Month: July 2018
At The Vineyard & IHOB!
Sat. July 28, 2018
No office.
After having such a motivating weekend in Georgia, I wanted nothing more than to be at the office creating some activity. Unfortunately, the other job has to take priority right now.
Bitmoji alarm ME
I woke up at 7:30am to get ready for my day. I had to meet the lady I work with by 9. After fighting to get out bed I had less than a half an hour to walk out of the house. I think if I did not have to wake up for work I would never get out of bed in the mornings. But today was not the day so I had to leave.
Too soon.
I left earlier than I needed to pulling over and parking a few houses down from hers. Normally I am early, she expects it, but today I was 15 minutes ahead of schedule. I thought people would be headed down to the beach since it was going to be a hot day but the parkway was clear. Maybe I was up too early for them.
When I finally pulled into her driveway I could see her son getting things ready. They were basically set to leave. All I did was adjust her truck in a way for us to finish loading and by the time she came out we were set to go.
Wine?
On the way to Unionville Vineyards we stopped at Panera Bread for breakfast. The lady I work with was tired of eating the usual Dunkin’ Donuts and wanted a change of taste. I was more than happy with it because I love their Superfruit smoothies. I do not know how they make them but I taste Greek yogurt.
(photo found on Google images)
Finally, at the site we set up in between a wooden fence opening, with the best view of their property. Open field, nicely stained picnic table, beautiful tree line, it was an ‘awing’ moment. After taking it in we started our shift at noon with a slight concern if whether or not we would be busy. There was a balloon festival happening not too far from where we were and expected most people to be there. On top of that the forecast had a slight chance of rain that we really did not want to see come down.
With those thoughts in mind the three of us pressed on. We serviced the customers the best we could and were grateful for each one that came out. Even the other vendors with the ‘knick knack’ tents enjoyed what we had to offer. Since it was a bit slow we even enjoyed a few things they had. Now that I think about it, I wish I would have saved the name of what I ate. All I know is that it was a peach bread with 90% of it being peaches and the rest of it flour to hold it together. This cake or bread was so moist and delicious I hope she is back tomorrow.
Time to leave the beauty for the day.
Around 5pm we started to clean up. The crowd died down substantially. When 5:30 came we could see the vendors packing up, getting ready to head out. We knew that was our cue. At that moment we started to move a bit faster so we would not be left behind. The lady I work with, her son and I packed up so fast that we actually left before a few of the other vendors. It was great.
On the way back to her house we made a group decision to stop and have dinner. It was actually her son’s idea but we had no objections. I was tired, wanting to go home, but I knew I needed something in my stomach. It was such a hot day that for 6 hours I did not eat except for the piece of peach bread and a chocolate chip cookie.
To fill our stomachs, we stopped at IHOP. It was along the way and sounded good. There is nothing quite like breakfast for dinner. I had the stuffed French toast with strawberries. My ‘go-to’ meal. It never fails to keep me entertained one fork after the other.
(photo found on Google images)
Back at her house, her son and I unloaded the truck before I left. I was exhausted wanted nothing more than a cool shower. Having my want fulfilled I then sat in front of the computer looking through Amazon for a charging cable for my new phone. I might need a spare wall brick as well.
Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.
Daily Quote
“Everyone has a story to tell, it all depends on if you want to hear it.” – Ramon E. Rodriguez
Rain Helps More Than The Green!
Fri. July 27, 2018
Wasting time.
I was able to sleep in today thanks to work not starting until this afternoon. I even woke up to have breakfast that did not involve a quick bowl of cereal. I actually made myself a cup of coffee with a buttered bagel and jelly as I sat at the kitchen table to eat.
By 11:15am I was dressed and ready to go. Honestly, I was running a bit behind because the video I was watching was too good to leave without finishing. I had a few minutes left on it and really wanted to see how it ended. So, I traded in being early to see the climax.
It was alright.
Today the lady I work with and I were going to be spending the day at the pier. We were asked to vend, along with others, for a business party being hosted there. It was simple request so she took it. Besides that, on Fridays we are normally there anyway for the dinner shift. It all worked out in the end.
I arrived at Pier 13 by noon and parked my car in the parking lot. I tried to get a space on the street but by the time I actually made it around the corner someone had beaten me. I would have loved to save that $20 fee. If I could have “Bruce Almighty” that guy out of the spot I would have in a jiffy. Just imagine it. It’s pretty funny to think about.
(photo found on Google images)
We began to service our customers around 1pm. The pier had a great system going with wrist bands so we could distinguish who were part of the party and who were not. Anyone with a band was free and the others, well, had to cough up the loot. We continued like that for a few hours until we were forced out. We could see a storm brewing from a few miles away. Hovering over the distant town like a scary shadow. We hoped it would hold up until we finished. The moment 3pm hit the rain came with it. We had an hour left to go but with the rain on and off, the business tab was closed. From then on, we were only serving to the public as they came.
For about 2 hours we did nothing but prep for tomorrow and enjoy the company of the other vendors. It was like a retreat for us to bond. While it rained we hung out and even took a group photo to remember it with. It was very nice to be a part of it. Not too long after that we were given the ‘ok’ to leave. It was pouring by that time and we were secretly happy for it.
A lovely short day.
As I sat in my car the clock read 6:30pm. It felt good to go home before 12am on a Friday. Normally we would have been there all night. Instead I was home in my shower enjoying the warm water over the cold rain. I really need to buy a new raincoat.
