In 10 Years...

I got this awesome award from Tasha over at Random Musings of an Overactive Imagination, what a doll!

The idea behind this award is that we have to write about where we'd like to be in 10 years, and then pass it on to six of our favorite bloggers.  :)  I love paying it forward.

So without further ado...

In 10 Years...

I hope to have someone by my side who loves me more than words can say.

I hope to have a couple of healthy-happy kids.

I hope to have written and published a book.

And to have traveled the world a bit.

I hope to have a degree, in a field I enjoy and a really good job I love. (Still)

 

Who gets this award?

All of you!

Because I'm Awesome-Sauce

Today I had a customer email in to give me Kudos.  

Which earned me this lovely little pink card:

$25 to iTunes! 

Wanna know what was said about me?

"Hi! I'm sure you guys aren't the right people for this email but I couldn't find anything else on the homepage more appropriate.  I just wanted to say that I had a really fantastic experience with customer support, specifically with Angela.  Very helpful, professional, pleasant, honestly I'm so sick of bad/rude customer support, it was completely wonderful talking with someone who was actually helpful, polite, etc.  Anyway, she's great, or maybe you just have a policy of helpfulness and nicety, or maybe you just hired the right outsourcing service...either way, kudos."

 I ♥ it, but not as much as what our PR guy said about me.

 Hooray for Angela!!

FWIW - I remember when Angela worked with us years ago. We used to get periodic e-mails like this then because she was technical and very good with customers. I'm so happy to have her back with us!

How great is that?
I knew I kicked-A.

Sunday Spotlight: The Quarter Life Crisis

This week's Spotlight?

The Quarter Life Crisis 

a.k.a. SilverNeurotic

She's a brilliant writer that I relate to, and an excellent friend to have.

She's FABULOUS, and you chould check her out!

How I Was Rejected By A Conservative

So I was sitting there eating cheese....

No, just kidding. Ray recommended I start this post like that.  To be honest, I wasn't eating at all, but I WAS drinking at the time.  In fact, we'd just made a liquor store run, and stopped off for some really gory movies, which resulted in us popping Sorority Row in the Xbox and sitting down with our boozey beverages.

This is why people-like me-need blogs; there's just too much crazy stuff that happens in my life not to be recording and sharing it all.  Case and point, being rejected by a member of the Tea Party (yeah yeah yeah, we'll get to that.) or finding out one of my exes might be a PEDO (freak, that's another post for another day, but I will tell you it's the Pothead, and that I'm so disgusted I ever knew him.) or how about finding out that my army-boy was sleeping with multiple women all the while we were dating and I found out FROM THIS VERY BLOG!  See?  Crazy stuff.  Are you all thoroughly entertained by my hardships and utter frustration with dating?  Good.  I want you to be, otherwise I wouldn't post this crap.  Please enjoy, and please laugh heartily.

Perhaps you want a little background on this first, so I'll fill you in, my darling readers.  The job I am currently working in is one I'm returning to after a year and a half absence.  I worked here before, and we had a rambunctious little gang of coworkers (it's just not the same now, but it's still good) that generally had an amazing time together.  There were three of us who had a crush on one of our coworkers (the hot-nerdy type) and we'd all have a good time discussing it.  He's not gay (I can't decide if trying to date a conservative is better or worse than when I tried to date a gay guy-yeah, I did that-don't judge) so David was out of luck.  That left two, Sheena and Me.

When I quit that job, he and I had a conversation and I told him how I felt, and that was that; we really didn't see each other until I came back in to re-interview for this position nearly a year and a half later.  At this time I was blissfully hiding away from the world of dating.  Okay, maybe blissfully isn't the right word... Let's try-bitterly, but I was content not feeling or caring about mushy-gushy love bullshit.  Yeah, that lasted right up until I saw him again.  I managed to cling to the fringes of it again until I started working with him (yes, I know what you're all thinking-BAD ANGIE, what happened to the no coworker rule?  I'm weak, and cute-nerdy boys with super-intelligence are my weakness, OK?) but then I'd decided I might as well enjoy liking someone again. 

This is where Sheena and her meddling came in.  She decided to have one of her friends that still works here tell him that I "dig" him.  I felt so humiliated over the whole thing-but life moves forward.

(This is the part where we get back to the drunken movie night-which was Josh's idea because he thought a nice movie filled with blood and ditzy girls getting slaughtered is the best remedy for his broken heart and my melancholy.)

The reason that is relevant, is because it was at this time the guy and I decided to sit down and talk about what had happened with the meddling.  To which I decided "what the hell" and said "To be fair to Sheena, I do like you."  Which he told me he already knew, since we'd discussed it a year before and I was fairly obvious (purposefully!) in my flirting.  Then he said "There are a few reasons that I've never pursued a relationship with you."

