I learned something interesting about taking Ambien. I got the script months ago, and I only use it when absolutely necessary. Last Saturday, I took one because I'd had several nights of little sleep.
So, I took one Saturday around 10PM. Now, the thing about Ambien is you've got to be able to commit to a full 7- 8 hours of sleep time. And here's why:
At 3AM Sunday morning, the phone rang. it was an elderly neighbor, she was feeling ill and needed help. So I got up - this is after about 4.5 hours of sleep - and went next door. I helped her get all her meds together while we waited for the ambulance, helped the EMTs get her ready for the ride to the hospital and when her niece showed up, I went back home.
I was awake but very foggy for a little while longer, then fell back to sleep and woke about 6AM. I got up, did my usual routine and went about the day, but with the worst depression I've felt in a long time. For the entire day, I was sad and anxious and jittery. It's pretty scary to be in Bed Bath & Beyond, choking back tears at the sight of a hamburger maker, because your mom bought you one like it when you went away to college.
This crappy mood lifted late in the afternoon, and all I can figure is that the interruption of the Ambien sleep is what caused it. Not to say I wouldn't get up and help my neighbor again, of course I would, or that you should never take this medication - just a little caveat in case you ever do have need for it. or you, too, can frighten the 18 year old clerk at BB&B.
Picture
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday, August21, 2010, 06:41AM
Interview Update - it would appear that I was not hired. A disappointment, but life goes on.
I've been awake since 4 o'clock, online, job searching and completing applications. It's hot in my den, I'm hungry and grouchy.
I was talking with a friend last night and he made a comment about being bored at work. Another friend often complains about her job. I have still another friend who is a stay-at-home wife, no kids, and so very certain that she has all the answers. I'm so very certain she does not.
Every time I hear an employed person whine about some trivial happening at their job, it's like a knife to my heart. I want to just shake them and yell, "GRATITUDE??? EVER HEARD OF IT??"
Yeah, I know, I bitched about trivial stuff when I was working, too, and I most likely will do it again, if I ever get another job. But it's so hard to hear, when I'd be so happy to pick up part-time work right now.
Guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself this morning.
I've been awake since 4 o'clock, online, job searching and completing applications. It's hot in my den, I'm hungry and grouchy.
I was talking with a friend last night and he made a comment about being bored at work. Another friend often complains about her job. I have still another friend who is a stay-at-home wife, no kids, and so very certain that she has all the answers. I'm so very certain she does not.
Every time I hear an employed person whine about some trivial happening at their job, it's like a knife to my heart. I want to just shake them and yell, "GRATITUDE??? EVER HEARD OF IT??"
Yeah, I know, I bitched about trivial stuff when I was working, too, and I most likely will do it again, if I ever get another job. But it's so hard to hear, when I'd be so happy to pick up part-time work right now.
Guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself this morning.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Need to rant
OK, I'm not a sports fan, let me be upfront about that. So, I heard on the news this morning about some football guy for the Redskins who hasn't managed to pass the pre-season physical tests, and who excused himself from practice because he didn't feel good. here's the kicker - this kid makes something like $100M - ok, that sounds like a lot even for sports, but it was a HELLUVA BIG NUMBER.
What is up with that? First off, how do they justify these salaries? Yeah, yeah, I know - it's limited life span career and these people have talent ---come gain? THAT makes them worth millions?? Ever heard of education?
What nonsense professional sports are - grown adults playing kid's games, and half the time they don't act like they give hoot about the game. Little League players have more heart than these oafs. Give me a break!!
What is up with that? First off, how do they justify these salaries? Yeah, yeah, I know - it's limited life span career and these people have talent ---come gain? THAT makes them worth millions?? Ever heard of education?
What nonsense professional sports are - grown adults playing kid's games, and half the time they don't act like they give hoot about the game. Little League players have more heart than these oafs. Give me a break!!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
For the past two weeks, I've been fighting health issues - nothing very serious, just annoying and painful. I'm feeling loads better now though, thanks to the miracles of modern pharmaceuticals. God bless Diflucan.
This past Friday, I attended a group interview for a position with a local university. It's my shallow understanding that these are now the done thing for employers - it's a way for them to see a big group of candidates and weed out the obviously bad choices.
Here's what I advise if you get invited to one of these:
1. They're intimidating, yes indeed. Check out the candidates quickly when you first sit down: Who seems polished, confident, knowledgeable and who doesn't.
2. When the moderator(s) introduce themselves, jot down their names and some quick notes so you remember who they are (i.e. Sue, head of accounting, blue dress)
3. Pay attention (duh) to what the moderators tell the group, and make some notes - stuff you want to followup on in the Q&A. Of course, you will already have some questions written down because you did your research on the company before walking into the interview, right?
