1. It was not a palmetto bug on the ceiling of my bedroom. It was just a moth. Whew! With the help of a broom and a whirling ceiling fan that the moth kept flying into, the intruder was soon batted out of the sky by Cowboy, played with, chewed up a little and then played with again. My dear sweet hunter, Cowboy. Good boy.
2. I do not have to pay that penalty month of rent for breaking my lease early. Huzzah! And to boot, I don't have to clean the carpet before I leave.
3. I have gone a whole week without catching swine flu.
4. I fell again (3rd time) wearing those shoes I like so much that I bought from Target. This time, I was shopping again and again pushing a shopping cart. I walked around the store for almost an hour with no trouble. Then as I approached the cashier, my ankle twisted, the right shoe slipped and down I went while hanging onto the handle of the cart. I'm sure glad that I managed to fall in the one place most congested with witnesses, the check out stands. The cashier and a manager rushed over. It hurt bad, as I fell AGAIN on the exact same place on my left knee as the previous falls. I don't remember if I cussed out loud. Just when that knee was starting to not hurt. What store did I fall in? Target the distributors of these Death Shoes. Why is this a crisis averted? Well it will a future crisis averted. Because I have vowed to not wear those shoes ever again. Three times is enough. My knee can't take it anymore. I will not wear them again! (maybe, just one more time, they are cute)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Things I have discovered while starting the move to the new apartment.
1. I am not a good housekeeper. Okay I already knew this. But even when motivated to clean, I tend to peter out quite quickly. Cara, on the other hand, can go all day. 
2. None of the interior doors in the new apartment have locks on them. When having guests over, remember to knock before entering the bathroom.
3. The person who lived there before me had splattered some of kind of yellowish stuff onto the bedroom closet doors (which I was able to wipe off) and some kind of brownish stuff on the bathrpom door (which I was not able to remove). The landlady apparently did not care to thoroughly clean the apt after the last tenant moved out. Wish I could get a quart of the white paint she used to paint this apartment.
4. Moving a heavy item down rickety stairs in $8 Walmart flip flops is NOT a good idea.
5. I believe that I can reupholster the cushions on a glider rocker with no experience and little equipment.
6. What I think is a frumpy, wouldn't-be-caught-dead-in outfit, is apparently a real put-together look, according to Cara.
7. Neither Cara nor I have been able to find a really good mop. Why is designing a good mop so impossible?
8. Right up, left down...or is it left up, right down?
9. The neighbors seem to be friendly. The one who lives above me came home yesterday while Cara and I were just sitting in the living room. She saw me through the window and waved. I waved back. The neighborhood is very quiet also. No screaming drunk people at the pool? I can live without that.
10. I live as far north off Gulf Blvd as you can live and still be in Indian Rocks Beach. Just north of my street is Bellair Beach, a much hoitier-toitier city than Indian Rocks Beach. Still, in IRB, I feel I am living pretty large. Perhaps larger than my means...
2. None of the interior doors in the new apartment have locks on them. When having guests over, remember to knock before entering the bathroom.
3. The person who lived there before me had splattered some of kind of yellowish stuff onto the bedroom closet doors (which I was able to wipe off) and some kind of brownish stuff on the bathrpom door (which I was not able to remove). The landlady apparently did not care to thoroughly clean the apt after the last tenant moved out. Wish I could get a quart of the white paint she used to paint this apartment.
4. Moving a heavy item down rickety stairs in $8 Walmart flip flops is NOT a good idea.
5. I believe that I can reupholster the cushions on a glider rocker with no experience and little equipment.
6. What I think is a frumpy, wouldn't-be-caught-dead-in outfit, is apparently a real put-together look, according to Cara.
7. Neither Cara nor I have been able to find a really good mop. Why is designing a good mop so impossible?
8. Right up, left down...or is it left up, right down?
9. The neighbors seem to be friendly. The one who lives above me came home yesterday while Cara and I were just sitting in the living room. She saw me through the window and waved. I waved back. The neighborhood is very quiet also. No screaming drunk people at the pool? I can live without that.
10. I live as far north off Gulf Blvd as you can live and still be in Indian Rocks Beach. Just north of my street is Bellair Beach, a much hoitier-toitier city than Indian Rocks Beach. Still, in IRB, I feel I am living pretty large. Perhaps larger than my means...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Yippee!
Today I get the key to the new place from the landlady. I also have to give her a check for May's rent, as well as two post-dated checks for June and July. That would wipe out my checking account if all get cashed today by accident. Hopefully that won't happen.
Cara and Darcy and Madison are coming over to help with packing and moving some boxes over there today. We will go check out the place and see if there is any cleaning that needs to be done. I have much to do this morning before they come over, so I better get to it.
Cara and Darcy and Madison are coming over to help with packing and moving some boxes over there today. We will go check out the place and see if there is any cleaning that needs to be done. I have much to do this morning before they come over, so I better get to it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
In Memoriam...and Gratitude
Pidgin 1992-2009
When I first went to look at the beach apartment I am about to move into, I asked about pets. The landlady said no pets and then asked what kind of pet I was talking about. Without even hesitating, I said, "One cat." She agreed to let me have one cat but only one.
