Today's Musings
There are so many times I want to post but never know quite what to post or where to begin. For today, I shall let my brain wander and see where it leads.
I have 3 possible jobs in the works. One at Watkins Motor Lines as an Administrative Assists, another at Henkel-Loctite is a 1-yr temp Computer Operator on 3rd shift, the last is at Home Depot in Enfield doing Data Entry.
The job at Henkel-Loctite is a position that was available in November 2002. After the 2nd interview, I discovered the position was strictly 3rd shift (not 2nd as was advertised) and I withdrew my name from consideration. I knew I wouldn't be happy working 3rd shift and would continue looking for another job. It didn't seem fair to other applicants, the employer or myself to accept the position, knowing I wouldn't stay. If I had been offered the job and turned it down, I would have also lost my Unemployment Compensation (UCI). Having a full savings account and UCI coming in, I thought it the best decision, at the time. If offered the job now, I would have to say "screw being fair" I am looking out for me. The salary at Henkel is close to what I was making in 1998, but since it's a temp position, there are no benefits.
The job at Watkins is an interesting position. It's the Administrative Assistant to the Depot/Terminal Manager. I've interviewed there twice and the people are very nice. While the money is barely 1/2 what I was making at International Paper, I can see myself enjoying this job and staying there for many years. Included in their are fully paid medical and dental for their employees. For the next year, I would have about a 30 mile commute to Cheshire. Watkins has already purchased land and hopes to move to Windsor around January 2005.
Home Depot, well that will be an interim job. I don't care to be a data entry clerk but I'll do it simply because it's a job. I have no idea what the pay scale or benefits are at this point. I wasn't not pleased with the manager that kept me waiting for 45 minutes because he was late getting to work. The hours could be day or evenings and the stores are open 7 days a week. Those aren't to my liking but as I said - it's a job.
Christmas Day was good this year. Unlike last year, I was not snowed in at home and unable to enjoy the holiday with my family. The fun part of the day wasn't even opening gifts. It was the Cool Whip fight my Mom started. She got my nephew, Ricky, first. For some strange reason, he decided it would be more fun (probably safer) to go after my SIL, Debbie. There was Cool Whip flying all over the kitchen. By the time Debbie and Ricky finished, both were in need of showers and clean clothing.
Rick and Jasmine (brother and sister-in-law) left Hawaii on Christmas morning for the Philippines. Jasmine is from Manilla. I'm praying they won't have a problem returning to Hawaii with the heightened security alert. They were married in June or July or 2001. It only took 18 months before Jasmine's VISA was approved and she was able join Rick in Hawaii. They were hoping to fly to CT in January but there's nothing definate planned. It would be nice to finally meet Jasmine. So far she has only met my parents and that was because they went to Hawaii in April.
Marsha is having a New Year's Eve party for a small group of people. Nothing spectacular but a group of single friends getting together to welcome in the New Year. She has plenty of room for people to crash at her house. We don't want anyone drinking and driving. We have the food planned out (spaghetti dinner), BYOB, now we need some kind of entertainment. Any suggestions?
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Friday, December 26, 2003
Thursday, December 25, 2003
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Last night I joined the annual Christmas Eve celebration at J&G's. Every year, Manny & Johnny close the restaurant at 6:00, to the paying customers. The "regulars" and staff stick around and have a party. One of the regulars, Steve Howard, took over tending bar so the bartenders could join in the festivities. Marsha joined me for the evening, as did Wig & Sonny. At one point we joined together and assisted Elvis with his rendition of "Blue Christmas". Although it still doesn't feel like Christmas, I must admit, I had a really good time last night and feeling a little more festive.
In just a few hours, I'll be packing the baked goodies into my car and driving to my parents house. We'll celebrate the holiday with way too much food, exchanging gifts and hopefully plenty of laughter. Hmmm, I wonder if the spa is available for today? That would be a nice way to spend Christmas -- relaxing in the spa.
Have a Merry Christmas!!!!!
Last night I joined the annual Christmas Eve celebration at J&G's. Every year, Manny & Johnny close the restaurant at 6:00, to the paying customers. The "regulars" and staff stick around and have a party. One of the regulars, Steve Howard, took over tending bar so the bartenders could join in the festivities. Marsha joined me for the evening, as did Wig & Sonny. At one point we joined together and assisted Elvis with his rendition of "Blue Christmas". Although it still doesn't feel like Christmas, I must admit, I had a really good time last night and feeling a little more festive.
In just a few hours, I'll be packing the baked goodies into my car and driving to my parents house. We'll celebrate the holiday with way too much food, exchanging gifts and hopefully plenty of laughter. Hmmm, I wonder if the spa is available for today? That would be a nice way to spend Christmas -- relaxing in the spa.
Have a Merry Christmas!!!!!
Sunday, December 14, 2003
More white crap falling!!
