w00t w00t booyah

We always approach this time of year with some trepidation, and I'd have to say it's well-earned. Since Xander's arrival, attending and participating in this local anime convention requires logistics and no small amount of money. The first year, it was over a grand in child care costs alone and I ended up in the doctor's office the next morning coughing up blood - for the chance of taking a nap in an unmade bed in peace. That's about it.

Karaoke kicked me off to Cosplay the next year.

Who sat me in the dark, alone at an info booth table nobody really needed - but the con required. Next to the peace-bonding station. Which, if you think about me and my history with security at cons, is amusing. Sort of sideways.

This year, I got a spot in the Cosplay office - and really got a better look at how they work this type of event. I've actually competed in a Masquerade once - about 1979 or so - but haven't been back inside to see how things have improved since then, and man. It's a pretty slick operation nowadays.

For just being on hand to do data entry (really really) - this was a really nice gig. I actually had my lead check my work Sunday morning (this is what I did - is that all you wanted to have done?) - stressful? Really?

I actually could set up the laptop, beat the moths out of it and get my Sims 2 game running smoothly again.

Day one, someone came in claiming that Justin Bieber had shown up, unannounced, and con security had locked the place down while he was shown around the place. Riight. I told anyone who cared to listen that if he'd shown up, fine. If his mother was with him, SHE was the one I wanted to talk to. People looked at me funny, then the light bulbs went off over their heads. Mommy wants to talk to da Mommy - seriously. If I ever get a chance, mind you.

What had actually happened? Some bright penny had left their stuff unattended in the food court. And that whole 'I don't KNOW what that is - it's going to be DEADLY has to be' mentality took over and suddenly it was a goth lollie BOMB. And cleared the hall.

That's the vibe you have working here. You're being shooed out of part of the convention center, it's because Justin Bieber wants your space. Only reason. I am much amused.

The rest of the con ran much as it had been expected to. Food? There are gourmet catering trucks outside (the GOOD ones, mind) and I went home at night. I tried to bring back breakfast food each morning, and kept the cuisine both topical and tasty. Krispy Kreme Day One, Japanese pan Day Two and Hawaiian breads Day Three. Day Four, leftovers.

It's all office supplies, doncha know.

I have to remember that switching mental gears like this is both necessary and fun. Sunday, I'm noticing that I haven't worn the awesome green satin jacket I've had hanging in the closet. It's got embroidered roses and dragons all over the back and is wicked cool - and I haven't worn it at all. For a long time. It's good to put clothes like that on again. And dance on your toes until 2:00 AM.

I really loved the Masquerade this year, though. Knowing that much more about the back office gave me more to work with out in the green room getting people ready - and knowing which group was what - and just being more ready and grounded. It also wasn't as large a show as last year, which could be taken both to the good as well as the bad - less acts meant more time to spend with the ones left, but a shorter show.

The happy ending story was one gal who had her group drop out on her - and she entered by herself anyway, lacking a group or skit or music at all. And really, looking at the other groups - got more than a little scared. But by herself? Costume was gorgeous. Props were fantastic. Put together like whoa. Very young - novice class, for sure.

"Hon, this whole thing started out as a fashion show and don't you forget it. Go out there, hit your mark, show 'em your shit - smile, wave and get out of there. You'll be fine. REALLY."

I talked her, the MC talked to her, the stage manager talked to her - we all had a bit of hand holding (the good kind) to do. But she did it, rethinking it up to the very last minute.

The crowd absolutely loved her. And she won. TWICE.

This is me, backstage fist-pumping with both hands, running in place. Sometimes, the good guys win.

And of course, to balance that out - we had one entry who was so sure she was going to win? (Because you know these things are fixed.) Not to be racist, but I've retagged them Imelda and Ferdinand. The behavior after the contest was horrible. Security was on hand. People were dragged out of bed in the middle of the night.

Last I heard, they were rewarded by a sound banning. Fixed, you betcha. We can certainly fix THAT for you.

The downside is that Jim got Xander the entire weekend without a break - and I didn't see anyone who didn't march into the office.

Friday, fetching lunch for Jim, I somehow dropped my wallet on either the desk or the floor - and it had gotten kicked under the desk. When it came time to go home, I couldn't find it.