I actually have (or had) two cats, Cowboy, a 3 year old male tabby, and Pidgin, a 17 year old long haired cat. The quick story of how I ended up with Pidgin is this: I was working at a low class bar in Chicago as a bartender. I worked the 10 am to 6 pm shift, which mostly had middle to lower class white people who I am sure spent all their welfare checks on drinks like gin and diet coke at this bar. One day, one of the regular older guys came in with a small black cat under one arm. He announced to me and the customers that he had been feeding this stray cat in his garage for a couple of weeks but now he was tired of it. He proclaimed that unless someone agreed to take this cat from him, he was going to go home and put a bullet in its brain. I was horrified. I asked him to at least take the cat to the pound, but he repeated his vow to shoot the cat that night if he had no takers. I told him that I would take the cat but he had to wait until the end of my shift. He did and soon I was carting this cat home. This cat was delicately-boned and her fur was black at the tips and snow white at the roots. Her fur looked like a bird's feathers and in honor of her dirty city stray cat look, I named her Pidgin, a take on pigeon. She was about 1 year old when I got her. I already had one cat, Tibbs, at home and, although I never asked my roommate before taking her, he was fine with one more cat in the apartment.
I really loved Tibbs. He was feisty and a troublemaker and had loads of personality. Pidgin, on the other hand, seemed pretty dim-witted and mostly just slept and ate. She was a decent companion to Tibbs but I never loved her as much as Tibbs. I moved both of them to Florida. Jorge will remember the trauma of that move. First I had Tibbs and Pidgin in the carrier together while Jorge drove the huge Ryder truck out of the city. Before we even got to the Indiana border, Pidgin peed all over herself and Tibbs in the carrier. She really hated that truck ride. I decided to let them out of the carrier. Pidgin immediately moved back into the back of the truck and disappeared among my furniture. As we careened through the mountains of the Tennessee/Georgia border, my furniture shifted and creaked in the back. I kept asking Jorge where was Pidgin?Where was Pidgin? Jorge laughingly replied, "Heaven." I did not find it funny. I just kept worrying. I didn't see Pidgin until we reached Largo the next day. Both cats made the move in one piece.
Pidgin was no fan of the outdoors. She was afraid to go outside. She was very sweet and gentle. Tibbs on the other hand did all her could do to sneak out the front door when someone opened it. All went along fine until Tibbs started losing weight and was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. I treated the thyroid issue with medicine but he never seemed to get any better. The vet I went to couldn't seem to solve the problem and wanted to do more and more tests. Meanwhile I had already chalked up about $2000 in vet bills on my credit card. After two years of Tibbs suffering insatiable hunger and becoming very haggard, I had him put to sleep. Greg was with me and we cried and cried as the vet injected the poison into him.
I waited about 9 months and then decided that Pidgin needed a companion. I got a male kitten who was very sweet with people and a real mamma's boy. I thought Pidgin could mother him. She had no interest in him. As he grew he began to pick fights with Pidgin and the fighting only grew worse, all on the male's part I must say. Pidgin did her best to avoid him, although occasionally they did sleep up against each other.
About a year ago, Pidgin began peeing on the floor and on the couch. She was already sixteen and there was no way I was spending more money on a vet. It had taken me 4 years to pay off my credit card. I figured she was so old that she would die of natural causes soon. I put waterproof mattress pads all over the couch, so she wouldn't ruin it while I was at work. Right after she would eat, I would take her to the litter box and put her in it. She would pee just fine, but only did that when I actually picked her up and took her there. She peed on a chair, which I threw away and then on a sofa pillow, which I also threw away. Every night she would come to sleep next to me in bed and I would look her in the face and say, "Okay Pidgin, tonight you're gonna die in your sleep, okay?" I prayed she would. She never did.
So now we are up the point of my getting this new apartment. I knew I couldn't take her with me and have her destroy another apartment. I also knew she would be a bit traumatized by this move. Besides the landlady only would allow me one pet. I felt terrible about wanting Pidgin dead, but the truth is that I did. Cara has painted my decision in a much more charitable light (see cmkerwin.blogspot.com for her story). Truth is I was being selfish. I never liked Pidgin as much as my other cats. I also didn't want to fork over money to the vet. It didn't seem cost efficient to invest in this cat who I was sure would die any day. Still I wanted her end to be peaceful and humane. After sixteen years with me, she deserved at least that much.
I decided that something had to be done. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was racked with guilt because she was my responsibility and yet I was doing nothing. I joked with people at work about wanting someone to do it for me. Only I wasn't joking. Then one day I said to Cara that my dream would be to go to work and come home and Pidgin would be gone. I didn't want to know what happened to her but wanted it to be peaceful. The only thing is that Pidgin cries when you put her in the carrier in the car. She wails from the time you leave to the time you put her back in the apartment. I knew I wouldn't bear it. Lots of people offered to help but that responsibility guilt kept gnawing away me. I knew it had to be done soon, but how?
One day last week, Cara called me at work. She was out with her friend SueG after their usual workout. During this conversation which made me want to cry but instead made me laugh out loud, Cara told me that SueG would do it for me. I have only met SueG once but she seemed very willing. We agreed that they would do it while I was at work one day. All I had to do was leave the carrier out where she could find it. After subsequent talks with Cara, I told her that I didn't really want Cara to do it. She seemed as stressed out about the situation as I was. I felt bad that she was doing this horrible thing for me, but I was also incredibly grateful that I didn't have to do it. So I let her. She informed me that she would not be doing it. SueG would be doing it. She said she would call me at work after it was done. We tried to come up with a code word or phrase she would use to indicate to me that the deed was done. We didn't decide on one. I didn't want to know any details. I would practically hyperventilate when we discussed it. On Monday, I left the carrier out with a picture of Pidgin taped to the top of it. I didn't want SueG to pick up the wrong cat. I wrote a note stating, "this is Pidgin (arrow pointing to the photo). She is black with long hair. Pidgin goes. Do not confuse with Cowboy. He is orange and white. Cowboy stays." I taped this note to the top of the carrier also.
