The week's gone by in a bit of a blur - hence the non-existant blogging. (We all know that's the most overused excuse ever, but we'll let it slide again, right?) Anyway, because of the flurry of activity at work, I called my assistant, who's on contract with me for a year part-time (meaning two measly days per week) to come in for the whole week. It's kinda nice having someone to do all the grunt work for me while I perch on a chaise longue supervising his efforts while being fanned with enormous palm fronds and being fed grapes.
Aside from being my little 'boy bitch' (as I so endearingly refer to him), he's also amusing to have around. A particular brand of sarcastic humour notwithstanding, he and I share a fondness for The O.C. (Seth Cohen being a hero to us both) and we have similar tastes in music (which is important when you have to spend the whole day in the same room with somebody).
So anyway, I usually listen to Virgin Radio UK during the work day because they play much better music than any of the local stations, and I like listeniing to the British accents of the DJs. For some reason, this week was like a Hoobastank-fest of insane proportions. The Reason (I refuse to post an MP3 link to it because I now posess a complete vehemence for the song) kept playing on a loop! Okay, I exaggerate, but it seriously played like twice in an hour one morning, and then again later that afternoon. The same story in the days that followed. Every time it would come on, we would stop what we were doing and bang our heads on the table.
Then on Friday, the damn song played yet again! In a moment of frustration, i switched to iTunes on my computer and hit a random playlist to listen to instead. Minutes later, guess what song appeared on the playlist?!? You guessed it! Turns out I had loaded the entire album several months ago when the band wasn't so overplayed and I was still fond of the song.
So, in an effort to add some new tunes to my collection and to avoid any mention of the stanky hooba's next week, I went CD shopping this weekend. Hey, it's as good an excuse as any, right? Here are the new additions:
Keane - Hopes & Fears
De-Phazz - Plastic Love Memory
Chris Botti - When I Fall in Love
The Clash - London Calling
Jamie Cullum - Live at Blenheim Place [DVD]
As well, I shopped online for the following two items since I couldn't find them anywhere else. I'm pretty damned excited to get these babies in the mail. And since concert tickets have sold out every time they've come to Vancouver, I figure a DVD of the concert experience is as close as I'm gonna get for now.
Scissor Sisters - Remixed [EP]
Scissor Sisters - We Are Scissor Sisters and So Are You [DVD]
The hills are alive!
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Monday, January 17, 2005
carwashes and bake sales
As for the weekend, it's been a real homebody adventure. Washing the salt and slush from my car using a rag and a small bucket of warm water, while confined in the garage is not an easy task. But it beats freezing your ass (and fingers) off in the cold trying to get water through the frozen hose pipe. Now Stella's good as new, and looking much shinier than the rest of her automotive compatriots on the road - inside and out.
And since nobody in this house seems to want to crawl out from under the warm shelter of their quilts to prepare a meal, I took it upon myself to make some potato corn chowder served up in ciabata bread bowls. Followed by a batch of banana raspberry muffins. Damn, I even impress myself sometimes!
Now for the rest of that laundry...
Gosh, you'd think I was holding a fundraiser or vying to be on the cast of Desperate Housewives or something!
And since nobody in this house seems to want to crawl out from under the warm shelter of their quilts to prepare a meal, I took it upon myself to make some potato corn chowder served up in ciabata bread bowls. Followed by a batch of banana raspberry muffins. Damn, I even impress myself sometimes!
Now for the rest of that laundry...
Gosh, you'd think I was holding a fundraiser or vying to be on the cast of Desperate Housewives or something!
dummies
Well, it's been a pretty uneventful week, especially after the sorta/kinda job offer and the news of L's resignation followed by the resulting depression. Nothing new on the job front - just starting to get a clearer picture of dates and timeslines. It looks like the soonest I can probably break free of my current post is March, although, looking at the big picture, June/July is probably a more realistic target date. It seems like a long time to wait, but I figure any mild assurance of a job offer that will rescue me from the hands of evil boss man and his fellow cronies is good enough for me. And if I have to wait a few extra months, then so be it. I've lasted a little over a year under his limp-wristed fist, what are a few extra months?
Came home Friday night with a pseudo bust form for my sister's wedding gown. Apparently, she needs one so that the dress doesn't get all wrinkly in the box. Being the kind and generous brother that I am, I spot one headed for the trash, and salvage it for her. Still in good shape, I fork over a whopping three bucks for it, and lug it home. Sure beats the $180 that I would have paid has I purchased one of the "real" busty bust forms that I had found through a local supplier!