And retracing my steps didn't locate it. Went home thinking my wallet had been picked off - and was gone. Cancelled all the credit cards, reported them stolen and wondered just how the hell I was going to get to work on Tuesday. Let alone get home after Masquerade Sunday night.

Saturday morning, I dived under the desk looking for a badge and found it. But I am without a debit card or any of my other credit cards. Well, that's one way to make your budget if you can't spend anything I guess.

I just have my driver's license back and without my passport handy, that's the only valid ID I have. Will have to fix that at next paycheck. In two weeks.

And I think I'm going to make myself a backup copy of my ID cards. Funny, even Starbucks will reissue cards if you have them registered and move the balances over to new cards if they're lost.

I really don't want to have that experience again, mind you.

Kid had a blast playing with the peeps - who I was thrilled to see, but barely had time to hug them before they ran off and I ran the other way.

And of course, having a reason to be home and in bed every night before nine can REALLY put a kink into your kink. As in, forget about it.

Well. There's the next one.

This was a good one. I'll take it.

We always approach this time of year with some trepidation, and I'd have to say it's well-earned. Since Xander's arrival, attending and participating in this local anime convention requires logistics and no small amount of money. The first year, it was over a grand in child care costs alone and I ended up in the doctor's office the next morning coughing up blood - for the chance of taking a nap in an unmade bed in peace. That's about it.

Karaoke kicked me off to Cosplay the next year.

Who sat me in the dark, alone at an info booth table nobody really needed - but the con required. Next to the peace-bonding station. Which, if you think about me and my history with security at cons, is amusing. Sort of sideways.

This year, I got a spot in the Cosplay office - and really got a better look at how they work this type of event. I've actually competed in a Masquerade once - about 1979 or so - but haven't been back inside to see how things have improved since then, and man. It's a pretty slick operation nowadays.

For just being on hand to do data entry (really really) - this was a really nice gig. I actually had my lead check my work Sunday morning (this is what I did - is that all you wanted to have done?) - stressful? Really?

I actually could set up the laptop, beat the moths out of it and get my Sims 2 game running smoothly again.

Day one, someone came in claiming that Justin Bieber had shown up, unannounced, and con security had locked the place down while he was shown around the place. Riight. I told anyone who cared to listen that if he'd shown up, fine. If his mother was with him, SHE was the one I wanted to talk to. People looked at me funny, then the light bulbs went off over their heads. Mommy wants to talk to da Mommy - seriously. If I ever get a chance, mind you.

What had actually happened? Some bright penny had left their stuff unattended in the food court. And that whole 'I don't KNOW what that is - it's going to be DEADLY has to be' mentality took over and suddenly it was a goth lollie BOMB. And cleared the hall.

That's the vibe you have working here. You're being shooed out of part of the convention center, it's because Justin Bieber wants your space. Only reason. I am much amused.

The rest of the con ran much as it had been expected to. Food? There are gourmet catering trucks outside (the GOOD ones, mind) and I went home at night. I tried to bring back breakfast food each morning, and kept the cuisine both topical and tasty. Krispy Kreme Day One, Japanese pan Day Two and Hawaiian breads Day Three. Day Four, leftovers.

It's all office supplies, doncha know.

I have to remember that switching mental gears like this is both necessary and fun. Sunday, I'm noticing that I haven't worn the awesome green satin jacket I've had hanging in the closet. It's got embroidered roses and dragons all over the back and is wicked cool - and I haven't worn it at all. For a long time. It's good to put clothes like that on again. And dance on your toes until 2:00 AM.

I really loved the Masquerade this year, though. Knowing that much more about the back office gave me more to work with out in the green room getting people ready - and knowing which group was what - and just being more ready and grounded. It also wasn't as large a show as last year, which could be taken both to the good as well as the bad - less acts meant more time to spend with the ones left, but a shorter show.

The happy ending story was one gal who had her group drop out on her - and she entered by herself anyway, lacking a group or skit or music at all. And really, looking at the other groups - got more than a little scared. But by herself? Costume was gorgeous. Props were fantastic. Put together like whoa. Very young - novice class, for sure.

"Hon, this whole thing started out as a fashion show and don't you forget it. Go out there, hit your mark, show 'em your shit - smile, wave and get out of there. You'll be fine. REALLY."

