Gordon and Woody Be Blogged

Looking for a Job Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Well… as all my previous blogs have indicated… I really love my job as a claims rep. Well all that has changed… The last Friday of May we had a big meeting… apparently 250 employees within claims is getting laid off… that is basically everyone here in the Irvine office… managers, sups… everyone!

So one day I loved my job & the next day the extreme opposite! I dread going into work now knowing that my job is ready to end! They said that our last day is on 07/31/08 so I have been scrambling on the job hunt once again.

I would like to stay in claims if possible because I truly like what I do but there aren’t very many claims positions out in CA. Everyone has gotten smart & taken their businesses elsewhere. So I am really open to anything from Administrative, Customer Service or insurance related.

While I was doing my claims class here at AAA I really got into the body parts of vehicles & scored the highest on my test. I then started having a lot of interest in doing Auto Appraisals. Working closely with our Independent Appraisers here at my job has peeked my interest even more so Gordon & I have decided to enroll myself into an Auto Appraisal Certification course at Cypress College starting this fall. So we will see how that goes for me.

Gordon was on the AAA Oregon job board & found out that they were hiring for Customer Service Reps up on the Lake Oswego office… so I applied for the job. What does it hurt? We want to move back eventually anyway. So we will see what happens with that.

May Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:44:00 +0000

I haven’t written in a long time & I thought it was just about time. We have been so busy here in the Flannery household that it is hard to sometimes just sit down & make a phone call, send an email or start writing a blog. I’ve been so busy lately that dinner has even been a challenge!

It all started over a month ago when Rocky went in to get surgery. He had two growths on his belly side. One was just a fatty tomber & the other was actually diagnosed as a cancerous growth which scared us, but the little guy is doing well & it did not spread anywhere else. But that sure took a lot out of me mentally & emotionally… I love the little Rock Star & would hate to have anything happen to him.

Gordon & I got a good check from our taxes & we paid off some debts & finally got ourselves a digital camera! OMG! I love this thing! For a long time I refused to get a digital… I was old school & only wanted to use film but I started to get frustrated with having to take the film in to get developed & after my buddy Todd quit the photo lab at Target that was the last draw! So we got a killer deal on a printer & camera by Cannon & I have been trying to learn the thing. I have been trying to take pics every time I go out like I used to do in the old days. So far I have a couple of events I have preserved in my camera.

Mothers Day came & Gordon went up to Victorville to hang with his mom & grandma for the weekend & I spent the weekend with my mom. I am not sure of all the details of Gordon’s outing but my mom & I sure had some fun. I took her to the House of Blues in Anaheim for the Gospel Brunch. I have been wanting to go there for awhile & it was so much fun! And the food was amazing! I had grits for the first time & they were so frackin good! (Yes, I said frackin… been watching Battle Star way too much these days)

This last Friday Gordon & I went to see my co-worker’s band play at the Surf City Saloon. We invited Pat & Austin & after the Lakers game we all went there. When we showed up, to our surprise we saw our friends Donald & James & then there was our old friend Rob. It had seriously been probably a good 10 years since I had seen this guy… he looked healthy, happy & well & it just ended up that his band was playing right before my co-workers band. We went in to watch & I had completely forgot what an incredible guitar player this guy was… seriously… this guy is really gifted… you should definitely check out his band sometime, they are called Syndome.

Saturday morning was so frackin hot… I was ready to pass out & in tears… Gordon finally broke down & bought a second air conditioner for the family room… the little 8,000 BTU AC was not doing the job in our apartment so we bought a second one with 8,000 BTU’s so now we have a total of 16,000 BTU’s streaming through our house & it is so amazing! Awww! Sunday came along & it was till really hot & we had tickets to go see the Vandals play at the House of Blues. When we got there I was really hot & sick from the heat all day & I felt as if I was going to pass out & throw up, so we ended up cutting out of the gig early because of how I was feeling.

However, I have sad news to bear… My Vandals shirt that I bought at a gig when I was 14 years old has finally been laid to rest… my Vandals shirt, that I affectionately call my Kleenex Shirt, brought so much joy & comfort to my life over the past 20 years… however, there is a time in a persons life where they must learn to let go & move on… I have done this… However, I have bought myself a new Vandals shirt to replace it. It looks the same; however, it will never quite replace my old one.

Good bye old friend… until we meet again!

So this week will bring some fun… Gordon got some good news which he will probably share at a later time… I am sure he can share it in his own witty way. And Friday we will be going to my friend Donald & Cyndi’s wedding.

Also, I was thinking of starting up my CD of the Day again… I was thinking about doing it & then my buddy Donald mentioned Friday night that he missed them, so it just confirmed with me that maybe I should start doing them again. So maybe Monday or the beginning of June I will start them up again.

What's Goin On...

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:14:00 +0000

Well Gordon's last blog was really funny... he is the funny one in the family... I almost feel bad that I have to leave a new blog not so interesting or funny... but for those of you that are wondering what is going on in our lives here is the scoop...

So today is a slow day at work, so I have decided to sit down & write a blog since it has been so long.

I have been having problems as everyone knows with getting pregnant & the last time I had my period was at the end of December. I ended up skipping all of January & then went into the end of February & I took multiple pregnancy tests & all negative. I started to get worried. So my Dr. decided to get me a test know as HSG, where they inject dye into you uterus & it should flow nicely into your fallopian tubes. I went in on March 13th & they inserted a balloon type thing into my uterus & what they do is expand your uterus & start injecting the dye & it should flow to the tubes. I only have my left tube since the other one was taken out. So while he was doing this the Dr. said that it was barely flowing into my tube like it should so he put more pressure on it, then whatever was blocking the flow shot out of the way with the pressure inserted & the dye was able to flow. I got my results back & the Dr. said everything looked fine… no apparent growths or anything which was my fear. I am hoping that was all my problem was and hopefully we can now get pregnant & I won’t have to go in for fertility treatments. I ended up starting my period a couple of days later too which was great.

I have been working hard away at claims & I really love my job, I am working 9:30am – 6:30pm shift which I really like, however Gordon kept the 7-4 shift so we don’t carpool in anymore. I get so many crazy calls everyday with different types of accidents that I have felt that I am now a more cautious driver than before.

On a sad note… on Friday March 21st, we unfortunately lost the family dog Roxanne. She was my sisters pit-bull that was about 9 years old. We loved her so much & she lived with my mom & dad & sister & brother-in-law. Caleb went into the bathroom on Friday afternoon & found Roxanne lying on the floor whimpering & could not move, he picked her up & took her to the vet & they started to take x-rays & before they could do anything else she passed away. We are not sure what she died from, after all big dogs don’t live as long as little dogs. But they did see that her lungs were collapsing from the x-rays they took. They said it could have been from poison she ate. We looked everywhere & saw no signs of her eating anything in the yard or house. They also said it could possibly be that she had cancer & it could have irrupted & that is what caused it but they do not know for sure. They said that she was about 80% gone when Caleb & Mel brought her in. Everyone is really torn about it, she was such an amazing dog & she will be very missed by everyone who ever came in contact with her.

On a better note, I have one more freakin payment on my car! Hallelujah… Praise the Lord! I am finally free from the bondage of a car payment! We can at least save some money now each month after we pay our other debts off!

Well, I hope everyone had a good Easter, ours was pretty mellow. Instead of my family doing the huge Easter dinner we do every year, everyone just did things with their immediate family. We had a quiet dinner with the 6 of us & I didn’t have to cook anything this year! Yeah!

