The Day After

I hope all is well.  We made it to the day after Christmas.  Glad that I took the day off and kind of really wish I had the rest of the week.  I know I could make that happen if I really needed the time but it’s best for me to get back to my regular routine. 

I went to bed a little later last night.  Watched Clear & Present Danger.  I know I had seen it before but it had been years and it was a good movie.  I took my sleeping pills a little later than normal, which is what permitted me to be able to stay up. 

I had downloaded some good porn earlier in the day but just wasn’t in the mood last night to watch.  That’s okay it will be waiting for me, not like it’s going to jump up and run away. 

Rudy started my day at the normal time and I got up and fed him.  I wanted to go back to sleep but my body wouldn’t permit it.  I laid in bed and tossed and turned, watched more TV and took a couple of cat naps.  Got in a real good one with Mora snuggled up to me and me holding her.  She was one happy girl.  Rudy joined us and slept on top of me.  It was like a daddy sandwich for them and a cat sandwich for me. 

I didn’t get started with getting out of the house until later in the afternoon.  My first stop was to get my haircut.  I didn’t go to the usual place I frequent, the barber I see was booked up until much later in the afternoon.  It would have been cheaper but then I wouldn’t have gotten as good of a shampoo.  These days that is the only kind of head job I get and I really appreciate when someone knows what they are doing and applies a firm amount of pressure.  The lady I got was a little snippy and only did one shampoo and no conditioner.  I asked for leave in conditioner.  Made it to the post office to get a card from a lady I used to work with.  I am always eager to see what she has to say.  Then on to the bank to have the dreaded fraud conversation.  I don’t think they are going to do anything with the information I gave them.  However, I got away from a debit card and switched to an ATM only card.  The only place that card can be used is the ATM and it should solve my problem and also meet my needs.  I liked the convenience of having a debit card but the risk with this particular bank was just too great that it would continue to be compromised. 

After that I went to a place that some friends talked about and that I discovered a few weeks back.  It’s a restaurant but it’s like 4 or 5 food trucks under one roof.  The menu offered endless choices and I wanted some Tacos but settled instead for a cheeseburger with a side of chili.  It was good.  The chili was a bit greasy for me and I still had a couple things I wanted to do.  However, I came home because it feels like at any moment I could explode.  The chili was all beef no beans.  Hopefully, things calm down in a bit.

Much to my surprise the stores were not really crowded based on what I saw by the number of cars of their parking lots.  I really wanted to get into Sam’s today for soda and some bakery.  They also had some Lasagna that looked pretty good but I have never been able to find it.  Just as well right now my fridge is packed.  I can try for the weekend if I feel like it. 

As for the movie I’ve already checked and it’s still playing come Saturday so I’ve got that to look forward to again provided that I am in the mood.

I am kind of glad to be home on one hand and on the other wish I was still out and about.  I did think about driving to the buffet but that is kind of a long haul and something that I would rather do on a Saturday.  I can take my time no need to rush and just make it a nice leisurely drive.  The vehicle really likes the workout. 

Speaking of that I told Rudy that I will probably go into the office next week, I should despite not wanting to.  I am sure there is a card waiting for me from my boss.  I may venture in over the weekend if I feel like it but probably not.  Since I won’t be on-call next week and there shouldn’t be much going on as long as it looks like I can get away with leaving early I will probably make the hike.  I don’t have to and could put it off for another week. 

Right now I have to focus on living out the rest of today and getting ready for tomorrow.  Back to the fun.  I haven’t peeked at email but hope there is not a cluster waiting for me and that the number of emails I have to sift through is minimal.  It’s all about preparing for the big work that will occur on Sunday afternoon since that is the last day of the year.  A small number of people leaving, that can always increase as we get closer.  Then people getting promoted.  I’ve got a short list so far but there is usually a follow up list that comes out either just before or shortly after we return to start the new year.  I’d rather have that before hand so I don’t have to scramble to put things in place and I can have time to plan things out. 

Publishing this, checking on a lamp and then getting something to drink.  I am dying of thirst.  Both cats are asleep in their pet beds and the slightest noise will wake them.  Once they wake up it could lead to anything from food to I need attention.  I like it when they rest and I can be free. 

Hope it was a good day after for you.  Have a nice evening!

4 Days before Christmas

     Morning, hope that your doing well on this 4th day before the Christmas Holiday and also Friday Eve.  I saw this Elf Hunk yesterday while I was browsing and wanted to share him with you.  It would be nice if he was here IRL but I can dream and there’s no charge for that! 

I got some bad news yesterday.  Some kids I grew up with lost their mom.  She was actually expected to pass back when we were in elementary school because she was diagnosed with cancer.  She managed to beat cancer and here we are years later and she just passed.  Not exactly sure if it was natural causes or if something happened.  It was shocking and sad to see.  I typed a comment in a social media post and then went back and read what others were saying.  Damn if we didn’t all say the same thing, she was an amazing woman.  She had two boys that me and my brother were friends with.  They were both hot and different.  They didn’t go along with the majority, they thought for themselves and made up their own mind.  That’s how they were raised and I remember my brother mentioning that to me.  It’s a good quality to have and quite uncommon back then and even today.  Most people are lemmings and just jump off the cliff because everyone else is doing it, they can’t think for themselves.  I’m watching for the obituary to be published and depending on timing I may try to attend.  I am positive the place will be packed to the rafters, she was widely popular and between her and her family they all know a ton of people.

Work was mildly busy, it really picked up in the afternoon and that made quitting time come that much faster.  In fact I was getting ready to walk away from my desk and the phone went off with an email, I had to log back in to fix something my dummy co-worked effed up.  I am giving him less and less to do just because he seems to mess up everything he touches.  I know it’s not possible but as the saying goes, he could fuck up a one car funeral.  Seriously, no joke!

I watched a couple of You Tube videos yesterday but most of my TV time was spent watching more of Roseanne.  Spent time with the cats.  Mora got in her cuddling and belly rubs.  I am starting to wonder if no one paid that much attention to her at her previous homes because she just craves attention and soaks it up like a never ending sponge.  No matter how much she gets, she always wants more.  Hence her name Mora, more of this and more of that.  No matter what you give it’s just never enough.  I like it but it’s also frustrating at times.  I often wonder if she is doing it to taunt her brother, as if to say see daddy loves me more.  I try to be as equal as I can with everything but that is damn difficult.  Now I see how hard my grandparents had it with two grandkids.  They are both spoiled and loved.  They have managed to weave there claws tightly around my heart and neither of them are letting go anytime soon. 

The exterminator is due out today and once he’s gone I will be able to get the trash set out.  Despite the fact I am home I am not answering the door because I don’t want him inside.  All of my naked men calendars are out and the place just isn’t what I deem presentable.  I will be much happier once we reach the end and I am totally done with this company.  It’s nuts to think that they couldn’t skip a service, it’s a simple request and was made in advance.  Glad that I’m getting something out of them with all of the money I’ve spent, it’s the least they could do.  I saw the credit on my account yesterday so for sure there will be no charge for this service. 

I am slightly concerned with Amazon.  I have been tracking my return and yesterday when I logged into my account it showed the pen I returned as delivered as if I never started the return process.  I called and was told they have the pen and are working on processing the return.  Again, I’ve never had this type of experience with Amazon.  Normally within an hour or two of UPS scanning the barcode of the return item, I get credit back and were done.  This time it’s playing out way different and it’s not exactly a small purchase were talking about.  I don’t want to have to eat the cost of this and am glad that I have filed a dispute with my credit card company.  Just wish they would get the credit posted and start the process but it’s all a timing thing and well I am not a patient person, when it comes to my money. 

Speaking of money, that one debit card that I have had replaced three times has once again been compromised.  Someone tried to use it for some professional services, it was $10 but it was declined.  It’s ironic how I get a replacement card and within months someone is trying to use it.  I think the bank in this case has a larger fraud issue on their hands.  Like someone on the inside is passing out card information or their systems are compromised and a hacker is just watching and then making the move months later.  The card is locked and stays that way unless I need cash, it would be a very rare case to need to use it as a debit card.  I plan to go over in person and have a chat with them on the weekend.  Perhaps they have an old fashioned ATM only card that I can switch to, that would suit me better.  I can see me trying to convince this big bank they have a problem but it’s part of what I do for a living and based on my random experience it’s rather odd that each time I have a card replaced someone other than me is trying to use it fraudulently.  None of my other debit or credit cards have this problems, of course none of them are with this same institution.  If push comes to shove I can always close the account and go find a new local bank but that’ something that I really want to avoid.  I’ve got the convenience I want just need the card issue resolved permanently.  I know their answer will be to cancel the card and issue a new one, but as evidence of the prior incidents won’t stop this.  It might slow it down but it’s going to continue and I can’t believe that I am their only customer that is experiencing this.  That’s why rather than trying to explain this to a voice on the phone I am going over in person, I think it will have greater impact or so I hope. 

