Getting2Work

I was trying out 4/10 or 4/40 work schedule during the summer months.  It’s way pass summer and a few weeks back management mentioned that if we wanted to flex our work hours we need to be approved on an individual basis.  So yesterday I finally formally request my work schedule change and was approved.  Well, the schedule is 4/40 until there is a need to work OT, then it’s work till the job is done!

I am glad that I now offically don’t work Fridays.  Particularly glad for this Friday (or today) because it’s Halloween!  Hate to get back in the dark with all the candy crazy kids running all over the streets.  We are armed with a BIG bowl filled with candy.  We don’t have decorations outside but we do have the porch lights on so the kids know to approach.  We used to carve pumpkins and put them out.  I actually enjoyed them maybe even more than the kids.  Most of the time my son answered the door but I would go and see what costumes they have on.  It’s especially fun to see the really little ones.  So cute!

Wonder if there are any dark chocolates … I always separate those out!  Maybe I should go do that now!!!!

I had mentioned that I used to drive a stick shift.  I also know that the number of stick shift cars are diminishing.

Back in 1980, more than 35 percent of all cars were sold with a stick. … By 2005 only 6 percent of all buyers bothered with a stick.

With the advance in development, the new automatics actually are more fuel efficient and can switch faster than the manuals.  I can believe that with everything being computer controlled.  Sure some of the sport’s car makers said they will always have manual shift.  But if they are the only ones left, what difference does it make for common folk like myself.  I can’t afford them sports cars!!!

Even though I had the link to the article where I quoted above, here’s the title of the article about “The End of Manual Labor? The stick-shift is a fast-fading icon” and Lawrence Ulrich is one luck guy to get to drive some of these great sports cars.  So jealous!

Haven’t been writing for a couple of weeks.  I had signed up for a class which started a couple of weeks ago.  So between the long commute, working 4 days and trying to get a head start with the class, I’ve just been a bit too tired.  I really feel that I have no right to complain or miss any writing.  My husband brings home the bacon and fries them up too.   My kids are old enough that if we need to ask them to fend for themselves they could.  So my life is not that difficult.  I can’t image how any single parent can do it all him/herself.  If they are lucky and have a good support network of family or friends, they can get a break sometimes.  Still … I am tired just thinking about it!

Anyway, this is my first online class at a university and I am really excited.  It really gives me the flexibility that I need and let me think and do my homework properly.  I don’t feel the pressure of being in class.  It still has all the weekly reading assignments and homework but I can pace myself.  Except my pacing is really trying to stay ahead by cramping everything on Fridays and a bit on the weekends.  This class will benefit at work and if I do well I hope this will give me the confidence to pursue more classes.  Who knows maybe I can work up to getting another degree.

Now I just have to keep up with the class and get a good grade.  I do not want to have to pay my company back.  This class is not cheap!

Yesterday was my Friday, so the mood driving home was relaxed.  Left work after 4:30pm and traffic had it’s usual late drive slowness at Western Ave.  But no big deal because I was expecting it.  Speed picked up a bit again until we got to LAX area.  Everyone jogged into place and eventually settled down.  After the traffic settled down, I switch from blasting songs to my audio book and time to kick back.  As I listened, I like looking around at my fellow drivers.  You could see the driver behind pretty clearly since we were going so slow (crawling really).  OMG … it’s Tom Cruise!!!! NOT!!!  Of course not … what’s the chance.  Besides he was driving an old red car where most of it had faded to more of a grey than red.  But I swear … that guy looked A LOT like Tom Cruise.  So I got to drive most of the way with good looking Tom behind me.  Another plus … he was not tail gating!!!!