Michael Morena

The jobs search begins...

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:43:52 GMT

As some of you are aware, I am no longer working for BLT. While this was not when I would have chosen to leave, I was already looking toward greener pastures before I was laid off. This is just a general broadcast message to let people know that I am back on the job market.

If anyone knows of any (preferably senior) IT positions please let me know. I am a Systems Administrator by trade (I manage data centers, servers, network, phone, and other technical infrastructure), and I am capable of trouble shooting and hardware management on all platforms (Windows, OS X, Linux). My skill level at each would be: Mac OS Guru, Linux admin, Windows tech. I am also familiar with networking, Cisco Routers and Switches, and all things Internet (DNS/Bind, TCP/IP, all file protocols, etc.).

I have a few promising leads so far, but I would really like to have choices, so if ya’ll know of a job in the Los Angeles area, let me know

More Thanks...

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:53:43 GMT

So because they were soooooo special, I decided to hold off one day in thanking these next two people so the post would really stand out.

...

I didn't FORGET them or anything. I mean, it's not like they were in my first draft and I was re-writting part of it and I forgot to put their section back in or anything.

Because that would be, like, stupid.

...damn it.

THANK YOU teaa AND dietcokeofevil5!

You guys were also my heroes. I don't know what I would do without you in my life, and I dont EVER want to find out.

Very Belated Thanks

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 05:23:57 GMT

So at the beginning of the month of September, there was a life changing negative event in my life. Sadly this event took place less than a week before my birthday. Under the circumstances I did not expect anyone to acknowledge my birthday, much less celebrate it, and I prepared myself to have the worst birthday of my entire life.

Then something remarkable happened: With less than 24 hours of planning and prep, my friends saved my birthday.

Whitney, Sellars, and a whole host of accomplices set out to make sure that I had a birthday, and that it was fun. I was kidnapped, bought great food, taken to a great show, and to my great surprise, despite being devastated by what, in my mind, was akin to a divorce, pzonivy pulled herself together and showed up totally ready to make my birthday as good as it could be.

Then the next day there was BBQing and lots of good friends showing their support for both Amy and I.

I cannot even begin to thank everyone who pulled everything together on no notice, and all the people who came to a party they were hearing about in the Morning, planned for that afternoon.

Some special thanks:

Whitney, Jason, and Faerie: thank you for saving my birthday, and for taking care of me a nurturing me for weeks afterwards. I would never have made it without you.

Sellars and Isis: You guys are more generous than words can express.

Amy: Thank you for setting aside your stuff as best you could so I could have a real birthday. I love you.

Comicon Weekend?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:36:05 GMT

Anybody going Down to Comicon on Friday night of the weekend? Amy and Clark will be heading down Thursday evening, but I will be staying for work Friday and heading down in the evening. Anybody else heading down and willing to give me a ride, I would be eternally grateful. Plus I could pitch in for gas. And snacks.

Anybody?

More on THE MAGIC CASTLE

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:20:10 GMT

The details for those of you who are attending (or want to):

Guest spots. The way this works is:

- I get 10 people free and clear. No cover, no mandatory dinner reservations, just adhere to the DRESS CODE (you need to know about this if you are coming), and you are in.

-I can invite as many people as I like, so long as they pay a 20 dollar (NOT 15) cover charge (per person).

-I get four VIP guest cards per year that get up to four people in without a cover, but you have to make dinner reservations (not stupefyingly expensive food, but not Denny's prices either).

Dress Code Info

I am going to have WAY more than ten people both nights, and I am trying to give out the freebies to the people who are the most challenged financially. I REALLY want all of you to come out, but I will understand if some of you would prefer not to spend your life's savings. Anyone who is already confirmed with me and is willing to volunteer to be one of the paying customers has my eternal gratitude, and I might be able to borrow a few guest slots from other members, so I will try to get as many in free as I can. If you have questions EMAIL ME, don't post. livejournal-handle at gmail dot com.

