What a fool I've been (?)

Well, a friend posted this on her facey spacey timeline today, and it struck a familiar chord in me. 

There have been so many times over the last dozen years or so (truly, I think I've been haunted by this feeling for more like the last 20 years) where I question my level of stupidity and self-worth.

I can't recall < that sort of experience or memory, BUT I can vouch (with the help of hindsight) many times [stress M A N Y times] having been handed an opportunity that I let slip away because - as I told myself (convinced myself) - that it just couldn't be that easy.  Sometimes I can even envision myself not even letting those times 'slip away' so much as (I think) I ran from them.

MANY times something so wonderful and right up my ally, answer to my dreams, perfect for my skillsets, and *the EXACT* right thing I have always wanted to do with my life, materialized like a Stephen King fog and enveloped my path!  Like a gift, the perfect future was laid out before me and I thought to myself:

"This sort of thing just doesn't happen like this.  There must be a catch...or, this is a trick of some sort.  I'll be sorry if I accept the opportunity because it is just too good to be true."

Hindsight has slapped me hard, and I feel the splinters from God's 2x4 between my eyes.  I have been inattentive to His gift many times over because I did not feel the love with the offer, I only felt the shame of not being worthy.

I can only pray for one more chance, one more love tap of His 2x4 - one more chance to say, "Yes! Thank you."  

Do you think it will happen?  Will I recognize it for what it is and take the leap?

Does God love fools (enough)?

Wow, it's already 9AM

Some days drag on, right from the very moment your cats wake you up.  Then there are those days that whip right past you, as though you put the viewer on fast forward and can't find the pause button.

It was a short few weeks ago that I had an interview for a full time position as a "Quality Administrator" (A.K.A. "Quality Technician"... or, "Quality Analyst").  I heard quickly after the interview (from the staffing agency who sought me out) that I had the job - "if I wanted it."

IF I WANTED IT!?!?  IF??

Why wouldn't I want it? 

Oh...well, they found me over-qualified and feared I had moved on in the time it took them to weed out, and slog through, the last of their interviewees.  They presumed I would not (with my over-qualifications) want a position for the contractor rate they were offering.  Why would I stoop to it?

I reasoned that the contracted amount would increase once I served my 90 days and was brought onboard as a true and permanent employee.  I added that it was a full time position - far superior to the part time gig with the county - and that it exceeded my wildest dreams, following my terrible drought.  It was a chance to practice my skills as a detail-minded team player - in an office, no less!

It was a full time job,
with a future,
that offered benefits and real money,
and a chance to do more than survive,
and would give my mother a break.

Thank you, YES, I would love to accept your job.
Thank you so much for this chance.

God is great.

It's taking longer than I thought to acclimate to the work/home thing after so long out of it.  The job is also more physical than I would have thought, but that's a great thing.  I enjoy the people, and I am learning a lot about the different processes and areas within the distribution center and it's small production area.  There is much to learn, but I am up to the challenge!

More about it all another time, for now I simply wanted to update those who are keeping an eye on the employment status.

It bears repeating

Whatever you make up your mind to do, just dive in and begin. 
Don't doubt yourself, and don't allow the words of others to sway you from your desires -

no matter what "it" may be.

In a galaxy - far, far away

A long time ago, I taught quilting at a fabric store (a large, chain store, no longer among the 'living'), and I was pretty good at it....for being a relative newbie myself at the time.

I believe I succeeded because I wasn't afraid to try, to learn, to say I didn't know it all, to practice, to explore.  And also because I could identify so closely with the eager people interested in following suit.  We were a part of the resurgence of quilting in the mid-eighties.

Now, I'm no published guru, no award-winning, well-known, quilting household name.......yet, but I am good at the craft.

I think.

I've been sewing the better portion of my life, mostly clothing, alterations, curtains, etc., until quilting became a member of my family, so I am pretty good at it.

Well, today I opened my 'book' and started a chapter over.  I am teaching sewing at yet another retail chain giant - admittedly not what I would prefer to do, but it is work and I am making a difference in a small way (for some people).  Originally I was told the beginning sewing class would be a multitude of two, but when I arrived to set up, the number had grown to three paid attendees.

Within 10 minutes of my arrival, the class had swelled to four curious sewing-challenged individuals!

