Simply Charlie

Going Stir Crazy!

2011-08-03T17:43:00.003-04:00

The job hunt continues. I sat in many area coffee shops and sent out resume's to a few places but haven't heard back. The latest is Zipcar, which is one of the Boston area companies that I'd love to work for. I'm really hoping this one comes through.

My Aerotek recruiter on the other hand has been completely useless. I guess it's typical with all agency recruiters to keep making promises that they can't keep. The last email I received from him was 9 days ago, where he requested that somebody else contact me. I sent a follow up this afternoon and was copied on yet another email requesting that someone get ahold of me. I did receive a call while getting a much needed haircut, but that was not the place to take it. I'll check the voicemail in the morning and go from there (I don't have any sort of high expectations though).

One more note, I'm off to Lollapalooza on Friday and can't wait! RSVP'd for several after parties but will probably just stick to the ones at the Hard Rock. If only I could get paid for going to music festivals...sigh.

Being Unemployed Kind of Sucks!

2011-07-24T01:00:00.002-04:00

So, for the last 2 days I've been trying to find a new job. Dealing with the Massachusetts Dept. of Labor yesterday morning was ridiculously more difficult than it should be. In the meantime, I've started trying to learn how to make apps for the iPhone and finding that I'm absolutely loving it! Now, if I can only come up with some ideas.

I'm really hoping some kind of job opportunity comes through soon though. I really hate not working.

Damn it's hot today!

2011-07-21T17:51:00.002-04:00

Today starts my first official day of being unemployed, after getting told to leave at 2:30pm yesterday by my (former) boss. They pretty much gave me the bums rush out of there. Talk about awkward! Maybe try to use a little courtesy next time huh?

So, this is one of the hottest days of the year and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter. The plan was to go to the gym, then hit Starbucks for a few hours to soak up some A/C and send resumes out. The Lexington Starbucks was slammed with people trying to escape the heat and there was nowhere to sit, so off to Peet's in Lexington I went. As much as I love (and prefer) Peet's, this one sucked! No A/C, 1 hour time limit on internet, and just rude people sitting around me. Then the power goes out. I took that as a sign and got out of there.

I guess I'll try it all again tomorrow, but will definitely find someplace with A/C and some seating!

I Heart Weekends!

2011-07-16T15:32:00.002-04:00

So, I'm doing my usual weekend thing by hanging at the Java Room in Chelmsford and working on either a movie idea, tv idea, updating my music blog, or my resume. Sometimes all 3 at once. This seems to be the only place I can ever get anything done.

Although I'm not too concerned about losing my job, and it was a major relief, the reality is starting to set in a bit. Guess I'm just going to take things as they come and go from there. Worst comes to worst, I'll start my long dreamed about web media company or a tv show for the web or maybe open a sandwich/surf shop down on Cocoa Beach.

Trying to figure it all out.

2011-07-14T18:07:00.003-04:00

So, in less than a week, I will be one of Massachusetts's many unemployed people. I'm trying to figure out which direction to go. Do I stay here in Massachusetts? Do I follow my lifelong dream of moving to Seattle or Denver which I fell in love with last year? Or perhaps, I should move to Cocoa Beach and open a surf and sub shop on the beach. People get hungry while surfing...right? Yeah, that sounds like an awesome idea!

I'm also still on a high from being an extra in the new Seth MacFarlane movie Ted, which is being shot around Boston. Kicking around the idea of going to MassArt full time to pursue my first love of filmmaking.

Wow! This blog still lives!

2011-07-13T17:05:00.003-04:00

It's been nearly 3 years since my last post to this blog. To be honest, I had forgotten all about it. Man, did I call the iPhone wrong back in 2007 huh? Keep in mind that at that time, there were no apps and the appstore wasn't even on Apple's radar.

Things have definitely changed a lot since the last posting.

It looks like I'm being let go from the job mentioned in other posts here. It will have been almost 5 years to the day. Now, the job hunt is back on. We'll see how this goes.

An update, work, and the Disney Channel

2008-01-17T22:10:00.001-05:00

I'm back! I kind of forgot about this blog while trying to get some other projects off the ground (they are still residing on my hard drive and not online yet). I'm hoping to launch 3 different Drupal based websites before the end of the year. More info once I figure some stuff out.

My work situation needs to change. One can only stare into Excel spreadsheets for so long before going mad. I think that my job would be more bearable if it wasn't soo boring. I'm just not cut out for what I'm doing. I *need* a creative outlet within a smaller company. I find myself doodling on Post-Its and getting quite good at it. Perhaps I should apply to RISD. I've really gotta get a podcast or videoblog together! Ugh! I'm giving this networking thing on LinkedIn a shot and we'll see if it helps change my situation any.

