I graduated highschool for a reason, and it wasn't to go to college.
When I shoved my entire life into boxes and got the hell outa Pembroke way back in December, I acknowledged then that my hockey watching days, unles I wanted to convert to being a Senators fan, were either over or extremely, extremely numbered. Which, naturally, pissed me right the hell off. But, the job was here, the paycheck was here, and considering my schedule now–hello, night shift–it probably wouldn't make much difference anyway. Still, I had thought I was pretty much S.O.L. because the land lord didn't want us putting up satelites and whatnot. That whole securing things to the building thing, and all that jazze. Then I find out I can, just as soon as I go over to the office and sign some stupid piece of paper or something that basicly says I won't try to stick it on the roof. Not that the thought still won't cross my mind to try anyway. So now, it's not what to do since I can't get satelite–it's do I even want to pay the higher price for it, and which semi-monopoly do I want to support? Although, the second question will probably be answered when I figure out which higher price to pay and subsequently answer the first one. At the moment, my choices–neither of them pretty so far–are to give even more money to mother bell, who already has my landline and internet money (Rogers uses Bell's phone lines anyway and I will *not* get cable internet), or Star Choice, who I had living with my parents, but the nasty rumor mill tries to warn me they're expensive as hell. I dunno–I didn't pay the bill the last time I delt with them. Or, I could always just stick with the other evil empire (read: Rogers), and put up with the fact they refuse to offer the channels I'm looking for in Ottawa, which is IMHO about the most ridiculous thing out there–but that's a rant not suited for this non-ranting entry. My choices, of which there are so precious few, are also at the moment… quite crappy. And… quite dependant on me getting off my lazy ass and signing some "I'll behave myself" document. Heh. The idea of me behaving myself is amusing. No snickering, people who know me. That is, unless you're thinking the exact same thing I am–you will never know, for I will never tell. What I will do, though, is… contemplate maybe actually signing that stupid piece of paper. After I make some phone calls. Which I'll do later. Translation: ain't nothing getting done now on that front. So the point of me writing this entry was… oh yeah, right. There was none. Oh well.
Stuck by James at 9:03 AM
And it only took me a small eternity. Seeing as it's now 5:00 in the morning and I've not yet been to bed, I'll try not to make this entry too painfully long. That said, though, I do have one thing to say right quick. Being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, while living in Ottawa, is quite possibly the only bad thing about living in Ottawa. And only because I've yet to see the Leafs actually play a game since I moved here. Not that it matters really, since the games I missed seem to have been wasted efforts anyway–thanks loads, Mike, for briefly catching me up on the train wrecks that were the last 3 games or so. Hm. I start work in… not counting today, 3 days. And there is a chance I will freeze my ass off on my first day. This, compounded by a 4:30 wake-up call on said first day (by the way, uber le damn!), does not make for a truely wonderful beginning to my working experience. But, on the bright side, I get paid to sit there and listen to someone go on and on about things that probably won't even need to be talked about for another month or so, when they actually, you know, become an issue. So, I'll take it. Hmmm… I had more to say, but after banging my head against a wall dealing with my internet people, and staying up until now getting everything working the way it needs to be, I need sleep. And then, I need to go look over certain individuals' blogs I have missed reading over the last week or so. There will be at least one rant later today, that's a guarantee. But for now, I'm moved in, I'm mostly unpacked save the, like, one or two boxes sitting in my closet, and now I actually have my interweb. And now, sleep. Then cleaning. Then potentially laundry. Then ranting. Or maybe ranting then laundry. Or ranting then cleaning. I'll figure it out later. G'night 'n things!
Stuck by James at 5:00 AM
In the span of two days, I have managed to get every single thing I needed out of the way, and in record time. Which… actually explains my rather lacking blogness for the majority of those two days. And now, paperwork is in the hands of the Dell folks, rental applications are secured, checks made out, final rounds made to make sure everything's packed, and my parents' computer nearly updated. As I write this, a moving van is outside being loaded, and in less than an hour, I shall be Ottawa bound, a one-way trip to a whole new level of oh my god I've lost my fucking mind. And, on that lovely note, I shall be back with a vengance in very nearly a week's time. You are not allowed to miss me!
Stuck by James at 10:41 AM
I can tell today is already going to be the day from hell, and it's only coming up on 10:30. The obvious indicator of it should have been when the phone started ringing more often for my way too soon to be sister-in-law than for anyone who actually lives here. Not helped was it by the fact her damn dog reminds me very much of those kids you just wanna tie to a chair and inject with the heaviest sedative going until their parents come to collect them, which in and of itself is going to be still way too far away from now. I just hold my breath, count to 10, thank the gods I move in 4 days–starting to count hours, now, too–and wait for the inevitable screw-up that will no doubt result in my sister-in-law being given the choice of either finding that damn dog a home or having it shot. I love my family, but there are a few members I could stand not to see for a good long time. She's becoming one of them.
