I didn't have any plans for this last post, so I decided to go back and look at my very first post. Wow.
Here's something I wrote that now strikes me as very ironic:
"I want to speak plainly to whoever chooses to read what I write. I want to share things that are genuinely interesting to read, and for me, things that are genuinely interesting to write about. My one rule is 'If I wouldn't read about it, I won't write about it.' "
I'm struck by that last sentence, as there is so much that I've written that is so boring to read that I can't bring myself to go back and read it. I guess I didn't stick with my original plan, but only The Lord knows how things would've been if I had. Would I have continued if I stuck to "the one rule" too stringently? Only God knows.
What can I possibly say about this blog? It's been one year-long experiment for me, an experiment in diligence, in writing and reporting faithfully, and it's been an opportunity to express myself in a way that I didn't have before. All in all, it's been a big plus for me. I want to thank those of you who've hung in with me through this whole thing, and I hope you'll follow me to the next blog, which should be starting soon.
When the next blog gets started, I want to try some different things, like doing more reviews or writing about issues that are meaningful to me.
Okay, let's put this blog to bed.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Day three-hundred-sixty-four
How appropriate that one of the very last posts for this blog should be about a subject whic has provided much fodder: I have news about work.
Today, we had a brief meeting where we learned that we're going to have a new manager in digital. His name is Mike and we've seen him around the building for the last couple of months. I didn't know who he was, but he'd periodically drop around and inquire after certain items, and whether they'd been sent or not. Honestly, I thought he was one of the sale guys.
Anyway, we will finally have a manager whose job duties, and thus, whose attentions, aren't divided between different departments. Mervin will still be running imposition, which involves coordinating between here and the home office in Manila, and with scheduling printed items for ganging, which is way too complicated to get into here. All this means is that we'll finally have a manager who's going to manage.
That's not to say that Mervin has been a bad manager. There have been times when he seemed rather removed from us, which he was in a physical sense, as his office was on the other side of the department and off the warehouse floor, where we are.
Anyway, things will hopefully improve as Mike gets better acquainted with how the digital department runs.
…
Last day tomorrow. I don't have anything special planned, so we'll see how things go.
Today, we had a brief meeting where we learned that we're going to have a new manager in digital. His name is Mike and we've seen him around the building for the last couple of months. I didn't know who he was, but he'd periodically drop around and inquire after certain items, and whether they'd been sent or not. Honestly, I thought he was one of the sale guys.
Anyway, we will finally have a manager whose job duties, and thus, whose attentions, aren't divided between different departments. Mervin will still be running imposition, which involves coordinating between here and the home office in Manila, and with scheduling printed items for ganging, which is way too complicated to get into here. All this means is that we'll finally have a manager who's going to manage.
That's not to say that Mervin has been a bad manager. There have been times when he seemed rather removed from us, which he was in a physical sense, as his office was on the other side of the department and off the warehouse floor, where we are.
Anyway, things will hopefully improve as Mike gets better acquainted with how the digital department runs.
…
Last day tomorrow. I don't have anything special planned, so we'll see how things go.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Day three-hundred-sixty-three
Just two more days of this blog before it gets retired. It looks like we'll be going with a whimper.
Yesterday, I started preparations on the new blog, when I ran into a problem I had when I first started this blog. Namely, I'm having trouble thinking of a good name. I don't want a repeat of That Blog by That Guy. Every time I say the nam of this blog, I hate it a little more.
So, I'm leaving it to you. If anyone out there has an idea for a name for the new blog, let it me in the comments section here or in the Facebook link for this article. If anyone has an idea that I like, I'll consider it for a potential title.
I don't want a name that I just settle for; that's how this blog got its' name. Don't want to repeat that.
Yesterday, I started preparations on the new blog, when I ran into a problem I had when I first started this blog. Namely, I'm having trouble thinking of a good name. I don't want a repeat of That Blog by That Guy. Every time I say the nam of this blog, I hate it a little more.
So, I'm leaving it to you. If anyone out there has an idea for a name for the new blog, let it me in the comments section here or in the Facebook link for this article. If anyone has an idea that I like, I'll consider it for a potential title.
I don't want a name that I just settle for; that's how this blog got its' name. Don't want to repeat that.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Day three-hundred-sixty-two
Another lazy Sunday. Nothing to say for today. I think I'm ready for this Christmas vacation to be over.
I find that as we're closing in on New Year's Eve, it's getting harder and harder to actually sit down and write these entries. It seems like I'm anticipating leaving this blog behind and moving on. While I'm glad that I've kept up with it, I will admit that writing this blog has sometimes felt like a chore.
I guess I'm just ready to be done with this blog.
I would say that this blog wasn't all that I thought it would be, but when I started writing, I didn't really know what I wanted this to be. A lot of it has been just me venting, mostly about work. I certainly didn't set out to make this blog a place to come and complain about work.
That's not to say that I haven't learned anything from blog writing. It's taught me something about discipline, having to write something every day (not counting the four days I've somehow missed along the way). At the moment, I have no plans to do daily updates on the next blog. I would also say that it's made me more aware of the value of preparedness in writing. I couldn't say how many times I've sat down to write an entry and I honestly didn't know what I was going to write about.
It might also help not to write in an environment where I'm distracted. Even as I write this, I find myself distracted by an episode of Speed Racer on YouTube, wherein a giant Monster Car powered by lightning is terrorizing the Scottish countryside. All of that is true, by the way. Speed Racer's plots can get that strange.
I find that as we're closing in on New Year's Eve, it's getting harder and harder to actually sit down and write these entries. It seems like I'm anticipating leaving this blog behind and moving on. While I'm glad that I've kept up with it, I will admit that writing this blog has sometimes felt like a chore.
I guess I'm just ready to be done with this blog.
I would say that this blog wasn't all that I thought it would be, but when I started writing, I didn't really know what I wanted this to be. A lot of it has been just me venting, mostly about work. I certainly didn't set out to make this blog a place to come and complain about work.
That's not to say that I haven't learned anything from blog writing. It's taught me something about discipline, having to write something every day (not counting the four days I've somehow missed along the way). At the moment, I have no plans to do daily updates on the next blog. I would also say that it's made me more aware of the value of preparedness in writing. I couldn't say how many times I've sat down to write an entry and I honestly didn't know what I was going to write about.
It might also help not to write in an environment where I'm distracted. Even as I write this, I find myself distracted by an episode of Speed Racer on YouTube, wherein a giant Monster Car powered by lightning is terrorizing the Scottish countryside. All of that is true, by the way. Speed Racer's plots can get that strange.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Day three-hundred-sixty-one
Today is the last Saturday post for this blog. Looking back on the four times I actually failed to post on a particular day, I believe they all fell on Saturday. It might be because Saturday's mark sub a break in routine.
It's not even 6:30 pm yet, and this day feels like it's dragging on. I've pretty much decided that these long holiday weekends aren't too good for me. By the time they wrap up, I've become so lazy and bored that I actually anticipate going back to work on Monday. With the New Year's holiday, we're having another short work week next week.
…
Even as the year is winding up, it's getting a little more difficult each day to write these entries. When I stop to think about it, I'll always a little amazed that I actually hung with writing for so long. The new blog isn't going to be (or at least, isn't planned to be) updated daily, but often enough that I'll hang with it without feeling like I have to generate content just to have something. It's one of those things I'll have to figure out when the new blog begins in the new year.
It's not even 6:30 pm yet, and this day feels like it's dragging on. I've pretty much decided that these long holiday weekends aren't too good for me. By the time they wrap up, I've become so lazy and bored that I actually anticipate going back to work on Monday. With the New Year's holiday, we're having another short work week next week.
…
Even as the year is winding up, it's getting a little more difficult each day to write these entries. When I stop to think about it, I'll always a little amazed that I actually hung with writing for so long. The new blog isn't going to be (or at least, isn't planned to be) updated daily, but often enough that I'll hang with it without feeling like I have to generate content just to have something. It's one of those things I'll have to figure out when the new blog begins in the new year.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Day three-hundred-sixty
Happy Boxing Day to you all. Not that it means much to those of you who read this blog, since Google tells me that no one who reads this blog is from outside the U.S.
As a quick addendum to yesterday's Christmas post, I got what I asked for this year. I received a Visa gift card and a copy of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, both of which I was very happy to receive.
