Strip Clubs and you

My friends are getting married soon and the topic of bachelor parties and strip clubs came up since tonight is the actual bachelor party. Everyone has differing opinions of strip clubs. I have known a few strippers in my day and knowing how much they make I honestly believe they take advantage of men more than women, but that's beside the point.

It's come up more than once over the years whether or not one would be okay with a significant other going to a strip club. I thought I would give my two cents on the matter.

I feel the same way about strip clubs as I do about Medieval Times. They are okay to go to for special occasions and in large groups. They are supposed to be entertainment centers meant to take your money in exchange for amusement that you can't get at home. A place for a bunch of people to get together and make comments out loud they wouldn't say anywhere else. It is weird and creepy to go by yourself or go too often. If they know you by name, it's not cool. It's just sad. Dragging people there who don't want to be there isn't going to be fun for anyone. Also know the rules so you don't end up in a losing section or with a $700 lap dance bill (true story on both accounts). But all in all, I don't see the harm in going and you should quote "Cable Guy" as frequently as needed.

A side note: I do not approve of censorship or forcing your opinions on others, however, I heard this great story. For years, a local religious group was trying to get a strip club in their neighborhood closed down. Every single thing they tried failed. In a last ditch effort, they decided to actually go into the place. Sure enough, the answer to their problem was right there in front of them. It had a shower on stage. They reported them for not having it wheelchair accessible. The club couldn't afford the construction to make it wheelchair accessible or to remove it and was forced to close down. If they had only gone in there at the beginning, they wouldn't have wasted years. Sometimes you just need to do what you got to do to get the job done.

P.S. Yes, I compared strip clubs to Medieval Times. Try and get that image out of your head next time you go to either place.

My Last Tuesday in LA...

I got up early and got a bunch of packing done.

The wedding we are going to on Saturday has a request to not wear black. I went in search of a blue skirt (unsuccessfully) and was in a Sears when the earthquake it. It lasted about 15 seconds yet the retartedness and panic lasted for hours. I'm standing there and people are screaming and running for the door. I tried to stop them. You don't go outside for an earthquake. We don't live in a 3rd world country. The buildings aren't going to collapse and if they do being outside isn't going to be much better. The main thing you need to worry about is debris. Broken glass, for instance. Now when windows break, they break out - not in. So WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH WOULD YOU WANT TO BE OUTSIDE WHERE GLASS AND DEBRIS IS GOING TO BE RAINING DOWN ON YOU? Retards. I swear to God. People suck.

Sears employees were even more retarded than most. They make the announcement "All employees to the conference room." I say to the other customers "Does that mean help ourselves?" Seriously, these people have the common sense of ants.

After that, I went and got my car washed since mom and I are going to be spending a fair amount of time in it over the next few days. I came home, ate some left over pizza and then headed to LAX to pick up mom. There was a huge police presence there. I'm assuming because people are retarded.

Mom's flight got in early and we dropped off her stuff and went to dinner with my friend, Theresa, and her 2 and a half year old, JJ. I brought JJ two small toy cars I found while cleaning. He played with them while watching "Cars" on the iPhone. We ate pizza and talked. When we were leaving JJ was being fussy while his Mom was saying hello to some people she ran into. My car was right there so I opened the door and said "JJ, you want to drive?" He dropped both cars and was in the driver's seat in about a split second. He played in there for a bit and I realized that would probably be the last time I saw him before I left. He had a good time and then screamed when his mom finally took him out of the car so they could go home.

We came back to the apartment and watched "Enchanted" and then mom crashed around 10:30p which was 12:30a her time. I crashed 2 hours later.

Today, we are headed to Disneyland!

My Last Monday in LA...

I went to Costco, got some gas for my car since it is cheaper there ($4.20) and asked if the double bookcase that I like was available in Seattle so I wouldn't have to lug it all the way down there. The answer was YES! So, I got that going for me.

I then dropped off a library book that was overdue (*cough* 2002 *cough*).

Next was Best Buy to use a gift card I got as a going away gift. I picked up "Enchanted" and "Dan In Real Life." I've packed most of my DVDs up and wanted something new to watch as I have no cable and need distractions as I pack. If you haven't seen either of those movies, I highly recommend. Both soundtracks will get suck in your head...you've been warned.

After Best Buy was Target to pick up the randomest of items - envelopes, coffee and facial scrub.

