Speed Trap

neurotic

2005-11-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have now determined that my dog is officially afraid of bowls, specifically ceramic ones. Though he seems to be wary of plastic ones also.

I'm further convinced that the dog on Gilmore Girls (Paul Anka) is based on Indy.

on Voting

2005-11-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

Today I proved that a simple task like voting can be made it to a mild fiasco when this responsibility is placed in the hands of one scatterbrain such as myself. You see, this year, it was a little more complicated for me as I don't have a permanent address at the moment. I did some research online, figured out my voting rights, and headed over to the local middle school. Parking was easy, which was a good sign. However, it was lunch time so the rascally newbie teens were running amuck all hyped-up on Red Bull and God knows what else. I knew immediately that the ticking time-bomb I become when faced with a bunch of 13 year-olds had already begun to click away precious seconds.

As I entered the gymasium (smelling familiarly of tater-tots), I walked up to the first sign-in table, my story about no permanent address on the tip of my tongue. A bored looking fellow in his mid-forties (by far, the youngest one there) listened as I railed off how I needed to vote, but I don't have an address right now, but if I'm not on the list, may I please have a provisional ballot? After all that, he said "what was your address again? oh, you're supposed to go to THAT table," and pointed across the room.

So, I spewed out my same story to the people at Table #2, at which point they said, "that's not OUR table, you're supposed to go over THERE," and pointed in the corner of the room to the third and final sign-in table. At this point, I was slightly flustered as there wasn't much action in the place and it seemed that everyone was watching/giggling at my confusion.

At the third table, I literally just said, "PLEASE just let me VOTE!" At LAST, these ladies were able to find my name on their list and issued me a ballot. I hurried over to the little voting-stand, and felt my attitude change as I shot down each and every one of Arnold's beloved propositions. I'm not going to lie, it felt great. I also had to pick and choose who to vote for for school board, and decide whether or not my city should still continue to allow the sale of fireworks (I said yes...fight the power!! Besides, I don't live there anymore, so they won't be settin' MY roof on fire).

After filling in my final choice, I walked my ballot back to Table #3. One woman who looked to be about 112 said hobbled over to me and said, "I'll help you figure out the ballot machine." The jack-ass in me thought her gesture was nice, but totally unnecessary...how hard could it be to slide that ballot-card into the slot? Ahem. After three tries, several angry beeps from the machine and some commotion from Table 3, the little old voter-lady said, "oh dear, you voted for three people for city council, when it says you can vote for no more than two."

I took the walk of shame back to the Table, got a new ballot, and was practically smacked in the hand when I tried to take my old ballot with me (so I could remember what I put down). At this point, my cheeks were candy-apple red and it felt a little hot in there. I quickly filled out ballot #2, scurried over to the ballot machine, and slid it into the slot...it went in...and then...

Table #3 clapped for me. They clapped for me like they would clap for their granddaughters when they take their first shaky steps. They clapped like I was a successful, living-on-my-own, mentally-challenged ice skater that just did a triple-toe-loop in the Special Olympics.

I turned a deeper shade of red, smiled at them and high-tailed it out of there hoping desperately this would be the last time I'd ever vote in my hometown. You bet your ass I wore my "I voted" sticker all day today. I earned it.

WAY better than The Revenge of the Sith...

2005-11-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, only something this huge could bring me out of writing-hiding...THE RETURN OF THE RENTALS!!!

Why haven't I heard about this before now??!! I'm SO excited, I can barely type. Finally, I will be able to see this amazing group live.

"dunzo"

2005-11-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

I think I'm going to go "off the grid" for a while...I probably won't be posting (at least not here). I'm losing time and need to focus all my efforts on figuring out what my next move is going to be...

Not a big surprise, I'm sure, since I've never been much of a blogger...still, you may now discontinue checking out this blog, linking to it, etc.

Thanks for reading (all three of you).

what joys need

2005-11-04T22:57:00.000-08:00

I did one of those "your name needs" searches on google (courtesy of Ruby Slippers). There are some pretty good ones:

Joy needs to be near the heartbeat of our happiness in a delivery room
Joy needs funding to purchase a cargo van for food
Joy needs to rethink these two
Joy needs to spend some serious time in Baghdad
Joy needs a better understanding of the nature of evil
Joy needs her family
Joy needs to be there when we’re crying, too.
Joy needs your help today
Joy needs knitters
Joy needs all the support she can get

Here's what wasn't listed, but are things I think I definitely need:

Joy needs sleep
Joy needs a job
Joy needs an apartment
Joy needs a plane ticket to MN
Joy needs to start thinking of more interesting things to blog about

Catching up

2005-11-01T14:05:00.000-08:00

I just got done catching up with two really good friends that I haven't spoken to in...probably at least a year. I do this thing where whenever nothing major is happening in my life, I'm pretty okay about keeping in touch with people. But as soon as significant things begin to take place (job changes, relationships, moves, family drama), I completely pull away and isolate myself from the very people I should be calling.

Due to reconnections via myspace (it's good for something!), I was able to talk to two people that were huge influences on my life during college. I came out of both conversations really missing them, and recapturing a bit of my confidence I feel has been chipped away the last few years. I was also reminded just how hilarious and talented both of these friends are. God bless a male friend who isn't afraid to say he loves you (platonically). And God bless his girlfriend who doesn't mind. Sometimes, hearing that can totally turn your day around. It did today.

WANT WANT WANT

2005-10-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

<--This.

Posts forthcoming...

2005-10-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted much in the last week or so. I was away at a wedding in Portland last weekend, and I just got finished with an intense phone interview for a job. I'll post more when I recover.

Tired of Sex

2005-10-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, this was in the top news headlines. Apparently, Rivers Cuomo is going back to Harvard to finish his English degree. Whoopdeedoo. I guess USC wasn't academic enough for him. The best tidbit in the article is that he's been practicing celibacy since 2003. He thinks it's helping his music. No comment.

