DMV Hell

This is just ridiculous...

In North Carolina, not only do you have to pay property tax on your vehicle (and this is the only state I've ever lived in that I know does this. I've never heard of such crap in my life)-- but they also have that godforsaken emissions testing.

I am CONVINCED that this is just a means of getting more money out of the consumer:

1. You have to have your emissions test before they'll let you register your car. ($30.00)

2. If you let your emissions test lapse you will be mailed a lovely hate letter telling you to pay up, and if you don't there will be a block preventing you from getting the car tested or registered. (From what I understand that's another $57.00 with the first warning)

3. If you don't pay the property tax on your car you're registration will be blocked (i.e. You HAVE to pay the property tax on your car or you'll be carless).

4. The emissions test also consists of a "safety" test. - You have to have functioning lights, turn signals, brakes and horn. - If these things don't work, you'll fail, and you can't get your car registered (Hmmm.... I'm sure the auto repair shops LOVE this one). --and why is it I still see hunk of crap cars, belching smoke and using 2x4s as bumpers on the road???

Imagine this if you will: Broken horn (which is NOT really a safety thing in my opinion. Most folks panic in an accident and never have time to USE their horn. The ONLY time I've EVER heard a horn go off is when someone is either annoying me while I'm walking down the street, or someone gets caught day dreaming at a green light...) But that's beside the point... Broken Horn--has to go to the repair shop to be fixed. Bad clock spring and horn ring. Check engine light on - need EGR ports cleaned.
Parts total: $270.00
Labor: $140.00
After taxes: $450.50

In a state that DOESNT have this test, we use the "free" solution - Stick your head out the window and yell or flip the bird!
Parts total: 0
Labor total: 0
Satisfaction Level: 100%

So here's more fodder for the government money making machine.

Said car, after the repairs were completed, was driven (now illegally because the registration and testing is overdue) is taken to the local shop for the inspection. The car FAILS the inspection. Why? Because work had been done on the car and the car's computer has been reset.

When asking the lady at the testing station how this is to be remedied the reply was "You have to drive it around for a few days and bring it back."
"How? The car is not legal" is the obvious response.
"I guess you can show the police the paper that says you're TRYING to get it tested...?" she says with a perplexed look on her face (You do WORK here don't you? This can't be an uncommon question).
"How long does the car have to be driven before it resets", again the obvious question
"I don't know... You can look online."

Anyone care to guess what it will take for the car's computer to be reset?
Step 1: Cold Start. In order to be classified as a cold start, the engine coolant temperature must be below 50 c (122 F) and within 6 c (11 f) of the ambient air temperature at startup. Do not leave the key on prior to the cold start or the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run.
Seriously?
Step 2: Idle. The engine must be run for two and a half minutes with the air conditioner on and rear defroster on.
Anyone have a stop watch?
Step 3: Accelerate. Turn off the air conditioner and all other loads and apply half throttle until 88km/hr (55mph) is reached.
What exactly IS half throttle? - Press just a little? A little more? Oopse... too much....
Step 4: Hold Steady Speed. Hold a steady speed of 88km/hr (55mph) for 3 minutes.
Where did that stop watch go?
Step 5: Decelerate. Let off the accelerator pedal. Do not shift, touch the brake or clutch. It is important to let the vehicle coast along gradually slowing down to 32km/hr (20mph).
Step 6: Accelerate. Accelerate at 3/4 throttle until 88-96km/hr (55-60mph).
Step 7: Hold Steady Speed. Hold a steady speed of 88km/hr (55mph) for five minutes.
Step 8: Decelerate. Again, don't press the clutch or brakes or shift gears.

And all of this is supposed to be done in a car that is not legal...
"Hello Mr. Officer, I know I'm driving the car with expired tags and inspection sticker... But the DMV (aka the Devil) made me do it."
"Um hum... here's your ticket"

And get this. If you DO get a ticket, you're required to show up at court and show proof you fixed everything and got everything legalized... (Court fees anyone???)

The Joy of Moving

Made it to NC and my temporary digs and am slowly moving things back into my old house. Yup that's right. The old house is mine once again. The previous owners were moving out and it seems that, with all the new houses going up in the area, renting wasn't an option. So I'm moving things a bit at a time out of the storage unit and into the house. My goal is to have everything out before the 1st so I don't have to pay another month on the rental unit. So, a truck load a day until it get to the heavy stuff that I'm useless as even a helper, so a few able bodies will be hired to do that. Don't get me wrong. I'm tough and strong, but when you're talking about a couple few hundred pound buffet and hutch, and a heavy as heck dresser. Plus you know, I'm so tried of moving, why not let someone else do the hard work. It's bad enough I've gotten unpack all the stuff!!! :)

So the goal is to be back in the old house by September 30. Wish me luck...

