Sunday Quote Blogging

"This place is fantastic; it's like "Gone With The Wind" on mescaline. They walk imaginary pets here, Garland---on a fucking leash. And they're all heavily armed and drunk. New York is boring!"

~ John Cusack
from Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil

Keep Those Fingers Crossed

So that year round camp job in Findlay that I applied for a couple of weeks ago, well I hadn't heard anything back from them so yesterday I sent them a follow-up letter to let them know I was still interested & see if there was any progress in their hunt for the right person. I was hoping that my letter would do 1 of 2 things: either get them to schedule an interview with me, or a rejection letter. Either way I'd have a clue where I stood for this position.

Well today, I got a little surprise in my e-mail. I got an e-mail from them with a full job description & application to fill out & return. The catch is that they want my completed application & 3 letters of reference by this FRIDAY!!!! How crazy is that?

But I sent out some e-mails to current & previous bosses earlier this evening asking them to write me some reference letters & will be filling out & mailing the application in tomorrow. So I'm not out of the running just yet. The pay is much higher than I'd expected, so it would be a significant pay increase which is always welcome.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Wish me luck! I'll keep everyone updated either way. If it doesn't work out, not really a huge deal. I still have a job that pays my bills & it's getting better. It's just not someplace I can see myself staying at anymore. So I'll just bide my time until either my morale improves or I find someplace else to move on to.

Random Picture Blogging

In honor of the final 5 days of the season of boat runs at work, a pic from just after the final run of the season last year. Forgive us if we look far too happy to have the season come to a close. Here's to a good final week of 05!

Close up time on the canal.

Sunday Quote Blogging

"Popeye, now there was a great man. Do you know why? "

"He never joined the Hairclub For Men?"

"Wrong. Because his motto was: I am what I am. Do you think Popeye ever worried about what he wore just so he could get Olive Oil in the sack? I should say not, Dude. And do you know why?"

"He was gay?"

"Because he is what he is."

Random quote from a random movie from my teenage past: Airborne. Man, a 14 year olds hormones can make you watch really cheesy movies repeatedly when the leading man is a pretty boy.

Not much new to tell. (Maybe I'd actually have more new stuff to tell if I wouldn't post so darn often.) Yesterday at work was filled with lots of little issues that pecked away at my nerves. Nothing too big, but a lot of little stuff. So by the time I came home I wasn't really much in the mood to do a whole lot, and even though laundry desperately needed done, I put it off for a night in favor of laying on the couch watching Bowling for Columbine, taking a nice hot shower, & going the cheap movie theater to see a chick flick with John Cusack (for the record, I have a pretty major crush on John...and he wants me too, really he does - although I don't think it's anything for Randy to be too worried about). It was a chick flick, and no I don't really watch too many of those. But every once in a while they come in handy to simply help the destressing process after a long annoyance filled day. And this movie did just that. Although it wasn't John's best movie, his acting didn't disappoint. And who can argue with a movie, popcorn & soda for a grand total of $7.00?!

Then it was home for some journaling & a bit of reading. You know it's an exciting night when you're turning off the light to go to bed at 10:30pm. But whatever. I'm okay with that.

Tonight I think the weather has put a damper on things. I got laundry done right after work & was finished by 5:30. Came to Randy's & we just got back from a yummy Chinese dinner. Nothing too exciting going on...just relaxing in PJs. Anywho...I guess I'll stop talking for a change.

Tagged

I got tagged by Elizabeth so here it goes:

Here are the rules:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.

"Lots of laying around being lazy, read a little, got my butt kicked at Bust-A-Move (I'm such a bad loser), went to dinner with Randy & friends, showed them around his museum, then back to his place for more of doing nothing."

apparently I was enjoying a much needed day off. I actually remember that day...& it was a pretty good day.

Okay, so here are my tags: I'll only do 2 of them though. Sorry guys, you're it!
Shannon
Manda

Well once again it's my last day off for the week. I'll be heading off to BG a little later today to hang out at Grounds for Thought for the afternoon. Lot's of great coffee and time for some journaling & reading. And it's absolutely gorgeous outside to top it all off! Should be a great day! Tonight I'll be heading to Randy's museum for a volunteer thing to get us all prepped for the weekend fun. Dating the curator seems to have turned into work again this year. But that's okay. I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it. Anywho, I'm gonna gather my stuff & take off for my great day.