Nice shirts

2005-10-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

After linking to the site with the Rory shirt, I noticed that that site has a lot of cool offerings. Check them out.

Come to think of it, I think Ruby Slippers posted something about the baby t's.

Shut up, Rory

2005-10-19T22:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently, there are quite a few of us who are frustrated with Rory's annoyingness this season on the Gilmore Girls. Check this out.

In other exciting GG news, it looks like (SPOILER) Christopher AND Jess are coming back at some point this season. EEEPITY!!! For more (sad, pathetic) insider news on our dear Alexis Bledel, read this.

Rachel, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO TOUR STARS HOLLOW??

Important Voting Question

2005-10-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

Help! I need to vote in this blasted Special Statewide Election on Nov. 8th. However, I'm without a permanent address right now, so I don't know how to go about it. I looked online, and it says that I can vote via absentee IF my current address matches the address on my registration card...what do I do? Who should I call?

Please tell me...I NEED TO VOTE NO on Props 75 and 76, if nothing else.

LOST

2005-10-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

Wow. Tonight's episode of LOST was really solid. I think one of the reason this show really amazes me is that it so seamlessly intertwines the castaways' present situation on the island with their lives before Oceanic 815. I love everything about the flashbacks, from the music used as you head into and out-of one, to their placement within the current storyline. And something about Sun and Jin really gets to me every time. I was completely teared-up when she found her ring. Heck, I almost cried when they looked at each other for the first time. This is my kind of show - action, romance, comedy, suspense, and originality. It also makes me feel like I really have to brush up on my survival skills. How does one go about doing that?

As far as who I think they're going to kill off, I watched the teaser for the next episode very closely, and the voiceover said something like "one of these castaways...will be lost forever." And they showed a bunch of different characters. I noticed that the blonde chick that we just met (from the Michelle Rodriguez-led crew) was pictured. So it could easily be her. I doubt they'd kill Sawyer off - he's too watchable.

And DUDE, Michelle Rodriguez needs to stop being such an a-hole. She bothers me.

I screamed. I cried. I almost wet my pants.

2005-10-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

I don't know why it's taken me so long to post about this, but...

DAMN!!! USC played an AWESOME game on Saturday. I've had to put up with a whole lot of people making comments about that final play, where Reggie Bush allegedly pushed Matt Leinart into endzone, but I don't care. A win is a win. The referees didn't call a penalty, anyway. Besides, there have been PLENTY of flags against USC this season (many of them earned, but several of them, wrongly awarded).

And I'm sorry, but if Notre Dame felt like they had grow out four-inch high grass to slow down our offense, that just shows you who the true champions are.

For kicks, check out this article by the esteemed Daily Trojan. I've been checking on the Notre Dame Observer, but haven't seen any articles post-game yet.

In any case, I'll be there for Homecoming '05. FTFO!!!

Why my dog is hiding under the table...

2005-10-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

...I'm trying to convince him to wear one of these. (via rmc) :o)

Let-down in Elizabethtown

2005-10-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

Last night, Rachel and I saw Elizabethtown. I had pretty high hopes for the film, probably due to the marketing brainwash I've been receiving every time I turn on MTV. I figured that even if Kirsten Dunst annoyed the heck out of me, Orlando Bloom would probably make up for it. And I figured that the soundtrack would be enjoyable, because Cameron Crowe's such a music-head.

After the movie ended, my first reaction was "huh." I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it enough to spend $10 on it and deal with Daly City crowds. I think what surprised Rachel and I the most is that we feel Orlando Bloom was quite wooden throughout the film. We just didn't buy what he was selling. Since so much of the movie revolved around him, this affected almost every scene. Another complaint I have is that we're supposed to feel somehow connected to his mom (played by Susan Sarandon). However, we don't get to know her enough to make any of the strange things she does at all heartwarming or profound.

Other wasted performances include Loudon Wainwright as a man who doesn't understand his free-spirit son and Paul Schneider as the son. (P.S. Schneider looks so familiar, but I can't put my finger on where I've seen him...) I don't think Judy Greer's performance got the focus it should have, either. Also, because of Arrested D., I kept expecting her to flash her boobs at some point in the movie.

Overall, two themes hit me hard and engaged me enough to carry me to the end of the film. Bloom deals with the loss of his father (a major fear of mine) and goes on a road-trip across the U.S. He stops at several places that Brian and I stopped at on our way from Virginia to LA.

The crafter in me got super-excited by the road trip book Kirsten Dunst makes for him...such a good idea! And of course, it made me want to make mix cds and drive cross-country (again). Maybe pop some No-Doz before I go. :o)

Anyway, it's early for me, but I wanted to get my thoughts on the movie out there before I start to forget.

Fred Flare is Your Friend

2005-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Just passing time until it's time to see "Elizabethtown." In checking out my favorite sites, I found the following things to be quite cute (via Fred Flare).

<---"Viva las computadoras!" t-shirt (para la casa)

"I Love Small Talk!" shirt--->

Other favorites:
- cassette tape iPod case (want to make one like this for my future nano)
- retro nintendo watches
- A-Z cd dividers

Me no likey templates

2005-10-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

I apologize in advance for tweaks that I'll be making to my blog. I'm trying to make it "mine." In the process, I'm probably going to stumble across some hideous designs. :o)

I shudder to think

2005-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

From Yahoo! News:

...when it comes time for the actress to give birth in several months, it has been suggested that Holmes will attempt a silent labor in keeping with Scientology tradition.

The practice encourages mothers to be to forgo painkillers and to refrain from screaming or even talking as they bring their children into the world. Scientologists believe that the silence reduces trauma during birth and prevents irrational fears later in life.