Today at work, I had the feeling that this would be the day. I left work around 4:15 pm without any word from Cara. I pulled up in front of my apartment building and noticed a paper taped to my door. Despite this situation being on my mind constantly for that last month or so, I assumed it was some kind of notice from the landlord, maybe something about my moving out. When I reached the front door, I noticed that paper was folded and my first name was printed on it. Still it didn't occur to me that it might not be from the landlord. I opened it up and there was a note stating that Pidgin had gone bye-bye, well it said she had run off with Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown to live in California (the whitney and bobby thing is an inside joke).
I stepped inside and noticed that the carrier was not on the couch where I had previously left it. I sat down on the chair for a few minutes. Cowboy, my male cat, wandered over to say hello like he always does. I left the apartment to go buy some Mike's Hard Lemonade. When I returned, I suddenly noticed the cat carrier sitting on the floor in front of the couch and then noticed Pidgin's picture taped to the fridge. It startled me so much that I almost dropped my grocery bag. I had not seen the carrier there before nor the picture on the fridge. It freaked me out. Had SueG returned the carrier in the 15 minutes I had been at the store? Or had the carrier been there the whole time? I popped open a Mike's and guzzled it. I felt relief sadness and guilt. I know her peeing all over the place was probably at least in part due to my introducing this other cat, who tortured Pidgin. I will never have more than one cat again.
Finally this last little formality was out of the way and I was free to make my move. I thought about Cara and SueG and wondered how bad it might have been. I wondered if Pidgin had been scared to leave the apartment. Had she cried all the way there to that place? Had she wondered to herself, what the hell is going on? Had she wondered why, Kelly, why? I hope she was okay but I know the truth. She was probably miserable and terrified. I can't even think about it or I will tear up.
Lastly, and most importantly, I want to say thanks to Cara and SueG. Especially Cara who I know hated doing it. But she did it anyway. I will never be able to pay her back. As much as I have campaigned through the years for her to get a pet, at least for the kids' sake, I know her having to do this may have closed the door on that idea forever. I know her kids will be upset, at least at Pidgin being gone, even if they don't know the real story. If they know the real story, they will probably be upset with me and Cara. I am sorry Cara but very grateful for your help. I hope I never have to do the same favor for you, but you know I will. You are a true friend. Thank You.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Clearing Away the Crazy Cobwebs
This weekend, I have been going through stuff in my apartment, either to toss it or pack it. I am also making a pile for Goodwill. So far I have packed 10 boxes and that is just books, DVDs and CDs. When I think of how much crap I have collected since moving to Florida nine and a half years ago, and how much stuff I brought with me from Chicago, I cannot imagine how many boxes I will eventually need for everything.
Today I found an old journal from 1997-1999. This was the two years right before I moved to Florida. I read all the entries and it made me cry and made me a little nauseous too. Most of the entries were discussions of how ugly, crazy, bored, or disappointed I was. Just miserable stuff to read. I was very unhappy toward the end of my Chicago years. I remember telling people who asked that the reason I moved to Florida was a "mini midlife crisis". I wasn't lying, although at the time it did not seem like the right explanation. Apparently I really needed to get away from that situation and quick! Florida hasn't been a 10 year joyride or anything, don't get me wrong. I do, however, find myself happier. Perhaps that is a function of getting a little older and smarter or more likely a case of less DUI (Drama Under the Influence).
I kept all these journals (there are more than just the one I found today) because I wanted all aspects of my life to be documented. Not having any children, I thought it would be some sort of lasting record of my existence. Also, I felt it was important to keep the journals so I wouldn't forget what I was like and what I did and how I felt at those times in my life. Now I am not so sure that is a wise thing to do. I don't think I want those miserable written memories to stay around forever. I am sure I will never forget how crazy I was in my late 20s and early 30s. I don't need to written proof. And who the hell would want to read them and keep them after I'm gone?
So I decided to take that journal and shred the pages and throw it away. It felt good. It would have been more cathartic to burn it, but I didn't want to set off the smoke detector. I wonder what other treasures I will dig up? If they are anything like that journal, then I just have 4 words to say: F**k it, chuck it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
This week in my life:
I passed my 4th LOMA test and that means an extra $200 (before taxes) on my next paycheck.
I had a really good week at work. Those of you who understand my situation at work will understand what I mean by that...
I haven't smoked since last Saturday.
I am horrified at the news of the death and sexual molestation of that 8 year old California girl. I am especially nauseous that the suspect arrested is a Sunday school teacher and a female. I know that women as a group sometimes have their issues and problems, but being deadly sex offenders isn't supposed to be one of them. AND if you can't trust your children with the mother of their playmates or with the female Sunday school teacher, who can you trust them with? Awful, really awful.
Don't want to end on a downer. So....
only 10 days till I get my key!*
*no party plans yet, Cara.
I passed my 4th LOMA test and that means an extra $200 (before taxes) on my next paycheck.
I had a really good week at work. Those of you who understand my situation at work will understand what I mean by that...
I haven't smoked since last Saturday.
I am horrified at the news of the death and sexual molestation of that 8 year old California girl. I am especially nauseous that the suspect arrested is a Sunday school teacher and a female. I know that women as a group sometimes have their issues and problems, but being deadly sex offenders isn't supposed to be one of them. AND if you can't trust your children with the mother of their playmates or with the female Sunday school teacher, who can you trust them with? Awful, really awful.
