Friday, August 28, 2009

Day 255, Pammy Cakes and Computer Meltdowns

Oh computer faerie, how many times issues have i had w/ my PC in the past... please grant me something that will last longer than a couple of years :P

So the current situation with my online business has taken a turn for the even worser.. I already havent had any cash flow going into my projects, and my camera has been frozen w/ the shutter open bc of battery failure. Now, the virus on my PC has led me to use a malware, which deleted some drivers, so now that its back up & running.. everything on the Hard Drive has been wiped clean (all my graphic projects, completed & in limbo, and music files from fruity loops) so i have to start anew.. Yes, its been the first time i've cried in quite some time..but i'm now looking forward to newer, better things...greater ideas! Its kind of metaphoric to the way my life is going right now.. if there were a fire, would i be completely crushed? Then relieved to start fresh?

So i've got a plan to purchase a cheap laptop with an external hard drive. It should cost me between $200-$500 depending on how good a deal i can get from my fellow friends and/or neighbors, or both. I feel like even if i get another virus meltdown, i will only lose programs (which can be reinstalled), but no actual files, which will be stored on the external HD.. if i can at least provide this sort of security for myself, i'll be able to rest easy.. ;) Its an investment i'm ready to commit to, its an investment i have no choice to commit to at this point.. (must i always wait until something horrid happens until i actually provide adequit support for my company?) Better this happening now, than say, a year from now, when more important (or more expensive) projects could have been destroyed..

Cant wait until i can get my Illustrator & photoshop programs back up & running.. Have to shop around for the Illustrator, but just need a reg key for the photoshop.. all in due time tho.. Currently, i've been working my wrist raw (a good feeling 'raw' of achievment) sketching by hand & actually making use of the big tupperware box of old art supplies.. i have to admit, i've had that stuff for 4 yrs & havent broke it out until this week! So yes, the loss of the data has opened up many more opportunities in my forgotten physical life! I have gotten so used to sketching on the computer, swaping & storing, yet losing my god-given ability to the paper & pen (yes, i never sketch in pencil.. too much smudging - its the only thing in my life i can commit to, ack!).. but its keeping me sane & focused on the future.

Soon when i'm able to get eveything up & running for the online world, I'll post up some of the ideas i've been having..

Until then......

n_n ~<3

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Day 227, Glimmer of hope? A bit of R&R after a tough couple of months..


So in wake of all the hardwork and ambition i've had over the past several weeks, i got a much needed break & actually had a couple of dollars to hop on the train for some free window shopping today.. Well, the flea market in Williamsburg didnt have windows, but it felt great to just get out of the house and enjoy the sun for a moment.. A friend and I accicentally found a really cute boutique called About Glamour and they have the cutest japanese stationary, vivianne westwood socks, cool accessories, and some vintage inspired clothing. We found out about the shop bc we were acutally headed for the Sakura Art Exhibition (7/31 - 8/27/2009).. The gallery is located at the back of the store (in a seperate room) so that it doesnt take away from the shopping in the front. Apparently, the Sakura show is only one of many group theme exhibitions in which you mark which piece is your favorite. The winning artist is then granted the opportunity to have their own solo show. How awesome is that?!?! SO yeah, i needed to be a part of that! :)

Then we came across a really cool tee company selling at the Williamsburg flea market Artists & Fleas. The tee company is GNOME enterprises and i bought 2 magents from them, the one with 2 bunnies, and an MJ magnet..(see pics to the left!) i wanted the MJ as a brooche but it wasnt available.. :( what can you do? But it was the setup that really brought be into their space.. someone very meticulously made a large (maybe 15 ft) tree out of felt, and cleverly made him a face that had the characteristics of Domokun.. it was adorable! So adorable, in fact, that my friend had the sudden urge to share a hug with the artist! He seemed to enjoy it..haha! So if you're ever around the way & feel like picking up any of these cute things, head on over to Artist & Fleas (129 N6, btwn Bedford & Berry).. GNOME is usually only there Sat & Sundays..



Let's recap. A casual stroll in Williamsburg, super sunny day, some cool ish at a flea market, found a new japanese inport shop, AND had a pinapple mojoto (forgot to mention that!) Oh yes.. this is what started off my day right! My friend had already purchased some sort of Pinapple chiller cocktail.. so the waiter asked if i wanted pineapple rum in my mojito. well why not? It turned out absolutely delish!












It's amazing what 5 bucks will bring you in Brooklyn..

n_n ~<3

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Day 220, Thanks For Trying (wah waaahhh..)

So I've dedicated my entire weekend to updating my resume, working on a few portfoilio items, and filling out numerous job applications..then coupling that with The Sims all-nighter episodes multiplied by no sleep and tiny meals...... Not having a job is really getting to me.. :(

With the recent onsight of my pup needing emergency surgery, then the bills causing me to be late on my rent.. the months of June and July have been especially rough on the measly unemplyment check i've been recieving since my layoff in December. There have been so many things going on this summer.. Birthday parties, going away parties, picnics, beach trips, concerts...even FREE events i've had to miss bc i cant afford a train ticket (for those of us NYers w/o a car or a liscense, you feel me?).. I mean, even the simplest things like Shampoo, and a loaf of bread (for crying out loud!) have been hard to come by.. But now that i'm all paid up with rent, and a couple new roomies that would allow rent to drop about $100 bucks, has shown me the light! Well, to relieve that little crunch of stress, hopefully one of these jobs will come through with at least an interview..


For the past couple months i havent been motivated to do anything, job
search wise, bc i've just been so fustrated. I've been even contemplating relocation, if it just meant I'd be able to afford a proper amount of groceries.. Instead of getting, "Bread, milk, eggs....." Counts change, "How much do you charge for half a dozen?" Its been rediculous these days.. and i've totally taken the ablility to order food delivery for granted. There have been so many nights where i'd have horrible cravings for Domino's hot wings and shrimp tacos with tomato, lime and cilantro.. oh man! Haha.. maybe this is my system weening itself from the addiction of fast food.. Well, the tacos would be kinda healthy if the shells werent deep fried...and if the tortillas were made of corn, not flour :P But thats besides the point. I guess I'm just so used to living this simple life, where i could afford a train ticket bc there's actually money in my account (in the 'to drink & party or whatever" category).. but thats my thing. I like to hang out with my friends and eat and drink with them.."To drink and be merry", i live for this! But I cant believe that I have to budget weather it would last longer to get a 5 lb bag of potatos or a 10 lb bag of rice..

Condements have been very important component to the home menu these days.. a little hot sauce on a scrambled egg and bowl of rice works wonders for the tastebuds. makes you believe your meal actually has depth..hah. But that makes me question the cost of living.. Common sense would tell you if your economy is down, you're going to have to lower the price of your good. But there's now talks of an inflation? Really?? I mean, really. Its insanity.

Ehh, this is SO NOT working out.. I'll even teach English in Japan for crying out loud! But this is beyond realizing theres no jobs, but maybe jobs will open in a few weeks. This is the unemployment rate is on a steady rise and NY's unemployment offices have extended the payouts twice in one year, and i'm still hearing of being laid off in large numbers. Hell, 2 weeks ago a friend (and brief co-worker) told me the department that i was working for was completely shut down. Not a couple more layoffs, but the whole. fucking. department. What am i supposed to do with that? How am i supposed to process this??

::calm down::

Anyway, that's where I'm at right now..