As the official fall equinox approaches it seems to be ushering in some unexpected twists and hopeful beginnings. One new development involves getting a new job.
Now, before I talk can talk about it in too much detail, I must first receive the results of my tests. In order to work for this company I have to prove that I don't have TB and I have to complete a physical.
Both things sound sort of terrible to me. I've always had a hard time with shots; the nurses often have a hard time getting the goods out and my skin usually feels pretty angry about the whole situation and bruises more than anyone expects. Luckily, this experience wasn't the end of the world. I had a sweet talkative nurse and she treated me well. She had a pretty thick accent and went on to discuss that she thought I would do well on the next test because I seemed like "a smart girl".
I then asked, "what next test? Do I need to take a written test too?" And she replied, "No. The physical!"
I reported downstairs and waited for a confused fifteen minutes holding gauze on my slightly bloody arm. Finally, a smiley older man eagerly introduced himself and brought me into a physical therapy room and taught me how to squat and pick up heavy things. It was sort of cute. He was just so excited to help me pick up so many heavy things! My test consisted of me completing some physical activities like a series of sit ups, stretches, and lifts. It wasn't at all the physical exam I had imagined. Luckily though, I had just come from the gym so I passed. Phew. I got an earnest handshake from my tester and a smile full of well wishes.
I'll find out the results of my TB test tomorrow... and if all goes according to plan I'll start my new job on Monday, afternoon teaching begins again on Wednesday, and Tony N Tina's is mere weeks away from reopening. Here we go, fall!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Never A Bored Gamer
Once upon a time there was a starving artist. In an attempt to make ends meet until her fall jobs began she decided to take a trip though the magical kingdom of the craigslist gig's section. There she found her destiny in a post entitled "Game Night Hosts".
Yes, that gal is me. And after tonight's festivities I can now claim myself as a professional Game Night Host after living many years as an unpaid intern. I applied for this gig because Magic Theatre was closed for the evening and I'm still a few days away from my permanent positions and the financial promises that come with them. Apparently my eagerness for games conveyed over a quick phone interview was enough to land me the job.
Oh, and what a job it was. A corporate event for Zynga which was themed as an 80's board game happy hour party. Endless pizza, beer, 80's tunes, and games for gamers. Heaven, right? My job was to set up the games and the old school Nintendo systems. Amusingly enough, I had no problem with the old equipment but struggled greatly trying to set up the new Wii systems. Ah, technology. I then got to act as an information booth to any incoming questions the participants had concerning their board game choices. (Oh, and there were so many choices! Beyond Apples to Apples and Taboo and Loaded Questions and Scattergories and Catch Phrase and... okay, I'll stop. But just know there were eight thirty pound boxes containing their options.)
The experience was also a very amusing social window that I snuck a peak into. After working so many jobs in the non profit world it was fascinating to see how creatures on other professional planets live and how they're influenced by their environment. The crowd was dominantly males fresh out of college who were all in love. In love with video games!
Now, I know how guys feel about video games. I have a brother who bought and traded in more systems than I knew existed. But it wasn't until tonight that I could truly watch their effect over a large population. On came the old school Nintendo and it was as if a magnet turned on. Suddenly all eyes glazed over and became fixed upon the television. The music was mind numbing and the dated graphics were jarring but that dominating screen became the sole object of desire.
And there was no competition. No lady or meat product or a meat product designed to look like a lady could interrupt their endless love. And is that Nintendo going to cuddle them like a lady and/or a meat product lady would? Maybe. But maybe not.
So since no one needed me to do anything but stand and stare I began to wonder how I could make myself more like a video game. How to: create a look and sound that's hypnotic, be challenging and interesting enough to withstand the test of time, and yet still be rewarding of fine game achievement. But through trying to humanize the characteristics of a video game I just creeped myself out. Now, I'm not totally giving up on this "become a video game" idea yet. But it may just have to wait another day. Perhaps games are meant to be played and not embodied. And isn't the best part of the gaming experience to play together anyway?
