6.30.2008

week #3 and counting

I rush into work to find that I don't have work to do. Can Mondays get anymore frustrating for me?

Fortunately, I don't have to go through the rest of my Moday having the Mondays since I have music to put me in a good mood as well as my co-workers sharing stores of dreams of working at home and one in particular who also doesn't have much work that can be worked on. Thankfully, she's also someone else who can share in the grief of not having work to do. I know how crazy that sounds.

"Who would complain about not having work to do?" some would ask.

I'll tell you. First of all, we are on production, which means we need to have X amount (in our case, 50) files done at the end of the week. If our numbers are down, it looks bad. I'm still new to the team I'm on, so I don't have to do 50 yet. My goal was 30 but I just squeaked by with 40. Why the extra 10? I like to push myself harder. So in the long run, at the end of the week, I can loaf around and enjoy my last day before the weekend. I know, lucky me.

Besides production numbers, the reason I torture myself every morning with the mere thought of waking up, getting dressed, and coming in this building is to work and make money. Okay, okay... the moment I sign in, I'm making money. But I'd like to be doing something productive with my time. And yes, technically the blogging is productive, but its not what they hired me to do.

Crap... I just lost my bottle cap under my desk and I really don't feel like going under there to get it...

I really would like to go back to sleep. Or to IHOP. I don't think there is ever a time I WON'T goto IHOP. Hmm. Pancakes. Actually, I think I like their eggs a little more.

Well I'm going to go not do work that I don't have to do anyway. Or maybe I'll work on my Behance profile/portfolio. I have a bunch of never-before-seen poems sitting here on my desk that oh-so-badly need to be typed and shared with the world. I also have voicemail and some faxes... It's sorta work. I'm gonna save that til 9.

6.28.2008

gyming has returned

My legs are so sore right now... I finally made it to joining a new gym... and I worked my legs first... and well... they are pooped.

I unrelated news, I bought the first season of SNL and will soon hope to get Undeclared which is a remarkable show cancelled way before it's prime. Unfortunately, it's very similar to my own college sitcom idea. I won't let it stop me though. Originally, my story has nothing to do with this TV show, but now after seeing it, I will definitely give respect where respect is due.

I'm severely distracted right now by This Film is Not Yet Rated... So I will watch that and get back to whatever point I was trying to make later.

6.26.2008

i like totally love it [dot com]!

Long story short, last week while trying to keep myself occupied until I was able to find some work to do, I found a site called http://iliketotallyloveit.com/ which helps to answer crazy questions like "Where the stank did they get that?" or "I wonder if they make this?"

Well, citizens, that site there has that and more! It took me a little while to figure out how the site works, but once I find something of interest, I goto the site the item is posted on and find SO much more things I totally love and don't need. Or at least not for anything practical. I found a series of many different kinds of post-it like notes that can be used as parking citations, or cell phone violations, or apologies. It's insane. the direct link to that site is http://www.perpetualkid.com/ so feel free to browse around and buy me something I might like.

Actually, sites like those are a good place to go birthday/Christmas/any occasion shopping for people that is hard to shop for. As always, be careful who you give credit card info to. But man are these sites awesome. My desk would be so full of random crap and knick-knacks that I don't think I would get any work done. And don't let me win lots of money, I may have a room in my house that looks like it was from the future. Again, check that first site for a starting place to other interesting things in life. It's a great way to not work and kill some time. But if you have a quota at your job, try to meet that need first, then go play. Just some advice from someone that cares. ;o)

I think I'll get back to work.

6.22.2008

weekend productivity

I would go on a day by day of what this weekend entailed, but it's not really that necessary. Instead, a brief summary of the highlights?

Thursday night, I rearranged my room. I do this every 12-18 months. Sometimes you just need a change, right? I'm hoping this is the last time I do this because I hope to move out this year. I don't know how likely that is. But now my laptop and computer is set up so I can't access it as easily with it being right next to my bed. So hopefully, I will sleep better without this major distraction.

Friday I went out to lunch with my friend like I normally do, nowadays. Afterwards, I was going to go car shopping, because I really need to replace Sam. My dad called and needed my help with something, so I never shopped for the car and went home. I continued to do more work on my room. Technically, even right now, it still isn't done. There are little things like organizing my CDs and random things I don't want to throw away. I did throw out 2 full trashbags of stuff. I need to do the same for my clothes. Instead of throwing them away, donating to charity or something? Yeah, that sounds good.

