Groovin' with Ken!

Toronto, Yah? Right? Eh?

Heading into THIS Memorial Day Weekend, I'm just thinking back; I can't believe a year has gone by SO quickly, how many changes there've been. It's amazing.

It's funny because of the dates. Last year on this date I was in San Diego to cheer Heather on in the Rock'N'Roll Marathon and the weather couldn't have been more depressing (May Gray/ June Gloom). But Memorial Day Weekend had fallen the weekend before and Mom, Donna B, and I had piled into the car and driven to Canada by way of Niagara Falls.

Ironically, I was taking the American holiday to visit Canada to see if Toronto was somewhere I could live because my most appealing potential job offer was located in Oakville, Ontario. The Moms volunteered for the trip. We had a lot of fun and "Chamber of Commerce" weather. (See the slideshow @ right.) We met and fell in love with Tim Hortons. We bought a book on knots and, inadvertently, a children's book we thought was about sailing but was actually about death. (Whoops! Sorry Audry.)

Donna B still says, Toronto gets her vote. And I did like it; I could probably live there. And the job opportunity was a fantastic opportunity to work for wonderful people within a great company.

But I took another roadtrip. With Dad. And I came to live in California instead. I like it here too.

I'm still working on the job part.

I'll keep you posted.

k8

Nothing to Write Home About...

I'll just apologize for not writing sooner.

I haven't felt like there's been anything "to write home about".

BUT, more than a few of you have gotten in touch to say, "the people need an update". SO, I'll just give you the highlight (LOWlight) reel:

Sorely, missing my HOHAs and my friends at nike, I checked out the Runners High group over in Belmont Shore a few Thursday's ago. Based on experience, I've found that nothing legitimizes you faster in an established group like that than the proof that you have an association with one similar. Sure, I could have shown up in some basic matchy-matchy Dri-fit but with "HOHA" emblazoned across my chest and aftermarket Nike+ laces in my Brooks I could immediately be identified as "a Runner". (Absurd, but true.)

I was hoping they'd take me on some fantastic new route I could then adopt, but essentially we ran out-and-back along the route I had driven to get to the shop. Oy! But it was nice to be among runners. Even Tim....

I introduced myself to a few people including Tim since he seemed as new as I was; he was. Tim's a bit younger and studying for the LSAT & GMAT. He asked me if I knew what those were. How do I look? What I mean to say is, do I appear unintelligent? Is this the First Impression I make??? AND has Tim actually encountered people that do NOT know what these are? Perhaps when he was backpacking through Eurasia??? Go back, Tim.

I also met Roberta, a Talker. I couldn't get a word in edgewise, which is fine with me I don't tend to be a wordy runner. She grew up near Fall River, MA (those of us in Textiles know Fall River) and lived in New York for years before coming to LA then Long Beach. ANYWAY, she's telling me her whole story and I'm just shaking my head and smiling because it sounds similar to mine. As it happens, she sells Italian textiles to the apparel industry. I tell her my story and she says she might know someone looking for a rep. At this point we've reached my turnaround and I honestly wished I had 8-miles in me so as not to give up the connection. I left my contact info for her but as of now haven't heard anything.

SO that was on a Thursday; that same week, Friday I am out for a walk around town. Looking just FAB in my older than Grace faded red shorts, running sneakers, and navy Syracuse hoodie.

I was just going over to Main to get out of the house and pick up the local paper. I walk past a bar/restaurant and the next thing I know from behind me someone is yelling, "Do you go to Syracuse?". Now, here's the thing: if I were currently enrolled, wouldn't I have still been back east on campus? But whatever, I turn around and go back to have an awkward conversation with Michael, a guy old enough to be my Dad. Turns out, he didn't even GO to Syracuse; he grew up there. I knew he was trying too hard when he brought up basketball and thought the last time we won the NCAA Tournament was in the late '80s. Go back inside, Michael.

It actually goes downhill....

Michael asks me the usual questions about what brought me to CA, blah, blah, blah, and what I do. I say, Textiles. Well, he has a niece who "just got a job in L.A. with some BeeGeeB something". Yes, Michael, that would be "BCBG" (so that's who got that job!). I clarify by saying, Home Furnishings. And he EXCLAIMS: "Well! That's ALL you had to say!" "You HAVE to meet LeAnn." He then goes into the bar and brings out this very tall, very blonde, VERY WASTED woman who he introduces as, LeAnn. (SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!! Does this happen to other people???)

Michael ABANDONS me there on the sidewalk with the VERY WASTED LeAnn, who just kept introducing herself, asked if I minded if she had a smoke, asked if we could sit on the bench "because you know...". YEAH! I KNOW!

I'm thinking, "Thank god she's wasted because I look like a tool!; who would believe I have a design degree!"