We were together for 2.5 solid hours, and I hope they learned something.  At the very least, I hope they found the desire to go on and buy machines and continue on their own sewing sojourns.

After the class I was invited to stick around for the 'open house' at the store to talk with individuals who may want to take classes as well.  You know, foster excitement, chat it up, and answer questions.

It must have worked because the education manager found me toward the end of the open house to say a good number of people signed up for sewing classes, so there would be further work for me (and other instructors) down the road. So wahoo!

On another note: there is only one more sleep 'til season three of "Downton Abbey" (to paraphrase the brilliant Muppets)!!!!!

Nobody call me tomorrow evening after 7PM EST.  There will be no one taking calls around here.  That's when I'll be on another planet - far, far way!

Sour grapes?

Totally not pleased to realize that if I could have gotten the competition quilt completed in time to register for the JAF 2011/12 deadline, 'UnderwrapsQ1' would have had a real shot at taking home a top prize! Ugh.

And yes, I am feeling a bit smug and prideful, 'UnderwrapsQ1' turned out beautifully, and I can't wait to reveal it!

The winners and top finishers for the initial contest in 2010/11 were far and away better than the crop we've been able to see for the current year...but I guess that's all subjective and personal opinion, right?

Anywho...take a look for yourself (2010 and 2011) and then keep your fingers crossed for me, please. ;v) The entry period for 2012/13 will begin late this fall, so I only have to sit on my lovely little quilt for a bit longer.

Oh, yeah, and it's hot! [picture melting letters and steam rising]

April evaporates

I really should be studying at this very moment, but I wanted to slip in and bid April a fond farewell for another year, and welcome May to 2012.

As ever, the Beatles said it best:

"Hello, hello! I don't know why you say 'goodbye', I say 'hello.' "

More later; for now there is a plethora of free-range information I need to suck up in my spongey brain.

Tickled pink

Which is an appropriate color for the holiday season we are commercially 'hopping' through.

I finally sent the regretful note (I was not looking forward to sending) - the 'thanks-but-no-thanks' note to the overseas quilt show/symposium that wanted to hang my latest quilt as the finale' in one of its exhibitions.

I was excited, flattered, dumbfounded, tickled pink, eager and trepidatious - all at the same time - but I was almost equal amounts disappointed and deflated.

Weighing the pros and cons, the good with the bad, etc., I ventured off to my homeowners insurance agent to inquire after insurance for my beloved quilt...my artistically-crafted fabric wall hanging. I was told I could purchase extra coverage for it - beyond the scope of my homeowners policy - but that it would be an amount I wasn't going to be able to part with. Also, they did not appraise its value at the estimate I had given, nor did they think the value was realistic!

"After all, it's not like we can find the value in a Kelly's Blue Book, like we can for a classic car."

Tthhpppppppbbbbbt to you, triple vowel!!!!!! [nose-thumbing and raspberries galore]

At any rate, I totally expected to either receive NO response to my note (the frosty silent treatment), or to receive some amount of ridicule or chiding. Instead, the organizer of the event told me he was a big fan of my quilting, and that he would be delighted to feature any of my works in his magazine at a future date!!!

Maybe pink isn't the color....but I am definitely tickled.

Tickled...tickled...TICKLED!!!

Must be cosmic-letter-writing week

Dear vacuous motorists:

How did you get your licenses? No....really.  How!?

Specifically (today), you most moronic of motorists who use the ATM at the [rhymes with "schmenisis"] bank branch on Schmixie, in Schmarkston [I'm on a roll, here, may as well go with it]. There was one moron in particular who decided I was in the wrong for bringing to his attention his stupidity by nearly colliding with my car.

That's right, I honked!

And this particular problem is not a one-time thing...oh no.  You ATM users, you massive bunch of stupid twits in cars, I am quite certain you conduct other business from the convenience of your rolled down automobile window.

Oh, yes you do, and don't try to deny it.

You've driven through fast food joints, the pharmacy pickup for medication, Tim Schmortens, Vegas marry-her-now-before-you're-sober wedding chapels.  Oh, yes you have - we've got surveillance camera video footage of you!

For these very reasons, I know you know how to 'hug the wall' and stay in your lane as you drive around the corner of a building.  So WHY can't you follow suite at the bank?!?!!

There's a lane - use it!!  Stop cutting across the drive-thru teller window lanes as you pull away from the ATM.  STOP IT!

