JUNE 30, 2007
And so it is....I no longer work for the Limited Brands. After 4 years at Bath and Body Works as a designer, I find myself ready to move on. It has been a strange few months. I've bounced around to different managers and different teams, traveled to New York City and New Jersey 2 days a week for almost 2 months straight and still found myself unhappy. Primarily because of money and stress. Who doesn't want more money? When you realize your new role within the company is ten times the amount of work and stress, but you weren't given a single penny more, it's hard to only think about the work itself. I was looking forward to my new position on the Seasonal team designing fashion and personal care accessories. I was now working on the same team with my best friend from grade school, Holly. I would have been able to travel the world, spending a lot of time working on development in Hong Kong, going on shopping trips to Paris, London, and Milan....it may sound like the dream job, and in some ways it could have been. However, the amount of stress and time I would have to dedicate seemed outrageous compared to my compensation. When my friend told me how much the graphic designer position paid at American Signature it seemed like a foolish decision to pass up the opportunity. It was hard to make the decision between the two places when BBW offered to counter. In the end I felt it was best to leave because who knows what might happen if I stayed. A week later I realized I made the best decision as it was announced that a major headcount reduction was in the works for Limited Brands. I managed to escape on my own terms, which had been my goal for the past 4 years. I am going to miss all of my friends and coworkers and I will also miss some of the work, but now it is time to move on.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Moving Onward
JUNE 20, 2007
It has been a tough week trying to determine where to go. I'm still not sure I made the right decision but I hope I learn to adjust. You can weigh the pros and cons but how do you ever know your scale is working?
Last month I took a new position within Bath & Body Works, moving from the Brand team to the Seasonal team. It seemed like a really great opportunity with more room to grow. After 4 years on the brand team, I never really got anywhere. Most likely because I was in Columbus and the rest of the team was in New York. With no desire to move to NY, I was just left here to do nothing. Finally I moved over to the other team. It seemed like such a great change. I would be working with my best friend since grade school, designing fashion accessories, and traveling to Hong Kong for development trips. The experience would be great, but I felt like I would have to dedicate all of my time to the job. I had been working on developing my own business, but since changing positions, I was burnt out and didn't really feel like working when I got home. Plus, I haven't been making enough money to save for growing my business. I quickly learned how much stress and time would be involved with my new position and I realized that this company did not pay me anywhere near enough to deal with it. A close friend of mine had asked me to come work for her as a designer at American Signature Inc. the same week I accepted the new position at BBW. I told her I would have taken it if I hadn't made the change, but she was a week too late. Besides, I was looking forward to my new position. Soon after, another friend from work filled the position and it made me wonder why I didn't take it, but there was still another position open for a graphic designer.
So last Wednesday I went to interview with ASI. Everything went well and my friend called the next day to offer me the job for the rate I asked for. On Friday morning I notified my boss that I would be leaving in 2 weeks. Once the VP was notified, I was called in to his office. He wanted to give me a counter offer, not even knowing what the offer was I was presented. I was hoping they would give me an actual number so I could see what they felt it was worth to keep me. Last year when I quit as a consultant, the offer I was presented to be hired as an associate was still not competitive but when I questioned it I was told I wasn't worth anymore. Not having another job lined up at the time, I decided to take it. Flash forward one year later, I move over to a new position as a lateral title move, but given no salary change. So last Friday I endured the speech that was supposed to convince me to stay. I was questioned on why I would leave this company to go work for a company that sells cheap furniture (which by the way they are trying build a more respected brand for which they have hired new designers to re brand their image). I said that if this company (BBW) was so much bigger and better, than why is it that the smaller less prestigious companies can pay their employees better? I don't think I really got an answer, nor did I expect to. But that's the way corporate works. I also said as far as the creative work, I would prefer to work here, however I am willing to sacrifice that for less stress and more money. My goal is to own my own successful business someday because this place taught me that I don't want to work for corporate my whole life. I said I would take the weekend to think about changing my mind. I found myself really doubting my decision, but eventually I realized the best thing for me was to leave. If I chose to stay and take a huge pay increase, I would be afraid of many things. They could treat me like shit and work me to death because I would be getting paid much more than I was supposed to be paid. Or I could be one of the first to be let go if they have budget cuts. Or they could look for a replacement and then let me go because they think I might be looking again. Most everyone I've ever talked to say it's always best just to take the other job rather than play the game of who will pay the most. On Monday morning I told them it would be best for me to leave, and I believe I managed to do so without burning any bridges in case I ever want to cross back over. It was a great experience working for Limited Brands, I just was ready to move up rather than be stuck at the same rate I was getting since graduating from College while taking on more responsibilities.
Next week marks my 4 years here at BBW and my last day. It's like I'm graduating all over again. I guess good mile markers come in 4s. 4 years of high school and traditionally 4 years of college. Now 4 years of BBW. I'm sad to leave my friends behind, but I know it's time to move on. I'm excited in many ways and look forward to a new future.
It has been a tough week trying to determine where to go. I'm still not sure I made the right decision but I hope I learn to adjust. You can weigh the pros and cons but how do you ever know your scale is working?
Last month I took a new position within Bath & Body Works, moving from the Brand team to the Seasonal team. It seemed like a really great opportunity with more room to grow. After 4 years on the brand team, I never really got anywhere. Most likely because I was in Columbus and the rest of the team was in New York. With no desire to move to NY, I was just left here to do nothing. Finally I moved over to the other team. It seemed like such a great change. I would be working with my best friend since grade school, designing fashion accessories, and traveling to Hong Kong for development trips. The experience would be great, but I felt like I would have to dedicate all of my time to the job. I had been working on developing my own business, but since changing positions, I was burnt out and didn't really feel like working when I got home. Plus, I haven't been making enough money to save for growing my business. I quickly learned how much stress and time would be involved with my new position and I realized that this company did not pay me anywhere near enough to deal with it. A close friend of mine had asked me to come work for her as a designer at American Signature Inc. the same week I accepted the new position at BBW. I told her I would have taken it if I hadn't made the change, but she was a week too late. Besides, I was looking forward to my new position. Soon after, another friend from work filled the position and it made me wonder why I didn't take it, but there was still another position open for a graphic designer.
So last Wednesday I went to interview with ASI. Everything went well and my friend called the next day to offer me the job for the rate I asked for. On Friday morning I notified my boss that I would be leaving in 2 weeks. Once the VP was notified, I was called in to his office. He wanted to give me a counter offer, not even knowing what the offer was I was presented. I was hoping they would give me an actual number so I could see what they felt it was worth to keep me. Last year when I quit as a consultant, the offer I was presented to be hired as an associate was still not competitive but when I questioned it I was told I wasn't worth anymore. Not having another job lined up at the time, I decided to take it. Flash forward one year later, I move over to a new position as a lateral title move, but given no salary change. So last Friday I endured the speech that was supposed to convince me to stay. I was questioned on why I would leave this company to go work for a company that sells cheap furniture (which by the way they are trying build a more respected brand for which they have hired new designers to re brand their image). I said that if this company (BBW) was so much bigger and better, than why is it that the smaller less prestigious companies can pay their employees better? I don't think I really got an answer, nor did I expect to. But that's the way corporate works. I also said as far as the creative work, I would prefer to work here, however I am willing to sacrifice that for less stress and more money. My goal is to own my own successful business someday because this place taught me that I don't want to work for corporate my whole life. I said I would take the weekend to think about changing my mind. I found myself really doubting my decision, but eventually I realized the best thing for me was to leave. If I chose to stay and take a huge pay increase, I would be afraid of many things. They could treat me like shit and work me to death because I would be getting paid much more than I was supposed to be paid. Or I could be one of the first to be let go if they have budget cuts. Or they could look for a replacement and then let me go because they think I might be looking again. Most everyone I've ever talked to say it's always best just to take the other job rather than play the game of who will pay the most. On Monday morning I told them it would be best for me to leave, and I believe I managed to do so without burning any bridges in case I ever want to cross back over. It was a great experience working for Limited Brands, I just was ready to move up rather than be stuck at the same rate I was getting since graduating from College while taking on more responsibilities.
Next week marks my 4 years here at BBW and my last day. It's like I'm graduating all over again. I guess good mile markers come in 4s. 4 years of high school and traditionally 4 years of college. Now 4 years of BBW. I'm sad to leave my friends behind, but I know it's time to move on. I'm excited in many ways and look forward to a new future.
LOST Theories
MARCH 27, 2007
This is for anyone who watches LOST. Hopefully you still watch it. Lots of people have been complaining about this season not being very good. It did seem to loose it's way, but it is definitely back to it's original LOST ways. So DO NOT give up hope.
My friends at work and I have been discussing theories about what is going on. We are hooked on listening to the LOST podcast with Jay and Jack. It's an easy way to stay keen on the theories, easter eggs and whatnot. I'll also check out thefuselage.com if an episode was intriguing enough. Finally it is. Call me a dork, my friends dorks, but whatever. The writers are the most brilliant story tellers imaginable. It's impossible to wrap your mind around the depth of this show. Sometimes spoilers due just that, spoil the episode for me, but without them the show is not as fun. So I'm not even sure where to start, but I'll pick out a few interesting points or theories from the past few episodes.
Flashes Before Your Eyes - Desmond centric
The writers have confirmed that Desmond really did travel back in time. It's not a dream. They have said that there is something centered around the idea of LOST time. Even the name of a character is Mittelos, an anagram for Lost Time. Somehow after Des turned the fail safe, he entered a time loop. He went back to his life in London with Penny, but he remembers things about the island. He see's Charlie on the street but Charlie doesn't know him. He starts seeing the future which later on the island Des predicts Charlie's death and tries to save his life several times by altering the events to steer clear of Charlie. We also learn Penny's father thinks Desmond is not worthy of marrying her. Desmond decides to marry Penny anyway. While they are walking down by the river, we finally see the famous photo being taken. This photo has appeared in 2 previous episodes, both slightly different. People speculated that there had to be a reason for the photo being different. This episode could mean that each time he goes back to relive this moment, something is slightly different. Des then decides to break up with Penny...and now years later he is suck on the island.
Exit 77 - Saiyd centric
Saiyd, Kate and Locke find a house on the island where the eye patch guy lives. Saiyd gets shot and Patchy (Michail) pretends to be the last living member of Darhma. Soon they figure out he is lying. Locke starts playing chess on the computer and wins. Then Marvin Candle pops up giving a bunch of codes to enter....for food drop...for mainland communication...if the hostiles have taken over...Apparently the satellite is broken. Later everyone leaves the house and it blows up, most likely Locke's intention. There is also a grey cat on the island that resembles the one from Saiyd's torture flashback. Is it the same cat? Is it a smoke monster manifestation? Somewhat like Kate's black horse.
Par Avion - Claire centric
I knew this was coming. Claire is Jack's sister. Most people suspected this from an Ana Lucia flashback last season when she went to Australia with Christian Shephard to be his body guard. She waited in the car while he went to a woman's house demanding to see her (his daughter). Made sense that it could be Claire. So now this proves many connections Christian has with people on the island. Jack & Claire's dad, Aaron's grandpa, he took Ana Lucia with him, he met Sawyer in a bar. Jack has been connected to Desmond while running in the stadium, to Shannon through the hospital where her dad died from the car accident with Jack's future wife. This really is a game of 6 degrees of separation. (Maybe what sparked JJ Abrahms to do another show about it) Anyways, back on the Island Locke, Kate, Saiyd, Patchy and the French woman find the security force field. Patchy tells them that it has not worked for years. He then tells them about the Magnificent man, stating that it is not Ben. He starts to tell Locke that he knows he used to be Para....as in paralyzed. Before he can finish the French woman cuts them off. Locke then decides to push Patchy into the force field which causes his brain to hemorage and foam at the mouth. Once they find a way to climb over the barrier, they discover the village...and Jack playing football with Tom. A complete "What the hell" moment. Is Jack playing them? Was he brainwashed like Carl in the clockwork orange sceene?