4. Have your elevator speech prepared, have it in your notebook so that you can refer to it, and be prepared to switch it around if you need to. Your elevator speech should focus on YOUR RELEVANT WORK HISTORY AND EDUCATION. Babbling about your 6 kids and the shelter puppy you got yesterday is not relevant, most likely. BE SUCCINCT. You've got maybe 3 minutes before the moderators' eyes glaze over. And if you're not comfortable making jokes in front of a group, don't try to be funny.
5. When you're making your speech, focus on the moderators. That's your target audience, not the other candidates in the room. Make eye contact with each of them, but give the most attention to the one who appears to be in charge.
6. ASK QUESTIONS. In my Friday Interview, 3 of us asked questions, out of a group of 20. My guess is that made the employer's decision process a tiny bit easier.
OK, I'll know this week if I was hired , and I'll post that result here. I think I acquitted myself well in the interview, and my fingers will be crossed. Have a good week!
This past Friday, I attended a group interview for a position with a local university. It's my shallow understanding that these are now the done thing for employers - it's a way for them to see a big group of candidates and weed out the obviously bad choices.
Here's what I advise if you get invited to one of these:
1. They're intimidating, yes indeed. Check out the candidates quickly when you first sit down: Who seems polished, confident, knowledgeable and who doesn't.
2. When the moderator(s) introduce themselves, jot down their names and some quick notes so you remember who they are (i.e. Sue, head of accounting, blue dress)
3. Pay attention (duh) to what the moderators tell the group, and make some notes - stuff you want to followup on in the Q&A. Of course, you will already have some questions written down because you did your research on the company before walking into the interview, right?
4. Have your elevator speech prepared, have it in your notebook so that you can refer to it, and be prepared to switch it around if you need to. Your elevator speech should focus on YOUR RELEVANT WORK HISTORY AND EDUCATION. Babbling about your 6 kids and the shelter puppy you got yesterday is not relevant, most likely. BE SUCCINCT. You've got maybe 3 minutes before the moderators' eyes glaze over. And if you're not comfortable making jokes in front of a group, don't try to be funny.
5. When you're making your speech, focus on the moderators. That's your target audience, not the other candidates in the room. Make eye contact with each of them, but give the most attention to the one who appears to be in charge.
6. ASK QUESTIONS. In my Friday Interview, 3 of us asked questions, out of a group of 20. My guess is that made the employer's decision process a tiny bit easier.
OK, I'll know this week if I was hired , and I'll post that result here. I think I acquitted myself well in the interview, and my fingers will be crossed. Have a good week!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sometimes you get what you need
OK, being unemployed, I try not to spend money on unnecessary things, right? Well, last week, the little air conditioner in my bedroom quit on me. I was devastated - I really need a cool room for sleeping, all year round. In the winter, I rarely even turn the heat on in the bedroom.
So, here I am, middle of the hottest summer in years, the a/c in the bedroom is dead. So I turned it off and started trolling the Interwebs for a deal (loosely speaking) on a/c units. I really didn't like that I might have to buy one - not the best time for "major" purchases, right? But I was willing - like I said, hot summer nights et al, and more coming, and I have an interview next week that I'd like to ace. So I decided to bite the bullet and go for it, if I could find one for around $110.
Best Buy had one for about $100 online, so I went to the local BB store - none in stock, not planning to get any more. I went all over this town - Kmart, WalMart, Sears, Target, Big Lots, the local mom -n- pop joints, the PAWN shops....nuthin', not not way. Well, except Sears had a 12,000btu for $500. I laughed and walked out.
So back to Big Lots, my go-to store for cheap stuff, and picked up a 40" oscillating fan. Reasonably priced. Nice, too. Works well, I recommend it. Used it Friday night, kept the bedroom comfy, if not meat-locker cold.
Saturday morning, I'm cleaning. On a whim, I turn the a/c temperature dial down to low cool, flip the thing on, and Hallelujah!! The compressor kicks back to life and out flows blessedly cold, refreshing air!
I guess the thing had maybe frozen up (?) and needed to defrost (??) - hey, whadda I know from air conditioners? - and I don't care what it was, I am just thrilled that it's working again and I didn't have to shell out $100+ bucks for a new unit. Thank you, angels of the air conditioning, for resurrecting my cool air!
(No blasphemy is intended, I am very thankful!)
