I'm still here

Sorry about the disappearance. After that Monday of snow, I got snow on Wed (a couple of inches), snow on Fri (a couple more inches), sick on Tues, and more snow yesterday and today.

Other than snow and sick, I of course haven't done much, though I did venture out Friday night to the company holiday party. Afterwards, myself and a co-worker and her husband attempted to go hang out at another co-workers place (this co-worker didn't realize we were gonna be at the party, or she'da been there, too). But, we couldn't really find the place, and she didn't answer her phone, so we gave up, since the married couple had a few hours of editing ahead of them. Apparently they make movies, of the horror-ish variety. When she was talking about some of the movies they had done, or were working on, all I could think of was Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter. So, I guess, kinda similar in budget and seriousness.

Ummm...the snow stopped me from doing much yesterday (since I still don't have boots, and didn't feel like driving in it), but today it wasn't as bad, so I did make it out to do a little of the shopping I had planned. So, I was able to procure boxes, and so was able to wrap presents. And now they are stacked beneath my tree.
I still have a little bit of stuff to buy, and have to write and send the cards (that's later tonight, so's I can mail them tomorrow), but I think I'm getting close to being ready for Xmas to be over with. :) I just can't wait to see people!

Til next time!

Well, it's December!

I woke up to this this morning (though I took the pic on my lunch break):



It just feels too early to me....

Happy Turkey Day!

Just a quick note...

I feel that since just about everyone else I read has posted today (not just because a few of them are NaBloPoMo-ers), I should post, too. But what? The weather's crazy...how 'bout that? A couple of days ago it was nice, and today it was sleeting a little on my lunch.

Ok, posting duty done. (sorry, I'm being distracted by the TV)

Later!

Anybody got a light?

So, I've been prodded lately to post again, most likely with the pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. But, since those are still trapped in my camera, I'll save them for another day. Instead, I will talk a little about my yesterday.

When I moved into this apartment, and went through the move-in checklist, I know my dad checked whether or not any of my lights were burnt out. I think we established that one of the 4 ensconced above the bathroom mirror was out (or, if we didn't, one was). Anyways, that was no big deal, it's a small bathroom. Either earlier this week, or sometime last week, upon waking up and heading to the bathroom, when I switched on the light, I heard a *tink* coupled with a small flash. Crap, one of the bulbs blew. Oh well, I've still got 2 working bulbs, and it's not too much darker than it was before. I can live with this for a bit, though I may need replacement bulbs at some point.
Well, Saturday, it happened again. *Tink* and a flash, and all of a sudden my bathroom is quite a bit darker, as only one bulb is working, and it's way over to the side nearest the wall. "Hmm, I think I need to get replacement bulbs, then", I think to myself. So, I shower in the half-light, and go about removing the glass covering to the lights (with them turned off, thankyouverymuch), and realize that there are 4, and only one was working now. Oh well. I take out the 3 dead ones, and attempt to check to make sure I pulled the right ones (though they were cool to the touch). *Flip* Nothing. Nada. Still darkness. Welp, burned that one too. Now I definitely need replacement bulbs, as there is no light in my bathroom, and definitely no windows.
So, I bought new bulbs (the "Reveal" kind, that are slightly blue, as to be more natural) and installed them, and now my bathroom is eerily bright.

Other than that, I went to the library, made brownies, and today did laundry. I almost feel productive. I think it's that extra hour I got. Now I'm on normal time, or something. Although home's still an hour off from me.

Anyways, thanks for visiting "Tiny Apartment Land"!

Til next time

Happy Halloween

For your viewing pleasure...

So, I don't know if anyone else has posted this before...I know I've seen it before, but in looking for something else I came across it again...and it's pure brilliance. So, enjoy this bit of Ping Pong magic.

Meme-age

So, since I'm really cold, and feeling kinda lazy at the moment, instead of the promised post with pictures (that I took! though I forgot to drive out and get something else photographed...maybe I'll do that this weekend), instead I will give you a meme of useless information! Enjoy! (oh, stolen from VBG, btw)

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now?
Let’s see….I have some Softsoap that has an odd citrusy-coconut smell, and small bottles of Lush’s Flying Fox and Olive Branch.

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
No, the only fruit in there is a couple of apples.

3. What would you change about your living room?
Hmm…I’d make it bigger, better/different wall coverings, not my bedroom…the whole shebang.

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty?
Ha! What dishwasher?? However, the dishes overflowing my tiny sink are all dirty…which means I should clean them again. *sigh*

5. What is in your fridge?
Let’s see…there’s a chicken pot pie, some chicken nuggets, a partially empty bag of fries, and a bag of frozen peas (for cooking purposes only, cuz frozen peas are kinda nasty) in the freezer. The fridge part contains: 2 eggs, butter, margarine, a bottle of Naked (Gold Machine, to be precise), a 2-liter or Mountain Dew (they don’t sell Mello Yello ‘round here!), a pink Tupperware jug of water, milk (for baking and cereal purposes), ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, lettuce, a couple of apples, some of my parents’ coffee…and now that I’ve gotten up and actually checked, a couple of bags of shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar and an Italian mix). I used to have turkey lunch meat, but I ate it while doing the first part of the meme.

6. White or wheat bread?
White, though wheat is probably better for me…

7. What is on top of your refrigerator?
My counter….and a toaster, an empty butter dish, my knives, a dirty plate, a drying rack with some clean dishes, salt and pepper.

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain?
Black and white circles on a clear background. Hey, the PureLand, aka WalMart, no longer carried the lovely bamboo curtain that everyone else has!

9. How many plants are in your home?
One, Sakura (he‘s a bonsai cherry tree)…I got him at the Chicago Botanic Gardens back in Aug, and he’s still alive. Though I really need to move him out of the little black temporary planter he came in. Maybe I’ll do that this weekend…

10. Is your bed made right now?
Ha!

11. Comet or Soft Scrub?
Umm….neither, at least at the moment.

12. Is your closet organized?
Relatively. I suppose.

13. Can you describe your flashlight?
I think I have a little yellow plastic jobby, but I don’t know off-hand where it is, or whether the batteries work…

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home?
Glass…I only have 2 plastic cups at the moment (I think) both of which say Hanover College on them, and one of them has water in it for use on Sakura.

