This week they posted the new jobs for my office (my current job is going away) – there will be five positions left here at three levels – I decided to apply for all three but I held off until I took my Network+ exam (it’s a certification that says you know about networks & such). I have been studying for it on my own (can’t afford a class) and using an exam prep book I got from the library. So yesterday I went down to take the exam and I failed. Crap! $200 down the tubes! They asked a lot more Linux questions than I was ready for – I think that’s what killed me. Lesson learned: When studying for a tech exam, don’t use a three-year-old book from the library – bite the bullet and buy a new one with all the latest info!
So I went ahead and applied for the jobs without the extra cert. At least I customized the front page of my resume for each different job. I look like the logical choice! Wish me luck.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Mid-week Musings
So Valentine's Day turned out pretty good although not as planned. Friday I got the pendant at the mall, focusing on a nice deep blue for the opals with a nice chain to match. Then Friday night Mary Lynn says, "You know, I think I'd rather have an iPod for V-Day. Is that alright?" Well, I didn't want to blow the surprise OR take the pendant back so my head went to work on a plausible resolution that would allow me to give her both.... (A wise man once said, "My head thinks it can kill me, and go on.")
No prob. She didn't get the pendant before because we couldn't afford it. (fact: we actually got the pendant for our anniversary and I had to take it back a few days later 'cuz we were broke - my bad; whole 'nother story there). Anyway, I said I'm not getting her the pendant for V-Day; I'm getting it to replace the one we had to return. Brilliant! Now the iPod can be the actual present.
So, Saturday we went to the Apple store in the same mall, and got her a nice 20gb pod with add-ons - protective shell, smaller ear buds, nifty sock-like bags to store the pod and parts in, and a 2-year warranty. (It's not that I don't trust Apple.... It's just that I don't trust them.) We also stopped at Sears and got her a new watch for work. It's quite nice, readable face with numbers, was on sale, plus she used her employee discount.
Saturday evening we set the iPod to charge and looked over the accessories and installed the software on her laptop. I wrapped the watch and gave it to her along with - Surprise! - the gold and opal sandal pendant! Lead balloon time! The pendant was not acceptable! Dang! Seems I was focused on color when I should have been focused on fire. She wanted opals that would show depth and sparkle in the light - (if you know opals you know what I mean). Also the diamonds and their mounts seemed kind of dull - not sparkly at all. Bummer! I made up for it by getting her iPod set up to load her favorite CDs and she zoned out to the music! We went out and had a great dinner at Lone Star and brought home leftover steak and sweet potato "for later."
No problem with the pendant though - Sunday we went back to Na Hoku and swapped it for the perfect one! (Might even be the one we bought last October and had to return.) Stopped at the Verizon store and got me a mini headset for my cellular so I can talk for extended periods without burning off my sideburns - my little phone gets way hot when it's on for more than a few minutes, right at the spot where it touches my cheek. Good engineering!
So we ended up having a nice weekend. Now all I have to do is find out what's happening with my job. More on that later.
_____
Watched Bad Santa last night (sorry, Bood!) and laughed and laughed. However, I can in no way recommend the film to you. It was one of the funniest and most profane films I've ever seen. You have to be in the mood and DO NOT take it seriously - they aren't.
We immediately watched Santa Clause 2 to cleanse the pallet.
Gotta go home and clean up the office so I can move the Total Gym in there from the living room so I can set up my Polar Express again. I also get to order more track when this is done! Excellent! Mary Lynn thinks I just want a slightly bigger loop. Ha.... haha..... Mwuahahahahaha!!!! Fact: When we finally buy a house, I'll be looking for a basement for my train(s) - if there's a decent house up above, so much the better.
____
Today's Name That Film!
Jack Chester (dejected): Do you know what it's like to peak when you're seventeen?
Scully (reflective): Yes... I do.
No prob. She didn't get the pendant before because we couldn't afford it. (fact: we actually got the pendant for our anniversary and I had to take it back a few days later 'cuz we were broke - my bad; whole 'nother story there). Anyway, I said I'm not getting her the pendant for V-Day; I'm getting it to replace the one we had to return. Brilliant! Now the iPod can be the actual present.
So, Saturday we went to the Apple store in the same mall, and got her a nice 20gb pod with add-ons - protective shell, smaller ear buds, nifty sock-like bags to store the pod and parts in, and a 2-year warranty. (It's not that I don't trust Apple.... It's just that I don't trust them.) We also stopped at Sears and got her a new watch for work. It's quite nice, readable face with numbers, was on sale, plus she used her employee discount.
