Trudging the Road - General Diary

Tue - August 12, 2008

Tying Up a Few Loose Ends...

Just a few things that I've mentioned but not followed up on, or that folks have asked about:

The problem with disposable film cameras is remembering to get the darn things developed. I've delegated the task of getting my photos from San Francisco processed to Younger Son, a risky move spawned by desperation.
Elsie posted a link to a fascinating article about dopamine regulating learning.
I'm heading to SIGGRAPH 2008 tomorrow, for a one-day computer animation orgy. I intend to fortify myself with [infinite] caffeine, and ask geekly persons in the Dreamworks and Disney booths the minimum I would need to do to make myself worthy of their organizations' interest.
My decision on whether to pursue Valley College's film program will partly depend on the outcome of my SIGGRAPH endeavours. As well, I plan on calling one of my old professors and arranging a conference. There's still time...
I am now wearing patella supports on both knees. It's helped a lot with the pain of getting back into shape...
Speaking of which, while my charts still show me losing weight at breakneck speed despite my increased calorie intake, my lean body mass may be INCREASING. Holy crap.

Posted at 10:53 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Thu - July 31, 2008

Weekend Getaway

The Hubby and I are going away for a convention of our couples' recovery group. Said convention being held in San Francisco, we are planning on playing hooky on Sunday and exploring the city.

I may even remember to pack my camera.

On second thought, no. I don't want to risk it to the airport/baggage handlers. A disposable camera purchased there will have to do.

In other news, I've started the exercise program suggested in The Hacker's Diet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Talk to y'all Monday!

Posted at 10:44 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Tue - July 22, 2008

Cleopatra...

...de queen of denial.

Yeah, that's me. As I blogged yesterday, I left work early to go get antibiotics at the urgent care center. I don't know why I thought I would be OK to go back to work today, but I went to work anyway, then dragged my sorry behind home two hours early.

Thank heavens I realized that bike/bus commuting was not practical. As a veteran L.A. commuter, I can drive my usual route on autopilot, but I don't think I was either alert or strong enough to deal with even the few blocks of traffic between my house and the bus stop, and the other bus stop and my job.

Right now I'm just trying to stay awake long enough to take my last dose of antibiotic for the day at the prescribed interval after dinner; then I will clunk. I hope these danged pills start kicking in soon...

Posted at 08:15 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Mon - July 21, 2008

Uhhhnnnn...

V. tired. My turn to go to urgent care for antibiotics. Would like to get up early enough to bike/take bus tomorrow, but as it takes twice as long as driving, I suspect I won't.

G'night, folks. If I stay here any longer I will fall asleep face down on the keyboard, which I believe is blogging bad form..........mmmmmmmmmmmmafsdddddddddddklsdfal...

Posted at 11:37 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Fri - July 18, 2008

Interesting day...

Many observations:

As noted in the ShoutBox, I took my bike, Lilith, out for a ride on my lunch break. This also means I rode her to the Commuter Express bus stop in the morning and back from the stop at night. I'm much more alert during the day if I bike. Somehow, walking on my lunch hour just doesn't work as well.... I just realized, writing this, that when I walk in the city I feel trapped, but when I bike I feel free. That means when I bike, I evidently don't get those bad "trapped" endorphins going. Cameron suggests walking, but I think that in this I will ignore her and go with what's working for me. Hiking in the hills occasionally will have to serve for walking.

Last week, I took Lilith out to my old favorite riding spot, the Sepulveda Basin. Her low gear made the steep berm around Lake Balboa ridable without getting off, even as out-of-shape as I am, and her high gear made the flats much faster. Nonetheless, I was still passed by a group of road bikers with enormous thighs. Twice. Same group. I still have work to do...

Everywhere I go with Lilith, I'm stopped with shouts of "Cool bike!" I'm constantly demonstrating her fold, and letting people know that yes, many local bike shops carry them; this model's in the medium high 3 figures, but models are available for as little as $200; yes, you can take it on the bus or subway... Perhaps I should write up an FAQ, or get some Dahon brochures.

I'm in my apartment in North Hollywood now; it's a fine summer night, about 73F, and I'm listening to my neighbors' air conditioners running. I feel virtuous because I've set up circulation with four window fans and a portable swamp cooler (getting my apartment quite cool while using a fraction of the electricity of the AC) but in fact my setup more than paid for itself last summer when I desperately needed to save money on power bills. With any luck, I'll be able to repeat my performance -- keeping the AC off until it's about 80F in the apartment, then only running it at 78F until it cools off enough outside at night to run fans and cooler instead. I hope we don't get too many more weeks when it just doesn't cool off at night (we had one in April(!) and one in June. August and early September may be tough.)

Fading fast... g'night, readers.