Having these long weekends completely throws my days off. It's only Friday, but it "feels" like a Saturday. I keep thinking that I've got church in the morning when, in the back of my mind, I know that I don't. I like the long weekends but they don't do me any good when it comes t keeping track of time.
Today is also the second Friday in a row that I haven't worked. With New Year's next week, I will not have worked a full work for three straight weeks. I like having the time off, especially I now have paid time off and paid holidays.
I think we'll cut it short for tonight. I'm watching the Ninja Turtles movie with my brother. See you later.
As a quick addendum to yesterday's Christmas post, I got what I asked for this year. I received a Visa gift card and a copy of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, both of which I was very happy to receive.
Having these long weekends completely throws my days off. It's only Friday, but it "feels" like a Saturday. I keep thinking that I've got church in the morning when, in the back of my mind, I know that I don't. I like the long weekends but they don't do me any good when it comes t keeping track of time.
Today is also the second Friday in a row that I haven't worked. With New Year's next week, I will not have worked a full work for three straight weeks. I like having the time off, especially I now have paid time off and paid holidays.
I think we'll cut it short for tonight. I'm watching the Ninja Turtles movie with my brother. See you later.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-nine
It's about 8:00 pm as I write tonight's post. Our cousins are here to celebrate Christmas with us. I'm taking a little time away from the group to get this posted in a timely manner.
It's been a nice, quiet Christmas this year. We grilled carne asada for dinner, so much that nine people could barely finish a quarter of it. Lots of leftovers for the next couple of days. As someone who doesn't care for leftovers, that means it'll justmean lunch for me tomorrow and that's all.
As I sit here, I just realized that we didn't do something we usually on Christmas Day. Typically, we will gather as a family and read the Christmas account from the Gospels. The last few years, one thing we've done differently is that we now open our gifts on Christmas night rather than the morning. I think that, as a result, the Gospel reading has unintentionally fallen by the wayside. I don't want that to stop. Christmas has become secular enough.
Even as believers, we need to be reminded of the importance of Christ's birth; God Himself becoming a man and dwelling among us. Hebrews tells us that Christ is our sympathetic high priest who understands our temptations, having been tempted Himself in every way (Hebrews 4:15), and that He is able to help those who are tempted (2:18).
I'm sitting here, thinking about those verses, and thinking about how much I needed to be reminded of these things. God knows and understands our struggles, because in the person of Jesus Christ, He did not even withdraw those troubles from Himself, though without sin. There's such a prevailing idea that God doesn't know or doesn't care about the problems of the world. Scripture makes it clear He does know and He does care.
It's been a nice, quiet Christmas this year. We grilled carne asada for dinner, so much that nine people could barely finish a quarter of it. Lots of leftovers for the next couple of days. As someone who doesn't care for leftovers, that means it'll justmean lunch for me tomorrow and that's all.
As I sit here, I just realized that we didn't do something we usually on Christmas Day. Typically, we will gather as a family and read the Christmas account from the Gospels. The last few years, one thing we've done differently is that we now open our gifts on Christmas night rather than the morning. I think that, as a result, the Gospel reading has unintentionally fallen by the wayside. I don't want that to stop. Christmas has become secular enough.
Even as believers, we need to be reminded of the importance of Christ's birth; God Himself becoming a man and dwelling among us. Hebrews tells us that Christ is our sympathetic high priest who understands our temptations, having been tempted Himself in every way (Hebrews 4:15), and that He is able to help those who are tempted (2:18).
I'm sitting here, thinking about those verses, and thinking about how much I needed to be reminded of these things. God knows and understands our struggles, because in the person of Jesus Christ, He did not even withdraw those troubles from Himself, though without sin. There's such a prevailing idea that God doesn't know or doesn't care about the problems of the world. Scripture makes it clear He does know and He does care.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-eight
Today is Christmas Eve. In one week, I will write the last post of this blog. No review for tonight. Last night's Dragnet review was the one I was anticipating the most, and besides, I haven't watched anything else Christmas-related.
Even as I've decided to retire this blog at the end of the year, I haven't really given the new blog a whole lot of thought. While I have considered doing things like writing more reviews, I'm still not too sure what direction I want to take things. Should I blog weekly, or only as often as I feel like it? I don't know that I still want to do it daily, as so much of what I've written on this blog is little more than filler. So much of the blog's content is just me either venting about work or just using work to make the entry for the day rather than coming up with some actual material.
Well, I guess this whole blog has been one big experiment, so I the next blog will be another experiment.
...
Tonight was spent getting some last-minute things ready for Christmas tomorrow. My sister Olivia has spent the evening baking and went to the grocery store earlier for dinner tomorrow. My brother Joe and I were getting our barbecue ready; we'll be grilling carne asada for dinner. Mom and Dad have wrapped their gifts, I think. My sister Laura, I believe, has finished her seasonal job at See's Candies. We're all going to be together this year.
I hope that your Christmas is a blessed one, and may the Lord bless the day for you. Tomorrow, I want to write about my first Christmas as a believer.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Even as I've decided to retire this blog at the end of the year, I haven't really given the new blog a whole lot of thought. While I have considered doing things like writing more reviews, I'm still not too sure what direction I want to take things. Should I blog weekly, or only as often as I feel like it? I don't know that I still want to do it daily, as so much of what I've written on this blog is little more than filler. So much of the blog's content is just me either venting about work or just using work to make the entry for the day rather than coming up with some actual material.
Well, I guess this whole blog has been one big experiment, so I the next blog will be another experiment.
...
Tonight was spent getting some last-minute things ready for Christmas tomorrow. My sister Olivia has spent the evening baking and went to the grocery store earlier for dinner tomorrow. My brother Joe and I were getting our barbecue ready; we'll be grilling carne asada for dinner. Mom and Dad have wrapped their gifts, I think. My sister Laura, I believe, has finished her seasonal job at See's Candies. We're all going to be together this year.
I hope that your Christmas is a blessed one, and may the Lord bless the day for you. Tomorrow, I want to write about my first Christmas as a believer.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-seven
As I promised yesterday, I'm back tonight with another Christmas review. Tonight, I'll be looking at an episode of the 1960s iteration of Dragnet, titled "The Christmas Story", which originally aired December 21, 1967.
On Christmas Eve, Sergeant Joe Friday (working in Burglary/Auto Theft division in this episode) is sitting at his desk, making out the last of his Christmas cards. Bill Gannon, his partner, comes in with a little fir tree cutting for a table-top Christmas tree. Gannon gives Friday a little grief for buying his girlfriend a monogrammed stationary set for Christmas, until Gannon lets slip that he bought his wife a sewing machine.
They get called out to the San Fernando Mission Church, where the parish priest, Father Rojas, reports that the baby Jesus statue has been stolen from the Nativity scene. Father Rojas emphasizes how meaningful the Nativity scene is to the largely poor parishioners. Friday and Gannon begin searching for the statue but face little chance of getting it back in time for Christmas the next day. They try a store that sells religious figures but don't learn anything useful.
Friday and Gannon are visited by one of the altar boys, who tells them he saw a man leaving the church with a bundle about the size of the statue. They determine that the man is named Claude Stroup and that he has a record. Friday and Gannon find Stroup at the mens' hotel where he lives. When they take him downtown for questioning, it quickly becomes clear that Stroup has nothing to do with the missing statue and they release him.
Friday and Gannon return to the church to tell Father Rojas of their failure to the find the baby Jesus statue. As they are about to speak to the Father, a little boy comes into the church, pulling a wagon with the baby Jesus statue inside it. The boy, Paquito, tells the men that he prayed for a new wagon and promised to give the baby Jesus a ride if he got one. Paquito admits to taking the statue, but all is forgiven. Friday and Gannon depart to celebrate Christmas.
…
"The Christmas Story" is in fact the third time that Dragnet creator/star Jack Webb adapted this story. It was first adapted for the radio version of Dragnet under the name "The Big Little Jesus" on December 22, 1953. It was then produced for the first TV version of Dragnet and aired just two days after the radio version, on Christmas Eve, 1953. As with every episode of Dragnet, " The Christmas Story" is based upon an actual event. Unlike every other episode, this story is taken from the files of the San Francisco Police Department rather than the Los Angeles Police Department.
Series creator Jack Webb strove for a level of technical accuracy that had not been seen before in a police series. Appropriate terminology and techniques were applied to the scripts. This could vary in anything from investigative technique to evidence gathering to depicting the duties of officers throughout the department.
