Vacation is wonderful!! I didn't realize how much I needed time off with no big plans!
Saturday and Sunday were a regular weekend - chores - grocery shopping - sleeping in. Then - Sunday evening this wonderful feeling of calm and happiness came over me - I didn't have to go to work the next day! I get to do whatever I want for the whole week!
Today I did some laundry in the morning and then met up with L for lunch at the place she works. She called me crying - a friend of hers died on Saturday from a heroin overdose! It scares me that she has friends that this can happen to. I went to her work so I could see her and give her someone to vent to - and she works at Mongolian Grill which I happen to like having lunch at!
I finished my first vacation book - Mecury In Retrograde. Good book! I would categorize it as the poor persons Sex in the City! It's about 3 women who work in NY and live in an old apartment building in SoHo. It was on the Today Show as one of the Top 10 Beach Reads for 2009. So - one book down! Next book is Dark Places. I'll let you know how it is.
Tomorrow is Pamper De Day! Plans are to get a pedicure - manicure - Starbucks - Barnes and Noble for the new releases!
De
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Issaquah Press
My favorite part of the Issaquah Press is Police & Fire. It's like a police blotter where you can read about shoplifting, car prowls, DUI, etc. . The titles they give each little snippet are always funny - a play on words. For Example - WarGames - a story about the police being called for a suspected domestic disturbance only to discover it was siblings arguing over computer usage.
I was very surprised this week at a number of stories that all involved the same thing. The titles were On Demand, Good Deal, Program Error, Leave A Message at the Tone, and Rescue 911. What did all of these stories have in common? They were all people who misdialed and called 911 by mistake. How on earth do you do that? I would think it would be a little hard - and even more so for 5 different people to do that in the same week! 3 of them were people trying to call someone and misdialed. 1 person was trying to program their phone and the last person was trying to retrieve a voicemail. I can understand the last 2 - it's easy to think you are entering a programmed number and not realize you are actually making an outgoing call. The first 3 though - how do you misdial? It's not like there are 911 area codes - there are no 911 prefixes in Washington - I'm pretty sure you don't need to dial a 9 first at home to get an outside line. It just boggled my mind!
The weirdest story from yesterday's paper: Godly Grandma - a woman called the police to report that an 89 year old woman called her wanting to see if she would go for a walk with her. She declined and the woman began voicing her religious beliefs. She was uncomfortable with this and wanted the police to call the woman and ask her not to call anymore. Hmmm . . . . . my suggestion would be for her to get Caller ID and just not answer the phone when this elderly lady calls. Not exactly sure it's an issue for the police.
De
I was very surprised this week at a number of stories that all involved the same thing. The titles were On Demand, Good Deal, Program Error, Leave A Message at the Tone, and Rescue 911. What did all of these stories have in common? They were all people who misdialed and called 911 by mistake. How on earth do you do that? I would think it would be a little hard - and even more so for 5 different people to do that in the same week! 3 of them were people trying to call someone and misdialed. 1 person was trying to program their phone and the last person was trying to retrieve a voicemail. I can understand the last 2 - it's easy to think you are entering a programmed number and not realize you are actually making an outgoing call. The first 3 though - how do you misdial? It's not like there are 911 area codes - there are no 911 prefixes in Washington - I'm pretty sure you don't need to dial a 9 first at home to get an outside line. It just boggled my mind!
The weirdest story from yesterday's paper: Godly Grandma - a woman called the police to report that an 89 year old woman called her wanting to see if she would go for a walk with her. She declined and the woman began voicing her religious beliefs. She was uncomfortable with this and wanted the police to call the woman and ask her not to call anymore. Hmmm . . . . . my suggestion would be for her to get Caller ID and just not answer the phone when this elderly lady calls. Not exactly sure it's an issue for the police.
De
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Anything New
I have discovered a few things -
- The best delivery pizza in Issaquah is Frankies Pizza! When we lived in North Bend, Alan and I loved Frankies Pizza. They didn't deliver back then - we actually had to go to Frankies to enjoy it. The other week I got a door hanger advertising that Frankies was now in Issaquah and they delivered. I thought it probably wouldn't be as good as I remembered - Oh Was I Wrong! It was heavenly! The crust is very thick and soft - the sauce has interesting spices in it - there is just the right amount of cheese.
