I am moving

I am super bitch today.  I'm absolutely IRATE.  I woke up pissed and plan to stay pissed until I find a new job.  It is my current understanding that I am only getting a 5% raise.  I'm so far beyond pissed there is no word to explain it.  And they have a 5 year plan to officially put me into the position that I AM ALREADY DOING!  So basically they don't plan to pay me for the work i'm doing for five effing years.  I'm so so so fucking pissed.  And hurt too because apparently they don't think I'm worthy.
 
So...I have a 5 month plan to move to Chicago.  I'm going to start applying for jobs and getting my portfolio together immediatly.  If you could help me by pointing me in directions of cheaper but safe places to live in Chicago, that'd be awesome.  I know nothing about the city, so I don't even know where to start looking for a place to live.
 
I am even thinking of saying I'm sick today so I don't have to see these fuckers and pretend that everything is fucking hunky dory.  It's not.  i'm not happy.  I really hope Hyr was just pulling my leg, but he most definitely led me to believe that I am not getting a significant raise at all.  He said the raise I'm getting won't help my financial situation.  I hope he was kidding.  I hope that this meeting tomorrow I find out that I'm getting the level raise I deserve and the pay rate I need and deserve.
 
I just need to get through the day, though.

Yuck

I'm stressing myself out here. 

 

1.  Amira has really fucked up our internal website.  Like seriously fucked it up.  She's very task focused and not content focused.  For the web content, you need to both finish the job and deliver a high quality product.  You can't just get it done and not care about content.  Also, she's really fucked up our weekly updates, apparently.  the way she's been doing our headline news has created a hole for items to drop into before they get to the plant employees who don't have time to see the news electronically.  Not cool and a huge fucking headache for me.

 

2.  I'm completely stressed about my medical bills.  I need to just do something about it.  I hate feeling so very stressed out and worried.  Being out of happy pills doesn't help my situation at all.  I feel very unsettled and confused about all of my medical bills.  I fucking hate bills.  I'd rather ignore them.

 

3.  While I've gotten a lot done today, it's not enough.  I have so much to do and this afternoon can't get around to focusing on it.  That's a problem.

 

 

Not a super day today

Weekend was boring.  Hung out with my friend Mistle.  That's as exciting as it gets.

 

Today i'm completely stressed and freaked out.  I have TONS of stuff to do at work.  That only took a week. 

 

Mom and dad are filing a lawsuit and the lawyer they were going to meet with is all the sudden no where to be found.  That's shady, so I'm going to talk to Zeus about it to see if he has recommendations.

 

Today I am out of happy pills and out of hormones, so that's not helping me even a little bit.  I need to straighten out my flex card stuff so I can use that for perscriptions again.  it's such a pain in the ass though.  I can't deal with it today, but I don't have much of a choice, I guess. 

 

i'm grumpy as fuck.  I hate that.

 

i'm going to have lunch with Hyr.  I hope he's paying and I hope he hasn't invited anyone else because i'm not in the mood for a big group.  I can handle him today and that's about it.

 

 

Day Three back at the office

And I'm EXHAUSTED.  Each day I seem to get more tired earlier in the day.  I'll be wasted by Friday.  But also, I'm not really sleeping much at night so that's not helping things.  oh crap.  I forgot to buy stamps from Cat.  I should go do that.

 

Anyway...my welcome back was nice.  Everyone seems to have missed me.  Zeus is so cute about it.  "i'm so glad you're back Brennan" after he asks me to solve this difficult graphing thing that the boss boss wanted.  It's not quite rocket science, but it's difficult and tedious.  And they want me to figure out a way to do it without having to be online.  Oh joy.

 

But I am glad to have a regular schedule.

 

Mom and dad are not doing well.  It's very scary right now.  Mom went blind in her left eye a few weeks ago and is beginning to have symptoms of losing the sight in her right eye.  We're all scared.  She had a stroke in her left eye caused by Giant Cell Arteritis, which was caused by PMR.  It's drama and disaster.  Dad's parkinsons is getting worse.  It just sucks ass to see them failing like they are.  It breaks my heart.

 

in good news...GO OBAMA!!!  I really feel like these are amazing times in US History.  Obama makes me want to help change the world.  He is very inspiring, and I know not only to me.  He's an extraordinary leader who I am very proud to call my president.  He makes me proud to be an American.  George Junior made me want to move to the antarctic just to hide from the shame of all he's made of this country while in office. 

I Am Ambivolant

Not really, but I like that word today. 

