I have now finished the test! They don't actually say what day the results will arrive, just that they will be sent out "in approximately 29 days." So I'm hoping they'll arrive on April 17. Check out the cool countdown I added on the right. I love the dancing mailboxes!
I returned all my borrowed study books to my boss. I am going to tidy the library room so all my books and papers are neatly hidden away on their appropriate shelves. Then I'm going to fold up the table and not study ever again! Or at least not until July/August, when I want to take my LEED AP exam...
Cross your fingers for the results!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Never bank with CitiBank!
Next to Wells Fargo, I'd say Citi is the WORST banking service I've tried. They're simply out to make a buck using predatory lending practices, a variety of tricks to charge fees, and random services being added to my account, which they then charge for. I charged most of my college costs to my credit card, then (being a college student) defaulted one to many times. What with my 32% interest, I was actually (almost) relieved to find out they cancelled my account when some jerk executive lost his laptop.
Since my account has been closed, I do not have access to Citi's online computer banking, which is the only free way to make a payment to them. Not that the online banking wasn't without drawbacks, but it was better than pay-by-phone or mail. Over the phone they charge $14.95, and by mail they *always* claim the payment was late and charge a late fee, no matter what day I mailed it. Actual customer service rep, 2 years ago: "No, we don't count the date stamp. It doesn't matter when your payment is received in our office, it's when we process it. As a way to avoide the fees, we suggest mailing it on the 10th of each month. Yes, we know you don't get the bill until the 20th, yes, we know it isn't due until the 30th. Send us the check anyway."
So I'm limited to the phone service, which costs $15 each time to pay my bill (still cheaper than a $30 late payment fee). Normally this is a painful process. I call in, type in a random number 3 times because they won't even direct the call you give your 16 digit account number, which I don't have since I cut my card up. I could wait for the bill, but I probably wouldn't get it in time to make the payment. Invariably, after typing some random numbers in, I get a message saying to wait for a rep, and then there is a technical malfunction which usually results in me getting hung up on. Then I get to repeat the process! When I finally get the stupid automated phone service to connect me to customer service, the people at the other end are normally polite and friendly, even though they have to charge me $15 and can't make it possible to pay online.
Today, though, TODAY took the cake. Not only did I have the normal problems with the phone system, but, well, here's the conversation I had with the rep:
Rep: Can you tell me your account number?
me: no, I can't, I don't have the bill with me (since it comes next week), and I don't have the card anymore
Rep: can you tell me just the last 4 digits?
me: um... no.
Rep: What is your ssn?
me: ***-**-****
Rep: ok, can you tell me the password?
me: *****
Rep: Your hint is "What is blahblahblah?"
me: still *****...
Rep: ok, what would you like to do today?
me: make a $250 payment
Rep: your balance is blahblahblah
me: ok, I'd like to make a payment of $250
Reo: would you like to make a payment today?
me: OMFG! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!
Ok, ok, I didn't REALLY say that last line. I just thought it.
anyway:
me: um... yes
Rep: how much would you like to pay?
me: $250
Rep: I see you made a payment on March 4 for $200
me: *silence* (thinking: uh... thanks for telling me?)
Rep: so how much would you like to pay today?
me: $250
Rep: I see you've made previous payments by phone.
me: yes. I'm now making another, for $250
Rep: there's a $15 charge
me: yeah, I know
Rep: do you still want to make a payment over the phone?
me: yes. for $250 (hadn't I said it enough yet?)
Rep: ok, do you want me to include the $15 payment?
me: yes, but I'd like it on my card, please
Rep: ok, your charge will be for $265
me: no, I want to make a payment for $250
Rep: there is a $15 pay-by-phone fee
me: you can put that on the credit card (usually they ask me how I want to pay the fee)
Rep: ok, $250 is your new charge. Will there be anything else today?
me: (wtf new charge?) Can I have my confirmation number?
**click**
me: /sigh
... They've hit a new low, folks! Now I have to call back and make sure my payment went through for the right month. Take my advice and NEVER, EVER, BANK WITH CITIBANK!!!!
