Got up with Travis this morning, he needs a new alarm clock I think. His acts weird, doesn't go off, or it is too easy for him to snooze so he's sleeping through the alarm to begin with.
I put the oven through a self cleaning cycle since I had plenty of time today, I always worry that the oven will need major cleaning after that incineration. It immediately filled the house up with smoke. I opened up all the doors and brought the tornado fan up from the basement. It got pretty chilly in the house, except for the kitchen, where the oven had this nice bright red glow. 3 hours later, it was done. The oven still needed to cool down some, but after another hour, the door unlocked itself. I wiped down the ashes and cleaned the door up. Wow. Damned thing looks nearly brand new. And we can now see in the window.
Made stew in the crock pot today. Travis thinks I put in too many potatoes, but that means I have breakfast! Fried stewed potato! Mmmm. I think the boys liked the stew a lot, since there was almost none left.
I spent the rest of the day cleaning up little things, I have a few big things to straighten up before I leave next week. I will be flying out on Wednesday night, provided Mt. Redoubt doesn't erupt and disrupt my plans.
Next step, packing!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Unemployment, Day 15
Lazy day. I slept in some, although Beau needed out so I couldn't lounge around forever.
I mostly just played XBox games and flipped through tv. Travis had to go to a school appointment.
We went to dinner at El Tapetio, which is very close to the house, a local Mexican chain. They apparently charge for refills on their bowls of chips, as well as now charging for refills on glasses of soda. Now, I realize that the economy is shaky, and that some eateries are probably struggling to survive. But, really? Charging me $1.95 for a glass of soda is already very heavily marked up. I just spent 26 bucks on dinner for the two of us. It would have bankrupted you to give me a refill on that soda?
It wouldn't bother me had it been their policy, but they had given refills free before. Same with the chips. So it apparently is an arbitrary policy. Was this a small way to attempt raising the rest of their prices? Come on. I'd rather you raised your prices a little bit rather than lamely apply a policy. Also, I'm pretty sure if I went to another outlet of the chain that I wouldn't pay for the refills. Time to fall back to other places to eat.
Back at home we watched some tv, and played some more XBox.
I guess I am in recovery mode from vacation. :)
I mostly just played XBox games and flipped through tv. Travis had to go to a school appointment.
We went to dinner at El Tapetio, which is very close to the house, a local Mexican chain. They apparently charge for refills on their bowls of chips, as well as now charging for refills on glasses of soda. Now, I realize that the economy is shaky, and that some eateries are probably struggling to survive. But, really? Charging me $1.95 for a glass of soda is already very heavily marked up. I just spent 26 bucks on dinner for the two of us. It would have bankrupted you to give me a refill on that soda?
It wouldn't bother me had it been their policy, but they had given refills free before. Same with the chips. So it apparently is an arbitrary policy. Was this a small way to attempt raising the rest of their prices? Come on. I'd rather you raised your prices a little bit rather than lamely apply a policy. Also, I'm pretty sure if I went to another outlet of the chain that I wouldn't pay for the refills. Time to fall back to other places to eat.
Back at home we watched some tv, and played some more XBox.
I guess I am in recovery mode from vacation. :)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Unemployment, Day 13 & 14
Wednesday was a low key day. It was off an on nice and rainy, sunny, windy, nice, and rainy. Repeat.
Travis and I spent a lazy morning in the hotel, even though I still have to take Beau out to pee constantly.
(He seems to think he needs out all the time....)
We had brunch at Pig'N'Pancake, which is kind of a tradition for us when we are on vacation.
They were playing this odd assortment of homogenized music, muzak version of Abba, odd Miller Sisters style covers of The Mamas and the Papas. Surreal to say the least. The food was decent.
Since we were trying to save wear and tear on the vehicle, we kept our touristing down to a low key level today. We made it to the Yaquina Bay light house, which wasn't far at all from our hotel. The light house was only in use for 3 years, and was replaced with the Yaquina Head light house, which we saw on Tuesday. The lens housing and light apparatus were built into the top of what looked to be a normal house. It is the oldest building in Newport. It wasn't very practical to the ships in the water because the light couldn't be easily seen around the coastline. Pretty cool though, still.
We skipped lunch, Travis ate some cheese and meat we brought with us, while I did crossword puzzles out of the paper and the Wonderword, and Jumble. We headed out for dinner. Originally we hoped to go to the original Mo's, however they were packed, not very big, and we didn't feel like waiting. We walked over to the Rogue Public House, home of Rogue Brewery. Travis got a beer, but it was a tad too bitter for him. Dinner was good, although not as good as our other experiences out in Newport. The service wasn't that great, but passable.
We finished off the evening by filling the spa tub in our hotel living room and lunging about in the scalding water for an hour or so.
This morning, we finished packing everything up, and hit the road. We were on our way by 7 AM. I managed to figure out how to trick the transfer case to staying locked in. (Without too many incriminating details, I'll probably need new brakes too...). We only had one single incident of the horrible grinding. It was actually a beautiful drive, crisp, cold, foggy in spots, the sun shone across the valley. We made good time, and stopped in Salem at Shari's (like Denny's but better food).
We finally made it home, and unpacked the truck. I'll probably take a few days to finish all the unpacking, but it feels good to be home again. Been sitting around vegetating the rest of the morning and afternoon. Lazy evening planned.
Travis and I spent a lazy morning in the hotel, even though I still have to take Beau out to pee constantly.
(He seems to think he needs out all the time....)
We had brunch at Pig'N'Pancake, which is kind of a tradition for us when we are on vacation.
They were playing this odd assortment of homogenized music, muzak version of Abba, odd Miller Sisters style covers of The Mamas and the Papas. Surreal to say the least. The food was decent.
