Happy VD, everyone!

You may or may not know this about me, but I really loathe "Hallmark Holidays". Five years ago yesterday, I posted on Facebook how Stephen and I had wandered the greeting card section of Big Lots after taking a "nice weather" stroll in North Hollywood. What we did in the greeting card section of Big Lots was present each other with Valentine's Day cards so we wouldn't have to waste money actually buying "just the right one" to give each other on just another Hallmark Holiday.

Today, Stephen had the day off, so he did some laundry, wrote a bit, and puttered around the apartment a bit. I did not have the day off, so I went to work. Here's my Three Good Things for today, in no particular order:

1. First tour - two different "sets" of guests refused to let me "politely decline" their offers of gratuity. Honestly, it had been so long since I'd gotten tipped that I'd almost forgotten it's even a possibility. So, I am a Money Magnet, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
2. During my lunch break after my second tour, I discovered that one of my guests on that one had taken the arbitrary points I assign (everyone who takes my tour gets arbitrary points; it's just my way of getting my guests involved in the tour) and tried to use them as a discount in the gift shop. "My tour guide emelle told me I had 'x' number of points I could 'spend' in the gift shop". I have a pretty good feeling I know which guest it was; there was one guest who never interacted in the tour at all, so I wasn't sure if she was paying attention at all or why she had even bothered to take the Warner Bros. tour in the first place. Apparently, she was paying attention when it came time to figure out if she personally had any points (which only came at the end, when I awarded the bonus points). What makes all this a Good Thing is when management asked me about my "promise of a retail discount" to a guest, my explanation was accepted as this one person who could actually take that clearly joking sentiment and try to turn it into some tangible reward. It was funny. It's Good. I've stopped suggesting that the points I award in any way have any possible meaning or value. Some people; sheesh.
3. After I left work, I stopped at the convenience store where I buy my lottery tickets, to do just that, but also to check last week's tickets. I won thirteen bux! I am a Money Magnet, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Sweet!
4. My muscles were so sore today (after all the dancing yesterday), that my plan for my arrival at home was to have a long soak in a nice, hot bath. Stephen was watching the Star Trek reboot when I got home, though. No way was I not going to sit and watch it with him. Then we watched the Wrath of Khan reboot. I am grateful that JJ Abrams wanted to reboot tOS. I really like the new Kirk, Spock, et al. I'm happy to live in a multiverse where I can be a Trekkie who likes both tNG and tOS(redux). Yes, I am a Trekkie, not quite at the level of geek to call myself a Trekker. I never could handle the Original tOS. I like Shatner so much better, now that he's not Kirk.
5. I temporarily gave up wine (and chocolate) more than a week ago. My "plan" is to see if I can abstain from all alcohol for a month, and then decide if I want to abstain longer. I bought a bottle of our favorite red table blend wine today, just in case Stephen wanted a glass because of today's date. Also, I bought some coconut macaroons instead of our regular dark chocolate peanut butter cups. So we had "dessert" without having to open the bottle. He hasn't opened it, and neither have I. This is a Good Thing.

All in all, a Good Day. And I am enjoying posting these, even as I enjoy not celebrating Hallmark Holidays. What about you? Do my Three Good Things posts inspire you to write down your own Three Good Things, or at least be aware of Good Stuff in you life? And how do you feel about Hallmark Holidays? Did you "celebrate" VD?

Three Good Things (Week One)

Yeah, I'm not really trying to recap the week. I'm just surprised that I managed to post at least three good things, every day, for a whole week now. Here's Day Seven's Three:

1. Awoke early enough to give two good tours and work a six-hour shift. Also dropped Stephen off at work, with plans to pick him up at the end of the day so we could stay out for what has become our bi-weekly habit,
2. Ballroom dancing at the Granada Pavilion. Sure, the entry fee covers a dance lesson, semi-okay food, boxed (or Two-Buck Chuck) wine, and bad coffee, and then the general dancing hosts a crowd for whom the median age is 70-73, but it's pretty fun, especially if there are plenty of dance partners who realize you'll dance with 'em. The lesson tonight was okay, at first, but got pretty complicated right away, and so even though Stephen had a good handle on the first part and I had a good handle on the latter part, we just couldn't put the two parts together. So when we waltzed together later, during the general dancing bit, we went back to the center of the room and did the basic box that we both knew we knew. I, of course, danced as much as possible, with as many partners as I could, so now my feet hurt, but good.
3. Not listed chronologically nor ranked, I received my w-2 (finally) from the Bros. We've been curious all along why Stephen's employer has been taking so little in State taxes, but with this particular w-2, I realized that my employer had taken out very little in both State and Federal taxes, which means that our refund is not going to pay for more dance lessons. The good part of this "Good Thing" is that moving back to California has definitely, without a doubt, been a good decision, in that we both made a big chunk of change last year. Also, we don't owe any taxes. But we do need to make sure our employers take out enough throughout the year so we don't end up owing any taxes next year. Really all I can say about this is Thank God for Central Casting.

