Today's quote: You wrote that the world doesn't need a saviour, but every day I hear people crying for one.
Like countless other fans, I went to see Superman. Despite the two leading men being extremely easy on the eyes, and an ok plot with very decent acting, I was actually disappointed. Why? I'm all for the modern-day superhero being all sensitive and everything, but it's a little different if you're chipping away at the actual identity or perception people have of the superhero. Of course, this is just my opinion. Perhaps I'm disappointed from having seen Superman as a little girl and forming an image of his invincibility, and then being confronted with something a little different here. It's always been Superman, Man of Steel with the love of his life, Lois Lane.
***Superman Spoiler Alert***
But this movie portrays him differently. He's still as hot as ever, but what's this? Lois Lane has shacked up with someone else?! And she has a kid?!!!! Granted, you find out that it's Superman's kid. You sort of always think of Lois Lane as a feisty Ms. Uber-Reporter. You don't really think of her as having settled for someone else because Superman is gone, and then going on to write a Pulitzer Prize-winning article titled "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." She appears to have very deep issues as to feeling abandoned by Superman. At least the movie didn't muck it up with adultery. The characters are all very noble and have their shining sterling-silver integrity intact. My main point? The movie was good, yes. However, it left me feeling frustrated because things didn't seem the way they should be. For one, where was the chemistry between Superman and Lois? Where was the depth? The characters seemed somewhat flat and two-dimensional. Yes, I know it's partly about character reinvention so that we, the audience, can see a new side of them and love them more for it. I'm just not sure that I'm lovin' it, and I'm not so sure that it's working.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Don't Look Back
Today's quote: I don't think you understand. Me - gonads! You- ovaries!
Do you ever wonder why companies have made the packaging on some things so difficult to open? For example, I bought a crappy optical usb mouse today at Target. Actual time spent buying mouse: 3 minutes. Time spent opening package of said mouse: 20 minutes. In the process, I have given myself two cuts from the plastic, and ruined one pair of scissors. I could not believe my eyes when the plastic repelled the scissors and then broke them. I finally had to get out the trusty Leatherman that I received from an ex-boyfriend as a birthday present (yes, it's useful, but what woman wants a bloody Leatherman for a birthday present?!) and stab at the package until I got a manageable hole to finally get the mouse out. The last time I had this much trouble was with the Sandisk Micro-Cruzer. I wonder if anyone has ever sued a company for injuries sustained while navigating the perilous process of trying to open crazy packaging?
By the way, I've quit my newest job. I couldn't see myself staying there for more than a year, so I felt that perhaps things were better if I just quit now and saved myself the misery of a year of work that I didn't like or have any interest in, and also saved the company the time and energy of training me in the work. Plus, it needs some moderate amount of people skills since construction seems to be one of those things that's very buddy buddy-ish.
So far, I seem to have experienced opposite ends of the spectrum. At the last job, I always had something to do and the day went by fast. The duties would have been enough to engage someone and keep them occupied. The atmosphere is very comfortable, and employees are allowed to wear pretty much whatever they want. All in all, it was a very comfortable place to work. The drawback was that it barely paid better than minimum wage. So much for their policy of trying to "attract the best and the brightest at above-market-average wages." The new job paid more than $15,000 a year than the other job, but at the same time the work did not engage me in the least. I hated the work. The only thing I could foresee happening was that the work would get easier, but that I would not like it any better as time went on. It's funny, last week I thought that I could do any job as long as it paid decently, but this week I found out that I actually think otherwise. I almost feel like I've been betrayed by myself. So what am I doing now? I'm considering my options of how I might actually get to write to pay some bills, since it's pretty much the only thing right now that makes me happy. I need some ideas.
Time to go back to eating ramen.
Do you ever wonder why companies have made the packaging on some things so difficult to open? For example, I bought a crappy optical usb mouse today at Target. Actual time spent buying mouse: 3 minutes. Time spent opening package of said mouse: 20 minutes. In the process, I have given myself two cuts from the plastic, and ruined one pair of scissors. I could not believe my eyes when the plastic repelled the scissors and then broke them. I finally had to get out the trusty Leatherman that I received from an ex-boyfriend as a birthday present (yes, it's useful, but what woman wants a bloody Leatherman for a birthday present?!) and stab at the package until I got a manageable hole to finally get the mouse out. The last time I had this much trouble was with the Sandisk Micro-Cruzer. I wonder if anyone has ever sued a company for injuries sustained while navigating the perilous process of trying to open crazy packaging?
