05/23/2008: "Packing is definitely not a favorite past time"

Work Photo

Turns out I needed a picture for the place I will be working at in Japan, but with less than two weeks left in America, it wasn't looking too good to get an appointment at a photo studio, get the pictures printed and scanned in that period of time. So, I made my own photo studio. Yay!

Basically, you just need some decent, indirect lighting (this didn't work out so well, but at least there aren't any shadows in the picture), a backdrop (which was a grey bedsheet pinned to the ceiling with thumbtacks) and someone willing to play camera boy (that's what siblings are for). Crop and size the photo, then toss it into photoshop and blur/mess around with the backdrop (to get it uniform), and call it a day. Not the same as getting it professionally done, but considering that 'professionally' wasn't really a possibility, I think it came out all right.

Other than that, all's going pretty well. Just busy with all the packing, moving, and prep work that needs to be done to actually leave the country. Finished the last of my clothes shopping today (2 dress shirts [blue and green], 2 ties, 4 pairs of pants, and one belt), but otherwise wasn't too productive. I did manage to get my hotel reservation moved, though (go me!!). Been going through my stuff and throwing things out, and started to pack of the things I'll be leaving in America. Once that's all done, I need to figure out what comes with me on the plane (clothes, laptop, dvds) and what gets shipped to Japan (more clothes, etc, etc). In an ideal world, I'd bring two bags (carryon and one checked) and mail two boxes.. but considering how expensive it is to mail stuff, I should probably bring more and mail less. Pssh.

It's amazing how much of your sense of belonging and self-worth you derive from the organizations you're affiliated with. No longer having school and being without a job leaves me feeling really.. weird. I just keep waiting, wondering "now what?". I know I'm only technically jobless for about 2-3 weeks, but it still feels weird, and like I'm just wandering. I guess part of that's normal (the sense of self-worth you derive from working), and the other part is that I really do like structure, and having nothing to do is really, totally boring (and yes, I know there are people thinking "Seriously, I'd love to have all that free time! Wow! It's great!".. but I assure you, I've had alot of free time in my life. It's only so awesome).

Visa coupon (technically "Certificate of Eligibility", which means I can exchange it for a visa. Hence, 'visa coupon') came in Tuesday, overnighted 2 hours later, must've arrived on Wednesday, and they'll have it overnighted back to me when they decide I should have my visa. Incidentally, even if paying to ship something overnight is far more expensive than it should be (though USPS is half the price of FedEx, for the same time and guarantee), there's something about it that just makes you feel special. "I'm awesome, you see, and my mail needs to get to another place in LESS THAN 24 HOURS."

Then again, maybe it's just me.

I'm tired, so I should probably sleep. My books and figurines are packed, so tomorrow I should pack my electronics (the ones that aren't coming to Japan). PSX, SNES, DC, and I have no idea what to do with my LCD monitor (19"). I suspect someone's going to get very lucky and inherit it if I can't mail it to Japan. Darn.

Well.. night. Until next time, I leave you with this markedly dapper picture of me. Don't say I never did anything for you...


Jason

On Saturday, May 24th, kat said:

i can imagine that must be strange to sort of be in limbo for a couple of weeks. Congratulations on graduating and going to japan and the job and everything. i wish you the best. please stay in touch : )

On Monday, May 26th, MinaMina said:

neat picture -- the students will see a stern task master. What a great opportunity for you.