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June 8th, 2006
12:03 pm - GAH! - Being Reflective!
Well its been quite a long time since I have posted hasnt it?!
I am excited because I am coming to Chicago this weekend and will be at duckon this friday. The real reason I am coming home however, is for K's graduation. She is getting her PhD on sunday.
I am actually more excited to be "home" than I am about her graduation. I miss being in chicago, I dont miss the traffic, but I miss my friends and sometimes even my family, heh :)
I have been getting cold feet lately about the whole wedding thing. If I think about it logically there's a lot of issues going on. First there is the money issue. I know that this is the single greatest factor towards the divorce rate. We currently are good on the money flow, mostly cause I have a decent job. But after getting her PhD, she wont have a "real" job for at least 3 years (she has to do a post doc, which is a 2 year assignment with low pay). It is gonna be 3 years cause she was not accepted into a post doc program for 2007. So she wont be making any money until like 2010, which is scary in itself.
Another scary thing is that she has massive amounts of student loans that we will have to start paying for in jan 2007 on the order of 1000 per month! If I take that plus what I pay in rent right now, there's a friggin mortgage payment. So this means that I will be dead broke paying for her expenses and "doomed" to live in an apartment until at least 2011, if that (have to save money for a downpayment).
Every weekend we go to the mall. Now I don’t mind once in a while, but every weekend we spend at least 100-200 at the mall on clothes and stuff that she needs. Of course I neither of us make enough to cover this, so it goes on the credit card. But she always finds a way to justify the expense to me.
Basically, I am hemmoraging(sp) money left and right and I don’t like it.
Besides that she has been nagging lately about things that I do. Driving too fast, not remembering every god-damn thing she says (she says a lot), not keeping my car clean enough.
Segway: while I am thinking of my car, I *downgraded* my car when we came to MN to something more economical as I did not have a job when we moved up here. I traded in my little sports car for a 4 door econo-sedan…of which I have never been truly happy about, but at the time made the sacrifice for "us."
Segway #2: Speaking of sacrifices…I left my job (not that big a deal I got a better one), left my friends, left my family to move 8 hours away to a place where I knew no one, gave up my car, spent most of my savings for "us."
To some that would seem a bit too much, but I was willing to do it as I belived we had awesome potential together.
Now I don’t want to turn this into a bitching session (which it already is), but she isnt all bad. She understands me like no one ever has, and I know her. We are good together and are a strong couple or "unit." We are comfortable living with each other and respect each other's needs. She does the laundry, ironing, and folding. I do all the cooking, dishes, and most of the cleaning. Altho a few months ago it was all me as she was working full time writing her dissertation. But she has been helping some since her completion. We each have good life skills and are compatable, not to mention we are good together.
...Then why am I falling out of love with her?...
Maybe I will gain some clarity at con...who knows...
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March 2nd, 2006
10:24 pm - Damn its been a long time!!!!
Its been a long time since I have dedicated my time to writing anything that was not work-related...
I guess I will run off with a brief synopsis of what has been going on up here in the great white north.
Christmas was spent in Chicago, I apologize for those I did not have a chance to meet with, the trip was a rushed one at that. New years was cool, K and I hosted a "game nite" with plenty of liquor and food to go around.
The last event that happened was my b-day. Once again another quick trip back to Chicago, I flew in on sat morning, and flew home on sun nite. I came in to go to the Chicago autoshow, my annual tradition.
For those friends that I have been catching up with/have yet to catch up with, I am sorry for the length of time we have not spoken. I honestly do not know where the time goes. Its not that I work odd hours, 8am to 5-ish, I just find that my time gets filled up with all sorts of crapola.
No matter how much time you try and free up, it always seems that something arises to fill the void. I have been helping K alot with her dissertation, she is going to graduate this June with her PHD in clinical psych, damn she is smarter than me, lol.
Anyways, the other big thing that has been consuming my time is wedding planning. K and I are getting hitched this Oct, and altho I try and dodge most of the work, I still have to be dragged in on the most annoying decisions.
The latest episode involved the picking and ordering of "save the date" cards. We had to go to the same store 3 times now, and she tells me she wants my input, but everything I suggest she doesnt like. After looking thru the same books over and over, I finally tell her to just pick out anything she wanted, that I didnt care which card she chose as they were all good...Well I am sure you can figure out how well that turned out, heh. So the cards are ordered, but guess what?!! We have to go BACK to the store again tomorrow to review the proofs!
