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Adult delay

August 19th, 2010

I’m glad I’m not the only one delaying adulthood for as long as possible.

I got a 10% raise. Go me! Still should probably find that mythical part time job I’ve been daydreaming about. I am so determined to get out of debt from being ripped off the first year living here, it’s all I can think about. Every penny I spend is closely calculated and part of a budget.

So, I think I’ll post progress updates. As of today, right now, the total amount I owe to credit cards: -$3,268.45. Not too bad, I mean, could definitely be worse, and it was. I just really despise the monthly fee and interest rate charges. Projected pay off completion month is April 2011.

At that point, there are a few things I want, need immediately / asap / right away:
- My own place.
- Gym membership.
- Health insurance. Along with this comes new contacts, glasses, dentist. And getting my damn always-in-pain wrist, checked out.
- A sweet bike.
- Lots and lots of new clothes.
- A dart board & a hammock.

I think I’m done with photo-a-day. It gets hard coming up with something worth looking at when you only see the same things every day. Someday, I won’t feel so trapped and restricted, and maybe my life will be fun and interesting again.

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Mis Padres

May 6th, 2010

My parents came to visit last weekend. They brought with them, a futon that I had in.. high school? Maybe even before then. But don’t worry, it’s not one of those crappy black metal futons, this one is comfy. And so now, I am no longer on the floor. Plus, we now have a chair and foot stool for out on the balcony. I had been sleeping on the cushions to this…

chair + a foot stool

We went to see Craig Ferguson at the Chicago Theatre. He was hilarious, I love stand up comedy so much. The opener was pretty funny too, though I never caught his name. It was my first time at Chicago Theatre, pretty impressive. Thanks once again, to my awesome boss at redline, we were sitting in pretty much the best seats in the place.

This is what happened at the end:

We also went to Ikea. They love it (the above chair is from here) and I’d never been before. I finally got the neatest dish drainer ever…

My old one got lost in a move somewhere here or there. But now I say, good riddance!

dad

Of course, we had some deep dish pizza and Italian beefs. But not enough time for a Chicago dog. Oh well, maybe next time.

mommy & me

And thanks to dad, my car door is no longer panel-less! Now, it’s time to fix the other window.

Next weekend, my cousin that I haven’t seen in 10+ years is visiting, for a concert. And the weekend after that, Craig is coming! Very much looking forward to both of these.

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Awesome things

April 20th, 2010

I recently came across a website with the most valuable message ever: 1000 Awesome Things. I had never seen this blog before… Therefore, I was excited to read it.

Then, I read it. And was slightly disappointed by the lameness of it.

However, it has inspired me to create my own list.

Top 10 Awesome things from 2010, SO FAR (maybe I will re-visit this idea in six months):

  1. Craig taking me to Vegas.
  2. The most pleasant living situation I have fallen into in years. (And cheapest, to boot!)
  3. Brand new, sweet office at work (this just happened… today).
  4. Our broke-ass bathroom, suddenly becoming a perfectly awesome bathroom. (& let’s not forget to mention the new stove that should be coming soon)
  5. Valerie visited, Melissa visited, Angelo is coming, parents are coming, cousin is coming. And a very great pal of mine is moving here, finally!
  6. The realization that I have an in for any show I might ever have any desire to go to.
  7. Our balcony over-looking the park (my apartment makes up about 30% of this list).
  8. My car is paid off!
  9. I got a plant that I haven’t even killed yet!
  10. I will have a bed to sleep on, soon. (And it’s not even an air mattress)
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What happens in Vegas…

April 15th, 2010

I have a million pictures that I want to post, but I am waiting on Craig to get them to me. Yes, it is all his fault.

We had an amazing time, I was really sad to leave.

Stayed at Caesar’s, but explored everywhere else. We even left the strip and went downtown, to Fremont street, which was probably my favorite part. A little more chill than the glitz and glamor of the strip.

My boss is incredibly awesome and put us on the list for the Foundation Room. That means we got to skip pass the line, for free, and had the velvet rope and elevator opened for us and closed behind us. VIP treatment, right there, kids. And I really wish I could present you with the photos right now, because this view was amazing. I have a cell phone photo….