On a lighter note, I've become semi-obsessed with the Disney Channel. I think this is because you can only watch soo many reruns of the King of Queens every night. For some reason, I'm finding these shows more entertaining even in multiple reruns than anything on the other channels at the same time.

Off to bed and 1 more day til the weekend!

Damn you iPhone!!

2007-06-28T21:32:00.000-04:00

Seriously, I'm sick and tired of hearing about that damned iPhone. I really hope this thing fails spectacularly. Apple fanboys are the worst kind of people (the irony in this statement is that I'm actually typing it on my iBook). Perhaps it's all of the Steve Jobs apologist that I find annoying. For instance, take a look at any posting on the Macrumors website. According to most posters there, Jobs can do and say no wrong. It must suck to be soo blind. Honestly, I'd love to meet each and everyone of them just so I could give them a punch in the face.

I had a chance to play with the iPhone last week and found it to be a little overhyped. Yeah, it's a neat little device, but not something I'd use for any more than as an iPod. Even then, it would need a lot more memory. But who knows what the future holds. Perhaps by rev 3 or 4 and if Verizon gets it, I'll probably want one.

The job search begins (again)...

2007-02-27T18:52:00.000-05:00

Warning, major ranting and venting below:

At this point, I can't take my job anymore. I felt like I was coming down with something last week and by Friday it had pretty much kicked in. So, Friday morning I told my boss that I would most likely leave early since I was feeling like shit, but it was not to be. Our rep from Lexmark showed up and what should have been a 3 hour meeting, lasted all day. Needless to say, I was pretty ripshit. He goes on to show me all this software that I need to learn, which was a wasted effort, because when you're sick, you can't concetrate on anything.

Monday, I'm feeling even worse, so I decide not to go in to work. Plus, I needed a kind of day off to de-stress. This morning, I get bitched at for not calling in, which I didn't do because I couldnt find my boss's number anywhere. I'm only a temp, so should I really give two shits about this?

My rep from the temp agency called me this morning because I hadn't had a chance to submit my timecard. He wanted to know how things were going....and I let him know. He seemed kind of worried about this, which in a weird way, made me feel a little better. I asked for more money and he was going to try and get me that too. As much as I'm against temp agencies, this one has not played games or tried to screw me over. I'm still going to look for something that makes me happy in the meantime. I wish it were easier to find jobs at startups...sigh.

I have an idea for a podcast/videocast. I'm working on building a site for it, and then take it from there. Hopefully it will take off and I can just work from home or something for a while.

On to happier things... 3 things that make me happy:

That moment when Michelle comes through the door after work (makes me smile!)
Dark Chocolate Raisinettes (the best food ever!)
Cupids Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes (Fun and catchy!)

Work rantings...

2007-02-20T23:25:00.000-05:00

I have come to really hate my job. My boss is awesome, and the people in my department are cool. It's the Apple fanboy, Wii fanboy, and a few other tech geeks that sit on all sides of me that are annoying. On top of them being very loud when I'm on a conference call, or any call for that matter, my new responsibilities just plain suck. For the last two months or so, I have been "the Lexmark guy". I basically order printers for clinics, which is more complicated than I can explain here. I truly hate it and it has stressed me out to the point where I'm downing a glass or two of wine on an almost nightly basis just to relax(me and Menage Au Trois red wine have become close friends lately).

So today, this bitchy lady calls me asking about two printers that she ordered a week before her clinic was supposed to open. It takes at least 10 business days to ship. She bitches at me because they still haven't arrived. What the fuck am I supposed to do about it? These printers were sitting on a truck in transit. I damn near told her to fuck off. I'm very close to just walking out, I mean it's only a temp job anyway, nothing to lose. Some of us were told we would be taken on permanently about a month ago, this has yet to happen.

Another clinic that I had helped get a printer to, sent the following to my boss:

"I am the clinic secretary for Clinic XXXX in Cincinnati. We recently had a need for a new Lexmark printer. Very long story, but we had never had one.

That being said, I just wanted to let you know what an outstanding job Charles did with making sure that everything was taken care of from the moment we made the request up until the moment it was installed. He actually processed the order for the printer the same day he received the request. I have never seen anyone respond so quickly. In fact, he was always courteous and prompt with everything I asked of him.

