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My Monitor Blues

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Back when I built my computer, Mom surprised me by buying me a super nice monitor to go with my new rig. It had excellent depth of color and an unbeatable size. It was pricey when she bought it for me, but one she happily purchased.

The one drawback was that the base couldn’t be detached from the monitor. Only the foot could be detached and not easily. It wasn’t a big deal until the move hit. I spent nearly an hour trying to detach the foot and then avoided putting it back on unless absolutely necessary.

About halfway through the move, I noticed the colors had gone washed out one morning and the colors were flaring along the top of the screen. Whites appeared a flickering pink and all sorts of other bizarre effects. It’s only gotten worse as time has gone on. Matt offered me use of his old CRT monitor, but it almost causes more eyestrain since I’m used to a 22″ widescreen.

Now I’m working on a web design project for my friend and guildmate, James, for his catering business. The black design wasn’t too bad, but the green one is much darker than I realized. On my monitor, it looks like a nice mint green with lighter stripes. Switched monitors and realized how dark it really is. >_<

I realize it has every right to die after being stuffed in the trunk for 2000 miles. I just can’t really afford to deal with this right now. On the other hand, I really want to do a good job on James’ project.

This might be the thing that gets me over this hump on the job search front.

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Bank Account Cleaned Out

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

We rented a car for our road trip. Our old car simply wasn’t safe and we had no money to fix it up. So we sold that one for scrap and rented a nice, little 2009 Chevy Aveo for the trip down for $159 a week from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Grand Rapids, MI.

Seemed pretty reasonable for a really nice car.

First snag, when Matt called and offered us a place to live in Texas, we called Enterprise and asked to take the car to Texas. They wanted us to drive all the way back to Michigan, negotiate a new contract and then drive to Texas. Never mind that the car had Georgia plates, registration, and insurance. Michigan.

24 hours later, despite being told we’d get an answer before they closed, they finally relented and we left for Texas.

They decided once we were in Dallas that we could drop the car off at any local Enterprise instead of driving the car off to Michigan. Now, here’s where things get fishy. My grandparents (Poppa and Sheba) have been meddling this whole time. Despite ignoring us or downright abusing us, they’re suddenly worried. They’re apparently talking to the car rental company. I don’t know if I should blame them for what followed or not. I am angry that the car company actually talked to them in the first place. Either way, first quote was $400 to drop the car off, but when we called to arrange it, it was only $75.

We dropped the car off January 7th at the Enterprise in Wylie TX. Strangely, we didn’t have enough money in our bank account to afford the $75. Sandy, Matt’s Mom, helped us pay it. We figured we could pay her back this past Friday.

Wednesday, the 13th, we get a call from the bank saying we’re overdrawn. However, their computers are down so they can’t tell us anything else.

The 14th, we call back and find out we’re not only overdrawn, but we’re overdrawn by $800. Frustrating, but not that surprising. This has been a brutal couple months.

Friday, the 15th, Sandy calls us first thing in the morning. Her debit card was charged $400 by Enterprise without her consent. We spent most of the day on the phone trying to iron that out. They claim they can’t refund her directly but it’ll go to our account.

Sandy calls her bank to ask that they deny any further charges from Enterprise and they tell her they’ve had numerous complaints about Enterprise continuing to charge after the car has been returned.

So now we’re waiting until Monday for a manager to come in.

I transferred my payments for my WoW account to my college refund card, only to discover I only have $10 on it. I put $21 on it, but it’ll be Monday before it posts. So looks like I’ll be missing the raid tonight.

If you ever rent a vehicle from Enterprise, watch your bank or credit account closely. Make sure you get an actual receipt and get everything in writing.

On the bright side, Matt bought Dragon Age Origins yesterday and he plans to play WoW all day. So his brand new PS3 is sitting all lonely and neglected. I think I’ll fix that! ^_~

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Adjustment

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Spent the last week adjusting to living in Texas. Poor Matt, he went from no pets to three. Echo has decided she’s Matt’s cat for now. She follows him around like a puppy, curling up in his lap, begging to be let into his room, and sleeping on his bed while he plays WoW. Luna barks like a maniac at him whenever he comes into the room.