One day soon, oh permanently stupid people, I am going to pull up on your right front quarter panel (in the first of those two drive up banking lanes) and park, as if I am trying to make up my mind to go right - into the second lane - or stay in the one next to you.  Then, when I don't move, you are going to do one of three things (and most likely it will be one of the two stupid choices of the three that you will use). It's at that time I will point out the obvious and correct thing you mass of morons should be doing, and then see what transpires.

Will you succumb to the learning curve and graciously accept the correction, or will you follow the intentionally foul and obscene lead of the motorist moron I encountered today?

Hhmmmmmmm?

Signed,

A person who dislikes stupid behavior and has a lot of time on her hands

Yup, I had the initial interview

I've just finished amending my resume, and it's been sent off to the headhunting firm (again) who will be selling me to a project team at a nearby automotive company.

[slight groan]...it's a long story. Pull up a chair and get comfy and I will give you the highlights.

At the urging of a friend (thanks, Ken), I sent a cover letter with my resume to a headhunting firm in Southfield. That was on Thursday of last week. Ken told me that a placement operative there had told him of a temporary admin job that would last from four to six months. Ken said that I would be a great fit and more than capable, so I should contact them and snag this position.

Sooooo....I did - contact the agency, that is.

Several hours later I received a call from Dave, the headhunting operative (his grand poobah title is "Sr. Resource Development Manager"), and we had a good conversation in which he asked all of the perfunctory questions and I gave my best true answers. At the end of the call we made tentative plans to meet for a face-to-face interview on Monday - if it could all be arranged - or possibly Tuesday, if Monday turned into a 'no-go.' I was to wait for his call and be available.

All good so far, right? Right.

I loped through the weekend with slightly nervous expectations and energy. I gardened and cleaned a bit; finagled clothes to wear (after having not worked in corporate attire for some time); read an old newspaper; watched a movie with a friend; then decided on which shoes to wear to the interview. I actually tried to finish a dress I had begun a while back, thinking I could wear that with a jacket or smart sweater, but the armhole treatment was giving me a run for my money, so I put it aside and stopped obsessing/worrying over getting it done on time.

Oh, to be the slender thing I was five/six short years ago, and to just hop into something I had already finished and worn many times before. [sigh]

At any rate...I received a call from Dave right around 9:30 Monday morning, asking if I could be at his location at 1:30PM, and I said that I could.

The interview went well, and I filled out several forms while I was there (a good sign)! I even met with Dave's boss/working partner, who is the person who finds the "clients" (corporate jobs) they place temps like me in to.

Was I a fit for the admin position? Forget the admin position, I was being considered for a Change Management spot with a local automotive company...close to home...for a long term assignment (if it works out)...and I would be working with/for a former colleague besides!

I know! Holy crap, right!?!!?!

If I am lucky enough to get an interview with the company and am hired onto the team, I would work as a contractor (for however long) through the placement agency, for a decent starting wage - with benefits and holidays and paid vacation time. Just like being a grown-up again.

Wait! There's more.

So, Dave asked me to amend my resume and get it back to him in order for it to be submitted to/through the proper hiring channels at the automotive company in order to get the ball rolling. My deadline was tight (but it was definitely doable), and I word-smithed and eliminated and tweaked until I could do no more. Sent it to him before his deadline and went back to bed; but now here I am, unable to sleep and still too early to make a lot of noise, so I am telling you all of the news with plans of filling in the untold information later.

I hope to have great updates in the future, and I will communicate them as they happen.

What a difference a day makes

My yesterday was particularly full and pleasing. It began at a meeting with a few folks to discuss our team participation in the 48 hour film contest (coming in June), then I drove to the east (north-east) side to hang with Maria at a quilt show.

Thank you, Maria, for taking me (and treating me!).

The quilt guild putting on the event is the Detroit guild Maria took up with more than a year ago, and they've since brought her to a new level of quilt excitement, and it was easy to see why. We spent hours walking and talking, observing and studying, and collecting inspiration and dismissing those quilts that were not pleasing. It was a great way to point out things to keep in mind when choosing a fabric color palette, thread color and quilting stencils or patterns for the top stitching.