Foundation Room

Because I just HAD to send a photo to everyone I knew, right then. But it just doesn’t do it justice.


birthday flowers :)

I had my 27th birthday last Saturday. Got to see Atoms for Peace, thanks again to my boss. Good show, amazing venue.

I have got to get a better camera.

Atoms for Peace


I’m sitting out on our balcony right now, it’s 80 degrees and breezy, sun shining brightly. I just saw a little kid, run down the sidewalk, into his grandfather’s arms. So cute. Life is nice.

sitting on the balcony


And I have a new favorite blog to read. So, you should read it too.

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I am bad at updating

March 20th, 2010

I got to see Muse! For those of you who have never heard them, here is my favorite song:

My boss is awesome. We were fourth row, right next to the stage at the United Center. Alas, I finally experienced the advantages of working for a ticket broker.

Muse

I even got a t-shirt! :)

I really miss seeing live music, for fairly cheap/free, whenever I feel like it.


Valerie and Melissa were in town this past week. Both awesome ladies. And miss them both already. Melissa’s coming back soon and I am soooooo looking forward to that.

Do we look irish?

Valerie karaoking

Melissa being wasted

Not to mention, Carrie Beth and Jonathan are also in town, I will get to see them soon. Maybe I need some friends who actually live in Chicago?

Carrie Beth love

Jonathan love

Nah.


Yesterday was 65 degrees and sunny. Today, the park is covered in snow again.

Toby & snow


And last, but certainly not least…. I’M GOING TO VEGAS! with one of my all-time favorites:

Craig

It’s going to be a fun time. And I only have to wait ten days (& counting…)

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Two in Two Days

January 31st, 2010

I haven’t really posted on here in the past couple months because I’ve been without internet. Pretty much living in suspension. It’s starting to seem like it will be a long time before I’m really settled in Chicago. It’s not the first time I’ve moved to a new place on my own, I really didn’t count on it being this hard. As Kanye says… “That that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger.”

He also says, “Bow in the presence of greatness”

Moving on with an update of what I’ve been living with lately:

- I moved twice in the past 3 months.. This results in me wanting to get rid of about half of my crap. But that would mean I’d have to carry the shit back down the steps from this third floor apartment. And well, that can just wait.

- I hate the holidays and I am glad they are over. I haven’t been very social at all this winter. Complete total contentment just staying in and cuddling the kitty.

- My last roommate hogged my car keys and broke my car window. Didn’t tell me about it until I saw it, never once even attempted at an apology, and then blamed me for not telling him that he shouldn’t roll the window down. I am one hundred percent serious. I tried to hold my patience here, but it was pretty much impossible at this point. I, surprisingly enough, was able to fix it myself. Props to D Knapp for showing me how, back in Omahaland. But I was unable to get the door panel back on. So, I’ve been driving around with a panel-less door for like a month now. It’s my ode to Valerie.

- I got a flat tire. In the parking lot of a grocery store that my car was recently towed from, because I left it overnight… $170. So, I did not want that to happen again. Unfortunately, I do not have a spare tire. I had to get it towed to a place to fix it. On a Sunday. Fortunately, I found a place right down the street that fixed it for cheap. And the tow truck driver was hilarious… After seeing my car door in all it’s non-panel glory, he asked me point blank if I smuggle drugs from Mexico in that car. After that, we discussed our jobs, work, and life.

- I was really really really sick for a week or weekend there, right after the new year. And with my roommate hating me, and me wanting to move immediately.. it was stressful and complete hell. I love helping my friends when they’re feeling sick, where’s my help? I was surrounded by people who hate me and my “friends” seemed non-existant. It was the first time since moving here that I felt completely, utterly alone and helpless. I was queen of Pathetic Land. If I learned nothing else, it made me realize that I never get sick anymore. Go, immune system!

- Someone stole my CTA card. I ordered a new one to be mailed to me at my old place. Also, stolen. Speaking of, if you happened to mail anything to me in early January, I definitely did not and will never receive it. It’s neat how you can go online and see where the card was used…. Though of course, looking at the routes totally makes me suspicious that it was my freeloader roommate who took it.

- My air mattress has a hole in it or something. It’s unusable and already thrown away. I have another one my parents gave me, but no means to blow it up. So, I’ve been sleeping on the floor since I moved here. Using cushions from some chairs, my 43 comforters and blankets, and my 52 pillows. And now wishing that I hadn’t pressured my dad to let me take the air mattress that I can’t even blow up.

