I just received my official WELCOME from the state of California: my first earthquake. Talk about freaked out! None of our cell phones work so I can't even call anyone to find out who felt it. You would think it would be "Breaking News" on a channel somewhere. But no. Apparently a 5.6 magnitude earthquake is nothing around here. I actually had to go to the official USGS website to find out how strong it was.
So what were we doing when it happened? We were moving the location of our wireless network. We had just moved our television when the house started swaying. We live near a railroad track and at first I thought it was a train going by. There was some kind of loud noise. Then I realized that trains don't go by at this time of night. Everything in the house was shaking for about 1 minute. Thank God my curio cabinet did not go down. I just told Husband the other day that we needed to secure that thing to the wall.
I think I remained surprisingly calm. Husband was freaking out and screaming at me to get outside. We got outside and we were the only ones out there. I really think people around here are unaffected by such things.
I also think my case for moving back to the east coast was just solidified.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Moving: The Ultimate Nightmare
I'm not sure I even want to get into this whole thing right now. But then I considered that I might not have an internet connection for a few days.
We are in a hotel for day number 8. Almost everyday we visit our real, empty home. Today was supposed to be the day everything was delivered. Today was also the day that nothing was delivered.
Husband and I waited at the house for 6 hours. After countless phone calls and voicemail messages, we were finally told we were not getting our stuff today. During one of the calls we were even lied to and told our stuff was being loaded onto a truck at the moment. Flat out lie.
The disappointing thing is that I have used this same moving company two other times. No problems at all. Third time is apparently the nightmare.
We've been given the runaround in a big way.
The truck was loaded on 10/15. The driver told us his schedule and also happened to mention that he, himself does not deliver anything in this area. He drops it at the local office and some other driver would bring it. We had no idea this would happen. At the point when everything has been taken from your house and put on a truck, what are you really supposed to do? We were told that upon arrival here, the truck would be emptied and our stuff would go be offloaded onto a smaller truck. By the time we actually receive it, it will have been moved between trucks 4 times. I will be really surprised if nothing is broken or missing.
Here's the thing. If you give someone a window for delivery, you should stick to it. Our window was 10/19-10/22. Today is 10/22. I think 8 days is certainly enough time to go 2 states away. In fact, I know it is. Our last driver made it all the way across the country in 3 days. He could have done it faster but he knew we weren't there yet.
I've already started the escalation of this to the corporate level. I don't see how any excuses can be made since this isn't even considered the "peak" moving season. It's a horrible feeling to have all of your possessions kept from you.
I know I'm leaving a lot of details out here. I just don't have the energy to rehash it.
Oh...and I don't have anymore clean underwear either.
We are in a hotel for day number 8. Almost everyday we visit our real, empty home. Today was supposed to be the day everything was delivered. Today was also the day that nothing was delivered.
Husband and I waited at the house for 6 hours. After countless phone calls and voicemail messages, we were finally told we were not getting our stuff today. During one of the calls we were even lied to and told our stuff was being loaded onto a truck at the moment. Flat out lie.
The disappointing thing is that I have used this same moving company two other times. No problems at all. Third time is apparently the nightmare.
We've been given the runaround in a big way.
The truck was loaded on 10/15. The driver told us his schedule and also happened to mention that he, himself does not deliver anything in this area. He drops it at the local office and some other driver would bring it. We had no idea this would happen. At the point when everything has been taken from your house and put on a truck, what are you really supposed to do? We were told that upon arrival here, the truck would be emptied and our stuff would go be offloaded onto a smaller truck. By the time we actually receive it, it will have been moved between trucks 4 times. I will be really surprised if nothing is broken or missing.
Here's the thing. If you give someone a window for delivery, you should stick to it. Our window was 10/19-10/22. Today is 10/22. I think 8 days is certainly enough time to go 2 states away. In fact, I know it is. Our last driver made it all the way across the country in 3 days. He could have done it faster but he knew we weren't there yet.
I've already started the escalation of this to the corporate level. I don't see how any excuses can be made since this isn't even considered the "peak" moving season. It's a horrible feeling to have all of your possessions kept from you.
I know I'm leaving a lot of details out here. I just don't have the energy to rehash it.
Oh...and I don't have anymore clean underwear either.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
American Public House Review
Have you checked out my new link over there on the right? Some may question why in the world I would even link to that since I hardly ever drink. However, I support anyone I know who has a website. I mean, why would I link to FSUrules when that isn't even my school?? Just supporting a friend.
So back to the Public House Review. This one belongs to my uncle Chris. He quit his job to pursue this venture. He is passionate about it. He travels to these different pubs in the northeast and tries to learn all the history he can about the place. Most of these pubs are in buildings that are at least a hundred years old. He writes some great stories, even if you aren't interested in pubs you should read a story or two. I suggest the one about the Black Bass Hotel. After his review of the place is another story called, Outside the Black Bass. This one made me cry. Perhaps you would have to know him and my aunt Cherry to be touched as I was. They love cats. The last line of the story is what got me. The names mentioned are/were the names of their cats who died at separate times in the past two years.
