I read a celebrity fashion blog. Daily.
Because it is made of awesome. Really snarky awesome.
The link below specifically references all posts containing imagined dialogue. The first two had me stifling serious laughter at work, and prompted me to come out and share.
http://tinylink.com/?oaVqvFFh4i
For more fun and games, hit the "delicious photo" tag atop Helena. Or any of the other tags that tickle your particular fancy ("crotchtacular", "hot messes", "frumpathon", "denim abuse", "derelicte", etc).
I don't know that I necessarily agree with the list. I mean, Bridgett Jones was fun, but I don't know that I'd put it in the top 100? Am wondering who put this list together and what the criteria was, anyway.
The "Big Read" thinks the average adult has only read six of the top 100 books they've printed below.
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicise those you intend to read
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ for fun!
The "Big Read" thinks the average adult has only read six of the top 100 books they've printed below.
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicise those you intend to read
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ for fun!
- Current Mood:
curious
It's spring, which means I'm unemployed again. Hell, I think today is the anniversary of me dumping a previous employer.
Ah well.
This time, however, I think I'm going to handle things a bit differently. I'm actually looking into starting my own business.
It may not work yet, but I think I'm headed in that direction. To be able to do the projects I want (houses) with the software I want (ArchiCAD) and the hardware I want (PeeCee) and not have to listen to an employer's inane bullshit... ah, bliss.
I don't think I'm quite ready to put the word out for clients, yet... but I could use a little ego boost in the meantime. Or any advice re taxes, LLC's, mortgages, self-employment, etc.
Ah well.
This time, however, I think I'm going to handle things a bit differently. I'm actually looking into starting my own business.
It may not work yet, but I think I'm headed in that direction. To be able to do the projects I want (houses) with the software I want (ArchiCAD) and the hardware I want (PeeCee) and not have to listen to an employer's inane bullshit... ah, bliss.
I don't think I'm quite ready to put the word out for clients, yet... but I could use a little ego boost in the meantime. Or any advice re taxes, LLC's, mortgages, self-employment, etc.
- Current Mood:
hot
Big Easy Rollergirls
New Orleans' Premier All-Female Flat-Track Roller Derby League
presents:
The Marigny Antoinettes vs. The Crescent Wenches
~
A Confederacy of Punches vs. The StoryVillains
Saturday October 20
Doors at 6, Game at 7
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door
(tickets usually sell out, so buy 'em online!)
Doors at 6, Game at 7
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door
(tickets usually sell out, so buy 'em online!)
I will be quitting my job sometime this week, if I don't get fired first for heading out to long lunchtime job interviews or faxing resumes and cover letters. Can you tell I don't much care?
I've come to realize that I've been harassed for the last few months. When you're playing "my boss is worse than your boss", and you stop short of telling the whole story for fear of being ridiculed for not quitting sooner, there's a problem. So here's the whole story.
My boss has threatened me. Not in any way that made me actually feel threatened... I've never exactly feared for my safety. But he has told me, on at least 3 occasions, "Sometimes I just want to beat you" and "Would you prefer me to throw you down the stairs or off the balcony" and "God you make me want to smack you". (He knows about my "unnatural proclivities", which makes me wonder if perhaps this qualifies as sexual harassment.)
To further sweeten the deal, he sometimes treats me like a 9-year-old.
During my 6-month review last week, my boss, in an effort to help me (because he believes he is the SOUL of kindness), told me the following:
He thinks I have an anger management problem.
See, I finally confronted him the previous Monday about the physical threats. I told him I shouldn't have to listen to such things, particularly from my employer, and that it was creepy (he later misquoted me as saying I felt physically threatened... he doesn't listen very well). I told him the cigarette he was smoking in his office was giving me a headache and so I'd have to cut our meeting short to return to cleaner air. This is an example of my anger management problem, apparently, that I don't care that I am jeapordizing my job by confronting my employer.