As usual, I'm left with only more questions. But thankfully, I also left with a check that'll provide some nutrition for this starving artist and an amusing evening of host experience.
This fairy tale is far from over.
Yes, that gal is me. And after tonight's festivities I can now claim myself as a professional Game Night Host after living many years as an unpaid intern. I applied for this gig because Magic Theatre was closed for the evening and I'm still a few days away from my permanent positions and the financial promises that come with them. Apparently my eagerness for games conveyed over a quick phone interview was enough to land me the job.
Oh, and what a job it was. A corporate event for Zynga which was themed as an 80's board game happy hour party. Endless pizza, beer, 80's tunes, and games for gamers. Heaven, right? My job was to set up the games and the old school Nintendo systems. Amusingly enough, I had no problem with the old equipment but struggled greatly trying to set up the new Wii systems. Ah, technology. I then got to act as an information booth to any incoming questions the participants had concerning their board game choices. (Oh, and there were so many choices! Beyond Apples to Apples and Taboo and Loaded Questions and Scattergories and Catch Phrase and... okay, I'll stop. But just know there were eight thirty pound boxes containing their options.)
The experience was also a very amusing social window that I snuck a peak into. After working so many jobs in the non profit world it was fascinating to see how creatures on other professional planets live and how they're influenced by their environment. The crowd was dominantly males fresh out of college who were all in love. In love with video games!
Now, I know how guys feel about video games. I have a brother who bought and traded in more systems than I knew existed. But it wasn't until tonight that I could truly watch their effect over a large population. On came the old school Nintendo and it was as if a magnet turned on. Suddenly all eyes glazed over and became fixed upon the television. The music was mind numbing and the dated graphics were jarring but that dominating screen became the sole object of desire.
And there was no competition. No lady or meat product or a meat product designed to look like a lady could interrupt their endless love. And is that Nintendo going to cuddle them like a lady and/or a meat product lady would? Maybe. But maybe not.
So since no one needed me to do anything but stand and stare I began to wonder how I could make myself more like a video game. How to: create a look and sound that's hypnotic, be challenging and interesting enough to withstand the test of time, and yet still be rewarding of fine game achievement. But through trying to humanize the characteristics of a video game I just creeped myself out. Now, I'm not totally giving up on this "become a video game" idea yet. But it may just have to wait another day. Perhaps games are meant to be played and not embodied. And isn't the best part of the gaming experience to play together anyway?
As usual, I'm left with only more questions. But thankfully, I also left with a check that'll provide some nutrition for this starving artist and an amusing evening of host experience.
This fairy tale is far from over.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Red Robin Gets The Herp
This afternoon, my sister, Katelyn (there's your shout out, you creep) basked in a thoroughly enjoyable Italian influenced late afternoon. Full of North Beach's finest treasures: thin crusted margherita pizza, chocolate hazelnut and cinnamon swirled gelato, and artfully constructed warm cappuccinos. After filling up on treats, we took to the streets. Hoping to at least walk off some of our food coma.
And then from across the crosswalk I heard a young voice thunder out.
"Hey Red Robin! ... Oh! You gots herpes on your lip!" Yes. It appears to be that time of year again. Usually the discussion begins in a theatre class with my younger students but this fall it started thanks to an outspoken teenager. Who may or may not have been admiring my red coat only to become distracted by mouth. The distraction being: "that thing on my lip".
No, it's not a herpes outbreak or a zit. It's just a birthmark. So in case you've been secretly wondering too... there you go. I hope.
Once my full stomach and questionable mouth had dropped I turned to Katelyn in surprise. Without missing a step, she suggested that we take a cable car back home and leave the thoughts of teenagers in North Beach. So we hopped aboard with a crowd of tourists. Birthmark and all. Besides, red robins are known for their continuous cheerful carols; the bird that sings first as dawn arrives and last as evening settles. Hurt feelings aside, the song must go on so sing I shall.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Happy 9.02.10, Friends!