With Christmas only 11 days away, I'm finally getting to the task of baking. I've been procrastinating and put off the baking long enough. With today's snowfall, it's a good time to be inside with the smells of fresh baked goodies. Sorry, I can't say exactly what I'm baking, my friends and family will just have to wait to see what they get.
I've decided to not decorate this year. I love a having a live tree and I simply can not justify the cost a tree, to throw it away after a few short weeks. It's fun to put up the decorations but taking them down is a chore that I hate. This Christmas isn't a joyous one and the post-holiday depression will hopefully be lessened without the extra chore of undecorating.
Christmas Day I'll be spending with my "family". By family I don't mean just my parents, brother, sister..... it also includes friends. When it comes to any holiday, my friends are my CHOSEN family. We are there for each other because we want to be, not because we are blood relatives. My Mother has always told us "there is always room for one more at our table." I have invited several friends to join our family for Christmas Day and hope they accept the invitation. No one should ever be alone or feel alone on any holiday.
With Christmas only 11 days away, I'm finally getting to the task of baking. I've been procrastinating and put off the baking long enough. With today's snowfall, it's a good time to be inside with the smells of fresh baked goodies. Sorry, I can't say exactly what I'm baking, my friends and family will just have to wait to see what they get.
I've decided to not decorate this year. I love a having a live tree and I simply can not justify the cost a tree, to throw it away after a few short weeks. It's fun to put up the decorations but taking them down is a chore that I hate. This Christmas isn't a joyous one and the post-holiday depression will hopefully be lessened without the extra chore of undecorating.
Christmas Day I'll be spending with my "family". By family I don't mean just my parents, brother, sister..... it also includes friends. When it comes to any holiday, my friends are my CHOSEN family. We are there for each other because we want to be, not because we are blood relatives. My Mother has always told us "there is always room for one more at our table." I have invited several friends to join our family for Christmas Day and hope they accept the invitation. No one should ever be alone or feel alone on any holiday.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Keeping Busy
Debbie and I finally went to the Bushnell for the Hartford Symphony and Hartford Chorale's performance of Handel's Messiah. It was originally scheduled for last Saturday night but postponed because of the storm. It was an excellent show and it's fun when you are familiar with the music. Debbie and I managed to bite our tongues and not sing along.
While the performance is a very serious one, I managed to find some things to make me chuckle. The first being a male in a tuxedo that looked just like Ian Normal people wouldn't find this sight to be funny. However, if you know Ian, you know you will never see him in tuxedo! Ian, in case you are wondering, you looked great that tuxedo!
The next chuckle came as I scanned the musicians prior to the performance. Wow, there was Scrooge playing violin! This guy looked like one of the "old" Scrooge characters from "A Christmas Carol" and could have played the part without makeup.
The biggest (and continuous) chuckle came from a tenor in the Hartford Chorale. As I listened to the music I noticed movement at the upper corner of the group. There was a tenor that was really in to feeling the music. He was bopping up and down, head going, shoulders moving..... That just struck my funny bone and I started to chuckle. Of course I had to point that out to Debbie, which got her to smiling as well. You just don't see people doing things like that, during classical performances. Just like a rubber-necker at an accident, I HAD to look. Everytime I looked, I chuckled.
There are a few things I've never quite understood about symphonies and The Messiah. First, why do people applaud when the first violinist comes onto the stage? I know it signifies the start of the performance. Why not applaud for the whole orchestra and not just the first violinist? If any of you have ever been to a performance of Messiah, during the Hallelujah chorus, it's customary for the audience to stand. It's probably a "religious" thing but it's not like we are in church. Personally, I saw it as a chance to stretch my legs.
Debbie, I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to get out of the house and find a few things to chuckle about. I know you planning on the chuckle part but you have to admit, that tenor was funny to watch!
Debbie and I finally went to the Bushnell for the Hartford Symphony and Hartford Chorale's performance of Handel's Messiah. It was originally scheduled for last Saturday night but postponed because of the storm. It was an excellent show and it's fun when you are familiar with the music. Debbie and I managed to bite our tongues and not sing along.
While the performance is a very serious one, I managed to find some things to make me chuckle. The first being a male in a tuxedo that looked just like Ian Normal people wouldn't find this sight to be funny. However, if you know Ian, you know you will never see him in tuxedo! Ian, in case you are wondering, you looked great that tuxedo!
The next chuckle came as I scanned the musicians prior to the performance. Wow, there was Scrooge playing violin! This guy looked like one of the "old" Scrooge characters from "A Christmas Carol" and could have played the part without makeup.
The biggest (and continuous) chuckle came from a tenor in the Hartford Chorale. As I listened to the music I noticed movement at the upper corner of the group. There was a tenor that was really in to feeling the music. He was bopping up and down, head going, shoulders moving..... That just struck my funny bone and I started to chuckle. Of course I had to point that out to Debbie, which got her to smiling as well. You just don't see people doing things like that, during classical performances. Just like a rubber-necker at an accident, I HAD to look. Everytime I looked, I chuckled.
