes from him right now so it stays in his savings. If I go back to the art store, I'll be back to making just enough to pay for groceries and my own car expenses and that's about it. Depressing thought.

Anyway, what I really like about having my own check account is that it makes me personally responsible for watching what I spend. I am frugal by nature, and having just my money to look after helps that.

I dunno. I worked hard to earn a degree of financial independence, a place where I felt comfortable managing my own money, and I would hate to lose that.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 13, 2005 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 16, 2005

Lazy Day

Went to work briefly, came home, read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (forgot what a quick read that was) went to Menards to buy primer because I WILL paint my bedroom this summer, took a nap, cleaned, framed some stuff, that's about it.

Geoff has been reading Harry Potter all day... he's almost done, so I will probably get my turn with it tomorrow. Geoff said Harry's still a dumbass but not as much of a brat this time.

I have been craving Pesto for days, but my puny basil plant isn't exactly doing well. Next Sat. I should head down to the farmer's market and just buy a bundle. Next year, I will start several Basil plants from seed indoors so maybe a couple will survive. :P Or I should just set aside a place to grow it indoors all year...

I really need my vacation. Just a couple more weeks. I wanted to drive to Omaha to see my mom today, but I'm not insured yet, so I didn't go. :P I'm trying to get on Geoff's insurance, and Geoff has been playing phone tag with his insurance guy all week. I almost just got on Progressive, but it would be a little cheaper if we go with the same company this time. I'm gonna try to call Monday.

Not much to say. Wanted to take a photo trip today, but it was too damn hot. Maybe it'll be cooler Mon and I'll have something to show.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 16, 2005 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 18, 2005

Goodbye

I said goodbye to an old friend today. It's stupid, but I'm actually a little sad... I've had that car for... about 7 years. It's been a pretty good car, especially since I did not take care of it AT ALL. I called a junkyard today, and they came and carted it away. I wasn't even here.

Le sigh.

On the bright side, I went out in the new car- explored some dirt roads. It definately feels different with all wheel drive... I felt safe, and in control of the car. Took some OK pictures, they will be posted soon. I look forward to some more picture taking adventures.

Today was an annoying day, as our internet was down for most of the day and we could not get through to the people that were supposed to be fixing it. They turned it off because of "virus activity." This I understand (maybe). But they called us to tell us Friday evening, and as we were out, we did not get the call. We tried to call back, but they were gone. So, Saturday, our internet got shut off, and then they were out of the office today. :P And it turned out, what we had to do was install their virus software, but we couldn't, because the internet was turned off. I'm suspicious that their virus software is nothing more than adware in disguise.

Ugh. Time Warner's customer service sucks.

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Posted by Karin Dalziel on July 18, 2005 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)