PROFILING

Adventures in canvassing --

The funniest thing happened to me on my way to  saving the universe?  No -- on my census route.  I was stop by the po po or as some would call them the police, and questioned.  I call it a WWB (walking while BEAUTIFUL).  I know on rare occasions this happens to "BEAUTIFUL" people, and considering I am amongst the small percentage of "BEAUTIFUL" people here in the SCV I will take it as an honor to be escorted around my canvassing area by a nice officer, who happened to be "BEAUTIFUL" himself.  When I brought this up in our meeting later on tonight I found that I was on a list of being stopped all alone - just me.  Some woman, however did complain to the police about one other lister being on her property - the police  had no time for this complaint.

So heads up all -- the census bureau has hired a bunch of people and even BEAUTIFUL people to produce an accurate census for 2010 - we will be walking your neighborhoods and doing what we were called upon to do - protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America - so help us GOD.  

Ciao Y'all

And it Starts

After a week of training, today was d-day.  What a day it was.  I believe there will be more days like this one but at least the first one is over and in the books.  Not exactly sure how much map is left from this area with the three teams updating, but thinking that mid May- to complete this area map updating - is a lofty goal.  What I know is that I will do my duty - give it my all - because everything I do is from a place deep inside my heart.  THOUGHT I'D PLUG L"AMORE, because that's what I would rather be doing to earn a living (soon real soon).

Ciao Y'all

BASTARDI - Male Influence

Can I vent?!  My web log - so I will.  

When someone tells someone else that they will do something, should someone be able to rest assure that the other someone will get it done?  I think yes.  But so many times people mouth words they don't have any intention on doing.  But when you - as someone - make clear to someone, that this will occur so they need to make arrangements for the outcome -- do they take you seriously?  Or believe you are like they are, and will do nothing - especially not what you say?

hmm...

Tonight I make no apologies for someone else not doing what he said he would do.  I will not take the blame for the miss-action of this person - especially because he had ample time to do the right thing.  So don't hate me because I no longer wish to be a masochist to a narcissus.  I resigned as governor of the universe.  Retirement is good, and life is joyful.  

So it use the words of this inconsiderate bastardi "'f' em and feed em beans"!

Ciao Y'all

What to Discard

Today I heard the Governator talking about "tent city".  Apparently Sacramento has one during these tough times.  This is for real like Hooverville, which existed during the great depression(as I learned from the movie Cinderella Man).  

So has it come to this or is this an extreme for a few -- there are only about 200 men and women residing in "tent city".  I seems like life is going on  and most are making the best of their fate, but are we still not giving up enough?  I personally don't have any choice in the things I have had to give up, but I still try to get the things that have been the norm in my mere existence.  Should I not?  

What to discard?

Our homes - did that by default.  Our cars - can't do that because it's paid for and that would mean a car note that I can't afford.  Our pedi/mani's - my fingers and toes haven't looked this bad in a long while.  Why is it that someone else can do such a perfect job with my finger and toe nails?  Our vacations - this may cause a lot of disagreement and probably some fights and estrangements -- but should you discard the time you spend with your family on vacation?  I was thinking yes - save - but to the extent where no memories are being made.  I then thought - no - sacrifice somewhere else - life's too short and tomorrow may never come  My father died this year, not having lived his last year on this earth.  So I will be thankful for the census bureau for hiring me and I will save and not discard.

Peace be still.  

Ciao Y'all

Baseball Matters

DODGERS' season opener:  April 6, 4:05 PM at San Diego Padres

DODGERS' home opener:    April 13, 1:10 PM against San Francisco Giants

I unfortunately will not in the stands for either, but I will catch a game in a first base line seat this season. You gotta root root root for the home team.  Did you sign up for Fantasy Baseball 2009 yet?

And since baseball matters, yesterday was my spring training in the field as a fed with a real situation.  Monday comes the real thing, I will no longer mark the "being trained" box on my time card.  Cool.  We'll see how well I can juggle many plates.

Ciao Y'all

"Good luck"

... a challenge or a dare or a flippant response from underestimation?  As you like it but I wonder if Marko portrayed by Arben Bajraktaraj would have thought twice if he knew the consequence for his part in the taking of Bryan's (Liam Neeson) daughter Kim (Maggie Grace), would be fatal.  Fatal because Bryan was very serious, as any parent with a sense of urgency to rescue their child. from kidnappers. 

