In My Humble Opinion

Tune in to a Bigger and Better BLOG!

2008-09-02T20:47:00.002-05:00

I felt it was time to change the name of my blog, basically because I don't live in 30033 anymore. Tune in to Wine, Song and Miscellaneous Snobbery for more fun with this Opinionated Old Lady.... Thanks for reading!

More to come...

As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Just a Quick Post...

2008-08-20T12:16:00.002-05:00

Details
OK, details on the new job: I'm a sub-contractor for a company with a contract with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. I'll be working on business applications for the LOC on site at the LOC, across the street from the Capitol! The most powerful building in the most powerful city in the world. How exciting is that?! (Some would say Ground Zero, too, but that's not something I want to think about.)

Check out the LOC website, look at all the cool stuff happening there! Chamber concerts, events, I'll be on the Mall in DC, near all the museums and galleries, so much to do!

In the Meantime
I have to pack and get my house moved. I'm getting a POD and filling it up, although the idea of leaving the furniture in the house to 'stage' it makes sense. I'll have to think on that one. Pick up all my furniture when I close....huummm. Anyway, I'm packing and boxing and all sorts of stuff. Way fun. I'm having an Open House on Saturday where I've invited some folks over to help do small stuff, paint a bit, weed the garden a bit, touch up the paint in the other rooms, that kinda stuff. Stuff that will take one person hours to do, but several people can do it in no time at all.. If you're reading this and didn't get the email, come on over on Saturday between 10 and 3 to help clean, visit, babysit the kitties even be the DJ for however long or short you can stay. I'll have food, beer, wine, sodas. I'll have stuff for sale or barter (furniture, home decor items) and we'll have fun!?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

One More Time...

2008-08-19T10:26:00.004-05:00

I had a good phone interview yesterday. They said they'd let me know by the end of the week. Please keep your fingers crossed! I've also applied for 6 other jobs, both in Atl and DC area, so I should get some activity within a few days (or hours).

***** News Flash *****

I GOT THE JOB! YEAH! I need to get all the paperwork, but my start date is Sept 1. Lots to do! Stay tuned for Yard Sale information!

Home Improvement
I've been painting the living room and dining room since Sunday. It's killing me. I'm watching the Olympics and all these young kids (or not so young!) doing all their stuff, and all I'm doing is climbing up and down on a 3-foot step ladder. I've just got 2 more walls to paint and I'm done. Then I've got to do the trim, a few touchup places and the hallway closet door and I'm done. I went to Michael's yesterday to see about boxes for my pictures, they said to come back on Friday. I got a bunch from the liquor store, and I bought 2 at Home Depot. I may go to a U-Haul store or someplace to get boxes to move my glasses in, my expensive wine glasses. Some things are sacred.

Kitten Watch
I've got to take the family back to the vet, one little tyke seems to have an eye infection, just like Harry did (notice the spelling, you sick person!) Mama seems to be eating pretty well, when I go in there she's laying on the floor or eating, so she is getting away from the kids. She is very protective, I'll pick one up and they will squeal (boy, those little things can be loud!) and she's actually taken one out of my hands and put it back in the den! She will sit in the den, hiding the little ones from me. It is so cute. They've got fleas, and there's not much that can be done, the kittens are too small for flea medicine and Mama is nursing, so it's up to me to use a flea comb and get the fleas. It isn't too hard, the fleas are almost as big as the kittens! The white kittens are easy, but the black ones are fatter and fuzzier, so that takes a little time. They start squealing and Mom comes and gets them, so it's really difficult. Mom is too skinny to use the flea comb, I feel like I'm hurting her. I'll just bomb the room when they're gone.

Asserting Herself
Since the Kittens, I've had to move my computer out of the Nursery and into the Craft Room (sounds like I've got tons of rooms, doesn't it?) Miss K, the self-appointed Office Assistant is a bit out of sorts, she used to lay on my desk, but now she's found a new place:

Just imagine trying to get some work done with this watching you!
This is Just Too Cute! If you could see the box looking down on it, you'd realize the kitty fills up the box. It's amazing to me how they love to squeeze into places and are comfortable! She slept curled up on my arm last night, I think she may feel threatened. Somehow, I don't think that cat would ever feel threatened!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Things Change... Check Back Later

2008-08-18T09:31:00.010-05:00

Talk about ups and downs! Gosh, one minute I'm planning on having an interview in DC, the next minute the company pulls the position. One minute I've got nothing in the works, the next I'm planning a phone interview. Keep checking back, I'm sure things will change...

As of now, I will have a phone interview with a contracting group for the Library of Congress. Wouldn't that be cool?? Keep your fingers crossed.

This Weekend

Friday evening, my real estate agent and his partner came for dinner. I had worked with George at the DOC and I knew his birthday was Sunday, so I made a broccoli salad, sauteed some veggies and bought an oven roasted chicken. I also bought some candles and a cake to suprise them with. Boy, was he suprised! We had a great time.

Saturday I went to a party and met some neighbors that I just loved. Great people! They live on my walking route, so I've walked past their house several times.

Sunday I painted. I painted the hall, and part of the kitchen. My back and legs hurt today, but I must go on. I need boxes to pack things in, I need room to put these boxes. It's always something!

Introducing...

Let me introduce you to my new tennants.

Mama and 5 kittens! As you can see, mama is white with light buff colorings (she looks like she's been rolling around in the Georgia clay!) 2 white kittens and 3 black kittens. A writhing mass of kitten fur. Today there are 4 out of 10 eyes open.

We've been playing a little game of Hide the Kittens.

Saturday morning, this is what I found when I went into the room:

They were in there the last time I saw them!

If you look over Mom's head, you'll see them in the crate on the shelf.

Here's a better view:

She put them in a wine crate, so I'm guessing I'll have to name them something winey. Bonny Doon and her babies? There's an Ernest and Julio, or a Kendall and Jackson in there somewhere. As soon as I can tell what sex the kittens are, and how to tell them apart, I can name them.

Sunday morning, she'd moved them again, this time she deposited them in the filing cabinet.

I took the bottom drawer out and lined the cabinet, so they're all comfy and safe. I also moved the desk into another room so Miss Katrina, my Office Assistant wouldn't get pissed.
Of course there will be many more pictures, even individual portraits, when they become something more than a blind ball of squealing fur.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

SSDD

2008-08-14T10:57:00.002-05:00

Job Hunt
Still nothing. I've got a few leads for other jobs, but everything seems to get to a certain point and just ends. I hope this means that when the dam breaks, all these jobs will come flowing to me. Keep your fingers crossed.

John Edwards
This whole affair is really quite funny. The right wingers are tripping over themselves to say what a bad man Edwards is and how the MSM (Main Stream Media, for those not in the know!) hushed the story up. I didn't see the interview on TV with Edwards, but he is a slime. Cheating on your wife isn't cool, cheating on your wife with cancer is just disgusting. But is it really news? He's a private citizen now, so who cares? The story was broken by that esteemed news magazine, 'The National Enquirer', the leading edge news source. Come on, he made a mistake and he tried to cover it up. Who wouldn't? That doesn't make it right, he's a pig and should be treated as such, but let it go, right wingers. He won't be president, maybe not even in politics any more, so why is it important? Men have affairs all the time. Take a look at this clip from MSNBC where Rush Limbaugh blames Elizabeth Edwards for John Edwards having an affair. These right wingers are grasping. So the Dems have 'questionable' morals by having affairs, IMHO having multiple wives isn't really a good moral example, either. Get over yourselves.

Olympics
I've heard that the Olympics are killing the competetion with viewership on TV. Have you been watching? Of course the ratings are soaring, what else is on? Somebody please tell the networks that 'Reality TV' is old news. I've been watching all the swimmers and the gymnasts and marveling at their athletic prowess, but what is it with the Beach Volleyball? Why do the girls wear bikinis? I guess this is soft-porn, olympic style, even the repressed countries need a little T&A to bring up the ratings. If you've got a choice between bikini-clad SYT (Sweet Young Things) and another episode of CSI, what would you be watching?

TMI Alert
I read this article yesterday and just about fell off my chair. Too funny. I've never considered a Brazilian Wax and don't think I ever will, but I never thought I'd get a pedicure, either. I know I've just ruined lunch for lots of you! LOL!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Wednesday, I think

2008-08-13T10:09:00.003-05:00

More of the same, I'm afraid.

Job Hunt
I did have a phone interview yesterday with a company in the DC area. It was a 'technical' interview, 2 folks in an office on speaker phone. I was a nervous wreck, but I think I did OK. The gentleman conducting the interview had a very heavy accent, but for some reason it wasn't that difficult to understand. He was hispanic, and I guess I'm used to hispanic accents. I think it went well, so what does this mean? Another week of waiting. They will be making a decision later this week. I hate this.

Other Issues
I'm meeting with a real estate agent Friday to discuss what has to be done in order to put this house on the market. I've bought some paint to redo the living room and the kitchen, and he's got connections to get the floorboards put in and other fixes, so we're off. I think these passed few weeks has been tense, if I put the house on the market, I'm going to have to keep it spotless for people coming in to look at it. I'm not a neat person, I like a home to look and feel 'lived-in'. It would be so much easier to live somewhere else while this is happening.

Same Old Same Old
They say you can't expect different results from doing something the same way, but here I sit. I can't think of how to do anything different. The networking thing didn't work, at least the networking I did, I got my last job thru Dice.com. All the leads I've gotten have been thru a job board. That just gave me an idea! I'll work on that today.

The other issue I've got is that I've spoken with several recruiters for jobs, but haven't heard back. I called one yesterday and he said the company hasn't approved the position yet, they just want resumes. So is this true? Does that mean that if I see another position advertised by this company I can't apply, for fear of double applying for a job? So how long must I wait? We all know companies don't make decisions quickly, even for an 'urgent' need. Is the recruiter being truthful or are they putting me off because they don't have the balls to tell me I wasn't selected? I hate this.

Is there anybody out there?
I haven't had any comments from the blog in a long while, is anybody reading?

Personal Assistant
With all the suff keeping me busy(!?) I've had to hire an assistant. I don't think she's working out, do you?

She's protecting the desk pretty well. I had to reboot the computer yesterday as she fell asleep on the keyboard 'Enter' button. When I woke her up to move her and tried to get on the internet, I got a Windows message saying I shouldn't select the icon 38 times. Oops. But she's so cute! Think her diet is working?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Another Weekend

2008-08-11T10:55:00.003-05:00

Made it thru another weekend. I think the phone rang twice for calls I wanted, several times for solicitations. And that was since last Monday. I lead such an exciting life. As I said, when it rains it pours, and we all know what it's like to be in a drought!

Job Hunt
Nothing on the horizon, just more applications, more empty phone calls, more emails into the Black Hole that is the Internet. I know, if you want the same results, do the same thing. So how else can I do this? I tried the networking thing, with the same results. I got most of my leads from Dice.Com, not the seekers group. Alas.

Movies
I did watch some movies this weekend, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and 'Into The Wild'. The first was based on a book by the same name written by Philipa Gregory, relating to the end of Henry VIII's first marriage and his entire second marriage. The book was better than the movie. I'm a big fan of Tudor England, historical fiction and costume movies, so this was a given to watch. I've read several of Philipa Gregory's books and enjoyed them all, and this movie was a bit of a downer. There was so much to cover in her book, the movie didn't even come close. The seduction of Henry by Anne Boleyn was a long, intense time and the results were dramatic and all encompassing but the movie didn't seem to emphasize this. I wasn't real enthused with the actors either.

The other movie, 'Into The Wild', based on a book by Jon Krakuer. What an amazing story! It's a story of a recent college graduate who tosses his priviledged life and goes on the road. It's his story of survival and adventure, with a music score by Eddie Vedder. Pretty nice. I've always liked stories like this, I've always fancied myself as the 'adventurer', the 'explorer' but always with a saftey net.

This hits fairly close to home, the kid, Chris McCandless graduated from Emory in 1990, and he was from ' Annandale, Virginia, an affluent suburb of Washington DC located in Fairfax County'. 'He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1986 '. I have an idea where he lived, I grew up in 'affluent' Annandale and my older sister graduated from WTW. The 'affluent' part that went to Woodson was not my neighborhood. But that's pretty much were the similarities stop. He went on to travel in the west, with no money or contact with his family. He ended up in the Denali National Park in Alaska (I've been there, but on a cruise ship). Watch the movie, it makes you think.

Oh, yeah, his birthday was Feb 12, 10 years younger, almost exactly.

The Future
Speaking of travelling, I've spoken to a real estate agent and I've decided to sell my house. I talked to my mommy and she said I could come live with her. You know what, I don't really want to get into all that's going thru my head right now, I'm trying to keep it positive, but I really don't see much positive in this entire situation right now.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

08.08.08

2008-08-08T09:25:00.002-05:00

Even in European date format you know what today is. So tonite at 08:08:08 let's all uncork the champagne.

I remember way back when, my friend was hired by the company I worked with on 08.08.88. Seems like just yesterday, or an entire lifetime ago.

Job Hunt
Still nothing. I've given up on the DC job with FEMA. I've now got focus on jobs with DHS, NIH, Dominion Power and Verizon, to name just a few. Recruiters have called with positions in these departments, all up in DC or Richmond. There still may be a few more still in the pipeline, so who knows? Just keep applying, and keep waiting.

What To Do?
I spoke with a real estate agent this week, he came by and we looked at the house next door that sold already, and the one further up the street that has been on the market for awhile. According to my agent, (I'm still in the decision-making phase) the average time a comprable house in this area stays on the market is 54 days. I've known 2 houses (the one next door, and a friend about a mile away) who've sold their homes in a very short time. The prices are good, so what the hell? I've got some stuff to do inside and out just to make it look nice, but at least I'll have a plan and something to do.

Then what? I could live in my car (Hah! A black car in Atlanta in the summer. With 2 cats. Right!) Hopefully I'd have a job by the time my house sold. Most people, at 50, are selling their house to prepare for retirement, I'm selling my house to move in with my parents. I'm really trying hard not to think of myself as a Real Loser.

It's going to be a nice weekend, a bit cooler and low humidity, I'll have to get outside and do some gardening, or weeding and covering. I have this idea about burlap bags and mulch...

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Head Fake

2008-08-06T09:55:00.003-05:00

Did you happen to see the segment on Randy Pausch last Sunday? I recommend watching it, it's about an hour, but it's well worth it. In the lecture he refers to a 'head fake' where you tell someone they are doing something, when, in fact, they are accomplishing something else. (Watch the lecture, you'll get it!)

My silence in posting yesterday was a head fake. You thought I just wasn't interested in posting (or had too much to do), but I was teaching you a new method of 'communication' that I call Recruiter-speak. They will call you to tell you that you will get an offer, then won't speak to you again. Here's the methodology:

They will call a new applicant:
1) to distinguish their ethnicity (race, sex, national origin) or possibly to get more indepth information.
2) if the client wants to set up an interview.
3) oif there is an offer to be made.

To be fair to the recruiter, it's all about commissions, if you can't make them any money, what good are you? They will present you to a client hoping for a happy ending and they get money. If the client isn't interested, they will move on to another money making situation. They have no obligation to keep their candidates informed of the process at all. Besides, who likes to communicate bad news (or not favorable news)?

I really don't take this too personally, but I do believe in a little compassion. I realize they have no time or inclination to contact all applicants, but when I call to find the status, please don't keep putting me off. Don't keep saying you expect a decision soon. If the decision has been made, and I call you to find out, TELL ME.

So I guess the lesson here is 'No News Is No News'. If you don't hear from the recruiter, they aren't interested. The networking folks say to keep calling, but if the recruiters want to dodge your calls, they can so easily do that. It's a waste of time to keep annoying them if the client doesn't want you.

Next Topic
We had the runoff primary elections yesterday, and Vernon Jones lost. He is the former CEO of Dekalb county. I can't fault him too much in his dealings with Dekalb county, but his personality is fairly devisive and his personal choices leave something to be desired. He was acused of rape a few times, but the charges were withdrawn. He cost taxpayers $600,000 to support his bodyguard detail, and he was said to have commented at one point that he wanted make the Dekalb county government employees 'darker'. Just what we need in the Senate.

Profits, Taxes and BullSh*t
An article in the Wall Street Journal on windfall profits makes for interesting reading. This is an example of what a lot of us feel is wrong in Washington. The Democrats want to prevent the oil companies from making a profit, or taking that profit and returning it to the 'people'. This is socialist, attempting a government take over of a company. Now before the GOP gets their panties in a wade over me, a liberal, spouting GOP propaganda, I just have one question: What is the government doing with the $64.7 billion that Exxon paid in taxes? I don't seem to remember any 'reform' being pushed by the GOP. Where does this tax money go? The Federal government could have directed that money towards alternate energy source research, or some type of relief, but they didn't. The taxpayers get taxed a few cents a gallon on gasoline to pay for roads, why shouldn't the money from the oil companies go towards the same thing, to give us some relief?

Yes, I know, income tax is not a good thing, but we do need some form of taxes to support an infastructure. We all know human generosity isn't going to happen. Bill O'Reilly says that the oil companies should donate a percentage of that profit to fund alternate energy research, but we all know that ain't happening unless they are forced to. Why would they invent something that would put them out of business???

Next Topic
I've made the decision (sort of) and I've got a real estate agent coming over this afternoon. The house next door is under contract and it's only been on the market for about 1 month. There is another house down the street that has been on the market for many months and it's a foreclosure. (It's also over priced, IMHO. It took a long time to sell to the forclosed tennets.) So I'm thinking if I'm not too greedy, this place could be sold shortly, so I can cut my losses.

So then what? I could live in my car or find a nice place to pitch my tent. With all the urban hashing I've done I've discovered several lovely places under railroad tracks that would be nice...

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

2008-08-04T09:52:00.003-05:00

Evidently I have more readers than I realize, and they are pissed about having to wait for answeres, too. So let me put your mind at ease. Chill. I'm still waiting. Seems the company I thought made me an offer, didn't. I was in the running, but not a definate. The recruiter made me believe that that an offer was forthcoming, but I believe it was a 'communication issue'. Sometimes, when people don't have a grasp on the English language, they don't say the right thing.

I've gotten in touch with all interested parties, including the BA I spoke with at the company. He was a very nice guy, but he said it's not really his decision, even though he was very positive about the interview. So here we are. The recruiter said we should know more today. So y'all can sit and wait, just like me.

In the meantime, I told one company that I had an offer, and they told me to take it as their clients aren't moving too fast. Now I have to reconnect the bridges that I cut down. I hate this. Actually, I can't really do anything at this point until I hear from the first company. If I go back to the Homeland Security company and tell them to put me back in the running, then I get an offer from the FEMA company, that makes me look bad. So I have to wait till I hear one way or the other from the FEMA company. Arrggghhh!

Wine Tasting
On Thursday of last week, there was a wine tasting at a restaurant I'd never been to before. My friend Mark, (the Attorney) told us about it, and the price was right, so we made plans to go. My other friend, Mark (the Hockey Player), wanted to go, but at the last minute Attorney Mark said he couldn't go due to a softball commitment. So it was just me and Hockey Mark. Then Attorney Mark said his softball game had been cancelled due to rain, and he was going to go. I called several single girlfriends to see if they wanted to go, but, alas, no one would/could. So I went to a wine tasting with 2 good-looking, available men. I LOVED IT! So ladies, there are available men over 50, just where are you? (The same place I am, at home, book clubs, reading, not at bars or wine tastings. Think about it.)

Friday
I stayed in on Friday, I wanted to work on some of my jewelry. Since I don't get cable anymore, the only option I had was to watch some movies I had. One was the incredible movie 'Earth', and the other was called 'Mostly Martha' , both interesting movies, both subtitled. Which sucks, because I couldn't concentrate on designing jewelry, I had to watch the movie! I decided on 'Earth', which I highly recommend. This is part of the trilogy that I've been talking about by Deepa Mehta dealing with cultural and political issues in India.

'Mostly Martha' was remade as 'No Reservations' with Catherine Zeta-Jones about a year ago. It was cute, a very lite comedy. Next is 'A Clockwork Orange'. Not sure if I ever saw all of this movie, so I want to watch it. I've also got 'MacBeth' directed by Roman Polanski. hhuummm.

Tomorrow is the runoff voting for Dekalb county CEO and democratic senator, so go out and vote. This is a chance to rid ourselves of dead weight and corrupt politicians.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Resolution

2008-07-29T06:51:00.003-05:00

All the issues I was having yesterday are now history. I've got another set of 'challenges'.

Job Hunt
It's still not official, I need to finalize some things, but it looks like I've got a job! NetAmerica, a contract staffer for FEMA has made me an offer to work for them in Herndon, VA.m I'm still waiting to hear from another company that is offering more money and I like the location better, but I need to take this job. Yea me!

New Problems
How to pack, clean, and move in 2 weeks. I've been in this house of almost 10 years, and even though I did a lot of purging last summer, I've got lots of stuff to go thru. Sleep? Who's been sleeping? I watched the end of Craig Fergesen last night and the begining of Good Day Atlanta today. Today is Attic Day, I must get up there and sort. I need to do that before the opressive heat starts, so I'll just be dumping everything in the hall. I imagine in a short while I'll have a pretty good list of stuff for Craig's List: outdoor furniture, indoor furniture, just stuff. Stay posted for pictures.

So now starts the Lists: everything I need to do, everything I want to keep, toss, donate, sell, what I've done and when. I hate moving, but I best get used to it, it won't be over for awhile. However, I've got to keep a handle on things, I'm getting a bit panicky now thinking of everything I need to do. Let me deal with the attic and getting a PODS today, there's always tomorrow. And nothing is official yet.

Thanks goodness for you that no one reads this blog, I may have to ask for help! Seems like that's not such an easy thing to get from some people. (I will rant about that soon, seems like I have some family members that are less than enthusiastic about helping. Get over it. Y'all know who it is, I know he doesn't read this blog. (Did that give it away???) )

Let me just say that I haven't had a roommate or lived with anyone in almost 20 years. I will need to get large doses of Happy Pills and alcohol to make things easier. It's not a given, but I may be renting a room from Lil Sis, which will give me the opportunity to bank some bucks. I know sometimes it won't seem like it, but I will be forever grateful. I need to get some bill paid down and build up some of the funds I've been living on for the past 4 years.

