Thursday, December 3, 2009
TGIO 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Breakfast Bread
Friday, November 6, 2009
NaNo Recipes
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Big Slick
Monday, October 12, 2009
Busy Weekend
Sunday, August 23, 2009
LTC Course Day
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
"I Think It's on Fire..."
Memorial
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness
1.) If you had to either shop for your groceries in your underwear only (bra&panties or boxers/briefs/whatever) or run streaking through the mall totally naked for no less than 4 minutes, which will you pick?
Streaking! I want to see the reactions - and if I get to run, I can run from security too.
2.) You're having dinner at the inlaws (your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents if not married) and the food is so awful you would rather eat the table cloth. Your mother in law (bf/gf mother) calls you out and asks if there is anything wrong with the food. You can't say you're "just not that hungry" because you had earlier claimed to be "starving" so now, how do you respond to her?
With my particular set of "in-laws," I'm sure by that point it's already been said for me by my boyfriend, at which point a hesitant agreement would be reasonably inoffensive. I'd still eat some, though.
4.) Would you rather have to walk 30 feet over burning hot coals or walk 70 feet over broken shards of glass? Why?
I would prefer the glass. Although I know it's possible to walk on coals without burning your feet, my feet are sensitive (hey, they've been in shoes all winter) and I'd rather get cut than burned.
5.) Would you rather have to have sex with your partner with a room full of your former highschool classmates watching or have sex with your partner in a room full with a mix of each of your former exes watching?
Usually I delete these questions to keep this blog appropriate...but that one is just hilarious. I don't even think I'm going to answer it, just leave it up for laughs.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness 56
What boss?
2. If you SO asks you "Does this make me look fat?" how do you answer?
3. What is one thing that you pay for, but resent having to do so?
4. A day is being created in honor of you. How should we celebrate it?
5. What CD or Album in your music collection do you secretly enjoy, but would be embarrassed if others heard you grooving to it?
6. How long do you think you would last if you were a contestant on Survivor?
Friday, May 8, 2009
World's Oddest Cars
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kicking Fences
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness
3. When you browsing a book store for reading material, do you find yourself checking out a book solely based on the cover design?
4. Which 80's trend were you least happy to see come back this year; big shoulder pads or neon?
5. How long do you think could you disappear for until someone would notice your absence and start looking for you?
6. Have you ever walked out of a movie and asked for your money back? Which movie(s) and why?
7. Have you ever changed your plans because of something you read in your horoscope?
Sweet Shot
Monday, April 27, 2009
Flower Boxes
...side note: Blogger still won't let me paste things, so these links are all hand-copied. If any of them are broken, let me know.
Me with my favorite tool - the power drill:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/DSCN0772.jpg
Finished and planted:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/DSCN0775.jpg
This picture looks sideways no matter how I rotate it:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/DSCN0776.jpg
Friday, April 24, 2009
Snaille Maille
Firstly, since I'm no longer working at Bdubs (more on that another time), I've decided to get serious about my hobby of chainmaille jewelry and turn it into a business. Check out my Etsy, The Snaille's Maille, and if you like my pieces, recommend me to your friends! I'm going to print up some business cards, too, but I haven't designed them yet. Until then it's word-of-mouth...which is the best advertising, after all.
Funny Cats
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=56138606
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday-Thursday Weirdness
1. What items (if any) do you get embarrassed to purchase?
I don't. After being a cashier for a while myself, I realized there was a point where nothing really seemed weird anymore. I will not be embarrassed until I'm the woman who paid a $13 bill with a huge jar of pennies and nickels.
3. Do you untie your shoes every time you take them on and off or do you slip them on and off?
Depends on the type of shoes. Standard sneakers I will tie and untie, but my skateboarding shoes are slip-ons.
4. What is the last thing you broke by accident?
As opposed to the last thing I broke on purpose? I remember the last thing I watched be broken, which was a glass at the Hatfield Pub...but I don't remember the last break I perpetrated.
5. If you had to lose one of your body parts, what would it be and why?
If I could choose a small, unnoticable one, probably a toe. The average person can function just fine without one toe, and most people never even have to know.
7. If you could have the ability to solve problems quickly and easily or the ability to know without doubt every time a person told a lie, which ability would you want and why?
