Domestic Geek

I almost forgot to write about this. Laura had a little gathering at her house Friday night to celebrate Colleen being in town. I was lucky enough to be invited. Except for a brief passing at WalMart one morning, I hadn't seen Laura in person since her wedding last September. I'm such a chicken about social gatherings and since Marcus couldn't go with me, I almost didn't go. I'm glad I kicked myself in gear, because I had a good time! I only briefly met Colleen at the wedding, though I've been to her site a zillion times. It was good to see her. She taught me how to do a knit stitch. Yay!!! Laura's husband, Paul, is quite the handyman. He built an awesome outside grill, complete with a sink! I'm so jealous of it. They have a gas fire pit that we all sat around, drank and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. Hopefully, soon, one of the two of them will post pictures!

Note to self: find font for headers that has punctuation.

I came to a grim realization on Friday. I hate being a graphic designer. I don't hate making things in programs, but I hate the industry. I hate people wanting the world, but not wanting to pay for it. I also know why most of the design you see is crap and everybody uses Times New Roman or Helvetica. When a salesman puts two hours art charges into an estimate for three separate menu variations for a client, no wonder people give in and churn out crap. There was an hour or better of copy. I already spent two hours alone just cloning out the frickin' time stamp the salesman inadvertantly turned on when taking pictures of the client's food. Also, the food pictures suck. They want the food cut out of the background, yet many of the pictures have parts of the plates cut off. Grrrr. I also hate using Adobe programs on a PC. I'm a Mac person. I know the mac shortcuts. I'm tired of hitting the damned windows menu key. The stress of all of this is making my chest hurt. I've got that panic attack thing going on already. I just don't have the temperment to design things for other people. This place also doesn't have set hours. I've not been told how many hours I am expected to put in, I can't get there before 11 am, so no way I can get in 8 hours a day. Part of me wishes I hadn't accepted this work, but part of me is realizing it is a blessing: I strongly realize what it is I don't want to do.

Also, I hate advertising. I hate the marketing field. I think it's all a crock of sh*t.

I'm going to concentrate on finding something in web. Behind the scenes. Not design. Marcus was right when he said I need to get back towards the technical side. Delve back into coding. *sigh* Part of me wishes I could just tell them this isn't working and not come back. The other part of me (the part that will win) will stay until their little ad magazine goes to press at the end of the month and take my leave. Unless somebody hires me away sooner. They understand that I am looking elsewhere. Please, somebody in the web field hire me now!!!!!!

So, today is the last day of being a thirty something. Remember that show? LOL

We had a mini birthday gathering yesterday with Mike and Nina. Dinner at Chili's and then a DQ ice cream cake here. YUM!

Mike and Nina got me one of those musical cards that Hallmark is selling now (it plays Spinal Tap) and Scott Kelby's Photoshop Channels book. Marcus purchased me an Expression Engine 1.5 license and then made an awesome little case for it.

I totally forgot to mark this joyous occasion. Forty years ago yesterday, a mere three days before I was born, the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise began their trek into television and human history. Thank you, Gene Roddenberry.

This week Denise of Mental Excrement has presented a challenge to TT’ers for this weeks Edition:

“I would like to challenge all Thirteeners to come up with 13 things they like about themselves.

I feel like we, as women, spend so much time scrutinizing ourselves that we sometimes forget the good stuff.???

This one was really tough. A lot of my former "good" characteristics have gone to hell lately. It took a lot of thinking to get beyond my faults and acknowledge the good:

Thirteen Things I Like About Myself

1. I'm extremely curious.I have to know how and why things work. When something doesn't work, I want to know what was broken. If I see something cool on the Internet, I want to know how it was done.
2. I have pretty eyes. They've been a little puffy and have dark circles under them from the stress, but I still think they're pretty.
3. I have a keen sense of observation. If Marcus is searching for key or his hat, I can usually point him to where they are.
4. I love to learn. I love new information, new skills, new ways of thinking about things.
5. I have a strong work ethic. When I do have a job, even if I hate it, I show up and do that job to the best of my ability. I am being paid to work, not goof around.
6. I'm creative. Whether it's crafts, graphic design, finding a solution to a problem, I like making useful things.
7. I love animals. Especially dogs...they're the best.
8. I write well. Since I loved reading at an early age, I have always been exposed to proper grammar and sentence structure. I write well despite my public school education.
9. I'm intelligent. I've always been above average.
10. I like teaching what I know. It is a thrill to give someone a means of doing something easier or faster. I used to love the expression on my music students' faces when something would "click."
11. I have big breasts. I'm not shy about it.
12. I look younger than my age. Both of my parents looked younger than they were. Luckily, I inherited this trait. Most people would never guess I'm going to be 40 next monday.
13. I have the ability to love. I love Marcus. I love my dad. My heart breaks for the people in the world who can't/won't allow themselves to love and be loved.

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1. Tracie 2. Ganns

3. MommyBa 4. Francesca Gray

5. anneberit