NookColor?

So B&N decided to come out with NookColor...great. About time! For the longest time, I had customers come up to me and ask me point blank if a color version was ever going to come out. I feel like embarrassed and a liar. Corporate hide the release so well that it was just a completely shocker to us all. It was released on a Tuesday no less. What a random day of the week to launch a new device.

Don't get me wrong; the NookColor is extremely awesome. Sure there's the pros and cons about each device but it does depend on what type of reader are you: Magazines or books? Day or night reader? I read for leisure so its always daylight and for long periods of time. I think I will definitely buy the NookColor if it came out with 3g too. I definitely would get it then because I love having the option to buy more books since I'm a series reader.

Also, the new covers for the Nook look so neat! Finally, they got rid of the straps and insert. Hello - it does work with clips like the industrial cover. Someone of the new covers now incorporate the ideas of traveling so there's ones with pockets and zippers for the charging cable. If only the price would drop a bit. Like $20 is more reasonable for a normal book cover style. 

The new software upgrade, 1.5, isn't all that fantastic. Shelves..wow...maybe adding Pandora would have been better. The Nook is android based if they forgotten. Also, I really don't notice the different in page turning. I hope in the future they will drop the price of ebooks as well as offer more LendMe books.

 
Well, got to learn all about the NookColor as well as sell the original Nook or what kind of sells man would I be? This is my take on being a NookSeller in Southern Cali. More to rant about later.

Yes...Football!

I wouldn't believe how excited I am that football is finally getting serious. Working two jobs has put a major handicap on my running log. I'm lucky if I can get one run in and its not even as much as I use to run. :0(  Seeing a group of guys push and shove each other around over a red ball helps take my resentment of working away. Yeah, football!

Tried mountain biking and MAN that is a major workout. It's also addicting because you ride and think, "I'll just bike to that corner and see what's over there," but then you get there and you're like, "maybe I'll keep going to that hill and see what's the view like," and before you know it you're out for over 2 hours with screaming quads. Best feeling ever! Just need to do some research on where some bike trails are. Getting lost is no fun when you're hungry. Any bike trail recommendations in Orange County will be greatly appreciated!

Also, got to get a game plan on how to tell one employer I need less hours so I can focus on the other employer. Hate to say it but they don't pay be enough to stand around, in a 4' by 4' walking area, all night, staring at the front door when I can hug my pillow and get some shut eye. Yeah that doesn't seem to bad but do that on top your 8-5 job you just finished and see if you feel all bright and dandy.

Enough ranting, time to finish the game...the Red Skins have already smashed the Cowboys...c'mon Romo!

No place like Hoag!

Working at Hoag has been excellent! Sure, I've only been there for a couple of months but the people I work with are great! I haven't met a finer team. If I was ever to get hurt (cross my fingers I don't!), I want to make sure the ambulance takes me to Hoag. Also, the cafeteria food ain't too bad too. There was free ice cream today...yipee! Plus, seeing and smelling the ocean breeze M-F makes the day go by so fast. So glad, I work here now...

First day @ my new 2nd job. Nervous. The feeling is like the first day of school. Man, when will I be able to get a good run in? I work too much now...

Presenting...my Nook!

I'm so excited! I got the Nook for my (early) birthday present from my special someone. It was hard to decide which cover I wanted for my nook but I just loved this quote from Martin Tupper, "A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever." The price was also not outrageous; $30 for the Tupper Quote Cover.

The Nook sales for $259 and there is an extended "protection plan" for $70 for 2 years but it is not on top of the 1 year manufacture warranty that comes with it. So passed on the extra insurance since I will be very careful with it and didn't want him to spend more than he needed. Plus side, if something doesn't work out with this or I simply don't like it anymore, I can return it within 60 days with my gift receipt. I could also just go into the store and get assistance that way. I love Barnes & Noble.

Price for ebooks are relatively cheaper than purchasing books and I don't need to worried about what do I do with the book once I'm finished with it. I'm also one of those reader that enjoys good literature on the can so this is much lighter than a hardcover book. Plus there are two games on it now; Chess and Sudoku. I'm no good at Chess so I enjoy Sudoku but if I don't like that either, I can go on the web...yes the web. I wouldn't be watching Youtube or anything but if I want to go on Facebook or check my email, it's right there at my fingertips.

