blogging, not flogging...

Olympics

2008-08-11T09:17:00.002-04:00

If you're a fan of the Olympics, and you weren't watching it live last night, you should slap yourself across the face. This article does a much better job of describing it than I ever could, so here you go:

Frenchies talk smack, Americans put them in their place.

This is what it's all about.

Chip

2008-07-28T11:03:00.002-04:00

That's my new name. Chip.

No, not Chip 'n Dale...

No, not Chippendales...

Just, Chip. You can thank my step-mother for this one. I'm really not sure how this came about, but at the AT&T Classic she started calling me Chip. My only guess is that I was imitating all of the rich, snobby country clubbers (we were at the Sugarloaf CC). So, now I'm Chip.

Please, no dip jokes.

Pics

2008-07-20T15:58:00.006-04:00

So, here's a few random pics. Yes, those are my two female cats... and no, they aren't trying to mate. I think...

Reunion

2008-07-18T15:20:00.002-04:00

So, my 10-year class reunion is coming up in August. When asked if I would be attending, I promptly gave a chuckle and a 'no'.

Why? Well, first off I was never very close with a lot of people in my class. I really can't pinpoint why, but I tended to be friends with those who were either younger or older than myself. It's not that I was a recluse or anything - I was actually quite involved in high school. Band, PR Orchestra, Key Club, Yearbook Staff, Sr. Cabinet, etc. I guess it just came down to the social circles I was around. Honestly, there are very few people I'd want to see again... and of those few, I can proudly say I still keep in touch with.

Not sure why I felt compelled to make a blog about it, but it is what it is.

I have no desire to attend my class reunion.

Why so Serious?!

2008-07-17T12:53:00.002-04:00

Movie of the Summer.

Movie of the Year.

Best Superhero Movie. EVER.

Go see it!

Cloud 9

2008-06-15T07:45:00.007-04:00

Newest addition to the Gill household. Is it considered incest that I'm totally turned on?

For those who are curious, this is the 2008 Honda Civic EX. It's fully loaded, with the nav system and xm radio installed. The color is Nighthawk Black Pearl.

Sooooo sexy.

The Office

2008-06-12T12:04:00.007-04:00

Since it's damn-near impossible (to those who aren't tech-savvy) for me to explain what it is I actually do, here is a pic of my desk. I realize this doesn't clear up anything, but at least you get to see where it is I spend 10 hours a day. I use a run-of-the-mill Dell desktop and a semi-new Compaq Presario laptop. Nothing else really exciting.

Oh no they didn't!

2008-06-11T17:14:00.003-04:00

If this is real, I think I'm gonna light myself on fire and jump out the nearest window.

Message to Hollywood - QUIT MILKING OLD FRANCHISES!

Insanity

2008-06-09T11:11:00.005-04:00

This picture, captured on June 8th, 2008, shows a man by the name of Tomohiro Kato being arrested by police in the Akihabara shopping district of Tokyo, Japan. For those who do not know, Tomohiro Kato went on a killing spree that (currently) lists 7 people dead, and at least 10 others wounded.

Rather than lay the gauntlet down on this pitiful excuse for a human being, I would just like to express my heartfelt sympathy for those who were victim in this pointless carnage.

Gaze upon with thine eye that blog which doth please us. Yea, verily.

2008-06-05T11:16:00.004-04:00

Before I go into full-blog-redecorating-mode, I figured I should at least explain all that's happened to me in the 2+ years since my last update.

*deep breath*

Well, first off, I no longer work for Rooms To Go MIS/IT. In all honesty, that job was never meant as something long-term. I accepted the job in order to gain certain skills, and hopefully use it as a tool for getting my foot in the door with a certain company. Well, I'm glad to say that my plan worked like a charm. I ended up working with RTG for a little under a year, all the while submitting my resume and interviewing with a company called Digital Envoy.

After nearly a year of interviews and correspondence, I was finally offered a position with DE. I am still with them today working in their Digital Element division. Without going into much detail, I work with I.P. Intelligence and geo information. Basically, we take a person's or company's unique IP address and can trace them to find out where they are accessing the internet from. It's cool work, and the company really takes care of us. In fact, due in part to my recommendation, my friend Ryan just got a job here. That should make it even more fun around here!

Unfortunately, not long after getting my job at DE, I had the worst day of my life. My mother, Linda, passed away. It's still hard for me to talk about. She was an alcoholic and she succumbed to the disease. I can't imagine the pain she had to constantly live with, especially at the end. It must have been extremely hard for her to take her own life, but at least she's at peace now. I know I'll see her again someday, and I look forward to it with all of my heart. I miss you, mom, and I love you.

I'm no longer a bachelor. That's right, last October I got married to the most outgoing and wonderful girl I've ever met. She really is the opposite of me in a lot of ways, which I guess is a good thing. Her name is Megan and she's originally from San Antonio, TX. She will be inheriting a substantial amount of land in Salado, TX one day, so I guess I know where I'll be retiring! It's a really cool place, with farmland as far as the eye can see. A big change for this city slicker, yessiree. I'll sure I'll be blogging more about her later.

