sunday sweep - volume III

How do the weeks seem to roll by so quickly these days? I swear the days are shorter or else I'm just moving slower and being a big fat lazyass. Nah, it's gotta be the days are shorter. Right? Whatever. Here's the latest edition of Sunday Sweep - all the random crap from the past week that's probably not blog worthy anyway but I still want to yak about.

I hate my job
Yep, you heard me right. I hate my job! Anyone reading this from where I work - you KWIM! It's not the job, per se. It's the way the show is orchestrated. Complete lack of planning on someone elses part DOES NOT, and never will, constitute an emergency on mine. I'm so tired of running in circles and jumping through hoops for these people, especially when you find out your boss is totally badmouthing you to a coworker. Yeah, coworker that heard it was the one who turned around and told me about it. Hah! Stupid bitch. My boss, not my coworker. At least I only have a couple more months of the bullshit unless I can find something else earlier and leave a pile of shit for them to figure out without me there to hold thier hands.

Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking...
It's time to kick the job search into high gear.....again. As previously noted, not only do I hate my job, but the clock on my contract is rapidly ticking to an end. See, I told you the days were shorter, and you didn't believe me, did you? The one thing I hate even more than my job is looking for a job. Some of you may recall last year's job search. Ten excruciatingly long months of it. I swear if I have to go through that again I'm gonna string myself up from the ceiling fan this time. I am so tired of being told I'm "over qualified" for the jobs I'm applying for. Jesus Christ! Bring me in, let me do the job, and then we can talk about whatever the hell else I can do for you! Don't just discard me like an old slipper because you don't think I won't stay around for long.

Precariously perched on the fence
Adding to my already full schedule, next week I'll be attending a meeting at school. I am one of who knows how many parents who were invited to meet with the accreditation visiting team during their visit next week. This should prove to be a very interesting and entertaining evening, to say the least. With the drama of last year still fresh in many parent's minds, I'm sure the "hand picked" collection of parents being "cordially invited" to meet with the visiting team will be none other than the superficial blindfold wearing lemmings that constitute a good majority of our school community. It's been mentioned that the visiting team will not lead the discussion or discuss and questionable subject that they may have insider information on until it is broached by one of the parents. This leaves me with a rather ominous decision to make - bite my tongue and listen, or speak my mind and be heard. I have no idea what I'll do, and don't plan on making any discision until the opportunity presents iteslf. Or I present the opportunity. Heh!

Schooldaze
In addition to the accreditation meeting, I need to talk to someone (though still undecided who) about a subject I'm a little more familiar with these days than I care to be - bullying and harrassment. The offender: a snot nosed, second grader in my little man's class. The offense: Repeated bullying and harassment of my little man AND several of the other kids in the class, though I'm only going in on the little man's behalf and the rest of them are gonna have to wait until their parents step up to the plate and say enough is enough. I know "boys will be boys" and all that crap, and I'm all for letting kids "work it out", however when I hear about the same shit happening over and over and over again and don't see anything being done about it. It's time to lay the smackdown! Aimee's going through a similar situation with her little guy, albeit not in the bullying and harrassment realm but in the indiscretions of a teacher, and her list of what to do is very similar to mine.

1. Talk to the parents of the little shit.
2. Talk to the teacher.
3. Talk to the recess duty people.
4. Talk to the principal.
5. Talk to the Policy Action Team.
6. Talk to the PA/BOD.
7. Scare the crap out of the little shit.
8. All of the above.

I know which one I'd like to do. Yeah, probably not the best choice in this situation. So now I'm struggling with which way I'll go with it. I can explain away each and every one of those options and frankly don't think a damned thing will come of this whichever way I turn, but NO ONE bullies my little man and gets away with it. Not on my watch!

Sheesh! I guess I had a lot more to say than I thought I did when I first sat down to write. I just want to thank all of you who commented, emailed or called me with support for my Dad's procedure last week. So far he's doing well and we're all just waiting for results day to get here.

Go now. Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend. And GO PACKERS!!! What? I gotta root for someone now that my boys threw their chance in the toilet.

Until the next time. Ciao!

today's the big day

I'm up at the butt crack of dawn after having slept maybe 4 hours last night. I've been running on nervous, excited energy for the past week, and my sleep schedule's been forked up. My friend Cathy told me I've been "talking fast" all week too. And aside from all that, there's been so much else going on in my little world I haven't even known what to do with it all.

