North American Scum

Beaker

2009-11-03T02:50:49Z

focusthief @ 2009-08-04T16:11:00

2009-08-04T21:12:05Z

People who live their lives in truth and honesty live a dangerous life, because they want to believe everyone else does too.

ugh...

2009-06-23T02:55:19Z

i know i am about 8 yrs behind everyone else in the world. but .....i really, really, really need to stay off of eBay....seriously....i'm cutting myself off. i have a problem.

YAY!

2009-05-14T00:31:17Z

I got the Apple job. I know a lot of you probably already know but I've been holding off making an official announcement. I was really nervous about jinxing myself. It seemed too good to be true! I went in this morning and signed my offer letter, filled out paperwork and set up my start time with staffing.

I start Monday morning at 8:30am. WOO for having a steady paycheck again! And health insurance. And Dental! :))))

Oh. COME ON!!!

2009-05-07T01:45:48Z

lmao

i effing love this show!!

Too Many D*cks on the Dancefloor - NSFW

2009-04-29T12:46:25Z

I can't wait for the show next week! It's gonna rawk!

Bun Run and...stuff

2009-04-29T00:57:01Z

Well, it's official...I'm registered for this weekend's Schlotsky's Bun Run 5K. I've never done a race before so I am super-nervous. It's only 3.5 miles though and the route is basically the one I've been doing for months now (I've been running about 4.5 miles every other day since mid-Jan...) - http://bunrun.com/downloads/RaceCourse_2009.pdf

I don't know how much I am going to like running with people but if I like it, I might register for a 10K one of these days. If I don't hate it...

Oh and I have a 3rd interview with Apple on Thurs morning. Wish me luck!!

xoxox

IT'S SO ANGRY!!! - nsfw

2009-03-24T23:28:19Z

I freaking love Naomi...lmao

focusthief @ 2009-03-12T09:38:00

2009-03-12T14:39:19Z

$150 to euthanize a hamster? Seriously????

Vets are crooks!

umm....

2009-02-20T16:16:08Z

ok...what?

http://cgi.ebay.com/DEER-BUTT-HEAD-novelty-taxidermy-big-foot-hunts-mounts_W0QQitemZ230325959310QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item230325959310&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200#ebayphotohosting

i am so confused....

focusthief @ 2009-02-17T09:30:00

2009-02-17T15:31:06Z

i have no motivation today. there are plenty of things that i need to do but i could barely pull myself out of bed. i really need a job...this unemployment thing is making me sloth-like...blah....

Dad, coffee and red wine...

2009-02-11T03:35:37Z

My dad is very sick...it's just the flu but it has hit him extremely hard. It's like seeing into a crystal ball to when he's going to be unable to take care of himself. It's so odd....I see his mortality. Maybe it's because I've seen so much death in the past year. It's familiar to me. I recognize it a little easier. Anyway, I'm going to take him coffee in the morning, talk with him about things and then go help my friend, Collin, with some stuff in his office. I have a busy day tomorrow. Dad first though.

I've had interviews for jobs. Some good, some bad...nothing worth going on about yet. Trust me...you'll be the first to know when I sign the new employee agreement.

I'm reconnecting with a lot of people I had let go and it feels good. I missed them.

I hear thunder! Yay!! And there's a new red wine I like...can ya' tell? :)

It's business time!

2009-02-02T16:19:53Z

Who has two thumbs and is going to see Flight of the Conchords on May 9?

THIS GUY!!! ....and ellnra22 is going with me! :)

focusthief @ 2009-01-28T15:42:00

2009-01-28T21:42:55Z

i suck at interviewing. ugh, i hate it...blah

)(&^$W)(&^$_

2009-01-15T03:32:25Z

fucking hell....my computer is dying now...

what NEXT?!?!}!@:

pile it on, pile it on

Job Lead - YAY!

2009-01-13T21:19:33Z

A former colleague at Borland called me today and told me about a job opportunity with another software company here in town. As soon as I emailed her my resume, she forwarded it to the VP of HR there. YAY! The job market is extremely tough right now so I am taking any help I can get. I was extremely touched that she even thought of me!

It's just nice to end a day on a good note. I started to feel like I was cursed or something.

