updating the storyline
let's see... since our last episode of If I Only Knew... I've nearly been caught by a snowstorm in Portland, had my salary review, had my car broken into, saw a group of drag queens act out episodes of the Golden Girls, watched movies, done some Christmas shopping, and some holiday parties.
Portland
Amber and I flew up the second weekend of December to hang out with Mackenzie and Todd in Portland, OR for our annual tree-killing, tea-drinking, hot cocoa-spiked-with-schnapps consuming, card-playing weekend. For five years or so, we've gone up in early December for the weekend to help M select a tree and decorate her place in advance of her holiday party. It usually involves a lot of tea, wine, snacks, holiday movies, the Pedro card game, and this year also Cribbage and Settlers of Catan. It wasn't so cold on Saturday when we cut down the tree and stopped at the Helvetia Tavern for burgers and beer. Erin came over and helped out with stuff and Todd ended up staying home with the girls and playing games after the tree was done. It was downright freezing that night and the next day. We hung out and eventually decided to take the MAX out to the airport. Thanks to the freezing weather that included snowfall, the ride that should have taken only 30 minutes ended up being over an hour, after they kicked us off one train into the cold to wait for another. Then the ticketing agents were all confused, and though I checked through first and was told that I couldn't get on the original flight, Amber, who checked through after me, managed to keep her seat on our original flight. I ended up taking a seat on a flight to SFO, and she kept the OAK flight. It all worked out in the end and we both landed back in the bay area around the same time.
Salary Review
Considering the state of the national economy and how far south some of our projects have gone, I'm pretty happy with what happened with the salary review. I got a "cost of living" increase (though it is the first year I haven't gotten a real raise), but we documented that we'd review and potentially adjust it in May/June of 2009 based on the state of firm finances; and they did give out bonuses. This was a good thing because last year they gave us a measely bonus and also told us what they would have liked to have given us had their finances been better. Basically it just pissed everyone off. So, they did better this time around.
Car
So, I park my car on the street and have to move it every couple of days for street cleaning. I found a spot for it that allowed me to leave it for five days. I went to move it and discovered that it had been the victim of a smash and grab. Thieves broke the front passenger window and ransacked the car. I know they took the FM transmitter for my ipod and the folio with my owner's manual. I think that's all they took though. I drove my car down to the police station and reported the theft, and then drove my car to work to have a mobile service come out to replace the window.
Golden Girls
I happen to be neighbors to not one, but TWO, drag queens, Heklina and Cookie Dough. Peaches Christ might be more famous than Heklina, but not by much... So, those two, along with Pollo Del Mar and Matthew Martin, play the characters in the Golden Girls episodes. They were hilarious. The radio/tv commercials that they play between scenes really help set the period (Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!) Cookie also made a dialogue booboo and they all turned it into fun -- Rose got you a remote-control-video... control remote recorder! hehehe Went with Martha, Ann, Maryam and Louise. Afterwards, we snacked at Custom Burger, though Louise and I had already had dinner at Stelline before the show.
Milk
Saw the movie MILK yesterday at the Castro Theater. What a great experience and definitely the right place to see that movie. You totally cannot see me in the scene that I was in. C'est la vie. Still a fun experience. After the movie, Louise and I went to Alex & Phillip's holiday party. I meant to go for a two or so hours and ended up staying for six. Whoops.
Christmas Shopping
Friday I went Christmas shopping after finally getting a list out of my dad for all the people there at the house. I found something for Liz and for my dad. My mom's gift is mostly figured out I just have to get it. It was suggested that I get the Mario Kart for Wii for the kids but that game is expensive! I don't know if I want to support that stuff so I'm contemplating getting them gift cards to Target and then they can pool their money if they want to get the game or buy something for themselves. I guess I'm feeling a bit scroogish.
Portland
Amber and I flew up the second weekend of December to hang out with Mackenzie and Todd in Portland, OR for our annual tree-killing, tea-drinking, hot cocoa-spiked-with-schnapps consuming, card-playing weekend. For five years or so, we've gone up in early December for the weekend to help M select a tree and decorate her place in advance of her holiday party. It usually involves a lot of tea, wine, snacks, holiday movies, the Pedro card game, and this year also Cribbage and Settlers of Catan. It wasn't so cold on Saturday when we cut down the tree and stopped at the Helvetia Tavern for burgers and beer. Erin came over and helped out with stuff and Todd ended up staying home with the girls and playing games after the tree was done. It was downright freezing that night and the next day. We hung out and eventually decided to take the MAX out to the airport. Thanks to the freezing weather that included snowfall, the ride that should have taken only 30 minutes ended up being over an hour, after they kicked us off one train into the cold to wait for another. Then the ticketing agents were all confused, and though I checked through first and was told that I couldn't get on the original flight, Amber, who checked through after me, managed to keep her seat on our original flight. I ended up taking a seat on a flight to SFO, and she kept the OAK flight. It all worked out in the end and we both landed back in the bay area around the same time.
Salary Review
Considering the state of the national economy and how far south some of our projects have gone, I'm pretty happy with what happened with the salary review. I got a "cost of living" increase (though it is the first year I haven't gotten a real raise), but we documented that we'd review and potentially adjust it in May/June of 2009 based on the state of firm finances; and they did give out bonuses. This was a good thing because last year they gave us a measely bonus and also told us what they would have liked to have given us had their finances been better. Basically it just pissed everyone off. So, they did better this time around.
Car
So, I park my car on the street and have to move it every couple of days for street cleaning. I found a spot for it that allowed me to leave it for five days. I went to move it and discovered that it had been the victim of a smash and grab. Thieves broke the front passenger window and ransacked the car. I know they took the FM transmitter for my ipod and the folio with my owner's manual. I think that's all they took though. I drove my car down to the police station and reported the theft, and then drove my car to work to have a mobile service come out to replace the window.
Golden Girls
I happen to be neighbors to not one, but TWO, drag queens, Heklina and Cookie Dough. Peaches Christ might be more famous than Heklina, but not by much... So, those two, along with Pollo Del Mar and Matthew Martin, play the characters in the Golden Girls episodes. They were hilarious. The radio/tv commercials that they play between scenes really help set the period (Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!) Cookie also made a dialogue booboo and they all turned it into fun -- Rose got you a remote-control-video... control remote recorder! hehehe Went with Martha, Ann, Maryam and Louise. Afterwards, we snacked at Custom Burger, though Louise and I had already had dinner at Stelline before the show.
Milk
Saw the movie MILK yesterday at the Castro Theater. What a great experience and definitely the right place to see that movie. You totally cannot see me in the scene that I was in. C'est la vie. Still a fun experience. After the movie, Louise and I went to Alex & Phillip's holiday party. I meant to go for a two or so hours and ended up staying for six. Whoops.
Christmas Shopping
Friday I went Christmas shopping after finally getting a list out of my dad for all the people there at the house. I found something for Liz and for my dad. My mom's gift is mostly figured out I just have to get it. It was suggested that I get the Mario Kart for Wii for the kids but that game is expensive! I don't know if I want to support that stuff so I'm contemplating getting them gift cards to Target and then they can pool their money if they want to get the game or buy something for themselves. I guess I'm feeling a bit scroogish.