Yuck, Packing

Man I hate packing. I have 4 boxes of movies alone... I haven't even started on the books. I bought 6 totes from Costco and have already used 3 of them. 75%of my clothes are packed as well. Having lived at the same house for 5 or so years I have accumulated way too much crap. The parental units want me to stay two months with them before I find a place to rent, but I don't know if I can stand to be away from Flick that long (leaving him in OC while I find a place to reduce his stress), nor can I flood their house with all my crap. Moving sucks.

My Last Day at Work

Well I don't know if I can call today my last day at work as I did not really clock in. I just showed up, thanked everyone, turned in keys, talked to my AOM and left. Now that I have calmed down from my last work post I can truly say that I will miss almost everyone at the office. For all of the faults that my former company had, the people were the best. And as we all know you will not like all the people all of the time. But generally I really loved my team. EVERYONE on my team, regardless of what recently went down or what happened in the past. It was the first time in my career I had an awesome team all around. Sonia, Liz, Dulce, Christina, The Doctors, Crispy, Lief, Carol, Nick the Brick, The Canadian, and even Lionel were the best set of co workers I have ever had. Despite my last rant, I will miss you all. But I won't miss the red headed beast ;) Peace out. And if you are reading my blog, please comment so I know who reads.

A Name from the Past and Good News

So I was at the comic con with the knowledge that someone from my past was there. One of my sister's good friends from her High School days, Derek Fridolfs was at the Comic Con in the Artist Alley. I haven't seen or heard anything about him since prior to graduating college. So after hearing that he is an inker for comic books like Iron Fist, Superman, and Batman I just had to check out his stuff. He was a blast. He remember me and we talked a little bit as well. I had asked to get a picture for my sister, I had meant the camera way, and started to draw a kick ass version of Sups and Batsy. So cool that I think I am going to keep it. Here is him signing the artwork.

I just have to give Derek mad props. He just whipped out a pencil and drew this in like 10 minutes or so. Super fast! and better than ANY thing I could do. He is good folks and one day he will be penciling his own books. It is just a matter of time. Here is a pic of Derek and the finished product. This will go on my wall in a frame.

So meeting Derek and touching basis with him was cool. The other super news I got on Saturday was when I got home, I had a message from Caruthers. I got the teaching job. I will sign my contract on wednesday. Also this speeds up my moving to Fresno. It is a bit rushed, but it will be fine. I will live with the parental units for a month and then get my own place. Rent free is cool, but I have way too much stuff and I am used to being on my own. But they will be close by if needed. I will post more later.

San Diego Comic Con 07

This was my first time at the comic con. I was a bit surprised, well maybe I shouldn't have been, by the vast number of follow comic book, Sci Fi, fantasy geeks. It was an experience for sure. Lots of cool things go on at comic cons. There are people selling goods, people buying goods, people signing autographs, a lot of photo taking, screenings, Q&A with special guest etc.

Here is proof I was at Comic Con 07

One of the perks or perhaps attraction of Comic Cons are they costumes. People love to geek out and dress up for comic con. If I had storm trooper armor I would have walked around like these guys.

As you all know I collect Astromech droids. Well there were a few there is well. There was the standard R2 D2 and then there was the Little Pink Imperial Astromech Droid with a heart of gold. R2 KT. This special pink R2 unit was made possible by the wonderful people of the 501st and the Make a Wish Foundation. cool huh? Oh and I purchased 11 more droids, once I move I'll take pictures.

In the Autograph area I found some Wrestlers. Cool huh. RVD, Virgil and Sgt. Slaughter. The Million Dollar Man was suppose to be there too but he must have been on lunch when I checked out their booth. I did not have enough money to get an autograph or what not.

Sgt. Slaughter

Virgil


RVD

Last but not least while we were having fun, the Dark Lord showed up with Sith and Death Eaters. Yes He Who Must Not Be Named was there. Don't believe me? Here is the proof.

All in all I had fun, got a little miffed at all the people, but hey it was my first time, next year I will know what to expect. Oh oh oh I will most likely post other stuff later like seeing Summer Glau and other things that ruled, like Ray Bradbury.

Fire the Missiles!!!

I am going to be sooooooo dead today. The Vice Admiral's bombardment of snorlax missiles is too much for this Rear Admiral. To recap we are staying at his aunt's place. Nice btw. But we are all in the same room. Now the Vice Admiral was smart and brought ear plugs cause he knows that I can pack quiet the Snorlax cannon as well. Me, no ear plugs. Add to the mix the fact that he is jet lagged from his work related trip to Florida, and well..... you get the picture. Roughly 5 hours of sleep to fuel my comic con day.... not good....

Now add the fact that I am super hot which added to the relentless snorlax cannon of the Vice Admiral and sleep is impossible. Yawn. Wish me luck. I will need a Jamba juice for sure now.