And in other news… I officially kick myself for picking the apartment I did. There's gonna be a fair bit of walking involved in finding my bus stop. Not good if you're a lazy fuck, and well, I am. And it's gonna be a uber bitch come the days of 20 below. Ah well, can't have it all. Good job, good apartment, decent city, so of course the location's gonna turn out crappier than it looks. Then again, that's why they invented carpooling. Or I can always, you know, take my own advice and stop bitching, suck it up and walk, dammit. But, no. It's my blog, I'll bitch if I goddamn well wanna bitch. Then I'll suck it up and walk.
This unusual combination of topics brought to you by boredom. Screwing people out of being distracted/entertained for longer than I care to guess at.
Stuck by James at 10:27 AM
Because people have been asking. There's absolutely not a damn thing that's changed since the last time I mentioned it, though. I'm still waiting for paperwork to land in my mailbox. Paperwork that I was told would be there by early this week at the latest. Well, now it's a little tiny bit past early this week, and the HR person I've been in contact with is apparently out of the office until early *next* week. Needless to say, she got yet another email from me–and another phone call–and I'm about 30 seconds from calling the guy that originally was the one handling my file. Why they keep transfering me from one HR person to the next, though, is beyond me. But they do. So now, I'm a week away from moving to Ottawa, and I'm really no closer to having landed this job. And if I lose the deposit on this apartment, I'm *really* going to be significantly less than impressed with these people.
Stuck by James at 2:12 PM
I've mentioned before I need furniture for the apartment. There isn't anyone in my family who isn't aware of that. I mean, they've all seen my stuff. I can fill a bedroom just fine, but… heh, I've never had my own place before, so filling the rest of it will require some creativity. Or a mother looking for a bar fridge. My parents bought me a minifridge last Christmas, because… well, I buy a lot of my own stuff, and if it goes in the family fridge, it's lible to get eaten before I can get to it–that was true mostly when my brother was home. But, since the place I'm moving into comes with a fridge, and there will be no brother to eat what I don't get to, I have no use for the one sitting on the other side of the room as of once I move out. I've offered to give it to my parents before, since you know, they're the ones who bought the thing for me and it'd save them going out and buying a second fridge to put in their bar when they've got one that won't be used in 2 weeks anyway. And now, we've decided on a trade, of sorts. She gets the fridge, and I get a new kitchen set. Can't complain with that one, really. I mean, still gotta sit on the floor to watch TV, but at least I've got a place to eat! And one less thing I have to spend my money on. I love my mom.
Stuck by James at 2:14 PM
On the bright side, though, those of you who actually thought I'd be offline for upwards are a month will be pleased–or, perhaps, not–to know it'll only be a week or less. So, yay small fortunes! Or… something. I went into Ottawa yesterday, as I threatened to, and finally got to the signing of the lease. Of course, then we didn't stop there, so spent an hour or two in the afternoon doing a little browsing. Hey, I hate shopping as much as the next person, but I needed furniture. Still do, in fact. So shush already. And somewhere in the insanity that is productiveness, I set up my cable instalation and whatnot, so I *will* have TV the night I move in. Which means I will absolutely not be missing Saturday's hockey game. Unless the bastards put a Senators game on instead, at which point someone will be cursed out to no end. I meant to write this entry last night, but by the time I got home, got everything sorted out, and all that, I was about ready to pass out. So, I kinda half-assed my way through the last entry, shot the shit with a couple people over IM, and then promptly passed out. And now, I go make, find, or invent food. Then finish setting things up for the move. Yay not having a shortage of things to do.