I am perforing at THE MAGIC CASTLE Fri. and Sat.

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:30:02 GMT

***EDIT BELOW***
I am PERFORMING at the magic Castle this Friday and Saturday night (the 22nd and 23rd) in the W.C. Fields Bar!

For those of you who do not understand the significance of this let me 'splain:
Many of you know I am a member of the Magic Castle. This means I auditioned and was accepted as a Magician Member. This DOES NOT mean I was automatically added to the roster of performers.

The Castle is kind of the mecca of magic, and performing there is a feather in your cap. Most of the work I do is kind of commercial (read: I'm kind of a hack) and so I never bothered to audition.

Then the Castle decided to give over part of the place to the Freakshow Deluxe, and they needed a sideshow magician. This I can do.

It is a little silly, but this is just a big deal for me. So if you want to come out and see me (and of course the Freakshow Deluxe, and all the other performers at the castle that night) let me know. My guest list is limited, but when it fills up I can still get guest cards for people, which will require at least a cover (20 dollars) and may require you to have dinner (I will look into this and post later). Let me know if you are interested.

okayloveyoubuhbye

***EDIT:
Guest spots. The way this works is:

- I get 10 people free and clear. No cover, no mandatory dinner reservations, just adhere to the DRESS CODE (you need to know about this if you are coming), and you are in.

-I can invite as many people as I like, so long as they pay a 20 dollar (NOT 15) cover charge (per person).

-I get four VIP guest cards per year that get up to four people in without a cover, but you have to make dinner reservations (not stupefyingly expensive food, but not Denny's prices either).

I am going to have WAY more than ten people both nights, and I am trying to give out the freebies to the people who are the most challenged financially. I REALLY want all of you to come out, but I will understand if some of you would prefer not to spend your life's savings. Anyone who is willing to volunteer to be one of the paying customers has my eternal gratitude, and I might be able to borrow a few guest slots from other members, so I will try to get as many in free as I can. I will probably post again with more details.

A few blessings

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:17:55 GMT

For the last few days I have been despondent. Depressed beyond all reason. I have not felt this bad since I was fired (sort of) a year ago. But through it all I have had pzonivy and bizarronumber1 supporting me. They both have their own shit to deal with, but when I came home, they both dropped what they were doing and gave me whatever support I needed, even if it was just to be left alone. I am madly, deeply, and truly in love with my wife. I know that if I truly need her, that she will set aside her own pain and heartache, and just be there for me. And I know Clark loves me too. In a manly, heterosexual kind of way. Thank you both, I hope I will be better very soon, if only for your sakes.

Enraged

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:19:27 GMT

My social circle has degenerated into a group of gossiping, viscous little high-schoolers. I have watched it happen and have tried to take the high road, but since a number of them have started spreading dangerous rumors that could hurt other people, I feel compelled to set the record straight.

Recently my friend had a relationship end that he was hoping would continue. It was no secret that I found this girl attractive, but when she broke up with him, I accepted that she would be off limits. We had already begun to develop a friendship, but I knew that was as far as it would go. I flirt, I joke, I tease, but I will not cross that line into territory that would be injurious to my friend. Then my wife's boyfriend found himself in a position to initiate a casual relationship with her, not being particularly close with Jonathan, he acted on it. Then all hell broke loose.

Question: How the hell is this MY fault? What exactly have I done? Suddenly because I am in a poly relationship I have no identity of my own. Everything Clark does "we" are doing to Jonathan. OK fine. People want to believe that, go crazy.

Then the rumors start. First it's that Ashley is MY new girlfriend. WHAT!?! OK, so I call Jonathan. "You know this is not true, yes?". He says yes. Fine.

Tonight, after a two-hour conversation with Jonathan I am hoping that things will start calming down. That I will stop hearing rumors about people I thought were my friends expressing strong opinions about what I (not just Clark) am doing to Jonathan. Then tonight (admittedly through several people) I hear a great one:

"Jonathan is angry because Michael is sleeping with Ashley behind his back."