Since my account has been closed, I do not have access to Citi's online computer banking, which is the only free way to make a payment to them. Not that the online banking wasn't without drawbacks, but it was better than pay-by-phone or mail. Over the phone they charge $14.95, and by mail they *always* claim the payment was late and charge a late fee, no matter what day I mailed it. Actual customer service rep, 2 years ago: "No, we don't count the date stamp. It doesn't matter when your payment is received in our office, it's when we process it. As a way to avoide the fees, we suggest mailing it on the 10th of each month. Yes, we know you don't get the bill until the 20th, yes, we know it isn't due until the 30th. Send us the check anyway."
So I'm limited to the phone service, which costs $15 each time to pay my bill (still cheaper than a $30 late payment fee). Normally this is a painful process. I call in, type in a random number 3 times because they won't even direct the call you give your 16 digit account number, which I don't have since I cut my card up. I could wait for the bill, but I probably wouldn't get it in time to make the payment. Invariably, after typing some random numbers in, I get a message saying to wait for a rep, and then there is a technical malfunction which usually results in me getting hung up on. Then I get to repeat the process! When I finally get the stupid automated phone service to connect me to customer service, the people at the other end are normally polite and friendly, even though they have to charge me $15 and can't make it possible to pay online.
Today, though, TODAY took the cake. Not only did I have the normal problems with the phone system, but, well, here's the conversation I had with the rep:
Rep: Can you tell me your account number?
me: no, I can't, I don't have the bill with me (since it comes next week), and I don't have the card anymore
Rep: can you tell me just the last 4 digits?
me: um... no.
Rep: What is your ssn?
me: ***-**-****
Rep: ok, can you tell me the password?
me: *****
Rep: Your hint is "What is blahblahblah?"
me: still *****...
Rep: ok, what would you like to do today?
me: make a $250 payment
Rep: your balance is blahblahblah
me: ok, I'd like to make a payment of $250
Reo: would you like to make a payment today?
me: OMFG! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!
Ok, ok, I didn't REALLY say that last line. I just thought it.
anyway:
me: um... yes
Rep: how much would you like to pay?
me: $250
Rep: I see you made a payment on March 4 for $200
me: *silence* (thinking: uh... thanks for telling me?)
Rep: so how much would you like to pay today?
me: $250
Rep: I see you've made previous payments by phone.
me: yes. I'm now making another, for $250
Rep: there's a $15 charge
me: yeah, I know
Rep: do you still want to make a payment over the phone?
me: yes. for $250 (hadn't I said it enough yet?)
Rep: ok, do you want me to include the $15 payment?
me: yes, but I'd like it on my card, please
Rep: ok, your charge will be for $265
me: no, I want to make a payment for $250
Rep: there is a $15 pay-by-phone fee
me: you can put that on the credit card (usually they ask me how I want to pay the fee)
Rep: ok, $250 is your new charge. Will there be anything else today?
me: (wtf new charge?) Can I have my confirmation number?
**click**
me: /sigh
... They've hit a new low, folks! Now I have to call back and make sure my payment went through for the right month. Take my advice and NEVER, EVER, BANK WITH CITIBANK!!!!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
So you know I'm still alive...
I am writing here what I memorized last night.
The purpose of the California Historic Building Code is to provide for the preservation, restoration, relocation, rehabilitation or continued use of a qualified historic building through the use of flexible code provisions to preserve architectural elements or features, encourage energy efficiency, provide disabled access, allow for cost efficient projects, and provide for the health and safety of building occupants. These flexible code provisions fall into 7 categories, each of which uses the flexible provisions differently. They are: Occupancy/Use, Fire Protection, Egress, Accessibility, Structure, Archaic Materials and Methods, and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems.
Seriously, I memorized that.
Don't expect anything worthwhile from me this week, the test is in only 7 days.
The purpose of the California Historic Building Code is to provide for the preservation, restoration, relocation, rehabilitation or continued use of a qualified historic building through the use of flexible code provisions to preserve architectural elements or features, encourage energy efficiency, provide disabled access, allow for cost efficient projects, and provide for the health and safety of building occupants. These flexible code provisions fall into 7 categories, each of which uses the flexible provisions differently. They are: Occupancy/Use, Fire Protection, Egress, Accessibility, Structure, Archaic Materials and Methods, and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems.
Seriously, I memorized that.
Don't expect anything worthwhile from me this week, the test is in only 7 days.
