Tuesday, May 31, 2005
playing house.
If all goes well with Jesse's job, I'll be quitting my job next year to attend school full time (fall of 2006). This weekend I think I got a little glimpse of what life might be like. I cooked twice...and not just instant macaroni and cheese...and did homework/work most of yesterday. What I realized is that it is really scary to think about not having a paying job. I've had a paying job since I was 16 years old. Sometimes it was just part-time, but it was still an income. I know I'll be busy with school but it will still be different. Nothing is set in stone yet so I still have time to change my mind. And September 2006 is a long way off so lots can change. Maybe I will find my dream job in Detroit and will want to work and go to school part-time. I just hate not knowing. I must be having a good day. Most days I'm ready to quit my job now and stay home and watch Law and Order all day every day for the rest of my life.
Monday, May 30, 2005
2 years
This weekend Jesse and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. For those of you who know me, you know this is a miracle. In the past I didn't do long-term relationships (shut up, Phil!). But these past couple years with Jesse have been a blast. Who woulda thunk it?
Friday, May 27, 2005
It's been one crazy week. Work has been an insane emotional rollercoaster and I don't think I've been sleeping as well as I thought I was. It's Friday and I'm looking forward to a long weekend of not doing anything but hanging out with Jesse and hopefully finding fun stuff to do. If you have any ideas please pass them on.
Yesterday there was an especially cruel and heartless email from the village list. Some guy spotted two white homeless dudes in the back alley. The guy actually took a photo of one of the guys and emailed it to everyone so they can "look out" for him. It was pretty pathetic since the dude was all crouched down in the grass. I was shocked at the lack of respect for a fellow human being. I'm assuming he didn't ask the dude's permission to email his photo to hundreds of people. I could be wrong. My plan is to buy a digital camera and drive around the village this weekend taking photos of unsuspecting homeowners and posting them to the internet without their permission.
A ghetto cat had some babies and I think they are living under my neighbor's back steps. The kittens are so freaking cute. They are all wobbly on their feet and when they jump down off the step it looks like they are doing a cartwheel because they flip over. Maybe if I purchase said digital camera I will take kitten photos too.
My schedule today is a little bit ridiculous. I left Detroit at 8AM and am heading back to take a family to the Greyhound station at 10AM. Then I come back to Ypsilanti and will head home around 5. Not that I'll be working until 5, I have a hair appointment. OH yeah.
Yesterday there was an especially cruel and heartless email from the village list. Some guy spotted two white homeless dudes in the back alley. The guy actually took a photo of one of the guys and emailed it to everyone so they can "look out" for him. It was pretty pathetic since the dude was all crouched down in the grass. I was shocked at the lack of respect for a fellow human being. I'm assuming he didn't ask the dude's permission to email his photo to hundreds of people. I could be wrong. My plan is to buy a digital camera and drive around the village this weekend taking photos of unsuspecting homeowners and posting them to the internet without their permission.
A ghetto cat had some babies and I think they are living under my neighbor's back steps. The kittens are so freaking cute. They are all wobbly on their feet and when they jump down off the step it looks like they are doing a cartwheel because they flip over. Maybe if I purchase said digital camera I will take kitten photos too.
My schedule today is a little bit ridiculous. I left Detroit at 8AM and am heading back to take a family to the Greyhound station at 10AM. Then I come back to Ypsilanti and will head home around 5. Not that I'll be working until 5, I have a hair appointment. OH yeah.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
strange day.
This morning I had a breakfast meeting with a bunch of people from work and our board of directors. It wasn't a mandatory meeting but I decided to go anyway. When I got there I found one of my favorite coworkers and we sat down to eat and shoot the shit. Another coworker came over and made some comment about the two of us not mingling. Well screw you. Isn't it enough that I was at work an hour early when it wasn't even mandatory for me to be there??
I just called the lab that does the drug screens for the clients. Yesterday I shared with a client that her screen came back positive for marijuana. She swore up and down and all around that she hadn't smoked. The substance abuse counselor was here and asked if she had been around anyone that was smoking marijuana because that would make her test positive. WHAT?? This is soooooo not true and I feel like I spend half of my time explaining to clients why it's bullshit when they say, "I didn't smoke it! I was at a party and some dude sitting next to me smoked a joint." And now I have to explain it to the substance abuse counselor too? Last night Jesse and I did a little research on that crazy thing called the internet and sure enough, I was right. Just in case, I called the lab. The toxicology guy told me that a study was done where a bunch of people were put in a 9 ft. by 9 ft. room for 12 hours and had thick pot smoke pumped in in heinous amounts and none of them tested positive. Oh, and even if a person did that for days and it did get into their system, the level would be lower than the lab tests for. And for my next trick, I'm asking to see the substance abuse counselor's credentials.
The other exciting thing I did today was go car shopping with a client. Have you ever gone shopping for a car that costs less than $1200? That's the amount that the Department of Human Services (formerly Family Independence Agency) will help with for a car. We ended up at a junk yard. That's right. A junk yard. And we were looking for a whole car, not just parts. We found one and my client is very excited. While she was looking at scrap metal with wheels I was checking out the generations of inbred cats that were running around. The woman that was helping us said that the mail carrier offered to pay to get them fixed but they can't catch them. She seemed genuinely surprised when she told me that when she started working there 2 years ago there were only 7 cats and now there are over 20. And that my dear, is why you work at a junk yard.
