My Second Christmas Party

Going to the Company Annual Christmas Party is like going to your High School Prom and Ten Year Reunion all in one. True to form it's everything you would expect it to be as well! There was mainly two demographics going for itself. However, I'll go on record to say Siri and Garmin can suck a dick because we placed the directions and then somehow ended up at a back gate which was nearly six miles away from the venue. This was the first tip off things were going to go weary.

Then Amanda, Lor and I showed up to the Seabreeze. A simple building with a simple introduction. Like normal coatcheck was an "option" which we didn't know was an option till about an hour into being in the damn place. Then, the worst part for me is walking around and saying "Hello" to everyone. I mean EVERYONE. From the dumb ass who just became apart of our family. To the old farts whom have been around for nearly 4 years. Then we had the fuckers who have been in our companies family, moved on to another job and still showed up. This was a small group of people and four of my personal friends fit into this group. However for the "fuckers" whom I speak of.... I felt it was rather unbecoming. In fact, prior to, Jamie and I were sending 'hate mail' to each other about the damn Christmas party. In part, I was already prepped for just not wanting to deal. On the other hand, I wanted Lor to have fun.
I think for over all presentation, we made sure we said 'Hello' to everyone we knew and met some new faces too. Particular to introducing everyone I know and like at work to Lor. She seemed to have a lot of fun which is nice. Eventually Lor, Amanda and I were sitting at the kids table of the whole thing which was instantly the best table to sit at. An old friend named Robert sat across from me with his wife, then next to me was a colleague whom I've gotten to know better in the past four months.

One main problem I saw with the SeaBreeze from the get go, was the moment  I ordered three ginger and jack which cost about $12. Neither of them were strong or really hit me the way it should have. So, like Amanda had decided she and I went for a Malibu Sunrise. It's a default mix drink which personally had never let me down, but not tonight. The drink was again, really shallow on the alcohol. This was nearly two hours into the Christmas party. Some douche bags had already come up to me and said "Hello." Other I told to fuck off, however, nothing will be as memorable when the Maintenance Chief had walked up to Amanda and I. He first said hello to me. Seemed normal, Over doing it with a smile and friendly stuff. But then the moment I introduced him to Amanda. He nearly dead looked her in the eyes for longer than a second or two. Then he turns to me and says, "Well, have a good night." Just walking off with no manner at all...
Then after a while of going through ticket raffle offs I finally had enough of being around people I work with. I get to this particular limit where it's something I can relate with people who have sensory over load. I have something called People Over Load. It happens when I'm around too many people and or people whom I know and wish I didn't. Then People Over Load happens and I have to get out! Getting out doesn't mean going to the smokers spot either. Because a congregation of those same people will be there too.... The only place where People Over Load doesn't happen is when I'm home.... Home, or the Library.... I love the Library because its a place people go to and NO ONE TALKS TO ME.
Well, finally after meeting everyone I love as friends, Jamie, Shay, and others. I personally needed to dip out. About 3 hours after arriving Lor, Amanda and I came home and just relaxed afterword.

Overall my personal motivation is burnt out for Company Christmas Parties. I realized its the ultimate High School Reunion and Prom all rolled up in on and I personally can go another two years not going to remind myself not to go again. Till then.

Thank Yous mean a lot

It's been near over four years since I've been doing my job. The few things I remember the most out of it is my first "Thank You" from a random stranger.

It was mid April when I graduated from the Great Lakes. The few people I knew from my class and I all had tickets to San Antonio, Texas for our A-school. The flights connected at Atlanta, Georga. So with just a few hours to play with myself and a group went to the nearest McDonnalds. I'm traveling in uniform and standing in line. I gave my order and was about to pay. In a moment a woman from behind me said,

"Sir, I'd like to say thank you for your service." 

I was shocked! I told her she was welcome and told her she's the first person to ever thank me. Then she leaned past me and told the associate she was paying for my order. Wow! What a moment to burn in my memory. 

