Here's my question. What good is the vaccine doing if it's still in the bottle? I don't understand the mentality of 'We might run out, so don't use it'. Who cares if you run out! Use up the supply and get it in people's arms. If you run out, close the clinics until you get a fresh supply. Having the vaccine available and not using it because you might run out defies all logic to me!
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Use it or lose it
My provincial government has been less than stellar in its rollout of the H1N1 vaccine. Since they started giving the shot on October 26, it has been one fiasco after another. First it was line-ups that induced rage and frustration, and now it's empty clinics with idle nurses. I agree that they had to set some very strict guidelines about who should get the shot first. However, they've now made the criteria so narrow that the clinics are empty. They keep going on about how there is a shortage of vaccine due to the manufacturer, and that they don't want to run out.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Odd uses of chocolate
Not sure why they chose this as a company name, but at least there is a picture of hot chocolate!
http://www.theobroma-systems.com/company/
http://www.theobroma-systems.com/company/
$130 for a $0.10 plastic piece
In my previous home, I had appliances that were original, 1970's era, harvest gold, energy sucking monsters that contentedly chugged along doing their thing. The refrigerator made the odd clunking sound, the stove had a couple of funky dials, but all in all, they worked. You could rely on them to do what they were supposed to, albeit in a non-environmentally friendly, decidedly non-high tech way.
Three years ago, my husband and I built a new house. In an effort to be fiscally responsible, we opted to accept the appliances that the builder supplied. This seemed reasonable at the time. For the first time ever, we'd be the proud owners of shiny new, high tech appliances. We saved time not having to run around selecting new ones, they came with an Energy Star rating, and they all matched. And, as much as I hate to admit it now, compared to some of the headaches involved with building our house, appliances seemed like the least of our worries.
So my questions are these. In a day and age where we can do gene sequencing and clone sheep, how the hell did we lose the ability to make quality appliances? And just because we can make stuff cheaply out of plastic, does it mean we should? Within a year of being in our new house, I had to have a $130 repair done to my washing machine. The problem? A $0.10 plastic piece in the dial broke so I couldn't tell what wash cycle I was using. I have two small kids, and having a working washing machine is not a luxury. I grudgingly paid the bill, not realizing this was just the start.
Yesterday, it was a $134 bill to fix my dishwasher. Now, you must understand that I have hated this appliance with a vengeance since day one. We have an open concept kitchen/living/dining area, and this supposedly quiet machine sounds like an air craft carrier. There are times I swear the neighbours can hear it. I only ever run it in the middle of the night (which often wakes me up) or when we leave the house and I don't have to be there to listen to it. It also doesn't really clean dishes. Or dry them. There are times where I think standing at the sink and spitting on the dishes would do a better job. I realize that this is a cheap builder special of an appliance, probably costing all of about $400 retail. However, the fact that my "GE TriClean Quiet Power I" dish washer doesn't clean dishes and isn't quiet just screams of false advertising. And, for the past 6 months, it has been leaking water onto my hardwood floor. Not much, just little dribbles. And not all the time. I honestly thought it was all in my head for awhile, because I couldn't find a leak, and many times, it seemed to be just fine. Wondered if it was just me spilling stuff, not closing the door tightly enough, etc. etc. After finally coming to the conclusion it wasn't me, I called in the professionals to repair it, hence the $134 bill.
The problem? A $0.10 piece of freaking plastic! As I'm standing over my eviscerated dish washer door, the repair guy shows me a water dam like little bit that apparently warps with time, allowing water to slosh into places it isn't supposed to. He shows me how water swooshes around a little trough on the inside bottom of the door, and how this piece is supposed to keep it from spilling over into the rest of the door, and subsequently onto my hardwood floor. I'm not a rocket scientist, but wouldn't it seem reasonable to expect something like a dish washer to NOT have gaping open spaces in it that allow the water to get out? Would it not make sense that it formed a seal between the swirling soapy water on the inside and my nice hardwood floor on the outside? And why, in a dish washer with a name like "Quiet Power I", is there no sound deadening insulation in the freaking door!?!
After trying not to burst a blood vessel in rage, I paid the kindly repair man for his ten minutes of work and $0.10 plastic part with my Master Card, trying to ease the pain with the knowledge I was at least collecting Air Miles. Then I got really mad and started doing Google searches. I came across information that is making me rethink my dish washing habits. Apparently this particular model of dish washer has been known to catch on fire! Now, I know that my particular serial number was not included in the recall, however, it does give one reason to pause. I also discovered someone selling this exact model number on Kijiji for $150. The thought that I could have been the proud owner of a second of these abominations for about what I just spent on a $0.10 plastic part was enough to send me over the edge. Until I found an advertisement where someone was trying to get rid of one for free! Left it in his back alley for anyone that wants it! ARGHHHH!
