Sometimes I think my job is trying to make me hate it just so I'll move on to a new one.
I think I keep making this sound worse than it is. It's just that lately all the crappy things about my job have been getting to me more than usual. And I hate that, because I'm usually the kind of person who can let all of that stuff roll off my back. I mean, I can put up with a LOT of crap. A lot of it.
It's days like this when I'm so glad to have a silly-looking dog that at this moment is doing somersaults in the kitchen. God bless that little fuzz butt.
Anyway, my mom sent me an email last night and there's this job posting at our sister station in Indy. The job sounds awesome; it's for a host of a local daily lifestyle program and it calls for someone who knows thier way around blogs, social media, etc. It sounds just about perfect...except that it's in Indiana.
And I'd really like to get out if I can.
So...can someone else have a job like that in a different state where I'd like to live? Please?
K, thanks!
I will say that besides my dog, this put me in a better mood today. In honor of Sesame Street's 40th birthday:
C-ya later!
Lis :)
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Jobs, Relationships, and You
Since I'm looking for a Cool New Job, I recently added "DailyCareerTips" to my Twitter feed. Yesterday one of the daily tips was:
"Job searching is like dating. You may know in the first five minutes or it may take a few dates to decide if it’s worth pursuing."
Good point there. After all, I can't help but feel like I'm sort of pimping myself out to these employers. Well, that got me thinking...if job searching is like dating, is having a job like a relationship?
I think so. And if me job were a boyfriend, here's how I think I would describe it:
I've had this job for two years. Actually, my two-year anniversary was just a few weeks ago, but I completely forgot.
When I started out with this job, it was all I could talk about. I felt super-cool, and even important. When people asked me about my job, my eyes lit up and I couldn't wait to start explaining what exactly my job was all about.
Over the first year, things were a little stressful at times because I was still figuring out how everything worked. But that was ok because each day was a new adventure, and even the bad days made for good stories later.
Then, right around my first-year anniversary, something weird happened. I started to worry about just how permanent this job was. But my job made me happy, and I knew I could see at least another year with this job, so I decided not to freak out and just to take things one day at a time.
Now, two years later, I would describe my job as "comfortable." I've found a few new things to do and to get excited about, but the truth is that I just don't see myself sticking with this job forever. It's just not the kind of job that makes me think about buying a house and settling down. In fact, I'd always pictured myself ending up with a nicer job, a cooler job, and (to be perfectly honest) a job that made a bigger paycheck.
Plus, sometimes my job isn't that nice. It keeps me up all night. Sometimes it limits my creativity and doesn't let me accomplish some of the things I'd like to do with my life. My job can be very discouraging and it can make me really mad. At times it turns me into a drama queen, sending me into fits of rage and making me say overdramatic things like, "YOU'RE SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF ME!!!!" or, "YOU'RE DEFLATING MY SOUL!!!!" I don't like acting that way, and it only comes out when I get frustrated about my job.
The problem is that I actually still have a lot of fun with my job. Sometimes I have little moments that just prove to me why I was meant for this job. There are things about my job that no one else really gets except for me, and I kind of like that. And I like all the people I've met through this job. I actually really hate to think about what it would mean to leave my job and not get to hang out with all of these great people anymore. And hey, it's pretty sweet when my job gets me free food or scores me tickets to a cool downtown event. And truthfully, sometimes I'm scared to leave this job just because I'm afraid there won't be another one out there for me.
Every job is hard work at some point, right? Is the novelty just wearing off, or is it really time to look for something new?
In my case, I know that there's an expiration date on this job and that there's nothing wrong with that. The scary part is leaving behind the things that I know, the things that are comfortable and familiar. The scary part is putting myself out there, worrying about making a good impression, and being willing to face rejection in pursuit of the Dream Job.
So I guess I better buy a new outfit, put on some make-up, and get ready to leave my phone number with a lot of strangers, because I'm back on the market and that's just the way things work!
"Job searching is like dating. You may know in the first five minutes or it may take a few dates to decide if it’s worth pursuing."
Good point there. After all, I can't help but feel like I'm sort of pimping myself out to these employers. Well, that got me thinking...if job searching is like dating, is having a job like a relationship?
I think so. And if me job were a boyfriend, here's how I think I would describe it:
I've had this job for two years. Actually, my two-year anniversary was just a few weeks ago, but I completely forgot.
When I started out with this job, it was all I could talk about. I felt super-cool, and even important. When people asked me about my job, my eyes lit up and I couldn't wait to start explaining what exactly my job was all about.
Over the first year, things were a little stressful at times because I was still figuring out how everything worked. But that was ok because each day was a new adventure, and even the bad days made for good stories later.
Then, right around my first-year anniversary, something weird happened. I started to worry about just how permanent this job was. But my job made me happy, and I knew I could see at least another year with this job, so I decided not to freak out and just to take things one day at a time.
Now, two years later, I would describe my job as "comfortable." I've found a few new things to do and to get excited about, but the truth is that I just don't see myself sticking with this job forever. It's just not the kind of job that makes me think about buying a house and settling down. In fact, I'd always pictured myself ending up with a nicer job, a cooler job, and (to be perfectly honest) a job that made a bigger paycheck.
Plus, sometimes my job isn't that nice. It keeps me up all night. Sometimes it limits my creativity and doesn't let me accomplish some of the things I'd like to do with my life. My job can be very discouraging and it can make me really mad. At times it turns me into a drama queen, sending me into fits of rage and making me say overdramatic things like, "YOU'RE SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF ME!!!!" or, "YOU'RE DEFLATING MY SOUL!!!!" I don't like acting that way, and it only comes out when I get frustrated about my job.
The problem is that I actually still have a lot of fun with my job. Sometimes I have little moments that just prove to me why I was meant for this job. There are things about my job that no one else really gets except for me, and I kind of like that. And I like all the people I've met through this job. I actually really hate to think about what it would mean to leave my job and not get to hang out with all of these great people anymore. And hey, it's pretty sweet when my job gets me free food or scores me tickets to a cool downtown event. And truthfully, sometimes I'm scared to leave this job just because I'm afraid there won't be another one out there for me.
Every job is hard work at some point, right? Is the novelty just wearing off, or is it really time to look for something new?
In my case, I know that there's an expiration date on this job and that there's nothing wrong with that. The scary part is leaving behind the things that I know, the things that are comfortable and familiar. The scary part is putting myself out there, worrying about making a good impression, and being willing to face rejection in pursuit of the Dream Job.
So I guess I better buy a new outfit, put on some make-up, and get ready to leave my phone number with a lot of strangers, because I'm back on the market and that's just the way things work!
Monday, October 19, 2009
my greatest weakness
Not that I've been offered any interviews yet, but I've been thinking about them as I've been searching for a new job. And you know how there are always those questions they ask that you hate? Like...
"Tell me about yourself."
This, to me, is like the most intimidating question. What do they want to know? How much do they want to know? What are the important things about me? What if I think the important things about me are not the things THEY think are important to know? How much of this is supposed to be personal information, and how much is supposed to be professional experience and aspirations?
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Now, if you have a five-year plan, you probably love this question. But I don't even have a five-month plan. Who knows what I'll be doing, where I'll be, or who I'll be with in five years? And what does that say about me? I like to think it says I'm willing to go anywhere and be put to use in the best possible way, without any restrictions. But someone else could see that as saying that I'm not committed to anything or that I don't have any ambition because I don't have any long-term goals set. I don't WANT to have a five-year plan. But if I don't, is that a dealbreaker for employers?
"What's your greatest weakness?"
Why do they even ask this one? It always puts you in this position where you try to think of something that sounds self-depreciating even though it's actually something good, like "I'm too nice" or "I get too invested in my work." Or in the words of Jenna from 30 Rock, a "back-door brag." And you know the interviewer has heard these answers about a zillion times and can see right through what you're doing. But isn't that what they're trying to get you to do? Because if you answered with something like, "Well, I am really sensitive to criticism. You're going to see me cry at least once if you hire me," or "I don't deal with distractions very well; you're going to have to lock my door and unplug my phone if you want me to get anything done," or "I don't do well with last-minute changes; I need an outlined plan at least a day in advance or I won't be able to function," would they hire us? What are they really looking for when they ask us this question -- our honest answer, or just the way we answer?
I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts/experiences/advice/funny stories about job interviews. Lord knows we've all been through them, so anything you have to share would be great! :)
"Tell me about yourself."
This, to me, is like the most intimidating question. What do they want to know? How much do they want to know? What are the important things about me? What if I think the important things about me are not the things THEY think are important to know? How much of this is supposed to be personal information, and how much is supposed to be professional experience and aspirations?
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Now, if you have a five-year plan, you probably love this question. But I don't even have a five-month plan. Who knows what I'll be doing, where I'll be, or who I'll be with in five years? And what does that say about me? I like to think it says I'm willing to go anywhere and be put to use in the best possible way, without any restrictions. But someone else could see that as saying that I'm not committed to anything or that I don't have any ambition because I don't have any long-term goals set. I don't WANT to have a five-year plan. But if I don't, is that a dealbreaker for employers?
"What's your greatest weakness?"
Why do they even ask this one? It always puts you in this position where you try to think of something that sounds self-depreciating even though it's actually something good, like "I'm too nice" or "I get too invested in my work." Or in the words of Jenna from 30 Rock, a "back-door brag." And you know the interviewer has heard these answers about a zillion times and can see right through what you're doing. But isn't that what they're trying to get you to do? Because if you answered with something like, "Well, I am really sensitive to criticism. You're going to see me cry at least once if you hire me," or "I don't deal with distractions very well; you're going to have to lock my door and unplug my phone if you want me to get anything done," or "I don't do well with last-minute changes; I need an outlined plan at least a day in advance or I won't be able to function," would they hire us? What are they really looking for when they ask us this question -- our honest answer, or just the way we answer?
I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts/experiences/advice/funny stories about job interviews. Lord knows we've all been through them, so anything you have to share would be great! :)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
and...off you go!
So I met -- scratch that, BEAT! -- a deadline I set for myself. My goal was to have an updated resume ready by October 1 to send out into the world in search of a Cool New Job. Well, yesterday I finished my revamped lil resume and uploaded it to a few different company sites in hopes of getting hired.
It just makes me feel so nervous.
It's weird that I can write blogs, talk to webcams, and tweet my most random thoughts for anyone to see, but when it comes to sending out a resume I feel very self-conscious and exposed.
I'm worried about things like, am I coming off as too braggy? Or am I not selling myself enough? Is someone going to look at my resume and laugh at me and then delete it? Or even worse, grumble, "stop wasting my time, idiot" as they move on to the next one? Here's the thing: I will never hear any of that negative feedback, but I still feel very self-conscious about the possibility of it happening! Is that crazy?
And the other thing is, I always sort of feel like sending out a resume is like tossing a message in a bottle out into the open sea. Is anyone even going to see it?! Or will it just float around until a killer whale mistakes it for a baby seal and eats it?
I don't really know where the killer whale fits into this analogy. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, if you know anyone who's interested in hiring a well-spoken, well-organized, positive-thinking (except when it comes to resumes) multitasker with a penchant for problem-solving, let me know.
And if they laugh at my resume, don't tell me.
It just makes me feel so nervous.
It's weird that I can write blogs, talk to webcams, and tweet my most random thoughts for anyone to see, but when it comes to sending out a resume I feel very self-conscious and exposed.
I'm worried about things like, am I coming off as too braggy? Or am I not selling myself enough? Is someone going to look at my resume and laugh at me and then delete it? Or even worse, grumble, "stop wasting my time, idiot" as they move on to the next one? Here's the thing: I will never hear any of that negative feedback, but I still feel very self-conscious about the possibility of it happening! Is that crazy?
