My Archives: November 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I have been back at State College since Friday afternoon because I had to work Black Friday, which was a bunch of BS I think. You know, I had to come all the way home early just to work that six-hour shift. It was so dumb. But I need the money unfortunately. :(
Yesterday Matt and I went to the mall and I got presents for Lissy, Mr. and Mrs. Myic. Even though I have practically no money, I still am going to try to make it work for Christmas. It's the only thing I am looking forward to right now.
Today I have to do homework but I'm going to put that off as much as possible. Because that is what I do. ^__^
Posted by Katie @ 12:45 PM EST [Link]
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I had an awesome Thanksgiving. We had 12 people: me, my parents and sister, Matt and his mom, my grandparents on my dad's side, my grandma on my mom's side, my two cousins, and my aunt. We started eating at 2, which was pretty early, but it was still a yummy meal. :) I especially liked dessert: yummy apple pie!
My cousins and I spent the rest of the day playing Wii, Guitar Hero, and Spyro on PS2. I think I'm going to take the PS2 back to State College with me. ^__^ I love the Spyro game series too much.
Time to go relax...so tired after that yummy meal...
Posted by Katie @ 04:43 PM EST [Link]
Monday, November 24, 2008
I FINISHED IT!!!! At 4:30 this morning I completed my screenplay. It was the third night in a row I was up past three but it was so worth it. This morning after I woke up, I checked for typos and formatting errors, added page numbers, and was done with it. I sent an attached copy via e-mail to Chris, the guy who's helping me, and Julia, a prospective actor. All I really need now is a director. That's what really worries me. I'll probably go back to Craigslist since that's been working so well for me thus far.
If anyone wants to read it, contact me with your e-mail address and I can send it. I'm so excited and so proud! It is 47 whole pages and took so much hard work and effort, but worth every bit. It's still untitled though. Gotta work on that. ;)
Okay, well I am back home for TG break till Friday. Gotta wake Matt up. Later!
Posted by Katie @ 10:53 AM EST [Link]
Thursday, November 20, 2008
This morning I woke up and saw a thin layer of snow on the ground outside our window. When we went outside so I could take Matt to his morning exam, it was flurrying a bit. It just puts me in a Christmas mood. ^__^;;
I have to go pick him up soon. I hope he does okay on his exam. The good thing is that I only have two more classes, one today, one tomorrow, work on Saturday, and then I am done. I am so psyched for Thanksgiving! I love the holidays. =) I just love it.
Okay, so this entry was done mostly out of boredom. Off I go.
Posted by Katie @ 09:54 AM EST [Link]
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
We had the most awesome time in E C E 451 today. We did the music and movement workshop, and I had the best time learning sign language, making maraccas, and playing Thanksgiving charades and musical chairs, among other things. That is such an amazing class, and Jennifer is such an amazing, likeable professor. =)
I went to soc and that dragged by, then ran to grab lunch, meet up with Matt for a little bit, and then went to meet this guy Chris who said he'd like to help with my film. We went to Webster's Bookstore on Allen Street and talked for about 45 minutes. I feel like I have a bit more confidence about this whole project. Already I am working to turn story into script. It is so much work.
Well, I won't bore you too much with the details. Nap time!
Posted by Katie @ 04:57 PM EST [Link]
Monday, November 17, 2008
Things we talked about at our meeting:
1) Summarized the entire story (including the ending, which isn't done yet)
2) Figured out what to do next - finish, condense, and turn into a script
3) We need to find actors and places to film
4) We need to get some equipment from PSU and some software. A two-year old iMovie program is not going to cut it...lolWe are both amateurs...how is this going to happen??? Oh well...I am hopeful. ;)
Posted by Katie @ 10:30 PM EST [Link]
I'm downtown waiting to meet up with the girl, Michelle, who responded to my post on CL. I also got another response from this guy Chris who says he has quite a bit of experience in making films and sports broadcasts, but I'm not sure because in the e-mail he said he can be quite picky. I'm not sure how he's going to like my story, if at all (if he's as finicky as I am anticipating) and then I'm just going to go home and cry because it won't be any good at all. I'm scared that's going to happen. I'm not very good at handling rejection.
Not to mention I haven't even finished the story, nor do I know exactly how I'm going to end it. ='( I figured Michelle and I would just talk about the plot and what we can do to get people involved. Like how we're going to find actors? That was the nice thing about trying to involve Chris. He said he knows people and has access to equipment. I don't know, we'll see how much he hates it if he decides he wants to meet tonight.
