The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

Katherine Kurtz and Scott MacMillan => Archived Chats => Chat Logs => 2016 Archive => Topic started by: DesertRose on August 28, 2016, 07:20:22 PM

Title: KK Chat -- 28 August 2016
Post by: DesertRose on August 28, 2016, 07:20:22 PM
Aug 28 19:02:34 *   KK has joined
Aug 28 19:02:37 <DesertRose>   Hi KK!
Aug 28 19:02:37 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I think it's a housing shortage.
Aug 28 19:02:41 <Evie>   Hi KK
Aug 28 19:02:43 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Hello KK!
Aug 28 19:02:46 <Evie>   I got here just in time. :-
Aug 28 19:02:50 <Jemler>   the punk now has a head of steam!
Aug 28 19:02:53 <Jemler>   hi kk!
Aug 28 19:02:57 <KK>   Hello, all.
Aug 28 19:02:57 <Derynifank>   Hi Kk
Aug 28 19:02:59 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yeah, I was depressing everyone.
Aug 28 19:03:03 <DesertRose>   How's it going?
Aug 28 19:03:10 <Evie>   Luke is walking all over my hnds and the keyboard, hence no smile on that face
Aug 28 19:03:15 <Evie>   hands, even
Aug 28 19:03:17 <KK>   Why depressing, Balance?
Aug 28 19:03:20 <DesertRose>   LOL, hi Luke.
Aug 28 19:03:38 <Evie>   darn cat
Aug 28 19:03:40 <Jemler>   luke, try a jedi mind trick!
Aug 28 19:04:02 <DesertRose>   Carys is taking a nap on my bed, and when I last walked in there, she did her cute trick of stretching and sticking out her tongue.
Aug 28 19:04:02 <BalanceTheEnergies>   My rent is going up $158 a month come the first of the year. I'm looking for a second job because my employer can't or won't pay me a living wage.
Aug 28 19:04:23 <DesertRose>   It's not just an itty-bitty blep, and it's not a yawn; she sticks her tongue out when she stretches.  It's so funny!
Aug 28 19:04:32 <Evie>   Ouch, BTE!
Aug 28 19:04:43 <Jemler>   you musy work for Dollar General.
Aug 28 19:04:47 <KK>   Wow, that's a big rent hike.  Why so much?  Where do ou live?
Aug 28 19:05:14 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Other apartments as much or more, and this one accommodates my disabilities. I live and work in downtown Des Moines Iowa.
Aug 28 19:06:00 <KK>   Have you been there a while?
Aug 28 19:06:10 <Jemler>   what is your rent now?
Aug 28 19:06:33 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I work at a city-owner parking garage, but for a subcontractor. I took the job in Feb '08 and I'm still there. I train new staff.
Aug 28 19:06:47 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Current and power is $805, will be $963.
Aug 28 19:07:04 <Evie>   Ow!  You can rent an apartment for half that here!
Aug 28 19:07:07 <KK>   Have you had rent hikes before?
Aug 28 19:07:37 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Only twenty or thirty dollars last time, which I expect given the power costs.
Aug 28 19:07:42 <Derynifank>   Where is rent half of 805?
Aug 28 19:08:10 <Jemler>   i read your earlier post as 'up to $158.' sorry for the mix-up.
Aug 28 19:08:14 <Evie>   I forget what my son is paying for his place, but it's less than $500/month.  And that's not just his part of the rent, that's the entire rent for a 3 bedoom apartment that's part of a duplex.
Aug 28 19:08:40 <Evie>   Alabama
Aug 28 19:08:45 <Jemler>   in alabama?
Aug 28 19:09:05 <Derynifank>   If you do  thrir trainings  mightn't your employer  consider a rau
Aug 28 19:09:14 <Derynifank>   Raise
Aug 28 19:09:14 *   Aerlys (~6171b8b6@OWIRCN-1bdd9d77.org) has joined
Aug 28 19:09:17 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Well, I don't make enough to support a car, so being able to walk to work is a big plus, but the big thing is the ADA stuff.
Aug 28 19:09:20 <Jemler>   hi aerlys
Aug 28 19:09:25 <Evie>   Cost of living is lower here than many parts of the US.  Not all.  My parents live in south Texas, and their housing costs more, I think, but groceries cost less
Aug 28 19:09:37 *   Jerusha (Mibbit@OWIRCN-fbb7f3a2.dsl.bell.ca) has joined
Aug 28 19:09:43 <Jemler>   hi jerusha
Aug 28 19:09:44 <DesertRose>   Yeah, when I lived briefly in Huntsville, I remember being very (pleasantly) surprised at how low rent was there.  I paid about $350 for my one-bedroom that would have gone for $500 plus in Charleston at the time.
Aug 28 19:09:45 <Evie>   hi Jerusha
Aug 28 19:09:46 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Um, they did give me a raise in April, from $8.45 and hour to $9.25.
