Random

My birthday occurs the first week of November each year. And every now and then, I’m gifted with a night of election results. Those are the worst gifts to give anyone, by the way.

This year, that’s not the case, as it’s not most years. This gives cause for joyous celebration. Last year, I can’t recall doing anything for the occasion. I think it’s because I was in a bit of a funk having only been back from Japan for about a month at that point. I told myself I would not sit at home this year… but look, it’s almost time and I still don’t have anything planned!

I do have some ideas stirring in my head, with hopefully at least one coming to fruition.

Motorola V180

Most people who know me understand that I love technology. From computers to games, I’ve always had an interest in these things. It comes then as a surprise to all that my cell phone is six years old and can only do voice and text. (And it can only store a maximum of about 30 text messages.) Why did I stick with it for so long? It worked… if you ignore the fact it didn’t auto-update the time and date correctly from the day I got it, the volume buttons wouldn’t work when the lid was closed, vibrator in it broke about two or three years ago. But it made great voice calls. It was also the first phone where I could have custom ring tones. (more…)

My temp contract has been extended four or five times now. It’s nice to have the income, but it’d be nicer to know when my end date would truly be. In the meantime, I continue to look for work on my own, but due to a crap economy, it’s tough.

This past weekend I went to Surfside Beach south of Houston. Hanging out with friends from Houston was a blast. We spent lots of time on the beach (which led to an unpleasant sunburn on my shoulders and collarbone), played some games and ate some amazing steaks. Really, the steaks were some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Our friend went to the store, talked to the butcher and had some custom cut for us. Ribeyes, of course. I mean, is there any other steak that tastes as good? (Well, maybe a hangar steak, but that’s beside the point.)

Each was at least an inch thick and probably 20 – 22 ounces each. I ate mine, half of someone else’s and about one-fourth of another. Needless to say, I was in a food coma for a while, but was incredibly happy.

Hanging out with everyone actually made me miss being in Houston. If anyone can find me a good job out there, I’ll consider moving back. =)

In a month, I’ll be back at a beach, but this time in Panama. Hopefully I’ll put more sunscreen on and won’t end up a rock lobster.

I’ve had several people over the past few months asking me to post something on here, but when I ask what I should post, I’m met with silence.

I don’t mind writing on here, I really don’t. But when there’s really been little to nothing of no reasonable interest happening since the last one, I find it difficult to write.

I can give an update of what’s happened the past few months (started a temp job back on March 1, have had contract extended several times; studied Japanese, played some video games), but that’s pretty boring, in my opinion.

My student loan repayments have been progressing OK, though a bit slower than I’d like. Have about $2,800 left at the moment. All my loans combined started around $18,000 with repayment starting around June 2006, so I’d say I’ve made fairly decent progress. But to continue on pace, I’m saying this publicly: do not ask me to go do something that costs money if the entire outing will cost more than $10. Please. I appreciate the invites and offers of accompaniment, but I’m really on a budget. Now, I do like to go out and do things, and I do on occasion, but that’s because I’ve budgeted for it. I’m not trying to be cheap. I’m trying to pay off my loan ASAP and also get money saved for getting to Japan.

I’m not a fan of the temp work I’m doing. Well, let me clarify. The work itself isn’t enjoyable, but my supervisor is a really great person. Incredibly helpful, kind and understanding. My work consists of playing with Excel spreadsheets all day and playing around with survey evaluations for a program the company runs. Internet is really locked down, I’m forced to use Internet Explorer 7 (a browser more than four years old! AAGGGGGH!) and it’s not a social environment due to the arrangement of the cubicles. But it gets me money and closer to Japan, so I stick with it.

I continue to look for more enjoyable work, or at least work that pays the same AND gives benefits. Nothing sucks more than having no benefits and paid time off or paid holidays. Whenever I’m sick or there’s a holiday everyone else at the office gets paid for, I get nothing. It’s pretty crummy.