On the train today, I see these two guys walk into the car I was on and stand directly across from me by the door. There is a skinny little one with a coke can he modified to where the bottom comes off and he hides weapons and knives and such in there. I know this because he was opening it and playing around with them out in the open on the train. He took out this one thing that looked like a shaved down wrought iron spike that was small and skinny, a bit skinnier than a pencil, like a nail. He took it out and was testing it against the skin of his own neck to see how sharp it was. He stopped and nodded his head, like it was good. His friend, taller and chubby wearing a black hoody over his head was now squatting down on the ground. He made a gang sign, something that looked like his ring finger and pinky and thumb were closed in, like someone was making a peace sign, but the V is closed. He held it horizontally against his chested and then kissed his hand. Then he crossed himself and said, “Tonight, we are dedicated to the blue rag.” Luckily, they didn’t get off at my stop. But I had to walk in between them to get off the train. Whoa.
slumlords January 28, 2008
My apartment isnt a slum. But its owned and run by slumlords. These are the most forgetful lazy liars I have ever met. Well, maybe not liars…they are just old. Jim wanted to look at this other apartment that the same people own. He made the appointment for 7:45, and they told him to call before he gets there. Probably, because they would forget about this appointment. Jim got there at 7:45 and no one was there. When he called them back, it was like they had forgotten about it. Humm, what do you know. He waited some more….and By 8:05 no one was there still. He called them back and they had been at home. Had they forgotten within those few minutes?
A few days ago, I had called them to complain about the things in the apartment that I wanted fixed. Not too huge of a request, but something that would be a common thing for a landlord to deal with. I called and told them that when I turn on my oven I smell gas, that I need a key to the first door, (not the security one), that the glass is cracked a bit on the door, and that the toilet rocks back and forth. She said, “well it seems like you are unhappy with the apartment, if you want we can give you your money back.” I told them, “NO! I am very happy with the apartment, I just want these simple things fixed.” When we started talking about the cracked glass, she said, “Does that really bother you?” WTF.
On Saturday, he had stopped by unexpectedly and said that he would come by on Monday to look at the stove. Ok, great. Sounds good. I called them today, (Monday) from work asking if they had come by yet. This was at around 4:30. He said no, but that they he was still going to. Then, I told him to that I had tried to fix the toilet myself and it cracked and water was leaking out when I flush. So that now, this was the more urgent problem he should look at.
When I got home, there was a note he left saying the toilet would be replaced tomorrow, as well as a new heater, and that the stove is supposed to let a little gas out before it ignites. Well….glad all that is settled. I’m going to look at another furniture store near me for a futon tomorrow. I can order one through a catalog they have and have it delivered by Friday. And delivery is free! Wheee!
Jim is looking at another apartment they own right now. He just called and said he’s filling out the application so, it must be a keeper!
The hood. January 27, 2008
I really would have liked to have gone out this weekend to bars with friends, but due to the terrible weather, I stayed here. Instead, I explored my new neighborhood when there was a sun break. It’s amazing. I unknowingly chose an awesome place to live. There are so many choices for food around here: Thai, Vietnamese, Philippino, El Salvadorian, Bengalese, Korean, Mexican, Chinese, Hawaiian and all are reasonably priced too. I ate Vietnamese food yesterday with Jim, and then Bengalese today. OMG. The Bengalese place is delicious.
Also, there is a couple karaoke places around, but they are both private booth ones. Which I don’t mind. I liked it in Japan because we could order drinks from a tv screen and have them delivered straight to the room. We could get pretty crazy in there and it was all private as can be. But on the other hand, I like singing in front of people at dive bars. Only dive bars. I like dive bars with pool tables. I like bars with other things available such as karaoke and pool so there are other things to do other than just drink and talk. But I don’t mind just talking either. Also, there a bowling alley just 2 blocks away. Yes!
I bought one of those rolling cart things that all the mexicans use, and rolled my dirty ropa over to the lavandaria and did a load. While that was washing I walked over to this fabric store and bought some fabric to make curtains for the doors and windows. I really like this neighborhood. Everyone is really friendly and I am not bombarded with bums and tourists. Also, there is 60% more parking available here than at the old place. Probably 60%. I haven’t had any problems so far, knock on cardboard table.
stuff January 23, 2008
I’ve got that “Ants go marching one by one” song in my head. I don’t know why. Thats been happening recently, where I get songs stuck in my head that I havent heard recently. This morning, it was some song off Murmur I think, “Talk about the passion,” I think that’s the title, and I think thats the album…. Anyway, a lot has happened and I don’t know where to begin. I have moved. I like it. But its too lonely and cold. I have no internet there until Friday, so this is being updated at work after hours. I’m here by myself and can hear the rain pouring down on the roof. Thankyou, gooooooobyeee!
slideshow-a-rama January 14, 2008
I am having so much fun looking at all these old slides. I even found an old Kodak Carousel 760H that I want to use to have a little slide show. It’s missing the power cord which is either in the garage still or, if not, I’ll have to wait till one comes up on ebay. I can’t wait. I hope I find one. It’ll be so much fun! There are tones of pictures on this carousel reel that I have never seen before. I love pictures. They are my life.
I just finished wathcing some documentary on TV about gangs in LA. I’m a little scared. I don’t think I want to go to South Central.
