27 July 2008
Izzy
Y'all should meet my new friend, Isabel (Izzy). She's a 2008 4-Door SE Sedan Ford Focus, and she's beautiful! And she's mine!!
USAA Car Insurance Rocks! I got a quote for under $100/month. As soon as I get a car, that quote will go into effect. What a load off! Seriously, too, because I just found out that HR got my tax deductions wrong on my pay check, so they're not taking out enough money for taxes. I need to correct that, and that means I'll have less money each month than I thought I would, so my budget is now out of whack. However, because car insurance is extremely under budget, I'm hoping that the money I save there will go to my taxes, and my budget can remain as it was. Let's hope I can get a car that I like for a decent price, and that I can finance it at a good APR so that my monthly payments aren't too much for me.
Right now, I'm packing up my room. When I looked at it last night, I figured that I had three main categories of things: Books, furniture, and other stuff. The books are packed now, and I'm slowly emptying the furniture. I'm going to run out of boxes soon, but I'm lucky enough that my parents and Rebecca are willing to pack the rest for me after I leave. Rebecca especially because she's going to get my room after I move out completely. I can't believe that in two weeks, I'll have my own apartment! I'm going to go pick out paint colors this week; I'm so excited!
Right now, I'm packing up my room. When I looked at it last night, I figured that I had three main categories of things: Books, furniture, and other stuff. The books are packed now, and I'm slowly emptying the furniture. I'm going to run out of boxes soon, but I'm lucky enough that my parents and Rebecca are willing to pack the rest for me after I leave. Rebecca especially because she's going to get my room after I move out completely. I can't believe that in two weeks, I'll have my own apartment! I'm going to go pick out paint colors this week; I'm so excited!
21 July 2008
Where to start...? I'm here at Darren and Kim's work, using their internet connection because A) it's safe, and B) it works. I've been researching auto insurance, cars, car loans, and credit cards. I literally want to scream.
Geico is supposed to give discounts to Navy Federal Members, but they quoted me at $478/month for auto insurance, and that's just the minimum coverage on a 2008 Ford Focus. That's when I cried. But then Darren went online to Progressive and got me a quote at under $200/month for the same type of vehicle, at my new address, for more and better coverage. Geico can go Eff itself, I'm going with Progressive.
Then I tried financing a 2008 Ford Focus through Navy Federal, and found out that with my credit, I could get an APR of 10.25% or higher, meaning that I'd end up paying more than a third of the vehicle price in interest. I don't think so. That means I'm going to end up financing through the dealer, and I just have to figure out who that dealer is going to be. My parents found a 2008 Ice Blue Ford Focus up in New Bern for $15,000, and that's the best deal right now, and I think I'm going to take it, but tomorrow Darren and I will hopefully head over to Palmetto Ford to check them out. He really wants to stick it to them because of how they screwed him over before, and I'd like to let him try. If he can get me a better deal than Cella Ford, I'll take it.
I have applied for a credit card through Barnes & Nobles. They're checking my credit, and then they'll either approve or deny my application within the next couple of days.
That's it for the updates. Mainly, I'm scared that I'm going to go wrong with my money. I've already been chastized for how I spend my money this week from my Mom, and that really hurt. I want to make good decisions, and I want to make smart decisions, but hearing the disappointment in her voice just threw my self-confidence in that department out the window. I wish there was a required course in college, or high school even, that taught people how to deal with this stuff because if it wasn't for my family and my friends, I'd be even more clueless than I am now. I feel like a sitting duck. Quack.
Geico is supposed to give discounts to Navy Federal Members, but they quoted me at $478/month for auto insurance, and that's just the minimum coverage on a 2008 Ford Focus. That's when I cried. But then Darren went online to Progressive and got me a quote at under $200/month for the same type of vehicle, at my new address, for more and better coverage. Geico can go Eff itself, I'm going with Progressive.
Then I tried financing a 2008 Ford Focus through Navy Federal, and found out that with my credit, I could get an APR of 10.25% or higher, meaning that I'd end up paying more than a third of the vehicle price in interest. I don't think so. That means I'm going to end up financing through the dealer, and I just have to figure out who that dealer is going to be. My parents found a 2008 Ice Blue Ford Focus up in New Bern for $15,000, and that's the best deal right now, and I think I'm going to take it, but tomorrow Darren and I will hopefully head over to Palmetto Ford to check them out. He really wants to stick it to them because of how they screwed him over before, and I'd like to let him try. If he can get me a better deal than Cella Ford, I'll take it.
