Sometimes I forget that even the people I love are asses

Many of you, who know me personally, know that I know and love many individuals who happen to be gay. I support gay rights, and promote acceptance of the gay community.  Last year I walked with a dear friend in the Queen City Pride Parade with my friend Tim. I was overcome by the love and support that perfect strangers show for each other and for the community as a whole.

I will be walking in the parade again this year (which is going to be even bigger than last year, but with a smaller parade route), with my wonderful friend, my husband’s cousin, and hopefully my friend’s daughter & grandson. I’m thinking I’m not going to walk next to a float again. Since I’m not so coordinated, I’m lucky that when I got to close to the wheel well I got a little heads up from a couple lovely queens. J

My husband’s cousin has moved back home after a long time away. She has been to Pride Parades in the past. This will be the first time she will be participating.

Last night my dear husband’s cousin got an earful from her mother. It started out just being a lecture on bills. It turned nasty, very quickly from what I hear. Her mother informed her that by participating and supporting the gay community she is “dragging the family’s name through the mud, and making them look bad.”  ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? I love my husband’s Aunt, but BITCH NEEDS TO GET A GRIP! I know that my husband’s family is very religious, and has strong republican views. IT IS 2012, time to understand that being gay isn’t a fad, a phase, or a choice!

Now I’ve had my share of issues with my mother, as anyone who follows my blog knows. My mother has even used derogatory remarks about my sexual orientation while I was in high school. But she has NEVER told me that I made her or our family look bad. She may be a wretched woman, but she has NEVER, NEVER made me feel like I was a disappointment!

So, today, I say… I love you Aunt, stop being a bitch to your daughter, you are acting like and ass!

I love my husband's family, but hate family get togethers

The husband’s grandparents celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary yesterday. That is no small mile stone if you ask me, especially with people getting divorces after 20, 25, even 30 years. It was great to see them (not so great when I hear from the husband’s cousin that their grandfather told her that he still loved the grandmother very much and that they make love on a regular basis). Family members that hadn’t been together in about five years all got together for dinner.

Dinner is where it becomes no fun. Big o’le E-Town is limited on the places that you can go with a party of 17. We had all made suggestions on places to go for the cheap (because even though the husband’s family is most likely of English and French decent, I’m shocked if some of their roots don’t come from Jerusalem) other than the establishment we ended up at. We were actually all set to go somewhere else, but this location had a sign for cheap fried clams and 2-for specials, so we went to this place which we had sworn never to go to again.

We got there, and sat down. The waitress had not taken drink orders from the people who were all ready there yet (really, that is the first thing you do). She waited until everyone got there to take drink orders. She was pretty slow. She did not bring out dinner rolls until I got a little loud and mouthy and said that some one should ask for them, even though they were complementary. She actually brought them right over (surprise).

Oh, yes, don’t let me forget, there was only one waitress for 17 people! When it came time to serve food, only ONE WAITRESS, so some people were done with their meals before the last person even got served (if they had waited their food would have gotten cold). She was terrible at refilling drinks; people had to ask more than once for her to get on it.

The husband’s cousin found a hair in her food. Instead of sending it back, she opted to just not eat that half of her plate. Me, well I would have sent it back and told them to take it off my bill (even though it was a 2-for they could have discounted the 2-for 50%). My husband had a hair on the side of his plate, not in his food, and his aunt had pulled pork that was more like pulled fat.

My husband ordered chicken scampi… now; I have NEVER had chicken scampi covered in mushrooms! It was LOADED! He had to pick off the mushrooms, because he doesn’t like them (good thing he isn’t allergic), plus there was still a bit of shell left on a piece of shrimp… FUN TIME!

Desert time came. No one was pleased with their meals, and we didn’t want deserts. The husband’s dear cousin had just gotten over the stomach bug and really didn’t want desert, but her mother told her that everyone else was getting desert so she should order something. The grandmother and two other guests were the only ones besides the cousin who had desert.

Remember, the cousin literally was in the hospital two days ago getting IV fluids because of her stomach bug. She was eating slowly and not a lot. She ordered Key Lime Pie. Frankly, they offer better stuff in the frozen section of the grocery store! She was slowly eating it, and all of sudden, the husband’s aunt starts flipping out on the cousin about how she always orders things she can’t finish. Well, she tried to tell her that she was taking it slow and it kept going. I really thought she was going to stab her mother with a fork! No, she cut the pie into three pieces and shoveled them into her mouth.

When the check came, people were very angry that the gratuity was included on the checks. (I tried to explain that it was customary if there was a party usually over 8 to include the gratuity). We were happy, because the service was terrible, and we never tip less than $5, but it was just over $3, because they only figured 15%, not 20%.