What a long strange trip...

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:53:00 +0000

Gordon here...

Thought I would share this screen grab I took this morning. I ordered something on the internets the other day and have been checking my ups tracking number quite frequently.

Quick tangent, whoever invented UPS online tracking is awesome! Compulsive people like me love checking where their shipment is every 10 minutes and UPS gives us that tool.

Back on point, It was very odd yesterday seeing that my package was having a more exciting day than I was. Well just check out the image below.

I tried to find any news about this derailment and was unsuccessful so I think it's just another of the many computer glitches in my life. Luckily for me, this one actually made me chuckle.

When The Punks Are United

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Last Thursday night was a bitter-sweet night… Thursday marked the very last punk rock gig to play at The Galaxy Theater. The Galaxy Theater has been around for a long time now & has been a huge provider in punk rock entertainment in Orange County for all ages. There really isn’t a lot of “All-Ages” venues left anymore around O.C. like there were in my day… it is sad that the kids today wont ever know punk rock shows the way I did when I was growing up. I am sad to say that The Galaxy Theater will be closing their doors to every show thereafter… the clubs lease is up & not up for renewal, someone else will be taking over & there is talk about it being some shitty trendy club… like we don’t have enough of them around!

On Thursday night TSOL, D.I., Agent Orange, Manic Hispanic, Shattered Faith, Dain Bramaged & others graced us with their presence at the Galaxy. It was a huge benefit show to raise money for Chicken’s Chemotherapy. Chicken is the guitarist for D.I. and he has cancer but no insurance, like most musicians.

I am really struggling right now for the right words to describe last night, I may end up changing this blog around over & over again before I post it just because there are no perfect words to describe such a perfect night. This was truly the best punk show that I have ever been to in my life. The last punk show that really touched me like this was when I saw A Chorus of Disapproval play when I was 16 years old (I am 33 now!).

There was so much unity in the place that night and there were only 2 fights that broke out & no skinheads! Yeah! I am so incredibly proud to be a part of the punk rock scene now for over 20 years… what an incredible thing I belong to. I don’t think that any other group of people are so united or accepting than punks. I am a Christian & Christians aren’t even as united or accepting as the punk rock scene is. It is basically, “Come as ye are, all ye who are against the grain!”

I remember being in High School and some of the groups or races seemed to be really segregated, however us little punk rockers in the corner were happy to accept anyone to our little group. We didn’t care what race, color or how you dressed, as long as you were your own person & against the grain that was all that mattered. I don’t think any other group can say they are like that. Now I do admit there is a little difference with the kids today in the scene… they are a little rough around the edges & to not say the pit. They seem to think that slam dancing is actually slam punching these days & I really think some of us old punks should put these kids in check. There hasn’t been a sense of unity with the young punks today but I really believe that the old punks that night that were at this gig really showed these kids what being punk rock was all about.

I have to say that I actually did fill up with tears a couple of times that night… every band that played that night were personal friends of D.I. and none of them were getting paid for the venue and punk musicians barely make anything as it is… they paid for the venue out of their own pockets and kept the proceeds of the ticket sales to give to Chicken. Chicken & his wife both came up to give their thanks for everything & I just really wanted to ball my eyes out just because of how touched I was. I have never seen The Galaxy so packed in all these years, it was insane! That night the last count they announced was over $19,000! Chicken’s Chemo costs him $6,000 a week without insurance & with this benefit the guy can fight to live another month! How amazing is that!

There was a lot of hope in me but then again in the back of my mind I really thought that this was probably the last time I was gonna see the guy… he was in real bad shape… but at least we got to say our good-byes.

I really didn’t want that night to end at all, I wanted it to keep going & going however, I had to get up the next morning around 6am to be at work & didn’t get to sleep that night until 1:30am.

Crazy for Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:36:00 +0000

Gordon speaking.

Been awhile since I posted on this site. Hell, it's been awhile since I posted on any site. I am now taking two courses at Golden West while maintaining a 40 hour work week and trying to be a decent husband all at the same time. One of the classes is fairly simple. It's an ASP.NET class and right now the teacher is going through how web pages work and how to use <yawn>HTML</yawn>. That is pretty much all I do in my current job and I'm sure that I could have taken over the lecture fairly easily if I was so inclined. The other class is a little tougher. Actually strike that, a whole lot tougher. It is the second course for C++ and that one is one I have to be careful in.

So why am I posting about all of this? Well it leads into a story I just had to tell.

I have been skipping breakfast the last few days. We have been so busy that we haven't been able to get to the store to restock on oatmeal and I'm too cheap to go downstairs and pay $2 for a stale bagel. This morning I was famished. I figured I could hold off until lunch like I had for the last few days.

So lunch time is coming up and I decide to go to the bathroom before we leave. The bathroom is attached to the break room and as I am going through the break room I notice that someone had left a cupcake container out with one remaining cupcake. Not thinking anything of it I hit the head. While I am doing my business I start thinking about the cupcake and decide that if it is still there that I should take it. When people in our office have too much food at a potluck or birthday party, they tend to leave it out for everyone. All of a sudden I can't stop thinking about the damn cupcake. I'm wondering if anyone will snatch it before I can get my chance. Then I wonder if I should finish going to the bathroom halfway and go grab it. Then I hear someone in the break room moving around. I don't know if I can take this kind of stress.

Like a ray of light coming out of the clouds, it dawns on me that I am obsessing over a cupcake! I'm not even the biggest fan of cake so I couldn't figure out where all this crazed desire was coming from.

Once I came to taht discovery, I still could not stop thinking about it. Finally, I finished and ran out to grab it (yes I washed my hands for those of you that have no faith in me). Behold it was still there. The noise I had heard was one of the janitor's going into the women's bathroom. So like Gollum clutching his ring, I grabbed it, hid it in a paper towel and ran back to my desk.

When Jenn and I were on our way to lunch we were both talking about how hungry we were. She claimed she was way more hungry that I was. I retold her this story and proved to her that there aws no way that she could be as hungry as I was.

So what's the moral of the story? Even crazy people can achieve their dreams. I'm living proof. If only I wasn't to full from lunch to enjoy the spoils of my mania.

Claim Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Hello ladies and gentlemen! Well it is my 3rd week in now back at CSAA and I must say that I am having fun. I have had 3 weeks of intense training. I am basically in a classroom right now from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. The last time I was in school this much was probably in Jr. High (counting that I really never completed a full year of HS). I don’t think college kids even go to school this much every day! All day I am having insurance info pounded into my little pea-sized brain. I am doing well but the thing I am really getting into and grasping the best is the car parts. I love the car parts! I always wanted to take Auto-shop when I was in HS but my mom said it wasn’t for girls, instead I took the cooking class, which was not bad at all… we made lots of pot brownies and always substituted Pot for Oregano. LOL! Good to know where your tax dollars are going huh? LOL! But just a year or two ago I was telling Gordon how I wanted to go to school and take Auto but then I chickened out… but here I am now learning about something I really want to learn about for free! God is so good isn’t He?

Everyone in my class is telling me how good I am at knowing the car parts and even a couple of guys in my class are commenting how I am making them look bad! LOL! We have a tuition reimbursement at my company and I am actually thinking of going ahead and taking that Auto class at Golden West College when I finish my Claims training and get on the floor. The reason why is because I eventually would like to be a field appraiser or estimator or even in the Material Damage Department. We actually spent some time today and yesterday out on the floor only taking Notice of Loss and we will be doing it for the remainder of the week. Next week I think we should be getting into Handling the Loss which is gonna take a little more brain power than what we are doing right now.

