When I started this blog, it was to have an avenue to write about what's going in our lives for family and friends to read. Or random strangers I guess, thought my thinking is that they would lose interest quickly... but that's not what I'm concerned about.
I want to start writing again, at least weekly in this blog so that I have some sort of place to write thoughts, ideas and updates in our lives. It might be fun to make it more personal with pictures and what not as well. But with that said, here's a quick update on where we are.
In January Teresa and I moved back to North Carolina from Boston. We were lucky enough to have a place to stay until we found work, and about 5 weeks ago we found that! Hopefully we'll be moving into a place of our own buy late June or July. I love the area here so the plan is to find a nice small place for us and Hannah to rent while we work and save and adjust to living in a new state.
Teresa is working for a dog Kennel called the Bed & Biscuit. It's in Black Mountain, so it's not a far drive, and while it's hard work, I think she likes it. She's got some pretty lousy hours though, working a lot of weekends and 12 hour days. I got a really good opportunity and took a job as the controller for a manufacturing company in Marion, NC, just East of Black Mountain, so again a quick drive. About a 25 minute commute versus the 90 minute commute I had in Boston by subway. To facilitate us both working and driving, we just (as in this week) bought a brand new-to-us (read 13 year old) car! It's a Nissan Altima which we got on the cheap so we don't have any extra car payments. It will mainly be a driving to work and back car really. It's in great shape though. A manual transmission too, so it's fun to drive, and I get to teach Teresa how to drive it. That will be fun!
I think Hannah enjoys the mountains though she doesn't get out as often as she would like, I'm sure. We're taking her to another dog (or owner) training class so maybe we can work out some of the excitedness she has. Two things I would like to train in her the most. Not having separation issues whenever we leave the house, and not going crazy whenever she sees another dog or cat. Just the other day she saw a cat outside and pushed open the storm door to the house. She ran around the neighborhood for 15 minutes before ending up back at the front door. Well, at least she came back, right?
So jobs are a go, cars are registered and tagged, now we're saving money to rent a place in Black Mountain and we'll be able to get our stuff out of storage. Looking forward to that!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008
Hey Look! I Found My Blog Again
November 4th? I haven't written here since November 4th? Wow. Not a whole lot has happened I guess...oh! Except that we've decided to move back to North Carolina, so I have to find a place to live and a new job, and start worrying about packing up, loading a truck, and driving to old yet unfamiliar territory! And I thought my life wasn't exciting.
So yeah, we've got a lot on our plates. In the mean time I've been playing a lot of World of Warcraft since the new expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, came out. My wife plays a lot too, but she's also involved in a Christmas ballet that takes up the majority of her time. I don't actually see her until after 10 PM at night when she gets home and she's dead tired.
Work is piling up at the office as I scramble to get everything done before I leave. My last day is on the 9th of January, but as I've mentioned, I don't have anything lined up in NC yet. I've discussed briefly with my manager about continuing to do work for my company after I leave, whether that's on a conulting basis or maybe part time from a home office type thing. He's checking with the human resources department on that. My fingers are crossed. Not only would it be beneficial as we move, but I always wanted to work from home. I'm not sure anyone would believe me, but I really feel like I would get more work done. It would at least be a lot more fun.
I mentioned in the last post about reading books by Terry Goodkind. The Sword of Truth series is really good. I don't know what it is, but the story draws me in. I read a book by another author after reading Wizard's First Rule, and it just couldn't compare. It was by a well respected author too, one who I had enjoyed when I was younger, but it was flat, boring, and the characters never seemed like they were in much trouble, or had a reason for their actions. I'm about down with the second book, Stone of Tears, and I've got the third book, Blood of the Fold in my bag, ready to start as soon as I close the cover on the other one. I'm excited.
I've been looking over past blog posts and really got the itch to write today. That's why I posted this at least. It's an online open journal that few if any people read. I'm thinking of posting a story on Elionene's Journal so that I can get both the creative fiction, and the self journaling writing cramps out. Wonder if anyone in NC wants to hire a blogger?
So yeah, we've got a lot on our plates. In the mean time I've been playing a lot of World of Warcraft since the new expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, came out. My wife plays a lot too, but she's also involved in a Christmas ballet that takes up the majority of her time. I don't actually see her until after 10 PM at night when she gets home and she's dead tired.
Work is piling up at the office as I scramble to get everything done before I leave. My last day is on the 9th of January, but as I've mentioned, I don't have anything lined up in NC yet. I've discussed briefly with my manager about continuing to do work for my company after I leave, whether that's on a conulting basis or maybe part time from a home office type thing. He's checking with the human resources department on that. My fingers are crossed. Not only would it be beneficial as we move, but I always wanted to work from home. I'm not sure anyone would believe me, but I really feel like I would get more work done. It would at least be a lot more fun.