I have applied for a credit card through Barnes & Nobles. They're checking my credit, and then they'll either approve or deny my application within the next couple of days.
That's it for the updates. Mainly, I'm scared that I'm going to go wrong with my money. I've already been chastized for how I spend my money this week from my Mom, and that really hurt. I want to make good decisions, and I want to make smart decisions, but hearing the disappointment in her voice just threw my self-confidence in that department out the window. I wish there was a required course in college, or high school even, that taught people how to deal with this stuff because if it wasn't for my family and my friends, I'd be even more clueless than I am now. I feel like a sitting duck. Quack.
20 July 2008
Today was a good day. I could end this post here, but I am compelled by forces outside of my control to say more. Actually, I think it's funny, so I'm going to tell you anyway. Kim kicked both Darren and Calvin's butt tonight putting together furniture. Seriously. And she didn't even read the instructions, or use a power tool. She used her own hand-power and logic, and whipped out some very nice looking furniture. Both C and D read the instructions and used a power drill, and they ended up having to take both of theirs apart and redo sections, D more than C. I think that's funny. Go Kim!!
So, that story made today a good day, but there was another reason too: I fit into a pair of pants at Old Navy! Wow, big deal, you might say, whilst rolling your eyes, but to me, that is a very big deal. I'm fat, there's no denying it, and that alone means I can't shop at hip and stylish clothing stores like American Eagle or Banana Republic. Occasionally I can buy a top from Target or Old Navy, but as for bottoms, I have to stick with the really large department stores, and even then I'm picking from the bottom of the barrel. It's one of the huge things I hate about myself, pun intended, which is why growing up I absolutely abhorred clothes shopping. Most times I go now, I end up wanting to cry before the experience is over, but today was different. Today, for whatever reason, I decided to try on a pair of capris at Old Navy. I was feeling very good because I found a beautiful top that I really liked and looked good on me, so I took the capris back to the dressing room, fully expecting that they wouldn't fit, and then something amazing happened: they fit! And they were roomy, which made me feel even better about myself. They looked like crap on me so I didn't buy them, but the fact that I could fit into them wrapped me in a bubble of positivity all day today. I'm still fat, but at least I can fit into Old Navy pants.
I'm starting to get more and more excited about my apartment, but with that excitement comes nervousness. I keep having this weird feeling that the apartment deal is going to fall through at the last minute, and that's keeping me from getting too excited about the place. It's an unfounded fear, but it seems like a lot of the things I really want and get really excited and happy about fall through at the last minute, leaving me high and dry and disappointed, and I don't see why this should be an exception.
Susan was supposed to take me with her to North Carolina this coming weekend, but with the cost of gas and her having to pay for a hotel room up there, she now doesn't think she can do it, even if I go halvsies on the gas with her like I offered. The following weekend, she's meeting TJ in Wilmington, and if I could get a ride from there to Newport, she'd be happy to have me come with her. Luckily, that's the last weekend before I move into my apartment, and I really,really need it to pack up my things and get them ready to be carted down here the following week. I just hope nothing comes up to prevent her from being able to go on that weekend because I really need to get home to get my stuff together!
Moving out on my own is exciting; I've never lived on my own...ever. But with the hours I work, and with where I'll be living, I'm afraid I'm never going to see the people I came down here to see. I chose Charleston because ever since Darren moved here, it's felt like my second home, or my home away from home, and that's because of the people here - my family and my friends. They've made Charleston my home. I know dealing with me all the time can be a drag and that those same people might be happy to get away from me for a bit, but for me, going without seeing them will be difficult, and at times painful. I'm sure I'll adapt, but for now the prospect fills me with dread. And on that note...goodnight!