Basically, he just did a great job for us and we really appreciate it.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions

XXXX XXXXXX"

That definitely made me feel better, even though I hate getting praise like that. I mean, I'm only doing my job and I do try to do the best I can. I used to get the same kind of emails sent to my boss when I worked at Blue Cross.

On another note, that chick in the Butterfinger commercial is kinda hot, but that laugh...ugh! It makes me want to slap her with a candy bar.

Random Thoughts

2007-01-05T17:34:00.000-05:00

Kinda bummed that I didn't win a pair of tickets for the KimChee Records 10th Anniversary show tonight at TT the Bears. I had the number in my phone all ready to go when the DJ on ZBC announced he had tickets. I listen everyday on my way home and it figures the one time I try for free passes to something, someone called and got them. Meh! Either way, I'm pretty sure I'm going to the show tonight. I have to see Geoff Farina, it's been way too long!

I was told at work today to think about my career path because we have a big meeting on Monday, but also because there are a couple of positions opening up. I think it's going to be in billing/leasing though...bleh. I want something in video or web development or tech. Although I'm not sure if I like the company, since it still feels very impersonal, I might end up taking it until I can find something else. Happiness definitely comes before a life of working at something you dont really want to do. I do have to say, my boss is awesome and pretty chill though.

I made myself a promise to go to the gym more this year. I really want to go before and after work but I just can't get up that early. Although I'll get up early to try and get a coffee at Diesel and get to work on time, go figure. It still amuses me that Danny from MTV's The Real World is almost always at the gym when I am. So, yeah, I seemed to have gained some weight over the holidays even though I thought I was watching my food intake. Perhaps I'll get a really big tan this summer!

So so confused!

2006-11-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

I just got back from an interview at a startup in Cambridge. I think it went mostly well and I find out on Monday if they really want me. This is a great opportunity as the job will be built around me and I'll learn sooo much. BUT...it being a startup, that is still in stealth mode, there are no guarantees. That is what worries me, especially since I just bought a new car. I soo don't know what to do, if offered, take that chance, or stick with my temp job where it's at least stable work.

The 3 guys I met with were really cool and laid back. After the interview, I was challenged to a game of foosball, where me and my teamate were soundly thrashed 10-5. I think that was the first time I've ever played foosball while not in a bar or having a drink. It was wicked fun though. On the way back home, I stopped at Diesel in Davis Square to get an iced coffee and rum scone. But they didn't have rum scones today...boo. I miss going there for coffee.

I want to go to the Brainwash Festival this weekend...especially on Sunday to see Windy & Carl...sigh.

Off to work, gonna be a late night there tonight :(

The Massachusetts RMV = Pure Hell

2006-11-02T23:12:00.000-05:00

Ok, I've about had it with this new car thing. It's all soo clear! There was a reason I've never owned a car before, this past week has made it soo clear! It's just not meant to be. It shouldn't be this stressful! Of course, all of this could have been avoided if I let the insurance guy do it for $15. Go figure.

On Wednesday, I took 4 hours out of work, that I dont get paid for, to go to the Reading RMV (also known as the DMV in any other state). An immediate observation is that there isn't a single employee under the age of 70, with one exception being this semi-cute blonde girl that works in the back room. I feel as though I've stumbled into a nursing home.

It's really creepy in there, in that dark, dull kind of way. So, I explain to Cranky Old Lady #1 that I need to convert my RI license to a MA one, as well as get my new car registered and get new plates. I'm then handed a little ticket with a time estimate. 5 minutes, great, I'll only lose an hour of work and can make that up. My number is called almost exactly 5 minutes later and I go to the window.

This is where I meet Cranky Old Man in Suspenders. This guy comes off as an asshole, and doesn't seem to know where he is. He asks for 4 forms of ID!! 4!! I show him my SS card, some mail, my electric bill and my old license. I didn't bring my birth certificate since in RI, your license counts as the birth certificate at the DMV for a renewal kind of thing. Ohh...that would have just been too convienent. So we get into an arguement about it and he rambles on about the Patriot Act. I had to bite my tongue to keep my thoughts on that private. So, he decides he'll take my picture and that I can come back later with the birth certificate. Great! I'll run home, grab it and come back, since it's only 8 miles away. I'll only lose an hour and a half of work.

