moving!

So!

I did it, I moved to wordpress. I don't feel like transporting all this over there, so I'll leave it here, at least for a while. But go check in at http://retailretales.wordpress.com/
for all future updates.

Tell your friends!

Love,
superdes, aka desstar

oh hi

Oh hi, I have a blog that I haven't updated in over a month.
Remember when I used to update at least once a day? Yeah.

So anyway, I think I'm going to switch to Wordpress. Blogger is always ridiculous for me - it gives me issues uploading photos and whatnot.

Maybe it will inspire me to blog more. It won't be every day, because I'm still pretty damn busy, but more often than once a month anyway.

I haven't started the new blog yet because honestly, I don't know what to call it. And I don't know if anyone cares. That's not an invitation to a pity party, I just never get comments anymore. Of course, I rarely leave comments on others' anymore either. Part of that whole "being super busy" thing.

So.... thoughts?

personality test

Every so often, I like to take the Jung Typology (personality) Test. Even though I get the same answer, I always forget what that answer is.

I'm an ISTJ, also known as an Inspector. Also read as a robot. I find it pretty accurate, the most hard-hitting sentence being "They are patient with their work and with the procedures within an institution, although not always with the unauthorized behavior of some people in that institution." What? Me get annoyed at people for not doing thir job, especially when it affects my job? Nooooooooo.

I had to take a test like this for my job in NYC. It was very long and much more involved then this online one, and the results were much more in depth. I got to see my results (most people don't) and I should have made a copy. It said the same thing, and it actually used the term robot. So you see, I'm not just making that up.

Speaking of jobs, the online test gives a list of jobs & careers suitable for my personality type, but I'm pretty convinced that it's just a ploy to check out some online schools. It gave me things like Management and military service. I understand why - they are rigid and organized. But getting to those positions is not. Regardless, I'm happy with my choice to go into cosmetology. It mixes science with creativity, plus I get the benefits of dealing with people and having every day be different. And who better to do hair than a robot? ;)

updates on school and work

Other than burning my finger when learning to use old skool metal curlers and straighteners, school is still going well.

For some reason (I guess just to have it on paper that I'm not a total idiot), I have to take a Computer Basics class. It really is the basics too. I mean, obviously I can use a computer. I'm using one right now. I used one to register for that class. I can write HTML code. I can use a damn computer. But they teach us to "double click" on icons and how to get on the internet. I spend that 2 hours a week texting Jay and playing games on my phone because honestly there's nothing I can learn. I also had to buy a book for it (really?) and the one in the bookstore was like $75. Next semester they're upgrading to Office 2010, so the book on Office 2007 (I know!) won't be worth anything to buy back. Luckily I found a place to rent the book for $19, so now I don't have to worry about spending a bunch of dough that I don't have on a book that I will never use.

Pretty much everyone in the COS class gets along. I haven't hung out with anyone outside of class yet, but there are a few people that I would consider. This is evidenced by the other day at lunch: everyone was crowded around one table with not enough seats. I had gotten to the lobby a little late, so I was left without a chair. I stood around for a few minutes, then decided to go sit at another table by myself. (We stand up for 7 hours a day, so I took the seat when I had the chance.) But a few minutes later, a few of my "friends" came from the other table to sit with me. That made me smile.

However, there's one chick in my class that noboody likes. All she does is complain, and everything she says is negative. At first she was complaining that we use too many chemicals and everything is so wasteful. I initially brushed her off as a hippie that was just in the wrong profession (seriously, cosmetology uses a ton of unnatural chemicals!) but she kept making it worse. Everything we do in class is "impossible" (even though the rest of us are managing ok) and every problem she has is horrible and dramatic and deserves special attention, even making the teacher stop in the middle of class. The rest of us always exchange silent eyerolls whenever she opens her mouth, and I hope that she drops the program. She's only taking it because she was a dog groomer and people aren't paying for that service anymore, so she figured grooming people "is the same thing" just with a license.

I'm still looking for a new job. Besides the pay cut I mentioned previously, I found out some things the other day that made me very stabby. My previous supervisor lied to the managers about me. He said he had previously "counseled" me regarding my performance, and since my performance hadn't improved, I was supposed to be written up. The only problem was that he never had actually counseled me, which is why (thankfully) they couldn't find the paperwork, so I couldn't be written up. For a job that I no longer have, btw. And this same guy had told them that he was doing my work for me. For example, there were these giant cardboard bins that I spent several days building... he said that he built them. I threw a fit right then and told the manager to ask the rest of my coworkers, as they all saw me building them, and many made jokes about how I was building cardboard forts to hide in. Before this, I had been friends with this guy. I was able to separate friendship from work, but lying to his superiors to make me look bad and him look good, well, that's not something a friend does. That's not even something a good manager or decent human being does. I haven't had to work with him since, but when I eventually do, I'm sure he'll ask why I de-friended him on facebook. And I'll tell him exactly why.

