I made it to Billings

I left Lafayette at 10 p.m. on Friday and drove to Norman, Oklahoma. I stopped at Rob's house and did two loads of laundry, visited awhile, and slept. Saturday evening Rob, Kandelyn and I went to dinner at Applebees, then we sat around and chatted until 'way too late. I didn't leave there until 11 p.m.
Megabyte heard me and nearly tore the back door down trying to come in and see me. It was good to see my boy, I miss him.
The starter on the truck is starting to act up. When I was in Gainsville, it went out. I was at a gas station push starting the truck and some guy was leaning up against the fuel pump. He hollered out: "You're gonna have to go faster than that!", I hopped in and popped the clutch and it fired right up. I couldn't help but laugh. So far, that was the only episode. It's worked fine ever since, but I know that is my warning shot. It WILL go out, I'll just watch how I park it in case I have to push start it again.

It was a hard drive, but rather uneventful. Yesterday evening I saw a guy struggling with a flat tire. I was bored so I pulled over to help. It was a large chevy 3500 duelly and he'd blown a front tire. I saw that he was using the scissor jack, so I pulled off to see if he would rather use my big floor jack. He declined, but he didn't have a 4-way and couldn't break his lug nuts. I handed him my 4-way and a can of WD-40, and helped him get the spare out from under his truck. For some reason he wouldn't let me touch a tool, but I could tell he wasn't accustomed to changing tires...
Turns out he's a Ph.D. Yeah. I don't know a single doctor who would change their own tire. He struggled with it and I thought he might pop a vein, but by golly he got 'er done.
I was amused by the fact that he was treating me like a girl when I've certainly more experience than he in automotive mechanical work. It was quaint and cute.
Then: he tried to give me money. I wouldn't take it - I mean the dude wouldn't even let me help, did he think I only stopped to con him out of a few bucks? I took his business card though. I think I'll make him an offer on his truck. Now that it's got a fender-bender on it, it might be within my budget. He's a Dr., and he'll probably be too uppity to drive a truck with body damage. Maybe not though, it's still a really nice truck. Might be out of my price range for 8 more years or so. Though it wouldn't hurt to try...

I pulled in to Billings at 10 p.m. last night. Found the Extended Stay America and got checked in. The price is too high. I got her to knock it down a few bucks, but still: $381/wk is too much for what you get. I paid up for a week, but I'm going to look around for more reasonable accommodations. I would like to save a bit more of my perdiem to help pay for the truck I'm going to buy.

I toted 3/4 of my stuff up here to the 3rd floor and got unpacked. I'm strange that way: I have to set up the bathroom counter, unpack my clothes, and arrange the room to suit me before I can go to bed. No matter how tired I am.

My lower back took a beating on that ride. I had a muscle spasm in my right hip all day yesterday. Pinched nerve. I can hardly walk a straight line this morning. I've taken two ibuprofen and I'm drinking my coffee now. I'll be right-as-rain in just a few more minutes.

Mike called this morning already. I told him I was going to call him later to get the "Who, what, when, where, and why." He just wanted to make sure that I didn't show up on the jobsite this morning until he got approval. That's groovy, I wasn't planning on just showing up with no clue anyway.

I'm going to shower and get myself ready for the day. Maybe I'll get to have a meeting with my new crew and get oriented. The weather is beautiful. I opened the window to my room last night because it stinks of stale smoke in here, but the temperature is perfect. I slept like a baby! My window faces the highway, and beyond that is some mountains. I like being on the 3rd floor. The view is good, and I can open it up and get some air. Not too claustrophobic in here.

I was thinking to myself: wouldn't Chad just shit if I told him I liked it so much here that I'm staying? (not funny, MsAmber!)
I do love my mountains though. I'm really an Appalachian girl, but I loved the Rockies for over 9 years. I nearly forgot how much until I saw them again.
Actually, I tend to find something to love about every place I've ever been. Fickle, fickle, fickle.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Alright Peeps - I'm on the road.

Truck's all packed, gear stowed. I just have to take a shower and hit the road.
I think I have everything...

Landlady's son poked his head in the door and said: "You're going to Montana?" I said yes. He said "Well, lemme tell you something..." I didn't catch all that he blurted out but it was something along the lines of: I better not hack into their computer and get their personal information and spread it all over the web in Montana or he KNOWS people and he will take care of me.