I'd choose the first, because I'm already reasonably good at the second.
Wednesday Weirdness original post #52.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness
1.) What condiment goes best with french fries?
Definitely ketchup. There's no other option.
2.) What condiment do you feel best represents your personality?
Spicy mustard! It may look innocent, but watch out...
3.) If the love of your life was a different religion from you, would you convert for them if they asked you to?
Why would they ask me to? I don't care what religion they are as long as they don't try to convert me/other people. I would educate them if they wished, but I would never try to convert anybody.
4.) What is your favorite thing to eat with peanut butter?
Apples.
5.) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Definitely not. It would probably change my life a whole lot, and not for the better. I want to concentrate on my life, not my demise.
6.) If you could change your eye color to anything in the world you wanted, what would you change it to?
Purple :) Really bright purple!
7.) Are you more often the partner in crime or the good conscience with your friends and family?
The partner. Hey, I haven't been arrested yet!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Commuter Update
The drive to Sunderland is an hour, the drive to UMass an hour and ten, but I'm getting used to it already. I have days' worth of music on my iPod, and there's something therapeutic about just driving and singing, especially in nice weather like we're having today.
Bdubs has been giving me all crap shifts, but fortunately I've picked up some good ones from people who want days off, so it evens out. I worked last night, and if I've talked to you in person, you know that story. Anyway, I was the closer, and the dining room was done by 11:00. I then stood around and watched Heath work like crazy in the bar for the rest of the night, and tried to look busy when the manager came around. I did all right in tips, not great. I broke my record for lowest tip ever: 12 cents. And it wasn't that she tossed her change on the table, either; she actually wrote out ".12" on her credit card slip. Her bill was only $3-change, but still, what is wrong with people?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Return Trip
Since I had nowhere to be, I stopped less than an hour north of Roanoke to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World: Natural Bridge. I took a bunch of pictures that I have yet to take off my camera, but you know the drill: I'll post when I do. The walk was really nice, and I did my best to enjoy the beautiful summer weather before heading back up north.
The drive home was not quite as uneventful as the drive down, though nothing terrible happened. I got stuck in two hours worth of stop-and-go from route 66 in Virginia to the 495 beltway in Maryland into I-95. By the time I reached the outskirts of Philadelphia, the sun was down, and it was pitch dark when I pulled off the highway. My cell phone was dead, so I called mom from a pay phone in what seemed to the sketchiest district of Philly I could possibly have found. I explained why I was on my home, and she told me to get a hotel for the night if I was too tired.
Not tired yet, I got dinner at McD's (after having had lunch at the same) and got back on the road. In New Jersey I started looking for a hotel, but somehow I ended up over the bay and lost in Manhattan. Well, I can say I've been to New York now! After recovering from that, I wandered around for a while in Secaucus, then got back on the turnpike. I was really getting tired when I hit Stamford, Connecticut, but after getting lost there too, couldn't find a hotel less than $180. Back on the turnpike.
I finally found a Motel 6 somewhere just south of the Massachusetts border off of I-91 and crashed at about 1:30 in the morning. I finished the drive to mom's house the next day, and that's where I still am. I still have not caught up on the reading I that I swore I'd do. Some of drama has finally cooled off, due mostly to various people studiously ignoring each other. I'm moving in with Marie tomorrow, returning to work on Monday and school on Tuesday. It'll be one hell of an obnoxious commute from her place to the corner of Massachusetts where most of my life is, but I'll survive. The worst part will be the times I get out of work at 2am...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Solo Road Trip
Of course, being me, I did manage to get a bit lost in New York, but with the help of mom and Google Maps I got out again and the rest of the trip went fine. I skipped Pennsylvania entirely, which was a large part of my original route, but I found a good way to get here and it worked out. I called Alex from the city of Roanoke, and she came and found me and we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Alejandro's. They had something I've never seen before but am a huge fan of: a salsa bar. They set a basket of chips on the table and you go get whatever types of salsa you want to go with it. I'm a salsa whore - it was a little piece of food heaven for me.
Thinking about it now is making me hungry again. Damn.
Alex has class all day tomorrow, so I'm going to hang out in her apartment and get as much school catchup work done as I can. Having recently failed two exams, I've got plenty to work on. But first, I sleep in, since I went to sleep at 2:30 this morning, was woken again at 4am, and then again at 6:30, and have been up since then. I just wish I had some way to work the kinks out of my neck and back that came from all the driving.
