Hi, folks! I fell of the edge of the world for a while, but I am stilll here! Between work and computer issues, I just haven't been able to do more than log in occasionally. I've moved into an apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, been working like a madman and looking for a new job with less stress, fighting in the SCA, and dating a bit.
I won an all-expenses-paid trip to a resort on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia (sales contest at work). I took my friend Manya, and it was amazing. I didn't realize it was possible to relax that much. All I had to do for most of 5 days was eat and sleep and swim and screw. One thing I had to do was go to dinner with the other contest winners, aboard a ship that was used in the first two Pirates of the Caribbean movies. All in all, sweeeeeeeet.
I won an all-expenses-paid trip to a resort on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia (sales contest at work). I took my friend Manya, and it was amazing. I didn't realize it was possible to relax that much. All I had to do for most of 5 days was eat and sleep and swim and screw. One thing I had to do was go to dinner with the other contest winners, aboard a ship that was used in the first two Pirates of the Caribbean movies. All in all, sweeeeeeeet.
Wow, only three days in my new position as the slavedriver of Irvine, and I'm ready for a vacation. Actually, I was already ready for a real vacation while I was on my whirlwind Christmas vacation (from L.A. to Biloxi to Atlanta to Biloxi and back to L.A. in 5 days). What I want now is time to absorb all that I've observed over the last week, put my thoughts in order, and return with a complete plan of attack for the next six months. Of course, I can't just close up shop to make time for such frivolity, so I'll be flying by the seat of my pants as usual
My hotel is across the street from the Irvine Spectrum, the heart of Plasticdom on Earth. Driving around at lunch and getting groceries here is a little unsettling - I'm close enough to my old neighborhoods to have some significant deja vu, but the areas I knew better are the ones where I am most disoriented by all of the little changes.
For that matter, buying groceries to bring back to your hotel room is wierd.
Christmas was sweet; it was the first time my Dad, both my brothers, and I were together in the same place in almost 5 years. I'm a grand uncle already, but I didn't get to meet the new grand nephew this time. I need to go back more often!
Looks like a busy weekend - going to Auggie & Rachel's party Friday, 12th Night Saturday, 12th Night party in Bakersfield Saturday night, and back to Palmdale Sunday to pack and get some projects done (the parts for Grim's helm and cutting fabric, in particular).
My hotel is across the street from the Irvine Spectrum, the heart of Plasticdom on Earth. Driving around at lunch and getting groceries here is a little unsettling - I'm close enough to my old neighborhoods to have some significant deja vu, but the areas I knew better are the ones where I am most disoriented by all of the little changes.
For that matter, buying groceries to bring back to your hotel room is wierd.
Christmas was sweet; it was the first time my Dad, both my brothers, and I were together in the same place in almost 5 years. I'm a grand uncle already, but I didn't get to meet the new grand nephew this time. I need to go back more often!
Looks like a busy weekend - going to Auggie & Rachel's party Friday, 12th Night Saturday, 12th Night party in Bakersfield Saturday night, and back to Palmdale Sunday to pack and get some projects done (the parts for Grim's helm and cutting fabric, in particular).
Wow, I have hardly been here for a month. I feel like a complete slacker. Of course, that may have to do with me slacking...
I finally feel like I've kicked the chest cold I've had for a couple of weeks, but I am really beat. I have been run down, and then I worked all weekend doing inventory. I am so looking forward to flying back east for Christmas, just to get away and get some sleep!
Work finally decided that it's worth paying me what I wanted to move south and manage our Irvine location. My income should just about double (with bonuses, it's hard to be precise), which makes the Orange County real estate prices more than worthwhile! I will have a real challenge turning the place around, but I believe I'm up to it if I'm given a free hand. It will make work more exciting!
I'll start working in Irvine and staying down there the first week of January. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I do kind of dread moving. I have all sorts of crafty projects that I want to finish ASAP, because I will not be able to work on many of them in a hotel room - any that do not get done before the new year are likely to wait until I've found a new place and moved. Hopefully I can find a place in time to move for the beginning of February.
