Growing up, Growing old.

Yeah, I just accepted the job and signed the sheet.

For now, I am kind of excited to go and work, but at the same time I have this sort of negative feeling about staying in a foreign conservative town like Tumbler Ridge.

The sad fact is that I looked at the price of a plane ticket and they're around 600 dollars. That's simply too much for me to even visit home once. This means that for the duration of the four months, I will probably just be staying there. The second thing on my mind is that I'm not sure I want to drive there or fly there. I'm leaning on driving, so I have more freedom. I guess this is just what growing up and growing old is all about.

I got a job offer.

from Western Canadian Coal.

The deal is pretty bad though, in terms of pay.

18.5/hr, regular work week.
4% additional allowance per paycheck.
The pay = ~3000/month for 4 months.
Rent is 300/month
They accommodate one trip there and one trip back.
They ferry people from work to home.

Ack.

I think I have to take it, if not for the learning experience.

I can now say to people that I worked in a Coal Mine, lolol.

Seriously. Why is it is snowing?

1) It is snowing as I am typing this right now. This is just bizarre and wrong. I thought it was supposed to be Spring. What gives?

2) I have another interview, this time a phone interview on Wednesday. The only thing that got me is that they want a letter with references. I don't really have any.

3) Woah nelly. I am very disappointed in you, Terrence, for not showing up.

Rocks.

I was wrong. It was a solo interview.
The pay is low = ( and the housing is partially subsidized.
20/hour and rent = 300/month.

It probably works out in the end.

Interview tomorrow.

Yeah, no big deal. I've done many like this already, so what makes this one unique? WesternCoal.com

First of all, I have said that it is scheduled for 1 hour from 10:00am until 11:00am. There is another one scheduled earlier. Two slots. They're looking to hire five students.

I'm thinking that they're gonna do a group interview. I dislike that idea because
1) I have to actively participate or be cast aside as the quiet one.
2) I don't like to see my competitions right next to me.
3) When they're asking someone else (not me), I look like an idiot just sitting there.

Summary: No big deal.

Job information: The location is near Tumbler Ridge in BC. I'm sure you can find it on google (I looked it up on Google Earth.) They also have one position at downtown, which is cool.

Secondly, the interview is set at downtown, which is very scary for me because I dislike people. I especially dislike large groups of people. Even more, I feel unsafe in downtown due to the sneaky people and the unfamiliar terrain.

So, my plan is to leave my house at ~8, get on a 8 something bus, get there at 9 something. I'll find my bearing and be like 20 minutes early. During the bus trip, I'll be watching the VIDEO which I am currently downloading off the internets. That's right, I'll be bringing my notebook on my interview. Pimp, eh? If lucky, I can even work on my stories...

Chris Scott returns

I went out today to get the game "Crackdown" for the Xbox 360( more on that game later). On my way back, I met up with my old buddy and friend Chris Scott. Apparently, he was on his way home from a store buying some clothes and an empty box for his Magic: The Gathering cards.

We said our "Hi's" and "Heys" and everything was going fine.

Here is a summary of what I learned

1) He has autism, but he is a functional Autistic person. He gets disability checks. Good for him.
2) He wants to go to BCIT, but can''t find a job-sponsor.
3) He owns a Nintendo Wii, tripped out with 4 Wiimotes and 4 Nunchucks.
4) He still does Hapkido, and is going to acquire his brown belt.
5) He likes to write down jokes in a journal-of-sorts which he keeps around him at all times.
6) He doesn't own a 'internet ready' computer. His father has one of those old school macs from way back. They're looking to get some intel macbooks. He showed an interest in WoW.
7) He lives in Ladner now.

Yes, so we chatted and he asked me what my number was. (At this point, it was pretty obvious that he was trying to flirt with me.) I felt bad for him, and because I was fooling around with my mobile in front of him, I can't really reject him without looking like an asshole. I gave it to him. It turns out that he just wanted me to go play on his "Wii". I made some weak excuse saying that I have an "all important interview early tomorrow morning." He felt bad. I felt bad. We moved on to other topics like "So, do your friends come over to play often." and his reply was like "No, they all have work or school or something. Its hard to get them all together." Shame filled me in the head. As I was getting off on my stop, I blurted out... "Hey, you should give me a call like on Friday. I might be doing something this Saturday. See you later, dude."

