Author: Lee

His Loss, My Gain

My last three days with Morgenstern Home Services was just like my first three days.  Disappointment.

The first day was cancelled before it began.

The second day I was called to go to a job to do these tasks: replace a piece of siding, replace a roof vent cap, replace a window and a sliding glass door.

The third day the rest of the job was cancelled by the homeowner.  I received a call just as I arrived, the homeowner also then told me that she didn’t like his demeanor or professionalism, so she had decided to cancel the rest.  The only thing remaining – the sliding glass door.

The homeowner then went on to ask if I had a business card so she could contact me should she want to hire me.  I drove home and printed out some new business cards, and went back.  I didn’t push my business offerings, I just made sure she had my contact information.

I was surprised to receive an email that night thanking me for the work I had done on her house, and asking what kind of fees would be associated with transferring some negatives.

I quoted her my price, and she sounds interested.

It may be a dead end, but she said she would reorganize her collections and get back with me.

I guess my customer service skills aren’t that bad after all.

The Eyes Have It

Several months ago, Rachel and I had our yearly appointments with an ophthalmologist.  She has horrible vision, and mine isn’t bad but is slowly getting worse.

We went to her doctor this time, as they offer discounts for IU employees.  One thing I found very interesting is a service they offer, Eye Scanning.  Instead of dilating your eyes, they have a machine that sounds like a turbine jet engine that takes a picture of them.  It’s called Optomap.  Supposedly with this method, they can see more of the backside of your eyes than with dilation.

When my appointment was over, I asked them if they would send me the pictures.  I finally got them today.

There is a famous saying that states “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” what does my “soul” say to you?

Here is my left eye:

Here is my right eye:

I think they are very facinating pictures to a mysterious world we don’t often see.

Numbered

My days with Morgenstern Home Services are numbered.  Today, expecting some sort of work to do, I was given the run-around.  I was told that the boss would get back with me, and he never called.  This can’t and won’t last much longer, in these trying times my pocketbook can’t take it.

I e-mailed the CSR and asked if I could come in tomorrow and Wednesday to work.  They said it would be okay.  I will also be working full-time at Technology Services for the month of August.

If I could only get a “permanent” solution.  I’ve been trying since September of 2006 with no real luck.  My wife thinks it would be a good idea for me to be in the university environment, so I have been trying hard to achieve a position at IU.  Here are some numbers to give you an idea of the sheer number of jobs I’ve applied to at IU.

# of jobs applied to:  61
# of interviews:  2

Most of these positions are “starter” office positions, which need little or no specialized skills mind you.  There have been a couple which tickle my fancy as they have been video related.

Those numbers don’t take into account the endless number of positions outside of IU that I have applied to as well.

In other IU news, I have finally received a university identification card.  I doubt it will help, but perhaps it might show some sign of permanence?

Not “Only” Anymore

On Monday, my daughter became a big sister!

Her mother gave birth to a baby boy, who’s name is Zayden Carmer.

While I haven’t been able to speak to Taylor much, she is very excited about her baby brother and loves him to death.

I’m happy that she’s happy, which is something that has been real lacking in her life lately.

Hopefully we will have a lot of fun this weekend when she comes over.

Back at the Olde TS

Today I have begun working at the Kelley School of Business in the Technology Services department again.  Right now I am only working on Thursday’s and Friday’s.

Hopefully this will give my ankle enough of a break to actually heal.  I hope so, as the pain is constant and uncomfortable.

I’m unsure how long I will stay with Morgenstern Home Services, as the hours have became not steady.  The price of gas is also really cutting into things, as I’ve had to fill up my tank typically twice a week.

I have sent an email to the CSR, and am awaiting a response as to when they would like me back.

The one thing that bothers me about leaving Morgenstern is the flexibility and the pay, as it is much more than I have made in a long time.  But the savings in fuel would more than make up for that difference in pay.

It’s one of those tough decisions that everyone has to make sometime in their lives.

Anything for My Grandpa

While in Oklahoma visiting my aunts, I went to look at an old radio that was my grandfather’s.  My aunt Laura has it in a storage trailer of hers, and said that I could have it.  While we did not have space for it to bring it back with us, I will make a trip to pick it up soon.

