Wyoming, Here We Come

So anyway, since I haven't updated lately, you probably don't know that we're leaving LA behind once again and returning to the wonderful state of Wyoming. Much better place to be when the depression/revolution/whatever hits. Soon my pretties, soon.

Monday, Monday

Not much happening. The computers were wonky all day at work but other than that, everything's pretty normal for a Monday. Weather's fine as usual. Probably heading out to the library in a few minutes to see if I can find something to read. Other than that, nothing else to say. Have a nice day.

It's the end of the world as we now it....

Don't want to alarm anyone but the end of the world is nigh. What great portent of doom do I refer to you ask? Josh actually had a different flavor of ice cream at Baskin and Robbins yesterday. I know that doesn't sound like anything momentous but you have to realize that for the last 13 - 14 years he's gone into B&R and sampled several flavors and always, always ends up with World Class Chocolate and/or Gold Medal Ribbon. This time he actually had something different. Okay, enough of the hassling the Monkey, it was just a surprise to me. Other than that nothing much has been happening around here. Just a typical California weekend. That is all.

Welcome to the Hotel California

Just got back from shopping with Jae and we had fun. Getting used to taking our own cloth bags to the stores with is the hardest part. We hit Trader Joe's for cheese, almond milk and other stuff then went to Ralph's for lunch stuff for work. Ralph's is the equivalent of Gerbes or King Soopers or Krogers - all owned by the same corporation and my old King Soopers key chain fob works there. Also, my Safeway card works at Vons. Oddly enough, the shopping is just as good as I remember but the restaurants aren't. Most of the wonderful little hole in the wall gems we used to go to have gone out of business. Oh well, guess we'll just have to find new places. We have found all the really good malls/shopping centers around so that's good. We have Costco instead of Sam's and the closest WalMart isn't. All in all, both of us have discovered that we still have a definite love/hate relationship with California in general and LA in particular. Oh yeah, we've given up and admitted we're here for awhile by getting the car insured and registered in California and getting library cards for the Los Angeles Library. Next week, we plan on getting library cards at the Burbank library. Know that sounds odd but believe it or not, depending on the subject or genre you're looking for, one can be \better than the other so you really need both. The other thing I've done to admit I'm staying is get a bank account here and get my checks direct deposited. Now all I have to do is find my own place that I can afford and get my stuff and babies from Wyoming.

June gloom in August?

So it's been cool and overcast in the mornings lately. What they usually refer to around here as "June gloom", the problem is it's August! Work's going okay. What can I say? It's a job. Nice people to work with and a pretty good company to work for. I'd like to make more money but then who wouldn't? I'm not sure I like working from 7:30 - 4:00, at least not the 7:30 part. Means I have to get up in time to walk a couple of blocks to catch the 6:30 a.m. bus. That's right, the 6:30 a.m. bus. Take about 50-55 minutes by bus to get there. Doesn't take that long if I drive but the trade off in gas and aggravation makes it worthwhile.

Been exploring Burbank a lot lately and I like what I see. When I do finally get my own place, I want to live in Burbank not North Hollywood. It's a much nicer area and doesn't cost that much more especially now that the NoHo Arts District is moving this way and raising prices as it goes. Nothing like a little Urban Renewal to raise the cost of living in an area.

It might turn out that it's easier and cheaper to buy something than rent so we'll have to see what's what when the time comes. The major experts say there are signs that the California real estate market is finally bottoming out and stabilizing. That means this summer is the best time to buy into one of the foreclosures. We'll just have to see what happens. In the meantime, I'll continue to work and play the lottery. One of them is bound to pay off someday!

Happy Dance!!!!

I just accepted a position with the #1 educational music publisher in the world. I always seem to get these strange, obscure companies that are #1 in their fields. Anyway, I start Monday unless something happens at the 2nd interview I have tomorrow afternoon with a solar energy company. After too long without anything, all of a sudden I have more job offers than I can handle. Unless the solar energy company beats the music publisher's offer by a decent amount, I'll stick with the music people. After all, at the music place we have ice cream sundae Fridays every week and I can wear whatever I want just as long as I wear something. And finally, the benefits there will only cost me about $20 - $30 a month. Sweet!

And the search goes on.

I got two different calls today about possible jobs and set up interviews. The one for tomorrow called me back a few minutes and asked if they could reschedule for Wednesday since the person who will be doing the interviewing won't be in tomorrow. Also, they'll need to change where the interview will be held. Long story short, I asked for a number where I can reach them tomorrow so I can call my Wednesday appointment and see if I can reschedule it for tomorrow. The original Wednesday interview sounds more like what I'd like to do and is actually easier to get to except the hours are 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the buses don't run that early. I can get a bus home just fine but someone will have to take me to work in the mornings. Anyway, we'll see what happens in the morning with rescheduling them both and with the price of my stock. I need to put in a sell order in the morning and it would be nice if the price would go back up over $60 by the end of the day.