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now?
Ick, no.

16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered?
My parents’ garage is, certainly, but I don’t have one.

17. Curtains or blinds?
The blinds that came with this place are fine, lacking in style perhaps, but hell if I wanna hang up curtains!

18. How many pillows do you sleep with?
One, only one. He’s my one and only?

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night?
I have a night light in the bathroom, just in case I get up at night with the urge, so I don’t kill myself on the way (since we all know I can’t keep my floor uncluttered).

20. How often do you vacuum?
I don’t even own a vacuum right now. That’s something I may need to invest in, just because I shed like a polar bear in Hawaii.

21. Standard toothbrush or electric?
Electric.

22. What color is your toothbrush?
Purple and white.

23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch?
Nope, don’t have the money or inclination to waste it.

24. What is in your oven right now?
Nothing, except the racks that are supposed to be in there.

25. Is there anything under your bed?
Umm….a couple of dirty socks.

26. Chore you hate doing the most?
Right now? Dishes.

27. What retro items are in your home?
The place itself?

28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office?
Bwahahahahaa….*wipes tears* You make me laugh.

29. How many mirrors are in your home?
Umm…there’s one in the bathroom, and my closet doors are the height of fashion in their mirror-ness.

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home?
Nope, unless you count the extra laundry quarters…but they’re not hidden, else I’d never find them…plus, there’s no where to hide, in here…*evil laugh*

31. What color are your walls?
A lovely beige wall covering that is apparently not paper, but fabric.

32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home?
I have a dagger that, while not sharp, is very pointy…but it’s not there for protection, but decoration.

33. What does your home smell like right now?
Probably not as fresh and clean as I’d like, but really, all I can smell right now is the mayo and turkey smell lingering on my fingers.

34. Favorite candle scent?
I like fresh smells (like linen and soap), light flower smells, and earthy scents. They have to be light, though.

35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now?
None in the fridge, but I do have some dill in the cupboard (for chicken salad purposes).

36. What color is your favorite Bible?
………

37. Ever been on your roof?
Um, no.

38. Do you own a stereo?
Yes, got it for Xmas when I was in high school. It’s a Kenwood 3-disc, 2-cassette, radio combo with 2 detached speakers.

39. How many TVs do you have?
I have one here, but there’s one supposedly sitting on my bed at the folks’ place, and they have 2 more.

40. How many house phones?
Um, one. I don’t think I need anymore.

41. Do you have a housekeeper?
Ha ha!

42. What style do you decorate in?
Poor? Wannabe-Asian? Neo-otaku?

43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
Solids.

44. Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Yes.

45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip?
Though I’d love to take my DVD collection, I’d say my laptop and my purse, which would have my car keys (necessary for a proper escape) and all my moneys. And my cell, if it wasn’t already in my car. I’d miss my art and my books and my clothes and my CDs and my technology (TV, DVD player, radio), but none of that’s priceless.

All right...

...here is at least part of the promised post. But, since I didn't feel like driving around town this weekend to take pictures, I'll save the random thoughts on the town for a later post. Really!


So, a coupla Wednesdays ago (the 3rd), possibly while I was blogging, I was talking to Jenny on IM, and the conversation went sorta like this:

J: "sorry we haven't GW'd in a while. definitely no time tonight. you got shows tomorrow?" me: "yeah, CSI...and you have Youth friday, right? what about sat?" J: "saturday is the Fishers renfaire. wanna come?" me: "hmm...could do, could do....it's a bit of a drive, but if i left after work, i could make it there by...9ish? 10ish? lemme think about it" J: "kk"

Thursday, I decided I could do it. My laundry would have to wait, but I kinda wanted to see people, and the Renfaire is always fun. So, after work on Friday, and after doing dishes and packing and taking out the trash and stopping by the ATM and getting dinner (all which put me about an hour and a half behind schedule), I headed out on the road, with only a vague idea of how to get from the interstate to their place. Once on the road, I thought to myself "Hey, if I felt like driving a few hours more, I coulda went home for the last day of the Fall Festival! Oh well." Good thing I thought that "oh well", cuz I'm not sure I'da been able to make it to Eville...my ass hurt quite a bit from sitting on it all day, and I was pretty tired.

Anyways, made it to A-town, hung out for a bit, went to sleep, got up, piled into my vehicle and headed to Fishers to meet up with Jenny's sister and a friend of hers and E's from high school, only to find out they moved the venue on us. And their signing capabilities left something to be desired. But we found it (mainly because there was good signage to Conner Prairie), parked, rolled down the hill, and met up with people. Jenny and E's friend Roxy was pretty cool, and I just hope I didn't fall into the trap of looking like a total idiot. You know, from when you meet people who are friends with your friends, and you want them to think you're cool, but not too cool, to make them like you enough that they don't question their friends' sanity, while keeping them from thinking that their friends have moved on to "greener pastures". You want them to think you're interesting without monopolizing the conversation. It's a fine line to walk without coming off a total goofball.

We watched some fencing, and the tail-end of the heavy-arms fighting (all done by SCA members), but the rest of the time was spent mainly looking for cold things to eat/drink (like giant popsicles, lemon shake-ups, and apple cider slushies) and shady-but-breezy locales since it was like 90+ and sunny. I did buy a little something, a tea-light tart-burner and some scented tarts, but other than that, my money was spent on foods. It was still fun, though.

We came back and hung out, and the next day woke up late and played some GW (in the same room!) before I had to come back, since I have that whole job thing.

Speaking of which...I should head to bed soon, since I have to get up in the AM for that. So starts another week. Sigh. Weekends need to be longer, dammit!

Well, until next time!

Ooo, it's been a week

...since I've bothered to blog at all. But, you're not getting that much, since I'm doing this during the commercial breaks in CSI: New York. I'm gonna go ahead and plan to actually blog on the weekend, since I have a Renfaire to recount, as well as random things about the town. I might as well (even though I don't know how often the relevant parties read my blog) go ahead and wish my brother a happy 20th birthday, and bow in awe at my parents 30 years of marriage, especially with respect to having to spend almost 26 of them with me, and 20 of them with Ross. That takes a helluva lot of patience.

