Unpacking with a Snail

November 13, 2002

Time to get at this journal.   First things first, I have some condo pictures.   I moved in and started unpacking.   As the furniture deliveries started there were problems.   The TV I had did not bit on the entertainment center so I had had to send it back and order another one that took another week to be delivered.   The same story with the desk I had originally picked out.   It was so big it wouldn’t fit through the door.   So I had to go get another one.    This delayed everything quite a bit.   I guess I’m happy with the entertainment center and desk that finally did show up, but the color is off a little on both of them.  

But no rest for the weary.   There was still lots of unpacking to do.   I hung the blinds, unpacked, cleaned and more.   Dad and I put up the microwave which I was quite pleased with.   We ran a test and ended up with a warm cup of water!   Then we had to experience the first meal out of the condo.   Appropriately it was a bowl of Cap’n Crunch!  

Other than a few hang ups everything went fine.   I’m moved in now, all furniture delivered and next week it will all be paid for.   Here are the finished results.   It’s a shame I’m not a professional photographer because these would look better, but I do what I can.   This is the dining room, the kitchen, the living room leather couches, the new entertainment center that fits everything.   Next we move into the bedroom to see the bed and dresser.   Next comes the holiest room of all, the bathroom.   Finally comes the office.   Here is the desk and the blessed fish tank (Hannibal couldn’t be happier).

Speaking of fish, I went and bought a new snail for the tank to help keep the algae down.   The snail is very inactive though.   I think he’s dead, but I’m not sure.   He doesn’t move around the tank but it looks like he’s alive under his shell.   Maybe he’s changing from a sea slug into a beautiful butter-snail-fly.   Probably not.  

That’s all the journal you’ll get from me today.   Danny Topping is coming into town for thanksgiving and the plans are to go skiing.   ‘ Tis the season afterall!

Life in the Condo

October 26, 2002

I finally moved into the condo, October 23rd.   I’ve been busy moving and there is still much to be done.   I will post a more formal entry in a week or so complete with pictures and a full story.   There have been victories and losses.   The desk I had purchased was delivered and didn’t fit through the door so it had to go back.   Funny how 2 inches can suddenly matter a whole lot!   The entertainment center I ordered was too small for my television so it had to go back.   Those same 2 inches were haunting me.   I had to go reorder a different desk and entertainment center the next day.   Meanwhile the dryer heating unit stayed on all the time so I had to call a repairman to come fix that next week.   They are telling me my high speed Internet won’t be available for 6 months, which is a problem to say the least.   I hope to have most of these ironed out soon, but I wanted to post this entry to let everyone know that at least I’m in the freaking place!   It’s about time.

Work has been killing me lately.   I read my journal entries from a year ago.   I was just starting the kana help line, full of hope in my eyes at coming promotions.   Well, that hasn’t panned out.   I’m now a master’s degree student with no management experience.   Very sad situation.   I feel very bottlenecked in my job, that is to say, there is no one else that wants to or can do what I do who isn’t all ready doing it.   So leaving is difficult.   Hard to just transfer because Half.com is in a situation where they need someone on the helpline during the swing shift.   I don’t know.   There’s not many promotions that come available these days and when they do come they are for stuff in a totally different department that I would have no business applying for.   I think my plan is just bide my time and wait till I have this master’s degree and then start poking around elsewhere for higher pay and more opportunities like travel.  

That’s all for now.   Next entry will have pics, I promise!

Condo Delayed

October 18, 2002

This will not be a happy journal entry.   I am entering this mostly for memory sake, so I can look back at this.   This will all be mundane details.   I am not in the condo.   My closing date was last Friday.   They called me and cancelled it Friday afternoon because the bank (loan lady) didn’t have all the paperwork.   She still needed a final addendum and the check from the city for the grant.   Luckily the grant did go through.   It ended up being $3,800.   Anyway, off I go and get the grant papers, which had been faxed to the title company but the bank needed a copy.   So Chuck at the city did that.   Then I went to the condo office and they had me sign a piece of paper and then they faxed the final addendum over.   The final addendum said $110,000 as the price.   The problem was that I had told everyone $108,000.   I told them that because that was my best estimate.   It’s not my job to know the last penny.   Geez, I’ve been trying to find out the exact cost of the thing since February.   So finally they tell me, $110,000.  