THEORY:
Christian Shephard is either "him", the magnificent man, or at least involved with the others or Darhma somehow. He has had way too many connections to people on the island. Plus, the others seem to have a great interest in Jack, Claire and Aaron. Could it be because they have the same DNA as Christian? Since he was a doctor, maybe he was recruited by Mittelwork, the company that recruited Juliette. Jack used to have visions of his father alive on the island. Was it real? He did find the coffin empty. He also heard his father's voice over the speaker while he was held captive in the Hydra. Did he really die, or was it faked if he truly is involved.
The Man From Tallahassee - Locke centric
Kate confronts Jack inside the house. Jack starts yelling at her because they are watching him. He's mad she came back for him. The others capture her and Saiyd. Kate and Jack share a moment where he tells her he made a deal with them. They will let him leave the island, and he promises her he will come back for her. Meanwhile, Locke confronts Ben. Ben tells him he knows how he was paralyzed and wants to know why Locke was healed by the island, but Ben is still in a wheelchair. Locke then demands to know where the Submarine is. Locke makes a sarcastic comment about being a commander in the Navy, therefore he might know how to pilot it. He then tells him he wants to destroy it. Ben says he shouldn't do it because it is the idea of Hope and possibility to leave the island that the people need. He also says it won't matter because the magnetic anomaly (from the button not getting pushed) wiped everything out. Once the sub leaves, there is no way to find their way back to the island. Ben also asks Locke to imagine a box, and anything he wished for would be in it. Locke says Ben might as well imagine a new submarine. Flashback- Locke meets a man who says his mother is being conned by Locke's father, Anthony Cooper. Locke later confronts his dad at his condo. Cooper denys the claim, asking him to call the woman to prove it. Locke walks over to the phone as Cooper charges toward him, knocking him through the window, falling 8 stories on his back. Amazingly he survives, but is paralyzed. Back on the island, Locke takes Alex hostage. While hiding in the closet, Ben tells Tom to bring in the Man from Tallahassee. Locke and Alex escape and go down to the submarine. He is carrying the bag of C4 and climbs into the sub. Next we see Locke return, soaking wet from head to toe, just as Jack and Juliette reach the dock for their departure. Locke says to Jack, I'm Sorry. Behind him is an explosion. Jack's face was priceless. Back in Ben's house, Ben asks Locke about the box again, and tells him to open the door. Sitting tied to a chair is Anthony Cooper. Locke is stunned...Dad? Another What the hell!!! moment.
THEORY:
The big question is, did Locke really blow up the sub? Why was he wet? They made it a point to show him drenched. During the explosion scene, we never actually see the sub. It was visible before he blew it up, but afterward they used camera angles that blocked any view. The explosion also appeared to be in the center end of the dock rather than on the left. Locke also seemed very familiar with the sub, such as where the lights were. Most people wouldn't have a clue what to do in one. So did Locke pilot it away from the dock to hide it, then swim back, rigging the C4 on the dock or something else? There have also been many clues that Locke may know a lot about how to pilot a sub. Which the dialog between Locke and Ben about him being able to pilot it, seems to be a clue. It has been noted that in the flashback in Locke's apartment, there is a poster on the wall will many Military patches. Some being for Special Opps. Could Locke have been in the military? Maybe he was just a collector which lots of knowledge. Could he have studied things while he was in a wheelchair? We know he used to play war games at work at the box company. His coworker, Randy, would make fun of him saying he didn't have real military experience. (BTW, Randy used to be Hurly's boss at Mr. Clucks. After Hurly won the lottery and Mr. Clucks was hit by the meteorite, Hurly bought the box company and hired Randy, and apparently Locke.) Also, Locke has mad skills...boar hunting, knife throwing, hallucinogenic making, building things...He seems to be the survival go-to-guy. So why would he want to hide the submarine when he clearly wants to stay on the island because he is healed? Maybe he realized he was taking away everyone else's hope at getting off the island. Sure enough we will find out more about this...some day. Probably in 2 years.
Well I think this killed about 2 hours of my time. It's 11pm and I'm still stuck waiting for a stupid Body Scrub label to approve. So yes, I really did have time to waste writing all of that.
This is for anyone who watches LOST. Hopefully you still watch it. Lots of people have been complaining about this season not being very good. It did seem to loose it's way, but it is definitely back to it's original LOST ways. So DO NOT give up hope.
My friends at work and I have been discussing theories about what is going on. We are hooked on listening to the LOST podcast with Jay and Jack. It's an easy way to stay keen on the theories, easter eggs and whatnot. I'll also check out thefuselage.com if an episode was intriguing enough. Finally it is. Call me a dork, my friends dorks, but whatever. The writers are the most brilliant story tellers imaginable. It's impossible to wrap your mind around the depth of this show. Sometimes spoilers due just that, spoil the episode for me, but without them the show is not as fun. So I'm not even sure where to start, but I'll pick out a few interesting points or theories from the past few episodes.
Flashes Before Your Eyes - Desmond centric
The writers have confirmed that Desmond really did travel back in time. It's not a dream. They have said that there is something centered around the idea of LOST time. Even the name of a character is Mittelos, an anagram for Lost Time. Somehow after Des turned the fail safe, he entered a time loop. He went back to his life in London with Penny, but he remembers things about the island. He see's Charlie on the street but Charlie doesn't know him. He starts seeing the future which later on the island Des predicts Charlie's death and tries to save his life several times by altering the events to steer clear of Charlie. We also learn Penny's father thinks Desmond is not worthy of marrying her. Desmond decides to marry Penny anyway. While they are walking down by the river, we finally see the famous photo being taken. This photo has appeared in 2 previous episodes, both slightly different. People speculated that there had to be a reason for the photo being different. This episode could mean that each time he goes back to relive this moment, something is slightly different. Des then decides to break up with Penny...and now years later he is suck on the island.
Exit 77 - Saiyd centric
Saiyd, Kate and Locke find a house on the island where the eye patch guy lives. Saiyd gets shot and Patchy (Michail) pretends to be the last living member of Darhma. Soon they figure out he is lying. Locke starts playing chess on the computer and wins. Then Marvin Candle pops up giving a bunch of codes to enter....for food drop...for mainland communication...if the hostiles have taken over...Apparently the satellite is broken. Later everyone leaves the house and it blows up, most likely Locke's intention. There is also a grey cat on the island that resembles the one from Saiyd's torture flashback. Is it the same cat? Is it a smoke monster manifestation? Somewhat like Kate's black horse.
Par Avion - Claire centric
I knew this was coming. Claire is Jack's sister. Most people suspected this from an Ana Lucia flashback last season when she went to Australia with Christian Shephard to be his body guard. She waited in the car while he went to a woman's house demanding to see her (his daughter). Made sense that it could be Claire. So now this proves many connections Christian has with people on the island. Jack & Claire's dad, Aaron's grandpa, he took Ana Lucia with him, he met Sawyer in a bar. Jack has been connected to Desmond while running in the stadium, to Shannon through the hospital where her dad died from the car accident with Jack's future wife. This really is a game of 6 degrees of separation. (Maybe what sparked JJ Abrahms to do another show about it) Anyways, back on the Island Locke, Kate, Saiyd, Patchy and the French woman find the security force field. Patchy tells them that it has not worked for years. He then tells them about the Magnificent man, stating that it is not Ben. He starts to tell Locke that he knows he used to be Para....as in paralyzed. Before he can finish the French woman cuts them off. Locke then decides to push Patchy into the force field which causes his brain to hemorage and foam at the mouth. Once they find a way to climb over the barrier, they discover the village...and Jack playing football with Tom. A complete "What the hell" moment. Is Jack playing them? Was he brainwashed like Carl in the clockwork orange sceene?
THEORY:
Christian Shephard is either "him", the magnificent man, or at least involved with the others or Darhma somehow. He has had way too many connections to people on the island. Plus, the others seem to have a great interest in Jack, Claire and Aaron. Could it be because they have the same DNA as Christian? Since he was a doctor, maybe he was recruited by Mittelwork, the company that recruited Juliette. Jack used to have visions of his father alive on the island. Was it real? He did find the coffin empty. He also heard his father's voice over the speaker while he was held captive in the Hydra. Did he really die, or was it faked if he truly is involved.
The Man From Tallahassee - Locke centric
Kate confronts Jack inside the house. Jack starts yelling at her because they are watching him. He's mad she came back for him. The others capture her and Saiyd. Kate and Jack share a moment where he tells her he made a deal with them. They will let him leave the island, and he promises her he will come back for her. Meanwhile, Locke confronts Ben. Ben tells him he knows how he was paralyzed and wants to know why Locke was healed by the island, but Ben is still in a wheelchair. Locke then demands to know where the Submarine is. Locke makes a sarcastic comment about being a commander in the Navy, therefore he might know how to pilot it. He then tells him he wants to destroy it. Ben says he shouldn't do it because it is the idea of Hope and possibility to leave the island that the people need. He also says it won't matter because the magnetic anomaly (from the button not getting pushed) wiped everything out. Once the sub leaves, there is no way to find their way back to the island. Ben also asks Locke to imagine a box, and anything he wished for would be in it. Locke says Ben might as well imagine a new submarine. Flashback- Locke meets a man who says his mother is being conned by Locke's father, Anthony Cooper. Locke later confronts his dad at his condo. Cooper denys the claim, asking him to call the woman to prove it. Locke walks over to the phone as Cooper charges toward him, knocking him through the window, falling 8 stories on his back. Amazingly he survives, but is paralyzed. Back on the island, Locke takes Alex hostage. While hiding in the closet, Ben tells Tom to bring in the Man from Tallahassee. Locke and Alex escape and go down to the submarine. He is carrying the bag of C4 and climbs into the sub. Next we see Locke return, soaking wet from head to toe, just as Jack and Juliette reach the dock for their departure. Locke says to Jack, I'm Sorry. Behind him is an explosion. Jack's face was priceless. Back in Ben's house, Ben asks Locke about the box again, and tells him to open the door. Sitting tied to a chair is Anthony Cooper. Locke is stunned...Dad? Another What the hell!!! moment.
THEORY:
The big question is, did Locke really blow up the sub? Why was he wet? They made it a point to show him drenched. During the explosion scene, we never actually see the sub. It was visible before he blew it up, but afterward they used camera angles that blocked any view. The explosion also appeared to be in the center end of the dock rather than on the left. Locke also seemed very familiar with the sub, such as where the lights were. Most people wouldn't have a clue what to do in one. So did Locke pilot it away from the dock to hide it, then swim back, rigging the C4 on the dock or something else? There have also been many clues that Locke may know a lot about how to pilot a sub. Which the dialog between Locke and Ben about him being able to pilot it, seems to be a clue. It has been noted that in the flashback in Locke's apartment, there is a poster on the wall will many Military patches. Some being for Special Opps. Could Locke have been in the military? Maybe he was just a collector which lots of knowledge. Could he have studied things while he was in a wheelchair? We know he used to play war games at work at the box company. His coworker, Randy, would make fun of him saying he didn't have real military experience. (BTW, Randy used to be Hurly's boss at Mr. Clucks. After Hurly won the lottery and Mr. Clucks was hit by the meteorite, Hurly bought the box company and hired Randy, and apparently Locke.) Also, Locke has mad skills...boar hunting, knife throwing, hallucinogenic making, building things...He seems to be the survival go-to-guy. So why would he want to hide the submarine when he clearly wants to stay on the island because he is healed? Maybe he realized he was taking away everyone else's hope at getting off the island. Sure enough we will find out more about this...some day. Probably in 2 years.
Well I think this killed about 2 hours of my time. It's 11pm and I'm still stuck waiting for a stupid Body Scrub label to approve. So yes, I really did have time to waste writing all of that.
Nothing Really
MARCH 27, 2007
So it's been awhile. I thought I'd try to write another blog so a year doesn't go by since my last. I pretty much hate the computer. But it's unfortunately never going to go away. But I could really use a new one at home. Mine is practically an antique in computer years. Almost 10 years old. Macs do last longer than PCs, which is a good thing because I probably paid around 5 or 6 grand for it over the last 10 years. But thankfully it has gotten me this far. Ever since I upgraded to the new operating system, it takes me 20 years to load a page or start typing.
