kevin in the tunnel, this was supposed to be posted last but there was an error 

This is the trap door to the access tunnel under our apartment, only apartments on the "end" of the row have them. Right in the kitchen, it is a tunnel that goes to the heating vents that run our row of apts. We figure if there is something to fix, it would be down there... so... Kevin (without my approval)  

hm... should he go in? What is down there anyway? 

NO HEAT!!

So today I was awaken by this nasty metal scraping on metal noise, followed by a series of even nastier low grind sounds... hm.. it is coming from the heat vent. So I go to the thermostat and turn down the heat to make the heat turn off, and here like a click sound... I try to turn the heat back on... and it doesn't turn back on... hm.. no heat. But I get up and get ready to go to my first day at Sears. I went home early from the hotel because I was sick (I threw up.. you don't want to know about it I'm sure) So it was 2pm when I finally decided to get up and ready for Sears. I went to work, hoping that this heat thing wasn't an actual problem. Out of sight, out of mind, not a problem. I got home at 6:30 and still nothing, a little colder though. Here is a timeline:

6:30: Called Facilities on campus, they told us to call our Resident Advisor, we did, no answer

7:00: RA calls, said she'll send someone to fix it

8:00: RA comes to door to check to see how cold it is in our apt. They can't call someone in to fix it after business hours until the temp hits 65 degrees

9:00: RA comes back to check the temp... it is now at 68 degrees.

10:00: RA comes back to check temp... it is 65 degrees so now someone can be called in...

10:30 Facilities calls, the only person who can fix the heater lives an HOUR away, and it would be around MIDNIGHT when he got in town. And then would probably have to work on it for at least an hour. So basically he wasn't going to be here until tomorrow morning. GET THIS PART...
SHE TELLS US TO TURN OUR OVEN ON AND THAT WILL GIVE US HEAT! (not to mention a high electric bill)

Okay, so knowing that EVENTUALLY the temp in our apt would get to 65 degrees, they should have come to fix it ASAP. if they came when we FIRST reported the problem at 6:30, the heater could be fixed by now. and that guy an hour away wouldn't have had to be bothered late at night. AND WE HAVE NO HEAT. And it is like 10 degrees outside with wind right now, and these apartments are made of like tin and I can feel the draft from the closed window in my room. My nose is cold, and my fingers are cold... but I guess some people live in worse conditions, maybe I shouldn't be complaining, but I do PAY to live here.... with heat in the winter...
So Kevin went into the tunnel (see pics below) to see if there is anything he can hit or kick to make the blower fan start working... no luck

predicted time of our death: 3am.

I don't hunt, nor do I eat deer meat, but If I did hunt, I would have gotten this one, and she looks tasty... no, I can't say that, she looks like she enjoys being a live, and I'm glad they can't be hunted in that field! 

Bad pic, but these are the deer in the field by Kevin's parents house, there were a lot more than this too. They must be able to read the "no hunting/trespassing" sign posted on the fence, because they come here every year during hunting season. Like "you can't touch me, this is the 'time out' field!" There ws a HUGE buck here too, but he ran off before I could get a pic.  

Thanksgiving

It snowed for the first time this year on Thanksgiving. The trees look pretty snow covered! Kevin and I went to his parents house in the afternoon and ate a lOT, and then we went to my parents house in the evening and ate MORE. We have enough left overs to last for a couple days, and Mr. Pie was VERY excited about the bits of turkey we gave him as an appology for being gone for 2 days. Tonight Angela and I are going to Bridget Jones' The Edge of Reason, I absolutely LOVED the first movie, and I look forward to watching this one.

We avoided the shopping rush on this, Black Friday, For those of you who read my blog and are not from the US, Black Friday is the BIGGEST shopping day of the year. Always the day after Thanksgiving, stores open their doors as early as 5am (people will start lining up at the doors as early as 2 in some parts of the country) They have huge deals on everything for the phychotic Christmas shoppers. There is pushing and shoving by all, really gets you into that caring Christmas Spirit.

All in All I had a terrific Thanksgiving holiday, now I'm in the mood for Christmas decorating, I think I'll work on that this week. Angela is here, so I'll write more tomorrow

The snow is here to stay!! 

FuzzyButt looks out the window at the birds flying away from the tree. I like the way it looks like he is looking at his reflection 

hangin' with my kitten

I realized today that when we got our kitten, we played with him all the time, and he was always the center of attention. Now that he is bigger, and lets face it, less intriguing , he doesn't really get the attention he deserves. I am usually not home during the day and I think he is confused as to why I'm ruining all his mischeivious alone play time (you know where he gets into everything he's not supposed to) So I decided to get down on the ground and play with him for a while. And because I know you all care very much, I have some pics for you...I don't think it was play really... more like me following him around and annoying him while I interrupt his daily routine.

Getting ready to pounce on my head, Mr Pie, wonders why I'm laying on the floor looking up at him with my camera, sillly human! 

