Happy Halloween!

All day I've been wondering if I like Halloween.

Cons:

- Zombies walking into the store asking me if I can help them find something

- Loud (drunk) trick-or-treaters

- Egging

- People who get their clever pun costumes ideas from new episodes of The Office.

Pros:

- Candy

- It's fall

- Available parking in my lot (something unknown at 10:00 at night)

- The HILARIOUS exchange I heard when I got home tonight:

Late trick-or-treater: "What are you doing here?"

Neighbor (dude wearing blond wig and a baby carrier with doll -- Kate Gosselin?): "Just hanging out."

Trick-or-treater: "Is that a BABY? What are you doing with a BABY? That's why you don't do drugs you know."

Neighbor: Stunned silence

Trick-or-treater: "I mean...I mean...do you have any candy?"

Neighbor: Still stunned

I guess all I have to say is Happy Halloween!

Disappointed

So. One of the things in life I find most disappointing is when recipes don't turn out as well as they look. Just made pork chops with sweet potato chutney. Sounded delicious, since I love pork chops and I love sweet potatoes.

Unfortunately, maybe I cooked the pork chops poorly or something (stupid broiler), but it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I think I'll stick to my standard pork chops recipe with baked sweet potatoes from now on. Except I am a little proud that I tried something new and got out of the rut. Not being beaten down by the man every day leaves me room to get creative with the cooking.

Tomorrow's menu: beef stew in the slow cooker. Hopefully I'll have more success with it than with the pork chips.

Newsweek Being Stupid (Again)

I was reading Newsweek the other day and something caught my eye. In their weekly "Indignity Index" of all the stupid things people have done over the week, they had some politician in New Jersey who has, according to Newsweek, been attacking his rival's weight by running ads claiming that he "threw his weight around" to get out of a parking ticket. (Sorry about the run-on sentence).

And after talking to one friend who's a writer and another who's a grammar-cop, I determined that, yes, indeed, Newsweek is stupid. Any well-read person knows that "to throw one's weight around" merely means that you're trying to impress people with how influential, important, or well-known you are. But no editor at Newsweek could even run a Google search on that particular idiom. I mean, for real?

It's one thing to pretty much lie about being a non-partisan publication, but it's another to just let editing and writing go out the window. Completely.

The End.

Hiatus

So I've been on hiatus for a rather long time. But I have excuses. Like that I got a job. Sure, I'm only working retail, but a job's a job. Money coming in and all that. And even thought it isn't full time, I'm working hard and have such weird hours that I'm so tired. And once I get out of the habit of doing something, it's hard to get back into it. Like flossing my teeth. Or going to bed on time.

So, anyway, in the month or so since I last posted, I got the job, I watched the entire series of Kings (awesome), I've read some good books, and I've gotten myself an ear infection. Woot.

But I'm back.

Cameras

If you know me, you know I like to take pictures. A lot. If you don't know me, you might have gathered that from all the pictures on this blog. I have two cameras -- a point and shoot and a digital SLR. And while I don't know how to use all the features on either of those cameras, I can at least take some decent pictures.

That's all to establish that I can operate a camera. Last night at the Keith Urban concert, though, I wanted to take a picture with my camera phone to send a mocking picture to my brother. (He believes that if you actually sell records, you aren't a real artist or something.) But I couldn't figure out how to make the thing zoom. I could take a sepia picture. Or a picture with a different f-stop. I could change the lighting. And the flash. But I couldn't make the stupid phone zoom. I finally figured it out this morning when I played with it more.

My point is, though, that I hate how cell phone companies want everything to be so complicated. It matters more to them that you be able to say that you can take a picture in sepia than it does to actually be able to figure out how to zoom in on something. And that's a problem.

However, the zoom function is now working well and my friend took a picture with her phone so that I could send that mocking text to my brother. Whew.

Concert

Last night my friend and I went to an awesome concert: Keith Urban with Sugarland. And in order to satisfy you music snobs out there, we left halfway through Keith Urban. He was too loud. And all his songs sound alike. And my friend was getting a headache from the bass.

However, Sugarland rocked the house. And Jennifer Nettles (the singer) will blow your head off with her talent. That woman can sing.

But they sang a song that I'd forgotten about: "Gotta Be Something More." I used to belt it out on my way to work. Which I haven't done in awhile because I haven't exactly been commuting recently.

