Monday, January 16, 2006
Learning to Fly
When I was a kid, I used to have a lot of flying dreams. But I wasn't a very good flier; I'd have to flap my arms frantically to maintain any altitude. I'd fly somewhere (I remember trying to perch on the powerlines near my place like a bird) and then be scared of falling because I didn't know if I'd be able to fly or not. I would also have to resort to tricks, like bouncing off wire fences, to get airborne in the first place.
As I got older, I got to be a better flier. I'd just hold my arms out at my sides and fly. Usually, I would only fly in a dream if I was in a situation that required it. Often, that would mean I'd be dreaming of some disaster, such as an exploding volcano filling the area I lived in with lava, or people trying to catch me to lock me up (to study me to figure out why I could fly). The worst part of that is that I'd only be able to save a couple of people from the disaster, and carrying two people would make it harder to fly.
I don't dream of flying so much anymore. But I am very proud of myself that I taught myself to fly in my dreams.
As I got older, I got to be a better flier. I'd just hold my arms out at my sides and fly. Usually, I would only fly in a dream if I was in a situation that required it. Often, that would mean I'd be dreaming of some disaster, such as an exploding volcano filling the area I lived in with lava, or people trying to catch me to lock me up (to study me to figure out why I could fly). The worst part of that is that I'd only be able to save a couple of people from the disaster, and carrying two people would make it harder to fly.
I don't dream of flying so much anymore. But I am very proud of myself that I taught myself to fly in my dreams.
Friday, January 13, 2006
They're Pitching Woo!
"And they're wooing me! They're pitching woo!" - Willow, BtVS (Bad Girls)
I've had a few job offers over the past few months. I am doing a finance position, and I've had offers to come to other areas to do their financial management, asseting, auditing, and even contracting. None of them have involved a pay rise, just a transfer at the same pay rate, so because I am happy where I am working now I've always said no.
But I had a phone call on Wednesday with a new version of the same offer (ie transfer at level), and I think this time I am going to take it. It's in an area where I'd be the assistant to people who manage budgets at an organisation level, basically understudying them with the understanding that when any of them go on leave I could temporarily fill their positions (which is the part where there'd be more money!). It also means that when any of them leave I'd be in a very good position to apply for their job because I'd already have the skills.
It's a good offer, and the best part is that because it's a transfer at level I don't have to do an interview or anything! :)
The only thing is that the people making the offer don't want to offend the people I work for now, so they are trying to negotate some sort of gradual moving away from this job (I don't want to sound like I am blowing wind up my butt but if I just dropped everything and left there's no one that could do my job). That means I could end up being here two or three days a week, and there for the rest.
I am also happy to do that - I am a change averse sort of person so the gradual thing appeals to my turtle-like nature - but it might be a bit hard if I end up getting stuck with the work of two full time jobs.
It'll be interesting...
Oh, and while I am at it, what is it with men that drive big black V8 cars with spoilers on the back thinking that they own the road and that road rage is an acceptable part of driving? Like indicating? Or - here's a thought - speed limits?!
Nuff said.
I've had a few job offers over the past few months. I am doing a finance position, and I've had offers to come to other areas to do their financial management, asseting, auditing, and even contracting. None of them have involved a pay rise, just a transfer at the same pay rate, so because I am happy where I am working now I've always said no.
But I had a phone call on Wednesday with a new version of the same offer (ie transfer at level), and I think this time I am going to take it. It's in an area where I'd be the assistant to people who manage budgets at an organisation level, basically understudying them with the understanding that when any of them go on leave I could temporarily fill their positions (which is the part where there'd be more money!). It also means that when any of them leave I'd be in a very good position to apply for their job because I'd already have the skills.
It's a good offer, and the best part is that because it's a transfer at level I don't have to do an interview or anything! :)
The only thing is that the people making the offer don't want to offend the people I work for now, so they are trying to negotate some sort of gradual moving away from this job (I don't want to sound like I am blowing wind up my butt but if I just dropped everything and left there's no one that could do my job). That means I could end up being here two or three days a week, and there for the rest.
I am also happy to do that - I am a change averse sort of person so the gradual thing appeals to my turtle-like nature - but it might be a bit hard if I end up getting stuck with the work of two full time jobs.
It'll be interesting...
Oh, and while I am at it, what is it with men that drive big black V8 cars with spoilers on the back thinking that they own the road and that road rage is an acceptable part of driving? Like indicating? Or - here's a thought - speed limits?!
Nuff said.
Monday, January 09, 2006
My Shiny New Obsession
Bloody Morton Fogg, I shake my fist at you!
