Merry Christmas

I leave in the morning to go home for Christmas. I didn't go last year due to lack of money from extended unemployment. I will meet the dog for the first time, and probably my nieces. There is still a chance the succubus will back out, but Here's hoping!

Desert

Last weekend we went to Vegas. I booked Palms for our hotel - I do not recommend it. In addition to being a little on the sucky side of meh, it is also a ways off the strip. I did rent a car knowing it was a bit of a hike. Having a car meant going to Hoover Dam was possible. They begged for Grand Canyon but that was just WAY too far. Overall we had a great trip! Saw Zarkana (cirque du soleil); I didn't like it. Boring'er than usual and a bunch of flubs by the performers. We saw Jubilee. It is NOT what I was expecting. It is so over the top uber gay you would not believe it! And considering they flaunt topless women as the attraction, you better believe there's some insane WTF going on! While Nauber was seeing Shania Twain, I was going to go play blackjack at TI, but ended up wandering with Ronninho. He's such a nice guy. And quite cute. Mostly we talked about how bad his brother has gotten. Ronny spent most of the trip on Grindr looking for hook-ups. They all want to go back again. And I enjoyed it enough to consider it!

Turkey Day

Another Thanksgiving finished, another fridge full of leftovers. And the turkey came out Fabulous, again. Crispy golden skin, moist tender meat, no leftover stuffing. I am still having trouble mastering the gravy, though. I think I dumped in too much flour this year; it got a bit doughy. And Cheesecake Factory pumpkin pecan cheesecake!! A dessert I didn't make, but OMG nom nom nom... Ronny and Ronninho hid out in his room of course. Shaun and Ian brought a friend, Crystal, whom Shaun met at school (BC). Nauber's CF coworker Jason and Bertucci coworker Renato came. Liliane brought her BF Orlando. Mykael and Patrick brought Sailor along. Nauber and Ian were both making "I want one" noises... Sadly, Lisa and Aonghus did not stop by with little Lena.

I Got Nothin'

Still not much going on. But Thanksgiving is coming. And our trip to Vegas is coming. And Christmas...

Oh hey!

Goodness, it has already been a month since my last post. Sorry. It's just been kinda boring. Work still sucks, and there isn't really anything out there that looks both interesting and achievable. I did find out last night that when Nauber's mother was here (14 months ago) she told him that he should stay in the US instead of going back to Brazil because it is better here. Now why had I not heard that sooner?? The getting a puppy or baby talk has been ramping a little, too. He also said that if I were able to afford it, he would stay home and be "the wife". Oh dear Lord in heaven...

Touchy

Nauber is being more boyfriend-ish again. His asshole phases are never permanent, they just irk me while they play out. Otherwise nothing really interesting or new going on.

Grumble

Nauber's been an ass all week. And work sucks. And the deranged Ismael is lurking around again - gee, thanks Ronny. Life is not happy right now. October may bring new beginnings; it is 6 months at my current job and an acceptable time to start hunting again. Ronny noticed my Mood. Didn't CARE per se, but at least that is a step above Nauber's insensitivity.

Right on Time

It is Nauber and my four year anniversary. So, of course, he is being an insufferable ass right now. Sometimes his selfishness crosses that line between cute and infuriating. Strange how that usually coincides with my birthday or some other significant time.

Seriously

Work seems to be fraying. The department is about to fall apart. I wanted to be the one to leave, but at this rate it may have imploded before I have my six months in. And I've been sort of binge-eating again. My weight loss has ground to a halt. I'm at an OK point right now, but still have like 15 pounds to lose. Grazing through the kitchen is a bad habit, and it has to stop.

Career

With the Quality Manager gone at work, there is a void. They hired some guy to be the new QM, based on the fact that he could program the CMM. Except he can't. So he needs training in that. And he can't use Excel. So he needs training in that. What kind of manager at any company can't use Excel? And he said he can't start until after Labor Day because his son is having surgery, but then let it slip that he'll be at the cape and then on a camping trip in Yellowstone. There is a discouraged air brewing that does not bode well. I want to the first to bail, but it may be a race...

