castledoom.com

[NibbyCat]

Details: My one of my uncles-in-law has/had an ultralight. He was at the airport in the process of taking off when a freak gust of wind drove him and his plane into the ground. At least he was doing something he loved.

[NibbyCat]

I have a job interview for the call center at Computer Services Corporation tomorrow morning. If you have nothing better to do at 9 am USEDT (3pm Netherlands time), please send good thoughts my way.

[NibbyCat]

cross-posted in several of my groups and blogs, so I'm explaining everything to get everyone up to speed)

Today I had a job interview with WeDoComputerStuffAllOverTheWorld.

I found out about the job twice. The first time, I submitted my rèsumè to Monster.com (job hunting site), then looked to see what was available in this area. One annoying thing, Monster put me in the Columbus/Zanesville, Ohio, region, and wouldn’t let me change to Northern West Virginia region. Zanesville is ~50 miles (80km) from here, Columbus another 50 miles beyond that. Anyhow, when I looked at the Northern WV, I found a link to the job listing. Then, last Saturday I looked in the newspaper, there was just an URL and job reference number, lo, and behold, same listing. So, I submitted my rèsumè directly to the company on their site. Here’s the job description from their site:
Listing Details
CSR - Wheeling, WV
Primary Role Title:
Customer Support Representative Date Listed:
21-Aug-2007

Work Location:
Wheeling • West Virginia • USA

Special Considerations:
Relocation Assistance Not Available.

Entry Level Opportunity!

Principal Duties and Essential Job Functions:
Answers incoming phone calls on behalf of client; provides accurate and appropriate information to callers. Gathers and verifies required information.

Basic Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED. Zero or more years of customer service or other telephone experience. Must be able to obtain and maintain a FBI security clearance.



The interview was in Wheeling, WV, about 30 miles from here.

I wore black slacks and a pink button-down shirt with black stripes, I haven’t had a chance to get a blazer, so I figured they’d have to just deal with me not in a suit. So, I got there at 8:45, 15 minutes early, some of the employees were going in, they were in jeans. The tester/first interviewer was wearing blue denim capris. I was over-dressed.

Anyhow, I filled out an application, then was taken back for testing. I passed everything, except was slow on one of the tests. It took me a while to figure out that in addition to using “tab” to move to the next field in the form, you use it to move to the next form. So, I had to re-take, and got a much better speed.

I talked to two interviewers, and was offered the position. It’s a call-center, taking information, like orders, but this is for the gov’t.

So, the fingerprinter had gone to lunch when I was done, so I filled out my preliminary “Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” forms. Well, things like have you ever been convicted of a felony, have you ever had a run in with the law in any manner, have you ever declared bankruptcy, have you ever been more than 180 days late paying a bill… The security guard told me that if I admitted to speeding tickets, no matter how long ago, I’d have to show receipts that they’d been paid. For the question of whether I’d ever lived or visited a foreign country, I forgot about trips to Canada when I was a kid. Oh, well. There was a question of whether I’ve been in contact, including letters, emails and phone calls, with someone in a foreign country. I came clean about Robert. I gave his full name and address in Sweden (Is it good or bad that I know his address off the top of my head?).

Then I went to Wheeling Hospital to pee in a cup for the drug test. I had 48 hours after being offered the job, but since I was in Wheeling, anyhow, and had the time to kill, I did it then. By the time that was done, it was just after noon, I hadn’t had breakfast, and was getting very wobbly. So, I had lunch in the cafeteria at the hospital. Hey, $5 for pork chop, sweet potatoes (too much glaze), and green beans with carrots and a Diet Pepsi. Not bad. I had told Aunt Loisanne I’d be back by noon, so out in the parking lot, I tried to call, but was told “No network in range” on my cell. Hmm, the hospital must have a jammer even outdoors.

So, I got back to the office, and the fingerprinter read the answers to my security questions. He said they’d need more information on Robert. So, I added I’d met him online last year, we communicate via phone/VOIP, emails, instant messaging, and I’d sent letters and gifts via postal mails. While I was writing that, I asked if they’d need his phone number and what kinds of gifts I’ve sent (tea, for those who want to know). The guy gave me a long-suffering look and shook his head.

Then he took me back to the fingerprinting stuff. Two sets are taken, FYI. Then he squirted GoJo waterless hand cleaner in my hands for me to clean off the ink, I wiped it off with the proffered paper towels, and was told I was done. I had a stop at the mall on the way home, it was just after 2 when I got to the farm.

If the feds and the drug test comes back clean, I’ll be in the Sept. 10th training class, for a week of training. That Friday I’ll get my next week’s schedule. The call center is open 8am to 1am, 7 days a week (I didn’t ask about holidays). I told them that I prefer to have off Sundays until 5 pm (that’s 11pm in Sweden, so Robert and I can have some time “together”), but very willing to work Sunday nights, and any other times. Saturdays will be mandatory. Apparently, a lot of business happens on Saturdays.

It pays $8.40/hr, I’d be getting 20-29 hrs/week. No health ins., but I’d be able to pay into a 401(k) (retirement account). As permanent or full-time positions open up, I will be able to apply.

So, that was my day.

