FYI: The J.O.B. Revisited

Since I posted about my new job a couple weeks ago, I have been pondering something. Since I now work for the State, I work in a location in which I am legally not allowed to bring my gun. So, basically I'm a sitting duck for a psycho who wants to run amuck at my place of work. I am becoming exceedingly irritated at this fact. I mean, if I worked for some jackass who just didn't want guns in his place of business, I'd still bring that shit anyway. I'd just keep it on the down low. Because, really, it's worth getting fired for--my life that is. And, in reality, my 2nd Amendment right is worth dying for, or it should be, so it is certainly worth getting fired over. It is, after all, what my forefathers fought and died for. But, in this case, I would not only be fired, I'd have broken a law, which would probably prevent me from carrying a gun ANYwhere EVER again in my future--which I hope is somewhat long, being that I'm not old and gray just yet. I just can't get this out of my mind. I love my Surefire E2D, but damn, that just isn't enough!

Miss Plan Maker Breaker

You have that friend. The one who ALWAYS says "Oh, we should get together! I haven't seen you in forever!" And, you make tentative plans, and you never hear from her. And, you don't bother calling because the last six times you called in this situation, she just ignored your call and never called back. Yes, she is Miss Plan Maker Breaker. She makes plans for the sake of making plans but never fully commits. That way, she never really breaks plans, but she never really meets you either. I have a "friend" like this. I say that because we know she isn't really your friend if you don't see her for two years, and she ignores your calls.

I love Facebook. Not. I got a message on Facebook from said "friend" about my impending doom wedding. She said we should get together for lunch some weekend soon. And, I'm like, sure, why not. I mean, I never had a problem with you. You just dropped me like a bad habit once I set you up with my boyfriend's best friend and my boyfriend and I broke up. Yeah, so much for being appreciative of my matchmaking skills. Anywho, I digress. So, I tell her to give me her address so I can send a wedding and bachelorette party invitation. I just got her response card back. She is now suddenly out of town that weekend. Not to mention that we still haven't had lunch, and I haven't talked to her since that day.

Yeah. Great friend that Miss Plan Maker Breaker.

I Have a Confession to Make: I Swear I Didn't Know

My name is Linz, and I like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.

I know.

Travis dumped all of his songs to my PC last night so I could steal all the ones I like. And, I was going through them, and I got to a bunch of Rolling Stones songs, and I recognized them. And, I liked them. OMG. Then, I got to a bunch of Beatles songs, and I recognized those. And, I liked them, too! I don't know what's going on. I've loved these songs my entire life thanks to my dad (who may or may not be that generation, since he is only 47, but he listened to all this stuff when I was growing up), and I never knew that was who sang them.

Oh, well. I hope that doesn't make me too much of a hippie to blast Obama on a daily basis. It doesn't make me a hippie, does it? Right? Right?! Damn.

Moral of the Story: Unemployment is a Joke

I'm feeling like ranting a little, and, since I got screwed by my lying company, I am dealing with the Department of Labor first hand. And, I have to tell you, and I don't want to sugar coat it for you, kids, they suck big donkey dick.

First, the maximum weekly benefit is $330 before taxes (we'll come back to that). I made three times that a week. Yeah, THREE TIMES. I can hardly live off $330 per week for gas and groceries alone! $330 per week is just enough to pay for my non-living expense bills. By non-living expense, I mean my car payment, car insurance, credit cards, and student loans. I am not even counting gas and groceries and miscellaneous expenses. And, I'm not counting any living expenses--meaning rent and utilities. Without Travis, I would have no food or gas or dry-cleaning, or new clothes (necessary new clothes, like for interviews, not wants), or whatever else. And, I sure as hell can't afford to rent any more. I'll be moving back home. Pathetic. Not to mention a burden for my dad.

Second, you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. Is it just me, or is that a little ridiculous? I mean, it isn't like we're working. I should have known better, though. They made me pay taxes on my scholarships in college. On scholarships. Ugh.

Third, the unemployment rate is astronomical, I get that. But, it is really that hard to staff these agencies? Hell, put some of the unemployed in there! I called yesterday because it said my PIN was locked out, and I could not log on to claim weekly benefits. It took me 30 minutes to get an answer. She said someone would have to call me back. They never did. I called back this morning. After 30 minutes of trying, I still hadn't gotten an answer. Finally, later today, I got someone. When she looked up my account, she could not find it. She could not find it. I applied two weeks ago. That is distressing. I can only hope it will be in the system by Friday when I have to certify. Not counting on it. I'm getting screwed here. I can just feel it.