Well, those are the big things that's happened to me in the last few years. Once I decide on the new direction this blog will be taking, I'll be sure to archive all of these blogs so that you can still access them.

See you soon.

-Chris

I'm back?

2008-06-05T10:49:00.003-04:00

Quite possibly. I'm thinking of overhauling this little slice of Americana. Stay tuned.

About that prediction...

2006-01-17T03:42:00.000-05:00

you never saw it. It's there, yes. I refuse to edit it, because then people will think I'm trying to cover something up. Just pretend that you don't see it.

Good.

As you may have noticed I still do not have any pics uploaded. I'm not lazy, it's just that I haven't quite figured out how to do it. I'm going to browse some message boards and see if I can find some help.

My WoW addiction has resurfaced. If you don't know what WoW is then it's probably best you stay in the dark. For those that do know, I can safely say I'm back with a vengeance.

I've also picked up a new hobby. Anime. Yup, that's right. I've been watching it off and on for the last couple years, but it hasn't been until recently that it's developed into a full-fledged obsession. More to come about that.

Oi!

2006-01-09T22:33:00.000-05:00

No pics yet, so sorry. I haven't really had the time to set it up. In fact, in the last week I have had 3 days at work of 13+ hours each... in addition to my more "normal" shifts. Hooray for little sleep!

I was supposed to get a cable/internet setup today, but that didn't happen. The installer called an hour before his closing window and said that he didn't have the necessary parts today. Too bad. I suppose I can live without it for another day or two. In fact, I really don't miss cable all that much. It's nice to have, to be sure, but not really a necessity. Internet, on the other hand, is something I desperately miss having at my apartment. At least I'm able to use it at work...

I also got a washer and dryer today. Nothing fancy. They make lots of noise ... and that's all I have to say about that.

Oh, before I forget, I might as well throw out my SuperBowl prediction. Seattle vs. Indianapolis. Indy will win 35-24.

A New Year, a New Resolution

2006-01-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

Let's just assume the last 2 months or so never happened, shall we? Great.

So, Happy New Year! (plus 4...) My resolution this year is to be more faithful to my blog. I trust everyone had a great Christmas and New Years? It was good to visit family and friends, but my holidays were very busy and I had little time to sit back and enjoy it.

I got a job working for Rooms To Go a little over a month ago and it is going very well. I work in the MIS/IT Department of their Suwanee offices (just off of I-85 at the Suwanee exit for you 'lanta folks). The job is great, but I'm still adjusting to the hours. I work the 3rd shift, so consequently I'm gone on M-Th from 9pm until 6am or so (and 6pm-6am on Sundays... bleh). Basically, I sit in front of a computer monitor typing in reports and troubleshooting our network all night long. Coffee has once again taken a stranglehold on my life... perhaps it's time to look into a Coffeeholics Anonymous class.

I also moved into a new place the day after Christmas. The apartment complex is called Crescent Lake and it's located off of Jimmy Carter Blvd. Yeah, that Jimmy Carter Blvd. Please pity me. At least I don't have to worry about too much traffic since my work hours are a little odd. I'll upload some pics of the place once I get my Olympus M:Robe connected to my 'puter. The apartment itself is nothing spectacular, but for the price we got it I have absolutely no complaints. It's a 3BR/2BA. I've met and started to become acquainted with one of my roomates, Alex. The other guy, Dave, has up until now eluded me. I've had a really weird schedule this week (for example, I went into work last night at 8pm and I didn't get off until 9am this morning... needless to say I just woke up and never made it to my apartment this morning. Thanks, mom, for letting me crash at your house today). I'm sure I'll meet him sometime this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting to know the both of them.

I'm sure there is much more I could blog about today, but I'd rather go find some food and do a little reading before work tonight. So, it's up to you guys to make sure I keep my reslution this year... because we all know how important New Years reslutions are {insert sarcastic rolling of the eyes here} .

Misty

2005-10-25T14:12:00.000-04:00

So, I woke up today freezing cold and a little moody. I guess that's what happens when it's sub-50 and should be 80. Anyways, the day has not gotten any better. My oldest cat, Misty, hasn't been doing too well lately. She's nearly 17, which means I've had her since I was 8 or 9 years old. Well, this morning my mom informed me Misty had been crying almost all night and was puking everywhere. She made an appoitment to bring Misty to the vet. It's a good thing I had already said my goodbye's to her because she never made it home. Well, that's not entirely true... she is here, but no longer alive. The vet put her into a white cardboard box so we could bury her in our backyard. I admit that I cried for a while when my mom called me and told me the news, but in all honesty we had been expecting it for years. I'm just glad that I was able to see her one last time this morning.

All Quiet on the Northeastern Front

2005-10-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

Nothing big to report today... I just figured I'd show you all I was still alive. I've had interviews, some were great, some were bad. No job offers yet, but I'm a veteran at this stuff by now. I know at least one of them will come back and offer me a job.