So back to the Public House Review. This one belongs to my uncle Chris. He quit his job to pursue this venture. He is passionate about it. He travels to these different pubs in the northeast and tries to learn all the history he can about the place. Most of these pubs are in buildings that are at least a hundred years old. He writes some great stories, even if you aren't interested in pubs you should read a story or two. I suggest the one about the Black Bass Hotel. After his review of the place is another story called, Outside the Black Bass. This one made me cry. Perhaps you would have to know him and my aunt Cherry to be touched as I was. They love cats. The last line of the story is what got me. The names mentioned are/were the names of their cats who died at separate times in the past two years.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
An Open Letter
Dear Sourpuss,
Why have you left us?
It's your stories that we miss.
Some of us feel dissed.
Please, oh please return.
We'll pretend it never happened.
We'll pretend you never left.
The stories you must have.
The stories still to come.
Some might agree, we've all come a little undone.
Please start over.
Please start again.
A new blog.
You are missed.
Why have you left us?
It's your stories that we miss.
Some of us feel dissed.
Please, oh please return.
We'll pretend it never happened.
We'll pretend you never left.
The stories you must have.
The stories still to come.
Some might agree, we've all come a little undone.
Please start over.
Please start again.
A new blog.
You are missed.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Go Bulls!
Not.
I don't know WTF happened last night. I was hoping to email my cousin, a recent Rutgers grad, and brag about how great my school was and how hers sure does suck.
That did not happen. I was so sure the Bulls could pull it off. But just making it into the big league is enough for me.
Thanks for putting us on the map and giving that great school the credit it deserves!
I don't know WTF happened last night. I was hoping to email my cousin, a recent Rutgers grad, and brag about how great my school was and how hers sure does suck.
That did not happen. I was so sure the Bulls could pull it off. But just making it into the big league is enough for me.
Thanks for putting us on the map and giving that great school the credit it deserves!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Move On
Today we finalized the moving plans. This time next week we will be in the car heading to CA. The weather here sucks so the move can't come a moment too soon. I'm sure I've said that already. I've gone full speed ahead with the packing. By tomorrow night, only the bare necessities will be left. I have cleaned and "closed" 2 bathrooms for business. The kitchen has never been as clean as it is at this moment. I have also instituted a ban on cooking. (Because we all know I love it so much anyway).
We actually did find a place to live. I'm kind of excited about it because we will be living downtown. Not south or north of downtown...actual downtown. Not that it is a very exciting downtown, but who cares. Oh and the place is brand new. No one has ever lived there before. I get all new stainless steel appliances! I'm excited to decorate.
Hopefully someone will come and visit me this time. MK...my first visitor might just be you!!
We actually did find a place to live. I'm kind of excited about it because we will be living downtown. Not south or north of downtown...actual downtown. Not that it is a very exciting downtown, but who cares. Oh and the place is brand new. No one has ever lived there before. I get all new stainless steel appliances! I'm excited to decorate.
Hopefully someone will come and visit me this time. MK...my first visitor might just be you!!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Free!
Last night Husband and I decided to get some dessert. He felt like having some cake so we went to "W. Foods" because they have a good bakery. It was late. I was tired and stressed out about not having found a place to live yet. I walked through the door like a total zombie. Suddenly and employee was coming at me with a green bag. He said something, but I wasn't listening. Then he repeated it and thrust the bag at me. "You're the winner of $50 worth of groceries! Something from every department in the store is in that bag!" I felt bad for not acknowledging him earlier. Talk about a surprise! Husband just kept repeating "We never win anything!!!" So we got our desserts and came back to the hotel. It was so exciting. The bag contained bath gel, body lotion, organic baby carrots, salad dressing, a can of coffee, chicken curry and a pasta salad from the deli, a large bottle of olive oil, rainbow pasta, marinara sauce, a bag of crostini, and beef jerky. We're leaving the beef jerky here for the maid since we don't eat beef. I'm thinking I need to frequent that store now!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Soaking Up The Sun
It is a beautiful day in sunny California. I'm so happy to be spending the week here, you have no idea. When I left the PNW it had been raining for 4 days, it was cold and not only have the leaves all changed, but they are falling in record numbers. I don't feel like the summer was long enough there this year. I'm enjoying the sun while I can right now. Soon I'll be back to the gloom for 3 more weeks.
We haven't found a place to live yet. I'm starting to sweat about it. There are 2 possibilities but Husband is busy negotiating deals and just might negotiate us into a card board box. We visited 3 properties yesterday. We have another one to visit tonight. Oh, did I mention we are back to renting now? He decided it was too risky to buy in this state given the fact that we fully intend to return to the east coast in the next 2 years.
We haven't found a place to live yet. I'm starting to sweat about it. There are 2 possibilities but Husband is busy negotiating deals and just might negotiate us into a card board box. We visited 3 properties yesterday. We have another one to visit tonight. Oh, did I mention we are back to renting now? He decided it was too risky to buy in this state given the fact that we fully intend to return to the east coast in the next 2 years.
