Monthly Archives: February 2008

Oncall and Ready for Action

Posted on by

So really not much goiing on around here. I talked to my boss the other day… I’m getting a new truck and my Mechanical License paperwork signed, but he’s got to think about the raise. I’ll be knockin’ on his door Friday. And maybe Saturday if I don’t get the answers I’m looking for. (Did I mention I’m working Saturday? Well, I am.)

Today I paid off a couple of the medical bills that have been collecting dust around here since I got hospitalized last year. There are still a lot left, so don’t get to excited about that news. I checked my credit scores last night and wasn’t terribly thrilled, or surprised, by the numbers that came back. So I decided that rather than buy a new toy, I need to get my credit back in order. So that’s the plan.

Sorry for no post, but I spent my spare time last night either driving around thinking and planning, on the phone, or doing credit related stuff. And the night before I worked a 14-hour day, thats a really good way to keep your mind off your troubles. I find that if I work enough I don’t have time to miss the company of a good woman or worry about how in the hell I’ll ever meet one again.

I was told the other night that I’ve seemingly regained the confidence that I had lost somehow while I was working for MCI/WorldCom/Verizon. That’s an easy one to explain. When I was doing that job I didn’t feel very competent and yet I couldn’t walk away from the money. After they laid me off I was able to choose a path. I chose HVACR. Then I went to school where I did well, felt competent, and was acknowledged for my skill. Now I’m doing the job that I want to do and I feel that I’m pretty damn good at it. My life problems seem small and relatively easy to fix. My future is bright and I can see where I’m going. Plus, I’ve lost weight and am feeling better about the way I look. Despite being hurt by my last girlfriend, both of my ex-wives seem to be fond of me and that helps the ego, and I’ve been getting favorable responses to any flirting I do out in the real world. So yeah, I guess I’m feeling confident. It’s a good feeling and one that’s been a long time in coming.

So weird thing happend the other night… my mom called my sister and asked if I had bought a new car. Why would she ask that? I mean, that’s kind of a weird question to just come up with. Isn’t it? Did she think that she’d seen me cruising around Orlando or something? Just seemed odd to me. But a new truck would be nice. Maybe in a couple months, after I’ve moved out and have a better idea what the budget looks like.

In case you’re wondering, because I was, it seems that there have been a whopping 18 unique visitors that have come and looked at this blog. Wow. I can only think of about 6 people that might actually read this, and you’re one of them.

I’m gonna put up a new poll and change the Grey Matter sections now. Peace. Out.

A Recap of the Weekends Events

Posted on by

Now, where were we?

The weekend has come and gone and you didn’t hear a peep from me. I’m betting you’re on pins and needles wondering what the hell I did with myself for the last three days. Come on. I know you are. Okay, I’ll throw you a bone.

Friday I worked and then went to dinner with my ex-wife (#2). I don’t remember what I did at work, but I know that after work dinner was good, the company was good, and I was home early enough to be rested for my test. See below.

Saturday I went and kicked total ass on my R-410A certification, I may have gotten 2 questions wrong. Then I went shopping for new boots, a handgun, some clothes, and a new TV. The shopping trip was a bomb because, well, because I didn’t actually want to spend any money. I know. I know. Why go shopping if you’re not gonna spend any money. Did I mention I hate the mall? Anyway, the only thing I was willing to spend money on was boots… and they’ve got to order those. Sheeeeeeit. So after that little endeavor I took some friends out to dinner and we hung out for a bit. Then I went to Kroger and bought beer and then to K mart and bought nothing and talked to ex-wife #1 on the telephone.

Sunday I got together with my friends, as we do nearly every other Sunday. We ate pizza, played some games, and hung out until way to damn late, 12:00am or so. I must admit that some Rock Band was played on the PS3 and that this time I did join in. It really is a fun game. I like the singing best, but the guitar, bass, and even the drums are fun on easy (I’m not very good). Then I went home and didn’t sleep well at all worrying about going to work on Monday.

Today, I got up and went to work like everybody else. No more school. I didn’t get to talk to the boss about anything I wanted to, the exhaust on my truck came loose twice, but I did get one of my outstanding jobs done and made good progress on one other. I turned down a side job, no sense in being the next one fired for doing side jobs. And I managed to get a little bit of overtime. Then I got a hair cut…

…not too bad. Went and picked up my new boots, sent the old boots in to be re-toed. Went back to the mall and did some more non-shopping. Got some dinner and went to the library. And then came home and wrote this.

Okay, here’s the deal…. I’ve got to work later. I’ve got too much time right now and that just makes me realize that I’m lonely and I don’t like that feeling. Need to keep busy. Mustn’t think about it.

Anyway. That’s the short and sweet version of what’s gone on over the last couple days.

In my head, I’ve talked to my boss about a hundred times, talked to the unhappy ex-husband in a number of different situations, had sex with both my ex-wives, a waitress, and a friends girlfriend, bought my kids the Rock Band stuff for Xbox360, and spent loads of money trying to make myself content…. fortunately that was all just in my head.

Ahh, the pleasures of blogging. Peace out. Later.