A few photos of our favorite quilt are visible at www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com

Afterwards, we had a bite to eat (thank you again, M) and jacked our jaws for a long time, until I had to get on the road for home. On the drive I called Karl to see how he was, and he mentioned that we needed milk, so I stopped for groceries (not a huge basketful, but things we absolutely needed).

Once home I opened email to check for work and book sales (I had one sale...for $5 dollars), and then settled in to chat with Karl and hopefully sew a little myself.

I didn't get any sewing done myself, but I daydreamed a lot (and moved stuff around and felt very inspired and motivated), so that's got to count for something, right? Today however, will be a totally different story because I need to get ready for a job interview - "possibly on Monday....sometime, but maybe Tuesday," and will also need to walk the book package to the PO to send it on its way.

I guess that's my lesson for the day...a watched email box never produces any positive hits. What a difference a day makes!

And yes, I will let you know what comes of the interview and what it's all about...but not ahead of time, because I really don't know much more than it's for a corporate admin position for 4-6 months.

It's been a good month

It's been good. It's been long (long and cold), but it's been good - and it keeps improving.

Two paying jobs...not whopper paychecks, but hey, work is work. Credit builds reputation. Reputation brings more work. More work = more pay.

Cannot argue with it, no matter how arduous the road travelled. I am blooming where I am planted!

Brian started that part time seasonal job at Michaels less than 5 working days ago, and then last night came home with wonderful news - at least as wonderful as can be for him for the time being. They are asking him to consider becoming full time after the holidays, working as a "front end supervisor" and at the framing center!

I know!

Remember, he was not thrilled with the job after the first couple of days, but he perservered in spite of how he felt and did his usual bang up work...being helpful and quick and trying to improve things where he could without making waves. It's amazing what one can do when they need to earn a dollar.

Bloom where you are planted, Bud, and God will do the rest.

Had dinner with a small extended unit of the family at Grandma's for Thanksgiving. Mom cooked quite a spread, and Andy even dropped in for dinner. Haven't seen him since his surgery, and a post-visit last year at this time. He has lost so much weight, and looks gaunt and very tired. Even the boys thought he looked remarkably like Grandpa Schaffer in his condition.

As we were preparing to leave, the phone rang and we had a chat with brother Aaron! So the family was complete - or as much as could be with (long) distance between us.

And now, I am trying to ready last bits in order to head out on the road in a very short while, leaving my sons prepared, taking along necessary items, being ready for the first day of filming, tying up loose ends (or dragging them along to work on in free minutes found here and there). I am trying to not worry over things I have no control over, and trying like mad to take care of everything at once that needs doing. I am only succeeding at making myself crazy with worry.

I am in need of exercising my faith in myself and in God, and I need to continue believing He will guide me and events around me, as He has thus far.

Blooming, blooming, blooming. [deep breath]

Yes, it's been a good month.

Phone call today.....

....a drive to Grand Rapids and an interview tomorrow.

Please Lord, I would very much like to work on this production. Thank You for the opportunities You are arranging for my future.

Back to the grindstone

In all honesty, it was just way too cold to keep going back out to the garage yesterday, so I bagged that activity early in the afternoon. However, I did get a bunch of squares cut for the quilt I am working on (I know, I know...."why didn't you paint the walls instead?"). Well, :^P to you! ;)

The weatherweenies are predicting a warmer day today, with a trend of warming throughout the entire week, so I have ample enough time to get my sorting done - and in relative comfort, so there. After this craft show is over I can re-focus and re-channel my efforts back into the kitchen and the quilting, where they belong (that, and job searching - my three major 'food groups' of late). Although, the job searching is neverending; I am forever combing, sifting, sending cover letters and resumes or my credit sheet somewhere.

For now...today, I am heading back out to the mountain of books, trying to make the best selection of stock to take with me to Flint for that sale.

No matter what, though, there are going to be glaring holes in what it is I have to offer, and that means lost potential sales. Choosing one title over another is not how I like to do it, but with limited space, limited time to set up, the possibility of making no sales in this economy, the prospect of moving a giant amount of reading material 40 miles north - only to have to repack it and schlepp it all back home again is crazy.

Please, Lord, let [these] people buy the books and toys. My faith is stronger than my doubts...but I am still afraid. Make me strong and confident, and bring out those people who are going to help clear my tables. I know this was Your plan and the reason You had this sale brought to my attention. Thank You for the opportunity and success You have laid out ahead of me. Amen.

