Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Mommy! We miss you! Love, Suki and Kora.

The girls just came back from a walk with Auntie Katy. She said they were well behaved but didn't find any eggs. But it's okay because there are lots of treats waiting for them in the cupboard.

Happy Easter Sarah!

7th day

Got called in for seventh day at work today. I'll be running Video at elecTRONica tonight and got up to start getting ready for work. I let the girls know that I'd be rolling in some good money today and I think it went to their head.

I got out of the shower and found they were ready to start celebrating.


I don't think they understand that I'm keeping the money for me.

Yay, I finally had a day off. I did my typical celebration by cooking a steak and enjoying a glass (or two) (or three) of some Mondavi Pinot Noir.

The girls just ate dinner and got the bits of steak fat with their yummy, crunchy food. They thoroughly enjoyed licking their dish bowls long after the food was gone. I will not however be sharing the wine with them, even if Suki does seem to think staring me down will work.

Kora has decided to play it aloof and watch tv instead. Big Bang Theory was hilarious and is saved on the DVR for Sarah's return. I'm wondering if it may be a good idea to plan a welcome home party. If only I knew the details of her return... Hmmm. I'll just keep that idea on the back burner for now.

But in the mean time, I have some arts and crafts planned for tonight. Plus, some experimenting with lighting in the living room may be in store.

Finally

Well, it finally happened. We went for this long, but Kora finally left a little gift for you Sarah.  I cleaned it up, but the picture is yours to cherish.

Katy should be by today again to walk the dogs and they got a dose of dental spray again so they are fresh for her. For now, I'm enjoying my first day off with a shot of tequila and a warm cozy bed.

Just another day

I think doggie training is going pretty well. The girls are learning to be more independent every day. Today Suki decided to sunbathe. She's got a nice tan going and I'm asking her for tips but she's being rather immature by not sharing. (Teenagers!) We spent some time just birdwatching and then we got scared off by some bees so we retreated inside.

That's where we found Kora who has recently learned to read. She was enjoying a first edition Hardy Boys mystery and didn't even bother to look away for the picture I took. It really is a good read. She took advantage of the quiet house since Henry was taking off for work.

Well, it's treadmill time. Got to keep my fitbit stats up. Hope you're having a blast Sarah! Can't wait for stories. Hope you're keeping a journal or blog somewhere you can publish when you get home. Otherwise, you're welcome to all my scrapbooking tools. :-)

Miss ya! The girls say hello and Henry promised to do dishes sometime this week.

Bath Pics from yesterday

Well they survived the bath. Got some fun pics that I posted to Google Plus. I also discovered the dental spray in the cupboard when I went to give them treats. They smell better than ever. But they still didn't hesitate to jump into my bed when I came home this morning. So I think all is forgiven.

It may have a lot to do with the tequila shots I took and curling up on the couch with them. We learned a new trick too. When I lay face down and they lay at my feet, I can keep playing angry birds space and still nuzzle them with my feet. They seem to enjoy that. Multi-tasking win!

Lazy day

Just chilling at home today, work late tonight on the maintenance shift. But the girls are snuggled up on the couch watching TV with me. They're getting a bit stinky, I'm thinking they need a bath... good thing the bathroom outlet works, now I can blow dry them before letting them loose.

Suki and Kora watch, day two

I'm dog sitting for me awesomeist (patent pending on that word) roommate ever, Sarah. Suki and Kora  are absolutely adorable and because I know Sarah misses them while she's out exploring the world, I started blogging again so she can see them. Currently, all three of us are sunbathing in the backyard. Yesterdays rain left a gorgeous blue sky that I couldn't resist enjoying. (Yes, even I, the real vampire slayer who loves the night sky, decided to sunbathe).

Right now, Suki is by my side and Kora is chasing flies. Making today even more enjoyable. The next door neighbors just acquired a new dog and every once in a while it ventures near the bordering fence which intrigues us all. She's a tiny, little black ball of fur and I think the neighbors named her Roxie. I heard someone shouting that name a little while ago and it was confusing for me,

Well, I'm going to return to reading (computer networking) in the sun. Maintenance shift tonight which means the dogs will sleep all night while I'm gone and want to be played with when I get home in the morning. They were kind enough to wake me at 11am today so I could enjoy the sun.