And the other thing is, I always sort of feel like sending out a resume is like tossing a message in a bottle out into the open sea. Is anyone even going to see it?! Or will it just float around until a killer whale mistakes it for a baby seal and eats it?
I don't really know where the killer whale fits into this analogy. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, if you know anyone who's interested in hiring a well-spoken, well-organized, positive-thinking (except when it comes to resumes) multitasker with a penchant for problem-solving, let me know.
And if they laugh at my resume, don't tell me.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
official...old fish hill...Danielle Fishel!
(OK, if you're not an avid viewer of Dorm Life, you are probably thinking, "What the heck is that title about?!" So if you're confused, I'm sorry. The theme here is "official.")
It's old fish hill: My days in Lafayette are numbered.
I just got a copy of my signed and approved contract extension, which says I'll be working here for about another year (till the end of July 2010). So...HIRE ME, PEOPLE!
Here's what I'm looking for in my next chapter of life:
-a home near or within reasonable driving distance of a beach
-a job that allows me to sleep during the night time and pays more than what I'm making now
-the opportunity to do something I enjoy, preferably in the media/entertainment field
-the chance to experience a different flavor of American lifestyle
I will go east, west, and/or south of Indiana but NOT directly north (so Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, North and South Dakota...and basically any place that reminds you of Fargo or Drop Dead Gorgeous is out of the question).
Dream spots (in no particular order):
-Georgia (Savannah or Atlanta)
-South Carolina (especially Charleston)
-Boston, Mass. or some other neat-o place on the East Coast
-California (at this time I'm leaving pretty much the entire state open to consideration)
But I wouldn't rule out several other places on the U.S. map, so if you know of anyone that wants to hire a hard-working, initiative-taking, relatively well-dressed and spunky gal in about a year...let me know!
In other news...
I said it before and I'll say it again: this is the summer of accomplishments. This week I hung on my wall three shelves that I've had in my car trunk for like, two years. Finally! I hung one in the little "hallway" between my living room area, bedroom, and bathroom and I personally love walking past it because it's hung rather low and therefore makes me feel tall! The other two are in my bedroom; one is short and holds picture frames and perfume on the shelf and winter hats and scarves on the pegs. The other is long and holds my favorite heels on the shelf and my purses and summer hats on the pegs (this shelf is my personal fave because it's almost like having a display case for my shoes!).
I love having all the white space on my bedroom walls filled, as well as being able to get my bags and several pairs of shoes off of the floor (and out of the reach of Lola's unbelievably sharp teeth!).
Oh, I also rearranged my bedroom furniture and got a little area rug and new decoration pillows for my bed...
You know what, I'm just gonna take pictures and show you sometime.
Anyway, my last bit of news is that today is ONE MONTH away from my 25th birthday! Now, if you know me well, you might also know that I LOVE birthdays. Especially mine. But this one feels a little bittersweet; as Marilyn Monroe says about turning 25, "That's a quarter of a century; makes a girl think." And while I'm very proud of who I've become over the past 25 years, I also am starting to feel like youth is sort of slipping through my fingers (if you're older than me, you're probably laughing at me right now, which is fine). Not that 25 is "old" by any real means, but I'm mostly just sad because in another month I will no longer be able to categorize myself under the "18-24" demographic!!! (Can you tell I work in media?) It's just a little sad to no longer fit into one of the most highly-targeted age groups. I'll no longer be the demographic of funky sunglasses, Bud Light with Lime, and American Apparel leggings...instead I'll be targeted for the complete collection of Sex and the City on DVD, subscriptions to bridal magazines, and memberships to Match.com. Ulch.
Oh well. No matter how many birthdays I have, the fact that I'm getting older and undeniably more "grown-up" will NOT take away from the fact that I LOVE BIRTHDAYS and I am going to enjoy mine! And just so you know, my birthday is not just a one-day affair; I feel that one's birthday should be celebrated for as much as a two week timespan surrounding one's actual date of birth. So the week leading up to my birthday will be celebrated while I'm on vacation with my family at the lake, and the celebration will continue into the week I get back into town.
Like I said, I love birthdays.
OK, that's the news from where I sit. Pictures coming, as well as hopefully more summertime accomplishments!
It's old fish hill: My days in Lafayette are numbered.
I just got a copy of my signed and approved contract extension, which says I'll be working here for about another year (till the end of July 2010). So...HIRE ME, PEOPLE!
Here's what I'm looking for in my next chapter of life:
-a home near or within reasonable driving distance of a beach
-a job that allows me to sleep during the night time and pays more than what I'm making now
-the opportunity to do something I enjoy, preferably in the media/entertainment field
-the chance to experience a different flavor of American lifestyle
I will go east, west, and/or south of Indiana but NOT directly north (so Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, North and South Dakota...and basically any place that reminds you of Fargo or Drop Dead Gorgeous is out of the question).
Dream spots (in no particular order):
-Georgia (Savannah or Atlanta)
-South Carolina (especially Charleston)
-Boston, Mass. or some other neat-o place on the East Coast
-California (at this time I'm leaving pretty much the entire state open to consideration)
But I wouldn't rule out several other places on the U.S. map, so if you know of anyone that wants to hire a hard-working, initiative-taking, relatively well-dressed and spunky gal in about a year...let me know!
In other news...
I said it before and I'll say it again: this is the summer of accomplishments. This week I hung on my wall three shelves that I've had in my car trunk for like, two years. Finally! I hung one in the little "hallway" between my living room area, bedroom, and bathroom and I personally love walking past it because it's hung rather low and therefore makes me feel tall! The other two are in my bedroom; one is short and holds picture frames and perfume on the shelf and winter hats and scarves on the pegs. The other is long and holds my favorite heels on the shelf and my purses and summer hats on the pegs (this shelf is my personal fave because it's almost like having a display case for my shoes!).
I love having all the white space on my bedroom walls filled, as well as being able to get my bags and several pairs of shoes off of the floor (and out of the reach of Lola's unbelievably sharp teeth!).
Oh, I also rearranged my bedroom furniture and got a little area rug and new decoration pillows for my bed...
You know what, I'm just gonna take pictures and show you sometime.
Anyway, my last bit of news is that today is ONE MONTH away from my 25th birthday! Now, if you know me well, you might also know that I LOVE birthdays. Especially mine. But this one feels a little bittersweet; as Marilyn Monroe says about turning 25, "That's a quarter of a century; makes a girl think." And while I'm very proud of who I've become over the past 25 years, I also am starting to feel like youth is sort of slipping through my fingers (if you're older than me, you're probably laughing at me right now, which is fine). Not that 25 is "old" by any real means, but I'm mostly just sad because in another month I will no longer be able to categorize myself under the "18-24" demographic!!! (Can you tell I work in media?) It's just a little sad to no longer fit into one of the most highly-targeted age groups. I'll no longer be the demographic of funky sunglasses, Bud Light with Lime, and American Apparel leggings...instead I'll be targeted for the complete collection of Sex and the City on DVD, subscriptions to bridal magazines, and memberships to Match.com. Ulch.
Oh well. No matter how many birthdays I have, the fact that I'm getting older and undeniably more "grown-up" will NOT take away from the fact that I LOVE BIRTHDAYS and I am going to enjoy mine! And just so you know, my birthday is not just a one-day affair; I feel that one's birthday should be celebrated for as much as a two week timespan surrounding one's actual date of birth. So the week leading up to my birthday will be celebrated while I'm on vacation with my family at the lake, and the celebration will continue into the week I get back into town.
Like I said, I love birthdays.
OK, that's the news from where I sit. Pictures coming, as well as hopefully more summertime accomplishments!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
can you...feel a...brand new day?
Now THAT will be stuck in your head all morning! You're welcome.
So, last night I just felt like my world was coming to a crashing halt. And yes, I am being over-dramatic because that's how I felt last night -- over-dramatic. I was so frustrated because I was trying to figure out a technology-related problem and I just wasn't getting anywhere. So I felt like I'd wasted my entire evening working on this project. Then I went to work and didn't feel like doing anything productive. Then I started thinking about all of these things I needed to do by the end of the week, and I got so stressed out that I started to cry. Well, that was unnecessary, so I turned on some lady danville tunes and watched a couple funny videos and started to feel better about life.
And then it became breaking news city in that newsroom.
A car crashed out on one of the state roads, very unfortunately killing the driver, who was only 21. And it was like, my whole pity party was put into perspective and I just thought, "Sheez, Lisa, get a grip. What are you feeling sorry for yourself for?" And then I sort of got a jump-start to my work and started cranking out a script, making calls to update information, and cutting video. Then police released info about a shooting incident that happened last night (no one was seriously hurt, thankfully) and it was off to the races.
We had a fantastic show this morning, and I don't mean that to sound insensitive to the fact that someone died this morning. I hate when stuff like that happens. But when it does, it becomes my job to find out as much about it as I can as fast as I can, and this morning I think I did that. So I felt good about doing my job well.
And then the engineer pointed out the review in the paper of the play I'm currently in. If you remember from previous posts, these reviews make me really nervous, especially for this show, since there wasn't a large cast or leading actresses to take the focus of the article. I was the leading actress in this case. And according to the review, I did fine! Phew! So that made me feel great!
And then I came home and solved my little technology problem, and I think I can just go to bed as content as can be today!
Here's hoping I feel this good when I wake up tonight ;)
So, last night I just felt like my world was coming to a crashing halt. And yes, I am being over-dramatic because that's how I felt last night -- over-dramatic. I was so frustrated because I was trying to figure out a technology-related problem and I just wasn't getting anywhere. So I felt like I'd wasted my entire evening working on this project. Then I went to work and didn't feel like doing anything productive. Then I started thinking about all of these things I needed to do by the end of the week, and I got so stressed out that I started to cry. Well, that was unnecessary, so I turned on some lady danville tunes and watched a couple funny videos and started to feel better about life.
And then it became breaking news city in that newsroom.
A car crashed out on one of the state roads, very unfortunately killing the driver, who was only 21. And it was like, my whole pity party was put into perspective and I just thought, "Sheez, Lisa, get a grip. What are you feeling sorry for yourself for?" And then I sort of got a jump-start to my work and started cranking out a script, making calls to update information, and cutting video. Then police released info about a shooting incident that happened last night (no one was seriously hurt, thankfully) and it was off to the races.
We had a fantastic show this morning, and I don't mean that to sound insensitive to the fact that someone died this morning. I hate when stuff like that happens. But when it does, it becomes my job to find out as much about it as I can as fast as I can, and this morning I think I did that. So I felt good about doing my job well.
And then the engineer pointed out the review in the paper of the play I'm currently in. If you remember from previous posts, these reviews make me really nervous, especially for this show, since there wasn't a large cast or leading actresses to take the focus of the article. I was the leading actress in this case. And according to the review, I did fine! Phew! So that made me feel great!
And then I came home and solved my little technology problem, and I think I can just go to bed as content as can be today!
Here's hoping I feel this good when I wake up tonight ;)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
change of scenery?
Lately I feel like if my life were a color, it would be grey. I'm just kinda bored. But whose fault is that?
All this contract/future talk has me thinking about where I'll be going and what I'll be doing a year from now (and both of those are a big "I don't know"), and I think that thinking about all the potential for new places and things and people has me a little bored with my life right now. I think I'm also a little depressed because Tommy and Mike will both be gone soon, and Sara will be gone too in a few months, and that bums me out.
Also, I'm going through one of those funks at work where I'm like, "Uggggh I just don't feel like doing this!" All we had this morning was swine flu stories. That's it. And I was like, "There are other things going on in the world, right? Surely we can find something else to talk about." Nope. All swine flu. And especially since it hit Indiana yesterday, it's a big deal right now. But come on, a whole show about swine flu?! Yuck.
