Over the past few years, I have been through a lot of interviews. I believe my previous lay-off sent me through 20 over the course of five months. It would always get down to me and one other person, meaning I might go back to the same company two or three times. Every time, the guy (literally, a man, every time) with more experience got the job. To keep myself from getting terribly depressed, I started ranking my interviews. My favorite catagory was most awkward. I had two winners:
1: The guy who showed me the Will Ferrel/cussing baby video during the interview. If a video falls under the NSFW catagory, I would imagine that will also apply to interviews. So, there I was, in my carefully planned outfit, holding my portfolio that I took a lot of time preparing, waiting to discuss a mock-up I spent hours on, and he's showing me some video with a baby dropping f-bombs. I'm pretty sure none of the interview guides talk about that.
2: The horse people. They were awful. They made brochures and booklets for horse breeders in Kentucky. It's a big, multi-million dollar business, if you are unfamiliar (I was. I know nothing about horses). I drove down there (6 hours) on my own time and with my own money. I kid you not, they did not smile once. Not even a hint. They didn't even smile when they said, "We really like working here" or "We really like your work" or "Have a nice drive back." Maybe it was unfair to assume that people who worked on horse brochures would be a bit more cheery? I felt very okay about not getting that one.
This weekend added one more to that list. At this stage, I consider them less awkward and more amusing. You just have to laugh and enjoy the moment for what it is. That said, I present No.3:
The interview was cool. Nice guy, a photographer who is leading a pretty exciting project. We had gone over my work, and his work, and the project details. Near the end of the interview, Mr. Man got quiet and kind of looked at me. He started of with, "I'm not being weird, but...", and then silence. I glance over at his assistant, who glanced over at me. " You look just like my ex-girlfriend, and her name was A* too".
Oh. Uh. Hmm.
His assistant asks him if he has any photos, and Mr. Man runs back to his studio. He yells back that he is trying to find one where "she has some clothes on" (remember, he's a professional photographer). We go back and I did, in fact, look very much like said girlfriend (who was clothed). They looked back and forth for a few minutes and I wondered how this effected my chances at the design work. Props to Mr. Man and the assistant, because it technically could have been more awkward given the circumstances. What are the odds?
Enjoy your day and all of the strange, funny, awkward, memorable moments that happen along the way.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"R", as in Romeo
Today the first time it got above freezing in weeks, and everything was melting and running. In my excitement, I opened my windows for a while and let some fresh air into my apartment. I think it says a lot when "above freezing" translates into "it's warm!". I'll just be happy when I can go somewhere without my jeans, shoes, socks, and feet all being wet and/or salty.
My adventures in freelancing continued right into the weekend. I got about three hours of sleep on Friday, went to yoga, and then came back to work more/go to a meeting/work some more/buy a printer/work some more on Saturday. I don't think I slept on Saturday - I think I collapsed into bed and actually fell into a coma (which lasted right through that alarm).
Setting my printer up on my wireless network took a bit longer than expected. It ended up crashing my network, which crashed my modem. I spent an hour on the phone with tech support. I'm all about diversity, but I have to say that tech support with heavy Indian accents does complicate things a bit. During my time on the line with "Kevin", I also managed to free the drawstring from the waistband in my favorite sweatpants and pop an entire sheet of bubble wrap. Why do so few things come with bubble wrap these days?
Today I went out and bought some basic office supplies. I've never been so excited about manila folders and printer paper before. I got sweet folders, too: vintage pastels. My little desk area is all set up and I have to say, pretty awesome. Even if the freelance gig doesn't last long, I will have a nice space set up to work in.
Tonight is Super Bowl Sunday and I will be headed off to a party soon. I'll admit it, I'm more excited about The Office coming on after. My favorite Super Bowl is still a few years ago, with Dan and a pregnant Sarah. Those were good times (*Dan: Let's plan a visit soon?*). Tonight will be nice, though. It's kind of like Valentine's Day: even if you don't actively participate, it's nice to take part in the excitement of it all.