I think I might be spending my Christmas with Zac Efron at the movies.  He’s got a new movie out called Iron Claw that I want to see.  I just like looking at his body that’s the attraction.  I know I’m on call for the holiday but then again it’s a holiday and I think my chances of being interrupted will be significantly less.  That’s the problem when I start trying to occupy my free time, I over plan and then something winds up getting missed.  I really hope that I get to see this movie though.  I’m convinced I’m addicted to men & sex, food and oxygen!  Just can’t get enough and always wanting more.   Kind of like Mora with the attention. 

Here’s hoping it’s a great day for you.  Take care and thanks for stopping by. 

Stupid is as Stupid does

Morning and Happy Friday the 13th!

Hope that things are going well for you and that your weekend is a lot of fun.  Yesterday was one of those long days that I thought would never end but thankfully it did.  Didn’t help that it was 80 degrees in the house when I went to bed.  I wanted to turn on the AC but I suffered through it.  The cats didn’t sleep with me so having the entire bed to myself was nice. 

I fought long and hard yesterday with my home PC.  Trying to get a windows update to install.  It was a long process but by early afternoon I made progress and got the update to install.  I don’t give up and the machine rarely wins.  Thankfully I updated my laptop with much more ease. 

I woke up this morning to find alerts from one of the banks I use that some charges at Amazon were approved.  It wasn’t until I opened my email that I saw the transactions were blocked.  I had a similar experience within the last month, same bank.  I got a replacement debit card and figured that would be the end of it.  Not so.  The new card was activated but it’s locked away in a drawer and has never seen the light of day.  I called the bank this morning, waited on hold forever and then had to tell my story to the same person twice because she wasn’t paying full attention.  Then she asked all sorts of questions to verify I was who I said I was.  What struck me as odd is that she asked me what I wanted my PIN to be set on the new card.  Last time I did this it was all on-line with no human interaction.  I see that a new card is already on it’s way to me so probably in about two weeks I will have it in hand.  I don’t really use the card but this is the only local bank I do business with and if I need cash for some reason it’s what I would use.  I like to have options. 

After that was all done I am working with this dumb blond at work trying to help someone else and she is tired today, she rambles on and on, saying the same thing twice.  Then she apologies for rambling and says that she should just hang up but she keeps on talking.  It’s like she is on drugs.  I know that she is a ditz plus it sounds like she got a bunch of stuff dumped on her so I am just being patient.  The person were both working with to try to help is being rather difficult but it’s a rainmaker so were all going above any beyond.  I am about to snap though. 

Mora ate some scotch tape yesterday afternoon.  I did research on that and looks like she might have PICA.  She will eat literally anything.  Each time I am done eating at the table she sniffs the ground and licks the carpet like there are crumbs or something left over.  Rudy is starting to do the same thing, I think it’s monkey see monkey do.  The articles I read on-line said that she needed to get to the vet right away but I of course didn’t take her.  I just waited and sure enough I had a mess to clean up this morning.  I knew that would happen.  This was a fur ball so it was no big deal.  I don’t know if she is deficient in nutrients, stressed out or just bored as hell.  We spend a lot of time together and she gets plenty of attention.  She made me pass out treats last night.  Funny thing is I went to pass out cat nip and neither one of them wanted to get off the couch.  I was going to give up but then Rudy came running over and she followed.  The more time passes the more I am starting to see signs of why I am their 3rd owner.  It’s tempting to give up but we’ve bonded and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt they both love me.  That keeps us together.  Plus they do funny stuff all the time. 

Hopefully, outside of this it turns out to be a great day.  Work is at a lull right now.  No meetings today and I am done until a bit later this afternoon, unless something pops.

Thinking of eating breakfast out tomorrow, getting my early morning haircut and then who knows.  Just as long as it’s a quiet weekend.  I am not overly stressed out as I thought I would be from being on-call for 2 back to back weeks but that is mostly due to volume.  Sometimes it’s super nuts and other times there is a large lull.  I like the lulls just as long as they don’t turn out to be the calm before the storm. 

Once again, I hope you have a great weekend.  Take care & thanks for stopping by. 

Home this week

I just watched a news conference and public officials are already asking people to stay home tomorrow.  They say if you don’t have to go out, don’t.  If you can work from home, plan for that now.  Looks like I won’t be going in this week at all.  There is some after hours work a couple nights this week that is scheduled and I have a role in that so I don’t really feel any guilt for all of the time I put in and all of the help I give going above & beyond.  I have no plans to go in next week since it’s only a 3 day week.  The week after Thanksgiving I am on-call and I don’t go in on those weeks either, so looks like I won’t be back in the office until December as it stands at the moment.  The whole staying home thing does get to me and I look forward to getting out on the weekends, kind of why I eat out and try to treat myself a little bit.

I was able to talk with a friend about what happened with the waiter.  The advice I was given was wait the week out and go back on the weekend and talk with him then, see what happened.  Unless I get an indication that he’s not interested I plan to ask him to send me a text message so we don’t have to rely on handwriting.  I think that this is probably the best approach and I think I will get some clarity or so I hope.  I pray that my heart can take whatever the end result is.  Even if we wind up meeting up there is no guarantee that we will match but hey I could make a younger friend.  I honestly don’t have a lot of hope for this but I do plan to see how this plays out. 

It’s been an expensive afternoon for me.  I got my holiday bonus and went shopping.  The best purchase I made was a 32TB External Solid State Hard Drive for $199.99.  I’m running out of room for my porn storage and storage in general is always a problem.  This little gem should clear that right up.  I can’t imagine that I will ever fill this up but then again I’ve surprised myself before.  It’s a no name brand drive so I have some doubt but if it passes my initial testing then I’m good.  If not I’ve got a brand name drive on my list that I can always buy.  I’d like to get everything before Thanksgiving so that I can spend that weekend doing all of the moving and organizing of the data.  As it stands at the moment my order is set to arrive on Wednesday.  I could have had this early AM tomorrow but since I had some stuff coming on Wednesday I just configured it so everything arrives on the same day.  I got my Thanksgiving Shirt.  I went with a picture of a black and white cat on a blue shirt.  I think it will be a hit but it’s short sleeves so not exactly sure how well that will work out for me. 

I need to get a Chewy Order together for Gator and I plan to do that just after I post this.  Then I should be done spending money for the time being.  That little holiday bonus has been spent and then some.  As long as me and my girl are well taken care of that is all that really matters to me.  I am kind of scared about her with the events of last night happening and I need to make sure she gets some fluids at least one time a week regardless of how either of us feel.  The rule of thumb is that if an older cat gets dehydrated once it’s going to happen over and over, hence why I have the fluids.  She is eating like she has been on a hunger strike and we had a lunch nap together.  I am looking forward to spending more time with her this evening, which is around the corner. 

Hope you all have a nice evening and that you all stay warm and well.    

Another month on lockdown

According to the news media the stay at home order for where my office is has been extended by 1 month. They will visit this again closer to mid-May and that is when the next update is expected. Meanwhile the office does remain closed for the foreseeable due to a possible positive COVID case. The stay at home order for where I live is set to expire at the end of the month and I expect an extension on that but figure that they won’t announce anything until next week.

While I still hear a shocking number of deaths and new cases, the word is that things are starting to slow down and we are flattening the curve. Rather than flatten it, I would rather we squash it. This is a very interesting time to be alive and I am sure that we will all learn new information in the days ahead just as we have in days past.

Many bank websites crashed yesterday because everyone was checking on their stimulus money. My bank was affected but the site wasn’t totally down but it wasn’t until the end of the day that things were back to a normal functioning state. I also heard horror stories of people that were deceased have also received money. That kind of made me shutter, I checked the bank account that I still have with my late spouse’s name on it and nope he got nothing. I am very glad. People are asking now if they have to give the money back and the IRS is not prepared to answer those questions. A letter is supposed to accompany all payments regardless if they were direct deposit or not. In the letter it will give instructions for what to do if you have questions. The appalling part is that I heard the presses had to stop for people that are getting physical checks because the jack ass that is running our country wants his name on the check. You have to be kidding me. Never in the history of the country did a president’s name appear on a treasury check. Leave it to this joker to fuck things up and delay money that most Americans desperately need because he has an ego. Just another shining example of why he needs to be voted out of office and I do hope that happens regardless of where we are in dealing with this pandemic. Although I am sure some how he will manage to fuck with the election as well. Things that I never thought were possible have happened and I revert back to my reaction when I found out he won the election. My response was “Were fucked” and yep that has held true.

In other news my pen that was supposed to be delivered on Tuesday is now set for delivery on Saturday thanks to the USPS. I am watching the tracking and when I find out it’s been delivered; I will be making a mad dash to the post office. I am more excited and eager to get the keyboard but that right now is slated for delivery on Tuesday.

I was able to get my hands on a copy of a porn film that was recently released and has some of my favorite guys in it. I began watching it and of course that is when all hell breaks loose at work. Then things calm down and I get back into it and damn if something else didn’t go sideways and then my boss called. Thank God I have a large dedicated mute button on my Bose speakers. I just tap it and viola; all computer sound is muted. Then I was able to answer the phone and stop the movie. I guess that’s what I get for trying to have some fun.

