Soulclimberchick's Chalk Bag

In a Moment, It Was All Gone

2011-06-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't post here much anymore but I wrote a little something last night, and thought I'd throw it up here.

In a moment, it was all gone.

We'll wish that it never was,

We'll pretend that it never was;

And we'll hope so wildly that if we wished hard enough,

It would all disappear.

And one day, we'll see in the light,

That it had to be.

But until that day, all we can do is

Wish that it never was,

Pretend that it never was;

And hope so blindly that if we wish hard enough,

It will all disappear.

It's Winter Quarter Already?

2011-01-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hey Cool!

So, it's winter quarter. Today was the first day of classes and I quickly realized that I am in for an intense quarter. Last quarter was difficult mainly because I didn't get my financial aid until nearly the end of it, which meant buying books and paying for classes and the rest of life was taking far too large a toll for me to do as well as I had hoped. I averaged out with a 3.2 for the quarter which is not acceptable for me, but this quarter finan-aid is all set and ready to go. Thank goodness!

GET ON WITH IT!

So if I become completely anti-social, here is why:

I am taking Desktop Publishing which will teach me to be proficiant in: Photoshop, Illustrator AND InDesign. Which is awesome, but becoming proficiant in all three within 13 weeks will take a lot of work. I am really excited about this class though, because eventhough it doesn't really go toward my major, it majorly goes toward my hobbies and interests! (Oh yeah, and really helpful for work!).

Also, I'm taking Biological Anthropology which will just mainly be a heavy reading class with quizzes every week and a final portfolio.

And then Math 98 which just culminates two quarters of math and then some so I can get into physics next quarter. Woo! That will just be tons of homework I'm sure.

Soooooo, if y'all don't see me, don't be afraid to say hi once in a while, but don't be offended if I don't have time to hang out. Wish me luck!

Best Solo Date EVER: Meeting My Hero

2010-11-08T23:28:00.000-08:00

Wowza! I thought to myself, eh, I am so elated... my attention span to post this will be ridiculously too short, but then I thought... Eh, I won't feel like posting this any other time than now.

What a day. How often is it that you get to meet one of your heros? Today was all happenstance. If you believe in fate, great, but I don't. Anyways, I was at work when I received a text from Shavawn (who has known me since she was 4 years old), sent me a text saying that Erin Mckeown was in town tonight.

My first response was mixed but ultimately ended up in... Noooooo!!! And she told me when and where she was playing. Next response was: Shit! I HAVE to go! I have missed her shows before and have been sad, but as okay as I could be about it really, but for some reason I thought to myself that I would be insanely unhappy if I didn't catch her show tonight. Probably partially due to the fact that I missed her last show by accident.

So I get out of work a little early and hop a bus to The Triple Door. This was my first experience there and nothing like how I imagined. I grab a ticket as the ticket teller informed me that the show was already 20 minutes through. I didn't care, I wanted in anyways. As I get led through the mini-labyrinth, I am shown to my "seat". It's all seating! Poor Erin. Knowing her performance style, I'm sure she thought the venue a little stiff. She has a tendency to be very engaging with the crowd which is hard when everyone is sitting down. Well, I was the last one into the show and got (in my opinion) a pretty prime spot. Their spiced apple martini's are excellent (so excellent I had two! -And I don't like vodka most of the time) and they have delicious looking food (wasn't hungry so I didn't get any).

I was front left (from viwer's perpective) and I could see her very clearly (except when she played the piano... she was hidden by a wall.. booo... ), I was right next to the stairs for the stage. She plays through and nearly finishes the first set when she mutters something about an Anniversary. Whaaa?! Ahah! It was the anniversary of her first, and my favorite, album: Distillation. - not only did I happen upon this concert, but I happened upon one of fifteen concerts for this tour. Yikes! She played the whole album of distillation and a couple of new songs. Took a break, came back and did a couple more newer songs, and did the "lightning round" where we got to choose songs for her to play. So much fun and so awesome.

Well, the show was phenomenal, of course. And then I stood in line, which was apparently her autograph line, so I moved over to the buy merch line. As I waited to buy a poster, this little boy came up and asked for her autograph. I spend too much time analyzing people, and it was easy to see that with everyone she was just going through the ropes. (this does not make one less of a person or less cool by any means, she was very personable... you try and have a bunch of people randomly say ridiculous and predictable things to you every show). So I tried to formulate a conversation that would force her to be interested and sincere...

I waited in line for my turn, and she went through the ropes until she looked up at me after she signed my poster (#71 out of 100 hand screen printed posters for this tour), and I said something like "You know, you are my musical hero. It wasn't until I read some bio about you or something of the sort, that I even heard about ethnomusicology".

And suddenly sincerity and life came to her eyes. I was last in the line for a little bit which bought me some time:

EM- Where are you studying?

Me - at Seattle Central and hopefully moving to UW since there are only like 6 colleges that offer it as a major at the moment. But I am also studying physics so that has a factor in it too.

EM- Wow that's great! There are definitely a small number of colleges that offer that as a major. You know, when I studied ethnomusicology - you know, usually people pick one culture to focus on, and it's all about cultural study and everything, but I decided to study American music. And you might think that that's not very cultural, but it's all about the impact on society-

Me - right, the music's impact on society and how it affected music all over. America is a culture too, and just because we already live here is no reason to think less of someone who chooses a culture they grew up in as their focus in ethnomusicology. Either way, you are studying a culture and it's music, and how it affected other cultures and their music as well.

EM- (big smile) Right! Well I am so happy I could be an inspiration for you, and I really appreciate your support. Thanks for this conversation and supporting my music!

Me- Thank you so much, have a fantastic evening!

So the last of the conversation was boring, but it was part of the conversation no less. A line began to build so I cut it short. But man, what an opportunity. And all of this happened because of I happened to get a text from Shavawn who happened to see it in the Stranger and immediately thought of me!

Though the conversation isn't all that amazing, the opportunity to connect with my hero (I've seen her shows but never met her and talked to her, nor have I ever gotten her autograph before tonight) on a personal level. I am still reeling. If you ever want to see me at my most simple, innocent - child-like happiness... give me the opportunity to go to one of her concerts. She is a phenomenal music artist and performer. SO talented! Alright, I am drifting to sleep.

Black Rock

2010-03-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone familiar with O.A.R. might know what a black rock stands for. It basically means you place. The place that you can go to no matter what in life is going right or wrong, this place will always accept you.

----------------a rant lies ahead. nothing profound. just crap that's on my mind.------------

When I lived with my family in Lake Stevens was Sunset Beach. I used to ride my bike every night, 11 1/2 miles from my house, around the lake and to return to my house. I always payed attention to what time the sun was setting, and timed my ride to arrive at the halfway point of Sunset Beach to watch the sunset across the lake. I'd sit there for at least an hour and just think. It was my escape and reality at the same time.

My place in bellingham was the boardwalk connected to Boulevard Park. When I moved to Capitol Hill, my spot was basically anywhere I walked. Any time I needed to think, I just walked.. everywhere. I put in some impressive miles while living there I'm sure. But Wallingford... I have no spot in wallingford.

I think a lot of people's "spot" can be people. Someone they always trust to be able to tell anything to no matter what. Some people are social and have that to lean on when they need to talk things out, get advice, have help, but I have always been kindof a loner. I don't last long in relationships, I don't really date much. I go through phases with being really social, and being really aloof. Through all of that though, I've always had a spot. I spend a lot of time alone. Even when I am social. I feel like life has been throwing me challenge after challenge since moving to Seattle, without giving me much breathing room to recover and get strong enough for the next challenge. I kindof feel like I am getting weaker and weaker instead of stronger. Usually, after tough times I get sad, depressed.. what have you, and then I am filled with this surge of strength. I take my lessons, weigh them and keep going.

I feel like, since I don't really have a spot - a black rock- I don't have a place that isn't cluttered with the things that are troubling me (like my home), to just stare out to, appreciate, and think. I feel kindof pathetic. I was this strong, independant young woman, ready to take on the world, no matter the challenges that confronted me in the future. But now I feel like I just had this terrible thing happen, this not-so-great thing happen, another terrible thing happen, some good things, a couple great things followed by some really terrible things, and a string of not-so-great things. That last string seems to be running on... I wouldn't mind turning that line into a fragment. Something a little less indeterminant. Ugh. I know I'll get that feeling back. I just need to find my place, and I need to remember that it's okay being alone all the time. I forgot how to be okay with that.

My best friend Katrina is leaving to Armenia on May 27th, for 27 months. This is the person I tell everything to. The single person I trust the most, the one person who would do anything at the drop of a hat for me if I needed her. I get really sad that she's leaving. I don't have anyone close to me anymore. My life got too full of foggyness. I forgot how to defragment my brain from time to time and I've let some friendships get lame. I've gotten so caught up in my own blah.. it's not even terrible or great things... it's all just faded into Grey. That my brain stopped thinking. I need to find a place, to defragment, to find my blacks, whites, and greys respectively, and put them where they belong. I need to build healthy friendships, and be happier with myself and my life. I'm generally a pretty damned optimistic person, and I don't think it has anything to do with my "age". I've been through enough crap that most people with even somewhat normal families haven't been through, to be grown up enough to see the world a bit more mature than many my age. I don't care if that sounds ignorant, or egotistical. I've been told it by many, and I believe it's true. I also know how to balance the pain and reality of many things, while too often balancing on the future, with fun, and letting go, and remembering all the amazing simple and complicated things in life that make it unique and incredible. I just need to find that me again.

For those of you, whom I don't talk with much anymore, many of you I hope to talk to more, and if not, it's all good, but seriously, I miss many of my friends. Seriously.

Revolution

2010-01-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

Bullets crack through the turbulence as the soldiers shoot blindly through the sand storm. As each shot screams through, a soldier on the other side gets wounded. Multiple attempts at a resolution, but always the shots ring through. Blind shot after blind shot, each soldier gets the nics and tears until either the soldier falls, or runs for safety and recovery. Time is a constant marker of truces made, battles begun, and battles lost. Truces were never kept.

A resolution is being built in the form of a wall. It will be resisted at first, a disgusting reminder of man’s lack of ability to rationalize in times of desperation and assault. The wall is protested, and after failed attempts to destroy, it remains standing. Soon the feelings toward this resolution will be numbed, and sometimes the pangs of its reality will strike through. Though the sight becomes an everyday monotony, the numbness will not let us forget that the wall is still there.

Solo Date

2009-12-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

What is it about people that make them afraid to go out by themselves?

For quite some time, I have been taking myself on solo dates (that sounds awkward). Not to go out and look cute and try to attract conversation or attract guys or whatever. I really have no motive than to just treat myself and use that opportunity to read/think/write and just have some quality quiet time - regardless if it's loud around me. I've done this for a long time and I find that I get some of my best thinking done in these situations. I've never thought of a name to define such an action, but "solo date" is what came to mind when I decided to write about it. It's almost like an intimate date with yourself. You take the time to get to know yourself, iron out some thoughts that may have been distracting you for some time, and perhaps people watch and let some new creative and ideas enter your mind.

This morning, I woke up at about 8:30, jumped out of bed and decided I was going to go out to Volunteer Park for breakfast by myself. I pondered the idea for about five minutes while checking my e-mails etc. (Mind you, I could have stayed in bed and slept in all morning... and normally I would have chosen to do so). Then I checked the bus schedule to see if I could catch a bus that would get me to the cafe at a decent time for it to still be "breakfast". I saw that the next bus was in 7 minutes. There was about 10 seconds of delay --should I wait for the next bus and take my time getting ready? -- should I just wait and do it another time? -- should I just go back to sleep? It's so cold outside-- then BOOM! I sprint all around my room gathering my book, my camera, changing my clothes, washing my face etc, run out the door and ran two blocks to catch the bus JUST in time! (I have a tendancy to be compulsive... perhaps more than just sometimes... but I've learned to controll it pretty well at least!) And what do you know? It was 8:52 and I was on a bus to Capitol Hill to take myself out to breakfast and read a good book. Hell yeah!

I put in my headphones and turned on some O.A.R. It had been a while. I took in the surroundings, the scene. It's the same route I take to school sometimes, I know it well but it does not bore me. There are always new people to watch, the changing of the seasons etc. I get to Galer street and 24th. Hop off the bus and start up to 17th. Beautiful area of Capitol Hill. Beautiful Area of Seattle. Next thing I know, I see little white specs floating gracefully to the ground. SNOW!!! Here I am, great music, great attitude, beautiful neighborhood, on my way to have great food at one of my very favorite places, and... it starts to snow. Basically, this morning couldn't have been more perfect. The food and coffee were excellent, I took my time enjoying every sip, every bite, and every word of my book. I think everyone should allow times like these for themselves... don't you?

Sometimes people look at me like I'm a pariah. "She must be so lonely sitting there eating dinner by herself" etc. I think some people have to define themselves by whom they hang out with, and who they're seen with. People get afraid to go out by themselves. I know I said that already, but I still find it odd, funny, a little sad? So they sit there in front of a TV, or the computer or whatever (sometimes) mindless activity to keep their minds off of being alone. I think this keeps people from taking the time to get to know themselves and to face their life, and it helps them to avoid thinking, and making decisions about life, and perhaps it helps them to avoid life (in the sense of living it).

And unfortunately I find the need to clarify that I have nothing against watching TV. I quite enjoy it; I also spend tons of time at home perusing the internet, reading and so on. The point is that I think people need to take themselves on solo dates - take the opportunity to treat themselves, take the time to observe, think, create. Most importantly, take time to realize that this solo date is to focus on yourself, your life, your ideas etc. Celebrate the things you like that are going on in your life. Take yourself outside of your comfortable box, get out there, think, and most of all enjoy yourself!

Foot Tapping

2009-11-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

I like performing subtle social experiments when the situation presents itself. I was on the bus from Seattle to Everett today (for Thanksgiving), and there was a couple on the bus that kept looking over at me. I was the only one sitting in an isle seat, so I kindof stood out from the rest I guess, and they were sitting on one of the side seats that faces the isle.

Anyways, I was rocking out to my iPod as usual, tapping my foot on the floor, and drumming with my fingers on the iPod. They sat there quietly looking around, making comments from time to time. Their feet still. I noticed that whenever one or both of them looked over at me, they slowly started to tap their feet. Hmm... an experiment.

So I kept an eye with my peripheral so as not to creep them out. Anytime they were looking forward, or where we were going, their feet stood still. But again, anytime they looked my way, I began to see a foot start to tap. Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes just a couple of taps. This went on for the entire hour bus ride. The traffic was terrible.

Then I thought to myself, whenever I see someone rocking out to their music, as far as I can recall, I end up thinking of a song or whatever and start tapping my foot. It's almost like yawning I ugess. I theorize that you have to have a pretty musical/artistic mind for this experiment to work. I also noticed the guy sitting next to them, had been listening to his music and sitting still for quite a while. After a while, a couple of glances my way, he began rocking out.. haha. My foot happened to be out in the isle, the only foot showing...tapping...drumming. It was all pretty subtle, I wasn't drumming with pencils on my legs or anything. Just lightly tapping my foot. Interesting.. Good times.

To My Bemusement

2009-10-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

Naps always lead me to a mental state of dissarray. I always wake up feeling a great depression for reasons unknown, all my subconscience can think of are pressing matters going on or something... I really don't understand it. But then after an hour or so, I wake up, feel refreshed and generally happy.

So what's new? Well after meeting for a couple of beers with my friend Chris whom I see a couple times a year at best, I realized it's been a hell of a year! But anyways, there have been updates on much of that already... so what's recent?

I am back in school. Kickin' it at Seattle Central Community College.. taking another stab at that AA with a clear head, a strong desire to learn, and an understanding of how to learn, comprehend, and care better. :)

I am taking just the essentials right now, Math, English and Astronomy (science), and excelling at all of them thus far. It's early in the game but I remain optimistic that I am going to kick school's ass and prove to myself that I am far from average or mediocre (I know I'm not, but I have a constant drive to better myself in all aspects that I can comprehend).

Workin' at the cupcake is fun, and a great job to have while attending school. My bosses have a lot of lessons to learn in the small business world, and they seem to be struggling at some seemingly simple concepts such as:

Learn what you can afford as far as labor, even being open for only 5 months you can forcast a general idea of how much to spend on labor and where to dispense it.

My end of this is: "We don't need you today, it was slow yesterday..." Nevermind that today is going to be one of the busiest days of the week/month and you could have used me. Instead look at your weekly sales, look at how much you are spending on labor, where the labor could be most effective, and keep to a schedule, and cut day of, if it's slow that day rather than screwing yourself over the next day... (And screwing me over because this is my only job and I barely make enough...)

Also they have the same philosophy with cupcakes... "It didn't sell yesterday so we aren't making it today.." Commence customers asking about said cupcake alll day the day we decide not to make it. They don't understand that if it didn't sell yesterday, then those customers who like that cupcake are a certain percent more likely to come in for it today... Consistancy is probably their weakest point all around.

Now, they say they can't afford me full time, yet they are interviewing for another assistant baker. Wtf? So I am biting my tongue so as to not beat a dead horse (I've had the discussion of hours + me + labor + school+ second job and school? with one of the bosses, and he seems to understand for a day, and then completely forget.. ugh).

So yeah, that's the cupcake place. By the way, we make damn good cupcakes.

Also, I LOVE where I live, I have a huge room with rad roommates and a rad landlord. So that's all good. :) I am just a busy bee these days!

Cheers!

Random thoughts of the day:

2009-10-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

I just watched a police officer pull over a bicyclist for running a red light.

I proceeded to jaywalk after this.

I've gotten tired of all of the music that I have listened to on my iPod which has resulted in me finding random artists I haven't listened to yet, or never listened to thoroughly. This brought me to The Senate. I gave them a chance for the first three songs then decided that they have been greatly influenced by DMB and Dispatch. Throw in some cruddy lyrics (I mean honestly, some of the lyrics sounded like lyrics I wrote in elementary school when I thought I'd be some big famous singer... honestly.. no creativity.), and a bit of what sounds like an unpracticed voice. I think it could become stronger over time, but it sounds faint and shaky... anyways. The Senate is alright, I don't hate them or greatly dislike them, they are just alright.

That's what made me think of writing this random thoughts post.

By the time I get home from school, there is dew on the cars... fall is here.

Whenever I ride the bus home, I see downtown from across the way (riding through cap hill on the 49) and the lights paired with the snap of the cold at that time of the evening makes me think of the holidays, then I get sentimental for a few minutes... WTF?

The taco truck by my house is OPEN again!!

They didn't have veggies... big thumbs down.

I got a quesadilla with no meat instead (cheese, tomato, onion <--yes those are veggies, but not the sautee'd ones like squash, zucchini, bell peppers etc. that they put in their burritos)

They had no sour cream.

Double fail.

I am hungry so it tastes delicious anyways.

ALSO: I am finally, officially in all of my classes. Meaning no more wait list! Financial aid came to my rescue (none of that pay with your own money and then get reimbursed crap I had to deal with at EdCC) without any effort on my part. I get the check for the rest "within three business days". School is going great, and I am loving it so far! Good to be back!

That is all for now. :)

Deep Breath..... Whew!

2009-07-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here is the haps in my life at the moment...

I am moving. Today was supposed to be my final move-in day but the person helping me cancelled on me so now I have to figure out how to get the rest of my contents of my room in Capitol Hill to my new room in Wallingford. That's just on the agenda for today (amongst other things). I am supposed to be all moved out and have the house cleaned before August 1st... I am going to Montana on August 1st so here is what I have to do in the span of 9 days. All of which I work from 10am-7pm-ish besides today and tomorrow which will be dedicated to moving I hope, and getting a tattoo (Friday) and going to a going away party Friday night...

I have to:

-------------------------------

Move

Clean my old place

Unpack my new place

Organize my new place

Apply for a backcountry permit (a detail I overlooked oops!)

Hope I get the permit in time for Montana

WORK

Pack for Montana (details next)

Find or buy a very lightweight tent

Finalize my itinerary of where I am going to camp in Glacier Park and how I'm going to get there...

-------------------------------

then go to:

Montana : Itinerary

August 1st

4:45pm Leave Seattle on a train headed to Montana

August 2nd

9:54am Arrive in East Glacier Park

Find a place to camp (hopefully figured out before hand if I have time)

Find a way to get there

Hike all day, camp all night

August 3rd

9:54am Catch a train to

11:28am arrive at Shelby, Mt

Snatch a 3 hour ride with Lisa to Helena, MT

Lisa's Bridal shower

(dunno what else I will be doing while there, probably catching up)

August 4th

In Helena MT doing who knows what, helping with whatever I can, and hanging out.

August 5th

In Helena MT

Lisa's WEDDING!!!

August 6th

Get a ride with Lisa's mom, who is dropping off Grandma and Aunt at the same train as me in the AM

Hang around Shelby, MT until my train comes at

5:22pm take the train to

6:45pm arrive at East Glacier Park

Find a place to camp for the night

August 7th

Hike around as much as possible until

6:45pm catch a train back to Seattle

August 8th

10:20am arrive back in Seattle.

