Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Keith's LiveJournal:

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Friday, July 5th, 2002
8:06 pm	A few months ago Ebony and I saw Queen Latifah filming something in San Marino. An entertainment show just gave a sneak preview so we now know her co-star is Steve Martin. I've seen quite a few studio trailers in the area since then, but I drive too fast to turn and look for the celebrities, and I don't have Ebony's gift of the shinning. (Comment on this)
7:41 pm	The Kittens 2 The kittens have become a menace to our apartment building. First they moved inside. Mama and the little ones picked a spot in front of a door halfway down the hall. I'm happy they haven't ventured to the second floor, but I expect they will soon, just to spite me. The person who encouraged them to make our carport their initial home by leaving out food should really put out a litter box. If somebody could just potty train them and teach them not to sleep under my car or on the tires we'd be fine. The cats are always in my way when I try to come upstairs. I can tell they get frightened, but instead of running the other direction they always find a way to run past my along the wall. I try to walk slowly so as not to frighten them, but they still into the wall half the time. I see know that they could easily come upstairs. As I'm looking out the window I see that they're playing on the roof of the carport. Pretty soon they'll be jumping from tree branches to telephone wires chasing squirrels. Right now I'm wondering what the relationship is between the two momma cats. A couple weeks ago another family of cats showed up, and I see the kittens mixing, although I've never seen the two moms together. I wonder if this is a defensive tactic, so one can raise the kittens if something happens to the other, if they're rivals, or if they just having a lover's quarrel. It's a 2002 lesbian cat version of The Brady Bunch. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 25th, 2002
10:12 pm	Summer Culture The summer has officially begun. Ebony rode/danced on Outfest's Afro-Brazilian themed float at the West Hollywood Pride Parade this past Sunday, and I think I took some decent pictures of the event. We're both excited that the Outfest Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, where Ebony interned last summer, is coming up in mid-July. We'll probably both volunteer, so we'll be able to get movie passes. But for the next week or two I'll probably spend my free time reading "The Soloist" by Mark Salzman. Pasadena is sponsoring the "One City, One Story" program where city residents are encouraged to read the story and participate in one several group discussion. I'm through the first 7 chapters and have a good feel for the main character, a musical prodigy whose mother put all her attention on him, and who lost his gift just as he was reaching adulthood. I'm not sure how two storylines will tie together, or if they even will, but I'm enjoying this exercise in relaxation, considering I never allow myself time to read non-fiction. I'll probably spoil that though, once I've finished the book, by posting a book report. Current Music: ribbon in the sky - american idol contestants (Comment on this)
Saturday, June 22nd, 2002
2:31 am	Mystery & Mastery Memorable day for a few reasons: 1.) I found out I won a raffle prize, the novel "The Soloist" which the city of Pasadena has selected for its "One City, One Story" program. The program encourages city residents to read the novel this summer and participate in various book club style and panel discussions. Mind you, I'm not a Pasadena resident, I just work there, but I still thought it would be fun since I've only read two novels in the last eight years. Of course, I'm too cheap to buy a book unless it's non-fiction and I plan to refer back to it, and I figured the library's few copies would already be checked out so I put it on my list to try to do next year. But when Ebony and I were at the free Pasadena Pops concert at city hall last weekend (they normally play at the Descanso Gardens, and the tickets are pricy)I had to sign up for the chance to win this book. The call at work from the Pasadena public library took me by surprise at first since theirs is not one of my four library cards, so I knew they couldn't be harrassing me about overdue fees. It capped off nicely a day filled with much uncertainty. 2.) The company I work for is realigning and no one is sure yet just quite what this means. My supervisor made sure my group knew that our jobs were safe so we won't spend the weekend worrying about whether there's something to come back to. But it's weird because there are sure to be people I know who will resign or be let go. 3.) A friend who lives a couple blocks from us had us and several other friends over for a potluck dinner and to just hang out, which is why I'm up so late. It's not the first time, but sadly it's the last for a while, since she'll be moving in with family in the Inland Empire next week. This leaves Ebony and I 20-30 minutes from our next nearest friend. We'd like to move to a bigger place, but hopefully stay in the same area. We enjoy the activities and arts that are available closer to Los Angeles, although that leaves us isolated from friends that are choosing outlying commuter suburbs. 