Not the kind in a restaurant that brings you food.
I have learned some patience over the years. It's come very slowly. Most people who knew me growing up would say that I as ready for things to happen sooner rahter than later.
Now my patience come in drips and drabs, often in certain places in my life while it still lacks in others. It's very difficult to be patience when dating. You have a great date and then want the person to call NOW. You want to go out for another date SOON. Waiting for things to happen can be rough.
In other areas, I have "the patience of a saint", not my words. My mother has seen me interact with my grandmothers, both of whom before their deaths were affected by Alzheimer-esque symptoms. I could sit with Grandma B for several hours to her repetition of "where are you living now?", "how have you been?" and about three other questions. When we were driving home, she asked how I did it, enduring the same questions ad nauseum. My answer is that I don't know. She believes that with children and the eldery I have the patience of a saint, it's adults I have a problem with. She's probably just about right.
I guess it's that both of those groups have an excuse for their behaviour and their ignorance. Adults of the otherhand, are usually willfully stupid or rude, but tha't s a whole other blog.
Right now I'm waiting for work. My current contract ends November 22nd. I've known that for a while. There were several options on the table. If you've read the blog recently, you may have seen a post about Omaha. I've passed on that project in favor of staying at home. It doesn't seem like the best idea to have 25 move in and then spend six months half way across the country. There are four current options are in the PNW with varying levels of details and confirmation.
One won't start until January (unless it's delayed) and will run until May.
The second would be traveling along the I-5 corridor training at facilities in Washington and Oregon. This company has been looking for people on and off for over a year so I won't be holding my breath.
The third is very hazing. Potentially as provider elbow support at a health system with 100+ clinics going live over several months, starting soon, maybe. Very unconfirmed.
The fourth, at this point, will remain unmentioned because it is the one I am waiting to hear about.
waiting
WAITING
WAITING
Sigh, I'm just not good at this. The knot in my stomach tells me so.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Closeted
Now, only partially so. I've ceded half the closet.
His two drawers won't be enough any more . . .
. . . because he's moving in.
25 is a fixture. We all knew it was coming. Now, with talk of coming work contracts being out of state, it pushed our talk up. We probably would have waited until next year if not for my job situation, but I don't think a couple of months early will make a huge difference.
Neither of us liked the idea of Skeeter(dog) and BJ(cat) being left in the hands of a sitter who would come by for a few minutes twice a day. It seemed like a big risk to leave the place mostly void of people for months. Then there's the fact that we're already paying two lots of rent and mostly just living here. If I'm away, then I'm paying the mortgage on a house we're not even in. To that end, this will free up some cash flow for both of us as we trek down the road to being debt free.
We've both been happy leaning towards each other. I wouldn't say I need him. I could, and did, live without him. I would say I want him in my life, it's fuller and happier with him in it. I would rather want him than need him, but I'll admit it's probably a mix.
We had, what we affectionately deemed, The Debt Ceiling Conference last weekend. We brought all our numbers to the table. What we make, what we owe, what goals we have. It went a million times smoother than I thought possible. It's nice in the short and long term to be on the same page. We talked about upcoming trips, bigger goals, etc. It's indicative of the way we approach a lot of things: straight forward, proactive to avoid problems. It doesn't mean there aren't problems, but hopefully they are smaller.
I thought the prospect of him moving in would be much more stressful. Yet so far, it feels easy and natural. He gained is own 40% the closet yesterday and a full half of the bathroom. That's in addition to the 60% of the bed he regularly claims for himself. Such sacrifice!
His two drawers won't be enough any more . . .
. . . because he's moving in.
25 is a fixture. We all knew it was coming. Now, with talk of coming work contracts being out of state, it pushed our talk up. We probably would have waited until next year if not for my job situation, but I don't think a couple of months early will make a huge difference.
Neither of us liked the idea of Skeeter(dog) and BJ(cat) being left in the hands of a sitter who would come by for a few minutes twice a day. It seemed like a big risk to leave the place mostly void of people for months. Then there's the fact that we're already paying two lots of rent and mostly just living here. If I'm away, then I'm paying the mortgage on a house we're not even in. To that end, this will free up some cash flow for both of us as we trek down the road to being debt free.
We've both been happy leaning towards each other. I wouldn't say I need him. I could, and did, live without him. I would say I want him in my life, it's fuller and happier with him in it. I would rather want him than need him, but I'll admit it's probably a mix.
We had, what we affectionately deemed, The Debt Ceiling Conference last weekend. We brought all our numbers to the table. What we make, what we owe, what goals we have. It went a million times smoother than I thought possible. It's nice in the short and long term to be on the same page. We talked about upcoming trips, bigger goals, etc. It's indicative of the way we approach a lot of things: straight forward, proactive to avoid problems. It doesn't mean there aren't problems, but hopefully they are smaller.
I thought the prospect of him moving in would be much more stressful. Yet so far, it feels easy and natural. He gained is own 40% the closet yesterday and a full half of the bathroom. That's in addition to the 60% of the bed he regularly claims for himself. Such sacrifice!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The RAV
Every feel like your brain might be working against you? Every wish you could turn it off?I have an internal debate that has raged, well, gimped and limped is more like it, for years. My current line of work has given fuel to continue the conversation.
I often work long days. Tuesday, for example, was a thirteen hour day, 7am to 8pm. I prepped for and taught a class, I worked on some lesson plans and additional projects, we had a team meeting. It was a very long day. I actually didn’t mind because I felt very productive. I was complimented by two different people about my training abilities. It was nice to have concrete projects to work on, instead of trying to look busy while not having anything of any importance to do. There was quite the debacle a couple weeks ago involving one of the contracting companies (not mine) and overtimes rates, so as a result, we’ve all be told NO overtime, period. That means watching hours closely.
A thirteen hour Tuesday, plus five hours Monday and seven hours Wednesday means I am already at 25 hours for the week. Friday I’ve got classes all day so ten hours there, leaves five hours for today.
Here’s the internal conflict: After a long Tuesday, a short Wednesday followed. I was home and finished with tasks by 2pm. I wanted to be lazy and read or watch Hell on Wheels or be generally non-productive. Then the RAV (responsible adult voice) in my head says “What? There is a dishwasher to be emptied and clean clothes that need to be moved to the dryer. You haven’t walked the dog in two days. What about those hobby projects you always want to work on. And the . . . .” This is all true. Some of those tasks are need to’s, some are want to’s, but there are always to do’s.
Invariably I give in and do some chores. By the end of the day, I’m tired and sometimes resentful of not having down time. On the semi-rare day I do lounge around a bit, I feel guilty for not having accomplished one of the ever present To Do tasks that come with living in a big house that needs cleaning and maintenance, with two animals that shed and eat and poo, an wearing clothes and using dishes and the like.
I try to balance all this, tending towards the productive, accomplishing things more often than doing bupkis, but it ain’t easy. Maybe this is why people started drinking. It turns the RAV into a tone only dog can hear and it’s hard to be productive with a hangover. Even harder to think or feel guilty with one.
Possible solution to my dilemma? Drink more!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Grown Up
I think today I feel like a grown up. Not just for today, but like I actually made it. I have manage to drag, crawl, scrape and grumble my way into adulthood. It hasn't been easy, but it's rewarding to be here all the same.
Now today isn't my birthday. I didn't get a new job, or a promotion or buy a house today. All in all, it's a fairly unspectacular Thursday in the Great NorthLeft. It's slightly foggy with a high of 85 predicted this afternoon. I'm working from home for now. The dog is crashed out behind my desk chair. Nothing inherently noteworthy. Except in my head.
It's been noted that I'm far more introspective on this blog that in person, to which I acquiesce to. As I've mentioned previously, I do use this blog as an external meditation area and brain download facility.
I noted recently that I've been back in (near) Seattle for about eighteen months. Somehow in that time I changed. I have a career. It's like a job, but with ongoing potential, fulfillment and growth opportunities that uses multiple skills and talents I have, plus requires that I continue to learn. It also pays a lot better than a job. It's soul sucking on a less often basis and much more self directed.
I have been paying all my bills plus cutting into my debt like a Canadian Lumberjack into a huge pine. I remember the times, not so long ago, when I was first overseas and could barely manage my month to month living expenses, let alone work on any debt from before. I was lucky it I didn't have to incur any new debt most months. If it weren't for mom's understanding generosity, I think I'd have had to move back within months. I used to be ashamed to admit that there were times I needed help paying my bills. Now I realise that most folks go through that time. Aside from my car loan, I've reduced my other debts (school loan, credit cards, misc loan) by over half since my return to the US. That's more impressive if you consider the amount of stuff there is to buy, do, see, in all senses pay for. I don't feel that I've deprived myself at all though. 25 and I have done heaps this year; baseball, football and soccer games, beerfests, music fests, camping, vacationing, etc.
Additionally, on the financial front, I started a Traditional and a Roth IRA (individual retirement account). I found and rolled old 401Ks (similar accounts sponsored by previous employers) into one account, and have begun funding another account on my own, as my current company doesn't contribute to one on my behalf. I'm committed to making sure I have some options if I make it to retirement.
