So yesterday was a weird day. I had a pretty awful morning, a fantastic lunch, a decent afternoon, a nice half hour with Sarah, and then a fun/busy evening at Starbucks, followed by a good night's sleep.
Morning: Bad. Bob was moody, I interviewed a pretty sad designer for the job I'm leaving, and I had a ton of stuff to do. I got a call from Tammy, which was the only upbeat moment of my morning, that is, until she told me that she went to see her doctor, and she thinks that Tammy has a tumor in her head. Now before you say, "Gee, I wish I had a tumor..." it's not as glamorous as it sounds... So if everyone would be praying for her. We're all hoping it's something other than that, and preferably better. So on we go with the day...
Lunch: Ate really good sushi at this nice little Japanese restaurant in the area. Since I was the only customer, the chef came and sat with me and we talked while I ate. Very refreshing...
• Funny story: I am sitting there trying to look like I know what I'm doing, while in reality, I only sort of know what I'm doing, and the first thing I ate on my plate was what looked like a pile of very finely cut lunch meat. Now what happened next was not bad, but definitely shocking... Flavor sort of exploded in my mouth... Like fireworks. Not spicy, but very effervecent. I got "tweaks" in my nose, and my eyes, and all over my mouth... It was the most intense eating experience I've ever had... So I look up at the chef who was just coming back from the kitchen, and I'm like "What the HECK did I just eat???" And he looks at the empty spot on my plate and says "Oh... you ate the ginger!" Yeah... I guess that most sane people put a slice or two on top of the sushi, and use it as a condiment... not me. I eat the whole pile of it.
Meanwhile... we join Sarah in class. In anthropology, Sarah developed a twitch in her right eye. At first, she was annoyed, but as it continued, she began to realize just how much she's been doing. It reminds me of that line from the movie Bringing Out The Dead where Patricia Arquette's character asks Nicholas Cage's character about a doctor who keeps mumbling and poking himself in the eye... Cage's response is a matter-of-fact, "He's working a double shift."
That really seems to be the case with Sar. I think that she'll stop mumbling and twitching when the semester is through. OH... I can't forget. Sarah spelled her name wrong on a test! Yeah, two "r's"... Is that the funniest thing you've ever heard or what? If that doesn't inspire you to give the poor girl a hug the next time you see her, I don't know what will.
On with the day. Afternoon.
The afternoon went well. I got the rest of my work done, and left without incident.
Sarah time.
Got home with 45 minutes to spare before leaving for work. Cuddle time central. Sarah got home at the same time, and we just laid down on the couch for awhile and hid from our day.
I really love this girl. She's such a pleasure to be with, to live with... It's almost her birthday.
She'll be the big 25 in just over 2 weeks. Her birthday is the 15th.
Starbucks.
Worked a very fun shift at the "Bucks" as Ryan's started calling it. Worked with Jen and Michelle. Jen is a very nice, mid-thirties lesbian who has a quick wit, and likes old movies. She and I got off to a very good start, and I really cherish the opportunity to prove that, while a christian, and one who disagrees with her lifestyle, I am not about to pound her over the head with my Bible and rain hellfire down on her. She seems comfortable with me, and I am comfortable with her. We'll see how things progress with her. Michelle is decent. She's friendly enough, but has a bit of a martyr complex, combined with a victim thing... oh well.
Nighty Night.
I have to say that Sarah and I both had a really good night's sleep last night.
Not that it's unheard of, it's just unusual, and I was sad to see daylight come.
Well... now that I've told you about yesterday, I'll briefly run down today. Today was my last official day with BOB. So that was awesome. I can't even think at this point... I had about an hour at home, and calmed my nerves a bit... Starbucks was great tonight. I am feeling better and better about what I'm doing, and getting things right more.
On a cool note, I picked up two old Starflyer 59 albums this week. The silver one and the gold one. The gold one seems to be more of an aquired taste, and I'll keep working at it, but silver is AMAZING!!! Blue Collar Love is absolutely stunning. One of the most frighteningly intimidating guitar riffs I've ever heard. Right up there with Anthem of the Year 2000 by Silver Chair.
