I just finished "Elling" by Ingvar Ambrjornsen. What a fantastic book. It's about a pair of roomates who have been released from a care facility and have to learn to navigate daily life. The book is set in modern day Norway, and I really feel like I learned a bit about the Norse pysche.
Very good funny read, I highly recommend it.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
A very mauvaise Saturday
It's almost 10am and I should be whizzing around the apartment putting things away (a pair of shoes from every day this week in hallway) and getting ready for my knitting club and my Saturday trip to library. Instead, I'm in my p.j.'s, drinking my second cup of coffee and reading work emails. It's grey and awful outside - like the sky won't commit to rain, and won't give you a break with showing a bit of sun.
I've been kind of loving having a non-mental period at work, and it's let me get caught up on things that have piled up over the last year. My slow-ish work period is officially over, I've been assigned three new clients, and that means three site launches in the next six weeks. From my end, I know I can do it. I just have to be organized enough that I don't end up putting one artists' bio on anothers site.
The part that worries me is that we have 2 designers, one of which is as lazy as the day is long. So I want to outsource production, and my favorite designer is a French guy living in Germany....thanks to the internet gods, communication isn't a problem, but relevance is. He just isn't as familiar with the artists as a local might be. So do I spend precious time finding a new designer who may be more in tune, or go with the designer that I know is great, and is fast? I think even typing this made the choice clear to me.
If I didn't think that I'd be exposed by someone from work googling said artist name for research, and having this blog come up and let them see into my secrets, I'd reveal, because I'm very proud of the work I do.
Oh what the hell - how about hints then?
Client #1 R&B singer, wardrobe issue, youngest of 9
Client #2 Comedian, gets r done, not a real redneck
Client #3...i'll have to figure a way to describe him, he's not easily tagged. R&B singer with biz smarts? I dunno.
I've been kind of loving having a non-mental period at work, and it's let me get caught up on things that have piled up over the last year. My slow-ish work period is officially over, I've been assigned three new clients, and that means three site launches in the next six weeks. From my end, I know I can do it. I just have to be organized enough that I don't end up putting one artists' bio on anothers site.
The part that worries me is that we have 2 designers, one of which is as lazy as the day is long. So I want to outsource production, and my favorite designer is a French guy living in Germany....thanks to the internet gods, communication isn't a problem, but relevance is. He just isn't as familiar with the artists as a local might be. So do I spend precious time finding a new designer who may be more in tune, or go with the designer that I know is great, and is fast? I think even typing this made the choice clear to me.
If I didn't think that I'd be exposed by someone from work googling said artist name for research, and having this blog come up and let them see into my secrets, I'd reveal, because I'm very proud of the work I do.
Oh what the hell - how about hints then?
Client #1 R&B singer, wardrobe issue, youngest of 9
Client #2 Comedian, gets r done, not a real redneck
Client #3...i'll have to figure a way to describe him, he's not easily tagged. R&B singer with biz smarts? I dunno.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
her little efficiencies
Many, many moons ago I worked for a catering company in Vancouver, BC called Copper Kettle. I was probably 18 or 19 at the time. We'd get sent out on small to medium gigs, and it usually meant going out in a crew of 2 or 3, sometimes more if it was a big event. We'd go to the restaurant, pack up the van with the food, the tablecloths, the cleaning supplies, etc. The motto of Copper Kettle catering was that we leave the space in better condition than we found it. Thank god they didn't advertise that, or we'd be hired to do cleaning with some food service on the side.
It was at Copper Kettle catering that I was first introduced to what I like to call 'little efficiencies'. For example, you're never empty handed - if you're going into the dining room, you either take a clean tablecloth, a tray to collect glasses, coffee for refills, etc. Coming back to the kitchen, same thing - you either pick up a dirty dish, remove salt and pepper shakers to re-pack into crate, etc. The captain would always be reminding us - don't go empty handed.
Something about that has stuck with me, and so I'm always on lookout for my own little efficiencies. For example, I am obsessed with having my metro card out of my pocket, and in my hand in the correct position so that when I get on the bus, it's one fluid motion to dip and authenticate. The idea of holding up anyone that might be behind me while I fumble through my wallet for my card? It's abhorrent to me. If I'm on the subway, and know that I'll need to transfer lines, I always walk to the place on the platform where it's most convenient to exit for the change.
My money must be in my wallet with the heads all the same way, and I must have cash on me at all times. Now that I'm a Canadian living in US and have gotten used to all the money being the same color it's a bit easier, but at the beginning, the obsession with smooth, organized cash was a bit stronger.
You'd think this weird quirk would manifest itself in an organized household....far from it. Thank goodness we're having a houseguest this weekend, it will provide the impetus to do a whirlwind clean on Saturday morning. Two adults, two hectic jobs, lack of storage space and months of not having use of our deck have made us fall into some bad housekeeping habits. Our landlord is supposed to be providing us with a storage spot in the basement which will be a big help, but for now we'll just have to be as efficient as possible in hiding things.
thanks for listening.