As far back as the 1950s, Webb sought to make clear, though his character Joe Friday, that police work takes long hours and effort to doggedly pursue evidence to catch criminals. Webb presciently noted that brilliant deductions based on scant evidence don't really happen in actual police work, as seems so prevalent on police shows these days. Dragnet sought to depict policemen as hard-working people making sacrifices for the greater good, and worked to improve both public perceptions of the police and how police could and should work within the community.
On Christmas Eve, Sergeant Joe Friday (working in Burglary/Auto Theft division in this episode) is sitting at his desk, making out the last of his Christmas cards. Bill Gannon, his partner, comes in with a little fir tree cutting for a table-top Christmas tree. Gannon gives Friday a little grief for buying his girlfriend a monogrammed stationary set for Christmas, until Gannon lets slip that he bought his wife a sewing machine.
They get called out to the San Fernando Mission Church, where the parish priest, Father Rojas, reports that the baby Jesus statue has been stolen from the Nativity scene. Father Rojas emphasizes how meaningful the Nativity scene is to the largely poor parishioners. Friday and Gannon begin searching for the statue but face little chance of getting it back in time for Christmas the next day. They try a store that sells religious figures but don't learn anything useful.
Friday and Gannon are visited by one of the altar boys, who tells them he saw a man leaving the church with a bundle about the size of the statue. They determine that the man is named Claude Stroup and that he has a record. Friday and Gannon find Stroup at the mens' hotel where he lives. When they take him downtown for questioning, it quickly becomes clear that Stroup has nothing to do with the missing statue and they release him.
Friday and Gannon return to the church to tell Father Rojas of their failure to the find the baby Jesus statue. As they are about to speak to the Father, a little boy comes into the church, pulling a wagon with the baby Jesus statue inside it. The boy, Paquito, tells the men that he prayed for a new wagon and promised to give the baby Jesus a ride if he got one. Paquito admits to taking the statue, but all is forgiven. Friday and Gannon depart to celebrate Christmas.
…
"The Christmas Story" is in fact the third time that Dragnet creator/star Jack Webb adapted this story. It was first adapted for the radio version of Dragnet under the name "The Big Little Jesus" on December 22, 1953. It was then produced for the first TV version of Dragnet and aired just two days after the radio version, on Christmas Eve, 1953. As with every episode of Dragnet, " The Christmas Story" is based upon an actual event. Unlike every other episode, this story is taken from the files of the San Francisco Police Department rather than the Los Angeles Police Department.
Series creator Jack Webb strove for a level of technical accuracy that had not been seen before in a police series. Appropriate terminology and techniques were applied to the scripts. This could vary in anything from investigative technique to evidence gathering to depicting the duties of officers throughout the department.
As far back as the 1950s, Webb sought to make clear, though his character Joe Friday, that police work takes long hours and effort to doggedly pursue evidence to catch criminals. Webb presciently noted that brilliant deductions based on scant evidence don't really happen in actual police work, as seems so prevalent on police shows these days. Dragnet sought to depict policemen as hard-working people making sacrifices for the greater good, and worked to improve both public perceptions of the police and how police could and should work within the community.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-six
No review tonight. I didn't have time to watch anything for one, but I promise to have something for tomorrow.
I have some work-related news for today. I found out today that the company won the Do What It Takes Challenge. As a result, I'll not only have December 26 off with pay, I'll be getting my eight hours of PTO back.
Secondly, I found out that our work schedule on Christmas Eve has been shifted back by management. First shift will be working from 2:00-7:00 am (yes, that early) and second shift will be working from 7:00 am-12:00 noon. Remember that I have four hours of PTO for Christmas Eve already in place. I asked my manager if it was even worthwhile for me to come in for an hour on Wednesday, and he said no. So, once work ends tomorrow at 10:30 pm, I'll be on vacation through Sunday night.
So, come back tomorrow, and I promise I'll have a review for you.
I have some work-related news for today. I found out today that the company won the Do What It Takes Challenge. As a result, I'll not only have December 26 off with pay, I'll be getting my eight hours of PTO back.
Secondly, I found out that our work schedule on Christmas Eve has been shifted back by management. First shift will be working from 2:00-7:00 am (yes, that early) and second shift will be working from 7:00 am-12:00 noon. Remember that I have four hours of PTO for Christmas Eve already in place. I asked my manager if it was even worthwhile for me to come in for an hour on Wednesday, and he said no. So, once work ends tomorrow at 10:30 pm, I'll be on vacation through Sunday night.
So, come back tomorrow, and I promise I'll have a review for you.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-five
Tonight, night six of my Christmas reviews. My brother and I watched what is routinely considered one of the worst movies ever made, 1964's Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.
Normally, I would write a fairly detailed summary of the plot, but that's not really necessary for this "classic". The plot is as follows:
Martian children are depressed, and the King of Mars, Kimar, is told that Mars needs a Santa Claus. Despite the objections of a renegade Martian, Kimar abducts Santa to Mars along with two kids, Betty and Billy Foster. The renegade Martian, Voldar, tries to undermine Kimar and Santa's efforts to bring Christmas to the children of Mars. However, Santa stops him with the help of the kids and of Dropo, a goofy but kindhearted Martian who Santa makes the official Santa Claus of Mars.
…
I don't want to give this movie any more attention than it deserves, because this movie was the worst thing I've had to watch for these Christmas reviews. Instead of writing a fully detailed review, I'm just going to write bullet points listing some of my observations.
-This movie doesn't seem to have been made for a lot of money. There are a couple of action sequences where it seems the only direction was "Whatever you do, don't break anything! We don't have the money to replace it if it breaks!" Also, one scene features the worst polar bear costume I've ever seen; it's hard to generate suspense if I'll have to be intoxicated for you to begin to be scary.
-Santa Claus is about the most unlikable character in this movie. He tries to say funny things but none of what he says is funny; he's so bad even the kids in the movie don't laugh at him and typically, child characters would be written to find everything Santa says wildly hysterical. If anything, it gave my brother and I the impression that the child actors were the only ones who realized what a stinker they were making. Also, he has kind of a creepy vibe about him. It might be due to the fact that the actor playing Santa opted to affect a rather sinister laugh rather than just doing the typical "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
-I have a hard time imagining anyone actually enjoying this film as a "good movie". It's so boring that adults would fall asleep trying to sit through this with their kids. As for kids, I can't really see this movie holding a child's attention for very long. A lot happens, but none of it adds up to much. Also, the movie takes nearly a half-hour to get going plot wise. That's far too long for an eighty minute movie, and if given a choice, I can't picture a kid sticking with this movie for the long haul.
Can't recommend this film, unless you're an aficionado of bad cinema.
…
Okay, that's done. I promise things will be better tomorrow. Just know that I've been sitting on this movie for the last couple of years, but I finally sat down and finished it. I guess I can cross this one off the list.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-four
Day five of my Christmas reviews. Tonight, The Simpsons Christmas Special, otherwise known by the name "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire", which first aired on December 17, 1989, twenty-five years ago this week.
Homer and Marge show up late to the Springfield Elementary Christmas pageant, featuring Bart in the fourth grade choir singing "Jingle Bells" ("Batman smells/Robin laid an egg…) and Lisa as the torch-juggling Tawanga, the Santa Claus of the South Seas.
Back at home, the kids begin making out their Christmas lists: a pony for Lisa and a tattoo for Bart. Homer, meanwhile, finds out he won't be getting his Christmas bonus. Marge takes the kids Christmas shopping with her jar full of Christmas money, but is forced to use it to get laser removal for the tattoo Bart tries to get behind her back. This leaves the family without funds for Christmas, though Homer has kept the truth about his bonus from Marge.
Depressed, Homer nurses a beer at Moe's Tavern when Barney comes in wearing a Santa suit. He gets Homer a secret part-time job as a mall Santa, but Bart discovers the truth when he jumps in Homer's lap and yanks his false beard. Left with only thirteen dollars after deductions for his efforts, Homer is talked into trying his luck at the dog track with Barney. He dismisses Barney's hot tip after hearing about a dog named Santa's Little Helper, taking it as a sign. Barney's dog wins while Santa's Little Helper takes a distant last place.
Homer and Bart try searching the parking lot for a discarded winning ticket, but get nowhere. As they start for home, they come across Santa's Little Helper, tossed out by his owner for losing too many races. Homer and Bart take him home, seeing a kindred spirit in a born loser. Homer comes in and starts to confess to the family about his bonus, but Bart brings in Santa's Little Helper to the surprise and delight of the family. In the end, Homer saves Christmas for the family after all.