Let's see... it was another bad week in sports. Tech lost on the last play of the game last Saturday, and the Braves choked in the playoffs again. Falcons lost to the Pats, but they made it interesting. I don't really know - or care - about the Hawks and how they are doing in preseason. The same goes for the Thrashers, although I am more likely to go to a NHL game then an NBA game.

This Saturday my alma mater hosts its annual marching band contest. I haven't been to it in a few years, so I'm thinking about going. If anyone plans on being in the area this Saturday and wants to go let me know. The more the merrier.

Adventures in Bumpkinville

2005-10-03T10:55:00.000-04:00

Winder has had its name changed to Bumpkinville. They don't know it yet, but it's true. Now, I've only been through that town once or twice before, but nothing could of prepared me for today. I pride myself on my navigation skills... more or less. However, as I was on my way to the interview this morning I nearly lost my wits. Athens is horrible, but Winder is evil. Those country bumpkins must have cackled maniacally when they decided to develop railroad tracks criss-crossing parallel roads which have no names. I wanted to burn my directions that mapquest had oh-so-faithfully printed out for me, as they were now useless. However, just when my resolve seemed all but lost I did the unthinkable. Yes, I did it. I... asked for directions. *Hangs head in manly shame.* If that wasn't bad enough the clerk at the gas station had no idea where I wanted to go. So, I called the guy I was to interview with and he finally directed me to the building. I would like to say that after dealing with Bumpkinville the interview went awesome. Not so much. Oh well, at least now I know to stay away from the town formerly known as Winder.

So, you want to go to the movies?

2005-09-29T11:09:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-27T11:08:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

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::

2005-09-20T20:58:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-15T17:06:00.000-04:00

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.

...

2005-09-10T20:08:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-08T18:39:00.000-04:00

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...

2005-09-06T19:38:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-04T15:55:00.000-04:00

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...

2005-09-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

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.

September 12

2005-08-31T12:14:00.000-04:00

I hate that this has to be associated as the day after 9/11, but nevertheless September 12 is a very important day for me. That is the day I will be starting my new job. I called SRI this morning (http://www.srimap.com) and told them I was interested in the position. By the end of the call I was hired. I go out to their corporate offices starting next Tuesday for some training, and then I should be moved out the following weekend. My first job site will be in Gulfport (or is it Gulf Shore...) Alabama. We have several crews right now that were in New Orleans and Mississippi when the hurricane struck, and as of today we have had no word from any of them. It may be that once my job in Alabama is done I'll need to go work in those two states (assuming the electrical lines are even back up by then). At any rate, I'll be in Atlanta for the next two weeks if any of you wish to stop by and/or meet up. Ideally, I would like to set up a night where a bunch of us can get together. Since I won't be too far away I plan on visiting ATL a couple times a month. You all are more then welcome to come visit me as well. I know I would love the company.

The Verdict

2005-08-30T12:57:00.000-04:00

Well, I just got in from the "interview" at SRI. It went rather well. I spoke with the guy for about an hour on different topics, mostly ralating to the job. I left the office feeling about the same as when I entered. A little intrigued, but a little indecisive too. I'll list what I believe to be the Pros and the Cons.

Pros - Company vehicle (Chevy 1500 4x4 in case any of you are interested), $500/month for rent, great benefits (full medical, 401k after 6 months), once I'm trained in the actual mapping I'll be paid roughly $50k salary.

Cons - RELOCATION. I'll be traveling a good bit, so this comes with the job. I'll probably be in Alabama until the end of the year, and then in Kentucky after that.

It comes down to this. I've had very little in the way of good job offers. IF I decide to take this job I will most likely leave after a couple of years. Since I'm still young and single I can take a job like this right now and be fine with it. However, once I enter another serious relationship I don't want to be traveling around like this. So, this is my dilemna. Do I take the job for a couple of years and sock away some cash? Or, do I pass and continue to look for something in the greater Atlanta area? To be honest, I don't know what to do at this moment. However, I do have to decide pretty quickly.

Choices, choices... I'll gladly take any advice you guys have to offer.

Katrina

2005-08-29T11:12:00.000-04:00

I know I said I wouldn't post again until Tuesday, but in light of what's going on today I figured I'd say a little something. Hurricane Katrina is battering the Big Easy as I type this, but we won't know any details of fatalities (if any) for a while yet. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone being effected by Katrina. Stay safe, guys.

Updates et al

2005-08-27T15:05:00.000-04:00

So, it's been quite some time since my last entry. I blame no one but myself. I guess I had gotten into some kind of funk. Funks aside, here is what's going on right now.

In the last week I have received 2 job offers. One is a contract position with a computer company, and the other is a full-time gig with a GPS Mapping company. I go in on Tuesday to get some more info on the latter offer, and I have to admit that I'm already leaning towards taking it. The catch? I would have to relocate probably. The good thing is it would be somewhere in the SouthEast, so at least I wouldn't be going far. My next blog entry will come after Tuesday's meeting with the GPS guys, so by then I will probably know whether or not I'll take it.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer season. It's still summer, right? I guess I don't keep up with seasons anymore...