I've got lots of things to be excited about -- "So You Think You Can Dance" starts up soon, which will be a new experience for me, and Jillian will star in "The Bachelorette" soon as well! I have one more car payment to make and I'll be officially done, which means puppy time, and I'm currently putting out feelers for pug breeders (so if you know anyone, let me know!). And I just got time off approved for my SECOND vacation of the year (holler!), which will include my cousin's wedding and a week at Mom and Dad's newly-built cabin up at the lake! That's not till August, but still.
And all my adorable little High School Musical friends will be home for the summer soon, which (I hope) will mean more trips to Culvers for ice cream, afternoons by the pool, and weekends in Monticello! Summer!
So what's not to be excited about, right? I just need to get myself pumped up for all the fun stuff coming my way and stop feeling like my life is so boring.
Oh, final note -- and girls, back me up if you get this too -- the last two days I've had these lovely dreams involving beautiful beaches or lakes and dreamy dudes, which NEVER happens. I always have the weirdo dreams, not the sweet ones. But of course, I'm having these super-sweet dreams and then I wake up before I want to. Then I can't go back to sleep and back to my dream! But when I have a sucky dream, I either can't wake up, or I do shake myself out of it, and then fall back asleep only to enter Crazy Town all over again. So not fair!
Oh well. I'm gonna go to bed now and attempt a sweet dream that doesn't involve me waking up before I absolutely have to.
Happy daydreams! :)
All this contract/future talk has me thinking about where I'll be going and what I'll be doing a year from now (and both of those are a big "I don't know"), and I think that thinking about all the potential for new places and things and people has me a little bored with my life right now. I think I'm also a little depressed because Tommy and Mike will both be gone soon, and Sara will be gone too in a few months, and that bums me out.
Also, I'm going through one of those funks at work where I'm like, "Uggggh I just don't feel like doing this!" All we had this morning was swine flu stories. That's it. And I was like, "There are other things going on in the world, right? Surely we can find something else to talk about." Nope. All swine flu. And especially since it hit Indiana yesterday, it's a big deal right now. But come on, a whole show about swine flu?! Yuck.
I've got lots of things to be excited about -- "So You Think You Can Dance" starts up soon, which will be a new experience for me, and Jillian will star in "The Bachelorette" soon as well! I have one more car payment to make and I'll be officially done, which means puppy time, and I'm currently putting out feelers for pug breeders (so if you know anyone, let me know!). And I just got time off approved for my SECOND vacation of the year (holler!), which will include my cousin's wedding and a week at Mom and Dad's newly-built cabin up at the lake! That's not till August, but still.
And all my adorable little High School Musical friends will be home for the summer soon, which (I hope) will mean more trips to Culvers for ice cream, afternoons by the pool, and weekends in Monticello! Summer!
So what's not to be excited about, right? I just need to get myself pumped up for all the fun stuff coming my way and stop feeling like my life is so boring.
Oh, final note -- and girls, back me up if you get this too -- the last two days I've had these lovely dreams involving beautiful beaches or lakes and dreamy dudes, which NEVER happens. I always have the weirdo dreams, not the sweet ones. But of course, I'm having these super-sweet dreams and then I wake up before I want to. Then I can't go back to sleep and back to my dream! But when I have a sucky dream, I either can't wake up, or I do shake myself out of it, and then fall back asleep only to enter Crazy Town all over again. So not fair!
Oh well. I'm gonna go to bed now and attempt a sweet dream that doesn't involve me waking up before I absolutely have to.
Happy daydreams! :)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
smart girls have more fun!
A few things:
First - I have been busy with Children of Eden rehearsals and work, so I've been slacking a bit on my blog-reading this week. But I just got all caught up on everyone this morning and tried to leave lots of love in the form of comments so y'all didn't think I'd forgotten about you. I'm still alive! :)
Second - OK, so if you read this post, you'll know that I'm already a big fan of Amy Poehler.
But while I was procrastinating at work last night, I stumbled across something that made me love her even more. And I'm so sad I didn't know about this back in 2008 when it was an actual up-and-coming thing. Amy, along with Meredith Walker and Amy Miles, made this web show called "Smart Girls at the Party" where they interview pre-teen girls about their talents or whatever they're passionate about, and then the girl guests teach the grown-up girls a little about that topic.
In an online interview, Amy P. said the goal of the show is to encourage girls to be passionate about something, because sometimes it seems like it's cooler to be cynical and not care about anything but that's just not true. She said she realizes the pre-teen years are tough ones to get through and she wants to highlight girls that are smart and talented and are "changing the world by being themselves."
Different episodes include "The Writer," "The Dancer," "Sisters," and "Rock Band" among others. And at the end of each episode, they all have a dance party! A dance party that includes Kristen Wiig and Will Arnett! Can life get better? I submit that it canNOT!
I love Amy P. for being funny, and also for being a loudmouth and a spazz, which I can really relate to sometimes. But it's so cool to also see her being an awesome role model and doing something like this to cheer on the next generation of ladies! And the cool thing is, she recognizes that these girls are intelligent go-getters and she doesn't talk down to them and say, "aw, isn't that cute that you are such a good little dancer!" She takes the guests seriously, but she does "serious" the way we all did serious when we were 11 years old. So she's on the level, but not dumbed down or hyped up. And I like that.
Amy is my hero. And so is her "Smart Girls" producer, Meredith. Just so you know, that is pretty much exactly what my job is. Only not as cool because I don't produce for Amy Poehler. But go ahead and add that to my list of dream jobs...producing for AP. And also, my headset is not nearly as cool as Meredith's.
My favorite part of this episode:
AMY: What do you do when you have writer's block?
MEREDITH: I just write through writer's block.
AMY: Wow. What do you do when you have producer's block?
MEREDITH: I write through that.
So true, Mer. So. True.
Last thing about this - a lot of gals out there are upset that this cool little show is sponsored by Barbie because of the doll's "impossible body image being the exact opposite of the show's message." Or something like that. But here's my thing - Barbie started out as what? A fashion doll. OK? Not a role model for little kids. Throughout the 50 years she's been around, she's been an astronaut, veterinarian, armed forces, Olympic medalist...pretty much anything. But guess what? That probably had just as much to do with "what new outfit can we make for Barbie?" as it had to do with "what can we use Barbie to encourage girls to be when they grow up?" When it comes down to it, she's still a fashion doll. And just like fashion models, she's not made like most of us ladies are. And I'm ok with that. The point of these donut spots around the "Smart Girls" episodes is about playing with Barbie, not looking like her. It's just about having fun, even if fun with Barbie means making Astronaut Barbie the scary giant Martian lady in your Lincoln Log world of tiny LEGO people like my sisters and I did! It's about moms connecting with their daughters, which I'm guessing the advertisers are hoping they'll do when watching this show together. So cool down, ladies. We're just having fun!
OK, sorry. I'll get off my soap box now.
Anyway, that does it for me. There are all these cool lists that people are doing on their blogs and I'd like to try a couple of those, so I'll work on that. Until then...happy Friday! :D
First - I have been busy with Children of Eden rehearsals and work, so I've been slacking a bit on my blog-reading this week. But I just got all caught up on everyone this morning and tried to leave lots of love in the form of comments so y'all didn't think I'd forgotten about you. I'm still alive! :)
Second - OK, so if you read this post, you'll know that I'm already a big fan of Amy Poehler.
But while I was procrastinating at work last night, I stumbled across something that made me love her even more. And I'm so sad I didn't know about this back in 2008 when it was an actual up-and-coming thing. Amy, along with Meredith Walker and Amy Miles, made this web show called "Smart Girls at the Party" where they interview pre-teen girls about their talents or whatever they're passionate about, and then the girl guests teach the grown-up girls a little about that topic.
In an online interview, Amy P. said the goal of the show is to encourage girls to be passionate about something, because sometimes it seems like it's cooler to be cynical and not care about anything but that's just not true. She said she realizes the pre-teen years are tough ones to get through and she wants to highlight girls that are smart and talented and are "changing the world by being themselves."
Different episodes include "The Writer," "The Dancer," "Sisters," and "Rock Band" among others. And at the end of each episode, they all have a dance party! A dance party that includes Kristen Wiig and Will Arnett! Can life get better? I submit that it canNOT!
I love Amy P. for being funny, and also for being a loudmouth and a spazz, which I can really relate to sometimes. But it's so cool to also see her being an awesome role model and doing something like this to cheer on the next generation of ladies! And the cool thing is, she recognizes that these girls are intelligent go-getters and she doesn't talk down to them and say, "aw, isn't that cute that you are such a good little dancer!" She takes the guests seriously, but she does "serious" the way we all did serious when we were 11 years old. So she's on the level, but not dumbed down or hyped up. And I like that.
Amy is my hero. And so is her "Smart Girls" producer, Meredith. Just so you know, that is pretty much exactly what my job is. Only not as cool because I don't produce for Amy Poehler. But go ahead and add that to my list of dream jobs...producing for AP. And also, my headset is not nearly as cool as Meredith's.
My favorite part of this episode:
AMY: What do you do when you have writer's block?
MEREDITH: I just write through writer's block.
AMY: Wow. What do you do when you have producer's block?
MEREDITH: I write through that.
So true, Mer. So. True.
Last thing about this - a lot of gals out there are upset that this cool little show is sponsored by Barbie because of the doll's "impossible body image being the exact opposite of the show's message." Or something like that. But here's my thing - Barbie started out as what? A fashion doll. OK? Not a role model for little kids. Throughout the 50 years she's been around, she's been an astronaut, veterinarian, armed forces, Olympic medalist...pretty much anything. But guess what? That probably had just as much to do with "what new outfit can we make for Barbie?" as it had to do with "what can we use Barbie to encourage girls to be when they grow up?" When it comes down to it, she's still a fashion doll. And just like fashion models, she's not made like most of us ladies are. And I'm ok with that. The point of these donut spots around the "Smart Girls" episodes is about playing with Barbie, not looking like her. It's just about having fun, even if fun with Barbie means making Astronaut Barbie the scary giant Martian lady in your Lincoln Log world of tiny LEGO people like my sisters and I did! It's about moms connecting with their daughters, which I'm guessing the advertisers are hoping they'll do when watching this show together. So cool down, ladies. We're just having fun!
OK, sorry. I'll get off my soap box now.
Anyway, that does it for me. There are all these cool lists that people are doing on their blogs and I'd like to try a couple of those, so I'll work on that. Until then...happy Friday! :D
Thursday, February 19, 2009
i need an intern! and other thoughts inspired by stress
I may have been a little mean to some people this morning as a result of being stressed out.
But then I figured out what would make all the stress go away.
The idea hit me this morning like a sparkly golden lightning bolt from heaven.
I need an intern.
This morning I was a little...mean...to my anchors. And I wasn't doing it on purpose, which is sometimes worse than just deliberately being mean because it means that I wasn't in control of my temper. And believe me, controlling my temper has been a life-long quest for me. That was the fruit of the spirit that I always had the most trouble with: self control.
It was a hectic morning. It started out with the printer doing its usual trick of pretending to have a paper jam when I tried to print the five copies of our 41-page morning show script that I needed. This happens literally every day -- either the printer jams, or it pretends to. Then a crazy called to tell me why we should cover a story about her ex-husband's brother being wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for dealing drugs. Then she called AGAIN to ask if someone was working on the story.
It's 4:00 in the morning, lady. What do you think we DO here at four in the morning?!!
Then came what felt to me like a long line of people with questions that I didn't have the answers to. And that's frusterating because I would have liked to have had the answers for them, but having to say "I don't know" isn't fun because I knew that answer wasn't helping anyone, and at the same time I was too busy to have time to find answers for them. So it just ends up feeling like a lot of time wasted on getting nothing done.
