Friday, September 30, 2005

These Rental People

WORD OF THE DAY:  nemisis NEM-uh-siss\ Audio iconnoun 1 a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance *b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent  2 a : an act or effect of retribution b : a source of harm or ruin : curse .

WOW!  I can't get over how humiliating it is looking for a place to live.  Its like job hunting.  You have to make yourself more desirable than the rest.  But in this situation, you have no idea of the thinking of the person with whom you're interviewing.  So its always a shot in the dark and a long and toiling process.  I must say that I've not found one place that is really suitable in all the places I looked at yesterday and today.  Its either a chaotic mess of one kind or anohter, or its too far from the subway, questionable neighborhood in terms of safety, or just a down right dump for mega-bucks.  I sure hope I find something FAST that is just right or as close to "Just Right" as possible.  I feel like I'm in front of my nemisis, an HR Weenie trying to win them over.  SUCKS!  But I must perservere.  I will and I'll be quite successful.

Today I'm Grateful for:  Sandy.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularly to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

3 Day Weekends are ____ Thanks John P.

WORD OF THE DAY: postulate\ PAHSS-chuh-layt \ verb 1 : demand, claim *2 a : to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary : depend upon or start from the hypothesis of b : to assume as an established truth (as in logic or mathematics)

Here I sit in Dupont Circle on a Friday at 8:00am watching all the people scurrying to their offices to toil and be tired at 5:00pm.  I'm off today, like I am every Friday. THANK YOU JOHN L. PETERSEN for providing such a luxurious benefit to your employees.  It is such an insightful idea and makes so much sense.  Most employers would postulate the concept of such a priceless benefit is ludicrous.. 

Today, is one gorgeous day.  Sun is bright, air is brisk, and while my fingertips are chilled here typing, OMG, it feels wonderful to know I don't have to go to my employer and ask for time off during my work week to acccomplish personal business that I need to do during business hours. 

I stopped at Starbucks for a Venti DeCaf-double cup and sleeve.  Then headed out across the street to the Circle (fountain of beautiful sea faring/oriented men is off for the season so there's no sound of water falling) to search the internet for apartments, flats, rooms, etc here in DC.  I have a 10:30 haircut appointment with Linda.  Its long overdue.  I think I look like a bum with this long un-coiffed hair.

I like this new FREE WIFI here in Dupont Circle. I had read about it in the Post, but never tried it until today.  PRETTY NICE!

Today I'm Grateful for:  Sitting here in Dupont Circle on this beautiful Fall Friday morning hedonistically and voluptoriously indulging in this luxury.


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Thursday, September 29, 2005

Fall Is In The Air

WORD OF THE DAY:  frugal\ FROO-gul\ adjective : characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.

WOW!  Today is payday!  My first full paycheck since I started with TAI in mid-September.  I wish there was some left over, but there won’t be since I have to pay both mortgages, insurance, etc.  When I need to be, I can be one frugal man.  Actually its something that I find satisfying and rewarding.  I’m always very frugal when it comes to making large purchases.  I do my homework and set out to get the best for the least price.  Hopefully this weekend I’ll have a new residence, thanks to the support of my UNQUESTIONABLY, BEST FRIEND IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, the Queensland Tango Babe from Down Under and my physical and emotional efforts.  The emotional ones I suppose were the most important of my doings.  I just kept thinking positive thoughts and its true the power of positive thinking RULES!

I see that lying, cheating, mean, mistreating, multi-timing, double dealing, unloving FART, Snowpea has moved ON!  She’s now supposedly in California pursuing the Great California Gold Rush, or as it would be in her case.  (She’s working on draining millions from another kind, innocent, unselfish, sharing, caring, loving, generous, and sincere hearted man; like she did to me).  I don’t know the man she’s chasing, but I would assume my characterization of him is somewhat correct since Snowpea wouldn’t chase after something she’s not going to be successful with.  She’s a clever old rickshaw peddling scallywag.  She’s quite precise with her plotting, ploys, and schemes.  I pity the guy when he gets the shaft like me.

