Last weekend, Audrey and her fiance Shaun came down to move a U-Haul load of their belongings to the empty bedroom of my apartment. Getting to see some of Shaun's stuff would be enough to ensure anyone that he's not some weird psycho who'd cut out your kidney and sell it on eBay.
Shaun, in my opinion, would be a welcome addition to the family, but not everyone agrees. Mom pretty much hates him. Whenever he is brought up in conversation, she does not say one positive word about him. Maybe it's because he's marrying her little girl, maybe it's because he has the guts to actually ask her why she doesn't like him (though she tried to side-step actually answering that), maybe it's... I don't know. I just decided "I'm washing my hands of mom's crap." I don't want to be involved with it anymore.
I don't know what dad thinks, he stays pretty quiet about this matter. My oldest brother Aaron and his wife Jessica both like Shaun, but my brother Drew is even worse at telling us his thoughts than dad...
While we were moving stuff, Shaun, Aaron, Jessica, Audrey and I all got in a few laughs and jokes and got to know each other a little better. After that, Shaun and Audrey went with Aaron and Jessica to get some Chinese. (I did not accompany, as I annoyingly have to get up early in the morning, and I really don't like Chinese, especially as it upsets my stomach.)
The next night, Audrey and Shaun and I hung out for a couple hours, first coming over to the apartment for awhile, then we went over to the new Super Wal-Mart Supercenter. We walked around and looked around for about an hour and a half, looking through wedding supplies, electronics, books, magazines, and the baby section, because Audrey and Shaun decided they definitely want kids.
We also went to Andy's Frozen Custard, where we all got concretes. (I bought my own. I didn't expect them to pay for me, and they didn't offer, and I like being independent... Just need some transportation...) Shaun and I both thought it hilarious when he and I began to discuss Marvel Comics-based movies and Audrey protested that she was being "geeked out!"
I'm looking forward to them moving back to Springfield. They're a fun couple...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Inflation Hits Home... Literally
Today, the apartment manager slid an envelope under my door. It was a packet of forms to sign to renew my lease on the apartment, as it's about two months until my lease expires.
Upon looking, I noticed something: my rent is going up to $390 a month. It was $375.
Here in Missouri, inflation rates are pretty slow, like I told a friend in Scotland in a recent Instant Message session. (He told me his apartment, converted to USD, would probably cost $900, and he also pays electric.) Back in 2005, minimum wage was $5.25 an hour, now it's $6.65 and expected to rise soon. They tell us this is because the "estimated cost of living" has increased, though I didn't notice an increase until after the raise in wage.
I really need to find a better-paying job now, or get a room-mate. And seeing as I currently have no room for a room-mate...
Oh, and I also got my electric bill today. The evil people who run the utility company caused me a bit of grief when they didn't make their online payment service completely secure, and I paid my electric bill with my debit card, and sure enough, my information got stolen. The fraudulent charges only came up to about $70 before I canceled my card, but it caused my bank account to overdraft (with fines) to about $260, money I don't have lying around. I was able to contact one place that had been charged to my account (a $20 charge) and got them to refund my account, but the other I couldn't contact and have to wait about three months before the dispute is over. In the meantime, I paid the bank $100 that I should get back when the dispute is finished. With provisional credit and refunds for the other charge, that equals to about another $100, so my account is still negative by about $60.
And we read in the newspaper last week that they want to increase our utility bill. I usually keep my lights off, but leave my computer on, and have the microwave, a clock, and the phone plugged in. (Oh, and my apartment has air conditioning.) My bill this month was $89.10, more than it was last month. Note that CU (City Utilities) pays hefty pensions to retirees... And they run the City Bus, which is also increasing it's fare from $1 to the odd $1.10, which is expected to increase again next year. (Last year, bus fare was $.75.)
They're already over-charging as it is, they don't need to increase the utility bills!
ARGH! And ARGH! again!
Upon looking, I noticed something: my rent is going up to $390 a month. It was $375.
Here in Missouri, inflation rates are pretty slow, like I told a friend in Scotland in a recent Instant Message session. (He told me his apartment, converted to USD, would probably cost $900, and he also pays electric.) Back in 2005, minimum wage was $5.25 an hour, now it's $6.65 and expected to rise soon. They tell us this is because the "estimated cost of living" has increased, though I didn't notice an increase until after the raise in wage.
I really need to find a better-paying job now, or get a room-mate. And seeing as I currently have no room for a room-mate...
