My heart hurts

Last year I worked for a dying construction and electrical company not knowing it's economic woes. I had been unemployed for the first time in my life and felt a desperation to have a job - any job - no matter what. So what if it was 45 minutes away in traffic at $12 an hour? So what if they didn't want to give overtime or health benefits? I needed it. They made me feel like another opportunity wouldn't come around and so I grabbed at it with all my might.

The first shock was when we were told we probably wouldn't get our paycheck on time. A day or so wasn't a big deal, I guessed. Last year was hard on everybody, I knew. So when the April 1st check came on the 2nd and the April 15th check on the 16th or 17th I was ok. But when the May 1st check never came...I was a little upset. Oh my employer talked a great game - it was the bank's fault. He was going to throw in his retirement to save the company (which would be a $20,000 loss to him, he would tell us in a desperate tone) but the bank refused, or wouldn't call him back, or would tell him the money was coming. And then the speech on May 13th, 2009 - how he was glad we were still there and how he wasn't giving up. He would get the money to pay us. He could have a better job, was asked to work for a company where he could be making so much money - but wanted this instead. Tomorrow he would pay us.

It's May 10th, 2010 and I have not recieved a dime of the $2400 he owes me. I've gone through Labor and Industries thinking this is the right way, the most appropriate way. I don't want more than what I'm owed...just the $12 an hour from pay periods April 11-24th, 25th - May 10th and May 11th - May 20th. Sure he messed with my unemployment claim - reporting to them I quit when he told me he would say it was a lay off. Four months of receiving letters stating "we may have overpaid you $1849.63 - please report why you feel we did not overpay." I had stress spots, anxiety, and tears. I have debt with a 16.9% interest rate. I would like to take that entire check and shove it straight at my CC - cutting it in half....you would think a year would be enough time.

L&I has over 1000 claims dating to 2009, I was told today. Because my claim didn't reach collections until March 25th, it is towards the bottom of the stack. I made my first L&I claim in July 2009. It took that long to process, inspect, approve, contact and file. They have 1 person handling the wage cases. How the hell is this an effecient system?

I'm tired. I'm tired of the stress of not having great credit and owing my cc, my dad and my boyfriend money a year later. I'm tired of being told one date by L&I reps and then another date. It is entirely possible this man can file for bankruptsy between now and whenever they can get to my claim and I'd have to start all over again because L&I has no authority over bankruptsy claims.

Who do I contact - my local government? - to suggest instead of cutting L&I employees, add them. There seem to be a lot of scumbag bosses who would prefer volunteers and think they can skip out on paying. I know there are a lot who went in over their heads...but the parting words from my former employer was to find a company that can babysit me and cater to my needs. He then went on to screw with my unemployment claim and tell them he had no knowledge of me working there as long as I did because it wasn't in the records. No, there need to be more agents in collections...people like him should be made to pay - all 8 of us - in full.

Happy Friday

For the first time in a long time, I'm writing lyrics again. Not happy lyrics, of course...but lyrics. It's a nice change.

Someone suggested I start blogging more about shows and cd's. I may just try that.

There will be fireworks in Seattle this year for the 4th of July...just goes to show the strength of local media and the passion of the masses - even in these economic times.

I'm going to the Sounders game tomorrow night and it's supposed to rain :-( I'll be needing a lot of hot cocoa and a garbage bag.

Our admin assistant put together a large Easter basket full of candy. I've already consumed a round Reese's peanut butter Easter egg and a flat Snicker's Easter egg. Oh marketing to consumers odd beliefs of Christianity. Explain how the death and ressurection of Christ and Bunnies and Peeps can be mixed together.

I'm not knocking it...I'm just saying - we live in an interesting world.

