Making money, or going after a dream?

What a choice, isn't it?

I was offered a non radio job. I'm thinking about taking it, but it requires a specific amount of money to apply for a licence from the state. And although I've been getting a lot of response from my ad on allaccess.com, none of them have translated into a job offer.

The non radio job will keep me in Oklahoma, but I don't have the amount of money required to apply for the license, and I have no idea where I'm going to get it. But it's a means to an end if I take it. As soon as a radio job comes along, I'm gone.

And that radio job offer could be soon. Or never.

So my choice is: make money and be unhappy, or wait for the dream and be broke.

=====

Coretta Scott King, the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, passed away today at the age of 78. Her contributions to the civil rights movement furthered her husband's dream.

There is way too much about her to put here. Suffice it to say that she is greatly admired by people of all faiths, races, and beliefs. She will be missed. Her work, and that of her husband, will no doubt be carried on by their children.

=====

Was it something I said?




And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Here I am, sleepless again

But I'm going to try and get some sleep anyway. Insomnia sucks!

I had Saon on Yahoo! Mess-up-enger, and he seems to have forgotten he was talking to me. Well, I can't wait on him any longer. He says he and Michele are painting, and waiting for the auto parts store to open. Um, hello? It's 1: friggin 30 in the morning... just when does the auto parts store open in Minnesota?

Who cares? He can do what he wants. I just don't want to be involved.


I hear a bed calling my name... I wish I had someone to snuggle up to. For once.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Jon called last night

he was upset. I thought that maybe he had gotten evicted or something. I don't know where he's getting money or how he's paying rent. He says he doesn't have a job and that he can't get unemployment again until April. His being evicted was a logical assumption on my part.

Instead, he told me that Columbus had been hit by a car. Columbus, the last of my three cats I had entrusted to him when I moved from Massachusetts, was dead. Jon was beside himself with gulit and remorse.

I asked him where Columbus was. Jon said he was in a plastic bag stashed in an old doghouse. I told him to go get Columbus, now, before other animals did and dragged him off to God knows where.

Jon asked what he was supposed to do once he did that. I told him to take him to the vet, or to the all-night animal hospital in North Andover, so they can dispose of Columbus'
remain properly.

Jon called me later from the all night animal hospital. The vet there said the probable cause of death was being hit by a car, and that more than likely, he died instantly.

Columbus would have been seven years old in March. I'd had him since he was born under my dresser in Norfolk in 1999.

I will never ever entrust another living being to Jon's care. He mistreated his own children, and forced an indoor cat to fend for himself out in the elements, and take chances with the traffic. His cat was pampered and spoiled, and remained an indoor cat. It wasn't hard to see which one he preferred.

So all of my cats are gone. Snow Flurry was lost; Sadie was given away without my being told ahead of time; and now, Columbus is gone as well. When I move to wherever it is I finally find a radio job, I will get another cat. Maybe another Maine Coon like Columbus, who knows.

Rest in peace, ole buddy.


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Has it been twenty years...

since the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take off?

With a New Hampshire teacher named Christa McAuliffe aboard? The entire crew perished. I was watching in stunned silence just like everyone else that day. I had a 2 year old (Daniel), and was seven months pregnant with his brother Jeff.

And a few days later, Ronald Reagan spoke at the memorial service, quoting these lines: "...and slipped the surly bonds of Earth/ to touch the face of God".

I can still hear it in my head just the way he said it, even now.

And I still can't watch the video after Mission Control says "go with throttle up".

There were quite a few references to it on the local and national news today. It's one of those "where were you when..." moments you never forget.

Twenty years...



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

The short version of Stef's Horroscope

(Insert "Twilight Zone" theme here)


Aquarius

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
If anyone accepts change easily, it's you -- regardless of what type of change it happens to be, or how or when it's due to arrive. So being told that a major shift in your life's circumstances is just around the corner won't frighten you at all. You'll be exhilarated. If a family member doesn't greet the news with that same degree of enthusiasm, however, do what you can to help them adjust. Assure them that nothing but the best is en route. It's the truth.


Me, again: I certainly hope so!



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

I've done this before, but it's time for an update

How to make a Stephanie

Ingredients: 1 part friendliness 3 parts ambition 1 part empathy

Method: Layer ingredients in a shot glass. Add lovability to taste! Do not overindulge!

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Post 1200

I started this post last night, but it got to the point where I was just ranting, so I scraped the whole thing.

I'm still waiting to hear from the radio station in Louisiana, and a radio station in Wisconsin called me this morning. Someone else contacted me for an aircheck as well. I'm assuming at this point that the job I interviewed for in Missouri has gone to someone else.

I went to school last night and finished up a project I had started a couple of weeks ago. I talked to Larry for a bit after his lecture was over. He told me he was pleased that I seemed to be garnering interest thru my ad on allaccess.com, and that I should keep up what I was doing, and that the right job will come along.

I just hope that "the right job" materializes soon.