There are a few things I've never quite understood about symphonies and The Messiah. First, why do people applaud when the first violinist comes onto the stage? I know it signifies the start of the performance. Why not applaud for the whole orchestra and not just the first violinist? If any of you have ever been to a performance of Messiah, during the Hallelujah chorus, it's customary for the audience to stand. It's probably a "religious" thing but it's not like we are in church. Personally, I saw it as a chance to stretch my legs.
Debbie, I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to get out of the house and find a few things to chuckle about. I know you planning on the chuckle part but you have to admit, that tenor was funny to watch!
Monday, December 08, 2003
OUCH!!!!!!!!
Well I picked up my car today. It does seem to run much better and it should!! At $598 for this month's repairs, the car should run like new!! Well now I know where the oil was going. I knew I needed a tune-up and just thought the car was burning oil. There were no oil spots on the ground to let me know there was a leak. As for the alternator no longer charging, I can't help but wonder if that was a result of the power steering fluid leak. According to Serge, the power steering fluid was spraying all over the belts, causing them to slip.
When it rains, it pours and I'm in the middle of monsoon season.
Well I picked up my car today. It does seem to run much better and it should!! At $598 for this month's repairs, the car should run like new!! Well now I know where the oil was going. I knew I needed a tune-up and just thought the car was burning oil. There were no oil spots on the ground to let me know there was a leak. As for the alternator no longer charging, I can't help but wonder if that was a result of the power steering fluid leak. According to Serge, the power steering fluid was spraying all over the belts, causing them to slip.
When it rains, it pours and I'm in the middle of monsoon season.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Good News, Bad News
The good news is that I don't need to clean the snow off my car this weekend! The bad news is because my car is back in the shop!!
I had an interview yesterday afternoon, for a temp holiday job in Centerbrook. Although I wasn't looking forward to the daily drive, the job would have brought in a couple hundred dollars. Well, my car had other plans for me. I was on Rt. 9, just past Middletown, when the "air bag" light decided to start flashing. Then it stopped flashing. A few miles later, it started again, my speedometer went crazy and bouncing all over and at on point staying at zero for about 10 seconds, they dashboard lit up and the car started to lose power. I got off the first exit and drove back to Manchester -- very carefully!! It happened again on the way home so I went straight to my mechanic.
Serge took the car in immediately and set it up on the diagnostics equipment. The news is NOT good -- my alternator wasn't charging AND the rear seal on the crankshaft decided to let go. Another few miles and I would have probably lost the last quart of oil in my car and blown the engine. Serge gave me a very rough estimate of $500 for repairs. The only reason I made it back to Manchester without my car stalling, was because I turned off everything except the engine.
Not only will I not be getting the temp holiday job, I get to max out my credit card with major car repairs. There goes any thoughts I had to pick up a few small Christmas gifts for my parents a few very close friends.
In the meantime, I submitted an on-line application to Stop & Shop last night. It was a difficult decision and one where I no longer have any choice. I'd love to see the HR person's face when they read the past salary and work experience then read that I'm applying for a job as a bakery clerk or cashier. I'm actually hoping for a job in the bakery simply because I enjoy baking and the bakery isn't open during the 3rd shift hours.
The good news is that I don't need to clean the snow off my car this weekend! The bad news is because my car is back in the shop!!
I had an interview yesterday afternoon, for a temp holiday job in Centerbrook. Although I wasn't looking forward to the daily drive, the job would have brought in a couple hundred dollars. Well, my car had other plans for me. I was on Rt. 9, just past Middletown, when the "air bag" light decided to start flashing. Then it stopped flashing. A few miles later, it started again, my speedometer went crazy and bouncing all over and at on point staying at zero for about 10 seconds, they dashboard lit up and the car started to lose power. I got off the first exit and drove back to Manchester -- very carefully!! It happened again on the way home so I went straight to my mechanic.
Serge took the car in immediately and set it up on the diagnostics equipment. The news is NOT good -- my alternator wasn't charging AND the rear seal on the crankshaft decided to let go. Another few miles and I would have probably lost the last quart of oil in my car and blown the engine. Serge gave me a very rough estimate of $500 for repairs. The only reason I made it back to Manchester without my car stalling, was because I turned off everything except the engine.
Not only will I not be getting the temp holiday job, I get to max out my credit card with major car repairs. There goes any thoughts I had to pick up a few small Christmas gifts for my parents a few very close friends.
In the meantime, I submitted an on-line application to Stop & Shop last night. It was a difficult decision and one where I no longer have any choice. I'd love to see the HR person's face when they read the past salary and work experience then read that I'm applying for a job as a bakery clerk or cashier. I'm actually hoping for a job in the bakery simply because I enjoy baking and the bakery isn't open during the 3rd shift hours.
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