Work Suckage

So I took time off for the interview. I had arranged for my shifts to be covered by my coworkers. Most of who knew I was unhappy and looking to land a teaching job. Well my Field Manager came when I was gone and had a hissy fit. This is the same manager who did NOT ask how I was when I had my health scare and who only insisted that I call him first, even before my family, which is crazy. This is also the same manager who when I asked to be transfered out of my hospital because the doctor was harassing me, told me that I had to stay in this dangerously stressful environment because he could not transfer me quickly (it's been 3 months now) but transfered one of my best CSCs when my doctor had a problem with her. Whatever. Now my partner manager, who takes care of the stuff in the back while I run the front back stabbed me and told our manager that I have not been doing my job. BS. I can not wait to leave this festering turd of a company.

There are only a few co-workers that I still like and would hang with. They know who they are.

Well I am currently at my friend's aunt's house tonight. tomorrow comic con. I'll blog more when I get home.

New Champion in Fresberg

Ok so I was in Fresberg the last couple of days. What a drive. And I got to hang with two of my best friends. Since the Baron was working I hung out with the newly appointed Fleet Admiral, T-Bone. There is nothing much to do in Fresberg really. We hit up TWO targets, Rasputins, and well.....JAMBA JUICE!!!!

Forget Starbucks, I am a Jamba Juice guy. Strawberry Whirl is my poison.

So after the Baron gets back from work we head over to his place. Once there I hand over the World Championship to him. He has earned it. For what we do not know, but well, it's a cool belt, and he is now the champion haha

It was nice to be back in Fresberg, did I really say that, and to hang with two friends I do not see enough. Who knows, maybe I will be back there with a new job soon enough. or I'll be staying here in the OC. Who knows.

Interview update

Well I just got back from my interview. Traffic was fine up until LA just before LAX up until a little before Long Beach.

The interview went well I think. But I don't want to Jinx it. The Superintendent asked me a lot of questions (it was a one on one interview). A lot of then centered on why would a person from OC want to teach in his little district and that I must have applied to other districts and have more interviews. He also asked me about my knowledge of Caruthers. I would have been able to do more research the night before if the Parental Units would just get high speed internet and get off of the dial up. All in all they seemed interested in me and I had a long 1 hour 20-30 minute interview. I will get a call sometime next week on whether they will go forward with me or not. Nonetheless a great interview I thought.

The Down Side of Reading HP Books So Quickly

Ok, good for me, I finished HP7 in 48 hours. WOOHOO!!! Well there is always a downside. What is that downside? Well the fact that other people choose not to read it that fast, or just don't have the time too and I have no one to talk to about the book.

Me: Hey did you finished the new HP book?

them: No, did you?

Me: Yeah. What part ar.........

them: SHUT UP!! GET AWAY FROM ME. NO SPOILERS OK!

Me: Huh?

Them: (hands over there ears) NO SPOILERS!!!

Me: You mean like how Harry Potter dies from eating a poison flavored Bertie Bots Every Flavored Bean?

Them: NOT LISTENING!! LALALALALA

They look at me like Flick is looking at the book. Sheesh. Chill people. So I have to wait, and since my roommate had the eye surgery she can not read for too long each day. And my other friends are just not into reading. Sad huh. Oh well.

This is a picture of me reading or stretching on my futon while Helo stretches. And no matter what it looks like, my face is not in her furry kitten ass. With that said I leave you with a bonus picture of Flick and the Deathly Hallows

Astromech Droids

This past Saturday I went to a collectibles show in the City of Industry. As some of you know I kind of collect the Astromech Droid action figures. Well at the show I picked up 4 new ones.

Die hard collectors will stone me for taking them out of the box, but I didn't really spend a fortune on them so it is ok. Besides, they look better out of the box haha. So these new droids bring my collection to 15.

After next payday, if I can afford it I saw the old school R2D2 phone. I might just have to get it for my apartment when I get one.

Teaching Interview

This morning I got a phone call from the Superintendent of Caruthers school district. I had previously applied for 2 positions with that district and this was the call back. My old high school principal had put in a good word for me and I have an interview with them on Thursday afternoon.
Now I had thought long and hard about this as I love Orange County and So Cal in general. However I want to teach, I feel that given the chance I will make an excellent teacher. I have had a really hard time finding a teaching position in Southern Cal. The politics are a turn off. So for the past two years, because I liked a normal schedule and because I needed money I have spent my time in retail.

With the some recent changes in my life, this is an opportunity that I can not pass up. If a district is willing to give me a chance and let me teach and help me clear my credential that I am all for it. Yes I would be returning to the Central Valley, which pleases the Parental Units (as my sister calls them hahaha), however the experience I gain as a teacher is worth leaving the OC for as my credential is set to expire in Feb 09. This could be the door that I have needed to move up to a position in So Cal later on.

I do not know what the future holds for me, but right now I need to focus on the career and if that takes me to the small town of Caruthers, then so be it. I am a teacher who has not been given the chance to teach. Hopefully I will get my first classroom.

Well I finished the Book

Well after 48 hours I finished the book. Ok maybe just a little bit over 48 hours. I have prided myself on reading the new books within the first 48 hours of the releases. I almost did not make this one.

What can I say about this book without giving you all spoilers? Well I am still a bit stunned. J.K. Rowling said there would be two major deaths.... in my mind there were more. But that may be saying too much.

