I had a heart-to-heart with a leader in my community with whom I respect tremendously. Actually, it was more like they had a heart-to-heart with me. They shared with me that they had lost trust in me and provided me with a couple of examples. To be honest, they would be the last person that I would think would lose trust in me. It just goes to show how one never has anyone completely figured out. People are just too dynamic in their ways to be able to nail someone down exactly.

In any case, my overall response was one that really exemplifies my confidence, maybe overconfidence, in myself. I appreciated their honesty with me, although the examples that they brought up occured almost two years ago. It would

As far as I was concerned, I've accepted the place where I've been relegated in the community, and do the best with what I have. It's not the most ideal position, but it's all mine. I take pride in my work, and I do what I feel is right. Fortunately, I'm afforded this because not until recently have I been given a title in the community. Having no titular restrictions has allowed me to remain very independent and neutral, exempt from the politics that go on within organizations. Being an only child, with my mom barely ever home, and raised by a lola that had mediocre English skills at best, I learned how to function independently. This is nothing new to me.

However, I do appreciate and recognize the value of synergy and working in groups. To that end, I have been underutilized. Yet some of the independent positions that I've taken have apparently hurt my reputation with the community. Again, to that, I have a strong, almost over-confident response. Reputation is what people think of you; character is what God and angels know of you. Ultimately, I know why I do the things I do, and they are not malicious or negative in intent, nor are they a product of selfishness or personal . I may make mistakes, as that is part of being human, but for all intents and purposes, I am a good person, with visions and dreams to help the world become a better place.

Superman Returns in IMAX is just amazing. I watched it at 12:00 AM, in my Superman suit. Although I was the only one dressed up, right when I arrived, three young men asked to take a picture with me. I wonder if that's what celebrities feel like when they are at the verge of success in their careers. This was the first full-length film that I watched in an IMAX theatre and I didn't realize how technologically advanced the whole theater is, from the screen, to the speakers, and the acoustics of the room. Of course, the 3-D parts were right where I expected them to be, the action sequences and in scenes where there are plenty of details, both in the foreground and background of the screen. The images are larger than life, the colors vivid, and the sounds booming.

I'm not sure why the Esquire IMAX theatre only released the movie now, over a month after the national release of the movie. Other IMAX theatres in other communities had the movie back in June. I'm sure it was some sort of business matter. It's a good time though, because I received word that if the movie doesn't gross $200 million domestically, the sequels will be cancelled.

Yesterday, I had an interview for a position that I would really like to have. It's still in the Executive Office at the California Department of Education, but the position is more analytical in nature. That's more up my alley as my background has been in engineering and history. However, I did pretty poorly at the interview. I should have been more braggadocious about my skills. In general, an interview is another opportunity for the prospective job seeker to showcase and advertise their skills and talents. The interviewee must communicate how they will be an asset to the company, and that can include being more braggadocious than usual. Fortunately, I do have an out. I can write a thank you letter and include some of the details that I failed to mention at the oral interview.

In total, the application process includes five separate instances where one can really market themselves. The cover letter, resume, application, oral interview, and finally a thank you letter. To throw in some details about themselves regarding their strengths can go a long way in forming a larger image of themselves in the eye of the prospective employer.

I finally did it. I enrolled in the Motorcyle Ridercourse, the first step in getting a Motorcyle license in California. Yes, I know that a couple of months ago, we buried a fraternity brother that died in a motorcycle accident. I know that motorcycles are involved in fatalities, not accidents. However, this is something that I've always wanted to do. If I am meant to die, then I'm meant to die. Here's the reality. We will all die eventually. I can either die on the field or I can die in the bleachers. I might as well jump onto the field and have myself a good time! The next open course is October 6, 2006, but I'm signed up and ready to go for that one. It looks like it's a 15-hour course and they provide the bikes and the helmets. Sounds good to me.