More Weekend Pics

The Gang at Major Magics! Left to Right: Amanda, Ella, Me, & Mom (Shannon)

Little Ella showing her crazy dancing skills!

Ella Bean with Fun Aunt Ruth...bad pic of both of us...but there were 3 cameras going off at once so what do ya expect?
Let the corruption begin with the first Ella & Fun Aunt Ruth self portrait!

Ghosts Pics

A kinda creepy pic of Mandy & me under our lights.

Ghosts of Providence Pics

Me (left) & Mandy (right) hamming up the Halloween fun! Our faces are white from make-up to make us look dead...it had a much better effect without the flash of the camera under the red & orange lighting that lit our scene.

Sunday Quote Blogging

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"

"I think so brain, but do I really need two tongues?"


Yes, a reminder of our past...ah, the good ole days.

Stay tuned later in the day for possible pics of the weekends fun & games. I'm looking forward to seeing Shannon & little Ella Bean later today. We're taking her to yet another reminder of my past & the good ole days - Major Magics! I'm excited!!! What a cool place. Amanda & her new man will be joining us as well. Let the fun begin!

Butterflies

Last night was night one of the parks Ghosts of Providence Lantern Tour. This is probably our biggest event of the season (or at least one of 2 or 3 of them...in any case, it's traditionally a big event.) I had a part & a script to memorize. (Actually 2 parts to memorize...long story, but I'm glad I did 'cause I ended up doing the part I wasn't assigned to but learned "just in case"). I have to admit, I was a little nervous that I would bomb it. There are a couple of sections where my part is very long winded...lots of lines to learn. But all in all, my co-worker/co-star :0) & I were able to get enough practice run throughs in before having to do it for real in front of people & all went well. We had 6 groups come through &did well for each group. Kinda makes you feel good to have pulled something like that off after being apprehensive about it.

Night two is this evening. I'm not worried about it any more. We've got it down. It should go great. I'll post some pics maybe tomorrow.

There was a bit of excitement last night while we were rehearsing. I almost lost a foot & lower leg. My co-worker was suppose to enter the scene towards the end of my first paragraph by coming down a manually operated elevator (pull yourself up & lower yourself down by a big rope). We had finished one run through & she got in the elevator to pull herself up so we could go through it again. Well, the elevator decided it didn't want to move. She gets out & I give it a try with no success.

So I step half out of it & start fighting with the rope thinking it may be caught up on something thus not allowing us to move. Keep in mind I still have one foot on the elevator at this point. The next thing I know the elevator starts moving. And because it works off weights, & there's no one in the elevator to weigh it down, it starts shooting up...with my right foot still on it!

My attempts to move were pretty useless considering I now only had one foot on the floor... & the other foot was now at a height somewhere around my head. Who knew I was that flexible...I haven't done yoga in something like 3 years! Mandy was able to grab my flying foot & pull it off of the elevator, thus saving my limb from amputation. The elevator then proceeded to fly up to the 4th floor of the mill at speeds of creepy intimidation.

Luckily for us, neither of us were on it. Apparently, the last time that happened was about 6 years ago, & there was someone in it when it flew up all the way to the 4th floor. The occupant was extremely bumped & bruised & nearly broke their femur. They were pretty injured from the sounds of it. So thank god we were both okay. But it was a close call that I would rather have done without. It makes me good that my employer is willing to put me & co-workers at risk of serious injury for the sake of making a cool entrance. If we would have been provided with proper training, perhaps this wouldn't have happened, but the thing is a safety risk regardless & just shouldn't ever be used in my opinion. Luckily I came away with a few sore muscles & small scrap on me knee - nothing more. The situation could have easily turned serious.

Did Someone Say "Cookies"?