OMG

Yes, I know: I have been delinquent. No real excuse either. Just not on the computer much these days. And it isn't even because of the Olympics...

Summer

It's been warm. Fighting with Nauber over the A/C settings is a standard summer practice that will last until about late September. Otherwise, not much goin' on...

Olivier

Another quiet week.

Hotness

We had a HEAT WAVE this week. The news was of course apoplectic about it, although it really wasn't that bad. 95 and humid for three days. It wasn't instantly oppressive when you stepped outside, though. Thunderstorms currently rolling through, putting a quick end to that.

Crazy

Last weekend was Pride, which means my birthday got ignored. As usual. Pride itself was Meh. As usual. Shaun, however, loved it. She was gonna go to the Girl party, but chickened out when she saw a bunch of skeevy guys there. Doctor gave me great test results. Drive home from work today took TWO HOURS. I know it is not the job's fault, but just another reason to hate working there... Pretty distraction:

So busy

Just finished the AS9100 audit at work. Whewww. Tomorrow is my party, so tonight is prep night. No time to chat...

More Zombies!

Recently I posted about a dream I had where an asteroid collision caused the zombie apocalypse. Well, I had another zombie apocalypse dream. This one, however, was set back where I grew up in Wisconsin, though there were a LOT more people at my house than usual. After some running around, as per usual for zombies, we stumbled upon a secret operation and discovered the source of the zombies. There was an alien invasion going on, and the aliens were "mining" human tissue as a resource. The zombies were then rounded up and the tissues were collected from them. It was sort of like bees making honey, only the aliens were using zombies to collect human tissue to make their special juice. Having been harvested made the zombies slow and stupid (missing brain matter?), but still had the function to collect more. It is a fairly logical take on the zombie mythology. I also had an anxiety dream this week about being late for work that culminated in the IT guy at work having infected my work computer with porn spam viruses.

Eye candy

Nothing new. Just stare at this for a while...

Really?

We have had paychecks from work bounce. I hear last year they went four months without health insurance coverage (in Massachusetts, no less, which has a mandate). People claim that the CFO brought in two years ago is kind-of incompetent and rude, and all the woes began when he started. It keeps getting worse... Happy thoughts, happy thoughts:

Grind

Nothing new. Workin' Working out Repeat...

It's been a while since I've subjected people to a dream story. I had a pretty good one Thursday morning. I was in New York City with a friend. Not exactly sure who it was, but it was a girl. There were reports of an impending meteor strike, and the government was apparently planning to shoot at it in order to break it up. My friend and I were at this little park (Not Central) enjoying the beautiful day when we saw the space rock approaching. Then we saw the rocket fire from off in the distance and blast the rock into smaller rocks. These then started falling directly on NYC, several decent sized pieces coming right for us. I managed to dodge the first couple, but then a rather large chunk came at me, and I couldn't get out of the way in time. That dream stopped. Then it restarted. At the park in NYC, we saw the approach. There was no rocket launch this time, and the single piece headed toward NYC. We were not in the direct path, but it was close enough that we could see it was about the size of a cruise ship. I imagine in real life a piece that big would cause a blast radius of damage, but in my dream it was more like a piece of building falling off - still dangerous, but only locally. This dream, however, then went off in a new direction. The damage did knock out various utility services, such as power. We decided to head out of town. Soon, we noticed zombies wandering around. Luckily, these weren't hungry, aggressive zombies, more like confused wild animals that suddenly awake from anesthesia and have no idea where they are. We were at the house of the friends we were staying with, trying to gather a few supplies, when zombies started coming into the house. A mad scramble, and we got in an RV, then headed out. That was about when my alarm went off. There were some other details, but I couldn't remember them... I thought the idea of an asteroid releasing whatever it is that causes a zombie apocalypse was quite interesting. Not versed enough in my cinema lore to know if that's been done already or not, but it seems to me like a fresh take on it. Here's someone I wouldn't mind snackin' on, though not in a gross, zombie kind of way...