Everyone have an awesome night!
My adventures in freelancing continued right into the weekend. I got about three hours of sleep on Friday, went to yoga, and then came back to work more/go to a meeting/work some more/buy a printer/work some more on Saturday. I don't think I slept on Saturday - I think I collapsed into bed and actually fell into a coma (which lasted right through that alarm).
Setting my printer up on my wireless network took a bit longer than expected. It ended up crashing my network, which crashed my modem. I spent an hour on the phone with tech support. I'm all about diversity, but I have to say that tech support with heavy Indian accents does complicate things a bit. During my time on the line with "Kevin", I also managed to free the drawstring from the waistband in my favorite sweatpants and pop an entire sheet of bubble wrap. Why do so few things come with bubble wrap these days?
Today I went out and bought some basic office supplies. I've never been so excited about manila folders and printer paper before. I got sweet folders, too: vintage pastels. My little desk area is all set up and I have to say, pretty awesome. Even if the freelance gig doesn't last long, I will have a nice space set up to work in.
Tonight is Super Bowl Sunday and I will be headed off to a party soon. I'll admit it, I'm more excited about The Office coming on after. My favorite Super Bowl is still a few years ago, with Dan and a pregnant Sarah. Those were good times (*Dan: Let's plan a visit soon?*). Tonight will be nice, though. It's kind of like Valentine's Day: even if you don't actively participate, it's nice to take part in the excitement of it all.
Everyone have an awesome night!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Man, I need a filing cabinet
To make up for not posting yesterday, I will post two today(ish). Those morning hours are kind of iffy when it comes to assigning days.
I have thus far enjoyed the life of a freelancer, although day one probably has my body hating me. I'm still getting up early, but going to bed even later. I just put in about ten hours straight - my back hurts, my wrists hurt, and my eyes are barely focusing. Lunch was an apple with peanut butter and some cake, and dinner was chips, homemade salsa, and a few jelly beans that were close by (to end the jalepeno-induced mouth-on-fire sensation). Meals were eaten at my desk. My day also included two cups of coffee, one cup of tea and two packs of gum.
So, tomorrow will be better. I was in, out, digging my car out (it was stuck for 1/2 an hour), slushing through the snow. It's almost midnight and I'm about to start my fourth project of the day.
It's been fun, even though the stress levels get up there. I am lucky to be working with some great people, and it's fun to be able to make stuff again! I get to read magazines for research, gather images, and buy cool office supplies. On the other hand, I also have to read about managing the finances of a small business, figure out tax info, learn how to handle invoices, etc. while scheduling meetings and launching new projects. I am going to sleep really, really well when I finally go to bed!
Side note: Check out Caged Creatives - the first postings are up (mine is going up soon...)!
I have thus far enjoyed the life of a freelancer, although day one probably has my body hating me. I'm still getting up early, but going to bed even later. I just put in about ten hours straight - my back hurts, my wrists hurt, and my eyes are barely focusing. Lunch was an apple with peanut butter and some cake, and dinner was chips, homemade salsa, and a few jelly beans that were close by (to end the jalepeno-induced mouth-on-fire sensation). Meals were eaten at my desk. My day also included two cups of coffee, one cup of tea and two packs of gum.
So, tomorrow will be better. I was in, out, digging my car out (it was stuck for 1/2 an hour), slushing through the snow. It's almost midnight and I'm about to start my fourth project of the day.
It's been fun, even though the stress levels get up there. I am lucky to be working with some great people, and it's fun to be able to make stuff again! I get to read magazines for research, gather images, and buy cool office supplies. On the other hand, I also have to read about managing the finances of a small business, figure out tax info, learn how to handle invoices, etc. while scheduling meetings and launching new projects. I am going to sleep really, really well when I finally go to bed!