…
This is one of my favorite Christmas specials ever; it might be the one I like the most.
Having turned thirty this year, I'm old enough to remember those earliest days of The Simpsons, when parents believed that Bart Simpson was a bad influence. Maybe he was at the time, but looking back on those oldest episodes, Bart's antics can sometimes seem almost quaint in comparison to what happens on television now. Times change, I guess.
By the time of this special, the Simpsons characters had already been on television for two years, as brief shorts on The Tracy Ullman Show, which debuted on Fox in the spring of 1987. This episode depicts a time so early in the actors' performances that Homer still had traces of his original voice, which slowly evolved over time. At this point, actor Dan Castellaneta was still doing, as he put it, a bad Walter Matthau impression. At this point, Homer hasn't quite taken on that higher-sounding slow-headed pitch his voice would have.
Homer and Marge show up late to the Springfield Elementary Christmas pageant, featuring Bart in the fourth grade choir singing "Jingle Bells" ("Batman smells/Robin laid an egg…) and Lisa as the torch-juggling Tawanga, the Santa Claus of the South Seas.
Back at home, the kids begin making out their Christmas lists: a pony for Lisa and a tattoo for Bart. Homer, meanwhile, finds out he won't be getting his Christmas bonus. Marge takes the kids Christmas shopping with her jar full of Christmas money, but is forced to use it to get laser removal for the tattoo Bart tries to get behind her back. This leaves the family without funds for Christmas, though Homer has kept the truth about his bonus from Marge.
Depressed, Homer nurses a beer at Moe's Tavern when Barney comes in wearing a Santa suit. He gets Homer a secret part-time job as a mall Santa, but Bart discovers the truth when he jumps in Homer's lap and yanks his false beard. Left with only thirteen dollars after deductions for his efforts, Homer is talked into trying his luck at the dog track with Barney. He dismisses Barney's hot tip after hearing about a dog named Santa's Little Helper, taking it as a sign. Barney's dog wins while Santa's Little Helper takes a distant last place.
Homer and Bart try searching the parking lot for a discarded winning ticket, but get nowhere. As they start for home, they come across Santa's Little Helper, tossed out by his owner for losing too many races. Homer and Bart take him home, seeing a kindred spirit in a born loser. Homer comes in and starts to confess to the family about his bonus, but Bart brings in Santa's Little Helper to the surprise and delight of the family. In the end, Homer saves Christmas for the family after all.
…
This is one of my favorite Christmas specials ever; it might be the one I like the most.
Having turned thirty this year, I'm old enough to remember those earliest days of The Simpsons, when parents believed that Bart Simpson was a bad influence. Maybe he was at the time, but looking back on those oldest episodes, Bart's antics can sometimes seem almost quaint in comparison to what happens on television now. Times change, I guess.
By the time of this special, the Simpsons characters had already been on television for two years, as brief shorts on The Tracy Ullman Show, which debuted on Fox in the spring of 1987. This episode depicts a time so early in the actors' performances that Homer still had traces of his original voice, which slowly evolved over time. At this point, actor Dan Castellaneta was still doing, as he put it, a bad Walter Matthau impression. At this point, Homer hasn't quite taken on that higher-sounding slow-headed pitch his voice would have.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-three
First of all, before I begin tonight's Christmas review, I should point out that I've been under the weather since Monday night, and I haven't been to work since then. With Christmas being next week, and my vacation time kicking in, I'll be having another short week. At least, I'll be getting paid for it. Anyway, that's the reason why I've been able to do these reviews and get them posted early each evening.
In any case, once again I'm having trouble getting the review started. I got caught up in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show, in which Andy and Barney stage their class reunion, and Andy reunites with his high school girlfriend. It's a very good episode, especially since the comedy largely takes a backseat in the story in favor of Andy's reuniting with his girlfriend Sharon, and subsequent understanding of why they couldn't make it work. Check it out on Netflix if you can.
Alright, let's get this review started. I've stalled long enough.
…
Tonight, we'll be looking at the Christmas episode of the 1960s series The Avengers, entitled "Too Many Christmas Trees". The series has nothing to do with any of the Marvel Comics books or characters, or any of the recent movies, other than that the 2012 Avengers movie had to be renamed Avengers Assemble in Great Britain because of the rights to the name.
In the story, British agent John Steed has been having bizarre dreams that seem to predict future events and feature a sinister-looking Santa Claus. He dreams about seeing the death of a colleague who's fallen under suspicion, and wakes to find the colleague's death is front page news, the result of severe neurological trauma.
It becomes clear that a group of genuine psychics are behind both the deaths and Steed's dreams. The group is also responsible for the leaked information that first cast suspicion on Steed's dead colleague. Meanwhile, Mrs. Emma Peel invites Steed to spend Christmas with her at the country home of Brandon Storey, a publisher with an obsession with Dickens. When they arrive, we find the psychics among the other guests and house staff.
Steed's dreams continue, now depicting him as Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities, a mysterious woman leading him to the guillotine. His dream again comes true when the woman, Janice Crane, shows up as a guest for Christmas and is herself one of the psychic conspirators. At the party that evening, Janice tries a "parlor trick" on Steed where she reads my mind, preparing for the final psychic attack. Mrs. Peel drops a glass to break Janice's concentration, but it seems the work has been done.
Steed begins acting strangely, singing old nursery rhymes to himself. Mrs. Peel discovers that Steed was to be drugged to help him sleep (and be vulnerable to psychic attack), but Steed himself thwarts this. The singing is a form of mental defense, confusing his attackers with literal nonsense. Steed has already deciphered what's happening, and his singing was prescribed by Doctor Teasel, a seemingly sinister guest who actually works for the same government ministry as Steed.
Steed's dream imagery lead him and Mrs. Peel to the conspirators. A physical confrontation thwarts the conspirators' plans and reveals that the true ringleader (and the man behind the sinister Santa Claus) is their host, Brandon Storey.
…
This is one of my favorite episodes of The Avengers, full of atmosphere as it evokes an old-fashioned Dickensian Christmas. Storey's obsession with Dickens extends to Dickens busts throughout his large house, character costumes at the Christmas party (Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, and the Artful Dodger among them) and the Hall of Great Expectations, recreating Miss Havisham's neglected wedding feast.
This episode's Dickensian connection runs deeper than its plot-line. Series star Patrick Macnee (John Steed) had a small role as young Jacob Marley in the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, simply titled Scrooge, in which guest star Mervyn Johns (Brandon Storey) played Bob Cratchit. I cannot prove it, but I tend to doubt his involvement was any sort of coincidence, considering that Scrooge was quite popular at the time, and is generally regarded as one of the more faithful Dickens adaptations.
…
This review was hopefully informative, and for me, a wake-up call that I should've been doing stuff like this a long time ago. I guess it's one more thing to do differently when the new blog starts in January.
In any case, once again I'm having trouble getting the review started. I got caught up in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show, in which Andy and Barney stage their class reunion, and Andy reunites with his high school girlfriend. It's a very good episode, especially since the comedy largely takes a backseat in the story in favor of Andy's reuniting with his girlfriend Sharon, and subsequent understanding of why they couldn't make it work. Check it out on Netflix if you can.
Alright, let's get this review started. I've stalled long enough.
…
Tonight, we'll be looking at the Christmas episode of the 1960s series The Avengers, entitled "Too Many Christmas Trees". The series has nothing to do with any of the Marvel Comics books or characters, or any of the recent movies, other than that the 2012 Avengers movie had to be renamed Avengers Assemble in Great Britain because of the rights to the name.
In the story, British agent John Steed has been having bizarre dreams that seem to predict future events and feature a sinister-looking Santa Claus. He dreams about seeing the death of a colleague who's fallen under suspicion, and wakes to find the colleague's death is front page news, the result of severe neurological trauma.
It becomes clear that a group of genuine psychics are behind both the deaths and Steed's dreams. The group is also responsible for the leaked information that first cast suspicion on Steed's dead colleague. Meanwhile, Mrs. Emma Peel invites Steed to spend Christmas with her at the country home of Brandon Storey, a publisher with an obsession with Dickens. When they arrive, we find the psychics among the other guests and house staff.