 

Mom's been really sick.  She went to a new specialist this week and he immediatly sent her to the hospital for three rounds of high dosage steroids.  Starting today she's on 60mgs of steroids a day for 4 weeks, after which she'll get more blood tests and then more steroids or start to taper steroids. 

 

I've been working with my cousin Florentina on some cards for her business.  I assumed it'd be no big deal - maybe 30 minutes of work.  It's been a week long ordeal, and the cards look like shit with what they want done.  They are not designers, so if they think they can do it without a designer, go ahead and do it.  I don't have time to fuck around and I'm not getting paid for this.  It's not even something I'd care to add to my portfolio - it'd NEVER get me a job!  It's horrible.  And Florentina knows I have a lot going on with mom and dad and myself recovering, but she doesn't give a shit or doesn't realize the time it takes to do this shit.  It's just irritating. 

I haven't gotten anything done I wanted to, as far as my portfolio.  The company I work for is failing miserably, so I can't count on keeping a job there.  My mind is definitely back at work.  I know I'm walking right into chaos and mayhem and I'm not looking forward to it.  Oh well.  Life goes on, right?

Hahaha

I love my dad.  Really I do.  There isn't anyone else in the world I'd want to have raised me.  However...he cracks me up.  He's on the phone with some online service and he's making up all of these laws he says they've broken "Fraud by Wire", "Misleading Senior Citizens" both of which are federal offenses, by the way.  I love him!

 

Mom is not doing well at all.  She had a stroke last week.  She's lost the vision in her left eye.  She's scared to death.  And she's been acting a little odd lately.  She seems confused sometimes.  I'm worried sick about her.  I'd like for her Dr to get an MRI or something to see if anything has affected her brain.  her last specialist (she has some weird auto immune disorder) disregarded her symptoms and stopped treating her with out referring her to someone else or saying he's not qualified to treat her...nothing.  And now her disease is out of control causing devestating changes in her body.  It's ridiculous.  I'm going to write to that dr and threaten a lawsuit.  it's ridiculous.  He completely mistreated her. 

 

In other news, I'm recovering just fine now.  It's been 6 weeks today since the hysterectomy.  I feel lots better.  Pain is very minimal and present only when i've been sitting up straight (like in a work chair) for a significant amount of time or when I'm tired, which feels like ALL the time.  That's the only thing I haven't seemed to get over is the exhaustion.  It sucks. 

 

Ok.  Time to sit somewhere else!  have you missed me, my invisible friends?

Photography kick continued...

I'm doing everything I can to learn more and more about photography.  Fonti, a friend from work, referred her sister Somero to me for wedding photography.  I'm not a professional.  I have no equipment.  I know I can do a good job and I believe in my skills, but I would rather be someone's apprentice so I can get some more exposure to wedding photography.  I don't know how to go about doing that.  I'm looking at on line information about lighting and just general tips for taking pictures of couples and such. 

 

I just need to find a way to build my confidence as well as my portfolio.  I don't quite know how to do that.  I'll do my best.  Maybe I can get H's family to do a session with me.  That would be good practice for me and free pictures for them.  I'll ask her about that.  Maybe RG would be willing, too.  I need experience.

Where do I live?

I thought I was in the USA, but I think in November I'll be living in the 1970 communist USSR.  If McCain Palin get voted in, I'm seriously looking for work in Canada. 

Photography

Ok. So I was in love with digital grin for a while. Then I tried to post a picture. Then I tried again. They moderate postings and apparently there's something inherently wrong with the pictures I want to post. I'm beyond pissed. Why try to be a member of something that won't let you participate?

In other news, I totally dig this new pictures I took at the cemetery! Cool isn't it? I like cemeteries. I'm creepy like that, I guess.

Turlach

He's being such a good guy tonight.  He's always a good guy, but tonight he's doing my laundry, cooking dinner, getting me water. 

 

My cousins Eaj called Turlach tonight.  Eaj is such a good guy.  He's changed so much.  He told Turlach he'd like to come visit while I'm recovering at the 'rents.  How sweet is he?!

Photography

I really want to be a real photographer.  But for not, I just want to be a better photographer.  I"m addicted to Digital Grin right now.  Those photographers make me feel very inferior, but I know I have a good eye for photography and have taken a good share of great shots.  I just want to talk to real photographers.  I have so many questions.  How many shots does it take to get that perfect shot for you?  How do you prepare?  And don't even get me started on wedding photography.  Good lord, I have questions.  I could ask Len, but we don't talk anymore and I hear she's just a completely different person now.  So I think I'm going to do my best to network my way to photographers!

 

Want to know a sick secret, my invisible friends?  Turlach pees with the door open.  No wonder he's single.  And no wonder why I'm looking for my own damn place!

Wedding Photography

I'm going through and editing the better pictures from the wedding in August.  I have a huge list of things to do and not to do for the next wedding I shoot.  August was unorganized.  They didn't know what they wanted.  THey didn't have a schedule.  They didn't tell me what things were going to happen that they wanted photographed specifically.  Looking at the pictures I wish I had more information before the wedding.  Next time will be better.  I need to research how other photographers do it.  Do they have a list of shots they want?  What are their contracts like?  What are their expectations?  I know what I want next time. 

 

That reminds me.  I need to get in touch with potential client #2.  She may have moved on by now and that's ok, but still...I need to follow up with her.

Bad day

Well not really a bad day, but I'm just in a bad mood.  Don't really feel good.  cold.  Tired.  Already not looking forward to going back to work.  With the way the economy is going, I don't know if I'll be able to get a loan for school, and that sucks.  I want my MBA!  I'll find a way to get it, I guess.

 

Turlach is home from work.  No work to speak of this week plus the evil boss is going to be out helping his wife cook for the polish festival this weekend. 

 

I emailed my boss today that I'll be back a week earlier than expected.  He seemed really happy, so that's good.  I'd like to try to see them this weekend, but I don't know if I have the energy, pain or emotional tolerance for rides, in and out of the car and seeing a newborn baby without bursting into tears of self pity.

 

I might go for a ride tdoay.  I'm bored.  I can't stand sitting here.  I can't sit at the upstairs computer because Turlach is using the computer chair and I can't sit in that other one.  Today just fucking sucks I guess.  I'm pissy at everything. 

 

This hormone patch thing isn't working.

 

 

Still have pain

I am sick of taking pills.  I woke up STARVING.  I need to wait for the pb&j to thaw before I can eat it.  Making me cranky.

 

Turlach seems to be a little pissy this morning.  Oh well.  I don't care.  I made a grocery list.  I hope to go to the store today.  I'll fake being ok just to get the hell out of the house.  We'll see how it goes, though.

 

Um....Fin emailed me this morning!  He so rarely ever emails.  I'm so glad :)  I love that boy.

 

Presidential debates were last night.  I watched them re-run on CNN.  I found it very interesting.  Obama address McCain directly and often called him John and always made eye contact.  McCain referred to Obama as Senator Obama and never made eye contact.  I wonder if analysts caught that (and I'm sure they did) and what they thought about it.  I should look it up online.

 

I tried to download pictures from my camera but the battery died.  That sucks.  I'll have to charge that up today.  There was one picture in particular I wanted to see, so I'll have to wait for that I guess.

I am still frustrated

Pain is RIDICULOUS today.  I can barely tolerate it.  I think I'll go upstairs and lay down.  That's the only time I feel ok.

 

Saw a fucking mouse in the house today.  I don't like living like I do.  I'm messy.  having mice in the house makes me feel dirty.  What if it's in my room?  I don't ahve food up there so I'm not overly concerned, but still....I don't like the thought of a mouse hanging around here.  Unless it's named mickey and can pay rent, it's not welcome.

 

I"m glad I never watched Blue Collar TV.  I just watched an episode and it's really dumb.

 

Um.  I'm not very chatty, I guess.  I wanted to go on about politics and such but don't have the energy for that kind of frustration.  Tonight is the presidential debate.  Should be interesting.  I'd like to watch it, but I'm sure Shawn doesn't care to see it.  I really do want to see it.  I'm watching John Stewart...I love him! 

 

I want milk.  I think I'll make a grocery list thing.  It'll be distracting.  sorta.  As long as Shawn wants to actually shop.  maybe we can go to walmart and I can embarrass myself and use an amigo.  I can't walk but I just can't sit in the house anymore.

I'm grumpy today

Turlach ... well ... I think a lot of it is me and I shouldn't complain about the fact that he thinks we don't need to go to the store (even though we have no food) and I won't complain about how he says one thing and does the opposite.  I'll complain about how my hormones are completely imbalanced and how the doc needs to fix that and how my pain is fucking irritating me and how fustrated I am with sitting here doing nothing.  That's what I'll bitch about.

 

I'm taking a close look at the wedding pictures from well over a month ago so I can edit them.  Again....it's something that Turlach is fucking irritating me about.  FUck you turlach.  You are not my boss.  You are not my agent.  I told them it'd be a while before I could start editing but your fucking little bitchy ass keeps asking why I'm not working on them.  Oh I don't know...I just had my fucking internal organs ripped the fuck out of me and I'm feeling a little less than energetic. 