Cross your fingers for me! :)

focusthief @ 2009-01-11T20:45:00

2009-01-12T03:00:43Z

Tomorrow is Granny's funeral but I am not going. I have a job interview at 1pm and the funeral is at noon. I tried explaining to my dad that I could move the interview but he insisted that I go. He said it is more important for me to go to this interview than for me to attend the funeral. I tried arguing that I am going out of respect for him and for my Granny but he insisted. Honestly, I am relieved. I was there during some of her final breaths. I've paid my respects to my her. Plus seeing her in a coffin is not the the lasting memory I would like to have of her. This funeral is a formality. Besides my father, I honestly do not want to see any member of my family right now. Their behavior has been appalling in the past year. Between the way they fought after my aunt dying in July, bickering over her money, the lack of ANY support for my grandmother and the back-stabbing they've done to me, I've had it with them. The only reason I was going to go was to accompany my father. He doesn't even want to go because of these people but he is out of respect to my granny.

Well, in spite of all this stuff going on, I had a really nice visit with my dad today. He and I had a wonderful heart-to-heart. I am so lucky to have a wonderful father.

My interview tomorrow is with an entertainment/sports marketing firm downtown. Hopefully, they are a reputable company and not some stupid pyramid scheme. I can't find much of them on the internet and sometimes "marketing" doesn't always mean that. If they are, I am going to go OFF on them. Haha. Just kidding. I'll just make them feel super-guilty about me missing my grandmother's funeral.

Ah...even if I didn't have the interview, I have a lot to do tomorrow. I am surprisingly busy for being unemployed!

I need to get my ass to the gym or something too. I've done like two pilates classes since New Years and I can feel my jeans getting tight as I sit. Ugh..

Anyway, my child and I are going to bond over Dane Cook's new comedy special....Woowoo!

focusthief @ 2009-01-09T18:09:00

2009-01-10T00:26:59Z

My grandmother passed away in her sleep last night. My uncle gave her some morphine on Wed night because she said her legs hurt. He gave it to her around 1:30am, she fell asleep and about 24 hrs later, she was gone. She went peacefully and had no pain. She would have been 86 yrs old on Jan 22nd. When I left her yesterday afternoon, she looked so calm and was breathing ok. Her blood pressure was very low (91/50) but that's what a little morphine will do. But I knew she was going to go soon so I said my goodbyes and told her to have fun in La-La Land. She wasn't happy here in Austin at all, but I'm so glad I had a chance to spend some quality time with her before she passed. RIP Granny...

Dad told me to go ahead and do what I needed to do today and not to worry. Granny would have wanted it that way. She was a very sensible woman and he's right...she would have been so upset if I spent the whole day fussing over her instead of working on finding a job!

I ended up going to the outplacement workshop and I've nailed my resume. It looks great! I am trying to write a good cover letter and I just can not get it done. It's not hard and doesn't even need to be long! What is wrong with me?

When I say "I nailed my resume", I mean my Exec Admin resume. I have barely started my Event Planner resume. I am just scared about moving into an entry level job and not making enough money. But how will I know until I try, right? I know, I know....

And I start too many sentences with "I"....

I better get back to the grind. I'm losing momentum and motivation. Enough procrastinating!

Life Goes On

2009-01-06T00:37:02Z

OK...so my last post was ~~a little~~..alright... a lot abrupt. I'm still kind of in shock. In a matter of 72 hrs my life went from pure bliss (Vegas, Rob, vacation) to total crap. Haha. Enough of the dramatics! Anyway, this lay off thing is not the end of the world. Yes, it is quite scary but I'm trying not to take it personally. My boss is also getting laid off so I know it's not something I did. However, it's no secret he and I didn't always get along so it's hard. I read through my severance package and it is not bad. I am getting at least 3 weeks of pay, plus a lump sum for COBRA benefits. I also get a month of outplacement services which I will definitely utilize. I already called the rep and made an appt to talk to her about my options tomorrow. All in all, I am feeling a lot more positive about it. Who knows, I might get a job that was a lot better and have more opportunity. I have a lot of time on my hands now so I am going to build my event planning portfolio as well. I still don't feel confident enough to start my own business or anything but maybe I can get an extra gig at one of the golf courses around here. I don't know..Today I read something about being laid off and it said in bold letters "DON'T PANIC! Wait at least 48 hrs before you act." I guess that's why a lot of companies lay off on Fridays.