Well the bank said, “Oh no, now we have to change the price of the condo or do another appraisal.”   So I’m waiting.   I have been calling the bank every day this week and loan lady didn’t return any of my calls till today at about 4 pm.   She said we can close the loan tentatively on Tuesday.   At this point I don’t believe her.  

The condo has been complete for almost a month and I’m not in.   Why? Because of beaurocratic paper work which is totally out of my hands.   I can’t do anything to speed up the process or rush anything.   I’m totally at their mercy.  

Nothing else is happening.   Every day that goes by without the condo is worse for me and everyone around me.   I’m quite grumpy about the whole business.

Condo Almost Done

September 20, 2002

No pictures in this one. Just wanted to give a light update on all facets.   Condo construction is complete.   The carpet is in, AC, water heater, all fixtures, counter top. They are done. I suppose they have a few more things to do behind the scenes though. I was planned to close September 30th but they have moved it up and I am closing on Thursday the 26th. Assuming there are no problems I plan to move in on October 1st.   I'm fully ready. The only problem I can foresee is that the doors have gold hinges and silver colored doorknobs, which looks a bit comical.   But, if worse comes to worse I will replace those myself.

I have one class left and statistics is DONE!   The bad part is that it is the final test. The next class is Human Resources Management...I think...something along those lines. I forget the exact title. I don't expect I have an A in statistics. Maybe an A- or B. We'll see.

Eddie is an official Nashvillian. He and mom and dad drove across the country leaving me at home alone. After 4 days Eddie has a roommate, an apartment, a job and furniture. He's all ready doing much than I was at that point when I was there.

Hannibal the piranha is doing famously.   Edward the algae eater I'm afraid is not. Edward, God rest his soul, has met his unfortunate and unexpected destiny within the jaws of Hannibal.   I think it was just a matter of Hannibal finally growing bigger than the algae eater. The piranha was well fed at the time, but definitely feisty.   He's always feisty.   I did not witness the death personally, but the fact is that Edward is simply not in the tank. I suppose it's possible he packed his bags and moved uptown but I doubt that. Ya know, the whole fish thing.

The peaches came ripe. I picked about 100 of them and took them to work and left a sign on the table reading "Peaches for sale, $.25 each"   I made about $6! I still have plenty left over so I had to throw the rest away. But, that was kind of fun!   The business major in me can not be squelched!

That's all the news recently. I will try to update the journal before I move into the condo but it's possible the next entry could be from within the condo!   FUN!

Third Day in Utah

September 11, 2002

I must apologize for the lack of journal entry latley.   Not a lot has been happening out of the ordinary.   Work, condo construction continues.   Some recent events inspire this entry though.   Eddie left this morning to start his Nashville schooling.   He packed up all his stuff and just…left.   I suppose it will be like normal since he was rarely home when he lived here, but…all the same, I’m gonna miss the little guy.   He started his own web page which can be found here, in addition to the new links page on my home page.   His page is just starting now so it will be fun to watch it grow as he builds it.   One of the more interesting things he did is build a makeshift shell for his truck to keep his stuff safe while driving cross country.   I was not there for the building but it was quite impressive.   Eddie and Dad worked on it together and I did get this pic.

The day before Eddie left, September 10^th, the band Third Day came into Salt Lake City to play!   Imagine that!   A Christian concert in Salt Lake , and of all the bands, one that I worked for in Nashville .   I found out they were coming September 1^st and started making calls so I could volunteer to help the band unload trucks.   I called the church that was promoting the show, the fair and Third Day’s management office.   I got nowhere.   Pretty soon the 10^th had arrived and Eddie and I just decided we would show up and let fate run its course.   We got there early, about 10 a.m., and just sat in the bleachers and watched the empty stage.   Eventually we saw some movement and worked up the nerve to go talk to the people who were moving.   It was the church that was promoting the gig.   I walked up and asked if they needed help to which the reply was, “no.”   We started conversing, and of course I am trying to sound like I belong there so I say, “I used to travel with the band.”  This opened their eyes and the rest of the day was downhill.   They said we’ll be back but you’re welcome to hang around.  