Since we were trying to save wear and tear on the vehicle, we kept our touristing down to a low key level today. We made it to the Yaquina Bay light house, which wasn't far at all from our hotel. The light house was only in use for 3 years, and was replaced with the Yaquina Head light house, which we saw on Tuesday. The lens housing and light apparatus were built into the top of what looked to be a normal house. It is the oldest building in Newport. It wasn't very practical to the ships in the water because the light couldn't be easily seen around the coastline. Pretty cool though, still.
We skipped lunch, Travis ate some cheese and meat we brought with us, while I did crossword puzzles out of the paper and the Wonderword, and Jumble. We headed out for dinner. Originally we hoped to go to the original Mo's, however they were packed, not very big, and we didn't feel like waiting. We walked over to the Rogue Public House, home of Rogue Brewery. Travis got a beer, but it was a tad too bitter for him. Dinner was good, although not as good as our other experiences out in Newport. The service wasn't that great, but passable.
We finished off the evening by filling the spa tub in our hotel living room and lunging about in the scalding water for an hour or so.
This morning, we finished packing everything up, and hit the road. We were on our way by 7 AM. I managed to figure out how to trick the transfer case to staying locked in. (Without too many incriminating details, I'll probably need new brakes too...). We only had one single incident of the horrible grinding. It was actually a beautiful drive, crisp, cold, foggy in spots, the sun shone across the valley. We made good time, and stopped in Salem at Shari's (like Denny's but better food).
We finally made it home, and unpacked the truck. I'll probably take a few days to finish all the unpacking, but it feels good to be home again. Been sitting around vegetating the rest of the morning and afternoon. Lazy evening planned.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Unemployment, Day 12
It started out as a very beautiful morning in Newport. I got up and walked the dog a bit down the beach some. I have to admit that having the beach nearly right out your patio door is pretty cool. The bad part is being around all the other dog owners that don't seem to feel that they should clean up after their own dogs. Worse yet, why is it always the hippie mid-life crisis pot smoking guys who feel their dog is an angelic example of divinity and refuse to use a leash.
We drove up to the Yaquina Head lighthouse. It was pretty windy up there, but we walked around the National Park area, and then went inside to see if we could walk up to the top of the light house. There was a caretaker on duty, and quite a line of people waiting. We did decide to get in queue, and wait to go up top. Travis was right in front of two women who seemed to yammer on and on and on. I luckily was out of earshot. It was quite a trek up to the top of the tower. The light house is still used and is still in working order. They have long since converted the lard / kerosene wick burning flame with 1000 watt light bulb. 1000 watts. Two bulbs. Only one is used, the second is a backup. Should one burn out, they both get replaced. It was pretty cool to see it up close. Amazing.
Lunch was at a quite unremarkable 'Diner', greasy spoon. Wow. Food was ok, service was lousy, and the place was..... not up to the usual par of my dining tastes. I spotted it at the last minute, and picked it because it was along our route back to the hotel. Probably the only reason the place stays in business is because it is along highway 101. If someone had to drive any distance to go there, I'm not sure that they would. So unremarkable, I can't remember the name.
Took the truck in to AAMCO. The good news is that my transmission is fine. The bad news is that my transfer case is bad. Cheaper fix, but just as devastating if we have a failure. No transfer case = no go nowhere. Travis keeps reminding me that we can get towed once we get into the magic 100 mile zone of his AAA coverage. I don't relish having to have a tow though. Something stubborn in me wants to make it. The guys as AAMCO did say that they didn't think I was going to do any real damage that wasn't already done by driving it back to Portland. The malady is common enough that parts are common, and he is actually out of stock. Everyone in the near vicinity is out of stock as well. He could get the parts, but it would take him a few days to a few weeks. I can't afford to stick around in Newport for 2 more weeks, as attractive an option as that might be. :)
Dinner was at Georgie's, which is attached to our hotel. At the Hallmark Inn - Canon Beach, the affiliated eater was Dooger's, and I wasn't all that impressed by them. Georgie's was pretty impressive. Great view, good service, and excellent food. The food was lacking a bit of spice, they seemed to miss that garlic should be used in many applications. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.
Travis drank wine and I drank some sparkling wine while we watched Pulp Fiction on his laptop, which he'd never seen.
Hope that it isn't raining all Wednesday!
We drove up to the Yaquina Head lighthouse. It was pretty windy up there, but we walked around the National Park area, and then went inside to see if we could walk up to the top of the light house. There was a caretaker on duty, and quite a line of people waiting. We did decide to get in queue, and wait to go up top. Travis was right in front of two women who seemed to yammer on and on and on. I luckily was out of earshot. It was quite a trek up to the top of the tower. The light house is still used and is still in working order. They have long since converted the lard / kerosene wick burning flame with 1000 watt light bulb. 1000 watts. Two bulbs. Only one is used, the second is a backup. Should one burn out, they both get replaced. It was pretty cool to see it up close. Amazing.
Lunch was at a quite unremarkable 'Diner', greasy spoon. Wow. Food was ok, service was lousy, and the place was..... not up to the usual par of my dining tastes. I spotted it at the last minute, and picked it because it was along our route back to the hotel. Probably the only reason the place stays in business is because it is along highway 101. If someone had to drive any distance to go there, I'm not sure that they would. So unremarkable, I can't remember the name.
Took the truck in to AAMCO. The good news is that my transmission is fine. The bad news is that my transfer case is bad. Cheaper fix, but just as devastating if we have a failure. No transfer case = no go nowhere. Travis keeps reminding me that we can get towed once we get into the magic 100 mile zone of his AAA coverage. I don't relish having to have a tow though. Something stubborn in me wants to make it. The guys as AAMCO did say that they didn't think I was going to do any real damage that wasn't already done by driving it back to Portland. The malady is common enough that parts are common, and he is actually out of stock. Everyone in the near vicinity is out of stock as well. He could get the parts, but it would take him a few days to a few weeks. I can't afford to stick around in Newport for 2 more weeks, as attractive an option as that might be. :)
Dinner was at Georgie's, which is attached to our hotel. At the Hallmark Inn - Canon Beach, the affiliated eater was Dooger's, and I wasn't all that impressed by them. Georgie's was pretty impressive. Great view, good service, and excellent food. The food was lacking a bit of spice, they seemed to miss that garlic should be used in many applications. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.