So, here I am, middle of the hottest summer in years, the a/c in the bedroom is dead. So I turned it off and started trolling the Interwebs for a deal (loosely speaking) on a/c units. I really didn't like that I might have to buy one - not the best time for "major" purchases, right? But I was willing - like I said, hot summer nights et al, and more coming, and I have an interview next week that I'd like to ace. So I decided to bite the bullet and go for it, if I could find one for around $110.
Best Buy had one for about $100 online, so I went to the local BB store - none in stock, not planning to get any more. I went all over this town - Kmart, WalMart, Sears, Target, Big Lots, the local mom -n- pop joints, the PAWN shops....nuthin', not not way. Well, except Sears had a 12,000btu for $500. I laughed and walked out.
So back to Big Lots, my go-to store for cheap stuff, and picked up a 40" oscillating fan. Reasonably priced. Nice, too. Works well, I recommend it. Used it Friday night, kept the bedroom comfy, if not meat-locker cold.
Saturday morning, I'm cleaning. On a whim, I turn the a/c temperature dial down to low cool, flip the thing on, and Hallelujah!! The compressor kicks back to life and out flows blessedly cold, refreshing air!
I guess the thing had maybe frozen up (?) and needed to defrost (??) - hey, whadda I know from air conditioners? - and I don't care what it was, I am just thrilled that it's working again and I didn't have to shell out $100+ bucks for a new unit. Thank you, angels of the air conditioning, for resurrecting my cool air!
(No blasphemy is intended, I am very thankful!)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
New writing page post
Check it out - it's a part from a longer work, more will be posted in sequence. Enjoy.
Thursday Thoughts
Do you ever read craigslist.org? Maybe "read" is the wrong word - yeah, you're reading printed words, but is it really reading material? I've become somewhat of an expert on this, IMHO, since I read through many pages of CL every day, looking for jobs, stuff for sale, and my own personal favorite, the rants and raves pages.
They're like watching a nasty accident on the highway: you're riveted despite your horror and revulsion. I read these posts and everyday I'm appalled and dismayed by the hatred and ignorance spewed forth. There's a need for boards like RnR, for people to vent and get rid of some toxic emotions, but when the posts and replies to them go on for pages, over some ultimately minor matter, it's sickening and sad.
And some of it posted by obviously disturbed and lonely people, wanting things they have no idea how to get or what they'd do if they actually got them. I suspect they'd be just as miserable.
It's scary that there are so many people out there who are so ignorant, or stupid or both, and so filled with hatred and inadequacy, when I read this stuff, I can't help wonder where these people work, do they have people who love them or whom they love, how do they get through their days with so much darkness in their souls?
I've been down before, and I'm down now, and I'm no saint. I have ugly thoughts - -more than I care to admit. But I don't get how you can carry that much hate and not explode. Is it something that goes back through the generations, like the psychologists would like us to think? That we learn what we live, so if we live in an atmosphere of ugliness and fury, that's how we'll learn to live as grown-ups? It seems too easy to me to blame it all on our families, or the town or city or, hell village, where we grew up.
That feels like a great big cop-out. My mommy didn't me give the love I needed, and that's why I became a criminal? Please. Your mommy was just a person, not perfect by any means. Maybe what we need is to just grow some responsibility for our actions and our selves, and grow the hell up.
They're like watching a nasty accident on the highway: you're riveted despite your horror and revulsion. I read these posts and everyday I'm appalled and dismayed by the hatred and ignorance spewed forth. There's a need for boards like RnR, for people to vent and get rid of some toxic emotions, but when the posts and replies to them go on for pages, over some ultimately minor matter, it's sickening and sad.
And some of it posted by obviously disturbed and lonely people, wanting things they have no idea how to get or what they'd do if they actually got them. I suspect they'd be just as miserable.
It's scary that there are so many people out there who are so ignorant, or stupid or both, and so filled with hatred and inadequacy, when I read this stuff, I can't help wonder where these people work, do they have people who love them or whom they love, how do they get through their days with so much darkness in their souls?
I've been down before, and I'm down now, and I'm no saint. I have ugly thoughts - -more than I care to admit. But I don't get how you can carry that much hate and not explode. Is it something that goes back through the generations, like the psychologists would like us to think? That we learn what we live, so if we live in an atmosphere of ugliness and fury, that's how we'll learn to live as grown-ups? It seems too easy to me to blame it all on our families, or the town or city or, hell village, where we grew up.
That feels like a great big cop-out. My mommy didn't me give the love I needed, and that's why I became a criminal? Please. Your mommy was just a person, not perfect by any means. Maybe what we need is to just grow some responsibility for our actions and our selves, and grow the hell up.
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