I gotta go to sleep...
Later.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Friday, September 24, 2004
Johnny Ramone is Dead
My Hero, Johnny Ramone is dead.
He picked up a guitar at 22, and helped change the way people looked at Rock and Roll.
As a founding member of the Ramones, the band that many people consider to be the first "Punk Rock" band, Johnny personified the rebel spirit. He embodied the rebellious look of the kid on the street with ripped jeans, white t-shirt, and leather jacket. He played his guitar with a ferocity and speed that defied the standard set of chords that made up many of the Ramones' songs... The truth of it is, that there has never been a punk like Johnny, and the reason is that even among the rebels, he didn't fit in. Johnny was Republican. And he wasn't just a little Republican, he was all the way... In an environment that was exceedingly liberal, he stood up for Reagan, Bush, and even Dubya Bush more recently. In the Ramones 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, Johnny stepped up to the microphone and said "God bless President Bush, and God bless America." Nobody in the rock and roll scene (except for Ted Nugent, who is another story entirely) would be caught dead saying that in 2002. But that was the way he was. He could, and often had to defend his views, and never backed down. One of my favorite pictures of Johnny is a photo of him and another punk icon, Johnny Rotten of the british punk band the Sex Pistols. Personally, I'm no fan of the Pistols, and Johnny Rotten was the standard punk. Rebellious of all things corporate and conservative... accepting all things liberal and offensive. The picture is of the two of them chatting around 8:30 in the morning and Johnny Rotten already has a beer in his hand and Johnny Ramone is standing there with a Pepsi. That's what made Johnny Ramone the true rebel. In a society where being a rebel means fitting the mold of a liberal underdog fighting "The Man", constantly declaring their individuality... as a group, and not seeing the contradiction... Johnny stood alone. On the stage he stood alone, feet planted firmly apart, head down... the very picture of determination and concentration. He took his music seriously, and he took his life seriously. Being a "pinhead" (The Ramones' word for punk) is not about the look, the attitude or even the music... It's about standing alone. It's about playing music for those who stand alone. Johnny Ramone, dead at 55. That only leaves Tommy as the only living original member of a band formed in 1974. The good do die young, I guess.
One last thought... I was able to talk to a friend of Johnny's earlier this year, and this guy called Johnny up and told him about me. About my similar political and musical views, and let him know of my admiration for him. Several weeks later, I received a package with a signed picture from the man himself. It said, "To Jim, a good American. Your pal, Johnny." To be honest, I couldn't even put a value on that photo now... I'm so grateful that even while dying of cancer, he took the time to send a fan he'd never met an autograph. People like that are rare.
Here's to a good American, Johnny Ramone.
He picked up a guitar at 22, and helped change the way people looked at Rock and Roll.
As a founding member of the Ramones, the band that many people consider to be the first "Punk Rock" band, Johnny personified the rebel spirit. He embodied the rebellious look of the kid on the street with ripped jeans, white t-shirt, and leather jacket. He played his guitar with a ferocity and speed that defied the standard set of chords that made up many of the Ramones' songs... The truth of it is, that there has never been a punk like Johnny, and the reason is that even among the rebels, he didn't fit in. Johnny was Republican. And he wasn't just a little Republican, he was all the way... In an environment that was exceedingly liberal, he stood up for Reagan, Bush, and even Dubya Bush more recently. In the Ramones 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, Johnny stepped up to the microphone and said "God bless President Bush, and God bless America." Nobody in the rock and roll scene (except for Ted Nugent, who is another story entirely) would be caught dead saying that in 2002. But that was the way he was. He could, and often had to defend his views, and never backed down. One of my favorite pictures of Johnny is a photo of him and another punk icon, Johnny Rotten of the british punk band the Sex Pistols. Personally, I'm no fan of the Pistols, and Johnny Rotten was the standard punk. Rebellious of all things corporate and conservative... accepting all things liberal and offensive. The picture is of the two of them chatting around 8:30 in the morning and Johnny Rotten already has a beer in his hand and Johnny Ramone is standing there with a Pepsi. That's what made Johnny Ramone the true rebel. In a society where being a rebel means fitting the mold of a liberal underdog fighting "The Man", constantly declaring their individuality... as a group, and not seeing the contradiction... Johnny stood alone. On the stage he stood alone, feet planted firmly apart, head down... the very picture of determination and concentration. He took his music seriously, and he took his life seriously. Being a "pinhead" (The Ramones' word for punk) is not about the look, the attitude or even the music... It's about standing alone. It's about playing music for those who stand alone. Johnny Ramone, dead at 55. That only leaves Tommy as the only living original member of a band formed in 1974. The good do die young, I guess.