Travis drank wine and I drank some sparkling wine while we watched Pulp Fiction on his laptop, which he'd never seen.
Hope that it isn't raining all Wednesday!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Unemployment, Day 11
Spring break! Travis and I drove down to Newport, and are staying until Thursday. We have packed up the car with lots of crackers, cheeses, wines, candy, cookies, junk, and the dog. The truck was PACKED full. The weather on the drive down has been windy, and wet, and at times downpouring. The hotel we are staying at isn't as nice as the one in Canon Beach, but this time we are traveling with the dog, so that may be part of the difference. We have a ground floor unit which the patio door opens directly on the the bluffs of the beach. The bad news is that the little brat children upstairs are practicing their dance routines constantly.
The transmission started acting up a big on one of the big hills, so I guess that is karma for me buying a big expensive TV set. I'll take it in to a local AAMCO transmission service to see if they can at least patch it enough for the trip back to Portland. I don't relish a tow back.
It is nice to be on vacation though. Out of the house, out of the city, and completely unknown in a little town.
I do have to take the dog out on a leash constantly. At least I have nice baby powder scented dog crap baggies. Woohoo!
The transmission started acting up a big on one of the big hills, so I guess that is karma for me buying a big expensive TV set. I'll take it in to a local AAMCO transmission service to see if they can at least patch it enough for the trip back to Portland. I don't relish a tow back.
It is nice to be on vacation though. Out of the house, out of the city, and completely unknown in a little town.
I do have to take the dog out on a leash constantly. At least I have nice baby powder scented dog crap baggies. Woohoo!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Unemployment, Day 10
Went down to the office to retrieve my bonus check for 2008. It was odd having to be signed in at the office as a 'guest'.
Everyone was really excited to see me, and I spent over an hour being bandied about while people hugged me and took pictures with me, and some people decided that touching my beard was ok, since it just looked too irresistible. My former boss tried to hold my check hostage in lieu of a question about my job. Hah. I don't work for you anymore! Nice try!
Went to WaMu to deposit my check, which of course got scrutinized because of the amount. Had to have a supervisor approve the check, even though the only thing I was doing was having it deposited into my account, I wasn't taking any cash proceeds from it, nor was I cashing out anything else. Go figure.
I was able to pay off two of my three student loans with the net portion of my bonus, and I even had a little bit left over. Which was good. Because I planned on making a purchase with it, which I did.
I applied for a few jobs online at Regence / Blue Cross / Blue Shield, and then applied for my weeks worth of Unemployment.
Travis and I met Mom and Dad at PDX (Airport) for their 5 hour layover, they are returning to Alaska after a few weeks vacation in Palm Springs. I had offered to meet them at Stanford's in the airport, but they wanted to get out of the airport, and kill some time. We ended up going to Gustav's for dinner, since it wasn't that far away from the airport, and I know they have good food.
(And it has a full bar, which my mother demanded) Dinner was sooooooo good. Couple of Midori Sours, cheese and sausage fondue, nice chicken schnitzel. This makes for a happy bear. Travis ordered corned beef and cabbage, since I won't really make it at home since he's the only one who would eat it. My mother got a nice turkey dinner, and dad got a pot pie, topped with mashed potato. (Really more like shepherds pie, and it looks puny in comparison to our meals although I don't think it was since Dad couldn't finish all of it.)
Took them back to the airport so that they could catch their flight, and then Travis and I met Derek and his friend at Freds, where I bought myself a 46 inch LCD HDTV. (Samsung for those at home following along). Derek was nice enough to take the TV home for me.
I had been debating a new TV purchase for some time after the last TV decided it was going to fritz out and explode. I need a new DVD player with upconverter and I'll invest in a combo DVD and surround sound system. That will wait a week or so, I think. Right now the TV, which is actually compact compared to a tube tv, is sitting on our dining table. The only thing hooked up to it is the XBox360. The picture is just amazing. I'm sure I'll be wasting even more time on it now!
Everyone was really excited to see me, and I spent over an hour being bandied about while people hugged me and took pictures with me, and some people decided that touching my beard was ok, since it just looked too irresistible. My former boss tried to hold my check hostage in lieu of a question about my job. Hah. I don't work for you anymore! Nice try!
Went to WaMu to deposit my check, which of course got scrutinized because of the amount. Had to have a supervisor approve the check, even though the only thing I was doing was having it deposited into my account, I wasn't taking any cash proceeds from it, nor was I cashing out anything else. Go figure.
I was able to pay off two of my three student loans with the net portion of my bonus, and I even had a little bit left over. Which was good. Because I planned on making a purchase with it, which I did.
I applied for a few jobs online at Regence / Blue Cross / Blue Shield, and then applied for my weeks worth of Unemployment.
Travis and I met Mom and Dad at PDX (Airport) for their 5 hour layover, they are returning to Alaska after a few weeks vacation in Palm Springs. I had offered to meet them at Stanford's in the airport, but they wanted to get out of the airport, and kill some time. We ended up going to Gustav's for dinner, since it wasn't that far away from the airport, and I know they have good food.
(And it has a full bar, which my mother demanded) Dinner was sooooooo good. Couple of Midori Sours, cheese and sausage fondue, nice chicken schnitzel. This makes for a happy bear. Travis ordered corned beef and cabbage, since I won't really make it at home since he's the only one who would eat it. My mother got a nice turkey dinner, and dad got a pot pie, topped with mashed potato. (Really more like shepherds pie, and it looks puny in comparison to our meals although I don't think it was since Dad couldn't finish all of it.)