Posted at 10:10 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Fri - July 11, 2008

Sputtering start for day

Younger Son has the Sinus Infection From Hell, and as he doesn't drive and this is L.A., after all, I'm taking him to an urgent care center. He doesn't have insurance, either, as his union conceded to management an 18-month waiting period.

Bummer.

Posted at 06:55 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Wed - July 9, 2008

Birthday girl today...

Yes, I'm [mumblety-mumble] years old today. Yay! Hubby brought sugar-free cake. Yay! Gifts from him and from Younger Son, and dinner out were all very nice. Thanks! But I'm grateful that I didn't wake up to this:

more cat pictures

OTOH, as breakfasts go, it would certainly have enough protein and be within the time limit... ;-)

Posted at 08:27 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Wed - June 25, 2008

Job Update

Got job! (Yay!)

Still temp. (Bummer.)

V. busy learning 2 new programming languages and re-learning IBM mainframe wrangling ("My God!," I said, pointing at the screen with a shaking finger. "That's IBM JCL! I did that thirty-five years ago! On punched cards! Uh, I was two years old at the time, of course...")

// SYSIN DD *

[or in English: gotta run now...]

Posted at 06:04 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Mon - June 16, 2008

Instant Karma

Much to my astonishment, a Postal Inspector called me today with the news that the #$@%#$$%!s who stole my Franklin planner have been arrested! They raided a motel room, and there my planner was, with credit/debit cards and ID still in place.

I'm to meet the inspector tomorrow, bringing all my evidence of fraudulent credit and debit card transactions. He is most eager to see if he can get some video footage of the... suspects using my cards at a store.

Of course, I won't get my planner back (it's evidence) but I will be able to copy any information in there that I need/would like to have.

Sweet.

Posted at 07:38 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Tue - June 10, 2008

Down and Blue in Job Land

Yes, I have prospects. The data consultant position possibility is still being dangled. I will know Friday evening. Meanwhile, though, I am training my replacements for the admin position(s) I've been filling at the Major HMO. Yes, replacements. Two of them. And the Local Community College has turned me down flat. I never heard back from the Major Animation Studio.

I'd like to say it isn't affecting me, but that would be bullpucky. Right now, my attitude implodes.

Posted at 06:20 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Wed - May 28, 2008

(Potentially) Good News on the Job Front

At the Major HMO, the supervisor I can work for is trying to set me up with a data consultant position. Also temp, but at a higher rate of pay than Administrative Assistant III (temp).

Not a done deal yet, but a glimmer of hope...

Posted at 10:45 PM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Tue - May 27, 2008

Ripped Off

My wallet was stolen yesterday. I thought I left it at hubby's, but he couldn't find it. I tried calling the restaurant at which I'd had it last, and they had not found it. Then I went online...

And my, but the thief has been busy overnight with my credit and debit cards...

Some people say it's not the money, it's the feeling of being "violated."

It's the money, folks. It's the time off from work to get a new drivers' license. It's the $50 cash. It's the credit and debit card spree, and the hassle to rein it in. It's all my client phone numbers and addresses. It's my friends' phone numbers. It's my new pen. It's replacing all my discount cards. It's wondering what I've forgotten to replace that I'll miss at the most inconvenient moment. It's the wallet itself -- a planner that I buy to last for years. It's not cheap to replace.

#$@&* (#$ @#*$( #)$@ *$#(@)

Posted at 09:17 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Thu - May 22, 2008

Job Hunt Update

I spoke with a new guy in the recruiter's office Monday. Usual sort of thing, "We have projects in the works, we'll get back to you..." Not a lot of hope, there. And nothing from the Local Community College, either. Not surprising, since while I have the software qualifications they want, I don't have the network qualifications they want. Still I had hoped that since they'd reposted the position that they were willing to relax on the other quals. Evidently not.

Onward to online job boards.

Posted at 06:11 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Mon - May 19, 2008

One step forward, two back

Good news: Younger Son is now in the full-time deli counter job.

Bad news: I did not get the direct job at The Major HMO. Both positions I'm covering are being filled quickly, so in a few weeks I'll be back on the street. As I make twice what YS makes, that's bad. OTOH, I was conflicted about it so I suppose there are advantages.

Posted at 07:46 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

Wed - May 14, 2008

Halleluia!

It is done!

I finished the Local Community College application with an entire FIVE HOURS to spare before the deadline!

No, no, no. Hold your applause. ;-)

Considering that the application consists of a minimum of 16 pages of forms, resumes, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. ad nauseam, and 24 hours ago I had nothing but the recommendation letters in hand, I think I did pretty darn good. We'll see if the Hiring Committee agrees.

Now to get ready, go to work, and then hand-deliver this puppy on my lunch break.

And tonight, I sleep.

Posted at 07:24 AM Permalink | | Spoilers (if any) | |

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

Episode IV - A New Hope

Fear -- Overblown?

Self-centered fear -- rules

Weekend Update 5/4/08