Whoa

Well today in my office I got my business cards, which is totally cool! Then I get home and get a travel card, under the company. It's just nuts to me, that I am me. What the heck did I do right?

Missing

Well I must say that Alison working, plus pictures of my family, I'm missing home. The reality of being over two-thousand miles away. It's not like I can just drop in and say hi, like I used to. I can't call them and say "you wanna go to breakfast?", and we'd go hit up Coral Gables, Tony's, or Cracker Barrel. I miss the ability to go up north and visit my brother and his family, I never made it to see Melissa's new home in D-town.

It's just weird to be this far away, with no true intention as to moving back there. In essence this is the toughest spot I've ever been in. I mean darn, why did my dream job which I want to keep forever, and it's super far away.

How different everything will seem when I return, I don't know. But I do know it will all feel and look different! If you count Jack in, it will sound different too.

Scary

Well I've got to say something funny here. This envelope I got simply scares me. I think the difference of fears I have now, compared to 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago are VERY different. Now it's as though I'm afraid that things will just keep getting better!



Talk about changes eh? I feel unduly indebted to my parents and the school named Michigan State University. I did it all, with the help of others. Life is flat out wowing, and thank God I'm in tune with the right way to live!

In addition there was true storms here in southern California and that was extremely comforting. It's amazing how you become attached to rain, eh?

Spartan from Sparta

Well I am from Sparta, or as we know it East Lansing, MI. Always the underdogs against the tough teams, for the most part. Therein is the fact that I am a Spartan, through and through! I watched this video, darn thing got me overly nostalgic. So watch it, enjoy it, and give the Spartans the drive to overcome the Fighting Irish, aka Notre Dame.

This video shows much proof that it is possible on Saturday we'll whoop on em.


If you peak at the ESPN polls, Michigan State University, aka home of the Spartans...is receiving votes, who knows...maybe we'll be a placed team soon.

Here's hoping!

Doctor and more

Well today was a venture off to the physician in Pasadena. I must say that Dr. S is awesome, I'm amazed that some doctors are so cool! Anyhow, I now have to jump through a few more health care hoops and all is in order. To this I can only say AMEN!

Now all I have to do is plot out my Christmas vacation back to Michigan and all is well!

Growths

Well today I was in points of realization. It's amazing to me that things are like they are. I'm getting two company credit cards that will state Packaging Engineer on them. I'm still caught up in the fact that I am what I studied to become, life is great.

It's just nice that I stopped falling years ago and got on the right track. My problems over the past few days were the problematic computer that wouldn't run the software needed to do the work I've got on hand. But the computer guy (good Zeppelin fan) fixed, and it was nice spending time with him. So now I've got the computer running the software, so I can leave my Powerbook at home.

Tomorrow is payday, and I'm excited...no doubt. It's just funny that in adulthood, most of it is spent prior to getting it! Tonight I heard Old Man by Neil Young, and I'm feeling that song to a whole new degree!

Iron Man Trailers

Apple - Trailers - Iron Man - Trailer - Large

Joshua who

Look at little Joshua and his splendid office, and look at big Josh in the office place...jeez

Illustrator and more

Well today I took my precious Powerbook into work today, out of fears that there would be further problems with putting Illustrator on my office computer. I was right and did hours of work on Adobe Illustrator today. I must admit it's not as much of a pain to use as I once thought, and I'm super happy it's on my computer and that I decided to take it today.

In addition I scheduled an appointment with my neurologist in Pasadena and the dentist who lives within walking distance of Ali and I. Today was just beyond awesome, and what can I say other then I've never had it so good, and the best is yet to come!

I must say

Well everything is falling in place.

Firstly, I'm really loving my iPhone...however I'll probably regret buying it in a few months, when the gen 2 is most likely to come out. I figure this because;
a.) I bought it and it will follow suit with my Powerbook
b.) The release of Leopard
c.) The price drop, I believe prices drop when the next type is about to be launched.

But I do figure that I'll pass it down to a family member, or something. By means of sale or whateva. I must admit that I LOVE it.

I've got my insurance stuff handled as well as the doctor. So I've not got much complaining to do. That is unless I don't get paid till the end of the month. I'm happy that everything is coming into order, but it's still got a ways to go financially...before budget is in order!

Being a Man is certainly trippy. All I know is that I legitimately like/love my job and appreciate all those that I work with. That sentiment is new to me!

iPhone

Well I'm going to tell you, I was being crushed by temptation. Then I check my horoscope and it says I need to give myself a gift. So I went out and bought an iPhone. I must say I am VERY pleased with it. I know it will be obsolete within the next few years due to Gen 2...but I could not resist. This I will hand down to my brother, or father...depends on who's nicer.

Heavenly Day

Today I woke up and was up prior to Michigan State kickoff. I was totally psyched up to watch the game via slingbox, however...I could not find the channel. I watched other games and took care of stuff around the house. I then began to watch Michigan play Oregon, but I should requalify that statement. I starting watching Michigan play pathetically and lose to Oregon. Joys we're busting out of me, massively.

I went to see the never ending game in 2004 in the Big House where we should have took them out. But Stanton got hurt, so I hold that as the reason we did not win. When Stanton went down, and didn't get up the stadium broke out with cheers, and it was very loud. This upset me enough that I will from here on out be happy when a Wolverine is injured. So today was an AWESOME day because the three co-captains walked out injured. I think Hart was hurt worst, but Henne went out and didn't come back.

