Round two

Welp, as you might recall from my previous post, we've been battling off various illnesses over here. I missed two days (a Thursday and Friday) two weeks ago. Last week was good for me, though not for Caitlyn. She had "stomach" issues that led to pretty bad diaper rash. Then this last weekend, I caught her stomach problems. Unfortunately, I didn't have a diaper to handle to dirty work, so I had to miss yesterday and today. Somewhat unsurprisingly, our HR person called me at home today to inquire as to my status. I gave her what was probably more information than she wanted, but she called me at home whilst ill. So, I have little sympathy if it was too much. She asked whether I had been to the doctor. I hadn't. I went to the doctor when I discovered I had the flu and infection two weeks ago. No one seemed to care... didn't really see the point in risking dirty pants (not to mention car interior) for another note no one wanted to see. Afterall, it was just a stomach issue: No fever, no sweats, no boils, no night terrors, etc.... Did I mention I've lost 11.2 pounds in three days? Yeah, I did, though not in the most comfortable manner - as you might be unsurprised to discover. Oh yeah, adding to the work tension, several weeks ago I took a vacation day for Thursday because Renee has an eye appointment in Iowa City that she needs me to drive for. On the upside, the time to reflect, albeit in non-opportune spots, that I need to rededicate myself to writing in my free time.

See, back when I had no work, there was no rush because, well I had nothing eating into my time. Except television. And videogames. But, those were [mildly] entertaining and pleasant distractions. Now my only distraction is work. And television. And videogames. But by far the most disruptive (by way of not having a real choice in the matter) is work. So, sometime over the last three days I've decided that it has become imperative for me to write on the weekends and on Tuesday nights (no decent sitcoms Tuesdays). It doesn't seem like a lot, but my previous dedications to writing have all fallen flat from challenging myself too much. I haven't worked out a hard-and-fast schedule as yet (it's difficult to concentrate with a one-year old running about).

See, this is proof. Caitlyn just awoke from a short nap....

Catch-up

So to catch everyone up:
Work life
Renee was promoted last week to store manager! The McD north of Wynnsong is now hers. In turn, this ends my four consecutive weeks of making more money than her. Sad for me, good for us.

As for me, I'm adjusting, though somewhat slowly, to work life. Not only is it more challenging than I had anticipated, but it's re-affirmed my long-held philosophy that my brain handles theory much more readily than application. It was apparent in classes and even more so now that I'm working.

Which brings me to my decision to go back for my MBA. It'll either be Drake (Health Care Management) or ISU's DSM (Information Systems Management). This isn't really related to my current position, but still it was a nice segue wasn't it? Since I'm doing HIPAA/COBRA Electronic Data Interchange, it's a nice platform to lean either way.

Wiped-out
So, yeah, a couple of weeks ago Renee got a pretty nasty chest cold. This turned Caitlyn into a runny nose. Then last Wednesday I got a scratchy throat, which turned into Influenza-A and a bacterial infection. After dragging myself across town to the urgent care clinic (because Renee's doctor wouldn't see me), I got some pills and codeine-laced cough syrup. This, in turn, led to some good sleep (with two days off from work) and a much happier Eric. Today, though, Caitlyn went to the doctor and was diagnosed with her very own sinus-based bacterial infection (likely from her long-distance running nose). So, she's miserable, but Renee and I are feeling better. Best of all since Renee doesn't have to work tomorrow, she'll be miserable tonight and I will be asleep!

"In normal economic times, there might not be anything wrong with this. But these aren't normal times."

I've come to really hate that phrase, as I see or hear it at least once per week. (That is, of course, an average as some weeks I don't hear it at all and through the election cycle peaks, it comes across news stories five or six hundred times per week.)

We are in perfectly normal times. The economic cycle we're in is normal, though perhaps somewhat exaggerated from '01 and from the mid-90s and the mid-80s and the 70s... well you probably get the picture. Terrorist threats and being involved in overseas wars is perfectly normal... Kosovo, Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea... name me a decade in the last century or two that we've not been at war or threatened by terrorists, external or domestic. I'll wait...

So give me a reason why this should be considered a "non-normal" time.