Other than that, work isn't horrible. It's kind of nice not having to do so much - my new position is like braindead. I mean the pay still sucks, but until I get something better I can stick with it. I haven't had to work with either of the 2 people I hate, so hopefully it will stay that way.

Sorry this was kind of a negative blog but really I am still pretty happy. I miss my friends at work, but I still keep in touch with them and hang out with them occasionally, and I'm on my way to having new friends from school. And of course, I still have all of you lovely people.

And sorry it was TL;DR. And I used a lot of parentheticals. But I actually have things to say now!

I finally had my first day of school, after 3 & 1/2 days' delay from snow.

I think I'm really going to like Cosmetology school. There are 4 "classes" in the program - beginners (like me), advanced, seniors, and estheticians. Normally there's a manicurist class too, but not this semester. My class only has 9 people in it, all girls. There are a total of 3 guys in the whole program (out of about 40 or so), and well... way to fit stereotypes, gay hairdressers. (jk)

The $1500 I spent break down into one giant box of books - a set of 7 - and my cosmetology kit, which includes things like plastic heads and various hairpieces, along with assorted tools. I was super excited to open the kit and play with everything. :D The books include "quizzes" which are so simple that I could do them all tonight and turn them in tomorrow. It's a nice change from the studying I had to do while getting my Bachelors. However, I know cosmetology uses a different part of the brain than that.

My teacher is a no-nonsense Jamaican lady, and I think I'm going to like her. In fact, I'm really excited about the whole thing. Even though it's going to take some effort and life adjustments, I think I made the right choice in going back to school for a career in hair.

resolute

I normally don't make New Year's resolutions. I'm of the mind that if you want / need to change something about yourself, you should just do it and not wait until the calendar says to. This year it just so happens that I need to change myself right at the new year. How convenient.

I'm going to stop being such a downer and have more fun with my life. I know I've been having a hard time lately, but I shouldn't let it bring me down. I am certainly lucky in that I have love (from both Jay and 2 adorable kitties), a nice place to live, lots of friends all over the world, and a job. Sure, I'm looking for a new job because I hate this one, but a lot of people don't have even that luxury. In fact, I've been that person too, and I'll do what I can to not be in that position again. I watch tv and movies about families that are poor but happy. I want to be that. I am going to stop being so sad about my situation and have fun with what I do have. The fact that I'm being sad just makes me sadder, and that's a retarded circle that needs to stop. I'm going to stop wishing for things I can't have, and start enjoying the things I already do.

So I'm gonna do it. I used to be one of the happiest people I knew, so I know it's possible. And I need you, my blog friends to help keep me on track. An occasional downer post is allowed, but if I start bringing you down with all my Desi Downer acts, slap some sense into me!

I might even get a tattoo of the quote "It's fun to have fun" which is a Dr. Seuss quote that (used to be) my motto.

Other than that, everyone have a safe and happy new year. And have fun! :D :kiss:



ps - I'm officially done working overnights now, so that will probably help with the happiness. :D

silly cat

When I was in 3rd grade or so, we read a story in class about the Alaskan natives. The time period was such that they still weren't "Americanized" but they did receive yearly boat shipments of oranges. Because oranges are not native to Alaska (something about the cold....) the girl that was the focus of the story would eat the outside (the peel) and throw away the "garbage" inside. Obviously this is backwards from the norm. But the outside was better than anything she had ever had, so she didn't imagine that it could be even better.



I relate this story because of Hadley, the new kitty. She was definitely a "street cat" before we got her, and so is not used to the basic comforts of home that Mecrutio takes for granted. For example, we have a few cardboard scratchers around. Mecru uses them like a normal cat - scratchy scratchy. Whereas Hadley lies on it as a bed. We have many soft things for the cats to lie on, including various cat beds, blankets, and even our own bed, but no. The scratchers are more comfortable than anything she had on the streets, so she doesn't need to look for anything softer.

See?

We're trying to teach her about beds, but as long as she's happy.

financial woes

Warning, sad emo blog.

I'm really stressing about money today. Why?

-Out of the 2 cars we started out with, one is still smashed and the other has severe transmission problems. Both can be fixed, but not with our current resources.

- I don't know I'm going to pay for school. My financial aid still hasn't kicked in, and probably won't until too late. I can make payments on the tuition, but I didn't realize until I actually went to sign up that it requires a 33% down payment, which means I need about $300 by next week. Then I need another $1300 or so by next month for a uniform and supplies, which are specific packages I can only get through the school.

- xmas is coming, and I already feel horrible that people are going to be buying me gifts when I can do so little for them.

The list can go on, but those are the major worries right now. And I am trying to better my situation - I have one side job that started out pretty awesome. It's one of those work at home deals, and it was so awesome that I was planning on quitting my real job (which I hate) as soon as I had all my school bills paid with the extra money. But they recently changed it so I can only work like 1-2 hours a day. I know every bit helps, but seriously, an extra $10 a day isn't really helping me make my deadlines. And that means I have to stay at my horrible "real" job.

