Checked my mail today and found out a few things:
1) I was able to defer my student loan until May. Excellent.
2) My power is close to being shut off, but I have the payment scheduled, I just need to call and make sure that they know. The money from my last few articles is in transit from paypal to my bank account, when it arrives, I can pay the rest.
3) I didn't get the Wendy's job. I'm not too torn up about it, and she spelled my name right, so that's good.

I'm very sleepy tonight, so I think I'll actually be going to bed at a reasonable hour unlike yesterday and getting up bright and early to go kick some brunch butt. :)

mood: my feet are cold

Tomorrow is "graduation". We are having a pot luck. I made potato salad. I made the BEST potato salad EVAR. Just wanted you to know that.

I got a call on Tuesday from the hospital job. It seems that something else opened up a little closer to home. I spoke with the lady today, she apologized for not calling me about the other position, but has been up to her ears in stuff. I said it was cool, I kind of figured I didn't get it. Her reasoning was, I was overqualified. And, it's true, I am. The position was essentially going to be a file clerk job. She didn't want to train me and have me leave soon after, because that position is going to nowheresville.

How awesome was that to hear? Pretty fuckin'.

Anyways, a position opened up at TMC. Since I didn't call her back right away, she set up two other interviews. I told her to go ahead with the interviews (because I think she would have dropped it all and given the job to me) because 1) one of the other two may be better qualified for this position and 2) how sucky would that be for those people: YAY! I GOT AN INTERVIEW! Ohhh, nevermind. No thanks, my conscience and karma can't handle that.

She's going to call me on Wednesday and let me know what's up. Hopefully I'll have heard from bookmans or wendys by then. If this job pays more and I can see about getting in some overtime, then I'll probably go with that job. Providing that Bookmans and Wendy's decide that I need more X experience (but, I'd be an asset to any company).

In other news, I'm getting the Alias 2. YAY! I'll finally have a QWERTY keyboard. YAY! Thanks Verizon, I get it for free with the upgrade thing. I should get it on Monday. Once I get my first paycheck from call center, I can go to the store and get a 14% discount. Every little bit helps, no?

I was sad that I missed Ellen (the show) today. The winner of the Shell gift card is a girl I work with. How cool is that? $1000 for Shell, GAS FOR EVER!!! Or, like a month or two. Ha!

I need to eat some dinner and get some sleep. I'm exhausted. stupid getting up early in the morning nonsense. later kids

mood: hungry

I'm thinking I didn't do so well in the Bookmans interview. I did get a call today from the hospital job, though. The issue with this job is that the pay is about $.50-$1 more per hour BUT I have to drive really far away. I'm going to call the lady back tomorrow, but I'm thinking this job isn't going to be my best prospect.

Hopefully I'll hear from Wendy's this week. I won't hear from Bookmans until next week. *sigh*

We are officially done with training, this week, honestly, is screwing around week. Role playing, review, blah blah blah. We've finished all the training material, however, so why they don't just throw us on the floor is beyond me, but hey, whatever, I get to screw around and get paid for it. I'll take advantage while I can.

Got a few articles written, signed up for a few more and I'm working on one for a different site that is not one of their "suggested" titles. I'm hoping to get a couple of bucks for that one.

I discovered some chew marks on my pair of ankle boots. Thanks Loretta. Oh, and it was picture day today. And we got our headsets, too. They make you pay for new ear and mic cushions if you need them. Yes, you have to pay for those. Unbelievable.

Ok, going to try and do some more writing while I have a working internet connection. Then maybe watch an episode of the wire before I get sucked into the biggest loser tonight. woo!

mood: nibbly

Got 94 on my exam for work. Yes, we had to take a final. I think it was the highest score. I missed 2 questions that were TERRIBLY worded. Whatever, it's not like I get a higher rate of pay for getting a high score, but you know, I like to do well. :)

Got some food shopping out of the way this morning, so that's good. I'm stocked for the week. Have some article to write this weekend, that should keep me busy for a few hours. Hopefully they are all accepted, it's a nice chunk of change. Then I can sign up for a few more. Have another article I would like to write, April planted the seed in my head, just need to sit and focus for a little bit.

