My NYE

This is where I'll be spending New Year's Eve. Far enough from the actual rink, however, so that I don't break my head.

Boat Parade

Tonight I went to a party on the street we lived on when I was born. The Chino Hills Boat Parade goes right past the house I used to live in. I guess it's been a tradition since 1991 and I'd never seen it! It was so much fun! People were yelling and waving and throwing candy -- yes, I grew up in a VERY small town. And I love it. Home, sweet home.

The parade begins with a Chino Hills Police escort.
Their sign says they're the "founders" of this tradition.
Santa was rockin' out to Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Big boat that was towed by a semi.
Chino Valley Fire Dept. and the end of the parade.
Merry Christmas!

White Christmas.... in Las Vegas?

That's what I woke up to!

My backyard...

...and my neighbor's cars...

The Next Generation of NASCAR

Not Just for Tomboys

I wrote this my last year of college... just recently ran across it in some old files and thought I'd share...

Not Just for Tomboys:
Being "The Girl” In A Male-Dominated Job Field

For most women, applying for position in a male-dominated job field would be intimidating. It might not even be something most women would consider due to physical limitations. I am not like most women.

My small family was headed by the only male authority figure in my life, my father the Anaheim police sergeant. I wasn’t very “girly” when I was little, but when I got older and my father desperately wanted me to be athletic, I wasn’t into that either. When you’re the child of a police officer, most people expect you to rebel. Again, I broke the stereotype and continued being the straight-A student, always in by curfew and following the rules of my extremely overprotective father. After high school when I began to think about college and career choices, the only thing my father asked of me is that I not go into law enforcement. When I moved to Las Vegas, I promptly applied for a security position.

Back in California, I had worked for the Disneyland Resort and was always interested in becoming part of their security team. At 19 I wasn’t old enough, as they required their officers to be 21. I had never been to Las Vegas until my 21st birthday, but moved here about six months later for school. I began at Bellagio as a payroll clerk to get my foot in the door.
As luck would have it, I was responsible for Security’s payroll. Whenever a member of their management team was in my office, I would inquire about becoming an officer. My expectations were that they would look for big, strong men with a police or military background. To my surprise, I was told that their biggest requirement was a background in customer service. This information prompted me to apply.

Even after I decided to apply, it was hard for me to believe that I would be taken seriously. At 5’5”, 115 lbs, why would I be an asset to security simply because I had an extensive customer service background? My interview continued to try and change my mind, focusing on problem solving customer service situations. The manager even mentioned that those with police and military backgrounds are sometimes not good candidates as they are harder to train.
I was hired once my background check was completed. I was one of two females in my training class, and we both did better in our classroom training than the males. Once we got to our self-defense training, however, it was a different story. It was pretty rigorous and since there were more males than females, we had to practice some of our moves co-ed. The next day when I couldn’t lift my arms, I wondered what I was getting myself into.

At the time I was hired I was not only the youngest female, but also the youngest employee. The male officers had a sense of humor much like my father. Anything was fair game; most people in our department were not sensitive. The jokes were loud and bawdy, and the nights out were raucous. Most were part-time Air Force, some ex-military; some retired from other various professions. They were all very nice but also curious as to what brought me into the department.

I found that, being a female officer I was an asset to the department. Any mishaps with female guests required a female officer’s presence, and I was also called upon many times for my report writing skills. There were male report writers, of course, but it was common knowledge that females excelled in that part of our job.

Soon, I was promoted to a job in the control room. There, I learned a completely different side to my job where gender really did not matter. The control room was all about level-headedness and keeping cool during a crisis, and each member of our team, male and female, displayed these qualities well enough to be part of the room that controlled the security team.
After my year in Security, I spent another year at Bellagio in a different department. I went from jacket, tie and pants to a skirt, blouse, and nylons. From just the uniform change I was treated differently. Suddenly I was a “regular girl” again, and my co-workers in that department were more socially segregated. We were all doing the same job, but this time people watched what they said around me, and I felt I had to do the same. I was much more aware of the large differences in my co-workers, whereas in security, once we were in that red coat we were one big family.

My latest foray into a male-dominated work environment took place when I was approached by a certain department store to take part in opening their new store in Las Vegas. I had worked for the company in California as a salesperson, but wasn’t interested in returning to that position. With my security background I felt that I might have a chance as a Loss Prevention Agent, and decided to apply.