Took them back to the airport so that they could catch their flight, and then Travis and I met Derek and his friend at Freds, where I bought myself a 46 inch LCD HDTV. (Samsung for those at home following along). Derek was nice enough to take the TV home for me.
I had been debating a new TV purchase for some time after the last TV decided it was going to fritz out and explode. I need a new DVD player with upconverter and I'll invest in a combo DVD and surround sound system. That will wait a week or so, I think. Right now the TV, which is actually compact compared to a tube tv, is sitting on our dining table. The only thing hooked up to it is the XBox360. The picture is just amazing. I'm sure I'll be wasting even more time on it now!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Unemployment, Day 9
Travis had the day off of school, so we decided to run around town and amass a few bits of cheese and a bottle (or 3) of wine to take with us on our Newport adventure. Before that I needed to get the oil changed, and opted to have the qwik-e-lube place flush and fill the radiator. Travis convinced me to go into the CrapDonalds with him, where he bought me a CrapGriddle sandwich for breakfast. Not horrible, but not something I think I'd eat ever again.
Then we made our way to lovely NW Portland to a wine shop that features cheeses. (Steve's Cheese Shop). Got some awesome cheese. Then we made our way to Zupan's and did some more cheese and wine shopping. All in all a pretty good haul.
Derek is having company for the next few days, so Travis and I opted to go out on our own for supper. We agreed on Olive Garden. Don't go there a lot, but they have decent food, and its affordable for an out of work guy like me. Plus, they have unlimited soup and salad. Wow you can fill up on that. As usual, we had a mishap that caused us to repeatedly get skipped over for a table. I tried my best to let the seething hatred and anger that was searing through my soul remain below the surface so as to not cause a huge scene. The wait staff did apologize for the hostess forgetting about it. The service was actually quite fantastic once we got a seat at the table. Food was good too. At the conclusion of the meal, the house manager came to the table to talk to us. The interact was remarkable in the fact that she apologized profusely to us, and said that the staff had just made her aware of the problem. When I suggested that sometimes technology (those stupid pager devices) fails, she said quite plainly that this wasn't technology, and that it was her people who had failed. We told her that we had had exceptional service and that they had done a good job at making us feel better. She told us that she had a gift for us and that we should meet her at the door on our way out. Then another of the waitstaff offered us some wine (after we'd finished our meals). After I had commented that I don't drink reds, he served Travis and I a nice glass of Riesling, one that I actually drink, and cook with. Since we were lollygagging around now, and finishing up our glasses of wine, Lisa (the manager) came back to our table and presented us with a $40 gift certificate. So, for all the aggravation, we have a free meal for us next time we want to go. I don't know if a lot of managers would have gone that far, but she did make us feel a lot better about our experience. Bribes work, we'll go back again.
Then we made our way to lovely NW Portland to a wine shop that features cheeses. (Steve's Cheese Shop). Got some awesome cheese. Then we made our way to Zupan's and did some more cheese and wine shopping. All in all a pretty good haul.
Derek is having company for the next few days, so Travis and I opted to go out on our own for supper. We agreed on Olive Garden. Don't go there a lot, but they have decent food, and its affordable for an out of work guy like me. Plus, they have unlimited soup and salad. Wow you can fill up on that. As usual, we had a mishap that caused us to repeatedly get skipped over for a table. I tried my best to let the seething hatred and anger that was searing through my soul remain below the surface so as to not cause a huge scene. The wait staff did apologize for the hostess forgetting about it. The service was actually quite fantastic once we got a seat at the table. Food was good too. At the conclusion of the meal, the house manager came to the table to talk to us. The interact was remarkable in the fact that she apologized profusely to us, and said that the staff had just made her aware of the problem. When I suggested that sometimes technology (those stupid pager devices) fails, she said quite plainly that this wasn't technology, and that it was her people who had failed. We told her that we had had exceptional service and that they had done a good job at making us feel better. She told us that she had a gift for us and that we should meet her at the door on our way out. Then another of the waitstaff offered us some wine (after we'd finished our meals). After I had commented that I don't drink reds, he served Travis and I a nice glass of Riesling, one that I actually drink, and cook with. Since we were lollygagging around now, and finishing up our glasses of wine, Lisa (the manager) came back to our table and presented us with a $40 gift certificate. So, for all the aggravation, we have a free meal for us next time we want to go. I don't know if a lot of managers would have gone that far, but she did make us feel a lot better about our experience. Bribes work, we'll go back again.
Unemployment, Day 8
More laundry today, just call me Mr. Excitement. Decided that the bed linens needed changing, and that mattress needed rotating.
Did some more house cleaning up, and it was very sunny and nice outside, it was nearly 60. Spent 2 hours detailing the inside of my SUV. I will eventually take it to the car wash. Windex, upholstery cleaner, lemon verbena Mrs. Meyer cleaning agent, and febreeze. It smells like a schizophrenic orchard of some form.
Beau's doggie ramp showed up today as well, so we were making him walk up and down in a few times. He's not very sure of the ramp yet, but it beats me trying to have to pick him up to put him in the back. That was going to hurt one or both of us in the long run, I'm just not meant to sling 90 lbs of dog around.
We leave for Newport on Monday morning.
Woohoo!
Did some more house cleaning up, and it was very sunny and nice outside, it was nearly 60. Spent 2 hours detailing the inside of my SUV. I will eventually take it to the car wash. Windex, upholstery cleaner, lemon verbena Mrs. Meyer cleaning agent, and febreeze. It smells like a schizophrenic orchard of some form.
