Another Opinion Among Many

Well, whatever the web equivalent is to silence, that is. I’ve not had any thoughts that I consider profound enough to write beyond a Facebook status change, so I’ve not written about them, since they don’t exist.

I got a new job and started yesterday, so I’ve got something else on my mind at the moment. Perhaps I’ll fill in the gaps soon. Its for an ISP instead of a Natural Gas client, so more along my lines of thinking. I think that it’ll be a good fit.

So, how many men out there endured last night’s “The Bachelor” with their wives just to prove that there is something that they can do to prove its not necessary to walk through hot coals to prove their love? Admit it (I won’t tell).

This is why I don’t talk about my workplace.  It is also why I don’t use my work email for anything except work or communicating with my wife when at work (and only if necessary).

I don’t know why people don’t believe me when I say that your online presence could determine whether or not you get a job or keep it.

So, this month, I’ve started work an hour earlier than before.  Its certainly nice to get home earlier.  That 7:30pm arrival was the pits (I’ll probably be doing them again, though).  So, now, I get home 6:30-6:45, if I don’t have to go elsewhere first.  That part is nice, as I can actually enjoy some “awake” time with the kids, instead of the cranky “before bed” time.  Its not the end of the shift that’s really getting to me (although the other shift is closing time, so there was no question as to when it ended).  Its the start time.  Before, I’d have lots of time after getting the kids off to school to shower and fart around with any dishes left over fromt he previous night.  I could prepare a brunch and generally mosey my ass out the door and be at work in plenty of time (because I’d had to get up with the kids – summer’s different).  Now, I have about 20 minutes between getting the kids off to school and getting me out the door to work.  I’ve got the back a lot of the other stuff up now.

Why does one hour make so much difference?

I don’t know why, but, although I’ll be completely broke and home bound, I am looking forward to not working for the week next week.  I had hoped for other things to happen, but I am merely looking forward to being paid to not work.  I’ll have to get outside with the kids and perhaps finally unroll that kite.  Perhaps.  Is it Friday yet?

I don’t know what it is, but I can’t seem to get motivated to stay concentrated with work lately.  Its not really that anybody would know the difference, but I seem to have this urgency to get away.  Perhaps its just time for a vacation.  Perhaps its because I have a week scheduled for vacation in about a month and I can’t wait for it.

Perhaps its because I am dirt poor and could lose what’s left at a whim of some “power that be”.  Perhaps its because my car died after I sunk too much into it.  Perhaps its because I’m just stressed.

Perhaps its because I’m JUST TIRED OF ANSWERING THE SAME 3 QUESTIONS! If you can read the total on your bill, why not read the REST OF IT!!!!!!

There.  I feel better.  Time for some Ray…

I am hoping that some financing that I’ve requested will go through without a hitch.  I’ve been without my car since the heater core went kaput on it in late January.   Since then, I’ve been hoofing it everywhere, pretty much.   A co-worker has been offering to drive me to and from work without asking for compensation (little does he know that he can’t get away with that – somehow, I’m gonna at least fill his tank once, at least).   So, if I get the funds I’m looking for today, the enormous repair bill that I’ve been faced with will finally be eradicated and I can have a bit more flexibility again with the transportation situation.   I still want to walk Caleb to school, though, as its the only real exercise that I’ve given myself.

The only snag is that I need picture ID and I think that I’ve left my drivers license in the car, which is a bit far away from home to walk.   I guess that I’d better see if I can get it, though.   Otherwise, there will be a delay.   I’m sure that I’ll overcome that, though.   Once mobile again, I can search around for some digs – preferably something I can own – with more room for the growing weeds (also known as children).

I have a bit of reservation about getting the car back, as I’ve felt, in some ways, more at ease without the vehicle available.   I haven’t had the quick trips to the store or the errands that I can do – because I can get there.   I’ve had to plan a more deliberate course of action when it comes to getting bills paid and groceries bought, etc.  I have become reacquainted with riding the bus, which is not such a bad experience (although a few of the drivers are a bit aggressive), since you don’t have to be the driver.  You can pay attention to the traffic if you want, but you don’t have to to stay alive.  I’d take the bus a lot more often if there were more runs to where I needed to go.

Anyhow, I think that this is a good thing, all in all.  I’ve had a few loose ends ti tie up and this move should help me to do that.

This morning, I took Caleb to school. The ice was still all over the sidewalk, yet again showing how much our city council thinks of pedestrians. It was a balmy -1o°C outand the wind was nearly non-existant (or, so I thought).  We had a nice walk together, joking about stupid stuff and taking turns sliding on the plentiful patches of ice on the sidewalk.  I’m blessed in that both of my kids can be total goofballs at times.

Once we got to the playground, I parted ways with Caleb and turned back to go home for my 10 minute break before going down to the bus stop.  I put my ear buds in and listened to Christina Aguilera’s Back To Basics and hoofed it home.

I got back and grabbed my lunch, after squeezing Abby while she watched Curious George.  I took off for the bus stop, ensuring that I waved to Abby vigorously, as she was watching and waving out the window.  I got down to the bus stop and waited.

Now, there’s something that I haven’t mentioned, which is key.  On our way to the school, Caleb and I noticed that there was quite a line of traffic, a sure sign of a fender-bender on the bridge.  All southbound traffic will stop when there’s a slight accident on the bridge, which happens a few times a week,a s nobody realizes that they’re DRIVING A 3000LB KILLING MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  On the way back, I noticed that the cars were still backed up (this goes for well over a mile, for sure).  Even after I went down to the bus stop, the cars were not movong.  Hence, my bus was going to be late.

The late bus was not a concern to me, as it stops at the mall down town for about 15-20 minutes before my transfer is destined to leave.   I wait.  And, I wait.  The traffic is stillnot moving, so I make the decision to walk across the bridge and go to the mall.  I decided this too late.  To top it off, the wind was ripping across the bridge and it was super cold! As I approached the scene of the accident, I see that its over and the fire department is cleaning the last of the bits.  The cars are moving now.  I get across the bridge to see my bus sail by.  Of course, there are no busses waiting for me, as they were all late and only did a token stop at the mall, so as to get back on schedule.  So, I ended up taking a cab up the hill to work.  That took fromt he little grocery money I had left.

Thanks to a couple of idiots who were too busy doing anything but drive, I had to spend money I couldn’t afford to spend.  I froze my face, and I got more exercise than I had planned.

To everyone who drives in my town, this is a message from all the people who have to get to work late or make alternate plans (and that, I bet, numbers in the 1000’s) .  PLEASE PAY ATTENTION WHENYOU DRIVE IN TRAFFIC! The next time that you get carried away on your cellphone or do your makeup or just drift off to your radio, you might KILL someone.  Can you live with that? PAY ATTENTION!