Oh, and I also got my electric bill today. The evil people who run the utility company caused me a bit of grief when they didn't make their online payment service completely secure, and I paid my electric bill with my debit card, and sure enough, my information got stolen. The fraudulent charges only came up to about $70 before I canceled my card, but it caused my bank account to overdraft (with fines) to about $260, money I don't have lying around. I was able to contact one place that had been charged to my account (a $20 charge) and got them to refund my account, but the other I couldn't contact and have to wait about three months before the dispute is over. In the meantime, I paid the bank $100 that I should get back when the dispute is finished. With provisional credit and refunds for the other charge, that equals to about another $100, so my account is still negative by about $60.
And we read in the newspaper last week that they want to increase our utility bill. I usually keep my lights off, but leave my computer on, and have the microwave, a clock, and the phone plugged in. (Oh, and my apartment has air conditioning.) My bill this month was $89.10, more than it was last month. Note that CU (City Utilities) pays hefty pensions to retirees... And they run the City Bus, which is also increasing it's fare from $1 to the odd $1.10, which is expected to increase again next year. (Last year, bus fare was $.75.)
They're already over-charging as it is, they don't need to increase the utility bills!
ARGH! And ARGH! again!
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Song For My Cat?
Okay, here's the lyrics for a short song I made up this morning when I found that my cat, Scot, had knocked over a large pile of books I had on the easy chair in my bedroom. (My bookshelf is too small!) It's short, it's stupid, it might even be funny.
Jumpin' on the chair
Swingin' through the trees
Causin' terror in the streets
Here comes Scot, goin' where he'll please,
Flyin' through the air with the greatest of ease.
This is what you can expect when I blog before I go to work...
Jumpin' on the chair
Swingin' through the trees
Causin' terror in the streets
Here comes Scot, goin' where he'll please,
Flyin' through the air with the greatest of ease.
This is what you can expect when I blog before I go to work...
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Speaking Out
Yesterday, I had an overnight visit with my mother, my younger brothers, my youngest sister, and their cat. (Yeah... And my cat's been pretty mellow today. Usually he's running around, clawing me alive and trying to eat my flesh, but today, he's been pretty tame...)
Usual run of the mill, they expect me to feed them (even though I have hardly enough for myself and am having a few financial troubles), take much more than they give, mom complains about any DVDs that get played, she complains about everything, tells me boring stuff about their life in Nebo, blah, blah, blah.
As it was a Wednesday night, they asked "There's Youth Group tonight, right?"
I looked back at them blankly, half amused that THAT little fact hasn't gotten to them yet. (With the exception of Arthur, who I told in June, asking him to keep it secret... Good going, Arthur!) Finally, mom came out and asked me why I didn't answer the question.
"You know, it's funny that people in Scotland and Australia know I haven't been with the Youth Group since March, and you don't," I told her.
(Yes, if you don't know, or are not one of them, I do have international friends...)
"Well, that's why there's a thing called communication!" she retorted.
I almost laughed. She hardly communicates with us, often I would get announcements that they were visiting the same day that they were coming. In fact, earlier that day, they had gone to CiCi's Pizza, Dad had even left my apartment to catch the bus there, and for some reason, no one said, "Hey, want to come?" (I even could have paid for myself, though, upon reflection, I wasn't really hungry.)
So, later she says to me, "I think I need to leave your Dad." She explains he "goes through the motions" instead of really loving her.
So... wait... he gave up a good job that let him provide for his family when you asked him to, he works hard at a night job and sends almost all of his check to you, always provided for his family, and you say he just goes through the motions. (Which by the way, was a terribly misunderstood reference to the brilliant Matthew West song "The Motions.") I think someone is just having some super-human expectations of their husband...
Later, she pulls a pack of index cards cut in half and asks if I want to play "Baby Trivia," which turns out to be trivia questions about her kids, herself, Dad, and my niece Amber. And many of these questions referred to events we'd rather forget. ("Which kid poured hot oatmeal down their pants?" Why don't you just slit my skin with a razor blade and rub in some salt while you're asking these?)
This morning, she asked me if I had a "Love Interest." (A reference to The Movie Hero, a brilliant independent film, that I'd let them watch the previous night.) She asked if I maybe had a secret girlfriend, or if I was admiring someone, and if that someone's name began with an "L," she had a pin I could wear over my heart. (Mom, I still care about Lindsay, but I haven't seen her in a very long time, and heard from her in less than that time.)
Right now, I have opted not to actively pursue a romantic relationship should anything happen where I might have to provide for another, or possibly two, people...
