Purging and strong handshakes

So I gave my apartment's on-site manager my notice that I would be moving. A few days later he told me that he would be bringing people in to view my apartment. Upon hearing this I let out a silent yelp and began my race to clean my place and make it look presentable. The activities included massive scrub down of my entire bathroom, kitchen floor, oven/stove-top and refrigerator, vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning out my closets.

While cleaning and organizing my closets, I decided that now was the best time to get rid of stuff I don't wear or don't need anymore. In Public Allies we were told that it was good to go through your possessions and get rid of those things you no longer need. "Purge" yourself of the "dead weight." Other examples of purging dead weight included deleting people from your cell phone/e-mail lists, eliminating activities that are unnecessary. I find it hard for me to purge. I am more of a binge person(aka pack rat).

I ended up giving four pretty big shopping bags full of clothes and shoes (I haven't started going through other belongings yet). I don't feel like I have gotten rid of dead weight. In fact I am already feeling a little nostalgic of my long-ago belongings.

So after that was over, I waited for the three potential tenants to come (I could've left to go somewhere else, as not to be intrusive, but I had this weird fascination to see who could potentially rent out my apartment). Two of the people didn't show up, but one did. When he came in with the on-site manager, he looked a little surprised to see someone inside. He greeted me warmly and shook my hand firmly. It took every effort I had not to make the yaaah-owwww!!!! face.

He seemed semi to somewhat interested in the apartment. I talked it up. Told him how quiet it was, how I never had problems with my car being parked outside, how there was a police substation down the street and a bunch of older college students living around so it was mellow. He seemed to appreciate my input and even went in for a handshake goodbye. I tentatively gave my hand with a grimace. He should have known better, I am a delicate flower.

If you are anything like me...

not only will you get this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day, but you will like it too.

You'lll probably have to watch this more than once

At first I was bored, and then I laughed and watched it again.

Thoughts while watching the YouTube Democratic Presidential Canidate Debate

Wow...Bill Richardson looks like that guy from Amelie (whose name is Urbain Cancelier, he played the part of Collignon, the mean market guy):



And that is pretty much it. I didn't have any other thoughts. At least nothing interesting.

Hmm, this doesn't remind me of anyone in particular...

You can click on it to expand it. This is today's Fart Party. This may be how I interact with my friends. I'm really good at keeping in contact with people.

Still Swimming and Looking for a Job

So I have received my first unemployment check in the mail yesterday. As a child, I never thought that I would ever say that. My future seemed so idealized as a kid. I didn't really know what I wanted to do as a child, but I knew no matter what I ended up doing, that I would be super successful. I wish I could go back to my childhood and still believe that.

When I am not being gloomy about my situation, job hunting, cover letter writing etc. I like to find ways to keep me busy. CM has introduced me to a Firefox application called Stumbled Upon. It introduces you to a bunch of random sites that are time wasters. Such as this: Bubble Wrap!

Good Times.

I still *heart* Demetri Martin

Sometimes I want to Crush Heads.

Come on. Please tell me that you did not do the Kids in the Hall Head Crusher routine. "I'm crushing your head. Crush, crush."

"I love you more that hamburger cheese store."

This was a quote was stated many times by my brother Andy when he was little. Lately my mom has been saying it to my sister's baby. I love her more than hamburger cheese store too.

Today was my first official day unemployed. I hate it. What am I going to do that I cannot even stand being one day without work? Halfway through my day I decided to come early to my parents house to celebrate the Fourth of July. I get antsy easily.

While spending some quality time with my family tonight, I read some Pop-Trivial Pursuit questions to my brothers and dad. My brother Michael gave some unintentionally and intentionally funny answers.

Q: What Dallas star was the only actor to win an Emmy award?
A: Deion Sanders. (He wasn't joking here)

Q: What was the name of the diet book written by (some author I forgot) that used recipes consisting of pineapple, mangoes (some other tropical fruit)?
A: Who has to go poop? (He was joking here)

My family makes me laugh.

My niece looks like...

Me. Here is a picture of her, and a picture of me as a baby inside it:

But I have also realized that she looks like Mac from Mac and Me:

So does that mean?:

I can see it.

How did I never see this article before?

50 Greatest Conservative Rock Songs

This list is some funny stuff. I really like the author's explanations on song choices. I wish I could be creative enough to come up with this kind of stuff.