Then our interview guest was confused about the time and showed up late, so I had to figure out how to move things around in order to get them on the show in a later segment. Not usually a huge deal, but the phones were all ringing and schools started calling in delays and everyone kept asking me questions, and what I really needed was just TWO SECONDS to think. But in TV, you don't always get two seconds. And I ended up snapping at my anchors, which I shouldn't have done.
We were talking it out after the show, and that's when the idea came up. I don't remember who said it out loud, but we all agreed it was a great idea: an intern for me!
To be honest, I've often thought - no, fantasized - about having an intern and how great it would be to have someone to help me out in the mornings. But saying it out loud, it didn't sound like such a far-fetched idea. Everyone else has interns; our morning production crew constantly has interns coming in at 4:30 AM to do the morning show. Reporters and anchors have interns, weather has interns, and even the sales department has interns sometimes! So why couldn't I have one?
And the more I think about it, the more amazing it sounds. And hey, this would be one great internship experience...I mean, we don't pay interns here, but they get class credit. And my intern would get plenty of hands-on experience. The intern would show up at 4:00 AM, just as I was starting to print scripts. Then Intern would babysit the printer and put all of the scripts together, digging out the paper jams and refilling the paper trays, while I would be able to finish cutting videos and dealing with all of the answerless questions that I seem to encounter in the mornings.
Then Intern would distribute the scripts and prep the aircheck tapes in the control room record decks. Once the show started, Intern could sit back in the control room with me and watch, and when I needed to add pages, Intern could go get the copies and take them to the anchors in the studio. I'd even let Intern give weather time cues while I went to the door to let interview guests in to the studio, OR if I needed to stay in the control room, I'd let Intern go get the guests! Intern could answer the phones for me if I had my hands tied with something else. And when the show ended at 7:00, Intern could just go home and go back to bed! See, plenty of hands-on, task-oriented, constructive time mixed with plenty of observational opportunities!
So, note to self: ask for intern. Maybe I'll actually get one! I'll let you know.
Finally, I called my mom and dad, who were on their way to Columbus this morning for a veterinary conference. And I felt like a goober because Mom asked me how the show went this morning and I started dumping all the stressful details on her, and then she had to cut me off because they were getting into the downtown area and she needed to help my dad figure out where to go. So I felt bad because I'm sure when she asked, she wasn't expecting to get Chapters 44-47 in my book of Poor Me. And my mom is an amazing listener. Both of my parents are, and they've had a lot of practice with me because a lot of times when I start talking, I can't stop. They are very patient. But I just felt bad because I hadn't even meant to go into all of that stuff and I knew that she probably didn't have time to hear it, but I'd gotten into it anyway. And then, for no good reason, after we hung up I just started crying because I just felt like I'd been selfish about dumping my stress all over everyone else all morning and that made me feel like a terrible person! BLAGGH!
So...I guess thank goodness for blogs, right? The one place you can go to dump all this stuff and whether anyone else reads it or not, you know you got it out of your system and, in a way, cried on someone's shoulder so that you can move on with your day feeling a little better.
So I feel better now. And my light at the end of the tunnel is the long weekend I'm going to spend over Easter visiting my older sis in Florida! I would pack right now if I could!
(30 minutes later)
Mom called back and wanted to hear the whole story after all...so now I feel a LOT better! I love my mom! :)
But then I figured out what would make all the stress go away.
The idea hit me this morning like a sparkly golden lightning bolt from heaven.
I need an intern.
This morning I was a little...mean...to my anchors. And I wasn't doing it on purpose, which is sometimes worse than just deliberately being mean because it means that I wasn't in control of my temper. And believe me, controlling my temper has been a life-long quest for me. That was the fruit of the spirit that I always had the most trouble with: self control.
It was a hectic morning. It started out with the printer doing its usual trick of pretending to have a paper jam when I tried to print the five copies of our 41-page morning show script that I needed. This happens literally every day -- either the printer jams, or it pretends to. Then a crazy called to tell me why we should cover a story about her ex-husband's brother being wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for dealing drugs. Then she called AGAIN to ask if someone was working on the story.
It's 4:00 in the morning, lady. What do you think we DO here at four in the morning?!!
Then came what felt to me like a long line of people with questions that I didn't have the answers to. And that's frusterating because I would have liked to have had the answers for them, but having to say "I don't know" isn't fun because I knew that answer wasn't helping anyone, and at the same time I was too busy to have time to find answers for them. So it just ends up feeling like a lot of time wasted on getting nothing done.
Then our interview guest was confused about the time and showed up late, so I had to figure out how to move things around in order to get them on the show in a later segment. Not usually a huge deal, but the phones were all ringing and schools started calling in delays and everyone kept asking me questions, and what I really needed was just TWO SECONDS to think. But in TV, you don't always get two seconds. And I ended up snapping at my anchors, which I shouldn't have done.
We were talking it out after the show, and that's when the idea came up. I don't remember who said it out loud, but we all agreed it was a great idea: an intern for me!
To be honest, I've often thought - no, fantasized - about having an intern and how great it would be to have someone to help me out in the mornings. But saying it out loud, it didn't sound like such a far-fetched idea. Everyone else has interns; our morning production crew constantly has interns coming in at 4:30 AM to do the morning show. Reporters and anchors have interns, weather has interns, and even the sales department has interns sometimes! So why couldn't I have one?
And the more I think about it, the more amazing it sounds. And hey, this would be one great internship experience...I mean, we don't pay interns here, but they get class credit. And my intern would get plenty of hands-on experience. The intern would show up at 4:00 AM, just as I was starting to print scripts. Then Intern would babysit the printer and put all of the scripts together, digging out the paper jams and refilling the paper trays, while I would be able to finish cutting videos and dealing with all of the answerless questions that I seem to encounter in the mornings.
Then Intern would distribute the scripts and prep the aircheck tapes in the control room record decks. Once the show started, Intern could sit back in the control room with me and watch, and when I needed to add pages, Intern could go get the copies and take them to the anchors in the studio. I'd even let Intern give weather time cues while I went to the door to let interview guests in to the studio, OR if I needed to stay in the control room, I'd let Intern go get the guests! Intern could answer the phones for me if I had my hands tied with something else. And when the show ended at 7:00, Intern could just go home and go back to bed! See, plenty of hands-on, task-oriented, constructive time mixed with plenty of observational opportunities!
So, note to self: ask for intern. Maybe I'll actually get one! I'll let you know.
Finally, I called my mom and dad, who were on their way to Columbus this morning for a veterinary conference. And I felt like a goober because Mom asked me how the show went this morning and I started dumping all the stressful details on her, and then she had to cut me off because they were getting into the downtown area and she needed to help my dad figure out where to go. So I felt bad because I'm sure when she asked, she wasn't expecting to get Chapters 44-47 in my book of Poor Me. And my mom is an amazing listener. Both of my parents are, and they've had a lot of practice with me because a lot of times when I start talking, I can't stop. They are very patient. But I just felt bad because I hadn't even meant to go into all of that stuff and I knew that she probably didn't have time to hear it, but I'd gotten into it anyway. And then, for no good reason, after we hung up I just started crying because I just felt like I'd been selfish about dumping my stress all over everyone else all morning and that made me feel like a terrible person! BLAGGH!
So...I guess thank goodness for blogs, right? The one place you can go to dump all this stuff and whether anyone else reads it or not, you know you got it out of your system and, in a way, cried on someone's shoulder so that you can move on with your day feeling a little better.
So I feel better now. And my light at the end of the tunnel is the long weekend I'm going to spend over Easter visiting my older sis in Florida! I would pack right now if I could!
(30 minutes later)
Mom called back and wanted to hear the whole story after all...so now I feel a LOT better! I love my mom! :)
Friday, February 6, 2009
thankful friday
I am thankful...
1. for Fridays, which always include new episodes of "The Office" and "30 Rock," and the thought that I don't have to go anywhere or do anything tomorrow, and that I can sleep whenever I want to in the next 48 hours.
2. for paychecks, especially when they include overtime pay that will fund retail therapy to relieve the stress of earning said overtime pay.
3. for things going well at work, which was sweet payoff for the past couple of weeks of things NOT going well at work.
4. for finding out that a coworker you were stressing out about it just stressed out for a lot of the same reasons, and for working together to accomplish a similar goal.
5. for Kelsey, who constantly teaches me lessons in faith, love, and friendship.
6. for Sara, who is hands-down just one of the coolest people I'll ever meet.
7. for Tommy, who geeks out over Dorm Life with me and is always great to talk to.
8. for Curtis who, I am convinced, makes the world a better place every day just by being in it but not of it.
9. for Troy and Caitlin for being a beautiful example of love and friendship to everyone they know.
10. for Joey, for helping me recognize and enjoy the great things that go with growing up!
11. for all of my other blog buddies, who I have never met but who impact my everyday life with their comments, posts, humor, and amazing stories!
12. for pizza and beer, which I'm going to enjoy tonight in the comfort of my little apartment.
13. for my sisters, who brighten my day whether I talk to them for 45 seconds or 45 minutes, and for how close we have been all our lives.
14. for my mom, who is the most supportive, loving, giving person I will probably ever meet. And she's also a great listener, even when I talk and talk and talk...
15. for my dad who, I am finding, understands me better than I ever thought was possible, and who I find myself becoming more like every day.
16. for having a job that I love, even when things are not going well, and especially in a recession.
17. for the fact that I got to see a friend today that used to work with me in the mornings, but now he works during the day and we hardly ever see each other, and for being told that he misses me too!
18. for being healthy.
19. for vacation time that I'll get to spend in Florida with my sister in her new house!
20. for feeling blessed in every way.
1. for Fridays, which always include new episodes of "The Office" and "30 Rock," and the thought that I don't have to go anywhere or do anything tomorrow, and that I can sleep whenever I want to in the next 48 hours.
2. for paychecks, especially when they include overtime pay that will fund retail therapy to relieve the stress of earning said overtime pay.
3. for things going well at work, which was sweet payoff for the past couple of weeks of things NOT going well at work.
4. for finding out that a coworker you were stressing out about it just stressed out for a lot of the same reasons, and for working together to accomplish a similar goal.
5. for Kelsey, who constantly teaches me lessons in faith, love, and friendship.
6. for Sara, who is hands-down just one of the coolest people I'll ever meet.
7. for Tommy, who geeks out over Dorm Life with me and is always great to talk to.
8. for Curtis who, I am convinced, makes the world a better place every day just by being in it but not of it.
9. for Troy and Caitlin for being a beautiful example of love and friendship to everyone they know.
10. for Joey, for helping me recognize and enjoy the great things that go with growing up!
11. for all of my other blog buddies, who I have never met but who impact my everyday life with their comments, posts, humor, and amazing stories!
12. for pizza and beer, which I'm going to enjoy tonight in the comfort of my little apartment.
13. for my sisters, who brighten my day whether I talk to them for 45 seconds or 45 minutes, and for how close we have been all our lives.
14. for my mom, who is the most supportive, loving, giving person I will probably ever meet. And she's also a great listener, even when I talk and talk and talk...
15. for my dad who, I am finding, understands me better than I ever thought was possible, and who I find myself becoming more like every day.
16. for having a job that I love, even when things are not going well, and especially in a recession.
17. for the fact that I got to see a friend today that used to work with me in the mornings, but now he works during the day and we hardly ever see each other, and for being told that he misses me too!
18. for being healthy.
19. for vacation time that I'll get to spend in Florida with my sister in her new house!
20. for feeling blessed in every way.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
one step at a time...
(cue Jordin Sparks...)
