FRIDAY FAST ONES

1.)  I just realized I passed my 400th post this week.  Wow.  I'd say I never knew I had so much to say but that would be a lie!

2.)  Ally's recovery from the tonsillectomy was as dramatic as I expected.  She was on the verge of dehydration for several days, had trouble with the pain medication and was miserable as hell.  She perked up a day before the move to school.  This made packing a nightmare, but so far it appears we got the stuff she needed moved into the dorm.  Her roommate seems to be a very low keyed, vegan,  fellow drama major.  Here's hoping for a good match.

3.)  I closed the doors to Ally's room and bathroom so I don't have to see the mess.  It will have to be tackled.  We have always teased her about being one step away from a hoarder - and now I get to deal with the stuff left behind...  We don't have any immediate plans for taking over her room for another purpose, but I think I may take over her bathroom so I can get ready for bed after work with a light on and without worrying that I might wake Tom. 

4.)  We had hoped that we would be moving from this little rental in the Fall, but the economic downturn has so hurt Tom's practice that we are signing another year lease.  I know this is very discouraging for him - the corporations know they have the upper hand with the government agency staff reductions and the long waits for court dates.  They have the money to drag things out and don't enter settlement discussions like they used to because they figure most employees (and their legal counsel) will run out of money or patience and give up.  Tom has clients he is still working for 2 and 3 years since they last paid him anything.

It is really sad that good people are getting screwed by both the former employer and the system.  The corporations are getting tax cuts and the subsequent staffing reductions usually effect the everyday citizens who need the protection of the government agencies.

5.)  If you enjoyed Laura Hillenbrand's book "Seabiscuit" - you will once again find the writing of her new book "Unbroken" as fantastic.  I am riveted just 70 pages in!  I won't have any trouble finishing this one in the 2 weeks allotted by the library.

6.)  This is my last weekend on the job.  As of next week I am a Monday-Friday worker once again.  So enjoy the weekend and I'll join you next week!

FRIDAY FAST ONES

1)  What is it about letting an insurance policy lapse which triggers a need for coverage within days?

2.)  Our false Spring weather has caused the daffodils to burst into bloom and the cherry trees are getting started, too.  The rain and 50 degree weather is back in a few days.   It's got to be confusing to be a plant with all this climate change going on..

3.)   I had been thinking how fun it would be to hold my turn for book club at the hotel.  We have a beautiful board room with a private bath and big comfy seats.  Then it came to me that I am now working on book club night.  Oh, no!  I'll have  to drop out of book club.

4.)  On the other hand, Tom and I are getting a very nice, romantic room for Valentine's night.

5.) I worked with Jerry Brown during his first term as Governor of California.  I was a college student and had the opportunity through my student government position at San Diego State University to serve on a committee with the Governor.  When I read this I was so glad to be reminded that he has not changed. in all these years:

Anyone who needed a reminder about how much has changed in terms of California's gubernatorial style with the election of Jerry Brown just needed to look at Southwest Airlines Flight 896 from Sacramento to Burbank on Thursday morning.


There, in the fourth row, was Brown, sitting amid the regular procession of business travelers.


Not only does Brown fly commercial, but he flies coach, and without an entourage. No staffers or security traveled with the governor, who made the trip south on the low-cost carrier to address the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night.

And that's the way all the politicians should be behaving.  They are elected to serve the people, not reign over us.

6.)  Have you seen Car Lashes? 

Have a great Valentine's Weekend - if you are into all that!

AS THE WORLD TURNS

Last week someone said there was a pay off for being the kind of person I

am and I scoffed because there have been so many hardships in the last 10 years of our lives and we have worked hard at being good people and doing the right things all along the rocky way.  So when I was hired for a 2 week "trial period" to see if I was a "fit" for a job that meant a 40 minute plus commute each way with minimal benefits and pay, I thought, well, it is the best I have been offered in nearly 2 years.  Off I go but don't quit the weekend job!

So I started the new trial job Thursday and the work is interesting and the people are nice and the commute was as expected.

 I came into the hotel on Saturday and what has happened?  Someone has given notice!  Do I want to go full time?

The pay is a bit less, the benefits about the same but they will put me on the health plan sooner, no commute and I could work with my sister which would have been impossible with the other job. 

Hurrah!

JOB UPDATE

Because I kind of  left things hanging, an update on my new job.  Turns out the HR guy took Friday off so I did not start training last weekend as the supervisor hoped.  I will start this Friday night - which is a bit unfortunate in timing as it is Ally's 17th birthday. 

The good news is that the pay is better than I had thought, the bad news is that the position is not 30 hours (full time) as presented but 24 hours (part time.)  Good news is that they still offer benefits!  But at a reduced contribution rate from the employer.  The health insurance should still be less expensive than our Cobra payments, though because they are a much larger employer.  I'll know more in 90 days.

That's it for now!

TAKE THIS JOB AND...

 I  had a job I really liked.  I allowed myself to be chased away from it by a manipulative co-worker and a weak boss.  Over  time since that happened I have been through a roller coaster of anger, self doubt and deep depression.   So when I read news about employees who  take a gun onto work when they are going to be laid off, there is a part of me (my reptile brain?) that can relate to the frustration and anger - the lashing out.

On the other hand, there is this guy.  A Jet Blue steward who, after being hit on the head by a passenger taking his luggage down from the overhead bin and not receiving an apology,  cussed out all the passengers over the PA.  Then he grabbed a couple of beers,  inflated the emergency chute at the back of the plane and jumped.  He ran across the tarmac and through the airport and was arrested at his home in Queens a while later.

Now that was an exit!

FRIDAY FAST ONES

1.) I have such bad Spring Fever that I have doubled up on my lottery ticket purchases to increase my chances of winning and never having to work again. Why is it that I am getting calls for jobs now that the weather is so nice? Don't I sound like a spoiled teenager?

2.) I am really close to ignoring the news from now on. I just get so upset and discouraged by our government, the crazy right winger/tea bagger people and the party leaders who will not admit that they are crazy AND the media that focuses on such stupid, gossipy non -of-our-business crap and ignores the really important things.

I could go on and on but listening to Sarah Palin saying that the "mainstream media" was making up the brick throwing, spitting and verbal attacks on public officials , this after she posted names of congress people with rifle cross-hairs next to them and the slogan "Don't retreat - reload" was just too much for me. Why doesn't anyone stand up and call her out as the smarmy liar that she is???? John McCain deserves to lose his seat for getting involved with her again.

3.) Ally and I survived the long haul of shopping for a Junior Prom dress. We found something she loves that is both affordable and not too flesh baring. In fact, since her boyfriend is a Senior, we found another dress, on sale for half price which fit her perfectly and was a more mature, Senior Ball look, so we bought that too. We were really pleased with ourselves. We stopped in to have a salad and iced tea ( the Prom dress is snug and requires a few pounds be trimmed from the waistline...) and chatted about things including our upcoming trip to Philly for Maggie's graduation.

Suddenly it dawned on Ally - is the Senior Ball the same day we are going to Philadelphia? A call to a friend affirmed - yes. SAME DAY. Non-exchangeable, non-refundable tickets for the trip. Dress not returnable. Dad unmovable about letting her stay home anyway. Her boyfriend really unhappy, Ally really unhappy. Sigh.

JOB INTERVIEW

I had a great phone interview today and I am promised a call back for a face to face interview next week. This could be IT. Unemployment could soon be over! Sooo excited!

Then again, I could, maybe, be setting myself up for a tensy fall.

Whatever.