I finally feel like I've kicked the chest cold I've had for a couple of weeks, but I am really beat. I have been run down, and then I worked all weekend doing inventory. I am so looking forward to flying back east for Christmas, just to get away and get some sleep!
Work finally decided that it's worth paying me what I wanted to move south and manage our Irvine location. My income should just about double (with bonuses, it's hard to be precise), which makes the Orange County real estate prices more than worthwhile! I will have a real challenge turning the place around, but I believe I'm up to it if I'm given a free hand. It will make work more exciting!
I'll start working in Irvine and staying down there the first week of January. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I do kind of dread moving. I have all sorts of crafty projects that I want to finish ASAP, because I will not be able to work on many of them in a hotel room - any that do not get done before the new year are likely to wait until I've found a new place and moved. Hopefully I can find a place in time to move for the beginning of February.
Sweet Jesus with french fries - I just saw Borat. The fight scene was the biggest surprise of the movie, and I am not sure how deeply it has scarred me. Two thumbs up, and a shoe.
I was hoping to see Casino Royale, but now that's on for Sunday with Kurt and Kitty. Tomorrow I'm riding up to Ridgecrest with Kurt and Gene (if he gets moving in time).
I haven't written anything in a long time, but I think I may have some ideas brewing in this brain of mine. I have to be in a certain state of equilibrium to write anything but crap, so we'll see if I arrive there any time soon.
I was hoping to see Casino Royale, but now that's on for Sunday with Kurt and Kitty. Tomorrow I'm riding up to Ridgecrest with Kurt and Gene (if he gets moving in time).
I haven't written anything in a long time, but I think I may have some ideas brewing in this brain of mine. I have to be in a certain state of equilibrium to write anything but crap, so we'll see if I arrive there any time soon.
This is a very good day to be Friday. Just in the nick of time, I swear.
It was a good weekend. Saturday's drive down to El Cajon was not bad, Coronation proceeded smoothly, and ended in a timely fashion. It was a real relief to be relieved of guarding duty. We went to check in to the hotel afterward, and I headed over to Patrick's. Not long after the pizza showed up, I was nodding on the couch - and I knew it was not a safe place to nap, so I went and crashed in my car for about 90 minutes. I had about 3 hours of sleep Friday, and short sleep for a few nights before, so that little bit was a big help. I went back in and stayed until maybe 2 in the morning before heading back to the hotel. It was a very good time until it all went horribly wrong - Helga found out that I'm ticklish. Marines have only one response to this kind of knowledge, but I lived.
Sunday, the weather at the park was nicer than last week. I thought the tourney was very clean, and it moved at a good pace. I missed fighting in the guard vs. chivalry melee, but it was bearable because I had slept until almost 9! I challenged Helga to a duel without tickling, which did not go as planned - we ended up fighting in the third round, and I managed to completely blind myself with my brat (only the second time that's ever happened in tourney). I could only laugh at the folly of my vanity, and yield the fight. Since we were fighting for one another for the day, I didn't feel too bad about it. I had warmed up with Sir Wilhelm Skallagrimm, Elegrim, and one or two others. I challenged Sir Patrick first round. He matched me with single-sword, and I hit him in the head as he landed a good blow to my leg (actually hit my hand, but it should not have been there). Second round, I fought Michel Philippe, who kept his shield. It was a great fight, which I won narrowly. I fought Andrew Baird in the fourth round. He matched me single-sword, and we had a good fight. We double-killed once (his shot was very nice, he chose to take a head shot I was not sure about. I was throwing, but I was distracted by him whacking me), and then I killed him cleanly. My fifth round fight against Haraald was comically short - he kept his shield, and he threw a wrap that I completely bought as a flat snap, and that was all she wrote for me. I had some fun pickups with Sir Gamel, Sir Richard Kyle of the Wilderness (or maybe Robert Kyle, he was a fun sword and buckler fight who lives in Artemisia but came from Caid originally), and a little bear-pit action. I was well done by the time I shucked my armor.