But during the song while my friend and I were dancing and being generally joyful and happy, the words hit home again. And I realized that now I get to find something more. So while I would love to have any job, I hope that when I finally find something it won't just be another paycheck. And that it will give me time to find something more to do with my life than simply breathing in exhaust and staring at a computer screen.

Don't Worry, the Government's Here

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post, but I have a decent excuse: crazy and insane sunburn.

See, last weekend I went tubing and even though I put lots of sunscreen on my pasty body, I got horribly sunburned and I think even got some sun poisoning. Good times.

But I love tubing. It's so fun and relaxing. And we even got to jump into the river off a rock. I blame my mountain upbringing for my love of swimming in rivers. I just wish there had been a rope swing. I love rope swings. Bust that's a relatively small complaint in the big picture of floating down a river with a bottle of wine and nothing to do but try to avoid the rocks.

But onto the title of this post: the incident of the school bus.

In order to get the multitudes of people who want to get on the river when it's nine hundred thousand degrees outside, Butt's Tubes uses school buses. And our bus driver got all hung up on a guardrail. It was marginally hilarious. Especially when the park ranger who was hanging around the put-in spot pulled out a sledgehammer to try to get the bus off the guardrail. And as he walked up to the bus with it he yelled: "Don't worry folks, the Government's here!" Hilarious.

But the bus got off the guardrail and we got in the river. And if the whole back of my body hadn't gotten sunburned, it would have been a perfect day.

Grocery Store Adventure

One of the things about being unemployed is that you have the time and patience to experiment and do things that you wouldn't do while you were employed. One of the things I wanted to do because it looked fun was self-scanning at the grocery store. And yesterday I finally got to do it.

This sounds boring to all you employed people out there, but for an hour yesterday I had a grand old time. It was very amusing. And I love how it totals up for you. No guessing. And since I hadn't been to the grocery store in weeks, it was a big total. But it also let me know that I could afford some shrimp to make shrimp kabobs for supper tonight.

Unemployment has made me feel much more patient with stuff like that. So yay. Because I might not hate people any more.

Bread!

I got to thinking that since I'm making a lot of sandwiches now that I'm home every day for lunch that it might be cheaper to make my own bread. That and I might actually be able to finish a loaf (grocery store loaves are too big for a single person).

So I made some bread. And, boy, it was good. Also super-easy to make. When I finish this loaf I think I might branch out to whole wheat since I like that better for sandwiches. But since I found out that my kitchen table is the perfect height for kneading, I'll probably be making a lot more bread.

As for now, I'm kinda hungry so I'm going to make some toast and Nutella.

Interview

Had my first interview today. It was weird. But, also, it's going to take me a few to really get the hang of this (unless I get this job, of course). I haven't had an interview in awhile so I'm a little rusty. But I bet I'll be getting a lot better at it.

That's all. And since this blog is more about me re-discovering the world outside my office and less about the job search, don't expect a lot of updates on this topic.

The Pool

So I have this friend and she has an old boss who has a pool in his backyard. And since he was out of town this weekend, she invited me over to hang out at the pool. It was 90 (bazillion) degrees yesterday, so I said "yup."

I love the pool (when I manage to keep the sunscreen on). You get really hot while reading a good book and then dive into cool water and splash around. And the best part is that I got to do that with one of my good friends that I haven't seen in awhile. And we got to update each other on everything in our lives. But since it's approximately 100 (bazillion) degrees today, I wrote a little limerick:

Oh the pool,

How deep and cool,

I left thee

Beneath the tree

Now I feel a fool.

Also, I didn't get sunburned. So huzzah!

Thief of Bagdad

Tonight I watched the 1924 Douglas Fairbanks "Thief of Bagdad." And it was rather awesome. In a "Disney copied this movie for Aladdin" kind of way.

But once the movie picked up and started the adventure, we started wondering how they'd pulled off most of the special effects and also how people reacted to them. Like the monsters that the thief kills and the transparent midget (that's right, I said transparent midget) that guides him.

In fact, just about every video game ever is based on this movie. The hero has to go through the fiery pit to defeat the monsters and then he finds wisdom through a talisman and ends up at the castle to get the prize. Which helps him win the princess. Every video game ever.

