So I'm going into Chicago for a full week starting on Monday... it's really the last "big" city in the country that I have not visited (I've been to Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, and Miami). I don't even think I've ever flown through there...
Anyways I'm going to a week-long training class at my company's headquarters in Merillville, IN which is 20-30 miles from the city... and I'm anticipating to freeze my ass off.
Other than that my parents are coming to Texas for a big family get-together down in Uvalde so hopefully I can get either Thanksgiving or that corresponding Friday/Saturday off as we're also going to be shooting some Buck while we're down there.
Katherine just got a new job that is located in Alice, TX (around 125 miles from here). She has been gone 2 weeks in a row and possibly for a month or two more before she can start telecommuting into work and she's possibly flying into Houston tomorrow to take care of some business there. She is working in the oil industry (with a parts company that supplies very costly valves and such used for drilling) so please, buy as much of that $3/gallon gas as you can, we'd like to move into a bigger apartment next year. (just kidding)
Is it excessive that in the past 2 months I have purchased: -Heavenly Sword (PS3) -Halo 3 (360) -Call of Duty 4 (360) -Metroid Prime 3 (Wii) -Guitar Hero 3 (360) -Half-Life 2: Orange Box (360) -Manhunt 2 (PS2)
... and I still really want to get Super Mario Galaxy, Assassin's Creed, and Rock Band before the end of the year?
Really have curbed my DVD spending though... in the last 2 months I have probably bought 2 or 3 DVDs. Blu Ray and HD-DVD are the future (moreso Blu Ray, but I still can play both formats) and I just can't stand looking at anything less than 1080i on my projector.
I'd highly suggest anyone with an HDTV to get a taste of one of these formats as HD-DVD players have dropped down to anywhere from $199.xx to even $99.xx in some places.
It's been, oh, around 4 months since I posted on my LJ so I thought I'd write a little bit about how things are going on.
As many of you know, at the end of May I moved from Orlando, FL to San Antonio, TX to accept a job as a manager for a hotel company called "White Lodging Services" that operates hotels around the country... I've been placed as a Rooms and Housekeeping Manager and I'm essentially in charge of an entire 110-room facility in the downtown area.
Still living with Katherine... we're renting a nice 2-bedroom apartment that's around 12-15 minutes away from downtown SA. We've got a cat named 'Scar' that we inherited through long-storied means and also 2 fish named 'Mr. Incredible' (he's red) and 'Lando' (he's black).
Texas is really cool... there's a lot more cities to explore than in Florida and a more interesting history. Last week we visited Houston and saw the original bones (not a recast) of Lucy (the "missing link" between man and monkey, some say). Working for Marriott also means that we get some kickass hotel deals... I got a $59 rate at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Houston, for instance (usually $300-$400/night)
I think that's all I've got for right now... all you guys should come visit! San Antonio is awesome in the way of things and places to go. We've got Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World Texas, and of course both historical and culinary delights. Plus I've got a second room with a really REALLY comfortable futon with a 12" mattress (big enough for 2).
I just wanted to let everyone know that I WIN AT COLLEGE.
Just got a call from White Lodging (the hotel management company I was interviewing with in Austin this past weekend) and they've decided to extend an offer for me to join their company in their management training program either in Austin or San Antonio, Texas.
What does this mean? Well, until I get the offer in the mail tomorrow it just means I >for sure< have a great job after college. I already know that the company provides medical, dental, life, and disability insurance along with 401k, free hotel stays at their 200+ properties around the country, and paid vacation time. What I do not know yet is the salary offer, which I should be getting in the post tomorrow.
Exciting exciting news. It's a great program that promises fast advancement and performance-based bonuses on top of my base salary.
Made it back from Austin in one piece. Great weekend! Got to see lots of Katherine and had a very nice interview as well.
I went to a family wedding with Katherine and my future in-laws on Saturday which was really fun despite me knowing around 4 people other than them in the bunch. There was much food, dancing (very terribly by my partner and I, might I add), and glee.
As for this coming week is anyone interested in seeing Grindhouse on Thursday night at midnight? I'm sure that Loews Universal Cineplex will have a showing. Otherwise there's something going on with OA and this film on Friday I can attend (but I'd prefer to see it ASAP as Rodriguez/Tarantino are probably my top 2 favorite directors... working together... crazy... talk.)