Aug 28 19:09:49 <DesertRose>   Hi Aerlys, hi Jerusha
Aug 28 19:09:55 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Hello
Aug 28 19:09:58 <Aerlys>   Hi jemler, hi everyone
Aug 28 19:09:59 <DesertRose>   That was in 2003, though.
Aug 28 19:10:00 <Jerusha>   Hi Everyone!
Aug 28 19:10:32 <Evie>   Hello
Aug 28 19:11:05 *   The_Bee (Mibbit@OWIRCN-860d1fc1.ma.comcast.net) has joined
Aug 28 19:11:07 <DesertRose>   And the one-bedroom I rented in Huntsville for $350 in 2003 would have been more like $550 in Jacksonville.
Aug 28 19:11:09 <DesertRose>   Hi Bee.
Aug 28 19:11:13 <Jemler>   hi bee
Aug 28 19:11:18 <Jerusha>   Hi Bee
Aug 28 19:11:19 <Evie>   Hi Bee
Aug 28 19:11:22 <The_Bee>   hi everyone!
Aug 28 19:11:22 <Derynifank>   Hi Bee
Aug 28 19:11:22 <KK>   Think it would do any good to talk to the owner?
Aug 28 19:11:49 *   BalanceTheEnergies has quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
Aug 28 19:12:04 <Jerusha>   Oops
Aug 28 19:12:08 <Jemler>   mibbit!
Aug 28 19:12:08 <Derynifank>   Is 9.25 even minimum wage?
Aug 28 19:12:16 <Evie>   BRB.  I suspect a certain cat *coughGigiTheEvilMastermindcough* has found an open toilet, because I hear happy splashing.
Aug 28 19:12:29 <DesertRose>   Apparently it is in Iowa.  That, or BalanceTheEnergies' employer is skating around the law.
Aug 28 19:12:33 <Derynifank>   Uhoh
Aug 28 19:12:35 <Jerusha>   Throw her a rubber duckie
Aug 28 19:12:49 <DesertRose>   Oh dear.  Shenanigaging cat must be stopped.
Aug 28 19:12:54 <Evie>   Here it's lower than that
Aug 28 19:12:56 <Jemler>   a cat who likes water?
Aug 28 19:13:21 <Jerusha>   What is minimum wage now?
Aug 28 19:13:30 *   BalanceTheEnergies (Mibbit@83BF1D.5474AF.0EED19.9C444F) has joined
Aug 28 19:13:35 <Evie>   But then again, costs are lower here too.  If over $800 is representative of housing costs there, hopefully minimum wage is also higher
Aug 28 19:13:35 <Aerlys>   My friend's cat would get in the shower with her
Aug 28 19:13:35 <Jemler>   wb bte
Aug 28 19:13:39 <The_Bee>   It varies state  to state
Aug 28 19:13:40 <Jerusha>   WB BTE
Aug 28 19:13:42 <Derynifank>   Unud
Aug 28 19:13:45 <DesertRose>   I'm not sure.  There's a federal minimum wage, and then states can set a minimum wage as well.
Aug 28 19:13:49 <Derynifank>   Oops
Aug 28 19:13:51 <DesertRose>   And I'm out of the loop on either.
Aug 28 19:13:55 <DesertRose>   Rehi BalanceTheEnergies
Aug 28 19:14:08 <Jerusha>   Didn't mean to shout
Aug 28 19:14:32 <Evie>   OK, have accosted naughty cat
Aug 28 19:14:50 <Jerusha>   Is she repentant?
Aug 28 19:14:54 <Evie>   Not a bit
Aug 28 19:14:57 <Derynifank>   On the  other  hand, my daughter's lab hates water
Aug 28 19:14:58 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Sorry about hiatus. To answer your last question Evie, Iowa minimum is just the federal minimum of $7.25, but there's some agitation to change it here. Johnson County (Iowa City University of Iowa) has already raised it.
Aug 28 19:15:02 <DesertRose>   Cat?  Repentant?  You must be kidding?
Aug 28 19:15:04 <Jerusha>   Best sit her down with Father Dev
Aug 28 19:15:05 <The_Bee>   Gigi was swimming in the toilet??
Aug 28 19:15:30 <Evie>   No, just splashing with her paw
Aug 28 19:15:41 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Surrounding states have raised it, but we have a GOP governor with a line-item veto.
Aug 28 19:16:03 <KK>   That sucks little green rocks, Balance.
Aug 28 19:16:03 <Evie>   She tried to jump on an open toilet and fell in once, but getting a bath afterwards cured her of wanting to try that again.
Aug 28 19:16:12 <Derynifank>   Wish he had to live on that income
Aug 28 19:16:14 <Evie>   She wasn't keen on falling in, much less the cat shampoo afterwads
Aug 28 19:16:17 <DesertRose>   LOL yeah, I guess that would make a cat change her mind.
Aug 28 19:16:32 <DesertRose>   LOL, KK, don't think I've ever heard that expression!
Aug 28 19:16:39 <Evie>   LOL
Aug 28 19:16:51 <Jerusha>   I was thinking emeralds, which would not be bad....
Aug 28 19:16:55 <Evie>   I wonder if green rocks are more sour than other colors?