Just a coupla random things from what I've been watching. Ghost Hunters is awesome, and the creepy female silhouette was extremely so, especially taking into consideration that the only female on the team was upstairs at the time. Second, intelligent tuxedos that can hack computers and power a light table are freakin' awesome!

Now, to continue the show and go to bed.

Night, folks!

Well, I was kinda hoping to do a real post tonight, but...alas, my procrastinatin' ways have got me again. That, and I'm really tired. This whole "real job, 40 hours a week" thing can be very tiring if you've never done anything like it before. I mean, I never had classes 8 hours a day, and I think the most I ever put in in craftland amounted to around 35 hours for a few weeks, and not necessarily in a row. And I didn't have to get up early for that. I mean, this is the earliest I've ever had to get up, since in high school I pushed that whole tardy thing. So, I'm getting about 2-3 hours less sleep per night during the week than I really prefer, (even including the fact that my body has shifted a bit, and I "require" about an hour less than I did in college) which amounts to 10+ hours lost a week. The weekend isn't long enough to make up for that. And of course, TV is on too late for me to go to bed "early". I was kinda planning on doing that tonight...showering, watching CSI: New York, and then going to bed. Except...I got distracted, and didn't have time to shower before the show.

I sound like I'm whining...but I'm really just tired. So, I'll go dry my hair and go to sleep, before I pass out at the computer.

Til next time!

2 weeks

All right, I have been working now for 2 weeks. I have a working phone, although it still has the answering machine message from when I used it last, which was senior year in college. I have an address, so deserving parties should be getting an email with such information soon, if you don't already have it. I have practically no money, even though I got paid on Thursday. (but since it was only for one week, it wasn't really enough, and the bad thing is, I won't get paid again until after rent is due, and the day before 3 other bills are due, and I don't have enough to cover all those until I get paid again....if I mail it the day it's due, does that still work??)


I haven't actually been having problems getting up and getting to work, even though it's way too early for a night child such as myself. However, since I find it nearly impossible to go to bed before at least 11, if not midnight, I'm pretty worthless at work for the first hour or two. Maybe it'll get better, since I'm out of training now, and will be able to listen to music as I work now. Maybe. Since I can't bring in burned CDs or anything, and aren't allowed to sing, I may have some problems. We'll see. But, yeah, out of training, so we'll see how many times people have to come up and say to me "Hey, are you blind? That's not what that is, or where that is." I'm not sure I'm nit-picky enough for this. But, this will probably be all I write for the job. You get no particulars, ever. Sorry, but it's out of my hands.

As for other topics...for tonight, I can actually post a little, since I have the promised before and after pics of my apartment (which I'll put at the bottom). But...after this, I'm afraid I won't be very interesting for a while. After I get back from work, I don't leave my apartment. On the weekends, I leave to go shopping and do laundry. I have no idea who my neighbors are (or neighbor, since there's no one to the left of me). I haven't met that many people at work since training was just me, the trainer, and one other guy. And since I had to leave work early on Monday to meet the guy who would install my cable, all week I took 30 min lunches, instead of my hour, so I couldn't even bond with the few people I saw in the break room. And it's not like I'll bond a whole lot on my lunches anyway, since half the time I'm tempted to go back to the apartment for lunch, cuz it's cheaper than eating out, and doesn't require putting my name on things. I only did that once the first week, though. Who knows. But yeah, since I don't know that many people, it's not like I've got anyone to hang out with and go places with. So, I'm probably even more boring now than I was back home. Hopefully that will change, but it won't be for a few months. I need my time to get settled and comfortable before going "Hey! You seem cool. Will you be my friend?"

Hmm...I'm apparently feeling melancholy...maybe it's the remains of my headache. Anyways. Oh, I've got a library card for the county, and can get stuff sent from Cleveland, so that's cool. And I got a new bank, since HFCU doesn't exist outside of southern IN.

You know, that seems to be about it...oh! One weird thing...and maybe it's not that weird to other people, but it was weird to me. First, this town has very few grocery opportunities. There's Walmart, and a place called Buehlers'. That's about it. Especially near me. So, anyways, I went to B's last weekend and bought quite a lot. Well, about 5 plastic bags worth, I believe. Anyways, when I was finished checking out, my cashier handed me 2 large plastic cards (about the size and shape of thin-pack DVD cases) each with a series of numbers on them, both in different colors. No explanation, just handed them to me. And when I looked to the end of the lane I saw my empty cart. My just paid for groceries were gone. Into two large plastic bins the bagger boy slipped into a hole in the wall. Apparently, this place has a drive through grocery pick up. If you buy enough that you can't carry it out in your hands, they slip it down a line (with those metal rolly washboard looking things) and give you cards telling the guys working the line which bins are yours. Then they put it in your car for you. It was kinda cool, but confusing as all get-out, especially for someone new to town. They could have at least told me, when I obviously looked confused and lost. And the cashier was so efficient about the whole card thing, too. It just weirded me out some.

There are times when I think this town is very strange. Oh, and for all those I said couldn't visit until I had a bigger place...I suppose you can visit, as long as you visit in very small groups or don't mind getting a hotel, since I think I'm gonna stick with this tiny place until my lease runs out, and hopefully by then I'll have saved enough that I'll feel comfortable getting a larger, nicer place. And a cat. Cuz there's definitely no room for a cat in here now. And if that wasn't a segue, I don't know what is. So, here's the pics, and me signing off for the evening. Mata ne!

P.S. The big white expanse with nothing on it in pics 3 and 9 is my bed. Yay for a Murphy bed. Or not. I want a thicker mattress!!

So, here I sit, in my absolutely tiny apartment, in my newly assembled chair at my newly assembled (though only partway assembled...it helps if the holes pre-drilled into the metal supports are actually large enough to screw in the provided screws!) desk, using stolen wireless to blog. I should have non-stolen internet, cable that won't be shut off 6 days after moving in, and "digital phone" on the 17th, so hopefully I can blog then. And supply interested parties with a phone number. I may even put up before and after pics of the TA (tiny apartment), if I feel so inclined. I start work tomorrow bright and early, so we'll see if I want to run screaming and crying "back home again".

