Friday, 27 Apr 2007
(last update: 2:00pm)
Here in Charlotte - I don't wanna leave!
(2:00pm) - TEXT: I really, really like it here! I've had a fantastic week - this lake house is so restful and rejuvenating for me. I feel ... hmmm ... somehow more powerful and more successful right *now* - even though I'm technically unemployed.
I'm very sorry I haven't updated this at all since I got here.
I spent most of my week at my sister's house; her computer seems to have security problems of some type, as I cannot log in to my Yahoo! email, my Google email, or my Star Wars Fan Club account. Also, she says she's having trouble ordering plane tickets online via Orbitz or something - the "Submit" button just plain ole isn't there.... My plan is to disable the McAfee Security Center they've got and load up Windows Defender and Ad-Aware just to see if *they* find something McAfee is missing.
I suspect that computer's infected. It could be something to do with the ISP she's got and their service as a router/proxy blocking some stuff, but why Star Wars? I could understand blocking free email but.... And that Orbitz "Submit" problem smacks of either malware or just a graphic isn't loading properly.
Maybe recycling electonics isn't such a good idea after all ...
(2:15pm) - URL: Found this interesting article via a newsletter I get called Mike's List. His article says that recycling old electronics *wastes* more energy than it saves. It's a compelling point and his evidence is solid. His resolution to the problem leaves a little bit to be desired. But it's definitely something to think about. You can read his article here.
Thursday, 19 Apr 2007
(last update: 1:45am)
Delayed yet AGAIN (sigh) ...
(1:45am) - TEXT: Crap and other dirty words! Dang! Gosh! Dastardly!
I'm now going to be leaving some time tomorrow morning. I had a long phone call with my cousin Stephanie a few hours ago which ended in a big argument ... that was my fault. Ya see - she's one of those who is naturally somewhat combative. I however, didn't know that, although I've known her nearly all her life. (Clueless, I know.... That's me.) I *did* know that she is currently very stressed as she's a massage therapist and lost a company that had been one of her biggest clients. Ya see, she owns her own business, but this was like regular folks losing a job. Luckily she has other clients as well as a part-time job at a country club, but all in all - she's devastated right now trying to make up that lost income somehow.
In short, instead of having 30 clients a week, she now has zero.
So I knew that. *And* I also knew that she'd had a really long day, had just gotten home, and was ... kinda tired! I could've let her opinion go. But I decided (stupid me!) to challenge her belief in that opinion. So ... even though I *really* tried hard to be calm and adult about it, she took it personally and got very angry. Basically, she blew her stack - which made me mad, then, so started shouting back!
So my fault was in not letting her opinion slide. I should have allowed her to make her point because I know she believes in what she said; instead, I issued a challenge. With all the moving stuff going on, a last-second job possibility for 15,000 dollars more than I was making, and too much obsession with news coverage of Cho Seung-Hui & the massacre at VT - I let my emotions get the better of me. I should've realized she'd take it personally.
She's pissed - it's my fault. I tried to apologize, but she won't hear of it. I'm over it now. Just got to give her time - she'll come back around :)
Now if only more single, gorgeous women realized that I'm able to *admit fault* .... ;)
BACK TO THE MOVE:
As a result of all that's happened tonight (I *had* to call my mom with an update on the last-second job situation, but it turned into an hour's conversation answering her questions and explaining the fight with my cousin), I haven't packed my suitcase, nor gotten this computer turned off and boxed (it's a tower/monitor, not a laptop). I'm going to do that tomorrow, now, before I leave town. I've also got landlord/tenant issues to deal with, which is a whole separate topic.
*groan*
:) Peace, everyone!
As always, drop me a line at "smdk66" at gmail - I never get blog related responses, so I definitely will write ya back!
(PS - that was such a long post in one go (without saving!) that I froze Google's Page Creator. Thought I'd lose it all... another two minutes lost ... to heart-stopping terror !!!
(Oh - and would the two hours I spent relaxing by filling my Netflix queue back up to 500 movies (and re-ordering them!) be a good thing to admit right now?
(Well, ... at least I'm mortally calm and back to my senses now ;) Ya know, all in all, at least I'll have my computer with me. I'll be able to update my situation here over the next few days/weeks.... If you're interested.)
Wednesday, 18 Apr 2007
(last update: 8:30pm)
At the moment redux...
(8:30pm) - TEXT: I'm chatting again with the Star Wars people. Or at least, posting to the chat board, and waiting for someone else to login and respond :)
Actually, I'm just taking care of a few things online before I leave for Charlotte, NC tomorrow morning (early!). I was going to leave this afternoon, but thanks to my predilection toward procrastination, I could not. I finished the lease with Jody and we signed it; I've now got confirmation of $450 rent per month + half utilities. (There was much rejoicing ... yay.)
I'm using the extra time tonight to take care of a few things: number one ... adapt my kitties to the divided cage I have for them. It was a great idea; one of those big wire mesh ones and has a divider down the middle to keep 'em from killing each other ... lol :) Each side is exactly the right size for one cat bed, and I skipped feeding them last night to let all food (but they had water) clear their little systems so they don't relieve themselves in the cage during the trip. Since I'm actually staying in Atlanta overnight tonight, I will unfortunately have to skip feeding them again, and will not refill the water bowl, but DON'T WORRY! They will be happily eating dinner and drinking plenty of water tomorrow morning before 11:00 am EST !!!
Number two on the list was actually *making a list* of stuff I need to take with me on the trip :) (Actually, I hope my Mom was sitting down when she read that - if not, I'm sure she keeled over in surprise. Hope ya didn't crack your head, Mother dear!!)
Here is the list:
Saturday, 14 Apr 2007
(last update: 2:00am)
At the moment
(2:00am) - TEXT: I'm chatting online with Star Wars fans. I'm listening to "John Deere Greene" by Joe Diffie on iTunes, and just finished watching "Garden State" (movie with Zach Braff and Natalie Portman) and all its associated extras on DVD. I'm a little bit (ok, a LOT) drunk on wine (Vendange Sauvignon Blanc) while I chat on line, and think at length about what's coming up.
I finished everything I had to do. Boy this room is stark and bare. I still have a few things to move out, but it's ready for Jody to move in. I have the book I ordered from Amazon.com - and therefore the lease I need to print out.
However ... Jody said he sent me back the answers to the general questions I asked of him. But I checked my email and no, no answers yet!
Wednesday, 11 Apr 2007
(last update: 12:45pm)
Rental / Lease update...
(12:30pm) - TEXT: Okay - the "lawyers.com" response I got indicates I'm doing what I should: reading Georgia law, and researching via "nolo.com."
I bought the book "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" (8th Edition) from Amazon.com (click the title to see the book on Amazon's site). With 2-day shipping it was $10.00 cheaper - $40.00 - than if I'd bought it direct from Nolo. Good thing I researched it :)
So in short, by the time I leave Wednesday, I'll have everything squared away. I will have a written record of my research into his background. I can come back to Atlanta the weekend of April 28-29 to get him the keys, sign the lease, and maybe help him move in.
Prep for the move
(12:45pm) - TEXT: Today I've got a few things to do: continue clearing out the 2nd bedroom and closet for Jody, make a few phone calls, deal with a couple of back-burner pieces of snail-mail I've been sitting on, then get to PetSmart and buy two (or just one if I can swing it) cat carriers for the trip up to NC on Wed the 18th. I'll update here tomorrow with everything I've gotten done. If I don't say that, I'll procrastinate even longer, I think :) ....and I can't afford to do that anymore.
Thursday, 5 Apr 2007
(last update: 12:15am)
Another link...!
(12:015am) -URL: Okay - here's a good link I've already used: a message board that amateurs like me can use to ask questions and get legal (but obviously non-binding) answers:
http://tinyurl.com/2n34aa
(Don't think you need to register to see that page.) It's "lawyers.com" and I hope to get some extra info I might not have found on my own.
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2007
(last update: 5:00pm)
So I found a tenant to live here...
(5:00pm) -URLs: So I have an acquaintance I trust who will be moving into my condo on May 1st ... I'm humbled that God has seen fit to provide this opportunity to both Jody and myself - Jody needed a place to live after he moved out, and I didn't want to pay the mortgage on a place standing empty for at least six months before I list it for sale.
So I've been researching valid Georgia Rental Agreements. Here's some useful links I'm recording for later reference during this process:
http://w3.lexis-nexis.com/hottopics/gacode/default.asp
- This is full documentation of relevant Georgia law.
http://tinyurl.com/b42qo
-
This is the "nolo.com" FAQ for renting property.
More to come as research progresses.