Vaping on the Front or back Porch

[nadalama]

After 4 days of smelling Tiger Balm but the Pain relief is worth it~!

You just sent your pain south, is all. I woke up this morning with a sore right arm, feels about like my left arm did when I had the vaccine in it the first time. Swollen and sore as hell, and I have no idea why. Must have bumped into something pretty hard, but I have no recollection of it.

I have Walmart's version of Icy-Hot, so I'll smell like wintergreen for a few days. Good thing I like wintergreen.

 

[SteveS45]

Tiger Balm Red Extra Strength is awesome stuff. Instant relief but it wears off after a while. When I have used it in the past I did not need to use this much so I really pulled some muscles good.

 

[nadalama]

Tiger Balm Red Extra Strength is awesome stuff. Instant relief but it wears off after a while. When I have used it in the past I did not need to use this much so I really pulled some muscles good.

View attachment 181896

Do you order that, or buy it locally? I've never seen it in a store down here. As bright as that package is, I think I'd remember if I had.

 

[SteveS45]

You can buy it locally or order it online. Yesterday I bought it at Walgreens and the Online Price was $4.79 but they charged me $7.99 at the store. I bought it but it pissed me off so I called Customer Service and was told they don't have to honor online pricing but you can order it and pick it up for that price. So I did just that and returned the only I paid $8 for to get 2 for $9.58.

 

[nadalama]

You can buy it locally or order it online. Yesterday I bought it at Walgreens and the Online Price was $4.79 but they charged me $7.99 at the store. I bought it but it pissed me off so I called Customer Service and was told they don't have to honor online pricing but you can order it and pick it up for that price. So I did just that and returned the only I paid $8 for to get 2 for $9.58.

That's the kind of thing that pisses me off to an unreasonable degree. Dumb shit, good god, it just gets the best of me, and when you try to explain it to a store employee, chances are all you get is either the deer-in-the-headlights look or a bad attitude.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I thought you were an actual employee a Contractor means you are on your own.

Yep. And on my own meaning too, I missed two calls this morning. Wife has set their ring tone up to be loud, unmistakable. The phone volume is set full up. Me and her were both up, awake in the same room as the phone this morning at 6 AM when the calls came in. The phone did not ring out.

When she calls in, it rings out. Go figure.

If I were the employer, I would get tired of such an employee as well. That much is understandable. What isn't understandable is why this is being so difficult with me. It really should not be.

 

[SteveS45]

That's the kind of thing that pisses me off to an unreasonable degree. Dumb shit, good god, it just gets the best of me, and when you try to explain it to a store employee, chances are all you get is either the deer-in-the-headlights look or a bad attitude.

Yesterday the Rude Woman said Point Blank we don't lower prices~! I said you don't honor online prices. So I spent $1.50 more to get double and made them work for a change~! Had to process the return and restock then process my online order and send multiple emails~!

 

[SteveS45]

Yep. And on my own meaning too, I missed two calls this morning. Wife has set their ring tone up to be loud, unmistakable. The phone volume is set full up. Me and her were both up, awake in the same room as the phone this morning at 6 AM when the calls came in. The phone did not ring out.

When she calls in, it rings out. Go figure.

I have my Landline forwarded to my cell and I get voicemails because the phone never rang sitting next to me or on my hip~!

 

[MyMagicMist]

I have my Landline forwarded to my cell and I get voicemails because the phone never rang sitting next to me or on my hip~!

That's all well and good. I too get voice mails of the AUTOMATED system's calls. I cannot call back to get a human to ask for the job called out on. It goes on through the list of us in the pool, until someone accepts. Then, job is off the table. Nobody accepts? Job off table after so long anyway.

Thing is a full timer can be half into a shift say 6 AM to 2 PM, call out and you still need to go and be there at 6 AM. Which I've just started writing down the shift times, weather or not I was there at the start. As they tell me "already budgeted, planned, just go on and do what you can."

It genuinely is a big CF. And like I've said, it happens to others the same as me, the "bosses" have been told. "We'll look at it." Nothing is ever done, or if it is, it only worsens things.