Not much else is going on here, it’s business as usual. I am hoping for a quiet afternoon so that I can break away early and get in some extra time with the cats. A nap actually sounds really good but I don’t know that I will get the luxury of indulging in that. Got a Burrito from the grocery store to have for supper and I will probably have some ice cream afterwards as the hours tick by until it’s time for bed.

Last night my face was bothering me so I went into trim things up and wound up shaving it all off but what stubble the trimmer couldn’t get. I then took it a step further and trimmed the back of my head. Yeah that is never a good idea but I did it anyway. I do look funny but I am only out on the weekends and hey it’s all going to grow back. In fact, I think when thing whole thing is over with, I will need a haircut. I know hairdressers will be super busy and I can imagine there will be a long waiting line. Sort of like trying to get paper products now. I looked at Amazon and Sam’s no one has any decent paper towels and I am getting low. I’ll grab something from the grocery store to tide me over.

Well off to see what the rest of the afternoon brings. I hope that all is well in your neck of the woods. Thanks for your visit today. Talk with you all again soon.

Maintenance is a good thing

From Spring back to Winter.  We had a frost advisory in effect over night and I had to turn the furnace back on.  Goofy weather, I hate flip flopping temperatures because you never know what you will be comfortable wearing and it seems to make a lot of people sick.

As per usual I spent the day holed up in the house.  I was exhausted from the past week and really just didn’t want to do anything.  I talked myself into going out for Chinese food.  I drove all the way there and of course just like last time they were fucking closed.  I guess I won’t be getting any Chinese food anytime soon.  I drove back towards home and stopped in a local Mexican place I like.  I had bad service but the food was good.  The place was started to get crowded about the time I was finished, there were so many people in such a tight space I had to leave and couldn’t do it fast enough. 

Once I was out, I grabbed the mail and then headed home.  Fed the children [the children are my cats] and then went back out for cat food.  The store wasn’t well stocked like it usually is, not sure if I would have had better luck coming earlier in the day, it’s just a crap shoot you never know how things will be until you walk in the door.  So the kids are happy and thought they deserved a 2nd supper when I came home but that didn’t happen.  They got 3 meals today and I barley had 1. 

It was nice to relax and not think about anything in particular, I did a lot of day dreaming which is always fun.  I saw a Def Leppard concert when they were in Detroit and it was on AXS.  I had recorded it within the the past couple days.  I don’t know all of their music but am familiar with the hits.  What I couldn’t figure out is the guitars seemed to change like they had an overlay on them.  One was a paint splatter color for 1 song.  The next song it was bright blue.  Neat but I’d like to know how they did that. 

Got in time with Gator and time with Marvin.  Momma’s time is coming.  Everyone seems to be doing okay just starved for attention they can’t get enough of me.  That makes me feel good because they seem to be the only ones that can’t get enough of me. 

I’ve been turning my cell phone off at night and it’s nice going to bed knowing that I won’t get woken up.  I keep on thinking that something bad will happen with a friend or my brother and someone will need to reach out to me but I won’t be around to answer the call.  So it’s semi-nerve wracking.  However, I have to do what is best for me.  I at least unforwarded my home phone so I know that if my brother needed me he would be able to reach me.  Friends also have the number but these days the hip thing is to reach people on their cell phones.  Speaking of which I did look at up grading but the cost is sky high.  I get that it’s a computer in my pocket but I don’t get why the price tag is as high as it is.  I miss the days of carrier subsidized phones. 

Talking about new, I looked and seriously considered trading vehicles within the next couple weeks.  I did the math tonight and it’s in my best interest to keep what I have and be happy, at least for now.  Maybe when it comes to be end of season things may be better but I kind of doubt it.  The part that kills me is my ride is valued at $25,390 and of course I owe more than that.  So there would be a carry over on top of a new vehicle.  Not having exact numbers but I figured that if I traded and got the trade value, plus around $500 for the extended warranty I took out back, figure in the cost of a new ride along with the balance my payments would be close if not slightly above where they are now.  That is based on a similar interest rate and term.  Now I am sure that in reality if this all played out it could be a close call.  I looked at SUV’s of equal and lesser value.  The funny thing is once you move into the Luxury line, you don’t ever want to go back to the cheap line.  Vehicles are down right expensive and the mark up is incredible, but that is life.  While were on the subject of automobiles, I took a look at my air filter tonight.  The thing was filthy dirty.  There was even a leaf trapped in it.  It’s very clear no one ever checked it because it’s beyond ready to be replaced.  I dusted off what I could and put it back in.  Then went to Amazon and ordered a replacement.  I opted to buy a cabin air filter as well total cost was $29.  Considering I am saving the labor not bad, plus it should save me on fuel and perhaps make my baby run a little better, not that I have any complaints about performance.  I should have them both by Tuesday night.  Kind of depends upon how I feel as to when I tackle the job of replacement. 

Speaking of money I am out of it.  A refill comes on Monday.  Thankfully 1 of my banks credited the deposit early so I don’t have to put my groceries on credit tomorrow.  I like paying cash/debit for small things instead of wracking up charges and then having a large bill roll in.  It’s just more freeing and rewarding.  However, too much up front cash and you will wind up with out any money quickly which is how I got into the predicament I am in now.  I will get to schedule bill payments tomorrow and then Monday I will have money and by Tuesday a good portion of it will be gone.  Ah there we got again, that’s life!

Well it’s getting late and time to climb upstairs, brush my teeth, take my pills and call it a night.  Watch some Live PD or perhaps something on Netflix until I manage to fall asleep.  Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow as long as I can do my shopping in dry weather I will have no complaints.  I will start the morning by wishing my favorite waitress good luck as she starts a new job on Monday in the office world.  She will still work Sundays for a bit until she knows that things are going to work out for her.  I have a feeling that won’t be for long and she will dump the waitress gig and move full time into the office.  I have no idea what she makes now but she told me what she is getting to start and it’s not bad but it’s also not a lot.  I hope all turns out well for her because she deserves it. 

I hope you all had a great Saturday.  Perhaps I will pop back in tomorrow with some words of wisdom.  If not know that this will be my on-call week and I will be despising every moment of it and can’t wait until it’s over.  Outside of that it’s just another week in the month of April.  Cheers for now. 

Sunday not Fun day

I accomplished my mission of getting to breakfast and the grocery store without any interruption.  In fact it was a couple hours before I got my first call, which was around 11a.  I have been kept busy.  Every time I tried to take a nap the phone would go off.  It was like someone had a camera on me.  I got a quick cat nap in but nothing substantial.  Laundry was done quickly.  Time got away from me and I have to skip vacuuming, the only ones happy about that are the other residents here (aka cats). 

We had a small outage today.  I started seeing repeat calls about the same thing.  I made mention of it to the Network guy but he said oh it’s just people being stupid.  Yeah, okay.  Turns out I was right and it wasn’t until we had 3 calls for the same thing within minutes that the issue was discovered and fixed.  I have had one or two calls since that but it sounds like things are going to get quiet, or so I hope. 

I was able to squeeze in a shave, shower and managed to eat supper as well as wrangle the trash.  My mom called while I was eating but I let her go to voice mail.  She told me that her cell phone was stolen.  It’s a pre-paid phone and she tried to call her carrier but says they were closed.  Okay if you don’t care I don’t care.  There is usually someone there that can suspend service 24/7.  It’s her battle to fight.  She hung her purse on the back of a chair at a local mall while her and my brother were eating.  They left and she forgot her purse.  She went back and someone had turned in her purse, minus the phone.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the phone was still in the house somewhere, but she says it was stolen.  Then she told me all about her night.  The neighbors rioting again and she had to call the police.  The police catered to her paranoia and told her they would beef up patrols, she should call if there were any other problems.  Then she said oh they have a police radio, they can hear our conversation.  Yeah, uh that’s not the case.  Police radios are for the police to talk on to their dispatcher.  Her and I were communicating on VOIP which is transmitted over the internet and there isn’t a way a radio could pick that up.  Now someone could have listened to our conversation on the internet that is presuming the packets were not secured and I honestly don’t know if either of us has an encrypted connection.  I did some searching but couldn’t determine.  At any rate I doubt that anyone is remotely interested in anything that either of us have to say.  Mom said that she would call me if she had any problems.  Yeah uh okay.  What exactly do you think I am going to do?  If you chose nothing, then give your self a pat on the back.  Unless she is in real danger or there is a serious medical problem, those are the only two circumstances that would cause me to act.  Otherwise I will just listen and push it aside.  Bottom line here is she is lonely and I am not sure if it’s her or her mental condition that is dreaming up the problems.  It’s all to get attention.

I was able to see what will be deposited in my bank accounts tomorrow.  I had enough money to pay for my auto insurance in cash, but if I did then I would have to live on $100 for 3 weeks, which is impossible to do between cat food and my food we would never make it.  So I opted to charge the auto insurance.  I will pay for it when the bill comes due next month.  Now I am all out of bills but I have money left over.  There soon will be more bills and expenses here to take away my money.  It’s a never ending cycle, even after you die there will be companies that still want their pound of flesh.