It was at Copper Kettle catering that I was first introduced to what I like to call 'little efficiencies'. For example, you're never empty handed - if you're going into the dining room, you either take a clean tablecloth, a tray to collect glasses, coffee for refills, etc. Coming back to the kitchen, same thing - you either pick up a dirty dish, remove salt and pepper shakers to re-pack into crate, etc. The captain would always be reminding us - don't go empty handed.
Something about that has stuck with me, and so I'm always on lookout for my own little efficiencies. For example, I am obsessed with having my metro card out of my pocket, and in my hand in the correct position so that when I get on the bus, it's one fluid motion to dip and authenticate. The idea of holding up anyone that might be behind me while I fumble through my wallet for my card? It's abhorrent to me. If I'm on the subway, and know that I'll need to transfer lines, I always walk to the place on the platform where it's most convenient to exit for the change.
My money must be in my wallet with the heads all the same way, and I must have cash on me at all times. Now that I'm a Canadian living in US and have gotten used to all the money being the same color it's a bit easier, but at the beginning, the obsession with smooth, organized cash was a bit stronger.
You'd think this weird quirk would manifest itself in an organized household....far from it. Thank goodness we're having a houseguest this weekend, it will provide the impetus to do a whirlwind clean on Saturday morning. Two adults, two hectic jobs, lack of storage space and months of not having use of our deck have made us fall into some bad housekeeping habits. Our landlord is supposed to be providing us with a storage spot in the basement which will be a big help, but for now we'll just have to be as efficient as possible in hiding things.
thanks for listening.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
April Fools Day
Have I mentioned my job? It's great. I'm so lucky. But the people that I work with are not the friendliest. My clients are decent for the most part, some of them even fun and the kind of people I like to hang out with. My co-workers? Not so much. There's not a lot of brainstorming or round table discussions or chats around the water cooler. Therefore, no real opportunities for a quick chat, or a 'how was your weekend'. Believe me, I don't want to hear someone's life story or stand around for hours while they blather on. I do however, like the social protocol of a greeting, a sincere acknowledgment, and then off to work.
Everyone (mostly everyone) knuckles down, does their work, and leaves. I used to be the type of person who'd say hello to everyone as I came into the office, and say "good night" as I was leaving. That nicety has been worn away, as I was usually talking to myself. Actually, there was one other guy, since fired, and he and I used to joke about the social experiments we'd do. We'd come in and say a pointed "good morning" to someone, almost trying to goad them into acknowledging us, and most would reluctantly reply with a half hearted mumbled 'good morning' back. I guess we were trying to show them that it wouldn't kill them to be civil, and that it was quite easy to just say hello, but we soon tired of our game and said good morning only to each other. Now that he's gone, I find myself wishing I had ONE SINGLE other person (beside my husband, we work in same office) that seemed pleased to see me in the morning as I walked into the office, and would say cheerily as I left "see you in the morning". Such a simple thing.
I keep trying things to see if people will follow - a month ago I announced that the G&T cart would be going around the office at Friday at 5pm. At 5pm, I started making drinks (buying everything on my own nickel) and passing them around. Lots of people seemed really appreciative, and to the few who said "we should do this more often" I would reply - great idea, why don't you do it next week? Let's start doing this weekly. What do you think happened?
Maybe I can give it another try - maybe I should have a tougher skin. Maybe I should tell my boss that if he didn't come in before everyone else, lock himself in his office, walk right out the door at the end of the day, he could lead by example. It always starts at the top, doesn't it? I don't think he needs to walk around the office asking about kids baseball games, but would it hurt to say hello to a few people as he waited for the microwave to ding?
Time to get going. Get ready to get into office where I will try again not to be part of the problem. It's tough going.
Everyone (mostly everyone) knuckles down, does their work, and leaves. I used to be the type of person who'd say hello to everyone as I came into the office, and say "good night" as I was leaving. That nicety has been worn away, as I was usually talking to myself. Actually, there was one other guy, since fired, and he and I used to joke about the social experiments we'd do. We'd come in and say a pointed "good morning" to someone, almost trying to goad them into acknowledging us, and most would reluctantly reply with a half hearted mumbled 'good morning' back. I guess we were trying to show them that it wouldn't kill them to be civil, and that it was quite easy to just say hello, but we soon tired of our game and said good morning only to each other. Now that he's gone, I find myself wishing I had ONE SINGLE other person (beside my husband, we work in same office) that seemed pleased to see me in the morning as I walked into the office, and would say cheerily as I left "see you in the morning". Such a simple thing.
