Update on life

Listening to: Flyleaf (Grooveshark.com)

I haven't blogged in months and there was a lot that was missed.
(This is us at California Adventure) Krys (an ex) came to visit earlier in the year and while we only scheduled to see each other once, she ended up extending her trip and I got to see her multiple times, including going to karaoke with her father and soon-to-be step-mother. I enjoyed that time.

(us at Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, I really like this picture)
(us tinted blue because we're at the Aquarium of the Pacific).


Went on a week vacation with Stuart and his family and extended family. I really enjoyed it despite the fact that I was worried I'd be smothered by socializing. I got a new car one week before the trip to be sure we didn't have any car problems driving out there (to Arizona/Utah - Lake Powell). I said I probably wouldn't be going next year because of the cost... but I honestly think if Stuart wants to, I'd like to go again. I enjoyed his family and extended family and I believe they enjoyed me as well.

Within the span of a month, the general manager at my work was laid off (the position was no longer necessary), one co-worker put in his two-week notice with the intention of returning to school, then three other co-workers, one after the other, put in their resignation with other jobs lined up. I festered, angry I couldn't go anywhere because I had no skills (and I couldn't get a job doing what I already was because it turns out our company doesn't use industry standard programs), I watched the ONE news reporter we had bend and fold under pressure, I saw our ONE sports reporter scramble to create a sports section he only became familiar with a few months prior and I saw panic and confusion seep through our tiny building.

In August an announcement was made; Pagination department was being moved to another location about 30-45minutes away. I was given the opportunity to keep my job (for no extra pay) or be laid off. I chose to be laid off. Before I chose, I cried. This was the third time I was being laid off and I'd promised myself I wouldn't come back after strike 3. That meant it was over for real this time. My future was a big lump of uncertainty, but I was certain that our company wasn't doing well and my position had no room for advancement, and since I'd been quietly musing to myself for months how wonderful it would be for them to lay me off so that I could look for another job while getting paid and not having to stress over the company woes anymore, it was really time to leave.

I signed up to be a consultant for Scentsy (www.nicholeo.scentsy.us) and so far I'm enjoying it. I feel I've been successful but I think it's just the initial pumped up start and won't keep this pace forever. It's occupying some of my endless free time and that's what I need. Still no answers back on resume's, but I won't start freaking out about that until 3 months of unemployment.

Regarding my living situation; in August Stuart and I left the 'Scum Mansion' to rent my old childhood home (still owned by my parents). We are living with Joyousenne, whom I've known since I was 19, and another couple who will be moving out at the end of October (otherwise there will be lots of tension). I'm enjoying it, being able to utilize the whole house instead of being restricted to just my room. We don't have to hide our food in our room anymore. I get to choose trustworthy roommates and this makes me happy.

So for now, my future is kinda just floating in Limbo. Not sure what I want to do, but I am going through the motions of trying to be responsible with my money and applying for jobs just to show proof of trying.

I'll try to blog a bit more, get some shit off my chest. Because honestly, I have no excuse not to... I've got all the time in the fucking world.

Furloughs... again

NOTE: I seem to have unlearned how to color code my damn posts.

This is either the second or third time we've had to do a quarter of furloughs. This one is the worst though. This time it's a total of 10 days. But the bright side of this is that we can choose to take unpaid furlough or paid holiday for those 10 days. 'Furlough' automatically gives off a bad vibe because people associate it with a business not meeting goals, so naturally quite a few of my co-workers (me included) were upset.

But then we started thinking about what to do in this time and we realized how great it will be. Unlike the last time we took furloughs under the reign of my old boss, this time I will feel comfortable asking for multiple days off at a time. When Dobbs was the managing editor, I took pride in being so depended on to get my job done, but since I didn't really have anywhere to vacation (and no money to vacation with), I didn't care about taking multiple days off at a time. The one time I thought about it, I realized it would never happen. But now that I work with people who know how to do my job (granted, at first I was pretty terrified that it meant that I was going to be replaced), I feel like my job will get done without me.

So, a few things planned: a Sunday outing with Chamie, Joy J. and possibly Kevin on this sky tram thingy that we got a coupon to earlier in the year, a few day visit to Sulvang (Sulvane?) with Chamie, possibly a visit to AZ to meet a friend I have only talked to online for over 4 years (she loves karaoke) and an hour drive from there to visit my cousin and her significant other whom I haven't met (her and I have been talking more because of FaceBook - thanks social networking!). There is another trip I might take, but I'm waiting a bit more to really think on that one. As of right now I'm slowly gathering information about a round trip ticket to AZ and car rental.