Of Reading and Writing

2005-08-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

I've been working on writing a novel for some time now, but a myriad of setbacks have thrown this pet-project into my backlog. As most of you know I have had some free time lately, so I've picked it back up. Well, today is your lucky day. I'm going to submit an excerpt for your viewing pleasure. Keep in mind that I cannot set paragraphs and indentions in this type of format. Enjoy!

The shadow kept its eyes fixated on the room below. The men seated at the table had been arguing for what seemed like ages, and dawn was due in another hour. Lucky for Josef, patience was one of his many virtues. One of the men seated at the table, a noble by the name of Hugo Ironwade, was of particular interest to Josef. He had made to many inquiries about Josef and some of his associates, and Josef was not a man to be trifled with. Being a thief wasn’t easy in the Crown City of Grovesport, but Josef always loved a challenge. For now he was a thief, but tomorrow he might be a sailor, or a trader, or even a noble. To say that he led an interesting life would be an understatement.

Hugo had become increasingly restless as the night wore on. The summer heat was apparent in the room as rivulets of sweat washed down his round, pink face. He dabbed at his face with a miniature towel that sported the letters H.I. embroidered across the front. His thick mustache constantly twitched at the rate of his heartbeat -- sometimes faster, sometimes slower. He must be terrible at cards, thought Josef. It was a wonder the man could even sit up straight with all the garb he had wrapped himself in. A bright red and blue cloak overshadowed his overly large girth. Straining against the weight was a silken white shirt tucked in to dark blue pantaloons, which, to the disgust of Josef, was all the rage right now amongst the nobles.

“My lords, we must come to a decision regarding the importing of lilac petals. I can’t stress enough how much I need those petals for my, err, work.”

“Your precious petals are of little concern to me, Hugo, as is your fascination with little boys. You should count yourself fortunate that I do not whisper about your habit to the king.”

“But, but, you wouldn’t dare! I have paid you well; I have paid all of you well for your silence! Besides, we have successfully cornered the market in this city. What crime is it if I feel the need to spend my money like this? You know all to well that you could jeopardize our whole plan if you whispered to the wrong person. Am I right, Loci?”

“Bah. Enough of this. We have more pressing matters than your perverted fantasies. You can have your stupid aphrodisiacs.”

Hugo allowed himself a private smile. My precious hobby shall continue, he thought.

Josef frowned in disgust. He knew that Hugo was involved in shady dealings, his informants had told him that much. But he had no idea it was this extreme. To make matters worse, Hugo had somehow captured one of Josef’s little messengers and taken him in for his sick hobby. The boy named Bran was almost like a brother to Josef. He was barely 7 years of age and had already shown great promise as an information gatherer. Two nights before, when Bran never returned to Josef, he knew that something was wrong. Now I know, and you cannot escape me, Hugo.

At some point the nobles had discussed everything on the table and they were beginning to take their leave. Josef allowed himself a private smile as Hugo remained behind, just like his informant had said he would. Josef was about to let himself down into the room when something unexpected occurred. Another shadow dropped down from the far rafters, and Josef nearly cursed at himself for not noticing it earlier.
The shadow unveiled itself ever so slightly, but it was still hard for Josef to make out any definite features. Hugo smiled as he nodded intently at whatever the mystery person was saying. This went on for another hour, and then the shadow disappeared up into the rafters almost as silently as it had come down. Josef cursed at himself again for his negligence. He watched as Hugo left the room, and then waited another ten minutes before climbing up onto the roof.

By the time Josef reached the roof dawn was settling in among the city. He cursed to himself again. I must be getting old, he thought. Josef was uncertain how old he really was, but his best guess placed him at around eighty years. He had grown up as an orphan in a monastery, but even the monks had trouble placing an age on him. This was undoubtedly due to his strange heritage. Josef’s boyish good looks and slightly elongated ears were telltale signs of the Elves of Silverpine Isle. However, his naturally dark hair and tan skin were most definitely traits of those living in the Kingdom. Josef’s unique makeup was both a blessing and a curse, so he went to extreme lengths to hide his identity. His current occupation, that of a thief, suited him well for the time being.

Josef made his way across the rooftops as silently as possible. He had to take extra care now that it was daylight, but that only proved to be a minor inconvenience. As he made his way back to the dilapidated building which he and his associates called home, Josef couldn’t help but wonder who the mysterious man was. This could be trouble. I need to find out where Bran is, and it looks like I may have to deal with a nameless enemy. Josef was brought out of his revelry when a voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

“This makes two times in as many hours that I’ve caught you sleeping on your feet. You’re not much of a thief, are you?”

Josef knew he had been caught, and he silently cursed at his bad fortune. Rather then turning around and facing his assailant, he spoke in even, hushed words.

“So, you knew I was up in the rafters. I figured as much, but I must admit I’m surprised you would seek me out first. Not much one for form, are you?”