Oh, and in other wonderful news: my car needs a new engine. When it rains, it pours, right?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness
1. What makes a person sexy to you?
It's all in the personality...and even though it's technically a physical thing, I include someone's smile as part of their personality. A good smile generally means a good sense of humor.
2. When having the 'number of sex partners' talk with a potential significant other, would you be turned off if they had slept with more than a certain number of people? If yes, what is that number?
Ha. Haha. Ha. NO. I have no number.
3. Once and for all, pocketbook sized dogs and the people who carry them in pocketbooks. Cute or crazy?
CRAZY! Anything small enough to fly when kicked is too damn small. And why would you want to carry something in your purse that might shit in said purse?
4. Do you give up anything for Lent? If so, what?
If I was religious in the least I might have an answer.
Wednesday Weirdness #46
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Looky Here...
There are two more pictures that Craig managed to dig up, as well:
This one's too wide for the page:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/2317640623.jpg
(For anyone wondering, I'm swinging poi.)
Fangs/Wednesday Weirdness
Anyway, Marie, Craig and I went to dinner at Bdubs, so Marie could see where I'm working. Abel was cut just as we got there, so after he finished his sidework he came and joined us, and the four of us hung out for a while. Then he went home, and the three of us got gothed up and headed for NoHo.
Marie finally gave in to the call of RJ's handmade vampire fangs, and I kept her company while she sat in the spotlight and had them made. They came out looking really nice - I'll post pictures later. I made the mistake of following my spicy buffalo wings with a Long Island Ice Tea and then shaking up the whole mix on the dance floor. I didn't get drunk, and nothing terrible happened, but my stomach wasn't happy with me. I'd like to think I won't do that again.
Now for Wednesday Weirdness (some questions removed to keep this blog PG)...
1. What is one thing one of your closest friends does that drives you batshit crazy?
Marie worries way too much. I had to convince her last week that going out to look for Matt in a snowstorm because he had stopped answering texts was a bad idea.
3. If you woke up the opposite gender for one day, what would be the biggest downside to that for you?
Having my wardrobe be suddenly so limited. A girl can wear pretty much whatever she wants and be accepted...a guy, not so much. Then again, I might put on eyeliner just to see what would happen.
4. Do you use curse words in front of children?
I'm not around children all that much. If I'm sitting near one in a restaurant, I still curse, but I try to make sure they don't hear me.
5. If you were zapped with a laser and turned into an animated character, what Disney movie would you hate to play a part in?
Finding Nemo. Too much water!
7. What are three things you want to try doing but haven't yet?
a) racing cars
b) writing a computer game, concept to graphics to code
c) snowboarding the half-pipe
Brought to you by Wednesday Weirdness.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Door
Today wasn't a terribly spectacular day for any reason. I did manage to cut myself - not with a knife, not with broken glass, not with any of the myriad dangerous things you can find in a restaurant. No, I cut myself with a cupboard door. Twice. In two completely separate areas of my body. Not knowing where to find bandaids, I wandered around for at least five minutes looking for a trainer or manager, unable to get my customers their drinks for fear of bleeding on them. But it's all good - as I said to Doug, I can laugh at my own pain, and it was pretty funny.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday Weirdness
Most likely long enough that I would be rescued or find my way out. I've been to the jungle before and I have a few survival skills packed away in the back of my mind.
2.) Do you think it's okay to lie to spare someone's feelings? Why?
I really think the only reason people lie is out of fear; in this case, fear that someone would be mad at them for beind honest. So I guess it depends on how big a thing you're lying about and how mad the person will be if you tell them the truth. Decide whether they'd want to know in the long run.
3.) If a talking [Katherine] doll were made, what are THREE phrases it would say?
"Really?"
"Fuckin' A, that's awesome!"
"Aww, I'm sorry."
4.) If the super power to be able to read minds at your own will were possible, do you think it would be... cool and helpful, intrusive and wrong, manipulative or maddening? Explain why you would or wouldn't want to be able to read anyone's mind at your own will.
Those would all depend on the person using the power! It would certainly be maddening as hell at least until you learned to control it. After that, the rest is up to you...but I think it would be much easier to use it for manipulation than assistance.