Yes, this journey started in August 2004. I've depleted lots of my nest egg and lots of pride, but I've learned a lot, had some good times and met some interesting people. And, as they say, built a lot of character.

Got an email from an old friend yesterday that relayed the thought that some of us work hard to earn the money to pay taxes on to give some people handouts. We (and I'm including myself in the working category) have to take drug and urine tests to get the job to earn the money, why shouldn't the recipients have to do the same? Take a drug or urine test to get their check? Sounds like a good idea to me!

News Flash

A local company that I sent an resume to on June 30 called and wants to schedule an interview today or tomorrow. I best stop making plans. Haven't I said 'When it Rains it Pours?' Wait, I'm on hold for Robert Half with a project in Perimeter area. I will be interviewing with them today. My head is spinning.....

Crashing....Crashing

2008-07-28T09:05:00.002-05:00

Job Wait
The suspense is just killing me. Monday's are pretty slow, so I probably won't hear from anyone today, but I can't take this! I can't make any plans to do anything, I don't know what I'll be doing! Will I be moving or not? Will I have to be packing my house up or finally cleaning it? (LOL!) I'm angry with the recruiter that got me the interview here in Dunwoody, I have no idea what the status is with that. I'm assuming that they didn't want me, which is a mutual decision, but I haven't heard anything. Am I still under consideration? Have they made a decision not to go with me? Can I get on with my life???!!

The DC folks aren't cooperation either. Granted, I have had a second interview with a company and that looks great, so I'll either get another interview with them this week or I'll get an offer (smug, aren't I?), but I want to hear from the other company, the location was better and so was the money.

The Stress is Getting To Me
This situation is not doing me well. I'm anxious for a number of reasons, I've got a short attention span, I've got a short fuse, I'm scared, I'm restless, I'm bored and I've broken ANOTHER vaccuum cleaner. I already have 2 sitting in the corner that I don't/can't use, now I have to add another one that I just bought a few weeks ago. I got some string wrapped aroud the cleaning bristles and burned out the motor. It still sucks, but doesn't stir up the dirt. So now I see everyplace I have to vacuum. I went thru some boxes yesterday and got rid of some old papers. My cleaning for when I have company consists of taking all the papers that I move from one pile to another and putting them in a box to go thru 'sometime'. Yesterday was sometime. I figure that if thepapers have been in the box for any amount of time, I don't really need them anyway so it's relatively easy to toss them. What I have found is lots of paper: file folders, cardboard boxes, stuff like that that has been chewed. Wow! Do I have rats? Yes, I think the rats are little gray kittens and Miss Katrina. It's amazing what they've destroyed.

Friday my phone didn't ring at all, so lets hope today is different.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Still Waiting

2008-07-25T08:31:00.004-05:00

Still waiting to hear from anyone. My interview yesterday went VERY well. They want me to talk to one more person, maybe today. This is the company with the FEMA contract. I'm wanting and waiting to hear from the DHS contract company, they are moving, but things take awhile, it's a larger company.

As for the job here in Dunwoody, nothing. I've called the recruiter, I've sent emails, nothing. OK, so they didn't want me, I'm good with that, just LET ME KNOW! If I didn't do well in the interview, LET ME KNOW so I can improve. Put your man pants on and call me or email me. Now, it could be that they are still in the interview process, but word about that would be nice, too.

What else to talk about?
I've been reading where the right-wingers are pissed that Obama has tons of reporters on his trail in Europe and no one is following McCain. My guess is it's not political favoritism, but lets face the facts. McCain is the Same Old Same Old. He hasn't (and can't) really blast the Bush policies even though he may not agree with them, you just can't do that. He's trying to maintain the Bush constituents as well as getting other voters. He's also an Old White Man. How does this differ from any other presidential candidate in say, 250 years?? That's always been the norm, an Old White Man. Now we have a Black Man who's being taken seriously. Anything he does is news, because it's different. We've had black presidential candidates in the past, we've even had a Black Woman (1972: Shirley Chisolm) , but this guy we're taking seriously.
Which leads to my prediction for the VP candidate for the GOP: Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, not a White Man. Although the VP candidate isn't so much news, what does the VP do?

We could get another Cheney with major influence over the President, or we could get another of many unmemorable men. I've heard that an Obama/H Clinton ticket would be good, Obama will need her knowledge and influence (like Bush needed Cheney) but I'm not sure she would settle for 2nd best, she's been 2nd best for so long now.

Didya hear that Robert Novak ran over a pedestrian with his corvette in downtown DC? The Onion had some comments about that. Too funny! Novak is the conservative commentator who was involved in the Valerie Plame outing case (the CIA operative outted by someone in retaliation for her husbands refusal to agree with a Bush policy). This is something you won't read on American Thinker or Townhall.

Weather
The heat index has dropped for now, I've got the windows open and fans blowing. I guess I should get some stuff done outside... This waiting is killing me.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Just Rolling Along

2008-07-24T07:12:00.002-05:00

Still waiting for news. Actually, I have a second telephone interview with a DC company this morning, so I will be brief with this post. The recruiter was nice enough to try to ease the burden on me getting to DC so fast, and for that I'm thankful, but I could may still have to go this weekend.

I got a phone call yesterday at 6pm from a company in DC looking to fill positions with a governement contractor for OPM in Suitland, Md. The recruiter was on his cell phone, as the signal wavered a lot and there were issues with comprehension, but he did say they were moving FAST to get this filled. He was working until 7 or 8pm last night, and they will be doing interviews on Saturday. Then he said he would like to put together a compensation package around $100K. And I said 'Let me see what's happening, I may have to be up there for another company.' ??? What? I'm like my mom, saying 'No' as a first reaction. BUT, there are a few things wrong with the picture. They are moving way to fast (IMHO) to make solid, quality decisions, who ever heard of the Federal Government moving so fast (??) and the location is in Suitland, MD, in lovely Prince Georges County. Read the link, they DO have a wikipedia entry for Suitland. They haven't called me back for another screening interview, so maybe it was just a blip. I will pursue the potential. I can be bought. Working in Suitland would be closer to my parents that working in Ashburn, maybe even Herndon. As the crow flies. Is there a Metro stop in Suitland?

Hiring Process
From what I can tell, here's the IT Hiring process: some junior recruiter will pull your resume from Dice.com or other job board based on 'bare bones' search criteria based on information sent by the client. They will then give you a call to see if you're still looking, if you're interested in the position and for a recent copy of your resume. They will then send your name to a more experienced recruiter, maybe even the account manager, who will review your information and maybe even do a phone interview. If you pass that, they then send you to the client, possibly the hiring manager, probably the HR department, for another interview or review. So it's no wonder I haven't heard much, with all that screening going on! I've heard statistics that you're resume has to be presented to at least 22 hiring managers before you get an interview.

Boil Water
I'm under a boil water order as the water treatment plant got zapped by lightening on Monday night and the back-up generator didn't kick in immediately. I used my dishwasher yesterday, I'm doing laundry (in cold water) now, and I've showered and brushed my teeth, using tap water. I forgot. It's not like it's a major news story... I will use bottled water to make my coffee this morning. Actually, for those coffee snobs, you should be using bottled water to make coffee.

Maybe more later, I have to refresh my memory with all these technical terms and buzz words for my 11am interview. Wish me luck...

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Stuff

2008-07-22T08:46:00.003-05:00

So much to do, so little time!

Job Hunt
Still no word from anyone. I do have to fax a form to a recruiter in Richmond for a job. I thought Richmond was hot with all the jobs, but I'm begining to realize that when one company posts a job, all the recruiting firms post that job on Dice.com. I've gotten easily 15 calls from all over the country for jobs at CapitalOne in Richmond. I know they do the same for jobs here in the Atl, too. Anyway, the suspense is killing me, keep your fingers crossed.

Things that make you go Hhhuummm...
For the last few weeks, I've been keeping time with a very nice gentleman that I've known for years. We didn't see each other for a few years, then in Feb we reconnected. I honestly think he's just looking for something to do and someone to do things with, which I just love. We've gone out to dinner (his treat!) several times, and we're doing lunch today. He was scheduled for jury duty but didn't get called so he's skipping work. He wanted to do dinner, but he plays hockey and they've got a game tonite. (I don't think he's on the same team with OneBall, there is an age difference. I'm not even sure it's the same league.)

Of course this happens just before I move away. (If I move away. Who knows at this point?)

Brings a tear to my eye
I saw 2 items on the news this weekend that just had me all choked up.

In Acworth, Ga, they broke ground this weekend for a special needs playground, with a special ball field to allow for wheel-chairs. Take a look at that video, watching these kids being pushed around the bases in the chairs and using walkers cracks even the hardest heart.

The other item was about a young boy with a debilitating disease who saw a parade at Disney and wanted to be a Grand Master of a parade. The Make A Wish Foundation organized a day at the park with a parade for this kid and he was Grand Master. I can't find anyting on line about it, I believe it was somewhere in Ga. The boy was so happy, and his parents were just as pleased.

Breaking News!!
Just got a phone call for a job located in Dunwoody. When it rains it pours!!

Pondering
Just to quell the rumors (?) it is not a given that I move to Va, there are just more opportunities in Va than there are here in Ga. Although several people have told me that it's probably the Right Thing to Do now, due to Parental Issues. (Anonymous, and I know who you are, you don't have to agree with that, I know you want me up there so you don't have to deal with Them! ;-))

Now, if you will, give me some reasons to stay in Ga. I'm having issues with that right now. I cried when I had to leave Florida, but I'm not seeing that so much with leaving Georgia. (Partly because of my stay here, I won't go back to SoFla due to the people. They're nice here, caustic in Fl) I know, the hiking is nice in North Georgia. It used to be the housing market was cheap, and the jobs were plenty, but not so much anymore. Granted, I haven't seen a snowfall last more than a few hours on the ground, but the ice will kill ya. Yes, I have friends, but isn't that why God invented telephones, emails and cell phones?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Monday, so Soon??!!

2008-07-21T08:18:00.002-05:00

Exciting weekend... NOT.

Job Hunt
I'm waiting on pins and needles for someone to call me. I'm getting ready to run to DC later this week, if need be. I will not hear anything today, maybe tomorrow, but later this week I'll expect a phone call. That's not to say I won't be calling them. I'll wait until Wednesday, they need a few days.

Memory Walk
Things are just falling in line! A past food coordinator for the Memory Walk called me to say that she and her company will sponser the food after the walk. Everything excpet the grill. I don't ahve anything (much) to do. We still have to deal with breakfast foods and coffee before the walk and maybe clean up afterwards, but that's all. This way if I do have to leave town, I won't be leaving the walk coordinator holding the spatula, so to speak.

I'm not alone!
Yesterday in Sunday School, when they had the usual Prayer requests, one gentleman requested we pray for our community and the Bozo-factor. I'm not the only one who's laughing at these politicians. Here's another one:

Grady Hospital, the very excellent hospital that treats a lot of indigent clients or clients with problems paying hospital bills (I could be included in that grouping) has undergone a major management change, and has shifted to a non-profit hospital with a large influx of cash to settle some debts. The Board of Directors held a secret meeting in January and hired an interim CEO, Pam Stephenson, who also happens to be the Chariman of the Board. The board had earlier fired the CEO on charges of mishandling money. The contract is for 2 years, $600,000 and if she is replaced in the first year, she gets the entire amount. This is for an excellent, necessary hospital who is trying to keep their doors open. She claims she's an attorney with previous hospital administration experience, but won't say where she got that experience. They (the AJC) can't find any evidence she got her law degree, but she has passed the bar. She's got creditors after her for unpaid bills, and of course, she denies all of this. Ms. Stephenson assert that she is "self-respecting and conscience-free." What does that mean?? I guess that means she can run Grady and suck all this money from them because she's conscience-free. Oh, BTW, she's an elected official from Decatur, that an AJC analysis showed Stephenson missed 177 of 233 House votes this year. Effective.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

A Rare Saturday Blog!

2008-07-19T11:47:00.003-05:00

I've read that things are darkest just before the dawn, and it looks like dawn is coming! I had a phone interview yesterday with a company in DC that does contract work for FEMA. I've gone almost 6 months without a nibble, and now I've had 3 in 2 days. I know, don't count your chickens before they hatch, but just the interest changes your attitude...

I also have a chance to earn money next week pet-sitting for some friends. A friend of mine started a pet-sitting venture and she needs someone to cover this area, and so I'm possibly pet-sitting next week.

The week after that, my friend Lynn is going on vacation and needs someone to take her place at work. She's the office/project manager for a granite company. I won't be doing much, answering phones and maybe some paperwork, but I'll be making money. I've also threatened to automate the office, so it could be a good learning experience. I will at least learn a little about granite and possibly kitchen remodeling! Miss Edee lives nearby, so maybe I'll get to visit with my favorite guitar playing cross dresser.

Some Political Observations
Maybe you figured this out before I did, but I've realized that Dekalb county, the City of Atlanta and Georgia state is run by money-grubbing, morally challenged politicians. Duh, you may say. What got me to this point is several things: The City of Atlanta has had to cut services and jobs in order to meet their budget obligations. Lots of localities are having to do this, but Atlanta's problems aren't new. Shirley Franklin has had a very tough time dealing with what Bill Campbell and other mayors left her, and, frankly (love the cliche!) I think she's done a great job. She had to address the decaying infastructure and raise taxes. But the City Council wouldn't let her raise taxes again, so she had to cut services. She closed two (I think) fire stations, froze any vacant positions and cut some police funds. I think she did this to get the city council to realize they have to raise taxes, but I want to know what has the city council done? They would rather see the citizens of Atlanta suffer with less services than cut their staff and perks? Don't they work for the citizens? What have they done to help the situation? I'm sure their budgets can be cut: cell phone allocation, staff size, postage budget, just to name a few.

Then there's Dekalb county. I read a letter to the editor pleading for a comprehensive building plan for the county, where the developers are forced to widen roads and fix the infastructure in areas where they're building. Nothing like this exists now, and I've seen 15 townhouses go up on a 2 lane road with no widening or traffic control. Dekalb and Gwinett county have some of the highest percentage of septic tanks in the country. I assumed it was because we have so much granite in our ground it's easier and cheaper to use a septic tank. I think it's just cheaper, the developers don't have to run sewer lines. Now, if the county forces the developers to do all this, the cost of housing will go up. But the market will set limits on the price of homes in a certain area. The developers can't build $700,000 homes in a blue collar neighborhood and expect them to sell. If the county lets them continue at the rate they're going now, the homes maybe cheap, but the county can levy a tax on every home, and the taxes aren't controlled by the market, so they can just keep going up. Yes, either way the 'little guy' pays, but the market will control costs in one scenario, the Tax Man in the other.

If you'll notice, both presidential candidates are recommending the government will fix the ills of today. Obama will increase taxes (as dems are notorious to do) and McCain and the Republicans will bail out Big Business, (as the Republicans are want to do), but neither solution allows the citizens to have any power. Not being an economist, accountant or presidential candidate, I would suggest letting some things take care of themselves. If the greedy brokerage or mortgage firms go under, let them go. Someone else will come along and take care of it. Work with people who are foreclosing thru bad loans and let them keep their homes. I can't get any help in Keeping my home, I have to be Losing my home. We have to have some means to 'regulate' greed. Look at all the 'crisis' we've had in the last 20 years, the S&L debacle, the Enron disaster, the DotCom bust. Why did all this happen? Greed. Someone mentioned another 'bubble' developing in the eco-friendly or energy fields. People will start throwing money at companies that are not proven, they won't research the product, they will ear lots of money on speculation and everyone will follow. I guess that's the way the market works, but we need to have someone to say 'slow down, what are you doing?'. But politicians won't go that route, they depend too much on money.

So I will win the lottery and buy a small island somewhere in the South Pacific. Anyone want to join me?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Gosh, One Would Think I Have a Life!

2008-07-18T08:32:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the heads-up Barb! I've got nerve, posting that people stop posting when they get a life, then I stop posting! Who do I think I am??

Actually, I have had a lot going on and I'm loving it! Just ask a few questions and volunteer a little time, and voila!! you are in the middle of several things!

Alzheimer's Assn
I've been doing some work with these guys, data entry, stuffing envelops, just stuff. I have been working with the volunteer coordinator with her spreadsheets, and I suggested developing a database, so guess what I've been asked to do? LOVE IT. I'm approaching this like a 'real' project, so I'm in the Gathering Requirements phase (phase 2 of the SDLC for you novices. Can you tell I'm hunting for a job?) I usually work there 3 days a week for about 2 hours, but I haven't been able to get there this week, for a number of reasons. (see below)

Sunday School
I had a presentation last week in Sunday School that went well. It was a review of one chapter of a book called 'Hop, Skip and Jump through the Bible' by Kalas and I got the chapter on Philosopers and Poets. Ironic, huh? I did a quick review of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. I found some summaries on line and printed them out to pass out. I found a blog on the Bible written by a nice Jewish boy, which made for some interesting points. I presented enough ideas that I inspired the request for an entire class on several books, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes and Job, in paticular. I've also discovered there are many webpages out there where you can get an audio reading of the Bible, by chapter or line.

Jury Duty
On Monday, I was called in for jury duty in Dekalb County. Everyone who got called has to report at the start of the day, and slowly they kept calling names for duty. By noon, I hadn't been called, and no more trials were scheduled that day, so I went home. Dekalb County, thankfully has a One Trial/ One Day policy: if you get called for a jury you must complete that trial, if you don't get called on the first day, you go home. This means you will probably be called to serve more, but what's one day? I've been called before in Dekalb but didn't get called. I served on a jury in Cobb County and I've been called for Palm Beach County when I lived there. Isn't that funny, I lived in Va and was eligible to serve for almost 15 years and never got called.

Oh, and by the way, if you don't register to vote only because you don't want to serve on the jury, they also take names from driver's license lists and utility lists, so don't drive or bathe if you really don't want to serve.

You are supposed to dress as you would if you were on a jury, so I did the suit jacket and slacks. There were people there in jeans, shorts and t-shirts. Oh well. While sitting there for a few hours, I noticed that my jacket needs to be de-furred and pressed and it needs to match my slacks. 2 different shades of blue, that don't necessarily work together. So all my jackets will be going to the dry cleaners today!

Job Hunt
I noticed a job on Dice.Com located in Richmond, Va so I applied. Richmond is where my sister and neices live and it's about 2 hours from DC. I did some research and Richmond has TONS of jobs! They have the state government, major medical facilities, several corporate headquarters for companies, and lots of advantages of Big Towns, but with less cost and traffic. Since I put that on my dice.com resume, the phone has been ringing off the hook! I couldn't leave the house until 1pm on Wednesday because I had so many calls. Several were for the same position, but such is life. Nothing solid yet, but lots of potential.

But the best part: I had an interview yesterday! A real face-to-face interview with a hiring manager! It's with a company located in Dunwoody and it's a QA position. The money is good, the commute wouldn't be too bad and, due to their release schedules, I would get one 3-day weekend every month. The manager I spoke with is a retired military policeman, and he loves QA. I hate testing (which is all QA is about!) and I've worked with retired military in the past. I haven't been offered the job, I felt good about it when I left the interview, but I don't think it's for me.

Then, yesterday afternoon, I got the phone interview I'd been waiting for since last Friday. This is for a position in Roslyn, VA as a consultant with the Dept of Homeland Security. (No matter which candidate gets into office, they will never cut funding to DHS.) This one sounds good, the guy I spoke with wasn't a hiring manager, I don't think, but he was high somewhere in the chain. This position would be consulting for a consulting firm, who is consulting for a consulting firm with the DHS. (I think I got that right, I may have left a consulting level out!)

So after almost 6 months, I finally got some interviews. There are still a few others out there in limbo under consideration, but if they don't act within a week, it's probably not happening. Although the interview in Dunwoody took almost 2 weeks to become reality. So keep your fingers crossed!

That's it for now, I'm late for the Alzheimers Assn, so I must leave. I'll keep you informed!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Ever noticed..?

2008-07-10T09:01:00.004-05:00

Ever Noticed...

..people stop blogging when they get a life.
..a yellow light means excellerate
..on a slow news day, the most ridiculous issue becomes the lead story on the 6 o'clock news
..no matter who says what, some one will be offended
..kids today don't seem to have much of a backbone
..the only sector creating new jobs in this day and age is the government.

Not that I have a life
Actually, for someone who's not doing anything, I seem to have stuff to do! I volunteer 3 times a week for the Alzheimer's Assn, I've volunteered to be the Food Committee chairman for the Chastain Memory Walk in October, I've volunteered to lead the Sunday school class this Sunday, and, lately, I've had a bit of a social life, and of course, the Job Hunt.

Job Hunt
Still in a waiting state. The government (state) is slow in picking applicants, so I'll give it another week. Emory is still reviewing my resume that I sent in in May or early June. I applied for a BA job in Richmond, Va and seem to have generated lots of interest in that area. I'll be talking with a recruiter this afternoon about opportunities available. Richmond wouldn't be so bad, not as expensive as Atl or DC, not as much traffic as either place, I have family in the area and I'll be closer to the Parental Units. I could have a playmate in Big Sis, and the nieces, but I will NOT babysit for them, unless it's to watch the kitties. However, they're all grown up with husbands and babies (or soon to be) and not any fun anymore! LOL, Baby Niece!

Social Life
Yes, I had a social life last weekend. On Thursday, I went to dinner with a friend (he paid! and he called early to ask me to go...a date??), then on Friday I went to a birthday party with some friends, you know, the church folks, the non-drinkers. Kinda strange, no alcohol at all, but we still had fun. Imagine. Then on Saturday, I went out to dinner with my friend again! We'd planned it on Thursday, he paid and even came to pick me up. (Margaret says I've crossed the line into Dateland, but who knows?)

Michael Vick's Dogs
Did ya hear that most of his 'fighting' dogs have been rehabilitated and will be adopted? There was an article in the AJC (and here) about a bunch of these 'evil' dogs who have been rehabilitated and are ready for adoption. Some will be adopted by their foster family because they made such a great impression on them. What a great story! He was fined $1 million (I think) to help in their rehabilitation, and it worked. I think just a small portion of these dogs had to be put down. Guess that could explain why he wasn't winning in the ring, they were Pussy dogs.

