10-21-10 Thursday (Weeeeeeeeeeee)

This morning I took an online test (simulation) for a bank teller position.  If the money is right then back into banking I’ll go.  Here’s a screen shot.  I had to work through 6 customers, make decisions about possible upsells to the customer.  I had to pick from different replies based on a customer’s request or comment.  I had to adhere to bank policy is listed in the “procedures” tab.  I had to make sure checks weren’t post dated.  I had to enter the information into a “computer” and complete the transaction.  It was pretty interesting.  I have no idea how I did.  I assume OK.

Teller

I picked up Tim this afternoon and we went to Walmart so that I could get a new pair of glasses.  I wear contacts 99.9999% of the time and my back up pair of glasses is ancient.  I might just be inclined to wear them more often now that Tim helped me pick out stylist frames.

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Thanks Tim!

We browsed the store.  Tim spotted a pinwheel.  He immediately exclaimed, “weeeeeeeeee”.  Naturally I got him to pose for a photo:

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Oh, sorry that was the inspiration photo.

 

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Above/Below: Fun at Walmart.  Is Walmart fun?

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After getting my glasses fitted, we were off to explore a supermarket called Aldi.  It was an interesting store that doesn’t carry name brand items.  It’s all off-brand/Aldi brand stuff.  The prices were very good from what we were able to tell.  It’s a no frills place boasting it’s lack of grocery bags help keep prices lower.

Back in July, a fire claimed a neighborhood house.   Here was a photo from that day:

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They’re almost finished demolishing the house:

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So, I unplugged my laptop today and discovered this:

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It WAS the plug to my Dustbuster.  It left a mark on the carpet!  Lately the vac hasn’t been charging fully.  Maybe this was why.  I Googled around and didn’t see anything about a recall.  Yikes.


Carl and Tim came over for turkey meatloaf (mmmm) last night.  Here’s a few pictures of the pets:

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Cute, aren’t they?

10-19-10 Tuesday (Tracking Tools)

Quite frankly, being unemployed this time is simply painful.  I’m constantly bored.  Even when I have things to do I’m “bored”.   I must get a job soon.  I think my sanity depends on it.  Oy.  I’m not sure what makes this time different than previous.  Oy.


Tonight we (Jim and I, Carl and Tim) went to an NPR “Public Conversation” which focused on, well, there’s the web clip down below:

NPR

It was free and informative with a touch of usefulness.  I was glad we went.  Even one tip is better than nothing.


We bought the Sunday paper this past weekend.  Truth be known, we just look at the ads, comics and coupons.  Horrible, I know.  Anyway, Jim finds this in the paper:

Tracking chart

It’s humorous because we left Florida.  Sure, hurricanes still come here but it’s the end of the season so why publish it now?  It was first published (as best as I can tell) in June.  A Facebooker said it was probably republished because there’s been some storm activity lately.


Charlotte has a lot of corporate offices here.  Lowe’s, Rack Room Shoes, HP, Microsoft, and of course tons of banks.  The “public conversation” mentioned Electrolux so I went to their career website:

USA vs United States

Is the United States Of America very different from USA?  USA had 1 job and United States of America had quite a few.  I think I’ll stick with United States of America.  Maybe tomorrow they’ll add an option for “America” too.   Yeah, I’m nit-picking.  It’s what I do.


That’s all I’ve got for right now.  I know – lame entry I suppose.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go watch an ice cube melt.

10-15-10 and 10-16-10

It’s been a slow week in some aspects and yet busy in others.  I was bored.  I job hunted.  I tweaked my résumé again.  I surfed the internet.  I played video games.  I cleaned.  I did lots of laundry. 

I wasn’t going to even blog.  Sure, I’ve got plenty of time now but I just haven’t been in the mood for it.  I certainly don’t want to go back to feeling like a must have an entry for the day or my life is incomplete.

With all that being said it’s time to share today’s events.  Friends from Florida, Chris and Jerry were driving to Virginia.  They stopped here for the night.

2010-10-15 009Above: Tim

2010-10-15 010 Above: Jerry

2010-10-15 011 Above: Chris

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2010-10-15 013 Above: Tim and Garret

2010-10-15 014Above: Chris

2010-10-15 015Above: Jim and Carl’s arm.

We went out to dinner at Ryan’s.  It was an evening of eating, and socializing.  There wasn’t much to report.  We had a great time!

The next morning Jim and I hosted brunch.  Chris and Jerry weren’t able to stay and partake (they had to get on the road).

2010-10-16 016 Above: Group photo!

