beenie

Frustrated

I haven't been able to do my job all week, but I've continued to come in (no sick time left, plus the absences would be unexcused since they're not FMLA-related and I can't risk losing my job when I feel fine but just can't speak properly). I have a sinus/cold/allergy thing/whatever, and after being on the phone for about an hour and a half, I'm no longer able to speak in complete sentences without cracking, coughing, etc. After staying home last Thursday and this past Monday, this is the fourth day I haven't been on the phones the whole day (Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday and now today).

I'm leaving early today to (finally!) go see an ENT, but I just feel like such a tool for not being able to do my job. They've been keeping me busy with off-the-phone work and projects, but still...

Disappointed

One of my favorite TV chefs said the following today:

I see a lot of very heavy people at my demos and book signings and I don’t like that. They come up and they’re so nice and they say “gosh we love food and love your show” and I want to say “I think you might lay off both and go for a walk."

Alton, dear, the sentiment is nice. It's nice that you're worried. And those of us who are overweight are aware that we are. But the chance that our favorite TV personality thinking something like that about us has I'd say ZERO chance of getting anyone to change (but may actually cause them to resent you). But you don't have to be a flaming dick about it.

I was just saying to Bryan a week or two ago that lately I'd been getting the impression that while he may be wildly cool sometimes, good ol' AB doesn't seem like the nicest person in the world. Just little things here and there that gave me a feeling he can even be a real jerk sometimes.

Seems I've got my confirmation.

Just a teensy disclaimer

Y'know, there was just a big, long post here defending my clothing purchases after I complained about not having the money to pay a bill on time, and about how my recent clothing purchases are the first ones (aside from something to wear to my best friend's wedding rehearsal) in probably 2 years, but screw it. If you have a problem with me replacing some dreadfully threadbare clothing and being excited about buying a very versatile piece, for the sole reason that I'm a little behind on a bill or two, then fuck you. Because heaven knows you've probably done the same.

That is all.

Here comes the bride...

My best girlfriend from college is getting married this summer, and I was struggling to figure out what to wear. Now I know. I kind of knew I wanted a certain blouse, but wasn't sure what to wear with it. Now, of course I'l wear my NEW SKIRT! :D

The only question that remains is... gold or royal? I'm leaning toward the gold.

Oh, wait - shoes. I hate figuring out what shoes to get. I don't own a pair of wedding-suitable black dress shoes I can walk in. Work dress shoes? All set. But wedding-suitable? These fat feet of mine don't do wedding-suitable. Hmmm...

I got a skirt!!! I got a skirt!!!

Okay, so maybe it's not THAT exciting, but I finally got something I've been wanting for a while. It dresses up for parties, it dresses up for job interviews, finally I don't have to wonder what I'm going to wear on my bottom half when I have to look nice. Until now, my "bottom half" wardrobe has consisted of blue jeans, other jeans (i.e., khaki) and faded chinos. Oh, and the recent addition of two pairs of linen pants and a pair of khaki/tan work-nice slacks. But I haven't really had anything recently that screamed "let's get dressed up!!" But now I do!!

It's an ankle-length, a-line, black skirt, in a seasonless fabric. Plain and simple. Nothing really to write home about, unless you're me, and something like that in your size would easily set you back $50. It's a poly/rayon/spandex blend, it's REALLY comfy, it drapes nicely, it fits PERFECTLY, and I got it for just over half the price I would have paid had I purchased it brand-new from the catalog.

I {heart} eBay.

Absolute shock and awe

So I spoke with Jim last night, and he's able to bring our interest rate down by over a point. My jaw almost hit the floor. I mean, over a point still means we're paying 25.9%, but that's what happens when you have bad credit and really need the money - you have to go to the legal equivalent of a loan shark.

Hey, at least it wasn't a payday advance place (which I've also done, but not for probably about 4 or 5 years).

Of course, he also tried to get me to include paying off my car and another loan I have and increase the amount of money I owe the loan sharks. Yeah, right. Consolidate two loans that are under 15% interest into one that's bordering on 26%? Not likely, Jim.

In other news though, we paid off the evil evil bank last week. I loathe banks, so this was a relief to me. Credit Unions all the way!! One loan down, 3 more to go!

Did I stutter?

I am sick and tired of being made to feel like I don't want to pay my bills. One creditor in particular is really good at making me feel like crap.