Steed's dreams continue, now depicting him as Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities, a mysterious woman leading him to the guillotine. His dream again comes true when the woman, Janice Crane, shows up as a guest for Christmas and is herself one of the psychic conspirators. At the party that evening, Janice tries a "parlor trick" on Steed where she reads my mind, preparing for the final psychic attack. Mrs. Peel drops a glass to break Janice's concentration, but it seems the work has been done.
Steed begins acting strangely, singing old nursery rhymes to himself. Mrs. Peel discovers that Steed was to be drugged to help him sleep (and be vulnerable to psychic attack), but Steed himself thwarts this. The singing is a form of mental defense, confusing his attackers with literal nonsense. Steed has already deciphered what's happening, and his singing was prescribed by Doctor Teasel, a seemingly sinister guest who actually works for the same government ministry as Steed.
Steed's dream imagery lead him and Mrs. Peel to the conspirators. A physical confrontation thwarts the conspirators' plans and reveals that the true ringleader (and the man behind the sinister Santa Claus) is their host, Brandon Storey.
…
This is one of my favorite episodes of The Avengers, full of atmosphere as it evokes an old-fashioned Dickensian Christmas. Storey's obsession with Dickens extends to Dickens busts throughout his large house, character costumes at the Christmas party (Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, and the Artful Dodger among them) and the Hall of Great Expectations, recreating Miss Havisham's neglected wedding feast.
This episode's Dickensian connection runs deeper than its plot-line. Series star Patrick Macnee (John Steed) had a small role as young Jacob Marley in the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, simply titled Scrooge, in which guest star Mervyn Johns (Brandon Storey) played Bob Cratchit. I cannot prove it, but I tend to doubt his involvement was any sort of coincidence, considering that Scrooge was quite popular at the time, and is generally regarded as one of the more faithful Dickens adaptations.
…
This review was hopefully informative, and for me, a wake-up call that I should've been doing stuff like this a long time ago. I guess it's one more thing to do differently when the new blog starts in January.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-two
Tonight, night three of my Christmas reviews, featuring A Garfield Christmas Special.
Like the Three's Company episode last night, the special had trouble keeping my attention, even though I've enjoyed it in the past.
Jon Arbuckle decides to take Garfield and Odie to his family's farm for Christmas. Waiting for them are Jon's mom and dad, his grandma, and his younger brother, Doc Boy ("In case you've forgotten, I'm also your only brother."). Big family dinners, lots of songs of varying cheesiness, and Odie's plan to make a backscratcher for Garfield fill out the twenty-two minute running time.
At one point, Jon's dad reads the family the same story he reads every year, Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas ( "I don't know about you, Jon, but for a couple of minutes there, I was getting pretty worried", says Doc Boy). Jon and Doc Boy try to coax their parents out of bed at 1:30 am to open presents, and we learn that Doc Boy wears onesie pajamas with feet and a fluffy bunny tail. Doc Boy, it should be noted, is a grown man.
Garfield finds a bundle of love letters for Grandma that Grandpa had written her when they were courting, calling them the greatest gift she could've received. Odie gives Garfield the backscratcher, made from a wood plank, a plunger handle, and a hand rake. A good time is had by all in the space of twenty-two minutes.
…
A Garfield Christmas Special is a fun little special if nothing too extraordinary. If you grew up enjoying the show Garfield and Friends, you'll enjoy this special, but chances are you've probably already seen it. I grew up with the show and enjoyed it far more than I ever enjoyed the comic strip. Everything about the show was better: the characters were funnier and did far more interesting things than the stale, repetitive jokes of the comic.
This may be damning with faint praise, but you could do much worse than A Garfield Christmas Special. I wouldn't call it a classic, but check it out if you want something light for the kids that you won't hate yourself for having to sit through.
Like the Three's Company episode last night, the special had trouble keeping my attention, even though I've enjoyed it in the past.
Jon Arbuckle decides to take Garfield and Odie to his family's farm for Christmas. Waiting for them are Jon's mom and dad, his grandma, and his younger brother, Doc Boy ("In case you've forgotten, I'm also your only brother."). Big family dinners, lots of songs of varying cheesiness, and Odie's plan to make a backscratcher for Garfield fill out the twenty-two minute running time.
At one point, Jon's dad reads the family the same story he reads every year, Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas ( "I don't know about you, Jon, but for a couple of minutes there, I was getting pretty worried", says Doc Boy). Jon and Doc Boy try to coax their parents out of bed at 1:30 am to open presents, and we learn that Doc Boy wears onesie pajamas with feet and a fluffy bunny tail. Doc Boy, it should be noted, is a grown man.
Garfield finds a bundle of love letters for Grandma that Grandpa had written her when they were courting, calling them the greatest gift she could've received. Odie gives Garfield the backscratcher, made from a wood plank, a plunger handle, and a hand rake. A good time is had by all in the space of twenty-two minutes.
…
A Garfield Christmas Special is a fun little special if nothing too extraordinary. If you grew up enjoying the show Garfield and Friends, you'll enjoy this special, but chances are you've probably already seen it. I grew up with the show and enjoyed it far more than I ever enjoyed the comic strip. Everything about the show was better: the characters were funnier and did far more interesting things than the stale, repetitive jokes of the comic.
This may be damning with faint praise, but you could do much worse than A Garfield Christmas Special. I wouldn't call it a classic, but check it out if you want something light for the kids that you won't hate yourself for having to sit through.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty-one
Day two of my Christmas TV/movie reviews. Tonight, I'm watching the Three's Company Christmas episode, simply titled "Three's Christmas".
Jack, Janet, and Chrissy exchange gifts on Christmas morning, leading to Jack wearing one pale blue sock and one argyle sock (each one half of a pair each given to him by Janet and Chrissy). As gifts are exchanged, we learn that Chrissy is a nickname for Christmas, making her full name Christmas Snow. The trio decide to throw a Christmas party, only to discover all their friends are already invited to a different party, but they're not.
Meanwhile, the trio's landlords, Helen and Stanley Roper, come home prematurely from a Christmas weekend at her brother's house, as he and Stanley don't get along. As Mrs. Roper notes, "they keep hitting each other." Not wanting to settle into a non-celebratory Christmas, Mrs Roper invites Jack, Janet and Chrissy to a get-together at their place, which the group reluctantly accepts. As soon as Mrs. Roper leaves, Jack gets a phone call; they're invited to the big Christmas party after all! Chrissy makes the group attend the Ropers' party as promised, Jack and Janet figuring to bow out early for the other party.
The group arrives to find themselves the only guests at the Ropers' party, a pink plastic table-top Christmas tree awaiting them ("It doubles as an air freshener," says Mrs. Roper). Lame card tricks, single fingers of scotch, and tons of bad singing by Mr. Roper abound as the evening progresses. When Mr. Roper tries to get everyone to dance as he (poorly) plays reveille on a trumpet, Jack, Janet, and Chrissy finally find their excuse to leave for the other party.
Mrs. Roper is furious that Stanley has ruined another celebration for her, but it's revealed he had ulterior motives. A phone call earlier in the evening wasn't Helen's brother as he claimed; it turns out they were also invited to the big Christmas party as well, and Stanley had been trying to get rid of the trio so they could attend.
In the end, a fun time is had by all, with the group having to carry Mr. Roper home for Helen ("Just leave him under the tree, I'll unwrap him in the morning.")
…
Tonight is the first time in quite a while that I've watched this episode. As best as I can remember, it was before last Christmas when I watched this episode last. This time around, the show was having trouble keeping my attention. When I was younger, I was a big fan of Three's Company, when the show ran in syndication. I didn't watch it again for years until a few years ago, when the show was released on DVD. It's joined Gilligan's Island and the 60s Batman series as shows I loved when I was a kid, but don't quite hold up before my adult eyes. That's not to say these shows are bad, but that they don't bring quite the same pleasure as when I was a kid.
That said, the episode does have some funny moments: Jack thinking about whale-gutting in the Arctic and what he'd rather do than go to the Ropers' party; Chrissy's phone call to her boyfriend, a commercial actor ("the star of Armpit Theater"); Mr. Roper and his horn ("Everybody dance!").
If you're a Three's Company fan, I'd recommend it, but you've probably seen it already. If not, you can skip this one and not miss much.
Jack, Janet, and Chrissy exchange gifts on Christmas morning, leading to Jack wearing one pale blue sock and one argyle sock (each one half of a pair each given to him by Janet and Chrissy). As gifts are exchanged, we learn that Chrissy is a nickname for Christmas, making her full name Christmas Snow. The trio decide to throw a Christmas party, only to discover all their friends are already invited to a different party, but they're not.