I'm in a relationship that feels like a relationship is supposed to (I think). 25 has the poise, intelligence and planning of someone old than those years. He has been a true partner thus far. He helps around the house without my needing to nag him. He would rather talk about issues as they arise and avoid drama. He is accepting and understanding of my shortcomings and encourages my desire to work on aspects of my personality and my life. He accommodates my need for planning and also spur the moment plans. He makes me feel happy and at ease. From chaotic Seahawks games to backpack trips, he is never expects more than I can give and always seems to give what I need.
I have a new, very luxurious, grown up car. I live in a house and pay the mortgage. It's not my house, it's mom's, but she doesn't live here. I take care of the day to day tending of the house, the maintenance, the garden we planted.
I have two charges that I care for. Not children, but sometimes it feels like they are. Doctors visits, cleaning up after then, etc. If you count 25, it's really three ;)
I read the Sunday paper, I drink coffee every morning, I take my clothes to the dry cleaner on occasion. I think adulthood is official, and it feels allllriiiiiight.
Now today isn't my birthday. I didn't get a new job, or a promotion or buy a house today. All in all, it's a fairly unspectacular Thursday in the Great NorthLeft. It's slightly foggy with a high of 85 predicted this afternoon. I'm working from home for now. The dog is crashed out behind my desk chair. Nothing inherently noteworthy. Except in my head.
It's been noted that I'm far more introspective on this blog that in person, to which I acquiesce to. As I've mentioned previously, I do use this blog as an external meditation area and brain download facility.
I noted recently that I've been back in (near) Seattle for about eighteen months. Somehow in that time I changed. I have a career. It's like a job, but with ongoing potential, fulfillment and growth opportunities that uses multiple skills and talents I have, plus requires that I continue to learn. It also pays a lot better than a job. It's soul sucking on a less often basis and much more self directed.
I have been paying all my bills plus cutting into my debt like a Canadian Lumberjack into a huge pine. I remember the times, not so long ago, when I was first overseas and could barely manage my month to month living expenses, let alone work on any debt from before. I was lucky it I didn't have to incur any new debt most months. If it weren't for mom's understanding generosity, I think I'd have had to move back within months. I used to be ashamed to admit that there were times I needed help paying my bills. Now I realise that most folks go through that time. Aside from my car loan, I've reduced my other debts (school loan, credit cards, misc loan) by over half since my return to the US. That's more impressive if you consider the amount of stuff there is to buy, do, see, in all senses pay for. I don't feel that I've deprived myself at all though. 25 and I have done heaps this year; baseball, football and soccer games, beerfests, music fests, camping, vacationing, etc.
Additionally, on the financial front, I started a Traditional and a Roth IRA (individual retirement account). I found and rolled old 401Ks (similar accounts sponsored by previous employers) into one account, and have begun funding another account on my own, as my current company doesn't contribute to one on my behalf. I'm committed to making sure I have some options if I make it to retirement.
I'm in a relationship that feels like a relationship is supposed to (I think). 25 has the poise, intelligence and planning of someone old than those years. He has been a true partner thus far. He helps around the house without my needing to nag him. He would rather talk about issues as they arise and avoid drama. He is accepting and understanding of my shortcomings and encourages my desire to work on aspects of my personality and my life. He accommodates my need for planning and also spur the moment plans. He makes me feel happy and at ease. From chaotic Seahawks games to backpack trips, he is never expects more than I can give and always seems to give what I need.
I have a new, very luxurious, grown up car. I live in a house and pay the mortgage. It's not my house, it's mom's, but she doesn't live here. I take care of the day to day tending of the house, the maintenance, the garden we planted.
I have two charges that I care for. Not children, but sometimes it feels like they are. Doctors visits, cleaning up after then, etc. If you count 25, it's really three ;)
I read the Sunday paper, I drink coffee every morning, I take my clothes to the dry cleaner on occasion. I think adulthood is official, and it feels allllriiiiiight.
Friday, September 06, 2013
What a Difference a Day Makes
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans they say.
What if I was making the plans that rushing up to meet me?
My contract is set to end the last week of November. I've know that since May. That's not a shock. I keep track of it so I know when I have to start the job (yes, it's like a second job) of finding a new contract.
I thought the new contract offer would come in October. These things take time to put together don't ya know. 25 and I knew it would mean a talk. We'd had a talk about having a talk. I never say "talk" because that's not how we are. We can converse openly about things in the relationship and don't let it build up in to a "We need to have a talk" moment. Living arrangements, next job, etc would all be up for discussion.
I got my next offer yesterday. The parent company of the current hospital system I work for has other hospital systems around the nation. Specifically, there is one in Omaha, Nebraska. It's in the middle of the country, in the flat, vague states of the midwest. Reminiscent of Missoula and Spokane, not exactly the place I'll want to be in January with the snow and the cold and all.
The details were few but important. Start December second, break for Christmas/New Years, runs through the end of June. That's good news. I already know folks on the team, the pay is good, my contracting company would be the same. I had lots of questions about the minutia of the new contract and then the brakes in my brain sqealed to a halt when I realized the talk had just been rescheduled.
A six and a half month contract away would mean big changes for things with 25. We had been talking about maybe living together when his lease is up in December. That's got to be considered NOW. If I'm away, what is happening with the dog and cat? Who's taking care of the house? How much with custodians for those things cost? What about the mental and emotional strain of being at a distance for so long? And those depend on the minutia of how often do I get to go home and for how long, is the pay enough to stay on, etc.
No wonder I didn't sleep well last night, I can't get my brain to stop long enough.
What if I was making the plans that rushing up to meet me?
My contract is set to end the last week of November. I've know that since May. That's not a shock. I keep track of it so I know when I have to start the job (yes, it's like a second job) of finding a new contract.
I thought the new contract offer would come in October. These things take time to put together don't ya know. 25 and I knew it would mean a talk. We'd had a talk about having a talk. I never say "talk" because that's not how we are. We can converse openly about things in the relationship and don't let it build up in to a "We need to have a talk" moment. Living arrangements, next job, etc would all be up for discussion.
I got my next offer yesterday. The parent company of the current hospital system I work for has other hospital systems around the nation. Specifically, there is one in Omaha, Nebraska. It's in the middle of the country, in the flat, vague states of the midwest. Reminiscent of Missoula and Spokane, not exactly the place I'll want to be in January with the snow and the cold and all.
The details were few but important. Start December second, break for Christmas/New Years, runs through the end of June. That's good news. I already know folks on the team, the pay is good, my contracting company would be the same. I had lots of questions about the minutia of the new contract and then the brakes in my brain sqealed to a halt when I realized the talk had just been rescheduled.
A six and a half month contract away would mean big changes for things with 25. We had been talking about maybe living together when his lease is up in December. That's got to be considered NOW. If I'm away, what is happening with the dog and cat? Who's taking care of the house? How much with custodians for those things cost? What about the mental and emotional strain of being at a distance for so long? And those depend on the minutia of how often do I get to go home and for how long, is the pay enough to stay on, etc.
No wonder I didn't sleep well last night, I can't get my brain to stop long enough.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Come Hell or Highwater
I'm going to get back to blogging
A) because a very lovely British gentleman has asked me recently if I was keeping on with it. He said he liked reading it and wondered where I'd gone. You know who you are you cheeky ginger.
2) because it is a fantastic place to unload the crapola that floats around in my head.
and #) because there's no way I'll remember this still when I'm old, or maybe next year even.
I'm resolving (again, I know. What's this, about my fifth rededication) to get back to it, err this.
That being said, yes of course there are reasons I haven't been blogging. The 55 hour work weeks are one of the most obvious. Since I started my current project mid-April I've worked over 850 total hours. That's a might high average since you've got to deduct the last two weeks at a mere 40 hours/week. The company put the ka-bosh on all the overtime. I'm hoping the pendulum swing back to OT again when things get (farther) behind schedule.
I also haven't been blogging much because when I'm not working, I'm with 25. That's still happening. I think at some point we because a thing. A couple thing. Who knew that today, one day short of the anniversary of our first date, I'd be blogging about being with him? Not me. Definitely not me. The best part of that? He knows.
He knows that he wasn't what I (thought I) was looking for. He knew and was equally slow to get into a monogamous, exclusive relationship. He knows that I'm in a fair amount of awe that he's put up with me this long and keeps coming back, always with a smile on his face to put one on mine.
I think round-about the last blogs I'd just given over a drawer, and then two, to him. Now he's got an, albeit small, dresser and a chunk of space in the closet. His hiking and camping gear lives in the garage all mixed in with mine. Our boots covered in the same mud dust from our last time out. He's got a key, and the garage door opener built in to his review mirror is programmed for my house.
He's in. In a big huge way, he's in. In a fantastic and if I think about it too much, fantastically scary way, he's in.
I've been single for a long time. There were minor flings over along the way, usually ending as quickly as they began. It's been the past five plus years. He knows that. He understands and, I would venture, agrees, the molasses speed has been a good thing. Because here we are, 364 days after first saying "Hi, you must be . . . " and he's still here.
A) because a very lovely British gentleman has asked me recently if I was keeping on with it. He said he liked reading it and wondered where I'd gone. You know who you are you cheeky ginger.