So for Montana, I have to apply for a backcountry permit. I was not aware of this until last night my dear friend Rod (who is an avid climber and has done more adventuring than many of us could even hope to do) asked me if I needed a backcountry permit. I was like "uhh I don't know?". I researched it today and yes. I do need one. But my mind is too distracted with figuring out how the hell I am supposed to move the rest of my stuff from one place to another today without a car to be able to fill out the form. It will happen tonight. Or I will just sleep in a hostel. This is my first time ever travelling this far alone, first time hiking in a huge national park alone, and first time camping ALONE.

I will admit I am a bit scared to be a young female travelling all this way by myself, most likely far from cell phone range during the more dangerous parts. Not to mention I have no where to store things, so I have to pack for all of this (including my large camera) in a way that I can hike all day long, have something to sleep in, and have clothes and toiletries for the whole operation. Food... well that's optional at this point (j/k). Though I may have to buy as I travel if I can afford it, so I have less to pack and less of the scent of food on my for bears to sniff out.

Well there is a whole lot more than this surrounding my thought process at the moment, there is a lot on my plate and I am rapidly losing my appetite. But I'm sure all will turn out well, it always does, and I'll have some good photos I hope! I'll do my best to journal it out. Well I am off to unpack the new place until I can figure out how to get the rest of the stuff there, wish me luck! <3

I suck at updating.

2009-04-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

SO, what's new Kira?

Let's see, work has been going pretty well. Since I've started my new store I have had 3 or 4 e-mails written about me specifically for my awesome customer service and general radness... (this being out about 4 e-mails that have been sent in to our DM so far.. yes, I shall toot my own horn.) So that's rad. I'm working on big projects there as always. Also, I and another partner have had a great report with a couple of guys starting a cupcake company nearby. The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company . These guys are rad. Mike and Tony pass by two other Starbucks to go to ours just to see David and I. (This is what they wrote in the letter to the district manager). How rad is that? We might get a tour of their place sometime next week when they get their counters all settled.

It has been really interesting to get to know people starting a business from the beginning. They were coming in to our store before they even picked a location, so since I am very interested in the business world, I was probing and asking questions since they started. How exciting to hear all of the steps and see the excitement of each step toward the start!! So I might get a little side job action with them... we'll see, and hopefully not jinx that. :) I would love it... I mean, in Katrina's sentiments... what a happy place to work?! ... and to learn about the growing stages of a new business would be exciting.

Other than that, nothing else is too new I don't think. I started a little side work for Mandy's boss making jewelry and I just sent in my first strands so we will see if she wants to keep me. I hope so. I am going to go back to my day off now. Until next time! I shall be shooting photos whee!

I got a macbook!.. and other updates.

2009-02-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

So I got the internet a couple of months ago under the personal stipulation that I would get a better computer that would justify paying as much as I do. Here is why...

My PC laptop is ancient. It has USB 1.1 ports, and the internet device I use goes through the USB. Yeah... So I pay a lot for mobil internet through ATT because Mandy didn't want to pay for internet, so this was the easiest way for it to be a "Kira only" thing. Also, I get a discount because I work at the bux so it's not as bad. Anyways, I totally forgot about that a couple of months down the road, and I had decided on spending money to print some of my photography to show (finally). And I figured, if I were able to sell my photography, I could keep earning a little extra money on the side that would go back to the future production of art as well as a little to go toward a new computer. That was the smarter decision.

However, I pay nearly $60 a month for internet that is about half the speed of DSL. Not cool. So I finally looked on craigslist, and found a decent deal on a 2007 macbook, and snatched it up quick. I am currently trying to get all of my information off of my old lappy and onto my portable hard drive. This is a hell of a chore because I selected 2GB of pictures to send over and it takes 45 minutes to transfer! That is ridiculous! I hate usb 1.1! Anyways, I am super happy to have a computer that will transfer my information quickly as well as the internets. The internet is so incredibly quick on this thing compared to my old lappy! Success!

I went from a:

Compaq presario with 40GB HD, 512Mb RAM, 2 USB 1.1 ports, blah blah... an optical drive that will read and burn CD's but decided that it didn't want to read DVD's anymore. I had to take the thing in 3 or 4 times because of a failed hard drive, which eventually ended up killing the driver for the DVD ROM. Good times. This thing has served me for a good 6 and a half years, time to move on.

Common problems that happened with this dinosaur were things like..

Keys popping off after only a couple of months of use.

Broken touchpad buttons

Oh yeah, and the fan is ridiculously loud, not to mention it had a decent graphics card

To a: 2007 13in White Macbook Model Name: MacBook

Model Identifier: MacBook2,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 1 GB

Bus Speed: 667 MHz

Boot ROM Version: MB21.00A5.B06

It's half the weight of the old lappy at approx 4lbs.

I can now watch movies and watch streaming videos on the internet without waiting 5 years for it to load. Needless to say, I am a happy camper!! :D

I still have to figure everything out, but I am learning very quickly... oh so in love with my compy!

Dogs make me sneeze.

2008-12-26T18:30:00.000-08:00

I am snowed in here in Magnolia while house sitting for one of Mandy's friends. I've slowly developed a very slight allergy to pet dander over the years; something I only notice after spending a night where there are pets and wake up with a stuffy nose, no big deal. But this time, I am sneezing up a storm, and blowing my nose constantly! Good times. If I vacuum every day, it's not so bad but that gets tiresome. Anyways, so I wasn't able to go to work today because the buses are still suspended due to the snow. Now, if I were at home, I would do like I have been and carry on walking the two miles to work, and two miles back every day. Magnolia is a little further away from downtown than where I live in Capitol Hill. So today I had to call in stranded.

My adventures today consisted of trying to figure out how to get to work, failing, taking a nap and deciding I needed better coffee than the dried up watery stuff in the freezer. So I bundled up and braved the rain to walk about a mile into town to get some groceries (they left me with hardly any food!) and some coffee. As I started my trek I learned that it was going to be a bit of a tiring walk. I start hoofing up a huge hill, and every time I think it might crest, there's another hill at the top of each block. So finally, I get done with the hills only to find that it is a very steep hill of equivalent length down into town. My instant thought was... I should have brought a sled seeing as how the road was closed anyways. Oh well, I wasn't looking forward to the trek back up the hill on my way home.

My original plan was to walk to town, get the groceries, get the coffee and enjoy it on my way home, and then once I got home I'd sit down and read for the evening. But when I discovered it was a huge hill to get back home, I may as well sit down and relax for a bit before I get to hiking again. Good thing I brought my book just in case. So I search around a little, looking for the grocery store. Didn't see it. So I scooted into the Starbucks, ordered my double tall eggnog latte and made myself cozy at a table and waited for my drink. For some reason I find myself unable to settle down and start whatever it is I am starting until I get my drink. This seems to be somewhat problematic when it takes a good 10-15 minutes to get my drink. Anyways, I got my drink and sat down to finish "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" By David Sedaris. I got sucked in and stayed at the bux to finish my book and my drink and almost ended up laughing out loud on several occasions haha.

On my way home I saw an Albertsons and picked up the most random assortment of groceries I think I've ever gotten. At least it was all food items. I got a bag of tatertots, a box of hot chocolate with EXTRA marshmallows, a 24oz Dr. Pepper ( I get random cravings for soda, but usually 8oz or so will suffice... what happened to cans?), a pint of vanilla frozen yogurt, a box of Annies Organic Alfredo, a can of Spaghettio's, and half rack of Fat Tire. And then I am on my ways.

I start trudging up the seemingly never ending hill when it finally crests and I am so taken by the view that I kept walking and forgot the road ended and I had to go around the block. As I kept walking, a little girl was bringing her chocolate lab puppy home from the park and she let it come up to me and jump on me and I played with the puppy a minute, told the little girl to have fun and be safe, and on my way I went. Not two seconds later I realized I had come to dead end. Crap. So I could turn around with a hand full of beer, and my crazy hippie beanie, while I just had an interaction with a little girl and her dog... now if I were her, I would be creeped out to see this strange person who just played with my dog, had beer in her hand and a crazy hippie look going on (really it was the beanie, I'm exaggerating but STILL) who starts walking back my direction. Lost? Drunk? Who knows but what the hell. So as I contemplate this scenario, I found some stairs that led me down this dead end to the road I needed to be on... whew! Awkward situation averted. And then I get lost again because this isn't the way I went to begin with and I haven't left this place since I got here, nor have I ever spent time at all in Magnolia really. I found my way eventually once the afore mentioned scenario left my head and I could think clearly again.

Anyways, I am gonna start some tater tots and start reading. "Stranger in a Strange Land". But first I am going to post about the recent goings on lately... pretty much a seperate post but I don't feel like posting this and then another... plus it will be out of order that way so here goes!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lately,

So my job has caused me much stress, and after talking to Alex, who just transfered to the 4th and Seneca store, about my situation and everything that is going on in the district, he made me feel much better about everything. He has worked with Paula, my new manager starting in a little over a week at 2nd and Lenora. She is new to Starbucks but worked for Tully's before as a store manager. So she is excited to have a shift supervisor that has a decent amount of experience with the company. Or so I am told. Apperently she is pretty nice and down to earth, and the store is pretty fun to work at as well. We'll see. I am still skeptical after everything that has gone on lately. Anyways, so I am starting to feel at ease with all of that which is nice. I just need to work on straightening out a lot of other things in life too, but one step at a time is good. I am also happy to have the internet again! Did I mention that in my last post? Probably, anyways, I am still excited about it.

So aside from the sbux drama, I have had some really great things as well. Hanging out with my friend Matt who moved down here from B-ham at around the same time has been really fun and just laid back. I saw Chris for the first time in nearly two years, which was really great. It was fun to catch up on as much as we could over two beers time at the Hopvine. Mandy and I had a little dance party with just the two of us which was WAY too much fun. I am still making more new friends so it's all dandy! I am really going to miss working with the people at 4th and Seneca but I have created strong enough bonds that I know we'll still hang out anyways. Also spending time with Greg has been amazing. Nothing like a Sunday tromping through the snow, grabbing soy mochas at Volunteer Park Cafe, then tromping some more to get breakfast at Glo's (which I am pretty sure I was told was vegetarian... maybe just veggie friendly I dunno) so I felt I led Greg under false pretneses but we had great food anyways. And we checked out Half Priced Books while we waited for our table, then truged back through the snow to my place and I listened to Greg play the guitar and sing as I took some photos of random stuff, and Greg, and just relaxed and listened. I wish every weekend could be that relaxing and fun at the same time!

I haven't gotten to see Katrina as much due to this crazy snow, but I hope to see her at least once before her winter break is over! :) I miss that girl! I got spoiled with seeing here every weekend! Oh and also I've gotten the opportunity to hang out with Gail, my second cousin, more often these days too! I never knew we had so much in common! We were going to get a christmas tree and decorate it at her place one night... and this was about 5pm when our adventure started. We got some pho to go, ate it at her place and sipped on some tea as we talked our mouths off and found that we both had a ridiculous amount of things in common! We talked until about 10:45pm, the tree was a lost cause once we started our second cups of tea, and then I had to go home. Man it was so great! I'm so happy I've learned so much about her and that she lives so close! Okay, really now... that's it for now! Ciao

Will I ever work a job where I can afford a VACATION?

2008-12-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

I am too scatterbrained to actually write what I thought I could write. Bah, I just got asked to move to a different Starbucks, and my first thought is... what, I'm not good enough for this store? I am so insulted, and annoyed and disappointed in myself right now, and there has been just too much emotion going on in this little head that I am heading toward the path of just numb! I am not the typical emotional girl that can handle all the ups and downs all of the time. It takes a lot to get me angry, it takes a lot to get me sad; and sure there are plenty of particular things that strike a chord in emotion for me, but man... I don't know how all of the overly emotional people can handle this crap all of the time! I am tired. I just want something happy that is a constant in my life... just one thing would be good, whether it be a job that's not so insane, a class that is fun, or especially a home life that isn't so chaotic. I don't have anything REGULAR in my life. With a schedule that is ever changing, I don't have any particular friends that I see on a regular basis, I don't hang out anywhere or do ANYTHING on a regular basis. I like change, and I like variety, but if I had one thing that I could just COUNT on it would make everything else just seem less trying, but I feel like almost every aspect in my life is in disarray with erratic chaos swimming all about. Come on magical vacation hours that pop out of nowhere... where are you? I will post something a little less hectic and a little more logical later. Ciao.

An update on the softball face situation...

2008-11-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

Alright folks...

I am finally pretty much all better from my fun experiences of hospital visits and almost dying. My face is still a tad swollen but barely noticeable, and I'm done with all of my meds and on the road to a full recovery. The other night I was working with one of the girls, Malory, who said it looked like my face was looking a little more swollen then earlier, and I almost instantly started crying. I spent the next hour of work freaking out and it was starting to hurt again too, which didn't help my paranoia. But I finally calmed myself down, drank a bunch of water, and took some motrin when I got home. The next day it was fine. So in other words... if you see me and tell me my face looks a little more swollen, I WILL freak out, and you WILL pay for making me freak out. :)

Anyways, so they pulled the tooth, cut the inside of my cheek, things drained, meds helped, I'm all good now. I am working on taking care of all of my medical stuff now that I'm all settled in Seattle, and scared to death of not having a contact for such emergencies. Can't wait for my insurance bill for 3 ER visits in one weekend. Aye. But other than all that, life is good. Still loving where I work, we changed our hours so we close earlier, which is always nice, and I still get plenty of hours. I'm still lacking in the internet department which is pretty lame, but I get my fixes about once a week or so at a local cafe called Victrola. I like the atmosphere here, and the coffee and hot chocolates are gooood. My store provides me with all sorts of CRAZY stories full of basketball teams, and celebrities and bums and crazies. Give me a year and I'll have a lifetime of crazy stories from this place!

Anyways, I'll keep it short. I want to thank everyone for their support while I was really ill, and helping me out. It really meant a lot just to see all the comments on facebook and whatnot. :) Hope everything is going well with people, and I am trying to get better at calling people to see how they are doing! I realize how important my friends are to me when crazy shit like that happens and I am about to die. I guess I really got a chance to see what I mean to those friends. Okay, sappy sappy, have a good one all!

2008-11-17T18:18:00.001-08:00

3 hospital visits in 30 hours...

2008-11-17T17:08:00.000-08:00

So it all started during my opening shift on Friday morning. I woke up and felt a pain in my ear and felt really nauseous. So I walked to go catch the bus at 4am and stopped 3 times on the way to the bus stop and almost puked. When I got to work I told Sarah, the other shift supervisory that was luckily working that day, (normally we only have one per shift, so I would not be able to leave until I got another shift to come take over) that I felt like throwing up and that I wouldn't last long but I would do as much work as possible until I couldn't work anymore. So I got all of the opening tasks done as quickly as possible which got us ahead a bit, and once we opened the store, I went in back and sat down with my head on the desk. About 20 minutes later Sarah came and informed me that they would be able to handle it without me. So I clocked out and sat with my head down for another 20 minutes or so before I headed home.

When I got home I took way more than the recommended dosage of extra strength Tylenol, and slept for most of the day, when it wasn't too painful to sleep. I threw up a couple of times, and by midnight I decided to call the 24hour nurse line because I wasn't getting better and felt a bump on my jawbone. She said that It sounded like I had an abscess tooth and should get to the hospital within the next hour. Lucky for me, Mandy was gone for the weekend, and most of my friends in Seattle don't have cars or are easily contacted at midnight. So I got my crap together and walked a mile to the Swedish Hospital on Cherry Hill. I got right in but they took 3 hours to actually examine me. By then, the Tylenol had worn off, I was in great pain with a fever and the swelling had tripled at least. I got prescribed some Vicodin and Penicillin for the pain and infection, and I was told to make an appointment with a dentist for Monday. So I got out of there at 5am, took my penicillin and waited for the Vicodin because I didn't have any food, and didn't want an upset stomach. So I walked the mile home and almost started crying for the pain, got home and ate like, 3 crackers and took the Vicodin, then cried from the pain for about an hour and a half until the Vicodin finally kicked in and then I went to sleep for about an hour.

When I woke up I decided to take the other Vicodin they gave me (they gave me two pills but I only took one bcause I have never had it before and didn't know how it would effect me). I then walked a few blocks to Walgreens to get my perscriptions and almost passed out when I got there so I called almost everyone I knew in Seattle, and pretty much everyone was out of town, and I finally got ahold of my 2nd cousin Gail who lives in Ballard. I had her pick me up because I was afraid of passing out as I walked home. So she dropped me off at home and tried to convince me to stay in her extra bedroom at home, but I wanted to be surrounded by my home so I refused her offer. So again, it had been a while by this time since I had any pain meds so they were wearing off, and I called my mom to let her know what was going on with me, and I spent an hour on the phone in tears, until the pain subsided and then I went to sleep. I posted something on facebook about me not being well or something like that, and Katrina had asked if I needed anything and She called me, and I said I really needed her. I couldn't even stand long enough to make myself soup! And by this time I had thrown up again. So I went to sleep, and katrina gathered her stuff and her dad took her to the store and bought me soup and sprite for my upset stomach and some simple wheat bread.

I woke up and felt a little better but by now my face was about the size of a baseball. I decided to wait it out for the night and see if any of the medicine was helping. Katrina made me some soup, and I had some sprite, and we conversed a litle bit. I felt a lot better just having her there. I feel like I leave myself so alienated sometimes with my independant personality. So I let myself be taken care of for once, and it was nice. Katrina stayed up and graded some of her student's papers and I hit the hay pretty early, setting alarms for when I needed to take all of my meds. Once 4:30am rolls around, my face is even more swollen. I didn't think it could swell up anymore, and I am well aware that cheeks can get really big, but I thought I was going to have stretch marks pretty soon. So I called Gail and she took us back to the hospital around 5:30am. They got me in right away again and this time I had several people walk in and out saying "WOW! I've never seen one that huge before!". That was a confidence builder right there. So they got an IV of an anti-nausea medicine in me because I was feeling pretty nauseaus again, and then they did an IV of another kind of antibiotic because they were afraid penicillin wasn't working. They also took blood and I had to do a urine sample because they decded to to a CT scan of my head.

So after all of the IV's and crap (catheders are a disgusting thing to think about just so you know) they wheeled me off in my gurney (which was kindof fun) down the halls and through the elevator, and into the room where I was going to get my head scanned. They discovered that the swelling was much harder than expected (not much fluid) so they were checking to make sure it wasn't a tumor. More confidence building. So they injected my IV with Iodine (one of the strangest sensations ever!!) and then they put me in the big tube and scanned my head. Then I went back to my room and Katrina and I had some breakfst while we waited for the results. It was slightly amuzing for Katrina to see me shoving pea sized bites of french toast into the corner of my mouth. (She also felt sooo bad, she almost cried on many occasions). So they gave me a CD of the catscan and said that the antibiotics and Vicodin and Motrin won't do anything for the swelling because it is made up of mostly hard cells (nothing to worry about, just more of a pain in the but to get rid of) and that the only way the swelling would stop is to have my tooth pulled. So Gail came and picked us up around 10:30am or so and then we headed off to UW hospital becuase they have dentists on call on the weekends.

I got to go through the same drill there (hospital visit #3 now) and the doctor asked me some questions and said I probably wouldn't be able to do anything until Monday when the dentist offices are open, but he went to check the CT scan anyways. After checking the scan he came back and said without hesitation that he will try and have a dentist in within a half an hour. (apparently it was THAT bad). So the dentist finally came and she took a look, and then found the doctor and looked at the scan. She said it really needed to come out but they don't have the tools in the emergency room because it looked like it wasn't going to come out easy and they'd need the drills. So she called her attending and also called the oral sergeon. The oral sergeon wasn't able to make it in until 1:30pm and so she took another ex-ray of just that small area so she could see how the roots looked. That was a PAINful situation. So she did just that and when it got developed, she decided that she could possibly get it out without the drills. So she let all of her upper management know that she was just gonna go ahead with pulling the tooth because the swelling was so bad that if I had even waited a coupld of hours longer, my throat would have swollen shut and I would have pretty much died if I wasn't already at a hospital. Awesome. Also when she was describing the swelling to the attending she said "it's baseball sized...well actually a lot bigger than baseball sized." So apparently she wasn't sure if she'd be able to do it, not her specialty doing oral surgery, but she decided to do it anyways. (more confidence building). SO she put a whooole lot of numbing crap in me (it wasn't novacaine because that stuff doesn't really work on me) and then waited a bit and gave me more. The swelling was so bad that she wasn't able to numb all of me but she did the best she could and got to work. After much shoving and pulling and bloody mess, she was able to pull it out without too much pain on my behalf. Right when she got it out, the oral surgeon came in and took a look and said she did a fantastic job, and it just needed to be cleaned out a bit more to drain the infection.