Come out to PAWS Atlanta on Sunday, July 13 from 3-6pm for a Summer Celebration! They'll have food and refreshments, as well as puppies and kitties and fun for all!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Happy Birthday, USA

2008-07-03T10:01:00.003-05:00

So it's a day early. Enjoy. Don't eat too much, don't get hurt with the fireworks and don't drink and drive.

Job Hunt
The phone has been ringing off the hook! Something about the start of the new quarter, I guess. My resume has been submitted to several hiring managers,just this week alone. Statistics say that your resume will have to be reviewed by 22 managers before you get an interview, so I must be close to that limit. Some have been here in the Atl area and some have been in the DC area. With a little luck, SOMETHING will happen soon. I just talked with a recruiter about a job that I meet all the criteria except one subject (UML). I told the guy I just finished a class in Use Case Modeling and UML, but I've never actually used it in a work situation. I find that annoying, they hire kids out of college as BA's with no experience, yet I meet 4 out or 5 criteria and can't get an interview.

Cheap, er, Frugal
Now that I'm unemployed(again!) I have to watch my pennies. I shop a lot at Kroger's grocery store, they have better prices than Publix. You can get lots of frozen dinners for a good price. You also get .10 off per gallon of gas for every $100 you spend at Kroger per month. It's not hard to do either, sepnd $100 at a grocery store or (in my case) fill up once a month. (One upside to being unemployed, not too much spent on gasoline!)

Kroger features 'manager specials' daily and with great prices, but what that really means is 'Stuff that is almost past the expiration date'. Now we all know the expiration date means 'Sell By' not Use By, so the stuff isn't ultra fresh, and it's still good, just don't let is sit around for awhile.
I'm off to a party tomorrow (more later) and I had to buy some bread and cheese to take. I got 2 loafs of bread on the Manager's special. I have to figure how to get those tags off...

Party
The party I've been invited to is a birthday party for my friend Joy. I worked with her at the Dept of Corrections and she invited me to join her at her Sunday school class awhile back. I've been going to the class for almost 2 months, and we've yet to see Joy, but such is life. At this party will be Joy and her new husband, some Church people, some DOC people, and some other friends of Joy's. I want to invite someone to go with me, but the problem is: Church people, recovering alcoholics and children. This is so NOT the kind of party I'm known for going to and certainly none of my friends would be interested. Actually, these are very nice people, the kids are teens and pre-teens, and the recovering alcoholics are cool. I may even descreetley take a bottle of wine. I'm looking forward to it, actually, it's a departure from my usual 'thing', but maybe that's not a bad thing.

New Interests
I have to get a job soon, I subscribe to 64 podcasts. One of them is learning Latin. OMG! Since I no longer get cable, there was absolutely nothing on TV Tuesday or Wednesday night, so I went to my craft room, put on an audiobook and worked on some jewelry. That was quite productive. I know so much crap about nothing. One of my favorite podcasts: 'Useless Information'. Lots of stuff about nothing.

Random thoughts
When someone leaves a comment on my blog, it's sent to my email account. I got one the other day and all it said was 'Rent your house and don't freeze the spaghetti'. When you haven't read the blog and forgot what you wrote, this statement is a bit unnerving. It was attributed to 'Anonymous', but I knew exactly who wrote it, my lovely Lil Sis. Great minds think alike or the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Philosophically, this sentence could take on lots of different meanings, but it could be the answer to lots of questions, rent your house and don't freeze the spaghetti. Think I'll get that tatooed somewhere.

My neighbor next door, whom I've not seen all that much, has her house for sale. She moved in a few years ago, I introduced myself to her when she moved in, and that's all I've seen of her. She seemed nice, she said she's allergic to almost everything, so she never comes outside. She's had a lawn service come in and take care of things and her yard always looks good. We'll see how long it takes to sell.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Tuesday and All Is Well

2008-07-01T11:12:00.002-05:00

The weather is Fantastic! Low humidity, low temperatures, sunny and warm. Couldn't really ask for more in July!

Happy Canada Day, eh?

Job Front
Well, today does bring some news. My phone was ringing this morning from recruiters, one in DC, one in Dunwoody. Still no interviews, but it's something. Hate to say this, but for every one job posted in Atlanta, there are at least 4 in DC. This is a sucky time to sell a house, but is it better to stay in a house and deplete all your investments, or sell it and get a job? Depending on which candidate gets into office, the jobs at the DOD will could continue to be strong. DC is immune to regular business cycles, as the main business is government. Only during the Reagan error was there a blip, but the DOD (Dept of Defense) was very big.

Cat Front
Those darn cats! It's a beautiful day, the birds are singing, it's nice and cool and I've got the windows open and where are the kitties? Asleep on the floor in my office. Go figure. It's 900 degrees outside, and they are sleeping in a sunbeam on the front porch, but the weather is nice and they stay inside. Last night was a cool night, and I love sleeping in weather like that. I had a fan in the window and the fan on the ceiling going (yes, I sleep in a wind tunnel) and I awoke about 3 am to a small, skinny kitty sleeping on my pillow, against my tummy. Insensitive me, I didn't think about poor little Remy, with all her hair shaved off. She crawled under the covers and stayed there for a few hours. I turned off all the fans and even got a light blanket! In July!

Things I've learned
In recent weeks, I've learned that:

there's a post office at North Dekalb Mall. I've lived here for 10 years, I've been driving passed the mall to go into Decatur to the main post office and here was this post office within walking distance. Who knew?

there's a Sonic in Tucker. With their Happy Hour where all drinks are 1/2 price, looks like I could be drinking a lot of cherry-limeaides with vodka. Who knew?

with 1 lb of hamburger and 1 lb of spaghetti noodles, you need 2 jars of sauce and it makes a Crap Load of spaghetti. Guess what I've been eating all week? I'm going to do the smart thing, I'm going to divide it up into reasonable portions and put it in the freezer, so all I have to do is dump it in a bowl and thaw it out.

Other Random Thoughts
Today is July 1st and lots of new laws go into effect today. Today it becomes legal for citizens with a permit to carry concealed weapons in restaurants and bars. They can't drink (yeah, right) but they can be there. But the front page article in the AJC talks about how security officials at Hartsfield will arrest anyone with a gun, just like before. I see many frivilous lawsuits over this one. Also going into effect: 4th time you're caught DUI, it's a felony. Why 4th time? What about 3 strikes and your out? The Georgia State Dichotomy: it is now legal to take an unfinished bottle of wine from a restaurant and transport it in your car(the Merlot-to-Go Bill). BUT it's STILL illegal to purchase bottles of wine on Sunday. Gotta love it. It's also legal to purchase wine from online distributors in and outside of Ga and ship it directly to the consumer. I thought you could already do that, seems I did a few years ago. Grandparents with custody of grandchildren can now act on behalf of the child. (what? they were custodial for a reason, weren't they?) and you can get out of jury duty if you are a caregiver and can't leave your patient alone. Some of these are definately a 'doh' situation. God bless our Legislature.

It's coming on July 4th, does everyone have their flag pins? This was a question to all the candidates for Senate on Fox 5 Sunday night. Why is this even a point? I noticed not one candidate actually answered the question asked, they recited their past actions and how good they've been to the people. I've got confidence in this crop. I want to ask Vernon Jones about his 'alleged' request to make Dekalb a 'darker' government. Does he still feel that way about the US Senate? Race really shouldn't have anything to do with anything, but I believe we haven't seen the issue fully exploited in the Presidental race. It will rear it's ugly head, again. Why can't we all just get along?

I'm also curious what will come of this tragic accident at Six Flags last week. This is a testimony to the current trend to get something for nothing. Everyone interviewed on TV said the kids climbed 2 (TWO!) fences clearly marked 'Staff only'. The parents said they will conduct their own investigation, which translates to 'we'll sue someone!'. What good will come of this? If they find Six Flags responsible for 2 kids ignoring all signage, then what will happen? Rules will be made to have all dangerous areas around a ride buried underground, physically unaccessable by the public and the prices to visit theme parks will go higher than they already are. There will be no rulings made to require parents to teach their kids to read and obey signs. This is another great example of Natural selection. It's a sad fact, the kid was probably a good kid (he was there with a church group), but he thought the rules didn't apply to him, and looked what happened. Rules were made to be broken, but some rules were made for your own good.

So enough BS. I'm going to enjoy what's left of today. I have to go to the Dept. of Labor to justify my Unemployment Insurance. (It's called a 'Review' and they just check what I'm doing, who I've applied to and all that. BFD) But first, I think I'll kick the cats out to the front porch.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

SSDD...Again

2008-06-26T10:25:00.002-05:00

The title says it all: SSDD.

Job Hunt
Lots of leads, no interviews.

6 Degrees
I've heard it said that if you get to know some one, you will find you have a lot more in common than you think, and I've found that to be true. There seems to be 6 degrees of separation with almost anyone in life. Case in point: I'm volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association and I've been suckered, er, volunteered to be the Food committee Chairman for the Memory Walk in October at Chastain Park (more about this, later!). I talked to the woman in charge of organizing the Memory Walks, Rhita. Rhita is in her late-50's, early 60's and what we found out in just talking for about 1/2 hour: She's from Washington, DC, she grew up in the neighborhood near the National Cathedral, (I grew up in the DC Metro area), she moved to Miami and got her post-graduate degree from UM and lived there, (I lived in SFla and worked in North Miami Beach), she lives on N. Druid Hills road and shops at Publix (I live less that 2 miles from her house). I probably fed her when I was the cooking wench at Publix. So here is a perfect stranger who is a neighbor, and in some ways has been a neighbor all my life!

Just try it, start talking to a stranger or a person you don't know very well and see what you have in common. A woman I went to Biloxi with, spent 24 hours with and have been sporadically communicating with since then, could be a distant relative. Her maiden name is the same as my mom's cousin here in Atl. Small world.

Volunteering
I have been volunteering 3 days a week for the Alzheimer's Association for a shortwhile. It gets me out of the house, I'm doing something people appreciate and I'm making new friends. I wanted to get involved in something important other than ushering or selling t-shirts and they seem to be really 'desparate' for help. I choose the Alzheimer's Assn because it's close by, not because I'm related to an Alzheimers case, although my sister's father-in-law had it and some of my parents friends suffer from it. (Different from old-age dementia!) The Memory Walk is held all around town, the closest to me is Chastain. It's in October, a 5K or a 1K, so think about starting a 'team' or walking on a team. It's good exercise and it's for a good cause.

Random Thoughts

Drilling for oil is NOT the solution to the energy issues of today. We need to decrease the cost of gas TODAY, not 10 or 20 years from now. Oil is a finite resource, we need to find something else to run our cars and engines on.

Clayton County is having a primary for their school board candidates July 15. There are 32 candidates running for 7 spots. Kinda makes you feel warm and fuzzy to see so many people concerned and wanting to change things. There is at least one current school board member
actually running for re-election. I think I understand what SACS was saying when it talked about a dysfunctional school board. They just don't get it.

A lot of major cities are having the same problems: out dated, failing infastructures. The Atlanta Sewer system (to name one), DC is having issues with the electric grids. No one wants to raise taxes to keep their cities running. There's too much corruption, too much poor management, too many favors handed out. Atlanta is now talking about forced time off for all city workers without pay, and cutting the police budget by about $1 millon. If the city councils would cut out credit card abuse, cell phone abuse, awarding of official cars, $20,000 individual budgets for each city council member, to name just a few, then we wouldn't have to cut police and fire budgets. The same with the Federal Government. Get rid of pork projects and use taxpayer money to fix problems.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Random Thoughts, Kitty Porn and Other Stuff

2008-06-24T14:14:00.004-05:00

Let's start with Kitty Porn: Naked Kitties. The Two Faces of Remy, Coiffed and Uncoiffed.

She is much more comfortable in the summer with all that hair cut off. She hates it, I have to pick her up all the time because she's SO cute!

Random Thoughts

I called PAWS Atlanta and found out that Harry is still there, so I'm going to go see him tomorrow if I can. He had an eye infection when I dropped him off, so I guess they can't do anything to him until that clears up. Poor guy.

Check this out: http://www.snotr.com/video/1072 . This is SO funny! Watch the entire thing, you'll love it!

While in DC, my sister and I went to a Happy Hour at the Mayflower Hotel. Yes, the one where all the Important Politico's go. We had a blast. Small crowd, mostly middle-aged or older, but very interesting and very funny. We also checked out a restaurant in Georgetown with the 'hopes' of hob-knobbing with the elite after Tim Russert's funeral, but they went to the Kennedy Center instead of dinner. (Sick, but Oh Well) We ended up at a bar (Clyde's of Georgetown) where we used to drink Back In The Day. They sent us to their Back Bar which used to be a favorite destination, but not so much any more. Polly decided the bathrooms haven't been cleaned since we were there last. We figured we were drinking there long time before our bartender was born. Ouch.

It's Hot and Miserable. Humidity is high and it's gross.

I've been applying to many jobs today. I found a new website: Indeed.com. It consolidates all the other job boards and lists all the jobs. Just another black hole, I fear.

It only cost me about $200 in gas to drive to DC. I remember the day when $12 used to fill up my car. On the way out of town, I filled up at the Hess station in Annandale, where we used to go in High School and get 2 gallons of gas so that our dad's wouldn't know we had cruised around. Gas was .52/ gallon. Ahh, the Good Old Days.

My dad is leaning towards the GOP, I fear. He kept yelling all week : McCain, McCain. Or maybe he was yelling for his cane. My cane, My cane... What do you expect for spending a week with 80-year-olds??

Tomorrow I'm doing my 2 hours with Alzheimer's Association, then off to see Harry. What a full day.?

Hey, Polly, say Hi to BooBoo for me!

Didja miss me??

2008-06-23T13:48:00.002-05:00

It's been an 'action-packed' week with traveling and all. It was good to get away, but it's good to be back, too.

Job Hunt
Things are still the same. The job interview I had in DC was good, went well, and we were all excited. They even mentioned a new opening they had. But, in the course of a few days, the new opening was closed, and the original job got a new manager who wanted to use another way to hire people. So here we are. Some Atl jobs, nothing hot. Darn.

Classes
I took another class in my pursuit of a BA certification. That's 3 down and 3 or 4 more to go. I'm going to look into taking another one this summer, just so I can put on my resume that I 'went back to school.' I talked to mom and dad about floating a loan and they were agreeable. Why wouldn't they be? They haven't had to bail any of us out, no rehab or babysitters, no hospital bills or braces, all they've had to deal with is higher education. Not too shabby, Mom and Dad.

Kitties
Katrina and Remy made the journey to DC with me. They travel pretty well, no wandering around the car, just sometimes. They eventually settled-in, Katrina being more vocal than Remy. Remy just stayed on the bed in the room I was in, and pretty much didn't come out except to eat and visit, briefly. She developed some fleas, so she got coiffed while I was there. She's now a naked, somewhat embarrassed kitty, much cooler and so much smaller.

Didn't realize this until my neice and older sister (and some vodka) started talking all the kitten I fostered, Harry. They told me he was my Harry Pussy. Well, he was. And now Remy is my Shaved Pussy. Get your minds out of the gutter!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Bittersweet Day

2008-06-11T13:33:00.008-05:00

I have a job interview in DC on Friday AM, and I will be taking a class up there also Mon-Wed next week, so I'll be gone for a while. It's exciting, and I think the job is a good one. So I'll be leaving tomorrow, early, and getting gas in South Carolina where it's cheaper. I dread the long trip. It's better than flying, though. I will need a car and to leave my parents without transport I don't think is a good idea , and I know my Dad won't even consider it. So there.

Booster Shots
PAWS Atlanta got in touch with me yesterday that it's time for Harry's 2nd shots, and if he's 2 lbs, they'll neuter him. And then he's off to his new home. So I will be taking him in today, for the last time. I'm sad, but not too. He's going to a loving home with his mommy, and I don't have to clean up the cat pee any more. He's a cutie, though and he and Katrina have bonded.

This is how they were sitting for awhile last night. Just too cute!

I had to pause the DVD I was watching and just watch the kitties for awhile. Katrina understands that Harry is a kitten and treatshim like her baby. She needs a pet.

Remy also got into the picture, she layed on the floor and watched. If you notice, she's on her back looking up at them.
She needs a haircut. How do you think she'd look with a mohawk down the back?

Watching TV. They actually stayed that way for awhile, and it wasn't posed. Harry climbed up there and Katrina just let him hang out for a bit. Isn't that too cute??

But the best one is next:

Kitty Kisses. Harry has taken to her, too. This was just too cute to watch.

Harry is going to a good home (I keep telling myself!) I will miss the little bundle of fur attacking my heels, following me around the house and waking me up at all times of the night biting my nose and ears. If I can't find him, I'll just yell 'Kitten' and he'll come running. He's now tipping over all the trash cans and looking longingly at the curtains in my bedroom. He's a climber, for sure, and climbs up the bed, the tablecloth I have on my computer table, my pants leg (and it doesn't seem to bother him too much that I don't have long pants on).

I have learned one thing about kittens: They get kicked. A lot. I've accidentally kicked him several times while he's nipping at my heels. I walked into the bathroom and stepped down to a kitty squeal, I didn't see him. He's gray, it was dark! He was curled up on a pair of shorts in the floor. He smelled like baby powder.

I'm sad to see him go, but I'm happy he's going to a good home. I can't wait to get my next batch. They've already asked me to let them know when I'll be ready for the next litter. This is fun, watching the little ones grow. I got Harry when he was 2 weeks old and could barely walk. Sigh.

So sad for me, but good for all you non-cat lovers out there. (Yes, there are a few!) I will bore you with MORE kitten pictures.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

God It's HOT!

2008-06-09T13:15:00.012-05:00

This will be the second time I've tried to post something. AT&T dropped me, and I'm thinking I may be dropping them too....

Some Pictures

Even in this heat, my kitties like to hang out on the porch. The don't move much, but they would rather snooze on the chairs on the porch than on my bed. Even with all that fur, Remy finds a sunbeam and catches some zzz's

Harry is playing with an uninterested Kartina on April's Chair with Remy watching.

Even Little Harry has found a spot to relax

Harry is in training to be a Cat. I got up to get something, and he jumped in my chair! This, of course, was before it got HOT!

As you can probably tell, tensions among the kitties have eased. Miss K is playing with Harry, like he's a little toy. He squeals and cries, but then attacks her. She's actually moving...well sometimes. I'm thinking she may need a pet..... It's hard to get an action shot, they move so fast! Harry is a bit scared of Miss K, could it be because she's twice his size??

It was reallly hot yesterday afternoon, and when I decided to bring Miss Katrina inside, I had to pick up 13 lbs of dead weight. She just didn't care. So here she sits on the couch, reading the Sunday paper. She laid there for about an hour. See why she needs a pet?? Nice fuzzy belly there, eh?

OK, one last picture. This is Harry after a hard day of playing outside and with the Big Girls.

I had to move some of the pillows in order to find him. I will miss the Little Guy!

I think he gets adopted this week. Ha! His new owner is getting a Spoiled-Rotten kitten. Maybe mama will straighten him out.

Things that Suck

100 degree heat in June. Hell, anytime.

$4/gal gas

Clayton County School Board

Running out of Vodka

Growing your hair out to find it really IS salt and pepper now.

Summer clothes shrinking. They fit last summer!

Smelly cat poops

You have 2 eggs in the fridge, and you want some scrambled eggs. One egg is rotten. Bummer.

Other Things

Belated Happy Birthday to both my sisters, Big Sis, 29 (give or take 32 years) and Little Sis, 29 (give or take 20 years)

I went out to dinner with an old friend on Saturday. It was quite a suprise that he asked, but we had a good time. I don't think it was a date, we'll see, but I certainly enjoyed it for what is was, someone to spend time with.

I'm the same age as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince and Caroline Kennedy. Hhuumm...

On A Brighter Note!

2008-06-05T10:56:00.002-05:00

So here's what's happened since I last posted:

I've talked today to 2 recruiters in the DC area about jobs I've applied for. I also got notice from Emory that I'm under consideration (the hiring manager is taking a look at my resume) for 2 positions there. I still haven't heard from SunTrust, but one of my friends is interviewing for the Project Manager position for that job (I think), which means he could be hiring me. So all that is good. I now have to decide, if necessary, will it be cheaper to drive to DC or fly?

I've committed to visiting the Alzheimer's Association MWF for a few hours to do some Admin work. Some would say it's 'below' me, but they need the work done, it's mindless but someone has to do it, and I need to be wanted. And it's for a good cause. BTW, there is a Memory Walk coming up in the fall... More information later.

The Board of Directors thing fizzled, I didn't read the Fine Print. The cost was $750, which if working isn't bad, but not working it's a small fortune.

More Boring Kitty Stuff
We've got some new dynamics at work now. Katrina and Kitten are actually playing a little. Katrina treats Junior like his mother did, cleaning his face, locking her paws around him, but Junior is scared of Miss K. She is, after all, 3 times his size. But he stalks her tail and will jump in her direction. Remy, on the other hand, just hisses. She will stand in one place and hiss for 20 minutes at Kitten. It will probably end soon, but it's annoying.

Kitten or Junior or Harry is still adorable. He's climbing and playing, he jumps up my legs when I'm working on my computer, so I have scratches on my knees from where he's slipped off. He can now climb on to the bed, and jump off. Good thing, because in the last 2 days I've had to strip the sheets down to the bare matrees and wash them as he's peed on the bed. I noticed today he was dragging his little a** on the carpet, so there's some type of problem. No skid marks (who would notice them??), but it's quite a site to see him dragging his little a** across the floor.

Katrina and Kitten are now playing in my filing cabinet drawers. Katrina is plopped into the drawer, filling it up quite nicely, thank you. Kitten is hanging around, just playing, trying so hard to ignore Katrina, but it's not working. These two are so funny to watch.

Other Ideas
So Hillary will be conceeding to Obama on Saturday. I know people who are sick over the fact we have a Black Man running for President. Get over it. Hillary had every right to fight it out to the end, but would she be happy as VP?

I've heard Sonny Perdue mentioned as the GOP VP, and that scares me. McCain is a left-leaning-conservative (!) but Sonny would swing back to the far right.