She's TRYING to talk to me about the home furnishings industry but keeps losing her train of thought. This is not going to be the networking opportunity Michael claimed, so in an effort to change the subject and (I pray) excuse myself, I compliment her (ATROCIOUS) engagement ring/wedding band combo.

Wrong decision.

This spurs a story about her first failed marriage. The meeting of "my Gene". And the CREATION of said rings. It FINALLY ends. But before I can make my exit, LeAnn asks me if she can introduce me to "my Gene"; what she really means is, I cannot possibly stand up by myself nor navigate back into the bar alone could you please take my arm and help me. So in we go. And I meet "my Gene". You'd think this'd be the end, but no.

Upon my trying to exit the bar, Michael and the two men he's sitting with at the bar strike up another conversation. Being dressed as I am I cannot even PRETEND I have somewhere else to be. I am just trying- not so subtly at this point- to back out the door. Finally, finally I leave but not without Michael's email address.

Walking home I am shaking my head and thinking, "You know, MOM. Sure. "Talk to people.", GREAT advice; this is what happens when I "talk to people"".

I'll (do better to) keep you posted...

k8

No Whammy! No Whammy! No Whammy!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA...

I can't stop laughing. It's just too funny.

What a day.

Earlier this week I registered (online of course) with a Temp/Staffing agency. In order to complete the registration candidates must go into the local office for an interview and "testing". At the end of the online session it said someone from the local office would contact me to confirm the date/time I submitted for the "in person" portion. Great.

After two days and no confirmation I placed a follow-up phone call and was given a 10AM appointment for today. In turn I put in a request with Mom for an early AM wake up call. She called. We spoke. I did NOT get up.

Thank goodness for Bridget! She called at 9:41 and had me LEAPING out of bed. I actually made it to the appointment! Of course there was no time for coffee or breakfast. By the time I filled out the first forms I could feel the caffeine headache setting in. Dependency's a b-otch.

Has finding a job always been this absurd?

It's like being a contestant on a game show or pageant except without the consolation prizes. (Or PLINKO, I loved PLINKO)

No Whammy! No Whammy! No Whammy!

First, I filled out the forms.

Next, I was put in this awful, recycled-air, drab little computer room for testing, a battery of aptitude tests:

_Basic skills: math, grammar, punctuation

_Data Entry

_Typing

_Excel

_PowerPoint

_Word

I think the real test was not losing my mind in that awful little room with those dumbed-down little tests. I'm not gonna lie, it was touch-and-go. I had this overwhelming sense of feeling trapped and at least one close-to-panic moment that made me think, this is how people who are claustrophobic must feel. I've developed an aversion to corporate office space.

It was two hours worth of testing. Afterwards, I met with three different women: Catherine/Temp, Joyce/Temp-to-Perm, and April/some sort of regional manger. I have to admit that, while the tests were terrible, each of the women was very nice to speak with... of course, that is their job.

When it was over I practically ran from the building. Coffee. STARBUCKS.

My original plan for the day was to go to the appointment and then hit The Ralph's (grocery store) across the highway. There is a Starbucks in the same shopping plaza. I got there, ordered my Venti Soy Misto Easy Foam and realized I DIDN'T HAVE MY WALLET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not even the Baggie of Quarters from Mrs. Solfanelli. I am surely going to die if I do not have coffee! Screw Ralphs. Screw groceries. Screw my Target returns. I drove home and immediately brewed a pot of Maxwell House and INHALED a cheeseburger. I still have a headache but I don't feel quite so desperate.

I was home constructing my burger at 2PM. At 3:03PM April called to ask if I am available next Thursday at 10AM. (Let me just check my calendar. Yep. All clear.) She "liked the way I presented myself" and something about my "sales talent". She wants me to meet with the VP of Office Staffing for the Staffing Agency (No particular position, mind you.)! HAHAHAHA. She thinks I would be a good fit. After I hung up all I could do was shake my head and laugh. I went to the Staffing Agency to find a job and its the Staffing Agency that might actually want to hire me????? Too funny.

See? You never know unless you go. And today, if it weren't for Bridget I wouldn't have even managed that! Thanks again, Bridge.

I'll keep you posted.

k8

Career Opportunities with Hyatt

"OPPORTUNITIES". And we're LAUGHING......

Dear Kate,

Based on the information you have submitted to us, you may be interested in the position of Pizza Attendant (Seasonal)-HUN000917, which has just been posted in our Career Section at Hyatt Hotel Properties/Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

If you would like more details or to apply online to this position, click here.

If you do not wish to receive further job notifications, please update your profile. Click here to access your profile and deselect the check box labeled "Send me an email notification whenever a new position matching my profile is posted (job posting notification)" located in the My Account Options section.