I know the State is broke just like everyone else, but something has got to change. I'm not looking for a God damned handout either, Clay. I would just like to not lose my home. I would like to not ruin my credit that I've worked really hard to establish. I would like to get a fucking job doing something besides cleaning toilets. I have done my time. I've gotten my degree. I've worked the crap jobs. I don't think it's asking too much to get a decent one. I don't need a huge salary--hell, I'll take a pay cut. I'll move if I have to. I'm not asking for a bailout. I'm asking for some fucking help. H. E. L. P. Help. Now.

Chivalry is Not Dead

As I stepped off the elevator this afternoon, two men were exiting the building. They were about 30 feet from me, and they stopped. And held the door. Let me repeat that. They both stopped. And they both held a door. Until I got all the way from the elevator to the door. And I take small steps.

That was the perfect ending to a long day at work. Perfect. I get so disgusted with people. On a daily basis. To have someone do something nice is so rare. I had begun to think chivalry was dead, but I guess it is just hanging on by a very thin thread. Sort of like when you were a kid and you lost your teeth and it would hang on by that one little piece of gum. Yeah. Like that.

Anywho, if you are having a bad day, or even a day that just isn't super, don't fret. There is some good left in this world.

Moral of the Story: You Just Can't Help People

From my ex-hometown newspaper The Jackson Herald:

"Two White County residents have been charged with Sunday’s murder of the youth
minister of Pendergrass Baptist Church.

"The body of Edward Frank Harris, Jr., 44, Clermont, was found off the roadway near a vacant house in Cleveland around 4 a.m. Monday morning.

"William Joseph Dyer, 21, and Jennifer Dawn Lineberger, 29, both of Cleveland have been arrested in the killing. Both suspects have been charged with one count of felony murder. Dyer has also been charged with armed robbery.

"According to published reports, Harris called his family Sunday night around 7 p.m. from the church to say he was giving 'some stranded people' a ride to Cleveland.

"Officers of the Cleveland Police Department are being assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Office, the Office of the District Attorney for the Enotah Judicial Circuit, the White County Sheriff’s Office and the White County Coroner’s Office.

"Harris’ body has been transported to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for an autopsy. The investigation continues."

I just want you to realize that the drive from Pendergrass to Cleveland is nearly an hour. An hour. Each way. This man was kind enough to drive two "stranded" people an hour out of his way, just to drive an hour back. (I hope the Lord has a special place for such a man.) And they murdered him. In cold blood. And, for what, exactly? WHAT?! I hope to all things holy there is a special place in hell for these people. A very special place. May they rest suffer (in a fiery pit of venomous snakes, used hypodermic needles infected with AIDS, and rusty razor wire) in peace pieces.

Story of My Life

From MSNBC Comics:

Adam by Brian Basset

Now, if that ain't the story of my life, I don't know what is.

Booze Brain

So, apparently, if you're a smart cookie when you're 10, you'll be an alcoholic when you're 40. Great... I'm screwed. This article claims that for every additional 15 points of your IQ score taken at age 10, women have a 1.38 times increased likelihood of having higher levels of alcohol consumption and drinking-related problems when they are adults. Men have a 1.17 increased chance. Now, I don't know if that starts from zero or some other point--like, say, the level which is considered mental retardation. But, regardless, mine comes in at about 135. That's 9-15s from zero and about 4-15s from mental retardation levels. So, I'm about 4 to 18 times more likely to be a boozer. Big surprise there. I do enjoy my cocktails...

Liar, Liar "Cancer Survivor"

This absolutely blows my mind. Apparently, a woman faked having cancer THREE times--in three different states. I know this article is very long, but you have to read it. It's unbelievable. Travis is from Dallas, and he went to Paulding County (he's old, though, so he wasn't in school by the time she was there). So close to home, and yet I've never even heard of her.

As insane as all that is, she didn't actually seem to profit at all from the false claims. She didn't use disability leave, take any money for charity, or anything like that. The charities actually benefited from her inability to stop telling lies. This is Breast Cancer Awareness month, as I mentioned a few days ago, and, while this is completely ridiculous and very saddening, I'm glad some good did come of this.

MUSHROOOOOOM!

My yard is being overtaken by GIANT mushrooms. Like, invasion-of-the-pod-people mushrooms. This was in my yard when I got home today. This THING. That's not so bad, you say? Well, my grass really needs to be cut.

Here it is on a 12" x 12" stepping stone. HUGE. Ick.

Damn Telemarketers

The Duplex by Glenn McCoy as found on MSNBC

The DO always call right when you're sitting down to dinner!

Text Messaging is the New "It" Drug

From Yahoo:

"Research carried out on 17 young drivers (aged 17-24) using a simulator found that reaction time slowed by 35% when they were writing or reading text messages while driving. In comparison, reaction time deteriorated by 21% for those under the influence of cannabis, and by 12% at the legal alcohol limit."

I am still waiting for the formation of MATT (Mothers Against Traveling Texting).

Sex and the Country

Man, if that ain't the truth...

Taken from MSNBC Comics. The Duplex, by Glenn McCoy.

Why I Never Send Back Wrong Orders

From MSNBC Weird News:

"Kevin Hansen filed a lawsuit in West Bend, Wis., in August, claiming that spotting a clump of hair in a steak he sliced into from a Texas Roadhouse restaurant caused 'severe and permanent injuries,' pain, suffering and 'disability,' requiring 'extensive medical treatment.' In fact, said his lawyer Ryan Hetzel to Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel, 'It's bothered the heck out of him.' (The employee who prepared the steak was fired and later pleaded guilty to a felony, explaining that he was trying to retaliate because Hansen complained about a previous order.) [Journal Sentinel, 8-3-08] ."

And, that, my friends, is why you don't send back orders when they are wrong. The person who made it will screw you. In the ass. With no lube. But let's get to these "severe and permanent injuries: You are probably thinking that it's bullshit. I did, too. But, then, I stopped to think about what I'd do if that happened to me. And, yeah, I'd probably have some "severe and permanent injuries", what we me blowing a gasket, having a heart attack, and getting my ass kicked trying to kill the guy. Of course, I'd be drinking an alcoholic beverage with my steak, so no gun would be allowed to be present. Oh, well. I guess I sympathize with the guy now.

Ready, Georgia?

For once, an article I can't find much wrong with: Time to Shift Focus to Emergency Preparedness, as posted on the Athens Banner-Herald website.

"The conga line of tropical storms and hurricanes that in recent days have either threatened or lashed Georgia and much of the rest of the East Coast, along with the states along the Gulf of Mexico, has focused considerable public attention on the need for emergency preparedness.

Thankfully, there are emergency services professionals in Georgia and across the rest of the nation who work tirelessly to make certain local firefighters, police and emergency medical personnel are ready and able to see their communities through hurricanes, tornadoes and myriad other natural or manmade disasters.

However, the work those professionals do should not lull the people they serve into a false sense of security, a feeling that help will be available immediately in the event of a disaster. In fact, a group of emergency services professionals from the University of Georgia, Athens-Clarke County, Oconee County and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency who met recently with the Banner-Herald's editorial board stressed that individuals and families must recognize their responsibility to plan for their safety and survival in an emergency.

According to those experts, people should have a plan in place in advance that will allow them to sustain themselves for a minimum of 72 hours in the event of an emergency. A host of possibilities, from blocked roadways to inoperable communications lines, and other contingencies that could delay emergency response professionals, make it imperative for people to have their own emergency preparedness plan.

To help people meet that responsibility, emergency response professionals are using September, which has been designated National Preparedness Month, as an opportunity to help people plan for sustaining themselves in an emergency.

Ready Georgia, a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, is aimed at helping residents of the state to plan, prepare for and stay informed about potential disasters.

In pursuit of that goal, Ready Georgia has established a Web site, http://www.ready.ga.gov/, supported by the state Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health. The Web site includes checklists of supplies that might be needed in an emergency, and also helps individuals and families to create communications plans to get in touch and stay in touch with others in the event of an emergency. Hispanic residents can access a Spanish-language version of the site at http://www.listo.gov/.

Hurricane season, which began June 1 and will continue through Nov. 30, and can mean both direct and indirect threats to the people of Georgia, is a good time to think about emergency preparedness.

And with the Ready Georgia campaign and the http://www.ready.ga.gov/ Web site providing valuable assistance, there's no excuse for Georgians not to take some time to prepare themselves and their families for emergency situations."

I think it is great that somebody finally said, "Hey, you're on your own. You better figure it out before it's two late." Because, well, we all know, deep down, that this is really the case.

*Note: This would have pretty much been a perfect article except info is also available in Spanish. Ugh. Learn English already.

Wow, Thanks!

There are a few times in life that you just have to stop and say "Wow, that was really nice!" Yesterday was one of those days. I had oral surgery (my wisdom teeth) yesterday. I'm still a little out of it, and I feel pretty bad, but I am still so elated by what happened yesterday that I really wanted to get this post in. Yesterday, after I got home from my surgery, I got a call from a florist telling me they had a delivery--they were making sure I was home. Well, my dad (who came down to take me to the doctor and take care of me for the day) said they weren't from him, and then Travis said they weren't from him. So, I'm like, "uh, ok". And, they got here, and the card just said "From the guys". And, I was like, "the guys?". And, Travis, who isn't on pain killers, is like, "They have to be from Work--from Jon and Brandon." And, I'm like, "Wow. No way. That's so nice!". And, they were. And, that was so nice! I was really blown away. I guess we all get frustrated with work or coworkers sometimes, but that makes me appreciate my job even more! I mean, I have decent pay, great benefits, a Crackberry, and a really thoughtful boss who sent me flowers when I had surgery! I sometimes worry about my job security (because we don't have any clients right now, and we are having to do work through corporate), but I really do have a great job. That just makes me hope I keep it even more! Man, I hope we get some clients! Let me know if you know of anyone who needs a civil engineer (water and wastewater, mostly), because, OBVIOUSLY, we're good people!

I'm a Crackberry

It's official: I'm a Crackberry. Work gave me a phone--it's a Blackberry Curve. I didn't particularly want another phone since I already have two. And I didn't particularly want a smartphone since I have a PDA I really love. But I really appreciate having unlimited multimedia service. For free. So far, I've managed to make and receive calls and receive emails. I also checked out the camera and the browser. That's about all I've figured out. Ugh. I'm going to need a handbag just for my electronics.

2,000 Calories? I Think Not.

I have a slight problem with this whole recommended daily allowance bullshit. All of the food labels are based off a 2,000 calorie diet. Who really needs 2000 calories? A 21 year old, 6 feet tall, 185 pound male, that's who. (Well, a 21 year old, 6 feet tall, 185 pound male that doesn't move all day.) But, seriously, not many people really need that much. I personally think this contributes to our massive (excuse my pun, and, yes, I can get away with this, because I am a fat girl--185 pounds and only 5'2") problem with obesity. You see a label, and it says, "Oh, eat me. It's OK. It's only 500 little, itsy, bitsy calories. You still have 1,500 more!" But, the truth is, you may only have 1,000 more. And that's if you're lucky. If you lead a sedentary life, you may very likely only need 1,200 calories in an entire day (depending on age, height weight, etc.). I found all this information at How Stuff Works if you're wondering if any of this shit is legitimate. The Harris-Benedict formula for calculating needed calories is as follows:

Adult male: 66 + (6.3 x body weight in lbs.) + (12.9 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)
Adult female: 655 + (4.3 x weight in lbs.) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)

This only gives you your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). If you are sedentary, it's pretty close--within a few hundred--to your actual daily burn. If you are active, you would have to use estimates for calories burned during exercise to see how many extra calories you need. You also use some energy digesting food--about 10% of your ingested calories. So, if you eat 2,000 calories, it takes about 200 to digest your food.

Using the formula above, I need about 1,600 calories every day to stay at my current weight. If I eat 1,600 calories, I would be using 160 of them to digest my food. Thus, I would really be giving 1,440 to my body's actual functioning. Add in any exercise, and we're talking some decent reductions. But, with no exercise, consuming 1,600 calories a day, and leaving 1,440 to my body after digestion, it would take me 3 weeks to lose 1 pound. Yes, it takes dropping a whopping (hey, I rhymed) 3,500 calories to drop just 1 pound. It's not looking so good. But, again, this 1,600 is just for staying alive. If I so much as lift my arm, that's going to increase. (Yes, I am lifting my arms up and down. I need all the help I can get.) But, still, I don't feel encouraged.

I have started (just today--we will see if it lasts) writing down every thing I eat and the calories it cost me. I really need to lose some weight. It is beginning to affect has severely affected my quality of life.