Beau's doggie ramp showed up today as well, so we were making him walk up and down in a few times. He's not very sure of the ramp yet, but it beats me trying to have to pick him up to put him in the back. That was going to hurt one or both of us in the long run, I'm just not meant to sling 90 lbs of dog around.
We leave for Newport on Monday morning.
Woohoo!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Unemployment, Day 7
Slept in a tad today, did some laundry, and had lunch with Jon. Met at a Chinese buffet place. The food was decent, I'm not big on buffet food, but it wasn't too bad. Then we wandered over to OfficeDepot to look for some office supplies. Jon went back home after that, and I then ran some errands.
Dinner and tv, and a quiet night. I feel oddly fatigued today, it may be that I'm just catching up with things.
I have a list of things to get done tomorrow, so I'll likely hit the ground running.
Dinner and tv, and a quiet night. I feel oddly fatigued today, it may be that I'm just catching up with things.
I have a list of things to get done tomorrow, so I'll likely hit the ground running.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Unemployment, Day 6
Travis and Derek and I stayed up way too late last night. We were watching this show, Inside Americas Jails, or some such show. One of the jails is the Multnomah County Jail, in Downtown Portland. That was hilariously entertaining. (Probably not what the show was intending.)
Then, flipping channels, we landed on the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy. That was pretty damned funny. Hosted by Lisa Lampanelli, who Travis and I have tickets to see next month, it was pretty gut busting.
So, this morning came far too early. I actually slept in until about 10 AM. I think that is some kind of record for me.
Puttered around the house some, did some cleaning, organized a few things. Called the office payroll to tell them that they paid me wrong, and they said they will fix it by the next time I get paid. I get to pick up my bonus check on Friday.
I'm a little nervous about that, going back to the scene of the crime, as it were. I miss some of the people, I don't miss others. I'm still kind of angry at the whole lay-off business. It will be good to see the people though.
Friday evening is also dinner with the folks. I'm very much looking forward to that.
I have plans every day this week, really. Most of it revolves around getting ready for Travis and my trip to Newport for next week.
Beau gets to go with us. :)
Then, flipping channels, we landed on the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy. That was pretty damned funny. Hosted by Lisa Lampanelli, who Travis and I have tickets to see next month, it was pretty gut busting.
So, this morning came far too early. I actually slept in until about 10 AM. I think that is some kind of record for me.
Puttered around the house some, did some cleaning, organized a few things. Called the office payroll to tell them that they paid me wrong, and they said they will fix it by the next time I get paid. I get to pick up my bonus check on Friday.
I'm a little nervous about that, going back to the scene of the crime, as it were. I miss some of the people, I don't miss others. I'm still kind of angry at the whole lay-off business. It will be good to see the people though.
Friday evening is also dinner with the folks. I'm very much looking forward to that.
I have plans every day this week, really. Most of it revolves around getting ready for Travis and my trip to Newport for next week.
Beau gets to go with us. :)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Unemployment, Day 5
Friday already. I'm still in vacation mode, me thinks.
DIdn't do much of anything today, slept in, a bit, watched the dog be crazy in the yard, etc.
It was kind of sunny, but also a tad windy, which makes it feel nearly cold.
Ken came over today for a brief visit, he brought his newest dog with him. Cute dog, mutant though. Willy. (Or Willie?)
Last time the dog was in the house, he peed on the couch. He's not really allowed inside anymore.
I met up with some of my former colleagues at a bar at the end of my street. They got off work, and hung out for a few drinks. I had probably more than I needed, so I was definitely feeling little pain. I love happy hour. Plus they have pretty good onion rings.
Everyone else seems to be waiting anxiously and nervously for the ax to fall again. Appears to be much sooner for the rest of them than previously thought. It is too bad, I feel sorry for them.
In a way I feel lucky and liberated to be able to be free of that place.
Travis picked me up from the bar, and we went home. He and Derek then went and got Carls Jr for dinner. I love / hate that place. I know it is bad for me, health wise, but damn it is good food.
The remainder of the night I spent playing on the Xbox.
Now the weekend begins.
Next week will be getting ready for a trip to Newport over spring break.
DIdn't do much of anything today, slept in, a bit, watched the dog be crazy in the yard, etc.
It was kind of sunny, but also a tad windy, which makes it feel nearly cold.
Ken came over today for a brief visit, he brought his newest dog with him. Cute dog, mutant though. Willy. (Or Willie?)
Last time the dog was in the house, he peed on the couch. He's not really allowed inside anymore.
I met up with some of my former colleagues at a bar at the end of my street. They got off work, and hung out for a few drinks. I had probably more than I needed, so I was definitely feeling little pain. I love happy hour. Plus they have pretty good onion rings.
Everyone else seems to be waiting anxiously and nervously for the ax to fall again. Appears to be much sooner for the rest of them than previously thought. It is too bad, I feel sorry for them.
In a way I feel lucky and liberated to be able to be free of that place.
Travis picked me up from the bar, and we went home. He and Derek then went and got Carls Jr for dinner. I love / hate that place. I know it is bad for me, health wise, but damn it is good food.
The remainder of the night I spent playing on the Xbox.
Now the weekend begins.
Next week will be getting ready for a trip to Newport over spring break.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I smell a rat!
Derek and I have had this long running issue with rats in the garage.
Growing up in Alaska, I've never ever in my whole life seen rats.
When I finally saw one, I nearly crapped my pants. Jeez! They are HUGE. As big as cats.
And mean looking, with the long tails and the red eyes. Creepeh!
A few years ago one of them ran in to me as I was opening the garage door. It actually ran away from me as I opened the garage door, it was avoiding my siren wail of my girlie man screaming. I am pretty sure everyone on the block heard me.
Derek said he'd put some poison down to kill it. I chided him. Poison is a bad idea for a few reasons:
A> If the rat eats it and dies, but crawls somewhere the dog can get at, my dog is indeed dumb enough to eat a dead rat. Then I'd have a sick dog, and a nasty dead rat, or remnants thereof.