I did have a funny thing happen today while taking a Loss. An insured called in to report her accident; she was old and gave the phone to her daughter that was actually driving the car when the accident happened. I asked for the party’s information that had hit her vehicle, I asked for the license number and then I asked for his Date of Birth… she said 10/21/14, I told her, “I think that may actually be his expiration date.” She said, “No, his birth date is 10/21/14, as in 1914.” I almost died laughing, my friend Veronica that was listening in on the call took out her calculator just to figure out how old the guy was… 94! I think at that age someone should take the keys away from him!

Gordon and I are so happy though to finally get back on our feet. I get my first paycheck on Friday and when we pay rent and car payment this week we will actually have money in the bank to live off of until next pay period. Because of the job now though, our weekends have been filled with to do stuff. The weekends just slip by so fast now. On another good note our friends Joe & Monique had their baby girl Brenna on 01/06/08 and the day after our friends Jack & Darla had their little girl Chloe on 01/07/08. I got to go over to Jack & Darla’s this weekend and see Chloe and it was such a trip to see my buddy Jack with a baby… I mean I have seen him with our friend’s kids but just to think of him as a dad was so strange. As for Darla it was just such a natural thing it seemed for her that it didn’t seem that weird. I have never seen such a quiet baby in my life though, she barely cries! They said that she only cries when she is hungry or needs changed and it’s actually more like a squeak than a cry most of the time. We still have to get over to Joe & Monique’s to see little Brenna, hopefully soon.

I am glad to say also that football season is almost over. I feel bad for Gordon that the Packers didn’t make it to the Bowl but it will be nice to have my husband back on the weekends. Now we can start having fun again and not have to schedule everything around his games.

Oh yeah! Gordon and I got a new bed on Monday… and thank you Scott for helping us with it! I had saved all my gift cards up for Ikea that I got as presents and we got ourselves a new bed… headboard that is, but it really makes a difference on our mattress, its real sturdy. I felt like I was sleeping in a motel bed the other night and slept really well in it.

I just noticed that I have written so much so I am just gonna end the blog on that note.

-2 Jobs + 1 New Job = Blessing

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:40:00 +0000

So I got myself a new job… yes… again! I only lasted at CosNet for only a couple of weeks, I was thinking it was only two but it was actually three. There was absolutely nothing for me to do. It was definitely the wrong company for me and I believe that my boss didn’t like me that well, to tell you the truth I believe he doesn’t like women that well either. He had mentioned something about my performance being poor only after a couple of days training… not even working… I asked him how could my performance be poor since they haven’t given me anything to perform on? He really had nothing to say, he just changed the subject. Then he commented that I talked and giggled too much, which in most cases maybe that would be true but I was in a room full of guys talking about WarCraft and never really had anything to say or talk to them about, so I never really talked to them! So of course I took offense to it, obviously this guy didn’t like me. However, I did make to nice friends here so at least I can leave with that.

Well about a month or so ago I applied back at AAA for a Claims Rep. position and I got a call from HR on Wednesday to come in for an interview yesterday. I went into the interview and an hour later she called and gave me the job! I will actually be making more than when I was there before and I will be making $5 more than I am making here and over double than what I made at JC Penney. Can I just hear an AMEN! Seriously, God is so good.

I got this tattoo on my arm over 5 years ago, I was so distressed trying to find the “right” guy and finally just gave it all to the Lord. Throughout the years the Lord had given me the Bible verse Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord, He shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as an eagle. They shall run & not grow weary; they shall run & not faint.” This has been the pattern of my life… waiting on the Lord, growing stronger in my faith. I made a statement to the Lord getting that tattooed on my arm to make me always remember this… that same month I met Gordon!

I had to take a good look at my tattoo on my arm again and remembered the lesson that the Lord has taught me throughout my life… waiting on Him. As soon as I accepted that once again the Lord provided me with a new and a better job. After having part of this whole year off the Lord has really taught me to be grateful and to work hard for what I have. I hope I will not be one to complain any longer but then I consider the children of Israel that were guided by a cloud by day and a fire by night, provided food everyday to fill their bellies and still they bitched, I know I am no different than they are but I will at least try to be a better, more thankful person. The Lord has brought me through so much in my life.

Gordon and I are stoked that I will be making more money again, with this we will be able to do fertility treatments which we have been waiting for so long to do. But before that we have to save money and get Rocky surgery, he has two fatty tombers that need to be removed… I must take care of my first baby first.

So I start at AAA on Jan. 7th, the day before Gordon’s Bday. I will be put through 8 weeks of intensive training until I am let go on my own. The great thing about this job is, that I am kind of learning a profession. If I ever left and went somewhere else, I could very easily get a job as a claims rep with any other insurance company. How awesome is that!

Hope everyone’s holidays were well, I know ours were. We stuffed our faces at my cousin Marcie’s on the Eve and then made dinner for Gordon’s mom & dad and my parents and sister, it was quite a blessed Christmas and meant so much to me.

-1 Job

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:39:00 +0000

OK so I was working at JC Penney part time, got a full time job Mon-Fri, 40 hours a week at Cosnet, Inc. and tried it out for a week… I thought I could do it but I couldn't. I was able to work two jobs 5 years ago when I was 5 years younger but now that I am 33 years old forget it! I was so exhausted, all I felt like I was doing was working… sleeping… working… sleeping. I had no time to make my wonderful husband dinner at night, we were eating like crap and I felt myself getting sick but no time to rest and get better. So I worked Friday night, called in sick Saturday morning because I did wake up sick in the middle of the night and then resigned online. Kind of cool you can do that at JC Penney, was thinking that they may have a high turnover since they have that option for their employees. But what do you expect for minimum wage. I just feel so sorry for everyone that works there. They work so hard and go through so much there and they barely get paid anything, while I am working a job where I just sit all day and use my brain power and have cush benefits all around me for double that. I think retail people deserve so much more. It seems like the easier the job the more you get paid for some reason.

I almost feel guilty that I quit JC because after all I prayed that the Lord would provide a job for me and He did with JC, however, I believe it was just to sustain us for that one paycheck from then and then from Cosnet because that really put us back on track. I hope I didn't make a mistake and I hope He's not mad at me. Because I am so grateful that He let that happen for me when I thought everything was lost.

So I am working at Cosnet, Inc. which provides web conferencing and will be working the help desk pretty much like I did at AAA. If you have any web conferencing needs just let me know, I get commission for sales that I bring in. They can be found at www.InstantPresenter.com.

Gordon and I are finally kind of on track with our finances and we only have 3 more car payments left on my car after this one this month so that will be saving us a lot more money each month. I am gonna go out and celebrate when that finally happens! The next time I finance anything it will be for a home and I have a feeling that is a long way off from now.

Not sure if I will have anymore to say until after Christmas so if I don't write again I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Another New Job!

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:04:00 +0000

So, as my last blog read, I got a job at JC Penney that I started last Friday. On Monday I actually had a job interview scheduled that I had scheduled even before the JC Penney interview so I went. He called me today and I am hired! WooHoo! It is more money, not the kind of money that I was making at AAA but it will definitely help us out quite a bit.

