Wednesday evening, August 12th, 2009. 8PM.
I'm sitting in my hotel room at the Baymont in Bloomington, Illinois.
If the title of this post didn't give it away, after over a year unemployed, I have a new job.
I'm working as a contractor upgrading computers for a major insurance company. I'll be a road warrior, traveling around Northern Illinois, but it's a job.
My new employer (it's rather nice to say that) is having a two-day training session for us here in Bloomington before we start the installs next week. It'll be two days per week for the first couple weeks, then we should be up to speed with four-days-a-week.
Right now, there's five of us all told. I don't know the other installers yet...I'll meet 'em tomorrow. Tonight was just a "get here and be ready" kind of deal.
I do miss Julie. She's about a two hour drive north of here, but I won't be gone that long. It's not like it was last year when I'd be gone for a couple weeks back in Pittsburgh. Besides, Kathy's coming up for bingo tomorrow night, so she'll have company.
But it's a job. Finally, I'll be working again. It's been so long...
Remember that list I said I had on my white board at home? One of the entries has been checked off...I have a job.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Just watch the video.
First, let me start this post by saying that the love of my life is not retarded.
Having said that, I invite you to watch this video from Youtube:
Here's the story: Julie calls me this morning and speaks at about 10,000 words per second. I didn't understand her, and being the loving and dutiful boyfriend/fiancee person that I am, I say "hun?".
She proceeds to tell me that there's a mouse in the house, and Bob (the dumb cat) has been playing with it. Apparently, he grabbed it by the tail and sent it flying some six feet into the other room.
I proceed to tell her that he's doing his job, and before I can explain that he'll toy with it for awhile, she tells me she doesn't want to see the mouse hurt.
She wants me to come over and get the mouse before Bob can kill it.
...
I walk over (takes me all of about 30 seconds) and she tells me the mouse is under the cedar chest in the living room. I feel around under there with the marshmallow roaster she gave me (but not the pointy end, because that'll hurt the mouse) but I can't find it. It wasn't there.
I started to say "when you smell something bad, that means it's dead and we can find it then", but I couldn't, because she's still worried that Bob will kill it.
It. Is. A. Mouse. Bob. Is. A. Cat.
Am I the only one not to pick up on the obvious correlation here?
I couldn't find it, so I headed back to my place. About two hours later, she calls again and says it's under the couch. Bob's pretty much useless at this point, so I have to come over again and see if I can "catch" the mouse.
Of course, I'm not to hurt the little rodent, whose ancestors brought down Europe by spreading the frickin' Plague, but I can't hurt it.
Yeah, this is gonna be fun.
I get over there, and the sectional soft is in sections in the living room, and I see a little gray thing dart in and out from under it. When we move the couch again, it runs out (past two cats, one too fat and lazy to move, and the other too stoopid to realize what it was) and starts to go in circles around the living room.
Julie's got the front door open (letting in God-knows what else) to try and shoo it outside. At one point, this purveyor of filth and disease tried to crawl up my pant leg (alas, that wasn't caught on video), before finally getting cornered in the kitchen.
It was about to go down in the basement (something I was trying like mad to avoid, since it could get lost for YEARS down there...nevermind the fact that Julie's room is in the basement...oh, that'd be just ducky), so I pin it's little head against the doorframe with a 20 pound bag of cat litter.
I could've ended the problem right there and then, but Julie had the camera out and was taping. The other last thing I want is video evidence of me committing mouseicide, so I use the pitcher she gave me to shoo it back a little. Hailey got the marshmallow roaster (still not allowed to use the pointy end to skewer the little rat...er, ah...mouse) and nudged it to me and the waiting container.
(There is video of the capture, yes, but it's not on Youtube...yet. I have to edit out one scene with Hailey's butt. Julie doesn't think she'd appreciate seeing it out there. I'll see if I can get the file and delete her bending over, then post it.)
I take it out into the yard to get rid of it, but then...well...you saw the video.
Julie grown attached to the little bastard!
I'm ready for her to pick it up and take it back inside to make a pet of it!
I do love her. She has a big, kind and caring heart. She's is wonderful.
Even if she did want to adopt a rat.
Having said that, I invite you to watch this video from Youtube:
Here's the story: Julie calls me this morning and speaks at about 10,000 words per second. I didn't understand her, and being the loving and dutiful boyfriend/fiancee person that I am, I say "hun?".