Good news! The window by my desk that has been stuck shut is now open. Unfortunately, the maintenance guy killed my plant in the process. He broke the thing off at the stem and then didn't even bother to tell me. I know, it's just a plant. I cut some pieces off and stuck them in water. Hopefully I'll be able to salvage some of it.
Better get some work done before I leave for class.
I just called the lab that does the drug screens for the clients. Yesterday I shared with a client that her screen came back positive for marijuana. She swore up and down and all around that she hadn't smoked. The substance abuse counselor was here and asked if she had been around anyone that was smoking marijuana because that would make her test positive. WHAT?? This is soooooo not true and I feel like I spend half of my time explaining to clients why it's bullshit when they say, "I didn't smoke it! I was at a party and some dude sitting next to me smoked a joint." And now I have to explain it to the substance abuse counselor too? Last night Jesse and I did a little research on that crazy thing called the internet and sure enough, I was right. Just in case, I called the lab. The toxicology guy told me that a study was done where a bunch of people were put in a 9 ft. by 9 ft. room for 12 hours and had thick pot smoke pumped in in heinous amounts and none of them tested positive. Oh, and even if a person did that for days and it did get into their system, the level would be lower than the lab tests for. And for my next trick, I'm asking to see the substance abuse counselor's credentials.
The other exciting thing I did today was go car shopping with a client. Have you ever gone shopping for a car that costs less than $1200? That's the amount that the Department of Human Services (formerly Family Independence Agency) will help with for a car. We ended up at a junk yard. That's right. A junk yard. And we were looking for a whole car, not just parts. We found one and my client is very excited. While she was looking at scrap metal with wheels I was checking out the generations of inbred cats that were running around. The woman that was helping us said that the mail carrier offered to pay to get them fixed but they can't catch them. She seemed genuinely surprised when she told me that when she started working there 2 years ago there were only 7 cats and now there are over 20. And that my dear, is why you work at a junk yard.
Good news! The window by my desk that has been stuck shut is now open. Unfortunately, the maintenance guy killed my plant in the process. He broke the thing off at the stem and then didn't even bother to tell me. I know, it's just a plant. I cut some pieces off and stuck them in water. Hopefully I'll be able to salvage some of it.
Better get some work done before I leave for class.
Monday, May 23, 2005
*yawn*
I think being this sleepy on Monday morning means I had a good weekend. And I am pretty sure I did. Jesse's friends, Chris and Elke, visited us from the Netherlands. Jesse picked them up from the Greyhound station on Thursday afternoon. Figure that one out. It was the first time I had met them and am soooo glad they came! Very fun and laid back and funny. And I'm not just saying that because Chris confessed he reads this blog! Hahahahaa... Anyway, it's a good thing they are laid back because as hosts, Jesse and I officially suck. We did some fun stuff, like went to the Dakota Inn Rathskeller for some German food and entertainment and we took them to a shitty mall. Oh and we went to Comerica Park on Friday night. I'm glad I got to know Chris and Elke a little bit and hope they will come back someday!
One of the best parts about this weekend was my birthday present from Joanna came in the mail. As soon as I color a page of the taxidermy coloring book I will scan it and show you. Awesome! I'm still trying to figure out what the wooden cow thing is but it looks pretty on the dining room table. Should it be on the dining room table? The button assortment will be put to good use and some of the repeats will be turned into magnets for the fridge.
The other best part about this weekend was that Jesse and I finally got an electric lawn mower. Because the weather was nice on Saturday all of our neighbors were out mowing their lawns which made ours look even more shitty. I actually volunteered to mow our lawn with the stupid push reel piece of shit (sorry Jesse!) and it sucked. I couldn't even do the back yard because the grass/weeds are so long and the mower was so hard to push. Of course after we bought the electric lawn mower it rained. So the yard still hasn't been mowed. But it will be!! YAY!!
I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I would have called in "sick" to work today but I knew we had an auditor coming from one of our funders. The audit went really well and all of my bases were covered. Unfortunately, the maintenance department at this agency sucks ass and stuff doesn't get done. For example, two of the shelter units didn't have functioning smoke alarms. Nice.
Back to work.
One of the best parts about this weekend was my birthday present from Joanna came in the mail. As soon as I color a page of the taxidermy coloring book I will scan it and show you. Awesome! I'm still trying to figure out what the wooden cow thing is but it looks pretty on the dining room table. Should it be on the dining room table? The button assortment will be put to good use and some of the repeats will be turned into magnets for the fridge.
The other best part about this weekend was that Jesse and I finally got an electric lawn mower. Because the weather was nice on Saturday all of our neighbors were out mowing their lawns which made ours look even more shitty. I actually volunteered to mow our lawn with the stupid push reel piece of shit (sorry Jesse!) and it sucked. I couldn't even do the back yard because the grass/weeds are so long and the mower was so hard to push. Of course after we bought the electric lawn mower it rained. So the yard still hasn't been mowed. But it will be!! YAY!!