OK, so I've been poking around some websites and what I'm finding is that yes, Virginia, there ARE jobs out there. But I can't start applying for them until I update my resume. And maybe make a resume tape. Yikes to that second part.
So, I think what I'm gonna do now is work on my resume and then start applying for these jobs. And I'm gonna go ahead and say right now that some of them are going to be a long-shot. But you can't do any harm by trying, right? So, I'm not expecting the calls to come flooding in, BUT...I know what I need to do next, and then if and when any offers for interviews arise, I'll just cross that bridge when I get there.
Here's something I am worried about -- timing. My contract here isn't up until October, but my lease is up in May. So this is why I feel a sense of urgency about this whole stay-or-go thing. Options:
1) See if I can work out something with the apartment office, like a six-month lease or something?
2) Find a new job before May and hope that they'll let me out of my contract early (wait, I'm not going to be ready to move in May! I don't like this option. I don't think they'd let me out of my contract that early anyway. Forget it, this is not a realistic option).
3) Find a new job and finish out my contract here, and move out of my apartment and live...with my parents? And drive an hour to work every night and an hour back every morning? Ick. I think my sister will be in town all summer/fall...maybe I could work out something with her instead. Ugh, I don't want to be a squatter.
4) Re-sign the lease, but NOT re-sign my contract (lots of people don't re-sign), and work here until NEXT May, by which time hopefully I'll have another job lined up.
Blech. I wish this was just like working out your class schedule at college. I wish you could put everything into a computer and make it spit out an answer, then print it out on a little sheet that you can hang on your fridge and send home to your parents so they know where you'll be in the next year or so of your life.
OK, back to taking things one step at a time: all I need to do right now is update my resume and look into making a tape. And then start applying. And that's it.
Deep breaths.
Looking forward to watching The Bachelor later this morning. Can't wait to swap recaps! :)
Until then...
OK, so I've been poking around some websites and what I'm finding is that yes, Virginia, there ARE jobs out there. But I can't start applying for them until I update my resume. And maybe make a resume tape. Yikes to that second part.
So, I think what I'm gonna do now is work on my resume and then start applying for these jobs. And I'm gonna go ahead and say right now that some of them are going to be a long-shot. But you can't do any harm by trying, right? So, I'm not expecting the calls to come flooding in, BUT...I know what I need to do next, and then if and when any offers for interviews arise, I'll just cross that bridge when I get there.
Here's something I am worried about -- timing. My contract here isn't up until October, but my lease is up in May. So this is why I feel a sense of urgency about this whole stay-or-go thing. Options:
1) See if I can work out something with the apartment office, like a six-month lease or something?
2) Find a new job before May and hope that they'll let me out of my contract early (wait, I'm not going to be ready to move in May! I don't like this option. I don't think they'd let me out of my contract that early anyway. Forget it, this is not a realistic option).
3) Find a new job and finish out my contract here, and move out of my apartment and live...with my parents? And drive an hour to work every night and an hour back every morning? Ick. I think my sister will be in town all summer/fall...maybe I could work out something with her instead. Ugh, I don't want to be a squatter.
4) Re-sign the lease, but NOT re-sign my contract (lots of people don't re-sign), and work here until NEXT May, by which time hopefully I'll have another job lined up.
Blech. I wish this was just like working out your class schedule at college. I wish you could put everything into a computer and make it spit out an answer, then print it out on a little sheet that you can hang on your fridge and send home to your parents so they know where you'll be in the next year or so of your life.
OK, back to taking things one step at a time: all I need to do right now is update my resume and look into making a tape. And then start applying. And that's it.
Deep breaths.
Looking forward to watching The Bachelor later this morning. Can't wait to swap recaps! :)
Until then...
Monday, February 2, 2009
have a dilemma? ask jimmy!
I'm happy to say that the doggie dilemma has been decided by none other than Jimmy Fallon.
Ok...well maybe he was just saying that. I think in reality it's just gonna come down to gut instinct. Which should be criterion enough to choose a dog, since that's how a surprising amount of Americans choose a President.
Today was a bag of mixed nuts. I woke up this morning to a call from my friend Chris who informed me that he slipped and broke his ankle on the ice Friday night "like a geriatric" and now he's out of Children of Eden. Buh-MER. Not only am I super-sad not to get to hang out with him at rehearsals, but Chris is very talented and left a very big role for someone else to fill a MONTH before this show opens.
Yikes.
I didn't celebrate the Super Bowl this year, but most people did, so we moved up rehearsal to 4:00 instead of 7:00. This kind of cut into the middle of what would normally be sleepy-time on a Sunday, so I got like an hour of sleep before rehearsal. Then when I got home I heated up a frozen pizza and watched Miss Congeniality, which was relaxing. Then I tried to get some sleep, but that didn't go well. Then I OVERslept and got to work late, which isn't really a big deal on the weekends.
But I do have that kinda gross feeling you get when you haven't slept enough. And I didn't wash my hair because I was running late, so it looks a little flat. And I have my meeting with Big Boss today. So...yeah.
And now I'm really starting to feel the pressure of figuring out what my next move is. I've been sort of looking forward to this point for the past year and a half, but now that it's here, I am a little reluctant to deal with it. I keep thinking, "It would be so much easier to just stay here for another year."
And ironically, that's how I know it need to start looking elsewhere.
Whenever I get to the point where I'm not being challenged, I get this way. Looking forward at what would be the next step up, I always get really tempted to stop where I am because it's comfortable, easy, familiar. And when I start to feel that way, I know that means it's time to be a big girl and move on.
That's not to say that staying here for awhile isn't an option anymore. I just need to make sure I seriously look at and apply for some other jobs, instead of chickening out. And here's my plan: I'm only going to move on if the job is
a) something I think I'll enjoy equally as much as or more than my current job
b) something I'll be getting paid as much as or more than I am getting paid here
Otherwise, it's honestly not going to be worth it. There's no reason I should move on to something I won't like as much (even if they pay me more money), because I really like it here. But basically I'm gonna go big, or go home. Or, stay home, I guess...lol.
OK, speaking of work, I better get back to it! Hope everyone has a happy Monday! Do you think DeAnna is coming back this week on the Bachelor?!! My prediction was that she'd show up the week after Megan left to keep the drama going. Check in tomorrow to see if I was right!
Until later! :)
Ok...well maybe he was just saying that. I think in reality it's just gonna come down to gut instinct. Which should be criterion enough to choose a dog, since that's how a surprising amount of Americans choose a President.
Today was a bag of mixed nuts. I woke up this morning to a call from my friend Chris who informed me that he slipped and broke his ankle on the ice Friday night "like a geriatric" and now he's out of Children of Eden. Buh-MER. Not only am I super-sad not to get to hang out with him at rehearsals, but Chris is very talented and left a very big role for someone else to fill a MONTH before this show opens.
Yikes.
I didn't celebrate the Super Bowl this year, but most people did, so we moved up rehearsal to 4:00 instead of 7:00. This kind of cut into the middle of what would normally be sleepy-time on a Sunday, so I got like an hour of sleep before rehearsal. Then when I got home I heated up a frozen pizza and watched Miss Congeniality, which was relaxing. Then I tried to get some sleep, but that didn't go well. Then I OVERslept and got to work late, which isn't really a big deal on the weekends.
But I do have that kinda gross feeling you get when you haven't slept enough. And I didn't wash my hair because I was running late, so it looks a little flat. And I have my meeting with Big Boss today. So...yeah.
And now I'm really starting to feel the pressure of figuring out what my next move is. I've been sort of looking forward to this point for the past year and a half, but now that it's here, I am a little reluctant to deal with it. I keep thinking, "It would be so much easier to just stay here for another year."
And ironically, that's how I know it need to start looking elsewhere.
Whenever I get to the point where I'm not being challenged, I get this way. Looking forward at what would be the next step up, I always get really tempted to stop where I am because it's comfortable, easy, familiar. And when I start to feel that way, I know that means it's time to be a big girl and move on.
That's not to say that staying here for awhile isn't an option anymore. I just need to make sure I seriously look at and apply for some other jobs, instead of chickening out. And here's my plan: I'm only going to move on if the job is
a) something I think I'll enjoy equally as much as or more than my current job
b) something I'll be getting paid as much as or more than I am getting paid here
Otherwise, it's honestly not going to be worth it. There's no reason I should move on to something I won't like as much (even if they pay me more money), because I really like it here. But basically I'm gonna go big, or go home. Or, stay home, I guess...lol.
OK, speaking of work, I better get back to it! Hope everyone has a happy Monday! Do you think DeAnna is coming back this week on the Bachelor?!! My prediction was that she'd show up the week after Megan left to keep the drama going. Check in tomorrow to see if I was right!
Until later! :)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
my boss's boss
So for the first time since I started working at the station (a year and eight or nine months if you count my part-time stint, a year and three or four months if you just count producing), I met with and talked to the Big Boss. My boss's boss. The station manager.
I know right? How had I not talked to him yet?
Well, here's the thing. I pretty much fly under the radar since I leave at about 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, when the first few "daytime" people are on their way in. So I think what happens is that people sort of forget that I work there. Which isn't always a bad thing, but it does prevent me from having any actual interaction with a lot of people, other than via email.
Well, Big Boss emailed me at some point during the week and said he wanted to meet with me sometime soon. Of course that made me want to mess myself a little bit, because it's like getting called to the principal's office; you have a feeling that either you're in deep doo-doo, or something really good is about to happen. So you spend the next however many hours until that meeting racking your brain for something you could have possibly done that would get you in trouble.
But in this case, it turned out he just wanted some one-on-one time because we've never talked before.
So I stopped by his office to ask when would be a good time, and we settled on Monday morning. We talked for about five minutes and he basically told me he just wants to get an idea of what I'd like to do when my contract is up in October.
Then he gave me a gift card for Kroger's, which he said is something he likes to do for new people (but of course since I've never talked to the guy, I'm getting this now since my two-year contract is expiring in a matter of months.)
Anyway, that was super-nice of him. And I went grocery shopping. And that led to this:
A full refrigerator!
This is the first time I can ever remember filling up my fridge. And I really tried to get healthy foods (not counting the beer. Ignore the beer). And that doesn't count the boxes of cereal and dried fruit and canned soup in my pantry! (And the also not-so-healthy ice cream and frozen dinners in my freezer). I even bought celery! And I tried to get a lot of foods with fiber. That's a good thing, right?
Anyway, I know one of my New Year's resolutions was to eat healthier and to have a more balanced diet, so I have to thank my Big Boss for helping me do that.
And speaking of resolutions, I need to go to the gym now! The elliptical machine is waiting there for me to rock out on it with my mp3 player!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend! :)
I know right? How had I not talked to him yet?
Well, here's the thing. I pretty much fly under the radar since I leave at about 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, when the first few "daytime" people are on their way in. So I think what happens is that people sort of forget that I work there. Which isn't always a bad thing, but it does prevent me from having any actual interaction with a lot of people, other than via email.
Well, Big Boss emailed me at some point during the week and said he wanted to meet with me sometime soon. Of course that made me want to mess myself a little bit, because it's like getting called to the principal's office; you have a feeling that either you're in deep doo-doo, or something really good is about to happen. So you spend the next however many hours until that meeting racking your brain for something you could have possibly done that would get you in trouble.
But in this case, it turned out he just wanted some one-on-one time because we've never talked before.
So I stopped by his office to ask when would be a good time, and we settled on Monday morning. We talked for about five minutes and he basically told me he just wants to get an idea of what I'd like to do when my contract is up in October.
Then he gave me a gift card for Kroger's, which he said is something he likes to do for new people (but of course since I've never talked to the guy, I'm getting this now since my two-year contract is expiring in a matter of months.)
Anyway, that was super-nice of him. And I went grocery shopping. And that led to this:
A full refrigerator!