Cookies? Yes cookies. Tomorrow & Saturday we are having our annual big Halloween event at work. Which means staff working long hours, lots of volunteers, loads of visitors expecting Halloween themed fun & entertainment, & of course mass amounts of fun amid the chaos of making an event such as this come together & run smoothly. And so to mark the occasion, I'll be baking up a double batch of my nearly famous Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies to take into work & share. My co-workers have been complaining lately because it's been about 2 months since I last brought my cookies for everyone to enjoy. Once you've tasted one of these babies you're spoiled for life. (Okay, not really. But they are really darn yummy just the same.) I don't have to go into to work until 4pm tomorrow so I'll be spending the morning in the kitchen baking so they'll be as fresh as they can be. But that also means I'll need to do a bit of light cleaning of the kitchen (mainly counter space) this evening to prepare.

I got to spend the day at work setting up & cleaning to prepare for the event. It was actually a really great day. And it's been a long time since I could say that with any honesty, so this is a good sign of improvement in both my work situation & my attitude. The biggest bonus for me today was getting to spend a much needed day off of the boat & away from training new people. I've spent the majority of the past 2 months doing little else other than training new people...I'm ready for a break from it. And I got to wear jeans & comfy "get dirty" clothes! I did get pretty darn dirty. It was a good time.

What else? Unfortunately, since our event will be going on Saturday night as well, I won't be able to make it to movie night this week either. Sorry guys...a paycheck calls. Next week you can blame Randy's paycheck for taking me away...I'm volunteering for their Halloween event next Saturday. But the week after I'll be there!

Oh, I finished reading "Diary" earlier this week! Wow!!!! What a book! I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. It was awesome! I hate predictable plots, and this was nothing of the sort. It had me glued to it without much clue how it would end right up until the last page! It kept me up past my way too early bedtime to finish it, & it was well worth the missed sleep. I'll definitely be reading this authors 2 other books I haven't read yet shortly...now I remember why I liked him so much when I first read his stuff.

I guess there's just not a whole lot else to report right now. Sorry this post was overly work related. But it's a good sign that I can actually post about work related things without getting really pissed off & overly negative about it all these days.

Another "Weekend" Almost Gone

It's back to work tomorrow. Back to training new people. Training newbies can be stressful when there are so many safety issues involved. Ho-Hum. I've had a good couple of days off thus far though, so nothing to complain about. Sunday I lounged around for the vast majority of the day; reading my awesome book in between being distracted by football & hockey (hockey still more distracting for me than football, but I think I'm actually starting to understand what the hell goes on in football...and I'm scared that I may even be starting to like it. Shhh...don't that get around though...don't tell Randy...shhhh. *wink wink*). And I spent a good part of the day harassing Randy 'cause he was sick. Lots of me offering to get him this or that & just plain bugging him with my constant "what can I do to help you feel better?" type of questions. I can be such a pain in the butt when people don't feel good.

Then yesterday I had a very unproductive, yet relaxing day. I spent yet more time reading, although not as much as I did on Sunday. I spend a good portion of the day either in front of the TV or on the internet playing games or just surfing. The in the late afternoon I finally went to see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. I waited for it to get to the cheap theater 'cause I'm like that.

Anyways, the movie. It was good. I was a bit apprehensive, even though Johnny Deep had the lead role. If anyone can pull that part off, he can. But it's hard to get past my "don't mess with a classic" mindset. It was very much the same as the original, and yet very different at the same time. My final verdict - I liked it. Not quite as much as the original, but I liked it. I was very pleasantly surprised to find Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club) and Noah Taylor (Shine) in supporting roles. 2 good actors from 2 of my favorite movies.

Today has been slightly more productive. I've done some slight cleaning, although nothing to daunting. Written a couple quick letters, and paid some bills. And shortly I'm headed to my parents place to do some laundry, pay some more bills and just hang out with the 'rents. I'd mentioned to them that I may or may not be coming home for a bit earlier this weekend; when I didn't show yesterday, they called me "just to make sure things were okay 'cause I didn't make it home." Yeah, my dad really is just that pathetic...he's still an empty nester even though I've been out of their house for the vast majority of the past 9 years. So I'm going to go spend the afternoon & early evening with them since I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks. Nothing else too terribly exciting going on. Just trying to gear up for some busy weeks ahead.

Sunday Quote Blogging

Kudos to Carla for piggybacking on my Quote Blogging! :0)

Here's this weeks addition from me:


And Peter just looked at her. He said, "So what's the point of painting anything you don't love?"

What she loved, Misty told him, would never sell. People wouldn't buy it.

And Peter said, "Maybe you'd be surprised."

This was Peters theory of self-expression. The paradox of being a professional artist. How we spend our lives trying to express ourselves well, but we have nothing to tell. We want creativity to be a system of cause and effect. Results. Marketable product. We want dedication and discipline to equal recognition and reward. We get on our art school treadmill, our graduate program for a master's in fine arts, and practice, practice, practice. With all our excellent skills, we have nothing special to document. According to Peter, nothing pisses us off more than when some strung-out drug addict, a lazy bum, or a slobbering pervert creates a masterpiece. As if by accident.

Some idiot who's not afraid to say what he really loves.

~ Chuck Palahniuk
from his novel "Diary"

Phew...Another Weekend

What a busy week! Good week, but busy. Hmmm, lets see. My work week was hectic simply because I'm training the newbie's. And personality clashes are among us in close quarters that we can't escape from (being surrounded on all sides by water isn't conducive to just walking away). I'm one of the peace keepers, not one of the frustrated so that's good. But it does make it tense at times. But other than that things at work are actually okay for a change. My new boss has actually made my life a hell of a lot easier so I'm definitely thankful for that. However, I am still keeping my eyes open for something else.

I mailed in my resume for that cool camp job I found in Findlay this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get an interview. Even if I get a rejection letter though I'm no worse off than I was before I applied. It's comforting to know that there's no pressure to find something this time since I already have a job and all. On the other hand, it'd be silly not to keep looking considering how shitty I've been treated. I'd rather work for a company I can actually have more respect for ya know?

In fun news, I got paid to go canoeing this week! It was awesome! Windy, but J & I did good with it, and more importantly - we have a great time!

And now, for the news that may just prove that I'm a country girl after all: Last night I went to a corn maze with a friend. Another confession - this was the second time I've been to one. I know, I know...what a corny way to spend an evening ey? (Okay, sorry - I couldn't resist the stupid pun. I had to get it in there before any of you had the chance to.) Anyways, the corn maze was really fun actually. We spent almost 3 hours there! It was kind of a scavenger hunt type of thing. And lets just say we had a little trouble with our sense of direction once it started getting darker....every intersection began to look the same. It was a good time tough.

I have another 3 day weekend so I have Sunday, Monday & Tuesday off work. No plans as of yet. Just relaxing. Sorry I didn't to Movie Night Sal. I love the movie choice though! Hope everyone who went enjoyed it. Catch everyone later.

Tuesday Already?

Geez! That mean it's back to work for me tomorrow! Man - my 3 day weekend seemed to fly bye! It was nice & relaxing though which is what I needed. Randy took the off work yesterday after working the weekend and we actually got to spend the day together for a change. We didn't do anything too terribly exciting, but it was nice to just be together. We went out to the east side & went for a walk at Pearson Metropark...only 3 more trails to go & we're finished with Autumn Adventure! Then we headed to the Military Surplus store & Randy bought lots of goodies...I was tempted with their camping department...lots of stuff I'd love to have at prices I could almost afford.

I finally finished my book yesterday. It took me far too long to get through this one...Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf. The first I'd read of her. Her style takes some getting used to...every time I picked it up it took me a few paragraphs to readjust.

I've now moved on to Diary by Chuck Palahniuk (don't worry, I have no clue how to pronounce it either). I love this author! This will be the 4th book of his I've plowed through. But so far this one is different from the others. It's still twisted & amazingly addictive. But it's written in 2nd person! (You become the main character. Instead of "He did/thought this" or "I did/thought this" it's "You did/thought this.") Who does that?! This is only the 2nd book I've ever heard of that does that. It's insane! That's a tough way to write a novel and I have every confidence that he'll pull it off perfectly!