On the surface it seems they do not care. Let the work go undone though, ... unholy Hell. Which I don't understand. They got people like me that want to work, yet rather have a set schedule. No, got to go jump through hoops until someone retires, is fired (highly unlikely), or quits.

Why not hire those wanting to do the work? Let us get on with it? Nah, too simple I guess. Again, not a planner but a doer. Think it's obvious to see why. If not, ... I lack patience for bull sh*t.

Ah, but I was snookered into another year of it. *sighs*

 

[SteveS45]

That's all well and good. I too get voice mails of the AUTOMATED system's calls. I cannot call back to get a human to ask for the job called out on. It goes on through the list of us in the pool, until someone accepts. Then, job is off the table. Nobody accepts? Job off table after so long anyway.

Thing is a full timer can be half into a shift say 6 AM to 2 PM, call out and you still need to go and be there at 6 AM. Which I've just started writing down the shift times, weather or not I was there at the start. As they tell me "already budgeted, planned, just go on and do what you can."

It genuinely is a big CF. And like I've said, it happens to others the same as me, the "bosses" have been told. "We'll look at it." Nothing is ever done, or if it is, it only worsens things.

On the surface it seems they do not care. Let the work go undone though, ... unholy Hell. Which I don't understand. They got people like me that want to work, yet rather have a set schedule. No, got to go jump through hoops until someone retires, is fired (highly unlikely), or quits.

Why not hire those wanting to do the work? Let us get on with it? Nah, too simple I guess. Again, not a planner but a doer. Think it's obvious to see why. If not, ... I lack patience for bull sh*t.

Ah, but I was snookered into another year of it. *sighs*

Because using Contractors saves paying the Taxes and offering benefits. The new thing that I find them doing these days is as they call it contract to hire or extension. Revolving Door employment.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Because using Contractors saves paying the Taxes and offering benefits. The new thing that I find them doing these days is as they call it contract to hire or extension. Revolving Door employment.

Reminds me of the fast food joint policy, hire teens, fire them just before 90 days is up. The business avoids needing to pay insurance, benefits.

To that argument, I'm nearly 50. I'm tired of being treated in such a manner. It is disrespectful. Then again, it's not like I'm "skilled" labor. *sighs*

 

[SteveS45]

I find that it is 6 months is what they say for Contracts. Then they play games and instead of hiring you they just extend the contract so the people who accepted a lower contract rate find out the Taxes are due at the end of the year and didn't put cash on the side. They think.................. I will work for less and have a Full Time Permanent Position at the end of the year. Then reality strikes and they go work at a fast food joint to pay the taxes owed.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I find that it is 6 months is what they say for Contracts. Then they play games and instead of hiring you they just extend the contract so the people who accepted a lower contract rate find out the Taxes are due at the end of the year and didn't put cash on the side. They think.................. I will work for less and have a Full Time Permanent Position at the end of the year. Then reality strikes and they go work at a fast food joint to pay the taxes owed.

As far as I'm aware they are handling the taxes. Although my wife figured I was only being taxed at 11%. Normally, rule of thumb is 20%. Not quite sure what the deal is actually.

Wife wouldn't let me go into something not being on the level, knowingly, unless it was under table farm/private work. Even then, she'd work out all the proper taxes. She's good about that.

But then again, ... I just don't know.

As it is I'm going to try to not think too much on it. Getting rather depressive & anxious. Wringing my hands is no help.

 

[SteveS45]

As far as I'm aware they are handling the taxes. Although my wife figured I was only being taxed at 11%. Normally, rule of thumb is 20%. Not quite sure what the deal is actually.

Wife wouldn't let me go into something not being on the level, knowingly, unless it was under table farm/private work. Even then, she'd work out all the proper taxes. She's good about that.

But then again, ... I just don't know.

As it is I'm going to try to not think too much on it. Getting rather depressive & anxious. Wringing my hands is no help.

How do you get paid? If they take any deductions you receive and Itemized Check every time listing what and how much. Did you Fill out a W9 Form upon hiring?

 

[MyMagicMist]

How do you get paid? If they take any deductions you receive and Itemized Check every time listing what and how much. Did you Fill out a W9 Form upon hiring?