By the way, I've quit my newest job. I couldn't see myself staying there for more than a year, so I felt that perhaps things were better if I just quit now and saved myself the misery of a year of work that I didn't like or have any interest in, and also saved the company the time and energy of training me in the work. Plus, it needs some moderate amount of people skills since construction seems to be one of those things that's very buddy buddy-ish.
So far, I seem to have experienced opposite ends of the spectrum. At the last job, I always had something to do and the day went by fast. The duties would have been enough to engage someone and keep them occupied. The atmosphere is very comfortable, and employees are allowed to wear pretty much whatever they want. All in all, it was a very comfortable place to work. The drawback was that it barely paid better than minimum wage. So much for their policy of trying to "attract the best and the brightest at above-market-average wages." The new job paid more than $15,000 a year than the other job, but at the same time the work did not engage me in the least. I hated the work. The only thing I could foresee happening was that the work would get easier, but that I would not like it any better as time went on. It's funny, last week I thought that I could do any job as long as it paid decently, but this week I found out that I actually think otherwise. I almost feel like I've been betrayed by myself. So what am I doing now? I'm considering my options of how I might actually get to write to pay some bills, since it's pretty much the only thing right now that makes me happy. I need some ideas.
Time to go back to eating ramen.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Suddenly Me
Today's quote: We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop?
Alright. After enduring the little trial period in the a/p department, I was extended an offer of permanent employment as an account analyst. But guess how much it was for! A stinking, miserly, bloody $12/hr. I tried negotiating for something more reasonable, but the hiring manager wasn't having any of it. She refused to budge. I even tried to appeal to common sense: how can anyone living in Seattle be expected to survive on less than $25,000 a year before taxes?! Nope, zip, zilch, nada.
In utter despair, after having felt like I'd wasted almost a month of my life to no avail, I decided to call one of the people who'd asked if I was still interested in a job as an office engineer. They scheduled me for an interview for Friday morning, and voila! They offered me the job. The whole thing happened so quickly that it took my breath away.
The only thing is...I know nothing about construction. I don't care about gravel and silt and pipes and rocks. I am amazed that I am here trying to figure out state codes approving or defining what exactly is meant by a "large rock." Do I really need to know what the specifications are for "large woody debris"?
In the last job, I had friendly people I could talk to, a comfortable atmosphere, and free tea and water and hot cocoa. The breakroom has a pinball machine, ping pong table, foozball, and an air hockey table downstairs. The things it lacked: decent hourly pay, and no excuses for being late. In general, the time policy is rather anal-retentive there.
In my job now, I'm salaried at a very decent rate. They don't count every minute (although conversely I don't get paid overtime if I work late), I get free water, tea and pop. I'm higher on the totem pole than I've ever been before. Despite all this, I'm still not happy. What's wrong with me?
Is it better to be a big fish in a small ill-fitting pond, or a small fish in a huge non-caring lake?
Alright. After enduring the little trial period in the a/p department, I was extended an offer of permanent employment as an account analyst. But guess how much it was for! A stinking, miserly, bloody $12/hr. I tried negotiating for something more reasonable, but the hiring manager wasn't having any of it. She refused to budge. I even tried to appeal to common sense: how can anyone living in Seattle be expected to survive on less than $25,000 a year before taxes?! Nope, zip, zilch, nada.
In utter despair, after having felt like I'd wasted almost a month of my life to no avail, I decided to call one of the people who'd asked if I was still interested in a job as an office engineer. They scheduled me for an interview for Friday morning, and voila! They offered me the job. The whole thing happened so quickly that it took my breath away.
The only thing is...I know nothing about construction. I don't care about gravel and silt and pipes and rocks. I am amazed that I am here trying to figure out state codes approving or defining what exactly is meant by a "large rock." Do I really need to know what the specifications are for "large woody debris"?