So, where does this leave me. Obviously this appliance's days are numbered. One more false move on its part and I'll be leaving it on the street for the first hapless victim that wants it. I've also taken a vow of perpetual hatred for all GE appliances. My refrigerator door handle is coming loose, and I know that is a foreboding sign of things to come with that appliance. Let me guess. That will be $130 for a $0.10 plastic piece...
Three years ago, my husband and I built a new house. In an effort to be fiscally responsible, we opted to accept the appliances that the builder supplied. This seemed reasonable at the time. For the first time ever, we'd be the proud owners of shiny new, high tech appliances. We saved time not having to run around selecting new ones, they came with an Energy Star rating, and they all matched. And, as much as I hate to admit it now, compared to some of the headaches involved with building our house, appliances seemed like the least of our worries.
So my questions are these. In a day and age where we can do gene sequencing and clone sheep, how the hell did we lose the ability to make quality appliances? And just because we can make stuff cheaply out of plastic, does it mean we should? Within a year of being in our new house, I had to have a $130 repair done to my washing machine. The problem? A $0.10 plastic piece in the dial broke so I couldn't tell what wash cycle I was using. I have two small kids, and having a working washing machine is not a luxury. I grudgingly paid the bill, not realizing this was just the start.
Yesterday, it was a $134 bill to fix my dishwasher. Now, you must understand that I have hated this appliance with a vengeance since day one. We have an open concept kitchen/living/dining area, and this supposedly quiet machine sounds like an air craft carrier. There are times I swear the neighbours can hear it. I only ever run it in the middle of the night (which often wakes me up) or when we leave the house and I don't have to be there to listen to it. It also doesn't really clean dishes. Or dry them. There are times where I think standing at the sink and spitting on the dishes would do a better job. I realize that this is a cheap builder special of an appliance, probably costing all of about $400 retail. However, the fact that my "GE TriClean Quiet Power I" dish washer doesn't clean dishes and isn't quiet just screams of false advertising. And, for the past 6 months, it has been leaking water onto my hardwood floor. Not much, just little dribbles. And not all the time. I honestly thought it was all in my head for awhile, because I couldn't find a leak, and many times, it seemed to be just fine. Wondered if it was just me spilling stuff, not closing the door tightly enough, etc. etc. After finally coming to the conclusion it wasn't me, I called in the professionals to repair it, hence the $134 bill.
The problem? A $0.10 piece of freaking plastic! As I'm standing over my eviscerated dish washer door, the repair guy shows me a water dam like little bit that apparently warps with time, allowing water to slosh into places it isn't supposed to. He shows me how water swooshes around a little trough on the inside bottom of the door, and how this piece is supposed to keep it from spilling over into the rest of the door, and subsequently onto my hardwood floor. I'm not a rocket scientist, but wouldn't it seem reasonable to expect something like a dish washer to NOT have gaping open spaces in it that allow the water to get out? Would it not make sense that it formed a seal between the swirling soapy water on the inside and my nice hardwood floor on the outside? And why, in a dish washer with a name like "Quiet Power I", is there no sound deadening insulation in the freaking door!?!
After trying not to burst a blood vessel in rage, I paid the kindly repair man for his ten minutes of work and $0.10 plastic part with my Master Card, trying to ease the pain with the knowledge I was at least collecting Air Miles. Then I got really mad and started doing Google searches. I came across information that is making me rethink my dish washing habits. Apparently this particular model of dish washer has been known to catch on fire! Now, I know that my particular serial number was not included in the recall, however, it does give one reason to pause. I also discovered someone selling this exact model number on Kijiji for $150. The thought that I could have been the proud owner of a second of these abominations for about what I just spent on a $0.10 plastic part was enough to send me over the edge. Until I found an advertisement where someone was trying to get rid of one for free! Left it in his back alley for anyone that wants it! ARGHHHH!
So, where does this leave me. Obviously this appliance's days are numbered. One more false move on its part and I'll be leaving it on the street for the first hapless victim that wants it. I've also taken a vow of perpetual hatred for all GE appliances. My refrigerator door handle is coming loose, and I know that is a foreboding sign of things to come with that appliance. Let me guess. That will be $130 for a $0.10 plastic piece...
