Independence Day.

Lover and I decided to get bikes as an official way of celebrating Independence day. It's not a typical tradition, I know...but we are not a traditional couple. Yay us!

disservice.

I knew I was never really destined to be a "lifer" as we call it in the restaurant industry. Such a title describes someone who, for whatever reason, never leaves food service. It is not a judgement against those who do, as long as it is what makes them happy. For many people, the freedom and income that comes along with a serving job affords them a lifestyle that they could otherwise not attain. Kudos to them.

That was NEVER me. I hated it. I hated every second of it. From the minute I had to get ready and don my "mansuit" as it as called by my loved ones, to the minute before I clocked out and left the building, I LOATHED it. I dreaded 3pm as it meant I had to start getting ready. I especially hated the customers who thought you were their servant and failed to recognize it was a living, breathing human being that they were speaking to as if she were a mangy dog lunging for the family jewels. And I'll not even get into the unwelcomed sexual advances by bloated, intoxicated male customers who assumed a blonde head of hair and manners meant that you wanted to give out blow jobs because they managed to eek out a 20% tip. To top it off, the presumption was that, if you were waiting tables, CLEARLY you were too stupid or lazy to do anything else. There was NO way you could have a neuron firing in your brain if taking orders was your profession of choosing.

Waiting tables financially sustained me throughout my 20's...I would never have been able to pursue my painting if I had worked an 8-5 job...that was the good part about it for me. But today, as I was looking around my studio space, I glanced up at my "effigy" to my former life and I realized that I will NEVER wait tables again. I've kept my little incarnation of a former self up just to remind me that I am here for a reason. As I sat in my apartment until 3am working on thumbnails for Sylvia, cursing myself for being so poor at time management, I could look up and appreciate that, at the very least, I was not getting off a shift at the restaurant. When I got up for Hank's class at 4:30am, bleary eyed and semi-psychotic from sleep-deprivation and struggling to try to figure out what in the F@#ck he was talking about for hours on end, I was relieved to know I wouldn't have to ask anyone how they would like their petit filet cooked later in the day. It's been my little reminder that I have a purpose, that I have a mind, that I have a talent and that I am here for all of those reasons.

Today, it comes down. Forever. The name tag goes in the trash. The tie. The grease saturated apron. The stupid button for "Bowl Baton Rouge"....all of it in the trash.
I am nearly done with my book and I just got offered a fantastic job at Brighthouse. From the moment I heard of this company, I have known that I would work there...I could not imagine a company more perfect for me and I couldn't have planned my life out any better if I had tried, but that is the thing. When I finally *got it,* and I really put my energy, passion and consciousness into creating the life that I wanted, I got it...and that is a fine thing.

Big Gay Fun.

Well, it's that time in Atlanta when 1000's of homosexuals descend upon midtown and celebrate their support of same-sex lovin'. It's gay pride weekend and check out that fine design work that is the identity of this celebratory weekend. I'm not sure how gumby represents homsexuality, tolerance or any other conceptual idea that defines what gay pride is all about, but no one really asked me. My lady and I are not really doing much to celebrate other than venturing out today to do some primo people watching while we sip on mimosas. That's about all I can deal with. I used to get excited about gay pride when I was younger, in college and fresh out of the closet....now I suppose I am just a jaded woman, more interested in shopping for bikes and hanging out with the dogs.

In other news...I had my photoshoot for my portfolio on Thursday...it went really well and I am glad to have that behind me. One of my projects started out as a conceptual assignment for coke to come up with a new beverage for their global market. It turned into more of a retail branding project for me and I developed a line of products to go along with the *flagship* product we came up with for the class. I learned that I have a deep love for pattern making, learned how to actually use the sewing machine my mom bought me for christmas a few years ago and, viola, we have some sweet dog beds and collars with my signature patterns. Here's a pic.


Cheers!

PLEASE HELP!

So, my lady and I went up to Lake Wedowee with a group of her dear friends this weekend. It was beautiful and we had a great time, but unfortunately, found out that some people in the great state of Alabama DO NOT believe in spaying or neutering their pets. That does not come as a major shock to me as I did live in Alabama for three years and I can testify that it is not the brightest of all the 50 states. No offense to any of my native "Alabamian" friends out there (I know several of you visit my blog from time to time and I love you all dearly)...but here is the thing, these dogs pictured were COVERED in ticks. I mean, infested. The poor mother was so severely malnourished that her ribs were jutting out from her sides and she was literally fighting for any scraps of food we gave her and her two flea and tick infested, malnourished puppies. Montana and I could not take these dogs home but our friends are going to return to the area to pick them up, bring them back to ATL and have them spayed or neutered. They are doing this at their own cost and if any of you out there know anyone who would like to adopt one of these sweet babies, please let me know...or if you can help out in any way (suggest a pro-bono vet, or whatever)...I would deeply appreciate it. I would absolutely adopt any and all of these babies if I could, but with 3 dogs and 4 cats combined, Montana and I cannot afford to have any others. These were the kindest of animals and you cannot imagine how angry it makes me to see such innocent lives disregarded and abused this way. PLEASE, if you do nothing else, SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! There is no reason that unwanted animals should be roaming around collecting ticks and dying from malnourishment.

procrastination.