I'm not feeling that typative (as opposed to talkative), so I shall end with a congratulations to the bibliophile, who succeeded in getting her promotive job, and who also starts that tomorrow. Congrats again!

Anyways, till next time,

Mata ne!

They're coming to take me away!

All right, so I've been bad, and busy, and haven't updated at all since I got back from Chicago, or even once I got back from Clarksville/Anderson/Bloomington, but...this is all you're getting. Yes, I have pics on my computer. No, I'm not going to upload them now, since I should have been asleep 2 hours ago. But, since I'm to be moving away, I should be blogging more, so I suppose that could be a good thing. Or a really bad thing, since these tend to be rambles with no coherent plot. But, until I get my new pad all hooked up and "off the heezee" as kids these days say, I shall be internetless, and therefore no blogging goodness for you.

Wow, I need sleep, I got an 8+ hour drive tomorrow!

Til I am once again connected!

Mata ne!!

Just a couple of quick things...

First, I had a lot of fun last Saturday at Evilducky's Independence Day party (her independence from her now ex ;)). We did henna, drank, talked, beat up a bull pinata, and attempted to play some games. It was loads of fun.

Second, today was my last day of Michaels servitude. I let people hug me, since other people are huggers, even though I'm not a big fan myself. But, yesterday, Karen, the woman who teaches the cake decorating class, made me a cake. She definitely deserved a hug from me, even if the cake has pink on it.

Tomorrow, we drive up to Chicago for some hang-out time, so I won't be blogging. (as if I do, anyways) Hopefully I'll blog for you when I get back, complete with pictures if I remember to get more batteries.

Now, I must pack and bathe.

Later's, y'all!

One more week!

...plus about 3 and a half. But, one more week of Michaels servitude. And then...it's "drive all over the freakin' place" time. Since I gotta visit people and all that jazz...swing? Rock? Jpop??

Would you like to hear my schedule?? (pronounced shed-you-ull) Well, too bad, cuz I'm gonna lay it out for you anyways.

• Aug 15th--Last day in Craftland/Hell.
• Aug 16-19--Chicago to visit J-dog with VBG, the bibliophile, rabidmonkey, and evilducky. This was, well, not really planned per se, but conceived of before I even applied to Ohio (I think). Also, will most likely stop by my grandmother's on the way home to raid her basement of unused cookware and stuff.
• Aug 21--Taking my brother back to college, that place we almost didn't think he'd make it back to.
• Aug 22--To Clarksville to visit Aerine and Billy before the leave for Florida.
• Aug 23-?--Head up from Clarksville to Anderson to hang with Jenny and Ernest for a while, and see Katie before she moves back to Chicago. Hopefully, there will be some Ellie visiting in there, too, and possibly a trip to Bloomington.
• I'll probably head back to Eville round the 28th or so, but that may be dependent on when I run out of clothes or something.
• Aug 29(?)-Sep 3--PACK!!! (and clean)
• Sep 4--load up both cars (as long as my dad has those 4 days off) and head to Wooster with the folks, so we can get me an apartment and some furniture (I mean, I'll need a futon and a table).
• Hopefully I can come back for Xmas, but I don't know if I'll be able to get enough time off to visit everyone...though Anderson can be kinda on the way, I guess...

But, yeah, that's how my next few weeks are looking. Exciting, ain't it?

Woo-freakin-hoo!

I forget that not everyone who reads this blog (though really, it's most) are people I talk to face to face on any kind of semi-regular basis. So, not everyone knows about the job-ness, unless they were in Anderson for GESP or at Old Chicago for pizza before going to see Harry Potter. So, I suppose a story is in order. Yay, story time!

When I graduated from college with my degree in geology I fell back on my total slacker ways. I kept postponing my application process for grad school, and really, around here, that's about all you can do, especially with a Bachelor of Arts in a hard science. After waiting until after VBG got married, I began my search for a job. I ended up with a part-time, supposedly seasonal position, at the same craft store she worked at. My mother, on the other hand, would occasionally look online at a certain site to see if there were any GIS jobs that I could possibly do. I applied to several throughout the course of these few years, some even before I started working at Michaels. None of that ever bore fruit.

About a month ago, my mother was looking again, and mentioned an entry-level position somewhere in Ohio. She encouraged me (with a large clubbing object) to go ahead and send them my resume. Since at one point about a year ago I had thought seriously about moving to Bloomington with Ellie, I had a relatively decent resume made up already, so I emailed it to this place in Ohio. A week passed, and no email from them even saying they got my resume. I figured they just trashed it like pretty much all other places, and became convinced I have to know someone at a place to get a job there (Baskin Robbins and Teacher Incognito, Michaels and VBG).

A couple of days after I thought this, I got a post card. From Ohio. "Hey, we're just letting you know we got your resume, and if it fits our criteria, we'll be in touch." Oh, wow, never got real mail like that before!

So, they have it, but a couple more weeks pass, and I don't hear anything, which really isn't that unusual. Thursday July 5, while I'm at work (closing shift), a guy from TGS calls my house. "Oh, she's at work right now." "Oh, then have her call this number tomorrow before 3." Since I was leaving for GESP that Friday, things got a little rushed, especially since they guy was on the phone almost all morning. I called about 4 times before leaving him a voicemail with my cell number in it, so he could call me back, since I had to get my check and do some last minute shopping before leaving town. When I was in the parking lot of Target (so Ross could get a pair of shorts that actually fit him) trying to find a parking spot, my phone rings. It's the guy. So, while Ross went in to shop, I spent a good 20 min talking to this guy. He gave me the rundown on the job, the company, a little on the town, that sort of thing. The he asked if I was still interested. Yes. "Ok, well, then, I'll email you an application and a questionnaire. Fill them out and send them back, and I'll give them to our hiring guy to look over. If he likes, we'll call you to set up an interview. Phone or in person?" "Um, phone would be best, I don't know how quickly I'd be able to make it there for an in person." "Ok."

