Unpacking Frustration!!

The past few days I have been struggling with unpacking stuff. I was hoping my trip to Disneyland this week would help get me focused again but today was a good example of the struggle that I am having. I am overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have. I know eventually I'll find a place for everything but for right now I don't see that light at the end of the tunnel and that makes it hard to continue to unpack.

My usual day starts with breakfast and some TV, then I tackle a room and start to unpack stuff. I normally get to a point where I can't move anything or finish what I started. I get frustrated and stop unpacking and go watch TV to calm down. Well today Notting Hill and Sister Act were on, two of my favorite movies. So what was suppose to be a half hour break at most turns into a few hours. All the momentum and motivation that I had is gone now and it's a struggle to get it back up. Once I do it's back to unpacking for a few hours before frustration sets in again and I turn to TV to calm down and the cycle starts all over again.

I'd love to take a week off from all this moving but obviously I can't. I just got to tell myself to take it one box at a time.

Earthquakes & Skype Chats

So I was woken up by an earthquake early this morning. This is the first earthquake in this new apartment and the fact that it was centered just a few blocks from me, it really shock.. and hard.

I was born and raised in SoCal so I'm use to earthquakes and normally just wake up, realize it's an earthquake, turn over and go back to bed but this one was so hard and sharp, that it actually scared me for a minute. I sat up and waited to see if this was going to continue. When it finished I jumped out of bed and went to the TV to see if they were talking about it. I watched the local news but nothing about a huge earthquake so I figured it was a small one and I must be close to the epic center and that was the case it was a 2.6 but as I mentioned centered just a few blocks from my apartment.

I tried to go back to bed and did for an hour or so but after trying to sleep I decided to just get up and start unpacking.. or at least attempt to figure out where I am going to put all this stuff.

Other then the earthquake, it was a pretty uneventful day.. well there was the four hour skype call that I had with Erik.. yeah that was pretty EPIC!!

First Disneyland Visit of the Year

I took a break for all this moving and unpacking craziness and treated myself to a trip to Disneyland. This is my first visit of the year. I was to meet up with my buddy Brett but while I was on my way there I got a call and he informed me that his driveshaft just fell out of his car and that he would not be joining me. I was bummed of course as I was looking forward to hanging out with him as it's been far to long since we have hung out. I even debated on just turning around but I was already more then halfway there and I really needed a Disney fix so I continued on.

I'd never been to Disneyland solo and I have to say it really isn't that great. I mean I rode all my favorite rides and was there longer then I expected to be but it's not the same when you don't have someone to share the experience with.

Regardless I did enjoy my visit and it was a nice change of pace. But I don't plan on doing another solo trip anytime soon.

Since it was a weekday and I left Disneyland during rush hour it took me almost 2 hours to get home but when I did I just couldn't sit around so I continued with my unpacking and re-organizing, only taking to skype with Erik.

Unpacking Day 3 & Fated Night Premiere

So the unpacking continues.. it's a bit overwhelming as I really misjudged how much stuff I really have. I think with time I'll be able to make this place look nice but for now I'm just trying to figure out where I can store everything without being in the way of other things. I have to get my guest bed and my podcasting station set up asap. I just have so many toy bins all over the place. Sometimes I don't even know where to start. But on the flip side when I do manage to get something done and it looks nice it lifts my spirits and keeps me motivated to get even more done. I figured it would take me about a week to get everything unpacked and the way I want it.. but honestly I think it will be more like three weeks to a month before I'm completely done with everything.

Took a break from unpacking to pick up my friend Jes and go to the premiere of my buddy Dove's fantasy short called Fated Night. Here's a short synopsis: In an age of honor and glory, sorcerers and demons... A group of battle worn warriors encounter a fellow comrade who has been branded a traitor. He has only moments to prove his innocence before they take his life and the life of his mysterious companion

Dove wrote and acted in it. His fiancee and my friend America directed it and my friend Jes did the wardrobe for it.  It was showing down in West Hollywood at a local bar/eatery. There was a group of 20 or so that showed up, including some friends I haven't seen in quite a while.. America, Tennyson, Tara and Yuri.. it was great seeing these guys.

