July 4, 2006

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are Created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalieanable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.  That whenever any form of Government becoes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or  to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

  
  

  

  
  

  Red is for Blood
  Of Patriots who Died
  to Free us

  
  

  White is for Justice
  and Government of Law

  
  

  Blue is for Honor
  and Faith in all we do

  
  

  This is our Flag
  This is Old Glory
  And it represents
  the Spirit of America

  
  

   

  
  

  I felt rather sorry for myself because I had to work today.  Sometimes, it's not about money, it's about having a life, and the job I have for the next three weeks is not one suited for a person who cares to have a life outside work.  (And the money isn't that great either.)

  
  

  But if I had to work, so did the Adelphia Cable Guy, Rupert.  He turns out to be a very cool Jamaican type with hair as long as I am tall and a much better attitude toward work than I possessed today.  He came in with a smile, hooked me up, figured out that the fancy new modem they brought me was a dud, and used the modem I've been happy with for the past two years to get me back online. 

  
  

  He said, "Its hard for me to say what's importnat to my customers, and if it's important to them, it's worth me doing it right and doing it when they need it done."  I tried to look as though my internet were important but not supreme, I don't want him thinking I'm addicted or anything ... he doesn't have to know that I've been slinking over to Starbucks to check email and monitor my bank account. 

  
  

  Yes, I haven't quite conquered that need to make sure I still have money in there every day, so I like to log in and see the number and then I can go about my day.  If I don't log in and see it, I start worrying mid-morning that I might have an automatic payment for something I've forgotten that's roughly the equivalent of the GDP of a small island nation off the coast of Indonesia and  I'm going to be paying overdraft fees until I'm dead.  I know, that's NEVER happened, but if I didn't check every morning ... it might!

  
  

  So I tried to look as though the internet is important enough to interfere with his BBQ plans but not a matter of obsession.  And I'm pretty sure I suceeded right up until he restarted my computer, it didn't work, and he said, "This is no good ting."

  
  

  The trembling, cold sweat, and fixed dilated pupils probably gave me away.   But it is the Fourth of July so maybe he thought I was just tense from some paranoid fear that fireworks stored in the condo below will suddenly ignite and destroy the buildning.  Yeah, that could be the ticket.  I feel better. 

  
  

  But in the end, regardless of what he thought or didn't think, he got the Internet working and I've checked in on my accounts and my email and life is good.  I still have MUCHO unpacking to do but I wanted to show you at least one photo of the new place. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Heh, just kidding!  Well, not really that IS my living room and those are the boxes I still have left to unpack, lets see ... How about a photo of the desk from which I'm writing this blog! 

  
  

  

  
  

  Or, maybe you'd like to see the view from my deck?

  
  

  

  
  

  Yes, My view is away from the mountains, but it's still very nice.  Especially once the sun is down and I'm looking over the city lights.  Behind the tree where you can't see it is the Mimi's I worked at last summer.  And on the back side of that shopping center is Skysox stadium where they do fireworks on Friday nights (if there is a home game - always fine print, no?)

  
  

  And I know the kitchen is kind of boring, it's just cabinets and appliances, but also on my kitchen counter, I have the cookie bouquet (or at least the un-nibbled parts that are left) that my landlord gave me when I moved in.  Did I tell you that story?  I had a major panic when I got my lease because it seemed very one-sided and obligated me to all kinds of unreasonable charges in case of anything needing fixed.

  
  

  I worried and fretted.  My best friend listened to me and then said, "Why don't you just ask her if she'd be willing to negotiate it?"  So I took a deep breath and sent a polite but assertive email expressing my concerns.  And she changed EVERYTHING I asked her to negotiate on.  So major brownie points for me.  Big step down the road of taking care of me properly.

  
  

  Then when I moved in she had left the cookie bouquet with a card that reads, "Here's to new starts, being strong, and independence!"

  
  

  

  
  

  Yeah, it's Independence Day.  And I'm feeling a whole lot like a grown-up.  I get it that I can be assertive without being offensive or aggressive.  I get it that it's a good thing to ask for what I need.  I get it that I don't have to be a doormat and I can still have friends.  Really, I get it! 

  • 10:28 pm
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