Hippity Hop... and you don't stop...

My, oh my, where does the time go?

DC was a lot of fun... I went to see the Allen Ginsberg exhibit and I was really glad I did. Such an amazing collection of photographs. One thought while I was looking through the gallery, we don't typically see the way people lived - in reality - during the 60's thru the 90's. We think of things today, like packaging, and other consumer goods as very vibrant with lots of colors to catch your eyes on the shelves. Cigarette packages, cereal boxes, even mugs or chinese takeout - everything was so plain, so simple. I enjoyed that aspect of the shots he took.

I also really enjoyed his take on life outside his kitchen window. His thoughts on the world, written below on the photographs above, were interesting.

I also went to the sculpture garden, the National Geographic Museum where the DaVinci exhibit was displayed, and a few other places. I only had a half day on Sunday to check anything out because I worked so much. I literally got 4-6 hours of sleep a night because I was at the office or in the hotel. Crazy busy with my project.

While in the hotel, I rented a few movies, one of which My Sister's Keeper. I cried. Sobbed, actually. I can't remember a time where I've cried that hard to a film. I could completely relate to Cameron Diaz's fight for her daughter's life. That's how, I have a feeling, I'll love my children one day... with such a passion.

The project was a success, and frankly, I'm burnt out on PR work. I've always known that branding and marketing for one brand has been my niche, but I didn't really have a choice with this project and the Consulting company.

Speaking of, I did have a talk with my boss and accepted one of the offers - for a chain of sandwich shops. I'll be the Marketing Manager and focus on Local Store Marketing across the US. August 9th is the day :) Super excited about it!

Last night, I went to a book club meeting (my first, ever) and we discussed The Unbearable Lightness of Being. It was a good book - and I was only halfway through (was invited to read it only a week and a half ago!) but it was a really intense, awesome book. The next is A Reliable Wife. We'll see how this one goes!

My family comes to town tomorrow - it'll be good to see them! I just don't know what I'm going to do with them quite yet. I know we'll go to the zoo, and we have a painting class lined up for Monday night. I'm sure we'll hit the pool and do a little exploring for them... I just hope they don't get bored! My little sisters will probably be fascinated with all that Dallas has to offer... but I haven't done any of that yet. You know, explore those things.

I'm pushing away a friend who recently got her third strike. I've known she's been a questionable friend for a little while now, but I really think she's shitty now. It's hard to do - especially when my friend base is not huge... but I'm ok with that. I'd rather surround myself with no one at all than someone who acts the way she does.

C'est la vie, right? ;)

Anyway, that's the 'me' update now. There's more, but you'll have to wait for that...

Decisions, decisions

This week is a week of seismic proportions when it comes to decision-making.

3 job offers
An awesome trip to DC for 10 days

I think the job thing takes the cake. I really hope I'm making the right decision with this.... and I hope everything works out well. The worst part will be to tell my boss I'm leaving. I'm not sure if she's going to be happy about it. She'll be happy for me, but I doubt she'll be happy for herself, if you know what I mean.

So, I'm going to DC for 10 days with work... and my mom and sisters come out here for a week after that. July is pretty much done for me :)

It's decision-making time! Wish me luck!!

10 [minus two] Things.... another update

It's been a while since I've written. I know this. So many whirlwind things have been going on... 10 Things, shall we?

1. Carrie came last week for a week. I didn't want her to go - we had SO much fun while she was here. We didn't get to go to Austin, but each night was a success anyway. I can't wait to hear if she decides to move here or not.... it'll be great for us to live in the same city again.

2. I have come to the conclusion that boys are weird. Not just weird, weird. But SUPER weird. They'll be ALL about you one minute, then drop off the face of the earth the next. I know I'm not supposed to be in a relationship right now (otherwise, I'd be in one) but geeze. Boys are just super weird. That's all I can say.

3. The job thing is really starting to ramp up. I have now had 2 interviews and am waiting on two more. I got a call yesterday saying there is a solid offer in the works with one and I should see it in writing next week. I don't know which direction to go... and it's a HUGE career move with whichever one I take. *sigh* hopefully I'll make the right decision.