We bid our farewells to Chris and Jerry reminding them that they’re missing out on a fabulous brunch.  Did I say fabulous?  Yes, I did.

Beth arrived with Mimosas!

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And now, there’s no more pictures.  Perhaps it was the effect of the Mimosas?  I feel like a slacker.

Carl and Tim supplied the waffle making ingredients and tools as well as some maple sausage.  I made a crustless quiche using Egg Beaters, bacon, cheese and spinach.  It was all fantastic and we’ll be doing it again soon!

Beth departed, Jim took a nap, Carl & Tim returned home for their naps and I played video games until later in the afternoon.  The 4 of us took a drive to Freedom Park.  Jim and I have been to this beautiful park in July.  I was excited for Carl & Tim to experience it for themselves:

2010-10-16 001Above: Carl, “Here ducky ducky ducky.”

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2010-10-16 003Above: I love the duck diving.

2010-10-16 005 Above: Carl

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Pretty, wasn’t it?  Onward to a Farmer’s Market:

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Then back to their trailer:

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We later met up at our house to watch Smallville and have dinner together.

10-11-10 Monday (Simplified Baking)

Yesterday was a pretty laid back day.  Jim and I went out for a late breakfast to Ryan’s.  We eventually waddled out and headed to BJ’s for a few things.  Then on to Lowe’s with some returns and a purchase or 2.  We stopped by an RV show at the mall’s parking lot and went in and out of the various RV’s as if we had money to do something.   We even picked out one that featured a guest room and guest bathroom.

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Silly, aren’t we?  You can see photos/info by clicking here.

So that was yesterday…  Today it was back to work.  One of the big bosses came in and said he was disappointed that I was leaving.  He offered me another store as a second in command.  I appreciated the offer however no matter what the position, the same harassment will continue.  A general disregard for employees.  With no as my answer, he told me he’d have to dismiss me and appreciated the 2 weeks notice.

I left with mixed emotions.  Should I have had “thicker skin”?  Should I have dealt with it – at least for a while longer?   I don’t have something else lined up.  What effect will one income have on us?

I came home and posted my status on Facebook.  I got a lot of support from friends.  I’m thankful for the support but I still have that feeling like I should face palm myself or something.  I certainly hope I’m wrong.

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Tonight we went over to Carl and Tim’s for dinner.  Chicken and rice along with cheddar biscuits.  

2010-10-11 002Above: Trailer life can be so convenient.  Suddenly tired while checking dinner?  Simply sit down.

2010-10-11 004Above: For dessert Carl made blueberry muffins.  They came out flat and tasted weird. 

2010-10-11 006 Above: Flat and weird tasting muffin secrets are revealed!  Damn trailer trash hosts.

10-9-10 Saturday (Hair In My Food)

I worked.  Jim was off.  Afterwards we went over to Carl & Tim’s for dinner.  Salad, angel hair pasta, and garlic bread.  Mmmmm.  The sauce was a little too sweet for my taste.  Tim agreed.  It was no disrespect to Tim, after all, it was Trader Joe’s brand sauce, not his own.

I think Tim planned this particular menu because of my jabs at him.  When they moved here and began unpacking boxes, I was surprised at some of the gadgets he brought.  A garlic press.  A large stand-up electric can opener.  A parmesan cheese grater.  He had it all.  Useful or not, he seemed to have packed it.  Tonight he made use of his press.  He also made use of some linens.  I was shocked that he apparently brought linens too.  What a nut!

2010-10-09 008 Above: The linen covered table before my comment about the tacky flowerpot with stickers on it.

2010-10-09 012 Above: The linen covered table after my comment demonstrates the usefulness of aluminum foil.

2010-10-09 009Above: Tim

2010-10-09 010 Above/Below: Prince Gizmo.2010-10-09 011 

2010-10-09 013 Above: Tim serves up salad.

2010-10-09 016 Above: Look at the cool cheese grater!

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2010-10-09 014 Above: The latest look of the “living room” in the trailer.

After dinner we went to the NC Music Factory.  It’s an entertainment complex of sorts housing several bars and restaurants.  Last weekend when Jim, Carl and Tim went to a Gay Pride event, they purchased haunted house tickets.  Tonight we walked though it and it was mildly entertaining.  I think it was more fun having a frozen drink at Wet Willie’s and watching the haunted house characters run after people with chainsaws and the like. 

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After “being frightened” we went to Crave for desserts.  They had a wait so we decided to try another time when armed with reservations.  We went to Cold Stone instead for dessert.

I do love me some ice cream…