Bad News on the Job Front

I'm totally bummed since I got not one but three rejections today on different jobs. Of course, I did get a call to set up an interview for a job I applied for 2 weeks ago so we'll see how that goes. I also have an interview set up for Friday morning but will probably have to cancel since you can't get there on public transit. I really need something to break soon and I do mean soon. Madeline is getting increasingly pessimistic about money and nothing I do seems to bring her out of it. Right now all I really want to do is go back home to Wyoming. Can't even figure out why I had to give up everything and come out here. I know there was a reason but I don't see what it was and now I don't have money or anything like that to show for it.

Okay, since this is just for me I can admit, I'm scared, depressed and just want to curl up somewhere and cry. I don't know what else to do that I'm not doing. Maybe if Josh and I start buying lottery tickets after we get money (he gets paid this week and I can sell some stock next week) we'll win and have lots of money. I know the first I'll do when I win the lottery is move back to Wyoming.

My prayer/affirmation right now is, I have the financial security to retire in Cheyenne, Wyoming right now in this perfect, present moment.

Summer in the City - Part Deux

So here it is, 10:00 a.m. and it's already 91 degrees in the valley with temps predicted to climb to 103. It really isn't bad in the apartment so long as we can keep the fans running. No problem you say? Well, yesterday during the worst of the heat (106 and a record), we had a power outage for a good two hours. Hopefully we won't get a repeat today but I'm not real confident in that since it is Saturday and a lot more people are home from work putting more strain on the system. The good news is the temps are due to start back down tomorrow. I thought that I would never miss Wyoming's weather but I was wrong. At least there it doesn't get quite this hot! Of course, when you guys are having minus 10 and 20 wind chills this winter, I won't miss it so much. I've decided what I really want is some place where the weather's reasonable all year around and I can have all my people around me in one big, happy compound. Hey, a person can dream, right?

I'm meeeelllllllttttttttiiiiiiiinnnnnggggg........

Okay, 106 degrees and a power outage is not my idea of a pleasant Friday afternoon. Fortunately, the power was only out for about 2 hours but at probably the worst time of the day. It's supposed to be almost as hot tomorrow but cooling off to the 90's on Sunday and back down into the 80's the rest of the week. Too bad it won't get down any lower than the upper 60's at night. I really need for someone to put the pedal to the metal and call me back about a job so I can spend my days in air conditioning. Afterall, the last week and a half, I've had 5 interviews for 4 positions (2nd interview on one) and everybody said they would be making a decision the end of this week or the beginning of next. So all I can say is, come on already and make up your minds! Pick me! Pick me! Gee, being hot makes me really crabby doesn't it?

Hot town, summer in the city....

Believe me when it gets up in the upper 90's and low 100's, it's definitely summer in the city! We have an official drought here with very low humidity and no rain. Forgot how hot it can get here especially if you live where there's no air conditioning. Oh well, what can I say, it's summer in the San Fernando Valley (better known as "the Valley"). If gas wasn't so high I'd be tempted to hit the beach this weekend. Of course, the whole rest of LA and the Valley will be doing that so the crowds will be totally unbelievable. We will make it to the beaches this summer but probably, definitely not this weekend.

Cleaning frenzy has hit

I've been feeling pretty good lately and have an excess of energy so today I've been doing some cleaning here at Maddy's. So far it's just been vacuuming and scrubbing out sinks in the kitchen and bath. Of course, I did wash down the vacuum since it does accumulate dirt on surfaces. In a little bit I plan to get the comparison chart for our divergent genotypes done up so we know what we can both have. If she's up to it, I want to go to the library later today or maybe tomorrow morning before she has to leave for Orange Co. Thought I'd fix some chicken salad in a bit to use up some of the leftover chicken we thawed. All in all, things are starting to come together pretty well for both Josh and me. Got everything straightened out with the car and we're getting the whole bank accounts thing handled. Now the next step is for me to start work, both of us to get a few paychecks ahead and get our own place. Then we can go back to Wyoming and get our stuff and my baby kitties. It's always good to have goals.

And the winner is...

Actually, I don't know who the winner is yet. I've had one interview already this week with another scheduled for Friday morning. Waiting to hear back about a third one next Tuesday. There's also the one I had to turn down because it wasn't just in Santa Monica, it was damn near right on the beach. Impossible to get there from here in less than 1 1/2 hours in the morning and all that. So far, all my interviews have been from jobs I applied to on the 5th so we'll see if any more of them call and see if any of the ones from the 6th and later call. Also, all my interviews/bites, etc. have come from jobs I applied to on Craig's List. Not a single nibble from any of the temp agencies or any of the online apps to UCLA, USC, Cedars, Getty and all the major studios. I'm sure it doesn't help that all my non-craigslist job apps are for entities that only let you apply online. Makes it a lot easier for them to screen out anyone who doesn't have the exact qualifications they're looking for. Just frustrating as all hell though. Oh well, we'll see how my firm interviews turn out. I really think I did well on my interview yesterday so we'll see how it turns out. Really want to get a job so I can start getting a pay check so I can get all my bills caught up and get a place of my own. Well, since Josh's new job (started yesterday!) doesn't pay quite enough for him to get a place by himself, we've been talking about getting a place together for now so we can get everything caught up, get a second vehicle and get a little settled again.