Meanwhile, the trio's landlords, Helen and Stanley Roper, come home prematurely from a Christmas weekend at her brother's house, as he and Stanley don't get along. As Mrs. Roper notes, "they keep hitting each other." Not wanting to settle into a non-celebratory Christmas, Mrs Roper invites Jack, Janet and Chrissy to a get-together at their place, which the group reluctantly accepts. As soon as Mrs. Roper leaves, Jack gets a phone call; they're invited to the big Christmas party after all! Chrissy makes the group attend the Ropers' party as promised, Jack and Janet figuring to bow out early for the other party.
The group arrives to find themselves the only guests at the Ropers' party, a pink plastic table-top Christmas tree awaiting them ("It doubles as an air freshener," says Mrs. Roper). Lame card tricks, single fingers of scotch, and tons of bad singing by Mr. Roper abound as the evening progresses. When Mr. Roper tries to get everyone to dance as he (poorly) plays reveille on a trumpet, Jack, Janet, and Chrissy finally find their excuse to leave for the other party.
Mrs. Roper is furious that Stanley has ruined another celebration for her, but it's revealed he had ulterior motives. A phone call earlier in the evening wasn't Helen's brother as he claimed; it turns out they were also invited to the big Christmas party as well, and Stanley had been trying to get rid of the trio so they could attend.
In the end, a fun time is had by all, with the group having to carry Mr. Roper home for Helen ("Just leave him under the tree, I'll unwrap him in the morning.")
…
Tonight is the first time in quite a while that I've watched this episode. As best as I can remember, it was before last Christmas when I watched this episode last. This time around, the show was having trouble keeping my attention. When I was younger, I was a big fan of Three's Company, when the show ran in syndication. I didn't watch it again for years until a few years ago, when the show was released on DVD. It's joined Gilligan's Island and the 60s Batman series as shows I loved when I was a kid, but don't quite hold up before my adult eyes. That's not to say these shows are bad, but that they don't bring quite the same pleasure as when I was a kid.
That said, the episode does have some funny moments: Jack thinking about whale-gutting in the Arctic and what he'd rather do than go to the Ropers' party; Chrissy's phone call to her boyfriend, a commercial actor ("the star of Armpit Theater"); Mr. Roper and his horn ("Everybody dance!").
If you're a Three's Company fan, I'd recommend it, but you've probably seen it already. If not, you can skip this one and not miss much.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Day three-hundred-fifty
Tonight is the first night of my Christmas TV and movie reviews. We'll be looking at the "Christmas Story" episode of The Andy Griffith Show, which first aired December 19, 1960.
In this episode, Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with friends and family, when shopkeeper Ben Weaver runs in local man Sam Muggins for moonshining. Old, cantankerous Weaver is not in the Christmas spirit, and doesn't care if locking up Sam separates him from his family for the holidays.
Andy, ever resourceful, makes the best of the situation, "arresting" Sam's wife and children as "accessories" to his moonshining so they can be together for Christmas. Andy even moves their whole Christmas party into the jail (with Barney dressed as Santa) so everyone can celebrate together.
Weaver, meanwhile, finds himself caught up in the Christmas spirit but can't bring himself to join in the celebrations without cause, resorting to getting himself arrested just so he'll have an excuse to be at the party. A good time is had by all, with Weaver drinking up the only evidence of moonshining he had against Sam Muggins.
…
I very much enjoy The Andy Griffith Show. I think what I like best is its' attitude about trying to see and find the best in people. In a modern sitcom environment where humor is derived from hateful behavior between characters and a generally inaccurate understanding of irony, TAGS' humor is radical in its willingness to just let its' characters say and do funny things. The humor is derived from the situation and how the characters respond rather than simply letting them make inane smart-aleck remarks that almost gleam with lack of creativity or inventiveness.
Also, TAGS also depicts something you'd never see on a modern sitcom: people singing hymns. This episode featuring the characters singing "Away In A Manger", whereas a modern Christmas show would probably feature "Jingle Bells" or some other secular Christmas song. I'm always a little surprised when I hear an actual hymn on a TV show.
…
Come on back tomorrow; I think I'll tackle the Christmas episode of Three's Company.
In this episode, Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with friends and family, when shopkeeper Ben Weaver runs in local man Sam Muggins for moonshining. Old, cantankerous Weaver is not in the Christmas spirit, and doesn't care if locking up Sam separates him from his family for the holidays.
Andy, ever resourceful, makes the best of the situation, "arresting" Sam's wife and children as "accessories" to his moonshining so they can be together for Christmas. Andy even moves their whole Christmas party into the jail (with Barney dressed as Santa) so everyone can celebrate together.
Weaver, meanwhile, finds himself caught up in the Christmas spirit but can't bring himself to join in the celebrations without cause, resorting to getting himself arrested just so he'll have an excuse to be at the party. A good time is had by all, with Weaver drinking up the only evidence of moonshining he had against Sam Muggins.
…
I very much enjoy The Andy Griffith Show. I think what I like best is its' attitude about trying to see and find the best in people. In a modern sitcom environment where humor is derived from hateful behavior between characters and a generally inaccurate understanding of irony, TAGS' humor is radical in its willingness to just let its' characters say and do funny things. The humor is derived from the situation and how the characters respond rather than simply letting them make inane smart-aleck remarks that almost gleam with lack of creativity or inventiveness.
Also, TAGS also depicts something you'd never see on a modern sitcom: people singing hymns. This episode featuring the characters singing "Away In A Manger", whereas a modern Christmas show would probably feature "Jingle Bells" or some other secular Christmas song. I'm always a little surprised when I hear an actual hymn on a TV show.
…
Come on back tomorrow; I think I'll tackle the Christmas episode of Three's Company.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-nine
As we wind this year, and as we pass further along into the Christmas season, I've decided to do something a little different.
Starting tomorrow, I will write a review of a Christmas special, a Christmas-centric episode of a TV show or a Christmas movie. Hopefully, I have enough to get to at least Christmas Day. Among the shows/movie I'm considering are:
-Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
-The Andy Griffith Show
-The Avengers (the British spy series from the 1960s, not the Marvel Comics version)
-Three's Company
-The Simpsons
-Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds
-A Garfield Christmas
-Dragnet (the Christmas episode that was done three times: once on the radio, on TV in the 1950s, and a third time for the 1960s revival)
That's where it'll start. Hopefully, I'll keep it up. If I find anything else, I'll probably throw it in.
Starting tomorrow, I will write a review of a Christmas special, a Christmas-centric episode of a TV show or a Christmas movie. Hopefully, I have enough to get to at least Christmas Day. Among the shows/movie I'm considering are:
-Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
-The Andy Griffith Show
-The Avengers (the British spy series from the 1960s, not the Marvel Comics version)
-Three's Company
-The Simpsons
-Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds
-A Garfield Christmas
-Dragnet (the Christmas episode that was done three times: once on the radio, on TV in the 1950s, and a third time for the 1960s revival)
That's where it'll start. Hopefully, I'll keep it up. If I find anything else, I'll probably throw it in.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-eight
Today was one of those days where I didn't do anything I had planned to.
I was planning to go to church this morning as I didn't go last Sunday, but Mom came into my room at 7:00 am to let me know that she and Dad were not going in, so that left me without a ride at the last minute. Also, I was supposed to go out to lunch with friends after lunch to celebrate another friend's birthday. Plans were on to do so until about 11:45 this morning when it came out that no one could get ahold of her, or had heard from her in about three days. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem as this friend is notoriously difficult to contact. Whatever the case, those plans fell apart around noon.
James 4:13-15 says:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
How many time have we made plans where we failed to trust The Lord wand His guidance, or take into account what His plans may be? Lately, it seems like I've been doing just that. Last Thursday, when I came home so frustrated from work, I was absolutely ready to quit my job, consequences be damned. If I had followed through on my threats, I would've been acting on impulse rather than trusting God to carry me through circumstances that were difficult. That's something I've continued to struggle with, but I think I need those difficult circumstances to see where it is I'm lacking.
Lord, help me to turn from quickness of temper and anger, and help me to trust in Your guiding hand in trying times. Amen.