All I need is a chance to prove myself.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Busy

As I mentioned in the last post, I took Jeff to the mall so he could buy yet another manga (Japanese comic book). We have this routine: we separate when we get there, and meet at a predetermined place in an hour. So he went to Waldenbooks, and I walked around the mall with my CD player, listening to Disturbed's Ten Thousand Fists.

Before I left with Jeff for the mall, I answered an ad at allaccess.com for a board operator position at a station in Alexandria, Louisiana. I emailed off a copy of my resume and a brief coverletter and pretty much forgot all about it.

Ten minutes after I arrived at the mall, my cell phone rang. It was the program director at the station in Louisiana that I had emailed not an hour before. We talked briefly, and set up a phone interview for tomorrow morning around 10am.

If I can't get a radio job in Oklahoma, Louisiana would be my next choice. Actually, anywhere in New England would be my next choice, but I'll take what I can get.

I thought Alexandria sounded familiar...

Daniel went to get some new tires for his car at the friendly neighborhood WalMart. He swears he gave them his grandmother's phone number and the they would call him, but they didn't. When I went to WalMart to get dinner, I stopped by the auto place, and the Cobalt had been done for about an hour at that point.

So I buy dinner, go home, pick up Daniel and drop him off at the auto center. I go back home and pop a pizza in the oven.

The rest of my evening has been spent doing varied and sundry other things. Oh. Joy.


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Vincent had surgery this morning

and the silly kid that he is called me after being out of surgery for an hour! I only stayed on the phone long enough to to see how he was feeling, then let him go. He sounded really tired. He's got at least six weeks convelescence ahead of him that he's not looking forward to.

Jeff wants to go to the mall to blow his watching Joey money on another manga (or whatever those japanese comic book are called).

I got a reply to my email to JC yesterday. It was quite short, but he's doing fine. Doing "lots of art", he says (what else is he going to do with an MFA?), and is the multimedia coordinator at his church.

Mom marked off as paid one of her bills, but she had no check for it. She got a cut off notice instead, and had to call to make arrangements to pay late. Mom's usually pretty prompt with her bills, so I suppose this was just an oversight.

Talked to Saon again yesterday. He's leaving for New Orleans next week to take back his old job at Belle Chasse. He says he and Michele are really through. I'll believe it when I see it. He's really conflicted about stuff since he had to flee New Orleans before Katrina hit last August. He tells me he's gained about 60 lbs (and he's a big guy anyway) on his 5'11" frame. The weight gain could be from stress. Nothing could be more stressing than surviving a hurricane that practically wiped your city off the map.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

I think I will go to bed, because if I don't

I'll never get any sleep with all the stuff whirling around my brain...

I think I know what Bono means when he sings "stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it". I'm stuck in a moment. Somewhere.

Carole King's It's Too Late is also swirling around in the quagmire that is my mind of late.



That's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Drat! Missed him by just moments!

I finally got around to writing an email to my friend, JC, in Massachusetts. As I hit the send button, I realized that he's an hour ahead of me, and he's already left work for the day.

So he'll respond tomorrow at least.

I have a couple of other emails I need to write. I got one before Christmas from one of my best friends from high school who I haven't seen in at least 20 years, and I haven't written back yet! Yes, give me 20 lashes with a wet noodle. Bad Stef!

On the springs? Hmmm...



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Detroit Auto Show

I should stop watching this on TV... I see so many I wish I could stand next to, much less own!

And Daniel is missing it! This is something he'd definitely love. It's all about cars. Just check out his site, Resurgin General, for confirmation of his love of all things cars. They're all he draws these days!

My question is why is this being shown during NBC's sports coverage? To get men's attention, no doubt. It's the trifecta of all men under 30: Cars! Girls! Sports!

Oh my!


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Well... looks like MVL is big in Norway

Although I have no idea why.

Are they trying to read all the posts I've made in nearly 3 years in one day? All I can say is Take Your Time! MVL isn't going anywhere.

Please make yourselves known, though. I'd love to know what you think about what you've read so far.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

It's Minnesota, dontcha know?

Got this from PB at Life is a PB Sandwich. I sent it to Saon because he lives there, and maybe he'll think it's funny (Jeff thought it was hilarious!)


I came, I thawed, I transferred.

Survive Minnesota and the rest of the World is easy.

If you love Minnesota, raise your right ski.

Minnesota - where visitors turn blue with envy.

Save a Minnesotan - eat a mosquito.

One day it's warm, the rest of the year it's cold.

Minnesota - home of the blonde hair and blue ears.

Minnesota - mosquito supplier to the free world.

Minnesota - come fall in love with a loon.

Land of many cultures - mostly throat.

Where the elite meet sleet.

Minnesota: CLOSED FOR GLACIER REPAIRS.

Land of 2 seasons: Winter is coming, Winter is here.

Minnesota - glove it or leave it.

Minnesota - have you jump started your kid today?

Many are cold, but few are frozen.

Why Minnesota? To protect Ontario from Iowa!

WARNING: You are entering Minnesota, Please use an alternate route!

