Rejecting your reality...

Well, I AM planning a small one come summer, BUT considering I'm more technically covering San Diego Comic-Con for the Allspark... Maybe not so much of a vacation. On the other hand, after uploading the pics/reporting, I am free to browse about the halls and DT San Diego. Provided I don't get trampled over.

Well, that, and maybe Anime Expo, as I base my attendance primarily on the guest list. If it's someone who has worked on a series that I'm a big fan of, I'm more than likely to attend it.

Who knew paper-pushing can be so exhaustive.

Moving on to the brighter side of life *hears a couple whistling*, Happy Winter-based Holidays to all of you! :D Yeah, "Winter-based Holidays". XD So, go easy on spiking that eggnog, don't tamper the turkey/duck/ham/what-have-you-protein-based-centerpiece, try to keep the fingers out of the dessert until it's time, and...

PLEASE, do NOT drink AND drive. Or even drive after having several drinks. If you gotta get home, get a designated driver, m'kay? It'll be better for EVERYONE. *hic*

Considering the bruhaha Livejournal is going through at the moment, I felt it was prudent to move to Dreamwidth.

Granted, I don't update my LJ all that often (heck, maybe even this one!), but it's still nice to have a spare account if I want to vent without having to look at the fugliness.

Peace out!

Wow, almost two months. XD Lessee...

San Diego Comic-Con 2011

Surprisingly, I wasn't as burned out as from last year's marathon driving (despite having to do commute again), but con fatigue was still unavoidable. I'm just glad I didn't crashed into anything or anyone. (Although saying that, I probably jinxed myself for next year's SDCC...) Pretty much worked my keister off covering for the Allspark, live net and video, as well trying to pick up some con exclusives for a couple of pals (sadly, I missed out on the majority of them due to the really, really, really long lines). That was work (well, I AM covering for the Allspark! :3), but I was able to have some of my own fun that wasn't Transformers related, like attending the Marvel vs. Capcom panel. Speaking of net coverage, I was able to work something out with the staff at the Allspark, picking up a wireless adapter that worked quite well so it was much better than last year's coverage. For SDCC 2012, I'm hoping to get lucky on having a place to stay down there, at least split the cost with someone else. If not, so as long I'm able to attend, I'll probably survive the commute. << >>

Work

I am now working as an office assistant at a law office! It's a bit small, there's always a mountain of paperwork, I keep making mistakes, I keep bugging my senior coworkers, and I'm enjoying it. XD Truthfully, it's pretty nice. I'm actually learning a bit on how things work in the legal system when it comes to workers compensation (other than it moves really slow), even though I occasionally build up a tiny backlog of paperwork to sort through. Dealing with clients? Being the new kid, the majority of them on the phone are rather understanding. (I do, however, have to hand over the calls over to the more experienced coworkers that know their cases - I just shuffle the paperwork). Now, I'm just saving up to be able to hopefully pay off a couple things as well FINALLY get a few pieces of equipment that I've been hoping for.

I should update this more often... XD

Bah. Nothing much really. Still job hunting (sent off a couple applications), and now gearing up for BotCon coverage. I'm wishing I could remember where I put one of my memory cards, but 32 gigs is probably more than enough on photos and videos. Next thing is wishing on San Diego Comic-Con, and I"m not even sure I can make it this year... *sighs about gas prices and poor car*

Fan side, I've been floating about Devil May Cry. Granted, I haven't quite played any of the games entirely through (it's on my bucket list), though YouTube walkthrough vids has more than enough educated me. << >> As well having picked up several artbooks, the novels and manga in both English and Japanese. (Hey! It's a bit healthier than crack! And they're my anti-drug!)

Why, yes! I tend to fluctuate on my fandoms! Why do you ask? I like to think of it expanding my diversity of things I'm interested in! ;P

Wish I could drink, but since I'm recovering from a bug, I'm not going to.

Whatever. Healthier for me, at least. I don't really care for alcohol consumption, anyway...

Happy New Year from the past, people! :D

Bullsh1t! Bullsh1t, bullsh1t, bullsh1t!!! I finally receive my box of magazines from a friend in Japan and I find that it's been tampered with! BS! What's missing? About half the magazines and one's been ripped of its contents, leaving behind only the cover!! What's more, the perpetrator had the GALL to leave behind some random books that I'm not likely to read (two STILL with their Borders price stickers)! However, they left behind a fully filled photo album dating back to 2004. Which means I'll probably have to post it up at craigslist or wherever and see if anyone's missing their album. After I try to talk with the postmaster.