My first interview was interesting. The LP Manager was an extremely quiet, reserved, person. I, however, am not. I was sure that I had overwhelmed him, and, if the other agents were like him, that I would never be hired. Oddly enough, I was. Again, I was the youngest employee in the department and this time, the only female. In the beginning I was handed off to the female Regional Manager, and she gave me “office work” like setting up one of our satellite offices in the store, while the male agents were monitoring employees at entrances and manning the camera room. This continued right up until the store’s grand opening gala & fashion show, when, as the only female agent, I was left guarding the tent holding the models and the wardrobe.

Once the store opened things were only slightly more even, and then only because we were extremely understaffed. Somehow I ended up in the satellite office more than any of the guys, my manager claiming that I was more organized. Even when I began catching shoplifters, the male agents would get most of the glory because they were the ones tackling them. Obviously, I was not about to tackle men who weigh three times as much as I do. But when there was a female in the detention room, the male agents needed my help. I was the only one who could pat search them. I was the only one who could recover merchandise from off of their person, and most of the time, I was the only one to whom the females would confess.

Eventually, the differences in priority between my manager and myself resulted in my leaving the position of my own accord. Upon resigning from that position, I made it clear to my store manager that Loss Prevention was being conducted like a “boy’s club”, and that if it continued, the morale in that department would suffer.

Even after this incident, I would continue to work in male-dominated fields. My personality is such that I enjoy breaking stereotypes and seeing people’s reactions to me when I am doing these jobs. Gone are the days when women in “men’s professions” are labeled as “butch” or “tomboys”, or even less than feminine. With a few exceptions and the right company, gender shouldn’t have to play a role in choosing a career.

It got worse.

I have to hire Santa Claus, holiday carolers, and I'm around a 35 foot Christmas tree all day what do you expect? I love how this picture turned out.

Feeling festive...

I'm coming home for Christmas so I hadn't planned on putting up any decorations but... how can you not get into the Christmas spirit when A Charlie Brown Christmas is on TV??? Awesome. Casey seems to like it.

Shag: Donna Con Bambino

I absolutely love the retro feel, bright colors, and random pets in this collection being shown at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Notice how the carefree vibe is in contrast to what's being shown on each of the televisions...

True Life: I'm Moving to Las Vegas

This is the funniest thing I've ever watched. They're profiling three twenty-somethings who are moving to Las Vegas. One wants to be a model/actress here because "it's less cutthroat than L.A. but she'd never pose nude" (yeah, right!) and she becomes a cocktail waitress (big surprise!), and the other two basically move here to party but are having trouble finding work... hmm maybe they should have unpacked their resumes before hitting the Strip.

Thank god I moved here with a plan that included an education.

JDM

The pictures say it all! :-)

Great WTF moments in history.

Ever since my dad retired, my parents have surprised me with all sorts of things. For instance, they've never had a two-door car before. I never thought they liked coupes until they pulled into my driveway with a brand new Volvo C60 convertible. CONVERTIBLE. And this was just the beginning. Outta nowhere, my dad takes up scuba diving. The man couldn't go on a trip for more than 3 days without complaining that he wanted to go home and now, suddenly, he's in Hawaii for two weeks. My parents have also never been big pet people. We had a dog when I was very little, and I always had a cat when I lived there, but there hasn't been more than one pet at my parent's house since probably 1989. Until today. In another WTF moment, my mother added a second cat to the household.

Meet Calico, or "Cali":




JDM

The Best Pickup Line Of All Time

I effing LOVE this show.

Well, he is racing better.

Musings

Did someone knock me out and put a metal plate in my head? Did I suddenly become a amnesiac kleptomaniac? Lately, I've been setting off store alarms. Grocery stores, drug stores, the mall... and not just when I'm leaving! They go off when I enter! The looks you get when that happen, wow. I'm like, "what are you looking at? I just walked in!"

I don't know if it's just here in Nevada (I doubt it), but this election is ugly. The ads are just mean! Not to mention repetitive and overplayed. I believe it's my civic duty to cast an educated vote, which I'll do now that I've read my voter's guide. But more than anything, I'm grateful I won't have to endure any more mudslinging. Don't they realize those kind of ads don't really make them look any better? I'm more apt to say "who does this person think they are?"
See what I mean below.






The police just visited my house. My neighbors were setting off fireworks, so I called the non-emergency number. Oh yeah, I'm that neighbor. Just be quiet and we'll get along fine. You and your barking dogs.