Hey Jim, if I tell you that I don't have the money right now, that's exactly what it means. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY!!!!! Not "let's redo the loan - if you make a payment today I can make it so you don't have to pay again until July." Not "well, I can take a phone payment of $50.00 and move the due date a couple of weeks out so you can catch up." I didn't fucking stutter. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY!!!!!

I must have told him five times that I didn't have ANY MONEY and he persisted in telling me about options that involved making a payment today. Jackass.

Oh, and when he told me he could redo the loan, I refused not only because I have NO MONEY (can I possibly reiterate that enough?), but the last time I redid the loan, our interest rate went up a point and a half. Now he's telling me that since we have collateral on the loan that he may be able to bring it down. Ummm, we had collateral on the loan LAST TIME we redid it. I told him if he's able to bring it down and not require a payment right now that I might be interested in redoing it. He said he'd look into what he could do for me.

I'm not holding my breath.

{{sigh}}

Yesterday's meeting was not about making me an offer as Bryan thought. It was just so the guy could meet me, tell me that I had the highest test score they'd ever seen (43 on the Wonderlic Personnel Test, if that means anything to anyone), tell me that they're "VERY impressed" with me, and ask me what my strengths and weaknesses are. Why this couldn't have been accomplished in a phone call (saving him the trip and me the hour and a half personal time), I have no idea.

If they make me an offer, I'm probably going to say no.

To make a long story short, the insurance - only medical, as opposed to the excellent medical, dental and vision coverage I have now - costs over twice as much per paycheck and isn't as good as what I have now, AND the job will be moving to their corporate office in the next 3 months to a year. Corporate office is 40 miles from my house, the route there is under construction for the next 3-4 years, and is shitty for winter driving.

Paying more money for less insurance and an even shittier commute than the one I have now (albeit shorter, mileage-wise) within a year? Without a guarantee that they'd even match the wage I make now?

I don't think so. They're really going to have to hit one out of the park salary-wise for me to consider it.

Huh?

You're France!

Most people think you're snobby, but it's really just that you're better than everyone else. At least you're more loyal to the real language, the fine arts, and the fine wines than anyone else. You aren't worth beans in a fight, unless you're really short, but you're so good at other things that it usually doesn't matter. Some of your finest works were intended to be short-term projects.
Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid

Foreshadowing?

LIFE IS DIFFERENT NOW. YOU MUST LEARN TO POOP MORE QUICKLY.

I can totally picture Bryan saying this to me after we have our first kid.

See Dooce for details.

Double Eeek!!

The VP of HR (of the potential new company, not the current one) wants to meet with me personally! The hubby seems to think that it's because they want to make me offer.

Let's hope he's right.

Yep, I'd say that's about right

Except I lived just outside New York City for 21 years... does that count the same as living in NYC for just a year?

You're Compassion Fatigue!

by Susan Moeller

You used to care, but now it's just getting too difficult. You cared about the plight of people in lands near and far, but now the media has bombarded you with images of suffering to the point that you just don't have the energy to go on. You've become cold and heartless, as though you'd lived in New York City for a year or so. But you stand as a serious example to all others that they should turn off their TV sets and start caring again.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Eeeek!!

They're checking my references!

I'm so bright!

But we already knew THAT, didn't we? ;)

Your Element is Light. You are friendly, happy, social, bubbly, and can brighten up any one's day. You are very kind and a real people person because you have several friends (or at least should). Your cheery nature makes you lovable and your stunning looks are sweet and stand out.


What's Your Element(girls)? (PICTURES)
brought to you by Quizilla

Via Mel via Casey

I love spring

I think it went well...

He told me that the only reason he'd stop short of calling me the perfect fit for the job is because he doesn't think I have as much printing knowledge as he'd like. BUT... he had me take a few tests, and I'm fairly confident in my answers. He said he needs to talk to his boss, but he also gave me a copy of the employee handbook "just in case things work out."

It's a very small office, a branch of a larger company. If I get the job, it would be the sales guy, me, and a part-time person who would do some of the same stuff I do, but a few more menial things (from the way it sounded). The only problem I'd have with that is scheduling vacations and time off - and you don't get actual vacation for a while, either. I looked over the handbook briefly and I'm not sure if Direct Deposit is available, either. Oh, and the health coverage is medical only - no dental or vision, so I'd have to make sure I squirrel money away into a "teefers-n-peepers" fund of sorts. If I'm offered the position, I think hubby and I will both be taking advantage of the vision coverage I currently have post-haste (eye exam fully covered, $25 for glasses).