HUH?

My goodness. Was that a threat?
And why in the world would I even bother to "hack" into their computer? Like I don't have anything better to do than to hack into some old lady's computer and see how much trouble I can cause. Shit. If I wanted to hack something, I'm sure I could think of someone MUCH more interesting than my landlady and her son...
Geez.

Can you say: Mental?!

Have a great weekend.
MsAmber

Had a great time powerwashing!

Man, I want one!
Fired up the 5.5 hp powerwasher and went crazy. I washed two houses. That's a hoot. The cool part is that it may be 105 degrees outside, but with all the overspray, you stay nice and cool. In my opinion, that would be the greatest outdoor job ever. Sunshine, water, and a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I really want to buy one. I never knew how much fun that could be.

Yesterday we went and installed some mortar between bricks, a vent flue for a stove exhaust, and a microwave. Then went and unloaded two semi-trucks full of lumber. It was a good day.

Today I'm off. I need to start getting ready for my trip to Montana. I called Nicky and told her that if she doesn't come see me this evening, then I won't see her for two whole months. She was surprised and said "It's that time already! Oh shit!"

The slave cylinder on the hydraulic clutch is acting up, so I'm going to run by my mechanic's place right quick.
Gotta go, gotta go.

You have a great day!
MsAmber

Monday fun.

Did roofing repair yesterday. Pulling up old leaky shingles and replacing them with mismatched ones. Early in the morning, went downtown and replaced two parking stops. Pulled up the old ones, carried the new ones out of the parking garage, re-drilled for the pins and placed the two new ones. I had a funny little "oops". I was pushing the dolly with the new parking stop on it and I had to get a running start to get it over a hump. Well, I made it over the hump, but the forward momentum pitched me upwards and I nearly was catapulted over the handles. It was funnier than hell. Thank goodness I wasn't hurt, but it did give me a real perspective on my weight in relationship to a big ol' chunk of concrete.

Today I get to powerwash three or four houses. That sounds like a hoot, and I think it will be a bit easier of a day than roofing, or heaven forbid, insulation!

I'm counting down the days before my big road-trip. We bolted down a toolbox in the back of the truck and I've packed all my tools. I got the spare tire, and the truck is ready. I moved the wringer washer over to Chad's carport and cleaned out my storage. The RV is squared away. I'll just need to do laundry and pack my clothes and I'll be ready.

Having a visit from Mr. Monthly. I'm feeling a little irritable and serious, so don't mind my post, if it appears to lack my normal affability. The timing is perfect however. I'll be over it in time for the physical on Friday, and the driving to Montana. That'll be good, I really hate going through that during a long drive.

I would like to solve the music problem before I leave. It would be nice to have some tunes to listen to during the trip.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Saturday fun...

I went to the junkyard this morning to find a spare wheel for the Nissan.
I've been driving without a spare for quite a while, and it concerns me. I have my jack and 4-way, but that would do me no good without a wheel.

I've got to go to Billings Montana next Friday. I will work construction here Monday through Thursday, then on Friday I have my Army physical, then time to pack up and hit the road on Friday night. That will make for a loong day. I have to get up at 3:30, leave at 4:00 to go to New Orleans, then stand in lines all darn day. If they fail me, then it's all over for my going into the Army. I'm going to try not to install insulation this week, that tends to mess with my lungs too much. The last time my physical was scheduled, my boss had me installing unfaced insulation for two days prior. If they put me through a breathing test I might be somewhat compromised.
Otherwise, I'm healthy as a horse and strong as a mule.

I have a serious hankering for a rare steak and some raw spinach. I hate to let go of the money, but I've gotta feed that craving. So tonight it's steak, raw spinach salad, and watermelon. Mmmmm.

I've got to go clean out the back of the truck and drain my blackwater. Chad made me a pseudo-pressure-washer wand so I can rinse out the tank. The gauge has been reading 2/3 full even when it's empty, so I need to hose it out real good.

We went to play bingo last night... the kids had fun in spite of themselves. The little one insisted that she didn't like bingo, but I think she liked it afterwards. Oh how terrible it must be to be forced to sit and play bingo with the old people for a couple of hours.