5.) Drunk confessions, are they the things people can't bring themselves to say sober or just crazy ramblings of an influenced and intoxicated mind?
They are definitely always things that people can't bring themselves to say sober, but whether they're deep dark secrets or psychotic rantings depends on whether you have any deep dark secrets, and what kind of mood you're in.
6.) What brings out the worst in you?
Stupid people, angry drivers, ignorant people.
7.) Do you think long distance relationships work? Have you ever been in one before?
I was in one temporarily while in South America, and that worked, but I think it only worked because I knew it was temporary. I wouldn't do it long-term with no end in sight.
This is from Wednesday Weirdness.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Car
I'll start with the short background: I took it to Autex in Keene for an oil change, after which it developed a small rattle, not terribly alarming. Three thousand or so miles later, I took it back to the same place for an inspection, since they'd offered me a free one. I requested that they check out the rattle, which had gotten quite a bit worse in the last couple of months.
The guy came back to me looking somewhat alarmed and informed me that they hadn't found a rattle, but the engine was rapping loudly (sounds the same to me...he couldn't have just figured that's what I'd heard?), and when they checked, the car contained no oil. I told them to do an oil change and check for leaks, and they did so and found none.
The rapping stopped for about twenty-four hours, then began again, getting progressively worse over a couple of weeks until it was even worse than before. I checked the oil often, but even after a drive to western New York and back the level hardly fell, so I wasn't overly worried. The exhaust looked and smelled as it should, and it left no puddle in the driveway.
This week marked another three thousand since the last oil change, so I took it to JiffyLube to have the job done. In the summer I would do it myself, but there's no way I'm lying down in the snow and ice at this time of year to save twenty bucks. Craig asked the tech how the oil looked when it came out of the car, and the answer was, "There wasn't enough to tell. Oh, and you're low on coolant, too." He also told us that they did find a leak, between the engine and the transmission. It wasn't leaving a puddle because it only leaks while I'm driving.
The engine rapping was very slightly better after the service, but as I figured, it came right back. It seems the cylinders and/or cylinder heads are too badly damaged from...whatever the hell happened...to recover. Now, missing oil and coolant, and a leak between the engine and transmission that only happens when it's running - put the clues together, and what do they suggest? Unfortunately, a cracked engine block.
Of course, just finding out if that's actually the problem could cost more than the car is worth, so I'm pretty well stuck. I'm going to try to find a local mechanic who will give me an opinion without charging me three months' paycheck, but I honestly don't have a lot of hope.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
First Week of Work, with Pictures!
Thursday night was good, since it was Thirsty Thursday for the college crowd, and there was some big game, and Bdubs brought in a DJ for the night. The bar was packed, and even though I was working Dining and not Bar Dining, I made $75. Last night, on the other hand, sucked. I was in Bar Dining, and though the crowd was decent, it wasn't huge. I would've done okay if three of my tables hadn't decided not to tip me. I was so fed up by the third one that I actually asked, and they assured me they would leave me money before they left the bar...but they disappeared without doing so. I came home pissed off and bitter at the world. What possesses people not to tip? Do they not know we get paid almost nothing as a wage? I make $2.63 an hour. I didn't even crack minimum wage yesterday.
I made $45 working day shift today, but the shift went well, and I don't expect to make as much during the day as the night. When they started cutting people at 3pm, I had four full tables, after doing just two all week, and it went really well. There was a screwup in the kitchen that meant one of my tables waited almost an hour for their order that should've taken 15 minutes, but they were very nice about it. The manager never figured out what happened; one of the other managers had done a fly ticket for a fish sandwich at my table, which no one had ordered, and somehow that resulted in their original (and correct) ticket getting lost.
Though the job depends entirely on the customers, and some of them are assholes, for the most part it's turning out to be enjoyable. Hopefully my blisters will heal eventually and turn into callouses, and I'll make some more money when they cut the shifts and give us each more tables. For now, though, I'm struggling to balance work and homework.
Liz, me, and Braulio at the Lab 'n' Lager in Keene on my 21st birthday:
Me and Craig at Haven:
Me and Leslie. Byrdy did her awesome hair.
Me and Abel. Somehow I failed to notice until I saw this picture that he was wearing eyeshadow. I really can't explain how I missed that. And yes, he was also wearing pigtails.