While I was there, I got to visit with people a bit, and started making plans for my squiring at Estrella (Thank you Issiya!!). Ciar and I went to dinner with Rhys, Jimena, the baby formerly known as Trogdor, and Christian. The drive home was long with a bellyful of BJ's pizza, but we traded off at San Clemente, and then I drove the rest of the way after dropping Ciar off in Torrance.
Monday, I skipped practice in favor of job hunting, convention prep, and sleep!
Tuesday night I headed down to Long Beach after work and met up with some colleague-types for dinner & drinks. In a foreshadowing of the evenings to come, this went fairly late. Colleen, from the marketing firm used by my company, was very complimentary when she met me - evidently, my work for the proofing group and our email correspondence had impressed her (I think she'd have been all over me if I was 20 years older). She made one of those sort of joking, "If you ever need a job, call me" comments that I had to ponder. Her company operates out of Florida, which I'm not wild about. I'll have to send her an email this coming week.
I'd found out Tuesday that the SG Burlesque show I had tickets for Wednesday was cancelled, which really annoyed me. I was really looking forward to it, and Ticketmonster kept my 'processing fee' for nothing. I am not interested in seeing the show next month with Guns'N'Roses at the Universal, either. Drat.
I had hoped to see Orange County friends one of those nights, but it was a bit too hectic to make plans, and I ended up going out with industry people each night. The convention itself was decent, with a lot of people showing up that I haven't seen face-to-face in some time. The convention definitely taught me one thing - I am too good for my job. Not too good a person, I just have skills and talents that are totally wasted there. I am getting out, SOON.
It was a good weekend. Saturday's drive down to El Cajon was not bad, Coronation proceeded smoothly, and ended in a timely fashion. It was a real relief to be relieved of guarding duty. We went to check in to the hotel afterward, and I headed over to Patrick's. Not long after the pizza showed up, I was nodding on the couch - and I knew it was not a safe place to nap, so I went and crashed in my car for about 90 minutes. I had about 3 hours of sleep Friday, and short sleep for a few nights before, so that little bit was a big help. I went back in and stayed until maybe 2 in the morning before heading back to the hotel. It was a very good time until it all went horribly wrong - Helga found out that I'm ticklish. Marines have only one response to this kind of knowledge, but I lived.
Sunday, the weather at the park was nicer than last week. I thought the tourney was very clean, and it moved at a good pace. I missed fighting in the guard vs. chivalry melee, but it was bearable because I had slept until almost 9! I challenged Helga to a duel without tickling, which did not go as planned - we ended up fighting in the third round, and I managed to completely blind myself with my brat (only the second time that's ever happened in tourney). I could only laugh at the folly of my vanity, and yield the fight. Since we were fighting for one another for the day, I didn't feel too bad about it. I had warmed up with Sir Wilhelm Skallagrimm, Elegrim, and one or two others. I challenged Sir Patrick first round. He matched me with single-sword, and I hit him in the head as he landed a good blow to my leg (actually hit my hand, but it should not have been there). Second round, I fought Michel Philippe, who kept his shield. It was a great fight, which I won narrowly. I fought Andrew Baird in the fourth round. He matched me single-sword, and we had a good fight. We double-killed once (his shot was very nice, he chose to take a head shot I was not sure about. I was throwing, but I was distracted by him whacking me), and then I killed him cleanly. My fifth round fight against Haraald was comically short - he kept his shield, and he threw a wrap that I completely bought as a flat snap, and that was all she wrote for me. I had some fun pickups with Sir Gamel, Sir Richard Kyle of the Wilderness (or maybe Robert Kyle, he was a fun sword and buckler fight who lives in Artemisia but came from Caid originally), and a little bear-pit action. I was well done by the time I shucked my armor.
