Piratechan's Xanga

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:58:42 GMT

I am no longer going to post here because I hate the interface change. See you all on LJ or Facebook.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:52:20 GMT

A Long Time Coming

I haven't posted any blogs in a long time, mostly because I haven't had much to report. I told myself that the next big news would be getting a job, but unfortunately that has not happened with the speed I would like. I still do not have a job, but I do have an interview tomorrow for a receptionist position.

I had one phone interview with a design job about a month ago, but that didn't pan out. It's a bit sad that there haven't been more responses for creative work, but times are tough and now I have to go with what's available. I am hoping that an office job will be interesting enough to keep me going, but not so interesting that it fries my brain so that I can feel excited about doing creative stuff on my own time. At any rate, any sort of office job is going to net me more money per year than the last job, which will give me greater freedom in some ways.

Anyway, please wish me luck around 11am tomorrow... I am always very nervous about interviews no matter how much reassurance I have, or how competent I feel. *gulp* Tips for calming down are also welcome, as well as advice in general. What would I do without you guys?

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:36:01 GMT

Class Final

I liked the class but finals still suck.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sat, 10 May 2008 14:41:23 GMT

Friday Schedule

8am - Got out of bed.
8:30am - played WoW to wake self up.
10am - Breakfast of corn with butter.
10:30am - Shower.
11am - More WoW.
12pm - Read a book.
1:15pm - More WoW.
2:15pm - Bolongne sandwich lunch with beer.
3:15pm - More WoW.
4:15pm - Reading and a nap.
8:30pm - More WoW.
10pm - Mmmmm strawberries...
11pm - More WoW.
11:20pm - More reading.
12am - Watched an episode of Star Trek.
1am - Sleep.

Not a terribly productive day. Gabe and I are going to try to do better on the weekend. At least I'm up early today! That's a good start!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Thu, 08 May 2008 03:46:34 GMT

I'm really a freelancer.

Well. It appears I really can call myself a freelancer, what with all the random little jobs I've been doing lately. There's the motorcycle stuff, and the training stuff. The motorcycle stuff is artwork, and the training stuff is helping the poor new guy at my old job. Both of them claim they will pay me.

I am, as an aside, wondering how often to bill my former employer for my unscheduled but asked for trips into the office. The rate has been established, but I get the feeling it's on the old monthly pay schedule. I just need to decide if I mind or not.

Motorcycle: I have been roped into doing some small bits of artwork for Brian's motorcycle company. In fact, I worked on some of that this morning. I made the little badge that they're going to use on the front of the bike. Isn't that neat? If I ever see a picture of the finished thing, I'll try to post it for y'all. As it is, the thing is still in development.

Old Job: Basically, I've made myself available to train the fellow who replaced me. I thought I was pretty much done with it, but as the guy keeps working, he keeps running into questions, and tomorrow, I will go walk him through one of his questions. I made sure to schedule it early to avoid running into my old boss. He has a tendancy to butt in on the training session, and I see no need to train the boss in something he is not going to work on himself. He only needs the big picture, which he has. Plus, he tries to dictate to the trainee how to take notes. I mean, really, the trainee's notes are for his own understanding. Everything is documented, he just needs to be shown some things. I know I tend to understand things better after a demonstration vs. just reading a manual.

Apartment: I checked out a possible location, and we will go see the interior on Saturday. The exterior looked nice enough - it's downtown and some apartments down there look like prison blocks.

I'm pretty sleepy now, so I had best rest up for more progress tomorrow. Don't forget that Sunday is Mother's Day, lest your mom get mad at you. Unless she's cool and doesn't care about Hallmark holidays...

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 02:50:00 GMT

Today

Life's going pretty same-old same-old. Bit awkward for conversation really - it's hard to come up with something interesting to say. I keep making myself blog so that I am reminded of that fact. It would be far to easy to slip into a zombie half-life where I don't think about what I'm doing or where I'm going.

Today's notable thoughts are on the Harajuku girls - the dance quartet that Gwen Stefani parades around. I was watching a few music videos and I got curious about them.

