New music Friday

Almost a year ago, someone sent me the Chunk of Change EP from the group Passion Pit. It was catchy, it was poppy and it was definitely something new and exciting for my ears. Then, last month, they released their full length album Manners, which was again sent to my inbox as a nice surprise. Then I got super lazy and never put it on my ipod and let the poor thing sit in music limbo on the hard drive and it fell to the wayside. All I can say is I am an idiot for waiting so long to take a listen.

This album may just be in contention for album of the year. It's everything a great debut album should be. Flawlessly produced, fresh, exciting and definitely full of great beats that will no doubt make driving with the sunroof open a lot more enjoyable. Currently loving track 3- Moth's Wings. The opening keyboards and driving beat just make me want to roll down the windows and celebrate being alive.

Enjoy!

Doubt means don't

After many months of slim job prospects, I finally had a glimmer of hope last week.  A friend of mine secured me an interview with a telecommunications sales company that she had previously worked at.  I knew going in, that this was a sales position that involved going business to business lead generation.  I also knew that it was not a cake walk and that long hours would be involved, with considerable wear and tear to my vehicle, as I was expected to drive to my designated territory every day.

Ok.  I could deal with all of this.  I have currently been without a job for 6 months and I figured that I could bust my ass for awhile and really get back into the swing of things.  However, after a very intense interview process, I turned down the opportunity.  Why you may ask?

I'm a firm beleiver in Oprah's phrase "Doubt means don't".  I definitely had a sinking feeling in my gut during the interview process that just keep gnawing at me and saying "this isn't for you, keep on trucking".  Maybe it was the overly competitive work environment.  Maybe it was the fact that this job is really centered around the young and out of college crowd, and while I love having a good time; I've already had the job with the young coworker party crowd.  Maybe it was the fact that after securing a great balance in my life lately, I didn't want to throw all that away to be sucked back into a work environment that leaves you with zero free time.

So, as I enter month 6, I do so with a renewed sense of optimism.  I definitely think the next few months hold great opportunities that I just have to go out there and get.  I'm prepared to be a little more aggressive than I have in the past, and really seek out companies that I think would be a good fit.  And I definitely won't give up until I get an interview...or at least a decent explanation as to why I am not a good fit for a position.

Hmmm...maybe sales wouldn't have been such a terrible fit for me after all. 

Spring blossoms

I figured I'd better get my Spring post in before Memorial Day weekend is here, and everyone is officially in Summer mode.

A few weeks ago I was out in the yard taking pictures, and was reminded of how awesomely great it is to live where I do.  Tree after tree of apple blossoms, expansive stretches of green grass, flowers of every variety- and yes, even the dandelions look great!

So, before Summer officially begins, here are some shots of Spring to help you savor those last few moments of humidity-free days.

An open letter to the Biggest Loser

Dear Biggest Loser, 

I love you, I really do.  You're guaranteed to make me cry at least once a week, and you inspire people to change their lives in the most positive of ways.  HOWEVER, what is the deal with last night's finale?  

Helen weighing in at 117 pounds shocked me!  She's a 48 year old woman!  That cannot be healthy for anyone!  

Side note: Helen, darling, please just maintain for now, maybe eat a cookie.  You look great, but enough with the scary skeletal figure.  You need some curves!

I know that the BL's whole philosophy is about teaching a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise, but I wonder how many contestants take it to the extreme?  I suppose, when you have people who have been obsessive eaters in the past, it would be very easy for them to become obsessive with their diet and workout routines, and try to push their weight loss as far as they can.   Maybe setting a 'healthy weight' for them at the start wouldn't be a bad idea.  

Let's work on that for next season, ok?

Love,

K

Adventures in unemployment

Tomorrow will mark 5 months of unemployment for me.  Just typing that made me feel a little sick to my stomach.  I miss work, I miss coworkers, I miss being productive and contributing to something- even if that something seems completely ridiculous at the time (direct mail- I'm talking to you!).  On the other hand, I've really enjoyed these last few months.  I've had time to look at my life and the things in it and realize that there was so much I wasn't doing before!  

