Your lungs are too small to hotbox with god.

I suppose this update is both for myself ,as well as for anyone who might still be reading this thing. A lot has happened in my life since my last journal entry and I really need to take a step back to put things into perspective.

Well, let me first start out by saying that I no longer work for Starbucks Coffee Company. After 6 years, 11 months and 15 days.. My time with them has come to an end. I applied for a position at Boeing in early February. I was then contacted in April that they wanted to hire me for the position which I had previously interviewed. The job paid double what I was making at Starbucks Corporate and had incredible potential to open many doors for me in the future. I decided to make the move

I am now roughly 2 weeks into my new job at Boeing, and thus far, I remain unimpressed. I am a project manager on the new 787 Dreamliner project. The production is quite far behind schedule and everyone around here is very stressed working long hours. Some of my co-workers have worked the past 30-40 days in a row. As a result of this crazy crunch time, there is no one here to train me in my new role (They are too busy doing their own work). I have been here for 2 weeks and done nothing thus far. Now some of you might think, "Sounds like a good gig to me!", however, this is not really the case. Soon I will be expected to be preforming tasks very similar to the rest of my integrated scheduling team, yet I have had no training. They use a very complicated Excel type program to manage thousands of tasks regarding airframe manufacturing for engineering groups. It is a very detailed, complicated progress and its frustrating that they expect me to be able to teach myself such a complex program. All my co-workers have at least a BA in project management and therefore had been exposed to such programs and schedules throughout their higher education pursuit. The kicker is that the two guys who interviewed/ hired me aren't even a part of our team. This means my management has no real understanding of my background and makes gross assumptions about my capabilities. My stomach hurts everyday I go to work.

Man, that sounds like a downer huh? Well.. I had to get that off my chest because it has been plaguing my mind non-stop for the past few weeks. On a positive note, everything between Aya and I is great. I love her more than anything in the world. We've been living together for the past 5 months and thus far, things are going perfectly! I am trying not to think about her leaving next January. I don't know what I will do with out her. Despite having to be apart from one another, we have promised to make it work no matter what. I am committed to do whatever it takes. Well I gotta go to a meeting so I better run. Hope everyone is well. Until later...

 Well, here I sit in my little cubicle on the 6th floor of the Starbucks corporate builiding.
I have been working here for a week and despite the horrible commute, I am really happy.
The job is pretty busy, but it really makes the time fly. Not to mention it is nice to sit all day :p.
This building is pretty amazing... There are 6 espresso machines on every floor so at anytime you 
can power yourself up with any beverage (for free of course) that you could order at any starbucks.
My team is filled with a buncha cool people, I feel like I fit in here. Oh yeah, and having a set schedule
with weekends off is ill.I guess after this entry level job, the skys the limit.

Its funny to see how different the two spheres of white collar and blue collar truly are. A lot of the
people who work here really don't realize how lucky they truly are. I suppose my past 6 years in retail have helped
me put things in perspective. I definitely don't take this for granted. 

Anyway, just thought I would update this bad boy for anyone who is still reading/ interested. Hope you all are well.

P.S. Sean, I miss you man.

Woot!! all my hard work might just be paying off.
Had an interview last week for a job at Starbucks Corporate. I didn't have a suit, so Aya and I
had to hit the mall and find something nice n' flashy. Ended up dropping $300 bucks to
look like a pimp. Oh well, as Alex would say, "sunk cost."  The day I had my interview I had to work
from 4am-12:30pm. The interview was at 1pm... Thank god for Espresso.

The interview process was intense, but I felt confident. I sat down with two people in a secluded office for
1 hr and they asked me an endless stream of protocol /questions. I fed them what they wanted to hear and did my
best to look/ sound professional. Then after they were done, their bosses came in and interviewed me for
another hour. Turns out, their bosses were wayyyyyy more chill and laid back individuals than their underlings. It was nice because
I didn't have to act fake during the second interview segment. The head lady even commented on how professional
I looked in my suit.. (Yeah baby, money well spent).

