So, let’s see, what have I been up to? For one thing, working freelance at Lakeshore Learning Materials. Such a different environment that what I’m used to. Clocking in and out, a set lunch time that everybody follows, no internet (rather very slow, like dial-up slow), it’s just so different. Did a couple days at Standard Time, who would have thought I’d miss the agency life. I still don’t like the long hours, but I do miss the creative environment.

I’m still working (ha, funny) on my portfolio. I think I’ve figured out what I’m going to do. I’ll convert this blog to my portfolio and start posting on tumblr. But don’t hold me to that, knowing me, I’ll change it again.

The Japan Film Society has taken a huge amount of my time. I’m doing a couple flyers for them and also re-designing their website. I finally talked them into converting it to a WordPress template. That will make it easier for them to update regularly. Right now it’s just too hard, we don’t have anybody that can code. They’re also working on the film festival. We voted for a name and then decided it wasn’t quite right, so we’re changing it. After that, I’ll be working on that website, too. They’re keeping me very busy.

Melrose has gotten so big. She’ll be 8 months in a couple days. I have her enrolled in a Puppy Obedience Class at Brookside Park in Pasadena. Hopefully I’ll be able to train her (or me) and she’ll be a good doggy. Right now she’s just so wild and hard-headed. Hmmm, wonder where she gets that from.

Well, I’ve been kinda busy. I decided to actively pursue looking for a new job. I really have no choice, I’m running out of money. I organized my iGoogle to follow a couple job boards, made a spreadsheet showing who, what, when I sent out a resume and am working on my online portfolio. I really like the single page designs. I’ve been researching and getting ideas.

But the hardest thing is not seeing any available jobs as a print production artist. Almost all the available positions are looking for web experience, lots of Flash jobs out there. Frustration is setting in. I’ve even sent my resume out for Studio Manager positions. I’d rather not have that kind of responsibilities. But what can I do, especially at my age and with that many years of experience? There have been a couple internships that I was thinking of applying to. I’d get the experience I need and maybe start an new career doing something completely different. Still thinking about it.

Okay, enough of the negativity. I will get a new job or find enough freelance to support myself and my two kids. It will happen!

Rowdy

Early, on the morning of the 29th, my favorite son, Rowdy, passed away. He hadn’t been feeling well lately and had slowed down quite a bit. I was dreading making the decision. But he made it for me. I took him to the ER vet after he had been experiencing these strange fainting spells. They treated him for anemia and sent him home, it was about 1am. As we were walking to the car, he collapsed and never regained consciousness. They tried CPR but I told them to let him go. It was a tough day and it took me some time to get through it. But he’s home now and resting in peace.

Last week, I decided to sign up with a talent agency/head hunter. It’s been tough looking for a job. Most openings out there are for interactive. I have little experience there. So figured it wouldn’t hurt to sign up. Lets hope they can help find me something.

And lastly, there maybe a new addition to the household. I’m trying to work out all the details. I’ll post them up soon.

California job losses continue to climb — latimes.com

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I started following Please Feed the Animals after the first round of layoffs at work. I knew that I’d be let go soon, just not sure exactly when. I was the only one in the department that fit the bill. So I’ve been paying attention to what’s going on in the workforce. It’s not pleasant and kinda scary. This morning I was checking out PFTA’s Live Chat. Yeah, I was one of the invisible, non-participants. But I did end up signing up and maybe next time I’ll say hello. They seem to think that the job market is slowly picking up. November to January looking better. I hope so. There’s also a couple people on Twitter, @krop_jobs, @eproulx, @artdirector who regularly post job openings.

Still waiting for my first unemployment check. Hopefully that’s in the mail. I signed up for Letterpress classes and a “ReInvent Yourself” seminar. I’m hoping it will help spark something. Also looking for classes in web design and coding. I’m determined to find something I’ll enjoy doing and hopefully pay the bills.

Million Dollar Year, if not this year then next. Come on Cari Mateo, Million Dollar Year!

Movable Type

I’ve been wondering about that all my life. Of course I don’t have the answer. Or, most likely, didn’t recognize it and walked away. Hmmm, seems like my MO.