4. I did end up going to the Greg Laswell show, as mentioned in the last post. It's a long story, but I'm glad I did. He's such a great singer. You should really go check out his music.

5. I have been SO super stoked about Kaskade and the Electric Daisy Carnival this weekend. I'm not going to get to go now, and that's a HUGE bummer. I know he'll be back, but I'm still sad I'm missing an opportunity to see him.

6. I'm going home this weekend. There is some family "ish" going on that needs me there. I'm not really telling anyone (friends) I'm going because I'll feel guilty for not hangin out.

7. It's hotter than hell out here in D-town. It's only 8:30 and it's already 81 degrees. My tan looks nice, so that's the up-side. But geebus, it's hot!

8. I was reconnected with Sam last week. I ran into his sister on a patio out here, really weird. After THIS incident, I thought I'd never be speaking to him again. I got a phone call from him about an hour later, apologizing for the way things were left between us earlier. I talked to him for a minute, then told him I needed to go because I was with my friends. He text and asked if I would forgive him. Eh, not so much. I brushed it off.

That's all I've got - and that's a lot.

Heavy Hitting

Right now, it’s a pivotal point in my career. The OG wants to offer me a full time position. The Consulting Co. (CC) would LOVE to offer me something full time but isn’t quite sure how she can work it at the moment. And an ad-agency that’s working on our website at the OG wants to hire me full time. I get weekly calls from recruiters who are interested in giving me project work. I’m in high demand.

In talking with my boss at CC, she offered up an awesome alternative solution. One of our major clients is a Consumer Packaged Goods company and they’re looking for a transitional person and/or someone to work 20 hours a week. It would be an amazing transition for me in my career. This would put me on a path to do what I’ve wanted to do (work on a major brand) and lead me into the big giants like Pepsi Co, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and Frito Lay.

I also had a conversation today with the lady who is the international liaison for the worldwide portion of the company I worked for in Atlanta. I told her my project idea for the international partners and she thought it was great! She also thought it would be a good time to bring it up to the 'powers that be' because of the company's position at the moment and the timing of their next global meeting. This could be promising...

I’m on a mission.

I’m dead set on being the best I can be.

Going out and partying, living it up, blowing money on going out (and putting on the pounds), doing reckless and wild things – that’s not me. And that’s what I’ve been portrayed as to those that don’t know me well. My (not at work) friends don’t know the giving me. They don’t know the domesticated, creative, professional, talented me. All they know is the fun-loving, drunk, isn’t afraid of anything me… and that’s scary.

So, tonight, I didn't go out. I stayed in and talked to a boy. (that's so 9th grade of me...) I actually enjoyed this Friday night, too. Tomorrow, I'll work out, do some chores, and take care of some things. Hopefully it'll be sunny so I can lay by the pool a little. It'll be a nice day of relaxation before all of the heavy hitting I've got lined up for next week!

Randomness

Well, I haven't heard anything back from the company I'm "supposed" to start at on Monday. My thoughts... I probably won't start ON Monday. I'll probably work my 20 hours for the week maybe Wednesday thru Friday or something - cause of the delay in getting all of my stuff through HR. Bummer, cause I was hoping for a fresh Monday morning. I have my outfits for the week picked out and everything!

I went for that interview at the pub yesterday and met with the Training manager from Corporate. She said that the GM was sick and not able to make the interview but "loved" my personality and thought I would be a great fit at the pub. (Me too, duh!) So she re-scheduled my interview with the GM until today at 3pm. I went in to meet the guy (SUPER hungover from last night's shenanigans nonetheless) and the guy was 20 minutes late. Decided to make a 3pm run to the bank. Who does that?

Anyway, I wait for 20 minutes for him to come back and make me wait another 10 minutes for him to get ready for me. Our conversation was approximately 6 minutes long. He did the same thing the other people I talked to did and basically confirmed everything I'd written on the application when I filled it out. He wasn't thrilled about my "nights and weekends only" availability - so that might cost me the "you're hired". I am not a full time restaurant-er anymore, so sorry...