We were very happy to get out of there to say the least.

Hello Kittification Continues

I have been working very hard to come up with ideas to finish my hello kitty-fication of Alice in Wonderland. The Mr. told me that I need to figure out what I want to do for the Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo on July 20-22. It has been stressful to come up with an idea that works as a tattoo, or at the very least inspire me to come up with an idea for my tattoo, using Hello Kitty.

If I knew how to use my Photo Shop Elements software this process would have been SOOO much easier, but alas, I have not had time bothered to look at the videos from adobe. I have been choosing ideas, printing, cutting, enlarging, and reducing pictures.

This has been an endeavor to find the pictures, trace my leg so I can figure out how to fit the new characters in. This project has taken over my desk, my sleep, and frankly my life. I finally finished everything (other than the Cheshire Cat… because how the hell do you Hello Kitty-fy something that is known for its smile?). I figured out the placement. The background can always be done later. The artist sent me a message back that she would love to work on it! Now, I just have to send her a copy of my idea. I’m actually getting excited about it now.

Is it bad that I think that everything should be hello kitty-fied?

I only have about two more weeks before I head out of town for training for my new job. On the way home after the second week, we are stopping over at the Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo. I don’t have a lot of time left to design the next phase of my hello kitty half sleeve that I will be putting on my leg (which may be changing to a scene with a “looking glass frame”. I have to not only decide what character I’m getting, but also design said tattoo, or at the very least email the artist that did my Mad Hatter tattoo (because frankly, she is amazing). I’m getting a little anxious thinking about this.

 I’m looking for inspiration online to see what I should do. I’ve made a tracing of what I all ready have and am really trying to figure out what is next. As I am doing this, I am also thinking of other things that I could Hello Kitty-fy. Some of these things would make people squirm. Some people who call what I am thinking sacrilegious even. I’m not talking about the Virgin Mary or Jesus (all though, these have been done). I’m thinking about other favorite things of mine… Hold on to your panties and shut your mouths babies… but I am thinking of Hello Kitty-fied ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and Hello Kitty-fied GREASE.

 Now, un-bunch those panties boys and girls… A talented artist could do such things and it would be… AWESOME! Have you seen the Hello Kitty as Hannibal Lecter? Hello Kitty R2D2? Hello Kitty Storm Trooper? Hello Kitty Pin-Head? I could go on, but I’m sure I’ve all ready sufficiently frightened everyone.

I guess it is time to go back and think of what characters are important to my design and where they will be placed. I promise to continue to blog about this journey to the eventual completion of this EPIC (because, yes bitches, it will be) tribute to Lewis Carroll’s famous book and to the most loved and loathed cartoon kitty.

GO ME!

I’ve been pretty quiet, only telling a select few people about my recent job search…

A few weeks ago I began actively looking for a new job. It isn’t that I didn’t like my job at the bank. I’ll be honest, banks don’t pay well. You get a fixed schedule, but most people are lucky to make any money at all in banking, unless the stick it out and have been there for 10 years or more. I had a certain life style that I had grown accustomed to while working for the cell carrier. I really thought that a career change would be ok. I cashed out my 401k (yes, I know, really not a great idea, but it had to be done) and changed industries. There were many reasons why I had to leave the cellular company. A lot of it had to do with the mother and the stress that my marriage was having. I paid off a lot of bills and figured my budget.

Things were going ok. Not great, but ok…. Then the money ran out and things got stressful… no more mani-pedis… no more shopping retail. I adjusted, learned how to budget better, and have become one of the best ressionistas (those who are my friends on facebook have seen the dollar run down on what I spend at Goodwill and what it would have cost me retail, I really am dragnificent). THEN, student loan payments were kicking in. I found out that I could not apply for forbearance indefinitely. So, I began looking. From previous blogs, you will see, I began cleaning rooms at a hotel, and looked into waiting tables.

Friends and former co-workers kept suggesting that I get back into cellular. This fell on deaf ears. THEN after a cocktail over lunch, I realized how much I really missed the job and the money. I had left the cell carrier on good terms. I was a good employee, I had practically run stores, been though the leadership program offered by the carrier, I always improved on areas I said I would improve on, and I gave notice. I contacted the manager in the area I had last worked in. We set an appointment to meet on the Wednesday he got back from vacation. I was really excited. I received a Facebook message the day before, informing me that the company was not interested in hiring back former employees unless there were extraordinary circumstances. Evidently, 7 ½ years was not extraordinary enough. I was really upset, but I applied anyway. I did not get a call back, but I also did not have my application rejected.

I decided to look elsewhere. I have a degree in medical administration, but could not find a job with those qualifications. I thought about working for another bank, but the bank I work for, is a really good company to work for. I didn’t really want to leave for something just a little higher pay that didn’t treat me as well.