The shadow laughed. “At least I’m smart enough to do my research ahead of time, Josef.”

Josef sighed. He had been caught. He didn’t know how, but someone knew his secret and was willing to expose it. He had to act fast. As quickly as an alley cat Josef spun around and made to flick a well-hidden dagger that was up his sleeve. However, before he could release it his breath caught in his throat. Instead of a man, as he had thought, before him stood a woman of extraordinary beauty. Her long, silver hair contrasted only slightly with her deep green eyes. She had discarded her black outfit and had slipped into something a little more revealing. A light green dress of the gaudiest sort showed ample cleavage, and was cut well short above the knees. If Josef didn’t know any better he would have sworn he was looking at a common lady of the night, but nothing about this mystery woman’s composure suggested at normalcy.

“Surprised, Josef? I know you thought I was a man, but one of my many talents is to confuse the senses. In fact, you and I have talked on many occasions, though you were unaware of it.”

Josef had lost all composure and just sat staring at the woman. He had never been so humbled in his life. He was about to say something, but thought better of it. Let her speak, he thought. Perhaps she will slip somewhere and I will have the advantage.

“Am I making you uncomfortable, Josef? Aren’t you the least bit curious as to how I know you?”

Josef knew he was being mocked, and furthermore she would not reveal anything until she was ready. He reluctantly decided to play along... for now.

“Who are you? And how do you know my name?”

“Two fair questions, but I will not and cannot answer them, in that order. However, I do have a proposition for you.”

Josef glowered. “Well I suppose I don’t have much of a choice. So ask it already.”

“Now now, Josef. No need to be snippy. I am well aware of what you do, and furthermore I know that Hugo has a certain little informant you want back. I was hired by Hugo to kill you, and I may yet fulfill that deed. However, it suits me even better to keep you alive for the time being. I want you to know that I can kill you at any time, any place. Keep this in mind as you listen to my proposal and you may live to see little Bran come back untouched.”

Keep in mind that this is an unfinished work, and as such in need of lots of editing. Still, the idea is there. Hope you enjoyed.

I'm Alive!

2005-08-08T18:21:00.000-04:00

...not that this is a shocker to anyone. I've just been busy the last week with family stuff. My cousin Mike was in for most of last week and we had some good times. I get along with him better then any of my other cousins (probably because he and I are only a year apart). He's trying to make it big on the acting scene, so I wish him the best of luck. I promise I'll make it down to Orlando to see one of your shows soon, cuz! Maybe I can make a road trip out of it and bring a friend or two along with me.

No new developments on the job front yet, not that I could of made it to any interviews lately anyways. The battery in my truck seemingly died on friday, but I tinkered around with it this evening and got it to work. Baking Soda is a godsend when you have a corroded battery.

In gaming news, I hit 56 today with my Rogue in World of Warcraft. Stratholme, hear I come! Once I'm through with you I want my Shadowcraft Armor.

It's My Life

2005-08-01T10:28:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not referring to a Bon Jovi song... this time. I just wanted to vent on a couple things happening around the ole Gill household.

The Good - My cousin Michael is coming up from the Orlando area to visit us for a few days. I don't get to see him but maybe every 4 years or so. I'm excited to say the least. However, since I was only informed of this a few days ago I haven't had time to make plans. I'm really not sure what I can do to entertain him. He's 24, a college graduate, and working his way up the ladder in the acting world. I thought about taking him to see a show at a local playhouse, or maybe go to Shakespeare's Tavern, but I would think he would want to stay away from those things that remind him of work. After all, he is on vacation. Then I thought about Six Flags, but that place has gotten expensive since the last time I was there (1999). We'll probably go see a movie one night (thanks for the tickets, Ryan). I know we're going to eat with my grandparents another night, assuming my grandmother is feeling up to it (more to come on this subject). I'm really out of ideas here, people. A little help would be great. Maybe some of you would want to meet us for dinner one night? We could all eat and then head over to Dave and Buster's or something? Nicole, Tim, Ryan? I'm looking at you guys.

The Bad - My grandmother fell again last night. That's the third time this week. This time was bad though, she cracked her head open and had to get several stitches. My dad didn't get home from the hospital until 3:30 and he's still in bed. I know he is taking this all very hard because we are so close to his side of the family. The ironic part about all of this is my dad and I were just talking about my grandmother's failing health (and consequent falls) when we got the phone call from my grandfather asking for help. I love my grandmother with every inch of my being and I hate to see her go through this. I can only hope and pray that when it's her time to go she does so peacefully. If there was ever a woman who deserved a break from pain it's her.

[On a completely unrelated note] or [And now for something completely different... a man with three buttocks!] <---- Take your pick

Ryan got engaged Saturday night to his long-time girlfriend Sarah. Congrats to the both of you.

I have been... Googled.