I mentioned in the last post about reading books by Terry Goodkind. The Sword of Truth series is really good. I don't know what it is, but the story draws me in. I read a book by another author after reading Wizard's First Rule, and it just couldn't compare. It was by a well respected author too, one who I had enjoyed when I was younger, but it was flat, boring, and the characters never seemed like they were in much trouble, or had a reason for their actions. I'm about down with the second book, Stone of Tears, and I've got the third book, Blood of the Fold in my bag, ready to start as soon as I close the cover on the other one. I'm excited.
I've been looking over past blog posts and really got the itch to write today. That's why I posted this at least. It's an online open journal that few if any people read. I'm thinking of posting a story on Elionene's Journal so that I can get both the creative fiction, and the self journaling writing cramps out. Wonder if anyone in NC wants to hire a blogger?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day
Yeah, so it's been awhile since I posted in this blog. I've been spending a lot of time posting about World of Warcraft, and little about myself personally. But today is election day, and it felt like it warranted a personal post. So here we go.
I voted this morning before I came to work, and it feels good to have participated in the process. I'm not thoroughly convinced my decisions will matter in the long run, but the process can't work if I don't act. I'm not big on politics, but it's all that I've read about in the papers and in TIME magazine. I'm looking forward to reading about something else. Whoever gets to be our next president, good luck, you'll need it.
Speaking of reading things, I recently picked up Wizard's First Rule, by Terry Goodkind. I did so because I saw a trailer for a new TV show called The Legend of the Seeker, which is based on these books. I haven't watched the show yet, it first aired last weekend, but the book so far is excellent. It's the first of 11 or so books in a series. I'll see if I can get to them all. I read fairly quickly and have a lot of time to do so while on the subway system to and from work. The books are known as The Sword of Truth novels, and I seem to recall something of these when I was reading a lot in high school. The first book came out in 1994, right as I was starting 8th grade at a new school, and spending a lot of time reading and checking out books from the library. Didn't ever pick it up until now, though.
Boston is growing colder, and even darker now thanks to daylight savings time (or lack thereof, I always forget when it's on or off so to speak). I love the Fall, but it seems like it's always over just as it's starting. I like when it's cold, but not so cold you have to wear a hat and gloves whenever you are outside. On the first day of Fall this year, I put on some instrumental piano music on my iPod and walked to a subway station further away from work than I usually go. I get to walk through the Boston Public Garden when I go that route and it was very relaxing and fun. It ends up taking me slightly longer to get home, but not enough where it's not worth it.
A couple days ago, on the way home from work, I ran into a guy I knew who I played softball with this Summer (we were the champions by the way) and had a short conversation with him about reading and writing. Specifically that if I could do anything I wanted, I would love to write a fiction story and publish it. I'm curious to know what needs to take place for that to happen. I mean, obviously, I would have to write something and convince enough people that it's worth publishing, and that people will want to read it. But what else is there? Do I need a formal education? Can I just start writing and editing and hope that eventually I'll have enough to call a book? What sort of story would I write? Fantasy most likely, but what kind? Humorous? Epic? Character or story driven? Reminds me of when I played a lot of role playing video games and dreamt of writing stories or music for video games. The creative side of me wanting to get out I guess.
Sometimes I wish I'd done more in mathematics and physics than business and accounting. I could see myself in education with a degree in math. I wonder how hard or practical that would be to do now before I become so ensconced in the accounting world that there's no going back? We'll see. There's a lot of changes on the horizon for us. And as usual I've just started rambling on and on about things. But I guess that's what the blog is about. Dreaming about my life and what it could be, as fiction.
I voted this morning before I came to work, and it feels good to have participated in the process. I'm not thoroughly convinced my decisions will matter in the long run, but the process can't work if I don't act. I'm not big on politics, but it's all that I've read about in the papers and in TIME magazine. I'm looking forward to reading about something else. Whoever gets to be our next president, good luck, you'll need it.
Speaking of reading things, I recently picked up Wizard's First Rule, by Terry Goodkind. I did so because I saw a trailer for a new TV show called The Legend of the Seeker, which is based on these books. I haven't watched the show yet, it first aired last weekend, but the book so far is excellent. It's the first of 11 or so books in a series. I'll see if I can get to them all. I read fairly quickly and have a lot of time to do so while on the subway system to and from work. The books are known as The Sword of Truth novels, and I seem to recall something of these when I was reading a lot in high school. The first book came out in 1994, right as I was starting 8th grade at a new school, and spending a lot of time reading and checking out books from the library. Didn't ever pick it up until now, though.