Oh, and Tuttle returned today. He brought me a shot glass for my collection. He's on his way to see Emily, his girlfriend. She was in a little car accident this morning. Her car is done for, but she's OK. Slight neck injury, but she assured Tuttle she will be okay.

I am super excited to hear all about Sarah's adventures when she returns April 16th. I'll update as she's gone so she can check in as she pleases without being pestered by me. Later!!!!

Project Newcastle

So its my second day living in the new place with Baby Scheie and the Tuttle. So far so good. Didn't sleep well since I was using an air mattress that leaks slowly. By 6:30am I was pretty much just sleeping on the hard wood floor.

I'm gonna have to get used to the dogs. Cora and Sookie are adorable, but they're still a bit edgy around new people. Took a midnite trip to the loo and woke them up. That meant they needed to start sniffing around my bedroom door which spooked me a little. So I let them in and have a look around and that seemed to help. 

But the whole uncomfy sleep thing is really taking its toll on me tonight at work. Barely able to keep my eyes open thru show one. Hopefully I'll fare better this next show, finish moving in the next few days, then get on a regular sleep schedule again.

Last night me and Baby Scheie came up with a fun photo project to do, I'll post pics here and on my Flickr a account when it gets started.

Social media whore

Hi, my name is Roxanne, and I'm a social media whore.

I blog
Why?
Because it fills the boredom. Haven't you ever been alone and just wished you had someone you could rant to? Well I do! And instead of calling up someone at 1:35 am (the current time), I turn to the web and you (the reader... if anyone still reads this poorly updated blog).

I tweet
Why?
It all started with a friend that moved away. @skinnylycan decided to up and leave me to go back to school... I know! right? Anyways, he left and created a twitter account, and I figured it would be a great way to let him know I missed him by creating an account just to follow him.

then I started following twitter accounts that were for a good cause...
then I started following celebrities...
then I started following other friends who created accounts...
then I started taunting mice chatters who were obsessed with my job...

then I just started tweeting random thoughts and following people I saw mentioned on television... i.e. @chrismacho from the wheat thins commercial.


I also do the whole Facebook thing
Why?
Cuz it's fun, I'm busy and like to know that my best friend's little girl just started pre-school. The photo is cute. I don't care if people think it's cool to NOT be on Facebook. I happen to care what everyone else is doing with their life because my life tends to be sleep, work, sleep, work, sleep, work... etc.


I used to do the MySpace thing.
Why?
I didn't delete mine because it was the cool thing to do. I deleted it because it was tiring trying to follow both MySpace and Facebook at the same time. I basically jumped ship to save time.

I foursquare.
Why?
Because I'm mayor of my coffee bean and it's saved me money at some places from time to time. If someone decided to gps stalk me, go ahead. I always carry a knife on me! :-) You've been warned.


Ok, to sum up. I'm a social media whore. Do I deserve a massive number of followers? No. Probably not. But if you're bored and just want a timeline of updates to read... follow @roxietech on twitter and don't complain when all you see are my Facebook, cnn, foursquare and other random updates filling your screen.
Thanks
Roxanne

Xoom

I love the android platform. It's great. Only issue I have right now is the protected file format from songs bought from iTunes. I am currently converting a batch of the files to standard MP3 format so I can dump the music on my brand new Motorola Xoom.

Plus I dumped a bunch of old ripped movies to it so I can take it on the go.

I always thought the iPads and tablets wouldn't be for me. I figured, if I traveled more I'd get one. Turns out I was wrong.

My little droid tablet keeps me company at work while I'm waiting for my turn to do light checks, or when I'm waiting for the stage manager to get the SMPTE checks done. I love angry birds in 10" screen!

So much for efficiency...

Root

Just rooted my Evo4G phone tonight using new usb drivers and unrevoked 3. I thought that would be a radical change to my phone, but it wasn't took some extra snooping to actually verify that my phone was rooted.

I downloaded Titanium Backup and started uninstalling the mandatory apps that Sprint forced on me. It's actually so wonderful having full control over the phone I own.

I don't know why phone companies think that users will be happy with forced apps installed on phones. I really don't care about NascarTV and SprintTV (the latter of which crashed constantly before I ditched it).

Horrible

I'm horrible at updating this. I've said that already.

I'm also horrible at updating my 365 project. I take pictures every day, I love my camera. But why is it so horrible that I can't remember the simple task of uploading that stuff?

