Kingfisher Cove

Bloggers are Good People!

When I first started blogging (two years ago this coming Friday!), one of the first blogs I added to my favorites was by a witty and smart mom in New Jersey named Debra Galant.   I just loved visiting her site every day and reading about her life and funny viewpoints, and we'd comment on each others blogs now and then. Knowing she was in New Jersey, she made me think of Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's novels.  Then I discovered that she was a journalist for the New York Times, which intrigued me (I even Googled some articles and columns she'd written).   After a while, she started up a professional blog that was geared for the community she lived in (covering newsworthy issues, community events, etc.) and I lost interest since it's not my community (and no more personal stuff about her kids' antics or views of her nifty porch swing).   I hadn't even thought about her in a year or so, and I received an email from her yesterday -- she's had a novel published!  And it's gotten great reviews!  I'm so excited for her!  It's called "Rattled", and I currently have it in my Amazon shopping cart -- I'll be ordering it very soon!   Is that cool or what?  What's kind of eerie is that it's about "MacMansions", and I just mentioned something about MacMansions in a recent post.  Hmmm.

Nate performed his scene today (with "stinky" guy), and it went really really well!  He was so jazzed when he got home today.  He and this guy were able to rehearse quite a bit over the weekend and really got it down.  The guy is older -- mid-20s -- and has a fair amount of acting experience.  (Nate said he's really a nice guy, and he didn't smell so bad when they were rehearsing together).   I'm so glad it went well.  His last exercise didn't so much and he was frustrated and "not liking" acting.  Today he loves it again.  Probably typical for acting types, hating the rejection/criticism but thriving on the kudos.  And the kudos keep them going.  I couldn't get over the detail and effort they put into this scene by dressing their parts today, and bringing a bunch of props that they purloined from home and also picked up on the cheap at Value Village.   The instructor was very impressed.   

Oooh, I finally grinded (ground!) my glass pieces tonight.  Before I progress to foiling, I need to measure it with the pieces in place and make sure it's going to fit into the wrought iron thingy.  I may need to grind the rounded edges down further.  I'm NOT going to make the same mistake as I did with my address stake.

OK it Wasn't TOOOOOO Bad

There were quite a lot of us (probably 50?) crammed into a small classroom for a Job Search Preparation Workshop.  What especially struck me was that 99% of us were late 40s or above.  In fact, there were a couple of men that had to be very close to retirement age.  We all went around the room and introduced ourselves and told our unemployment stories (I kept mine very brief -- laid off due to cutting back on overhead, which is what I was told).   Many were as a result of companies restructuring or outsourcing to cheaper labor.  Many people were very angry.  I felt so sorry for one particular woman whose husband died last summer, and she started taking night classes (while still working full time) to get herself into a job market that paid better, and then she was laid off from her job!  And now, because she's going to school to better herself, unemployment benefits have been denied so she has no income whatsoever.  We were all outraged about that.  The "facilitator" encouraged her to appeal, but the poor woman doesn't have a lot of fight left in her.  A number of the folks droned on and on and on and on about their woes....  My God.  Some of them were in the midst of ugly litigation against their former employers. 

In a way, it was a counseling session that allowed people to vent, which I'm not so sure was the whole point, according to the agenda.  One of the facts that the facilitator presented is that Washington is a "Free Will" state, which means that an employer can let you go for any reason under the sun.  (Unless you are protected by a union contract, which nobody there was).  There is no such thing anymore as expecting loyalty from your employer, even though it is definitely expected from you.

I'm just feeling disillusioned.  The corporate world has put a big nasty taste in my mouth.  We worried in the 1960s about government  becoming the "Big Brother", intruding in our lives and calling the shots.  But it's actually become corporate America that has embraced "1984".  They can say on their website or in the interview that they are life-balance-friendly, but only those employees who work 80-hour weeks get bonuses or promotions (while the employees go through a divorce because their families never see them).  They can say they care about their employees, but every year, every chance they get, they downgrade healthcare benefits so there is more and more taken out of employees' pockets.  And certainly in the corporate world, if your work is not billable, you are totally expendable.  I'm tired of being considered a "necessary evil" even though I helped bring in several million dollars of business to the companies I've worked for.  And then, because of the overhead label, being expendable just when I'm approaching full vestment in my profit sharing and a bump in vacation leave, which has happened a few times now.  You can bet your sweet bippy that company CEOs and CFOs look at that very thing.  I'm also tired of the "Peter Principle", remember that?  ("The theory that employees within an organization will advance to their highest level of competence and then be promoted to and remain at a level at which they are incompetent").   I'm sure Micrmngr Boss Bitch was probably a decent marketing coordinator (although I have a very difficult time imagining that with her time-wasting dippiness), but she is one of the worst managers I've ever encountered, and I've seen a few bad ones.  And yet they keep her! 

