Monday, January 28, 2008  

Monday morning rant

I've been on hold with the passport agency only to find out that I cannot make an appointment until tomorrow. The agent warned me against trying to fool the system, saying that I would be sent home and forced to reschedule if I didn't follow the procedures. Oh brother! Remember all this government red tape when you go to the polls. Not that your vote will immediately fix anything that is currently broken, but that who and what you vote for will set the foundation for future issues.

Politics is a very personal and potentially divisive subject to tackle, even with your closest friends. I won't be addressing it here today, but with the election of the next leader of our nation quickly approaching, it's something that merits discussion. I've only been a citizen since 2001, so this will be my second presidential election. And I believe that this will be one of significance, considering our next president could be
(1) the first black president
(2) the first woman president
(3) the first Mormon president
(4) the first Libertarian president

And don't forget to closely look at those propositions. Commercials are all hyperbolic rhetoric. Don't pay attention to what you see on TV. Read. Read about the issues. Learn about where our candidates stand. Think about how their views will impact your life. And vote accordingly.

Chronicled @ 10:52 AM

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Thursday, January 24, 2008  

Picture blog

I posted some pictures on a new blog. Check them out at http://amateur-artist.blogspot.com/

Chronicled @ 1:31 PM

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I am the Queen...

...of Procrastination. Why, you may ask, am I the self-proclaimed queen?

Did I mention I'm going to the Philippines with my parents? We're leaving on February 11. It will be the first time I've ever been back to the islands since leaving at 5 months old. I'll be returning the same way I left - just me, my mom & dad. It's sure to be an emotional homecoming. I've known about this vacation for a few weeks now but just yesterday went to apply for my passport. The website did say the government would expedite the processing for an extra fee and that it would take two weeks or less. When I went to the passport processing station at my local post office, however, the worker suggested that it would be best for me to go to the agency in San Francisco. You see, it actually takes up to three weeks through the mail. If I went directly to the agency in the city I would receive my passport the same day. And it would cost me less money. Alrighty then. Guess I'll be spending a day in the city. He sent me off with the necessary information - address of the agency and a toll free number. One more thing to add to my to do list.

As soon as I got home I called the toll free number, which of course, was a phone tree. You know, press 1 for English, press 3 if your travel plans are within the next 7 days, press 345 if you're tired of listening to this message. I despise those things. I finally got through to a live person who was surprisingly very cheery and ready to answer all of my questions. Seems I'll have to wait until next Monday before I can call in to make an appointment to go to the agency to apply for my passport. He also mentioned that I should not arrive at my appointment more than 15 minutes prior because there is no waiting room at this facility. Additionally, if I am late for my appointment I would be turned away and be required to reschedule. Such stringent time constraints. There will be no procrastinating that day, this I can guarantee.

So I crossed one item off my to do list only to have more tasks added on. What's the lesson for me in all of this? Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today. So cliché but so true. Kinda like this vacation I'll be taking. At first I didn't want to go because I was scared. A foreign country whose language I barely understand and definitely don't speak. Two weeks with my parents during which I will be almost totally dependent upon them - that is a conflict waiting to happen. And trusting that my house will not fall apart while I'm gone? Maybe this trip can wait. Then again, I wish that I had gone back while my grandparents were still alive. The next time this opportunity comes up I might be working. My parents are getting older. I want to visit with someone who can connect me to my history. Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today.

Chronicled @ 8:16 AM

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008  

San Francisco - The Bay Bridge at night

Chronicled @ 10:03 AM

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008  

EyeSpy...

While cruising for jobs on the internet I came across this opportunity. It's not really a paid position, but you are compensated for expenses. Check out the site. It's www.theeyespy.com. And check out this blurb I wrote. Either I am the queen of BS or this really happened. You figure it out. The task was to write about why I want to be a part of the EyeSpy team and my most memorable dining experience.

Having worked in a customer service environment for many years, I fully believe that improvements cannot be made without the input of those that we serve. Also important to know is what works for the business and what retains its customers. EyeSpy provides this important service to its clients and I would like to be a part of that.

My most memorable dining experience was while cruising the Mexican Riviera. One particular evening, we attended a midnight buffet. The menu was incredible. Buttery escargot, luscious lobster tails, cheeses from every corner of the world, decadent chocolate desserts - something for every palate.

Adding to the colorful array of edibles that lay in front of us was the exquisite decor - hand carved ice sculpture masterpieces, flowers carved from nondescript fruits and veggies, carefully coordinated linens. It was an amazing sight.

