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Tuesday, October 26, 2004

LOAD!!!

I figured I would post while I sit here and wait for software to load. This is perhaps the slowest program to ever run on a network. Oh and they improved it. I just have one thing to say about that... Illustrate This!


Anyway...

I cleaned all of saturday. I'm talking 9am to 6pm. Now everything is all sparkly clean. Carpets have been vacuumed, counters scrubed, bills filed, clothes are folded, others are on hangers. One small problem. My closet isn't big enough. Or really even close to big enough. Some clothes have migrated to the coat closet. Thats weird. I need a giant walk in closet. Solution...buy a house (or townhouse).

So last night, I was talking to my father and he's all like, hey, you should buy a living place...because for the amount of rent I'm paying, I could have a mortgage.


Problem #1...need down payment.
Perhaps I should have thought about the whole buying thing about a year ago...ya know, before I spent all my money. Oh wait, I did...didnt want to buy anything then.

Problem #2...The place that I drove by that looks nice...$360K...for a townhouse. I feel like I could buy a whole house, with some property for that amount.

Problem #3...I can't move EVERY year, like I have been since 1998. I know, most people don't like to move and while I am not so fond of the actual moving day, its kind of fun to have a new place every year. I guess it would also be nice to not to have to put my life into boxes every 11 months...

I think it might be time to look for cheaper places or keep renting.

Sunday was also good. It started off with me wanting to go to the grocery store. I was out of cinnamon life and eggs, so I couldn't bake anymore cookies. So, off to the grocery store. Never again will I go to the Shoprite on 70 in Marlton. People there SUCK. So after about 40 mins in the store and getting only about 3 of the 17 items on my list, I decide its time to hit the express lane and get the hell out of there. So, I leave and go to the ACME in Medford. Not so much better...I didn't even get out of my car because there reaall wasn't any parking. What have I learned from this? Never go to the grocery store on Sunday afternoon.

YAY Eagles winning. Booo overtime and that really f-ing bad call that got the Browns the last touchdown. WTF???

Me and Lacey went to Pier 1 because we had a 40% off coupon (yay Lacey's mommie for know people!!!). How cool is that? I got a wine rack (holds 15 bottles) and a whole crap load of other stuff. I saved $100. Sweet.

Yesterday was a random day. 90% of it was boring as hell...

It took me 40 mins to get to work (it normally takes 16) yes, I know, 16. Every day...it hardly ever changes, except for yesterday. Why did it take 40 mins, you ask? I got stuck behind a tractor. Huh? A tractor in rush hour? Yeah. I take 70 west to Old Cuthbert Road. Thats that road after D&Q and before 295N. Right after I pull off of 70, theres a tractor. He's going 15. Wait...where is he going??? There is no farm or farm type area anywhere around here...

Ok, so, I'll pass him. No! 1) Its a double line and I can't remember the rules around passing farm equipment. 2) He's not driving off to the side (there is no shoulder, but its not a narrow lane). 3) there is oncoming traffic.

After Old Cuthbert, I make a left onto Chapel Ave, which takes me directly to my office. Yeah, I think the tractor had the same idea I did...lets go to Cherry Hill. Looks like the max speed on this bad boy is 25mph, downhill.

Long story short, me (and now 14 other cars) are stuck behind this for 4 miles. When we finally cross over Kings highway, he goes into the shoulder. Hooray!!! Now I can fast and get to work only like 15 mins late. Oh right...speed limit is now 25. and I'm behind a school bus.

Wound up getting here about 20 mins late...but its ok, 3 of the 14 cars behind me were also going to my office.


Story Number 2.

I return to ACME last night to complete my grocery shopping. I collect the 14 other items on my list (and a few others) and I go to self check out. One of my items isn't recognized in the system (yay, I am on the cutting edge of baking) and the lady who works the self check out goes and looks up the price. As I'm standing there, waiting, someone comes over to my scanny place, puts his basket down and stands right next to me. like RIGHT next to me. First thought "um, you're a little close." Don't really wanna look at said person because its a little weird...take small step in opposite direction. He's still standing there. So, I decide now might be a good time to look at him. Yeah, its James. First thing he says "You were probably thinking 'you're standing awfully close'" Yeah. Pretty much. He scared the hell out of me.

I worked on the largest spreadsheet I have ever seen yesterday. I mean, I know, there have to be bigger but the final cell on this thing was AF347. DUDE...almost every cell had a number (many of which had a 15 cell referenced formula, i hate bolean logic). The best part...it was all about tax. Namely, estate tax. It gives me a headache just thinking about it now.



Ohhhhh hooray!!! The program is finally done loading. If you actually read this far down, I am impressed. Peace out.

