I promised a blog post on Facebook so I have to follow through! Honestly, I've been meaning to update for quite some time but always lost the motivation to write when I had the time to sit down and do it.
I'll start with the announcement! A job! A good one. None of this "Well it may be more hours than the last one but really fun," or "Well it may be less money but more fulfilling," or "I was promised a bunch of cool things in a short period of time and I trust the person who promised them." None of that. This is a job with a large well-established company where I will have a considerable salary, benefits package, and opportunity....when I walk through the front door on day 1 of training. (Which, incidentally, might be in another large city that is not DC—can't disclose yet because it's not official). Thank the 7 for friends, connections, and referrals. Without Erika's referral, my ass would have been in a stack of resumes a mile high, I'm sure. There is no justification with this one. It is a GREAT opportunity.
I found out about it on Monday but they've been nailing down a series of details ever since—the last of which should be finalized by tomorrow morning—so I haven't been able to shout it to the heavens yet. I immediately embarked on a trip down to my mistress dojo (as I like to call it...as opposed to my husband dojo), had a great class, and got a motorcycle ride home through Rock Creek Park. It's moments like these when I think to myself, "Self, your life has gotten really weird. But at least it's a good weird this time."
So here I am...with another month to chew on all of this information (I won't start the new job until May 20 at the earliest...possibly even the 27th). But I am SO EXCITED!
I will take a brief moment to realize that, yes, this is almost a carbon copy of the last "I have a new job!" post. I'm not going to pretend like I'm not afraid of the same shock of "Wow, this is...not what I expected." I'm not saying that won't happen. But the value here is greater. Significantly greater. So at least I am getting something worthwhile out of this. Plus! I will be around a huge team of people with far more experience so not only will I get monetary benefits out of this, I will be able to learn a LOT.
Yessss.
4.24.2013
3.12.2013
Avoiding Bed
Not sure why: I enjoy sleeping. I also have a bit of a headache right now and could probably use some sleep. However, I've decided to blog a little first.
I sit here, ON MY COUCH, with my brand new (refurbished) macbook pro that came in the mail today. It's so nice to have a tiny computer to sit on your lap somewhere comfy instead of a gigantoid iMac that has to stay on the desk. I can sit here on the couch under a blanket now and still get work done, surf the web, blog, cuddle with kittens, waste time on Facebook, etc. Not to mention the fact that I can travel just about anywhere and still be able to make some money with a freelance job or two. I don't have to remain geographically trapped.
I love that.
The interview today went well. I think I have a few things to figure out if offered the position. Namely: does the regular paycheck and rumored "amazing" benefits package offset the terrible commute? It would be about an hour each way during rush hour. I guess it all depends on how good the paycheck is and how amazing the benefits are. My gut inclination is to say that I should pass this one by but I won't make any decisions until I hear from them again. They may choose to award someone else the position and save this debate altogether! Who knows?
In the meantime, I'll continue chipping away at my freelance jobs and putting some serious effort into expanding my client base. My old boss was nice enough to bring me on to do most of his design work again in a freelance capacity while I plan my next steps. He is my one huge client at the moment and it'll sustain me for now, but eventually he will be looking for someone full time again so I should be expanding very soon. Hopefully something comes through with this creative staffing agency as well. I would love to try out some weird contract job for like a month or so... Especially knowing that it has an end date. Because at least if I hate it, I'll know it will end soon—but in the meantime, I'll have made a decent amount of money!
I sit here, ON MY COUCH, with my brand new (refurbished) macbook pro that came in the mail today. It's so nice to have a tiny computer to sit on your lap somewhere comfy instead of a gigantoid iMac that has to stay on the desk. I can sit here on the couch under a blanket now and still get work done, surf the web, blog, cuddle with kittens, waste time on Facebook, etc. Not to mention the fact that I can travel just about anywhere and still be able to make some money with a freelance job or two. I don't have to remain geographically trapped.
I love that.
