The Wrong Side of Midnight

I've tried before to quit smoking and haven't really done it...I'd stop for a few days and then let some stressful event become an excuse for me to start again.

A few weeks ago, I bought a bag of (yes really) lollipops. Whenever I wanted a cigarette, whether driving or on break at work or what have you, I'd have a lollipop instead. Sounds kind of stupid, no?

But I haven't had a cigarette since. And I ran out of lollipops a few days ago and STILL haven't felt the urge to have a cancer stick.

I'm feeling really, really good about this.

* * * * *

WoW is a bit problematic. I enjoy it but I'm not happy with the amount of time I've been spending at night. True, I work at night, but I need to set an earlier cutoff for myself. The size and detail of the world was completely unexpected and yes--a bit addictive. Since I have no desire to become another example of Warcrack Ass from sitting on my perfect posterior all night, eating dinner, drinking caffeine, and virtually kicking butt, I'm declaring some time restrictions.

Kealurasia, if you want to join me I have three servers you can pick from--a pvp, an rpgpvp, and a normal. Bonechewer has my main character, Morwinyon, now a level 30 warlock for the Horde. That's pvp (and if I ever go raiding later on it will be for all the times I've been squished by level 80 humans while trying to get quests done in Hillsbrad). Kul Tiras (I think that's the spelling) is normal, and that's where I have a level 8 Alliance warrior that I started one night when there were constant raids in the area I needed to be on Bonechewer. My Alliance human rogue, something over 10, rarely use her, is on The Venture Co, a pvprpg. I don't think I'll be adding any more for awhile--three's enough to get leveled up to, say, at least 30. Scott has multiples of that; I'd lose track and I want to cut my time on WoW, not increase it.


* * * * *

I tried out for ORen again, just in case Dave decides that he can work with my work schedule and let a person who can only do about 3/4 of the season. I don't even care what position they would give me--court, countess, chambermaid, whatever. I just want to be there. Keep you fingers crossed for me...!

That.

I will say that WoW is an exceedingly pretty form of entertainment and that I'm an insomniac by nature. But I do have work tomorrow, even if it is the evening shift, and I want to sleep before then.

I'd rather not replace the cancer stick addiction with a video game. Knowing my family genetics I would become the first person ever to get cancer of the retina from excessive monitor exposure.

Holy hells--National City actually fixed a mistake. My paycheck is complete (including a little holiday pay and overtime), my prior balance returned, and all those fees--about half a grand's worth--went away! I brought home pizza for the Scott (by way of apology as I've been nigh-unbearable lately), picked up groceries, paid bills, and put in my usual portion toward rent.

In fact, National City removed the entire $125.00 charge and never replaced it with the $1.25 I was supposed to pay for my Dr. Pepper. While I do have enough integrity to insist on paying for what I use, after the aggravation of the last few days I feel I'm owed at least a free drink--preferably something alcoholic. Besides, I don't want to give these parties another crack at screwing up my finances. Would you?

As the subject line suggests, I've also decided to give WoW a try. I installed the game from the software I picked in 2003/2004, upgraded to Burning Crusade, waited overnight for 5-6 years' worth of updates to download, and finally created a character about an hour ago. I'm running around on Bone Chewer, Horde side.

More accurately, I'm running into things on the Horde side of Bone Chewer. I have concluded that spending my childhood with my nose in a book has set me back on basic gaming skills. If I could draw, I'd sketch up a one-panel comic of myself tapping away on the keyboard, frustrated, as my character runs into the same floating urn over and over again. Caption: "If this is an RPG, where are the dice?"

I checked the backpack--and yes, no dice. So sad.

Finally, the not-small-but-never-sufficient wine, sake, and liquor collection has a new home. Scott picked up two pieces of nifty modular stackable furniture from Target. We now have 15 bottles in a divided wooden "rack" on top and all but one of the liquor bottles in the bottom cabinet. It even has a drawer for the corkscrews and drink-mixing equipment. It's a thoroughly brilliant idea from the Mind of Scott and helps clean up the place. Now if only we can figure out how to display the old bottles we've both been saving...

Apparently I've been charged overage fees for my primary checking/debit account for about two weeks. Why? Because my desperation purchase of an ice cold Dr. Pepper from one of the work vending machines via debit card registered not as $1.25 but as $125.00. Where in the continental U.S. (excepting perhaps Vegas) is it possible to spend one hundred and twenty-five dollars on a single vending machine item? Columbus, Ohio.

I just realized that some malls have iPod vending machines which diminishes my point but only slightly.

I've entered into discussions with National City concerning the logic of a well-known food distributor charging $125 in a single transaction for a single bottle of soda. They have agreed to "look into it." Somehow I do not find this assertion comforting. If they don't do more than "look into it" for much longer, I will move my accounts to a smaller local bank/credit union. I like the convenience of a national bank but not enough to put up with apathy. Right now, I'm just hoping that there is actually a positive balance in my account following the latest direct deposit from work in the wee hours of this morning, seeing as how getting to work tends to require gas. Unless Chanukah happens to cars for goyim, 1/3 of a tank isn't going to last until the 24th of the month.