I talked her, the MC talked to her, the stage manager talked to her - we all had a bit of hand holding (the good kind) to do. But she did it, rethinking it up to the very last minute.

The crowd absolutely loved her. And she won. TWICE.

This is me, backstage fist-pumping with both hands, running in place. Sometimes, the good guys win.

And of course, to balance that out - we had one entry who was so sure she was going to win? (Because you know these things are fixed.) Not to be racist, but I've retagged them Imelda and Ferdinand. The behavior after the contest was horrible. Security was on hand. People were dragged out of bed in the middle of the night.

Last I heard, they were rewarded by a sound banning. Fixed, you betcha. We can certainly fix THAT for you.

The downside is that Jim got Xander the entire weekend without a break - and I didn't see anyone who didn't march into the office.

Friday, fetching lunch for Jim, I somehow dropped my wallet on either the desk or the floor - and it had gotten kicked under the desk. When it came time to go home, I couldn't find it.

And retracing my steps didn't locate it. Went home thinking my wallet had been picked off - and was gone. Cancelled all the credit cards, reported them stolen and wondered just how the hell I was going to get to work on Tuesday. Let alone get home after Masquerade Sunday night.

Saturday morning, I dived under the desk looking for a badge and found it. But I am without a debit card or any of my other credit cards. Well, that's one way to make your budget if you can't spend anything I guess.

I just have my driver's license back and without my passport handy, that's the only valid ID I have. Will have to fix that at next paycheck. In two weeks.

And I think I'm going to make myself a backup copy of my ID cards. Funny, even Starbucks will reissue cards if you have them registered and move the balances over to new cards if they're lost.

I really don't want to have that experience again, mind you.

Kid had a blast playing with the peeps - who I was thrilled to see, but barely had time to hug them before they ran off and I ran the other way.

And of course, having a reason to be home and in bed every night before nine can REALLY put a kink into your kink. As in, forget about it.

Well. There's the next one.

This was a good one. I'll take it.

I can't believe I did the whoooooole thing.

(You did, Donna, you did.)

I can't believe I did the whooooooooole thing!

Somewhere about Wednesday of last week, it became plain as plain thing that I wasn't going to get Mom (or my niece and grand-nephew) out for Easter.

Somewhere about Friday, I got a call from BIL - Mom got back bloodwork that had been Bad. And there was now a plan for that branch of the family to go out Sunday. Okay. Watch me dance the Riverdance, do multiple calculations in my head while directing cats in heavy traffic. Naked.

Saturday, I basically got up and grabbed the bullwhip. Folks, get your breakfasts done - I have a list that has to get done by noon or else.

Well, the call came in to meet up at Mom's before the shopping at Target, so the idea of redressing us all in Easter Clothes got scrapped - don't need that, we're not staying long enough for anyone to know what we have on. ^^

But the eggs MUST get colored, the ancillary shopping MUST get done, the lunch MUST be eaten and so on.

I had my walkthrough of the new venue for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (say that three times fast, try writing it over and over again) at USC at 2:00 PM SHARP.

Well, the boys went down for naps and the decision was made NOT to try the Exposition Park museums while I was touring. Jim is still coming off a bad barking cough bug and kid was just as happy to be home on top of him.

But Sunday? Hold onto your ass, Fred.