The second of September has never been so angsty! But as my parents didn't let me watch 90210 when it first aired on TV my only real regret is that we don't have a day to properly honor the real teen heroes of our generation: the cast of Saved By The Bell.
Interestingly enough, when I was in high school my friends voted me as both the Donna Martin AND the Violet Bickerstaff (Screech's girlfriend) of the group. (We were really into assigning each other television personalities to make our non dramatic lives seem a little more interesting.) Both roles were of course played by Tori Spelling and even ten years later I'm not quite sure how I feel about being linked to her twice.
Anyway, I think both shows are worth a thought on this fictional holiday. So I'm spending the evening at home. Watching Dawson's Creek season two and working on some of my own scripts. Because that's what Tori Spelling, or one of her characters, would probably be doing, right?
Interestingly enough, when I was in high school my friends voted me as both the Donna Martin AND the Violet Bickerstaff (Screech's girlfriend) of the group. (We were really into assigning each other television personalities to make our non dramatic lives seem a little more interesting.) Both roles were of course played by Tori Spelling and even ten years later I'm not quite sure how I feel about being linked to her twice.
Anyway, I think both shows are worth a thought on this fictional holiday. So I'm spending the evening at home. Watching Dawson's Creek season two and working on some of my own scripts. Because that's what Tori Spelling, or one of her characters, would probably be doing, right?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Stripper? I Hardly Know Her!
Rabbit Rabbit. It's the first of the month! And after a rocky August I have to admit I wasn't eagerly awaiting September's autumn air. When 2010 began I promised myself that the theme of the year would be doing things that scare me. But after some rather draining weeks I had started to lose sight of that. Thankfully, a friend of mine made a suggestion (based upon a month I experienced two years ago) to commit to thirty days of saying yes. One month to open myself up to any and all possibilities and situations.
So where to begin? How to uncover a new challenge? Well, by uncovering myself, I guess. That's right, today I said yes to taking a strip tease class. Followed by a hip hop dance class.
We'll rewind. I've been a member of 24 Hour Fitness for over two years now. And with that membership I have access to all of their classes around the city. Until this summer, I had been too nervous to try a class. Convinced that I'd make a complete fool of myself and drown in a sea of athletic attractive gym goers. But the past few months have actually pleasantly surprised me. Attempting a few different types of their offerings has actually become, dare I say it, fun. While looking up classes for the week I came across 24Tease at the Castro location. A class that "provides a safe environment for members to get in touch with their inner stripper". I, of course, laughed at the class and laughed even harder at the idea of me completing it. But after a good hearty chuckle I realized that I had no choice but to fight my fear and say yes.
I arrived five minutes early and accidentally walked in on the end of a Turbo Kick class. I awkwardly hid in the corner with their mats and weights wondering if in the history of time if five minutes had ever passed by so slowly. Yes. Turns out the ninety minutes I spent in that room after that passed so slowly I convinced myself that time had actually stopped moving just to mock me in my misery.
"24Tease" started with only five participants. I was sort of hoping it'd be full of middle age women looking to rekindle their sexy ways and that I could hide in the back and judge them. But no. With only five of us, we were all on display. And I don't know if any of you have been to the Castro location of 24 Hour Fitness but the class room at this gym faces all of their machines and equipment. So we were also on showcase for everyone else who was casually working out. Yeah. Yikes, right?
Anyway, the class is only thirty minutes long. You do a sexy warm up for five minutes. You attempt a few different types of strut walks for another ten minutes. Then you learn a sexy routine for ten minutes. And it ends with running the dance with a towel and a sexy cool down. Sexy galore!
Now, no one told me I had to bring a stripping towel. So I had to use my bright pink hoodie I had in my bag. And I'm just going leave it at that. You can imagine how silly I looked, can't you?