One last thought... I was able to talk to a friend of Johnny's earlier this year, and this guy called Johnny up and told him about me. About my similar political and musical views, and let him know of my admiration for him. Several weeks later, I received a package with a signed picture from the man himself. It said, "To Jim, a good American. Your pal, Johnny." To be honest, I couldn't even put a value on that photo now... I'm so grateful that even while dying of cancer, he took the time to send a fan he'd never met an autograph. People like that are rare.
Here's to a good American, Johnny Ramone.
Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow
Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow
The other day, we went and saw Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
It was great! Very close to what I expected... that being very cliche, kind of cheesy, but well acted, and well written. The cinematography was great, and it was very entertaining.
Things went well with Bob this week. Completely unexpected...
All the same. He's going to Florida tonight, to stay the weekend, so I don't have to work on Friday. This is a much needed break, as this week has been very packed. On Tuesday and Wednesday I went to Starbucks at 6am, and then drove to my other job after I got off there. Today, I'm doing the opposite, and driving to Starbucks when I get off here.
So anyway... Sarah can always use your prayers as she goes through what is her most challenging semester yet.
Later.
Jim
Monday, September 20, 2004
A good day... and it's a Monday too...
WOW!
I had a good day!!!
I really wasn't expecting it. I had to change my schedule again to acomodate Starbucks, and I thought Bob would pitch a hissy fit. But he didn't.
I was able to spend some time in the Word this morning, and I read through some of 1st Peter which deals mostly with trials and hard times, and it really helped me gain perspective on the whole situation, and what I need to do, and what my mindset needs to be. One verse that spoke to me today was Chapter 2 verse 18 which is "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust." I'm pretty sure that Bob falls into the second catagory, but the neat/awful thing about God is that we're judged not on how others act, but on how we act, and that really made me realize that Bob can be a jerk... he'll have to answer for that someday... but I'll have to answer for how I've acted. If I've been kind and forgiving, I won't regret my actions, but if I give in to my personal vindication, I don't think I'll be so proud, or look so good. Excuses don't work with the big guy, and I need to practice what I preach...
Anyway, Sarah and I are doing well, and expect to have a peaceful evening home tonight. I think that we're planning on seeing "Sky Captain & The World Of Tomorrow" at some point this week. We really want to see "Hero" but we have free tickets to Sky Captain.
I'll write more later... Thanks for checking in!
Jim
I had a good day!!!
I really wasn't expecting it. I had to change my schedule again to acomodate Starbucks, and I thought Bob would pitch a hissy fit. But he didn't.
I was able to spend some time in the Word this morning, and I read through some of 1st Peter which deals mostly with trials and hard times, and it really helped me gain perspective on the whole situation, and what I need to do, and what my mindset needs to be. One verse that spoke to me today was Chapter 2 verse 18 which is "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust." I'm pretty sure that Bob falls into the second catagory, but the neat/awful thing about God is that we're judged not on how others act, but on how we act, and that really made me realize that Bob can be a jerk... he'll have to answer for that someday... but I'll have to answer for how I've acted. If I've been kind and forgiving, I won't regret my actions, but if I give in to my personal vindication, I don't think I'll be so proud, or look so good. Excuses don't work with the big guy, and I need to practice what I preach...