Holmes and Cruise have not commented on how they plan to bring their offspring into the world. However, we're thinking Cruise better start practicing his silent couch-jumping routine, just in case.

Just when you thought Scientology couldn't get any crazier.

Movie List

2005-10-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know that I'm huge into making lists. Well, I've mentally been making a list of all the Fall/Winter movies I'm amped to see. I love this point in the movie season when all you have to go on are these fantastic trailers. I'm filled with hope that all these films will actually be worthwhile. Don't ruin my mood.

Must-see Movies (in no particular order - I'm not that OCD):

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (EEEEEP!!!!!)
Harry Potter IV (by far, my favorite book of the series)
Wallace & Gromit (can't believe I haven't seen this yet)
Serenity (my family is obsessed with this series/movie)
In Her Shoes (love Jennifer Weiner)
Elizabethtown (no comment)
Shopgirl
Everything is Illuminated
Good Night and Good Luck
Pride & Prejudice
North Country
Rent
King Kong

Maybe Movies:

A History of Violence
All the King's Men
Thumbsucker
Jarhead
Chicken Little
The Weather Man
Aeon Flux
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
The Family Stone
Memoirs of a Geisha
Casanova

Am I missing any? Do you disagree? Are you wondering why I'm awake so early?

DROOL!!!!!

2005-10-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

The new iPod. Preeeeetty...

Shows I may or may not see

2005-10-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

- Bob Mould Band at The Fillmore on 10/14 (per Brian, this is a must-see)
- Calexico / Iron & Wine at The Warfield on 10/19

Any thoughts?

I <3 FOG

2005-10-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

Not a great shot (it's from my phone), but you get the idea. That's the Millbrae Pancake House, which is across the street from my apt. I'm just across the street, and I can barely make out the signs.

Thanks for waking me up early, Indy. :o)

Craftster has some awesome projects right now

2005-10-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

check 'em out:

Pimped-out kiddie car
Crochet yoda and Amigurumi animals and
Monster pumps

Something tells me, my kids are going to hate me...

2005-10-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

because I think this is awesome, and I'm totally going to dress them up like this. At least for Halloween, but maybe for everyday. :o)

San Bruno just ain't what she used to be

2005-10-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

As I stated earlier, I ventured out of the apt/suite tonight to hunt and gather a few comforting items for myself - mags and coffee. I expected the trip to take 30 minutes, max. I made the mistake of thinking that going to the bookstore at the newly reopened Tanforan mall in San Bruno would be faster than driving all the way to San Mateo to go to the bookstore there. I was so wrong.

Let me tell you a little bit about Tanforan. It actually has quite the interesting history. Taken from the mall's website:

Beginning in the early days of the Spanish occupation of the San Francisco Peninsula, the land was used for raising horses and as a grazing ground for the animals. In 1899, Tanforan Racetrack was opened. The racetrack was financed by Prince Andre Poniatowski and his brother-in-law William H. Crocker. The racetrack was named for Toribo Tanforan, a cowboy from Chile, who is believed to have been an excellent horseman.

Tanforan Racetrack had a long and proud 65-year history, hosting many famous racing horses including Seabiscuit. A statue of Seabiscuit, currently located on the site, will be moved to a place of more prominence as part of the center's renovation. Tanforan Racetrack was the takeoff site of the first West Coast airplane flight.

In 1942, Tanforan Racetrack was used as a temporary relocation center for Bay Area Japanese Americans. A plaque now stands at the center as a reminder of the more than 4,000 Japanese Americans who were assembled there. The plaque will also be moved to a more prominent location as part of the renovation, to recognize the unfortunate decisions made by the United States government during the Second World War.

Tanforan Park Shopping Center was later opened, serving as a new regional mall for the growing Peninsula population. Having gone past its heyday, it was purchased by Wattson Breevast, a development firm committed to creating a new, state-of-the-art center with some of the best national retailers, restaurants, a new cinema and a stunning new architectural design.

That's right. It was a quasi-famous racetrack, the "takeoff point of the first West Coast airplane flight," and A JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMP. And then a mall. And now a super-mall. Have you ever heard such a varied history of a mall site? Minnesota may have the first indoor mall, but I think San Bruno has the first mall built on the site of an internment camp. Not that that's something to be proud of.

Anyway, I'm totally getting off-topic here. The point that I'm trying to make is that the city that I spent the better part of 25 years growing up in is becoming something incredibly generic. What used to be considered the most "ghetto" mall in the area, is now attracting HUGE crowds. I have NEVER seen the parking lot as full as it was tonight. Tanforan used to house stores like "5-7-9" and "Shirtique." Now, it's busting at the seams with American Eagle, Forever 21 and the like. The food court restrooms were known as THE nastiest place to do your business in San Bruno. Now, the floors sparkle and comforting new-age music is piped in to mask not-so-fresh sounds. As I walked through the mall, confused beyond BELIEF about how to get to the bookstore, I realized that I've never felt so out-of-place in my home city.

I should have seen it coming when "The Crossing," a multi-functional mega-complex (apartments, shops, restaurants, etc.) shot up along El Camino. Or even earlier when the once grassy hills and fields along Cherry Ave. grew into one of The Gap's headquarters. Or when I read that what I knew as "Tanforan" was going to be dubbed "The Shops at Tanforan." I guess I chose to ignore these things in hope that it didn't mean what I now know it means.

San Bruno is becoming a Burbank. I think that Burbank has always been cool. Great dive-diners, cool stores, cute apartments. But it wasn't pretentious. People didn't drive from all over the valley to come hang out in Burbank. Burbank's mall was...interesting. A couple of known anchor-stores, some totally random one-offs, and its crowning glory, a creepy carousel on the bottom floor.