So, that story made today a good day, but there was another reason too: I fit into a pair of pants at Old Navy! Wow, big deal, you might say, whilst rolling your eyes, but to me, that is a very big deal. I'm fat, there's no denying it, and that alone means I can't shop at hip and stylish clothing stores like American Eagle or Banana Republic. Occasionally I can buy a top from Target or Old Navy, but as for bottoms, I have to stick with the really large department stores, and even then I'm picking from the bottom of the barrel. It's one of the huge things I hate about myself, pun intended, which is why growing up I absolutely abhorred clothes shopping. Most times I go now, I end up wanting to cry before the experience is over, but today was different. Today, for whatever reason, I decided to try on a pair of capris at Old Navy. I was feeling very good because I found a beautiful top that I really liked and looked good on me, so I took the capris back to the dressing room, fully expecting that they wouldn't fit, and then something amazing happened: they fit! And they were roomy, which made me feel even better about myself. They looked like crap on me so I didn't buy them, but the fact that I could fit into them wrapped me in a bubble of positivity all day today. I'm still fat, but at least I can fit into Old Navy pants.
I'm starting to get more and more excited about my apartment, but with that excitement comes nervousness. I keep having this weird feeling that the apartment deal is going to fall through at the last minute, and that's keeping me from getting too excited about the place. It's an unfounded fear, but it seems like a lot of the things I really want and get really excited and happy about fall through at the last minute, leaving me high and dry and disappointed, and I don't see why this should be an exception.
Susan was supposed to take me with her to North Carolina this coming weekend, but with the cost of gas and her having to pay for a hotel room up there, she now doesn't think she can do it, even if I go halvsies on the gas with her like I offered. The following weekend, she's meeting TJ in Wilmington, and if I could get a ride from there to Newport, she'd be happy to have me come with her. Luckily, that's the last weekend before I move into my apartment, and I really,really need it to pack up my things and get them ready to be carted down here the following week. I just hope nothing comes up to prevent her from being able to go on that weekend because I really need to get home to get my stuff together!
Moving out on my own is exciting; I've never lived on my own...ever. But with the hours I work, and with where I'll be living, I'm afraid I'm never going to see the people I came down here to see. I chose Charleston because ever since Darren moved here, it's felt like my second home, or my home away from home, and that's because of the people here - my family and my friends. They've made Charleston my home. I know dealing with me all the time can be a drag and that those same people might be happy to get away from me for a bit, but for me, going without seeing them will be difficult, and at times painful. I'm sure I'll adapt, but for now the prospect fills me with dread. And on that note...goodnight!
19 July 2008
Excitement
The Dark Knight was AMAZING! It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I'm surprised I don't have bruises on my arm from how tight I was gripping, it was that exciting! It was so exciting that I couldn't sit still for hours after the movie was over - I was too jittery, too jumpy. Of course, it wasn't entirely the movie's fault - coffee, anxiety, delayed-shock, cabin fever, and other things had a part to play in it. But The Dark Knight was so good! Here's a link to all sorts of Trivia about the movie: The Dark Knight Trivia
Yesterday at work was exciting. I was running a test on a sample that smelled like paint thinner. I added phenolphthalein (a pH indicator) and then added 6M Sodium Hydroxide, which is supposed to turn the sample a pretty pink color. It turned the nastiest shade of green imaginable. Then stuff started to precipitate out - gunk that looked like the offal from frog spawn and pond scum. Well, the samples had to be boiled, so I put them on a hot plate. I used a stirring rod to keep the gunk moving, but as I was stirring one of those nasty samples, it exploded. Boom. The glass shattered, the stuff flew out in all directions. I was very lucky for several reasons: I was half behind a protective shield, the sample was on a hot plate in our fume hood, and my reflexes were so fast that I only got splattered a little bit on my lab coat. Oh, and it was a non-RAD sample. That was lucky too. Like I said...exciting!
Yesterday at work was exciting. I was running a test on a sample that smelled like paint thinner. I added phenolphthalein (a pH indicator) and then added 6M Sodium Hydroxide, which is supposed to turn the sample a pretty pink color. It turned the nastiest shade of green imaginable. Then stuff started to precipitate out - gunk that looked like the offal from frog spawn and pond scum. Well, the samples had to be boiled, so I put them on a hot plate. I used a stirring rod to keep the gunk moving, but as I was stirring one of those nasty samples, it exploded. Boom. The glass shattered, the stuff flew out in all directions. I was very lucky for several reasons: I was half behind a protective shield, the sample was on a hot plate in our fume hood, and my reflexes were so fast that I only got splattered a little bit on my lab coat. Oh, and it was a non-RAD sample. That was lucky too. Like I said...exciting!