Now, before I proceed with his reasoning, you all should know that I'm sitting in a room with Matt, Jon, and Josh.  A Libertarian, a moderate liberal, and a HUGE liberal.  All of which were waiting to hear whether the guy I liked was interested in me too.

His reasons?  Religion (which to be honest, I expected) and politics (which I really hadn't expected.)  He's politically right-wing and aware that I am quite outspoken with my lefty beliefs (Hell, he reads this blog-everyone wave!) Now, since I like the dude, I proceed to say that I'm pretty open-minded and would probably be just fine dating a conservative, besides-hell-Ray (everyone wave again!) and I get along swimmingly and he's pretty conservative.

I wasn't prepared for the next statement.

"Are you aware that I'm politically aligned with the Tea Party?"

Shock.  My jaw literally fell open, and Jon (the bastard) upon seeing my disbelief at the screen in front of me and proceeding to check out why I was in shock, began laughing-which didn't stop for the next few days.  (It's ok, I still tease him about eating funny because that's the excuse his last girlfriend used to break up with him-she was crazy.)

Still, part of me actually considered it.  I'm aware it probably wouldn't have been the best move on my part, but I justified it with "But I really like him!"  He, however, pointed out that he reads my blog and has seen what I've posted about "tea-baggers."  (You know, now that I read that old post, it's not so much them themselves, but what a few members of that party were doing, that I was speaking out against) In any case, we agreed, it's great to be friends, but dating is probably not the best option for us.

That evening Jon, Josh and I poured our shot-glasses full and toasted always choosing the wrong people, and voiced our hope that the next person that comes into our lives, will be right for us.  The next morning, I woke up over it.   I'm content being friends.

Besides, can you guys see little liberal me trying to date a staunch religious conservative?

It'd sure as hell make for some funny blog material! :P

(Hope this made you laugh, rather than offending you)

(((Slurpees soon!)))

I'm All Over The Place-Like Sheena

I'm pretty sure I haven't talked about Sheena much before, but I feel the need to after our conversations today.  This girl is CRAZY.  She used to be my manager when I worked here the first time, and she's also a meddler.

But we still love the meddlers in our life anyway right?

The story of her most recent meddling in my life is one for another day.  Also, because it has to do with a boy, who I know has access to this blog, I have to decide what I can and can't say about it.  Well, not so much what I can and can't say, because it's my blog I can say what I want right?!?  Moreso, I guess I have to figure out what I want to share about the experience...  Well, I want to share the whole experience, but in a pretty PC way.

I could title it "How I Was Rejected by an UBER Conservative"

(I really do love you all, feel free to make fun of my political beliefs or spirituality if you want, as long as you remember to still love me in the post.  :)  I love you all dearly!)

Maybe I'll stick with "I Totally Liked That Guy for 2 Years and I'm Too Liberal For Him."

Or how about simply "Fucking Hell. I Can't Win"

I wonder how many of my readers would read that post just for one of those titles alone... I might just have to call it that. However, he's still a good friend of mine, who I don't want to offend... So until I can think about how to write about it all, so as to give you all a pretty good laugh and not piss off someone I care about, it's going to have to go on the back burner.

Crap.  I got sidetracked, where was I?

Oh yes, Sheena.

Sheena is the one on the left, I'm in the middle and Sesha on the right.
(Please ignore how horrible I look.)

This girl is crazy.  I wanted to share our conversation with you today.

 Sheena: shit, damn it. 
Sheena: I don't think I"ve had good boy company in about a year.   
Sheena: Which is sad  
Sheena: since Richard and I broke up in march.  
Sheena: /shrug  
Sheena: urgh it's only been four months
 Me: It was last march? Like over a year ago march? 
 Sheena: lol like March 2010 
Me: Oh Me: So just a few months ago 
 Me: I was like WHOA 
 Me: I haven't had ANYTHING not a kiss, not anything since November 2009! 
 Sheena: K, how are we going to get out there? 
Sheena: I'm going to Carl's BBQ on Saturday for Ellen's birthday. Hopefully there's someone to make out with there, but if not, My buddy Kori is having a bbq too next week, maybe there, but if not then where?  
 Sheena: We have to get out of our social groups 
 Sheena: and into other social groups.  
Sheena: to meet different people.   
Sheena: to make out with... lol 
Me: lol
Me: you are so funny.  
Sheena: So Did Ray ever have you pick up the Total Money Makeover? 
 Sheena: He gave me a copy. I need to finish it too. Im like 3/4 the way through  
Sheena: but homie makes a good point for a religious repbulican.   
Sheena: if you want to be smart, study smart people, if you want to be fit study fit people.  Sheena: I think we just need to study kissing sluts...keekee 
Sheena: but not hookers.   
Sheena: no hooking

Good to know Sheena.

No Hookers. Got it!

Wanted: Dead or Alive

WANTED

Name: Slacker McSlackerson

Crime: Slacking on posting in her blog.