Where's that grindstone?

Hey, it's July 1st!

In less than four short little days, Karl will be 21.

21!!!!

At least this year I will be home for the occasion, and not on the road somewhere. The new gig begins on the 7th - yes, it's been pushed back a day, but it still comes out to 18 days (six-day work weeks). I received and signed my Deal Memo, NDA and tax form, and have already exchanged email, and had a phone chat with, the Sound Engineer on the production. We will meet face-to-face next week, prior to the start of filming and get our dance steps down, and to be in sync in order to provide excellent sound. Very cool!

I've had a busy week - with the email confirming the boom job; and a phone pre-interview with some production house mistress named Kelly (she would not say who they are, but eluded to being project heavy and that they are located 'Downriver'), regarding an ad I responded to (the very same morning). She said she wanted me to interview with her boss this week and that after giving my credits to him she would call back "in a bit", but never did. Ah well....that is how most of these things have gone - for production work and for plain Jane administrative positions.

Then, I also interviewed in person Tuesday afternoon, with someone who was looking for an entry-level editor. He said I was the first person (of all his respondents) he'd spoken with for the job, and that he intended to hire someone by the 30th because they were backlogged and needed to get five weddings edited quickly. His decision would be made and he would make calls one way or another by Thursday (uh, hello. That would be today). I guess no call sort of answers any and all questions, eh?

I was in contention for a three day shoot in Oscoda, but had to turn it down because I thought I was getting the job in Detroit. Could have done both as it turns out, but you can't know these things.

And then lastly, I responded to a new ad regarding crewing up for a feature 'based on real-life', being shot in the D this fall. Pre-pro in August and production through September. They wanted a Scripty, and I cleverly looked the production up using sidewinder mentality. It turns out, I was right, and that intrigued the producer, who contacted me to find out where I learned what I knew. We ended up having a talk this afternoon, and I told him I wanted that Scripty role. So, despite the fact he could tell I was white bread through and through, he politely said he would keep my name in the running. (Sounded like a prolonged 'no', but I am choosing to remain optimistic.)

Well, that's the news from my end of the bog, and tomorrow, I am going to get a little bit of work done around here before I happily have no time to spare. Let me know what you are up to, and I will keep you abreast of the "things in the wings."

Good news

[Drum roll]

The new car is in the driveway! [cymbol crash] Still can't believe it; every time I look out the window and see it sitting there I have to do a doubletake.

The boys have told me to stop, though, because they say it looks creepy.

And then, if that wasn't enough, I opened my email for the 100th time yesterday afternoon and found the BEST kind of email! "Hey, Beth, if you are still available, we'd like to hire you for the production."

It must be a rather short film, or they are only filming a portion of it in MI, either way I am 'booming' on a feature!!

Thank you, God, for your blessings.

I am a magician

Good morning!

I went outside this morning - not that long ago - and somehow I managed to make 2 hours disappear [snap!] just like that! And it was the most pleasant part of the day, too. I would much rather see the early part of the day go on forever, and the afternoon evaporate like a puddle under the hot sun than the way a day truly progresses. Alas....

My intentions were to simply get out to the front yard and cast the next dose of weed and feed, trim up a little bit more, and perhaps bag up the remaining scrub taken from the front bed a week ago. All I did was the weed and feed, trimming (heavy duty, more than I intended...and boy, won't the neighbors be speechless/annoyed/wondering how to get even), and some actual weeding (digging, pulling and the like). Oh, yeah, and some transplanting and tying up...stuff that wasn't on the 'list' but really needed doing. Sorry to say, I didn't make a priority of bagging up the large pile of debris culled from the bed last week, but I did move the tarp the mess is on to an area close to the garage door, so when I do get around to it, I can accomplish it simply enough. Then, I won't have to transport the heavy bag all that far across the lawn and risk tearing it.

Of course, knowing that there is a day of thunderstorms in store for tomorrow, you would think I'd have made a priority out of it today. You would, wouldn't you?

Nope.

I just couldn't make myself take that chore on. It would have been fairly easy...and goodness knows it is necessary to finish.

Don't ask, I don't know why. I can't tell you why I haven't done that spot of clean-up, yet. I can't even tell myself why.

Maybe tomorrow morning...if it hasn't begun raining, yet. If.

Big "if."