The number one choice being "Won't Get Fooled Again" is hilarious to me. I always took it as a song that was anti-leader because all structures (liberal AND conservatives) are corrupt. In reality, the song is fatalistic. Anyone in power, is bound to be corrupt.

Other hilarious additions:

"Sweet Home Alabama," A song promoting Wallace, can be all yours.

"Wouldn't It Be Nice,"

"Janie's Got a Gun,"

Creed? Ew.

"Godzilla"

And where oh where is the Toby Keith song about putting a boot in someone or other's buttocks?

Seriously, just read the article for an example of poor journalism. I seriously wish I found this earlier.

Cutest-slash-scariest thing I have seen in a while...

Children like this scare the crap out of me.

"How you doing sweetheart?"

Normally I hate it when I am called sweetheart/baby/honey etc. by anybody, especially someone I don't even know. It makes me want to punch some faces. Maybe I took one too many woman studies classes/read too many feminist books, but I find those terms demeaning. I even tell my dad not to use those words on young women, even though he thinks it is a nice, personable thing to say. I just tell him, "No."

However, there is one person (outside friends and family) that I allow to call me sweetheart. That is "J", a tenant at my workplace. He is a young man with cognitive disabilities. Very sweet. He is one of a few tenants that automatically says hello and starts conversations with me, without getting accusatory or defensive. Yesterday he made my already good day. Here was our short conversation:

*Me walking towards my car. "J" and his mother walking to their apartment.*

J spots me: How you doing sweetheart?
Me: Good. How about you?
J: Good...You look real pretty today.
Me stopping: Aw. Thanks a lot.

I always need positive reinforcement, especially when it comes to my looks. The day was even made better, as when I got home I got my first call back for a job interview. Holler! Its always the "little" things that make me happy/excited.

A Bush Veto? You don't say!

Bush vetoed the stem cell bill. What a surprise. Almost as surprising as him vetoing the Iraq withdrawal bill. Or the first time he vetoed a stem cell bill. I don't know why these stories even made the news, as it is more of a "duh" move on his part.

Speaking of the lame duck, some people have made their own music video for Nine Inch Nail's Capital G, using images of Dubya. Trent Reznor has gone on record saying that the subject about the song is actually greed. It could be applied to the president, but that wasn't the intent. Greed and the president seem to go hand in hand, so same difference.

Well I used to stand for something
Now I'm on my hands and knees
Traded in my god for this war
He signs his name with a capital G

How I Feel About My Current Job/Money Situation

Of Which There Is None at This Alleged "Bar"

Technician: It will cost a hundred and fifty dollars to have our technicians look at it.
Girl with computer problem: A hundred and fifty dollars?! No way. I'd rather spend that on alcohol.

--Apple Store Genius Bar

Overheard by: becca

via Overheard in New York, Jun 18, 2007

I was talking to a friend about that. I believe my exact words were, "I know this sounds horrible, but I am kind of pissed that I won't be having extra beer money."

But in all seriousness, today I am feeling really positive. I mean, I haven't gotten any returned phone calls or emails, but I'm in a good mood today. Like, I almost feel something good is coming my way. (As my mom told me, "You should buy a lottery ticket, with all the bad luck you have been having lately, something good is bound to happen.") People in my life and around me have been very upbeat and positive (not only about their own lives and situations but about mine as well---which is the most important part!!!) for the most part anyway. Maybe I am more of an extrovert than I first initially thought. Other people's energy and mood totally does effect my mood and energy.

Or maybe its because I heard Modest Mouse's Float On this morning, and I thought, "You know what, Isaac? I WILL Float On! Thanks for reminding me with you lispy song."

Or maybe its just the weather. The humidity has dropped a lot. It doesn't feel like I am walking through a sauna and its sunny, and not raining. Yes, its a good day!

Random Movie of the 80's that I think I remember liking

Big Business starring Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler. The two lead actors play a set of twins mismatched at birth who run into each other during a business deal having to do with the rural/poor set of twins' hometown. Hilarity ensues.

The last time I watched this movie was probably in the 80's, but I remember liking it. Granted, I was no more than 8 at the time, but still. How can one go wrong with Bette Midler as an actress? Maybe its just my inner gay man speaking, but...Ruthless People? Yes. Outrageous Fortune? Uh huh. Hocus Pocus? Yup. And Beaches may have made me cry...but I'm not fully admitting that.

