A few months ago I posted that I was cutting up my Sams Club card and going with Costco. I can say that I made a great investment by doing so.
Costco has my car battery, it has more CCA's and costs less than the ones sold at a nearby auto parts store.
I have lately been having a bagel with peanut butter for breakfast. Costco sells 1 dozen bagels for $4, and they're baked daily.
Last weekend I went in to take advantage of a coupon for a 160gb portable external hard drive for $80. I ended up walking out with a 320gb hard drive for $20 more, and at $100 it is much less than what it is being sold for online.
They have these pita chips which are freaking awesome. The Simply Naked ones are perfect when paired with the hummus that Costco sells.
Three words...Kosher Hot Dogs.
Lots of freshly pre-made food.
So I've listed all the advantages for me. I really truly do love going through the store because there's always something different, and it's rare that I don't leave with something for the house. The only thing I would want them to do now is stock organic chunky peanut butter (they only have smooth) but that's just me :-)
I'm probably a bit of an odd demographic for them because I don't have a family or a business so I'm less likely to purchase in bulk. However, they have enough of the fresh foods in decent sizes that I don't have to worry about not having enough room for it. I suggest that if you know someone with a membership, take a visit with them and you'll see what I mean. I've been told that the Arundel Mills location is even better than the Beltsville location, so I might have to check it out, though I love that I'm basically 5-10 minutes from the Beltsville one.
November 30, 2007
November 29, 2007
Loving It
As I mentioned previously, I got my DS this past weekend and I absolutely love it. I'm glad I waited to get it when I did. I'm totally addicted to playing Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. It takes a while to get used to the controls because basically you move Link by dragging the stylus around. The only issue I have with the controls is that because Link's walking speed and direction is determined by where the stylus is and how far away it is from Link, if you're close to a door on the edge, sometimes the stylus is too close to him so he doesn't move. Still, I give them creativity points for coming up with this because it makes the game different.
I also bought Brain Age to have something to do. Currently my brain age is 68 because I took way too much time on the test they use for measurement. It's the test where they will show you the word Yellow but you're supposed to read back the color of the text and not the word itself. Yes, the microphone does figure out what you answer. Now that I'm getting the hang of some of the exercises on the game, I am thinking it will go way down. I've also been working the Sudoku puzzles that are on the game as well when I'm on lunch or on the train.
There is one issue I have right now with those who make cases for the DS. I tried to find a case that I could use to carry my DS and games, and I just want something to hold my stuff, I don't need anything very fancy. The problem was every single case I looked at had "Nintendo DS" or something similar plastered on the front or side of it. To me, I might as well be carrying a flashing "MUG ME!" sign because anyone can see that you're carrying a DS. If the case didn't have the patches all over it, it was open enough on the sides that someone could figure out "Hey, he's got something expensive, get him!"
Oh well, currently my DS now sits in a very nondescript camera case, and if it's not in a zippered pocket with me, it's in my bag.
I also bought Brain Age to have something to do. Currently my brain age is 68 because I took way too much time on the test they use for measurement. It's the test where they will show you the word Yellow but you're supposed to read back the color of the text and not the word itself. Yes, the microphone does figure out what you answer. Now that I'm getting the hang of some of the exercises on the game, I am thinking it will go way down. I've also been working the Sudoku puzzles that are on the game as well when I'm on lunch or on the train.
There is one issue I have right now with those who make cases for the DS. I tried to find a case that I could use to carry my DS and games, and I just want something to hold my stuff, I don't need anything very fancy. The problem was every single case I looked at had "Nintendo DS" or something similar plastered on the front or side of it. To me, I might as well be carrying a flashing "MUG ME!" sign because anyone can see that you're carrying a DS. If the case didn't have the patches all over it, it was open enough on the sides that someone could figure out "Hey, he's got something expensive, get him!"
Oh well, currently my DS now sits in a very nondescript camera case, and if it's not in a zippered pocket with me, it's in my bag.
November 24, 2007
Things That Work, and Things That Don't
As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post, I spent the day at Joshua's house. In the last few months I've grown to appreciate and enjoy our friendship. He's been good to me in a lot of ways, even if there are those who fail to see that.
Anyway, at the same time, I know he's not perfect either. I got some clarification on one part about him that can make me crazy, but it's not something that's a total negative either. So it depends on how one looks at it.
Joshua is a sweet guy, and he shows it in the fact that he likes to be helpful in some way, shape, or form. He's the kind of guy that if you need help building something, or need a ride, or want to borrow some tools or whatever, he's the guy that is willing to do that. However, there are times he takes it personally if you don't ask for his help. Case in point was that I was going through the Black Friday ad's and I ran across this 45 piece stubby set that was on special at Home Depot for $15. I laughed a bit and pointed out to Joshua that I had just bought that set for that exact price at Costco the day before.
Joshua then tells me, "Why didn't you ask me? I have stuff out in the shed you could have used." I said that I needed a socket wrench set anyway. Later I'm thinking about this and it hits me that Joshua likes it when someone can depend on him in some way, he seems to take it personally when someone does something for themselves when he could have done it for them or at least helped. Thing is, that clashes with my personality, mom and dad, if you're reading this, you know exactly what I am talking about.
I've said it before and I will say it again, I am very independent. Even if I get some help from someone or someone does something for me, I will also try to learn how to do that exact thing for myself so that I don't have to depend on them. Now if it is something best left to the professionals, that's one thing, but something as simple as having some tools around so that I can fix the legs on my couch or build a footboard for my bed is something that I will figure out how to do for myself. It's how I am, and I'm not changing that. If Joshua and I were still together as a couple, it would be something he would have to learn to deal with from me, I flat out told him that I was very independent when he first met me, so it's not like he wasn't warned.
I do appreciate that Joshua is willing to be a good friend, but he doesn't need to take it personally when I do something for myself rather than asking him. I'm sure there's someone else who is more receptive to having him be the one to take care of some things, it just doesn't happen to be me.
Anyway, at the same time, I know he's not perfect either. I got some clarification on one part about him that can make me crazy, but it's not something that's a total negative either. So it depends on how one looks at it.
Joshua is a sweet guy, and he shows it in the fact that he likes to be helpful in some way, shape, or form. He's the kind of guy that if you need help building something, or need a ride, or want to borrow some tools or whatever, he's the guy that is willing to do that. However, there are times he takes it personally if you don't ask for his help. Case in point was that I was going through the Black Friday ad's and I ran across this 45 piece stubby set that was on special at Home Depot for $15. I laughed a bit and pointed out to Joshua that I had just bought that set for that exact price at Costco the day before.
Joshua then tells me, "Why didn't you ask me? I have stuff out in the shed you could have used." I said that I needed a socket wrench set anyway. Later I'm thinking about this and it hits me that Joshua likes it when someone can depend on him in some way, he seems to take it personally when someone does something for themselves when he could have done it for them or at least helped. Thing is, that clashes with my personality, mom and dad, if you're reading this, you know exactly what I am talking about.
I've said it before and I will say it again, I am very independent. Even if I get some help from someone or someone does something for me, I will also try to learn how to do that exact thing for myself so that I don't have to depend on them. Now if it is something best left to the professionals, that's one thing, but something as simple as having some tools around so that I can fix the legs on my couch or build a footboard for my bed is something that I will figure out how to do for myself. It's how I am, and I'm not changing that. If Joshua and I were still together as a couple, it would be something he would have to learn to deal with from me, I flat out told him that I was very independent when he first met me, so it's not like he wasn't warned.