Two pictures that are too wide for this damn page.
Me, Pam, Paul, and Sarah:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/haven02.png
Me and Byrdy:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh276/keskipper/haven05.png
And finally, me in my infinitely stylish Bdubs uniform, complete with cheerleader ribbons in my hair:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Grand Opening, Grand Party
All in all, it went pretty well, except that people who are given free food don't seem to feel the need to tip for the service that got them that food, so we all got stiffed for the first couple of hours. Once the paying customers started arriving, I had an exceedingly grumpy couple who, though they didn't complain about anything, seemed determined to be pissed off, and took it out on my tip for reasons unknown. The service industry is great when you have great customers...and it sucks when you don't.
I caused one problem that got blown into a major screwup when one of the trainers tried to fix my mistake and made another one, and it resulted in one table paying for their drinks but getting their food free. They, at least, left me a good tip, although I'm sure it was a thank-you for the free burgers. I was there from 9am to 5:30, and when I got home and took my shoes off, I discovered that my feet were covered in blisters, toes to heels. My shoes aren't uncomfortable - I guess I just have to get used to them.
My Massachusetts license arrived in the mail yesterday, too. We went to the DMV on Saturday like I said, but they no longer have any weekend hours, so I had to wait until Monday. I was expecting to walk out with my new license, like I used to in New Hampshire, but apparently they can't produce them on the spot here. You get a temporary paper copy, which says NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION (although many places will take it anyway), and your actual license gets mailed to you. Once again, I get points for managing to have a good picture taken.
In other recent events, last night was Haven's 13th birthday party, which is the goth nightclub that Craig and I (and now a bunch of other people I know) hang out at. Normally I wouldn't go out partying on a Tuesday night, but that's the only night that Haven is open; every other night of the week they're a gay club called Diva's. Anyway, said party was enormous, the biggest group I've seen descend on Haven in quite a while, probably since the Saints & Sinners ball. Leslie, Byrdy, Sarah, and Eric were there (the crew from Eric's birthday party last weekend), as well as Craig's friend Paul, and Abel and Amanda. I've never not had fun at Haven, but it's even more fun now that I know a bunch of the regulars/old-schoolers. If any of the photos we took turn out decent, I'll post.
I did actually accomplish one thing besides just having crazy fun: I got Amanda (Abel's wife) to have a conversation with me. I wouldn't go so far as to say I got her to actually like me, but civil chat is a start. The fact that she brings their chihuahua with her makes it easier, too, as I can physically occupy myself with patting the dog while talking. While I don't want to be overly optimistic, it definitely could have gone worse.
And last but not least, a shout-out to uncle Carl: thanks for the birthday gift! Especially having been unemployed for a couple of months, it's very much appreciated. My car thanks you too, for the oil change it'll be getting this week, and its finally full tank.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Training Week
Sunday was orientation round two (round one being last Tuesday). Honestly, I can barely remember what we did at this point - the week has quickly become a blur. It was definitely the day we got our uniforms and training manuals, but beyond that, I really can't tell you what we did. I only remember that we were there from 6:00 to past 9:00pm.
Monday night to Wednesday night, training ran from 5:00 to 10:00pm, and consisted of memorizing the menu, memorizing the 14+1 signature sauces (no, it's not 15, really), memorizing the drinks in the bar, learning techniques including pivot point table service, and figuring out how to use the POS. I heard it said about the computer that it's "user friendly but not intuitive," which I have to totally disagree with. If a system isn't intuitive, it's not user-friendly. The definition of user-friendly is that it's easy to get around without knowing too much about it...so wouldn't intuitiveness be a boon? You'd think.
Thursday night was the usual training, followed by a pep rally until 11:00. The theory of the company is that their teams of employees should be like a sports team. After all, everything else about them is sports-themed, including the menu. As silly as it is to sing songs like I'm back in girl scout camp and scream at the managers like they're rock stars, I'd honestly rather that than a general "Congrats, here's a job, now fuck off." Though I'm not too fond of some of our franchiser's policies, I do have to give the group credit for putting together a really good team. I have yet to find anyone there I dislike for any reason, and I've actually made a few friends.
