Office Diet

Today was our department potluck and a reminder of how much I hate the food sharing at work. Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't appreciate people coming by and offering me treats. It's just that no one ever has anything reasonably healthy. People always bring sweets. I think work is the worst environment for people trying to shed some fat or trying not to add more. The problem is people are not simply offering the treat. If you turn them down, they look at you funny and ask if you're sure. And then they'll ask you again. I've learned to turn people down and stand by it. They always comment about how I only eat healthy but in a slightly mocking manner. It's like there's a stigma in the workplace behind maintaining a healthier lifestyle. My advice to you is to stick to your guns. Just say no.

It's The Final Countdown

We are only days away from the gift giving/receiving bonanza called Christmas. For the past couple of Christmas', I had my gift in hand before the big day. I know this disappointed my wife. This year, I have opted to wait until Christmas Eve (with the inlaws) and Christmas Day (with my family) to open the gifts, even though I know exactly what I'm getting and, in some cases, I purchased myself to make it easier for loved ones. This morning I managed to get my hands on the hard-to-find Onyx DS Lite (thanks to Rogers Video, although I still hate Ted Rogers) to replace the white one my sister already bought me. So now I'm going to have a DS Lite and 4 games staring at me for six more days. Today, anticipation is spelled 'DS' (I borrowed that line). I'm doing this so my wife won't complain about how impatient I am. Husband of the Year material right here, baby.

Black or White

I recently faced a dilemma of the Nintendo DS Lite kind. I'm receiving a white one for Christmas because that was the colour I asked for. Now I'm contemplating a black one. Unfortunately, we're only a week away from Christmas and every single store is sold out. I just can't decide which colour I prefer. Both look really sweet. On the one hand, white may discolour around the controls over time. However, the black will show all the fingerprints and scratches. LN didn't make it any easier. Now it looks like my friendship is on the line.

LN: i would get the white DS :)
Me: haha
Me: why?
LN: hehe
Me: because you have one?
LN: b/c it's just better than black. Stewie has black.. i have white. (So, who do you like better?? ahem.. I mean.. which colour do you like better?) :D

In the end, none of this will matter if I can't find a black one in stores before Christmas. I'm planning to open one on Christmas, white or black.

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with a Rogers Video and they have a black one on hold for me. They go on sale tomorrow at the price of $129.99. I'll try to limit my excitement until I have it in my geeky hands.

Go Wii Go

Boy did I underestimated the popularity of Nintendo's new gaming console, Wii. This thing was released nearly 4 weeks ago and the buzz continues. People were lined up last night outside of Best Buy stores just to be one of the lucky few customers today. You would never catch me lining up overnight. I'm not a console kind of guy. I'm a PC gamer who loves shooting baddies with a mouse and keyboard but I do like to keep somewhat in touch with what goes on in the console business. Sadly, I do agree that consoles are the future of gaming.

What I really enjoy witnessing with the current round of console battle is seeing Nintendo stealing Sony's thunder. Not because I'm a Nintendo fanboy but rather a Sony hater. Yes, I hate Sony but that's another story. The Playstation 3 was the most highly anticipated console, expected to kick the X-Box 360 and Wii to the curb. The day it was released in North America, Ebay was flooded with listings reaching four figures. Any moron trying to cash in on the craze now will be sorely disappointed because the hype is dead. The Wii is what's on the hot list and the momentum doesn't seem to be slowing. Go Wii!!!

How It Feels to be a Winner

Sadly, this is a feeling I have never had a chance to experience when it comes to contests and draws. My co-worker, on the other hand, has had his share of winning luck in the past four weeks. About four weeks ago, he won a X-Box 360 package through a Doritos/Pepsi online contest. Today, he gave me the news that he had just won a car through the Princess Margaret Hospital lottery. Not just any car. It was a Mercedes SLK worth around $70K. He and his wife have decided to take the money instead because they have a young kid and she wouldn't be able to sit in the two-seater. Well, that and the fact that the insurance would be a killer.

It's true what they say. You can't win if you don't play. I'll be sure to get in on any group lottery ticket purchases he's a part of. After all, good (and bad) things tend to come in threes.

The Spirit of Receiving

Today I spent about two and a half hours volunteering at a local toy and food drive. It was actually a coworker's idea. It was my first time and I wasn't too sure what to expect. What I didn't want to see was someone complaining about what they were being given for free. My wife had such an experience when she volunteered a long time ago and she never went back.

It's going to sound like a cliche but I have to say, it felt good to help those who are less fortunate. However, what took a bit away from the experience was seeing people going through the bags to see what they received and asking to exchange for other items. For example, I handed a lady bags of food and toys for her two daughters, and right away she went through it. Before I could walk away, she asked to exchange one of the Barbie dolls for a Brat doll. I told her I would and then she pulled out the other Barbie and asked for another Brat doll. I went in the back and picked out two Brat dolls. After I handed them to her, she immediately asked if we had pyjamas and a makeup set. I felt a little disappointed by this point and told her we didn't. I'm not sure if we did or not but I didn't feel like searching for one. Her kids were receiving at least four toys each and she didn't seem fully satisfied. I grew up receiving a single gift worth no more than $20 because money was tight but I never felt deprived because I understood.

I feel like some people should be more grateful for what they are being given for free. Don't get me wrong. There were many grateful faces that I saw and they made the overall experience fulfilling. But I can't help wondering if people receiving donated goods should be allowed to ask to exchange for something else?