I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I would have called in "sick" to work today but I knew we had an auditor coming from one of our funders. The audit went really well and all of my bases were covered. Unfortunately, the maintenance department at this agency sucks ass and stuff doesn't get done. For example, two of the shelter units didn't have functioning smoke alarms. Nice.
Back to work.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
grand rapids is stalking me.
Tonight when I got home there was a piece of mail for me from the Grand Rapids Treasurer. It had my Parker St. address on it so I thought maybe they were going to ask for tax money that I owe or something. I was wrong. The Grand Rapids Treasurer sent me a notice that I owe $60 for two parking tickets I received in 8/01 and 10/01. If I do not pay the $60, they may issue a bench warrant for my arrest. Guess I'll take my chances. Joanna, Erica, John, whoever else that might be reading in Kent County, will you be so kind as to set aside some money to bail me out of the slammer if need be next time I visit? Thank you!!
I knew I moved from Grand Rapids for a reason...
I knew I moved from Grand Rapids for a reason...
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
triumph! kind of. almost.
Jackass finally admitted I was right and that I will need an air conditioner up here. Does it really need to be that difficult?? Anyway, I got the confession out of him but the air conditioner is still in the box on the floor. Baby steps.
I left my planner at home and have no idea where I am supposed to be or what I am supposed to be doing. Everytime my phone rings I expect it to be someone saying, "Where are you? You're late for our appointment!" But not really because I usually get stood up at least twice a day. With my luck, the day that I have no idea what my schedule is would be the day that people actually showed up for appointments. Why do homeless people hate me so?
Because I don't know what I am doing today I have been doing nothing. Playing computer games. Catching up on the news. I should probably just go home and work. There's lots to be cleaned before our houseguests come tomorrow!
I left my planner at home and have no idea where I am supposed to be or what I am supposed to be doing. Everytime my phone rings I expect it to be someone saying, "Where are you? You're late for our appointment!" But not really because I usually get stood up at least twice a day. With my luck, the day that I have no idea what my schedule is would be the day that people actually showed up for appointments. Why do homeless people hate me so?
Because I don't know what I am doing today I have been doing nothing. Playing computer games. Catching up on the news. I should probably just go home and work. There's lots to be cleaned before our houseguests come tomorrow!
pulling my hair out
All I really wanted was a mold-free office with a comfortable temperature.
This is the email I got this morning from the maintenance supervisor:
"Jenny,
We will experiment while the weather is still cool. We should be able to learn what we need to without hot weather. As for the screen, I need to look to see what happened to that request. I don’t remember receiving it, and it is not on the open list. That doesn’t necessarily mean we didn’t receive it, but are you sure it got to us? Sometimes the fax machine dials out and the sender doesn’t see the "no go" printout—at least that happens here sometimes. If you have a copy, would you mind re-sending? I will look for it and make sure it gets attended to, and I will tell people you have been waiting."
He is referring to the maintenance request I had submitted to get the window screen fixed.
Here is my reply to his email:
"I just re-faxed the original maintenance request from May 6. The implication in your email that I do not know how to fax a maintenance request is a little frustrating."
Here is what I wanted to write:
"FUCK YOU"
This is the email I got this morning from the maintenance supervisor:
"Jenny,
We will experiment while the weather is still cool. We should be able to learn what we need to without hot weather. As for the screen, I need to look to see what happened to that request. I don’t remember receiving it, and it is not on the open list. That doesn’t necessarily mean we didn’t receive it, but are you sure it got to us? Sometimes the fax machine dials out and the sender doesn’t see the "no go" printout—at least that happens here sometimes. If you have a copy, would you mind re-sending? I will look for it and make sure it gets attended to, and I will tell people you have been waiting."
He is referring to the maintenance request I had submitted to get the window screen fixed.
Here is my reply to his email:
"I just re-faxed the original maintenance request from May 6. The implication in your email that I do not know how to fax a maintenance request is a little frustrating."
Here is what I wanted to write:
"FUCK YOU"
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
filter filter filter
I've been concentrating so much on NOT having a filter when I blog that it is seeping into my real life. What? This isn't real life?
One of the assignments for my class is to take a piece of legislation and analyze it. We were supposed to let our professor know tonight which bill we chose. Last night I found a bill about foster care. I wanted something more housing related but due to time constraints I printed out the foster care one and took it to class. Before class I was talking to my professor and asked him if I could have more time to find something more interesting to me and more related to my job. He asked what bill I did find and I explained it to him. He said it sounded interesting and before I knew where I was or who I was talking to I asked him if he wanted to do his paper on it. I immediately regretted it and apologized profusely. He looked at me and laughed. Then he said I was lucky he has a sense of humor. And then he said I could do whatever I wanted.
Note to self: STOP BEING SUCH A SMARTASS ALL THE TIME.
But question, why am I lucky he has a sense of humor? I probably don't want to know.