I was planning to go to church this morning as I didn't go last Sunday, but Mom came into my room at 7:00 am to let me know that she and Dad were not going in, so that left me without a ride at the last minute. Also, I was supposed to go out to lunch with friends after lunch to celebrate another friend's birthday. Plans were on to do so until about 11:45 this morning when it came out that no one could get ahold of her, or had heard from her in about three days. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem as this friend is notoriously difficult to contact. Whatever the case, those plans fell apart around noon.
James 4:13-15 says:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
How many time have we made plans where we failed to trust The Lord wand His guidance, or take into account what His plans may be? Lately, it seems like I've been doing just that. Last Thursday, when I came home so frustrated from work, I was absolutely ready to quit my job, consequences be damned. If I had followed through on my threats, I would've been acting on impulse rather than trusting God to carry me through circumstances that were difficult. That's something I've continued to struggle with, but I think I need those difficult circumstances to see where it is I'm lacking.
Lord, help me to turn from quickness of temper and anger, and help me to trust in Your guiding hand in trying times. Amen.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-six
Apparently, if we have nothing to do right now, they're willing to let us go home early. That's why I have no compunction about writing tonight's entry while still on the clock.
Today was a much better day than yesterday. It seems like first shift has gotten the message from Mervin. When we came in, it was quite a bit less busy than it was yesterday. That was beneficial since for a period this afternoon, other projects for our packers left me as the only person packing in digital. Fortunately, we were able to come together, and with some help from Justine, the UV machine operator who had nothing else to do, we got a jump on work for next week.
Some other brief news: if we successfully complete the Do What It Takes challenge, apparently those who put in for PTO on December 26 will get their hours back. Good news for me.
Thank God that things are getting better. I kind of still want to find another job, but we'll see what happens.
Today was a much better day than yesterday. It seems like first shift has gotten the message from Mervin. When we came in, it was quite a bit less busy than it was yesterday. That was beneficial since for a period this afternoon, other projects for our packers left me as the only person packing in digital. Fortunately, we were able to come together, and with some help from Justine, the UV machine operator who had nothing else to do, we got a jump on work for next week.
Some other brief news: if we successfully complete the Do What It Takes challenge, apparently those who put in for PTO on December 26 will get their hours back. Good news for me.
Thank God that things are getting better. I kind of still want to find another job, but we'll see what happens.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-five
It's late, so no long post tonight. Just a request for prayer.
Today was an incredibly busy, frustrating day. Too much work, not enough help, one manager who keeps bothering us about work, our actual manager who doesn't do anything, not enough time, and now the news that we've bought another company and our workload is going to increase even more.
Pray that God would grant me peace, patience and wisdom in dealing with work, and that He would impress upon my heart to be diligent in searching for other work. Also, that God would ease my temper, whic has been quick to raise and is getting harder to control at work. I'm concerned that I may actually snap at someone before too long.
Today was an incredibly busy, frustrating day. Too much work, not enough help, one manager who keeps bothering us about work, our actual manager who doesn't do anything, not enough time, and now the news that we've bought another company and our workload is going to increase even more.
Pray that God would grant me peace, patience and wisdom in dealing with work, and that He would impress upon my heart to be diligent in searching for other work. Also, that God would ease my temper, whic has been quick to raise and is getting harder to control at work. I'm concerned that I may actually snap at someone before too long.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-four
Our insurance enrollment period at work has begun. As a result, we had a meeting today where we learned that we've added Kaiser Permanente to our insurance plan. I don't plan to change my coverage as my plan covers me well enough. We also have the opportunity to get coverage from Aflac if we want to. The problem is that I was more than halfway home from work when I realized that I left the folder containing all the information from Aflac at my station at work. I haven't committed to anything, so this may happen or not.
Whatever the case, since we had the meeting, one that took place literally a handful of minutes after we punched in, we lost forty minutes of productivity today. Forty minutes is a lot time when there's a lot of work to be done and a fixed amount of time in which to finish it. Thankfully, we got (almost) everything done on time. Hopefully, tomorrow won't be so bad as today.
Of course, Thursday is typically the busiest day of the workweek. Maybe it's a good thing I left my Aflac paperwork at work. I was wondering if I was even going to be able to take the time to even have a meeting about any of this. No matter what happens, I have to trust in God's provision in every circumstance.
I've constantly prayed for God's provision in staying physically safe at work. He has been faithful to keep me safe. No matter what happens, I have to trust it all to Him.
Whatever the case, since we had the meeting, one that took place literally a handful of minutes after we punched in, we lost forty minutes of productivity today. Forty minutes is a lot time when there's a lot of work to be done and a fixed amount of time in which to finish it. Thankfully, we got (almost) everything done on time. Hopefully, tomorrow won't be so bad as today.
Of course, Thursday is typically the busiest day of the workweek. Maybe it's a good thing I left my Aflac paperwork at work. I was wondering if I was even going to be able to take the time to even have a meeting about any of this. No matter what happens, I have to trust in God's provision in every circumstance.
I've constantly prayed for God's provision in staying physically safe at work. He has been faithful to keep me safe. No matter what happens, I have to trust it all to Him.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-three
Within a few days, the blog should break 6,000 views since January 1. Thank you for those of you who've hung with this blog, and I hope you'll follow me to the new blog I plan to start in the new year. Yes, I've decided to let this blog end on December 31, and start a new one.
As I write this, I'm having a late meal at the dining room table. Chewy, our long-haired Chihuahua, has ambled over, and is licking his lips. He's not getting anything from me. He's alrady been fed and he certainly doesn't go hungry.
I have often wondered if our dogs ever remember the people to whom they've previously belonged. Herbie was adopted from a shelter, Chewy and Buddy were found on the street. Do the dogs remember them, or do they eventually forget?
Now that I think about it, they must've had other names, too. Herbie was named by the shelter where he was adopted, Chewy was named for his destructive habits, and Buddy was named for his friendly demeanor (although he also alternated as Booster for a while; that's what it says on his Christmas stocking. Yes, he has a Christmas stocking; all the dogs have one.).
As I write this, I'm having a late meal at the dining room table. Chewy, our long-haired Chihuahua, has ambled over, and is licking his lips. He's not getting anything from me. He's alrady been fed and he certainly doesn't go hungry.
I have often wondered if our dogs ever remember the people to whom they've previously belonged. Herbie was adopted from a shelter, Chewy and Buddy were found on the street. Do the dogs remember them, or do they eventually forget?
Now that I think about it, they must've had other names, too. Herbie was named by the shelter where he was adopted, Chewy was named for his destructive habits, and Buddy was named for his friendly demeanor (although he also alternated as Booster for a while; that's what it says on his Christmas stocking. Yes, he has a Christmas stocking; all the dogs have one.).
Monday, December 8, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-two
Today was not too busy; most of what was due today was done by the time we came in, but we left a ton of work due tomorrow or late for first shift in the morning. It's shaping up to be a very busy week.
…
This morning, I had a massive realization about myself; in particular I had a realization about my spiritual walk. It's taken me nearly three years since I was saved, but I realized that I've had a fear of spiritual failure. I've been afraid of sinning, and I think it's led me to doubt the forgiveness of God.
Scripture says that if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteouness (1 John 1:9). I think that since I was so afraid of doing wrong, it was leading me to doubt the goodness of God. I had to confess my wrong attitude and ask God to help me to turn from it.
May I start anew moment by moment.
…
This morning, I had a massive realization about myself; in particular I had a realization about my spiritual walk. It's taken me nearly three years since I was saved, but I realized that I've had a fear of spiritual failure. I've been afraid of sinning, and I think it's led me to doubt the forgiveness of God.
Scripture says that if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteouness (1 John 1:9). I think that since I was so afraid of doing wrong, it was leading me to doubt the goodness of God. I had to confess my wrong attitude and ask God to help me to turn from it.
May I start anew moment by moment.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty-one
Here marks the end of the first full weekend of December. We have our tree up and our outside decorations put up. Compared to a lot of people, we tend to keep the decorations fairly simple. None of us are particularly interested in going all-out; it's a hassle to put up tons of decorations and it's a hassle to take them all down.
I haven't begun my Christmas shopping yet; I won't be able to do so before Thursday, when I get paid again. I will actually get paid twice between now and Christmas, as the second time will actually be on Christmas Eve. I don't have any credit cards at the moment, though I have been considering getting one. I'm just not interested in going into debt for Christmas.