I'm going to be hosting a little party on Tuesday night to proclaim the release of my favorite little film of 2006, Borat!: For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Come see the film on the big screen in the Lutterplex with glorious (no pun) 110" picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
I'll provide some food and beverage but if anyone wants to bring a couple beers along, more power to ya (the host prefers Shiner Bock, Rolling Rock, and Yuengling).
Festivities will begin at 7PM on Tuesday, March 6th at my place and we can catch some dinner after the flick if anybody'd like. Directions below.
People wearing fake moustaches will be made fun of on sight.
The name of the complex is the Villas at Waterford Lakes. Come up the gate and scroll through the names to "LUTTER, ROBERT" and buzz me. I'll let you in. When you enter through the gate, turn immediately to the right and immediately turn again at the fork to the left. Whichever way you go you'll end up on Lexington Summit (the street which runs along the back of the property), this is just the fastest. Make sure to find a parking space as there is a ban on vehicles parking on the street in my community.
So remember that wacky test I was taking just before my last posting? Well, White Lodging (a big hotel management company) was the company it was for. Apparently I answered everything correctly because they are flying me out to Austin, TX on March 30th through the 31st for a final interview.
This is the company I've most been interested in because of their locations being mostly in Texas and Florida, two of the places that are high up on my "I wanna live there" lists. So anyways, exciting news. They are going to provide plane ticket fare, food, and accomidations whilest I am there and I'll also have ANOTHER chance within a month to see Katherine, at least for a little bit (she lives right near Austin, TX in San Marcos).
Seriously, this is the most exciting thing to happen to me in QUITE a while.
Alrighty... I seem to have figured out what was hurting my stomach the other day: bad mung beans. They're these Chinese beans which are crushed and made into a sort of pasta. I ate them a couple days ago before I got sick and now, I've eaten some again and got that same feeling. Guess it was a bad batch from the ol' Phouc Loc Tho supermarket
Took the weirdest assessment for a job this afternoon (as the 2nd part of a live interview) in which two statements were given to me and I had to pick the one that appealed to me the most. Examples of a couple questions:
"I am never late for work" or "I lead"
"I take responsibility for my actions" or "I am detail oriented"
"I never abuse my lunch or break time" or "I'd like to travel the world!"
... For around 250 questions. Mind numbing. I'm sure something printed out on the other side that told them exactly what my return-on-investment to the company would be and how my next 25 years of performance would go. Computers, eh? :)
I'm going to be going to Fort Lauderdale for the weekend... so anyone that needs me, you know the number.
I know that there's nothing really wrong with me... I'm not sick... but I have had absolutely no energy for the last 2-3 days. I feel like a sack of potatoes and when I sit down, I just don't want to get up. On top of that my stomach feels like it is tied into knots and I feel bad each time after I eat (well, except after that fantastic Lazy Moon boxcar-willie slice last night).
Mentally I just can't stop thinking that I am going to end up without a full-time job after college (well, I could always get one at Disney). Speaking of Disney they are being absolutely no help whatsoever and I haven't had ANY hours in two and a half weeks (as my position was obliterated and all the full-time people are eating all the hours at the resort).
I just want someone to cheer me up, but everyone is equally busy or just too far away to be with me physically.
I have to fill out an application for Marriott now, got another interview tomorrow. Urgh.
Just ordered: Approximation of my class ring I just ordered (I had to photoshop the 'antique' finish on there from a stock photo, but you get the idea).
It says "BSHM" (Bachelor of Science Hospitality Management) on the side with a Hospitality theme... 10 karat gold (just like my old HS one that I actually traded in towards this one) and proclaims the year 2007 as Rob Lutter's graduation date from college.
Also everyone should put in a vote for my buddy Will (spooky electric) who is in top running in the make-a-funny-video-to-be-Mr-Planet-Smoothie contest. Watch it here: http://www.planetsmoothie.sharkle.com/video/118246/ (hilarious).
Well.... I just kicked that interview's ass. Lasted around 45 minutes and I THINK everything went well. Good start to a long week of interviews starting next week. Got a wine/cheese thingy at Disney tonight with graduating seniors where I'm supposed to meet the head of resorts globally and thusly be swayed to stay with that company. Just hanging out here at school till that begins around 6:30PM at the WDW Casting building.
