Big goings on!

I know, I know, I have fallen behind again. Things have changed in my life recently. BF sat me down and had a serious talk about the impact my shitty job was having on our relationship. It wasn't a fun discussion. I have known for a while that he wasn't happy with the me that work had created. During our chat BF made it very clear he was ok with shouldering the financial burden while I looked for another job if I left this one.
 Imagine sitting at a desk in a windowless room all day and getting berated and yelled at by customers and co-workers. On a daily basis I had to lie for my coworkers to lots of people. All this for a measly $10 and no holidays or anything, yea they offered benny's but it was at a ridiculous price (over $100 a month for just me and only basic medical) So I started seriously looking for a job. Then boss man placed an add, I had to do all the interviews, because I was the only natural english speaker. We got one guy to actually agree to do my shitty job, but they didn't like him after two days. This is where the final straw fell. They made me, the lowest paid and lowest ranked person, fire him. I had, had enough! After closing that night I went to boss man and told him that he has been promising me a raise and a new position since Sept 2011. I know that we need to hire a replacement but I need a finite date when I can expect to see my raise and expect to at least start training for my promised position. I had off the next day and asked him to call me with this information. I didn't get a call from him, I did get a call letting me know that they changed the locks on me.

That was a friday. Monday I had an interview at another office. Tuesday I got a call asking me to start at this new job in 2 weeks. Mostly because I needed to get access stuff and Memorial Day fell in there too. So I start my official new job tomorrow. Hooray! Between quitting and starting new job I have been doing temp work and that has helped with the bills. Its kinda cool to work a few days then have days off and never be doing the same job or even at the same company. I will be happy to have steady income again though.
I have to admit I'm a little scared. Starting a new job is like starting a new school. The whole social dynamic is new and unknown. Plus I have to be at work at 7am =( I'm not a big fan of mornings but that means I get home early and can still attend yoga and make dinner for everyone.

Pup is doing good. His cone of shame came off and everyone was SUPER happy about that.
REI had a super awesome sale the past 2 weeks too. I got an awesome new hiking pack and a camelbak style water system for it. I was going to go geocaching since it was a long weekend but my body decided that 28 days had passed and I wouldn't be doing anything this weekend.
Mom is talking about making a trip out here. I miss her, and she wants to meet BF and his colorful family.
Another one of our friends got engaged. HOORAY! Also found out that the ex is now engaged also. Seems like everyone is in such a rush. SIGH!

Guess that is all for now...

VEGAS!!!

Man oh MAN. Last weekend BF and I went to Las Vegas for a long-ish weekend. We left Friday morning and got home Sunday afternoon. About 5hours each way since I drove (even got a little geocaching in). I had wanted to go for my birthday back in August but it was decided that August is just to hot to venture out to the desert. So we changed it to February for BF's birthday. Then Sister informed me that one of her friends had decided to get married in Vegas the 2nd week in March. Since BF hadn't met any of my family we pushed our trip back a few weeks so he could meet Sister and her hubby. 

We arrived on Friday afternoon. Checking in to the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino was a little crazy. Even after asking directions from an attendant it took us a good 20 min to find the correct check in desk. Once we got to our room it was neat. Fittingly they assigned us the "Lost in Space" room. At PH each guest room is decorated with movie or at least some type of Hollywood memorabilia. 

We were again lucky to get a GREAT view from our room. We were directly across from the Bellagio and had an awesome view of their famous fountain. Also Sister and all her friends were staying there.  

For BF's b-day I gave him 2 tickets to The Amazing Johnathan who was supposed to be playing in Vegas. It happens that he got in a car accident the week before and ended up canceling his show. This is the 2nd time this has happened to BF. Since we didn't have a show to attend later BF decided to take me all over the strip.  It was a nice laid back day. Walking all over seeing all the nifty stuff that Vegas has to offer and not being rushed. Got to check out all the major casinos, since it was early it wasn't super crowded and I could wander like the little tourist I was. 

Later that night we got dinner at The Strip House which is inside PH. I loved the decor. It has red velvet-ish walls with womens naked silhouettes raised and all the art was 20's and 30's era porn photographs. Very well done for a porn themed steak house. 

The next day we met up with Sister and hubby at about 830 for morning cocktails. Yep BF fits in with my family JUST RIGHT. Had a little breakfast and chatted then met up with more Rhode Islanders that had attended the wedding and headed down to the Fremont Street Experience. We all took the bus from PH to Fremont street, its about 4miles. I love bus tours and even though it wasn't an official bus tour I got to see LOTS of things.....about 100 wedding chapels of every style Elvis, drive thru, little, medium, large even one with a hotel attached for easy access honeymooning. A naughty warehouse store (it was seriously the size of a super wal-mart) can't forget the 1/2 off lawyers, the Clark County Detention Center (home of the show Jailhouse on Spike) and thats just a little of what was in those four miles. 