- Things I’ve lost recently, don’t imagine I’ll ever see again, and blame on living with freeloader: 1) One disc out of my Simpson’s season eight set. One disc. Most annoying thing in the world. 2) A bear shaped spice dispenser that I loved and used for a cinnamon-sugar mixture. 3) Coat rack. 4) My friend gave me some beef from his family’s farm for Christmas, I never got to try it. 5) Me Talk Pretty One Day by Dave Sedaris, though if I never see this again, I gained When You Are Engulfed in Flames, so it’s mostly even. 6) Kinda blame my air mattress death on the party he had the day before I moved out. 7) The remote control to my bose speakers. 8 ) My retractable iPod USB cord. 9) $50.

- I’m lacking discretion here, but I want to point out that at the height of all this drama-y bullshit, that asshole had the audacity to accuse me of taking some of his things. I suspect that’s why that one disc is being held hostage. For the record, I’ve moved nine times since leaving my parents house, I think I know what belongs to me and I definitely do not need or want more crap to move around with. That’s the last time I live with anyone younger than me. Or even my age, for that matter. Basically, if you’re still sucking life from mommy and daddy, get out of my life. I am not your replacement mom. Yah, I know, I need to let it go. Just really irritated by that fucking single missing disc. I love the Simpsons, I’m sure you can understand my frustration.

- I must have done something really shitty to be getting all this bad karma lately. Or maybe all my good luck ran away with last year. The future will tell.

- I managed to pay off two credit cards and then fill them right up again. Really need a part time job. But alas, I am lazy. Also, this is kind of just giving myself an excuse, but most places want part time help on Saturdays and I’m already working every Saturday. Maybe I should just give in to the inevitable and get a waitressing job for Saturday nights. This topic alone makes me miss Omaha. It was so cheap to live there and I knew so many people, all I’d have to do is say “I want a part time job.” and I’d have one the next day. I didn’t realize a sweet deal when I was living it. The story (and fear) of my life.

- I was turned down for volunteer work for a women’s free clinic. Volunteer work. What is this? Even when I try to do good, the odds are against me.

- As you may know, I started a job a few months ago. October, I think? Add us on twitter! Let me tell you… my boss hated me. First of all, let me say.. I learn best by trial and error, meaning it doesn’t really stick until I do it wrong. Second, he spent years with the last girl. So, I can’t really blame him, it would be super frustrating to get a new girl and start over from scratch. He hated me. And I lacked all confidence. Daily battle. But I think he’s finally starting to warm up to me. That or at least able to tolerate me now. And I’m finally starting to get the hang of things. Oh, and I get to see BB King in April. Brag.

- I started writing blogs for a couple different things at work. I like it. But it’s weird, part of me loves writing and the other part of me absolutely hates it. I enjoy writing freely, but given an assignment, I will get instant writer’s block and lose all attention span.

- My new roommate loves my cat (very important), cleans, and is good at leaving me alone (2nd on the list of importance). The apartment over looks Humboldt park and we get an amazing view of the sunset. Right now, I love coming home. Emphasis on ‘right now’. Moving so often gives me a new outlook on living with people. The first month or two are always awesome, because you are trying to keep things nice and pleasant at home. But people can only fake it for so long. It’s amazingly similar to dating. And I could never date a girl, they are way too fussy and finicky. And you can’t have two finicky people under one roof, that just doesn’t work.

- Which reminds me, when I first moved in… freeloader did my laundry a couple of times in exchange for use of my car to drive to his parent’s place in order to do the laundry. I thought this was just amazingly awesome. My laundry gets done while I’m at work, with no effort on my part. I bragged to everyone about how awesome my new roommate was. And then it went sour. First of all, he certainly took it upon himself to freely use my car whenever he damn well pleased. In the amount of an entire tank of gas, which he did refill, thankfully. But then argued that he was entitled to use all that gas up as well, because he paid for it… Is this making any sense to my readers? Because it didn’t to me. Second downfall to the laundry doings, weeks later, I find out that he didn’t even do the laundry himself, he made his dad do it. If I had known that in the beginning, I would have refused the offer. Doesn’t passing along the chore defeat the purpose of doing a favor in the first place? Third, what kinda idiot am I to let this idiot take my car in the first place? Lesson learned.