I do appreciate that Joshua is willing to be a good friend, but he doesn't need to take it personally when I do something for myself rather than asking him. I'm sure there's someone else who is more receptive to having him be the one to take care of some things, it just doesn't happen to be me.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday
Thanksgiving was different this year for me, but it was a good one. Instead of being with any family this year, I spent the day with one of my best friends. I went down to Joshua's house where he was cooking dinner, and I brought some pumpkin pie to share. The afternoon was spent watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and How It's Made. Dinner consisted of a roasted stuffed chicken, green bean casserole, and mac and cheese. It was excellent, and there was enough left over to take for lunch at work the next day.
After dinner Joshua went to nap, and I headed home to grab some things since we had made plans to hit the Black Friday sales. I got back and watched some TV for a while before Joshua woke up. We had dessert, and then started watching The Return. We got so bored with it after 40 mins. that we ended up turning it off. Around 10 I crashed out since I planned to be up by 2 AM to get in line for Black Friday.
I was woken up at 2 AM, and by 2:30, we were standing at a Best Buy in Alexandria. We estimate that there were about 150 people in front of us. This year I wasn't trying to score one of those overly insane deals on some hot item that people get into fights over. The item I wanted was the new Nintendo DS Lite Gold Bundle. If you know me, you know that I am a Zelda geek, hands down. There were a few stores offering it for Black Friday, and it was not only at that price for a few hours, but it was that way through the weekend. Best Buy sweetened the deal by offering a DS Lite Starter Kit for free if you bought this particular DS.
So we're out there, and it's a bit chilly, people are getting in line and then getting one of their friends to go over to the local IHOP and get coffee or whatever. 3 AM rolls around and they're handing out tickets for various items. The only tickets that made it back our way were for the GPS system and the 40 inch LCD TV. Neither of those were items I wanted (or could have afforded) so it was rather easy to take a pass. I get the feeling the GPS was something the manufacturer really just wanted to unload and get rid of because this Best Buy store had 150 of them.
4 AM rolls around and they've got the cops out there to monitor things and they start tightening up the line to prevent folks from cutting in front. As I would learn, there were folks who were lined up since noon on Thanksgiving. Man, I didn't realize a laptop or TV could be that important to some, but whatever. I'm sure someone reading this will give me shit because I was out at 2 AM, but realistically I knew that the store would be a real clusterfuck if I was farther back in line. I was willing to take the risk.
Finally it's 5 AM and we're in the store by 5:10 or so. I get to video games, the DS's are gone already. So we head out of the store and over to the Target, thinking it had just opened. Nope, Target was opening at 6. Joshua really wasn't looking for anything this Black Friday, he just liked to people watch. However, yesterday he had mentioned he was looking for a Christmas tree and I saw a 7.5 ft pre-lit Christmas tree for $48, which is basically a steal. So we stand in line, there's maybe 40 people in front of us. The Target associates hand us bags with some foodstuffs inside as well as a sort of "survival kit".
The store opens and I get my ass in there and over to Electronics. I ask an associate where to find the DS's, and he tells me to stick by him as they're on their way out right now. So the associate with the cart full of the video game systems comes out and I'm instructed to follow him, he goes to the counter, and then the guy tells me to get in line. It pissed me off a bit because I was told to follow this guy, not get into a line elsewhere, but I just make a remark about getting some bad instructions and head into the line. I get to at least the back part of the counter, and perhaps it was because I had been nice, or the guy realized how I had been misinformed, but he hands the DS to one of the cashiers and calls me up to the front. So in the end, I got my hot little hands on the Nintendo DS that I wanted, plus a $10 gift card to Target since that was part of the promotion. It will be put towards buying screen protectors.
Joshua and I headed to the Christmas section and found the tree in the ad, along with a few odds and ends he needed for himself, and then we got out of Target. Our next stop was over to Michael's since Joshua wanted to pick up a frame for his certificate for completing the number of course hours needed to become an Electrician. Michael's had a coupon for 25% off of your entire purchase if you came in between 6 and 9 AM on Friday, so he found what he was looking for, along with a gingerbread house kit. I dropped him off at home and it was time for me to head to work.
Along the way I saw Macy's so of course I stopped in to see if there was anything to take advantage of. I picked up some 180's headphones that were on sale for $15 and a nice polo shirt that was regularly $55, but on sale for $10. I also tried some Calvin Klein Euphoria cologne that I had sampled in my latest Maxim, but I didn't get it. Actually it's not a bad scent after a few minutes, but when it was first sprayed on, the alcohol smell was a bit overwhelming. I may go and try it again at another store just to see if maybe it was a bad tester bottle.
Got to work and got a lot of work done. I know I was dragging a bit because I was tired, but I still got everything done, plus I got what I wanted. So Thanksgiving and Black Friday were both good days.
After dinner Joshua went to nap, and I headed home to grab some things since we had made plans to hit the Black Friday sales. I got back and watched some TV for a while before Joshua woke up. We had dessert, and then started watching The Return. We got so bored with it after 40 mins. that we ended up turning it off. Around 10 I crashed out since I planned to be up by 2 AM to get in line for Black Friday.
I was woken up at 2 AM, and by 2:30, we were standing at a Best Buy in Alexandria. We estimate that there were about 150 people in front of us. This year I wasn't trying to score one of those overly insane deals on some hot item that people get into fights over. The item I wanted was the new Nintendo DS Lite Gold Bundle. If you know me, you know that I am a Zelda geek, hands down. There were a few stores offering it for Black Friday, and it was not only at that price for a few hours, but it was that way through the weekend. Best Buy sweetened the deal by offering a DS Lite Starter Kit for free if you bought this particular DS.
So we're out there, and it's a bit chilly, people are getting in line and then getting one of their friends to go over to the local IHOP and get coffee or whatever. 3 AM rolls around and they're handing out tickets for various items. The only tickets that made it back our way were for the GPS system and the 40 inch LCD TV. Neither of those were items I wanted (or could have afforded) so it was rather easy to take a pass. I get the feeling the GPS was something the manufacturer really just wanted to unload and get rid of because this Best Buy store had 150 of them.
4 AM rolls around and they've got the cops out there to monitor things and they start tightening up the line to prevent folks from cutting in front. As I would learn, there were folks who were lined up since noon on Thanksgiving. Man, I didn't realize a laptop or TV could be that important to some, but whatever. I'm sure someone reading this will give me shit because I was out at 2 AM, but realistically I knew that the store would be a real clusterfuck if I was farther back in line. I was willing to take the risk.
Finally it's 5 AM and we're in the store by 5:10 or so. I get to video games, the DS's are gone already. So we head out of the store and over to the Target, thinking it had just opened. Nope, Target was opening at 6. Joshua really wasn't looking for anything this Black Friday, he just liked to people watch. However, yesterday he had mentioned he was looking for a Christmas tree and I saw a 7.5 ft pre-lit Christmas tree for $48, which is basically a steal. So we stand in line, there's maybe 40 people in front of us. The Target associates hand us bags with some foodstuffs inside as well as a sort of "survival kit".
The store opens and I get my ass in there and over to Electronics. I ask an associate where to find the DS's, and he tells me to stick by him as they're on their way out right now. So the associate with the cart full of the video game systems comes out and I'm instructed to follow him, he goes to the counter, and then the guy tells me to get in line. It pissed me off a bit because I was told to follow this guy, not get into a line elsewhere, but I just make a remark about getting some bad instructions and head into the line. I get to at least the back part of the counter, and perhaps it was because I had been nice, or the guy realized how I had been misinformed, but he hands the DS to one of the cashiers and calls me up to the front. So in the end, I got my hot little hands on the Nintendo DS that I wanted, plus a $10 gift card to Target since that was part of the promotion. It will be put towards buying screen protectors.
Joshua and I headed to the Christmas section and found the tree in the ad, along with a few odds and ends he needed for himself, and then we got out of Target. Our next stop was over to Michael's since Joshua wanted to pick up a frame for his certificate for completing the number of course hours needed to become an Electrician. Michael's had a coupon for 25% off of your entire purchase if you came in between 6 and 9 AM on Friday, so he found what he was looking for, along with a gingerbread house kit. I dropped him off at home and it was time for me to head to work.