The interview today went well. I think I have a few things to figure out if offered the position. Namely: does the regular paycheck and rumored "amazing" benefits package offset the terrible commute? It would be about an hour each way during rush hour. I guess it all depends on how good the paycheck is and how amazing the benefits are. My gut inclination is to say that I should pass this one by but I won't make any decisions until I hear from them again. They may choose to award someone else the position and save this debate altogether! Who knows?
In the meantime, I'll continue chipping away at my freelance jobs and putting some serious effort into expanding my client base. My old boss was nice enough to bring me on to do most of his design work again in a freelance capacity while I plan my next steps. He is my one huge client at the moment and it'll sustain me for now, but eventually he will be looking for someone full time again so I should be expanding very soon. Hopefully something comes through with this creative staffing agency as well. I would love to try out some weird contract job for like a month or so... Especially knowing that it has an end date. Because at least if I hate it, I'll know it will end soon—but in the meantime, I'll have made a decent amount of money!
"Fun"employment
I have been officially "unemployed" since Sunday of last week. I use the quotations because I am technically employed as a freelance designer/illustrator exclusively now. So I'm still definitely making money—just not going to a place where I am forced to remain for at least 9 hours doing something that doesn't interest me. It feels like unemployment but actually, it's just smart employment.
In fact, in this past week and some change, I have made almost more money than I would have at the dojo in about 1/3 of the time. My old boss has taken me on as a freelancer again and so I'm doing the work I was doing for him before but with the freedom of staying home and devoting only as much time as it takes me to finish. It's a wonderful feeling. I really love it so far. I don't want to go back to a full time job haha.
That said, I do have an interview today at a full time job in Virginia—far away in Virginia. Apparently I don't know the area as well as I thought and assumed this job was much closer when I applied...so we'll see what happens. I'll interview, hear what they have to say, give it my best, and then take a good hard look at the commute. If it sucks, it may not actually be worth it...
I went up to visit my family for the first time since Christmas—that's a long time for me. It was nice to be there for four days with no strings attached. Really nice to just take everything in stride, work on some freelance stuff as needed, and spend time with people I love.
Life is good right now. In total flux...but GOOD. I feel so much less stressed than when I was working at the dojo. I have to do one last thing for them on Saturday night but then I can write it off as the worst working experience of my life thus-far and can talk about it in the past tense. That is so effing exciting.
2.27.2013
Don't get cooked in the squat.
Zig Ziglar warns us not to get "cooked in the squat." Meaning, don't pretend to get ready for some big leap of life and then stagnate in the preparation without ever stepping off the edge.
I was getting there. I'd been squatting since January 10 when I had a breakdown in my boss's office telling him I hated working there. I was becoming cooked in the squat much to my dismay. Well... Today, as I was still convincing myself to leap, I got shoved unexpectedly off the edge. My boss informed me that Saturday should be my last day now that I have been training a temporary person for March all this week. It's Wednesday. My last day is 3 days away.
I'm terrified. But also a little relieved. I hate not knowing where my next paycheck is coming from but the fact that I don't have to go back there Monday morning is so fucking attractive.
This will mark the first time that I will leave school or a job without a very real, very viable option for continued employment since graduating college. It's kind of freeing. Makes me want to hop a plane to CA or something. Except that I shouldn't waste the money on a plane ticket haha. I need to pay bills.
It's not all that grim. I have a small freelance client base that I will be kindly asking for work. Any work. All work. And I have become involved with a creative staffing agency that will hopefully provide me with some much needed contract work.
Still scared. But this time, I'm anxious because there is a huge gaping hole in front of me that could lead to any number of awesome or terrifying things. It's a nice break from the exhaustion and suffocation of the box I was trapped in until now.
Different emotions. Still strong. But I think anxiety/excitement beats depression/hopelessness any day of the week.
I was getting there. I'd been squatting since January 10 when I had a breakdown in my boss's office telling him I hated working there. I was becoming cooked in the squat much to my dismay. Well... Today, as I was still convincing myself to leap, I got shoved unexpectedly off the edge. My boss informed me that Saturday should be my last day now that I have been training a temporary person for March all this week. It's Wednesday. My last day is 3 days away.