She proceeds to tell me that there's a mouse in the house, and Bob (the dumb cat) has been playing with it. Apparently, he grabbed it by the tail and sent it flying some six feet into the other room.
I proceed to tell her that he's doing his job, and before I can explain that he'll toy with it for awhile, she tells me she doesn't want to see the mouse hurt.
She wants me to come over and get the mouse before Bob can kill it.
...
I walk over (takes me all of about 30 seconds) and she tells me the mouse is under the cedar chest in the living room. I feel around under there with the marshmallow roaster she gave me (but not the pointy end, because that'll hurt the mouse) but I can't find it. It wasn't there.
I started to say "when you smell something bad, that means it's dead and we can find it then", but I couldn't, because she's still worried that Bob will kill it.
It. Is. A. Mouse. Bob. Is. A. Cat.
Am I the only one not to pick up on the obvious correlation here?
I couldn't find it, so I headed back to my place. About two hours later, she calls again and says it's under the couch. Bob's pretty much useless at this point, so I have to come over again and see if I can "catch" the mouse.
Of course, I'm not to hurt the little rodent, whose ancestors brought down Europe by spreading the frickin' Plague, but I can't hurt it.
Yeah, this is gonna be fun.
I get over there, and the sectional soft is in sections in the living room, and I see a little gray thing dart in and out from under it. When we move the couch again, it runs out (past two cats, one too fat and lazy to move, and the other too stoopid to realize what it was) and starts to go in circles around the living room.
Julie's got the front door open (letting in God-knows what else) to try and shoo it outside. At one point, this purveyor of filth and disease tried to crawl up my pant leg (alas, that wasn't caught on video), before finally getting cornered in the kitchen.
It was about to go down in the basement (something I was trying like mad to avoid, since it could get lost for YEARS down there...nevermind the fact that Julie's room is in the basement...oh, that'd be just ducky), so I pin it's little head against the doorframe with a 20 pound bag of cat litter.
I could've ended the problem right there and then, but Julie had the camera out and was taping. The other last thing I want is video evidence of me committing mouseicide, so I use the pitcher she gave me to shoo it back a little. Hailey got the marshmallow roaster (still not allowed to use the pointy end to skewer the little rat...er, ah...mouse) and nudged it to me and the waiting container.
(There is video of the capture, yes, but it's not on Youtube...yet. I have to edit out one scene with Hailey's butt. Julie doesn't think she'd appreciate seeing it out there. I'll see if I can get the file and delete her bending over, then post it.)
I take it out into the yard to get rid of it, but then...well...you saw the video.
Julie grown attached to the little bastard!
I'm ready for her to pick it up and take it back inside to make a pet of it!
Sigh.
I do love her. She has a big, kind and caring heart. She's is wonderful.
Even if she did want to adopt a rat.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
If you Google'd "Bing" and this came up, I'm sorry.
Due to popular request, the plans to cancel July have been postponed.
Okay, so you might've noticed my Facebook status from the other day was "just tried bing cherry iced tea. It's damn good!".
Before you go out to your local grocer to find this particular beverage, let me warn you: You ain't gonna find it, at least not easily.
A few months back, Julie and I took a trip to St. Charles, Illinois. It's not that far from here, about a half-hour or so east of here. There's some cute little antique shops she wanted to see, and (this may surprise you) I do enjoy antiquing every now and then.
One such little "antique mall" had a "store" called the Coffee Drop Shop. It's a mom-and-pop place that has pretty much anything and everything you'd want, provided you're looking for coffee or tea stuffs.
They must've had close to 100 different varieties of loose tea. I always loved tea, but it wasn't until D hooked me up with some loose tea years ago, I always stuck with the store-bought, pre-bagged variety. I limited myself, but no longer.
Among the teas they had, besides the standard orange pekoe, chai and Prince of Wales variety was Russian Caravan (very strong, but I love the flavor), Vietnamese (also strong, but I've yet to try it, as I prefer such teas in Winter), Root Beer Float (yes!) and Bing Cherry.
Bought a couple little bags of the last few I'd mentioned and brought them home, tossed 'em into the cupboard and forgot about them.
The other night, I was thirsty for some tea, and remembered the flavored teas I'd bought before. The clerk suggested I try the Root Beer Float over ice. I put the pot of water on, added a teaspoon to my teaball (some might call it an infuser, but it's my teaball), and let it steep before pouring it into the glass with ice.