So Eddie I went on the stage and the sound guys from Poll Sound, where Eddie used to intern, were setting up.   So soon we were unloading crates from the sound company and instruments from the backline company.   Next the crew showed up.   Not surprisingly it was all the same people that I knew when I worked for them.   Derek, who I probably knew the best, recognized me right away.   When he started he was a World Vision rep, now he’s the stage manager.   Bobby, the monitor guy also recognized me.   Andrew, the road manager and front of house man, recognized me.   Danny London, the man who I worked with on the Aspiring Women’s Tour, (my first Nashville gig) was doing their merchandise, which was supposed to be my job.   That’s another story.   So we all shook hands and said hello and were generally friendly with each other.  

From that point on there wasn’t much to do.   The band also had a guitar tech, Jay Baskin who I knew from the Newsboys tour, a drum tech and some other people, so they really didn’t need any help.   Eddie and I just stood and watched for the most part.   I did help Jay set up the guitars but, nothing at all impressive.   The band showed up and I first talked to drummer David Carr.   He recognized me and we started trading eBay stories when he found out I worked there.   The band then started doing sound check.   Here is a myriad of pictures of the band at this point in the evening.   David Carr on drums and some guy whose name I can’t remember for the life of me is on organ.     Guitarist, Mark Lee.   Lead singer, Mac Powell.   Right before the sound check Mac was walking around the stage and he recognized me and we had a short talk about coming to SLC and the bands plans for their next show.   Just your basic cordiality.   I am always impressed by this band though.   They are so solid in the way they act to other people.   Other bands I have seen will snub people.   But every member of Third Day has gone out of their way to say hi to me and remember me.   I don’t know though.   The whole day I was at best a really good fan, which is idiotic.   I mean, I was at one time part of their road crew and that day I just stood around like an awkward 13 year old at a concert.   I don’t care though.   It was worth it.   I’d do it again in a second.  

I had to go to school that night so I missed the show, but Eddie stayed and took some pictures.   I have no stories here because I was at school learning statistics.   If you want a discussion on probabilities I can help you.   I just didn’t make the concert!   Andrew, who I mentioned earlier, runs front of house.   Mark and Brad on guitar, Mac on vocals.   Eddie said it was a good concert, which I don’t doubt.  

That night they flew to New York for a 9/11 concert so they left in a hurry.   I was told that UtahState paid for the whole concert and that this was a test run to see how Christian bands do in SaltLake.   I hope/pray/whatever that this show made an impression on whoever needed to be impressed so that more Christian music comes to Salt Lake.  

Speaking of 9/11, it’s the one year anniversary today.   Happy 9/11 if noone has told you.   I hope you all have exchanged your gifts and cards.   Perhaps that’s a little too jaded, even for me.   In looking back on the last year I think of a radio show I heard recently.   It said that America has returned to normal too quickly.   That’s probably true.   However, as I stated last year about this time, I feel so detached from the whole thing, as if it were an action seen in a movie.   Perhaps if I knew some people whose lives were more deeply effected…but I simply don’t.   In any case, I think that globally speaking, or I guess nationally speaking in this case, people are more alert and aware of issues like terrorism and Islam and security in general.   However it feels like we are just in another cold war.   We are all afraid of this “thing” that we don’t know when it’s going to happen or how or when.   So we all just talk and mutter to each other.   I’m sure the country went through the same thing after Pearl Harbor and other similar events.   Anyway, that’s my thoughts today, one year after.   I’m also scared to an extent, and a little more aware of the world around me.   I still feel like the whole WTC and Pentagon event are a movie though.

Well, that’s all for now.   Condo is set to be complete September 30^th and I’ll be moving in the first week of October.   I’ll keep you posted.

WNBA Basketball is Genuinely Awful

August 24, 2002

Well, it’s been a while since I updated the journal.   So much has happened.   Nothing huge, lots of little things.   I bought $2,000 worth of furniture at John Paras Furniture (that’s where I shop, that’s where I bought, etc).    I got an entertainment center and a little less expensive bedroom set than I thought I wanted.   But I splurged on the computer desk.   I got a nice corner desk unit.   Can’t wait to use it.   Solid wood, lots of drawers and, woo, I tell ya, pleasure overload.

