Two Hundred Sixtieth Entry
I'm sick. I'm sick, I'm sick, I'm sick.
Disease is never fun. Except for when you get to stay home and watch TV all day:
6:40:00am - Awoke to the TV and clock radio going off.
6:40:15am - Hit the snooze on the clock radio, watched a story on the news about some plane crash.
6:45:00am - Awoke to the clock radio going off, with the TV still on.
6:45:10am - Hit the snooze on the clock radio, watched a clip of some Oktoberfest festival in Fresno.
6:50:00am - Awoke to the clock radio going off, with the TV still on.
6:50:07am - Hit the snooze on the clock radio, watched the lamest traffic report in history. "There's a cow wandering around on Caruthers Ave. near Midvalley, so you better watch out for that."
6:55:00am - Awoke to the clock radio going off, with the TV still on. Decide not to hit the snooze. A decision that would alter the course of my day...OK, not really.
7:20:13am - After watching some more news, and wondering why I didn't feel as sick as I did yesterday, I called the office and left a message with my supervisor saying that I was not going in to work today. Better safe than sorry, I always say.
7:22am - Went to the bathroom for my first bowel movement of the day. It is somewhat of a morning ritual. If I don't have time, I hold it until I get to work. The flush power of the toilets at work is amazing. Nothing will clog those things.
7:26am - Hatched plan to go on a no carb, all protein and fat binge in an effort to clog the toilet at work.
7:35am - Went downstairs and immediately started on my Vitamin C loading for the day. I started out the day with about 1.5 gallons of OJ. I also ate two frozen burritos(I nuked them first).
7:40am through 12:30pm - Watched news, napped, Watched Good Day Live(they have new hosts...not so good)(We love you Jillian!), napped, Watched BBC America, napped.
12:30pm - Got hungry and went to McDonalds for food.
12:40pm - Ate McDonalds at home while watching TV, napping and drinking orange juice.
1:15pm - Picked up some trash in my living room in a half-hearted attempt to tidy up.
2:00pm - Exhausted from "tidying up" I took a nap.
2:30pm through 9:00pm - I re-watched most of the Arrested Development episodes(still hilariously funny!), "tidied up" some more(mainly so I wouldn't have to step on the same National Geographic mag each time I got up from the sofa...it was time for the Maxim to enjoy my feet), drank tons of OJ, had two mini-bowls of cereal and a roll of Ritz crackers for dinner, and washed all the dishes I could find.
9:00pm - Put on CBS and watched Everybody Loves Raymond. Still funny after 10 years...
9:30pm - Watched Two and a Half Men...not so funny. Clipped my finger and toe nails. They were gettin' claw-ey.
10:00pm - Watched the news...definitely not funny, but informative and educational, and drank a Theraflu thing.
11:00pm - Retired to the second floor and checked email and blogged.
I ended the day with about half a quart of orange juice. It's probably just enough for tomorrow morning before work.
I can't sign out for the night without saying that Arrested Development is one of the best TV shows I've ever seen. The DVD special features really help explain a lot of what goes on on and off the set to make the show as great as it is. As far as favorite characters go, there are no favorites, they are all favorites. Each one does their part to make the show hilarious.
There is heavy rain in the forecast for tomorrow evening. I'm excited! It's just what I need to get over this disease.
10.25.2004
10.21.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Ninth Entry
Red Sox win the pennant! Red Sox win the pennant!
I wouldn't be happier if I won the lottery. That's a lie.
Last night I closed at Albertson's. I am very tired today.
Amy was here this weekend and I had a lot of fun. Thanks Amy for visiting.
I would also like to thank Carolyn for the First Season Arrested Development DVD. Yes, I finally used the Target Gift Card she gave me for my birthday. I really like that show. I had seen a few episodes during the regular season, and on Saturday, Amy and I watched the marathon on FX. I had no idea that GOB were his initials. I am on episode five.
We had the first fog today. It wasn't too dense, about a quarter mile visibility, but enough to make it fun.
Red Sox win the pennant! Red Sox win the pennant!
I wouldn't be happier if I won the lottery. That's a lie.
Last night I closed at Albertson's. I am very tired today.
Amy was here this weekend and I had a lot of fun. Thanks Amy for visiting.
I would also like to thank Carolyn for the First Season Arrested Development DVD. Yes, I finally used the Target Gift Card she gave me for my birthday. I really like that show. I had seen a few episodes during the regular season, and on Saturday, Amy and I watched the marathon on FX. I had no idea that GOB were his initials. I am on episode five.
We had the first fog today. It wasn't too dense, about a quarter mile visibility, but enough to make it fun.
10.18.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Seventh Entry
Tomorrow, I am stepping outside the safe and sheltered confines of my office and am going to give a 20 minute presentation to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. I guess, not so much give the presentation, as be the technician for the presentation. Well, not so much be the technician, as the button pusher for the Power Point portion of the presentation. For which I have to wear a tie. I'll be the best goddamned dressed button pusher ever seen. I gotta find all my bling....
I saw the new Eminem video and nearly snotted all over myself it was so funny. Hahahaha. Noone in Hollywood is safe.