Don't want to end on a downer. So....
only 10 days till I get my key!*
*no party plans yet, Cara.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Bad girl, bad habit
I smoked today. I have no excuse. No legitimate excuse at all. I was feeling all crappy and emotional because of being on my period and I was going to a party where I knew I would spend all night sititng next to a smoker. I bought a pack in a terrible moment of weakness. I know better than to purchase cigarettes. I am just cheap enough to use it as an excuse to smoke several - you know, to get my money's worth. None of these reasons are good reasons. I smoked 12 cigarettes before I held the rest of the pack under running water to ruin them and then tossed them in the garbage. I feel bad, not just bad that I gave in to sin, but bad physically. My chest is a little tight and my throat is a little sore. And I smell just terrible.
Tomorrow is another day. And I will get back on the wagon.
Happy Easter Everyone!
Tomorrow is another day. And I will get back on the wagon.
Happy Easter Everyone!
Little Thinks
1. I hate to say this, because I don't want any man, or woman for that matter, to ever use it against me in a serious conversation, disagreement or work situation, BUT...it is true, at least for me, that when I am PMSing, I am a big crybaby and a little less able to think or act rationally. Hormones do affect my judgement. But you didn't hear that from me. (And don't get me started on how hormones affect men's judgement.)
2. I am going to try to avoid turning on the TV today at all. I love TV but I have things to do and TV doesn't inspire accomplishment. Things to do this weekend: read LOMA for my test next week. make mango salsa and guacamole for Hassana's housewarming party tonight, de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter (to use the term Cara coined. Nice word C)
3. I keep hearing from Obama's supporters about how disappointed they are in him. Well, with the zeal and worshipfulness I witnessed from his ardent supporters in the campaign, I figured this would happen. They raised him up so high that they expected some kind of miracle to occur when he was inaugurated. He is a man, people, and he is a man with enough ego to make it to the presidency. He ain't no Jesus. I keep hearing about how he hasn't done anything yet.
Really?
And he's been president for all of 3 months now?
Impeach Obama!!!!
Okay let's all just simmer down and give him a year. If he hasn't improved things in a year, then you can gripe with legitimacy.
4. Why am I breaking out on my face? I am not 16 years old, or 18. Oh boy, though, if I was 18 and knew what I know now...hmm...I had a decent body when I was 18 and a clear complexion actually! I could rule the world if I knew what I know now and had my 18 year old body! But anyway, what's up with the acne?
2. I am going to try to avoid turning on the TV today at all. I love TV but I have things to do and TV doesn't inspire accomplishment. Things to do this weekend: read LOMA for my test next week. make mango salsa and guacamole for Hassana's housewarming party tonight, de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter (to use the term Cara coined. Nice word C)
3. I keep hearing from Obama's supporters about how disappointed they are in him. Well, with the zeal and worshipfulness I witnessed from his ardent supporters in the campaign, I figured this would happen. They raised him up so high that they expected some kind of miracle to occur when he was inaugurated. He is a man, people, and he is a man with enough ego to make it to the presidency. He ain't no Jesus. I keep hearing about how he hasn't done anything yet.
Really?
And he's been president for all of 3 months now?
Impeach Obama!!!!
Okay let's all just simmer down and give him a year. If he hasn't improved things in a year, then you can gripe with legitimacy.
4. Why am I breaking out on my face? I am not 16 years old, or 18. Oh boy, though, if I was 18 and knew what I know now...hmm...I had a decent body when I was 18 and a clear complexion actually! I could rule the world if I knew what I know now and had my 18 year old body! But anyway, what's up with the acne?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I'm not gonna lie. I stole this idea from Cara's blog. Forgive me Cara but you are so wise and so funny that I can resist lifting from you. These are some things I thought about from morning to when I got home from work, in approximate order.
Why have I been waking up before my alarm goes off? Am I going to bed too early? I set my alarm for 5:30 am and I am waking up at 4:45 am? That is ridiculous. I might as well get up and get started but the bed is so comfy and warm and I have no pants on and it feels cold out there outside the blankets.
Oh the TV just came on by itself. It must be 5 am. That's when the timer is set to turn it on everyday. Another half hour of sleeping till alarm goes off.
Damn, there goes the alarm! I will hit the snooze and wait 9 more minutes to get up. (Repeat this thought 6 more times)
I wonder if coloring my hair will eventually ruin it. Oh sure I am using this color care shampoo and conditioner that I bought from SuperCuts, but still... Ugh, my hands look terrible. I miss my artificial nails. Okay, Kelly, shut up and finish showering.
Yea! It's a cool day so I can wear something cozy and warm to work. The black sweater with the ruffles? Nah, it dried in a weird shape and looks funny. Hey that pullover I bought from the Target's mens dept in Miami, I love that shirt. That's the one. Do I look pretty enough for work? I will throw on my heart-shaped rose quartz necklace to show my feminine side.
If this pokehead in front of me in the Honda Element doesn't get a move on, I think my head will explode. Some of us are trying to get to work, moron. Not all of us have all day to leisurely drive up and down Ulmerton annoying people trying to get to work. It's a good thing for you, putz, that all my road rage is verbal.
Hey, I am sort of caught up on supervisor kind of work. At least I am not as behind as I normally have been in the last 6 months. I am going to take it kind of easy today. Is that OK? Wait, my boss isn't here today. Her office is dark. Is she sick? She didn't say anything about being out.