I went to a WNBA game the other day.   That’s right, Professional Women’s Basketball Association.   I would now like to share my thoughts on the experience since most of them are comical.   Let me start with a disclaimer that I believe women are equal to men in ability and have sharp minds and are valid work associates and managers.   However, there are differences in the sexes.   Of all the things that women should do, playing sports is not one of them.   Not all sports.   Some girls cross country sprint or gymnastics or swim.   Stuff like that, yeah, whatever.   I’m not addressing that.   I’m talking about basketball, football, baseball, etc.   It’s just awkward.   Let me explain.   When a man has a basketball and dribbles it down the court, avoids defenders, gets to the middle and slam dunks it, or lays it up or shoots a distant three pointer, it is a thing of beauty.   The art of the human body, coordinated, focusing on one goal, is a display of power.   The muscles, the sweat, the timing, all play part in making the basket.   It is much like watching a woman walk.   When women just walk, it’s beautiful.   They have an air of grace and beauty about them.   They are confident and they bounce and it’s a wonderful beautiful display of human physics.   However, when you put a ball in the hands of that woman, it’s like watching a blind gorilla juggle 3 live ferrets.   They lose the grace and power they had when they were walking.   The crash into each other, they pass the ball to no one and watch it bounce out of bounds.   Same thing when men walk.   It’s awkward.   They drag their feet, and sway like ducks.   They always inevitably trip and it’s an awful thing to watch.    Ironic, isn’t it?  

The first five minutes of watching these women play basketball was comical.   After that it was just boring.   Like watching a kid’s soccer game.   You knew what they wanted to do, but like a fish out of water, it’s just awkward seeing them try to accomplish their goal.   Which brings us to a point.   Do we as a civilized western society really need women’s basketball?   The answer is obviously no.   The existence of the WNBA is undeniable proof that we as a society are still trying to justify women’s rights.   Which we don’t need to do any more.   That problem was solved.   Remember the 1960’s riots and bra burnings?   Congratulations girls, you’re equal.   I don’t want to watch you play basketball.  

It was rumored that they had to give away 5,000 tickets for people to show up to this game.   That’s how I got in.   Otherwise, the arena would have been empty.   And rightly so.   No one wants to watch these clowns trip over their own enormously large feet.   So join me in my boycott of the WNBA.   It’s ridiculous and unneeded.  

That’s enough of that.   I have some pictures for you all.   There are of when my niece, Abby, and my sister, Ashli, were in town.   I missed a lot of Kodak moments, but I did get the most important and that is when Abby played my drums.   I taught her how to say, “Are you ready to rock and roll?!….1 2 3 4” and then start playing.   I also taught her how to say, “Goodnight” at the end of a song.   She’s such a good drummer too!

I also have some pictures of the piranha.   He’s doing great.   Edward the algae eater is still alive.   Hannibal the cannibal is eating beef-heart, live goldfish and shrimp purchased from Albertson’s.   He’s real feisty too.   He’ll splash the water in the tank when you walk by and he’s just mean to everything, including the algae eater.   His fins still go missing from time to time but he’s still kicking.   Hannibal is getting big too.   Look at him grow!

The condo is nearing completion.   These photos were taken about two weeks ago.   This is the garage and this is the master bedroom.   Since these were taken they have painted and are getting ready for the installation of flooring.   Very exciting!

Just two days ago Eddie and I went and took a few more pics so you could see some with the paint.   Here is the kitchen and the living room.   This picture is not so much to show me on the phone, but more to give you an idea of size.   Also I have the coolest story about art for my condo.   I bid and won a painting on eBay from a girl in Florida.   She sent the pic and it was small and I didn’t like it.   I asked her if I could return it for a refund and she offered to paint me a custom picture!   So I told her what I wanted and this is the result.   It’s 30x40, HUGE, and the colors match my condo color scheme.   So, BLAM.   Perfecto.   I’m real pleased with the outcome.