Then there is always the issue of who to invite, that I chose to invite too many friends, her mom wants to invite her bridge buddies, my parents want so-and-so, I swear, it would be easier to have eloped and get married by Elvis in Vegas at this point...
Sorry I didnt mean for my first post in months to be a "bitch" session, heh.
I failed to show up at Cap AGAIN!!! It wasnt even the fact that I made a conscience decision to skip it, it was just that I forgot about it til it was over. Well I am going to do what I can to make it to the following:
1) Ring War
2) Duckon
3) anything else that I am forgetting....(which could very well be quite a bit)
On a random note, I found a really cool pen at office max. It fits on your middle fingner so that you can go easily from typing to writing and back again. You never have to put your pen down to type!!! At least I thought it was cool.
Oh another big thing that happened was that K and I got a cat, a mischevious SOB that gets into everything but is lovable and likes to cuddle when you watch TV...his name is Bailey and he is a mix between a russian blue and something else, but mostly russian blue. I wanted to name him Boris....well we all see how that ended up, lol.
I know to the un-trained eye that I may seem to give up on things with Katie, but I just like to choose my battles, and the Cat's name is not a battle worth "winning."
Speaking of battles, the cat is testing me, its about time for him to be fed, so with that I sign off!
Best Regards to All!
In the words of Jerry Springer, Be kind to yourself and to each other!
In the words of the almighty TICK, SPOOOOON!!!!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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October 25th, 2005
05:30 pm - I've Got a *Corporate* Credit CARD!!!!!!!!
WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got my very own corporate credit card in the mail today. One of my perks is being able to charge stuff to the company's tab...how cool is that?!!!!
Altho, it is an American Express, but hey, there are many firsts in life...first kiss...first Corporate Credit Card...First Embezlement Scandal...
MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!!!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
Current Mood: Conspirative
Current Music: If I had a Million Dollars - Bare Naked Ladies
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October 21st, 2005
06:26 pm - *hits his head on a rock*
QUICK!!! I need help remembering!!
Leave one memory of you and me together.
It doesn't matter if I know you a little or a lot, anything you remember!
Next, post this in your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/thinking.gif) contemplative
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October 17th, 2005
09:22 pm - Cant...move...tooo....sore....
Today was a hell of a Monday. It was one of those days that you wake up and you feel like even if the bed was on fire you wouldnt be able to move and would rather succumb to the fire instead of getting out.
I got to work and found that I was not the only one who felt out of sorts as my e-mail box was full of employee issues needing to be resolved. This and I have been trying to stop drinking coffee, so I am going thru a caffene withdrawl and my body is screaming at me.
Fortunately the day did get better and I was able to leave work early (3:45).
After work I went to the gym, K and I recently signed up at a local health club. Its huge with lots of machines and weights and everything you could possibly think of and more. This "health club" has been the site of my ritualistic self-torture, at least twice a week. Well today was different. When we signed up we also qualified for 5 free personal training sessions.
You probably guessed it, today was my personal training appt. Now, I like to think that I am relatively fit, but damn he kicked my ass. He first had me do this type of stretching where I rolled this hard foam against my muscles to "loosen them up." Well it turns out you are not doing the stretch right unless you are in pain as damn it sucked. Then there was the "core cross training," the "20 min cardio" and then the weight training. GAH!!!!
I can sorta move now...but who knows what tomorrow is going to be like. Most likely I may have a "Monday" repeat. My trainer is a nice enough guy, but he sure knows how to push you to the limit and then some.
Anyways, I just realized that I have not given an update after purchasing our new sleep number bed. The bed rocks and is very comfy. And the vibration feature is...fun >:D
I just recently joined a LARP group up here so I am excited to see how it goes. It is a D&D based larp called NERO: www.nerohq.com
I will be playing a dark elf "security expert" I havent really written a history/background for him yet but I will in time.
For now, however, I am off to my vibrating bed in hopes I may not wake up as sore as I think I will be.
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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October 10th, 2005
03:23 pm - Telecommuting is the scourge of real productivity...
