So, you want to go to the movies?

If so, I'm the guy you need to talk to. Last night (well, actually, this morning... as I didn't get home until 3:30) I saw this and this over at the Colonial 18 Theatres. Both shows were free as always. Anyways, here are some unbiased impressions of both films.

Oliver Twist is a movie adapted from the famous novel by Charles Dickens. I had not seen any films previously on the topic, so aside from reading the book many, many years ago this was the first time I was exposed to it. I wasn't expecting a whole lot (even though the film is directed by Roman Polanski, who also directed one of my favorite movies The Pianist). I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. Ben Kingsley did a phenomenal job as Fagin. Clocking in at a little over two hours it was lengthy enough to tell the story without dragging on too much. Now, as to whether or not it stays true to the novel is not for me to say. However, I am not one to criticize about such things. So, if you like Dickens, or like me you are merely fascinated with the culture of London during this time period, then I'd suggest going to see it. It's at least worth a rental once it hits the shelf.

Serenity was the reason why I went out (and stayed out so late) last night. Apparently, this movie is adapted from a sci-fi series called FireFly. I've never heard of it, but it has a rather large cult following. Again, I was pleasantly surprised. While it won't win any awards for its acting/story/visuals/etc it was still an enjoyable film. The humor they throw in is pretty random at times, but other then that it was quite entertaining. If you are not a fan of sci-fi then I would suggest you pass on it. You won't be missing anything special. Whereas anyone could go see Lord of the Rings or Star Wars and enjoy themselves I don't think the same thing could be said for this movie. However, for the cult following and sci-fi fans in general they will get their money's worth.


In other news, I have a couple of job interviews tomorrow. I'm pretty excited. One is for a Business Analyst position at a major office supply company and the other is a Paralegal position at a staffing/legal firm. Wish me luck.

Yo busco un empleo

Yep, still looking for a job. I put out a score of résumés yesterday, so I'm hopeful that one of them will bare fruit. I have to remain positive lest I break down and start robbing the rich and giving to the me. Or something like that.

I never made it to the Duluth Fall Festival this past weekend. The plan was to go on Saturday, but due to a myriad of things it just didn't happen. I understand from my pop that the booth they had was in a very bad spot, so unfortunately they didn't get the exposure they had planned on. That's too bad, but then again I tasted the chili con carne y las patatas and they weren't anything to salivate over. Next time they should serve funnel cakes or something along those lines. Oh, and a belated happy birthday to my pop... he turned 55 yesterday.

Back in the ATL

Well, as I forshadowed, I am now back in Atlanta. Permanently. I guess I should explain how and why I got to this point. So.... here I go:

First - I was ill-prepared for what awaited me down in Daphne. When I was training over in Alpharetta I was told certain things which turned out to either be untrue, or only half-true. I was told I would be heavily dependent on the GPS unit, but in fact my main job was to be nailing markers on poles. After doing this I would then 'GPS' the pole (or meter, or pad).

Second - Since I had very little experience dealing with the GPS unit I was confused about many things pertaining to said unit (a story in itself... the unit I was to be using was in the repair shop or malfunctioning the entire time I was in "training"). So, I then find out that the work I was to be doing was only a fraction of the actual "mapping". There is another guy who follows behind me and he gets to do most of the interesting and technical stuff (along with a nice boost in pay). I was told I would be trained in mapping very quickly, but once I got to Alabama I realized that this was not to be the case for quite some time.

Third - The "work" I was to do was extremely monotonous and very boring to boot. If I had even the slightest clue that it would be like that I would never have packed up my stuff and moved to Alabama in the first place. The work hardly challenged me mentally... indeed a teenager could have done it with ease. I have spent all this time and money on a degree and it would be a darn shame to overlook it.

As you can see I had no choice in the matter. I had to leave before I got in too deep. Luckily, after talking with Jim (one of the company co-founders) we were both in agreement that this was the right decision. In fact, he even offered to keep me in mind should a position open up in their offices. It's nice to know that I might have a choice somewhere down the road.

So, it's back to the drawing board again... but this time I won't be so hasty in picking a job. I have had a couple people contact me today concerning job openings and I fully intend on doing my research before making any decisions. Again, I would ask that if you know of anyone who is hiring in an office setting (in GEORGIA - NOT ALABAMA ^_^) then please let me know. Thanks guys and gals.

::Sad Face::

Well, this is my first, and probably last, blog from Daphne, Alabama. To sum it up - I am not enjoying myself down here. The work is rather boring, and due to the repitition of the job I know that things will not be getting better. Chances are I'll be getting out before I'm in too deep. I'm really upset with the overall situation down here. I'll go into more detail at a later date, but suffice to say that my time here will be limited.

On a brighter note, I will be in Atlanta this coming weekend regardless of my job situation. I plan on attending the Duluth Fall Festival on Saturday, which I'm excited about. I just hope the weather won't be as bad as the near-100 degrees that Southern Alabama is experiencing right now...

On the Road Again

Ok, so now I'll be physically leaving for Gulf Shores next Monday. Not Saturday. Not last Saturday. Not this Friday. This Sunday... not so much. Monday, we have a winner! Ding Ding Ding! Show him what he's won~!