 

If you see this person, please give her a big kick in the butt and tell her to get back to posting in her blog regularly, as well as get to reading everyone's posts and leaving lots of comments too!

***

I'm sorry guys!

I'll get caught up with you all really soon and let you know what's going on in my life.

There are lots of stories to tell, and some that are FUNNY!

Social Media

Writing Prompt: How has Social Media changed you?

A few months back I had a conversation about this with Mister Frisky, and listened to him emphasize how much he hates Facebook.  At the time, being an avid Facebook user myself, I laughed it off as him being slightly neurotic (I still love ya buddy!) and stood behind my social networking crack. Even though I loved Facebook and it's easy access to nearly everyone I know (even my grandma has a Facebook) I could kind of understand his point, even if I wasn't about to accept it for my own.

I'm starting to understand that point of view a bit better now.  One of his complaints was not being able to take someone at face value.  That is to say, if you say you want to hang out with a certain friend, and they say they're too busy or they have plans that evening, but then you see them post a Facebook status 2 hours later saying "I'm so bored, anyone want to hang out?" it kind of destroys all trust.  Perhaps it's a good type of lost trust, seeing as you probably should trust such a friend after all, but at the same time it leaves you wondering which of your friends you can trust.  Then you feel paranoid about Facebook and end up frustrated with everyone.

For example: There is a movie out now that I really want to see, and I spoke to a couple of other friends who really wanted to see it too.  Specifically one friend.  We decided to see it together, and so every time I had the opportunity to go I wouldn't-excuse being "she wants to see it with me, so I'll wait."  However, this morning her Facebook status showed up in my wall saying how great the movie had been.  I was floored.  The morning was already a grumpy one, and the status message just pushed me over the edge.  I had waited for her, why didn't she wait for me? 

Now, the logical me knows that this is really not that big of a deal.  I'll just go see it with the friends that actually waited for me tomorrow afternoon, and then I get to see it.  However, emotional me (who's currently in residence) feels slightly betrayed.  I think it's even worse because it was over facebook, and not as personal as if she'd said "I'm sorry, I went and saw it without you." which would have still stung, but it would be lacking that flippant (even if it was unintentional) disregard for my feelings.

I really do think that Social Media (Facebook mostly) has lessened my trusting nature.  I look at friend's status' and read too much into them, or  disbelieve them, see that I wasn't invited to something, or see that they never comment on anything of mine and feel sad about it.  Yet I still have the urge to have every one of them as my Facebook friend, even those friends I know don't really care about me.  What a complex.

The blogging community seems so much more close-knit.  Every comment left on my blog makes me feel wam and welcomed.  I feel as if my blog is a safe haven where I can spill my feelings out with every keystroke.  I don't have to limit my characters, I don't have to worry about who's wall it's going to show up on (because if you're here reading it, that's what you came for-it didn't just show up in a list of your other status updates) and I don't get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the blog world.  It's warm and comforting and I feel like home here.

It's not like I'm actually giving up Facebook, these are just some things I've been thinking about it. I do plan to spend less time on it at home and more time doing things like reading or crocheting though.  Also, I will spend more time blogging that Facebooking.  :)

***This post brought to you by***

Thirsday Thirteen: Technical Support

I'm participating in the Thursday Thirteen today! If you want to play, link up with everyone else by going to Word Trix!

Today, in the spirit of it being October 15th, which for me (and a lot of the country) means business. It's the last day to file returns that were extended beyond April 15th. Since I work for a company that handles software for taxes, I'm getting some nice overtime and a few calls today. That is why I decided to base my Thursday Thirteen on work.

13 Things I Say Most at Work

1. Is it plugged in? You wouldn't believe it, but a lot of the time when people have a computer problem, the computer isn't plugged in or turned on. It's not working? Go figure!
2. When was the last time you upgraded? We release updates for our software on a continual basis. During tax season, it's easily a few times a day. So if you haven't upgraded in 3 months, there's a fair chance that it's outdated.
3. Are you connected to the Internet? Guess what, you can't upgrade properly or send me your file to look at if your internets aren't working. Oh, and if you're still using dial-up, I'd think it's time to leave the stone-ages!
4. Do you have any red audits? Our program puts red audits out to tell you if their is something wrong with your return before you can electronically file it.
5. When was the last time you restarted your computer? Unfortunately Windows needs to be restarted every now and again, and even more unfortunately, our program doesn't run on Mac.
6. Do you have any Firewalls or Antivirus Software? These things block stuff from transmitting and working properly most of the time.
7. Have you upgraded to Windows Internet Explorer 8? Yeah, it's not compatible with everything yet. We have to stick it in the compatibility view...
8. What is your Operating System? Yes, believe it or not, there are lots of programs that don't run on Windows 95 anymore.
9. What does the error say? Client: I received an error closing the program. Me: Ok, what did the error say? Client: I don't know. Me: Can you recreate it? Client: Can't you just fix it? Me: Not if I don't know what the error is... Client: Why don't you know what the error is? Me: *facepalm*
10. You'll need to call the IRS for that. No, I can't tell you what the tax law is. I'm not a CPA.