Oooooo maybe

I got an email this week from the federal job that I was referred for earlier. The hiring manager (not just a computer!) asked if I was still interested in the position. He also mentioned that I didn't have an aerospace background. I double checked the posting, and it said "Mechanical Engineer" and required a Mech Eng degree. Not sure why he complained I didn't have aero background. But he also said pay would be between $55k and $66k. So, the hours would be better, the pay would be better, the benefits would be better, the organization would be better, and the location would be better. I immediately replied that Yes I am still interested. That generated an out-of-office message saying he will back on the 23rd. So, I guess I will find out more next Monday, but I may get another job offer. One of the co-workers where I am now has taken to saying "You're still here?!" every time he sees me. It is based largely on the fact that the guy I replaced was only there a short time, then stopped showing up. He also left with a laptop, and having 'borrowed' money from people. Of course, now the thought that runs through my mind whenever he says it (and others, 'cuz it is apparently now spreading) is that I may be giving notice already in a couple days! Wouldn't that be funny...

Week One

Well, Monday I hated my job. Tuesday I liked it. By Friday I was just weary of it. I am so sick of small manufacturing companies. The pettiness with which the owners treats the employees is so annoying. The thing I liked on Tuesday, though, was that my boss's boss is into consulting, knows tons of people, and is already impressed with me. So, he may be my ticket into something more fulfilling.

Also went to the gym every night after work. For one, I need to lose a big o' chunk of weight. For another, traffic heading along 93-south at 4:30 is generally hell. By spending time at the gym, the traffic has generally eased by the time I am heading home. Still always bunches up right by my exit, but I'm not going to wait until 8 to get home just to avoid an extra 5 to 10 minutes.

Progress

I got my car this week. I stopped by the new job to do the drug screen. After that, I stopped in at the Planet Fitness around the corner and joined the gym. I have a lot of work to do! Then my RosettaStone (portuguese) arrived, so I can start working on that.

I have spent close to 7 grand this past week, mostly the car, but also new clothes and just getting everything 'ready' for next week. Here we go!

You Better Work

Well, the company that I was expecting an offer from finally got around to giving me an offer on Thursday. I accepted, since income is priority #1 right now. I start on the 9th, at $22/hr as Quality Engineer. It is so 1998 all over again. In fact, I bought a 1999 Honda Accord, since I need a car, and didn't have a lot of money.

Incidentally, RuPaul's Drag Race is awesome, you should watch.

Whyyyyyyyyyy

The sure-thing schmuck job never called and is not responding to my email inquiry.

And I have apparently gained a chunk of weight over the winter because none of my shorts fit anymore.

It's always darkest before the dawn, right? I'm ready for the sun to come up!

EDIT: Just got an email from sure-thing company, apologizing for the delay. She said they would most likely have a decision on Monday, and she hopes I am still interested. That implies I am front-runner. Pre-dawn glow may be starting...

Irish Eyes are ... Doing Something

Rather quiet, non-eventful week. Still no advancement on the job thing.

Today I met up with Brad and Danny. Cris joined later, as well as Brad's friend Gina and her bf Chip (who did shot-boy at Blu), Lauri and her new bf (don't remember his name). About 40 and lightly raining today, not the best for wandering the city, so we pretty much stayed in the Quincy Market area the whole day, though we did go to some of the old Irish pubs in that area, not the chains and food court stuff.

Here We Go Again

I had an interview again this week. (Sad that an interview is newsworthy.) It went very well, and I feel like a no-contest winner. Of course, I had that similar feeling when my friend Nish was going to hire me, and then his boss said No Way In Hell. But this job would be depressingly not what I wanted (despite the happy face I gave in the interview). Quality Engineer (my job title in 1998) at a small (ugh) family-owned (augh) manufacturing (ughh) company in Woburn (awhh). Redeeming factor one: I need a job, and this would pay money. Factor two: it is an AS9100 registered aerospace component manufacturer, which would open up a number of doors to aero jobs once I had this firmly planted on my resume. They apparently have a 'few more interviews' to do yet, and will let me know. So, there is still a chance this will turn into abject failure, as well.