Besides, if I was dating or seeing someone, she wouldn't approve of them, so why bother telling her? She doesn't approve of Shaun, Audrey's fiance, or Jessica, Aaron's wife.
Oh, and this morning, while I just had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (as I usually do), they made French Toast with my bread, eggs, milk, and even my Imitation Vanilla. (Why do I even have that? Well, I guess Audrey bought it, but still, I've never used it.) And was I offered any or asked if they could use them? Nope.
I do appreciate that they cleared up the coffee and kitchen table and washed dishes, but seriously, is common courtesy now lost among immediate family? (Such as flushing the toilet or turning off ALL of the lights when you leave...)
But, I was glad I could finally tell her some things flat out, the Youth Group leaving, and also that they should consider moving back to Springfield. (Seriously, does she expect her marriage to work if she just moves to Tulsa to "start a homeless ministry" while she still has a Type-1 Diabetic child to care for?)
I would seriously not mind moving out of the country and just forgetting to tell them, just to tee them off... That'd be a blast!
Usual run of the mill, they expect me to feed them (even though I have hardly enough for myself and am having a few financial troubles), take much more than they give, mom complains about any DVDs that get played, she complains about everything, tells me boring stuff about their life in Nebo, blah, blah, blah.
As it was a Wednesday night, they asked "There's Youth Group tonight, right?"
I looked back at them blankly, half amused that THAT little fact hasn't gotten to them yet. (With the exception of Arthur, who I told in June, asking him to keep it secret... Good going, Arthur!) Finally, mom came out and asked me why I didn't answer the question.
"You know, it's funny that people in Scotland and Australia know I haven't been with the Youth Group since March, and you don't," I told her.
(Yes, if you don't know, or are not one of them, I do have international friends...)
"Well, that's why there's a thing called communication!" she retorted.
I almost laughed. She hardly communicates with us, often I would get announcements that they were visiting the same day that they were coming. In fact, earlier that day, they had gone to CiCi's Pizza, Dad had even left my apartment to catch the bus there, and for some reason, no one said, "Hey, want to come?" (I even could have paid for myself, though, upon reflection, I wasn't really hungry.)
So, later she says to me, "I think I need to leave your Dad." She explains he "goes through the motions" instead of really loving her.
So... wait... he gave up a good job that let him provide for his family when you asked him to, he works hard at a night job and sends almost all of his check to you, always provided for his family, and you say he just goes through the motions. (Which by the way, was a terribly misunderstood reference to the brilliant Matthew West song "The Motions.") I think someone is just having some super-human expectations of their husband...
Later, she pulls a pack of index cards cut in half and asks if I want to play "Baby Trivia," which turns out to be trivia questions about her kids, herself, Dad, and my niece Amber. And many of these questions referred to events we'd rather forget. ("Which kid poured hot oatmeal down their pants?" Why don't you just slit my skin with a razor blade and rub in some salt while you're asking these?)
This morning, she asked me if I had a "Love Interest." (A reference to The Movie Hero, a brilliant independent film, that I'd let them watch the previous night.) She asked if I maybe had a secret girlfriend, or if I was admiring someone, and if that someone's name began with an "L," she had a pin I could wear over my heart. (Mom, I still care about Lindsay, but I haven't seen her in a very long time, and heard from her in less than that time.)
Right now, I have opted not to actively pursue a romantic relationship should anything happen where I might have to provide for another, or possibly two, people...
Besides, if I was dating or seeing someone, she wouldn't approve of them, so why bother telling her? She doesn't approve of Shaun, Audrey's fiance, or Jessica, Aaron's wife.
Oh, and this morning, while I just had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (as I usually do), they made French Toast with my bread, eggs, milk, and even my Imitation Vanilla. (Why do I even have that? Well, I guess Audrey bought it, but still, I've never used it.) And was I offered any or asked if they could use them? Nope.
I do appreciate that they cleared up the coffee and kitchen table and washed dishes, but seriously, is common courtesy now lost among immediate family? (Such as flushing the toilet or turning off ALL of the lights when you leave...)
But, I was glad I could finally tell her some things flat out, the Youth Group leaving, and also that they should consider moving back to Springfield. (Seriously, does she expect her marriage to work if she just moves to Tulsa to "start a homeless ministry" while she still has a Type-1 Diabetic child to care for?)
I would seriously not mind moving out of the country and just forgetting to tell them, just to tee them off... That'd be a blast!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Tired of it
So, not too long ago, I was having a phone call with my mother. She was telling me that Audrey, my sister, shouldn't live with her "boyfriend" when she moves back to Springfield in a couple months.