I found someone to take one of my couches, YAY! Now I'll have a little bit more room in the house, so that's good also. I'm thinking about selling my dining room table and the two chairs. I don't really use it, it's mostly a dumping ground for mail and other crap. Something to think about.

I'm kind of sleepy. A nap sounds nice, but, I'll watch some more of the Wire and then see where the day takes me. :)

mood: sleepy

I don't think I wowed the Wendy's lady this afternoon. No matter, I have another interview on Tuesday with Bookmans. How cool would that be? Working at Bookmans? Being all, oh hai, I work at Bookmans, I get 1st dibs on stuff.

Well, I don't know if I would get first dibs, but it would still be cool to say, no? That and getting coffee from Coffee Van Go, YUM! (Seriously, he has good stuff)

Tomorrow is the big scary test. The big, scary, 35 question, you can take it twice, you only need an 80% to pass, test. Really?

We did "y-jack" today. That's when you split the cord between two headsets so someone can listen in. It's kind of fun, really. The customer doesn't know that someone else is hanging out on the call and you can be all making faces at the csr and stuff. :) I was put with this kid, T. I waited for him to be finished with his call so that I could plug my amp into his phone. I didn't want to mess with his groove or anything, so I waited. For about 10 minutes. When his call was over, he turned to me and said, "I don't DO y-jacking. I don't know WHY they put you with ME."
I wish I could convey the sheer douchitude of this fucker.

No matter, I head off to find a team lead and say, "Hi, apparently that guy doesn't "do" y-jacking. Is there someone else you can put me with?" I would have been happy to go back to the classroom and read. Seriously. No biggie, puts me with this chick.

The real beauty of doing the y-jack? You get some dirt on the company and your soon to be fellow coworkers. For example, one of the ladies sitting on the other side of the cubicle has been there for 3 years. She got one raise, of $.21, and was capped out. She gets half the star bonus (so only $1 more per hour out of $2). $9.71/hour. *shakes head*

I was also filled in on the various fist fights that have gone on during the work day on the floor, drug issues, some chicks having tweak outs or whatever in the bathroom. AWESOME.

I can't wait to get the fuck out of there.

mood: hungry

I just found out something very interesting: if a produce truck gets pulled for hauling drugs, that produce goes to the food bank. Neat, huh?

In other news, interview Thursday afternoon with Wendy's lady.

In other other news, I was on the phone for 45 minutes this afternoon with the mortgage company. Since I took a pretty big pay cut, I figured I could get some hardship assistance. Nope. My payment is now 31% exactly of my gross income. *sigh* It was about 25% before, so I didn't qualify. If I made $.25 LESS an hour, I would qualify. I have him transfer me to a different department, well, I'm not deliquent, so I don't get help that way. There is a different option, but that won't cover my escrow payments. I would fall behind on that and that means dealing with the county. No thanks. Sent me to refinance, I could shave almost 2% off the interest rate, but would gain points. *sigh*

So, instead, I'll just tough it out. I'm not quite to the point where I just stop paying my bills and save up for a place to rent. Plus, honestly, I can't do that. I have to pay my bills. Maybe I'm just crazy, but it's a contract and I honor those.

I can make the payment after my paycheck this week. I'll just have a little bit left until next paycheck. BUT. Things are selling pretty well. Once I get the rest of the house in shape, I'm throwing one of the couches on craigslist (unless one of you local peeps wants it, I'll cut you a deal and even help move it!). I keep bidding on projects on elance and have written two articles so far for a freelance site. If I can write 10 a week, I can make an extra $75-150/week. That's a pretty big deal. Of course, you know, take out some money for tax purposes (put that in savings, so at least I can make a little bit of money on it).

If the Wendy's job doesn't pan out, I'll stick with call center until the holidays are over at least. I can make some serious money over the six weeks. They are going to be dishing out overtime like a mofo. I'll take it. And, Pier 1 is hiring, so I can go head up there and see if I can get some part time. I may have to miss out on brunch for a few weeks, but it's a small sacrifice I'm willing to make. I need to get the savings account back into shape and, you know, keep the bills paid.