Once we got to Fremont Street more booze was purchase and of course the required bottle opener souvenir. Sister, D and I decided we wanted to do the Zipline down Fremont Street. Unfortunately D left her ID back in her room so only Sister and I could do it. All the mens were busy drinking or scared of heights. The lady in front of us was TERRIFIED but her reasoning was "I already paid so I'm gonna do it." Once we got the 6stories (roof of the building plus up a flight of scaffolding) she just kept talking non-stop. They strap you in to these harnesses and then teather you to the scaffolding before they attach you to the zipline and then on the count of 3 they FLING you out over the street. The woman in front of us finally calmed down and was ready to go, the man flings her out over the street and about 10 feet away she swivels around and screams "YOU SON OF A BITCH" Every one laughed so hard. Then it was our turn. It was super fun and over in no time. BF got pics but all you can see in it is butts. 

After that we all milled around Fremont a while longer. D won some money and I lost about $5. Got some pics in the casino to prove we actually gambled and only losing $5 I was happy. When we came out of the casino there was a man stuck on the zipline. Some how he lost momentum and two employees had to ratchet out to the spot in the line where he was stuck and drag him down. At least he was a good sport about it and laughing the whole time. 

Finally we headed back and I got to grab a geocache =) Hooray!! So I can fill in that state on my map. I have decided that my goal is to get at least one find a month this year and eventually one find in every state. (Low goals are better then no goals right) 

Once we got back the 3hour feeding needed to take place so we headed over to Pink's Famous Hot Dogs to feed me before the Hangry struck. I don't think Pink's was the best idea since everyone but me had an upset digestive track the rest of the night. 

Quick nap and change then off to LOVE the Cirque de Sole set to the music of The Beatles. Sister was nice enough to get BF and I tickets so we could attend with her and the rest of the RI crew. It was very cool. Very acid trippy. I didn't really expect a story and there might have been one but it also could have just been random I don't know. Very cool is my official stance. BF wasn't very impressed but he doesn't care for acid or the Beatles very much anyway, but he did admit it was enjoyable. 

Over all we had a great time. I even had an excuse to get "hookered up", thanks to co-worker, I had the proper attire to do so.  Sister and Hubby seemed to like BF and submitted a favorable report to Mom and Dad, followed by a very nice invite to visit P's Palace in RI. (Aka Sisters house since we all stay there when we visit) Hopefully that will be on the agenda for our next long distance excursion.   

Until next time....  

Adventures OH MY!

Yesterday was leap day. Hooray we added one more day to the year. BLEAH! As you all know I am a geocacher. Last night the local cachers had an event out in Mission Trails Regional Park. Now I don't want to point fingers but who ever made the parking arrangements was kind of a douche. Once I found the actual parking lot I started treking in to the park. Problem is it was already almost sunset. So I go in and follow the trail left. BAD IDEA! I finally get to the top of a hill and take a look around. GPS says that I am .3 miles away. I finally spot a pavillion at about the right distance. To bad I have to cross 3 valleys and 2 decent hills. (see crappy map below) It is now mostly dark so I take a chance and que up geocaching.com on my phone and post a note on the event page that I'm lost in the park and need someone to call me. I decide that since I can see where I'm going I might as well just bushwack it straight across. Flashlight in hand down I go. I get down and across one little creek bed. Then I get a text..."The event is near a tall blue tower - Geobuddy" HOORY my cry for help worked. Now that I had contact I shot off a quick text to mom to take down that msg. Don't want my phone number out all alone in interwebbie land. I call the guy who sent me the text and tell him what I can see. I know I am going in the correct direction and mostly just ask that the group not totally leave before I get there. Lord knows I would NEVER get out if no one was left. Geobuddy gathered a few others and started strobing their flashlights for me. Making sure I keep going the right way. A few wandering down the hill a little ways towards me.  Finally I climb the last hill to the pavilion. I arrive to nice hugs and offers of pizza. Over an hour after the even started, guess its better late then never. 

They say that about 60 people showed up to the start of the event. When I arrived there were about 20 counting kids. I got to chill with some old salty cachers. (Which I have missed since leaving BBW and his crew in RI) I made friends with an old Swede "Bear" and a new guy too. They agreed to escort me back to the car via the long way around so we could get a few of the caches along the route. I had a GREAT TIME!! Took us about an hour to get back to the parking lot. Got 5 caches and swapped great stories. 

See getting lost has its advantages. I can't wait till next time. 