Some Atlanta Things: 14th Street Bridge is closed for 1 1/2 years. Clayton County School Board is still a mess and I predict will lose their acreditation. Too many egos at work here. John Smoltz is having season-ending surgery today. I predict this will be his last year, he'll retire next season, he is, after all 42!

Gotta get prepared for a 'technical' interview. Wish me luck!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Monday, Again??!!

2008-06-02T10:33:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all for their comments on Thursday, I understand that the phone works both ways, and I agree, Primer, one does get tired of being the instigator. And when you are unemployed, as Stacy said, you feel cut off from everyone, for whatever reason. Remember Mr Come-into-my-office-everyday? Haven't heard from him since I've been unemployed. I've reached out to him a few times, but when you get no response, you kinda quit. Someone mentioned Survivors Remorse, which could be the answer. But I have been keeping up with 2 other co-workers, so who knows? Who cares?

Plans
I do have plans this week, though. I'm finishing my exam today for my online class, then tonite I'm participating in a project with Hands-On-Atlanta, Board Development Program. Small series of 'classes' to train people to serve on Boards-of-Directors for Nonprofits. There's a placement service, too. I've sporadically volunteered for things, but I want to do something more than collect tickets or sell t-shirts.
Tomorrow, I'll be working with the Alzhiemers Assn and doing some data entry for them. Hey, it's a way to network, it gets me out of the house and I'll meet more people.

More Kittie Stories
Sorry to bore ya'll with this, but this is the most exciting thing I've got going on in my life! I'm now the Surrogate Mother. This kitten follows me around the house. The baby-gate is a thing of the past. He figured out how to clear the top on Friday night so it's useless. I felt sorry for the kittie on Friday, so he slept with me. Yeah, right. Ever seen a kitten? They go Full Tilt for about 1/2 hour, then crash and burn for about 15 minutes, only to start over again. I didn't sleep much with the constant nipping, scratching and jumping and the occasional hissing from Miss K.

He's gotten stronger and quicker. If I put him in his box and try to leave the room and close the door, he's already made it out of the box, across the room and almost out the door by the time I get to the door. Amazing.

Other Thoughts
Didja see 'Sex and The City'? I have no interest. I never watched the TV show, and can't seem to get interested in still another TV show demonstrating how inadequate I am, or the type of woman I should aspire to be. I swear, if I hear a woman say that her favorite hobby is shopping, I cringe. How shallow. But to each his own.

A topic of conversation: Judgement. I'm working on that. What does it mean to be 'judgemental'? According to the definition, judgement is part of having an opinion. Huummm.. So a person with no opinions does not judge? I've got a lot of work to do!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Lots of Pictures

2008-05-29T12:57:00.004-05:00

Life, for me right now is pretty sorry. I am really struggling to keep a good attitude, I listen to motivational podcasts, I have some affirmations written on a piece of paper that I read every day. There are some days when I don't speak to any other human being, just stay home and look for a job or take my class. I tend to withdraw when not working, and I don't think I'm alone in this. That said, if you have any other friends not working, just pick up the phone and let them know you're thinking of them. No, I'm really not saying me, I'm just saying.

My friend Terry from Arkansas calls every month or so. He's a career coach (as well as a friend) and that's one point of networking that I'm trying to work on, just calling contacts or emailing them monthly or quarterly, just to keep the contact active. Anyway, Terry and I met close to 10 years ago (probably more at this point in time) at a friends wedding. I had worked with this girl, Linda, at MCI and she came to visit me in Florida several times. Terry and I and a few others were at the 'singles' table, you know, usually the loud and obnoxious one at a wedding. Terry and I had a blast and went to dinner or lunch before I went back to Fla, and never heard from him again.

When I got to Atlanta and got fully automated (got online) , I got an email from Terry. I had completely forgotten about him, and couldn't even remember who he was, but he said in the email we had met at Linda's wedding. Thus began a friendship. He's sinced moved from Rockville, Md to Jonesboro, AK due to health issues, but we keep in touch. So here's how he cheered me up yesterday:

The picture maybe a bit dark, but it's about 3 dozen roses. Yellow, orange and pink, bright spring colors, with a card that says 'I believe in you. Always have, always will.' That would make anyone's day. We talked last night, he was having a bad day too. But this made it better for both of us. There's nothing romantic, it's just nice to know that someone else cares.

Kitty Pictures
Harry came home on Tuesday without his mom. She's getting 'fixed' and will recover at her new forever home. Harry will stay with me until he's 2 lbs and will get fixed and he, too will go to his forever home, along with Mom! How exciting. It's sad to not have Betty here, but she's going someplace where she will be taken care of and loved, so it's all good. I've got custody of Harry now, and I've learned alot about me. I've learned how terribly nurturing I am. Arrgghhh!

After going to the doctor and getting shots and traveling in the car and all, he was just tired.

Poor little guy. It was so sad to see him in the middle of the room, meowing rather urgently and looking at me! I put a baby gate in the doorway so I could keep the door open and keep the kitty in the room. He's eating and playing! We are still having litterbox issues, but hopefully they will resolve themselves. Who knew I'd ever have to deal with potty training?? He's also gotten quite vocal since Mom's gone. His little meow is still just a squeak, but he learned from a good teacher and should be yowling shortly!

Must be nice to be a kitten. Everything they do is cute. He can sh*t on the floor and it's cute! He finds a great time doing anything. He'll fuss with my feet, nipping, scratching, batting, just having a great time. So easily entertained! He's sleeping right now on my foot.

My kitties aren't too sure what's going on here, Katrina will hiss at him, but I think she's actually scared of him. I don't think she's ever had kittens, so all this in new to her. Remy, on the other hand, has been a Mom, and could care less. (Reminds me of my mom, not too nurturing...) She's hissed at him, but she stays on the front porch. That's why there aren't many pictures of her, she just Doesn't Care and stays away.

This is a picture of Katrina, just dying to get into the room, but scared to do so. She's seen Harry, hissed at him, but you know what they say about curiosity and the cat. Here she is looking over the baby gate, wonder how to get in the room but also have an escape route.

She has gotten in, looked around, growled a bit, looked out the window and left. you know what they say about curiosity and the cat? Of course, she found the food and has helped herself to that, but isn't too sure what to make of the little tyke. Harry, meanwhile, just wants to play. He jumped/stumbled/lunged/tripped in her direction, she hissed, but he started back at her. She hissed again and left.

I'm very proud of the baby gate idea. I can't afford to let Harry wander around, he's SO little he could easily get lost in this baby-unfriendly home. I'm trying to keep his visits with the girls supervised, so I can't let him get into their stuff, so to speak.

As I was on the phone with Terry last night, here's what happened:

Babygate, what baby gate? I thought this would at least last a few weeks, he's only a few inches tall! I do tilt it inward just a bit, and he's just not strong enough or big enough (yet) to get a grip on the top to climb over (as he's doing in this picture). It really didn't work last night, but maybe he learned after he climbed over the top 3 times and I put him back in the room 3 times, maybe that's not what he wants to do. I think he just got too tired to do it again, so he went to sleep. I fully expect to wake up sometime soon with a warm cuddly spot on my shoulder or under my chin in my bed.

Yes, I spend all my time with my little ward. It's hard to have a bad attitude when you've got a kitten on your desk. Every company should provide Work Day Kittens, just to relieve the day-to-day stress!

New Beginings

2008-05-27T10:16:00.002-05:00

Harry is 6 weeks old and it's time for his first checkup! I noticed that his left eye was a bit weepy and swollen, so I took him in this morning. He came out with flying colors! I've got to give him eye drops twice daily but with such a small critter, how difficult could it be?? They kept Betty, she's going under the knife tomorrow, and I guess she'll be recovering with her new person. I have to take Harry back in 3 weeks for some more shots, and then I guess that's it, he'll reunite with mom. This has been a very intersting experience, my spring has been filled to the brim with cuteness! If there are any more Mama's and Kittens, I'll probably foster them, too.

Now Harry can meet the other girls. I've actually got a baby gate up in the doorway, if he gets out, I'll never find him with all the nooks and crannies he could get into, and as little as he is. I need to supervise all the visits between my kitties and him, I don't think there will be any problems, but who knows? Tonite, we'll enjoy an evening on the front porch! Can't wait to post the pictures!

Job Hunt
Not as much fun stuff to talk about. Nothing is happening. I'm working on my on-line class and should be done with that on time, but now I know not to take an online class. I'm not consistent with anything in my life, and you need to be with a class.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Scamper

2008-05-23T09:47:00.002-05:00

Scamper: (intransitive verb): to run nimbly and usually playfully about . Now I understand the meaning. Harry scampers everywhere. He's climbing (almost), jumping, chewing, just having a grand old time. He jumped off my shoulder this morning and looked up at me as if to say 'I did that? I DID that!' He's a mess, but so cute.
Betty is a little love, she's sit on my shoulders, talk to me, rub up against me, jump from the ground to nest on my shoulder while I'm trying to work. I'm taking an online class and I had to kick her out of the room while I finished my project, she was getting on my nerves. I hope the people who adopt her want a loving, LOUD cuddle-bug.

Job Hunt
Got an email from a recruiter saying that SunTrust is holding off until after the Holiday to make a decision. I'm still in the running. Could be this is why SunTrust is in trouble?? Banking, like government work, moves S-L-O-W-L-Y!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

SSDD...Again

2008-05-22T09:44:00.003-05:00

Kitten Update
No sooner had I published my last entry than the Little Guy started eating Big Kitty Food. And he won't stop! I watched that little guy chow down on almost 1/2 can of cat food. Today is a lovely day, and it's Kitty Krazy Day. My girls are too old and fat to really get excited, but Mama kitty is possessed. I'm stuck in this little room with a crazy cat, jumping, rushing around, climbing on everything, yowling. Then there's junior, who has become a bouncing ball of fuzz. He's getting more sure on his feet, which means he's going to start jumping and climbing. He's doing a pretty good job, for his size. When he gets a bit bigger, he will destroy lots of things in this room. It's almost time to hide the computer cords. At this very moment, he's next to me feet, curled up, asleep. Mama is FINALLY calm and sitting in the window. I was on the phone with Baby Sis and Mama let loose a yowl and Baby Sis said she sounds like a goat. There you have it.

Whoever let mama live outside was a fool. She's a little love, wants to be held and will sit on my shoulder. Just amazing. The shelter said they may have someone who wants to adopt both of them, so I'm off the hook. I hope they like a VERY vocal, nagging, velcro-kitty.

Other Thoughts
Ted Kennedy has brain cancer. Amazing something so traumatic has to get him, with all the sorry and pain in the family already, he can't just go peacefully. My thoughts are with he and his family. You may not like his politics, but you have to feel for the family.

Another sad issue is the passing of Hamilton Jordon, former Chief of Staff for Jimmy Carter. I remember when Carter was in DC, Hammy went out one night and got into some trouble at a bar and dumped a drink on some woman. A writer for theWashington Post at the time said the bar missed a great opportunity, they should have named that drink for Hammy. (I think it was a white Russian.) That would have made big money for that bar.

Thank God, American Idol is OVER! I hate the hype, I hate the silliness and I hate the harsh critique that's handed out. It's a sad state of affairs that the most popular TV shows are those 'reality' shows who's most entertaining draw is putting other people down. I don't like shows like that, I don't find making fun of other people or putting people down especially entertaining. But back to American Idol, you can't help but know who's competing, it's a 'news item' every night. I turned on the last 2 minutes (after Criminal Minds ended and before the 10 o'clock news) just as they announced the winner. I didn't like the kid who lost, something about his looks was a bit creepy. Maybe I knew someone who looks like him in my past, but something about him was a turnoff. The guy that won needs a new hairdo. This faux-mohawk is stupid, but evidently the rage for the 20-something crowd. And there were millions of calls to vote on these guys. Don't you people have anything else to do??? What a waste of money and time.

I've single handedly solved the energy crisis: I don't drive my car much. Next time I buy gas, it will probably be $5/gal. I'm trying to walk everywhere, but that's impossible sometimes. (Actually, I never leave the house, so it's easy not to drive. I need a life!) It's tough to do any grocery shopping for any amount of time and walk the groceries home. In my next life, whenever and where ever that may be, I want to live in a close community where you can walk to restaurants, grocery stores and drug stores.

Yes, I've put my resume out for DC jobs. Mom went into the hospital last Friday, and I'm sure Daddy just wandered around, trying to figure out what to do. He's never been good at making decisions or being independent. Mom got out the next day, but I'm sure part of her hospitalization was caused by the stress of taking care of Daddy. When will they realize they don't NEED to take care of that house??! I remember the horrible time that was Christmas, and I don't want to go back to that, but they need help and won't admit to it. As one woman told me, she knows there are some things she's not going to be able to do when she gets older, and she's ready to admit to it and move on.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Another Day, Another....nothing

2008-05-20T09:51:00.006-05:00

More Pictures
Sorry, I don't have a life, and these two are the most exciting thing happening. Betty (Mom) is just a little cuddler! She will jump on the computer desk and rub against my face, then sit on my shoulder or drape herself across my shoulders and stay, just a little. She jumped up my back just a minute ago, just to be cuddled. She is so cute, but she just won't SHUT UP! She has a deep, loud meow/yowl which can be annoying. It could be because she's stuck in this little room and wants to get out or she could be just a yenta. But she's a pretty girl, sitting here in the window.

Harry seems to be taken with my feet. After the excitement of me coming in the room dies down, he'll come over and chew, bite, scratch and play with my feet. Then he'll get comfortable and fall asleep. (Yes, I have big feet, but he's still a little kitten!) If I have on socks, he'll try to climb and sometimes he tries to climb up my leg. His claws are just annoying now, but soon he'll be drawing blood.

He's still nursing, not showing much interest in the food. I sat him down by the water bowl and he drank, but that's not what he looks for when he's thirsty. Maybe sometime this week, I read where someone else has 5-week-old kittens ready for adoption, weaned and all.

Interesting Discovery

In researching the use of the work 'yenta' above, I discovered a Wikipedia entry for 'Yinglish', an Americanized form of Yiddish. Living in South Florida, I picked up some Yinglish, I'm one of the few people who schlep across Atlanta, but I discovered a cool word today: Fershtupt. This means 'recently had sex, pregnant or constipated'. I would never put those words together, but OK, makes sense. This word means different things to different people. Back In The Day, one could be fershtupt with a smile on their face or an air of relaxation or fershtupt and very worried. But now, in the Over 40 era, there's only one meaning to Fershtupt. Life is unfair.

Job Hunt

Still the same old nothing. Tonite is the IIBA meeting and I'll be there networking, schmoozing (another Yinglish word!) and begging.

So Happy It's Monday

2008-05-19T09:38:00.007-05:00

Some Things Never Change
I had an interview on Thursday with a recruiter. They were going to present me to Suntrust Bank for a BA position dealing with re-vamping their webpage. So far, I haven't heard anything, which I will take as a 'Not Interested'. The companies like to 'move fast' and will make a decision pretty quickly, unless something comes down the pipeline about funding. I've had several recruiters tell me the company pulled all contracts and wasn't hiring. SunTrust has been hurting for awhile anyway. Who knows. Other than that, ABOSOLUTELY nothing. I'm going to call recruiters this afternoon, and I'll be 95% won't call back. Such is the Game.

The Joy of Being a Kitten
I guess the same is true with babies of all species. They don't have a care in the world, they just play. And if they get tired, they just sleep. Harry is now lodged against my foot, sound asleep. A few minutes ago he was licking, biting and scratching my foot, and I guess he got tired, so he just curled up and went to sleep. He's not eating solid food yet, and not using the litter box, but I've got Harry sized things set up for when he decides to try it. He was checking out the water the other day, but then walked thru it.

Some Random Pictures:

Mom & Harry checking out the water bowl. Betty is a little love. She likes to cuddle and this morning, sat on my shoulder for a few minutes, then draped over my shoulders. She didn't stay as long as Miss K does sometimes, but she didn't jump right off either. I think she and I have the same color green eyes.

Harry relaxing with toys after a busy few minutes

I walked into the room last week to find this:

That ring around his neck is some type of plastic, I think it goes on the vacuum cleaner. Some how he'd got it hooked over his little head. Too cute! BTW, he's crawling into and out of his box now. When I open the door, Betty comes at me making her funny noises, and Harry falls out of his box and scampers across the rug in my direction. I'm not sure if he's running to me or imitating Mom, but it's cute. I have to be so careful when I walk in the room. Yesterday he found his way into the closet and curled up on a cloth on the floor. I took him out and closed the door, only to come back in a few minutes later to find him in there again. I've fixed the door so it isn't open.

Sunday School
I went to church yesterday, and I checked out the Sunday school class my friend Joy has told me about. It was a small group, mostly around my age. They pick a topic, usually from some Christian-themed book and someone leads a discussion. But they tend to structure the class pretty loosely. We discussed some trials and tribulations yesterday, dealing with older parents, looking for a job. Most of the folks have kids, and one couple has a son graduating from High School this week, so they had lots of stuff to take care of. At the church service, they honored all high school graduates, they showed up in their graduation gown and were introduced to the congregation. Most were honor students, many were off to Ga Tech or UGA as engineers or scientists, girls and boys. It was quite touching. After the service, we were talking to one woman who graduated from high school in 1936, Decatur Girls School. She said there were 80 boys graduating from the boys school that year, and at the Battle of Guadalcanal (1942) in WWII, 50 were lost. And we are still killing young men.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Thoughts

2008-05-13T09:12:00.006-05:00

It's been pretty boring since I last blogged, the weather has been beautiful between tornados, so I've been getting some yard work done, killing weeds, cutting grass, planting flowers.

Harry & Betty, cont'd
These two are getting more and more interesting. Betty is just a little love bug, she likes to be held and cuddled and petted. She's still nervous, maybe because of Harry, maybe because she's stuck in this small room, but she yowls ALL THE TIME! I'm afraid my neighbors think I'm abusing her, she sits in the window and just howls. But when I come in the room, she cuddles with me, rubs against me, does some head-butting, but continues to yowl. It's wearing on me.

They play together a lot, and she can be pretty rough on the little guy. He'll squeal at her but they'll still tumble together on the floor.

Harry has learned to crawl out of his box! You'll hear this scratching and then a thump and he's fallen out. Problem is, he can't get back in, so he sleeps on the floor a lot.

This is to give you an idea of how little Harry is. Just a handful!

Now for the permanent residents:

Don't they look like an exclaimation point and a dot? Miss K loves to sleep on the pad to my footstool, she fits. Remy will lay anywhere to get a tummy rub. So peaceful. I'm trying to put Miss K on a diet, she's a little porker. She's eating 1/2 c of dry IAMS hairball Light (as I call it) daily, but it's not helping. She needs more exercise. I attempted to put a harness on her to start taking her for a walk, but I found I need to get a larger harness, one for a 15lb dog, the one I have is too small. She was laying in on my bed yesterday, napping on the pillows. Since it was a nice day, I felt she should be out on the porch enjoying the sun. So I picked her up and took her outside. Maybe that's why she's so fat!

Job Hunt
Got some feedback from a recruiter, the hiring manager wanted someone 'more technical'. Don't know what they mean about that, I was a programmer for over 20 years. Could it be age discrimmination? I'll never know.

Irony
My Economic Stimulus check is going to pay for my first installment of COBRA insurance. Yes, I'm submitting that the the Vent in the AJC.

Hell Is Freezing Over
Bob Barr announced yesterday that he's running for president. I may vote for him. Yes, it's in writing, it's being published on the web for the world to see. I couldn't stand the man when he 'represented' me when I lived in Cobb County, but since he's jumped ship to the Libertarians, I'm liking more and more what he's saying. Either I'm getting older, or Bob Barr just got smarter!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

This is All I Do

2008-05-09T08:44:00.004-05:00

With a digital camera and a kitten, this is how I spend my days!

Wouldn't you like to find this in your Inbox?

Guess who can climb out of his box now? This means I have to be VERY careful when I walk into the room, there's no telling where this little tyke will be. He slept very well last night after his long day of adventures. He's developing a personality, fussing at me sometimes when I pick him up. Of course, I guess I do pick him up A LOT! How can you resist?

Mom is driving me crazy! She wants to get out of the room, so much so that she will yowl at the door and paw at it ALL NIGHT LONG! The last few nights, I've had to get up around 2 or 3AM just to shut her up. She gets lonely, I think. The Humane Society told me to keep them separate, but I think I'm going to have to let her out to roam around. She's annoying me to death.

Job Hunt
Yes, I do still look for a job. Absolutely nothing. I did get a lead from a recruiter on Tuesday, but I haven't heard. I'll call them today, but as we all know, if they wanted me, they would have called by now. Alas. I'm reading an interesting book about the Free Agent Nation (FAN) and how the work force has changed in the last 10 years. I know this has been true in IT, but evidently it's moving to other industries also. Everyone is a consultant, or contingent worker or Job Whore, whatever you want to call them. No one stays employed for too long, and gone are the days of spending years with one company. So when you go for an interview and you are asked 'Where do you see yourself in 10 years?' you can truthfully answer 'Not here'. If the hiring manager asks that question, he doesn't get it.

Other Things
Barring Betty keeping me awake tonite, I'll be going to Toastmasters tomorrow morning. If I don't get up to go to work, I can atleast get up early once a week, even if it is Saturday!

I'm meeting a woman for lunch today that was at the Networking meeting in Marietta a few weeks ago. She made the effort to contact me for networking purposes, and I feel that's the kind of person I need to associate with. She's a paralegal, so we really can't help each other too much with the networking, but it's something to do.

IN MEMORIAM

April 1989 - 2007

Lucky 1993-2008

Sorry to bring everyone down, but these were great kitties! Just go back up to the first picture posted to look at another great kitty who's just starting out!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Cute pictures and Real Adventure!

2008-05-08T09:51:00.006-05:00

I got home from a walk yesterday around 6PM and I looked out on my deck and I saw this guy. This picture was taken thru the my kitchen door. He just didnt' seem to care. At one point he came up to the door and looked in. No growling, or whatever racoons do.

I called Animal Control, which to my suprise, is the 911 administrative number. The first time I called it rang and rang and rang. I then called the local 24-hour emergency clinic and they gave me another number to call. Seems like no one works after 6pm. Anyway, I left the information and kept watching this guy.

