Badge Withdrawl

So today is my last day at a place that I've worked at for nearly six years. I've spent my entire professional life here. Despite being excited about where I am moving on to work, I have to admit that it's daunting, given that there's been a lot of upheaval in my life recently especially. I've had one version of an orange badge for all this time. It's kinda like a child or some weird, disembodied appendage that I've been responsible for. Where did I put it last? There have been many a frantic frisking of jeans thrown into the hamper or coats that I might have worn the day previous, looking for it. I think that I will have some kind of badge at the next place, but it won't be the same as the blaring orange badge that everyone around this area knows about. No parking pass hanging from my rear view window. I won't be typing the OWA address into my address bar so I can obsessive compulsively check my work mail. I won't be able to sashay into any building I want to with a flick of my badge. I'll just be a regular, badgeless person.

Maybe that's not so bad.

Last night, the washing machine repairman was 45 minutes late. I was really irritated when I thought he wasn't coming and the phone service was of no help at all. When he finally showed up, he offered no apologies or explanation. Grr. He then proceeded to use scare tactics to encourage me to buy a new unit. Hey, man...doesn't behoove you that I keep this one because you might get called to come fix it? Well, I won't use them again anyway.

I'm excited because tomorrow I am going to Theatre Sports for the first time in several months. Since it's a Saturday, hopefully their A players will be on. Last time I went was a Sunday evening and the B cast performed. While they weren't horrible....they left a lot to be desired. It'll be nice to just go out on a Saturday...

My stupid hair grows to fast. I need to get to colored again! ARGH!

Nikki on 01.27.06 @ 05:59 PM PST [link]

The Good Girl

Marie has just labeled herself as "the good girl" from when we were in high school. What?? Is she kidding me? Of the four of us, I am definitely the closest one to having that title. And here is why:

• Grades: Of the four of us, I had the best grades. I was sixth in the class. It's very difficult for bad girls to get good grades, since so much of their time is consumed with contemplating their next evil move.
• Dating: I never dated in high school. The closest I got was slow dancing with Jacob at Homecoming sophomore year. I didn't date...didn't get kissed, and therefor didn't make out. Marie dated a little...and each time I hear the story about her and Dave (a pastor's son) it's a little more elicit than the time before! (although, in no way shameful) My pristine nature, in and of itself, should jettison me into Good Girl territory.
• Groundings: I was never once grounded. Marie was. And then on top of it, she rode her bike all over town during it. Granted, her parents should have been smarter than to allow this because of course she rode her bike right over to Matt's house or wherever the heck she pleased.
• Church: I was renowned in my church as The Good Christian Girl. Why they thought that when they didn't even know me, except that I sat in the third pew from the front and was quiet and was pretty consistent about attending. In fact, before Marie even met her husband...people in the church were encouraging him to date me! (Or so I am told. No one said a word to me about it at the time.)
• Aura: Can you not see the halo constantly hovering above my head??? Just because Marie had a penchant for liking/dating pastor's sons doesn't thrust her into the Good Girl arena.

So there you have it. I win. I also never wrote a note and stuck it in some Senior's locker. How many times did you do that, Marie? I remember at least twice! :P All I did was pine for five years over a boy who would become a monk. What can be more Good Girl than that??

Oh and she's also calling me a brownnoser now. Please! You can't have Mr. Thiede for three classes and be a brownnoser. Even if I had those tendencies, which I don't, he's unbrownnoseable! I simply did what the teachers asked of me and didn't make a lot of waves...unlike some people that I know of (i.e. Dante's Inferno assignment in Humanties.)

heheheheheeh

Nikki on 01.23.06 @ 08:25 PM PST [link]

Washing Machine

After only two weeks of homeownership, I have my first breakdown. On Friday night, I threw in a load of sheets into the washing machine. As I read in bed waiting for Suganthi to call, I thought that the washer sounded...not quite right. But since I don't make a habit of listening to what it should sound like, I ignored it. But still it plaugued me, so I went to investigate. It smelled a little hot, so I immediately turned it off. I took everything that I could out (kind of messy), but couldn't extricate the fitted sheet. The water was frigid and after several futile attempts at fishing around, had to wait and allow feeling to resume in my arm and hand. So then I emtied the washer out as much as I could with my Nalgene and resumed the rescue attempt. To no avail. Since it was late, I knew that there was nothing I could do, so I went about my business. The next morning I found the receipt that my agent gave me the night she gave me the keys. The washer had been broken during the inspection and the receipt was given as proof that it was fixed. Whaddya know...the problem fixed according to the receipt was exactly the same as what I am dealing with. So, I called and had to leave a message. They have yet to call me back, so I will probably have to call again tomorrow. Of course now I have a billion things I need to wash. It better be fixed before I need to leave for orientation.