Mix Tape Monday: Ready to Love Again

Mix Tape Monday hosted by Lacey In Love

I have had this song a while, and it just came up on my mix the other day.

It was so striking for me, because it speaks perfectly of how I feel right now.

I've spent the last 8 months hiding away from dating.

Hiding from feeling anything other than bitter independence.

I was content to be on my own.

Focusing on work and friends, and ignoring anything to do with dating.

It worked for me, until now.

Now I'm ready for something new, ready to try my hand at dating again.

This song is so perfect.

Ready to Love Again by Lady Antebellum

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to a WONDERFUL daddy.

A daddy who taught me the joys of reading and learning.

Who raised me to be strong and independent. 

A dad who did whatever he could to provide for our family,

 & instilled that same hard working ethic into his children.

I love you dad!

Sunday Spotlight: Miss Krista

Running Through Life

This girl is such a sweetheart, and I so love keeping up with her posts.

She also always has such kind things to say in her comments.

Go check her out!

Dear So & So on Saturday

Dear Readers,

I didn't have time to write my Dear So & So post yesterday because I worked, and then I went to see a movie at the Tower Theatre with two of my very dear friends.  It was a great way to end the week, and an otherwise slightly stressful day.  They're so great.

Anyway, I know how you love my Dear So & So posts, so I'm happy to write them.  I find them very therapeutic when putting it all down, and really?  They're a lot of fun!

Thanks for reading, you guys are all SO awesome!

- Me

Dear Baby Sister,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Yesterday)  I LOVE you so much and I'll try and come down and see you soon! Love you!

Your Big Sister

Dear Work,

I can't tell you just how glad I am to be back.  I am having so much fun in the workplace, and I'm getting a lot done and feeling so useful to my coworkers.  My job satisfaction level from my last few jobs to this one, has increased tenfold.

Thank you!

Dear _________,

I think your brain is so incredibly sexy.  I could listen to you talk about things I don't understand, and still be utterly fascinated because of how I admire your intellect. 

I was a bit humiliated yesterday with people meddling, because I would have never done things that way, but as long as it's out there, I might as well confirm it.  It's ok if you're not interested in me the same way, because I'm a big girl and will get over it.  So the ball is in your court, I'll leave it to you to talk to me about it or do whatever you feel you need to do.

- Me

P.S. I'm short and I've never had a problem hearing you.

Truth & Love

"Between whom there is hearty truth, there is love." - Henry David Thoreau

Someday I will have it.

***

(P.S.  I'm doing my Dear So & So a little late-tomorrow! So everyone will have to come read!  I have a bit to say, and I know how much you all love them!)

I "Like" That

So I'm addicted to Social Networking... I'll admit it.  Facebook, Twitter, Myspace (even though it's kinda dead now) Photobucket, Deviantart, and of course-Blogger! (Those links take you to my personal profiles... hint hint... Haha!)

Now Facebook has a system of fan pages.  You used to be able to "become a fan" but now you just "like" things.  I'll admit, sometimes I like things just because they're HILARIOUS.  Other times it's because I actually like things. So I thought I'd share a list of some of the more interesting pages I "Like" on Facebook.

Mostly, they just make me giggle.

Yeah, as a matter of fact I'm staring at you, you're hot! 

You're mad at me for that?... Let me know when you grow up.

They need a Whoop-Dee F*cking Doo button next to the "Like" button.

I hate it when I'm in an awkward situation and I can't find a Twix.

If you hurt my best friend, I can make your death look like an accident.

I suffer from A. D. O. S... Attention Deficit Oooooooooh Shiney!

Thanks phone, for being strong every time I dropped you.

Everytime I see your face a voice inside my head goes DOOOOOUUUUCHE!

Oh Man, you deleted me as your friend? You sure showed me!

I hate when you're nice to the weird kid, and then they stalk your life.

Discovering an old enemy has gotten fat.

When someone says "Stop" my brain says "Collaborate and Listen!"

Sarcasm (n.) The ability to insult idiots without them realizing it.

You're a dude... Why are your pants tighter than your girlfriends?

Life's not a garden, don't be a hoe.

You're about as pointless as the white crayon.

Why doesn't Dora ever tell her parents about the fox that stalks her?

You may call it being a smart ass, I call it explaining why you're an idiot.

Making dirty innuendos out of perfectly innocent things.


Dear Math, grow up and solve your own problems!

If I could delete you from my life, that would be amazing.

Texting the person next to you things you can't say out loud.

"Wanna go out?" "I have a boyfriend" "I have a fish" "What?" "Oh I thought we were talking about things that don't matter."