I have decided to keep my job at JC Penney and ask them if I can still work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, we need the extra money right now to get back on our feet and on track. Plus I actually really really love it at JC Penney and would love for that to be a permanent job however $8.50 and hour isn’t gonna do it for us unfortunately, maybe in Oregon it would but definitely not down here in Cali. People at JC are so incredibly nice and I have met people that have been there for 20, 25 & 40 years and they all genuinely love their jobs. When I went to the interview on Monday I prayed and asked God that if He didn’t want me to have the job then I wouldn’t get it, and if He wanted me to have it then they would offer it to me… simple as that... I got the job… so I know this is what God wants for me. I have full confidence that He is steering my life in the right direction right now and I am comforted by that. I don’t want to worry any longer I need to have the steadfast faith that He will provide for us.

Gordon and I finally got the Christmas tree up last night, we put the lights on… I finally get my white lights this year. Every year we have had color lights because Gordon insists on them, however we made a compromise this year that we will rotate every other years with the white lights, so I think that is gonna be a fair trade. I don’t think I will be decorating the rest of the house this year, Christmas is gonna be rather mellow this year not only for us but I know my side and his side, just so much has gone on this year emotionally and financially. I will still be in celebration of my Lord and God’s birth but the Yule tide carol will be a very mellow one at that. I am just happy to have my tree up.

Gordon left this morning to go to San Francisco over night for work, so I am home right now really bored. It is so quiet without him here at night & I really don’t like it. But the dogs will be stoked to sleep in bed with me tonight so that will be at least nice for them, plus they are like little heaters, I may not even need the heater on tonight.

I Got a Job!

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:22:00 +0000

I Got a Job!!!

Howdy everyone! Can I first just comment that God is great! I have been stressing out, actually both Gordon and I because I have been looking for several months now for a job, however the job market is really bad right now. Everyone I interview with tells me that they have received 100's of resumes to go through. There are more people out of work right now than there are jobs available, which is really scary so be grateful if you have a job right now.

Well, I sent out a prayer request for my friends to pray for us because we were in need. My friend Angela sent me an email and it really blessed me (sorry I haven't written you back girl!). She basically encouraged me to take charge and step in faith and to claim through Christ that I had a job, at least these are the best words I can describe it as. So Gordon and I did just that, we probably prayed every and just told the Lord and confessed to Him that we did have faith that He would deliver. I also prayed at the beginning of this week that I would have a job by the end of this week, and guess what… I got a job yesterday! He always provides the last minute doesn't He?

I have been applying for jobs but only based on pay, I had this attitude that I was too good to get paid below what I was wanting and would skip on interviewing or applying for a job because of that, but then I was thinking who am I to think that I am too good?! I mean who am I to even think that! As far as I am concerned I deserve to go to hell for just being human, I am not too good for anything, but through the faith of Jesus Christ and His grace I have received His grace in my life when I am worthy of nothing. So I humbled myself and started going to the mall and applying for jobs at all kinds of stores. I went into JC Penney's and they told me to apply online. So that night I went home and applied online however when I got to the very last page to submit I got an error page and was so pissed off because it was such a long freakin application… I thought to myself Oh well it probably wasn't meant to be and forgot about it, this was on Tuesday night. I already had an interview scheduled with someone else on Thursday in the early afternoon so I woke up early and noticed their was a voicemail so I listened to it. It was the manager over at JC Penney's asking me to come in for an interview that day. I called her back and told her I would come in after my appointment. So I went down there about noon yesterday and she basically hired me right on the spot and she also is paying me more than she usually starts anyone on the floor (which isn't saying much though, I am only making literally half as much as I am used to making). I am working on the first floor (at the Westminster Mall) in the men's department which is just my cup of tea because it is much easier than working in the women's department, there is way to much to memorize up there! And she had me start this morning, so I had my first day of work and worked from 9:30pm to 5:30pm and tomorrow I am working from 1pm-9pm. I have a feeling she is gonna work me pretty hard since my schedule is so open.

So I am so grateful right now for getting a job finally! I am still leaving the door open if the Lord provides me with something else for more money and benefits but I am so thankful for what I have right now and I am not gonna push the envelope. It's just nice to know that I am secure with a job for the holidays and we can have some kind of Christmas this year because I really didn't think we would be able to do anything. Plus I get a 20% discount off of everything at the store even if its on clearance or sales! Sweet!

Blah... Blah... Blah

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:31:00 +0000

Thought it was about time to write another blog. I thought that I would wait until “Yeay! We caught the bad guys that hit my car!” or “Yeay! I got myself a job!” But none of these things have transpired. So needless to say I didn’t write for awhile.

I have to say though that I have been on 30 interviews now and not one call back! I am so frustrated and so depressed! Is it me? I think that I am a great worker and I have a lot of knowledge and experience under my belt but why doesn’t anyone want to hire me! I actually went on one interview and the lady noticed that I didn’t work for almost a year and I told her that is because I was living up in Oregon and I didn’t have to work during that time. She also noticed that I had taken a year off this time. She commented that she couldn’t help but notice that I was having fun and a good time with my time off like it was a bad thing! Of course it was fun! And I see nothing wrong with that! I feel sorry that she doesn’t know what fun is and has felt tied to a job her whole life! Anyways, I thought that was strange. What is the big deal if I went a year here and a year there without work, I enjoyed myself… I am not a work-aholic but I do take pride and work hard when I do have a job.

Anyways, I have been taking a sewing class for a couple of weeks now and I made my first little item. I made a bag, a little rough around the edges but not bad for my first project. I just need to practice a lot more. Next week we are going to learn how to do zippers and buttons which will be great for me since every shirt you buy these days the buttons are barely sewn on. Gordon is the one that usually sews on my buttons. It’s cute to see my man with a little needle and thread sewing… I think it is so cute… I guess the Boy Scouts were good for something huh? I also can’t wait to learn how to do a hem. I am so short and when you shop for pants in the petite section they are usually really ugly pants so I cannot wait to not have to really care about the length and just do my thing. Yes, I have gotten the sewing bug now. I want to eventually get into quilting because I love quilts! I am not that good right now but “practice makes perfect” as my mother always told me. When I first started messing around with cooking I wasn’t that good either but I kept it up and I have to say that besides Miki I am the best cook I personally know! Things don’t come to me easily like it does my sister. She can learn a few things and then she has the rhythm down perfectly, music, art, sewing, knitting… you name it she picks it up immediately… I am different, I have to practice a lot before it really comes to me… but that’s OK it gives me I think a better work ethic which is obviously missing with my sister. (Sorry Mel but it’s true)

Now I did finally get my car back. It actually looks much better than it did before the accident, they buffed it and polished it and it’s all shiny and new. Bummer thing is that they didn’t take out the dent I had in the front because that wasn’t part of the accident. I wish that I could get that dent fixed. It happened after only having the car for two weeks. It was parked at work and when I came out it was like that… I was so pissed off! Much better than my first car though, I only had that thing for a week and my pregnant friends water broke in my car… it took forever to get that smell out! Yuck! (You know who you are!)

My birthday is coming up in a month, I was thinking that maybe I should have a party or something but I feel weird throwing a party for myself… its like, “Come, celebrate my birth!” Kind of strange. But I would like to get all my friends in one room and just hang out. I was thinking of probably having it at my moms since it is a bigger place but I will have to talk that over with her. I will actually send out a bulletin and see if people would want to come. I always have this fear that I will throw a party and no one will care to show up… part of that being is because I am always royally depressed on my bday and most everyone forgets and doesn’t call me or email me… I know.. boohoo! It is so crazy when I think about my friends; I have such a diverse set of people that I know. I have my Christian friends and then I have my non-Christians friends. Far be it that I live a double life… what you see is what you get. As I proclaim Christ around my Christian friends so do I around my non friends. As I don’t drink around my Christian friends so do I not around my non friends. I am just Woody and if you all know me I am who I am and I don’t care nor have I ever cared what people think of me.