Anyway, Sarah and I are doing well, and expect to have a peaceful evening home tonight. I think that we're planning on seeing "Sky Captain & The World Of Tomorrow" at some point this week. We really want to see "Hero" but we have free tickets to Sky Captain.
I'll write more later... Thanks for checking in!
Jim
Friday, September 17, 2004
Pictures and Comments
So I've decided to illustrate myself in my "profile"...
I've made several versions of me, all reflecting whatever mood I'm in. I'll change them from time to time, so check back to see more of the versions...
I realize that some of you may not be aware that you can comment on posts. If you want to, feel free... I think that the comments are more fun than the post itself.
Thanks again for coming back, I will continue to try and make my life interesting...
I've made several versions of me, all reflecting whatever mood I'm in. I'll change them from time to time, so check back to see more of the versions...
I realize that some of you may not be aware that you can comment on posts. If you want to, feel free... I think that the comments are more fun than the post itself.
Thanks again for coming back, I will continue to try and make my life interesting...
Wow... what a week.
Well, that was a week from hell. Literally. I think that if any more things could have gone wrong, I'd have keeled over. I chalk it up to doing what I know is right.
I was going to go all into it, but it's Friday night, and I'm so happy to be done with the week that I don't want to rehash it.
Sarah and I went out to Max and Erma's for our date tonight. Ok, but nowhere near the quality of Chili's... prices were about the same. I think they're both owned by the same people, but I'm not sure.
Things are going very well at Starbucks. I have been there 3 days so far, and have learned how to make just about every kind of Frappachino imaginable. There are only about 17,000 different kinds!!! Just kidding, but it does feel like that.
I will be so happy to go to work and work... not have to worry about my insane, domineering boss and his whim of the day. You know, I've had a job like this before, and I was young, maybe 17 or 18, and I was so afraid of the guy it took me a couple weeks to work up the courage to quit when I realized how unhealthy the situation was. The weird difference between that and my current situation is that it took me very little time to tell Bob that I was quitting, it's taken forever to get out of the place. Every trial is another lesson learned. A friend, and former employer told me that he had made every mistake in the book, and it had been a year or two since he'd seen a new one, so he thought he'd gotten them all figured out. I suppose the only way to avoid mistakes is to make them, or to watch a stupid friend or relative make them... Neither seems like a blessing, but someday this will be just another old scar that reminds me not to make this particular mistake again... just like that old experience.
Well, that's it for now.
Jim
I was going to go all into it, but it's Friday night, and I'm so happy to be done with the week that I don't want to rehash it.
Sarah and I went out to Max and Erma's for our date tonight. Ok, but nowhere near the quality of Chili's... prices were about the same. I think they're both owned by the same people, but I'm not sure.
Things are going very well at Starbucks. I have been there 3 days so far, and have learned how to make just about every kind of Frappachino imaginable. There are only about 17,000 different kinds!!! Just kidding, but it does feel like that.
I will be so happy to go to work and work... not have to worry about my insane, domineering boss and his whim of the day. You know, I've had a job like this before, and I was young, maybe 17 or 18, and I was so afraid of the guy it took me a couple weeks to work up the courage to quit when I realized how unhealthy the situation was. The weird difference between that and my current situation is that it took me very little time to tell Bob that I was quitting, it's taken forever to get out of the place. Every trial is another lesson learned. A friend, and former employer told me that he had made every mistake in the book, and it had been a year or two since he'd seen a new one, so he thought he'd gotten them all figured out. I suppose the only way to avoid mistakes is to make them, or to watch a stupid friend or relative make them... Neither seems like a blessing, but someday this will be just another old scar that reminds me not to make this particular mistake again... just like that old experience.
Well, that's it for now.
Jim
Monday, September 13, 2004
New Job
Well, tonight's my first night at Starbucks.
Today, my boss at the job I'm quitting tried to trick me into staying another 2 weeks... this guy is unbelievable! And he didn't even offer me anything to stay... he tried a GUILT TRIP instead! At the last job I gave two week notice, they gave me an extra $200 to stay another week. This guy told me that because he's "letting" me adjust my schedule to train at the new place, I should help him out by staying an extra two weeks, maybe more...
