14 July 2008 @ 10:31 pm
 
Long time no update! The basics:
-Finally down to 40-hour weeks! However, Casting continues to hire morons, so we'll see if that lasts. (Let's face it - if you can't even pass the Splash assessment after five days of training, you really are not the brightest crayon in the box. And that's being polite.)
-[info]psychoticorca came to visit for a week and pick up shifts!
-My air mattresses has a hole somewhere. Yay for having a backup! (Yes, I'm too cheap to buy a real bed. Or any other furniture for that matter.)
-Hanging out at the parks with [info]ariellen, [info]salukfan, and [info]princeali_m_fan!
-Got my picture taken with Indy after the stunt show at Studios. <3
-LESS THANK TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE X-FILES.

Pleasure Island is closing September 27. BOO. Actually, I could care less, except that the Adventurer's Club is LOVE. I will miss teh funny and teh booze there. KUNGALOOSH! Their strawberry daquiri machine was down last Monday, so no kungalooshes. BOO. But $2 beers all night. YAY!

Saw "Get Smart" last week... loved it! Funny stuff. I wish I remembered more from the original TV series, but I only have vague recollections of watching it on Nick at Nite back in the day. Steve Carell was hilarious, and Anne Hathaway always does a fantastic job.

Brazilian tour group season is here. D: Seriously, getting them to get in and stay seated is like playing whack-a-mole - you yell at one to sit down and three others pop up. BRAZIL FOR THE EPIC FAIL. (Also, apparently me, [info]ariellen, and [info]salukfan have the power to summon them by clapping and chanting. We're sorry, [info]princeali_m_fan, we really are!)

Also, it is a sad day when I have to tell our managers and coordinators "You can't reset A-lift with 2 logs on it. Only one! You have to jog one over!" because they keep trying to do it and think the mountain is broken. You do this reset like EVERY DAMN DAY. Prease to know own attraction?

Brendan Fraser was at Universal last Friday. I was this close to calling in and going to see him, but I was a good girl and went to work instead. (My reward was a 3+ hour downtime at the end of the day)

Been trying to draw a lot, too. When I was hanging out at Studios one day, I spent a loooong time talking to the sketch/watch artist, and he pointed me to a good art store up in Winter Park. So I stopped in there on Tuesday and picked up some stuff. (I keep an art supply list just like a grocery store list) Been playing with some nice bristol paper and colored pencils, and also trying Col-Erase pencils for sketching. And when I'm at work, I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking up pieces I want to do. (If I'm at virtually any position except grouper, most likely I'm working on autopilot and thinking about art or something else instead of the task at hand) If I could do nothing but sit at home and draw all day, every day, I'd be the happiest camper in the world. (I'd also like to start taking commissions to make a few extra bucks, but I honestly don't think that I really have the skills to do so) I did finish an Elizabeth Weir portrait, but Photoshop keeps dying on me so I haven't been able to scan it yet. Also decided to join [info]animalart100 to get more animal stuff done...

I've totally been on a movie-watching kick lately. Not new movies, but stuff I've seen a billion times: all the classic Star Wars trilogy, Mulan, Ella Enchanted, Gone With the Wind, Mary Poppins, etc... and then I watch them each about 50 times.

And it's been ages since I posted anything regarding stuff I've read, so here's an abridged update of stuff I can remember finishing recently:

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke
Finally - an adventure story about book nerds! XD The entertaining story of a girl and her father who can read things straight out of books and into the real world. At times it felt repetitive and drawn-out, but overall very enjoyable. I'm excited to see how the film version turns out!

Operation Orca - Daniel Francis and Gil Hewlett
As a Seattle native very into the orca world, I definitely had strong feelings on the subject of Springer and Luna, so this book was a really fascinating look at both of their situations, and why one situation led to a whale being reunited with their family, and the other lead to the whale's death. The authors do seem to make a fair effort to balance their viewpoints and not show a bias, which was very nice.

Peter Pan in Scarlet - Geraldine McCaughrean
A look at what happened to Neverland after Wendy and the Lost Boys left. Very true to the feel of the original, and a lot of fun!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - James Rollins
One of my favorite things about movie novelizations is getting a bit deeper look at what was cut or not included in the film. This one does well there, filling in nicely while not dragging the story action down.

