Hey Y'all!

Yes, I'm still alive... I just haven't been spending as much time on the computer lately I guess. Things are going well I guess. I'm feeling more content at work now that I've got the commuting schdule down. I'm enjoying my quiet time on the tain, and I guess life is just good in general. Gill is a happy camper.

I suppose happy camper doesn't make for fun journal reading, but oh well I guess. I'm heading to San Antonio this weekend to my sister's place. Her husband is in Iraq, so I'm going to spend Easter with her. It should be a good time. We are going to get in a few chic flicks, a little shopping, and of course some Easter dinner!! :-)

Hope everyone is doing well. I'll have to try to get here more often I guess, but if I don't get something exciting to write about no one will come read it anyway. LOL

A little experimentation.....

...with public transportation that is. What did y'all think I meant?

The drive was not getting easier for me, so I decided I needed to give the o'l rail a try. Sadly, my route consists of a short (about 5 min) drive to the train station, a 30 minute ride on the train, and then a transfer to a bus for about 15 minutes. Yeah, it's kinda long. But.... I don't have to do the driving!

My first day was a little rough. Doc and I went the night before to check out the station -- you know, assess parking, see where the ticket machine was, etc. I noticed the machine takes cash or credit/debit cards. That's good becuase I never carry cash.

So... Tuesday morning I set out to the train station. I go up to the machine and it does not take my debit card. Well, I thought it was the machine, so I just went to another one. Same thing happened there. I try another card... same thing. I hear the train arrive. CRAP! So, what do I do????? I hope on anyway. The train works on the "honor" system, but they do random checks for tickets.

I was a complete ball of worry the entire train ride. I felt just HORRIBLE that I didn't have a ticket, but I didn't know what else to do. I just kept hoping they wouldn't come by. Luckily, I got to my stop without being asked to produce a ticket.

I did, however, need a ticket to board the bus. Crap. So, I go inside (there is an inside at this station) and ask how much a bus ticket is. I had $3 in my wallet, which was just enough for an all day pass, but only for the Dallas zone (includes bus and train BTW). Due to where I live, I need the double fair zone, which is $5.

Well, I knew this would get me to work at least. I arrive at work okay. Doc rescued me by bringing me lunch and giving me some cash so I could get home. Wasn't that nice of him?

I couldn't take the train yesterday because I had to go somewhere after work and needed to come home and let Pretzel out first. But, I took the train again today, and it went smoothly. It was quite relaxing in fact. I'm buying a month-long pass so that next week I don't have to have cash all the time.

So... this was long-winded. It was my journey for the week. Oh there's more though. But.... for another time. I guess y'all will have to wait and see.... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just for Dorrie....

In a comment on my last post, Dorrie asked me about my "new" job and how that's going, so I thought I'd update on work.

I put "new" in quotes because I've actually been there 7 months now, so I guess it's not really new. The job itself is going okay, but along with most of the companies in this economy, there are financial struggles. We had our 401k match first reduced, now eliminated completly. There have been layoffs, even in my area. It's a scary time, and there will surely be no raises, which of course hurts.

BUT.... I have a job and I'm happy about that. I'm very busy, and that's good. Actually, if I didn't hate the commute so much it would probably be okay. I've been trying different routes to work, and I think I've got it now. It takes me about 40 minutes to get to work. I just hope it will be easier on me with time.

A girl in my department just quit today. She got terribly upset, and quit just like that. She was the receptionist for years. They eliminated her position about a month ago, but offered her a position in my department (because they laid off someone in the same position in another office). Anyway, it was a huge change for her, and the territory they gave her is SO backed up that she was INSANELY busy and trying to learn a new job. Plus, the person who did it before her was fired so she had no one to really help her.

Well, she called off sick yesterday, and today she just lost it and told our boss that she couldn't do it. And that was that. I feel bad for her.

Now I don't know what will happen with that work. For some reason I fear it will be placed on me and I REALLY don't want that. Since everything is backed up there are TONS of phone calls asking for status, and then the people are upset that it's taking so long. I don't want to deal with that.

But... no sense in worrying about that right now. I don't know what is going to happen. I just need to keep going to work and doing my thing. Oh, and I'll be keeping an eye on open jobs, just in case there is one open closer to my new apartment....

One whole year of Texas

I can't believe it. It's been a whole year since I moved here to Texas. It was actually one year Yesterday, but I didn't post yesterday like I wanted to. Somehow it never happened.

I took off from work today because I needed a day to rest. The past few weeks have been really busy for me with the move and all. I slept in until 10 this morning which was absolutely wonderful. I can't tell you the last time I did that!

Oh - Happy St. Patty's Day everyone. Last year I hung with Missi and Stas on St. Patty's Day for my first official outing in Texas. I still can't believe I've been here a year already.

I've really made Texas my home. I've made friends, and I really love my new apartment. I've actually met a bunch of my neighbors already and they are so nice! they like to hang out in the evenings when the weather is nice, and last night was one of those nights. Tonight is looking to be just as nice, so I bet they'll be out again. They think Pretzel is a cutie too. :-)

I know, I know -- gotta get to the pics or a tour.... I keep procrastinating but I will get to it. I guess y'all just have to keep checking back.....

Yes, I AM all moved in

Well, I guess that's all relative. I am in my new place, but there is still unpacking and organizing to do. I also have to go back to my old place and clean it up this weekend before turning in my keys. I will be happy to put that behind me.

So... how am I liking my new apartment? I LOVE it! Don't worry. I'll be doing a tour, but probably not until next week sometime, after I've had a chance to tidy things up a bit.

What's NOT going so well.... my commute. I'm having a very hard time adjusting. It's not the length of time so much as the stress of it. Traffic is SO BAD. When I lived in PA I drove on a bunch of 2-lane (one lane per direction) country roads. When I had to take a highway, there was usually only 2 lanes in each direction. These highways here are HUGE... and the cars are everywhere! I can't believe how many people there are... and all going the same place at the same time I guess. And the requirement to change over several lanes in a short time -- I HATE that!

I've just got to get used to it. I'm totally on edge by the time I get to work. I haven't been on time yet (I've taken this commute 3 days now). It doesn't seem to matter when I leave -- it seems to take a different amount of time each day. It's very frustrating.

I wish I could take the train -- but there is no way to get from the train station to my office... :-(

So anyway... enough complaining about driving. I really am excited about being in my new apartment. Pretzel seems to be happy here too (although I think she'd be happy anywhere, as long as I'm there).

That's it for now. I promise to get a tour vlog on here sometime next week. :-)

Love y'all!!!!

OMG! A vlog!

Okay... I just thought of something else to try. Let's see if this works....





BTW... sorry folks. I'm so used to saying "JS" that it just comes out....

Well, I tried to do a vlog...

I actually did a vlog! I did it yesterday, but I was unable to load it. I'm having major problems uploading and I don't know why. I still don't know if I'll get it. It's taking FOREVER. It never used to take this long before. It's even a short vlog and I still don't know if I'll get to post it.

Is there any way to embed a photobucket video on here? I saved it in photobucket but then found I couldn't put it in here. HELP!

I left it uploading when I went to bed last night. I got up this morning and it was STILL uploading, over 6 hours later!!! That, my friends, is a problem. I've about given up.

If anyone has any help, please email me ([email protected]). Otherwise, I guess I won't do vlogs anymore.

TGIF

I couldn't be happier it's Friday. This was the week from hell. I'm so glad it's over. I don't know what it was this week, but today was a stressful afternoon which didn't make the end of the week a good one.

I'm starting to stress about my move. I know I have so much to do and I feel quite unprepared. I need to make a list but I'm procrastinating.

I can't even think right now. Maybe I'll do a post later after I've had a few drinks.