This was more though.  It was the collectedness of Liam Neeson's words that drove the premise of this movie...

"I don't know who you are.  I don't know what you want.  If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money.  But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career.  Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.  If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it.  I will not look for you, I will not pursue you.  But If you don't < class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Taken.  We knew his goal and we knew he was capable of achieving this goal

Like the premise, the story, the cast, the action, and being back in a theater with popcorn and a soft drink.  A night out after four days of intensive training for the census bureau - well deserved.  Worth the ticket, don't wait for the video.

Ciao Y'all

My heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Neeson and his family in the loss of his wife Natasha Richardson.

Movie photo courtesy of www.imdb.com

Over Thinking It

Have you ever been told that?

Thinking this is what Gregory means when he says "nobody cares".  When someone gets so caught up in their own head that they feel like somebody's watching them constantly.  Paranoia at it's best, but off track.  

Sitting in training today that what was going on with everyone -- the over-thinking.  Over-thinking because we want to do the best job ever for this 2010 census.  60 some brilliant minds in a room -- DUDE -- this is going to be a ride for sure.

Ciao Y'all

Official Business

My day was filled with official business -- the business of bureaucracy at its best.  I - as a 2010 census worker - along with my fellow countrymen/women were Bond James Bond, and told to take our mission seriously.  I even heard the old "if I tell you then I have to kill you" bit.  Funny thing -- that person might not have been kidding.

Beware, anyone who used to gossip with someone who now works for the census bureau -- there will be no more flapping of the lips.  We will be fined and imprisoned for breaching confidential information concerning the census.  Also, if a census worker is fired he/she can NEVER run for Federal office (any federal office).  

It's official.

Ciao Y'all

"Don't Be A Pig Stank"

Such a great quote from "The Male Influence" entry -- words of wisdom from my brother Curtis.  Have I heard any interesting words of wisdom from that species since than?  Why Yes I have.  

While at a little league baseball game I heard t he coach tell one of his player to wait for the ball to be in your "happy spot".  HAPPY SPOT?  Thinking that must be the place were a particular player can wail on a ball, knocking it out of the park.  Thing is - this player is not 5 or 7 or 9 or even 11, 12, or 13 - he is 14.  

Yes people, real men say real things like HAPPY SPOT.

Ciao Y'all

Finger Printed, Sniffed, and Sworn In

That was my day -- Finger printed, sniffed, and sworn in.  They say you have to live an interesting life to write interesting works of art.  I'd say today was pretty interesting.

If a creative mind, not in the habit of punching someone else's clock, must take one for the team, then I believe I found the right gig (although I already have 2 extremely important jobs plus 2 careers I pursue).  I woke early, got to the place where the training was scheduled, and outside of learning that I could have slept another half hour (my administrator had given me and several others 8AM vice 8:30), I was going to keep an open mind.  I was only 15 minutes away from my home so if I chose, I could slip out if things got to bad.  

Things didn't get bad.  All was well -- even the finger printing (especially when the woman standng in line behind me told me that it reminded her of times gone by when she and her parents where finger printed because they fought for civil rights), and then she sniffed me (siting that I smelled good).  The swearing in actually took place before anything else because we couldn't do anything until we were sworn in.  Strange day?  Maybe...

Good Day?  Yes...

God placed me once again exactly where He needed me to be to receive a blessing. During a detailed conversation, debate, conspiracy theory banter, I was given information about the Santa Clarita Small Business Development Center, a place as I was told that can guide me with pretty much everything I need to get L'amore Intimo up and running.  Way cool!

Ciao Y'all

ps -- In case you are wondering, I checked in with the 2010 census bureau today.  I had to tell my Mom that out of the over 8000 candidates who tested for a position with the census bureau, I was one of the 160 chosen for the So Cal area.

Deadbeats

Why is it that lawyers will aid parents who want to avoid paying child support and spousal support?  Why is it that parents who have gone through divorce often-time desert their children thinking that withholding any kind of support will be getting back at their ex-spouse?  

Divorce is a lose lose, but worse than that is taking away from the family you once supported.  For all of you who need help collecting from a deadbeat parent go to child support services.  It doesn't matter if a parent has crossed state lines, money owed and due for the support of children is a federal matter.  Most states even attach a percentage of interest to arrearages.