3:00 AM - I wake up for no particular reason, but when I fall back asleep have the most lucid dreams I can recall in a long time, involving my mother's death, driving airport shuttle again by accident (and trying to figure out how to return the van without getting caught) and running into many ex-coworkers when I try. Also, I still only cry in my dreams. Special.
5:30 AM - The household wakes. Bringing small child back to bed with us for a snuggle, I try to decide who is going to get out of bed, hide the eggs and make it back without tipping off small child. While boys are working out the intricacies of Pokemon Black, I make my move. Bringing back the empty egg cartons, I claim the Easter Bunny has ransacked my refrigerator and the eggs are all OVER the backyard! Egg hunt ensues, he finds them all and much fun is had. This is followed up with a proper breakfast made from the eggy booty. (He gets two of them, peeled and halved - Mom and Dad get creamed eggs on toast.)
9:30 - we are in church, having run to the market to get flowers, cupcakes and cookies first. Egg hunt #2 right after services. Resurrection story described with flowers and butterflies - WIN. (Kid plays plants vs. zombies all the way through sermon, paster in full knowledge of same and grinning. WIN TWICE.)
10:45 - On our way to get to Sis' house for a 11:30 departure to Hemet. We make it.
1:00 Arrive in Hemet, watching everybody else arrive within five minutes of each other. We are GOOD, people. Party, party, party, party - EAT - visit, repeat. Make Mom's day and I get to see the lab results and exhale. I am promptly curbed by Sis because we all know my experience with these types of things is very skewed because I've buried a husband who had them all first. (Short answer - they're not perfect, but not out of line for someone 87 years old with one kidney on four BIG GUN antibiotics the last two weeks. Stay tuned.) Egg hunt #3 a total success.
4:30ish - Everyone packs up and goes home, decision made to have dinner back in town with Sis and her crew because they are overnighting at LAX in poshy hotel digs to take kid to airport at OHDAMNITSEARLY for flight to Hawaii with ROTC. We decide on place while enroute home via text messages, me using both smart phones to make it happen. Smug.
6:00 - Arrive home. Kid has slept most of the way home. Get out, unkink and make sure house has not burned down. Cats shocked.
6:30 - Back in car, off to dinner. Num, num dinner. NUM. BEER!
8:00 - Back home, kid and fella into pajamas, tucked into bed. They crashed like loggy log things.
8:45 - I climb in after locking and checking house over. Clean up iPod.
9:30 - Call Rey and update.
9:45 - Tuck in with DS and Pokemon - kick Final Four, N and N's Dad's BOOTY. Watch credits roll.
10:15 - Save game, turn off and sleep like dead.

I am also now convinced you can't ruin a kid's appetite with Easter candy. My kid was not curbed from anything and he ate EVERYTHING I could have asked for.

This morning, we all got the shower, out the door on time, forgetting nothing and I actually got to my desk at my preferred hour. Shocked, I tell you.

Reset button - appears to exist after all.

Kid, you don't get to kick Dad in the face. You particularly DON'T get a pass on this today because Dad was doing his level best to give you some undivided attention before he went back to work after being SICK for three days. You haven't liked Dad being sick - well, dear - neither has he.

He has a lot more patience with bad behavior than I do. But - kicking Dad in the face is completely kapu dude. I suspect other people would have spanked. You just got your feet pulled out from under you and sat on the bed.

I am neither happy with myself or you right now about this. Just so you know. But I promise, tantrums with kicking is NOT IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

In other news, I sat in on a class of his yesterday and it's plain plain my kid is way ahead of his peers and bored. I mean, that hand is UP AND WAVING, sputtering the correct answers and his peers are still struggling.

It's also very clear there's some peer stuff going on that is real Lord of The Flies in the making. The joys of childhood?

Man, and it's only coming up time for kindergarden.

Kid, you don't get to kick Dad in the face. You particularly DON'T get a pass on this today because Dad was doing his level best to give you some undivided attention before he went back to work after being SICK for three days. You haven't liked Dad being sick - well, dear - neither has he.

He has a lot more patience with bad behavior than I do. But - kicking Dad in the face is completely kapu dude. I suspect other people would have spanked. You just got your feet pulled out from under you and sat on the bed.

I am neither happy with myself or you right now about this. Just so you know. But I promise, tantrums with kicking is NOT IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

In other news, I sat in on a class of his yesterday and it's plain plain my kid is way ahead of his peers and bored. I mean, that hand is UP AND WAVING, sputtering the correct answers and his peers are still struggling.

It's also very clear there's some peer stuff going on that is real Lord of The Flies in the making. The joys of childhood?

Man, and it's only coming up time for kindergarden.

Big Boy School called - we've got our spot, and it begins June 6th.

That means Xander will be transitioning from one preschool to another, and starting kindergarden in September at the new school.

I'm thrilled. It's a third of the cost less than his current placement, and it's a fantastic school.
I'm terrified. His current placement has been an absolute rock since he came home, and my absolute go-to for everything.
I'm sad. Here's another huge change I have to walk and talk this kid through. I have to. But dammit, I don't LIKE it.

It's closer to home, open earlier, doesn't close for the holiday season - just the actual days like work does, closes later, is next to a real, live protected wildlife estuary...and is full of strangers.