This is how we roll at PC.
or at least Audrey and I....

this just in.

In my inbox today, the above message....never the way a girl wants to start off a lovely Friday.

I *heart* Georgia.

Folks, I am busy. You are going to have to give me a pass until I finish the massive amount of work that I have to complete. All things considered, I have recovered from my weeping buddha breakdown of 2 days ago. I know that when I feel overwhelmed and unproductive, the inverse of that is around the corner....as the saying goes, "it is always darkest before dawn." I just want my work to be the best it can be and I also have to learn to let it go.

In other news, the following things have happened in the past week:
1. Audrey, my neighbor, got her car stolen.
2. I had a dream that Purina launched a dog water called Fetch5 (and I almost woke up and googled it).
3. My eye is twitching NON-STOP. My GF says it is nothing while a google search revealed it could be a neurological disorder or tourettes. Super.
4. I was asked to commit a felony two days ago by marrying a foreigner so that he could gain citizenship. As if.
5. I have discovered a secret love for pattern making.

***the above image was an advertisement on CNN's website for a mortgage company....I had no idea that Uncle Fester could be such a powerful marketing tool. ***

Quarter 8, 6 weeks left.

It is about that time when I am feeling overwhelmed, unproductive and stuck. I have so much to do, so little motivation and I am starting to look at my work and feel like it is all shit. 6 weeks until it is all over and we sign off and are *graduated*...and then the next chapter of my life begins. Will I EVER get there and will I be satisfied with the work I have done?

Mobile, AL.

yes folks....I used to live in Mobile, Alabama...I'm not proud of it, but it is stories like these that make me very happy to live where I live now.

It's a boy!

Well folks, scary as it may be...I am an Aunt, again. Featured in these photos are my niece, Anna Katherine, holding her new brother and my nephew, John Elliot. I am excited to, once again, have the opportunity to corrupt the future leaders of America. Soon to be posted is a musical tribute to these adorable kids featuring me on the harmonica. Please, stay tuned....

Brotherly Love.

After Fox's day of "mama-only" time, it appears that both dogs were happy to be reunited when I got home from school.

STOLEN BLOG CONTENT!

Admittedly, I have stolen the following quote from this fabulous blog. I am a blog thief...so, arrest me. I think it is so beautiful, though...and worthy of repetition. Someone asked me one time what the MOST important thing to me was....I responded, freedom. It is and always will be. The freedom to choose, the freedom to express myself as I see fit, the freedom to live the life of MY choosing, the freedom to love, the freedom to SIMPLY be.

To be free is to choose.

CHOICE
The word that allows yes, the word that makes no possible.
The word that puts the free in freedom and takes the obligation out of love.
The word that throws a window open after the final door is closed.
The word upon which all adventure, all exhilaration, all meaning, all honor depends.
The word that fires evolution's motor of mud.
The word that the cocoon whispers to the caterpillar.
The word that molecules recite before bonding.
The word that separates that which is dead from that which is living.
The word no mirror can turn around.
In the beginning was the word and that word was CHOICE.
- Tom Robbins

Here's another nugget of wisdom:
"Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is courage acquired through endeavor, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate ones actions."
-Aung San Suu Kyi

Enjoy!

Welcome Back Potter.

Back from NYC. How much do I LOVE that city? A LOT. I was seriously ready to pack my girlfriend, our pets and a piece of furniture or two and move when I stepped out of the taxi and hit the streets, my nostrils filling with the scent of street food and car exhaust. I got in on Sunday afternoon, put my bags down at the hotel and went to MoMA...got to see a beautiful Motherwell painting up close and personal...to see things live and to scale is breathtaking. I then proceeded to walk all over the city, saw one celebrity (Jerry O'Connell): and went to the Strand bookstore. 18 miles of books? I was in heaven. Around 7pm, I was just about tired of walking and took advantage of a REAL public transportation system, the New York subway system, and headed back to my hotel. Sure, it was the size of a shoe-box and in the middle of Times Square, but who really cares? New York is not really about a hotel room anyway. It was clean and the restaurant served sushi. Life was good. Monday was the portfolio review...it was a GREAT experience. I just about lost my voice talking all day but it was a fabulous opportunity to develop my schpeel for future interview opportunities and I got to meet a lot of very cool people. It truly is amazing to see what opportunities are out there for us as designers and I believe it is a very exciting time to be entering the field. I got some great feedback on my book and I am in a great place to be finishing up my book. Tuesday I woke up, went to the American Folk Art Museum (talk about some visual storytelling...we should all be paying attention to these self-taught "folk artists"--they have something to say and they say it in a most beautiful metaphorical way) and the Museum for Art and Design, ate a pastrami reuben and headed to the airport.