Then, all of a sudden, Burbank started "developing." Among other bad omens, construction began on a mega-theater, Urban Outfitters arrived, and worst of all a Macaroni Grill and a P.F. Chang's openned up. I have nothing against either restaurant; however, I feel that the opening of these establishments marked the final nail in the coffin of Burbank's low-key, original feel. I will mourn the day when San Fernando Blvd shops like the movie-memorabilia/used bookstore place have to make way for Jamba Juice and Payless. Where else will I find old stills from Kindergarten Cop and Karate Kid?

Now, I'm feeling the same sort of loss from the changes in my home town. The fact that San Bruno wasn't as "clean and shiny" as some of its neighbor cities was part of its charm. With each destruction of an old building, "reinvention" of another city landmark, and disappearance of a grassy slope, a part of the old San Bruno slips away. And with it, a piece of me, a piece of my childhood, a piece of what I'm only coming to appreciate now.

After hassling with traffic and parking, I came back from my trip to San Bruno, coffee and magazines in hand. But I felt that after running that errand, I lost much more than I gained.

Tonight's conquests

2005-10-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

The new issues of ReadyMade and Domino are out. Hopefully, I'll be able to leave my dog home alone long enough to go grab these. I'm planning on curling up with some hot chocolate from 7-11 (surprisingly good!), my mags, my knitting, and the Gilmore Girls.

I can't wait until I have a permanent address and can once again subscribe to my favorite magazines. Newsstand prices SUCK.

I'm in love

2005-10-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

Curses! I watched the Eukenuba Tournament of Champions (a few times), and have to add yet another breed to the list of types of dogs I would like to adopt over the course of my life.

Meet the "Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen." (this photo, along with many other cuties found here)

Add this breed to my current faves: schnauzers (oldie but goodie), shelties (gotta love them because I have one), australian shepherds, bearded collies and westies. And of course, because of one Casa, the OES. Also, I'd never turn down a "mutt."

As I was listening to my dog sleep this morning, I was struck once again by how much happiness dogs bring to my life. I'm going to need a big house with a bigger yard.

Wake me up when November ends

2005-10-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

All this time being sick has given me time to do a few (selfish, self-centered) things...

I've started a wishlist for Christmas. I don't expect to actually receive any of these things, but hey, it's something to blog about:

-Mike Doughty hoodie
-Mike Doughty shirt
-Christmas in Connecticut dvd (CLASSIC)
-Arrested Development (seasons 1&2)
-iPod nano (a girl can dream)

In other news, I'm now up to three grey hairs. As of a few months ago, I only had one. Watchyagondo.

Job-hunting on Craigslist

2005-10-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Because I'm constantly searching for a job, I also come across some good tips on applying for things. Check this out - great advice on applying for a job via Craigslist (though I think the advice stands for lots of other job sites). Arrrrrrrgggggghhhh. I'm so sick of second-guessing what hiring managers are looking for.

A.H.

2005-10-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, Annie Hall was GREAT. AMAZING. I laughed out loud throughout most of the movie. I picked it up because I was really in the mood for a Woody Allen movie (shocking? yes), and I was not disappointed. I can see how some would find Diane Keaton's character slightly annoying, but I thought her performance was incredible. Of course, I love so much of what she's done, esp. Godfather(s), Baby Boom, and Something's Gotta Give. Sigh. I love it when a movie totally exceeds my expectations.

indie bookstore closings, reopenings

2005-10-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

The Peninsula's outpouring of anger at the closing of a beloved independent bookstore, Kepler's (in Menlo Park), actually made a difference. After being closed a month or so, Kepler's reopened this weekend to a crowd of 500 people. I'm SO glad because this is one of the coolest bookstores in the Bay Area. However, the owners stated that unless patrons change their book buying habits, they may very well have to close again in the future. Signs outside the store proclaimed, "Browse on Amazon, Buy at Kepler's." I'm not one to talk (I just finished editing my wishlist on Amazon). I'm really going to make a effort to make more trips to Kepler's in the future though.

Unfortunately, as I searched online for another favorite independent, I found some sad news. Bound to be Read, on Grand Ave in St. Paul closed its doors this summer. I've only been in there four or five times, but I was amazed at its selection and especially, at the bookseller reviews they had posted all over the store. Something about that place just made me breathe easier. In even more depressing news, the store that's taking its place is EQ-Life. A few months ago, I walked through the EQ-Life store in Edina, wondering if I could find an exercise ball. I felt like I was walking through a store run by a health-conscious cult. It was...weird. If you can, check one out and see what I mean.

tea and sympathy

2005-10-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh. What did I do to deserve this wretched cold? It's GNARLY. I've been in bed for four days now. And I am so SO bored. So bored, in fact, I'm writing in my blog.

This evening, I got up the energy to go to the movie store and rent some dvds (because of the boredom) and almost passed out in the "academy award winners" aisle. I ended up renting "chariots of fire," "8 seconds," and "the longest yard," (for dad, though I too will probably check out COF and TLY). I got "annie hall" and "far from heaven" for myself.

Any of these movies will HAVE to be better than what I've been subjected to on TBS. Three words: The Wedding Planner. It rounds out my top-three worst wedding-related movies of all-time list, rounded out by Monster-in-Law and The Wedding Date.

Since I got sick, I've really REALLY missed my favorite shows that have yet to disappoint...How Do I Look?, Design on a Dime, The Look for Less, and Crafters Coast to Coast. The only reason I can admit to any of these shows is that I know no one will read this. I hope. I've also been all too sad without my weekly dose of Degrassi: The Next Generation.

In other news, I've successfully completed a super-soft scarf for myself, and started ones for dad and brian. It's all about baby alpaca yarn. Unfortunately, I can't knit right now, because as soon as I get in the middle of a row, my nose starts running. I end up having to hold my head back and knit like a mad-woman until I get to the end of the row before being able to wipe. It's all too stressful for the time being.

Well, I'm off to watch Annie Hall and drink "Throat Coat" tea. Wish you were here.

one for Brian's LA list...