UH... NOOOOOOOOO!
I have been doing my best to put his needs ahead of my own in every instance, and the guy just keeps pushing for every ounce of value that he can get. It's like if your cell phone carrier was to say "You know, we've been really great to you by not having all your calls dropped, and we did give you that free caller I.D., so we want you to sign on for another 5 years..."
Argh.
I am not going to let this ruin my day...
Lord, grant me the grace to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to bury Bob in a place where noone will find him.
Today, my boss at the job I'm quitting tried to trick me into staying another 2 weeks... this guy is unbelievable! And he didn't even offer me anything to stay... he tried a GUILT TRIP instead! At the last job I gave two week notice, they gave me an extra $200 to stay another week. This guy told me that because he's "letting" me adjust my schedule to train at the new place, I should help him out by staying an extra two weeks, maybe more...
UH... NOOOOOOOOO!
I have been doing my best to put his needs ahead of my own in every instance, and the guy just keeps pushing for every ounce of value that he can get. It's like if your cell phone carrier was to say "You know, we've been really great to you by not having all your calls dropped, and we did give you that free caller I.D., so we want you to sign on for another 5 years..."
Argh.
I am not going to let this ruin my day...
Lord, grant me the grace to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to bury Bob in a place where noone will find him.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Hebrews
Today in church we started a verse by verse study of the book of Hebrews.
This is something I have not yet seen in a church. Hebrews is an incredibly deep book, and I am really anticipating a year of leaps and bounds spiritually.
In other news, Sarah has been doing well, but is having some difficulty concentrating while studying. This is completely due to the massive amount of stuff she's involved in. Please keep her in your prayers. For those of you who aren't savvy to Sarah's school situation, she is in her final "full" semester of school before graduating from St. Xavier University on the Chicago south side. She is studying English, very successfully I might add. (she has held a 4.0 since returning to school 2 semesters ago.) In addition to her school, she holds down two part time jobs, one at the school, and one about a half hour away... I am extremely proud of how she has gone back, and refused to let go of her dream of graduating from college. She will be the first from her family to do so.
Well. I'm headed to bed. Tired...
Later
This is something I have not yet seen in a church. Hebrews is an incredibly deep book, and I am really anticipating a year of leaps and bounds spiritually.
In other news, Sarah has been doing well, but is having some difficulty concentrating while studying. This is completely due to the massive amount of stuff she's involved in. Please keep her in your prayers. For those of you who aren't savvy to Sarah's school situation, she is in her final "full" semester of school before graduating from St. Xavier University on the Chicago south side. She is studying English, very successfully I might add. (she has held a 4.0 since returning to school 2 semesters ago.) In addition to her school, she holds down two part time jobs, one at the school, and one about a half hour away... I am extremely proud of how she has gone back, and refused to let go of her dream of graduating from college. She will be the first from her family to do so.
Well. I'm headed to bed. Tired...
Later
Birthday
Hello all,
Yesterday was Sarah's dad's birthday, and today we went out to celebrate it. We went bowling after church, and I surprised everyone including myself with a pretty good first game. I got 142, which for anybody except Sarah's dad was awesome. He still beat me, but it was his birthday... He was sorta proud of it too, that is until our second game, when I showed my true bowling prowess and got 105. Yeah. I need to start bowling more than once a year.
My grandmother on my dad's side contacted me today with some info about a cousin I don't know who lives here in Chicago. I'll have to look him up. He sounds interesting, and is half Japanese. (Anyone who knows me well, knows of my infatuation with all things and people from that country.) Family is a really big deal to me, and the idea of having a member of my family so nearby is very cool.
On another note, I start the Starbucks job this week, and will be training. I will finish the training at the end of the month, and Lord willing, start my training for shift manager immediately.
Well, that's it for now.
Jim
Yesterday was Sarah's dad's birthday, and today we went out to celebrate it. We went bowling after church, and I surprised everyone including myself with a pretty good first game. I got 142, which for anybody except Sarah's dad was awesome. He still beat me, but it was his birthday... He was sorta proud of it too, that is until our second game, when I showed my true bowling prowess and got 105. Yeah. I need to start bowling more than once a year.