BTW: See everyone at MegaCon this weekend. Don't have a costume this year but I will be helping out Gatzu/Dan in being cameraman for his latest opus/documentary on the phenomenon of cosplayers/convention costumemmakers/weirdoes.
First things first... Happy Valentine's Day to my beautiful sweetheart Katherine. <3
So I've got my first mating dance in respect to the post-Graduation job market tomorrow with none other than Fairmont Resorts and Hotels. It's one of the smaller hotel chains with around 50 domestic hotels (100 more overseas).
Job pays $40,000/yr... full benefits in every respect and I think I'm fully qualified.
I just got my new suits back from the tailor and I look like James fucking Bond. Wish me luck both this and next week when I take on such companies as Harrah's (largest casino group in the world), Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton. I've also got some wine-and-cheese thing with Disney tomorrow night for graduating seniors encouraging me to stay with them.
Interesting things afoot. Hope I can shake this nervous feeling by tomorrow morning and start feeling cool and confident (I think I just need a Red Bull).
Was the switch from a Film BA to a Hospitality Management BS a good one? ;)
Ordered my cap and gown yesterday, got a haircut, checked up on my suit, and working on cover letters for a couple resumes tonight. Guess I might really graduate this May!
In case you've been living under a rock for the past two weeks... It's the Chigaco Bears vs. the Indianapolis Colts with Kickoff at 6:25 ET on CBS. We'll be meeting at my house between 5-6 PM.
I will have the game on my 120" projected screen in High Definition and also 5.1 surround sound. Got all my cable issues tied up today so it should be a great game.
BYOB... minors (and miners) will be provided 2 2-Liter bottles of Coke/7-Up and maybe a bag of chips.
For more detailed directions (and Google Map) check this out: http://www.orangeanime.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=410925#410925
If anyone other than me wondered what happened to Mike Judge's (Office Space, Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill) new film <b>3001</b>, Fox Home Entertainment is quietly releasing it on DVD on January 9th under the new title of <b>Idiocracy</b>.
The movie got great reviews upon release, but only actually got put out in New York/LA for reasons unknown and was abandoned by the studio. It's even got a FRESH rating at Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHOG/imdb-adbox/
I was going to post about this sooner... but I got held up at work for a bit later than I'd hoped...
A man that proved to be a real inspiration to me died on Wednesday night... a Mr. Anthony Marshall. Tony was the only memorable professor I have had in my tenure at the University of Central Florida. A hospitality lawyer by trade, the man instilled so much knowledge and understanding of the hotel industry and I feel had a real effect on both how I look at things at work right now and will manage things in the future.
I had no idea that he was battling brain cancer. He didn't even show it
I know most people could care less, but hearing that someone that was a real influence to me had died really broke me up. The man had lots of the same sensibilities as me, gave me great advice (as recently as last week), and I really can't believe he's gone.
So my original hard drive from my computer when I built it (circa 2002) has just kicked the bucket. For some reason <technical jargon ahead>, the boot sector has become corrupt, so any time I try to start Windows on my primary partition, it is just making a loud "CLICK!" and restarting. Scandisk circa Windows 98 even told be to replace the drive!
So I just ordered a 160GB 7200RPM Western Digital Caviar ATA100 drive to replace this piece of shit Maxtor. 80GB more for porn! yaaaay! ;)
For now I am going to be moving all my files to my secondary 80GB drive and running off my existing partition of MandrakeLinux on said hard drive.
Maybe I'll actually put forth the effort to install WinXP Pro on there once I receive it. Hmm.
(Holy shit, Windows Vista is 20GB! That's INSANITY! How big is an XP install? Anyone? Bueller?)
God... am I the only one that is INCREDIBLY stressed right now?
I've seriously never been this stressed out in my entire life for a variety of reasons. To top it off I did a full 360 degree drift off the road this morning to work in a hard rain. It was more of a trip-while-walking-and-look-to-see-if -anyone-saw-and-get-back up moment than anything else... but it was still damn scary! Luckily there was no guard rail so I just got right back on the road like nothing happened. No damage to vehicle or self, but I did have to stop at the petrol station to refill my left tires (broke the seal while drifting, no harm done).
Work is stressful too with the new transitions to the third party vendor... and I just want my Katherine to be here. She's stressed out too, the poor girl! :-(
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luttersan's journal
feeling blah
lethargic