Minnesota: theater of sneezes.

Jack Frost must like Minnesota - he spends half his life there.

Land of 10,000 Petersons.

Land of the ski and home of the crazed.

Minnesota - home of the Mispi-Mispp-Missispp (Where the stupid river starts!)

10,000 lakes and no sharks!

There are only 3 things you can grow in Minnesota: Colder, Older, & Fatter




And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

I went to bed at 10pm last night...

and I feel like I didn't get any sleep at all!

I have a headache that feels like someone is playing a bass drum in my skull.


I made a series of phone calls yesterday, in my quest to land a job in radio. I talked to one man for about ten minutes, and I sent my package to him via email. Then I go over to allaccess.com to search for more openings, and see the same job in an ad, from the same station that I just talked to. I don't know what to make of that. Maybe that they're just considering a lot of people for the position.

I talked to Saon last night. It was nice to talk to him, but I don't think I have the same feelings for him that I once had. He seems to think that he still has a chance with me. I don't know that I want to go thru all that with him again.

I know I don't. I'm so over playing games that that man.

Daniel just walked in the door. The truck that was supposed to make deliveries to his grocery store didn't come today, so he has the rest of the day off. He worked all of about three hours. The truck is supposed to come again tomorrow.

I'm going back to bed for a little bit, I think.
(Sorry. I have to do this while I can before I can't afford such luxuries as sleeping late. I hope you feel better soon.)


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZZZZZZZ--

I feel like crud, crap, garbage, I've been run over by a truck

You get the idea. I'm not feeling so hot right now.

I think it's this damned sty! It comes, it goes, it comes again, and it's making me feel bleh.

I'm going to see if I can get to bed early and see if that will make me feel better. I hope that's all it will take. I can't afford to be sick right now.

=====

I heard from Vincent today. He's in the hospital (again), and he says he's feeling better. The infection that put him there seems to be clearing up.

I got two emails today, results of my ad on allaccess.com. One was from someone I had previously sent a package to, but he decided to hire someone with more experience. However, he said he liked my sound, and suggested I contact someone he knows here in Oklahoma City. This person works for one of the talk radio stations. I think I will give him a buzz tomorrow. Couldn't hurt.

The second one was from a program director in Illinois, who asked me to "call when you have a free moment". My free moment was at two minutes after 5pm. I called and the phone just rang and rang. I'm going to email my resume to him, then call him in the morning.

Then I missed by thatmuch someone else I wanted to talk to. Drat!

Them's the breaks, I guess. Tomorrow it starts all over again.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Then the phone rings off the hook!

Last night, I lamented that I should have had a job in radio by now, that maybe I'm not as good as I thought...

Then, this morning, I get two phone calls from program directors asking for my package. I emailed one this afternoon, and tomorrow I'm snailing the other one.

When it rains, it pours... I guess that pep talk I gave myself really helped!


And I should have mentioned these to you, but I didn't. My bad. Forgive me?



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Once again Ladies and Gentlemen, Boyz and Grrlz...

It's time for the latest installment of Stef's Horrorscope:

Stephanie's Daily Aquarius Forecast

Quickie: Creativity will come to the rescue. Think out of the box to get out of trouble!

Overview: You're used to being a solo act, but now is a good time to think about assembling an ensemble for your next endeavor. It may feel strange at first, but ultimately it will help you achieve your goal.

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
You'll be wearing your emotions like a t-shirt today -- so they'll be the very first thing others see when they first see you. Fortunately, the heavens have arranged for you to be in a wonderful mood -- right along with your sweetheart. No matter how unpredictable and unusual your moods are, then, they'll at least be pleasant. So don't worry about offending anyone, and don't hold anything back. The fans will love you, as is. And so will your lucky companion (whoever he is).


Um, yeah...okay. I like the creativity will save my ass line. It has before.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

And then there are the times I get discouraged...

I don't know why. Things should be going great for me. Sometimes, though, when I stop to think about it, I get, well, bummed out.

I think I should have had a job by now. I worry I'm not as good as everyone has led me to believe. That I've disappointed some people because I haven't found a job yet. That once I find a job, that I'll absolutely hate it and wonder what I was thinking, getting into radio.

Then I think it's probably natural I feel this way sometimes. The new and the unknown are kind of scary at first. I hope that trip to Missouri wasn't for naught, and even if it was, that I'm a better person for the experience.

I know what I want, and I know how to get it.


(Pep Talk:)
Sometimes, taking a walk on the wild side is not as bad as you think. Don't hold back. Take a chance. Life is too short for "I wish I had (fill in the blank) while I had the chance." Don't have regrets. Do live for today. Do tell the people you care about how you feel about them. Be true to yourself. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Never give up, never give in, and never, ever back down.

(End Pep Talk)


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Boobs.

I thought that might get your attention. Hehe...

No, I'm not showing mine. It may be Mardi Gras time, but I'm keeing mine warm, thankyouverymuch.