Along the way I saw Macy's so of course I stopped in to see if there was anything to take advantage of. I picked up some 180's headphones that were on sale for $15 and a nice polo shirt that was regularly $55, but on sale for $10. I also tried some Calvin Klein Euphoria cologne that I had sampled in my latest Maxim, but I didn't get it. Actually it's not a bad scent after a few minutes, but when it was first sprayed on, the alcohol smell was a bit overwhelming. I may go and try it again at another store just to see if maybe it was a bad tester bottle.
Got to work and got a lot of work done. I know I was dragging a bit because I was tired, but I still got everything done, plus I got what I wanted. So Thanksgiving and Black Friday were both good days.
November 21, 2007
Fitness Log, 11/20 and 11/21
11/20: 35 mins working out to Billy Blanks Boot Camp: Basic Training. Arms were screaming but it was a well worthwhile workout.
11/21: Ran usual Greenbelt Loop, 3.31 miles in 30 minutes 25 seconds. New workout clothing worked great. Ended up feeling like my pacing was much better, did not feel like I needed to slow down during the run, kept pushing myself to run harder.
11/21: Ran usual Greenbelt Loop, 3.31 miles in 30 minutes 25 seconds. New workout clothing worked great. Ended up feeling like my pacing was much better, did not feel like I needed to slow down during the run, kept pushing myself to run harder.
November 20, 2007
Support Our Troops
Got this E-mail at work, I wanted to put the text out there. I have already participated and I hope you will too.
**********************
This week America celebrates Thanksgiving, a holiday filled with friendship, family, and gratitude. We pause to give thanks for our prosperity, our liberty, and the many blessings that run deep through our great Nation.
During this time, let us not forget the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who daily put their lives in danger to ensure our freedom. As we sit down with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day there are thousands of soldiers, sailors and Marines around the globe who will not see their loved ones this holiday season.
This week, to honor their sacrifice and send them just a small token of appreciation, you can text a thank you message to our military members, letting them know they are in our hearts and prayers throughout the holidays. Text 8 9 2 7 9 and say thank you. The “America Supports You” program run by the Department of Defense will tally the number of text messages and let the troops know the volume of gratitude expressed by their fellow Americans.
Please take a moment to send a text, forward this e-mail to your family and friends, and say thank you to the men and women who daily fight in defense of our liberties. Visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil for more on this and other programs that support our troops.
This holiday season, it is my sincere desire that you and your family are blessed with abundant health, happiness, and peace. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.
**********************
This week America celebrates Thanksgiving, a holiday filled with friendship, family, and gratitude. We pause to give thanks for our prosperity, our liberty, and the many blessings that run deep through our great Nation.
During this time, let us not forget the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who daily put their lives in danger to ensure our freedom. As we sit down with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day there are thousands of soldiers, sailors and Marines around the globe who will not see their loved ones this holiday season.
This week, to honor their sacrifice and send them just a small token of appreciation, you can text a thank you message to our military members, letting them know they are in our hearts and prayers throughout the holidays. Text 8 9 2 7 9 and say thank you. The “America Supports You” program run by the Department of Defense will tally the number of text messages and let the troops know the volume of gratitude expressed by their fellow Americans.
Please take a moment to send a text, forward this e-mail to your family and friends, and say thank you to the men and women who daily fight in defense of our liberties. Visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil for more on this and other programs that support our troops.
This holiday season, it is my sincere desire that you and your family are blessed with abundant health, happiness, and peace. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.
That's a Very Profound Thing to Say [theblackdog]
A few weeks ago I was on IM with a friend of mine and I had just mentioned that I had recently gotten a twin size bed and box spring set that Joshua's roommate was getting rid of. The guy joked that it was going to be awfully hard to have anyone over and sleeping next to me. My response was that "That's not something I need, the person I'm with is going to have to like me for more than the fact that there is a spot in my bed that they could fill." To which we get the post title.
That's the thing I have come to understand over the last three months. I was used to having someone next to me at night, but I haven't had that for a while, and I find I don't need it either. It's fun, but it's not everything. I knew this, but sometimes it takes being alone to remind you. There are some people that never seem to understand that. One guy I have talked to in the past has complained often about how he's lonely and he wants someone next to him to cuddle in bed. It is taking all of my willpower not to say "Dude, shut the fuck up because your whining about needing someone next to you is not attractive." Perhaps that is why he hasn't gone out with anyone in a while.
I want more in my next relationship than just someone to fall asleep next to. We need to share common interests, and he'd better be willing to go out on a Saturday night rather than sit at home week after week. I also want this person to be able to give and take, and be willing to try new things. They'd also better be independent and able to support themselves. Each and every one of these things is much more important to me for a relationship. Finding someone who wants to share a bed, that could easily be anyone, but to have someone who matches just what it is that I want, they're out there somewhere.
That's the thing I have come to understand over the last three months. I was used to having someone next to me at night, but I haven't had that for a while, and I find I don't need it either. It's fun, but it's not everything. I knew this, but sometimes it takes being alone to remind you. There are some people that never seem to understand that. One guy I have talked to in the past has complained often about how he's lonely and he wants someone next to him to cuddle in bed. It is taking all of my willpower not to say "Dude, shut the fuck up because your whining about needing someone next to you is not attractive." Perhaps that is why he hasn't gone out with anyone in a while.
I want more in my next relationship than just someone to fall asleep next to. We need to share common interests, and he'd better be willing to go out on a Saturday night rather than sit at home week after week. I also want this person to be able to give and take, and be willing to try new things. They'd also better be independent and able to support themselves. Each and every one of these things is much more important to me for a relationship. Finding someone who wants to share a bed, that could easily be anyone, but to have someone who matches just what it is that I want, they're out there somewhere.
November 19, 2007
Old Greenbelt Loop
Courtesy of MapMyRun.com
I ran this route tonight, according to my timing and MapMyRun I ran this route in about 31 minutes, setting a pace of 9:22 per mile, and I burned 465 calories. It's a good start, I hope to improve. I felt pretty good when I finished with the run, so that to me is a good sign.
I ran this route tonight, according to my timing and MapMyRun I ran this route in about 31 minutes, setting a pace of 9:22 per mile, and I burned 465 calories. It's a good start, I hope to improve. I felt pretty good when I finished with the run, so that to me is a good sign.
November 18, 2007
Twenty-Four to Twenty-Five
So just over a year ago I hit the age of 24. Boy what a hell of a year it turned out to be. I think anyone who has known me over the past year would not disagree with that statement.
The first quarter of the year started out fairly normal. I did get a Nintendo Wii, which turned out to be one of the best purchases I made. I love playing it, and now with a Gamefly account, I'm able to try games for as long as I want before buying them. Work would have a moment of upheaval as one of my co-workers who was also a good friend of mine decided to leave. It meant that I took over a majority of the projects he was working on. This left me in a moment of panic because one project was written in Visual Basic, and I had never touched VB, so it meant that I had to give myself a crash course in VB so that I could take on this project and keep it going. As it turned out, I did just fine, and in fact would later solve a major problem plaguing this application, which will save hours of headaches for field reps and tech support alike.
Second quarter, that's when things all changed. It started with a trip to Connecticut to visit my family, with side trips to NYC and Boston. Those were fun, but it also spelled the end of my relationship with Mike as some of his behaviors forced me to face some realities. I broke up with him in early May, with the intention to just be roommates since it was easier financially. However, this wouldn't happen.