2005-03-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

So apparently, Coldplay is playing at the Troubadour in LA tonight at a "secret" show. Each ticket is $10. AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!! (Info courtesy of Defamer). I know this is one of those shows that Brian and I would probably forego because of the assuredly massive number of people who are going to try to get in this show, but still.

minnesOHtah!

2005-03-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, so yes, it's been a long while since my last post. Since then, I quit my job, got two colds and the flu, started going through 25 years of boxes at my house and visited Minnesota twice.

I'm in Minnesota right now, actually. I came here to see Brian and interview for a job. I've had quite a bit of downtime, so I've been taking advantage of Bri's multitudinous TV offerings. Aside from watching the usual (Gilmore Girls, 24, etc.) I have so far managed to catch up on a number of movies. My thoughts regarding these films, in brief:

Matrix: Revolutions - Boy, oh boy. There were WAY too many obvious Biblical references in this movie ("It is done" after Neo dies, etc.). Pretentious and quasi-boring. Too bad.
Alex & Emma - Not terrible, not great. A good sick day chick flick.
Supersize Me - Really incredible. I'm late on this one, I know. I'm so glad I finally saw it. It was funny, informative and gripping. I swore off fast food, then got up to go to the kitchen to bake some cookies.
The Big Bounce - I wanted to like this one, but just couldn't bring myself to. I felt like it fell flat. Random cameo - Willie Nelson.

I've also finally been able to watch the DIY network's "Knitty Gritty," a knitting show hosted by one of my favorite DIY'ers, Vickie Howell. Check out her website for awesome knitting patterns and craft ideas.

Brian and I have also been working on figuring out how to stencil t-shirts. We're almost there, but it's harder than I expected.

Well that's it for now! Brian told me he'd give me $50 if he signed on to my blog and saw that I'd updated it. Let's see how long it takes him! :o)

Career MAPP

2004-09-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

At the suggestion of my therapist, I took an online personality/career test (created by a company in Edina, MN). It was $20, but supposedly, it's worth it. Anyway, here's what it gave me for my top 20 career fields. What do you think?

1 - Musical, Creative: compose, arrange, improvise
2 - Guidance, Counseling: personal, work, school, spiritual
3 - Musical, Vocal: singing, choral, solo, public
4 - Promotion/Publicity: advertise, market, promote
5 - Creative Writing: author; imagination, vocabulary
6 - Kindergarten, Elementary Education: teach, nurture
7 - Dramatics: interpret, portray roles
8 - Interview/Inform: gather, dispense information
9 - Instructive, Fina Arts: drama, art, music
10 - Creative Entertainment: imagination; spontaneous
11 - Demonstration sales: store contact with customers
12 - Radio, TV Announcing: poise, vocabulary, delivery
13 - Secretarial: clerical; minor executive assignments
14 - Customer Services: clerical, duplicating, sending
15 - Modeling: artistic display; fashions, apparel
16 - Musical, Instrumental: professional potential
17 - Training Services: human resource development
18 - Health Physics: safety engineering, occupational
19- Research, Social Science, Psychological
20 - Decorating and Art Work: design, arrange, consult

AH-NEE-MEE-AH

2004-09-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

So, I have been diagnosed with Anemia. I found this out after going to the doctor because I had the flu over Labor Day weekend. Now I'm suffering from a heinous cold. Somebody please give me an immune system injection! Son of a...

Anyway, long story short, I've had quite a bit of time to myself lately. Especially the last few days, because I've been totally house-bound. (Well, okay, I left the house to go to Jo Ann's Fabrics...which was a bad decision because that small errand made my cold get worse). Mostly, it's been me, my dog and my laptop. Thankfully, my internet connection has been working.

The last few days have included a whole lotta laptop/dvd watching and internet surfing. Here are some highlights. I know they're going to make me sound dead sexy...

- Watched Star Wars/George Lucas worshipmentary on bonus disc (p.s. my old USC professor, Leo Braudy is one of the interviewees on that documentary! He is famous for making my class memorize the first 18 lines of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English. And making us recite them in public.)
- Watched A New Hope on laptop...still makes me tear up after all these years...
- Watched Mean Girls...sooo good! "Oh my God - Danny DeVito! I love your work!"
- Watched Office Space. Am depressed at how much my job is like those guys' jobs. It's all about the Cathy comic that's on the wall of one of the cubicles as it's going up in flames. There must be a few hundred women at every workplace who are inspired by Cathy - a fictional woman whose main concerns in life are losing weight and finding a man. Hey, those may be realistic concerns, but let's not publicize it, ok?
- Found some cool new websites (mostly craft-related):

Craft Blog
Cool (Hipster - ack!) Sewing Patterns (I'm determined to make the skirt)
Sweet Duct Tape Wallet instructions...from CANADA!

The highlight of my weekend was last night, when USC was able to pull themselves out of a jam and beat the Stanford Cardinals. Thank goodness! It was a really fun game to watch, and Stanford played quite well. College football rocks!! (Esp. when the 49ers are losing games this badly...sigh). Sad part of it was that I had tickets to the game, but had to miss it because of the blasted cold. BAH!

That's my update for now. Not very exciting, but hey, I'm sick.

Tanfastic!

2004-09-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today was awesome. Some highlights:

Went to the Mtn View Art & Wine Fest with April and Donnie (beautiful location, fantastic company)
Bought really cool, unique jewelry (photos to come)
Ate terriyaki chicken skewer and drank fresh lemonade - mmmm...
Laughed at booths with ridiculous themes ("Soaps On!" "Cassanova Jewelry") and marveled at how people are able to make livings selling puffy-painted socks
Drank boba
Went to Kepler's bookstore in Menlo Park where I purchased the new Art Spiegelman book, In the Shadow of No Towers (totally worth checking out), as well as the new Ready Made and Giant Robot magazine (The Brian issue - featuring a photo of Bri, his top-5 list, and as well as a page of witty, irreverent anime reviews!!)
Ate (again) at Borrone - veggie melt and Mexican mocha...heavenly
Took the "pretty way" home (it's all about 280)
My car turned 100,000 miles!
Purchased tickets to see Death Cab for Cutie at the Warfield (EEP!!)

