Sprung

Of late, stress has been hammering me like a...well, a carpenter's nail. My dissatisfaction at work has reached an all time high, so much so that I have submitted my resume and interviewed at another location. As you'll remember from previous posts, I received an offer and ultimately turned down a new position.

After a couple more days of contemplation and in desperation, I called the company back and asked to be reconsidered. I haven't heard back yet as the manager is out of the office until Friday. But, I have learned from my inside source that the position I was offered as well as an additional position has been filled. My only hope is that the second position's candidate will not pass the background check, which has happened before according to my source. Naturally, the manager will also have to not deem me a wishy washy kook. I'm not expecting a miracle, but there's always hope.

In the meantime, I have found a similar position at another, higher ranked company and have applied as of this morning. I have driven Ragged nuts the past couple of weeks during all this hashing and rehashing and analyzing and reanalyzing and it has yet to come to an end. I feel a little more stable today than I was then and hopefully Ragged feels better too.

In addition to these overall positive developments, I have come up with a strategy at my current job to lighten my workload. It is a plan that will take place over the next 3 weeks and should cut my work stress by at least 25%. In the end, I'm feeling alot more positive, like I can handle whatever happens. The weather has taken a turn for the better as well. I'm sitting here now at lunch with the windows open. It just feels nice for there to be changes and possibilities.

Just Pick One or Three

There wasn't much to like in tonight's episode of American Idol. Even Chris and Katharine didn't ring my bell tonight like usual. There was plenty of suckage. Let's just take 3 people out and save some time. Pick 3 any 3. I mean, none of these folks have a rat's chance anyway.

I Got Your Spring Break

For those who don't know, I am taking a real estate class on Monday nights at our local community college. Last week was Spring Break...or so I thought. The last time I had the class, we specifically discussed that last week was Spring Break. It was even listed in the syllabus. So, I enjoyed a day off last week. Tonight, I went to my class, sat there for 20 minutes and no one showed up. I thought the class had been cancelled or our instructor had told us we were meeting at another location and I missed the announcement somehow. Neither was the case.

So, I called my instructor at home and he said that this week was Spring Break and he had tried to call me, but my phone number wasn't in the phone book. Of course, I didn't scream and rant and rave while I was on the phone with him, but I certainly wanted to. I mean, did I not fill out 18 forms at registration with my phone number on it? Does he not have access to that information and couldn't he have collected our contact information at the beginning of the class like a normal instructor. Needless to say I was livid and I called Ragged at her knitting group, throwing a tantrum that would have made any 2 year old proud.

It felt as if the instructor was too lazy to try and contact me. I hate missing a class. I'm probably the only student who hates missing a class, but if I'm going to eventually sell real estate I need to know the information to pass the licensing exam. This was the cap of an overall crap-laden day. I'll spare you the trials and tribulations of 8am to 5pm.

Pocket Pool Anyone?

Not even Chinese wisdom can escape the rumination of a dirty mind.

Delusional

Well, since I've turned down the job, I've started having regrets. I feel like I should have taken a chance and accepted the position. In an attempt to make myself feel better about the whole thing or purely out of mental instability, I've convinced myself that this company is going to call me tomorrow and offer me a salary I can't resist. Ragged has assured me this isn't going to happen, but I'm not so sure. I have a feeling that they will. I planted a seed of hope in the manager and with my friend who works there that if offered more money I would take the position. They are having difficulty filling the position and what's a few more thousand dollars. I'm worth it!

Update

I turned down the job. I'm kind of upset about it because I want out of my current job and this position was a good opportunity. In the end, I couldn't justify the financial side of it. I have a pretty good retirement plan now which will allow me to retire in about 14 years. It's difficult to give that up to, in essence, start over.

Crossroad

Changing jobs is perhaps one of the hardest things to do. I'm not talking about when you're a teen or even in your early 20s, I'm talking about a change that has real effect on your future, for instance retirement and overall happiness. I've been offered the recent position I interviewed for and now I'm debating whether or not to accept it. I've tried to get everybody to make the decision for me including Ragged and my co-workers at my present job, but ultimately it's I who will suffer the consequences or enjoy the spoils. So, I have to make the decision alone. I've gone so far as to look for signs in everyday life to point me in the right direction, something I don't think I've ever done. Nothing so far. Tomorrow I have to call and tell them my salary demands and my final decision. I'm still struggling with it and I don't expect to sleep much tonight.

