California sun has sunk...

So here we are in Cali... bonus points to whomever can tell me where that title is from WITHOUT googling. I really wanted to get some pictures up and going for you guys, but we seem to be having issues with that at the moment. I was under the impression that California was just free Wireless Internet everywhere - but I gave it a little too much credit. I'll take Lappy along with us tomorrow and check for access every now and again.

But right now there are actually bigger things going on than California. I've always said "This place will fall apart without me." No one ever took me seriously, well I hope they do now. We happened to flip on the television tonight and what do we see?? Springfield IL on the San Diego local news. Apparently those news reports are exaggerating. My apartment is fine, but others in my complex have holes in them. Best Buy was torn up really bad... REALLY BAD from the sounds of it. Merchandise ruined. Ceiling gone. We aren't expecting customers for a couple weeks. Aparently when I get back they will be pulling in employees for disaster clean up. There could be irony here except for the fact that I haven't been able to check on some fellow Springfield people yet to see their status. (My cell phone is jacked up)

Anyways, I'll try and get you pictures tomorrow - but no promises. I need to find free wireless internet. My face is a little pink today from the sun (Phil and Scott are straight up burnt). Its a rough life out here in California. Peace, I'm out.

Type G Personalities

So I haven't really told you about my work experiences in a while... maybe because I changed the name from "Rob's Office Space" to "Rob's Space 2.0" and I just lost the working theme altogether. I thought I'd share with you some of my views on customers at Best Buy.

Bst Buy stereotypes its customers into a few bit size classes so that employees can make snap stereotypical judgements and adjust accordingly. For example, I'm "Buzz" (a late teen, early twenty-something that is tech savvy and wants the cool stuff.) There's also a "Ray and Mrs Ray." Mr Ray wants the new TV, but in the end, Mrs Ray holds the checkbook and if she's bored, they're both leaving. There's others... like the guy that wants the most expensive thing out there and doesn't want a service plan because "That's why he's paying good money for a quality product." There are other official names, but I forgot/don't care.

Here's the customers I see more often:

• Stinky Sam: Can be male/female/indeterminate. Smells either like Body Odor, Butt, or McDonalds. Speaks slowly, and you have to do the same. Hold your breath whenever possible and gesture/turn towards the computer (and away from Sam) to catch a fresh breath.

• Amish Alex: Male/Female. Doesn't know anything about computers and wants to spend about $100. Gets pissed that Anti-Virus software doesn't come with the computer. Calls the computer a "Modem"(the tower) and "TV" (monitor).

• Mr Chris McCool: Almost always male. Thinks they know what they are talking about and uses entirely too many buzzwords. Seems put off that we don't sell individual processors and neon lights to trick out your computer. The second Chris talks down to me I mentally punch him in the throat and then actually tell him that he can go across the street to Computer Deli.

• Linux Larry. Similar to Chris but likes to mention repeatedly that he uses Linux and is exceptionally put off that our wireless cards don't say if they support it. Larry I kick in the knee caps, then kick again when on the ground screaming "You're using Linux, of course nothing is compatable!" Seriously, if Larry or Chris knew half as much as they pretended to know they would be shopping at NewEgg.com or ZipZoomFly anyways.

• Customer o' the Week: This is the one that reminds me of my cousin Kit or Mom's friends. Reguardless of how much they understand, it doesn't matter because they're good humored about it and is a pleasure to help out. Recognizes that computers are complicated and don't get mad at me when they don't understand. Sad I only get about one of these a week.

• Regular Ron: Seriously, this guy is here a few times a week... definately needs to get out more. Does he go to Circuit City all the time too? I like to think he's a die-hard Best Buy fan and gets in fistfights with other nerds about which is better.

• Early Eddie: This people are waiting in the parking lot before we open on a Wednesday... WHY?!?!?!?! GET A JOB!!!

The Longest Test of My Life

Seriously... I kid you not... Five hours.

From 6pm till 11pm I was taking my Political Parties and Interest Groups Midterm. I wrote at least 12 pages, I really didn't count however.

• 25 Multiple Choice.
• 4 short answer.
• 1 Essay.

Doesn't sound that bad, does it? Wait, let me define "short answer." Lets start with a 4-5 paragraph minimum. Sounds pretty much like an "essay" to me doesn't it? No. The essay was like 8 pages. Here was my Essay Question:

Regarding party and interest group involvement in campaigns, summarize the Manship techniques of modern campaigns, compare and contrast the classic positive and negative themes found in televised campaign advertising , and examine why candidates go negative, showing the pertinent guidelines for doing so.

I wanted to cry when it was all over. I did actually. Then I went grocery shopping. I bought my first starfruit. I also got 2 minneolas. That's what I do when I feel like a test has litterally shattered my soul. I buy exotic fruit.

And for those of you who love REALLY bad local commericals...

A big weekend

On Wednesday I was a 24 year old college student.
On Thursday I was a 25 year old lobbyist.
On Friday I became an Illinois Senator...

I debated bills in the Capital building.
I wore a suit... and looked damn good.
I sat in the big chair and pressed the buttons.
I was even on the big screens and spoke into a microphone.

25 is a milestone age...

• 10 is the first time you hit double digits
• 16 you can drive
• 18 you can die for your country
• 21 you can legally kill your liver
• 25 is a quarter century and you get cheaper insurance

I guess the next big one I have to look forward to now is 36... where you can date someone half your age without getting arrested (that one's for you Tim).

I'm studying for a final tonight, whether or not I'm sleeping tonight is debatable. My girlfriend is the best ever, that is not debatable.

YouTube

Its my birthday, and I'm going to give you one more popular website... YouTube. Think of it as a TV Network of home video clips. There's something for everyone:

Scott: Your favorite show ever... who was it that was never defeated?
Josh: This is the sort of thing we should be glad we never got into as kids, we would have hurt ourselves.
Tim: Emo... guh...
Ro: No, you can't have one.
Mom: Don't worry, you can't be replaced. But sometimes an outside source can be helpful.

Cow Abduction and Drug Tests

"We have people on the look out for what we call Cow Terrorism."

Ever think anyone gets excited at the prospect of a drug test but then is super disappointed when they get there because they thought it was a sort of drug taste test and now they don't get any free samples. I wonder about that sometimes.

Finally, I know you're always wanting timewasters from me. Here's a quirky/funny/cute site for you to enjoy. check out the animations.