My grandmother on my dad's side contacted me today with some info about a cousin I don't know who lives here in Chicago. I'll have to look him up. He sounds interesting, and is half Japanese. (Anyone who knows me well, knows of my infatuation with all things and people from that country.) Family is a really big deal to me, and the idea of having a member of my family so nearby is very cool.
On another note, I start the Starbucks job this week, and will be training. I will finish the training at the end of the month, and Lord willing, start my training for shift manager immediately.
Well, that's it for now.
Jim
Friday, September 10, 2004
Continued rant about death
I didn't want to do this in the main article, but it's my blog, I can say what I want...
Deaths in the war in Iraq vs. legal abortion in the US.
According to the Allan Guttmacher Institute, the research branch of Planned Parenthood:
Over 1.5 Million unborn children are aborted in the US every year.
That's approximately 4,100 a day. The US represents 3% of worldwide abortions.
1% of worldwide abortions per year is 500,000. Therefore 100% of worldwide abortions is 50 million per year. 50 million potential births... anyway, back to the US.
According to these dudes, 1006 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war began on 3/19/03. One day of abortions in the US quadruples that number. I really don't want to do the math, but anyone who can figure out how many days we've had since March 19th of last year, multiply that number times 4,100 and that's how many abortions we've had since then.
If you don't see abortion as the ending of a human life, than these numbers mean nothing to you, but I can't see it otherwise. One can criticise ol' G.W. for sending our servicemen and women into an unjust war, but at least he isn't killing them out of convenience to himself.
"Being a president is hard... I need less Americans to govern... I know!"
I'm convinced that this just might be the most offensive thing that some of you have read, but if abortion is murder, it is genocide, and genocide in the hundreds of millions is the kind of thing that can put events like 911 in perspective. Noone would compare 911 to the holocaust... It doesn't even come close. So why is it that we Americans cry over our towers when we legally allow the deaths of thousands a day?
I am now done with my thoroughly offensive post.
Deaths in the war in Iraq vs. legal abortion in the US.
According to the Allan Guttmacher Institute, the research branch of Planned Parenthood:
Over 1.5 Million unborn children are aborted in the US every year.
That's approximately 4,100 a day. The US represents 3% of worldwide abortions.
1% of worldwide abortions per year is 500,000. Therefore 100% of worldwide abortions is 50 million per year. 50 million potential births... anyway, back to the US.
According to these dudes, 1006 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war began on 3/19/03. One day of abortions in the US quadruples that number. I really don't want to do the math, but anyone who can figure out how many days we've had since March 19th of last year, multiply that number times 4,100 and that's how many abortions we've had since then.
If you don't see abortion as the ending of a human life, than these numbers mean nothing to you, but I can't see it otherwise. One can criticise ol' G.W. for sending our servicemen and women into an unjust war, but at least he isn't killing them out of convenience to himself.
"Being a president is hard... I need less Americans to govern... I know!"
I'm convinced that this just might be the most offensive thing that some of you have read, but if abortion is murder, it is genocide, and genocide in the hundreds of millions is the kind of thing that can put events like 911 in perspective. Noone would compare 911 to the holocaust... It doesn't even come close. So why is it that we Americans cry over our towers when we legally allow the deaths of thousands a day?
I am now done with my thoroughly offensive post.
September 11th is tomorrow.
And all I can think about is our dads' birthdays.
Sarah's dad celebrates his tomorrow on the big 911, and my dad has his b-day on the 15th. We're gonna hang with the inlaws on Sunday, and unfortunately, we don't have the moolah to drive to Ohio to be with my folks... The sacrifices of living so far away... but this distance is nothing compared to when they are in Africa, so we definitely should make the most of this situation while we can.
I don't know what it is about 911 that makes me not care.