2005-07-27T21:25:00.000-04:00

I can't claim any exclusiveness to this activity, but I enjoy it nevertheless. One of the many "fun" things to go around the Georgia Tech Band Header (which I am unsure as to why I'm still subscribed...) is Googling people's names. George P. Burdell, who nearly won Time's Man of the Year Award, is the most common source of fun because he is not even a real person (look here http://gtalumni.org/Publications/magazine/sum99/mystery.html). I'll go into Burdell a little more some other time. I've decided to shake away my non-conformist nature and do the same for myself.

So, what does the almighty Google say about Christopher J. Gill?

*I am a Doctor of Infectious Diseases in Salem, MA.
*I am also an Assistant Professor at the Center for International Health and Development, Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
*I was also somehow involved in an Alfalfa Seed Decontamination in a Salmonella Outbreak.
*In 2001 I was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th Round. I'm a RHP.
*I am the author of the book Medical Expert Systems: Grappling with Issues of Liability.
*I am a 1950 Alumnus of the University of Maine. Go Blue!

I'm a pretty busy guy it would seem. What wonders and blunders will Google show me the next time I search? Only time, and possibly a few beers, will tell.

The Return of Mr. Picadilly

2005-07-25T16:08:00.000-04:00

Ok, so some of you may know about the strange calls I occasionally get on my cell phone. Usually they are not worth mentioning, but today's call was rather special. I've recieved calls from this guy, who I lovingly call Mr. Picadilly, on a number of occasions now. He's some bloke from Britain (as far as I can tell) and he sounds pretty feminine. Anyways, on to our conversation.

*Every Breath You Take - my ringtone*

Me: Hello?

Mr. Picadilly: Hiya, chum.

Me: Erm, hello. Do I...know you?

Mr. Picadilly: Haha. Of course you do.

Me: ...

Mr. Picadilly: Do you want to get together tonight?

--At this point I recognize the voice as the guy I call Mr. Picadilly. He's called before, and each time I tell him I'm not who he thinks I am. Apparently, not only does this "friend" of his have a phone number similar to mine, but I also sound like him. Very...odd.--

Me: You have the wrong number. Who are you trying to reach?

Mr. Picadilly: You, of course.

--Instead of being annoyed or freaked out, I decide to play along with him a bit. What can I say? Work was slow... I had to do something fun.--

Me: Ok, what do you want to do tonight?

Mr. Picadilly: Drink until we're pissed! Hahaha!

Me: Sounds good. Where do you want to go?

Mr. Picadilly: I was thinking we could stay in...

Me: How about the Circus? I love the Circus.

Mr. Picadilly: Huh?

Me: Sure, why not? Lots of people... and witnesses.

Mr. Picadilly: Stop making jokes, Brian.

Me: Brian? Who the heck is Brian? My name is Chris.

Mr. Picadilly: ... Wait, this isn't Brian?

Me: Nope, but I appreciate the flattery. You still want to get together?

*Phone hangs up.*

You can't make this stuff up.

((____________))

2005-07-21T16:13:00.000-04:00

I had something planned, but in its stead I wish to observe a moment of silence. More blasts went off today in London, but luckily no lives were lost.

Pray for those families who have been affected by these tragedies. Pray for those who have masterminded these events. Pray for our world leaders to make the right decisions as a result of these atrocities.

Just pray.

________________________________________________________________

My Father

2005-07-19T12:30:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to do a blog on my father for some time now, but I never really knew what to say.

His name is Michael and he is the oldest of three kids. He has always been the "responsible" one and I think I resemble him more then any other member of my family. Perhaps it's because I'm also the oldest. He loves sports, particularly Baseball, Football and Golf. He's a very dedicated Christian and is very involved with his church. Growing up he was always pretty strict with me, but I don't blame him for it. That's how he was raised, so it seemed only natural. All in all the positives about my father far outweigh the negatives and for that I am grateful.

Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. ~Bill Cosby

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth

Those are some of my favorite father quotes. Father's Day has already come and passed, but this isn't about a marketable holiday. This is about my father.

3 days ago my father suffered what we believe to be his second seizure. It is impossible for me to explain the amount of emotional stress this puts a family through. I don't cry a lot, but on such an occasion one can't help but do it.

Pop, I love you. Thanks for everything. I hope that one day my kids will be able to spend time with their grandpa.

'Da Government

2005-07-15T15:01:00.000-04:00

Government problems

Things To Think About Our Government:

1. 29 Members of Congress have been accused of spousal abuse.

2. 7 Have been arrested for fraud.

3. 19 Have been accused of writing bad checks.

4. 117 Have bankrupted at least two businesses.

5. 3 Have been arrested for assault.

6. 71 Have credit reports so bad they can't qualify for a credit card.

7. 14 Have been arrested on drug related charges.

8. 8 Have been arrested for shoplifting,

9. 21 Are current defendants in lawsuits.

10. 84 Were stopped for drunk driving in 1998 alone, but released after they claimed Congressional immunity.

I'm most surprised at #2. Only 7?!? Come on, guys! Get on the ball!

C.J.'s got a gun... C.J.'s got a gun...