I've also been working my ass off on getting my business going. It's going to take awhile, but I know it will be worth it. I just don't know how many more years of corporate I can take. Once I'm ready to launch my web store, I will let everyone know.
It's after 9pm and I'm in NJ for a press approval once again. 3rd time here and NYC in 3 weeks. I saw Elton John at Teterboro airport on Friday. No, not our neighbor, Jay dressed for Halloween. The real deal.
Wish I had more exciting news to report. But I don't. Not even sure why I'm writing this. Maybe just to see if it actually still works. Maybe now I'll go back to reading the LOST message boards, trying to look for more evidence supporting the idea that John Locke hid the submarine, swam back to shore and blew up something else at the end of the dock.
So it's been awhile. I thought I'd try to write another blog so a year doesn't go by since my last. I pretty much hate the computer. But it's unfortunately never going to go away. But I could really use a new one at home. Mine is practically an antique in computer years. Almost 10 years old. Macs do last longer than PCs, which is a good thing because I probably paid around 5 or 6 grand for it over the last 10 years. But thankfully it has gotten me this far. Ever since I upgraded to the new operating system, it takes me 20 years to load a page or start typing.
I've also been working my ass off on getting my business going. It's going to take awhile, but I know it will be worth it. I just don't know how many more years of corporate I can take. Once I'm ready to launch my web store, I will let everyone know.
It's after 9pm and I'm in NJ for a press approval once again. 3rd time here and NYC in 3 weeks. I saw Elton John at Teterboro airport on Friday. No, not our neighbor, Jay dressed for Halloween. The real deal.
Wish I had more exciting news to report. But I don't. Not even sure why I'm writing this. Maybe just to see if it actually still works. Maybe now I'll go back to reading the LOST message boards, trying to look for more evidence supporting the idea that John Locke hid the submarine, swam back to shore and blew up something else at the end of the dock.
Halloween Music Hall of Fame 2006 - Results
OCT 28, 2006
Last night was a big success for the fourth year in a row. I honestly don't know how I'm going to compete next year! Seriously. I would first like to thank all of you who made this possible. Jason came up with the great idea to have a music themed party. Anyone who knows me, knows I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have my own concert. I think I'll just have to add this one to my list! Steve helped me get everything printed, and damn did I use a lot of paper! I also have to thank Steve for putting up with my shit for the last week or so, and for the trip to the ER we had to make due to his utility knife wound while setting up for this party. And Tiffany, thank you so much for sticking all those posters on my wall.... one.... at.... a.... freaking..... time..... and for spraying, cutting and stomping all those CDs! And mostly I want to thank everyone who came, because every night before a party I get anxiety about nobody showing up.
Now on to the good stuff. We had a pretty good turnout, around 40 people, although unfortunately many of the regulars were not able to make it. We did have many new faces...who were wearing new faces...which can make for a very interesting time when meeting new people. Thanks to all of you for braving a house full of crazy drunk ass people. I think most of the people here have bonded over the years only through seeing each other at our parties. Hopefully I didn't make too much of a fool out of myself either. I was extremely impressed by the performances by many of the musicians last night. I have many video clips...thankfully none of myself performing What You Waiting For. It is so tempting to post them on Youtube.com. Anybody feel like being an instant internet star like our pal Judson? It was a bummer that Jud couldn't make it down this weekend. It would have been awesome to have him get up an perform his evolution of dance. But we sure couldn't go wrong with a little Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, Britney Spears - Toxic, Avril Lavigne - Sk8er Boy , Moulin Rouge - Lady Marmelade, Wake Me Up -Evanencence, Bjork, Charlie/Drive Shaft - You All Eveybody, Eminem - Lose Yourself, Nirvana - Teen Spirit , and Slash/Guns N Roses - Paradise City.
Last year's award winner, Jason R. presented the awards for Best Costume via a live audience vote. The nominations for Best Male Costume (please forgive me if I am wrong): Slash ..1 (Matt K), Slash ..2 (Chris H), KFed (Rob S), Elvis (Chuck). We had a tie between the 2 Slashes who both took home the $15 iTunes award. The nominations for Best Female were: Britney Spears (Jen S), Amy Lee from Evenecence (Jess), Bjork (Christa K) and Avril Lavigne (Tiffany K). After appearing to have a tie between all of the nominees, Sir Elton John was nominated in this category. By a staggering cheer from the crowd, Elton John (Jay S) won the award for Best Female Costume. Since both awards were passed out to Slash 1 & 2, Elton was presented the 6 disc CD set that was originally reserved for Best Performance. Sadly we did not get around to presenting an award for Best Performance. Since they continued through out the night, many people had left before everyone had the chance to perform. Upon reviewing a few video clips, I would vote for The Village People or Britney Spears.
By 2am, most people had left or gone upstairs to sleep. A smaller group of us chilled with a few actual musicians and listened to Matt, Aaron and Adam play and sing with their guitars until 4am. Actually, I'm not even sure how long Adam and Aaron were playing after we went to bed at 4. Oh, and thanks to Adam for washing the dishes this morning and everyone who helped clean up. I still have to get all the posters and guitars off the wall. Well I supose I'll go try to upload some photos for this blog.
Oh, and today was the first OSU game I went to. It was a lot of fun, but cold and windy as hell! I'm so ready to finally get some sleep...and an extra hour tonight is the best ever!
a n n i e
Gwen (Annie), Avril (Tiffany), Satine/Nicole Kidman (Holly) and Ava
The Village People
Avril Lavigne (Tiffany) & Britney Spears (Jen)
Garth (Steve) & Gwen Stefani (Annie)
Amy Lee of Evenecence (Jess) & Gwen Stefani (annie)
Amy Lee (Jess) & Drive Shaft's Charlie on LOST (Jason)
Kevin Federline & Britney Spears
Bjork (Christa) & Slash (Matt)
Yes, I made my costume from scratch. JoAnn Fabric's and 15 hours later it looked like this.
Brit and KFed still can't escape the Papparazzi!
Red Carpet's Worst Dressed: Bjork's famous Swan dress (Laura) & Abe Lincoln (Jake)
Guns N Roses: Slash (Chris) and Axel Rose (Sarah)
Oh God. I don't have any words...Ba ba Benny and the Jets.
Bonny & Clyde (Jeremy & Rachel)
Shania Twain (Alison) and Kenny Chesney(Kevin)
Patti Smith (Kellie), Gwen Stefani (Annie) and Nirvana Cheerleader (Corinne)
On the tour bus with Slash.
Lose Yourself in the Music...You better never let it go....you only get one stop...
Rock Star Samantha asleep at last!
Adam and Matt start their own show at 3 am.
Taking requests
Gibson Collection
2004 Inductee: Michael Jackson (Jeremy)
Last night was a big success for the fourth year in a row. I honestly don't know how I'm going to compete next year! Seriously. I would first like to thank all of you who made this possible. Jason came up with the great idea to have a music themed party. Anyone who knows me, knows I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have my own concert. I think I'll just have to add this one to my list! Steve helped me get everything printed, and damn did I use a lot of paper! I also have to thank Steve for putting up with my shit for the last week or so, and for the trip to the ER we had to make due to his utility knife wound while setting up for this party. And Tiffany, thank you so much for sticking all those posters on my wall.... one.... at.... a.... freaking..... time..... and for spraying, cutting and stomping all those CDs! And mostly I want to thank everyone who came, because every night before a party I get anxiety about nobody showing up.
Now on to the good stuff. We had a pretty good turnout, around 40 people, although unfortunately many of the regulars were not able to make it. We did have many new faces...who were wearing new faces...which can make for a very interesting time when meeting new people. Thanks to all of you for braving a house full of crazy drunk ass people. I think most of the people here have bonded over the years only through seeing each other at our parties. Hopefully I didn't make too much of a fool out of myself either. I was extremely impressed by the performances by many of the musicians last night. I have many video clips...thankfully none of myself performing What You Waiting For. It is so tempting to post them on Youtube.com. Anybody feel like being an instant internet star like our pal Judson? It was a bummer that Jud couldn't make it down this weekend. It would have been awesome to have him get up an perform his evolution of dance. But we sure couldn't go wrong with a little Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, Britney Spears - Toxic, Avril Lavigne - Sk8er Boy , Moulin Rouge - Lady Marmelade, Wake Me Up -Evanencence, Bjork, Charlie/Drive Shaft - You All Eveybody, Eminem - Lose Yourself, Nirvana - Teen Spirit , and Slash/Guns N Roses - Paradise City.
Last year's award winner, Jason R. presented the awards for Best Costume via a live audience vote. The nominations for Best Male Costume (please forgive me if I am wrong): Slash ..1 (Matt K), Slash ..2 (Chris H), KFed (Rob S), Elvis (Chuck). We had a tie between the 2 Slashes who both took home the $15 iTunes award. The nominations for Best Female were: Britney Spears (Jen S), Amy Lee from Evenecence (Jess), Bjork (Christa K) and Avril Lavigne (Tiffany K). After appearing to have a tie between all of the nominees, Sir Elton John was nominated in this category. By a staggering cheer from the crowd, Elton John (Jay S) won the award for Best Female Costume. Since both awards were passed out to Slash 1 & 2, Elton was presented the 6 disc CD set that was originally reserved for Best Performance. Sadly we did not get around to presenting an award for Best Performance. Since they continued through out the night, many people had left before everyone had the chance to perform. Upon reviewing a few video clips, I would vote for The Village People or Britney Spears.
By 2am, most people had left or gone upstairs to sleep. A smaller group of us chilled with a few actual musicians and listened to Matt, Aaron and Adam play and sing with their guitars until 4am. Actually, I'm not even sure how long Adam and Aaron were playing after we went to bed at 4. Oh, and thanks to Adam for washing the dishes this morning and everyone who helped clean up. I still have to get all the posters and guitars off the wall. Well I supose I'll go try to upload some photos for this blog.
Oh, and today was the first OSU game I went to. It was a lot of fun, but cold and windy as hell! I'm so ready to finally get some sleep...and an extra hour tonight is the best ever!
a n n i e
Gwen (Annie), Avril (Tiffany), Satine/Nicole Kidman (Holly) and Ava
The Village People
Avril Lavigne (Tiffany) & Britney Spears (Jen)
Garth (Steve) & Gwen Stefani (Annie)
Amy Lee of Evenecence (Jess) & Gwen Stefani (annie)
Amy Lee (Jess) & Drive Shaft's Charlie on LOST (Jason)
Kevin Federline & Britney Spears
Bjork (Christa) & Slash (Matt)
Yes, I made my costume from scratch. JoAnn Fabric's and 15 hours later it looked like this.
Brit and KFed still can't escape the Papparazzi!
Red Carpet's Worst Dressed: Bjork's famous Swan dress (Laura) & Abe Lincoln (Jake)
Guns N Roses: Slash (Chris) and Axel Rose (Sarah)
Oh God. I don't have any words...Ba ba Benny and the Jets.
Bonny & Clyde (Jeremy & Rachel)
Shania Twain (Alison) and Kenny Chesney(Kevin)
Patti Smith (Kellie), Gwen Stefani (Annie) and Nirvana Cheerleader (Corinne)
On the tour bus with Slash.
Lose Yourself in the Music...You better never let it go....you only get one stop...
Rock Star Samantha asleep at last!
Adam and Matt start their own show at 3 am.
Taking requests
Gibson Collection
2004 Inductee: Michael Jackson (Jeremy)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Party Designer...Any Job Openings? - SEPT 19, 2006
SEPT 19, 2006
Party Designer...any job openings?
Current mood: working
It's another one of those nights. Stuck on press, in an empty confrence room, this time in Louisville Kentucky. I actually kept pretty busy today. Got a lot of things done, which I never would have gotten around to on my own time. I actually wish I had more time to do other things. Well, not here really. It's basically just me, the sales rep, and a factory full of guys who look like Earl. Yeah, you know his name. Usually I don't have to go up to the press for approvals, they bring it to me. But heck, it's an adventure in there.