Most of the time I'm just angry about it and doing all I can to get the hell out of there. When it's quiet, and I don't have ready reassurance that he's a jerk, a very small voice in my head wonders if he's right, if I'm just a bitch, if I'm unreasonable, if I'm overly defensive and creating my own problems.
Ah, feckit. I'm terribly qualified, my resume is ready to roll, and I've got good cover letter material to cut and paste according to job listings. I'm gonna go drink beer and listen to angry irish music.
I've come to realize that I've been harassed for the last few months. When you're playing "my boss is worse than your boss", and you stop short of telling the whole story for fear of being ridiculed for not quitting sooner, there's a problem. So here's the whole story.
My boss has threatened me. Not in any way that made me actually feel threatened... I've never exactly feared for my safety. But he has told me, on at least 3 occasions, "Sometimes I just want to beat you" and "Would you prefer me to throw you down the stairs or off the balcony" and "God you make me want to smack you". (He knows about my "unnatural proclivities", which makes me wonder if perhaps this qualifies as sexual harassment.)
To further sweeten the deal, he sometimes treats me like a 9-year-old.
During my 6-month review last week, my boss, in an effort to help me (because he believes he is the SOUL of kindness), told me the following:
He thinks I have an anger management problem.
See, I finally confronted him the previous Monday about the physical threats. I told him I shouldn't have to listen to such things, particularly from my employer, and that it was creepy (he later misquoted me as saying I felt physically threatened... he doesn't listen very well). I told him the cigarette he was smoking in his office was giving me a headache and so I'd have to cut our meeting short to return to cleaner air. This is an example of my anger management problem, apparently, that I don't care that I am jeapordizing my job by confronting my employer.
Most of the time I'm just angry about it and doing all I can to get the hell out of there. When it's quiet, and I don't have ready reassurance that he's a jerk, a very small voice in my head wonders if he's right, if I'm just a bitch, if I'm unreasonable, if I'm overly defensive and creating my own problems.
Ah, feckit. I'm terribly qualified, my resume is ready to roll, and I've got good cover letter material to cut and paste according to job listings. I'm gonna go drink beer and listen to angry irish music.
- Current Mood:
cranky
... to change a lightbulb?
Two cherrypicker trucks, two hours, and the streetlight is still dark.
I guess we'll never know.
Two cherrypicker trucks, two hours, and the streetlight is still dark.
I guess we'll never know.
I may be offered a job tomorrow. It depends on how my former bosses speak of me (hmmm), and how convincing I managed to be in my interview today. I did fail the computer skills portion of my interview (I have 90 days experience with AutoCAD, and that was almost a year ago), but the Possible New Boss (PNB) is convinced that, because I ride a "motorcycle" with flaming skulls on it and participate in roller derby, I am "tough as nails and mean as a snake". These are apparently qualities he appreciates in his employees, which seem to rate higher than my skills with the requisite software.
The other characteristics I exhibit as an employee include: Chronic tardiness, lack of focus, inability to maintain productivity throughout the work day, a distinct dislike for "business casual" attire, and a persistent belief that I was born to live a life of leisure (ie, poor work ethic).
My current "job" is lovely. There is something very appealing about rolling out of bed at 9:30 and sitting down in front of my computer to work in my pajamas, with a bowl of cheerios in my hand and a cat on my lap. The problem with this scenario, however, is that there is a high potential for billing only $400 in a month, and then having to hand my landlady a check for $75 while begging her to please not evict me while I wait for the paycheck to arrive in the mail from Florida. This was the situation, in fact, which inspired my hasty decision to send a resume to the PNB. Were my current employers inclined to use me more often, this would likely not be an issue. But it's like pulling teeth to get them to send me work. I am scheduled to visit them this weekend to discuss matters, but I have very nearly lost faith in their ability to adequately employ me. The fact that I get no benefits and I work as contract labor are two more strikes against them.