Then to the grocery store to use a coupon for batteries for my camera, to the post office for stamps and the eye doctor to pick up my glasses. My contacts aren't ready yet and they may have to mail them to me. I'm hoping they will be in by Friday.

That was all done by 11a. I came back home and packed up the kitchen until I went to lunch with Paul (star of "Two Guys Drinking in a Bar") and his wife Karen at a Chinese restaurant around the corner. They just moved into a house and I took some boxes off their hands. They, in turn, took some tupperware and lawn chairs off my hands.

I got a call from Out of the Closet and they won't be able to pick up the rest of my furniture until Friday morning. By the way, none of my furniture sold. No one came by despite advertising on Craigslist and around the neighborhood. A few friends are taking some items, but the couches and dresser are getting donated.

At this point, I needed a nap so I took one because I could. Mwhahahahahaha.

Got up and packed some more until Mike (creator of "Two Guys Drinking in a Bar") came over and hung out. Later, we met up with Paul and Karen again for dinner. I came back packed some more and crashed around midnight.

Exciting, huh?

Random Question...

While I am packing, I am listening to NPR's podcast "All Song Considered" and they are talking about the music that defined my generation (Gen X). Now which makes me feel older that almost all those songs are almost 20 years old or the fact that I am listening to NPR?

My Going Away Party

On Saturday night, I had my going away party at the Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood. Formosa is an old school Hollywood bar that was used a lot in "L.A. Confidential." I reserved the patio which worked out nicely as we had our own little area with our own bartender and it didn't cost anything extra to reserve.

Prior to the party a few close friends joined us for dinner at a BBQ place next door to the Formosa. We wanted to make sure we had full bellies to absorb the alcohol. That turned out to be unnecessary as they watered down the drinks quite a bit, but they were tasty enough.

There was quite a turnout. Unfortunately, it was too dark to shoot and video, but I got plenty of pictures. Here are a few random selections:





These and the rest can also be found on my WinkFlash photo album. If the link doesn't work, you can go to www.winkflash.com and enter the name "fangirl" to see the pictures. Please enjoy.

Spoiled Me Rotten

I have previously alluded to the fact that I got spoiled rotten with gifts at my work going away party. I figured I should take the time to do some show and tell of the actual gifts.

Before I begin, I should explain that there is a wonderful show on Monday nights on ABC Family called "Middleman." It is "Men in Black" with "Gilmore Girls" dialog, "Spaced" references and Steam/NASA Punk gadgets. Knowing my readers, half of you got half of those references. Oh and I work...err...worked for ABC Family. Those pieces of information help the below list of gifts.

You would think that those previous bits of awesomeness would be enough, but they couldn't stop there. They continued with the gifts by making me a "Seattle Survival Basket" which included the following items:

(1) Mickey Mouse umbrella
(2) CDs of Grunge/Seattle Music from "Buzz Cuts"
(2) CDs of Grunge/Seattle Music that was put together by SueAnn personally
(3) DVDs of Ratatouille, Pixar's short films and Who Framed Roger Rabbit
(2) Books: Pike's Place Market Cookbook and Oregon/Washington Tour Book
(1) Map of Seattle
(1) Starbucks Gift card
(1) Visa Gift card for Gas Money
(5) Target Gift cards
(11) Coupons for various shopping outlets and touristy places
and
(1) Really cool basket that it all went into

In addition to that, some co-workers got separate gifts which include:

A Book of Disney Comics from the early days
A Mickey Mouse Umbrella and Coffee Mug
A Disney Messenger Bag
and
A 12 volt Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

I think you can see why I wanted to do a separate post to show off all my gifts. They all went above and beyond the call of duty on this and really spoiled me rotten. Aside from my many thanks and the bag of bagels I brought in the next morning, I really don't know where to begin to thank everyone for all that they have done for me here. Not just in these gifts, but their sincere and sweet sentiments they have expressed to me these last few weeks/days.

And for the record, yes, I know I said awesome a lot in the videos. Can't help it. Everything about those gifts and the people behind them is awesome. And yes, I also know I'm a big dork.

Yesterday...the end of an era.

Yesterday was my last day and it just didn't feel like goodbye. More like see you all later. I packed up what little I hadn't already taken home already. I said my goodbyes. Turned on my out-of-office notice, got the temp all set up to take over and sent out my farewell email. Here is what I sent:

As I'm sure all of you know by now, I will no longer be working for the mouse nor living in LA. I am moving up to the Pacific Northwet (not a typo) to enjoy the better weather and not have to see those annoying blue skies or pesky sun beams anymore.