But it's 5 minutes from my house, and it sounds like they're willing to under a dollar less an hour than I make now, which means I may actually come out ahead of the game. I'll more than likely break even at the very very least.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

Interview in the morning!!

I'm so excited!! Multiple body parts are crossed. :)

And now I'm going to bed.

Sad day

One of my favorite people at work got a job in one of our outer offices - his start day with that office wasn't supposed to be until the 24th, but that office decided that they needed him to start this coming Monday. We all thought we'd have another week with him, but now today is his last day. I'm totally going to cry when I leave. He's such a nice guy and will be sorely missed around here.

UPDATE!!! I thought I was going to get to say goodbye to him when I left and have a nice cry in my car since my shift ends before his. Nope! Stinker left 2 hours early, leaving me to get all verklempt in from of my coworkers.

Update on the job sitch

I have an interview for that job.

I never got a call from them, so I called them myself.

It sounds like the guy who's doing the hiring wasn't initially interested in me because my printing experience was largely clerical/admin - he said he picked a bunch of people whose resumes most closely matched the job description and called them (obviously I wasn't one of them).

I'm not sure what exactly about my experience he didn't feel fit with what he wanted, but it sounded like he wasn't sure I'd know the printing process and terminology, but once we got to talking about what exactly I did at my old job, he now knows that I'm familiar/comfortable with the terminology and was fairly involved in the process, and that I had actually wanted to stay in printing but there was nothing available when I left my old company.

I go in next Monday at 11:00. I'm not holding my breath because he sounded uncomfortable, almost like he felt pressured into giving me an interview. He could have said no, but maybe he felt I was confident in my abilities, so you never know.

He said he had over 100 applicants (which may explain why I never got a call or e-mail) and a good portion of them listed my old company as a previous employer. So we'll see.

You know, if I get this job, I will be sad to leave my present company. I LOVE the people I work with, and I enjoy what I do. The vacation, sick time and benefits are pretty great as well. But I'm getting tired of the drive, along with a few other things. But the drive is the first and foremost reason I'd even think about leaving. If I could do this job from home, I'd be set. A job I enjoy AND not having a 110-mile round trip commute that sucks two hours a day out of my life would be wonderful. Let's hope that if I get this job that I enjoy it as much as the one I have now.

I love my job, I'm just sick of driving.

Gas

$1.92 Sunday, $1.99 yesterday... don't these fuckers know I'm poor and I have a 110 mile round trip because I live in a little bumblefuck town with no decent-paying jobs?

Oh, the legality!

Baby's first cease-and-desist letter! What a freakin' milestone!

So as you may know, I am a consultant for a very well-known in-home party company (hey, if you're having a party, make sure you have some lite dip for your more fat- and calorie-conscious guests).

With that sort of thing, it's beneficial to have a separate e-mail address. I set myself up with an e-mail address that happened to contain - gasp! - the company's NAME (the horror!). Apparently, this is a HUGE no-no, and I got a cease-and-desist letter.

My very first. Should I frame it?

So apparently I'm good enough to hawk their overpriced (but crack-like in its addictive properties) product, I'm good enough to make them money, but I can't say who I work for? And in response they have their freakin' (probably overpaid) legal department send me a letter, rather than just having my upline tell me? What a bunch of crap.

Where is it sunny all the time?

It's been bright and sunny all week so far, and I've been in a fabulous mood all week. It's cloudy this morning, and I've turned into a giant crabass.

What the hell's wrong with me?!

