The wait is over!!

So my laptop finally arrived from Sony today, and I've spent most of the evening playing with it as I get all the bugs worked out, get the security set the way I like, turned on the auto sign in feature, and got my ClearWire 4G modem working. It seems to do fine loading web pages and such, but I haven't had the best luck with streaming video or audio. During a test phone call to mom, the video lag was noticable. And while trying to listen to streaming audio from my favorite web site, the stops and starts got rather annoying. I hope that maybe if I locate a good wifi network around, it will provide better options, until I decide what to do, or if I decide to change providers. Its probably not a good thing that on their own web home page, they have open forums with titles that are nothing positive for the company. Sure, ClearWire may have coverage here in Seattle, and while they do provide 4G speed, it does no good when they don't provide the bandwidth needed to power todays electronics. And Seattle's attempt at free wifi for all, with several locations like pioneer square and the u-district providing free wifi coverage over a large area, is also not up-to-speed. And that's my rant on that, technology causing stress and anxiety.

On the career front, I have started building my resume online with that local company starting in B, ending in ING, I mentioned earlier. Its going to take me some time to get everything just right, to copy and re-word the job descriptions they provide, working them to reflect my skills and my abilities. This new career jump is a totally new direction, and I'm not rushing into this, taking my time and a few months to get things right. Plus Nadine's man Dustin is helping me, working on getting some phone numbers so I can jump right to the front of the line, so to speak. Its exciting right now, cause theyt just unrolled their newest product and are waiting on a government bid, which will be BIG. I'm actually excited for this change. It will provide me the ability to maybe buy a house or condo here in the Seattle area in about 5 years, right as the market finally stabilizes here. Plus it provides great health insurance, some retirement security and the possibility of a future beyond restaurants. I realized that nothing that I have made as a cook, in 20 years, is around or exists today. My whole life's work, and nothing to show for it, but my knowledge and skill, which is not enough for me. I want to be able 10 years from now, to point and say " I helped build that." Something more concrete and personal. I know it sounds lame, but I've only got about 20 years of work left in me, if that, before my back and knees finally quit on me, and as of right now, living paycheck to paycheck, it scares the hell out of me. Having been unemployed for almost 2 years and being homeless too, for the first time in my life, I'm looking forward, far forward, into my future.

As I work out the bugs, I'll finally start getting some picture uploaded to my post, as well as facebook too. There really isn't much to show around here, but maybe the lake, and I know you all want to see what an awesome place I live in. And it is, in its own way.