We. Are. Blessed. Also, I'm tired. I gotta get this proofed and published in the next fifteen minutes so it counts as "today", and then Git my Butt to Bed. G'Nite!

Three Good Things (Day Six)

1. Called in to the Bros. and they gave me an eight-hour shift. I was not expecting to be awake early enough to call in, but having changed the alarm from 6:30 to 7:30 has somehow made a huge difference in my ability to get up early and feel awake. So far, for two consecutive mornings, I have awakened prior to the alarm. What a lovely feeling.
2. Had three pretty good tours today, and informed a few new people about the end of my temp assignment. As part of the last two tours, I was able to drive by Midwest Street, which has been redressed as Stars Hollow, Connecticut. This is really only a big deal for someone who's a fan of Gilmore Girls. They had originally told us, once the four new Netflix episodes started shooting (this week), that we would have zero access to Midwest Street until they had completed shooting. As of today, we have minimal access, which means we are allowed to drive through without stopping, and NO ONE is allowed to take a single photograph of a single thing. The new four episodes take place in present day, so it's almost a decade since the original show ended. What that means is SPOILERS, so absolutely no photos (and also, I cannot speak a word of what I got to see today). I'm excited. I really hope I will have an opportunity to work the show, as either a background actor in town or possibly Paris' stand-in.
3. I'm booked for forty hours of tours with the possibility of overtime next week, and I'm booked for some background work on a show for which the 2nd Assistant Director requested me. This is by no means a "ranking" of Three Good Things, because if I were to "rank" today's Three Good Things, I would definitely rank this particular Good Thing as Number One. Typically, I list them chronologically as they happen in my day. I wonder if it would be better to rank them. I think not, simply because sometimes, they are all equally good. So just forget that idea. I'm not doin' it. I'm going to continue listing them chronologically. Done.
4. Not currently coughing. This is definitely a Good Thing. Going to go to bed at a reasonable hour again, and probably drink some more tea before I do that, with the cough drops at the ready and the aromatherapy on the wrists.

Three Good Things (Day Five)

It's a little tougher today, because RIGHT NOW, I am in the middle of a major coughing fit, and all I can really think about is making it "productive" so everyone in the household will be able to sleep tonight. But let's give it a go, shall we?

1. Reset my alarm last night from 6:30, which I've been in the habit of snoozing until it goes away and then sleeping until about 8 (when I've had nowhere to be) to 7:30. I awoke at 7 this morning and was able to cancel the alarm at 7:30 because I was already up and "doing" stuff. Feels good to wake up before the alarm, and feel rested enough to not need to continue "lounging". This led to me
2. Getting ready and heading out the door to visit the Union Casting Directors at Central Casting by 9 today. The first two Thursdays of every month, they gather three or four Casting Directors to meet with the Union Background Actors. If I'm not working, I go. (The second two Thursdays, they meet with the Non-Union BG). It's always somewhat fun, and usually there's at least something new to be learned. I got there early enough to get a good seat, which meant that while I waited in line (for the doors to open),
3. I worked on Emily's Moebius Scarflet. It is definitely taking longer to build, but when it's done, it's going to be gorgeous. I love that it's so incredibly portable, and that I can work on it from any position, be that standing, seated, or reclined.

... now if only this dang cough would go away! I know it's because the weather's been (and continues to be) So. Nice.

Three Good Things (Day Four)

Let's just jump right in, shall we?

1. I did, in fact, get called in to work my friend's shift at the Bros. His shift was originally scheduled to last 5.75 hours, which was 5.75 hours more than I had been scheduled for (through no fault of the Bros., mind you; I had not made myself available for any weekday shifts). I got to work, found a great parking space, clocked in, and went out on tour. After the first tour, I had time to eat a little something and work on Emily's Moebius Scarflet. Then my second tour didn't happen (insufficient ticket sales). This meant I had to either go home or find somewhere that my help was needed. Immediately found the Boss Man, who checked in with another Boss Man to let me know they could use me on another part of the lot, and that I could probably extend my shift to a full 8 hours. Sweet! While I was having my first little nosh, I received a phone call from Human Resources: my temporary "assignment" was scheduled to end on the 20th, which is a week from Saturday. I'm just a little sad to hear that; Warner Bros. has been very good to and for me. The ending of a temp assignment isn't like being "fired", though. There's always the possibility that they can and will recall me for another "assignment" in the future. I'm leaving it in God's hands, which is not to say that I won't still be an exemplary employee while they have me.
2. I got to work on Emily's Moebius Scarflet while I was on break at work! Because this yarn is significantly smaller/thinner/finer (I really don't know what the correct terminology is that means "less bulky") than the two I've worked with so far, I had to buy some new hooks. But also, it means that there are more stitches to get an equivalent "distance" of scarf or other crocheted item created. Which means this one might take me longer than four days. Hopefully, it doesn't use the whole skein! We'll see.
3. I had time through the course of the day to submit myself for some more background work, including one tango gig at the end of the month and another tomorrow (that it doesn't appear at this point in time that I've booked) for women "familiar" with knitting. Since I am currently working a crochet project, I didn't consider it a lie in any way to say that I am "familiar" with knitting. But just in case I still manage to book this gig (or get rush-called for it late tonight), I needed a crash course in knitting. Luckily for me, in addition to the plethora of YouTube videos that exist, I have a neighbor (with needles that would match the gauge of my Emily yarn) who was more than happy to both instruct me and lend me her needles, just in case.
4. Got my schedule for next week at the Bros. Even though I'm pretty sure I told 'em the same thing I've been saying for the last month ("I'm available Sunday and Saturday, and if anything opens up during the week, I'll call in"), I got a 40-hour schedule. For the final week of my temp assignment. Who knows what that means, really?