What was it that I saw in her child-bearing ass anyway?  Maybe it was because the sex was good,  but then she turned that into malicious, mean-spirited, and selfish acts with total disregard to me, my safety, welfare, or life.  To answer the question, I seen nothing but BAD from the get go, but being the fair, and unselfish man I am, gave the benefit of my doubts.  My doubts were right all along and I know to give my gut more credence now; and $300,000.00 later.

After I get an apartment, and repay a debt which is paramount above all else except shelter, food, and medicine; I’ll begin to look at buying another car.  I miss my Mercedes E-320 so bad. I loved that car.  It was such a quality car and it would have lasted me for years to come.  I took such great care of it too.  I didn’t owe a single penny for it and for that I was proud of myself.  Now, I’ll have to go out and buy one to replace it, where I had to sell it to survive, and will have to do so on credit.  I dread that, but I have to have a car and that’s the only way I can get one unless I can somehow manage to do without one until I can get money saved for about 8-12 months.

Today I'm Grateful for:  This full paycheck.  Its somewhat like taking a big deep breath.  Thank you John, Suzanne, and TAI.  Thank me, Martin for keeping my faith in myself and my existence.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularly to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Fortune Cookies

gloaming\ GLOH-ming\ Audio iconnoun : twilight, dusk

What a beautiful song.  Moving.  Every time I listen to it my eyes swell with tears of pride.

This post is entitled "Fortune Cookies" because of the fortune notes I received in 3 recent fortune cookies I ate from City Lights last night.  I've asked Harold here at work to scan them into a file which I can post here.  Once I get them back, I'll post them.  They fit right into my philosophies.

Here's the Fortune Cookies:

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 The image “file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/martin/My%20Documents/My%20Files/Martin/Photographs/Fortune%20Cookie%201.JPG” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

 The image “file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/martin/My%20Documents/My%20Files/Martin/Photographs/Fortune%20Cookie%203.JPG” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

I was thinking last night after work and on my way home that adjusting to these 4 10-hour work days are really adjusting me to the gloaming work day's end.


Today I'm Grateful for:  DWhat in the world would I have done without Sandy.  She's is the best friend myself or anyone could ever have.  She sure has put her money where her mouth is when it comes to her love for me.  Im glad this is mutual.  Its so comforting to know I'm so loved, eventhough at times I can't feel love or think noone loves me. 

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Settling In

 

clarion\ KLAIR-ee-un\ Audio iconadjective : brilliantly clear; also : loud and clear

I think I'm beginning to settle into this job here at TAI.  Everyone seems quite nice and I like the work and my boss, John.  He's a horse of a different color and so am I.  I believe my careful and close analysis of the pending job offer, helps me to make a clarion choice to decline it.

Today I'm Grateful for:  This job with TAI and John, Suzanne, Ken, and all my other colleagues.


READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Monday, September 26, 2005

What a Weekend! That Damn Boil...

homologate\hoh-MAH-luh-gayt\ Audio iconverb: sanction, allow; especially : to approve or confirm officially

...left my ass in the hospital getting infusions of IV antibiotics.  IT SUCKED OUT THE ASS!  I suppose having to do that just homologated my percieved need to get to the doctor before those red streaks went to my lymph nodes and caused blood poisioning.

Today I'm Grateful for:  This job with TAI and John, Suzanne, Ken, and all my other colleagues.  These people here are seemingly quite nice and genuine.


READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.


 

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Boiling Sure Is A Nasty Mess


simpatico\sim-PAH-tih-koh\ Audio iconadjective  1 : agreeable, likeable  *2 : being on the same wavelength : congenial, sympathetic

The boil has boiled over and made a big NASTY MESS!.  I went to Dr. Sathasivam today and she gave me some antibiotics and a order to go to the ER to have an IV antibiotic infusion. 

It was nice to chat with Joe for a few minutes this morning.  He's such a nice man and I'm fortunate to know him.  I wish I were able to have chatted longer but, I was in the middle of getting John, my boss off to Copenhagen, Athens, Columbus, and Lansing. 