My ex-boss was too cool for me, and we never got along, and he tried for 5 months to get me to quit (what can I say... I'm not terribly good at taking subtle hints). He was convinced that I approach this like a job, and not with any passion or major interest. In my defense (another shining employee quality I possess) I was working on difficult projects, and I challenge ANYONE to be passionate about an overbudget project with inept contractors and a neurotic client. But I digress. I experienced a major wave of post-firing anxiety this morning, listening to PNB natter on about passion and focus and promotion opportunities and self-starters and desire and calling.
Marrus... your astute post a few days ago has wormed its way into my head and my being. It spoke to me. In a moment of clarity, I called up the riding stables in city park and asked them if they're hiring instructors to teach little kids how to ride. This, while making me VERY happy, would have about an earning potential on par with slinging coffee at CC's (another job I recently applied for, part time, to fill in the gaps left by my current at-home gig). I'm still waiting for them to return my call, and my faith in this possibility is flagging.
The job PNB has described to me is an amazing opportunity... for someone who wants to be an architect. I *like* being an architect... I like drawing houses and stuff. I like the idea that I get paid a fairly decent amount of money to draw pretty houses. But, if someone offered me the same job telecommuting (see above re wearing pajamas to work), or a job teaching little kids how to ride, *and* I wasn't panicking every moment of every day about how I'm going to pay all my bills, there would be no contest.
PNB was very clear about the sort of person he wanted for the job. I am not that person. But, I want to be. Sometimes. I think I could be. Maybe.
Maybe this is my opportunity to grow up, to suck it up and quit making excuses, learn how to work like the rest of the world does, and maybe even have enough money within a year or so to buy a house. It's tempting, which is why I'm so torn. God, if only I could keep a positive balance in my bank account and never ever ever ever have a collections agent call me ever again...
Of course, after all this, it is entirely possible that my references will be less-than-glowing (which would not surprise me in the least) and that PNB saw thru my attentive, focused facade to the slacker within, and he will opt to NOT offer me the job tomorrow. Which would save me much further anxiety in THAT regard, but would also make my regret reflexes twinge.
Ah, me. Who wouldn't love to have my problems? Well, the too-many-job-offers problem, not necessarily the being completely broke problem. It's a place I haven't been in a while, and I got very very used to not being in that place. Returning there is like losing. I may not have much of a work ethic, but I AM quite competitive.
The other characteristics I exhibit as an employee include: Chronic tardiness, lack of focus, inability to maintain productivity throughout the work day, a distinct dislike for "business casual" attire, and a persistent belief that I was born to live a life of leisure (ie, poor work ethic).
My current "job" is lovely. There is something very appealing about rolling out of bed at 9:30 and sitting down in front of my computer to work in my pajamas, with a bowl of cheerios in my hand and a cat on my lap. The problem with this scenario, however, is that there is a high potential for billing only $400 in a month, and then having to hand my landlady a check for $75 while begging her to please not evict me while I wait for the paycheck to arrive in the mail from Florida. This was the situation, in fact, which inspired my hasty decision to send a resume to the PNB. Were my current employers inclined to use me more often, this would likely not be an issue. But it's like pulling teeth to get them to send me work. I am scheduled to visit them this weekend to discuss matters, but I have very nearly lost faith in their ability to adequately employ me. The fact that I get no benefits and I work as contract labor are two more strikes against them.
My ex-boss was too cool for me, and we never got along, and he tried for 5 months to get me to quit (what can I say... I'm not terribly good at taking subtle hints). He was convinced that I approach this like a job, and not with any passion or major interest. In my defense (another shining employee quality I possess) I was working on difficult projects, and I challenge ANYONE to be passionate about an overbudget project with inept contractors and a neurotic client. But I digress. I experienced a major wave of post-firing anxiety this morning, listening to PNB natter on about passion and focus and promotion opportunities and self-starters and desire and calling.