2) because it is a fantastic place to unload the crapola that floats around in my head.
and #) because there's no way I'll remember this still when I'm old, or maybe next year even.
I'm resolving (again, I know. What's this, about my fifth rededication) to get back to it, err this.
That being said, yes of course there are reasons I haven't been blogging. The 55 hour work weeks are one of the most obvious. Since I started my current project mid-April I've worked over 850 total hours. That's a might high average since you've got to deduct the last two weeks at a mere 40 hours/week. The company put the ka-bosh on all the overtime. I'm hoping the pendulum swing back to OT again when things get (farther) behind schedule.
I also haven't been blogging much because when I'm not working, I'm with 25. That's still happening. I think at some point we because a thing. A couple thing. Who knew that today, one day short of the anniversary of our first date, I'd be blogging about being with him? Not me. Definitely not me. The best part of that? He knows.
He knows that he wasn't what I (thought I) was looking for. He knew and was equally slow to get into a monogamous, exclusive relationship. He knows that I'm in a fair amount of awe that he's put up with me this long and keeps coming back, always with a smile on his face to put one on mine.
I think round-about the last blogs I'd just given over a drawer, and then two, to him. Now he's got an, albeit small, dresser and a chunk of space in the closet. His hiking and camping gear lives in the garage all mixed in with mine. Our boots covered in the same mud dust from our last time out. He's got a key, and the garage door opener built in to his review mirror is programmed for my house.
He's in. In a big huge way, he's in. In a fantastic and if I think about it too much, fantastically scary way, he's in.
I've been single for a long time. There were minor flings over along the way, usually ending as quickly as they began. It's been the past five plus years. He knows that. He understands and, I would venture, agrees, the molasses speed has been a good thing. Because here we are, 364 days after first saying "Hi, you must be . . . " and he's still here.
Monday, April 29, 2013
A New Flow
Week two on the newest contract and I'm working on my flow. With this kind of work, the hours and days tend to change with and without notice. This week for example:
Monday: 07:00 - 17:30 (10.5h)
Tuesday: 12:00 - 20:00 (8h)
Wednesday: 08:00 - 19:30 (9.5h)
Thursday: ??
Friday: 08:00 - 19:30 (9.5h)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday I'm "assisting" in a training class. I have to get authorized to teach at this facility even though I've taught before (standard operating procedure no matter who the facility is). That it what dictates my hours for those days. Right now, there is only class 1pm to 5pm but that could and probably will change. I showed up at 7am today to get ready for an 8am class only to find out that there wasn't an 8am class. As my department lead says "we are water, we flow with it", which I like. You won't last long as an Epic contractor if you can't be silly putty - flexible, ready to bend, adaptable and able to copy/memorize.
It's doubly nice that at this project we have lots of dedicated training rooms with hardware that is set up and ready to go. The rooms are roomy with space to spread out, projectors for demonstrations, a box of supplies for each room and individual temperature controls. It's miles ahead of my last project. The management seems very different so far aw well and in all the best ways. They believe us to be the professionals we are. They give us the information and leave us to prepare, not reading it to us like kindergarteners. They understand that sometimes we will need to work more than forty hours per week to prep, clean up, prepare, etc in addition to class hours. They have a highly rational and logical approach to teaching and management. The key might be SO FAR, but I have high hopes and my fingers crossed.
Since I'm working, I can no longer go to the gym at 11am. I'll take advantage to go midday when I can, like tomorrow I'll go about 9 or 10am, but that will be a treat. Instead I have to figure out when to jam it in to my schedule. LAst week I got to the gym exactly zero days. I did run my neighborhood, but nothing the rest of the week. I saw 25 on Wednesday, went to a brewery for a special tapping with a friend on Thursday, saw 25 over the weekend and now it's Monday. I've got to balance work, the gym and a social life. I am having a hard time believing I can get up at 4am to work out before driving to work at 6am for a 7am start but afternoon turns into the "buts" and not my butt on the elliptical machine. After work I am prone to "I could/should go to the gym but I'm tired/I have to go shopping/I need to let the dog out/I have to _____". It's easier to find a reason not to go after work. A Mariners game, a date, dinner, exhaustion are all acceptable reasons. Therefore, it's got to be morning, but MAN! 4am?!?!
I also noticed that the weekend flew by. I'm now playing that age old game of "how to I cram fun and hafto's into just 48 hours"?
Any ideas?
Monday: 07:00 - 17:30 (10.5h)
Tuesday: 12:00 - 20:00 (8h)
Wednesday: 08:00 - 19:30 (9.5h)
Thursday: ??
Friday: 08:00 - 19:30 (9.5h)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday I'm "assisting" in a training class. I have to get authorized to teach at this facility even though I've taught before (standard operating procedure no matter who the facility is). That it what dictates my hours for those days. Right now, there is only class 1pm to 5pm but that could and probably will change. I showed up at 7am today to get ready for an 8am class only to find out that there wasn't an 8am class. As my department lead says "we are water, we flow with it", which I like. You won't last long as an Epic contractor if you can't be silly putty - flexible, ready to bend, adaptable and able to copy/memorize.
It's doubly nice that at this project we have lots of dedicated training rooms with hardware that is set up and ready to go. The rooms are roomy with space to spread out, projectors for demonstrations, a box of supplies for each room and individual temperature controls. It's miles ahead of my last project. The management seems very different so far aw well and in all the best ways. They believe us to be the professionals we are. They give us the information and leave us to prepare, not reading it to us like kindergarteners. They understand that sometimes we will need to work more than forty hours per week to prep, clean up, prepare, etc in addition to class hours. They have a highly rational and logical approach to teaching and management. The key might be SO FAR, but I have high hopes and my fingers crossed.
Since I'm working, I can no longer go to the gym at 11am. I'll take advantage to go midday when I can, like tomorrow I'll go about 9 or 10am, but that will be a treat. Instead I have to figure out when to jam it in to my schedule. LAst week I got to the gym exactly zero days. I did run my neighborhood, but nothing the rest of the week. I saw 25 on Wednesday, went to a brewery for a special tapping with a friend on Thursday, saw 25 over the weekend and now it's Monday. I've got to balance work, the gym and a social life. I am having a hard time believing I can get up at 4am to work out before driving to work at 6am for a 7am start but afternoon turns into the "buts" and not my butt on the elliptical machine. After work I am prone to "I could/should go to the gym but I'm tired/I have to go shopping/I need to let the dog out/I have to _____". It's easier to find a reason not to go after work. A Mariners game, a date, dinner, exhaustion are all acceptable reasons. Therefore, it's got to be morning, but MAN! 4am?!?!
I also noticed that the weekend flew by. I'm now playing that age old game of "how to I cram fun and hafto's into just 48 hours"?
Any ideas?
Friday, April 26, 2013
The First Week
I have survived my first week of work.
I always forget how tiring work is. It's frustrating to be out of work but it's tiring to be at work. It's doubly tiring to try to look busy at work.
Now don't mistake me. I am glad I'm back at work. I'm glad to be working where I am but at the moment, there isn't a lot for me to be actively working on. Until I get credentialed (a process that is slightly different in each place but basically verifies that I know my stuff well enough and can present it well enough that both Epic, the owners of the software, and my current hospital system both feel that I will be a good representative for them) there isn't much to do. This time is usually used to learn curriculum, training methods, specifics for a specific facility. I don't mean to brag because that usually gives the universe an opportunity to make you look the fool, but I'm a great trainer. I don't have to learn training methods. The material here is about 95% the same as the last place I was a trainer and there isn't much (so far) that is special for here.
That leaves me with forty hours to fill and little to fill it. There are a requisite number of hours listening to practice teachings by other trainers, or train the trainer classes on things like learning styles or training expectations. We use YouTube videos to bring people back from break so I spent a couple hours today building a YouTube library (suggestions welcome for funny PG rated under five minute videos!).
To make matters worse, it's been even harder to be at work this week because the weather has been amazing! The last couple of weeks, when I was off work, were gray, rainy and generally crappy. I started work on Monday and it was in the 60's and sunny and lovely. It's been that way all week, into the 70's. This weekend it's supposed to be 57 and rainy. That's proof that God created man (if that's what you believe) just to entertain himself and have a laugh.
Working with my contracting company (they hire and pay me to work at the healthcare facility but I still have to interview with the facility) was tough this go around too. It took all week to finally get the everything they needed and vice versa. I had to request timesheet submission information no less than four times. I sent them back their start up packet and apparently missed a couple signatures. I actually think two of the forms had been left out of the first packet but whatever.
I'm once again a working stif which does mean that weekends are significant again. With that, I'm off to daydream about making the most of my measly two days sans work.
I always forget how tiring work is. It's frustrating to be out of work but it's tiring to be at work. It's doubly tiring to try to look busy at work.
