Vendor-Client Relationship

I think this might help demonstrate my level of frustration of working with clients......just a little. No, seriously, that's how it is.

High/Low

I have a reached a new pinnacle in my design career.











I just finished a shirt design with "We Party in Our Flippy-Floppies" on the back.......




(sigh) I need a real job.

OK is Okay.

So my adventures in Oklahoma have ended. Our flight headed out of Seattle at 5:40, decided we needed to be there 1:30 before the flight, so I decided to just stay up. Then we arrived in OKC at 12:40. Upon arrival, some Ted's was to be had, make a pit stop at Walker, then headed home on our 2 hr drive (which I assisted on). We also ended up having a slight delay due to the idiots at the toll booth, making us wait 30 mins to go 2 miles. But we made it. It was a long day, somehow I managed to keep awake, until about 10:30....which I believe totalled my awake time to 35 hours.

Things Done in Oklahoma:
-ate at Ted's
-Bored to death on the drive to Altus
-Thoroughly not enjoyed the already 'hot' temperatures.
-Double Dip Sundae at Braum's, +some of my sister's chicken strips/french fries
-Went to Wal-mart. Every day I was there (after my 9 month hiatus).
-Heard too many OK accents
-Hastings. Twice. Movies bought/got (thanks Mom!): The Prestige, Wargames, Be Kind Rewind, Kung Fu Panda, Dark Knight
-Attended Altus High School Graduation.
-had awesome home cooked food + brisket +too much junk food
-almost played a 10 min set at a show
-Took some photos
-saw a couple old high school friends
-Witnessed how much slower Oklahomans are, in a physical and mental manner. As well as how much Oklahomans Don't go outside and enjoy the nice weather.

Now I'm back in Seattle, trying to regroup myself for the week and figure out a few design jobs. It should be a pretty busy week.

A-Town

Six days countdown til our departure to the desolate town of Altus. In lue of our cross country ventures, I decided it only appropriate to include my top 5 places that I will be eating or want to be eating at:

1. Home: Nothing beats homecooking.
2. Ted's: Despite our efforts out here in the N-W. We have yet to find a good sit down mexican restaurant. Ted's, you reign supreme.
3. Braum's: Can't stop in OK without getting a burger and chicken strips and ice cream. There already is talks of multiple visits.
4. Chick-fil-a: Kind of miss those chicken sandwiches.
5. Irma's: Won't get around to stopping here, but it was a favorite.

Runner-up: Johnny Carino's

Other items on the agenda: Go to my sister's graduation, make a pass through Hastings & possibly purchase me some cheap movies/books and see a couple friends. I somehow think a nostalgic trip to Wal-Mart is going to be made at some point, even though my efforts to not go to that place in the past 9 months has been successful.

EDIT: I forgot about some HIdeaway Pizza too. Big Country style...Throw that in the runner up spot too.

The Ambivalence of Thought

It's funny how the more time I spend at home on the computer, the less updates and posts I make. Mostly due to the fact that when I'm not here, I'm actually being productive and taking care of errands, etc.

I've hit another dry spell of work and creativity, as I'm taking the next couple days to try to regroup and try to realign my focus. I haven't been able concentrate lately, as I think Mike and I have really been stretched on our emotional capacity. I really can't begin to describe all of what's been going on here in Washington. It's been almost 9 months, and it seems like we are struggling more than ever to make it here. Turning back is not an option, but still motivation to try to get our names out there. Having a 35% living increase really takes a toll on your bank account when there's not a constant flow coming in. But we're getting by.

I've been picking up freelance every now and then. It's a bit unstable, but it works. I've had some great opportunities, and I've ever grateful to those companies for giving me the chance so far. Mike was laid off a while back, but has picked up a shift over at the local Target. It's not ideal, but at least it's something. It's funny how we've shifted back and forth with our jobs. We can't seem to both be on a constant track. Lindsay is here now too........living in our Mother-in-law apartment. She was able to get a job at a local pet store. Which by the way, I believe there are more Healthy Pet stores in West Seattle (and probably on Calif. Ave alone) than there are Regular Health food stores in all of OKC. I could be wrong, but it feels that way.

I have several ideas/projects/lists formulating, but it's hard to say what makes it to the top of the que. Avantcore is due for a revamp, but it has somehow been delayed. Also in the works is helping Mike relaunch his website+web comic. It's a bit early for that now, but I'm very excited to see Mike a little more web presence. We will also have some new wallpapers available to you soon enough. It seems I started a couple last week and somehow never finished them.

All in all, I think our little house here has hit a bit of an emotional snag, as we are not all in the place we would want to be. But we are very grateful to have each other here (as well as our wonderful friends and families) and have been able enjoy to the beautiful city of Seattle and the treasures that it holds within. We will remain optimistic and will definately keep everyone posted...

In other news, Mike and I will be coming through the brown state of Oklahoma next week to see our little sister graduate valedictorian of her class. Go Julianne!

Current Listening: KYTE, Riceboy Sleeps, A.M. Architect, Strung Out, The Beautiful Mistake
Most Recent Movies: Big, The Reader, Anvil, Trainspotting, Kung Fu Panda

Great Clips

I got a haircut today. It's a bit refreshing.

I haven't had work the last few days, but I still feel like I'm going non-stop. This is insane.