If you can't beat them.

As time goes by and retirement creeps closer, I find myself wondering about downsizing - which, in my case, means editing down my library, a daunting prospect.  I fully admit if I didn't have so many books we could probably get away with a one bedroom apartment, although I'd still need a spot for my iMac.

But what's the most profitable way of going about this?  I realize that I could just donate them all to a charity of some sort, but to be honest, if possible I'd like to get back some of the money I've invested over the years - money also being a useful thing for retirement.

I know that used bookstores have to get their inventory from someplace, but I can't help but feel that they want to pay as little as possible for the privilege. As such, I'm not sure that's the best solution.  Hmmm...I wonder whether it would be feasible to set up a store online?  I know there are options like Abebooks, which I believe would charge me a minimum of $25 USD per month depending on how much stock was listed online, along with 8% of every transaction (minimum 50 cents) and associated service fees.

I finally realized that what I really want to do is set up a little book stall like the ones by the Seine in Paris*, just sit there with a mug of chocolat chaud and a suitable book from the stock to read while I keep an eye on the traffic and hope for some sales - how sad that there's nothing like that in Vancouver!

- Sid

Postscript:  A quick Google™ search revealed that a non-food street vending license in Vancouver costs almost a thousand dollars annually - plus liability insurance.   Suddenly $25 USD a month doesn't seem exorbitant.

* I've seen something similar in New York, come to think of it.

Disney 2022: Changes.

Next week will see Karli and I depart for our first visit to Disneyland since 2020, where our return from the park was just under the wire for the start of the COVID-19 lockdown.

It's a bit of a bold decision, given that COVID is still very much a thing - in fact, some of Karli's friends described the park as a coronavirus hot zone after a recent trip (as well as contracting the virus during their visit).

However, having both suffered through the COVID-19 experience at the start of July, and now buffered by a well-timed second booster shot, we decided that we were in good condition to renew our acquaintanceship with the happiest place on earth. Sadly, we weren't able to make reservations for a repeat visit to Oga's Cantina in Black Spire Outpost, but who knows, we may get lucky with the walk-in option.  Karli is also looking forward to the opportunity to see the park decorated for Hallowe'en - she's been a fan of the Haunted Mansion since her first childhood trip.

There have been some changes over the past couple of years.  The Rise of the Resistance ride is no longer a reservation experience, which may or may not be a good thing, and the Avengers Campus is now open on the California Adventure side of the park - complete, of course, with a Shawarma Palace. 

There have also been some procedural changes.  What used to be a free Fastpass ride reservation service has been renamed as the Lightning Lane, which is now an additional charge, a sad comment on the eternal process of squeezing a little more money out of customers. Lightning Pass reservations can also be purchased as part of the Genie+ service, which bundles a variety of options for park visitors, such as photos by the Disney photography team.

Guests to the park are now completely reliant on the Disney app to make reservations, order food, and purchase Lightning Lane passes, to the point where a portable charger battery is strongly recommended so as to avoid losing the ability to access the necessary services to make your time at the park proceed smoothly - if at all.

There's a small private joke in all of this.  I have the impression that my wife thinks she needs to convince me to go to Disneyland, which, to be fair, was somewhat the case the first time we went in 2017.  Now?  Now there's a large Star Wars area and the new Avengers Campus - if anything, I'm worried that I need to convince her.

- Sid

Gnomic Statement XX: Limbo?

Am I the only person who keeps getting these ads for Foreverspin tops?  Or is everyone I know just waiting for Arthur to start the kick, but can't say anything?

- Sid