Now don't mistake me. I am glad I'm back at work. I'm glad to be working where I am but at the moment, there isn't a lot for me to be actively working on. Until I get credentialed (a process that is slightly different in each place but basically verifies that I know my stuff well enough and can present it well enough that both Epic, the owners of the software, and my current hospital system both feel that I will be a good representative for them) there isn't much to do. This time is usually used to learn curriculum, training methods, specifics for a specific facility. I don't mean to brag because that usually gives the universe an opportunity to make you look the fool, but I'm a great trainer. I don't have to learn training methods. The material here is about 95% the same as the last place I was a trainer and there isn't much (so far) that is special for here.
That leaves me with forty hours to fill and little to fill it. There are a requisite number of hours listening to practice teachings by other trainers, or train the trainer classes on things like learning styles or training expectations. We use YouTube videos to bring people back from break so I spent a couple hours today building a YouTube library (suggestions welcome for funny PG rated under five minute videos!).
To make matters worse, it's been even harder to be at work this week because the weather has been amazing! The last couple of weeks, when I was off work, were gray, rainy and generally crappy. I started work on Monday and it was in the 60's and sunny and lovely. It's been that way all week, into the 70's. This weekend it's supposed to be 57 and rainy. That's proof that God created man (if that's what you believe) just to entertain himself and have a laugh.
Working with my contracting company (they hire and pay me to work at the healthcare facility but I still have to interview with the facility) was tough this go around too. It took all week to finally get the everything they needed and vice versa. I had to request timesheet submission information no less than four times. I sent them back their start up packet and apparently missed a couple signatures. I actually think two of the forms had been left out of the first packet but whatever.
I'm once again a working stif which does mean that weekends are significant again. With that, I'm off to daydream about making the most of my measly two days sans work.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Apparently I don't suck at life
Or I just suck in temporary spurts.
I'm posting writing this on Sunday and posting it late on Monday because
DUM DA DUMMMMMMMM
I'm at work at the time I would usually be posting this. The interesting thing about working as a contractor in the field I do (Electronic Medical Records Trainer) is that the work comes and goes. I know someone who has been consistently employed over the last twelve months at three different positions. I know a couple women who I worked with one one project, had each worked on one since and and are each currently employed on a third, with periods of worklessness in between. I seemed to have the least luck with work. From October until March I worked an average of two weeks each month, though not evenly distributed. It sounds great, only working about half the time, but that also means less income and a lot less consistent income.
These projects tend to have high levels of chaos, miscommunication, confusion, and flexible timelines. As a contractor one must get accustomed to this very quickly. In the last three months, the three biggest projects I was put in for all had major changes to their timelines which changed the staffing needs and urgency. I was submitted as a candidate by two different firms (for different projects) and more than once for each project. Again and again I was told their needs had changed, they were postponing the projects, yadda, yadda. I wrote before that interviewing is like dating and again it proves to be. There was lots of hope and prepping for a company that just wasn't ready and it all turned out to be for naught. Then I got a call on Friday for a phone interview. wait, wait, wait then rush!
I'd reckon that a part of the reason I got the job is not only that I have applicable experience but that I am a local candidate and can start Monday. I am not going to assume that's the only reason. I am going to make the most of the opportunity and show them what a great trainer I am. I've been told the job could go through the end of the year. I want to be on the team that are there until the end. More information but probably a little less first while I adjust to being (happily) employed again!
* Note added Monday evening - First day went very smoothly, I even knew one of the other trainers from a previous project. It was unfortunate that it was a sunny beautiful day and I was in a room without so much as a window. It was doubly unfortunate that either I'm getting a head cold OR allergy season started like a piano landing on my head. D'oh!
I'm posting writing this on Sunday and posting it late on Monday because
DUM DA DUMMMMMMMM
I'm at work at the time I would usually be posting this. The interesting thing about working as a contractor in the field I do (Electronic Medical Records Trainer) is that the work comes and goes. I know someone who has been consistently employed over the last twelve months at three different positions. I know a couple women who I worked with one one project, had each worked on one since and and are each currently employed on a third, with periods of worklessness in between. I seemed to have the least luck with work. From October until March I worked an average of two weeks each month, though not evenly distributed. It sounds great, only working about half the time, but that also means less income and a lot less consistent income.
These projects tend to have high levels of chaos, miscommunication, confusion, and flexible timelines. As a contractor one must get accustomed to this very quickly. In the last three months, the three biggest projects I was put in for all had major changes to their timelines which changed the staffing needs and urgency. I was submitted as a candidate by two different firms (for different projects) and more than once for each project. Again and again I was told their needs had changed, they were postponing the projects, yadda, yadda. I wrote before that interviewing is like dating and again it proves to be. There was lots of hope and prepping for a company that just wasn't ready and it all turned out to be for naught. Then I got a call on Friday for a phone interview. wait, wait, wait then rush!
I'd reckon that a part of the reason I got the job is not only that I have applicable experience but that I am a local candidate and can start Monday. I am not going to assume that's the only reason. I am going to make the most of the opportunity and show them what a great trainer I am. I've been told the job could go through the end of the year. I want to be on the team that are there until the end. More information but probably a little less first while I adjust to being (happily) employed again!
* Note added Monday evening - First day went very smoothly, I even knew one of the other trainers from a previous project. It was unfortunate that it was a sunny beautiful day and I was in a room without so much as a window. It was doubly unfortunate that either I'm getting a head cold OR allergy season started like a piano landing on my head. D'oh!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Idle Hands
are the devil's workshop, so the saying goes. I don't know about the devil but I do know that I'm doing lots to keep busy and fight off the crazies.
I borrowed a dehydrator and I'm experimenting with ingredients and recipes for the upcoming backpacking/hiking season. Yesterday I tried batch one with a can each of pinto beans, minestrone soup and beanless chili. Each was a 15oz can and was reduced to between 2.8 to 3.6 oz after dehydrating. I've got to rehydrate and submit them to a taste test. Batch two was fruit: strawberries, mangoes, golden delicious and granny smith apples, comice and anjou pears, bananas, limes and lemons. The results are obviously drastically reduced weight, change in texture. I was surprised that they weren't sweeter than they were. There are ways to sweeten by pre-treating the fruit but I needed a baseline to start from. Right now I'm dehydrating ham, breakfast sausage and some fresh chorizo with steak marinating in the fridge for jerky-fying later.
I'm making things that aren't dehydrated too. A batch of from scratch pasta sauce, vegetable soup with homemade chicken stock, bell pepper and jalapeno hummus, homemade applesauce, and rhubarb sauce within the last five days or so. Luckily, 25 is happy to have leftovers for lunch so I don't have to have soup for seven straight days. The dog even got some of the goods as I made her some peanut butter treats. Oh, and I perfected a sugarfree mojito. Between that and the yard, I'm doing my best to lure the warm weather to Seattle.
But wait . . . There's more! Yesterday I also had a big shop at Winco, a local grocery. I bought all the above fruits plus some big packs of chicken and beef that needed to be repacked in to smaller bags. The weather was good so I headed to the backyard. All the patio furniture (six chairs, two ottomans, a small and large table) are all scrubbed. I cleared the deck but need to scrub it too. I did some light weeding and in concert with the potted flowers, it looks ready for summer. I planted four baskets of fuscias and three mixed baskets of full sun flowers. On the food front, there are two tomato plants (sweet thousands and Viva Italia), spinach, broccoli, green and yellow onions, two types of basil and garlic growing. There are daffodils up and I'm hoping the daliah bulbs will spring up too.
In addition, I vacuumed and walked the dog yesterday. Oh, and I blogged. Hmmm, an excess of anxious energy maybe? I'm off to the craft room now for a sketch pad to draw up some headboard ideas and then the gym after that.
My excess of output may seem a little, I hate to use the word crazy but. . . .
Well, it's either that or I give up, move a mini fridge full of beer next to my bed and never leave the house.
I borrowed a dehydrator and I'm experimenting with ingredients and recipes for the upcoming backpacking/hiking season. Yesterday I tried batch one with a can each of pinto beans, minestrone soup and beanless chili. Each was a 15oz can and was reduced to between 2.8 to 3.6 oz after dehydrating. I've got to rehydrate and submit them to a taste test. Batch two was fruit: strawberries, mangoes, golden delicious and granny smith apples, comice and anjou pears, bananas, limes and lemons. The results are obviously drastically reduced weight, change in texture. I was surprised that they weren't sweeter than they were. There are ways to sweeten by pre-treating the fruit but I needed a baseline to start from. Right now I'm dehydrating ham, breakfast sausage and some fresh chorizo with steak marinating in the fridge for jerky-fying later.
I'm making things that aren't dehydrated too. A batch of from scratch pasta sauce, vegetable soup with homemade chicken stock, bell pepper and jalapeno hummus, homemade applesauce, and rhubarb sauce within the last five days or so. Luckily, 25 is happy to have leftovers for lunch so I don't have to have soup for seven straight days. The dog even got some of the goods as I made her some peanut butter treats. Oh, and I perfected a sugarfree mojito. Between that and the yard, I'm doing my best to lure the warm weather to Seattle.
But wait . . . There's more! Yesterday I also had a big shop at Winco, a local grocery. I bought all the above fruits plus some big packs of chicken and beef that needed to be repacked in to smaller bags. The weather was good so I headed to the backyard. All the patio furniture (six chairs, two ottomans, a small and large table) are all scrubbed. I cleared the deck but need to scrub it too. I did some light weeding and in concert with the potted flowers, it looks ready for summer. I planted four baskets of fuscias and three mixed baskets of full sun flowers. On the food front, there are two tomato plants (sweet thousands and Viva Italia), spinach, broccoli, green and yellow onions, two types of basil and garlic growing. There are daffodils up and I'm hoping the daliah bulbs will spring up too.
In addition, I vacuumed and walked the dog yesterday. Oh, and I blogged. Hmmm, an excess of anxious energy maybe? I'm off to the craft room now for a sketch pad to draw up some headboard ideas and then the gym after that.
My excess of output may seem a little, I hate to use the word crazy but. . . .
Well, it's either that or I give up, move a mini fridge full of beer next to my bed and never leave the house.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
How would I know if . . .
I suck at life? I can't be the only one who has wondered if I simply suck at life. Before you start wondering just how bipolar I am because yesterday's post was good news, this isn't out of the blue. Shockingly, I do keep the vast majority of my life to myself. I blog about selected topics but I don't tweet or instagram or vomit the details of my life on to multiple social media outlets.
It's been a rough stretch lately in every realm other than dating, which is quite the reversal. After moving back to the US, I got into the world of Electronic Medical Records as a trainer. I enjoy the work, it's interesting and profitable. The problem is that it's contract work and it is as fleeting as sunshine in Seattle in April. I worked about seven and a half months total in 2012 (granted I didn't move back until March. So far in 2013 I've worked about six weeks, which sounds great. When you're working, the prospect of time off to travel or complete tasks around the house is like heaven. The problem is when you're not working, there's no money for travel, or groceries. What people really want is time off work with unlimited resources. I've got a couple leads, but that's been the case since early March. Still nothin'.
When I moved back, I had to get a car. "Lucky" for me, my sister had a car that she used for about a whopping thousand miles a year. Since it was mostly just taking up one of the precious parking spaces on Capitol Hill, she gave/lent/sold it to me. A 1995 Nissan Maxima. I just rolled the odometer over to 150,000 miles yesterday. The engine was replaced at about 140,000 but the rest of the car wasn't. Since I inherited it, I had to recharge the AC ($350), replace the started ($300), replace two taillights and a side mirror ($95), replace both bumper covers ($250), replace the tires ($400 plus the single replacement in Portland for another $50), get an alignment ($80) and switch from regular oil changes at $30 to high mileage oil changes at $45. This car is costing me more than a new car with payments would. Not to mention that it smells like burning oil and has started smoking if I drive is more than fifteen minutes. The catch about living on the West Coast is that it is exceedingly difficult to do so without a car unless you both live and work downtown (which I'd love but isn't likely).
Then there are the thousand little issues that make me think I might suck at life:
I was worried I'd drop my phone in the toilet if I kept it in my back pocket so I moved it to the pocket of my hoodie and only then dropped it in the toilet.
PMS and PostMS have hit like an avil on the coyote's head. I'm a roaring, irrational bitch who may have had an internal organ melt down for all I'm bleeding. Good luck to anyone who's trying to have a conversation with me, especially 25.
Either due to my "monthly friend" or other reasons, I've had either a stabbing stomachache or screaming headache pretty much every day for about the last three weeks. I don't know the cause but it's getting old.
I've been very consistently hitting the gym for the last six weeks. I've been a little better about what I'm eating but did have a wedding and two birthdays during that timespan. Yet I haven't dropped so much as a pound. I am, however, pounding my head against the wall.
A bottle of creme de cacao tipped over in the car and now it smells like tootsie rolls.
The dog chews up something on a weekly basis.
The cat has become a whiny bastard and doesn't seem to be happy with anything I do to appease him. I realize that sounds typical of most cats, but he's never been that way before.
I think I'm just going to stop the list now.
On a lighter note:
I have managed to turn the Room of Doom (former bedroom/craft room.office that was overtaken by crap and became a storage room) into a less doomy, more usable room.
I've planted spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, two types of basil, four fuscia hanging baskets, and three sunny flower planters.
I am still going to the gym.
I'm figuring out how to use a food dehydrator, cook things I usually buy and stretch every dollar in the kitchen.
I haven't run 25 off.
I haven't started drinking at ten am . . . yet.
Maybe I only suck at certain swaths of life, not all of it.
It's been a rough stretch lately in every realm other than dating, which is quite the reversal. After moving back to the US, I got into the world of Electronic Medical Records as a trainer. I enjoy the work, it's interesting and profitable. The problem is that it's contract work and it is as fleeting as sunshine in Seattle in April. I worked about seven and a half months total in 2012 (granted I didn't move back until March. So far in 2013 I've worked about six weeks, which sounds great. When you're working, the prospect of time off to travel or complete tasks around the house is like heaven. The problem is when you're not working, there's no money for travel, or groceries. What people really want is time off work with unlimited resources. I've got a couple leads, but that's been the case since early March. Still nothin'.
When I moved back, I had to get a car. "Lucky" for me, my sister had a car that she used for about a whopping thousand miles a year. Since it was mostly just taking up one of the precious parking spaces on Capitol Hill, she gave/lent/sold it to me. A 1995 Nissan Maxima. I just rolled the odometer over to 150,000 miles yesterday. The engine was replaced at about 140,000 but the rest of the car wasn't. Since I inherited it, I had to recharge the AC ($350), replace the started ($300), replace two taillights and a side mirror ($95), replace both bumper covers ($250), replace the tires ($400 plus the single replacement in Portland for another $50), get an alignment ($80) and switch from regular oil changes at $30 to high mileage oil changes at $45. This car is costing me more than a new car with payments would. Not to mention that it smells like burning oil and has started smoking if I drive is more than fifteen minutes. The catch about living on the West Coast is that it is exceedingly difficult to do so without a car unless you both live and work downtown (which I'd love but isn't likely).
Then there are the thousand little issues that make me think I might suck at life:
I was worried I'd drop my phone in the toilet if I kept it in my back pocket so I moved it to the pocket of my hoodie and only then dropped it in the toilet.
PMS and PostMS have hit like an avil on the coyote's head. I'm a roaring, irrational bitch who may have had an internal organ melt down for all I'm bleeding. Good luck to anyone who's trying to have a conversation with me, especially 25.
Either due to my "monthly friend" or other reasons, I've had either a stabbing stomachache or screaming headache pretty much every day for about the last three weeks. I don't know the cause but it's getting old.
I've been very consistently hitting the gym for the last six weeks. I've been a little better about what I'm eating but did have a wedding and two birthdays during that timespan. Yet I haven't dropped so much as a pound. I am, however, pounding my head against the wall.
A bottle of creme de cacao tipped over in the car and now it smells like tootsie rolls.
The dog chews up something on a weekly basis.
The cat has become a whiny bastard and doesn't seem to be happy with anything I do to appease him. I realize that sounds typical of most cats, but he's never been that way before.
I think I'm just going to stop the list now.
On a lighter note:
I have managed to turn the Room of Doom (former bedroom/craft room.office that was overtaken by crap and became a storage room) into a less doomy, more usable room.
I've planted spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, two types of basil, four fuscia hanging baskets, and three sunny flower planters.
I am still going to the gym.
I'm figuring out how to use a food dehydrator, cook things I usually buy and stretch every dollar in the kitchen.
I haven't run 25 off.
I haven't started drinking at ten am . . . yet.
Maybe I only suck at certain swaths of life, not all of it.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Retaining Sanity and Losing Weight
Since I'm waiting to find out where I'll be working next, and with which company, I've got some time on my hands. When you're working full time, time off sounds great. When you're waiting to work and don't know when your next paycheck is going to come in, time off can be the kiss of death. If I already knew when and where I was going to start working, I could go on vacation, maybe scuba somewhere or visit some friends on other continents. Since I don't, I end up trying to stay home . . . a lot. Inevitably, leaving the house means spending money. I go to Home Depot to get supplies for house projects, I go for acupuncture, I go out to have a meal with a friend. It all costs.
I had my first monthly check-in with a trainer in nine months. Now, I'd gotten on the gym kick not long after I moved back to Seattle. The problem came first during the holidays as I got out of the habit and when I was on the road. Sure there was a gym at the hotel, but it didn't have the set up I wanted and really, after an eleven hour day, it was the last thing I wanted to do. So, my first weigh in, measurement check since May of 2012. Honestly, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. I could tell a few ounces here, a few more there had snuck in. I am up about ten pounds from where I was in May. By May, I had been working out about ten weeks solidly so I was lighter than when I first got back. That being said, half of that ten pounds I put on was lean muscle and my tape measurements (weight, hips, etc) hadn't changed much.
I want to lose at least fifteen pounds and gain definition, tone and health. I want to be ready for a four day backpacking trip in September. I want to keep up with the hiking group much better than last year. I want to feel great in a swim suit this summer.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Thirteen months and Three Days ago
Thirteen months and three days ago, I flew home.
I left Jakarta. Its been an interesting year. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I can't complain (not that it does any good anyway). In the last year I:
There are a few things that I miss about Jakarta. Mostly the people. It's very hard to stay in touch with people half the world and fifteen hours time difference away. I occasionally miss having a maid but I've managed to get back in the routine of doing my dishes and vacuuming without any tears. I rarely tire of driving instead of taxiing around. I do hate the cost of the car (insurance, gas, maintenance), but other than after nights of drinking, don't miss taxis much. I definitely don't miss the lack of outdoor opportunities. About once a month I get a real hankering for warung friend rice or satay. Other than missing my friends, I miss how far money goes there including traveling for weeks at a time to amazing places.
As you can tell if you've read many of my blog posts, I'm a list maker. I constantly have to do lists, shopping lists, follow up on lists, etc. I didn't exactly make New Years resolutions but I've got a few lists.
I want to complete:
We (the guy I'm dating and I) also have a to do list. I'm really excited about it to be honest. It includes things that are touristy Seattle things, some more generic/routine things, some specific to us things. Not only have I met someone who indulges my list making, but also wanting to make a list with me. It's maybe the best list yet.
I left Jakarta. Its been an interesting year. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I can't complain (not that it does any good anyway). In the last year I:
- made a few great friends and some good ones too,
- completed two mud run, obstacle courses,
- went snowshoeing, hiking, kayaking,
- took over the house after mom moved,
- visited California, Oregon, Montana and Eastern Washington,
- worked the majority of the year in a new field where I learned and excelled,
- went to two music festivals and several other shows
- dated and more specifically, I started dating one particular person,
- started on the path to being a healthier, happier me physically, mentally and emotionally.
There are a few things that I miss about Jakarta. Mostly the people. It's very hard to stay in touch with people half the world and fifteen hours time difference away. I occasionally miss having a maid but I've managed to get back in the routine of doing my dishes and vacuuming without any tears. I rarely tire of driving instead of taxiing around. I do hate the cost of the car (insurance, gas, maintenance), but other than after nights of drinking, don't miss taxis much. I definitely don't miss the lack of outdoor opportunities. About once a month I get a real hankering for warung friend rice or satay. Other than missing my friends, I miss how far money goes there including traveling for weeks at a time to amazing places.
As you can tell if you've read many of my blog posts, I'm a list maker. I constantly have to do lists, shopping lists, follow up on lists, etc. I didn't exactly make New Years resolutions but I've got a few lists.
I want to complete:
- 2 or more scuba trips
- 2 or more camp trips
- 3 or more live music shows
- 3 or more trips to other states (first one at the end of this month!!)
- 4 or more mud runs
- 5 or more kayak outtings
- 8 or more hikes
We (the guy I'm dating and I) also have a to do list. I'm really excited about it to be honest. It includes things that are touristy Seattle things, some more generic/routine things, some specific to us things. Not only have I met someone who indulges my list making, but also wanting to make a list with me. It's maybe the best list yet.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Pit falls of traveling for work
When you think abstractly about traveling for work it sounds great. The company pays for your airfare, hotel, rental car and gives you a stipend or reimburses you for food. You'll go to new and different places. It will be FUN! It will be EXCITING!
In actuality it will be EXHAUSTING! It will GET OLD!
Most people in airports don't travel weekly, or even monthly. They stop in the middle of the walkway, they let their kids wander all over, they run into people and things with their rolling suitcases. Want to know a secret? When you go through security, get in the line with the most business flyers. They know, as do I, how to go through any mental detector without setting it off. They won't forget to take their laptop or liquids out of their suitcase. They will have worn shoes that are easy on/easy off and will know that you have to take off your belt, jacket and scarf. Don't, under any circumstance, get in the line with families, seniors who travel yearly at best, groups of teenagers for school or sport trips. If I could fly for work going to airport that only contained other business flyers that would be brilliant.
Staying in hotels sounds like fun too. You have a restaurant in the lobby, you can get room service, most have a pool, perhaps a sauna, someone will clean up after you every day. It's also not home. You don't have all your things there. There may be a fridge in the room but it will have about two square foot capacity. You want to try to eat healthy right? That holds three yogurts, two apples, a bottle of juice and one of tea, a small carton of milk, a half dozen string cheese and that's about it. Remember, you have to buy things that either does require cooking or you can make using hot water from the coffee maker or potentially a microwave, though I only get a room with a micro about half the time. Wait, you're traveling. You don't have to eat in your room, you can go out to eat. Most people like the idea of eating out . . . until they've eaten out for two weeks straight. The food isn't usually the healthiest, and if it is you're surely going over your stipend. Not to mention that sometimes you want something prepared exactly as you like it. Frito pie with extra cheese, the fritos and chili in layers, a few globs of sour cream and topped with Sri Racha? Not in a restaurant.
The only time I watch TV (aside from the rare Hulu binge) is when I'm in hotels. I don't have a TV or cable/dish at home. I'll admit it was fun to watch the Grammy's and the Academy Awards since I happened to have a big, flat screen TV mounted in my room. Unfortunately, I also learned there are shows called "Swamp people" "My 600lb life" and "My Strange Addiction". There was plenty to scare me away from TV watching. The first week or two I watched TV most nights. I'd turn it on for noise in the room. It wasn't long before I was making two or three passes through the roughly 35 channels and seeing absolutely nothing worth watching, and I do think my "worth watch" bar is reasonably low. I watched a couple nights of Storage Wars marathons after all.
At least you get to see some cool new places right? Not so much. When you work nine to twelve hour days, it makes it very tough to go see the city after. Doubly true for small towns where shops close up early. Not to mention I was going to snow based cities in January and February. With my luck, I'd get sent to Florida in July.
Lastly, I didn't really exist. I got a few text messages from friends asking if I'd died or just dropped off the face of the earth. I couldn't make any plans because even if I was going to be home for the weekend, the odds were high that I'd be exhausted. I'd fly in and get to my house about 9:30pm Friday night. I had to do laundry and repack, hang out with my "kids" Skeeter the dog and BJ the cat, invariably do a few errands, then it was about 4pm on Sunday and time to head back to the airport. I missed beerfests, birthdays and special events. I missed 80% of snowshoe season.
Fingers crossed I can find a local job and enjoy some time at home, being out and active, seeing my friends and keeping the "kids" company.
In actuality it will be EXHAUSTING! It will GET OLD!
Most people in airports don't travel weekly, or even monthly. They stop in the middle of the walkway, they let their kids wander all over, they run into people and things with their rolling suitcases. Want to know a secret? When you go through security, get in the line with the most business flyers. They know, as do I, how to go through any mental detector without setting it off. They won't forget to take their laptop or liquids out of their suitcase. They will have worn shoes that are easy on/easy off and will know that you have to take off your belt, jacket and scarf. Don't, under any circumstance, get in the line with families, seniors who travel yearly at best, groups of teenagers for school or sport trips. If I could fly for work going to airport that only contained other business flyers that would be brilliant.
Staying in hotels sounds like fun too. You have a restaurant in the lobby, you can get room service, most have a pool, perhaps a sauna, someone will clean up after you every day. It's also not home. You don't have all your things there. There may be a fridge in the room but it will have about two square foot capacity. You want to try to eat healthy right? That holds three yogurts, two apples, a bottle of juice and one of tea, a small carton of milk, a half dozen string cheese and that's about it. Remember, you have to buy things that either does require cooking or you can make using hot water from the coffee maker or potentially a microwave, though I only get a room with a micro about half the time. Wait, you're traveling. You don't have to eat in your room, you can go out to eat. Most people like the idea of eating out . . . until they've eaten out for two weeks straight. The food isn't usually the healthiest, and if it is you're surely going over your stipend. Not to mention that sometimes you want something prepared exactly as you like it. Frito pie with extra cheese, the fritos and chili in layers, a few globs of sour cream and topped with Sri Racha? Not in a restaurant.
The only time I watch TV (aside from the rare Hulu binge) is when I'm in hotels. I don't have a TV or cable/dish at home. I'll admit it was fun to watch the Grammy's and the Academy Awards since I happened to have a big, flat screen TV mounted in my room. Unfortunately, I also learned there are shows called "Swamp people" "My 600lb life" and "My Strange Addiction". There was plenty to scare me away from TV watching. The first week or two I watched TV most nights. I'd turn it on for noise in the room. It wasn't long before I was making two or three passes through the roughly 35 channels and seeing absolutely nothing worth watching, and I do think my "worth watch" bar is reasonably low. I watched a couple nights of Storage Wars marathons after all.
At least you get to see some cool new places right? Not so much. When you work nine to twelve hour days, it makes it very tough to go see the city after. Doubly true for small towns where shops close up early. Not to mention I was going to snow based cities in January and February. With my luck, I'd get sent to Florida in July.
Lastly, I didn't really exist. I got a few text messages from friends asking if I'd died or just dropped off the face of the earth. I couldn't make any plans because even if I was going to be home for the weekend, the odds were high that I'd be exhausted. I'd fly in and get to my house about 9:30pm Friday night. I had to do laundry and repack, hang out with my "kids" Skeeter the dog and BJ the cat, invariably do a few errands, then it was about 4pm on Sunday and time to head back to the airport. I missed beerfests, birthdays and special events. I missed 80% of snowshoe season.
Fingers crossed I can find a local job and enjoy some time at home, being out and active, seeing my friends and keeping the "kids" company.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Missoula to Spokane and back again
Apparently traveling for six weeks for work isn't conducive to much other than work and exhaustion.
I spent two weeks in Missoula, Montana. Its a college town, home to U of Montana. There are a few redeeming qualities, like the local breweries. I went to Draught Works and Tamarack Brewing. I had Bayern, Big Sky and Kettlehouse beers as well as Whitefish brewing from Whitefish, MT.
There might be lovely things to do in Montana in the late Spring/Summer such as hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking, fishing, etc, etc. In winter, it was just dark and cold. I walked to work in the dark and walked home in the dark. I worked eleven of the twelve days I was there and I saw very little of the town as most of it closed up at 6pm on weeknights. My one day off was partially spent doing laundry, but I did get to see it in daylight. It's a quaint town that feels like it's behind the times and underpopulated. I'm sure the area near the university had a different feel but I was in the old downtown area.
After Missoula, I spent four weeks in Spokane. I could easily repeat most of the above about Spokane. It's a college town, with several big universities around. It would have been great to go snowshoe on Mt. Spokane but that was not to be. Aside from that, breweries, good food etc. I was there during Restaurant Week and enjoyed an amazing meal at Clinkerdagger. I had company come visit me the last weekend I was there instead of flying back home. We got to enjoy some sunshine, a long walk around town and Boo Radley's novelty store.
While I did get to go home three weekends during the six weeks, it often felt it was barely worth the effort. I'd get home about 9:30pm on Friday night after catching a 6:30 or 7pm flight and picking up my car on arrival. At least part of Saturday was spent doing laundry, repacking, doing errands. Then on Sunday, I'd leave again for the airport about 4pm.
All of that considered, it felt wonderful to not have to fly out again on Monday the fourth. I've been home a week and a half now and have happily settled back in to my routines. The pooch and cog (my cat who acts like a dog) are both very content that I am home, walking and spoiling, I mean feeding them again. I've been cooking up a storm. Chili, cornbread, banana bread, chicken, banana bites. It's nice to be able to make what I want, when I want it and not be limited to only a microwave and tiny fridge.
There really is no place like home!
I spent two weeks in Missoula, Montana. Its a college town, home to U of Montana. There are a few redeeming qualities, like the local breweries. I went to Draught Works and Tamarack Brewing. I had Bayern, Big Sky and Kettlehouse beers as well as Whitefish brewing from Whitefish, MT.
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| Yummy Bayern |
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| My first day in town. There was snow on the ground all the time I was there. |
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| Tamarack Brewing |
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| Missoula - My hotel was the big rectangular one on the right. |
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| Spokane, Riverside park. My hotel was the opposite side of the river and north about two blocks. |
All of that considered, it felt wonderful to not have to fly out again on Monday the fourth. I've been home a week and a half now and have happily settled back in to my routines. The pooch and cog (my cat who acts like a dog) are both very content that I am home, walking and spoiling, I mean feeding them again. I've been cooking up a storm. Chili, cornbread, banana bread, chicken, banana bites. It's nice to be able to make what I want, when I want it and not be limited to only a microwave and tiny fridge.
There really is no place like home!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
How NOT to blog
Apparently, there are several things that are less than ideal for blogging.
The first, very obviously, is being on the road for work for six weeks working lots and not having a laptop.
I know this seems like a "well duh!" moment, but I thought I could work around it. I bought a tablet because my laptop is old and slow and cripplingly heavy. I kept the tablet for a whopping three weeks. It didn't support some of the programs I wanted, I didn't use it nearly as much as I thought I would (like for blogging!) so I got my $250 back. I thought I'd blog the first two weeks I was away when I did have my laptop with me.
I didn't.
I didn't blog when I was home on the weekends. Granted, I'd fly to Seattle and arrive at home about 21:30 Friday night then leave again for the airport about 16:00 Sunday. That left roughly 43 hours at home. I spend those meager hours enjoying myself and to some small degree, feeling guilty about not doing chores even though that was the last thing I wanted to do. I only got home three of the five weekends that I was working away so honestly, I don't feel that guilty about not doing chores.(promise and threat, expect at least one more blog about work).
The second thing that is less than ideal for blogging is happiness. I know that some people do blog about all the sunshine/smiley/happy moments in life. I've approached blogging much like a songwriter. Pain, frustration and suffering make for great songs! They are the nourishment needed for poets to create. Happiness, at least in my case, breeds blogging laziness. When I'm (mostly) happy, I don't have anything to rant about (except work of course). I have more patience. The storm in my soul has weakened from a Nor'Easterner to a springtime Seattle drizzle.
I might be able to talk about my happiness . . . there are two reasons I probably won't. One - It's hard to be witty and biting and sarcastic about happy things. Two - I understand that things on the internet exist forever. I don't mind that when I'm snarky. The happiness in my life I protect to the exclusion of blogs. It's easy to jinx happiness in my experience. So to that end. . .
Expect a few blog coming up but still containing vitriol about common stupidity, inane life happenings and work, because that's a great thing to vent about. Don't expect me to extol the details of my happy internal land of sunshine, kittens and ice cream.
The first, very obviously, is being on the road for work for six weeks working lots and not having a laptop.
I know this seems like a "well duh!" moment, but I thought I could work around it. I bought a tablet because my laptop is old and slow and cripplingly heavy. I kept the tablet for a whopping three weeks. It didn't support some of the programs I wanted, I didn't use it nearly as much as I thought I would (like for blogging!) so I got my $250 back. I thought I'd blog the first two weeks I was away when I did have my laptop with me.
I didn't.
I didn't blog when I was home on the weekends. Granted, I'd fly to Seattle and arrive at home about 21:30 Friday night then leave again for the airport about 16:00 Sunday. That left roughly 43 hours at home. I spend those meager hours enjoying myself and to some small degree, feeling guilty about not doing chores even though that was the last thing I wanted to do. I only got home three of the five weekends that I was working away so honestly, I don't feel that guilty about not doing chores.(promise and threat, expect at least one more blog about work).
The second thing that is less than ideal for blogging is happiness. I know that some people do blog about all the sunshine/smiley/happy moments in life. I've approached blogging much like a songwriter. Pain, frustration and suffering make for great songs! They are the nourishment needed for poets to create. Happiness, at least in my case, breeds blogging laziness. When I'm (mostly) happy, I don't have anything to rant about (except work of course). I have more patience. The storm in my soul has weakened from a Nor'Easterner to a springtime Seattle drizzle.
I might be able to talk about my happiness . . . there are two reasons I probably won't. One - It's hard to be witty and biting and sarcastic about happy things. Two - I understand that things on the internet exist forever. I don't mind that when I'm snarky. The happiness in my life I protect to the exclusion of blogs. It's easy to jinx happiness in my experience. So to that end. . .
Expect a few blog coming up but still containing vitriol about common stupidity, inane life happenings and work, because that's a great thing to vent about. Don't expect me to extol the details of my happy internal land of sunshine, kittens and ice cream.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Three?
They say bad things happen in threes. These definitely don't qualify as the world's worst but they should at least be int he world's most inconvenient category.
I woke up this morning at abotu 6:15. My alarm was set for 6:30 so I rolled over to grab a couple minutes more. When I woke up again I thought that it felt like a long fifteen minutes and I was right. It was 6:40. My phone was dead. I somehow managed to get to Missoula without a phone charger, or any other cables actually. I'd borrowed a cable from a friend and used it. The phone was at about 10% last night and this morning it wouldn't do anything. I didn't know if it was just a dead battery or certifiably dead. Great. No phone. No way for co-workers or family or anyone to reach me.
I was able to get a charger at the Verizon store this evening when they confirmed it was just a dead battery. He gave me 25% off the charger and drastically (12.99 down to 3.74) screen protectors too. Ok! Back as part of the world!
I got back to the hotel and had a voicemail. It was from my neighbor who is taking care of my dog and cat while I'm away. She'd left a message saying that there was a veritable river of water running down my front porch. She couldn't tell what the source was or what the problem was. Damn. She also knows my mom and called her about the water when she couldn't reach me. Mom had another neighbor turn the water for the house off at the streets and he's going to monitor. I have no idea what the damage is. It could be just the spigot, it could be a full pipe burst. With the water off I could repair the former, I can definitely not repair the later.
I won't be home for another nine days and when I do get home, I'm only home for about 42 hours. I can't schedule repairs since I don't know what's wrong and I won't be there to authorize and pay for it. That may mean my only day home is spent fixing the house and not showering. For Fucksake. Is there a worse time this could have happened?
Now. . . What's number three?
I woke up this morning at abotu 6:15. My alarm was set for 6:30 so I rolled over to grab a couple minutes more. When I woke up again I thought that it felt like a long fifteen minutes and I was right. It was 6:40. My phone was dead. I somehow managed to get to Missoula without a phone charger, or any other cables actually. I'd borrowed a cable from a friend and used it. The phone was at about 10% last night and this morning it wouldn't do anything. I didn't know if it was just a dead battery or certifiably dead. Great. No phone. No way for co-workers or family or anyone to reach me.