There's more I want to write, but I don't want to say too much.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

I hear pineapple rings calling my name...

At least it's something somewhat good for me, and not something chocolate.

I'd love to have a Pepsi, though.



I need to catch up on some of my email correspondance. I am so woefully far behind! The only people I've written to lately are radio station program directors. Some respond, and some don't. The thing that gets me is that if they aren't going to consider me for their open position(s), I wish that they'd write and tell me so. I am an adult, after all... I can handle bad news.

I have heard from some who said they'd keep my info on file. I guess that's a nice way to say "don't call us, we'll call you". The best one came from the PD of a country station in the Boston area. He was very nice, and gave this newbie some advice about getting into the buisness. He invited me to send my package to him again when I had more experience. Boston, after all, is a rather large market. Maybe I set my goals a little too high?

I really do want to get back that way eventually.

I better go see about those pineapple rings...



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

What drives me?

And it has nothing whatsoever to do with the 1998 Plymouth Voyager sitting in my mother's garage.

Someone asked me on Friday what drives me. What makes me seem so different from everyone else?

It's not that I want to "make a statement" or anything like that. I'm getting to the age where making a statement just to shock people is a little passe.

I think it has more to do with being true to myself than to follow some well worn path. I've followed that well worn path and look where it got me: divorced with 4 children, no career, no savings, one post-divorce relationship in the Dewey dumpster; and to others, no prospects for any kind of viable future.

What worked for my can-do-no-wrong younger sister didn't work for me. I have to blaze my own trail, as the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson states ("Do not go where the path may lead..."). Being pigeonholed into a false sense of domestic bliss with a person who only cares about himself and what's good for him (despite the fact he had a wife and 4 children. We may as well not even exist in Jon's world), it just didn't turn out like I hoped.

God knows I wanted it to work, but when the other person stops trying, then what else is there to do? Therapy and drugs (i.e. Prozac, in my case) only work so long. It delays the eventual outcome.

So, back to the question of what drives me.

Passion: I throw myself into whatever project it is that I'm doing. If I enjoy the work, I give it 110%. Passion also covers me in my personal life. I know I am a very passionate person. I also give 110% there as well. Sometimes, it comes down to if the other person is willing to do the same.

Creativity: I am a writer. I've written poetry, short stories, and even a novel. I've been doing this quite literally since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I've always had a rich imagination, and a natural gift for the written word. While I'm not one to always have a snappy rejoinder handy, I do know how to turn a phrase.

I love creating something from nothing. It starts in my head and somehow gets to the page without a lot of effort. Writing has always come easy to me.

Desire: There are certain things that I want, that I need, that I want to accomplish. The desire to succeed in whatever I'm doing, be it writing a story or starting a new phase in my life, fills me, rules me. I want to be the best at whatever it is I can be. If I'm not, I want to know ways I can improve so I can be the best.

Zest for life: I love living life. I want to explore new things, see new places, meet interesting people. I've rediscovered the zest in the last year, year and a half, and it is stronger now than ever before. I want to "go instead where there is no path and leave a trail".

Curiosity: I've always been innately interested in why things are the way they are; why people act, feel, do they things they do and why it has to be done in that way. Maybe it's the writer in me, I don't know. I just want to see things that others may have overlooked.

Honesty: I don't say things that I don't mean. I believe that if you treat people the way you yourself want to be treated, then that is a plus. I try to do the right thing, but, being human, I don't always succeed. If it's my fault, I will admit it. After all, I have to look at myself in the mirror every day. I'm not saying I don't have faults-- I have plenty of them, believe me!

It's my life, and I want to be free to live it the way I see fit. I know when to be silly, sexy, crazy, unpredictable, etc., and when to be serious. I know when to go after what I want, and when to hold back and assess the situation.

Please don't ridicule my choices, or second guess my decisions. Give me advice when I ask for it, or put in a kind word when I'm feeling down. Keep your word, and be honest. I've been lied to so much, that it takes a lot to win my trust.

These are some of the things that drive me. This list is incomplete. There are some things that affect the way I live my life that I have not mentioned here. They haven't been mentioned to be dishonest, it's just that I can't think of them at the moment.

I may give that well worn path another trod at some point. It may be soon, it may not. Whenever that is, if it is, then I'll know somehow.

Meanwhile, I'm going to live my life.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Crack that (virtual) whip, baby...

No, I have NOT lost my mind and gotten into some S & M type dealie... it's an inside joke between me and one of my offline friends. You know who you are...

I really am too tired to answer my email, send out a package, and think about the phone call I got Wednesday night from someone who finally got it! After over 2 years, it's about friggin time!

More later when words aren't swimming by me like Michael Phelps...


That's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Stolen (sorta) from duff

Stef thru the ABC's--

A is for AGE:
41 (for the next 4 weeks anyway)

B is for BOOZE of choice
on the rare occasions I drink, make mine a Corona

C is for CAREER
since I'm reinventing myself yet again, radio broadcaster and author

D is for your DOG's name
Mom's dog is named Pinky

E is for ESSENTIAL items you use every day
deodorant. toothpaste. soap. shampoo. hair dryer. computer. car.

