I proudly rep now for a great company out of SoCal called Dolce Mia Designs. They make high-quality vintage/retro gifts, and all-natural soaps, and lotions. I will be placing these products within specific boutiques, lingerie, grocery, gift, and adult stores all over Texas, but namely Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Please send my way any relevant retail referrals, hookups, etc. Do you have a friend who owns a boutique? Is a buyer for a store that sells gifts, stationery, kid stuff, or bath and body?
Wow, I have been away...or plugging away rather, at some business opportunities and personal health upgrades.
Let's see, since my last post in April I have:
Lost 35 pounds.
Decided to play roller derby again competitively.
Applied for 100 jobs with not much success until today.
Have written a twenty page business plan for my Sno-Ball and Sweets shop, appropriately called ICE QUEENS, which I hope to open in next Spring!
Have been appointed as the Texas Rollergirls Rec-N-Rollerderby Head Trainer.
Gotten in shape! Or, am soon on my way to a goal weight and fitness level that I've been desiring for many years now.
Received all available unemployment from the State, but recently was granted the federal extension, which is a lifesaver.
Made several wonderful friends and reignited old friendships.
I am truly grateful for what this odd year has given me, which has all-in-all turned out to be a good year. The best month of the year is finally here: October. It's already the 7th. Life is flashing by, at an alarming pace and I have perpetually been in a state of doing-everything-I-can-because-life-is-too-short mode, and do not intend to slow down. I cannot and will not, because it's true.
I miss writing and being creative as a daily habit, so perhaps this will suffice as my personal creative journal and news feed.
I have been beside myself since last Saturday the 28th.
I have finally met the woman of my dreams...since I was 5 years old.
Lily Tomlin had almost everything to do with the formation of my young to adult brain into understanding that indeed, I possessed the power to love women.
Her Paramount performance was wonderfully catered to the Austin audience. She paused for side stories, and even forgot some lines she was going to deliver. I laughed so hard that I did have real tears coming out of my eyes, but I know this to be true because the last time I saw Lily, I was 21 and cried like a little girl on the Ed Sullivan show watching the Beatles for the first time.
Lily is my biggest hero...of all time.
I have been in love with her during her and my different stages and coming-up-ness in my life,yet nothing is as powerful as her effect on me in The Incredible Shrinking Woman. I DID tell her I wished she could do something about the studios not (re)releasing the DVD to the public anytime soon, and how ridiculous that was. So she kindly just offered to send me a copy. ''Yeah no problem!'' *gasp*
I am stuck in this moment.
The hugs, the chit chat, the laughing, and the ease of gladly wanting to send me a copy of the most important movie of my life.
Lily's manager is Vivian Schneider, who is the reason I was able to have some semi-private time with her after the show. Vivian - I love you .
After all was said and done, I tied up my gratitude towards Vivian and Lily via email and immediately got a return response that said they'd be back in Texas soon and will have more time to relax and hang out!
I do not imagine that this moment will fade in memory anytime soon. I hope to see her again. I hope she doesn't retire before I can get my mom to see her with me one more time!
This was maybe the second greatest moment of my life.
I just stumbled upon this photo in '(X's) personal stuff' on our desktop. It's not private...it's just a place where she keeps her shit.
This is her Dad's football team. That is all I know.
(X's_ Dad left her family when she was 11. He worked for the USAF in an upper level internal affairs position, and as a part-time professional jazz musician.
He has played with the legendary Herbie Hancock...you know, one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence?....
Anyway, this time was of course in the pre-"Rock It" days. After that, I know Herbie lost some jazz cred. I think however, he pulled off one of the most successful and haunting videos of all time:
Today is ultimately about reflection and gratefulness.
(X's) cousin passed away yesterday morning from complications from brain cancer. They were the same age. I had the privilege of hanging out with him twice in the last three years, getting to know the mind of the man with cancer of the vessel that produced such wonderful insights.
We will drive beyond Texas and visit with the family. Visit what used to be "John" one more time, and come home when needed.
I'm thankful that I have (X). My friends. My health. And a flexible schedule where I do not have to seek permission from authority in order to pay my respects to a wonderful man.
It was an omen to walk into work one day just to be then escorted out 30 minutes later...obviously, so that I could dash home, entertain my mother-in-law, greet my parents, and sit in the balcony with a cocktail and watch Carol Burnett make me laugh and cry all-together. 'Twas magical...and it started my 'job search' off with a different perspective.