We thank you for your interest in Hyatt. To view all career opportunities please visit www.ExploreHyatt.jobs.


Best regards,

Hyatt Hotels Corporation - Job Notification System

Cat Lady Coffee Klatch & Other Noteworthy Tid-Bits

I was invited to Coffee with the Cat Ladies on Monday.

Nancy and Debbie (aka Certifiably Crazy Debbie) who are my immediate (same building) neighbors apparently have coffee out back at Nancy's place most mornings. They've invited me in the past but I've never actually ventured out. On Monday I took the garbage out without thinking and walked right past their little klatch. How could I say no? So I grabbed my own mug (there's only so much I'm willing to risk) and sat awhile.

I found out that there are actually MANY more cats associated with my apartment building than I initially realized. Nancy and Debbie each have THREE, Jennifer (who was the previous occupant of my unit and now lives in the adjoining house but who was not present) has two Chihuahuas and at least one cat. Its like living at Domestic Animal Kingdom! Present at coffee were: Zena (like the Warrior Princess), Alexander, Ollie, and Kimani.

Debbie, admittedly hard of hearing, asked me if she was too loud (YES!!!!!!!) and told me she just can't help herself she "loves her kitties so much and talks and sings to them all the time". (Yes, yes I know.) ALSO, Debbie gave me one of her business cards (at Nancy's suggestion) so that I could call her if she is being too loud. What is her business you ask? She is, "Debbie of Seal Beach" Hair Cutting & Styling. I was laughing hysterically (inside) because I am in DIRE need of a trim! But so is Debbie.

They asked me if I would go to the beach with them when it is Summer.

Also noteworthy....

...around town...

The lady who sat down at the computer carrel next to mine today at the library put on sunglasses ala Jordie on Startrek and surgical gloves (SNAP!) prior to logging into her session. Sadly, there was no discreet way to take a photograph with the iPhone. I am so sorry you missed it.

While waiting for my library computer session to begin I picked up a back issue of People. (Who DOESN'T love People???) In one of the articles a woman mentioned her dog, Benzo, as in benzodiazepine! (Which she incorrectly called an anti-depressant. It's a depressant.) I found this BRILLIANT and HYSTERICAL (I burst out laughing at the library.). I'm not wild about the name "Benzo" but I feel like I could go for "Xanax" and it's a palindrome to boot!

...on the homefront...

About three weeks ago Flavio The Gardener & Blinds Guy took measurements for my mini-blinds (At least they're not vertical! AND they're free.). When Dave The Maintenance Man was here on Monday I asked him if he knew when Flavio might be bringing the blinds. Dave got back to me today saying, (he) "spoke with Flavio and Flavio misplaced all the measurements so when he went to make the blinds he couldn't and that's what happened."

Now, I realize I am not a paying customer so my minis might get pushed down the list, BUT if I were the Flavio in this situation I think I would have called or come by to take new measurements before 3 weeks went by. AND, let's face it: Flavio STILL wouldn't have the measurements if I hadn't inquired. LAID BACK is an UNDERSTATEMENT. There is absolutely ZERO follow through/follow up here. It's a State of Yes-men.

BUT I love it.

I feel like I should state this point blank. Given most of my blogs are about random, ridiculous, often unfortunate experiences I am worried that those of you who don't know me very well will think I am a horribly negative "Debbie Downer" (not to be confused with "Certifiably Crazy Debbie") who is crabby despite living beachside (Crabby. Beachside. Pun intended!) under palm trees and all of this Vitamin D. Those of you who do know me very well are thinking, but you ARE actually all of those things. :-) I know it but I also try and find the funny in all the crap because laughing at it somehow makes it better. And THAT's why you love me. I hope you're laughing as much as I am.

I'll keep you posted.

k8

Voted Off Fashion Island

I kid you not.

After 3 weeks of training, studying, testing, tasting, outfitting, etc. TODAY I was told, "we've decided at this time to part ways".

(I'm telling you, I had glimmers of Mr. Cramer's "stop before it becomes a negative experience" recommendation that I quit piano lessons. Of course, that was news I was THRILLED to receive. This notsomuch.)

SERIOUSLY??? I had to worry about it all day (and all the days before this)? drive 34 miles? dressed in uniform? to find this out? You couldn't have at least spared me the drive and gas money and told me last night after the double shift I worked? Heck, you could have called me on the phone to tell me NOT to come in and to return the uniform at my convenience! This is crap.

Which is not to mention how DUMB I feel for FAILING at one more thing. (Something I've always thought I was good at, BTW!) It's not ROCKET SCIENCE. It's WAITING TABLES. And I am NOT a bad waitress. I'm not.

It's just embarrassing.

Now what????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I'll keep you posted.

k8