Oh and a word to the wise. If you're going to move, forget the professional moving company thing. Get a Penske for long distance (U-haul is WAY over priced for long distance trips) or a U-haul for local moves (U-haul being better on locals). If you have AAA, make sure you mention it and use it. You'll save a bunch. Then hire some movers to help load and unload (see hireahelper.com) You'll have the move done in half the time and save a bunch by doing the packing yourself (Plus, and you have to trust me when I tell you this, no one packs your things as good as you'll pack them yourself - you're the one that actually CARES if your goodies get busted).

Yes, I've become an expert ;)

Disturbed

I heard a news story this morning about a baby that was killed by the family albino boa constrictor. It seems along with being suffocated, the poor child was also bitten in the head.

So I ask you... What is the lure of keeping these exotic animals as pets? Please tell me what would cause someone to want to have a snake that can crush you (or your child) while you sleep - or toxic spiders, scorpions, etc. With High Def animal planet and the Science Channel, are we not close enough???

Tropical fish aside, wild animals are meant to be in the wild. Did we learn nothing from the freaked out chimp that ripped that woman's face off?

*sigh*

What A Year

It has been an insane year of working three jobs... One part time job for the court doing some legal secretary work to help put food on the table, another pseudo part time job doing web work, and then my own webdesign business work. Meanwhile I continually received calls from folks in Fayetteville that needed work done and I'm not there to do it.

Florida is great, but it's expensive. If you don't have the money to live here, living here can be quite frustrating. They don't pay what your worth and the housing market is horrible - Paying 1,000 a month in rent for a house that would be going for 700-800 in Fayetteville is insane.

So what's a girl to do? Head back to Fayetteville... I'm putting a bunch of stuff in storage and moving the things that I can't live without and heading to where I can actually survive (and go to School).

I'm not a huge fan of Fayetteville, but sometimes you just have to go where the money is. I'm already planning my next trip back here. (And it includes Disney).

Once again, packing... once again moving... (This time sans "professionals". At this point I'm a pro mover anyway!)

Favorite Videos

These are HYSTERICAL. I had them listed here on the blog at one point but somehow they disappeared... I'm not sure how, but I've lost various posts from the blog. Weird... But anyway, here they area again, a moment of zen:

Ooh Girl – An Honest RNB Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc8tPTVBRSc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsirenkimmie%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

The First Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRq82c8Baw&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsirenkimmie%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Feeling the Economic Crunch

The one good thing about living in a military town was that the military really kept the economy going. You don't seem to feel the crunch as much (Sure your gas prices are still going to be the same as everyone, but the local economy seems to be humming along so long as a good number of soldiers and their families are still in the area).

With this move I've heard more than one time "it's a horrible time to be moving to Florida" and "no one is hiring." Despite my initial comparisons of the economies in both states being equal on paper, when you hit reality - that's another story.

You hear about inflation, high gas prices, foreclosures, etc. Meanwhile employers think it's acceptable to pay in kibble (While they continue to charge the same or more for their services, turning their own nifty little profit) - Don't get me started on the amounts of money executives are raking in at Fortune 500 companies.

Just a bit of venting...

Moving STINKS - This ones long but worth the read.

We all know that moving stinks. I've done it enough in my life to know and I was NOT looking forward to it. So I figured that hiring a mover was a good idea. They're pros, they know how to pack things so they wont break, they'll pack my furniture so it will be safe from any extreme damage... I mean you'd think with the high price of moving that this was a good idea right?

So I did my research, I checked BBB and I went through a "broker" who found a mover for me at a decent price, and was ensured that all movers held the necessary licenses and such. All of the reviews for this company were glowing so I had no reason to believe that it would be anything but 100% pro.

The movers were scheduled to show up Friday August 1st. in the morning. I was told that they would call me 24/48 hours before they arrived. Being a bit anxious I called closer to the 48 hour mark than 24. I was told they'd be there Friday morning to pack and Saturday they'd load and take all my stuff to Florida. I'd meet them in Florida on Wednesday as planned.

Thursday evening I get a call letting me know that the movers were running behind. they'll be there on Saturday to load AND pack. I figure they know what they're doing so OK...

