|
Stop Snowing!
|
Nov. 29th, 2008 @ 09:09 pm
|
|---|
|
Why has this white stuff been falling from the sky ALL FREAKING DAY? Jack Frost couldn't hold off for two more weeks? Seriously?
Still... lots of progress on the house front. Spent all day pulling nails, filling holes, taking down blinds, drapes and the weirdest boxy window valence things ever, and caulking seams.
Plus, I bought a hellacious amount of paint. I suspect that, just like Duo in Sunhawk's ION series, I'm soon to be on a first name basis with every single Lowe's employee. That place is scary dangerous for me to go shopping there alone.
The painting adventure itself starts tomorrow morning, provided I can actually move my arms. whee. Hopefully, my paint matching fu is still functioning, and I will have actually picked out the correct colors for the living room and dining room. The office I at least know what I'm getting into, because it's the same color I had in my apartment: Neon Yellow. |
|
It's raining dogs and uh...dogs.
|
Nov. 17th, 2008 @ 09:01 pm
|
|---|
|
So, Mom and Dad have gone from a 2 basenji household to a 7 dog household in less than 5 days. Granted, 4 of them are only temporary guests...but still, when it rains it pours.
There was an article in the paper here, about a guy pushing two little girls to school everyday in a wheelchair. He was a homeless man taken in by a family, and since they didn't have a car, was helping the grandchildren get to school because they weren't far enough out to ride the bus, but too far for the youngest one to walk. So a local car dealership donated a minivan to the family. But in the article, the newspaper mentioned that there were a bunch of puppies running around the house. Well... unfortunately, the shelter had to get involved because they didn't have a litter license, and the conditions weren't really good for puppies, or for kids to be living with 4 non-housebroken puppies with fleas. So the shelter took them in, and then asked mom to foster them for a couple of weeks until they could be adopted. So far, so good, except that we have spent 3 days so far on defleaing them. They are desperately cute, despite the penchant for waiting until they are let out to play, and then pooping and peeing everywhere in the basement. yay.
But, because the gods are fickle that way, the same day the puppies came to stay... someone else turned in a basenji that "didn't fit their lifestyle". He's a little over 1 year old, and now on his third home, much like my mom's previous Basenji foster who became a permenant member of the family in a little over 48 hours. Mom held out for 2 days before bringing him home today, mostly because we already had a house full of dogs and 7 is a bit much. But Tanzy, her old lady, is going to be 15, is stone deaf and very very arthritic. Not to mention I tend to call her frankendog due to the massive scars where a tumor had to be removed from her neck last year. Mom already lost one basenji this year, and is looking at losing a second one very soon... so this time there was really no pretense that "Bongo" was just a foster, unless he and lazlo absolutely could not get along.
So far, they have played and been joined at the hip all day. Tanzy hates his guts, but she doesn't like Laslo either. Laslo is overjoyed so far to have somebody to play with, since Ringo died shortly after he moved in a year ago. So, now all we need to do is come up with a name for him, since Bongo is not going to do it (and he doesn't actually answer to it anyway). |
|
I'm back
|
Nov. 2nd, 2008 @ 06:32 pm
|
|---|
|
from North Carolina, after spending a week taking a 40 hr HAZWOPER training course. I have now crammed 16 chapters of hazardous waste handling and cleanup information into my skull until it's dripping out of my eye sockets.
Which is not to say I didn't enjoy myself thoroughly, and learn a hell of a lot.
Anyway, the company put me up at a really really nice hotel recommended by the Environmental Resources training center, which meant there were at least 6 of us in the class staying at the hotel. My room was a suite, with an amazingly-comfortable-for-a-hotel king size bed, desk, couch that folded out into another bed, mini kitchenette with microwave and fridge, and a ginormous bathroom. They didn't have a restaurant in the hotel, but they did provide a hot breakfast buffet every morning, which was nice, and Tuesday thru Thursday they cater in appetizers and have an open bar. So Tuesday I ended up eating appetizers with one of the Air Force Reserve guys going through the course with me.
So, just FYI. Anyone that's going to be in Cary NC, I highly recommend the Comfort Suites on Asheville road.
