I tormented myself with calculating the cost of going to and from work relative to gas price. Using the approximate amount of miles traveled for work purpose, the amount of miles per gallon and the total amount of miles I get to the tank, I came to stomach turning results:
I could get a job within walking distance around where I live, make less than minimum wage and still fare better. I compared prices at $2.50 and $3.50 per gallon (I like rounded off numbers) and the effects of such a price jump make quite a difference. No suprise there, but I wanted quanitiative data to support my jaded outlook :)

Over the course of the year I intend to move into another position. Not sure where or even doing what, but it will be something that further challenges me. I am stagnating where I am at now. I need to move on..when the learning stops, i move on.
I am also looking forward to taking on something that provides me with better means to support myself. ya know.. not living pay check to pay check. Besides rent and utilities, I have things to do, place to travel.. adventures to be sought. And school loans to pay *wants to hide*

I don't want to quit my job and take on just anything. Nothing wrong with flipping burgers, but it is not the resume builder I am looking for. Where I am at now has provided me with a plethora of good stuff: professional, multidimensional in nature and consistent experience. As I will have my degree this time next year, I have begun the process of searching companies that I might like to work for. Finding a better position is meant to be a calculated move, hence the one year time frame. However, if gas prices continue to be out of control, I may need to reconsider my plan. I just don't want it to bite me in the ass. It's one thing to blow my cash on joy rides to see friends, quite another to have to shave a commited amount off the paycheck just to get to work.

Although a bit of a rant, it is situations like this that light a fire under my ass and help clarify the need to take action, set my direction. To take lemons and make ...sushi.
ok, to take what is in front of you and turning into something that is your, something that you want.

And what do I want??
stay tuned...

• yawn* good night everyone. be safe..

With my head buried under my pillow to drown out the sunshine and my neighbors obnoxious cherry bomb muffler lawn mower, I grasped desperately to the edge of sleep. However, my travels to dreamland was a short stay.
The phone screamed and I scrambled to find it, as the message on the answering machine came out loud and clear "Caaaarrreeeeeyyyyy, are you there???? I need your help!!!". It was such a pathetic plea, my dear friend and fellow adventure commrade (e:ladycroft) was in turmoil. Finding the phone, I unsuccessfully poked at the talk button.
Return phone call stat.
In a cool panic, "what's up?"

(e:ladycroft), "I have to go shopping."

(e:theecarey), "SHOPPING??? OH, the HORRORS, not SHOPPING!"

(e:ladycroft), in a serious summation of the issue: "I need help"

I solemnly accepted this mission "OK, lets go, uh, hem, Shopping" *shivers*

background on me.. shopping gives me that dirty feeling, and not the good kind. I had to suffer through the mall last week, and felt like I had a build up of mall residue. I was in those stores.. those, oh, I just can't talk about it! So, to be asked by anyone to purposely go shopping, is someone who does not know me that well. However, such not the case with Miss LadyCroft. She needed a fellow anti shopper to suffer through the agony and dig deep to find the enjoyment related to consumer swarms; as though they functioned in retail droves.
For her, I could do it. (you owe me big, lady). I am capable of finding the positive and humor in just about anything. This would be a challenge, but I love a good challenge.

And so, I lent her my support and we hopped in the Green Mouse to travel WNY in search of residence hall supplies.

Now, I do find some good fun in stores such as party city, computer stores, books, music, off beat merchandise.. so there was a good balance. I just felt the overwhelming urge to hit the mountains when we went into a local super discount store. Not quite like the mall, but close..
We fueled up at India Gate and energized at SPOT. We scoured the earth to find a damn Dollar Tree and wanted to terrorize the numerous associates with bad customer service. This girl cashier was openly condescending to the guy cashier next to her. He had on the "sales associate in training" tag. I wanted to give him a hug and kick her. The section on supporting the new hire must have been omitted from the employee handbook.

And so now we wrap up the evening with an eventual trek over to "Off the Wall". My friend Christopher is DJing, thought it would be nice to go.

Off to mingle with the kiddies at the residence hall..
later
Carey

I have been a Live Journal user for a number of years. Like a great pair of super comfy broken in jeans, it can be difficult to try on something new. However, the word on the street, is "go check out elmwoodstrip.com", and so I did, sorta. I looked in occasionally, contemplated joining, went away for awhile, came back, walked away.. then came back one more time. And joined. (comma splice or comma fault for the enjoyment of all you grammar ho's).
There is a plethora of journal and blog outlets; something for everyone. In my experience and snobby analysis of the various journal sites, I must give kudos to estrip. Well organized design and layout, user friendly but not kiddy stuff and tools available to seriously get your journal on. The best part of estrip, are the people who are on here.
I'm sold.
It is official: I am an e-stripper.. so lets get on to the good stuff

You are right ((e:paul)), ((e:ladycroft)) should be promoted to offical greeter, she did a fabulous job of making sure I was introduced to everyone last night. Nice job!