Earlier this week Lor asked me to get her some Tomato Bisque from the store. It was around five in the afternoon. I just got off work and made it to the store. Ran through a couple of isles, then found the wall of soup cans. I swear I saw Tomato soup and Tomato Bisque next to each other. I swear I grabbed the right cans. Then I saw a couple of other flavors I felt interested in. So I grabbed a couple of cans and left. Feeling satisfied I came home and Lor saw what cans I brought home. Come to find out the Tomato Bisque label "transformed" in the truck to Tomato and Rice. What the hell.... The next day I went back to the same store and low and behold the space were the Tomato Bisque was was empty. Go figure. I talked to an associate and they checked the back stock. Apparently its on pallet and wouldn't be opened till later on tonight. +shakes head+ So, I go back and the Tomato Bisque is nowhere to be found in the store I went to the night prior. I went across the street and finally found it. Of course, I'm off work and in uniform. I made it to the check out line and a lady beside me tapped my shoulder and said,
"Sir, thank you for your service."
Wow! What a flash back to the prior... I told her thank you for your gratitude and how much it meant to me. I think in reflection it was one of those set backs for me. I think in some strange way I needed some stranger who appreciates what I do for a job. Not saying I don't get it from my loved ones. Because they'll be the first to say they totally support me. However, a random stranger telling you "Thank you" goes a really long way. Especially when I didn't really do anything in the first place.
Well, low and behold I was trying to pay for the groceries I had and the cashier asked for something from me. I heard the word 'card' and I figured he meant my ID card. So I showed him my ID. Then the woman said, "No hun, he means a store card." She pulls out her keys and on the key ring is a small card he scanned. My $5 purchase dropped to $2 because of the discount. So, in a way she paid for my food. Which again really made me go back in time on this one. 

Making Christmas, Fa-ra-ra

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving everyone! This year I have quite a bit to be thankful for. For example, I could be on a ship having terrible vegetarian food for Thanksgiving. I could also be very far away from Lor this year and not even in the same state. In consideration to these few, but important reasons, I'm thankful to just be home with a normal life.

This year was more different than last year. We've been vegetarians for the better part of this year. For example, we didn't do much with chicken/turkey.... However, we did enjoy sweet potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, fish, and other vegetarian stuff. Needless to say, it was great!

Now on to the other BIG subject that's been hanging over my shoulder like a monkey. True to form, Lor and I got to experience a Bridal Shower. Guys, wake up! (Clap, clap) This is information for you! Apparently, as girly as a Bridal Shower sounds. We all know it's a party which is all about the bride; however, it's also about you too. Which means the ONLY part you have to figure out, thanks to the Brides Maid and Best Man, is decorations and making sure people show up. After an early morning of prepping decorations and making sure everything was staged for everyone. I personally sat on the couch waiting for people to just show up. Needless to say, no one from Team G showed up. This is to be expected because everyone in my camp is either from the West Coast or Michigan.... OR the guys are on leave and not... REPEAT, not in town for the party. Which is what it is... I wouldn't have been if it was Thanksgiving Leave time. I totally understand. Otherwise, nearly everyone from Lor's Bride Maid camp made it to the party. Even the Officiant (our friend Bruce) came to the party. Everything was fun. We played games. Laughed and had a lot of fun.

The next day, all the decorations came down. Then Thanksgiving was a go. Literally the next day all the Christmas decorations came up! 

In other news, I became good friends with one of Lor's friends. Here name is Anna. One night, when she came over for dinner and hanging out. She mentioned she had never seen any of the Rocky movies. Being American and feeling like I needed to help a friend in need. Well, Rocky night was a go. I had pop corn, beer, and chips with dip. Before starting our Rocky marathon Anna had mentioned her college project with a music video. Then I gave her a few songs to listen to and she heard ONE song which I had been meaning to get vocals for. Over the course of two nights she and I recorded vocals into the song and finished.
I'll say it was really fun to get back to plugging in the mic, making the make-shift studio and having fun again with the craft I love. I think the best is the fact the motivation for creating lyrics, or song structure was purely based pure innovation and non-contrived. I always feel the music works best when there's not rhyme or reason to collaborations. They just happen. So, Talios Wing (Anna's stage name) will be feat. on the new PostOmnis album. Specifically on the song "Vanished."