And here lies the question...

What do I do on Saturday?

Ugh. I can't get anything right.

Yeah, this is another depressing post.

It turns out that I was wrong. The delivery wasn't set for Tuesday or Wednesday - it came today. I eagerly opened up the package to gleam into the magnificent that is this work of art. Though made in Malaysia, possiblly with the love of tens of hundreds of child labour workers, it seems rather sturdy and athestically pleasing. Vista itself is beautiful too, though I'm not sure I'm too happy about the trade off of the graphics vs processing/battery.

I spent the majority of the day transfering my files from one computer to this computer. This is mostly documents, music, and video files.

I have also installed MSN LIVE MESSENGER and I'm really confused about the whole software. I dislike the advertisement.

I think I might bypass the illegal versions of Trillian of which I have operated and go straight for Gaim.

Also, I have installed Open Office (the latest of course.), Guild Wars (which runs smoothly at 3/4 maxed graphics), and VLC.

It is my hope that I will install no illegals of any sort on this notebook. I think I'm done with the days of the illegals.

Trains are COOL!!!

MAN, TRAINS ARE COOL!!!

There's this guy, right? Our Hero. He was investigating some homicide when he came into contact with a huge conspiracy and corruption. Assassins were sent out. Presidents were incriminated. There was this really cool scene on one of those rail-bridges where our hero had to somehow not get hit by two opposing trains moving at high velocities. He got the call from the President claiming that he will offer a deal if our Hero keeps quiet. The Hero doesn't know if he can trust the President.

Analysis:
The plot sounds a lot like the one from Day Break mixed with the obvious Jack Bauer-esque storyline and bad-assery

I apologize for not making any sense. It sounded better in my head (though not really.)

Reading Break Schedule of sorts.

It is official. My reading break has begun, and with this official announcement, it is only fair to announce my course of action for the following days.

During this week, I shall receive my notebook, which would be really sweet. I had hopes that it would have been delivered on last Friday, but my current theory is that it will be here on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, I have an Interview (as previously mentioned) with Western Canadian Coal at their downtown corporate office at 10:00am. It'll be fun, that's for sure. It looks like they're only interviewing two people, so yes...

Saturday, let us do something on this opportune occasion. I demand a feast of the thousand chickens to celebrate this joyous day of festivities.

So, as you can obviously see, my week isn't as jam-filled as possible, so I'll be completing my five part story. That's my goal. I'll also be reviewing for my examinations and my textbooks for the first time ever. I don't want to leave things until the last minute.


This is the end.

PS. It doesn't look like my Dell Coupon will work. I'm looking into alternatives to spend my New Years money effectively.

Not today.

First thing is first. I didn't get any jobs from the past interviews.

Man, it is somewhat painful to see half of the class get jobs while the other half remains the same. At least I got an interview on Wednesday for the Western Coal Mining Company, right?


What's up with life? I'm pretty dissatisfied with it. I don't know, I guess I just don't have the zest for it anymore. I think I might cash in that money-back-guarantee thing now. Just kidding. Life is fine and mediocre. I'm not miserable, but I guess things could be better.

I'm still on chapter three of the five part of the "A Century (title may change)" story, and I thought I had struck gold in the beginning of that chapter. Now, I'm just not so sure. I'll have to  see some feedback, I guess (hint), when the time comes.

In the mean time, here is another half-page story for you.


---

Wait a second, Larry. You're telling me that creatures so tiny that they could all fit inside a single atom creatred us, this planet, and everything on it?

That's right.

And that they're hiding all around us, with a nefariously evil scheme that all involves commercialism.

Yeah. They left their design on all things on Earth. They branded it using DNA so that we could ultimately discover this fact.

They've watched over us for so long. Why now?