I'm currently working on my final business project (well, not at this moment of course, because here I am blogging). I need to write a blog on some items I purchased on Etsy recently as well as updates on projects from kickstarter. I will soon. For now, back to that project.

Moving on the upward

Listening to: Pandora (Silverchair Radio)

I was able to turn last night's shitty situation (being locked out of the house) into a productive one when I started work on a resume I said I'd do last week. High five me. I think I've come to the conclusion that even if the Facts (co. I work for) became less disorganized and screwy than it is now with all this power change, I should still go. I've constantly complained that I should be getting paid more than I currently do and it was always the love and pride in my job and the people I worked with that kept me from actually implementing any forward motion. Since that has deteriorated, I think it's my opportunity to wriggle my way out of here and upward. I still don't know what I want to do with my life but I think I have enough skill to do a clerical job and if I can get my hands on one that pays more than I'm currently being compensated, then I'm going to close my eyes and whisper to myself 'you deserve more' and click to send that resume.

I honestly do think I deserve more but I'm just scared to go get it because in reality I don't NEED more, but the higher reality on that is that things will be much better/easier for me if I do this now. More money isn't necessary, but it's best for me to get it now and save it up so whenever I do find an opportunity to get a house (why the hell is that my huge goal now? I'm sure it's irritating Stuart), I will have the means to do so instead of hanging my head and saying "If only..."

Igor Spectre is starting their 10-yr anniversary tour thingy. It's so nuts to know that I've been following them for about 8 of those years. I think I'm going to be bold and ask my boss for all of those days off. What could it hurt? Besides me getting less of a paycheck and eating up the teeny bit of vacation time I actually have. But I think I should do it. Follow 'my' band and enjoy it and not worry my eyeballs out that work won't get done without me. That's what always held me back from doing anything in the past. But now, the company is so eager to spread work across more people... sure, let the Sun or some other employee do my job so I can enjoy myself. I don't know how many employees out there think like I do. "If I go on vacation everyone else will have so much to do, I just can't leave." I gotta stop thinking that way. I don't want to be 40yrs old with 2 months of vacation time racked up because I was so busy worrying about things getting done. The thread and guild I run on Gaia has sort of showed me that I'm a control freak. Everything is organized just so and I get plenty of people who ask if they can help and I just can't see myself allowing that because things have to be done 'just so.'

So, back to Igor Spectre:
JUNE 26 - Shamrock's, Chino Hills (secret show)
JULY 10 - Bar Sinister, Hollywood
JULY 23 - The Double Down Saloon, Las Vegas
AUGUST 13 - Beauty Bar, Las Vegas
SEPTEMBER 15 - House of Blues, Anaheim

If you want more info feel free to contact me.

Weekend full of voices, victors and a violated throat

Watching: Family Guy

Friday I went to karaoke at Taylor's in Redlands. I read reviews that mentioned it was a hole in the wall and to those people I'd like to say 'have you been to the Dirty Bird? Because you do NOT know what a hole in the wall is' haha. I sang 'Hot Blooded,' 'Love is a Battlefield,' and 'You Were Meant for Me.' Ray sang 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone.' I'd like to go back soon. They have karaoke Thurs/Fri/Sat.

At work, we're going to work on me getting out of work on Friday's by 6pm. Time will tell how these thing work out. I still haven't written my resume but I will get to it soon. I honestly think I deserve more money. I'm 25 and thinking about a house of my own and the plain truth is that I can't get that with this job, especially since raises have been frozen the last 2 years.

Saturday morning I went to a Chili cook off with Chantal. It was a nice few hours and I found out Chantal is more of a pussy when it comes to hot food than I thought. Her eyes were watering over some of the chili and they were honestly not hot, just full of spices. However she did remind me that she ate ALL of it despite that her throat was on fire and I give her props on that. Here are some photos:




Went to Medieval Times Sunday for Stuart's bday. Happy birthday Stuart! His birthday was actually Monday, June 14 but he worked that day so there.


HIGHLIGHTS:
1. During the knight games they have to throw a joust at a target and one of the knights got the ... joust stick? stuck in the target and the guy pulling it out seriously was tugging on it for like a minute.
2. Our knight, the Blue knight, was a bad ass. He didn't win overall, but he won one fight and he fought dirty. I totally called the point when he kicked another knight in the nuts.
3. The middle of the show there are announcements. "Barbara is celebrating her divorce. Barbara, wherever you are, meet me at the bar after the show. *pause* Yeah, that's just how I roll." Also "Tom is celebrating his first time *looonnggg pause and a lot of laughter* Here. His first time here." We sat front row and got birthday cake. Also, the chicken dinner we had was called a baby dragon. :P


Notice Stuart's time period shoes :P He requested this pose.



