Archive for January, 2008

Getting an expired domain

posted on January 21, 2008 by aylee

domainI’ve been waiting to get either gailandjohn.com or johnandgail.com for my travels and John’s.  Since gailandjohn.com was expiring a lot sooner, I decided to wait for it to expire and register it myself.  I didn’t realize how long it takes for a domain to be available after expiration.  Gailandjohn.com expired on October 31, 2007 and I only got to register it yesterday after some ups and downs.

Before I tell you my story, let me tell you what I learned about what expired domains go through:

  1. GRACE PERIOD
    A grace period of approximately 30 days takes place when a domain expires.  The domain is not active, but the registrar can still renew it with standard renewal fees.
  2. REDEMPTION PERIOD
    If the registrar didn’t renew the domain within the Grace Period, the domain goes into Redemption Period of approximately 30 days.  Yup, that’s another 30 days.  The previous registrar can still renew the domain, but he/she has to request it for an additional fee of about $100-$150.  It will then be manually renewed which takes several days.  These several days is called the Pending Restore period.
  3. PENDING DELETE
    If the registrar didn’t renew the domain within the Redemption Period, the domain will go to Pending Delete status which takes 5 days.  Then it will be available for anyone to take.

So I waited 65 days after the expiration of gailandjohn.com, but when I checked on January 6, it still wasn’t available.  There are services available where you can backorder a domain.  But of course it’s not free.  And how do you know that you’re the only one waiting to register the domain?  You don’t.  There are companies out there that do this - snatch domains and sell them to the highest bidder.  Since I’m being cheap nowadays, I didn’t bother to backorder.  I checked again two days after and it was still not available.  I performed a Whois query on the domain and it was showing that it was registered that day, January 8!

The registrar didn’t look like an individual, but some sort of domain company.  I was thinking that it was one of those companies I mentioned earlier.  I was so upset.  I read somewhere online that sometimes these companies let go of the domain if there’s no traffic.  I made sure that I didn’t visit the site.  Yesterday, I decided to check and guess what.  It’s available!  I’m now the owner of gailandjohn.com.

(image from www.literate.co.uk)

Entry filed under: Online

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You calling me cheap?

posted on January 20, 2008 by aylee

Piggy bankHere are just a few of the reasons why you would call me cheap, but I prefer the term economical :P:

  • I’m still not satisfied with the design and layout of my websites.  I designed the websites myself.  And I can only do so much, as I haven’t taken any web design classes.  Even though my sites still need a lot of enhancements, I refuse to pay for web design services.  You can call me cheap as much as you want, but I won’t budge.  Instead, I decided to take a few webdesign classes where I’ll be taking my photography classes.  And best of all, the classes are free!
  • The basement is being renovated and I have to furnish it from scratch.  Not only do I look and wait for sales, but I also search all coupon sites for more savings, I shop through ShopDiscover to get more cashback, and tap into my credit card’s rewards program for free gift cards.
  • I’ve lowered the temperature at home to save on gas.  I also try to minimize our energy consumption by turning off lights I pass through.
  • I take advantage of all taxable-income-reducing options at work including my MTA fare.
  • I try not to shop anymore unless necessary.  The last time I shopped for a jacket was yearsss ago.  I had to buy one this month because I ruined my favorite winter jacket.  I leaned on wet paint.  I was so pissed.  I also bought a couple of boots coz the soles of my favorite boots were almost non-existent.  Of course the jacket and the boots were on sale :D.

I did slip last holiday season.  I spent way more than I was supposed to.  All the more reason to be cheap now, I mean… economical.

(image from HealthyHeating.com)

Entry filed under: Finance

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The Basement Series: Bedroom

posted on January 14, 2008 by aylee

I’ve decided on a dark brown and white/cream color scheme for the bedroom.  Since the bedroom has only 2 small windows, I’m looking to use light paint (shade of white probably) for the walls.

The Basement Series: Bedroom

  1. I am still not sure whether to put frames on top of the headboard or this beautiful shadowbox mirrors.  How romantic will it be to have the lights off and only the candles lit?
    Price: $39.95 ea

  2. The dresser will be used as a TV stand for the bedroom and more storage for clothes.
    Price: $279

  3. I think this upholstered headboard is so adorable and fit my color scheme well.  I am not really fond of visible bed frames, so I decided to just use those metal frames where you put a 2-piece mattress, so a headboard is definitely a must for me.
    Price: $299

  4. The Hemnes mirror chest is perfect complete with mirror, little drawers for little vanity items, and three regular drawers for more storage.  Even though I seldom wear make-up, what girl doesn’t need a vanity chest?
    Price: $249

  5. I fell in love with all the pull-out shelves, pull-out drawers, pull-out pants hanger and frosted glass doors from the Pax/Komplement series at Ikea, so I decided to go with it and customize it to my needs.  I know it’s not very cheap, but I want it!
    Price: $720 combination

The Basement Series Budget $ 6000.00
Bedroom     1626.90
Remaining   $ 4373.10

Entry filed under: Home

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Living in Ikea

posted on January 13, 2008 by aylee

It’s all over the news, Mark Malkoff, a comedia/filmmaker, lived in Ikea in Paramus, NJ from January 7 to 12.  During that time, his apartment was being fumigated.  He claimed that most of his friends live in tiny studio apartments and hotels are too expensive in New York that he decided to call Ikea to ask them if he could crash to their store in Paramus.  They agreed!  Click here to see his videos.