F is for FAVORITE SONG at the moment
"Guarded" --Disturbed

G is for favorite GAMES
any trivia game

H is for HOMETOWN
born: San Francisco
raised: Costa Mesa, CA
live currently: Edmond, OK

I is for INSTRUMENTS you play
I played the saxophone until the end of high school. I've been out of high school a long, long time!
J is for JAM or JELLY you like
boysenberry

K is for KIDS
four sons, ages 12, 14, 19, and 22

L is for LAST KISS
hmmmm...December?

M is for MOST ADMIRED TRAIT
in myself: being nice, a good friend; eyes, smile

N is for the NAME of your crush
N is for NOT TELLIN'!


O is for OVERNIGHT hospital stays
four for each of my kids; one for a concussion when I was 13; one was for breaking my leg in 1992

P is for PHOBIAS
is being afraid of dying count?

Q is for QUOTES you like
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." attributed to Kurt Cobain

R is for biggest REGRET
There are things I'd want to change, but life is too damn short for regrets

S is for SWEETS of choice
Dove chocolate

T is for the TIME you wake up
usually around 8 or 9 am

U is for UNDERWEAR
what about underwear?

V is for VEGETABLES you like
spinach, carrots, peas, lima beans, lettuce, tomoatoes, onions

W is for WORST habit
being too anxious to get something I want

X is for XRAYS you've had
for broken leg in '92 and attendant problems since; MRI in 2002

Y is for YUMMY FOOD you make
spaghetti, mushroom chicken, chili, quesadillas

Z is for ZODIAC sign
Aquarius


If you want to do this, go right ahead.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

The nervous grrl on the white couch, part 3

I had to check out of the motel at 11am, so that meant I would have three hours to kill before my interview at 2pm.

Since I couldn't seem to fall back to sleep, I got up at 7am and decided to get breakfast out, instead of the free continental breakfast in the lobby. I didn't want to get McDonald's, because I could do that at home, so I went to Shoney's. I hadn't been to a Shoney's since I left Virginia in 1999! They had a breakfast bar, so I ordered that. I only wanted to go up once, so I got all the stuff I thought I wanted the first time. It turned out it really wasn't all that much, just eggs, bacon, sausage and potatoes. And I barely finished it. I think my stomach was affected by my nerves.

I was more nervous about this interview than I wanted to admit.

I packed my stuff up and put it in the van, changed my clothes, then I watched some TV until about 10:45am. I went over to the office to check out, and told the woman at the counter about the rude treatment I'd gotten the night before. She told me that I wasn't the first one to complain about that particular person. Then she told me that the radio station called wanting to make a reservation for me!

I'm sure I told them via email that I was coming up Sunday. I don't think I could have left early Monday morning then gone straight to the interview! With my luck with cars and having to get somewhere by a certain time, something would have gone wrong.

So I killed a couple of hours and an eighth of a tank of gas, then I went to my interview.

The radio station was up on this hill, and I couldn't see a way to get up there. I called the station and asked the receptionist how to access their parking area. She told me, and I was like, duh! I'd only passed the entrance about 50 times!

I drive up the hill and park, then go into the station with my portfolio and daytimer in hand. I was taken aback at how small the building actually was.

I let the receptionist know who I was and why I was there, then went to go sit and wait for the station owner, who would be interviewing me. There was only one place to sit, and that was on this pristine looking white couch. I kept myself occupied by reading all the little brochures that were on the table in front of me.

After about five or ten minutes, this man about 30 comes out and asks if I'm Stephanie. I said I was and he introduced himself as Brian. He was the person I had been emailing for the last two weeks.

He took me back to a conference room and we started talking about my drive up there, about radio in general, about my skills and experience. Then Dennis, the owner, came into the room.

The interview began and he asked me a lot of questions. Some of them I wasn't really prepared with an answer, but I think I did okay. They seemed pleased with my answers. And I didn't say "like" and "you know" once!

They had me do a recorded sample newscast, complete with adding actualities. I read over the copy out loud a few times before I started recording. I followed the station's format, so I did an intro, read the copy, put the actualities where they belonged, and an outro. I had to do it a few times to get used to the equipment.

After I got the newscast recorded, Dennis and Brian listened to it. They liked my voice, but I needed to sound a little more authoritative, to make the listener know that i care about the outcome of the story. I told them that I could do that, that I know I've done it in the past. Then Dennis said to Brian, "It'd be great to have a woman doing the news."

If they hire me, I wouldn't be working at the station I had the interview at, but in another station they own about an hour away, near Ft. Leonard Wood. The hiring decision is Brian's, and I'd know something the week after next, because Brian would be out of town next week.

The interview went quite well, I think. I left the radio station around 3pm and got on the road back home.

The trip home could be a whole other post, but I won't add it to this series. Just that it involved rain, an unexpected detour, lots of bathroom stops, and the question of whether I'd run out of money or gas first.