The rest of the night was relaxing. I washed clothes for this weekend, watched a few episodes of “Supernatural” on Netflix and scoured Amazon for a spare USB Type C cable for my new phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. I need a cable for my car as well as a backup in case one breaks. I plan on pulling the trigger on a set tomorrow, IF I find one I like.
P.S.
Not realizing the time, I ended up falling into bed a lot later than I should have. 1am. Good night!
Daily Quote
“It’s so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.” – Annie Gottlier
Today Was A Bit Boring!
Thurs. July 26, 2018
Back to the usual.
It has been a while since I had to wake up at 7:30am to move my car. Being at someone else’s house or away in another state has spoiled me. I was a bit upset when I walked outside to have my eyes being burnt out of their sockets. The moment I got back in, it was right to bed for a 30 minute nap.
Bitmoji version of Me
Officially awake I got dressed for work and had myself a bowl of cereal for breakfast. If there is one thing I miss about the hotel, or the endless places to eat around it, is the variety of food to choose from that I do not have to cook myself. Maybe when I start to live the ‘good life’ I will hire a cook once a week and call it ‘Chefs Day.’ Sounds pretty good.
Work it out.
I was out of the house by 9:15 leaving myself with plenty of drive time. Time that I did not need because the highway was clear. I even got there 15 minutes early. The lady I work with and I were meeting at a Verizon headquarters to service all of those hard-working individuals who keep my internet snappy and phone calls clear. The moment she pulled in, I got right to it. I prepared as much as possible before we decided to open up.
(photo found on Google images)
From 11 – 2pm we did pretty good business. Not as much as previous times but it was close enough for today. For two of those hours we were swamped with people who all wanted the same thing. It was hard to keep up at one point but we managed to jump on the flow of things, moving the line as quick as the orders would let us. I was able to control the line by taking small breaks in between every two customers or so. Thanks to the intentional delay things worked out.
The moment our window cleared out we ate. We had food sitting on the counter from another vendor that was just calling our names. Two delicious chicken parmesan sandwiches. These sandwiches are what get me excited to be there. I know at the end of the shift there is one waiting for me to enjoy. It has to be the best chicken parm on this planet. Thank you being in my life Tony’s Traveling Trattoria!
After filling up our stomachs we packed up and headed off. I was home by 4pm and relaxing in the showering as the water massaged my body.
End of the night.
Around 8:30 my girlfriend came over for some quality time. She had a long day at work and was hungry. The feeling was mutual. So, we went out to Chick-fil-A for a really late dinner. But we went through the drive-thru which made eating it even later. By the time we got back to my house it was past 9:30pm. Being as hungry as I was, after eating my chicken sandwich, nuggets and fries I ended up finishing hers because she got full. Where do I out it all, I have no clue.
While eating I started to watch a Disney movie called “Coco.” I was a bit skeptical about it but was wrong. While digesting my girlfriend ended up falling asleep so I ended up watching it by myself. The movie was amazing. A lot better than what I expected it to be. With the first 10 minutes of the movie it had me laughing. Great way to end the night.
(photo found on Google images)
How Being Stingy With Time Leads to More Money
I have nothing more to add to this piece. For such a short article it is more powerful than it seems. Getting an inside view from business owner Amanda Abella on two important elements, time and money, that everyone should focus on is beyond beneficial. It’s profitable!
Image credit: graphicstock
When I started my business, there were several concepts that were difficult for me to understand. One of those was how being stingy with time would lead to more money.
I truly could not see how setting better boundaries and saying no more often would help my bank account. This is probably because, as a culture, we’re conditioned to believe that the more we take on the more productive we are. If we’re more productive, then that leads to more money, right?
Or, maybe we think that we can’t set boundaries because then people won’t like us and won’t pay us. That’s also cultural conditioning that doesn’t really serve us.
Now that I’ve been self-employed for five years, I see how being stingy with time does lead to more money. I’m making more money than ever. I’m also less stressed and overworked than ever. Here is how being stingy with time helps my bank account.
I am perceived as more in-demand.
This is a big lesson I received from a fellow personal finance blogger. They told me how they were leaving money on the table because they were too available. Once they started being stingy with time — meaning they weren’t readily available all the time — they were able to command more money.
Here’s an example from my recent life. I had to tell a client that I could no longer continue doing a specific project for them. That’s because I honestly don’t have the time to be doing projects that don’t meet a certain payment threshold. I’ve got plenty of work as it is.
Granted, this doesn’t mean lie to people and tell them you’re busy when you’re not. The reality is that if we have our priorities straight, then we really don’t have the time to be available at all hours or for all projects.
For example, maybe you set a boundary to clock out every day by 5:30 p.m. so you can go workout. That’s still time that you are not available because of your priorities.
I am respected.
Being liked could get you paid, but it’s a 50/50 shot. Being respected almost always gets you paid.
I see a lot of business owners struggling with letting people walk all over them. They will put in endless hours on projects where they aren’t getting a fair exchange of monetary value in return. This tells people that they don’t respect themselves, therefore, they shouldn’t be respected.
This is when you leave the door open for crappy clients and people who are difficult to work with. On the other hand, if you respect yourself and people can sense that, they won’t even try you.
My time is perceived as more valuable.
Finally, the reason being stingy with time leads to more money is because your time is perceived as more valuable. Time is already our most valuable resource and it’s limited. Once you really grasp this and start acting accordingly, people will respond in kind by paying you more money.
Final thoughts
Being stingy with time is a sign of self-respect. Once you respect your own time, others begin to respect it as well. Often times, this leads to more money in the bank because you are perceived as being more valuable.
For the full article visit here:
Entrepreneur – How Being Stingy With Time Leads to More Money
Common Thinker 