I forgot to mention that they are repaving a portion of RT129 near Textron. So, that means I sit for 5 minutes, waiting for traffic to be waived on each time I leave the RMV. I get back to the RMV and meet up with Cranky Old Lady #1 again. Get my ticket, 5 minutes again...what luck! I go up to the window and meet Cranky Old Lady #2. Same routine as before, 4 forms of ID, shitty attitude, and raped me of $90. Why does it cost $90 to convert a license from another state?? Shouldn't it be cheaper since the info is in a computer somewhere? That is double what a new license costs! I pay with my debit card. She mentions the Patriot Act as well after I tell her the "MA system is retarded", and says something to the effect of not wanting foreigners to have licenses. At least this part is done.

Back to Cranky Old Lady #1 to get a ticket for the registration part. Looks like about 10 minutes this time. Fine, I need to pee anyways. I go in the back, try to open the bathroom door, but it's locked. Fine. A few minutes go by and my number is getting closer to being called. I try the door again, still locked. Someone finally emerges...it's Cranky Old Man in Suspenders. Isn't that just lovely. So I get back to the front and my number gets called. I deal with Cranky Old Lady #3, who starts filling out everything and hands me the plates. Then she asks if I'm paying with cash or check. No credit card or debit cards! I ask her if she's joking, she says read the sign. Ok, the sign says REGISTRATION must be cash or check, it says nothing about tax. Ohh how I would have loved to have wacked her in the head with the plates! I didn't have a check with me, and I'm not the type to carry $1300 in cash on me. I get extremely pissed, tell her that "this place is fucking retarded" loud enough for all to hear, and storm off. Yeah, it was childish, but I made my point. To top it off, as I'm walking away, I drop my car title form and some guy goes, hey you dropped something. At that point, I felt like a douchebag. Grrr! I got outside and literally just screamed. I *had* to!

I've never had a problem with the elderly, but placing them in jobs like this, is just wrong. They move ungodly slow, they are cranky, and somehow they have this X-men like ability to piss people off. The blame also lies with whoever runs the RMV for failing to be clearer on their website (that does take credit cards) about stuff. They need a saturday express office like RI has.

I still have no plates and still cant pick up my car and don't know when I'll ever get the chance to go again. Ugh!

They dont call it "Taxachusetts" for nothing!

2006-10-31T23:18:00.000-05:00

It's unfuckingbelievable how much money one has to shell out just to register a car in Massachusetts. A fee for this, a fee for that, double the fucking price (90 fucking dollars) to convert my RI drivers license to a Mass one???? My loan payments are doable....all this fucking DMV...oh in Mass it's called the RMV, and I'm sure it stands for "Rape Me Very (much)" on fees.

I can't believe how much cheaper and easier this would be if we had moved to NH like I truly wanted to do. It's a catch-22. I cant afford all the RMV taxes and fees, plus rent this week, nor can I leave the car sitting on the lot. What the fuck is a person to do?

This brings me to my other rant. The Peoples Credit Union in Middletown is the worst bank ever. Seriously, how hard is it in the electronic age to transfer funds from one bank to another...electronically? We have the technology, we can build a faster, stronger, method of transferring funds. I wrote their customer service to express my dismay, and got back some babble about the Patriot Act and verification. Umm...hello, I've had an account there since I was a teenager. I plan to close the account and give up my whopping 1/2 percent interest! I'm sure it will be missed. Online banks are the way to go with the 5% interest.

For those keeping score, Newport area businesses that are on my shitlist:

The Newport Daily News
Peoples Credit Union

Sometimes, Waitresses don't deserve a tip!

2006-10-29T23:37:00.000-05:00

I didn't get a chance to post about this last night. So after leaving the car dealer, me and Michelle decide to eat at Ruby Tuesdays to kind of celebrate, even though I wanted Longhorn Steakhouse since I love their beanless chili. The service at Ruby Tuesdays was horrible!! Here is what I emailed their corporate headquarters via their website:

First of all, I have never written a company about service before but this time, I *have* to. Last night (10/28/06) the service was terrible. First, I shouldnt have had to ask for a Diet Coke 3 times (in the span of 25 minutes) before actually receiving the drink. Then to get charged $2.39 for each one??
Secondly, for a place that was not busy, it shouldn't have taken as long as it did for us to receive our food. We were stuck at your restaurant for 2 hours!!!
Third, our waitress was nowhere to be found, yet there were a lot of them working this night and people around us were constantly being served, etc. We didn't get so much as an apology from the waitress. I only regret that I did not get her name. Seriously, the people sitting in front and behind us came in long after we did and left long before we did. That is unacceptable.
Needless to say, we will not dine at another Ruby Tuesdays again.

Our waitress deservedly did not recieve a tip. I truly hope she realizes that. By the way, this was at the one on Amherst Street in Nashua, NH! I'll update with their reply, if I receive one.