Friday, March 7, 2008
The Good News and the Bad News... and the REALLY Good News
I opened the drier this morning, intending to check the clothing inside for dampness, and spotted my ATM card sticking up from the top of the lint vent. This happens to me a lot. Since my purse strap broke, I've gotten into the habit of putting my cards in my back pockets, which is all well and good until I forget they are in there and wash my pants. The signature on the back of my ATM card has been washed off now. So I reached into the opening and pulled on my ATM card, which came out pretty easily. Then there was a slithery sound and a faint clunk, and I hastened to pull the lint screen out.
The good news is that I found my BART card. It had $9.50 on it, so I was pretty upset about losing it. Just a dollar more and I can go round trip to SF. I'm glad I found it! But it was INSIDE the vent line, through the tiny little slot in which the vent screen fits. I tried everything to get it out. My hand does not fit in there! I tried a pair of pliers (too short) a pair of vice grips (still too short) and a long handled spatula (long enough, but no gripping power). I looked at the way the front of the drier fit on, realized I was running out of time, and decided not to attempt taking it apart. At that point, I got frustrated, and almost walked away, since it was only $10. I didn't need it right then. And then I saw the bad news.
The bad news is that I also found my driver's license, about 6" deeper inside the drier. Now, I know my hand didn't fit, but my first inclination (a stupid one) was to try to jamb my hand in there anyway. Then I tried the spatula again, and succeeded in driving my license deeper inside. Grr! Finally I got smart and looked at things logically. Since the front of the drier couldn't easily be removed, I examined the vent screen slot, made up of plastic parts. Those were only held on by 4 screws, and (in my search for the vice-grips) I had already located a screwdriver! Miracle of miracles, it was even a phillips head!
The really good news is 2 skinned knuckles and a bumped head later, my driver's license is now safely(?) in my back pocket with my ATM card, and I didn't even break the drier!
In other news, sorry I haven't written in so long (all of my loyal 2 lurkers). I've been spending every spare moment studying for my exam. 11 days to go. Hold your thumbs, cross your fingers, hang up a horseshoe, find a four leaf clover, carry a rabbits foot and wear green for me on March 18.
The good news is that I found my BART card. It had $9.50 on it, so I was pretty upset about losing it. Just a dollar more and I can go round trip to SF. I'm glad I found it! But it was INSIDE the vent line, through the tiny little slot in which the vent screen fits. I tried everything to get it out. My hand does not fit in there! I tried a pair of pliers (too short) a pair of vice grips (still too short) and a long handled spatula (long enough, but no gripping power). I looked at the way the front of the drier fit on, realized I was running out of time, and decided not to attempt taking it apart. At that point, I got frustrated, and almost walked away, since it was only $10. I didn't need it right then. And then I saw the bad news.
The bad news is that I also found my driver's license, about 6" deeper inside the drier. Now, I know my hand didn't fit, but my first inclination (a stupid one) was to try to jamb my hand in there anyway. Then I tried the spatula again, and succeeded in driving my license deeper inside. Grr! Finally I got smart and looked at things logically. Since the front of the drier couldn't easily be removed, I examined the vent screen slot, made up of plastic parts. Those were only held on by 4 screws, and (in my search for the vice-grips) I had already located a screwdriver! Miracle of miracles, it was even a phillips head!
The really good news is 2 skinned knuckles and a bumped head later, my driver's license is now safely(?) in my back pocket with my ATM card, and I didn't even break the drier!
In other news, sorry I haven't written in so long (all of my loyal 2 lurkers). I've been spending every spare moment studying for my exam. 11 days to go. Hold your thumbs, cross your fingers, hang up a horseshoe, find a four leaf clover, carry a rabbits foot and wear green for me on March 18.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Lousy Night, Beautiful Morning
Last night was lousy. We did 2 more assault after getting one person in the static CS rank. With just 4 of us left, we did Apkallu Breeding, then Stop the Bloodshed from S rank. The first one went well, but the second one sucked.
We lost, and the blame really should have been spread all around; the new guy in our assault didn't really know what to do, one person had bad lag and kept getting lethal aggro, one managed to track aggro into a safe area and get the last 2 living people killed, and then I didn't raise the second rdm because I thought we had cleared, so I was just running for the end. Then I died... reraised at a bad moment, and we lost. Unfortunately, the blame, which really should have spread around evenly landed squarely on me. This caused shouting and fighting and going to bed angry.