Friday was Family and Friends day, where each of us was given a pass for two people for the lunch or dinner shift, so we could come in and get a meal with one other person. The food was on the house to give the staff practice at ordering, mixing, serving, and the rest of the deal without going 100% live. After all, you don't have to worry much about people comlaining when they're eating for free.
I got out a little bit early that night, at 9:30, because our shift did really well and cleaned up fast. I had a small fiasco with trying to split one family between two tabes which were in two different sections. I was told both tables were mine (giving me three tables, when no one was supposed to have more than two), but the second table was in someone else's section, so she thought it was hers. There was quite a bit of confusion until that was sorted out by the trainers...and it was the manager's family we were messing around with. The trainers said they were impressed with how well we did, especially compared to some of the other BWW's they've opened.
I ran home after work, showered, and then we went to Craig's friend Eric's birthday party. Almost as soon as we walked in the door, I was accosted by a girl named Kat who heard that my 21st was recently and said to Craig, "I get to corrupt your girlfriend!" She dragged me into the kitchen and poured me a drink, and I chatted with her and Sarah (who I knew from Haven) and a guy named Bob. We got free entertainment out of the deal when Bob's brother Ross wandered in completely smashed and proceeded to start patting Craig and talking loudly about things that would be inappropriate to post, but that caused a whole lot of laughter.
Somehow I forgot that I hadn't eaten since my dozen spicy wings at B-dubs at 11:30am, and by...okay, I have no clue what time it was...I was pretty well under. I sat for quite a while and talked with a guy with pink hair in a skirt whose name was either Brittany, Freddy, or Birdie - I never figured it out. Our intent had been to go home early, especially given the amount of cigarette smoke in the small apartment, but after having no time for anything all week, I was glad to be able to relax and meet some new people. Craig says we got home about 2am. I remember showering, then falling asleep on the couch, then waking up at...well, who knows, and going to bed.
This morning I was up at 9:00 again to be back at B-dubs by 10:00. The really ironic thing? I was there for ServSafe alchohol training! Abel and Laura laughed hysterically when they heard that. Fortunately for me, I only get hangovers if I'm already sick, so I felt fine, if a little tired. The course was boring as hell but not difficult. The most exciting part of the day was sprinting through the mall to Subway to get lunch on a 7-minute break. We made it back in time, just barely. The other funny moment came when I went to cross my legs under the table without realizing how close to the table said legs already were, and I whacked my knee so hard on the underside of the table that I think half the room must have heard it. I just about melted onto the table trying not to laugh out loud.
The course let out at 3:00, and I asked Abel what he was going to do for the next hour until his night shift started. (Tonight was another practice shift like the F&F one yesterday, but involving local "VIPs", whatever they consider those to be. I wasn't put on shift for this one.) He grabbed my arm and dragged me to Target, where I was informed that I was going to help him pick out a Valentine's Day card for his wife.
"That's ironic," I said, "Given how much she hates me."
"She doesn't hate you," he said, "She hates everyone." Okay, that's better then. I shan't pass on all the gory details, but suffice it to say that he and his wife have not been getting on so well of late.
"Isn't she convinced that you're cheating on her with me or something?" I asked. I met her during the F&F shift on Friday, and my friendly smile, handshake, and "Nice to finally meet you!" was answered by a death glare.
"I don't care what she thinks," was the answer. I have the distinct feeling I won't be spending very much time with her. "She yells at me for going to work, she yells at me for coming home late, she yells at me for having friends. And yesterday she said that if I'm going to be home after 10:30, I shouldn't bother coming home at all!"
"Where the hell are you supposed to go?" I asked.
"Beats me." Night shift, after all, lets out between midnight and 2am.
After our trip to Target, we hung out in the parking lot, and I juggled clubs while Abel spun poi. We got quite a few amused looks from the people in passing cars, which is always a fun way to pass time.
Tomorrow is the one day that everyone gets off. Translation: my one homework day. I'm glad I had tonight to just veg. Monday I've been put on day shift, which means that I'll be there for the grand opening, the first time that just anyone is allowed to come in and buy food, and for real money! I'll probably make a ton of mistakes, but I'm not nervous. The managers have been super patient about helping us to correct the mistakes we've made so far, and I haven't heard them yell at a single person, despite the chaos that is the definition of restaurant. I've said innumerable times that I hate foodservice, but I think I'm really going to like this job.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
21 Today
They started passing out paperwork, and the guy on my right introduced himself as Abel. I had to ask him what county I lived in for the forms, and we started talking. I had thought when he came in that he looked vaguely familiar, but I don't really know anyone around this area, so I dismissed the thought. Then he told me that he used to work at a goth/industrial club, and I asked if he meant Haven. When he said yes, I realized exactly where I recognized him from. Haven has been one of my favorite hang-out spots for the last year and a half or so, and he's an old-school Havenite - been there pretty much since it opened.