Because it was a buffet, there was no need for a wait staff. However, the buffet attendants were meticulous about maintaining cleanliness and replenishing the supply. Like most buffets, however, the flavor of the food was not five-star, missing the important subtleties of gourmet dining. The atmosphere made up for where the taste was lacking. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate this experience a nine.

Chronicled @ 11:58 PM

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Finally....

After four long weeks I finally got a check from EDD today. It's mind boggling to imagine how much bureaucracy is involved with government held money. And the waste of time, on their end and mine, in getting this straightened out. Ridiculous. I won't go into a tirade about the government, though. It's a waste of energy. I'll just continue to play the game so that I can survive until I get a regular paycheck.

***Job search update***
So, if you're curious about the outcome of my interview last week, here's the scoop. I was not offered the position. I left the group interview last Monday with mixed feelings. I know that hawking beauty products to prospective sales consultants is not my thing, but it was worth a shot. Besides, I'm looking to reinvent myself. What better way than to do something that I have never, ever done or even thought of doing? Unfortunately, it was because of my lack of experience in the direct sales field (translation - I didn't sell enough Avon or Mary Kay - no offense intended) that I was not chosen. That and I think my approach was a little more hardened than those who participated in the interview with me. I won't go into detail about it, but suffice it to say that I don't think any of these people had to deal with being hung up on daily. "Why would I want to advertise with you for $500 when I can go to WebsiteXYZ for $75 and get better results? Thanks for calling. Buh-bye." Enough said.

*** Volunteer Remorse Alert***
The PTA held it's first meeting of the year last week. Where was my "just say NO NO NO!" back-up when I needed it the most? I made a concession to co-chair the event that I had been lobbying against doing from the very beginning of the year. However, I agreed to it only if the other two fundraisers were stricken. I was also reassured by the board that this role would be less time consuming and labor intensive than the others. In fact, this event is supposed to run itself. Ha - I've heard that one before. I know, I know. I can see you all shaking your heads as the word "SUCKER" comes to mind. I did think this through before consenting to the added responsibility that inevitably would be assigned to me. Or did I? OMG - what have I done?

***Figuring It Out***
No matter what direction I move in, I discovered that the only road worth traveling is the one that brings me peace of mind, heart and soul. Yeah, I'm ranting about the PTA, but when it comes down to it, I committed at the beginning of the school year to lead the fundraising efforts. Logically, one fundraiser versus two is a better deal. Only a few more months and my duties will be over. And as far not being given the opportunity to prove myself in a new industry, I'm not bitter. It is a little kick to the ego when you're told that you're not wanted. But, on the flipside, I just didn't feel "the fit". You know, the feeling you have when something is meant for you. It was totally absent. Now I can move on to exploring other options that had been put on the back burner.

***Resolutions Revisited***
I've made good on a couple of my resolutions. I've managed to do a bit of writing and reading. Exercising - not so much. It's too damn cold - he he. I've not given up my quest for my Personal Legend. Discovering it will definitely bring me the peace and harmony that I'm searching for. And lastly, getting my house in order. Slowly but surely it's coming along. So far, it's been a good January.

Chronicled @ 3:34 PM

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008  

Reality Check 101

I've been living the good life these past few weeks. No set schedule, no school functions, no PTA obligations, no boss, no worries! Just need to make sure the laundry is done, the family is fed, the house is semi-clean and all is good. Well, someone rudely pinched me and woke me up from that dream and said, "Welcome to Realityville." Is it anything like Amityville? Oh, the horror of having responsibilities!

It's the second week that school has been back in session. I've been avoiding the school office like the plague, for fear that someone would snag me and ask me to do something that I don't want to do. Already, during the first week back, I was fielding calls from problem fall fundraiser orders. And that ended more than a month ago! And don't get me started with PTA. I've been preparing them for the day that I finally resign, which will be soon. I've got other things to do, like get on with my life. Unfortunately, the PTA board doesn't seem to think I'm serious. They're planning ANOTHER fundraiser for the Spring on top of the two pre-planned fundraisers approved earlier this year. Let's see - that's a total of five fundraising activities this year. Are they nuts? Am I nuts for prolonging this agony? Someone please do an intervention and rescue me from my inability to say no to this group of people who claim to "be in it for the good of our students." That's all fine and dandy, but please, for my sanity's sake, do it without me. I've put a dollar value on the time I've invested to this organization. It ranges somewhere between $2000 - $2500. Money talks - time to walk.