I think I'll head to bed early tonight. Yeah, I know, it's already after 11 here, but considering I'm not yet booked for any kind of work tomorrow, 11 qualifies as both early and late. As Mommy used to say, I'll have to "Sleep Fast!"

Welcome, Syria! (plus, Three Good Things, Day Three)

A new reader from Syria joined us today! Yay! Welcome! Please peruse the archives at your leisure when you return, and if you like what you're reading, bring friends on over!

And now for the Three Good Things for today:

1. I had a long, luxurious soak in the tub today. I'd cleaned the tub the other day, and yesterday, when I did my laundry, I also washed the shower curtain. Not that I needed the shower curtain for a bath, but it was so nice to be able to get a clean curtain out of my way. You would think that shower curtains would never get dirty or slimy or whatever it is that they get. Why aren't showers self-cleaning? That's what I wanna know. Whatevs. I had a lovely long aromatherapy soak today.
2. I made myself a salmon melt for lunch. It's kinda like a tuna melt, but I used canned salmon instead. It's been a long time since I've had a tuna melt. Longer since I made one for myself. It tasted pretty darn good, and I have enough salmon "salad" left in the fridge for another one tomorrow. I love fish. I love easy-to-prepare, healthy food. I love being able to "toast" a salmon melt in my George Forman grill (because it's already too warm out to turn on the oven).
3. I went to Jo-Ann today to either exchange the yarn I had or to get a new set of crochet hooks, because the hooks I had been using were too large for the most recent yarn. While at Jo-Ann, I was able to sit on the floor with the appropriate sized hooks and demonstrate my new crochet skills for another customer who only knits. We had a good time, and I ended up getting the new hooks, so I could
4. get started on Emily's Moebius Scarflet. I had bought enough yarn to be able to make a matched pair for her and my niece, Natalie, but the hooks I had were just too big to work with it. So I was really happy to get it going. It's about an inch long at this point. It's super-cute, so far. Funny how I still even have any desire to crochet these days, considering
5. 80+º days we're having. OMG, I love being barefoot and wearing tank tops or camisoles! Sorry if you're still stuck in the frozen wasteland of wherever you're stuck. Also, this weather is really and truly awesome in the daytime, but as soon as the sun goes down, I still get congested and start coughing like (there'll be) no tomorrow. Allergies suck. But I'd rather have them with this weather than with the cold and damp, for sure.
6. I might get to go to work tomorrow. I'm still on the availability list for background gig rush calls, but I've already text-chatted with a Warner Bros. friend who was checking to see if I wanted his shift. So if I don't get rush-called to set, I'll call in to the Bros. to see if they need me.

I realize I posted SIX positive things about my day today. So what? Three's just the minimum. What Three Good Things happened to YOU today?

Three Good Things (Day Two)

1. Arose from bed at a leisurely 8 a.m. this morning. Stephen had arrived at work on time but there was no keyholder there to open the store, so he called me to make sure he was supposed to be there, and to find out which manager was supposed to open. His call did not awaken me; I had slept sufficiently through the night and had just not gotten out of the cozy yet.
2. Got my laundry done pretty early, as well. My favorite washer and dryer were not in use, and I had enough quarters to also strip the bed of its linens and wash the cat hair and cat litter (that gets tracked on all of our paws!) away.
3. Opened up the house to let in the 88º day. Glorious, sunny, breezy, beautiful! Everyone I encountered (neighbors and the mail lady and folks at the bank, etc.) had to comment something to the effect of "it's so hot today!" Wah. Boo Hoo. Get over it, ya sissies! I love the warm days. Yeah, it's probably Global Warming comin' ta git me, but I really don't care. And yes, I am all congested, coughy, and sniffly, now that the sun's gone down. It's still warm out, but my allergies love to kick in for overnight fundom.

This was an easy three today. I would like to post gratitude for a day on set one of these days. That'd be awesome.