This may or may not be news to some of you, but as of two weeks ago I don’t have a job. It was a sudden desicion to take a different career path as a graphic designer. I want to be more involved in website design. Kitty approved it and I went in and gave notice. My previous job of eight and half years just wasn’t putting the wind in my sails anymore. I wish them luck over at ASP, but fortunatly it will be without me.

It is an interesting feeling to not be working. It seems like I have been working constantly from age twelve or thirteen. Pops wanted me working as soon as I could and I have to say I enjoyed having the cash in my pocket. I’ve never really had any time off other than the occasional vacation. So this self imposed leave feels a little bit unnatural. The cats and bunny seem to think the same thing. I think it is the way they look at me as if to say, “We see you in the morning and the evening. Never in between?”

I have spent most of my time fishing. That’s what I call job hunting. I cast out the line waiting for a nibble. Multiple lines. It’s a slow process, but eventually I will snare something.

I have a lot of time to pursue things that I just couldn’t before. Facebook is my latest distraction. Well, maybe not a distraction. It has put me in touch with people that I haven’t talk to in years. I’ve been chatting it up with other designers. It is a powerful networking tool. I highly recommend it. I have also been teaching myself to use Flash. If you are not familiar with Flash, it is one of the programs that designers use to make all of the really dynamic motion graphics for the internet. I am really excited to learn it. With the help of Lynda.com, I should be creating my first animations within the next week or so.

Well, wish me luck. I promise that I will not start watching Oprah or Days of Our Lives. Kitty teases me that I have become Mr Mom (bad 80s movie with Michael Keaton).

Alan

Our internet had been acting freaky, so we called out the cable repair guy the other day. This turned out to be quite an issue because he couldnt get to the pole through our yard but had to use the neighbors.

The cable guy did not want to be anywhere near Franklin, the neighbor’s great dane who was hanging out in their yard. So we brought him over to our yard for a romp in the sprinkler. We had fun with Franklin! I was dressed and ready to go to work, so I wanted nothing to do with all of his slobber.

It was fun to watch him and Alan, though. Franklin eventually spotted Luna who had been hiding under the deck. When he did, I wished I had the video rolling. I’ve never seen her run up a tree so fast!

I put together a little movie of the adventure:

How fun this was! We helped out an all women’s artisan group in India to find a small, ten thousand Villages marketplace, helped out a couple from India-living in Austin until their visas expire and appreciated the volunteers (and managers). We tried on lots of clothes and gave each other nods of “looks good, looks bad” support.

Here are me and Julia in one of the many try on poses. This was a one time only, first come first serve event and it was fabulous! This is the best part of being the store manager of Ten Thousand Villages-being able to see the benefits from every side.

-Kitty

Alan is embarking on a new adventure: the employment pursuit.

We are both thrilled with his choice to leave his last job and feel a weight has been lifted from our shoulders, though mostly his. We look forward to all that lies ahead. I look forward to our list of house projects being completed. Not really, well sort of.

Drop him a line on his website if you or anyone you may know is interested in hiring a creative. Here is Alan’s portfolio and resume link: abirddesign.com

Thanks for your support!

-Kitty

terry town farmers market

It’s brand new– a fresh new face on the Bird blog. The old site was giving me too many problems. Not being able to upload pictures is a SERIOUS issue-Russell was nice enough to help me trouble shoot, but this is my form of rebooting. Let’s hope I can continue to provide the keen insight and clever wit that everyone has come to love. And I can monitor your traffic with the new stats. Yay, all 4 of you will not be disappointed!

The mushroom picture is from one of my latest photography endeavors at the Terry Town Farmer’s Market. It’s a very cute market run by a very cute lady-and dear friend.

-Kitty