Monday for lunch (today) we went to his parents house and ate some lobster tail, artichoke, shrimp, all sorts of yummy and topped off with a game of dominoes and strawberry shortcake type of desert. And now, Monday night, I shall be attempting to make creamy tomato-basil pasta with shrimp for dinner.

Blog layout, work layout

Watching: Law & Order

I would like to introduce this beautiful new layout. Krys, a lovely lady whom I'm so proud to know, put it together for me. The ducky on the top is done by a Gaia friend of mine named Descry (if you didn't notice the signature). The art on the left, of my Gaia avatar on top of sushi, is also from Descry. He is a very talented man. Krys took the theme of ducks and sushi and put it all together so cute. The chopstick divider is adorable. Try and tell me this isn't amazing. :D

Things at work are getting real messy. The first two weeks with a new boss consisted of the new boss being absent due to surgery. Today is when she will actually be in the office as our boss for the first time. I am hoping that the next two weeks will be different. The Daily Facts is a special newspaper. We cover local news that no other papers would because they're viewed as unimportant. I think this newspaper is tangible proof of how Redlands is unique from other cities. This has been brought to the attention of our new boss. In the last two weeks, less local stories have gone in our paper. Nothing national or anything, but instead of staying within a few miles of Redlands, they've gone out a few cities, reaching out to Fontana news. I've complained a lot these last two weeks but my mind always said "just wait until the boss gets back and we'll all talk about what's been going on." So we will see what happens. I was on Craigslist yesterday looking for positions. I am prepared to leave my job. The company froze raises and there really isn't any other advancement I can do at my job, so I'm prepared to leave.

Sushetsy crazy

Listening to: Anberlin
Watching: Stuart play Uncharted 2

I went a little Etsy crazy last night. Spent about $50. Got a little buyers remorse at the checkout screen. I got one clay sushi on a plate necklace, one sushi in a bottle necklace, a sushi mousepad, sushi notepad and a sushi shoulder bag. So I guess the more appropriate explaination of last night would be that I went Sush-etsy crazy. I figured if I stuck to one theme I would be able to control my cart. So of course pictures will follow soon. Don't wanna show off too early. I saw a really cool web necklace but decided not to get it because it looks like I can make something like that myself and Chantal agreed.

So work is still crazy. We were told today that we can no longer have split days off (it's policy) so the boss has decided we will now be getting Sunday and Monday off. So wonderful, I have to work both of the 'lets go out' days. So I think Fridays (starting next week) I'll go in to work at 9am so I can be out by 6pm so I can go home, get dressed up and get out. Brandin' Iron has become my Friday night hangout! I like dancing. Of course I think line dancing isn't exactly as much dancing exercise as I'd like, but it's something. I work up a little bit of sweat. Those dance floor lights are hot. My concern is that I'll get all of Sunday's paper done on Friday (except for the stories on events happening Saturday) and when I come in Saturday for work I will have hardly anything to do. It seems that my boss is making A1 (front page of the paper) seem like a big deal. She had suggested to designate someone at the Sun (our sister paper) to lay it out for us. I thought it was ridiculous and asked Jen (old boss) if A1 was a big deal and she said not really. So I don't know what the big deal is. Yup. Said that 3 times now.

Going to have Shorty straighten my hair tomorrow. And by that she's going to dry it and brush it. I can't even do that on my own. Ugh. Some kind of girl I am. Friday is graduation day. Going to BI that night.

Books, bows and being brave

Watching: King of the Hill.

I received two books in the mail this week. They were both from a project I backed on Kickstarter by Andrew Fitzgerald. One is the book which the purpose of the project was to spotlight. The second is the collection of short stories that came out of the project. Each backer, depending on their donation level, was able to contribute to the weekly short stories he wrote. The excess in funds from the project led Andrew to print and bind the short stories and send them to all backers. How fantastic - a surprise prize!


I'm working on new ways to do my doo. People liked my latest clip:

I R is Cute :D

And also, thanks to co-worker Joy who gave me this cute oragami monster fellah:

It's earned a spot next to my deadline note. :P

So things at work are kinda crazy. Two people from work are absent and they have important roles which we are working to get around. Emotions are tense and we're on a bit of a confidence roller coaster. I'm hoping I can prove myself useful.