WHAT!!! THE!! FUCK!?!?!?!?!?!?

I have never taken so much shit for something I AM NOT DOING in my whole life. And this rumor comes (as far as I know, waiting for confirmation) from the mouth of someone I consider a friend. Strike that. CONSIDERED a friend if this is true.

I have really tried to just deal. I am trying to take all the rumors of people I thought I could trust forming negative opinions of the situation WITHOUT EVER HEARING MY SIDE OF THE STORY with a grain of salt. They could just be rumors. Surely my friends are not calling my family and I a cult. They can't assume I would have sex with Ashley knowing how Jonathan feels about it. They would want to hear both sides right? But the evidence keeps pointing to the undeniable fact that at least some of the people in the circle are smiling to my face, and talking shit behind my back. And since NOBODY has asked me anything about it I find that maddening. So much for "communication, communication, communication".

For the record: I am not sleeping with Ashley. We have MUTUALLY agreed that this would be bad. I do not have any control over what Clark does. And if you are spreading rumors, please grow up. Nobody but Jonathan has heard both sides of the story, and if you have picked a “side” in this situation, you have done it with only half the story, and you are being what everybody is accusing me of: A terrible friend.

"Snake Charmer" wanted

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:12:37 GMT

I need a snake charmer for an event TOMORROW. Money is good, theme is middle-eastern. I would prefer someone who has done this before, professional belly dancers are the best case. Anyone?

Bithday thing tonight

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 22:42:50 GMT

I am having a very informal birthday gathering at my place tonight it will begin around dusk and has NO theme.

Addicted to themes? Can't arrive at an event without being dressed up in some off beat creation? Make up your own theme. Go wild.

Call or email me if you need the address.

Want to live in a castle?

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 22:57:40 GMT

A couple of friends of mine are part owners of a big house in the hills above Hollywood that is designed to look like a castle. A sort of cheesy, 1970's Castle, but it is pretty cool. I know some of you have been to events there, as they frequently rent it out.
They are looking for a caretaker. There is no pay, but you get to stay for free, and the place does have a huge jacuzzi and other fairly nice amenities. The job would involve sweeping, some yard work, and taking care of the dogs. All totaled they are guessing it would be about 3 hours of work a day or less, and I suspect they would be open to negotiating certain tasks. They would be willing to accept a couple as well.
Interested? Know someone who is? Go ahead and either reply or email me at mmorena at gmail dawt comm.
Please re-post if you are so inclined.

Poly meeting THIS FRIDAY

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 11:15:29 GMT

So I will be hosting a Poly meeting this Friday night at my home in Valley Village. I have at least one couple planning to attend who have never discussed their "poly" relationship with anyone else living a similar lifestyle. I put the poly in quotes because they did not even know there was a word for it. I am fine with a small gathering, but it would mean a lot to me if people could try to make it out.

THE DETAILS:
I will be moderating in a style similar to the one I used at Stacy's meeting. We will start gathering around 8PM for meet and greet, serious discussion will begin between 8:30 and 9:00. I would like to maintain a casual atmosphere, but if you have serious issues to discuss we will have the proper respect for you and your input.

WHERE:
THE ASYLUM
5250 Bellingham Ave. #6
Valley Village, CA 91607

WHEN:
8PM for meet and greet, 8:30 official start time.

PLEASE TRY TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN MAKE IT SO I CAN GET A ROUGH HEAD COUNT!!!

Re-post as you see fit.

Apology

Mon, 15 May 2006 03:28:51 GMT

Dear PolyMeeting Peoples

Not so long ago there was quite a bit of drama, which centered on the events of our last Poly meeting. There was a lot of conversation about it online, and I mostly stayed silent throughout, both because I felt that the debate had grown into something (at times) like a flame war, and because I was feeling very guilty about having largely been responsible for the events that touched off the debate. Now that much of the serious arguing has died down I would like to offer an apology to all the people who were present that evening for my actions.