Saturday morning I'm waiting for the movers to show up (thinking they'll be there by 9 a.m.) At 10:30 I call only to find out that they're in South Carolina unloading. The person they moved before me had 4,000 pounds more than expected so it's taking longer. They'll be to my place by 4 PM. 5:00 comes and I get another call. It's the driver. Would it be okay for them to show up at 8:00 and pack through the night. (See I had planned on leaving Sunday morning to drive down to Florida so they were attempting to work within this schedule). I told them no... I wasn't going to sit up all night with them while I needed to get sleep to make the long drive. So I postponed my own plans and decided to leave Monday. I explained that they needed to be at my house by 6:00 AM Sunday and needed to get out of there as soon as possible.

I woke up at 5:00AM in anticipation that the movers would be there. I called them at 9:30AM and they were at Lowe's getting boxes. Uh huh... They'll be to me in 45 minutes.

I had already packed as much as I could with my own boxes. I also started to just leave things behind because I was just tired and wanted to get out of there. they arrived at around 10:30 a.m. and began packing. They were grateful that I hadn't packed all my sheets and blankets, because this would be great for packing breakable items - It seems Lowe's didn't have the large dish barrels, any wardrobes or larger boxes. So they had small and medium boxes to work with (remember this because it comes into play later). They didn't have any mattress covers, no mirror boxes... you get the idea.

The movers, all three of them, were from Bosnia (all related), and the only reason I bring up birth origin would be that one of them, a young family member (14?) didn't speak a whole lot of English - to include writing things on boxes that left me scratching my head as to what could possibly be inside -- never mind I don't believe was old enough to be on the payroll of the moving company. They began packing and I let them do their job, believing they were experts and would pack things safely and securely.

Now comes the part where the boxes tie in. On my estimate I had a list of what boxes I would need. I read this off to the lady at the moving company and she was to provide this list to the driver/packers. Unfortunately since they came in on Sunday morning and nothing was open early they went to Lowe's and could only get what was available. So there should have been six wardrobe boxes, I believe 7 dish barrels, some mirror boxes, etc. After they finished packing I was informed that they had packed ten more boxes than was estimated. Being that they charge, I believe he said $50.00 per box to pack (and for materials) I was a little freaked out - do the math here folks. Then as I thought about it over night I got on the phone right away with the moving company. Considering my estimate included 6 wardrobe boxes - which would equate to about 3 of the small boxes, that would be about 18 boxes alone. So I informed that I wouldn't be paying ANY overage on the boxes considering it wasn't my fault they didn't have the proper sized boxes. Anyway on to it...

They finished around 8:30PM on Sunday and as they were getting ready to pull out they realized that they had left all of their electronics plugged into the outlets causing the battery to die. Apparently this isn't the first time this happened because the driver indicated they "do this all the time". Once their truck was jumped they were on their way.

Now the delivery. After rushing around Wednesday morning to get a certified check (because I don't carry that much money on me, and they don't take debit or personal check), to be home by 1PM when they said they'd be there, I get a call... "Do you think we can come later because it's really hot" - Mind you it was cooler in Florida than it was in North Carolina when they loaded the stuff. I said "OK" and they said they'd be there at 5PM - at least this way I wouldn't have to buy them lunch right? Because yes, it's protocol that you buy lunch for your movers. Plus it's just nice to do because they work so hard. This also gave me time to do some other things - so I wasn't too miffed by this.

But, you guessed it. 5:30PM rolls around and I call to find out where they are. "Kim, do you mind of we do this tomorrow morning?" At this point, while frustrated I was actually already expecting this to happen - They expressed their complete joy about coming down to Florida so it was my guess that they had been at the beach all day and were just too tired and/or were looking to party. Okay so 9AM was the newly scheduled delivery, and they promised I wouldn't be charged more because of the extra day. (UH yeah I swear they said that!!!)

9AM rolls around... No go... 10AM rolls around... I call... "Kim I'm sorry we're late. Our truck is over heating and we had to take it to get some antifreeze added" I didn't mention how antifreeze is to avoid FREEZING - not overheating, but I decided not to get into semantics. I wanted my stuff!!! They promised to be there in a half hour. They arrived after noon - and I had already had my lunch and had decided, I'll be damned if I'm buying them anything to eat OR giving a tip. (Because yes it is also customary to give a tip).

They began unloading things right away and then took a break within the hour. Back to work they went and around 1PM the driver asks me if there are any restaurants that deliver, preferably Chinese. I told him, being new to the area that I didn't know of anything. Then he asked if anything was in walking distance. I told him there really wasn't and the best I could do would be to find a pizza place. At first he balked about Pizza (I'm sure they get this often in the business but hey, it's easiest for folks to do in the middle of a move). I explained that I had already eaten at noon - so I gave him the number, he ordered what he wanted and they paid for it themselves.