I'd also like to maybe have some Guilin soon. :) Although, while I miss having take out food, it is kind of nice to be relying on myself for feeding myself instead of a guy in a drive thru box. I also enjoy pizza again :)

Ok, gotta get ready for bed.

mood: calm

Got moved again. And it was pretty hot in there today, too. Someone screwed with the thermostat I think. Or turned it to heat. I almost fell asleep at one point, it was that hot in there.

We listened to a couple more calls today. Wow. Just...wow.

Seriously, if this was the level of service that I gave people that store would have been down the toilet after I took over. No wonder they are hiring like crazy.

I'm still a little sleepy, but I need to get some articles written so I can get paid for that next week. Calling mom tonight to see if she can pay the phone bill so I don't lose that. I'll probably stop by Famous Sam's tomorrow to see if a manager is there so I can see if I can have that job. That would be very nice, indeed. I highly doubt I'll get the cook job.

Oh, and I made 2nd interview with Wendy's. So that's good. She wanted to talk at 9 a.m., but I can't, I'm in class. I suppose I could pull the "I have to go to the bathroom" thing, but I don't know how long it's going to last (the call) and trying to explain why I was in the bathroom for THAT long, well, that would be more than embarrassing. :) I emailed her back and told her after 2:30 is much better, and I can devote my full attention to everything. Fingers crossed! Next Tuesday is picture day at the call center...that was my deadline (originally), but I may have to push it to before I become an actual employee of the company.

mood: hungry

I got marked today. As the teacher's pet. *sigh*

I'm one of the few who shows, you know, maturity and responsibility and competence. There are others, but not many.

Our trainer is gone after Tuesday, we get a new guy. Hopefully he has a little more control over the dipshits. I think there is going to be more seat moving on Monday. Two of the girls I sit next to are being a little catty towards the trainer. *sigh*

I am looking forward to the weekend, though. Maybe I can get a little cleaning done, some errands run, sell some jewelry (honestly, I don't wear it, might as well do something useful with it), mail some stuff from half.com, get my stuff from the library and decide whether or not I want to write some articles for extra cash (they are really weird subjects which are going to take a little more research than I would have expected to do normally).

I applied at Famous Sams by the call center. Maybe I can get a pt job there.

Law and Order is kind of boring right now.

I should also stop eating so much candy.

mood: hungry

Is it sad that my big day of excitement shall be tomorrow when I get to wear jeans to work?

A little.

I went over to Nimbus this afternoon to apply as a pizza/prep cook. If I'm stuck at the call center, I'm going to need a second job. Well, I'll need a second job anyways, I want to be able to bulk up my savings account like whoa. I'll be applying at Famous Sam's tomorrow. They need some servers.

I sent a text to Adam to see if he can help me get the cook job. They have a new chef (which is probably why they are hiring new cooks) and he is trying to bring all of his old peeps over to the new restaurant. Kind of sucks, and really cuts down on my chances of getting in. Maybe it's just not in the cards to work there, kind of like with Geico. :)

The training is getting a little more interesting, less coloring involved, but we have had to do skits over the past two days. We are finally getting into the meat of the job, how to use the computers, etc. We listened to some calls today and tore them apart. They were TERRIBLE. I think I should have been a quality assessment person.

Things aren't selling as fast as I would have hoped on half.com, but things are at least going. I added some more stuff today. YAY!

Waiting on the season 3 of the wire to come into the library so I can continue the journey.

Watched the original House of Wax last night. It is amazing how you can create a scary movie WITHOUT blood and gore. I mean, it wasn't pee your pants scary, but it had a little bit of an edge.

I kind of want to see The Box, but I have a feeling I'll be disappointed in it. I've already heard terrible things about Paranormal Activity (which I slightly wanted to see).

I've also been eating a lot of candy. Damn Halloween sales!

And you?

mood: calm

Pizza Hut said no.
Actually, she said, "You would be a great asset to any company, but your administrative background isn't strong enough."