- City of Seattle loves to schedule road construction projects that will mess with a specific group of commuters all at the same time. Not only are they doing the project on the I90 bridge - they are doing a paving project on 2nd Ave which is the main road in Seattle for commuters to catch their buses. You have to just walk along 2nd Ave until you find an open bus stop. Yesterday I got to a stop - was there for 40 min without my bus coming by - finally grabbed another bus that would stop at my Park and Ride. This bus wasn't an express - it took every round about road through Factoria on it's way to Issaquah. Left the office at 430 and got home at 710!
- When you put something out in the world you sometimes get back what you needed. I blogged yesterday about not having heard from L for over 2 weeks - this morning I got a call from her just to check in. It was very comforting to hear her voice and know that she is safe. She is still struggling with life but she is safe. It took a weight off my heart.
- Coming home from work and sitting out on the deck for a bit with no TV or Computer is actually very relaxing. I guess I don't need the background noise of the TV after all.
Have you discovered anything new?
De
Monday, July 13, 2009
Unable To Let It Go
It has been 2 weeks since I either saw or heard from L - I should be enjoying the peace and quiet but I am feeling a little stressed out.
It is peaceful because usually when I hear from her it is because she wants something from me. She never just calls to chat - it is always give me this - and then a hang up when the answer is no. I haven't gotten one of those for 2 weeks so you would think I could just enjoy it - nope - the Mom in me is stressed because I don't know if she is OK. I should just think - No News is Good News - I'm sure I would have heard if there is anything wrong. I am just not used to this quiet yet. I know I have done the right thing in having her be on her own - there is still just a small part of the Mom in me that wants to be in control and know what's going on with her every minute. How do I quiet this little voice? How do I fight the urge to call around to her friends to make sure she is OK? At what point can I just be an "empty nester" and not worry?
I was actually doing OK until I got a message on my home voicemail last week. This was an automated reminder for L to remind her that she has a court date 7/14 at 10:15 am in Redmond - this is for a ticket she got quite a few months ago - she requested a court date so she could argue that she shouldn't have gotten a ticket and that she needs to make payment arrangements because she can't afford the ticket - the recording reminded her that if she fails to show up that it can be turned over to collections and to the local police - her license could be revoked and a warrant could go out for her arrest. I fell back in to old patterns and stressed out - if I didn't contact her and let her know about the reminder and she doesn't show for the appointment then it will be my fault. I keep telling myself that she got the paper in the mail letting her know the date and time and that it's not up to me to make sure she gets there. But I know her - I am sure she doesn't remember - I am sure she won't show up. I did send a text message to a phone number that I believe belongs to Justin - not sure if it was his cell number and not sure if they are still together. I didn't get a reply back. Years of feeling responsible for everything she did - every choice she made - every appointment or assignment she forgot are making it hard to let this one go.
I hope this gets easier!
De
It is peaceful because usually when I hear from her it is because she wants something from me. She never just calls to chat - it is always give me this - and then a hang up when the answer is no. I haven't gotten one of those for 2 weeks so you would think I could just enjoy it - nope - the Mom in me is stressed because I don't know if she is OK. I should just think - No News is Good News - I'm sure I would have heard if there is anything wrong. I am just not used to this quiet yet. I know I have done the right thing in having her be on her own - there is still just a small part of the Mom in me that wants to be in control and know what's going on with her every minute. How do I quiet this little voice? How do I fight the urge to call around to her friends to make sure she is OK? At what point can I just be an "empty nester" and not worry?
