C Note(s)

I remember November 30th, 2008 like it was yesterday. It was just another Manic Monday for most Americans, but not for me. Honestly, I didn't think I would remember it so vividly after 9 years. But I do, and I'm gonna tell ya about starting over with a blank slate ... My sister and myself were in different parts of the Seattle Metroplex but we're in the same situation: Needing to move out. I was experiencing a divorce, and Charrina's lease expired, and she wasn't renewing it. So we moved in together into an apartment sight unseen - that's right! The first I saw it was when I was moving my personal items into it. Blank Slate: Tabula Rasa Day Speaking of moving items, Charrina and I muscled into the Great Room (10 feet by 17 feet) that overlooked the Issaquah Valley. We plopped down on the cushions with a huff. Not only was it heavy, but bulky to boot. I digress . I grumbled, "For the amount of stress, and what I've been through, I deserve a me...

Happy Thanksgiving 2017! Over the years, I noticed that my Thanksgiving celebrations are inconsistent. However, most folks have traditions that are entrenched into their family history. It's inconsistent because I usually just adapt to what's going on in my life that particular year. But I noticed it's the type of holiday that is usually passed over like a middle child of a large family: largely forgotten . I feel bad, too, for those that love Thanksgiving and eagerly anticipate it each year. And yes, I understand the origin is another unsavory aspect of early American history - I get it. Even still, it can be a happy Thanksgiving 2017 for all of us - if you think about it. Scrolling through my social medias feeds (yes, multiple - #Twitter #Facebook and #Instagram) on November 1st, I noticed there's a void between those that love Christmas and those that follow tradition. There are some that love the magic of Christmas so much that they start playing music, an...

November seems to be the month that American tend to be more thankful / grateful than usual, so it's been a few posts since I've written a funny story, and thankful I lived through it. I combed through my mental archives, and landed on a business trip to Mexico. Cancun Craziness In my many years with a travel company, I was given the opportunity to visit and rate several destinations. One of them was Cancun and it's craziness. I spent five days there and it was more than enough to experience it. The last night was the epitome of Mexican craziness - it was all my fault, too. Based on my observations of the tourists, this was the Las Vegas of Mexico. And I love Las Vegas. So my plan started earlier in the trip. I built a quick rapport with our driver, Juan, which I dubbed him as El Capitan. Then I started asking him about the night scene, and his connections there. I told him I would love a site inspection / behind-the-scenes tour of the most popular night club. He qu...

Happy Halloween! Well, it's a day late because I was enjoying Halloween. However, that makes me wonder - what's your Favorite Halloween Tradition ? Is it traveling from neighborhood to neighborhood to trick-or-treat? Is it decorating your home with decorations such as spider webs? Is it pumpkin carving after your family and you picked one out from the patch? Favorite Halloween Tradition - What's Yours? As you can imagine, mine has changed over the course of my life. My current favorite Halloween tradition is creating my costume versus buying a pre-set one. This year was a last-minute, 11th hour decision to be Woody from Toy Story . Even though it wasn't a perfect duplicate, I think it received more compliments (props, LOL) because it was original, and my own creativity instead of someone's manufactured idea. Several friends and coworkers asked how I did it, which I thought was odd. With a Google Search History that'll read rather funny, I downloaded an im...

Cosplay or costume + play has been around since people have been around. There's a je ne sais quoi about dressing up into a costume, or character, that people find alluring. However, just like a museum display - cosplay: do not touch .  Most Americans are exposed to cosplay for the first time around Halloween. They are taught that if you dress up in a costume or character, walk around the neighborhood, and exclaim Trick or Treat at each door that candy will be given for their efforts. That's easy to understand. Then sometimes we encounter a street performer in a metropolitan city dressed in all gold, or silver, or sometimes an elaborate costume like a pirate. While we encouraged to interact with them by giving money first then taking photos we still respect the cosplay: do not touch - the unwritten rule, but understood by rules of respect. Then there's masquerade parties, movies, video games, comic books, fashion models, and conventions to name a few events that warr...

I'd love to say I've so busy that I haven't had the opportunity to write about it, but the funny thing is ... nothing but the same old, standard digging at the warehouse has happened. Aside from the occasional verbal barb from my register to another one in earshot, nothing to write down about. #TBH it's been a daily shitshow that has a projection end date of Groundhog's Day (that means never, y'all) Being one of the more visible, accessible, and approachable supervisors of the crew, I've noticed an uptick in my involvement on the more mundane to complex issues. One day in particular, I heard a call over the radio for a supervisor to the entrance door. Upon arrival, the employees beckoned for me to the garbage cans. I peer into to find this: My immediate reaction, "We certainly don't sell that here!" with a laugh. Then I bemoaned the moment with, "Why me? Why does this craziness happen when I'm on shift?" The employee...

Adventures In Corn Mazes - My first one was last year, and might repeat it this year. When I'm asked about my first experience, I usually describe it was the Blair Witch Project meets Legend of Zelda .  Growing up in the city of Mountlake Terrace didn't afford me many opportunities to have corn grow. Let alone grow enough to provide a maze of it. So when I was old enough to drive myself to the outlying towns of Snohomish, and Arlington, I wasn't interested in adventures in corn mazes, #letsbehonest Ever since I moved from the city of Bothell to the "city" of Lake Stevens out where I've described it as the "sticks" or "Canada" because of my distance from a majority of my friends, it's been easier to find country life activities such as corn mazes, hay rides, outdoor paintball, and firing apple cannons. Adventures In Corn Mazes My first year working at the Woodinville Costco was a time of learning and observing. Along Washington ...