How strong would you like it to be? Are the over 10 years of Excel experience not enough? How about Word? Perhaps 3 years of running numbers (P&L, food costs, labor, etc)? 16+ years of answering phones? Is it because I don't know shorthand? Is there anyone under the age of 40 who knows shorthand?

Their food is gross anyways.

Just waiting on another two to call back.

I interviewed yesterday for Wendy's corporate (field marketing or something, I don't quite remember the exact title). Some of the more interesting questions:

What hurts your pride?
Do you like chewing people out?
Do you like conflict in groups?

I can't really think of the other ones, but wow, those threw me for a loop. Of course, there was the "Do you think the customer is always right?" question. Ugh. I hate that one. Of COURSE they aren't always right, half the time they are so wrong that it passes right stops for a latte and goes into insanity.

I had to lie on that one. :)

I should find out this week about the hospital job. But, if I do get it, I don't want to take it and then possibly get offered a different job that pays more. I'd feel kind of bad about that. Maybe everyone will make decisions at the same time. That would be good. Yes?

mood: calm

This article here is all about a firing that took place at the broadway store.

There was some horseplay going on, and apparently drawing a penis on a wall with chalk. I had heard about it and knew some people got fired for it. I also know that Uncle Mike tore the kid in the story a new one, BEFORE the manager got there (the guy who is running my old store and his store now). Manager walked into that one and chewed Uncle Mike out for chewing out the employee. Not his function, his function is to tell the manager and then the manager deals with it. 'Nuff said.

I'm half tempted to create an account and leave a few comments of my own. I'll see. :)

mood: amused

Mostly, I just wanted to use this icon. I <3 gordon.

Anynoodles, back in kindergarten. NOW we are getting into the meat of it. Phone activations, port in numbers, checking balances. Using the computers with very little reading out loud.

There was a wrench thrown in the works, though. She moved us around. Breaking up the little groups that are forming, I totally get it. I stayed in the same area, which was fine with me, but she stuck me between two talkers. *sigh*

I got D on one side and N on the other. They are nice people, don't get me wrong, but damn, really? He won't shut the fuck up and would talk to the damn emergency exit door if given the chance. She worked on a VZW account for a different company and so, you know, she knows everything all ready. It's a little annoying.

Then, B, is off to the other side of D and is bitching that the trainer keeps repeating herself. Uhhh, yeah, see, if you would SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. she wouldn't have to. Of course, you don't seem to mind when you ask her to repeat herself. Three times.

*bangsheadonprepaidcellphonebox*

I asked the trainer if I could move to closer to the door or something, just to get away, but she is going to be moving people around again.

She also pulled people out that were wearing jeans. FINALLY. Look, it's a dress code, it needs to be followed, just follow the fucking rules. You've been told FIVE times what the dress code is, just follow it.

I got a phone call today from a number that I didn't recognize. Three times. No message. I call it back, "Leave a message for XXX-XXX-XXXX". oooook. IT'S A COUNCILMAN'S OFFICE. I hate robocalls. At least put the name of the office or something on your voice mail (I found out by googling the number). I was thinking it was a job calling or something, but noooooo, you just want me to vote for you. Guess what. I'm not voting for you. At the very least, leave me a freaking message, then I can just listen to my voice mail and be all, "Oh HAI! Sure, I'll vote for you." No, you get me thinking that I'm missing my career opportunity of a lifetime. Douchebags.

Anyways, need to get to bed. Big day tomorrow, gotta do more training and listening to people talk amongst themselves and hear about the SCA and what every one did over the weekend. Good times.

Oh, and my chicken chili came out more like a weird chicken and bean soup. It's still pretty tasty, though.

mood: annoyed

I managed to beat Matt at Scrabble today. Only once. Actually, it was the only game I won! My skills were not good today.

Made some chicken chili tonight, little variation on my last batch. Seems to taste okay, though. If I had the time, and butter, I would make some cornbread to go with it. Maybe later in the week. :)

The Box looks interesting, but I think it will have to wait for the cheap theater.

