Y10 D208

I got my Christmas gift from work last night. Well, technically I got to ORDER my Christmas gift. About 5 days ago I sent the bosses that be my standard it's the end of year, here's what I want for next year list. I didn't expect a response until January at the earliest. Instead I got one yesterday. Amazing! I think it's because of how I framed the requests this year. I asked for $2500 to be paid directly to my note (approved), a new computer with specs specifically for the audio/video work I need to do (approved), and some new software for said work (approved). I couldn't believe it. They asked I write up an official document stating all of these things, they would sign, and I was free to order the new machine and they would get a check cut for the other. Damn. Okie dokie. At 9pm last night everything was done and set. I then went about ordering a new laptop. I had a budget of $3000. I ended up having to make one big (for me) concession; in order to get the specs I wanted at a price we could all be happy with, I had to switch back to a Windows machine. That was their preference anyway as it will be more compatible with the stuff we do for clients. I get it. So what did I order? A 17.3" customized HP Omen 17t. 32gb of RAM, 4k screen, 6-core CPU, 3TB HDD (1TB SSD, 2 TB regular), with an NVIDIA 8GB GTX 1070. Yeah, it's a serious freaking machine especially compared to the macbook I have been using. Price? $2250. Almost $900 below budget which leaves me room to buy the software I need and still come in under the numbers. Merry Christmas to me. I have to get used to using Windows (ew) again, but I am sure I can figure that out in exchange for the power. This thing is going to rip through the video and audio stuff I need to do. That's one of the pieces of software I will be ordering - Camtasia suite for CBT work. I shouldn't have any of the problems I have been having with the Chinese knockoff I've been using.

In other news, taught almost 40 people yesterday. Brings my total for the week to around 90. One last group today of 18. I can do it. Then I get to fucking go home. Thank the heavens. I got through both of my sessions and was done at 4:30.

I also treated myself to Christmas dinner last night. I went to Roy's for one good meal. And it was a good meal. Had the classic 4 plate with salmon, mahi, ahi, and butterfish. I love that plate. I didn't splurge and do dessert or anything. Just kept it cool with the main course. Even that was an $80 bill for dinner with tip. But man it was good.

B spent the day cleaning her grandparent's house who paid her $20 an hour to do it. She only got the upstairs done and needs to go back to do the downstairs.

In other news, I finally connected with my old apartment to pay them the money we owed. I had been playing phone tag all week with them. Our old complex manager really went above and beyond in getting the number down. In the end I owed them just under $1000 and was able to pay the whole thing in one shot without issue. I no longer owe anyone there anything. That makes me happy.

Time to check in and get ready to do one last day on the road. Then homeward bound butt early tomorrow. Here we go!