I'm terrified. But also a little relieved. I hate not knowing where my next paycheck is coming from but the fact that I don't have to go back there Monday morning is so fucking attractive.
This will mark the first time that I will leave school or a job without a very real, very viable option for continued employment since graduating college. It's kind of freeing. Makes me want to hop a plane to CA or something. Except that I shouldn't waste the money on a plane ticket haha. I need to pay bills.
It's not all that grim. I have a small freelance client base that I will be kindly asking for work. Any work. All work. And I have become involved with a creative staffing agency that will hopefully provide me with some much needed contract work.
Still scared. But this time, I'm anxious because there is a huge gaping hole in front of me that could lead to any number of awesome or terrifying things. It's a nice break from the exhaustion and suffocation of the box I was trapped in until now.
Different emotions. Still strong. But I think anxiety/excitement beats depression/hopelessness any day of the week.
2.10.2013
Some Updates
Every now and then I decide to change around some colors and template elements on this blog as though I actually care about the design of this thing. Terrible—as I call myself a designer—but I have a hard time devoting such energy to something that I try not to avoid publicizing. I love it as a means of keeping in touch with you guys but truthfully, there are some people who certainly should NOT be reading some of this shit haha.
Home Life: The kitties have been adorable but, like any baby animal, a little needy. They cry at night when we lock them out but they jump all over us if we let them in the bedroom so we're currently trying to figure out a way to get some sleep with these guys! Otherwise, they are a little mischievous (what kittens aren't?) but mostly just cute and a great addition to the family. Home life is great. I wish I had more of it.
Draw Something Every Day: Also going great!! I have drawn something every single day so far this year. I don't always post it the same night - occasionally I'll wait until the following morning or afternoon but so far - no lapses! It's been tough at times, of course, but really, I thought it would be much harder. I guess habits are easier to form when it's something you truly enjoy.
Work: Sigh. I'll keep the bitching to a minimum and stick to the facts. The lead I had on a job from my friend fell through because it turns out they no longer need the position I'm qualified for. So, we're back to square one with the job search. I'm not going to say that I'm not disappointed...because I am. Knowing that I have the power to leave this job whenever I want is borderline torture because I have no where to go and no prospects right now. Seriously considering transitioning to full time freelance. Scares the shit out of me but now may be the time. I just want to make sure I won't be out on the streets if I decide to go this route. Enough about that for now, though. I really have nothing to report.
I read an entire web comic today (spaning the length of 3 years or so - 1 or 2 posts per week). Good stuff but super depressing by the end haha. Oh well - can't say I wasn't warned. I want to start making some of my own comics so I asked a few comic-lovin' friends for some recommendations. I want to do a little research before delving in. I'm also churning through a book on how to create comics. It's set up like a college course of about 15 weeks or so...no way I'm gonna finish it before I have to return it to the library haha so I'll figure out whether or not I want to bite the bullet and just buy it.
This weekend was very refreshing. I got so much shit done!! I didn't get a chance to apply to any more jobs yet (probably will tonight) but I got my taxes done and did some homey things. It's frickin' great when you don't have to work and when there are no other responsibilities to attend to for an entire 48 hours. It's possible that I'll have to work the next 3 weekends in a row...I'm trying not to dwell on it at the moment.
I'm also reading a book about Edward Gorey, an artist and author who writes and illustrates weird short stories that are kind of dark and yet somehow whimsical. I love his style and I love him as a strange little person. The more I read about him, the more strange personality quirks I find that we have in common. I'm not sure that it's a great thing, haha, but I'll run with it for now. If I could acquire his success, I'll take it. I think his book The Gashleycrumb Tinies is a perfect example of his work: Read Here.
I want to read some more fiction again. I need to get lost in some kind of world. It seems to really do a lot for my psyche when I'm involved in the lives of characters that have nothing to do with this world haha. I can usually spend some quality daydreaming thinking about the story. There's also a great deal of inspiration that comes from a good story I think...