NOTE: Audrey is almost 20, and she is engaged, Mom knows this full well.
I decided to tell her something that she needed to hear right off:
"Mom, Audrey is an adult and needs to make her own decisions."
"Well, she's under our spiritual authority and by state law, she's still a minor."
HOLD IT... Now, I didn't want to argue, because trying to convince my mom of anything against her opinion is like talking to a brick wall: you need a sledgehammer to get through.
Audrey and I have not lived with our parents since November 2006, and Mom was not living with us since October because she was at her parents' home, because they had both died within ten days of each other.
Both Mom and Audrey had moved to different states, Mom to Oklahoma (though they've come back), and Audrey is in Kansas right now.
Audrey has a driver's license, a car (such as it is, but she's kept it running), she's shared apartments with me and Shaun, her fiance. She's not only had, but HELD DOWN jobs which, by the way, Mom has never been able to do.
Now, I don't personally approve that Audrey and Shaun moved in together prior to marriage, but I do think that they were meant for each other, and if God has brought them together, who are we to say otherwise?
Mom then talked my ear off on all the things she claimed "God had given her about why Audrey and Shaun shouldn't be together."
I'm tired of it! I'm tired of being the middle-man in this soap opera. My opinion really shouldn't matter in this situation at all, but some people just don't get that.
And if Mom doesn't approve of her kids finding their true loves and marrying them, then she's off of my wedding's guest list too. (Whenever that happens.)
Is it any wonder that she has no real relationship with her kids?
NOTE: Audrey is almost 20, and she is engaged, Mom knows this full well.
I decided to tell her something that she needed to hear right off:
"Mom, Audrey is an adult and needs to make her own decisions."
"Well, she's under our spiritual authority and by state law, she's still a minor."
HOLD IT... Now, I didn't want to argue, because trying to convince my mom of anything against her opinion is like talking to a brick wall: you need a sledgehammer to get through.
Audrey and I have not lived with our parents since November 2006, and Mom was not living with us since October because she was at her parents' home, because they had both died within ten days of each other.
Both Mom and Audrey had moved to different states, Mom to Oklahoma (though they've come back), and Audrey is in Kansas right now.
Audrey has a driver's license, a car (such as it is, but she's kept it running), she's shared apartments with me and Shaun, her fiance. She's not only had, but HELD DOWN jobs which, by the way, Mom has never been able to do.
Now, I don't personally approve that Audrey and Shaun moved in together prior to marriage, but I do think that they were meant for each other, and if God has brought them together, who are we to say otherwise?
Mom then talked my ear off on all the things she claimed "God had given her about why Audrey and Shaun shouldn't be together."
I'm tired of it! I'm tired of being the middle-man in this soap opera. My opinion really shouldn't matter in this situation at all, but some people just don't get that.
And if Mom doesn't approve of her kids finding their true loves and marrying them, then she's off of my wedding's guest list too. (Whenever that happens.)
Is it any wonder that she has no real relationship with her kids?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Rearranging things
2006 - Mom throws a fit to end all fits and I decide to convince Audrey that it is time we move out. We do, almost coinciding with our grandparents' deaths.
2007 - I get fired from my first job. We get internet at our apartment. Audrey meets Shaun. I get a new job. Audrey brings Sharon to live with us. Audrey and Shaun's relationship deepens. I get hired back from the same job I'd been fired from earlier in the year. Audrey decides to move in with Shaun and leaves to do so on Christmas Eve.
2008 - Tim informs me of the issue of my living with Sharon and how it affects my standing as a youth leader. Instead of doing as he said, I give in to the temptation of Sharon's aid. I later abuse my youth leader status by letting a youth girl visit me while we are both unchaperoned. I am asked to step down. Sharon leaves.
And suddenly, I can think again. I didn't really need Sharon's assistance. And something was up with her finances: $7 an hour she was making with 40 hours a week, yet she remained broke. I once had similar hours and pay rate, and I was making over $250 a week. If I was making that now, I'd really have no financial worries. But no matter, the important thing is she is gone, and so are her annoyances and overuse of my utilities.
It was reccomended to me that I join my Church's college and career group, but for a long time, I resisted. I'd remembered one time I had attempted to join, but I felt unwelcome. However, this time, a member of the group reached out to me and I have already been attending the cell group for two weeks.
I am still attempting to re-organize my life after everything that has changed. However, I am also aware that life never gets to a state of "normal." I suppose the option of returning to youth leadership may be open now, but I would prefer to wait until I enter employment that will allow me to accompany the youth group on more of their trips and events. It is really unfair that I wasn't allowed by circumstances to do so before. I know those kids miss me.