Purple Line is my Route

YAWN

So I couldn't come up with a decent title today....blah!  I am having a classic "Im a fucking girl so leave me the fuck alone or come bearing gifts" type day. I wish I could get my mood swings under control. Maybe they will leave me alone tomorrow. *fingers crossed*

I haven't ever done an In My Mailbox post but I was super excited about getting this soooo gaze upon my awesome gifts.......
Oh yea that is a 1982 Volvo repair manual. I got this from Paperback swap. WOOT WOOT! The awesome license plate is from the great and wonderful Bob Graham. Finally the envelope is the travel bug that I put on Gertrude. If you are familiar with geocaching you should know what I am talking about. Basically you can "track" where my car has been spotted. 

Today I went on another interview.....this particular interviewer told me "You look like a girl but you speak like a man" Which I take as a compliment. We were talking about tools and wiring diagrams. He was fairly impressed when I could ID some very basic things like a socket wrench and a bolt. Also when I told him I had plans to hopefully replace the fuel pump in my car this weekend. Another interesting point was as I was talking to the girl I am going to replace we started talking about homeopathic remedies and I gave her a few tips on how to assist with a UTI or a common yeast infection. I am such a horrible interviewer. They asked me to stay for birthday cake and to meet the owners father. All in all it went great, I ended up staying for about 2 and a half hours. When I finally took my leave I casually said "Cross your fingers the car starts" because of the fuel pump. So as I started my car, which started perfectly, I heard both the owner and the lady cheering from the door. =)
Man I hope I get a call back.
Then I went shopping over at the Salvation Army and a few other thrifty shops down on the consignment row. Got an Ice Cream scoop, some various kitchen utensils, about 10 books, and a decent sized George Forman grill all for $20. WINNING!

Found out today that I need to actually take my car to get smogged, FAIL it and then go back to the DMV to get my temp 60day registration. UGH! Such a pain in the butt!  Guess I will do that this weekend or next week. At least she hasn't had any starting problems since saturday.

We are hosting a Beer Pong Tournament this weekend. I am supposed to be making Jello Shots tonight, but I don't feel like going to the store by myself. BLAH

  I received a few awards a while back....Since I am so horrible at these type things I am doing it now.....Late like usual.

 This is from Mister Valance, I more so took it rather then it being given to me. I wanted to feel special and all that fun stuff. If you don't know of Mister V go check him out.

This was actually given to me. So thank you Kracken!
Sigh Now I have to list 7 things you lovely readers don't know about me.....

1) I really do not enjoy Asian food. 
2) I hate the term "Jelly" I.E. Are you Jelly of my awesome new iToy? (Jelly = Jealous)
3) I would rather let some one win an argument, rather then just continue going over the same thing.
4) It is my personal belief that heterosexual and homosexuals are fine, however bisexuals are just greedy and need to pick a team.
5) Job hunting sucks balls
6)The color pink is growing on me and I think it might be Chanel's fault
7)Dirty Hippies irk me, fake hippies also irk me.

Now I am tired and my brain hurts.......Those of you who wish this award please take it. I always feel weird bestowing it upon people and then pestering them to write about it too. So take and be happy!!
*wanders off to find that snickers I hid*

Wine and Caching

Today BR had to go up to Temecula to pick up some wine for some club her sister is in. You know what this means........FIELD TRIP!!!!
A few years ago when my mother came out here we went to a winery called Leonesse and did a tasting. Mom had found out about them through a friend of a friend. She joined their wine club and gets regular shipments of their stuff. When we were here before mom got 2 logo glasses, well last week or so dad accidentally broke one. =( Since Im back in the area mom asked if I could pick a new one up for her some day when I thought of it. Now Leonesse isn't the winery that BR had to pick things up from but hey why only visit one when you can squeeze in 2 or even 3.

Leonesse was our first stop. They are super nice and I am definitely a huge fan, even though I don't drink. The whole atmosphere, everything. Found out that when mom signed up for the wine club she put my name on the account too, which means....I got a free tasting today which of course BR used. The server even vaguely remembered me from when we signed up. From there BR bought a bottle of Port and a bottle of Ice Wine. I specifically asked if they had any ice wine because BR had never heard of it. I actually enjoy the stuff. Its considered a dessert wine and very sweet. Bad news is they didn't have any logo glasses for mom =( But we did get the bottles at a discount because of her club membership. WIN!

Like I do anytime BR and I are out I looked up if there was a geocache in the area. There was right on Leonesse property =) SUPER WIN! This was BR's first geocache with me and she even found it before I did. Sigh. Oh well, at least she didn't hate me dragging her to find it. This time....

I have a friend named Clarence whos soul I happen to own. Long silly story. ANYWAY one day we got on the topic of how I have fun adventures and travel alot. He said that his soul should go with and enjoy these trips also. I then made a little paper man to take with me and dubbed him "Soul of Clarence"

 Next stop was Wilson Creek. This is where we had to pick up the case of wine for sister. I wasn't really impressed. It was busy and felt very corporate. Blah, but they did have a HUGE wine bottle in the parking lot that I could put Clarence (aka CB, Clare Bear) on and take a few pics.