Just yesterday I got a call from the head recruiter who informed me that I got the job! I have to stay at my current
store for the next 3 weeks to help cover, but I will be starting my new job on Feb. 21st. It is an entry level position,
and hopefully the sky is the limit. Its nice because it has a set schedule from 7:30am-4pm M-F. Oh yeah, it pays
better :p

I have an interview with Boeing this Friday for a Manufacturing Project Manger position (Not sure really what that means).
So we will see how that one goes. It is just reassuring that 6+ years spent in the trenches of Starbucks coffee hell are finally
paying off.

Until later..

Lots been going on over the past month or so. I am in my new apartment.
I got a letter today from the JET program stating that they received my application
and that I will be hearing back soon about the possibility of an interview.

I hate my new job and desperately want out.

More on everything later. I just don't have the time or energy right now.

Don't get me wrong though, things are going pretty well despite my work situation.

A friend's family member took a video of me, Aya, and him receiving our diplomas.
Apparently they were seated in the same area as my ecstatic roommate..
Kinda nice to have the actual recording of the event.

Just 10 minutes ago I finished my last final in my career as an ungraduate student.

I am now officially a college graduate. I think it is gonna take awhile for the reality to set in
that at least for now, my pursuit of higher learning in the collegiate setting has come to a
close. I am proud of myself for finishing strong this quarter despite all the hardships and setbacks
I experienced over the past few months. I stuck it out and I made it. 

Though my future is pretty much up in the air for the time being, I am confident that I will make something of myself. I have too much drive and potential to fallshort of what I want to become. In retrospect to experiencesI have had in college, I regret nothing. I have had such a great time at Western building relationships and meeting new people both at work and in school. I will really miss living with Sean K. I love that kid to death, we have had some amazing times together. It still feels like just last week when Sean, Alex, and I sat on an uncomforatble couch in moment of awkward silence upon or initally meeting. Amazing how MJ can relax situations and iron out the creases :D

Its been a fun ride over the past few years. I am anxiously anticipating my next stage of life and ready to hit the ground running.

Until later... -ScaT

 

I can't help but try to fight the tears. Life is both so beautiful and brutal.

I feel so helpless. I am in complete disbelief at what has happened.

I am so sorry for your family and Ariel.

Rest in peace Mike, I will never forget all the times we shared.

Love you.

Wowza.. been awhile since I have been around here.  Guess I have been far to busy as of late to update this thing.
Well, things are going pretty swiftly this fall quarter at Western. Its already week three of my final quarter! Of course,
I have zero affect for learning right now, but I just gotta grind my teeth and get through it all. I am taking a ancient Japanese
history class this quarter, as well as a visual rhetoric class.  Both seem to be pretty interesting thus far, despite having big
work loads.  But hey, since I'm only taking 9 credits, I can't complain too much! :p

Things between Aya and I are going alright.  The future is kinda unknown once December rolls around.  She wants to stay
and work in the US. I want to go to Japan to teach English.. I am applying to the JET program over the course of the next
month or so, guess I will just have to see how far that train travels. 

As for video game collecting,  thanks to my roommate Sean, I discovered an online forum at nintendo age
that designed for people who are amassing NES collections. Lately a lot of people have been suggesting that I expand my
genre of collecting into the realms of SNES etc.. But I just don't have the time or the resources to do that.  Also, NES is my
true passion and therefore is what I am seeking the most.  I have been doing a few deals via craigslist, but most of my buying
is still done thru eBay. Fuckin'.. eBay.. Nowadays eveyrone and their brother is collecting NES stuff so the prices are sickeningly high.
Guess i'll just have to ride it out till things calm down again :)

Well, now I am rambling... Anyway, I need to get outta this computer lab and get to class, just thought I would update this.  And yes,
I am very nervous/excited for what my future will bring come post graduation.  Until later...

Short summary of Taylor's summer:

1. Having a great time with Aya this summer.

2. Working downtown has been interesting and fun, though stressful at times.

3. Made some new contacts.

4. Still trying to find a post-college job. Lots of form letters being sent my way.

5. Anticipating my JET application.

6. Added great additions to the NES collection.

7. Loving the new HDTV during football season.

8. Been doing well with poker. Can't wait to crush in Bellingham.

9. Greatly miss Sean, Justin, and Big Lex.

10. Looking forward to my last quarter at Western. (Both good and bad).

11. Made some honest self-realizations.

A nice addition to my ever growing obsession :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270131459286&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=017

They printed it.

Editor:

          I recently was browsing through the Mukilteo Beacon, when I came across an article that was full of negative stereotypes and ignorance.  As a member of this community, I too have noticed an increase in graffiti prevalent throughout portions of the Mukilteo area.  I agree that graffiti which is committed on personal property ( i.e. residential housing, cars, functional businesses etc...) is a true crime and should be a focus of containment and prevention. In my opinion, arresting and imprisoning vandals however is not effective prevention.  Damaging personal belongings is never acceptable. However, to say that graffiti is not art is astonishingly ignorant.  Graffiti is a recognized art form on a global scale.  It has been utilized to restore unity in disparate areas via community based mural creation projects.  It has provided a creative outlet for at risk youth as an alternative from the life of drugs and gang affiliation.  Henry Chalfant, an acclaimed photographer and urban culture expert states, "In a society that takes pleasure in blaming the messenger, it is easy to forget how, in the massive demographic shifts that were beginning to tear apart the social fabric of New York's neighborhood communities, graffiti saved many writers from gangs and drugs."

         It is a common misconception that graffiti artwork has a direct correlation with gangs and crime. While gang oriented graffiti does exist, it accounts for an extremely small portion of graffiti in the United States. Most graffiti is committed by individuals who have a passion for the art form and have no connection to criminal activity. Graffiti Crews (such as, MSK or UBK) and gang units are about as different as apples and oranges. 

         Referring to my previous point, supporting laws that punish graffiti writers with felony convictions and jail time fail to recognize the new problems that will be created from the enacting of this legislation. A felony conviction carries with it life long ramifications that could severely damage a young adults future.  A prosecuted writer could potentially lose voting privileges,  access to college loans or financial assistance programs, and even end up in jail. Placing a non-threatening individual in a environment rife with dangerous criminals would have serious consequences.  Horrible atrocities are committed within the confines of the United States jail system, acts to which a non-violent, young adult should not be subjected.  Placing at risk vandals in jail with serious criminals fails to be ethically or logically sound reasoning. Whether communities like it or not, graffiti is here to stay.  If the community at large is seriously concerned about graffiti, creating a legal sanction for graffiti would be a positive step in the right direction. Communities across America have created legal "graffiti walls" in an effort to help diminish illegal graffiti in their communities.  This method of prevention has proved to be not only a successful graffiti deterrent, but also supports rather than alienates the talents and abilities of youth in the community.  If law makers and police officers continue down the current path of hellfire and brimstone tactics, Mukilteo's graffiti problem will continue to flourish.

                       Sincerely,

                                    Taylor Stockton

When I came home from work today I sat at the living room table to unwind a little bit and relax after being on my feet for 9hrs at work.  I noticed a copy of the latest Mukilteo Beacon resting on top a stack of magazines.  An article on the front page caught my eye; Graffiti on the rise in the community. Of course this headline pulled me in and I continued to finish the story.  After finishing the article, I was completely stunned and angered with what the author had to say.  In short, they noticed a few pieces of graffiti had recently showed up in the greater Mukilteo area and therefore equated the graffiti to a symbolic representation that demonstrates our society is on the decay (*Cough* it started in the 60's, graffiti that is).  They continued to make the assumption that graffiti is often associated with crime, gangs, and drugs.  The paper interviewed the local police and political figures who argued that harsh laws need to be put into legislation which would call for arrests to be made and felonies to be filed.  Their only source of outside info came from a website called graffitihurts.org (The website is a joke by the way). I was so heated by reading this bias piece of trash that I wrote a letter to the editor about how I felt the article was unjust, inaccurate, and offered unethical and illogical solutions to Mukilteo's "graffiti problem." I am gonna edit my response tomorrow before I send it out.  i'll post it on here in case any of you care to read it. Ciao.

Sean, did you see this?  Note the winner... :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stadium-Events-NTSC-Nintendo-NES-extremely-rare-game_W0QQitemZ270153824900QQihZ017QQcategoryZ62053QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Whew! Been awhile since I have been on LJ to read any posts, let alone make any new updates of my own.  I don't really have time to make a formal update right now, but I am gonna jot a few things down that I will then expand upon later.

-Still working at Downtown Everett Starbucks

I am starting to really hate working for Starbucks. It has almost reached the point where it is unbearable to go into work.  Most all the people i enjoy working with at the store have left or are leaving in the next few weeks.  I guess I am only there for another 6 weeks so I just need to suck it up.  It just gets old after working for the Bux for 6 years and I am still making under $10 an hour. Tragic.

-Damaged my neck

Over a week ago I hurt my neck in a freak incident that involved moving my head from the pillow too quickly. Apparently I hurt two ligaments and I couldn't twist to the left at all and had to go to the doctor who put me on steroids and muscle relaxers.  That part was enjoyable.  Everything is now almost back to normal so that is good.  However, it really spoiled the weekend I was supposed to spend with Aya.  Oh well, just how it goes sometimes.

-Trying to find career options

Been searching hard.  Had assistance firming and toning my resume.  It looks nice now.  I put one on Monster.  Not much goin on with that.  My hopes of working at the Seattle brokerage firm aren't materializing as I had hoped they would.  I am scared that I won't find anything before December.  I have tried to get hooked up at the corporate level of Starbucks, but have yet to have heard anything. A little scared about the future.

-Took grandfather to M's game

I finally did something that I have been wanting to do for a long time.  I took my 84 year old grandfather (the sweetest man in the world) to a Mariners game.  It was on July 31st, vs. the Angels.  I bought really nice tickets and were able to sit right behind home plate.  I could tell he had a fantastic time.  His health and memory isn't what it once was, but that's what happens when you get old I suppose.  I love that man more than I could ever craft into words. We went out to dinner at our favorite Seattle diner and had one hell of a fun time.

-New flooring in tha hizzzouse

My parents decided to have the old carpet upstairs in our house removed and replaced with new hardwood.  It took about 5 days for the whole project to be completed, however the wood is still in the curing process so we cannot move any furniture back inside and must only walk around in socks.  We had to sleep outside in a tent for 3 days during the finishing process and during that time I got pretty sick with my cold.  I had to wake up every morning at 6am and go to work without a shower after sleeping outside in a tent. It was far from enjoyable.  This will be my first night sleeping in my own bed in almost a week so I am really looking forward to it!

-Aya's birthday

Today is Aya's birthday.  We went out last night to a cool Izakaiya in the international district with a bunch of her friends and got lit. We then ended up in an apartment located above Uwajimaya.  BTW, those apartments are all sorts of chic and coolness.  Drank more.  Played with a cat named 'sausage' and watched Young Frankenstein.  I have been getting progressively sick with a bad head cold over the past two days and this morning woke up feeling very poorly.  I felt bad because it is Aya's birthday and here I am just sick as a dog.  I took her to 13 coins for breakfast.  We sat at the counter and had a blast!  We then went to Northgate and walked around for awhile. Spent sometime on the Ave. and then finished up our wandering in University Village.  By that point I was having a hard time focusing on anything and we retreated back home.  I just took a nap and I am feeling pretty out of it.  I really wanted update though so this is my attempt at a rough sketch of my life over the past month or so.  Time for Aya's presents! Gotta run. Ciao

Here were are, summer at last... Aya is now settled in down in her Seattle apartment.  I'm just starting to feverishly slave away at my new Starbucks in Downtown Everett.  To my surprise after checking my final Spring quarter grade postings, I received a 4.0 accumulative.  Though I know that grades really don't say much about a person and I shouldn't take much stock in them, I am pretty proud of how hard I worked throughout the final stretch of my undergraduate collegiate career between work and school; while still being able to party and enjoy myself. Good times.

Today after work, which was then followed up by rapidly consuming a huge serving of delicious チャハン, I decided to go for a serious jog.  I have this run I did a few times over the last summer, but never really stuck with it on a regular basis.  It is about 4-5 miles in its entirety; one big loop if you will.  It starts out down hill for .5 mile, then serious uphill action for 1/3 mile. Flat ground for the next mile. The next 1.5 miles are uphill running on loose gravel deep in the woods. This is my favorite part because it is intense on the mind, deep in the woods running to the sound of my ipod while fatigue plagues at my muscles with steadfast malice. The next mile is a mix of flat, uphill, and down hill.  The Final 3/4 mile is slightly downhill to the finish. Hard but satisfying.  I am going to try to do it 3 times per week.

Lastly, I have been meaning to do this for sometime now.  It took a lot of energy to unpack and repack all this stuff, but it had to be done; Heck, at least for inventory purposes :)  I didn't type an all inclusive list, cuz I am a lazy shit.  Here are a few pictures of my collection for the moment.

Wow life has been crazy lately!  I am 3hrs away from taking my last final of Spring quarter, (Yes I realize I should be studying but too much excitement is building within).  When I finish the final I need to head back home and finish collecting/ packing my goods for the move back home.  My dad is coming up to help me move tomorrow morning, very generously I might add, I am looking forward to seeing him and having breakfast at Bobs.  As a side note, I love having breakfast with my father.  He such a down-to-earth kinda guy.  We occasionally go out for breakfast and talk, it is always a time I treasure. 

Once I move home I gotta get my PC and the essentials setup.  I also have roughly 30 NES games that I have purchased over the last month via eBay which are waiting for me in my room (woot)!  I am going to stay the night at home on Wednesday and then head back up to B'ham on Thursday. Thursday night Aya and I, along with a bunch of our friends are going to head out for Richmond Sushi, in Richmond B.C. After 9:30 they bust out a tabehodai "all you can eat," for only 12 bucks Canadian.  Such a deal, not to mention the Sushi is such high quality :) 

Come Friday morning Sean and I will check out of our apartment and head up into the wilds of B.C. for our climbing adventure.  Hopefully we will be able to grab a spot at one of the local camp grounds so we have a place to setup the tent.  It would also be nice to find a river or something so we can bathe after climbing.  I am looking forward to the weekends uncertainty.  What is far from uncertain is how much badass climbing there will be.  I have stepped up my climbing schedule to roughly 5 days a week over the past 2 weeks to get in the best shape possible... Sloppy Poppy... Here I come. I will be sure to take photos and post pics of our weekend upon returning home.  We are a little bit leery about the weather not cooperating with our plans. I really hope it doesn't down pour on Friday or we might be SOL.  I know the climbing gods will hear my prayer.

Also,  Aya found an apartment in the University District in Seattle to live for the summer. She has an internship with a Japanese company over the summer and will be working full-time in Seattle.  This is great because it is much closer to B'ham and we will be able to spend time together more often.  I am going to help her move all her stuff down and get her situated on Monday.

Well I suppose that is everything for now.  I guess I should probably get my nose back into my book... However, the 2nd stratum of Etrian Odyssey has lately been demanding my attention.  If you have a DS, enjoy classic RPGs, and don't own Etrian Odyssey, then go to your local game retailer and snag a copy.  I assure you you won't be disappointed.   Until later...-Scat