I made it home without any more drama than that. Woke up the following morning to SNOW ON THE GROUND!


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

The nervous grrl on the white couch, part 2

Okay, where were we...?

Oh, yeah!

I arrived at the motel at about 6pm. All I could think about was getting into a room and taking a nap. I was beat!

I went into the office and checked in. The gal behind the counter wasn't very nice. She starts barking out her questions, like "I need to see your AAA card!"

Me: I don't have a AAA card.

Clerk: You were given a AAA discount. I need to see your card.

Me: I was told that it was a manager's discount.

Clerk: We don't have a "manager's discount".

She then proceeded to tell me that I had to pay full price for the room that I booked. I balked at that because I wasn't expecting to pay full price. I had my money budgetted just so, and she was telling me that I had to pay ten dollars more for my room?! She wasn't willing to honor the discount I'd been given, and I was starting to get pissed off. But, I held my tongue.

Then she asked for the Visa card I used to hold the reservation with, and I told her I was paying cash. She then tells me I have to pony up $20 more for a "deposit".

Me: Excuse me? I was not told that when I made my reservation.

Clerk: If you're paying cash, there's a $20 deposit.

Me: I was not told that I'd have to come up with more money because I chose to pay in cash.

Clerk: Then you'll have to use the Visa card you used to book the room.

Me: I can't do that, and I won't pay the $20 deposit. I'd rather take my business elsewhere if you and your coworkers can't get your stories straight. I was given a certain price and I expect to pay that amount.

I think the clerk rolled her eyes at that point and waived the deposit, but I would still have to pay the full price for the room.

And she literally threw the pen at me to sign the receipt.

I went to my room, on the third floor. I was never so glad to see a bed in my life!

I took my interview clothes out of the suitcase and hung them up so that the wrinkles could fall out. And there was an iron and an ironing board in my room, in case I needed them.

There was also a safe and a little coffeemaker in there, too.

I settled in and watched some TV, ordered a pizza, and took a long, hot shower.

I later called home to let Mom know I got there okay. I kinda wished I had a way to let someone else know I arrived safely.

Oh, well...

I went to bed fairly early, but I didn't sleep well at all. I was wide awake at 5am. I had asked for an 8am wake up call.



Part 3 later...stay tuned.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

The nervous grrl on the white couch

I left home Sunday at 11am. It took me two hours to reach Tulsa, and another hour and a half to cross the border into Missouri.

And I was only half way there!

A lot of the drive was rather interesting. When I drove down to Oklahoma three years ago with Daniel, we went down I-44 in the middle of the night. This was the route that I took for the majority of my trip. There's a lot of places to see along the way, if I'd had the time.

(I did take pictures, though. Once I finish the roll, I'll post them. Darn one time use cameras!)

The directions I got from mapquest.com were excellent!

I eventually got off I-44 and headed towards my destination. I had to take a state route to get to the road that I needed to be on.

Weird thing about some of Missouri's roads... instead of numbered routes (i.e. county road 25), they have letters (Route KK, A, H, HH, etc).

I went down State Route 5. About halfway between the Interstate and Highway 54, where my destination was, there was this gas station I stopped at to put gas in the van. It seemed that the high grade gas was the cheapest and the regular unleaded was expensive. So I filled up with super unleaded for $2.17 a gallon! And that wasn't the only gas station to do that, either. Maybe that accounted for the fact that I got great gas mileage. The fuel gage was still registering full when I arrived at the motel.

And when I arrived at the motel... stay tuned for part 2.


And that's all from where I sit (for now).

--MorelaterZ--

The "I'm too friggin' tired to post" post

I survived the trip to Missouri. The van did great. The interview went pretty well. The drive was kinda dull in spots, and it's finally raining in Oklahoma!

More after I sleep.


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Can't cut a break... aka trip prep

I am utterly exhausted! I've been going all day, and barely have had enought time to breathe.

So, with out further delay... Stef's day so far:

10:30am: wake up, watch American's Test Kitchen, read paper, get mail. I think I ate breakfast. I don't remember.

11:45am: Went over to the cleaners to see if I could possible get my suits today, as the girl who took them told me a couple of times that yes, they would be ready Saturday.

I get there and there is this older woman who told me that the plant where the clothes are sent to be cleaned doesn't make deliveries again until MONDAY! I explain what I had been told, and the woman apologized, that I would not be able to get my clothes today. For my being inconvenienced, I get a coupon for 10% my next order! That doesn't help me now! Apparently, the girl who helped me yesterday has only been there a couple of weeks and had been told that there were no deliveries on Saturdays.

12:05pm: Go home, tell Mom of this revolting development, then go out and spend three hours trying to find an outfit to wear for my interview. Finally, after visits to four stores, I found a plum colored sweater and a pair of black slacks.

4:00pm (or thereabouts): Jeff and I go to WalMart to get a battery for the car. Mom agreed to pay for it, as long as it was under $40. Jeff installs the battery and recycles the old one.