Ok, going to go portion out the chili and get ready for bed. Back to being a little kid again :)

mood: smelling the crockpot

No, it's true, I admit it. I embrace it, sometimes.

This morning, we spent 90 minutes discussing SCA.

SCA are a bunch of people running around with wooden swords, wearing leather and metal and you know, not using modern plumbing.

This is my training right now, learning how to not really LARP, but just a little bit. :)

I wanted to bang my head on the desk. Or just go sit in a different training room, or something. On the other hand, I wasn't being read to or having to color.

Still haven't gotten my juice box, either.

mood: baffled

More coloring today. I just embraced it. Let them tell me some ideas and I just drew random things. You can't beat em, join em. Right?

FINALLY connected with this lady I've been playing phone tag with. I have phone interview on Tuesday. YAY! 2nd interview today with the hospital and I haven't heard back from new pizza job yet. She said she'd call either way.

Fingers crossed!

One of the other ladies in training got a call from somewhere else today. She's setting up an interview. We both agreed, sit down all day jobs are not fun and neither are phone jobs, but it's a pay check.

I'm actually sleepy by 9:30 now.

AND I LOVE THIS WEATHER!!!!

mood: hot chocolate!

I had two interview yesterday and a 2nd interview tomorrow. Yay!
They pay a bit more than what I have now, which isn't great, but...it's MORE. And, you know, not doing call center work. :)

I've been playing phone tag for one job for the past two days. The last message I left for her explained that I couldn't answer the phone until after 2:30. She called at 12:35. I *just* missed her call. *sigh* I called her at 2:30...she hasn't called me back. Honestly, she NEVER answers her phone. No one there answers the freaking phone. It's a little ridiculous.

No coloring today. No reading out loud, either. Thank goodness. I was ready to fall asleep quite a few times. It's moving just a tad too slow for my tastes, but, some of the people there really aren't catching on.

I did get a lead on a PT job. If I get the 2nd interview job and not the 1st interview job, I'll probably apply there. Since they are super close to each other. I don't think I would do it if I get the non 2nd interview job.

I'm still waiting to hear from one place, but I'm wondering if they will even call me. They want 5 years experience as an admin/exec asst. It amazes me that people don't consider management to be the same thing. You still have to prioritize your time.

Evs.

So, that's my life right now. And I am LOVING this cold weather. I just need to find my fleece hoodie. It's around here somewhere.

Ok, off to do dishes so I can make a little dinner and pass out before 9. Yes, that's right, I'm a kid again, in bed by 9.

mood: chilly

The past two days I have:
1) drawn and colored two posters that were hung in the classroom
2) performed a skit about attrition
3) been read to/made to read aloud in class

I have not, however, gotten the following:
1) juice boxes
2) nap time

I did get some candy, though.

Yes kiddies, this is my training at the call center. *sigh*

I had two interviews today, though. 2nd interview for one is Thursday and hopefully 2nd interview for the other is this week, also. Playing phone tag with a 3rd.

Now that I'm working (temporarily), I get all the freaking interview requests (and possible job offers).

:)

mood: sleepy

I've applied to about five postings online today. Seriously, there is stuff coming out the wazoo that either sounds interesting or pays a decent wage. Well, some of them didn't say and some of them weren't what I was making before, but that's ok, because that's why PT jobs were invented :) Although, in one of the cover letters I pointed out their spelling error in the job title as a way of showcasing my attention to detail. I'm so freaking obnoxious.

Hopefully something comes out of these because I will jump ship as soon as I freaking can.

Have about 8 more days before I find out if I get that freelance job I signed up for. If I get it, that's a mortgage payment. *crosses fingers* And the best part is, I can work on it at the bar and enlist the help of others to do the job (it's coming up with descriptors for 1000 pictures. They need 50 words each).

I haven't been to the bar in like a week. Crazy. I'll probably go and drink water on Sunday. I may have also convinced R to ask her dad to make enchiladas on Sunday so I can have dinner over there. I have been craving enchiladas for DAYS now.