Friday, October 22, 2004

Back to School

Hi.

Somehow, yesterday, I found myself enrolled back at college...

Anyone else, aside from me, confused yet?

Over the past several months here, I have been debating the time frame for when to get my securities license (luckily, I already have my insurance license). I am deathly afraid of this test (series 7) for really no good reason. So, I have been side stepping it for the better part of the year.

Yesterday I was informed that I am to obtain the Series 7 or a giant pile of prefessional designations. Still confused? I'll try to explain...

I work in the Financial Services industry (for those of you who don't know exactly what I do...) primarily in the Insurance side (because I haven't taken the Series 7). We do estate planning for the $5M+ net worth market. Within this planning, we utilize Insurance, Investments and Legal Documents to expand the wealth of Individuals at their death (and in many instances, during their lifetime). Clients with A LOT of money like to know that the person handling said money is qualified. Hence the professional designations.

Ok, you with me? Good.

So, yesterday, I took it upon myself to get my ass in gear and I enrolled at The American College to pursue my ChFC. That stands for Chartered Financial Consultant. From what I understand, this is THE place to get these designations. I feel special that they will take all of my money.

The ChFC consists of about 8 classes. Taken about 1 or 2 at a time. The first of which is "Insurance and Financial Planning" Sounds so thrilling, doesn't it? Well thats what I am enrolled in now. My final exam is to be taken in December. I don't have my books yet. November is going to be a thrilling month primarily consisting of me reading a very large book, some of the reading will be done in Bryn Mawr, where the college is located.

When I finally complete my ChFC, I will then take classes for the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter). Then after that, CFP(r) (they get pissed when you leave off the r). That stands for Certified Financial Planner.

I'm thinking I will finish all of these by the end of next year. Sometime in between there, I have to take the Series 7. Feel free to start a betting pool as to when I will actually take it.

There is a point to this story...

By the end of 2005, I'll mail everyone my business card.

It shall read:

Kristen Cole CLU, ChFC, CFP(r) <----this will actually be a R in a circle.
Registered Representative
LFA.

So many Initials. I feel special (or rather, I will in a year). and no, I still won't be able to get you eagles tickets.


Then all of you can give me all your money to play with. YAY! Isn't that scary? (By the way, if you have insurance needs PRIOR to the end of next year, call me...I'm already allowed to do that.)


Onto the next thoughts...

The leaves are finally turning colors. For a few weeks there, when the leaves were just dead and falling off the trees, I really thought we weren't going to have a pretty fall. HOORAY!!! the leaves are pretty.

Last night was Fajita thursday with a Survivor chaser. I have a few comments to make here.

1. Chris makes an excellent fajita.

2. Why do all the women on this season have giant boobs? (unlike past seasons with people like Sue, the rather unattractive canadian and Lillian, the old boy scout troop leader) Even the old ladies on this show seem to be more attractive...and then there's the guys...hotness is not exuding from their pores. So sad.

3. Ender slept on me. Sooooooo cute. I'm laying on the loveseat, he takes a running start from the other side of the room, jumps on my stomach and curls up. He stared at Lacey for a little while and finally fell asleep. The dog snores. I don't know why find that sooo funny. Soon he is not going to be a lap dog (i think that is debatable at this point as well) His head was on my shoulder, his bum was mid thigh. He kept me warm. It was wonderful.

4. Does anyone want to get me a miniature pot bellied pig (preferably black and white)?
Yeah, didn't think so.



Halloween...

When did halloween become so anti-climactic? I feel like I need to have kids in so that there will be a purpose for me dressing up and having candy. Ohhh the days in college of crazy parties and dressing up as a prostitute and going to wawa and having the easton police be standing there and looking at you funny and then your friend comes in behind you, dressed up like a cow or something and then they realize that you aren't actually a whore, you're just dressed up for a halloween party that isn't actually on halloween. Oh how I miss those days. Someone do something (ie, joe, make a decision)!!!

Why is it so freaking cold in the office??? I actually went to my car to day and found more clothes. Perhaps I am a freak.

And speaking of going to my car today, I went out there, and the woman in the car next to mine was like rockin out to gospel. Windows down (its like 50 degrees out) stereo way up and she is like banging on the steering wheel. I'm just standing there like where is my sweater?

So thats about all from here.

Go Eagles!

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Friday, October 15, 2004

Sleep? No, no more sleep.

I have spent the last 4 days in bed. I know...sounds like a fun time...relaxing, sleeping, tv. No. I had the stomach flu complete with fever for 4 days.