I seriously can't believe it's almost Halloween. I've got so much to do to top the past parties, but trust me, I will. This year's theme is Halloween Music Hall of Fame. It's going to feel like we're at a rock concert. At least I finished my costume already. Made from scratch. That's the way I like to do things. Well, definately not in the Kitchen. Not tellin who I'm going to be, but it should be fun. I felt like I was on project runway. Make it work. I'm pretty sure I did since it matches my photos to a T. I seriously want to be a party designer. I swear I have more fun doing this shit than anything. Just can't figure out how to actually turn that into a business. It takes a lot of work to do everything by hand, and who is willing to pay someone to design and produce everything for a silly little party like Halloween? People will pay big bucks for a Wedding Planner/Designer but what other events are worth it? I want to be more obscure. Themed parties, not your typical stuff. And not the kind of crap people can go into a party store and buy. That shit is so freaking cheesy. And I don't want it to be just for rich people who can afford to do elaborate events. But otherwise, how would I ever make any money. It's a lot of work. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.
Good lord, it's after 10pm. Thank god I'm on my last approval. I was hoping to be back to the hotel watch Boston Legal by now. Guess not. Well I really don't have too much else to write.
At least I scored some free OSU/Wisconsin football tickets from the vendor. Steve's happy about that.
Lata Gatas.
Party Designer...any job openings?
Current mood: working
It's another one of those nights. Stuck on press, in an empty confrence room, this time in Louisville Kentucky. I actually kept pretty busy today. Got a lot of things done, which I never would have gotten around to on my own time. I actually wish I had more time to do other things. Well, not here really. It's basically just me, the sales rep, and a factory full of guys who look like Earl. Yeah, you know his name. Usually I don't have to go up to the press for approvals, they bring it to me. But heck, it's an adventure in there.
I seriously can't believe it's almost Halloween. I've got so much to do to top the past parties, but trust me, I will. This year's theme is Halloween Music Hall of Fame. It's going to feel like we're at a rock concert. At least I finished my costume already. Made from scratch. That's the way I like to do things. Well, definately not in the Kitchen. Not tellin who I'm going to be, but it should be fun. I felt like I was on project runway. Make it work. I'm pretty sure I did since it matches my photos to a T. I seriously want to be a party designer. I swear I have more fun doing this shit than anything. Just can't figure out how to actually turn that into a business. It takes a lot of work to do everything by hand, and who is willing to pay someone to design and produce everything for a silly little party like Halloween? People will pay big bucks for a Wedding Planner/Designer but what other events are worth it? I want to be more obscure. Themed parties, not your typical stuff. And not the kind of crap people can go into a party store and buy. That shit is so freaking cheesy. And I don't want it to be just for rich people who can afford to do elaborate events. But otherwise, how would I ever make any money. It's a lot of work. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.
Good lord, it's after 10pm. Thank god I'm on my last approval. I was hoping to be back to the hotel watch Boston Legal by now. Guess not. Well I really don't have too much else to write.
At least I scored some free OSU/Wisconsin football tickets from the vendor. Steve's happy about that.
Lata Gatas.
Home Alone, or So I Hope...AUG 2, 2006
AUG 2, 2006
I'm so tired, so I don't know why the heck I'm writing this tonight. Maybe cos Steve's gone for the night, and I just got home at 1am to an empty house with an unlocked front door and no security alarm set. Took me a while to figure out how the door was left unlocked. I freaked out and searched every closet, shower, bed and basement for the possibility of finding someone hidding. As if that's gonna save me. Finally I remembered answering the door earlier tonight for Shayne dropping by to pick some stuff up. Holly and I were out of breath from freaking out over a cricket in the kitchen. She thought I was screaming about something on her, so she jumps on top of me, like that's gonna help. So in the midst of trying to get a cricket out of the house, and shayne ringing the doorbell, I must have left it unlocked when we left for the movie. Somewhat relieved, but I probably won't sleep too well. So what am I doing, watching a 48 Hour mystery about the Black Dalia serial killer. Go figure.
So it's been a long week. A busy one at that. Last week I had another press check in NJ for a few days. When the NY shuttle was landing, my coworker decided he would drive us into Times Square since I hadn't been there. It was cool to finally see it after all the times I've been to the city this year. Ended up at a going away party for someone I didn't know. The next day was boring as hell, so by evening we were ready to have a little fun. I guess I went a little overboard at the place we went to in Philadelphia. I think I'll be staying away from Martini's for awhile. The next day was rough. Thank god we finished our press check the night before, cos it took all morning for me to pull it together enough to go to the Philly airport. There was no way I was going to be able to drive back up to NYC to catch the Limited shuttle. When I got home, all I wanted to do was sleep. A few friends were staying with us, and we had our Luau to get ready for the next night. I was supposed to be figuring out a drink menu and whatnot, but I just didn't even want to think about partying. Fortunately Saturday morning was much better. I was really stressed out trying to get things together. We'd been playing this with our neighbors all summer, and the past week I didn't have a chance to do anything. Steve, thank you so much for pulling so much together without me. I'd say it was a pretty successful turnout. Maybe 40 or 50 people throughout the night. Amazingly only one person was slightly out of control. Last year we got yelled at at 2am for talking to loud in the hot tub. We were told we were getting drunker by the minute and to shut the F up. So this year another neighbor decided to piss on those neighbors' welcome mat. It's actually hilarious as long as they never find out about it. A few other things that belonged to the neighbors we don't like were marked. He also stole my entire desert and mowed down on it. He was also drinking beer, which someone filled with water. He thought it was the best beer ever. It was a great party over all. Nice to have some of our Bluffton friends down like Alison, Kevin, Kim, Matt, Christa, and Abby. Now it's time to start getting ready for Halloween. It's always bigger and better each year. I just started working on my costume today. Can't wait.
Well I should probably try to get some sleep. I don't think anyone is in the house. Hopefully Sammy would try to protect me, but probably not. I guess somebody will read this and know what might have happened to me if something were to happen. I'll just go back to watching my murder mystery and convince myself that nobody is here. As long as the ghetto bird doesn't fly over tonight.
I'm so tired, so I don't know why the heck I'm writing this tonight. Maybe cos Steve's gone for the night, and I just got home at 1am to an empty house with an unlocked front door and no security alarm set. Took me a while to figure out how the door was left unlocked. I freaked out and searched every closet, shower, bed and basement for the possibility of finding someone hidding. As if that's gonna save me. Finally I remembered answering the door earlier tonight for Shayne dropping by to pick some stuff up. Holly and I were out of breath from freaking out over a cricket in the kitchen. She thought I was screaming about something on her, so she jumps on top of me, like that's gonna help. So in the midst of trying to get a cricket out of the house, and shayne ringing the doorbell, I must have left it unlocked when we left for the movie. Somewhat relieved, but I probably won't sleep too well. So what am I doing, watching a 48 Hour mystery about the Black Dalia serial killer. Go figure.
So it's been a long week. A busy one at that. Last week I had another press check in NJ for a few days. When the NY shuttle was landing, my coworker decided he would drive us into Times Square since I hadn't been there. It was cool to finally see it after all the times I've been to the city this year. Ended up at a going away party for someone I didn't know. The next day was boring as hell, so by evening we were ready to have a little fun. I guess I went a little overboard at the place we went to in Philadelphia. I think I'll be staying away from Martini's for awhile. The next day was rough. Thank god we finished our press check the night before, cos it took all morning for me to pull it together enough to go to the Philly airport. There was no way I was going to be able to drive back up to NYC to catch the Limited shuttle. When I got home, all I wanted to do was sleep. A few friends were staying with us, and we had our Luau to get ready for the next night. I was supposed to be figuring out a drink menu and whatnot, but I just didn't even want to think about partying. Fortunately Saturday morning was much better. I was really stressed out trying to get things together. We'd been playing this with our neighbors all summer, and the past week I didn't have a chance to do anything. Steve, thank you so much for pulling so much together without me. I'd say it was a pretty successful turnout. Maybe 40 or 50 people throughout the night. Amazingly only one person was slightly out of control. Last year we got yelled at at 2am for talking to loud in the hot tub. We were told we were getting drunker by the minute and to shut the F up. So this year another neighbor decided to piss on those neighbors' welcome mat. It's actually hilarious as long as they never find out about it. A few other things that belonged to the neighbors we don't like were marked. He also stole my entire desert and mowed down on it. He was also drinking beer, which someone filled with water. He thought it was the best beer ever. It was a great party over all. Nice to have some of our Bluffton friends down like Alison, Kevin, Kim, Matt, Christa, and Abby. Now it's time to start getting ready for Halloween. It's always bigger and better each year. I just started working on my costume today. Can't wait.
Well I should probably try to get some sleep. I don't think anyone is in the house. Hopefully Sammy would try to protect me, but probably not. I guess somebody will read this and know what might have happened to me if something were to happen. I'll just go back to watching my murder mystery and convince myself that nobody is here. As long as the ghetto bird doesn't fly over tonight.
TRAIN - AUG 16, 2006
AUG 16, 2006
I think I'm somewhere around my 80th concert by now. Last night's show easily ranks up among the best of the best. Tiffany went with me to see Train in Kettering, OH last night. We've both seen them a few times before, but last night was simply amazing. Somehow I lucked out on Ticketmaster in May when I ordered tickets again, after just seeing them in Columbus. 2nd row, center. About 5 people had it better than us. We got there right at 8pm when Toby Lightman was opening. It started pouring and lightning. We decided to wait in the car until it was time for Train. A few minutes before 9pm, we walked up to the gates. Nobody was even there to check tickets or bags. Earlier I was trying to figure out how to sneak my camera in without getting caught. I had a good plan, but didn't even need it. The Fraze doesn't allow cameras, which pisses me off when the venue sets the rules. Most bands don't care. When we got there, people were huddled under the stage shelter or in the back of the pavillion. Everyone was drenched except for us. We were smart. Praying that the show wouldn't get cancelled, we found our seats up front. It was crazy how close they were. Sometimes even the 2nd row can be a little ways away from the stage if there is a walk way or bouncers, but instead we were about 4 feet from the stage. Train came out and we felt like we were looking up Pat Monahan's nose because we were so close! Nobody was around to see my camera, so I kept it out the whole time. I would've been devastated to walk away from that show without any pictures. I managed to get quite a few. It was a little hard with little man Pat dancing all over the stage. 4'11" Tiffany would've probably crushed him. The music was amazing. Of course they played all their hits, like Drops of Jupiter, Calling All Angels, Get To Me, Meet Virginia, When I Look to The Sky, Free, Cab, and crowd favorites She's on Fire and Save the Day...."I don't want to be your superman, i just want to be your man," starts out accapella as Pat does his flying superman move and goes into the full lyrics. "I don't want to be your superman, I just want to be your man and I'll be super baby." During the middle of this song, he brings up a woman to sing romanticly to. It must have been fate for the woman he chose since she had on a bling shirt that said "I'll Be Super Baby." Her daughter was even brought up on stage by Pat earlier to sing She's On Fire with him. One of the other crowd favorites is Get To Me with Pat's outstanding vocals towards the end. "Can I hear you say Yeah Yeah...yeah yeah...Hell Yeah...hell yeah...Oh Yeah...oh yeah...Whoo Yeah...whoo yeah..." I don't think Tiff or I have taken the repeat of this track on the Alive at Last album yet today.
One of the surpise favorites of the evening for me was the accoustic version of Hopeless. It's one of my favorites and the first time I've heard them play it. I manged to get a decent video of this. Surprisingly one of the things I looked forward to were the covers. They do a brilliant cover of a Zeppellin song, which I can't think of the name now. It gives you chills. And my favorite is the final encore of Aerosmith's Dream On. I've seen Aerosmith twice, and it has always been my favorite at their shows. Train can rock it like no other. Pat easily pulls off Steven Tyler or Paul McCartney without a hitch. And then the night unfortunately comes to an end. If Tiff didn't have to get up so early, we would have stuck aroud like crazy groupies waiting for a picture or autographs. It was hard to walk back to the car at the Fraze, knowing the last time I was there, we struck gold to spend the next 4 hours at Howie Day's after party. Which reminds me, I never got around to finishing my blog for those long stories.