Dumbass, the landlady's son, just poured two-cycle mixed gasoline into the lawnmower. It's smoking something awful. I thought even HE would know better than that. He has a history of breaking lawn implements, now he's torn up the lawnmower. Ms Doris will have a fit when she sees that. What a dumbass.

Hey! When did the design on the penny change? I just looked down and picked up a penny. It has a log cabin on the back, instead of the Lincoln memorial. Am I the only one who didn't know about this?
Geez.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

I'm back in Lafayette.

The drive home was a little hairy. Thunderstorms all the way. That Mitsubishi Gallant hydroplanes like a bitch! You wouldn't expect that from a front-wheel-drive car, but it's really quite dangerous to drive through heavy rain. I wouldn't buy one.
Otherwise, the car did fine. It got me there and back and the gas mileage was great.

While I was gone my hot water heater plug blew out and it dumped 3-400 gallons of water on the ground. Chad came by after work to pick up the dog and he found it. He shut off the water and the two switches (gas and electric), but alas, it was too late. My electric heating element is fried, and I'm out of propane. So I came home to NO HOT WATER. I need to refill my propane tank today.

I got all my survey stuff together and fed-ex'd it to TT, then I faxed my timesheets. I'm hoping they pay me for drive-time, because I didn't make a penny off of mileage - having to rent a car... Anyway, I submitted 31.5 hours. Here's to hoping that they accept my time as submitted. Since it DID cost me 4 days' worth of work at my other job, I think it's only fair.
You never know, though. TT can be real sticklers about stuff sometimes.

I have to get fixed up and run down to the recruiters to finalize my paperwork and set my physical appointment in stone, then I'm going to refill my propane tank so I'll have hot water this evening for a shower. I also need to do the dishes...

You have a great day!
MsAmber

In Memphis...

Okay, so I understand you may be a bit confused.
Things have been moving rather quickly so try to keep up.

I worked construction last week and got paid on Friday. On Saturday I went to the thrift store and bought $45 worth of new clothes. I gave the landlady another $100 for her prescriptions (just a donation to the cause because she's in pretty bad shape)I worked Monday, then I rented my girlfriend's car to drive to Memphis.

It's a little Mitsubishi Gallant. She's getting behind on her payments so this benefits both of us. TT fronted me the mileage reimbursement, so I offered her $100 per day for three days. That left me enough to pay for gas, and she spent a few dollars to fix the tire and replace the headlight bulbs, and cleaned it up for me.

I left Lafayette at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, drove to Memphis and got a hotel room about a block away from the VA hospital. I'm here to do a VA walkthrough and RFP meeting with all the "Suits". My mission is to gather all the pertinent information and see what it would take to install a new DC power plant, phone switch, and 3000 phones in this VA hospital. I was at the meeting this morning in my nice pink button-up blouse, dark jeans and cowboy boots. Most everyone was in dress slacks - you know - salesman clothes. That's why I call them the "suits". There was actually only a couple of technicians - me, and a Blackbox technician who was representing my company also. I think I left a good impression. I never really can tell - so riddled with insecurities sometimes - especially when I'm surrounded by "suits". I think I prefer being a tech to anything.
I was talking to my girlfriend Nicole afterwards and she said that I shouldn't feel that way, those guys were probably just saying "uh-huh" to everything so they don't look stupid and I was actually visualizing what has to be done, so my site survey is a lot more practical. I know I'm the only one who brought a measuring tape. I guess they will be leaving all the details to their technicians to figure out how to make it work. Unless they are all just SOOO professional that they can see a solution without any research... ya think?

I see challenges here. The switchroom is too small to accommodate two sets of everything. The customer doesn't want the new phones working in tandem with the old phones, he wants them replaced during the weekend of cutover (that would take a lot of manpower). There is no room to stage the equipment, so a storage trailer would have to be rented, and possibly an office trailer. A lot of small obstacles. I can think of workarounds to some of the issues, but that would require some after-hours work and some delicate-finesse work. In a way: I would like the opportunity to tackle these issues, in another: I hope we don't win this bid because these challenges make this installation VERY precarious. I see a high chance for mistakes in which I wouldn't want to be the girl standing there wearing tools and a nametag when the magic smoke is released.

Ah, good times.