It's my first day back at work and I am pining because I want to be at home on my computer. That is because dear Morton talked me into a mild curiosity about "World of Warcraft", an on line game I swore I'd never buy on account of how you have to pay a monthly $15 US fee to play it.
M., also curious, downloaded some examples of gameplay off the net, and suddenly we'd bought two copies of the game (because we need a seperate licence code each to play), and an additional two months subscription each. Money I couldn't afford because of my previous air conditioner purchase.
It is sooooo adictive. *twitch*
On the bright side, we did have the opportunity last night to "meet" Morton, in the form of a white bald man in a dress. :D
But the worst part of all of this is that I got the game two days before my leave ended. :(
It's my first day back at work and I am pining because I want to be at home on my computer. That is because dear Morton talked me into a mild curiosity about "World of Warcraft", an on line game I swore I'd never buy on account of how you have to pay a monthly $15 US fee to play it.
M., also curious, downloaded some examples of gameplay off the net, and suddenly we'd bought two copies of the game (because we need a seperate licence code each to play), and an additional two months subscription each. Money I couldn't afford because of my previous air conditioner purchase.
It is sooooo adictive. *twitch*
On the bright side, we did have the opportunity last night to "meet" Morton, in the form of a white bald man in a dress. :D
But the worst part of all of this is that I got the game two days before my leave ended. :(
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Harry Potter Love Match Meme
Did it out of curiosity:
You are looking for someone sweet, intelligent, and understanding. Although he may have big troubles to overcome, with you by his side this wolfman will at least have a non-judgmental, loving romance.
Who is your Harry Potter love match? (for girls)
brought to you by Quizilla
Lupin is cool. But I am just glad that I didn't get one of the kids!
You are looking for someone sweet, intelligent, and understanding. Although he may have big troubles to overcome, with you by his side this wolfman will at least have a non-judgmental, loving romance.
Who is your Harry Potter love match? (for girls)
brought to you by Quizilla
Lupin is cool. But I am just glad that I didn't get one of the kids!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Too Friggin Hot...
I think I'm dyin' here...
Today it got to 39oC (that's almost 103o Fahrenheit), and, worse, it spattered rain and now it's humid like the inside of a footballer's jockstrap after a game.
A couple of days ago we got so shitty with the heat (I was getting headaches and felt like I was wasting my holidays in a haze of painkillers) that we went to Harvey Norman and bought a portable airconditioner for a not-so-cheap $800. It's done something to reduce the temperature inside the house, but not to the point that I will be doing cartwheels or, you know, walking around much.
It's meant to cool down tomorrow, thank goodness.
It has been cool enough that I was able to work on Photoshop again. Ironically the picture I did was for a deviantART contest whose theme is "Ice and Snow" - there are a lot of winter theme contests running at the moment because that's the season in the northern hemisphere.
I did one I called "Lady Winter":
(Larger version here.)
Geez I wish I could sit my ass down on a snow covered mountain right now! ;)
Oh, and Happy New Year to everybody. M. and I went out to a friend's place for a BBQ and party type arrangement. It was good; hilarity but with no barfing or anything.
Of course, at 3am some stupid and very pissed teenagers who'd managed to wander away from their party and get lost started an argument on our neighbour's driveway. M. went out with phone in hand and sent them on their merry way by a liberal application of the word "cops". Yay!
Today it got to 39oC (that's almost 103o Fahrenheit), and, worse, it spattered rain and now it's humid like the inside of a footballer's jockstrap after a game.
A couple of days ago we got so shitty with the heat (I was getting headaches and felt like I was wasting my holidays in a haze of painkillers) that we went to Harvey Norman and bought a portable airconditioner for a not-so-cheap $800. It's done something to reduce the temperature inside the house, but not to the point that I will be doing cartwheels or, you know, walking around much.
It's meant to cool down tomorrow, thank goodness.
It has been cool enough that I was able to work on Photoshop again. Ironically the picture I did was for a deviantART contest whose theme is "Ice and Snow" - there are a lot of winter theme contests running at the moment because that's the season in the northern hemisphere.
I did one I called "Lady Winter":
(Larger version here.)
Geez I wish I could sit my ass down on a snow covered mountain right now! ;)
Oh, and Happy New Year to everybody. M. and I went out to a friend's place for a BBQ and party type arrangement. It was good; hilarity but with no barfing or anything.
Of course, at 3am some stupid and very pissed teenagers who'd managed to wander away from their party and get lost started an argument on our neighbour's driveway. M. went out with phone in hand and sent them on their merry way by a liberal application of the word "cops". Yay!