The aroma was subtle, as was the taste, but as it cooled, the root beer flavor was definitely there! I gave some to Julie's friend Kathy (who hates Root Beer) and after she tried it, she said she'd found "a root beer she could drink".
Yesterday was the Bing Cherry test. Same procedure, different tea.
I've a glass of it in front of me, and let me tell you, it's got a great cherry aroma and taste!
I'd offer you some, but they've yet to perfect sending liquids over IP. Still, if you find yourself at some little mom-and-pop tea shop, and you see it, give it a try. You never know what you'll find.
Okay, so you might've noticed my Facebook status from the other day was "just tried bing cherry iced tea. It's damn good!".
Before you go out to your local grocer to find this particular beverage, let me warn you: You ain't gonna find it, at least not easily.
A few months back, Julie and I took a trip to St. Charles, Illinois. It's not that far from here, about a half-hour or so east of here. There's some cute little antique shops she wanted to see, and (this may surprise you) I do enjoy antiquing every now and then.
One such little "antique mall" had a "store" called the Coffee Drop Shop. It's a mom-and-pop place that has pretty much anything and everything you'd want, provided you're looking for coffee or tea stuffs.
They must've had close to 100 different varieties of loose tea. I always loved tea, but it wasn't until D hooked me up with some loose tea years ago, I always stuck with the store-bought, pre-bagged variety. I limited myself, but no longer.
Among the teas they had, besides the standard orange pekoe, chai and Prince of Wales variety was Russian Caravan (very strong, but I love the flavor), Vietnamese (also strong, but I've yet to try it, as I prefer such teas in Winter), Root Beer Float (yes!) and Bing Cherry.
Bought a couple little bags of the last few I'd mentioned and brought them home, tossed 'em into the cupboard and forgot about them.
The other night, I was thirsty for some tea, and remembered the flavored teas I'd bought before. The clerk suggested I try the Root Beer Float over ice. I put the pot of water on, added a teaspoon to my teaball (some might call it an infuser, but it's my teaball), and let it steep before pouring it into the glass with ice.
The aroma was subtle, as was the taste, but as it cooled, the root beer flavor was definitely there! I gave some to Julie's friend Kathy (who hates Root Beer) and after she tried it, she said she'd found "a root beer she could drink".
Yesterday was the Bing Cherry test. Same procedure, different tea.
I've a glass of it in front of me, and let me tell you, it's got a great cherry aroma and taste!
I'd offer you some, but they've yet to perfect sending liquids over IP. Still, if you find yourself at some little mom-and-pop tea shop, and you see it, give it a try. You never know what you'll find.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Thank goodness it's August
I've decided I don't like July.
When my buddy Sterling assumes his rightful place as Overlord of this world, but before he gives me my own country to rule under his wise, benevolent yet vengeful fist (although I may no longer request Canada...I may ask for something a bit more tropical for my ladylove), I'm going to ask he abolishes the month of July from his calendar.
July has nothing good going for it. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's the hottest month of the year (yet I'm asking for a tropical paradise for Julie...I guess love does make us do things we normally wouldn't), yet it's the coldest for those south of the equator. It serves no purpose (fireworks celebrations will no longer be on the Fourth, but rather Feb. 14th, in honor of our great and powerful Oz...er, ah...Sterl), and would be better off forgotten.
At least, that's my take on the month. I've no love for it.
The last few July's have been bad for me. Just read through the archives in this blog for that most evil of month, and you'll see what I mean.
Three years ago was when My Kid's problems began in earnest. Two years ago, I started having car (and certain other) problems. Last year, yes, Julie was in my life, but she lost her Grandma, and (while not as painful), the car battery died.
Last month was one of the lowest points I've hit so far. My bank account was overdrawn...seriously overdrawn...for most of the month. It's not much better now, but I'm hopeful I can make rent (maybe).
I had an offer for the house that was withdrawn about as quickly as it was made. Nevermind the fact that they were low-balling me on the price, but they also wanted me to help them pay for it. They wanted me to give them more than 10 percent back. I was helping them pay to buy my own home!
Mind you, I considered it, but my Realtor told me it was blatantly illegal, and since neither they nor I would budge, they backed off.
You know it's bad when ya can't even sell a $50,000 home.
I was in a shell for a good bit of the month. I was grumpier than usual (ask Julie, she'll tell ya). I didn't return calls (I'm sorry again, Sterl...my lord), and I can blame it only on one thing: July.