Today finishes week-2 of the new job  I was hoping to go to Bristol after the ER Episode, but that didn't work out.

Today I'm Grateful for:  Dr. Sathasivam and her nurse Sharon for taking their time to doctor my boiling mess when they were NOT seeing patients.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

The Boil Boiled Over

puerile\ puerile • \PYUR-ul\ Audio iconadjective 1 : juvenile*2 : childish, silly

Damn, this boil is a pain.  One of the worst I've ever had.  I can't wait until it heals.  I feel like shit today and trying to do my work.  If you've never had one of these damn things, then you'd probably think I'm being puerile in my inability to tolerate its uncomfortableness.

Today I'm Grateful for:  The time Jeff and I spent recently where we were able to sit down and have lunch together without anxiety on either's behalf.  I think my withholding his cell phone has helped aleviate some of the aggravation I hold for him at times.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

A Nasty Boil

copacetic\\koh-puh-SET-ik\ Audio iconadjective : very satisfactory

Well, if I accept that job with DA, I will only get paid on the 10th of each month, and meaning as a new employee, if I were to begin on October 3, I wouldn't get paid until Novermber 10.  That sucks as I'm looking for a flat.

Today I'm Grateful for:  Both Suzanne and John ORDERING me to go to my doctor to get this infection on my arm seen about.  Its really nasty and could possibly set up blood poisioning.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Monday, September 19, 2005

The Phone Message

coquetry\KOH-kuh-tree\ Audio iconnoun : a flirtatious act or attitude

11:15AM 
I received a phone message this morning from Wendy at DA.  She called around 8:30.  I haven't returned her call yet.  I wonder; its it a job offer, a question, or what?  I have some nervous energy about it but confident it is good.  I'm being just a bit coquetry with my friend Randy.  He's such a good looking man and has a great personality and character.

2:00PM
The call from Wendy, it was ...................another job offer.

Today I'm Grateful for:  The kindness and positive support of the guys at the Palais du Couchon.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Crystal Balls

thaumaturgy\THAW-muh-ter-jee\ Audio iconnoun : the performance of miracles; specifically : magic

I left the temp-perm assignment at Amgen Pharmaceuticals and its "posh" work environment.  There were two determining factors in my doing so.  The first and to me, most important is; when I was asked to formally apply for the position, I did.  During that process, I learned the "Grade 4" (highest level in that job function) position which I accepted as a temporary employee, had been downgraded to a Grade 3 and then the following day to a Grade 2.  This was rather concerning to me since at the time I entered into the position it was made clear to me the position was a Grade 4, with my predecessor being a Grade 4 employee.  I was further informed of the importance that I perform as a Grade 4 employee; which I did so successfully.  To put this in a concrete perspective the position's pay is as follows:  Grade 4 - $80,000 - $100,000/yr,  Grade 3 - $60,000 - $80,000/yr, and Grade 2 $40,000 -$60,000/yr.  The downgrading required the same level of work performance, but with each grade reduction the education and years of experience were reduced.  While I believe thiswas NOT directed at me personally, I did cause me to not have access to bonafide earning potential.  Most importantly, I found it to be a symbol of comprimised integrity of Amgen.  Basically a classic "bait and switch" scheme.  The 2nd reason for my leaving Amgen, is that I was offered a job with a nice salary with this National Strategy group (a crew of Ontologists) fulfilling DOD contracts.  I completed my first week with them on Thursday (yes a 4 day workweek of 10 hours each day).  I think it'll be fine, but I must admit its kinda weird working in that field.  Its like national security seen through a crystal ball.  Each of the first 4 days made me feel as though I was on my way to becoming a thaumaturgologist.  I'm very adaptive and I'll adapt soon.

Today I'm Grateful for:  Being here in Bristol with H.R.M. Queen Halena Slopoflopolopolous.

READERS:  Your thoughts are VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME otherwise I'd not open my life to you like I do, particularily to those of you who have been given the link directly.  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for your comments about this posting.  Please click the link below to post them here.