Boston is growing colder, and even darker now thanks to daylight savings time (or lack thereof, I always forget when it's on or off so to speak). I love the Fall, but it seems like it's always over just as it's starting. I like when it's cold, but not so cold you have to wear a hat and gloves whenever you are outside. On the first day of Fall this year, I put on some instrumental piano music on my iPod and walked to a subway station further away from work than I usually go. I get to walk through the Boston Public Garden when I go that route and it was very relaxing and fun. It ends up taking me slightly longer to get home, but not enough where it's not worth it.
A couple days ago, on the way home from work, I ran into a guy I knew who I played softball with this Summer (we were the champions by the way) and had a short conversation with him about reading and writing. Specifically that if I could do anything I wanted, I would love to write a fiction story and publish it. I'm curious to know what needs to take place for that to happen. I mean, obviously, I would have to write something and convince enough people that it's worth publishing, and that people will want to read it. But what else is there? Do I need a formal education? Can I just start writing and editing and hope that eventually I'll have enough to call a book? What sort of story would I write? Fantasy most likely, but what kind? Humorous? Epic? Character or story driven? Reminds me of when I played a lot of role playing video games and dreamt of writing stories or music for video games. The creative side of me wanting to get out I guess.
Sometimes I wish I'd done more in mathematics and physics than business and accounting. I could see myself in education with a degree in math. I wonder how hard or practical that would be to do now before I become so ensconced in the accounting world that there's no going back? We'll see. There's a lot of changes on the horizon for us. And as usual I've just started rambling on and on about things. But I guess that's what the blog is about. Dreaming about my life and what it could be, as fiction.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Blogging is Fun
My Warcraft blog, Good Morning Azeroth, seems to be enjoying a small bit of popularity. That is to say I've had a few people read it and comment on it from the warcraft blogging community. I've been putting a little more effort into getting the layout to look nice and advertise through the Entrecard program and listing it on various collection of WoW blogs. I really enjoy posting, fiddling with pictures, posts, layouts and designs. It makes me wish I'd gotten my education in computers and continued with the web and flash design stuff I meddled with during college.
I suppose it's not too late to go back to that stuff, but right now it's Accounting that pays the bills. I would have to update myself on the latest tools and programs at work in the internet in order to have a chance at working in the field too, and that means making the time to take classes or train myself. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it will take some effort.
It the mean time I'll keep playing with the blog, and try to write on relevant topics about World of Warcraft. I also want to keep up with this blog, but I haven't really nailed down a focus for topics, other than just current events in my life. And maybe that's enough for the few people who read it, but it would be nice to have something consistent to write about. The last thing I want it to become is a place where I just write about things that bother me. A complaints journal if you will. I've done that on pen and paper before, and it wasn't happy.
For now, I'll keep writing whatever I feel like, and maybe I'll fall into a routine or subject matter that's both fun to write about, and fun to read.
I suppose it's not too late to go back to that stuff, but right now it's Accounting that pays the bills. I would have to update myself on the latest tools and programs at work in the internet in order to have a chance at working in the field too, and that means making the time to take classes or train myself. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it will take some effort.
It the mean time I'll keep playing with the blog, and try to write on relevant topics about World of Warcraft. I also want to keep up with this blog, but I haven't really nailed down a focus for topics, other than just current events in my life. And maybe that's enough for the few people who read it, but it would be nice to have something consistent to write about. The last thing I want it to become is a place where I just write about things that bother me. A complaints journal if you will. I've done that on pen and paper before, and it wasn't happy.
For now, I'll keep writing whatever I feel like, and maybe I'll fall into a routine or subject matter that's both fun to write about, and fun to read.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Dog Dilemma
When we moved a year ago in June, part of what we required when looking for a new place was that they allowed pets, a dog specifically. We found that place and within a few weeks of moving in had found our new puppy, Hannah, a beagle mix who was adorable and about 6 months old. While we love our dog dearly, she has always been very demanding of attention and when she "thinks" she needs something. Lately, it has gotten worse. And I really just have no clue why.
We used to manage her by exercising her well. We'd go on a couple walks or out to the dog park, and then when we got home, she'd sleep for a few hours. By then it was usually later in the day and she was more mellow. She was almost always resting or sleeping by 8 o'clock. We'd taken her to obedience training, and she actually did pretty well. She responds mostly to treats, but if you ask her to sit or down, she most always will. She can also roll over, play dead, stay, come, the usual. We never taught her how to heel or walk very well, and I know that needs to be addressed, but the main problems now exist while at home.