 

Man I'm fucking pissed today.  This sucks.

Whatever

I'm sick of Turlach complaing about how fucking uncomfortable he is.  Whatthefuckever.  I have a fucking hole in my stomach and internal organs were ripped out.  Fuck you and your discomfort you big baby.

Apparently

Things at work are not good at all.  Something is going on that they're not telling me.  Whatever.  Just gives me more motivation to get the portfolio out there.

 

I think Turlach just came home.  God I hope not.  IF he did, I'll claim exhaustion and go to bed.  I just want to be left alone.  I don't want visitors.  I don't want to listen to him talk about how his abdomen is uncomfortable.  Whatever Turl.  Preaching to the choir.

 

Zeus and Hera finally named the baby. Very pretty name :)  I'm glad they had a girl! 

 

I'm cranky.  I want to do stuff.  I want to do laundry.  I want to go to the damn store.  I want to cook something more than fucking grilled cheese.  I want to take pictures.  I want to go for a ride.  I think I need to talk to the doc about hormones.  Days 3 and 4 i'm moody as fuck.  This isn't working. 

 

I don't think that was Turlach.  The puppy didn't come running!

Wednesday

Yesterday Turlach was quite sick.  He's still not feeling well today.  I wanted him to go to the ER, but he refused.  I understand because he has no insurance.  He needs to find some kind of cheap plan because he can't ignore things like this.  I think he has dad's IBS.  I was feeling great and happy to help him yesterday.  I even drove to the store and that turned out to be a great lesson - I don't need to be driving anywhere.  It hurts!  My incision feels very irritated today.  Oh well.  It'll get better.

 

I"m trying to decide on a movie to watch. 

 

And....I have no business trying to have a portfolio.  My work sucks.  I sit here and surf the net looking at other portfolios, and my work doesn't compare in the least.  I'm not sure how to make my work look as professional as other people's work looks.  My pictures kinda suck.  I'm not as good as I like to think I am.  Some pictures are great, but they are very few and very far between.  And my design work...I don't know.  I consider myself more of a hack than a designer.  I put things together.  I don't create things.  I don't know.  My self esteem isn't booming right now, I guess.

 

I think my hormones are not great.  I think I should change my patch every three days instead of every 4.  I'll talk to the doc about it.  It's not been long enough to be all upppity about not feeling well.  I need to give it more time. 

 

Why am I watching a fucking sad movie????????????  I cry enough as it is.  But it does have Kevin Smith....he's a hoot.

 

Ok.  I am going to further critique my work and feel a little worse about myself!

So

I just can't get over this.  Nafu, the "best friend" who hasn't been in touch with me, still hasn't been in touch.  I'm terribly disappointed in her and I'm having such a hard time getting over it.  I refuse to contact her directly now.  And it's difficult to not do that.  I don't know what her deal is, though.  She's changed alot.  She's miss "you're not important if you don't know celebrities" now.  She used to be a nice person.  I see her as very shallow now.  So given that why do I feel so hurt?  Why do I still want to be friends with her?  I don't fucking get it.  Someone must have dropped me on my head!  She's really turned into the type of person I hated when I lived in LA - she's a name-dropper.  That's the worst kind of person.  Again...that said, why do I want to still be a blip on her radar??????  I DON'T GET IT!

 

Have I mentioned I'm sick of pain?  Because I am.

 

I think I might take the laptop and hard drive upstairs tonight.  I want to work on pictures but I don't feel like staying down here.  Then again, I am quite tired.  Maybe I can do it tomorrow.  I might take the HRD upstairs tonight and work at that computer tomorrow, but it's so hard to sit there.  I'm good with sitting on the couch using the laptop, but sitting at the desk hurts. 

 

I see Claire's brain.  Just thought I'd share.  Sylar's hot.  THought I'd share that, too.  But now he can heal and that's evil.  And poor Claire....I imagine she'll be ok. 

 

Tomorrow I want to definitley go through my photos.  REALLY go through them.  Make edits of the best and start a portfolio.  I'm also going to get my shit together for the MBA application.  I looked for jobs online today and once I have an MBA, I can triple my salary in the right job.  That means I can't stay at Completely Earth forever, but who knows....maybe some day something in the Creative Direction area could open?

 

Turlach is snoring.  Must be nice to fall asleep at the drop of a hat.  I can cry at the drop of a hat.  I wish I could sleep like that!

 

Great.  Nathan is all "I love God" now.  Or maybe he's crazy?  I think he's crazy.  Maybe a lot of his brain died while he was dead.