Well today has been my "telecommute" day. I have been remoted into work and lets see...I have done about an hours worth of any real constructive activity today, including making myself some lunch, hehe. Of course whenever someone sends me an e-mail, I send one right back, you know so it looks like I am doing stuff, but seriously, I have done quite a bit of sleeping on the couch/watching tv.
The bed was just delivered and I took a short nap on it...comfy..hehe. I cant wait til K comes home so she can make it...gah I am so lazy, lol. We got the adjustable foundation feature for it, so the bed can recline and move you into a sitting position. It also has a massage feature...need I say more :D
Well I gotta go answer another e-mail!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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03:22 pm - Kill the infedels!!!!!
Sayid
You scored 44% kindness, 69% courage, 52% seedy past, and 35% secretiveness! |
"Hope is a very dangerous thing to lose."
You are Sayid. You are kind, strong, brave, and intelligent. You have a tragic past that the others know little about. You, like Jack, are a born leader, but you are content to let him get most of the spotlight. You are always there to aid in times of need, but you are also smart enough to realize not all people are inherently good.
Your polar opposite is: Ethan Rom. You are similar to: Jack and Boone. |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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You scored higher than 7% on kindness |
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You scored higher than 96% on courage |
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You scored higher than 81% on seedy past |
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You scored higher than 14% on secretiveness |
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October 9th, 2005
09:06 pm - Well Crap!.....!!!!
Hey All!!!!
I just found out that I missed the Ring War!!! I had every intention of going to the fall war, but when I checked the website, I noticed that the war was yesterday...GRRRRR
Well, I went on to check on Windy, just to make sure so I dont miss that too!
Fortunately I didnt miss it! Windy Con is the weekend of Nov 11, 12, and 13.
I have already booked my plane reservations and the hotel room is ready, all I can say is I am stoked about coming home for that weekend!
At the risk of sounding selfish, I hope that all my friends will be able to make it as I would love to see you all, even if it is only for an hour or so!
Things have been going great up here in MN, my new job has been awesome! K and I just bought a new bed. We went and got a sleep number bed. It should be delivered tomorrow and I am excited. I will be leaving work early tomorrow to telecommute into the office. Being the HRIS Administrator does have its perks :D
I will let you all know how the new bed goes, in the store, my sleep number was a 35, we shall have to see what it ends up being.
Well I gotta run!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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09:06 pm
Mystic Theurge
44% Combativeness, 46% Sneakiness, 64% Intellect, 63% Spirituality |
Brilliant and spiritual! You are a Mystic Theurge!
Score! You have a prestige class. A prestige class can only be taken after you’ve fulfilled certain requirements. This may mean that you’re an exceptionally talented person, but it probably doesn't.
The Mystic Theurge is a combination of a cleric and a mage. They can cast both arcane and divine spells, and are good at both, making them pretty terrifying on the battlefield. They have more raw spellpower than just about any other class.
You're both intelligent and faithful, but not violent or deceitful. I guess that makes you a pretty good person. |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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You scored higher than 25% on Combativeness |
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You scored higher than 67% on Sneakiness |
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You scored higher than 32% on Intellect |
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You scored higher than 81% on Spirituality |
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September 20th, 2005
11:21 pm - OMFG What a DAY!
I realize its been ages since I have posted and a lot of shit has happened in the 3-4 weeks its been!
First, the majority of my time has been in the pursuit of a job. The lack of positive income really has been bothering me. The best investment that I have made tho, was hiring that resume writer. I have had more phone calls and interviews in the past 3 weeks than I have ever had. I have found the following to ring true for me: Your resume will get you an interview, but how you conduct yourself during the interview will get you the job. I have had about 10 phone interviews with several companies up here which have led to me having a few face to face meetings. Nothing had really come to a head until this past friday...
I recieved a call from a recruiter from Cargill - DOW Chemicals about an open position. The position was for an HR Analyst position at one of their subsidiaries called NatureWorks. NatureWorks is a very cool company. They take lactic acid and fructose from corn and transform it into plastic. The plastic can be used in anything from cups and plasticware to fabric and plastic consumer packaging. It is 100% biodegradeable with no adverse affect on the environment. Traditionally, plastic is made from petroleum products, so this is a big kick in the teeth for big oil! Go to www.natureworksllc.com to find out more.
Anyways I had an interview with them on monday, and today they called me with a job offer!!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! AFter two months of no income I am finnally going to be making money! They have offered me more money than I have ever hoped to earn, and a very generous 8% matching 401K plan and benefits! I spent almost a half hour jumping up and down for joy, all the while praying they wouldnt wake up and realize I was not worth that much!
I drove over to the company today and signed the contract and the position is mine pending a drug/physical/criminal background check, which I hope will all come back negative, hehe.
K and I went out for dinner and did some shopping tonite (Papa needed a new pair 'O shoes!). Even if I feel that I am not that qualified for the position, maybe if I look the part, they will think I am doing a good job. But K and I decided not to let this change our existing life-style.
Landing this job means very good things, like being able to come to Chicago for WindyCon!!!! It also means that K and I can have a little nicer wedding, maybe even an open bar :D
I miss all my friends back home. Its been a lonely sometimes, even if I do hang out with K's co-workers occasionally. I really havent met anyone up here that I would consider a "friend." I miss hanging out with Mr Wrong, Dragon, and Lydia and so many others whom I fail to remember their "call signs."
I dont know if there is a moral to this rambling story. I guess if I would have to put it to words: Persistance, faith, and getting a professional's help if possible.
Well I just wanted to share the good news that I am no longer "on sabatical" and am now gainfully employed!!!
WHOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/smile.gif) ecstatic
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August 23rd, 2005
09:03 pm
Its been an interesting few days recently. I finally got the cable company straightened out and the Tivo is now working in our bedroom!!! Whoooo hoooo!
Last nite K and I went to a roof-top movie. What is a roof-top movie? Well its a restaurant that renovated its roof-top into an open air movie theater. It was really cool. We ate tapas, drank martini's and watched 4 weddings and a funeral. It was cool, however it was VERY cold. It was down in the 50's last nite and we were wearing shorts, hehe. It was a good time, tho, after de-frosted.
Today, K and I have been preparing for her mother's visit. We went shopping to the local food store and I was surprised that we walked out of there with $120.00 of just meat and cheese, not counting veggies, etc. We got several steaks, a pork tenderloin, chicken breasts, gourmet bleu cheese, fresh parmesean, mozerella, and this cinimin breakfast cheese. GAH I love cheese!!! After dropping around 200 at the grocery store, heh, I mean after my heart attack... K and I went for a walk in the park around our house.
MN is really cool, there are all kinds of lakes and parks, and it looks like cross-country trails too. We also found, after some driving, that there is a down-hill ski place right down the street too. Its about the size of Alpine Valley in WI, if you know it. So I am definitely going to have to invest in getting some skiis.
It was a pretty productive day so far, I got the first draft of my resume from the professional writer, it looks friggin nice. I added some things to it and sent it back to her. Hopefully I will get my custom cover letter tomorrow so I can get my resume out en-mass. The absence of a positive influx of money is starting to work on my sanity...
*gobbles some cheese*
ahhh thats better....
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/wink.gif) weird
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August 22nd, 2005
09:25 am - ROAR!!!!!
Its one of those mornings where I feel like growling at the sun for making me get up! Altho staying up until 2am doesnt help either, hehe.
I just responded to my resume writer who asked me another barrage of questions about my knowledge and experience, she seems really thurough(sp) (I hate spelling that word, of all the words in the english language, that one is a bitch!). I am excited about what the final product will look like. In the meantime I have put the job search on hold until I do get the new resume.
K and I are almost done setting up our new apt. We hung pictures and paintings last nite and are going to put the new cover on the ikea couch later today. I am going to try and take some pics and post them so everyone can see the apt! :D
Well K and I are still messing with the cable company, we have to return our second cable box again....hopefully they give us a good one this time...heh.
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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09:24 am
You are Form 0, Phoenix: The Eternal.
"And The Phoenix's cycle had reached
zenith, so he consumed himself in fire. He
emerged from his own ashes, to be forever
immortal."
Some examples of the Phoenix Form are Quetzalcoatl
(Aztec), Shiva (Indian), and Ra-Atum
(Egyptian).
The Phoenix is associated with the concept of life,
the number 0, and the element of fire.
His sign is the eclipsed sun.
As a member of Form 0, you are a determined
individual. You tend to keep your sense of
optomism, even through tough times and have a
positive outlook on most situations. You have
a way of looking at going through life as a
journey that you can constantly learn from.
Phoenixes are the best friends to have because
they cheer people up easily.
Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
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August 20th, 2005
10:12 am - Its about damn time!!!!
Well I have finally found some time to devote to posting here, its been a whirlwind of activity! I am now officially in Bloomington, MN. I have spent most of the past few weeks constructing Ikea furniture and unpacking boxes. That, and fighting with the cable company to properly install the cable internet and our second cable box. It works when the guy is here but a few days later it doesnt work again, its really weird. Hopefully it will all get straigtened out on monday when another guy comes out.
We hired movers to move all of our stuff, and it was worth every penny! They moved us out of K's apt in an hour and a half. To put it in perspective, we had over 120 items/boxes, and she lived on the second floor. If I had done it, it would have taken the better part of the day as well have nearly killed me. It was hard enough to carry all the stuff from the basement storage into the apt. I couldnt imagine moving all the boxes out of the apt into the truck and then driving the truck to MN and then unloading....GAH!!! I probably would not be sitting here right now, heh.
I have also been trying to find a job up here, its been frustrating. I am running into the same situation up here that I ran into in chicago, in order to get a job you need experience in the field, but how can you get experience without finding a job first???!!
My advice to all of you is that if you are able to work an un-paid internship, do it, so that you can get experience in the workplace.
I have hired a resume writer to help me get past this hurdle hopefully, they will be writing a skills based resume based on my actual HR skillz versus a traditional chronological resume. I had thought of doing this but was bogged down with how to put it all together. Hopefully with this new resume I will be able to land a job in the field, we'll see... Its been kinda scary not having any income for almost a month now...and you can only pull from savings for so long. Fortunately K starts her job in sept, but we both have a lot of bills, heh.
I have also been trying to work out more and more, I have realized that I have no physical endurance, mostly from me not working out since high school. I am kicking my arse every day in the workout room we have in the apt complex.
Well I gotta go run on my cross trainer, see you all later!
...the Dr is in...
Dr_Chill
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July 25th, 2005
10:35 am - My first day NOT at work...
Well normally on monday's I am at work by this time, however as I have left my job this past friday, I am left with an in-ordinate amount of time to myself. True I should be using the time to be packing, but the majority of our stuff is packed.
It is quite a liberating feeling that I can do whatever the hell I want today, but it is also tempered by the fact that I have still yet to find a job up in MN. I normally do not do this...move from one job without having secured another to start after I leave. But I have thrown my usual caution and methodology to the wind. I was faced with a choice a while back: I was offerend a promotion at my old job to stay there and effectively make double what I was making, or to drop everything and go with Katie to MN. Basically it was a choice between love and money.
We all know the choice that I have made, but it still makes me worried as I have been telling myself that I would be able to find a job, but have had no success. I had a few interviews with a company up there but they have, unprofessionally, not returned my attempts at communication: so they are crossed off the list.
On another note, I have found a NERO LARP group up in MN. They have an event once a month and have sword fighting classes once every two weeks it sounds. I am not sure how to bring up to Katie that I want to dress up in Medieval(sp) garb with and go around whacking people with foam swords...LOL
For those of you who do not know what NERO is go here: www.nerolarp.com
Well my plans for today are to go down on the Mag Mile downtown and see where the winds take me...Katie says she wants to buy a Bose SoundDock for her IPod....There is nothing I hate more than just shopping...
Well gotta run!
Dr_Chill signing off
Current Mood: weird
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July 23rd, 2005
11:49 pm - TA DA!!!!!
Due to many requests from my friends I have decided, after several years of actively denouncing and trying to deny the live-journal-blogging-fad, that I will join in. After all, if you can’t beat 'em, join em! I was pleased to know that I was able to get my first choice of user names. I am the only original and official Dr_Chill....MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Part of the reason I am starting this live journal is that, as most of my friends know, am moving to Minneapolis, and I have the full intention of abusing this free service to maintain contact with and spy on others like me who are online.
Well gotta run!!!
Dr_Chill
Current Mood: amused
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