Going to bed angry is always a bad idea - I can't sleep well, I wake up STILL angry, and on top of being angry I'm grouchy from lack of sleep! So this morning I woke in an evil mood. Then came the walk to work, in the sunrise. I was so wrapped up in being miserable and angry and grouchy and annoyed that a stupid video game caused fighting that I didn't even notice what a beautiful day it was until I had already walked 4 miles. Then I got grouchy even more because I had missed the sunrise for being too grouchy. Sunrise, to me, is the best part of the day, and today's sunrise must have been nice, because it's a clear, beautiful day out there.
So far walking to change my mood is not producing the overall effect I had hoped for. On the other hand, with the moleskin I bought yesterday, my feet don't hurt nearly as bad as they did on Friday!
We lost, and the blame really should have been spread all around; the new guy in our assault didn't really know what to do, one person had bad lag and kept getting lethal aggro, one managed to track aggro into a safe area and get the last 2 living people killed, and then I didn't raise the second rdm because I thought we had cleared, so I was just running for the end. Then I died... reraised at a bad moment, and we lost. Unfortunately, the blame, which really should have spread around evenly landed squarely on me. This caused shouting and fighting and going to bed angry.
Going to bed angry is always a bad idea - I can't sleep well, I wake up STILL angry, and on top of being angry I'm grouchy from lack of sleep! So this morning I woke in an evil mood. Then came the walk to work, in the sunrise. I was so wrapped up in being miserable and angry and grouchy and annoyed that a stupid video game caused fighting that I didn't even notice what a beautiful day it was until I had already walked 4 miles. Then I got grouchy even more because I had missed the sunrise for being too grouchy. Sunrise, to me, is the best part of the day, and today's sunrise must have been nice, because it's a clear, beautiful day out there.
So far walking to change my mood is not producing the overall effect I had hoped for. On the other hand, with the moleskin I bought yesterday, my feet don't hurt nearly as bad as they did on Friday!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Moisture and Temperature
So I walked to work again for the first time since we moved in September. It took longer than I expected because I missed estimating the mileage. I thought it was about 3 miles, but it turned out to be 4.5. Oddly enough, it only took me 15 minutes longer to walk than I expected. I had given myself 1.25 hours, and it took me 1.5. I plan to keep walking on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. I've also invited a couple people from work to join me, if they'd like to park their cars at my house and walk in with me.
Today, when I left the house, the sun wasn't up, and it was terribly foggy. I had to take my glasses off. It was cold enough that my breath steamed them up every time I breathed out. As the sun came up, it melted the fog away. It's a beautiful day out there!
I started out wearing a sweatshirt because of the fog and the cold, but by the time I was halfway up the hill, I had to take it off. So I hiked the rest of the way up the hill with bare arms. What I found interesting about this was the way my skin felt to the touch. I expected that the outside of my arms would get cold and clammy. My hair already was wet on top, just from the fog, so the outside of my arms getting cold and wet made sense. What actually happened was that my arms stayed warm on the outside, but got cold on the underside, where they were close to the rest of my body. I have no idea what caused that!
Over the hill there is a big fountain with an ashlar step waterfall and a wood bridge over the pond. I figured there would be spray from the fountain, but I couldn't get that much more wet than the fog had already made me. However, I didn't feel like I got sprayed by the fountain because as I walked across that bridge, I noticed an extreme change in temperature. All of a sudden, I was warm. It must have been at least 60F on the bridge! I know it's supposed to be more temparate near bodies of water, but I am pretty sure that doesn't create a 15 degree differential at a little tiny pond, less than 2 feet deep! I think what caused the difference was that fountains here use recycled water, so it was warm because people were up and taking showers and the water stayed warm clear to the fountain. At least, that was the only reasonable explanation.
I'm doing my part to save the environment (and my wallet, and my body) by walking to work 3 days a week. I also drive a hybrid, when I do drive. Some people drive ethanol powered vehicles, but according to these reports, they aren't actually helping the environment any! What are YOU doing?
Today, when I left the house, the sun wasn't up, and it was terribly foggy. I had to take my glasses off. It was cold enough that my breath steamed them up every time I breathed out. As the sun came up, it melted the fog away. It's a beautiful day out there!
