Doom’s World

Yesterday I started the Hundred Pushup Challenge. It’s a six week program that, at the end of which, you can do 100 consecutive pushups. Some women I know have been doing it for a few weeks and at first I didn’t think much of it. I know how to do pushups. But last Friday they were talking about it and one of them mentioned that things she recognized has heavy before she started the program (I think a bag of kitty litter was the example) didn’t feel heavy any more.

Then Saturday getting out of the shower I got a good look at my arms. And thought about how poor my gym attendance has been, and how long it’s been since I did any weight training.

So Sunday I did the initial test (did 26 good form push ups) and yesterday morning I started. Should be good.

I also went to krav Monday night and it always seems that they find new muscles to abuse. We were doing a (counts) 6 strike combo, then some kicking from the ground, so my arms, back AND butt hurts. Then I did pushups.

It’ll be worth it, tho. Right?

*poke* Right??

Also yesterday, more dental work! I bet you’re shocked. I had scheduled to do a bunch of fillings and an onlay (whatever exactly that is). But the temporary crown on the molar I had root canal’d a few months ago started giving trouble last week, so I called in and arranged to have a permanent put in. The bill wasn’t too bad, I had a credit built up (thanks insurance company!) and for some reason I was expecting it to be more expensive anyway. So, woot!

And I’m formally dieting again. Weighing food and the lot. I started last week, but of course the boss wanted to have a meeting over sushi, and I forgot my lunch. Several times. But all that’s over with. Except I had to eat breakfast out both Monday and yesterday. But I’m on track now! Wait, oh, never mind.

What else, so, I saw Hellboy II. The ads didn’t say it was a romantic comedy. Le sigh.

I live downtown now.

That is all.

Now begins the last day of my second childhood.

Dramatic enough for ya? Okay, I’m moving out of Mom’s place tomorrow.

Squee!

I move the 29th of March.

(no, that’s not a hint for a moving party).

I’m strongly leaning toward not paying off my credit card before I move.

CNN has a pretty good debt reduction calculator.

To pay off my card at the $1200 a month I’ve been sending Citibank will take three months. If I disregard the dental work I’ve had done and will have done (which was my plan) that still puts me at two months. And it’ll take me three more months to save up my anticipated move in costs and a good cushion of money. Which puts me into moving sometime in June.

If I cut back to about $200 a month, it’ll take me a less than a year and a half to pay off the card and cost less than $300 in interest. And I’ll be ready to start apartment hunting in earnest at the end of March.

It’ll cost me about $40 a week spending money, which was really the reason I wanted to wait. But I’ll still have plenty of cash, especially if I find a roommate.

I’m not 100% sure about this, I’d say I’m 80%. It depends on what my tax refund will look like. But for the time being I’m switching to putting most of my money in my savings account. If I change my mind it’s a few clicks of a mouse to send it to the credit card folks.

In other news, a day or two ago I was helping some guys haul glass doors out of a vacant space and one of them exploded in my hands. The people who make safety glass really know what they’re doing. I was holding the thing in the air when it collapsed under its own weight and my worst cut is a scratch less than an inch long. I wish I had a ruler here, but really, it’s a small cut. I counted 17 cuts altogether but most of them didn’t even bleed. Ahh, the excitement of engineer buildings.

And it’s at the original place, the one I found through the PCC Job Fair.

Last Thursday the supervisor called me and said they went with another guy because he had more hands on experience, but he didn’t like all the computer usage (apparently most of the training is on a PC) and quit. So did I want the job.

HELL yeah.

Then he made me an offer that literally broke my mind. Several dollars an hour over my minimum. The next day I went for my pee test and the HR lady said hopefully they’ll be able to get everything moving by this coming Friday.

TODAY I got a call asking if I can make it to orientation on Thursday.

HELL yeah.

There ARE things about this place that I’m wary about. The level of corporate propaganda approaches cult level. The orientation, for instance, is four hours long. It’s not in my desired industry, which was hotels, this is a retail job. But it seems to be within my level of training. As the work goes it’s not ideal like that hotel job that tried to fuck me. THAT was perfect for work. But this will still be good entry level experience. And the money, well.

It equals what I was making at the shithole, in fact it’s a little bit more. Which I totally didn’t expect to get for at least years. This means that since I won’t be overspending on rent (hopefully) I should have a shit-ton of spending money.

To somewhat counterbalance things, the bar seems to be going down the crapper. Personally I think the owner is trying to sell it, but I’m not sure. If that goes to shit it’ll delay my move out by about a month. Maybe a bit more, because it would leave my weekends unoccupied so I’d be spending money.

Still.

Hired.

Weee!!!!!!

Today I did three things, landmark things. At a level of landmarkedness I haven’t attempted in, well, about two years.

First, I submitted The Ugly Life to the Nicholl Fellowship. In all honesty I don’t think that is going to go any further. IIRC in 6-8 wks I’ll get some kind of notification that they received my submission. Thousands are entered every year, less than ten win.

Second, I petitioned for graduation from PCC. Diploma time, no degree time. Just an associate’s degree (of applied science, even) but it’s a $12,000 piece of paper. It better fucking be nice.

Third, and on a related note, I attended the PCC Job Fair which went pretty well. I turned in one application on the spot, was invited to submit another at the site (which is a Target store near my mom’s house, you hafta use their stupid little job kiosk, I’ll do that Thursday or Friday), and got a few really good leads. I haven’t gone through all the material I got or counted how many resumes I handed out yet.

Hopefully something will come from this, because the want ads and job sites aren’t particularly encouraging. While I was there I also found out that there’s an internship program to sit for the test for an electrical licence (which the Oregon branch of the electrician’s union has made all but fucking impossible if you’re not in their little club) that’s one night a week for two years. I’m going to find out more about that. Especially since I have to come back to take a few classes next year-ish.

I’ve decided that I have to put my writing projects on hold temporarily. I’ve got the screenplay and the manuscript, both have second drafts completed and probably still need a little tinkering. I’m waiting on feedback from them. I’ve also got another screenplay and another manuscript that I’ve begun first drafts on, but they’re going to sit for a wee bit. which is fine, the stories are a little undercooked anyway.

Why?

I need feedback on my completed projects. Which means that I need to give feedback on other people’s stuff. Gotta give to get, right?

So, if any of you are working on something, send it my way. I’ve got stuff to read from two of the people in my screenplay writer’s group, but I have time for your projects, honest.

Current location: downstairs
Currently playing: You Ain’t Thinking Bout Me by Sonia Dada
Mood: a little headachey

I start tomorrow. It’s what seems to be a pretty hip, swanky joint, but the chef says the eye candy is phenomenal and he dropped an F-bomb during the interview, so maybe it’ll take more then three months to suck.

Item One: WOXY’s back! Almost. Someone has bought the station and the awesome radio bees are back at work. The plan is ambitious, I only hope they don’t overextend themselves. *crosses fingers*

Item Two: I’m unemployed. Yes!!!! (my idea)