While I was there, I got to visit with people a bit, and started making plans for my squiring at Estrella (Thank you Issiya!!). Ciar and I went to dinner with Rhys, Jimena, the baby formerly known as Trogdor, and Christian. The drive home was long with a bellyful of BJ's pizza, but we traded off at San Clemente, and then I drove the rest of the way after dropping Ciar off in Torrance.
Monday, I skipped practice in favor of job hunting, convention prep, and sleep!
Tuesday night I headed down to Long Beach after work and met up with some colleague-types for dinner & drinks. In a foreshadowing of the evenings to come, this went fairly late. Colleen, from the marketing firm used by my company, was very complimentary when she met me - evidently, my work for the proofing group and our email correspondence had impressed her (I think she'd have been all over me if I was 20 years older). She made one of those sort of joking, "If you ever need a job, call me" comments that I had to ponder. Her company operates out of Florida, which I'm not wild about. I'll have to send her an email this coming week.
I'd found out Tuesday that the SG Burlesque show I had tickets for Wednesday was cancelled, which really annoyed me. I was really looking forward to it, and Ticketmonster kept my 'processing fee' for nothing. I am not interested in seeing the show next month with Guns'N'Roses at the Universal, either. Drat.
I had hoped to see Orange County friends one of those nights, but it was a bit too hectic to make plans, and I ended up going out with industry people each night. The convention itself was decent, with a lot of people showing up that I haven't seen face-to-face in some time. The convention definitely taught me one thing - I am too good for my job. Not too good a person, I just have skills and talents that are totally wasted there. I am getting out, SOON.
Black Sabbath's Paranoid is a perfect heavy metal song - maybe not the ultimate, but just so satisfying.
I'm guardedly optimistic about the outcome of the elections. The Democrats are no angels, but I'll sleep better knowing the whole show is not controlled by one party. Bush was on the radio tallking about "victory in Iraq", which I thought was kind of innappropriate, like referring to "victory in lunch". I mean, there's still the possibility of success, but there's no more war - the insurgency is not going to end with a peace treaty!
So, I finally finished Kolfinna's shield! It's not everything I dreamed it could be, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I'll see what she thinks of it soon enough...
I love making things, especially functional ones like the shield. It's just so satisfying to take an idea, a bunch of tools and raw materials, and the skills I've acquired, and make something of them. When I'm in that groove of making, I am completely happy, except for the frustration when things don't work the way I believe they should!
Got a busy week coming up -
Saturday - Coronation in San Diego, party after?
Sunday - Queen's Champion Tourney, head home
Monday - Burbank practice after work
Tuesday - Head down to hotel in Long Beach after work
Wednesday - Work at the EHXpo (Long Beach), show at the Key Club in LA
Thursday & Friday - Work the rest of the show, work my job leads & contacts, head home
Saturday - Frost Dragon Touney in Ridgecrest
See? Not that I'm complaining, mind you.
I'm guardedly optimistic about the outcome of the elections. The Democrats are no angels, but I'll sleep better knowing the whole show is not controlled by one party. Bush was on the radio tallking about "victory in Iraq", which I thought was kind of innappropriate, like referring to "victory in lunch". I mean, there's still the possibility of success, but there's no more war - the insurgency is not going to end with a peace treaty!
So, I finally finished Kolfinna's shield! It's not everything I dreamed it could be, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I'll see what she thinks of it soon enough...
I love making things, especially functional ones like the shield. It's just so satisfying to take an idea, a bunch of tools and raw materials, and the skills I've acquired, and make something of them. When I'm in that groove of making, I am completely happy, except for the frustration when things don't work the way I believe they should!
Got a busy week coming up -
Saturday - Coronation in San Diego, party after?
Sunday - Queen's Champion Tourney, head home
Monday - Burbank practice after work
Tuesday - Head down to hotel in Long Beach after work
Wednesday - Work at the EHXpo (Long Beach), show at the Key Club in LA
Thursday & Friday - Work the rest of the show, work my job leads & contacts, head home
Saturday - Frost Dragon Touney in Ridgecrest
See? Not that I'm complaining, mind you.