This is the first time I can ever remember filling up my fridge. And I really tried to get healthy foods (not counting the beer. Ignore the beer). And that doesn't count the boxes of cereal and dried fruit and canned soup in my pantry! (And the also not-so-healthy ice cream and frozen dinners in my freezer). I even bought celery! And I tried to get a lot of foods with fiber. That's a good thing, right?
Anyway, I know one of my New Year's resolutions was to eat healthier and to have a more balanced diet, so I have to thank my Big Boss for helping me do that.
And speaking of resolutions, I need to go to the gym now! The elliptical machine is waiting there for me to rock out on it with my mp3 player!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend! :)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
noooooo...
Hello, America. It's me, Lisa.
And I'm a little pissed.
Our new President (and so far the U.S. Senate) is pushing forward with a plan to delay the nationwide switch from analog to digital TV broadcasting from its previously agreed-upon date of February 17 to a new cut-off of June 12.
Booooo!!!
As a member of the TV industry, I can tell you this is NOT good news for us. Right now it's costing us thousands of dollars extra to broadcast because we're currently emitting analog AND digital signals. We have to keep that analog signal running until the cut-off date. For bigger stations, this is not as much of a problem, but for a small station like the one where I work, it's very bad news. This D-TV switch was mandated by the government over three years ago, giving stations time to budget for the switch. Among other things, that budget includes converting all of our equipment (field cameras, studio cameras, lenses, sets, switchboards, etc.) as well as spending extra moolah on broadcasting those dual signals. Now with the economy on the decline and just less than a month to go, we might have to continue to broadcast both signals for four MORE months, which is NOT in the budget.
Now, from a consumer standpoint, why do you care if the DTV switch happens on time or not? Well, you might not. Maybe you're already set up; you got your converter box or you're already hooked up with Comcast, and you're all ready to go. Maybe you never watch TV anyway and you don't give a crap. That's fine.
But let's say you like TV. Here are a couple of the benefits that you as a TV viewer will enjoy: more channels, better picture and clearer sound.
Let's say you don't care about TV, but you DO care about energy conservation. Did you know that it takes about a fifth of the power to broadcast digitally as it does to broadcast in analog? So why is a President who says it's fundamental for America to cut down on its energy uses advocating a plan that will be costing America millions of dollars to consume five times the amount of energy that it could by making the switch now?
Here's why: the Obama administration is concerned because an estimated 6 million households still aren't ready for the switch.
Are you KIDDING ME?! Where have you people been??!!! We've been running nonstop promos, stories, and commercials on national and local levels for at least over a year (ever since I started working here) telling people what they need to do to get ready, and we've made it very clear when that deadline would be.
Now the government has run out of money to aid people with discounts on their converter boxes, and I honestly don't know whose fault that was. Maybe the government researchers didn't get an accurate number of how many folks out there are still using rabbit ears to watch the tube. I don't know. And if that's holding people up from getting DTV-ready, I'm sorry. But still, you've had over a YEAR to get this done! It's not like this snuck up on you and we all-of-a-sudden said, "Hey, by the way, you're gonna need to either get a new TV or a converter, or sign up for cable or you won't be able to watch TV anymore." We said that long enough ago that if people really wanted to watch TV, they would have time to get prepared, whether that meant getting help from Uncle Sam or saving up to buy a converter at the full price (somewhere in the ballpark of $50).
Grrrrrr this is frusterating. Sorry, I'm just ranting. I've gotta get back to work now.
At least a new Bachelor episode will be waiting for me online when I get done with work! :)
Until later!
And I'm a little pissed.
Our new President (and so far the U.S. Senate) is pushing forward with a plan to delay the nationwide switch from analog to digital TV broadcasting from its previously agreed-upon date of February 17 to a new cut-off of June 12.
Booooo!!!
As a member of the TV industry, I can tell you this is NOT good news for us. Right now it's costing us thousands of dollars extra to broadcast because we're currently emitting analog AND digital signals. We have to keep that analog signal running until the cut-off date. For bigger stations, this is not as much of a problem, but for a small station like the one where I work, it's very bad news. This D-TV switch was mandated by the government over three years ago, giving stations time to budget for the switch. Among other things, that budget includes converting all of our equipment (field cameras, studio cameras, lenses, sets, switchboards, etc.) as well as spending extra moolah on broadcasting those dual signals. Now with the economy on the decline and just less than a month to go, we might have to continue to broadcast both signals for four MORE months, which is NOT in the budget.
Now, from a consumer standpoint, why do you care if the DTV switch happens on time or not? Well, you might not. Maybe you're already set up; you got your converter box or you're already hooked up with Comcast, and you're all ready to go. Maybe you never watch TV anyway and you don't give a crap. That's fine.
But let's say you like TV. Here are a couple of the benefits that you as a TV viewer will enjoy: more channels, better picture and clearer sound.
Let's say you don't care about TV, but you DO care about energy conservation. Did you know that it takes about a fifth of the power to broadcast digitally as it does to broadcast in analog? So why is a President who says it's fundamental for America to cut down on its energy uses advocating a plan that will be costing America millions of dollars to consume five times the amount of energy that it could by making the switch now?
Here's why: the Obama administration is concerned because an estimated 6 million households still aren't ready for the switch.
Are you KIDDING ME?! Where have you people been??!!! We've been running nonstop promos, stories, and commercials on national and local levels for at least over a year (ever since I started working here) telling people what they need to do to get ready, and we've made it very clear when that deadline would be.
Now the government has run out of money to aid people with discounts on their converter boxes, and I honestly don't know whose fault that was. Maybe the government researchers didn't get an accurate number of how many folks out there are still using rabbit ears to watch the tube. I don't know. And if that's holding people up from getting DTV-ready, I'm sorry. But still, you've had over a YEAR to get this done! It's not like this snuck up on you and we all-of-a-sudden said, "Hey, by the way, you're gonna need to either get a new TV or a converter, or sign up for cable or you won't be able to watch TV anymore." We said that long enough ago that if people really wanted to watch TV, they would have time to get prepared, whether that meant getting help from Uncle Sam or saving up to buy a converter at the full price (somewhere in the ballpark of $50).
Grrrrrr this is frusterating. Sorry, I'm just ranting. I've gotta get back to work now.
At least a new Bachelor episode will be waiting for me online when I get done with work! :)
Until later!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ten Things
(Yay, even the title starts with T!)
OK, so Kelsey let me in on this game where you are assigned a letter and then you name ten things you like that start with that letter. So heeeeere we go!
1. Tap dancing - I was just talking to someone about this last night at musical rehearsal, actually. We were both agreeing that tap dancing is so fun because it's so hard and yet once you learn it, you could do it in your sleep. Also, it sounds really cool.
2. Time off - I don't get a lot of time off, so on weekends and rare vacations, I really live it up...which usually means sleeping a lot! Haha!
3. Talking - ask anyone. I love to talk so much it's insane. You can probably tell by how long my blogs are, because if I were talking to you instead of writing it all down, it would be a lengthy conversation. I love talking about shows, movies, philosophy, religion, and even politics sometimes. I just love to talk!
4. Television - I know it's my job, but I honestly do really like TV. Not just working in it, but watching it. Sitcoms, dramas, reality shows, news, sports, the Disney Channel...I even like watching commercials!
5. Technology - (Cue Kip from Napoleon Dynamite: I love technology, but noooot as much as you, you see...but stilllll I love technology, always and forever...) I am so bad at keeping in touch, so I thank God that I have a cell phone with people's numbers saved inside, and Facebook, and email! And GPS for the car! (Not really for keeping in touch, but for not getting lost lol).
6. Theatre - "The theatre, the theatre...what happened to the theatre?" White Christmas, anyone? Anyone? Yeah, if you have read some of my previous posts or know me at all, you'll know that I love going to see plays and musicals as well as performing in them!
7. Traveling - This is something I really enjoy, but I would like to do more of. I was lucky that I got to travel a lot in college with the Purduettes, but since then it's been tough to go anywhere. But I love flying and I love airports, and I love road trips! I don't even sleep most of the time! And I truly believe that half the fun is getting there. And the other half is getting back. No, I'm totally kidding! :)
8. Tank Tops - (Is this like Scattergories? Do I get more points for that one?) Aren't tank tops great? You can wear them in the summer, layer them under stuff, sleep in them, put them over your swim suit...so versatile! And thanks to places like Old Navy, you can get them in pretty much every color ever.
9. Tube socks - I started wearing these this summer to play softball, and then I started wearing them to HSM rehearsals, and then we all started wearing them all the time! They are fun and comfortable and (like tank tops) come in many colors!
10. Tina Fey - my hero!!! Hire me, Tina!
OK, that's my Then things that start with T! Thanks, Kels, for letting me play! :)
OK, so Kelsey let me in on this game where you are assigned a letter and then you name ten things you like that start with that letter. So heeeeere we go!
1. Tap dancing - I was just talking to someone about this last night at musical rehearsal, actually. We were both agreeing that tap dancing is so fun because it's so hard and yet once you learn it, you could do it in your sleep. Also, it sounds really cool.
2. Time off - I don't get a lot of time off, so on weekends and rare vacations, I really live it up...which usually means sleeping a lot! Haha!
3. Talking - ask anyone. I love to talk so much it's insane. You can probably tell by how long my blogs are, because if I were talking to you instead of writing it all down, it would be a lengthy conversation. I love talking about shows, movies, philosophy, religion, and even politics sometimes. I just love to talk!
4. Television - I know it's my job, but I honestly do really like TV. Not just working in it, but watching it. Sitcoms, dramas, reality shows, news, sports, the Disney Channel...I even like watching commercials!
5. Technology - (Cue Kip from Napoleon Dynamite: I love technology, but noooot as much as you, you see...but stilllll I love technology, always and forever...) I am so bad at keeping in touch, so I thank God that I have a cell phone with people's numbers saved inside, and Facebook, and email! And GPS for the car! (Not really for keeping in touch, but for not getting lost lol).
6. Theatre - "The theatre, the theatre...what happened to the theatre?" White Christmas, anyone? Anyone? Yeah, if you have read some of my previous posts or know me at all, you'll know that I love going to see plays and musicals as well as performing in them!
7. Traveling - This is something I really enjoy, but I would like to do more of. I was lucky that I got to travel a lot in college with the Purduettes, but since then it's been tough to go anywhere. But I love flying and I love airports, and I love road trips! I don't even sleep most of the time! And I truly believe that half the fun is getting there. And the other half is getting back. No, I'm totally kidding! :)
8. Tank Tops - (Is this like Scattergories? Do I get more points for that one?) Aren't tank tops great? You can wear them in the summer, layer them under stuff, sleep in them, put them over your swim suit...so versatile! And thanks to places like Old Navy, you can get them in pretty much every color ever.
9. Tube socks - I started wearing these this summer to play softball, and then I started wearing them to HSM rehearsals, and then we all started wearing them all the time! They are fun and comfortable and (like tank tops) come in many colors!
10. Tina Fey - my hero!!! Hire me, Tina!
OK, that's my Then things that start with T! Thanks, Kels, for letting me play! :)
somebody call freak out control...
As they say out east (I think it's a Jersey thing, anyway), I'm gonna need freak-out control!!!
Everyone's favorite mockumentary web series is ba-aaack! I just saw the Season 2 trailer posted on YouTube and flipped my lid!
Here it is:
In other news, I just found out that I have to work until 11:15 Monday through Wednesday next week. So goodbye to my daily eight hours of sleep, but hel-loooo overtime paycheck!
That's all I got. Speaking of sleep, I need to get some pronto.
Until later!
Everyone's favorite mockumentary web series is ba-aaack! I just saw the Season 2 trailer posted on YouTube and flipped my lid!
