Florida Nonsense

Here we have yet another reason I can’t stand the State of Florida. An article on CNN this morning informs us the state is considering a new “I Believe” license plate tag for all those Christians who wish to express their belief on other people.

“Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said people who "believe in their college or university" or "believe in their football team" already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with "something they believe in," he said.”

Yet again we have fundamentalists, the American Taliban trying to infringe on the separation of church and state. I have nothing against people and their beliefs, but no religion should be sanctioned by the state. I believe this is completely inappropriate.

Decision Made

I have decided to take the position at East Carolina University. It truly is a no brainer when you consider what I am spending a month in fuel just to get to work. I will have less wear on my car and my nerves and more money in the bank.

The music library at ECU is small so I won’t be constantly bombarded with unimaginable personalities on a massive scale. I found myself very drained at the end of my day having to deal with the shear numbers at NCSU.

Also I noticed the ECU music library has more streamline procedures, which will make for smoother operations. As well there are only five of us working in the library and the work-study. As it stands here at NCSU there is something like 200! So I gave my two week notice today. My last day is the 3 May.

Funny thing is my supervisor also handed his resignation at the same time because he can’t bear to be without me. Ha! Actually he got a great internship at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. He is about finished with his Masters. … My turn next!

Work and a Decision

This is my second week at the new job. So far so good. There is quite a bit to learn and it does keep me very busy. I like the people I work with and the environment is nice too.

However, there is a nagging issue… and that is my drive to work. I have an hour and ten minute drive to Raleigh. This translates to 75.6 miles, one-way or 151.2 miles a day. Let us take this a few steps further. That is to say, I drive 756 miles a week and 3,024 miles a month or 36,288 miles a year.

So far, I need to fill up the tank every two days. Currently in this region, gas is $3.40. I have a 16.9-gallon tank. This translates to $57.46. Therefore, I spend $172.38 a week on fuel for getting to work. This does not include any other type of driving. The yearly fuel cost for just getting to work is, at the current gas price, $8,274.24.

You know, I think I am spending well over 12 hours a week in commuting hours. Before my moving to North Carolina my carbon imprint was very little. Now, it is the complete opposite!

When I was job searching I had interviewed for a position at East Carolina University after I interviewed for the current position at North Carolina State University. Well, ECU called me today and offered me a position. It figures I would get this offer after I start at NCSU and already been through orientation, been issued keys and am in heavy training!

I know one might think why not move to Raleigh. The answer is I really cannot afford to at this time. I probably could later, but I come to realise I have an awesome living situation here in Tarboro, which could help me pay down my debt. If I stay here, I am certain I will be debt free within two years, maybe less. Now that is brilliant.

Anyhow, here is the situation. ECU is located in Greenville. It is a 29.1-mile drive from Tarboro. Therefore, it would take me something like 40 minutes to get to work. It is quite a bit less driving a year (13,968). I am certain I would not have to fill the tank up as much either.

However, the position pays $300 less then my current position. I pay more for gas a month driving to Raleigh. There is also a part of me that feels a little guilty for leaving a job that I only started a week ago. So … what do you think? What would you do?

Car Stuff

Today I got my North Carolina driver’s license. I passed the knowledge exam with a perfect score. It cost me $32.

The other thing I had to take care of was the tag, title and registration. In Georgia, we call them tags, but in North Carolina, it is called a “license plate”. So I go down to the tag… err, license plate office and I discover something interesting. The registration office is not located in a state run building. It is a privately run office located in a tanning salon! Yes, I could have got a tan while I waited for my paperwork to be completed. ‘Tis very odd. Anyhow, this cost me $218.

The next thing I have to do is have my car inspected. We do not have automobile inspection in Georgia except in Atlanta and that is only emissions. So I do not know what to expect however I do know it will cost me another $30. Therefore, for me to have my car legal in North Carolina it has cost me $280. Bleh!

Could you imagine if I had Steve’s Bentley or Jim’s Jaguar… or even Kevin’s Audi? So, it could have been worse.

On the bright side of things, I start my new job tomorrow at North Carolina State University. Yay!

Spring Time

This morning I walked down to the Calvary Parish Episcopal Church and the Old Town Cemetery. It was such a wonderful gloomy day! It made me want to dwell with the dead for an hour or so. Ever since I was a child and much to the chagrin of my parents, I would spend quality time with the dead. I would spend hours laying in the cemetery. Anyhow, the weather is gone cool again, but the flowers and trees are blooming. I got some great images.

The Calvary Parish grounds are amazing. The design of the churchyard and its original plantings are the work of Joseph Blount Cheshire, rector of Calvary from 1842 until 1889, who collected plants from all over the world to create an arboretum here on the church grounds.

Some of the greenery featured is Saucer Magnolia, China Fir, American Holly, Carolina Cherry Laurel, False Holly, Bald Cyprus, Sweet Bay, Willow Oak, English Yew, Yaupon Holly, Incense Cedar and Eastern Redbud. There is much more!

The Old Town Cemetery, by contrast is disappointing. I am not sure as to what happened, but most of the gravestones are missing. There are a few Confederate markers as well as some rather well worn stones.

