(no subject)

A week after I wrote my contractor saying we need to nail down timelines on the work, he has not responded in any way. I stopped by the other day after my dethkold to find no work has been done that I can see. I'm asking guidance on what to do next from my guy and considering the issue myself.

There was a robbery on Spring Road between my house and the metro - the route my girl and I will walk. The robbers were kids, the kind I see goofing off and yelling by the metro and bus stop every day. I am not pleased by this.

My application to FDIC was rejected for failing to meet the standard of running a LER nationwide program. I am happy the HR specialist wrote me back on the issue, though I noted they defined that task via 5 activities which I had done (and it's an asst. director job, not the lead). I then applied for the FDIC job that is...well my job, only there.

And I don't want the job. I am stupidly happy right now - I've done it. While I'm still high over that 3 case / 1 hearing in LA/CA win, I've achieved my long-term goal of catching up. I literally am making work to do because I've "beat" my caseload. I have more than enough time to do my work - finally.

I'm also better at it. Still growing, so I'm not bored, but happy with the quality of my work today.

Good time to be floating applications. It would take a lot of money and future money to make me want to jump, but you never know what the future holds.

Sort of related, I recently poked into some old gym spreadsheets and don't feel like I've gotten much stronger considering the years I've worked out. My elbows always hurt. I need to do a more thorough post about my measured progress over the years and what it means, but I also need to think about a long term working out strategy. Stretching is turning out to be a really important part of it. Also, am I too fat? I'm supposed to gain weight but I'm always wondering about my belly (which is mostly candy, fat, and beer).

(no subject)

After talking to Scott, I called Jordan from my home phone and he picked up (not sure he knew who it was). He said he had meant to respond to my email...

1. He said he's had more "personnel problems," but also noted he is "getting some people back." This would explain no work - no people, no work. Maybe he yells too much. Maybe he's learning he yells too much. Maybe I don't care anymore.

2. Heat: He also "took responsibility" for the lack of heat - that's about a half a day's work and he hasn't done it. He didn't make excuses. He did note that he has to install a filter and then monitor it a lot (due to construction) as it keeps debris from getting into the heat. As long as there is no heat, my gas bills are small says I!

3. Outside - most of the work has been outside. The stairs and slab in front are done (as is the concrete work in back, including back stairs, window well, and the retaining wall, but some time ago). The parking pad is coming along, and it is only concrete on the outside to frame it in and hold it steady (I was worried it was a slab with brick on top, he assured me water does go through this). He's happy with his person's work. He noted the pavers/pad has a felt pad underneath (I saw this, dirt, gravel, felt, sand) which will keep the sand in pretty well, and it is 100% water permeable. After heavy rain or time I may need to go out with "play sand" and sweep it in to replenish - but that's easy and the felt should mostly hold my sand in.
3a. He likes the work so much he's going to do the SAME THING for the sidewalk along the fence to the back door. I love this - I have a very watershed friendly design, fairly environmentally friendly.
3b. Funny - the new condos behind us were forced to remove their concrete slab driveway and put in the same type of water permeable pavers I used! They laughed and complained our work cost them $8-10k to redo in pavers / water permeable. When the inspectors came by and saw my water-permeable parking pad, they made them jackhammer out their concrete slab...that must have sucked (but hey, they're just developers). Watershed moment!

4. Inside - he scheduled delivery of the kitchen cabinets for next week (after this coming week). Even if the floor is not done in the living room, they should be able to install the kitchen cabinets. He seems to be saying the floor will be done in the living room, but didn't really say when. He may do the deck first to have a place to unpack cabinets to install.

5. He said close-in inspection on the basement is about to be scheduled (but it's not set and he's said this before).

I noted "So I shouldn't expect to see much this week...
The conversation was friendly which fits my temperament, but I did remind him I'm paying 2 mortgages. He was apologetic, but I'm still paying 2 mortgages.

Also, the stock market has taken a lot off my money. In a way having delays may help me depending on where the market goes and when the bill comes in.