Speaking of which...I received all my itinerary information today. Much to my chagrin, I am going to have to drive myself to the hotel and then between the hotel and the studio...a little daunting since I have never been in LA before. Hopefully I will not end up in Compton or something. Quite an adventure!

Nikki on 01.23.06 @ 07:55 PM PST [link]

Sleepyhead

It was extremely difficult to get out of bed this morning. No reason really. I wasn't out carousing late...unless you call babysitting until 10 pm and then a run to Seattle to pick up a fax at Tim's, "carousing." I think the rain and dreariness is getting to me.

This weekend I am definitely going to get the house more in order. I just can't live like this anymore. It seems as though my idea to have a cable jack moved to the other side of the livingroom is being thwarted, so I have two choices: leave the tv where the cable jack currently is (which is practically in the dining room) or get an obnoxiously long cable cord and run it industrial style from where the jack is to where I want it to be, along the floor. Neither of these choices are cool with me...I do have the choice of having an electrician cut many holes into my walls in order to thread the cable...but that doesn't seem practical either. Sigh. I wonder...had I realized this problem before I bought the place, would I still have bought it? Probably. You can't discount a place to live because of a cable jack...especially when you're desparate to find someplace to live. Argh.

Here are the things I need to do this weekend to the house:

• Clean out the fireplace because the previous owner left about a foot of ash in it. (Using half the phone book to start a fire didn't really help things either...)
• Install the closet organizer. I don't know how I am going to do this alone...but it must be done this weekend!!
• Arrange the living room
• Put things on the wall. I've avoided this because I don't want to bother the neighbor with hammering...but, I've got to do it eventually.

This should get me started at least.

The new review book from HaperCollins isn't too bad. Much better than the last one I read, which was too chick-lit for me. The author and the setting is Australian, which is a nice change from all the Brit-lit I've done in the past year. However, when I hear the characters talking as I read, I still imagine them with British accents. Can't quite get the Australian accent implanted in to my memory.

I'm super excited to have found out that Dead Poets Society has a new DVD version out. This one has added features, like commentary and deleted scenes, that the other one didn't have. That's why I never bought it, because it was basically just like the VHS that I already owned. I even have the tv version that had extended scenes. Maybe I will put that on as I put the house together this weekend...yeah, actual work will end about ten minutes into it. I'm a sucker for that movie.

Nikki on 01.20.06 @ 06:22 PM PST [link]

A Case of the Lazies

I've been lazy lately. I have about one ton of unpacking to do...but yet I find myself curled up reading a book or watching tv a lot. Granted, I've been sick for a portion of this time, but even beforehand I was lazy. I keep procrastinating until the weekend and then the weekend comes and I go shopping or have other things to do. I think part of the problem is the dreariness; I always clean better when it's sunny.

Tomorrow's my mom's birthday and yet again I am not going to get her present to her on time. argh. I am a bad bad daughter!

Nikki on 01.18.06 @ 09:35 PM PST [link]

Tired of Being Sick

Yes, I am sick again. Fortunately, this time I am able to function and am not laid out flat. But still. I don't think I've been sick this many times in one season since I worked in daycare. Sigh. It's partially my own fault. I haven't been eating well and haven't worked out in a long time; my defenses are down.

There has been rain...a lot of rain lately. Today the sun has peeked out of the clouds a bit, so there's hope. Here it is only January and I am tired of winter.

Nikki on 01.17.06 @ 04:36 PM PST [link]

Survey Says

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
   
   I don't remember the exact words...but I am sure it had some cursing involved because it was 7 am.



2. How much cash do you have on you?
   
   I never have cash. Everyone knows that.



3. What's a word that rhymes with “TEST”?
   
   Best



4. Favorite planet?
   
   I guess earth.



5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell?
   
   I don't recognize the number...probably someone from the mortgage place.



6. What's your favorite text you still have saved on your phone?
   
   I generally don't save texts. I save them til the phone is full and then delete them all. But saving an especially cute one is definitely something that I would do.



7. What shirt are you wearing?
   
   A grey sweater.



8. Do you “label” yourself?
   
   What does "label" mean?



9. Name the brand of your shoes you're currently wearing?
   
   The shoes are so old that I can't read the brand anymore...they came from Payless, though.



10. Bright or dark room?
    
    Dim, florescent.



11. What were you doing at midnight last night?
    
    Reclined drowsily on the couch, thinking about how I ought to be packing.



12. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
    
    "Cool. I look forward to seeing your new place."



13. Where is your nearest 7-11?
    
    50th Street & 1st-ish NE.



14. What's a saying that you hear a lot?
    
    “Ya know.”



15. Who told you they loved you last?
    
    Keely when I left her house last week.



16. Last furry thing you touched?
    
    Mika



17. How many drugs have you done in the past three days?
    
    Just my regular dose.



18. How many rolls of film do you need to develop?
    
    Well, I developed four rolls of Keely's ancient film because the girl can't seem to develop them herself.