I get home from GESP, end up having to go to the library to fill them out, since I needed a computer with Word on it, and mail it out the next Friday. On Tuesday (so they only had my app for a day or so!) I get a call. "We'd like to set up a phone interview. Tomorrow ok?" "Yes...no! No, tomorrow I work all morning. Thursday is better." "Ok, Thursday at 1." Which means 12 my time. Thursday rolls around, and my interview lasts 25 minutes. When it ends, the guy says he'll talk with the other guy (the one I talked to on the phone before) and if they both like me, they'll get back to me in a couple of days. I'm thinking they're gonna get together and be like "Eh, she's ok, but, eh...not really what we're looking for" and call me on Monday with a "We're sorry to get your hopes up." I go ahead and eat lunch and watch a little TV. Exactly an hour later, (the clock read 1:24) I get another call from them. I'm thinking they forgot to ask me something, or need some follow up questions or something. No. It's the first guy I talked to. "If you're really still interested, you're hired. We can start you in late August or in early September. Which works better for you?" "Uh...September...I need to sit down."

I'm still in shock. I'm nervous and a little afraid to be moving out there (to Wooster, OH), but this is waaaay too awesome to pass up.

I need a paper bag....

...because I'm currently hyperventilating.

I had a phone interview at noon today, and got off the phone at about 12:25. An hour later I got another call from them. If I agree and sign the paper they send my in the mail tomorrow (though I won't get it til Monday at the earliest), I can start working in September!!!

Squeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*takes a series of deep breaths*

Ok, must try to calm down now. I wonder when I should tell Karl?

Hey, don't let the post below fool you, I was planning on writing another one of these things today. Really! I'm not shittin' you!

Unfortunately, if you're looking for interesting things I've done lately, you will be sorely disappointed. I don't feel like talking about E's party or possible job-ness right now. I'll save that for later. I promise. Though we may save the job thing for when I hear I don't have it. :P

No, instead, I'm going to talk about some of my weird yearnings. No, I'm not talking ice cream and pickles (I'm definitely not pregnant, and ew! Pickles), though ice cream is always good. No, I'm talking about the weird little thoughts that lead me to want to do crazy things that I'd need a smaller fear of people and hard work, and a winning Powerball ticket, to achieve.

Take, for instance, an idea I came up with while in college. My college was a small one, with a Dining Hall on one floor, and the "UG" (the UnderGround) in the basement. The UG was a grill; quick order, here's some fries, grab a drink, kinda place. They had some set meals, and I usually went with the grilled chicken or the chicken fingers. But, occasionally I would crave beef. However, the menu consisted of grilled steak and cheeseburgers if you wanted something that went "Moo". Now, I like steak fine, but I would still sometimes want a hamburger. Not a cheeseburger. So, I would joke that I wanted my burger naked, just like I liked my fries. And that got me thinking. Wouldn't it be cool to create a restaurant? The Naked Burger, where you get to pick what, if anything, goes on your sandwich, ranging from tomato and American cheese, to Feta and olives, to alfalfa sprouts and Italian dressing. I'd arrange it with levels; Level 1 being the normal stuff, boring cheeses, and the ability to choose up to 3 for one price, and 5 or so for another. Condiments (like ketchup, mustard, mayo) are included for no extra charge. Then Level 2 would be the weirder stuff, the Feta and alfalfa and such, if you wanted to go that far. It would be awesome! And it would involve capital I don't have, as well as a business sense.

Or how about the idea of a bunch of my friends and I opening a coffee shop/used bookstore? In someplace like Chicago. A coffee shop on ground level, with decent priced coffee and games to play and old cushy chairs to sit in and hang out. And a used bookstore in the basement/back room, where if you'd rather not buy, you could read while sipping your coffee. Still awesome.

Or even the most recent idea, thought of in the brains of myself and rabidmonkey, a product of our desire to ride rollercoasters. A musically-themed theme park! We'd have Country, where we'd put the wooden coaster; Swing/Jazz, where we'd put the inverted coaster and the swings; Rap, where we'd stick a regular metal coaster complete with graffiti-covered cars; Rock, with an indoor, strobe-infested coaster; and even Musical Theater! It would be soooo cool!

It's such a shame that my imagination is so much more powerful than my ability to actually do anything...

Hmmm.....

...Should I just start aiming for once a month??

.............

.....oh wow.........my footsteps echo in here...sorry folks.

I'm not dead, just...easily distracted. Let's see...what have I done since the last post....

That weekend I took Ross up to Anderson for Mike's graduation. We played a lot of Halo 2, some Wii, had ice cream sundaes at Mike's party, ate fondue, and melted. It was fun, except for the melting part. What am I talking about? The fact that their apartment is on the 3rd floor of a notoriously warm building, is west facing, 90 degree days, and has the crappiest air conditioner I've ever felt. Add to that I had brought Ross, and my patience, so famous for being longer than the Nile, was about to snap. Heat and little annoying brothers do that to me.

Let's see....I got home and went to work and rested and stuff. I had taken my camera up there, but didn't take a single picture, and there weren't any really interesting stories to be told, so I didn't feel that burning need to blog right away. Sorry.

Anyways, I got home, and did very little for a week, other than work, eat and sleep. Umm....last Wednesday, however, I took a little drive into Kentucky with Laurie, and Ross convinced us to let him tag along. We went to Beech Bend Park to ride rides, mainly because Laurie had gone to college there for a little while, and never even knew the park was there. So we went, and although one of the roller coasters was broken (aren't they always?!) and it was rather warm, we did have fun. Most of their rides were the type you can find at the Fall Festival, carnie rides as it were, but still, the fact that were practically no lines was a nice feature. ;) The main problem with that park was the outrageous prices for food and drink. For the price of a footlong sub at Subway, I got a tiny 4 1/2 inch crappy sandwich. For about the same price, Laurie got a piece of charcoal claiming to be a polish sausage. I like how Holiday World does it, and gives you free unlimited drinks, especially because Beech Bend was charging almost $2 for a 12 oz. cup almost completely filled with ice (like about 4 oz. of liquid...I didn't realize I was ordering a Pepsi slushie).

Anyways...enough of my griping. We've been, and now we know what there, and that if we ever decide to go back, bring a cooler and leave it in the car for lunch. Or hell, leave the park and find a freaking Subway.