This involved digging into my jaw bone where the nerves were NOT numb AT ALL, and then pushing ridiculously hard and scraping, by this time I was actually crying and screaming a little bit, uncontrollably. It HURT. But that part didn't last long, and they drained me out as much as they could and gauzed me up. The dentist gave me a "block and a half" of the numbing stuff (basically a syringe and a half), so it would last longer. And then they perscribed me a rinse and left me on my way. Gail picked us up and brought me by walgreens to get my rinse, and by this time, my tylenol from much earlier had worn off and my body was going into shock, so I started to shake from a fever and get really light headed. Katrina had gone to Starbucks to get me a modified banana chocolate blend because it's basically a meal in a cup, and it was taking forever. We met back in the car and headed home. By the time I got home I was shaking and turning blue and I got up stairs and dropped everything on the floor and went for the vicodin. I was shaking so violently that I just started to cry, and then Katrina cried and held me as I tried to fit small spoonfulls of yogurt in my mouth so my stomach wouldn't be so upset from the vicodin and I drew myself a lukewarm bath. By the time Katrina's dad got to my house to pick her up, my bath was ready and I was still shaking and crying and she was crying, and she almost didn't leave. But I told her I'd be okay once my meds kicked in and she reluctantly left. I took a very long bath and stayed in there until my fever was gone, and stayed a little longer just to relax. Then I was able to get up and stumble to my bed. I slept for a while sitting up until Mandy came home. Then she came in and saw me and almost started crying, and got upset that I didn't call her eventhough she was in Leavenworth. Aye, it's good to know I have such great friends.

So here I am at starbucks, it's almost time for me to go home and get some Vicodin and Motrin and hit the hay. My face is about a third the size it was, I'll post a pic, but I accidentally deleted the pic from yesterday when it was bigger than a baseball. Just imagine it 3 times this big, my eyes were swollen shut a bit, and I could barely open my mouth. Anyways, I can think now, and look at light and listen to music for the first time since Friday, and it is a good feeling. Crazy to know I could have died had I waited 2 hours! But I'm alive and that's what matters. Whew. That was a lot but I didn't feel like writing that fifty times as people asked me what happened.

Working in the Metropolitan Mecca of Hotels in Seattle

2008-10-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Okay the title is a bit more grandiose than what it precedes but it sounded fun. :) So I work at the 4th and Seneca Starbucks in downtown Seattle. (come visit me!) Which happens to be right across from the W hotel, and next to Hotel Monaco as well as about a billion other hotels. Oh yeah and we share the building with the FBI... there is a group of guys that come in and are pretty funny and nice. Crazy. So because of mainly Hotel Monaco, and the W, we get a ton of celebs that come into our Starbucks apparently. I served Ben Stein and his ladyfriend a few nights ago. Ben Stein got a Grande Refresh tea with two honeys and room, and his ladyfriend got a quad Grande Americano with room. I guess Mr. Stein does a lot of talks at UW as well as other universities around the US involving politics and whatnot. ;)

So yeah, I guess it'll soon beat out my previous daily encounters of Ryan Stiles up in B-ham. Though he seemed like more of the average guy than these big wigs that are all suited up in Seattle. Definitely a different dynamic than what I am used to. But it's really fun and interesting. And the customers are all pretty nice for the most part. It seems like other partners there must focus on the few mean ones and thus, they think that our average customer base is full of jackasses which seems to be far from the case. Time to get these people to see the real story I think.

Meanwhile, I am working with a group of pretty much 70% or more of new people to the store that I work at. Most of them are transfers so there isn't really a bunch of training going on which is nice, but we are all learning where things are, how things can run best. My manager has only been at this store for about 6months herself, and from the time she came in to the time I got there, there was a massive turnover (for the best). Apparently we lost a lot of people that were often really rude, and just really not meant for any sort of job involving the public haha. So I am currently part of a whole new team that is drafting up ways to make this store run like a finely tuned instrument. And that is the best situation I could possibly have as far as wanting to promote with the company. Right now, our store is pretty rocky and far from its best form as far as business and customer satisfaction in general goes. But within the last 3 weeks, we went from a constant downsloap on the afore mentioned subjects, to a steady upsloap. Which is a good feeling for me seeing as how I've worked there for probably 4 weeks now. :) It's a good feeling to know we all have the same goals, and that we are all open to suggestions, taking things from past experiences with past Starbucks we have worked for as well as fresh new Ideas and seeing where it takes us.

I am excited to be working where I work, and I love living where I live. Honestly, I am really just loving life right now! I have gotten to see Katrina the last several weekends in a row which is always a great thing, and because of that, I have been thrown into some social situations with new people, and have gained some new friends here in Seattle already! The people I work with are equally awesome in the fact that they very openly invite me out to go do Karaoke, and hang out. We are going to start a rock climbing group for our store because I guess a bunch of people were wanting to go, and they found out that I not only climb, but I can teach them everything. So we are going to form sortof a team/group thing, and get a little funding from starbucks so we can afford it as a regular thing, and do some team building and muscle building! WOO! Okay I could go on and on, but I have been hanging around this Starbucks for too long (a few blocks from my home) and I feel kindof lame hah. I wish I had internets at home, but it's free here! Ciao for now!

The adventures of Starbucks in Seattle... I mean, of Kira in Starbucks! I mean... oh nevermind it's all the same.

2008-09-17T11:56:00.001-07:00

Okay so yesterday was my first day at my new store in Seattle. (4th and Seneca Starbucks). I walk in at 7:40am for my 7:45 shift. Here is what I saw:

7 people working on the floor very, very busy, about 20 customers who already ordered and are waiting for their drinks, and about 25 and counting in line to order. People are filing out with their pastries and drinks and it's all out just crazy busy.

Now I come from a store that has 2 people on the floor at all times, and sometimes 3 when we need to cover for lunches; and a "rush" was 6 maybe 7 customers. YEA... So I stood there and waited to see if someone was waiting for me to switch them out or something (I dunno) and I waited about 7 minutes or so before I just walked into the chaos and said... "Hi, my name is Kira!" and the shift said oh good! Go into the back room and set your stuff down.

(Everything in Seattle has secret pass codes for everything. And they are weird. I already miss the freedom of just being able to go to the bathroom without having to know some code to get in it!)

So I go push the code... didn't work. They failed to tell me that I had to push two of the numbers at the same time and THEN push the other one after. Whatever. And the bathrooms you just do one number at a time. So I finally get in and get my apron on and yadda yadda, and walk back out to the floor.

The shifts says: Are you new?
Me: Yes this is my first day at this store.
Shift: Oh so are you supposed to be doing training?
Me: No, I am a shift supervisor that transfered here
Shift: Oh thank God. How about you slide ____ out to expedite.

So I did. I had two people simultaneously telling me to get them random pastries and coffee and oatmeal, and to heat pastries... and all of those things within the time it took you to read that sentence. Meanwhile, I know where NOTHING is. Awesome. So they figure out after a while that I am really struggling and the slide me on to bar. Now I can handle a bar with 20 or more drinks in the que, and a ton of milk being steamed left and right. This is where I shine in Starbucks-land. So I step in, completely releived even though there is a huge line of drinks, and then the guy next to me says: "by the way I am completely new to barring so I will probably be asking you a lot of stupid questions". At first was like... seriously? Could they have planned this worse? But then I just told him it's fine, I love barring and I am a learning coach, we can make this work. And we did. We rocked it... and then he left and I rocked it with the same work load by myself. And that was my first four and a half hours of working in Seattle basically. Then I was POOPED.

But I wasn't done yet. I had about a two hour break (in which I finally got my first meal of the day [ack!] and surfed the internetes because I don't have internet at home). Then, I walked a couple of blocks and started a shift I was covering at a different store at 2nd and Madison. Which is a tiny store, but they still do a justice with their customer count that's for sure. And I worked from 2pm-6pm which was a closing shift. So I got to do more searching around in another store I didn't know with people I didn't know and systems I didn't know. So now I was closing down a store with cleaning and prepping and finding out how they do everything and where everything goes. Finally the work day was over at 6pm and it was time to find out where to catch a bus to go home. (I had no idea really, except the general vicinity... kindof.) So I meandered around, up some hills (I don't know how anyone is fat in this city!) and took a chance on an area I thought the busses would head up to Capitol Hill from. I've taken the bus downtown many times but usually end up walking back or getting a ride for whatever reason, in fact Mandy beat me home from work and offered a ride, but I told her I needed to figure out the busses sooner or later!

Ahh and then I got home, and ended the day with a couple of beers and food at "Smith" with Mandy, Katrina, Hunter, and Rod. Totally awesome! Off to another, not so crazy day!

In Transit

2008-09-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am currently living in two places at once. I am stressed beyond belief, and very excited at the same time. My official last day in Bellingham is a week from today (crazy) and I don't have a store yet in Seattle. (but it's being worked on). My mind is blank, tired and stressed but that's what's been going on! Better update soon! ( I apologise if I don't call ppl and whatnot. I will slow down in a couple of weeks or so!).

Miscommunication About Communication.

2008-07-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

It all started with letters. We start off communication purely by walking up and talking to someone. By stopping by. And then we turned to letters. Finally letters go unanswered, and it gets to phone calls. What happens? We get caller ID. Now we get unanswered phone calls, ignored phone calls. And now it's the internet. I can't send an e-mail anymore without knowing I might have to wait a couple of months for a reply. What ever happened to e-mail being the quickest way to reach someone? (other than the ignored phone call?). Have we given up on communication altogether?

I'm not saying this because I'm stalking anyone. I'm saying it because I must have done something really wrong to have sent out various forms of communication to various people and not have them returned. I know that's not entirely true, but when did we all become to lazy to send any sort of reply? What happened to "good friends?". I feel like our whole world has become a place where we try to make as many friends as possible and then we don't get it when we have no one left to really be there when we need them. For instance, I have sent out letters to two people that I am well aware I have not gotten a letter back. And it has been MONTHS, if not over a year now for one of them. I have sent E-mails just saying hey, long time no talk, what's happening, with the reply to follow nearly two months later. TWO months! How hard is it to take five minutes out of your day and pay a little attention to a good friend. Or at least I thought they were my good friend. Even writing letters. I understand it's an ancient form of communication that might be a little outdated, but If I say I'm going to write you a letter, and you say you will reply when you get it, all I can say is, I took ten minutes, yes ten minutes out of my 720 minute day to say hello and show you that I really care, and guess what? I'm still waiting.

The two month long wait for the reply for the e-mail was chalked up to "Sorry, you know how bad I am at communication.". That's not sorry, that's a sorry excuse. Sorry I took the time out of my day just to say hey, and inquire about things since it's been so long. Oh yes, and if I ever send you questions back, that is me trying to get to know you more, or have a "conversation". I don't generally ask questions just to fill space. It's because I actually care to know about these things. And if you don't want to continue a conversation or communication, simply say so. I am so worn out from dancing around wondering about a question gone unanswered as well as many other things. I didn't know I had become such a hassle to say hello to. Or even instant messenger. Surely I have done this myself too many times. I forget to put the away message up, or forget to sign off, and people try to get a hold of you and wondering why the hell I was too lazy to let them know I couldn't talk. How often do you just plain ignore someone while they well know you are sitting right there, ignoring them. Because let me tell you, I know it, because I've done it. Or we put our away message up because we want to talk to one person and not another. Why can't we just be real with each other. Why can't we just be real to ourselves?

I've decided that I am going to stop worrying about how MANY awesome friends I have and start taking care of those relationships I have now, and the ones that really mean something to me. And I know I can only hope for a reply here and there, if I'm lucky, but you can be damn well sure I won't ignore you, or wait forever to reply (unless I am simply not near the internets which is rare). And if I am super busy, I will at least reply with that! I don't want to be flaky like the rest of the world and I have to say I've done a pretty good job compared to most people I know. When did communication, or even just a quick hello to let someone know we are thinking about them get so difficult. You can sit there and watch a TV show, but somehow manage never to find the time for some real interaction with life. Well just a thing to ponder, feel free to reply at your convenience if I ever send you a COMMUNICATION of sorts. (Yes this is Kira being bitter. It didn't have to be that way you know.) Ciao.

Summertime and Sunshine

2008-07-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

So since my last post not too much has happened. I had a birthday, 4th of July was AWESOME, and since then I have been working nonstop pretty much. My old Starbucks (next door, not Everett) lost one of their shift supervisors so they asked if I would cover some of her shifts because I knew the store already. So I agreed to pick up some extra shifts which included two weeks in a row that I got overtime. Overtime NEVER happens with Starbucks. I have never been with a company quite so adamant about not letting people get overtime. So I felt unfortunate, and tired. This week I thankfully have 4 days in a row off! I didn't even ask for it! I just asked for Sunday and Monday off for Jeff's BBQ and my manager decided to give me Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday off! :D The last time I had a four day weekend was for my birthday and that's because I requested it off. Before that, who knows when the last time was? Let alone having two days off in a row. Along the same lines I found out that I am apparently covering more shifts at my old store next week, which I am not looking forward to. And my boss didn't even tell me, it was one of the girls from that store that said "hey so we'll be seeing you the week after next to cover some shifts again eh?" And I said, "Uh, not that I am aware of?" She told me that My old boss talked to my new boss and they set it all up. Thanks guys! (not)

Anyways, the time is quickly, but slowly approaching my move to Seattle! I can't believe it! I went to a concert down in Ballard last night and we stopped at Bizarros Restaurant for some dinner first. As we meandered around Seattle I thought to myself "I can't believe I am about to come live here again." It's so strange. I had quite the feeling of nostalgia running through as I was off in my own world while my friends I was with hurried along from place to place. I couldn't help but to think, am I coming here to escape something? Or am I coming here expecting something specific? Am I coming back to relive what I had before? I don't know. I kindof feel like it's everything. It's a strange feeling. Seattle holds a lot of memories for me and it's hard not to think am I doing this to relive the past? I just need to come with no expectations and just start something new and move forward. Which is what I am going to do, and what I have planned. Though, of course I have expectations. But I will do my best to just go with it all and see what happens. Take the bull by the horn with the stuff I need and want to do, and just let the rest happen! Woo! I am excited. Okay, it's off to work for me. Peace out Trouts.

We shook hands on it.

2008-06-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have never felt so legally bound by a handshake before! Okay, not legally but bound to a verbal contract of "Yes, I am moving in September." So here's the deal: Since I transfered to my Haggen Starbucks with my lovely promotion in February, that put me in a little bit of a bind. Since I planned on moving to Seattle in August/September a little less than a year ago, and I planned on moving and promoting at the same time,it pushed my promotion time back a bit. So I was just going to wait until I was ready to promote before I left for Seattle.

Well, as I get to talking with Mandy, I discover that her roommate is moving out July 1st. While the idea of just packing up and moving is pretty tempting for me, it is pretty much impossible in my position. I am not eligible to transfer with Sarbucks until 6 months after I got promoted. Which puts me at well, August 27th. But due to paperwork and the whole business of finding a store and everything, it puts me in a position to move in the beginning of September.

I weighed the idea out in my head very heavily. So see, Mandy and I, though we are very close friends, are very very different. And we tend to butt heads when we spend too much time together. So the idea of the two of us moving in together didn't sound like the best idea... at all. Who wants to ruin a good friendship? Well the two of us have been attached at the hip as of late, spending all sorts of time together the last couple of weeks, and she said it herself that she was surprised that she didn't get aggravated with me after all of this time together. We were both surprised. I didn't take it as an insult that she normally does, because it's true. I have all of my little things I am very particular about, and so does she. And they clash a lot of times. But I think some of those things and ideals are mending together a little better now. We are a little rough around the edges as a team, but the bond has gotten much stronger. I am actually really excited about the whole thing!

So moving on (quite literally) Mandy and I shook hands on it. She will find someone to sublet with her for July and August and I will move in with her in September. I'll be kickin' it in Capitol Hill (guess I should keep growing my hair out haha) and going back to Seattle Central Community college to finish my AA. And then Transferring to UW to major in Ethnomusicology. (I would). So for all of you who live in the Seattle area, I hope we can hang out more often! (Especially since the number of friends has dwindled since I last checked... now I'll be visiting bellingham all the time because that's where all of my friends are... dangit lol.)

So in short, I am moving to Seattle in September. Officially. Oh yeah and the biggest deal was talking it over with my boss. He was a bit distraught about it, and now he's acting all awkward around me. Hopefully that will change. I feel terrible, but it's time for me to keep pushing forward!!

Onward!

Spokane again!

2008-05-17T11:28:00.001-07:00

Yep! After my first visit to Spokane, I had to come back, and brink Keith and Ike! So this last weekend, May 9, 10, 11th, we road tripped it to Spokanistan! Ike and I had to work until 5pm on Friday so he picked me up at work, I grabbed my stuff, and then we hit the bank. Then we headed to Lake Stevens to pick Keith up. We picked him up and then Ike and I were hungry so we hit up South Lake pizza, oh yum! And then FINALLY we headed out on the trek to Spokane. Keith and I took being the DJ's and we all kindof caught up on life as of late. We stopped at a gas station in Ellensburg and they tossed the disc around while I filled up. Then we hit up wendy's and got shakes and whatnot, and we were on our way again. This time the conversations revolved around Keith and I talking about Nikola Tesla, and radio waves, and space and math. It was fantastically nerdy. It made my night. Ike just listened and payed attention to the road. :)

So we finally got there and Will and Katie were at Brian's so we waited around until they arrived at their house. We all had a beer and caught up on life some more they took my cell phone and texted some rather embarrassing things to Brian, and then I had to call and tell him it wasn't me... thanks guys... and then went to bed. Well, Keith kept us up for a while because he wasn't tired haha. No wonder he sleeps during the day! Okay, so the next morning, Will came in to the kitchen while his living room floor was littered with sleepy bodies, and started making some biscuits and gravy. It was delicious but too spicy for me! Later I experienced some pretty sweet heart burn. So after that, we all got up and moving and went to check out a sweet mountain biking trail. There we had pinecone fights and ran around like a bunch of little kids. Oh yes. Keith and I were discussing what drug everyone would be if they were a drug. The topic came about because Ike was running around like he was on speed. We decided Will would be LSD due to his short attention span haha. And I would be Valium due to the fact that I don't freak out in stressful situations. We couldn't think of one for Keith or Katie. Anyways, then we went downtown to check out the falls and bridges and then Keith and I got sno-cones. Mine was peaches and cream and I think his was tropical volcano or something like that. Then we fed the goat that ate garbage. I'll let you wonder on that one.

After all of those adventures, we went to a couple of stores and got started on some dinner adventures. They made dinner and we went to the park and ate it and did some slacklineing and more people showed up little by little and we played some frisbee, and keep away soccer, and ended our time at the park with some pie and kickball. Its times like those I wish I lived in a town like Spokane but less sucky. Just to be able to call up a bunch of people and eat food and hang out! Of course I also wish I didn't have to work all weekend all the time (except when I request time off for such excursions as this). Anyways, so by that time we had probably a good 20-ish people around. A little less, and we headed back to Will's for some beer and conversation. We had our awkward moments of silence here and there, but the night was mostly filled with tons of conversation and beer. Around 12:30 or so some people started heading out the door, so Will called it a night.

when everybody left, neither Keith nor I was tired. So we attempted having conversation with sign language for a little bit and then Ike was like "Are you guys still awake? Turn the light of, or go for a walk or something!" So we went for a walk, and apparently forgot to turn off the light haha. We walked alllll around and played on the park swings, the teeter totter and whatnot, and then kept walking some more. Lots of talking. It was really awesome to catch up. Keith had to use the restroom so we went to this bar without ID's and luckily there was no one there to check haha. So he used the restroom and we were on our way to a few more rounds around some blocks. It was a really great conversation, and then around 3:30am we decided it was time to hit the hay. We came back and went to bed, after Keith struggled for a good several minutes trying to figure out his sleeping bag haha.

So Sunday morning, I was the first one up, weird, and I started packing my stuff, and talked to Brian because we were gonna meet up for coffee. So he picked me up and we went to Rocket Bakery and I had a delicious double 12oz soy mocha and an everything bagel, perfectly toasted. Had some sporadic conversation, we were both pretty tired from the night before, and had some good laughs as usual. I don't think I've ever talked with Brian without chuckling at least once. And then we headed back and The boys and I hit the road back home. This time we took Hwy2 instead of I90. A little more scenic. We played a game with alliteration (wow, we are nerds) and did some more DJing. We stopped in Leavenworth for some lunch and potty breaks and gas, and then headed back on our way. We stopped at the sultan bakery of course to get some goodies. We got Keith home in time for Mother's day dinner with his family, and Ike and I stopped at his parent's and hung out for about an hour before we trekked back to B-ham. Man. What an adventure! And then of course I worked the next day... I wish everyone that lives there (that I know) could live much closer!! Dangit! We have some good times! Anyways, next blog... Erin Mckeown concert, and Seattle adventures.

Portland with Alena!

2008-05-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling around and visiting friends a lot and haven't posted about it, so here is the first of a few posts! I will post more over the next couple of days.

So on May 2nd Alena and I headed to Portland to go to the awesome book store known as Powell's and to go hang out with my friend Chris! We were there for 24 hours. We got into town at 3pm on Friday and left at 2:50pm on Saturday. The adventures we had are as follows... (Even I am impressed with how much we did in 24 hours!)