Upon my arrival home, I decide to fish around my sister's closet and clothe the bust form. I had planned on putting the dress on it and presenting it to her in a "wow, i'm gonna cry, this is like a scene from one of those cheesy, sappy movies" kind of moment, but the intricate embroidery and beadwork on the dress freaked me out (what if i tore something?). So, I threw on some of her own clothes, adding a parka, scarf, and a hat as a final touch. Then, because I'm a prankster of a little brother, I backlit it to add to the creep factor. Long story short, when she finally came home and opened her door, there was a gasp, followed by "What the...? Who is...? Oh sheesh!"
When she realized taht it was a bust form, not a stranger lurking about in her room, she called me over and we had a good laugh. Then I told her to undress the dummy. She started with the top, but when I pointed sheepishly at the drawstring pants, she gave me a strange look before untying the drawstring to reveal...a mignificent codpiece!
Hey, for three dollars, you can't be too picky!
Crystal Village :: Pete Yorn
Came home Friday night with a pseudo bust form for my sister's wedding gown. Apparently, she needs one so that the dress doesn't get all wrinkly in the box. Being the kind and generous brother that I am, I spot one headed for the trash, and salvage it for her. Still in good shape, I fork over a whopping three bucks for it, and lug it home. Sure beats the $180 that I would have paid has I purchased one of the "real" busty bust forms that I had found through a local supplier!
Upon my arrival home, I decide to fish around my sister's closet and clothe the bust form. I had planned on putting the dress on it and presenting it to her in a "wow, i'm gonna cry, this is like a scene from one of those cheesy, sappy movies" kind of moment, but the intricate embroidery and beadwork on the dress freaked me out (what if i tore something?). So, I threw on some of her own clothes, adding a parka, scarf, and a hat as a final touch. Then, because I'm a prankster of a little brother, I backlit it to add to the creep factor. Long story short, when she finally came home and opened her door, there was a gasp, followed by "What the...? Who is...? Oh sheesh!"
When she realized taht it was a bust form, not a stranger lurking about in her room, she called me over and we had a good laugh. Then I told her to undress the dummy. She started with the top, but when I pointed sheepishly at the drawstring pants, she gave me a strange look before untying the drawstring to reveal...a mignificent codpiece!
Hey, for three dollars, you can't be too picky!
Crystal Village :: Pete Yorn
Monday, January 10, 2005
evil clients
I need to stop checking my work e-mail when I'm at home. It makes me crazy!
Friday, I sent out a final proof of an ad to a client. We had gone through a few revisions and settled on a final design and layout. The proof was just a confirmation before sending the artwork to publication. Today, I get an e-mail from the client asking to change the product featured and create more of a focus on the stupid dollar breakfast that is also being offered. Gag! Finality is never final with her.
Insert string of expletives here...
Boy, I'm really making up for my recent lack of posts. The need for catharis seems to be the best remedy for a wilting blog.
Friday, I sent out a final proof of an ad to a client. We had gone through a few revisions and settled on a final design and layout. The proof was just a confirmation before sending the artwork to publication. Today, I get an e-mail from the client asking to change the product featured and create more of a focus on the stupid dollar breakfast that is also being offered. Gag! Finality is never final with her.
Insert string of expletives here...
Boy, I'm really making up for my recent lack of posts. The need for catharis seems to be the best remedy for a wilting blog.
choice of maybe's
So, some big news at work this week. After nine or ten years with the company, my friend, and favourite long-distance colleague, L, is calling it quits. I must admit, I didn't find the news particularly surprising, but I was saddened and a little bewildered nonetheless. She's one of the "good guys," so to speak, and I had honestly hoped that we would be able to work together forever (as grade-school as that sounds). However, I respect her decision and wish her all the best as she moves on to greener pastures. And as she reminded me, just because she's leaving the copmany, it doesn't mean we can't still be friends.
Now, the twist (and there always seems to be one) is this - the day before L called to break the news to me, her boss called me from Philly to tell me about her decision, and to offer me her job. It seems the thought of losing someone so good freaked him out and he felt he needed to take immediate action. He talked to teh board, his management team, and they all decided that if I were to accept the job, they would throw in a relocation package for me. If I decline and the job goes to someone else, the relocation package is off the table.
My initial reaction is flattery - at the relocation offer (which is no longer standard), and at the mere thought that my feet are big enough to fill the figurative shoes L is leaving behind. But there are so many other factors that are at play before I can say yay or nay to this exciting and potentially challenging new offer. I kind of had my sights set on moving to Boston and all the different things associated with that move, and hadn't accounted for Philly as a possible destination. Now it feels as though I have to choose between two possibilities - neither of them with definite job offers at this point, just promises of jobs.