It's done via direct deposit and yes, think I recall filling out a W9. No wait, wife is wanting to say W4.

Not sure it matters anyway. Looking over the regs noted i could only miss 5 times per year. After 2 more I might be terminated. I had 5 minutes to call in after getting a voice message, which I did not know. It was explained differently. And I saw the 2 messages 3 hours later this morning.

They allegedly called at 6. I saw them at 9 on my phone. Got to love modern technology.

 

[SteveS45]

Ignoring the Pain until it goes away isn't working~! Had a few glasses of wine but thinking it is time to take A PILL.

 

[SteveS45]

I avoid them like the Vax but this shit is wearing on me. Tried to disregard it but damn it fucking hurts~! Wanted to work it back in but it appears time for a Prescription Pain Killer.

 

[Synphul]

Went out and weeded in the garden some. Cleared the lettuce and spinach bed, have some bare spots that will need replanted. Zucchini is coming up just barely, thinned the patty pan. The beans are filling out nicely. Weeded the tomato bed since the lettuce is big enough I can see it now. Strawberries are looking solid. Weeded one of the pepper rows before the rain started to come down. Couple of bare root berry bushes aren't doing jack squat, they have a guarantee at least. Saved the package.

 

[Smigo]

View attachment 181884

International Coffee for Camels day?

After 4 days of smelling Tiger Balm but the Pain relief is worth it~!

I think your supossed to rub it on the affected area.

 

[SteveS45]

 

[Smigo]

@SteveS45
Have you ever tried acupuncture? I was a real sceptic of it until I hurt my arm in a sporting injury yrs ago. I was amazed at the instant relief. It didn't heal my injury but wow it took the pain away.

 

[SteveS45]

@SteveS45
Have you ever tried acupuncture? I was a real sceptic of it until I hurt my arm in a sporting injury yrs ago. I was amazed at the instant relief. It didn't heal my injury but wow it took the pain away.

No, I never tried Acupuncture but I took an OTC Aleve last night and it feels almost 100% this morning~! Still a little Zing now and then but much better than last night. Fighting thru the pain yesterday really drained me. I have to cut, edge and blow the lawns today but I will take it easy. I need the trim the shrubs between the houses but it will wait until I trim the Azaleas.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Reckon I'm not yet terminated. Called out for night shift today & tomorrow. Seems odd. Gary works days & Roy works nights. Maybe they've swapped. Not sure, no matter.

All proper taxes are being taken out. Not going to end up needing to pay later. Filled out a W4 as with other jobs. They just say it is technically contracted out.

Wife saw my phone had switched itself to a different mode. No idea why. The different mode led to it not ringing out from their calls. As I said, lovely modern technology.

Have started realizing a pattern to most of life. There's a lot beyond a person's control. They can get frustrated at it, or just accept it at face value knowing a lot of it has no control / effect on them.

This is something I kind of knew already yet have been made to feel exasperated, frustrated by all the bull with this work. Time for change. It will no longer "disturb my inner peace".

 

[SteveS45]

All proper taxes are being taken out. Not going to end up needing to pay later. Filled out a W4 as with other jobs. They just say it is technically contracted out.

 

[MyMagicMist]

No, I never tried Acupuncture but I took an OTC Aleve last night and it feels almost 100% this morning~! Still a little Zing now and then but much better than last night. Fighting thru the pain yesterday really drained me. I have to cut, edge and blow the lawns today but I will take it easy. I need the trim the shrubs between the houses but it will wait until I trim the Azaleas.

Last Friday after first visit & exercises with PT, ankle popped. Last night the foot itself popped. There was no real pain with either. It seems everything has relaxed & worked itself back into place.

There's still stiffness, soreness. I'll finish the remaining PT to "work it out". The muscles, tendons, ligaments need that. I need it to for peace of mind, knowing it's back in shape.

 

[SteveS45]

I try not to take Pain Killers when I injure myself because years ago a Chiropractor told me do not to. Taking them when you are working masks the pain and you can make the injury worse. After a week almost I could not take it any longer so I took it and one this morning.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I try not to take Pain Killers when I injure myself because years ago a Chiropractor told me do not to. Taking them when you are working masks the pain and you can make the injury worse. After a week almost I could not take it any longer so I took it and one this morning.