Pick Her

Well, I thought for sure Taylor had finally sucked more than anybody on American Idol, but Lisa edged him out. I'm going to go out on a limb and say she'll go tomorrow night. Of course, there are others that should go before her, but Kelly Pickler's exaggerated southern stupidity will keep her around for a little while longer and we all know pretty boys never finish last (Ace).

Tuckered

The last two days have been wild. Friday, we went to Ragged's parents for an Irish dinner of cornbeef and cabbage, carrots and parsnips, soda bread, and bread pudding for dessert. It was actually pretty good despite so many vegetables.

We then went to see the play, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. Unfortunately, the play wasn't all that great, but it's always fun to see live theater.

On Saturday morning, we pulled up the carpet in our living room with Ragged's dad's help. Pulling up carpet is an easy process if you don't count moving furniture, scrubbing up glue, and removing tack strips. We still need to get the floors refinished, but that will come a little later. During the process, I received a call from my recent job interview offering me the job. I'm going in Monday to discuss benefits and salary. I've pretty much decided to turn it down, but I'm going to go anyway just to see what they have to say.

Last night, we went out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and made a trip to Lowe's, Sam's, and Target to get some things for our cats and our transforming living room.

We then went to see Jo Dee Messina. The concert was fun and even Ragged enjoyed it. Again, it's always fun to see things live.

So, today holds lunch with my family. I'm sore and tired and the real work week looms within 24 hours. Sometimes weekends are more difficult than weekdays.

Job Market

Yesterday, I went to a job interview. Of course, I was a nervous wreck but I sucked it up and went anyway despite my instinct to run for the hills. The process lasted two hours. I met initially with the recruiter for a 40 minute interview then I took two test, one of which was a 125 question personality test. The tests were followed by an hour-long interview with two managers. The process was excruciating and the office was hot. Me being the sweater I am, I was soaked by the time I got home.

I don't believe I'll take the job even if it's offered to me. It is more money just by looking at the baseline salary but when retirement is factored in, there's really no contest. I'm still thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons like the decreased job stress, more formal working environment, longer work hours, etc.

Shafted

Well, poor Melissa got the ole shaft on American Idol. Just because she flubbed a line she got the boot. Didn't anybody hear Ace or Bucky sing? She wouldn't have made it to the end, so I guess it really doesn't matter. Bye, bye Melissa.

Evil? Me?

You Are 22% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

I'm Alright

I'm a winner. I'm a winner. This morning, 14WFIE had a trivia question and certain callers received tickets to Jo Dee Messina's upcoming show in our city. I called about 15 times, not expecting to win but I got through and won the tickets. I didn't even hear the question, I just heard Beth say what she thought it was so I went with that answer. So, in addition to tearing up carpet this Saturday, Ragged and I will be going to a concert.

Presenting Eli

Meet Eli (aka Roosky). He's a Roosker cat. I'm not quite sure what that means but this name developed from my befuddled mind in the development of his nickname(s). We don't get too many good pictures of him since he's mostly black and black cats are difficult to photograph. Additionally, some people hardly see him since he is skiddish.

Muddy Sunday

Shew! We're back! In fact, we've been back for a couple of days, but I'm just getting around to blogging. We had a good time, though we didn't do Disney or Universal or Sea World or any of the typical Orlando things. We did a few touristy things, but mostly we relaxed by the pool and slept late. Well, I slept late and lounged by the pool, Ragged had to attend all-day work sessions. I got a little bit of a tan and lots of rest. This is what I look forward to when I tag along on these trips. Our next jaunt will be to San Antonio later this year. I can't wait!