In the last job, I had friendly people I could talk to, a comfortable atmosphere, and free tea and water and hot cocoa. The breakroom has a pinball machine, ping pong table, foozball, and an air hockey table downstairs. The things it lacked: decent hourly pay, and no excuses for being late. In general, the time policy is rather anal-retentive there.
In my job now, I'm salaried at a very decent rate. They don't count every minute (although conversely I don't get paid overtime if I work late), I get free water, tea and pop. I'm higher on the totem pole than I've ever been before. Despite all this, I'm still not happy. What's wrong with me?
Is it better to be a big fish in a small ill-fitting pond, or a small fish in a huge non-caring lake?
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Perfect Spoof
Today's quote: That's a tough one. I would have to say April 25th [is my perfect date]. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.
On my way driving to work every morning, I listen to a particular radio station for the celebrity sleaze gossip and other tabloidish news. Well, this morning I heard one of the best stories I've come across in a long time.
The Mrs. World beauty pageant suffered a terrible fiasco. Why? Because they crowned the wrong winner! Mrs. Russia was announced as the winner, but person placed the crown on Mrs. Costa Rica's head instead. Not only that, but Mrs. Costa Rica was also given the sash, and took the walk of fame complete with that little wave they do. All the losing contestants also did the thing where they swarm the stage and hug the winner. Of course, this time they actually did it to the wrong person. Meanwhile, Mrs. Russia was sitting there off to the side just watching everything going on. It took them quite a while to catch on to the fact that they had made such a mistake of monumental proportions. It's funny because you can see a man screaming backstage at the woman who gave the crown to Mrs. Costa Rica. The first thing they did was take the crown and sash back from Mrs. Costa Rica and then did a retake of the winner's scene. Then everyone went backstage and started screaming at each other.
I feel sorry for both contestants, but this is too funny! I can totally see a Simpson's spoof made from this. The fake winner is crying joyfully and waving, when the music abruptly stops and they say "oops" and run up to the girl to snatch the crown and sash and dump them on the real winner. I honestly don't know who to feel sorrier for. Mrs. Costa Rica, who got to wear the stuff before they were taken so coldly back, or Mrs. Russia, whose glorious moment is forever ruined and becomes the tawdry stuff of laughable tabloid news. However, I wonder why Mrs. Costa Rica fell for it. Was she not listening to the winner being announced? You would think that if you were one of the finalists waiting with bated breath to maybe hear your name being announced that you would very surely realize that you WEREN'T the winner. Of course, I guess there is something to be said for the whole sequence of events confusing any sane and rational person. Afterwards, Mrs. Costa Rica said she'd gotten caught up in the whole moment. Oh, how I'm having flashbacks to when Zoolander gives the acceptance speech when he didn't win.
On my way driving to work every morning, I listen to a particular radio station for the celebrity sleaze gossip and other tabloidish news. Well, this morning I heard one of the best stories I've come across in a long time.
The Mrs. World beauty pageant suffered a terrible fiasco. Why? Because they crowned the wrong winner! Mrs. Russia was announced as the winner, but person placed the crown on Mrs. Costa Rica's head instead. Not only that, but Mrs. Costa Rica was also given the sash, and took the walk of fame complete with that little wave they do. All the losing contestants also did the thing where they swarm the stage and hug the winner. Of course, this time they actually did it to the wrong person. Meanwhile, Mrs. Russia was sitting there off to the side just watching everything going on. It took them quite a while to catch on to the fact that they had made such a mistake of monumental proportions. It's funny because you can see a man screaming backstage at the woman who gave the crown to Mrs. Costa Rica. The first thing they did was take the crown and sash back from Mrs. Costa Rica and then did a retake of the winner's scene. Then everyone went backstage and started screaming at each other.