Can you ask for a better day? The Wolverines were creamed like a JV football team playing an NFL team. Oh the whoas of the losers of the west!

Go Green, Go White, Go Michigan State Spartans!

Week One Closure

I am finished with week one at BC. It was super nice, and all the people were/are awesome! I am happy I made it through it, and I'm so happy that life is SO good! Packaging rocks!

Wardrobe

Well I got out and dropped 216 at Old Navy. For that much money I 4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of socks, and 6 shirts that could all be worn to work! I'm trading in one pair of pants, they're to tight. Somehow they make me look like I'im trying to be a rock star, or something. Anyhow, I've got more business attire!

It's very strange when you transition out of Dad buying it for you and boom, you drop the phat load of cash down to take care of yourself. What's nice is that that much $$ for that much clothing...grrrrrreat deal!

Sleep

Well on honest day of work will crash you out at a earlier time. I was out cold last night by 10:00, so this doesn't feel terribly early to me. Arose at 6:00, relatively easily. After this weekend my mind, body, and soul will be more in tune with this job and the time it requires.

Going to day #2 at my company in 45 minutes, so I better start moving.

Day One

Day one went well and I'm super stoked about this job! I cannot wait to come up to speed on stuff, no doubt! My feet have been brutalized by standing, so omg. It stinks because I need some new gear, but don't have the energy to go. Alison got stuff pretty hammered out with insurance for us, but I have to close the deal.

Now I have to swim through the sea of stuff that is my insurance and it's killing me. I've got a stack that goes up 18 inches for 3 policies. I'm now leaning on the PPO through BC. I've got one month to finalize, so all is well.

Life is far different then it has ever been in my life!

In addition, I'm so tired that it's crazy!

First Day at Work

Well in 7.5 hours I'm starting to work, well going through orientation to be truthful. I of course procrastinated on the paperwork, as I do. And I'm confused by the California tax stuff. This is due to them asking me questions about my last tax year, and I've made $0 in California, so I do not see how that applies to me. Therein, I'll chat with the HR peeps tomorrow morning.

This new thing in my life is the best and brightest, however it's a little stressful. I'll be implementing myself into a true work environment. So let me count it off;

1. I've got the best girl I've ever known, who ventured out west with me...omg
2. I've gotten nearly 100% through my thesis and have little left to do so that I've earned a Masters in Science with focus in Packaging
3. I've landed a full-time job with a big wig company, that is very good to me!
4. I've found a wonderful place to live, with much goodness about it!
5. I feel at peace at at home, wherever I am...due to my fellowship.

What makes my life so good? As kooky as it sounds, it is God as I understand him! I have no locked in definition so that anybody from Malik, to Carol, to David, believes in the same principles as I do. So unity stands, Amen!

Thank you to all that have assisted me in bettering my life!

Go Green, Go White, Go Spartans!

Packaging Changes

Well we live in a world where packaging is designed for cost reduction. This reduction of costs is fully ineffective at developing loyalty to brands, which costs the business money. I'm totally confused by this problem, it is fully possible to change.

Imagine you buy a new discman, what do you get. It seems they make the package in a way that you need a sharp knife or utility scissors. Opening it you can actually break it. It's sad that many packages are done this way. I could not imagine opening these packages as a elder person who is arthritic. Disabilities make packaging even more difficult, even if it's easy to open.

Arthritis is the #1 disability in America, ands statistics on it are flat out scary. Many packages seem to be difficult to open and it's not understandable to me as to why it is like this. Considering I am a packaging engineer, I've got some know how. I've got a Bachelors and Masters in Science with focus on Packaging Engineering and I love the thought of making packages easier to open and use.

I'm just writing this so that people that read it take note that there are engineers out there who favor pleasing you! So start calling, writing, switch brands based on packaging. This happens all the time, and the consumer is the force. It is amazing that the companies don't see it the way that I do, but I partially understand. Reduction in overhead costs is one of the reason packaging people get hired all the time and are paid well. I do believe it's possible to change the packaging in a good way and still reduce costs.

Difficulties

Well Alison and I are finalizing our home. It doesn't need much more work at all, thank God! However, the mood is shifting and I wish I wasn't getting crappy attitude from the significant other as the first day of work approaches. It only strikes fear into me, and this is my way of letting it go! It just sucks to have somebody start to not feel well at this particular moment. Of course there is hormonal reasoning behind it, but hey.

All I know is I do not want to hear anything regarding a practicing alcoholics life, it's just frustrating. I guess there are many people in this position in life, but whatever. If she wants to talk about it, there's a place she can go!

God only knows what there is to do at this moment, and I cannot wait till I find out!

Spartan Pride

Well, I know nothing about University of Alabama- Birmingham but we reamed them, and reamed them well! We had as many penalties in the game as we would have in a quarter last season. I hate to admit it but they made me so damn proud to be a Spartan that I nearly could have cried...due to excessive joys!

To top it off, University of Michigan was pretty pathetic. They lost to a MAC team, or something like that. They lost to a team that isn't even in a division of the quality that the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, PAC 10, etc., etc., etc. So their patheticism makes me quite happy!

Expectations are apparently incorrect for the BCS! That better drop them GREATLY in the rankings!

Michigan State University

I'm getting my boys running over UAB on ESPN2 and that moves me like a dimwit. I cannot believe that these football players are moving me. I wonder if I'll always be like this!