Saturday evening we set the iPod to charge and looked over the accessories and installed the software on her laptop. I wrapped the watch and gave it to her along with - Surprise! - the gold and opal sandal pendant! Lead balloon time! The pendant was not acceptable! Dang! Seems I was focused on color when I should have been focused on fire. She wanted opals that would show depth and sparkle in the light - (if you know opals you know what I mean). Also the diamonds and their mounts seemed kind of dull - not sparkly at all. Bummer! I made up for it by getting her iPod set up to load her favorite CDs and she zoned out to the music! We went out and had a great dinner at Lone Star and brought home leftover steak and sweet potato "for later."
No problem with the pendant though - Sunday we went back to Na Hoku and swapped it for the perfect one! (Might even be the one we bought last October and had to return.) Stopped at the Verizon store and got me a mini headset for my cellular so I can talk for extended periods without burning off my sideburns - my little phone gets way hot when it's on for more than a few minutes, right at the spot where it touches my cheek. Good engineering!
So we ended up having a nice weekend. Now all I have to do is find out what's happening with my job. More on that later.
_____
Watched Bad Santa last night (sorry, Bood!) and laughed and laughed. However, I can in no way recommend the film to you. It was one of the funniest and most profane films I've ever seen. You have to be in the mood and DO NOT take it seriously - they aren't.
We immediately watched Santa Clause 2 to cleanse the pallet.
Gotta go home and clean up the office so I can move the Total Gym in there from the living room so I can set up my Polar Express again. I also get to order more track when this is done! Excellent! Mary Lynn thinks I just want a slightly bigger loop. Ha.... haha..... Mwuahahahahaha!!!! Fact: When we finally buy a house, I'll be looking for a basement for my train(s) - if there's a decent house up above, so much the better.
____
Today's Name That Film!
Jack Chester (dejected): Do you know what it's like to peak when you're seventeen?
Scully (reflective): Yes... I do.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Valentine's Day
Well, the day dedicated to the memory of St. Valentine and St. Hallmark is just around the corner. I am going to have to observe this day with Mary Lynn on Sunday, I think, since I have class this semester on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening. I have to leave work at 4:00 to catch the commuter train into Chicago for my classes at Northwestern (last semester, yea!)
Anyway, I am going to the mall to get the pre-requested gift - it is a little jewel of a flip-flop sandal about three-quarter inch long; in gold with a blue opal sole and diamond studded straps. Pretty neat. Mary Lynn is from Florida so she loves stuff like this! I will need to get a chain as well so she can wear it around her neck. I tried to get this for her for our anniversary last October but just didn't have the money, but now I do (thank you, student loans!). I'm getting it at this Hawaiian jewelry store called Na Hoku - really beautiful stuff there! You can see the sandal on their website here. She has a blue topaz pendant and blue topaz rings and earrings I've giver her in the past, and the color of the opal just matches.
So Sunday evening I'll make a nice dinner or we'll go out or bring in - her choice - and probably watch a favorite movie and snuggle. Couldn't be better! I want this to be special since Valentine's Day is kinda tough for my wife. Her father passed away on Valentine's Day in 1996 so that has really taken the joy out of it for her until the last couple of years.
I hope everyone out there has a special someone they can share the occasion with. If nothing else, try to spend some time with friends, or contact someone you care about and let them know you are thinking of them - almost as good as flowers!
"All love that has not friendship for its base,is like a mansion built upon the sand." ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Anyway, I am going to the mall to get the pre-requested gift - it is a little jewel of a flip-flop sandal about three-quarter inch long; in gold with a blue opal sole and diamond studded straps. Pretty neat. Mary Lynn is from Florida so she loves stuff like this! I will need to get a chain as well so she can wear it around her neck. I tried to get this for her for our anniversary last October but just didn't have the money, but now I do (thank you, student loans!). I'm getting it at this Hawaiian jewelry store called Na Hoku - really beautiful stuff there! You can see the sandal on their website here. She has a blue topaz pendant and blue topaz rings and earrings I've giver her in the past, and the color of the opal just matches.
So Sunday evening I'll make a nice dinner or we'll go out or bring in - her choice - and probably watch a favorite movie and snuggle. Couldn't be better! I want this to be special since Valentine's Day is kinda tough for my wife. Her father passed away on Valentine's Day in 1996 so that has really taken the joy out of it for her until the last couple of years.
I hope everyone out there has a special someone they can share the occasion with. If nothing else, try to spend some time with friends, or contact someone you care about and let them know you are thinking of them - almost as good as flowers!
"All love that has not friendship for its base,is like a mansion built upon the sand." ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Friday, February 04, 2005
Just breaking through.... now.
Bowing to the pressure of public vanity and inspired by the lucid and pithy postings I see in other blogs, I have blogged in with my own -- primarily so when I respond to others in blogland I can be a more interesting person than "Anonymous." I promise to post any comments, observations or personal news on an inconsistent schedule. No need to check back daily as there probably won't be anything new.
Anyway, thanks for dropping by.
"Watch out for Stobor."
Anyway, thanks for dropping by.
"Watch out for Stobor."
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