17 July 2008
16 July 2008
Living la vida roja
I am a Lobster. Seriously, I have never been so sunburnt before - not that I can remember, and I've been sunburnt many-a-time before. I can't figure out how my legs got sunburnt!?! My face isn't too bad, but my shouders, arms, and chests are lobster-red, and I am burning up. But hey...at least I have a souvenier from my time at the beach today!
15 July 2008
Yay for Tuesday being over! Today was a bit of a whirlwind day; I was ambitious at work and got four batches started, and even finished several of them and turned them in...in other words, that's fast-pace for me. I had my 30-day review last week, and they told me that they were late in getting that taken care of, which explains why my 45-day review is this Thursday. This review, however, is with the director of Human Relations at my company (a head honcho, if you will) and I'm nervous. But as fate would have it, a convenient disguise for any nervousness I might have will present itself in the fact that I scheduled myself to donate blood an hour before the review. Go me!
Since Thursday is going to be so busy for me, tomorrow will be my beach day. I'm heading over to Folly just as soon as I get off work. I bought myself a new boogie board today that I can't wait to break in, and my only hope is that it doesn't storm too badly while I'm in the water. Oh, and please, no traffic. Or sharks, while I'm at it.
Since Thursday is going to be so busy for me, tomorrow will be my beach day. I'm heading over to Folly just as soon as I get off work. I bought myself a new boogie board today that I can't wait to break in, and my only hope is that it doesn't storm too badly while I'm in the water. Oh, and please, no traffic. Or sharks, while I'm at it.
14 July 2008
Another beautiful day in (what they tell me) Sunny Charleston! Actually, I like the rain, and I love thunderstorms, so to me, today was a beautiful day.
Guess what comes out this Friday! Really, guess! The Dark Knight! I can't wait! I've wanted to see it ever since I saw Batman Begins, and soon I finally will be able to. Maybe not on Friday, but perhaps at some point this weekend. I'd like to head over to The Charles Towne Landing Site this weekend also to look at the other half of the park that I missed on my first excursion, so we'll see what happens. I'd also like to get back to the Black Market Jewellers on Market Street downtown since it's my favorite store downtown and I need the driving and parking practice. It's only Monday and already I'm planning my weekend....but who cares?!
I saw the trailer to Quantum of Solace the other day and it looks awesome! Quantum of Solace is the next installment in the Daniel Craig Bond Series, and like I said, it looks awesome; amazing! I can't wait to see it. You know what else I can't wait to see? The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer. According to Warner Bros and Mugglenet.com, The fifteen-second teaser is supposed to be released with the 3rd Mummy Movie, and that's not until August, and then who knows when the official trailer will be released. But the movie itself is only a few months away from being released...exciting!!
Guess what comes out this Friday! Really, guess! The Dark Knight! I can't wait! I've wanted to see it ever since I saw Batman Begins, and soon I finally will be able to. Maybe not on Friday, but perhaps at some point this weekend. I'd like to head over to The Charles Towne Landing Site this weekend also to look at the other half of the park that I missed on my first excursion, so we'll see what happens. I'd also like to get back to the Black Market Jewellers on Market Street downtown since it's my favorite store downtown and I need the driving and parking practice. It's only Monday and already I'm planning my weekend....but who cares?!
I saw the trailer to Quantum of Solace the other day and it looks awesome! Quantum of Solace is the next installment in the Daniel Craig Bond Series, and like I said, it looks awesome; amazing! I can't wait to see it. You know what else I can't wait to see? The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince teaser trailer. According to Warner Bros and Mugglenet.com, The fifteen-second teaser is supposed to be released with the 3rd Mummy Movie, and that's not until August, and then who knows when the official trailer will be released. But the movie itself is only a few months away from being released...exciting!!
12 July 2008
Hi there!
The Internet is working for now; we'll see if this lasts.
It has been a busy week for me - I got an apartment, had my 30-day review, found my way over to Folly Beach, stayed up and got slightly tipsy last night...busy, busy, busy. I had lunch with Susan yesterday and she said she could take me up to North Carolina the next time she goes, which will (probably) be in a few weekends, and that way I can get my things organized, sorted, and packed. I really, really need to do that, and right now I'm hoping I can get it crammed into one weekend, although I seriously doubt it because I have so much stuff, but there's not really another option so I'll take what I can get!