Here’s hoping that the remainder of the night and early morning hours are silent.  I just want to go eat my Chocolate Ice Cream, prepare my lunch and be able to relax before getting ready for bed.  I never look forward to Monday’s that is until I am on call.  Now I work all this week and then next weekend I will have 3 days off because next Monday is Labor Day.  Nice!  I see that on the 23rd we celebrate the first day of Fall aka Autumn.  Just bring on the pumpkin stuff and the Sausage Stuffing on Turkey day - - My stomach will be happy.

I hope that your weekend was enjoyable.  I was sad to learn that James Earl Jones passed away.  He had a most amazing voice and was a very good actor as well.  Another one of the greats is gone.  I will talk with you all again soon.  Be well. 

Prep for another week

The day I hate, Sunday because it means it’s time to prep for another week and who knows what will happen this week.  Argh, the joy of working life.  I’ve already checked my work e-mail and know that tomorrow there is an important client meeting, so I will try to make sure I look good.  I already know the client and if things go sideways and we loose them it will have a major impact on business.  So this is one of those high pressure moments, where everything must work perfectly and there is no room for error.  However, we all know that technology fails us, mostly at in opportune times. 

Yesterday I went to Sam’s and like normal I couldn’t escape without spending more than $100.  I did get a steal on some Xerox Multipurpose Paper with Color Lock Technology.  $6.99 for 750 sheets and it’s at a 96% brightness level.  I printed a photo for the heck of it and man, it made all the difference in the world.  My HP Printer has Color Lock Technology and paring up the paper with the printer it looks awesome.  I tried it in the Xerox printer and I am not a fan of the color in it, kind of sad considering that it is so expensive for ink and supplies.  I got another surprise expense, Sam’s membership is due.  They fixed the defect in the website so it’s the full $45 this year.  Last year I got $5 off by renewing through the web.  They of course want me to upgrade to the $100 membership and are telling me I will earn cash back rewards.  If I pay with my Mastercard I earn the same thing and only need the basic membership, so why upgrade?

I keep hearing amazing artists on my Pandora One, Charlie Puth channel.  There is lots of good music out there, you just have to find it.  I will be loading up the iPhone later today and hopefully jamming for a while.  Nothing like a good song to help you.  I sent a short note to Charlie via FB, not sure that he will read it but it makes me feel better.  I just let him know that I appreciate his work and that he is good looking.  I mean if your going to write someone, might as well be honest!

I needed to get my Sudafed Rx filled.  My funds are a little short right now, I’ve just cut things too close.  Payday is Wednesday and I should be okay then.  In any case I called the pharmacy and they filled it in the quantity I requested.  I went into pick it up along with a can of Nasal Saline.  A very cute guy took care of me at the Pharmacy counter.  He asked me if I needed anything else and I wanted to say, yeah your phone number.  Oh guys, you tempt me so.  Good Looks, Great Bodies, Amazing Smiles and then your either straight or taken.  Why!  There has to be one of you for me.

Seriously it is getting lonely here.  I almost went to a gay bar yesterday but managed to talk myself out of it.  I think that might help my search along but I have to be careful and I’d like to go with someone rather than going alone.  It’s always nice to have someone watching your back and looking out for you.  I don’t want to wake up after figuring out my drink was spiked and I was used as the ho in a gangbang or worse. 

Ruth is back to eating normal meals, no sign of puking so that is good.  I got her claws trimmed earlier today.  Man she was sticking in the carpet when she walked.  That is 7 weeks.  They were a little tough to cut but I got the job done.  I got her brushed as much as she would allow.  I feel knots coming in her fur and I like to avoid that if possible.  I got to kiss her while she hissed at me and plotted to tear my head off.  I looked at her teeth and ears.  Just the general check up type thing.  I know a few things to look for but I am no vet.  In any case she looks good, now if I could just get rid of that dragon breath of hers it would be a miracle.  When she gets upset her breath really smells.  You can see the blood pulsing in her fire red tongue and make no mistake, when she is mad it shows in every way possible.

So 3 day weekend I would call a success, despite the fact that part of it was wasted on the AC Guy.  I put together a letter last night detailing my disgust for what went down and sent it to the owner of the company he works for.  Personally if I read a letter like that and was in charge someone would be in serious trouble.  I thought about the consequences of my action before I mailed it.  I revised it several times and finally settled on a version that I thought hammered home the point.  In the mail it went.  I didn’t do anything wrong, just stated my opinion of how I felt he used me to get through his afternoon and that it wasn’t acceptable.  I will get my receipt and who knows maybe I will get my money back, I mean that is kind of the avenue I was working when writing.  Not that I want something for nothing but I feel entitled to some of my money back.

Speaking of money I checked on my amended tax return and there is no status, the IRS asked me to call them.  I think I will have to fight to get the additional money I am entitled to, which should come with interest.  Problem is that I could use it now.  Not that it won’t be welcome in the future.  I am taking the wait and see approach, but if I don’t have it in the next few weeks I will reach out to them.  Like most Americans I would rather not deal with the IRS.  Those three letters strike fear in the hearts of most people that hear them.  Tax day oddly enough is the same day as pay day. 

Well I need to get to the laundry, clean the house and then clean my body.  Which includes shaving, the task that I like the least.  Picked up some Meat Loaf & Mashed Potatoes for Dinner.  Got Fried Chicken and Potato Salad for a few meals this week as well.  Thought I would switch it up a bit.  Frozen is getting old.  Fresh or reheating something that the store made sounds more appealing to me, even though I am sure the sodium content is through the roof, as is the case with most frozen dinners.  I jumped on the scale last night and learned I had indeed picked up a few pounds.  I am at a point where I vowed I would never be again, so I am anxious to lose some weight.  I am not miserable like I was before when I was this heavy but I know that the weight doesn’t bode well for making me a prime candidate in the dating world.  Not to mention my doctor probably won’t be terribly happy with me come blood test time, which will be next month. 

Oh one last thing quickly.  I am entering into my 3rd week with no vitamins.  Meaning I am not taking any kind of a daily multivitamin.  The pain in my feet has its good days and bad days.  I can’t really say that vitamins played a major part, but I do know that if I get too much in my system it will kill my feet.  I need to break down and go see the podiatrist already I am just afraid that he will say surgery is necessary to correct the problem, whatever it is.  That really isn’t going to be an option for me.  I saw what happened to my late partner after his first foot surgery and well call me gun shy.  I will at some point get back on multivitamins, I just haven’t figured out when. 

Cheers, here’s hoping it will be a great week and a fast moving one at that.  I am always eager for the weekend, except when I am on call.  Okay off to chore land I go.  Talk with you peeps later. 

Can We Talk?

What happened between 09-01 and 09-06

WORK

I went live on the phones on Tuesday, which was also my birthday.  I got my fancy new Bluetooth Headset that I purchased all set.  The phone rang and I went to answer it, I hung up on my very 1st caller.  I didn’t bother to call them back.  I got things figured out with the headset because well if I hung up on everyone that would be a problem.

I don’t like the schedule that I am following.  First, I spend way more than 2 hours on the phone, it’s more like 80% of my day.  I get a couple hours to myself for local stuff, so I am free of the phones.  Telephone work is like a grab bag contest.  You may get something good (an easy fix) or you may get something that is a dud (a hard to figure out problem).  My last call came in just minutes before my shift ended and it was a hard to figure out problem that I got help with.  I wound up billing .75 in OT. 

I will admit that I have BS’d my way through a couple calls and people so far haven’t figured it out.  We had a staff meeting on Thursday and I found out that if I eat my lunch during the meeting I can call it working time and bill it as Overtime.  Well I am down for that.  So in the meeting someone mentioned how important it was to ask before you do anything when your on a users screen.  I kind of brought that with me from working in a similar environment.  Friday I guess I lost my mind because I was on someone’s screen and they had an e-mail that wouldn’t go.  It was stuck in their outbox.  I just hit delete.  The person was like did you just delete that?  Oh, shit yes I did.  Then I explained it wasn’t going anyway, which calmed them down.  That was close. 

With every ticket that is generated a link to take a survey about the person who helped you is sent.  I had a user who needed help, but instead of calling the central help desk he reached out to me.  I was away working on setting up and moving people.  I found the message on my phone and went to help him.  It was a password issue and an easy fix.  He said in the survey that I was ok, which is less than excellent in my response.  I wasn’t too happy about that, but it’s still a good survey.  Speaking of which it’s like a joke the whole taking a survey process.  Everyone always puts down Excellent even if your doing a shit job.  We get to review the surveys that apply to us and our manager sees them as well.

The next big milestone is going on-call.  That is going to suck!  Before when I have been on call the on-call phone rings and then you respond.  Here it’s voice mails and e-mails.  So your phone won’t ring, you get the voice mail emailed to you.  The good thing is it’s only urgent messages that require a response within 30 minutes.  Now it’s no secret that I have chronic insomnia but I haven’t told that to my employer.  Why scare them off?  I know I can do the on-call work but if I am up all night long, don’t expect me to show up the next day because that probably won’t happen.  I don’t know that they make exceptions.  Besides that I believe it will be a while before I am on-call, or so I hope.  I am not near ready yet.  You have to have time to work the phones and be exposed to all of the common problems so you know how to deal with them.