I was actually doing OK until I got a message on my home voicemail last week. This was an automated reminder for L to remind her that she has a court date 7/14 at 10:15 am in Redmond - this is for a ticket she got quite a few months ago - she requested a court date so she could argue that she shouldn't have gotten a ticket and that she needs to make payment arrangements because she can't afford the ticket - the recording reminded her that if she fails to show up that it can be turned over to collections and to the local police - her license could be revoked and a warrant could go out for her arrest. I fell back in to old patterns and stressed out - if I didn't contact her and let her know about the reminder and she doesn't show for the appointment then it will be my fault. I keep telling myself that she got the paper in the mail letting her know the date and time and that it's not up to me to make sure she gets there. But I know her - I am sure she doesn't remember - I am sure she won't show up. I did send a text message to a phone number that I believe belongs to Justin - not sure if it was his cell number and not sure if they are still together. I didn't get a reply back. Years of feeling responsible for everything she did - every choice she made - every appointment or assignment she forgot are making it hard to let this one go.
I hope this gets easier!
De
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Newbies!!!
Week 1 of the 2 week closure of the West Bound I90 Bridge Lanes is almost done. The overall commute hasn’t been all that bad – the bus ride in takes about 20 or 30 minutes longer but the bus ride home is only 5 minutes longer. I drove in to work on Tuesday and I actually got in faster than the bus did on Monday. So the drive time hasn’t been that bad –a little extra time in the morning to read and get my brain working. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing though. There is one group that has been driving me insane – I call them the Newbies!
This is the group of people that are riding the bus for the first time because they don’t want to drive during the construction. They are at the bus stops looking around like clueless freshman on the first day of school. They don’t know what to do, haven’t done any research or learning off of the web, and the senior riders are too scary to them so they don’t ask any questions. I think that first time riders should be given a handbook that details what they are supposed to do and the proper bus riding etiquette. Here is what is should contain:
This is the group of people that are riding the bus for the first time because they don’t want to drive during the construction. They are at the bus stops looking around like clueless freshman on the first day of school. They don’t know what to do, haven’t done any research or learning off of the web, and the senior riders are too scary to them so they don’t ask any questions. I think that first time riders should be given a handbook that details what they are supposed to do and the proper bus riding etiquette. Here is what is should contain:
- Stand in an orderly line at the Park and Ride while you wait for the bus. This is not festival seating at a rock concert where you rush ahead of everyone to grab the best seat. You don’t hang out at the Bus Sign pretending to look at the schedule and then cut in front of everyone when the bus pulls up. You stand in line with everyone else. If you want to get your favorite seat then get to the Park and Ride earlier.
- Have your bus fare ready. This does not mean have it in your wallet or pocket. It means have it in your hand and ready to pay. You do not climb the stairs and then block the way of everyone else while you dig around for correct change – NO, the bus driver cannot give you change back for your $5 or $10 – exact change only. Please look on the internet before arriving at the Park and Ride to find out how much it will be. There is also a sign – right by where you were standing so you could sneak in front of everyone – that tells you how much the fare will be.
- Loud conversations on your cell phone are discouraged. I have enough drama going on in my own life – I don’t need to hear about yours!
- When the bus is pulling in to the Park & Ride at the end of the evening trip please don’t rush up to the front of the bus from the back before it stops just so you can be the first one off – especially if you don’t have your fare ready – remember when going In to Seattle you pay when going in to the bus – when heading out of Seattle you pay when getting out of the bus.
- The Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride has 5 parking levels and only 2 exits. Those that have parked here for awhile know the etiquette – each car already in line at the exit needs to let 1 car from the upper levels pull in to the exit lane. You Newbies are very selfish and either don’t let anyone in or you try to get in as the 2nd car. Not very friendly!
De
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Wanted
Do you like helping people? Are you good at troubleshooting computer problems? Do you enjoy being on call 24/7? Then this job is for you!
I am looking for an IT Representative to assist with resolving Internet, Hardware, and Software issues. You must have experience with both PCs and Macs as well as Wireless Internet connections. Experience with Comcast High Speed Internet a plus.
Job Responsibilities:
De
I am looking for an IT Representative to assist with resolving Internet, Hardware, and Software issues. You must have experience with both PCs and Macs as well as Wireless Internet connections. Experience with Comcast High Speed Internet a plus.
Job Responsibilities:
- Be available to assist me with any computer issues that come up 24/7
- Giving directions over the phone
- Coming over to my house to fix any and all problems that can not be fixed over the phone
- Calming me down and getting me through the frustration and absolute irritation with all things computer related.
De
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