After they completed bringing everything into the house I had to ask them to put the mirror on the dresser. They didn't put the spare bed together (I had already put my own bed together) and they didn't put the desk back together. They had me sign the sheets that said I received everything and wanted me to sign a sheet that said nothing was damaged. I asked "How do I know if anything is damaged when everything is still packed". "Well you just contact the company" they said. Instead I wrote "No VISABLE damage" and signed my name.

Finally, after they had already left and I began unpacking my stuff I found box after box that was packed half full. Clearly fragile items wrapped in nothing but a pillow case at the bottom of a box. Fragile wine glasses on the very bottom of a box with a pillow over the top of them and then items packed on top of that (heavier than the very fragile wine glasses). So far one hurricane lamp is shattered and one tall glass candle lamp in shards. Not to mention a large 1/4 inch by 4 inch scratch across my priceless hutch (the one thing I told them they needed to be extra mindful of) and they TAPED the doors shut on the pine wardrobe - when the tape was removed, wood came with it... (Pine is very soft people!!!) They put my computer monitor in a box with no padding... same with my printer... but yet left other things un-boxed. (cuz hey lets put the monitor in the box when we get paid a lot per box right??)

Needless to say I've taken pictures of the half filled boxes, the damaged items and I've made a complaint to the broker. They're in the process of seeing about getting me some compensation. Uhhh Yeah.... You better!!!! If I'm not satisfied I'll be naming names here people!!!!

Lesson - Pack your own items. Get your own large U-Haul and hire day laborers to pack your stuff. You'll get better quality because you'll pack your stuff with the tender care it deserves, and you can ask the labor company to send you folks that have experience in moving. You'll end up spending less and a hell of a lot less frustration!!! BIG LESSON LEARNED!!!!

It was Inevitable...

I'm constantly dropping my phone. Aside from being totally clutzy and letting it fall from my hands, it's fallen out of my purse and out of my pockets on more than one occasion. There have also been two attempts at having it wind up in the toilet as it fell out of my pocket while pulling up my pants...

The day before yesterday it happened. Thankfully the potty was already emptied and the water fresh, but either way - moisture and phones do not mix. I was surprised at first to see that it was still working. I quickly dried the phone off in hopes to avoid any major damage. I then noticed the water seeping in the LCD screen and started to take it apart as much as I could with no tools handy (I am in the middle of a move after all). But it totally died. The sad part is, the phone isn't even a year old. And we all know how expensive phones are when you're not in the bargaining position of being able to renew your contract and get a new phone.

The good news is. I let it sit under a fan all night and by morning it was semi working. I only had to remove the battery and sim card one time to reboot it before it was back to normal. THANK GOODNESS!!!!

Okay stopping now...

After you watch this of course:

And Then Sometimes It's So Easy

Why can't it always be like this?? Word of mouth brought me someone that wanted a one-page brochure style website. I met with the potential client, who had no real design suggestions, other than they wanted something simple and affordable. I contracted with them, they give me half up-front, and within two days I have a mock up of a website to propose. They love it. A day later I have it completed and they are totally happy. The next day they send me final payment. Done... Tah Dahhh... Why can't it ALWAYS be this easy???

http://www.commercialsweeping.net

Seriously?

This is what one teen thought was appropriate attire for her high school prom. Worse, her parents paid to have the "gown" custom made. (The train seems to encompass the majority of the fabric used!!!) Needless to say she was not allowed to enter the event. Apparently she was also taken away in handcuffs. (It seems she got in an serious "argument" with the powers that be and then local police). Essh... I fear for our future...

How to GET PAID. I'm asking!

Folks out there working the daily grind of 9-5 have fantasies about working for themselves and not having to answer to "Da man". I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to have good feelings about cubicles and supervisors. Mostly because 1) I work more hours for myself than I ever did working for someone else and 2) People seem to think it's okay to pay me on their own schedules. The corporate world folks get their checks handed to them every Friday without fail and don't have to waste hours upon hours of their lives chasing down clients who put you on there "to be paid last" list.

So what's a gal to do? Institute late fees you say? Well what happens when you do exactly that and you STILL don't get paid?

And the way I look at it... If you dont' have the money to hire a web-designer then you simply wait until you do. Why hire someone, have them do the work and then make them chase you around for two or three months!?! It makes NO sense! And you bet your tookus if I owed THEM money they'd have bill collectors buggin' in the first thirty days!!! *sigh*

I'm off to send out SECOND late notices (which follows the two reminder notices I sent to begin with) with SECOND late fee charges. What else can I do???