I drove home around 8:30pm yesterday from Ferndale. Finally done with the Script Supervisor course; it ended late in the afternoon. Later than advertised and later, even, than we had discussed with the instructor (when she said she would be interested in staying on for an hour or two after the quit time to keep going)! So, we got a lot more than we could have gotten, but there were times when it was laborious...and lots of rushed instruction. I despise rushed instruction.

But, there you are.

I made three truly excellent contacts, and hopefully, an impression on two of them. Randi (the instructor) said she would be recommending me to a working Scripty who needs someone to cover a couple of smaller gigs that she will be relinquishing due to obligations on larger film jobs that coincide! So, yay!!

Those things I will keep you abreast of as I learn more.

As I drove up to the house I could see, in the waning light, something different about the yard, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The grass was shorter, but because Brian had mowed it a day earlier. I left a note on the bathroom mirror with requests of the boys for the day. All normal stuff, weekly chores, nothing unfamiliar or life threatening. I was pleased to learn Brian had weed whacked, as requested, and Karl had worked in the bathroom! Of course the dishes were still stacked in the sink, vacuuming is still a must-do, and the backyard is a jungle...but the list was read and worked on!! A major wahoo!

For now, I am enjoying the rest of my day. I will begin with a shower and then a load or two of wash (hung on the line), and then an evening of games with the boys and friends to celebrate the weekend. I might even be able to squeeze a bit of quilting into that line-up (during the wash cycles), so it looks like an all 'round great day!

I hope you have a wonderful time over this long weekend, and that everyone you care for gets to where they need to be safely. Ciao for now!

Where does the time go?

I have been up to my assets in this Script Supervision class, either working on assignments or reading...or sleeping or driving to/from. There has been no time to get outside and finish up the trim job clean up I began a week ago, nor has there been any time to begin working on the back beds. Holy smokes do I want to get back to it!

I have been stealing time in the early hours to shepherd my little seedlings through this incredibly hot weather, and I did take about a half hour on Tuesday to transplant the larger cosmos from their crowded sections to private cells where other seeds did not errupt - I just couldn't stand it any more. So far, so good, the transplant-ees are doing fine. I should be able to get them into the ground over the weekend, possibly early to mid-next week. Very exciting!

Every time I step into my work boots and play in the soil I feel Grandpa Schaffer very nearby, and I enjoy the time outdoors just that much more. I don't know if he approved of flower gardens as a use of space, but I do know he would have been as tickled as I am to watch the little sprouts develop each new set of leaflets and grow upward toward the sun. Each passing day finds them visably larger and more developed - it's amazing.

There are two sessions left for which I will have to travel south to Ferndale for my class, and now it is really getting interesting. Good news, the instructor, a very well-respected, and busy Scripty for over 30 years, has said she will recommend me for several shorts and small features on the blocks here in MI! So, work! Yea!

More another time, for now, I need to let my eyes close and my brain drain.

Terror-fication

Survivors of the massacre!

Monday was the first night of classes for the FIT (Film Industry Training) program I am participating in. It is nearly a two week long workshop/class, but only 40 hours of instruction (well, it's supposed to be 40 hours, however the woman leading the "scripty" program is phenomenal, and wants to give us as much info in as much time as we will take).

I say - bring it, sister!

A "scripty" - or, Script Supervisor - is the person who deals with continuity issues on a film, from preproduction through production. There is a lot I could add regarding the topic, but I will let that go 'til another time. Suffice to say, I love it! This is a positive step and I am excited to be able to take advantage of the training.

Thank you, mom, for believing in me and floating the financial boat for this opportunity. Thank you for your sacrifices and patience and love and faith. I love you more than words can say!

I am rearranging my usual morning routines to accommodate the class hours, and since I need the better part of an hour traveling from home to Ferndale, then the same following (the late) dismissal, and the need for time to study/reading/etc for class, I have decided to make use of the early morning hours and work outside a bit, then move inside for some job searching, then move on to any class work that may have been assigned.

With the new temporary schedule in mind, I began weeding the front flower bed yesterday - it has needed it since before last year and the emergency surgery - the mass of weeds and volunteer trees and raspberries canes has only multiplied and compounded over the past two growing seasons. My lovely poppies and other perennials were on the verge of extinction! And it just looked horrible.