It snowed today. I went to E C E 452 and it was snowing so hard outside the window that everything just looked white. Then I was walking down College Avenue to get to Irving's, a coffee shop, and it was SO COLD. It's wet and dark outside, and ugly. They're putting up Christmas lights on the pine trees along College Avenue, and these giant snowflake banners above the streets. It's awesome. I love this time of year even though it is cold and wet...and ugly. =)
Posted by Katie @ 05:22 PM EST [Link]
Thursday, November 13, 2008
So I am writing this short story. And I think it's one of my best, less cliche, best written, most exciting and intriguing plot. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see it put into a short movie.
The problem is...I don't make films. Well, the films I have made in the past suck and are totally uprofessional. I want something that's really good, something I won't have to close my eyes to get through. And the other problem is that I can't act to save my life, so I wouldn't be able to be in my own film. I've tried this before. Believe me, it hasn't worked out very well.
My question is...what should I do? I've been looking around Youtube to see if I can find anyone who is an actual decent filmmaker. I found one guy and watched three of his films, and while they were creative and very, very well done (one of them was legitimately scary), I don't know if I should ask anyone to help me out because my story is kind of in depth, meaning it will take a lot of time to do. For someone who's willing and who is really into film and takes it seriously, that won't be an issue, but it's going to be hard to find that person. I was also thinking of posting something on Craigslist. I can't afford to pay anyone; I just think it would be a great thing to do to promote ourselves, and also a lot of fun.
Unless any of you know anyone who is talented with filming...I'm SOL and I'll have to keep looking. I'm probably going to post my story on FP.com even though it's not quite done. Everyone go leave a review on that site telling me the honest to God truth..I'm starting to lose confidence. :(
Posted by Katie @ 04:08 PM EST [Link]
I slept for over two hours this morning when I should have been studying. : / I did get some studying done for about an hour this morning typing up an outline, but still, I'm running out of time.
I have my job interview soon. I'm so nervous! I haven't really thought much about what I'm going to say...
Oh well, here goes nothing...
Posted by Katie @ 01:36 PM EST [Link]
Monday, November 10, 2008
My phone rang at about 10 AM this morning. It was an 814 number, which meant that it was from the area, but it wasn't from any of my managers at JCP because they always call from the same number. At the last minute, I decided to answer it because I had a weird feeling about it. It turned out to be a guy calling from Red Lobster. I had applied to a few restaurants online thinking that it would be good to have experience in that work field. Well, someone actually called! His name was Mike and he asked me some questions about my availability and then scheduled me to come in for an interview at 2 on Thursday.
Matt and I are in a lounge in Waring Commons right now talking about it. Originally I wanted a job that would be less putting-up-with-the-public (bussing and dishwashing) because I hate hate HATE customers / people in general. Working in retail has done nothing but make me cranky and irritable, so I wanted a change. But Matt suggested I ask about waitressing too . He said that at a place like RL, where the food is more expensive, people will be spending more money, so tips will be higher. He said that, on any given shift, I would wait on 10 to 15 tables with an average tip of $5. Therefore I would make anywhere from $50 to $100 on a really good night.
I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high but I'm still excited. The most important thing right now is for me to get a set schedule with 20 to 25 hours per week. That way I'd definitely have enough to pay the rent and for presents. It would be even better if I waited tables, Matt said, because that way I could use my paychecks toward bills and tip money toward presents and anything else I needed or wanted. Christmas is such an important holiday to me. I want to be able to get everyone presents and with this new job I might be able to!
If I bussed tables and washed dishes, I would probably make only minimum wage, but even at 20 to 25 hours a week, that would still be enough, and with a set schedule that doesn't change during the week...I would love it! I haven't had a set schedule since Macy's sales support last holiday season!
I'm so happy, but I have class soon, so I'll update more later!!
Posted by Katie @ 02:06 PM EST [Link]
Saturday, November 8, 2008
I have been keeping busy. Here's what I did today:
I went to class this afternoon from 12:20 to 1:10 after having had lunch with Matt. He was too sweet and bought lunch for us both at Brother's Pizza downtown even though he usually can't afford to pay for me. He knows I've been feeling bad and stressed about work, and that really helped cheer me up.