Last night, I went with Darren and Kim over to Nectar's on James Island and watched Libby's husband Jeff sing (really, really well). I had my first vodka and redbull, followed by my second, and I liked them. They really helped me stay up that night, for which I'm grateful because all of us went over and hung out at Rebecca's house and had a really good time.
Today, I went with Kim over to her church and weeded and watered all of the flower pots around the building while Kim set up the altar. After that, Kim took me home, and then got ready and went to a bridal shower, and then Darren is at Shaun's for the day, which leaves me here. Darren was sweet enough to leave his car behind for me, so I can pretty much go anywhere I want to, and the forecast looks good for today, so I might get out this afternoon and do something, but I don't know what. A full day all by myself and I don't know how I'm going to spend it! Cleaning? Doing Laundry? Reading? Baking? Singing? Driving? Going to the movies? Who knows?
The Internet is working for now; we'll see if this lasts.
It has been a busy week for me - I got an apartment, had my 30-day review, found my way over to Folly Beach, stayed up and got slightly tipsy last night...busy, busy, busy. I had lunch with Susan yesterday and she said she could take me up to North Carolina the next time she goes, which will (probably) be in a few weekends, and that way I can get my things organized, sorted, and packed. I really, really need to do that, and right now I'm hoping I can get it crammed into one weekend, although I seriously doubt it because I have so much stuff, but there's not really another option so I'll take what I can get!
Last night, I went with Darren and Kim over to Nectar's on James Island and watched Libby's husband Jeff sing (really, really well). I had my first vodka and redbull, followed by my second, and I liked them. They really helped me stay up that night, for which I'm grateful because all of us went over and hung out at Rebecca's house and had a really good time.
Today, I went with Kim over to her church and weeded and watered all of the flower pots around the building while Kim set up the altar. After that, Kim took me home, and then got ready and went to a bridal shower, and then Darren is at Shaun's for the day, which leaves me here. Darren was sweet enough to leave his car behind for me, so I can pretty much go anywhere I want to, and the forecast looks good for today, so I might get out this afternoon and do something, but I don't know what. A full day all by myself and I don't know how I'm going to spend it! Cleaning? Doing Laundry? Reading? Baking? Singing? Driving? Going to the movies? Who knows?
10 July 2008
I made it out to Folly Beach today, and went swimming for the second time this summer, and the first time at the beach. A lot of things worked in my favor: traffic was heavy but fast-moving, so I never stood still and lost my AC for very long; a storm popped up, so I didn't have to contend with the sun beating down on me; and then it rained, which helped to clean me off when I got back into the car. All-in-all, it was fun, but going alone kinda blows.
Tomorrow, I have my 30-day review at work, and I hope it goes well! That's all for now, save that I can't wait for the weekend - I might actually sleep in until 6am!
Tomorrow, I have my 30-day review at work, and I hope it goes well! That's all for now, save that I can't wait for the weekend - I might actually sleep in until 6am!
09 July 2008
07 July 2008
First day of the real shift
Adjusting to a new schedule is not easy, but it is doable. You just have to go to bed early, earlier than this. I'm so tired right now that I can barely keep my eyes open, which begs the question: "Why am I still awake." Yeah...I got nothing. So, while I'm still awake for no apparent reason, let me tell you about my first day working my shift. I woke up at 3:30, got ready, left, made it to work where I was one of two people there (I say that because there was only one other car there, and not because I saw another person, because I didn't). Luckily, the burgular alarm was already disarmed, so I could proceed to my lab, where I found out that I was the first person to arrive that day. I know this because it took me quite a bit of time to find out where the light switch was. The lab is quite creepy in the darkness, alone, but all that creepiness fades away slightly when the lights are on and the radio is blasting out some cool country music. I was alone until 5:30, and then another co-worker arrived, and she talked my ear off (in the nicest sense possible) for almost an hour, while I was holding a heavy tray of glassware (for almost an hour). I enjoyed talking to Hope (for that's her name) but I could have done without my arms going numb. Luckily, Mel (my friend whom I went to the movies with last weekend) called just as my arms went numb, and asked if I liked Chick-fil-a biscuits, which I did, and she brought me breakfast! She's such a sweetie; she said that she knew it was the first day of my shift and she wanted to do something nice for me. I didn't know such nice people still existed! After that, it was business as usual, and I worked non stop until after eleven, when I was told I had to take a lunch break, so I went home for about 45 minutes and ate lunch. Coincidentally, Darren took an early lunch that day, so we were able to talk for a bit. I talked to a co-worker who used to live in the apartment complex I'm thinking of, and she said she loved the place and she loved the management, which is really good news for me. Anyway, I came back to work, stayed until after 2pm and then went home. I had intended to check out the apartment complex during its office hours, but I was so dog-gone tired and I felt so drained and arthritic (oddly) that I couldn't do it. Hopefully I can go tomorrow. Anyway, that's really it for now, and I must go to sleep.