I have enjoyed my time here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with all of you. Thank you for the support, guidance, questions, answers, anecdotes, laughter and encouragement you have provided me over the last five years. Even though I will miss all of you and the company (however, I will not miss SAP, compliance training nor performance connection), I am looking forward to this new challenge and to starting a new phase of my life.

In the immortal words of Shakespeare, "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." Wait. Wrong quote. I meant to say, in the immortal words of Richard Bach, "Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

While today is my last day working here, that doesn't mean goodbye. In this computer age, there are many ways to keep in touch and I hope that you choose at least one of them. Below are all the many ways to track me down:

Email: blacfedora@hotmail.com or kathy.bugajsky@gmail.com
Cell: XXXXXX (not posting it on my blog)
AOL AIM: Filmbratty
My Blog: http://fangirladventures.blogspot.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathybugajsky
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fangirly
Facebook: Search for me by name
Friendster: http://www.friendster.com/fangirly
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Fangirl
Winkflash (Photos): http://fangirl.winkflash.com/

So drop me a line in any or all of the above ways!

Kathy Bugajsky
Formerly Kevin Closson's Assistant

P.S. Don't forget! My going away party is tomorrow at Formosa Café at 8pm. Come one! Come all! I have the patio reserved. Here is the evite link (if you don't already have it or if I missed you when I sent it out originally): http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/GHCICWIFJRSQHJPUWHUP/goingawayparty

Note: I totally stole the "Pacific Northwet" line from my friend Linda who lives in Seattle.

I'll be curious to see who actually does make an effort to contact me once I'm gone. I hope to be surprised to see more people not less. Time will only tell.

Tonight is my big party at the Formosa Cafe. I am so looking forward to it. If I am recovered enough tomorrow, I'll post about it and upload all the pics and/or videos.

My last day on the job...

Today is my last day working for the business and legal affairs department for Disney ABC Cable Networks Group. At the end of the day, I will be unemployed.

I started off as a temp for one week at Christmas time in 2002. They brought me back as a temp in March of 2003 on a 6 month assignment. I began working for KC and KE in July of 2003 and they officially hired me in early December of that year. Later, KE would get his own assistant and I worked solely for KC.

I liked my job and love my co-workers. I would have continued to work there if I were staying in Los Angeles. My co-workers so rock. Did you see my post about my going away party? Wait until you see what they got me.

I don't feel like I'm really leaving there because I'm still going to be in touch with most of them. I mean I still talk to people I went to grade school with for petesake. I will keep up with anyone who wants to keep up with me. My Christmas card list for this year is going to be huge! My hand is starting to cramp just thinking about it.

I really work with a lot of good people and I'm not just saying that because I sent a bunch of them the link to this blog. Today will be a happy sad.

My Farewell Lunch

Today my co-workers threw me an AWESOME farewell lunch. I cannot begin to tell you the level of amazing these people are.

It began at 12:30p in the large conference room and it was decorated with balloons and wrapped gifts. They brought in In&Out Burgers which was perfect since I won't be getting them up in Seattle. Then the speeches came. My boss, Kevin Closson, spoke first. Unfortunately, he's been sick all week so his voice was low and the video camera was too far away so I can't post that video. I'm sure he's happy about that.

My other boss from before, Kevin Ellman, with his new assistant, Denize Zavala, wrote and performed a rap for me. This was caught on video perfectly:

In case you weren't able to hear it or the video isn't playing right, these are the words:

Dis-Missin'

she's goin' insane to rock it with cobain
she's givin' up the bucks to kick it at starbucks

(Chorus) she's going back to closson...hmm i don't think so

no more fun in "the sun" with the rain she'll be one
she gonna buy a loft and work at microsoft

(Chorus) she's going back to closson...hmm i don't think so

lookin' stella with umbrella
kickin' it Rockafella
Sleepless in Seattle, is where she'll be
Time to dis KC and miss the Kathy B.

(Chorus) she's going back to closson...hmm i don't think so

(c) Kevin Ellman aka E-Man and Denise Zavala aka D-Nice

After that, their boss, Adina, gave a lovely speech. Then there was opening of the gifts. I'll do another post on all the awesome, awesome gifts once I take some pics of the autographed "Middleman" posters I got. which is just a tip of the iceberg of awesomeness.