Holy shit, I don't have any more concerts scheduled. What am I ever going to do? Something better come up in a month or too. Sadly this is the end of Train's tour in the midwest. Tiff, I'm bummed you didn't go with us to the Columbus show. Then we could have planned on the Indy and Cleveland shows this month too. Ouch, that would get expensive. We'd have to get some contacts to put us on the guest list or bring us in backstage. It's worked before, why not again?
Here are some photos, assuming they will show up in my blog!
I think I'm somewhere around my 80th concert by now. Last night's show easily ranks up among the best of the best. Tiffany went with me to see Train in Kettering, OH last night. We've both seen them a few times before, but last night was simply amazing. Somehow I lucked out on Ticketmaster in May when I ordered tickets again, after just seeing them in Columbus. 2nd row, center. About 5 people had it better than us. We got there right at 8pm when Toby Lightman was opening. It started pouring and lightning. We decided to wait in the car until it was time for Train. A few minutes before 9pm, we walked up to the gates. Nobody was even there to check tickets or bags. Earlier I was trying to figure out how to sneak my camera in without getting caught. I had a good plan, but didn't even need it. The Fraze doesn't allow cameras, which pisses me off when the venue sets the rules. Most bands don't care. When we got there, people were huddled under the stage shelter or in the back of the pavillion. Everyone was drenched except for us. We were smart. Praying that the show wouldn't get cancelled, we found our seats up front. It was crazy how close they were. Sometimes even the 2nd row can be a little ways away from the stage if there is a walk way or bouncers, but instead we were about 4 feet from the stage. Train came out and we felt like we were looking up Pat Monahan's nose because we were so close! Nobody was around to see my camera, so I kept it out the whole time. I would've been devastated to walk away from that show without any pictures. I managed to get quite a few. It was a little hard with little man Pat dancing all over the stage. 4'11" Tiffany would've probably crushed him. The music was amazing. Of course they played all their hits, like Drops of Jupiter, Calling All Angels, Get To Me, Meet Virginia, When I Look to The Sky, Free, Cab, and crowd favorites She's on Fire and Save the Day...."I don't want to be your superman, i just want to be your man," starts out accapella as Pat does his flying superman move and goes into the full lyrics. "I don't want to be your superman, I just want to be your man and I'll be super baby." During the middle of this song, he brings up a woman to sing romanticly to. It must have been fate for the woman he chose since she had on a bling shirt that said "I'll Be Super Baby." Her daughter was even brought up on stage by Pat earlier to sing She's On Fire with him. One of the other crowd favorites is Get To Me with Pat's outstanding vocals towards the end. "Can I hear you say Yeah Yeah...yeah yeah...Hell Yeah...hell yeah...Oh Yeah...oh yeah...Whoo Yeah...whoo yeah..." I don't think Tiff or I have taken the repeat of this track on the Alive at Last album yet today.
One of the surpise favorites of the evening for me was the accoustic version of Hopeless. It's one of my favorites and the first time I've heard them play it. I manged to get a decent video of this. Surprisingly one of the things I looked forward to were the covers. They do a brilliant cover of a Zeppellin song, which I can't think of the name now. It gives you chills. And my favorite is the final encore of Aerosmith's Dream On. I've seen Aerosmith twice, and it has always been my favorite at their shows. Train can rock it like no other. Pat easily pulls off Steven Tyler or Paul McCartney without a hitch. And then the night unfortunately comes to an end. If Tiff didn't have to get up so early, we would have stuck aroud like crazy groupies waiting for a picture or autographs. It was hard to walk back to the car at the Fraze, knowing the last time I was there, we struck gold to spend the next 4 hours at Howie Day's after party. Which reminds me, I never got around to finishing my blog for those long stories.
Holy shit, I don't have any more concerts scheduled. What am I ever going to do? Something better come up in a month or too. Sadly this is the end of Train's tour in the midwest. Tiff, I'm bummed you didn't go with us to the Columbus show. Then we could have planned on the Indy and Cleveland shows this month too. Ouch, that would get expensive. We'd have to get some contacts to put us on the guest list or bring us in backstage. It's worked before, why not again?
Here are some photos, assuming they will show up in my blog!
Can I Go Home Yet? - AUG 7, 2006
AUG 7, 2006
Today is going so slow. I'd much rather have work to do to keep me busy, but I'm caught up for a change. I'm not quite sure why I decided to type because my left hand seemed to sustain an injury from a jet ski mishap. So now when I use my left pinkie, pain shoots up my hand. Yesterday I launched my brother and I both of the jet ski on a turn. It was fun until Tiff turned her's off and it wouldn't start again. I can't remember going to the lake without getting towed back in. Thank god we took the rope. Never leave home on a jet ski with out it. That should be the maker's moto.
I can't believe summer is nearly over. Of course I'm excited for our 4th Halloween party. It's gonna be bigger and better than ever.
Last weekend Steve and I went up to Jud's house for a party before his comedy benefit in Cleveland. He's added 3 more minutes to his Evolution of Dance routine. It includes the Napoleon Dynamite dance which is my favorite. I originally thought Jud was immitating Napoleon the first moment I saw the video, not realizing it was Jud. Also that night during the show, Jud told a story from our Domino's days, which was meant to be a surprise for Steve. They used to call the pay phone across the street in front of the town hall as someone was passing by. Jud pretended to be a radio host who's helicopter spotted them from the air. If they could answer one easy question, they would win a pizza from their partner Dominos. So when they went over to Dominos, everyone acted like they didn't know what they were talking about. It was almost 1am when we got back to Jud's after the show. Somebody had to be home to play in his soccer game in the morning, so of course I had to drive home afterwards instead of staying for the night. It wouldn't have been so bad if the frickin interstate wasn't like playing a game of Operation, where if your unsteady hand (or sleepy eyes) cause you to drift a fraction of an inch to one side, you kill yourself or wake up to find someone operating on you. I seriously kept hearing that obnoxious buzzer and red light in my head as I tried to stay awake through a hundred miles worth of cement construction barriers, 1 foot away on each side of the car. Thank god the operation was successful.
It's been a few weeks since we got home from vacation. I was going to write about that, but never had the chance while everything was fresh in my mind. I still need to get the digital photos printed before a year or two go by. I'm really bad about letting things like that go by. I think it was a year before I had photo albums made for our wedding.
Oh, by the way, I was freed from my little predicament a few weeks ago. It was almost midnight by then. And thanks for all the messages of support. I'll remember that the next time you find yourself in a similar situation...
Today is going so slow. I'd much rather have work to do to keep me busy, but I'm caught up for a change. I'm not quite sure why I decided to type because my left hand seemed to sustain an injury from a jet ski mishap. So now when I use my left pinkie, pain shoots up my hand. Yesterday I launched my brother and I both of the jet ski on a turn. It was fun until Tiff turned her's off and it wouldn't start again. I can't remember going to the lake without getting towed back in. Thank god we took the rope. Never leave home on a jet ski with out it. That should be the maker's moto.
I can't believe summer is nearly over. Of course I'm excited for our 4th Halloween party. It's gonna be bigger and better than ever.
Last weekend Steve and I went up to Jud's house for a party before his comedy benefit in Cleveland. He's added 3 more minutes to his Evolution of Dance routine. It includes the Napoleon Dynamite dance which is my favorite. I originally thought Jud was immitating Napoleon the first moment I saw the video, not realizing it was Jud. Also that night during the show, Jud told a story from our Domino's days, which was meant to be a surprise for Steve. They used to call the pay phone across the street in front of the town hall as someone was passing by. Jud pretended to be a radio host who's helicopter spotted them from the air. If they could answer one easy question, they would win a pizza from their partner Dominos. So when they went over to Dominos, everyone acted like they didn't know what they were talking about. It was almost 1am when we got back to Jud's after the show. Somebody had to be home to play in his soccer game in the morning, so of course I had to drive home afterwards instead of staying for the night. It wouldn't have been so bad if the frickin interstate wasn't like playing a game of Operation, where if your unsteady hand (or sleepy eyes) cause you to drift a fraction of an inch to one side, you kill yourself or wake up to find someone operating on you. I seriously kept hearing that obnoxious buzzer and red light in my head as I tried to stay awake through a hundred miles worth of cement construction barriers, 1 foot away on each side of the car. Thank god the operation was successful.
It's been a few weeks since we got home from vacation. I was going to write about that, but never had the chance while everything was fresh in my mind. I still need to get the digital photos printed before a year or two go by. I'm really bad about letting things like that go by. I think it was a year before I had photo albums made for our wedding.
Oh, by the way, I was freed from my little predicament a few weeks ago. It was almost midnight by then. And thanks for all the messages of support. I'll remember that the next time you find yourself in a similar situation...
Trapped - JULY 26, 2006
JULY 26, 2006
I managed to get myself trapped upstairs in my house tonight. It's almost 11 pm and I'm still waiting for Steve to get home from a business meeting to rescue me. I attempted to move our sofa chair from the living room to bring it upstairs to my studio. It's now wedged at the bottom of the stairs and I can't get it back the way it came, or up the stairs. It's too large to climb over, so I'm stuck up here and Sammy (our Golden) downstairs. After a few hours it started storming and Sam was panicing and trying to claw her way up. I was afraid she would knock the chair from the teetering position it was in. I already dropped it and it sounded like it busted a whole through the wall, but when I moved it I didn't see one. Thank god. Steve would kill me. But I nearly did myself. Finally I was able to hold it for her to squeeze her scrawny self through the 8 inch space. I hope Steve gets home soon cos I'm really thirsty. It's been 4 hours....
I managed to get myself trapped upstairs in my house tonight. It's almost 11 pm and I'm still waiting for Steve to get home from a business meeting to rescue me. I attempted to move our sofa chair from the living room to bring it upstairs to my studio. It's now wedged at the bottom of the stairs and I can't get it back the way it came, or up the stairs. It's too large to climb over, so I'm stuck up here and Sammy (our Golden) downstairs. After a few hours it started storming and Sam was panicing and trying to claw her way up. I was afraid she would knock the chair from the teetering position it was in. I already dropped it and it sounded like it busted a whole through the wall, but when I moved it I didn't see one. Thank god. Steve would kill me. But I nearly did myself. Finally I was able to hold it for her to squeeze her scrawny self through the 8 inch space. I hope Steve gets home soon cos I'm really thirsty. It's been 4 hours....
Douglas Lake Day - JULY 3,2006
JULY 3,2006
On vacation but still on the computer. I thought it would just be Steve glued to the laptop. At least we won't have it next week when we go to Mexico. Today we're at Douglas Lake at Barb and Dave's. A storm is about to come through today. This is where I've grown up spending my summers from the days with the Travis side of the family vacationing on Burt Lake. It's still a great time to come up here, but as a kid you tend to enjoy things more. Or you get picked on more by the grown ups. Like the time uncle Dave and Jeff told Nicole and a few friends of ours that they were going to take us on a boat ride. They strapped on the old school May West orange life jackets around our necks and motored us out, I'd say a quarter of a mile from shore. Then they launched all four of us off the boat and said "You're swimming back." as they sped away. We started swiming and I thought I'd be sneaky by unclasping my life jacket and whining that mine was broken. As Dave and Jeff came back for me and pulled me out, I winked at Nicole. Suddenly the fixed my life jacket and threw me back in. So much for fooling them.
Okay, I just realized I can't figure out what day it is. I thought it was Sunday, but I guess it's monday. Not at work, that's all that matters. Steve and I spent Saturday in Harbor Springs, the rich folk town. It's an amazing place. Basically the Hamptons in Michigan. Lots and lots of money and snobby people, but still a cool town nonetheless. Sometimes celebrities like Bob Segar, Tim Allen, or Anne Hache show up on their yachts for dinner at the Pier. We went there for drinks to listen to John Lamb but it was really crowded with the holiday weekend. Yesterday, Sunday, Dave taught Steve and I how to sail the sunfish by ourselves. I had years ago, but needed a refesher course. I did super until coming back to the house where I took out the dock and everyone around heard my "oh shit." Last night we went to Vivio's for the world's best pizza in Indian River, MI. Old tradition and one of the bests. We had a huge group with Barb, Dave, Beth, Allie, Shawna, Trent, my dad and Jane. We found out that Allie and Shawna went to school with the girl, Whitney Cerak, who survived an auto accident, but was mistaken for another girl named Laura. Allie went to Whitney's funeral before they found out she was alive. She said it was really weird.