I seriously feel that we, as Americans, are so unaccustomed to having large numbers of people die that when it happens, we expect the world to stop. Columbia has an earthquake and 5,000 people die. We don't even notice... Monsoons happen in Cambodia, Volcanos in the ring of fire... We don't care. The number of homeless people who die in US cities every day completely shadow the numbers of soldiers we lost in Iraq that day, and those numbers are completely obliterated by the thousands who die in Africa of aids every single day. But then a tragedy strikes us. We were attacked. Thousands of OUR people died, and we want the world to stop. We want them to band together and acknowlede our loss... to share in our grief, and to avenge our dead. I just don't see it. When the train station in Spain was bombed earlier this year, I didn't see any Americans pause for a moment to honor their dead... After all, they don't effect our lives. I feel as though we're a kid who burned his fingers on the stove. When we arrive at the hospital, and see the people in the burn unit with their full body 3rd degree burns, instead of being humbled, we demand their attention and sympathy. If we're really as tough as we think we are... maybe we should handle events like this as the rest of the world does. Realize that things like this happen, try to prevent it from happening again, and move on.
Sarah's dad celebrates his tomorrow on the big 911, and my dad has his b-day on the 15th. We're gonna hang with the inlaws on Sunday, and unfortunately, we don't have the moolah to drive to Ohio to be with my folks... The sacrifices of living so far away... but this distance is nothing compared to when they are in Africa, so we definitely should make the most of this situation while we can.
I don't know what it is about 911 that makes me not care.
I seriously feel that we, as Americans, are so unaccustomed to having large numbers of people die that when it happens, we expect the world to stop. Columbia has an earthquake and 5,000 people die. We don't even notice... Monsoons happen in Cambodia, Volcanos in the ring of fire... We don't care. The number of homeless people who die in US cities every day completely shadow the numbers of soldiers we lost in Iraq that day, and those numbers are completely obliterated by the thousands who die in Africa of aids every single day. But then a tragedy strikes us. We were attacked. Thousands of OUR people died, and we want the world to stop. We want them to band together and acknowlede our loss... to share in our grief, and to avenge our dead. I just don't see it. When the train station in Spain was bombed earlier this year, I didn't see any Americans pause for a moment to honor their dead... After all, they don't effect our lives. I feel as though we're a kid who burned his fingers on the stove. When we arrive at the hospital, and see the people in the burn unit with their full body 3rd degree burns, instead of being humbled, we demand their attention and sympathy. If we're really as tough as we think we are... maybe we should handle events like this as the rest of the world does. Realize that things like this happen, try to prevent it from happening again, and move on.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Starbucks
Lately, I've been looking for a job.
For the past 5-6 years, I've been a graphic designer, but I tire of the "make this for me, I'm not creative, but I am sneaky with money so while you're busy designing, I'll rob you blind" world of advertising...
Needless to say, I am taking the first steps toward my life-long dream of being a minister.
I plan on going to Wheaton College in the fall of 05. In the mean time, I need a job that has benefits, won't exploit me, and will be flexible... surprisingly, I found it.
I applied at the Starbucks in our area on a whim. Surely the money, benefits and hours I would get would not be enough... but nay, I was wrong. I have been a faithful patron of Starbucks for quite some time. I enjoy the people, the coffee and the environment. But, to tell the truth, when the assistant manager called for an interview, I took it mostly for the free coffee I knew I'd get... To my surprise, the health plans are fantastic, the benefits are very good, and after a pretty impressive interview, they offered me the hours I wanted... 40. I went back for a second interview on Saturday, and this time, met the store manager. The store is the highest volume store in the area, and they have a shift manager position opening up. By the end of the interview, we set it up that I would come on board for 3 weeks as a Barista (hourly worker) and then move up to shift manager in my 4th week. This is good news for me, as the pay moves up about $2 an hour at that point. Plus, I'd still get tips...
So it looks very promising. I can definitely see doing this during college, and it really seems like a nice place to work. The biggest surprise to me, was that Starbuck's founders seem to have set up their system to not take advantage of their employees. Their computer system doesn't even allow them to schedule someone to open the store if they closed the night before. Their salary positions get overtime pay for any hours over 40, and the minute you start training to be a higher position, you get that position's pay. Pretty cool...