Friday morning at about 7:45am Alena picks me up and we head to our Sbux to get some coffee and chat with the friends. (She works with me.) And then we headed to the train station in Fairhaven. We left the lovely town of Bellingham at 8:35 am and the adventures began. On the train she taught me how to play "Golf" the card game, and then we had a doodle war (pics are on my myspace and facebook)and then we checked out the snack car. I was expecting it to be much bigger than it was, but I got some chocolate milk so that made my day. :D I'm such a kid. Anyways, then we went back to our seats and they started playing a really old movie. I have discovered that they seem to only play old movies that have trains as the main backdrop on the trains. That almost doesn't make sense. Anyways, so I started making up dialogue, (We got bored with listening to the movie on our headphones so I decided this was more fun). Needless to say we had some great laughs!

Then we finally hit Portland at 3pm. Yes, it is a SLOW train! And we were famished. So we walked many blocks to first spot Powell's and then spot some food nearby. We found this awesome noodle place that had every type of noodle dish, from pad thai to stroganoff. Crazy! It was pretty cheap and rather delicious! Then we went to the book store and spent probably an hour or less there. And I looked throughout the whole place while Alena was in the fantasy section the whole time and managed to pick up 14 books while I had none. I tried to find some books on Graffiti like some Bansky stuff but alas, I found nothing. So I spent most of the time looking at books in the logic section, and checking out some Frank Lloyd Wright stuff. So next, I call up Chris and we meet at his and Ben's place, drop off our stuff and go out for drinks. Chris told us that everyone there starts drinking at like 5pm. Weird. In Bellingham, people usually don't go out until 10pm or later! So we went where Chris could get some food, and then we went to a gay bar. (They are gay, and invited some friends too!). So that was fun. Alena and I got accused of being a couple hahaha. I said, no my friend, I may be a tomboy, but I go for the guys.

Then we went back to Chris and Ben's place after a while and their neighbors invited us all over for drinks. So we kindof went back and forth between the two apartments and had drinks and watched a Madonna video haha. Then we finally wrapped things up pretty late and Alena and I went back to the guy's apartment and hit the sac.

Saturday morning, we got up and talked about the night before. Kevin (one of their friends) was there and telling us about the crazy night they had after we left. The guys all went back out (besides chris and ben) to go hit up the night scene. I would have gone had there been any cute straight guys haha, just kidding. We were pretty pooped. So after that we went out and got some breakfast and then after that we went out to get some coffee at Starbucks (Chris works at Sbux, he worked at my first one and then transfered to Portland, and his BF Ben used to work for Sbux haha). There happened to be a cannabis rally going on so we checked that out for a bit. And then we caught the MAX and went to the Saturday market. We mozied around and then I took some pics of the guys and then we decided to get some pizza. It was delicious! And then we went to the train station and headed back home. We rolled into B-ham at around 9pm after viewing a spectacular sunset. I mean, it was awe striking! We both had to work the next day so it was bedtime after I got home!

It was really fun and I got some fun pics. :) Next posts include my second trip to Spokane (this last weekend) and my trip to Seattle from earlier this week!

Spokanistan/Spocompton/Spokane

2008-04-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

So I happened to have the weekend off (GASP!!!), that's right, Saturday AND Sunday off in a row!, this last weekend.

So I got a wild hair (surprising? I think not) and decided I needed to leave this place. Be somewhere other than Bellingham, Everett, or Seattle. I decided to call Will up over in Spokane and see what his weekend looked like. Long story short, I bought a train ticket on Thursday afternoon for Friday right after work so I could go chill with Will in Spokane!

Friday:
3:00am -Wake up and make sure everything is packed and get ready for work.
4:45am -Work at the Sbux until...
1:00pm -Get off work a little early
1:25pm -Catch a Greyhound to Seattle
3:30pm -Arrive in seattle and catch a city bus to the Amtrak station.
4:45pm -Leave Seattle on the Amtrak to Spokane
1:00am -Arrive in Spokane, call will and skoot over to his place
3:00am -Finally take a short hibernation on the fold out-foam couch lol.

Saturday: All of these times are much more approximate
7:30am -Will gets up and makes delicious waffles and his GF Katie comes over
-We all eat and hang out, enjoy some iced coffee with Baley's
-Deliscious.
9:30am -Walk over to Elizabeth's house and kidnap her to check out an
-estate sale. we were there for like 5 minutes and she bought
-a coffee table and pot for utensils.
9:45am -We walk back and drop Elizabeth back at her place
10:30am -We go to check out Spokane discount. This place is ridiculous
-and fantastic!
11:45am -We sneak into Costco to eat lunch lol.
12:15pm -Go hike around (I forget the place)
2:15pm -Visit the Starbucks Will works at. I got samples!
2:45pm -Grab our slacklining gear and walk to the park by Will's and slackline.
4:30pm -Go back to will's and then go to the store for some food.
4:45pm -Some lady asks me to help her pick out avocados
-Then she proceeds to ask how to make guacamole. lol, apparently
-I looked like an avid cook walking around the produce?
6:30pm -Eat some delicious burritos that Will made. Mmm
7:30pm -Play some video games on will projector... totally rad.
9:00pm -Elizabeth and her friend Brian meet up with us at Will's
9:45pm -We head to the bar where a (really cute) DJ was spinning
-Commence dancing, drinking, socializing, and getting to know
-my new friends! (delicious espresso martinis!!)
12am-ish -Go to a diner/bar restaurant place and eat some terribly healthy food
-more conversing and whatnot. Such good times.
1:45ish? -Head "home" and hit the hay

Sunday:

9:30am -Will makes fantastic crepes. By this point, I felt pampered.
-Spent some quality time staring off into space and recovering
-from the previous night.
11:30am -Mozy out the door to hike around .. Chapman? Anyways it was
-a lovely hike, and then we just relaxed and threw rocks in the lake.
3:00pm -Head back to Will's
3:30pm -Eat an early lunch/late dinner
3:45pm -Accidental, and most enjoyable nap on the couch (Much needed)
6:00pm -Head to Their indoor soccer game
6:30pm -Watch the game.. They won!
7:15pm -Skoot back to Will's
8:30pm -will hits the hay while I try to arrange my way back home
-from Seattle, and waste time on the internet.
11:30pm -Take a couple hour nap
1:40am -head to the train station
2:15am -Leave Spokane and sleep on the train...

Monday: (yes technically monday has happened above...shh!)
10:30am -Arrive Seattle
11:00am - walk about 22 blocks (wow I guessed 12 before haha) to
-the greyhound station. Wait in line forever to buy a ticket.
11:45am -Hit up the nearest Sbucks and sit down with some coffee.
-Call Mandy-du to see if she has any free time since my bus
-didn't leave until 3:30pm
12:15pm -Mandy meets up with me and we go get some sandwiches.
1:00pm -Go to Urban Outfitters and rummage through sale racks
-and rad sunglasses.
1:45pm -Go to Cornish (where Mandy goes to school, and where I was once
-planning to go) and tour around and hang out at the cafe.
2:15pm -Go to a cool cafe by the paramount. Good coffee, decent scone.
2:55pm -Walk two blocks back to Greyhound station and hop in line for my bus
3:30pm -Bus departs Seattle for B-ham (scheduled to arrive b-ham 5:15pm
-I had to work at 5:30pm)
5:50pm -Bus finally gets to Bellingham so I head straight to work
6:15pm -Work until 10pm
10:00pm - Vacation officially ends.. I guess it ended when I got off the bus
-sleep!

So that was my weekend in the shortest, most chronological way I could present it. There are a lot of really great details to each little bit, but I didn't want to write a novel. It was a much needed short vacation and It really couldn't have been better! (except the fact that all of my pictures from the whole thing got deleted!!). But the friends I met over there were really really awesome! I am sad to live so far away from them! I could really get used to hanging out with everybody there! Thanks for an Amazing weekend Will! And it was great to meet Katie, Elizabeth and Brian! Hopefully it won't be too too long until my next visit!

"Oh, geography is gonna make a mess of me, gonna make a mess of me."

2008-03-30T01:50:00.000-07:00

Currently listening to:

Artist: Thao and the Get Down Stay Downs
Album: We Brave Bee Stings and All

This album is Fantastic. Thao Nguyen falls nothing short of her kooky and creative self as always. The album is as I would describe, Curious. Kindof like, when I listen to it I feel like a little girl exploring the big play ground with a cone of ice cream dripping all over my hands, but I don't notice, as I look around and see all of these people who have a story, new friends, new foes, new land, dirt, bugs and kittens. It's just curious all around and a little bit exciting. Anyways, I love it. Check it out. Also her other album that I have just by Thao Nguyen is "Like the Linen". Also a great album.

What have I been up to?
Well I saw a show on the History Channel called "Our Universe". And I caught the last half of a show on Saturn. And then the next hour long show was about, well basically about Enceladus. It started off with a brief introduction to Titan, (one of Saturn's many moons, and one of the biggest ones in our solar system... if I remember right.)and talked about it's qualities that are similar to those here on earth, or how they would imagine it starting out. And then it moved on to Enceladus, a smaller moon that has some pretty cool features to it. I won't bore you with the details (for now), but anyways, as my mind works, I thought it was fascinating so I spent hours online checking out the NASA website, and looking at the pictures that Cassini-Huygens took. Pretty cool stuff. So I've occupied my non-working time with that.

Also I went to Henderson's book store in downtown Bellingham. My first time there... I must say, far,far,far more organized than Eclipse! Anyways, I was on a mission for several books which I did not find, but I did not leave empty-handed! I found a couple of books about Nikola Tesla to titillate the mind. One of which I had been looking for in used book store for a long time, The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla. I'm pretty excited about it. But I also got the most thorough biography about him that I have been able to find so far. So I started reading that first. I am saving the other one for when or if I have enough time on my hands to have some forms of reference nearby at all times because most of it will be way over my head. It might have to wait a while. But I hope to read and understand it someday at least. Anyways, as I read about Nikola Tesla, many things I already knew, and some I did not, I found his life to be something of a story Ayn Rand would write about. Definitely her kind of main character that is for sure. So it's been an easy read for me, since I enjoy Ayn Rand. Matt (My roomie) made fun of my obsession for Nikola Tesla when he came in and saw me reading the biography hahaha. Good times

Other than that, I've just been working a whole bunch. Rarely having days off (I've covered a lot of shifts for people) and am currently in the beginning of my 12 day work week. Yay for that! But after that I get Saturday AND Sunday off in a row! (Which seems to be a rarity at my new store. Depressing.) Hopefully it will only be until August/sept. When I move to Sea-town. Okay, reading then bedtime!

Who knew promotions equaled less pay?

2008-03-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

This happened to me when I transfered from the Everett Starbucks to B-ham. It takes a while for me to transfer into the "system". So I didn't get a pay check for about a month because I was listed at a pay rate of $0.00. Well it happened again. They end up paying me everything in the end but that doesn't exactly pay the bills I need to pay now. So here I am again with no pay check, and all the while I'm supposed to be getting paid nearly a dollar more than what I was getting paid. LAME. Hopefully all of this will get ironed out faster than it did last time! At least this time I have a boss that cares and won't put it on the back burner. Yarr!

Oh man, I feel good!

2008-03-04T19:51:00.001-08:00

So last Wednesday 02/27 I finally got the key to the workout room at the Condo. I've been meaning to do this for a long time. So I went down and hopped on the treadmill and ran for about 40 minutes for 2 miles. Man it felt great! That was the first time I had run at all since June. [insert curse toward broken foot as usual] So since then I've been running every other day! I've worked myself up to an hour of running today for 3 miles, which isn't a far distance considering the time, but I am working on endurance to start off with. Get that ol' heart into shape. And then today I found out that I wasn't a moron who couldn't get the crazy machine that does 50 things to work. It was broken. So when I tried today... success! The pin was stuck in the weights before, and it was too heavy for little ol' weak Kira.

So today I got to do upper body as well. I'd like to get into running every day, and when I build up endurance, go run some trails. But for now, the motivation of a treadmill that says keep running at this pace or you'll fall off is something I need. Otherwise I am too easy on myself. (Yes I realize I can turn the machine off if I wanted too but I have more drive than that!).

Work at the new store is nothing short of fantastic! I was getting really really stressed out the last couple of weeks at the drive through store, to the point of not sleeping at all at night because I was just stressed! But now I spend all day smiling and enjoying good conversation with my co-workers and with customers. I KNOW... I can CONVERSE with customers without the automated "Hi there welcome to starbucks what can I get started for you today?". Now I come home all happy and relaxed. What they call a "rush" at my new store is like... oh I have to make more than one drink... give me about 3 extra seconds.. and done. That was a rush? Hah! I'm sure it will get somewhat monotonous after a while, but for now I am enjoying the break.

So in conclusion, I am happy for various reasons, and I feel good for various reasons. Life is moving forward again and it feels great!

Relax, have a sip of tea, and then keep on truckin'

2008-02-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those days where you are just so happy, that you want to cuddle up with a cozy blanket, sip some tea or hot chocolate and dwell on the good vibe? Well, today is one of those days for me. Sometimes in the midst of all of the madness, little drops of simple happiness can drip through that seemingly weatherproof jacket of a hectic life. Sometimes these simple moments of happiness are caused by no apparent reason at all. Those moments happen quite a bit for me. And sometimes they are caused by particular people, or a stint of good weather, or other times just a few happy moments that happen to leak over and the afterthoughts keep you going.

I'm listening to the new Jack Johnson album right now and nothing could fit the mood better. Too bad my veggie burger filled me up too much for me to enjoy a hot cup of tea, or some of my delicious chocolate soy milk I just bought. Oh how it taunts me.

I had a pretty fantastic, and random weekend complete with seeing Shavawn (not near enough), watching hilarious shows, visiting with a couple of my aunts, hanging out in Seattle on a sunny warm day, and hanging out with the radness that is Greg. Yeah, it was a pretty fantastic weekend I must say. Not to mention my rides down and up were nice since I got to enjoy the rides with Katrina. It's too bad I missed my Mandy-du though.:( I have been craving my Mandy time, but it shall come, hopefully complete with a good hike in the mix.

Well anyways, I had a great weekend, particularly a great Saturday. And I am just taking the rest of this day to just be happy, listen to music, maybe do some art and just plain relax and relish the peacefulness before my first day at my new store tomorrow. That's right. Friday was my last day at the Sehome II Starbucks, and tomorrow is my first day at Sehome I as a shift supervisor (in training). I am excited! It's gonna be a weird week I know, but I'll get the hang of it, and soon I won't have to deal with the stress of the drive through, and I an concentrate again, and get sleep! It will be grand. Things are looking up friends, things are looking up. P.S. about 6 months until I move to Seattle! :D

2008-02-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

Success!!

2008-02-05T23:02:00.000-08:00

Well, pretty much. I don't have the final word from my District manager, but as far as promoting goes, the manager I interviewed with today wants me at his store!

So Today I had my interview/assessment with Lyle. He's the store manager for the Starbucks in the Haggen next door to my Starbucks. (Ridiculous? Yes. Prosperous anyways? Yes.) It went better than I could have hoped. Of course this promotion is long overdue, so it's not entirely surprising. He asked a few questions before the actual "assessment" about how things were going at the store I'm at and what I have worked on since the last time he assessed me (which was a mock interview about 9 months ago that the company uses to gauge how each store is doing kindof). So I explained all of the stuff I had done and he seemed very impressed, so the rest of the interview was basically us going through the motions and questions that they have to ask.

My favorite part of the interview was near the end when he said: "Well I just want you to understand that I take a lot of effort in hiring people that are brighter and better than what I've already got at my store, and I think you are a perfect fit."

So I was pretty much told that I am better than everyone at his store currently. Can you say inflated ego? So I am pretty happy with that. I just have to wait on my District manager to say whether or not she wants to interview me as well before we make it official. I find out by week's end. On other news, I am going snowboarding tomorrow. Be jealous.

Small victories...

2008-02-03T20:23:00.001-08:00

So my life has been littered with tiny victories here and there that alone don't make much of a story, but put together it makes life seem a little more interesting.

Let's see here. I got a call on Tuesday from the manager that I might be working for when I get promoted. He asked if I am ready to be assessed next week so he can see if I am ready to be promoted to a shift. So that pretty much made my day. :) I stayed an hour after work putting materials together and preparing for the assessment. I am really nervous but confident at the same time.

This weekend was really fun. I got to hang out with Katrina quite a bit which was really awesome. She made her roommates and me some soup from scratch on Friday. It was delicious! Then we went out to the Beaver to have a couple of drinks and Scoot and Steve came and met us there. We had a ton of laughs!

Then Saturday I got a text from Luke asking if I was up for some breakfast at Diamond Jim's with some friends. So I got my lazy bones out of bed and Luke, Erdo, Brian and I all got some great breakfast and again had many laughs. :D Then we all parted our ways for a few hours and Brian and I met up and we headed down to Lynnwood to get his boat. I considered staying down south but things weren't working out with friends so I just came along for the ride. So after Brian finally dragged himself away from his girlfriend, we headed down south where his mom made us a delicious dinner and we hung out and talked for a while as well as watched a little TV. Then I watched a movie at Scoot's. I forget what it was called but it had Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake. Anyways, it was pretty good, then headed home for the night.

Then Today I spent some time preparing for my interview/assessment and then called Katrina up and we walked down to the Bagelry and got some lunch and just sat and talked. It was pretty much the best. Then I met up with Luke, Scoot, Amanda, Gina, and Dan for Superbowl. I spent some of the time working on my interview stuff, and some of the time yawning haha. But the last quarter was pretty exciting.

As far as little victories well, Katrina and I were talking about how lucky we are to have each other as friends. And it was really really nice spending a lot of time with her this weekend! She has been an amazing friend to me! And I am excited about my interview, AND I got to climb for the first time since I broke my foot last week. It was amazing! And I sucked!! lol. Also I get to go snowboarding on Wednesday, and go to a concert on Sunday!

I've had a lot of things on my mind lately, most of them very happy things. :) I hope I get to see some people down in Seattle this weekend, or maybe next weekend. Then I will be even happier!! Oh yeah, and I fit into my skinny jeans! I'm getting fit again! Wooo!! Anyways, when I know about the end results of Tuesday's interview/assessment there will be an update, but until then ciao!

Flying kids and flashing lights.

2008-01-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

Yeahhh. So last night I went out to the Calalloo to do a little dancing and whatnot. Then we went back to Scoot's house and watched some episodes of "Extras". When Scoot went to take me home, we were at a stop sign (at 3am) and the next thing I knew, I saw people flying through the air.

They had just gotten hit by a truck. The truck sits there for a moment, (I guess the guy got out of the truck, checked on the kid that was on the ground and not moving, and then got back into the truck. During this time I was just staring at the kid on the ground going... HOLY SHIT!! THAT KID JUST FLEW THROUGH THE AIR!!)and then takes off sliding all around. (It was incredibly icy on the roads.) So I get on the phone with 911 and we follow this guy who is going through red light after red light, and we finally catch up enough to get his license plate number, we kept following until we see a cop pull him over and the dispatcher on the phone asked me for my phone number and if we could hang out at a place nearby so that the police can get reports from us. I said yes of course and we pulled over to the gas station that was right there and waited.

As we waited we saw police car after police car pull into a line and turn on their lights. A couple state patrols, (they were on an on ramp to the freeway), several city cops and a sheriff. For a while there were 6 cop cars. We waited about an hour, saw a couple of them leave, and a couple more come. Then when they all left we just left. We weren't sure if we were supposed to walk over there and give them our statement or what. But they have my phone number so I guess that works.

While we were waiting a cab driver drove up because he noticed us sitting there for a while and asked us what our deal was. We explained that we were the ones who followed him and called it in. Then he informed us that he was trying to call in but couldn't (because I was on the phone with them) but he was able to give his statement already because he was working. Ugh, what a weird situation!

Now all I can think about is that kid lying on the ground, motionless. When I saw one of them go back and feel for the pulse of the kid on the ground, they stood up and just kindof looked out and lifted their hands in helplessness. I hope the kid was okay. :/

It's not about politics anymore... but the choices that will be made are...

2008-01-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

This was a blog posted by (One of my heros)Alexi Murdoch on his myspace. I think it should be shared:

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Carbon dating--the newest, hottest way to find love in 2008!

Remember This: 350 Parts Per Million
By Bill McKibben
The Washington Post, Friday, December 28, 2007; A21

This month may have been the most important yet in the two-decade history of the fight against global warming. Al Gore got his Nobel in Stockholm; international negotiators made real progress on a treaty in Bali; and in Washington, Congress actually worked up the nerve to raise gas mileage standards for cars.

But what may turn out to be the most crucial development went largely unnoticed. It happened at an academic conclave in San Francisco. A NASA scientist named James Hansen offered a simple, straightforward and mind-blowing bottom line for the planet: 350, as in parts per million carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It's a number that may make what happened in Washington and Bali seem quaint and nearly irrelevant. It's the number that may define our future.

To understand what it means, you need a little background.

Twenty years ago, Hansen kicked off this issue by testifying before Congress that the planet was warming and that people were the cause. At the time, we could only guess how much warming it would take to put us in real danger. Since the pre-Industrial Revolution concentration of carbon in the atmosphere was roughly 275 parts per million, scientists and policymakers focused on what would happen if that number doubled -- 550 was a crude and mythical red line, but politicians and economists set about trying to see if we could stop short of that point. The answer was: not easily, but it could be done.