But today's the big day! Back to the ratrace. I've polished my running shoes and am ready to go. Well, after I get a shower and a bit more caffeine in me, that is.

movies, teevee, and the start of another new me

This is the end. No. Not of refusing to blog -- though things might slow down over here a little bit in the days to come. Here, have a kleenex. I know you were getting all watery eyed there cuz you love me so much. It's the last day of the last weekend of the last 10 months of going from employed to unemployed to just plain jobless after draining my unemployment account thus falling off the headcount entirely to heading back to the ratrace of the employed world. I can't wait!

Tuesday is my first day back to work after my excrutiatingly long hiatus and I'm returning to none other than the same corporate computer giant (which will from this day forward be referred to as "The Winnebago") I left 10 months ago. I'm sure there will be assorted pleas for my sanity, bitching about stoopidity, and maybe a few sighs of relief to keep you entertained during round two.

Last week was insane with trying to get a ton of shit done before the big day. How is it that I could be not working for 10 months and still not be caught up with everything around here? But this weekend's been about just hanging out, enjoying the simple things in life, and relishing in the fact that I'll now be able to pay my bills without looking over my shoulder to see if someone's coming after me.

And because I'm crazy and like to pack my schedule fuller than it should be, I've taken on another new venture and joined the gang at Snackie Teevee. I figure since I'm already watching enough teevee to choke a goat (but I have a coopin for the goat!) I'd might as well dish about what I'm watching. The fun part is I'm in the company of some other great blog writers and don't feel the pressure of holding down the fort all by my little self. Not that I consider myself a great blog writer or anything. Especially when comparing myself to them. Anyway, go check it out.

We're also gearing up for pirates around here! In case you don't already know, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End opens on Friday, May 25th. So last night we watched The Curse of the Black Pearl, and next weekend will be Dead Man's Chest. Both rewatches for me, but first watches for the kiddo. Enjoy the trailer, but keep your drool to a minimum as I can't afford to be replacing keyboards or anything.

hi! how's it going?

So, apparently this is a day of blogger silence in memory of the victims at Virginia Tech. While I feel badly for what happened, the victims and their families, I apologize. I just can't be silent.

I HAVE A JOB!!!

You may now return you to your moment of silence.

the sound of silence

I've spent the day by myself, in the deafening silence. Good Lord is it ever quiet here! Stacie hit the "windy city" (literally) almost two hours ago and should be arriving in the "armpit" in a few minutes. The kiddo is staying one more night at his dad's. And I sit alone.

I miss you, my friend!!

What an incredibly awesome birthday weekend this has been! The best in decades. Seriously! I can say that since I've now lived through four of them. LOL You can check out some of the fun on my Flickr site. Can't put anything too incriminating up there though, cuz what happens in WA stays in WA.

I do, however, want to show you this.

He had it done the day before my birthday. Isn't this cool? It's an original from the tat artist. I so wanted one of these to wear for my next 40 years (no, not Groove tattooed across my upper back - something else) but couldn't figure out what I wanted to have, so haven't done anything yet. If ya have any ideas, lemme know cuz I'm definitely gonna go get me one.

Anyway, the party's over and it's back to reality. Tomorrow is yet another interview with yet another (yes, this makes about six) state agency. We'll see.

Alrighty, gotta run and help keep my girl awake on her hour and a half drive home from the airport after getting only about an hour and half of sleep last night. Oh, and I'm still trying to catch up on my blog reading/commenting, so if you haven't heard from me yet, keep your panties on. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Ciao!

wow, it's wednesday again?

Apparently I opened my mouth and inserted my foot! And other (un)employment updates.

Remember I told you I'd emailed the hiring manager from last week's interview? Well, I got a response from her yesterday, and my big mouth screwed me out of a job. In all fairness it was a trick question. But aren't they all? Here's what she had to say.

First I would like to say that you should be very proud of yourself for going as far as you did in the interview process. We had 80 applicants for this position and it was a very long process narrowing the applicants down to 10 for the interviews. You did a wonderful job in your interview also.

Our Human Resources Department gave us the questions to ask based on what our job description was and we had to score each candidates responses to the questions. There were three tiers on the scoring section. One section was regarding your preference in working independently or close working relationships. Your first response was that you enjoyed working independently and had great satisfaction in doing so. This position would require you to work as a team in a close-knit work group.

In my defense I did not state a preference for working independently. The question was posed as "Do you like working independently or in a group?" As with all the other questions asked, I started at the beginning and worked my way through. In order. I stated that I appreciated working independently on certain things and that working in a group also has its benefits. Notsomuch the answer they were looking for I guess. Damn!