06 July 2008
I think I've found the apartment complex I want to live in. Darren and I drove around a bit today and looked at all the complexes on a list that I made this morning and after seeing most of them, there was really only one that I was impressed with, but there's still one I haven't seen, so I'll talk more about my decision once I go and visit that one. This hunt is exciting! I may have my own place by the end of the month!
05 July 2008
04 July 2008
Independence Day
Happy 4th of July! This was the first Independence Day in ten years that I’ve spent out of North Carolina and away from the fireworks show put on by Havelock, and I’m glad I got to spend it with family because I’d have been even more homesick than I was if I hadn’t. For some reason today I really, really missed home. I missed sitting with my family on a blanket, playing Mindtrap and telling jokes while waiting for the sun to set so the show could begin.
Around noon today, Darren, Kim and I headed over to Summerville to have lunch with Marcel, his wife Gina, and their three children, Ethan, Bella, and Alex. Bella (I think she was four months old) was so beautiful! Both Darren and Kim held her for a while, and her every coo, giggle, yawn, and burp earned our undivided and eager attention. Ethan flattered me by vying for my attention for a good part of the day. The five of us non-kids were chatting in the living room, and then Ethan came up to me and literally dragged me off upstairs to his room. There, he and I played trains and then had a tea party followed by a picnic, and then Gina came up to check on us to make sure the boys (Alex was watching animal planet in the same room) weren’t holding me hostage or anything. After assuring her that all was well, I continued my picnic with Ethan while Alex told me about the program he was watching – a special on creepy-crawlies of the Australian Outback. I learned that his ideal pet would be a scorpion (over my dead body), and that I was an adult. It was so weird to be called an adult; I’ve never thought of myself as such, nor considered myself mature enough to be so called, but I guess to a seven-year-old (I think), a 5 and ½ foot, 21-year old must seem ancient! After I returned downstairs, Alex a dead weight on my right leg, Ethan flattered me even more by selecting me to help him put together his puzzles. I have very little experience with children, but apparently I’m a kid magnet (Gina’s words, not mine). Anyway, the time I spent with Alex and Ethan was a tremendous boost to my self-esteem, which has been lagging behind of late.
After returning home, the three of us took a bit of a breather. I went outside when it became dark and watched what I could of the fireworks going off around the house. If I closed my eyes I could see them, a riot of color on the inky sky, but with my eyes open seeing them was a little harder. I did get to see some good ones, especially the ones lit by our neighbors just yards away. Sitting there on that stoop, though, I was consumed by the enormous urge to smoke a cigarette. That’s crazy because I don’t even smoke, and have never smoked, but I really wanted to light one up then. Maybe I was just acting on the impulse to light something brought about by sitting in the midst of all those mini-explosions, and maybe it was because I kinda like the smell of cigarette smoke. Whatever the cause, I really wanted to light one up, but I didn’t. I had a margarita instead. Mmmmm.
Around noon today, Darren, Kim and I headed over to Summerville to have lunch with Marcel, his wife Gina, and their three children, Ethan, Bella, and Alex. Bella (I think she was four months old) was so beautiful! Both Darren and Kim held her for a while, and her every coo, giggle, yawn, and burp earned our undivided and eager attention. Ethan flattered me by vying for my attention for a good part of the day. The five of us non-kids were chatting in the living room, and then Ethan came up to me and literally dragged me off upstairs to his room. There, he and I played trains and then had a tea party followed by a picnic, and then Gina came up to check on us to make sure the boys (Alex was watching animal planet in the same room) weren’t holding me hostage or anything. After assuring her that all was well, I continued my picnic with Ethan while Alex told me about the program he was watching – a special on creepy-crawlies of the Australian Outback. I learned that his ideal pet would be a scorpion (over my dead body), and that I was an adult. It was so weird to be called an adult; I’ve never thought of myself as such, nor considered myself mature enough to be so called, but I guess to a seven-year-old (I think), a 5 and ½ foot, 21-year old must seem ancient! After I returned downstairs, Alex a dead weight on my right leg, Ethan flattered me even more by selecting me to help him put together his puzzles. I have very little experience with children, but apparently I’m a kid magnet (Gina’s words, not mine). Anyway, the time I spent with Alex and Ethan was a tremendous boost to my self-esteem, which has been lagging behind of late.
