Domestic Geek

Well, I had a job interview today for a graphic designer position that starts in January. I'll find out tomorrow if I got it. Starting pay is lower than I would've liked, but it's more than I was making at the screen printers. There will probably be a substantial pay increase after six months. I figure this will be like an internship more or less until I prove myself. The big drawback is the place is in Larkspur (you know—the place where they have the Colorado Renaissance Festival every year). I guess the guys that work there carpool alot, so that could be cool. I know the two guys that currently work there from Platt, so I don't have any doubts that I can work and get along with them. I guess we'll find out tomorrow, eh?

Our power kept going out on Monday evening. If you tried to access our websites then and couldn't, that's why. It sucked because it was really cold outside and snowing a little, too. We burned stuff in our fireplace to keep warm until we gave up and went to bed. Of course my alarm clock's battery was dead so it wouldn't keep time every time the power went out. I'm not sure when the power came back on for good.

I've been a movie watching fool the last few weeks. I'm trying to make the most of my Netflix subscription while I'm underemployed, plus HBO had a free preview weekend in there, too.
The Longest Yard (2005)—wasn't sure I'd like this remake, but I did! (Except for Rob Schneider)
March of the Penguins—those Emperor penguins are insane.
Love Actually—still can't stand Hugh Grant, am liking Emma Thompson more and more and why does Alan Rickman (Snape) always have to be a bad guy?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy—um, I don't get why this is popular.
Batman Begins—great movie. Much better than the previous Batman incarnations.
Beauty Shop—not as good as Barbershop, but a cute movie.
The Office: Series 1 (British Version)—just like the American one, took a couple of episodes to grow on me, but I like it.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—this just weirded me out. That single Oompa Loompa was too disturbing.
Spiderman—wasn't impressed.
13 Going on 30—love all the '80s references!

I'm sure I've watched more, but that'll do for now.

Well, I'd better get back to decorating the tree that Marcus slayed.

Well, the lady who wanted to interview me called me this morning to inform me that she had already hired someone else. Damn! At least she had the decency to let me know that the position was no longer open. I hate waiting and waiting and never knowing if you're going to get the job or if they had already filled it.

Yes, dear readers, once again I am underemployed right before the holiday season. Damn, this seems to happen every year. *sigh* Last Thursday, at the screenprinter, most of the remaining staff, myself included, was given cash and told it was their last day. The handful of remaining staff will finish up the pending jobs and then the place is closing its doors. I was a little sad about it, but amazingly enough, I feel a strong surge of hope. It's hard to describe, but I have a feeling that this was meant to be and bigger, better things are in store. Normally I would be ridden with anxiety and fearing for my future, but things will work out. They always do one way or another. So, in addition to putting resumes out and seeing the placement lady at my old school, this next week I plan on taking care of me--cleaning my house, exercising, crafting, etc. All the stuff that I've put on hold because I've been working too darned much. I need to keep making sure I get up early and get the dough done before everybody else gets in. This week I have spent so much time talking to other employees that I haven't talked to in months because they need to talk about the manager's suicide and stuff. While I'm glad that I can help in listening, I know my time could be better spent elsewhere, y'know?

I did manage to get a couple of my designs printed before I had to vacate the premises (lol). The two production guys that were left even stayed late to finish them for me. They even let me make them for free. Normally, as an employee, I would've had to buy the shirts and pay a reduced amount for the ink used. I guess they felt bad about having to let us go and just let me have the shirts. Anyway, I made myself a Domestic Geek baseball swash design and Team [Housewares] shirts for Marcus. I'll see if I can get Marcus and Mike to pose in their shirts this evening while they're gaming and post a pic. I'm really happy with how they turned out except for the color of the shirt. I was pretty much limited to what we had left in the storeroom, which wasn't much. The only color that had all sizes we needed and was still military-looking was a green color. I wanted them on tan. Oh, well. I had them print one tan one, though, to see how it would turn out. I also took my films, so one day we can get more done if Marcus needs them. I wish I had been around long enough to finish the kokopelli design I was working on. It will be done one day, though, and even if I have to pay, I'll get it printed.

Man, I found a job on Craigslist that I wanted to apply for--you need to provide a URL to an online portfolio. No problem, thinks I. I made one in web class. It's flash. It'll be cool.

<panic>I CAN'T FIND IT!!!</panic>

That so totally sucks. I'm sure it's on my computer somewhere. I didn't copy over any of the data drives when I upgraded. I thought I had a cd backup of it, but I can't find that, either. So, I get to start over for now and hope I can apply before they hire someone. Unfortunately, it won't be flash. I don't have flash here at work. DAMN IT!

Oh, well...better get started on it.

Happy Halloween!

Well, I was given a little reprieve by the bosses here at the screen printing place. Today was supposed to be my last day, but I've been allowed to stay until I find other work. I hope that happens soon, though. I really, really don't want to be here anymore. Besides, this place isn't going to be open much longer anyway. Nobody will come right out and say it, but between the things I've heard and the things I've observed, it won't be long. I wish I could just start my own damn business. That's what I want more than anything. I'm just not in a place financially to make that happen right now. I'm tired of being someone's employee and not having any say in how things are run.

I need to find a way to get my teeth fixed. I'm having incredible pain right now. It totally sucks. I've been downing NyQuil to be able to get any sleep. I've been taking so much ibuprofin that I'm probably ruining my stomach lining. I hate how out-of-control health and dental costs have gotten. I know I'd be in better shape if I had seen a dentist regularly, but I've been screwed over by so many dentists in my life that I put off going to them until it's too late. I haven't had insurance since I got too old to be on my Dad's policy in my early 20s. It's hard to justify spending so much money out-of-pocket to be tortured. I wish I had the bucks to get implants. It's too bad the technology to regrow human teeth is still in its infancy. I read some articles a while back that said it should be doable in about five years. They've already done it in mice. I guess they just need to figure out how to tell the tooth what kind of tooth to be.

Well, on that note, I guess I better get going. I need to run by the credit union on the way home and make my car payment. They weren't open on Saturday when it was due. Oh, well.