[NibbyCat]

Addendum: When I got home yesterday, I told people about my adventures. I was reminded that I had been to Canada 3 times. I called the place and talked to the fingerprint dude. I asked what info they'd need, and that I have no idea as to the dates, and others didn't, either. We couldn't pin down the exact years, even. He said to not worry about it until they asked about it.

[NibbyCat]

On the 4th, I learned that I had passed the drug test. I didn't think there'd be a problem. But we had to wait for the Feds. Finally, on Tuesday they said they couldn't find my skeletons. Yay, training starts Monday.

Then yesterday, the fingerprint guy called. The feds have a 2-page, 41-question form for me to fill out about the "foreign national and my relationship with him." I *should* go in before Monday, but because I live 30 miles away, he's letting me do it Monday, then return it on Tuesday.

Holy moly! Tell me again that honesty is the best policy. I mean, I can understand, we're talking gov't contract, but Sweden is more or less friendly, right?

[NibbyCat]

I survived the first day of training. All we did was the forms, signing our lives away for all kinds of things. Last week the security and facilities manager called, there was another form on my relationship with the "foreign national". Oh, boy. I can understand the concern, but it does seem silly on the surface. So, I got in an hour early to get it out of my way.

Good things: free parking, nice breakroom, even with vending machine food, allowed to go online on breaks. We do our timesheets online.

Bad: It's 30 miles one way. It's really not that bad, though, I like driving, and it's very easy off the interstate.

[NibbyCat]

If I learn nothing else in this job, I now can rattle off the military alphabet: Alpha, bravo, Charlie, delta, echo, foxtrot, golf, hotel, India, Juliet, kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

[NibbyCat]

It sucks when a relationship dies.

[NibbyCat]

Back on Dec. 16, I was in a small accident. We’d had an ice storm, but I had to get into town. Coming down a hill, I lost control, took out the mailbox at the School’s farm, and wound up in the ditch. I hit my head on the visor, but figured it was just a bruising. Over the next week, I had some problems with thinking and tracking, but since that was a very heavy week work-wise, I just put it to exhaustion.

Fast forward to this past Sunday, two weeks later. I started getting headaches around my left eye, in the sinuses. Why not my right? I had an “incident” in Chemistry in college, and the mucous membranes on my right side were essentially burned out. Monday it was so bad, I borrowed some Ibuprofen from a co-worker, and I took almost two hours of ATO (Authorized Time Off), and just drove to the ER, thinking sinus infection. The Ibuprofen started wearing off while I was driving, about 4 hours later. I mentioned that I’ve noticed some vision changes, but not that bad. He didn’t give me anything for it, and only said it wasn’t sinus infection, though I probably had given myself a concussion in the accident. I took one Advil when I got home, 7:30pm, another one an hour later, and two Aleve at 10. I still had pain when I went to bed at 11, but it was easing. The pain came back about 3am, and finally got up and took more Advil and Aleve at 4:30 am, and went back to bed, slept for 6 hours.

Anyhow. I still had the headache this morning when I left for work. Walking to the car, it felt… odd, like the ground wasn’t where it was supposed to be, but I figured it was the vision thing. Then, turning onto the road from our drive, I realized that in the distance I was seeing a fork in the road that isn’t there. I drove on, carefully. I made an appointment to see my regular Dr. on Friday morning (I have it off, anyhow)/ I called dad at noon to ask that he and someone come so they could take me home this evening, I didn’t want to have to deal with lights and double vision. Over the course of the day the double vision increased, as did the headaches. I took the offered ATO about an hour early, and sat in the lobby talking to the guard and an IT guy waiting for Dad and whoever (wound up being Uncle Bob).

Dad drove me in my car. There is NO WAY I could have driven myself. Closing one eye removes the double vision, but I lose depth perception. Tomorrow, Mom will take me in her car, and Dad will come get me after work. I’ll be taking a supply of Tylenol, Advil and Aleve. I don’t know the science, but it takes all three to totally remove the pain. I must have several factors going.

So, that’s what’s up with me…

[NibbyCat]

So. I had an appt. at 9:45 with the doctor. We got there a tad late, I had to wait a little bit. He wanted a CT scan. So, he had to order it at another hospital. I got there before 11:30, it was 3 before I was taken to wait outside the CT room. Another wait in the ER, to find out that I don't have a brain tumor. It was 5 when we got home.

On Monday I call the eye guy for an appt. In the interim, I'm getting good at using only one eye, but I don't want to drive like this.

I think this will take all I make to pay for everything and everyone.

[NibbyCat]

Yesterday morning I had the appt. with the ophthalmologist. At this point, it's idiopathic divergence paralysis, which means we don't know what's causing it. In two weeks, I'll go in and get a shot of Tensilon, to test for myasthenia gravis. If the shot doesn't do anything, he'll set me up with a prism to put on one of my lenses on my distance glasses. If the degree of divergence doesn't change in 6 months to a year, I'll get new glasses with the prismatic lens.

I don't want to pay for an MRI at this point, though it would be more detailed than the CAT scan was.