Last weekend was my 25th high school reunion. Yeah, I guess I’m admitting my age, but it was great seeing everybody again. It brought back so many memories. My parents did not want me to become an artist. They felt that I should get a real job. So in high school I was involved with Journalism. I forgot about all the different English and creative writing courses I took back then. Art was something I did for fun and writing is what I loved to do. I ended up a Graphic Artist and gave up writing. A couple years ago, my son decided to major in Literature. Listening to his dreams of becoming a writer, stirred the writing bug in me again. But can I, should I, start writing again?

Three weeks ago I was laid off, is this a sign? For the last 20 years of my life, I’ve been a designer or production artist. I’m good at what I do and I enjoy working as a production artist. But am I too old for it? I feel ancient around all the young kids in advertising. When I was updating my resume and portfolio, I kept wondering is this really what I want to do? Can I take my time and figure it out? Can I try something new?

So maybe now is the time to take some creative writing classes and maybe a Public Relations class. Of course, there’s always the Letterpress class that I’ve also been wanting to take. Will something spark this time and I’ll actually recognize a great opportunity right in front of me?

Who knows. Anyways, wish me luck and dammit don’t let me spend too much money. I still need to pay my bills, but that severance check can buy lots of fun toys.

I started this post over a week ago. I deleted half of what was originally written. I wasn’t sure if I should continue this. Oh well.

I’m usually a “Glass Half Empty” kind of person. I tell my daughter, Alysa, that I’m a Realist. She tells me, “Your Negative, Oprah says that if you think negative, it will happen”. Whatever!

I keep my personal blog separate from my work. I just don’t want them to use what I write about, against me. I’ve heard stories of co-workers being told to “be nice” on their personal blogs when talking about work. “Work” has asked for links, friend requests and twitter accounts of their employees, so that they can follow them. They say it’s for biz dev and marketing purposes. I will not give them that information, I just don’t trust them.

We were a better company a couple years ago. The creativity then was one of the reasons I stayed. The atmosphere was exciting. The people I worked with became good friends of mine. Now, it’s stressful and scary.

Reviews are coming up. They reworked them so that it’s completely done online. The first time we tried the online reviews, we weren’t allowed to go back and spell check or rewrite what you had entered. The peer reviews asked questions that I had no idea about. How would I know if my peer keeps all their jobs within budget? We don’t know what the budget is to begin with, so how would I know? I heard the new review questions are more detailed. I wonder if this is how they’ll determine the next round of cuts.

Another thing that bothers me, why do I feel guilty for leaving on time? Or for going on vacation? When you come back from vacation, do you feel like you have to prove that you’re still important to the company? Should you continue in that kind of environment?

Is it the economy or the failings of management? That’s what I need to figure out. Will this post bite me in the ass? I hope not. Aren’t I entitled to my own opinions?

This is not the first time, two years ago while we were on vacation, my “Eldest” Son had to take Rowdy to the vet. A growth on his torso would not stop bleeding. The Vet (I will not go back there) told me it was a mass tumor, but the biopsy showed no signs of cancer. When Rowdy was having a bad side effect because of the medication she prescribed, she blew it off and asked if I believe everything I read on the internet. Bad Doctor!

He’s doing fine. Last night he was a bit whiny and I spent some time lying down on the floor with him. We made his bed nice and comfy. He looked like he was in a car accident and still had blood on his face. The technician tried to clean it off, but he wouldn’t let her touch him. Poor Puppy.

Rowdy right after surgery. They removed a mass on the left side of his face.

The morning after, feeling much better.

Taste the Rainbow

Last year I started volunteering my time to the Japan Film Festival-Los Angeles, this year I’m helping with PR. In the past couple of months I’ve learned so much about web sites, blogs and social media. There’s so much out there and I’ve only just begun. Today I signed up for Twitter. Have no idea what I’m going to do with a Twitter account, but I’m using JFFLA as my excuse.

Anyways, I was researching Twitter this morning and came across this article, Why Skittles Killed It’s Web Site. Skittles got rid of their corporate web site and started using Twitter. Then they dumped Twitter and are now on Facebook. Seems their Twitter page was getting the wrong kind of attention. And that’s the thing, they got the attention.  Marketing genius or plain ass stupidity?

I hope you’re all happy now. I’m not doing it because of you. It’s for the Japan Film Festival, to help promote it. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. Now will you leave me alone?