In the past five years, though, scientists began to worry that the planet was reacting more quickly than they had expected to the relatively small temperature increases we've already seen. The rapid melt of most glacial systems, for instance, convinced many that 450 parts per million was a more prudent target. That's what the European Union and many of the big environmental groups have been proposing in recent years, and the economic modeling makes clear that achieving it is still possible, though the chances diminish with every new coal-fired power plant.

But the data just keep getting worse. The news this fall that Arctic sea ice was melting at an off-the-charts pace and data from Greenland suggesting that its giant ice sheet was starting to slide into the ocean make even 450 look too high. Consider: We're already at 383 parts per million, and it's knocking the planet off kilter in substantial ways. So, what does that mean?

It means, Hansen says, that we've gone too far. "The evidence indicates we've aimed too high -- that the safe upper limit for atmospheric CO2is no more than 350 ppm," he said after his presentation. Hansen has reams of paleo-climatic data to support his statements (as do other scientists who presented papers at the American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco this month). The last time the Earth warmed two or three degrees Celsius -- which is what 450 parts per million implies -- sea levels rose by tens of meters, something that would shake the foundations of the human enterprise should it happen again.

And we're already past 350. Does that mean we're doomed? Not quite. Not any more than your doctor telling you that your cholesterol is way too high means the game is over. Much like the way your body will thin its blood if you give up cheese fries, so the Earth naturally gets rid of some of its CO2each year. We just need to stop putting more in and, over time, the number will fall, perhaps fast enough to avert the worst damage.

That "just," of course, hides the biggest political and economic task we've ever faced: weaning ourselves from coal, gas and oil. The difference between 550 and 350 is that the weaning has to happen now, and everywhere. No more passing the buck. The gentle measures bandied about at Bali, themselves way too much for the Bush administration, don't come close. Hansen called for an immediate ban on new coal-fired power plants that don't capture carbon, the phaseout of old coal-fired generators, and a tax on carbon high enough to make sure that we leave tar sands and oil shale in the ground. To use the medical analogy, we're not talking statins to drop your cholesterol; we're talking huge changes in every aspect of your daily life.

Maybe too huge. The problems of global equity alone may be too much -- the Chinese aren't going to stop burning coal unless we give them some other way to pull people out of poverty. And we simply may have waited too long.

But at least we're homing in on the right number. Three hundred and fifty is the number every person needs to know.

Bill McKibben is a scholar in residence in environmental studies at Middlebury College and the author of the forthcoming "Bill McKibben Reader."

Busy-ness in a can...

2007-12-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

It has been a crazy busy week. I haven't been this busy since I've moved to B-ham. (funny how this week was spent away from b-ham.
We start with Friday. I'll try to keep this short.

Friday:
Work 7:30am-4pm (8hrs)
4:15pm, Eric comes over, we walk back to work because I needed to do one more thing. Shavawn meets us there, we go to the store, go home, make dinner, eat and catch up, Eric leaves, Shavawn and I chill until late.

Saturday:
Shavawn and I get up, have some breakfast, do some more hanging out then get to packing. Leave around 4:30pm. Shavawn and I hang out at the Sbux in M-ville, she goes to work, my mom takes me to the Everett Station. I catch the bus full of a million high schoolers going to some rave in Seattle. I get a little mad that I didn't have my camera. It could have been fun. Take the bus to Seattle, meet Mandy downtown. Mandy scrapes a car while parallel parking. I show up to a not so fun scene of pissy people who freak out about a small scuff that can be rubbed out with a rag and elbow grease. Mandy and I go to her place and chill, and drink. We hit the hay pretty early, around 11pm. 12am Greg gets back to me about hanging out the next day. Commence texting for an hour. Then I go back to sleep.

Sunday:
Get up and chat with Mandy for a little. Head out to catch a random bus that will hopefully take me to the U-district. It did. Met Greg at Tully's and had a delicious Double tall soy no whip peppermint mocha. (I cheated on Sbux shh. Their mocha is better). We finish our coffees and go check out Best Buy for some gifts he needed to get. Then hung out at his house. Then we went out to lunch. (YUM) I can't remember what the place was called but I had a fantastic red curry rice bowl. Went back to Greg's and chilled for quite a while, then he took a nap while I surfed the internet and read my book. Then we went to Dave's house and pre-funked before his band's show. (can't remember the name of that place either... I suck. But it was pretty cool). Went to the show, had a couple more drinks, good show. Then went back to Dave's and played (I kid you not, everyone was about 22 or older), Hide and seek in the dark. HAH! Then we turned on the lights and chilled some more. Then everybody called it a night and went their ways. I went back and kicked it at Greg's for the night.

Monday:
We get up at 7ish I think. Greg drove me to the Everett Bus Station, and we spent a good hour or so just hanging out there. (Exciting I know). I was lucky enough to have Greg stay with me the whole time though. What a great guy! And then I caught the 9:30 greyhound to B-ham. Got to B-ham around 10:50. I had to work at noon. The next bus to my place wasn't until 11:30. So I walked 5 miles home. I had a few minutes to change my clothes and hop on my bike and ride to work. Then (I was supposed to work until 7:30pm and I wasn't going to be able to go to my grandma's for Christmas, so I was going to stay in B-ham for the rest of the week. That didn't happen.) My boss says she can get me out early to go to my grandma's so I call my cousin to come from Snohomish to pick me up and take me to Snohomish. So she gets there before I get done with work. I take less than 10 minutes to empty my bag that had all of my stuff from the weekend, and fill it up with fresh clothes, and I grab my camera and laptop this time. Then we head to Snohomish for Christmas with grandma. (The longest I have ever gone wearing my work clothes after work. YUK) Then I go to Shavawn's house, and we watch movies with her dad until 2:30am.

Tuesday:
I sleep, get up around 8am. Hang out and veg while everyone sleeps. My mom picks me up and takes me to their house. I hang out with the fam and expect a day of boredom because my family doesn't do anything Christmas day usually. Then everyone in my family found out that my mom was making her lasagna that EVERYONE loves. So They all came. So instead of my mom, me, brother, step-dad... we added three (pretty much) aunts, three uncles, five cousins, my grandma and her bf. I think that was all. So yeah, Christmas was really awesome instead of boring! I love hanging out with the whole family! So that was fun. Then when ppl left I went and hung out with Alan and we basically just talked for a while and then spent a good hour or so on the internet looking up comics and whatnot. The majority spent on xkcd. look it up. Then we realized that there wasn't much to do Christmas night in Lake Stevens, so I went home and slept in my sister's room because she wasn't there.

Wednesday:
I hang out with my Brother and his best friend Jeremy all day. Then at 7 my cousin Thiet came over with his wife we hadn't met yet (who is really rad), as well as a lot of the family that was there the day before. So again, lots of fun, just hanging out having a good time. Then after everyone left around 10:30pm I went out and met my friend Chris (I used to work with him at my old Starbucks in Everett, then he moved to Portland.) and some of our friends and they did some karaoke. Then we went to another place in M-ville and went out and danced. Who knew Marysville had dancing!? So we were out pretty stinkin' late. Another night in my sister's bed.

Thursday:
I meet up with Alan, Scott and Keith for lunch at Chang's. Then we got some coffee, then headed over to Scott's and just hung out and played some pool. And played 3 very different guitars all at the same time haha. We all play, except alan is still learning I think. He ended up leaving after a game of pool. So we had a good guitar that played well, and then an old classical guitar that had old nylon strings and a missing "D" string lol. And then a half sized guitar with the wrong strings, so it didn't keep a tune for more than 2 seconds. And we all did the best we could and jammed together. It was good times. Then we parted ways. I called work so that I could work later and stay one more night down south. It worked out. So I hung out at home (l-town) for a while and waited for Scott to call. Then I grabbed all of my stuff and Scott, Keith and I headed out to Keith's house in Wallingford (Seattle). We drop our stuff off and go to Dick's because they hadn't eaten yet. Then we went back to Keith's, watched a disturbing video, laughed, and then hopped on a bus for Freemont. We went to Norms, got some beer and met up with some of Keith's friends, and then went to the Red Door and Mandy met us there. So we all just hung out and had some beers and socialized. It was good times. Then I went with mandy in hopes for a comfy bed versus Keith's floor. Scott went with Keith. (The house mandy was house sitting was really cold and all of my stuff was at Keith's so I slept in my jeans and jacket... and well, couldn't really sleep.

Friday:
8am Mandy and I go do her rounds for dog sitting, then she brought me by Keith's so I could get my stuff and dropped me off at my fav. Starbucks in Wallingford. Then my friend Zee (who was in the area for a concert the night before... I work with here in b-ham) came and picked me up. We headed up to b-ham and caught up. It's been a while since we hung out. Then I worked a long day from noon to 7. I hadn't slept well in a long time, not to mention the several beers from the night before... I was tired. Then Scott, Keith and Alan headed up to B-ham to meet up with Ike and picked me up along the way. (Our whole Lake Stevens crew was re-united minus Will :( ) We hung out at Ike's, had a beer, then went to Boundary Bay Brewery. Had a nother beer, then when they kicked us out we went to the ranch room and had some greasy food. (YAY cheese fries!). Then went back to Ikes and hung out a little longer. Ike and I hadn't drank much so he took me home just because I was at least a few miles away from home and I wanted to sleep in my own bed for the first time in a week!

Saturday:
SLEEP IN. Get up around 1pm. Oh yes. Took a shower and called my Uncle. They came soon after so we could go to my great aunt Vi's house for Christmas. Big family christmas. Lots of deliscious food, lots of fabulous people. Good times all around. And came home. Decided to take the night off from fun ( I was supposed to go to my cousin's b-day thing in Everett. Lots of white trash drinking. And probably a cold uncomfortable place to attempt sleep.) I opted to go home to MY home, and veg. So after uploading the pics from the week, I wrote this blog while listeneing to the the Blow. And I am finished. Time to go see what's on TV and have some chocolate soy milk. YUM.

Oh yes, and thank you all so much for showing me a fantastic time! It's been the most fun I've had in far too long! :D

One question:

2007-12-16T22:14:00.001-08:00

If you have the time to read this short blog post, you might have time to respond with an answer. I am curious to understand everyone's view on one particular statement. So I would appreciate sincere responses please and thanks. It's just a curiosity on my part. :D What do you think of:

"I swear by my life and my love for it that I will not live my life for the sake of another man nor ask another man to live for mine."

Of course I would like to elaborate more on your responses later but I leave you with that one question. Kbye!

Deck the Hall Ball

2007-12-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Yessss. It was good. So my friend Eric bought us tickets to Deck for kindof an early Christmas present sort of thing. And it was a pretty sweet concert... I just have to highlight a little bit. Going in order of the show...

The Kooks Kicked it off with a pretty great show. I haven't really listened to much of their stuff but I definitely do have my days when I am in the mood for a little Brit-rock. They had a great sound and fantastic stage presence. Definitely one thing that will turn me on to a band is being able to perform. There are a lot of good studio bands that just suck at performing. So there were very few people at the "Comcast Arena" -Everett Events Center- to start off with. Once Jimmy eat world hit the stage is when the arena went from about 1/4 full to full up... but that's later. So though the crowd was meek in size, the Kooks rocked it off with great sound and stage presence as if it were an ampetheatre filled with thousands of people. Good show guys.

She Wants Revenge followed up after the kooks and put on a decent show. I kindof liked their music at first; It was different. But after hearing the whole album the "different" all sounded the same. I enjoyed the show, but they didn't have much of a stage presence so it was hard to stay focused on them. But they had a good sound and so I give them that. But they could have moved around a little but or something.

I was pretty excited to see Spoon. They put on a pretty good show. Yeah, they aren't very well known but they have some pretty rockin' music. Their music failed to stand out at the show though. It just kindof sounded like music from a vast general rock genre. They could have done SOMETHING to stand out a tiny bit. But I enjoyed their music anyways.

Coheed and Cambria. Now if I were to write an appropriate synopsis of their show in one word all I would have to say is "Hair". But I am going to go ahead and elaborate on a couple of other things here. First of all, this was my first experience rockin' out to a large poof of hair that somehow managed to spring out a body and play the guitar AND sing. That is some talented hair. Really though, they rocked the show. The duel off between the Lead guitar and the Lead singer playing his guitar with his face at this point in time was just awesome. Awweeessome. Yes. The rest of their show kicked ass, though I don't listen to them much, they knew how to play a show!

Now for the beloved Jimmy Eat World. Yes, I realize I am probably the only person on the planet that doesn't think that they are the coolest thing since space boots, but they of course put on a good show. Not my kind of music though. And Eric was really excited to see them until I expressed my disdain toward them. Then of course he acted like he didn't enjoy the show that much. Gosh I love when people can't just be themselves and just love the music they love and stop giving a shit if I or anyone else thinks that they sound like generic teenybopper preppy punk/emo rock. That's just my opinion. Blah, anyways they sounded good of course, and put on a good show... kudos.

I was drinkin drinkin drinkin drinkin coca coca cola... Modest Mouse. YES. YES. YES. I love this band so much more now that I have seen them in concert. I have never seen such an eclectic stage setup in my life. And I'm sure they would have had a few more things on that stage had their set not been a short hour long. Here are the instruments I saw:

Banjo, 3 electric guitars being played at the same time for a couple of songs, two drummers with two drum sets the whole time with perfect synchronization , an electric bass, an upright base, a box organ, an accordian, bongos, a viola, a keyboard, acoustic guitar. And that's all I remember seeing off hand. And all were played except the viola. (Their set was cut short :( )

Yeah, they are a multi-faceted band that is for sure. Oh and I will say this now... I SWOON over Eric Judy. He's super cute AND can play the Electric/Acoustic guitar, bass, accordian, box organ, and some percussion. As seen at this show.. I'm sure he can play more instruments than that. YUM. I love people that can play many instruments well. In fact I Swoon. Anyhow, they had amazing sound although during one of their songs... I can't remember which one it was, but they had WAY too much feedback going on, so all you heard was a static crackling really loud and no music. But the rest of the show sounded great. Isaac had a hard time balancing his two microphones (placed too close) and his electric guitar. There were several ear piercing moments with the feedback there, but he got the hang of it eventually.

Amazing performers, A band with 6 people, a zillion instruments and everyone had great energy. I can oogle all day about their show, but I will just listen to their music and rock out in my room instead. Good day.

A double updater

2007-12-04T01:12:00.000-08:00

Yep the previous update below is mostly about Samantha's wedding and my struggles and the such through the weekend of the wedding.. and now on to life in general. Well let's see. I've been in kindof a depressed state. I just really want to get caught back up on money. I want to get back into shape so I'm not tired all the time, I want to have more human contact with those that I really care about. The Tuesday lunch/tea days with Katrina are the only thing keeping me somewhat sane. But I hate that money is what is keeping me from seeing the people I really want to see. I hate that I broke my foot. Normally I think of these things as a lesson learned. But I all I learned from this was breaking your foot sucks no matter how you look at it. Especially when you can't work for a month and a half and still have bills to pay!

I can't wait to move to Seattle and make more money and go to school, and be closer to friends that actually want to hang out with me. Or at least make new friends that do. When I left Starbucks because of my foot I was hanging out with everyone all the time... by the time I came back I was barely existent in these people's subconscious. And it hasn't changed since. And it sucks. I miss being social and having fun... and being happy. Truly I am not happy anymore. I mean yay I have my dream camera, which makes me ecstatic when I have good opportunities to use it. But other than that I am pretty damned depressed. All I do is work or stay at home. It's a pain in the ass to get anywhere because the bus system here sucks. And I really enjoy time alone at home.. but not always. I am ready to unfold a new chapter in life. This one has drawn out and I am ready to move on and have a reason to be happy and strive for what I want in life.

Oh well, it's one of those things that will come in time and I can't force it prematurely because that would cause all sorts of chaos. And no I don't mean in a mystical this is how life was planned for me sort of way. I mean it in an objective I have to wait until I become a shift at Starbucks, move, and then become an ASM then Store manager. Things that are going to take some time and require a certain amount of patience and actions. So yeah, that's the lowdown on my life.. it's just kindof blah right now. But I am excited to hopefully see people when they come home for break, though I won't be able to afford to do much but it will be good to see them! Ciao for now, I need to go to bed! Today was another day that started off early with many errands, then I worked from 12:15pm to (supposed to be 7:45pm) about 11pm. Yeah... LONG day. Again. I am ready for some not so long days, unless they are long pleasurable days. :)

too much money, not enough sleep and 1400 pictures later...

2007-12-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

So I suppose it's about time to update this thing. Man have I been busy! I want to make time for friends, I feel like I'm working every hour of every day and have no time for anything yet I have no hours and no money because of it. I was almost all caught up from breaking my foot and not working for too long, and then I ended up spending a lot of money on stuff for my camera for Samantha's wedding.

Don't get me wrong... my payment for the photography was a $1200 camera. (Canon 40D DSLR). And then Matt's (my roommate) girlfriend let me borrow her standard 18-35mm zoom lens. Which ended up taking mostly blurry pics. ( I hate flash and will do anything to avoid using flash on a camera) But I bought a 20mm wide angle lens ( Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens) from a guy on Craigslist for $340. And rented one of canon's most expensive telephoto lenses (Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L) Which is pure badassery right there. I had to hold back the drool. Nearing 2,000 dollars, this lens was well worth the $40 weekend rental. So I had 3 lenses to use at the wedding. I bought a tripod, camera bag, extra battery... and I think that's it. But add that to the lens I bought, well I have no money. And I will probably have to beg the parents to help out with rent for one more month.

Advice to anyone.. NEVER EVER BREAK YOUR DAMN FOOT!!! Ugh! It has really screwed up this part of my life I can tell you that much!

Moving on, I was supposed to visit Greg this weekend. Man, I was so excited! But after this week of stress of a crazy work schedule... I am used to closing, which means my body is used to being active until midnight, and then winding down for a couple of hours and going to bed around 2am. Well this last week I had :
Monday, Work till midnight
Tuesday work till midnight
Wednesday work awekward day shift from 9am-4pm
Thursday START work at 3:45 AM (so my body wasn't ready to fall asleep until 2am... do the math)And then I didn't even get a nap (I generally take a nap on days I have to wake up before 6am. waking up at 3am constitutes a damn good nap! But I had to buy the stuff for the wedding, meet the guy about the lenses, and several other things. I went to bed around 10pm. LONG DAY

Friday I was pooped already and I worked at 5:15am (which meant waking up at 4am)until 1:45 in the afternoon, got out of the store around 2pm and was going to leave at 3pm to go to Woodinville for the wedding rehearsal dinner and take some pics... So I had an hour to pack... everything for the entire weekend since I planned on staying down in seattle till monday morning. So I packed super quick, met up with Erin and she forgot some stuff so we ended up leaving Bellingham around 4pm, and we made it to Woodinville before 5pm. (yeah, speeding much?) So we made it on time somehow. and then I took pics at the rehearsal dinner, and the rehearsal. I was TIRED TIRED I just wanted to sleep. Then Saturday was the wedding. My day started at 8am, getting ready to go take pics of the girls at 10am getting their pedicures. I had a detour of about a half an hour trying to find clothes to wear that weren't black. It was a challange but I succeeded, and apparently the guys like the outfit (no it wasn't anything special or exceptionally flattering) since I had two guys express their interest in me. haha oh weddings. And I met the girls at 10:30ish... it was kindof boring... you can only take so many photos of the same thing.. girls getting pedicures and sitting at a booth waiting for it all to dry. Then we carpooled to the church while the girls dolled up and I took many more photos. Then we had the everlasting photo shoot with everyone in every combination, then some pics with the snow... then more pics inside with people that had just showed up. I was ready to sit at that point. But the work must go on, I took a bunch of test photos with the lighting and whitebalance and all that jazz while everyone got ready for the ceremony.

Thankfully the ceremony was short and sweet. And the reception was fun, and also short and sweet. All in all a good time. But alas, I was dead tired. I had yet to have any sort of recovery time from the week that preceded this weekend! So I ended up waiting at the church until nearly everyone was gone because my brother took forever to leave, and the snow from lake stevens to woodinville on hwy9 was Ridiculous!! And then I finally made it to my cousins house to crash for the night. I got there and we were all pretty stinkin tired (about 10pm) but for some reason stayed up until about midnight or so. Then I totally crashed. Needless to say I am still recovering. Hence the reason I didn't visit Greg. I just went home a day early and relaxed as much as I could.

But the wedding was good and the photos so far are great. I took about 1400 pictures from a 10.1 megapixel camrea. So it's been taking some time to go through, edit and delete pictures. Last night I worked on it for about 2 hours and got through about 200 pictures. So apparently I have about 12 hours to go. YAY! Now I shall update on life aside from the wedding craziness...

Stress is eating me up inside.

2007-10-31T00:04:00.001-07:00

One thing I can say... I'll be happy when december 2nd comes and that is assuming I still have a job...

Yeah, so the pile of stress as of late has been due to figuring out how the hell I am supposed to buy a digital SLR camera before December 1st. (Preferably way before). So my mom called me yesterday while I was at work saying that we were having thanksgiving on December 1st with the whole family...(cousins...second cousins... the whole shabang) Lucky for me (NOT) I only get to see this part of the family 3 times a year. And thanksgiving is my FAVORITE time to see them. So I am supposed to do the photography for Samantha's wedding on December 1st. So A)I don't get to see my family or have thanksgiving. B)I don't have a camera for the wedding.