Side note: Check out Caged Creatives - the first postings are up (mine is going up soon...)!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ready to travel, but better on snow days
I decided that if I wasn't going to play in the snow, I was at least going to out and dig out my car. Five minutes later I trekked back inside, unsuccessful. My fists and keys are no match for more than 1/2 an inch of solid ice.
My time inside has made especially fond of (read: in love with!) a few things. I feel the need to share.
1: Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate: This stuff is amazing. Think, Italy. Think, Chocolat. Think, rock your world and make you addicted. At only 90 calories, 1 gram of fat, and natural ingredients (there are only four ingredients), this is way better than anything I've found anywhere else.
2: Malin + Goetz bar soap in rum: I've switched from peppermint to rum and love this one even more. Lightly scented, this is great for guys and girls. The scent is great and lasts all day without being powerful. It makes your skin soft and leaves it feeling clean. Plus, it reminds me of one my favorite places and the good times spent there (and getting there).
3: Bert's Bee's Banana Hand Cream: Forget the hands and go straight for the lips. I'm not really sure if it helps hands, but I do know that it keeps lips soft and nice all winter. The banana scent is soft and goes away quickly, making it okay for those of us who don't love smelling like faux banana.
4: Field Notes Notepads: These little guys are great to have lying around. Under the couch, in a drawer, or on the desk where they *should* be, they look great and fit nicely wherever they end up. I love, love, love the mini-graph notebooks. Great for taking notes or creating your next illustration when you should be taking notes. (In freelance world, they are incredibly handy when you are, say, working on the couch and a client calls with vital info.)
4: Field Notes Notepads: These little guys are great to have lying around. Under the couch, in a drawer, or on the desk where they *should* be, they look great and fit nicely wherever they end up. I love, love, love the mini-graph notebooks. Great for taking notes or creating your next illustration when you should be taking notes. (In freelance world, they are incredibly handy when you are, say, working on the couch and a client calls with vital info.)
Just four today, but more to come. Take care of yourself out there!
And the snow snow snow came down down down
I'm going to try to write every day now. We'll see how that goes.
The snow came as predicted. Snow, ice, all of the above. At 8:00 I heard the laughter and screams of kids sledding outside my window. Despite the fact that it made my apartment colder, I opened my curtains and enjoyed the seemingly warm glow of my apartment.
When I was little, I lived in a big Victorian house that had the old, working radiators. In the mornings, their noise was the sign that the house was waking up. They would hiss and bang and I would run across the cold wood floors in bare feet (or slide across them in socks) until they warmed up. After a day of sledding, we would wobble in and have a mass undressing, laying everything out on the radiators. Everything would eventually dry, stiff and smelling like snow. In the evenings, I would lay pillows on top and lay there until I was almost asleep. Gas heat and electric heat, while sufficient, just don't compare.
My parents were always cool enough to let me have people spend the night if we were almost guaranteed a snow day. We would stay up late, giggly. We would make a tent in the living room, or laugh until my mom had to come in and tell us to be quiet. We lived at the bottom of a giant cemetery hill that was great for sledding. Some people were a little shocked that we would sled there (and this might be a part of my attraction to Tim Burton), but I always imagined that the people buried there liked to hear people laughing and shouting now and then.There was an innocence to it all. Life was simple. I think it would do wonders for companies to allow time for snow days now and then.
The snow came as predicted. Snow, ice, all of the above. At 8:00 I heard the laughter and screams of kids sledding outside my window. Despite the fact that it made my apartment colder, I opened my curtains and enjoyed the seemingly warm glow of my apartment.
When I was little, I lived in a big Victorian house that had the old, working radiators. In the mornings, their noise was the sign that the house was waking up. They would hiss and bang and I would run across the cold wood floors in bare feet (or slide across them in socks) until they warmed up. After a day of sledding, we would wobble in and have a mass undressing, laying everything out on the radiators. Everything would eventually dry, stiff and smelling like snow. In the evenings, I would lay pillows on top and lay there until I was almost asleep. Gas heat and electric heat, while sufficient, just don't compare.