Here are a few images. If you wish to see more click on the Tarboro Cemetery link.

Employed

The search has ended! I am now an employee of the DHL Library at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

I received the telephone call late this morning. When they told me the salary, I was disappointed and slightly offended. They asked if I am interested in the position and I asked a little time to think about it.

The salary is less then what I made at SCAD so I first felt like it was an insult, but then after mulling over it for an hour I changed my mind.

A friend reminded me of the job security you have with the state as well as the state benefits. Another friend reminded me SCAD is a private institution and NCSU is a state institution so there is bound to be a difference in salaries and yet another friend reminded me that in times like a recession it is not wise to pass up an offer.

Sometimes one needs to take a step back before going forward.

My first day is next Wednesday.

Slender beams of moonlight enter this darkened place as I kneel, 
always somber, always silent, frozen here, waiting. 



Haloed forms wrought in panes of glass loom as dust dances in the air, 
forming an image in my mind, sparing not my exposed soul. 



A reflection on a mirror's face. 



I raise my head, now defying this callous light.

Too Familiar

I am heading back to North Carolina today. I am leaving a day later because of the martinis. That is all I am going to say about that.

The above picture is all too familiar lately. I believe I have almost everything, but there are a few more items I will need to come back for at some point. However, this should be the last UHaul I will need to rent. Yay!

It was fun to be back home and see everyone. We had a swell time. ☺

Heading Home

I am heading home today for three days. My family and friends wish me to visit and I need to pick up more of my belongings. I really cannot afford to be doing this, but I figure I had better do it now in case I end up with a new job soon.

Apparently, my references are being checked because one of my references telephoned me to let me know. Yay, I may be employed again! It will be a bit odd not working for myself anymore, but then again actually having a regular salary, well that is just too sweet.

I guess I should pack a few things and get ready to leave a little later. It is a 5-½ hour drive and I do not wish to be getting to Savannah too late. I am a little dazed now because I woke up around 4:30 this morning. Tabitha, the destroyer, the annoying one, the NQR, was hurling herself against one of the bedroom windows making the freaky noises she often does.

Anyhow I kicked her out the room and closed the door and tried to go back to sleep, but to no avail. I finally got out of bed around 5:30. This should prove to be an interesting drive.

(*NQR= Not Quite Right. This is a term I use often to describe all sorts of things.)

Cast Iron Tub

Today I helped Destin move her claw-foot cast iron tub up to her loft on the second level. She just had to have a cast iron tub!

My arms feel… no, I cannot feel my arms. My back well that I can feel. Oh, can I!







We then proceeded to play plumber and attached shower/tub fixtures. We also cut plastic pipes and reattached them to other plastic thingies with purple glue like substance that made us high.

Ebay and Other News

I found some rather neat things to sell on ebay lately. I am not sure I will get much for these things, but they are sure interesting, if not a little amusing.


The pamphlet I believe is from around 1960. As you can see, they used the “R” word! I remember growing up you would hear kids calling other kids that name. A teacher or parent would politely say that it was not nice to call someone that because it is not fair to those who really are “that way”.

So times change. When I was at university and in art education the word of choice was "mentally deficient", MD for short. Ha! That’s great. We figured it was a less offensive word because children would be less likely to run around and call one another mentally deficient.

It just does not have the same ring to it. Anyhow, I am not sure what is PC now, but the last I heard was “Special Needs”. Of course, this is all in jest, but when I found this pamphlet, it did make me laugh. Times have changed, indeed.

I also found these dated materials on how to discus certain growing up issues with your children. They too, are very amusing.







Apparently in 1943, the key to getting the proper amount of iron in your diet was to eat mass quantities of molasses. Below is a small recipe booklet by a molasses company called, Grandma’s Old Fashioned Molasses.

You too can look like these kids, jacked up on sugar!

In other news, I received a telephone call from NC State yesterday. They would like to hire me for a different position than the one I applied. It has better hours as well as more interesting duties to perform. However, since it is a State institution I have to go through all the hoops with the application process. Which means the position has to be listed for a certain period. Then they are required to interview a certain number of applicants, etc.

I was grateful and told them thank you and that I would apply immediately. I took care of it as soon as I hung up the phone. I noticed the position being listed for less than a week. The listing closes on the 14th and the proposed hire date is the 15th. Usually they list openings for two or three weeks. Also they stated they wanted me for the position. We shall see.

What Did You Do Today?

Today I cleaned up pigeon shit and dead pigeons.

In other news, I recently completed my first sales on eBay. I made $240 selling off bits of my life! Then this afternoon I come to find out I sent two bidders the wrong power cords to go with the computer equipment they purchased. They each got the other’s power cord.

Now I have pay for the return shipping on the power cords and then ship them back to the correct people. Ugh!

Interview

The interview went well today and it did not take place in the coffee shop. We only met there. Everyone I met was nice and the meeting was very relaxed. I got a good vibe from the experience. The librarian I met with wanted to know if I was planning on going to library school. I mentioned have thought about it, but at this point the thought of adding more to my already outrageous student load debt makes me cringe.