All in all, a great day. :o)

(Not all that exciting to you, but definitely something I want to be able to look back on and read about when I'm having a bad day...)

Freakin' idiot!

2004-09-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

Is it possible for a movie to make you happy? Not just any movie.

Tonight I finally saw Napoleon Dynamite. Brilliant. I had to bite my lip to keep from annoying the entire theater with my loud-ass laugh. I will see this movie at LEAST one more time in the theater, and then will rush out and purchase the director's cut dvd when it's released.

If you haven't seen it yet, please PLEASE stop denying yourself one hour and forty-one minutes of absolute pleasure.

Glory Be!

2004-08-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Cool bathroom gadgets!

Gold Medal for the Greek

2004-08-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. The Greek Theatre in Berkeley is amazing. I already knew this - I've had several other incredible experiences there (Live, Counting Crows, Harry Connick Jr, etc.), but tonight was by far the most beautiful, breath-taking night I've ever spent there. The weather was about 78 degrees; the sky was so clear I could see pockets of stars, and the view of the bay was unbelievable. If only the music delivered as much as my surroundings did.

Rickey and I had a really hard time finding parking...we ended up circling for a looong time (which was after accidentally missing our exit, going through the tunnel and into orinda; turning around and making our way back). We ended up parking on campus in a spot that didn't cost us a dime (major plus - parking around there is usually at least $15).

Once we got inside the venue, I grabbed us a couple burritos and drinks and we headed up to the lawn area to find our friends. Unfortunately, a bunch of drunk sorostitutes nabbed the area our friends were trying to save for us, so we had to sit about 20 feet apart. We proceeded to attempt to make ourselves as comfortable as possible while sitting on what felt like a 90 degree incline. There were several points throughout the night when I was certain I was going to see someone take a major spill trying to get to their friends down that incline. Unfortunately, no one actually did.

Soon after we got settled, G-Love and The Special Sauce went on. They were really fun to hear. I especially liked the song "Booty Call." G-Love is amazing on the harmonica and really got the crowd pumped for Jack Johnson. In between G and J's sets, a surf documovie played on this huge drop-down screen, which kind of lulled me into a sleeeeeepy haze. It was either that or the contact high I was getting from sitting around a bunch of stoners.

When Jack came on stage, I was pretty excited. However, after one song, Rickey made an excellent point. "He kind of sounds exactly like his CDs..." That was the last thing I heard before I collapsed on the grass and fell asleep. No, just kidding. But almost. Most of Jack's songs aren't very upbeat...good music for hanging out on the beach, but not really for trying to stay awake on a Friday night after a long day at work. Overall, it was a cool show, but didn't totally hold my interest like I wanted it to.

A couple highlights from the evening:
- The stoner in front of us was wearing a Michael Stipe-esque hat. Also, when he got back from using the restroom, he couldn't find his girlfriend. He kept saying to himself (right behind us) "Wherrisshee?" Rickey finally pointed him in the right direction (right in front of him).
- Jack Johnson played Sublime's Badfish - I sang every word.
- At the end, this dude came on stage and accompanied Jack on the accordion.
- I seriously think I got a tiny bit of a contact high because for about 15 minutes everything Rickey said sounded like the funniest thing ever. He could have said "potato pancake" and I would have been rolling.
- We didn't get lost on the way home.

take THAT!!

2004-08-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Another reason to hate/love BMWs and iPods

2004-08-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

I can't wait for other car companies (toyota!) to get on board with this idea. It would also be cool if it were multi-platform, not just exclusive to iPods.

RESUMANIA!!

2004-08-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially begun. I am in the process of updating my resume. I'm realizing that I only have two jobs to put on there (as I'm assuming no one cares about my stints at Jamba Juice and Bath & Body Works).

This task has been staring at me in the face for sooo long, and I've just been too overwhelmed to start on it. As I figured, starting it is the hardest part. My first draft is almost done!

In other exciting day-off news, I took bart into the city and proceeded to get myself lost, even though from the bart station I was only 0.3 miles from my final destination. 0.3 turned into 1.3 as I went in the opposite direction and had to call my personal gps-tracking system (brian) to help me find my way back. The streets were fillllled with crazy people. One man with a lazy eye and sufficiently gigantic curly hair looked me up and down and proclaimed for all to hear: "Beautifull!! You're BEAUTIFUL!!!" That's what he said, but he actually sounded like" "Beauful!! Yer BEUUFUL!!" At another point, I was convinced that I was within 5 feet of "street urine" and "sidewalk feces." Put that on a postcard from the Foggy City.

I proceeded to finally find my old roommate, and have lunch at Max's with her and her boyfriend. It was great to see her, but with her boyfriend there, I couldn't be too candid about what's been going on in my life. After lunch, I fought the urge to shop Union Square (and won!) and made my way back home.

Later this afternoon, I got it in my head to go to Costco (BAD IDEA) because on a Monday afternoon, how busy could it be? (INCREDIBLY) Once I was there, I wasn't going to be put off, though. I bought a couple bags of dried mango, 4 boxes of cereal, a book on crafts, the book called "Eregon" that I've been wanting to read for a while, grapes, and edamame. I really wanted to get Bill Clinton's book on CD, but resisted for now, as it's a wee bit expensive. He reads it himself, though, which I think would be really interesting to hear.

All in all, a pretty productive day.

I'm rewarding myself with Mr. Pizza Man pepperoni pizza. (One for me, one for my homey, B).