And I have to pay full tuition, even if I don't want him to start with them full time. If I want to ease him into this, I'll be paying two full rides for the months I do this.

One month or two? I have to find out.

Shit, the plumbing/house was 60% of our money the last 30 days. But by June, two tuitions for one month? Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. Oh, who am I kidding? I HAVE TO FIND A WAY, THIS IS IT.

Fuckaduck.

I really hate cancer. It got Diana Wynne Jones over the weekend, and I can already hear folks pishing and poshing that 'well, she smoked, she got what she deserved and she Had To Know - '

Okay, nobody deserves cancer, okay? Just stop it. You can ride a motorcycle and die doing it, the statistics are all lined up to tell you that's the probable outcome. You still don't deserve it. (I will look at you funny, maybe even chortle if you ride around with a helmet, shorts and sneakers when you ditch that bike on the interstate, you fool - but you don't deserve to DIE, for crying out loud. Psst - go get a decent set of boots and at least some long pants - m'kay?)

Looking at the short write up, there's plenty she didn't deserve - but ended up having to cope with, and I'm amazed she was as lovely a spirit afterward as she was. I've met so many adversity soured like a moldy loaf of bread, you have no idea.

That said - if you smoke, please stop. That's all I want for my birthday, Christmas and forever.

I am sick to death of hearing people claim 'hackery' when it's plain they just don't Like Something. You know what? I declare a moratorium on the word around me - I won't use it if you don't. Find other words, and more of them. *grumble*

Going to church yesterday, I passed the Calvary Chapel megachurch near the house - can someone explain to me why a church needs a security checkpoint? You know the kind, search your bags, metal detectors and pat you down before going in?

What the eff are they looking for? And from a congregation where everyone has to know at least your employment status to join? I got nothing.

I went to ours, told my friends and we were suitably aghast. Church services are NOT a rock concert, for crying out loud - this is the place with the new buildings, gift shop, you name it, they have a bumpersticker for it - megachurch. What are they telling people inside there that's scaring them so much they don't even trust each other?

What are we doing? Looking for ways to get people to come visit us, no strings attached. All the public Easter egg hunts have been cancelled and done away with (thank the budget cuts) - so we're looking to expand ours to allow the public to join us. NO CHECKPOINTS. Matter of fact, I'm floating a gaming night once a month in the church hall - thinking of starting out with Settlers of Catan - anyone want some? The stich-n-bitch is nearly a done deal - and I'll be teaching sewing and find someone to come in to service sewing machines if I don't miss my guess.

We're nice. And we'll feed you if you're hungry. Yes, those are pink triangles you see folks wearing, and oh, the multi-faith group meets as often as we can arrange it, you curious about this or that? So-and-so will be here and loves to answer questions.

Kid loves church - in his age group, he's the only one so he gets a daycare worker (one of the youth, a delightful teenager who loves playing 'Star Wars' out in the yard) all to himself. Best day of the week.

I've told you what a wonderful adoption resource this group has turned out to be, right?

Jim had his 47th birthday Saturday, and I'm remembering being in Japan 7 years ago (one trip, just ONE and it's already 7 years ago) and wishing this one could have been bigger, but. We did manage to get out to Palm Springs and up the Tramway - managed to get kid into enough clothes he wasn't cold playing in the snow - managed to get up, down and home before we all collapsed in exhausted piles. I'm sure the pictures are going to be awesome. Me, still a bit sore. Sleep was also very broken during the weekend, too. Didn't help.

n6vfp was down Sunday (yay bike! yay CDs!), and kid was introduced to my old friend Marian Kelly and her daughter Dianne who finally managed a visit - it's been over two years and change, and it was wonderful. Marian *really* likes Xander and while kid thinks she's neat, he also dragged out what I consider the circus seal behavior I'd like to see him ditch. My kid will test you out to see just how much abuse you can handle, disguised as 'play' - she thought the attention was wonderful, I had to tell him to quit throwing toys at her. Ah, parenting.

I'm looking forward to sleeping tonight. Yay, Monday.