Intelligent, classy women who say f*ck a lot.

I hate it when I'm making a milkshake and boys just show up in my yard.

It's Gunna Be a Long Way to Happy...

"Now I'm numb as hell and I can't feel a thing, but don't worry about regret or guilt because I never knew your name. I just wanna thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all those sleepless nights and for tearing me apart!"

-Pink

Lost Blogs, and Backups!

I have heard of SO many people losing their blogs lately, and it made me nervous. 

So, I backed up my blog, and I'm going to share how with you!

You know, because I love your face, and I don't want you to lose one single post!

If you have Blogger; you can back up your blog by going into your "Settings" under the "Basic" tab, and clicking on "Export Blog."

Then, just click through the steps as prompted and save it to somewhere on your hard drive.  I recommend someplace safe that you'll be able to find just in case Blogger (or something else) loses your data.  That way you can just import your information and have it all back! 

Wordpress Backup How-To

LiveJournal Backup How-To

Also, since we all know that hard drives can fail (my 1TB external is now clicking-ARGH!) I recommend backing it up to an online backup solution or saving it somewhere else as well.  Personally, I backed mine up to Mozy, which is awesome.  You can get Unlimited backup for only $4.95 a month (This post is outdated, the pricing plans have changed), or you can get 2GB free. 

I've used it for years, and I love it.

Good luck everyone, I hope your data is safe! :)

Sunday Spotlight: Dawn Breaks Like a Bull Through The Hall

This week's spotlight is...

Dawn Breaks Like a Bull Through the Hall!

I used to go to High School with Sam, and she's amazing! She's grown so much since then, like get married and have a little baby that looks just like her!  



The other day she said to me: 

"I like how sincere you are. I always know you mean what you say and I really think that is such an admirable quality.  You always speak your mind and you are comfortable with who you are.  I look up to you in so many ways." 

I was really touched by it!  I love this girl! 

Dear So & So: A Laugh At A Dumb Ex's Expense

Dear TW,

I am shockingly glad that you didn't hire me back.  The new job is SO much better, and I'm happy and plan on excelling very quickly here.  Have fun being an old boys club and losing all of your good employees because they're so frustrated with how you're treating them.

Peace Out!

Dear Spoiled Brat,

I've been feeling sorry for you, because you had such a rough go of it with your parents.  Yes your dad was an alcoholic ass and your mom was too drugged up to be a mom, but that doesn't give you the right to still act like a spoiled five year old at 19!  I think at some point you REALLY need to learn to grow up.  I've been excusing how you've been acting because I knew your Dad and how he acted, but you know what?  Your little sister had the same dad and she's the sweetest and most considerate 15 year old I've ever met.

I've done nothing but try to help you with your wedding that's coming up.  Since you don't have parents, I figured I'd help and be a great faux auntie, but your selfish bratty actions have made me decide not to.  You demand things, even when they're not offered, and you make snarky public comments about the help I offered you.  So I'm done.  You're on your own.

Maybe being on your own will help you grow up for once.  Also, you can't act the way you have been in your workplace, sometime you'll realize it when your employers start laying you off more frequently.

Time to grow up.

Dear Spoiled Brat's Sister,

You are the sweetest little faux niece I've ever had! I'm so glad to know you and I'm hoping to get to know you better!

Stay awesome! 

Dear Someone Else,

I do kind of like you, except for the fact that I'm feeling pretty happy being single and you don't seem to be interested.  But maybe you're just dense.  Men can be that way, especially nerdy ones.

It's probably for the best.

Dear Readers,

Please enjoy this next letter, as I fully expect it to give you some laughs.  In fact, I was in class when I read it, and had to hurry and clamp my hand over my mouth in order to keep from bursting out in a very loud guffaw. Heather said she was literally rolling when I texted it to her.  So please, have a laugh at the expense of one of my dumbest exes.

Love you all!

Dear Pothead,

So I heard you said you could understand how your other ex, Heather, and me hate you, and that you're "over it."  In fact, I believe you said "I'd even date Angie again if it wouldn't be weird."  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Really?

First off, way to pretend to "be the bigger person;" no one buys it.

Second, what would make you think you'd even remotely have a chance at that?  I'd sooner join a nunnery than ever have to spend 5 seconds in your insipid company.  If I had to sit and hear you make up random factoids about songs and musicians (with which google or wikipedia would quickly disprove) or if I had to look at your mangy hair or even the bull-dyke cut you soon sported after that, I would vomit.

I really hope you and the Soggy Rotten Mango NEVER break up.  I honestly wish you guys a long-lasting relationship so that no one else in the world has to put up with either of you.

You're funny when you pretend to be open minded.

Keep Laughing

(Source We ♥ It)

Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away. - Benjamin Franklin

***

Keep laughing and stay positive, and you'll find all your worries will work themselves out.  Laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails your heart! :)

I love you all, and wish you lots of laughter.

