Everything Going Better

Just a quick note to say that Comcast has made everything right.  Of course, I had to escalate matters, but with that done, the construction team was out the next morning and the technician that same afternoon.  We have internet, we have cable, and I have a headache.

More later.

Moved In, But.....

Just a quick note to say that our move to our new house went rather smoothly. We had good weather, good friends, and I have a wife who did an incredible job. Little incompetent me even had the ability to install curtain rods, which has left me in a state of shock to this very moment.

One snag, and it's an annoying one; Comcast stinks.

Let me tell you a little story of incompetence. A couple of weeks before the move, I scheduled an appointment for Comcast to come out to my home on the morning of the move to hook up our internet and cable service. Right on time, the contracted technician came out and started the work. A problem arose. The conduit was blocked with some form of junk, and he could not run the cable to the house. Thus, he had to schedule a "conduit blow" with the Comcast construction team. They said that they would be out that afternoon or the next morning, and then a technician would come out to complete the process.

By 11:30 the next day, we still had no word from Comcast. So, I called their oh-so-helpful "800" number. The lady said that it was scheduled for 6:00 that evening. (Just a bit later than the Saturday afternoon I expected, don't you think?) Anyway, that time came and went. This morning, I called again. They said it could take up to 5 days for a crew to come out, but that they would escalate it and someone would call me. Five days! Thus, if we stick with their schedule, I would hopefully have my internet and cable service by Saturday, the 27th! Only one week later than scheduled originally!

Cable companies say that they are improving their images, making service appointments with smaller windows and striving to provide service that matches the extravagant prices we are paying. Then, something like this happens, and it reminds me just how much I despise Comcast. To make a long story short, this is the epitome of incompetence and customer DISservice.

May they get pimples for the joy that they have taken in causing me grief.

Moving Day

Well, the day is finally within sight.  We are moving on Saturday.  It has been a long and draining process to get into this home, but now it is getting exciting.  As we have been moving in our new, smaller furnishings and our new items, the house has begun to look like a home.  Once we get the rest of our things in, it should feel real.

It's a big jump, moving from an apartment to a house.  And at my age, it's a bit scary.  Still, I hope that I'll be up to the tasks involved in ownership: cleaning, maintenance, etc.  

I feel particularly blessed that we have such good friends who have volunteered to help us, and my wife has been incredible throughout the whole matter.  Here's hoping that Saturday runs smoothly, especially compared to what we've been through so far with this house.

Almost Ready to Move

Here we are at the beginning of December, and I have almost reached my limit on the preparations for moving. We have (read: my wife has) finished the painting and went with colors very different from our original plan. Still, she did a great job, especially considering that it was her first attempt at this kind of painting. (My wife is amazing!)

The big frustration has been trying to find the furniture, ceiling fans, and window treatments that we need to be comfortable. We still...STILL...have not found a living room chair / recliner to complete the living room The wife lovingly wants me to be comfortable, but she also has requirements for size and color of the chair. Thus far we have not found it at a price we can afford. Therefore, the search goes on.

The ceiling fans are done, so we now have light in the rooms. However, we are trying to decide on window treatments, and there is more to it than just, "Let's get THAT one." Blinds or curtains; vertical or horizontal; rings or clips; regular or decaf? It's all insane, not to mention expensive! Sheesh! It's just fabric, for crying out loud! Anyway, hopefully we will have the treatments decided on by the end of the weekend, and maybe the chair as well. Then, we have to buy a bed and get moved.

In addition, my other son is being nagged by his mom (my ex) to get his driver's license. Thus, the only date that we can get him down and schedule the test is...wait for it...the weekend we are moving. sigh....

And...we have the special week for our congregation this week, and are making preparations for our French group to become a congregation. Then we have a two-day assembly the week after we move.

I'm going to cry now.

Or at least go fetal.

Got the Keys

Well, we picked up the keys to the house yesterday, and I realized something: I just spent a honkin' lot of money! Yeah, I know we got a house, and that builds equity (eventually). But still, the way it hit was funny. I was standing in the kitchen with my wife, made my statement, and watched as her eyes got really big. Then she asked me to not say that again. (She's so cute.)

Anyway, now the real insanity begins. Grout sealing, painting, appliance delivery, garage door opener install, ceiling fan install, furniture moving...AAAUUUUGHHH!! I think I just sprained something thinking about it!

I did, however, order new checks, business cards with our new address, and got the gas, electric, garbage, etc., changed over. At least there is SOME progress.

Keep watching this site, as my brain slowly turns to mush.

First time homeowners

I haven't written in awhile...quelle surprise! Things have been insane. I will write more in the future, but for now, just a comment.

After over half a year, my wife and I have completed the purchase of our first home. I never thought that I would buy a home for the first time in my mid-forties, but sometimes things work out that way. We were getting so tired of our apartment; having rude upstairs neighbors who think that imitating an ogre stomping through the brush is a nice way to say "hello" is just a blast.

Still, without our city's affordable purchase program, it never would have happened. So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to be involved in painting, grout sealing, purchasing, installing, and moving a variety of items to get moved in to our new place. I'm nervous. I haven't changed residence in over 15 years. I hadn't changed congregations in 13. Now, I'm in a French congregation and am moving in to a new house. May Jehovah give me strength...I'm going to need it.

More later as we go through the process. I'll try to keep a running update to put my insanity into words.

September - Isn't this supposed to be Fall?

Well, here it is, September 30. It's around 91 degrees outside. I hate California summers. I have lived here all of my life, but for one semester I spent autumn in upstate New York. Mind you, I hated the city I lived in. But autumn there really felt like autumn. There was a crispness in the air and the leaves were turning incredible shades of yellow, orange, and red. Here in California, the pine needles are a lovely shade of brown from the summer heat, and sap from the trees rains down upon my car windshield, making a sticky, opaque mess.

What in the world am I talking about? I don't know. I just hate hot weather and am looking forward to cooler temps.

I just thought I would jot down a few thoughts as of today.

Paralegal: I have finished my paralegal courses. Due to my hard work and focus, I have determined that I don't want to be a paralegal. Not now, anyway. Not until attorneys actually band together and determine that they will use the English language as the basis for all paperwork used in contracts, legal documents, and discussions. No wonder people hate and mistrust lawyers; no one can understand a word they say!

Baseball: Who cares? The A's were destroyed by midseason trades and the Giants had one good player.

Football: Al Davis needs to volunteer to be the poster child for the American Alzheimer's Association. "Please...don't let this happen to your family members. Support the American Alzheimer's Association." Al, sell the team.

Basketball: What's this tingling in my chest? Could it be...I'm excited about this year's Kings team? I see a positive aspect in Ron-Ron's departure? Or is it just that I had one too many bean burritos for lunch?

A personal note: Without going into a lot of detail, we've been in the process of buying a house. We should have closed 2 weeks ago, but for issues faced with the builder. I won't talk about it now, as I don't want anything else to interfere with the deal. Once everything is signed, sealed, and delivered, and we are in the new house, I'll tell you all about it. (Shameless plug for the future...)

Rant Time

Okay. It's time for a rant. My topic today: personal responsibility. In this case, the personal responsibility I mean is taking responsibility when you have done something wrong.

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were out and about in our relatively new car. I say relatively because it is 1 1/2 years old, but looks brand new. We get home and I look down near the rear tire and realize that someone has hit our car. Not hard, but hard enough where the other car left paint on our car, the rim was scratched, and the bumper was dented. The dent wasn't bad, but it popped the bumper out of place on one end.

The person that did this had to know that he or she hit my car. Had to! I would like to say that no one is stupid enough that they wouldn't notice, but I'm sure I would be wrong. Anyway, there was no note; no phone number; not even a scribbled "sorry" on a gum wrapper.

I took the car to my repair shop to see if they could pop it back into place. They informed me that they could not do so due to damage to the underside of the bumper. It would have to be replaced at a body shop. I haven't priced it, but you can probably estimate around a grand.

I'm not going to get it repaired right now. I can't afford to blow a thousand dollars on a small thing like this. But where is the person that did it? Where is the personal responsibility for one's actions?

The Bible says that "he who is faithful in little is also faithful in much". If someone is this irresponsible for something like this, would you hire him or her to work for you? Would you trust the person to babysit for you?

Frankly, I'd like to say this as simply and honestly as I can as an open comment to the wrongdoer (yeah...as if he or she reads this...or if he or she CAN read): You, sir or madam, are a coward of the first degree. Your insurance might have covered it, or you could have paid for it, or if you were broke, I might have said to forget the whole matter. But instead, you ran. You left without an apology or taking responsibility. You are a wuss and a weasel.

Am I harsh? Maybe. But forgiveness comes with repentance. This person obviously had no intention of taking responsibility for his or her actions, so it seems there is no repentance.

May a weasel get loose in your shorts.

I'm done now.

How Long Has It Been?

This post is basically a placeholder. Why? Because my brain is about to fall out of my head! Busy, busy, busy.

Quick update on HOW busy: improving my French by conducting meetings and WT at French Group; finishing up my paralegal courses (7 weeks to go); househunting/buying; work; work; field service; work; congregation; work...etc., etc., etc.

Random thoughts:

You ever get the feeling that people don't want ANYONE as President? Everyone complains that they don't like either candidate...again. (That's why I support the Kingdom government, folks!)

Artest gone...just a few more to go before the true rebuilding can begin.

I thought I saw the sky the other day...and it wasn't brown!!!

I hate rude upstairs neighbors, and idiots who think that screaming and playing the harmonica outside at 4 am is a good idea. Jerks.

Coffee...gooooood....

Sleepiness...baaaddddd....

Maybe more later...maybe not.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

A big week is coming up for my family.  After 14 years we are changing congregations.  It isn't just a normal kind of change, but a change to a foreign language group.  For us, it's the opportunity to serve where the need is greater in an area close to home.  But that doesn't mean that it isn't stressful.

When my wife and future adopted son moved to this country, my son couldn't speak English.  My wife was fluent in the language, but still she was moving from an area where she spoke, read, and thought in French to a place where very few seemed to understand the language.  I can only imagine how hard it was for her to leave her family and friends and move to the other side of the world to be with me in an English-speaking country.  Yet, she managed it beautifully, and has since become a citizen.  I look back and I feel nothing but love and admiration for her sacrifice, but also for her courage.  It couldn't have been easy.

Now, I'm trying to repay her favor in a small way.  I've never handled change well.  I have lived in the same apartment for around 18 years(!!), have been at the same job for 14 years, and as I wrote earlier, have been in the same congregation for 14 years.  Did I mention that I don't like change?  Yet, here I am, changing everything.  Most of my congregation meetings will be in French.  I'll still be an elder in the congregation, but I'll also be one of the "eldest" members of the group.  (How did 44 become old??)  I'll have to travel a bit farther to get to this congregation, too.  

So how do I feel?  Nervous, that's for sure.  But there's also an excitement in the air.  There's the feeling that I'm doing something good and that for one of the few times in my life I'm actually stretching my comfort zone out and making room for something more.  And through it all, I know that my wonderful wife will be able to help me through it, because she's gone through more than this.

Why am I writing this?  Because it helps.  And because that if there is anyone actually reading this, maybe they will realize that if I can reach out, they can too.  Just because they call it a comfort "zone" doesn't mean that it can't grow to include more area.  

Been a Long Time

Here we go again. I found a few minutes, some energy, a keyboard, and enough wits to add an entry to my blog. Why? I still don't know. One of these days I'm going to have to find a way to get some readers. Anyway, here's an update on what's doin'.

As of May 1, I will be moving full time from an English congregation to a French language congregation. What does that mean? It means that all of my meetings will take place in French, all of my parts will be conducted in French, all of the preaching work will be done in French, and all of my brains will leak out of my ears. (Hey! Leave out those "what brains?" comments!!)

Even though I will miss seeing my friends in Ridgeview as frequently as before, I'll still be living in the same place, so I will be able to continue to visit with them socially. The big challenge will be to improve my language skills so I don't feel so awkward and lost in French. But I take great joy in seeing the zeal and the effort in those who are currently a part of the French group. Many of them are just learning the language and show courage in responding in French despite the struggles. They are wonderful, humble, and fun-loving people who love Jehovah very much, and I am flattered and humbled myself that they have welcomed us so warmly. They just need to realize that I am not fluent. They seem to think I'm a modern Maurice Chevalier! Ah well.

Kings - Dead for the playoffs. There's no big surprise there. There are just too many good teams in the west. But, memo to Geoff Petrie: Get rid of Ron-Ron. Please? He sits out a game, comes back against the Lakers, and has zero assists. Yeah. That's who I want on the court. Lose him. Take the hit on Kenny Thomas' contract and lose him, too. Trade Francisco Garcia while he has value. Not because he isn't good, but because he's not going to get a lot of playing time. Re-sign Beno Udrich (good point guards are hard to find). Then, take that draft pick, and package it with someone and get some experience on the floor to lead these kids.

Raiders and 49ers - A moment of silence, please, for the upcoming season.

A's - They probably won't be as bad as some expect, but there's no way they'll challenge for anything. But aren't you all glad that Barry Zito left for the ...

Giants - The over/under for wins this season is now 20 in my opinion, and I'm taking the under. (P-U!)

Politics - Is anyone else sick of the whining yet? No? How 'bout now?

Television - Is it just me, or is there absolutely NOTHING worth watching on the tube now? I mean seriously. In any given week, there is nothing with intelligence on the air that doesn't involve shooting, knifing, or sex! (Oh how we miss you, Aaron Sorkin. Studio 60, we hardly knew ye.)

DVDs - Just FYI, the word is out that one of my favorite animated series of all time will be coming out on dvd soon. Pick up Freakazoid! in July. You'll laugh so hard that you'll break all your furniture.

I'll try not to stay away so long.

Still Kickin'... Barely

Judging by the complete lack of comments, I know that no one is really missing this blog. (Except Asia...) Still, I feel the compulsion to write a bit today since I have a few minutes.

My paralegal courses are kicking my butt. It isn't that the work is so hard, but there's just so much of it. Add to that my work in my congregation, my move to the French group, and the search for a new residence...I'm beat.

Let's play the topic game today.

Politics: I don't get involved. But it's interesting to see that California is predicting a huge turnout of ... well ... the high 30 percent of registered voters. Isn't that pretty pathetic? An election with more coverage and interest than has been shown in years, and California is expecting the high 30s? It makes me laugh. Or at least snicker.

Real Estate: I'm starting a search for my first house. I've lived in an apartment all of my life and my lease is about to expire, so I'm looking into the idea of buying a home. I'm finding it very disheartening, though. I can't afford typical California prices, and the houses I can afford are in places that are not appealing in terms of safety, traffic, and distance. I know that if you want certain things that you have to pay for them, but this is kind of ridiculous. My monthly housing budget is enough to buy a very nice place in Raleigh, NC, but in northern California I can probably afford an empty washing machine box behind Best Buy. It looks like I may be signing another lease. That bites. I'd love to be able to own my own home, even though it scares me. I'm really tired of the people upstairs making my walls shake with their heavy walking. I want peace and quiet. But I don't have the funds. It's very discouraging.

Super Bowl: Didn't watch it, didn't care. Still don't care.

Kings: Does anyone but me think the Kings would be better trading Artest and Bibby for some future draft picks? I know it doesn't work like that in the NBA, but that's what I would like to see happen.

Paralegal Classes: I'm not sure this is the career for me. I hate offices, but thought I could do some immigration paralegal work. There just doesn't seem to be many jobs out there for that area, and I sure don't want to work for an ambulance chaser.

French: Is there a reason why my wife and family say that I do a good job speaking French and I feel like I'm still sounding like a Parisian Tarzan?

Anyway, that's it for now. I'll try to post more often, but I don't see much free time at any point in the future. Best to anyone who dares to read. If you do, do me a favor and pass on this blog addy to others. I'd really like some feedback from folks.

TTFN