Choosing between two "maybe's" - is that how my New Year is starting off? This can't be a good sign...or can it?
Now, the twist (and there always seems to be one) is this - the day before L called to break the news to me, her boss called me from Philly to tell me about her decision, and to offer me her job. It seems the thought of losing someone so good freaked him out and he felt he needed to take immediate action. He talked to teh board, his management team, and they all decided that if I were to accept the job, they would throw in a relocation package for me. If I decline and the job goes to someone else, the relocation package is off the table.
My initial reaction is flattery - at the relocation offer (which is no longer standard), and at the mere thought that my feet are big enough to fill the figurative shoes L is leaving behind. But there are so many other factors that are at play before I can say yay or nay to this exciting and potentially challenging new offer. I kind of had my sights set on moving to Boston and all the different things associated with that move, and hadn't accounted for Philly as a possible destination. Now it feels as though I have to choose between two possibilities - neither of them with definite job offers at this point, just promises of jobs.
Choosing between two "maybe's" - is that how my New Year is starting off? This can't be a good sign...or can it?
made to be broken
One of my New Year's Resolutions should be to post more often, although I'm sure that if it does get added to the list, it will subsequently be the first to get broken. So off the list it stays. Meanwhile, here's the overly-ambitious 2005 list. (Afterall, don't motivational speakers always tell you to aim high and stuff?!?)
1. Update the portfolio and give it a makeover. I'm sick of how it looks.
2. Create actual web content for the online portfolio site. This means dusting off my years old (probablly bootleg) version of Dreamweaver and figuring out style sheets and stuff. Or maybe I'll just cheat my way through it and stay teh hell away from coding and stuff like that because it scares me.
3. Buy a new laptop and matching toys. I haven't consciously been saving up, but I know there's enough in the bank account to treat myself. I deserve it, dammit! And this PC is really starting to annoy the hell outta me.
4. Move. Out. Away. Whatever. I promised myself I'd be out of the house by time I turned 25. Looks like that didn't happen. I'm extending the deadline to my 26th birthday. If I don't move to a different city like I hope to do, I will resign myself to staying in Vancouver and buy a condo or apartment to nest in.
5. Watch at least one new movie a month. At the theatre. My newly purchased stash of discount movie tickets should ensure that I follow through on this culturally enriching resolution, tailored to broaden my horizons. Provided, of course, that I don't go catch retarded (albeit cult hit) flicks like "Dude, Where's my Car?"
6. Since I should probably have a fitness resolution, and I'm too lazy to add 'join a gym' to the list, I'm gonna start running again (after the cold disappears). And the goal is to beat my the 10 km Sun Run finish time that I set last year.
7. Stop spending money on clothes. I think there are articles in the closet with tags still on them, and yet, like a crazy shoppaholic clothes whore, I keep buying more. Enough! (Exceptions may be made on fabulous shoe purchases. But only if they are indeed fabulous. Or extremely comfortable.)
8. Pack lunches (and breakfasts). And eat at MickeyD's and Wendy's less. So far, I've been holding steady to this resolution, but we're only nine days into the year. This is most likely the first one I'll break. I'd place bets on it now.
9. Read a new book every month. And finish them.
10. Ten resolutions?!? Holy crap! I should know that too many resolutions are a recipe for failure! But whatever. Ten is a nice, round number. So be it. Hmmm...how about this? Write at least one postcard a month.
There you have it. The 2005 Made-to-be-Broken List!
1. Update the portfolio and give it a makeover. I'm sick of how it looks.
2. Create actual web content for the online portfolio site. This means dusting off my years old (probablly bootleg) version of Dreamweaver and figuring out style sheets and stuff. Or maybe I'll just cheat my way through it and stay teh hell away from coding and stuff like that because it scares me.
3. Buy a new laptop and matching toys. I haven't consciously been saving up, but I know there's enough in the bank account to treat myself. I deserve it, dammit! And this PC is really starting to annoy the hell outta me.
4. Move. Out. Away. Whatever. I promised myself I'd be out of the house by time I turned 25. Looks like that didn't happen. I'm extending the deadline to my 26th birthday. If I don't move to a different city like I hope to do, I will resign myself to staying in Vancouver and buy a condo or apartment to nest in.
5. Watch at least one new movie a month. At the theatre. My newly purchased stash of discount movie tickets should ensure that I follow through on this culturally enriching resolution, tailored to broaden my horizons. Provided, of course, that I don't go catch retarded (albeit cult hit) flicks like "Dude, Where's my Car?"