I don't think I did much the rest of Friday... not that I can remember. Saturday I went out car shopping finally. But not after a noon iced latte with my friend... and a random encouter with a drunkard asking for 50 cents. It was rather discomforting, but as long as he didn't mess with my friend, I was alright. I just wanted her away from him, and fortunately he didn't even talk to her. Anyway, we traveled to 2 dealerships, technically 3... but just to look around. I completely forgot all that I learned about how to get a good deal. But fortunately, later that day I re-learned what I needed to know, so I think I'm ready to go back shopping first. But I MUST get a car this weekend. My plan is to visit at least 2 dealerships, but I already saw the car in mind, so I just may go from there and pretend I saw another car with a better deal elsewhere... which is partially true... but if no one comes out to talk to me about your car, why would I come back?

I recommend reading http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html (Edmunds.com's Confessions of a Car Salesman). It's a lot of reading, but it's useful if you are looking to buying a car. Almost makes you mad at car salesmen. But educational, and a bit humorous nonetheless.

Later that night I went to hang with my cousin. She and some friends were celebrating her boyfriend's birthday. We had a good time. I was supposed to go somewhere else, but that ultimately got cancelled. It wasn't too bad. I was just happy to be out. I even played DDR. I didn't want to but they made me. No doubt I need practice.

Needless to say, I watched quite a bit of movies over the weekend. Check the MySpace blog for that.

Now here it is Sunday. My usual churchin' went on. Had a good time. Once I came home, I fell asleep. Longer than expected. But I was pooped.

Now it's time to start the new week. My last week with Sam, hopefully. Am I sad? Not entirely. We had some good times, but it's time to move on. I've got work tomorrow too. WOOT! Now I won't be bored. I'm weird, I know.

6.19.2008

never should've gotten out of bed

Today was one of those days. Honestly, it felt like this all week. Tuesday I was hanging out like it was a Friday (or a Thursday in my case) with no work left to do. Then it happened again Wednesday. Here it is Thursday... I managed to do a little work, but that only lasted me about an hour.

So what's the deal? We pull our work from a database, if you will. And when new customers come in (I guess in bulk) they first must go through data entry, then and only then are we able to work on them. However, for some reason, they aren't done with the files. I'm assuming this because we haven't been able to pull anything.

So to pass the time, I've been keeping on news events until I complete grew entirely bored of that and found an article on Time.com regarding the 50 best website. (Remind me to post my favorites from that list later.) The sites I was able to visit here at work have become my new past time. From freerice.com (which my "instant friend" Kathy tried to get me to goto before) captured my attention for about an hour as well as expanded my vocabulary which I forgot most of and probably would never use in fear of sounding like a stuck up snobby professor. You see? There's a word for that. It's called pretentious. Now that you know what it means, I can use it. I choose not you big words all the time in fear of sounding PRETENTIOUS. But it all depends on who I'm talking to anyway. Small children get the biggest words. It's my way of telling them to stay in school.

I always wondered where Kanye West found all those cool random items he has pics of on his blog. I found quite a few myself as well as several geeky nerdy stuff I'd buy if I wasn't concerned with filling my gas tank... which needs to get filled today. >:oO

Speaking of cars, I'm hoping to buy a new one within the next 2 weeks. It's KILLING me. Sorry Sam, it's been a great 3 years, but we need to move on.

As for today, I woke up late... There's no real reason why. I heard my alarm. I even clearly remember waking completely up to change the channel to watch the news and the weather for the day. 'Twas the last ringy dingy of my alarm, so I knew there would be danger should I shut my eyes. Did I heed my own warnings and fears? Nay! And 3 hours later I silently screamed "I did it again" which I actually said outloud on Sunday when I almost missed church.

The drama that I now face is sitting practically alone in this office until about 6 or 7pm. Besides the immense silence, I'll be extremely bored since by that time I will have already surfed the entire Internet allowable by company censors. There won't be a single .com left for me to view, and .orgs are just boring anyway.

So I will play with my squeezy toy, twirl my Magnetix design I built yesterday that hangs from my desk light, rock out to whomever is on my iPod (Outkast right now), and count down until it's time to move my car closer to the door... which would be in the next 20-40minutes when other lucky people go home for the day. But at least today I go home for the week. I shouldn't have bothered coming in all week... but that gas tank doesn't fill itself. I wish it did. Where can I buy solor panels?

6.18.2008

guess who has no work to do?

This is more of a picture of my new toy... not my album cover collection. I need to buy another Magnetix set...

6.16.2008

"i'm goin' crazy-crazy!"

Wow... Who knew getting some friends to meet together would be so difficult?

Sigh.

6.14.2008

what the stank?!

It's a little hard to make out but on the left is a mangled weird mutant popcorn next to 3 regular popcorns. I'm afraid to eat it... and its the 2nd one I found so far. How bizzare.

6.13.2008

movie overload!

For the past weeks I've seen more movies than I can review. I'm trying to keep up. Really... But I'll get to it soon enough.