He said he'd call by the end of the week but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

I still have the meeting scheduled with the marketing consulting company on Monday about project work (which will hopefully start next week). It'll give me something fun to do and be a part of. Also, I met with a guy about a company he wants to start and he needs marketing help. I'm not sure I fully believe in what he wants to do - or, let's say, I'm not SUPER passionate about it, but I might be willing to help.

Other than that, I watched the top 10 bridges in the world and stared in awe at the Sydney bridge. OMG that thing is beautiful! I think I want to take a trip to Australia... definitely want to climb the bridge!! Putting that on the list of to-do's one day.

Ok - so random. But that's how life goes! Hopefully I'll get started working soon enough and everything will be a-okay. Or at least somewhat okay! ;)

10 [Random] Things...

Oh what a day.

1. Last night, I lay awake until the weeeee hours of the morning. 4am in particular. I have SO many thoughts swirling in my head... to do's, to call's, more to do's, what-if's, you know, the usual. So my sleep pattern has been ridiculously flip-flopped and I can't seem to get a handle on it. For instance, I slept until 1 pm this afternoon. Yep. 1 pm. Fuck.

2. Once I got up, I got my things together and headed to the dealership. My car has been making this lovely screeching noise when it starts and it doesn't sound that great. Did I mention that my car hates Texas? Cause it does.

My Honda only has 60K on it, so these things shouldn't be happening, but thank God for the mysterious 100K PLATINUM extended warranty that happened to fall in my lap. Who knew you could get such a steal of a car without knowing it. I now have a rental car (paid by the warranty) and my car will be fixed without me shelling out a dime. This, my friends, is a blessing.

3. I barely made it to the drug test place today. It's Tuesday - and if I want to start this jobbie-job on Monday, I need that test to come back THIS WEEK. Normally, a 48 hour return time, but since it was so late in the day, it's gonna be 72 for me. Hopefully everything is done and I can start on Monday. Cross your fingers.

4. My lady friend who is supposed to be in town every single month has been quite a bitch lately. She didn't show up in November, stayed for two weeks in December, and just showed up for January. I don't know what she's doing, but I'm not happy about it. Bitch.

5. I started the "Fat Smash Diet" yesterday. It's actually NOT one of those "fad" diets where you starve yourself of essential nutrients - it's almost like being a vegan for a week, working out, and then slowly adding small portions of food back into your diet. It sucks. And I cheated today and had a tortilla. And I haven't made it to the gym yet. But, I really want to do it - just to say that I did.

6. My list of to-do's just keeps getting longer and longer and longer. And my will to take care of these things just keeps getting shorter and shorter and shorter. :)

7. I read Little Bitty Lies last week and I'm reading Savannah Breeze this week. Both really good books that I would recommend.

8. I'm working on some stuff for pre-research to my start at the new company. I'm going to have to find some clever name to call it on the blog, of course, for anonymity. First order of business.... a new website. ASAP, as he says.

9. I called the last pub I applied to today and asked where he was at in the process... he said to come in on Friday at 3 to interview. Hopefully I'll get that job and we'll be good to go. :) I'm ready to start making some money!!

10. Oh, I most certainly saved the best for last. This weekend, I went to see some friends at a random bar in the city. As I was there (a real eclectic place, might I add) there were two girls and a guy. The two girls were wearing exactly the same sleazy dress. Barely covered their ta-ta's and only halfway covered their undies, if there were any undies. One was sans shoes and the other had on hooker heels. As I watched them walk around, mostly looking a bit schwasted-face, I carried on the conversation with my friends.

All of a sudden I saw the one sans shoes come back by with a strip of toilet paper hanging from her rear.

Yes ma'am. Hanging from her buttocks.

