3 Positive Things Part 7

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Finally decided to replace our 30+ year old hot water heater. New one can only be more energy efficient.

2. Going to Phoenix for New Years Eve to warm up. Will visit sister-in-law whose health is relatively good lately.

3. No vet bills for the last few months.

BONUS: Neighbor paid me for pet sitting even though I offered to do it for free.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. I know why today is being a strong anxiety day - flight home and coming to the end of my holiday.
2. Plenty of time until the train comes, to get to the airport on time.
3. Feeling like doing a neutral NYE plan rather than a negative one.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

I always find it stressful getting to the airport on time. Actually, I even find getting to medical appointments on time to be stressful.

Neutral NYE nights are always the best for me. Just staying warm and watching a movie. The times I have gone out on NYE, especially to fancy events which are like $200-300 dollars, I have always felt like it was a letdown and a total waste of money.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

I got to the airport in time for the flight before mine Even though it means an hour wait, it's a calm hour rather than an anxious one.
Yeah I feel the same way about getting to appointments or anything really.

No worries in Aus about having a warm NYE I've never had a big one. All but two (I think, including today's) I've spent with my parents, and the others alone.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

You haven’t missed much if you’re even a little introverted unless you enjoy getting totally drunk. There’s the silly countdown to midnight like that’s supposed to be something special and then you and total drunk strangers are kissing each other and pretending to be wildly happy and excited. I guess I never really “got” NYE. It’s really just the end of another month except then the year changes.

It’s actually fascinating in a weird way what and how and why humans celebrate non-eventful events.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

Yeah it has always seemed a bit overrated to me. It's a bit ridiculous having so much money spent on fireworks too, when you consider all the bushfires and how the money could have gone towards environmental issues instead. Sydney has poor air quality today and it's like... Really, you want to put on a show of explosives with some more smoke? I like fireworks and all but they should really rethink it and do lasers instead.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

3 Positive Things Part 6

Exactly. Then people could at least get their vision fixed and the hair growing out of their ears and nose removed while they enjoy the show!

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

Haha

 

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. The propane (LP) water heater we wanted was in stock at Home Depot -- the only one left.

2. Instead of us going to Phoenix, in-laws came here and helped us install new water heater.

3. Can already tell this water heater is more efficient since our old one never shut off and would continue to burn propane.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Someone had locked my computer at work by trying the wrong password (computer specific) too many times, but after a reboot and waiting for awhile it allowed me to input the correct one so I didn't have to contact IT for a problem caused by someone else.
2. Easing back into work with a 2 day week, and not too many people around.
3. Remembered my main work passwords. That's always a risk when I get back from holidays.

 

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Tried Walmart's free grocery pickup for the first time since they give you $10 off your first order (in Canada too). Enjoyed shopping for groceries online, and they put the groceries in your trunk.

2. Found items I never knew Walmart sold before.

3. Saves time and money. (Easier to compare prices, and there is no price shock at checkout.)

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Moved desks this morning away from the boss
2. I had bandaids in my backpack so could put them on the manilla folder papercut that I have myself while moving desks.
3. Spoiled for choice with the computer on the new desk. Might have to swap back to the laptop though cause this computer runs really slowly.

 

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Instacart saved the day. Amazon same-day delivery was cancelled by the driver, so I used Instacart to deliver cold & flu supplies to my sister-in-law.

2. Amazon gave me $10 credit for my inconvenience.

3. Weather warmed up temporarily.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

Nice. Never heard of Instacart before. I don't think we have an equivalent here, but we can get same day delivery for one main grocery store and next day delivery for another.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

I didn't know what Instacart was either but it turns out we have that in Canada too:

Instacart: Groceries Delivered From Local Stores

I'm not sure what the difference is between Instacart and Instcart Express though.

Don't pay $3.99 for each delivery – get deliveries FREE with Instacart Express!

Make the most of your Instacart experience. Try Express for 2 weeks!

• Free Delivery on all orders over $35
• Cancel any time before 01/20/2020 at no cost
• After trial, a yearly charge of $99

But I see they also offer products from Staples (office supplies, printers, electronics, etc.).

 

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

I'm not sure what the difference is between Instacart and Instcart Express though.

Marketing Express is their subscription service so you don't have to pay as much per delivery. I used the free trial and then cancelled immediately The trial is still good after you cancel -- it just doesn't renew.

I do tip relatively generously though -- about 20 percent -- since the better/experienced Instacart shoppers (who are the same people who deliver the order) have first dibs on picking orders it seems. The default/suggested tip is only 5 percent.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

I can see it might be something I would use once in a while, especially in winter.

 

[Daniel E.]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

Exactly. And since I don't live anywhere near their delivery area, I only use same-day delivery (like Instacart and Amazon Prime Now that deliver within 2 hours) for sending something to family members.

Walmart's grocery delivery -- which I haven't tried yet -- is arguably cheaper, at least for large orders. It is $8-$10 per delivery but no tipping is allowed. The downside is Walmart is not necessarily available for same-day delivery -- like if you don't order early enough in the morning.

 

[gooblax]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

1. Haven't had any problems with my papercut today. Can type without straining it (some of the keys yesterday were pushing it but today seems fine).
2. Will be getting some new tasks that are more in my skill set compared to the mess that I'm working on now.
3. Temporarily feeling OK about my current task and not too much like I'm floundering around. That will pass but it's nice while it lasts

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: 3 Positive Things Part 6

It's really astounding how much those little paper cuts hurt... I suppose it's because they are usually on your fingers which you pretty much use all the time.