Took me laying in a hospital bed 4 days & nights to finally give in and take a dose of m*rph*ne. My bowels were obstructed, everything had "shut off" in my GI tract.

I needed to "move" in order that everything start back up. Did not realize how much pain I was actually in due to how much it had been. About two hours after taking the medicine, I literally felt nothing, I "moved".

The whole time, I kept telling the nurses it only felt level 4 pain. Once everything got back to right there was no pain, even after the medicine wore off. Nurses have learned I'm a masochist & adjust to when I say level 4 it's really worse.

As a result I cannot get a cute little Nurse Ratched. *smh*

 

[SteveS45]

The constant pain was about a 2-3 but the Zings were 10+. The true test will be when I pull the cord to start the machines~!

 

[nadalama]

It's done via direct deposit and yes, think I recall filling out a W9. No wait, wife is wanting to say W4.

Not sure it matters anyway. Looking over the regs noted i could only miss 5 times per year. After 2 more I might be terminated. I had 5 minutes to call in after getting a voice message, which I did not know. It was explained differently. And I saw the 2 messages 3 hours later this morning.

They allegedly called at 6. I saw them at 9 on my phone. Got to love modern technology.

Last I knew, W4 is the Federal tax form, I-9 is the form you fill out to certify that you're an American citizen or an immigrant with a work visa.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Last I knew, W4 is the Federal tax form, I-9 is the form you fill out to certify that you're an American citizen or an immigrant with a work visa.

Still the same last I checked.

 

[SteveS45]

You fill it out so accounting can figure out how much taxes to withhold.

 

[SteveS45]

"After 2 more I might be terminated. I had 5 minutes to call in after getting a voice message, which I did not know. It was explained differently. And I saw the 2 messages 3 hours later this morning.

They allegedly called at 6. I saw them at 9 on my phone. Got to love modern technology. "

The way I work is if I did speak with a human in person I never received a call. Don't tell me you left me a voice mail or message hours ago. I was once on site working in the caverns of a building and they could not get a hold of me and left a message on my Home Answering Machine. Now since I knew I was in a limited cell service area I was checking in on the hour with the MSP I was working with. The client could not get a hold of me and I never knew it.

 

[MyMagicMist]

"After 2 more I might be terminated. I had 5 minutes to call in after getting a voice message, which I did not know. It was explained differently. And I saw the 2 messages 3 hours later this morning.

They allegedly called at 6. I saw them at 9 on my phone. Got to love modern technology. "

The way I work is if I did speak with a human in person I never received a call. Don't tell me you left me a voice mail or message hours ago. I was once on site working in the caverns of a building and they could not get a hold of me and left a message on my Home Answering Machine. Now since I knew I was in a limited cell service area I was checking in on the hour with the MSP I was working with. The client could not get a hold of me and I never knew it.

I wish that was the case here. Kind of figuring I might get canceled off this job number. It is odd Gary is on night shift for me to cover.

Know that Roy, Randy, Tom are usually night shift at this high school. Gary is usually day shift for what he does. Although Roy & Gary may have switched schedules up.

They did that one day last week or so. Gary needed his day off for something. Roy told me the night before I'd see randy the next night. He said I'd pretend to be him, Roy.

Not worrying too much on it. But there is that nagging anxiety of "oh they're calling to cancel me". So, I'm looking at my phone every so often to check for messages. That anxiety hanging over even the chance to work is making it unpalatable to want to work.

Not signed on for Summer work. No one offered to show me a sign up paper. Not really any desire for that either. It's enough I'll go back for next school year. Hopefully next year something full time opens soon.

 

[SteveS45]

Double post because it said post reply?

 

[SteveS45]

Not signed on for Summer work. No one offered to show me a sign up paper. Not really any desire for that either. It's enough I'll go back for next school year. Hopefully next year something full time opens soon.

Did you ask about it since the School Year is winding down?

 

[SteveS45]

So was outside working on the lawn and shoulder feels OK~! 3 hours or so with some machine problems. Went for 2 Cycle Fuel and all of sudden my can is gone~! Had to go buy a new one to mix fuel.