One of the assignments for my class is to take a piece of legislation and analyze it. We were supposed to let our professor know tonight which bill we chose. Last night I found a bill about foster care. I wanted something more housing related but due to time constraints I printed out the foster care one and took it to class. Before class I was talking to my professor and asked him if I could have more time to find something more interesting to me and more related to my job. He asked what bill I did find and I explained it to him. He said it sounded interesting and before I knew where I was or who I was talking to I asked him if he wanted to do his paper on it. I immediately regretted it and apologized profusely. He looked at me and laughed. Then he said I was lucky he has a sense of humor. And then he said I could do whatever I wanted.
Note to self: STOP BEING SUCH A SMARTASS ALL THE TIME.
But question, why am I lucky he has a sense of humor? I probably don't want to know.
seeing red.
I recently moved my office to a space in the upstairs of my building. These buildings are very old pieces of shit. They used to have children's programming up here during the summer and I remember it was really really hot. When I moved up here I put in a maintenance request asking for a window air conditioner to be installed and for the screen on the window to be fixed. The maintenance supervisor was here yesterday and he told me they were going to wait to install the window air conditioner because he remembers that there isn't a problem cooling this space. I told him that I remember being in here and it was hotter than hell. He told me he remembers being in here and it was fine. I asked him to show me where the vents are that all this cool air comes out of. He said he didn't remember where they were but he would find them. He also told me that the screen was ripped because the maintenance guys had cut it so they could change the lightbulb in the light on the building. What???
This morning my co-worker was here and she came up to check out my new digs. She asked if I was going to get an air conditioner. I told her that no, I was told cooling the space wasn't a problem. She laughed and said that was ridiculous. I believe the word she used to describe the temperature in the room was "sweltering." So I emailed the dude that told me I didn't need an air conditioner and told him what she said. He emailed me back and said this:
"Thanks, Jenny!
That is helpful. However, I still have a memory of times when it was cool up there. I do want to try the vents thing on the first warm day. If we try our best and can’t get it, we WILL do the air conditioner."
What an asshole. I emailed back and told him I would try the vents thing but that I would not wait for an air conditioner to be installed. And I asked him why the screen in the window hasn't been fixed yet.
I emailed him on purpose because I knew he was going to say something stupid. It's a good thing he didn't say something stupid to my face because I probably would have lost my mind on him.
This morning my co-worker was here and she came up to check out my new digs. She asked if I was going to get an air conditioner. I told her that no, I was told cooling the space wasn't a problem. She laughed and said that was ridiculous. I believe the word she used to describe the temperature in the room was "sweltering." So I emailed the dude that told me I didn't need an air conditioner and told him what she said. He emailed me back and said this:
"Thanks, Jenny!
That is helpful. However, I still have a memory of times when it was cool up there. I do want to try the vents thing on the first warm day. If we try our best and can’t get it, we WILL do the air conditioner."
What an asshole. I emailed back and told him I would try the vents thing but that I would not wait for an air conditioner to be installed. And I asked him why the screen in the window hasn't been fixed yet.
I emailed him on purpose because I knew he was going to say something stupid. It's a good thing he didn't say something stupid to my face because I probably would have lost my mind on him.
Monday, May 16, 2005
slacker
After a minor meltdown tonight I took some methylphenidate and am feeling much better. I hate being an addict. But I am happy that I have a pill to take when I am feeling so anxious and overwhelmed that I can't catch my breath.
Jesse's friends from Europe are coming to visit on Thursday. I believe they are staying until Tuesday. It will be fun to have them here and get to know them. I hope they don't give a shit that I'm a terrible host!
Having the same class two nights each week is sucking. There's all this reading that I have to do but don't feel like it. Tonight I told Jesse that I have a bunch of homework to do and he said he would take care of the cleaning. I guess I better do my homework.
Jesse's friends from Europe are coming to visit on Thursday. I believe they are staying until Tuesday. It will be fun to have them here and get to know them. I hope they don't give a shit that I'm a terrible host!
Having the same class two nights each week is sucking. There's all this reading that I have to do but don't feel like it. Tonight I told Jesse that I have a bunch of homework to do and he said he would take care of the cleaning. I guess I better do my homework.
pressure.
I received this email today:
"You haven't blogged in 2 days. you are officially a slacker. "
Yes. I am.
"You haven't blogged in 2 days. you are officially a slacker. "
Yes. I am.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
i survived!
Kick ass birthday!! I am now officially 31 years old. I'm not sure how that works after having a 38th birthday party. It just does.
Jesse and I met Julie, Joel, Amanda, Kristin, and Joel's parents at Comerica at 6:30. We walked into the park just in time to watch them cover the field with the tarp. My mom and dad called me just before 7 to sing happy birthday. They were in Dexter with my sister's family and said a big storm just went through, hail and all. Soon the voice of Comerica spoke to the people through the large speakers and told everyone to head to the main concourse. And then the dark clouds rolled in and the torrential rain and lightning began. We waited for them to play until 9 and finally left just before they officially called the game. Baseball on my birthday wasn't meant to be this year. I did, however, get one of the best gifts ever from Kristin. She was even kind enough to bring a battery too! Even though it looks like a dirty gift, it isn't. Today I will go bug hunting. That sounds dirty too.
We went to Lafayette Coney for some dinner before heading to Comet Bar for karaoke. Sometimes a nasty hotdog smothered in nastier chili, onions and mustard is just what a birthday girl needs. There was a big birthday party at the Comet Bar but it wasn't given for me. There were 4 or 5 other birthday girls there! Thunder stealers... It was packed and I didn't even know having a full-fledged birthday party (cake and pot luck and all) there was an option. Good to know for my 23rd birthday next year! We didn't stay long because it was crowded and the only seats we could find were right next to a really big speaker. I did enjoy the guy at the bar with 2 teeth (as opposed to the guy at the bar with 3.5 teeth) who kept coming over to our table to tell us "you might be a redneck" jokes all wrong. And the old guy, Sarge, who was kind enough to share his table with us was a hoot.
Aquarius Void was playing at Lager House so we decided to head over there. The parking lot gift fest was awesome. Julie brought cupcakes with wonderful decorations, and Kristin added mini glow sticks! Very fun!! Julie also made a fabulous sack, which I used immediately, and an even more fabulous Dirty Pickle Club t-shirt. Awesome!! The rock was fun, the PBR was fun, the lemon drop small juice from Joel was fun. Ahhhh birthday bliss.
Kristin, Jesse, and I tried our luck at the casino. Not so lucky on Friday the 13th! I lost $40 in about 10 minutes. The nice thing about it being your birthday is everyone buys your drinks/food for you and your boyfriend doesn't get pissed when you have the great idea of going to the casino and then lose.
To top the night off, when we got home at 2:30, The People Under the Stairs was on HBO. I love that movie! I think I even saw it in the theater when it came out.
I think the birthday fun isn't quite over yet. Word on the street is I will be receiving a package from Joanna and that she outdid herself this time. Oh yeaaaahhhhhhh!!!
Jesse and I met Julie, Joel, Amanda, Kristin, and Joel's parents at Comerica at 6:30. We walked into the park just in time to watch them cover the field with the tarp. My mom and dad called me just before 7 to sing happy birthday. They were in Dexter with my sister's family and said a big storm just went through, hail and all. Soon the voice of Comerica spoke to the people through the large speakers and told everyone to head to the main concourse. And then the dark clouds rolled in and the torrential rain and lightning began. We waited for them to play until 9 and finally left just before they officially called the game. Baseball on my birthday wasn't meant to be this year. I did, however, get one of the best gifts ever from Kristin. She was even kind enough to bring a battery too! Even though it looks like a dirty gift, it isn't. Today I will go bug hunting. That sounds dirty too.
We went to Lafayette Coney for some dinner before heading to Comet Bar for karaoke. Sometimes a nasty hotdog smothered in nastier chili, onions and mustard is just what a birthday girl needs. There was a big birthday party at the Comet Bar but it wasn't given for me. There were 4 or 5 other birthday girls there! Thunder stealers... It was packed and I didn't even know having a full-fledged birthday party (cake and pot luck and all) there was an option. Good to know for my 23rd birthday next year! We didn't stay long because it was crowded and the only seats we could find were right next to a really big speaker. I did enjoy the guy at the bar with 2 teeth (as opposed to the guy at the bar with 3.5 teeth) who kept coming over to our table to tell us "you might be a redneck" jokes all wrong. And the old guy, Sarge, who was kind enough to share his table with us was a hoot.
Aquarius Void was playing at Lager House so we decided to head over there. The parking lot gift fest was awesome. Julie brought cupcakes with wonderful decorations, and Kristin added mini glow sticks! Very fun!! Julie also made a fabulous sack, which I used immediately, and an even more fabulous Dirty Pickle Club t-shirt. Awesome!! The rock was fun, the PBR was fun, the lemon drop small juice from Joel was fun. Ahhhh birthday bliss.
Kristin, Jesse, and I tried our luck at the casino. Not so lucky on Friday the 13th! I lost $40 in about 10 minutes. The nice thing about it being your birthday is everyone buys your drinks/food for you and your boyfriend doesn't get pissed when you have the great idea of going to the casino and then lose.
To top the night off, when we got home at 2:30, The People Under the Stairs was on HBO. I love that movie! I think I even saw it in the theater when it came out.
I think the birthday fun isn't quite over yet. Word on the street is I will be receiving a package from Joanna and that she outdid herself this time. Oh yeaaaahhhhhhh!!!
Friday, May 13, 2005
good news!
It turns out that Jesse was not trying to kill me this morning. I forgot that his sense of smell is not as keen as his sense of style and apparently he did not smell the gas in the kitchen. Whew!
My "niece", Erin, just called me and sang a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday. It was wonderful and so nice to talk to her. Do you think she noticed I missed her birthday? Yeah. She did. I suck.
My "niece", Erin, just called me and sang a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday. It was wonderful and so nice to talk to her. Do you think she noticed I missed her birthday? Yeah. She did. I suck.
birthday death.
I think Jesse might be trying to kill me. He left for work this morning and I stayed in bed for another hour or so. When I finally came downstairs I went in the kitchen and smelled gas. At first I thought he had terrible gas that lingered for a really long time. But then I looked at the stove and both pilot lights were out. At first I wondered why he didn't notice the problem. Then I realized he blew them out. It's so scandalous.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
wrong job.
Today I was walking across the yard at work when someone in the maintenance van honked at me. I looked and it was the attitudinal maintenance man from yesterday. He was waving 'hello'. I walked over to say hi and check in with him. It's embarrassing but I'm kissing a little ass to smooth things over from yesterday. It's just so much easier to do that than to deal with his drama. Am I in high school? Anyway, I walked up to the van and he opened the window. He was sitting in the van watching Ocean's 12 on his portable DVD player. He showed me 2 other DVDs he plans on watching this afternoon.
Before I leave for the day I'm going to Human Resources to pick up an application to be a maintenance man.
Before I leave for the day I'm going to Human Resources to pick up an application to be a maintenance man.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
School is back in session and I am supposed to be reading for class tomorrow. I didn't remember that I needed to take Ritalin until it was too late so I'm blogging instead of reading. Now I know why I barely graduated the first time. Damn. I can't take it too late because it's a stimulant and it keeps me awake. That's great for road trips to Florida but not cool when I want to go to sleep so I can get up early and jog on the treadmill.
Speaking of treadmill... we have to put the air conditioner in the window soon. It's so hot in this room and I have the windows open but I can't open the curtains because I don't wear shorts when I run. And I don't want to frighten the neighbors. I apologize for frightening you.
Jesse just emailed me the receipt for All-Star tickets. I am so excited, it finally feels real. Our All-Star tickets are better than our regular game tickets. Strange. Yet nice.
The other day I saw a bumper sticker that read "Did you pray for your county jail chaplain today?" Um. No. I didn't even know I had one. What other things do I have that I didn't know about? I have to admit that even after the reminder on the bumper, I still didn't pray for my county jail chaplain. I think I couldn't decide which one. Washtenaw or Wayne? I live in Wayne County but I know people in Washtenaw County that might have had contact with the county jail chaplain. It was too confusing and I was driving so I turned on NPR and listened to All Things Considered instead.
Homework. Read. Now.
Speaking of treadmill... we have to put the air conditioner in the window soon. It's so hot in this room and I have the windows open but I can't open the curtains because I don't wear shorts when I run. And I don't want to frighten the neighbors. I apologize for frightening you.
Jesse just emailed me the receipt for All-Star tickets. I am so excited, it finally feels real. Our All-Star tickets are better than our regular game tickets. Strange. Yet nice.
The other day I saw a bumper sticker that read "Did you pray for your county jail chaplain today?" Um. No. I didn't even know I had one. What other things do I have that I didn't know about? I have to admit that even after the reminder on the bumper, I still didn't pray for my county jail chaplain. I think I couldn't decide which one. Washtenaw or Wayne? I live in Wayne County but I know people in Washtenaw County that might have had contact with the county jail chaplain. It was too confusing and I was driving so I turned on NPR and listened to All Things Considered instead.
Homework. Read. Now.
One of the maintenance guys at work was off for about 10 months due to an injury. He returned to work a few weeks ago. Before he left he was a little bit difficult to get along with because he was always starting some kind of drama with anyone who would get into it with him. And he would be sure to tell anyone who would listen why he was pissed at someone and what he thought of them. It sucked that he was gone for so long because we were down to one maintenance guy and 2 apprentices. I figured that since he has been gone it would take a while for his previous bitchiness to resurface. I was wrong.
Yesterday someone told me one of the women in the shelter got attitude with him. I cringed a little bit because he has also been known to have attitude with the families in the shelter, as if they don't have enough shit to deal with. Today the woman called me to tell me her toilet was backed up and she needed a plunger. I told her I would call maintenance and let them know. So I went and found attitude maintenance man and our conversation went like this:
Me: The woman in that apartment needs a plunger because her toilet is backed up.
Maintenance Man: She better greet me right.
Me: Well that's not really her job.
MM: Well let's just say if she doesn't greet me right, she's gonna have to go to the dollar store.
Me: Really. Okay. Great.
What? I actually had no idea what to say. I probably should have said:
"do your job, asshole."
"why are you such a dick?"
"are you kidding me??"
"what would Jesus do?"
"I hope you get hurt and leave for another 10 months."
I'm taking notes and when he pisses me off again I'm taking my notes to his supervisor. Which won't matter because his supervisor is really very useless.
Yesterday someone told me one of the women in the shelter got attitude with him. I cringed a little bit because he has also been known to have attitude with the families in the shelter, as if they don't have enough shit to deal with. Today the woman called me to tell me her toilet was backed up and she needed a plunger. I told her I would call maintenance and let them know. So I went and found attitude maintenance man and our conversation went like this:
Me: The woman in that apartment needs a plunger because her toilet is backed up.
Maintenance Man: She better greet me right.
Me: Well that's not really her job.
MM: Well let's just say if she doesn't greet me right, she's gonna have to go to the dollar store.
Me: Really. Okay. Great.