On another note, I'm jealous that Michelle is off tomorrow, we could have stayed at the Snowflake Inn again if I was able to call out...sigh.

I'm a driver, I'm a winner!

2006-10-28T20:30:00.000-04:00

Well it happened, I ended up buying a 2007 4 door Honda Civic for the same price as the 2006 would have been!! The people I dealt with were nice, and even "made a mistake" giving me $1000 off instead of $500. I expected to go in there, having to haggle and all that other stereotypical nonsense, but there was no need to.
It wasn't really the color I wanted, but for the deal I got, I'm not complaining. Now, I have to wait until Monday to find out the percentage rate, which hopefully will be low. After that, because Massachusetts is soo ass-backwards, I still wont physically have the car until I get plates, insurance, etc. I cant even get temp plates for Mass. Go figure. But my baby is sitting on the lot, just waiting for me to drive her home! I'm sooo excited!!

Car Buying

2006-10-28T14:16:00.000-04:00

Today, I am off to Nashua, NH to attempt to buy a 2006 Honda Civic. I had gotten what I think is a decent quote through email, but we'll see. This will be the first time I've ever bought a car, so I have some worries about shady goings ons. If they will come down just a couple hundred dollars, then I'd be all set.

I will post about my experience later on.

Let's Get Physical

2006-09-25T22:17:00.000-04:00

We finally joined a gym. Planet Fitness in Tewksbury had a great deal for the year, so we jumped all over it. It feels good to workout again. Since moving to Billerica, we have been lacking in the excersize department. We were totally blown away by Planet Fitness and their vast amount of equipment. The first time I saw the place, it was akin to that scene in Clerks when Randalls goes to the competing video store and drops to his knees. Anyone who has seen the East Side YMCA in Providence will understand exactly what I mean.

Also, Danny and Melinda from MTV's The Real World go there. We saw them working out on Friday night. Melinda is soo thin and Danny is more built than he looked on tv. As cool as it was to workout next to them, a question begs to be asked:
Why the hell were they at a gym, in a little town, working out at 9:30 on a Friday night? These are MTV celebrities...although the term is debatable. Afterwards, we ended up at this Thai place called Mango II. It was some of the best Thai food ever!

Speaking of ethnic food, our area is overrun with Indian people. Indian food is my absolute favorite. In Providence, I lived on India and Kabob & Curry, both of which I thought no one could touch. So, considering I see Indian people on almost every corner, why are there no Indian restaurants here? I take that back, there is one up the street from us, but it is strictly vegetarian. I miss having great chicken curry...sigh.

One more quick thing...I'm in the middle of learning Drupal ( http://www.drupal.org ) and hoping to launch a music community website based on it. At the moment, it's in an alpha stage and still being developed. More info and a beta online soon.

Cross posted to poor neglected LJ and my Blogger umm blog. If anyone knows how I can use an rss feed to populate one or the other, please let me know. Copying and pasting is a pain in the ass. Thanks!

Poor neglected blog

2006-08-28T21:24:00.000-04:00

It's funny, I promised myself that I would update this on an almost daily basis. Well starting today, it will be updated with thoughts and whatnot fairly often. I am also planning on incorporating a video blog into this as well.

Since my last update, I have finally landed a job, albeit a temp job. It's at one of those "medical device" (if you've ever searched the Boston Craigslist website for a job, you know exactly what I'm talking about) companies in Lexington. I have been there for over a month and I still dont know what exactly my job is. It's also a pain in the ass to get home after work, since I dont have a car yet and the wife picked me up long after I've left work. Must find a job in Cambridge or Boston since it's an easier commute on public transportation.

Speaking of not having a car, I've been looking at the '06 Honda Civics. Are there any deals to be had on one? It seems that demand is soo high that getting under sticker price is quite an ordeal. Perhaps when the '07's come out.

5 Weeks

2006-06-06T00:53:00.000-04:00

Hello, I'm Charlie.

I moved to Billerica 5 weeks ago with my wife, and this blog is a chronicle of the differences between living in Providence and here. I actually started this just before moving, but got too lazy to update it.

At the risk of making this first posting sound like a personal ad, here is a little about me:

I am very into indie music and indie movies.
I love live music, especially if it's a local band.

I am an aspiring filmmaker that one day hopes to actually finish a movie and enter various festivals.

I also like to go bowling.

From now on, it will be updated fairly often. I hope you will come on this little journey with me. I'm a very friendly person, so feel free to reply, send me email, or add me to your Myspace.