Speaking of money, this unemployment thing isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be. I've heard, "It's free money. Take it!" Yeah, I would like to take it but EDD doesn't give it up so easy. It seems I answered inappropriately to the question, "Did you look for work during this week?" The week in question was December 23 - December 29. I answered NO. I thought I was doing the right thing by being honest. Who looks for work during Christmas week? Obviously I should have been, 'cuz they're not sending me a check until after they interview me on Thursday, January 17. And don't try calling them because you won't get through. And if you get through, they'll tell you to wait for your interview.
&@#*! - EXPLETIVE - !%&#!!!!!!!
I need to get paid. I haven't received a check in over a month. Good thing I received that nice fat pension when I got laid off - NOT. Needless to say I've become a master of the budget and have a new best friend, Mastercard. Ahhhh, Mastercard. Once, long ago, he showered me with new shoes, nights on the town and other niceties. Now, he takes care of PG&E, water and Comcast. Good thing he's versatile.

FOCUS. Looking at my previous posting I see that my tone is quite different. Create my own reality. Redirect this energy into something positive. Surround myself with people and situations that bring me happiness and joy. Hmmmmm, OK. Enough said.

I had my interview yesterday. It was more like an introduction to the company rather than an interview. The group started off with seven women. After the role-playing exercise (you sales people will know what this is) the group dropped down to six. This position is a lot more work than I'm accustomed to. Instead of dreading the additional responsibilities which, on paper, look overwhelming, I'm opening myself up to accept the challenge. In this case, responsibilities aren't so bad. A regular paycheck doesn't hurt either. I'm can see the dollars roll in now. Green - it's such a comforting color. And no, this is not a dream. ;-p

Chronicled @ 4:36 PM

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Thursday, January 10, 2008  

Creating my own reality

Today I had coffee with someone who is currently employed by the company that I will be working for soon. I say "will be" because, well, just because. Have you ever felt that opportunities arise at the perfect time? That things happen for a reason? That people come into your life because either you are to learn something from them or them from you? Regardless of how insignificant the situation or person may seem at that particular moment, there is a reason for it. We have the ability to make choices. We put ourselves where we are supposed to be. Men and women are brought together to procreate. Humans are creative beings. Why not create our own realities?

OK, I know that sounds a little off the wall. Let's look at it from something we can control - our bodies. For the most part, we control our health. What we eat, what we do and how we do it all contribute to our overall well-being. If you eat like crap and are a couch potato, well, you know the outcome. If you follow the nutritional guidelines set by whatever government official is the flavor of the moment (who put ketchup in the vegetable category?) then you might be in good shape. If you're a health fanatic who religiously works out and counts carbs, you're probably looking pretty hot. Whatever category you fall in, you've created it. The question is, are you happy in your own creation? If not, the ability to change it is strictly in your hands. You create your own physical reality.

The same principle should apply to all aspects of your life, not just the physical. It seems simple enough, but you need to equip yourself with the right tools. Family. Friends. Attitude. A strong belief system. With the right support you will end up where you are supposed to be for that particular moment. Like Legos, every moment is a building block, a piece of the foundation that is your life. Even during bad times we are still building. Even if we feel like we've made irresponsible decisions, we are still growing. We are still building that 20 room Lego mansion that we've designed and redesigned and redesigned again.

Let me circle back to my coffee meeting this morning. I was feeling apprehensive about the interview next Monday. I haven't interviewed with a new company for over 20 years. After sharing these feelings with her, she shared her experiences with me, not just about the company, but about the journey that led her to where she is now. The energy and enthusiasm she emanated was infectious. It was exactly what I needed. I was there for a reason.

I feel empowered, like I really am on the right path. Even if things don't pan out, at least I know I'm taking steps in the right direction.

Chronicled @ 12:18 PM

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Tuesday, January 8, 2008  

Insomnia

To echo the sentiments of my cousin and fellow blogger - "Insomnia is a bitch." I don't know why, but for the past few nights I haven't been able to sleep. Last night my mind was racing, jumping from thought to thought like an unmedicated schizophrenic. I was hearing voices and they were all different.

Creative me - "What are you going to write about tomorrow? It's been a couple of days. Better be something good."
Responsible me - "You need to start going through all this crap sitting around the house and decide what to do with it. Time to purge!"
Irresponsible me - "I wonder who is available for lunch tomorrow. I'd rather do that than clean."
Curious me - "Should I or shouldn't I go to the union office to read my work evaluation? What good will that do? But I really want to know!"
Anxious me - "Where in the world am I going to find a job that will give me the same freedom as the last one?"