I was very sad to read Britney's "I'm taking a break" letter to her fans. Thank you Jen for sharing that beautifully penned homage to Britney's crappy life by Britney. I hope to God she doesn't reproduce. I can see her having just enough kids to start a tween band. Actually, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea for her. She must realize that she can't be this successful forever. She needs a healthy and "talented" set of dependants to support her as she ages. God knows deadbeat Kevin won't do that for her. (Hmmm...it may sound like I care, but I don't.)
Thank you Lisa for filling my answering machine with three messages containing Michael Gates belting Freeway of Love. It truly made my eyes water. It made me miss Karaoke...for about two seconds.
I didn't work tonight. I don't work tomorrow night. I close on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm working 3-9 on Saturday. Working at Albertson's is fun, until your feet and back start reminding you you've been standing and walking for two hours straight.
On a related topic, do me a favor and do not ask for paper bags at the Supermarket. Reasons why:
a) It takes the courtesy clerk longer to bag your groceries. By the time I actually get one open, I could have had 2 plastic bags filled up.
b) They are not stronger than plastic. That is an urban legend(Fred). If you are still concerned, ask your courtesy clerk to double bag something for you. It is a helluva lot easier than fussing with the goddamn paper bags.
c) Contrary to popular belief, it does not save the environment. Although paper bags are recyclable, most of the paper bags from grocery stores end up in the trash, either from people who forget to recycle them, or from people who use them as trash bags. If anything, you are contributing to the overflowing landfill problem. Just do this quick exercise, take a paper grocery bag and a plastic one. Crumple up the paper bag as small as you can. Now, take a plastic bag and tear a bunch of holes in it (to simulate it's interaction with other objects at a landfill or in the home) and scrunch it down as small as you can. Which one is smaller? Plastic. And don't give me any of that biodegradable bullshit. A lesson on how landfills work: California law states that after a day of trash at a landfill, the days trash must (MUST!) be covered by dirt. I kid you not. Now imagine weeks and weeks of trash building up, layer upon layer. Now, the landfill will settle some, there is no denying that, but what do you think happens to the trash in all these layers in the absence of water? It doesn't decompose. Sure there is some water that goes with the trash, in the form of banana peels and the like, but it ain't enough to decompose all that trash. Why do you think people can go diggin' around a landfill and find a legible copy of the New York Times announcing Kennedy as the President? If you really want to help the environment, create a compost pile in your backyard.
d) This reason is the grossest one. I didn't know about this until Jane told me about it at work a couple of weeks ago. The glue that holds the paper together in the shape of a bag is a delicasee for...COCKROACHES!! Yes! It's true!!! I couldn't believe it myself. All I kept thinking about was how many cockroaches there must have been in my childhood kitchen between the counter and the fridge. So disgusting. They climb on into the bags, feast on the glue and lay eggs all over the place. Gross, gross, gross!!!
e) The final reason. It really pisses us off. It does. We are supposed to be happy and smiling, but I've never done more number fours than when bagging with paper bags. JEEE--SUSSS!!
If you still want paper bags when shopping, but don't care if your groceries are in them or not, just ask for them. Any courtesy clerk would be more than happy to give you a few paper bags.
The new store director started today. His name is Kenny. Hahahahaha. Many South Park jokes in the future. I don't think I've ever known anyone named Kenny. Oh wait, Kenny something-or-other in Elementary School. What a jerk.
It's gonna rain pretty heavy tomorrow according to the forecast earlier this afternoon. 100% chance of heavy rain for us here in Tulare. Fun! You know what that means?! Snow in the mountains!!!!!!
I can't think of anything else to write.
Tomorrow, I am stepping outside the safe and sheltered confines of my office and am going to give a 20 minute presentation to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. I guess, not so much give the presentation, as be the technician for the presentation. Well, not so much be the technician, as the button pusher for the Power Point portion of the presentation. For which I have to wear a tie. I'll be the best goddamned dressed button pusher ever seen. I gotta find all my bling....
I saw the new Eminem video and nearly snotted all over myself it was so funny. Hahahaha. Noone in Hollywood is safe.
I was very sad to read Britney's "I'm taking a break" letter to her fans. Thank you Jen for sharing that beautifully penned homage to Britney's crappy life by Britney. I hope to God she doesn't reproduce. I can see her having just enough kids to start a tween band. Actually, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea for her. She must realize that she can't be this successful forever. She needs a healthy and "talented" set of dependants to support her as she ages. God knows deadbeat Kevin won't do that for her. (Hmmm...it may sound like I care, but I don't.)
Thank you Lisa for filling my answering machine with three messages containing Michael Gates belting Freeway of Love. It truly made my eyes water. It made me miss Karaoke...for about two seconds.
I didn't work tonight. I don't work tomorrow night. I close on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm working 3-9 on Saturday. Working at Albertson's is fun, until your feet and back start reminding you you've been standing and walking for two hours straight.