Both of us were glad to have encountered another smartass in a crowd of what looked to be largely Ugg-boots girls and Abercrombie boys, and we ended the night making snide comments about the "educational" video they showed us. These things were like 80s animation (think old Def Leppard music videos) meets Star Wars-brand scifi meets the worst of driver's ed videos, and they were on such topics as Kitchen Safety and Sexual Harrassment.
People's Bank put out an offer to the staff of B-dubs that if we open a new checking account with direct deposit, they'll give us $100. I'm not stupid - I went to the bank yesterday and opened the account. As I was leaving, I ran into Abel, who was doing the same thing. According to the bank manager, most of the staff had been there already, and there were more when I left. I don't know how they can afford an offer like that, but it sure as hell is a good one.
So today is my 21st birthday. [/END selfPlug]I'm going out in a few minutes to get a new driver's license, replacing my New Hampshire one with a Massachusetts version, and tonight I'm going up to Keene to see Marie, Liz and crew. Craig and I are going to stay at Marie's house (provided she's not too sick, as she had an upper respiratory infection the last time we talked) and then go visit mom for lunch on Sunday. Sunday night begins another round of B-dubs orientations and training that's going to last every day this week. Wish me luck getting any schoolwork done.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Pro-pain-in-the-Butt
He tried to give me instructions over the phone on how to turn on the hot water heater. I figured it couldn't be difficult, since I had to light the water heater with a match whenever I wanted to take a shower in Ecuador. It was, in fact, just turn a valve and flip a switch, no lighter necessary, but the burner was in a bad mood, having run itself completely dry. After fiddling with the water heater, then going outside and getting snow in my slippers and cold water down the back of my neck to fiddle with the tank, then more unsuccessful attempts at coaxing the heater to do its thing, I finally gave up. Craig somehow convinced it to work while I was at a meeting at school later, so we are back to having warm showers and clean dishes the easy way.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Cold Beans
Also, while striving to prepare said failing meal, there was no hot water to be had from the sink. An investigation has uncovered that we're out of propane, and neither of us can afford to pay for more right now. So Craig will be showering at work, and I'll be showering at the gym at school. The heat has already been off for a week and it's not really a big deal, as the electric can pick up the slack. The only real issue will probably be doing dishes. That's what used the last of the water, anyway, was the dishwasher. Stupid ungrateful machine. Or something.
As much as I'd like to post something scintillating, I haven't really got much right now. Today was spent alternating between doing homework and playing poker, and tonight is Poker Night, when we spend as many hours as humanly possible watching High Stakes Poker, usually followed by either the World Poker Tour or a World Series of Poker event. Last week it was reruns of the 2006 US Poker Championship, and last night was the Full Tilt Million Dollar Cash game. I'm such a junkie, but there are far worse things I could be addicted to.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Espresso Fail
When I returned from the basement, the espresso maker was hissing angrily, and I stared at it for a few seconds, perplexed, before realizing the problem: my incorrect assumption that the steam valve had been closed when I removed it from the bag. It was enthusiastically steaming the counter and putting very little effort into making coffee.
This morning was another adventure in fail, as I forced my poor little car through the snow storm to school for my second day of classes. I made it to the parking garage and then slogged around the pond and up the hill to the science building...only to find it locked. The school was closed, but since I forgot my phone on the kitchen table when I left, I couldn't call the snow line to find out.