For those of you who were not there that evening, I was moderating the meeting. Early on there was a sort of jovial feel to the event. Some people were jokingly making references to nudity, and I actively encouraged, at some length in fact, people to get partially naked. Hopefully those of you who know me know that I meant no harm, that I was not objectifying these women, nor was I trying to encourage a sexual environment, but nonetheless it was completely inappropriate for that venue. Considering the fact that there were new people there, and several established poly people who are not comfortable with that kind of behavior, I should have known better. I forgot that I was not at a regular social event and I allowed a number of people to feel that they were not in a safe space. I know that for some of you this was your first experience with me, and perhaps this has permanently left an impression of me that will define me in your minds, but I hope that those of you who have seen me at meetings in the past will be able to forgive me, and know that I mean it when I say that I will never make this mistake again.

There was also conversation about my steering the conversation away from topics that some people felt were important to suit my own agenda. It is very important to me that those people understand that what I was actually doing was responding to comments made to me outside the meeting about certain people being steamrolled over, and their topics never coming to light. So in an attempt to try to cater to those peoples needs, I ironically ended up making another group feel the same way.

I feel that I have learned a great deal from this experience. I know some of you would prefer that I not moderate again, but it is my hope that those of you who felt hurt or unsafe will give me an opportunity to make amends. I have truly enjoyed acting as moderator at these events from time to time, and I hope that those of you who still believe that a moderator can be a good thing will still choose to put your trust in me. But regardless of whether I moderate again, I once again extend my sincere apologies to anyone who was hurt or upset by my actions.

Sincerely,
Michael Morena

PS feel free to re-post this to anyone you think might want to read this.

King size bed. FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 02:27:10 GMT

We are getting a new bed this coming up Friday and we will give away the old one to anyone who wants it (including the box spring and frame). There is nothing wrong with the bed, we just wanted a less firm mattress. It is a California King, high-end firm mattress with a full size box spring. You can have it for free if you can pick it up next weekend (preferably Friday or Saturday). Anyone?

Attention Fiends of nightsdweller!!!

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 02:15:58 GMT

Allow me to sum up:

Just before XMAS nightsdweller went into the hospital to have an emergency appendectomy. She pulled through fine, but was a little dismayed at how painful it was. After about a week they let her out of the hospital and cleared her to fly home. She was mostly bedridden, but recovering nicely UNTIL...

A few days ago (Tuesday to be exact) she was having serious pain, and had to go to the emergency room. They did several painful tests and found that she had more problems SO THEY DID SURGERY ON HER FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS. She is doing OK, but she is really frustrated, and really tired of being in constant agonizing pain. Here is where you come in.

Her parents are having trouble keeping her spirits up. Most of her local friends in New Jersey have gone back to school, so her support system there is lacking. She needs calls, notes, presents, ANYTHING YOU THINK MIGHT CHEER HER UP. We love this woman, so lets figure out some good ways to share it.

NOTES
You can send notes to me at mmorena at gmail-dot-calm, and I will pass them along to her Mom (she may not be receiving her email for a little while).

CALLS
Probably should be at reasonable (east Coast) times, since that is when she has people there to help her answer the phone.

Feel free to pass this along to any of her non-LJ friends.

Alouicious taged me

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:10:30 GMT

***Ground Rules: The first player of this "game" starts with the topic "5 weird habits of yours" and people who get tagged need to write an LJ entry about their 5 quirky habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next 5 people to be tagged and list their names.***
NOTE: I will not be tagging anyone. Here are my quirky habits:

1) I compulsively make difficult decisions by flipping a coin.

2) I am very superstitious about the play Macbeth. Whether in a Theatre or not, any time anyone says it I always say "Fair thoughts and happy hours attend thee" which is the alternative to doing the traditional ritual.