 

[SteveS45]

So the day is basically done and still no real pain in my arm so it appears it might have been inflammation and the Aleves took care of it. If I cough I feel a little zing but nothing near what it was.

 

[SteveS45]

So I have been having problems Downloading Files off Usenet Servers lately and I went to install a VPN but found out they don't support the OOS OS Win XP Pro. So after I tested DLing a file I wasn't able to DL I used a Win 7 Pro Machine and a 3GB File was done in 10 minutes.

Not worth buying W10 Pro and trying to make it work with old hardware so I went shopping. I had gotten an Email from PC Liquidations about Refurbished units and I found an HP that would fit my needs because this is only for downloading. After I had a $100 PC selected I needed W10 Pro and more Storage/Memory and the price just kept going up~! Did a quick check at my Local Microcenter and found the same PC with the OS and Memory upgrades for less. Reserved it so off to Microcenter tomorrow~!

Remember I said I hated Win 10? Now I am being forced to use it~!

 

[MyMagicMist]

Did you ask about it since the School Year is winding down?

I did, apparently the board picks. Was not on their list.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Remember I said I hated Win 10? Now I am being forced to use it~!

Could try what I use. With LXDE as my window environment, it does well. I keep fouling up KDE somehow. *shrugs*

 

[SteveS45]

Could try what I use. With LXDE as my window environment, it does well. I keep fouling up KDE somehow. *shrugs*

Won't work to solve the issue if you want to use the VPN would be like writing a Program.

 

[SteveS45]

 

[Synphul]

Could try what I use. With LXDE as my window environment, it does well. I keep fouling up KDE somehow. *shrugs*

Maybe it's just kde? I preferred the look and feel of kde years ago with rh6 but unfortunately it was not stable. Even basic use and it would bork itself. From the sounds of it, still having issues.

 

[Synphul]

Pulled some more weeds yesterday. Some of the zucchini are sprouting up, the melons I think are finally showing signs of life and attempting small sprouts. Added some more lettuce, green onions, kale and spinach to the salad bed.



The darker spots are where I wet the dirt some and popped in some more seeds. Some of them seem to be bunched up which isn't how they were planted. So have a feeling the rains had something to do with that.

The beans are also filling out better, when they first came up only looked as though half were going to make it. Now looks like just one didn't come up. I can live with that.



Overall still ahead of the game. Not by as much as I'd originally hoped but already off to a decent start. Compared to the previous two years where I wasn't even starting to get stuff planted for another 10-11 days. Just about all the seeds have already started so will hopefully have better yields this year. Even the overcast days, the tomatoes are doing much better with 60-80F days compared to struggling in the 80-90+ heat of summer before they're even making tomatoes.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Won't work to solve the issue if you want to use the VPN would be like writing a Program.

I've used free VPNs here, and usually only need to swap a setting in the application. Point it to an IP. That IP # then routes "traffic". Doesn't seem too difficult.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Maybe it's just kde?

*chuckles* Yeah, I kind of figure that as well. It seems KDE stays in constant development and rarely gets a "stable" release. Thank you Nokia.

 

[SteveS45]

I've used free VPNs here, and usually only need to swap a setting in the application. Point it to an IP. That IP # then routes "traffic". Doesn't seem too difficult.

No, this isn't a Free VPN this is Provided Free with my Account. The VPN is a secondary concern being able to download is the issue. XP served me well for years but it just can't cut it any longer.

 

[SteveS45]

So placed my Reservation last night around closing and just received an Email my order is ready but store doesn't open for hours??

 

[SteveS45]

I've used free VPNs here, and usually only need to swap a setting in the application. Point it to an IP. That IP # then routes "traffic". Doesn't seem too difficult.

I am looking at the least work to Upgrade a workstation that works well on the Network. 1st I tried to buy a machine but for the Memory and other upgrades wasn't cost effective, plus the added work. With this it is just Setup and then I have to add all the software I was using and see if I can get some old stuff to work.

 

[SteveS45]

So while watering this morning I saw a few of my Cucumber and Bean Seedlings dug up and eaten~! Damn the Squirrels~!