Today, Monday, Dave had the policed called on his ass. We were going to launch the ski boat at the DLB and as we were finally in the water, we noticed a cop car pulled in to talk to barb. Finally he left and barb came over and said that Dave didn't pay for gas he put in the boat at the gas station. The girl working there saw him pull away and she called 911. Geez. Well before the cops got to us, the owner of the station said he knew it was Dave and said he'd call him later, but the cops still showed up. We finally got a little skiing in before the first round of rain came. Sammy also fell off the dock 2wice already today. Once trying to jump off the boat as she missed the dock. And the second time she was running too fast and bumped Steve's leg as she fell off the side.
Tomorrow we head up to my Dad's in the UP. It should be interesting. I've spent plenty of time up there on Drummond Island when we had our house on the cliff over looking the islands and part of Canada. We also stayed at Dr. Chappell's house in Hessel MI. Both those places had a fair population, and was never too boring. I made some great friends on the island. So I'm wondering how this new place will measure up. Sounds like a very isolated cabin on a small lake. It'll be fun if we don't get eaten by the bear that lives in the woods.
Steve and Dave are floating the shore station out to the end of the dock, so I suppose I'd better go out and see if there is anything I can do. Barb and Allie are just chillin on the hammocks. And I'm here on the computer waiting for the next storm to blown in. We should be out tubin' with Super Dave. I don't want to get stuck in another situation of being on the water during a thunderstorm. Tiff and Matt left Steve and I on a beach at Indian Lake a few years ago on the 4th of July while they went out jet skiing on their own. The police came to the beach and warned everyone to leave because of a huge storm coming in. We started freaking out wondering where they were! It started pouring as they sped up and we hopped on the jet skis with them and gunned it back to the house miles away. There was lightning everywhere. Not exactly the fun we were looking for.
On vacation but still on the computer. I thought it would just be Steve glued to the laptop. At least we won't have it next week when we go to Mexico. Today we're at Douglas Lake at Barb and Dave's. A storm is about to come through today. This is where I've grown up spending my summers from the days with the Travis side of the family vacationing on Burt Lake. It's still a great time to come up here, but as a kid you tend to enjoy things more. Or you get picked on more by the grown ups. Like the time uncle Dave and Jeff told Nicole and a few friends of ours that they were going to take us on a boat ride. They strapped on the old school May West orange life jackets around our necks and motored us out, I'd say a quarter of a mile from shore. Then they launched all four of us off the boat and said "You're swimming back." as they sped away. We started swiming and I thought I'd be sneaky by unclasping my life jacket and whining that mine was broken. As Dave and Jeff came back for me and pulled me out, I winked at Nicole. Suddenly the fixed my life jacket and threw me back in. So much for fooling them.
Okay, I just realized I can't figure out what day it is. I thought it was Sunday, but I guess it's monday. Not at work, that's all that matters. Steve and I spent Saturday in Harbor Springs, the rich folk town. It's an amazing place. Basically the Hamptons in Michigan. Lots and lots of money and snobby people, but still a cool town nonetheless. Sometimes celebrities like Bob Segar, Tim Allen, or Anne Hache show up on their yachts for dinner at the Pier. We went there for drinks to listen to John Lamb but it was really crowded with the holiday weekend. Yesterday, Sunday, Dave taught Steve and I how to sail the sunfish by ourselves. I had years ago, but needed a refesher course. I did super until coming back to the house where I took out the dock and everyone around heard my "oh shit." Last night we went to Vivio's for the world's best pizza in Indian River, MI. Old tradition and one of the bests. We had a huge group with Barb, Dave, Beth, Allie, Shawna, Trent, my dad and Jane. We found out that Allie and Shawna went to school with the girl, Whitney Cerak, who survived an auto accident, but was mistaken for another girl named Laura. Allie went to Whitney's funeral before they found out she was alive. She said it was really weird.
Today, Monday, Dave had the policed called on his ass. We were going to launch the ski boat at the DLB and as we were finally in the water, we noticed a cop car pulled in to talk to barb. Finally he left and barb came over and said that Dave didn't pay for gas he put in the boat at the gas station. The girl working there saw him pull away and she called 911. Geez. Well before the cops got to us, the owner of the station said he knew it was Dave and said he'd call him later, but the cops still showed up. We finally got a little skiing in before the first round of rain came. Sammy also fell off the dock 2wice already today. Once trying to jump off the boat as she missed the dock. And the second time she was running too fast and bumped Steve's leg as she fell off the side.
Tomorrow we head up to my Dad's in the UP. It should be interesting. I've spent plenty of time up there on Drummond Island when we had our house on the cliff over looking the islands and part of Canada. We also stayed at Dr. Chappell's house in Hessel MI. Both those places had a fair population, and was never too boring. I made some great friends on the island. So I'm wondering how this new place will measure up. Sounds like a very isolated cabin on a small lake. It'll be fun if we don't get eaten by the bear that lives in the woods.
Steve and Dave are floating the shore station out to the end of the dock, so I suppose I'd better go out and see if there is anything I can do. Barb and Allie are just chillin on the hammocks. And I'm here on the computer waiting for the next storm to blown in. We should be out tubin' with Super Dave. I don't want to get stuck in another situation of being on the water during a thunderstorm. Tiff and Matt left Steve and I on a beach at Indian Lake a few years ago on the 4th of July while they went out jet skiing on their own. The police came to the beach and warned everyone to leave because of a huge storm coming in. We started freaking out wondering where they were! It started pouring as they sped up and we hopped on the jet skis with them and gunned it back to the house miles away. There was lightning everywhere. Not exactly the fun we were looking for.
The Beloved SNL Tape - JUNE 7, 2006
JUNE 7, 2006
It's amazing how Jud's video is taking storm. We can't turn on the TV without seeing him dancin'. I think it's great how the world now gets to see one of the funniest guys we know. When I went to visit him last weekend while I was in Cleveland, it was like nothing had changed. Well he did get a million phone calls asking him for interviews and what not. With his rising celebrity status, I think we will see him on Saturday Night Live one day as he once said. Maybe as a host, but I think what is likely to happen is a skit done about him. I guess it's time to start watching SNL again. The 90's were the best years for my generation. I was telling Jud about the beloved SNL tape Holly and I made in high school when he said I gave him a copy and pulled it off the shelf. That tape is one of our prized possessions. I only recently got around to making a few more copies of it this year. The quality sucks, and of course now most skits are on The Best of... DVDs. But none of them have our favorite skits like, Campin' or even some of the non SNL comedies I included. David Letterman once worked as an employee for a Taco Bell drive thru. That must be one of the funniest things (besides the dance) I have ever seen. I doubt anyone other than those few with my tape know what I'm talking about. "The Bean Burrito is a little pricey".
Yeah! Another concert tomorrow! Thank god Steve lucked out and found tickets on ticketmaser to the sold out show for The Fray at the Newport. I was sooo pissed to find out it was sold out, after procrastinating to buy tix. They've been one of my favorite bands for a year or two and are now becoming popular. Holly, Steve, Matt Khron and maybe his wife and I are going. It's fun when more than just Steve and I go to the shows, but it's hard to always find people to go with us.
It's amazing how Jud's video is taking storm. We can't turn on the TV without seeing him dancin'. I think it's great how the world now gets to see one of the funniest guys we know. When I went to visit him last weekend while I was in Cleveland, it was like nothing had changed. Well he did get a million phone calls asking him for interviews and what not. With his rising celebrity status, I think we will see him on Saturday Night Live one day as he once said. Maybe as a host, but I think what is likely to happen is a skit done about him. I guess it's time to start watching SNL again. The 90's were the best years for my generation. I was telling Jud about the beloved SNL tape Holly and I made in high school when he said I gave him a copy and pulled it off the shelf. That tape is one of our prized possessions. I only recently got around to making a few more copies of it this year. The quality sucks, and of course now most skits are on The Best of... DVDs. But none of them have our favorite skits like, Campin' or even some of the non SNL comedies I included. David Letterman once worked as an employee for a Taco Bell drive thru. That must be one of the funniest things (besides the dance) I have ever seen. I doubt anyone other than those few with my tape know what I'm talking about. "The Bean Burrito is a little pricey".
Yeah! Another concert tomorrow! Thank god Steve lucked out and found tickets on ticketmaser to the sold out show for The Fray at the Newport. I was sooo pissed to find out it was sold out, after procrastinating to buy tix. They've been one of my favorite bands for a year or two and are now becoming popular. Holly, Steve, Matt Khron and maybe his wife and I are going. It's fun when more than just Steve and I go to the shows, but it's hard to always find people to go with us.
Jersey - MAY 17, 2006
MAY 17, 2006
Still at work. In New Jersey...again. Not much to do in this confrence room I see way too much of. At least I've got my iPod, powerbook and internet. What would we ever do without them? Except I'm staring too long at the screen watching LOST, that my eyes hurt too much to get back to work and look at color labels for essential oil bottles. I should probably be drawing packaging for Tahitian gift sets, but I thought LOST was a better idea.
The airport was a hassle today. We're spoiled with the corporate jet when all we have to do is flash our Limited badge at the door and walk on the plane in less than 30 seconds. Security flying commercial bites. I always choose to fly the shuttle to Teterboro and deal with driving NYC freeway traffic and an extra hour drive. But no, for some reason everything is booked. 20 people were on the wait list, so I got stuck taking commercial to Philly. 13 hundred bucks for Columbus to Philly. Hopefully I'll get to go to Europe for manufacturing. That would probably be cheaper.
I really don't have anything to write about again. Just glad it will be the weekend by the time I get back. Train concert Friday. Steve and I have seats near the front. Last time I saw them was on the back of the lawn at Polaris. The LC is cool. My friend from CCAD is the Art Director for Promowest and has sweet illustrations of the bands around the venue.
Great, the type is too red, now I've gotta stay another hour....at least. Probably going to miss LOST tonight. Damn it.
Still at work. In New Jersey...again. Not much to do in this confrence room I see way too much of. At least I've got my iPod, powerbook and internet. What would we ever do without them? Except I'm staring too long at the screen watching LOST, that my eyes hurt too much to get back to work and look at color labels for essential oil bottles. I should probably be drawing packaging for Tahitian gift sets, but I thought LOST was a better idea.
The airport was a hassle today. We're spoiled with the corporate jet when all we have to do is flash our Limited badge at the door and walk on the plane in less than 30 seconds. Security flying commercial bites. I always choose to fly the shuttle to Teterboro and deal with driving NYC freeway traffic and an extra hour drive. But no, for some reason everything is booked. 20 people were on the wait list, so I got stuck taking commercial to Philly. 13 hundred bucks for Columbus to Philly. Hopefully I'll get to go to Europe for manufacturing. That would probably be cheaper.
I really don't have anything to write about again. Just glad it will be the weekend by the time I get back. Train concert Friday. Steve and I have seats near the front. Last time I saw them was on the back of the lawn at Polaris. The LC is cool. My friend from CCAD is the Art Director for Promowest and has sweet illustrations of the bands around the venue.
Great, the type is too red, now I've gotta stay another hour....at least. Probably going to miss LOST tonight. Damn it.
Summer Awaits - MAY 8, 2006
MAY 8, 2006
So my last blog was just me bitchin about work, so I thought I'd just start a new one for the rest of my thoughts. I hope everyone had a good weekend. We had a very last minute Cinco de Mayo party at our house. It was nice to see Anna, now that she's left me for Abercrombie. Tiff finally made another appearance. I usually foget she lives here. Andrea, Shayne and Braydon made it back. I was afraid it was going to cut close to delivery again for their 2nd child. Braydon was born 2 days after our 80's Halloween party. Andrea was so afraid of coming in costume and going into labor. That would have been embarasing. And of course our neigbor friends joined us. Nothing too exciting going on. Just ready for our huge luau in August and of course the much anticipated Halloween bash. I've got to come up with a theme this year. Last year we thought people would be happier not having a theme, but it was just the opposite.