My camera got stolen in June and then I broke my foot in July ending up with me not working for about a month in a half. Which means I am behind on bills, no one I know has a Good enough camera (no offense) to take professional pictures for the wedding, and I don't have the money to get the camera and lenses I wanted to get for it. Damn broken foot! Further more on the broken foot... It has been pretty sore lately so I think I'm going to start wearing my stupid boot cast to work until I feel that it is healed. YAY!

So I got a letter in the mail today from the Starbucks family medical leave administration saying that because I didn't send in the forms on time, I will possibly get fired, or a corrective action plan. (which goes on my record with starbucks saying I've had serious enough problems with the company to where if I am even late once within the next 6 months to a year I WILL get canned.) THANKS DOCTOR for not having them done on time for me... when I told you when I needed them by. So that's great. I'm kindof freaking out a lot. I hate that a lot of really shitty things happen to me all the time and I am a good person, who works my ass off, who follows rules and it doesn't matter. That's just how the cards have always been laid out for me. If there is such a thing as Karma (which I don't believe there really is) .. The second half of my life had better be pretty damned magnificent! ARGH. And having this corrective action plan means I probably have to wait forever longer to promote... and I have to walk on egg shells for a friggin' year! I am so frustrated!

On to the happy things in life... I've been having fun hanging out with friends from time to time and meeting awesome new friends as well. And work has actually been FUN. I hope it stays that way. That is all for now...

Atlas Shrugged / Moving to Seattle

2007-10-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

This blog was edited because if I post everything I did, I would be left with nothing to discuss with people. So I learned a lot from reading Atlas Shrugged. A lot of life changing important things. If you want to know just ask.

I AM MOVING TO SEATTLE
When? Next summer/fall. It all depends on where I am at with promoting with Starbucks, I still plan to go to school and transfer my credits to a school down there. Here's the plan at the moment. I am working on promoting to being a shift. In recent conversation with my ASM (Assistant Store Manager) today we talked about where I am at with the whole promoting thing. She told me she is confused. Confused because I should already be a shift. I have done everything I can to get myself there, I am able for the job, and there really is nothing else I need to do to before promoting. The problem is that I am in a district that doesn't believe in promoting as far as I and everyone else can tell. Mary keeps asking for more (my store manager) and Laura as well (district manager). This is the reason I am transferring to Seattle next year.

The idea is I promote here in Bellingham somehow soon. And I will gain experience as a shift supervisor and get a little bit of a rise. I will do my best at saving some money, assuming that I will have enough hours with school and everything. (I'm going back to school in the Winter). And then in the summer/fall I will have had a decent amount of experience. The beauty of Seattle and Starbucks is that there are MANY Starbucks. And they are desperate for store managers. In fact there are many store managers that are managing two stores. Which means there are many many opportunities for promotion. And I will be able to promote quickly. Bellingham is just a super crappy district that just sucks on so many levels and it's nearly impossible to promote. I would have been a shift supervisor at my old store within the month that I moved up here. They were actually going to tell me that just after I left. But I was dumb and left. I should have become a shift first then transfered up here. I didn't know that this district sucked so much. But this time around I have done some research and there is so much opportunity in Seattle

At first I didn't want to be an ASM or a Store Manager, but I've decided to move up the corporate ladder and make good money at what I do well. And save up and eventually own my own business. I have many goals for life and plan to follow through with all of them. The time frames may change but I am completely comfortable with that. So as an ASM I will make a decent salary and be able to afford to live in Seattle. Which is the main reason that's keeping me from moving down there next week lol. But I won't be able to afford it on a Shift Supervisor pay, so I need to know that I can be an ASM. And with that, I will train rigorously, gain experience and within a year of moving to Seattle I want to be a Store Manager. Which I see happening realistically. And then I will make even more money. I feel as though I can manage people well and a store. Besides, if I didn't feel like I could adequately manage my own store, how would I expect to own and operate my own business?

So that is the plan. During that time I will be working on my photography and make an honest attempt at using my photography professionally whether it be a freelance photographer or just selling my photography in galleries. This is a realistic goal and it's something that makes me happy. During this time of climbing up the corporate ladder and working for Starbucks, I plan on saving money, earning credit, and owning a decent amount of stock. All of which will help me toward owning my own business in the future. So that is the plan at a glance. I need food now. Ciao.

And the verdict is in...

2007-09-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well I got my fourth set of X-Rays on my foot today and it turns out I still have a broken foot. (Really?) And I am not allowed to work for the next two weeks. (Awesome...) Yeah... so more being bored out of my mind. Anyways, on a happier note, today I had the first experience of riding busses down south without hassle or crazy stories. It was kinof nice for once. :) I'm almost done with Atlas Shrugged, so a report on that soon to come. Until then, I am down south (Everett) for the next couple of days so gimme a call if you want to hang out.

Ciao

I guess it would make more sense to wait.

2007-09-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Considering I get my x-rays done again tomorrow on my foot, I might have something of importance to blog about on that subject. Guess I'll have to return for another installment tomorrow. Anyhow, on with the business.

So I have spent the last 3 weeks not working due to my broken foot. Yay for that. I've gone crazy with boredom (saw that coming), and also had some time to reflect. Okay, too much time to reflect. But what can you expect when you spend hours on end by yourself. You can only avoid over analyzing for so long. Well that's a boring subject if you think about it. I mean, really people generally tend to over analyze the same things as anyone else. Friends, money, job, living situations, relationships, future, past, somehow I think it might be impossible to think of the now when you are over analyzing. So anyways, I've been thinking about all of that stuff. On to more interesting matters.

Let's see, for the last week before my condemnation to my house I got to go out with various friends from work every single night and have a great time. Then the first weekend I wasn't supposed to work, I worked 8 each day of memorial day weekend, working for Starbucks at Bumbershoot. It was an amazing experience. That is a long story, never have I been so incredibly frustrated, and happy so many time and so intensely in such a short period of time! Anyways, The week following I proceeded to go crazy with frustrations and annoyances. The second week things settled down I suppose. I spent a lot of time watching movies and documentaries on tvlinks, and reading. I am so close to being done with Atlas Shrugged! Man there will be a report on that when I finish. That book has changed so much of my life, It's insane really. And pretty great. Ohh the suspense of waiting. Anyways, and this week has started off with a FANTASTIC weekend :) and then mellowed out with a ridiculous amount of reading. Between the past 3 days I have read for about 24 hours or so. And I've also been working on some art, sketches and paintings, as well as daydreaming about finding my CAMERA! :(

So I guess that's all for now. Tomorrow the update on my foot. God I hope I get to go back to work! I hate not working or making money so I have things like FOOD and the such. And hopefully soon an update with the final closing of Atlas Shrugged which has taken over year to read. (I set it down for many months, I'm not that slow!) Peace out trouts.

Thoughts from a perplexed imagination about relation...

2007-08-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

It starts out simple and like... wow this is going to be interesting... she's commenting on Myspace. "Yawn."

So I was browsing on Alexi Murdoch's myspace page after searching around for tourdates of my favorite artists and I decided to check out his blogs. After all, he majored in Philosophy at Duke, and as one of the most inspiring lyricists I've ever heard I figured his blogs may be pretty interesting, or maybe shine a light on a different side of him.

"Get on with it."

Right. So I read a blog or two and see that in every post from almost every person who comments on his blog they say something like, "wow I can really relate to this." and to make it more pointless of a post that is the same as everyone else's they end it with a , "By the way, your concert I saw the other night was pretty sweet, man.".

Can I just say how much I would hate to have all of those pointless comments on my blogs? So it relates to you eh? Well why? How? In a blog that may seem so vague, you can't possibly know the complete context to which it was written! Maybe someday people will look at music a little differently and see some more of the roots, and maybe instead of, "wow that song really touched my heart..." people will see some context and not think that every single song relates to them. (because let's face it, most of the time it's really because you like the music and have no idea the full understanding of the lyrics)

Anyways, sure I say I can relate to this and that but if you give me the time of day... I usually have a pretty valid and detailed reason why, along with a pretty good understanding of the song. Not just the chorus. Alright, I'm ranting, and repeating myself. Just know that if you tell me that "you can relate to that" You'd better have a damn good explanation, because I'll ask. I'm tired of the same old boring conversation. Goodnight.

Yeah, I have a broken foot.

2007-08-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

So yeah, found out I had a broken foot. It's the big long bone that goes between the ankle and the pinky toe. Split right down. I should have asked for a copy of the x-ray. It's pretty bad. And I walked on it for 60 hour work weeks for two and a half weeks before I found out that it was broken so the bone has shifted and the bones are also a few millimeters apart. Not good. So lucky me, I get a strap on style boot cast that goes all the way to my knee. Pretty awesome. My first bone broken from dancing to James Brown at a freinds house. hahahaha oh man... in other news

I get to work the husky games for starbucks on Saturdays. Pretty sweet deal. I get a rad jacket and watch the game for free out of the deal as well. And I get to go to seattle every Saturday! W00T! I'm excited about that. AND I am probably working Bumbershoot for Starbucks, which means work 4 hours each day, and get a free pass for the whole thing. Lame deal I know... (not). So that's pretty exciting. Even if I get scheduled to work during the bands I want to see, I still get to see everything else for free so I'm not complaining. I also hear it's pretty darn fun, and we only have to do things like mochas and lattes where they don't get to be picky and order all the specifics hahaha so it will be sooooooo easy!! :D That is all for now!

kira-out

And the award for dumbest injuries goes to....

2007-08-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

After conversing with many people about my latest injury, I've come to realize that every one of my major injuries has been from something really dumb. I mean... generally you were doing something dumb to get injured I suppose, but really... I think if you add up all of my major injuries.. Mine take the cake over any amount of anyone elses dumb injury for example:

Latest injury... Possible broken foot. I have an appointment with a podiatrist on Wednesday to figure out if that is the case, but after much conversing with many people who have either experienced a broken foot or had someone they knew had a broken foot versus a sprain. Signs are pointing toward broken. SWEET!

Anyways.. cause of this injury. Well so far everyone has assumed rock climbing. I'm flattered... really. But was it climbing? no, any major sport? no... It was dancing. Yes, dancing in my friend's living room, I landed on my foot wrong and heard a pop. Now nearly two weeks later I have a foot that is still very swollen, and bruising that comes and goes. I've never had an injury where the bruising comes back after clearing up. Then again I've never broken a bone.

Another good one was the worst concussion I have ever had. Getting hit by a golf ball, on the last hole of the course, while sitting in a golf cart. The ball came from behind a building and trees, just barely missed the top of the cart, and hit my right in the forehead and knocked me out. Another stupid injury.

My largest and one of the most brutal scars 'I've had that covered my whole knee almost and went all the way down my shin to my anle.... a scar which is pretty much gone now. I was in Montana playing with my friend's dog and I was running back and forth and her dog decided not to run that time when we got out to turn around so when I turned around she was stopped right in my path and I tripped and took a dive into some awesome shale rock. I have pictures of afterwards haha.

There are more but yeah, those ones are pretty significant... one of my worst burns was from an electric skillet because my brother was chasing me around and I rand through the kitchen and the side my elbow ran across the entire length of about a foot and a half, maybe two foot long electric skillet that my mom was cooking omelets on. I remember that well.

And I will cap it off with my ears.. One chip is from dancing on a table when I was really little and I fell and hit my head and chipped my ear. On my other ear I have two chips the size of the diameter of a faucet from a bathtub. Yes I managed to hit my head on the faucet and chip two spots on my left ear for that one. And finally the cartlege in my right ear is broken from the top all the way down to my head from getting hit in the head with an electric guitar in high school. That was fun. (the guy had a soft case on his back and he was running down the hall and took an abrupt turn and bolted down the other direction and guitar swung around full force and met with my head... and my ear, nearly sending me to the ground. Almost got knocked out that time too. I have had far too many concussions Well that is all for now. Ciao.

Facebook | My Photos – temp for internet

2007-07-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Facebook | My Photos – temp for internet

Spontaneous Combustion

2007-06-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

I think I am going to explode. Yesterday, I showed up to work... and as usual I got thrown into a mess of computers not working (important ones), people not showing up, and then one of our espresso machines kept breaking so I litereally switched back and fourth between the drive through bar (broken) and lobby bar (which was being cleaned at the time and had zero suplies) about 5 times, while writing all of my cups for drive through and lobby because our expeditor screen broke and we had no DTO and it looked like the haulocost had happened behind the front counter. Yeaaah. Basically, I almost walked out. But I'm not stupid... so I didn't.

For those of you who don't work at Starbucks... you have no Idea what I am talking about, so imagine going to a desk job where you do lots of filing and lots of computer data entry. K, now imagine someone coming in to your office and taking that important, alphabetized stack of papers that took 5 days to get in order... and throwing them all about.. not just in your office, but they decided to take them all the way through the building.. and hell they ran down the street yelling WEEEE!!! Let's see if we can make someone quit their job!!! And whilst that is going on, you decide to get some of that important computer data entry stuff done. You type in a few long pages of information and as you turn around... someone unplugs your computer. Information gone. Now while you try to find a way to recover that information the computer crashes... and this happens several times, while your important alphabetized documents have been strewn about the entire city with no way of recovering every piece. Yeahhh... that's kindof what yesterday felt like.

My deducting skills tell me that I need to take a break from working. I thought I could get by with one day off a week. But I guess when you have two jobs and an unpredictable schedule (sometimes starting at 3:45am, and sometimes ending at midnight... and sometimes working both jobs when you basically have to work 3:45 to midnight with maybe an hour and a half break) one day is not enough. I am stressed. Extremely stressed... and for no reason. Other than I work too much. That is just dumb. I should not be stressed at the age of 21 because I work to much!! It's been a long time since I've let myself get this overwhelmed for such a long period of time by work. I need a break, or I am going to quit one of my jobs. And I am on the brink of promotion.. so that would be dumb. I know my strengths, I know my limits... I've worked at least two jobs at a time for the last 4 or maybe 5 years now, which is plenty of time to learn where those lines are. But I have problems with pushing my own limits all of the time. And I forget to take time for myself. I feel like I am stronger than the average person so I don't need to be weak and take a break to breathe. Yeah... that is dumb of me. And once again, I am paying for it.

My assistant store manager was reluctant at first to schedule me days where I work both jobs because she didn't want me to get burnt out. I told her that I know my limits and that this will work fine.. and I even remember saying that I know I will get burnt out, but I'll just cut back for a little while and then go back at it and it will all be good. And she looked at me like I was crazy and said "Okay... if that's what you really want, I'll schedule you for it... but becareful!" Well, I wasn't careful. And I pushed it too far. And I need a break. I took July 1st-3rd off from both jobs so I could have a break and celebrate my birthday and just plain not work. But unfortuately I am about to break... now. I can't wait that long! I tried to hold out... I really tried, but I am to broken down. My body is so sore that no matter what I do, I am in constant pain, my feet feel like they are bruised on the bottom from being on them for so long, I have constant headaches and my back is way worse than usual. I am so tired and irratble.. and that's not me! I'm not the alawys annoyed kindof personality... and yet here I am. I think I will get people to cover some of my shifts next week, eventhough I need the monies and just rest. Well, one other thing that has brought me an unusual amount of stress is not being able to drive. For anyone who absolutely loves driving (me)... It really really sucks not having a working car for over 3 months. I am so done with that.. .I miss seattle, I miss seeing freinds down south. I miss driving and SINGING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS!!

This is Kira... about to combust into a fury of madness...

Oh, well. I guess it's time eh?

2007-05-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well I've figured out what I am going to do with my life as far as a career goes anyways. I figured this out several months ago, and I guess most people still don't know so I thought I'd blog it. W00T. So here's the plan...

Next fall I am going to go to Watcom Community College to get my Buisness Associates. I am going to hate taking buisness classes, so I have decided to take the first two years, learning important stuff like buisness law and all of that important stuff that you learn at the beginning anyways, and then I am going to have fun with the rest of my college career. You see, I have decided to own my own climbing gym. Nothing seems more fitting than that for me. I am a born leader, I don't like working under other people. I know a lot about climbing gyms (working at one for 7 years will do that). Not only did I teach classes, but I did a ton of filing, some ordering, some advertising, working with the team, scheduling, computer crap. I basically did it all. So I figure I have a pretty decent background in climbing gym basics. Many people these days just go out there and start a buisness with no schooling in buisness, and they do just fine. I thik with my background knowledge as well as experience in management, plus an Buisness Associates.. I know I'll do just fine.

I decided that if I go to a 4 year and major in Buisness, I will shoot myself. Not really but I know the first two years are going to be boring enough, I don't think I can withstand the torture of 4. So after my two years at Whatcom, I will decide wether it is feesable or not to start my climbing gym then. (I also plan on doing other things to help me along the way, like talk to people that have started their own buisnesses, as well as get out there and get my hands dirty with more mountaineering and the such.) And then I plan to transfer to Western and major in something that makes me happy, like art or music. That way once my buisness becomes profitable and sustainable, I can use my other college skills to do things like, open a gallery, or become a music or art instructor. Either way... I will have options and the necessary skills.

So the toughest part of the whole thing will be when I am starting my buisness... and attempting college. I know people that are currently doing that, so I know it can be done, but I am comfortable with taking a reign check if I need to get the buisness up and running before I get back to the books. Well anyways, that is my plan at a glance, for those who haven't heard it. ciao for now!

I dislike ignorance.

2007-05-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

So I recently joined a group on Facebook called "I'm going green". Yeah I'm a hippy sometimes. Anyways, it is headed by the multi-billion dollar company that I work for called Starbucks. Now I am far from being THE advocate for Starbucks and all of it's decisions... I realize there are plenty of faults within the company and many things to be improved... but then again.. I have yet to work for a perfect company! Well a fantastically ignorant person who is a former Starbucks "partner" decided to post her views about the company. While parts of her argument were true (and mind you this topic is a bit far fetched for relevance with going green), they were very one sided, and not full truths. So here goes... it is long, but how often do I get a chance to really debate something with some real facts? Generally I debate about subjective stuff like life, relationships blah de blah, but the following is pretty much factual. Bah...

Ashley Carone (USF) wrote:
This is just Starbucks trying to make themselves look good. The corporation is an abomination.

I worked there, I know.

Want to talk about recycling?? Saving energy? Feeding the homeless? This is what Starbucks does.

Starbucks buys land from poor farmers over in latin america, africa, asia, deforests the rainforest to make space for all their coffee trees. Then, to make themselves look good they'll build a school in the village, and send their head honchos over there for photo ops so they can show the photographs and videos in "Starbucks experience" classes for new employees, and release the pictures to the media to demonstrate their "environmental responsibility". Starbucks pays the farmers only a very small portion of the profits for each pound of coffee sold.

For example, in Starbucks recent venture to grow, roast and sell their black apron exclusive Shirkina Ethiopian Sidamo, they treated the farmers completely unfairly. Starbucks claims that they have free trade and organic coffee, yet as far as I know, the only coffees that are explicitly labeled organic are Mexican Shade Grown organic, Cafe estima fair trade certified and serena organic. So out of the 35 coffees that Starbucks currently offers, only 3 are organic or fair trade certified. Misleading much??

Every morning, Starbucks gets a delivery from a milk truck. Gallons and gallons of milk are unloaded and put in the walk in refrigerator in the back. Every couple days or so, they get a pastry order, where massive amounts of muffins, loaves, cakes, and cookies are put in the walk in or on shelves. The primary refrigerator at the bar is loaded at all times tieh 6 gallons of whole milk, 6 gallons of skim, 4 heavy creams and 4 half and halfs. This fridge gets refilled on a busy day atleast 3 times. That's 36 gallons of milk a day. That's about 250 gallons of milk a week. Do you know where all of those completely recyclable plastic milk jugs go?? The trash. Then to a dumpster, then to a landfill. That's 1,000 plastic milk jugs a month, and 12,000 a year.

As for starbucks offering coffee? yeah we do. Did you know that we brew 3 different types of coffee at all times and dump them out and waste them after an hour? Due to the amount of "lattes" and frappucinos being made, coffee is not in high demand, except in the morning. So all the farmer's hard work literally goes down the drain... I have poured out countless gallons of coffee from the carafes, wasted, wasted, wasted. If Starbucks cared about conserving resources, they wouldn't dump them out every hour. The carafes keep them hot, and they're freshly ground and freshly opened bags, therefore keeping the coffee for 2 hours wouldn't hurt, and would save a lot of coffee.

Environmentally sustainable?? I don't think so. All Starbucks does is feed their wallets while putting on a facade of environmental and social responsibility. If you watched the video I watched at the starbucks experience class you'd probably laugh. It's so staged. The starbucks head honchos going to Ethiopia in their khakis and polo shirts, smiling and posing with starving skinny ethiopians next to a school they built.. the ceo's wandering through the coffee fields while "cultural" music plays in the background and the sun sets in the horizon. It's all part of an image. Just as the "artwork" you see on the walls and on the coffee bags and literature in starbucks is an image.

It's all part of a bigger plan to trick people into giving them 5 dollars for a cup of fattening, steamed burnt milk infused with sugar and artificial flavoring and an espresso shot pulled from an automatic machine.

Espresso is an art in italy, starbucks has turned it into a corporation. Who can make the fastest cappuccino, the fastest latte... Do you know when you get tested to be a barista you have to make 5 drinks in 5minutes?? A perfect espresso shot takes 18-24 seconds to pull, while steamed milk takes 30-45 seconds to heat to 150 degrees. That is barely enough time to separate the foam, pour the shot, pour the milk, top it with foam and a lid and hand it off. Baristas are expected to satisfy the drink orders in a ridiculously short amount of time.

Ever seen a starbucks during a rush? It resembles a fast food restaurant. all the baristas look happy and smiling behind the counter, but that is because we're trained to look like that, provide a "3rd place" for the customer, and pretty much do whatever the customer says and wants.

This policy is ridiculous and makes a lot of the customers think that they are entitled to do and say whatever they want to us. Once, a girl and her boyfriend came in and asked for a vanilla espresso. We dont have anything on the menu called that. We have a vanilla latte, a vanilla creme frappucino, we could do a shot of espresso with vanilla in it, I tried to explain to her, as she yells back "just get me a vanilla espresso", again, I say.. do you mean a vanilla latte?? A vanilla latte is steamed milk and espresso with vanilla flavoring.. and she yells at me "ARE YOU STUPID? JUST SHUT UP AnD GET me A VANILLA ESPRESSO!!". and I cry, because I'm sensitive like that. Starbucks encourages greedy consumerism and entitlement syndrome.

There are baristas that will rave about starbucks and it's benefits and how awesome it is to work there, and that's great if they enjoy it, but I did not enjoy being part of a multi-billion dollar slave industry that supports the robbing of impoverished and displaced farmers.

And starting a 7 dollars an hour, it definitely isn't worth it.

So, I conclude that starbucks is a big FAT FAKE.

the end.

Kira Helm (Seattle) Wrote:

Interesting. So being a partner myself, no, I don't believe Starbucks is perfect in every way. I know it has many flaws, but tell me a company that doesn't?

So yeah, Starbucks builds schools in starving nations to help educate the farmers and their families. But oh, they take pictures... well would you believe them if they told you that they did such things without evidence? I think not. Starbucks gets the brunt of a lot of discrimination mainly because it is a corporation and because it is expensive. Take those aspects away, and nobody would argue about Starbucks! So if that is the reason why you hate it then voice your opinion about corporations and over pricing! It's pretty easy to pick on such a successful company that everyone else (join the bandwagon folks) criticise. Way to make yourself popular... Sorry, I have no just discredited everything else that I am about to say. A prominent rule in journalism.

Anyways, if you read that Starbucks was supporting farmers by paying some of the highest prices for coffee, as well as building schools and giving them clean water would you believe it? Without evidence, I presume not. And if you were to tell me otherwise, then I proudly call B.S. Human nature, American Culture... if we don't see it, we don't believe it. If Starbucks didn't advertise their part in helping the farmers and yadda yadda, then all of these fallacies that people banter on about might actually destroy the company. But oh, check that out... they give money to the poor... damn them... (cause that makes sense?)

About wasted coffee, I agree, but then again Starbucks is all about professionalism as well as Fine coffee. Hence the mission statement

"To establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining out uncompromising principals as we grow."

Isn't that what corporations are about... Oooh she said the evil "C" word. Yeah, to be the best... I don't know about you, but when I own my own business, I don't stop at mediocre. But that's just a philosophy of life that I follow. A business doesn't make money by being mediocre. A business makes money by being better than the other guy. And if you are against that, then you are in turn against any job you have ever had, any means of making money, and economy as you know it. I agree that Starbucks has gone a little far with coffee going bad after an hour... two hours... I'd go with that, but at the same time you have to keep in mind demographics. Maybe your store didn't go through much coffee, but my store sure does. Part of that is educating the regulars as well as other customers about the varieties of coffee so they expand their coffee tasting horizons... cheesy? yes.. true... yes. Also with Starbucks sharing a small portion of their profit with the growers... again.. Starbucks pays more. And if we gave them a huge chunk, we wouldn't be able to pay for all of the benefits and yadda yadda that keep Starbucks running. Oh yeah... they have to make a profit to be able to invest in partners, benefits, and new horizons.

Question, do you remember how much it costs to make coffee CERTIFIED organic? Yeah... they have to switch everything over. Their soil, has to be perfectly free of all of the pesticides, which means, if they were previously used.... that dirt has to be hauled away and new dirt has to be cultivated in, and while MOST of our growers practice organic growing methods, it costs thousands and then some to get certified and keep it that way. Not to mention, when you switch over to an all organic growing method, you lose MORE than HALF of your whole farm of beans. That is a lot of beans friend. And a lot of profit for the farmers... gone. A lot of companies now offer organic coffees. But it generally comes from one location, one farming community. Starbucks gets their coffee from all over the world from MANY farms.

As a company grows, the demands get higher, business gets busier, and tell me, how am I going to make every customers drink in under 3 minutes if I have to tamper each espresso shot with a manual machine. I believe espresso is an art. It takes skill to make a good espresso from a manual machine, and it's fun too. But in a busy store, that is just not possible! If had time, and wanted hand crafted espresso, they wouldn't come to Starbucks. And there are still stores in Seattle that have those machines, as well as some of the older, slower stores that tamp their shots. With the verismos that we have now, it is plenty easy to get drinks out in under 3 minutes. It just takes a good team and a skilled barista. If you don't care about your job, then it's not going to happen. But I know for damn sure, that I've gone through a rush with 36 cars in a half an hour time period. Yeah, less than a minute per drink, and you'd damn well better believe those are quality drinks coming from me. you just have to have a good team to rinse those pitchers and keep the cars moving. Anyways, moving on.

Yeah, the Starbucks experience class was incredibly cheesy, and so are a lot of their tactics... but it works. It gets people excited, and after all, that's what advertisement is about.

Oh yeah, and most machines at least here in Washington, the shots pull between 13 and 17 seconds, and if you steam enough milk you can make two drinks with it... GASP... do the math, it's not hard to make 5 drinks in 5 minutes!

As far as recycling, that just has to do with your region, and specifics to what type of recycling plants you have in your city. Not every area has the right facilities. As for the stores I have worked at, we recycle all of our milk jugs, syrup bottles, plastic cups, and cardboard.

I agree with the spoiled customers. I was FAR from a spoiled child, and frankly I don't get along with spoiled people. But at the same time, that's exactly how Starbucks keeps its customers coming back, is to tend to their every need... to some extent. I have had plenty of customers that don't know what the hell they are talking about, but while I'm being yelled at... I don't stand there and cry... good lord. I calmly explain what the differences are of each drink and if they don't get it... then you just have to say, well I'll give you a vanilla espresso, which is defined as espresso shots with vanilla flavor, and if that's not it, then let me know so we can figure out what you mean. And I actually have had to do that with many customers. If you go through life crying every time someone yells at you, you are just going to get stomped on for the rest of your life... have fun with that. As far as working for a multi-billion dollar "slave industry" that supports the robbing of impoverished and displaced farmers by paying more than any other company and building and supporting communities... well gosh darn it... I'm going to keep on working for a company that knows what the hell they are doing. :)

I don't mean to sound like a jackass. If you would ask any one of my friends, they would tell you that I am probably one of the nicest people they have ever met. I just don't like when people are close minded and ignorant when arguing something.

Peace.

Kira's bus adventures!

2007-04-25T00:46:00.000-07:00

My car is no longer working so I decided to venture back to my home town of Lake Stevens via city busses. about $4 versus $20 each way for greyhound. While greyhound is a little more convenient... its not worth the extra money!

So my adventure.... I got a ride from my freind Luke to the mount vernon station, and caught a commuter bus to Everett. I almost missed the bus!! But I caught it just in time. The bus driver was suprisingly good looking and young! I was going to make an effort to strike up a conversation but I had already sat too far back, and I didn't want to move up and be creepy. ( I guess that just means I'll have to make this adventure again and hope he's the bus driver!).
Then from Everett, I waited about 20 minutes and caught a commuter to Lake Stevens and walked home from a local bus stop. As I got off of the Lake stevens commuter... the bus started to leave and then stopped by the other girl that had gotten off at that stop. I looked back wondering what was up and she looked at me and shrugged her shoulders.. so I was like... ooookay? So I kept walking home when I realized I was missing my phone!! It was too late to run the bus down so I got pretty pissed. If the lady that was sitting next to me went to the effor to stop the bus to see if it was my phone, they could have at least made an effort to holler out the window and ask not just stop and assume that I know what's going on with my purse and my bag, and my iPod in hand. Too many things to keep track of!!

Anyways, so I meandered home all sorts of pissed off that I wasn't going to have my phone. ( I was supposed to hang out with 3 people that day and I didn't have their numbers memorised... technology these days!) So I got home and called my cousin to get my best friends cell number (she just got a new one..) and then I called my friend Shavawn, and she didnt answer. Then my freind Mandy showed up at my house wondering why I wouldn't answer my phone and she was all annoyed until I told her what was up. Thankfully she came straight to my house and didn't wait for me to call.... she's from seattle and I had her license that she left up in bellingham the day before so it was kindof important that we connected and got that taken care of!

Then Mandy drove me to the lake stevens bus station where I proceded to wait for two of the 280 busses hoping it was the one with my phone, and all the while I made a fool of myself asking for my phone and they looked at me like I was crazy. That was an adventure and a half so far! Finally I caught up with Shavawn and told her I'd meet her after I chased busses... so Mandy and I decided to go to my old pizza place and get some DELISCIOUS pizza. I got to see a few of my old co-workers and some of them were like... people keep asking about you! lol. So that was kindof cool.

And then we met up with my freind Shavawn at my old starbucks to have some coffee and catch up. I was suprised to see that I knew almost everyone that was working!! (they have gotten a plethera of new people since I left) It was so exciting! So I got to catch up with them, and one of my best friends that quit that store a long time ago happened to come in to study so that was even more exciting! So after we caught up over coffee, shavawn and I headed to my cousins to visit... but she wasnt home... and then we went back to my house to get my iPod (which was charging) and then back to Shavawns house and we hung out with the fam and did some more catching up...

Then I slept on their couch with the cats running back and fort nonstop all night and jumping on me, and tickling my ear from sniffing me... yeah I didn't sleep until about a half an hour before we had to get up to leave. So at 6am Shavawn woke me up and she dropped me off at the Everett Station on her way to school where I caught the skagit connector bus just in time. I pulled out my iPod and i was just going to sleep on the way up to Mount Vernon when I realized that for some reason my iPod didn't charge at all... it was completely dead. No music for two hours of riding a bus and a half an hour of sitting in a station waiting... LAME! So I arrived at the Skagit bus station in MV and sat in the freezing station for about 45 minutes only to have the security lady yell at me for having my feet up on the seat! YOUR'E NOT MY MOM LADY!!! I gave her some nasty looks behind her back as the only other girl that was in the station laughed a little bit.

Then I hopped on another freezing bus with plenty of wind (the first bus was really cold too) and squeezed in with a myriad of other folks headed up to the b-ham and got off at the bus station there on lincoln street. Instead of being smart and getting on the 105 bus to keep my dry and bring me the rest of the way home I decided to walk... in the pouring rain. Dumb idea. Anyways, then I came home, stayed awake for a while and then napped far too long .. until about 4or so and worked from 7:15 to midnight... So that was my long drawn out adventure!

Oh yeah, and the whole reason for going home was to load all of my music off of my iPod onto my families computer (because my hard drive is too small) and put the files onto a few cd's so I can take them off and on my computer easily! And I didnt even do that! Oh man! So there we go. I think I am going to do the adventure again soonish if I have time. I just dont want to be so pressed for time next time... oh yeah and not lose my phone!

Passion?

2007-03-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

So, a little while back, I was talking to my freind Patrick about Nikola Tesla. He was an Amazing person!! Some amazing inventions, an amazing thinker. We were talking about how amazing it would be to be so passionate about something that nothing else mattered. Tesla wasn't a girl chaser, he didn't really care about anything but his inventions really. In fact, many of the times, he would come up with an amazing invention, and instead of getting a patent on it, and possibly making a TON of money on them, he just felt satisfied knowing that he did it, and just moved on to the next thing. (for the most part).

Anyways, we had a good conversation about how amazing it would be to be so passionate about something that nothing else mattered. Like, I've wished I was that passionate about art, and music. How awesome would that be? To be that focused, nothing distracting you... Just pure passion for what you love! I've been frustrated that I haven't had that passion for something. Well from time to time I've been there with climbing... back in the day lol. But yeah, never that One thing that I can call mine, my passion, something I want to do for the rest of my life.

Well I think I've figured it out... Now, maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'll come back and write another blog about how I was wrong, and I've finally found my passion... ahahahaha okay that's not going to happen, so I'm going to go out and make a bold statement. Maybe I'll never be as passionate about music, art, and climbing as I'd like to... but one passion Tesla didn't have, that I do.. Is to live life and to have fun. He didn't care about a strong group of friends, about love, about experiencing life the same way I do. I don't think I'd be happy if I were that passioate about ONE thing. Or you could even say my one thing is experiencing LIFE! Maybe I can't make a career of life per say, or I won't be famous one day because I was passionate about life... about having fun.. about me. So what? I like to experience life a litte different than sir Telsa. And I am perfectly happy with that! So that is my passion. :) And I love it! Yum! Here I've been passionate all along!

Spring is here!!!

2007-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

YAY

Sometimes it's nice to feel like a princess

2007-03-28T01:34:00.001-07:00

Sometimes. :P I got bored and had fun with my camera and one of my pretty dresses. A good waste of an hour or so. :D

2007-03-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

2007-03-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

2007-03-28T01:31:00.001-07:00

2007-03-28T01:31:00.000-07:00

2007-03-28T01:30:00.001-07:00

2007-03-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

2007-03-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

2007-03-28T01:28:00.000-07:00

Reflections, Questions, and Answers

2007-03-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

The las week has posed to be a week of self exploration. No, not like that my dirty minded freinds.

You see, I have this strange ability to step back from a situation and see it from the perspective of someone who has already her lesson. Because I have in many of the situations I have run into lately. Here's a quick example of what I mean:

Take an old situation from many months ago... this doesn't effect any part of my life at the moment but it's just a good example of what I mean. So when my last boyfreind and I ran into a rough patch, we discussed it. Basically he was gone for a couple of months in Sweden, and missed me very much. It was very much like a scene from a movie when I picked him up from the airport, where I got a phone call that he was finally in baggage claim (oh I realize how ironic that is ahaha) and we both were so insanely excited to see eachother again. But then after a day of him being back home (temporarily) he got in a serious funk. Apparently when he travels, and comes back home, he always gets this way. He gets in a panic and basically freaks out about everything in his life. He told me he thought this time would be different because he missed me so much, so he would be happy to be home. And he was, for a day. Anyways, after that whole situation, he was distant the whole time, except a few times when he could tell I was hurt and he comforted me and told me it was only temporary. But it never changed. He went back to Sweden for another 2 works (he works for boeing) and I talked to him for a total of I think 3 conversations that were really awekward and just didn't feel right. When he came back home after being in sweden for a total of 4 months, we tried to feel things out and see if things were going to work. All the while, that last two months I knew it wasn't but I held on anyways. So we discussed it, and we never really came to an official "decision" but in the end I basically decided it was over. And I think it was just something we both knew without saying... so having that long, yet abbriviated background here is the relevence to the origional subject:
When we discussed the situation he asked me what I wanted to do and I quite frankly said: "What I want to do and what I should do are two different things. What I want is to do the illogical thing and stick with it and hope that we will get through this and things will be like they used to be. What I SHOULD do is end it. Because we both know it's not going to work."

That was the first time I had stepped back from my emotions and put logic into the situation actively. (And I'm sure glad I did, because though we went through a rough patch where things were tough, we are freinds now and I really don't think of him other than just a freind that now just knows me better than most. In a way it almost makes you closer freinds than your closest freinds sometiems, if you let yourself move on that is.) There have been many times where I have thought it but never said it, or denied what I know is going to happen. So lately I have discovered that I have been very reflective in the sense that I have been in a few interesting situations where I have stepped back and thought about it logically. I get all emotional and upset for a few minutes and then I step back and say hey, I don't know the full extent of the situation, and there are things that need to be felt out before anything can really be anticipated.

Finances are a huge part of my state of happiness. No I don't need money to be happy, I just need to be paid on time, and the right amount so I can pay my bills... that makes Kira happy. So lately because Starbucks screwed me over on my last 3 paychecks, I have been living off of my $40ish a week from tips for food, gas and going out with freinds. I am amazed that so far I've been doing fine with that. But that is one thing that has pushed my emotions a bit. Ever since I've started working, I have always worked as hard as I can for the most part, trying to kick ass at every job I've had not to prove anything to anyone, except myself. Yet here I am living off tips... makes sense? Not really. So sometimes stuff like that bothers me A LOT but I hide it really well. I'm terrible like that. But I finally have a second job, and more hours at Starbucks, and an amazing assistant store manager who is more than willing to help me out with what I need as far as a schedule goes. That takes away sooo much stress for me. And Starbucks has finally caught me up on my paychecks. But all the while I had to pay rent late and stuff like that so when you have to pay $900 for rent in one month plus other costs, that kinda takes out a big chunk. So I am ready for next month, and two paychecks. :)

So we apply this to now. Most people don't know the full extent of "the life of Kira" and the cards I have been dealt. They've been pretty shitty to put it plainly. But at the same time, all of these times in life where I am forced conceivably past my emotional limit, here I am and many a lesson I have learned. And now we jump into the same problems that most people my age deal with. None of the stuff I have been dealing with in the last little while is different than anyone else my age. Things like:

Q. What the hell am I doing, not going to school, and not being anywhere close to being done with college or a career.
A. Because I have chosen to pack up and leave town for a place where I can concentrate without the distractions of my family and constant chaos. So realize that you are going to school next year, and it's already planned and figured out. So STOP FRETTING KIRA!!

Q. What am I going to do with myself? I am so fickle and I am passionate about a lot of things in life, it's so hard to choose one and stick with it.
A. Be passionate about everything you want to be passionate about, and let it be what it is, sure picking something would probably be good, but if it's too hard, then it will probably take some time to be revealed. It will come to you, just hold on a little longer and keep exploring options.

Q. Do I have to choose one and stick with it?
A. Of course not, though it's the safe route, but who wants safe when you have your whole life to live an adventure and be successful at as many thin

Q. Why does everyone feel the need to ask the question why whenever bad things happen to them when they know there is no definite answer.
A. Because it's the easiest thing to do when you are too afraid to examine the situation and realize it's probably a situation that you can take control over and fix, so stop being so flighty and take some responsibility for your life... P.S. sometimes ther are a lot of things you can't control, and you just have to let that happen.

Q. Why do I go through phases of being a hobbit and not being social when I am usually such a social butterfly?
A. Because you are human. Duh.

Q. Why do I worry about relationships when I am only 21 and have so much to learn and figure out?
A. Because you never know when you will find a person that you can be with for the rest of your life and you can't choose it either. You could be 15, or 20, or 45. You can't choose who you are attracted to, and when you will be attracted to someone or even why. All you can do is evaluate this situation, and learn to not over analyze.

Q. Why can't everyone know me for everything I am, and not judge me on the little that they see.
A. Because you pride yourself in being unpredictable (to an extent) and you would be upset if everyone could "figure you out" EVER. (my best friend of 12 years still hasn't "figured me out")

Q. Why is it that I can be so happy being single and at the same time when I am very attracted to someone, all reason goes out the door?
A. Because you are independant, so being single is no big deal, and part two because again, you are human. And as much logic as we try to apply to situations, sometimes you just have to let your emotions play a role in decision making too. ohh I have to remember that one.

Q. Why is do you feel so light when you have vented by typing a bunch of words on a blog no one hardly reads.
A. Because of the fact that hopefully one person has read it, and that one person knows a little side of you that most people don't, and it's comforting to know that maybe someone cares a little bit.

Lately I have found that because I can answer most of my own questions, and I have learned so many lessons and have applied my lessons, I keep running into situations that are still so difficult and I can't figure them out! I have a question, I know the answer, yet it means nothing. How frustrating. It's like the lessons I have learned are pointless (eventhough they're not) But because no situation is exactly the same as another, you can only apply parts of lessons learned and figure out the rest... and maybe what I have learned from past experiences will help me figure out current ones a little easier... SEE?? DAMN! I answered my question again!! And I wasn't trying to. Well there you have it... I am done rambling and I realize that this blog turned out to be nothing like I thought it would be.

So here is a little bit of who I am. And yes, my thoughts are always that scattered and I am constantly answering my own questions. I try to be logical about my decisions and I try not to let into my emotions...(which leads me to overanalyzing everything tooooo much)... Mainly because OVERLY emotional people really bother me. But at the same time, I know that I don't let my emotions play enough of a role in my life, and that can make life a little dissatisfying sometimes... So I am learning. Anyways.... Oy! And now I feel better about my life, because I have vented to the internet. Yay for being a nerd. Good day freinds. And yes I kept the reasons for current thoughts on my blog quite vague because there are things I would much rather talk about in person than spilling over the internet. ;) So if your'e curious just ask, I am very open person and personal questions don't offend me.

Life is...

2007-02-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

Pretty fantastic right now. In pretty much every way. We'll just exclude the car as usual aha aha. *sigh*

No Place Like Home

2007-02-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

Well here it is. Now I suppose with a title like that you may think... "Hmm Kira actually misses living with her family?". Well not so much. No place like home. I feel that way now. I finally feel like I am at "Home" when I go home. When I leave for work and know that when I go home to take a nap I can actually sleep because my mom isn't stomping around, yelling at kids, smoking cigarettes in the house so I get to breathe in second hand smoke and feel as healthy as a emphysema patient with a great lack of sleep. Yes, I am home. Finally. I am a little bit in awe at how quickly I have made this place my home, no awekward feeling of intrusion since I am living in a place where someone has already been living since August. That's probably because I have the awesomest roomate ever.. more on that later.

The Condo

Let's see... here are some details: I have a decent sized room with a closet twice the size of my old closet... and yes, it is packed full already with clothes, sports equipment and shoes. I have my own heater in my room so if for some reason I am freezing, I can just crank that baby up and be cozy in no time. Matt (my roomate)also said I can use the coat closet that's kindof in our hall-ish area. When I brought up a dresser for all of my art supplies, and my real mattress,(I was sleeping on a floor mattress before... which got old fast.) I realized quickly that I didn't have much floor space. So with careful thought and menuvering I put the dresser in the coat closet, and there is still room for coats, the tool box and the vaccum! Go me! It's so nice to be able to paint whenever I want because I have ROOM. In fact I've already started a new painting. Our kitchen is small, but every time we go grocery shopping, I find new ways to organize things so everything fits and still makes sense. Our living room is comfortable with an electric fireplace, and we also have a decent sized balcony outside my window. :) I get a HUGE bathroom (when I showed Ike, Alan and Katrina they were like, "we could have a party in your bathroom it so big!") haha and a full size washer and dryer hide behind closet doors in my bathroom. Matt has a room across the living room and his own small bathroom and Huge walk in closet. I LOVE this place!

The Roomie

So my roomate Matt is pretty much awesome. Our personalities are a good match haha, we're both weird that's for sure. He loves bored games, so I brought a pretty good selection up from home... YAY! We want to have a boardgame night every week. He's not a messy guy, although I clean a lot so he feels kinda bad that he doesn't clean as much. I don't really care though cause it's never really messy. Anyways, We both know a lot of the same people, and also he has a lot of friends that I don't know... but that kindof happens when you go to school for somewhere for several months. His friends are great so it's always fun to have people over :) playing board games and watching movies. Good times. Plus he has ...perhapse a new girlie frined who is SUPER fun to hang out with so eventhough I have a ton of guy friends up here that I love, It's nice to have another girl around from time to time. So yeah, that's my roomie, he's rad... I got lucky with having a rad roomate at a rad place!

The Job

So I transferred Starbucks and I now work at the drivethrough starbucks about a minute away from my house. I would take advantage of the fact that I can walk to and from work with ease if I wasn't an opener. Yes, they have me... the "morning person" as an opener. I actually think I'm starting to get used to it, but I HATE going to bed at 9pm. I have to be to work at 3:45am. Gross! So sometimes when Kelsey (matt's girlfriendish person) comes over and wants to hang out and I am sad because I have to sleep. Or I'll be over at Taylor and Steve's place and have to peace out early to go to bed. Lame. But I am getting better at napping and still going about the rest of my day... kindof. Anyways, Every single person I work with is pretty much awesome. I miss everyone from my Everett store LOTS though. :( sad day. But I was suprised at how welcome everyone here made me feel right away. I keep getting compilements on how I seem to be getting the new system of everything down now, which is encouraging, because they do SO many things different at this store! Pretty much everyone here is laid back (yes reefer comments aside) even all of the customers. If you take forever on a drink, they don't care! It's weird to think of Everett as an uptight city but man, these countryfolk are just sweet as pie. Okay sorry for that one, it slipped out. Anyways, I love that I am so close to everything here and yet I feel like I am in the country. There are trees everywhere, lots of parks, and climbing much closer. I would be all sorts of excited about Baker being way closer, but I haven't gone up snowboarding even once this year. :( Sad day. I dunno, this place just feels like home. As much as I thought I would miss being closer to the city, and Seattle, I just feel more relaxed here! Anyways no more rambling! Have a good day all!

No more idle chit chat, Wassup with that?

2006-12-14T14:12:00.000-08:00

Okay. So here I am about to spill my guts, so if you don't feel like reading a long blog about things that are important to me, no not a survey of things everyone already knows about me, but about what I feel, then you might as well hit the back button now.

Depression and Lack of Consentration

So the last month or so I have been really depressed. Mainly because my boyfreind broke up with me, and as it always goes with anything like this, he was absolutely amazing in every way. But peoples minds change, you or I can't help that. But I didn't let it get to me this time. Usually I accept the fact that yeah, I'm gonna cry, yeah I'm gonna be depressed, and yeah I'll get over it. So this time I tried to skip all that and just go on being me. Well that all worked fine and dandy until I helped him clean his apartment (that I stayed in for four months while he was in Sweeden) because he was moving. Scrubbing everything down, I had a lot to think about and I got really depressed. And then later that night I had a wierd movie like ending to our relationship that I thought never actually happened in real life. Anyways, after that night, everything went down hill really fast. As much as I try to be happy all the time, I kept trying to just deal with the fact that we are done and that's that. Well it hasn't been working at all. So yeah, I've been REALLY depressed. Which lead me to be REALLY unmotivated.

Lack of Motivation, Depression

So we skip through this last month; a recap if you will. I can't get him out of my head. That sucks. I've been sitting at home wasting away hours on the internet... mostly myspace, when I could be reading, working on essays for art colleges, sooo many things I need to do, but I can't. I can't concentrate on anything. When people talk, I have the hardest time just concentrating on one sentance at a time. So if I seem like I've just been really dense or not paying attention lately, well really that's what's been going on. I've wanted to paint, to read, to learn, to play my guitar, to climb and get into shape. But all of that takes consentration, which I have none. Not even to pay attention to an entire half hour episode of a T.V. Show. That is bad. I know I am a bit of an ADD child but this is out of controll.

I can't recall, nor can I comprehend?

So last night, I was supposed to climb with Chris. (that guy who is killing the consentration) Well I got there and realized I forgot all of my climbing gear. Again, lack of consentration maybe? Anyways, I tried to talk to him about where I was at in the book that he lent to me to read. And for the life of me, I couldn't remember where I was at in the book. As we walked down the street to find some place to eat, I struggled to think about where the hell I was at in this book. And I thought to myself, damn, this must be why he dumped me. I can't remember simple things. I can't concentrate, I can't think for myself. Well after a while I remembered and I explained where I was in the book. And he asked me about what I think Ayn Rand's philosphy is that she is try to get across so far in the book. And I just simply said "I am terrible at interperating things in my own words". And that was that. Seriously, he gives me a book to read and learn about philosophy, and I haven't even taken the time to consider the philpsophy. Well I have, but I can't explain it. Which means that I really haven't thought about it enough. And I felt like I was incapable of making my own judgements, and I am afraid of people thinking I am dumb because I can't interperate an obvious notion being plastered all over this book. Again lack of consentration?

Last Night, Disappointment

I can't consentrate. I am temporarily Dense. It's not even questionable. Why? Because I am depressed. Well, I was. I think I'm better now. Or one step closer to better. After leaving Chris last night, after we discussed a little about how we LOVE (not) our jobs, and where we are in life at this very moment; as well as discussing him leaving for Montana (home) next Thursday until the 2nd. I hate it. I hate not wanting to him, but I want him to go home, because I know that will make him happy. And I know it will give him time to think about what he wants in life, and what he needs in life (besides a good vacation). But I hate knowing he is happier far away from here, away from where I am. It kills me to know that he Hates living here, he despises his job now, and he is just genereally not happy, and it kills me to know I live in this place of unhappiness for him. It makes me feel like I am making him unhappy too, even though he has made it known that that is not true. Anyways rambling on, last night I went to Jordan's house with Jennie, because Jordan is leaving soon, and life really sucks for her for many reasons right now, so we wanted to just have fun, discuss life, and just get stuff off of our chests. lol not litterally. Perverts. Anyways, we had a great time and finally passed out at about 5 something AM. So this morning I dropped Jennie off so she could get ready for work, and then I went home, got online and then took a nap, kindof. Except all of this stuff was racing through my head. So I thought it through some, took a nap, took a shower, ate some food. Thought some more and decided to get this all off out of my head by blogging.

Realization
(No I am no longer inhebriated)

I realized for the first time this morning how depressed I really have been. I also realized stuff like I have never been to the point where I am lacking so much consentration that I can't even watch a mindless T.V. show for a half an hour. I realized that this was serious. I realized that I have had no purpose this last month or two. I've just been working, and even then, for what? I can't consentrate on anything. I just lie in bed staring at the screen. Sometimes not even thinking. I might as well be a cracked out pot head that can't even think for herself anymore. Sounds like a great life right? Hell no! I realized last night that the last few years of my life has been filled with idle chit chat, meaningless rambling, it all means nothing. Yeah, I care about your day, and how life has been and what you are up to, but is that the only thing we ever discuss. Chances are yes. I don't want to be that person I can't stand anymore. I don't want to be that one that when I walk up you think to yourself, oh yay here comes Kira... guess what we are going to talk about today... Starbucks drama! Who could have guessed? Anyone! There is no meaningful thought going up up here in this attic!

Philosophy, Regaining my Sanity a little bit

I realized I want to talk to people about things other than just life. I want to know what you think about work. Why are we here? I realize that I have just merely existing, working and barely paying bills living in a prison called my bedroom. There is no escape anymore. I can't even "escape" to my room because I feel like I am trapped in here. I can't be in the rest of my house because it smells like an ashtray. YUM! Anyways, I want to know why you are doing what you do. I want to challenge myself to keep that in my head, and I want to challenge others to keep that in theirs. Are you working toward a carreer that is just to make lots of money, or is it for a purpose. There is nothing worse than having a CAREER you dislike. Yeah sure we have jobs that suck sometimes, big deal, but I'm talking about something you want to do forever. It's sad that it is an uncommon thought that you can make a lot of money doing something you LOVE to do! You just have to be passionate enough to persue it! Seriously, think of anything ANYTHING and you can make great money doing it. The trick is, you have to put everything into it. You can even make money just climbing. Yeah, being a climbing bum. Just devote more passion than you want to admit you have to doing the sport and you will get good enough, you just have to want it bad. So anyways, philosophy, or something like that. I am learning that too many people waste their lives with idle chit chat. I don't care if your fish died yesterday. It was a fish. All you can do with a fish is stare at it and feed it, and clean its poopy tank. How about while you are wasting your time on a pet that you cant even PET, you go live your dream. Think about things. Create an opinion. I realize I don't have an opinion about a lot of things, but I should. I want it to be educated and not blind. And that's always my escape. I can just say I haven't studied about it or whatever. Well How about I stop being lazy and start caring?! Okay done.

Okay, pretty much done now

So if you see me being lazy or idle, or not paying attention, do me a favor and smack me in the face, because I'm done with that. Now. It's never too early or too late to start doing what you want, and start being passionate about anything! So get off your asses and go have fun with life and be happy with what you are doing and who you are! (yeah I'm just talking to myself now hah). Whew, I feel better now.

B-Ham here I come...

2006-11-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

So after a couple of years, pondering moving to Bellingham for various reasons. It's finally going to happen. So here's how everything went/is going down.

Most people know that I have pondering moving to b-ham for a long time, but I get stuck in life where I am at. This summer, I lived in Seattle at my (now ex)Boyfreind's place. I LOVED it! But anyways, sometimes I find situations or people that hold me where I'm at (not holding me back, just making me want to stay where I already am). Last year, around early springtimeish, I was seriously considering moving to Bellingham, and I was prepared to transfer stores and make the move. Then Alas, I found Chris... or he found me rather. So I was comfortable with staying in the Everett area, and wasn't too eager to move to Bellingham anymore. Well, as like with all my boyfriends, he dumped me. Yay for that. (Boo) And so what else is keeping me down south? Not much. Shavawn lives down here but I will visit her often. We both have come to terms with that. So many of the awesome peole at work have left my work, I don't get prodeals at the crags or now "Vertical World" anymore so, all I get are few hours and crappy pay. So I've decided I shall move to Bellingham!

Many people ask... Why Bellingham? Well the answers are simple.

*Most of my closest freinds live in Bellingham. Excluding Will, Scott, Alan and Keith of course, but they are elsewhere in the country.
*There happens to be 5 starbucks in Bellingham and I happen to be at a job where I can transfer stores! No quitting, to re-hiring! Fabulous.
*Bellingham Starbucks happens to like partners (employees) that aren't students due to their more open schedules. (points for me!)
*I get to live in a NICE brand spankin new condo for $400 a month.
*I finally get to move out! Seattle was temporary, but it was a good prequal I think.
*A fresh start for me... A place I can study, work on my art, be in a living room without smelling like an ashtray! (Gasp). And closer to a bigger mountain... Yeeeahhh.

So that is that. I talked to my store manager, and I will be making calls to all the B-ham Starbucks on Monday. I will also be looking for a waitressing job, or something of the like, in a couple weeks or so probably. So I can afford life a little easier. I will be living with my freind Matt. He's a cool kid I know from the climbing gym who just moved up there recently so it'll be fun. He's a very laid back person like me, and he's not messy (at least that I've seen haha) so we will be a good match for roomates. And he's freinds with all my b-ham friends too! W00T. This is going to be good. :)

Some days (or weeks) are better than others

2006-11-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

Too bad this is one of the others :( I was doing so well too. This is exactly how I feel. Poo.

Postal Service Videos | Movie Clips | Chicago Homes For Sale

Seatte adventures...I'm With Stupid.. and The Secret Machines

2006-10-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

Does it sound random? yeah.... So I've been up to this that and the other thing lately. I got sick of working all the time, having not so much fun and having nothing to show for working so hard. So lately I have begun a phase of spreading myself thin, so I can have FUN... I almost forgot that word ... What it meant.. yeah. My brain is fried. Anyways, I have been on some climbing adventures, some wandering around Seattle adventures, some Photographic adventures, and to see the SECRET MACHINES in concert!

Yesss. I totally forgot they were playing until I got an e-mail from the Showbox saying... "The secret machines tonight... doors at eight...yadda yadda) And I was like DANGIT! I wanted to go to that sooo bad. But I prolly shouldnt spend the money on tickets, and I was gonna hang out with Mandy... And yeah. So I've wanted to see them since they came in to town last year.. or maybe it was two years ago... yes it was. Anyways, Then I saw this thing that said Send and e-mail to (insert guys name) with the subject "Secret Machines" and your full name before 6pm for free tickets. Winners will be announced by 6pm. I never win anything but I was like... what the heck. It's worth a shot.

Then I forgot about it cause I was Shmoozing around on the internet and waiting for Mandy to call so we could hang out. Then I was like... Hmmm... I guess I'll check my e-mail really quick before I call Mandy and head out. And then I see an e-mail from a guy I didn't know... I was very confused. And then I opened it and it said... Your'e in +1! So I was like SWEET. I just won something. I get to see the Secret Machines..FOR FREE.. and hang out with Mandy. Today, is a good day. (and it was my day off). So here are the pictures... the concert was awesome. They played a lot of their new songs. I don't have their new album (I'll have to work on that), but they were all great. Check out my picatures!!

2006-10-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Good Show!

2006-10-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

Guitarist/Vocalist... skinny jean wearer...Ben Curtis.

2006-10-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Not a good picture, but all I could get from my angle of Drummer Josh Garza

2006-10-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

Lead singer/Piano/Bass Brandon Curtis

2006-10-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, Rockin out to Sad and Lonely. My favorite Secret Machines song.. They opened with that song :)

2006-10-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

Rockin' out

2006-10-18T22:39:00.001-07:00

Happy kids

2006-10-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Brendan... the sign says it all.. hah hah. :P

2006-10-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Chris. He is pretty much one of the coolest kids that I know. We had adventures in seattle one day. :) He's a good subject.

2006-10-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ahhh the city life

2006-10-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

I made him walk down the alley way

2006-09-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Setting up rappel after cleaning a route.

Julie and I like to climb outside....

2006-09-27T16:29:00.001-07:00

So we decided to head up to Exit 38 yesterday and play on some real rock. It was very fun. We rocked out in the car, all the way there and back, with some loud conversation over the loud music. Ahhh I forget how fun Julie is sometimes! And so yeah, we got there did a couple routes, it felt really good to lead again. Julie wasn't quite ready to lead or clean yet, so I got to climb a little extra to set up and clean the routes. It was really fun. Although we got a late start because she had to work until 2, so by the time we left, the trail down was getting rediculously dark. I warned Julie of my klutziness so I might fall a few times, but it turned out she took a little slip for me and I made it with no falls! Don't worry she didn't get hurt she just kindof gracefully sat down. haha it was a good laugh anyways. Soooo yeah enjoy some silly pictures, we didn't take too many but here they are! :)

2006-09-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

This is the face of an avid climber... perhaps that's why the sport is getting more popular hahaha I love you Julie! haha

2006-09-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

Climb Julie Climb!

2006-09-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

Me cleaning my route... Julie wasn't quite ready to clean routes yet... which means I get to climb it twice! Yesss

2006-09-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Insert quote ... "uhhh this is you you set it up right" ... followed by Kira freaking out a little bit... haha

2006-09-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

You wish you were this sexy with a climbing rope in your mouth.... ew haha

2006-09-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

The rock we climbethed, well one of them anywho...

2006-09-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Julie is a hand talker haha

2006-09-25T00:36:00.000-07:00

Silly nights with Silly people

I miss him

2006-09-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

Man, I hate this. I hate questioning things, I hate wondering. Sometimes wondering and not knowing everything is great because the quest for knowledge is part of the fun. But sometimes you wish you could just crawl inside peoples heads and see what's goin on in there, heck, sometimes I wish I could do it to myself. Anyways, I miss Chris, I don't know if he misses me, I don't really get to talk to him, but sometimes you get lucky and find the most amazing thing to happen to you, and then it can be so good, you wonder if something so good can actually last? Well, I know he's havin' a hard time deciding what to do with his life, whether he really want's to live where he lives, whether the job is worth spending all his time and life doing, or if there is something else out there. I know the feeling, we all do, and sometimes it makes us disconnect and feel a bit out of it and just really unsure about everything. So I feel like I'm being selfish and a little bit rude in a way wondering whether I play in the equation, or if it's just a mass of confusion and nothing will be ironed out for a while. It's just hard thinking back to such splendid/sublime memories of times that are just to perfect to explain. And how without quarrel or i dont even know, that things can just fall apart. I don't even know if they are, or if I'm overreacting, which I do sometimes when I have too much time to think, or what.

Anyways, I just want to make a statement, that I have never felt the way I have with Chris, with anyone before. I can't even describe it, and my point is, he is far away, and I miss him, and the nonstop smiling and laughter, and silly dancing, and every little moment, I miss it all. And he's worth every second, hour, day, month of missing him... did I mention.. that I miss him? Well . I do! And they are keeping him even longer! Sweden is now not on the good side of things for me right now haha. Bastards. Hopefully he'll be home end of October/ Beginning of November. We'll see. He must be doing something right for them to keep him for so long! I dunno how things will be but for now, I miss him like crazy, every day, every night and this is my ode to that.

One thing he has taught me, is that I need to live life for myself, and I've always been really good at living my life for everyone else, and neglecting myself. So a thought has been dwelling in my mind, am I living for him? Or am I living for myself? Well, I made a decision, that he makes me happy and I adore him, and all of my decisions are for myself, I am living for me. It's a good thing to think about... you should try it sometime. I think a lot of people forget that sometimes being selfish isn't such a bad thing. Who are you living your life for? ... Anyways, I am an expert rambler, so I'm done... G'night all... ahhh venting is a wonderful thing sometimes.

2006-09-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

City of Rocks Idaho.. climbing anyone?

2006-09-25T00:16:00.001-07:00

You wish you were this cool.

2006-09-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

Handsome devil

5

2006-08-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

That's right, 5 more days until Chris comes back... and then... we are going raod trippin'. I CAN'T WAIT. So I had to post about it. He's been gone wayyy too long, (since the beginning of July) So We are gonna have lots of fun from the 31st-9th. WooOOoo.. And then it's back to Sweden for him... Until the end of September. :( Lame. Oh BTW, our roadtrip will be based on a rock climbing destination that we have yet to pick, so if anyone has some awesome Idears, Lemme know!

2006-08-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Cool sihouette of gasworks

2006-08-14T14:20:00.001-07:00

Yay for cartwheels... you can tell amanda works at the climbing gym ahaha

2006-08-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

carefully observing the sign

2006-08-14T14:19:00.001-07:00

Come patsy,