After returning home, the three of us took a bit of a breather. I went outside when it became dark and watched what I could of the fireworks going off around the house. If I closed my eyes I could see them, a riot of color on the inky sky, but with my eyes open seeing them was a little harder. I did get to see some good ones, especially the ones lit by our neighbors just yards away. Sitting there on that stoop, though, I was consumed by the enormous urge to smoke a cigarette. That’s crazy because I don’t even smoke, and have never smoked, but I really wanted to light one up then. Maybe I was just acting on the impulse to light something brought about by sitting in the midst of all those mini-explosions, and maybe it was because I kinda like the smell of cigarette smoke. Whatever the cause, I really wanted to light one up, but I didn’t. I had a margarita instead. Mmmmm.
03 July 2008
Yay for Friday!
Thursday, actually, but it feels like it's Friday, and that's what counts. Woohoo for the weekend! Work this week just seemed to go by really, reeeaaaaallllyyyy slowly; I've been exhausted, yawning-every-other-minute every morning the week, and then I made so many mistakes that everyone was nice enough to tell me had never ever been made before (it always made me feel really, really good to hear that, like I didn't feel like enough of an idiot already). But it's over now and I start my new shift on Monday. Starting that early means I have sole control of the radio for practically my entire shift, which is nice (I hope you read "nice" in the way that I'm thinking it right now, with the "I" sound really drawn out). Right now, it's time for grocery shopping, and then later, I hope, fajitas and margaritas. I've been craving steak fajitas for a while now, so I really hope we get to have them, but then again, it depends on what time everybody gets home and then on what they feel like at that time. We shall see! In the meantime, I leave you with a terrible joke so lame that I couldn't resist the opportunity to post it here.
What do you call nuts on the wall?
Walnuts
What do you call nuts on a chest?
Chestnuts.
What do you call nuts on a chin?
A blow job.
What do you call nuts on the wall?
Walnuts
What do you call nuts on a chest?
Chestnuts.
What do you call nuts on a chin?
A blow job.
01 July 2008
Hey! The internet's back! Woohoo!
So, Darren and I had a heart-to-heart this afternoon while my cajun-parmesan-chicken-alfredo-pasta concoction made the journey from done to I-hope-you-like-it-black done. He helped me come up with a budget using my current paycheck to figure out what I can afford. As my mom and I concluded earlier, that's not much. After figuring in the necessities, I'm already in the red. But - that's if I have to pay bookoodles of money on car insurance. I got a quote from Progressive when I was in school and they said I'd have to pay in the neighborhood of $350/month for car insurance. Ouch. Really, ouch. Just take my firstborn while you're at it! I figure it's so high because I have only been driving, to date, for almost four months. I think I'm a so-so driver, but I can totally understand why an insurance company would charge so much for a beginning driver. But try telling that to my bottom line! From what Darren tells me, though, Geico gives huge discounts to Navy Federal Credit Union Members (thanks, Mom and Dad!), and has beginning-driver plans. Still, I am cursing myself for being so stubborn about driving. I'm a stubborn person, and if something scares me (like driving used to) I ain't budging, or if I do, it will be on my own damn time, not yours! Anyway, if that becomes a more reasonable figure, then I might (might) be able to scrape by.
Darren and Kim said that they would not kick me out, and that there was no major rush for me to move out, but at the same time...they've not had the place to themselves since April, and if it's baby-making time... This is the part when Darren said I might get embarrassed. Silly Darren. Sex does not embarrass me. I think sex is a beautiful thing (when done right, of course), and that it should be celebrated (at an appropriate time and place), and it isn't anything to get (majorly) embarrased over. But I think both of them would be embarrassed to get jiggy with it if I was in the house. Kim said she just doesn't want me to hear anything, and I am totally down with that. I said that if need be, I can be told to get out for an hour ... or four, if necessary. I've done similar things when I was in school and I was cool with it (although not with my sister and her boyfriend! Hell would have to freeze over first!). Sorry, Kim, if you're reading this!