Why I Love My New(ish) Job

Day two down, and so far I am LOVING being back at this company.  Care to know why it's better than the rest?  Well I'm telling you anyway.

(Source We ♥ it)

♥ I have a reputation for being an amazing employee there.  Today one of the people in my training class cornered me in the break room; he said "I've heard of you.  You're good, I call dibs on sitting next to you!"  Then my new manager came down to training to say hello, and he asked us "Has anyone here ever done support chats before?" I raised my hand and he gave me a look and said "I know  you have Angie, 16 at a time!" To which the entire room were shocked and impressed.  Yep, I rock.

♠ At my last job (V), I was an unknown with no way to prove myself.  The one before that (T), everyone overlooked my skills because I had gotten involved with a coworker who ended up sleeping with the rest of the office.  The man-whore was rewarded, and I was pushed aside.  Sexist much?

♥ I remember nearly everything about the job.  While I've been bored the last two days in training for this very reason, it's a very good thing that I can pull all of that information back up in my memory.  I am TOTALLY going to rock this job.

♥ We have a fully stocked break room.  No really, I mean FULLY.  Anything from frozen food (burritos, teriyaki bowls, popsycles, etc,) to all different kinds of snack foods (nuts, candy, chips, fruit snacks, etc.) and drinks (soda, water, coffee, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, etc.) too! It's great!

♠ Both of my last jobs only had vending machines in their break rooms.  Job V even overcharged for everything they had.

♥ They provide lunch every Wednesday.  Not just pizza, but Kneaders (Deli sandwiches and spreads), Cafe Rio, and even Olive Garden!

♠ My last two jobs would do a BBQ or order pizza every once and a while, but not every week!

♥ They're very laid back.  They specifically said NO micromanaging as long as you meet your quotas.  I think I'll be much more productive in an environment that manages based on how well you do and not on how bad you could possibly be.

♠ I've never had a job that didn't have the managers looking over your shoulder waiting for you to mess up.  Especially job V, they didn't even allow purses at your desk or a piece of paper! 


♥ Internet access.  Yes peeps, I'll be able to access my blog at work again!  For all those times that are super slow, or on my lunch breaks, I'll even be able to check Facebook!

♠ Job V didn't even have internet, just intranet.  You could only access their site and systems even on breaks.  Job T let us access stuff, but never our email or Facebook!

♥  The only dress code-Don't come naked.  I wore flip-flops to work today for the first time in years.  It was awesome.

♠ both of my last jobs had bans on Flip-Flops, and job T only let us dress casual on Fridays.  This is nice! 

♥ Big private desks.  Yes, they're cubicles, but they have three full walls, and a half wall.  With your own white board, drawers, and filing cabinets.  It's almost like my own little office.


♠ Job T we had our own desks, but they were little cubicles and all your neighbors were around you all the time.  Job V was awful, because you never had your own desk, always sharing by grabbing whatever one was available, and you even shared headsets! Yuck!

♥ The computers are amazing.  Shhhhh... Don't tell all my Mac friends (because y'all know I love me some Apple) but I am in love with Windows 7.  My computer at work is zippy-fast, and it has Windows 7 on it!  Also, my monitor is 21 inches and HUGE!  It's so beautiful.  *Geek love*

♠ Job T did give me dual monitors, which I loved, but I was using XP still.  With Windows 7 and such a giant monitor I don't even need dual monitors, it mimics the experience very well!  Job V had the SLOWEST computers EVER.  It made me so crazy!

♥ And last, but not least, PAY!  Let's just say I'm making more than I've EVER made.  About $4.50 more per hour than job T, and a whopping $7.50 more per hour than job V.  I LOVE it!

♠ Also, job V had ABC pay, which was Activity Based Compensation.  Meaning if you had a day of bad calls, your pay could go as low as minimum wage.  You have to constantly fight to make anywhere between minimum wage and $13 dollars an hour.  Also, if you were at work waiting for a call, you weren't being paid for minutes you weren't on the call.

The only downside to the new job is that they've taken me on temp to hire with no benefits until they hire me on as a full time employee.  However, as long as I prove myself that should be within 3 months! Here's hoping!

See why I'm stoked about my new job?

(((P.s. Wanna know the absolute best thing about my new job?  I don't have to see or deal with The Pothead or the Soggy Rotten Mango!  That's priceless!)

Congrats Alanis!

Happy Monday everyone! 

My first day of work went well, I'm surprised how much I remember after being away from the company for a year and a half.  I have no doubt I'll pick it back up and be a total rockstar in no time. :) 

I'm not one to discuss celebrities much, but I have to share this.

Alanis Morissette's Myspace Status just said:

"Hi guys! So happy to share with you that my man Souleye and I got married. We're very excited to embark on this journey with each other....sending love...connect soon xo - Alanis"

So I have to say CONGRATS to one of my all-time favorite artists! 

