Getting Greener Everyday

Well yesterday I finally made good on my promise and went to Home Depot after work to get some CFL lightbulbs. They weren't as expensive as I thought considering they last 9 years, are good for the environment, and will lower my electricity costs. So I bought 10 bulbs. 8 are equivalent to 60 watt light bulbs and 2 are equivalent to 100 watt lightbulbs. All together I spent $25.88.

Well that was cheaper than the water bottle and the reuseable grocery bags that I bought last weekend. OH and I also told the guy that I didn't need a plastic bag. For only 3 items, I figured I could carry it to the car and help the environment even more.

I don't know about anyone else, but I actually feel good when I remember to do something for the environment. It might be something small like just throwing a small purchase in my purse instead of getting a plastic bag, but it has enabled me to think of something bigger than myself and whatever is going on in my own world/head.

Promotion

OK now that I got that rant out of the way, I can concentrate on what is actually going right in my life.

I got a promotion. I'm really excited. I've only been with the company for about 9 months and I'm really excited that they are allowing me to move up so quickly. I got the offer on Monday and accepted and it looks like I will start June 1st.

I'm probably going to be doing double duty for the next 5 weeks to tie up the loose ends of my current job and get ready for the new one, but it will be well worth it. I have a meeting on Monday (which is why I can't be here for the Comcast guy) with my current and future boss to try to come to an agreement as to how I will transition into my new role. My current boss is starting to be more of a prick than usual so I'm sure it will be a fun meeting. But the fact that the countdown has begun, will get me through anything.

I can't wait to work for someone who is NOT a micromanager and someone who actually wants you to think for yourself instead of telling you what to do and how to do it. Not only am I going to learn alot in this new position, but I will also get great exposure to our national marketing team and our regional marketing team. So this will be an excellent intermediate step between where I am now and a job in marketing.

It's funny how everything has come together so quickly. About a month ago, I was ready to quit my job and go back to school for my MBA and now I'm going to start a new position, be able to purchase my first home, and also start to prepare for my MBA along with gaining some valuable business experience.

UPDATE: I just got a call from the lady upstairs and it looks like her husband will be home on Monday and he can let the Comcast guy in. Things are starting to look up.

I HATE RCN

That's right RCN, I hate you. Can you hear me? OK I'm going to rant today because it is the only thing that will keep me sane.

I regret the day that I signed up with RCN. I should have gotten Comcast. I signed up for their bundle service so I get digital cable, phone, and DSL service. It's great because you save money, its horrible because often when you lose 1 service, you lose all 3. I've had RCN for about 9 months now and this is the 2nd time that I've lost all services for a couple of days. For $150 a month, I should get better service than that?!?!??!

I've been having problems with my cable reception for over a month now. When I called, a lady in tech support told me it had to do with the time of year and the sun hitting the satellite and all this other bullshit. When she said it, I thought oh I guess that makes sense, but then when I was having the same problems around midnight, I was like WTF, the sun isn't around so why am I still having problems. It is my own fault that I just let it go for a month, but I thought it would get better. But when your Video On Demand is so hard to view that you are constantly rewinding every 5 to 10 minutes, its a little out of control.

SO I called to schedule an appointment. They sent a guy out on Saturday and he said that my signal was low and he went in the basement where the cable comes in and increased the signal. When he came up, he tested the TV and the signal was higher and the pixilation was worse. Of course that was all HE could do and RCN would have to send someone else out to check the cables that go into the building. I was told they would be out on Monday. Then about 2 hours later, I lost all services. Nice HUH? I should have just left it alone. I went from a minor annoyance with the TV, to a major annoyance, to having nothing. WTF!

Well I already had an appointment for Monday and god forbid they should pay someone to come out over the weekend so I just sucked it up. Luckily someone either in the building or nearby doesn't know how to secure their wireless network so I at least have Internet access.

So Monday rolls around, I get home from work and still no service. WTF! I call up RCN and they say someone was suppose to call on Monday to schedule an appointment which was total bullshit. I already had an appointment that the original tech made for Monday. So I give the rude lady on the phone my cell phone number so someone can call me today to tell me why no one came out and hopefully get someone out.

Of course no one calls me back today. I called them this afternoon and after scheduling an appointment for tomorrow (which I can't make since I work for a living) the lady on the phone tells me that they were out today and surveyed the lines (whatever that means). So I'm thinking I'll have service when I get home. WRONG! Since no one was home they couldn't come in to check to see if what they did worked. WTF! How am I suppose to be home
1. when I work for a living
2. when no one calls me to let me know that they are coming

I have a meeting tomorrow at work and can't make their 2-5pm appointment. So I'm saying FUCK IT! I called Comcast today at work and they are coming out on Monday to install new service. I'd rather be without for another couple days than give RCN another penny. Since they can't schedule an appointment after 6pm even though I'm without all services for 3 days now, they can kiss my ass.

I hope this blog comes up whenever anyone googles RCN.

Now I have to see if anyone can be here on Monday when Comcast comes. Sometimes being single and/or living alone really sucks. Especially when your busy at work and have meetings all the time and can't take a day off.

Well I feel much better now so if you've actually taken the time to read this entire rant, thank you.

The Color Purple

I went to see The Color Purple today. I knew it was just a matter of time for Oprah to bring it to Chicago as well.

I believe I read the book in high school and saw the movie, but it has been a while and I noticed that I got Beloved and The Color Purple mixed up in my head a bit so the show really was a surprise.

Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child plays Shug Avery and she was excellent along with Jeannette Bayardelle who plays Celie. That woman has a beautiful voice. I think Feliicia Fields who plays Sophia was my favorite character.

Oddly I didn't remember anything about Celie being gay and/or bisexual in the book. Was this in the movie too? I have to go out and rent the movie and watch it again. I should also read the book again too. Maybe we just didn't talk about it in high school English class.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I don't know if you saw Friday's Oprah, but she gave a bunch of tips on how to live green.

I've always been concerned with the environment and whenever I hear of something simple to do, I try to do my part. After Leonardo DiCaprio was on her show and talked about how much energy we waste by just keeping our appliances plugged in, I started unplugging everything that I don't use all the time. I can't unplug the VCR and TV, but the toaster oven, toaster, can opener, and other small appliances I only plug in when I use them.

But after watching Friday's Oprah, along with An Inconvenient Truth a week or so ago, I decided to do more. So I did a little shopping last night online and got a

SIGG water bottles
Using a premium reusable bottle like SIGG greatly helps reduce unnecessary environmental waste caused by plastic PET water bottles. Get more information at mysigg.com.

Ecobags
Bringing your own bag when shopping saves plastic bags. Visit www.ecobags.com.

I heard that Home Depot was giving away free CFL lightbulbs, but I totally forgot about it until now. That will be the 3rd thing that I do. I'm going to buy 2 CFL lightbulbs for the living room lamps since that is the place where I spend most of my time and have the light on the most.

So what have you done for Earth Day?

Corporate Challenge

We just got this email today at work and I signed up. The only race type thing I've done before was a 10K my senior year in high school and that was ... almost 11 years ago.

Since I am less than 8 weeks away, if you see me online ask if I've done my training for the day. At 28, I can't just go and run 3 1/2 miles, I need to train for this shit.

Spring is upon us, so that means it is time to sign up and to begin training for the Corporate Challenge on Thursday, May 24th!

The Corporate Challenge is a company sponsored 3.5 mile running/walking event in Grant Park where employees can enjoy the outdoors and some friendly competition amongst each other.