Other than that, I haven't been doing too much, except helping plan a surprise party. GESP, as it is called (the Great Ernest Surprise Party), is to be held in Anderson (I keep going back there) and is to be themed. Last year, Jenny had themed the party "pirates", so she didn't want to do that again. First we had though "anime" but figured that might be too hard to pull of and decorate for, so we decided on just "Japan", with a touch of anime. So, I get to cosplay, and we're gonna have Japanese food and stuff. So, I've been spending a lot of my time coming up with crazy ideas for this party, like making "shoujo sparkles" for people who want to be kinda dressed up, but either don't know that much about anime/don't care or don't have that kind of money. 'Course, I haven't made them yet, but I know what I'm doing, I'm just waiting to buy the stuff from work. I also came up with the idea for decorations of making origami cranes and such, so I've been working on those. I've made quite a few, and now have the folding method down to memory.
We decided on a few food items, such as onigiri (rice balls), hot dogs in the shape of octopi (which I recently attempted to make), yakitori (teriyaki chicken on skewers), and some kind of potato pancakes (based off of croquettes). My suggestion to add Pocky and Ramune to this list (i.e. stuff we don't have to make ourselves) went over well, so I went out and bought that a few days ago.
Any leftover Pocky belongs to me. Except maybe the strawberry stuff. Oh, and the pink and white balls are mochi, filled with sweet red bean paste. I saw them and couldn't pass them up, they are so traditional. Hehe...I suppose, if we don't have enough food, we can always get KFC, that huge in Japan!

Hmm, I guess that's it for now....oh, yeah...I'm going to a TOOL concert here in town tomorrow, though I don't know how exciting that is for anyone else but me and VBG (since she's going with me).

Anyways, laters!

Welcome!

Welcome to the world, Mary Patricia Motyka!!!!

Still here....somewhere...

So, yeah...I'm sorry I've just left y'all hanging, but I've been busy the past week and a half. I mean, I had Sunday the 20th off, and Tuesday the 22nd, but that's it, I've been working all the rest. And I usually don't feel like much of a post when I get off work. But I have been doing other things, too!

The Sunday I had off was for an "open house" for a friend who just got her masters in secondary education. The Tuesday off was spent reveling in my geekness with a little RPG action, followed by a few hours of video games. Then I worked, and on Friday after work, went and saw "Pirates 3". It wasn't as bad as I feared, so... Saturday was my grandma's birthday, which is only a big deal because she's down here staying with us for a while. We didn't do much, since we plan on going out this coming Thursday to see "Shrek 3" for her birthday, as well as eating some steak for dinner.

The reason I've been working so many days straight is that I asked for several days off at the end of the week. Why, you ask? (or maybe you don't, but I'd like to think that) Well, I've already established that I plan on doing quite a bit on Thursday, but Friday, Ross and I are heading up to Anderson, since we were both invited to Jenny's brother's high school graduation. And we all know any excuse I can find to leave town for a weekend ;).

So, with that in mind, you won't be getting a real post until after I get back, but I may have pictures or fun stories to tell by then. Maybe. Don't hold your breath.

On another note, I think it's getting very close to Julie's due date. So, we better return her to the library, or renew her, soon...oh, wait, wrong type of due date. :P Excuse me while I'm silly. C'mon, Julie! I wanna know about Sheldon! I suppose I need to stop somewhere and get a card or something to send, since it's highly likely there won't be a real shower, since no one's in Penn...or, if there is a shower, I probably won't be able to make it. Anyways, we'll see what happens.

That's it for now, folks!

Final Credits

All right!! Last one, and then on to more real posts....possibly ;). Anyways, this was "Final Credits", you know, walk out music, the kind that has little or nothing to do with the movie, but maybe makes you smile as you walk out of the theater. Well, I don't know if this song will necessarily make anyone smile, but I enjoy it, and hey, it's my movie. The song is “Hitomi no Juunin” by L’arc en Ciel, and is actually not from an anime at all, yet is Japanese. I've branched out, and listen to some Jpop/Jrock without first having heard it on a show. I don't know if this is a good thing or not.... Well, crap. It's a good thing I didn't hit "publish" before looking for the song, cuz I couldn't find it. So, I'll give you the runner up, and maybe something else by L'arc en Ciel, because I very much like them, but I like "Hitomi no Juunin" better than "flower"...oh well.

The runner up ended up being "In Your Heart" or "Anata no Kokoro ni" by Megumi Hayashibara, the ending song for Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, which is a very amusing anime if I do say so myself. Without further ado....

"Anata no Kokoro ni" by Megumi Hayashibara

Anata no kokoro ni
Kaze ga aru nara
Soshite, sore ga 
haru no kaze nara
    If the wind
    is in your heart...
    And if that is
    the spring wind...

Watashi hitori de fukarete mitai na
Itsumade mo itsumade mo
    I want to let it blow...
    Forever, forever

Anata no kokoro ni
Sora ga aru nara
Soshite, Sore ga 
Aoi sora nara
    If the sky
    is in your heart...
    And if that is
    a blue sky...

Watashi hitori de 
nobotte mitai na
dokomade mo dokomade mo
    I want to try and reach it...
    As far as it goes, as far as it goes

Datte itsumo anata wa
waratte iru dake
Soshite watashi o
Dakishimeru dake
    It's because you are
    only laughing all the time...
    And then you
    only embrace me

Anata no kokoro ni
Umi ga aru nara
Soshite, sore ga
Namida no Umi nara
    If the sea
    is in your heart...
    And if that is
    the sea of tears...

Watashi hitori de oyoide mitai na
Itsumade mo Itsumade mo
    I want to try and swim it...
    As long as I like, as long as I like

Datte itsumo anata wa
waratte iru dake
Soshite watashi o
Dakishimeru dake
    It's because you are 
    only laughing all the time...
    And then you
    only embrace me

And a gift for you, "flower" by L'arc en Ciel. It'd probably make a better end song than "Anata no Kokoro ni", but oh well.

Death Scene

I did it again...neglected this project of mine for another week. Oh well, only 2 songs left, if you include this one. Yay!