The toilet paper was at least half a foot long, maybe longer. Perhaps her bitch had come to town this particular night as well and she was unprepared? Or maybe she was wiping and her thighs just stuck together (they were quite large) and held on to the paper? Or she could have just been trying to get the same attention she was getting wearing that dress? Who knows... but EVERYONE in the place was staring.

Normally, if said paper were stuck to the bottom of some girl's shoe (no matter how sleazy the shoe/outfit) I would make an effort to be a good person and help her out with the situation. But how awkward would THAT conversation be!?

Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to take a picture on the sly. So it'll have to just stay in my memory.

I'm bad, aren't I? Haha. It was hilarious though, you've gotta give me that!

On the shoe hunt!

I just ordered these magnificent things. Carrie would be proud. ;)

I decided that I needed a new pair of black closed-toe high heels. I purchased some from Target that absolutely hurt the hell outta my feet, so I returned them. I know, I know... wearing a pair of shoes and returning them isn't usually in my character - but money is tight and they were poorly designed!

The need for a black shoe was still there so I went searching today. I must say, I haven't figured out where it is these Dallas bitches go to get there cute little shoes yet, but I am determined to find it!! I went to the Marshall's "Mega shoe shop" and found zip. Famous footwear... nada. I even went to the mall.... but what I found was this little beauty, in black suede.

This hot number is going fast. (Nine West, you guys are brilliant!) So I had to order them online. I like the black/white one better than the black suede ones. And I paid a little more for them than I normally would have, but I really want them. (Plus, it just made me feel better)

So, 7-10 days from now, I should see them at my doorstep. I should also be starting my new job around that same time, celebratory present for myself, I suppose. ;)

Marketing Coordinator

Yep. That's what my new title will be once I start at the job I was offered today. This is the oil and gas company that I interviewed with before I left for Atlanta for Christmas.

He called and offered me the part time position (20 hours a week) that is supposed to turn into a full time one. They hadn't had anything figured out about how much it would pay, what the role would be, etc. In fact, they didn't even interview anyone else. I met the guy, he thought I would be a great asset to his team, and he wanted to hire me. (it just took frickin forever!)

This part time position is going to pay a pretty penny. If it were full time, it would be exactly what I was hoping to make starting out. Unfortunately, there are no benefits yet, but I know those will come.

I'm super excited now because the whole part time thing will give me the ability to work on other Marketing projects and work at a pub making a lot of extra money on the weekends. Maybe I'll find somewhere to volunteer at - marketing related or not.

Celebration is called for. Can't wait!!

Go me!!

The Job Hunt

I've decided not to put all of my eggs in one basket with the stuff I've got lined up thus far... so I'm still submitting my resume and networking and all that stuff. Here's the update.

Number of Jobs Applied for Today... 9
Number of Jobs Applied for Yesterday... 23
Number of Jobs Applied for since November... 56
Number of various emails sent re: Jobs... 18
Number of recruiters wanting me for a sales position that I don't want... 6
Number of calls about potential interviews... 2
Number of interviews... 1
Number of Jobs obtained... 0

So, there ya have it. No one can say that I haven't tried ;) At the end of this, I'm sure I'll have a fabulous job. I applied at another pub today, just in case. I'm tired of being home all day with no money and nothing to do but scour the internet for new jobs to add to the list.

C'est la vie!!

Job Update

So, the pub I was supposed to start working at never came through. I was literally "hired" at the place, just needed a firm 'show up at this time' for training. Well, I called, I did my part - and that never happened.

So, I've written them off and I applied at another pub yesterday, this one a LOT closer to my place. Still just as packed. Still the potential to make shit tons of moolah.

I talked to the guy at the Part Time Marketing Coordinator gig yesterday. He is in the process of setting me up with an interview with the President of the place. This is HUGE, imo. So, hopefully I'll hear back from him soon with word on when that'll take place.

I also got an email from the lady at the consulting company. We're talking about projects.

All in all, things are looking up - but they're taking their sweet ass time. I know I sound super depressed, but life is a bit difficult at the moment. Oh, and the biatch that rented my place in Atlanta still hasn't paid me December's rent or utilities.

Stressed. Out. :)