But back to the Aladdin thing. This movie is seriously Aladdin. Thief meets the princess in secret and then dresses up as a prince to win the princess. Shows up at the palace:

And then someone evil swings through, takes over Bagdad and tries to marry the princess. But with the help of some magic, our hero-thief defeats the evil dude, saves and wins the princess.

Which all begs the question -- has Disney ever had an original thought? But even if they haven't, I'm still going to re-watch Aladdin as soon as possible. Because even with lines like, "Take him to the ape. Let him be torn apart" Thief of Bagdad can't beat out the charm of a Disney movie.

In fact, I don't have anything to do and I don't have to wake up in the morning, maybe I'll just pop it in.

Bungy Jumping

This February I had one of the best vacations ever when I went to New Zealand. And my friend really wanted to bungy at the original bungy. Once we got there I decided to jump, too. Just so that I don't have to tell my grandchildren that I wimped out. And it was pretty durn amazing.

Today I was reflecting that this unemployment thing is a bit like the jump. At first, the view is all beautiful and everything as you stand on the bridge waiting to jump:

Which is exactly how I feel about being released from the chains of my previous workplace. Such a beautiful vista of not having to climb those stairs and sit at that desk and stare blankly at a computer screen. Instead I get the chance to do things I want to. To even write this blog.

But, see, then you look down and see just how far you're about to free-fall. Into a river. Which seems terrifying at first.

But the experts have put a bungy cord on you so that it will catch you as you free fall towards the river.

And this is where I admit how thankful I am that I prepared for a rainy day. Because my savings and everything are going to be my bungy cord. That metaphor makes me especially happy because it means that the fall will be thrilling, exciting and terrifying and then end in a lovely swing and not a jerky stop. And then some friendly faces will help me end the ride (the guys who collected me from the end of the bungy cord). This thought is making me happy.

Oh, and me jumping:

Adventure!

I went for an adventure this weekend with my brother, his wife and their dog. And it was so much fun. We canoed, drank wine while sitting in the river and hung out with some of their friends. Which was pretty awesome. And just what the doctor ordered.

There's nothing that will make you feel more relaxed in life than floating down a river on a sunny day. Whether you're in a canoe or a tube or, even, on your back. And the best part is that I don't have to take all this relaxation and channel it into a job that I hate. Instead, I'm channeling it into cooking some delicious food for supper and writing this post and hitting the search engines for a job. Unemployment is kind of neat in that way.

And since I don't have permission to post pictures of the humans on the trip, I'll post a picture of the cute dog on the trip:

Isn't she cute in her PFD?

The Job Hunt

Job hunt going well. Just got a call for one of the "tide-me-over" retail jobs I've applied for. So at least I feel wanted. And inspired to keep looking.

But...what are these people thinking with the copy-and-paste resume nonsense? I've worked really hard to format my resume. And then I have to paste it into a little box on their website and the formatting goes away and I don't know if it'll come back when I hit "submit." So then I try to re-format it. And it looks ugly. Why can't I just attach it?

Le sigh.

Newsweek

Anybody who talks to me on a regular basis knows that I have some serious issues with the new re-designed and re-imagined Newsweek. Serious issues. Their decision to target the "elite" and make the conversation instead of reporting it seems just a tad pretentious to me. And the fact that it now has a blatent liberal agenda (don't try to argue this one) and doesn't admit it just ticks me off. Have a liberal agenda, but at least admit it.

But this week takes the cake. I find it rather ironic that the issue of the magazine that landed in my mailbox the Monday after I was fired was their "The Recession is Over" issue. It's not. I'm here to tell you that even if the economists have decided that the economy has stopped shrinking...people are still hurting. Maybe most of those people are those evil blue collar Republicans who live in the middle of the country (the people that Newsweek's publishers don't want to target); but even some of their "elite" readers are hurting.

Even their follow-up story on Obama mentioning the article talks about their lofty plans:

"Here at NEWSWEEK, we like to think that we help set the

agenda for the national conversation."

Really, Newsweek? Really? Whatever happened to being journalists? To reporting what is happening? Maybe that's why you've had to completely re-design your lay-out to try and get readership up: because you are so busy setting the agenda for the national conversation that you've forgotten that part of setting the agenda is reporting what is actually happening instead of "writing the first draft of the president's speeches."