This summer I met the man who would bring out a number of rediscoveries and changes in me. I'm a better person for that, but that will be detailed at another time. I also quit using my old blogging service, LiveJournal, and moved over here to blogspot. Don't bother digging up the old blog, it's been locked down. I find I don't miss it, that place is a lot like high school in that people stop caring about the content of their blogs and start caring about who they are "friends" with. I fell into that trap myself, but now I'm out of it.
As for work, I was promoted, and a good part of it was in recognition of being able to step up and take over when my co-worker had left. It was a well-deserved promotion and from the review that have come up since then, I have only gotten better.
To round out the end of the 24th revolution around the sun, I moved into my own place. That right there would have to be the biggest event of the year. Thank god for the person who fucked up and didn't apply for the apartment here because I was able to snap this place up and get the fuck out of dodge. It was also nice to see that I had about eleven people help me move, it made the work easier and it got done faster. From talking to other people, it speaks volumes about how many care for me.
So now I'm here at a quarter century and it feels like the start of a great new adventure. I've started running again, changed my diet for the better, visited a lot more of DC, met some great new people, reconnected with some friends, and discovered new things about myself. I'm wiser and stronger; I've become more assertive, which does piss some people off because they are being called out on their bullshit, but fuck em, I don't need them in my life. I am happy with where things are going now, and I know they're going to get better. I can't wait to see what this next year holds.
The first quarter of the year started out fairly normal. I did get a Nintendo Wii, which turned out to be one of the best purchases I made. I love playing it, and now with a Gamefly account, I'm able to try games for as long as I want before buying them. Work would have a moment of upheaval as one of my co-workers who was also a good friend of mine decided to leave. It meant that I took over a majority of the projects he was working on. This left me in a moment of panic because one project was written in Visual Basic, and I had never touched VB, so it meant that I had to give myself a crash course in VB so that I could take on this project and keep it going. As it turned out, I did just fine, and in fact would later solve a major problem plaguing this application, which will save hours of headaches for field reps and tech support alike.
Second quarter, that's when things all changed. It started with a trip to Connecticut to visit my family, with side trips to NYC and Boston. Those were fun, but it also spelled the end of my relationship with Mike as some of his behaviors forced me to face some realities. I broke up with him in early May, with the intention to just be roommates since it was easier financially. However, this wouldn't happen.
This summer I met the man who would bring out a number of rediscoveries and changes in me. I'm a better person for that, but that will be detailed at another time. I also quit using my old blogging service, LiveJournal, and moved over here to blogspot. Don't bother digging up the old blog, it's been locked down. I find I don't miss it, that place is a lot like high school in that people stop caring about the content of their blogs and start caring about who they are "friends" with. I fell into that trap myself, but now I'm out of it.
As for work, I was promoted, and a good part of it was in recognition of being able to step up and take over when my co-worker had left. It was a well-deserved promotion and from the review that have come up since then, I have only gotten better.
To round out the end of the 24th revolution around the sun, I moved into my own place. That right there would have to be the biggest event of the year. Thank god for the person who fucked up and didn't apply for the apartment here because I was able to snap this place up and get the fuck out of dodge. It was also nice to see that I had about eleven people help me move, it made the work easier and it got done faster. From talking to other people, it speaks volumes about how many care for me.
So now I'm here at a quarter century and it feels like the start of a great new adventure. I've started running again, changed my diet for the better, visited a lot more of DC, met some great new people, reconnected with some friends, and discovered new things about myself. I'm wiser and stronger; I've become more assertive, which does piss some people off because they are being called out on their bullshit, but fuck em, I don't need them in my life. I am happy with where things are going now, and I know they're going to get better. I can't wait to see what this next year holds.
November 17, 2007
Beowulf in 3D
*No Spoilers*
I went and saw Beowulf last night in 3D. I say go see the movie, whether it's in 3D or not, the 3D is just icing on the cake. I had read the poem years and years ago in high school so I knew the basic plot, but I enjoyed having the movie fill in a lot of the gaps in what I could remember. The fight scenes were awesome, and the movie kept moving so you were never bored with a bunch of unnecessary subplots.
Now I just need to find a guy who looks like Beowulf.....boy was he hot, and so was the Angelina Jolie character (which basically looks like her). Hell, I'd love to just be the middle of a sandwich between those two...rawr!
So anyway, go see it, it's a movie worthy of seeing in the theaters, even better if you can see a 3D showing.
I went and saw Beowulf last night in 3D. I say go see the movie, whether it's in 3D or not, the 3D is just icing on the cake. I had read the poem years and years ago in high school so I knew the basic plot, but I enjoyed having the movie fill in a lot of the gaps in what I could remember. The fight scenes were awesome, and the movie kept moving so you were never bored with a bunch of unnecessary subplots.
Now I just need to find a guy who looks like Beowulf.....boy was he hot, and so was the Angelina Jolie character (which basically looks like her). Hell, I'd love to just be the middle of a sandwich between those two...rawr!
So anyway, go see it, it's a movie worthy of seeing in the theaters, even better if you can see a 3D showing.
November 16, 2007
Orphan's Thanksgiving Anyone?
For many of us in the DC/MD/NoVA area, there's family in the area or close by that you can visit on Thanksgiving. However, if you're like me, perhaps the family is far enough away (Phoenix) that it's not practical or inexpensive to go home for Thanksgiving.
Joshua is planning on holding an "Orphans Thanksgiving" for those in the area who otherwise would end up staying home. I plan on attending, would anyone like to join us? Leave a comment with a way to contact you and we'll talk.
Joshua is planning on holding an "Orphans Thanksgiving" for those in the area who otherwise would end up staying home. I plan on attending, would anyone like to join us? Leave a comment with a way to contact you and we'll talk.
November 13, 2007
Birthday
Yesterday was my birthday, which means that there will be an entry coming reflecting on the year, but first it is time to record all that went on.
Basically it was a lazy do what I want day for me. First I was woken up by my parents, so I got to finally open the boxes that have been sitting in my hall for about 2 weeks. I received two sets of Fiesta dishes in the color I had been asking for, which was awesome. I also received a towel with the logo from the recent Broadway production of The Ritz. I played the Wii most of the morning, finally beating Super Paper Mario. Did some surfing on the Internet, randomly decided to check
Ikea to see if maybe the desk chair I wanted in blue-green was in stock, and it turned out it was. After two months of waiting, I finally got the chair I wanted on my birthday, there must have been some luck going on.
So after doing a bit of cleaning and organizing around the apartment, I headed to Ikea and got the chair, then stopped at the UPS store to pick up a package that was waiting for me. I decided to treat myself to lunch at a local Pho place. The Pho was good as usual, I then moved on to the Cold Stone Creamery next door and had dessert.
I came home and chilled a bit before heading to RedRocks for dinner. There I was joined by Brian, Moose, Joe, and Joshua. It was nice to just sit back and chat with friends, enjoy a beer and have some pizza. While the pizza wasn't quite something to write home about, it was decent tasting. I think I kind of like Ella's wood-fired pizza better. The funniest moment came when Joe showed up, he was wearing the exact same shirt that I was. Of course everyone thinks that we planned this, but I swear we didn't!
Dinner ended, and I was given a ride home by Joe, where I ended the night by just chilling out before heading to bed.
All in all it was a great birthday, I got to see some great friends and enjoy some good food as well, and pretty much do what the hell I wanted.
Basically it was a lazy do what I want day for me. First I was woken up by my parents, so I got to finally open the boxes that have been sitting in my hall for about 2 weeks. I received two sets of Fiesta dishes in the color I had been asking for, which was awesome. I also received a towel with the logo from the recent Broadway production of The Ritz. I played the Wii most of the morning, finally beating Super Paper Mario. Did some surfing on the Internet, randomly decided to check
Ikea to see if maybe the desk chair I wanted in blue-green was in stock, and it turned out it was. After two months of waiting, I finally got the chair I wanted on my birthday, there must have been some luck going on.