Until then, I'm calling shenanigans on fear mongers.

So much information...

Okay, so a lot has gone on since... well whensoever I last posted a "real" updated.

First off, my car is fantastic. It's quick, gets great gas mileage. It's a little on the "girlish" side. Read: The styling isn't quite as aggressive as I'd like. But then, to get the car I really wanted, would have been at least $200/month more. Still, the A6 is probably two cars away yet. BTW: I highly recommend Lithia for your next car, Azra (my saleswoman) in particular. I have phone numbers if you want them. Next time, I'll either go A4 or possible a Passat. But first, I have to get a job - bringing me to my next point.

I have finally graduated from Grand View University (go me!). Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, the economy isn't great for tracking down a job. I'm mostly looking for Finance or Accounting positions. I am hesitant to go with a retail position, but not opposed entirely. It's nothing personal, but I had hoped to jump on to a corporate track somewhere - a good 9-5 somewhere. However, I might have to put that off for a bit. Luckily, Renee and I have enough cash that I can go until about the second week of January before kneeling to that pressure. If you're curious, I'm spending a lot of time with Caitlyn and working on writing my stories and synopses. The time with Caitlyn is nice, but taxing. I'm entirely convinced now that men are not hardwired to spend all day, everyday, with babies. My books/novels are coming along, though not as nicely as I'd like (see comments about Caitlyn above). I'm also working on tracking down freelance writing... again the baby thing is slowing me down.

Caitlyn is doing great! She's really smart, and saying "thank you" now, though I'm still not 100% she knows what it means. She does, apparently, know that she needs to say it after she gets something handed to her. She also kisses her dolls and stuffed-animals now. She'll have a blast when she gets a new nephew in January. Also, she's walking like a little crazed person right now. She chases and hugs and kisses on the dogs. They don't much care for her new-found walking abilities, but ya know. If you're curious but not keeping track she's 11 months now. We have various birthday plans, that I'll reveal to those who need to know over the next couple of weeks.

~Eric

http://www.kontraband.com/videos/3152/Too-Many-Guys/

Hiliarity... mayhaps NSFW

New whip

My pics got unarranged and I'm too lazy to fix them. So here's some pics of Caitlyn to start and then we'll get into new car things below:







So for trading my beloved 1997 Monte Carlo LS, of which I apparently do not possess a picture, and $1000 down, I am now the proud lessee of a 2009 VW Jetta, which left the lot on Tuesday with a grand total of 4 miles! It's a 3-year/39,000-mile lease. The awesomeness kicks in with free scheduled maintenance. That means free oil changes, etc for the duration of the lease. Go me!















Also awesome: A switch-blade key:





So, yeah that's all I really got. Though here's several pics of an adorable Caitlyn, some of them as her dressed for a boxing match:

Update upteenth

Just briefly: I'd love to post about the political goings-on, but alas, I'm looking for a new job. In the interest of my soon-to-be life and other such happenings, I'll probably remain silent for the most part. I'll be voting Libertarian in the general election and that's the most anyone will ever need to know. You all know why, if you don't email me and I'll be glad to enlighten whomsoever needs it.

Congratulations again for Kara and Thune. Speaking of which, I think I saw Thune entering GVC's library today, but I was late for class, so.. ya know.... I didna' stop because I'm only 90% sure it was him. If so, my gratz again....

It's my last semester at school... at least until I get feedback one way or another from potential employers about my (potential) MBA schooling. I want to go, part of my five-year plan, but there're other classes which would be (potentially, again) more beneficial first. I'll take them if I'm asked, elsewise I think a good six months-to-a-year off would be good for my overall santity. Right now, I'm thinking 18 months then head back to scchool, but we'll see how bored I get first. ;p

Despite the rapid changes, I'll [try] to keep everyone abreast of Caitlyn's changes. For starters, she's crawling now and has her two lower front toofers coming in. She's even shown affinity for standing on her own and talking, though it's too early to confirm either of the last two on their own merits.

Tonight is our anniversary, our 4th. For our 5th, we've decided to take Rob and Amanda on a Carribean cruise for a 5th anniversary/honeymoon. More on this for the upcoming months.