I took the M bus to the Nittany Mall for work and started my shift at 3:30. I was by myself for a while and started working on straightening the table of band t-shirts in the young men section until 5, when Beth came in to work too. She and I helped customers and straightened up, checked the fitting rooms, and did what we normally do. It took me the entire shift to finish the table of t-shirts because I had to keep helping people, but it wasn't busy. It was slow at times and steady at others. I got to leave a half hour before close, at 8:30. Matt came to pick me up and we headed home where I played Wii games. We played a version of beer pong on this Wii game. They didn't call it that, obviously, but that's what it was. I also played this awesome Wii Music game that I REALLY want for Christmas. :)
Matt is playing poker with his buddies in the living room so I am staying busy trying to get stuff done. I worked on my cross stitch and am working on a new short story. I try to make every story I create at least a little unique from the others so Matt doesn't get bored (he is the only one who reads them now, being as I am too lazy to publish them on FP.com).
I am also obsessed with listening to iTunes. I have so many songs, over 750, and while that doesn't seem like much, my iPod probably won't hold more than 800 or so. I need a new iPod...ohhhh...guess what else Katie wants for Christmas? ^____^;;
I had a good day, but I have to work from 12 to 8 tomorrow. It is going to majorly SUCK. Okay well, I'm going to brush my teeth, take my meds, and see what Matthew is up to...night!
Posted by Katie @ 02:32 AM EST [Link]
Friday, November 7, 2008
Today is the day. I am going to go to work and bitch them out for their crappy scheduling techniques. I am scheduled all day every day for the next three weekends and not ONE weekday in between AT ALL. No more Miss Nice Katie. Well, actually I am going to try to be nice because being mean won't get me anywhere. I do remember my scheduling manager telling me at my interview that she always tried not to schedule people for all three days, Friday-Saturday-Sunday because that would be unfair, so I guess I'm being treated unfairly. But if I don't stand up for myself, then I have no reason to complain.
It's like Matt said once about the election: if you're going to bitch about politics, register to vote and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Otherwise, shut up. : ] I agree completely, so now I am going to do something for myself. I will post tonight about how it goes. I'm done at 8:30 instead of 9:15, thankfully. Later!
Posted by Katie @ 02:36 PM EST [Link]
Some people...honestly...
Posted by Katie @ 01:46 AM EST [Link]
Thursday, November 6, 2008
So it's what, November the sixth? And I am listening to Christmas music like it's my job. Santa Baby is my current favorite. Though I prefer the original by Eartha Kitt, I still like Everclear's version and B2K as well (somehow, since it's hip-hop and the girl sounds like a chipmunk).
Today I have a 2:30 class and tonight I have a meeting with some people to work on the semester observing project for astro. Even though I hate that class, it still has to get done. Fortunately I have people helping me. =)
I can't wait for TG because it marks the beginning of the holiday season. Matt hates it, but I LOVE IT. The only down side is that I work in retail. Anyone who has ever worked in retail before knows Christmas MAJORLY sucks in that way, but for me it doesn't really matter that much. I'm still going to go shopping and have a good time. I'm just going to have to put up with screaming, bitchy customers who are, like I said before, extremely self-centered. I also sent an e-mail to my dad asking if anyone (meaning my mom, most likely, because she likes getting rid of junk) had anything to donate in terms of Christmas decorations: lights, mini articial trees, wreaths, whatever. Maybe I'll buy some Penn State stockings. They can be expensive, but they'd be so cute. And of course, I'll buy my dad a PSU Santa hat. Yes, they make those.
I'm probably going to the mall a lot next week to work on my shopping. I'm hoping to find a babysitting job to earn some extra money to spend on gifts. But we'll see how that goes. Right?
Okay, I'm going to go study (or rather, see if I can get anything done with my favorite Christmas song, Carol of the Bells. Fat chance there). Later!
<3 <3 <3
Posted by Katie @ 01:00 PM EST [Link]
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I AM SO SICK OF EVERYTHING!!!!!
All day I had to deal with self-centered, bitchy customers who wanted this, or wanted that, blah blah blah. They come up to the counter and dump all their merchandise in front of me and start telling me their life story, like I care. All if one little thing goes wrong with the register, they throw a temper tantrum like they're four years old. And all the while, I want to ask them, "YOU try being behind the counter for once!"
THEN I come home and the apartment is a wreck because Matt's friend refuses to clean up after himself. There is a pizza box on the kitchen counter that's been there for several days. Dishes in the sink. Poker chips all over the coffee table. It is not my job to clean up after the whole damn world! I do enough of that at work!!!!!
THEN I get a nasty comment on Facebook from Matt's other friend, the same one who was giving me shit at Chris's party last weekend, the one who made me cry. While I know he's just jealous because his candidate got his ass kicked by my candidate in the electoral college. I wanted to tell him, jealousy is a strong emotion, very strong, but I didn't want to get flamed a second time.