Matt called the 22nd of December, right after my blog post. He’s letting us stay in 2 bedrooms of his 3 bedroom house rent free for 2 months. After that, we’ll negotiate rent. “Haul your asses down here!” he said. And haul ass we did.

The first catch came in the car rental company. Despite the Georgia plates, registration, and insurance they wanted us to drive all the way back to Michigan from Virginia to renegotiate the contract and then drive to Texas. They promised to get back to us on the 22nd, but never did. Mom got the oil changed on the 23rd and called them back to demand an answer. Finally given the okay, we took off for Texas.

Someday, I need to go back with cameras and time for a proper vacation. It was pouring when we went through Memphis, TN and we stopped only to get gas. Same story for Little Rock, AR. I was so frustrated with Richmond, I never did get to the cultural and historical areas.

Either way, I’m in Texas now. We arrived Christmas day and with Matt’s blessing have been relaxing so we can start attacking the job search this week. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is HUGE. By far, this is the biggest metropolitan area I’ve ever seen. But the weather beats Michigan out by miles.

I’ve had dinner twice at James’s restaurant and gotten to meet Wally and his wife, Patrick, and James’s and one of his sons. Matt’s parents also openly invited us to have Christmas at their house, which made Christmas much happier.

What my task is now is a set of New Year’s Resolutions… including finding a job. Matt says there’s some consignment shops near the upper class and extremely upper class areas of town where I might be able to find some really great used clothing. This morning I redid my resume yet again.

Right now, I’ll take most anything just to get on my feet, but I really would like to find something in my field. That being said, I did tell Matt I’d be willing to do free work in the area to build my portfolio and make my name known in the area.

Much love to you all. I’m going to make it, even if I have to turn into Supergirl to do it.

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Everything I know about life, I learned from WoW

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Don’t like one questing area? Try another. Hop on your mount and move thine-self.

The Richmond, VA area doesn’t seem to be panning out. I don’t have until January to wait to see how the profits from the Christmas season work out, not without help with housing. We declared we’d return to the Michigan area by Christmas if it didn’t work out and I don’t want to go back. As scary, frustrating, and stressful as this has been it’s been less scary, frustrating, and stressful than Michigan ever was. I’ve managed to somehow be calmer here than I’ve been in Michigan for years.

Even if we did go back, I wouldn’t be welcome at the family Christmas party. Mom might be welcomed, but the only present I might receive is the gift of their anger and maybe the chance to press assault charges on Karla.

I don’t regret leaving. Not in the least. I don’t regret taking this chance. But I’m realizing I should have chosen Dallas instead. Dave and Jane are wonderful; and, I relish the chance to meet them… but coming to Richmond for anything but a vacation was a mistake.

We’re realizing we were happier on the road, staring uncertainty in the face and gawking at the sights two isolated Michigan women hadn’t ever seen. Each night, as we cuddled with our pets, we knew we’d made the right choice.

And now it’s boiling down to another choice.

Matt was right, I think.

I’m trying hard not to view the slow snow cleanup through the eyes of a northerner, but I can’t help it. I keep telling myself that they’re not used to this much snow, but it just doesn’t seem like it should take this long to clean up. It’s like they’re waiting for the snow to melt, rather than do something about it. The political shenanigans between Richmond and the outlying counties is also aggravating. Part of the reason I chose Richmond over my other options was their so-called “Award Winning” public transportation system. However, due to the political disputes between the city and counties, the bus service fails to reach the major economic hubs of the area. I was counting on that system and now I know it’s simply not true.

I know it’s rough everywhere; I’m not looking for for a handout or the promised land of sunshine, bubble-gum rainbows, and 1% unemployment. I’m looking for a chance. Even if the economy were to do a complete rebound today, I know it will take years for everyone to recover.