She added employees receive three free classes an academic year and she would not be against me wanting to get a MLIS degree. She said she wants everyone to be happy working in the library and not feel as if they are stuck doing what they are doing. This made me feel positive about the environment.

After the interview, I met with a benefits coordinator. She went over some of the benefits briefly. I also had to give her a form I filled out for a background check.

It is odd. The state requires you to deduct 6% every month to go into a mandatory retirement fund. However, the money just sits in an account and earns no interest. What is up with that? I still think it is a good idea though. At least it is something.

Payday is monthly on the last working day of the month. That will take some getting used to and some very strong budgeting skills!

The drive into Raleigh was not too bad as was the return drive, but I can see where at some point the drive will probably get to me. It is an hour and ten minutes. However I have to look at the fact if I do get the position it's an evening shift so I will be driving reverse traffic.

We shall see.

Outer Banks

Today Destin and I took a road trip to the Outer Banks. I think we both needed to get out of town and see the mighty ocean. We ended up driving to a rather secluded beach area on Nags Head. It was cold, but we had a good time and we took many photographs some of which are below.

Well, I would write more, but I am exhausted and I have a job interview tomorrow. Do you think I will get to sleep tonight? Ha!

The fabulous, Miss Destin.

Dynamic Duo

Moonscapes on the beach!

I love the macro setting on my camera.

We came across an abandoned hotel that was being buried by the sand. It must have been destroyed by one of the many hurricanes of two years ago. It is amazing how quickly nature is consuming this place. Destin and I have decided to move in.

Job Interview

I have a job interview at NC State in Raleigh Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM. It has been awhile since I have been to one of those and I am not sure what I should wear. I guess people still wear suits to such things. On the other hand, has that formality gone the wayside too? We are meeting at a coffee shop located next to the library on campus. Very odd.

Anyway, I am financially wiped out so my own business, KAJC Designs has now become a part-time venture. During the end of last year, it just fizzled out. Like a great desert, my clients dried up. Now that I moved to a new state I need to build clients around here and this will take time and so it's back to being under the thumb of someone else. Sigh.

Oh well, it is actually the best way to get out and meet people. Oh my, is that a glimpse of a bright outlook? Wow and it is coming from me!

Keyboard Grossness

Clean your keyboards! This weekend I decided to clean. One of the items was my iMac’s keyboard. The above picture shows you exactly how gross your keyboard can be.

Anyhow, I truly live an exciting life. Clean your keyboards!

Bleak, Bleak, Bleak

I went to the Main Street Café this morning to have coffee and visit the Internet, BUT they were out of coffee and the Internet was non-functioning! WTF?

I’m Here

I made it to Tarboro this Monday past. I left a day later the expected so I had very little help unloading the truck. So I moved everything all myself except at the very end when Miss Betty (aka StillMa or Destin and Emma’s mother) graciously offered to help with boxes and the beastly bedstead, which ways about the same as a Smart Car. She also provided constant pep talks. ☺

The next day I could barely move about, but I did my best. I did lose 3.6 lbs though! The house I am staying in while working in the loft is rather nice. So I have been trying to make it comfortable for a temporary stay without going overboard. Today I am still unpacking some items and searching for other items. It’s weird how things disappear when you move even though everything was clearly marked.

Last night I received an invitation from Robert Whitehead to attended a social function at the Blount-Bridgers House, a historic home directly across the street from where I am staying. Mr. Whitehead has some of his personal collection of African, Caribbean and African American art and memorabilia on display.

I met a few people and handed out my business card. It was quick little event, but I didn’t get to see much of the house. I will have to visit it some time later.

As far as Internet access goes I don’t have it at the house where I am staying, but there’s Internet access at the Main Street Café where I am currently writing this. Also I will be setting up a wireless system at the building where I will be living in soon.

You know it’s funny being new to such a small town. The people here are just so intrigued as to you who you are and where you come from. I mean just walking down the street people just stare. It’s a little unsettling, but amusing at the same time. I guess this is the closest thing to how a celebrity must feel like when out and about in daily life?

Moving Day

The day finally has arrived! I was supposed to have left yesterday, but it turned out I could not fit everything into the truck so I had to pull stuff, rearrange and decide what could be left behind for me to pick up at another time. This was an all day affair.

Now here it is almost noon and I'm still not ready. Ugh! It's time to adopt the Doris Day attitude. Ka Sera Sera, what will be, will be. The truck doesn't have to be turned in until 1:25 PM tomorrow so I have decided not to worry about it.

I am exhausted. I was up at 2:30 AM, 3:15AM, 4:40 AM and then I finally go out of bed at 5:00 AM. Now it's time for a 5 1/2 hour journey.

Well I must dash. I have a few more things to gather up and then I need to round up the cats. Oh, joy!

Middle-Aged?

I just realised I'm considered middle-aged. Apparently to some I have been middle-aged for five years now. I am not sure as to how I feel about this or if it should matter. Should I dress differently? Should I quit World of Warcraft? Should I begin taking Geritol?

I'm always the last to know.