I literally just finished my miniature mental break-down. On Facebook, I changed my RSVP for Anthony's 21st birthday party so I am no longer attending. I can't be around his friends, especially after having to work an 8 hour shift all day long beforehand.
I HATE MY LIFE!
The only good thing to happen to me in the past MONTH would have to be the election results. And that happened YESTERDAY.
I AM SO ANGRY!
Posted by Katie @ 10:23 PM EST [Link]
Searching for babysitting jobs is SO frustrating, simply because there seem to be no available babysitting jobs at all in State College. Or maybe I am looking in the wrong place, I don't know.
I've decided I am going to print out flyers and go to the mall. Then I'm going to find families (I was there last night and I saw so many families) at the mall and give them each a flyer. I assume that they don't have a regular babysitter because they're at the mall and their kids are with them.
I'm starting to get impatient because none of these websites are turning up anything. It seems no one is looking for jobs here in State College and it's driving me crazy! I cannot work in JCP for another day! Not when they put me in departments all alone!!!! Though tonight shouldn't be too bad as it's a weeknight...I still hate it. I really do. At this point, I'm desperate for any source of income as long as it's not stupid JCP. *urgh*
Posted by Katie @ 02:08 PM EST [Link]
I seriously, seriously, REALLY need a new job. Not only is JCP NOT giving me nearly enough hours, but they are scheduling me all weekend every weekend, and not giving me any hours during the week. For example:
Sat. 10/4: 1:30 - 9:30
Sun. 10/5: 1 - 6:30Sat. 10/11: 1:30 - 6:30
Sun. 10/12: 11:45 - 4:45Fri. 10/17: 5:30 - 9:30
Sat. 10/18: 4 - 9
Sun. 10/19: 12 - 5Didn't work weekend of 10/24...went home but had to fight for it like crazy.
Sat. 11/1: 10 - 5
THIS WEEKEND!!!
Fri. 11/7: 3:30 - 8:30
Sat: 11/8: 12 - 8
Sun. 11/9: 1 - 6:30Sat. 11/15: 12 - 7
I know I'm scheduled this Sunday, but not sure of the time.You see, I'm scheduled every weekend but with hardly any days in between at all. Plus they're giving me bullshit about Thanksgiving week, requiring me to work on Black Friday when I want to stay home till Sunday, and I only get a week and a half off for Christmas break.
I really need a new job. I FUCKING HATE THIS PLACE!!!!!!
Posted by Katie @ 12:07 PM EST [Link]
Highlights of the election, in no particular order:
1) The fireworks going off outside my bedroom window that kept me up for a while.
2) Seeing Obama with his wife and two daughters in Chicago for his speech. What a feeling to see their husband / father elected President!
3) Me playing a Nintendo Wii game with Matt, and then him looking at my laptop and saying, "Katie, he won!" and I looked over to see that Obama had 278.
4) The fact that he won Virginia. I could not believe it when Matt pointed it out to me on TV this morning when I got up. That state hasn't voted blue in over 40 years!
5) I certainly enjoyed McCain's concession speech, not because I knew he lost, but because, for the first time, he seemed genuinely noble, though, of course, he looked disappointed. However, I thought his supporters were overly obnoxious for booing Obama, I did like how he quieted them and gave, as I said, a noble speech.
6) Obama grinning from ear to ear. I could not get over that.
7) Matt saying "Katie, McCain won California!" while I was on the phone with my dad, and then he and my dad laughed because he had only been kidding.
That's all I can think of. I loved going out and voting in such an important election. The nearly two-hour wait was so worth it. I also wanted to say to all the McCain supporters, that I respect you in a similar way that I respect my fellow Obama people: you were passionate about something you believed in, and while I cannot agree with your ideals, I can certainly agree with your passion!
Okay, and sorry for being such a bitch on Facebook. I just got a little TOO excited. ^_^ ;; Sorry...
Posted by Katie @ 09:38 AM EST [Link]
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I waited in line at Knights of Columbia for over an hour this morning, but it was well worth it. Matt and I bumped into Brian, and we had some laughs.
Brian: "If Democracy were more like an arcade, people would be more motivated to show up and vote."
Me: "What do you mean?"
"Brian: "Instead of filling in bubbles or pushing buttons, what if we had an arcade game to play?"
We came up with several ideas, including whack-a-mole, where you hit the candidate you DON'T want (since we are both liberal, we were cracking McCain jokes about that) or pinball, or skee ball, where you would roll the ball in the center ring for Obama, or one of the top two rings that are almost impossible to get for McCain, or the bottom losing ring for a write-in, and then a little paper pops out and you write in another candidate. Oh man, I was totally dying. He is THE funniest person I have EVER met.