I was able to get a charger at the Verizon store this evening when they confirmed it was just a dead battery. He gave me 25% off the charger and drastically (12.99 down to 3.74) screen protectors too. Ok! Back as part of the world!
I got back to the hotel and had a voicemail. It was from my neighbor who is taking care of my dog and cat while I'm away. She'd left a message saying that there was a veritable river of water running down my front porch. She couldn't tell what the source was or what the problem was. Damn. She also knows my mom and called her about the water when she couldn't reach me. Mom had another neighbor turn the water for the house off at the streets and he's going to monitor. I have no idea what the damage is. It could be just the spigot, it could be a full pipe burst. With the water off I could repair the former, I can definitely not repair the later.
I won't be home for another nine days and when I do get home, I'm only home for about 42 hours. I can't schedule repairs since I don't know what's wrong and I won't be there to authorize and pay for it. That may mean my only day home is spent fixing the house and not showering. For Fucksake. Is there a worse time this could have happened?
Now. . . What's number three?
Monday, January 21, 2013
Hi!! Ohhhhh, Montana!!
I'm on the road for work. This trip has taken me to Missoula, Montana. I'll be here for twelve days. I expect to work at least nine of those days. Here's the break down so far:
Pros -
* Sunny, not super dense low lying fog like at home recently.
* Local Microbreweries - I tried DraughtWorks on Sunday. They had a great bock beer (De-Bock-ery) and a good ale (Half Nuts Rye English Brown Ale). I'm hoping to try both KettleHouse and Taproot this week. I also bought Bitterroot ales at the grocery.
* A payday! Paying the bills isn't overrated!
* A change of scenery doesn't hurt. I've been walking to and from work, the snow is pretty. It's good mental stimulation to be working
Cons -
* It's a small town in Montana. Even though I'm working most days and I'm only here twelve days, how much is there to do?
* It's cold. Really cold. Forecasted high of 31 today but I was outside only in the dark at 7 am and 630pm. Snow is predicted on Wednesday.
* It killed a few plans I had at home. This project backs straight up into one in February with only a weekend home in between.
* Usually for a long stay, I'd be put up in a hotel with a mini kitchen in it. This time, just a regular hotel which means lots of eating out and cold food in the room.
I've been assigned to the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic. Ten providers, fifteen nursing staff that I'm helping. There have been a few other support people but they are all in and out and busy with other things. I'm the only one dedicated to that floor. They were all very nice and grateful. No one excessively angry or frustrated. I got free lunch and put in a bunch of hours, which fills out my paycheck. I was busy and on my feet all day which is a pro and con. I'm going to try to get a blog up most days but we'll see how close I get to that.
Pros -
* Sunny, not super dense low lying fog like at home recently.
* Local Microbreweries - I tried DraughtWorks on Sunday. They had a great bock beer (De-Bock-ery) and a good ale (Half Nuts Rye English Brown Ale). I'm hoping to try both KettleHouse and Taproot this week. I also bought Bitterroot ales at the grocery.
* A payday! Paying the bills isn't overrated!
* A change of scenery doesn't hurt. I've been walking to and from work, the snow is pretty. It's good mental stimulation to be working
Cons -
* It's a small town in Montana. Even though I'm working most days and I'm only here twelve days, how much is there to do?
* It's cold. Really cold. Forecasted high of 31 today but I was outside only in the dark at 7 am and 630pm. Snow is predicted on Wednesday.
* It killed a few plans I had at home. This project backs straight up into one in February with only a weekend home in between.
* Usually for a long stay, I'd be put up in a hotel with a mini kitchen in it. This time, just a regular hotel which means lots of eating out and cold food in the room.
I've been assigned to the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic. Ten providers, fifteen nursing staff that I'm helping. There have been a few other support people but they are all in and out and busy with other things. I'm the only one dedicated to that floor. They were all very nice and grateful. No one excessively angry or frustrated. I got free lunch and put in a bunch of hours, which fills out my paycheck. I was busy and on my feet all day which is a pro and con. I'm going to try to get a blog up most days but we'll see how close I get to that.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Work is Hard
well, long anyway.
I have joined the productive members of the back breaking workers of America as one gainfully employed tutor.
I'm back at the hospital I had a training gig at but now I'm a tutor. That means instead of training people how to use it, I get to try and pick up the pieces from their lousy trainer. When the computer system is turned on, there need to be lots of tutors, like me, around to answer questions and report problems to IT. If IT and the trainers did their job, then I don't have to work myself to a frazzle. If they didn't, then. . .well, just don't plan to get ER style sick any time soon.
The good news about this job: It will probablys (hopefully) lead to bigger and better things in a month. I don't want to jinx it so I'll say no more, but fingers crossed.
I get to see the project through. I was there as a trainer the first two go-lives. This is the last one and I get to experience it.
I'm in a different department, learning a different part of the system.
I get to see all the folks I knew before!
Right now I'm on a month trial where I can see how they run things and if I really want to move up. Because it's a trial I'm on an hourly rate which comes in with good and bad news. I'm working six days a week, twelve hour days. That's 72 hours a week or roughly 312 hours (with two training days) this month. Great money, but hell on my social life.
Consider that your FYI folks. With so many hours at work, there are less hours to be spent on the interwebs. The blog posts may be few and far between until November.
Today was day one and I was at the hospital for fourteen hours. On that note, I bid you good night.
I have joined the productive members of the back breaking workers of America as one gainfully employed tutor.
I'm back at the hospital I had a training gig at but now I'm a tutor. That means instead of training people how to use it, I get to try and pick up the pieces from their lousy trainer. When the computer system is turned on, there need to be lots of tutors, like me, around to answer questions and report problems to IT. If IT and the trainers did their job, then I don't have to work myself to a frazzle. If they didn't, then. . .well, just don't plan to get ER style sick any time soon.
The good news about this job: It will probablys (hopefully) lead to bigger and better things in a month. I don't want to jinx it so I'll say no more, but fingers crossed.
I get to see the project through. I was there as a trainer the first two go-lives. This is the last one and I get to experience it.
I'm in a different department, learning a different part of the system.
I get to see all the folks I knew before!
Right now I'm on a month trial where I can see how they run things and if I really want to move up. Because it's a trial I'm on an hourly rate which comes in with good and bad news. I'm working six days a week, twelve hour days. That's 72 hours a week or roughly 312 hours (with two training days) this month. Great money, but hell on my social life.
Consider that your FYI folks. With so many hours at work, there are less hours to be spent on the interwebs. The blog posts may be few and far between until November.
Today was day one and I was at the hospital for fourteen hours. On that note, I bid you good night.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Interviews as Sexless Dates
Interviewing is like dating companies or recruiters.
You meet them online. The first thing a smart girl does is google them and really give their profile on linkedin or careerbuilder a good once (or twice) over. I carefully consider the possibility it will be a good match. Then, if we both see fit, we schedule an interview/date.
I dress up, spending time to look my best. I arrive a little early with butterflies in my stomach as I face the semi-known. The interview/date starts with handshakes, small talk, and eases into more meaningful conversation. The next period of time flies by in a rush of nerves, questions, eye contact, nervous laughter.
Well. . .it's getting late. . .I should go . . .
We exchange niceties, shake hands, and part ways. The drive home provides time for my racing mind to unravel what just happened. Did they say that? What did that mean? How does that mesh with my expectations and wants? I call a friend to go over all the gory details and make a plan to go forward. Pros and cons are laid out. Options suggested and considered.
If it went well, I walk away with adrenaline rushing, a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Then it's just like dating. I wait to get an email or phone call. It never comes soon enough. I both want the call to come and dread it. If they aren't interested, it's a call that may never come because no one ever man's up and just says "that was a good interview/date but it's not quite what I am looking for. Good luck in your search". No one can be bothered to let someone know, gently and nicely. It's easier to vanish.
If it didn't, go so well then they end up on here as a tale to tell.
You meet them online. The first thing a smart girl does is google them and really give their profile on linkedin or careerbuilder a good once (or twice) over. I carefully consider the possibility it will be a good match. Then, if we both see fit, we schedule an interview/date.
I dress up, spending time to look my best. I arrive a little early with butterflies in my stomach as I face the semi-known. The interview/date starts with handshakes, small talk, and eases into more meaningful conversation. The next period of time flies by in a rush of nerves, questions, eye contact, nervous laughter.
Well. . .it's getting late. . .I should go . . .
We exchange niceties, shake hands, and part ways. The drive home provides time for my racing mind to unravel what just happened. Did they say that? What did that mean? How does that mesh with my expectations and wants? I call a friend to go over all the gory details and make a plan to go forward. Pros and cons are laid out. Options suggested and considered.
If it went well, I walk away with adrenaline rushing, a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Then it's just like dating. I wait to get an email or phone call. It never comes soon enough. I both want the call to come and dread it. If they aren't interested, it's a call that may never come because no one ever man's up and just says "that was a good interview/date but it's not quite what I am looking for. Good luck in your search". No one can be bothered to let someone know, gently and nicely. It's easier to vanish.
If it didn't, go so well then they end up on here as a tale to tell.
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