Stuck by James at 12:41 PM
And I should so be in bed by now, but I'm just… well, sleep isn't happening any time soon. And no, it's not because of the half empty can of coke sitting to my left. Although I suspect that probably won't exactly serve to be a sleep aid. So what has me up at this otherwise ungodly hour? Well, for once, it's not talking to a certain very interesting young lady (more on that when I figure out exactly what's going on). Rather, I did in fact get stuff faxed off. And then I got dragged around the mall for an hour or so while my apparent future sister-in-law (by the way, damn) looked at wedding related things. Then we went to another store, where I started pricing out kitchen sets and the like–yes, I'm going to need furniture. Anyone willing to contribute to the "fill James's apartment" fund can do so at their own leasure. I accept all forms of major creditcards, checks, money orders, cash… or you can just buy me things! *nods*
So, we're looking at one of said kitchen sets, when my cell phone rings. Now, this is like 7:30 or 8:00 at night, mind you, so I'm thinking it's nothing too terribly important–just someone wanting to shoot the shit, that kinda thing–and am about ready to tell them I'll talk to them probably online when I get home. It's a good thing I didn't, though, because it was the phone call that pretty much cieled the deal. I am now the proud rentee of an apartment in Ottawa. The lease gets signed this Friday. Two weeks from then is moving day. And in between now and then, I still have a whole shitload of things to do. I may decide at some point to probably pilfer one of Stacie's ideas, and throw a to-do list up here at some point, just so I don't end up forgetting something. O'course, that doesn't guarantee I won't forget anyway, but at least the next time I look at this thing then I can soundly kick myself for forgetting, and then go about the business of remedying that situation. I'm going to have quite the busy couple weeks… and it's all gonna start tomorrow. And the once half empty can of coke is now empty, which means I should be attempting sleep. Good gawd, the prospect of having something akin to a routine is gonna kill me.
Stuck by James at 1:16 AM
The most progress I've ever made so far has been made today. I have now in my hands their official letter of offer. Well, as official anyway as it can be without the rest of the paperwork that's ordinarily supposed to come with it. Which means, after getting something resembling food into me, I shall spend the next hour or so faxing crap, and generally… being all manner of productive. Shocking as it is, it's very relaxing, in a way. Or maybe I'm just being a sadist. That's a distinct possibility too. Either way… the apartment–and the job–is mine! Mwa!
Stuck by James at 5:32 PM
It might be. My haunting of people's voicemails has paid off, in that I am now apparently about to receive at least a letter of offer from them. They'd originally wanted to send it with the rest of the paperwork either this weekend or early next week. Not bad, except I need something today. Well, actually, I need something yesterday–but who's counting? So, now it would appear they're smartening up, and sending me at least proof that they are in fact wanting to hire me. So, as soon as I get that letter in my otherwise empty inbox, I'm out the front door and to the nearest fax machine. And hopefully, this puts an end to my search for an apartment. At least until I move somewhere else in 6 months.'
Stuck by James at 1:55 PM
Surprisingly enough, or, perhaps, not so, this is beginning to take on a rather striking resemblence to the last time I tried to get myself a place, a job, and moved in all in the span of less than a week. Except, at least now the apartment's been put on hold for me. But, on hold does not a secure rental agreement make, and we can't do that without some kind of piece of paper from these people who wanna pay me that says they actually wanna pay me. So, apartment people have a cheque and a rental application, I have the money and a copy of the rental application, and people I'm technically employed with now have two voice messages waiting for them. Sounding familiar yet? Blah, they should already have the paperwork done up… it's just a matter of attaching it to an email, hitting send, and sitting back and waiting for it to be sent back to them. It takes 30 seconds. So it should not be taking upwards of now 24 hours. If I lose this deposit, the shit will hit the fan…
Stuck by James at 12:41 PM
It's entirely possible. I now officially have a 98% chance of landing an apartment in Ottawa at the beginning of December. Everything's been taken care of now, all I need now is to get a hold of Dell, get my paperwork, fax crapola back to them, and fax my letter of offer to the apartment complex thingy thing. And then, 12/1/2006 = movin' day. And 10 days after that, I start. Now, let's hope things don't fall through, as they're wont to do. Often.
Stuck by James at 8:15 PM
On one hand, I'm mildly encouraged by the fact I'm now exactly where I was almost 2 weeks ago, but on the other, I was kind of expecting to be a little farther along in the proceedings by now. But, I feel a little more confident, at least, in saying I'll actually be able to start this time in December as opposed to the before speculated January. Thank the gods for the huge rental listing that appears to be the Ottawa Citizen. At the moment, I have 3 definite places to look at on Monday, and 2 that I'm hoping will call me back today, to make it 5 in all. I'm leaning dangerously close to confirming that December start date with Dell, too, so the sooner that gets done, over with and settled, the sooner we can get that going. Damn, do I ever feel accomplished. That didn't take much at all.