5:15pm: Daniel calls my cell phone and tells me that he's going to meet me so we can get the stuff for the oil change.

5:30pm: We decided to see if we could get the oil changed at JiffyLube, but they were closed. We then went to Firestone, and they were so rude we left in disgust.

By this time, we decided that we were just going to put oil in the car and do the oil change when I got back from Missouri.

6:05pm: I filled up the gas tank (at $2.17 a gallon, it cost exactly $40.00), and Daniel bought oil. We went home, then I remembered that I had to mail some stuff for Mom and get her smokes. Daniel and I went to the post office, 7-11 and Hobby Lobby because Daniel was curious about the price of India ink.

7:00pm: we finally get home. Daniel put the oil in the van, then he left.

Since then, I've been packing, getting things together, looking up driving directions, and getting my head on straight.

But now, I'm hungry. I better eat something.

I probably won't post tomorrow before I leave.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Wait! I'm having trouble keeping up with all these developments!

Wow. Where to start...

Thursday: I went into school last night and did my airshow over the cable access channel, and I think it did pretty well. I'm hoping to turn it into another aircheck, because so many of the ads I read on allaccess.com want either 3 minutes or 3mb of an airshow. And, the cable studio has a classic rock library of about 800+ (or so Larry says) songs, so I can easily get a four hour show out of it.

After I was done, I had planned to burn some copies of my current aircheck, but I got caught up talking with Vincent and Larry, and never got around to it.

When I got home, I thought I was going to die! I think the tuna wrap I got at Subway down the way from school made me sick. I barely made in the house before I had to make a beeline to the bathroom.

Friday: I had a nice conversation with someone today on Yahoo! Mess-up-enger-- and mess up it did. Knocked me offline a couple of times, and my ancient computer slowed things waaaaay down. I've gotta get a new computer and soon! Anyone know where I can get a nice laptop for not a lot of cash? Wireless internet, cd burner, dvd drive, and MS Office are all things I must have. Oh, and a floppy drive would be nice too, but not mandatory. I can put my writings on a CD.

Took a couple of my suits to the cleaners and told the girl I needed them back by tomorrow. She said that wouldn't be a problem, and that they would be ready by 5pm. Problem: they close at 5pm on Saturdays! So I'm going over there tomorrow anyway to see if I can get them out, because one of them I'll be wearing for my interview on Monday! If I can't, then I'll have to buy something!

That reminds me, I have to call the place where I'm staying to see if the radio station made a reservation for me, or do I have to make my own.

Tomorrow, I'm getting a new battery for the van, and Daniel and Jeff are going to do an oil change. The tune up that the van's needed for well over a year now will just have to wait a few more days.

I talked to Saon this afternoon on Mess-up-enger, then he called the house around 9pm. He wanted me to drive an extra 8 hours out of my way to Minnesota to see him! He even told me he'd pay for my gas on the way home. I've heard that before, so I told him I had to work Tuesday (which I do. More on that later) so I couldn't possibly drive up that way. He wants to see me, he can come down here. Besides, I'm not too keen on meeting Michele. Being pounded into the ground by a woman who is younger and bigger than I am, and has a jealous streak is not something I'd drive 14 hours for, thankyouverymuch. I'd like to live til my 42nd birthday at least!

I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow, so I better get my ass offline and into bed. 'night!


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

What is it with all the searches for

schlagschocken? Huh?

Did a bunch of you get Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for Christmas, or what????




And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Arrrrgh!

This was one of those days where nothing went right. Mom spent the whole day on the phone, so my grand plans for doing some stuff on the internet got shot all to hell. Then the internet didn't want to cooperate. And on and on and on...

I don't need this kind of aggrivation right now!

And it just occured to me that I haven't gotten my W-2 yet. Then again, they have until the end of the month to get it to me, don't they?

I'm just frustrated. I'll get over it.


And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

I think I should go to bed and dream nice dreams of...

killing Yahoo! Mess-up-enger for messing up yet another nice conversation.

ditto for my ISP.

having money (or just a regular paycheck will suffice, thank you).

going on vacation to a state with a beach beside an ocean

taking someone with me.

"oh my spurs, they jingle jangle jingle" softly.

and carry a big stick.

taking Wooden Cat somewhere (maybe to Missouri?)

getting money in the mail before I leave for Missouri.

sleeping in.



I just better get to bed, period. It's something like 1am. I went to bed finally last night at 3am. I actually feel tired, which is why this probably doesn't make any sense.

In reality, I'll probably be up for a while, because I can't just turn it off.





And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Prep... not just for air shows anymore

I'm doing a practice air show at school Thursday night, and I have some work to do before I even step into the studio. Prep work. Put together a play list, write up a program log, write community calendars, and come up with stuff to say for four hours. I have to have something to say besides news, community calendars, weather, who did that last song, etc. So I have to hunt up something interesting, funny, or thought provoking to say.

For the studio I'll be in, I'll need Oklahoma news, so I will write that Thursday. I want to be able to use part of this show for a future aircheck.

