So uh..yeah. I have a job and junk now as a Information Security Analyst. Kinda boss, hours and work days are kinda weird and I wish I got paid more, but anything is better than $0. Besides, will give me experience and a certification for whenever I move onto something else.

Wish I had more to write atm, but I'm feeling a little jumbled?

...wish I was at SDCC. :(

A-kon went well. What few pictures I took I was happy with (mostly because as a whole, fellow fans of the series kept telling me I was the best they'd seen in a while, which made me happy) and there was the CUTEST little girl that took quite a liking to me at the gathering. :3 New friend!

Jeff's costumes also went over well, though his were more popular, and understandably so.

Now I get to go back into this frustrating job hunt. :( I'm hoping to get some sort of employment before I go to LA for a week and a half to spend more money I barely have. I'd also like things like, health insurance, perhaps dental, vision would be a plus, but mostly so I can use that for Jeff. I'd also like to stop borrowing money from all the parents and have money for things we want, like costume supplies and a dog. :( I'm either way under-qualified, way overqualified, or I haven't been picked. I could go to an overqualified job, but they usually only pay about $12-13 or less an hour, and we just can't have that.

Uuuuugh.

Speaking of costumes, after AX, Jeff and I are going headfirst into starting Valkyria Chronicles costumes. These are going to take so long, but hopefully will be worth it. Need to figure out my mom's sewing machine to make the bajillion patches we need. Also need to learn how to make garrison caps. :(

I need to win the lotto, find my mom a rich suitor, or get some sort of unbelievable awesome job to do all the things I want to do right now. I'd seriously be happy with employment at all with a decent wage, but of course, I am a bit impatient and I want it all now. I am looking into CISSP, but it's just so expensive that I will want a company to sponsor me for it.

Brahlsxkggh.

So uh, I guess I graduated now. :3

Looking into some more jobs (since Mumbo Jumbo apparently doesn't exist or something? Hard as balls to get in contact with them.) Lockheed Martin looks promising, but I'd have to commute to Ft. Worth every day. I was hoping for something in Dallas so it'd be closer, but it might not be that bad...

Took my last final ever today. Just realized that I have been in school for the last 20 years. I almost feel like I'm being kicked out of school and the system I know and thrown into a world unknown with benefits and 2 weeks of vacation per year, and it's kind of scary.

...especially since I don't have that job yet. :/

Go! Share this with THE WORLD!

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit "random" or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random.
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations" or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3.
The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days.
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

( I think it'd be full of emo songs... )

So I've given up my usual fast food, but I've added on fountain drinks and fried foods. So that means I can have tea, milk, juice, water, but nothing that comes from a soda tap, and I can't have things like buffalo wings, donuts, fries, chicken tenders, etc. So far it's become a challenge since I keep coming up with more things that are or could be potentially fried. Never really thought about it before, really. I've also tried taking up eating more veggies and I have to go to the gym for at least an hour every day. So far that hasn't gone so well, as I've only been twice since last Wednesday (not including today since I will be going in about 10 minutes). I'm working my way up to running for an hour but so far I can only do about 20 minutes. :( I DID just get a new pair of running shoes though, and they are sexy as hell. I'm really excited to see how they work out. <3

Uuugh, I also have to finish a costume by this Thursday afternoon, have a research paper due next Tuesday, and three midterms next week, not to mention I have to take care of my speeding ticket by the 10th. :( At least Spring Break is almost here. My last one ever. :( :( :(

As is tradition...


Whether you're single or have a Significant Other, I hope you are enjoying this nice Saturday with ones you love. <3

Here's what the hubby and I had for breakfast this morning...


( Eggsinnabasketphotospam! )

Gonna make Rosemary and Garlic Leg of Lamb for dinner tonight, with brown rice and asparagus. Dessert will be lemon sorbet with candied lemon rinds. We'll see how that goes. <3

Gonna make a shepherd's pie with sweet potatoes on top and zucchini instead of celery. I'll try to take pictures and tell how it is.

I'm kind of looking forward to Valentine's Day dinner, though. Have an AWESOME menu planned, which I will post here when I've made it. Don't want to say too much since I don't want to give the plans away. ;)

Though if you comment, I need an address, so email me your address after your comment. foxymuffin@gmail

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!

My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
- what I create will be just for you.
- it'll be done this year. no guarantees when, it will be a total surprise!
- you have no clue what it's going to be. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to repost this, and repost right away. We can all make stuff and make someone's day a little bit brighter!

No more Lululemon. No more free Saturday morning Bootcamp/Crossfit. No more awesome staff. No more awesome but overpriced workout clothes.

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

This is very sad. We've been going since they opened in October '07. And now they're closing. I guess even the rich people they're located next to just aren't buying their stuff. Woe. :(

My last semester ever (if I so choose) starts in 14.5 hours. :D :D :D :D :D :D

I didn't want to post anything here about it because it doesn't concern me, and quite frankly it doesn't concern most of the people out there on the Internet. But since everyone read it on the Internet, it must be true!

I've heard things that poor stay at home moms and college students who make things for children under 12 will have to pay, what I have heard from several people, ranges from $50-1,000, $100-10,000, or $400-400,000 (depending on who got their "sources" from where) and that will drive those little businesses out of business and leave people on the streets and drastically shut down places like Etsy in one fell swoop. Sometimes it's stated as a fee "per item" and other places have said "per batch".

Can no one read the actual documents for themselves? I mean, CHRIST!