Well, off to eat dinner & finish watching my movie. I've now fallen asleep twice while watching this movie & have yet to make it to the end. Not for lack of a good plot or acting though. "Big Fish". I've really liked the half that I've seen. Here's hoping the last half is good to.

Sunday Quote Blogging

Mississippi

Every step of the way we walk the line
Your days are numbered, so are mine
Time is pilin' up, we struggle and we scrape
We're all boxed in, nowhere to escape

City's just a jungle, more games to play
Trapped in the heart of it, trying to get away
I was raised in the country, I been workin' in the town
I been in trouble ever since I set my suitcase down

Got nothing for you, I had nothing before
Don't even have anything for myself anymore
Sky full of fire, pain pourin' down
Nothing you can sell me, I'll see you around

All my powers of expression and thoughts so sublime
Could never do you justice in reason or rhyme
Only one thing I did wrong

Well, the devil's in the alley, mule's in the stall
Say anything you wanna, I have heard it all
I was thinkin' about the things that Rosie said
I was dreaming I was sleeping in Rosie's bed

Walking through the leaves, falling from the trees
Feeling like a stranger nobody sees
So many things that we never will undo
I know you're sorry, I'm sorry too

Some people will offer you their hand and some won't
Last night I knew you, tonight I don't
I need somethin' strong to distract my mind
I'm gonna look at you 'til my eyes go blind

Well I got here following the southern star
I crossed that river just to be where you are
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drownin' in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothin' but affection for all those who've sailed with me

Everybody movin' if they ain't already there
Everybody got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now

My clothes are wet, tight on my skin
Not as tight as the corner that I painted myself in
I know that fortune is waitin' to be kind
So give me your hand and say you'll be mine

Well, the emptiness is endless, cold as the clay
You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

~ Bob Dylan
Album: Love & Theft
1997

It's About Time

Today begins my Sunday's off from work. And as planned, I spent the morning doing very little. Drank some great coffee and spend some time reading. (Doing my best to finish my current book...25 more pages to go.) Once the coffee started effecting my ability to sit still, I felt compelled to get in my bedroom and actually conquer the organization & cleaning of the mass chaos that was my bedroom closet. I even went through my clothes: re-organized/re-categorized (separated work clothes from non-work clothes, long sleeve from short, etc.) and switched out some warmer clothes from storage with some summer clothes that won't be needed till next year. I now have the ability to find things in my closet again without sending in a search & rescue squad. And I managed to clean the rest of my bedroom as well. Not a huge ordeal since it's a pretty small room. But I'd like to thank the overcaffination that made such a large overall job possible!

That's pretty much been the majority of my day thus far, although I feel as though it's been a fairly productive one. Although there is much more that could be accomplished, the rest will likely wait until I feel like it. It's my day off darn it...I can't waste it being too terribly productive...that would just be silly.

I'll probably hang out with Randy this evening...he should be getting home from work shortly. I hope he's had a better day today than he had yesterday. :-/ On the plus side, he's a really cute girlfriend ;-)

Anywho...stay tuned for this weeks Sunday Quote Blogging later on today.

Ho-Hum

It's Friday night again. This Friday has been much more relaxed than last weeks. (Phew!) Good news is that I work tomorrow & get Sunday off. Finally I start my 4 day work schedule! It's about time. No real plans yet for tomorrow night or Sunday really. Randy will be working. I may end up at Movie Night at Sal's tomorrow. Don't know if Randy will join me or not. Sunday I'll probably just chill out, spend the morning drinking coffee & reading on the couch. Maybe do some laundry in the afternoon (if & only if I feel like being productive).

Nothing much new to tell. I have a few more leads on jobs. Some possibly replacement jobs that could allow me to move on. But nothing that I know a whole lot more about than the fact that I'm interested and should checking into them. I did learn about a year round camp job in Findlay! Sweet! That one is definitely getting some pampered attention from me! It's close & it's camp - perfect! I'm not really sure I really have the right experience that their looking for, but it's pretty close. My work experience is just very varied...it's all related to what I'd like to do, but I've just done lots of different things. We'll see...can't hurt to apply. As always, I'll keep you posted.