I went to the Value Market, which is the tiny grocery store run by the Community Food Bank. Not a huge selection, but stuff is really cheap. I got a green pepper for $.49 and a package of chicken thighs for $2.50. I'll be making chicken chili and spaghetti sauce over the next two days. Very exciting. They have an emergency food box program, anyone is eligible, the only downside is that you have to be there before 3 p.m. Tues-Thursday to get it. And it doesn't start until November 1st. I'll be working until 2:30 and I can't get there in less than a half hour from where the job is. Oh well. I don't really NEED an emergency box of food, but when I start getting like this, I start squirreling it away. Evs.

Still, I spent $8 and got enough stuff to make the sauce and I have the rest of the stuff here to make the chili (just needed the chicken). And some pop tarts. I <3 pop tarts. :) So, for little things, I'll go there and grab them since they are pretty cheap and every penny counts.

R made a funny observation, given that I am trying to get various jobs to work simultaneously OR find one that pays well, I won't have time to spend money if I do the former because I'll either be working or sleeping. True that.

I'm debating a move to CO for a possible opportunity there for a year. No decisions will ultimately be made until December, but I, at the very least, need to get this place ready for possible renting. That means getting the flooring taken care of. Need to get an estimate on how much it would be to hardwood floor the place.

Anyways, that's a long and rambling entry. Sorry it's so boring lately, I have no more pizza drama with which to entertain you. I'm sure I'll get some interesting stories from my coworkers once I start training next week.

mood: hopeful

I signed up for essaywriters.net thinking, well, I don't know what i was thinking.

Apparently, you can pay someone to write your paper for you. I know that this has gone on since people started having to write papers, but there is a whole industry for it. I didn't take any of the assignments mainly because, really? $3/page to tell you about the cottage industry of Southern Asia as it coincides with the Weimar Republic. Nope, too much research. Put down the beer and pick up a book.

About 90% of what I saw on that page was undergrad level work, the rest was Master's level. *shakes head* Kid, you are in grad school, do it yourself or GTFO.

Needless to say, I won't be working for that company.

I'm still waiting for 2 bids to be accepted on elance (not for writing someone's anthro 101 paper), but they have 6 days and 10 days before they close. Let's hope I get them.

I had asked my dad for some money to get me through next month. I don't know if he misheard me or is being a bit of a dick (hey, sorry man, I needed cash, I fucked up, I don't ask for much, if anything, ever, but that's cool) and sent me about 1/4 of what I asked for. I'll figure something out, I can make things work, I just have to shuffle the money around a little bit (partial payments and what not) to get it back on track by December. Especially if I can get some of these freelance gigs, that will help tremendously.

I think I may have lost another pound or two. It is amazing what not drinking beer and eating nachos can do for your figure! :)

With the exception of having to be at work next week at 6 a.m. EVERY DAY, I'm welcoming the getting out of my house for a specific purpose and earning money again part of it. And, I think it will refuel my desire to find a job, without the crushing blows of rejection that it could possibly bring if I was still unemployed instead of now being underemployed.

Yay!

mood: contemplative

Wow, sold 2 more things already on half.com. No books sold. Hmmm...then again, I only have my John Douglas type books up for sale, I guess not that many people are into the whole profiling thing, and if they are, they probably already have their own copies.

I saw a great job for LexisNexis, but you have to take an unpaid training course for a week and then you can start doing the job. If I had found this job a month ago, it would not have been a problem. *sigh* Oh well, too bad, so sad. It was like $4k a year for a couple of months work, so not HUGE earnings, but interesting earnings.

Need to go to the dollar store and see if they have shipping envelopes for me to mail out this stuff. I spent $1.39 at the post office yesterday on a bubble mailer. I'm only refunded $2.99 for the shipping costs, so my final total was $3.77. I lost on this deal. Oh well. Live and learn.

Ok, going to get to the dollar store and then to the library (have to print out packing slips) and then the post office. And then, tackle the kitchen and bathroom. Need to have the house cleaned by next week. Before I start my new shitty job.

mood: busy