Anyway, Sergeant St.Ann called me and all my medical records are in. I told him I won't be back in time to take my physical this Friday, so schedule me for Friday the 28th.
I've decided that since I'm getting paid to be here for two days that I'm going to join the bid meeting again tomorrow and get more measurements. I've compiled all my notes and my drawings, just need some more measurements of the switchroom. Then I'm going to drive back to Lafayette.

Chad and I have a Bingo date on Friday night and we're taking the kids.

After my physical on the 28th, I'm heading to Billings Montana for an install. It should last through October 24th. Mike is requesting a company vehicle for me, but if he can't get me one, then I'm going to have to buy something rather quickly. I wish they would let me know soon, because I may have to use my mileage reimbursement for a down-payment. I would hate to obligate myself to a stupid car payment only to have them insist that I take a company truck to haul equipment, and on the flipside, I'd hate to expect a company vehicle and find out at the last minute that I need my own car. Mark Sorrells is a pain. He refuses to communicate even rudimentary stuff to me. No consideration at all. Leaves me hanging every time...
Oh well. C'est la vie.

Mike tells me that coming up are: Asheville, NC; Clarksburg, WV; and somewhere, PA. I'm a little excited about Clarksburg, WV. That's 40 miles from my old home. Wouldn't that be interesting? Last time I was home was in March 2003 when I buried my mother. I told everyone that would be the last time they ever saw me, I ain't coming home no more. But lately I've been talking about my mountains, and thinking about my mountains, wanting to smell wood-smoke again and sit in a maple syrup shed. Louisiana has it's charms, but it's not Appalachia. Like I've always said: I don't care for the people, but I love my mountains.

I suppose this means that I may be getting back on the road with Trans-Tel. Well, depending on what happens with my Army physical. One project at a time. Let me get Billings Montana done and we'll see what comes up next. At least Mike is happy to have me back. He has always been encouraging and helpful. It really is nice to feel appreciated.

Anyway, I just have one more day of work here then I'm headed home to Lafayette. I may get to work on Friday, then four days next week before my physical. Gosh I really need the money, I'm so broke I can hardly pay attention! Wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery right about now?

This entry has taken 'way too long. I've always used an external keyboard and I find that some of my keys on the laptop are gummed up badly. Especially the F and C. I have to backspace out my sentence and re-add the F's. Too unny.

And my thumb keeps hitting the touchpad, so I'll just be typing along and find that my cursor has jumped somewhere else.

I'm going to hop on Craigslist now and see what the price for short-term rentals are in Billings.
You have a great evening.

Ciao
MsAmber

Tuesday, August 11

The construction company called me to work on the 5th. I carried 20' studs all day the first day, then on the second day I installed unfaced insulation all day. I got a call from the recruiter saying that he had a waiver for me to go ahead and get my physical on Friday (right after breathing all that insulation: thanks), that the MEPS didn't need all my medical records since the surgeries weren't life-threatening. So on Friday I got up at 2:00 a.m. and the recruiter picked me up at 2:45, we drove to New Orleans. I spent half the day standing in line and following hard-to-hear instructions, getting paperwork, filling out forms, and being shuffled around. Then, just as I'm getting in to see a doctor, bang! I have to stop. They want to see my medical records. So I went home.
I lost a full days' worth of work, and it will have to be rescheduled when I get all my medical records. Shit!

The collections' office started calling yesterday about July's RV payment. I was nice enough, but I told her I would make a payment when I can. You've got a job to do, and so do I, have a nice day. So I suppose I shall receive a call every day until I get that caught up. Oh well.

I almost had enough money saved up for the RV payment but the landlady asked me to pick up the water bill for her because she ran out of money (just days after she received her SS check), and I had to put some groceries into my house and gasoline in the truck. THIS time I'm not going to choose to pay my RV payment over eating and other necessities. I can't go hungry while working. They'll get over it.

I have more insulation to install today, and the boss asked if anyone wants to do some extra work this weekend painting - I think I will volunteer. I need to catch up. My ox is in a proverbial ditch.

But at least I have coffee!
It's all more tolerable with coffee.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Medical Records.

The Army can't schedule my physical until they get my medical records. I spent a bit of time trying to round them up. My primary care doctor had quit private practice and now works the E.R. at Norman Regional. I finally spoke with him yesterday evening. He was/is a great doctor.
My surgeries were over 3 years ago so all my records are in "off-site storage" and they estimate a couple of weeks to retrieve them.
One of the hospitals where I had a surgery has changed their name and was nearly impossible to find.
Goodness. Had I known all this ahead of time I would have kept copies of all my medical records any time I had a procedure or a visit.