I've rambled enough.
2007 - I get fired from my first job. We get internet at our apartment. Audrey meets Shaun. I get a new job. Audrey brings Sharon to live with us. Audrey and Shaun's relationship deepens. I get hired back from the same job I'd been fired from earlier in the year. Audrey decides to move in with Shaun and leaves to do so on Christmas Eve.
2008 - Tim informs me of the issue of my living with Sharon and how it affects my standing as a youth leader. Instead of doing as he said, I give in to the temptation of Sharon's aid. I later abuse my youth leader status by letting a youth girl visit me while we are both unchaperoned. I am asked to step down. Sharon leaves.
And suddenly, I can think again. I didn't really need Sharon's assistance. And something was up with her finances: $7 an hour she was making with 40 hours a week, yet she remained broke. I once had similar hours and pay rate, and I was making over $250 a week. If I was making that now, I'd really have no financial worries. But no matter, the important thing is she is gone, and so are her annoyances and overuse of my utilities.
It was reccomended to me that I join my Church's college and career group, but for a long time, I resisted. I'd remembered one time I had attempted to join, but I felt unwelcome. However, this time, a member of the group reached out to me and I have already been attending the cell group for two weeks.
I am still attempting to re-organize my life after everything that has changed. However, I am also aware that life never gets to a state of "normal." I suppose the option of returning to youth leadership may be open now, but I would prefer to wait until I enter employment that will allow me to accompany the youth group on more of their trips and events. It is really unfair that I wasn't allowed by circumstances to do so before. I know those kids miss me.
I've rambled enough.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Picnic at Hanging Rock
So, I recently watched this brilliant film from Australia. It was brought to my attention by Sam Milazzo, an e-mail friend of mine from Maroubra, Australia.
The film centers around the mystery of the disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher on Hanging Rock, or Mount Diogenes. After the dissappearance, which happens about thirty minutes into this two-hour spellbinder, the film continues to deal with the students and staff at the college, as well as the local townspeople who are affected by the dissappearance of the girls and the teacher.
The film's slow pace for once works in it's favor, creating a bewitching viewing experience. It is even more highlighted by the beauty of Australia, and the beauty and terror of Hanging Rock itself.
We are never told in the film what became of the missing people, although one of the girls is recovered.
One wonderful thing about this film is how differently it can be interpreted. Is it an actual tale, or an allegory? And if it is, what does it mean?
One interpretation could be drawn from one of the lines in the opening scenes, spoken to the orphan Sara by the bewitching Miranda (who is one of the girls who disappears), "You must learn to love someone else apart from me, Sara. I won't be here much longer."
It could be seen as an allegory on growing up. Miranda could be seen as Sara's best childhood friend who walks out of her life, warning Sara that it will happen. Maybe the vanishing represents death or a loss of contact. Despite these warnings, Sara doesn't adjust and the loss of Miranda hits her hard.
In this case, headmistress Mrs. Appleyard is similar, except she frivously tries to follow the missing people and meets her own death because of it.
Thus, we see that "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is a multi-layered alloegory: there is no one meaning to it.
Definitely a classic.
The film centers around the mystery of the disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher on Hanging Rock, or Mount Diogenes. After the dissappearance, which happens about thirty minutes into this two-hour spellbinder, the film continues to deal with the students and staff at the college, as well as the local townspeople who are affected by the dissappearance of the girls and the teacher.
The film's slow pace for once works in it's favor, creating a bewitching viewing experience. It is even more highlighted by the beauty of Australia, and the beauty and terror of Hanging Rock itself.
We are never told in the film what became of the missing people, although one of the girls is recovered.
One wonderful thing about this film is how differently it can be interpreted. Is it an actual tale, or an allegory? And if it is, what does it mean?
One interpretation could be drawn from one of the lines in the opening scenes, spoken to the orphan Sara by the bewitching Miranda (who is one of the girls who disappears), "You must learn to love someone else apart from me, Sara. I won't be here much longer."
It could be seen as an allegory on growing up. Miranda could be seen as Sara's best childhood friend who walks out of her life, warning Sara that it will happen. Maybe the vanishing represents death or a loss of contact. Despite these warnings, Sara doesn't adjust and the loss of Miranda hits her hard.
In this case, headmistress Mrs. Appleyard is similar, except she frivously tries to follow the missing people and meets her own death because of it.
Thus, we see that "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is a multi-layered alloegory: there is no one meaning to it.
Definitely a classic.
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