6. Since I should probably have a fitness resolution, and I'm too lazy to add 'join a gym' to the list, I'm gonna start running again (after the cold disappears). And the goal is to beat my the 10 km Sun Run finish time that I set last year.
7. Stop spending money on clothes. I think there are articles in the closet with tags still on them, and yet, like a crazy shoppaholic clothes whore, I keep buying more. Enough! (Exceptions may be made on fabulous shoe purchases. But only if they are indeed fabulous. Or extremely comfortable.)
8. Pack lunches (and breakfasts). And eat at MickeyD's and Wendy's less. So far, I've been holding steady to this resolution, but we're only nine days into the year. This is most likely the first one I'll break. I'd place bets on it now.
9. Read a new book every month. And finish them.
10. Ten resolutions?!? Holy crap! I should know that too many resolutions are a recipe for failure! But whatever. Ten is a nice, round number. So be it. Hmmm...how about this? Write at least one postcard a month.
There you have it. The 2005 Made-to-be-Broken List!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
back at it
First day back at work and I'm ready to go back on vacation. Sad, since during the last week of vacation, I was ready to go back to owrk. You can only do so much shopping and going to dress-fittings (for my sister's wedding gown, silly!) before becoming bored stupid. The trips to the spa, however, will be missed. Never have I been so relaxed in my life.
I rushed to work in a hurry, fearing that I'd be late on my first day back. Wrapped up all the pasalubong (souvenirs) that I brought back for my co-workers, hopped in teh shower, and packed a quick breakfast and lunch, and drove off. about 25 minutes into my morning commute, I glanced at the digital clock on my car dashboard and realized that it was a few minutes before 6:00 - and I wasn't sue to be in the office until 7:00. I guess my internal clock still hasn't completely adjusted to the time change.
Arriving early was actually nice. I got to wade through the tonne of e-mail that awaited, as well as check phone messages before everyone else arrived. My assistant, D, made a giant 'welcome back' balloon out of vinyl and tape scraps (as well as pop bottles and other miscellaneous bits and pieces, I'm told) and hung it in the middle of the office. I was also greeted by a fun new desktop pattern and screensaver on my computer. Fun stuff. It feels kinda strange to come back to an assistant that I've barely worked with and that my co-workers are now more familiar with since he's been around for the whole month while I've been away.
Once people started trickling in, I ended up going on the meeting circuit. First, a manager's meeting, then a customer service meeting, followed by a promotions/marketing meeting. No breaks, no lunch, still many unopened e-mails and bills to sort through - I'm tired just thinking about my day tomorrow.
How I long to be lying on a sunbed under the coconut trees on a white sandy beach, being massaged while the sound of the surf drowns out the commotion of the world around.
More blogging about the vacation (enjoyable and tasty), turning twenty-five (still hasn't fully sunk in yet), and new year's resolutions (lofty and ambitious, and a few already broken - so time to re-think and revise) to come at a later date.
Sway :: Michael Buble
I rushed to work in a hurry, fearing that I'd be late on my first day back. Wrapped up all the pasalubong (souvenirs) that I brought back for my co-workers, hopped in teh shower, and packed a quick breakfast and lunch, and drove off. about 25 minutes into my morning commute, I glanced at the digital clock on my car dashboard and realized that it was a few minutes before 6:00 - and I wasn't sue to be in the office until 7:00. I guess my internal clock still hasn't completely adjusted to the time change.
Arriving early was actually nice. I got to wade through the tonne of e-mail that awaited, as well as check phone messages before everyone else arrived. My assistant, D, made a giant 'welcome back' balloon out of vinyl and tape scraps (as well as pop bottles and other miscellaneous bits and pieces, I'm told) and hung it in the middle of the office. I was also greeted by a fun new desktop pattern and screensaver on my computer. Fun stuff. It feels kinda strange to come back to an assistant that I've barely worked with and that my co-workers are now more familiar with since he's been around for the whole month while I've been away.
Once people started trickling in, I ended up going on the meeting circuit. First, a manager's meeting, then a customer service meeting, followed by a promotions/marketing meeting. No breaks, no lunch, still many unopened e-mails and bills to sort through - I'm tired just thinking about my day tomorrow.
How I long to be lying on a sunbed under the coconut trees on a white sandy beach, being massaged while the sound of the surf drowns out the commotion of the world around.
More blogging about the vacation (enjoyable and tasty), turning twenty-five (still hasn't fully sunk in yet), and new year's resolutions (lofty and ambitious, and a few already broken - so time to re-think and revise) to come at a later date.
Sway :: Michael Buble
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
