Behind Door #3 is... A BRAND NEW CAR!!!

We opted for what was behind door number 3 today - kind of. Jooj had been talking about getting a new (new as in "used") car for a few weeks. With Kelsey turning 16 and my work schedule we knew that we wouldn't be able to rely on the Jeep. I feared that my time with the Jeep was winding down and I was sad, but also excited about the thought of a new car.

Well, Jooj found a red Honda Civic online that she liked and we went to check it out today. It was a 2-door 2004 EX - very sporty and a little flashy. It had 55K miles on it, rode well, and was in our price range. After the test drive I asked the dude to take us inside and go over some paperwork. We did.

But then we hit a snag (don't worry, it turns out well). Another person was already "in the back" getting her financing straightened out for THE VERY SAME CAR! We had every right to just walk away. But the sales dude really wanted a new pair of shoes so he cut us a deal. He offered another 2004 Civic EX - gray, 4-door, and with just 33K miles... for right about $1000 more than what we were going to pay for the first car (a substantial discount from the sticker price).

We considered it. We test drove. We went inside. We did some paperwork. We opted for what was behind door #3. And we walked away with Jooj's new car!

And the best part of this story? Well, besides Jooj getting her little Civic, I not only get to share the CR-V with Kelsey (so I kind of get a new car) but I also get to keep my beloved (piece of sh!t) Jeep! Life is good.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

First week at Genscape

So I finished my first week at Genscape and I'm loving it. I think my coding skills rusted a bit over the last two years as the projects dried up at ServicePower. I've hit the ground running at Genscape and am so invigorated to be working on new, exciting stuff. I find their product to be so darn interesting. And the project I'm working on will have have an impact that can be noticed - not just another cog in some lumbering webapp. I'm going to love working for the R&D department. I really love going into work (and even enduring the drive downtown).

Genscape is such a great place. The office is hip and modern. The people there are either young, energetic, or young and energetic. It feels like a start-up but has the financial backing to not have to worry about being a start-up :) I have two monitors (one is just so early-2000s). I love the team that I'm on (Dev) as well as the team that I work with (R&D). We have a kick-ass kitchen. Lunch is catered/ordered in on Fridays. We have a candy drawer and a beer fridge (and holy shit, the beer fridge has one of my old incuBusiness magnets on it!!!!!!111!!!one!!11!!!!). We have an office dog named Buzz. I mean, sheesh, this is what the modern office environment should be.

Today we actually didn't order out but instead had a pot luck luncheon. I knew there were some vegetarians in the office (and assumed a few more lurked about) so I whipped out my Spicy Spinach & Black Bean Lasagna. It was a hit! And the rest of the vittles were top-notch. It was so good.

And I learned a very important thing today. I didn't have a way to heat up my casserole dish but the receptionist (Amy, the owner of Buzz) showed me a trick of placing the dish on the griddle. It worked like a charm!!!

Tomorrow's post will be a bit more somber though... an ode to the Jeep, who's 12-year relationship with me may be drawing to a close...

Proud of Kelsey

My baby grrrl has her driver's permit now. Yay! Now I can put her behind the wheel and it won't be illegal :)

She also played with charcoals for the first time and her sketch is rockin'! I'm so proud of her!!!

I'm still lovin' the new job. I'm working on some exciting stuff.

I'm *really* looking forward to falling back an hour this weekend. I know that it means less sunlight but that extra hour of sleep sounds delectable right about now :)

Being employed rules!

That is all.

The day after

Wow, the party last night was slammin'! And I learned one valuable lesson last night. I will never throw another party without the magic of karaoke. It was a hit. I had so much with it (and some would argue that I was a hit). I really enjoyed singing and performing. At times I would pick up the mic, start up a song in an empty room, and finish to roaring applause. Man, it felt great!

Everything else was great too. Will had his friends. Kelsey had her friends. We had some great friends and family show up and I appreciate everyone who made it out. We look forward to celebrating our 9th annual party next year!

In other news...

* I start my new job tomorrow. I am so happy to be rejoining the ranks of the employed. And I'm tickled to be working where I am. More on that after I get a few days under my belt.

* I hate the new CNN.com. I'm not a fan of the layout but I can get over it. What I can't forgive is the fact that they have completely removed their Science section. It is as extinct as the dinosaurs. So sad. Their science coverage has been going downhill for some time but this is probably what will cause me to switch my online news source.

* Why are the Giants trying to run the ball against the Cardinals' 1st ranked running defense while Eli is simply not tossing the ball nearly enough against their 31st ranked (that's second to last for you non-NFL peeps) passing defense? Sheesh! Vikings lost... boo!

I hurt

I skated over the weekend and I hurt. I removed the over-the-range microwave tonight (after my second attempt) and I hurt. That silly Wii Fit has me stressing about my weight so I've killed my abs with Super Hula-Hoop and I hurt.

The Halloween party is approaching and there is still so much to do. This aching back can't slow me down! I simply won't allow it!

Had lunch today with a good portion of the team(s) I'll be working with at my new job. I'm so stoked... I really can't wait 'til Monday. A new chapter is about to begin...

Hate to see you go, Dave :(

I got an email yesterday informing me that Dave Minors passed away after a fast, unexpected illness. I had worked with Dave during my time at ServicePower. He and Earl were the "two old guys" that would call me up from time to time - sometimes to ask a favor, sometimes to have a favor asked of them from me, and sometimes just to shoot the shit. Dave was no Spring chicken, but he also wasn't the oldest dog on the block either. I am quite shocked and very saddened to hear of his passing.

I just don't have much else to say on the matter. I'm sure his family is devastated by the loss and I wish them the best.