What it is in a nutshell, is that if there are any products made for children 12 and under, they have to be tested. IF YOU ARE A MANUFACTURER, RESELLER, OR IMPORTER. So this is an INDUSTRY standard. No, Grandma who knits baby blankets will not be charged more than her fixed income to make sure there are no toxic lead levels in her yarn. How on EARTH would our government track down all the little craft artisans working out of their living rooms when a) they don't care, b) there are, what, 1 or 2 people actually in charge of all of this, c) bigger pressing issues and d)couldn't POSSIBLY begin to afford to crack down on every Aunty Irma and her crib blanket making hobby. Not to mention, yes, all of these things would have ALREADY BEEN TESTED especially if the materials were bought at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, Joann, Michaels etc.

Yes this can become a concern for small businesses, and I don't mean small like say, me making bookmarks marketed to tweens. I mean a small business like, a local chain store (Stephanie's Children's Toy Shoppe, now located in Addison, Grapevine and Plano) or something along those lines. And even places like Thrift Stores (or consignment shops) are NOT required to do the testing at all, and Resellers (these are places like BABY GAP, people. Resellers are not used places!) do not have to check and test inventory, just things made after the February date have to comply. Also, obviously, no one can sell things over the lead limit and should avoid things with lead in it, and Resellers are not required to check lead limits before items are sold, and it is unlawful to sell any sort of recalled product, no matter the lead limit (which was just passed by these same people last year).

I do agree that if people have a concern with a law or bill or ANYTHING, yes write to your Congressman or Representative. If you vote, there's really no better right that you have to voice your concern over something that you fear could affect you. But really, people need to start being smart about this and perhaps go read the ACTUAL documents instead of just hearing it from someone who heard from someone else who read on this Twitter that might have heard it mentioned on the radio at one point. There is nothing better than education, and being knowledgeable can only help you not only get your well informed point across, but allow others to help you out as well.

I mean, really. It's called "Google". That's how I was able to find cpsc.gov.

Just because I'm curious...

What does everyone's Coffee Table look like right now? If you don't have a coffee table, how about a desk, nightstand or side table?

Copy and Repost This in your Journal!

( Pictures behind the cut )

I think I'm going to make pancakes. Wish I could make waffles, but the waffle iron we wanted and ordered is on backorder (hopefully not for forever...).

Okay, before I go into this, just a slight warning that I can see some people getting offended by this idea, but Jeff and I just kept LAUGHING in the car, so I had to share.

( The Muffin Top )

And then Schnitzel from Chowder could be the bouncer.

MORE IDEAS? DO TELL. I think this will be a fantastic investment. Any takers?

Just got back from the mini-moon. Will update more later, but a few highlights:

Pictures with Mr. Incredible and Elastagirl
Lots of Congrats
Toy Story ride is WAY fun
Hotel was BEAUTIFUL
Broke my camera for good :( :( :(

Going back to Dallas tomorrow evening. <3 Dunno if I'll get to update before then.

It's soooooooo cold outside. :(:(:(

But the not :( thing is that I am flying back home to LA for Christmas tomorrow WITH Jeff this time! But the :( thing is we have to wake up and leave the apartment by like, 6:15 tomorrow morning.

And guess which married couple still has to pack?

...yeeeah.

I am totally craving some hot ShabuShabu right now, too.

So since I had free time today, I popped myself on over to You Tube to see if I couldn't watch the 2 sequels to one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. Fortunately for me, they were on there, so I sat myself in front of the little 3x5 inch viewing area to watch. Here are my thoughts.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea:

Crap. I don't know what I was expecting with a straight to DVD sequel, but it was really really bad. The songs were embarrassing and the animation was poor, not to mention the proportions. Not only that, but they had this dumb story line that they could have done so much better on. They had Pat Carroll come and do the roll for Ursula's sister. Seriously? And there's suddenly an arctic walrus and penguin who can go swimming into tropical waters and it seemed like this story all took place within a day. Did Ariel know about Sebastian being there the whole time, or was it really a surprise he had been around the castle for 12 years? So many flaws and not enough to redeem it. Won't watch again. The only good thing I can think of is it was only an hour and ten minutes long.

The Little Mermaid III: Ariel's Beginning:

Actually not bad. I think it was short too, but I found myself not paying attention to the time as much as the actual movie. The animation was good, and the story was cohesive. Cliche in parts, but not surprising. I liked that the villain-ess in this was not out for world domination, but just out to get a better job than "royal babysitter", but totally corrupt in doing so. Rather refreshing, no stealing tridents or ultimate cosmic power. Just being dumb and greedy, and reminded me a little of Izma. The story was also good, I thought, though it probably could have used more good original songs, I thought it was also smart to be safe and play with already good and established ones rather than failing (like in the second one...).

I really need to be more productive with my days, but with the weather being dark and not going above 30 degrees, it's really hard to be motivated. :( Especially since there were all these reports of snowing and school closures and all I get is a 25 degree day with some ice in the parking lot. Bunk.

And how they actually made it:



That's right. A whole car, seats and engine included.

Like Jeff said, "I think Ace of Cakes has been beaten."


EDIT: So with all this cake talk, I got in the mood for some. Decided to try out that 5 minute chocolate mug microwave cake? It wasn't the WORST I've ever had, but the only reason I thought it tasted good was because I had some chocolate cream cheese icing to put on top. It was bitter and a little chewy like old grocery store sponge cake. I read a variation on it, though, where you use actual cake mix, powdered eggs, and some oil and water. That sounds a lot more promising, so I'll let you know how that goes. They make great Christmas presents too, I hear, as 1 box of cake mix make enough for like, 13 mugs.

...back to the realms of studying. :( It'll all be over by Thursday. I just keep telling myself that. :P

Nuclear ANYTHING is very confusing and a little hard to understand. I'm interested in knowing more of the whys, but I suppose not THAT interested.

Good thing I never claimed to be a Nuclear Physicist.

...I should probably get back to History, but all this talk about atomic weapons got me curious. And confused.