3) When I get very angry or excited I fidget obsessively with my hands, Specifically I shake them back and forth in a "so-so" hand signal, only very rapidly.

4) I feel uncomfortable when walking with a woman being on the "inside" part of the sidewalk. I picked this up from Amy who prefers me to walk on the outside, now I feel unsettled if I am on the outside. In fact this is often true with men as well.

5) I frequently have entire conversations (out loud) with people I am having conflicts with when they are not there.

Anyone want a really old Playstation?

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:29:11 GMT

I have a playstation (the original) in my possession. No games, but it has a joystick and a few other accessories. Anyone want it? It's freeeeee...

Gaaah! NightsDweller NOT NightRythm

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 04:24:37 GMT

Typing to quickly bad. DON'T call Nightsdweller and ask her how she is. She will be confused. Or if enough people call her, perhaps she will check herself into the hospital, so let's try to avoid that...

NightsDweller Update

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 03:27:48 GMT

So for those of you who are unaware, Nightsdweller is in the hospital. Turns out her Appendix was perforated and was leaking bad stuff into her body. They put her on high dosages of antibiotics to try to let it heal itself, since surgery was a little risky, but she stopped responding to the antibiotics and they took her in to surgery yesterday. Her appendix was removed, and they had to cut off a little bit of her intestines as well. She is in some pain and her fever is still high, but the doctors say this is normal. Her Mom flew out and has been with her the whole time. We visit as often as possible. Sadly this means she will very likely be in the hospital for Christmas, and she will not be flying home to be with her family. They will come out to see her next week though. She is without internet, so if you would like to check in with her you can comment here. If you would like to try to visit, contact me and I will arrange it. She is weak and needs rest, so if you call, please be respectful and keep it short, and PLEASE do not call her panicked and frantic, it will only freak her out. If you have questions, feel free to let me know.

TOP TEN REASONS MY LIFE SUCKS!

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 02:27:25 GMT

1)...

ahem...

1)......

um, hang on I'll get it.

Thinking....

Right, nevermind, I love my life.

As you were.

Ahem...

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 09:53:04 GMT

Life is grand. That is all.

I came out...

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:35:17 GMT

I came out to my Mom (as polyamorous) last week. I am choosing to announce this today since it is national coming out day (my apologies to any gay or lesbian readers who might feel I am hijacking their day, but it really is very similar to coming out to your parents about being gay). The conversation went brilliantly.

I led up to it slowly by discussing all of my friends and their lives (she is not a stupid lady, she knew where I was going a long time before I got there). Then I told her I was not comfortable hiding a big part of my life from her, and that now that I am sure this is going to be my chosen lifestyle, that I needed her to know.

She expressed that she was concerned that it could weaken the bond between Amy and I, but she trusted me and was glad I was "enriching my life" in this way. She was thrilled to hear I had done reading and attended discussion groups (proving that this was not just a way to get laid). She wants to meet Erin (the only girl I am regularly dating). Oh, and she said "Let's not tell [your stepfather] about this". The experience was a little nerve-wracking, but I left feeling great.

Dan owes me a cake.

Universal Video

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 23:09:41 GMT

I was asked by a few people if they could repost the comedy sketch video to their LJ or other blog. The answer is of course...yes. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone you think might find it amusing.

http://www.poisonivy.ro/posts/Universal.mov

Fuh-Kneee!

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 03:18:47 GMT

Have you ever been on the universal studio tour? Or heard of it? Go here, seriously:

http://www.poisonivy.ro/posts/Universal.mov

Mykiedave Memorial

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 00:53:22 GMT

PLEASE RSVP FOR THE MYKIEDAVE MEMORIAL VARIETY NIGHT!

If you plan on coming PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE rsvp to us asap.
WE COULD SELL OUT AND YOU WILL BE LOCKED OUT IF YOU SHOW UP WITHOUT RESERVING TICKETS!
email:mdbenefit@thenewhouse.org
phone: 818-437-1422
PASS IT ON!