On a completely different topic, Nauber has taken to watching telenovelas on the Spanish channels at home (Univision and Telemundo). There was this really hot guy on one of them the other day. Shortly after seeing that, I saw a run-down of the competitors on the new Dancing with the Stars. The hottie on the list looked REALLY familiar. Well, now I had a name! Which means I could Google Image search!

Say Hello to the ridiculously handsome William Levy:

Loser

Well, that interview never happened. Can't even get an interview... But two more prospects coming down the pipeline. Not gettin' my hopes up.

Ronny made a mysterious comment about Nauber "saying something" that he shouldn't tell me about. I said you can't say THAT and then not tell me what it is you are hinting about, but he wouldn't. I'm sure it all boils down to the fact that I need to start working on losing weight. A little more and I could try out for Biggest Loser. I'd definitely choose Dolvett!

Peep

I got a call from a recruiter this week. May get an interview next week. Six month position; would have paid $38/hour but since I've "been out of the field for a few years" he thinks I should shoot for $30. Right. 'Cuz going to grad school made me completely forget how to do a stupid pareto chart.

But $30 is actually more than I made when I quit my job in Worcester. And this would be with Siemens Medical. So, I would gladly swallow my pride to A) have a job B) gain medical industry experience C) become an 'insider' at Siemens. Of course, I don't even know if I'll get an interview, so for now I am assuming another strike-out.

Recruiter also said I should add the stages to my work experience. Showing I climbed from Eng to Super is valuable, rather than them thinking I was supervisor the whole time.

Lurrv

Though the week was beyond quiet on the job front, it was Valentine's Day on Tuesday. Since I normally go to great lengths for things like this to be met with ambivalence from Nauber, I decided to save myself the disappointment and do absolutely nothing this year. So, of course, he took me out to dinner and bought me gifts.

So, I rushed to Target Wednesday for the clearance candy, and bags/bows. Made him a chocolate pudding pie with a little cherry syrup mixed into the cool whip and a big chocolate heart on top.

Meh

Nothing new.

Shun. Shunnnnnnnnnnnn

Never heard back from HR. Even sent an email saying please send a status update. There is a tiny piece hoping that means the paperwork just hasn't gone through, yet, so there is no response available. But I know it's another rejection by avoidance.

Waiting for Good News

Wednesday I had a phone interview with a consulting firm. I thought it went very well. There are several more steps before a job offer, but crossing the first hurdle would be the biggest step forward. The guy I spoke with, Marc, said that he would forward the file with his notes and my resume to his boss for approval. Once approved, HR will send me a background/credit check form to submit. So, I am waiting for that form to show up in my email. Of course, HR could send one saying the job-hunt equivalent of "ewwwww cooties" (which I've gotten many many more times than I like), but here's hoping it is good news for once!

Wouldn't It Be Nice!

I have a phone interview scheduled for Wednesday. Trying not to get over-excited, yet, but it would be practically the perfect job. If all goes well, I will share more later, but for now, just keep your fingers crossed.

Align

Not much happened this week. Still sending out resumes. Hoping the Stars Align one of these days and I actually get a job.

Speaking of alignment, here are a couple camera-angle pics:

Sigh

I'm in a bit of a funk. Life has been so stagnant for so long that I feel like I will never find a job, lose weight, enjoy life again... I have no money to spend, so don't like shopping or traveling right now. That makes Nauber unhappy, which makes the relationship feel unfulfilling. It's like a big downward spiral. I've been hanging all the "change" on "when I get a job" that 3.5 years of complete rejection from every employer on the face of the planet is wearing me down.

In honor of my foul mood, here's the most uncharacteristic choice I could find in my collection: