Late night personal ramblings

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
05/27/2019 at 01:56 • Filed to: None

I’m about 10 days away from finishing my two math classes, and once that’s done I can apply for an electrician apprenticeship with the local union. I’ll take an in-person test, and when I pass will be put into a waiting pool with all the other applicants who made the cutoff. The score determines where you stand in the waiting pool, which is why I’ve spent the last month studying my ass into the ground. I’m really gunning for the top 1% of scores to guarantee I not only pass the test, but actually get one of of the limited number of apprenticeships available.

Somewhat stressed, but confident.

I signed up with Habitat for Humanity as a construction volunteer, so I’ll be building homes in Sammamish 2 days a week. Should give me access to skills I desperately want, look good on the resume, and if I’m really lucky, the work might actually help someone in need.

Still no job, entering week 9. Money situation is somewhere between “okay-ish” and “let’s not talk about it”. I’m incredibly thankful I started good saving habits at my last job, as my situation would be completely different were it not for that. Based on my calculations I could make it to Christmas living frugally, although that would drain every cent.

At least, I could do that if it were not for “The Trip”.

Three nights in Tokyo, 6 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in the Phi Phi Islands. 6 flights, 2 boat rides, numerous tuk-tuks, and more walking than I’d like to think about. All this with my best friend.

I decided pretty early on that I wouldn’t let my lack of employment keep me from going, and I’m very glad I made that choice. It has added an extra layer of complexity to my life though, trying to balance cash-flow and time in such a way that nothing conflicts or leaves me in the red.

Just today I finalized all the lodging plans, and I’m thanking all gods new and old that Thailand is such a cheap country. I’m equally thankful that a friend offered up their downtown Tokyo condo to us for free.

Flights are the next big thing, and I’m hoping to use a combination of Chase and Alaska Airlines points to net some good deals. After spending two hours on various airline sites trying to utilize airline partners, stopovers and blah blah blah, my eyes glazed over. I’m still a bit of an amateur in the world of award flights.

Volvo is for sale. I’ve already got interest, and eith any luck it will be gone this week. I’m sad to see it go, but I really don’t need to deal with a potentially massive headache of a car.

I’ve got my motorcycle course to look forward to in two weeks. Maybe that will be the next chapter in my automotive life.

I spent the last two days looking at land for sale about 40 miles north or east. The thought of building my own place from the ground up... Oh man. It speaks to me. I’m obviously not in the market now, but the friend I went with is tired of Seattle cost of living. I think he might buy some land soon...

This place was $120,000 for an 1.3 acres with a 4 car garage. Long driveway up a forested hill, with a gate at the top and bottom. There are provisions for water and electricity. Located in Arlington. Definitely the coolest place we saw. Live out the “living in a garage” dream.

I’ve realized I don’t want a dog. My buddy got his dog back from his parents’ and it really seems like he’s got a kid. Seeing how much work it is for a single person to handle has really turned me off. Way more responsibility and sacrifice than I currently want. Also it’s strange that Seattle has so few fenced-in dog parks, seeing as this area is near the top of the country in terms of dogs per household.

I would still love a cat.

I’ll probably get some type of part-time job soon, and I’m honestly thinking about math tutoring. I’d forgotten how much I love math.

Anyways, a bit rambly, but I’m two ciders deep on a Sunday afternoon and I’d rather talk to you all than some irl friend like a weirdo!

DISCUSSION (15)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 02:04

I signed up with Habitat for Humanity as a construction volunteer, so I’ll be building homes in Sammamish 2 days a week.

Are you helping the needy with this, or is HfH being used to cheaply construct a new home for the rich but frugal? Sammamish is insanity, as you are well aware of.

If you’re really thinking about moving north for space and such, please reach out to me. You are overqualified for positions at my company and we desperately need you.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/27/2019 at 02:12

I have absolutely no idea. I don’t know a whole lot about HfH, but I do know I’ve never seen affordable homes in Sammamish. Come to think of it I can't even think of where there are any apartments, aside from a smaaaaall area right on the lake...

I’m all-in on the electrician thing at the moment, but if something c hanges I will 100% throw beers of your choosing at you in exchange for more info .

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 02:22

Anyways, a bit rambly, but I’m two ciders deep on a Sunday afternoon and I’d rather talk to you all than some irl friend like a weirdo!

What do I do if my Oppo friends have become my irl friends?

AestheticsInMotion > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
05/27/2019 at 02:26

Absolutely n othing, your life is now complete.

NKato > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 02:32

Hey. Good choice on the electrician thing. Average is 60/hr. Friend of mine who’s helped me extensively on my car works the trade and is a journeyman.

I’m personally tempted to consider the switch myself.

AestheticsInMotion > NKato
05/27/2019 at 03:35

Seems like a good career, I’ve yet to meet an electrician in this area who wasn’t doing veeeerry w ell

DipodomysDeserti > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 03:39

I got my first dog as a Freshmen in college and my second as a sophomore . My first pup is now thirteen and my daughters are eight and six. My dogs were like having roommates , nothing like having kids. Of course I also think its crazy that people give their kids iPads at restaurants , so maybe most people just struggle with raising dogs and kids.

Future Heap Owner > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 03:48

Nice work on the electrician stuff; I hope you crush that test.

It must be weird to go from two long boosty bois to none in only a few months. Do you think any more will be in your future, or have you had your fun with them?

A cat seems like a much better fit for your lifestyle.

AestheticsInMotion > DipodomysDeserti
05/27/2019 at 04:01

Oh I would 100% struggle with raising kids too.

Being around poorly trained dogs the past few days has probably clouded my judgment a bit. There’s only so much I can take of nonstop barking and timid owners who act like that behavior is normal, or even cute.

For now I've got a cat that climbs up my deck every few days and terrorizes the woodpeckers. I should probably make sure I left out water for her

AestheticsInMotion > Future Heap Owner
05/27/2019 at 04:09

Crazy as it sounds, it’s the slower V70 that I only drove once I’m missing the most. The comfort levels were absolutely bonkers. There will be more Swedish long roof in my future. I need an 850R , both V70r generations, maybe a new V90, a rwd V8-swapped brick, some older classics, a Polestar wagon.....

Oh god. It’s a sickness.

I wish I had a friend with a big dog that I could take for hikes or to the park every once in a while.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 05:19

Good luck with everything! Can vouch for cats! So much easier to care of (though I love dogs too) but still just as loving in their own way...at least mine is! Once the Volvo is gone you’ll be carless for the time being then, eh?

The thought of living in a tiny house has really grown on me...not for the hipsterness of it, or the Eco friendliness or all that...more for the 'h ow much space does one really need?’ part. :)

pip bip - choose Corrour > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 05:22

good luck with the electrical job

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/27/2019 at 07:42

Applicants for a Habitat home have to meet specific income criteria, have to pay for the home, have to volunteer on their own home during construction, and contribute additional volunteer hours toward other homes in the program.

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
05/27/2019 at 10:51

Best of luck with the electrician apprenticeship! What sort of math are they having you do for the test?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/27/2019 at 10:53

I am aware, my surprise stems from the usage of the program in one of the most affluent areas in the entire state.