Marrus... your astute post a few days ago has wormed its way into my head and my being. It spoke to me. In a moment of clarity, I called up the riding stables in city park and asked them if they're hiring instructors to teach little kids how to ride. This, while making me VERY happy, would have about an earning potential on par with slinging coffee at CC's (another job I recently applied for, part time, to fill in the gaps left by my current at-home gig). I'm still waiting for them to return my call, and my faith in this possibility is flagging.
The job PNB has described to me is an amazing opportunity... for someone who wants to be an architect. I *like* being an architect... I like drawing houses and stuff. I like the idea that I get paid a fairly decent amount of money to draw pretty houses. But, if someone offered me the same job telecommuting (see above re wearing pajamas to work), or a job teaching little kids how to ride, *and* I wasn't panicking every moment of every day about how I'm going to pay all my bills, there would be no contest.
PNB was very clear about the sort of person he wanted for the job. I am not that person. But, I want to be. Sometimes. I think I could be. Maybe.
Maybe this is my opportunity to grow up, to suck it up and quit making excuses, learn how to work like the rest of the world does, and maybe even have enough money within a year or so to buy a house. It's tempting, which is why I'm so torn. God, if only I could keep a positive balance in my bank account and never ever ever ever have a collections agent call me ever again...
Of course, after all this, it is entirely possible that my references will be less-than-glowing (which would not surprise me in the least) and that PNB saw thru my attentive, focused facade to the slacker within, and he will opt to NOT offer me the job tomorrow. Which would save me much further anxiety in THAT regard, but would also make my regret reflexes twinge.
Ah, me. Who wouldn't love to have my problems? Well, the too-many-job-offers problem, not necessarily the being completely broke problem. It's a place I haven't been in a while, and I got very very used to not being in that place. Returning there is like losing. I may not have much of a work ethic, but I AM quite competitive.
- Current Mood:
distressed
Grrrrr.
HOW THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU SQUEEZE 5 MORE GALLONS OF OVERPRICED FUEL INTO TANK THAT WAS FILLED AND DRIVEN APPROX. 200 FEET?
Bloody Penske Truck rental bastards. Here's a fshking turnip... go ahead and squeeze.
Jerks.
HOW THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU SQUEEZE 5 MORE GALLONS OF OVERPRICED FUEL INTO TANK THAT WAS FILLED AND DRIVEN APPROX. 200 FEET?
Bloody Penske Truck rental bastards. Here's a fshking turnip... go ahead and squeeze.
Jerks.
Tom and I got back into town the other night, promptly attracted the attention of the Natn'l Guard with the small semi truck we brought (a Penske 26' behemoth... just in case), and then passed out in our mostly-undamaged apartment. Next day we both got jobs, and then realized that we were paying a small fortune to be driving around a giant empty truck that we didn't really need after all.... so we packed up all our laundry and headed back to Austin to return the truck, wash our clothes, and prepare to make the permanent move back to New Orleans.
T'was filthy, and dusty, and depressing, but not nearly as bad as I'd feared. Our 'hood survived well, and the garbage had been picked up the previous week, and I got a STELLAR job, so the decision was made favorably. Tom's even OK with things. :)
Of course, however, I have to figure out my Austin lease situation. We'd signed a 6 month lease on a place, but at the time we signed they told us that they could be nice about situational lease breaking, such as a new job in a different city, or moving back to New Orleans. Apparently what they MEANT by that was, I am more than welcome to find someone to take over my lease, and they will TRY to fill my apartment as soon as they can, but I still have to pay a reletting fee and I'm still liable for rent the whole time my unit is empty until my lease runs out. Hrmph. Now, I know it said all that in the lease. I read it. But SHE SAID THEY'D BE NICE, dammit! And I believed her. And they usually ARE nice... just not on this one wee point. :(
So now I have to find someone to take over the last 4 months of the lease. I've put up ads on craigslist, and spammy posts in LiveJournal communities (which I hate doing, by the way... but I'm desperate).