I just noticed that I have a long blog again; I guess again, I had a lot to say. Anyways, next week Gordon’s niece Stephanie is going to be staying with us. She is 15 and had independent studies so I am gonna try to show her a good time. I feel bad she is stuck in the desert looking at dirt all the time so maybe we can hang out down at the beach or something and show her my old stomping grounds, maybe eat at the pier or something. It will be nice to have someone to keep me company during the week. I get myself into a funk and don’t do anything but sit on this stupid computer all day and play video games. Yes, I am a video game junky!

Update on the Hit & Run Case

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:10:00 +0000

My buddy Alex left a comment on my last blog and I was gonna answer his question in another comment but then I realized I had a lot to say about this matter. So if any of you are wondering if they have caught the bad guys yet, the answer is “no.”

I was called by the detective that following Monday morning and he told me that what they are doing is sending out a letter to the company of the truck in suspicion and letting them know that their truck is wanted in an ongoing investigation. They will be authorized to hand over their truck and just like in the good ‘ol CSI show they will take a sample of the vehicle paint and compare it to the sample paint chip they got from the hit and run scene to see if it matches.

My question is… what happens if these people don’t comply and they can’t find them??? But the investigator did tell me that they are aware of this particular roach-coach that my neighbor saw over at the Home Depot over across from our house. He said that they have busted them a couple of times for serving food without a business license to the masses at Home Depot, so maybe these are our guys, at least I hope so.

Also, as we spoke he told me that he gets about 50 hit & run cases a month, just in the city of Westminster! Go figure… it actually doesn’t surprise me! Our insurance company keeps calling us asking if we have found the guys yet and we keep telling them no. They of course want their money… can’t blame them. If these are the guys we are definitely suing them for the deductible… not sure if you can sue for anything else… I wish I could because I am so pissed off! I still haven’t gotten my car back… I will hopefully be getting it back by the end of this week.

On a hopeful note, I had a really good interview yesterday and I am really hoping to get the job. I almost feel like I may be jinxing myself for writing this on my blog but I want you all to pray for me because I really need a job right now.

Anyways, we are all healthy here in the Flannery household and hopefully things are looking up for us in this streak of bad luck we have been having. Trial after trial we have been having and it does get us down but in the end it just brings us closer and closer to the Lord, so at least I can look at these things with some sense of peace and know and trust that we are in the Lords hands and He won’t give us something too big that we cannot handle.

Great Support

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:42:00 +0000

I must say that even though it completely sucked getting my car smashed to smithereens there were a few good things that did come out of it. I found out that after two years of living here that I actually do have some pretty nice neighbors. Gordon and I already knew that the family we share the duplex with are amazing people but there are the old noisy people that live to the right of us that wakes us up at the crack of dawn every morning with them talking to each other loudly because they can’t hear & their yapping dogs and then there is the creepy Asian guy that lives next door to us on the left that likes to squat down on his porch while he smokes and look through the fence in our yard and who practically parks his car or puts his trashcans in our driveway. So with these two uncomfortable situations we were hesitant to meet anyone else unfortunately.

However, when this hit and run occurred everyone around us seemed to be very helpful and very nice. I finally got to meet the family that lives on the corner of our street that I have been wanting to meet for quite awhile now. They seemed pretty nice and punk rock themselves. Then I met an older woman two houses down and then I ended up befriending a girl that lives across the street from us which has a pretty cool family and I am sure I will be talking to quite a bit from now on. All three of these families luckily were witnesses to the hit and run and were more than willing to help me out with everything. Desiree, my new friend across the street, told me about a couple that lives directly across the street from the construction site where everyone said the lunch truck came from, so Gordon and I went to their house that night and they were the full on old hippy couple. They were more than willing to help me out and let me know if they saw the lunch truck again and I swear they were having flashbacks as I stood in their kitchen, they were really out there! LOL!

The next day at noon I decided to walk around the corner to see if the lunch truck showed up. I saw the two cops that helped us out staking out the place hidden away. It really made me feel good that they were still on this the next day. I ended up talking to them and they said that they had talked to the foreman of the construction zone and he was more than willing to help. However, the foreman said that the lunch truck had been coming twice a day for months and that day was the first time he had never came by and his crew had to leave and go get lunch. He said he didn’t have the catering truck name or number but he knew the drivers first name which was a start. Unfortunately when I went around the block on Friday to see if the truck was there he had still not shown up. The guy could be in Mexico by now as far as we know. I am hoping that in a week or two the guy will get his guard down and show back up to the site but that is highly unlikely. But Gordon and I are keeping our eyes open for lunch trucks in the area and will be researching them.

So not only were we blessed with some nice neighbors but we were really blessed with the family support this weekend. Gordon’s sister let us borrow a truck. Some of you may remember Gordon’s old white truck, well he had given it back to his parents when he got his grandpa’s car, they in turn gave it to his sister Kathy to give to her son when he turned 16. He apparently doesn’t want to drive a stick, which I don’t blame the guy, that is pretty hard to do for your first car, so it has been sitting in her driveway for awhile and she said sure why not, you can borrow it. So we send out a huge thank you to Kathy for letting us have the truck until my car gets fixed. In the meantime I will be driving Gordon’s huge grandpa car. I would rather have the truck but I cannot drive stick so he has the honor of driving it to and from work each day. My car unfortunately will not be done until around the first of October.

Hit N' Run

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:05:00 +0000

Today I slept in a long time I was so tired and it was so hard to wake up. I finally woke up at about 11am or so and did my normal routine of getting cleaned up, checking my email and then doing my scheduled chores. My chore for today was going online and going job searching. At 12:10pm Gordon called me at lunch and we chatted for a bit and then I went on my merry way surfing the net for jobs again listening to music. As I was sitting here in my computer room I heard the trash tucks going (because today was trash day) and then I heard a horrible crash outside. Being the snoopy neighbor I am I immediately decided to go out in front and to see what had happened… then it all became so surreal… as I went walking outside there across the street parked against the curb was my car and the whole back in was smashed in! I was rather speechless and then I saw three neighbors outside and I asked them if they saw who did it because no one was there. All three neighbors told me the same thing that they saw a roach-coach speeding away. This guy that was visiting his brother on the corner house said that the roach-coach was going so fast around the corner that it almost tipped over as it went.

I ran into the back to get my phone and shoes and started yelling for Ron, my landlord that lives in the house behind mine and asked him to come get me in his truck and hunt down these guys, so Ron came around and we started driving around like two vigilantes and then we saw a cop and flagged him down. I told them what had happened so they went to my house and started a report and started talking to witnesses. They said that they would start searching the area for the truck but by the end of the day they came up with nothing… however… everyone said that it is the same roach-coach that comes everyday, twice a day to this construction site down the street from our house where they are building apartments. The police said they would scope out the area tomorrow to see if they come back. Hopefully if these guys were stupid and ignorant enough to do a hit and run on my car, hopefully they will be stupid enough to come back to the job site tomorrow.

All I have to say is thank God that I was not in the car when that happened and thank God there were no kids around playing or someone would have gotten killed. We have pretty good insurance and they sent us to this body shop in Garden Grove that is owned by the sweetest Korean couple. I asked them since they do this type of work so much for a living what they thought by just looking at it what the estimated damages were and they said anywhere from 6-8k… we have a $1000 deductible and right now Gordon is the only one working and I am frantically looking for a job so we are really stressed out right now and plus Gordon doesn’t know how much longer he has his job for.