I managed to make quite a huge dent in the mess - as you can see. I will keep at it until I am right with myself and can stand to look at the house once again (without squinting and blurring out the horrible weedy mess that consumed my once splendid flowerbed).

So you may be asking yourself, "where's the terror?" in all of this. Well, simply enough, during class last night a huge, windy thunderstorm moved through, and all I could think of were my seedlings out on the deck, getting blown around or washing away. When I walked out to check on them this morning, everything was alright, and I even had more sprouts peeking out!

But, if you will excuse me, I need to get outside and 'dig in' a little bit more before putting the shovel away for the day. I am reigning terror down upon the ugly weeds in the garden, but the worms love me! I feel like King Kong in work boots. :)

About yesterday

I spent the mid part of the day in Ann Arbor.

I know, I know. I spend so much of my time eschewing that place (because of the whole "school" connection/rivalry. For those of you not in the know, I am a die-hard MSU supporter), and here I am, finding that I have to swallow it and go there for either work or workshops.

Yesterday was one such trip.

Part one of two days of a Production Management workshop took place in the back end loft of a coffeehouse storefront. A small group of film wannabes and film students and displaced people starting over, and some with lots of stuff behind them, and me. But it was good, and the woman leading the series is a real credentialed PM - so right there, I am geeked. And, she's connected, so I am putting the toe of my shoe on her coattail, doggone it!

Remember, in this forum, it IS who you know, and then what you can do...until you become someone to know and your work is known.

The dude who put it together is also somebody to know and impress and work with - he has several iron in the fire right now....so I am going to take advantage and ingratiate myself next Saturday.

We broke down a script - Erin Brakovich - lined it, and received instructions on how to create a scene breakdown page, and then were set to work. While there, we had to have it lined and the scenes numbered...and I DID IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! No numbering errors or omissions!

I so can do that job.

I now have to finish a breakdown sheet for each scene. 156 pages worth of homework for Saturday. Wahoo!

What's next, Kathryn?

So, yesterday

Yesterday was sort of a lost day. I began it at home; Jean had come to spend the night Thursday so we could leave from here and head to East lansing and collect Barbazon early in the afternoon. A couple of stops later we were sitting in the Harrison Roadhouse having a sandwich and enjoying the vanity licence plates that line the beams along the ceiling. OK, I was enjoying the ambience part - I love vanity plates! Sometimes those plates are pretty darned clever.

Thank you, girls, for including me.

Anywho, we headed east for home about 7pm - they dropped me off and we visited a while (even Brian), then they left for Clio around 10pm or so. It was fun, to say the least, but now I need to collect myself and get busy accomplishing something before my return to Gram's in the coming week.

The last few days I have tried to get the boys on the same page so that I could have the tub clean and dry in order to recaulk the darned thing. Every time I get the tub dry and residue free, one of them decides he needs to take that inexplicable shower, just as I ready myself to strip off the old caulking - argh! Today is the day!

And another thing...

I have contacted the "Rollin' On" people a number of times about what was happening with their decision-making following the November interviews for crew call, and always got one excuse or another. It turns out they have been stalling the process (for whatever reason) just so they can glorify it by sending out blah blah blah announcements about their updated web site, and/or their need to have us fill them in AGAIN on exactly the same things they asked Qs and got As on during the TAPED interview! If you ask me, I think they are looking for a crafty way to edit homestyle video to the interview footage they shot, in order to make it their trailer look cutting edge and chic and well thought out - in advance [sgnort!] - and as though that was their plan all along. They won't have to hire any of us just to make their goals. We do all of their work for them and give them film they are too lazy to shoot themselves, too full of their own arrogance to admit that they need, and are too cheap to pay for - all to glorify themselves in the end.

How badly do I want this job?

And I will never get any credit for my own work. I understand the nature of this particular beast all too well, but I wish they would be a little more forthcoming and say something the least bit encouraging instead of running around every damn bush and leading folks on.

So, I have a fast decision to make - do I follow their request with a video interview of my own, or do I call and question why they are asking for this? Are they asking ALL the applicants of that November day, or just those whom they are interested in hiring? By not simply complying, am I knocking myself out of contention, or making their lives easier (and their 'product' juicier)? Should I submit what they're asking for without question and expect nothing to come of it, or should I submit and tell them they cannot use it on their web site? Too many ways to mess this up....or maybe not.