In the last week, Hannah has been on super terror mode. She hasn't been resting after exercise, and she's been over the top demanding. If she barks and we try to ignore it so we don't reward her with attention, she'll start to bite at pillows, computer cords, the couch, us, and then we have to do something. We can't just let her tear our house apart. When we do get up to give her attention she starts to race around the house, barking, in a game of "catch me if you can." I tend to get really frustrated and angry with this, and it doesn't create a very happy home atmosphere when you have two frustrated adults and a dog that thinks it's a game.
I often exclaim about how this isn't the kind of dog I wanted. But then again, she may be acting like she is because of something I've done. I can't explain her behavior, but it's not like she has any other influences. Something that myself or my wife are doing is influencing her behavior, so we have to identify it and change it. I'm going to have to start searching for sources on curbing demanding dogs' behavior, and also making sure I keep my frustration in check. I don't want to get rid of Hannah, even if sometimes it seems like there's no hope, but I still believe we can train her to be better.
We used to manage her by exercising her well. We'd go on a couple walks or out to the dog park, and then when we got home, she'd sleep for a few hours. By then it was usually later in the day and she was more mellow. She was almost always resting or sleeping by 8 o'clock. We'd taken her to obedience training, and she actually did pretty well. She responds mostly to treats, but if you ask her to sit or down, she most always will. She can also roll over, play dead, stay, come, the usual. We never taught her how to heel or walk very well, and I know that needs to be addressed, but the main problems now exist while at home.
In the last week, Hannah has been on super terror mode. She hasn't been resting after exercise, and she's been over the top demanding. If she barks and we try to ignore it so we don't reward her with attention, she'll start to bite at pillows, computer cords, the couch, us, and then we have to do something. We can't just let her tear our house apart. When we do get up to give her attention she starts to race around the house, barking, in a game of "catch me if you can." I tend to get really frustrated and angry with this, and it doesn't create a very happy home atmosphere when you have two frustrated adults and a dog that thinks it's a game.
I often exclaim about how this isn't the kind of dog I wanted. But then again, she may be acting like she is because of something I've done. I can't explain her behavior, but it's not like she has any other influences. Something that myself or my wife are doing is influencing her behavior, so we have to identify it and change it. I'm going to have to start searching for sources on curbing demanding dogs' behavior, and also making sure I keep my frustration in check. I don't want to get rid of Hannah, even if sometimes it seems like there's no hope, but I still believe we can train her to be better.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Waking up is hard to do
I have a chronic problem of not being able to get out of bed in the mornings when I need to. Usually this results in me being late for work. I'm lucky in that the managers at my office are pretty lenient when it comes to arriving late. Especially in a town where the public transit system is less than reliable. But as much as I'd like to blame all of my arriving at work late woes on the T, the truth is I just can't get up on time.
For awhile I was able to trick myself in to getting up early by looking forward to doing something in the morning besides just go to work. Like play video games. When I was younger, I would often rent a video game for the weekend. My desire to play that game would out weigh my desire to sleep, and I would be able to wake up at 7 AM on a Saturday without any other device (such as an alarm clock) just because I knew that waking up meant I got to play. So I started to play World of Warcraft in the mornings from 6 to 7 before I got ready for work, and was able to get out the door in a much timelier fashion. Occasionally I would play longer than I should though and still get out late, but it was never so late that it was a problem.
Well, in more recent times, since my wife is also playing the game with me, we tend to stay up late playing, and this has made it harder to wake up to play. I guess there's a limit to how much sleep I can live on, even if there's something to look forward to waking up for in the morning. The solution is that I need to go to bed earlier, and you would think that was an easy thing to accomplish, but there's always something that needs to be done late at night that seems to keep me up past midnight. It's going to take a concentrated force of will to make this happen, but I need to do it for the bettering of myself, and to shake off the reputation for coming into work late.
It's not like I get a free pass to get into work late either, I have to make up the time I miss in the morning by staying late in the afternoons. I'd much rather get here on time and leave here on time, than have to stay until 5:40 and not get home until 7. Today was an especially bad day where I just didn't wake up at all. I had to call in and say I'd be working a half day as I didn't want to have to work until 9. Now some of you out there reading this, (three of you maybe?), might say, "Oh my goodness! Who is this slacker that can't even get to work on time?" I just want you to know that I agree with you. I don't like this habit I've developed, and I've recognized it's a problem, so don't worry. My boss is aware of it, and I'm aware of it, and I'm on a 12 step program to fix it. With the first 12 steps being go to bed earlier.