I ventured out to La Luna last night, once again, [size=l]Happy Birthday, ((e:Mike))[/size]. I chatted with some more than others but it was really cool to put faces to epeeps: ((e:paul)), ((e:terry)), ((e:jill)), ((e:flacidness)), ((e:maureen)) and ((e:anotherjulie)). I am always amused with a good scandel--you know who you are!

And for the record, pineapple livesavers beat out any other flavor. It's axiomatic. To my 'satellite' friends, Jim and Mike, thanks for including me in such deeply probing topics. Who needs Chaucer when you can discuss jellybellys? ;) Hope to encounter each other again..


Prior to heading out to Chippewa, the talented artist, ((e:lilho)) worked a palette of gold and red through the top layer of my dark brown mop. I like it so much that I am tempted to have more, much more. I might just have to do that. However, I will come earlier this time..? :)
((e:ladycroft)) had her streaks of jeweled violet energized. Looks good!


((e:pyrcedgrrl)), having finally made her first post, made a lovely mention of SUSHI .I am envious of those that have sushi restaurants right at the seat of their house porch! :) To mention sushi is to go get sushi. Lets plan a sushi fieldtrip/party/outing/feeding fest.
Actually, I am hungry now.. hmm, falafel bar, gabrielles gate, sahara grill..
ah, another day.

Anyone know of any overnight/late night haunted excursions? I am trying to plan something fun and I know there must be something around...


Well, I will surely continue to post. I might end my other blog/journal relationships if I feel that I can successfully include them here. I have them scattered everywhere, primarily dealing with politics, media, the human condition, school/business, and then separate from the rest: random mental meanderings, rants and other amusement. We'll see.

Hope all is well!
Carey

Dark mist, rain droplets,
stomping puddles form in my driveway.
Creatures sing back up for Franz Ferdinand
through open windows.
I sweat my ass off in this red brick sauna
and despretely want to kill the Weather Bug;
You told me once, you'll tell me 7 more..
I prepare my Ark.
Floaties on, Thee Careys' pimpin' super hero vessil is ready for launch,

• sigh* now leave. me. alone.

_______________________________________________________




Hey ((e:ladycroft)), if not a party bus, try a party ark..
two of everything.. maybe three for you ;)
After all, it will be our big Three OooOOoOOooOooOOoh
awe, yeah..

A public service announcment:

((e:ladycroft)) and ((e:theecarey)) go way back. Much trouble has been found and there much more to discover. A friend bails your ass out of jail, a good friend is sitting right there next to you :D

~Carey

Earlier this evening, I returned from a short trip to Cleveland. My niece, Ashley and I ventured just four hours West of Buffalo via car rental, to the Cleveland Institute of Art. Ahh, the joys of college visits and interviews. Brings back glutinous memories of Raman Noodles and Little Debbie Snacks; where a couple of quarters and a cup of water provided adequate sustenance for a learning brain. Remember those days, my friends?
Soft squishy beds, a cooler full of pop and munchies, bathing suits and a taste for trouble led us to yet another stay at the Hilton. And never to disappoint, this stay proved quite the adventure.
The funny thing about being on the cusp of 11,000 days old, is that it is still quite easy to pass for anything between 17 and current age of, um, 10, 931 days old. So I internally find humor in such questions as "Are you going to be a freshman this year?" and "Are you old enough to drink?" -- Why deary, I sure am, *pinches cheek*
After playing on the elevator (it has mirrors on the ceiling!), jumping on the bed (because, I can do that), checking the TV for cool channels (I was instantly homesick for digital) and contemplating room service (idea dismissed, easy cheese and crackers beckoned), we get into our swim gear and excitedly headed down ten flights to the Jacuzzi and swimming pool.

Swimming is fun, swimming is nice
swimming amidist the fragrance of super Chlorine concentrate, is not.

or try this:

Indoor swimming pool
Lovely, warm as bath water
Chlorine headache sucks

As an indoor pool, we stuck around for a bit, thinking maybe the chlorine aroma was just in the air.
However our excursion into the deeply disinfecting, left both of us with the unsexy scent of bleach lingering aggressively on our temporarily scaly and pruned skin.

A scrub down with hotel issued shampoo, conditioner and soap proved to be a fruitless effort.
We sat in our dehydrated smelly state through the remainder of the night and well into the next day. However we stopped at a discount store and purchased the heaviest moisturizing lotion we could find, which happened to be Almond and Shea Butter cream. The chlorine odor permeated through the first six applications before settling into a more almondesque aroma.
I have yet to tackle the chlorine induced dry heap of straw that is my hair. Although in a state of emergency, it will have to wait:

I have email to check, kitties to love and brownies to eat.

Ahh, it is always good to be home!
Carey