19. Favorite age you have been so far?
    
    30. A lot of cool things happened that year. :)



20. Your worst enemy?
    
    I don't think I have an enemy persay. I have people that I compete with...but it's not always people that I dislike.



21. What is your current desktop picture?
    
    The default Windows picture.



22. What was the last thing you said to someone?
    
    I was talking about moving with a co-worker.



23. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a major regret?
    
    Please pass the money. Thank you.



24. Do you like someone?
    
    Of course.

Nikki on 01.06.06 @ 07:32 PM PST [link]

2006 Isn't So Bad Afterall

So I thought 2006 was going to suck, but yesterday seemed to be a turning point. When I left work last night I got a call from one of the places that I interviewed at. The BIG place. Here's how the conversation went:

"Hi, Nicole. I wanted to touch base with you and ask how you thought that the interviews went."

"I thought they were great."

"Good, good. And you're still working right?"

"Yes, I am a contractor."

"And if necessary, you could give two weeks notice. That would be enough time?"

"Oh yes. That's sufficient."

"Great. Okay, well, we definitely want to bring you on board."

And then the talk of money began. She got me a little more than I make now, but I am fine with that because at least it's a permanent position at a stable company! It is ironic that now that I am moving to the Eastside, I get a job in Seattle. Three years I lived here and only had two interviews in Seattle. Sigh. But, I was told today that I can have a free parking spot or a free bus pass with 10 free parking spots per quarter. And there are other cool perks. My first two days will be spent in CA for orientation. I am uber excited. When I told Mom last night, she was nearly in tears. Tim and Judy and I went out to eat to celebrate, to a nice Italian restaurant in Ravenna. I really wanted to go to the Olive Garden, but the one in Northgate is gone! :(

Today I sign the final papers for the condo. Already this morning I signed my life away at the title place. Now I am waiting for the call to sign the final final papers. Should get the keys this afternoon some time. It's really all surreal right now. As crappy as this week started, it's refreshing to have some good turnouts!

One good thing about the new workplace...I didn't see any free soda anywhere. I saw a Coke machine (blech) but it looked like you had to insert money. That should help me quite a bit!

Nikki on 01.06.06 @ 05:03 PM PST [link]

Wound Tight

Between a myriad of job interviews, packing, traveling, mortgage paperwork, and other unmentionable life stressors, I am existing on Panic Mode these days. It also doesn't help that I haven't worked out in a month and have been drinking more Mountain Dew than I care to disclose.

Today I have had to resist the temptation to text message.

Tomorrow, I sign the final papers for my condo. I don't think that I've let it quite sink in yet, allowing myself to believe that there's still time for it all to all fall apart. Maybe once I have the keys in hand I will turn the corner...I am not sure what's around the corner: Full Panic Mode or Serene Peace. We shall see. Every day that passes, I think, "This is my last Monday (or whatever) in this apartment."

I need a drink.

Nikki on 01.05.06 @ 08:39 PM PST [link]

Happy New Year

So last night Judy came over and we hung out and exchanged gifts. Then we rambled up to Tim's house. We meant to leave before midnight and walk down to Gasworks to watch the fireworks at the Spaceneedle, but we lost track of time while playing the Mr. B game. Later we went back to my place and had some of the champagne that I bought. (I am drinking the last little bit that's left right now.)

I need to make my resolutions still...my book that I write them in is packed right now, so it will have to wait I guess. As I thought over the year, I realized that, while this year hasn't really sucked, that it hasn't been the greatest year ever. Specifically, holidays kinda sucked.

• New Years 2005: I got irritated with a friend for intimating that I was intoxicated when I actually hadn't had anything to drink for hours and was fully sober. I still hold that against her, I am sorry to say.
• Valentines Day: This holiday just always sucks.
• Easter: I can't even remember what I did for this holiday.
• My birthday: While it was cool that Keely was here for it and going out to dinner with her and Judy was nice...it wasn't what I had really wanted and on top of that, I was sick.
• 4th of July: Judy and I went to Golden Gardens because I had the ridiculous notion that we could see the fireworks from there...and we couldn't. The hot/drunk guy that kept talking to us was nice, though.
• Halloween: I thought this would be really fun. I even dressed up for it. But it wasn't really. Not the way I thought it might be. On top of that, moving was already on my mind...
• Thanksgiving: I had several invitations from people but none were what I really wanted. So, I ended up sleeping most of the day away and got no turkey, and I really love turkey.
• Christmas: Christmas was okay, but weird.
• New Years 2006: Again, no midnight kiss. No nothing. Just me and Judy. Sigh.

I shouldn't complain. I think I am just feeling sorry for myself right now.

I am trying to look forward to some things that are going on, like the new condo and one job interview in particular that I am jazzed about.

Nikki on 01.02.06 @ 05:25 AM PST [link]