And so it went on for at least an hour. My body, finally tired of the information storm rattling my brain, started to relax and fell asleep. This morning I awoke surprisingly rested. My thoughts must have attracted what I was subconsciously searching for.

I have subject matter for the blog. I've put together a couple of bags of stuff to donate. I've found someone to have lunch with me. There's no point in reviewing an evaluation for a company that I never plan on returning to. Besides, I know I was - and still am - a good worker. AND, the company that I've been waiting on finally called to schedule an interview. Things are looking good.

Chronicled @ 8:39 AM

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Thursday, January 3, 2008  

I'm not a movie critic, but...

...I do know a good movie when I see it. My preference gravitates toward indie and foreign films. They're interesting, don't feature overpaid actors and tend to be more creative. I'm not trying to be a cinema snob, but I like to watch movies that require you to actually pay attention to what is happening. A couple of nights ago I watched Once, a movie that has been touted as one of the best of 2007. There's not much action or plot. Actually, there is no action or plot. It's a relationship movie, so if you need visual stimulation to keep you interested, this may not be the movie for you. It's about two musicians, both at a crossroads in their respective relationships, who join forces and, literally, make beautiful music together. I won't say much more. You'll have to judge for yourself and let me know what you think. Here's a small list of some of my favorite films - indie, foreign and mainstream. (I've been doing a lot of movie watching lately.)

Scotland, PA - A modern day Hamlet set in a hamburger diner.
The Station Agent - Another friendship movie starring the self-absorbed dwarf author from the movie Elf.
The Barbarian Invasions - A film set in Quebec about a son and his dying father.
Ran - Japanese version of King Lear.
Little Miss Sunshine - Some may find it offensive. I find it rolling-on-the-floor hilarious.
Transamerica - Good dialogue and watching Felicity Huffman play a man in drag who wants to become a woman is quite humorous.
Grease - Who doesn't love this movie?

There are a ton of movies that I could mention. I love all James Dean flicks - all three of them that is. And anything with John Cusack tops my list. I need some suggestions - recycling the old flicks can get boring. Send me your lists!

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Chronicled @ 4:39 PM

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Street dancers

We came across this group of kids one evening while strolling through downtown over the holidays. I tried to capture their motion by using a slower shutter speed and smaller aperture. The ghost like image of the dancer is intriguing to me - reminds me of that movie Donnie Darko.

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Chronicled @ 3:08 PM

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Wednesday, January 2, 2008  

Put it in writing

There's something about writing down with pen (not pencil) and paper your goals and to-do lists. No matter how formal or informal the format, it's an official document, a contract between you and yourself. I thought to myself - what if I put my resolution list on the blog for all the world to see? Then I would HAVE TO follow through with at least two or three of my resolutions, right? At least for a few months. Actually, that would probably be a few months more than any of my attempts over the past several years. Here is my list for today. I say for today because, as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow (pardon the cliche but I haven't had my caffeine shot for the morning and my brain is still waking up), the list will evolve over the next few days-weeks-maybe even months. Hey, it's just like reworking the budget when the revenue numbers just don't meet the bosses' expectations, right?



* Start a workout routine that will involve running at least 3 times a week and cross-training twice. Yeah, I know, everyone makes this resolution, but I've got 10 months to get myself in shape for a half-marathon that I've committed to and paid for. Money is a great motivator, especially when you're not working.



* Read. Now that I've got time there is no excuse to not exercise those brain cells that have been dormant for so long. As of today, I am reading Eat, Pray, Love, which I commit to finishing before the end of the month. (I've been reading this book since the end of October, 2007 and I'm only 1/4 of the way through).



* Write more. Along with reading comes its natural partner, writing. This includes any form of written expression - blogging, story telling, and "just want to keep in touch and see how you're doing" letters.



* Get my house in order. Hmmm, this is a heavy commitment. The most obvious house that I need to tackle is the cluttered, filled-with-things-I-don't-need structure that shelters me and my family from the outside elements. The other is the one that prevents me from addressing such issues. Definitely challenging, but once it's done I am going to be a much better me.



* Find my Personal Legend. For those of you who don't know what this means, read The Alchemist. You'll love it.

Now, on a smaller scale, I've got to write today's To Do list. Sheesh! The life of a mom... it's full of "to do's".

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Chronicled @ 9:12 AM

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