But so many blessings have been coming our way lately, we had a completely great weekend, Gordon & I both decided to go down to Corona Del Mar on Saturday and to get baptized together, it was our way of showing God that we were committed to serve Him not only as individuals but as a couple and that whole weekend was continually blessed. We had Gordon’s parents over on Saturday for a nice dinner and then on Sunday my mom came over and taught me how to cut my roses in my yard. Gordon feels as if this is just a spiritual attack that happened to us and I have this feeling that for some insane reason this is probably part of God’s plan for us. Not sure what in the heck the plan is but I just have this peace that everything is actually gonna be OK and that God is in complete control right now. I really thought that I would have broken down and cried but surprisingly I was rather calm after I stopped shaking. Gordon started to get a bad anxiety attack but shortly became really calm himself. We just prayed and felt like this was some kind of crazy story we would have to tell years from now.

The funny thing was that just a few nights ago I was thinking of what a great little car I had and how it was just gonna last me years to come and I only have 2k left to pay on the car and then this happened! And not only that but my car is a 2002 Toyota Corolla and I got the car on 09/10/01 which was the day before the big 9/11 thing and this happened on 09/12/07 which was the day after 9/11, kind of strange in my book I might say.

Anyways, I will keep everyone posted on the outcome of this and let you know if we find the guys who are responsible for this. I have gone on my own too and asked this couple that lives straight across the street from the construction site if they could call me if the truck shows up tomorrow and get the license plate and everything, they were more than willing to help. Also, my neighbor told me later on that as the truck hit my car that there were some trash men doing the trash when it happened, so I am gonna call Midway City Sanitation tomorrow and ask them if they can help me out in this to see if there guys actually saw this hit take place. So please pray for us we really need it right now.

Here is my baby all broken; you will see why I am so grateful I wasn’t in the car when this happened….

August Update

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:21:00 +0000

It has been awhile since I wrote a blog so I decided to update everyone a little bit on what is going on in my life. Well, I am not on Myspace all day like I used to be, I decided to take on new projects & plus it is way too hot to sit in the office without AC & veg on the computer. I have been trying to get out a lot more lately & do errands & what not, it has been nice. The diet thing however took a slight pause as the weather is too damn hot to exercise in. After the weather cools I will be working out once again.

I have been looking high & low for a job lately with a slight panic because my unemployment is going to be running out soon. Not sure what the problem is but I send tons of resumes out & no one is calling me. I have a pretty impressive resume so I really don’t understand what the problem is. And the interviews I do get I really just blow at them. I guess I am just to the point now that I am so sick of pretending that I care about a job or working that it probably comes off that way to them. People want you to get all excited about your job & what not & I am just not like that, what is exciting about Customer Service? Also, Gordon just found out that AAA is going to be closing their Irvine office. Basically they are not renewing the lease in 4 years, however that didn’t come to such a surprise to us, we saw all the same signs there as we did at ProsoftTraining when it went down & also that I saw at LTU before they went down. First big-wigs were “retiring” or transferring to the Frisco office & there were a lot of lay offs & hiring freezes off & on. Very obvious to us. Two years later they announced what Gordon & I were anticipating. The company is so big that they are going to be letting go each department a little at a time but by the 4th year no one will be there. No telling how long anyone has there job there. So Gordon is looking for a job now along with me.

Gordon & I also decided to start fertility treatments, we just had a small consultation & him & I took some blood tests. They only gave him two & when I sat there to take my blood they had 9 vials out to take my blood, there were 21 tests that I had to take… INSANE! But the female has to go through a lot & real intensive stuff. We have to find out why my eggs aren’t carrying down the way they should be. In the meantime the Dr. said it was OK to keep trying, if we get pregnant hopefully this third time will be a charm, at least I am hoping. Everyone around me seems to be having babies & I am hoping to join the pack. Our friend Joe & Monique are due in January, my friend Jack & Darla also & my friend Tony & Jenny are due in November. If we get knocked up it will be cool for all our kids to someday hang out together.

My mom still has the house up for sale. She has had a couple of open houses & a lot of looky-loos but no bites yet. Hopefully they will get that place sold & outta here to Oregon. She is giving it until November & if it does not sell then she will put it up for sale again at the beginning of next summer. Not sure what the Lords plans are but we all trust Him.

So all in all things are OK, besides the fact that I got a real bad summer cold for about 7 days that really sucked, crappy interviews & the weather has been hotter than Hades… all in all though it hasn’t been that bad of an August.

Goodbye to you

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:56:00 +0000

Gordon here.

Last night I had the sad duty of installing Windows to my computer again. For the past 3 months I have been running Ubuntu (Feisty Fawn I believe) which is a flavor of Linux. For those of you not in the know, Linux is a free offshoot of the old Unix operating system that is still the standard for most servers.

I was really sad to have to replace the OS because I had actually become very accustomed to Ubuntu. I have installed at least 6 different versions of Linux on different systems over the years and Ubuntu was the first one that really stuck. They made it very easy for someone used to Windows to make the migration to Linux. The only problem I had with my latest foray into Linux again was the video drivers. Luckily though, someone with a lot more free time and smarts than I have created a script that detects and automatically downloads and installs your drivers for you. Once I figured that out I never really looked back. From what I read everywhere video drivers are a big problem with Linux right now because the vendors aren't really releasing useable ones and get upset when other people try to write their own files.

The reason for the switch was because I am starting school again in 2 weeks and the the only class I signed up for was C++. C++ can be used in Linux but I know for a fact that the class will be taught using Visual Studio, which is Windows only.

Installing Windows is pretty easy for me it's just all the extra crap that you have to install with it that gets overwhelming. Whenever I wanted any software on Ubuntu all I had to do was open a program that listed all the available software and click what I wanted. Now I have to search for each software package, download it, execute it and then configure it. Also with Linux you don't really need anti-virus or spyware programs because there just aren't enough of them floating around and they would have to be very good programs to do any damage anyways due to the more secure nature of Linux. So the entire installation took about four hours including loading Visual Studio. Blehh.

So until next summer, I have to say goodbye Linux. We shall meet again.

My Night Job as a Caped Crusader

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 06:38:00 +0000

So I went & hung out with my friend tonight & we called it an early night, however, I still wanted to cruise around so when I got by my house I just continued onto Brookhurst & thought I would take it all the way to PCH & then loop back around to my house.

As I was driving I had just passed Heil off of Brookhurst & noticed a silver Mercedes in the far right lane going extremely to the curb & then floating over again over to the line almost crossing it. At first I thought they were just fooling around but they kept doing it. When we got to Warner the car almost made a right hand turn Not in the right hand turn lane & almost smashed into another car. The car continued to go straight & kept on with the swerving. We got to the next light which was GREEN & she came to a complete stop with no cars even in front of her.

We started to pass Slater & this is when I decided to call 911, she had almost hit 3 people in just a mile. As I was talking to the 911 operator we were crossing into HB police territory so they patched me & the information over to them. They kept me on the line as I kept telling them what lights we were passing. They said they were sending a helicopter to monitor her driving. All of a sudden we got to Hamilton & she decided to make a right hand turn, for some reason I made one too, I was really into this! We got to Magnolia & Hamilton & she was in the right hand turning lane & I just had a feeling she was going to go straight so I stayed in the correct lane. I was right! She kept going straight but the thing was that there was construction up ahead which she had to swerve around & get back into the lane I was. I was explaining to the 911 operator what had just happened & she kind of chuckled because as I was telling her this the helicopter pilot was saying the exact thing. All of a sudden a police car zooms passed me. The operator told me that the police would like me to park behind them at least 20 feet behind so I could be a witness.