We didn't end up doing the full hazmat spill drill with Level A suits (the highest level protective gear, with the air supply enclosed inside the suit with you for added protection in really nasty environments) that I was expecting, mostly due to the cold snap that went through. But we did learn how to inspect, assemble and wear the SCBA tank with a full face mask. This is the tank firefighters wear, which is basically upside down from a SCUBA tank. For those that know how claustrophobic I am with anything over my mouth and nose, I was very proud of myself for being able to wear it even for 5 minutes. My only minor freakout was when the guys were getting me back out of it, and turned off the air before loosening my mask. Still, I've done it now, and I don't think doing it again will be nearly as freaky. I just really really hope I never have to use any of what I learned.
Another plus, I didn't actually gain any weight from eating out every meal for a solid week. I'm doing the diet thing with Mom and Dad, to help Dad lose the 25 pounds the doctor has said is mandatory, and figured it was going to be a bad week on my part. But while I didn't lose any weight, I didn't gain any either. So, all in all, I count that a success. And, overall, I've already managed to lose 20 pounds since January 1st of this year.
It's gonna be weird going back to my normal routine on Monday though, and going to work instead of class.
|
|
Fiction is never this surreal.
|
Oct. 2nd, 2008 @ 05:47 pm
|
|---|
|
Happy Birthday, ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) aquila_dominus!
In other news... today my job included being handed a long pole and a shoelace and told to drag a man across the floor by his ankle. And then I was handed a rope and a roll of duct tape and told to do the same thing. On the plus side, I learned to tie at least 3 new knots today, and gained a healthy appreciation for extension cords as a lifesaving device.
My life is very weird.
The worst part? It will probably be on TV tonight, because the local news channel was there filming for a feature on the instructor. Oh joy. |
|
This has been an awesome weekend.
|
Aug. 17th, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
|
|---|
|
I think I've heard more live music since I moved back to Missouri, than I've heard in the last 5 years combined in TX. Which is scary, but kind of cool. ( This weekend was Trails West. The weather was perfect, the crowd was huge, and my love for 80's Rock was shamelessly indulged. All in all, a great way to spend a weekend. )
Now, I just hope my voice and my hearing comes back by tomorrow morning, since I'm running new hire orientation training all freaking day tomorrow.
|
| » Ways to guarantee your night is gonna be weird as hell... |
|---|
Completely screw your sleep schedule up for 2 days straight, eat nothing for dinner but a hot fudge sundae about 4 pm, and a handful of cheetos at 10... and watch Cloverfield. And then still don't go to bed until nearly 11:30 when you know the alarm is going off at 5 am.
Stir in 2 more hours of insomnia and you have the perfect recipe for chaos when the REM sleep actually kicks in. Just, y'know, if you were curious about how to give yourself artificial fever dreams without actually running a 104 degree fever.
Sigh. I'm still not sure whether my dreams got more fucked up when the Gundams showed up, or less. But on the bright side, I didn't actually die this time, so that's a plus. Right?
Otherwise... not much going on. Last week I drove to Cedar Rapids, had dinner with my cousin and her family, and then spent the next day at another plant learning as much as I could from the EHS there. It was a nice little mini vacation, though the 5 hour drive each way was kind of a pain.
Next week is Trail's West. I'm actually looking forward to it, despite the fact that there will be about 45,000 people crammed into the civic center park. Should be good food, art and music, and that seems to be what I'm all about these days. Plus, I get to revisit my love of hair bands from the 80's since Night Ranger is playing on Sunday.
Aug. 11th, 2008 @ 07:58 pm
|
| » It's been a good birthday. |
|---|
Still, it was a good birthday, even if I'm deep in denial about this one. Thank you, Katikat, Agt_spooky, Aquila_Dominus and Bookwench for the birthday wishes.
Wednesday, I got the cutest birthday cupcakes from work for my birthday. As soon as mom downloads them from her camera, I'll post a picture. They were decorated to be little hamburgers, with chocolate frosting for the meat, complete with lettuce, ketchup and mustard, and then sprinkled with sesame seeds on top.
Thursday, I spent in the parking lot at work, putting out fires. It was fun, though the afternoon session got a little warm. The flamethrower wand was way cool though. My sister flew in from Dallas for the weekend, and she and mom hung out for the afternoon until I got off work.