2005-07-14T17:09:00.000-04:00

Spooky, eh? I digged this photo up last night and couldn't stop laughing. The year: 1997. The place: Some Civil War Museum is Tennessee (or was it Northwest Georgia? I forget.) My friend Tim and I were on one of our many road trips during Christmas Break. On this occasion we started heading for TN and ended up visiting several tourist traps scattered about the state. The Aquarium there is quite nice, but the one they are building here in Atlanta will trump it easily. Anyways, we went to these underground stalactite caves and nearly got lost from the "tour". The guide we had said that there were many people who go exploring deep into the caves and make a week or two adventure out of it. If I wasn't so desperate to live then I would of tried it myself. Getting lost in underground caves is not my idea of excitement. I have another great story about that trip (involving pictures taken of me in an akward position on the side of the highway), but I'm going to restrain myself and keep this PG. I'm hoping that if I don't think about it overly much I'll just forget about it another couple of years. Hurrah for getting old!

I'm still looking for a job and I really need to get one by the beginning of August. If anyone knows of something you can send me a line at 404.966.3841. You can also reply here, or e-mail me at cjgill@gmail.com.

A Gaming Guru I am

2005-07-13T16:36:00.000-04:00

First off, I'd like to give props to Yoda for influencing my Blog Title today. Wow. Did I just say "props"? Forgive me...

I want to also say thanks to Gabe for his comments on yesterday's blog. I knew I could count on him giving his uninhibited impressions.

Gaming is a way of life for me. Some people lift weights. Some people go clubbing. Some people sit around and make fun of "Those geeks who play on their computer". No matter what type of category you fall into there are some stereotypes that will never be lifted. I can accept the fact that those who play video games are labeled as geeks, nerds, wastoids, druggies, etc. It doesn't bother me much because I've always had a high self-esteem. I'm more irritated at those who think games are for kids. Why is it that when I tell people my biggest hobby is gaming they give me a look? "Games are for kids. Grow up. That sort of thing won't bring home the money." Sigh. To all the naysayers I would like to point you to this article: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-05-12-gamer-demographics_x.htm Games aren't necesarily for kids. My generation grew up with the NES, not to mention the Atari 2600. You better get used to it. As technology grows so does the age of gamers.

On a related note, I'm rather upset at how video games are being treated by our government. Politicians have started to blame video games whenever an underage crime is committed. "Such-and-such game promotes the use of guns and violence." "Jimmy stabbed his brother to death because he saw it in a video game." I'm sick of video games getting a bad rap because there are some people in our world who are mentally unstable. Blame something much more real, like the parents. Better yet, do a little research into these kids lives and find out if they have a history of bad behavior. Blaming games is stupid. Period.

On a more happier note, I'm currently playing a game called "World of Warcraft" and I'm having a blast. In truth I've been playing it off and on since its launch last fall, but only now I'm enjoying myself more then I ever thought possible. For those of you acquainted with MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) then you probably know that WoW is one of the hottest games on the market. I play on a Role-Playing server called Scarlet Crusade. I've been with my guild "House Kenafin" for some months now. Just last night we staged a dramatic event in the game and it went over really well. I can't explain how cool it is when 20 or so like-minded people get together and try to speak and think as their in-game character. It adds a whole new element to the genre. MMORPGs usually lack the RPG aspect nowadays, which saddens me greatly. There are even those who have the testicular fortitude to make fun of those who do RP! "Geeks making fun of other geeks", as some may say. It's sad, really... especially when these people go out of their way to ruin the experience for others. Gamers have the negative attitudes coming at them from all fronts. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come.

Patriotism

2005-07-11T15:39:00.000-04:00

Everyone knows how it took a devastating event like 9/11 to spur patriotism in America. It's not that Americans were unpatriotic beforehand, but the surge of it afterwards sparked a "renewed" interest. I was thinking about this over the 4th of July weekend when I received an email from an old co-worker. I'm just going to cut and paste it in its entirety.

IMMIGRANTS,
NOT AMERICANS,
MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we
are offending some individual or their culture. Since the
terrorist
attacks on Sept. 11,

we have experienced a surge
in patriotism by the majority
of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had
barely settled when the "politically correct! " crowd began
complaining about
the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against
anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population
is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However,
there are a few things that those who have recently come to
our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural community
has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national
identity.
As Americans, we
have our own culture, our
own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture
has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories
by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese,Russian, or any other language.
Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some
Christian, right wing, political slogan We adopted this motto because
Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation,
and this is clearly documented.

It is certainly appropriate to display it
on the walls of our schools. If God
offends you, then I suggest you
consider another part of the world as
your new home, because God is part
of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or
you don't like Uncle Sam, then you
should seriously consider a move
to another part of this planet. We
are happy with our culture and have
no desire to change, and we really
don't care how you did things where
you came from. This is
OUR COUNTRY,
our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every
citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every

opportunity to do so! But once you are done complaining, whining, and
griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our
way of life, I highly encourage you
take advantage of one other great American freedom,
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
It is Time for America to Speak up.