First off, the wiki tells me that they are all of Japanese decent, and they were all dancers before working with Gwen. Second, people either think the girls are really cool, or that the girls are foolishly promoting the subservient Asian stereotype. I read some articles and blogs that went either way. Me, I can see both sides. They really are just a backdrop for Gwen Stefani, and that could be seen as negative because they're just Gwen's dolls, or that could be seen as positve, because you don't see a lot of Asians on the mainstream US pop scene, backdrop or not.
Gwenihana
Commentary on above - read blog comments

After looking at the girls, I got curious about the whole "Harajuku" thing. I got a decent background on it from reading a wiki and a few blogs and travel articles, but the real explanation was found in photographs. My god, I would love to see the real Harajuku area in full swing. The things those people did with clothes and makeup and hair, and everything, was just amazing.
Someone's photoset of more spectacular outfits

I wonder about the age range on the people who participate. I imagine the Japanese school system is pretty strict on acceptable appearance, and some of the people had piercings and crazy hair. You can't put those away at the end of the day. So I have to guess that those were the ones who no longer have to conform for school. But it's hard to imagine them with a regular job too. Heck, even here in the crazy Bay Area, I would feel strange about appearing at work with some of the hair I saw in those pictures. Perhaps they have excellent wigs, but I think most of that was real hair.

I've looked through a few Japanese fashion magazines and they seem to be way more instructive than a US magazine. I also read that some of those magazines provide sewing instructions so as to better achieve the "Look". I wish US magazines focused more on how-to's than "what's new and hot". I might take more trouble with my appearance if I had a guide instead of having to apply the willpower to experiment everything on my own.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:33:42 GMT

The Taxes are Done!

I have been a good little monkey today. My taxes are done and in the mail. Now all I really have to worry about is my CD project due in class next week. I have to say, it's a load off my mind, and thankfully not a load off my wallet.

Now I can enjoy the weekend properly, if only this headache would go away. I've not had such a persistent headache since I was last ill.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:28:33 GMT

Apartment Hunting

Called a few places today to try to get appointments to see them. I've got one to look at tomorrow and another one on Wednesday. I hope they'll be good, and that they'll be available for when we need. It's really annoying that you have to give 30 days notice when it's a crap shoot as to whether you'll find something suitable in 30 days. And then most apartment complexes don't know themselves who will move out unless it's within 30 days. It's the magical 30 days of "I hope we get one". Still, the pictures of the places look decent. My biggest concern is whether or not it's in a decent location. If they are, then I can always call a place back to find out if they've got a free apartment closer to move out date.

So please, cross your fingers for me. We really do need to move this year.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:49:58 GMT

Kittens and Mochi

Today I drove all around 2 counties with Brian and Jessa on their quest to find 2 nice young cats to share their home with. We visited a "Rescue Kittens" place, and 3 animal shelters. They're going back to one of the shelters tomorrow to meet more cats, as we arrived somewhat close to closing. I enjoyed playing with the cats a lot, although I tried not to get too attached to any of them since I can't get a cat for at least 2 months (this place charges pet rent), and maybe not even after that (a lot of apartments say "no pets").

I have to say though, that I think I'm a one cat girl. 2 cats at once seems like something only a veteran cat person should take on, since you can't always count on pre-paired cats. This whole notion of having to select cats who will get along with other cats is an extra complication. But Jessa is a veteran, so she'll definitely be able to manage. I just hope they find cats that they fall in love with! Me, I'll take anything with an appealing face, a friendly manner, and a good purr. But then, I am desperate. They're looking for cats to grow old with, and they have enough experience to not fall for the first purr that comes along. I really hope that I can have a cat one day and not just be the auntie that comes over when Brian and Jessa are too tired to play anymore.

In completely unrelated news, I finally went to the Asian Market (yes, it's really called that) that both Brian and Jessa AND Andrea have told me about. I went yesterday. I got so many nummy things, including proper mochi, ochasuke mix, powdered miso soup mix, tonkatsu sauce, Calpico, pan-ko (for tonkatsu breading), more ramen, and the knowledge that I can go back for udon, natto, sake, real miso (for making my own soup at some point), and the baby mayonaise. Blackfoot knows what I'm talkin about.

I am relieved that there is a place that I can go for these things. I'm a little sad that the store isn't bigger - it's a hole in the wall joint, with only 2 aisles - but some of these things are things that I have missed for a long time. Of course, if I over indulge, I will REALLY have to go to the gym. Especially after too many mochi, which are like lead. Tasty tasty lead.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:36:32 GMT

I have a project where I have to design some CD packaging.

Brian and Jessa showed me their vast collection of CDs and I discovered that not only do I enjoy Nine Inch Nail's music, I really like the album art.