4.) Tomorrow (this morning after I go to sleep and wake up) I take the next step to Microsoft Excel mastery. I'll have time because I'm not taking the summer session of the Medical Billing & Coding class, and I'll also use this time to brush up on medical terminology and read further ahead in the billing & coding textbook, since it's the same book for each session. Tomorrow will undoubtly bring more changes, but I think now is a good time to take a snapshot of where we are, just to prove we've been here. Current Music: la vida azucar - celia cruz (Comment on this)
Saturday, June 15th, 2002
11:32 am	I have to buy today's paper! Not to be outdone... by the LA Laker's championship parade glory, the neighboring Inland Empire made the local tv news last night with the Riverside County sheriffs' raid on a golf course a few miles from my parents' house. 80 men and 20 women were taken into custody for questioning on charges of prostitution and pimpering. Apparently this was not the first time that the course hosted a golf tournament concealing a prostitution ring. Yesterday's shenanigans were busted by undercover cops and a swarm of sheriffs that drove onto the green. The Hidden Valley course is isolated in the Norco Hills up a long winding road where new tract housing is being built, in an area that was formerly reserved for horse trails. Construction workers at the new housing development said in interviews that they suspected foul play when they saw camping tents set up at each of the holes. I don't think the tv news copters showed up soon enough to capture the action, and catapult Norco to notoriety on Max X, Maximum Exposure. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2002
10:00 pm	Voices from the Past As I've mentioned, when I transfered I just moved to a cube around the corner. There is an invisible wall between the two sections, that few people cross. There may even be a physical wall soon. My former supervisor asked me today if I could help cover the phones because my former co-worker had to stay home with her son who's sick. My new supervisor politely said this would be the last time, that I could freely turn down my former supervisor. So the law has been laid down, and my ties with my former department have been cut. The weird part is that I can hear the voices of people from that department, but I can't discern their conversations. I can tell when someone's making a joke, or complaining about their workload, but the details are lost. These faint murmurs will haunt me until the wall goes up for good. I want to stop by to visit, but I think it may be too soon. My very first supervisor still gets calls from the department, to tap into her experience, even though she transfered almost a year ago. I still haven't decided how strong of a relationship to maintain. A week ago everything felt so different. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, June 9th, 2002
9:48 pm	Lakers & Laundry Well, I spent 6 hours at work finishing a few things, then moving my personal stuff to my new desk. When I got home, Ebony and I sorted our laundry and packed it into our car. I can't believe it's been a few weeks, or that we were able to do it all in a few hours. We went to a laundromat ten times as far as one near our place, but I agree with Ebony that it has everything you would want. There were four tv's with clear pictures playing the Laker/Nets games, carts with hangers to wheel around your laundry from washer to dryer and back out to your car, and a donut shop next door where we picked up a couple 32 oz. drinks. The game started right as we walked through the door, and we were finished right when it ended. It was the most exciting of the games so far, so I'm glad I got to see the whole thing. But I can't believe I spent the whole day on just two things. (Comment on this)
Saturday, June 8th, 2002
6:10 pm	Eyes on the Prize My interests lately have drifted towards the sciences. This week I read the magazine Discover from cover to cover, spent a couple evenings in Medical Billing & Coding class, and am going through each chapter of Baron's "How to Prepare for the AP Exam in Biology". I bought the book ten years ago, when I failed the AP Biology exam with a score of 1 out of 5. Things will be different now. There's no test involved, and I have something to connect my studies with: my volunteer work as a water quality monitor, and a career in healthcare. Wow, I can't believe I called it a career. I can say at least that my career path is currently in the land of healthcare. Hey, I had a 5 out of 5 on the AP Calculus exam so why are you still looking at me