Stuck by James at 12:20 PM
Still nothing but voicemail from the Dell people. Yay people who don't return phone calls. And now, they've already cost me an apartment, as the rental application I preemptively filled out has basicly been declared null and void–the apartment I was applying to rent has already been occupied. I guess I wasn't preemptive enough. If this keeps up, they're gonna be scheduling me to start in January. Which… actually might not be such a horrible idea. Well, if I can ever get a hold of these fools, I'll see if *that's* an option. It's probably not, but if not, then it's back pounding the pavement and looking elsewhere. Have I mentioned lately I despise having to rely on other people? Blech…
Stuck by James at 11:16 AM
Virtually everything else has been taken care of now. Well, what can be taken care of, at least, without proving that I'm actually employed. So, in short, there isn't all that much that's actually been accomplished in the last couple days. I'm still calling, still getting voicemail, and still suspicious that, if nothing else, the whole damn HR department's on vacation. This is gonna be murder on the long distance bill at that. And then people ask me why I'd want to pay a little more for a phone plan with free long distance… heh, this is why. Ah well, it's Friday. Hopefully come Monday things will actually get back to their regularly scheduled insanity. And hopefully the apartment I want isn't taken by then. Stupid goddamn other people.
Stuck by James at 12:36 PM
Now, however, I'm not waiting for apartment people to get back to me. I'm waiting for employment people to check their voicemail. I've been haunting it since yesterday, after I got home from Ottawa, and so far she's not called me back. Part of me is thinking she just had yesterday and today off, or was sick, or something… of course, there is the pesimistic part of me that just wants to go on thinking they filled the position and just didn't feel like telling me. Fortunately, I've learned to ignore that tiny insignificant part of my mind. However, she *is* being all manner of difficult to get a hold of. She supposed to be emailing me paperwork, some of it needed for my rental application, and all of it needing to either be filled out, signed or at least read. I can't fill out the application until I have proof of employment, and I can't have proof of employment until chick dooing the hiring sends it to me. Too bad, too, 'cuz I love that apartment, and the longer she makes me wait the less likely it is that it'll remain vacant. Did I mention I hate relying on other people? Blah…
Stuck by James at 7:43 PM
Hockey reference aside, I have found the place with a 98% chance of me moving in. The rent's a little steep, but… after doing a little bit of numbers work thanks largely to the fact I have a pretty good idea what my monthly income's gonna be, it won't be impossible to pull off. Actually, it'll be fairly easy to pull off, after the first month. So now, I just have to finish making certain arangements, and… as of 11/15/2006, I will hopefully be moved out of this place. Or, at least, it will be in my name and partly payed for. Gives me about… 5 days or so to sort things out, then it's to the job site with me. Of course, there will be a few days of internetless lollyblogging, but that won't be avoidable. Much. Because, well, I will be plenty busted 'til my second paycheck. But I'll be moved! And employed!
Stuck by James at 4:41 PM
In the span of about 48 hours, I've assembled a record 5 apartments to look at tomorrow. My previous record being 0, and then 3. And after tomorrow, I suspect strongly things will be made easier. At least, until moving day. But by then, I'll have forgotten I'm supposed to be stressing out over it. Yay distractions!
Stuck by James at 2:56 PM
After running around trying to get a few more questions answered and finding very little in the way of actual information we like, mom has apparently decided we're going to Ottawa tonight. Not that I'm complaining–I hate early mornings as much as the next guy. But I'm gonna miss my hockey game, dammit!
Stuck by James at 11:30 AM
In the 2 days since I got the job offer, I've made and received more phone calls than I ever have in a year before that. And now, almost every single one of them is waiting for a response of some variety or another. And not from me, either. I've got 3 possibilities for places to live so far. Well, 2 now, since one won't be ready until the first of December and well, I'm hoping to be moved long before then. On top of that, I have information that needs to be updated, and people that need to call me back with information I need. *then*, I get to call the office back I'll be working for, so they can throw paperwork at me, and so we can do this all over again. Fun stuff, really. On the up side, though, it took only about an hour and a half to get a hold of people I needed to this morning. The down side? I've been waiting ever since for most of them to call me back. And this be why I usually don't like to rely on other people. I want this over with already dammit! Ah well. At least if it isn't going 50 miles an hour I won't be stressing about it too much. But I'd like it if it went faster than half a mile per hour…
Stuck by James at 2:59 PM
So I started my looking for a place today. And so far, I found one that's a definite possibility. Yay for the internet and family members who know the city! Or… something. Now, I just need to figure out when I've got a free day, book the appointment to actually see the place, and then, if it doesn't make me wanna run in the opposite direction, put together first and last. Shouldn't be difficult to do, I wouldn't think. And, getting from there to the Dell office I'll be working at doesn't require half a dozen buses and a sharp u-turn. That's always a good thing. Hm. I could be moved out inside of 2 weeks. That's… frightening.
Stuck by James at 3:23 PM
A little nod to them there people I like to spy on... I mean read; give 'em a look over. It's good for you.
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