Top 5 Concerts I Wish I Could Have Seen

2004-08-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

This list changes all the time, but today it's:

5. Soul Coughing
4. Sarah Vaughn
3. Elvis
2. Ella Fitzgerald w/Louis Armstrong
1. Jeff Buckley

What's your list?

el movimiento de la casa

2004-08-21T21:13:00.001-07:00

A week ago I had to say goodbye to my best friend. Maybe someday I'll be able to write about it. For now, here are a couple photos from the day before the move...

Apt C

2004-08-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

my "castaway" brian...

rock the vote

2004-08-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

Awesome Nikki McClure poster in the window of the SF Virgin Megastore...

(if you look closely, you can see my reflection)

depressing:

2004-08-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

toys are out. video games are in.

On my mind

2004-08-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

Two things on my mind right now:

1) Brian is F*$%ing brilliant (those of you who received his invitation/flyer to his goodbye "open house" can surely attest).

2) I'm real pissed that the San Bruno Longs Drugs totally remodeled, looks nothing like what it's looked like my entire life, and now the employees wear lame blue polos instead of the ROCKIN' green vests and smocks of old. (See image below).

GREEN VESTS (courtesy of Longs.com)

You can find me in the club

2004-08-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Recap of this weekend's activities:

Thursday (the weekend started early): Went on a work "offsite" to City Beach in Fremont. City Beach is like a more athletically-inclined Dave & Busters. Played ping-pong, virtual bowling (lame), ate lunch and had a meeting to discuss 2005 strategy. Had a good time, though I'm disappointed we didn't get to take advantage of all City Beach has to offer - rock climbing, volleyball, basketball, BADMINTON (personal fave) and foosball. Best moment was watching our admin expertly dominate all of us in ping-poing, while never spilling her cosmo.

Right after City Beach, I headed over to my friend's 30th birthday party at Texas Roadhouse. From there, scooted to bowling, where we lost 3 out of 4. Worst part of it was that we got whooped by a team with a bunch of girls that have never been really good (they were exceptionally good that night and also had the benefit of a large handicap...but I digress).

Friday: Friday night, went to Teatro Zinzanni with April and her family. Teatro Zinzanni is a five-course dinner theatre extravaganza, very much in the vein of Moulin Rouge. I had a great time - the performers were incredibly talented in an obscure European-circus kind of way. There were amazing acrobatics, costumes, personalities and songs - all very sexually charged. The 12 and 13 year-old boys that were with us were simultaneously repulsed and fascinated by all the double-entendre. The best parts of the show definitely had to do with the forced audience interaction. They chose men and women from the audience at different points, and made them do funky dances, get seduced by some of the performers, etc. Luckily, I wasn't chosen. I probably would have kicked the MC in the shins and made a break for it if I had. Overall, it was an incredibly enjoyable evening. (It didn't hurt that my ticket was free).

Saturday: Went on a wild goose-chase to get R's son a gift for his birthday party - but to no avail. Darn those dumbass skaters. I went to DLX in search of a beginner skate video, and arrived to find a note taped to the door stating "Out for a quick lunch - back in less than 10 minutes." Twenty-five minutes later, I find myself, still waiting for this blockhead to come back to the store. Long story short, the poop CASUALLY skates up looks at me standing outside the store and says "That was delicious" in a really snotty tone. I snapped "I hope SO" at him and followed him inside to find two skate videos, neither of which are appropriate for a 7 year-old. Bah. Then, on to Fremont for the birthday party. There's no worse feeling than arriving late to a little boy's birthday party empty-handed. What a schmuck.

Saturday Night: Bachelorette party. More details soon. Hands tired.

Cool shirt

2004-08-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Nice design, a great message and a cool band to boot.

Check it out.

P.S. Brian and I met the bassist for Death Cab at the Comic-Con! He was really nice!

SWEEEET

2004-08-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ralph Fiennes to play Voldemort in Harry Potter IV!

I first fell in love with him when I saw him play Heathcliff opposite Juliet Binoche's Catherine in Wuthering Heights. So dark, so moody. RMK and I went to see a preview screening of The English Patient in SF, and I was so excited before the movie started, I turned to her and said, "My stomach hurts, Rafe." Instead of "Rach." Without missing a beat she said, "I have a headache Jared (Leto)." Those were the days...

...worth...

2004-08-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

I spent a lot of today pondering the idea of "worth." As I sat at my desk fielding calls from angry internal partners, wincing at their harsh words until I began to numb completely, I started thinking...isn't my life worth more than this? Isn't my time worth more than this? God gifted me with a brain that seeks to be challenged and a heart that yearns to do something worthy in the world. I feel absolutely stymied as to what to do with these gifts, though I'm pretty sure I'm not using them adequately in marketing.

I'm tired of working with people who spend more time pointing fingers than lending a helping hand. Finished with the cover-your-ass culture and attempting to "think out of the box" when every fiber of that building is set on shoving you back into the box as soon as you start to make your way out. Exhausted from towing the corporate line when training fresh-faced recent college graduates. I remember when I saw things from their point of view. I remember how quickly I became disillusioned by the industry...no matter what the community relations department does, no matter who we create "exclusive partnerships" with, at the end of the day, it's all about dollar bills.

This job makes me want to retreat to a cabin in the woods and knit, write, create, make music, make love, make anything and not worry about buying, selling, promoting, invoicing.

Why do I have to have a job like this to be able to afford my doctor, therapist, psychiatrist, chiropractor habits?

I need to just get off my duff and quit. I'm sure my friends and family are sick of hearing how much my job sucks. Hell, I'm sick of it.

Photos from Comic-Con

2004-08-02T10:16:00.001-07:00

Bri at LOTR Booth

2004-08-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Star Wars Pavilion

2004-08-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Me and Aragorn

2004-08-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Me and R2 at the San Diego Comic-Con

Cubicle World - Episode II: The Phantom Stapler

2004-07-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

The email below is not a joke. It was actually sent to my entire Marketing Dept. Another snapshot of some of the daily heartbreaks in a cold corporate jungle...