While we were driving from one winery to the other we saw so many little places in between, one caught our eye. Cougar Vineyards. Oh yea definitely had to go back and take a few pics there. Checked and made sure we had enough time before going to pick up the munchkin and then zoomed over to Cougar. Cougar is a very small operation. I didn't even like the smell of their wines, but the server was great. Took a few pics, and the ladies next to us asked about CB. So I told them what he was about and they offered to take a pic for us. It was a great day. I absolutely love being out here with BR. Even with all the stress we each face days like this where just a little field trip makes everything wonderful.

A tree grows in Goddard

As some of you know I like to go Geocaching. Not familiar with this hobby? Basically people use hand held GSP devices to hide containers (film tube to ammo cans and all Tupperware in between) in nifty little areas. I have been sick this last week and pretty much house bound since I lack a car of my own. So Saturday Jarrod picked me up and took me out to hunt some geocaches. Nothing to hard since it was crappy out, still raining and just normal New England in February, we planned to hit some that don't require hiking but are just park and grab's in urban areas. Wellllllllll after two of those I was done. ZZZZzzzZZZZzzzz boring! Jarrod asked "Are there any caches you WANT to get?" YES there is this one called a tree grows in Goddard. You see during the summer and enjoyable months in the area Goddard park is PACKED with people. No so good for being sneaky and geocaching. So why not try to get this high profile container while its miserable out, and off we went. This tree is HUGE! Jarrod and I are not tall people. We find the obvious spot and neither of us small folk can reach it. So we stack up and with me on Pierce_J's shoulders I still can't reach. Blindly feeling around there is nothing there. We ponder this a few minutes and Me again with my bright ideas decide to climb the tree and investigate from above. That I admit was FUN!!! However being little folk I had to use the branch farthest way and scoot, crawl and pray not to fall all the way to the heart of the tree. Since it is covered in snow and ice with a decent 8foot drop. At least this gave me the advantage of seeing exactly what I was dealing with the container was frozen solid, with the lip of the lid only barely showing out of the ice. As nimble as a snow monkey I hopped down from the limbs and then climbed back up my human ladder this time to stand on his shoulders and not just sit. Using a few different sized sharpies as excavation tools and a little blood from my knuckles I was able to chisel out the container. There was much rejoicing while signing the log and replacing as found. Err....as close as we could get it since I chipped all the delightful ice camo away.

Scooting, crawling and praying not to fall

I dominated that tree!

This was SO MUCH FUN!!  I miss getting out and having ridiculous adventures. Even if this one left me shivering and exhausted. I passed out dead asleep as soon as I got in a warmed up a little. I also know my sore throat is not going away as quickly as it could because of this little adventure, but it was SO worth it.

Mr. Valance

I guess all the stress and what not had gotten to me so I have been slacking on my picture posts. Things have been extremely crazy since I arrived in California. Her car, then the dog + kid combo, on a happy note we went shopping yesterday while the munchkin was in day care. That was a good play-dress-up kinda time. Got a new shiny outfit for this weekend. (Hopefully the bodice doesn't get ripped) Today I borrowed the now working car and drove down to San Diego for lunch with my friend Cayce. We chilled in Imperial Beach and I introduced her to geocaching. That was a good time =) Maybe she will go out with us on Saturday. We have plans to go see my friends band (FooU) play at a bar out in San Diego. I really like them, they put on a good show.
Not much picture taking going on but here are a few.

Geocaching, this is Alex the Lion.

She stole my teddy bear =(

Cheezing!

BR's 18th B-day (back in the dayyyy)

My Sr. prom 2002

Sr. prom again with dates

We were going through old pictures from high school and found these of us. That was a good night, laying on the floor looking at the memories of the old us.


Guess that is all for now. Hopefully we will have some excitement this coming weekend. The child and the dog are being watched for us so we will be left to our own devices. *Evil laugh*

Some one you love

Day : 7 A photo of someone you love

Well this isn't a person I love. These are people I love. My aunt and uncles. I think this is the most recent pic I have of all of them in the same room. I love them most dearly because they have stepped up and been there for me when I felt most alone.

Yesterday Nikki and I went geocaching. Down Narragansett way we went to the Point Judith Light house and Aunt Carries (even though it is closed for the season) Then headed back up to NK and went traipsing through Cocumscussoc. It was fun, critter the dog, didn't want to cross any of the streams. He is such a pansy! But now Im all sore and Nikki is sick so no more gallivanting in the snow for us for a while. But we did take this pic for you all to enjoy. BTW It is hunting season so we had to wear the goofy orange just in case!