Me

SP'd from M

(x) I Have Been Drunk
(x) I Have Smoked Pot
( ) I Have Done Cocaine
( ) I Have Done Other Drugs
(x) I Have Thrown Up In A Bar
(x) I Have Flashed Someone (only if my husband counts)
( ) I Have Posed Nude
(x) I Have Purchased Pornography
( ) I Have Been Caught Masturbating
(x) I Have Pissed On Myself (ever have that dream where you really have to go to the bathroom, and then you start to pee in your dream, and you wind up wetting yourself in real life? I have.)
(x) I Have Kissed A Member Of The Opposite Sex
(x) I Have Kissed A Member Of The Same Sex
(x) I Have Made Out With A Stranger
( ) I Have Gone On A Blind Date
(x) I Have Been In Love
(x) I Have Been Dumped
(x) I Have Had Sex
( ) I Have Had Anal Sex
(x) I Have Had Sex In Public (does a tent in a state park count?)
(x) I Have Had Sex With A Member Of The Same Sex (there's a time and a place for everything... it's called college)
( ) I Have Had Sex With A Co-Worker
( ) I Have Had Sex At The Office
( ) I Have Had Sex In A Dressing Room
( ) I Have Had Sex At A Friend's House During A Party
( ) I Have Had Sex / Hooked Up With A Friend's Sibling
(x) I Have Gotten Someone Drunk To Have Sex With Them (that pesky college thing again)
(x) I Have Had Sex With More Than 1 Person In The Same Week (college again)
( ) I Have Had A Threesome
( ) I Have Received Scars From My Sex Partner
(x) I Have Been Married
( ) I Have Been Divorced
( ) I Have Snuck Out Of My Parent's House
( ) I Have Cut Myself On Purpose
( ) I Have Killed Someone
( ) I Have Purposely Set A Part Of Myself On Fire
( ) I Have Crashed A Friend's/Mom's Car
(x) I Have Shoplifted
(x) I Have Stolen Something From My Job (not my current one)
(x) I Have Been Fired (not related to the stealing... different job)
(x) I Have Been In A Fist Fight
(x) I Have Been Tied Up (VERY briefly)
( ) I Have Been Arrested
(x) I Have Ridden In A Taxi
(x) I Have Lied To A Friend
(x) I Have Skipped School (there we go with that pesky college thing again)
(x) I Have Had A Crush On A Teacher
( ) I Have Celebrated Mardi-Gras In New Orleans
(x) I Have Celebrated New Years In Time Square
( ) I Have Been To Japan
(x) I Have Been To Europe
( ) I Have Been Snowboarding
(x) I Have Eaten Sushi

Argh!!

Last week, I found a job online that is PERFECT for me, would give me the pay I need and have me working back IN TOWN, rather than continue my hellacious daily 110-mile round trip. I'd have those two hours a day back in my LIFE, not in my CAR. I'd be able to stop spending so much money on gas (appx. $45 a week at this point, going up as we speak).

I was so excited, I e-mailed my resume literally 10 minutes after I saw the posting. I followed with a voice mail two days later. That was last week Wednesday and Friday. Nothing yet.

I had my hopes so high for this one at first. It is absolutely perfect for me, and draws on not only my customer service experience, but my experience in an industry I really didn't want to leave, but the only move that could be made in the company I worked for was OUT (there was no "up" unless I wanted to work twice the hours for maybe $5K more a year and nowhere "up" to go after that).

Maybe it's because with the internet age I've come to expect instant communication gratification, but I mean really, come on - I e-mailed him my resume a week ago tomorrow, AND followed up with a voice mail. It's a small company so I'm guessing there aren't a lot of applicants, and with my qualifications and experience I was sure I'd have heard something by now. I got my hopes up, and now they're fading.

Since I e-mailed my resume last Wednesday, and followed with a voice mail last Friday (basically said "hi, I'm Kat, I e-mailed you my resume and am very interested in interviewing for this position. Please call me at..., I look forward to hearing from you"), when can I leave him another message and not look like a total desperate stalker??

I REALLY want this job.

I can't believe it's been 10 years

Mel just blogged about her 10-year high school reunion. We graduated the same year, so this year would be mine as well, though I have no clue if anything is happening (Renee, do you have any idea?).

Her post just reminded me why I wouldn't want to go to mine. I didn't need that shit then, I sure as hell don't need it now. As I commented over there, there's really only a few people I'd want to talk to, and I'm sure I could find the ones I'm not already in contact with with some creative Googling.

Some of the things she saw and heard sound EXACTLY like what I'd probably find at my reunion:

"She doesn't like me! She won't talk to me! I can't believe her!"

"But I want to go because I don't want them to think I'm not cool!"

Yep, tha'd be my high school, alright. I'll likely be in NY this summer, but I'll be damned if I'm going to a reunion (if there is one). Maybe I'll go to the 20th.

Maybe.