I have another side job lined up too. I did my (paid) training for it today. A friend of mine is going on vacation and needed someone to cover his part time job. It's a pretty sweet gig: I go down to the local BMW dealership 3 times a week, and take pictures of cars. I have to move the cars around and take very specific pictures of them, but I get paid for 3 hours' work whether it takes that long or not (and he said it usually takes only about an hour). If it's raining or snowing, I still get paid. Then I go home and upload the pictures to the website and a few days later there is more money in my bank. So this will help out a little anyway, though I'm not sure if that will be in time for school. And as always, there's still the odd sale from my etsy store and the random modeling job, but those are not reliable sources.

OK, sorry to lay that on you but I needed to get that off my chest.

new kitty

I got a new kitty! Warning, this is long but the cuteness is worth it, I promise.

The local humane society did a free cat adoption the weekend after Thanksgiving. Jay had to work both days, but I was off Saturday (after 9 hellish days in a row!) so he trusted me to go pick a winner.

I was originally looking for a male cat because the cat I already have is male. (Because they're from the Humane Society, no matter what they would be spayed or neutered.) I found one that was cute, but he was very shy. I'm awesome with cats, so he eventually warmed up to me, complete with snuggles and love nibbles, but he was still skiddish. There was an older couple outside the pen discussing the cat with an adoption coordinator. While they were surprised that I was getting any kitty attention (kit-tention), they were looking for an outside / barn cat - not necessarily people friendly but cat friendly and a good hunter. From their description, this was the perfect cat for them. Even though I liked him, I didn't know how he would react to Jhay and other guests, which is important to me. (I didn't stick around for the follow up, but when I next cheked the webpage, that cat had been adopted, so I assume it was with those people.)

Also I didn't feel so bad about letting that one "get away" because that cat's pen-mate, Hadley, was an adorable sweetheart. She was very affectionate, but not needy. She was comfortable enough around me to eat and let me hold her and touch her feet, and was still playful. In total, I spent over an hour in that pen, occasionally venturing out to see if I wanted to meet any other cats. But I kept going back to her until my mind was made up. She wasn't spayed yet, so I signed all the paperwork and was told I could come back Tuesday to bring her home. Perfect, as Tuesday is both my and Jay's day off, so he would get to meet her before actually getting home.

We got there and signed all the final paperwork and whatnot. They gave us a cardboard carrier to get her home - we took it because it's always nice to have 2 carriers when you have 2 cats. She was still groggy from surgery so we left her in the cardboard one. The adoption folks warned us that she hadn't gone potty since before the surgery - more than 24 hours ago. No problem, we had a litter box waiting at home. Unfortunately, poor girl couldn't wait til then, and I ended up very covered in stinky cat pee. And the cardboard carrier went straight in the trash.

At first the two cats didn't get along. We kept them separated, but the new one was still grumpy from surgery and all the recent changes in her life. So even though Mecrutio wanted nothing more than to be friends, the new kitty let out the occasional hiss, and that was off-putting to everyone. But as time went on. they became friends. As I type this, they are chasing each other around upstairs, sounding like a herd of elephants.

And now pictures! Meet Hadley. (The shelter named her, but I think it's a cute name so we'll keep it.)







Did I mention she's polydactyl AND bobtailed? She's my little genetic opera of a kitty.:)

rantings of a fangirl

Last night I got to see the legendary Cyndi Lauper in concert. I may be biased since I've loved her since I was born, but even the casual fan would agree that it was A.MA.ZING. The crowd was mostly older, though there were a few people my age, and one pair of girls that were definitely like 15. They tried a little too hard with the hair gel and the "crazy" outfits, but as long as they had fun I don't care.

Most of the show was her rocking out old blues covers, and I do mean rocking. It was so good that I didn't even care if she played her old 80s hits. However, the mouthy broad next to me did. "We paid $36 to hear some She-Bop!" she kept complaining to her friend. Directly in my ear. I wanted to turn to her and be like "Well maybe after 30 years she's tired of playing that old stuff. She has a new cd out, let her plug that. And *I* didn't pay to hear She-Bop. I can hear that for free, at home. I paid to see one of the most awesome women in music history live in person."

And I almost wish she hadn't played the 80s hits. She is such an excellent performer - high energy singing and dancing mixed with storytelling in her adorable Queens accent. (And how often do you call a a Queens accent adorable?) But she did play the 80s hits, and they too were fucking fantastic. She just waited until after the fake end of the concert, when everyone leaves the stage but the house lights don't come on. The audience cheers for a few minutes, and everyone comes back to finish the set.

Here is a video of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". The quality is crappy, but you can see how high-energy it all was. I had to cut off filming because she said "raise your hands in the air" and everyone did, and little old me couldn't see a thing. :(
ps - you can definitely hear that mouthy broad I mentioned earlier.

Here are a coupla other of my fave pics.

I got an autographed cd, too. They were pre-autographed, I didn't get to meet her, but it's still pretty cool. And yes, I idolize Cyndi Lauper almost as much as I do Joan Jett. And you all know how much I love her. But honestly, it was one of - if not THE best concerts I've ever been to.