I've abandoned the Personal Trainer thing - partly on purpose and partly by accident. I was taking a really long time to decide whether or not I wanted to continue with it and in doing so, the voucher expired. It really unnerves me. If I had a great prospect for a new job with awesome benefits, it would be a worthless thing to have. If, however, I decide to freelance, it probably would have been a great thing to fall back on. Sigh...I get a knot in my stomach when I think about it. Regardless of the fact that studying for it was becoming a huge pain in the ass. Though really...why kill myself to learn something new when there are people in the world who will pay for skills that I already have? It's just a matter of how to market myself...
Home Life: The kitties have been adorable but, like any baby animal, a little needy. They cry at night when we lock them out but they jump all over us if we let them in the bedroom so we're currently trying to figure out a way to get some sleep with these guys! Otherwise, they are a little mischievous (what kittens aren't?) but mostly just cute and a great addition to the family. Home life is great. I wish I had more of it.
Draw Something Every Day: Also going great!! I have drawn something every single day so far this year. I don't always post it the same night - occasionally I'll wait until the following morning or afternoon but so far - no lapses! It's been tough at times, of course, but really, I thought it would be much harder. I guess habits are easier to form when it's something you truly enjoy.
Work: Sigh. I'll keep the bitching to a minimum and stick to the facts. The lead I had on a job from my friend fell through because it turns out they no longer need the position I'm qualified for. So, we're back to square one with the job search. I'm not going to say that I'm not disappointed...because I am. Knowing that I have the power to leave this job whenever I want is borderline torture because I have no where to go and no prospects right now. Seriously considering transitioning to full time freelance. Scares the shit out of me but now may be the time. I just want to make sure I won't be out on the streets if I decide to go this route. Enough about that for now, though. I really have nothing to report.
I read an entire web comic today (spaning the length of 3 years or so - 1 or 2 posts per week). Good stuff but super depressing by the end haha. Oh well - can't say I wasn't warned. I want to start making some of my own comics so I asked a few comic-lovin' friends for some recommendations. I want to do a little research before delving in. I'm also churning through a book on how to create comics. It's set up like a college course of about 15 weeks or so...no way I'm gonna finish it before I have to return it to the library haha so I'll figure out whether or not I want to bite the bullet and just buy it.
This weekend was very refreshing. I got so much shit done!! I didn't get a chance to apply to any more jobs yet (probably will tonight) but I got my taxes done and did some homey things. It's frickin' great when you don't have to work and when there are no other responsibilities to attend to for an entire 48 hours. It's possible that I'll have to work the next 3 weekends in a row...I'm trying not to dwell on it at the moment.
I'm also reading a book about Edward Gorey, an artist and author who writes and illustrates weird short stories that are kind of dark and yet somehow whimsical. I love his style and I love him as a strange little person. The more I read about him, the more strange personality quirks I find that we have in common. I'm not sure that it's a great thing, haha, but I'll run with it for now. If I could acquire his success, I'll take it. I think his book The Gashleycrumb Tinies is a perfect example of his work: Read Here.
I want to read some more fiction again. I need to get lost in some kind of world. It seems to really do a lot for my psyche when I'm involved in the lives of characters that have nothing to do with this world haha. I can usually spend some quality daydreaming thinking about the story. There's also a great deal of inspiration that comes from a good story I think...
I've abandoned the Personal Trainer thing - partly on purpose and partly by accident. I was taking a really long time to decide whether or not I wanted to continue with it and in doing so, the voucher expired. It really unnerves me. If I had a great prospect for a new job with awesome benefits, it would be a worthless thing to have. If, however, I decide to freelance, it probably would have been a great thing to fall back on. Sigh...I get a knot in my stomach when I think about it. Regardless of the fact that studying for it was becoming a huge pain in the ass. Though really...why kill myself to learn something new when there are people in the world who will pay for skills that I already have? It's just a matter of how to market myself...
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