I really hate cancer. It got Diana Wynne Jones over the weekend, and I can already hear folks pishing and poshing that 'well, she smoked, she got what she deserved and she Had To Know - '

Okay, nobody deserves cancer, okay? Just stop it. You can ride a motorcycle and die doing it, the statistics are all lined up to tell you that's the probable outcome. You still don't deserve it. (I will look at you funny, maybe even chortle if you ride around with a helmet, shorts and sneakers when you ditch that bike on the interstate, you fool - but you don't deserve to DIE, for crying out loud. Psst - go get a decent set of boots and at least some long pants - m'kay?)

Looking at the short write up, there's plenty she didn't deserve - but ended up having to cope with, and I'm amazed she was as lovely a spirit afterward as she was. I've met so many adversity soured like a moldy loaf of bread, you have no idea.

That said - if you smoke, please stop. That's all I want for my birthday, Christmas and forever.

I am sick to death of hearing people claim 'hackery' when it's plain they just don't Like Something. You know what? I declare a moratorium on the word around me - I won't use it if you don't. Find other words, and more of them. *grumble*

Going to church yesterday, I passed the Calvary Chapel megachurch near the house - can someone explain to me why a church needs a security checkpoint? You know the kind, search your bags, metal detectors and pat you down before going in?

What the eff are they looking for? And from a congregation where everyone has to know at least your employment status to join? I got nothing.

I went to ours, told my friends and we were suitably aghast. Church services are NOT a rock concert, for crying out loud - this is the place with the new buildings, gift shop, you name it, they have a bumpersticker for it - megachurch. What are they telling people inside there that's scaring them so much they don't even trust each other?

What are we doing? Looking for ways to get people to come visit us, no strings attached. All the public Easter egg hunts have been cancelled and done away with (thank the budget cuts) - so we're looking to expand ours to allow the public to join us. NO CHECKPOINTS. Matter of fact, I'm floating a gaming night once a month in the church hall - thinking of starting out with Settlers of Catan - anyone want some? The stich-n-bitch is nearly a done deal - and I'll be teaching sewing and find someone to come in to service sewing machines if I don't miss my guess.

We're nice. And we'll feed you if you're hungry. Yes, those are pink triangles you see folks wearing, and oh, the multi-faith group meets as often as we can arrange it, you curious about this or that? So-and-so will be here and loves to answer questions.

Kid loves church - in his age group, he's the only one so he gets a daycare worker (one of the youth, a delightful teenager who loves playing 'Star Wars' out in the yard) all to himself. Best day of the week.

I've told you what a wonderful adoption resource this group has turned out to be, right?

Jim had his 47th birthday Saturday, and I'm remembering being in Japan 7 years ago (one trip, just ONE and it's already 7 years ago) and wishing this one could have been bigger, but. We did manage to get out to Palm Springs and up the Tramway - managed to get kid into enough clothes he wasn't cold playing in the snow - managed to get up, down and home before we all collapsed in exhausted piles. I'm sure the pictures are going to be awesome. Me, still a bit sore. Sleep was also very broken during the weekend, too. Didn't help.

n6vfp was down Sunday (yay bike! yay CDs!), and kid was introduced to my old friend Marian Kelly and her daughter Dianne who finally managed a visit - it's been over two years and change, and it was wonderful. Marian *really* likes Xander and while kid thinks she's neat, he also dragged out what I consider the circus seal behavior I'd like to see him ditch. My kid will test you out to see just how much abuse you can handle, disguised as 'play' - she thought the attention was wonderful, I had to tell him to quit throwing toys at her. Ah, parenting.

I'm looking forward to sleeping tonight. Yay, Monday.

So we marked the wall this morning.

Kid has officially grown 6.25" inches in two years. At this age, one could expect around 3" or so as a norm.

And I mentioned the diet yesterday?

So much for fast food being useless and all that.

Wow.

So much for the 4T clothes.

I understand that after 5T, he's in the Boys clothes, period.

Not even two years and when he arrived, it was in 24 months sized stuff with snap crotches (that we quickly got rid of, being completely toilet trained).

Now, this is all very appropriate and stuff, but I'm still a bit amazed. When I get the growth chart marked off, I'll post pictures and you can drop your jaws along with me.

I really should go back to the original paperwork and compare notes. From referral to placement, it was a year that didn't see an inch gain in height - so I had some rather modest expectations, right?

And I need to purge the clothing drawers. Seriously.