For once in my life, I want to be given a chance. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Still Nothing

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Friday night, Richmond was buried under roughly 20 inches of snow and promptly shut down for the rest of the weekend. We found ourselves trapped at the hotel for the weekend, which has put us behind… majorly behind.

We’re running out of money fast and have no jobs to show for it. We’re trying to stay positive, but it’s difficult. It’s scary!

So far, no one wants to help us. It’s either homeless shelter or find a job before any agency will.

I’m beginning to think I should have chosen Texas. Unfortunately, I know even less about Texas than I do about Virginia. At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to apply to so many jobs and have handed out so many resumes, the laws of the universe dictate that as soon as I leave, I’ll get a call. There’s not much in Michigan to return to, but one of our old neighbors said we could live in their basement if necessary.

Either way, we’re going to have to decide within the next day or so: return to Michigan, stay put, or try another region.

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Second Thoughts the Other Way

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Okay, now we have second thoughts the other way. Mom called one of the affordable apartments near us and while they’d be cool with the girls, they require all tenants to be making at least $1700 a month. Totally lets us out.

Mom called our DHS case worker to inquire about Section 8 Housing, course, the state screwed up DHS so it’ll probably be… oh, friday… before she gets back with us.

Which took us back the other way, back towards leaving again. Either way, we’re going to be homeless for a bit.

I found a few entry level web development jobs I could do, but will they take me is the question. I’m completely clueless about cover letters in the first place, let along crafting one to convince people to consider me when I’m not even there yet.

One is, awesomely enough, with the World Wildlife Federation and the other is for a yacht company. I can do everything both ask, though I’ve only dabbled with ASP. (I can make it say “Hello World” and some other basic newbie stuff.)

*eyes Echo snoozing in the armchair* I don’t think so! Mom did her best dragon impression ever last night, remember? You are sleeping tonight!

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Second Thoughts

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

We’re starting to have second thoughts about going down to Richmond. Granted, we got almost no sleep last night, so this might just be exhaustion talking.

Trying to find safe, affordable, pet-friendly hotels is proving difficult and we’re realizing this isn’t going to save us as much money as we thought.

This morning, Mom actually suggested that we see if we can rent a room from Neil and his brothers. No offense Mom, but last time Neil and his brothers came over, I found them downright creepy. I know I used to be good friends with them, but that was 12 years ago.

I suggested that we just move outright, get me and the girls down there and then immediately return for our things. At this point, I could be convinced to part with everything but the essentials.

Truth be told, we’re scared. Very scared.

I started looking at Section 8 housing in the Grand Rapids, MI area, but a lot of them only allow dogs up to 25 – 35 lbs.

I know the “hows” always present themselves, but I’m starting to feel like I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I just wish someone would tell me what to do.

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Tell Me About Richmond, Dallas

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

We’ve narrowed down the two areas we think we want to move to:

  • Richmond, VA
  • Dallas, TX

Without going into a lot of details regarding our reasons, please tell us about them. We want the good, the bad, the ugly. Even a “WTF are you looking there…?!” with your reasoning would be appreciated.

Help me out here!

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Michigan Could Reach 20% Unemployment

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

They had this interview with David Littman on the news yesterday and lets just say I’m more convinced than ever that relocating is probably the best idea at this point.  (Warning, this video is fairly long.)

The Economic Impact of the Auto Crisis on Michigan from Mackinac Center on Vimeo.

In a nutshell, Michigan unemployment could reach 20% by the end of the year.  Mr. Littman also touches on some of the policies he thinks contributed to Michigan’s failing economy.

All-in-all, it’s very frightening.

I’ve had the opinion for a while that Michigan has been mismanaged for decades; certain government policy sounds more like it came out of the 1970s.

A good chunk of our manufacturing supports or supported the automotive industry.  I remember some classmates back in High School saying they were skipping college because their parents could get them into their workplace… usually a factory supporting the automotive industry.  Back a few months ago (before the bailouts and talk of Chapter 11), one local commercial for GM trucks depicted romanticized views of people working on a farm with the tagline “There’s nothing like a classic.”