What? I actually had no idea what to say. I probably should have said:
"do your job, asshole."
"why are you such a dick?"
"are you kidding me??"
"what would Jesus do?"
"I hope you get hurt and leave for another 10 months."
I'm taking notes and when he pisses me off again I'm taking my notes to his supervisor. Which won't matter because his supervisor is really very useless.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
i suck at blogging.
Blogging has become a pain in the ass. I keep thinking of all these things I need to write but then I forget. I suck.
Joanna sent me a link to win the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile for a day. Part of the contest is to write a 100 word essay on how you would use the Wienermobile for the day. I'm at a loss. I can't fit all of my plans into 100 words. And do you think they'll care if hookers are part of my plans? I need to think about this...
Yesterday my bathing suit came in the mail...again. I returned the last one because I decided I did not want to look like I belonged in the "Ooops I crapped my pants!" advertisement. So I tried this one on and it fits better but now it's a little more "form fitting" than I would like. It's not disgusting, but I'm not really comfortable in anything that is tighter than an XL tshirt. My new plan is to try it on every night before bedtime and that will motivate me to get my lazy ass out of bed in the morning and get on the treadmill. It worked last night. Oh. That and the birds were sooooo loud this morning. I hate nature so I moved to Detroit. I swear I read on the brochure that there is no nature in Detroit.
I don't really hate nature. Only at certain times. Like at 5:50AM when I am trying to sleep. Or when I am trying to canoe and the rushing water makes my canoe flip over and I fall into the icy cold spring fed Pine River.
My friend, Phil, is going to be writing the newsletter for an agency I used to work for. He said he is going to be writing some updates on staff that aren't with the agency anymore and asked if he could include my blog. I told him no. I'm sure I'll have mean things to say about those assholes at some point and don't want to have to worry that I'll hurt someone's feelings. I'll still say the mean things, but it's much more fun when I don't have that cloud of guilt hanging over my head. Yeah. I tried that "being nice" thing and it wasn't working out so well for me. So I'm back to being bitchy and mean. No wonder I don't have many friends...
Joanna sent me a link to win the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile for a day. Part of the contest is to write a 100 word essay on how you would use the Wienermobile for the day. I'm at a loss. I can't fit all of my plans into 100 words. And do you think they'll care if hookers are part of my plans? I need to think about this...
Yesterday my bathing suit came in the mail...again. I returned the last one because I decided I did not want to look like I belonged in the "Ooops I crapped my pants!" advertisement. So I tried this one on and it fits better but now it's a little more "form fitting" than I would like. It's not disgusting, but I'm not really comfortable in anything that is tighter than an XL tshirt. My new plan is to try it on every night before bedtime and that will motivate me to get my lazy ass out of bed in the morning and get on the treadmill. It worked last night. Oh. That and the birds were sooooo loud this morning. I hate nature so I moved to Detroit. I swear I read on the brochure that there is no nature in Detroit.
I don't really hate nature. Only at certain times. Like at 5:50AM when I am trying to sleep. Or when I am trying to canoe and the rushing water makes my canoe flip over and I fall into the icy cold spring fed Pine River.
My friend, Phil, is going to be writing the newsletter for an agency I used to work for. He said he is going to be writing some updates on staff that aren't with the agency anymore and asked if he could include my blog. I told him no. I'm sure I'll have mean things to say about those assholes at some point and don't want to have to worry that I'll hurt someone's feelings. I'll still say the mean things, but it's much more fun when I don't have that cloud of guilt hanging over my head. Yeah. I tried that "being nice" thing and it wasn't working out so well for me. So I'm back to being bitchy and mean. No wonder I don't have many friends...
Friday, May 06, 2005
I am going to a birthday party tonight. I haven't found a gift to give yet. Once upon a time I was really good about sending cards and gifts at the appropriate time. Now I'm not so good. My "nieces and nephews" in Grand Rapids have not received their gifts because they are in various places at my house. Their cards are sitting on the island in the kitchen. What is wrong with me? I guess I could make lots of excuses but it really just comes down to the fact that I suck. Oh shit. I just remembered Mother's Day is on Sunday and I'm going to my parents' house for dinner.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
I was so excited because last year I harvested my own grape tomato seeds and they actually grew this spring. But now my excitement is gone because they are all dead. And I didn't save any of the seeds I had harvested. Last week I left the plants on an outside table for the afternoon to get some sunshine and when Jesse got them to bring them inside, he found they had been dumped over. I think an animal got to them. The last cherry tomato plant is about to die but I have more of those seeds so I'll plant them again. I guess from now on when they get outdoor sunshine they will be on the screened in porch. I'm not sure what will happen when I plant them in the ground. I'll probably have to stay home all day and sleep outside with a shotgun to make sure ghetto animals don't eat my plants before tomatoes can grow.
Baseball game today was awesome. We had a blast!! Now I need a nap.
Baseball game today was awesome. We had a blast!! Now I need a nap.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Sometimes I think things are funny and they probably aren't. But I'll share them with you anyway...
News from the village:
--white Nissan Altima, beat up, puttering noise, east onLafayette, south on Seminole slowly, west on Jefferson (that makes a complete circle)
OOOOO a complete circle. That can't be good.