I thought a picture of Racoon and Gremlin was a pretty good shot. Rocky hung out for several hours, laying at the foot of my driveway, hanging out in the road, not moving much. My neighbor walked his dog by Rocky and Rocky arched his back and took a defensive stance, then sat down.

Animal Control called about 9:30 to see what was up. Of course I couldn't see Rocky, and basically didn't go out to look. I had called them about 7, what did they expect? Animal Control told me to call if I saw him in the morning. I haven't seen him yet, I think he was just looking for a place to die, he didn't seem right. I kept the kitties off the front porch, just to be safe.

Poser
This picture was just too cute to not take:

The Cat and Mouse. Mama let him stay on the computer desk today. I guess he's growing up. Mama is trying to get out of the room. She escaped twice yesterday, prying the door open. She whines all the time, very loudly. I think she's lonely, or claustrophobic. I called the Humane Society to see if I could let her out to visit, but they said no. I will try again, I need some sleep!

Issues I've always got issues!

It's been about 6 weeks since I was so uncermoniously terminated, and I've never gotten any information about my COBRA benefits. I called the insurance company who told me to call my old company. Darn, I knew that, I just don't want to talk to those people. So I sent my old Account Manager an email stating 'I'm not sure that I got my COBRA benefits information, could you resend it?'. Of course I got an email from someone else in the company who told me I'd get the stuff by Friday. Oops, did they forget? I doubt it. I have NO confidence in this company, they took 3 months to get direct deposit to work, they asked me to fill out my medical forms after I'd been with the company 4 months and had already done that before I was hired. Now this. Can you say 'Incompetence'?

For the past 3 nights, I can't get any stations on Direct TV. I get a message 'Searching for satellite' and nothing. I get reception fine during the day, but none at night. I've been thinking about dumping them for awhile, but I called Customer Service to see what they could do. I got a very pleasant young lady, she was polite and friendly. I had to go thru about 5 minutes of recorded 'Try this and see what happens' before I spoke to a real person. In the meantime, Miss K was laying on my bed with her head hanging over the edge of the matress. I was petting her and playing with her while on hold. When the real person picked up the line, I turned my back on Miss K to speak with the woman, and Miss K bit me on the butt. How can one maintain decorum when your cat bites you on the butt? This prompted a long conversation about cats, she had one and we shared stories.
The only thing she could do for me is to schedule a maintenance call, at my expense. I think I had this same problem last year, but I was a new customer last year and it didn't cost me anything. I think a tree limb or leaves is blocking the signal, but I'm not paying someone to come out and tell me that. So I cancelled my service. I don't need it anyway. Too many channels when all I watch are just a few, mostly local. I don't think I'll miss it. Maybe now I'll become more productive.

More to come...

As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Look What I Found!

2008-05-07T12:31:00.008-05:00

My Camera with some old pictures!

Here's one of Miss K, when she was thinner, in a plastic cover for water bottles. She LOVES playing in boxes and bags, so I have to throw things in the trash the SECOND I open them or they become cat toys!

A Calm Domestic picture, Betty and Harry.

Harry at 3 Weeks. Doesn't he look like trouble?? Notice the small white spot on the nape of his neck.

I'm sure I'll have more to publish tomorrow!

Some New Ideas

2008-05-06T08:48:00.003-05:00

Just to keep everyone up with my 'busy' life:

Job Hunt
SSDD. Recruiters want and need you to call ASAP, then you never hear from them again until they have another 'hot' possibility. And they never return your calls.

I did get a webpage with TONS of legit work from home opportunities. Thanks Didi, that list will keep me busy for a long time. I just hope something solid comes from it.

Toastmasters
I attended my first ever Toastmasters meeting on Saturday. I think I'm going to like it. I've got to try other meetings (they suggested I do that) and see which one will help me the most. This group does some social activities during the week, which appeals to me. We all need to expand our group of friends.

Old Friends
I got some phone calls yesterday from friends I haven't heard from in ages! Didi called and we talked for awhile. She's encouraging me in my effort, she's been there, done that. I also got a call from a Hasher friend I haven't talked to in ages. That was nice of her to call.

Sorrow
Polly, (Little sister) emailed me yesterday that she had to put Lucky, her best kitty, down on Sunday night. He was such a good guy, a lovely tabby with eyeliner and an Elvis sneer. A beautiful guy, he blended in with her dark green furniture. He had coloring like he has eyeliner, so he always looked 'dressed-up'! Somehow in the last few years, his upper lip would get hung up on his tooth and he looked like he was sneering. So cute. We'll miss him. She got him when he was a kitten, and trust me, he's led a Good Life.

Foster Family
Mom and son are doing fine! The little guy is squealing more, he's looking around more, and he tries to walk and is doing a great job, but has a bit of trouble coordinating all 4 legs to go in the same direction! He still fits in my hand, but he's getting a bit longer and fatter. He's purring sometimes, and he's started licking his feet, so the cleaning is starting.

Mom has a voice and loves to talk, almost to the point of being annoying. She's still nursing, so she's not in heat, yet. I think she's bored with just feeding junior and wants more to do. She knows there are other kitties on the other side of the door, and wants to explore. Saturday night, around 12:30am, my kitties and Mama started fighting under the door, so I had to put a towel there to keep them from 'playing' . Have you ever heard cats fighting? Scared the heck out of me.

I will put the 2 of them down on the floor and just watch. Mom attempts to 'attack' junior, playing a bit rough with him, but Mama Knows Best. Junior doesn't seem to mind, he squeals sometimes, and tries to wobble away, but mom just grabs him and cleans him some more.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Just a Quick Note

2008-05-02T08:40:00.002-05:00

I noticed today that Harry is purring! He's getting stronger everyday, and my guess is he'll be crawling out of his box this weekend. Not sure where he's going from there, he's still quite wobbly but I guess it's a Guy Thing.

Betty seems to be affection starved. She just wants me to pet her, talk to her, and just pay attention to her. She's trusting me more and more and letting me hold Harry longer.

I had a dream last night that I couldn't breathe. It could be the pollen, or how I was sleeping, but I think the big problem was Miss Katrina sleeping on my face. She manages to just plop down and get comfortable, and somehow she crawled up on my pillow and positioned herself across my face. 13 lbs of fur in your face may make it a bit hard to breathe. She's come a long way from crawling out of debris in Bilouxi!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

So What's Different?

2008-05-01T09:34:00.002-05:00

This week is just as 'action-packed' and full of job offers as last week (sarcasm doesn't come across at all on a blog!), so why am I in a better mood? Could be the weather, no rain, could be I've been going to the gym or walking (so far everyday!) or could be I've started my on-line class. Or it could be the handfull of fluff and his mom that keep me busy. I promise, I'm looking for my camera!

Job Hunt
SSDD. Several opportunities, no response. Alas.

Kitty Watch
Betty and Harry are doing just fine. Mama is warming up to me, she's trying to tell me something, but I haven't figured out what it is just yet. I think she's starved for attention, feeding and sleeping with Harry is a bit boring. The nursery is in my 'office' (the room where I have my computer), so I spend a lot of time in here. I noticed she was sitting under my chair when I left last night to fix dinner. She's now looking out of the window, intent on a squirrel.

Harry is getting stronger, he's still stumbling around but he does take a few steps. He tries to climb out of his box, but just can't quite make it. I tried to cut his tiny little claws, but I couldn't seem them very well, so I had to quit. This moring when I tried to give him his medicine (he and mom had the sniffles when they got here) he's fighting me or squirming a bit more.

So What Else?
I've got to get in touch with my insurance company about COBRA benefits. I don't recall seeing anything about that, and it wouldn't suprise me if my old company is trying to get out of paying. I'll figure it out.

Car insurance is due in a few weeks. I'll figure that one out, too.

Kroger offers a 10% rebate on gift cards of $300, so I'm thinking (while I've still got money) to get a card and save it until I don't have money. Hhuummm...

I signed up to be a Virtual Assistant. It's a company I heard about while watching The M&J Show on Fox at 9am. I learned that I need to go to the library and take some of those tutorials on Word and Excel. I know enough to type a letter and set up a spreadsheet, but I need to become a 'power user'. Hey, it's money, and it's something to do! It means I could do some temping, to.

I'm cancelling Direct TV. I don't really need it, and I'm still pissed at them for drilling the hole in my floor last year when they installed it. If I decide I miss it, I'll get Comcast. Maybe I'll start reading more.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

A Good Begining!

2008-04-29T09:00:00.002-05:00

I talked to 2 recruiters yesterday, and they were very positive about some positions they have put in my resume for. I have to 'fatten' up my resume for one, but hey, it's something. No interviews yet, but at least it's positive.

The Family
Not much changed, Harry is getting a little stronger every day, he's trying to climb out of his box, but just can't seem to do it. Betty keeps talking to me, but I haven't figured out what she's trying to say. She's not worried about Harry, she's not real keen on getting picked up, but she likes to be petted. She lets me rub her tummy and massage her back while she's feeding the little runt.
I tried to cut Harry's claws today, but Mama didn't want me to. I think it will be better if I just leave him in the box and attempt to cut them. She's not real happy when I take him too far from his 'home'. It is so comforting to see the mama and baby curled up together in their home.

Workout
I made it to the gym yesterday around 4pm. It's starting to get real crowded then, so I didn't hang around much. I did some cardio and some situps. Today will be the weights.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Parenthood

2008-04-28T09:27:00.002-05:00

More about the title later...

Job Hunt
Some things never change! I'm being submitted for a BA job in Conyers. I need the practice, the money isn't enough for that type of commute, but why not? Other than that, I'm off to a job fair today, tomorrow is a Toastmasters meeting at lunch and that covers the week. For now.

Price of Gas
This is an issue that has me all befuddled. What can we do about it? The Administration (not just this one, but all of them) haven't funded alternative resources to oil, so we'll have to pay. This Administration held hearingz and decided that the Oil Companies weren't gouging us in the price, yet they've posted record profits. (Imagine an Oil Man saying the Oil Companies weren't makeing a profit?!) I like to say I'm a Libertarian and we need less governement interference, but oil never has reflected the economic theories of Supply and Demand (supply goes up, prices go down, demand goes up, or conversly supply goes down, prices go up and demand goes down.) With oil, prices go up, demand never changes, supply goes up or down, and prices go up. Anyway, is government regulation the answer? This is an example to me of how self-policing in any industry doesn't work. There's too much corporate greed. We do need renewable souces for fuel, and ethanol is an easy fix, but it's not the answer.

To use food sources for fuel sources doesn't make much sense, but then, don't you think we could remove some farm subsidies now that the corn farmers can make some money? Another government fix gone awry. So what to do? Walk, ride bikes, take public transportation. But as I just mentioned, I'm being considered for a job in a county that doesn't have transportation available to non-county residents. (You can get from Conyers to Atlanta on private buses, but you can't get from Atlanta to Conyers. Welcome to Atlanta, the City too Busy To Hate!)

Parenthood
OK, the mystery will be uncovered. I mentioned it before, but it came to pass on Saturday. I'm a Foster Mom for a kitty and her kitten. Betty and Harry are doing just fine! Harry is 2 weeks old, and his eyes just opened. He still can't see or walk, and right now, he just looks like a rat or hamster. Just a fuzzy little thing. And I do mean Little! Betty is a lovely grey kitty with green eyes, and a big mouth! She talks, a lot. The first night here she woke me up a few times meowing very loudly. I turned on a radio and all is well. I guess she just wasn't used to quiet. My other kitties aren't allowed in the room with Betty and Harry as Harry hasn't gotten any shots yet. Miss Katrina is a bit confused, she knows something is going on: I go into a room and she hears Betty meowing and Harry squealing and I come out smelling like another kitty.

When the family first arrived, we (the shelter manager and I) set her up in a box in the floor near the treadmill. At some point, Betty decided she didn't want to be there, so she took Harry and moved him to behind the treadmill. I had to move some things around, but she and Harry are now in their box, in a nice little corner. I brought Harry up to my computer table to play with him while I did some stuff online, but Betty didn't like that. She jumped on the table, and picked him up and took him back to his box. So cute!

This has resolved some of my boredom for now. I'll get some pictures posted. Someday.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Dark Random Thoughts

2008-04-23T09:46:00.002-05:00

Job Hunting sucks. I guess I'd better get used to it, statistics show that I'll probably be doing this at least every 2 years. And if I can't hold a job for longer than 7 months, I'll be burning thru my investments, 401K's and IRA's. I should be enjoying the lovely weather, time off and general relaxation, this may be my retirement. (That was meant to be sarcastic.)

Yes, it sounds bleak. I've been in a VERY dark mood this week. I heard from several head hunters last week about potential positions, at least 4. I called all my contacts on Monday, and NO ONE returned my call. One could say that no news is good news, but I don't believe that is true in the job hunt arena. So now what?

No one can get me out of this hole but myself. So what to do?

I did enroll in a class today, I've got 42 days to complete the course and get 18 out of 25 questions right on the final. I can do that. I've got nothing else to do. I've also been reading some white papers, learning new terms, getting some ideas as to what's hot in the IT/Analyst industry.

In my quest to find relevance, I've written an article for the PAWS Atlanta Spring newsletter (so I can add published author to my resume?) and I've volunteered to foster a mama kitty and her newborns until they are old enough for adoption. What have I gotten myself into ?? I've never had a kitten, I've always gotten my kitties when they are about 1 year old. This should prove interesting. I have to have a secluded, cozy space for them to live in and I can't let the other kitties around them, at least at first. (or maybe never, I go for more training on Friday.) The Humane Society will cover all expenses, food, litter, doctor's visits, so the only thing it will cost me is time. And God knows I've got plenty of that!

The pollen is killing me. I'm living on Claritin and kleenex. I'm all puffy and retaining water. I did the Blood Mountain hike on Saturday, 2.5 miles up and over rocks, and 2.5 miles down. It felt more like 20,000 leagues up. I thought I was in better shape than that, but, as one hiker put it, I got my butt handed to me on that hike. I thought I was going to die. Of course, I'm still a bit stiff, my quads are killing me. But I did it. The hike leader probably won't let me hike with him again until I lose 20 lbs! This was the same trail that Meredith Emerson hiked on New Year's Day when she was kidnapped and later murdered by that loser. There was a nice memorial to her at one of the turns on trail.

I'm looking at some volunteer positions with the Red Cross (as well as employment positions. They have a Requirements Analyst position in DC, sound familar, Lil sis? I'm going to hit VolunteerMatch.com today also. And I think I'll go hike Stone Mountain.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Nice Day, Horrible Pollen

2008-04-18T09:16:00.002-05:00

That yellow stuff is my doom! I went to the library yesterday and became very paranoid about the noises I was making! Sniffing, nose blowing, gasping for air, just horrible. And to add to it, I started getting hungry which lead to stomach growling. Doesn't this make a lovely sight? A red-nosed, runny-eyed babe in a t-shirt and jeans with tummy rumbles and kleenex coming out of every pocket? Yes, I had taken a claritin, too!

Job Hunt and Dieting
Those two don't seem to go hand-in-hand in my life. I've got to a grip, I can't keep munching on stuff. I'm not moving as much as I was when I was working, and I can't afford to buy too much. Darn it, Kroger has 1/2 gallon ice cream for $2.99! You can make a meal off of that!

I've been managing to get to the gym at least 3 days a week, maybe not 3 days in a row or on a consistent basis, but I have been going. I'm finding I have better stamina. I want to get out and walk, but with the pollen as bad as it is, I'm just not too sure it's a good idea. Having said that, the gym is about 3 miles from my house, so I could ride my bike or walk. Except that that I have to cross 285 at some point and the closest bridge is under construction, so there really is no safe way to navigate that cluster. I could go about 2 miles out of my way to get on the bike trail, but that's another 4 miles, and I'm not that ambitious yet.

The job hunt is as frustrating, nothing yet. I have been presented to at least 3 companies, but haven't heard anything yet. I have to do the phone calls today, and wait more. Same old same old.

Movie Review
I've been watching a few movies lately, I promise I will cancel my Direct TV and stick with NetFlix! I saw Sweeney Todd last week. Very interesting. I love Johnny Depp and I've enjoyed all of the Tim Burton flicks I've seen, and this was pretty good. I just don't have warm fuzzies over it. I guess you're not supposed to! It is a pretty gruesome subject matter. Either I have an old TV (Duh!) or the sound on the DVD wasn't all that good, but it overpowered the vocals and it was difficult to follow. The British cockney accents also made it difficult to understand. But it was good to look at. I will say that sepia tones aren't very flattering for the over 30 crowd.

For some reason, I got some romance movies. I hate romance movies. The first one was Love Actually , with a large ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman (why, BTW, is in Sweeney Todd!). I had seen the end before, but didn't know it till I got there. Like all romance movies, everyone falls in love in the end and everyone's problems get resolved. Boring. Romance, bah, humbug!

The other one was Love Comes Softly and older flick with Katherine Heigl. Based on a book by Christian writer Janette Oke and directed by Michael Landon, Jr, it's a family friendly flick on the 'adventures' of a young woman and her new husband migrating out west in the 1800's. As soon as they find a place to build their home, new hubby goes out and gets killed. It does make you think about the more opportunities we have as women now, because she couldn't make it on her own, (build the house, run the farm, do the chores) and she couldn't go back home. (It was late summer and to start a long trip back east in the fall would have been suicide.) So the only option was to marry an older widower with a daughter, with the promise of going back home in the spring. It was cute, very sanitized, no blood, no drama, no dirty words or actions. But another 'live happily ever after' ending. Bah humbug!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

What's Up?

2008-04-16T10:07:00.001-05:00

So last night we had or were real close to a freeze with temperatures running around freezing (duh!) and today it's going to be 68 degrees? WTF?

Laughable
I'm enjoying watching the follies going on in Lithonia and Clayton County. These people aren't setting a very good example for anyone.

The new mayor in Lithonia hasn't even done anything yet (except fire the police chief) and she's feeling threatened by the police department. She came to work, tried to take a desktop computer home and the police 'roughed' her up, she wore a neckbrace for about a day. I can't find out why she fired the police chief or what brought all this on, she hasn't been in office very long. People are getting arrested, city workers are not getting paid, and all anyone can say is 'why can't we put this behind us and move on?' OK, guys, do it. Put it behind you and move on.

And Clayton County, get a grip. The school board needs to take the high road and resign and move on. But they won't. All I can say is folks, you elected these clowns. Thanks for the entertainment.

Job Hunt
SSDD. I did get a call from a recruiter and she's submitting my resume to 2 companies large companies. One location is in Alpharetta, which is in a different world from where I live, and with gas knocking on the door of $4/gallon, it may not work well, but it would be good experience. The other is downtown, next door to where I used to work, so that will be good. They've had a period of unstable employment (corporate offices call it 'Change') but I like the location better. I need to get the interview.

Classes
I know I've mentioned this before, but I will be able to take maybe 2 classes towards my professional certification. I guess it's really a no-brainer, but I want to take the classroom option as I will meet other professionals in my area of interest. The problem is I'll have to wait till June to take the class I want and need here in the Atl, but it is offered in May in DC. I won't meet any locals in that class, but I will meet BA's in DC. (Oooh, alphabet soup!) I'm going to take the class online as I need to know what it's all about. I could also write off this time as 'going back to school'. I hate this.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Happy Monday!

2008-04-14T09:35:00.002-05:00

The other day I asked 'what day is this?', but today I ask 'What time of year is this?' The high temperature today will be around 50, but Friday it was near 80. Now, mind you, I don't mind a chill in the air, I just wish we had some consistency.

This Week
I'm trying to get a schedule going, it's been very difficult for me to do anything. I have to start getting up early, so I can atleast get going around 9am. So far, that hasn't happened, I've been having trouble sleeping and can't seem to get thru a full night without waking up. I've been working out, and last night that seemed to help a lot, but it was 12:30 before I even went to sleep. I was up at 8-ish today, and that's a full 8 hours, but I still feel tired.

Anyway, yesterday I took the Volunteer Orientation for PAWS and plan on walking dogs at least once a week. I think I'll do better with smaller dogs, but dogs are still not cats. They don't seem to have a lot of kitties, I think they are preparing for kitten season. All ready they're looking for a home to foster a mama kitty and her brand new litter... (hum, food for thought...) and I imagine it will get worse in the next few days.

Wednesday is Toastmasters, which I'm thinking will help me with organization and speaking skills. I was thinking of taking acting classes, but Toastmasters is free. It also works well with networking. I just need to get out of bed and GO.

Pollen
It's getting worse. Today the pollen count was 3350 or in that area. Friday I cleaned off the front porch by blowing the pollen with the leaf blower. (Yes, I closed all the windows and doors and wore a mask!) I haven't been the same since. I've been stuffed up, blowing my nose, and I've been taking OTC Claritin! It's only in the house, which says to me that it's more than just pollen, it's pollen and kitties and dust, so I'm thinking of taking the leaf blower and going thru the house. That should work!

Job Hunt
Talked to all the recruiters last week, notthing for me. It's a matter of just waiting. God, I hate this. I need to get more imaginative and figure out what to do, where I can network and who I need to talk to. Just like last time!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

What Day is This?

2008-04-09T08:37:00.002-05:00

You tend to lose track of time when you don't get out much.

Job Hunt
More phone calls, more waiting for return calls. There doesn't seem to be much happening out there right now. The fiscal year for the state begins on July 1, so most state jobs will be on hold till the funding becomes available. Most private-sector companies aren't really hiring right now. Please prove me wrong, but it may be a LONG HOT summer.

My List of Pressing Things
Today I've got to get my fake nails taken off. Since I'm not working, that's one less thing I have to worry about. I'm also (probably) going to cancel my cable, change my phone service and my internet service. AT&T isn't worth the expense.

Georgia General Assembly
What a good group of guys and gals! The educational levels in Ga suck, we have a water crisis, we have a transportation crisis, and guess what they resolved? We can now concealed weapons into restaurants, on MARTA, and you can keep them in the trunk of your car on your office property. (This will be signed by the Governor who feels that to be able to buy alcohol on Sundays will cause too many deaths, but you can carry your gun to the restaurant. Right!) We are trying to get the border of Ga moved a few miles north so we can take water from Tennessee. Oh, and now it's legal to go to a restaurant, order a bottle of wine and if you don't finish it, you can cork it up and take it home. (I can go to a restaurant, order a bottle of wine, take one drink, cork it up and take it home on SUNDAY, but I can't go to a liquor store or grocery store and buy one. Go figure!) God, I love these 'leaders'. Kick 'em all out of office!