So after doing a bit of cleaning and organizing around the apartment, I headed to Ikea and got the chair, then stopped at the UPS store to pick up a package that was waiting for me. I decided to treat myself to lunch at a local Pho place. The Pho was good as usual, I then moved on to the Cold Stone Creamery next door and had dessert.
I came home and chilled a bit before heading to RedRocks for dinner. There I was joined by Brian, Moose, Joe, and Joshua. It was nice to just sit back and chat with friends, enjoy a beer and have some pizza. While the pizza wasn't quite something to write home about, it was decent tasting. I think I kind of like Ella's wood-fired pizza better. The funniest moment came when Joe showed up, he was wearing the exact same shirt that I was. Of course everyone thinks that we planned this, but I swear we didn't!
Dinner ended, and I was given a ride home by Joe, where I ended the night by just chilling out before heading to bed.
All in all it was a great birthday, I got to see some great friends and enjoy some good food as well, and pretty much do what the hell I wanted.
What a Sunday
Sunday was a rather interesting affair in the morning at church. First, the backstory.
Back in early August a number of us from church went out to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. One of the other members likes to pull a prank on an unsuspecting person at the table by secretly telling the waiter it's that person's birthday. In this case, they pulled it on me, so it meant I got to sit on a saddle while everyone in the restaurant gave me a big old Texas "YEE HAW!" At least the waiter was good eye candy to watch while this happened. Either way, it was funny.
Well...the next morning at church, we get to the part where the rector asks if there's anyone celebrating a birthday to come up for a blessing. One of the assistants says "Hey, isn't it Michael's birthday?" She didn't realize that the night before had been a prank pulled on me. So of course I have a moment of "what do I do?" and rather than just saying no, it's not, I decided to run with it. So I got up and ran with it, and got the blessing. Meanwhile, others who were in the know that the night before was a prank were just trying not to laugh. Hell, later on I was trying not to laugh when I was taking communion. Eventually we tell the rector that it had been a mistake, of course I catch some Hell for it, and since it's church, word of how I had pranked the rector spread, and it became a running joke. For many a Sunday, whenever the birthday blessings came around, I would get some kind of a look or acknowledgement from the rector or a parishoner.
So, we get to Sunday, November 11, my birthday is November 12. The birthday blessing comes around and of course I go up, which gets everyone going, especially when my rector asks for my ID to prove that my birthday really was the week of November 11. I pull it out, she looks, then a parishoner catcalls from the audience "Where's a birth certificate?" So I walk over to my chair, and hold up high my birth certificate. The whole parish starts laughing at this, and so I bring up the certificate, and finally the blessing is done, and I got a hug from the rector. Boy she was being a good sport about it.
So that was a good way to start off the day. My plans for the afternoon were to go to Baltimore to visit Dan and Rob, where it would be an afternoon of beer, football, and Wii. Before I could do that, I got a knock at the door. It was my friendly neighborhood Census Field Rep (FR) coming by to conduct the CPS, since I had been tapped to be a respondent for the survey. So, we got down to the survey, and he gets to the employment questions, and of course I'm asked if I work for a public or private industry, then that I work for the federal government, and of course, what agency. As to be expected, I answer "Census Bureau" and the FR gets this look on his face and cracks up laughing, especially after I said "Yes, I work for HQ". He tells me that he suspected something because he had seen my tote bag, which had the word Blaise, which is the name of the survey software. So it made the interview a little more entertaining.
Eventually that finishes and I head up first to Corridor Wine to pick up some beer for the afternoon. Seriously, keep me away from the microbrews aisle because I will pick up quite a few varieties. At least they were all good. So I finally headed to Baltimore, got to watch the Redskins fall apart late in the game, then watched the Ravens get their asses handed to them. It was a painful day for watching hometown teams. I also tried Guitar Hero III for the Wii. It looks like it's fun, but it's hard to play. I failed every easy song I tried, but I think with practice, I would get it. Played a few other games, then watched The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad before finally taking off for home. Of course, now I have another sentence I need to work into a conversation....I'm getting fed up with this orgasm!
Got home and just chilled for a bit before finally heading to bed.
Back in early August a number of us from church went out to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. One of the other members likes to pull a prank on an unsuspecting person at the table by secretly telling the waiter it's that person's birthday. In this case, they pulled it on me, so it meant I got to sit on a saddle while everyone in the restaurant gave me a big old Texas "YEE HAW!" At least the waiter was good eye candy to watch while this happened. Either way, it was funny.
Well...the next morning at church, we get to the part where the rector asks if there's anyone celebrating a birthday to come up for a blessing. One of the assistants says "Hey, isn't it Michael's birthday?" She didn't realize that the night before had been a prank pulled on me. So of course I have a moment of "what do I do?" and rather than just saying no, it's not, I decided to run with it. So I got up and ran with it, and got the blessing. Meanwhile, others who were in the know that the night before was a prank were just trying not to laugh. Hell, later on I was trying not to laugh when I was taking communion. Eventually we tell the rector that it had been a mistake, of course I catch some Hell for it, and since it's church, word of how I had pranked the rector spread, and it became a running joke. For many a Sunday, whenever the birthday blessings came around, I would get some kind of a look or acknowledgement from the rector or a parishoner.
So, we get to Sunday, November 11, my birthday is November 12. The birthday blessing comes around and of course I go up, which gets everyone going, especially when my rector asks for my ID to prove that my birthday really was the week of November 11. I pull it out, she looks, then a parishoner catcalls from the audience "Where's a birth certificate?" So I walk over to my chair, and hold up high my birth certificate. The whole parish starts laughing at this, and so I bring up the certificate, and finally the blessing is done, and I got a hug from the rector. Boy she was being a good sport about it.
So that was a good way to start off the day. My plans for the afternoon were to go to Baltimore to visit Dan and Rob, where it would be an afternoon of beer, football, and Wii. Before I could do that, I got a knock at the door. It was my friendly neighborhood Census Field Rep (FR) coming by to conduct the CPS, since I had been tapped to be a respondent for the survey. So, we got down to the survey, and he gets to the employment questions, and of course I'm asked if I work for a public or private industry, then that I work for the federal government, and of course, what agency. As to be expected, I answer "Census Bureau" and the FR gets this look on his face and cracks up laughing, especially after I said "Yes, I work for HQ". He tells me that he suspected something because he had seen my tote bag, which had the word Blaise, which is the name of the survey software. So it made the interview a little more entertaining.
Eventually that finishes and I head up first to Corridor Wine to pick up some beer for the afternoon. Seriously, keep me away from the microbrews aisle because I will pick up quite a few varieties. At least they were all good. So I finally headed to Baltimore, got to watch the Redskins fall apart late in the game, then watched the Ravens get their asses handed to them. It was a painful day for watching hometown teams. I also tried Guitar Hero III for the Wii. It looks like it's fun, but it's hard to play. I failed every easy song I tried, but I think with practice, I would get it. Played a few other games, then watched The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad before finally taking off for home. Of course, now I have another sentence I need to work into a conversation....I'm getting fed up with this orgasm!
Got home and just chilled for a bit before finally heading to bed.
November 12, 2007
Soup and Bad Movies
Saturday afternoon and evening was spent visiting Moose for his Soup and Bad Movies party. It was a lot of fun, basically we watched some of the worst movies ever made and made fun of them, a la Mystery Science Theater 3000. When I arrived, Assault of the Killer Bimbos was playing. The movie was so bad it was hilarious, and we heard one of the best lines of the afternoon; "Oh no, a bimbo with a gun!" (southern accent). I must find a way to work that into a sentence this week.
The next movie was Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter. I may have to rent that one myself just for a good laugh. Basically vampires are preying on lesbians and it's up to Jesus to stop them. It doesn't hurt that the guy playing Jesus is hot, especially towards the end of the movie. Where else can you see Jesus kick the crap out of people while techno music is playing in the background?