Yesterday I went to our local WorkSource office for my randomly selected job search log review. Basically what that translates to is we want to see if you're really applying for work, or just sitting on your ass collecting unemployment. While I was there they put in a referral for me. What does that mean? It means I have to go online, complete yet another stupid application, then submit that and a resume to an unnamed company paying a measly bullshit hourly wage and then go and talk to them if they want to interview me. Oh, and this has to be done within 48 hours. And I have to report back to the dude I met with yesterday. I swear I feel like I'm in Kindergarten.

This afternoon I have an interview. I cold called this guy last Friday. He called Monday and we're meeting today. If anything comes of it I'll tell you the whole story of finding him. But for now, cross something, light candles, or work whatever mojo you think might get me a freakin' job. I'd really appreciate it!

Why is it nothing can ever just easily work?

C & D came over yesterday morning to help me install the new to me dishwasher I picked up a couple weeks ago. All was going smoothly -- read as, we didn't have water flooding the kitchen after detaching the pipes, and no one got electrocuted while taking the wiring apart. We lugged the old machine out to the garage, brought the new one in, and... where the hell is the water "out" connector? After digging around online, we finally found where the hose would connect. But will the hose I already have work? Of course not! The one requires some special jiggy to attach to the dishwasher, and not only do I not have the special jiggy, I don't know whether the hose I currently have will be able to attach to it because I have no idea wth the special jiggy looks like. Ugh!

C put a call in to the dishwasher's original owners. Far as I know, she hasn't heard back from them yet. D told me to check with Lowe's for parts. I did. They don't have them. So, this morning I'll be calling around town to see if anyone has what I need, assuming they even know what I need and that I've gotten the correct part numbers jotted down from the skematics online. In the meantime, dishes are once again piling up in my sink. Anyone want to come wash them for me?

No, really. Safety at school isn't a concern. Not at all.

An email started circulating yesterday, along with a lot of gossip. What was all the hubbub? Oh, nothing much. Just that there was a threat made by a 9 year old child to shoot two of his classmates. In mid-January. Um, hello!?!?! WTF? And we are just now hearing about this???

The kid was sent home that day, and was not allowed back to school the following day. That was it. No extensive suspension. No expulsion. No mention of this to anyone other than the parents of the kid who made the threat. Not even the parents of the girls who were threatened were told until one of the girls just happened to mention it. Two days later! Again. WTF?? The principal "lawyered up". The girls' parents went to the police. They boy's parents refused to let them talk to him. The board said it would be discussed at the next meeting. In February. It wasn't. And not again in March.

There's a ton of people who're hoppin' mad about this one. Pissed even. Then there's people who seem to think the school acted accordingly and dealt with the issue. I know there are always two sides to a story. But come on. How is sweeping this under the carpet and not even following through with what you say you're going to do appropriate? It's not. I was telling Groove about this last night, and suffice it to say, we agreed to disagree. He asked me what I really wanted out of this, and I paused to think. Accountability. That's what I want. Is that so wrong?

Have you ever been in this situation? What happened? How did your school handle things?

Ending on a good note!!

Only two more weeks till party time! YEE-FREAKIN-HAW!!!!

anyone know any voodoo to break this damn curse hanging over me?

I called it. I hexed myself right out of a job. Damn! I was so sure this would be the one. What's got me baffled is why? I fit all the qualifications, was asked to complete an additional essay questionnaire, was called in for the interview, was backed by a friend who works for the State and knows the hiring manager, the interview went smoothly. I was told they'd hoped to have their decision made by next Wednesday and then today... BLAM!! Hit upside the head again. Not chosen.

WTF is wrong with me? Can anyone tell me??

I'm seriously in a funk over this one.

Beer is my friend. Want one? I'm willing to share.

it's either all or nothing

Holy crow!!

I have not one, but TWO interviews scheduled for next week!!! Both called sometime between leaving the house at 12:45pm and walking in the door with a shitload of grocery bags. I almost broke my neck tripping over the dog to answer the phone.

Monday morning is with another state agency and Tuesday morning is a non-profit association. I think I'd be happy with either so I just hope this isn't one of those we already know who we're hiring but need to interview our obligatory number of people anyway sort of deals. Besides that, I just really want to move out of the UI payscale and into the JOB payscale. Hehe!!

Anyway, if you could send some good vibes my way, I'd really appreciate it! I'll be a nervous wreck come Sunday. So maybe sending some calm vibes would be good too.

Monday again? sheesh!

The weekend flew by. Again. After the week of productivity, I took a couple of days off. Until last night, that is. Started making my plan for the week by measuring my room and all the furniture to see if I could rearrange it. The good news: I can! The bad news: First I have to clean out the junk room, move furniture out of my room to the junk room, swap furniture with WJ, and then it'll all work out. Basically it'll end up being an upstairs redo except for the bathrooms and guest bedroom. I made a good dent in it today, but am too embarrassed to post any pics of the awful mess I'm wading through to do it.

Anyway, while I was digging through the mountains of shit that'd accumulated, I came across a desk calendar from 2001 that'd never been opened. The Original Jokes! PUNS & Riddles Calendar. Guess what? 2001 had the same schedule as 2007. So, I can actually use it. Hehe! Not that I'll really "use" the calendar, but I will subject you to the stupidity of it on a daily basis. So without further ado, I bring you the.....

Joke of the Day
Did you hear the one about the termite?
He walked into a saloon and asked, "Is the bar tender here?"

Oh c'mon! It's funny!! Sheesh, tough crowd.

In other news...

Work Watch
Received my "thanksbutnothanks" letter from state agency today. Talk about a tough crowd. Oh well! There's gotta be something out there for me. Right?

That's about it for today. Time to go crack open a cold one. Enjoy!

and on this next page, I wrote about...

The past couple of days I've been really productive. Not sure what bit me in the ass, but I'm going with it. Or at least I was until last night.

See, there's this little thing I might have mentioned once or twice before. I need a job! What? You didn't hear me? I need a job!! Yeah, we're back to that again. Actually, we never left, but I'm sure you get tired of hearing me complain about it as much as I get tired of bringing it up.

Never heard back from state agency after the last we haven't scheduled second round interviews yet email. Uh huh. Well, the first round was two weeks ago, so I'm pretty sure that one's in the toilet now. Submission deadline for corporate computer giant is today, so now I start the panicky jump every time the phone rings hoping it's a call for an interview feeling again.

In the meantime, I keep looking. Surfing the web. Printing out job descriptions. Filling out applications. I've reworked my resume and cover letter again, because let's face it there's obviously something they just aren't seeing that's really important to them. I wish I knew what it was.

Anyway, so back to yesterday. I finished the updates, had my stack of job reqs in front of me, and started going through collecting the various information each requires for its application process. Typically it's the standard cover letter, resume, references, and most times (government) an application. Let me share with you the application process I encountered in yesterday's stack:

APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit the following:

1. A cover letter that clearly describes how your experience and education have prepared you for the duties of this position and the requirements listed on this announcement. CHECK - tweeked the letter to include key words from the announcement
2. A resume that provides clear, detailed information about your job-related education and experience. CHECK - just reworked that one!
3. A certificate with your typing speed and accuracy. What the? Ok. Not to worry. I can get one of those.
4. The names of three or more professional references including contact information and a statement from you granting permission to contact them. CHECK
5. Three or four writing samples demonstrating your ability to write clearly, concisely, with proper grammer and spelling.

Writing samples? They want writing samples? This isn't for a technical writing position. This is a damn administrative job announcement. Since when am I supposed to have a portfolio of writing samples to whip out? Ok, let's think about this. Cover letter. Writing sample. Resume. Writing sample. Beyond that the only writing I've got is email or blog writing. Uh, yeah. Not. So. Much.

There you have it. It's no wonder I can't find a damn job with obscure requests like that. Now if they'd asked me to create a scrapbook for them, I'd have had it sealed.

how the hell is it Monday already?

What did I do all weekend that I didn't even have time to blog? The answer is nothing. Nothing at all. Well, not really nothing. But that's neither here nor there. Here it is. Monday. The start of a new week. My "to do" list is getting longer so I thought I'd better at least pop on here and say "hey" before I wake up and it's Friday already.

So, borrowing a phrase from Chag, here's some stuff only I care about. (If you haven't read Cynical Dad yet, go now and check it out. Seriously. This can wait until you come back as it truly is stuff only I care about.)

Work Watch
Going into the second week of waiting to hear whether I'll get a call back from state agency for a second interview. I have to tell you. Waiting sucks. I can't possibly imagine why I wouldn't get a call back on this one, but hell. I've thought that way before and been slammed. Also counting the days till the end of open filing for the spot at corporate computer giant. Again, assuming they aren't just fishing, or that someone internally doesn't jump on this one, I can't imagine why I wouldn't at the very least get a call. Again though. We wait. Oh, and one more thing to wait for, but this one is worth it. Finally got my UI claim restarted and should be getting a check this week. We'll see.

Get Out the Party Hats
No. For those of you who really know me, this isn't another pity party. Sheesh! Give me some credit. Today is WJ's un-birthday party at school. Yeah. The shitter about having a summer birthday. And being that his half birthday was right in the middle of Christmas vacation, here we are on some random Monday in January celebrating his un-birthday at school. What this means for me is I have to make banana muffins. Yes, you read right, banana muffins. My kid doesn't like cake, or cupcakes. He likes homemade banana muffins. Whatever. I'll do it. He'll be happy. Enough said. Hey! Speaking of party hats, have you looked at the counter lately? We're in the eighties now. 86 days! Woohoo!!

Quarter Million Dollar Tenements
With all the supposedly perceived potential break-ins across the street, neighbors have officially vacated. The "for rent" sign went up this weekend. This could go either way. Though previous neighbors were nice enough, some of the shit that was going on over there (or supposedly going on over there) during the past few months is now over. Done. Gone. This is a good thing. Problem is who might move in. It sucks having rentals around the neighborhood. You'd think with the cost of the homes in this area (yes, I've seen a recent valuation thanks to someone not taking into account that a personal follow-up might happen) the rentals wouldn't stay rentals for long. First, the owners could sell and run in this area. Not as quickly as a few months ago, but still. And, second, if you're going to pay that much in rent, why the hell don't you just go out and buy a house. At least then you have something of your own.

Okay, that's it for this morning's stuff only I care about. Time to get this week rolling. Happy Monday ya'll!

oh, the weather outside is...

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...

It's raining!!! YAY!!!

After a week of snow and ice and school closures, we are FINALLY back to our normal weather pattern. Including rain. Halleluia! Of course, if the rain keeps up for too many days, I'll start bitching about it again, but for now, I'm thrilled.

In other news, it's been a week now since my interview with state agency. No calls. No emails. No form letters. Nada. This could be going one of two ways. After the first interview she said there would be a second round. They'd hoped to have that second round this week, but with Monday being a federal holiday it might not be until next week. So, maybe they haven't scheduled them yet? More than likely, however, they've scheduled the second round and I just haven't heard anything because I'm not being invited back for the second round. That's just the way my job search seems to be going right now. We'll see.

Interestingly enough, I found out on Tuesday that there's an opening at corporate computer giant. Of course I jumped all over that one, submitting my resume and contacting my former manager. She put in a sparkling recommendation. And my super sleuth friend, Groove, is keeping his ears open as well. I was asked to send my info directly to the hiring managers and am now in the pool waiting to hear something. Seems like I do a lot of waiting!

Well, that's the news of the day. Nothing earthshattering. And now, I'm off to get the little man to school and me a desparately needed haircut. Never know what style I might be sporting by this afternoon given the mood I'm in lately. Stay tuned to find out.

[UPDATE: I emailed state worker to ask about the second round interviews. They haven't been scheduled, so there may be hope yet.]

day of complete insanity

School closed. AGAIN. Only one in the entire district and surrounding districts. What crap! Public school is looking more and more appealing.

Another possible house break in. Same house. Same black from head to toe clad thugs. Thankfully they're moving so hopefully they'll take their thugs with them.

Interview is done. Now the wait starts to hear if I get a call back for round two - maybe to be done next week, or possibly the week after. They "hope" to have a decision made by the end of the month.

Also got a call from the contract place for an opening back up at computer company I worked at last year. Resume submitted, so we'll see if there's an interview to follow.

So that's my day. Now that the insanity is done it's time to de-stress and grab a cold one.

our morning

Woke up this morning to a few inches of snow, and more falling. School was cancelled. Of. Course. So, we bundled up and headed out to have some fun.

Now it's time to get stuff done around the house and get ready for the interview tomorrow. I just hope we don't get more snow, or worse yet, ice.

so it wasn't a prank

"State worker" returned my call this morning. Apparently it wasn't a prank call on Friday. At 12:30pm this Thursday I have an honest to goodness interview for a state job. I can still hardly believe it.

Other than that, it's Monday. I need to make a list of things I need to get done cuz I keep getting sidetracked and didn't get much accomplished over the weekend. The weekend was good. And the Seahawks held on to advance to the next round for the playoffs. (Of course short of a miracle, they'll be out of the game next weekend.)

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start!

someone pinch me!

They say bad things happen in 3's, right? Well they usually do in my life at least. What about good things?? Do they happen in 3's too? If so, then I'm due one more good thing. But I'm insanely happy with the two I just received yesterday, so if there's no 3 I'm fine with it.

As you can see from yesterday's post, my super incredible friend Stacie is coming out to see me in April! (WOOOOHOOOO!!!!) For those of you who don't know our background, Stacie and I met several years ago at an on-line scrapping forum. We became friends, and over the last few years have gone through SO much together - good, bad, happy, sad, and everything in between. But we've never had the chance to actually be in the same place at the same time. At some point in the last week I said, "So you'd better get going on booking that trip for April!" or some other sassy tease. (Why April? Because I'll be officially crossing into another decade of years I've graced the earth with my presence.)

Yesterday started off like any other except that WJ's class was finally performing the short play they were supposed to have done before Christmas vacation, so I promised him I would go and watch. (It was very cute, but I'll do another post on that later.) Shortly after getting home I called my girl, Stacie, to see how her day was going, and the conversation went something like this:

Me: Hey, what's going on?
Stacie: Same ole. How's your day?
Me: Good....
Stacie: Hey... I've got a question for you!
Me: OK, shoot.
Stacie: What are you doing at 9:10PM Wednesday, April 18th?
Me: Hopefully picking up your ass from the Seattle airport!? (oozing sassiness)
Stacie: That's not too late? (giggle giggle)
Me: What??? Are you serious??? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacie: (laughing)
Me: OMG!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, you get the gist. She was booking the flight while on the phone with me and I was bouncing off the walls. Once she got the flight booked and my feet were on the ground again, I got to hear how she hit up Steve to make the trip. (She's very tricky!) Thank you Steve!!!! You rock!! And thanks Stacie's mom (can't remember if Stacie's ever actually used her mom's real name on her blog, so I won't throw it out there just in case she hasn't) for watching the kids so Stace can make this trip "kid free" (of course, they are always welcome to come!).

I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon floating on air. What a great way to start my 2007! A few hours later I ran out to do some errands and meet up with a friend for a couple hours. On my way home, I decided to call and check my voicemail (can't miss any of my fans calling! lol). There was one new message. And what do I hear?

"Hello, this is (state worker's name) calling from the (state agency's name). We would like you to come in on Thursday for an interview......." OMG!! I almost drove off the road. Two awesome phone calls in one day!

At the beginning of December I'd finally gotten off my ass and uploaded all my info into the state's new on-line hiring system. The Friday before New Year's, I'd received an email from one of the agencies asking me to complete an additional questionnaire for one of the posted jobs, so I was optimistic that someone was actually looking at my stuff. And now this call from yet another agency! Someone pinch me!!

I called State Worker back, but since it was Friday at 4:15PM I didn't expect to get her. Which was right. So, I left a message and am now waiting on a return call on Monday with the time and location. But I HAVE AN INTERVIEW!!! And with "the State" no less!

Well, that was my Friday! If my weekend ends up completely uneventful, it won't matter cuz yesterday rocked and two out of three ain't bad odds!!

simply saturday

I am still sick. Therefore, I haven't a creative thought in my head. Nor have I done much of anything today.

The only thing I accomplished (that I've been needing to take care of for awhile now) was filling in all the questionaires/forms for the new government hiring website. Before October 1st, when you wanted to apply to a government job opening you had to fill out individual job applications, hiring questionaires, etc. for each and every department. As of October 1st they streamlined the system so that all of your information is in one central database that is accessed by all state agencies. You still have to search job openings and submit for specific jobs of interest, but by releasing your profile you make your name available to recruiters as they search for candidates to fill vacant positions.

The process was a total PITA. Approximately 2 hrs into it I clicked on the next window button and it took me back to the start. Since I'm feeling like ass and didn't really want to mess with this today anyway (but knew I needed to) I completely lost it. Stomped upstairs (almost in tears), took a hot, hot shower, spent some time reading with WJ, then took a nap. When I came back to figure out what the hell went wrong I realized it was a system glitch, but not a fatal one. All the info I'd already entered was still there. Whew!

Anyway, the good news is I'm now in the system. I also found three jobs to apply to which means I've met my unemployment requirement for the week and can start filing for that again. Now if I can just start getting some interviews. Keep your fingers crossed.

After all that, I need a beer. Cheers!