B> If the rat avoids the poison, the dog might get into it. Then I'd still have a rat, and a sick dog.
C> If the rat eats the poison, but then pulls an Agatha Christie novel plot, it'll crawl just far enough to fall into something of value, and rot, and stink. And then we'll have a dead rat, and a nasty smell, and probably maggots. That is, provided that we could find where it crawled to.
I went and bough those 'glue traps'. We put them down in the garage.
A few days later, that damned thing had drug the trap from one end of the garage to another, after having been stuck to it, and then smeared sawdust all over it, and eventually extricated himself. Derek declared that we had in our garage a 'bionic' rat.
I then re-iterated my disapproval of the poison and opted for traps.
He told me that *I* would have to throw the traps away, rat and all.
*sigh*
Ok, poison it is.
That was 2 years ago, and Derek said the rat was gone for good, he moved on.
Fast forward to a month ago. Another rat moved into the neighborhood! The damned stray and feral cats are not doing a very good job. They are slacking. Derek puts some poison down.
Today, Derek was out in the garage smoking, and cleaning up his things. The garage is pretty much his domain. Travis and I keep clear of it for the most part. Something rotten was in the garage.
It was a rat. The rat. Big ugly nasty rat. Decomposing rat. Poisoned former rat. It had crawled up on the car seat he'd pulled out of his truck. (He put in a racing seat). He had planned to keep the seat to swap it back should he ever sell the car.
I tried not to be overly smug. But it does seem that the rat taught him a lesson. Oozy nasty dead rat guts all over his car seat.
I guess I'll pick up some snap traps tomorrow.
Growing up in Alaska, I've never ever in my whole life seen rats.
When I finally saw one, I nearly crapped my pants. Jeez! They are HUGE. As big as cats.
And mean looking, with the long tails and the red eyes. Creepeh!
A few years ago one of them ran in to me as I was opening the garage door. It actually ran away from me as I opened the garage door, it was avoiding my siren wail of my girlie man screaming. I am pretty sure everyone on the block heard me.
Derek said he'd put some poison down to kill it. I chided him. Poison is a bad idea for a few reasons:
A> If the rat eats it and dies, but crawls somewhere the dog can get at, my dog is indeed dumb enough to eat a dead rat. Then I'd have a sick dog, and a nasty dead rat, or remnants thereof.
B> If the rat avoids the poison, the dog might get into it. Then I'd still have a rat, and a sick dog.
C> If the rat eats the poison, but then pulls an Agatha Christie novel plot, it'll crawl just far enough to fall into something of value, and rot, and stink. And then we'll have a dead rat, and a nasty smell, and probably maggots. That is, provided that we could find where it crawled to.
I went and bough those 'glue traps'. We put them down in the garage.
A few days later, that damned thing had drug the trap from one end of the garage to another, after having been stuck to it, and then smeared sawdust all over it, and eventually extricated himself. Derek declared that we had in our garage a 'bionic' rat.
I then re-iterated my disapproval of the poison and opted for traps.
He told me that *I* would have to throw the traps away, rat and all.
*sigh*
Ok, poison it is.
That was 2 years ago, and Derek said the rat was gone for good, he moved on.
Fast forward to a month ago. Another rat moved into the neighborhood! The damned stray and feral cats are not doing a very good job. They are slacking. Derek puts some poison down.
Today, Derek was out in the garage smoking, and cleaning up his things. The garage is pretty much his domain. Travis and I keep clear of it for the most part. Something rotten was in the garage.
It was a rat. The rat. Big ugly nasty rat. Decomposing rat. Poisoned former rat. It had crawled up on the car seat he'd pulled out of his truck. (He put in a racing seat). He had planned to keep the seat to swap it back should he ever sell the car.
I tried not to be overly smug. But it does seem that the rat taught him a lesson. Oozy nasty dead rat guts all over his car seat.
I guess I'll pick up some snap traps tomorrow.
Unemployment, Day 4
Up at 4:45 AM. Listening to the FM version of the Rick Emerson show, I probably won't continue to do this every day, but I did want to have some kind of routine. I've listened to Rick for over a decade of radio, I believe. It'll be a hard habit to break.
Travis slept in today. I finally roused him from his slumber by whining. I'm good at whining.
We went to grab lunch at Chevy's. They seated us in 'the bar' area. I must remind myself next time, NO SITTING IN THE BAR. Even though Oregon now has no smoking, we had lousy service. This was made worse by the fact that a bunch of big tittied dumb harpy shrill women sat at a table right next to ours, and the bartender made a bee-line for them. Boy did he end up being sorry. 'I want that entree, but we want to split it, but I don't want the lettuce served with it. I know it is what you serve them in, but I just don't want the lettuce'. Jeezus, lady, ignore the lettuce. No one is going to make you eat it. And you are not going to get a discount from having the kitchen leave behind a few pieces of rabbit food. The food didn't seem to agree with me. Oh well, it was edible. I think we'll stick with El Tapatio.
Then we headed to Best Buy. I'm pretty proud of myself, I didn't buy anything from them. Not from my lack of trying, but I just can't decide about my tv. The stock price is creeping up, so I'm hoping it'll reach my sell order. Then, I'm good to go! Travis bought some odd in the ear style headphones. He was very disappointed in them. They were cheap, and apparently for a reason. I can't handle things in my ears like that. (Odd, because I can wear ear plugs without being freaked out... go figure.)
Next was WaMu, which is soon to be Chase. After that, Travis went to get his oil changed, and I played XBox for a while.
Bastards at RockStar games delayed the expansion pack for MidnightClub LA, so I have to wait another week. I played Fable II until Trav got back.