My dad had to wake up pretty early this morning to go to UCLA’s medical center for another MRI. My mom was worried he wouldn’t be able to get dressed in time so, she dressed him at night and he just slept in his clothes. In the middle of the night, he had to wake up and go to the bathroom. Because he lost so much weight, or because he wasn’t wearing a belt, his pants fell down on the way to the toilet and he tripped and fell on his head. He seemed fine though. At the research center they did a CAT scan just to be sure. Everything seems fine. He is either unwilling, or physically unable to walk. I don’t think it’s the latter. So now, the walker has turned into a wheelchair. He is being taken off Avastin for a while and still has 3 more weeks of radiation. My mom needs my help more than I have been giving. I want to be there more and do things more for my dad. I think he would really like to see this slide show. I hope I can get it working.
I got my keys tonight and have packed up a few boxes. I don’t have much. Mostly cameras and photos.
“Your calling is calling.” January 13, 2008
I like that new Monster.com ad. A bunch of people holding up reflectors in the morning on top of a hill trying to force the sun back because they don’t want to go to work. I liked it.
I spent the day at home with my dad. The radiation is making him so sick. He is so tired and weak and can barely lift his arms. It was a big shock to me to come home and see him with a walker. He sleeps all day. His hair is grayed now and falling out. He’ll wake up for his pills and then go staight back to bed. He doesn’t eat and has lost so much weight. My mom was surprised to see him up, however, for two hours to watch a movie with me. I went to the store and rented 3 movies, I didn’t realize 1 would be such a struggle. It makes me sad to hear him say, “this is it, this is the end. I can’t do this anymore.” It’s hard to make someone think more positively.
I will get my keys to the new apartment tomorrow night. I guess I should start packing. I don’t even know where to begin.
Shoganai…. January 10, 2008
All my music is gone. Most of what was on my ipod was taken from friends’ cds. (Tristan). I have no more Flaming Lips. I’m really bummed out about that. I am missing the black album from the Dandy Warhols. I’m even more bummed out over that. Lots of Motorhead, Michael Jackson, all of Groovie Ghoulies, a couple Guns and Roses albums, most of Zeke, Gillette… I’m just thinking off the top of my head. There was so much more. SO MUCH. 8000 songs. Gone.
Months of work, gone.
It really hit me at work today what little music selection I have now. Luckily, I still have my awesome records. This girl that used to work with me had a really good music library on her computer. I’ll have to get that some time.
shyness can stop you from saying all the things in life you’d like to. January 9, 2008
Today at work I wore headphones and listened to stuff all day because I wanted to block out the annoyance to the right of me. I was rather taken aback and appalled at the way this person spoke at me. I don’t like how my asking a simple question ( no matter if she had explained this to me before or not ) always ends up in her being extremely unknowingly condescending to me. Then, to make matters worse….well let me give you the back story first. Another person at work is constantly taking off hours from work to go to “doctors appointments.” The thing is, she is the secretary and works the front desk. For some reason, 3 or 4 months into this job, the people I work with in the production part designated me to answer the phones when said person is on the other line, or is away from her desk. THIS IS HER JOB! I am NOT a secretary, and I don’t know how to answer their questions. Most of the time, im just leaving a message for said person, but when the phone is constantly ringing, I can’t get my OWN work done. Also, if I were to leave, I would have no one to finish up MY work for me. Today, just as I hung up with someone, the person to the right of me immediately had to make a comment. “Can I just make a suggestion….?” “You need to take control of the conversation. You are in control. If someone doesn’t know a date they can make an appointment, you have to tell them their options.” (the thing was, this person I was talking to was making the appointment for someone else and didn’t know the date that was ok for them. So even if I suggested something, they still wouldn’t know if it was ok. I thought when people say they will call back and find out when’s a good time, that that’s a time to hang up and end the conversation. “You need to be more agressive when talking to clients.” Then another person next to her starts chanting, “Be aggressive, be be agressive.” I was really shocked.
I wish I could stand up for myself, defend myself. So many things I wish I had the guts to say, but I get stumped at the moment and end up mute. I just put my headphones on and didn’t say a word for the rest of the day.
Shugggie? No Shuggie! January 7, 2008
I had a great time this weekend. I took my scooter out for its first real ride. I rode across Los Angeles to Roberts place. I also made a little trip while I was in Mar Vista to In N Out and got Burgers for everyone. It’s like when you’re 16 and you’re more than happy to go and do chores for Mom and Dad because it’s a chance to drive. I realized on my ride that it’s really importand to use both brakes at the same time. Also, Robert said the brakes were good, but it seems like it takes me a long time to come to a stop. Maybe it was all those burgers in the back.
We discovered Mar Vista lanes. It’s three blocks away from Robert’s place. You can walk there! It has my 3 favorite things: Bowling, Beer and Babies. Just kidding, no babies, but it does have karaoke on Saturday nights. Not the best selections, but still a wonderfully good time is guarranteed. We liked it so much we went back the next night. It was delicious.
I’ll get the keys to my new apartment on the 16th of this month. I can’t wait.
My dad is been doing well. Just really tired. My mom can’t be there with him on the 12th, so I will go there and take care of him, go see a movie or something.