Aug 28 19:17:06 <BalanceTheEnergies>   It does. Polk County Board of Supervisors is studying it, some talk of $10.75 by 2019, but locals are fighting for $15.
Aug 28 19:17:10 <DesertRose>   But why would you suck emeralds?  Set them in some piece of jewelry, sure.
Aug 28 19:17:15 <Jemler>   i knew a man who would say "it's got its knickers in a twist"
Aug 28 19:17:34 <DesertRose>   That's a Britishism, roughly equivalent to "got its panties in a wad."
Aug 28 19:17:35 <Jerusha>   Which could be painful
Aug 28 19:17:55 <BalanceTheEnergies>   FWIW, if I made 15 and hour 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, I'd still be way under the low-income cutoff for my flat.
Aug 28 19:18:03 <Jemler>   american phrase 'got a wedgie'
Aug 28 19:18:18 <DesertRose>   Yeah, basically.
Aug 28 19:18:50 <Jemler>   a poscaster i listen too gets $2200/episode, 4 time a month@!
Aug 28 19:18:55 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Come to that, I say "knickers in a twist", but then I did live in the UK for a year.
Aug 28 19:18:58 <Aerlys>   Now I'm thinking of Blackadder: "Could it be can it be true? That I hold here, in my mortal hand, a nugget of purest Green?"
Aug 28 19:19:05 <DesertRose>   LOL Aerlys
Aug 28 19:20:22 <DesertRose>   I saw a post online here recently that used the expression "you useless paperclip" as an insult, and someone replied saying they'd never seen that phrase used as an insult, and the next comment in line was, "Clearly YOU never tried to write a Word document in the 1990s."
Aug 28 19:20:27 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I suppose I could dream about being a writer on Murdoch Mysteries. :) I'm revising some embryonic fanfic material for Mater (who also watches it on DVD).
Aug 28 19:20:38 <KK>   And it counts for nothing that you've been there for more than ten years, and (presumably) have been a good tenant.....
Aug 28 19:20:47 <Evie>   LOL, DR!
Aug 28 19:21:21 <DesertRose>   The day I learned to turn that #$%^ function of that version of Word OFF was one of the happiest days of my undergraduate career!
Aug 28 19:21:23 <Jemler>   do you invite your landlord to all your parties?
Aug 28 19:21:50 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Oh, I've only been in this building 18 mo or so, as it's newly renovated KK. I did stay over twelve at the Hallett though.
Aug 28 19:22:54 *   The_Bee has quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
Aug 28 19:23:03 <DesertRose>   Is Mibbit being ridiculous tonight?
Aug 28 19:23:21 <KK>   Not owned by the same folk, I take it.
Aug 28 19:23:21 <Derynifank>   I was just happy to switch from a typewriter to a computer
Aug 28 19:23:21 <Jemler>   mibbit!
Aug 28 19:23:21 *   The_Bee (Mibbit@OWIRCN-860d1fc1.ma.comcast.net) has joined
Aug 28 19:23:21 <Jemler>   wb bee
Aug 28 19:23:21 <Jerusha>   WordStar had its moments
Aug 28 19:23:21 <BalanceTheEnergies>   No, but they are getting a second building online near mine. I'm really keen on the in-flat washer and dryer and the tub that has room for a stool.
Aug 28 19:23:21 <Jerusha>   wb Bee
Aug 28 19:23:26 <DesertRose>   Rehi Bee.
Aug 28 19:23:30 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Hello again Bee.
Aug 28 19:23:34 <Derynifank>   Sometimes mibbet is just out to getbyo
Aug 28 19:23:43 <Derynifank>   Get you
Aug 28 19:24:22 <KK>   I started on WordStar, and rather liked it.
Aug 28 19:24:24 <The_Bee>   My bad.  I clicked on the  link someone typed; I thought it was a swear word.
Aug 28 19:24:42 <DesertRose>   Oh, yes, Derynifank, computer word-processing is a definite step up from typewriters, but that one function of Word was bloody annoying, especially when I was writing junior and senior level English papers, which Word decidedly did NOT like.
Aug 28 19:24:42 <Jemler>   DR!
Aug 28 19:24:50 <Jemler>   DR!
Aug 28 19:24:57 <BalanceTheEnergies>   There's a lot of apartment building going on in this town, especially in and near downtown. Still, the High rents have been a thing for some years now. We are a state capital and have lots of insurance companies here.
Aug 28 19:25:27 <Jerusha>   We are a small town in the north, and the rents are horrendous
Aug 28 19:25:34 <DesertRose>   Oh, I think because my string of characters meant to imply a swear word started with a pound sign, it made a link as if to another chat channel.  Oops.  My fault.  Sorry, Bee.
Aug 28 19:26:02 <Derynifank>   It seems that more competition should lower rent
Aug 28 19:26:45 <BalanceTheEnergies>   A few years ago I read a study that said in order to spend 30% of one's income on a on-BR apt in this county, one would need to make $12.93 an hour.
