CaseyAndKelly.Com

It just never ends. When will we have power? Nobody seems to know. Kelly and I will think we are living like royalty once we have a fully functional apartment. We are just to damn stubborn to move, not to mention the fact that once we were all packed up AGAIN and ready to move our apartment would probably be habitable.

Work is going well, I have been trying to stay busy while we wait for the final implementation of the new network. Its kind of funny, when I was installing and configuring all the hardware all across the US I had full access to just about everything in the Directory. But now that I’m a permanent fixture here in LA the “Man” has stripped me off all rights and privileges to the hardware that I am here to support. I can’t even log onto the servers locally to help with any problems that they may be having, I just get to stand back and stare at them. Tomorrow some people from my company are flying in from VA to install 3 new servers including a pair of Quad 2.8GHz Xeon servers as well as about 3 TB of more storage for our SAN. So that will be fun to tear down the racks and wire everything back up. Maybe this time I can make it a little cleaner and easier to access everything.

Also just a few minutes ago one of the supervisors here asked me if I would be willing to go to San Francisco for a week to monitor the deployment of the network there. So hopefully that will go through, maybe Kelly can take a week off from work and fly up there with me, or drive. I might be able to handle 6 hours in the car to go up there.

A nice three day weekend coming up, maybe its time to drive to Las Vegas and once again try my luck at some blackjack, Kelly has already proved that she is good/lucky at it, but I seem to lose more then I win (hmmmm maybe that is why Vegas makes so much money?).

I talked to James earlier today and he is in Baltimore this week, but he thinks he will get to go home on Thursday, but he is still scheduled to come out here the following week. So it will be nice to see some familiar faces, it would be even better if Lana came out too then the four of us could go out and do some cool LA stuff, like go to a premier or something.

Kelly has already seen some celebrities, I have yet to see any but apparently they are always in Westwood Village, just yesterday I was told Alan Alda was at Starbucks across from the Subway that we eat lunch at often, and Shaq seems to be in the building about once a week (apparently he wanted to be an Agent, but thought basketball would make more money….. go figure!).

That is all I know for now, Kelly has been the one doing most of the posting lately, it seems that I may be out of a job.

For us, yesterday wasn’t about the Super Bowl but about Survivor: All Stars. We did watch the commercials during the game with Nicky but the game wasn’t of much interest. Budweiser and Cadillac were in competition this year for the most spots during the game.

Looks like it’ll be another 2 weeks at least till we can get stuff turned on. ‘Nuff said.

Happy Birthday Sally! (on Sunday)

Still waiting on the status of Friday’s inspection. We’re supposed to hear something tomorrow. We’ve been looking at the rental magazines but we don’t really want to move so we’re not putting much effort into finding backup places.

Weekend Recap:

Friday night we went to Hooters for wings and beer, came home and watched Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Saturday we had SO much laundry to do (about 13 loads or so) that we decided to go to a Laundromat and get it all (well except 1 load) done. Then we went to Nicky’s house for dinner (taco salad) and a movie (Daredevil). Sunday, we went to El Pollo Loco for lunch which sucks and then to buy a newspaper. We rented Ocean’s 11 (original), Freddy vs. Jason, and Psycho (original) from Hollywood Video. We watched Ocean’s 11 because I had to for my Films of the 1960s class. It sucked. The remake is SO much better. Last night we went to Arby’s for dinner (the first time in a couple of months) and watched Freddy vs. Jason. I’m actually stupider now for having watched that movie.

Today is *supposed* to be THE final inspection but I’ve heard that before. Today’s my day off so I had to get ready and leave like I normally would for work and stay away till at least after noon. We can only that the approval goes through today. At the latest we heard it would be next Friday. We are going to be offered some compensation if we do stay so we’re going to stay for another week and then decide what to do. I’m sure you’re all tiring of hearing basically the same thing. So are we! But you came here to find out about us and that’s what we’re doing.

I drove to Target Greatland this morning. It is so lame compared to Super Target. I can’t even tell the difference between it and a regular Target. Won’t be making the drive down there anymore. I’ve been at Nicky’s house for the last couple of hours hanging out. I don’t want to impose too much today since we’ll be back tomorrow so I’ll probably be leaving before too long.

Tonight we’re going to our free screening of ‘The Girl Next Door’. I’ll let you all know how it is.

Our building was supposed to be inspected yesterday but we heard from the Mexican worker (in broken English) that there was no inspection yesterday but that everything was done except for the elevator. Well if that’s the case why can’t we start turning stuff on, I can take the stairs. After all this eating out I NEED to take the stairs. I’m gonna call that guy today and find out what the deal is, this is so ridiculous.

I got a call yesterday from a professor at UCCS telling me that he managed to get my major changed over to an emphasis in recording arts. So that’s one less thing that I’m gonna have to worry about. He also emailed me the last syllabus that I need. It looks like it should be a fun and relaxing semester.

Yesterday after leaving work I drove up Santa Monica to Vine and then over to Sunset and drove down the strip for awhile. It was pretty but there was a lot of traffic. I still haven’t seen any celebrities yet but Brittany Murphy was at Casey’s building yesterday so that’s something.

We found out yesterday that today is the one of if not THE final inspection. Keep your fingers crossed that it is THE one. I got to work 1.5 hours early so that I wasn’t there in case it was being inspected this morning. Oh well, gives me some much needed time online. I’m going to try and get some pictures posted this weekend but it might not happen until after we actually get everything turned on in our apartment, but soon.

Yesterday was the first day of the semester. I’ve already gotten one of my syllabuses (sp) and am waiting on the other. This semester shouldn’t be difficult at all, especially compared to the last one. Time to go get actors a job.

We’re at Lulu’s again getting free WiFi. Well I guess it’s not really free since we’re eating here but hey we have to eat out anyway. Didn’t do much today but clean the apartment a little and read the L.A. Times. An article in the paper reported that homes around L.A. have gone up 23.7% from a year ago at this time and the median price is $359,000. Won’t be able to afford a house here anytime soon. We haven’t decided what to do tomorrow but I’m sure it’ll just be something cheap like reading a book or watching a movie at home. We’re hoping this week will be THE ONE where we get power and gas.

Well still no word on how the inspections Friday went. We have calls in and will let you all know as the information becomes available.

I found out last night that I don’t have to work on Monday so Casey and I are trying to find out what we want to do. My vote is for Mexico but 2 hours is a little too long for Casey to be in the car. It’ll probably take some convincing so maybe not this weekend but sometime soon.

We went to Third Street last night and had dinner. We bought tickets for a movie, that were freakin’ expensive. They DON’T give military discounts and I can’t buy more than one student discount with my ID. We may need to create a student ID for Casey. For those that are interested, student rate is $7.50 and regular rate is $9.50. Holy crap! We watched ‘Along Came Polly’. It is SO funny, you’ll laugh through the movie. While there we got free passes for next weekend to see an advance screening of ‘The Girl Next Door’. Can’t complain about free! While on Third Street we went to Barnes & Noble and Casey bought a couple of books. Another one from the author of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Bringing Down the House’ (the story of 6 M.I.T. students that took Vegas for millions). I need to get better at counting cards and my blackjack critique so I can do that too.

Now we’re sitting at Nicky and Jason’s house. Casey is cooking roasted garlic rosemary chicken and I’m just getting stuff done online. I’m sure you all know how hard it is to deal with the situation that we’re in, considering what our lives were like before this (sitting on the couch in front of our 55″ TV with a Powerbook in each lap).

January 10, 2004

After leaving Third Street, we went over to Jason & Nicky’s and I wowed everyone with my enchilada cooking skills. We started to watch ‘A Mighty Wind’ but it wasn’t keeping anyone’s attention so we began playing DVD Trivial Pursuit. Good times! It was girls against boys and the girls won.

January 11, 2004

Both Casey and I are still feeling stuffy and sick. We bought some cold and sinus medicine yesterday but are still feeling congested. Since we had no choice but to leave the apartment for food, we drove down to the pier. We walked up and down the pier but there wasn’t any REAL food only carnie-type stuff. After walking around a bit we settled on Ye Olde Kings’ Head for fish and chips. It was palatable but not worthy of being in the Zagat Guide (which it is). The people are authentic Brits in appearance and manners.

January 12, 2004

The keys I was given at Geddes (for my internship) don’t work. I had to wait in the hallway (again) until someone else showed up. I was given someone else’s keys for tomorrow so I’m hoping theirs will work. We finally started getting some of our mail today although we’re concerned because all of it was addressed here but two magazines and those were brand new issues. We’re wondering if our old post man just now (as in today) put in the change of address form. Casey found out while looking online that his company has quite a few openings in the Springs. Bad timing but at least there’s hope when we want to move back.

January 13, 2004

I drove up to Malibu today. It’s kinda scary to think what would happen if there was a tidal wave, mudslide, earthquake, or any other act of God to this area. They’re only 16 feet above sea level and on pretty unstable ground. As I was driving I noticed landscaping tarp material draped over portions of the hills with sand bags attached. I got to a certain point and decided to drive on a residential road to see what I came across. I came to Pepperdine University and wanted to turn around, the guard instead allowed me to drive through the campus and come out on the other side. It is a beautiful campus with a view on three sides of the ocean and mountains. The view probably has something to do with the exorbitantly high cost of tuition. On the way back, the 4-Runner started flaking out again (big surprise) like it did on the way home from A-Basin. It’s always something with that POS. When I got home the mail still wasn’t here and it was 4. Are we ever going to get this mail situation worked out?! Casey’s going to call again tomorrow. We’re getting things addressed to us at the new address but nothing forwarded from the old. If you have any checks, money, flowers, or other gifts please send any mail to us at the new address.

January 14, 2004

I called Alan again today to see how the inspection on Monday went since he never called me back. He said that the building passed one inspection and failed the other. He said there’s another inspection happening tomorrow and he’ll call me tomorrow evening to let me know how it goes. I’ll probably end up having to call him back on Friday morning. I went to Marshall’s today after my internship. I’m glad I did because it is so much better than the one at home. I saw a pair of Earl Jeans which normally retail for $110 for $25. It seems that our mail situation is getting straightened out. I’m still a little concerned though because I got something from U.C.L.A. today that was written on December 19, postmarked on December 30, had a reply by date of January 9, and didn’t get here until today.

For dinner tonight we went to the Bistro of Santa Monica. We were forced into getting valet parking because they didn’t have any regular parking in the lot and the next street parking available was a couple blocks away. You pay for convenience. We splurged on dinner after watching our spending this month. It was worth it but I’m glad we waited till the day before payday cause we could have bought at least another day of meals with what we spent. It was yummy Northern Italian food and seafood.

January 15, 2004

Today is my Friday because I get Fridays off from my internship. Sadly, Casey has Monday off and Geddes doesn’t observe it as a holiday so I have to go in. At least it’ll only be in the morning. We are now eating dinner at Lulu’s Blue Plate, where earlier today the Osbournes dined beneath a banner from Sharon that said “Welcome Home Ozzy.” Sadly, I was at Target and did not see this. I’m still waiting to see a celebrity since moving here. I thought it’d be a lot easier.