I've been tense and irritable ever since I learned of my overpriced Dr. Pepper--apologies to anyone I inadvertently sniped. I'm honestly surprised that Scott hasn't yet murdered me in my sleep. Money issues get me more panicked and touchy than almost any other subject, and I hate that this is making it more difficult than usual to fight off the beginnings of a depression that's trying very hard to get started.

Not happy now. Want mess to be over. Goddamn vending machine.

Sometime after June 6th, I will finally get to try out this thing known as World of Warcraft. Why? Because Scott replaced his monitor and is letting me use his old one for the semi-newly-built computer. His new monitor is actually quite small, a very reasonable size really, at 32 inches.

Yeah, it's essentially a tv. But with the photoshop and other artwork he does, it actually makes sense. And of course it's great for watching movies. We broke it in properly last night with a showing of Army of Darkness.

I'm having a nigh-impossible time reaching friends lately. Have you all fallen down a hole and (Acme-style) pulled it in after you? I miss you...

Back to el commission of pirate-y goodness.

Just before I left for work, Scott started a large pot of water with mostly-frozen chunks of beef and various herbs going on fairly low heat. Several hours later what we thought might become stew has instead morphed into the most deliciously warm and filling thick beef and veggie soup. While it cools, I'll throw in a brief update.

I have to admit to liking my job quite a bit so far. I know it's only been a few weeks, but the difference in coworker attitude, job security, and challenge between tech support agent and supervisor is very satisfying. Ok, so I'm busy throughout the day and wind up leaving late sometimes. But everything I do is different and I get to help teach agents to do a better job, to be their advocate in administrative snafus, etc. The people I work with now are a bit more dedicated. I appreciate that greatly. And oh yes--they are most definitely still geeks.

Commissions! My geeky coworkers have noticed me sewing in the past and have heard that I do renfaire costuming, so now they're asking me to do various projects for them. For example, I have a pirate coat to turn out by June 6th. Why so fast? Because the gentleman in question is leaving for China the next day, will be there for several months, and wants to take the pirate coat with him. To China. Honestly, pricing the items is the hardest part for me.

Ok, so it's dumb. But it makes me happy.

http://xkcd.com/404/

"dumber than the contents of a hotboxed short bus"

ABC's of Me


A - Age: 29

B - Bed Size - Twin, pushed up against another twin. It works.

C - Chore you hate: Cleaning

D - Dog's name: Oh hell no. I have no plans to own an animal that snacks on its own poo.

E - Essential start your day item: Caffeine (I second that, slytherinvera.)

F - Favorite color(s): Red and black.

G - Gold or Silver: Gold.

H - Height: 5'7", although I do like heels so effectively I'm often a bit taller.

I - Instruments you play: Once upon a time I played piano, chimes, flute, and I sang quite a bit.

J - Job title: Supervisor! Whee! Except I'm so new I have no agents yet to supervise. Soon, though, I'll be keeping track of about 20 or so technical support agents. I'm actually excited about this.

K - Kids: None yet or for the foreseeable future.

L - Living arrangements: Cohabitation of a lovely apartment with the Scott.

M - Mom's name: Marilyn. And she has no middle name; she was an "oops" and yes--the neighbor named her. After a Zigfeld Follies girl. Really.

N - Nicknames: This is teh interwubs, people. You probably know most of them anyway.

O - Overnight hospital stay: Spent some time in the green wing, so named because everything was painted green. It's supposed to calm people, apparently. I'm already fairly laid-back so I just wound up bored to tears.

P - Pet Peeve: People in public women's restrooms who talk on their cell phones in the stall while doing their business, flush the toilet, and then just leave without washing their hands because they can't interrupt their oh-so-important call!

Q - Quote from a movie: "I've wasted a year of my life. Maybe everyone out there is a liar. And maybe the whole world is "stupid" and "ignorant" but I'd rather be in it. I'd rather be fucking in it than down here with you."

R - Right or left handed: Mostly right, but certain things I do better left-handed. No idea why.

S - Siblings: N/A

T - Time you wake up: As late aspossible when I can get away with it...but currently 8am.

U - Underwear: Various forms of the noble bikini, some thongs as necessary.

V - Vegetable you dislike: Beets, primarily because they don't like me.

W - Workout style: Intermittent at best. Presently I'm on my feet walking/jogging all over a call center for 9 1/2 hours a day. Trust me, it's a workout.

X-rays you've had: Toe, forearm, lungs. Probably more I don't recall.

Y - Yesterday's best moment: Seeing Ken after spending 15 hours at work.

Z - Zoo favorite: Honestly don't think I have one...I like zoos but I prefer animals with which I can interact.

Proving again how not to stay on top of all things web, I recently discovered the best rickroll. I am also more than a little scared at the fact that it apparently became this big so as to make sense on this level.

Cartoon Network rickrolled Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. With Rick. Live. So if you didn't get the warning, the following video clip contains a rickroll.



Thank you, Cartoon Network. I'm off to bed now, kids, where I will no doubt dream of Rick Asner and his fabulous high-waisted pleated pants. God Bless the 80s for some of the most scarring fashions for both genders...don't even get me started on spandex.