I saw that another cellular carrier on the other side of town was hiring. I contacted a former co-worker who is a manger for the company in another city. I asked her what she thought of the company, what the goals were like, and if she thought I could handle it. She encouraged me to apply. I applied on line. I got a phone call to set up a phone interview approximately two weeks later. I thought that it went really well. A week later I had a face to face interview with the store manager. I didn’t do a lot of talking. I was advised that they had several more interviews and I would receive a call from staffing. A week after my interview with the store manger I heard from staffing and was offered the position, pending a background check. I knew that I would be fine with the background check, but decide to wait until I received the final final go ahead before I gave notice. I had to fax copies of W2s and pay stubs for employment verification. The first snafu I ran into was that there was not a local drug testing facility. I had to wait for information on the drug testing. I received the information on a Friday. It had to be completed within two business days. I had to drive about 40 min to the closest collection facility. They did not have Saturday hours and they were only open 8-5 during the week. I work 8-5 at the bank. It so happened that I had taken vacation days Monday and Tuesday, and was able to get into testing Monday.  My pee was sent overnight to the out of state testing facility. I assumed that I would have the results within a few days. (I KNEW IT WOULD BE NEGATIVE).The results were complete Friday, but not sent to staffing until Monday. Staffing did not receive final results until Tuesday. I then found out that I needed to provide W2s from 2007 to 2010 from my previous employer.

I started freaking out! I didn’t know if I had W2s that far back. I Knew I could get as far back as 2009 online…  I shocked myself and DID have back to 2007! I rushed to get them faxed to staffing. I was getting into a time rush, because my current manager was leaving for vacation before the end of the week!

I received a call back within an hour! I OFFICIALLY GOT THE JOB!

I gave my manager the news that my last day would be July 6^th. She was visibly saddened by my notice. She was happy that I would be staying through vacations, and gave ample notice.

I start my training July 9^th. You can rest assured that I will be blogging along the way!

GOOOOOOOO MEEEEEEEE!

I think I should change the name of my blog to “My mother makes me want to drink early in the morning”

Yup, another rant about the egg donor (yes, that is my new name for my mother).  Saturday after work I was nice enough to pick up my mother’s meds from the store. (I know I may seem like a heartless bitch, because she doesn’t drive…BUT she makes the choice to not take the bus from the retirement community into town, she makes the CHOICE to not have her helper go to the store to pick up her meds, she makes the CHOICE to not have her doctor call in her meds before her doctor’s appointments so she can pick them up right after her appointment. She also makes the choice to wait until last minute).  I go to visit with her, because she is always complaining that I don’t visit enough, and she can’t get out of her own way to get out of bed. Ok, fine. 

Sunday, after work, I suggest that we try to visit my mother. My husband isn’t feeling great himself, but agrees (since she complains that she never sees him). Day number two that she can’t bother to get dressed and out of bed. I told her that if she is feeling that poorly, she needs to see a doctor. She tells me she has an appointment the next day (Monday).

I took Monday and Tuesday off from work (planned back in January). I had a lot of errands to run. I didn’t call or see her Monday, because I have my own life and if I wanted to have a child, I would. I called her today (Tuesday) from the mechanic to see how she was doing and how her doctor’s appointment went. She had the weeks mixed up, and her doctor’s appointment is NEXT week. She was in the middle of breakfast, so she had to call me back. When she called me back I had to keep repeating myself because her cell phone is not working well (on a side note, she bought a phone that came in worse than her current phone… but she is cheap and won’t fork out the money for a decent phone anyway). I told her that instead of repeating myself over and over again I would stop by after my appointment.

I went to stop by her house. I knocked three times, called three times and sent her a text message. She did not answer, I went home. I get home and plug my phone in (it was dead). I had four messages from my mother.  1) I was in the bathroom. 2) Come back 3) you know where the hide-a-key is 4) so, I take it you are not coming back.   

I had just started lunch and laundry. I was not about to head back out as soon as I walked in the door. I sent her a message telling her that my phone was dead ( because I guess I still have to answer to her even though I am 33 years old) and that I just read her messages and that I had just started lunch and that I would try to stop by later. She said that was ok if I don’t go over today (yeah, it IS OK because I’m not going to use the gas to go back out and visit with her for 15 min, only to be kicked out because she wants to take a nap!).

I’m so damn tired about hearing how she never goes anywhere and how we never visit. This is WHY!!!! Plus I’m sure I’ll get some sort of critique about my appearance (always have regardless of how successful I am. It is never enough for her).

http://bluntcard.com/launch/352.php

So, yes, this blog should really be change to “My mother is going to make me an alcoholic” or “My mother makes me believe that 5’oclock is only a suggestion.”