Since January 9th, I have been glued to this computer tinkering on two websites, pulling several artist connections, reconnecting with old friends, and namely, getting a magazine mock-up off the ground. I think I've worked more in two weeks than I have in six months at the old job. As a small personal bonus, I've also picked up a freelance gig and am assisting Dad with his direct marketing endeavors.
With my business partner Julie, I have written down 350+ businesses in Central Texas to solicit ads and distribution deals with. Tomorrow, I'm going to add 100 more. We are so excited to bring Looky Magazine to Hill Country. I've never felt more positive and invested about a personal project than I have today.
Looky Magazine will provide a new and fresh perspective on an adult products and services guide for Central Texas. Considering the competition who shall remain nameless (although you'd maybe have to stretch your memory to even realize that there already is an 'adult directory' out there in Austin) our foot is already 3 steps in the door, and ten-times sexier.
I'm proud to partner with one of my best friends to make a woman-run publication and business in the realm of sexual health and well-being. I hope we can provide a tastefully sexy alternative to what already barely exists. We project the launch of the print magazine for June 2009. It will be bi-annual and will serve as a nice, chunky 'guide' of sorts: seasonally and eventfully themed.
Until then, I'm dusting off my camera skills in my brain, for I just bought a killer Canon Rebel Xti loaded package with many lenses and gadgets galore! Too excited to think!
My fuel lately has been a steady dose of Tim & Eric Awesome Show GREAT JOB, or more appropriately, the two-hour Adult Swim block every night at 11.
Throughout the decades of cinema, some themes that pertain to life-changing events, (i.e. getting up and doing something different after a dead-end job perhaps) never change.Whether it's a story about a group of friends who work at the same computer company with 'that guy' as their boss who you'd rather throw darts at at happy hour rather than say 'yes sir' to, or a black comedy about a man who's leaves work for the night only to be swept up in a charade of dark goings-on in downtown new york, almost always have an underlying moral of 'That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' OR..'Get off your ass and live a little, douchebag!'
If you are wanting some comedy to put in your queue this week that perhaps caters to the working man/woman, the cynic, or you happen to have lived in a cave or in space since the mid-80s, please check out two of the greatest movies of all time:
The cast list: speaks for itself
David Mamet: writes
You: shit-pants with laughter GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, 1991
And Secondly, AFTER HOURS, 1985
Dir. Martin Scorsese,
Man, I wish Griffin Dunne was in a movie a year. He is golden.
For more about Griffin Dunne and his highly interesting family saga check this out:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001162/
Tonight I will continue reading What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009
and perhaps will watch some BBC World News. Nah, I'll probably just continue to watch Trailer Park Boys.
Scanning your face IS fun-but already I digress...
It's 11:00am in Austin, TX, USA and the Texas Workforce Commission's website for claiming unemployment benefits isn't letting me through...which means...this website is getting pounded by fellow unemployed Texans. The good news is - the unemployment funds are being utilized.
I worked on a fun project this weekend with some old UT Film mates, as well as several fresh faces. Made some great contacts including a 22-year-old female "pilot and ice hockey skater super-grip." I was surrounded by talent - which was exactly perfect and what I needed. I parted ways with my awesome Russian pink switchblade with glee. The producer and I hit it off and made plans to collaborate in the near future, so, I figured this was the obvious best display of 'setiquette.'
I've found some great jobs already that I'm in the process of going for including some opportunities at my Alma Mater. Today continues the keyboard pounding, SEND button pushing, and maybe some creative writing...
Hey folks! Getting back into the job market can be a daunting task, but let's grab it by the horns, shall we?
It's a new year. I have a new name. Let's do it.
A quick summary about myself :
In terms of my experience, I have worked in multimedia production for the past eight years in Austin, namely in video journalism, and currently, production art for a casino gaming company. I am a proven leader and creative contributor in product management as well as a team leader and communications liaison between game development and upper management. I am skilled in production design, concept development, and especially inter-departmental communications. Whether I’m networking with vendors, or preparing for large tradeshows, I have consistently been regarded as a valued team member that strives to use experiences as my guide and humor as my benchmark.
I am best suited in a workforce that is creative, tight, open-minded and loves a "Jill-of-All-Trades."
Currently, I'm working in general film production, establishing and co-launching a central Texas magazine, and looking for steady, enjoyable work in Austin!
I love skater/tattoo culture, Day of the Dead/Mexican-American kitschy art, Graffiti techniques, surrealism, and cartoons. My style is that of a sketch or concept artist, and I love to work fast. I paint whenever i can, and sew plush characters - soon to be featured on www.duckyluckstudios.com!