The book had good flow and I am happy how it ended. Things were revealed and at last that had been left up in the air. Even some of the fans predictions from when they had first finished book 6 were true.... WOW. There is not much I can say but she did a good job and I am sad to see the Potter saga end.

Not Worth the Wait!!

I am not talking about the Book. The Book is always worth the wait. I am referring to the Harry Potter event at Barnes and Noble. I have been to the last two event and the amount you have does not warrant the wait. First you have to get there early to WAIT in a line for just an arm band. THEN you go off or stick around until mid night. By that time the store is all hot and smelly and annoying. Little brat kids are running around not being watched by their mothers.

So this year the roommate and I went to Ralph's. Yeah we paid a little bit more for the book, bot no lines, no annoying crowd, and it was easy. We figured this out last year when after we waited so long in line and were drained we went to a Ralph's for a soda or snack or something and we saw the books.... so we vowed that for this last book we would do that, go to Ralph's and not worry about the stressful event at Barnes and Noble, and as you all know, I love Barnes.

So here I am, book seven in hand, a bit tired, but happy. Let the reading start. oh yeah!

Sword Fish and Fry's

So today before the Vice Admiral and I went to Kobe's Sushi in Fountain Valley, we decided to hit up Fry's. The Vice Admiral was looking for Swordfish on BluRay, advertised price of $11.99. I was just looking. So we head over to the BluRay Section. No luck Fry's does not do a good job at keeping the inventory in any kind of order. So we had to search through all of their racks. So with no apparent Swordfish in stock, the Vice Admiral went and looked for some kind of a wire that he needed. I in turn checked the price of Icky Thump by the White Stripes (just one of my favorite bands). I had checked a week ago and it was $13.99. Way too much. For those of you who know me know that I ONLY purchase CDs that are under $10. So I was surprised when I found that Icky Thump was $8.99. What a deal!

So on our way to the checkout line, I had noticed some Simpson Dolls. Which reminded me that my roommate wanted those limited edition Simpson Squishee cups. I started to tell the Vice Admiral what my roommate wanted. As I was doing this I noticed a pile of non-Simpson merch on the display, so I absently went through it. One was a PS2 game and under that..... The BluRay Swordfish. It was fate as the BluRay gods smiled down on me as I was able to hand that BluRay disc to the Vice Admiral. It was legendary.

In a recent poll of Fry's shoppers, 83% said that they normally don't find what they are looking for until they are on their way to the checkout line. Our recent experience seems to support that poll.

Watching someone get their Eye Lasered

So early this morning I took my roommate to the TLC Laser Eye Center in Newport Beach. She has been wanting to do this for awhile and finally had it done. The TLC peeps reward the people who drive their patients for the surgery with a front row seat to watch the surgery. With the patient's consent of course. So as I was getting annoyed by CNN on the High Def widescreen flat panel tv, just minding my own business playing Texas Hold 'em on my Nintendo DS when I got the call to go to the back. The nurse walks me in the back and I take a seat in a small hallway infront of the surgical suite. My roommate does not see me as she is laying down under what I assume is a laser machine. After a few minutes the doctor or one of them as I later found out, came in and lasered her eyes. It was kinda neat cause they had these TV were you could see what the Doctor sees. So I saw her eye, then I saw a laser, and then I watched her eye turn to ice. I know it is not really ice, but that is how it looked to me. I thought she was finished at this point. They led her out of the room. I was left in the hallway to watch some Latino guy get his eyes done, but I didn't know that at the time. So as I was watching in horror at them putting a vice like device on his eyes to keep the eyelids open I was thinking "wow this guys eyes must really be jacked up my roommate only had 18 seconds per eyes and she is finished."

Again little did I know that was the ACTUAL lasik part. What I first watched was them cutting flaps into the eye (Which my roomie later said she felt, I should have known as she had one of her fingers twitching while they did this), and that the process that the Latino guy was going through was the correction part. So I watched them lead her to the second chair after the Latino guy left. Then they went to work on her, same devices and all. After she was done, she was brought to a chair, gave her her care pack, put on eye shield and sunshades and we were off.

I know they wanted me to watch for marketing purposes. But after seeing it now I am a little MORE sure I rather just wear glasses. However it is a short process for the money spent and as she can see better 12 hours after her surgery I'd say it is worth it. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if they had a nurse sitting there and explaining it to me. I was kinda lost.

Tomorrow morning my roommate will watch up and be able to see 20/20. I do have pictures of before and after, but I am not allowed to post them :(

Kobe Suiting Up!!!

That's right! Yeah! My blog is now up and running! The title of my blog comes from a phrase that one of my college buddies came up with while we were in the dorms at UCR. "Perform or go home." It was my friend's philosophy. It is very much like telling someone to "bring it" or "bring their A-Game." So I will attempt to "perform of go home" on my blog.

To celebrate this wonderful occasion the Admiralty has agreed to grace the first blog post.

Stee V. Potter
The Vice Admiral

Baron Von Hungster
The Rear Admiral Lower Half

Jean-Luc Packagé
The Rear Admiral Upper Half