Next we watched the movie The Apple which if you ever want a reason why musicals should never go mainstream again, this is it. This one was just too easy to make fun of, especially the landlady, who sounded very much like a nagging mother.
Eventually soup was served, which was really good. I have to get the recipe from Moose, basically it had veggies, beans, and curry among other things. As Moose mentioned tonight, basically it was all gone by the end of the night.
We started watching Ghoulies, but got bored with that so we switched to Girls Will Be Girls. That movie is just so campy. We also had the treat of Moose and Brian giving us the lines in stereo. After that it was time for Showgirls. However, many of the other party goers were grossed out over the major amount of boobs that were being shown, so that movie was shut off after about 20 mins. I must have missed the memo, but I don't have an issue with seeing boobs, even as a gay man. I could have watched Showgirls just fine, but to each their own. We did watch a bit of the Are You Being Served? Movie as well.
Finally, the Josie and the Pussycats movie was started. Now in their opinion it is not a bad movie, but I can't make a call on that one. By the time that movie was started, it was after midnight, and after many hours of movies and glasses of wine, I was fading and so were a few others, so we headed out to Metro to head home.
The party was fun, I got to meet some fun people. There was one guy that aggressively hit on me and I pretty much had to tell him to back off. I had to laugh at the end of the night because as he left Metro he said keep in touch...too bad he didn't get even an E-mail address from me. :-P
The next movie was Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter. I may have to rent that one myself just for a good laugh. Basically vampires are preying on lesbians and it's up to Jesus to stop them. It doesn't hurt that the guy playing Jesus is hot, especially towards the end of the movie. Where else can you see Jesus kick the crap out of people while techno music is playing in the background?
Next we watched the movie The Apple which if you ever want a reason why musicals should never go mainstream again, this is it. This one was just too easy to make fun of, especially the landlady, who sounded very much like a nagging mother.
Eventually soup was served, which was really good. I have to get the recipe from Moose, basically it had veggies, beans, and curry among other things. As Moose mentioned tonight, basically it was all gone by the end of the night.
We started watching Ghoulies, but got bored with that so we switched to Girls Will Be Girls. That movie is just so campy. We also had the treat of Moose and Brian giving us the lines in stereo. After that it was time for Showgirls. However, many of the other party goers were grossed out over the major amount of boobs that were being shown, so that movie was shut off after about 20 mins. I must have missed the memo, but I don't have an issue with seeing boobs, even as a gay man. I could have watched Showgirls just fine, but to each their own. We did watch a bit of the Are You Being Served? Movie as well.
Finally, the Josie and the Pussycats movie was started. Now in their opinion it is not a bad movie, but I can't make a call on that one. By the time that movie was started, it was after midnight, and after many hours of movies and glasses of wine, I was fading and so were a few others, so we headed out to Metro to head home.
The party was fun, I got to meet some fun people. There was one guy that aggressively hit on me and I pretty much had to tell him to back off. I had to laugh at the end of the night because as he left Metro he said keep in touch...too bad he didn't get even an E-mail address from me. :-P
Seeing Lisa Lampanelli
This past Friday, Lisa Lampanelli was in DC performing at the Warner Theater. A co-worker and I were going to go and catch her act, but he had a schedule conflict, so I took his ticket and invited Alex to go with me.
We first met at 5 for dinner over at Matchbox in Gallery Place. Instead of doing the usual pizza, Alex recommended having the mini burgers, so I ordered a small plate of those along with a spinach salad. The salad was great, and the burgers were good as well. The onion straws that came with the burgers were a bit on the salty side (the guy at the table next to us complained to the waitress about it) but otherwise I enjoyed it.
We walked over to the theater right as they were starting to let people inside the theater from the lobby. I found out that Lisa was up in the lobby signing tickets and merchandise so I did go and get my ticket signed. My co-worker is going to be so jealous when he sees that.
The show got started, first were the opening acts. The first comedienne was hilarious, she does this Brooklyn Italian accent that just killed. The second comedienne, she just wasn't quite there with timing. It seemed like she was rambling a bit and the jokes didn't quite connect. Lisa eventually took the stage and she just killed. We had a great time, lots to laugh at, and there was plenty of new material for me to hear. There was only one bit I recognized from her past stand-up, but she made it work. Of course she targeted people in the front, but that's to be expected from her. Really, you have to have a thick skin to be in the front row at a Lisa Lampanelli act because it's like one big roast. I'd totally sit in the front if I had a shot at it. The only thing I didn't see was anyone try to turn the tables on her. I'd love to see what happens if someone started using her own material on her. Any Howard Stern fan would have plenty of fodder on her.
So the act was over and Alex and I said our good nights before hopping on Metro. I'd totally go see Lisa Lampanelli again.
We first met at 5 for dinner over at Matchbox in Gallery Place. Instead of doing the usual pizza, Alex recommended having the mini burgers, so I ordered a small plate of those along with a spinach salad. The salad was great, and the burgers were good as well. The onion straws that came with the burgers were a bit on the salty side (the guy at the table next to us complained to the waitress about it) but otherwise I enjoyed it.
We walked over to the theater right as they were starting to let people inside the theater from the lobby. I found out that Lisa was up in the lobby signing tickets and merchandise so I did go and get my ticket signed. My co-worker is going to be so jealous when he sees that.
The show got started, first were the opening acts. The first comedienne was hilarious, she does this Brooklyn Italian accent that just killed. The second comedienne, she just wasn't quite there with timing. It seemed like she was rambling a bit and the jokes didn't quite connect. Lisa eventually took the stage and she just killed. We had a great time, lots to laugh at, and there was plenty of new material for me to hear. There was only one bit I recognized from her past stand-up, but she made it work. Of course she targeted people in the front, but that's to be expected from her. Really, you have to have a thick skin to be in the front row at a Lisa Lampanelli act because it's like one big roast. I'd totally sit in the front if I had a shot at it. The only thing I didn't see was anyone try to turn the tables on her. I'd love to see what happens if someone started using her own material on her. Any Howard Stern fan would have plenty of fodder on her.
So the act was over and Alex and I said our good nights before hopping on Metro. I'd totally go see Lisa Lampanelli again.
November 09, 2007
Birthday Plans
Yes, this is last-minute since I procrastinate on making birthday plans for myself.
My birthday is on Monday and it's the big 25. I'd like to meet at Red Rocks Pizzeria in DC for dinner around 6:30, where we go from there, who knows :-) I'm in the mood for pizza and beer, why not indulge it eh? I haven't been to Red Rocks, but I have been curious about it, and the reviews look good.
I'll throw out an Evite later, but I'm putting it here as well just in case I manage to forget someone or I don't have their E-mail address.
Your presence and a sense of humor are required. Formal-wear and presents are not required.
My birthday is on Monday and it's the big 25. I'd like to meet at Red Rocks Pizzeria in DC for dinner around 6:30, where we go from there, who knows :-) I'm in the mood for pizza and beer, why not indulge it eh? I haven't been to Red Rocks, but I have been curious about it, and the reviews look good.
I'll throw out an Evite later, but I'm putting it here as well just in case I manage to forget someone or I don't have their E-mail address.
Your presence and a sense of humor are required. Formal-wear and presents are not required.
Monday Night Football Fun
Cripes, if you read the last few entries I have posted here, it seems like I just lead a life full of drama. Thank god this next entry is about something good that I hope stays good, no more drama please!
Monday night I went over to Nellie's Sports Bar to meet a guy I had been talking to on Match.com, the reason? He's a fellow Ravens fan, and he likes beer :-D They were playing Monday night against the Steelers, so I had suggested to him over the weekend to meet at the bar and watch the game.