Well, it was a very busy Saturday!
I drove down to San Diego for the event (after waiting until 9am for the freakin' pharmacy to open) and made it in plenty of time, since the day was off to a bit of a slow start. I went to 5th round in a kind of odd triple elimination list, fighting for Dame Ismay. I won against Phaelan and Nils Reiter; then lost to Sir Ashraf, Sir Drogo, and Sir Ashraf again! I'm not sure how lists made that happen, but no matter. I got in a decent amount of pick-ups before getting out of armor, and I got to visit with Ewe a bit. Also met her friend Trielle, whose name I can only guess how to spell. I left much earlier than I usually would so I could get a shower and head back up to Irvine for my 10-year high school reunion.
The reunion was kind of fascinating - as I told some people there, it was like looking at everyone in a funhouse mirror. Probably a quarter of our graduating class showed up, and I realized that there were a good many people I shared the school with for years but never really met. A number of people thought I had grown since graduation - ironic, since I know for a fact that I was 6' then and I'm 6' now. I think it had to do with standing up straight and looking people in the eye (which I did little of back then), and filling out a little.
There were so many people engaged or married, I felt old for already having progressed to divorce. Even stranger because I was a year younger than most of my classmates!
I'm glad I went! I hope to keep in touch with a few people, which I did not the last time around.
I drove down to San Diego for the event (after waiting until 9am for the freakin' pharmacy to open) and made it in plenty of time, since the day was off to a bit of a slow start. I went to 5th round in a kind of odd triple elimination list, fighting for Dame Ismay. I won against Phaelan and Nils Reiter; then lost to Sir Ashraf, Sir Drogo, and Sir Ashraf again! I'm not sure how lists made that happen, but no matter. I got in a decent amount of pick-ups before getting out of armor, and I got to visit with Ewe a bit. Also met her friend Trielle, whose name I can only guess how to spell. I left much earlier than I usually would so I could get a shower and head back up to Irvine for my 10-year high school reunion.
The reunion was kind of fascinating - as I told some people there, it was like looking at everyone in a funhouse mirror. Probably a quarter of our graduating class showed up, and I realized that there were a good many people I shared the school with for years but never really met. A number of people thought I had grown since graduation - ironic, since I know for a fact that I was 6' then and I'm 6' now. I think it had to do with standing up straight and looking people in the eye (which I did little of back then), and filling out a little.
There were so many people engaged or married, I felt old for already having progressed to divorce. Even stranger because I was a year younger than most of my classmates!
I'm glad I went! I hope to keep in touch with a few people, which I did not the last time around.
Ah, I'm tired, just about to go to bed. It's that good kind of tired that says, "I did an honest day's work today." We ended up getting Mike & Sharon's move finished, except for some delicate odds and ends. I really dig their new house - no pool, but a cool floorplan and yard.
I did not, however, get my resume revised. Damn it, I would be fine if I didn't need sleep. Since I have practice tomorrow night, I guess it'll have to wait until Tuesday night. Maybe I can get started at work tomorrow - which will require some discretion!
I did not, however, get my resume revised. Damn it, I would be fine if I didn't need sleep. Since I have practice tomorrow night, I guess it'll have to wait until Tuesday night. Maybe I can get started at work tomorrow - which will require some discretion!
So white and nerdy
Weird Al Yankovic is God. 'Nuff said.
My weekend in Denver was wonderful, despite a harrowing dash to the airport on Friday night. The weather was beautiful - crisp and clear, with just enough snow late at night to have pockets in the shade through the afternoon, and just cold enough to make you grateful for a good coat or sweater. I've never been to a city with such a nice downtown area. The painful part was looking around Castle Rock and Parker with Nick and Samantha as they went house hunting on Sunday (I re-scheduled my flight home from 9:30am to 7:30pm because I had such a good time Saturday). There are homes and neighborhoods there that I loved, and that I could almost afford on what I make now. Not quite, but close. And there are some legendary audio companies in Denver
Speaking of audio, the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest was a blast. It had everything that big electronics conventions (like CES) do not - great sound, great music, patient people, low pressure, and lots of fun. I have a promising lead with Signal Path, and a better idea of which other companies to follow up with. It's nice to rule out the losers by meeting people face-to-face. Now, I need to update my resume and write a bunch of cover letters!