On a related topic, do me a favor and do not ask for paper bags at the Supermarket. Reasons why:
a) It takes the courtesy clerk longer to bag your groceries. By the time I actually get one open, I could have had 2 plastic bags filled up.
b) They are not stronger than plastic. That is an urban legend(Fred). If you are still concerned, ask your courtesy clerk to double bag something for you. It is a helluva lot easier than fussing with the goddamn paper bags.
c) Contrary to popular belief, it does not save the environment. Although paper bags are recyclable, most of the paper bags from grocery stores end up in the trash, either from people who forget to recycle them, or from people who use them as trash bags. If anything, you are contributing to the overflowing landfill problem. Just do this quick exercise, take a paper grocery bag and a plastic one. Crumple up the paper bag as small as you can. Now, take a plastic bag and tear a bunch of holes in it (to simulate it's interaction with other objects at a landfill or in the home) and scrunch it down as small as you can. Which one is smaller? Plastic. And don't give me any of that biodegradable bullshit. A lesson on how landfills work: California law states that after a day of trash at a landfill, the days trash must (MUST!) be covered by dirt. I kid you not. Now imagine weeks and weeks of trash building up, layer upon layer. Now, the landfill will settle some, there is no denying that, but what do you think happens to the trash in all these layers in the absence of water? It doesn't decompose. Sure there is some water that goes with the trash, in the form of banana peels and the like, but it ain't enough to decompose all that trash. Why do you think people can go diggin' around a landfill and find a legible copy of the New York Times announcing Kennedy as the President? If you really want to help the environment, create a compost pile in your backyard.
d) This reason is the grossest one. I didn't know about this until Jane told me about it at work a couple of weeks ago. The glue that holds the paper together in the shape of a bag is a delicasee for...COCKROACHES!! Yes! It's true!!! I couldn't believe it myself. All I kept thinking about was how many cockroaches there must have been in my childhood kitchen between the counter and the fridge. So disgusting. They climb on into the bags, feast on the glue and lay eggs all over the place. Gross, gross, gross!!!
e) The final reason. It really pisses us off. It does. We are supposed to be happy and smiling, but I've never done more number fours than when bagging with paper bags. JEEE--SUSSS!!
If you still want paper bags when shopping, but don't care if your groceries are in them or not, just ask for them. Any courtesy clerk would be more than happy to give you a few paper bags.
The new store director started today. His name is Kenny. Hahahahaha. Many South Park jokes in the future. I don't think I've ever known anyone named Kenny. Oh wait, Kenny something-or-other in Elementary School. What a jerk.
It's gonna rain pretty heavy tomorrow according to the forecast earlier this afternoon. 100% chance of heavy rain for us here in Tulare. Fun! You know what that means?! Snow in the mountains!!!!!!
I can't think of anything else to write.
10.17.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Sixth Entry
It's raining. I stood in the dark in my backyard for 10 minutes just feeling the rain. Letting it soak me. I opened the window in my bedroom so I can fall asleep to the sound of the rain. I love the rain.
There is just something relaxing and almost cathartic about the rain. "It's raining. I'm standing in the rain. I'm getting wet." I forgot about work tomorrow, work on Monday, my laundry, my bills. I forgot about everything and thought only of the rain. "How long does it take a drop to reach me from it's place of formation? It must be only a matter of minutes. Is it raining in San Leandro? I sure hope so. How big is the storm that is producing this rain? Does it reach all the way up to the Bay Area? or down to LA? The water feels good hitting me." It's been a long time since I felt rain.
The last time was probably in San Luis Obispo, my Senior year. It was raining the hardest I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't believe it. It must've been about two in the morning and I was doing takeoffs for my estimation class. I heard the heavy downpour and ran to the door to see it. It rained so hard I couldn't see the building not 200 feet in front of me. Beautiful. I went out onto the sidewalk and got completely soaked. I just stood there. Thinking. Waiting. Wondering about the rain....much of the same things I wondered tonight. It lasted 5-10 minutes. I was completely drenched. It felt good.
It's the first rain of the year. It isn't much, just enough to make the roads slick. But it's promising. While I can never expect a torrential storm like the one in SLO, I can look forward to several more of these.
I love the rain.
It's raining. I stood in the dark in my backyard for 10 minutes just feeling the rain. Letting it soak me. I opened the window in my bedroom so I can fall asleep to the sound of the rain. I love the rain.
There is just something relaxing and almost cathartic about the rain. "It's raining. I'm standing in the rain. I'm getting wet." I forgot about work tomorrow, work on Monday, my laundry, my bills. I forgot about everything and thought only of the rain. "How long does it take a drop to reach me from it's place of formation? It must be only a matter of minutes. Is it raining in San Leandro? I sure hope so. How big is the storm that is producing this rain? Does it reach all the way up to the Bay Area? or down to LA? The water feels good hitting me." It's been a long time since I felt rain.
The last time was probably in San Luis Obispo, my Senior year. It was raining the hardest I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't believe it. It must've been about two in the morning and I was doing takeoffs for my estimation class. I heard the heavy downpour and ran to the door to see it. It rained so hard I couldn't see the building not 200 feet in front of me. Beautiful. I went out onto the sidewalk and got completely soaked. I just stood there. Thinking. Waiting. Wondering about the rain....much of the same things I wondered tonight. It lasted 5-10 minutes. I was completely drenched. It felt good.