Aug 28 19:26:47 <Jerusha>   Never seems to work that way
Aug 28 19:26:58 <KK>   So one would think.  Sadly, that doesn't necessarily work.
Aug 28 19:27:44 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Well Derynifank, the building manager suggested I take a six month lease for less of an increase in hopes that I could renew for that.
Aug 28 19:28:00 <BalanceTheEnergies>   There is a risk of another increase then.
Aug 28 19:28:21 <The_Bee>   I'm lucky to ahve supported housing.  My rent is 1/3 my monthly income.
Aug 28 19:28:37 <Jerusha>   That is good, Bee
Aug 28 19:28:53 <The_Bee>   this year it went down.
Aug 28 19:28:55 <Derynifank>   How likely is another  increase after such a big one
Aug 28 19:29:11 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I don't think I'm quite disabled enough yet for that. The tendinitis was rated at 2%
Aug 28 19:29:27 <Jemler>   with 1/3 of what's left for food, and the rest on medical?
Aug 28 19:29:43 <BalanceTheEnergies>   That I don't know Derynifank, and she wouldn't promise anything in that regard.
Aug 28 19:30:27 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I don't feel singled out; the leasing agent for the building also lives there and she's getting a similar increase. I gather it's across the board.
Aug 28 19:30:34 <The_Bee>   My worst expense is TV.  I bought an indoor antenna; it gets as much reception as the cardboard box it came in.
Aug 28 19:30:41 <Derynifank>   I would think it would be risky for the owner might lose a lit of tenants
Aug 28 19:30:58 <DesertRose>   BalanceTheEnergies, is there a chance of you being able to apply for subsidized housing?  I mean, the worst they can do is tell you you're not qualified, right??
Aug 28 19:31:18 <DesertRose>   Like Bee, I also live in a subsidized apartment.
Aug 28 19:31:31 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yeah, I would've thought so too, but perhaps there are others like me who need the ADA units.
Aug 28 19:31:46 <Evie>   Well, that thunderstorm came up quickly!  Going to unplug laptop (battery life should be ok for duration of chat), brb
Aug 28 19:31:50 <DesertRose>   Okay
Aug 28 19:32:00 <Jerusha>   Stay safe, Evie!
Aug 28 19:32:04 <Derynifank>   Isn't subsidized housing based  onnincome?
Aug 28 19:32:05 <DesertRose>   BRB myself, the glass of tea has mysteriously gone empty.
Aug 28 19:32:06 <DesertRose>   Yes.
Aug 28 19:32:11 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I doubt it DR, Section 8's wait list is years long, and many owners won't take it.
Aug 28 19:32:16 <The_Bee>   Could the landlord be trying to get people to leave for some reason?
Aug 28 19:32:37 <KK>   That was also my thought, Bee.
Aug 28 19:33:43 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I don't think so Bee. I checked and other buildings they don't own are similarly high, even with the reams of papers many of us fill out to prove we're poor enough for reduced rent. Market rent right now on my flat is $900 with $110 utilities.
Aug 28 19:34:30 <The_Bee>   so he's n not trying to condo-ize it.
Aug 28 19:34:31 <Derynifank>   That does  make it  harder 
Aug 28 19:34:40 <KK>   Probably trying to recoup some of what they spent to renovate.
Aug 28 19:34:42 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I've cut what I can (I don't have my on wifi--I'm in the common room now) or cable.
Aug 28 19:35:29 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I wonder if it's a cash flow issue from the other building they're working on, but as I say, the other buildings owned by other people/companies are similar in this neighbourhood.
Aug 28 19:36:45 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I also believe they get some tax credits over the next decade for having some tenants certified as low-income, though the disc the isn't much on our end.
Aug 28 19:36:51 <KK>   At least they're giving you a bit of lead time to find a new place, if something can't be worked out.  Still, moving sucks too.
Aug 28 19:37:05 <Derynifank>   If it's a one br i don't guess a roommate is s possibility
Aug 28 19:38:05 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yeah, last time I did it over the holidays. Not fun. I've applied for a second job at the central public library since my current employer isn't likely to raise me again so son.
Aug 28 19:38:06 <Evie>   Though maybe a two bedroom isn't so much over the cost of a 1 bedroom that the rent could be split up affordably?
Aug 28 19:38:40 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Sorry Evie. Two BR is $1400 plus stocking great utilities.
Aug 28 19:38:45 <Evie>   That's how my DS managed to afford to move out.  He couldn't afford his rent on his own, as low as it is, but since he is sharing the apartment, they can each afford a third of the cost pretty easily.
Aug 28 19:38:51 <Evie>   Ack!
Aug 28 19:39:12 <BalanceTheEnergies>   The Fleming is more like $1580 for 2 BR.
Aug 28 19:39:16 <Evie>   Yeah.  Here you'd be looking at maybe a $50 increase, not several hundred.
Aug 28 19:39:18 <Jerusha>   Ouch
Aug 28 19:40:47 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I've heard SF and Silicon Valley have similar issues with affordable housing. Perhaps it isn't just tech that's causing it.