You know what I picture?  A future of unemployed baby-boomers, even though retirement age will be pushed up to 70 or beyond.  Because employers can hire younger and cheaper people, outsource, and not have to pay the benefits or higher wages or lengthier vacation times for the older folks.  And as a Free Will state, they have that right here.  Sure, there is supposedly "age discrimination", but just try to prove it.  Any employer can hide behind the umbrella of "restructuring", or the need to downsize, or to come up with fictionalized accounts of insubordination.   It'll begin with suddenly getting poor performance reviews -- after years of excellent ones.  But companies will plan ahead for the documentation required for the possibility of age discrimination lawsuits. 

So, I'm thinking that I'd like to go into something entirely different.  Awful managers, uncooperative technical people, and high stress are a given in my field, and I'm sick of it.  I've been doing this since 1980.  And what's scary is that it's what I know.  How else could I be marketable? 

Back to school??????

Baaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I have been "selected and scheduled" to participate in a program that provides worker reemployment services.  Attendance is MANDATORY.  (Or else!  No more unemployment!)  So today I have the honor of attending a 3-hour.....something (class?)  And not conveniently nearby, either.  Oh joy!  I get to witness bureaucracy in action! 

In other news, my son shaved his head (again).  He'd let his hair grow since fall, and while it was at the point where it needed trimming, I so prefer him with hair than without!  And when he shaves it, it's all the way down to the scalp, and sorry but why?  Maybe because he knows it bugs me.  When we got home from Harstine last night, he was in one foul mood.    Still overwhelmed about his life, not satisfied with his life.  Negativity spewed forth and while I listened, I really didn't comment.  Anything I'd have to say would have been perceived as a lecture, so what's the point?

I am very much looking forward to late this afternoon when I return home from this (gag me) mandatory thing, and I can begin grinding my stained glass pieces!  (Yes, I've got them all cut out). 

A February Harstine Weekend

Saturday, February 25th ~ We came down yesterday morning, and it was a pretty day! Cold, though. (Too cold for an evening fire on the deck. Seems like it’s been ages since we’ve had a fire on the deck). We did take a beach walk and found a bunch of agates. It’s always easier to find them in the sunshine.

Today we got up and waited for an environmental guy to show up “sometime between 10:00 a.m. and noon.” I hate it when people do that. It’s just as bad as the cable guy. So I didn’t dare make breakfast because we were certain that as soon as we sat down to eat, he’d show up. Well, 10:00 passed, and then 11:00 passed. Once noon passed, I was feeling damned pissed. By 1:00, we knew he was a no-show. What’s especially irritating is that he has both of our cell phone numbers. He could have at least called.

The purpose of his visit was to assess the property and to get a feel for the argument of building a little closer to the water (as opposed to 100 ft. back, which is the County’s requirement). We’d hired an architect to do the same thing, and once he met with the County (who said NO), he pretty much called that good and sent us the bill. Well, he did refer us to this cable environmental guy. My gut is telling me that fighting city hall is probably not going to work. Rules are made, no negotiations allowed, that’s just the way it is, watch my lips. What is ultimately stupid is that in order for us to comply with the rules, we’d need to cut down probably 50 trees. Nice, tall, statuesque Douglas Firs, the habitats for unique birds and squirrels and chipmunks. How is that good for the environment? I know that those who are made of money get waivers. You see a number of brand new homes being built a lot closer to the water than 100 feet, but they tend to be MacMansions. The County hears the ca-chink of the cash register when property taxes come due.

We felt fortunate when we got here yesterday that everything was intact. Since we’d been here last, the weather has been very windy and very cold. We have a couple of electric heaters in the trailer that we keep going at about 50 deg., but there are still vulnerable areas (plumbing) that you never know how the cold might affect. It was obvious that the power had been out (flashing microwave/coffee pot clocks), plus the portable heater in the bathroom had tripped off. There were lots of branches strewn everywhere. Rather messy, but no damage. All seems to be well. Whew! And it does feel good to be here, even without internet. In just a wee bit over 24 hours (which included sleeping, eating, and a beach walk), JDub completed TWO 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles. Started them, and completed them. He was utterly absorbed – I don’t think he spoke two words during that entire time. Poor guy, he’s been going 100 mph 24/7 (just about) these past three weeks, and working weekends. I give him credit: he brought along his cell phone which is issued by Da Airplane Company, and it kept ringing during the wee hours of the morning – and he refused to answer. (No, the cable environmental guy was not one of those calls).