I parked my car & if you know HB police they usually don't have much to do in that town because HB is relatively a very peaceful safe place so there was like a whole swat team of them coming to the rescue. As I sat there waiting for them to come to my car I noticed it was a young girl with short shorts on & a tank top with big perky boobs & long curly hair. The cop came to my window & asked me questions like when I noticed her & my address & such. I asked, "She's pretty drunk huh?" He said, "Actually no, she's just really high & flying right now on Meth."

So that was my fun exciting night, my adrenalin was completely pumping & I was way excited about the chase, I was really getting into. Gordon made a funny comment, he said what if it was like Lindsey Lohan that you ended up reporting in or one of the Hilton girls... I died laughing! We figured I could make a lot of money selling my story to the press... too bad it was just some tweeker from HB. I might take up being a vigilante or something!

Fun, Fun, Fun In the Cali Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 08:18:00 +0000

I was wanting Gordon to originally post a blog about our last two weeks because he is really funny & witty but instead I put it upon myself to go ahead & do it... after all he is busy maintaining our food blog all the time.

The past two weeks have been so busy & then it has been so amazingly fun! It all started last week on the 17th when Gordon & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. We exchanged presents when he got home from work… I ended up getting him a new key chain with his name engraved on it & our wedding anniversary date… I did that part mostly for me because for some reason I always think our anniversary is on the 14th… I know… completely horrible of me… but I have never claimed to be good with dates! He gave me probably the most sentimental gift I have ever gotten... a Bible with my name engraved on it. I already have a bible with my name engraved on it but its a real big bulky Bible, one more for studying not handy to carry to church & it has my maiden name on it, so this new one was really special & sweet. We kept it pretty simple that night just going out to dinner because the next morning we were off to the San Diego Zoo.

Gordon took Wednesday through Friday off that week & that Wednesday at the zoo was so much fun! We just took our time spending a good amount of time at each animal exhibit & I still don't think we saw all of it! There was so much! I have to say that my two most favorite exhibits were the hippos & the giraffes. I was so hypnotized by them and could have just hung out for hours watching them! The hippo was so cute! If they were small I would take one home to cuddle! I love their fat bodies and their stubby little fat legs. This one in particular was rolling a ball around under water & he seemed to be having so much fun I couldn't help but take tons of pictures of the guy. The giraffes were awesome & I wanted an opp. to feed them but our window of opportunity passed so maybe next time.

The next day we went to the OC Fair and hung out for a couple hours. Again, totally amazed and wondering through more animal exhibits but this time a lot more up close & personal. I have to say that Gordon & I absolutely love animals, if we could work at a zoo or a farm we would be so happy! That day I tried for the first time a deep fried Twinkie & I have to say that I really don't understand all the hoopla with people & those things. Its basically just a warm Twinkie with a little bit of crust around it… no biggy… I don't think I will be having one again, but at least I can say I have tried one. That night however brought lots of fun… we went & saw Weird Al which Gordon has been wanting to see since he was a kid. I wasn't really expecting to have fun but I had the most fun that I have had at a concert in a long time. He is so freakin funny! I cannot believe how many wardrobe changes that guy does in one show. I suggest if you ever hear he is playing that you go see him, he is way entertaining.

This week brought two more concerts our way. Wednesday night Gordon had gotten free tickets to go see Guster. Now I do like Guster… I used to make fun of them & call them Gunther but then I listened to their CD one day & I really liked their music. Not the usual music I listen to. They are rather mellow but they have a great harmony & some good songs that you start to sing along to. Gordon got 4 free tickets but we couldn't find anyone to take the other 2 so we just chucked them. I have to say that I was rather skeptic about going to the concert since these guys were so mellow… I thought to myself that this was going to be a boring concert & I would fall asleep… and you know what?... THEY WERE! It was the most boring & dry & unentertaining concert I have ever been to! And there was barely anyone there to fill the seats! Gordon commented that they might as well have just put on their CD because they sounded exactly the same. Not that he didn't enjoy their music… he did… but that was no Guttermouth gig! We ended up leaving before the concert was over, but no guilt there, the tickets were free after all.

Tonight we drove clear out to Malibu to go see Tegan & Sara play. We have always wanted to see them because right now they are one of our favorite bands. I was rather skeptic about this gig also because they are kind of mellow but when we got there it was so much fun! However Gordon couldn't help but notice that the ratio of women to men there was 10-1 & the ratio of lesbians to straight folks was 3-1. LOL! They were as adorable as they seem to be in the music they play, they were so full of stories & energy & they played a small show at the Malibu Performing Arts Center, so it was real up close & personal. They played every song from their new album The Con & then played a lot from their So Jealous Album & a few from older albums. I would definitely go see these girls play again in a minute. Also at the gig tonight Anthony Kiedas from the Red Hot Chili Peppers was there with a friend so that was a cool sighting.

So we finally get to rest! We feel so drained right now but in a good way. On another note my mom put the For Sale sign up at her house… yes people… my parents are finally getting rid of their ball & chain after all these years. They will be headed up to the Portland area hopefully soon. And also some good news… Professor BunBun finally found a home. My buddy Alex is going to take him & I am so stoked. I am especially stoked because he's got 4 kids & I was really hoping he would find a home with kids so he could get lots of love & attention & handling. So I am so happy about that. Plus he & his wife are way amused by the name so that is a plus.

3rd Year

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:34:00 +0000

Today is Jennifer and mine 3rd year wedding anniversary. I can truly say that it hasn't felt like three years but I also don't really remember a time without Jennifer in my life. Weird how time is all distorted like that.

Tonight we are probably just going to go to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. The Factory holds a special place in our lives because we had our first Valentines date at a Spaghetti Factory in Oregon. It was our first trip up to Oregon together and we didn't really know any of the restaurants in the area, so we went to the one place we both knew and loved.

Tomorrow we are heading down to San Diego and plan on going to the zoo for the day. Back when we first started dating, we headed down to the zoo and ended up getting drenched by a sudden downpour. It didn't really ruin our experience that day but it would be nice to enjoy the zoo somewhat dry.

Thursday night we are going to the Orange County Fair for the day and seeing Weird Al that night. I have been a big Al-Head since I was young and seeing him live is going to fulfill a dream for me. The day should include lots of fried and BBQ foods so I think we are going to have to overlook the diet that day.

That's about it for the anniversary festivities for us. Next week we are heading up to Malibu to see Tegan and Sara play. Both of us really like T&S and have been waiting almost patiently to get a chance to see them live. If you like T&S and couldn't get tickets, they are playing Fingerprints in downtown Long Beach on the 25th.

Also I just found out after lunch today that I had won Guster tickets for the 25th. They are also playing the OC Fair and I had wanted to go but budget restraints held me off of buying tickets. I have them as friends on MySpace and they announced a contest for free tickets and without really thinking much about it, I entered. Low and behold I ended up winning.

So July is a busy concert month for us. I didn't realize until all the concerts were coming up that they were all within 2 weeks of each other. Should be a blast though.