I keep trying things to see if people will follow - a month ago I announced that the G&T cart would be going around the office at Friday at 5pm. At 5pm, I started making drinks (buying everything on my own nickel) and passing them around. Lots of people seemed really appreciative, and to the few who said "we should do this more often" I would reply - great idea, why don't you do it next week? Let's start doing this weekly. What do you think happened?
Maybe I can give it another try - maybe I should have a tougher skin. Maybe I should tell my boss that if he didn't come in before everyone else, lock himself in his office, walk right out the door at the end of the day, he could lead by example. It always starts at the top, doesn't it? I don't think he needs to walk around the office asking about kids baseball games, but would it hurt to say hello to a few people as he waited for the microwave to ding?
Time to get going. Get ready to get into office where I will try again not to be part of the problem. It's tough going.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Feeling Blue on a beautiful spring day
I'm feeling a bit blue today...
It's a gorgeous spring day - the sun has been up since 6am and so have I. I've done the normal Sunday things: made coffee, made a lovely breakfast, thought about going to church then procrastinated until it was too late, moved living room clutter from one room into the other, etc.
It's 9:30am now and I have the whole day ahead of me. Why should I be so blue? It's pathetic really. My husband is off on a job today, so he'll be gone the entire day. Normally I love a day alone, and do everything I can to help him get going so he can be out the door as fast as possible.
Today however, the fact that we've lived in this city for four flippin' years, and I don't have one single girlfriend that I can call to say come over, let's have gin and tonics and ready trashy magazines on the deck. Oh, I'm not so pathetic that I don't have any friends, I guess I have a few. One old friend who's moved here along the same path as me - Vancouver to Toronto, Toronto to New York - but she's newly pregnant and naturally in a nesting mode, and she's just not someone who is very spontaneous. We need to make plans weeks ahead and bless her, when we do get together we have a fantastic time. I have another friend (more of an acquaintance) that I met through a friend, but again, just not someone that I'm close enough to that I could issue a casual last minute invite too.
How do you go about making great friends in a new place when you're a 43 year old woman?
We don't have children, so meeting other people at kid-type events is out. We don't have pets, so making friends over the shared humiliation of picking up dog poo is out. We both work like crazy, and the people we work with just aren't very friendly. There used to be a few of us that would at least go for a drink on Friday's, but that seems to have faded away.
Some hope is on the horizon, fingers crossed. At a museum event a few weeks ago I met a very interesting man, and we've exchanged a few emails. I also met a pretty insane woman at a work event a few weeks ago, and she issued an instant invitation to join her and her 26 friends and family to see Bette Midler in Las Vegas in October. I may just go, I have to decide next week.
We (husband and I) have been talking about having a big old party in May or June. Maybe that's the way to make great friends. Invite over everyone you've ever met and kept a business card from in the last year, serve a pile of drinks, some beef satay and amuse bouche on little spoons, then hope for friend chemistry.
I'm going to start putting that party together now.
It's a gorgeous spring day - the sun has been up since 6am and so have I. I've done the normal Sunday things: made coffee, made a lovely breakfast, thought about going to church then procrastinated until it was too late, moved living room clutter from one room into the other, etc.
It's 9:30am now and I have the whole day ahead of me. Why should I be so blue? It's pathetic really. My husband is off on a job today, so he'll be gone the entire day. Normally I love a day alone, and do everything I can to help him get going so he can be out the door as fast as possible.
Today however, the fact that we've lived in this city for four flippin' years, and I don't have one single girlfriend that I can call to say come over, let's have gin and tonics and ready trashy magazines on the deck. Oh, I'm not so pathetic that I don't have any friends, I guess I have a few. One old friend who's moved here along the same path as me - Vancouver to Toronto, Toronto to New York - but she's newly pregnant and naturally in a nesting mode, and she's just not someone who is very spontaneous. We need to make plans weeks ahead and bless her, when we do get together we have a fantastic time. I have another friend (more of an acquaintance) that I met through a friend, but again, just not someone that I'm close enough to that I could issue a casual last minute invite too.
How do you go about making great friends in a new place when you're a 43 year old woman?
We don't have children, so meeting other people at kid-type events is out. We don't have pets, so making friends over the shared humiliation of picking up dog poo is out. We both work like crazy, and the people we work with just aren't very friendly. There used to be a few of us that would at least go for a drink on Friday's, but that seems to have faded away.
Some hope is on the horizon, fingers crossed. At a museum event a few weeks ago I met a very interesting man, and we've exchanged a few emails. I also met a pretty insane woman at a work event a few weeks ago, and she issued an instant invitation to join her and her 26 friends and family to see Bette Midler in Las Vegas in October. I may just go, I have to decide next week.
We (husband and I) have been talking about having a big old party in May or June. Maybe that's the way to make great friends. Invite over everyone you've ever met and kept a business card from in the last year, serve a pile of drinks, some beef satay and amuse bouche on little spoons, then hope for friend chemistry.
I'm going to start putting that party together now.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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