I started out wearing a sweatshirt because of the fog and the cold, but by the time I was halfway up the hill, I had to take it off. So I hiked the rest of the way up the hill with bare arms. What I found interesting about this was the way my skin felt to the touch. I expected that the outside of my arms would get cold and clammy. My hair already was wet on top, just from the fog, so the outside of my arms getting cold and wet made sense. What actually happened was that my arms stayed warm on the outside, but got cold on the underside, where they were close to the rest of my body. I have no idea what caused that!
Over the hill there is a big fountain with an ashlar step waterfall and a wood bridge over the pond. I figured there would be spray from the fountain, but I couldn't get that much more wet than the fog had already made me. However, I didn't feel like I got sprayed by the fountain because as I walked across that bridge, I noticed an extreme change in temperature. All of a sudden, I was warm. It must have been at least 60F on the bridge! I know it's supposed to be more temparate near bodies of water, but I am pretty sure that doesn't create a 15 degree differential at a little tiny pond, less than 2 feet deep! I think what caused the difference was that fountains here use recycled water, so it was warm because people were up and taking showers and the water stayed warm clear to the fountain. At least, that was the only reasonable explanation.
I'm doing my part to save the environment (and my wallet, and my body) by walking to work 3 days a week. I also drive a hybrid, when I do drive. Some people drive ethanol powered vehicles, but according to these reports, they aren't actually helping the environment any! What are YOU doing?
Friday, February 1, 2008
Busy like a little bee...
I've been busy studying for a while now. Every night except Wednesday was the plan. But it's been such an awful week that I do believe I will give myself the evening off.
Improv is going wonderfully. I got asked to be in the improv troupe, which isn't as big a deal as I make it out to be; everyone who managed to continue their membership from March or earlier last year was asked to be in the troupe. We're working on characterization. I'm still spotty - some nights I am all over the funny, and some nights I am... well, not. Ask anyone who was in our first week's class about the "F*** Cake." Just don't ask them about me trying to act nervous.
With the Girl Scouts, I'm both pleased and upset over some things that are happening. We had a "Party Meeting" last week, which my coleader didn't quite get - she kept trying to take over. I was late and it rained HARD on the day we were supposed to go for a walk on the trail. I have parents non participado (yeah, I'll substitute spanish for latin any day) who think that I'm going to just magically make the program appear without their help. And I had a parent who just up and left 4 girls unattended on campus...
On the good side, tomorrow is Discoveree, which I am quite looking forward to. I've signed up for some games classes, a singing class, an outdoor class, and a troop activity class. I'm carpooling with the troop's camping dad. I was going to eat lunch with my coleader, because I hate eating alone, but my coleader bailed. Hopefully I can find a friendly face to hang out with for lunch. Otherwise I'm going to lurk around the camp training field and try to pretend I was in the class the whole time so I can eat lunch with the camping dad. http://www.girlscoutsbayarea.org/pages/for_volunteers/training/discoveree.html
I'm excited!
Gotta run, they are breaking ground on the Fire Station Project I spent 4 months of my life on. I'm excited about this, too!
Improv is going wonderfully. I got asked to be in the improv troupe, which isn't as big a deal as I make it out to be; everyone who managed to continue their membership from March or earlier last year was asked to be in the troupe. We're working on characterization. I'm still spotty - some nights I am all over the funny, and some nights I am... well, not. Ask anyone who was in our first week's class about the "F*** Cake." Just don't ask them about me trying to act nervous.
With the Girl Scouts, I'm both pleased and upset over some things that are happening. We had a "Party Meeting" last week, which my coleader didn't quite get - she kept trying to take over. I was late and it rained HARD on the day we were supposed to go for a walk on the trail. I have parents non participado (yeah, I'll substitute spanish for latin any day) who think that I'm going to just magically make the program appear without their help. And I had a parent who just up and left 4 girls unattended on campus...
On the good side, tomorrow is Discoveree, which I am quite looking forward to. I've signed up for some games classes, a singing class, an outdoor class, and a troop activity class. I'm carpooling with the troop's camping dad. I was going to eat lunch with my coleader, because I hate eating alone, but my coleader bailed. Hopefully I can find a friendly face to hang out with for lunch. Otherwise I'm going to lurk around the camp training field and try to pretend I was in the class the whole time so I can eat lunch with the camping dad. http://www.girlscoutsbayarea.org/pages/for_volunteers/training/discoveree.html
I'm excited!
Gotta run, they are breaking ground on the Fire Station Project I spent 4 months of my life on. I'm excited about this, too!
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