There are also several websites that I've found several free ebooks. The one I've been using the most is www.manybooks.net where most books are provided from the Project Gutenberg because the copyrights have expired. Also, since I'm at B&N all the time now, I can read any ebook for free for an hour a day...and its not a sample that you have to download and delete later. So I could read a few chapter a day and a few another day until I decided I like the book or not. Now that's awesome!

So I'm still adding my own screen savers and wallpapers which I'm uploading on www.nook-look.com under KrysP. Check it and and if you are thinking of getting an e-reader, I highly recommend the Nook. If you want a free demo go to the B&N in Aliso Viejo. Read on!

I got a JOB!...#2

So maybe I am crazy but I accepted another job offer! This one will pay me close (shy of $3) of what I use to make where working at B&N, I'm not even paid half. Lucky, B&N is flexible and I told them the very first day about possible getting this job. Background checks are such a long and stressful process which is why it took so long for me to get an offer. This job isn't permanent but having the company on my resume looks good. Besides I enjoy working at B&N and the interaction with people.

Right now my schedule kinda sucks because I can't get a good run in or get to the gym. Standing all day, 8 hours straight, my pies (feet) hurt. Now, they aren't hurting too bad but my heels are still sore like I ran a full marathon. Try having that feeling and then having to do it again the next day. If only those little croc creatures from the commercial were real to massage my feet. Oh, that would be lovely.

A bright new day!

Woke up this morning feeling fantastic! I don't think anything could top last week.

Thursday: Got my hair trimmed and highlighted! Haven't dyed my hair for almost 7 years and it only cost $75. Most importantly, I look bodacious.
Friday: Had my orientation for my job at Barnes & Noble and got the pay I was expecting with a wonderful career track laid out for me. Exciting! I knew with perseverance I would land a job just right for me.
Saturday: We didn't want to do anything too strenuous on our bodies, we cleaned up the garage with all the junk from our move and now bothour cars fit! For over a year that garage was just a mess and miraculously within a single day, like an epiphany, we decide to get a rack to organize the bulk Costco necessities and viola - now there's an actual, usable garage.
Sunday: Ran the OC Half Marathon with a great time. Didn't set a new PR by a minute and a half but the course was beautiful. It is cool in the morning (about 62 degrees) and tons of things to look at and admire. Started at Fashion Island and you run down PCH to Corona Del Mar. You zig-zag thru the neighborhood to the ocean and can look down on the Corona Del Mar Beach. Then we head to Newport Beach to the where the boats and yachts are parked and finally come to the entrance of the Newport Back Bay trail. Winding and turning along the trail with all the other runners was very tranquil. There is a massive hill are the end of the trail to get up to the street but by then it's mile 10 and you're finish at the OC fairgrounds in no time. The snacks we're pretty shabby. No electrolyte drinks (not even during the run) or oranges at the end. Only water, bananas, croissants, and snickers marathon bar which was very chalky. On a scale of 1-5, I give this race an overall 4 stars; dock a star for bad refreshments. I do looking forward to more runs and getting a new PR.

I admit having all this time to reflect what I want to do with my life is now crystal clear. I think the last thing I need to do is have a massive garage sale to clear some of the physical clutter that's bogging down my chi.

I got a JOB!

Yes, finally I have succeeded in landing a job! Apparently, I was suppose to start yesterday but a miscommunication with the assistant store manager which she said she was going to call me Tuesday after checking my references and give me a confirmation which may be Wednesday...well I didn't get that call on Tuesday so I thought something happened. But anywho, Friday is the day! Sure it's not anything near what I'm use to do but it's a change that I look forward to.

Though I must say, I like having the free time to run the errands that I haven't been able to accomplish. Also, I'm jealous that Liz dyed her hair purple. That is so awesome! She makes a point that she's not going to get a job anything soon so why not do something extreme with her hair. But speaking of hair, I think it's time to get a haircut before I start working.