I feel sorry for both contestants, but this is too funny! I can totally see a Simpson's spoof made from this. The fake winner is crying joyfully and waving, when the music abruptly stops and they say "oops" and run up to the girl to snatch the crown and sash and dump them on the real winner. I honestly don't know who to feel sorrier for. Mrs. Costa Rica, who got to wear the stuff before they were taken so coldly back, or Mrs. Russia, whose glorious moment is forever ruined and becomes the tawdry stuff of laughable tabloid news. However, I wonder why Mrs. Costa Rica fell for it. Was she not listening to the winner being announced? You would think that if you were one of the finalists waiting with bated breath to maybe hear your name being announced that you would very surely realize that you WEREN'T the winner. Of course, I guess there is something to be said for the whole sequence of events confusing any sane and rational person. Afterwards, Mrs. Costa Rica said she'd gotten caught up in the whole moment. Oh, how I'm having flashbacks to when Zoolander gives the acceptance speech when he didn't win.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Barely Above Water
Today's quote: Dad, I'm prairie dogging it!
Ok, so I've been working at this company for about 2 weeks now as one of their bottom-feeding data entry bots. My vision is deteriorating from staring at the computer screen for so long every day, my back and shoulders hurt constantly, and I'm developing carpal tunnel, I kid you not. Oh, and at night I see invoices and computer screens floating in my vision. The only thing I can say is that I have some flexibility at my craptastic barely-better-than-minimum-wage job, which is more than I can say for the last f/t job I had. Of course, the last f/t job I had paid more than twice as much, and had the most awesome kick-ass benefits.
Just two more weeks to stick it out, and then we'll see if it pays off. In the meanwhile, I think this is the most unhappy I have ever been in my entire life. At least my coworkers seem fun. Sorta. Their personalities are pretty unique, as you'll see down below.
The brain: there is not yet a subject that I have heard this guy say he doesn't know at least something about. He has an opinion on everything, including whether your opinion is misguided or not. At least he can hold intelligent conversations on almost anything. Interesting tidbit of info: he thinks that basketball is the most stupid and non-strategy-involved major sport.
The Russian chick: so far I have little to really see from her, other than the fact that it's kinda cool that she speaks Russian. I think she was born in Uzbekistan, not totally sure. She also seems to be the buffer b/t the two guys.
The red-head: has extremely red hair, and the typical pale skin that accompanies such hair. He also seems to have his fair share of the stereotypical temper attributed to those of that particular pigmentation. Has been in the army for an unknown length of time, and is somewhat of a goofball. Likes to debate frequently with the brain, even on subjects he doesn't really know much about.
Listening to their frequent debates keeps me amused for part of the time, as does their occasional odd antics. So far I've seen the brain throw a paperclip at the Russian chick, to which she responded by throwing a tissue box. For some reason, this made me think of my torts professor saying "disproportionate retaliation!"
Ok, so I've been working at this company for about 2 weeks now as one of their bottom-feeding data entry bots. My vision is deteriorating from staring at the computer screen for so long every day, my back and shoulders hurt constantly, and I'm developing carpal tunnel, I kid you not. Oh, and at night I see invoices and computer screens floating in my vision. The only thing I can say is that I have some flexibility at my craptastic barely-better-than-minimum-wage job, which is more than I can say for the last f/t job I had. Of course, the last f/t job I had paid more than twice as much, and had the most awesome kick-ass benefits.
Just two more weeks to stick it out, and then we'll see if it pays off. In the meanwhile, I think this is the most unhappy I have ever been in my entire life. At least my coworkers seem fun. Sorta. Their personalities are pretty unique, as you'll see down below.
The brain: there is not yet a subject that I have heard this guy say he doesn't know at least something about. He has an opinion on everything, including whether your opinion is misguided or not. At least he can hold intelligent conversations on almost anything. Interesting tidbit of info: he thinks that basketball is the most stupid and non-strategy-involved major sport.
The Russian chick: so far I have little to really see from her, other than the fact that it's kinda cool that she speaks Russian. I think she was born in Uzbekistan, not totally sure. She also seems to be the buffer b/t the two guys.
The red-head: has extremely red hair, and the typical pale skin that accompanies such hair. He also seems to have his fair share of the stereotypical temper attributed to those of that particular pigmentation. Has been in the army for an unknown length of time, and is somewhat of a goofball. Likes to debate frequently with the brain, even on subjects he doesn't really know much about.
Listening to their frequent debates keeps me amused for part of the time, as does their occasional odd antics. So far I've seen the brain throw a paperclip at the Russian chick, to which she responded by throwing a tissue box. For some reason, this made me think of my torts professor saying "disproportionate retaliation!"
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