After a wrong turn from Metro and getting back on track thanks to Brian, I arrived at Nellie's a little before 7 PM. I got a text that my date was running late thanks to the usual DC traffic, so I found a table, ordered a beer, and chilled.
My date finally arrives, wearing his Ravens Jersey, he has Ed Reed on, I'm wearing Todd Heap, and we were the only two at the place this time who are wearing Ravens jerseys so it was easy to spot one another. So while we wait for the game to get started we make small talk, get to know one another a bit. We have our beers, we order some wings, life is good. I've got a cute guy who is also a beer drinking football fan sitting across from me, what more could I want right now?
Unfortunately life was not so good for the Ravens that night. By the end of the first half, the Steelers are ahead 35 to 7. It just became too painful to watch, so we decided to call it a night head out. To my surprise, it's raining outside, good thing I have my coat (Note to self: get a winter hat!). We drive back towards Greenbelt and he drops me off at my apartment.
All in all, it was a fun night (even if the Ravens lost!), this guy is interesting, he seems to have his act together and we share some common interests, there's talk of a second date, possibly to the Ravens vs Bengals game this Sunday :-D
Monday night I went over to Nellie's Sports Bar to meet a guy I had been talking to on Match.com, the reason? He's a fellow Ravens fan, and he likes beer :-D They were playing Monday night against the Steelers, so I had suggested to him over the weekend to meet at the bar and watch the game.
After a wrong turn from Metro and getting back on track thanks to Brian, I arrived at Nellie's a little before 7 PM. I got a text that my date was running late thanks to the usual DC traffic, so I found a table, ordered a beer, and chilled.
My date finally arrives, wearing his Ravens Jersey, he has Ed Reed on, I'm wearing Todd Heap, and we were the only two at the place this time who are wearing Ravens jerseys so it was easy to spot one another. So while we wait for the game to get started we make small talk, get to know one another a bit. We have our beers, we order some wings, life is good. I've got a cute guy who is also a beer drinking football fan sitting across from me, what more could I want right now?
Unfortunately life was not so good for the Ravens that night. By the end of the first half, the Steelers are ahead 35 to 7. It just became too painful to watch, so we decided to call it a night head out. To my surprise, it's raining outside, good thing I have my coat (Note to self: get a winter hat!). We drive back towards Greenbelt and he drops me off at my apartment.
All in all, it was a fun night (even if the Ravens lost!), this guy is interesting, he seems to have his act together and we share some common interests, there's talk of a second date, possibly to the Ravens vs Bengals game this Sunday :-D
November 08, 2007
Fucking PEPCO!
Utility companies suck, period.
In the latest installment with my saga with Pepco over my bill, I got to call and get bitchy with a customer service rep.
In early October, I received my bill and found that the final bill amount was transferred to my new bill. I call up Pepco and I'm told that it's fine because the amount is still under investigation and to only pay any new charges. I do so, paying for only the new charges. I'm thinking everything is fine, no problem, I'll pay whatever they want me to pay. I have already transferred the full disputed amount to my savings so I have it on hand in case they come back from their investigation and say "It's not our fault, pay the full amount."
Today, I get a notice that I am delinquent on my electric bill and to fork over the cash or I will be cut off. This is when I call and basically throw a fit at their CSR about this. I get transferred to the investigations department where my "caseworker" informs me that I should not have ever gotten these notices, and that I should not be in jeopardy of being cut off. He says that he will make a note in my account so that I don't get these notices. He also mentions that it looks like there will be a credit coming to my account, ballpark figure of $70. That's right folks, Pepco figures that their estimate overcharged me by $70. That's not chump change.
I also can't believe this, but he also suggested that if it will not cause hardship to just pay the disputed amount now so there's no other issues. Though considering that my latest usage was only $27, if I get at least a $70 credit, I'll have 3 months of no bill from Pepco.
They had better not ding my credit over this, I'll go after their asses for it if they do.
In the latest installment with my saga with Pepco over my bill, I got to call and get bitchy with a customer service rep.
In early October, I received my bill and found that the final bill amount was transferred to my new bill. I call up Pepco and I'm told that it's fine because the amount is still under investigation and to only pay any new charges. I do so, paying for only the new charges. I'm thinking everything is fine, no problem, I'll pay whatever they want me to pay. I have already transferred the full disputed amount to my savings so I have it on hand in case they come back from their investigation and say "It's not our fault, pay the full amount."
Today, I get a notice that I am delinquent on my electric bill and to fork over the cash or I will be cut off. This is when I call and basically throw a fit at their CSR about this. I get transferred to the investigations department where my "caseworker" informs me that I should not have ever gotten these notices, and that I should not be in jeopardy of being cut off. He says that he will make a note in my account so that I don't get these notices. He also mentions that it looks like there will be a credit coming to my account, ballpark figure of $70. That's right folks, Pepco figures that their estimate overcharged me by $70. That's not chump change.
I also can't believe this, but he also suggested that if it will not cause hardship to just pay the disputed amount now so there's no other issues. Though considering that my latest usage was only $27, if I get at least a $70 credit, I'll have 3 months of no bill from Pepco.
They had better not ding my credit over this, I'll go after their asses for it if they do.
November 07, 2007
This is Too Funny!
I just arrived home from a day out at the Natl. Gallery of Art to a letter from the United States Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, and it is addressed to Current Resident, [my mailing address] (You really think I was going to give out my address on this blog? You fool!)
Having an inkling of what it could be, I opened the envelope and discovered I was right. My address has been picked to be a respondent for one of the continuing surveys that the Census Bureau conducts. In this case, it is the Current Population Survey. This survey is basically one that is requested by an external sponsor, in this case the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are the ones who actually specify the survey (questions, answer, survey path, etc.) analyze the data and produce results. Our job at Census is to create the "instrument" (computer program that contains the survey so that it can be conducted on a laptop computer in the field or from one of our call centers) go out, conduct the survey, and send the raw data (minus any personally identifiable information) back to BLS for them to analyze. As you will read in the links, CPS does determine our nations unemployment rate, so it is a big deal that we get complete and accurate data.
Now, I don't actually work on authoring the CPS instrument, but I do author another survey instrument that is requested by BLS, the Consumer Expenditures Quarterly Survey. This one is another big one as it determines the Consumer Price Index. I used to laugh that one day I was going to get picked for this survey, but now it looks like in this case I get to do another one.
For the record, I do take this seriously enough that I will answer the survey when the representative comes to my apartment. I am not required to, but I wouldn't mind helping contribute to determining important economic data, plus I know my information will be kept confidential. I am always encouraging others to answer the surveys if they should be picked, why shouldn't I do the same?
Having an inkling of what it could be, I opened the envelope and discovered I was right. My address has been picked to be a respondent for one of the continuing surveys that the Census Bureau conducts. In this case, it is the Current Population Survey. This survey is basically one that is requested by an external sponsor, in this case the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are the ones who actually specify the survey (questions, answer, survey path, etc.) analyze the data and produce results. Our job at Census is to create the "instrument" (computer program that contains the survey so that it can be conducted on a laptop computer in the field or from one of our call centers) go out, conduct the survey, and send the raw data (minus any personally identifiable information) back to BLS for them to analyze. As you will read in the links, CPS does determine our nations unemployment rate, so it is a big deal that we get complete and accurate data.
Now, I don't actually work on authoring the CPS instrument, but I do author another survey instrument that is requested by BLS, the Consumer Expenditures Quarterly Survey. This one is another big one as it determines the Consumer Price Index. I used to laugh that one day I was going to get picked for this survey, but now it looks like in this case I get to do another one.
For the record, I do take this seriously enough that I will answer the survey when the representative comes to my apartment. I am not required to, but I wouldn't mind helping contribute to determining important economic data, plus I know my information will be kept confidential. I am always encouraging others to answer the surveys if they should be picked, why shouldn't I do the same?