Friday, 19 June 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Friday, 16 January 2009
Izafat Djafarov
A little over a year ago, I signed up with kiva.org. An ingenious organization, Kiva lets you lend to specific entrepreneurs in developing countries around the world. It links people in need, micro loan organizations, and lenders. With a minimum $25, you can lend money to someone half way 'round the world. No fuss, no muss, and all with the click of a button. Brilliant.
So, I took my $25 and lent it to Izafat Djafarov, a 42 year old married gentleman with 2 kids living in Azerbaijan. He was looking for $725 to buy more cups, glasses, teapots and sugar bowls for his small coffee shop. Having a small addiction to all things Starbucks, this was a business I could understand. My $25, plus money from 24 other lenders from the USA, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, France, the UK, and Norway gave Izafat his loan and a chance to make his business more successful. And this morning, I received notice that Izafat had made his final payment on the loan.
I was a little shocked at my response to this. To be honest, the whole process of lending can feel a little impersonal. Everything is done through your computer and a credit card. Other than a short description of the person and their business, you don't really know very much about them. You've never met the person, are probably never going to meet them, and really, $25 is such a small amount that it doesn't make a big dent in your life. You also have very little concept of what their day to day life is like. While on a conceptual level you can understand that a $725 loan can make a huge difference for someone in a developing country, the lack of personal contact and any real understanding of their personal circumstances makes it difficult to become too emotionally involved in the process. And then you get the news that they've paid back every penny.
I was torn between jumping up and down for Izafat, and shedding a few tears of pride. And I also felt a surprising sense of sadness. My relationship with this person is suddenly over. The $25 is back in my pocket. Presumably, Izafat will continue on with his business. But I find myself left with a lot of questions. Did the loan help? How is his business doing? Did this in any way improve his life, his business, his prospects? I have been quietly rooting for this fellow for a year, watching every month to see if he makes the next payment. I realize that I'm going to miss getting my monthly notice about this loan. Not because I care about getting my $25 back, but because I really wanted this person to succeed.
And maybe that is why Kiva is proving to be such a successful program. Without realizing it, you make a personal connection with someone. And it isn't a handout that you are giving them. It is a hand up. In a small way, you have a vested interest in seeing them succeed. You find yourself cheering them on, hoping that your small investment results in something good for them.
You'll have to excuse me. I have $25 that I need to go and loan to someone...
So, I took my $25 and lent it to Izafat Djafarov, a 42 year old married gentleman with 2 kids living in Azerbaijan. He was looking for $725 to buy more cups, glasses, teapots and sugar bowls for his small coffee shop. Having a small addiction to all things Starbucks, this was a business I could understand. My $25, plus money from 24 other lenders from the USA, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, France, the UK, and Norway gave Izafat his loan and a chance to make his business more successful. And this morning, I received notice that Izafat had made his final payment on the loan.
I was a little shocked at my response to this. To be honest, the whole process of lending can feel a little impersonal. Everything is done through your computer and a credit card. Other than a short description of the person and their business, you don't really know very much about them. You've never met the person, are probably never going to meet them, and really, $25 is such a small amount that it doesn't make a big dent in your life. You also have very little concept of what their day to day life is like. While on a conceptual level you can understand that a $725 loan can make a huge difference for someone in a developing country, the lack of personal contact and any real understanding of their personal circumstances makes it difficult to become too emotionally involved in the process. And then you get the news that they've paid back every penny.
I was torn between jumping up and down for Izafat, and shedding a few tears of pride. And I also felt a surprising sense of sadness. My relationship with this person is suddenly over. The $25 is back in my pocket. Presumably, Izafat will continue on with his business. But I find myself left with a lot of questions. Did the loan help? How is his business doing? Did this in any way improve his life, his business, his prospects? I have been quietly rooting for this fellow for a year, watching every month to see if he makes the next payment. I realize that I'm going to miss getting my monthly notice about this loan. Not because I care about getting my $25 back, but because I really wanted this person to succeed.
And maybe that is why Kiva is proving to be such a successful program. Without realizing it, you make a personal connection with someone. And it isn't a handout that you are giving them. It is a hand up. In a small way, you have a vested interest in seeing them succeed. You find yourself cheering them on, hoping that your small investment results in something good for them.
You'll have to excuse me. I have $25 that I need to go and loan to someone...
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