Why in the world has Michigan been allowed to remain stagnant?  We’ve been allowed to be nothing but manufacturing.  Many Michigan towns and cities only have one major employer, with larger ones having maybe 2 or 3.  Didn’t they ever ask what would happen if something happened to that employer?

Some of these employers paid ridiculous amounts of money for overly simple jobs.  But yet over and over, I see people who were completely unprepared for when they couldn’t be paid that much.

Few went to college with their money and if they did, they went for degrees with very little demand or chose a popular one that now has left the market for that degree saturated.  (Really, how many daycares and preschools does a town of 7000 need?)

Yeah, I need to move.  *hops off her soapbox*

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Contemplating the Next Steps

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Still unemployed, still looking. I’m down to this feeling of malaise that sometimes borders on a panic attack… mainly from thinking about the bills.

When I’m not thinking about bills, I’m finding myself doing a lot of thinking about what I need to do next.

World of Warcraft makes it a little easier to put the thoughts out of my mind for a few hours, but it’s slowly getting so nothing can truly make me stop thinking about it. It’s completely impossible to even feel like playing with my site, even though it needs it. There’s just too much quiet time, I guess.

I’ve been working so hard and for what? Nothing so far. *sigh* I have all those student loans and no job and no prospects to show for it. I admit… I’m more than a little burnt out. For the past 10 years, each and every month has been a battle. And I’m tired.

I’m a computer programming and web design student. I enjoy both the code and the graphics, which is why I’ve chosen Web Design and Development. (Though; frankly, if I can even be doing something with computers I’m reasonably happy.) The problem here in Michigan is that most job openings in what I want to do require a minimum of 3 years doing this sort of stuff in an actual business setting, plus a bachelor’s degree. There’s quite a lot of job titles like Senior Designer, Senior Programmer, Senior Analyst, Senior Developer… almost nothing for Entry Level or Junior.

The economic situation isn’t making living easy in any state but Michigan is creeping up to a 10% unemployment rate. Given the emphasis, even today, on the auto industry in this state I really am scared to think what might happen if one of the Detroit Three goes under. Almost all we hear about is the Auto Industry and Healthcare for area jobs. Do I stay in Michigan and attempt to find just any job? (And I know myself… I’ll quickly become frustrated since I’m not doing what I’ve been working towards.) Or, do I count my losses and move out of state?

I’m beginning to feel that I’ve been taken in by some great scam in regards to Baker College Online. I go to college to learn how to do things related to my chosen career. While I understand a lot of this is supposed to be the foundations so I can learn the different languages on my own, a lot of the courses seem to be a sampler. Beyond the samplers, I’m supposed to learn everything on my own. That’s thousands of dollars beyond college I just don’t have. Many instructors I’ve had aren’t really teaching, they’ve just been there to grade the papers (maybe).

I keep finding myself being presented with material that assumes you’re already in the field, not attempting to learn it. I voiced my concerns and found myself ridiculed by my classmates. However, that could also be my classmates attempting to fulfill the college’s “participation” requirement and criticism comes easily for many people. Back at Central Michigan University, I was able to attend class and many times I didn’t have to speak. I just handed my work in, passed the exams, life went on. So, do I continue with Baker College Online or do I go back to a physical campus? I already lost my financial aid because I couldn’t complete the internship, though I believe I still have an appeal left. Do I really want to fight for my financial aid when I’m not getting the support from the college in the first place?

I know I can’t stop going to college. That Bachelor’s degree is something I need in this world… and it will likely be manditory in the economic world after we get through this mess.

On the subject of relationships…. *sigh* Dating on the whole is just a stress I don’t need right now. A lot of guys want to look at only one facet of my personality and ignore the rest. My diabetes doesn’t help either. The first time I have a Low around them, their inner Knight in Shining Armor or Superman comes out wanting to save me when all I need is a regular soda and a bag of chips to stabilize my blood sugar levels. Then there’s the aggression towards other males or the suddenly fragile egos. It makes me want to whack them a few times with a rolled up newspaper.

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