GAY DATING

Well if you’re a fan of security you know that there was a major security flaw in Grindr.  The problem is that anyone could find your geolocation, i.e. where you were by simply asking Grindr’s servers.  You zoom in on a particular street in a particular town and poof, you get names and pictures.  Even if you turned location off on your phone.  That in some countries could equal a death sentence.  Thankfully that is not the case here in the US.  Still I don’t want some stranger showing up at my door or approaching me when I am shopping saying you live over on Xyz Street I saw you on Grindr.

So I dropped off of Match.Com because they were focused on money.  I still have Gay dot com and Ok Cupid.  However, I spend the majority of the time on Grindr. 

I’ve been chatting up the guys but not too many have responded.  Thursday night when I was dead tired and just wanted to go to bed I struck up a conversation with a nice guy.  Grindr had temporarily disabled location services because of the flaw.  Turns out he is more than 100 miles from me.  Anyway we talked and then I threw it out there if he wanted to meet, where I go for pie.  He said that he doesn’t move that fast.  Totally understandable. 

Last night I found a cute looking guy that I thought what the hell, why not.  Turns out he was quick to get to the point.  Where do you live and how old are you.  I don’t reveal my age because well in the gay world I am dead or a creepy old man.  Thankfully looks are on my side so I look late 20ish to 30’s.  However I am in my 40’s.  Not bad.  When I was open and honest he said dude I am looking for someone younger, good luck.  That hurt.  I said hello to someone else and instead of responding they blocked me, like I was a troll. 

This whole experience is proving just how shallow people are.  I mean age is only a number, it doesn’t really matter beyond that.  Looks also matter and if you don’t have it going on, chances are you won’t have much action on Grindr.  I know it’s a hook up app aka everyone is there for sex or to get off.  NSA – No Strings Attached is frequent.  I see guys in open relationships, couples who want to have a 3 way.  I mean that is all good and doesn’t make them bad people.  I am not there for that.  I want a boyfriend who I can get to know and decide if I want to build a life with that person.  I am Long Term Relationship oriented, which is very rare in the Gay community.  Despite the whole Gay Marriage thing being legal. 

I’ve been looking for the friend that I made contact with on Thursday but we keep missing each other.  He was very pleasant and I told him that I was dead tired before I signed off. 

The whole thing is just awkward.  You both want the same thing but no one knows what to say.  How to break the ice as it be.  So you start out with a Hi, Hello, Good Evening and then build from that.  Some people don’t want that and if you start with that it is a turn off.  People want face pictures and not torso’s to talk to.  I get it but it’s still awkward as hell.  I imagine I would be really uncomfortable in a gay bar striking up a conversation with a stranger.  However, once you get into it and find common ground it’s no so awkward the problem is finding that common ground.

HOME

I have been doing the Amazon dot com shopping thing.  I got filters for the cat’s water fountain, razors and so much more.  The problem is when the bill comes, you have to pay for it all.  I can easily overspend.  Temptation lurks around every corner and I go on line for a specific item and before you know it I am browsing for this or that and then I look at my cart and try to justify each item.  If I can’t I delete it but more often than not I say well it’s okay I’ve got a good job and I deserve it.  I’ve treated just a bit too much but I will be okay, so long as the money keeps rolling in.

Speaking of money the massage lady was back at work on Thursday.  I went to get cash out of the ATM on my way home from work Wednesday night.  I saw this old lady who was on a scooter well she got disoriented by the sun and fell off the scooter – the problem is the scooter fell with her so she was trapped.  A bunch of people rushed to her aid.  They were helping her as I drove by.  I did a U turn and circled back to see what help I could provide. I was surprised that so many people stopped.  She was on the ground then this young bitchy woman comes up and says well I am a 1st responder and we need to get her off the ground on into the scooter.  Why?  She is comfortable.  I am a first responder and that is the way it’s going to be.  Yeah okay, but I’m not touching her – if she has a broken neck and you paralyze her by moving her then that is going to be on you.  I never touched the lady 2 young studs took care of her.  She still couldn’t stand up to walk but she was riding around okay.  An ambulance came and patched her up, she didn’t want to go to the hospital.  I sure hope she was okay. 

The whole situation brought back memories from my late partner when he fell a few years ago and broke his back in 2 places.  He went to the hospital by ambulance and they couldn’t find the fractures because they did an x-ray.  A month later he went by ambulance to a different hospital and they did an MRI which showed the breaks in 2 places.  Holy cow, that was a huge problem.  The situation just made me miss him all over again.

The next day I found out that I overdrew what used to be his checking account by making the withdrawl.  I was pissed at myself.  I didn’t understand how that could happen.  Well turns out it’s my own damn fault.  I mis-entered a purchase and was off by $10 and because I didn’t balance last weekend like I should have, it didn’t get caught.  Hence the negative balance.  I got hit with a $36.00 fee as well.  I got it all fixed and the account is back in the black.  That is one of many things I pride myself on.  In fact he was hit with NSF fees so many times that he turned his account over to me and I took care of the bills.  Turns out I saved him those fees plus he wound up with a little extra money.  It was a 1 month experiment and then he took it back over and did okay for a couple weeks, then it was down hill from there.

CATS

So one of the ladies at work has a cat that stopped eating.  She waited a couple days too long to take him to the vet and he has developed Liver Failure and is jaundice.  This is similar to what Big Boy went through.  So I could easily relate.  I told her that I have ten grand in that damn cat.  She doesn’t have quite that amount of money but I can hear the love she has for her baby in her voice.  We both pretty well know it’s not going to end pretty but she is keeping faith and I am not going there.  It sounds like the cat has Liver Cancer and well if that is true it’s curtains.  They tried to say that is what Big Boy had but after we fronted the money and opened him up for the biopsy turns out there is no cancer.  Now the vet says well he has cancer but we just can’t see it.  Yeah that is because it’s not fucking there you dumb ass.  Two labs reviewed the tissue samples and they both said the same thing – he is cancer free. 

Everyone here thankfully including Mr. Big Boy is doing okay.  Momma is still chewing herself to death.  She is going to be a bald headed woman.  I call her that and it doesn’t phase her at all.  Jumper is still sleeping with me, in fact one morning I woke up and I was still holding on to him.  It was nice to see him in my arms.  He is throwing up, which means that the liquid medicine that is about a year old has lost it’s affect.  In order to get it refilled he will have to go see the vet and that is a trip he won’t like.  I have been able to bypass it for 3 years so I think I am doing pretty well.  He surprised me one night and I woke up and stepped in his surprise.  I was not happy.

Last night I left my door open so it was a free for all. Everyone wants their daddy time.  Momma started playing with her ball at 3 am and chanting as she does.  It woke me up and I said quiet.  That worked for 30 minutes and then I had to give her the boot.  She wasn’t too happy about that because her toy was still in my room.  Woops!

Since I didn’t get my beauty sleep and I am generally worn out by Friday night got up late, had breakfast with the children and then took a nap.  I got going late but the point is I got going.  Not everything is done but there is a tomorrow and I will have to seriously pull it together or there will be a problem.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

I got an e-mail from Net Talk that my phone # was going to expire in 30 days.  I found the device and plugged it in, thinking that maybe they got the bugs worked out.  Nope, it still won’t talk to their server – even if I hook it up directly to the internet.  I don’t get it.  I am certainly not buying another one.  I thought that if it did work that would be the perfect # to give to a potential future Mr. RIght.  The VOIP thing is great as long as it works.  Good way to make calls (local and long distance) on the cheap.  I am thankful for my copper landline – it never goes dead or stops working.  The problem is they charge like they are the only phone company in town.  I don’t have LD at home because it’s just too expensive.  Since I went back to work I can afford to keep it despite the high price.  But that doesn’t mean that I have given up on trying to find a way to make it cheaper. 

I got my money back for the windshield repairs.  The guy who marketed the free service, well I think he lost his job because they told me that he isn’t there any longer.  That is all well and good but I still don’t have a written apology, but I suspect that it will be forth coming.  I had to drive back to Sam’s today to get it taken care of.  They gave me $20 gift card which I promptly turned around and spent.  I needed some chocolate covered blueberries and wanted to try some berry, crunch cluster covered in dark chocolate thing.  2 bags total and it was $20.  They are good but damn expensive.

Fixed pizza for supper, added some extra cheese that had a touch of Philly Cream Cheese in it and that just made the whole thing 10x better. 

So we lost Joan Rivers this week.  I kind of figured that she wouldn’t come out of it alive.  I really wasn’t a fan of hers.  There is a biography of hers on Netflix that has been staring at me for weeks on end.  Well now that she passed I had motivation to watch it.  I didn’t realize what a lady she was.  I will tell you and it’s no secret she had a big big mouth.  The plastic surgery well a little bit goes a long way.  However it’s much like getting a tattoo once you start you just keep going back for more and more and then you don’t even recognize yourself in the mirror.  It’s sad that she is gone and I know that she will be remembered as a comedy legend.  She opened doors for many people and went through a lot in her time.  The movie is very interesting give it a watch if you have NetFlix.