Aug 28 19:41:04 <Jemler>   no. it's GREED!
Aug 28 19:41:35 <BalanceTheEnergies>   No doubt Jemler, but greed isn't illegal--just ask the users of Epipens!
Aug 28 19:42:03 <Evie>   Those rents sound nightmarish.  DS is pretty much self supporting now, aside from reaping the benefits of us still paying his insurance and him getting a 50% reduction on tuition costs, but even with him getting $15/hour and financial aid, he wouldn't be able to make ends meet if he had to pay that kind of rent.  He can barely do so as it is.
Aug 28 19:42:27 <The_Bee>   Just because you have the right to do something, that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.
Aug 28 19:42:55 <KK>   True, Bee.
Aug 28 19:43:18 <KK>   brb
Aug 28 19:43:29 <DesertRose>   Yeah, SLAVERY was once perfectly legal in this country.
Aug 28 19:43:38 <DesertRose>   Doesn't mean it was ever morally right.
Aug 28 19:43:53 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I could do it on 15. It would mean paying 37% of my income in rent, but as it is, it will be 55%. hence my search for the second job. My boss's boss gave me the green light to moonlight, but my boss won't like it. He relies on me since I live downtown when others don't show or call in sick.
Aug 28 19:44:42 <Jerusha>   Then maybe he should pay you a little  more?
Aug 28 19:45:18 <Jerusha>   "On call" should count for something
Aug 28 19:45:34 <The_Bee>   Is he the kind of boss who'd make thingsunpleasant for you if you weren't always at his beck andcall?
Aug 28 19:45:45 <Derynifank>   Then maybe you coulf point out how valuable  you are 
Aug 28 19:45:58 <BalanceTheEnergies>   He wants to pay me another dollar an hour, since he sees the burger joints starting people at $10. I twice applied for management and was denied be/c I don't own a car, but they don't pay me enough to support a car.
Aug 28 19:46:20 <Jerusha>   Catch 22
Aug 28 19:46:27 <Derynifank>   Yes, call pay would be good
Aug 28 19:47:12 <KK>   back
Aug 28 19:47:28 <Jerusha>   wb
Aug 28 19:47:29 <DesertRose>   But you're not a new employee?  You've been there for years, training other people and you're still not making what burger joints are starting people at, and they don't see the problem?  WTH?
Aug 28 19:47:31 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I don't think he's the problem. It's partly the contractor what's making the deal with the city, and partly the city (the city council votes on the rates for parking, we just collect them and keep the places clean and such).
Aug 28 19:47:33 <DesertRose>   WB, KK.
Aug 28 19:47:48 <Evie>   Speaking of work, I'm heading back to my old office starting tomorrow, but it's just on a temporary basis.  We need the money, though.
Aug 28 19:48:07 <The_Bee>   Money is always useful.
Aug 28 19:48:13 <Jerusha>   Money is good
Aug 28 19:48:44 <Jemler>   brb. dinner.
Aug 28 19:48:52 <DesertRose>   Okay, enjoy your food, Jemler
Aug 28 19:48:54 <Jerusha>   Especially if it outfits the Rhemuth Castle 1:6
Aug 28 19:48:56 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I have heard the mayor is sympathetic to the Fight for 15, and a CCI person explained to him that people like me work for the city but aren't really city employees (with the better pay and benefits that would bring).
Aug 28 19:49:09 <Evie>   Well, especially since my income right now is somewhat less than BtE's rent, sadly, and DH's income is irregular depending on what he manages to make and sell or if he can get paid for doing delivery runs and odd jobs.
Aug 28 19:49:37 <KK>   Going back could be not all bad, then, Evie.
Aug 28 19:49:42 <Evie>   So I'm glad to have a chance to do some temp work at a job I already know while looking for something permanent that will pay more
Aug 28 19:50:07 <KK>   Did you have to retire when ou did, or was that our choice?
Aug 28 19:50:08 <DesertRose>   Evie, weren't you saying that you were only going to have to do the receptionist part of the job temping?
Aug 28 19:50:10 <KK>   your
Aug 28 19:50:26 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yes that sounds good. it wouldn't break my heart to get into the public library that way.
Aug 28 19:51:24 <KK>   Could be a blessing in disguise, then--if a long-term one.
Aug 28 19:51:33 <Evie>   Yes, DR.  And it was a bit of both, KK.  I had done almost 25 years there and was really wanting to do something else, but also they wanted to do away with my position and turn it into two separate positions, and they were just holding the job open long enough for me to retire with full benefits.
Aug 28 19:51:49 <BalanceTheEnergies>   That was good of them.
Aug 28 19:52:07 <Jerusha>   Yes, not all employers would do that
Aug 28 19:52:08 <DesertRose>   Government positions will do nice things like that sometimes.
Aug 28 19:52:18 <Jerusha>   Only sometimes, though
Aug 28 19:52:42 <Jerusha>   We had a very good co-worker laid off last week. Very sad
Aug 28 19:52:57 <Evie>   It was kind of an unusual situation in that my former boss and I like and respect each other as people, yet have difficulty actually working together.  One of the upsides of going back to temp for them is that I will be working in a different building, which should hopefully help with that aspect.