Anyway, that's where the job situation stands. I finish up at my current job during the month of September while training at the new. By the time I finish at the current, I'll be starting my training for the shift manager's position.
Later.
For the past 5-6 years, I've been a graphic designer, but I tire of the "make this for me, I'm not creative, but I am sneaky with money so while you're busy designing, I'll rob you blind" world of advertising...
Needless to say, I am taking the first steps toward my life-long dream of being a minister.
I plan on going to Wheaton College in the fall of 05. In the mean time, I need a job that has benefits, won't exploit me, and will be flexible... surprisingly, I found it.
I applied at the Starbucks in our area on a whim. Surely the money, benefits and hours I would get would not be enough... but nay, I was wrong. I have been a faithful patron of Starbucks for quite some time. I enjoy the people, the coffee and the environment. But, to tell the truth, when the assistant manager called for an interview, I took it mostly for the free coffee I knew I'd get... To my surprise, the health plans are fantastic, the benefits are very good, and after a pretty impressive interview, they offered me the hours I wanted... 40. I went back for a second interview on Saturday, and this time, met the store manager. The store is the highest volume store in the area, and they have a shift manager position opening up. By the end of the interview, we set it up that I would come on board for 3 weeks as a Barista (hourly worker) and then move up to shift manager in my 4th week. This is good news for me, as the pay moves up about $2 an hour at that point. Plus, I'd still get tips...
So it looks very promising. I can definitely see doing this during college, and it really seems like a nice place to work. The biggest surprise to me, was that Starbuck's founders seem to have set up their system to not take advantage of their employees. Their computer system doesn't even allow them to schedule someone to open the store if they closed the night before. Their salary positions get overtime pay for any hours over 40, and the minute you start training to be a higher position, you get that position's pay. Pretty cool...
Anyway, that's where the job situation stands. I finish up at my current job during the month of September while training at the new. By the time I finish at the current, I'll be starting my training for the shift manager's position.
Later.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Arghh!
Today on the way to work, a big ugly chevy cut me off. This is no unusual occurance... what was unusual was the stone that came flying back and chipped my windshield. Right in my line of vision. All that windshield, and where does the rock go? My line of vision.
On the good side, it really could've been worse. The chip is a little bigger than a centimeter, and isn't really "spider webbing" on me. I called State Farm from the road after it happened, and they are sending a repair team to fill it while I'm working. Very efficient. It won't cost anything, since we're having it repaired, not replaced. Replacement would be nice, but it's a $500 deductable. Ouch. As if car insurance isn't expensive enough. Anyway...
I have a story to tell. I'll wait till I get home to unleash that one...
Later.
On the good side, it really could've been worse. The chip is a little bigger than a centimeter, and isn't really "spider webbing" on me. I called State Farm from the road after it happened, and they are sending a repair team to fill it while I'm working. Very efficient. It won't cost anything, since we're having it repaired, not replaced. Replacement would be nice, but it's a $500 deductable. Ouch. As if car insurance isn't expensive enough. Anyway...
I have a story to tell. I'll wait till I get home to unleash that one...
Later.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Abandon Ship!
Well, ladies and gents...
I am abandoning my short lived blog at spymac. They have just been sooooo slow lately. I don't particularly blame them, they have a massive online community, and offer a great deal of stuff for free while not being a particularly large company.
All the same, I am happy with the way things look here at blogger.com, and I will now be posting my life and times here.
I think that I will post a few of the entries I really like here as past posts... so feel free to look through those. There won't be alot, but still...
That's it for now. I'm going to continue to set up the account.
Jim
I am abandoning my short lived blog at spymac. They have just been sooooo slow lately. I don't particularly blame them, they have a massive online community, and offer a great deal of stuff for free while not being a particularly large company.
All the same, I am happy with the way things look here at blogger.com, and I will now be posting my life and times here.
I think that I will post a few of the entries I really like here as past posts... so feel free to look through those. There won't be alot, but still...
That's it for now. I'm going to continue to set up the account.
Jim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