School is going well except for one major decision.   I have taken student loans again.   (BOOOO!)   I just decided I’d rather get all the school out of the way as soon as possible.   With eBay’s tuition reimbursement I will only have to borrow about $7,000, much less than for my bachelor’s degree.   On this plan I will finish near the beginning of 2004, although that could change depending on what emphasis I put on my degree.   The soonest will be February of 2004, the latest would be November of 2004.

One more thing.   I am sure you notice the new footer at the bottom of the journal.   This is for easy navigation for the masses.   Soon I will put a nice title at the top of entry so it looks a little more complete as well.   I’m just thinking of my readers.   I love you so!  

That’s all for now.   I will try to update more often in the future.   It’s been hard with work and school and getting photos transferred and emailed all over.

The Shells Arrive for Flaming Gorge and More

August 7, 2002

Michelle and Rochelle arrived safely from California. This is the story of their saga while in Utah. The day after they got here Paul, Amber, Me and the Shells went to Flaming Gorge, famous for it's gorge. We got there late and just camped in the parking lot the first night. The next day we launched Paul's infamous boat, toured the dam, cruised around, and finally ate dinner. To whom do the masses turn when when starving? Why, Chef Craig of course! We all had burgers and not one person died. With the exception of the grill. I managed to burn the handles of the grill during the cook-off due to...well...it's a long story. Let's not think about who burned what. I think the important thing here is that the burgers came out perfect.

It is at this point in the trip that we got down to what we came to Flaming Gorge for. That is, to kill fish. The total number of fish caught was 5 (five). The first one was about 4 inches and just a sad sorry excuse for a fish. I didn't even take a picture of him. The next fish was a little bigger, but still pathetic. I think we should focus on the fact that I had the fishes life in my hands and could have destroyed him. Instead I let him go. That was enough fishing for me for that day. The next afternoon it rained so we played Balderdash on the boat. I'm not good at Balderdash. I lost anyway. I never liked board games! When the rain finally cleared up we went tubing. I shouldn't say we. I refused. I don't think men should bend the laws of physics by putting them selves behind a boat and being dragged at 30 miles per hour. I have tried before and it's not fun. Anyway, Paul and Amber had a great time. I think Paul and Michelle went as well, I failed to get a picture of that though. Then it was back to more fishing. I killed a much larger fish at this time. I think he was about 6 inches. Woo! Just monstrous. Again, he swam to freedom although I could have killed him, me being the supreme species.

On this day we went for a hike and came upon a sand creation. I'm not sure what the artist's idea was. Perhaps a man buried in sand under a pyramid make him feel...confused? He put broken pieces of a beer bottle in for eyes. Very clever. It was at this spot that Amber took a few casts of the pole. On her first cast the fish bit and she of course caught the biggest fish of the day. It was a small mouth bass, 9-10 inches long, real pretty (for a fish). We had the power and thought seriously about quenching his life, but again he swam free. Since she then caught the biggest fish of the day I took the pole back. That was enough of that. I then caught a fish to rival Ambers. It was about the same size. This one swallowed the lure and I was unable to retrieve it. I wasn't sure what to do. I could have killed the fish and destroyed his body getting my lure back, or let the fish go and let him eventually die with a lure stuck in his belly. This may hurt the feelings of those of you who care about animals, but honestly I don't care about you, so please read on. I let the fish keep the lure, he swam away and will eventually die of starvation with the lure lodged deep in the back of his throat. Serves him right. I have gone fishing my entire life and have caught very few fish. Now is the time for all fish to die for their past ignorance of my fishing lures. He swallowed the lure, his fault. I hope it hurts him and I hope he goes slowly. He was a big fish though!

We left the lake later that day and drove home. The next day was the Shells last full day in Utah. We went to Thanksgiving point where they have a large dinosaur museum. In fact it is the largest dinosaur museum in the world, so they claimed. Who knew? We had fun though. The whole thing is set up for kids. Amber and I don't care though. We intended to experience the museum to the fullest. They had a large sand box to play with water and sand and see erosion happen. We were all over it. They had a nice amber display. Not Amber, you know, amber, like, fossilized tree sap. Oh, go watch Jurassic Park. They also had live dinosaurs roaming around that we used as taxis. Not really. But Michelle and Rochelle viciously attacked one of the dinosaurs and tried to pin it to the ground. We also learned about this freak-shark named Megalodon or something. The thing was 75 feet long. Can you imagine? Paul was so scared he swam for his life.