- I really need to let it go. damn disc.

- I’ve read three books in the past three weeks.

- I learned to knit recently, started a scarf, and just started over for the 3rd time. I think I got it right this time.

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Egg static

November 11th, 2009

I am all moved into my new living arrangement. I could not possibly get along with my new roommate any better than I do. We are like twins separated at birth. The third roommate is moving in this week, but we’ve already met and established obvious awesomeness. The kitty is comfy and not always hiding somewhere. The landlord lives in the building and is super nice. Parking’s free. The bathroom is actually fairly huge. It’s weird, three bedroom apartment, you’d expect not much privacy? Well, the rooms are so far apart… there is tons of privacy. My room is small, but the closet is huuuge and all my crap fits. Giant windows, 2nd floor, lots of sunlight all over the whole apartment. Heat is paid, radiators, so it’s always extra cozy in here. There’s even a little veranda to go outside and grill or whatever. Roomy loves the Simpsons as much as I do, likes the same kinda music (along with various other things we agree on), and knows of a free gym I can go to! Oh, and one last brag about how awesome my roommate is: he did my laundry for me the other day. Fantastic life, let me tell you. All our dreams are coming true.

My new walk to work is awesome because it takes 10-15 minutes less and I walk through Wickerpark… it’s definitely peaceful in the morning. Now, at night.. that’s a different story.

I forgot to mention the best, most satisfying part. I get great reception on my phone. At my last place, I was lucky to get one bar. I often missed phone calls, phone wouldn’t even ring and I’d get the voicemail like two days later, which is really irritating when you are looking for a job. Now, I get full bars. No more missed calls or delayed texts.

I am slowly, but surely getting the hang of things at work. It takes time, sometimes I worry that I may take the long painful route to my goal, but who cares… builds character right? And the outlook is good!

I spent all day long.. not being able to wipe this grin off my face. Everything is pretty incredibly ideal right at the moment. Things are working out perfectly. Now, to focus on getting rid of the giant mound of debt I’ve accumulated this year.

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Tooth for a tooth

October 20th, 2009

I am posting just to post. It’s been however many days. I am forfeiting the photo-a-day project because it’s been way too long to go back now.

I am so unhappy where I am right now. But there are better things on the horizon. And I do love my new job. Just have to keep looking forward. And remind myself that it’s a learning experience… I hope I’ve gained a lot from this one. I know that for many years I have been a hard to live with person, so maybe this experience will lighten that load a bit?

Nothing else to say. I’m drained.

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Work

Permanent

October 7th, 2009

I got a job, started today, and I love it. I work at Redline Tickets, it’s less than two miles from where I live now, and the other employees are awesome. And they like good music. And I get to play on a computer all day. With multiple monitors. And a tiny little puppy on my lap. And I got the hook ups for tickets now. I think it is absolutely the perfect fit for me.

I am also moving to a new apartment soon, not sure where yet. Maybe, friends. Maybe, friends of friends. Maybe, total strangers. One place is even closer to work. Less than one mile away would be fantastic. Especially after spending two hours a day in a car, driving 20 miles back and forth from the suburbs, almost up to five hours if I took transportation. Sitting in traffic is torturous for the soul.

I kinda like not being certain where I’m heading. I know I’ll be happy wherever. I am looking forward to the newness of change. And paying less in rent. And not having to drive in the snow. And more walking around, less sitting on my ass.

I have some amazing friends, thankful for all of them. Close and distant. Having friends makes living life, easier.

I need someone to talk to, I keep making this post longer and longer, filled with nonsense.

In other news, my hair is getting really long. You know you care.


I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. – Douglas Adams

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Weak employment

September 18th, 2009

I started a new temp job today via Aerotek. I literally just met with a new recruiter yesterday and then started a job today! Those people are great, if you are unemployed, I strongly suggest calling them up (and name drop me, thanks).

It’s only a two week assignment, out in the suburbs of Chicago, and doesn’t pay nearly enough. But it’s better than $0/hr, also better than sitting at home all day, the people are nice, and I will be gaining some accounting experience. So, I’m glad for that.


You know that way you get when you like a person’s company so much, that you can’t even look at them or be around them without grinning ear-to-ear? I mean, that happens right? It does to me. Anyway, I miss having someone look at me that way.


I realize I haven’t uploaded any photo-a-day photos since August 24th. I have no excuse.

I’ll fix it.

But not right now.

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Friday Free day

August 21st, 2009

Creating a job, of sorts, for myself.

If you are looking for an apartment, I’ll be happy to do the work for you. Out of town or otherwise engaged? Need someone to go check out an apartment for you? I am your woman! I have a car, I can get to anywhere in the city or around it. Work too much? Don’t have the free time to spend looking at ads for some kinda must-see apartment? I do! You don’t necessarily have to be in the Chicago area, I can find postings for you, in your price range with all your specifications, contact landlords, schedule viewings. Please give me something to do. Thanks.

Plus, I really really love looking at apartments. The grass is always greener, right? Why not indulge myself by checking out the other side?

Lastly, I also have a friend in the Wickerpark area who needs a roommate, if you or anyone you know can afford $925/mo, plus utilities. It is a really, really nice place. Two bed, two full baths. Hardwood floors, fireplace, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, breakfast nook. No pets.


I am loving today’s weather. Feels like fall already. If the summer heat could fly by this fast every year, I think I would be pretty okay with that forever. Have I mentioned I love Chicago?

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Job Search

August 11th, 2009

I could be jumping the gun on this one, but I am just too excited.

This morning, I had a phone interview with Highland Solutions. Everything about this job and the company sounds more perfectly suited for me than anything else I’ve seen. It’s a small company that is expanding, I would love to be a part of that.

And it’s downtown! No more driving to suburbs, I’d get to take advantage of the public transportation in this awesome city, and I’d even have friends near by to do lunch with.

We didn’t schedule an in person interview, I’m not sure what happens next. But I am very eager for whatever it is!

Cross your fingers for me, internet.


Regardless, tomorrow morning, I am going to a job fair through Kelly’s Staffing Agency. I am so sick of not working.

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What to say

July 1st, 2009

I don’t know what to say on here anymore.

My temp job ended yesterday. They don’t have something else lined up for me at the moment. Which is fine, I welcome the break. Sad part is.. I don’t really care what I do. As long as I can pay the bills, I’ll be content. How do people decide on careers? On doing that one thing, or something related to that one thing, for the rest of your life? Really? That’s beyond me. Or above. Whichever. I’m happy doing tedious stuff like filing, organizing, and cleaning. But where’s the sense of accomplishment in that?

Fourth of July is this weekend. What to do? Still waiting on decisions.

I’m finding it difficult to say what I really mean these days. Hard to get my point across. So I guess I’ll just shut my face and leave it up to happenstance.

Life is short, despite all your plans.

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Loserville. Population: me

June 16th, 2009

I have been living in Chicago for five months now. I can still count the number of good friends I have in town, on one hand. And even amongst them, the list is slowly diminishing, because of associations. This bothers me. Apparently, the awesome social skills I thought I had, only come across as me being an excessively friendly, yet.. creepy, brash girl who flew in from the Cornhusker state, in the middle of nowhere/America. They can smell the desperation on me from miles away.

The best weekends I’ve had are the ones when someone is visiting me from Nebraska. This is not enough to make me miss the place, I only miss the people. It doesn’t help to get more attached after leaving.

Don’t get me wrong, I know exactly what I need to do in order to remedy this situation:

  1. Stop expecting to meet fantabulous people in bars.
  2. Focus on my own interests: Join groups/classes with similar tastes. Get more hobbies.
  3. Remind myself how to enjoy being alone.
  4. And the ever-so-vague one: Stop getting stuck in the past.

I realize that I’ll eventually meet more people who will widen my eyes and I will love them all dearly. I look forward to it, believe me. It’s just sometimes, you have to complain when you feel like it. And I’ve been so frustrated with this topic lately. Better to get it out of my brain than let it stew and brew.

Funny, the girl who used to want everyone to go away and leave her alone… Now, wishes she had more people around. This lady is never satisfied.


In other news, this stuff makes my face soft and firm = Awesome.

Night of Olay firming cream


Oh, one more thing… a few people got laid off at work today. There goes my hopes of being hired on (I am currently a temp via Aerotek). It was sad, people were definitely upset.

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