Moving on

Once again, for those who care, my old MusicMan Sterling has changed hands. I traded it for a Lakland Duck Dunn in 08/08 or so. That guy then sold it this past March to someone in Portland. That guy then sold it to a guy in Nevada. And that last guy just traded it to someone in CT, all the way on the East Coast.

Ironically, Marci saw pix of that Sterling tonight and said she liked that bass. She basically told me to get it back. All I need is a sugar mama to hook me up...

Is it weird to stalk a bass?

Happy Thanksgiving

Nope, still no job. Yes, still looking. Good news is that my unemployment extension went through so, sweet, I get to have a little income while I look.

My mom has been back in town and I've been running back and forth between here and her house. It's nice to be needed, but it does cut into my time a little. On the positive side (at least I think it's positive), she's a big fan of the OCB (if you don't know, you need to know) and we've gone there twice in the past few days.

All that, and Thanksgiving on Thursday? Better let out my belt.

Sigh

It finally caught up.

Last week, my unemployment benefits ran out. I applied for an extension and that should be going through soon. So far, due to some sort of black magic, we've been able to stay above the waterline with creative ways of keeping money in the bank. 

• Last Wednesday, I sold a bass on Craigslist. It was my black SB-2 and it wasn't getting off the bench. I sold it to a guy for $350 and that money went in our USE jar.
• Last weekend, I cleaned out our downstairs closet and came across a bunch of computer games that I'd purchased over the past 15 years or so. I didn't list them on eBay or Craigslist, but on some forums I frequent. I listed them fairly cheaply and have moved a few of those at $5 to $10 a pop.
• One game I found was an original copy of the legendary FPS, Doom. It was on 3.5" disks, had the original manual and box. I did list that on eBay for $50. After a day or so, a guy from Austria started emailing me about it and before long, he bought it from me. That was a nice surprise, but, did you know that PayPal will sit on funds for 21 days on an international transaction? They basically wait until I confirm that it has shipped or the buyer has received the item until they allow the money to go through. I see how that protects the buyer, but what about me? Shrug. The buyer seems cool through our emails, so we'll see what happens.
• On Monday, I hit up Half-Price Books with a box of books (duh) and a bunch of DVDs. They offered $50 and I took it before I could calculate really how much stuff I "sold". After that, I sold a chorus pedal to a Craigslister for $25. I also went to Gamestop with about 6 games and an old Gameboy Advance SP. When purchased, all those items totaled about $300 or so. What did I get? $14.16. I took it anyway. $89.16 for a bunch of stuff that was sitting around the house. That was pretty cool, but it went straight to groceries that afternoon.
• Marci got a job being pretty much a full-time nanny for a friend's 9 week old daughter. That starts at the end of November when the mom can go back to work. In addition to that, she's been subbing at a local church and our YMCA when they need her. She's also been very persistent in looking for ways to get help from organizations like Hopelink. Every little bit helps.

Anyway, this morning my phone blew up with emails. Several were from Chase indicating we had a low balance, then the dreaded Overdraft ones as well. We checked the bank today and the good news is my unemployment deposit is pending and should go through today. The bad news is that we're hit up for at least 2 overdrafts. Lame.

I'm still on the hunt for a job. I sent out 3 applications tomorrow and will send out more today. It's getting old, aggravating, depressing and soul-crushing that I can't even get myself an interview anywhere. And the frustrating thing is that it's not like I'm looking for upper level jobs! I can't even get in the door as an entry level kind of guy.

Normally I'm not a worrier. I tend to lay back and see the positive. This morning was a reminder that things are not ok and they need to change.

Interesting day

It all started off nice enough. Sunny out, etc. Marci and I had an early morning meeting with an advisor and got some good insight on some things we're working on.

We headed to the library after that. A few weeks ago, we were at the library and I got an email on my phone saying I got a second interview for the Parking Enforcement Officer job. Today, I got another email, only this time, it was to say that they had chosen other people to move forward. First thought? "Oh, no." Second thought? "Now what?"


I was pretty bummed. I got a few books and kept to myself for the ride home. After awhile, though, I started coming around. I figured feeling sorry for myself wouldn't help things. That, and Riley came home and was all goofy, so it was cool.

Speaking of Rye, he and I headed to Children's Hospital (aka Seattle Children's) for his weekly speech appointment. While we were there, I realized that one year ago tomorrow, we were in that very hospital getting his decompression surgery done. I wonder if they would've had cake and ice cream for us if our appointment was for tomorrow instead of today??

