Thank goodness the whole fire business is over. The fire near us is almost completely contained, and because of the firefighters diligence, no homes were lost in the fire. That-- and we also have reliable power.
We did have the power go down one day while I was working at the bank. That was pretty fun-- mostly because our banking skills are very limited without computers. So we helped one customer at a time, keeping everyone else locked out. So we were a little bummed that the power came back on an hour later, but it did take us a while longer to get the network up and running, so at least there was a whole 2 hours of no work in that day.
Since I'm on the subject of work, I recently passed my one year working at the bank anniversary. So Justin, our manager, got me a balloon and card (so did the other gals who started around the same time I did. We also got these spiffy little pins which we now wear constantly). So I sat down with our manager and had the 'what now' chat about my career. So, I'm hoping to soon be promoted to "senior teller" and get a raise and the whole bit. But, that means I'll be moving off of the merchant line next week. I'm a little sad to be leaving the merchants-- but hopefully it will all pay off. If not I can threaten to leave the bank.
I had to tell Justin this story; during my break one day I ran into a gentleman at the drug store next door, and he asks if I work at the bank. He then continues to say that his company is currently hiring an administrative position, and am I good with computers (I reply that I am a big fan of excel, an odd response I know, but the charts are just so cool!)? Then he asks how much I get paid. I am amazed at how rude people in this state can be. I respond that I make enough and enquire how much he's offering. "We offer $25 K starting." "Well," I say, "I make a lot more then that." "Really?" Apparently everyone thinks tellers make peanuts, "Are you the manager or something?" "No, I'm a teller!" He honestly thought we made 8 to 9 and hour! For starters, minimum wage in California is $8.50, and the guys flipping burgers at in-n-out make $10 an hour. Justin kept asking me for more details about my encounter, Why's he trying to take my employees? He offered you how much? You ran into him at the drugstore?
The morale of the story, I better get a raise!
Charles and I have made an effort to be more social, and during the summer this means mostly hanging out with my coworkers. Some, we have found, only care about drinking, but most outings are pretty fun. We've gone out bowling, clubbing, and to dinner recently. I'm proud of us. We even got to go to a special (free!) showing of Dark Knight (2 days before it came out!!) on late at night on Wednesday. Everyone we went with slept through the movie, but Charles and I enjoyed it.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A Visit and Fire
I am pleases to say that all of our utilities currently work. Well, water and natural gas never let us down, but it is awfully nice to have both cable and power at the same time! -- And thus I can blog.
We had the pleasure of my parents visiting last week. I was really glad to see them, and particularly excited to show them around this beautiful town of Santa Barbara. The weather really held out for their entire stay. I was a little worried it'd get fairly cloudy, but it was perfectly sunny everyday. Even though they came down with some serious colds, we were able to fit in a few activities. Specifically, my mom I and went shopping downtown until we were both worn out. I can't usually get Charles into all the art and jewelry stores, so I likes having a different shopping buddy :-) Also, my dad and I went to see the Mission and then the History museum. The mission was a pretty impressive building-- and I didn't know that they still use it today as a church and a library. I especially enjoyed the planetarium they had at the museum, and our presenter asked my dad if he wanted to work there! Apparently it's hard to find people well versed in cosmology (I can't find anything in the night sky except for Orion).
We were all able to tour the campus, and Charles showed off his office (and the view!). I also took them to the wharf and we got to see the ocean and look at all the gift shops. I think they had a good week despite not feeling 100%.
I'm glad my parents came the week that they did, because on the 2nd, a forest fire started just up the mountain. Charles and I saw it when driving to the book store, just a little red dot on the mountain side. Since then it has grown quite a bit. Our power went out on Wednesday, and has been iffy ever since. Our cable was out all day Thursday and most of Friday. I guess I can kind of understand. At the bank on Thursday we got a call from the fire department-- our power would go off that evening since the fire was below the power lines. Needless to say-- closing the bank was exciting. The power kept hiccuping, we had to balance the vault as quickly as we could, before the power shut off. And the sky-- most afternoons the wind blows the smoke towards the coast. The sky turn a reddish brown color, and the sunlight barely gets through. The light is very yellow and big clumps of black and white ash fall from the sky. It's like an apocalypse zone. I just hope that the fire department gets this fire under control soon. Oh, and that the bank doesn't burn down; that would be nice, too.
We had the pleasure of my parents visiting last week. I was really glad to see them, and particularly excited to show them around this beautiful town of Santa Barbara. The weather really held out for their entire stay. I was a little worried it'd get fairly cloudy, but it was perfectly sunny everyday. Even though they came down with some serious colds, we were able to fit in a few activities. Specifically, my mom I and went shopping downtown until we were both worn out. I can't usually get Charles into all the art and jewelry stores, so I likes having a different shopping buddy :-) Also, my dad and I went to see the Mission and then the History museum. The mission was a pretty impressive building-- and I didn't know that they still use it today as a church and a library. I especially enjoyed the planetarium they had at the museum, and our presenter asked my dad if he wanted to work there! Apparently it's hard to find people well versed in cosmology (I can't find anything in the night sky except for Orion).
We were all able to tour the campus, and Charles showed off his office (and the view!). I also took them to the wharf and we got to see the ocean and look at all the gift shops. I think they had a good week despite not feeling 100%.
I'm glad my parents came the week that they did, because on the 2nd, a forest fire started just up the mountain. Charles and I saw it when driving to the book store, just a little red dot on the mountain side. Since then it has grown quite a bit. Our power went out on Wednesday, and has been iffy ever since. Our cable was out all day Thursday and most of Friday. I guess I can kind of understand. At the bank on Thursday we got a call from the fire department-- our power would go off that evening since the fire was below the power lines. Needless to say-- closing the bank was exciting. The power kept hiccuping, we had to balance the vault as quickly as we could, before the power shut off. And the sky-- most afternoons the wind blows the smoke towards the coast. The sky turn a reddish brown color, and the sunlight barely gets through. The light is very yellow and big clumps of black and white ash fall from the sky. It's like an apocalypse zone. I just hope that the fire department gets this fire under control soon. Oh, and that the bank doesn't burn down; that would be nice, too.
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