All about the interviews...

Landing interviews seems to not be an issue with my background and experience in today's job market, but the issue I seem to have is getting those companies to hand me offers. What do I ideal want from a job? A secure, challenging, fact-pace, and fun work environment with friend people. What industry or what role they want me to perform, I don't care. I know I will grow into that profession as long as the environment fosters that growth. Sometime I wonder how company's have such testy and rude individuals as key employees. I guess if they make the company money, who cares if they're douches.

This afternoon, I'm to get a phone call for my first job offer since being on the job market...as a nook sales rep. I have to say this job sounds awesome! I am really excited because it's 1) different 2) the environment and 3) I'm surrounded by books all day! I love reading all genres of literature and the schedule they have setup is flexible with my life style. Sure this job is no way near HR or IS or whatever makes top dollar but change is good right now especially with what is going to happen throughout the rest of the year.

Looking forward to today's phone call, getting our certification that our backyard is a Wildlife Habitat, and testing my RoadID on today's run. Right now, it's time to munch and take more photos of my botanical garden.

Trying to replace me

Still unemployed, going for interviews and still trying to get into that 9am Spin class at 24hr fitness...I just learned my old company has find my replacement. When I had lunch with a co-worker, I recalled they were trying to find males instead and what'da know it...they hired a girl instead...and Asian none the less. How funny. I had a feeling my good o' boss would hire someone kinda like me but it still ain't me!

Am I mad they find a replacement? No. Am I mad that I don't have a job? Not really. I must say, I kinda enjoy not having to get dress up and dread going into a cubicle. I still wake up 6 in the morning and hit the hay by 10 but it's because I like this lifestyle. Well, there's no good just sitting here in front of the computer all day. Did my share of applying to jobs, now its time to get a good run in before the rain.

Crossing my fingers that I get drawn for the Nike Women's Marathon. Hope for me too!

When too much does you no Good

I've extensively over worked my core that I need to take a rest day from the gym. Boo! I hoped to go to yoga class at 9am at 24hr Fitness but anything crunch related might just break me in half. Still plan to do my daily run around the lake but in the mean time I'm bored mentally.

Tending to the dogs and rabbits isn't rocket science. There are several fun moments as for example playing referee between them sharing the water bucket (and yes its a real bucket) because only one head fits at a time. On top of today's set back my camera is also broken. This was only discovered when I thought 'Why not take some pictures to pass the time this morning.' So I guess I would be using that Costco coupon for a new camera. Does anyone else hate Casio as much as I do right now?! Which camera takes great real live photos? Is 12mpex the next highest consumer camera out there?

Enough ranting...I think I'll just pop back on the net and research some camera and some deals.

You Better Run!

A little birdie keeps pecking at me that since I have all this free time, I better run everyday because once I do work, I can't enjoy a run. Makes sense...So since April 1st, I have logged 18 miles. Pitiful! Gotta ramp it up because got a the OC half marathon coming May 2nd. I'm so excited...

Life of the Unemployed

Being unemployed for over a month is very enlightening. Meaning, I'm able to evaluate what I want and don't want to do with my life. So why not blog about it since I have all this free time on my hands.

Working at "corporate" made me realize that I should love what I do both at work and in my personal life. At first I felt I was on top of the world then things started changing and it seemed to just pass me by. My expertise is in human resources and, yes, I went to school for it, I enjoy being that connection between people and policy. This correlation can be seen with the public anarchy vs government tyranny, republican vs democrats, and even boys vs girls. I tend to think of myself as that "vs" and have both sides come to common understanding.

Having that balance, I'm not translating that into my own life and doing everything to keep myself busy. I use the net as an avenue to express my challenges and views on things that come my way. Seeing that of others blog and communicate via the net as oppose to picking up the phone, why not blast it out there. If someone like Perez Hilton gets tons of readers to see what's goes on his mind, I would think someone out there would benefit from mine.

As of right now, getting a job is a major priority because we all have to have a means to pay the bills. Right now, I'm going to go enjoy a day at the San Diego Zoo with the family since it is such a beautiful day today. I'm just going to take it all in...