Published by Bryan 2 years, 2 months ago
in Life.
Over the last two weeks the toilet in our apartment has been constantly running and then refilling and running and refilling. On top of that, over the last few days the handle has started to crack inside and no longer worked.
While we did fill out a maintainence request to have it fixed I’ve more than learned my lesson with the slumlords that own this building. Basically if they even came and fixed it, it would be a month or two so I decided to take matters into my own hands and fix it myself.
Now anyone who knows me can tell you that I am by far the least handy person there is out there. I mean I’d take my car to the dealership to put new windshield washer fluid in. But in this case I was determined to figure it out to save my own sanity.
I am happy to report that I successfully managed to replace the handle and flapper assembly and our toilet is once again happy.
Am I like the only person left alive who thinks MySpace is worthless? What is everyone’s obsession with it? I seriously fail to see the point of it other than a conduit for spam and bloated internet social networking.
For anyone who actually knows me, I’m sure that you’re actually just as shocked as I am that I’m reading The New Republic.
Since I just finished paying off my student loans I wanted to put together a financial plan for going back to school to try to minimize or eliminate the need to take out any more loans.
First, work gives me $2000 per year for school which is a big help. On top of that I’m putting $200 a month into a 529 plan. Normally you may only think that a 529 plan is good for saving for your child’s education but it can also be valuable for yourself.
The 529 plan allows me to grow my investments and keep them federal and state tax-free on withdrawal for education expenses. Also, I of course used the Ohio 529 plan which besides being one of the top ranked in the country also gives me up to a $2000 state tax deduction for contributions to the account per year.
Even with work and the systematic savings into the 529 plan I won’t be able to save everything I need to cover college tuition costs, but it will go a long way and hopefully keep me from needing loans.
This week I spent two days in a training class called Increasing Human Effectiveness learning all sorts of techniques to improve my humanity. Some of it was very valuable and hopefully I’ll put it into practice.
Today I took the day off to have a personal relaxation day. I went shopping at Crocker Park and bought a few shirts and a pair of jeans from Banana Republic, I really love that store…if only the clothes weren’t so expensive. I also picked up a little LED book light at Borders.
Tomorrow Adam and I are going to visit the Cleveland Botanical Gardens which should be a fun time, even in the winter.
Published by Bryan 2 years, 3 months ago
in Life and TV.
I found a great new show last night in FX called 30 Days which was created by the guy who made Super Size Me. The gist of the show is to live for 30 days by changing something in your life. The show I saw last night was 30 days of living only making minimum wage and it was very eye opening and really made me realize how impossible that would really be.
Published by Bryan 2 years, 3 months ago
in Life.
Today Adam and I had our appointments with the eye doctor. As usual all is healthy and good. Adam got his contacts again but this time he also got new glasses. I think it’s been a long time since he got new glasses, years and years I think. His new glasses are a big improvement.
Since our vision insurance is really good and basically covers the cost of glasses/contacts I went ahead and got a new pair of glasses also. Although I don’t really have to wear them all that often it will be nice to have a pair I can leave at work.
It will be a few weeks until our glasses are ready but I’ll try to get some pictures up after they come.
Published by Bryan 2 years, 3 months ago
in Work.
Today for work I spent my day attending Advanced Excel Training. While it was a little interesting and I did learn some little things I didn’t know before overall I have to say I don’t think I’d classify this class as advanced. Intermediate maybe, but not advanced.
The instructor did try to lighten the class with his witty humor:
There were two peanuts in the parking lot. They had an argument and got in a fight. One of the peanuts got a-salted.
The saving grace in the morning was the wonderful Frappucino I had and the fact I could get into my Lotus Notes and do some real work during class.
Published by Bryan 2 years, 3 months ago
in Food.
One of our favorite restaurants in the area is The Diner on Clifton. There is always something great on the menu and it has great atmosphere. A few months back it was closed due to a fire and we were worried it wasn’t going to reopen. But recently our fears were laid to rest.
This weekend we went back for dinner. I had a yummy gorgonzola burger and sweet potato fries. For desert a nice piece of mocha chocolate cheesecake.
If you’re ever in the Cleveland/Lakewood area I definitely recommend you check it out.