Here it is:
In other news, I just found out that I have to work until 11:15 Monday through Wednesday next week. So goodbye to my daily eight hours of sleep, but hel-loooo overtime paycheck!
That's all I got. Speaking of sleep, I need to get some pronto.
Until later!
Monday, January 19, 2009
just smile :)
Mondays are tough. Especially this time of year, it barely seems worth it to abandon the coziness of your bed and put on a brave face for work. That being said, here's something I found on YouTube last night that got my Monday off to a good start, and I hope it does the same for you!
Here's how my version of this little film clip went today:
Hobo Girl (me): (throws herself onto the rock [or work desk] crying) "What's the use of trying? They tore down my computer and all of the video edit settings on this one are wrong, and I can't find any of the websites I need because my favorites aren't saved on this computer!"
Charlie: Buck up! Never say die! If it weren't for Mondays, we wouldn't love the weekend so much, and besides, tonight is a brand new episode of The Bachelor!
Hobo Girl: (with determined fist pump) That's right, Charlie! We're gonna get to see Stephanie reunite with her daughter and hopefully Jason will send Megan and Erica packing!
So imagine whatever your version of this lovely little film would be today, and let Charlie do the cheering! (Isn't he adorable, by the way? I wish I had a Charlie Chaplin to hang out with all the time!)
And remember...just smile! :)
Here's how my version of this little film clip went today:
Hobo Girl (me): (throws herself onto the rock [or work desk] crying) "What's the use of trying? They tore down my computer and all of the video edit settings on this one are wrong, and I can't find any of the websites I need because my favorites aren't saved on this computer!"
Charlie: Buck up! Never say die! If it weren't for Mondays, we wouldn't love the weekend so much, and besides, tonight is a brand new episode of The Bachelor!
Hobo Girl: (with determined fist pump) That's right, Charlie! We're gonna get to see Stephanie reunite with her daughter and hopefully Jason will send Megan and Erica packing!
So imagine whatever your version of this lovely little film would be today, and let Charlie do the cheering! (Isn't he adorable, by the way? I wish I had a Charlie Chaplin to hang out with all the time!)
And remember...just smile! :)
Friday, January 9, 2009
twenty-five
This came from a Facebook game, and I'm not asking anyone to play it here...although it does make for a kind of fun blog post if you want to try it! I just thought I'd post mine on here for that very reason.
(The Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, you choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.)
Here are my 25 REALLY random things:
1. I am a social networking junkie. I have a blog, two YouTube channels, a Twitter feed, and (of course) Facebook! I don't have MySpace, though. Do people still use that?
2. I wouldn't say I hate cooking, but I don't enjoy cooking just for myself. (And I don't mean making burgers in the George Foreman or scrambling up an egg omelette -- in my book it only counts as cooking if you actually measure out ingredients and stuff.)
3. I do enjoy living on my own, even if that does mean cooking (or frying, or microwaving) for one!
4. I love my job. Even on the days when things don't go well. It doesn't matter how much money I make...I just love what I do.
5. I'm left-handed. Did everybody know that?
6. I have so. Many. Shoes. Most of them are heels because...
7. I am 5'2". Just like Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Tisdale, and Amy Poehler!
8. My dream jobs include: Marci Klein's job at SNL, Gellman's job on Regis & Kelly, being a personal assistant to Tina Fey just so I could soak up her awesomeness (did you catch how that's a reference to Mean Girls, written by Tina Fey?!), producing my own TV show, performing on Broadway.
9. I'd really like to write and publish a book someday.
10. I am so proud of my friends; so many people I know from high school, church, college, and after college are incredibly talented and I can't wait to see them make it big so I can cash in on those friendships. Totally kidding. But I truly believe that so many people I know have absolute star quality!
11. I have lived without cable television for 3 and a half years. I still keep up with a lot of TV shows; I just watch them all online or buy them by the season on DVD.
12. I do not, and probably never will, like the taste of coffee. I think it smells good, but tastes gross.
13. I don't remember a moment in my life where I stopped believing in Santa Claus. Most people can tell a story about how they found out, but I have no recollection of that happening...which makes me think I probably still believe in Santa Claus.
14. I also don't remember a point in my life where I started believing in God and in Jesus. Most people have a story to tell about that moment, too. But for me, the belief has just always been there, although that belief has definitely evolved and been challenged and dissected throughout my lifetime.
15. Back to accessories...I also love handbags and hats. I think my love of hats is what gets me through the winter.
16. I think it'd be really cool to live in the South, but I love-love-love the change in seasons that we get here in the Midwest. I would have a hard time giving that up.
17. I want a dog, really really a lot. I think everyone knows that. Hopefully I'll have one by this summer!
18. A lot of people ask me this, so in case you're wondering, here's what my work/sleep schedule is like: I go into work around midnight. I stay until 8 AM (give or take, depending on how much other work I need to do), then I go home and go to bed, usually from 8 or 9 AM until 4 or 5 PM. I don't have black curtains or heavy shades to block out the daylight. I'm just nocturnal, like an owl or a vampire.
19. My all-time, hands-down, no-contest favorite song in the world is "More Than Words" by Extreme for three reasons: (1) it reminds me of being at the lake (I don't know why), (2) the harmonies are beautiful, and (3) I love the lyrics and I think they have an awesome meaning. YouTube it and listen.
20. $20 bills are the worst. It seems like most bank machines and cash-back options always start at $20, which annoys me because usually I just need 5 bucks to put on my laundry card and I don't want to spend money just to break the 20, and I feel like a jerk just walking up to a random cashier and saying, "Hi, I'm not gonna buy anything, but will you just break this for me?" And it's hard for me to actually go to the bank and get cash in the amount that I want because I'm usually asleep during bank hours.
21. There's an episode of "The Office" where everyone was naming the five movies they'd bring with them if they were going to be on a desert island (the game is called "Desert Island" and it's supposed to be books, but I guess everyone was mildly illiterate, so they did movies). So anyway, here are my Desert Island 5: Big Fish, Singin' in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I think. I'm never completely sure; I like a lot of movies!
22. My favorite color is pink. I feel like everyone knew that one too. My dad actually ordered me a pink phone without me having to ask. Isn't that awesome?!
23. On your 23rd birthday, you go off your parents' insurance. When I turned 23 I was working two part-time jobs, so I didn't have any insurance. It was that way for a few months until I got hired full-time at the TV station. Luckily, nothing bad happened.
24. I have a lot of fake foliage in my apartment. Fake flower vines around my kitchen, fake lilies in a vase on my counter, fake ferns on my window sill, a sconce with a fake bouqet on my wall, a vase of fake flowers in my bathroom, and a big fake flower sitting on my dresser in my bedroom. Low maintenance beauty, folks. That's what it's all about. Although I do enjoy real flowers too.
25. My favorite magazine is "Lucky." (I just bought one today, so that's what made me think of it.) I like it because you don't have to see any stories like "most embarrassing moments" or "101 sex tips." It's just all about clothes, which is my only reason for reading fashion magazines anyway.
And that's it! You might give it a try...just start at one and write about the first 25 things that sort of just pop into your head!
Have a great weekend :) Until later!
(The Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, you choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.)
Here are my 25 REALLY random things:
1. I am a social networking junkie. I have a blog, two YouTube channels, a Twitter feed, and (of course) Facebook! I don't have MySpace, though. Do people still use that?
2. I wouldn't say I hate cooking, but I don't enjoy cooking just for myself. (And I don't mean making burgers in the George Foreman or scrambling up an egg omelette -- in my book it only counts as cooking if you actually measure out ingredients and stuff.)
3. I do enjoy living on my own, even if that does mean cooking (or frying, or microwaving) for one!
4. I love my job. Even on the days when things don't go well. It doesn't matter how much money I make...I just love what I do.
5. I'm left-handed. Did everybody know that?
6. I have so. Many. Shoes. Most of them are heels because...
7. I am 5'2". Just like Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Tisdale, and Amy Poehler!
8. My dream jobs include: Marci Klein's job at SNL, Gellman's job on Regis & Kelly, being a personal assistant to Tina Fey just so I could soak up her awesomeness (did you catch how that's a reference to Mean Girls, written by Tina Fey?!), producing my own TV show, performing on Broadway.
9. I'd really like to write and publish a book someday.
10. I am so proud of my friends; so many people I know from high school, church, college, and after college are incredibly talented and I can't wait to see them make it big so I can cash in on those friendships. Totally kidding. But I truly believe that so many people I know have absolute star quality!
11. I have lived without cable television for 3 and a half years. I still keep up with a lot of TV shows; I just watch them all online or buy them by the season on DVD.
12. I do not, and probably never will, like the taste of coffee. I think it smells good, but tastes gross.
13. I don't remember a moment in my life where I stopped believing in Santa Claus. Most people can tell a story about how they found out, but I have no recollection of that happening...which makes me think I probably still believe in Santa Claus.
14. I also don't remember a point in my life where I started believing in God and in Jesus. Most people have a story to tell about that moment, too. But for me, the belief has just always been there, although that belief has definitely evolved and been challenged and dissected throughout my lifetime.
15. Back to accessories...I also love handbags and hats. I think my love of hats is what gets me through the winter.
16. I think it'd be really cool to live in the South, but I love-love-love the change in seasons that we get here in the Midwest. I would have a hard time giving that up.
17. I want a dog, really really a lot. I think everyone knows that. Hopefully I'll have one by this summer!
18. A lot of people ask me this, so in case you're wondering, here's what my work/sleep schedule is like: I go into work around midnight. I stay until 8 AM (give or take, depending on how much other work I need to do), then I go home and go to bed, usually from 8 or 9 AM until 4 or 5 PM. I don't have black curtains or heavy shades to block out the daylight. I'm just nocturnal, like an owl or a vampire.
19. My all-time, hands-down, no-contest favorite song in the world is "More Than Words" by Extreme for three reasons: (1) it reminds me of being at the lake (I don't know why), (2) the harmonies are beautiful, and (3) I love the lyrics and I think they have an awesome meaning. YouTube it and listen.
20. $20 bills are the worst. It seems like most bank machines and cash-back options always start at $20, which annoys me because usually I just need 5 bucks to put on my laundry card and I don't want to spend money just to break the 20, and I feel like a jerk just walking up to a random cashier and saying, "Hi, I'm not gonna buy anything, but will you just break this for me?" And it's hard for me to actually go to the bank and get cash in the amount that I want because I'm usually asleep during bank hours.
21. There's an episode of "The Office" where everyone was naming the five movies they'd bring with them if they were going to be on a desert island (the game is called "Desert Island" and it's supposed to be books, but I guess everyone was mildly illiterate, so they did movies). So anyway, here are my Desert Island 5: Big Fish, Singin' in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I think. I'm never completely sure; I like a lot of movies!
22. My favorite color is pink. I feel like everyone knew that one too. My dad actually ordered me a pink phone without me having to ask. Isn't that awesome?!
23. On your 23rd birthday, you go off your parents' insurance. When I turned 23 I was working two part-time jobs, so I didn't have any insurance. It was that way for a few months until I got hired full-time at the TV station. Luckily, nothing bad happened.
24. I have a lot of fake foliage in my apartment. Fake flower vines around my kitchen, fake lilies in a vase on my counter, fake ferns on my window sill, a sconce with a fake bouqet on my wall, a vase of fake flowers in my bathroom, and a big fake flower sitting on my dresser in my bedroom. Low maintenance beauty, folks. That's what it's all about. Although I do enjoy real flowers too.
25. My favorite magazine is "Lucky." (I just bought one today, so that's what made me think of it.) I like it because you don't have to see any stories like "most embarrassing moments" or "101 sex tips." It's just all about clothes, which is my only reason for reading fashion magazines anyway.