Friday, after I got off work we had a cookout, then Pop, Val and I went to catch the second half of the free concert downtown. We got set up during intermission, when they were making some general announcements, and I thought pop had gone down to talk to someone he knew in the band. Instead, he asked the MC to make an announcement about my birthday. SIGH.
Saturday, my uncle drove in, and then later we had a birthday party with the family at Galvin's. It's a family style (4 course) fried chicken place. There were 19 people in the reservation, so when mom called it in, it was for 1 vegetarian and 18 chickens. That got a lot of mileage all weekend. All in all, it's been a good weekend.
Jul. 13th, 2008 @ 07:55 am
|
| » It's been a very good weekend. |
|---|
Wed and Thursday I spent in Kansas City, attending a training seminar on OSHA compliance. It was actually surprisingly interesting. Then, Friday after work, I went over to the parents house (like usual) and we went out to Carlos O'Kelly's for mexican food. (I don't know who the hell named this restaurant chain, but it is the best mexican food I've had since I left Texas. Make of that what you will.)
Apparently there is a free summer concert in the park downtown every Friday. I'd heard the music from my apt last week, when we went out to see how bad the flooding on the river was, but I had no idea just how big a thing it might be. But it sounded like fun, and it's only about 6 or 7 blocks from my apt. Mom and pop went home to get lawnchairs, and I headed home to feed the boys before walking over to meet them. The walk was nice, despite the fact that so far in the last week, I've fallen and nuked my knee twice, and then nearly fallen another 3 times. (I don't really know what's up with that, but it's starting to worry me.) There were probably a couple hundred people in the park with lawnchairs and blankets. Page 2 was a fairly decent cover band, mostly stuff like Kool and the Gang, The Gap Band, Sam and Dave and Cameo. There was a small crowd down front dancing, with varying degrees of success: among them a homeless man that apparently shows up at every single public function and dances. I'm not sure how many decades he's been doing that, but unfortunately, the practice hasn't helped at all.
Saturday, I went to visit my Grandmother, who had had a minor stroke last week, and helped her husband clean out the fish tank while mom sat with her. That was a little depressing. I know part of the reason I came home was to be there to help with stuff like this happens, but that doesn't make it easy. Especially realizing that the only people I really know and hang out with are all in their 60's to late 80's. (I know I really need to start making friends my own age, I just really have no idea where to even start. It's been 8 years since I even went on a freaking date. I am at a total loss how this socialization thing works anymore. I miss you guys.) Then we cooked hamburgers for pop and I over the grill, mom fried some kind of vegetarian chicken pattie thing for her, and we ate out on the back porch. It was a really nice evening. Pop and I went to the old car show at the mall for a while. They had 3 out of my four favorite muscle cars there, a beatiful green Duster, a white 66 Impala and three black Gran Torinos... but not a single 'Cuda. I was crushed. Afterwards, mom and I gave pop his Father's Day loot early and I headed home.
Today, we met the usual gang at Chili's for lunch, then Mom and I convinced pop to go see Kung Fu Panda. I haven't laughed that hard in a movie in a long time, and even Pop was laughing a few times. He stayed awake through almost the entire thing, which put it above the Incredibles, and seemed to have a good time. Took cookies over to Grandpa and hung out there for a while, watching Golf. (sigh)
Still, all in all, it was a good weekend.
Jun. 15th, 2008 @ 08:38 pm
|
| » It's a learning curve kinda thing. |
|---|
So, having spent 32 years of my life in Texas, a place entirely without basements and therefore without much in the way of tornado shelters but still in the heart of Tornado Alley, I may have become somewhat more blase about tornadoes than I should be. I've managed to somehow follow a tornado through scenic downtown Addison twice (both times completely by accident and without ever actually seeing either of them, though I did have to drive over a street light the first time), and the one that went though Corinth when I lived in the South end of Denton was only about 4 miles from my piece of crap mobile home. So... yeah. I'm not used to having anywhere to go when one blows through, so my normal crisis plan involved mostly containing me and the boys in whatever room has the fewest windows and the best structural integrity, gritting my teeth and watching the weather channel.
Granted, I was born in Tornado Alley, and have never lived outside of it at any time in my life unless you count San Antonio. At the age of 5, a tornado jumped over the hotel in Altus OK my family was staying in, closely enough that you could see it coming straight down the street through the window. Again, no underground tornado shelters. So going underground for shelter is not an ingrained response for me.
Last night, I discovered that being on the third floor of a mansion, with no access to a basement or interior first floor room, sucks really really hard. On the plus side, being next to the courthouse and the police station pretty much guaranteed that there was no way I was missing the tornado sirens every single time they went off last night. On the downside... hearing them go off practically next door, when there's really nowhere to go, is pretty depressing. And then the power went off.
Fortunately, there wasn't an actual tornado that touched down in St Jo last night, just a really bad storm with heavy rotation and a lot of lightening and thunder. My end of town (downtown) happened to be where the wall cloud and the trailing squall line stopped trailing each other and impacted. go us.
But, in the future, I think I will be sucking up my pride and heading across town early, so that the boys and I can hang out with my parents in their nice, comfy basement.
Jun. 6th, 2008 @ 06:54 pm
|
| » (No Subject) |
|---|
So I survived the first week of work. Thre were a few shaky moments, mostly due to not actually having a desk, or a computer, or anywhere to actually start making my own yet. Plus, the job involves a lot of acting, a lot of interacting with nearly twice as many people as my last job did, and I still have no real idea what I'm going to be doing. ARGH.
But, so far so good.
On the plus sides for the weekend though, Mom and I went to see Prince Caspian, which was fun. Of all the books in the series, this is the one I haven't reread half a million times, so there was a lot that I didn't actually remember about the story. But I really enjoyed it. We also bought flowers to take and put on graves. It's a tradition that mom picked up from Grandpa W when she first moved back, and now that he's gone, she has kept it up. I had never actually seen where my original grandmother, and great grandparents were buried, so it was kind of bittersweet for me.
Today, we had a Memorial Day cookout/family reunion/welcome to St Jo/86th Birthday Party for my grandfather. I baked him a chocolate cake, and mom cooked brisket, and then the rest of the family showed up with food. A lot of food. Mmmm.
May. 26th, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
|
| » (No Subject) |
|---|
Well, luck was with me, and I got the job I was hoping for. I start Friday, as the ESA Coordinator for a company that is only 15 minutes from my apt. I'm excited, nervous (because this will be very different from my previous jobs, and a lot more people oriented)... and not quite ready to end my 2+ month vacation. But it will be really really nice to have money coming in again. Plus, the salary is much better than I was expecting, though not quite as much as I made in TX. Still... my cost of living is a lot lower here, so it may balance out. I hope so, anyway. This move burned through 2/3's of my savings, and at least one of my credit cards is smoking, though nowhere near maxed.
I'm mostly settled into the apt, and starting to get used to living downtown. It's much noisier than I expected, and I'm not sleeping so well at the moment. But then again, considering I'm having apocalyptic stress dreams... I'm thinking nerves. Nothing like fighting ravenous zombies all night (and dying repeatedly) to make you feel rested and refreshed in the morning. Sigh.
May. 12th, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
|
| » (No Subject) |
|---|
So... I signed a lease on an apt today. It's on the third floor of a historic mansion overlooking downtown. It's much older than anyplace I think I've ever lived (part of the historic bit) but cool. Hopefully I won't move in and freak out immediately. I'm trying to remember if I've actually touched anything there so far.
I don't have a job yet, but I do have several prospects working. Two more interviews set for this week, which means the trip back to TX for my boys and belongings is going to be very fast and brutal. argh.
The puppies are 3 weeks old today. Their eyes are finally open, and they're crawling all over each other, barking and growling. It's the most hilarious sound I've ever heard.
I'm doing ok. I was a little depressed after the second week, when I started to seriously doubt this entire adventure. But I'm doing better now. Except that all the stress that's been building finally hit this weekend, and I got violently ill. yay. Hopefully that will be out of the way for a while, but I don't forsee the stress easing up entirely until I finally get settled. Right now, I feel like I'm living inside the looking glass, looking out at everything else. it's very surreal.