As for me, I have to say that since it’s been a month (or longer) since we’ve been here, when I first fired up my laptop I immediately tried to get online (without thinking). I sure do miss that. Sigh. Anyway, I tweaked and also designed some stained glass patterns with my nifty software. It’s easy to get totally absorbed doing that, too. (Kind of like doing jigsaw puzzles! Except I hate doing jigsaw puzzles.) In addition to that, I’ve played too many games of TriPeaks to count. I’m not especially proud of that fact, but there you have it.

Sunday a.m., February 26th ~ The cable environmental guy is here! He did finally call yesterday afternoon, and he’d apparently left a message on JDub’s work phone that an emergency had come up. After he returned from the emergency, he realized that he hadn’t brought the cell phone numbers with him so he’d left the message on the wrong phone. (Whatever). So once again, today was scheduled between 10:00 and noon. I don’t like having my life on hold for two hours. We were up about 8:30, but we’re not breakfast eaters that early (normally not at all, except when we’re here). Since it was mild outside (cloudy but not too cold and not windy), JDub made a fire in the fire thingy! Oh it was WONDERFUL!! I got to use my new LaFuma recliner for the first time! (I’d gotten JDub one for Christmas last year and he has absolutely loved it, so he got me one for Christmas this year. Their comfort is totally beyond description). We lounged out there before the fire, drinking coffee, with weenie dogs snuggled in their bed. It was glorious. Sunshine would have made it even more so, but in February I’m not complaining. 

So of course this morning I decided to "risk it" and make breakfast, and sho'nuff, the environmental guy showed up just as I was about to cook the eggs.  (Decent timing, actually -- I just put everything on hold).  So anyway, JDub's out showing the guy around.  (He looks a bit like Grizzly Adams -- about what you'd expect, huh?)

Later -- JDub said it went really well!  Grizzly Adams feels that we have a very solid argument for building in the only common-sense area of the sloping property, which does mean building closer to the water than the rules allow.  But he's going to recommend to the County that they consider a waiver in our case, and he took lots of pictures.  We're hopeful!  I guess we'll see what happens.

I Was a Mom Instead

My kid is overwhelmed.  He came to me last night just as I was about to head up and start laying out glass pieces, and shared his burden of stress with me.  Which has now burdened me with his stress.  (Which is what moms are for, right?)

1.  He has to write and present a 6-8 minute persuasive speech pitching a product (complete with backup data, information on competitors, an accompanying outline, etc.).  Due Monday.  What to pitch?

2.  He has to memorize lines from a full scene of a play, and practice with an assigned partner on their own time to present Tuesday.  Both work after school and on weekends.  Partner is an in-patient at a rehab center, doesn't drive, and smells bad.  Nate had to go to Seattle to find a copy of the script and pay for it.  Partner hasn't done diddly.  Their schedules don't allow any time between now and Tuesday to get together and rehearse.

3.  Group project for speech class due next week.  Again, no time to meet.  Members of "group" known to be not "team players".  [I've always hated working in groups -- there's always somebody who doesn't hold up their end].

4.  Math test next week.  When to study?  And he's struggling.  (I can't help him with that at all).

So, I helped him brainstorm some ideas for his persuasive pitch speech.  He really wanted to be creative and unique, but we came to the conclusion that he may need to pick something relatively mundane and easy to research and focus on the speech content.  Then we practiced lines, so at least he has a grip on his part of the acting scene.  He was going to see today about adjusting his work schedule so he and his (stinky) partner can work out a time to practice.  Don't know about the group project or math test.  We didn't get that far.  I feel for the kid!  However, I also know that he definitely lacks time management skills.  He claims that they've only had a week since these projects were assigned, but I have to wonder.  He's quite the procrastinator.  And he's managed to fit in time to spend with some friends now and then.  We discussed that, too, and he acknowledged that he needs to work on prioritizing.  "Work before play".  (Hm.  I should talk...).

I've Started my Stained Glass Project

This is the wrought iron ring I bought for my stained glass project with a hanger thingy on top.  So today I tweaked and printed off my pattern, and cut it out.  I've done this one before, twice in fact.  (Guess I like it!)  I used it for a garden stake I made for my mom at Camano Island, and I also made it into an address stake for Harstine which ended up not working out because it doesn't fit inside the frame for it.  (Which pissed me off enough that I haven't done stained glass for over a year).  The pattern in the garden stake (right) is actually backward.  JDub had already sealed it in the stake before I noticed, but I guess it doesn't really matter. 

I did an inventory of my glass supply (luckily I have what I need on hand).  So when I'm done here, I'm going to lay out the pattern pieces on the glass and MAYBE even cut them.  I'm a little nervous about it.  My tools and equipment have been sitting out for a long time and need cleaning and oiling.