I love Beeker - http://http://mashable.com/2010/02/09/muppets-beakers-ballad/

Some Things I'll Never Understand

By nature, I'm competitive. I like to win, I hate to lose, and I will pout to get my way. I have my beliefs, I'll argue in favor of my beliefs, but I must admit I do like arguing in general. This is about as far as I can go. Whether or not you believe what I believe, right or wrong, I will not be taking you to the parking lot to "show you" the truth by a physical fight. I will not attack you, your family, your friends, your pets, relatives twice removed...just because you don't agree with my beliefs does not make you and all whom you associate with bad or evil. Even if what you say offends me (because that's another weakness I have, easily offended), I know there are some fights I really can't win - no matter how hard I argue and pout. So, can someone please explain to me how an Islamic extremist can get on a train and kill 39 people they don't know? And even further from my mind - a woman. As a female, I know that I can do anything a guy can do - work, play sports, hold intelligent conversations, etc. Does not mean I want to do EVERYTHING they can do. I would assume a more maternal instict would prevent this. But apparently suicide bomber is a position open to all.

I like what I believe in - but not to the point I would kill others to serve my message. How can a religion promote this? Say what you will about Christianity - but when two of our main rules are Thou Shall Not Kill and Thou Shall Not Make Wrongful Use of the Name God (such as killing in the name of God...I know, I know, history has shown differently people's misuse of the name God - maybe they missed that CCD class?) you'd like to think that a positive message could be found in all religions and people would promote that. Why is acceptance such a hard thing - or maybe not even as far as acceptance, but a tolerance. I'm simplifying it, I know. There are things in this world performed today based on religions that still hold many as slaves...but still, I will never understand killing in the name of God.

If you're winning by 10...

I've been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. The teams I've been on have ranged from the good, the bad, and the ugly. My Sunday night team plays in a C league that's a little too good for us (this is an ugly). We consistently lose by 5 or more goals and have decided it would be in our best interest to move down a league. Which is great for next season....but does not help our current situation.

My advice - you're an awesome team and you know it (because you're winning by at least 6 in the first half). It is not necessary to show boat. Especially at 10:10pm on Sunday night when I need to go into work early the next morning. So, if you're the goalie and you take the ball yourself in the 2nd half when you're winning by 10 and have the audacity to swagger up to me like a tool...do not be surprised when my leg makes contact with your in step. Intentionally. Also, you'll know you're a dog if the referee overlooks my obvious foul. Even he knows you're a prat. As well as your team mates....

In conclusion, if you're winning by 10, show some class. It's a somewhat lost art - but if you're that good, you should get some.

~K

An interesting start and Back from Bogota

Like Thumper said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

This may be why I didn't write anything for close to a year in this blog. Or possibly because I forgot. Either way, writing a blog, take 2.


I have just recently returned back to Seattle from a week long trip to Bogota', Colombia. The Spanish architecture combined with the beautiful countryside made it an amazing adventure with a lot to see and take in. Getting past the obvious stereotypes - i.e, I wasn't kidnapped, I didn't bring home any coke, the chocolate covered coffee beans were awesome - Bogota is still somewhat recovering from an awful past painted with drugs and violence. However, they are trying (with a lot of success) to overcome this image and bring in tourism. The people in Bogota were wonderful and very helpful. My boyfriend is 100% Colombian and speaks no Spanish and I look like a Pilgram and speak beginner Spanish. So attempting to put 5000 pesos of minutes on our cell phone turned into quite the challenge at the corner market. It did end well with a whole lot of Spanish being spoken around us, but the effort strangers put in to aid in our obvious distress...well, there's something to be said for that.

We also had the pleasure of having 2 contacts down there - without the added benefit of knowing someone, I believe the trip may have been harder. Kent and I were staying in the historical district the entire time (La Candaleria). At night, this is not the nicest place to be (stay in Zona Rosa) - but our new friends came from their part of town to go out with us and even took us out to see Garavita.