like I'm a loser. I know I can't see you, but I know you're thinking it. Calculus is so much more... mathematical. Give me a problem that can be solved with straightforward formulas, that was my motto. Field studies always struck me as inprecise, plus throughout my childhood I felt disconnected from nature and my surroundings as a whole. I was even disconnected from people, and clueless to how most people's minds operate, which is why I though a B.A. in sociology would fix me. It didn't help that I didn't relate to my high school science teachers. I had the same teacher for 1st semester Intro Bio and a full year of AP Bio, who was more concerned about the surf report then lecturing. He motivated his cross country team, who turned out to be good science students for the most part. I had a better teacher for 2nd semester Intro Bio, but the only thing we learned was how to dissect half a dozen animals. Because I hadn't learned anything in 1st semester, I had no idea how the organs/systems I was holding even functioned. I vaguely remember learning pieces in elementary school, probably 3rd grade, but the only memories I still have of the third grade are singing in the Christmas program, getting pegged by 5 dodge balls at once by rapid-fire classmates for getting 100% on every spelling test, and my first crush. Actually she was in 3rd grade and I was in 2nd. I digress. So by high school, biology was foreign to me. It seemed I was allergic to the outdoors, and I even missed sex education because the private school I went to through 6th taught it in the 7th, and the private school I started in 7th, when my family moved, taught it in the 6th. Somehow I've had a general sense of what sex involves though, as far back as I can remember. I must have asked someone early on. But my lack of significant learning in the sciences prevented me from going any further in college. I was too far behind the other students, and too intimidated. But now I have a second chance, and I intend to follow through. No more tangents! I'm staying focused! Current Music: word up - cameo (6 Comments |Comment on this)
5:37 pm	The Transition They're bringing in a temp until they can hire my replacement. I was fortunate enough to have a week to prepare notes on the different pieces of my former job. My other work was light for a change, until Friday. Friday, everyone wanted to be the one to give me my last assignment (the last laugh) so I didn't get to finish before I met Ebony for dinner. I'll have to go back in on Sunday to finish up a few things because it would take just as long to make my handwritten notes legible, but I'm leaving several other projects for someone else to finish. I also want to work with some software for the last time that I won't have on my new computer. Transitions don't have to be difficult. I was lucky that the boss was on vacation, which gave me time to make a compact binder with critical notes. But I think it's valuable enough to employers that they should make it standard to give people leaving time to do this. Then again, not everyone leaves amicably. And there's short-timer's disease, which people were waiting for me to exhibit. I probably couldn't have relaxed and done nothing my last week, even if I had wanted to, since everyone knows where to find me. Current Mood: productive Current Music: shaft - isaac hayes (Comment on this)
5:10 pm	My Happy Hour The happy hour in my honor to celebrate my promotion went off rather well. I was congratulated and told what a great job I had done. We all enjoyed a few laughs. Uneventful overall, which is fitting since I'm generally polite, and not party to much of the gossip that used to dominate these things. It's finally starting to sink in that I'm leaving, even if I'll still be in the same corner of the same floor. For a brief instant I felt the characteristic worry that I get when things are about to change. I'd like to test myself someday. I think my body must release an abundance of some hormone to counter most of the emotions I feel, whether anger or happy excitement, until I reach homeostasis, which for me is general state of calm. Usually my worries are stronger than the brain chemistry but, for better or worse, I'm not feeling any fear this time. Current Mood: funky Current Music: pick up the pieces - average white band (Comment on this)