She continues to inspire me, and she deserves a happy marriage!

This just goes to show, no matter how much the past has hurt us (as shown in her lyrics) we can find true love again and we can move on and hopefully find what we've always been looking for.


Love you all!

Sunday Spotlight: A Nut in a Nut Shell

This week's Spotlight is....

Blueviolet! 

She has an amazing blog filled with awesome stories about her family, tales of hilarity,  and TONS of awesome giveaways!  I myself won a planner from her a month or two back, and I have loved entering her giveaways and reading her reviews.  

Also, she has TONS of followers, but somehow manages to follow me back and leave me awesome comments.  She's a genuine sweetheart, and I love reading this blog! 

Please go check her out by clicking on her button above!

Official Announcement

I know you've all been waiting to hear about the job situation, and most of you know it from my letters, but I FINALLY got another job! I'd been working at one, doing inbound customer service for a cell phone company, and I didn't like working there.  The pay was low, the hours were non-negotiable, and the training was nearly insufferable.  I try not to complain much, but I was miserable!

The job I was at before that had laid me off due to Tax Season ending, but they were going to be hiring some of us back come May when the new fiscal year started; this time as full-time employees instead of seasonal.  There were four of us who were Tier twos and on our second season with the company, and the main manager in support had told me that they would be considered first because of their experience and time with the company.  The first three positions opened up, my resume was submitted, and I intereviewed.  Didn't land it.  In fact, they'd hired one of the tier twos (Joe-he really deserved it) and two random level ones that had only been their for one season.  I was upset about it, but they said three more would be opening up soon.

In the meantime, I kept applying elsewhere.  Come to find out, my old managers at the company I had worked for before the previous one (listed above) had been fired.  The entire reason I left that company was because they were outsourcing to India, and now they're hiring a few people here.  I was contacted my my old manager basically saying "Those guys were fired, want a job?" So I applied, and I interviewed, and everything seemed like it was going to happen.  Everyone said that I had the job, and the recruiting lady called and hired me and told me when I was starting.  That same day, she called and told me to hold on because they had to make some changes, and then the next day she called and told me she was sorry but I didn't have the job.

I found out that a manager in a different department of that company had spoken out against hiring me because of ONE customer complaint, ONE time, YEARS ago; so they had listened to him and decided not to hire me.  However I had a few previous coworkers/managers go to the new management and say "WE WANT HER." However, I decided to just go on with my life.

Well, they called and hired me again, apparently everyone wanting me so bad was finally taken into account, and I start Monday!

Also, the previous job with the three openings?  They called and told me to resubmit my resume, and I did.  However yesterday they called and said "I'm sorry, you came really close, but you didn't quite make the cut."  So despite the feeling of betrayal, I simply said "It's ok, I have a BETTER job.  They're paying me more."

I hate to say it, but I'm much better off.  There were so many feelings of anger towards that company for not hiring me even though I was a top candidate with good ratings and attendance.  It's really an old boys club there, and most of the employees know it.  Also, I don't know how they can condone promoting a pothead (who does come to work high A LOT) who is sleeping with multiple women in the office, but not hiring a good employee because she's a girl and not a Mormon.

Anyway, I'm moving on to bigger and better things.  Higher pay, and a company where I can actually go somewhere and make something of myself.  It's temp to hire, but I have no doubt I will show them how awesome I am, and they'll want to bring me on full time!

Wish me luck! 

Dear So & So: How I've Missed You

Dear "Dear So & So",

Goodness, it's been a long time since I participated in this Meme and wrote my anonymous letters pouring out everything I've been meaning to say.  I've kind of missed the catharsis, so here we go again.  So glad to be back in the saddle!

Signed,
Someone Who Missed You

Dear New Job,

It was pretty messed up how you called me and gave me the job, then called me and told me you wouldn't be hiring me after all.  I was so extremely frustrated!  I can't believe you did that to me! However, you've called and told me to be there Monday at 8:30am, and while I am still a bit apprehensive of it because of what happened last time, you've said it's the final answer now.  I'm so excited to be back, even if I am a little bit nervous.

Right now everyone there has been told the lore of my awesomeness, how when I worked there before I literally would take 14 chats, a phone call, and still crank out 500 quality emails a day.  I was a total rockstar.  What if I can't live up to that again?  I have to.

Signed,
You're New/Old Employee

Dear Most Recent Job,

You guys have one of the highest turnover rates I've ever seen, would you like me to tell you why I think that is?  A: You only pay about $9.00 an hour for training.  B: When you're out of training it's "Activity Based Compensation" which is all well and good, except for it's by the minute and even if we're sitting in our chairs waiting for a phone call, we're not getting paid for being there unless we're on a call.
.
Someone in this same area just got sued for that, I think you guys need to fix something there.  Thanks for giving me a job when I really needed it, but it's time I start moving on.