Maybe try for a little bit of journalism and you won't need to rely on plugs from the Commander in Chief to sell copies of your magazine.

*Note: I only receive Newsweek via a free subscription through my parents' paid subscription. We're about to decide as a family to cancel said subscription.

Me Eat Cookie!

Yesterday my friend and I decided to make some cookies to fuel our Wii sports addiction. And we made some most excellent cookies:

We made chocolate chip brownies and peanut butter cookies with Hershey's kisses in them:

And those cookies were wonderful. And even while we were spending all afternoon shopping and baking and playing the Wii, I thought about how I used to sit at my desk playing Solitaire and wishing that I could be doing something useful with my life. And while making cookies may not be the best use of my time, at least I had something to show for myself at the end of the day. Plus, I was much happier than I almost ever was in my office:

One last parting shot of the deliciousness of yesterday:

Merlin

One of the "mini silver linings" that I've found in this whole unemployed situation is that I'm finally able to clean off my DVR. I have quite a few movies recorded, but I also have some new TV shows that I just want to try out on there.

Merlin is one of those shows -- and I don't really like the Camelot legend, but it was billed as being "Harry Potter in Camelot" so I figured I'd give it a try because I love me some Harry Potter. And today when I was writing cover letters and sending out resumes, I started to watch it as background noise. Which is it's place.

It reminds me a lot of Sinbad -- really attractive, bad actors with equally terrible special effects. But the stories are swash-buckling and full of useful magic.

But since the Arthurian legend is pretty well established, I think it's pretty fair to complain about some of the liberties they've taken with the story (lots of spoilers):

Guinevere -- She's black (which I only object to because she's the only non-white actor and they don't explain her race. If there were other minorities wandering around, it would make more sense. But perhaps we're going to find out she is from another kingdom or something). And a servant. And was in love with Merlin until about five minutes ago. When she met...

Lancelot -- He's not a knight. Merlin just faked his seal of nobility just like Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. Which has, obviously, been done before. But it means he's the same station in life as Guinevere, so I'm guessing there's going to be a Merlin - Lancelot - Guinevere love triangle instead of Arthur - Lancelot - Guinevere. (Update: Lancelot just rode out. And he was pretty.)

Merlin -- Sure I'd rather look at a relatively attractive young man than an old man...but isn't he supposed to be this wise old man who guides Arthur? Just a thought.

The good news: Giles from Buffy is wandering around in period costume as Arthur's father. And he's pretty awesome and ruthless (and seems to know that Lancelot is a fake). But he's still better in Buffy. And the Taster's Choice commercials.

I'll keep watching as I keep blogging and sending out resumes, it's not bad enough to stop watching. But until you're fired and bored...there are probably better ways to spend your time.

Spaghetti

Today I started on the job search -- and the sending out of the resumes. Since I hated my old job so much, I've decided to not limit my search to "jobs I'm definitely sure I could land" or "jobs that are just like what I left."

Except, now that I'm starting off I feel like I'm throwing spaghetti at the wall -- hoping that something, somewhere sticks. And it's making me want spaghetti and meatballs. Thankfully, I have all the time in the world to make some. Huzzah.

To Be Like George

Today I went with a friend up to Mount Vernon (we actually made the plans before I lost my job -- otherherwise I might've hesitated to pay the $15 entrance fee). Day one of doing tourist stuff.

So George freed us from the British and yadayadayada, but the man didn't exactly relax when he was at home -- his plantation was one of the most

prosperous in Virginia. He gave up tobacco to farm wheat --

and sold it as far away as the West Indes. He tried

innovative farm techniques and read lots of books and knew the theory behind his agricultural practices. And he managed the estate even when he was freezing in Valley Forge.

If I'd gone down there still employed after the last few months of doing nothing at work, I would have felt depressed because I knew I wasn't being that productive and he "never let the sun find him in bed." But since I have this new euphoria of being able to actually find something to do that might be constructive and fulfilling...I want to get things done like George.

And 200 years later, his farms are still producing food like this:

So as I start my job search, I'm going to keep a mantra of, "Be like George." Not that I expect to be rememberd for anything I do in 200 years, but I could at least find something that I'm excited about.

Oh, also, his gardens had pretty flowers: