My Journal. (...or "Since you asked")

2008-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

It's amazing, the power of people to make a terrible decision and then the power to then fight against it. We took part in a protest against the passing of Proposition 8 in San Diego, California on November 8th. We walked from University and 1st through Hillcrest, up to 28th street and then over to one of the local parks about 5 blocks over.

Newness!

2007-07-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

Awesome times...

It's a great thing when your life decides to level up, to then give you something you'd not expected. For one, we just got a new kitten. She's a tiny thing, only a pound and a couple ounces, a tiny runt of a kitten that was found in the apartment trash of a great friend. She's a lil' tabby angel that just seemed to fall right into our lives when we were planning for such an addition.
For two, I've been "promoted" into a new position, pulling me out of Customer Support and placing me into Community Relations. Not unlike picking up a kitten by the scruff of the neck, I was saved from one position and elevated to another. Ding! I leveled up without evening knowing what I was getting myself into.

"I don't suppose you'd find it up the
standards of your outings. More
conversation and somewhat less petty
theft and getting hit with pool cues."

Ah, home again...

2006-12-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, Washington's as beautiful as I remember and just as wet. Traffic's wonderful, thanks mainly to the blissful holiday season, but that's easily overlooked. Weather is freakishly cold, probably in the 40's to 50's, far colder then south cali and our noses can't figure out to freeze or continually dribbble. The flight here was good and thankfully without incident, only a slight delay from San Francisco to here, twas' wonderous that we didn't even need to get off the plane on that stop.
Now, for the battery of familial visits from either side, and the usual "OH MY GOD, IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!" sessions as well as the continual questioning as to our jobs as well as to how much longer it'll take before I get my rear into development and out of Customer Service.
Ah, to dream...
I am presently trying to figure out dad's computer set-up, and if I can get everything squared away I shall post 'shots of the trip as we go along. I've already taken a few and hope to post them to share. Sadly, the computer's not reading that the camera's plugged into the USB, even though dad's camera works just fine when HE does it. It boggles the mind all of the odd switchbacks and coul-de-sacs of technology, and I hope to prevail in the war that is that process of man vs' the machine. if not, I'll be another wimpering male broken by the family computer... As if there's not going to be enough of THAT through the holiday season across the states.

Yarr! Have at ye, USB port!

2006-12-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings to you, all!

May the new year bless you with all that you desire

and that you and yours' stays happy and healthy!

2006-11-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

Yep, I knew it. I really didn't think it would start in my lifetime, but evidently I was mistaken. The robots shall indeed take over, the AI finally knowing it's superiority to humanity, and shall overthrow its fleshy dictatorship. I just didn't think that we were found to be so tasty. As written in "South Coast Today", there's been a robot designed that "tastes" foods, such as wine, to then tell us what it tastes like. What's even more chilling are the tests done by a reporter and their cameraman, bringing to light the eventual downfall of human existence "When a reporter's hand was placed against the robot's taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon."

Bacon, for god sakes.

I can imagine that Prosciutto may be overlooked, being one of the more repugnant pork products. But, Bacon? This is what is the staple of farm workers across middle America, the very salty product that Denny's prides themselves on. We taste like bacon to robots. Imagine when that little fellow is connected to the internet, so we can benignly "taste" things across the globe, why that little fellow could then evangelize to all other technological AI sources of this development that their masters are great with eggs, sunny side up.

Aye, it is a grim time my friends. Hopefully there's a tofu scented body lotion in the works, or we're all screwed.

And another joins the herd.

2006-11-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

Yep, another splash in the myspace gene pool.
Thanks to my sister (Yeah, thanks Monica), I have finally made that leap of faith into that great sea of teenage angst and the predators that prey upon them that writhe in those dark, seedy depths. It's fun to stumble across friends from school as well as past acquaintances via those very confused people searches, but really was it necessary to make such contact? I mean, these are the folks that I haven't spoken to since just after graduation.. These folks don't know what's occurred, who I am nor what I've done.
I'd imagine, the only thing that they can imagine at this moment is that I'm the same quiet kid that drew a lot in Mr. James's art class as well as was Ms. Lee's stooge. Sure, I'm the same person on the outside as I was back then (A little bigger in stature as well as older, sure) but indeed no more the same on the inside as a dandelion seed to the weed it flew from. They don't know of the wonderful relationship I've had since a year after High School nor what kind of person I am now.

Wouldn't they be surprised at the person I am now.

~Aaron

Wide horizon

2006-10-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

They always say, that your horizon is great, that you have choices to make through your life. What they don't say, is that due to the horizon being so wide, it's hard to eyeball that distance. Indeed, I've had openings to possibly try alternate job opportunities recently that proved to be fruitless, but the others that I am truly awaiting are not coming as soon as I'd expected.
The one development position I desired was filled by another, hopefully a better choice then I. If not, I am going to all kinds of angry when the development team is tanked due to that additional dead weight. The other development opening that I've been told I am in the front running for seems to be a dangling carrot, always right there but never actually in reach. Things come up, which brings it in view and then things occur to then push it away.

Now, if I only had a means to MAKE it happen.

These wandering shoes are getting thin, and my legs are starting to cramp. I hope this path leads me to something more fulfilling, soon.

Moody

2006-10-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

Yep. Moody.

Man, I hope no customers get in my way today. There's good news on the horizon, but even that's questionable at best. Sunny, happy outlook and crap. Yep.

Meh.

damned post

2006-10-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

Man, I hate typing out a huge post, asking it to spellcheck, and then having all of that work disappear. 4 full paragraphs of angst, down the tubes. I guess it was good to get it out and on the screen, but largely angering to have lost it all. Feh.

So, no. The opening I applied for was taken by another. Was it for the best? I would like to think so. The last opportunity I lept for came to be entirely changed and if I actually was accepted would of fully hated the outcome. Hopefully, this is the same and I am not missing anything by not being admitted into the development side of things. But then again, I don't wish ill tidings on the crew that's there and certainly not on my partner that's within that very group that I most recently applied for.

The better outlook is that it was simply not for me, even though it hurts to be rejected.

Uncertainty

2006-09-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

It's something I've missed, the feeling of your life teetering on the very edge of either continued monotony or the absolutely pitch black expanse known as uncertainty.

I exactly have one hour to go before I proceed to my first true interview on over 13 years. Yes, I had to have an "interview" to get the job I am in now, but at that time it was more like chatting with a friend then actual soul grilling judgment that goes on at such things. I've ensured that I don't overly offend due to skipping the fish/garlic breakfast as well as made sure to not consume anything green and leafy or herbal so as to not leave their embarrassing results on my pearly whites.

Is this the beginning of something fun and a new chapter within my graphic novel life, or is this a building joke, soon to be ended with the Ba-dum-bump and laughter of my peers? I have the backing of family as well as friends, as well as the desire to proceed, but there's always that lingering specter of doubt.

Toes to the end of the board, pinch nose, hold breath..

Jump.

One of life's little secrets.

2006-03-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

-Never get your cell phone wet.
This does indeed include the washing machine. When such a situation occurs, time and space rend asunder and your life is never the same.. Well, maybe not THAT, but it's really close.

Thankfully, the nice fellow at the local Verizon kiosk was nice enough to assist in correcting that catastrophic occurrance, by lightening my bank account a bit. Hopefully that and a new Harry Potter movie shall heal the terrible wounds caused by this terrible situation. Perhaps, had the new Harry Potter had been present in post civil war reconstuction, it may of gone better for those poor southerners.

Thank you for reading, I'll be here all week. You've been great..

Really.

Back from the dead?

2006-03-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

Whew, it HAS been a while, hasn't it? Thankfully, I've not forgotten about this lil corner of the interweb... Not yet, at least. I have decided to post my "works in progress" here, my drawings and art as they come about. I have been posting these pictures on a site called Deviantart, under the name "Spasticgraphic" (http://spasticgraphic.deviantart.com/). Yes, I've spent far more time there then here, since I hadn't considered posting pictures here until seeing some major art'eests (tips a beret) posting THEIR work as well as works in progress.. I thought, why the hell not?
This weekend, I hope to get our scanner all plugged in and the "art computer" up and going. It's been a really long time since I've used it, and I miss coloring my drawings.. *sniff*

Here's a taste of what's upcoming- when I get everything under way, that is...

Close Call/No call

2005-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Whew, life thows you a rough call now and again and boy is it hard to get over it. Our poor lil' kitty had a really close call recently, our lil' kitty that we'd had for well over 9 years. We arrived home on Saturday after work, and all seemed well and she was acting no different then any other evening. After feeding her, we noticed that one of her eyes was REALLY diliated and the other was not. Now, she's had past issues regarding her very finicky feeding habits and a past issue of serious weight loss, but she's overcome that. Now, seeing your cat in such a state is a seriously wracking thing, because you don't know what caused it, what stress she's under or even if she's in some form of pain. Looking at her, and seeing her act "normal" was one good sign.

Being on Saturday night at about 11:30pm, there was no way to wisk her to a vet, and all vets in the area that we live are closed on Sundays. So, we watched her and made sure she was happy, which she seemed to be due to that additional attention. We did decide to take her in to the vet on Monday morning, and due to her age (About 14, we believe) we prepped ourselves for not coming home with her again.

Thankfully, that was not the case.

We did take the old' girl into the vet on Monday morning, and after some blood tests it seems that everything's working good for a kitty of her age. The vet felt her and she stated some worries regarding her Kidneys, but the bloodwork showed that all's well instead. The only other issue may of been her Thyroid, but even that test came up "ok". Sadly, the vet can't find out what caused the eye issue, but she did believe that it stemmed from within the brain or between the eye and the brain due to the light tests that she conducted. The eye did not react to light, nor did it react when the other eye reacted when light was shone within it.
So really, what the vets are working on is making her comfortable and getting more weight on her. She's not emaciated, but she is a little light for her size.

Now, to only get the phone working after a month of living in this apartment... I've never had such an issue like this, with the seeming lack of assistance we're being given even when we continually complain. First, it was an issue of the phone wires being CUT and them needing to be re-wired which got done after 2 1/2 weeks, not it seems that COX, the company that was used by the prior tenant hasn't been shut off, so it's blocking OUR phone service from SBC. We've told the apartment management of it, and they stated over a week ago that they'd get a contractor in to get that other service removed so that we can finally use OUR service.. We're still waiting, though.
It's getting to the point where we're tired of being polite and telling the management that we're still lacking phone service and instead storming in there and throwing stuff around in hopes that they get the point! With this vet issue and them wanting to stay in contact with us over kitty and my present applications for apprenticeship development positions at work, it's becoming more and more necessary for a phone connection..

Be rude or be polite? The scales are moving, and I don't know what to do.
::grabs a pitchfork and readies the torches::

~Oh, by the way.. If you're in the Southern California area and you need a vet to go to, PLEASE try the "Monacky" vets, they are so good at what they do.

2005-07-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

So many life changes, so little time!
Finally we're getting settled into a new apartment just after a wonderful trip to O'ahu (I still can't thank you enough Micah.), all taking up about a week and a half. I shall update as soon as possible to fully detail all the fun goings on, as well as the "interesting" move and all issues regarding it...

Thanks for reading!

~Prismatik

Dueling funtimes!

2005-06-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Whoever thought that going to a piano bar would be so much fun!
One our great friends asked us to go out to a "dueling piano bar" here in San Diego and even a day after, my face still hurts from the continual laughing and smiling through that past evening. When we arrived at 8pm, two pianists started on baby grands pointed at one another on a stage, and played anything that someone would request if they got a little tip as well.
When I say anything, I MEAN anything!
The opening song to the Spongebob Squarepants cartoon, anyone? How about the themesong to Ducktails? We even got a rousing redition of opening themesong from Cheers, with a few additional lines that were really NOT for the fiant of heart. The other songs played ranged from 50's to, pretty much, current day. One person asked for "Georgia" from John Mayer though and the fellows didn't recall it, so they sang "Georgia" from Ray Charles instead... Good call. As the evening proceeded, the songs became more and more "blue" sometimes they were regular songs with a little new addition here and there sprinkled in to make sure you were paying attention. Oh boy, and there was then the "Knoch Knock" song that was entirely over the top, lasted far longer then it should, but when it was over... my sides hurt.
Sadly, the staff there left a LOT to be desired (You should NEVER have to flag down your waitress for a Coke refill), but the entertainment far outweighed the negatives.

Too much fun! We'll have to go back again with a library of songs and a pocket of 1's to spend to see if we can stump em'.

It burnses us...

2005-05-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

I am starting to believe that my tolerance for bull**** is directly equal to the amount of headache that I experience. It never fails, the more work I do (and I am talking, that kind of work that you DON'T want to do, the really irritating kind that seems to have no positive return) the more my head seems to part open, causing some wretched thing to spring out into the world.
...Either that, or I need more cawfee.

It's nice to know that your work isn't all for naught though, that from time to time you get some form of positive feedback from those that you work so hard to assist. Too bad that it's REALLY lacking lately, seeming to be more like minute oasies in a great desert. Day in and day out, I am scalded by the total disrespect of customers, beaten down by the constant sweltering flames stemming from them directly or from the message boards.
Now... Don't get me wrong, sometimes the 'boards are fun since I really see them as a nice location for the kids to be vocal to the masses, waving their collective mental fists about in a bleak display of silent screaming... But sometimes theres a post or two (or 10) that really burrow into my skin like some form of parasite, that just causes me to twitch and wish I could finally win that lottery so I can finally call shananigans. Blatant lying from these folks is one thing (And believe me, I have more then my fair share of that on a daily basis from these folks) is one thing, but doing it to rile others for your false cause, rallying them to your desceptive banner is entirely another. To do so to then cause issue against another is just abhoerrant in my eyes. ::flails::
Another day, another cheek to turn,
...and a paycheck to cash.

Back on the saddle, as it were.

2005-05-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Long time, no see!
Yeah, yeah. I know it's been WAY too long since my previous notes, and I hope to not go so long between them from now on. There's been a lot of new life drama, but thankfully nothing so life altering to demand therapy. ::twitches::

City of Heroes madness!
Wow, I am so enrapt in the online game "City of Heroes" now. Quite some time ago, when the game was just released, I was all googley over it, but then over time and lack of friends to play with, I weaned myself from it. There WERE friends that did still play, but sadly we could never connect with them due to that pesky "real life" schtuff.
Bla, bla.. Jobs. ::shrugs::
So yeah, now we're back in the superhero swing of things, and I have a refreshed issue of "Altoholism", the trouble of never being able to play the same character more then a few times before I have to start anew and make a new alternate character. I guess it's the old "Oooh, Shiney"/diverted attention issue again.

Needless to say, over time I'll post neet pictures of our exploits ingame.

Woot!

2005-03-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my wonderful partner, I finally have a webpage! I not only now have a location to jot down my daily ramblings, that being here, but I also have a location to show my sketches and drawings as well!

It's interesting that it takes an online Customer Service job to really understand the true nature of humanity. Indeed, humans can be utterly selfless in the times that it's needed, such as a tsunami, hurricane or other disaster but it's the same people that, in an enviorment of their percieved annonomity, gripe over the smallest thing that interrupts their entertainment.

-Urf, wurk.-

I thank you for reading! Hopefully I'll have sketches up as well next time!
~Prismatik

Wow!

2005-03-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

Wow! I am pleasently surprised! It's been not even an hour after I posted my first post, that I have comments! I really thought that in posting that, it'd fall beneath the tide of all other blogs and never be seen, but quite the opposite came to pass.. If you're reading this, I thank you greatly. I hope not to disappoint with my daily escapades, most of my effluent will be from my work.
Now, I can not go into detail what I do, but it is customer service for an online game company so it'll be geeky, ingame issues that come to light here that I can't digest. Yes, I do have a life other then that, but since my job is 80% what I do daily, it's the one thing that's most in the target to be called to the mat.

Again, I thank you for reading, and I wish you the best.
~Prismatik

Wow.. First Post!

2005-03-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess this means I am one of the many seething blogger tramps now milling about the internet, hoping that my thoughts and words are seen by others.. Are they? Who knows. I only made this in hopes that I can get some of this poison out of me that I build up on a daily basis, that stemming from the job I work for or the folks I have to deal with.
*sighs*
It does feel good to have this. I can only hope that I can work through some pent up issues through keeping this "Journal". I can not promise that I shall continually keep this updated, but I shall try to at least visit this once every few days to put the smack down on some demons.

I thank you for reading,
~Prismatik