Everyone loves the weekend….

So, some of you may or may not know that I did indeed start cleaning hotel rooms on the weekends. I really didn’t know if I was going to go back after the first weekend, because the woman who trained me was just wretched. She complained the whole time and kept disappearing.

Well, the hubby’s cousin is working with me. Working with her has made it much better, and I have to say I kind of like it. Yes, I get to wear gloves!

In addition to working seven days a week, we have started scraping the camp. We will be doing some touch up painting this year as well.

Some of you may know about the camp, or even had the pleasure of visiting it. We have made a promise to ourselves that we will use it more this year than we have in the past. (Yes, this is the same camp from the previous post).

The camp has been used very rarely since the year after my mother-in-law passed away. The first summer, my father-in-law still stayed there, and then he met his new wife and traveled to her home town all summer. After the got married, they stopped going to camp all together.

So… there is another project…

This weekend marks the FOURTH week in a row that I have mowed the lawn (and we aren’t talking about my lady bits here).  The price last year was $35 each time the lawn was mowed.  At this point it would have cost us $140…so, my little push mower that I paid $100 for has all ready started saving us money!!

Yesterday I cut out the pattern for my outfit for the Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo Pin-up Pageant.

Yup, still feeling like wonder woman!

(On a side note, we DID try to visit with my mother and were going to invite her to help us scrape, but she couldn’t get her ass out of bed at all this weekend).

When you are hiring someone actually READ the completed application before an interview

You would assume that barring any unforeseen circumstances, a hiring manager would read an application before setting up an interview. (There are exceptions to this rule, such as when an application and resume are done electronically through a large corporation, but the hiring manager’s computer crashes while getting ready to prepare for a scheduled interview). You would assume that you would verify availability before scheduling an interview.  You would assume if you are conducting an interview outside of your regular interview times you would actually be interested in the applicant.Guess what, assumptions are wrong.I filled out an application about three weeks ago for a restaurant that is new to my area. I was told that they were not hiring, but to fill out an application anyway. Keep in mind, I have NEVER waited tables before, but I have extensive customer service experience, and isn’t waiting tables all about customer service?I received a call yesterday informing me that they had scheduled an interview for me today at 2:40pm. I apologized, and advised that I work until 5pm, so 5:15 would be the only time I could meet with someone. She advised me that they only do interviews until 4pm, but she would have the manager call me back.  She did, and I was scheduled for 5:15. We sat down and she did the normal interview stuff… “Tell me about yourself.” “Do you have reliable transportation?” “Are you a convicted felon?” Then she tells me, “I haven’t really read your application, what is your availability, and I don’t have my glasses, so I can’t really see it now, either.” Ok, I should have gotten up and walked away at that point, but I did not. I gave her my limited availability of Friday & Saturday nights. She asked if I had wait staff experience. I told her that I did not (but if she had read my application she would have all ready known that). I told her, “But, as you can see on my application, I have many years of customer service experience.” She told me that their hostesses are in charge of customer service, but they are promoted to wait staff from within. Last I knew, waiting tables was ALL ABOUT customer service, but then again, I’ve never waited tables… but I have eaten at restaurants a lot, and I don’t remember a damn thing about the hostess, but I sure as hell remember a terrible or great waiter! She then asked if I had any other availability, because they don’t start shifts at 5:30pm, and she really wasn’t interested in hiring someone for one day a week. She asked if I was sure that was my only availability. I work a full time Monday through Friday, and I have another weekend job, no I was not. She told me to let her know if my availability opened up. Needless to say, I will not!

Some days I wish I were a man

Some days I wish I were a man

So, I’ve been a little bit sensitive and cranky lately… no idea why. I just wanted to take my hands and pop off some one’s head. Not that this is new for me, but the extent of my uber cranky pants was out of control! I was also in a fog. Meaning, I couldn’t seem to complete simple tasks correctly and I was not making sense at all. I actually asked for onion in my iced tea instead of lemon.

Boys and girls, I had PMS! Usually this “wonderful” time of the month makes me want to eat salty items (not balls) and nap excessively. Maybe it is the weather, maybe it is because I’ve been working two jobs, or maybe I’m just getting crankier in my old age, who knows? After a few days my brain is back to functioning correctly. I’m feeling better and more normal now.

If I were a man I wouldn’t have to deal with PMS, BUT I would still wear fabulous dresses, wigs and false eyelashes. Yes, I WOULD be a drag queen. I have no interest in being a man other than I would not have to deal with PMS. Any drama in my life would be non hormonal related. I would date some of the hottest boys out there (even though I love my husband dearly, I don’t think he would love me if I were a man).  

Alas, I am not a man, so PMS will continue… until next time…….