Because EVERY BIT Helps!

This is a nifty site for locating cheap gas throughout America. I admit that I suck and go to the station that is on the way to where I'm going. But I'm paying attention now!

When buying gas, make sure you only buy gas at the cheapest stations, which forces higher priced stations to lower their prices to compete! With your help, we can fight high gas prices.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

And some quick tips:

1	Avoid High Speeds	As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
2	Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard	By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.
3	Keep Tires Properly Inflated	Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.
4	Use A/C Sparingly	When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner. THOUGH THIS WAS DISPROVED ON MYTHBUSTERS - I actually read that it depends on the car - newer cars it isn't as big a factor. It's suggested that you try it out, run your car with the air on and see what your gas mileage is and then run it without and see...
5	Keep Windows Closed	Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.
6	Service Vehicle Regularly	Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
7	Use Cruise Control	Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
8	Avoid Heavy Loads	Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
9	Avoid Long Idles	If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
10	Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle	When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

A few other suggestions that I had been forwarded to me by my step dad:

Pump Gas early in the morning (before temperatures rise) - The warmer the gas the more it expands.

Pump gas on the slower setting - more air is created when you pump it on the high setting which causes more evaporation and more "air" (or something scientific like that)

Splenda is NOT Natural!

"Splenda comes from sugar so it taste like sugar." Bull!

First, after having grown up with a diabetic grandmother and having tasted pure saccharine at a young age (Because hey, it's a sugar supplement and being a kid why WOULDN'T you try something sweet.) Sips of Tab and other equally nasty tasting sugar-free soda's available at Grandma's helped to hone my tastebuds and their sensitivity to any kind of sugar substitute. When my mom was going through her "no carbs" phase she continually tried to get me to taste various things that contained Splenda. "Taste this. It doesn't taste fake!" I'd try it, make a face and say "Ack!" Even when attempting to pass something off without telling me I instantly recognized the fake sugar taste - all of which remind me of those saccharine tablets from my youth. Nothing with fake sugar EVER tastes like sugar. Period. I don't care what anyone says.

Finally, Splenda is NOT natural! While it might originally "come from sugar", it's final product is created in a lab and is in the category of "artificial sweetener". Its clinical name is sucralose. Concerns have been raised about the effect of sucralose on the thymus, an organ that is important to the immune system. Chronic consumption may lead to thymus shrinkage or other side-effects. The sucralose molecule is an organochloride (or chlorocarbon). Since some organochlorides are known to cause adverse health effects in extremely small concentrations, critics of sucralose feel the extra-high burden of proof is warranted.

Now am I against Splenda in general? No. If your diabetic or need to lose weight and must use a sugar substitute, this is a wonderful alternative to saccharine. But what bugs me most is their commercial campaign that leads the public to believe Splenda is sugar. Or that it's all natural because part of it is derived from sugar. There were even lawsuits about this across the world. (An undisclosed settlement out of court in America-of course. A French court made Splenda change their marketing tag lines.)

Be aware of what you're putting into your body! Don't trust a company who actually makes a profit off of your purchase!

Yeah I felt like bitching today! Maybe it was just because I woke up to trash all over the front lawn. Animals got into it and fire ants were involved. So there's me running around in my robe trying to pick it all up in time for the trash man. Fabulous! Two ant bites on notwithstanding. Sure it's funny when you're not the one carrying around a tube of Benedryl cream! Sheese....

Oil Change = Boredom

So I'm sitting (actually standing) here at waiting for the oil to be changed on my car. The last time I had an oil change it was a huge fiasco. It took like 3 hours. (They didn't have the proper size socket to get the filter casing open, then couldn't figure out how to put it all together. Then after it WAS together, it was together wrong causing my check engine light to come on as I pulled away). These folks gauranteed me that it wouldn't take three hours. Here's hoping!!! At least these folks are giving me a discount because I've brought my own filter (Most folks don't have them in stock). The last place should have paid ME for the education I gave them on how to change the oil on a Mini Cooper (since I got online in this same type of fashion and drug them to the computer terminal so they could look at the instructions that I had found online). This time I was wize. I left the instructions already printed on the front seat next to to the oil filter. Um hmmm.

Let it be noted I started blogging this at 3:45. I'll update if it gets ridiculous. For now I'm going to go "watch" through the little window they provide. At least I was the first in line here, so hopefully it actually WILL be a quick dealio. Wish me luck!!!