That’s all for now.  Back to the grindstone for another week.  This time it will be 5 full days.  People will no longer be on vacation.  Traffic will be a mess again.  Actually if it wasn’t for the traffic I would be okay with my hours.  I know I can move closer to work but that won’t happen.  I like where I am.  Just have to work on getting the payment lower.  It will all come together, I am convinced of it now more than ever.  It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be all right.  That is just the way he (God) planned it.  I’ve learned a lot about myself, life and my dear sweet man.  I know that I’ve kept my promise to make him proud and I think I have done a damn fine job, even when the chips were down.

MY OLD JOB

Oh I almost forgot to tell you.  I got the very best Birthday present and it was from the United States Government.  They are investigating my former employer based off of a complaint I filed.  I’ve spoken with an Investigator and they made me aware that they were going to mention my name.  I said go right ahead, I mean they can touch me.  If they aren’t doing anything wrong then they won’t have anything to fear.  However, I know they were in violation of the law and the bomb is going to drop probably this next week.  That is when they will rue the day they crossed me.  Those men in the black coats they won’t be there quite yet but they are on their way.  My complaint has the power to shutdown the entire company, put people in prison and bankrupt them of their profits.  Will it go that far?  That kind of depends upon what they find and how far back they will go.  It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.  They are about to close on a deal to purchase more homes and in the process of getting rid of the 3 they own locally.  I hope this fucks up both deals and they have a lot to be worried about.  After all you fuck me, I fuck you and we all go fucking crazy.  Turns out them firing me is the best thing that happened to me, I didn’t see it then.  But now that I have recovered and have a new job working for a better employer who treats me way better I can reflect back and see that I did more than okay at the end of the day!  They on the other hand well I don’t think they did so good.  I also heard that they were looking for an IT person.  Funny how when you cut off your nose despite your face it bites you in the ass.

Okay that was fun to talk about but for now I am going to say talk with you peeps later.  Have a great rest of the weekend and a great week.  We will talk again soon.

I saw a sign

I sure didn’t want to get out of bed this morning.  I was up until a little after 1:00 am.  There was nothing going today so no pressure.  However, Jumper saw it differently and tried to wake me up multiple times.  He finally roused the choir and that is when I let him out of my room and went back to bed.  I got up at 11am.  I fed the children and then made myself a sandwich.  I mean might as well fast forward to lunch, breakfast is over. 

I got me a shower and then head out to the bank.  I closed my savings account and the lady asked me why.  I told her I need the money in my checking account in order to be able to pay the monthly fees you charge, I lost my job.  She told me about a place hiring.  It’s not in my line of work but I appreciated the tip.  I was kind of sad to do it but at the end of the day I really wasn’t getting much for them holding $100 ransom.  If the balance fell below that yep you guessed it another fee.  I’m fee allergic.

A call came in for a job I applied for last night.  I knew the pay was low and that chances are I would be weeded out.  I called the lady back and she seems to think I would be qualified for a network position.  I explained that networking isn’t my forte but she really liked my resume and talked me into at least coming in for an interview.  So another interview to attend on Friday.  This week is by far the most active week yet.  4 interviews in one week!  The job I applied for doesn’t pay what I want.  The job she talked me into pays considerably more but I suppose it depends upon experience.  If I can at least get what I asked for then I will gladly take the job and prepare to learn some new stuff, which will only help me in the end.  Their user base is 99 and that should be a cake walk.  In my last job I supported a much larger user base. 

I managed to make it to the grocery store.  I decided that I would go to the expensive store because it would be something different.  I was after chocolate cake and I got it.  I loaded up the cart with a lot of stuff but feel like I left empty.  I also managed to forget mayo which is the one thing I really wanted.  The other thing was bottled water and I got that.  There are some unique Stouffers dishes that they carry that the bargain store doesn’t.  Like Zitti and a Parmasean Topped Lasagna.  I got a deep dish pizza and some Frozen Yogurt.  Had a hot guy following me for a while but it was only because we were walking in the same general direction.  I had high hopes for a second but that was it.  After the store I headed to gas up the car because of the extra interviews I will need it.  The total came to $27.77 that is 3 seven’s in a row.  I took that as a good sign, maybe just maybe things are actually going to come together after all.

Came home, put it all away and then got my interview clothes washed.  I completed the application for tomorrows interview and got that sent off.  I put down what I wanted and thought for sure they would call back and cancel but thus far I haven’t heard a word out of them.  I also found out that they will validate parking so I’m driving over, much to my dismay.  It will only mean that I get home a little quicker.  It’s in a very congested part of town where parking is at a premium, there are lots of one way streets and everyone is in a hurry, including the meter police.  It’s an area I try to avoid at all costs.

I was anticipating hearing from the place I was at yesterday but not a word.  I might be overly paranoid but I think we are done.  I still am trying to keep an open mind but I would have figured that the HR person would have at least sent the job descriptions for the other positions to me.  All I can do is wait and see. 

I didn’t get any alerts so I stayed away from the post office today.  I need to stop by tomorrow to mail a couple letters.  I have escalated the issue I am having getting my late partners medical records.  I am still being nice but at the same time expressing my displeasure with getting the run around and playing what I call Paper Ping Pong. It’s very annoying!  I think the hope is that I will give up.  They obviously don’t know who they are dealing with.

So I think that is a wrap on Wednesday.  I just hope I am right about the 777 being a good sign.  It would be nice to go into the weekend knowing that I have a job to report to on Monday but that might be pushing it a bit.  I will be sure to keep you posted.  Oh I called about my unemployment for last week and they are now paying me since I reported in.  It never hurts to ask, the worst anyone can say is no.

Talk with you peeps later. 

I think things are looking UP

Being some what apprehensive and anxious I sat down last night and started on the letter to my late partner.  It was very emotional and I eventually broke down.  Then I was able to write more.  Thus far I am up to 8 pages.  It felt like I was talking to him, just communicating information and bringing him up to speed.  I totally understand why my therapist suggested this.  I need to go back and finish it but probably won’t until the weekend when I have a bit more time and freedom. 

Today I got my unemployment check up on me call.  The guy said I sounded like a recording.  I get that a lot.  Anyway, he went down the list from the letter that was sent to me.  They asked for 3 places that I have applied to in the last 4 weeks.  It was easy, just go down the list and presto done.  He called at 8:45am and I of course was up at 5am because I couldn’t sleep.  I was nervous about the call, I don’t know why but I was. 

The mail today brought me a notice from the unemployment people that said until I show up in person they won’t be paying me a dime.  Thankfully I will be showing up tomorrow, but that almost got nixed. 

I got a call from what I think will be my next job.  They scheduled an in person interview as the manager told me they would be.  She had an opening on Friday at 1.  I almost took it but I figure if I keep rescheduling it is only going to hurt my bank account in the end.  So I skipped past it and we went to Monday and just as we were winding things up I realize crap I have therapy on Monday.  So we moved to Tuesday.  I hated that, I’ve always been told take the first date and time that is given, it shows you are eager.  Well I’ve got stuff planned and they are not my only lead at this point.  I honestly don’t think it hurt me one bit.  I am really pumped about it and very much looking forward to it.  My hope is we meet on Tuesday and if an offer isn’t extended in person it will be within a couple of days.

Meanwhile I was going about my business and checking my e-mail.  A job I applied for almost a month ago with a local municipality sent me and e-mail.  I figured ah it’s a rejection.  Nope they want to interview me as well.  It’s set for after hours on Monday.  They chose it and I just confirmed.  I’m qualified to do at least 1/2 of the job.  The other half would be trial by fire and that is not the ideal way for me to learn but when you do learn that way, it sticks with you.

I was lazy for most of the day and finally did manage to get a couple hours of rest.  Then I hoisted myself up and out I went.  Got momma’s medicine (she will be thrilled), picked up the mail, picked up my medicine,picked up cat food and then went to an upscale grocery store.  I was looking for Ground Beef and almost walked out with Ground Lamb.  That would have made for interesting Tacos.  I only had Breakfast and I was starving.  Saw a cute bagger boy and a lot of food that I normally don’t see at the bargain grocery store.  I walked out with some premade Mexican Cornbread, Ground Chuck (he was tasty) and a Two Layer White Chocolate Raspberry Cake.  $16, the cake was the most expensive thing and at that it was $9. 

Came home unloaded, unpacked and started cooking and making a mess.  Meanwhile the children were bugging me for food and I had just fed them 45 minutes ago.  I sware they want to eat every time the wind blows.  Speaking of which I was watching Rookie Blue tonight and TAZ started puking and after that was done he rested for a minute and climbed in the litter box and it came out the other end.  After he was done with that he jumped up on the couch to be with me, which is very much out of character for him.  I comforted him and dug the litter out of his back paws.  He wanted to clean himself up and I told him that will just make you sick again.  I got him to rest and we watched TV together.  Kind of a nice evening. 