I'll try to be better about keeping up on this in the future! As always, the all-time favorites list is here.


This random post brought to you by too many beers.
 
 
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servalcat[info]servalcat on July 15th, 2008 02:49 am (UTC)
Reading Recommendations
I hope I can talk you into reading the Harry Potter series someday. If you're having trouble getting restarted after reading Book 1 ("Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone"), I have written "condensed" versions of Book 2 ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets") and Book 3 ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban") that I'd be glad to e-mail you (or anyone else) if you're interested.
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:59 am (UTC)
Re: Reading Recommendations
I've read the first two, and they were all right... just been too lazy (and had other priorities) to get around to reading the rest of them. :P
Often Imitated, But Never Duplicated: Disgust[info]princeali_m_fan on July 15th, 2008 02:51 am (UTC)
YOU ARE NOT SORRY >:(
Kirsten: Marion - Frying Pan Bitch[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:00 am (UTC)
...revenge for saying I was mean for not eating your cake? XD
Often Imitated, But Never Duplicated: Whoop[info]princeali_m_fan on July 15th, 2008 03:02 am (UTC)
But you WERE being mean by not eating my cake! I don't even know if you ate it the last time because I had to go kill a co-worker XD
Kirsten: Aladdin - Owned[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:05 am (UTC)
I did, I did! And I had witnesses! :P

(My poor little tiny tummy can't fit much in it! D:)
Often Imitated, But Never Duplicated: Smartass[info]princeali_m_fan on July 15th, 2008 03:06 am (UTC)
Yeah, cause they'd never lie for you, really XD

(But it's a little cake! D:)
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:25 am (UTC)
Just because I slipped them each $5 to lie for me... *shifty eyes* :P

(But it needs to be extra-little when added to a meal! :P)
Often Imitated, But Never Duplicated: Whore[info]princeali_m_fan on July 15th, 2008 03:27 am (UTC)
The things people do for money XD

(Dude, what did you have? It was like...a pizza xD)
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:35 pm (UTC)
(Dude, have you SEEN my nonexistant tummy? Not much more than a pizza fits in there at a time! :P)
Julie[info]catscratchziggy on July 15th, 2008 02:54 am (UTC)
I'm definitely not happy about PI closing. I'll have no place to hang out now.
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:01 am (UTC)
I didn't really like hanging out at PI much because I'm not really a clubs person. I did love Adventurer's Club, though, because it's so well-themed and hilarious. And the booze rocked.
(Anonymous) on July 15th, 2008 05:08 am (UTC)
Peter Pan
Actually, Peter Pan in Scarlet has many contradictions to Barrie's original stories. Imagine that...the official sequel having mistakes! All the prequels and sequels do. Except one!
There's a new Pan book out and it stays true to Barrie...it's even based on his idea for more Pan adventure. Check it out! http://www.peterpansneverworld.com/
BELIEVE!

The Never Fairy
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:35 pm (UTC)
Re: Peter Pan
Ah, I meant more along the lines of the tone as opposed to storyline. :)
Julie[info]catscratchziggy on July 15th, 2008 06:38 pm (UTC)
I wasn't as huge into the AC as some were but I had been there a few times.

Yeah I'll really miss the drinks!!
[info]dack48 on July 15th, 2008 05:31 am (UTC)
I'll be honest, the only time I blog is after a few beers and get a good buzz going. So same boat here.
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:36 pm (UTC)
Eh, I get a buzz going just about every night these days anyways. :P
wraithfodder[info]wraithfodder on July 15th, 2008 11:46 am (UTC)
What's the Splash Assessment?
Kirsten: WDW - Splash Mountain[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:37 pm (UTC)
First you take a written, multiple choice test that they show you and give you the answers to during training. Then they have you go out with the trainer and work each position for about five minutes to see if you can handle them. It's NOT THAT HARD. :P
wraithfodder[info]wraithfodder on July 16th, 2008 12:17 am (UTC)
No, doesn't sound hard, but yup, people will fail anything these days... maybe they had on their iPods ;)
~: xf - they're back![info]mizz_magenta on July 15th, 2008 12:19 pm (UTC)
KIRSTEN! *tacklehugs* 40 hour weeks? Holy cow!

Dude, told ya, furniture is way overrated. Live the bohemian life! Beanbags and inflated furniture ftw! *g* (and backups, lol)

Have you thought about selling your stuff on ebay? :)

Oooh, Pter Pan In Scarlet sounds interesting. Is it like Wicked or lighter?
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:38 pm (UTC)
I have more art stuff on my floor than furniture! :P

I really don't think I could actually make anything there. Popular artists make money, and I'm certainly not popular.

Much, much lighter! Very playful in tone. :)
~: bsg - tory/baltar (pic)[info]mizz_magenta on July 15th, 2008 02:53 pm (UTC)
You might not make mega bucks but I think you could still make something. :) Mum sells her artwork on ebay (mostly her Beatles stuff, I think) and she's not popular. I know the first piece she sold went for about £7.50 (+ P&P). I guess it depends on how you want to sell it, tho. :)
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:10 pm (UTC)
Ah, I'm not expecting to make much. Just a few bucks to offset rising gas (and insurance, oh dear god) costs. :D
Aratelinwen: Destiny[info]aratelinwen on July 15th, 2008 02:06 pm (UTC)
1) I still wish I could see even close to 40 hours a week. (They're cutting back on my hours again. :'( )

2) Brazillian tour groups = DEATH!!!! *Uses a mallet on them.* DIE! DIE! DIE!

Oh, I'm gonna be over at Studios for some of today to meet up with Caspian. Call me if you're not working. (770) 851- 7512

Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 02:41 pm (UTC)
1) That's how my CP went, too. But I'm full-time with seniority in my area now, so I get the shifts I want. :P (That being said, I'm eligible for transfer September 4 and I'm going back to Casting to audition again, so I imagine I'll have to go part time to get back into Entertainment)

2) One of our managers is Brazilian and keeps trying to tell us they're not that bad. WHATEVER. He should come deal with them then! One of our ICPs is Brazilian and even he hates them.

I'll see if I make it over there! [info]ariellen and I were talking about hanging out this afternoon, and if we end up heading that way I'll give ya a call. :)
Aratelinwen: Enchanted[info]aratelinwen on July 15th, 2008 03:05 pm (UTC)
1) Good luck at the auditions! Just letting you know, they're not really hiring right now, because we're overstaffed. But, I wish you the best of luck anyways.

2) There are some Brazilians in Entertainament, and they apologize on behalf of their country. xD

Alright, I'm heading out now, and I honestly don't know how long I'll be there. There's only a few things I plan on doing, because of the heat and crowds. (Toy Story Mania is officially off my list now.) If you guys do make it, I'll probably stay there longer. Call me and let me know what's going on.
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:13 pm (UTC)
1) Yeah, they've been that way for months now. :P I've been in the pool since February. I just keep going back and asking again. :P At least this time I'm going in with a bit of seniority in the company. :P

Okay! I'm not sure what time we'll get there - she hasn't called yet and I still gotta make a stop or two on the way down there, so it may or may not work out this time.
Michael Ruffin[info]riverscohen on July 15th, 2008 03:01 pm (UTC)
Wel it's about time they got back to normal there!! If I was in any position to move back I'd done so by now. I miss Disney!!!

I'm posting in LJ fulltime now since someone decided to hack into my facebook/myspace and write nice little hate comments all over the place.

Hope all is sunny and well in FL!
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 15th, 2008 03:15 pm (UTC)
Word is that this fall is going to be NASTY - with the decline in tourism, less hours and rumor has swirled about cutting people with less seniority. But from March through May/June I was getting 60-80 hours a week scheduled! WAY more hours now than there was on our CP. :P

That sucks! I haven't logged into my MySpace in months. Facebook I log into on occasion, but not nearly as much as LJ.
Mace: MICKEY![info]mace_francis on July 18th, 2008 07:29 pm (UTC)
Kirsten, I haven't heard from you for a while now!

But so happy that you're doing okay with work :) at least I think.

LOL @ that Brazillian group XD
Kirsten[info]xfkirsten on July 22nd, 2008 02:08 am (UTC)
Yeah, life's had its ups and down lately... a LOT of downs... so I've kinda been shying away from the internet and generally any sort of human contact a lot. I'm definitely settling in at work... I just wish the rest of my life would go easily!