Apr. 7th, 2008 @ 06:59 pm
|
| » (No Subject) |
|---|
Have survived the first week of job hunting. Nothing concrete to show for it yet, but there are a few things working that I'm hoping will turn into leads. Had one practice interview with a company that I went to knowing that they didn't have an opening, but that the guy was going to give me leads on a few other companies to try. So all in all, still not a waste of my time.
Took a break today though, and hung out with Mom this morning, then hit the easter sales at JC Penny's and Sears for more interview clothes. I hate clothes shopping, FYI. But I survived, and I have a couple more outfits to choose from that fit now. yay!
Mar. 21st, 2008 @ 04:02 pm
|
| » Free at last! |
|---|
Yesterday was my last day at work. It was definitely bittersweet. Lunch was catered in from Olive Garden, and I worked up to the last minute and then some, trying to train my replacement-- and then spent an hour crying and trying not to full out bawl as I said goodbye to the people in the plant that I had worked with for 9 years. Got lots of hugs, letters of reference and good wishes from everyone, including the new owner and senior VP (my immediate boss), the CEO, CFO, Supervisors right on down the line to the press helpers and cleaning staff. At least half of whom were still working hard on making me change my mind. Finally left about 6 pm to head home, still sniffling and sad, but also happy.
So of course, I didn't even make it home before they had to call me with a shipping emergency. *slams head against the desk repeatedly*
I'm wiped out from a week of no sleep, eating out every meal or just skipping meals altogether, and by Thursday I was existing on mountain dew fumes alone. My eyes passed the point of sandpaper two days ago, and it still hurts to blink or try and focus on a computer screen. But it's done. Tomorrow I drive to Missouri to find a place to live and a new adventure.
Mar. 15th, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
|
| » It's really happening |
|---|
So, Friday I went in and gave my two weeks notice. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and I've still been fighting off the random freakout and the bursting into tears at inconvenient moments two days later. But I feel good about it too. My bosses took it better than I expected, and I'm getting at least one letter of recommendation out of it too.
Two weeks from today, I'll be in Missouri, trying to find a new path for my life. I'm still alternating between jumping with excitement, and flailing helplessly as overwhelming panic sets in. Well... and packing.
Saturday, I went in and counted my last inventory. Whoohoo! And then went to NTIF to hang out with friends, eat Irish stew and steak on a stake, listen to music, and ogle men in kilts. (Not that this was difficult, since NTIF is crawling with men in kilts. Plus I managed to catch a couple of Brother shows, and Angus was rocking the leather kilt again this year. Mmmm.) Left work at what I thought would be plenty of time to get to the Festival before my friends' band, Spriggan, was set to hit the stage, but thanks to traffic, road construction and having to hike in from the wilds of the far end of the remote parking lot, I barely made it inside during sound check. Still, I got my food, bought the new CD and then sat down to inhale my stew during the set. Saw lots of other friends, and ended up checking out a few new bands (to me anyway) like Needfire and Town Pants. Last concert of the night was Brother again, and I was half way to exhausted, but not so much so that I couldn't groove and sing along to all the songs. I might have a small obsession...
Today, ran a few errands and did laundry, but mostly just tried to recharge.
( and for those who are curious, here are the answers to the Movie Quote Meme )
Mar. 2nd, 2008 @ 09:15 pm
|
| » Movie Meme |
|---|
1. Pick 15 of your favourite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Fill in the film title once it's guessed.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions.
( Meme )
Feb. 23rd, 2008 @ 09:05 pm
|
| » T-8 days and counting. |
|---|
So. 8 days left before I give notice at work. Possibly 8 days before I don't have a job anymore, depending on if they take my 2 weeks notice, or just tell me "thanks and don't come back tomorrow" as they have been known to do. In this case, Score! because the next day is Inventory. I suspect I will not be that lucky, or unlucky, as the case may be.
I'm ready to just have this move done with, if for no other reason than to shut up the little voice gibbering in panic at the back of my skull. I suppose I have always been this much of a coward, never jumping off a cliff without at least 3 backup parachutes and a clear plan. This time, not so much. I have a vague plan/timeline etc, but that's about it.