My nerves are on fire now because of tomorrow.  I will be going to the unemployment office.  I decided to take public transportation because it will be much easier than me risking wrecking my car trying to parallel park and slug a meter.  I have to do almost a mile of walking but I’m up for it.  If it all works out I will be early and when all is said and done I will be out $4.50 – which is reasonable considering parking isn’t cheap.  I have a friend who works at this office and I am nervous that I might run into him, we haven’t talked in a while.  When I was much younger and over at his house he stuck his hand in my pants, while I was working on his computer.  It was awkward at best and he still identifies as straight.  My late partner warned me about him being after my body and I told him he was nuts, but turns out he was right.  This guy is as gay as I am, I think the only difference is he either hasn’t had sex or hasn’t had much sex.  Hopefully I am in and out and we don’t bump into each other.  If it happens I will just play it cool and see what happens.  He obviously won’t jump my bones while he is at work because he would get fired.  I actually thought about seeking him out but from what I remember his hygiene was questionable at best.  Once this little meeting is over with I will feel much better. 

I don’t want to jinx anything but I really feel pretty good about next Tuesday.  The manager I spoke with really liked me and I really like the culture in the way it’s been described.  So I think it will be a win – win or so I hope.

I did hammer out a letter to my old employer about my vacation pay.  I haven’t mailed it just yet.  When I figured out how much money it was it’s like really do you want to fight for it?  Were talking like $200 and that is before they take out taxes.  Part of me says fight for it because it’s yours and the other part of me says it’s a small amount of money let it go.  Since I am conflicted I am not doing anything at the moment.  I hope with a little time I will be able to make a decision or maybe just maybe the money will show up.  It would help pay for the garbage disposal.

Finally, I did what I have been dreading to do all day long.  Pay bills.  I have enough money to subsist for a while minus paying the mortgage payment.  However tapping into my savings and seeing it be reduced slowly but surely is extremely scary.  I am more than eager to get back to work, then there is no jeopardy at the moment for the house and I can avoid a huge mess.  I just hope and pray that it all goes the way I think it will.  If so I should be a very happy camper.  Stay tuned and we will go on this joy ride together. 

Time to wrap things up and call it a night.  Got lots of TV to watch.  NY MED, First 48 and a movie on HBO Called Kidnapped for Christ.  It was put on by Mike C Manning who I have a mega crush on and he got Lance Bass to produce it.  It’s supposed to be very good.  It’s about kids telling their parents they are gay and the parents signing there kids up for some camp where men come and snatch you out of your own bed at night and when they let you see the light of day you have no freaking idea where you are at and when or if you will ever be sent home.  Who would think a parent could or would do that to their own child.  Sexuality is something we are born with, if you don’t like it is a non negotiable change.  Sure there are people who have claimed to change but what are they really changing?  Their habits and outward appearance that is all.  Those desires for that hot guy or girl are still there deep inside of them festering like a boil about to burst.  They either learn to repress their emotions and desires or they burst at the seams and go full bore for what they really want.  Each day I realize a little bit more that it’s perfectly okay to be gay.  Even though I am pretty well adjusted to the idea it’s nice to feel more and more reassurance.

Talk with you peeps later.  Have a super, awesome, amazing, fantastic, outrageous and relaxing weekend!

Saturday

Been a very long week full of both good & bad.  Glad that I can look back now and say it’s over.

Before I get in to work junk, I wanted to talk about my Big Boy.  We took him back to the vet for a check up and to see how the fluid was doing.  Kind of disturbing news, he is due to have fluid removed but they don’t think it will do a whole lot of good.  Reason being that there is scar/fibrous tissue that is compressing his lungs.  So removing fluid is a good thing but it honestly won’t buy him a lot of time.  Plus they still think he has cancer.  Bullshit!  If that cat has cancer it will surprise the hell out of me, but then again we aren’t looking for cancer.  Since the fluid isn’t in one place, it will be more dangerous to drain it and he could possibly die during the procedure.  So we made the decision today to do nothing at the moment.  We were unable to see our regular vet and I wanted to get him checked, so that is why I think we got this bad news, it’s just someone who isn’t that familiar with his case.  We talked about it and my partner was very emotional but we made the decision to schedule to have the fluid drained off.  At this point I only trust the vet that we have been seeing on a regular basis.  She normally works on Sundays but it’s only a couple of them a month now, so we have to wait until July 1 to have the procedure done. 

You should have seen that poor cat, the vet was spewing out bad news and it was like the poor cat understood it.  There was just sheer panic on his face.  All the more reason to pick him up and go home, doing nothing today.  I think that had we moved forward as I really wanted to, we would have lost him.  It just didn’t feel right, so I am confident now that we made the right decision.

The best thing is to keep him away from stress, let him relax and keep his environment calm and as quiet as possible.  He also should do better in a cool place.  No wonder he has taken to sleeping my the register in my room.  He loves cold air.  He also likes to look out the back door and watch the deck, the backyard and the birds. 

I wasn’t emotional over it at all, it was like it was a business decision or something.  I have resigned myself to the fact he (Big Boy) is going to die and that the time we have with him is extremely limited.  I arrived at that conclusion two years ago and by the grace of God and a lot of our money, he has made it two years.  I hope we get two more out of him, but honestly I feel pretty strongly that he will pass before the year is over. 

While I have no control over his life, I just hope that he doesn’t pass while I am away on business.  Right now there is no travel scheduled for me, I hope it stays that way for at least a few more weeks.

So not exactly a good day here.

 

On to work, one of the guys I work with had some issues with another guy that works in the building.  Friday they got into a physical fight.  It started in the elevator and made it’s way to the street in front of the building.  Both of them were arrested as they attracted the attention of several police officers.  To top it all off I hear they were both banned from the building.  So sounds to me like they both lost their jobs, if that is true.  I mean how do you go to work?  Plus since it happened on company property, both of their employers will probably terminate them anyway.  So Monday should be interesting.

My boss has Pneumonia.  I have no idea why he came into the office last week but he did.  Now I heard that he won’t be in the office for the next two weeks.  I sure hope that is true.  It will be like a vacation, just as long as he doesn’t keep in touch!  I have a feeling no matter what you do to him, so long as he has a pulse he will work.  It’s in his blood.  Over all I found out that about a year ago he had a heart attack.  That would back up what I heard about him having Congestive Heart Failure.  So take that and add the Pneumonia and his health really isn’t that great.  Sounds like if I stick around long enough, he will expire.  Sad to say but someone really needs to tell him it’s time to retire. 

If he should die or retire, that will send the company into a different direction and I think a lot of people will be happier.  I have had my moments this week with his bullshit that I just wanted to tell him off and walk out.  Turns out a lot of people have done that.  It doesn’t phase them and nothing changes.  So basically if I quit it’s like I am giving him what he wants.  I need the money and I know how hard it is to find a job, so looks like I am staying put at least until he gets my blood to boiling again.

We still have yet to have our talk, so I have that hanging over my head.  I will be conducting my first ever training session via the web on Tuesday.  I am a little nervous mainly because I don’t feel confident that I know the system well enough.  I did some testing on Friday and if I am left alone on Monday, I plan on doing more testing so that I am as good as I can be on Tuesday.  I will sure be glad when that is over with!

 

I got paid on Friday and I have been spending money like mad today.  It doesn’t take very long and that paycheck is gone.  I’ve got about $300 left.  I managed to open another checking account because the bank is having a promo now and will give me $50 after I made 3 debit card purchases.  That won’t be hard at all, talk about easy money!  I paid for my medicine, paid the cable and internet, tucked a little away into savings.  Then I got my hair cut.  It’s super short on the sides and I really like it.  I went shopping for Hair Care Products, that’s like a gay man’s meca or something.  I walked in the door of that place and there was a large sucking noise.  That was all of the cash flying out of my wallet.  I went to Target to get cat litter, cat treats, toothpaste, dishwasher cleaner and another pair of insoles from Dr. Scholl’s.  The ones I got last week are helping my feet a lot.  I then did a dumb thing.  I was looking for a Mr. Clean refill for this brush I have to clean my tub and no one carries them anymore.  Damn.  I went to Wal Mart out of desperation and even they don’t have them.  I did a semi dumb thing.  I got a Wal Mart Money Card.  It’s one of those green dot prepaid cards.  Geez they charge you $3.00 to purchase the card and then in 10 days they start billing $3.00 as a monthly fee.  I already know I want away from this thing as quick as I can.

I got the card because I wanted to renew my subscription to online porn but don’t want to give out my debit card number.  Small price to pay.  I also wanted to pick up a fake Mont Blanc pen.  I got the porn taken care of.  I went to buy the pen and the place that I purchased it from didn’t ask for credit card information.  They just said my order was complete.  Apparently DHL will be showing up in 7 to 10 days demanding payment for the package.  I really don’t want that, so I am trying to get that order cancelled before anything ships.  I have $130 left on the prepaid card that I can certainly spend in other places.

This Friday I scheduled a 1 1/2 hour massage for me.  It’s been two long years and I need my reward now!  My neck is killing me today.  Plus I figure it might even help my feet more.  So much stress in my body from work, from home and life in general. I have to save enough money to pay for it.  I’ve got a coupon for 10% off but I still am planning on around $80.  Hopefully it will be less. 

Plus next Friday, Magic Mike opens in theaters.  Google it, if your not familiar with it.  I so want to see that movie so I am trying to save enough money so that we can go see it on Saturday.  It may not be magical for me, but the men should make it worth seeing!  Friday night I will probably fold like a cheap suit.  The massage will just wear me out.   