Dinner was steak (out of the freezer), salad (from a bag), and baked potato. I got the skins extra crispy on the taters, but the insides were nice and tender. I didn't even ruin the steak on the BBQ! I'm not very good at grilling, it is just one of the genes I seem to be lacking.
Now I am in food coma, and with a belly ache. It was sooooo good though.
Travis slept in today. I finally roused him from his slumber by whining. I'm good at whining.
We went to grab lunch at Chevy's. They seated us in 'the bar' area. I must remind myself next time, NO SITTING IN THE BAR. Even though Oregon now has no smoking, we had lousy service. This was made worse by the fact that a bunch of big tittied dumb harpy shrill women sat at a table right next to ours, and the bartender made a bee-line for them. Boy did he end up being sorry. 'I want that entree, but we want to split it, but I don't want the lettuce served with it. I know it is what you serve them in, but I just don't want the lettuce'. Jeezus, lady, ignore the lettuce. No one is going to make you eat it. And you are not going to get a discount from having the kitchen leave behind a few pieces of rabbit food. The food didn't seem to agree with me. Oh well, it was edible. I think we'll stick with El Tapatio.
Then we headed to Best Buy. I'm pretty proud of myself, I didn't buy anything from them. Not from my lack of trying, but I just can't decide about my tv. The stock price is creeping up, so I'm hoping it'll reach my sell order. Then, I'm good to go! Travis bought some odd in the ear style headphones. He was very disappointed in them. They were cheap, and apparently for a reason. I can't handle things in my ears like that. (Odd, because I can wear ear plugs without being freaked out... go figure.)
Next was WaMu, which is soon to be Chase. After that, Travis went to get his oil changed, and I played XBox for a while.
Bastards at RockStar games delayed the expansion pack for MidnightClub LA, so I have to wait another week. I played Fable II until Trav got back.
Dinner was steak (out of the freezer), salad (from a bag), and baked potato. I got the skins extra crispy on the taters, but the insides were nice and tender. I didn't even ruin the steak on the BBQ! I'm not very good at grilling, it is just one of the genes I seem to be lacking.
Now I am in food coma, and with a belly ache. It was sooooo good though.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Unemployment, Day 3
Got my eyes checked today. I've been pretty happy with my contact lenses over the past year. The soft lenses I got were so much more comfortable than the rigid gas perms I wore for years. The only downside I find with them is that they have a tendency to roll up since they are so flexible, and they seem to not come as clean. In talking with the eye doctor, he said that some of us just have excess lipid production in our eye systems and that I needed to switch to this new (and of course more expensive) cleanser. It is now sitting on my counter foaming its little heart out. I hope that they will be ok to put into my eyeballs tomorrow morning.
The bastard had to dilate my eyes. Egads I had that. So I tried to go shopping after that, but all I did was freak people into thinking that I was some stoned hippy pot dude who had the munchies. I came home and sat in the dark and listened to the radio for the afternoon until my eyesight was less sensitive to the light.
Dinner was cardboard pizza, and after dinner Travis and I ran down to Freds. I wanted ice cream and to check to see if they had one of the XBox games I'm looking for. All to no avail.
I'm eating the ice cream still.
Probably be an early night, I want to get up early and listen to the new FM version of the Rick Emerson show, one of my long time faves.
The bastard had to dilate my eyes. Egads I had that. So I tried to go shopping after that, but all I did was freak people into thinking that I was some stoned hippy pot dude who had the munchies. I came home and sat in the dark and listened to the radio for the afternoon until my eyesight was less sensitive to the light.
Dinner was cardboard pizza, and after dinner Travis and I ran down to Freds. I wanted ice cream and to check to see if they had one of the XBox games I'm looking for. All to no avail.
I'm eating the ice cream still.
Probably be an early night, I want to get up early and listen to the new FM version of the Rick Emerson show, one of my long time faves.
Unemployment, Day 2
Got up, cleaned up the house a little (kitchen, bathroom, living room). Still more to clean, but I'm pacing myself!
Jon came over for lunch today, it was nice to have some social contact outside the house. I need to stay social, I think, for fear I might end up being a hermit. Lunch was good, made club sandwiches. Boars Head makes some of the best lunch meat... Salsa Turkey. After lunch we hung out, talked about music, avoided talking about my job, or lack thereof. He eventually needed to go home and take care of his dog.
Made some soup in the crock pot for dinner, used some meatballs in the freezer as the 'meat' for them. Kind of an ad-hoc meatball soup. I think it came out pretty good.
Played some XBox games. Going to suffer withdrawal once I am in Alaska, methinks.
Bought my plane ticket for Alaska.
Next big event, spring break in Newport with Travis. I'm looking forward to that.
Jon came over for lunch today, it was nice to have some social contact outside the house. I need to stay social, I think, for fear I might end up being a hermit. Lunch was good, made club sandwiches. Boars Head makes some of the best lunch meat... Salsa Turkey. After lunch we hung out, talked about music, avoided talking about my job, or lack thereof. He eventually needed to go home and take care of his dog.
Made some soup in the crock pot for dinner, used some meatballs in the freezer as the 'meat' for them. Kind of an ad-hoc meatball soup. I think it came out pretty good.
Played some XBox games. Going to suffer withdrawal once I am in Alaska, methinks.
Bought my plane ticket for Alaska.
Next big event, spring break in Newport with Travis. I'm looking forward to that.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Unemployment, Day 1
Had lunch with Laurie today. Went to Hawthorne Fish House. Good food. It was good to see her, and good to get out of the house. It has been snowing and hailing most of the day. Took her to the Hawthorne Fred Meyer remodel. One pretty sweet looking store, and it isn't even done yet. In store made potato chips are the best thing ever.
