Box, Book, and Bugs

I have been in my apartment two weeks now. It no longer smells of the smokers who used to occupy it, but new carpet. I've had one person over, kind of, but otherwise, no visitors or knocks on the door. Yesterday, Friday, I had three knocks on my door. It was quite exciting.

The first knock came about 11am. It was the UPS lady. I got this lovely box from my mother. It will be opened tomorrow.

About 3 o'clockish, the second knock sounded. This time it was one of my neighbors. We had chatted in the parking lot a little earlier and she discovered I didn't have a phone book and thought it an important thing for me to have.

The third knock nearly scared me to death. It was 10:30pm and I was in my bathroom getting ready for bed. I hear someone outside my door and then I hear all sorts of horrid noises happening to my door. In my current state of half-dressedness, I was rather terrified. Then came the knock. I went to the door and looked through the peep-hole, but there was no one there. I asked, "Who's there?" but there was no response. I finished getting ready for bed, then carefully scanned the hall again before opening the door. I found a piece of paper folded in half slid between my door and the deadbolt nob. (Knowing there's space there and knowing how loose the dead-bolt feels anyway, even more reason to ask the manager if I can install a chain.) I carefully took the paper and closed and locked my door.

It says, in all caps, "Something you should know!!! Your apartment was infested with bedbugs before you moved in"

That didn't settle too well with me. I've never been so thankful for the not so pleasant smell of new carpet before in my life.

I was able to get my printer ink cartridge refilled for about $15 yesterday and find a Christmas gift for my mother. And that sums up the three knocks bearing three 'Bs' and the excitement of my day.

Inside the Capitol

I apologize for the dearth of non-Survivor posts. However, since you all faithfully watch Survivor and then read my analysis each week, as witnessed by the agreements, thoughts, reasoning, strategizing, and counter-arguments left as comments, I know you don't miss the less inspiring and more mundane posts I throw in once and a while.

I have now been in Iowa a month today. Crazy how fast it has gone. I was able to move into my apartment two weekends ago. Photos of the new place will be forthcoming. Last week the work flow dried up and I was let go. This week I filled out a plethora of applications and have an interview on Monday. We'll see how it goes.

Thursday (11/12) was my last day of work. Because there was a limited amount to do, we all got sent home early. An hour later, I got the call saying I didn't need to come in on Friday. Even though I knew it was coming, it was a bit rough to take. I didn't want to brood in my apt. so I decided to enjoy the sunshine (finally!) and explore the capitol building inside.

I was able to find a lovely one-hour parking space fairly close. Again, not my most favorite capitol. I learned that the roof is covered in gold leafing. Personally, with the amount of debt and the layoffs proposed throughout the state of Iowa, you think they'd put their re-leafing projects on hold. The amount paid for the re-leafing a few years ago could have paid at least eight salaries.
Looking down the hill from the capitol is Grand Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. After some of the other major cities I've visited, nothing to brag about, but there's a cool feeling downtown and I'm planning a weekend of more exploring. I have found Iowans don't have much state pride. (At least the ones living in the state; I've found state pride tends to increase exponentially once an individual leaves.)

The interior of the building was clean. I took the self-guided tour, which is always more fun because I make up a lot of my own information and comments to make the tour more interesting. If you ever come to visit, I'll make sure to give you my tour of the building!

As is common in many capitol buildings, the display of artwork is very important. As I walked up the steps to the second floor where the house and senate chambers were, I saw a picture that made me burst out laughing. It was a picture of corn. I quickly looked around for a picture of the pigs, but didn't find it.

The building totally and completely redeemed itself when I walked into the law library. I love libraries to begin with, but this one was elegant, regal, smelled wonderfully of old books, had spiral staircases at each end, an old card catalogue still full of cards, and just fabulous atmosphere and character. I loved it! The picture below does not do it justice.

On the southern end of the library was a dumb-waiter just for books. I've always loved the idea of a dumb-waiter and having one for hauling books only added to the library's charm. It was an absolutely amazing place. The picture below is a picture of the dumb-waiter from the first floor to the second. Grand!

Kremlin or Capitol

I will have been in Iowa two weeks tomorrow. I have done a fair amount of driving around Des Moines for job interviews and apartment searching. During my travels, I would catch glimpses, through pouring rain, of a building bearing a strong resemblance to the Kremlin in Moscow. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the state capitol building. Below, I'm posting a picture of each.

Do you know which is which?

I know, not that hard, but when you see the thing all lit-up at night or in rainy weather...sorry to my Iowa friends, but not the nicest capitol building I've seen.

And now, for real updates. I had job interviews two days after arriving in Iowa. Saturday, the sun finally shone through and I went for my first run. The weather was grand and it felt really good to get out, stretch my legs, and get some exercise after being couped up in my car the past four days. I'm going to have to get used to running on hills again though.

Monday morning, I got a call from one of my temp. agencies asking if I could start that day at noon. The pay was less than desirable, but I said absolutely. Have you ever written a check to pay a bill, enclosed it in the envelope and wondered what happened to it on the receiving end? To be perfectly honest, I have given this topic a great deal of thought. And, now I know. I'm in the check processing center for Rain and Hail Insurance. The amount of money that passes through my hands each day is staggering.

This is a temporary job and I was called only because they were really busy. Apparently, they start to slow down around this time of year. However, they kept me this second week. Another girl who started the same day I did, wasn't at her desk this morning and later one of the supervisors came by and took her name badge off her computer and threw it in the trash. Last week there was a woman who they let go mid-week. I have never been so paranoid at a job before. I'm in the part of the office where all the permanent/supervisors are and I hear them whispering and I get paranoid that I'll be cut. I'm terrified to make a mistake. It's strangely a very stressful job that shouldn't be at all. The work itself is incredibly repetitive and rather mindless. It is a job, I'm getting paid, I still have it, I'm not complaining, just explaining. Should you wish a more detailed story of what happens to your check, I'm more than happy to share.

I put a deposit down on an apartment that is apparently in the downtown area. Could have fooled me. It should be ready by Friday and I'll be out of the KOA, which officially closed for the season last Saturday.

My life has become very routine: up, work, KOA, run, shower, dinner, apply for NPS jobs, bed. I feel a bit loser-ish. But, I'm happy, I'm healthy, maybe a bit lonely, but perfectly content.