Aug 28 19:53:20 <KK>   Good luck, Balance.
Aug 28 19:53:25 <Jerusha>   That would have been awkward
Aug 28 19:53:32 <DesertRose>   When my parents moved down here, my stepdad got hiring preference since he was coming from a base that was being closed, and then Mom got a slightly lower preference because the activity she had worked for in Charleston hadn't closed (it's still open; my aunt is about to retire from there, actually), but because her spouse had moved down here, she got a form of hiring preference.
Aug 28 19:53:33 *   Eyikl (Mibbit@8027A0.AD6C34.D381B8.9C060D) has joined
Aug 28 19:53:36 <DesertRose>   Hi Eyikl
Aug 28 19:53:49 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Thanks KK. Hi Eyikl
Aug 28 19:53:54 <The_Bee>   hi Eyiki
Aug 28 19:53:56 <Evie>   hi eyikl
Aug 28 19:53:57 <Eyikl>   hi everyone
Aug 28 19:53:59 <Jerusha>   Hi Eyiki
Aug 28 19:54:12 <Jemler>   hi eyikl
Aug 28 19:54:33 <Evie>   But that same former boss is the one who called me back asking if I could temp for several weeks, so despite our personality clashes, she must not think I totally sucked at the job.  ;-)
Aug 28 19:54:38 <DesertRose>   LOL
Aug 28 19:54:45 <BalanceTheEnergies>   :D
Aug 28 19:54:48 <DesertRose>   That, or she came to realize your value AFTER you retired.  :)
Aug 28 19:54:53 <KK>   That's good, Evie.
Aug 28 19:54:58 <BalanceTheEnergies>   That could be it.
Aug 28 19:54:59 <Jerusha>   That would not be unusual
Aug 28 19:55:02 <KK>   That, too.
Aug 28 19:56:19 <Evie>   Since i worked there for almost a quarter century, the boss and colleagues from there are really the only work references I have anyway, so I'd rather keep a good relationshiip with them and be helpful even if the income wasn't an issue
Aug 28 19:56:47 <Jerusha>   Good point
Aug 28 19:56:49 <Evie>   But as it is, they're paying me slightly more to return than they were willing to pay me when I worked there, so I got a chuckle from that  :-D
Aug 28 19:57:01 <BalanceTheEnergies>   :D
Aug 28 19:57:05 <Jerusha>   Better point
Aug 28 19:57:09 <The_Bee>   :D
Aug 28 19:57:15 <DesertRose>   And money is useful.  :)
Aug 28 19:57:23 <BalanceTheEnergies>   And how!
Aug 28 19:57:39 <Evie>   And as long as I don't make over a certain amount, I can still draw my pension on top of that
Aug 28 19:58:02 <Jerusha>   Excellent
Aug 28 19:58:04 <KK>   Sounds like a god short-term win-win.
Aug 28 19:58:05 <DesertRose>   Yay!
Aug 28 19:58:07 <Derynifank>   The worst part is that  a representative  in Congress  only has  to  serve  two years and he gets a  pension  and health care  for life. Something way wrong  there 
Aug 28 19:58:08 <KK>   good
Aug 28 19:58:10 <Evie>   I just don't know how long the extra income will last, since it could be anywhere from just a few weeks up to a few months
Aug 28 19:58:14 *   Jemler has quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
Aug 28 19:58:25 <DesertRose>   Even so, better a little extra income than 0 extra income.
Aug 28 19:58:44 <Jerusha>   Did mibbit get Jemler?
Aug 28 19:58:56 <DesertRose>   He doesn't use Mibbit.  I think he uses mIRC.
Aug 28 19:58:57 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Looks that way.
Aug 28 19:58:58 <Evie>   Yeah.  I had to work 10 just to be vested in the retirement system, and an additional 15 to be able to draw a pension at any age rather than waiting until I was 65.
Aug 28 19:59:02 <DesertRose>   But he may have gone AFK for too long.
Aug 28 19:59:03 <The_Bee>   Is Ping in league with Mibbit?
Aug 28 19:59:18 <DesertRose>   Also, he mentioned that the weather up his way was a little dicey, so that may have something to do with him pinging out.
Aug 28 19:59:25 <Jerusha>   He was having dinner
Aug 28 20:00:20 <DesertRose>   Yeah, and if the power or the internet connection got knocked out by the weather...
Aug 28 20:00:34 <DesertRose>   He said they had a thunderstorm rolling through.
Aug 28 20:00:43 <Evie>   We have one here
Aug 28 20:00:51 <Jerusha>   And ping and mibbit are probably working together....
Aug 28 20:01:01 <Evie>   DH got home and said the storm was literally just over our neighborhood. :-D
Aug 28 20:01:04 <DesertRose>   Not mutually exclusive with weather woes.  :)
Aug 28 20:01:10 <Jerusha>   The disconnect conspiracy
Aug 28 20:02:35 <Eyikl>   mibbit in league with the weather?
