This weekend was Kristin and Kandy's (almost) annual holiday party. There was a smaller crowd than usual, but it was really nice. Everyone got a chance to visit with everyone else.
Kate, who's in the above photo, sometimes reads my blog so here is a special message just for her.
HEY KATE. STOP SMOKING!!!!
I capitalize and bold that with all the love in my heart.
Kandy and Kristin got a Wii for Christmas. I had fun kicking everyone's ass playing darts and trivia. But then the lesbians started playing golf.
Typical.
I'm trying out a goatee. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Any thoughts?
Other photos are on Facebook and Flickr.
Today was the grand opening of the Phoenix Metro Light Rail. John, Jason and I walked to our local station to check out the train while it still has that new car smell. Guess who else wanted to check it out.
EVERYONE!!!!
Any more people and we are gonna need a lubricant here.
Other photos are on Facebook and Flickr.
2008 has been one roller-coaster of a ride with lots of ups and a few very significant downs. Being laid off before the holiday, I told my friends immediately, "I'm not doing Christmas. I'll catch you next year." It was an easy decision to make. After all, there ain't no money coming in, so I'm pretty Ebenezer-like with the money going out. Everyone, of course, understood and respected my request to not receive gifts since I couldn't reciprocate.
I've never been a big fan of Christmas. There's plenty I do like about it. I have a few gigs of holiday music in my iTunes. I love seeing everything lit up with twinkling lights. And of course, who doesn't like Christmas cookies? But as for the rest of it, I could do without. I've always felt the financial crunch when it comes to gift giving. I've felt spread thin with time commitments and been to plenty of parties that made my social anxiety rear its ugly head. I feel getting sick on Christmas last year was a gift of sorts. It let me spend all day sleeping on the sofa, eat Chinese food and watch crap reality TV.
But a funny thing happened this year. Canceling Christmas took all of the pressure off. I've enjoy every party I've attended. I've been able to spend quality time with people I love. And I've kept my sanity by not spending one second shopping during the retail hell season. It's been very refreshing to actually enjoy the season.
The best thing is, I think I've appreciated this year and all I've gone through more because of it. Overall, this year's been a rough one, especially the last several weeks, many of which I spent sick to my stomach with worry and uncertainty. But this year, during this holiday season, I've felt truly blessed.
I don't throw that word around lightly. It has all sorts of heavenly, Jesus-fied implications that I don't subscribe to, but there is truly no other word I can use to describe what I feel.
My friends have been wonderful throughout this difficult time. Whether it be a call, an email, an instant message, whatever. It's always good to know someone is thinking about you. Even people I've never met, people who visit this site, have been very kind sending me encouraging emails and best wishes. A few of Santa's helpers banned together to send me some Christmas cheer that brought tears to my eyes. I have been deeply moved by the generosity of everyone. I've never felt so much love. You are all awesome. Your support helped make this difficult time a lot easier.
This Christmas has also brought some work my way. I've accepted a temp job that starts after the New Year. It's the first time I've done contract to hire work and I think it's a good fit. Of course, having income will be nice again. Papa needs some new shoes. Plus, I won't have to have my mail forwarded to my car after all. Very good news indeed.
However you choose to spend the holiday, I hope it is a great one. Thank you for being you.
Peace,
Brian
The holiday parties continued this weekend. And so did the crafts. I went with John to his friend Mike's to make gingerbread/graham cracker houses.
And now I present to you the fruits of our labor.
Here's mine.
For the record, those are topiaries in front of the house. Although, Mike claimed it was very Lord of the Flies looking.
Here's John's.
Welcome to Haus Bukkake. I think John used half the bowl of icing on his lovely A-frame house.
Here's Mason's.
We are borg.
Actually, I think it looks a little like Homer's house.
Mike was still working on his house. Very meticulous, that one. But it was shaping up quite nicely.
This is Shawn's house.
A double wide trailer complete with an outhouse, fallen over snow man and half dead front lawn. White trash is the new black. It reminds me of one of my favorite holiday songs.
It's a scientific fact that all the best holiday songs have the word tampon in them.
Other photos are on Facebook and Flickr.
I haven't mailed cards during the holidays for many years now. It just seems like such a waste of trees. For the last few years, I've made a holiday mix to give instead. I just finished spamming everyone in my address book. I'm sure I've missed a few people and probably a few of my emails will end up in some spam folders (Seriously, why are some a ya'll still using Hotmail? Why don't you just use carrier pigeons? It's just as effective) so I thought I'd offer my holiday collection to everyone.
If you'd like some holiday tunes, leave a comment or send me an email and I'll email you the link.
Happy Christmahanukwanzaka!
Homer's party was a ton of fun. Lots of great food, even greater people and lots of crafts to make.
Decorating cookies is always a fun table.
It was nice to get to catch up with Ray and Cobban. Check out Ray's mistletoe tie.
I made a special card that reminded me of my childhood.
I wonder who'll receive this extra special card.
There are more photos on Flickr. Happy Holidays!
I'm in Tucson, helping Homer get his house ready for his holiday party tomorrow. Homer hurt his ankle so he's having some trouble getting around. Frozen foods help.
Homer likes real trees and shit. I like the idea of them. My allergies aren't big fans.
While I hung the lights on the tree, Homer made a wreath for the kitchen with lemons and pine cones. He's the Tucson Martha Stewart. Forrest came over and we made a wreath for the living room mirror.
'Tis the season, yo.
10:45
What would a 12 of 12 be without a picture of Elliott? He stopped sleeping in his bed by the back window so I moved it to the from window and voilà... he sleeps in it.
11:50
Sandals I wear for slippers.
13:03
When I put away my iron, it fell over on the water bottle. Not so good for the iron or the bottle.
13:04
Look what I still have.
13:06
Are Chucks good for interviews? The debate rages on.
For the record, I didn't wear them. Not that it would have mattered. The interview was irritating and degrading. One guy wore a Tool t-shirt and the other guy ate cookies during the interview.
You read that right. He ATE COOKIES during the interview.
After I gave them an overview of me, they said they wanted to ask me some technical questions. Now, when they called me about this job, I was very specific with them to ensure they were looking for a web designer and not a web developer. I asked for a job description but they didn't have one.
To be fair, many of the questions were HTML/CSS related and some I answered well. However, I don't think any of the web designers I know could answer most of the questions they asked. It was frustrating. I kept wonder, "what does this have to do with the job you described to me?" I felt like I was being interviewed by World of Warcraft fanboys who looked down on me because I didn't know there lingo. "What? You've never flogged a Kremlauche? You noob."
After one question, I said, "I've never needed to know that to do my job." One said, "Don't worry, no one else has been able to answer that one." In my head I was screaming, "THEN WHY ARE YOU ASKING IT!!!???"
I wanted to bolt. Honestly, I should have.
After that, I was so pissed off and defeated. I just wanted to go home, eat carbs and cry. I should just chuck this whole web design bullshit and go work at Starbucks or Borders. Would you like fries with that?
After that interview, my heart just wasn't into taking pictures any more today. Unless you really want to see an empty wrapper of Fig Newtons.
Here's hoping January 12, is a more fun, photo-worthy day.
Yesterday I received not one, not two but three letters from a bankruptcy court. Two days after laying off almost 80% of its workforce, the company I used to work for filed for Chapter 11.
So why am I getting notices about this, you may ask. I and my former coworkers have not been compensated for our last two and half weeks of pay. Since we are no longer employees of the company, our payroll is now classified as part of the company's debt. Therefore the court gets to decide when, if and how much we will get paid our final wages.
It's the most, wonderful time of the year...
I completely understand that the owners have to do what's best for their business to stay afloat. I get that. I really do. But let me be completely clear about this one thing: not paying us before they filed for bankruptcy was dishonorable and deceitful. When we were laid off, the word bankruptcy never came up. If it had, someone would have probably said, "Uh, hey! I want my money now dammit." Instead we were told we would be on payroll for one more week and would receive our final paycheck plus vacation pay two days after.
Lies.
Being out of work at the end of the year — a time typically known for being very slow month for hiring except temporary retail help (which I would guess has been light this year) — is stressful enough. Add in the recession and it's worse. Sprinkle on top some "OMG! I have no savings because I've spent the last five years paying off all my debt," and for good measure let's just Paula Deen it and sandwich it between a big helping of no final paycheck... you can see how this is recipe for buckling over in pain and needing to take medication.
So, last week I made a very difficult, but necessary decision. I cashed out my small, emphasis on small, retirement fund so I could pay for rent, utilities and groceries. It was either that or join the homeless Native American tranny hookers who stay in the alley behind my apartment. Sadly, I don't look that good in heels.
Of course, I would never be truly homeless. I have plenty of friends who would welcome me into their homes if I needed a place to crash. That is what I'm referring to currently as PLAN B because it's still a very possible outcome. This money coupled with unemployment (which I still haven't received yet because the government is SOFA KING AWESOME in its speed and organization) will only last so long.
But for now, thankfully, I am able to breathe a little easier.
The job hunt has been understandably slow. There just isn't a lot out there. I've had a couple interviews that didn't (most likely for the best) pan out, and one scheduled for this Friday that looks like it could be interesting. I have a feeling that January will pick up when the new quarter starts.
In the meantime, I've been working on some correspondence of my own. I wrote a letter to Santa Claus today, asking him to bring the owners of this company a terminal case of pubic lice and painful anal fissures. Hopefully my letter won't get lost in the sea of similar requests from other good boys and girls who are out of a job this holiday season.
I don't suppose I could get away with this for interviews?
First things first. Kyle wants to see my 6th photo on the 6th page on my Flickr account. So here it is.
My beautiful friends, Kandice and Kristin, at the recent nationwide protest for gay rights.
Speaking of the continuing fight for gay rights, I encourage you all to send President-Elect Obama a postcard thanking him for his promises to the LGBTQ community and reminding him repeal DOMA.
Thanks for the meme, Kyle.
I'm not feeling very holiday-ish so no festive banner this year, but one more reflective of how I am feeling.
Yesterday, I was in a big funk. I felt numb. All I wanted to do was sleep.
That afternoon, I received a thoughtful and encouraging email from someone who reads my blog. It really made a difference and lifted my mood.
Thank you kind sir.
Denver was lovely. It was good to see Thomas and spend time with him. I miss him dearly. The snow was nice and it wasn't really that freezing. In fact, I had to take the lining out of my super duper new coat because it wasn't nearly cold enough for all those layers.
Friday, Thomas took me for a short tour of Denver University's campus. And showed me these creepy benches that look like lips.
File them under: WTF!? Could they be more creepy? Why yes they can! They talk too.
For most of the weekend, Thomas and I just hung out, watched it snow and ate carbs. The rest of the time, I forced him to watch ALL EIGHTEEN EPISODES of Freaks and Geeks and other DVDs, including Paprika which I think blew his mind. Three words: Animated vaginal fisting.
To quote Valerie Cherish's Aunt Sassy, "I don't need to see that!"
On my last day, I watched this little guy hanging around while the snow melted.
Cute, right?
I submitted this for FAIL Blog today. I snapped this photo last night in a Denver-area Target.