At Monday's practice I was being more aggressive (thanks in part to fighting Francisc at Dun Or), and having good luck with it. I got some wins against Grim (using 2-weapon) and Otuell (sword & shield), which made me feel pretty good about myself.
I've been rearranging stuff around the house when I'm at home, and getting my ass kicked by a new workout (why is all cardio exercise designed by and for people who can dance?!). Looks like this weekend is going to be more of the same, plus possibly helping Mike & Sharon move.
My weekend in Denver was wonderful, despite a harrowing dash to the airport on Friday night. The weather was beautiful - crisp and clear, with just enough snow late at night to have pockets in the shade through the afternoon, and just cold enough to make you grateful for a good coat or sweater. I've never been to a city with such a nice downtown area. The painful part was looking around Castle Rock and Parker with Nick and Samantha as they went house hunting on Sunday (I re-scheduled my flight home from 9:30am to 7:30pm because I had such a good time Saturday). There are homes and neighborhoods there that I loved, and that I could almost afford on what I make now. Not quite, but close. And there are some legendary audio companies in Denver
Speaking of audio, the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest was a blast. It had everything that big electronics conventions (like CES) do not - great sound, great music, patient people, low pressure, and lots of fun. I have a promising lead with Signal Path, and a better idea of which other companies to follow up with. It's nice to rule out the losers by meeting people face-to-face. Now, I need to update my resume and write a bunch of cover letters!
At Monday's practice I was being more aggressive (thanks in part to fighting Francisc at Dun Or), and having good luck with it. I got some wins against Grim (using 2-weapon) and Otuell (sword & shield), which made me feel pretty good about myself.
I've been rearranging stuff around the house when I'm at home, and getting my ass kicked by a new workout (why is all cardio exercise designed by and for people who can dance?!). Looks like this weekend is going to be more of the same, plus possibly helping Mike & Sharon move.
I actually watched CSI:NY last night (live, instead of TiVo'ing it), which I rarely do these days. It was a real kick to see the SG's on national TV, and to find out that Nixon and Al can act (not surprising). Not that the other girls did badly, they just had too little screen time. You know, if Al killed someone, she's too smart to get caught. And what the fuck was Messer thinking, turning down Nixon?!
I was driving to work today, listening to some fun bands - Marilyn Manson, Alkaline Trio, Ministry - on XM radio (satellite is the only way to get radio reception on most of the 14 freeway). A client of mine went off on how XM sucks yesterday, talking about how the Escalade he bought his wife (just his wife, they have no kids) has it and it sucks compared to Sirius. I told him I'd rather have my XM radio than an Escalade, and I swear it blew a fuse in his mind.
In other news, Congress passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which cheapens everything America stands for. I feel violated by this bullshit.
http://www.bordc.org/involved/concerned/votingrecords_detail.php?bill=16
http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3203&Itemid=223
I was driving to work today, listening to some fun bands - Marilyn Manson, Alkaline Trio, Ministry - on XM radio (satellite is the only way to get radio reception on most of the 14 freeway). A client of mine went off on how XM sucks yesterday, talking about how the Escalade he bought his wife (just his wife, they have no kids) has it and it sucks compared to Sirius. I told him I'd rather have my XM radio than an Escalade, and I swear it blew a fuse in his mind.
In other news, Congress passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which cheapens everything America stands for. I feel violated by this bullshit.
http://www.bordc.org/involved/concerned/votingrecords_detail.php?bill=16
http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3203&Itemid=223
SEPTEMBER 2007
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AUGUST 2007
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JUNE 2007