What is the best, most responsible, most rational, most practical, least icky, least guilt-inducing way to get rid of Pidgin? What am I willing to live with? What am I willing to let someone else do for me? Cara can't do it for me. 2 people at work offered to do it, but would they really come through? Jorge offered to come up from Miami to do it with me. I don't want to do anything at all! I want someone to just sweep in and take care of it for me. I want someone to take care of me. Is that so wrong? Is that weak? Why am I getting weepy about this? Oh Gosh, am I PMSing? I never realize it until it's too late and then the panties are ruined.
Would it be reasonable for a woman of my age to have a foosball table with a piece of glass on top of it as a dining room table?
He really needs to get back to work and stop telling me stories that make me laugh. How long has he been sitting next to my desk talking to me? How long until someone else in the dept notices and gets pissy? I love his stories though. They are very funny.
I am trying to help out another department and all I am getting back is attitude. Still it will look good for our department to help out.
I kind of really wanna cigarette right now dammit.
Really? Did I need to know that? Now I am in a pissy mood. I will just put on my earplugs and listen to a Josh Groban album on my iPod. The Grobanator always soothes.
Hey! What the hell was that? Something cold and wet just hit my right hip and thigh area. Oh shit, my coworker just tipped over my giant glass of diet coke and ice onto my desk. A big stack of paper is drenched with the brown liquid. Damn, someone needs to get some papertowels. Someone, meaning you, buddy. Stop standing there like a little shocked kid. Okay that's better. Why is he continuing to apologize over and over again? I know it was an accident and no real harm done. oh crap he is asking about the iPod. Did it get wet? A little liquid on it but apparently no harm done. Good thing too, buddy!!!!!! Nah, it's all good.
I really like my car. I hope it hold together for a while. I can't really afford any repairs right now. Ooops I am in the wrong lane to turn onto Ulmerton. I will go up to East Bay and go to the library.
Who am I kidding? Why did I check out so many books? I am never gonna read 4 books in one month. What was I thinking? Cara could do it but not me.
This apartment is a pigsty! I have no energy to do anything about it. I need to pack and clean but not tonight. I think I will read some blogs and go to bed early with a library book.
I want a cigarette. Today was kind of depressing for some reason. But why? Oh...yeah...PMS. I can't seem to remember that.
Why have I been waking up before my alarm goes off? Am I going to bed too early? I set my alarm for 5:30 am and I am waking up at 4:45 am? That is ridiculous. I might as well get up and get started but the bed is so comfy and warm and I have no pants on and it feels cold out there outside the blankets.
Oh the TV just came on by itself. It must be 5 am. That's when the timer is set to turn it on everyday. Another half hour of sleeping till alarm goes off.
Damn, there goes the alarm! I will hit the snooze and wait 9 more minutes to get up. (Repeat this thought 6 more times)
I wonder if coloring my hair will eventually ruin it. Oh sure I am using this color care shampoo and conditioner that I bought from SuperCuts, but still... Ugh, my hands look terrible. I miss my artificial nails. Okay, Kelly, shut up and finish showering.
Yea! It's a cool day so I can wear something cozy and warm to work. The black sweater with the ruffles? Nah, it dried in a weird shape and looks funny. Hey that pullover I bought from the Target's mens dept in Miami, I love that shirt. That's the one. Do I look pretty enough for work? I will throw on my heart-shaped rose quartz necklace to show my feminine side.
If this pokehead in front of me in the Honda Element doesn't get a move on, I think my head will explode. Some of us are trying to get to work, moron. Not all of us have all day to leisurely drive up and down Ulmerton annoying people trying to get to work. It's a good thing for you, putz, that all my road rage is verbal.
Hey, I am sort of caught up on supervisor kind of work. At least I am not as behind as I normally have been in the last 6 months. I am going to take it kind of easy today. Is that OK? Wait, my boss isn't here today. Her office is dark. Is she sick? She didn't say anything about being out.
What is the best, most responsible, most rational, most practical, least icky, least guilt-inducing way to get rid of Pidgin? What am I willing to live with? What am I willing to let someone else do for me? Cara can't do it for me. 2 people at work offered to do it, but would they really come through? Jorge offered to come up from Miami to do it with me. I don't want to do anything at all! I want someone to just sweep in and take care of it for me. I want someone to take care of me. Is that so wrong? Is that weak? Why am I getting weepy about this? Oh Gosh, am I PMSing? I never realize it until it's too late and then the panties are ruined.
Would it be reasonable for a woman of my age to have a foosball table with a piece of glass on top of it as a dining room table?
He really needs to get back to work and stop telling me stories that make me laugh. How long has he been sitting next to my desk talking to me? How long until someone else in the dept notices and gets pissy? I love his stories though. They are very funny.
I am trying to help out another department and all I am getting back is attitude. Still it will look good for our department to help out.
I kind of really wanna cigarette right now dammit.
Really? Did I need to know that? Now I am in a pissy mood. I will just put on my earplugs and listen to a Josh Groban album on my iPod. The Grobanator always soothes.
Hey! What the hell was that? Something cold and wet just hit my right hip and thigh area. Oh shit, my coworker just tipped over my giant glass of diet coke and ice onto my desk. A big stack of paper is drenched with the brown liquid. Damn, someone needs to get some papertowels. Someone, meaning you, buddy. Stop standing there like a little shocked kid. Okay that's better. Why is he continuing to apologize over and over again? I know it was an accident and no real harm done. oh crap he is asking about the iPod. Did it get wet? A little liquid on it but apparently no harm done. Good thing too, buddy!!!!!! Nah, it's all good.