Other Thoughts
Clayton County is a hole. The school board is a bunch of egotistical losers and the sherrif and the police department are fighting each other. These are elected officials, remember? It's amazing what people will do with other peoples money.

For those of you not living in Georgia, Clayton County has been threatened several times by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that if they don't get there stuff together, the county will lose it's accreditation and the students will find it hard to get into college, among other things. The SACS report singled out 4 board members specifically, but suggested they all resign. Guess what? No one is resigning! One rather outspoken member was kicked off after the police investigated and found he had not lived in Clayton County for over 2 years. He is, of course suing the board for false allegations. You think this maybe why they are being threatened with losing accreditation? These people seem to have their own agendas. Not only is the county school system suffering, but people are moving out of Clayton as fast as they can and property values are plummeting. Neighboring counties are having problems as the state has said it's OK for a Clayton resident to send their kids to schools in neighboring counties. What about their taxes? And it's all because some ego-maniacs won't do what's best for all. After all, they are elected officials.

The fight between the sheriff's department and the police department came to a head last week when the sheriff wouldn't allow police officers to question offenders at the jails. The dispute was over some crime statistics. What?!

To quote Rodney King, 'Why can't we all just get along?'

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Is it Spring or is it Winter???

2008-04-08T10:26:00.002-05:00

This weather is crazy! It's been cold and wet the last few days, and it's rather cool today. I know, cold is a relative term, but it's supposed to be spring and it's in the 50's. I'm not really complaining, I find that temperature to be invigorating. The problem is the pollen. The count was around 2500 yesterday, my black car is yellow, the driveway is yellow, the front porch is yellow, and if I let the kitties out on the porch, they become yellow. Hopefully we are on the downside of this mess.

Job Hunt
Same Old, Same Old. I did the roster of recruiters today, no BA openings. Things are quiet. I know a lot of government contracts end in June, so no one is really staffing up now. So I have to find something to keep me occupied and out of trouble. I attended a networking meeting a few days ago and the gentleman speaking said that everyone should have more than one income. He starts several business a year, and if they don't earn $1000 he folds them. Hhuummm. Of course, at this point, any money coming in is good.

So what to do? I've got my jewelry, but that's labor-intensive. What else can I do? I'm thinking... Any ideas?

Bob Barr
Looks like Bob Barr might be running for President. Hhuummm.. I've said many times I never cared for the Right-winger Bob, he represented Cobb County and environs in the House of Representatives during the Clinton era and he was most vocal in getting the impeachment process started. He also lead the fight to rename National Airport to Ronald Regan National Airport in DC. (Only the press refer to the airport by that name, most DC residents still call it 'National'). But he's seen the light and now is a Libertarian. He writes for the AJC sometimes and I've agreed with most of his articles. Imagine my suprise!

I'm still learning about the Libertarian party, but so far, I'm liking what I see. Less government interference in personal lives, less national government altogether. You know, States Rights. The questions I have are concerning regulation of certain practices (or industries) and government oversite of common-good laws. For example, after this fiasco with the housing industry, the government should NOT bail out mortgage lenders, developers or even consumers, let the market heal itself. BUT there should be laws or regulations put in place so that this doesn't happen again. This should be a national interest, not left to the states.

I have the same question pertaining to public health issues. These should be national interests, not left to each state to decide.

He probably doesn't have a snowballs chance in Hell to win, but at least there's an alternative.

Dating
I've stated before, I can't look for a date and a job at the same time. Too much rejection involved. I know, I'm not getting any younger and the longer I wait, the more the odds stack against me. Don't you think I know that??

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Thanks!

2008-04-03T09:56:00.002-05:00

Thanks for all the input on the clog-thing. Looks like that won't be happening again. (I did wear clogs to the interview I had for my last job, whatever that's worth!) So, Baby Niece, you can relax, the Family Reputation is entact.

Just for those who may not know me too well, I grew up in the Washington, DC area, so the Power Suit was my choice. The colors up there are black, white and grey, and red/white/blue. Not much color or imagination, so a Power Suit is what you wear. When I first started in IT, I had a closet full of business suits, mostly dark and lots of light color shirts and dark stiletto heels (hey, I was young!).

Then I moved to South Florida. Talk about culture shock, it's rare to find someone who owns a suit down there. Besides, it's too hot to wear dark suits and jackets, inspite of CSI-Miami. I wore light weight jackets most of the time anyway, but colors! Miami is colored bright reds, blues, yellows, pinks, teal.

Then I move to Atlanta, gained weight and worked in warehouses and printing plants. Business casual took on a whole different meaning in those situations, especially if you don't meet with people during the day. What is the color of Atlanta anyway? Since I'm not in the YUP-pie demographic anymore, what is acceptable? I own black, brown and navy blue slacks for interviews, with black or navy jacket (no brown). Are colored shirts acceptable? I have a lovely sweater that is teal, navy, brown, black, white, and goes with everything, but it's bright. Not shocking, but bright. I don't look good in pure white or black, I'm more of an earth-tone kinda gal. I do try to dress appropriately, I won't wear jeans to a professional interview. But ya gotta stand out somehow, so I'll wear colored blouses. I don't do the severe business look anymore.

So why am I rambling about this? No idea. I'm bored, it's rainy and I've got to do my taxes.

Job Fair
The job fair yesterday was a total WOT (Waste of Time!). They really weren't interviewing for professional positions, so I went, I saw, I talked to a few companies, I went home. BFD. But I did it. So now what? I wait. I've got to find other things to do, to keep my mind occupied. You know what the big decision was yesterday? Do I cheat and get fast-food for lunch or do I go home and eat the frozen delicacies I have? Ugh!

Excellent Article!
This article, written by Roger Williams a state rep from Dalton is fantastic! I debunks Sonny Perdue's theory on why we shouldn't have alcohol sales on Sunday. It also makes clear that all this bill wants to do is to allow each municipality to vote on the issue. To quote: 'We already have Sunday sales of alcohol in Ga, only grocery, convenience and package stores are forbidden'. Touche!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

The Momentum is Slowing

2008-04-02T09:21:00.003-05:00

My day consists of getting up, checking emails, leaving messages, going to job fairs, leaving messages, sending emails, checking emails, checking phone messages... you get the idea. I'm trying to get in touch with a hiring manager I got a lead on at a job fair yesterday, but no luck, so far. I've left my phone number, my email address, to no avail. The HR woman said it was an immediated opening, so I jumped. I'll try something else this afternoon.

Who Knew?

Got a phone call from a recruiter with a local company, but he wasn't local. He was based out of their office in Chicago, recruiting for a job in Alpharetta. It's a 5 month contract, so I thought I'd look at it. He's an Indian gentleman, hard to understand, especially when he starts reading the requirements for the job. I'm following him, hanging on everyword, but we are communicating. Then he asks me for my SSN. What? I wouldn't give it to him. He insisted that he needed it then, but I wouldn't budge. I called the local office to speak to the recruiter I met last week. She verified that for this company, they do require a SSN to check their records for ineligible rehires. So I sent the guy an email as I didn't get his number, and asked him to call me and I'd give it to him. I hate dealing with Indians. Everyone has experience with them, they are hard to understand, don't really get the nuances of a conversation, and, in my experience, aren't always truthful. Not this isn't all Indians, they are a very colorful people, who make pretty babies. I've worked with some very capable, intelligent people, but they do have a stubborn streak. Don't know if it's insecurity on their part, or sexism on their part, but they can be a real pain. Would you give your SSN to an unknown person over the phone?

What to Wear

I've had conversations with my Mom, the 84-year-old fashion plate, and my sister on wearing clogs to an interview. They are both against it, but I say, what the heck?! As long as they are leather, and look somewhat dressy, what's the problem? No one looks at your feet! What do you say?

Job Fairs

I'm off to another Job Fair. It's depressing to go to a job fair, so many people unemployed, so many companies just collecting resumes. You go and stand in line to talk to a recruiter who speaks to hundreds of people, only to be told there are no openings for your type of position, or those positions are located at their home office in Minnesota. Relocation will be a last ditch effort, but it most certainly won't be to Minnesota! So wish me luck! They say if you go to the Cobb Galleria and just hang out, a job fair will break out. I went there yesterday, and there are a few more fairs coming up this month.

The Greatest Kitty Ever!

Happy Monday!

2008-03-31T10:12:00.002-05:00

Same Old, Same Old
Congratulations to those that ran the ING marathon/ 1/2 marathon yesterday. The weather was good for running, pretty miserable for most everything else. We had a fantastic rain on Saturday, and the temperature dropped. Saturday afternoon it was 70 degrees, Sunday it was 47 degrees. Don't like the weather, stick around for an hour.

Geek
I got bored on Saturday, not bored enough to do my taxes, but bored. So I started learning about WordPress. Check out this new blog . I know, it's pretty lame, but I was bored. I need to get some pictures of Remy. I've decided to give her a new name: Fuzzy Purr Machine. Get her in the right mood, and she purrs so loudly you have to turn the TV up.

Small World
I was talking to my neighbor Saturday AM, he was walking his dog and stopped by for a chat. Turns out, his wife's father was (and is) a press man at the printing company I worked with. I've lived here for 10 years, worked there for 5, did I know that? That's not really a conversation that comes up as they walk down the street.

Stir It Up
Governor Sonny Perdue is in China as I type opening a new Georgia Trade Office in Beijing. Hhuumm, China, the Communist, human-rights violating, poor and dangerous quality exporter and we're trying to make friends with them. Just goes to show, money talks.

Bob Barr for President. Can't believe I'm saying that, but the democrats are walking dangerously towards socialism, and the Republicans, well there just Republicans. He's a Libertarian, and I read his running mate may be Ron Paul. I think I could live with these guys leading our country. I have some questions about Libertarian ideas, but I agree with most that I've read, dealing mostly with States rights and less government.

Speaking of Things I'd never dream of saying, I was watching a news report about the mortgage crisis, and I have to admit, I don't care for the Dems approach. The American people should NOT bail out irresponsible buyers who bought more than they could afford. McCain agrees. I don't want the responsibility of helping these people, they have to learn on their own. There should be regulations in place to make sure this doesn't happen again, but that's not Libertarian and I don't know of any specifics I could suggest. I just know when you have greedy people working with money, things get out of hand, and there needs to be someone to watch these people.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

2008-03-29T12:37:00.001-05:00

Just Another Day

2008-03-27T09:23:00.003-05:00

At least the weather is beautiful. I really haven't been in much of a mood to do anything outside.

Job Hunt
On Wednesday, I had an interview with a head hunter with leads at several major companies, and I went to the IIBA meeting, where I made some more contacts. On Thursday, I went to the Decatur Seekers group, renewed some old friendships unfortunately. I say that because these are some people that were unemployed when I was, and they are either back or still there. It's good to see friendly faces, but in this situation, I'd rather not. Then I went downtown to a PMI lunch, where I made a few more connections. So now I have to set a plan on how to work these connections. Keep your fingers crossed that this Adventure in Unemployment doesn't last too long.

Small, small world
We all know how small the world really is. It always amazes me that there really ARE 6 degrees of connections to almost everyone. One of the women I was talking to at the IIBA meeting is a former Georgia Pacific employee, so was my former office mate at DOC. Turns out, they knew each other! She helped George get motivated to study for his PMP exam.

The other night, I received an email talking about some type of scholarship. It was a personal email, but it was sent to me in error. I looked at the signature and the sender was a BA at Suntrust bank. I sent her an email back saying I wasn't the intended recipient, but I WAS a BA looking for a job. She asked for my resume and said she'd help. When I attended the IIBA meeting, her name was all over the place! So we are destined to meet sometime.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Down, but Not Done

2008-03-25T08:32:00.002-05:00

The good thing about this unemployment thing is my time is my own. The bad thing about unemployment is no money, and I seem to only socialize with my kitties (not bad) and have 'fake' conversations with head hunters and hiring managers. At least I'm doing that! It is what is is.

Weekend
I spent a lot of this weekend as a 'Tornado Tourist' and I'm not ashamed. I had to meet my former employer downtown to get my stuff from my former office. I think they (my former bosses) were just as pissed with these guys as I was and they played their end of the game. My Bosses made the contractor come downtown to meet me, get my badge and give me my stuff. I'm almost positive they didn't want to do it, I certainly wasn't driving to Alpharetta to give it to them. So I met with the guy at a snack bar, gave him my badge, got my stuff and all is good. Unfortunately they didn't give me all my stuff, but that's another story. So I left a bit earlier to just walk around. I took Marta to the CNN/Phillips/GWCC station and walked. I walked down Techwood, skirted Centenial Park, took Luckie towards Peachtree. All the glass, the bricks, the tree branches. What a mess.

Then I got an Idea.

All the glass in the gutters, in the grass, all over, and so pretty in the sunlight. The glass from the Equitible building was a smoky brown, there was clear glass with a silver tinting on it, and there was thick glass from street lights or head lights. Wouldn't that make some great earrings/necklaces? I need to smooth the edges, but wrap it in wire and that would be unique. So I started collecting glass. Yes, I got some strange looks, and I felt a bit strange going thru the trash, but I got a lovely collection. I need to borrow a tumbler and get to work.

On Saturday, a friend and I joined Hands On Atlanta an hundreds of other volunteers in Cabbagetown to help with the clean up. The damage was pretty sad, mostly roofs covered with tarps, some decks and porches destroyed, a few cars with trees growing out of them, and lots of trees felled. We were directly behind the Cotten Mill Lofts, so we could see where the roof was blown off of that and the path of the tornado. As with most things HOA, it wasn't the most organized. They signed people up, turned them over in groups of 10, to a guide that took them to a street to help. We were taken to a street after another group went, and they didn't have enough work. So we started roaming. It was funny, a band of 10 people armed with chain saws, hammers and tarps looking to help someone. I called us 'Roving Angles'. We found some places to help, cutting trees, moving branches, picking up shingles. We stayed until around 1:30. Cabbagetown is a pretty interesting place, very eclectic (which I just love!), but old, tiny houses. Smaller even than the one I live in.

Saturday evening/night I went to cookout at a friends house, to celebrate their new addition of a deck and sliding glass doors. It looks lovely, they've done wonders to that house. It was fun, but I didn't stay long, I was tired.

Job Hunt
OK, so I had a phone interview on Monday, I've got an interview with a head hunter tonite, the IIBA (Business Analyst professional organization) is meeting tonite, and tomorrow is the Decatur Seekers in the morning, and a PMI professional lunch (Project Managers), then maybe dinner with some friends. I'm keeping busy for now.

Interview Questions
If you've ever asked a great question, let me know. I need to get some good questions to ask the prospective employer what their style is. Two questions that I will use:

'What kind of direction will management give?'
'What behaviors do you feel will make a successful employee?'
'Do you have staff meetings? How often? How long do they last?'

I've had issues with micro managers in the past, and most recently very little, if any direction from managment. I want to get to the bottom of this during the interview. No micro-manager will admit to being a micro manager, but there has to be some way to determine that before I get the job. I've been in departments where there is no communication, and most recently, the meetings lasted 2 hours at least. That is a waste of time. Any suggestions ?

BTW
Mr. Not a CoWorker Anymore has made NO Effort to contact me, I did call him and he never returned the call. ( I called him and told him I wasn't going to be home that night.) I sent him an email and he answered. What should I do? Let it slide? Try one more time? I need to keep this guy in my network, only for employment leads, now and in the future.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Comments for My Readers

2008-03-21T09:52:00.003-05:00

I've gotten some very interesting comments in the past few days, and I'd like to acknowledge them.

To the former member of Earl Paulk's 'church', I wanted to say that I agree, the man is evil. Anyone who uses the name of the Lord to score in the bedroom is dispicable. And please, believe me, I'm empathsizing with these women, but I have to make one observation. I would call myself a spiritual person, Christian-lite if you will, but even I know that pre-marital or extra-marital sex is a sin. Why would otherwise Christian women belive a sleeze like Paulk, that having sex with him brings salvation? I am a woman, and I understand the power of attention and understanding and how a 'smooth talker' could persuade someone in a weak moment, but extra-marital sex is a sin. I'm not putting these women down, I just want to understand what they were thinking (or not thinking).

To JC, (no relation to the one mentioned in the above paragraph!) I like to think I'm more a libertarian than anything, but I want to understand their ideology. I agree, Hillary and Obama are walking a fine line towards socialism, and McCain isn't completely a Republican, and I will admit, I'd pretty much written him off due to his GOP affiliation. But in finding the link above, I read his platform, and I feel it deserves a closer look. I don't like to think I'm a One-Issue voter, but access to abortion is a major point of contention for me. The press broadcast him as being Pro-Life, but he's not trying to rescind Roe V Wade, he just wants it to be up to the individual state to make that decision. That's OK. I'm not real sure on the whole lowering corporate tax deal, but I need to wrap my head around that. If corporations are given too many breaks, then the People end up paying for them. And the corporate executives get millions of dollars in compensation. Keep reading and inputting your ideas. I like to think.

I'll have more thoughts on Monday, I have to go downtown to meet my former consulting company to give them my badge and get my stuff. I'm so pissed at the unprofessionalism this company is showing, but what do you expect? I understand that the DOC is a bit miffed with their attitude, also. It is what it is.

Have a good weekend.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Maybe This Is Just A Vacation

2008-03-20T08:49:00.002-05:00

Keep your fingers crossed. I had an interview with a head hunter yesterday, and he's going to submit me for 2, maybe 3 jobs, I had a call from another head hunter with an interesting job he's going to submit me for, and I have another headhunter with a job. My resume has only been active on CareerBuilder for a week, 3 days on Dice.com and I still haven't activated it on Monster.com . Some of these opportunities have been through networking, and some have just been from online. I'm hoping this is just a vacation.

Geek
Today I'm installing a CDRom Drive on my computer, as well as a new 3-in-1 printer (pictures, copier,printer. If I'd waited until I checked more, I could have gotten a printer, copier, fax machine for the same price. Alas.) I got the CDRom physically installed, but there are some issues, so I'm going to have to take the computer apart and try again. Shoulda bought an external drive... All this was purchased BEFORE the job loss, so it's paid for.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Gather No Moss!

2008-03-19T11:07:00.003-05:00

Keep your fingers crossed! One of my coworkers gave me a reference to a contract company with several openings. I talked to him yesterday, and I've got an interview today! Yea! Don't know anything about the job, but it's at least something.

Why Do We Care?
So now that the governor has been disgraced, his replacement has come clean on extra-marital affairs. Why do we care? Are we such a puritanical society that our politicians can't be human? Since when did cheating on your spouse become a measure in how well you do your job? Here in Atlanta, there is a case against a former preacher, Earl Paulk. Seems he had sex with several women in the church (all for the Good of God), fathered a child by his brothers' wife, and when asked if he'd had relations with anyone other than his wife and the lawsuit originator, said 'No'. When they found out his nephew was his son, he got hauled into court for perjury. This, I believe is different, he is a Man of God and f*cked up, big time. I really don't care who he diddled, God will make sure he gets his, but this man's JOB is to be chaste and moral. A politician isn't supposed to be moral, we can only hope he/she is. Again, sex is a victimless crime, it's not a matter of National Security, so why is it an issue?

Working Out
I went to the gym last night and did some weights. I'm regretting that decision today. I did some lower back exercises, and evidently I had the weights too high, and my Sciatica is acting up. This is actually a self-diagnosis, but it works for me. Just take some Aleve and don't do that again.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

My Head is Spinning

2008-03-18T09:51:00.002-05:00

Tornado's in downtown Atlanta. Whoda thunk it??!

Tornados
Sometimes on my walk to work, I get off at the CNN/GWCC Marta stop and walk the almost 1 mile to my office at 5Points. I walk down Andrew Young Blvd/Techwood Dr to Luckie St and up to Peachtree and Park Place. It's a lovely walk, I walk past the CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Parl and the Tabernacle, stop and get my coffee, then a few blocks more to my office. Yes, that's almost the path of the tornado. My office is located 1 block from the Equitible building and Georgia Pacific, where all the windows got blown out. What a mess. But it doesn't bother me. Read on..

Another Tornado
Well, I got caught in the vortex of another tornado. On Saturday morning, mom and dad called to find out if I gotten blown away. Then at about 9:30, my contracting firm called to let me know the 'bad news'. And I quote 'I've got some bad news. You're last day was Friday'. I told her it sucks to get fired on Saturday. I'm still pretty livid at these people. She now wants me to drive to Alpharetta to drop off my badge and pick up my stuff. I sent her an email telling her I'd make my own arrangements and drop off my badge because now that I'm unemployed, driving to Alpharetta is NOT in my budget. What a bunch of nasty people. They didn't tell me sooner because they wanted to be sure to be able to bill for a full day. Greedy SOB's...

So after spending the weekend in a miasma of self-pity and depression (my mood matched the weather!) I'm doing better. I've sent out 7 resumes, 4 to contractors who have openings. I got these names from co-workers, I've made phone calls, and actually talked to people. It's amazing what will happen when you say you were recommended by one of their clients. This time around should be easier than the first time, I have 'connections' now.

Political Stuff
Thanks to Baby Niece and JC for their comments, and congratulations on your new house! Baby Niece, I don't know where you've gained your knowledge and insight, but your comments are appreciated. And JC, I do lean towards libertarian ideas, I consider myself a socially liberal but fiscally conservative. I think drugs and prostitutiomn should be legalized, but taxed. Is that government interference? The dilemma comes when talking about smoking bans in public places, Sunday Blue laws, wearing helmets while riding motorcycles, and for that matter, wearing seat belts. All these 'laws' are examples of Government interference, but in most cases (excluding Blue Laws) are for the public good. But I don't smoke, ride a motorcycle or drive without a seat belt.