This time the topic was my Death Scene. The song chosen was "Hiru no Tsuki" by Akino Arai, the first ending song to Outlaw Star. I chose it mainly for the sound, it's calm and relaxing. The lyrics make it, well, not about death, but still kinda sad in it's way. Anyways, enjoy (though I really doubt anyone's actually listening to the music I put in the sidebar...).


"Hiru no Tsuki" by Akino Arai

oto no nai mahiru
kaze ha tada akarui
sukoshi nemutasou ni hanabira ga yureta
  One soundless mid-day,
  the wind was so cheerful.
  Flower petals sway in the breeze
  as if they were sleepy.

nani ge nai kono omoi
nee, hito ha donna kotoba de yondeiru no
  This serene feeling...
  Tell me, what's the word people use for it?

shiroi suna no tsuki  toji kometa hanashi o
hikari furasu you ni kikasete ne  sotto
  Tell me a story that's locked away
  in the white-sand moon.
  Let me hear it
  as gently as light shining down...

itsuka shiru toki ga kuru no?  mune no itami o
soshite ima yori yasashiku naru no ne
  Will the time come? When you will know the pain in my heart?
  Then you'd be able to be gentler than you are now.

atatakai kono omoi
nee, hito ha donna namae de yondeiru no
  Such a warm feeling...
  Tell me, what's the name that people give to it?

shiroi suna no tsuki  mabushikute mienai
tooi mirai no koto kikasete ne  sotto
  Softly, let me hear
  of the distant future,
  so bright it can't be seen,
  like a white-sand moon.

Final Battle

Allright, so, yeah...I know. Last time I said I was gonna hurry through this, and what do I do? Wait another week. I'm sorry! I was busy moving my brother home from college, possibly semi-permanently, since he's a horrible paper-writer, and lazy to boot. Oh well, that's a rant for another time. But seriously, I've got some pictures of the Peep Revolution to take, and their story to tell, but that isn't happening until I'm done with my musical interlude or whatever.

So, onward and upward! Or some such nonsense. Final Battle, right. For this one, I chose "Tank!" by Yoko Kanno. The other 2 songs I had to choose from were both 30 Seconds to Mars songs, and one would think that "Attack" would be a no-brainer for such a category, but, I guess I'm weird. When I think of a final battle theme song, I think upbeat, fast, action-packed. And "Attack" isn't really any of those things. Yes, it is an awesome song. But it doesn't really work for my final battle. So, over on the side you can find "Tank!" by Yoko Kanno, which is the opening song to Cowboy Bebop. And, look, no lyrics! But that's because the song doesn't really have any. I don't think you need me to write out the countdown at the beginning, do you??

"Tank!" by Yoko Kanno

Let's try some meme-age...

All right, so no one tagged me for this little meme-thing, but last weekend, a couple of my friends were talking about coming across it on someone else's blog, and I thought it sounded interesting. So, I'm gonna do it anyways. :P


1. Go to Wikipedia and enter your birthday without the year:
December 13

2. List three events that occurred that day: (Yes, I know, I did 4. Deal.)
1972 - Project Apollo: Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt begin the sixth and final Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) or "Moonwalk" of Apollo 17. This was the last manned mission to the moon of the 20th century. This is kinda cool, in a geeky way, and kinda sad. Cuz we haven't really been back, now, have we.
1977 - A United States government aircraft DC-3 crashes near Evansville Regional Airport, killing 29, including the University of Evansville basketball team. This one's only kinda important, mainly because I grew up going to these basketball games.
2000 - American Vice President Al Gore delivers his concession speech ending his hopes of becoming the 43rd President of the United States. I didn't even realize this was on my birthday...
2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit (see Operation Red Dawn). I think I knew at the time "Hey, that's my birthday!" but I'd since forgotten.

3. List two important birthdays:
1954 - Tamora Pierce, author. Ok, this one is for VGB. Plus, I kinda like her stuff. ;)
1980 - MB of VBG fame. Hehe.
1981 - Amy Lee, American singer/songwriter (Evanescence). I picked this one mainly because, hey, that's my exact b-day! No fair she's all rich and famous-y!!

4. List one death: (Yes, I know, 2 this time.)
1961 - Grandma Moses, American painter (b. 1860). Hey, art's cool.
1981 - Pigmeat Markham, American entertainer (b. 1904). Two reasons, 1) that's my day again, and 2) Pigmeat?!?!???

5. List one holiday or observance:
In the Julian calendar before the Gregorian reform, this was the shortest day and longest night, and widely celebrated as such.


Woo, wasn't that fun? ;)

Regret

Ok, I'm going to try and hurry the rest of this endeavor of mine, this little project of posting my "soundtrack". So, to that effect, here's another installment. This time it is "Regret", and the song chosen was "Savior" by 30 Seconds to Mars, although, really the other 2 songs I could have picked weren't too bad themselves. However, this one was chosen because it fits so well, it sounds regretful, as well as the words fitting the theme. Anyways, enjoy!

"Savior" by 30 Seconds to Mars

Until you crash
Until you burn
Until you lie
Until you learn
Until you see
Until you believe
Until you fight
Until you fall
Until the end of everything at all
Until you die
Until you're alive

Don't save me, don't save me, cuz I don't care
Don't save me, don't save me, cuz
I don't care

Until you give
Until you've used
Until you've lost
Until you lose
Until you see, how could you believe?
Until you've lived a thousand times
Until you've seen the other side
This is my chance, this is my chance

Don't save me, don't save me, cuz I don't care
Don't save me, don't save me, cuz
I don't care

Until the truth becomes a lie
Until you change, until you deny
Until you believe

This is my chance, this is my chance
I'll take it now because I can
This is my chance, I want it now

Don't save me, don't save me, cuz I don't care
Don't save me, don't save me, cuz
I don't care

Save me, save me, save me
Save me, save me, save me
I don't care

Happy Dance

All right, the next installment. This category was "Happy Dance", which I must admit is kinda silly. I don't really dance. ;) Anyways, the song I chose was "Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line", because it's actually kind of upbeat, unlike the other two I had to choose from. Without further ado...

"Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line" by Minami Kuribayashi

ichiban kirei na sora wo tobouyo
tashika na mirai he Try!
    Let's fly in the most beautiful of sky
    This is certainly a try for the future!

negai ha hitomi no naka kagayaite afureru egao
nagare ni tsubasa wo azukete ima ha furikae razuni
    Your prayer shines within your eyes, it overflows your smile
    We trust our wings to the current, there's no going back now

meguri aeta kiseki ha Pleasure Line
yakusoku shitayo ne
    The miracle of us meeting by chance is our pleasure line
    We promised that, didn't we?

ichiban kirei na sora he tobouyo
nando taore temo "Try!"
kizutsu kinagara tsukamu ashita
yasashiiku tsuyoku kataru kimi wo wasurenai itsumo...
    Let's fly in the most beautiful sky
    We'll try no matter how many times we fall!
    Seizing tomorrow while we get hurt
    I will never forget you telling me so kindly and strongly...(1)

kokoro wo nurashita ame hitoshi zuku hikari ni tokete
itami ni furueru tsubasa mo chiisa na ai wo mamoru no
    The light dissolves the rain soaking my heart, drop by drop
    I'm protecting this little love with wings trembling in pain

wasarenai de sekai ha Pleasure Line
kesshite kowakunai
    Do not forget that this world is our pleasure line
    I'll never be afraid

mihatenu sora wo futari de tobouyo
te wo hanasanai de "Fly!"
samayoi nagara motomeru yume
asayake no matsu oka de kimi wo atsuku dakishimete
    Let's fly together in the endless sky!(2)
    Fly without letting go of my hand!
    Wandering while seeking out our dream
    I'll embrace you passionately on the hill while we wait for the morning glow

omoidaseba hoho ni kaze ha fuite
watashitachi no maeni michishirube oite kureru
    As I remember, the wind blows against my cheeks
    At the signpost before us

mihatenu sora wo futari de tobouyo
te wo hanasanai de "Fly!"
samayoi nagara motomeru yume
asayake no matsu oka de kimi to
    Let's go fly together in the endless sky
    Fly without letting go of my hand!
    Wandering while seeking out our dreams
    With you on the hill as we wait for the morning glow...

ichiban kirei na sora wo tobouyo
tashika na mirai he to
kizutsu kinagara tsukameba ii
yasashiiku tsuyoku kataru kimi ha asayake ni Fly away
    Let's go fly in the most beautiful sky
    This is certainly a try for the future!
    It's okay to get hurt if we seize it
    You tell me kindly and strongly and we fly away in the morning glow

Geekness?

Ok, so, I just came across this, and it's kind of a geek-fest, in it' own way. Many types of geek are represented by it. Now all it needs is people in full armor (a la SCA re-enactors) and some anime and video game references.

I wonder if it will actually come to pass?

Flashbacks

I'm trying really hard to keep with a somewhat weekly update on the soundtrack thing. Unfortunately, that's about all the updating I'm doing, but maybe this means I'm planning some great posts for when the soundtrack thing is finished. Maybe. Don't hold me to it.

Anyways, this time it's "Flashbacks" as our category. Our winning selection was "The Garden of Everything" by Maaya Sakamoto and...some guy that I don't know the name of off-hand. I do know that the music to this song was written by Yoko Kanno, and that both singers in the song (Ms. Sakamoto and that guy) are favorite vocalists of Ms. Kanno. And, hey, guess what?! The song is in English, although I think there is some background Japanese sung by Ms. Sakamoto, but it's really hard to hear, let alone translate. Without further ado, here it is:



"The Garden of Everything" by Maaya Sakamoto

Here you are
Daylight's star
Made out of miracles

Perfection
Of your own
You alone
O so incredible

Each atom
Sings to me
"Set me free
From chains of the physical."

O free me, O free me

The mirror melts,
I'm somewhere else
Inside eternity

Where you on
Outstretched wings
Sing within
The Garden of Everything

Where memories
Call to me
Backward dreams?
Or phantom reality?

Call to me, they call to me

And so here we are
Lovers of Lost Dimensions
Burning supernovas of all sound and sight
Every touch, a temptation
And for every sense, a sensation

Eyes of pure
Deep azure
Quite unbelievable

The sun's daughter
You've been made
Not to fade
Quite inconceivable

Each atom sings to me
"Set me free
From chains of the physical."

O free me, O free me

A love like ours
A starry flower
Through seasons and centuries

As rivers reach the sea
You'll reach me
With songs of your symmetry

A small boat
There will float
To far off coasts
The Isle of Infinity

Come with me, O come with me

Here we'll see
Love's lost tree
Made out of miracles

Emotions, crystal leaves
To cover me
And you in eternity

Each atom sings to us
Through the blood
"Love is a miracle"

Sings softly, it sings softly

And so here we are
Lovers of Lost Dimensions
Burning supernovas of all sound and sight
Every touch, a temptation
And for every sense, a sensation

And so here we are
Twin stars of brilliant brightness
Lanterns lit by life for all the depths of night
And every day will return us
To arms of the ever eternal

And so here we are
So far from earthy orbits
Burning supernovas of all sound and sight
Where every day will return us
To arms of the ever eternal



However, "Hands in the Sky (Big Shot)" by Straylight Run came a close second, so I will leave you with it, also.




"Hands in the Sky (Big Shot)" by Straylight Run

Tear it out of these open pages,
Women and kids of all ages,
Millions of men with blank faces,
Italicised lies, headlines, bold type

Living lives just like deer in headlights,
Terrified, blind, and wait to die,
I wonder when they'll come get me,
I wonder when they'll come get me:

We want you, have to need you:
And we'll tell you when they're hungry again,
And we'll tell you when they're hungry again,
It never ends, never ends:
We want you, have to need you:
And we'll tell you when they're hungry again,
And we'll tell you when they're hungry again,
It never ends, never ends, never ends:

Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky,"
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky,"
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."

Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky,"
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky," (Tear it out of these open pages)
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die, (Women and kids of all ages)
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck, (Millions of men with blank faces)
In the back of the neck right between the eyes." (Italicised lies, headlines, bold:)
Tear it out of these open pages,
Women and kids of all ages,
Millions of men with blank faces,
Italicised lies, headlines, bold type