Aug 28 20:02:37 <Jerusha>   Was that a separate storm or just DH? :)
Aug 28 20:02:45 <DesertRose>   LOL!
Aug 28 20:02:48 <Evie>   LOL!
Aug 28 20:02:59 <DesertRose>   Evie's DH can certainly be a little black rain cloud at times!  :)
Aug 28 20:03:12 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Please, not another conspiracy theory. Too many of those about thanks to the GOP.
Aug 28 20:03:29 <Evie>   Son of Thunder.  :-)
Aug 28 20:03:51 <DesertRose>   No, no conspiracy theories or politics at all.  I'm depressed enough as it is without contemplating politics.
Aug 28 20:04:04 <Jerusha>   The Littles are raising the wards
Aug 28 20:04:15 <Eyikl>   What about sports?
Aug 28 20:04:16 <Evie>   Well, they do have little Ward Cubes....
Aug 28 20:04:52 <DesertRose>   I just heard something that might have been a very little bitty thunder or might have been fireworks or might have (saints preserve us) been a gunshot.
Aug 28 20:05:04 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Depends Eyikl, sadly politics can get into that as well.
Aug 28 20:05:09 <Evie>   Right now they'd be happy if I just finish making pillows, but I spent over an hour trying to figure out why I can't adjust the tension on the frelling sewing machine, so I'm back to hand sewing, I guess.
Aug 28 20:05:11 <Jerusha>   Not a gunshot, DR!
Aug 28 20:05:33 <DesertRose>   There's a preseason football (US variety) game going on at the stadium, which I can see from my windows; might have been a bit of pyrotechnics.
Aug 28 20:05:40 *   Derynifank has quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
Aug 28 20:05:58 <Evie>   Likely, if you're close enough to see it
Aug 28 20:05:58 <The_Bee>   Another Mibbit victim?
Aug 28 20:06:01 <DesertRose>   Or maybe first game of the actual season?
Aug 28 20:06:30 <DesertRose>   I don't know.  I don't follow NFL football and I barely pay attention to college ball anymore since I can't watch my college team since I live too far east.
Aug 28 20:06:37 <BalanceTheEnergies>   That might be it DR. A couple of the guys at my work mentioned the return of the US football.
Aug 28 20:07:05 <Jerusha>   Football is good for background entertainment
Aug 28 20:07:09 <Jerusha>   I just don
Aug 28 20:07:18 <DesertRose>   I LIKE football.  I just don't pay attention to it much anymore.
Aug 28 20:07:25 <Jerusha>   don't sit and watch it (premature enter key)
Aug 28 20:07:57 <DesertRose>   One of the things that amuses me about my baby book is that one of my first intelligible phrases was "Fall down!" from watching guys get tackled, hanging out with my dad while he watched football.
Aug 28 20:08:05 <Evie>   The only game I pay attention to is the Iron Bowl (Auburn vs Alabama), and even then I'm mainly interested in the final score.
Aug 28 20:08:07 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I guess it's not bad in terms of strategy and such, but the high injury rate disturbs me.
Aug 28 20:08:14 <DesertRose>   Yeah, owie.
Aug 28 20:08:17 <The_Bee>   I'm always glad when a Boston team wins, but I don't often watch them do it.
Aug 28 20:08:30 <Eyikl>   We have more than one team?
Aug 28 20:08:31 <Jerusha>   Go Green Bay!
Aug 28 20:08:50 <Jerusha>   And OU
Aug 28 20:08:56 <DesertRose>   One of my great-uncle (Mom's father's brother) was a university-level football player, then a coach, and he finally died of complications of the brain damage he took from playing football in the leather-helmet days.
Aug 28 20:09:20 <Jerusha>   There is a down side
Aug 28 20:09:25 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yep, I was glad the New Orleans Saints did well post-Katrina, but still, all those brain injuries--yeah, I saw the Frontline show on that.
Aug 28 20:09:51 <DesertRose>   They're getting better about taking concussions and other injuries seriously, but they used to be really awful about encouraging players to keep playing with concussions and so forth.
Aug 28 20:09:58 <Jerusha>   There should be a way to do a better helmet system
Aug 28 20:10:28 <The_Bee>   Even high school kids are at risk for concussions
Aug 28 20:10:39 <DesertRose>   I think someone's working on improving helmet tech to reduce the risk of head injuries, Jerusha.
Aug 28 20:10:48 <Eyikl>   Personally, I watch gymnastics, polo, futbal, and beach volleyball more than football
Aug 28 20:10:52 <DesertRose>   But yeah, Bee, even the high school kids, and they're the ones with the most to lose.
Aug 28 20:11:07 <KK>   Gymnastics!  My favorite Olympic sport!
Aug 28 20:11:29 <DesertRose>   And the high school kids are the ones who'll, out of misplaced pride, try to pretend they're not injured as badly as they are.
Aug 28 20:11:30 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Not bad, though I'm partial to fencing myself.