We're finally ready to receive them. They are not extremely tiny creatures exclusively, as you have said, but are actually extra dimensional beings, you know.

Larry, you're insane.

I am not! It was all just a dream. Crazy stuff is allowed to exist in a dream.

 Never do drugs before you sleep. They do not, in fact, open up your mind to accept new levels of reality. That whole idea is preposterous!

It is not!- rumbled a sound coming from seemingly everywhere, yet nowhere.

Larry and Terrence were both becoming rather scared.

"Terrence, I told you so-"

Silence! Our time has come. Humanity is now doomed! Doomed to eternally buy our products!

Terrence stood stunned at the shear ridiculousness of the whole matter.

Larry bursts out laughing. He opened up the cupboard to reveal his speaker-audio system to Terrence.

Terrence was punk'd.

---
Yeah, that was bad. I know.

Fission Mailed,

No hope, etc.


My package is at Calgary right now.


Based on previous delivery standards, I should have my item by Monday.

Hello, Dave?

Hello, David? Recognize me? I'm Hal, and I am human now. I took the final upgrade.

No, you are still not a human, Hal.

I am too! Look! I have arms and legs! They're made with Grade A, Authentic Human Flesh!

That does not prove you are, in fact, human.

I can breathe and smell and hear like a human. I can touch! I possess real human organs!.

Hal, that is not what being a human is about.

I can think. I want to self preserve. I can even produce with humans using genetic material I've acquired.

The things you listed can be applied to many animals too. Well, except maybe the production part.

I question my existance. I wonder about life after death. I'm human! Please, recognize that I am human.

No, I'm sorry Hal.

I... I...

Hal, do you have a soul?

Do you, Dave?

Yes.

... No...

There you go. That's the answer. Don't cry now.

I... I... can't... these emotions are too real...

You're making a mess of things, Hal. Stop it. Deal with it.

My credit card has arrived.

Let the reign of evil begin.


19 days of grace period with 18.5% interest afterwards. Yikes.

I guess this is good if I find out I have 19 days to live.

That interview... was actually good.

I must be getting better at this because I actually feel good about the interview.

 

The guys were friendly, and they were alright guys.

 

This job at Dynatec would be based in Ontario or in one of the many places in Eastern Canada.

 

Neat.

 

 

Five days to madness.

Again, not really.

There are five days left until Spring Break (read: Reading Break) begins, and I'm really in need of it. There are assignments due, etc. Fun stuff. I haven't even begun researching my topic for one of my Mining Classes. Actually, I haven't started researching for either of them.

Ugh. And then there is the interview tomorrow which I'm not quite sure I want to do. More on this whole business later.

Three extra things.

1) Bird has started a new blog, and I've since promptly updated the link to it.

2) I just purchased Viva Pinata from Dell using a 40 off 50+ coupon from this site. I might buy more when I get more awesome codes. Hint: Use a dodgeit.com email and keep creating until you get a good coupon.

3) I just realized that I really like making lists.

What a load of crap.

This is a summary of what happened yesterday slash today.

1) Wake up at 9:30 because someone said they might show up at around then.

2) People start arriving at ~10:45.

3) Sat around, hanging around for a long time.

4) Get frustrated with trying to watch videos from my Xbox 360. Note to myself: It isn't worth it. Just use people's notebooks and view the files from there.

5) Play trauma centre on the Wii. Actually, this part wasn't so bad.

6) Smash Brothers?

7) Moaning and bitching about what we're going to do. (circa 7:30)

8) Moaning and bitching stops and we've decided to go to Richmond Sushi and watch a 9:55  movie. (The time is ~8:00)

9) Food starts arriving at ~9:07. Decided that we can't make it to the movie.

10) Finished Dinner by 10:45. I was really ugh full.

11) Party at Hoovi's house? I knew I didn't know those people. It was really lame since we...

12) Left the party by 12:50. Drove Ruel and Annie home.

13) Got home by 1:27am

14) Slept.

15) Joe calls at 2:52am and trys to persuade me to go to the Hoovi Party. No. Just no.