Anyway, my to-do list just keeps growing and growing. Get auto insurance. Transfer my license from NC to SC. Buy a car. Find an apartment. Move. Keep to a budget. Actually, when written out like that, the list doesn't seem so long! Maybe when I get my own place, I'll get a pet. Ideally, I'd love to get a dog, a big one - a lab or lab-retriever mutt-mix type thing - but it wouldn't be fair to coop a big dog like that in an apartment all day, so I'll settle for a cat. Little dogs are cute, but they are not for me. I'm a dog person, but cat's are loving in their own way. But that's neither here nor there right now, except that I'd look for an apartment that allows pets. Maybe Mom and Dad would let me take Zeus! Zeus is always happy to see me! If I trained him up, he'd make a good dog. He's got the love of ten-plus dogs, it's only that he likes to chew on things, namely my arm, that detracts from his obvious appeal.
So, Darren and I had a heart-to-heart this afternoon while my cajun-parmesan-chicken-alfredo-pasta concoction made the journey from done to I-hope-you-like-it-black done. He helped me come up with a budget using my current paycheck to figure out what I can afford. As my mom and I concluded earlier, that's not much. After figuring in the necessities, I'm already in the red. But - that's if I have to pay bookoodles of money on car insurance. I got a quote from Progressive when I was in school and they said I'd have to pay in the neighborhood of $350/month for car insurance. Ouch. Really, ouch. Just take my firstborn while you're at it! I figure it's so high because I have only been driving, to date, for almost four months. I think I'm a so-so driver, but I can totally understand why an insurance company would charge so much for a beginning driver. But try telling that to my bottom line! From what Darren tells me, though, Geico gives huge discounts to Navy Federal Credit Union Members (thanks, Mom and Dad!), and has beginning-driver plans. Still, I am cursing myself for being so stubborn about driving. I'm a stubborn person, and if something scares me (like driving used to) I ain't budging, or if I do, it will be on my own damn time, not yours! Anyway, if that becomes a more reasonable figure, then I might (might) be able to scrape by.
Darren and Kim said that they would not kick me out, and that there was no major rush for me to move out, but at the same time...they've not had the place to themselves since April, and if it's baby-making time... This is the part when Darren said I might get embarrassed. Silly Darren. Sex does not embarrass me. I think sex is a beautiful thing (when done right, of course), and that it should be celebrated (at an appropriate time and place), and it isn't anything to get (majorly) embarrased over. But I think both of them would be embarrassed to get jiggy with it if I was in the house. Kim said she just doesn't want me to hear anything, and I am totally down with that. I said that if need be, I can be told to get out for an hour ... or four, if necessary. I've done similar things when I was in school and I was cool with it (although not with my sister and her boyfriend! Hell would have to freeze over first!). Sorry, Kim, if you're reading this!
Anyway, my to-do list just keeps growing and growing. Get auto insurance. Transfer my license from NC to SC. Buy a car. Find an apartment. Move. Keep to a budget. Actually, when written out like that, the list doesn't seem so long! Maybe when I get my own place, I'll get a pet. Ideally, I'd love to get a dog, a big one - a lab or lab-retriever mutt-mix type thing - but it wouldn't be fair to coop a big dog like that in an apartment all day, so I'll settle for a cat. Little dogs are cute, but they are not for me. I'm a dog person, but cat's are loving in their own way. But that's neither here nor there right now, except that I'd look for an apartment that allows pets. Maybe Mom and Dad would let me take Zeus! Zeus is always happy to see me! If I trained him up, he'd make a good dog. He's got the love of ten-plus dogs, it's only that he likes to chew on things, namely my arm, that detracts from his obvious appeal.
Thought for today. Do...
Thought for today. Do not put card board boxes in the muzzle furnace. They will become nothing but ash, and then you will have to clean it up. This is the mistake I have made earlier this week, and I've already screwed up enough times at work. So, I'm glad that work week is half way over. I don't have internet, which is why I'm talking to you from Jott. Talk to you later. listen
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