I really like my car. I hope it hold together for a while. I can't really afford any repairs right now. Ooops I am in the wrong lane to turn onto Ulmerton. I will go up to East Bay and go to the library.
Who am I kidding? Why did I check out so many books? I am never gonna read 4 books in one month. What was I thinking? Cara could do it but not me.
This apartment is a pigsty! I have no energy to do anything about it. I need to pack and clean but not tonight. I think I will read some blogs and go to bed early with a library book.
I want a cigarette. Today was kind of depressing for some reason. But why? Oh...yeah...PMS. I can't seem to remember that.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Car Cubed
Early this morning, my old purple Tracker finally left its parking spot for good.
I worked with a local auto salvage company, Aaron's Auto Recycling Inc. of Tampa FL. I found my initial phone call with them to be quickly and efficiently handled by a woman named Linda. I called mid-Saturday and they were able to make an appointment to pick the car up on Monday afternoon. Later on Saturday they called to ask if they could change the appointment to morning. When the time they wanted was not convenient for my work schedule, they changed it to an earlier morning time. They worked with me, not against me (are you listening Pedro?) They confirmed they would come by Monday morning between 7 am and 8 am, "no later than 8 am", said Linda. They asked the color of my Tracker. I told her it was purple and that it was the only purple Tracker in the complex so it would help them find my apartment easily.
Monday morning, I got three calls from the tow truck driver confirming that he was on his way. His second call he apologized and stated that he would probably be about 5 minutes late due to traffic. I told him no problem. He was very courteous on the phone.
The third time he called was to inform me that he was parked behind my car. He had arrived at 8:05. I looked out the front door and saw no truck. I went down the stairs to the parking lot while talking to the driver.
Driver: Yeah I am parked behind your Tracker right now.
Me: Umm...I am looking at my car and you aren't there.
Driver: It's a purple Tracker right? You said you had the only purple Tracker in the place right (Wow they remembered what I had said on the phone about it being the only one)
Me: Well I have never seen another one but there must be another one.
Driver: I took a right right when I came in. Is that the right way?
Me: It's not the shortest way but it is all one big circle so if you keep going you should find me. I am wearing jeans and a brown shirt. Really, another purple Tracker???
Driver: Yea, really.
Me: (seeing him come around the corner and waving) I see you coming.
He parked the truck in the middle of the parking lot and I started the Tracker for the last time (sniff, sniff). I pulled the Tracker out into the parking lot and up to the back of the tow truck. In about 5 minutes the whole experience was over. I filled out the paperwork, gave him the key and title. He gave me the cash and the receipt.
I asked if there was anything he needed from me. He smiled a big smile of someone who is a truly happy person and said, Nope, that's all. Then he asked if I had gotten a new car. I pointed it out to him, he commented that it was nice. I told him that the Tracker had been a good car. He apologized to me that the money could not have been more but that because of the size of the car and age, that was all they could give. The money was right what they had told me they would give me. No problem there. He stated they would probably just crush the car into a cube. A momentary wave of sadness fell over me but then I felt the cash clenched in my fist and this wave passed.
I went into my apartment to get my stuff for work and managed to snap a few shots of my car being hauled onto the flat bed.
On my way out of the complex, I looked down the way the driver had gone and there it was - another Tracker, sort of purplish-pink.
As I was driving down Vonn Road, I noticed that the tow truck was just behind me. I pulled left onto Walsingham and kept glancing in the rearview mirror at my car being driven slowly away on the flatbed to its death, high on a float, like an old dead queen. The tow truck turned off onto the local Walsingham while I continued onto Ulmerton. Goodbye finally goodbye.
I want everyone to know this auto salvage company had the nicest and most professional employees. The scheduler and the driver were both a real pleasure to work with. THE NICEST PEOPLE!!!!!
I worked with a local auto salvage company, Aaron's Auto Recycling Inc. of Tampa FL. I found my initial phone call with them to be quickly and efficiently handled by a woman named Linda. I called mid-Saturday and they were able to make an appointment to pick the car up on Monday afternoon. Later on Saturday they called to ask if they could change the appointment to morning. When the time they wanted was not convenient for my work schedule, they changed it to an earlier morning time. They worked with me, not against me (are you listening Pedro?) They confirmed they would come by Monday morning between 7 am and 8 am, "no later than 8 am", said Linda. They asked the color of my Tracker. I told her it was purple and that it was the only purple Tracker in the complex so it would help them find my apartment easily.
Monday morning, I got three calls from the tow truck driver confirming that he was on his way. His second call he apologized and stated that he would probably be about 5 minutes late due to traffic. I told him no problem. He was very courteous on the phone.
The third time he called was to inform me that he was parked behind my car. He had arrived at 8:05. I looked out the front door and saw no truck. I went down the stairs to the parking lot while talking to the driver.
Driver: Yeah I am parked behind your Tracker right now.
Me: Umm...I am looking at my car and you aren't there.
Driver: It's a purple Tracker right? You said you had the only purple Tracker in the place right (Wow they remembered what I had said on the phone about it being the only one)
Me: Well I have never seen another one but there must be another one.
Driver: I took a right right when I came in. Is that the right way?
Me: It's not the shortest way but it is all one big circle so if you keep going you should find me. I am wearing jeans and a brown shirt. Really, another purple Tracker???
Driver: Yea, really.
Me: (seeing him come around the corner and waving) I see you coming.
He parked the truck in the middle of the parking lot and I started the Tracker for the last time (sniff, sniff). I pulled the Tracker out into the parking lot and up to the back of the tow truck. In about 5 minutes the whole experience was over. I filled out the paperwork, gave him the key and title. He gave me the cash and the receipt.