Before they showed the short they aired a behind the scenes featurette, and if you know me you know I love all things BTS. After the featurette it was time for the movie. It's short with a running time of only 10 minutes. What I liked most about this short is that it was great set up for what could be an amazing movie/TV series/Web series. It leaves you wanting to see more.. which is good if they intend to make more but bad if they don't :) The acting was was well done, the sound was amazing and overall just a fantastic short. Great job Dove, America and everyone else involved.

After the premiere Jes and I went out to Islands for a late lunch. It was great hanging with Jes, we got to talk about life in general. She and I haven't had alot of one on one time so this was alot of fun and a great time to really catch up on each others lives.

Spent the rest of the evening unpacking.. we a short break to skype chat with Erik. :)

MASH 4077 Podcast Episode 70

Download from itunes tinyurl.com/MASH4077itunes , listen on Stitcher Radio ow.ly/iZJIz or Listen, get direct download from our main website MASH4077Podcast.com

Show Notes

Kenny Mittleider from Knights of the Guild, Alien Nation: The Newcomers Podcast & Confessions of a Fanboy Podcast & Simon Meddings from Waffle On Podcast discuss one of the most successful and longest running television series in history.. M*A*S*H

Today we cover Season 3, Episode #22 - Pay Day
70th Episode Overall
Directed by Hy Averback
Written by John W. Regier & Gary Markowitz
Production code B305
Original air date March 4, 1975

Set during the Korean War in the 1950’s

Plot Summary: Frank buys one set of pearls for each of the women in his life: Margaret and his wife Lorraine. Radar helps Hawkeye recoup $3,000 in lost earnings, which Hawkeye gives to Father Mulcahy to benefit the orphans. But then the army wants the money back.

Unpacking Day 2, Cable Issues & Girl of Steel

Today I planned to put together my bed for my master bedroom. Only problem is I don't have the instructions and I can't remember which screws go into which holes. I'm gonna have to guess and hope it all works out for the best. This is truly a two man operation as the bed frames are extremely heavy but after a few hours of struggling I managed to get the bed put together and even better is that I didn't have any extra parts. :)

I continued to deal with Time Warners cable... I'm back at their service center returning a tuning adapter. After about an hour wait I exchanged the box and got a new one. I headed back home, hooked it up and it looked like this box was doing the exact same thing that the last box was doing. I called Time Warner and jumped through several hoops before finally talking to a "live" person who couldn't help me so he transferred me the tech department and put me contact with the awesome Keith. With in ten minutes Keith had all my channels up and running and after a week and a half of crazies everything was finally working properly.

Come to find out that the original adapter box properly wasn't broken.. when the previous tech person said that it should be a solid green light and not orange she was wrong. They have two different type of boxes and the one I had is suppose to have a solid orange light. The issue was a missing ID number in their system. Come to find out that Keith and his group do nothing but tech for TWC with Tivo's. So he gave me his direct line just in case I need them in the future...yay!!!

Was unpacking statues and came across what looks to be my only damaged one from the move. Of course it had to be Dobby, those poor house elves are always getting the short end of the stick. I should be able to fix him with a bit a super glue. Let's hope this is the worse of the move damage.

Found out today that my "travel" visa that I opened last year has an 0% introductory financial charge until March of 2014.  I have been living off this card the past eight months. So as long as I pay it off before March I'll pay no "extra" money on it.. woohoo!!!

Came across this awesome website that does custom shoes. Of course I would love to have a pair but they start at $200 and though I'm sure they are worth it.. I just can't bring myself to buying a pair. Oh well I can dream. You can see more HERE.