Bought new computer speakers today, my old Harmon Kardon sound sticks stopped working in the right channel. I thought I was going deaf, turns out something is wrong with the speakers. Phew! The new Logitech THX speakers are pretty sweet. I'm going to have to hide the power cord when I leave though, or else I think Derek will attempt to annoy the neighbors with it.
Had to clean out under my desk to move the wires and cables for the new speakers. I apparently disturbed a nest of spiders, little tiny baby ones. I had a mini panic attack over it, and luckily Derek was nice enough to nuke them with some spider kill spray.
Driving back tonight, though, I thought that I needed to get home and get my stuff ready for work tomorrow.
HAH!
Wow, what a habit. I'm programmed.
Watched Heroes on the couch with Travis, who was mostly fretting over his computer.
Not sure I like the new direction of the show, time will tell.
More tomorrow, if anything becomes of note.
Bought new computer speakers today, my old Harmon Kardon sound sticks stopped working in the right channel. I thought I was going deaf, turns out something is wrong with the speakers. Phew! The new Logitech THX speakers are pretty sweet. I'm going to have to hide the power cord when I leave though, or else I think Derek will attempt to annoy the neighbors with it.
Had to clean out under my desk to move the wires and cables for the new speakers. I apparently disturbed a nest of spiders, little tiny baby ones. I had a mini panic attack over it, and luckily Derek was nice enough to nuke them with some spider kill spray.
Driving back tonight, though, I thought that I needed to get home and get my stuff ready for work tomorrow.
HAH!
Wow, what a habit. I'm programmed.
Watched Heroes on the couch with Travis, who was mostly fretting over his computer.
Not sure I like the new direction of the show, time will tell.
More tomorrow, if anything becomes of note.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics
I am now officially a statistic.
(At least I didn't say 'literally'.)
Friday March 6 was my last day of work, the company has decided to 'eliminate my position'.
While I would never say anything bad (since that would jeopardize my severance package), I find it amusing to say the least that the company felt 'I didn't have enough work to keep me busy'.
No one ever came to find out what I was working on, nor what I was doing, so it does make me wonder how they arrived at this logic.
I am a wash of emotions.
I was actually pretty good with things, even through Friday afternoon when I got hauled into a conference room and everyone was saying how good a job I had done, and how much they respected me, and so on. I guess I need to remind myself that they were doing that more for them, than for me. It was like attending my own funeral, in a way. It is a way for the remaining people to grieve and to heal.
I'm pretty angry though. I do plan to make my anger productive.
I'm not bitter, and I'm not wallowing, but I confess to feeling a depression. Or maybe I'm suffering withdrawal. I had the habit of going into the office each day. Maybe I need a patch, or some gum.
I know that I have a very marketable skill, having been certified and licensed in Oregon as a Pharm Tech, it will be a pay cut, to be sure, but that doesn't really worry me. I worked for much less when I moved from Alaska.
It is hard to think that I don't have to get up for work tomorrow.
I have managed to create things to do all week, so I'll have to leave the house pretty much every day.
Longer term, Travis and I are still going to go on our spring break vacation. I should probably be a little more responsible, but this may be the last vacation he and I get to go on together for some time.
I have to sell all of my stock in the near future, or I lose the options, no longer being an employee. I'll probably use that money to buy a new tv, just because I want a tangible physical reminder of positivity. (And because my old tv is..... not so good.)
I'm going to go to Alaska for most of April, coming back in early May. That will give me family time. I wish Travis could come with me, but school comes first. I'll leave Beau with Travis and Derek, since I think he's probably better off without having to worry about being kenneled, or eaten by bears. It will be weird to be alone for that month. But in a way, it might be a good thing. It will hopefully make me appreciate better those that I have left behind.
Since I will likely have wealth of free time on my hands, I will try to be more pro active in creating posts. It is a habit I got out of.
More later..... :)
(At least I didn't say 'literally'.)
Friday March 6 was my last day of work, the company has decided to 'eliminate my position'.
While I would never say anything bad (since that would jeopardize my severance package), I find it amusing to say the least that the company felt 'I didn't have enough work to keep me busy'.
No one ever came to find out what I was working on, nor what I was doing, so it does make me wonder how they arrived at this logic.
I am a wash of emotions.
I was actually pretty good with things, even through Friday afternoon when I got hauled into a conference room and everyone was saying how good a job I had done, and how much they respected me, and so on. I guess I need to remind myself that they were doing that more for them, than for me. It was like attending my own funeral, in a way. It is a way for the remaining people to grieve and to heal.
I'm pretty angry though. I do plan to make my anger productive.
I'm not bitter, and I'm not wallowing, but I confess to feeling a depression. Or maybe I'm suffering withdrawal. I had the habit of going into the office each day. Maybe I need a patch, or some gum.
I know that I have a very marketable skill, having been certified and licensed in Oregon as a Pharm Tech, it will be a pay cut, to be sure, but that doesn't really worry me. I worked for much less when I moved from Alaska.
It is hard to think that I don't have to get up for work tomorrow.
I have managed to create things to do all week, so I'll have to leave the house pretty much every day.
Longer term, Travis and I are still going to go on our spring break vacation. I should probably be a little more responsible, but this may be the last vacation he and I get to go on together for some time.
I have to sell all of my stock in the near future, or I lose the options, no longer being an employee. I'll probably use that money to buy a new tv, just because I want a tangible physical reminder of positivity. (And because my old tv is..... not so good.)
I'm going to go to Alaska for most of April, coming back in early May. That will give me family time. I wish Travis could come with me, but school comes first. I'll leave Beau with Travis and Derek, since I think he's probably better off without having to worry about being kenneled, or eaten by bears. It will be weird to be alone for that month. But in a way, it might be a good thing. It will hopefully make me appreciate better those that I have left behind.
Since I will likely have wealth of free time on my hands, I will try to be more pro active in creating posts. It is a habit I got out of.
More later..... :)
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