I asked if there was anything he needed from me. He smiled a big smile of someone who is a truly happy person and said, Nope, that's all. Then he asked if I had gotten a new car. I pointed it out to him, he commented that it was nice. I told him that the Tracker had been a good car. He apologized to me that the money could not have been more but that because of the size of the car and age, that was all they could give. The money was right what they had told me they would give me. No problem there. He stated they would probably just crush the car into a cube. A momentary wave of sadness fell over me but then I felt the cash clenched in my fist and this wave passed.
I went into my apartment to get my stuff for work and managed to snap a few shots of my car being hauled onto the flat bed.
On my way out of the complex, I looked down the way the driver had gone and there it was - another Tracker, sort of purplish-pink.
As I was driving down Vonn Road, I noticed that the tow truck was just behind me. I pulled left onto Walsingham and kept glancing in the rearview mirror at my car being driven slowly away on the flatbed to its death, high on a float, like an old dead queen. The tow truck turned off onto the local Walsingham while I continued onto Ulmerton. Goodbye finally goodbye.
I want everyone to know this auto salvage company had the nicest and most professional employees. The scheduler and the driver were both a real pleasure to work with. THE NICEST PEOPLE!!!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Short and Sweet!
I just signed the lease on my new close-to-the-beach-bitch! apartment. More work to do but I will take a moment to celebrate:
Yay!!!!!
Yay!!!!!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I Don't Understand Why You Don't Understand
Yesterday, I got a phone message from the lady who runs the apartment building near the beach. She is ready for me to sign the lease. Apparently she is satisfied with my application. She couldn't do the signing today, so we are set up to take care of it tomorrow. I am to bring the security deposit with me when I go to sign the lease. The security deposit has been something of a bit of controversy for me. Not because I don't think I should have to pay it. Because she has changed her mind twice about what it will be.
Thursday when I first went to see the apartment:
Her: You will need to pay first and last month's rent and a security deposit
Me: What is the security deposit?
Her: $250.00
Me: Do you allow pets?
Her: What kind of pet do you have?
Me: One cat (Pidgin already being gone in my mind I guess)
Her: Well I could let you have one cat but you will need to put down an extra $150 deposit just for the cat.
Me: Okay, so $250 plus $150, then it would be $400?
Her: Yes
Next Tuesday when I went to see the apartment again:
Her: So I guess we have it all figured out and I will start on the application.
Me: Okay
Her: And when you sign the lease you will need to bring the security deposit with you at that time.
Me: And how much is it again?
Her: Well it's $350...plus the extra $150 for the cat.
Me: So $500 then?
Her: Yes
Yesterday on the phone:
Me: So 5 pm on Sunday then to sign the lease?
Her: Yes.
Me: And I will bring the security deposit. Do you prefer this in cash or a check?
Her: However you want to, cash or check, is fine with me.
Me: And the amount is....
Her: $250 plus the $150 for the pet...so...$400.
Me; Ok, $400.
I am through asking. Each time I try to confirm this, the amount changes. $400 sounds better than $500 to me. Who knows? Next time it could be even more.
****************************************************************
I have been trying to get rid of my old tracker for some time now. I went through junkmycar.com. I had to call the towing company myself to make the appointment to pick up the car. I was encouraged to call first thing on Monday morning. I called at 9 am and seemed to have woken someone up. A man answered the phone rather groggily and said only, "Yea?"
I said that I had a car that I was selling to junkmycar.com and needed to make an appointment. He said, "I'll call you back later" and abruptly hung up. Did he know my name or my phone number? If he is a business, why not answer your business phone with a business name, instead of the always-professional "yea?"
He never did call me back so I called him later that day. We made an appointment for the car to be picked up on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. He didn't seem to want any information from me at all. I asked him if he wanted my address or anything. He said, "I know who you are, I only have one person from junkmycar.com" Alright I thought, I guess that's super efficient of him. I arranged to leave work early to get there in time for our appointment.
The towing company never showed up. I called the towing company around 5 pm and the man told me he would check with his driver and get back to me. I called them again around 6 pm and got a recording. I left a nasty message for junkmycar.com around 7 pm. They called me back and left a message on Wednesday saying to please try to make another appointment with the tower and that they were sorry about the no-show. The tower called me also and I grudgingly made another appointment. I asked him why he didn't show up the first time and he garbled some story about how his driver screwed up. He said that he, himself would personally be picking up the car this time. He told me his name was Pedro. New appointment time: Saturday, this morning, at 9 am.
I was up very early this morning, due mostly to strange dreams one after the other all night long. By the time 9 am rolled around, I was already showered and dressed with styled hair and I had the laundry sorted and ready to go in the machine and I had taken out 2 bags of trash. By the time 9:45 am rolled around and he hadn't shown up, I was fit to be tied. At 10 am, I decided the hell with him and went to the laundry room to start a couple of loads. At 11:00 am, I cancelled my claim with junkmycar.com. I also called the tower, got a recording and left a message that I was cancelling my appointment and not to bother calling or showing up. At 11:10 am, I called a local towing place who promised to come out on Monday and pay me around $25-$50 dollars more for my car than the first place. They also would pay, in cash, at the time they pick it up. This is different from junkmycar which wanted to send me a check in 7-10 business days.
At 11: 30 am, the man from the junkmycar-associated towing company called to say he was at the entrance to my apartment complex and wanted help locating my apartment.
Me: I have already cancelled my business and don't want you to take my car now.
Pedro: But I am here.