On the way out of the museum we found the planet earth. Michelle, in an Atlas-like effort, lifted the earth back into orbit. Thanks, Michelle. After we left the museum there was a petting zoo. They wanted $2 to get in. We weren't buying. I personally don't even believe in goats so there was no way for me. I did however launch an attack on a cow and milk it dry. Just like every other joke I told through the weekend and through this journal entry. They had a big garden we walked through as well. It was nice, if you like gardens, and who doesn't? I was surprised how much fun I had at Thanksgiving point though. I would recommend checking it out if you get a chance.

The next morning the Shells left on their plane and it was back to work as normal. Well, except for that Amber left for Oregon. So she's gone. I suppose now I can focus on school. Oh joy, note the sarcasm. I suppose it will all work out in the end. It's not like I didn't know this was coming.

Well my work is done here. Next week Ashli and Abby, sister and neice, are in town. I am 100% sure there will be pictures for all.

Changing Shifts, School Monotony, Condo News, Hann

July 30, 2002

As July comes to a close there is much to discuss.   First off, day shift at work suddenly changed to swing shift.   They needed someone on the kana help line during that shift and there are only two people to choose from.   Because I didn’t get that promotion a month ago I was the one who had to go to swings.   This puts a bit of a kink in my life.   One half-advantage is that my shift is 4 days of ten hour shifts.   This is nice for a long weekend, except I have to go to school on Tuesday and Thursday so my weekends are taken up with school.   I will pretty much have no social life, which frankly is fine with me.   They said it would be temporary but this I have a feeling I will be here for a long time.  

Speaking of school, this marketing class is almost over.   Now that I have a real class finished with I can make some judgement calls on this master’s degree idea.   This schooling is no different than college.   The information hasn’t dramatically changed, the students are the same.   They want to be let out of class early, rejoice when the teacher cancels assignments, few if any do all of the reading assigned for the week.   Yes, the students are older and want to be there.   However, they are just like me.   They want the little slip of paper that says “Master’s Degree.”   If they have to go to class once a week, write a paper or two, fine, whatever.   It’s all the pursuit of a piece of paper though.   So take that for what its worth.   I think further education is just an idea to create an excuse to give reasons to give people more money.   Speaking for those pursuing a master’s degree in business anyway.   Perhaps there are more noble fields of study.   Medical, science, etc.   But the time in this program seems to just teach the same old information and the school will collect several thousand dollars from everyone, hand out that degree and everybody will be happy.    But business is about selling widgets, and you don’t need a master’s degree to do that.   Perhaps the recognition of the master’s degree may help.   But I suppose the school is just selling a widget called a degree.   My, I’m rambling.

The condo news:   Tomorrow I go in for my first walk through.   This is to investigate the electrical work before they sheet rock the place.   Last week Eddie and I put in the sound system.   I even got some pics!   We had to drill holes in the 2x4s to string each speaker wire through.  Eddie was in charge of stringing the wire through the holes.   He was happy to do the work.   It took us about 2 or 3 hours to complete the project but we had fun doing it.   In the end I will have a nice sound system in a nice condo.   We all know who got the good looks though.

In other news, Michelle and Rochelle will be here in two days.   Me, Paul, Amber, and both Shells are going to Flaming Gorge which should be fun.   There will be fishing and eating.   I’m sure the next journal entry will include all kinds of wonderful stories and pictures.  

Speaking of fish, the piranha is an official live food eater!   I bought him a test goldfish and he voraciously tore into it.   I went back and bought 5 more thinking that would take him 2 or 3 days at least.   He ate them all in about 4 hours.   So today I went and bought a small 3 gallon tank and put 20 goldfish in it.   I feel like a cattle rancher.   Remember, the piranha is named Hannibal.   That makes all the goldfish Clarice.   All these little fish are in their tank happily swimming around.   Their days are numbered.