In the meantime, I had an adventurous day watching Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skulls and National Treasure: The Book of Secrets. I must say, it'd be interesting to have Ben Gates and Indy team up... had they lived in the same time. And for kicks and giggle, Lara Croft. And if we wanna stick to who plays who... well... Jon Voigt plays dad to both Lara Croft and Ben Gates (as well as real life dad to Jolie, if you didn't already know). Would that be something.

Well, I was going to go back and rewatch the first Indys just to remind myself of what what goin' on 20 years ago. I actually missed the first 20 minutes too... I asked 3 people--the first person really didn't like the movie, and fell asleep through pieces of it. I've realized she isn't always the best movie companion since she has fallen asleep a couple times at the theater. Okay, okay... I made her stay up to see the midnight showing of one of the Pirates movies, and we all know how long those are. Another time, the movie was plain crap boring. And another time... I can't remember, but I'm sure there was something.

My second watcher gave some pretty good detail as to what I missed. With that alone, I think I would've been able to hold out until it came out on DVD.

UNTIL my third watcher didn't even wanna tell me because according to her, I missed a lot. This coming from my cinematic soulmate, yeah, I'd take her word for it and now I feel I need to rewatch the movie. If I wanna do it right, I should watch the first 3, first. I don't have a lot of time. Indy might only be in theaters another week or so, if that.

Other movies I watched recently: Jumper, Marx Bros: Room Service, At The Circus, Go West, and The Big Store. I need to mail back the Netflix movies I've had for like... months. They are all Richard Pryor stand-ups, one of which I've seen already. But I've kinda lost interest in watching them. I think I'll just send them back, and if I change my mind, I'll put them back on the list. I really want to see Akira. I also want to turn my PC back on so I can play with Photoshop and make a picture of myself glowing a la Kanye West in the Stronger video.

Enough typing. I require sleep. I'm so tired, I can't even fini

6.11.2008

mr. fix-up

It's definitely not part of my job title, well, maybe in the "romantic" part, but I'm not one to play Cupid, even though I've been writing several treatments involving Cupid...

Long story short, my friend is trying to hook up her sister with one of our mutual friends. She would've taken care of everything herself, but she doesn't have his number. I did, so it was up to me to do my part and give him her number. Fortunately, I'm friends with the soon to be hooked up, so I think I just took over the matchmaking part. Do I think they'll make a good couple? Who's to say? I know I just hope someone wouldn't ever do me wrong. And I don't think anyone would, nor do I think this pairing is a bad idea. The girl is already attracted to the guy, and I know the guy well enough to know he'll find her attractive as well. Personality-wise? I don't see a big problem there either. But again, who knows?

I DO know that I need a serious energy boost like, right now, or else I'll pass out on my desk in the next 20 minutes. I took a caffine pill. I didn't want to, but I needed it. I didn't get my morning coffee like I've done the past 2 mornings. I think they worked. Well, Monday was an off day. I should've listened to my mother and just went home for the day after I went to court. But no, I need them hours! But fortunately, 4:30 will be here sooner than I think and I can go home in no time. Except by that time, I won't be tired, and I'm supposed to be hanging out with a friend... So all will be well. It better be. Plus the caffine will have probably kicked in long before that time.

I can't believe I'm considering or entertaining the thought... but I don't think I'd mind being fixed up with someone. Wait, no... I forgot, I'm denoucning women this week. Social and writing experiement. A poem a day keeps the juices from drying away. I guess.

Back to office work.

6.09.2008

court!

I went to court today. They said that my case would more than likely be dropped. Nope... Fortunately, they did drop my fine from $93 to $35. Out of my 2 experiences being in/near courtrooms, I think I have determined that I don't like them. Sort've like how people dread hospitals or dentists' offices. It's like you KNOW bad things happen in those places and you just don't want to be there. Maybe it's the blandness of the rooms. Well, the courtrooms. Dentists' offices usually have those very light-colored, nameless, paintings that would probably cost $4 without the glass frame all over the walls to try to soothe victims/patients reassuring them everything will be okay and we're not hear to hurt you... too much.

There's nothing like that at court. Even before you get in the door. The cop-guards actually had me take off my belt. I can understand why... Maybe I tucked something right at the buckle. But what I wasn't aware of is iPod not even being allowed in the BUILDING. So what did I do? Take all my effects and bring them out to the car and I came back with only my sunglasses and keys. They actually took my phone first, so I left that with them. It takes pictures. It does everything actually. I should've said that that was an MP3 player so they'd give it back to me. I'm not sure why iPods aren't allowed. It would've helped kill a few minutes while I waited.

And waiting wasn't that harsh. It still sucked because I had absolutely nothing to play with. My watch, iPod, phone, pens, belt (not that I play with that) all of it left in the car or with the authorities. I felt naked. And bored. But like I said, it wasn't a long wait. Long enough. Only to find out that my crime wasn't quite excusable because I didn't have the proof to back my claim... which was that the car I had been pulled over in is now registered. My dad made a good point... it's not my car. Why should I have proof? Oh well. I'm not one to pick fights, so I paid the fine.