I really need to be farther alone packing and sorting and throwing out crap. But work has sucked all the life out of me lately. My goal this weekend is to do some serious weeding out of material things that I can't move myself and don't necessarily want to pay someone else to move. unfortunately, that list does not include any of the many many boxes of rocks. But there will likely be some furniture, books and movies going cheap. I'm waffling on the treadmill. That, if I don't keep it I would like to sell rather than donate. I want to keep it...but moving it is a pain in the ass. Granted, I suspect I will be hiring movers for this adventure, since I am the only person on either end that can do any heavy lifting and carrying. I cannot, however, carry a punched tin, antique Pie Safe by myself.
( last night's SPN )
Feb. 22nd, 2008 @ 07:39 am
|
| » Can I call do-over yet? |
|---|
You ever have the feeling you've made the biggest mistake of your life? Yeah. I'm there. I'm not even sure I can do this job for a month, at this point.
I've been on the verge of tears or puking constantly since last Thursday. But I have learned something important for the job search. I DO NOT WANT A MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISOR POSITION. I'd forgotten, in the intervening years since the last time I had that role, just how much I detest being a supervisor.
That may be the only positive outcome of this mess. Well, that and any thoughts I might have entertained about staying on with this opportunity, and not moving? Gone. I can't wait to quit, now. It's all I think about. Apparently, I only thought I hated my job before. I was wrong.
In even more depressing news, my mom had to put one of her basenjis to sleep on Monday. Ringo was only 7, and an amazing, wonderful dog. But he had a few health issues, one of which makes him more susceptible to brain or spinal tumors. About 2 weeks ago, he started crying in pain, and they thought he had a slipped disk. By Monday, he was in pain all the time, and his back legs had stopped working. They think he had a mass on his spine. It's good he's not in pain now, but god I'm going to miss him.
Jan. 23rd, 2008 @ 07:10 am
|
| » The best laid plans of aardvarks and lettuce |
|---|
So, yeah. Still alive and kicking. I finally got over the crud, only to catch the crud that was going around work on the rebound-- but I managed to fight that off fairly quickly.
I made a few resolutions this year...well...not really resolutions. More like goals for myself but without quite the setup for failure inherent in the system of resolutions. Things to strive for? Yeah. Those. To have a better year. To get in better shape and maybe lose weight so that my pain levels go down from a consistant four-five to something much more manageable. And to move home by the end of April.
And, despite being ill for the first two weeks of this year... so far I'm not doing badly. I went cold turkey on the caffeine again, while I was sick so the DT's would be less, and thanks to accidentally rebooting my metabolism thanks to impromptu fasting for a week, I'm actually sortof losing weight. I feel better, possibly because I'm sleeping better. I've started back with the exercise routine again. And emotionwise, I'm feeling like I'm in a much better place. Still slowly laying my plans for March and April, and psyching myself up for throwing myself off that cliff.
And, I finally felt well enough to go shopping and spend my christmas money/gift cards. So, new loot to play with. All in all, I feel positive about my progress.
Now, if I could just get over the really freaking annoying case of writer's block that has me wanting to bang my head into a wall...
So I'm sending out a call for prompts, in hopes that something with spark and kickstart my brain back into writing mode. Gundam Wing or Supernatural, gen het or slash, and a couple of words as prompts. (I'll even try to write Quatre, though I make no promises there.)
Jan. 15th, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
|
| » Apparently, a new year happened while I was sleeping. |
|---|
(okay, sleeping and puking). whatever. I'm pathetic.
The vacation was blissful though, 8 days of sleep and relaxation, and playing with basenjis (my mom's newest boy took a day or so to warm up to me, before deciding that I was one of the pack after all. And then he started sleeping in my bed). Did some poking about in KC and St Jo in preparation for the great upheaval in a couple of months. Am I ready for that? Mentally, yes. packing wise? Oh, hell no.
unfortunately day 9 of the vacation (coincidentally the last day) turned out not so blissful. I started throwing up 3 hours before my flight, and have only just stopped today, 4 days later. Skipped out on inventory and a nasty shipping day today, and went to the doctor instead. The good news is, I don't have the flu. Unfortunately, the bad news is the dr has no idea what I DO have. yay. he sent me home with Anti-Nausea medicine though, which is a good thing.
Still... all in all, I'm much more optomistic about 2008 than I was about 2007. Last year absolutely sucked, and I'm determined that this year will be better.
Jan. 2nd, 2008 @ 06:09 pm
|
|
|