The trailer was very high off the ground, about 6 feet to be exact.  They had a pallet sitting on it’s side to climb up into it, and at the time I didn’t feel sure about climbing down it, so I jumped.  BIG MISTAKE!  I just found out today that I “might” have broken my right tibia.  The x-ray was inconclusive to a doctor and the x-ray tech.  They sent it off to a radiologist so I should find out tomorrow.

But I got these beautiful, incredible pictures of an item that is worth it’s weight in gold to me.

Many people may see those pictures and just see an old radio, I see something much different.

My grandfather was a radio & TV repairman for most of his professional career.  He was the ONLY one in Adair county, Oklahoma.  While in the navy during WWII, he installed radar systems on the pacific fleet.  This radio represents what my grandpa was, and what he loved.  He was always into “new technology” just as I am.  I think I get most of my curiosity about this from him.

He was the only grandfather I really knew, and I still miss him to this day.  I was given his truck when I was 19, due to my epilepsy and age it was wrecked.  I spent every dime I had to try to fix it, but could not.  This item will not be treated with the same reckless abandon.

A Contract – On My Life

When I got back from Oklahoma, one of the first things I did was check my email.  I had 33 messages, with 7 of them being considered “junk” by Outlook’s filter.

Here is the contents of one of those emails.

Subject Line:  Hi Lee Buy Heroin, cocaine and other shit from timothystuff

I am very sorry for you Lee, is a pity that this is how your life is going to end as soon as you don’t comply. As you can see there is no need of introducing myself to you because I don’t have any business with you, my duty as I am mailing you now is just to KILL you and I have to do it as I have already been paid for that.

 

But I give you a chance. Call my neighbor 315-678-2840 and say password “there is time to save my skin” and if that would sound convincing, I will forget about you.

Tell him this password for Timothy Sinclair (be sure it is not my real name).

 

WARNING: DO NOT THINK OF CONTACTING THE POLICE OR EVEN TELLING ANYONE BECAUSE I WILL KNOW.

I’ve never seen something so strange in all of my life, and I’m not that scared.  I’m hoping it’s just some spammer, and many others received the same email.

If it’s for real, bring it on.

A Much Needed Break, I Think

Wednesday, all of us (Me, Rachel, Taylor and Dad) are embarking on a journey I have made many times in my life.  We are going to a little bump in the road where my 3 aunts and 2 cousins live in Oklahoma.  The trip is somewhat less exciting as it used to be, as there is no Speed Trap in Watts anymore.  I might get my aunt Beth to talk on camera about how that Speed Trap became history, as she was involved in it.

The total trip is roughly 700 miles, and can be done in as little as 8 hours.

All of us have never made this trip together, so it’s going to be very, very interesting.

It used to be all about how fast I could make it there, but as I’ve aged, I’ve wanted to see things along the way.

This time we are going to stop at the George Washington Carver National Monument.  He’s the guy who invented countless uses for peanuts.  It’s on our way, and I’ve never stopped before.

The reason for this trip?  My aunt Beth is having a “family reunion” of sorts for the 4th of July.  We are going to stay at her house, which could double as a B&B.

I also have a delivery to make, as my aunt Laura sent me 13 8-tracks and 2 cassette tapes that she wanted transferred to CD.  The 8-tracks were a disaster, but I hope she still loves me.

I hope that someday, they can make the trip here.  It would be great to show them around for a change.  I’m hoping that perhaps next summer one of my cousins can come out for a week or two.  I would love it.

It’s been 2 years since we’ve made the trek, and I must say I’ve missed my aunts.  Their southern hospitality is something that is not found ’round these parts.

It’s Been One Hell of a Century

This year marks the centennial birthday for Monroe County’s beautiful courthouse.  It is the third one the county has had in it’s history.

Click here to see an interesting and informative slide-show with commentary, published by the Herald-Times.

Even though it isn’t used as a “courthouse” anymore, many important offices are housed there and important county meetings still take place there.

Rufus, The Cardinal – Dead

I awoke this morning to read some really sad news.  One of my most favorite comedians, George Carlin  had died.

Warning:  This video is full of racy language and body movements.

At the age when most kids are really getting into music, I was listening to comedy.  With Carlin being my favorite.

He did a show at the IU Auditorium a few years ago, and I wanted to go.  At the time I couldn’t afford the $50 a seat price.

I hope he’s killin’ wherever atheists go.

He will be missed everywhere.