Come on, even if you love McCain, you have to admit, if it were the other way around, it'd be funny for you!
Okay, well I'm in class now. See ya later!
Posted by Katie @ 12:59 PM EST [Link]
Monday, November 3, 2008
Today is Monday...today is Monday...Monday string beans all you hungry children come and eat it up...
Come on, it's from my favorite Eric Carle book!
Sorry, it's Monday and I'm trying to make the best of it. I have to go to soc and E C E 452, the class I hate. For that class, I'm supposed to bring in two sources for my group's paper that we're writing, 10 to 12 pages. -.-;; I hate group projects. I'd rather rely on myself, but whatever. I told you, I hate that class.
Today I also have to pack my lunch for school because I have no money and Matt can't afford to buy me lunch every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That's okay, I need to start eating better anyway.
Tonight...astro homework...soc reading...SPLED stuff maybe...*sigh*
The good news is that I applied for a babysitting job through care.com. Someone from State College finally posted a job on that website and I applied yesterday afternoon. It seems a once a week - weekend thing and in the description they said they'd pay $10 - $20 an hour. Even if it's only $10, that is still good! It's for a 1-year old little boy. =) My favorite age! I really hope I get this job. It'll bring in extra money and I'll therefore have a little money to spend on Christmas presents.
Speaking of Christmas, even though I don't have tons of money, I still am looking forward to the holidays...like, a lot! ^_^
Okay, I g2g to school soon. Later.
Posted by Katie @ 09:42 AM EST [Link]
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween party
Some events from the Halloween keg party of last night:
1) Some of the guys dressed as Nintendo characters (Matt = Wario, Mike = Waluigi, Marat = Luigi, Doug = Mario, Ali = Peach, Anthony = Shy Guy, Chris = Donkey Kong) and dancing to Nintendo themed rock songs. I almost died, it was so funny.
2) Wario (Matt) playing Wii Sports bowling against Jesus (Gina) and Jacko (Michael Jackson...aka Lisa) and winning even though Jesus had been kicking my ass as well as Lisa's. ^_^
3) Me getting hugged by Luigi (THAT WAS WEIRD IF YOU LOOK AT WHO HE WAS) and cursed out by a very wasted Shy Guy.
4) Sitting on the floor in the upstairs hallway eating pizza with Gina and Lisa so everyone else wouldn't steal it.
5) Discovering Angerfirst music...or should I say noise...oh yes.
6) Thinking about playing beer pong...but not
7) Some guy dressed like George Bush / Bill Clinton or something sleeping on the couch the entire time.
---
Things I missed because I went home early:
1) Apparently they played "Donkey Kong," which consisted of rolling a big huge keg down the stairs and having people try to run UP the stairs. The neighbors came over later to check if everyone was okay.
2) Keg stands...of course
3) Being drunk...which I usually am at parties.
4) Probably not much else.
I WISH I HAD STAYED but I had worked all day and I was exhausting. And I was wearing fish nets and stilettos, which weren't doing too well for my comfort. After all, I had been on my feet all day long at work. I HATE IT. Yeah.
So that was the party. I hope there are more like it. :D
Posted by Katie @ 08:28 PM EST [Link]
Saturday, November 1, 2008
First he's yelling at me, swearing and telling me to chill the fuck out. Then he comes back later and gives me a hug, tries to make me laugh, and tells me we're "burying the hatch," meaning putting all the crap behind us.
I found out when Matt was driving me home from Chris's party that he was yelling at Matt, telling me "who gives a fuck about her?" and how Matt was saying that if he disrespects me, he disrespects Matt too. And then he came to apologize to me. Which makes me wonder, is it legitimate? Or is he just trying to make himself seem like the nice guy, so that, even if I don't believe him, he'll still look the good guy in the end. Well, fuck him. I don't believe him either way. After how shitty he treats women. And let's just forget the fact that I think that any woman who is dumb enough to fall for him deserves him. He's still an asshole. Fuck him for treating women, and me, the way he does.
I kind of wish Matt would come back. I wanted to go home because I was wearing leather stilletos and they were hurting my feet. Plus I worked 10 to 5 today and I was exhausted because we were SO incredibly busy. Not only that, but we had some pretty mean customers too. And after all that, and I had to deal with HIS shit...I don't know, I'm pretty much at the end of my rope right now. Maybe I'll do to bed.
Tomorrow is a homework and laundry day. But for now...SLEEP.