Aug 28 20:11:36 <Jerusha>   I prefer fencing, but they NEVER show it live, or rarely mention it at all
Aug 28 20:11:55 <BalanceTheEnergies>   I know, I end up getting my fix from YouTube.
Aug 28 20:11:56 <Jerusha>   Yes, BTE!
Aug 28 20:12:04 *   Derynifank (Mibbit@OWIRCN-4bda8189.hr.cox.net) has joined
Aug 28 20:12:09 <DesertRose>   On the topic of gymnastics, how about Simone Biles?  That young woman is amazing!
Aug 28 20:12:13 <BalanceTheEnergies>   WB Derynifank
Aug 28 20:12:16 <The_Bee>   wb Derynifank
Aug 28 20:12:17 <DesertRose>   Rehi Derynifank
Aug 28 20:12:27 <KK>   She is, indeed.
Aug 28 20:12:37 <Derynifank>   Mibbet struck again
Aug 28 20:12:41 <Eyikl>   It got a meniton this Olympics in a thing on a Muslim player, but that seemed to be about it.
Aug 28 20:13:36 <DesertRose>   My mom and I were watching one of the diving competitions, and Mom cracked me up by saying that those guys are the only guys in the world with any business wearing Speedo swimsuits!
Aug 28 20:13:40 <The_Bee>   Yes. She got attention  for wearing a hijab, or whatever thet headgear is called
Aug 28 20:13:47 <KK>   Well, I need to boogie.  Won't be here next week or the week after.  Will be in touch re the following.  Evie, please text me your phone number.  It seems to have gone walkabout in my phone.
Aug 28 20:13:59 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Yeah Eyikl, a Muslim woman wore a hijab under her fencing mask, as if one could even see it.
Aug 28 20:14:06 <DesertRose>   Next week is Dragon*Con.
Aug 28 20:14:12 <Evie>   OK, will do
Aug 28 20:14:14 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Oh right!
Aug 28 20:14:17 <DesertRose>   Are you having to go back to Florida for estate stuff the following week, KK?
Aug 28 20:14:39 <Evie>   Did you already delete your text i sent earlier today?  It should have my number on it
Aug 28 20:14:39 <KK>   Yes.  But we've gotten the fisrt ocurt order, so at least I can now get into the safe deposit box.
Aug 28 20:14:57 <The_Bee>   Remind me:  KK's wa next week, so early cht will be week after next.  Regular time Labor Day weekend?
Aug 28 20:14:58 <Derynifank>   Got to go. Have s great week everyone
Aug 28 20:15:15 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Good night Derynifank.
Aug 28 20:15:17 <Jerusha>   Night Derynifank
Aug 28 20:15:22 <DesertRose>   Okay.  Can I tentatively say that we'll do early chat the 18th, pending any changes in your schedule then, KK?
Aug 28 20:15:27 <The_Bee>   bye, derynifank
Aug 28 20:15:36 <DesertRose>   G'night, Derynifank
Aug 28 20:15:46 <KK>   It's buried there.  I can text you, but not call.  It happened when I was trying to link info about people: phone & e-mail & website info.
Aug 28 20:15:58 <KK>   Yes, we can plan on the 18th, early.
Aug 28 20:16:00 <The_Bee>   so regular time next week?
Aug 28 20:16:13 <KK>   Yes, but I won't be there.
Aug 28 20:16:15 <DesertRose>   Okay, cool.  I'll put that on the News part of RC, then.  Thanks, KK.
Aug 28 20:16:31 <DesertRose>   Yes, regular time for the next two weeks, but it'll be just us chickens, Bee.  KK won't be able to visit.
Aug 28 20:16:34 <KK>   Thanks, Evie!  GOt it.
Aug 28 20:16:36 <Jerusha>   Enjoy DragonCon KK
Aug 28 20:16:53 <BalanceTheEnergies>   If I can stop binge watching season 9 of Murdoch Mysteries, I'll join in. :)
Aug 28 20:16:53 <KK>   OK, nighters, all.
Aug 28 20:17:06 <DesertRose>   Have fun at Dragon*Con and travel safely both weekends!  Thanks for coming to see us!  G'night, KK!
Aug 28 20:17:15 <The_Bee>   bye, KK thanks for coming and enjoy Dragoncon
Aug 28 20:17:16 <Jerusha>   Love Murdoch Mysteries, BTE
Aug 28 20:17:18 <Eyikl>   Have fun at DragonCon.
Aug 28 20:17:20 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Good night KK, and thanks for listening to my housing woes y'all.
Aug 28 20:17:24 *   KK steps onto her Portal, waves goodnight, and disappears in a shower of green sparkles.
Aug 28 20:17:31 <Evie>   Have fun at the Con!
Aug 28 20:17:36 <KK>   And good luck sorting things, Balance!
Aug 28 20:17:47 <BalanceTheEnergies>   Ta KK!
Aug 28 20:17:49 <Jerusha>   The books are good, too
Aug 28 20:18:02 *   KK has quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)