Great news. :)
As usual, I'm dreadfully behind on updating. I do read, and comment where appropriate (or perhaps inappropriate!), so I'm not completely out of the loop, just somewhat. ;)
I worked Tuesday of kid's days at Scarborough at East Wind Games, to help out MB and keep the kiddies in line and engaged. Thankfully, there was really no occasion to have to pull out the mommy voice! I did have fun playing Shut the Box (which I now need, because it is addictive as heck for a simple box with numbers and a set of diece), and sold it within 30 minutes of bringing it out to play with. (YAY!) Sadly there was only one. Our next attempt to attract attention was a game of giant pick up sticks with Rose (Susan who sings with the Shantyman). We made it through one game, and by the end of that, had a small crowd of kids ready to try their hand. I would have NEVER thought teenage boys would be soooo into pick up sticks, even if they were giant ones! They challenged each other, other kids, and were actually quite impressive as they drew smaller children in to help hold sticks, pick up easier ones, and even play with them. I have renewed hope for the next generation. It made my day.
Oh, wait, I said news? At the end of the day, we'd finished closing up the shop and had drifted over to Pendragon to finish up there and visit a bit more. Amazingly enough, thank you Verizon Wireless, I had cell signal enough to hear my phone ring. It was an agent from Aquent, who had my resume handed to her and wanted to inquire about my availability (very, thanks so much!) and if I could come in to meet with her, review my portfolio, and fill out all the fun paperwork.
Aquent, for those who don't know, do creative and marketing staffing/placement. They are one of the largest of that stripe for creative types, and ultimately, a pretty cool company.
Anyhoo, I met with her yesterday, and in the course of it, as we were discussing what type of work I'd prefer, and locations, she asked how driving to Denton would be for me. Well, actually, quite well, now that you mention it. She asked if I'd be available to start Monday (Yes, no um necessary). Sally Beauty corporate headquarters is up there. Oddly enough, I'd recently applied for their graphic designer position they've had posted, so I knew the requirements of the position. So yeah. She said she was gonna try to get me in there to start Monday.
I start Monday. ;) They do longer term contracts out there, at a rate I'm comfortable with (slightly less than I made at the conclusion of my last position, but more than I made there to begin with, and after my first 10% raise). The commute is completely OPPOSITE all traffic flow for me, since I'll be going north when the masses are heading south, and south when I-35E northbound turns into a parking lot. Apparently they just built a gorgeous new building with a cafe(teria)... their chef came from the Four Seasons. Panninis, themed lunches, a grill with chicken, fish, burgers, etc, a pasta station... subsidized by Sally so a full lunch runs about 5 bucks.
I can't really ask for more.
Aquent actually offers health insurance. Not a silly discount program, but actual Cigna health insurance. I have full Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance through Fred's job, but still, that's really nice. Apparently if you're working 40 hours a week, your insurance costs nadda if you're on the HMO option, and a small amount (like $12-18) if you elect the PPO. I have *never* seen that through any other contract/temp company. Pretty dang impressive.
The Meh news... The house I've had my eye on for 6 weeks is under contract now. While there is a slight chance it wouldn't make it through, it is more than likely no longer an option. So I'm exploring other houses in HV.
Found a really cute 3 bedroom (but 2 living areas... must have a room for all the computers) with a renovated gorgeous kitchen, laminate flooring/ceramic tile and a gorgous pool. Good location, just a couple blocks to the elementary school. Some questionable taste in paint (periwinkle, teal, and a horrible faux finish job in burgundy in the master bedroom). That can all be fixed with relative ease. The carpet is in great condition, and very nice quality plush. But it is TEAL. Like ocean sea water teal. My dad and I (he's my realtor) are walking around this gorgeous house going "Teal?" "Why Teal???" Something's gonna have to give, because my livingroom furniture looks like this: http://www.roomstogo.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=showRoom&roo_ID=644
Tan with very subtle burgundy and black accents. Teal wouldn't work color wise with a single thing I own. Someone was smoking some really great stuff when they picked teal IMO!