JDM

A thousand childhood dreams, shattered....

Another one bites the dust. Why do all the sharp-dressed, intelligent ones have boyfriends?

Event Season is officially OVER!

Some pics from the final, crazy, busy weekend!

3rd Annual Endless Summer Classic Car Show




2006 Halloween Safe Street

I'm such a sucker for lyrics.

Bouncy Balls

Check it out at http://www.bravia-advert.com/commercial/braviaextcommhigh.html

This house makes too many noises.

Storms don't freak me out. Usually I'm the one with the lights off and the drapes open watching the lightning. But tonight was CRAZY!

This is what Vegas looks like right now:


See that red spot? That was over Lake Las Vegas at about 7pm. We were just about to start Jazz on the Lake and we were getting a pretty cool lightning show. And then, BOOM! The loudest thunder I have ever heard, followed by the heavens just opening up. Buckets and buckets of rain. We tore down our VIP area in about 5 minutes flat and ran for shelter.

So now I'm home and the rain has slowed to a light drizzle and I haven't seen any lightning in a while. It's supposed to rain tomorrow though, which doesn't bode well for my weekend full of events. I need to get to sleep so I can get out to the Village tomorrow and assess the damage.

But my father installed this sensor light in my backyard. It freaks me out when it turns on! It's gone off twice and I don't know if it's the rain or what but there's no way I can sleep now! The other thing is that it's still not "cold" quite yet so I have the air on. The air makes this cracking sound when it comes on which freaks my cat out which in turn freaks me out! You'd think I'd get the hang of this living alone crap after 6 years.

And to top it all off, it's Friday the 13th! No WONDER I can't sleep!

JDM

I heart Power Rankings.

You do have to watch the previous week's race to get these. But if you're a fan, and you watch like I do, they're hilarious!

Countdown.

Today.

What a day...

Miss Kennedy Lenzini was born last night at 9:56 p.m. She's 7lbs, 2 oz and the most adorable thing ever! It was so great to see Nicole, she went through a lot and we've been thinking of her!


Tim was in town today so he came over to see the new house and brought dinner. He and Erin might be moving back to Vegas. I really hope they do, I loved having them as neighbors. It's always nice to have Chino Hills people out here. Anyway, Tim was staying at GVR, so as a belated birthday present, I made a quick phone call and had him upgraded to an 1800 sq. ft. Tuscany suite! The look on his face when he walked into the room was well worth it!

I have to get up very early tomorrow, work, and then head out to the Village to work a Stars on the Lake concert. What am I still doing up?

JDM

Otherannouncements.com

When Diane Farr's engagement went sour, she had already sent out 300 announcement cards. After piecing her heart back together she needed to tell the masses of her misfortune, but how? Diane and artist friend Laurie Bailey decided they should send a second announcement. They created a card identical to the cards Diane's "expert wedding planner" had made for the engagement - only this announcement had a slightly different message (see below).

"SINGLE" went out a few days later. The response was overwhelming and the outpouring of love was amazing. Since then Diane and Laurie have decided to help the masses with their awkward, heartbreaking, and sometimes ridiculous news… the kind that just needs to be told, regardless of how embarrassing.

See more cards!

Stupid effing horoscope.

Everything feels more traumatic than you prefer now, but don't let that stop you from doing what you must do. Events are unfolding in ways that can bring a dramatic shift to your life. You can try to fight it or you can roll with the changes. Even if you are tempted, keep in mind that the easy way out is currently not your best course of action.

Dolphins and manta rays and marlins, oh my...

My father is having the vacation of a lifetime. That fish weighs 690 and a half pounds!

Back to the Village?

A return to my old stomping grounds could be in the very near future. The opportunity I had for a transfer at The Mirage turned out to be a possible step backwards. While I was pursuing it, however, my old boss at the Village called to ask me if I'd be interested in returning. I told him yes. I'd always regretted leaving, if only because the place I'd left for was horrible. But I missed it, and I didn't like seeing it in someone else's incapable hands. They seem to be willing to meet my demands to make this happen. So we'll see... I think it's been harder for me to make this decision because I didn't go looking for it. It came to me. I must admit, it's nice to be wanted... but I have to wonder... do they want me for the position more than I want the position for myself?

SITS

Another event done, and checked off of my oh-so-long list...