Granted, it took about 2 months for my magazines to arrive (Surface mail) and those are kinda replaceable (though a PAIN to obtain), but family photos? Those are irreplaceable memories. If anything at the very least, I want my magazines back.

And to whomever out there who stole my magazines, MAIL TAMPERING IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. D:< Plus, that photo album? Low, REAL LOW.

And it's temporary, again. At the American Girl Place in LA, again. Ah well. It'll do in the interim while I poke about. Time to start saving up for that piece of camera equipment I've been wanting! And TF comics, and the Japanese magazines that covers TF (I dislike one of the stores where I have to buy them due to them inflating the price, but they usually get their stuff reasonably on time in the US), and the occasional tchotchke...

Working at AGP now isn't as noisy as it was back during the holidays last year, but that may change, since I just got started again. Who knows, the summer can be almost as crazy as during winter. New stuff, the place is going through some renovations (which surprised me), and a couple things changed locations due to said renovations. Being back in merchandise handling, like riding a bike with new obstacles. (I swear, I'll have to buy those kneepads or foot pads one of these days.) Sore muscles are sore again.

What else have I've been doing? Last weekend, volunteering at IDW's booth during San Diego Comic-Con 2010. EXHAUSTING. Not just from standing for 6 hours each day, but from the commuting. AGAIN. While it could've been five days of driving instead of four from last year, as I was working on Preview Night as well, I was lucky enough to spend a night at a motel with some pals (VERY grateful to them, even if I got the floor). My eyeballs and nerves were all but screaming murder after the con. In fact, I was already getting hit by con fatigue on the second day (or third, if you include Preview Night). Hopefully next year, I'll be able to split a motel room with extra people that's also heading down there. I can cover 5-days of gas (and a bit of food on the side), but no way can I cover 5-days of most motel rates by myself. Arggh... and then there's BOTCON in Pasadena as well. SERIOUS con fatigue...

BUT.... temporary. Yes, for those of us poor sods living in the good ol' US of A, it's Census time! What's that, I hear? You already sent in your forms before April 1? Good for you! For those that already sent in your forms, or might've run into some bad luck, or didn't do so, welcome us knocking on your doors! Cue the usual struggle on keeping awake during training and the sore muscles from the walking. And lookie! MOAR paperwork! :B Meh, who am I kidding. So as long it helps fuel my addic- I mean, my growing pile of a reading material (manga, art books, magazines, trade paperbacks) collection, as well DVD/BD and the occasional video game collection, I'm a bit happy. (Although the thing I do to my mags and some of my manga would make bibliophiles cry for my blood... << >>)

Although, I'm still hoping on finding a longer-term and more stable job in the future, even if it pays at a lower rate. So many wishes... BotCon and San Diego Comic-Con this year are definite ones. BC still hasn't gotten online registration up yet (at this time) and then there's airfare with hotel. SDCC is completely sold out this year (by MONTHS ahead) and I don't know if I could handle driving 4-days straight from Los Angeles to San Diego again (shaky, slept past 1pm after the con for a few days, sore muscles).

But, considering the whole reports of the economy getting better, even if it's just a little, I'm a little hopeful.

And I mean it. I knew there was going to be a lot of walking as Merchandise Handler (heh, my "title" at American Girl Place) but I didn't quite expect THAT MUCH. I'm even more sore than I was on my first day as a lister for the Census back in spring! Thank goodness we have Chinese medicine patches that helps quite a bit (best used after a hot bath/shower and overnight).

How's working there? Exhausting and maybe a bit demanding. I'm working the the Historical Characters section where there are rooms set up for each of the Historical dolls - for example, Felicity would have colonial materials in a large display, alongside her dolls and numerous accessories so people can see what comes with her (such as her horse Penny, her sleeping clothes, table and tea set, etc.). Most of the time, it's just making sure the dolls are properly displayed on the floor and there's enough of their peripherals. Yesterday, I more or less finagling the radio and got a few words for not responding to the radio as often as I should, and I won't deny that I certainly deserved it (however, in my defense, I rarely had to use a radio that much in the past, so that's one thing to quickly learn).

The bright side? Hearing the delight and excitement in the girls' voices when they see the various displays and rooms, their eyes practically shining.