Me: I don't care, I left you a message to not show up, because I am cancelling my order, my claim.
Pedro: But I am right here at the entrance.
Me: Yes, but you were supposed to be here at 9 am.
Pedro: (completely without remorse) Well, I had other things I had to do and I couldn't make it.
Me: Well I had other things to do too. You didn't bother showing up for the first appointment and now this one.
Pedro: (annoyed) Well why don't I just take the car now since I am here?
Me: You don't seem to understand. I have cancelled with junkmycar and left a message cancelling with you. It's too late.
Pedro: (getting angry now) Man, you just gonna make me waste my fuel coming out here for nothing?
Me: That's not my problem. Sorry but we are done.
This time I hung up. The place I called instead sounded much more reliable. They answered their phone with a business name. They were booked up today but said they could do it Monday. They made a point of mentioning that they were Christians and so were not open on Sunday. I hope I can count on Christians to show up on time. It's what Jesus would do if he were in the towing business.
Thursday when I first went to see the apartment:
Her: You will need to pay first and last month's rent and a security deposit
Me: What is the security deposit?
Her: $250.00
Me: Do you allow pets?
Her: What kind of pet do you have?
Me: One cat (Pidgin already being gone in my mind I guess)
Her: Well I could let you have one cat but you will need to put down an extra $150 deposit just for the cat.
Me: Okay, so $250 plus $150, then it would be $400?
Her: Yes
Next Tuesday when I went to see the apartment again:
Her: So I guess we have it all figured out and I will start on the application.
Me: Okay
Her: And when you sign the lease you will need to bring the security deposit with you at that time.
Me: And how much is it again?
Her: Well it's $350...plus the extra $150 for the cat.
Me: So $500 then?
Her: Yes
Yesterday on the phone:
Me: So 5 pm on Sunday then to sign the lease?
Her: Yes.
Me: And I will bring the security deposit. Do you prefer this in cash or a check?
Her: However you want to, cash or check, is fine with me.
Me: And the amount is....
Her: $250 plus the $150 for the pet...so...$400.
Me; Ok, $400.
I am through asking. Each time I try to confirm this, the amount changes. $400 sounds better than $500 to me. Who knows? Next time it could be even more.
****************************************************************I have been trying to get rid of my old tracker for some time now. I went through junkmycar.com. I had to call the towing company myself to make the appointment to pick up the car. I was encouraged to call first thing on Monday morning. I called at 9 am and seemed to have woken someone up. A man answered the phone rather groggily and said only, "Yea?"
I said that I had a car that I was selling to junkmycar.com and needed to make an appointment. He said, "I'll call you back later" and abruptly hung up. Did he know my name or my phone number? If he is a business, why not answer your business phone with a business name, instead of the always-professional "yea?"
He never did call me back so I called him later that day. We made an appointment for the car to be picked up on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. He didn't seem to want any information from me at all. I asked him if he wanted my address or anything. He said, "I know who you are, I only have one person from junkmycar.com" Alright I thought, I guess that's super efficient of him. I arranged to leave work early to get there in time for our appointment.
The towing company never showed up. I called the towing company around 5 pm and the man told me he would check with his driver and get back to me. I called them again around 6 pm and got a recording. I left a nasty message for junkmycar.com around 7 pm. They called me back and left a message on Wednesday saying to please try to make another appointment with the tower and that they were sorry about the no-show. The tower called me also and I grudgingly made another appointment. I asked him why he didn't show up the first time and he garbled some story about how his driver screwed up. He said that he, himself would personally be picking up the car this time. He told me his name was Pedro. New appointment time: Saturday, this morning, at 9 am.
I was up very early this morning, due mostly to strange dreams one after the other all night long. By the time 9 am rolled around, I was already showered and dressed with styled hair and I had the laundry sorted and ready to go in the machine and I had taken out 2 bags of trash. By the time 9:45 am rolled around and he hadn't shown up, I was fit to be tied. At 10 am, I decided the hell with him and went to the laundry room to start a couple of loads. At 11:00 am, I cancelled my claim with junkmycar.com. I also called the tower, got a recording and left a message that I was cancelling my appointment and not to bother calling or showing up. At 11:10 am, I called a local towing place who promised to come out on Monday and pay me around $25-$50 dollars more for my car than the first place. They also would pay, in cash, at the time they pick it up. This is different from junkmycar which wanted to send me a check in 7-10 business days.
At 11: 30 am, the man from the junkmycar-associated towing company called to say he was at the entrance to my apartment complex and wanted help locating my apartment.
Me: I have already cancelled my business and don't want you to take my car now.
Pedro: But I am here.
Me: I don't care, I left you a message to not show up, because I am cancelling my order, my claim.
Pedro: But I am right here at the entrance.
Me: Yes, but you were supposed to be here at 9 am.
Pedro: (completely without remorse) Well, I had other things I had to do and I couldn't make it.
Me: Well I had other things to do too. You didn't bother showing up for the first appointment and now this one.
Pedro: (annoyed) Well why don't I just take the car now since I am here?
Me: You don't seem to understand. I have cancelled with junkmycar and left a message cancelling with you. It's too late.
Pedro: (getting angry now) Man, you just gonna make me waste my fuel coming out here for nothing?
Me: That's not my problem. Sorry but we are done.
This time I hung up. The place I called instead sounded much more reliable. They answered their phone with a business name. They were booked up today but said they could do it Monday. They made a point of mentioning that they were Christians and so were not open on Sunday. I hope I can count on Christians to show up on time. It's what Jesus would do if he were in the towing business.