Whoa! What?

Do me a favor and read this article. I don't know how anyone could do that except in the situation of forced physical advances. But rejected advances? Dude, just walk away and think, "His loss." And also, I am not one to question peoples sexual "perversions" but trying to swallow it? Um, ew. People are screwed up in the head.

Whatever Happened to Marueen Flannigan?

You know, the girl that played Evie on "Out of this World." Well apparently, she is still acting on a bunch of shows. You know, those shows that every working actor in Hollywood is on. Oh well, at least she's doing something.

"Out of this World," was one of my favorite shows. I really don't know why it was, take a look at the plot description from wikipedia:

The series revolves around Evie Garland, a young girl living in Marlowe, California, who discovers on her thirteenth birthday that her father isn't a secret agent, as her mother had always told her. In fact, her father is an alien named Troy, from the planet Anterias, who married her mother and "merged lifeforms" to create Evie. Evie's half-alien heritage allows her to use supernatural abilities, which her father can give and take away at will. Most of the episodes revolve around Evie misusing her powers and causing some trouble, which she spends the rest of the show trying to fix.

Weird ass shows ruled the 80's. I mean: ALF, Harry and the Hendersons (ok, this was early 90's), Small Wonder, Growing Pains. Ah, I miss quality programming.

Questions

I really like random questions. If I ever became famous, and I had to do interviews, I would love it when interviewers would ask "off the wall" questions. While browsing around YouTube, I found this woman named Juliana Luecking who is doing a project called, "People are a Trip." Basically, she asks people a question and then records their answers. Some answers are silly, some are bizarre, some are way deep. This is what I would say, to a select group of her questions:

"What is your favorite part of the day?"

The moment right before you fall asleep. You can almost feel yourself relax, and forget about the stress of the day. It's a very comforting feeling.

"What is one thing you know is true?"

That, right at this very moment, there is someone that is thinking of me.

"If you were in charge of the country, what would you do?"

Universal health care, equal opportunities (especially for education and work) for everyone, increased sexual education and STD and HIV/Aids awareness prevention, allowing the people to have more of say in the running of their country etc. etc. etc.

"Why do nations go to war?"

Misunderstandings and lack of discourse

"What is marriage?"

Ideally: a union between two committed individuals to show their love and devotion to one another
Realistically: governmental contract (between ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN) that allows for some financial benefits that will most likely eventually lead to divorce.

"What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?"

The answer is always changing but right now, it is this:


"What would you change in the world?"

I would make everyone be accepting of everyone's appearance, beliefs, thoughts and loves. Put in other words, I would rid the world of ignorance and close minded thinking.

"What kind of music do you like?"

The booty shaking kind.

Somewhere out there, there is someone weird like me

Look at It, Sitting There in That Box, Plotting, Plotting...
Man: Styrofoam... Just thinking of it sends chills up and down my spine. Man, I hate that stuff.
Overheard by: aaron

via Overheard Everywhere, Apr 15, 2007

I know how that man feels. I really like that website, and the other ones included in the header (Overheard in New York, Overheard at the Beach, Overheard in the office). It reminds me of stupid conversations I have had with my friends, which is overheard by someone standing by, would be totally misconstrued and/or thought of as nuts.

I found this through a link of a web page my friend sent me. That website is also awesome, probably because I love passive aggression. I think it is funny, and I unfortunately am guilty of it on more than one occasion.

Other links from that website:

Ban Comic Sans - I don't get the hate of the use of Comic Sans, but then again, I am not a tech geek.

My Crazy Roommate - I don't know, he sounds kind of randomly funny to me. Uh, I think I know too many people that are like that.

I'm just trying to find ways to distract myself from work and the job hunt, as when I do any other the latter, I tense up and feel like I'm about to have a panic attack. That's when I call the Mom, and she reassures me that everything will work out and that this is not the end of the world. I wish I could clone and shrink my mom, then I could carry around on my shoulder as that little voice that always tells me how good I am.

So far I have sent in a resume and cover letter for one position and filled out an online application for another. I don't feel to confident about either one, but as one of my former advisers recently told me in an email, take on the philosophy of, "High hopes, low expectations!" He, and so many other family and friends have been very encouraging. I'm really lucky to have so many people in my cheering section.