Signed,
Very Grateful To Be Out of There.

Dear Old Job That I Begged To Keep Me On,

You called me, told me to resubmit my resume, but I haven't heard anything since.  How frustrating.

Signed,
Me

Dear Pot Head Ex,

Bwahahahahahahahaha!  I heard you FINALLY got demoted and can no longer run the reports or access personal information at work!  It is ABOUT TIME! All of us have wanted it for so long because someone who is sleeping with/trying to sleep with so many women in the office should be allowed to be in any kind of management or like position.  Not to forget you actually told the women you slept with personal information about managers and such, or did you think I forgot?

On the upside, not getting hired back there means I don't have to see you and the Soggy Rotten Mango anymore.  That is quite the kicker that keeps me positive about the whole thing.

Signed,
I Love Karma

Dear Old DJ Friend,

So I recently found out you deleted me on Facebook over the whole "Amber Drama" a while back, and at first I was really sad about it because I had been missing you and only found out about it as I was going to leave you a note saying so.  I shouldn't have worried so, because as it comes down to it, I don't care anymore.  I'm learning it is better to lose a friend then to keep one who is fair-weathered! I don't want a friend like that.  I have so many better friends who stand by my side through thick and thin and listen to my side of the story (since I so obviously didn't do ANYTHING to her, as I never even commented back on those posts or said anything) before judging.

Peace out buddy.

Signed,
I Don't Care Anymore.

Dear Readers,

Thank you for hanging in there with me through these last few rough weeks, you all mean so much to me! Hopefully I will be back to my old ways in no time! :)

Love,
Miss Angie

Interviewed!

I was interviewed! 

Go check my interview out!

I Miss My Car =(

So Sunday Josh and I loaded up the car, and then made our way to my family's ranch with Matt, his kids, David and Kasey in tow.  We put up our tents and had a great time hanging out by the camp fire.  My grandparents were there too, and we had a fun time hanging out with them too.  Unfortunately the 4 year old peed her pants in the middle of the night so Matt and the kids left at about 2am, then David and Kasey left first thing in the morning, and Josh and I stuck around for breakfast with my grandparents.

Camping was a lot of fun!

However, breaking down on the freeway was not.

We were driving home, and just before 90th south in Sandy my car just stopped going on the freeway.  Just. Stopped. Going.  ON THE FREEWAY! It wouldn't accelerate at all, so I hurried and put my flashers on and coasted off the freeway.  Then Josh pushed the car further off the freeway and we took a look at what was going on.  It immediately leaked out all of my antifreeze, and after turning it off it it would turn over, but not actually start again.

Josh called his dad (a mechanic) who said it sounded like the timing belt and the water pump, estimated cost to fix it?  About $400!

So I called my grandpa, he stopped and picked us up and we went to get his winch and my uncle's trailer.  When we got back and tried to winch the car up onto the trailer, the winch didn't work.  So my uncle left to get his hand crank one, and grandpa and Josh decided to try and pull the car up by hand.

I was inside the car stearing it (and I was PETRIFIED thinking it was going to fall or something) and they'd pull it by hand, then I'd hold the break while they tightened the rope.

Then... My car high-centered on the trailer.

I was just about in tears at this point.  My poor car!

So my grandpa took the crowbar to the bottom as Josh and my uncle finished pulling it up.  We then hauled it to my other uncle's house so we could drop it off for my cousin Ruben to look at for me.  As we were pushing it off the trailer (with Josh inside steering/braking because I refused to do that again) IT HIGH-CENTERED AGAIN!!!  It was awful.

I am so lucky Josh was there to keep me from freaking out when it happened, and I am SO lucky for amazing family who came and rescued me and amazing grandparents who have loaned me their van in the meantime.

So by now (Wednesday evening) my cousin Ruben has torn it apart, and he called me with the estimate.  Are you wondering how close Josh's dad was?  It WAS the timing belt and water pump, and the estimated total is $350 to $375 and he needs at least half to get started on the car.  Care to guess how much money is in my bank account when I just now checked? I have a whopping $19 to my name at the moment.

I miss my car! =(

I get paid Friday, but that has to pay rent first, and I wont get a paycheck at my new job probably for two weeks.  So I called my grandpa to ask him if it was okay that I borrowed his van for another couple of weeks until I can afford to fix my car, and he said he'd just give my cousin the money to get started.  I protested, but you know grandparents... It doesn't matter whether they can afford it or not, they will do it.  So I told him that if he does that, I WILL be paying him back as soon as I have the money in my possession.  I am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life helping me out!

***Also, for those of you wondering about my job, I'll have more info tomorrow!***

A Vote Please!

I'm really thinking about quitting my job tomorrow...

I have a new one starting Monday... I think.

We'll see.

What do you think?  

Yay or Nay?