My background check is coming back good. Every ticket and transgression that I 'fessed up has come back fine - just like I knew they would. I've kept all my tickets and receipts since like: 1990. The Army recruiter was amazed at my record-keeping. Now if only I had kept my medical records as diligently...

Today I should like to clean out my truck and empty my blackwater tank. Maybe I'll even get around to doing a load of laundry. I have several irons in the fire to get work - if I'm lucky I may get a phonecall... still hopeful after all the disappointments.

Well, I feel pretty good today. I'm going out the door to embrace the sunshine and get moving.
You have a great day!
MsAmber

Yesterday - Monday

Yesterday I fixed myself up and went down to Universal Communications. I got there early and waited for the owner to show up. He said he just wanted to know what kind of talent was in the area, he didn't have any work for me yet, but he would call if he got any big jobs.
Then I called Jay (carpentry), and inquired about his laborer opening. He said to give him a couple of days to think about it.
So I drove over to Paul's. He said he had a couple of days' worth of work for me. I went with him and pulled nails and tacks out of old cypress. What he thought would take me a couple of days I finished in 6 hours.
I came home and Mike Samples called. He wanted me to consider something. He asked if I would be interested in doing the Billings Montana job, then staying up there to support the system for a one-year contract after cutover. I'm really thinking on it, but my camper trailer would be of no use in Montana, so I would have to get an apartment and still pay for my trailer down here. I also told him that Mark Sorrells is putting me off and that I need work, so he said he would call around. He thinks he may need me to go to Houston and run a DC circuit off a power bay to a Siemens 400. I'll take all the work I can get right now.

I should probably be using this time to get my camper squared away, do the laundry, clean everything up and organize myself for travel. Bolt down a toolbox in the back of the pickup truck, vacuum it out and wash the windows. I should be prepared in the event that something comes through and my participation will be required immediately. That's the way things work in this business. When they need you: they need you NOW. (As opposed to when you need THEM: you can wait a few weeks.)

I also expect to be called for my physical any day this week. As soon as they requisition my medical records from Oklahoma, it will be scheduled.

I haven't made my trailer payment for July, I am $105.00 short of the payment amount and I don't want to give up the last of my money right now because I may need to float my own travel expenses until I get reimbursed. So I expect that the collections' division will start calling any minute now. But the electricity, rent, insurance, and phone bills are paid.

Larry (the landlady's son) has been creeping around lately. He asked me for a cigarette. I said no. He asked me for gasoline for the lawnmower, I gave him what was left in my gas can. He asked me for $1.60, I said no. He got mad. I told him that he has no right to bum off me, especially since I'm struggling to make ends meet and I'm working odd-jobs. He said at least I get paid for my work, (Well, duh!) and he's been mowing MY lawn for free. I said that I've mowed it all 5 times for free myself, and I'm not paying him to mow the lawn, besides, he always uses MY gasoline, AND he still owes me $10 bucks! I noticed that Ms. Doris is back from her daughter's house. She must have gotten her Social Security check. I expect that Larry will hang around until that's spent then he will leave again. Isn't there something wrong with a man who thinks it's alright to suck money from struggling women? He tries intimidation and bullying, and spouting violent nonsense, it ain't working with me. No mo'. No mo'. Mr. Wilton said Larry was over at his house trying to bum money and was all in his face and bumping chests. Mr. Wilton is 76 years old. Larry really needs to be knocked down a peg or two - imagine bullying women and old men! When Larry doesn't get what he wants he has a temper tantrum. Sometimes I worry about repercussions. I worry that he might snap and burn my house down or stab my tires or poison my dog. I think he knows it, too. Every time I look outside I see him creeping around somewhere. He stays within view of at least one of my windows. I don't feel comfortable hanging around outside in my lawnchair in the evening anymore. I can do it in the morning because Larry doesn't get up until about 9:30 or so, but during the day I shut and lock the door. That boy is mental.

Well, I'm going to run through the shower and start cleaning up. I don't have any paid work to do today.
You have a great day.
MsAmber