Job Security

This week I found out that my raise will indeed be coming through. The cap for a merit increase at Nationwide Health Plans is supposed to be 3.9%. I was awarded 8.5%. This is information I am sworn not to share, but there it is. Also, due to my evaluation rating (exceeds) I will be getting a minimal (approx $200) bonus. After the 40% tax, this won't be much, but it's far better than the $20 that most people are getting.

I did not go to work today. I was not feeling well, I have not been sleeping, and I just needed some stress free rest.

Around 3:30 my supervisor called me and left an ominous voicemail about an all-employee meeting that took place today. She just asked me to call back to 'inform me of the feedback.' Sometimes I hate the apparent empathy or whatever psychic equivalent I am blessed with but I knew this was not to be good news. We don't have spur-of-the-moment employee meetings.

After speaking with her I learned that a huge portion (my best guess is 60-70%) of our company was given the news that they will be laid off effective June 1st. The entire Customer Service department, Claims department, Special Investigation Unit, Provider Maintenance Unit and who knows who else are going to just be gone. Jobs moved to Ohio. Only the Underwriting department and Member Services department survived the ax. That, and somehow my little Records and Mailroom group. Though we have technically reported to the Customer Service Manager for lack of any other direct leadership we have proven to be a self-sufficient unit.

The Mailroom has survived because they can service the entire building we occupy, which is now full of other Nationwide companies, not just Nationwide Health Plans. I am still not sure about the Records department, which basically consists of just me and the Document capture tech. Our jobs -could- technically be taken over by Ohio, but...it would be insanely difficult. So for now, I still have a job. But, my manager does not. I will be reporting to the (former?) Operations Director of Claims and Customer Service. I don't know what her new title will be.

So I'm obviously upset. I can't imagine how I would have reacted had I been present today for this news. I was told that most of the people were crying and upset. Many of these people have worked for this company for more than 20 years. I feel betrayed and angry at this stupid mega-corporation and at the same time I am so glad that it's not me. Not yet.

I wonder how many people will bother coming to work anymore. I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow and I'm really worried. Now is the time to put my best effort forward I suppose. I haven't had to look for a job in a long time. This job, I did not look for, it just found me and I accepted. I'm not even sure how to do it. Rest assured, I will probably be on the look out for anything better than can come my way as soon as possible...

Fuck.

EB Games/Game Crazy

Now it's time to vent.

I bought a pre-played game today at EB @ the Plaza. I used to love that store. They loved me. It was beautiful and symbiotic. Today though, they really pissed me off.

I buy the game, which I can't actually remember the name of now, and about 3 minutes into the opening FMV it hangs up at a blank loading screen. I called them. They were nice. Return it, no problems.

I drive all the way back down there and the guy goes into the back to get me another copy. He spends 20 minutes in the back room. Meanwhile I'm out on the floor being leered at by pre-pubescent pimply fucks who skipped school to play XBOX 360 for free. Finally he comes back and tells me that the inventory SAYS they have another copy but he cannot find it. He takes my bad disc to the scrubber and supposedly cleans it. He brings it out (because I am not leaving til it's tested) and pops it in his machine and instead of working better it hangs up sooner. He admits that there was a piece of dirt really stuck to the disc and cleaning it actually just smeared it and he couldn't get it off.
Nice.

I'm still semi-patient at this point so I look around and find another game, Final Frame 3, which I didn't see the first time around. It's about 10 bucks more but I figure no problem, I'll just pay the difference. He goes into the back room to get this new disc. 30 minutes later, yes, I said 30 FUCKING MINUTES LATER he come back out. "I'm sorry, I can't find this one either."

Give me my effing money back you bastard.

From there I headed home and stopped by Game Crazy (which is inside of Hollywood Video). I hadn't shopped there before. Their prices are more reasonable but their selection sucks. I finally found something and then had to wait approximately 15 minutes before the guy would ring me up. While waiting I noticed that they had FF: Advent Children available to reserve so I picked that up as well since I've been waiting for ...well years, for the release of that DVD and I was surprised that they would have it to reserve. I bring it to the counter only to find out that the version they can reserve is only playable on the PS systems, not a regular DVD player. Grr.
We then discuss the Sony v. Square thing because I am angered that it still hasn't been released in the US. Sony wants more money as they financed the whole thing. Square owns rights to all the characters though, and won't give it up. Fight the Power, Square Enix!

P.S. When I got home the guy from Game Crazy called me. Apparently, they DID have it available to reserve in DVD he just didn't know how to do it. A co-worker who came in after I left showed him how. Figures.

Productivity is a state of mind

It's hard to really see it with all the crap on it, but I built a baby entertainment center. Now I need a tv that was made after 1970.

The table is painted but not yet completed.

This little guy managed to survive the vacuum cleaner. I'm naming him Eric. He will live in the window.

Shiny. Sleepy.

Ok so the desk area is still messy. I can only do so much in a day.

Cheeky monkey.

I also made my bed for the first time in about 2 months. There were dead lady bugs under the blankets that I didn't know about and I'm feeling a bit gross about it. They just wanted to sleep with me and they died....

2.28.06

Hmm...I have no idea what my horoscope is today. I did not go to work and I forgot to look at the paper this morning when I stopped for coffee. Let's make it up:

Today you shall sleep and get well. You deserve it. If you continue to burn the candle at both ends you will end up burning yourself with hot wax. And it won't turn you on as much this time.


Yeah, that works.

I could not sleep for some reason last night. I was dead tired. I didn't go to bed too late, maybe 11:30ish. I woke up around 3:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep very easily. When I woke up again this morning to go to work I felt terrible. I'm starting to wonder if I have some serious throat issues because again, it's like I swallowed glass and I'm congested. The front part of my legs and feet still hurt pretty bad but I can actually walk normal now. I still can't figure out what I did. I think maybe when I climbed that giant hill in Placerville to use that couple's bathroom...I don't know. But today, I'm resting. I've still got a ton of movies to go through before I can give them back to friends and family. My living room finally looks halfway decent. I built the new entertainment center last night. I got a shorter 'tv stand' which is high gloss black, with chrome legs and a glass shelf. It matches my high gloss black coffee table perfectly and there is plenty of that valuable wall space behind it. The only room left for me to seriously clean up is my bedroom which still has my luggage, papers, reciepts, and some of Robert's clothes that apparently made the trip home with me on the floor. He wasn't happy he had left one of his favorite shirts behind at Christina's house and so I grabbed that and his pants before Christina came home and decided to burn them. Ah, if all ex's could be so civil -- just burn it all! I can't say that I blame her. She way more tolerant that I would have been letting her ex stay in her house, in her bed, with someone else while she is out of town. There is no way in hell I'd be ok with that. Maybe I should burn the clothes for her. I'm supposed to mail them back but I still don't have the address. I'm sure his boyfriend would wonder about a package of his dirty clothes coming in the mail.

I'm thinking of doing a little shopping today, too. I know I shouldn't because I should be saving my money for Coachella but...I really need some new shirts. Who knows. I guess it just depends on how enthralled the movies keep me.

Soup sounds good right now. Raley's sells this vegan 'chicken' noodle soup that I really like and I have some stashed in my desk at work but I don't have any at home. I don't know if I want it badly enough to drive back to the grocery store for. Oh, decisions, decisions...

Microwaved Penis Turns Out To Be Fake

PITTSBURGH -- It turns out the microwaved penis was a fake.
A convenience store clerk in the Pittsburgh area was freaked out when she thought she had put a severed penis in the store's microwave oven.

The clerk said a couple came into the store and asked her to heat up something for them. The clerk did and caught a glimpse of what she thought was a penis wrapped in paper towels.

McKeesport police Chief Joseph Pero said the woman who came into the store with the fake penis was actually trying to cheat on a job application drug test.

Prosthetic penises that contain drug-free urine are sold on the Internet. According to the woman, the couple stopped to warm the device in the microwave so the urine would pass the body temperature test.

Police plan to interview the woman Monday.

Weekend according to the stars

Horoscopes For Saturday: 2/25/2006
If you've had the urge to boldly go where
you've never gone before, don't let anything stop you. There's no time like the
present to do just that. You'll be amazed at how easily you'll feel at home,
too, no matter how long you've actually known your companions. If you've got
business cards, bring a stack along with you, and don't forget to add your cell
phone number to the back.

Satuday I did indeed boldly go where I’ve never gone before. I spent the entire day hanging out with people I don’t know very well (the crew from Apprehensive Films) doing something I’ve never done before (acting). For some reason, I was not nervous. The film may end up sucking ass but I had a blast doing it. Later that night, I hit Old I for the Dead Hensons show. Also a blast. Pictures will follow this evening.

Horoscopes For Sunday: 2/26/2006
Enough with being good. You've been there,
done that and been awarded the t-shirt. Now, after stashing it in the bottom of
your dresser drawer for who knows how long, you've just ironed it and put it up
for sale on the Internet. Needless to say, you're ready for a change. The
universe is feeling just as restless, however, so you won't need to be worried
about monotony. Your unconventional mood will keep you far from bored.

Sunday I was hung over and felt like poo but I managed to crawl out of bed and head back out for what should be my last day of filming. It was freezing cold in the wind, rain, and tiny black dress that I had to wear. When I got home I was pleased to see that my shiny “new” black table had been brought up into the house. I was not pleased, however, with the ugly entertainment center which never really matched the apartment before, but even less so now. I toyed with the idea of painting it too but in the end decided that I wanted something smaller because I need the valuable wall space. Off I went to the store for furniture shopping. My apartment has been getting a complete makeover recently and I love it. Finally, there is art on the walls and it doesn’t resemble my grandmother’s house.

Horoscopes For Today: 2/27/2006
Here's another day to do exactly what you
know you were born to do: mingle. Then, late this evening, you'll be ready for
at least one day off from socializing -- and you'll have it. You'll even want to
get away from the spotlight. Even for a sign as fiery, outgoing and personable
as yours, it's easy to see how home might be the only place you'll really want
to be. Don't fight it. Think of it as a snuggle fest.

And at the end of it all, today I am a complete zombie. I hurt in places I didn’t know I could. The tops of both of my feet are insanely sore and I have no idea why. I have bruises on the back of my neck and on my lower back (spine) where the tie knots from the dress I’ve had to wear for two days bit into my sick. Ouch. I need downtime. Now.

2.24.06

Horoscopes For Today: 2/24/2006
You've decided to give yourself exactly what you need -- which might be a change of scenery and some new people and experiences to enjoy. Still, you're duty-bound to make sure everything at home
will run without a hitch in your absence. So before you board that plane or train, or hop in your car, be sure the person you trust most is in charge of everything. You won't be able to enjoy yourself or concentrate on the task at hand if you don't.

Well. Ok. I really, really want to go back to L.A. But I can’t yet. So there is that. I miss…everything there. It’s depressing me and I’m trying not to think about it. Tomorrow I am actually going out of town and I will actually be hanging around a new crowd of people and I will be experiencing something completely new to me. But all that is really just adding up to a bit of nervousness. Only time will tell.

2.23.06

Horoscopes For Today: 2/23/2006
You're optimistic, eager and anxious to take a chance -- at least one. So now, when the universe taps you on the shoulder, and asks that you leap before you look, simply because it feels right, you'll be
more than happy to accept the challenge, and more than confident enough to pull it off. You've paid your dues for some time now. How about letting the warrior side of your personality have some long overdue fun?

I’ve always considered it a weakness of mine that I –always- leap before I look. It has caused numerous problems and an untold amount of heartache in my life to live this way, but I always had. For the last few years though, I haven’t. I was in a situation where every moment had to be analyzed thousands of times before I could do anything or make any decisions all for the sake of making someone else comfortable and happy. In the end, it made me miserable and turned me into a person I am not and who I don’t ever want to be again.

Everyone should just take a leap of faith. Jump!

Today I’m nervous. My annual review is in an hour and I am hopeful that the significant raise that was promised to me will actually be granted. But in the midst of a hiring freeze and rumors of the company being bought out I am worried. It doesn’t help any that I was late to work today just because I was up late on the phone, was already tired, and –really- needed to get a cup of coffee.

Nick Lachey Files For Spousal Support

LOS ANGELES -- Nick Lachey may want to be supported by his ex-wife, Jessica Simpson.
In court papers filed Friday, Lachey said he's reserving the right to seek spousal support. Simpson has asked the court not to grant his request.

Lachey is also asking the court to confirm that miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects are separate property, as well as his earnings from after the date of separation. He cites the date as Dec. 13 -- she says it was Nov. 23.
Lachey and Simpson had no prenuptial agreement.

Last year alone, Simpson reportedly earned more than $30 million.

2.22.2006

Horoscopes For Today: 2/22/2006
Life has been interesting lately. Still,
you've done all right. You've challenged authority and come out of the battle(s)
virtually unscathed, handled cranky relatives, jealous friends and a sweetheart
who's had a bit of an attitude for no good reason. It's officially time for you
to take a breath and allow the universe, in all its benevolent wisdom, to
arrange a last minute change of plans that can't help but work out well. Smile
and say thank you.

Thank you!

Hollywood Feb 2006

I was going to write this whole fabulous diary of the events of the weekend in Hollywood, but today I'm feeling a little low and I've decided that there are some things that I'd like to keep private and close to myself. So, I'll leave you with the photos and my list of things I will never forget. For the record, I did not take any of the pictures at the clubs we went to. You can play where's Waldo to try and find me. In most of them Robert and I are somewhere dancing. The more incriminating photos of the other things we did on the dance floor have been omitted because...yeah, my parents read this.



I will never forget...

• Josh peeing in a cup on the freeway and tossing it out the window. I've never laughed so hard. Ever.


• Dancing and snuggling and kissing Robert @ Clockwork Orange


• Accidentally grabbing Christina's headboard (made of barbed wire) while in the midst of a lil somthin somethin


• Going to Tiffany's with Robert. As I walked around staring at all the beautiful jewelry and felt that I might cry at any second, he walked up beind me, put his arms around me and said, "So, honey, which one do you want?" to which I replied, "Oh darling, the biggest one!" Many people stared. We had to leave.


• The Bloodwine which we later learned had real blood in it.


• The party after Sinister at "Rikki's" house. Robert: "Wow, I thought you were a real woman!" I couldn't keep a straight face.


• Driving around the last night just talking and taking in the awesome view from a certain hill.


• Trying to not get kicked out of the Wax Mueseum while Josh molested the wax girls


• Crawling over Robert to back in bed when we thought it was 10 am, only to find out it was really 3pm. Oops.


• That FUCKING fountain outside the bedroom window that made me think it was raining the whole time.


• Shopping with Robert Acosta. I would let him dress me for the rest of my life! The iPod case he surprised me with. The 'goth' clothes we got for the club


The list could go on forever.