At least I don't have to do jury duty for another 2 years I think.

I don't like courtrooms.

6.04.2008

paris strikes again

I think I neglected to mention that I wrote not 1, but 2 scripts inspired by Paris, Je T'aime. Yeah, that movie really had an impact on me.

In slightly related news, I idly seeked acting schools for a friend when I happened upon the New York Film Acadamy, which I actually have heard of several times. Most of the time, from my beloved IMDb.com ads, but I never really looked into it. Well, only once.

Anyway, I'm definitely interested in going there some day. Looks like it'll be a new focus since I discovered The Second City is no longer in New York City. I'd educate you on what The Second City is if you don't already know, but I'd suggest you look up half of the SNL alumni and you'll find out what it is and why I want to go. But I can't let that get me down. There's still L.A. which I'm presently not interested in. Or I can goto the hometown itself, Chi-town. It's a thought. But NY is still my focus. It's really where I want to be.

In the meantime, I will continue my local schooling here in CT, and continue my writings, and perhaps I can get some decent school and work established before I make my move to the City. Sigh... dreams.

Some very important DVDs should be arriving within the next few days, or so I hope. From Paris to a super Marx Bros. collection. I'm so excited. I wish a buncho of my film buddies were here, I'd throw a Marx Brothers marathon. Sad to say, I don't think my circle of friends here know much about them nor would appreciate them. Well, ya know never know. But I have my doubts.

Kathy is telepathic... She texted me just as I typed "circle of friends" because she's one of those people. It's scary in a good way. She also is interested in this much raved about Paris movie. Well, I hope she will fall in love with it too.

rubber band ball part 1

Arica's IMPOSTER rubber band ball. Yes, work can be that boring.

6.02.2008

Paris, je t'aime


I came across this awesomely wonderful movie last week after waiting months until I finally decided to rent it. Isn't that the weirdest thing? Waiting forever to see a movie that after watching it, you wish you watched it sooner? It's happened before with movies like Boondock Saints and Casablanca although I don't think it's fair to include that one because I didn't get interested in seeing it until a couple days before I actually saw it. Whereas Boondock Saints had been sitting on my college roomate's dresser for practically the entire year before I finally saw it and was amazed that such a fun movie had been siting there that long.
You live and learn I guess. And really that's just a generic phrase because it doesn't have a great of relevance to what I'm writing about today. After watching Paris, Je T'aime I had been inspired to write my own little short story that would've been included had I been given the oppurtunity to take part in such a cool event.
The movie is comprised of 20 smaller short films directed by 20 acclaimed directors and starring several actors from across the world, specifically French, English and American... Others I'm sure, but I don't remember. The title in English means "Paris, I love you" in case you don't know. Hey, I didn't know. All of the stories deal with the subject matter of love in the City of Love, if you didn't guess from the cover art. Again, I thought it was great. They were all about 5 minutes each, and I saw that as a challenge and achievement because as a storyteller, you want to keep your auidence captivated and you need to hook them fast. Well, 5 minutes is a big difference from 90-120 minutes. I'll be owning the movie within a week.
I thought about the story and after being woken up to get breakfast and coffee, I decided to write my own story that I hope would be worthy to be apart of this movie, or maybe a spinoff. I used an experience in my own life as inspiration, having the story take place in a parking lot where two people who are in affair have something very important to tell each other. The events in the actual story didn't happen to me, but I wouldn't be surprised if it actually has happened to someone before. I let one of my filmmaking friends take a read, and she wants to shoot it, which I'd completely allow her to do.
Later on that day, I wrote another one. This one is actually practically almost entirely based on a portion of my life of someone I know. A character tells a story about an unrequited love to an interviewer that he can't help but think about over the years he knew her. Aptly titled "The One That Got Away." This one scares me a little. Why? I'm afraid that out of some crazy circumstance, the person who is being talked about will realize it's her and then come find me. Not that that would be a bad thing... But I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever had such a feeling. Now that I think of it, I have another friend I'm looking for and could possibly use film to find them. In fact, it's inspiring me for yet another script. And similar to "Got Away" it would be another "one-sided" story, but it'd only consist of one side of a phone conversation since the person would be talking to someone 3,000 miles away.
The trick that I'm afraid will work is having my name attatched to these stories, and those lost friends will recognize it and reach out. I know friendships have a way of fizzling out, but I've wanted to reconnect with the ones I felt I had strong connections with that kept me grounded.
That will probably be another movie. Like Martin Scorsese once told me, "start with the short films first [kid] and work your way up to the bigger ones." I paraphrased...