Nothing worth watching on the Olympics tonight -- kind of nice to have a break!

 

It's Gonna Be Another Late Night

Just learned that widdle iddy biddy Sasha Cohen (we're talking 5'2" and 95 lbs.) did Very Very Well in her short program, which will air tonight just before midnight because she was the last skater of the bunch.  Plus, NBC likes to prolong all the good stuff to keep you watching so they can capitalize on those ratings (which haven't been so good because the Americans haven't been so good).  Oh well.  At least I don't have to get up and go to work in the morning!  (Heh heh). 

It's been a good day.  I finally got my car back (JDub's Durango was finally fixed this morning....$500 later....).  So we drove to the dealership to pick it up and then met at our favorite diner for lunch.  Then he had to head to work and I headed to town to get my fake acrylic nails filled.  Good lord they needed it!  I was at the point where I was typing with talons.  Hitting the 7 instead of the u.  Hitting the 3 instead of the e.  And every time I go in to have this done, the gal says, "You want shorter?"  Uhm, YES.  I suppose a fair number of women like to have their nails super long.  They must not type.  They must not do much of anything at all, including pull their pants up after going potty.

I also have all my software issues remedied.  Norton Anti-Virus (Symantec) is sending me the CD instead of having me download from their site.  (They're having "issues" with their download feature).  And after an amazing amount of run-around and trying this and trying that, I finally now have my stained glass software working.  What a frickin' ordeal that was!   So now I'm going to tweak/create some pattern designs and get going on some projects!

I'm also looking forward to meeting my co-worker girlfriends after work Thursday night for margaritas, and then JDub is taking Friday off and we'll head down to Harstine that morning for a 3-day weekend.  Woohoo!

And yes, I am looking for a job.  Really, I am. 

Blogging While Ice Dancing

OK, so I admit it.  Ice dancing has grabbed me.  Yeah, gag all you want.  (I also like synchronized swimming, so booya).   What can I say?  It's pretty.  And they make it look so easy, but you know it absolutely isn't.  No, really!  Ever strapped on a pair of ice skates with those 0.15" thick blades?  Nope, me neither.  Because the thought of falling on ice has absolutely no appeal.   Hard and cold!  And inevitable. 

I knew in advance that the American team came in 2nd after their short (original) program, so I was inclined to watch last night.  (And see all those horrific falls!  See?  How can they not all have bruises all over their bodies?)  The Americans did well enough tonight to win the silver medal, first time that's happened since something like 1976.

I gotta say, though, that the costumes tend to be atrocious.  The color combinations!   The excess of glitter!  Tacky.

I remember Torvill and Dean's performance in the 1984 Olympics to Bolero, and how daring and original they were.  Nothing like it had ever been done before, and quite frankly, I've never seen anything like it since.

 

Can't Help It

Grumblings

1.  The licensing issue continues on my stained glass software. The guy I’m dealing with is a jerk. I may have to write a scathing review of the company’s customer service for all you gazillions (yeah, right) of stained glass enthusiasts who read my blog. That’ll show ‘em!

2.  Speaking of software angst, my Norton Anti-Virus subscription came up for renewal. So I renewed online, they happily took my money, and now their site won’t let me download the software. Nothing I’ve tried or that they have recommended, has solved the problem.

3.  I’m thinking that software customer service people should be put out of our misery.

4.  The Olympics have been less than stellar. It doesn’t help that MSNBC posts the results first thing in the morning, which makes me not so inclined to watch in the evening because we’re basically doing shitty.

5.  My coffee pot burner doesn’t keep the coffee hot. I have to keep microwaving my cup after pouring. Grrr.

6.  Didn’t I just clean this house? Oh, yeah, I guess you have to keep doing that, huh? Over and over and over again….

7.  JDub’s Durango is in the shop. The starter died – after thinking it was the battery and replacing it – so he had to have it towed from Da Airplane Company.

8.  So, he’s driving my Bug to work. He’s had to work two weekends in a row. He hasn’t had a day off in three weeks.

9.  We haven’t been to Harstine in a month. But that changes next weekend! Yay! Can hardly wait! (Just hope no pipes have burst from the arctic weather).

10.  I’m reading another crappily-written book by Iris Johansen, called “On the Run”.  (Won't bother to link to it).  The premise sounded pretty intriguing, and then I started reading. It reads like piss-poor acting. Gag me.

11.  I'm really not in as bad of a mood as I sound.  After all, the sun is shining and it's just lovely outside. Not even all that cold.

12.  And, my roots are now blondy goodness instead of skanky skunky-striped.