I'm here at my new job!

It's a nice leisurely pace this morning. I'm filling out paperwork and getting acclimated. We will have a show coming in to film in about 20 minutes. This is a really good chance for me to relax into this job.

I woke up around 7:50am and had breakfast at home, before coming to work, for the first time in years. That was really nice. I'm sitting here in my jeans and FAO Schwarz baseball tee. I feel incredibly grateful. Yeah!

Filming the Pride march on Saturday was a lot of fun but I am still sore. We filmed the parade itself from a tripod but then I went handheld to the events afterwards and got some crowd shots and part of musical groups.

I'm an aunt again!!!!!!!!

Becky had her baby, Tyler Richard, this morning! Everyone is doing fine. I reached Becky on her cell and told her to pass on my congrats to Ken and give my love to everyone. Hopefully I'll get down there soon to see them all.

The Saga Of My Car

I thought you all might get a kick out of these emails that went back and forth between me and a woman who works at the dealership where I get my car serviced. She and I have known each other for several years and I brighten her day when I come in, because I make her laugh, especially when she’s having a bad day. As you will see, she also has a wicked sense of humor.

APRIL 16 (The day after my car’s wheel bearing and knuckle were replaced to the tune of $500):

Hi Kim,

Okay, so, now my car is clicking. (Pick your head up out of your hands, I still can't buy a new car yet) :) Anyway, it's intermittent and it sounds like it's coming from behind the left side of the dashboard. It sounds like a turn signal but I think those are fine. The alarm system light seems to flicker in sync with the clicking so I'm thinking it's something to do with that. Can I just disconnect the alarm system? :) (Quit laughing!) :)

Alicia

Alicia,
You know me too well...lol
O.K. I think you can disconnect the alarm. If it is aftermarket (and I think it is). If we do it you're looking at about $95.00.
Let me know.

Kim

I'm glad my email made you laugh. I was hoping that would be your reaction. :) I'm going to see if I can do it myself. I feel really proud whenever I can fix something on my car on my own! If I have trouble, or if the noise doesn't stop, I'll let you know. Just out of curiosity, a friend of mine (the same one who gave me a lecture for not having my wheel bearing fixed earlier) freaked me out by saying that if I'm hearing clicking, then something is sparking, which could cause a fire while I'm driving. Is this true?!?! (picture me freaking out) :) (And, no, it's not better if my car catches on fire, putting itself out of its misery) :) ---Alicia

O.K.... Is it a ticking or crackling? There is a difference!!! If it is crackling - NOT GOOD!!!! Yes you can have an electrical fire while driving if that is the case. Please, please be careful!!!!-K

DON'T WORRY!!!! :) I'm pretty sure it's a clicking, but maybe you should watch the local news tonight, just in case. :) ---Alicia

Don't worry...Yeah right!
What channel should I be watching? Or should I just keep looking north for the black smoke? ;)

The ticking noise was gone when I drove home and didn’t come back in the morning. I didn’t want to pester Kim so I didn’t send a response to her email. BIG MISTAKE! :)

Apr 17, 2008 9:13 PM

Well,
I checked my mail all day, you never wrote back. Is every thing O.K. ? I didn't see any thing on the news... and still no e-mails to tell me you're O.K.- YES I do Worry!

If I don't hear back from you, your other friend may not be the only one yelling at you :)

Please let me know
--
Kimberly

Okay, okay! I was too busy chuckling at your posts to write back! Seriously, the sound didn't come back and I got home fine. It was still gone today. I will keep an eye on it while I study up on how to disconnect the alarm. Maybe my car just doesn't want to work anymore when it's cold. Do you guys sell car sweaters? :) Thanks for checking up on me.

---Alicia

Thank you. No we don't have sweaters but maybe I could learn to knit...lol.
At least I feel better knowing you're not on fire or any thing.

Let me know if anything else happens.
K

Thank you! I feel better too, not being on fire. :) I'll keep you posted. Heck, I could start a new blog just for my car stuff! ---Alicia

That was a looooooong City Council Mtg.

I got home around 11:15pm last night so I am very tired. Otherwise, it was good. I operated a camera for most of it, with a 45 minute stint directing in the middle. I love being a camera operator and last night we got to do some cool camera work because there was some action while new police officers were sworn in and some drama as a hot button issue was discussed. Eventually I think I will be a good director, right now I talk a bit too much and have trouble staying in the moment if I'm tired. Anyway, I'm learning a lot and loving it!