Totally forgot I had to edit a MASH podcast that's suppose to be released tomorrow. So during the evening I spent the last few hours of the night knocking that out. Got done with it around 11:30pm

 

While unpacking I came across some yearbooks.. so of course I had to look me up and I tweeted some old pictures of me. From left to right.. first pic is from 84/85 so that would put me in eighth grade, next is 86/87 so that would be Sophomore year and the final picture is my Senior picture from 88/89

And finally I found this really cool fan film for a new Supergirl movie. It's pretty awesome, extremely well done.. I'd see this if it was ever made into a full movie or tv series... check it out. It's called Girl of Steel

And on a fun note.. I watched the premiere of Faceoff with Erik via Skype. It was fun as it was like we were sitting next to each other talking about the show as we watch it. We plan to make this a weekly thing.. man I love fast internet :)

Unpacking Day 1 & "Frozen" Goodies

So I was up early as I had to drive out to my storage unit in Santa Clarita to pick up the dolly that I left last night attached to my fridge, so I could return the truck by 11am. I got to storage around 8am, managed to squeeze the dolly into my little Fiesta and made my way back to the apartment. I walked the dolly over to where my uhaul was parked (about three blocks) and realized I had left the key in my apartment... so I had to walk the dolly back to my apartment, pick up the key and then walk with the dolly back to the truck. I loaded up the dolly and drove the truck over to a local North Hollywood uhaul location and dropped it off. I knew I had gone over my miles as I had to make a second trip to storage, but I was pleasantly surprised when she told me my total of overages. Come to find out that I went about 37 miles over and I was expecting .80 cents a miles since that is what I paid just a few weeks ago, but instead it was half that and only .40 cents a mile. I don' t know why.. maybe it's because it was a one way trip and not a round trip. Either way I didn't question it and managed to do this move for just over $200.

As I was turning in the truck I texted my friend Jes who was going to come by and pick me up. I could have walked back to the apartment it was only about 2.5 miles but decided that I'd like to see Jes and take her out for breakfast so I called her up.

While I waited at the uhaul place I was standing out front with about ten or twelve "day laborers", for those who don't know what those are.. they are normally illegal Mexican's who stand in front of every Uhaul/Home Depot looking for work. I have to say I fit in pretty well with them. I had several of them come up to me and start having a conversation in Spanish, even though I kept saying I don't speak Spanish. I was very happy when Jes pulled up but also quick to get inside as five other men came running over to her car.

Jes and I headed to Denny's for some tasty breakfast before she dropped me off at home. I spent the rest of the day trying to figured out what I was going to do next.. so much stuff.. so little room. I did manage to get my living room and dining room set up. There are still a ton of things all around it but at least they are starting to look like rooms.

On the geeky side of things.. I read that they are going to make Frozen into a live Broadway show. I mean that was a given. I can't remember who I was talking to but we both agreed this was meant for a Broadway show.  Details are still in the works but you are read a bit more about it HERE.

Another Frozen goody I found.. I have been listening on you tube at various versions of "Let it Go" and I've heard some good ones but loads of bad ones, especially when it comes to guys singing it. But I found what I think is one of the best renditions male or female. His name is Court Clark. I like that he converted it to male centric (King, boy) and not just a carbon copy of the original. It also doesn't hurt that he's pretty easy on the eyes. Take a listen and let me know what you think. 

The Big Move!!!

This is the big moving day. Friends Jes, Dallas, Jen, Doug, Rupert, Robert and Tamar joined me at my place at 10am. We headed out around 10:30 and drove in two cars to the Uhaul place that I was picking up my 20 foot truck. When I got to the place they had all of two Uhauls. The older lady came out and explained to me that they are new at renting Uhauls and that I might have better luck if I went to the larger facility down the street. But this was the only place who had a 20 foot truck so I told her I would like to rent it from her. This was her first time and she was extremely nervous. The trailer I went into to fill out the paperwork smelt like urine. And I noticed several cats climbing the furniture and one that looked as though it was going to claw my face off. There was also a little dog who's hair was half fallen out and looked extremely sickly trying to rub itself against my leg. After a half hour to forty five minutes and with some help on the phone she managed to get me checked out. Her daughter showed up and she and I did the visual inspection of the truck and I was on my way.

We got to the storage unit and started removing all the toy bins from storage #1. There were way more then I had expected and I miss judged how much stuff I still had so this 20 footer truck wasn't going to be big enough and we would have to come back and pick up the few remaining things. I was extremely disappointed in myself and very frustrated. I snapped at a few people and felt horrible afterwards. Every one was volunteering their time on a Sunday to help me and I had no right getting bitchy over things.

So we loaded up what we could and headed back to my apartment. Luckily there is a large red curb just next to my apartment so I parked the truck there and we started to unload boxes, but the first thing we needed to get in was the refrigerator as we knew boxes and furniture would take up the pathway I had made to the kitchen. I knew it was going to be tough to get it up all the flights of stairs but I had no idea how tough it would really be. We did the first set fairly easy. One step at a time and we twisted at the top and managed to get it into the front door of the complex. I knew it wasn't going up the front set of stairs as it's way to narrow so we headed to the back of the complex where there is a set of two flights of stairs but it's more of an open hallway. After three hours of scratching the fridge, the railing, the walls and taking the doors off we made it half way up the stairway and were stuck. There was no way we would be able to make the turn and head up the next set of stairs.

I was tired and frustrated but I had to make the call that we were not going to get this fridge up in my apartment. Dallas, Tamar and Robert had to leave for a D&D meeting and were already late so we had to now try and get it back down off the stairs without doing any more damage to anything.. we were unsuccessful. We did manage to get it back down to the truck but now we were 3 guys short and very few things were taken up during the three hours of us trying to get the fridge in.

Things just kind of went from bad to worse. We had not eaten all day because when I tried to order pizza when we first got to my place I couldn't find any place to deliver.

Again I miss calculated where everything was going to go in my apartment and my guest room was filled with only a third of the boxes that I thought would fit all of them. We were lining up the hallway outside my apartment with bins and boxes.

Will joined in on the moving but had a bad back so he couldn't really help with the big stuff.. also the two remaining guys Doug and Rupert also had various health issues so Jes, Jen and I did the majority of bringing things up to my apartment.

I had planned to drop off the uhaul by 5pm today but it was 4:30pm now, and since I couldn't get my fridge up into my apartment it had to be taken back to storage. I initially was going to do the second trip at a later date.. maybe a week or so but since I had to take the fridge back I figured we might as well pick up the last of the stuff so I didn't have to rent a uhaul again at a later date. During this time Doug had gone out and picked up some wings and pizza (Thanks Doug).. so we ate and just kind of sat around on my floor and relaxed for a half hour.

After dinner Jes, Jen and I drove the uhaul back to storage, dropped off the fridge and loaded up the remaining stuff into the truck... that's it.. this storage unit is empty!!! We got out of the storage unit facility just in time as they close and lock the gate at 7pm.

Once back at my apartment the boys returned and the few things we had we just took them into the garage area and placed them in my second parking spot as there was no way this stuff was going up into my now packed apartment.

Afterwards Robert, Will & Rupert took off and Jes, Jen, Dallas, Tamar and Doug went over to Jen's for a drink. I was joining them but first I had to find some street parking for this huge uhaul truck. Luckily it didn't take me long to find a spot. I went to make sure the back was locked when I realized that I left the "rented" dolly attached to the fridge which is now up in Santa Clarita..and I can't return the uhaul without the dolly...  this was the perfect way to end one of the worse moves I have ever had.

While I walked back to Jen's place I called my buddy Erik as I needed to hear a friendly voice and that did the job. When I got to Jen's she made me a rum and coke and we all sat around and chatted with each other... It was a great way to decompress. I also got a belated Christmas present from my buddy Will... it's an R2D2 knitted beanie cap.. I LOVE IT!!! That defiantly lifted my spirits. I left around 11pm and I headed back home to crash for the night.

I want to thank Dallas, Robert, Tamar, Will, Rupert and Doug for helping me today. But I especially want to thank Jen and Jes who rocked it the entire day.. you guys were amazing. I'm sorry this move was such a hot mess but thanks for sticking it out and thanks for putting up with a cranky Kenny.