This is a tough matter, but also a moral matter.  To you who are a deadbeat - do the right thin or risk losing the respect of your own flesh and blood.    

I would love to be an advocate for anyone dealing with this issue.

Ciao Y'all

Seller Beware of Scam!!!

You've heard "buyer beware", but I'm hear to preach to you about "SELLER BEWARE"...  Remember there are people out there who believe that it's okay to capitalize on the misfortune of others.

Recently I listed my washer - only 6 months new - on Craigslist.  Craiglist is a great service and this has no bearings on their service - they actually try to warn you against scams.  The other items I had listed were sold, with the buyers coming to pick up the items and pay in cash.  Getting down to the final hour of getting everything out of the house the buyer for the washer seemed to be dragging her feet - if indeed she is a "her" - as she never wanted to talk by telephone, only email.  She was going to purchase the machine for the asking price of $300 and have her "movers" pick it up.  This all sounded well and good until --

Until today.  A whole week later, knowing that the ads on Craigslist stay for only a week.  She sent an email to me this morning stating that her "secretary" (I thought the new title was administrative assistant?) had made an error and sent instead of the $300 -- $1550.  WHAT?!  That's a heck of a mistake.  She then continues to instruct me of how I am to take this check - when I receive it - to my bank and have an extra $100 for my troubles.  Then I was to send the remainder to her movers.  I know, you're just as lost as I was - right?  I didn't want any parts of this and the washer needed to be moved today.  I sent a reply telling this woman that I felt very uncomfortable about this way of doing things and told her I would pass on the offer and go to the next buyer, who would pick up the machine and bring cash, and that if I received the check I would return it to her express mail.  Basically - thanks but I ain't stupid!

Well, at the house today, the UPS woman came by with an overnight package that contained only a single check for $1550 with no cover letter or even a post-it for what it was for.  The check was payable on Wells Fargo, and considering I have no phone number for this person, it just seems all to convenient and feels shady.  I was suppose to take this "check" to my bank and cash it, and send $1150 to this woman's "movers".  Surely someone will fall for this scam, but not me.  This person, being someone who can afford a secretary and movers, can't herself form paragraphs in an email.  Your writing says a great deal about you.

I haven't heard from her since my reply.  No worries though - my wonderful neighbors of 5 years will pick up the washer tonight, and I am happy and joyful this great family gets to have a great machine,

Seller beware!  Or in tribute to gregorysm day -- "don't be an exhibit!"

Ciao Y'all

It's not easy being green...

...or is it?

Today being Saint Patrick's day - the patron saint of Ireland - I thought I'd pose that question to ponder.  Why was Kermit stuck in his head about the fact that he is green and how it's not easy being green.  He's a frog!!!  and if God didn't make little green apples than who did?  There's an undertone there that I'm missing.

The highlight of this day, now that I no longer get pinched if I don't don the jade or kelly color, is that it's my favorite niece's birthday.  She a Saint Patty's baby who loves green - although when she was younger couldn't distinguish it from red.  Any way, I love her and bought her the annual green gift.

I hope all got pinched who wanted to be pinched today.

Ciao Y'all!

The Male Influence

I believe whole-heartily that every now and then words of wisdom flow from the mouths of men.  Now, now, before you send nasty email or comments bare with me.  I am the youngest of four - the baby girl with three older brothers.  Genetically my family has more males and females.  I frankly find men quite interesting - especially my brother Curtis who gave this advice to his young pubescent teen nephew - these might be words to live by:

1.  The post office is always hiring.

2.  A bucket of Popeyes chicken can feed you for a week.

3.  Don't be a pig stank.

You might not be able to live by these words but they make you think.  About what?  Does it really matter.

Ciao Y'all

The BIRDS

That movie still gives me the willies.  A couple of days ago when I returned to secure a few things in the house I am moving out of - there were two or three birds inside.  

Cut - take two!

Guess what happened to me a couple of days ago when I was returning to my house to get the last bit of stuff there out?!  It was a wonderful day - maybe a bit breezy but not as cold as it had been.  I had Coco - my fab Bishon with me - and we were going to chill out with some lunch and get some work done.  The door opened to nothing unusual or out of place -- then I closed the door and that's when I heard it.  Fluttering!  Must be the blinds hitting up against the window.  Yes, blinds hitting against the window... but the windows downstairs don't have blinds and the wind wasn't blowing  enough to make the wooden blinds on the upstairs window move.