However, I also have to prepare for the interview next Monday, and that means having certain things at the ready, in case those things are asked for during the course of the interview. Remember to dress nicely, act like I have some common sense, be prepared, and don't say things like "like" and "you know". Make eye contact. Don't fidget.

And for God's sakes: CALM THE HELL DOWN!!

Remember Larry's getting a job lecture.

Better get busy.



And that's all from where I sit

--MorelaterZ--

Pinky's barking, dolls are flying... we just got it going on here today

Amalia and Joey are here today, and there's all kinds of fun going on.

Amalia got her new glasses, and she looks really cute in them. She also got a pink poncho...as if she needs another pink item in her ever burgeoning wardrobe!

She has this "Skydancer" doll that you can put on a special stand and launch it into the air. So it "flies", more or less. And this is what's making Pinky bark her fool head off-- it's not everyday that there are flying dolls here, and Pinky doesn't know what to think of it all.

Joey is being his usual, Energizer Bunny self... he and his sister are outside with Jeff, running around making noise (Joey and Amalia were making noise, Jeff was hammering the nails on the deck in the backyard so the little ones don't trip over them and get hurt).

Jeff is good with kids, so he doesn't mind watching them. I just wish he'd either go back to school or get a job...

=====

"You can stand me up at the gates of Hell, I won't back down..."

I've got those lyrics by Tom Petty in my head after hearing "Won't Back Down" on KRXO this morning...

I can really relate to those words, though. I've been though a lot of tough crap in the last 15 years or so, and there were times that I thought I'd crack. But I always mange to stand my ground for what I believe in.

And... I believe in me. And no one is going to tell me differently. God knows some have tried to break me down, but I'm not playing those games anymore. I'm too old for petty games. I'm almost 42 years old, NOT in junior high. Been there, done that...

=====

Maybe, just maybe... 2006 will be my year. It's a work in progress.




And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Something I should try to do before too long

In light of Daniel's and Vincent's hospital stays, I probably should think about trying to give blood again.

I was reading Selfish? Yes. over on Samantha Burns' site about blood donations (not by her, she'd like to keep hers, thanks), and that got me thinking.

I tried donating blood a couple of times after Katrina (that bitch) hit the Gulf Coast, but was told both times I couldn't because I was "slightly" anemic. Need to eat more iron rich foods, they told me. I eat salads and spinach regularly, and other things I didn't realize were iron rich, but I'm still not able to give blood.

At about this time, I was trying to persuade others to give blood, and a lot of them got all "no way!" about the whole idea. Not even free cookies and soda convinced them to go ahead with it. I've got a common blood type (O+) anyway, so I figured why not. Then I was told I was anemic. Great.

Weird thing is, my dad had trouble with that too. He ate all kinds of veggies, except cucumbers and brussel spouts (at least I didn't see him eat any). I think he and I had the same blood type. After a certain age you can't donate any more, but by that time, Dad was needing blood for his hip surgery in 96, and not too keen on giving any more away.

And my sister has such a rare blood type that while she was in college, she got called every 56 days on the dot asking her to donate.

If you want, go give blood. If you don't, or can't, then don't. I'm just going to try again soon.

Bring on the spinach salad, y'all! Anemic, me? Pshaw!



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Yeah, Vincent... I did nothing at all today

Well, that's basically what I did today. Nothing. I played online for a while, talked to someone (you know who you are) via Yahoo! Mess-up-enger, ferried Jeff over to my sister's while she took Amalia to get glasses, took a nap, fought with Mess-up-enger (it kept freezing up and not letting me log in: all in the middle of a conversation, no less)... fun stuff like that.

I'd kill for a Pepsi right now. Maybe a Gatorade. A slush from Sonic?

Bottled water? The stuff that comes out of the sink is soooo gross!

=====

I think I will schedule a practice show this week. I'll shoot off an email to Larry when I'm done here.



That's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

Happy New Year, Oklahoma's on fire.

There have been several brushfires here in the last weeks to ten days. There is a statewide burn ban, so it's pretty much illegal to have fires outdoors. No fireworks, no trash burning, and don't even think about throwing that ciggie butt out the car window, pal! That means trouble, as in fines and jail time.

There was even a fire near my house! Over on 33rd and Kelly, there was a grass fire, and the sky was brown with smoke.

=====

Vincent was released from the hospital today, and he called me while he was driving down I-35 toward his apartment in Midwest City. Next thing I know, I'm giving him directions to get to the house! He finally got here and we sat out in the driveway talking for about half an hour. He left so he could get home and check on his apartment.

=====

I have an interview in Missouri on January 9th! I finally got an email back from the station up there, and they want to interview me! I have a week to get the van in long car drive shape.

=====

Daniel is looking at the Chevy calendar I swiped from an issue of Rolling Stone at the library. He likens it to "car porn"... He just plain loves cars!

=====




And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

May 2006 be the best year of your life! I wish you all health, happiness, and peace.



And that's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--