Herbal remedies
Tiffy really knows her stuff.
She says "peppercorn."

(See, slytherinvera? Told you I'd work it in.)

Tornado warning
In Columbus today. But
I have no basement...

Oh yes, I'm still around. I just haven't been posting so much lately due to being busy, going on interviews, dealing with miscellaneous drama (nothing big, just time consuming), and the delightful discovery that updating the operating system on my laptop is going to be more challenging than usual for a Mac.

Hell, it might even be impossible.

So my trusty sidekick for all online adventures is STILL sporting 10.3.9. It's old, I don't like widgets, and I just hadn't bothered to update it. Yet I'm getting to that point where some videos won't play properly, things are moving at a glacial pace, etc. You know that point. The moment of critical fail was reached last Tuesday when I discovered that lappy'd somehow managed to lose proper formatting for printing--it thought all files were adobe and couldn't even print adobe files. So I checked the system requirements and discovered that my precious baby should have no problems handling an upgrade. Fantastic. Scott then attempted to give my computer "a vasectomy" as he put it, only to discover that my brilliant father had placed a password protect on any upgrades from disc. I didn't know one could even do that on a mac and I still don't know why you would...

Long story short, I'm working off an unsupported old version of Firefox on 10.3.9 (because Safari crashes whenever attempting to load cnn) and have even less ability to productively view teh interwubs than before. My patience with this situation is wearing thin.

Last Wednesday's interview went fairly well; I think I have a decent chance at the position. I still haven't heard about the random-acts-of-call-center supervisor position. I'm just hoping I score an interview at this point. That in itself would be flattering. All I can do at this point is wait.

Expect more rambling somewhere during my days off.

I have an interview for next week! A local center for troubled youth just called. I put in for a position working with one of their teen girl programs and they called maybe an hour or two after I sent my résumé. I'm a little surprised that they did--it looked like a tough, wonderfully rewarding job for which I probably wasn't qualified. Yet I was open with the HR department representative who called, and apparently it's my legal education and work with family law that interested them. So I have an interview! And I have to admit, this is a seriously important position for the type of work I'd be doing. IF I like them and they like me, I'd still like to keep my tech support work as a part-time job. Two jobs makes me feel a bit safer than only one in this economy.

Further updates as situation warrants. Wish me luck on Wednesday!

A more appropriate title for this blog entry would be difficult to imagine.

My lovely workplace has decided to very, very strictly enforce their break and lunch schedule and make sure everyone takes breaks at the exact times they are scheduled to so. Thanks to this and a teeny, tiny little inherited medical issue, doing so today has put me right on the edge of the only illness I believe is a legal defense to homicide.

I hurt and I want to kill everyone. That is all.

Scott and I have decided that we are craving a massive Mediterranean/Arabic/WTF meal of epic proportion. We've moved past the usual Armenian army sizing to, say, Iranian during Iran-Iraq War. There will be something involving lamb, something else involving chicken and a yogurt/dill preparation, spinach and feta fatayer, pita, hummus, a few other unknown dips, and an Arabic spice cookie for dessert.

Oh yes, there will be leftovers. If you live nearby, let me know of your interest and I'll bring some over.

And sometime tonight I hope to start laundry, start organizing my notes from class into a handout, do something with my hair, and perhaps sleep a few hours before work.

Yay food!

I just completed filing my 2008 tax returns and payed approximately $263 for the privilege. Naturally, pondering the IRS' charming thievery calls to mind the myriad issues with alternate garbage disposal designs.

Continuing the pattern of oddities that is my life, today I received word that a very experienced hairdresser is willing to cut and color my hair for free. I have definite brown roots to my black and the last 3-4 inches are dead, so work on the hair is clearly needed. But there's one teeny, tiny catch...

It can't be black.

I think I could be ready to give up my black hair but I know there's an upcoming project in the next month or so that would work better if I kept the ebony locks. I have no idea what I'm going to do here. Suggestions?

I recently discovered that I'm starving for foods I haven't had in several months, a few years, and two decades respectively. This must be satisfactorily resolved.

Wanted:
1.) A Mediterranean/Middle Eastern nosh the likes of which will fill all available flat spaces. I partially blame Scott for this.
2.) Lobster. Need I say more? Only to clarify that it must be from Maine and unfrozen--I want to be able to look it in the eye stalks before it meets its delicious demise. Drawn butter with lemon is essential; appropriately roasted redskins and corn on the cob would be pleasant but optional.
3.) Beef Stroganoff. My father used to cook THE best damn steak-and-noodles dish, tangy and rich and filling. He stopped when I was in the single digit years because he and my mother decided to go on a diet. Unfortunately, the meal has never made a return and until recently I didn't even know its name. I will make this personally. 'Tis made of num.

...

Off to reheat leftovers for dinner.

I don't mind and in fact rather enjoy daily posts from mes amis. They make me smile when I'm having an otherwise craptacular day. But someone I follow has taken to posting every single song she's been listening to for the past 45 minutes or so. If I wanted to know your depression playlist, I'd ask.

Ok, more of a rant than a reflection. Apologies.