So all of the extras means we will have to take it easy at the grocery store.  Good news is that come the 7th I will get paid again.  Bad news is my car payment comes out of that check. 

It didn’t help things that this paycheck I had to pay $106 to renew my license plates.  Car insurance will be due in a couple more months, so I have to save up money for that too.  Fun times! 

Well off to bed so that I can hopefully get chores done tomorrow.  Still have lots to do and little time.  I need to check on my regular reads so hopefully tomorrow I can find time for that as well.

I hope that life is treating you well and that you had a great week.  Here’s to what is left of the weekend and the hope that I will get that 2 weeks of being boss free.  As well as a positive outcome for Big Boy.   Stay tuned and I will keep you updated as best as I can.  Take care and I will talk with you peeps later!

Rambling On

Today we visited the Grocery and Pet Food Stores.  No hot guys to look at.  We managed to go over budget and I had to transfer funds from my savings so that my account would remain in the black.  I have the money in my account, but it’s allocated to pay bills with later this week.  So I won’t get any kind of overdraft fee because technically I wasn’t over drawn. 

Now I have to concentrate on building my savings back up.  I hate being so low on cash.  There are still so many things that I want to do.  I know they will happen in time but I would rather they happen on my schedule.

I still have all of this week and most of next week to go before I see another pay check.  That is a long time but I will survive.  My partner will get some money this week so we will be able to visit the grocery store.  Provided the funds are there we plan on getting away for pie on Friday.  If it works out, I know it will be a good time for both of us to talk and just be with each other.  No interferences!

Friday is when my meeting of creditors is, so I took the day off.  That means it’s only a 3 day work week for me, which should fly by.  I am not nervous about the meeting, just want to get it over with.  I will have some homework to do afterwards and have to cough up another $15 but then I am done.  Come the November/December Time Frame I should get my discharge and be free and clear!  Something to be thankful for and a way to ring in the holidays with good news.

Wow, here it is Memorial Day and I’m already talking about Christmas.  Well, time does fly by.  I don’t know about your neck of the woods but damn it’s hot here.  So hot that grass is dying, unless of course you water it.  We don’t water.  When I was cutting it, I would leave it slightly longer than what Lawn Boy does so it wouldn’t die. 

I’ve accomplished all of my chores, which is a good feeling.  I still have to shave, make my lunch, get my feet massaged and prepare for Tuesday which will feel oh so much like a Monday!

Speaking of my feet, I *think* I have my problem almost solved.  I used an Emory board to file the ball of my foot that is giving me problems.  It hurt like hell yesterday but today it’s calmed down a lot.  Most of the stuff I read on line said there would be a callus there.  I didn’t see one but decided to try it any way.  I am at the point where I will try anything to get rid of the pain.

The one thing that I don’t like about going back to work is that when I get home I really don’t want to be in front of my computer.  So come the weekend it takes me hours to pour over all of my regular reads to catch up on what happened from the past week.  Maybe I will develop some energy and desire to want to surf when I am at home.  But honestly I enjoy relaxing a whole lot more!

This afternoon on Netflix I watched a Biography on Ric Flair.  I remember watching him wrestle on the weekends.  My grandfather really like Wrestling and he got me and my brother interested in it.  So this film brought back some memories.  The content has changed a lot since I was a member, but there is some stale stuff on there that they really need to change.  I only hope that Netflix keeps it interesting and continues to add to their streaming library. 

Well, time to move forward with getting ready for yet another day.  I hope that this was a good weekend for all of you.  I certainly enjoyed myself.  I look forward to doing it again in 3 days.  After that nice break it will be 5 days a week until July and Independence Day falls on a Wednesday so that will be a very strange work week. 

Take care, be safe and stay well.  I will talk with you peeps later!  God Bless.

Time is running out

Today is the last day of unemployment for me!  Like the title of this post, time is running out for me.  Were fast approaching 7pm and that will mean going to bed early so that I can rise and shine early.  Tomorrow will no doubt be an adrenaline filled day. 

I did manage to oversleep today, but still got up at a decent hour.  I figured it’s my last day, why not enjoy it!  I fixed breakfast, got a shower and got dressed.  Then I went into my partners computer and checked his bank account.  The fraudulent charge finally materialized, so I woke him up and we went to the bank so he could sign paperwork to get his money back.  His account is negative now because of this.  The bank actually offered him a loan that costs $1.00 per every $10 that you take out.  He laughed at them and said no thanks. 

While we were at the bank my hearing went goofy, it felt like my ears needed to pop but couldn’t.  I thought maybe I was plugged up, but my nose was wide open. 

After the bank, my partner needed to eat he had taken some pain medicine because his back was acting up and he could barley walk.  We stopped at Denny’s because it was quick & cheap.  After that we went to the pharmacy. 

I picked up my new eye drops that cost $30, which is way better than the original prescription I had.  I also thought why not get a decongestant, that might help things along.  I found the cheapest thing they sold which was $7 and that was for 5 pills.  I was happy to see Tanner was working today.  If you follow my other blog, then you well know I’ve got a crush on this guy.  He bent over looking for my medicine and I got to see his nice bum.  Totally worth the trip to the pharmacy!  Too bad I can’t turn fantasy in to reality, but then again it might not be as much fun as I think it would be.

We arrived home, where I started washing clothes like no tomorrow.  Each time I went upstairs to get more laundry the cats greeted me and wanted to know where the food was.  I told them Daddy’s busy but I will be up in a little bit.  After a few hours of this up and down business and trying to get things accomplished, I finally gave up around 3pm and went upstairs.  I gave them some food and started watching television. 

My partner was napping all this time, but of course as soon as I come up to watch TV, he got up.  So he got a shower and about an hour later, we went out for supper.  While he was in the shower, the phone rang.  It was the place that was lining up 2nd round interviews for Wednesday & Thursday.  The guy called me on a speakerphone (as if this was some show or to make a spectacle of me) he said we had to choose between 13 people and I am sorry but you didn’t make it to the 2nd round.  In my very upbeat voice I said oh, okay.  He wished me luck and I said Thank you.  I suppose he thought after that call I was an ass, but that is what you get for calling me on a speakerphone.  I am sad in a way that they didn’t pick me because I really wanted to work there.  However, that just hammers home that this place where I am going tomorrow is where I am supposed to be!

Much to my surprise as we were leaving, Lawn Boy was here.  It was hot outside but unfortunately not hot enough for him to take off his shirt.  He was wearing Tommy Hilfiger shorts, so I guess business is good.  Damn that kid is rolling in the money!  Anyway I got to look at him.  We waived and said hello, then we were off.  So there is more money to shell out. Darn!

We made it to the post office and we were 1/2 way between where we wanted to go eat supper when my phone chimed that I had a voice mail.  I thought sure it was my new employer.  As I was getting the message, I had a call waiting.  I picked it up and knew right away it was the Alarm Company.  They said the glass break for our back door went off.  Crap, I told them not to send the police.  Before we left there was another cat on the back porch and I guessed that Blu rattled the door enough that it set off the alarm.  It was either that or Lawn Boy did something.  Either way we hightailed it home.

I peeked at the back door and there was Blu sitting looking straight at me as if to say Hello, why are you out there.  I went around and came in to look over things inside.  Everything was in order, no broken glass.  Just a bunch of scared cats.  I put in a bypass for the backdoor, reset the alarm and then we were on our way.  I so wanted to ring Blu’s neck that cat has done everything he can to piss us both off.  My partner thinks he wants out, but I said no he’s just try to protect his domain.  Too bad it wasn’t a female cat in heat, that would have been right up his alley! :)

We had Mexican for supper, which was awesome!  I said too bad supper tomorrow night won’t be this good.  My partner said how would you feel about KFC or something from the local BBQ Place.  I said either would be fine, but who’s got money for that?  He said well he might go back and take out that loan.  I said don’t do it, give them a little time and you will get all of your money back.  No sense in paying a penalty for fraud.  So it’s up in the air as to what we will have.  I know that he thawed out some Porch Chops and they are in the fridge, but I really don’t like them.  They always come out so dry and flavorless.  Fix them and chop them up, put BBQ Sauce on them and tell me you fixed BBQ pork, that will make my mouth water!

Oh yeah, money saving tip.  I looked up the new eye drops and found the manufacturers website.  Turns out that they have a rebate going for a while.  I will get a whopping $5.00 back, but it’s well worth it.  So anytime you get some new medicine and it’s brand name, look it up on Google you never know you might find a rebate and save yourself some money.

Well God’s been pretty good to me today.  I got to see two guys that I like.  I had a great meal and I’m working my tail off in getting laundry done and getting ready for my big day tomorrow.

To ensure that I sleep tonight, I took one of those decongestants, which should kick in.  I figured out my problem with my hearing, it was water in my ear.  All is back to normal now!  Well onward with the chores.  Not sure how I will feel tomorrow night, but I will blog about my first day back to work as soon as I can.  Thanks again to all who supported me during this difficult time, I am still truly grateful!  I will talk with you peeps later!