Certified HVAC Guy Says…

Posted on by

I’ve finished my HVAC certification program at Northwestern Technological Institute. I’m done. Finish. Completed. And yet, it feels empty. This may be because the school basically gives you a manila folder full of resumes and says “see ya”. My instructor did bring in Dunkin’ Donuts, but that’s not really what I was looking for. How about some sort of cap and gown fandango. Nah that’d be weird.

So what’s next for me. Well, Saturday I take the certification test for the new blended refrigerants, 410A in particular. Then I’ll get my NATE certification in April. And then go for my Mechanical License in June. In the mean time I need to decide if I’m going to stay with Nichols. Which means I really need to talk to my boss tomorrow. He did the run out of the office thing again today. Why can’t this ever be easy…

After class today I went with about ten of the guys to TGIFriday’s and we had some drinks, some food, and some laughs. After spending 10-months with these guys I’m gonna miss ‘em and wonder what they’ll be doing in six months.

Oh hey, I almost forgot to mention, I had another teacher approach me about teaching at the school today. So I’ve now got two instructors pushing for them to hire me. That’s a good feeling. Nice to know that somebody wants me. I think I’d be a damn good fit there at the school.

I had worked myself up to going over and getting my 10-minutes last night, but after thinking about it and looking inside myself I realize that I can’t make her come to me and she doesn’t want me to go to her so I’m gonna let it lie. It’s kinda the whole “if you love someone let them go, if they don’t come back it wasn’t meant to be” sort of thing. Maybe one day I’ll get a call, letter, or email from her, but maybe not. I’m okay with that, I’ve got my memories, a stack of letters, and a couple nice photos to look back on. So needless to say, I didn’t go over there today. It’s a little sad, but what do you do.

Is it summer yet? I really want to take the bike out and just cruise out into the country. Doesn’t that sound good. Warm sun, the hum of the motor, and the wind in your face. Good God I can’t wait until summer.

I’m on-call again tonight but thus far the pager has been quiet.

Open Up and Say "Bawitdaba… "

Posted on by

Bawitdaba da bang a dang diggy diggy diggy said the boogy said up jump the boogy

As I suspected the little burning fire in my mouth was a filling that had come loose. The new dentist in the office took care of it and I must say, she’s a little cutie. Hell, even the cost of the thing wasn’t too bad.

Tomorrow is the final exam in my last class at Northwestern Technological Institute. Which means that I’ll be a certified. Whoopee! It’ll mean that I did learn something in the last 15-years. But it was worth it to make me realize just how much I already know. Next comes the license and then maybe, MAYBE my own business. Not sure that’s the way I want to go, but it’s good to know that it’s an option now.

I think I need about 10-minutes of conversation to get myself right with this whole break-up thing. I feel like I’m going on and on like a heartbroken school boy, but what it really boils down to is that I’m dissatisfied with the way the ending came about. It leaves me needing answers and closure. I’m going to have to get that closure. One way or another. Maybe I’ll go find the husband and talk to him… just kidding… I’m probably the last person he’d want to talk to. But I must confess that amongst the many, many crazy/humbling/desperate/weird thoughts I had as I tossed and turned last night the idea of seeking him out to apologize to him was a recurring one. But really, I don’t know why. I mean, at least on my end, it was never about him. Hell, I don’t even know the guy. Sometimes I wonder about me. I think it’s this damn need to be noble. Ah well, I’m sure my view on how it would go down and the way it would really go down are way different.

Ten minutes. Ten fucking minutes. No begging to change your mind, no funny business, just some clarification and an honest to goodness goodbye. I feel I deserve that much. But unfortunately, I’m the only one that feels that way. Ah well, I guess somethings never change when it comes to ending relationships…

Not Gonna Talk About It Today

Posted on by

Today, I damn near finished my project at school. Would have had it done if the job placement lady would have cut her, “how to get a job” speech down to a reasonable length. I mean, shit, I’m guessing everyone there has had to get a job at one point or another. Oh well, my partner will have to finish it for me tomorrow while I’m kicked back in the dentist chair.

Back at work I tried to pin the boss down for a little talk and got brushed off until later this week, maybe next week. He may be surprised to find me in his office when he gets in tomorrow. I mean, the dentist isn’t expecting me until 10:00 am, why not get this all over with so at least I know where I stand. The future isn’t getting any further away.

Work wise I found myself on a windy rooftop replacing a motor and learned the lesson (again) that I need to start keeping cold-weather clothes in the truck. Yikes it was bitter cold and windy up there. Afterwards I went and helped drag a big ‘ol furnace up two flights of stairs, did a little install work and then lay down on the icy driveway to fix my van’s exhaust which had come loose again. All in all the day was everything I could have ever wanted.

Did you notice that I’ve not been using names when I make these posts? That’s intentional, but I don’t know how you feel about it. Maybe I should give up and start using names, or maybe I should make up names for everyone I’m talking about… that might be fun. Anyway, my thinking is that probably most people don’t want to be immortalized on my blog. So I just leave the names out.

Nobody tried the 410A quiz (like anybody reads this), so I put up a new quiz that I think you can get into a bit more. VOTE. I’m gonna drink a couple beers and fiddle with my MySpace page. Later.