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOO HOO!!!! I am now a Sears Portrait Studio employee! He called me this morning and asked when I can start. I get to start Monday I think. He wanted me to start Friday, but I'm going to St. Cloud to visit Amy this weekend. I don't get many days off in a row from the hotel, and now that I have this new job, I probably won't have many days off for a while, so I decided not to cancel my weekend plans. If I wasn't going out of town, It wouldn't be an issue, I would just start training, but I'm going to take my mini vacation and start next week.

I work with Amber too, so at least I'll know someone. I hope I can pull off working two jobs. I'm sure the two paychecks will keep me going. Just in time for Christmas too, now I can actually buy people gifts and stuff. Plus Kevin has his Clinical Iternship in January and we'll have to be paying two separate rents and stuff. Hope everyone else is having a good day today! I know I am!

So now I wait...

Just got home from my interview. I interviewed with this guy (yeah, I don't remember his name, how bad is that) It went okay I guess. Asked questions like "Have you ever bent the rules with a justified reason?" "If a child acts up, how do you reason with him" If a customer is upset, how do you calm them down?" "What was the biggest mistake you have done and how did it turn out?" "What is 50% of 100?" That one I KNOW I answered right, woo hoo!!

They aren't really looking for photographers though, they said they are looking for sales, like someone to show pics to people and sell them. They would be willing to show me the photography stuff on slow days and if a position opens up, then maybe i would move up. I guess that is okay, it isn't what I wanted, but its better than nothing.

They said they'd call me, I hope that isn't just a "no we didn't like you, so now , we won't actually call you."

So... that is how it went.

Getting a second job.... SOUNDS like a good idea.... right?

YAY! I have a job interview on Monday. It is for the Sears Portrait studio. I feel a little funny about it because it took me so long to apply for a photography job, but I'm really excited. It isn't exactly what I wanted to do, but you gotta start somewhere. They seem really nice there, and I know the manager, we graduated with the same degree last semester... and look where she is and where I am... hm... I never really talked to her much in school, but she seems like a really sweet person. It'll be weird being interviewed by her though. Oh well... I'm nervous, but I know I have a pretty good shot, I mean I do have a degree in photography right? They hire people with absolutely NO experience.

The only thing, is that I will still be working at the hotel full time during the day, that could lead to some pretty long days, but when you want to spend money, you have to make money. It'll be nice to earn some extra cash for a nice part time seasonal job. Plus I'll learn a lot. So wish me luck!

Home Sweet Home

Ah... A nice day off. You know what I'm doing today? Absolutely NOTHING! I woke up around 10, I watched TV, I ate lunch, I watched a movie, and now I'm just wondering around aimlessly on the net. Usually I drive to my hometown on my days off to visit my friends and family there, but today I'm just hanging out here at home. I haven't done that in a while. To be honest, I dont know what to do with myself! There are a ton of things I SHOULD be doing here, like laundry and cleaning but that doesn't sound like fun, I'll save that for tomorrow, because I have tomorrow off too! AHhhh..... laziness! Today there is a graphics and photography society meeting, but I'm not going to that either. We had a community wide photography contest called UND 24/7 and all the pictures are being judged today and the winners will be selected. For some reason I didn't enter the contest. I don't have an excuse, I just... didn't. I'm not really ON campus anymore, now that I've graduated. I think the contest, although any community member can enter, was focused more for students anyway.
Last night Blake and I watched a DVD of a comic called Eddie Izzard. He is a British Transvestite (sp?) and he is HILARIOUS, I suggest that everyone find the DVD and watch him.
I get to have Thanksgiving and the following weekend off! I get to have Thanksgiving dinner with my family :) and on Friday, Kevin and I are driving down to St. Cloud to surprise Amy with a visit. She just moved there, and from what it souds like on the phone, she could use a familiar face.
Well, I suppose I better get back to.... oh wait... I dont have anything to get back to... I'm gonna go find something to do...

Colorgenics and Color Symbolism

Colorgenics is the study of how color affects you mood at any given time. It is also the study of the different meanings of color. I have been interested in colorgenics for a while and although most people know most of this stuff, I thought I'd share..

BLACK is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil.

WHITE Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

RED The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.
The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing.

BLUE The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

GREEN Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

YELLOW Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

PURPLE The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

BROWN Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

There is so much more to the study of color. Like, how color is measured in degrees of Kelvin. I'm trying to use color to accent my photos and make them bolder, make a statement. I love colors. I don't think I have a favorite color. OH OH OH, and all of you should visit this site: www.colorgenics.com and take the mood test. It is the one with a bunch of color cubes. It will tell you how you are feeling just by the order of colors you choose. Click the cubes as fast as you can, I pick different combos all the time and they can always tell me my mood. When they ask for the email, they don't actually send you anything, and they give you the results anyway. so don't let that make you not give them your email. make sense? anyway, do it they're always right!