I then had my chance to speak which was awkward and odd as you would expect. I suck at that kind of stuff. I have video of it, but since I control what gets posted (mwhahaha), you don't get to see it. I'm not much of a crier so there were no tears, but it will be sad to go. I just don't feel like I'm leaving these people because I know I will talk to them outside of work.

The event was topped off with cupcakes as all events should be.

Everyone was absolutely great the planning was perfect. I thanked them in an email, but I'd like to thank them again here. Thank you Shana, SueAnn, Elawna, Lynn, Monica, Jill and Kevin C. for the perfect going away lunch. As always, you rock. Thanks for Kevin E. and Denise for my rap. I'll give more thanks in a later post when I list the gifts.

All in the marketing...

Last Saturday, I was at the eye doctor enjoying my insurance while I still have it. As I was waiting, they had this video ad for Lasik eye surgery playing in the background. I heard the voiceover guys say "Do you hate putting your contacts in every morning? Do you hate taking them out every night?" and then goes into his pitch about how Lasik would end all of that. However in my head, the ad went more like this:

"Do you hate putting your contacts in every morning? Do you hate taking them out every night? Well, now you can have laser beams shot into your eyes while your awake to correct that hassle. You can even watch as they perform the surgery on you. Best of all, it's not covered by insurance so you get to pay for the surgery yourself. Did we mention it costs more than your car? Well, it does and it hasn't been around long enough to see the effects over time as your body starts to naturally age. Doesn't that sound so much better than putting in contacts every day?"

Yea. I'm not a fan of Lasik at all. I warn all my eye doctors not even to bother pitching me on it. Instead, I got my check up (no change in prescription within the last 16 months), ordered my contacts, picked out a new pair of glasses and paid a total of $180. I'm okay living with the hassle, thanks.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

My new apartment is in Seattle, but the neighborhood is actually called "Green Lake." Unlike Toluca Lake, where I leave now, it actually has a real lake.

Here are some stats about it:

Green Lake is in north central Seattle. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is a glacial lake, its basin having been dug 50,000 years ago by the Vashon glacier. In 1855, David Phillips surveyed and named it. In 1869, Erhart "Green Lake John" Seifried settled there. In 1891, it was annexed to Seattle. In 1910, Carnegie built the main library. In 1927, they built a bath house that is now used for various play performances. In 1929, the community center/field house was built. In 1955, an Olympic size indoor swimming pool was added.

There is a 2.8 mile paved path around the lake with lanes divided for people on foot or on wheels. The lake itself can be used to swim, paddle boat, canoe, row boat or wind surf.

My apartment is closest to the community center that has the indoor pool and tons of classes including pottery, fencing, hula dancing, cooking classes, etc. I could go on and on and on about all the classes I want to take, but I'll wait until I actually sign up for them.

Did I mention that the park is two blocks away and I'm a total of three blocks away from the actual water?

Here are quick photos I snapped which aren't very good. I hope to have better ones once I get up there.

Success!

First off, I am back on the Internet once again! My lack of access at home was extremely annoying. Stupid upgrade of one program made another program not work and viola - it translates into me not being able to get online for a few days. Ain't technology grand?

Second, my scouting trip was also a success. Not only did I completely fall in love with the city, but I got an apartment! I now have a place to call my own...and have my mail forwarded to.

So let me tell you a little about my apartment (I will tell you more about the neighborhood in another post).

It is a one bedroom on the second floor of a three story building. I'm going to guess around 700 sq. feet. not including the balcony. It's carpeted and comes with both a fridge and a stove. Sadly, no laundry in the apartment itself. It is $20 less than what I am paying now for my half of my current rent. $25 a month for gas, water and garbage. The roof is designed so you can go up there and hang out.

Next door to my apartment is the Fire Department. Across the street is a Quiznos. Two blocks away is the beginning of the park district (more on this later when I discuss the neighborhood). Three blocks away is a Starbucks, two other coffee shops, Baskin and Robbins and an awesome little bar and grille. Four blocks away is the public library. These are just some of the things I know about already.

I wasn't able to take many pictures because I was in a hurry, but are a few I was able to snap.


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My Internet is down at home

As soon as it gets back online, I will post more. Sorry for the delay.