It wasn't the greatest workout but there were some entertaining elements, I suppose. If anyone wants to see my version of a sexy towel dance though you'll probably have to just imagine it. I don't know if I'd be inclined to take the class again.
Afterward, I stayed for the Hip Hop class. I was hoping for an aerobic hour with fun music to dance to where I could, again, hide in the back. Nope. It was another small attendance full of cold and quiet people. And the whole class was spent learning choreography for one song I had never heard of. So sadly, I just wasn't into it. At all.
On my way out of the building I walked into a posse of naked men. Well, they were wearing socks and shoes. And sometimes a bag. But other than that, they were totally nude. I guess you don't always need a strip tease class to uncover yourself.
But that's part of saying yes to things you normally wouldn't think to do. You discover that yeah, you were right, some things just deserve a no. But you have to experience them before you're really sure... and now you can all enjoy the idea of this gal in a strip tease class. Hilarious, huh? And besides, perhaps tomorrow's yes will have an entirely different outcome...
So where to begin? How to uncover a new challenge? Well, by uncovering myself, I guess. That's right, today I said yes to taking a strip tease class. Followed by a hip hop dance class.
We'll rewind. I've been a member of 24 Hour Fitness for over two years now. And with that membership I have access to all of their classes around the city. Until this summer, I had been too nervous to try a class. Convinced that I'd make a complete fool of myself and drown in a sea of athletic attractive gym goers. But the past few months have actually pleasantly surprised me. Attempting a few different types of their offerings has actually become, dare I say it, fun. While looking up classes for the week I came across 24Tease at the Castro location. A class that "provides a safe environment for members to get in touch with their inner stripper". I, of course, laughed at the class and laughed even harder at the idea of me completing it. But after a good hearty chuckle I realized that I had no choice but to fight my fear and say yes.I arrived five minutes early and accidentally walked in on the end of a Turbo Kick class. I awkwardly hid in the corner with their mats and weights wondering if in the history of time if five minutes had ever passed by so slowly. Yes. Turns out the ninety minutes I spent in that room after that passed so slowly I convinced myself that time had actually stopped moving just to mock me in my misery.
"24Tease" started with only five participants. I was sort of hoping it'd be full of middle age women looking to rekindle their sexy ways and that I could hide in the back and judge them. But no. With only five of us, we were all on display. And I don't know if any of you have been to the Castro location of 24 Hour Fitness but the class room at this gym faces all of their machines and equipment. So we were also on showcase for everyone else who was casually working out. Yeah. Yikes, right?
Anyway, the class is only thirty minutes long. You do a sexy warm up for five minutes. You attempt a few different types of strut walks for another ten minutes. Then you learn a sexy routine for ten minutes. And it ends with running the dance with a towel and a sexy cool down. Sexy galore!
Now, no one told me I had to bring a stripping towel. So I had to use my bright pink hoodie I had in my bag. And I'm just going leave it at that. You can imagine how silly I looked, can't you?
It wasn't the greatest workout but there were some entertaining elements, I suppose. If anyone wants to see my version of a sexy towel dance though you'll probably have to just imagine it. I don't know if I'd be inclined to take the class again.
Afterward, I stayed for the Hip Hop class. I was hoping for an aerobic hour with fun music to dance to where I could, again, hide in the back. Nope. It was another small attendance full of cold and quiet people. And the whole class was spent learning choreography for one song I had never heard of. So sadly, I just wasn't into it. At all.
On my way out of the building I walked into a posse of naked men. Well, they were wearing socks and shoes. And sometimes a bag. But other than that, they were totally nude. I guess you don't always need a strip tease class to uncover yourself.
But that's part of saying yes to things you normally wouldn't think to do. You discover that yeah, you were right, some things just deserve a no. But you have to experience them before you're really sure... and now you can all enjoy the idea of this gal in a strip tease class. Hilarious, huh? And besides, perhaps tomorrow's yes will have an entirely different outcome...
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