[NibbyCat]

What really sucks is to be deeply infatuated with one person, who probably only sees you as a friend, and lives too far away, and on the other hand there's someone about an hour away who seems to be about as nuts about you, but just doesn't thrill you the way the other one does.

Sex is great, don't get me wrong, but why is it that I'm more turned on by conversation about anything (ok, other than celebrity gossip) than by attempts at cybersex?

[NibbyCat]

Well, the dwarves know how to show a (night elf) girl a good time. I died and fell in water in lvl 34-ish places, and I'm 155 away from lvl 26. I tried to go to Wailing Caverns, but was told to buzz off by the NPC in charge. Bah. The same thing happened at other places. I get XP with these guys, but can't quest. Actually one of the dungeons last night was a quest, and I got a bunch of XP for it, so I was further from 26 when we did it.

The other night I learned that if you skin things 5+ over you, your skinning levels by 2 or 3 for each beastie, as opposed to several critters/level if they're lower than you. Follow a buddy who doesn't skin, and let him kill while you skin, but he has to loot, first.

There's something WRONG about being killed by a tree. A crazed ancient, sure, but it's a walking TREE!

I creep out people complaining about the problem with killing humanoids is you can't skin them. Spiders, humanoids, and mechanicals can't be skinned.

[NibbyCat]

From my blog elsewhere, posting for yesterday, 2/28:

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Things are still hopping at work. As of yesterday's pay, my year-to-date gross is just shy of $1,300 more than 2/29/2008's pay, and my rate is only a few cents more than last year, and the first pay in Jan. 2008 had my $300 hiring and retention bonus. We're going nuts. We're still running way over forecast, just as busy as in the busy season. Do they know something I don't, and should I buy a gun just to defend myself?

It didn't help that yesterday we had 16 people call off, and I don't know how many called off for today, but yesterday they were asking people who were scheduled for today off to come in, and just about everyone who works the later shifts was asked to come in 2 hours early. Why the call-offs? Earlier this week, the company announced an attendance incentive for March, that would forgive up to 2 points, up to a 6 point balance. Those who start March with 6 points and have perfect attendance in March will get vouchers for 2 "free" extra 15 minute breaks to be used when we want, as long as call volume and staffing allows. I have a sucky work ethic, and I didn't even think about having a "free" day off today vs. the two free breaks.

Now I better explain points. You start with 6 points in your "bank". For each month you have 6 points, you get a $10 bonus (add in 100% quality, and you have a $30 bonus). If you have an unexcused tardy, it costs you .5 point, and calling off a day is 1 point. Illness counts, but only one point per instance. If you call in sick for a couple days, that's one point. Come back, but the next day you relapse, that's another point. It's better to stay home and be SURE you're over whatever it is. If you have perfect attendance for the next month, you'll get a point back. Back when we had the level 3 blizzard, the company gave those of us who called off due to it ATO (Approved Time Off), it didn't count against our points, but we had to put it against our sick time or vacation time, or eat the unpaid day. (Us parttimers can only put in for 4 hours of sick or vacation, even if we're scheduled for 8 hours, like I was). Once your bank is depleted to a certain point, you get warnings and all kinds of things. I have only had one point taken off, back in March, so I'm kind of vague on the warnings, and I really have no desire to find out personally.

I was stunned to find out that some of the co-workers I respect are running the ragged edge of disaster, points-wise. Man, it really changes how I view them. This isn't high school, people, it's LIFE! We're adults, act like it! Says she who is about to spend the next 6 hours beating up things in Warcrack. But, I'll get up in time to get to work tomorrow.
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I found out today it was 10-11 call-offs for yesterday. Sheesh!

I had planned on an all-night on WoW, since I have Monday and Tuesday off, but I just got a call asking me to work 11:30-8 tomorrow, and have Friday off. OK, so, I won't do the all-nighter, probably just 5-6 hours.

[NibbyCat]

Fun. Now that I own the house, I've started the ball rolling on home repairs, and they're rolling faster than I had expected. I have two steps to the front porch, where we'd used 2 concrete pavers for 25 years. I have a new entry door and storm door to the outback (would have been a garage, but we didn't even pretend when the house was built, it was a storage room). The front porch has a new coat of paint. I have some plumbing issues (leaks) that have been fixed or will be this afternoon. There are two basement windows to go on the ends of the downstairs, and a window for the kitchen on order.

When we're ready, we'll clean out the outback and finish it, so it can be a living space. I'll use it as a bedroom and some storage, but contained storage. What is currently my room will have full-sized kitchen appliances, and be an office/living room, I think.

I want to make a fire escape for my parents, a deck off that end of the house. As it is, there is only one way out for anyone upstairs, and that's right over where most fires would likely break out. I'm tempted to turn one of the spare bedrooms into a laundry room for them, so mom doesn't have to kill herself on the stairs. Or make part of the deck a laundry room of sorts. Just a small washer/dryer, and space to store out of season clothes. Or... If Dad gets into the habit of going through there, he can just drop his dirty clothes there, and change into sweats or whatever for the evening. I also want to take out the bathtub, and put in a shower wall.

My plan is that the downstairs can be an in-law apartment, or for a responsible teen. So, when I'm ready to sell, it'll be a selling point.