My parents were always cool enough to let me have people spend the night if we were almost guaranteed a snow day. We would stay up late, giggly. We would make a tent in the living room, or laugh until my mom had to come in and tell us to be quiet. We lived at the bottom of a giant cemetery hill that was great for sledding. Some people were a little shocked that we would sled there (and this might be a part of my attraction to Tim Burton), but I always imagined that the people buried there liked to hear people laughing and shouting now and then.There was an innocence to it all. Life was simple. I think it would do wonders for companies to allow time for snow days now and then.
Given my current state of unemployment, I'm feeling a snowman (ice man?) creation is inevitable...
While I was planning a similar entry, I think Mr. Smitley captures the idea beautifully (and
shares his fun, so bonus points!).
*Pictures t/c*
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Yeah, it's okay
Day two of unemployment and we are nearing snow storm number three. It makes me feel a little better about being locked up inside for a few.
The past month has been slightly traumatic. I've kept most of it out of here, but there have been lay-offs, a random shooting, a wreck, and other traumas involving people close to me. It's really hard to see the people you care about go through these things and it's really easy to let it all get you really down. You're powerless to really improve these situations other than a phone call or best wishes. The world seems colder and a little less safe than it did not so long ago. It kind of makes you want to throw your cell phone out the window, too.
After a day of work and errands, I crawled into bed at about 1:00 and my thoughts caught up with me. Instead of taking me down, I found myself just being really thankful. It became this strange prayer: thanks for the bullet that grazed the chin, thanks for the cars that weren't in the other lane, thanks for the warning, thanks for so many people to be thankful for, thanks for the time I got to spend with them, thanks for the warm food, the car that is paid for right outside, thanks for the amazing people that i have around me...it went on for quite a while.
I don't really believe in asking God to heal the sick (trust me, death happens), or make it rain (maybe someone else really needs a dry day), or grant certain jobs (although that one is tempting). I think he was capable of making a world that spins around fairly well. I do believe in asking for things like peace, and grace, and acceptance. These are things that are usually outside of my abilities, and they are things that even logic can't seem to grant me. I also believe in giving thanks when it's due, and sometimes that can be found beautifully in the really messed up times.
On a much lighter note, I have a new life goal: to be a part of a flash mob (this one is an ad, but there are great examples here).
The past month has been slightly traumatic. I've kept most of it out of here, but there have been lay-offs, a random shooting, a wreck, and other traumas involving people close to me. It's really hard to see the people you care about go through these things and it's really easy to let it all get you really down. You're powerless to really improve these situations other than a phone call or best wishes. The world seems colder and a little less safe than it did not so long ago. It kind of makes you want to throw your cell phone out the window, too.
After a day of work and errands, I crawled into bed at about 1:00 and my thoughts caught up with me. Instead of taking me down, I found myself just being really thankful. It became this strange prayer: thanks for the bullet that grazed the chin, thanks for the cars that weren't in the other lane, thanks for the warning, thanks for so many people to be thankful for, thanks for the time I got to spend with them, thanks for the warm food, the car that is paid for right outside, thanks for the amazing people that i have around me...it went on for quite a while.
I don't really believe in asking God to heal the sick (trust me, death happens), or make it rain (maybe someone else really needs a dry day), or grant certain jobs (although that one is tempting). I think he was capable of making a world that spins around fairly well. I do believe in asking for things like peace, and grace, and acceptance. These are things that are usually outside of my abilities, and they are things that even logic can't seem to grant me. I also believe in giving thanks when it's due, and sometimes that can be found beautifully in the really messed up times.
On a much lighter note, I have a new life goal: to be a part of a flash mob (this one is an ad, but there are great examples here).
Friday, January 23, 2009
And we're live
I just wanted to let you know that my new website is finally up! It's a rough launch and there are still a lot of changes that need to be made, but it's a start. You can see it here.
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