It's the first rain of the year. It isn't much, just enough to make the roads slick. But it's promising. While I can never expect a torrential storm like the one in SLO, I can look forward to several more of these.
I love the rain.
10.13.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Fifth Entry
Science for the sake of science...what? Helping people through science...huh?
I just read an article saying that the FDA approved computer chip implants for humans. Whoa. It's a sign of the end times folks.
I just OD'd on coffee and I feel great!
I have the rest of the week off from Albertsons. I really like working there, but I'm glad for my days off. And I get paid tomorrow! It's gonna be a small check though. I only worked 24 hours last week.
I have to go to Costco tonight to stock up the Cantina. I counted all the money we have in the kitty and the total was $505.83. In the 10 months I have been in charge of the Cantina, it has gone from owing me $200, to having over $550 in cash money and goods. Not bad, not bloody bad. I was talking with Danny and we were thinking that maybe all the excess cash could be used to invest in a stock of our choosing, buy lottery tickets every week, or have a just-because-we-have-a-ton-of-money party.
It's freakin' hot today.
Science for the sake of science...what? Helping people through science...huh?
I just read an article saying that the FDA approved computer chip implants for humans. Whoa. It's a sign of the end times folks.
I just OD'd on coffee and I feel great!
I have the rest of the week off from Albertsons. I really like working there, but I'm glad for my days off. And I get paid tomorrow! It's gonna be a small check though. I only worked 24 hours last week.
I have to go to Costco tonight to stock up the Cantina. I counted all the money we have in the kitty and the total was $505.83. In the 10 months I have been in charge of the Cantina, it has gone from owing me $200, to having over $550 in cash money and goods. Not bad, not bloody bad. I was talking with Danny and we were thinking that maybe all the excess cash could be used to invest in a stock of our choosing, buy lottery tickets every week, or have a just-because-we-have-a-ton-of-money party.
It's freakin' hot today.
10.02.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Fourth Entry
The A's were just denied a chance at the playoffs. The Giants are most likely eliminated too. The Raiders and Niners suck, the Warriors suck, the Sharks suck. Bay Area sports just ain't what it used to be.
I guess now that I officially live in Southern California I can root for the Dodgers and Angels, Chargers and Ducks, Lakers and Clippers. But that's no fun.
Go BoSox!
Yesterday, I closed for the fourth time in a row(I spent a lot of the time cart skiing). They had to give me today off or pay me time and a half for my shift today. They gave me the day off. What did I do today? Next to nothing:
I went to my grandma's house. I went with Paula and Calvin to a house they are seriously thinking of buying. And later, I am going to a lamb barbeque at the PPAV in Visalia. I don't think I've ever had BBQ lamb. Sounds good though. Baaaaa.
Everything downstairs has been consolidated and in piles. The house is as neat as it has been in several months. It took a lot of hardwork and determination this week to get it the way it is now.
My escape plan should begin next weekend. That is the scheduled start of my studying for the PE. I am excited and thrilled at the opportunity to start studying. I just can't wait.
I hope Eric and Norma's wedding went well. I hope Amy had a fun time. I wish I'd have gone. I could have used a break from the insanity.
I will be needing to go to San Leandro sometime towards the end of this month to get my last car service. Bullet is nearing 60,000 miles, 59,2-something.
I got two new credit cards this week. I love it. They are shiny and platinum. With this new Albertson's job, all of my credit cards should be paid off by late next year. We'll see.
The A's were just denied a chance at the playoffs. The Giants are most likely eliminated too. The Raiders and Niners suck, the Warriors suck, the Sharks suck. Bay Area sports just ain't what it used to be.
I guess now that I officially live in Southern California I can root for the Dodgers and Angels, Chargers and Ducks, Lakers and Clippers. But that's no fun.
Go BoSox!
Yesterday, I closed for the fourth time in a row(I spent a lot of the time cart skiing). They had to give me today off or pay me time and a half for my shift today. They gave me the day off. What did I do today? Next to nothing:
I went to my grandma's house. I went with Paula and Calvin to a house they are seriously thinking of buying. And later, I am going to a lamb barbeque at the PPAV in Visalia. I don't think I've ever had BBQ lamb. Sounds good though. Baaaaa.
Everything downstairs has been consolidated and in piles. The house is as neat as it has been in several months. It took a lot of hardwork and determination this week to get it the way it is now.
My escape plan should begin next weekend. That is the scheduled start of my studying for the PE. I am excited and thrilled at the opportunity to start studying. I just can't wait.
I hope Eric and Norma's wedding went well. I hope Amy had a fun time. I wish I'd have gone. I could have used a break from the insanity.
I will be needing to go to San Leandro sometime towards the end of this month to get my last car service. Bullet is nearing 60,000 miles, 59,2-something.
I got two new credit cards this week. I love it. They are shiny and platinum. With this new Albertson's job, all of my credit cards should be paid off by late next year. We'll see.
9.30.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Third Entry
To say that I have been busy and tired the past week is a huge understatement. I have been working a lot at Albertson's in my inaugural week. It is a very tiring job, but very fun.
