Thanks to everyone who signed up for the newsletter! Those who registered before midnight on January 21 have been listed in order of their signup time, and I’ve used a random number generator to choose the winner. And the winner of the $20 Amazon card is…..
Suzan Kelley!
Congrats, Suzan! Drop me a note on which email you’d like me to use to send your prize to you!
The weekend started early – Friday around 6 we were kilted and on our way to the first of what will be several Robert Burns Suppers. This one was at a local brewery, and there were kilt contests for men and women (husband came in third, as did I), a band, bagpipes, and yes, even haggis.
Saturday was a little quieter, and I managed to get some wood in before the snow, so we had a fire in the fireplace as the snow came down. I did make it out to get some tea – I was completely out and there’s no living with me if I’m not caffeinated. By noon the roads were cleaner, so we headed to New Jersey for our meditation group.
Yesterday was the search for the real cup of tea (my local grocery did not have any decent substitutes), so we headed to the Indian grocery. I stocked up. No way I want to run out again, and now I have enough to get me through until July. I stopped by Barnes & Noble, got a chai (of course) and then husband took me out for brunch. We then visited an open house just to see the decorating, then home again (across the street, literally) to plan the library and other projects. A hockey win later, and it was a good weekend.
Today I’m finishing an article project, scheduling interviews for another article, working on yet another client project, and marketing. I sent a proposal out to a client a week ago, and it’s time to follow up to see if he has questions. It’s also foggy out and about to go from yesterday’s high of 27 to 51.
How was your weekend? What are you up to this week?
Hey, at least your husband didn't come in higher than you in the kilt contest!
I had to write a 1,000-word article this weekend. I was happy to do it, too. Why? We had our snowstorm Friday, and they were predicting anywhere from 5-10" (wound up with about 7). Friday afternoon it was falling at 1-2" per hour. I was trying to focus on the article, but kept thinking I needed to shovel before it got too deep. The catch is the client pays once a month, and invoices must be in by the 20th. I told my editor I might not get the article in until Monday. She basically ordered me to send my invoice that very minute, go shovel, and send the article in over the weekend, saying, "I totally understand the need to shovel. I'm Canadian!"
This week I have a new article I need to do some homework on, a column to write, and some marketing to do. Lots of marketing to do.
So far today I've been battling my city over uncollected recyclables. They've had two shots at picking them up (including a "do-over" I gave them Friday), yet my full bin sat there filling with snow, which is now melting thanks to rain, which might freeze solid before Thursday's collection date. They couldn't promise someone would come out to get it, so I asked for a small token credit to my account. Instead I got the run-around. One woman said, "We don't give credits" and told me to put the bin in my garage so it doesn't freeze…um my garage isn't heated. When she realized I wasn't going to back down, she passed me along to someone in a totally different City office who has nothing to do with billing, accounts or recycling. I think I spoke to (or left messages for)4 or 5 people this morning alone.
Seriously: All someone needed to do was admit the oversights and offer to try to correct the situation. I wasn't asking for a full refund – maybe a $1 credit. But no, they try telling me recycling is "a courtesy" (they why is it listed on my bill?) and expect me to pay for service I didn't get. Not acceptable. Yes. I already wrote to my Alderman.
Nothing like a good complaint letter to get the writing juices flowing on a Monday morning. (Rats. I just noticed it's almost noon!)
I understand the need to shovel too, Paula! Good editor, that one.
Oh SO busy this year, in case you've missed me! Just as one deadline approaches completion, another gig appears, some small, some quite large.
Lori, we have an almost unlimited supply of PGTips, in case you need a good Scottish tea fix.
I did miss you, Joseph! How are you these days?
Oh, you tempt me with some exceptional tea! I do need that fix, Joseph. Haven't had it since Ireland….
Visit me at jrhayes.net and email your address, I'll send you a supply 🙂