This year, I'll be sending out Christmas cards for the first time. I'll be doing just a few, for the people to whom I want to send one, plus they'll be the ones for whom I have their addresses. I want to get those down as soon as possible so they'll get where they need to go in a timely manner.
I'm guessing this is going to be a busy week. Prayer would be appreciated.
I haven't begun my Christmas shopping yet; I won't be able to do so before Thursday, when I get paid again. I will actually get paid twice between now and Christmas, as the second time will actually be on Christmas Eve. I don't have any credit cards at the moment, though I have been considering getting one. I'm just not interested in going into debt for Christmas.
This year, I'll be sending out Christmas cards for the first time. I'll be doing just a few, for the people to whom I want to send one, plus they'll be the ones for whom I have their addresses. I want to get those down as soon as possible so they'll get where they need to go in a timely manner.
I'm guessing this is going to be a busy week. Prayer would be appreciated.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Day three-hundred-forty
I was going to write something for today, but I don't have much time to do it. We're putting up our tree right now. Come back tomorrow.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Day three-hundred-thirty-nine
Today has been one of those days. Way too much to do with not enough help, and one lousy manager breathing down our necks, so obnoxious that I very nearly lost my temper with him (and sort of did, privately).
I know I've said this before, but what happened today has really soured me on wanting to continue working here. I think I might by ready to quit this place. I want to find something else where I can get my work done and have effective management. I don't need to be micromanaged by one manager (who isn't even my manager at all) or essentially gnored by my actually (ineffectual) manager.
I could really use some prayer about this, even if I'm not sure what to pray for. Prayer for patience in finding another job, I suppose. Also, prayer for patience in the job I have now. Also, that God would heal my quick-to-anger attitude. If nothing else, today has forced me to confront that I have quite a temper and that it doesn't take much to turn it up.
I know I've said this before, but what happened today has really soured me on wanting to continue working here. I think I might by ready to quit this place. I want to find something else where I can get my work done and have effective management. I don't need to be micromanaged by one manager (who isn't even my manager at all) or essentially gnored by my actually (ineffectual) manager.
I could really use some prayer about this, even if I'm not sure what to pray for. Prayer for patience in finding another job, I suppose. Also, prayer for patience in the job I have now. Also, that God would heal my quick-to-anger attitude. If nothing else, today has forced me to confront that I have quite a temper and that it doesn't take much to turn it up.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Day three-hundred-thirty-eight
Today is three weeks until Christmas. I haven't begun my shopping yet, and I won't be able to do so until I get paid next week. Hopefully, I'll be able to get something nice that my Secret Santa recipient has asked for. Plus, I have to but a gift for my Secret Santa at work. We're going to have to draw names on that soon, too.
Lately, a couple of our managers haven't been around. I found out from my co-worker Christina that the company bought another building somewhere in Los Angeles. We do not own the building in Van Nuys that we presently occupy. My first thought was, "I wonder if we're going to move?" Christina said not to worry. Our building is certainly growing and I've wondered in the last if we would actually outgrow our present facility.
Here's the problem I face: if we relocate to anywhere further than, say, Glendale (where my last job was located), I would seriously have to consider quitting. I don't make enough money and I don't work the best hours to be a commuter without a car. Of course, since I don't know what's going to happen, I need to wait, be patient, and pray for wisdom from God about this potential change in my work situation.
Of course, if there's one upshot, this news has sort of relit the fire under me to find a different job. At the very least, if I need to move on, I should consider doing it soon.
Lately, a couple of our managers haven't been around. I found out from my co-worker Christina that the company bought another building somewhere in Los Angeles. We do not own the building in Van Nuys that we presently occupy. My first thought was, "I wonder if we're going to move?" Christina said not to worry. Our building is certainly growing and I've wondered in the last if we would actually outgrow our present facility.
Here's the problem I face: if we relocate to anywhere further than, say, Glendale (where my last job was located), I would seriously have to consider quitting. I don't make enough money and I don't work the best hours to be a commuter without a car. Of course, since I don't know what's going to happen, I need to wait, be patient, and pray for wisdom from God about this potential change in my work situation.
Of course, if there's one upshot, this news has sort of relit the fire under me to find a different job. At the very least, if I need to move on, I should consider doing it soon.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Day three-hundred-thirty-seven
Good day today. Not too busy almost until the end, when two big orders were almost late. They weren't our fault, though.
Today, I was invited to take part in a Secret Santa at work. There's a $25.00 limit, which is not too much. I've never had to buy a gift for a co-worker before. I may just get a Visa gift card or something. I want to play it safe.
Speaking of gift cards, I wrote my wish list for Christmas the other night (yes, I am thirty and still write a wish list), but today, I decided to rewrite it. I realized that I wanted to get the item I really wanted, I was going to have to take some things off. So, this year, no gift cards. Those are what I ask for when I'm asked to pad my list out.
Unfortunately, because gift cards are the easiest items to buy, those are the items I usually get. For me, gift cards are pretty ancillary. If I get them, fine; if I don't, fine. They're never what I really want, just what I'll settle for. I don't feel like settling anymore.
Recently, there have been many occasions where I've been tempted to ask for nothing. I'm still sort of considering that. There's not a whole lot I'd really want, and technically, anything I really wanted I could just get myself, as I know what I would want.
I actually sort of did this for myself once. It was Christmas 2010. Dad drew my name for Secret Santa. When he saw my list, he just gave me his credit card and told me to order it. Honestly, I loved it because I got exactly what I wanted and I didn't have to pay for anything. I sort of hope Dad drew my name this year.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Day three-hundred-thirty-six
Today was a light day work-wise. That means that at least the next day will be ridiculously busy.
It's been raining all day. One of our managers said that he had heard that we would need another ten days of rain like today just to get out of the drought we've had. Weatherbug says that we have a 50% chance of rain for tomorrow. After that, partly cloudy for the rest of the week. We'll see if the weather holds.
Today was the first day I used the umbrella my brother Joe bought for me. It was to replace the umbrella I lent to him that he left in the basket of a bike that wound up being stolen. The canopy of the umbrella has already broken off two of the arms. I'm already going to have to replace this umbrella and I've barely gotten any use out of it.
I guess the lesson is not to let somebody cheap out on you if they have to replace something of yours they've lost or damaged. That's what I get for letting Joe replace the $10.00 umbrella with one he bought at the dollar store.
It's been raining all day. One of our managers said that he had heard that we would need another ten days of rain like today just to get out of the drought we've had. Weatherbug says that we have a 50% chance of rain for tomorrow. After that, partly cloudy for the rest of the week. We'll see if the weather holds.
Today was the first day I used the umbrella my brother Joe bought for me. It was to replace the umbrella I lent to him that he left in the basket of a bike that wound up being stolen. The canopy of the umbrella has already broken off two of the arms. I'm already going to have to replace this umbrella and I've barely gotten any use out of it.
I guess the lesson is not to let somebody cheap out on you if they have to replace something of yours they've lost or damaged. That's what I get for letting Joe replace the $10.00 umbrella with one he bought at the dollar store.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Day three-hundred-thirty-five
December 1. Where has this year gone?
I was going to write about work today (busier than usual, but got some help from a new girl whose name I couldn't spell if my life depended on it), but it occurred to me as I was about to start tonight'so post that the year is almost over.
So much has happened in this past year that it's amazing how time has past. Friends moving, other friends having their first children, the first full-time job I've had in over seven years, Mom retiring, spiritual growth, and a myriad of other things. There's been ups and downs, joys and sorrows, triumphs and frustrations.
Through it all, God has been faithful to guide me, watch over me, love me, and correct me. So much has happened that I can only be thankful for. So much more more lies ahead. I don't know what'll happen, but may I (and all of us) trust the Lord through it all, and give thanks for each and every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I know I need to.
I was going to write about work today (busier than usual, but got some help from a new girl whose name I couldn't spell if my life depended on it), but it occurred to me as I was about to start tonight'so post that the year is almost over.
So much has happened in this past year that it's amazing how time has past. Friends moving, other friends having their first children, the first full-time job I've had in over seven years, Mom retiring, spiritual growth, and a myriad of other things. There's been ups and downs, joys and sorrows, triumphs and frustrations.
Through it all, God has been faithful to guide me, watch over me, love me, and correct me. So much has happened that I can only be thankful for. So much more more lies ahead. I don't know what'll happen, but may I (and all of us) trust the Lord through it all, and give thanks for each and every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I know I need to.
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