My father... the fish herder?

Just received this from my dad who is vacationing in Kona at the moment... must be nice...

6th in points!

Michigan was really, really good...

You know you live in Las Vegas when...

... the weatherman just said it was "perfect!" outside... no wind, 89 degrees...

...and it's 10:15 p.m.

Leadership & Diversity Workshop

I've been in a highly acclaimed Diversity workshop for my company, and today I learned what it felt like to decide people's fates; to choose who lives in a group based solely on your perception of their ability to convey your last words to your loved ones. And then to look those people in the eye and tell them "you live" or "you die". It was, to say the least, intense. After that, we had to tell those we had chosen what we wanted our loved ones to know. Obviously, that was difficult. But our instructor pointed out that we were not dying, and did not have to make these choices. We could tell our loved ones ourselves. I'm lucky in that I tell my family and friends what they mean to me quite often, but the whole exercise pointed out just how important it is to keep doing that, and not wait for a crisis or tragedy. I thought I should share what an important lesson it was.

Slideshow!

FooFoo Framed?

OMG I thought this was hilarious. Read on...
----------------------------------------------------------------

Ask yourself.


Is this the face of a "goon"?

You've heard the story.

"Little Bunny Foo Foo went hopping through the Forest, scooping up the field mice and bopping them on the head."

Has anyone ever dared to ask:

"Why?"

Of all the creatures of folklore and legend, none has suffered as much from slander and libel as this poor, misunderstood rabbit. He was accused of crimes against fellow rodents and sentenced to a life as a "goon".

Why?

What, in fact, was his crime?

Were there no extenuating circumstances?

Was he persecuting field mice for the fun of it?

Who is this "Goodfairy"?

Is FooFoo left without a friend in the world?

This is your chance to learn the truth!

This is your chance to own:

Little Bunny Foo Foo: A Mouse's Tale
By R. J. Ross

The Forest is home to countless tales. Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears; all of their adventures took place under the shade of the mighty trees of the Forest.

There you will find Robin Hood and his Merry Men. There you will find a bear in a ranger hat suffering from pyrophobia...and there you will find a rabbit named...

Little Bunny Foo Foo

If you've been drawn to this site, you know the story. Perhaps your parents sang it to you when you were a baby. Maybe you heard it at camp. You might have picked it up from a parenting book or learned about it on line. How you heard the story doesn't really matter.

What matters now is that you learn the truth!

And what is the truth?

That is the question author R. J. Ross set out to answer. As a parent, he held his daughter on his lap, sang about Little Bunny Foo Foo and hopped, scooped and bopped his way to Foo Foo's tragic end.

While he did, questions formed in his mind...questions he could not answer...questions he knew he would never be able to answer...unless he returned to...The Forest.

This is your chance to go with him, to return to The Forest of fairytale and fable and find out what the forces of greed and corruption have done to it...and to the reputation of a poor, misunderstood rabbit.

This is your chance to hear the tale of an actual eyewitness to the events that made FooFoo a legend. Now you can get "the straight tell on Foof" from the Forest mouse who was "right there in the big middle of it".

You'll learn the truth...

About the Field Mice...

About the "Goodfairy"...

About a rabbit whose only wish was to be a hero...

Jimmie Wins at The Brickyard!

Lap 39 -- YELLOW FLAG: Jimmie Johnson blows a left-front tire. He rolled around the track off the pace until his debris forced a caution. It was exactly when NASCAR had planned to throw a competition caution.

Lap 116 -- LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson takes the lead from Matt Kenseth. It is the first lap Johnson has led at Indianapolis.

Lap 124 -- LEAD CHANGE: Matt Kenseth takes over the lead after Jimmie Johnson comes in for his pit stop.

Lap 128 -- LEAD CHANGE: Green-flag pit stops have cycled through as Joe Nemechek gives up the lead to make his stop. Jimmie Johnson is in control again with a 1.435-second lead over Matt Kenseth.

Lap 153 -- Matt Kenseth gets around Dale Earnhardt Jr. for second and sets his sights on Jimmie Johnson.

Lap 156 -- Jimmie Johnson's lead is 1.955 seconds over Matt Kenseth.

Lap 160 -- CHECKERED FLAG: Jimmie Johnson wins the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. It is his first victory at Indianapolis.



I've never been so nervous in my life as I was during those last ten laps. I found out it's possible to cross my fingers and toes!!!