Moving On

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:18:00 +0000

Well June really blew & we are now in July & things are looking a little brighter. On 4th of July I went half the day to my Aunt Bonnie’s house while Gordon was at Nate’s house. I met up with Gordon at Nate’s later that night & we kept up the tradition of blowing up Nate’s neighborhood. Seriously, the whole neighborhood just goes wild with fireworks. Families end up just sitting outside in lawn chairs with like 50 people just to watch this stuff. There was so many fumes & smoke that the next morning both Gordon & I woke up with our throats burning but it was nothing that a little salt-water couldn’t help. But I think I have a little cough from all of it still.

Next week is Gordon & I 3 year wedding anniversary. Gordon is taking Wednesday through Friday off & for the first time since our honeymoon we are going to be able to really celebrate it this year because Gordon isn’t going to go to ComicCon this year. I think he is finally sick of it which is great for me. I was always really sad & disappointed that he chose ComicCon over our wedding anniversary each year but I never said anything. I didn’t want to take it away from him so instead I just really prayed & hoped that it would just fade in time for him. My patience worked out! He finally got sick of all the commercialism & the fact that it is way over packed each year & decided to bring it to an end. I am so happy! We can finally celebrate our anniversary the way it should be!

We are planning on going to the San Diego Zoo on Wednesday because the last time we tried to go while we were dating it rained on us really bad & everyone had to leave the park. On Thursday we are gonna go to the Orange County Fair & then later that night see Weird Al at the fairgrounds. That should be way fun. So July is looking up for us so far.

My mom should be putting her house up for sale in the next two weeks and I am rather nervous & scared for her. This is a big step for her to do after living in one place over 30 years. My mom doesn’t like change & isn’t that much of a traveling kind of person. My father is however & I think that may help her in the transition.

Gordon & I decided to start the fertility thing in August. We put it on hold for awhile because of all the turmoil that was going on in our lives in such a short period of time but we are ready to get back on the horse & try to ride this thing out. I am just happy that my body can get pregnant; it’s just getting pregnant in the right place that’s the challenge.

Well, I hope everyone finds themselves well & happy & until next time.

Grandpa

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:49:00 +0000

Howdy all.

Gordon here. I know, pretty rare that I post on this blog. I've been pretty dedicated to the food site and haven't really had much to say in the last year or so.Two weeks ago my grandfather died. He has been really sick for about 10 years now. He has been on oxygen for that time and been in and out of the hospital for the last year. My family had been expecting this for some time now but it still hit me like a stack of bricks when it actually happened. I've never really lost anyone that I have been close to and it is still a pretty raw wound.

Some of the memories that I have of my grandpa still bring a smile to me. When I was little he promised to buy me a Cadillac. One day when I was playing he came to me with a hot wheels Cadillac and said he was delivering on that promise. Another time when I was about 11, my mother, grandparents and I took a trip up the west coast, up to Canada in my grandparents RV. I remember playing cards most of those nights and listening to the bug zapper do its job as we played. And lately I remember how happy I was to find out that my grandparents would be able to come to my wedding in Portland. Here is a picture that we took that night:

I think I am going to miss playing cards with him the most. I've never palyed someone at hearts that could beat me so easily. I'm glad that I was able to get the extra years there at the end, yet I still feel like it wasn't enough.

Trials & Tribulations

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:18:00 +0000

I thought I would go ahead & write a new blog. As all of you know if has been one hell of a month & it's not even half over yet. Gordon & I have endured a lot of heart ache this month… not only this month but this year. But we seem to keep our heads above water & get through it each time just barely.

The baby making is put on hold for right now, there is just way too much going on emotionally right now so we are just gonna hold off. Plus, we are kind of up a creek without a paddle in the financial situation plus I am so freakin bored staying at home all day! I am not motivated to do anything & I just become more & more of a recluse & insomniac. I really need to get myself busy with working & on a schedule again. This Wednesday I have an interview with the County of Orange, so please pray for me. The last time I had an interview for a County job I completely blew it… I was so nervous I just kept rambling on & on & I think that really turned them off. So please pray for me that I keep my composure. I also have another interview next week on the 26th for an Admin position, so we will see how that goes.

I have taken on a project all on my own efforts to scan all of my mom's photos & the woman has like a billion! I have been going through so many memories & it is just so unbelievable. I will see a pic & I will actually remember that day or event & if not that I will at least remember the pictures hanging on the wall or the toys that I used to play with, it is so awesome going down memory lane right now. The only thing that sucks is that I see how freakin skinny I used to be & it depresses me! I was a really descent size right when I met Gordon & then I just ballooned up! I am determined right now to start a diet starting on Monday. I am going to start a diet & exercising routine & I am so determined to do it! So again, please keep me in your prayers for that adventure. I love to cook & I love to eat & we eat really healthy, it's just my portions & lack of exercise that are killing me. I seemed to start gaining a lot of weight when I was working two jobs before we left to Oregon. I sat on my but for 12 hours a day at a desk & didn't go out or anything. I think keeping busy with Bible studies & what not was what kept me fit & healthy, I really miss that activity in my life & hope to get it back. I will hopefully be able to get Gordon on the same routine if I am lucky.

So please keep this little family of ours in prayer… we really really need it right now. We have been going through so many trials & tribulations; it is so hard for us right now.

Passing On

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 05:24:00 +0000

Gordon ended up spending 9 hours with Grandpa at the hospital & was rather exhausted by the time I came over around 1 or 2pm. I had to force him away & get some food down his throat. We ended up eating & headed back home around 6pm.

We just received a call an hour ago from his mom & sister Kathy that Grandpa passed away at 8pm tonight with his daughter Diane (Gordon's mom) & his wife by his bedside. They made a painful decision to remove his breathing tube because at this point his kidneys were also failing him & he is just way too old to go through any kind of dialasys or anything like that.

Gordon is pretty heartbroken right now, which I am sure the rest of the family is also, so please keep them all in your prayers. I am not sure what they have planned as of yet but we are soon to find out.

It has been a real tough two weeks... two weeks ago on 06/01/07, my Uncle Dick died, & today on 06/13/07 Grandpa Zuber passed away.

Strange Days

noreply@blogger.com (Kung Fu Joe) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:47:00 +0000

I ment to post this yesterday:

This has been a very strange day & not only a strange day but a strange two weeks also, so much has been going on.

This morning started off with Gordon & I attending a short orientation about infertility treatment. Gordon went back to work around 11am & a half an hour later he was calling me on his way back home from work. Gordon had gotten a call from his sister that his grandpa was in ICU. His grandpa is in his 80's & has been having a lot of pnemonia attacks since last year, so everytime Kathy calls we expect is to be something bad with grandpa.

Gordon & I rushed down to Victorville & the best they can give grandpa right now is 4 days. Right now he is on a breathing machine & very heavily sedated because he keeps pulling out his breathing tube but on purpose. I think he just wants to give up right about now & he is ready to meet the Lord but his loved one's around him aren't ready for that & who can really blame them?

Please pray for Gordon, he is really quiet about his feelings all the time but I know he is scared. He has never had anyone in his family pass away nor even a friend. Me... I have had way too many people I know & care about pass on. So I know Gordon is going to be rather fragile when the time comes, so please pray for me also that I can be strong for Gordon.

We might be here for a couple of days, so anyone trying to get a hold of me, I will probably pick up the phone but can't come out & play.

So many crazy things have been going on the past two weeks. I had an interesting weekend with Tom & Amber but we will save that post for another time, wouldn't be appropriate for todays post.

Update on Grandpa as of 06/13: Gordon & his sisters took shifts last night sitting by his bedside. Gordon has been there since 2am this morning. He called me this afternoon & said that Grandpa has made no progress. Please keep the family in your prayers, they really need it right now.