As a person who's travelled to a few places over the years, I know what it's like to hit a new country (or continent) and wish you knew just a few things prior to going. So, before entering Colombia (Bogota, specifically), please know:
1. Never, under any circumstance, order a soup called Mondongo...trust me
2. If you can, bring salad dressing. They seldom have salad, but if they do, it's dry.
3. Aguarcaliente (sounds like aguariente) takes like Sambuca, tastes like Uso - it is tradition, however, so you may as well enjoy - even if you don't like the taste of black liquorice.
4. Go to all the major attractions (Salt Cathedral, Monseratte, Gold Muesum) on the weekdays. They're much less crowded and you get more time to walk around.
5. A guided tour of Bogota is a great way to see things - try to get Claudia through Diversitours. She may drive extremely crazy, but she is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
6. Speaking of crazy driving, I thought New York/Seattle was bad. The congestion is sickening, the roads have huge pot holes (or has eroded away on a slant!), and people go in and out of traffic like the lines don't exist. Plus, the honking.....ugh. Please note, we were told by our Colombian friend's that drivers in India are worse.
7. If you can do more of the country - do it. Bogota would have been good for 3 days, with 2 days in a B&B outside the city and then off to the coast for 3 days. We had a wonderful time and plan to go back - but with much more of the country in mind.

Take Care,
Kendal

On Running a Half Marathon

I saw this post in my archive that I never unleashed to the world. I think it's fairly entertaining. I also can't believe it's been almost two years since I wrote it. The conclusion is I ran the 13 miles in about 2 hours and 37 minutes. I ran it with a friend - which possibly slowed me down. Since then, I've reduced my ambitions and ran a few 5 and 8K's in 2010. I am now dealing with a right hip, knee, ankle, shin issue that I'm hoping will be cured with new tennis shoes...

I'm a fairly active 26 year old female. I still get my soccer on twice a week, hit the gym when I find time between tutoring and reffing and Jane Austen Book Club. I could be in better shape, have less body fat percentage (stupid LA Fitness), work out more...it's an evil of society to want to look 10lbs lighter. Being a healthy 140lbs at 5'5 definitely does not make me small. My metabolism slowed down after college and my face has decided to show all the fatty foods I eat. So what is a girl to do with her boyfriend's high school reunion, a wedding where his ho of an ex is going to be, and a wedding where she's a bridesmaid next to a group of beautiful women and a bride who's maybe 5' and 100lbs? Oh, she's going to run a half marathon! Whoot! That'll give me a goal, motivate me to eat better...you know, help me lose the 10lbs I keep complaining about. So enter my first 4 mi jog since I was in college. I must admit that the first 2 miles went much easier than I thought they would. It was about the time my running partner decided to be ambitious and run up a steep hill that my ankles started to yell at me. Suuuuure...I did them when I was 22, working out daily - why the heck not (huff, puff, huff, puff....). I made it up the hill of torture. I completed the run. We finished triumphant - only 2 -30 second walks and coming in under an hour, I felt mighty proud of myself. We even walked another mile later that day and I played a soccer game that evening. Minus the blister on the ouside of my right foot (I am investing in new runners - any suggestions?), I felt awesome.



And now it's today....holy christmas trees! My calves are screaming bloody murder, my hips are hurting in places I didn't think imaginable, and the center of my upper back is laughing at me. LAUGHING AT ME! I guess I should be happy my quads and hamstrings have remained in tact (for now). I have now printed out a plan to make me get in shape by July 12th. No seriously, July 12th...7 weeks to train for 13 miles. I plan on keeping posted updates of my progress. Maybe if I have somewhere to write it down, it'll be more real.

And it starts...again

I like writing. If I was more disciplined and had a better vocabulary, I may have considered journalism or story telling. But unfortunately, I am a slave to the corporate world and spend my time attempting to market products. It pays the bills (sometimes). It just gets boring. It also sucks all the creative juices out of my lazy, 26% body fat body (stupid LA Fitness). Being a singer/songwriter/mediocre musician, losing my ambition to write kind of sucks. So I figure I start blogging a little here and there to maintain some of my edge. I can write about nothing. I can write about the wonderful, crazy people of the pacific northwest and new england. I can rant about how no one knows how to truly yield. Possibilities are endless. If you come across this and have a random topic to suggest, please let me know. But please be nice about it - telling me something in an aggressive, extremely political, angry tone won't get me to research it. Cry, maybe. Research and rant back, not so much. But interesting things, like bands I should listen to, or odd facts about ear wax and lollipops - I'm all for it.