Saturday Night Dramafest
When I broke up with Mike the comment from my dad was to make sure not to date a queen. I learned this past Saturday that at times you shouldn't even be friends with one, or many.
*background: Ty is an ex of Joshua, and he's dating another Josh, for the purposes of this story, he will be known as Josh 2*
There were some guys I knew from around Annapolis, I hadn't seen them in a while so I invited them out to go bar hopping in DC. The plan was to meet at Zorbas Cafe in Dupont Circle and then go from there. So I'm heading down to DC and I get a text message, they're running late. Okay, no biggie. I get to Dupont, it's early so I head over to Lambda Rising figuring I'd browse until they told me they were at Dupont. I get another text, they're on 50, and oh, by the way, Ty and Josh 2 are joining us for dinner as well, and they're already there. So I'm thinking, "Great, this is going to be awkward, should I just leave, or suck it up and deal with it?" I chose the latter because I'm not going to have someone like Ty ruin my night, even if he basically doesn't like me. I take a walk up the block and back because it was a nice night.
So I go over to Zorbas and there's about 30 minutes of a bit of awkward conversation before the other boys finally arrive, and there's the usual catching up on stuff. Then as it goes on, the conversation gets really weird. One starts talking about this porn that he sent to Ty, and that there's this felching (NSFW Text) scene that was just so hot. So of course there's graphic discussion going on about various sexual practices along with what people like and do not like. I'm already on the verge of vomiting because of the felching discussion, and the last thing I really want to do is discuss my sex life and what my preferences are in front of Ty, because quite frankly, he and Josh are the type of people that if you want everyone in DC to know something about you, you tell them. About this point I should have sent someone a text begging them to call me and tell me their cat exploded or something just so I can get out of there.
So finally dinner ends, the first place to go is to Be Bar. Basically Be Bar is like one of those "classy" video bars that serve overpriced martinis that are so sickeningly sweet that you're just asking to make a sacrifice to the porcelain gods later. It really wasn't my scene, I like watching music videos, but I don't care for the "We're trying to look like the Queer Eye guys decorated our place" type of bar. Either way, so eventually we leave, it's too early to go to the Green Lantern, so they opt to go to the Eagle.
Anyway, so we get there, and basically I'm just hanging out drinking a beer and people watching, and they're around of course. I do get into a discussion with a rather cute tattooed guy and have a discussion about his tat's and also his nipple piercings. Mostly it's a curiosity thing because I have considered getting them pierced, but after talking with him, probably not since I could lose sensitivity. Either way, I'm pretty relaxed and just going with the flow.
So eventually these boys want to leave. So we're gathered over by upstairs and I basically say "Okay then, let's go" and I head downstairs. I wait, and I wait...I head outside to return a phone call to Joshua, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait some more. About ten minutes later I get this text message "Where are you?" And so goes the following text conversation:
Me: I'm outside waiting for you, what the fuck is going on?
X: We had to collect
Me: What the fuck is going on, he was right there with us when I was inside, you wanted to leave, so I went outside.
X: Well maybe if you hadn't bolted out the door, you wouldn't have had to wait
Me: You know what, fuck you guys. I'm not putting up with this shit of you wanting to leave and then you don't show. Pick up your booty call and go home.
So then I left, hopped on Metro, and headed home. Next time, I'm either going out by myself, or I'm going to be much more choosy about who I head out with. I don't want or need any fucking drama queens in my life.
*background: Ty is an ex of Joshua, and he's dating another Josh, for the purposes of this story, he will be known as Josh 2*
There were some guys I knew from around Annapolis, I hadn't seen them in a while so I invited them out to go bar hopping in DC. The plan was to meet at Zorbas Cafe in Dupont Circle and then go from there. So I'm heading down to DC and I get a text message, they're running late. Okay, no biggie. I get to Dupont, it's early so I head over to Lambda Rising figuring I'd browse until they told me they were at Dupont. I get another text, they're on 50, and oh, by the way, Ty and Josh 2 are joining us for dinner as well, and they're already there. So I'm thinking, "Great, this is going to be awkward, should I just leave, or suck it up and deal with it?" I chose the latter because I'm not going to have someone like Ty ruin my night, even if he basically doesn't like me. I take a walk up the block and back because it was a nice night.
So I go over to Zorbas and there's about 30 minutes of a bit of awkward conversation before the other boys finally arrive, and there's the usual catching up on stuff. Then as it goes on, the conversation gets really weird. One starts talking about this porn that he sent to Ty, and that there's this felching (NSFW Text) scene that was just so hot. So of course there's graphic discussion going on about various sexual practices along with what people like and do not like. I'm already on the verge of vomiting because of the felching discussion, and the last thing I really want to do is discuss my sex life and what my preferences are in front of Ty, because quite frankly, he and Josh are the type of people that if you want everyone in DC to know something about you, you tell them. About this point I should have sent someone a text begging them to call me and tell me their cat exploded or something just so I can get out of there.
So finally dinner ends, the first place to go is to Be Bar. Basically Be Bar is like one of those "classy" video bars that serve overpriced martinis that are so sickeningly sweet that you're just asking to make a sacrifice to the porcelain gods later. It really wasn't my scene, I like watching music videos, but I don't care for the "We're trying to look like the Queer Eye guys decorated our place" type of bar. Either way, so eventually we leave, it's too early to go to the Green Lantern, so they opt to go to the Eagle.
Anyway, so we get there, and basically I'm just hanging out drinking a beer and people watching, and they're around of course. I do get into a discussion with a rather cute tattooed guy and have a discussion about his tat's and also his nipple piercings. Mostly it's a curiosity thing because I have considered getting them pierced, but after talking with him, probably not since I could lose sensitivity. Either way, I'm pretty relaxed and just going with the flow.
So eventually these boys want to leave. So we're gathered over by upstairs and I basically say "Okay then, let's go" and I head downstairs. I wait, and I wait...I head outside to return a phone call to Joshua, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait some more. About ten minutes later I get this text message "Where are you?" And so goes the following text conversation:
Me: I'm outside waiting for you, what the fuck is going on?
X: We had to collect
Me: What the fuck is going on, he was right there with us when I was inside, you wanted to leave, so I went outside.
X: Well maybe if you hadn't bolted out the door, you wouldn't have had to wait
Me: You know what, fuck you guys. I'm not putting up with this shit of you wanting to leave and then you don't show. Pick up your booty call and go home.
So then I left, hopped on Metro, and headed home. Next time, I'm either going out by myself, or I'm going to be much more choosy about who I head out with. I don't want or need any fucking drama queens in my life.
November 06, 2007
Toe Tapping Violation
Here's a photo of me dressed as Sgt. Dave Karsnia of the Minnesota Police for Halloween. He's the one who busted Senator Larry Craig in the now infamous airport bathroom.
It was taken at a party I was invited to the Saturday before Halloween. I took Joshua with me and we headed out to Ashburn VA to meet up with Dax, his hubby Rob, and a number of the folks that Dax works with.
I have to say, we had an awesome time there with a lot of great conversation, and of course, all the craziness that goes with a Halloween party. We were there until about 3 AM before finally heading home. I was being the DD that night, so no crazy alcoholic antics from me to report.
Actually, I saw a very good reason not to drink as I drove Joshua back to his house. Three lanes of the beltway were blocked off with emergency vehicles. As I drove by the clusterfuck of vehicles, I saw that they were all around an SUV that was flipped over in the middle of the beltway and all the windows were shattered. To complete the scene there was a beer box and cans of beer lying by the SUV as well. It suggests to me that it was a drunk driver, but I have been unable to confirm it. I searched the Washington Post, WTOP, NBC4 and other news sources trying to find any sort of a blurb about what happened, and of course there was nothing.
I hope everyone was okay.
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