Here I am...

Well it's been a while, hasn't it? As with every other journal-type thing I've attempted in my life, I start strong and then neglect to write for long periods of time after. I kept trying to sit down and update this blog, but all I could think about was how much I needed to write, to get caught up. So much to cover. Then I'd just feel overwhelmed and decide not to write anything at all...

Today I'll try to briefly say what all has happened over the last year, since my last post. I don't want to sit here and write hundreds of words. I don't want to fill the page with my babbling, but I'll summarize the major points and maybe I'll elaborate in later posts.

The Texas thing didn't work out at all as planned. That was a huge disaster. I'll go more into it later, I really don't feel like getting into it right now. Long story short, it was hot and humid, couldn't manage to snag a job, the freeway system there is a joke, I missed my family and friends terribly, and I just plain HATED it there. It was the farthest away I've ever lived from the Pacific Ocean and it made me crazy. Then the worst thing happened. The man I've loved more than anyone else in my entire life died. My dad. He was in Portland and I was in Austin, and it destroyed me.

I flew home to help with the arrangements, and to spread Dad's ashes with my brother. While I was back, I called Rob and said I couldn't continue living in Austin. Portland was home and it was where I needed to be. So a few weeks later we packed everything up and drove back. Got a 2 bedroom apartment and my brother moved in with us. Neither Rob or I could find jobs. James was working but his contract with NW Natural ended in October. Before we knew it all 3 of us were unemployed and going stir crazy.

I decided to go back to Lodi (technically Clements) and stay with Meghan for a while to get away, and help her around the house through the end of her pregnancy. I was there almost exactly 6 weeks, celebrated Christmas and New Years with them, and welcomed Tony Silva the 4th on December 29th. While I was there, Rob and I broke up over the phone. We had been together for 3 years, but realized we were trying to force something that just wasn't working out. We both wanted different things from each other that neither of us could provide. I still love him, and I'm sure he still loves me, but it just won't work with us. The lease we signed after returning to Portland (Beaverton actually) wasn't up until the end of August, and being unemployed, we were forced to live together even though we broke up. How 'bout that? Living with an ex for almost another year after the break up. Ugh. For the most part it was fine, but we definitely had some rough days. He finally managed to get a good job, working for Clearwire, but James and I were still having no luck.

Tried some PA work at Bent Image Lab, that lasted about 2 weeks. That was a joke and a half. Scored a job teaching Flash at ITT Tech, which was initially really exciting, but quickly turned into more than I was prepared for. I ended up quitting a quarter of the way into the term, which wasn't a good thing to do, but apparently they were understanding. I got an invite to come back and teach at any time. After three grueling interviews, I was finally hired to work at the Apple Store in Washington Square Mall. I had heard rumors about Laika starting up again, but didn't know when it would happen, and wasn't holding my breath. So I started training at Apple, with open availability and the desire to work as many hours as possible... Then I randomly got a call from Laika, to come work in the Face Library on Paranorman. I felt like an ass hole, telling Apple that I was all theirs, and that I wouldn't take off and go back to Laika. But how could I pass up the opportunity to go back? And have benefits effective immediately? And a decent (but less than I hoped for) wage? And guaranteed work for at least 2 years -probably longer? I couldn't. So I told Apple I'd be available weekends only, and as of August 9th, 2010 I had 2 jobs (Yep, I started back at Laika on 8/9/10... pretty cool).

So that brings everything current. I still managed to write more than I wanted, but at least I got it all off my chest. Oh yeah, and I moved into my own apartment about 2 weeks ago. August 15th to be exact. I love being independent again, and Fiz is much happier. My place is nice and spacious, and well lit... Lots of windows. But I have to re-acquire furniture. That's what sucks. And I'm still broke from having no job for so long. So I guess I'll be getting things as I can, here and there. First purchase will be a couch. Yessss...

Alrighty then. I'm done with this post. I'll aim for another tomorrow, maybe go into detail about some things. I feel like I need to tell what happened with Dad, document the whole experience. I think it might be therapeutic. It'll be very difficult, but it'll be good for me.

Till then...