What was that noise?  Over and over and over and then louder and more emphathic - maybe urgent even.  What was that noise.  Coco - the loyal faithful, sometimes spastic dog that she is, ran to the window beside the window beside the front door!  And that's when I saw the movement of the curtains.  The curtains were moving but that window wasn't even as much as cracked.  Deep breath!  Something was moving the curtains!  And that's when I saw it - well kind of - it's' really hard to say - Coco was barking repeatedly and loudly and OMG all I could think of was -- "something is alive in the house other than me and the dog"!!!

Tone down.

Then I heard the tweet tweet - or perhaps it was a whistle - whatever it was, it was definitely a bird.  Great!  A bird - in the house.  WHY WAS THERE A BIRD IN THE HOUSE?!  To calm Coco down and to get a closer look at what I was dealing with, I carried Coco outside and looked into the front window.  Yep that's a bird I thought.  A blue bird.  A very very blue bird.  Maybe the bluest bird I had ever seen.  And I repeat, WHY WAS THERE A BIRD IN THE HOUSE?!  Because where there's a bird there's bird poop!  Great, my realtor is going to think I planted this bird on purpose because of the circumstances surrounding the sell of the house.  NOPE.  

Coco kept barking and the bird now was looking at us, looking at it.  It fell and I ran to open the door so maybe it would fly out.  It didn't fly out - the bird brain flew upstairs.  Idiot!  Great!  Now what was I going to do?  Send Coco after it - ok, that works.  Coco preceded to go into the opposite direction from the way I saw the bird fly.  Great!  Now I have to go upstairs to show this crazy dog where the stupid bird went.  Once upstairs, that's when I saw it -- ANOTHER BIRD!  This one was brownish and looked preggers sitting on the banister!!  That's when any hint of calm, left the building!  I held it together and although I wanted to s\cream, I did not.  

Coco chased the bird on the banister into my master suite, the fool bird flew onto the ceiling fan, and I still don't know what door or window was left open for these flying things to get into the house.  The bird on the ceiling fan must have been there before because there was a bit of crap on the rug beneath! GREAT!!  I'm not paying for the carpet to be cleaned and the vacuum is now at my new place.  

So, if you've kept up, there were two birds in my house.  The quick wit that I am, I bravely open the sliding door that leads to the balcony and close all the doors to the rooms that don't hold a bird, and tug a stubborn Coco, grab my lunch and leave - hoping for the best.

Thankfully when I arrived three hours later - with backup - there were no birds and of course I looked like a hysterical woman whose car was acting up when no one's around and fine when she gets someone to look at it.

Whatever - the birds where there, just like that freaky movie - thankfully not as many.

Life is fun.

Ciao Y'all!

"Miniatures" in the Twilight Zone

An episode of the TWILIGHT ZONE (the black and white series) kept my attention for 60 minutes this morning.  It was about a man Charlie, portrayed by a very youthful Robert Duval, who fell in love with a miniature woman who lived in a dollhouse.  Charlie saw this woman as real, alive, and lovely, but everyone else saw Charlie as needing mental help.  

The TWILIGHT ZONE is one of those shows you can get caught up in no matter the era.  The premises are always simple but the complexity of the storytelling must keep followers coming back and very thankful that Forest Whitaker hosted the re-creation of the series in 2002-2003.  Cool.  You can catch the old episodes on the scifi channel or even on-line, the new series is on regular network channels (check your local listings).

Oops!!  Today is Friday and Baseball Matters.  Even better now that Manny has come to his senses and signed the contract with the Dodgers, and I have him on my fantasy team - this weekly spot full f baseball will return next Friday.

Ciao Y'all

"How far would you go to become somebody else"?

That quote is the tagline from The Talented Mr. Ripley, as found on IMDB.com.  

Mr. Ripley - believe it or not - was sent to bring home the prodigal son of a very wealthy business man.  Mr. Ripley was a recluse weirdo, who lusted after the prodigal, Dickie Greenleaf, so sensually portrayed by Jude Law.  Mr. Ripley's lust was not only physical but emotional as he desired the world the prodigal had made for himself in the beauty of Italy.  Mr. Ripley's lust was full of obsession that led to dreadful things - but in the end he got away with them all and came out on top.  A lesson that you want to teach in movie-making?  Thinking NO.  A good movie?  Yeah.