Mark Malkoff lives in Ikea

I love Ikea and I definitely love going to the store.  The furnished rooms in their showroom floor give you a lot of ideas for your own.  Another thing I like about Ikea is that it caters to small spaces, which is what I have.  If I am given the opportunity to live in Ikea for a few days, I probably will.  Heck, it’s even nicer than my place.  It’s larger and definitely not as messy as mine and it has a lot more stuff.

Entry filed under: Fun

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life bits

posted on January 9, 2008 by aylee

Today was the first day of classes for me for the Winterim semester.  I was so sleepy the second half of the class.  The class was 3 hours.  The class wasn’t something I’m really interested in, but I needed to take it.

I’m ringing in the new year broke.  I can’t believe how much I spent right before the holidays… for gifts, myself and the basement.  That is why John and I have decided not to go anywhere this year.  We’re still trying to save up for our trip to the Philippines at the end of 2008.

US presidential election 2008This year’s presidential election will be the first election I will be participating in ever.  And it’s turning out to be a very interesting election and probably the most diverse.  I’m registered a Democrat and I have decided on whom I’m voting for.  Just like hiring an employee, experience to me is very important.  Words have less importance to me.  Promises can be broken and that has been proven many times in politics, maybe too many.  I base my vote on track record and the issues they focus on.

Entry filed under: Life

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Gifting via rewards program

posted on January 6, 2008 by aylee

How would you feel if you receive a gift that was obtained for free through a rewards program?  I couldn’t care less if I receive one.  But it is possible that there are people out there that mind.  That is why I don’t know if I could shop through my rewards program for gifts.

I was just browsing through the products available through my rewards program and they’re pretty good.  I found some items that some of my family and friends would like including a Samsonite 22″expandable spinner, The AeroGarden, Nikon Coolpix, Bose headphones, Norelco shaving system, Harry Potter limited edition gift set.

Samsonite 22The AeroGardenNikon Coolpix
Bose headphoneNorelco shaving systemHarry Potter limited edition gift set

Would you mind if you receive one of these items knowing it was obtained for free through a rewards program?

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Entry filed under: Shopping

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Digital TV in 2009

posted on January 6, 2008 by aylee

February 17, 2009 signifies one more step to the digital world.  On this day, all full-power TV stations in the US will no longer be broadcasting in analog.  Everything will be in digital broadcasting.

Digital TV by February 17, 2009

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

~ DTV2009.org

So does that mean I have to throw my old TVs and buy new digital ones?  Not necessarily.  The government has implemented the TV Converter Box Coupon Program which allows households to order a maximum of two coupons to use towards buying a TV converter box.  This converter box allows your analog TV to receive digital transmission.  Each coupon is worth $40.  Click here for more information and to order your coupons.  Hurry coz coupons are limited.

Entry filed under: Home

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Men and Valentine’s day

Last Wednesday, Maryrose told me what her boyfriend had set up for them for Valentine's day.  It's a couple's getaway to Atlantic City including a one-night accommodation, romantic treats and spa treatments.  Maryrose and I were surprised coz we practically ...

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Is your neighborhood walkable?

posted on January 3, 2008 by aylee

Our house is tiny, but I’ve always loved this place because of its location.  It is very accessible and convenient, but still a little remote.  Our street is only one block long.  The subway station is two blocks away.  It takes about 15 minutes to get to Manhattan via the subway.  There’s a shopping center a block away and another three blocks away.

I found this site called Walk Score which assigns a score to a property based on nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc.  It practically answers how walkable your property or neighborhood is.  This is very helpful if you’re looking to buy a property.  My house scored 85 out of a hundred.

080103walk

Some of you might prefer to drive, but as a New Yorker, I prefer to walk.  I need the exercise anyway.

What is the walk score of your neighborhood?

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Entry filed under: Home

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Not-so-new monograms

posted on January 2, 2008 by aylee

I finally got in the mood to browse through some of the previous monogram designs and added those that are still not included in the Aylee Designs Monogram Design Collection.  I actually found quite a few.  Click here to order some.

  
 
 
 

+ Read on…

Entry filed under: Design

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