I am sooo ready for summer. Last summer was such a blast. It was the first summer of my entire life that I didn't make it to a lake. We never made it up to Michigan while it was warm enough, and Tiff was never around to go jet skiing on Indian Lake. So that alone was depressing. Instead we spent the summer going to concerts. Maybe 10. Nearly half were to see Howie Day, which at first annoyed Steve and my brother. But after the first summer show which Abby convinced us to go to the after party where Howie was, we all had a lot of fun with the band, crew and Howie for the next several shows.
Last summer we also got hooked on LOST. We never watched it during the original first season, and once hearing about how great the show was, we had to watch the summer reruns. Let me tell you, if you haven't been watching it, you need to get the DVDs and spend the summer catching up. Or as it usually happens, spend an entire weekend glued to your tv watching 20 some hours. The second season is even better. I used to just watch it like any other show, and once it was over, you didn't think about it till the following week. Then I realized how detail oriented this show is. There are so many hidden clues, that normal viewers will never pick up on. I still don't, but sometimes I read some trading boards or listen to podcasts to tap into some theories and hidden messages. It makes the show that much better. Things like the Dharma logo branded on a shark, which you are likely to only see if you rewind and watch the sceen in slow motion. And Hurley's numbers seem to appear on many things through out the show. Each character is somehow connected to the next without them knowing, and you slowly learn these connections through their flashbacks. And the most interesting is what is this island all about? And now, there is some interactive thing going on for Lost viewers. During this past episode, a fake commercial ran for the Hanso Foundation, which is a part of the show. If you called the phone number, there is a recording of people talking. Apparently you are supposed to get clues to solve something at the end of the summer. I couldn't figure anything out though. Also there is a book called, Bad Twin by Gary Troup (an anagram for Purgatory), which nobody knows who actually wrote it. Probably someone involved with the show. It's supposed to be a book written by someone who was on Flight 815. The last few episodes show Sawyer reading the manuscript for this book. I won't spoil any more details, but clearly this show is more than just TV. The writers are brilliant.
I am so excited we are going on a real vacation finally. We usually just went to Michigan to visit my dad or aunt and uncle. It's always something I looked forward to, but it's been 4 years since our honeymoon in Hawaii that we've gone somewhere on our own. We were planning on going back to Hawaii, but it was just getting too expensive adding everything we needed up. Instead we opted for an all inclusive resort in Mexico on the Riviera Maya. We're still going to Michigan for a week, and then off to Mexico. Two weeks away from work...I'll be in heaven. Only a few more months!
So my last blog was just me bitchin about work, so I thought I'd just start a new one for the rest of my thoughts. I hope everyone had a good weekend. We had a very last minute Cinco de Mayo party at our house. It was nice to see Anna, now that she's left me for Abercrombie. Tiff finally made another appearance. I usually foget she lives here. Andrea, Shayne and Braydon made it back. I was afraid it was going to cut close to delivery again for their 2nd child. Braydon was born 2 days after our 80's Halloween party. Andrea was so afraid of coming in costume and going into labor. That would have been embarasing. And of course our neigbor friends joined us. Nothing too exciting going on. Just ready for our huge luau in August and of course the much anticipated Halloween bash. I've got to come up with a theme this year. Last year we thought people would be happier not having a theme, but it was just the opposite.
I am sooo ready for summer. Last summer was such a blast. It was the first summer of my entire life that I didn't make it to a lake. We never made it up to Michigan while it was warm enough, and Tiff was never around to go jet skiing on Indian Lake. So that alone was depressing. Instead we spent the summer going to concerts. Maybe 10. Nearly half were to see Howie Day, which at first annoyed Steve and my brother. But after the first summer show which Abby convinced us to go to the after party where Howie was, we all had a lot of fun with the band, crew and Howie for the next several shows.
Last summer we also got hooked on LOST. We never watched it during the original first season, and once hearing about how great the show was, we had to watch the summer reruns. Let me tell you, if you haven't been watching it, you need to get the DVDs and spend the summer catching up. Or as it usually happens, spend an entire weekend glued to your tv watching 20 some hours. The second season is even better. I used to just watch it like any other show, and once it was over, you didn't think about it till the following week. Then I realized how detail oriented this show is. There are so many hidden clues, that normal viewers will never pick up on. I still don't, but sometimes I read some trading boards or listen to podcasts to tap into some theories and hidden messages. It makes the show that much better. Things like the Dharma logo branded on a shark, which you are likely to only see if you rewind and watch the sceen in slow motion. And Hurley's numbers seem to appear on many things through out the show. Each character is somehow connected to the next without them knowing, and you slowly learn these connections through their flashbacks. And the most interesting is what is this island all about? And now, there is some interactive thing going on for Lost viewers. During this past episode, a fake commercial ran for the Hanso Foundation, which is a part of the show. If you called the phone number, there is a recording of people talking. Apparently you are supposed to get clues to solve something at the end of the summer. I couldn't figure anything out though. Also there is a book called, Bad Twin by Gary Troup (an anagram for Purgatory), which nobody knows who actually wrote it. Probably someone involved with the show. It's supposed to be a book written by someone who was on Flight 815. The last few episodes show Sawyer reading the manuscript for this book. I won't spoil any more details, but clearly this show is more than just TV. The writers are brilliant.
I am so excited we are going on a real vacation finally. We usually just went to Michigan to visit my dad or aunt and uncle. It's always something I looked forward to, but it's been 4 years since our honeymoon in Hawaii that we've gone somewhere on our own. We were planning on going back to Hawaii, but it was just getting too expensive adding everything we needed up. Instead we opted for an all inclusive resort in Mexico on the Riviera Maya. We're still going to Michigan for a week, and then off to Mexico. Two weeks away from work...I'll be in heaven. Only a few more months!
bath & body WORKs - MAY 8, 2006
MAY 8, 2006
Well I thought I'd get around to writing again. Not that I have much to say, but I don't have much to do right now. I guess that's how it goes sometimes when I'm the only person from my team who works in this state. Since Anna left, a lot has changed, and a lot is still waiting to change.
I had spent the last 2 and a half years here at Bath & Body Works as a design consultant, immediately following graduation. The full time consultant job really made like difficult, not knowing if it would be long term or not. Finally I decided it was time to quit, then of course I was offered a full time position. I accepted, only after spending a day thinking about if it was worth it. Sometimes I don't think it is, but other days I realize there aren't a whole lot of options as a package designer here in Columbus Ohio. I could easily move to New York to work with my team, but that's not where I want to be. But it's not like I want to be here either, it's just a comfortable place for us, and hard to take the risk to move somewhere else. So until this place runs dry, I guess we'll be here. Steve is most likely going to get involved with corporate, and branch out from his Columbus office location. Hopefully that doesn't mean moving to Richmond Virginia. It shouldn't for what he does. He may have to travel which might get crazy since suddenly this year I am constantly traveling. I went nearly 3 years, never leaving town, and since January of this year I have gone to the NYC office 5 times and on press in NJ twice in the last month or so. I don't mind, but it's likely to become a weekly habit, which can be down right exhausting. Leaving on the shuttle at 6:30am to fly to NY, spend a full day in the office or shopping, then get back to Columbus at 9pm that night. It can be rough, and now I know why Anna was so eager to go.
So here I am, Monday morning, still waiting on someone from NY to call or email me with changes to projects I finished Friday, or something new to work on. I shouldn't really complain, because most days are hell trying to make sure everything gets done in time. Deadlines here are ridiculous. Maybe an hour to turn something around. So it's nice not having someone over my shoulder handing something off to me. Well sometimes I have Holly standing over my shoulder making faces, but that's expected.
Well I thought I'd get around to writing again. Not that I have much to say, but I don't have much to do right now. I guess that's how it goes sometimes when I'm the only person from my team who works in this state. Since Anna left, a lot has changed, and a lot is still waiting to change.
I had spent the last 2 and a half years here at Bath & Body Works as a design consultant, immediately following graduation. The full time consultant job really made like difficult, not knowing if it would be long term or not. Finally I decided it was time to quit, then of course I was offered a full time position. I accepted, only after spending a day thinking about if it was worth it. Sometimes I don't think it is, but other days I realize there aren't a whole lot of options as a package designer here in Columbus Ohio. I could easily move to New York to work with my team, but that's not where I want to be. But it's not like I want to be here either, it's just a comfortable place for us, and hard to take the risk to move somewhere else. So until this place runs dry, I guess we'll be here. Steve is most likely going to get involved with corporate, and branch out from his Columbus office location. Hopefully that doesn't mean moving to Richmond Virginia. It shouldn't for what he does. He may have to travel which might get crazy since suddenly this year I am constantly traveling. I went nearly 3 years, never leaving town, and since January of this year I have gone to the NYC office 5 times and on press in NJ twice in the last month or so. I don't mind, but it's likely to become a weekly habit, which can be down right exhausting. Leaving on the shuttle at 6:30am to fly to NY, spend a full day in the office or shopping, then get back to Columbus at 9pm that night. It can be rough, and now I know why Anna was so eager to go.
So here I am, Monday morning, still waiting on someone from NY to call or email me with changes to projects I finished Friday, or something new to work on. I shouldn't really complain, because most days are hell trying to make sure everything gets done in time. Deadlines here are ridiculous. Maybe an hour to turn something around. So it's nice not having someone over my shoulder handing something off to me. Well sometimes I have Holly standing over my shoulder making faces, but that's expected.
Winter Spring - MARCH 15, 2006
MARCH 15, 2006
It has been such a long time since I've done anything online except check my emails for a few minutes. Things have been crazy and I've barely been around home. I'm excited to have a little bit of time to catch up on hours of TV that are filling up our DVR. Only I wish LOST was new tonight. Just when it was getting g o o d again it goes on hiatus. Hopefully tonights Invasion is good.
Well after bitching for almost 3 years, I finally was hired on as an associate at BBW. All it took was a little "goodbye" that I wish could have risked years ago. Go figure. Things finally came together and the timing was right. Not that much will change, but the main thing is I'll be able to take a vacation now!!!! So of course Steve and I are ready to head back to Hawaii. We're planning on going to Maui. We went to Oahu and Kauai on our honeymoon almost 4 years ago! Only a few more months. We really really need a vacation.
Huh, so what else do I have to catch up on? I can't believe it is almost spring. I was so disappointed with this winter. Where the hell is our snow? I know most people around here are happy we didn't get any, but I'm devastated. I still really want to learn to snowboard. Last year I hurt myself and couldn't stand the pain to keep trying. I went back to skiing and Steve kept picking up boarding. Now winter is over and we never got the chance to get up north this winter. And to make it worse, the Torino games only rubbed it in my face.
Also this winter was extremely boring music wise. There wasn't one concert after I spent all of last year continually going to shows. Institute in Novemenber was the last show I saw. We finally have tix to 2 shows in April.. 30 Seconds to Mars and Switchfoot. I've seen both already. It will be fun though.
Well I guess that is all I've got. I'll probably be months before I get back here to write again.
rock on,
annie
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=2#ixzz14HSiwiGn
It has been such a long time since I've done anything online except check my emails for a few minutes. Things have been crazy and I've barely been around home. I'm excited to have a little bit of time to catch up on hours of TV that are filling up our DVR. Only I wish LOST was new tonight. Just when it was getting g o o d again it goes on hiatus. Hopefully tonights Invasion is good.
Well after bitching for almost 3 years, I finally was hired on as an associate at BBW. All it took was a little "goodbye" that I wish could have risked years ago. Go figure. Things finally came together and the timing was right. Not that much will change, but the main thing is I'll be able to take a vacation now!!!! So of course Steve and I are ready to head back to Hawaii. We're planning on going to Maui. We went to Oahu and Kauai on our honeymoon almost 4 years ago! Only a few more months. We really really need a vacation.