Spiritual things and music - same thing

Sitting here doing some work on the computer and listening to music. Since it’s Sunday, there’s not much I can do about job hunting. On that plane, I’ve had a couple of bites in the last couple of days so I’m hopeful that I’ll be employed soon. The job market is really tight but there are plenty of jobs out there if you just dig for them. I’ve found that agencies are pretty useless this time around but Craig’s List is awesome. We’ll see what happens but it feels like the wait is just about over. Since I have access to them, I’ve decided to go over M’s Word, Excel, Access, Power Point and Outlook books to see what I’ve forgotten or just didn’t know. Should be interesting to say the least. Also, reading Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” and it truly is interesting. It has me back into meditation and other spiritual practices so that’s good. I already know I will not be going back to NHCRS or any other religious/spiritual organization but I do feel better about everything when I follow what I know to be correct spiritual practice for me. More later on that. Many blessings on everybody and may all your dreams come true.

If it's summer, it must be Los Angeles

Being back in LA is interesting to say the least. I hadn't realized how much I really like living here until we came back. So far the traffic isn't as bad as it was in my memory but that'll probably change when I have to drive in it daily. Several good job prospects so keep us in prayer/thought and all that. I do miss my "kids" and cats a lot though. Hugs and kisses all around.

Let them eat cake!

So I went to Studio City yesterday to register with yet another agency and this one was even worse than the others. If I didn't know better, I'd think the economy really is bad. Anyway, I've left messages with the agencies I've already applied for and called about setting up an interview for tomorrow with one that seems to be working well for Josh. We'll see how that works out. Still applying at all the studios, UCLA, Cedars and Airgas (when anything opens up in this area). Something is out there for me and I can feel it. Just need to keep positive and grab it when it comes along.

Musings and such

Okay. So I've been job hunting for a couple of weeks now and so far nothing...nada! Everybody keeps telling me the economy's really bad and so's the job market. I know for a fact there's a lot of jobs out there and I just have to find to right one for me. I can feel it in my bones so to speak that my perfect job's out there and will be mine very, very soon. Just have to keep positive about it and keep on keeping on. I've applied for a position with the Airgas buying center in Lakewood so we'll see how that works out. It's clear down in Orange County so I'd have to move down there fairly soon to avoid the commute but it's definitely doable. Keeping my fingers crossed.

California

Okay, so Jae/Josh and I got really tired of trying to make it in Reno. The jobs just wouldn't come and stay so we made an executive decision about a week and a half ago. Since we've been headed back to So Cal since we left Missouri anyway, we decided to just bite the bullet so to speak and get it over with. Upshot is, we're now in Los Angeles again and job hunting. Jae's with his Dad and I'm with my best friend Madeline. This feels like the right decision for both of us. I know there's a reason we're back in California at this particular time and I know it will manifest itself. It feels as if it's as much for other people around us as it is for us. Also, I just can't get up any steam to worry about not having a job yet. After all, we've been here a week and a half and pretty much everywhere I've applied takes a couple of weeks to process apps. I'm getting a great job really, really soon, I can just feel it.

Minimal Update

Okay, so Jae and I have been in Nevada for almost two months now. He started a pretty decent job this week but it's gonna be expensive gas-wise to get to and fro. Hopefully, he'll hear about a second interview with this other company he really, really (I mean really) wants to work for. Keeping my fingers crossed. As for me, I'm waiting to hear back about whether or not I have an interview for an accounting position with some company that's a client of one of my temp agencies. Sounds like a pretty good job and I certainly can't complain about the pay rate. Keep both of us in your thoughts about both of these jobs. It would certainly be nice to settle down a little bit even if I am a gypsy at heart. I miss the cats and having reliable high speed internet and being able to cook. Oh well, I'm confident everything's turning out just fine.

Back in the Saddle Again

Well, it seems that I really do have a little Gypsy in my soul. We've been in Wyoming a little over 3 years now and have decided it's time to move on. Yep, the boys and I are moving to Nevada in just under 3 weeks. Everything we needed to accomplish with this stop over in Wyoming is done so as I said, it's time to move on to the next stage. Not saying everything will be fantastic and wonderful in Nevada, just different and I for one need that -- different. Can't stand to get into a rut and need frequent change or whatever to stay interested. Also, can't wait to get out of the wind! Wyoming has the most wind of any place I've ever seen. Just getting really tired of the cold and wind even though we're looking at northern Nevada so the cold will still be a factor. All I can say about that is, I can stand the cold if it isn't accompanied with constant wind. The other thing Nevada has going for it is that it's much closer to California in attitudes. The people here are nice but I feel like a raving left-wing liberal around here when I know for a fact I'm really much more middle of the road. You know, fiscal conservative and social liberal. Le sigh.... Anyway, it's definitely time for a change and I need to be moving on.