4:09 pm	L.A. Works Day My shirt and jeans are spotted with paint. This morning I drove down to the Staples Center (The Lakers play again tonight!) for L.A. Works Day, a large volunteer event where volunteers, many of whom were employees of the company sponsors, were shuttled to schools, (food/shelter) missions, and fire stations in the downtown L.A. vicinity to work on projects. I think there were 15-20 sites in total. The employees from my building, and a couple other organizations were assigned a school to paint. I knew they could assign us to any type of activity so I dressed grungy. Other people in my group were not as prepared. It was fun. I met several people from my work who I've seen around, another few who I'll probably work with in my new position, and one person who I've worked with by phone. The courtyard definitely needed another coat of paint when we were done, but we helped start them off. L.A. Works, which sponsors about 20 volunteer activities a month, will be back in a few weeks with another round of volunteers. I love the smell of paint. Ebony is going to be extremely jealous when she finds out that I saw actor Billy Zane walking around afterwards, with paint on his jacket, when volunteers in the Staples Center parking lot served us Italian food from Louise's Trattoria. The mayor, local city council member, fire dept. battalion chief, and Richard Dreyfuss all welcomed us in the morning. An energetic aerobics instructor led us in stretches, and the USC Trojan Marching Band performed the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Tusk". The Laker Girls were autographing photos during lunch. I didn't ask Billy Zane for his autograph (Sorry, Ebony!) but I did say hi to Mayor Hahn. He was following a staff person and I moved out of the way to let her through the crowd. As I was processing where I knew him from, he said "Hi, How are you doing?", and I said "Hi" back, my automatic reaction. The look on my face said I didn't recognize him, and he passed by. I had to laugh later, because I'm always a couple seconds too slow. Maybe I liked the smell of paint a little too much when I was a kid. The other thing I found amusing is that initially I assumed it was free to participate in the event. But when I went to the L.A. Works website it said you had to bring at least $25 in donations/pledges in order to volunteer. I set up a display on the counter by my desk to raise money. Unbeknownst to me until I showed up this morning, my company had paid my registration fee. The volunteer at the check-in table wasn't even sure who to give the checks to, or where the prizes were that I had earned. But hey, it all helps. Current Mood: refreshed Current Music: basket case - green day (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, June 2nd, 2002
1:06 pm	The Kittens Our carport's resident cat, who eats out of a tupperware dish someone leaves out, had kittens a couple weeks ago. I had to take Ebony's word for it the first week because the kittens always seemed to be hiding somewhere when I was walking to my car. Then I began to see them everytime I went out or came home. Today I got my first close-up view of the little fur balls. While I was in the basement doing my laundry I looked out the window that's at ground level and I saw the kittens wrestling with each other and jumping on a brick. Being at their level gave me a different perspective, and I imagined watching big cats at the zoo. I wondered if they would notice me staring at them through the glass, when my eyes locked with one of them. The others continued to play, but it approached the glass to size me up. I waved my hand and smiled, which scared it away. Then a second kitten noticed me and raised its back. I tried to keep its attention by tilting my head back and forth, but this one ran away too. The third kitten felt abandoned and followed the others. Eventually they began playing in front of the window, five or six in total, but occasionally one of them would glance at me suspiciously. I've only had one pet, Fishy (named by Ebony), so I'm always intrigued by animal behavior. I wonder what happens in every cat's life that turns it from a frisky kitten to a serious adult cat. My guess is they realize that the world isn't all theirs for the taking. Once they leave momma they have to fight for everything. I've noticed that the tree squirrels out my apartment window aren't chasing each other the same way the kittens do. For them it's probably a matter of survival, involving food or sex. I admit that I have no particular insight into squirrel social structure, outside my occasional observation of their branch jumping and telephone wire balancing skills, but it seems a pretty tough world no matter who or what you are. (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 30th, 2002
10:15 pm	Under Pressure I just remembered we watched Star Wars: The Phantom Menace with the friend Ebony's with right now. Our friend came back to Southern California this week after being evacuated, due to civil war, from the country where she's been working. Austin Powers was riding on Star Wars' coattail that year too. I know I've missed a lot of exciting live journal news these past few weeks as I cram in as many projects as I can my last month with this department. Blanket congratulations to everyone on your various accomplishments that I missed! Except for the things I shake my finger at, and to which I say "Shame!" As I alluded to, I'm taking the job in the other department. So I won't bore everyone any longer with talk of promotions, or descriptions of my daily work. Although I'm still a secretary, my job is in a high profile office, so I'm choosing to honor a greater level of confidentiality. Some of my current co-workers have called me a traitor, but only the ones with good senses of humor. I have no idea what to expect in the new job. Sure, I have a picture in my head, but it could be far from accurate. In just over a week my reality changes. Current Music: underground - labyrinth soundtrack (1 Comment |Comment on this)