Ugh!
http://365project.org/roxietech/365

and I even pay for the pro flickr account. http://www.flickr.com/photos/teksalot/

Roxanne

HSTF 2011

Today Zach and I hosted a workshop at the Fullerton College High School Theater Festival. It was a great day, hoped we helped some high school techs figure out where they're heading. Wish I had someone answering those questions for me when I was their age.

Ok, time to kick back and relax with what ever is left on my DVR then back to reading.

March 5th

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Turned 33 today, feeling great. Enjoying my life, living on my own with a job I love.

I feel a bit saddened though by the thought that I still don't know which direction I'm heading in. Every day I think about what my life will be like 10 years down the road and I can't see it clearly.

I'm thinking about starting a class in networking. I know that definitely will play a part in my career. But if I do focus on that, will it be networking for lighting? Video? Automation? Major show installs? Will I still be at Disney?

Ok, back to my favorite episode of Firefly. Finishing my glass of wine then off to bed after a long night at maintenance work.

Immigration Law

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise. Benjamin Franklin



Lately I have been having an argument with a co-worker on the immigration laws established by Arizona. It's very difficult for me, as a hispanic american, who doesn't speak spanish, and is having a hard time finding a cultural link to my mexican heritage.

My family has been in this country so long, it's like I might as well be my own nationality. White, but not white skinned. Or a "coconut" as my sister calls us, brown on the outside, white on the inside. I have so many instances where people walk up to me, and immediately start speaking spanish, assuming that I am spanish-speaking.

I wish I could just drop the argument, but my friend's only argument is "They're illegal, they broke the law entering the country, and that's that." Unfortunately, it's not that simple, and I can't quite get her to understand.

I keep reflecting on the movie Gattaca and the quote "Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." ~ Benjamin Franklin

My friend is willing to sacrifice her fourth amendment right to reasonable search and seizure when it comes to dealing with illegal immigrants. She would be willing to allow police to stop her whenever they wish, just to demand proof of citizenship. And not only is she willing to give up her freedom, but mine and yours as well.

For her, it's more important that a person who came to the United States illegally be arrested and deported, than keep the peace at home and avoid the idea of a police-state where we are constantly dealing with the roving drones who demand proof that we are law-abiding citizens.

I pitched a scenario of a legal US citizen walking down the street and is legally harassed by the police. She argued she had been through the scenario already, accused of being a drug addict as she walked home. I wasn't able to continue the argument that the police could continue to harrass this "hypothetical" citizen, day after day after day, because she became quite angry that I refused to see her side. I didn't push the argument because I'd rather concede than lose a friend.

But what if...

If you were that person, harassed every day by the police. They show up wherever you are, at work, at home, on the street with friends, and demand you prove you're a legal citizen, and there's nothing you can do about it. That's what this law has done. It has provided an opening for a peace-officer to make your life a living hell without reason, and without cause. They have the ability to use their own subjective standard to judge you and stop you from going about your day....



The Fourth Amendment


The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.



I'm not arguing on behalf of illegal immigrants, I'm arguing for myself. I'm looking at the ability of a state government to take away my constitutional right and acting as an American who adores her freedom.

As for my opening quote from Benjamin Franklin, if there is any argument that could sway me from giving up my freedoms, I haven't heard them. I've only heard one argument used over and over again, but it's still not enough to give up what our ancestors fought to create and protect. There has to be a better way to secure our country without compromising our best trait.

Atheist Resurgence

Atheist resurgence

I find the coverage of religion and atheism is on the rise with CNN because of their comment pages becoming so popular. But the funny part is the same old, tired, arguments being used over and over again.

1. Atheists are immoral

Why do people believe that? What is it about me that is so immoral? I have never killed anyone. I have never been arrested. I don't cheat on my taxes. I care about my family (sans my sister who has yet to learn how to respect me). I don't abuse animals. I care about the environment.

2. Atheists worship Satan

How can we believe in Satan when we don't believe in God? We don't believe in the Bible as a literal history.

3. Atheists are incapable of committing an altruistic act

There's no such thing. Any time we do something good for someone or a cause, we get this funny little feeling called happiness. The only possible altruistic act would be to die to save another person. But even then, Christians look forward to going to heaven for this act. Therefore, they expect reward for doing good. Atheist's see no reward in death because there is no afterlife in which to revel for our achievements. Would I die to save another person's life? Yes. Do I hope that I ever have to? No.