For awhile I was able to trick myself in to getting up early by looking forward to doing something in the morning besides just go to work. Like play video games. When I was younger, I would often rent a video game for the weekend. My desire to play that game would out weigh my desire to sleep, and I would be able to wake up at 7 AM on a Saturday without any other device (such as an alarm clock) just because I knew that waking up meant I got to play. So I started to play World of Warcraft in the mornings from 6 to 7 before I got ready for work, and was able to get out the door in a much timelier fashion. Occasionally I would play longer than I should though and still get out late, but it was never so late that it was a problem.
Well, in more recent times, since my wife is also playing the game with me, we tend to stay up late playing, and this has made it harder to wake up to play. I guess there's a limit to how much sleep I can live on, even if there's something to look forward to waking up for in the morning. The solution is that I need to go to bed earlier, and you would think that was an easy thing to accomplish, but there's always something that needs to be done late at night that seems to keep me up past midnight. It's going to take a concentrated force of will to make this happen, but I need to do it for the bettering of myself, and to shake off the reputation for coming into work late.
It's not like I get a free pass to get into work late either, I have to make up the time I miss in the morning by staying late in the afternoons. I'd much rather get here on time and leave here on time, than have to stay until 5:40 and not get home until 7. Today was an especially bad day where I just didn't wake up at all. I had to call in and say I'd be working a half day as I didn't want to have to work until 9. Now some of you out there reading this, (three of you maybe?), might say, "Oh my goodness! Who is this slacker that can't even get to work on time?" I just want you to know that I agree with you. I don't like this habit I've developed, and I've recognized it's a problem, so don't worry. My boss is aware of it, and I'm aware of it, and I'm on a 12 step program to fix it. With the first 12 steps being go to bed earlier.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Three Years
A couple of days ago, on the 25th, my wife and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary! We didn't do a whole lot for it. I took half a day at work and helped her walk her dogs (and ours) and then we went to the farmer's market, hung out at home, and went to a nice dinner at Outback. Good times.
It seems like three years have gone by quickly, though I suppose this last one was a little less stressful than the previous two, mostly due to her being out of school and not stressing about papers and tests. I still remember all night writing sessions where I would try to stay up and support her, and usually ended up falling asleep on the hardwood floor. I don't really miss that.
I still think we're crazy for moving to Boston right after getting married, but I don't know what other way we would have done it. She had the opportunity to study at Harvard. Who's going to pass that up? Not me. And in the end, I do think I enjoy living near a big city. There's always things to do, even if we can't motivate ourselves to do them all, we do some.
Church softball starts up this Saturday. It will be my third year pitching for the High Rock Angels. It's slow pitch softball, so while the pitches are designed for the batter to hit them, I'm working on a couple things to keep the pitches varied and on the ground. Our church had enough people to field two teams this year, the other is called the Apostles, and we play each other in a few weeks, which should be fun.
I'll be celebrating my 3rd year at my company this Summer, which seems like a big deal. I haven't really moved around a lot in my industry, so three years in one position feel liks a lot for someone who's only been an accountant for four years. It also makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to do any accounting besides my real estate accounting niche that I'm in. I would't mind breaking out into accounting systems and information, but that might require more school. Speaking of which, I would love to some day get a masters in information systems and accounting or some other combination. I am consistently seeing that I enjoy working with computers and software more than I do spreadsheets and numbers.
Maybe I can become a Mac genius.
It seems like three years have gone by quickly, though I suppose this last one was a little less stressful than the previous two, mostly due to her being out of school and not stressing about papers and tests. I still remember all night writing sessions where I would try to stay up and support her, and usually ended up falling asleep on the hardwood floor. I don't really miss that.
I still think we're crazy for moving to Boston right after getting married, but I don't know what other way we would have done it. She had the opportunity to study at Harvard. Who's going to pass that up? Not me. And in the end, I do think I enjoy living near a big city. There's always things to do, even if we can't motivate ourselves to do them all, we do some.
Church softball starts up this Saturday. It will be my third year pitching for the High Rock Angels. It's slow pitch softball, so while the pitches are designed for the batter to hit them, I'm working on a couple things to keep the pitches varied and on the ground. Our church had enough people to field two teams this year, the other is called the Apostles, and we play each other in a few weeks, which should be fun.
I'll be celebrating my 3rd year at my company this Summer, which seems like a big deal. I haven't really moved around a lot in my industry, so three years in one position feel liks a lot for someone who's only been an accountant for four years. It also makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to do any accounting besides my real estate accounting niche that I'm in. I would't mind breaking out into accounting systems and information, but that might require more school. Speaking of which, I would love to some day get a masters in information systems and accounting or some other combination. I am consistently seeing that I enjoy working with computers and software more than I do spreadsheets and numbers.
Maybe I can become a Mac genius.
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