9:53 pm	A Memorial Weekend We were originally planning to go to the Summerfest / Playboy Jazz Festival in Pasadena's Central Park, but we were too tired by the time Monday rolled around. Saturday, we cleaned the apartment and ran errands. Sunday, we walked the 3 mile loop around the Rose Bowl, went to my parents barbeque (usually it's at my grandparents' house but my grandma was in the hospital, which is only a few minutes from my parents' house), then saw "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones." I don't understand the criticism of the movie's dialogue. I thought it had all the elements of the first trilogy. If the acting seems stiff, I see it as part of their characters. They haven't had time in their busy lives for self-analysis, so we shouldn't expect them to talk like they're in Dawson's Creek. When Anakin says "It's not fair!", that's all he needs to say. If he was more expressive he probably wouldn't have developed into the twisted, tortured soul we first knew him as. :: how jedi are you? :: Current Music: parade of ewoks - return of the jedi soundtrack (Comment on this)
Monday, May 20th, 2002
10:45 pm	Free is Fun! I was a carney for a day! Yesterday I volunteered on the LA County Bicycle Coalition's River Ride from Griffith Park (Los Angeles) to Long Beach. Actually that was the 100 km route, but people also had to option to ride a loop to the LA River Center twice to make it a 40 km. I helped set up several big tents/canopies over the registration, food, and other areas, and carried tables and boxes. Then I worked at the registration table through the three check-in periods and helped pack up. I'm ready to work the traveling circus circuit. It was a reward in itself to be outside on such a nice morning, with the post-drizzle cloud layer clinging to the hillside. But I also received a shirt and souvenir water bottle, in return for my contribution. After volunteering, I made quick stops at three of the museums that were part of the Museums Of The Arroyo event. FREE MOTA! A special, free bus was shuttling visitors between five museums that weren't charging admission just for this one day. I've been to the Gamble House and the Pasadena Historical Museum, so I didn't stop at those two. However, until yesterday I had never been to the Southwest Museum, Lummis Home, and Heritage Square, all in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. I enjoy learning the history of where I live and finding out about all the things right under my nose. While I'm on the topic of free things, I had a great free dinner the other night. I've been going to a lecture series called the Environmental Roundtable, coordinated by the San Gabriel Regional Mountain Conservancy. Their season finale was a dinner sponsored by Southern California Edison at its Consumer Technology Application Center. After dinner and an interesting panel discussion, one of the center's director/engineer/educators gave us a 20 minute tour that took more like 90 minutes, but still felt crammed with too much good information. There were raffles at both free events, so it wasn't exactly free for a gambler such as myself. I didn't win anything at the Roundtable, but I'll find out tomorrow whether I won something through MOTA. I know exactly what prize I want: 4 hour reception-use of the Fenyes Mansion. Guess what type of reception I'd plan! Ebony and I may have finally set a date! We're thinking about getting married next spring at Cal Poly, and it would probably be best to have the wedding during the spring break. I'm excited beyond words! One piece of advice to everyone on today's general topic: Don't free-up with Verizon! Sorry for the random commentary. Current Mood: jubilant (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Saturday, April 27th, 2002
11:52 pm	Keith on... The Reunion: There's one week left until my college reunion, where I get to compare my life with those fast-trackers from the class of 97 who already have their MDs, PhDs, JDs, MBAs, MAs, MFAs, and assorted degrees and certifications. The Volunteer Opportunity: Today's training has me excited. Not only will I be conducting on-site water quality testing and collecting samples, but I'll probably also volunteer in the lab. The Promotion: The dilemma is still whether to accept the first job in the other department (similar work to what I'm doing now), or take my chances on what's behind door #2 (ie. wait for the job in my department that will require new skills and knowledge). Even though my department's director has encouraged me, he also told me he's going to leave the interviewing to the position's immediate supervisor. Will she think I meet the necessary qualifications? I had decided to go with the sure thing, once it was offered to me, because it seemed, at the time, that it would start at least a month sooner. But the job hasn't officially posted yet, so there goes that advantage. The X-Files: Why would I want to watch the last 4 episodes (series finale) if the Lone Gunmen are dead? Current Music: tribute - tenacious d (Comment on this)