Oh, and... I've acquired some sort of nasty cough. Dunno if it's due to the neurotic chain smoking I did while in NOLA, the Katrina Cough, or some combination of those and a November Sniffle I picked up somewhere. Ick.
T'was filthy, and dusty, and depressing, but not nearly as bad as I'd feared. Our 'hood survived well, and the garbage had been picked up the previous week, and I got a STELLAR job, so the decision was made favorably. Tom's even OK with things. :)
Of course, however, I have to figure out my Austin lease situation. We'd signed a 6 month lease on a place, but at the time we signed they told us that they could be nice about situational lease breaking, such as a new job in a different city, or moving back to New Orleans. Apparently what they MEANT by that was, I am more than welcome to find someone to take over my lease, and they will TRY to fill my apartment as soon as they can, but I still have to pay a reletting fee and I'm still liable for rent the whole time my unit is empty until my lease runs out. Hrmph. Now, I know it said all that in the lease. I read it. But SHE SAID THEY'D BE NICE, dammit! And I believed her. And they usually ARE nice... just not on this one wee point. :(
So now I have to find someone to take over the last 4 months of the lease. I've put up ads on craigslist, and spammy posts in LiveJournal communities (which I hate doing, by the way... but I'm desperate).
Oh, and... I've acquired some sort of nasty cough. Dunno if it's due to the neurotic chain smoking I did while in NOLA, the Katrina Cough, or some combination of those and a November Sniffle I picked up somewhere. Ick.
- Current Mood:
tired
Not so much of a rollercoaster, which implies a reasonably predictable uuuuuuuppp - down trend, but definitely moguls a'la skiing (not that I've ever been)... a rapidly exhausting bouncing up and down and side to side with no rhyme, reason, pattern, or seeming end.
Every 10 minutes I change my mind. New Orleans, or Austin. Let's try to define this all in one place, shall we?
New Orleans
Pros: Apartment fine, no refrigerator nasty. Friends. Food one realizes one can't live without (shrimp po'boys, brunch at Cafe Degas). Potential job(s). Gym membership (is the gym functional yet?), BigEasy Roller Girls camaraderie (the Texas girls would eat me for lunch).
Cons: No horses (well, there are.... but the barns just suck). Smelly. No gas yet. No job yet. 6-month lease in Austin to manage. Tom hates it. No readily apparent job for Tom.
Austin
Pros: Tom happy. Good food (tho nothing I can't live without, yet...). Fun stuff going on out and about. Slightly less humidity. Horses everywhere. Sense of humor. Big, well appointed apartment (laundry, garbage disposal, central a/h, and 2 bedrooms all for me!)
Cons: Not New Orleans. And I hate my job. And blue laws suck.
The summarized version is this:
Old life, or new life with horses involved?
Every 10 minutes I change my mind. New Orleans, or Austin. Let's try to define this all in one place, shall we?
New Orleans
Pros: Apartment fine, no refrigerator nasty. Friends. Food one realizes one can't live without (shrimp po'boys, brunch at Cafe Degas). Potential job(s). Gym membership (is the gym functional yet?), BigEasy Roller Girls camaraderie (the Texas girls would eat me for lunch).
Cons: No horses (well, there are.... but the barns just suck). Smelly. No gas yet. No job yet. 6-month lease in Austin to manage. Tom hates it. No readily apparent job for Tom.
Austin
Pros: Tom happy. Good food (tho nothing I can't live without, yet...). Fun stuff going on out and about. Slightly less humidity. Horses everywhere. Sense of humor. Big, well appointed apartment (laundry, garbage disposal, central a/h, and 2 bedrooms all for me!)
Cons: Not New Orleans. And I hate my job. And blue laws suck.
The summarized version is this:
Old life, or new life with horses involved?
- Current Mood:
nauseated