As I was walking back down the hill and around the pond, I had to stop and turn out of the wind to let my forehead thaw, and I found a little hidden patch of pond that hadn't iced over. There were a dozen or so Mallard ducks swimming around in circles. I know their feet are insulated and don't have much in the way of nerves, but I still had to wonder how they stay warm in that freezing water. I'd think they would want to migrate like Canada geese, but I guess they don't fly well enough. They were certainly a cheerful sight in the snow, either way.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Misbusadventure
In bigger news (at least in my world), today was my first day of classes at UMass! My schedule includes no classes on Mondays, so I'm hoping I can work those days. On Tuesdays I have three classes, although today I only had two, because the first one was cancelled. That's CMPSCI 201, Architecture and Algorithms, which will start on Thursday. Today I had Calculus and Programming Methodology...and instant lessons in the local bus system.
Calculus is taught by a grad student, which in itself is a new experience for me. Keene was too small for the classes to ever be taught by students or TAs, and they don't have much of a grad program, anyway. (Are you supposed to refer to him as a professor?) Thought I kept up with class today, I got the distinct sense that that could change easily and quickly, so it was a little scary. After all, it has been two years since I took precalc, and my A was due more to the teacher's lenient grading than to my thorough understanding of the material. Translation: I aced it without a clue.
Prog Methods has two instructors, a main professor and an assistant professor, plus two TAs. Today's class was boring in the extreme, since we didn't actually do anything but listen to Prof A lecture about the syllabus, which are all the same anyway...grading percentages, don't cheat, don't plagiarize, turn your shit in on time, etc. etc. etc. Once again, though, I got the sense that it's going to pick up, and fast. It seems we're already expected to know just about everything there is to know about Java. Now, I've had three Java classes at Keene, and I consider myself pretty fluent in the creation and use of classes, passing parameters, syntax, and other basic stuff. Since Data Structures was in Java, I can also build quite a few of said structures in the language. But they never made use of some of the more advanced features, and from what I gathered from Mr. Prof., previous classes at UMass have. "We expect facility, not just familiarity..." plus a lot more. Oh well, I'll figure it out.
On to the bus adventure. Not only are parking stickers expensive, but UMass actually discourages the students from buying them, so I decided to do park-and-ride instead. I drive to Sunderland in the morning and park in the mini-mall across from the Cliffside Apartments, then take the bus to UMass. Getting there was no problem - in fact, I was half an hour early, and I took a few minutes to walk around and find the best way between my classroom buildings. Getting back, however, was not quite so easy.
From Sunderland, there's pretty much only one bus, maybe two, that pass by the stop. From UMass, every bus from just about everywhere goes by. I hopped on the one labeled 31, since that's supposedly my route number, but it just took me for a long ride down to the lower parking lots, out to some deserted corners of campus, and finally back to where I'd started. When I asked the driver what bus to take to Sunderland, she looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Take one labeled Sunderland." What do you know - that one took me where I wanted to go. I have no idea what happened to Route 31, though. It seems the routes on the map don't match the routes posted on the buses. What's the point?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Chainmaille
(Click on the pictures for larger versions.)
Rondo a la Byzantine - bracelet in silver
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Rondo a la Byzantine - choker in nickel silver and blackened steel
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Möbius Roses - bracelet in aluminum and anodized aluminum
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European 4-in-1 - earrings in silver (no backings yet)
Turkish Orbital - necklace in silver with quartz beads (unfinished)
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Star design in silver - folds into a ring
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Poker and Blackjack
The really interesting parts weren't in the actual movie, though. Firstly, MGM Grand, one of the casinos who got taken by the students, actually bought the production rights to the movie. They figured it would actually make them their money back, between movies sales and encouraging more people to come and try to count cards. The theory is simple, but not everyone's mind actually works like that. They probably did pretty well.
Secondly, as a special feature on the DVD, there was a tutorial on card-counting! I guess MGM wanted people to get as cocky as possible before taking a swipe at them. I can't imagine all the casinos were happy about that, but there's nothing they can do...it's out there now. And while the theory of card-counting makes sense to me now, and I might even be good at it (programmer's mind), I have no interest in blackjack. I'm really a poker nut. I'd rather win a million in a WPT tourney than steal it from a casino and then get the shit beat out of me by security. After all, what's the point of winning money if you have to turn right around and spend it on medical bills?
Oh, and a note I forgot to put in that last random entry: NaNoFiMo was a total fail. I expected it would be, so I'm not bothered about it. I'll finish the novel when I feel like it. I know, I can hear the voices..."Yeah, that's what they all say, you'll never finish it." I have only this protest: I did finish my last one, three months after the end of NaNoWriMo.