The people I work with are great...a sarcastic and cynical Tulare City Council candidate, a very nice woman from the Azores, a perverted ex-con, a woman who can "suck a golf ball through a hose", a very happy and helpful girl who reminds me a lot of Delia(it's a compliment Del), a hardworking Forrest Gump and a lazy son-of-a' that takes 20 minute breaks and does no work. Of course there are the managers, and I haven't met one I didn't like.
My favorite task at Albertson's is doing go-backs. Those are the things that people decide they don't want when they get up to the Cashier. Go-backs are a chance to get away from the front end for a while and learn stuff in the store. I get to help the customers that are out on the floor, which is kind of fun. Even more fun is what I like to call, cart skiing. I run as fast as I can down the aisle with the go-back cart in front of me and then lean forward onto the cart and "ski" on my tip-toes. Great fun. I'll probably get hurt doing that someday.
I learned how to water the produce yesterday. That is pretty fun. Playing with water indoors has always been something I couldn't do, but now I get to do it. Hahahaha.
The compliments have been coming fast and furious. The checkers say that I'm one of the three best Courtesy Clerks in the store. Even the managers give me compliments. Someday I aspire to be an Albertson's manager.
One thing that does suck is that there are a lot of flakes that call in sick all the time. Who gets called when that happens? Me, the new guy. Oh yeah, by the way, there was another new guy that started the same day that I did and he already quit. Interesting...
Tonight, I am closing for the third night in a row. Since I've started, I've only had one day off, and that was Monday. I took the day off from the County too to make it a real day off.
So yeah, I'm busy and tired, I don't get to see or talk to my girlfriend as often as I would like, I am losing track of my TV shows and I'm never home except to sleep, but it is all worth it. I'm makin' BANK!
To say that I have been busy and tired the past week is a huge understatement. I have been working a lot at Albertson's in my inaugural week. It is a very tiring job, but very fun.
The people I work with are great...a sarcastic and cynical Tulare City Council candidate, a very nice woman from the Azores, a perverted ex-con, a woman who can "suck a golf ball through a hose", a very happy and helpful girl who reminds me a lot of Delia(it's a compliment Del), a hardworking Forrest Gump and a lazy son-of-a' that takes 20 minute breaks and does no work. Of course there are the managers, and I haven't met one I didn't like.
My favorite task at Albertson's is doing go-backs. Those are the things that people decide they don't want when they get up to the Cashier. Go-backs are a chance to get away from the front end for a while and learn stuff in the store. I get to help the customers that are out on the floor, which is kind of fun. Even more fun is what I like to call, cart skiing. I run as fast as I can down the aisle with the go-back cart in front of me and then lean forward onto the cart and "ski" on my tip-toes. Great fun. I'll probably get hurt doing that someday.
I learned how to water the produce yesterday. That is pretty fun. Playing with water indoors has always been something I couldn't do, but now I get to do it. Hahahaha.
The compliments have been coming fast and furious. The checkers say that I'm one of the three best Courtesy Clerks in the store. Even the managers give me compliments. Someday I aspire to be an Albertson's manager.
One thing that does suck is that there are a lot of flakes that call in sick all the time. Who gets called when that happens? Me, the new guy. Oh yeah, by the way, there was another new guy that started the same day that I did and he already quit. Interesting...
Tonight, I am closing for the third night in a row. Since I've started, I've only had one day off, and that was Monday. I took the day off from the County too to make it a real day off.
So yeah, I'm busy and tired, I don't get to see or talk to my girlfriend as often as I would like, I am losing track of my TV shows and I'm never home except to sleep, but it is all worth it. I'm makin' BANK!
9.15.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-Second Entry
I peed in a cup today....I had an interview at Albertson's today. It went well. Looks like the job is flexible enough to form itself around my County job. I just have to call back on Friday to talk with the manager again. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to working at Albertson's.
I got my promotion. Yay! $120 more bucks a month!
I'm tired.
GO IVAN!!!
I peed in a cup today....I had an interview at Albertson's today. It went well. Looks like the job is flexible enough to form itself around my County job. I just have to call back on Friday to talk with the manager again. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to working at Albertson's.
I got my promotion. Yay! $120 more bucks a month!
I'm tired.
GO IVAN!!!
9.12.2004
Two Hundred Fifty-First Entry
Since my last entry, I have gone through a lot. If anyone has noticed me acting a little odd or distant recently, I apologize.
I am almost 100% certain that by this time next year I will be somewhere else. I really don't care where it is. I can't live and work here past that. I have been seriously reevaluating my career path and continue to be disappointed with it. I can no longer say that I enjoy doing a single thing at work. For some reason, I have become the research bitch at work. First it was ADA, then it was Bikeways and now its fed and state standards. How the hell is any of this going to look good on my resume? It isn't!
If it wasn't for the fact that I have absolutely no other option, I would leave. But I can't. So I'll just have to cope.
The past week my brains been working overtime trying to figure out my escape plan. I need to have a plan to fulfill all of my commitments and minimize my responsibilities. Then I can truly escape. Live a life with minimal financial or professional commitments or responsibilities.
The only thing holding me back is passing the PE. If I never work another day as a Civil Engineer after I get my PE, I won't care. I'll have that piece of paper that tells me that the last eight years of my life weren't a complete fucking waste. It's like closure.
I had a vision this week while driving to Paula's house. I'm checking my mail one day in July. In it there is an envelope from the California Department of Consumer Affairs with the results of my exam. I open it and find that I passed all four sections. After crying for an hour about just what it means to be a Professional Engineer and how long it took me to complete the journey that started eight years ago, I go to the liquor store. I spend over $500 on liquor and drink for a week straight(I'll have enough vacation by then). Random people come over and congratulate me, drink and after a while don't even remember what we were drinking for. The following week I go to work, hand in my two week notice and begin my escape.
You're all invited, of course.
Since my last entry, I have gone through a lot. If anyone has noticed me acting a little odd or distant recently, I apologize.
I am almost 100% certain that by this time next year I will be somewhere else. I really don't care where it is. I can't live and work here past that. I have been seriously reevaluating my career path and continue to be disappointed with it. I can no longer say that I enjoy doing a single thing at work. For some reason, I have become the research bitch at work. First it was ADA, then it was Bikeways and now its fed and state standards. How the hell is any of this going to look good on my resume? It isn't!
If it wasn't for the fact that I have absolutely no other option, I would leave. But I can't. So I'll just have to cope.
The past week my brains been working overtime trying to figure out my escape plan. I need to have a plan to fulfill all of my commitments and minimize my responsibilities. Then I can truly escape. Live a life with minimal financial or professional commitments or responsibilities.
The only thing holding me back is passing the PE. If I never work another day as a Civil Engineer after I get my PE, I won't care. I'll have that piece of paper that tells me that the last eight years of my life weren't a complete fucking waste. It's like closure.
I had a vision this week while driving to Paula's house. I'm checking my mail one day in July. In it there is an envelope from the California Department of Consumer Affairs with the results of my exam. I open it and find that I passed all four sections. After crying for an hour about just what it means to be a Professional Engineer and how long it took me to complete the journey that started eight years ago, I go to the liquor store. I spend over $500 on liquor and drink for a week straight(I'll have enough vacation by then). Random people come over and congratulate me, drink and after a while don't even remember what we were drinking for. The following week I go to work, hand in my two week notice and begin my escape.
You're all invited, of course.
8.15.2004
Two Hundred Fiftieth Entry
I have mixed feelings about this past weekend. I'm glad I got to spend a lot of down time with my family. I'm glad I got to spend some alone time with Amy. I'm not glad I didn't get to see Louis and Jen. I'm not glad I had to pay my car insurance.
See, mixed feelings.
A big shout out to my peeps in the HI! Aloha wahines!!
Another big shout out to my peeps on the red planet! Zera mitels!!
I have mixed feelings about this past weekend. I'm glad I got to spend a lot of down time with my family. I'm glad I got to spend some alone time with Amy. I'm not glad I didn't get to see Louis and Jen. I'm not glad I had to pay my car insurance.
See, mixed feelings.
A big shout out to my peeps in the HI! Aloha wahines!!
Another big shout out to my peeps on the red planet! Zera mitels!!
8.08.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Ninth Entry
I am making quite a bit of headway on my website. Uploading photos that is.
Just got back from watching "The Bourne Supremacy" with Paula and Calvin. Awesome movie! Xlent and plentiful car chases! It makes me want to go back to Berlin. And learn German.
I hope they make "The Bourne Ultimatum".
Must read them all.
I am making quite a bit of headway on my website. Uploading photos that is.
Just got back from watching "The Bourne Supremacy" with Paula and Calvin. Awesome movie! Xlent and plentiful car chases! It makes me want to go back to Berlin. And learn German.
I hope they make "The Bourne Ultimatum".
Must read them all.
8.07.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Eighth Entry
This past weekend was fun. Amy was here. We did a lot of stuff. We watched TV, watched "The Shining" and "The Others", watched some more TV, nearly got arrested for eating Cold Stone out by the airport, went to my Grandma's house a lot, went to a bullfight on Monday night, ate tons of food(not literally, figuratively), slept very little, and talked. It had been a long time since I'd seen her. It was good.
----------
On Tuesday I got my PAF(Performance Appraisal Form). I got a 7 out of 10, which is the highest you can get without the supervisor having to write a special essay explaining the reason for the 8, 9 or 10. Nobody likes that. Nobody ever gets above a 7. Anyway, with this stellar PAF, I was given a promotion! I was excited. My super told me that I deserved it and asked me if I had anything to say. I told him that I didn't really care about all the pats on the back and just wanted the money. He laughed. I told him I was serious. It's either a 5 or 10% raise. I really need this.
Fast forward to Thursday. Phil tells me that the county has place a freeze on hiring and on promotions due to budget issues. I almost started crying. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was going to start looking for another job. He told me not to start looking yet. Him and Marcia put in a freeze exemption paperwork thingy and once it goes through, I should have my promotion. Good lookin' out, but I was still shocked. I've had to put up with this bullshit for 2 years only to get frozen.
----------
My aunt came back from Portugal on Monday. I was over there on Thursday night and got the download about the trip and I downloaded to her about my trip....all three of them. Then we had dinner. Mmmmm. I am off the hook now for my Grandma's meds. It's gonna suck not going there every day. I've gotten used to it. I guess I could still go, but now that I don't have to I probably won't. I'll go back to the once or twice a week visits.
----------
Last night I finally constructed my coffee table. It is massive. And moving it requires major strength. But......it.......looks.........good? I like it. I even have materials left over. I love my new power tool!
----------
Me going to Palm Desert delayed a long overdue project from being delivered. I have been working on this project for about a year, and it's crunch time. The four days I was gone to Palm Desert were four days that I could have completed a lot on the project. I should have trusted my gut and not gone to the conference. But I can't say no, especially when it's the boss asking.
I'm sure I've talked about this project before. It is a sidewalk installation project in the poorest community in the county. It is a good project for a place that really needs it.
My deliverable for this project is to produce a complete set of construction plans to send to CalTrans for review. I have never done this before. I have no idea what needs to be done to complete the drawings. I've been trudging a long, with very little direction from my supervisor. I ask him about what I need to do, and he either evades the question or tells me just one thing that needs to be done. What I need is a list of things to do to complete the drawings and not piecemeal guidance. That way I can at least have a reliable schedule to tell people. I can't think of how many times I have told them that I could have it done in a week only to have something else come up that needs to be done.
I've brought three sets of the current drawings home this weekend with the intention of staring at them forever and waiting for more work to come to me. I don't have AutoCAD at home anymore, so I can't make the changes directly onto the CAD file, hence the three copies.
----------
That is all I have to report.
This past weekend was fun. Amy was here. We did a lot of stuff. We watched TV, watched "The Shining" and "The Others", watched some more TV, nearly got arrested for eating Cold Stone out by the airport, went to my Grandma's house a lot, went to a bullfight on Monday night, ate tons of food(not literally, figuratively), slept very little, and talked. It had been a long time since I'd seen her. It was good.
----------
On Tuesday I got my PAF(Performance Appraisal Form). I got a 7 out of 10, which is the highest you can get without the supervisor having to write a special essay explaining the reason for the 8, 9 or 10. Nobody likes that. Nobody ever gets above a 7. Anyway, with this stellar PAF, I was given a promotion! I was excited. My super told me that I deserved it and asked me if I had anything to say. I told him that I didn't really care about all the pats on the back and just wanted the money. He laughed. I told him I was serious. It's either a 5 or 10% raise. I really need this.
Fast forward to Thursday. Phil tells me that the county has place a freeze on hiring and on promotions due to budget issues. I almost started crying. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was going to start looking for another job. He told me not to start looking yet. Him and Marcia put in a freeze exemption paperwork thingy and once it goes through, I should have my promotion. Good lookin' out, but I was still shocked. I've had to put up with this bullshit for 2 years only to get frozen.
----------
My aunt came back from Portugal on Monday. I was over there on Thursday night and got the download about the trip and I downloaded to her about my trip....all three of them. Then we had dinner. Mmmmm. I am off the hook now for my Grandma's meds. It's gonna suck not going there every day. I've gotten used to it. I guess I could still go, but now that I don't have to I probably won't. I'll go back to the once or twice a week visits.
----------
Last night I finally constructed my coffee table. It is massive. And moving it requires major strength. But......it.......looks.........good? I like it. I even have materials left over. I love my new power tool!
----------
Me going to Palm Desert delayed a long overdue project from being delivered. I have been working on this project for about a year, and it's crunch time. The four days I was gone to Palm Desert were four days that I could have completed a lot on the project. I should have trusted my gut and not gone to the conference. But I can't say no, especially when it's the boss asking.
I'm sure I've talked about this project before. It is a sidewalk installation project in the poorest community in the county. It is a good project for a place that really needs it.
My deliverable for this project is to produce a complete set of construction plans to send to CalTrans for review. I have never done this before. I have no idea what needs to be done to complete the drawings. I've been trudging a long, with very little direction from my supervisor. I ask him about what I need to do, and he either evades the question or tells me just one thing that needs to be done. What I need is a list of things to do to complete the drawings and not piecemeal guidance. That way I can at least have a reliable schedule to tell people. I can't think of how many times I have told them that I could have it done in a week only to have something else come up that needs to be done.
I've brought three sets of the current drawings home this weekend with the intention of staring at them forever and waiting for more work to come to me. I don't have AutoCAD at home anymore, so I can't make the changes directly onto the CAD file, hence the three copies.
----------
That is all I have to report.
7.29.2004
7.27.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Sixth Entry
I am in Palm Desert, California and having a good time.
I was informed yesterday at 8am that I needed to go home right away and pack for a three day conference that my boss, Marcia couldn't go to at the last minute. I was scrambling all over the place. I needed to: go to the bank, pay bills, take care of my grandma's meds, find someone to take care of my grandma's meds while I was out of town, pack, buy some last minute supplies for the three night stay and.....that's it.
We are staying at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert. It is sooooo nice. And cheap! Apparently summertime is the off-season and my awesome room costs $99 a night. I have a view of Palm Springs, the mountains behind it, the fake lake around the resort and the swimming pool. If only I had binoculars....hahaha.
About the conference...
It's called StormCon and it's all about storm water. Treatment, storage...you name it about storm water, it's here. Today was broken up into three lectures. The only one I didn't sleep a little in was the last one about "Bioretention for Stormwater Treatment". It was actually very interesting. We are thinking about doing a few bioretention basins in the county.
There are tons of vendors here with lots of cool toys. I got a squirt gun, mini beachball, golf tees and a tons of other stuff.
Tomorrow I only have two lectures because one of them got cancelled. I'm fine with that. The one that got cancelled was the last one of the day. I'm even finer with that.
The one sucky thing about it all is that it is frickin' 180 degrees outside. Blechh.
I am in Palm Desert, California and having a good time.
I was informed yesterday at 8am that I needed to go home right away and pack for a three day conference that my boss, Marcia couldn't go to at the last minute. I was scrambling all over the place. I needed to: go to the bank, pay bills, take care of my grandma's meds, find someone to take care of my grandma's meds while I was out of town, pack, buy some last minute supplies for the three night stay and.....that's it.
We are staying at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert. It is sooooo nice. And cheap! Apparently summertime is the off-season and my awesome room costs $99 a night. I have a view of Palm Springs, the mountains behind it, the fake lake around the resort and the swimming pool. If only I had binoculars....hahaha.
About the conference...
It's called StormCon and it's all about storm water. Treatment, storage...you name it about storm water, it's here. Today was broken up into three lectures. The only one I didn't sleep a little in was the last one about "Bioretention for Stormwater Treatment". It was actually very interesting. We are thinking about doing a few bioretention basins in the county.
There are tons of vendors here with lots of cool toys. I got a squirt gun, mini beachball, golf tees and a tons of other stuff.
Tomorrow I only have two lectures because one of them got cancelled. I'm fine with that. The one that got cancelled was the last one of the day. I'm even finer with that.
The one sucky thing about it all is that it is frickin' 180 degrees outside. Blechh.
7.25.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Fourth Entry
This weekend was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed having Hernani stay at my house. We visited a lot of family, and that's always fun. What I enjoyed the most was talking with him. He really is a very interesting person with even more interesting ideas. We were up until 5am yesterday sitting outside drinking Jager and Port just talking. I've never done that before. It was very fun.
It's unfortunate that only now I realize just how much I enjoy his company, as he prepares to leave the US to live in Portugal for one year.
This weekend was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed having Hernani stay at my house. We visited a lot of family, and that's always fun. What I enjoyed the most was talking with him. He really is a very interesting person with even more interesting ideas. We were up until 5am yesterday sitting outside drinking Jager and Port just talking. I've never done that before. It was very fun.
It's unfortunate that only now I realize just how much I enjoy his company, as he prepares to leave the US to live in Portugal for one year.
7.24.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Third Entry
Hernani is here in Tulare visiting. When he got here last night, we went to A&W for dinner. Well, he went for dinner and I went for my second dinner. There's always room for a Double Bacon Cheeseburger, fries and root beer float.
We watched "The Shining" last night. Very good, but very scary. Damn that Stanley Kubrick for making the best films ever.
Today, we are visiting family.
Cell phone odds:
- Verizon EVEN
- Nextel 2:1
- T-Mobile 6:1
- Sprint 60:1
Catherine Zeta-Jones is ruthless!
Hernani is here in Tulare visiting. When he got here last night, we went to A&W for dinner. Well, he went for dinner and I went for my second dinner. There's always room for a Double Bacon Cheeseburger, fries and root beer float.
We watched "The Shining" last night. Very good, but very scary. Damn that Stanley Kubrick for making the best films ever.
Today, we are visiting family.
Cell phone odds:
- Verizon EVEN
- Nextel 2:1
- T-Mobile 6:1
- Sprint 60:1
Catherine Zeta-Jones is ruthless!
7.22.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Second Entry
I forgot how much I enjoyed watching "Scrubs". There's a mini-marathon on NBC tonight. Very good.
Newbie's new movie, "Garden State", looks pretty interesting.
My quest for a new cell phone service has taken an interesting twist. Originally I was leaning towards Verizon, but Fred told me that if I get a Nextel, he can get me a major deal on a cell phone through his work. I may be bloop-blooping.
Current Odds:
- Verizon EVEN (Can you hear me now?)
- Nextel 3:2 (bloop-bloop)
- T-Mobile 9:1 (It's all Zeta-Jones' fault)
- Sprint 60:1 (It sucks, but it rounds out the top four possibilities)
It's getting interesting. The odds could change daily.
I forgot how much I enjoyed watching "Scrubs". There's a mini-marathon on NBC tonight. Very good.
Newbie's new movie, "Garden State", looks pretty interesting.
My quest for a new cell phone service has taken an interesting twist. Originally I was leaning towards Verizon, but Fred told me that if I get a Nextel, he can get me a major deal on a cell phone through his work. I may be bloop-blooping.
Current Odds:
- Verizon EVEN (Can you hear me now?)
- Nextel 3:2 (bloop-bloop)
- T-Mobile 9:1 (It's all Zeta-Jones' fault)
- Sprint 60:1 (It sucks, but it rounds out the top four possibilities)
It's getting interesting. The odds could change daily.
7.20.2004
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