4. Atheists are only pretending not to believe in god because it's a rebellious act.

Negative. I don't believe in god (or any other supernatural events/figures/gods/goddesses/etc.) because there is no proof. People love to cite the Bible (or other religious texts) as proof of god, but since all of them were written by humans it seems logical to conclude that god doesn't exist.

A Christian friend of mine, who was trying to convince me that the Bible has done miraculous works by converting pagans who sacrificed women and newborns to their pagan gods, argued that God intervenes by inspiring Christians to write these stories. This "reasoning" still doesn't count as proof. But it's a nice way of saying that Christianity was trying to do good and maybe we should learn that killing babies and women as sacrifice to pagan gods is bad. But all kids have to grow up and learn that Santa doesn't exist. They're stories made up by our parents to teach us right from wrong. Which goes back to argument number one. We don't gain our morals from god, we learn them from our culture and parents.

(Click the culture link to see how Japan has become the target of outrage because of simulate rape games)


So my point is, apologetics are tired and old. The world isn't flat , atheists are not the largest number of criminals, and I look forward to reading anyone's truly well thought out arguments that can make me think.

Until then, I am an atheist. I am an American. I am a law-abiding citizen.

I fought authority and authority always wins

woc 123
Originally uploaded by teksalot

Well they win sometimes. If you ever have the pleasure of working with Russ Ketteringham, here's a fun list of ways to annoy and pester him at work.

10. Turn his cap sideways

9. Take lots of pictures of him, especially when he fumbling with his iTouch

8. Constantly point out the fact that he "should have taken that cruise ship vacation when it was cheaper."

7. Hide his life vest.

6. Sing songs his 4 year old son loves, knowing fully well that he'll get them stuck in his head.

5. Wait until you know he's just about to tell you to get back to work, then start saying "No" over and over again until he sighs or tries to throw you down a flight of stairs. (True story)

4. Wait until you see Chuck coming your way, then leave him to deal with the boss all alone.

3. Start and end the day by saying "No me gusta" then refuse to accept his battered spanglish.

2. Laugh at his old pics and call him a hippy.

1. And the number one way to bug him.... post a blog and share with everyone!

Enjoy!

Grandpa's Bday 095

Grandpa's Bday 095
Originally uploaded by teksalot

This is my grandfather, Ramon Rosas. He is 95 years old, and suffered from a stroke last night. One of the most stubborn people in our family, especially when it comes to relaxing. He still works for Boeing, and even learned how to use computers just so he wouldn't have to retire.

Needless to say, sitting in a hospital room right now and being forced to rest is what's killing him. He was changing the engine on his beloved 1970's era ford pick-up when my aunt saw him, put his tools down, then kneel and lay down. She ran to him and his slurred speech prompted her to call 911.

My father visited him this morning and as expected my grandpa was furious. He hates being so dependent on other people and he absolutely hated having people see him in this condition. I decided not to go and instead fix my halloween lights that burned out.

I think I won't visit him for a few days, I know that if this happened to me, I wouldn't want people to see me like that either. And considering he has come so far, and they expect him to recover, I don't think I'll be losing him soon. And if I do, I'd rather not have my last memory of him be in such a bad condition. My last memory of my grandmother struggling to breathe was enough to make me never smoke again.

Las Vegas Bachelorette Weekend

Andrea's Bachelorette Weekend 013
Originally uploaded by teksalot

Las Vegas was awesome! Despite the blisters from wearing unfriendly, but very cute, high heels, we had a great time. I learned going to Vegas with nothing but girls is great for getting into clubs for free. In fact, several of us girls on WOC (world of color) are planning a celebratory Vegas trip after the show opens.

As for the picture, we at Stack the first night. I snapped a pic right before I ate this little spicy crab appetizer. It was so amazing! I wanted to just order a large one as a meal, but it wasn't the only thing we had on the table so...

Anyways, the food was great. We wound up at Revolutions and then Jet afterwards for more drinks and dancing. Bottle service at Jet was wonderful. Like my friend Corrine said, once you do bottle service, you'll never want anything else at a club again. It's so nice having a reserved table and couch in the club for taking a break.

Anyhoos, that's it for now. I saw the Nightman Cometh at the Paladium last night, maybe if I'm not too lazy I'll blog that too.