I HAVE A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This all happened very quickly so I am a bit late updating my blog.

I had a nice visit with my dad and stepmom and returned home (with a touch of a cold or something, unfortunately) on Sunday. Dad and I went out for Sushi on Saturday night. We had a good conversation and the Sushi was teriffic. Steve picked me up from the train station early Sunday evening and took me home. I was exhausted but it was nice to be back. Susan had already returned from her vacation down South and we shared with each other about our trips. Susan brought me back some nice food treats: broth style clam chowder (I've already eaten it, yummy!), chocolate covered peanuts (I've already tried them, double yum!), honey ginger marinade (I'm going to use it to cook a shrimp or fish dinner for us, to celebrate my new job), and some salsa.

I returned to my temp job on Monday morning to many compliments and explanations that I'd been sorely missed. In fact, I found out that several people had been saying "thank you" at their desks, after they'd heard someone paged over the intercom, because the person filling in for me wasn't saying it. When I checked my voicemail on my 3PM break, I found a message from the community television station that I'd applied to asking me to come in for an interview that day. Since I was going to the station anyway, to film the live music show, the Executive Director agreed to meet with me as soon as I got there. It was fairly informal and she was nice. She's also very concerned about her employees burning themselves out so she is careful not to let anyone overwork themselves. Yeah! Unfortunately, after the interview, the band didn't show up for the show so we had to run a tape. The up side was that I got home early and was able to watch the new episode of "House". Hilarious! (Next week's show looks even funnier, I can hardly wait.)

Tuesday on my afternoon break I discovered another voicemail message from the Executive Director of the station. I called her back and she offered me the job. I start on Monday. It is 40 hours a week and has benefits. The hours are great and the dress is very casual. I think this all really fits with my personality and preferences. My duties will range from answering the phone and signing out equipment to editing and assisting with all aspects of production. I've been telling people that it's a combination of receptionist and Jane-of-all-trades. :) It will be a great opportunity to learn a lot and I'll be working with good people. Susan has told me that I don't have to rush to leave. I can take my time to get back on my, economic, feet. I want to get some money in the bank, get a new (to me) car---my mom suggested something a year old, give some money to Susan, and then find a place (maybe within walking distance) to rent in the town where the station is.

Today at noon the company where I'm temping is shutting down and treating everyone to lunch. We are all going to a nearby Chinese buffet. I'm excited because they have Sushi and crab legs! It will be a nice break and a good chance to socialize and say good bye. My two weeks here have turned into more than two months so I've made lots of connections with my coworkers.

Tonight I'm filiming a City Council meeting with the other community television station I've been volunteering for. We're also going to film a parade on Saturday. After that, I don't know how much I'll be doing with them (or for the live music show) because I don't want to overdo it. However, I have told them that I will want to keep learning and doing things with them that I'm not doing at work. For instance, if I decide I really want to be a professional camera operator, I don't want to be told later on that I don't have enough camera experience because I've been doing all kinds of other production stuff.

I'm sick! :(

I caught a touch of something and my throat is dry and sore. I'm going to bed shortly and I've been taking extra Emergen-C, drinking orange juice, and gargling with warm salt water.

In other news, I am going to tour the local community television station tomorrow morning after we get back from Dad's appointment. I also left a phone messages for the manager of the commercial station back home and my friend Janine (because I'm hoping to meet up with her while I'm here). I also had fun with Aunt Donna tonight. She and I were taking advantage of the free kareoke that is "On Demand" with their cable. I've also been using this feature to watch episodes of "Torchwood", "Fantasy Island", and "Silver Spoons".

Live, from Dad's!

Nova and Ali saw me off at the train station on Sunday morning. The train was a few minutes late so we sat at a table and entertained each other with bad jokes. I had a pleasant trip down here. Dad and Aunt Donna picked me up from the train station around 4:30pm.

It's been nice spending time with Dad and Jan. I've been helping out mostly as Dad's chauffer and tv watching companion. :) Today is Dad's birthday. We're going to head over to Jan's parent's home for dinner and a party. Yesterday, a friend of Dad's stopped by to talk and it turned out that he is involved with the local community television station. I'm going to call them in a few minutes and see if I can stop by for a tour tomorrow or Friday. I think Dad's friend also mentioned that the station is hiring.

The weather is beautiful and I'm enjoying a week off from work.