Sunday Blue Laws are only a problem in Georgia and 2 other states. This being the Bible belt, we can't buy beer, wine or liquor on Sundays. Our illustrious Governor, Sonny Purdue, is an evangelical Christian from Middle Georgia who doesn't drink, and won't even entertain the idea of the people voting for repeal of the Blue laws. (There's talk of him being chosen as Vice President, be afraid, be Very Afraid!) The Christians always bring out studies done on states that repealed the Blue laws and how the drunk driving accidents and fatalities went up afterwards, and it's a matter of public safety. But why block sales on Sunday? Why not Wednesday?
Because Sunday is the Lord's day.
So don't tell me these laws aren't religiously based. Now if the Muslims wanted a day where all women would wear burkahs, the Christian right would scream the loudest about Separation of Church and State.
So Sonny, at least let the People choose whether to buy alcohol on Sundays. You remember the People, the ones who voted you into office???

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Like Bookends!

2008-03-14T07:31:00.002-05:00

Posting on Monday's and Friday's, surrounding the week. Or could it be surrounding the weekend? Is the glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

Positive Thoughts
I have been trying to maintain a positive attitude and squash the Bad Thoughts that are whirling around in my brain. So far, I've had a few bad moments, but mostly it's been working. But this weekend I have to have a positive pep-talk with myself, I'm not so positive today. I gained almost 2 lbs last week, maybe it was the fact that I never made it to the gym or that I went on a grazing binge on Wednesday. (Not too terrible, I had tater tots and chicken for dinner, and some (not the whole bag!) malted milk balls, peppermint patties and peanut butter cups. What I didn't eat, I brought to work and gave away. It could have been worse.)

There's alot of stuff happening around town, but, as usual, I must go alone, so I mostly don't go. Why or why not? It's easier to back out on yourself than if you had someone else to go with.
I'm just feeling sorry for myself. With all this talk of 'cute guys' I still can't get a date, or even someone to hang out with. And this is where the expectations issue came in. It's not the men's lack of expectations, it's the fact that I guess I have too many expectations. I expect SOMEONE (a male) to like me enough to spend time with me. Is that too much to ask?

Speaking of Dates
How about all this stuff with the Governor of New York and his 'sexcapades'? Another hypocritical politician caught with his pants down. Just as I've always said, it doesn't matter if you're a conservative or a liberal, Republican or Democrat, a politician is a politician. What I find most disgusting about this is that Eliot Spitzer brought down a few other escort services in his fight against 'immorality', and here he is, using one he didn't close down. So here's another question: Should prostitution be illegal? Why? Europe doesn't have such hangups about sex, and in some countries it is legal. Is prostitution a 'victimless' crime? Should the government legalize or penalize 'morality'? There is a report that more teenage girls have STD's, but the government supports a 'abstinence only' policy. Emory Village is undergoing a facelift and the developers want Dekalb County (or Decatur City, not sure which) to lift the ban on liquor by the drink sold in the Village. Emory Village is located just outside Emory University, and within 500 yards from a church, and the current law outlaws liquor by the drink. We all know about college students and alcohol, but mixed drinks are usually off limits to college students as they aren't 21 yet. I guess the Baptists are worried that someone will get drunk and go to church. Anyway, Emory Village isn't associated with Emory University, except geographically. The neighborhoods around the business district are very upscale, and quiet. Again, the government is trying to force their morals on the citizens. And don't get me started on Sunday Alcohol sales in Georgia....

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Happy Monday!

2008-03-10T07:48:00.003-05:00

This Daylight Saving Time kicked my butt. I couldn't go to sleep last night, and, by extension, I couldn't get up this morning.

Action Packed Weekend
Let me tell you about my weekend...
I've started going to the gym, I went last Monday and Wednesday and was planning on Friday, but I was so tired of doing nothing at work that I went home. I decided to watch TV in the bedroom, curled up on my Wonderful Memory foam matress pad and settled in to watch TV about 8:30. I woke up at 9 when 'House' came on, I woke up at 10 when the News came on, and I woke up at 11:30 when 'That 70's Show' came on. I slept all night until 8am. I must have been tired!

I wanted to go hiking on Saturday, there was a great hike up near Cartersville, but Maturity kicked in and I decided to go buy tires. (If you recall the Tire Fisaco of last August, I needed them!) I looked at a few ads, and decided to find Big 10 tires in Tucker. Never made it, I found instead 'Tucker Tires'. Nice guys, I spend the better part of Saturday am in the waiting room reading the paper.

I went to the gym on Saturday and killed myself. It was so much easier 10 years ago. I did some running, some weights, some situps. I slept like a log.

Yesterday was a cleaning/buzz around day. I bought a rain barrel, but I need to connect it to one of my downspouts. I had lots of containers collecting rain and they've been sitting on my deck. I've had something similar in the past and it rotted out one of the boards, so I needed to get that water taken care of. Now it is. I also priced a new front door, a shower insert, and looked at some tiles. It's great to have ideas, even better when you act upon them!

News from the Dating World
Wish I had some. Actually, I called a guy from e-harmony late last week and he's already asked me out! We talked for about 1/2 hour, he seems like a nice guy, he works out of town every other week, so this is his off week. We'll go out for coffee and the Georgia O'Keefe exhibit at the High.

My Coworker sent me a really cute email about a Persian cat. I was thrilled! He sent me an email!! (No expectations??? Who said that?!) I saw him this morning as I was coming in and he said he almost called me yesterday! He was looking for some wine. I must be making some headway!!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Random Thoughts for the Day

2008-03-06T08:36:00.003-05:00

OK, this may be a bit heavy, but I'm contemplating the concept of 'expectation'. In many relationships the topic of 'expectations' always comes up. (At least in my life!) The guy (usually) says 'No expectations'. What does that exactly mean? If I am in a dating realtionship, especially a physical relationship, there are expectations. I expect them to treat me with respect, not sleep with anyone else and date only me, among the obvious 'expectations' (bathe, brush their teeth, do laundry). If they are talking about Long Term expectations, aren't they the ones expecting something? Now I admit, I've been in relationships where I wasn't sure what I was expecting, it was fun to hang with these guys, but I knew it wouldn't last a long time. Others we'd talked about moving in together, but I was relieved it didn't work. (Yes, I'm commitment phobic, but that's another discussion for another day)

But all this is Ancient History. What I've been dealing with lately, is expectations in general. I was active with one group of singles for several years, and saw several of my friends date people in this group, but never me. So I moved on to another group, with the same results, I didn't even get asked out on a date. These last few weeks, I've enjoyed playing with cute guys, and I never even expected them to ask me out. I knew it wasn't going to happen, so I was enjoying the Moment. But that will change.

But I guess the issue is: if you don't have expectations, then you won't get anything. Right? I admit, I'm not the best looking thing on the planet, and I am overweight, but I'm a nice person and I'm not Butt Ugly, and I expect to meet a man who wants to get to know me better. (And I'm doing something about the weight, I've lost close to 15lbs) And what's wrong with wanting to find someone spend time with? I've been told it's only human. But if it never happens, you tend to get disappointed.

I've been fighting keeping a positive attitude for many months now. The Big Birthday has a lot to do with it. I'm now Officially Old. (I know, 50 is the new 30, and I certainly don't feel old, except when my knees hurt, or my back hurts, or a late night party does me in for a few days!)

Now I don't expect every man I meet to want to take me out, but I expect SOMEONE to want to take me out. Maybe they've been there, I just haven't seen them. Maybe that is my problem, I don't recognize subtle hints. (BullSh*t! I try to read everything I can into any actions!)

OK, so is this 'Expectation' or 'Desperation'? Ah well, time to go to work....

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Who Knew??!!

2008-03-04T11:36:00.003-05:00

Gosh, everyone is interested in my theoretical love life... Thanks!

Cute Boys
So the Other Cute Boy is my Co-worker. No, it wasn't a date, and he didn't ask me out. I told him early in the week that some of my friends (Martha) were meeting at the Graveyard for her 'going away' party, and since I know he lives over there and hangs out at the Graveyard, I took the opportunity. He called me early on Thursday AM to tell me to tell the boss he was running late (mine was the only phone number he had for anyone at work. You remember being the New Person. I'm sure he's gotten some other numbers by now.), but he never showed up. So I went home on Thursday, I'd been sick all week and it was cold and rainy, so I was going to have some soup and watch a movie. He calls me at home as asks if I'm still going.

Well ladies, this wasn't much of a delimma, I was tired and had a head cold, it was cold and raining outside, and I had just put on some soup. So I went! We met Martha and some of her co-workers and had a great time. He shoots pool and after awhile asked if I wanted to join him. (I ain't dumb!) We played several games of cutthroat, not keeping score. I used to shoot pool a lot back in college, so I knew what I was doing, and not embarrassingly so. We both ordered several glasses of wine, and at the end of the evening, he paid for all the pool and the wine! BUT, he didn't walk me to my car. At any rate, I was not only suffering from a head cold on Friday, but a touch hung over, too. The things we do for having a crush on someone!

We had discussed the Basset rescue/singles Happy Hour on Saturday, but just in passing. He never mentioned it, and since I had been put on the wait list for the Chili Cookoff, and they called to tell me there was a cancellation, I decided to forego the waiting routine (will he ask me, will he not ask me, should I make other plans??!) and left town. He did go, he'd been recording with a friend from his old hometown and it took longer than he anticipated. So he took the singer and probably shot a bit of pool. If Martha saw him with another woman, it isn't any drama. (Unless they were shooting more than pool on the pool table....)

So the really boring and frustrating story goes on. And you thought it might be exciting.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Didja Miss Me??

2008-03-03T08:57:00.002-05:00

It's been an action packed few days! Fun and games, wine and cute boys. What more could one want?

Decatur Preservation Alliance
I help a friend of mine work as a docent at Woodland Gardens last Sunday. It was a lovely day, and it was great to be outside. We went to Java Monkey for wine, then decided to go back to my house for dinner, more wine, and movies. It was a good time, but not for a School night. That was the second time last week that I went out drinking with a cute boy. Life is Good.

Chili Cookoff
This weekend I was involved in the Atlanta Ski Club Chili Cookoff and Hike, up in Benson, TN. Great weekend, met new people, reconnected with old friends. And we WON! We had the best chili there! Yea! That's the second time that I've won First Place. Damn, I'm good.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Some Things Never Change

2008-02-25T09:39:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. So shoot me.

The Sisters Weekend
We had a great time, inspite of how it sounds! I picked them both at the airport and we were home and in bed about 2AM. Got up the next morning, went to Park Tavern at Piedmont Park for drinks and munchies, went to The Palm for dinner and went to bed around 10:30. Sunday I had some friends over for brunch, took Little Sis to the airport and was in bed around 8:30. Monday, Big Sis and I hung out, she made some slip covers for my couch, I slept. When Big Sis turned 50 we went to Chastain to see the Gypsy Kings. We were all younger then.

Head Colds
Did I mention I had a cold the entire time they were here? Some co-workers came in sick last week, and by Saturday I was feeling the effects. I slept Monday due to some NyQuil. I went home early from work on Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday I put in almost a full day. Beware, this cold is kicking everyone's butt. Little Sis is sick now.

Important Websites!
Sign the petition! Internet petition drive for Sunday alcohol sales. Also of interest is a webpage created by lobbists for the bill: http://votesundaysales-com.weathersdesign.com/petition.asp. Sign it and send it. Let's let Georgia come into the 21st century!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Valentine's Day... Bah Humbug

2008-02-14T08:22:00.003-05:00

VD day is kinda stupid, don't ya think? You should show your love and respect for significant others all year long, not just one single day. Just saying.

This Too Shall Pass
VD day has never really been important to me. My birthday being so close to VD took precedence. When I did have a SO, I expected more excitement on my birthday and they were excused on VD. And when you don't have a SO, who cares? Just have a good feeling for everyone else, random acts of kindness, you know, that sort of thing. Blah, blah, blah... No really, Random Acts of Kindness do make you feel good to give and receive, try it!

Thanks For The Input...
I think. To the 2 Anonymi who suggested I read 'He's Not Than Into You', you all receive the Understatement of the Year award. Duh, I KNOW he's not into me, and therein lies the problem. Why isn't he into me? Why can't I meet someone who wants to spend time with me? Why am I Never The Right One? Why does everyone else meet and start dating someone? Why am I always the one to show up alone? I'm trying so HARD to keep a positive attitude and not give up, but after doing this for So Many Years, ya kinda wonder why I waste my time.

Enough Self-pity. Increase the dose on the Happy Pills. On to more sh*t.

Speaking of Sh*t
In the last few days, in my trek from CNN to my office, I've had to step over several piles of human excrement on the sidewalks. This is gross. According to the currently held philosphy, the Homeless have a right to be homeless. Yes, if that's their choice, then let them be. And I have the right to walk to my job without fear of picking up contagious diseases from human excrement on the sidewalk. The City of Atlanta has built a brand new pubic toilet at the corner of Edgewood and Park Place in Woodward Park. This is a place for the 'residents' of the park to relieve themselves, but they really don't care about much about property issues. So MY taxpayer money goes into cleaning and maintaining the toilet.

Now before some of you conservatives start blasting the left for being so socially liberal, I seem to recall that the Great Ronald Regan cut funding to mental health institutes that caused them to release many patients. They can't go to jail, they can't or won't stay in a shelter, so where do they go? They homeless/mentally ill exist, we can't just ignore them out of existence. What can we do? You can't start the mantra of personal responsibility, these people don't (for the most part) have a grasp of personality, much less responsibilty. And you can't always depend on 'family', some people don't have family, or the family can't help. I don't know what to do, what would the proper solution be? I'll just have to start wearing plastic bags on my shoes, and not wear my walking shoes in my house.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Question

2008-02-12T09:14:00.001-05:00

I know I'm setting myself up, but I need some information. Let me explain:

Mr. CoWorker has done everything a man is supposed to do: asked for my phone number, asked for my email address. He invited me to his 'church' and he comes by and talks to me at least twice a day. When we do meet in the hallway, he stops like he wants to talk. BUT NEVER ASKS ME OUT. Sunday, after church, I suggested we go somewhere for coffee, but he pretty said he had stuff to do. So my question is : Why hasn't he asked me out? What is it about me that guys just don't want to spend any time with me? I bathe everyday, use deoderant and brush my teeth. I'm reasonably intelligent, I have many interests, I think I listen well. I know I'm somewhat overweight, is it the f*ckability issue? 'Guys don't want to pay attention to someone who isn't f*ckable'.

More Frustration
Suprise, another Republican got a divorce. Ga House Speaker Glen Richardson got a 1 hour divorce last week, circumventing established procedures and practices. Sounds like another Republican Family Values Cover up.

The Ga Senate once again will NOT allow the people of Ga to vote on Sunday Liquor sales. Just let us vote on it, guys! A website, www.votesundaysales.com will be up and running soon. Stay tuned.

Georgia House Bill 1 was introduced by Rep Bobby Franklin to make performing an abortion a felony, punishable by death. Huummm, does anyone else see some hypocrasy here?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Oh Happy Day. It's Monday.

2008-02-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

Sarcasm doesn't come across very well when typing...

Happy Birthday to me
Yesterday was my birthday. It was the Big One. 5-0. Oh God. Life is a state of mind, and today my mind isn't in the best state today, for many reasons, all of my own doing. So I'm trying to climb out of this hole, it may take awhile, it IS Monday.

Weekend
This weekend my sisters are coming to visit. Which means I have to clean the bathroom, at least. I hate cleaning the bathroom. But, girls, it Will be clean. As will the kitchen.

I'm also planning on having a brunch with some girls on Sunday, so I have to get some food organized. I'll definately need some Bailey's and champagne and orange juice. Got LOTS of wine. What else are you supposed to do when a bunch of Middle Aged women get together, but drink.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

SSDD

2008-02-07T08:22:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile as things are pretty much status quo. Such is life.

I Did It
Last night, I met the E-Harmony guy for dinner. He asked me out (sort of) so that was a Real Date. So I acheived my goal of getting a date before I turned 50, just barely, but I reached it. It took me 1.5 years, but I did it. Now I can die a Happy Spinster.

The guy I had dinner with last night was the one without the car. He's a nice guy, he just seemed a bit uncomfortable and unsure of himself, kinda like a nerd. I know nerds, I work with nerds, I'm comfortable with nerds. I'm just not sure I want to date a nerd. Read on.

OnLine Dating
So maybe I'm just Making Excuses, but I've carried on 'conversations' with several men on E-Harmony, and we are at the meeting point. They are not asking. I understand they are just as scared as I am, but they simply won't ask when we can meet. I'm perfectly capable of doing that, and I have done it in the past, but come on guys, show some initiative! I had to do the initial contact and get the ball rolling on all of these, so the least they could do is ask when we can meet.

Gotta Get Over It
I know that Mr. CoWorker has me all smitten, I'm really not interested in anyone else at this time. My bad, because this guy isn't dating material, for several reasons. I've done everything I can to let him know I'm available and interested, I've given him my card with my home phone, I know he's got my cell number, I drop hints of what I'm doing, I've even asked him to join me with some friends, but won't take the bait. OK, he did invite me to go to 'church' with him last week, and he even introduced me to his friends, but he didn't invite me to the afternoon lunch he and some church buddies have. (I'm OK with that, it was a lovely day and I rode 21 miles on my bike.) He walked me to my car (!) and I did get a hug, not a 'gotta have you ' hug, but a nice, firm hug. There may be some hope, I just have to be patient. Our contracts end in June, so maybe after we aren't working together anymore.

I make a big deal out of this guy just doing 'normal' things because I have dated men who wouldn't introduce me to their friends because they weren't socially adept or were just rude, I've dated many guys who wouldn't take the time to walk me to my car, except when I was driving. I even dated a guy one time who told me the only reason to go to parties is to pick up women. So when he started going to parties without me, I broke up with him. He accused me of being selfish and wanting to control his life. Whatever.

Reality

2008-01-31T08:52:00.000-05:00

Damn. It happened. I got my invitation to AARP in the mail yesterday. Only 10 days left before I become eligible. Damn, I guess it's really happening. Problem is, I don't feel 50. I look in the mirror and I see the same person I saw at 25. OK, maybe a bit more of that person, but I'm still there. And I still want to do things, like when I was younger. I hiked up Stone Mountain on Sunday, got off the train and walked more and did 2 miles on the treadmill when I got home on Monday, and did the same on Tuesday. I couldn't move on Wednesday. Haven't been on the treadmill since.

Appropriately enough, there was an editorial in the AJC about how illness, death and dying will be redefined by divorce and distance. Bummer.

Nothing new on the dating front, all these guys on e-harmony won't be 'aggressive' enough to ask when we can meet, I have to do all the initiating. Yeah, I know, this is the 21st century, I am an independent, confident woman..blah,blah,blah. But in the dating scenario, we are all scared. The men are just as wary as the women are, and, like a man, I don't want to be the one sticking my neck out.

Mr. CoWorker is still coming to my office, he even sort of invited me to church last night. I, of course didn't go, but will on Sunday. Why didn't I go? I was CHICKEN. We didn't set a definate plan, he didn't give me directions or a time to be there, so I wimped out. It's also the last minute thing, he invited me yesterday morning to go last night. I need more notice. (I may be desperate, but I don't want to be perceived as desperate. ??!!)

Such is life. Tomorrow is payday, yeah!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

So Happy It's Thursday!

2008-01-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

This may be a bit disjointed, I seem to be exceptionally ADD lately. Could it be that I'm very busy? Maybe. Could it be that time of life ? More than likely.

More Random Thoughts

I've gotten a few snail-mail letters inviting me to take out AARP life insurance, and I got an email today asking me to join AARP. I'm hoping it was just SPAM.

For some reason, I'm feeling a bit blue today. Not sure why. (That's not true, I'm pretty sure why, but that would be TMI). But I've already discovered today that if you are nice and pleasant to other people, they will be nice and pleasant to you, too. On leaving the coffeeshop, there was a man coming in the shop and he held the door for me. I thanked him and asked him how he was doing and he replied a bit suprised. But he had a smile on his face. It's all good.

I'm shooting for the stars this weekend: I'm going to the Shakespeare Tavern with 7 couples and me. Sigh, some things never change.

Did I ever tell you I've got the Greatest Kitty Ever? (I've got to get some pictures of her online...)

I think I dated this guy:

Check out these other tats. What were they thinking? Hrrumpfff. Kids These Days.

I was discussing some things I did in college with a co-worker the same age as me. I wasn't wild by any means, I just did what I did. He was probably worse than me, but it was pretty tame. But we were laughing all the same. One of the programmers came by and wondered why were were laughing so hard. We couldn't tell him, but we found out he was 27. We told him to do all sorts of stupid stuff so he could reminisce when he was 50.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Hump Day #3

2008-01-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

So I'm running out of titles...

Thoughts

Even if you don't like Jimmy Carter (the ex-pres, not the relative) check this out. Who knew?

In response to an article in the AJC on Sunday about colorblindness, there was an article in the AJC today about the Implicit Association Test . Interesting stuff. There are several tests to gauge your reaction to specific areas (Race, sexual preference, gender, politics, etc). I like the way it combines good and bad. If you recall from your Psych classes, it's called 'cognitive dissonance'. I have some friends who deny they're racist, they should take this test.

Heath Ledger died yesterday. Very sad, I happened to watch Nancy Grace last night and she was ranting all about this. What a nasty woman! She was definately trying to convince people to think he'd overdosed on drugs, she didn't seem to want any other answer. Investigative reporter? I think NOT.

Nothing to report on the Romance side, I'm reading everything I can into his every action, but I'm having fun.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Long, cold, snowy Weekend

2008-01-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

But warm thoughts in my heart!

Friday
I met my friend at the Graveyard for their Grand Re-Opening. It sucked. I'd been there before and it was fun, a small quartet or live acoustic music, not too loud but pleasant. Now they have a dance floor and a DJ and it was packed and awful. We went to another local establishment and had some drinks. We talked about lots of stuff, about him, and about me. And he listened to what I had to say! And he asked me questions about myself. And he paid. You know what, this is how it SHOULD be. I'm still not sure what his intentions are, but I'm enjoying the 'chase' (at least on my part).

Snow and Movies
It snowed in Atlanta on Saturday! We got all of 1" on the lawn, it didn't stick to the roads. It got down to an amazing 18 degrees Saturday night. I made a vat of spaghetti and watched a movie. I watched Hilary and Jackie on Saturday and The Josephine Baker Story on Sunday, both very good movies, both sorta sad. Hilary and Jackie is about Jacquelin Du Pre, the star cellist of the classical music world in the early 80's. I remember reading something about her back in the day. She was attractive, expressive and immensly talented, and she developed MS. How terribly sad, for such talent to get such a wasting disease so young. The Josephine Baker Story is about a black singer from St Louis in the 1920's and 30's who moved to Paris and became the toast of Europe. When she attempted to perform on Broadway she couldn't even walk thru the lobby of the hotel she was staying in due to all the segregation laws in the US. What a shame.