Huh, so what else do I have to catch up on? I can't believe it is almost spring. I was so disappointed with this winter. Where the hell is our snow? I know most people around here are happy we didn't get any, but I'm devastated. I still really want to learn to snowboard. Last year I hurt myself and couldn't stand the pain to keep trying. I went back to skiing and Steve kept picking up boarding. Now winter is over and we never got the chance to get up north this winter. And to make it worse, the Torino games only rubbed it in my face.
Also this winter was extremely boring music wise. There wasn't one concert after I spent all of last year continually going to shows. Institute in Novemenber was the last show I saw. We finally have tix to 2 shows in April.. 30 Seconds to Mars and Switchfoot. I've seen both already. It will be fun though.
Well I guess that is all I've got. I'll probably be months before I get back here to write again.
rock on,
annie
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=2#ixzz14HSiwiGn
The 90's - OCT 19, 2005
OCT 19, 2005
This past week seemed to be a revival of the past, for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it seems we just keep moving forward and never look back. Maybe we reminise about old times. Maybe we even wish we could go back. Not that things were ever better than they are now. Just different. Less complicated, stressful. Not so much responsibility. Then again, I'm sure I thought was complicated at 15. A friend of mine from work asked me to go with her to an Audioslave concert. Over the years my music taste had changed, and I wasn't really into heavier alternative as much. I really didn't want to shell out the cash, but she decided to pay for my ticket. Of course I can never pass up a concert. I've been to so many this year alone. My friend, who's 44 I think, couldn't wait to go. I wasn't as excited, but when I found out they would be playing Soundgarden & Rage Against the Machine songs, I thought it would be a blast from the past! And it was! Not to mention I got to meet Jared Leto, who I loved from My So-Called Life in the early 90s. His band, 30 Seconds to Mars, opened, as well as Seether. It's been so long since my days of headbanging at concerts or school dances. I wasn't wearing torn jeans and a flannel. 90's fashion was so terrible. I've been watching My So-Called Life on reruns on the Noggin channel, and I can't believe I used to dress like Angela. Why did I ever think it was cool? Atleast the music from the 90's was cool. Jared Leto's band now is extremely different than the one he sang in on the show. But I love it. So last week I was on this alternative kick, remembering the days of Black Hole Sun and driving around with Ann Stechschulte singing along to get pumped for a cross country meet. Then Steve and I went back to Bluffton for the weekend. A lot of my high school friends were around. Alison, Holly, Kim, Phil, Ace. We revived some classic songs and memories. It was just great to see everyone again and realize when we got back together we haven't changed that much from who we used to be back then. We have all moved on with our lives,
This past week seemed to be a revival of the past, for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it seems we just keep moving forward and never look back. Maybe we reminise about old times. Maybe we even wish we could go back. Not that things were ever better than they are now. Just different. Less complicated, stressful. Not so much responsibility. Then again, I'm sure I thought was complicated at 15. A friend of mine from work asked me to go with her to an Audioslave concert. Over the years my music taste had changed, and I wasn't really into heavier alternative as much. I really didn't want to shell out the cash, but she decided to pay for my ticket. Of course I can never pass up a concert. I've been to so many this year alone. My friend, who's 44 I think, couldn't wait to go. I wasn't as excited, but when I found out they would be playing Soundgarden & Rage Against the Machine songs, I thought it would be a blast from the past! And it was! Not to mention I got to meet Jared Leto, who I loved from My So-Called Life in the early 90s. His band, 30 Seconds to Mars, opened, as well as Seether. It's been so long since my days of headbanging at concerts or school dances. I wasn't wearing torn jeans and a flannel. 90's fashion was so terrible. I've been watching My So-Called Life on reruns on the Noggin channel, and I can't believe I used to dress like Angela. Why did I ever think it was cool? Atleast the music from the 90's was cool. Jared Leto's band now is extremely different than the one he sang in on the show. But I love it. So last week I was on this alternative kick, remembering the days of Black Hole Sun and driving around with Ann Stechschulte singing along to get pumped for a cross country meet. Then Steve and I went back to Bluffton for the weekend. A lot of my high school friends were around. Alison, Holly, Kim, Phil, Ace. We revived some classic songs and memories. It was just great to see everyone again and realize when we got back together we haven't changed that much from who we used to be back then. We have all moved on with our lives,
Counting to 100 - SEPT. 8, 2005
SEPT. 8, 2005
So you say it's my birthday. I get to stop on 26 this year as I'm Counting to 100. I get to work and find my desk decked out in weird stuff, including a hot picture of David Hasslehoff possing nude with sharpe puppies. Talk about creepy. I mean, who ever thought he should be so cool?
I finally had a few days off for vacation, if you can really call it that. It was fun, but not really the relaxing kind. Visiting my dad in Harbor Springs was really nice, but he sure likes to talk. We had fun with Barb & Dave too. Dave finally retired from American Airlines so Barb threw him a surprise party which was full of the usual pranks. I wish I had time to come up with something good after all the things he's pulled on me over the years!
My spring & summer of music keeps on going. You'd think that I'd take a break after seeing Howie Day 4 times in July. Last week we saw Coldplay. It was an amazing show! As far as larger bands go, they are one of my favs. We weren't very close to the stage, but it was a beautiful show with great effects. Then last night we went to see Matt Wertz with a friend. It was also amazing, and great to be back in a small intimate venue. The first opener, Mike Genovese was obviously influenced by Howie Day, so of course I enjoyed watching him do the looping thing Howie is so highly noted for. The second opener, Mat Kearney, was really cool as well. Reminded me of one of my older fav. bands, Soul Coughing. Finally, Matt Wertz put on a great show. I've been listening to one of his CDs all morning. Thanks MattyK for taking us! We met both Matts after the show and now I have 2 more signed CDs to add to the collection I've been building this year, making 8 so far. I should probably take a break from the music scene because it's breaking the bank! There are still a bunch of shows I want to see here or in Cleveland, so I need to find a new job quick! I really wish I would have had the college exposure a lot of students get to these indie singer/songwriters and bands. CCAD didn't pull in such events. It's not like any of the students had a chance to engage in anything other than art! So from 00-03 I only knew the music that was played on WNCI. I guess I've gotta make up for lost time.
Oh, the OC premieres tonite! Yeah! The OC has been a great way to gain exposure to new music as well. I can't wait for this season!
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=3#ixzz14HR1PhkK
So you say it's my birthday. I get to stop on 26 this year as I'm Counting to 100. I get to work and find my desk decked out in weird stuff, including a hot picture of David Hasslehoff possing nude with sharpe puppies. Talk about creepy. I mean, who ever thought he should be so cool?
I finally had a few days off for vacation, if you can really call it that. It was fun, but not really the relaxing kind. Visiting my dad in Harbor Springs was really nice, but he sure likes to talk. We had fun with Barb & Dave too. Dave finally retired from American Airlines so Barb threw him a surprise party which was full of the usual pranks. I wish I had time to come up with something good after all the things he's pulled on me over the years!
My spring & summer of music keeps on going. You'd think that I'd take a break after seeing Howie Day 4 times in July. Last week we saw Coldplay. It was an amazing show! As far as larger bands go, they are one of my favs. We weren't very close to the stage, but it was a beautiful show with great effects. Then last night we went to see Matt Wertz with a friend. It was also amazing, and great to be back in a small intimate venue. The first opener, Mike Genovese was obviously influenced by Howie Day, so of course I enjoyed watching him do the looping thing Howie is so highly noted for. The second opener, Mat Kearney, was really cool as well. Reminded me of one of my older fav. bands, Soul Coughing. Finally, Matt Wertz put on a great show. I've been listening to one of his CDs all morning. Thanks MattyK for taking us! We met both Matts after the show and now I have 2 more signed CDs to add to the collection I've been building this year, making 8 so far. I should probably take a break from the music scene because it's breaking the bank! There are still a bunch of shows I want to see here or in Cleveland, so I need to find a new job quick! I really wish I would have had the college exposure a lot of students get to these indie singer/songwriters and bands. CCAD didn't pull in such events. It's not like any of the students had a chance to engage in anything other than art! So from 00-03 I only knew the music that was played on WNCI. I guess I've gotta make up for lost time.
Oh, the OC premieres tonite! Yeah! The OC has been a great way to gain exposure to new music as well. I can't wait for this season!
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=3#ixzz14HR1PhkK
Lost in Corporate Claws - AUG. 30, 2005
AUG. 30, 2005
I am really looking forward to a few days off from corporate hell. Northern Michigan is just the escape I need. Right now I have no motivation to do anything but things I shouldn't be wasting time on, like writing this. Last night we watched 5 episodes of Lost, instead of getting things done. (Thanks Matt=) The show is too addicting to hit stop. I really wish I was lost right now on an island. I seriously would like to sell everything and live in a cave. Well, maybe I would like to have a yacht to set sail on once in a while. Steve and I took a rafting trip to the Napali Coast on Kauai, which is where Lost is filmed. It was the most amazing place we've ever seen. It is about 20 miles away from the nearest civilization, with no access except by helicopter, boat or foot. And...absolutely nobody telling me to get something done in two minutes.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=3#ixzz14HPRiKfk
I am really looking forward to a few days off from corporate hell. Northern Michigan is just the escape I need. Right now I have no motivation to do anything but things I shouldn't be wasting time on, like writing this. Last night we watched 5 episodes of Lost, instead of getting things done. (Thanks Matt=) The show is too addicting to hit stop. I really wish I was lost right now on an island. I seriously would like to sell everything and live in a cave. Well, maybe I would like to have a yacht to set sail on once in a while. Steve and I took a rafting trip to the Napali Coast on Kauai, which is where Lost is filmed. It was the most amazing place we've ever seen. It is about 20 miles away from the nearest civilization, with no access except by helicopter, boat or foot. And...absolutely nobody telling me to get something done in two minutes.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/annieweihrauch/blog?page=3#ixzz14HPRiKfk
Getting Started - Myspace: Aug 23, 2005
AUG. 23, 2005
So I'm starting to figure out how to use this myspace thing. It's great once I stop being pissed at it for not explaing things to me in terms I understand. Actually, it's not that I don't understand it, I just can't seem to find things I'm looking for. Where the hell is the index to look it up?! I'm a little bored at work, so I finally figured out how to write a blog. Sorry if my page is hard to read. There should be a white translucent background behind my text so you can read it over the stripes. It views okay at home, but at work it isn't there, so my page is hard to read. I also can't view photos here either. Strange. I just want to go home now. I spent all day researching "Old Hollywood" for a new concept we are working on. It was kinda fun but I'm done. Now I need to start researching ideas for our 3rd annual Halloween party. We have themed the party previously (Hollywood Premiere - everyone had to come as a character or celebrity and Halloween 80's - yep anything from the 80's) The themes make planning fun, but we really want to have a large crowd this year and it might be easier to keep things general. But I need to come up with a great name or something I suppose. If anyone has a brilliant idea let me know! Oh, and save the date to join us either Fri. Oct. 28 or Sat. Oct 29! I'll give everyone details soon!
So I'm starting to figure out how to use this myspace thing. It's great once I stop being pissed at it for not explaing things to me in terms I understand. Actually, it's not that I don't understand it, I just can't seem to find things I'm looking for. Where the hell is the index to look it up?! I'm a little bored at work, so I finally figured out how to write a blog. Sorry if my page is hard to read. There should be a white translucent background behind my text so you can read it over the stripes. It views okay at home, but at work it isn't there, so my page is hard to read. I also can't view photos here either. Strange. I just want to go home now. I spent all day researching "Old Hollywood" for a new concept we are working on. It was kinda fun but I'm done. Now I need to start researching ideas for our 3rd annual Halloween party. We have themed the party previously (Hollywood Premiere - everyone had to come as a character or celebrity and Halloween 80's - yep anything from the 80's) The themes make planning fun, but we really want to have a large crowd this year and it might be easier to keep things general. But I need to come up with a great name or something I suppose. If anyone has a brilliant idea let me know! Oh, and save the date to join us either Fri. Oct. 28 or Sat. Oct 29! I'll give everyone details soon!
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