Brutal Day

What a day…It was so long I didn’t even have a chance to blog at all. So, I’ll post my weekend stuff tomorrow morning. I was trying to upload a ton of pics to the ol’ blog, but things weren’t working very well.

Ok, here it is: I got up at 4:50AM. It was 5 minutes later than usual as those kids of mine kept me up at night. I’ve been getting used to taking Winston into the other room to get him back to sleep at about 2AM the last few nights…Kate is weaning him and I found that since I don’t have the required equipment he doesn’t bother crying for me to feed him. (He also gives no fuss when I change his diaper—he knows that Dad doesn’t even slow down if he fusses, and I can pin him without a problem: physical or emotional.) Anyhoo, he cried again last night then went back to sleep quickly, but (too late) I was already up—until about 4AM.

So, I get up. Then make my way to the train. I actually packed a lunch today. I figure I might as well take advantage of the mother-in-law’s cookin’ while it’s around. Got to the train and saw not only a coyote and the pair of ducks near the tracks but also a squirrel. A freight train went by as we waited for it. Then nothing. Seems the locomotive died at the station before mine. This was not cool. I had to get on a bus and get to work 45 minutes later than usual. The lateness is not a problem, I have a fairly flexible schedule and get in about 2 hours before my manager as it is—and he’s out of town for the week anyways. The difficulty was the traveling fatigue. You know when you figure it’ll take so long to get somewhere then you have to change things up and take a bus (as I did) or something.

When I got to work I got to it…my manager is presenting a strategy (or concept) illustration (basically, a way to sell our products all nicely packaged in a convenient solution for clients. The upside is big for the firm and the client so I figured I’d make a Powerpoint presentation on the thing. It took about 4 hours (I took breaks). I did the insurance illustrations, threw them in to Excel and then added verbage to the presentation. It’s pretty fun stuff—but a fair bit of work for yours truly. The good thing is that we can use it again and again. I ought to get a medal for this kind of stuff.

One meeting I had today was with a UBC Commerce/Finance grad. He’s pretty interested in the brokerage industry in Vancouver and I figure if that’s one thing I have a handle on it’s that. Pretty bright guy: came from Russia 4 years ago and finishing his bachelor’s this year—and I think he’s just 19 years old or something. Very determined look in his eye, I must say. Very polite and quite bright. Reminds me of myself in my younger days…more or less.

I met another grad (from SFU) on Thursday. He was determined as well: apparently he wanted to get into finance since birth. A pretty strong candidate but (this can be rectified and I realize he is still in study-mode) could have used a haircut and shave. Seemed a little out of place with the navy suit. Regardless, what came out of his mouth was pretty much on the money—or as much as you can expect from someone with no industry experience.

I have more of these look-sees set up via the university over the next few weeks. I like it, as I feel as if there is some benefit for these guys (and gals, but mostly guys) and they tell me it helps them too.

Ha, get this. One of the firm’s clients rode down the elevator with me last week (must have been Wednesday). He asked where a coffee place was. I said there’s a Starbucks just across the street. “What was that?” he asked. “Starbucks.” “Oh, like Tim Horton’s” “Ya.” I couldn’t believe it. There are sometimes 2 Starbucks kitty corner to one another or even in the same mall here (I think there are 10 within 2 blocks of my office) but nary a Tim Horton’s. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Tim Horton’s is all the rage and they have no idea what a Starbucks is. Even in the same country we have these differences; no wonder going to Korea is such a shock for so many.

Well, I’m on the train now…probably a good time to take it easy and rest. Spencer and Winston are probably going to pummel me when I get home so better get ready for that. Later.