The month is evil, I sweartadoG.
The only saving grace has been, so far, it's been a cool and comfortable Summer. The temperature hasn't been that bad, so I haven't had to run my air conditioning that much (which is good, since I haven't been able to afford the electric bill).
It's August now. While things haven't made a complete 180 with the flip of a calendar page, I'm hopeful. There is good news (which I will officially post later this month...watch this space) on the horizon and I'm always hopeful for a better day, even when I'm posting blogs so depressing that no one can comment without reaching for an anti-depressant.
If I haven't said it before, I am so thankful for Julie. My angel. The one who, whether she knows it or not, has kept me sane and (mostly) smiling. She has her own problems, but we're doing our best to get through them together.
That is, as long as she's not making me watch chick flicks. She made me watch The Notebook today! And she put it in with a smile on her face!
Kathy wanted to watch it, so they put it in while I'm over at my place and call me over to watch it with them. I'm in a house with two wailin' women watching some sappy piece of trite, and I made one little joke (a response to something one of the actors said) and I got shushed TWICE.
Okay, maybe I was wrong. Maybe the month of Hell that is July wasn't over for me this afternoon. Still, if watching that movie ended my suffering for the month...
...nah. Wasn't worth it. ;)
Here's to August. Let's see what it has to offer.
When my buddy Sterling assumes his rightful place as Overlord of this world, but before he gives me my own country to rule under his wise, benevolent yet vengeful fist (although I may no longer request Canada...I may ask for something a bit more tropical for my ladylove), I'm going to ask he abolishes the month of July from his calendar.
July has nothing good going for it. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's the hottest month of the year (yet I'm asking for a tropical paradise for Julie...I guess love does make us do things we normally wouldn't), yet it's the coldest for those south of the equator. It serves no purpose (fireworks celebrations will no longer be on the Fourth, but rather Feb. 14th, in honor of our great and powerful Oz...er, ah...Sterl), and would be better off forgotten.
At least, that's my take on the month. I've no love for it.
The last few July's have been bad for me. Just read through the archives in this blog for that most evil of month, and you'll see what I mean.
Three years ago was when My Kid's problems began in earnest. Two years ago, I started having car (and certain other) problems. Last year, yes, Julie was in my life, but she lost her Grandma, and (while not as painful), the car battery died.
Last month was one of the lowest points I've hit so far. My bank account was overdrawn...seriously overdrawn...for most of the month. It's not much better now, but I'm hopeful I can make rent (maybe).
I had an offer for the house that was withdrawn about as quickly as it was made. Nevermind the fact that they were low-balling me on the price, but they also wanted me to help them pay for it. They wanted me to give them more than 10 percent back. I was helping them pay to buy my own home!
Mind you, I considered it, but my Realtor told me it was blatantly illegal, and since neither they nor I would budge, they backed off.
You know it's bad when ya can't even sell a $50,000 home.
I was in a shell for a good bit of the month. I was grumpier than usual (ask Julie, she'll tell ya). I didn't return calls (I'm sorry again, Sterl...my lord), and I can blame it only on one thing: July.
The month is evil, I sweartadoG.
The only saving grace has been, so far, it's been a cool and comfortable Summer. The temperature hasn't been that bad, so I haven't had to run my air conditioning that much (which is good, since I haven't been able to afford the electric bill).
It's August now. While things haven't made a complete 180 with the flip of a calendar page, I'm hopeful. There is good news (which I will officially post later this month...watch this space) on the horizon and I'm always hopeful for a better day, even when I'm posting blogs so depressing that no one can comment without reaching for an anti-depressant.
If I haven't said it before, I am so thankful for Julie. My angel. The one who, whether she knows it or not, has kept me sane and (mostly) smiling. She has her own problems, but we're doing our best to get through them together.
That is, as long as she's not making me watch chick flicks. She made me watch The Notebook today! And she put it in with a smile on her face!
Kathy wanted to watch it, so they put it in while I'm over at my place and call me over to watch it with them. I'm in a house with two wailin' women watching some sappy piece of trite, and I made one little joke (a response to something one of the actors said) and I got shushed TWICE.
Okay, maybe I was wrong. Maybe the month of Hell that is July wasn't over for me this afternoon. Still, if watching that movie ended my suffering for the month...
...nah. Wasn't worth it. ;)
Here's to August. Let's see what it has to offer.
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