The Business of Getting Older

July 18, 2002

If you have been keeping up on the journal, you know that several months ago I was in the urinal screen business. My inventory consisted of one (1) urinal screen.My sales maxed out at one (1) urinal screen.Well, I have moved up in the world.Now I am marketing Bidets. Bidet is a French word meaning "to spray water up your butt". I have not used a bidet. But it sounds like a jolly good time.My marketing class has chosen this...shall we say...product...to market in the US for a project due at the end of the class. I rolled my eyes but agreed.My part of the job was to make a survey and distribute it. So I did that all on the web. It's very exciting. Go take it now here.

In other news, it was my Birthday yesterday. I am 26. Couldn't be prouder.I'm really getting to the point where I think everyone is an idiot and me being 26 makes a great scape goat to start calling them young and blaming their foolery on that. It's the same frustration to me but I can more quickly express my stress by blaming it on age rather than separating myself since I was young too. Now its "I was young too...once".

Anyway, I have no pics of my birthday but a good time was had by all.We went to Tony Roma's, my mom and dad and I and Amber and Tara came and it was just a regular party. There were balloons and gifts. I would like to give you a stripper count, but not one showed up.I can only assume they got lost or possibly fell into a hole. If they showed up I'd probably just call them idiots anyway, so maybe it's for the best.

In yet OTHER news, my schedule has been moved again. Starting next week I will be working swing shift. Oy. I'm not overly excited about that, but they expressed a need for me there and this time the move comes with a raise instead of a pay cut. Well not raise. That pesky shift differential thing. Anyway, we'll see how it goes. I will be working four 10 hour shifts with tues-thurs off so I can fit school into the schedule. But, like I said, we'll see.

And speaking of school, can I borrow several thousand dollars It's to the point where I have to start seeing Sallie Mae again or drop out and take classes as eBay pays for them via tuition reimbursement.School is stress and eating away time and I'm totally on the fence on whether or not I should take more loans.Going into this condo is stressing me out and school money and job. Oy to it all.

And speaking of the condo, they cancelled my tile and I have to go pick new tile but I don't like any of the other tile so they are getting more choices. Meanwhile the walls are built and the ceiling is up.They haven't called for the sounds system installation yet, but, I expect them to soon.

And that is all my friends.

School Finance Stresses While the Condo Grows

July 8, 2002

A few changes are occurring. First things first. Eight shopping days left until my Birthday, so get out there folks. The sales are on now and I'd hate for you to have to pay full price.

Marketing class is all right. There are more students and 2 or 3 are even close to my age. I think I'm still the youngest though. My current stress is about whether or not I should take student loans or not. Government grants are not possible for master's degrees. The chance of a scholarship coming through is slim, even though I have applied for several. I have eBay's tuition reimbursement but it's only $3,000 per year minus taxes. I can either pay for the rest myself, take a student loan, or just quit after the $3,000 is gone and take it up again next year. Paying for it myself is not an option I want because I want to pay for the condo. I would rather eat the tire off my car than take a student loan. A loan would solve the problem but when I graduated, I would once again be at the mercy of Sallie Mae, who is a federal prostitute. She provides a service and you pay for it, oh Nellie do you pay. If I quit, it will be difficult to go back next year and it will take me 5 years to complete the program. So, I don't know what to do. I'm applying for scholarships as I find them but that's just not going to do it. I don't have to make the decision for another month or so, but, maybe something will work out!

Speaking of the condo, the walls are UP!!! Things are progressing very nicely. I even got some pics for the teeming masses (that's you, the reader). Here is a picture of the view from the kitchen, and this is a view from the first bedroom. You can see the second bedroom in the background there. This last picture is not of my condo. This is one across the street that is just like mine, just more complete than mine. It has the roof on. This is the heater system. I don?t know why they put it way up there like that. Anyway, it's more for my reference than for yours. I doubt any of you care the least bit about my heating system.

That's all the news from K-Craig today. We pause now for a commercial break and station identification. Wait; scratch that, no station identification. We all ready did that. It's K-Craig.