I had not seen this film, when it was released, now almost 10 years ago, but knew the basic premise just from brief scenes and maybe even my peers from writing class who spoke of it.  The cast was ten years younger and wonderfully cast - Matt Damon as Tom Ripley (very convincing), especially when he delivered the line "I always thought it was better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody".  Anthony Minghella adapted this screenplay from the novel by Patricia Highsmith.  Good stuff.

Rent it, buy it for $5 or dust off the copy you have around the house.

Ciao Y'all

Movie poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures found on IMDB.com

"Swimming in Oil"

Another one for the books of Gregorysm.  Unfortunately this one is not full of fun or laughter but maybe a lesson can be learned from his idea of how life has treated him in the past couple of years.  Not that he is blaming anyone for his circumstances but that his circumstances stem from choosing the wrong crowd to hang out with and blaming the people who love him most for his undoing, then having to put up barriers to keep himself sane.  

Believe you me -- I get it!  I get having to detach because you can't protect and save the people you love dearly.  When I had to resign as governor of the universe, I found myself for months taking back the job.  This will only keep you swimming in oil -- trying to protect, save, or direct someone else can only lead to disaster.  People are nothing but free-willed individuals, with the God given right to be so.  Your only job is to honor that their way may not be your way and "so what".

To all the "gregorys" in the world who think they are swimming in oil due to the actions of others -- SWIM HARDER - you'll soon reach the end of the turmoil, and then be thankful for the blessing from the lessons you've learned along the way.  I Love You, Greg.

Ciao Y'all

MOVING SUCKS WORSE THAN INVENTORY

...OR MAYBE IT IS INVENTORY???  

Someone told me recently that research shows the most stressful times in a person's life are divorce, death of a parent, and moving -- and then went on to empathize with the fact I had experienced two out of the three (death of my father and moving from a great home), in the past two weeks and to make matters worse I was still dealing with the courts from the fallout of my divorce ("deadbeat parent" not me).  

Don't cry me a river, and I won't either.  But I am very reflective, and inspiration has hit from all sides and angles.  There's got to be a great story here somewhere, and I will find it.  Good news is baseball is back!

Ciao Y'all

"We are meant for each other and not meant for each other. It's a contradiction..."

Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) delivered this line about his relationship with crazy ex-wife Maria Elena.  

Wanting to get a glimpse of Penelope Cruz's Supporting Actress, Oscar winning performance, I rented this movie and watched it over a three night period.  The first night I got through about an hour or half of the movie, and the supporting madness of Cruz had not step onto the screen.  Her character had been referred to many times though.  It was interesting up to this point but then my computer battery died with no charger around.  

The second night - after a full day of running around - I lasted only through 5 minutes and woke the dvd's menu watching me.

The third night, I was determined to get through this movie just on principal and I think it was only a two day rental.  I must say, I wasn't impressed with the end of the second act or the third act.  The ending just ended - very Woody Allen - I think, as I don't closely follow his works and now I remember why.

The narrator -- necessary or annoying?  IDK!!!

But wait!!  The ensemble itself was superb.  I must say that Javier Bardem from "No Country for Old Men" makes a much better hottie than scary guy.  The women, I believe any man could find his favorite amongst this group.  

Those are my thoughts.  Check it out, and give me your thoughts.

Ciao Y'all

Movie poster courtesy of Mediapro and Gravier Productions, found on imdb.com

"Put the Shut to the Up!"

Madea does it again! Funny, crazy, and a moral storytelling. Tyler Perry delivers an "A", as far as I'm concerned -- or perhaps I'm really impressed that he finally veered away from the familiar premise that runs through the rest of his movies.

Although Madea does go to jail, the movie is not about Madea going to jail - that's just a second story. Perry does string together the two stories, and the only question I might have is how Madea is released from jail, because her crime was caught on video, and she did the deed she was convicted for. No worries everybody - it's a comedy and as long as you get to sit and laugh and munch on good popcorn and get a moral - your $10 was well spent.

Don't wait for the video, go see it soon! Number 1 at the box office opening week has to count for something.

Ciao Y'all