AMEN

My thoughts on this "article" are a little mixed, but I'm more interested in what all of you think. FYI this was submitted by a man to a Tampa (FL) newspaper and was published. I haven't been able to track down which one specifically, but I would be curious to see/read the comments made by its viewers.

Ikea... is it really a treasure trove of Happiness?

2005-07-08T17:54:00.000-04:00

This was my mission. I had heard the talk. There were whispers in dark alleys of the greatness that is Ikea, but I was ever skeptical. It's not so much that I keep my glass half-empty, but it's hard to rationalize my can of coke as being half-full when it's this humid outside. My love of coke and pathetic attempts at being clever aside, I made the journey to the furniture superstore this morning. Ryan and Sarah accompanied me (or did I accompany them?) The sheer size of the store lived up to the hype. We spent a solid hour and a half-2 hours walking through the place. The way they have it set up is such that you have to practically walk through the entire store in order to see an exit. Ok, so maybe there are some shortcuts, but who's counting? From a marketing/advertising standpoint the idea is genious. Do the prices confirm this intelligence? Well, yes and no. I was informed, by voices both far and wide, that the real greatness behind Ikea was in its prices. Cheaper furniture sounds good, right? Wrong. I won't sit here and pretend to be Christopher Lowell, but the prices seemed to be just as ridiculous there as they are everywhere else. To be fair I don't go out and price king-size beds at different outlets, but I know a good price from a bad price. I saw a couple of chairs I liked (there was one really comfortable chair that Ryan and I thought would make good "gaming" chairs), and I saw a computer desk at <$100 that would work well once I move. To their credit they do have extraordinary prices on smaller items, such as hangers, shades, toolsets, pillows, sheets, shelves, etc. Ryan picked up a couple of down-feather pillows and some bamboo shades for his bathroom, and spent <$50. However, their "main" itembase was no less cheaper then any other "super-mega-colossal-one-of-a-kind-BLOWOUT-warehouse". Oh well, hopefully someone with better tastes in decor will come along and put me in my place. After all, I am a guy. What did you expect?

Lazy Days

2005-07-07T13:04:00.000-04:00

I can't even begin to explain how boring it is to sit around with nothing to do. As a teenager you dream about how awesome it would be to have no job. Sit around, play videogames, read your favorite book, go to the beach... exciting, eh? Not really. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I miss working. I need to work. Not only for money, but for something to do. It would be different if I could convince myself that I was just on vacation, but my mind is smarter then that. Or so it tells me.

I forgot to throw a special shout-out to a good friend of mine yesterday. She called me just when it seemed everything was breaking apart, and for that I am glad. Although I tried to downplay the whole situation she showed concern for my plight. She even offered to make a few calls and see if she knew of anyone looking for a few good men... or man. Thanks Nicole. You've always been a special person to me. I know you will get all the fulfillment you need in whatever career path you walk down.

I'm listening to Coldplay right now and I have to admit that their new album rocks. If any of you are interested in them you can visit their site at http://www.coldplay.com/. Their most recent album, entitled X&Y, reminds me a lot of an earlier U2. I also think of Depeche Mode when I hear them. Anyways, I recommend it.

Contemplations

2005-07-06T23:27:00.000-04:00

Long-time viewer, First-time Blogger. The start of things to come.

This week started off so great. My Uncle Mitch, Aunt Jan, and Cousin Tyler came down to visit from Tacoma, Washington. It's always nice to see them since we live so far away from one another. The last time I saw them was Christmas 2000 (or was it 2001?) I was up there with the Georgia Tech Band for the Seattle Bowl. Good times. I remember this one drink I had...

It's probably best if I don't finish that sentence. At any rate, it was nice seeing them this past weekend. The 4th was nice, nothing too special. Fireworks, food, annoying celebrities on the T.V. talking about how their careers are going great (which reminds me, I need to do a little research on the effect that celebrities ego's have on teenage depression). Tuesday was a completely different beast. I went in for my first day at my new job , but by the end of the day I was unemployed. I had quit Barnes & Noble and Acropolis Books in order to work at this new Marketing job, but as it turns out they decided to play me like a puppet. "We want you to relocate to our Charlotte, North Carolina office." Hmm. I remember them saying during my interview that relocating was not an option. So, I reminded them. "If you don't want to relocate, we can arrange it so you'll be travelling to Charlotte on a bi or tri-monthly basis for 4 or 5 days at a time." It was at this point I stood up, dusted my dress pants off, and left the office. "I'll call you later," was my response. I did indeed call them later, and after expressing my anger and confusion at the whole situation we came to the decision that working for them was not the best thing... for either of us. Eso es la vida.

Now I'm at a point where I have to go back to Acropolis, on my hands and knees, and basically beg for my old job back. Christine, who is the manager of the office, makes my day and gladly accepts me back. I don't think I have gone through so many emotions in one day. God certainly got an earful from me today.

I'd ask you guys to pray for me, but I understand that to some of you it may not be "PC". Pray, think, send me your kind words and I will be eternally grateful. I'll get through this, one way or the other.

Until next time... and hopefully a more happy blog.