Later tonight, I perused Riley's blog a little, for the aforementioned reason of the one year anniversary of his surgery (was that redundant?). It's pretty amazing to think about what's gone on for him in the past 364 days. Just looking at that picture of him checking his new haircut just a day before the surgery is pretty poignant for me. I think that's the last picture I have of his head still intact. LOL.

Ok, then. Happy Surgery Anniversary to Rye. It's time for bed!

All's quiet on the Eastside front

Had my interview on Tuesday. I think it went pretty well. At least I didn't stick my foot in my mouth.

I did feel like I rambled a bit, though. Rambling in order to think up a decent answer beats awkward silence, I suppose. I know I answered one question quite well and the Director appeared impressed. Or he's a great actor. And by "great", I mean he can fool an idiot like me.

In other news, does anyone have the key to deciphering a 7.5 year old girl's emotions? A taste:

Haley: Let's play this game.
Riley: You always choose the game.
Haley: I'M THE BADDEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!! (storms off to her room)

 or this:

Haley: playing on piano
Riley: touches a few keys on piano
Me: Rye, stop bugging Haley!
Haley: FINE. I DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANYWAY!!! (storms off to her room)

 Marci and I are at a loss. It's gotten so we can't even talk to her without worrying about her blowing her lid. I'll save any other chat for her blog.

Lund Bros. are playing a short little gig on 11/7 at the Skylark. We'll be doing 2 Riffbroker songs (it's their 10th birthday) and possibly one of our songs to wish them a happy birthday. It's short, but it'll be our first time out since 7/11 (ooooh, that's cool!!), and we're looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get some more shows lined up soon.

We are babysitting our friend's boxer, Lulu, for the weekend. They watched Bella the one weekend in July when it was 100+ degrees, so we're returning the favor. Lulu is a few inches taller than Bella, but besides that, they could be twins. Except that Lulu is full boxer and Bella is 1/2 (we think). I'll take some pictures this weekend and share them. It should be a kick.

Oh! Been watching this new show on ABC called Modern Family. Do yourself a favor and watch it. It's on Wednesdays at 9:00pm and it is a freakin' laff riot. I am in love with this show and you should be too. Similar to The Office, it follows 3 families through their days and revels in their awkwardness. Awesome.

In more other news, Friday Night Lights started season 4 on DirecTV last night and darn it if I don't regret getting Dish instead of DTV because of that. Do yourself another favor and check out FNL if you haven't already. In my opinion, the best show on TV.

Happy Halloween and all that stuff. Watch out for sugar high kids as you drive around on Saturday.

Getting closer

I finally got a response from the SPD today regarding my application for working as a PEO (Parking Enforcement Officer). For the next step, at least.

I have made it to a second interview! Sweet! I will meet with 3 VIPs of the Parking Enforcement department and interview with them next week! After that, who knows? I'm just happy to still be in the game! More as it happens...

Music is fun

Had a Lund Bros. rehearsal tonight! First time I've seen Chris & Sean since our last show on 7/11 at the Sunset! It's been a very long time. Ironically, though we did get together, we ended up rehearsing 2 songs by our friends, the Riffbrokers, for a show we'll be doing in their honor with a bunch of other friends. That show is 11/7 at the Skylark and I'll let you know more as it gets closer.

As we finished up and were about to leave, Chris played for me one of the songs we recorded way back in 6/08. As funds are always tight, we've been slowly piecing together songs for another CD. I haven't heard anything but the rough mixes of me and Sean's rhythm tracks, plus a few scratch guitar and vocal tracks threw in.

Anyway, Chris played a rocker for me called "Are You Ready?" We've played this live before and I have some live rehearsal recordings, as well as the rhythm tracks. This time, though, it was done, save for the mixing. The guitars, vocals and pretty much everything else was ready to go. He hit play and...

It. Was. Awesome.

I bobbed my head and grinned along to the song, loving what I was hearing, and also bumming that I hadn't heard it yet and probably wouldn't again unless I begged for it, or waited until we decide to release it. It's cool to hear a finished product, but I'm a little chagrined as I'm in the band, yet I don't get a chance to hear anything else. Luckily I'm a laid back kind of dude, right?

Anyway, it was great to see the guys and play again. We'll hopefully start firing that up again and getting some gigs. Lordy knows we need to get some.

Gigs, that is.

Next up: Scheme rehearsal on Wednesday. Sweet!