A Brand New.... Cell Phone? Yeah. And it was a steal at $34.99! My company sure knows how to treat a guy right. Honestly, it's just a generic phone... nothing special. The good news is that it's a Cingular phone, so all my family as well as some of my friends can call me for free. I'm keeping my other cell phone as well, so I guess I'll be one of those cool guys with 2 phones. Awww, yeah! I'm gonna work it like it's 1985! Sike! Anyways, the number is 770.364.5867. Y'all can call either one, but if you don't have a Cingular phone then I prefer you use the 404.966.3841 number.

Oh, one more thing. The Genesis complete Best Hits Album is at Best Buy for $19.99. For those of you 80's fans this is an incredible deal. It's 3 discs with all of their best hits - from Peter Gabriel's tenure to Phil Collins. Get it... that is, unless of course, you don't like 80's music... in which case I will have to slap you with my Isotoner Gloves.

...

So, I get a call from SRI and it looks like I may be going to Mississippi first. Apparently, we've just been hired to do damage assessment from Hurricane Katrina. They say that the job is only temporary, but I'm not gonna hold my breath. I do know, however, that I'll be in Gulf Shores as soon as this job is done. I just love not knowing things until the last minute.

In better news, Tech won their game today against UNC 27-21. It wasn't a dominating performance, but it's a win nonetheless. Now if only U(sic)GA would lose their game against Spurrier's Gamecocks...

The C to the J to the G

Yep, you guessed it. I had no clever title for today's blog. Deal with it. ^_^

I found out today that I will in fact be staying here in Atlanta for another week. I'm pretty happy because this will let me see my mother before I go. I just know she would be really upset if I were to leave while she was in New York. So, if any of you want to see me before I leave you will have another chance. Lucky you. I still plan on coming to town the last weekend of September. I never miss the Duluth Fall Festival.

During my training today I was able to drive one of the vehicles which will be given to me. I had fun with it. They will be giving me the keys to one of the trucks sometime next week along with a gas card and a cell phone. Apparently the ATVs are already down in Gulf Shores, so I don't have to worry about dragging a trailer with me when I go. I was also given my e-mail account, so if any of you are interested it's chrisgill@srimap.com.

Oh, I also previewed This movie last night. I was expecting another stupid horror flick, but it was very different from the norm. A pretty good message is mixed in with some scary scenes and prolonged court proceedings. I guess I would recommend it for those of you who like a dash of horror and a pinch of intelligent storytelling. Oh, and it's apparently based on a true story. 3 a.m. That is all I have to say about it (you will understand if/when you see the movie).

A Possible Delay...

in my relocating. I may not leave until the weekend of the 17th. I went in for my first day of training today and it went pretty well. There is a lot of information I have to absorb though. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but they want me out there in Gulf Shores ASAP. So, I feel like I'm under a little pressure. I know what you're all thinking... "Oh, poor Chris... he has it soooo rough." My response? Look here at the September 6 blog. I'm so bad ^_^ (By the way, thanks for offering that pic to the e-masses Nicole.)

23-14

Such a beautiful score. It makes me wonder... how would Monty Python incorporate such a number into their skits?

The Dreaded Knights who say... 23-14 (Ni)!!!!!

HEAD KNIGHT: 23-14!
RANDOM KNIGHTS: 23-14! 23-14! 23-14! 23-14!
ARTHUR: Who are you?
HEAD KNIGHT: We are the Knights Who Say... '23-14'!
RANDOM: 23-14!
ARTHUR: No! Not the Knights Who Say '23-14'!
HEAD KNIGHT: The same!
BEDEVERE: Who are they?
HEAD KNIGHT: We are the keepers of the sacred words: Twenty-Three to Fourteen!
RANDOM: 23-14!
ARTHUR: Those who hear them seldom live to tell the tale!
HEAD KNIGHT: The Knights Who Say '23-14' demand a sacrifice!
ARTHUR: Knights of uh, erm, Knights who say '23-14', we are but simple travelers who seek the enchanter who lives beyond these woods.
HEAD KNIGHT: 23-14!
KNIGHTS: 23-14! 23-14! 23-14! 23-14!...
RANDOM: Ni! ((random knight #14 gets shot for breaking character))
ARTHUR: Ow! Ow! Ow! Agh!
HEAD KNIGHT: We shall say '23-14' again to you if you do not appease us.
ARTHUR: Well, what is it you want?
HEAD KNIGHT: We want... a shrubbery! One of the hedges from Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn!
[dramatic chord]
ARTHUR: A what?
RANDOM KNIGHTS: 23-14! 23-14! 23-14! 23-14!
ARTHUR and PARTY: Ow! Oh!
ARTHUR: Please, please! No more! We will find you a shrubbery.
HEAD KNIGHT: You must return here with a shrubbery or else you will never pass through this wood alive!
ARTHUR: O Knights who say '23-14', you are just and fair, and we will return with a shrubbery.
HEAD KNIGHT: One that looks nice.
ARTHUR: Of course.
HEAD KNIGHT: And not too expensive.
ARTHUR: Yes.
HEAD KNIGHT: Now... go!


On second thought this may be a little far-fetched, even for Monty Python... but you get the idea.

It's...

GAMEDAY!!!

Life is good. College Football is back in session. Tech plays at Auburn tonight, and U(sic)GA plays Boise State between the hedges. On Monday night my 'Canes plays against the 'Noles. Can you feel it? Can you feel the excitement?


Life is good.