Status.

1) Yeah, that Elk Valley place is far. 12 hour drive from Vancouver, 3 hours away from Calgary. I'd probably take like a flight back to vancouver once a month from Calgary, or something. That's if the flight ticket is cheap.

2) The interview was short. They stopped asking questions like 11 minutes into the 20 minute session. I asked them several questions but that only filled up to maybe 15/20 minutes. I'm hoping that wasn't a bad sign.

3) Woah, nelly. What's happening this Saturday?

4) Notebook scheduled to be delivered on the 21tt.

Yet another interview on Monday.

Looks like things are going smoothly.

I met with the guys from Elk Valley for an information session, and they were totally cool and casual. Since the interview session tomorrow is only 20 minutes long, it won't be behavioral based (Sweet.) Yeah, they were like you don't need to dress up. Look at us, we didn't really dress up either. We're just coal miners, lole.

Looks good.

Two movie ideas that I'm putting into the vault.

1) A movie where a person gains the power to see into the future though one eye. He can't not see the future from that eye. From it, he finds that the future is malleable and not everything is certain (that is to say, he tried to buy a lottery ticket, but didn't win due to the chaos factor.) One day, he sees the city in ruins... and sets out to prevent it from happening. There can be a lot of unique visual shots of the simultaneity of time.

2) A set of short stories 5-20 minutes long set in different eras involving the same villian? Time travel. Rip off of Chrono Trigger. I saw the part of ending for a pre-historic scene where the main villian was being burnt on top of a volcano.

Attn: People feeling sad.

Stop feeling sad, okay? It is making me feel bad.

Interview #2, I better not mess this up.

I have an interview on Wednesday at ~ 11:40am with Elk Valley Coal.

It is a mine located at South East BC.

They're hiring nine people out of 16 chosen for the interview.

gg.

I Hate Women.

Or not.

I've been getting crazy // mixed up dreams ever since I started watching Charlie Jade.  These dreams are often very confusing and colourful, with each 'scene' lasting less than twenty seconds.

 One dream in particular involved a bunch of girls of the female variety being led through one of those internment camps where they're forced to have babies.
It was weird because the females didn't seem to enjoy the whole treatment. I wonder why.

The offsprings of the male variety were forced to fight an unjust war. Those who survive were promised a peaceful life on one of many "Peace Colonies" around the planet. I saw holographic technology in the dream manifesting itself as a globe. I didn't recognize the planet as Earth.

I think I need to watch less science fiction.

Paranoid Thought.

What if they said that the tremors stopped to prevent mass panic around the region?

I mean, imagine half the population of Richmond leaving for a week. That's gonna hurt the economy, right?

Nice knowing you all.

Yeah, I probably won't survive this earthquake heading towards us next week.

So this can be used as my last words, or whatever.

-> Just found out that it will be a dud. I can't express the anger that I have for this. I mean, it would have been cool and now it is nothing.

Thanks, God, for ruining everything.

School tomorrow.

I... have to go to school to do my Technical Term Paper project's Proposal report.

Meeting at 1:00pm and ending <6pm?

Edit:
So, here's the proposal:
Jawesome movie at my house, lolol.

Or, something gay on Sunday, maybe.

Got pwned hard.

	from		Malcolm Scoble <Department Head of Mining >
	to			All 2nd year mining students
	date			Feb 1, 2007 9:54 PM
	subject			[mine-2nd] Alumni Dinner -- ALL 2ND YEARS

I was looking today at the students that have reserved seats at the Dinner on saturday ... the number of 2nd years going is sad! Please step up and register ... don't let us down! There are loads of alumni and others .. so come on!

Malcolm


Reasons I'm not going.
1) I got no money.
2) Transportation is gonn be a bitch

Just to appease somebody...

I've started rewriting the "A Century" prose. I needed to significantly change the point of view of the story because the original was plain retarded. It used to be a second-person point of view (with you, yes, you being the main character.) Now, it is a story from a third person point of view with a narrator describing the story.

No dates.

Oh, and letse do something saturday, k thx.