Crochet

I went to Big Lots and spent way too much. What started it was yarn. Yeah, like I need any more of the stuff...

Well, there was a real nice acrylic yarn in grays and black, perfect for socks or a dishcloth. Only one skein, so it'll be a dishcloth. I'll post the final result when it's finished - probably tomorrow.

Wanted -

I'm looking for someone (or a team of someones) who are interested in renewable energy and know a LOT about cars and trucks.

I have an idea how to convert current road-worthy vehicles to renewable energy, and I need the experts on vehicles and clean energy to make it happen.

No, I won't discuss my idea on my blog. I know better.

So, if you know about these things, contact me.

Reaction to Energy Drink....

I had my interviews yesterday, and there was "no joy" after either of them. That was actually OK, since I'm not the right person for the positions, and the jobs weren't right for me. It was mutual in both cases.

However, at the second interview, one of the people gave me a sample of the products, an energy and mood-enhancing drink, in both sugar-based and sugar-free versions.

I don't drink sodas, and I don't use energy drinks. The latter just seem wrong to me for some reason. I try instead, to eat and sleep in a way that supports my body and emotions. It just seems to work better for me. Sodas just cause me gastric distress, so I avoid them.

So, I had a sample of both versions of the product. I probably drank about 1/3 of the sugar-based version. The aftertaste was still in my mouth 6 hours later, and my mood crashed!!!

I had a complete pity-party last night! NOT GOOD!!!! And when you consider that the events of the day were also "negative," I thought that I was having a valid reaction....

Not so! MAN!

Now I know why I don't use these things. It's like a drug! You want to drink more to cover or eliminate the aftertaste, and to mitigate the effects of the mood-enhancing elements expiring or decreasing. The marketing materials said the product improves or imitates both serotonin and dopamine. Who needs that???

The aftertaste wasn't totally unpleasant, but I don't do well with aspartame - there are elements of it that cause my body to have unpleasant reactions. I had those reactions, and YES, there were those elements in the sugar-based drink. There was a notice on the label, and the phenyl-based element was listed.

To avoid legal situations, I won't name the product, but I know I won't be buying it, either.

So, the upshot is that I didn't get either job, but it's really OK. The reaction to the energy drink is what I'm actually talking about today. I don't recommend them.

I know my sister used them when I saw her a couple of years ago. She doesn't sleep well, and hasn't for several years, despite medication to help. I can understand her need to use them, based on what was going on (mom passing, emptying her apartment and moving the contents to storage, my presence, etc)... But I hope she isn't using them on a regular basis.

The effects are like using a drug. Recreational, since there is no prescription available. I truly don't recommend their use. Sleep, eat well, maybe drink a cup of coffee - but don't use these drinks. Please!

Interviews...

YEA!!! I'm getting interviews!!! This is such a blessing!!! To get this far in the process in this job market...

When every position has 100+ applications and resumes submitted, to get asked for an interview is really great. It gives me the chance to get in front of the employer and show them how I can be an asset; how I can contribute to their organization.

Do I always want to be part of something else - some one else's dream? Yes and no.

I love being out on my own, running the show! I really do. I love the freedom to schedule myself, drive myself and only work as hard as I want to - or drive myself to distraction when a great project pops up! But the money isn't steady. I like the combination of my own stuff and a steady paycheck.

So, a part-time entrepreneurial drive seems to be more my style. That means that I won't ever make it "big time" and become a millionaire by those efforts - most likely, unless I get a great idea and design the next MAC computer system or something...

But for working in my "dungeon," helping in the community and spreading my efforts around, I think this is probably the best way for me right now.

Besides, I just "volunteered" to run a community garden! Who has time to spread themselves so thin??? And I still teach FPU, so that takes time...

Applications...

Ok, my friend said I should apply at University of Tennessee, and get into their "temp pool." I downloaded the application, filled it out and attached my resume and transcripts. For a university, the transcripts are always needed.

So, I'm getting ready to take it over and drop it off, and I see that I didn't add any position announcement numbers. These are a way for the university to track an opening and get it filled. I had all of them on the screen, so I started skimming....

Boy. Oh. Boy! I found 6. And one wanted event planning experience - which I'd already listed!!! Man! Maybe this will work out, after all.

In the middle of all this paperwork, I got a call from another agency where I'd put in my resume. They called to ask if they can put in my resume for a job they have.

Like YEAH!

So, I have an appointment in the morning to be "tested" again. Yeah, I'll blow them away on Windows, Word, Excel, Math, Spelling, and typing speed. I always do.

Parking downtown was a complete bust. The lot I used to use for free parking is now only accessible by a long ramp. The elevator has been co-opted and the museum that used to be there is no longer. Too hot for that. I only stayed downtown for a few minutes, so it worked out.

If I have to spend a day downtown, I'm not sure where I'll park. Most of the lots seem to be $7 for a whole day, so that might be my only option. Still, not as expensive as some other places, I guess.

I got my other chores done, too. A good day all around....

Prayers DO work! They really do!