Thursday, April 18th, 2002
8:05 pm	Bronco Fest and romp through the IE Last weekend Ebony and I went to Cal Poly Pomona's Bronco Fest. One of the many activities and highlights of the day, I finally tried one of those rock climbing walls. I've wanted to try it for the longest time, but not enough to pay regular prices. This one belonged to the Army and all I had to do was sign up on their mailing list. I have to respect their bribery. They could have just bought my name off someone else's list. The festival had some good performances too, including capoiera and taiko drumming. I found out the next day I even won a raffle prize, a two-night hotel stay. Afterwards, Ebony and I headed east, further into the Inland Empire. Our next stop was the Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga. I've never stopped there before. It isn't very scenic, but they had a nice shop and tribute to the area's history. Then we drove on to my parents' house for a surprise visit. It's amazing how they still won't broach the subject of our wedding. My uncle and his partner stopped in just minutes after we arrived, and recruited my parents to help them move furniture to their new house next weekend. So the topic of conversation for the next hour was home decorating. I really don't want to see my parents again for a while. Mother's Day is coming up and mom wants the kids and their significant others to all go out to breakfast. I'm torn between wanting to build bridges and wanting to completely write off my family. My solution: Sit here like a dumbass... and start my Medical Billing and Coding homework. Current Music: little wing - jimmi hendrix (Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2002
11:43 pm	Celebr(ex)ation What a complete change since this weekend! I should have gone to sleep a couple hours ago, but I have a rule about going to sleep before I'm tired... something about recharging the battery before it's out of juice. I'm just too excited. My first night of Medical Billing and Coding class was actually interesting. I figured it would be good to know for my job, although I don't expect to ever do any billing myself. I just want to understand the process. But after tonight, I also think the workbook exercises will be fun puzzles to solve. And since it's self paced, I imagine two scenarios. Either I won't want to put the book down, or it will get boring and I'll speed through it to get it over with. The other reason I'm excited is that I interviewed for a job transfer at work, which would bump me up a couple pay scales. There's a strong chance I'll be offered the job next week. If I gave two weeks notice I'd still start in April. The trick will be directing the extra money into the wedding fund. Current Mood: hyper Current Music: down under - men at work (Comment on this)
Monday, March 25th, 2002
7:30 pm	The Benefits of Working in Health Care A large package came for someone in my department. I cut open the box and did her the favor of dumping the little green packing squishies in my trashcan before leaving her mail in her cube. I didn't pay attention to what was inside. I just knew there were smaller boxes within the box (products from a vendor) and accompanying information. When she and her colleague/counterpart came back from lunch, she stepped into her cube and said "Oh my god, who left this here!" They were laughing hysterically by the time I arrived. I wanted to find out why all the excitement so I fessed up. It turned out to be a penus pump, which it seems they were expecting. He offered me one (I think they received three or four), but she wanted to keep them in case she was ever asked to participate in a holiday anonymous gift exchange. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. The sight of it gave me the shivers, but look at what it did for Austin Powers. (Comment on this)
Sunday, March 24th, 2002
2:13 am	Idolatry General fatigue is impairing my mechanical abilities, which doesn't surprise me. I knocked over a picture frame at my desk on Friday. However I didn't expect the memory that it drug up from the basement. I used to put a lot of weight in symbolic items. Similar to how there's some kind of tradition or law to burn the flag if it touches the ground, I thought God would smite me if I let my Bible get dusty, fall off the shelf, or rest underneath another book. I was a freaky child, only no one knew since I never voiced half my beliefs. Time to sleep. Correction: Way past time to sleep. (Comment on this)