Wow...ramble much?

My grandmother is a whole other issue...she's not good. She's basically been "asleep" since Saturday. She's probably been awake for a total of 10 hrs and she's confused when she is awake. I think she needs to be in the hospital but she is refusing to go. Hospice isn't calling her "active" (as in, actively dying) though. It's a waiting game. I'll go over there again tomorrow to relieve my uncle. He's basically been by her side 24/7 since Saturday.

So that's what's going on. Thanks to everyone who commented, called and IMed me today! That really meant a lot to me.

<3

focusthief @ 2009-01-05T12:23:00

2009-01-05T18:23:22Z

My grandmother went into Hospice care on Saturday. I got laid off from my job today. What else is coming?

Happy New Year...

focusthief @ 2008-12-24T13:11:00

2008-12-24T19:11:27Z

ok...that's it. i'm ready for 2008 to be over already. i just had a huge fight with my mother, as we were getting ready to go to corpus for christmas. as a result of our screaming match, we are not going. she's been calling to yell at me some more, i'm sure, but i refuse to pick up the phone. it's just a matter of time before she's back over here, screaming again.

merry effing christmas.

i'm so done with this year. i'm hibernating until 2009.

Today's "PUNishing Moment" brought to you by Yours Truly

2008-12-15T02:26:09Z

</lj>

I keel me! Hee hee.

Prestij Fashion

2008-12-12T19:18:01Z

For the past two months, I've been working for a local designer on some event planning for his upcoming men's line. He's a great guy name Keya. His designs are very stylish and I'm excited that he's given me the opportunity to get some experience not only event planning, but also a taste of life in the world of fashion. It's been a whirlwind experience so far!

Anyway, this week we got a HUGE break and News 8 Austin did a story on him - http://www.news8austin.com/content/living/fashionably_8/?ArID=226743&SecID=92.

I'm both thrilled and really freaked out. Haha. The event is blowing up bigger than I ever thought it would! For those of you in Austin, you should come out. It's going to be a lot of fun and I would love to see you there!

Here are the details:
Location:Terrace 59 (Speakeasy Rooftop Deck)
412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
When: Wednesday, December 17, 8:00PM

focusthief @ 2008-11-25T12:04:00

2008-11-25T18:04:32Z

OMG...this is just TOO awesome!

Color me Productive

2008-11-25T00:55:51Z

Today I:

- called to change our cable plan which now includes a home phone. Lauren has lost or broken 3 cell phones in the past year so we're going primative. I refuse to buy her another cell phone but I still need her to call me when she gets home from school. This is good b/c I can FINALLY get our security system monitored - something that is about 2 yrs over-due. Plus, with the new plan I'm actually saving $!

- FINALLY got my Crackberry fixed. The trackball fell out about 2 mos ago and I've had it taped together since. Hello, ghetto.

- quit my teaching gig at Gold's. I HATED to quit that job but I really don't have the time to teach it anymore. I need to be home in the evenings so I can spend more time with Lauren. Plus I can use the extra time planning the events I have for 2009. It's a bittersweet change but I look forward to having two of my evenings back.

- met with Lauren's teachers again. We all agree -- Lauren's success is in her hands. While I am trying to be a good parent and keep her on track, there comes a time when I just need to let go and let her fly. We know she can do it...she just needs to find it inside herself to succeed. I'm hoping that time comes, very very soon.

- got my car checked out...ugh...the alternator is dying. It's going to cost $400 to fix. I'm going to see if I can borrow my mom's car again until after Christmas. I really don't want to spend $400 to get my car fixed when Christmas is so close. I hope she'll let us use her car for a few weeks.

We got her ISEE (entrance exam for St. Michael's Academy) test results today. She didn't score well on the Geometry or Algebra sections but I think that's ok. Her application is more than just the test. They consider her recommendations, essays and she still needs to interview. I'm praying she gets into this school. I can't wait to get out of the public school system.

Ok, I'm off to teach my ONLY class this week! YAY!!!

Oh and if I don't post before Thurs - Happy Turkey Day, ya'll!! :D