I took a walk on Saturday, in the snow. It was so nice, it was quiet, and the snow on the branches of the trees was just beautiful! I saw lots of kids and parents out playing in the snow, making snowmen. (I don't walk when it's 70 degrees, I walk when it's 32 and snowing. ?)

I stayed in on Sunday, it was way cold. I got a lot cleaned up, organized and I did some homework on HDTV's. I'll be ready to buy one when I pay off credit cards. Most of the sales are for TV's 40" or larger. I'm thinking a 40" TV would be too big for my living room, but I have a picture on the wall that's 40", so I'm thinking.

News Flash:::
My co-worker just came in and chatted for awhile. He said he had a good time on Friday, and he said it with a smile on his face! Am I reading too much into this?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Friday #3!

2008-01-18T08:29:00.001-05:00

If I'm going to count Mondays, let's count the days that really matter!

Snow, Snow, Snow
Leaving work on Wednesday was interesting. Somewhere around 3pm, it started snowing. The flakes were HUGE! And it was snowing heavily! Very pretty. I, unfortunately had to stop at the grocery store on my way home. I can happily say I'd rather be a patron at the store on a snowy night than a worker.. There was little bread and milk on the shelves and not much beer. People were hunkering down for a snowy night. Unfortunately for most, the snow didn't stick to the roads and the ice wasn't an issue, so going to work the next day wasn't a problem. In North Georgia it was a different story, up to 3 inches, I've heard. They are predicting more tonite and tomorrow night, so I guess the stores won't get a chance to stock up on anything! I've got my milk and I bought some stuff to make some spaghetti so I'll be good. (Wheat noodles, even)

Dating
So I wrote a complete blog about dating, and not one person left a comment.... (Indignant toss of the head) I've been asked by a co-worker to attend a local establishment tonite in his neighborhood for their re-opening celebration. (If anyone knows anything about the Graveyard Tavern in East Atlanta having free food tonite, please let me know!) So he didn't really ask me, he just kind of suggested it to me and another guy here at work (the other guy is gay and has mentioned going to this bar before). Is THIS a date? If he buys me a drink, would that work? I'd really like it to be a date, he's so cute(!), but the warning flags are there: We work together and he's newly divorced (divorce final in September). He says he's been on his own for a few years (I guess waiting till the youngest turned 18) but I don't know if he's done any dating at all or what his goals are. We are about the same age, at least born in the same decade. So does he want a 'relationship' or just some back-dancing? I guess even if the 'relationship' is just friends, I could do worse.

Back In The Day, I used to go to happy hours with co-workers all the time. Since I've been in Atlanta, that hasn't been happening, either I'm getting older and don't get invited, but I think the things is my co-workers are getting older and are all married and live far away. And with the DUI laws, it's difficult to get anyone to go anywhere.

Weight Loss
Wonder of all wonders, I lost 2 lbs last week. I've gotten almost back to my pre-Christmas weight, and I'm evidently doing the right thing. I just have to learn to make the right decisions, and I believe drinking alcohol tonite would not be one of them. But if this IS a date, I'll be too excited to eat and I'll lose lots of weight. (Yeah, right!) Do you lose more weight at the begining of a relationship or when it ends? I think it's at the end, at least it has been for me.

On A Grosser Note
I read the other day where the Black Death is making a come back in poor African countries. Since I had my sun-damaged skin zapped with nitrogen, I've got large, black spots all over my arms, legs and yes, 2 spots on my face. Think I'll be popular at the bar tonite? 'Oh, that? That's nothing, just the Plague. It's not contagious.' Huummm.. It's really not that gross, they aren't oozing or anything, actually not really that obvious. Ok, they are obvious, but if you don't know they're there, you won't see them.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Dating

2008-01-17T10:36:00.001-05:00

Seems the most comments I got yesterday were all about dating, so let's keep it going... I need all the help I can get...

Asking Men Out
I believe sometimes men do need a push. Sometimes they Just Don't Get It. I've noticed when I go up to men and introduce myself to them, they are more interested and attentive than if I waited for them to make the first move. I also believe that if a man really wanted to get to know you, he'd ask you out. I also believe that you need to make your intentions clear. I've been in a situation where a former co-worker (who was recently divorced) asked me for some ideas on things to do. I sent him some suggestions, and included him in some emails. He never showed, we sent emails back and forth for a short while, but in retrospect, maybe he was 'asking me out'. I didn't get it. So sometimes one needs to be a bit 'aggressive'. So what to do? Play it by ear, I guess. Do what you feel is the Right Thing to do. I, personally have played the 'aggressor' too many times and I feel that guys date you because you're available, not necessarily because they want to.

Dating Over 40
It plain and simple sucks. Most single's over 40 are either widowed or divorced. Women are looking for someone to take care of them and men are looking for good breeding stock. (This is naturally what humans do, it's in our genes. Women look for protection, men look to increase the herd.) That's where the stereotypes of women loving money and men loving arm candy. In my case, I'm not looking for a Sugar daddy, I don't want to be a kept woman, but I have accomplished some things in my life that I feel a 'partner' should have accomplished too. I'm not looking to be a Mommy either, I don't want to take care of anyone and I certainly don't want to 'fix' anyone.

The type of divorce one goes thru also affects a persons goals. If the divorce was amicable, they are more willing to get into another LTR or marriage than someone who's been dragged thru the coals. This is a generalization, not fact.

So where does one go to find men and women over 40? Who knows? Some of these Middle-aged newly single people hit the bar scene. It may have been fun when you're in your 20's, but it's a different story in your 40's. The noise, the smoke, and the crowds get old VERY FAST, and the fact that you want to be in bed by 10pm and that's when things get started. For women in the bar scene, it's a tough arena. Middle Aged women are NOT in demand (see above about increasing the herd). Middle Aged Men have a better chance with the young chicks (see above about protection issues), but, lets face it, they look stupid. Plus the bar scene is all about Hooking Up: for the night or however long it takes.

Singles groups are good, but there is a lot of hooking up and bed hopping that goes on in some of these groups. Yes, maybe I'm jealous because I'm never the object of desire in these groups, but I want to hold out for someone better. I don't want a 'relationship' based on bedroom behavior. In any group, volunteer, singles or otherwise, men are in short supply. They just don't join any groups.

I know there are men out there who appreciate a middle aged woman with a sense of humor, a good outlook on life, intelligence and a few extra pounds. Just where are they?

Dating OnLine
So now that I've made some contacts online, here's what I'm finding: the Few men that meet my criteria (45-55, within 20 miles, non-smoker, drinker, WASP's) are pretty bleak. I've met one guy in person, we've got a lot in common, like the same music, etc, but he is renting a room from a friend and doesn't own a car (see the Protection issue above). This other guy that I haven't met yet wrote that he travels 40-50% of his time with his job. I don't want that, why date someone like that? So things aren't looking good. I will give Mr. NoCar another chance, but hey, I've got a car and a house, why can't the man in my life have the same thing? Besides, I don't feel like driving him around. Been there done that.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Hump Day Already

2008-01-16T08:24:00.001-05:00

My how time flies when you're having fun!?!?

Doctors Visit
Thankfully the doctor's visit turned out much better than expected. It wasn't a problem, and they shot it with liquid nitrogen to freeze it. It will just fall off as it heals. Since there was also a 4th year medical student working with him, I was a Good Example for her. He looked at my arms, legs and face and took out the nitrogen. Seems all these spots my mom calls 'Liver Spots' or 'Age Spots' are really sun damage. I was told on my last visit that they charge $15 a spot to remove this stuff, but these guys went nuts and didn't count. I had 15 places on my face, arms and legs frozen. It feels like a needle prick and wasn't too comfortable driving home in a rough sweater, but it's all good. I look like a pin cushion, with somewhat swollen red spots, but I'll be gorgeous when they all fester up and fall off. (Gross! They don't fester, they just blister, but when you're talking about your face, they may as well fester...)

Georgia Legislature
According to the AJC, there was a big speech on the floor of the Ga General Assembly was about abortion. 'State Rep. Martin Scott (R-Rossville) urged fellow House members to sign onto a resolution outlawing abortion in Georgia.' Do you see that door to the future closing? Slamming shut and locking with no hope of ever opening? Remember, we also can't buy liquor on Sundays, and can't vote on the possibility of doing that. They are also considering a bill (HB89) that would allow employees to carry and store guns in their cars at work. And they are saying this will pass.
I guess in Ga we can potentially kill our co-workers, but a woman can't choose what she does with her life. Read the article I linked to above. There is actually a quote about the abortion bill : "Scott decried "the culture of death" spawned by the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion more than three decades ago." Does anyone else see a dichotomy in this statement??

The Train Wreck
Again, one of my favorites, Leonard Pitts, Jr put it like it is, or should be. Britney Spears isn't just a clueless entertainer, she's seriously in trouble and needs help. She does not need the press following her every move. I've had the misfortune to watch sometimes a TV show called 'TMZ' and they feature 'candid' shots of celebs. It's done in a newsroom format, with some guy writing on a transparent board (as used on CSI, so you can get a picture of what they're writing and who's writing it as they write it) and all these young 'reporters' talking about their celeb spottings. Who cares? Who cares that Leonardo diCaprio ate at a NY deli? Who cares that David Hasslehoff (?) is a drunk? People, we have to STOP watching this crap so it won't be broadcast. Yes, celebs lose some privacy just by the nature of thier job, but they don't deserve to be stalked! Give even Brittney some dignity and privacy to work out her issues. See how Lindsey Lohan disappeared? She's working on it.

Dating
Still haven't gotten that 'date'. I'm in the initial greeting stage with several guys, but I've only met one so far, and he never asked me out again. (I admit, it could have been due to lack of interest on my part, but he never called me! ( Whine! ). I've got a few weeks still, and there is hope. (Remember, the initial meeting I don't consider a 'date', it's if they ask you out after that. IMHO, that means they are interested in getting to know you a bit better. That's a 'Date'.)

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Monday #2

2008-01-14T09:06:00.000-05:00

So far, it's going to be One Of Those Days. I was up late last night talking to a friend, so I slept late today. I also had some problems as Miss K was cuddled very close to me and I was afraid to move too much. So I'm rushing around trying to get ready to leave and I decided to pack some fruit for a snack today. I put it into a plastic container as the one it comes in doesn't travel too well. I'm also pre-occupied because I have a dermatologist appointment today to have a mole removed. It could be another cancer issue, but we'll see. Anyway, I get to the train station and realize I should have dressed a bit warmer. I'm walking very fast, just to keep warm. I get a seat on the train and realize I'm leaking. The container I put the fruit in seems to not have a very good seal. So no my sweater needs to be washed, my backpack needs to be washed, my umbrella got some juice on it, as did my shoes. This is all before I get to work today.... Let's hope the day gets better!

Weekend Wedding
A co-worker got married on Saturday. I really don't know this woman very well, we've only been working together for a few months, but she invited me. It was held in a lovely, old chapel in Decatur, at the 1st United Methodist Church. She's in her 50's and so is her husband, they've both been married before and have adult children so a lot of the 'fluff' of a wedding wasn't needed. There were no ushers, and when the minister came out from his office at the side of the church, he was followed by the bride and groom. No attendants, no walking down the aisle. Another co-worker said she showed up 5 minutes late and pretty much missed the ceremony. The reception was held in a small room right off the chapel, with finger food, snacks and punch. No alcohol or anything fancy. I hung around until the cake was cut, and went home. It took all fo 2 hours. Not bad. They are going to Key West for a week, then back to reality. They've been together about a year, I think, and I belive they are living together. The bride was glowing, just grinning from ear-to-ear, as was the groom. The brides oldest son gave a short speech at the reception that had everyone in tears. Very nice affair, nothing like the weddings of my youth. I guess they've got nothing to prove to themselves or anyone else.

Dekalb's Finest
This morning, on my way to work, I watched a very positive action. I was at a stop light, and my side had the red light. I was going straight, and a Dekalb cop drove up into the left turn lane. When he got the green arrow, he couldn't turn right away as 2 people were turning left across him. He hesitated, then did a u-turn and got at least one of those guys for running a red light. Way to go!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Out With The Bad

2008-01-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

After blubbering on about toxic people, I realized that these people aren't in my life, they are in my mind. I am doing a file purge these next few days to get rid of all unwanted baggage in my brain. I will not read blogs written by narrow-minded people, I will not allow sluts and ho's to populate my thoughts and I will not worry that immature people don't want me around. You choose what you want to be and I can't worry anymore that it's not a good choice, or, yes, it's not MY choice. So blog all you want about small-minded things, sleep with anyone and everyone you can and have your little TV show parties. I'm moving on.

New And Different
By moving on, I have to redefine myself again. I don't have a close support group of friends, I don't have a group of people to 'Hang' with, so I must find one. I'll start hiking more with some groups that I know of, I'll start camping more with the Ski Club and I'll even find something else to do. I need to find a social project that I can embrace, maybe working with the PATH Foundation group, all about building bike routes in Atlanta, or maybe a Zoo volunteer group or something like that.

The Spelling Bee
To all my English Major friends and those who correct my spelling, I don't have spell check on this blog. I've always prided myself on my ability to spell, although admitidly I have problems with the usage of 'affect' and 'effect', but who doesn't ?? So I make a mistake once in awhile, I'm only human, and I'm usually blogging at work (Gasp!) so I don't have time to check thru stuff. I've made some real bloopers (yesterday's excentric vs eccentric. Ouch! Big Sis pointed it out (the retired English Major!) but she also had a beef with me yesterday, so it was taken in good spirit!) Now I'm going to have to get spell check because anyone reading this will happily point out any errors. And to School Marm2, I know who you are...and you're no English teacher.

Things that Make you Go Hhuummm
Two interesting articles in the AJC today: my favorite, Lenoard Pitts wrote this thought provoking piece about terrorism and loss of civil liberties, all in the name of fighting terrorism. Also, in today's AJC, my new favorite, Bob Barr, wrote an interesting piece about the same thing, loss of privacy. Seems we rank right up there with China in privacy invasion. Some people think that if you've got nothing to hide, then there shouldn't be a problem with privacy invasions. That is true, but does the government have the right to invade your privacy for no reason? For any reason? Bring on the Libertarians, please!

Another Change
I mentioned this yesterday, but someone wrote an editorial about this. Since the hiker was killed doing what many people do, that's changed the way lots of people think. You can only be as careful as you can, but for some, hiking in the woods was a great way to enjoy nature, get away from it all and get some exercise. Now, just like riding on the Silver Comet alone, it's gone away. You have to start packing pistols, which for some of us, isn't something we want to do.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Off To A Rip-Roaring Start!

2008-01-08T09:25:00.001-05:00

70 degrees today! Last week it was 16. Stick around a few hours and the weather will definately change.

Resoutions? I don't Need No Stinking Resolutions!
So I wanted to start exercising more. I went for a walk on Saturday, planned to go biking on Sunday and walk yesterday. I ended up drinking on Sunday and I sat on my couch with kitties sleeping on either side of me last night. Maybe tonite....oh wait, it's supposed to rain. I should break out the treadmill. First, I need to FIND the treadmill. It's in the room I use as a 'staging area'. It's filled with all the Christmas decorations that I didn't put up, all the kitty carriers and suitcases I need to put in the attic for storage. Then I can find it. I know it isn't covered with clothes as I don't hang clothes on it, I instead pile them on tables in my bedroom....

Burning Bridges
I've been Deep In Thought lately about all the bridges I burned last year. I'm really not loosing any sleep over it, but I guess I'm getting a reputation as a True Bitch. (A Hasher I've know for awhile approached me at the CheddarHead and said he's heard that I hate hashers. Nice.) Can you burn a bridge before it's built? I have to learn to act on my intuition and get out of a situation before it becomes toxic. I tend to stick around and let things build up and then blow up. Bummer. One good thing about getting older is now you can call me 'Excentric'. I can live with that.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Back to Reality

2008-01-07T07:46:00.000-05:00

It's the First Monday of 52 this year. At least it's a finite number!

Hiking Alone
With all this speculation over Meredith Emerson missing on a hike gets me seriously thinking. I've hiked that trail and I've know female friends of mine to hike alone with their dogs. Some even go camping. I've never advocated anyone doing any wilderness stuff alone, but sometimes a bike ride or a hike in a semi-crowded area seems like a good idea. I've done the Silver Comet many times by myself, but not so much since that woman was raped and killed awhile back. Unfortunately these predators are ruining it for all of us. It's a shame that a woman can't do anything alone, they must always have company. Some would say, 'Carry a gun', but a lot of National Parks don't allow firearms, and where are you going to carry it, anyway? Probably in your backpack, right? So if someone jumps you in the woods, are you going to say 'Wait, let me get my gun!'? Think not.

Georgia Primary
If you're not already registered, today is the last day to register to vote in the Primary on Feb 5. Here is a link to some information about the candidates and the ticket. Go out and do your duty. Vote for the candidate that you feel is most qualified, not the one who's won previous primaries.

Writers Strike
I sympathize with the WGA strike and their motives, but enough already! I'm sick of re-runs and lame reality shows. Even cable is effected. They have a right to recieve more money for things they've created, and with the 'popularity' of reality TV, a writers service isn't needed as much. The studios are using the reality shows to make tons more money, they use less technical people and highly paid actors, so they're relatively cheap to produce and bring in lots of money. What is the result? Mindless, unchallenging TV shows, and IMHO not entertaining in the least. What to do? Start renting more movies and reading more.

Resolutions
I don't make resolutions, I just try to keep up with the status quo. Weight Loss has always been an issue, and I'm trying to do more. I went for a walk on Saturday and was planning on going for a bike ride yesterday. Thru a series of events, I ended up meeting some friends at Park Tavern to walk around Piedmont Park and then have lunch. One friend suggested we meet at the bar and have a drink before we walked, but I said 'No, that means we won't walk.'
So I left early to maybe get in a walk before, but I took some wrong turns and ended up getting there about 20 minutes early. So what do I do? I go to the bar. So we didn't go walking, but we did sit outside and people watched. I'm full of Bellini martini's and Good Intentions.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

Huummm, IOWA speaks...

2008-01-04T12:50:00.000-05:00

Who? Iowa? Here's somthing to think about: If the primaries are moved earlier as some states want, then we will have campaigning ALL THE TIME. Gone are the days when the presidential campaign is only a few month. Because the presidential candidates campaigned for over a year this time, they will do the same in another 4 years. On one hand, this is annoying, costly and no one really pays attention. On the Other Hand, the most powerful country in the world should take a long time to THOUGHTFULLY choose their president. If any good information came out of this endless nonsense, then yes, go for it. But all we get is empty words, empty promises, lots of finger pointing and evil speculation. There is no where to get fair, unbalanced information. No Where. Not MoveOn.Org, Bill O'Reilly, CNN, FOX News, ABC or any media.

OK, enough. What I wanted to show is this Quiz. Take it, I dare you. You may be suprised. I wasn't too much suprised. I had taken a similar quiz before and my choice then suprised me. The first time, it was John Edwards, this time it was Hillary Clinton. Not so sure about that, I need to do a bit more research, but there it is.

Have a good weekend!

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'

This Cold is BRUTAL!

2008-01-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

The temperature outsided now is all of 16 degrees (feels like 6!). This is COLD. At least it's not humid and we aren't worrying about snow. By Sunday it will be in the upper 50's. I've been wearing sweat pants to work and changing when I get here, it's just too cold to wear the thin cotten pants I usually wear. I'm also wearing 2 jackets, scarf and gloves. We just aren't prepared for such cold weather here, it rarely gets this cold. In MHO, it's not worth the investment of a heavy coat because there are winters where you just may not wear it. So I'll stick with my 2 jackets, it's not a good look, but it's functional.

A DJ on the station I listen to said on-air yesterday that it was so cold that piling was OK and she wouldn't be too picky who was in the pile. Interesting thought, piling...

Home Repair
Tried to fix the cabana on the deck last night when I got home. What was I thinking? It was 20 degrees and I'm outside attempting to take this crumpled mass of metal apart. The structure uses allen wrenches, not regular screws, so it's time consuming to take all these things apart. (One reason why I didn't take it down, it's just too hard for one person.) I don't think there's much to salvage, which is a shame, it was a great cabana. I'll think of a permanent-type sturcture next. Hey, it's only money....

Now, what you've all been waiting for: My Opinions!

The Ga Senate will be considering a bill HB998 that would make it legal for anyone to park an auto on any property set aside for parking autos when they have a gun inside. Why is this even necessary? And what does it mean? This is a total waste of time, why is it even an issue? OK, GOP, which is more important, property rights or gun rights? If some person comes to my house and parks in my driveway with a gun, then I can't ask them to leave? This law gives them the right to be there... Why don't we just do away with gun laws all together? Just let anyone own a gun and shoot anyone else. Oh wait, they do that now...What was I thinking?

Benazir Bhutto
Her assassination was a tragedy. She was pro-democracy in a country that understands the concept and maybe even wants to be democratic. I'm suprised that the current 'president' Musharraf has allowed Scotland Yard in to investigate the murder, I believe that he and his party are the cause of this. If he/they didn't have a direct hand in it, then they condoned the assassination. It's easy to blame Al-Quaida, and much easier in the eyes of the public.

Today's AJC
Very good op-ed piece by Jay Bookman in today's paper about how the Ga Legislature doesn't listen to their constituants. I completely agree, except I wouldn't stop at the Ga Legislature, I don't believe politicians in general listen to their constituants. They follow the money. The legislation has determined that tax reform is the most pressing issue today in Georgia. According to a the Peach State Poll (it's all stated in the article), the people feel and have felt for years the most important issues are education, environmental problems, economy, and more recently, the drought. Tax reform isn't even on the radar. WE HAVE TO GET OUT AND VOTE THESE BOZO'S OUT OF OFFICE!!!!

BTW, Miss K (Florence Nightenkitty) is looking for a nice lap to sit in...any volunteers?

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'