Here's another:
TJ reports a suspicious person on Parker and Lafayette. Black male, 6' or more, with Michigan sweatshirt and black baggy pants. Tj noted that his hood was up, and when TJ passed, the man would quickly turn his head away. TJ stopped on Parker for a moment, and the man went west on Lafayette at a more rapid pace. TJ is sure he is up to no good.
I think if someone was stalking me, I might walk a little faster too. Would that make me up to no good? Maybe. Oh wait, I'm not a black male.
News from the village:
--white Nissan Altima, beat up, puttering noise, east onLafayette, south on Seminole slowly, west on Jefferson (that makes a complete circle)
OOOOO a complete circle. That can't be good.
Here's another:
TJ reports a suspicious person on Parker and Lafayette. Black male, 6' or more, with Michigan sweatshirt and black baggy pants. Tj noted that his hood was up, and when TJ passed, the man would quickly turn his head away. TJ stopped on Parker for a moment, and the man went west on Lafayette at a more rapid pace. TJ is sure he is up to no good.
I think if someone was stalking me, I might walk a little faster too. Would that make me up to no good? Maybe. Oh wait, I'm not a black male.
Monday, May 02, 2005
bye bye mold. i think.
The mold cleaners were done last week. When we got to work this morning the first thing we did was turn on the heat. YAY! I emailed a couple people to find out when the stacks of boxes in the conference room would be moved back to the basement. One guy said they haven't retested to make sure the mold is gone so I shouldn't be in my office. The other guy said the boxes would be moved by Friday. Both are assholes, but for different reasons.
Today I started to move my office upstairs. I have been sharing a teeny-tiny office with Brenda. It's not been bad since we get along so well. But it has been a pain in the ass. We can't both push our chairs away from our desks at the same time and if we are both on the phone, it's really hard to hear. The intern had been using the upstairs space and she's gone now so I decided to move up there. I spent much of the day rearranging furniture. Heavy furniture. My arms are going to be sore tomorrow!
Last week I ordered a bathing suit from Eddie Bauer. It came in the mail today. I'm bummed because it is too big. I really want it to fit and was thinking about keeping it. But the butt is baggy and I don't want to look like I pooped in my bathing suit. I need to just go to the store and try them on. I HATE THAT! I figured I would skip the horror of it all by ordering one through the mail. Looks like that plan failed miserably. The best part is that I can return it to the store. Mail in Detroit isn't very reliable. This winter I sent a Netflix movie from the house and they got it 3 months later. I hate bathing suit shopping.
Bed early tonight so I can treadmill in the morning. Did I mention that I hate bathing suit shopping???
Today I started to move my office upstairs. I have been sharing a teeny-tiny office with Brenda. It's not been bad since we get along so well. But it has been a pain in the ass. We can't both push our chairs away from our desks at the same time and if we are both on the phone, it's really hard to hear. The intern had been using the upstairs space and she's gone now so I decided to move up there. I spent much of the day rearranging furniture. Heavy furniture. My arms are going to be sore tomorrow!
Last week I ordered a bathing suit from Eddie Bauer. It came in the mail today. I'm bummed because it is too big. I really want it to fit and was thinking about keeping it. But the butt is baggy and I don't want to look like I pooped in my bathing suit. I need to just go to the store and try them on. I HATE THAT! I figured I would skip the horror of it all by ordering one through the mail. Looks like that plan failed miserably. The best part is that I can return it to the store. Mail in Detroit isn't very reliable. This winter I sent a Netflix movie from the house and they got it 3 months later. I hate bathing suit shopping.
Bed early tonight so I can treadmill in the morning. Did I mention that I hate bathing suit shopping???
Sunday, May 01, 2005
busy busy busy
It's been a weekend of rock and roll. Two nights of getting home waaaaaay past my bedtime. I'm old and it will probably take me three weeks to recover. That sucks since there will be more rock on Friday night and then more on Saturday night.
All of my friends are taking improv classes at Second City. Well, not all my friends, just the ones that live around here. It appears to be their favorite thing to talk about. A lot. I do a lot of standing around looking at the ceiling since I don't have anything to say. For once. It's okay because they are having a blast and are very passionate about being funny. I think I just need to make some new friends. Of course I will hold on to the old ones too! Maybe if you are reading this and don't know anything about improv or don't care about it or know someone who doesn't know anything, give me a call!! We'll find other things to talk about, I promise. There is life outside of improv!!
I am going to Costco today. Can't get enough of that place...
All of my friends are taking improv classes at Second City. Well, not all my friends, just the ones that live around here. It appears to be their favorite thing to talk about. A lot. I do a lot of standing around looking at the ceiling since I don't have anything to say. For once. It's okay because they are having a blast and are very passionate about being funny. I think I just need to make some new friends. Of course I will hold on to the old ones too! Maybe if you are reading this and don't know anything about improv or don't care about it or know someone who doesn't know anything, give me a call!! We'll find other things to talk about, I promise. There is life outside of improv!!
I am going to Costco today. Can't get enough of that place...
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