WHEW!

I am exhausted...but excited to finish things up and head out into the world of the working. For now, I am looking forward to a quiet dinner with my lady and a nice, big glass of wine.

enJOY!

This month's word it on SpeakUp, "Joy."

New York Bound!

(photo courtesy of somebody on flickr....um, yeah...thanks!)

So, I am headed to the big city, New York that is, in a little less than a week. We were informed last Thursday that a group of us were *invited* to attend a portfolio review at the New York Art Directors Club. Aside from being under a LOT of pressure to get things done, shot, printed, mounted, bound and ready for presentation, I am excited. Ultimately, like any other "critique," I am looking forward to getting some feedback. I won't know any of these folks, none of them know anything about me and I feel like I will get a really honest assessment of my work. I am anxious to really know where I stand among my peers. Ultimately, I understand that it doesn't really matter....that I have to believe in my work, and all of that but, who am I kidding, I want to know how I measure up against the competition. That is the one thing that is so utterly demoralizing about design...we are constantly comparing, measuring, trying to be the best, the smartest, the most creative...and, alas, there is ALWAYS someone else who is better. It is the perfect profession for a perfectionist. We are trained to seek out mistakes and imperfections like heat-seeking missiles...as I sit here looking at my packaging project...my "final" edition, all I can see are the little details that are not quite right.

Folks, it is going to be a long week.

Say a prayer for me, the F-Bomber. That is my girlfriend's new nickname for me...because I like to use the F-word frequently. I embrace it. I may even make a t-shirt commemorating it for myself...maybe I'll even wear it to the portfolio review.

Handy(wo)man, Mary.

As promised, I mentioned that I would proudly reveal the before and after shots of the home project my GF and I took on a few weeks ago. For any of you out there who enjoy this kind of thing, you know what it is like when you get one project started....100's more pop up and before you know it you are tearing down walls, changing out all fixtures, re-painting and building a deck.

Before I reveal my latest project, I thought I'd share a few of my other (less complicated) building projects.
BED.

BOOKSHELVES.

CD/WEIGHT STORAGE.

Finally, the new porch daybed.....aaaaah, perfect for morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening.


Now, we are ready for a Spring party.

Working Title.

Seminar this week was a presentation by former PC student, John Givens. Here is his film: Working Title
It is a FABULOUS documentary on how we identify ourselves as "artists." Very interesting to anyone who is a "creative"--you know who you are.

Personals.

So, the other day, I was searching for a "match.com" type website that would connect pet owners with each other for puppy play groups or some other kind pet-centric social activity. I happened upon www.petpeoplemeet.com...and, along with friend, Colleen, spent an hour looking a cheesy profiles. Here is the best. I would like to point out this gentleman's love of weaponry, mankind and simultaneous loathing of gays. Single ladies...here's your chance.

a brief hiatus.

Okay, okay, okay...so it HAS been 10 days since I last blogged...I know, I suck.

....moving on....

As some of you may or may not know, I like to build things...I have built my bed, my bookshelves, numerous storage-type things, and many other, *less successful* projects. Basically, my wheels are always spinning...if I'm not thinking about design, I'm thinking about painting or building or sewing or starting businesses or landscaping or writing or pretty-much-anything-that-i-can-create. I love that about myself and it drives me batty at times too. Nonetheless, my GF and I embarked on a building project this weekend and I created a built-in *daybed/seating area* for her patio. I am going to post pictures soon but we have to upholster the cushion for it first...then, I will dazzle you all with "the reveal." I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the results and, surprisingly enough, no limbs were lost, no blood shed and no fingers chopped off which is more than I can say for most of my endeavors.

Stay tuned for a photo.

Back to School.

Today *officially* starts my first day of school.

I have freshly sharpened #2 pencils and a new notebook with my name handwritten on the cover in bubble letters. I'm ready to go. I used my discover card to pay my tuition because this is the card that assures me it will pay ME back...how fortunate I feel. I got my schedule that has several cryptic "classes" with an identity TBD at a later date.

I heart Portfolio Center.

I should be doing something organizational, something to prepare me for these next few months...and I am utterly uninspired. I started a new painting last week...each day I've taken a stab at completing it but it is a tough piece to finish. Emotionally dense pieces tend to be and this is one of those. It is a piece I will probably not sell...I usually don't keep a lot of my work, but there are several pieces that I would NEVER sell or give away because they are so much a part of me. Maybe I should, but I retain the right to be selfish from time to time.

In other news...well, there is none. I do need to say this: I LOVE Nancy Grace. She is on CNN and is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. I got to watch her several times while on break and it is a routine I may just carry over into this final quarter at PC.

Happy Monday everyone.