It all started on towards the end of my drive home from a lovely weekend in VA on sunday night. Got home late, about midnight. Wound up staying at my parents because I had to pick up my mother at about 6:45am to go to Lenape to go see the Cheneys. Started to get a little dizzy when i got to their house, just thought I was tired.

It all really hit me Monday morning while I was between secret service checkpoints at Lenape. I'm standing there in line with my mother (she's the reason I was there, I'm not a big fan of rallies, but how many times do you get to meet the vice president? For me, this would be #3.) and we make it into the main gym. Someone checks and makes sure that I am the person the FBI ran a security check on over the weekend (i was) and then we go and stand outside on the sidewalk that goes into the other gym. Yeah, its 7:20am. Its October. Its NJ. FREAKING COLD PEOPLE!!! I'm in a suit. again.

As we're standing there, looking at the secret service people on the roof I suddenly feel like I am going to pass out. I turned bright white (i know, not much of a change from normal) and thought I was going to die. About 25 mins later, I can finally get into the other gym, get patted down, pass through the metal detector and run to the bathroom, where i promptly throw up (yes, you wanted the fun details). I hate the stomach flu.

Finally back out to the gym. Hey look...its Jason Hicks. Yes...looking in other direction...

Hey there goes me about to pass out. YAY mommie catches me. Time to go sit down on the floor of a HS gym, in a suit. Best idea ever. Stand up again. Go back to the mother and people from work, woooo passing out again. Back to the floor.

Rally finally ends. Go home, go to sleep. Don't leave apartment again (except to go to the doctor, so he can tell me that not only do I not have strep but I have some sort of virus thing and I should be better by saturday) until, FRIDAY!

I figure I have slept about 60 hours in the past 4 days. I think I slept 60 hours last month, total. I didn't think it was possible for me to sleep that much and yet, I am still totally exhausted.

Oh and daytime TV sucks.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

I really thought I was more evil...

I am 30% evil.

I try to stay away from evil deeds but succumb to temptation every once in a while. I'm not quite on my way to hell but I certainly have some explaining to do.

Are you evil? find out at Hilowitz.com

Friday, October 01, 2004

Martini-rific

So there hasn't been much new stuff happening as of late. The usual...work, food, phone, sleep. Which is nice. But nothing to really write an entire post on. So here is my summary for the week...

Anyway, this week has been fun. Tuesday night, I baked 8 dozen snickerdoodles and 2 dozen cupcakes, brought them into the office and they were gone before 4. How did the 15-20 people (a lot of people out of the office this week) manage to eat 96 cookies and 24 cupcakes in 6 hours? And how does this office manage to have doughnuts and cake and cookies arrive in the office just as I am thinking "mmmmm cookie"? I have change my theory on why the adminstration here is fattening us up (see prior post)...So they can feed us to the compliance officers when its audit time...Just a thought...

Chris and Lacey got the pupperoni cleaned this week. Now he smells like coconut rum. How fabulous is that? Best idea ever. A+ Petsmart. This is a smart puppy. He came with tricks...already knew how to sit! Now knows how to give his paw and go in his crate when you say so. Next trick to be learned...Eat People to be followed by Lay Down.

So while the puppy was getting cleaned, me and them went to Don Pablo's for cheap fajita night. Best idea ever!!! If you like fajitas...
Mmmm Don Pablo's. And Justin is right, should look into purchasing stock...

Last night I went to a restaurant called Olive. They were opening their new Martini Lounge, Pimento, last night and somehow, I got on the VIP list. ROCK ON! And you might ask, What did this get me? Well, early entrance to the club, open bar for a few hours, free yummies (best crab cake!) and raffle tickets (from which I won a $50 bottle of wine). The place has a wonderful ambiance, I would recommend you go. The only thing is, I was there for about 2.5 hours and 8 (I think, I lost count) martinis later and I wasn't falling down the stairs. I'm thinking they were watering down the vodka. Mind you, had they not been watered down, I wouldn't have had as many as I did. Its probably better that they did though...The cosmo, red dragon, purple haze and appletini were all quite good. See...a lot of drinkie.

Needless to say, I didn't watch the debate.

Moving along.

Onto today...I have been surprisingly productive today. So much got done. I'm blaming it on the doughnuts in the kitchen...Papers are processed, clients have been called and money has been invested properly. Whew...

Tonight = Phillies game with like the best seats ever (aside from the corporate box, yay food). If you happen to be tuning in, you'll probably see me on TV. Section 112, Row 1, Seats 1-4. Know where the tarp is? Yeah, I'll be sitting right behind that. I love company perks. And before you ask, no, I probably can't get you eagles tickets (unless you really suck up...).

Ok, back to being uber-productive!