To: MKTG All team
Subject: MISSING: Heavy Duty Stapler

Please disregard this message if it does not pertain to you.

A black heavy duty stapler is missing from the Traffic area. It was located on a desk next to Beverly Richardson's cubicle.

Please return to me (Jennifer) as soon as possible, as it is used on a daily basis in our department.

Thank You !
Jennifer Jackson
Project Coordinator III

Proof that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.

2004-07-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

So, my master plan for uploading a bunch of fun photos from Comic-Con has been thwarted. I got my film developed at Longs, and instead of giving me burned copies of my photos on a CD, they just gave me blank CDs. Maybe I'll just buy a scanner. BAH!

Moooovies

2004-07-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

In my humble opinion, this review of "The Village" by Rogert Ebert is Ebrific.

Not sure if I want to spend the money on that one. However, I'm absolutely positive I want to see this.

Go ahead, Brian. Make your jokes.

Happy Friday!

Bizutti is his Italian name

2004-07-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

The photo that is tacked to my cube wall. His name is Indy.

A day started with "Tuesday Team Time" can't be good

2004-07-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

A snapshot of corporate life for those of you who haven't had the blessed opportunity to experience it for yourselves...

Climbed out of the car, soy latte in hand at 8:57. Got to my desk just in time to head off to "Tuesday Team Time," a concept that my bosses thought up to try and create a stonger bond between the 20 or so people in my department. We all stand around in a circle outside the cafeteria and discuss a topic that one of the managers picks out. Last week, it was "What is the best thing that has happened at our company so far this year?" Today's topic wasn't quite as bad as other days...we just basically stood in a circle and talked about good movies that are out. (Why does everyone like Butterfly Effect so much? I'm lost.) I stood in the outer part of the circle, silent. Rubbing my eyes and wondering if people truly are excited to be there, or if they're just faking it like me. As you can see, I'm workin' real hard to have an "optimistic" attitude (very difficult at this job).

Anyway, after 15 minutes of movie chit-chat, I headed back to my desk to start working. Wow, I already have a voicemail, I thought to myself. It was 9:22. The voicemail was from the record company saying that the music we have in our commercials hasn't been correctly licensed. Hmmmmmm. The day went downhill from there. What started out as a smoking cigarette butt turned into a brushfire that swallowed my cubicle whole. Everyone wanted a piece of us, and the only name they had to call was mine.

All of this, amidst calls from shopping malls where we're hosting events telling us they have lots of questions and need a plethora of forms signed five minutes ago. "Well, are you SURE the van won't leave oil marks on the sidewalks? Can you sign this form guaranteeing it?" "How loud will the music be? There will be no offensive lyrics, right? Can you sign this form promising that?" "They won't be handing out stickers, will they? Can you send us your confirmation in an email so we have a record of it?"

How hard should a radio remote be? Not very. How hard is it turning out to be? Very. If I never do a mall event again, it will truly be too soon.

I ended my work day, cross-eyed, at 6:00 pm. The phone was still ringing when I left.

Get out from under the Bullseye!

2004-07-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Strange...

http://www.targetunion.org/index.php?meid=3

SPELL.CHECK.

** NOTE: It was brought to my attention that this link is now dead. The Man strikes again! GET OUT FROM UNDER THE BULLSEYE!! (7/27 - 10:00pm)

Weekend at Brian's (Pre Comic-Con)

2004-07-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

It was a whirlwind weekend, and I still haven't fully recovered.

Friday began with an early trip to Oakland airport where upon arrival I zipped through security. Sometimes it pays to have travelled so much you know all the shortcuts to checking in. My flight to Burbank was on time AND not full - just about as much as you can ask for on a Friday. I flew down sitting one seat away from a woman who, before we took off, was talking in very hushed tones on her cellphone. She spoke of the sale of a company and how the employees would take the news; and about what kind of severance packages they would offer. Immediately, I was convinced that she was talking about MY company. I tried desperately to listen in, but before I could get any concrete information, she hung up the phone. I guess I'll just have to wait until August 2nd to find out.

Brian met me at the baggage claim...so cute standing against a column, listening to his new Dell DJ. We headed from the airport to Giant Robot so he could get some work done before our much-anticipated double-date with his best friend and his girlfriend. I proceeded to try to stay out of the way while he worked hard at watching court tv...I mean website updates.

Brian was able to leave "a tiny bit early" from work (though I think 6 hours early is a squeege more than "tiny"...okay, okay 5 hours early). We headed back to his place, rotisseried ourselves in his apartment for a while and then got ready for the DD with Alex. We had a lot of fun with Alex and Alison. Brian said he tried hard not to talk about totally obscure only-Alex-and-Brian-know-what-each-other-is-talking-about stuff and I think he did a pretty good job. Pretty good. There were still plenty of moments when Alison and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Gotta love our men. Afterwards, we went "Swinger Bowling" (per Brian and Alex) at Pickwick. You see, in "Swinger Bowling" couples have to switch partners and play against each other. So it was Alex and I against Brian and Alison. Brian and Alison won. I blame my score on the annoying teenagers in the lane next to us. The guys acted as retarded as they possibly could (in clothes four times too big for them), while the girls acted as skanky as they could (in clothes two sizes too small for them). I think I saw more "small of the back" tattoos on those girls than I've seen in the last three months combined. Anyway, I call for a rematch! On a Tuesday afternoon when the teens are at school!

From there, we were on to Brian's apartment for Trivial Pursuit-20th anniversary edition. This time, Brian and I took Alex and Alison.

After A2 left, Brian and I collapsed into sleep, hoping to get as many hours as possible before our trip to COMIC-CON...