My schedule when I was working was one of repetition and routine.  Get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, relax.  Sure there were the occasional (ok, more than occasional) nights out with friends, and night time walks around town that peppered some fun into my days, but I wasn't really doing what I enjoyed.  

Looking back on the last 6 months I've realized how much of my life I was missing out on.  It's not that work took up so much of my time that I couldn't fit anything else into my schedule- I just didn't.  Since being laid off, I've started volunteering and taking classes at a local television studio.  A place where I practically grew up, as my parents stuck me behind a camera as soon as I was tall enough.  I've realized how much I miss video production (something I was so passionate about, I almost made it my career choice) and can't wait to get involved in more projects over the summer.  I've also been devouring books like there is no tomorrow.  Re-reading novels that I loved growing up and discovering authors and works that have become some of my new favorites.  I've also reconnected with my creative streak; taking up embroidery, sketching with charcoal, trying my hand at sewing.  I've found that nothing is more satisfying than creating!

Now, while it would be nice to settle into this life of leisure for the rest of my days (and believe me, if I thought I had that option, I'd be finding even more hobbies!), I do want to find a job in the worst way.  But this time around, I'm going to find a balance.  I still want to do all of these great things I've enjoyed over the last few months.  I still want to get outside and enjoy the sunshine whenever I can, take a class in something I'm interested in, learn, discover.  I think if anything, these past few months have taught me how important it is to have a life outside the office, to find the time to do things you enjoy while still having a successful career.  

I'm going to test my balance theory today.  A little job searching this afternoon, a freelance design project tonight and then a good book to top off my evening.  Sounds like the perfect start to what will hopefully be a more balanced work life- if and when that happens.  

Making it count

The weather has finally warmed up and brought about one of my favorite summer activities- patio drinking!  

I had the pleasure of venturing to a local sangria hangout last weekend and sharing good conversation (and many many glasses of sangria) with friends.  The discussion wandered to death, growing old, and the impending responsibility we will all face of caring for our parents. As we all talked on how we had seen family members fade away from reality as they grew old, we all wondered aloud if we would share the same fate. Some shared stories of how they would want to go, if the decision were up to them.  Others told of larger than life ways to go out in a blaze of glory so that they will always be young and never a burden on anyone around them.  The stories always seemed to get wackier and more outlandish as the night went on.  As the jokes made their way around the table, you could almost sense, that beneath the jokes was this fear-fear of getting older, fear of it all ending, fear that this wonderful life and moments like the one we were having would be gone all too soon.  

I think we all appreciated each other a little bit more that night.

Domestic Diva

I have been a whirling dervish of domesticity today! Odd, because I usually prefer going out to eat instead of cooking, and find it easier to just buy what I need instead of making it myself. Maybe I'm getting into this whole recession lifestyle...who knows.

We are re-doing the siding on our house and have had a work crew out banging on the walls all weekend. No sleeping in around here! I woke up and made some blueberry muffins because frankly, they were calling to me. I then started in on finishing a pair of embroidered handtowels for a friend of mine. My sister and I came across the embroidery patterns of Jenny Hart, which are modern and funky and do not include teddy bears or geese! Thank goodness! The towels have little dancing veggies and fruit across the bottom and are absolutely adorable. I want to keep them for myself!

After finsihing the towels I helped out with dinner and ended up manning the kitchen as we cooked for 7 people (Mom invited the work crew to stay and eat). My dad pointed out that this was just like the scene in Under The Tuscan Sun where she cooks for her handymen and they all become friends. I was mildly impressed and shocked at my Dad's knowledge of this movie and made sure to file that one away to use on him later. **Insert evil laughter here**

Now my Easter cake is in the oven and smelling all sorts of wonderful. I think I may be getting the hang of this whole cooking thing! And even if I may not be a fully realized domestic goddess, at least for tonight, I don't have to do the dishes.