So, when we got back I immediately wanted to catch up on all my television shows (American Idol, Survivor, etc.) I have to say I was unhappy with the AI boots, particularly Ayla. For me, she was one of the top 3 singers in the girls group. I don't think she would ultimately win the competition but she certainly deserved to make it to the top 12. Melissa should have gone in her place. I believe the deciding factor was Melissa's song choice. She had a much more recognizable and upbeat song which affects people's votes. I think this song choice problem will ultimately cause Lisa and Paris's demise as well. Kinnik was good, but she never really fit into this competition. She looked like somebody performing in the Miss America pageant.

Gedeon shouldn't have gone either. He should have have made it through to the final 12 too. Bucky should have gone. I'm not sure why his redneckidness sent him through, but it certainly wasn't his singing ability. When he talks, Gedeon is robotic and unusual and I'm sure that turned off America dispite his singing talent. I have to think he was sacraficed by AI producers, otherwise why would they show such a disturbing clip of him talking about his painting. Poor Will probably deserved to go, but I liked this kid. I wanted to see him do well, but besides his singing ability, he didn't have any quality that America would vote for (ie nerdiness, Abercrombie attractiveness, redneckidness).

I have to make an early call on the winner. I think Chris is going to pull it out this year. He is a standout among them all. If he can't win, then I pick Katharine. I don't think she's going to win because she doesn't have good stage presence.

Wow! I really put alot of thought into American Idol. Maybe I need to examine that. :)

Saturday, I went home with my sister and niece to see my parents and grandmother. I had to make myself do this as I typically come back from such visits feeling sad and a little more crazy. I don't see my family enough and my grandmother is in a declining state of health. She seemed to be doing good, at least in comparison with some of the other times I've visited. Overall, it was a nice visit.

Today we awoke to heavy rain which will likely last all day. I see lots of internet and couch time in our future.

Saturday, the Best Day of the Week

Nothing better then a Saturday to do whatever the hell you want. I won't bore you with the details of what I did today, but it felt pretty good. Ragged was gone on and off during the morning and early afternoon which also was nice. Please don't tell her I said this, but sometimes it's good to have some alone time too.

I've started the process for leaving for Orlando. I drug out my suitcase and started gathering some of the stuff I need to take. I've got a list going of odds and ends I need to do before we go, the most important being arranging for care for the cats.

Back to Life

Did you ever think Friday would get here? I sure didn't. It's been one hell of a week. If I can just get through Monday, it'll be warm Orlando weather for us. Tonight Ragged and I went to our new Kohl's store just a hop skip and a jump down the road from our house. Kind of a disappointment. No clearance items yet, but they are offering some pretty good deals. After Kohl's I went and showed Ragged a couple of houses on the market. They are both monstrous old houses with alot of character that have been forgotten by house hunters who only want new construction. We dreamed about what we would do with them ala Flip This House then went home to our modest domicile on the wrong side of the tracks and back to reality.

I Called It

The elimination show of American Idol went just as I hoped it would. Actually, I expected America to keep Brenna, but they actually picked the people who sucked. We can't pick a decent president, but we can eliminate the wrong American Idols.

M Comes Home

M got to come home. My sister said as soon as she hit the door, she was playing with her push toy. Coming home always feels better than being couped up in a tiny hospital room. I tried to call my sister last night to get an update, but they weren't home. The last time I visited her at the hospital, I noticed a bruise on her forehead at her hairline. My sister said she had fallen out of the bed onto the concrete floor the night before. Talk about a hardway to go.

Yuri's Gift

Look what I got! A generous little boy known in the blog world as Yuri sent me these gifts after learning that one of my hobbies is collecting children's meal toys, in this case Star Wars. Included was a snowman salt 'n pepper shaker. Here's a pic.

Two Chickens in Leather Jackets

You wanna see 4 out of 5 cats go crazy? Then, let a moth in the house.

Last night as I came in, I accidentally let a moth in the house. Needless to say, it didn't go long without being notice by 1, 2, then 4 out of our 5 cats. Izzie, if she saw it at all, couldn't have cared less. The other four cats were climbing on tables, up on the fireplace mantel and back again, trying to gain a better vantage point from which to capture their winged pray.

Never fear, I did manage to capture the moth and place it back outside, but the cats still looked for the moth for hours to come. Above is a picture of Ike, Sammy, and Cooper on the lookout.