And that's it! You might give it a try...just start at one and write about the first 25 things that sort of just pop into your head!
Have a great weekend :) Until later!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
it's that time of year...
...when the world falls in love...
OK, I think that time of year is just about over. But really, it's that time of year when we all make a list of things we're going to do (or not do) in hopes of becoming a better person, having a better year, and making it a better world.
New Year's Resolutions.
And I feel like the act of making them is kind of a cliche, and something we as a culture don't really take seriously anymore. But I think there are some things in my life I want to improve, and I might as well make goals now, right? And I think writing them down will sort of make me commit to them and hold myself more accountable. Plus, then I can blog about them, which I'm sure will help too!
(I have to mention that as I'm writing this, I'm listening to the playlist I just attached to my blog and it's really fun to write while these songs are playing. I hope that it's not annoying that music starts playing on my blog, and you don't have to listen to it, but if you don't mind turning it up a bit while you read, think of it as a soundtrack for my blog. These aren't just songs I like; they all have a reason for being on that playlist.)
OK. Here we go.
1. I'm going to get into and stay on a regular workout plan. (The ultimate New Year's resolution cliche, right?!) But over the past few days, I feel like I've eaten enough sweet stuff to give myself diabetes. And I keep reading all these news stories about how much the average person should work out, and I'm realizing that more and more, I can't put myself in that group, which is pretty sad. So, I'm going to start out by saying I will work out three times a week. That's really not that hard. And I'd like to do more than that. But I think I'll start with something I know I can do realistically, and then once I've been doing that for a few months, reset the goal for something higher. But I'll start at three days a week.
2. I'm going to save money. That is kind of hard for me to do; my paycheck does not stretch very far. But I got a small raise recently, I'll be getting paid for coaching color guard, and I just worked a holiday, so that should give me a great springboard for saving. I mean saving significant amounts of money, not saving one month just to use it all up the next. I really want a dog, and I'm waiting until I pay off my car so I can use that money every month to save/use on doggie expenses. But I'd like to have a bigger cushion before then. Speaking of which...
3. I'm going to get a dog. The plan has been in place for months and months, but why not add it to my list? I will finish paying off my car in May, so the plan has been to start looking at breeders in June. That way I have the summertime to house-train and everything, not to mention have the financial means to take care of a dog. And here's an added motivation for Item #1 on this list - the kind of dog I want to get (miniature schnauzer, for anyone who has forgotten) has a tendency to get fat and unhealthy if it doesn't get a lot of exercise and good nutrition. Sound like anyone else you know? So I think if I can get a healthier lifestyle in place by the time I adopt a puppy, I can do a better job of taking care of and raising a dog!
4. Speaking of nutrition, that's something I also want to work on. I kind of phase in and out on this, and I eat WAY less fast food than I did a year ago, but I want to keep improving on this. Sometimes it's hard to eat regular, balanced meals because my schedule is so weird, but I've been at it for a little over a year now, and I think I can figure out how to make it work. I'm going to eat more fruits and vegetables. I'm going to eat more meat. I'm going to eat two balanced meals every day. (That has to include some sort of meat and some sort of produce; not just peanut butter and crackers or a bowl of cereal.) I'm going to start rehearsals for a play soon, and I know that's going to make it harder to eat right, but I've already been through this schedule during the summer, and I know I can do it.
5. I'm going to do some housework every day, instead of waiting until the end of the week to do all my cleaning. Whether it's washing dishes, taking out the trash, surface cleaning, laundry, sweeping, or just picking up around the house, I always feel better when I do a little bit here and there every day than when I let it pile up and then spend my whole weekend doing all of it. Plus, when I get a dog, I'll probably have to do some cleaning every day anyway :-P
6. I'm going to consider my career options. I'm going to look around and see what's out there. I'm going to keep staying here as an option for one more year. I'm not going to limit myself by what I think is realistic; if Good Morning America still has a segment producer opening available when my contract is up, I'm going to apply for it. I'm not going to be too afraid to go for something big. I'm not going to be discouraged if the job market is frozen and the best option is to stay here. I'm not going to feel pressured or obligated to stay if that's not the best thing for me to do. I'm going to trust God to help me make a decision and to take care of me whatever I decide.
7. I'm going to use up all of my vacation time and comp days this year. Five days will absolutely be for a trip to the lake with my family. The five-plus-comp days I would like to use to visit my sister in Florida, take a trip to New York with family or friends, possibly use for job interview trips, and maybe even take another trip to the lake with friends now that we have the new cabin. I'm entitled to those days and I'm going to take them. Just because it's hard for them to cover my job while I'm gone doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to use my vacation time up. I have just as much right as anyone to take time off. I'm not going to feel bad about it anymore. I'm just going to schedule it, and not worry about it. I've got it down to a science now how to prepare the person filling in for me, so it shouldn't be that hard.
I feel weird stopping on seven, but I think those are my big things I want to accomplish this year. I'm actually proud that I accomplished a lot of things in the past year -- I'm living on my own, supporting myself, I got involved with a church that I go to regularly, I made big changes and improvements to my show at work, I got involved in civic theatre, I made new friends, I've done a better job keeping in touch with people, and I feel like I've improved and cultivated my relationships with my parents and my sisters. Of course I want to keep working on all of those things, but I think you need to be able to look back on your year and be proud of what you've accomplished, so that you realize you are capable of achieving the goals you've set for the year ahead. Life is good, and it can be better.
Happy new year!
OK, I think that time of year is just about over. But really, it's that time of year when we all make a list of things we're going to do (or not do) in hopes of becoming a better person, having a better year, and making it a better world.
New Year's Resolutions.
And I feel like the act of making them is kind of a cliche, and something we as a culture don't really take seriously anymore. But I think there are some things in my life I want to improve, and I might as well make goals now, right? And I think writing them down will sort of make me commit to them and hold myself more accountable. Plus, then I can blog about them, which I'm sure will help too!
(I have to mention that as I'm writing this, I'm listening to the playlist I just attached to my blog and it's really fun to write while these songs are playing. I hope that it's not annoying that music starts playing on my blog, and you don't have to listen to it, but if you don't mind turning it up a bit while you read, think of it as a soundtrack for my blog. These aren't just songs I like; they all have a reason for being on that playlist.)
OK. Here we go.
1. I'm going to get into and stay on a regular workout plan. (The ultimate New Year's resolution cliche, right?!) But over the past few days, I feel like I've eaten enough sweet stuff to give myself diabetes. And I keep reading all these news stories about how much the average person should work out, and I'm realizing that more and more, I can't put myself in that group, which is pretty sad. So, I'm going to start out by saying I will work out three times a week. That's really not that hard. And I'd like to do more than that. But I think I'll start with something I know I can do realistically, and then once I've been doing that for a few months, reset the goal for something higher. But I'll start at three days a week.
2. I'm going to save money. That is kind of hard for me to do; my paycheck does not stretch very far. But I got a small raise recently, I'll be getting paid for coaching color guard, and I just worked a holiday, so that should give me a great springboard for saving. I mean saving significant amounts of money, not saving one month just to use it all up the next. I really want a dog, and I'm waiting until I pay off my car so I can use that money every month to save/use on doggie expenses. But I'd like to have a bigger cushion before then. Speaking of which...
3. I'm going to get a dog. The plan has been in place for months and months, but why not add it to my list? I will finish paying off my car in May, so the plan has been to start looking at breeders in June. That way I have the summertime to house-train and everything, not to mention have the financial means to take care of a dog. And here's an added motivation for Item #1 on this list - the kind of dog I want to get (miniature schnauzer, for anyone who has forgotten) has a tendency to get fat and unhealthy if it doesn't get a lot of exercise and good nutrition. Sound like anyone else you know? So I think if I can get a healthier lifestyle in place by the time I adopt a puppy, I can do a better job of taking care of and raising a dog!
4. Speaking of nutrition, that's something I also want to work on. I kind of phase in and out on this, and I eat WAY less fast food than I did a year ago, but I want to keep improving on this. Sometimes it's hard to eat regular, balanced meals because my schedule is so weird, but I've been at it for a little over a year now, and I think I can figure out how to make it work. I'm going to eat more fruits and vegetables. I'm going to eat more meat. I'm going to eat two balanced meals every day. (That has to include some sort of meat and some sort of produce; not just peanut butter and crackers or a bowl of cereal.) I'm going to start rehearsals for a play soon, and I know that's going to make it harder to eat right, but I've already been through this schedule during the summer, and I know I can do it.
5. I'm going to do some housework every day, instead of waiting until the end of the week to do all my cleaning. Whether it's washing dishes, taking out the trash, surface cleaning, laundry, sweeping, or just picking up around the house, I always feel better when I do a little bit here and there every day than when I let it pile up and then spend my whole weekend doing all of it. Plus, when I get a dog, I'll probably have to do some cleaning every day anyway :-P
6. I'm going to consider my career options. I'm going to look around and see what's out there. I'm going to keep staying here as an option for one more year. I'm not going to limit myself by what I think is realistic; if Good Morning America still has a segment producer opening available when my contract is up, I'm going to apply for it. I'm not going to be too afraid to go for something big. I'm not going to be discouraged if the job market is frozen and the best option is to stay here. I'm not going to feel pressured or obligated to stay if that's not the best thing for me to do. I'm going to trust God to help me make a decision and to take care of me whatever I decide.
7. I'm going to use up all of my vacation time and comp days this year. Five days will absolutely be for a trip to the lake with my family. The five-plus-comp days I would like to use to visit my sister in Florida, take a trip to New York with family or friends, possibly use for job interview trips, and maybe even take another trip to the lake with friends now that we have the new cabin. I'm entitled to those days and I'm going to take them. Just because it's hard for them to cover my job while I'm gone doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to use my vacation time up. I have just as much right as anyone to take time off. I'm not going to feel bad about it anymore. I'm just going to schedule it, and not worry about it. I've got it down to a science now how to prepare the person filling in for me, so it shouldn't be that hard.
I feel weird stopping on seven, but I think those are my big things I want to accomplish this year. I'm actually proud that I accomplished a lot of things in the past year -- I'm living on my own, supporting myself, I got involved with a church that I go to regularly, I made big changes and improvements to my show at work, I got involved in civic theatre, I made new friends, I've done a better job keeping in touch with people, and I feel like I've improved and cultivated my relationships with my parents and my sisters. Of course I want to keep working on all of those things, but I think you need to be able to look back on your year and be proud of what you've accomplished, so that you realize you are capable of achieving the goals you've set for the year ahead. Life is good, and it can be better.
Happy new year!
Friday, December 26, 2008
my time of day
It's Christmas night/early in the morning the day after, I'm at work, and things are very quiet around here. So I'm just listening to some showtunes. And a song from "Guys and Dolls" caught my attention -- is this my song or what?
My time of day is the dark time
A couple of deals before dawn
When the street belongs to the cop
And the janitor with the mop
And the grocery clerks are all gone.
When the smell of the rainwashed pavement
Comes up clean, and fresh, and cold
And the streetlamp light
Fills the gutter with gold
That's my time of day
My time of day
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I'm still new to the texting thing, so I didn't get on the ball with the holiday text message, but I really appreciated the texted Christmas wishes I got from my friends!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Lis
My time of day is the dark time
A couple of deals before dawn
When the street belongs to the cop
And the janitor with the mop
And the grocery clerks are all gone.
When the smell of the rainwashed pavement
Comes up clean, and fresh, and cold
And the streetlamp light
Fills the gutter with gold
That's my time of day
My time of day
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I'm still new to the texting thing, so I didn't get on the ball with the holiday text message, but I really appreciated the texted Christmas wishes I got from my friends!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Lis
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