You are looking at posts that were written in the month of July in the year 2007.
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Harry Potter news reached a crescendo this weekend with the release of the 7th and final book in the series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The reason I’m excited? It’s much more fun to me to read something when I can’t be certain the character will make it to the end of the book. So many times, when I’m reading a book that is part of a series, the element of anticipation is lost. I can only ask “How will the main characters survive?” Because I know they will. But not knowing that for sure is more exciting.
I happened to be at our local Barnes & Noble Friday morning just before it opened. There was a long line - over 100 people - waiting to get a wrist band so that they could buy the new book when it went on sale at midnight. There were quite a few people costumed in robes.
We were back around 8 that evening for coffee. The store was a mob scene. There were people everywhere. It seemed that every store employee was working too. There were so many people working in the cafe that they were getting in each other’s way. And to top it off, their steamer was broken - so no Latte for me.
No, we did not hang around. The party, complete with costume contest, was to start at 10 PM. My only regret was that I didn’t take my camera. I had reserved my copy the week before, so I was sound asleep at midnight when the book went on sale.
I do think it would be fun to have been at the party. And if I had a child that wanted to go, I would have gone.
But, I was back at the book store at 10 AM Saturday. It was a much saner place. There were plenty of books left. And there was no one in line. I did learn that the party started breaking up around 2 AM and the employees left around 3:30!
I’ve really enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series, even though I’m a bit older than its intended audience. But what I like most is seeing kids that are reading it. They aren’t short little books. This last one is over 750 pages long. I just think it’s marvelous that it is encouraging kids to read.
Over the weekend, we saw two different young girls (10-12 years) that had brought their copy of the book to lunch or dinner. (My husband made me leave mine in the car.) We chatted with one family. The mom told me the book had gone to Mass with them, but that it wasn’t read during Mass. They had gone to three different Harry Potter parties the night before; and were out till 2 AM.
I wonder if J.K. Rowling has plans to write another series. They say she’s already richer than the Queen of England! Perhaps when I finish the book, I’ll do some searching on that. For now, I’m avoiding any media mention of the Harry Potter!
Remember - Thou Shalt Not Spoil The Ending For Others
On a recent trip to a local nursery, we encountered this cat. The cat seemed perfectly at ease with all the people at the nursery, peacefully sleeping. He even allowed me to pet him, without moving a whisker. But I did detect a purr.
(subtitle: “We’re only In It For The Money”)
I recently got an email from my utility company that started out like this:
Announcing new optional rates from CPS Energy! You now have two new ways to manage your energy bill. Because you’re a valued customer that receives your CPS Energy bill online, you’re eligible for these new pricing options.
The two ways?
First is Flat Rate - I lock my rate for 12 months, somehow this lets me take control of your energy bill. Sounds fishy already. Furthermore, I’ll have no unpleasant surprises due to the fluctuating energy market. I can control my monthly bill based on my energy use. How? Turn off my a/c in South Texas and slowly roast to death?
Second is Fixed Bill - I pay one set price every month for an entire year with no true-up (emphasis mine). Uh-Oh. This sounds like trouble already.
I have to say that I’m already pretty sure I’m not interested. It sounds a lot like gambling. And anyone who knows me knows not to bet with me b/c I only bet when I know I’m right.
Besides, more than 20 years ago, I devised my own system for averaging my bills throughout the year. It accounts for mortgage, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, electricity, water, phones, and all those other bills you know you have to pay every year. So when a utility tells me they can help me out by averaging my bill, I say “No, Thanks. I already have that capability.”
A sense of morbid curiosity made me click the “Find Out More!” button in my email. But first, I opened my spreadsheet where I’ve tracked utility usage since June of 1988 when I bought my first house. (Yes, you can call me anal-retentive.) I took my last 12 months usage and compared what I paid with what I would pay with either of these wonderful, new options.
Guess what? Yup, either way I would be paying more. Specifically, about 30 dollars a month more (on average), or a total of $360 over the course of those 12 months. Good job, CPS Energy. I know you’re hoping I won’t even be able to do the math, much less have the information readily available to do so. Sorry, no deal.
Now, I’m sure some of you are thinking that I could be wrong and energy could go up enough so that this will be a good deal. But, in today’s world can anyone really predict that? Do you really think that CPS Energy believes that? I don’t. Either way, I’ll take my chances being a pay-as-you-use customer.
(subtitle: “The Times They Are A’Changin”)
I can recall, years ago, getting paid on payday and then driving to the bank and waiting in line to deposit my check. (I can actually remember further back to a time when my part-time check wasn’t worth enough to have a checking account - but that’s ancient history!)
How I hated that part of payday - making the deposit - I liked getting paid! Especially when I worked for the state and everyone used the same credit union. Then, just over 20 years ago, I went to work for a company that had direct deposit. That was the best thing ever, at that point. One gal I worked with wanted to get her check because she liked the thrill of seeing the actual check. That was in Michigan. I told her to be sure and let me know how much fun it was when there was a foot of snow to drive through.
Fast forward to 2007. This year my bank started offering something called “Deposit@Home”. All you need is a computer, a scanner, and a check. You sign the check, scan both sides and then upload. The upload process lets you crop the page and rotate the check. In under 5 minutes, your money is deposited! Now that is cool.
The only hard part is really an adjustment issue. After your check is successfully deposited, you then write void on it and destroy it. Makes sense, but it takes some getting used to.
Now you know why you don’t get real canceled checks from your bank anymore. They don’t exist. I’m quite sure the banks have been doing the same thing for years!