I'd best dash, since I've got a ton of stuff to do today. My house still isn't ready to go on the market, and I'm buried in projects and to-do lists!
but a job. YAY!
I worked Tuesday of kid's days at Scarborough at East Wind Games, to help out MB and keep the kiddies in line and engaged. Thankfully, there was really no occasion to have to pull out the mommy voice! I did have fun playing Shut the Box (which I now need, because it is addictive as heck for a simple box with numbers and a set of diece), and sold it within 30 minutes of bringing it out to play with. (YAY!) Sadly there was only one. Our next attempt to attract attention was a game of giant pick up sticks with Rose (Susan who sings with the Shantyman). We made it through one game, and by the end of that, had a small crowd of kids ready to try their hand. I would have NEVER thought teenage boys would be soooo into pick up sticks, even if they were giant ones! They challenged each other, other kids, and were actually quite impressive as they drew smaller children in to help hold sticks, pick up easier ones, and even play with them. I have renewed hope for the next generation. It made my day.
Oh, wait, I said news? At the end of the day, we'd finished closing up the shop and had drifted over to Pendragon to finish up there and visit a bit more. Amazingly enough, thank you Verizon Wireless, I had cell signal enough to hear my phone ring. It was an agent from Aquent, who had my resume handed to her and wanted to inquire about my availability (very, thanks so much!) and if I could come in to meet with her, review my portfolio, and fill out all the fun paperwork.
Aquent, for those who don't know, do creative and marketing staffing/placement. They are one of the largest of that stripe for creative types, and ultimately, a pretty cool company.
Anyhoo, I met with her yesterday, and in the course of it, as we were discussing what type of work I'd prefer, and locations, she asked how driving to Denton would be for me. Well, actually, quite well, now that you mention it. She asked if I'd be available to start Monday (Yes, no um necessary). Sally Beauty corporate headquarters is up there. Oddly enough, I'd recently applied for their graphic designer position they've had posted, so I knew the requirements of the position. So yeah. She said she was gonna try to get me in there to start Monday.
I start Monday. ;) They do longer term contracts out there, at a rate I'm comfortable with (slightly less than I made at the conclusion of my last position, but more than I made there to begin with, and after my first 10% raise). The commute is completely OPPOSITE all traffic flow for me, since I'll be going north when the masses are heading south, and south when I-35E northbound turns into a parking lot. Apparently they just built a gorgeous new building with a cafe(teria)... their chef came from the Four Seasons. Panninis, themed lunches, a grill with chicken, fish, burgers, etc, a pasta station... subsidized by Sally so a full lunch runs about 5 bucks.
I can't really ask for more.
Aquent actually offers health insurance. Not a silly discount program, but actual Cigna health insurance. I have full Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance through Fred's job, but still, that's really nice. Apparently if you're working 40 hours a week, your insurance costs nadda if you're on the HMO option, and a small amount (like $12-18) if you elect the PPO. I have *never* seen that through any other contract/temp company. Pretty dang impressive.
The Meh news... The house I've had my eye on for 6 weeks is under contract now. While there is a slight chance it wouldn't make it through, it is more than likely no longer an option. So I'm exploring other houses in HV.
Found a really cute 3 bedroom (but 2 living areas... must have a room for all the computers) with a renovated gorgeous kitchen, laminate flooring/ceramic tile and a gorgous pool. Good location, just a couple blocks to the elementary school. Some questionable taste in paint (periwinkle, teal, and a horrible faux finish job in burgundy in the master bedroom). That can all be fixed with relative ease. The carpet is in great condition, and very nice quality plush. But it is TEAL. Like ocean sea water teal. My dad and I (he's my realtor) are walking around this gorgeous house going "Teal?" "Why Teal???" Something's gonna have to give, because my livingroom furniture looks like this: http://www.roomstogo.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=showRoom&roo_ID=644
Tan with very subtle burgundy and black accents. Teal wouldn't work color wise with a single thing I own. Someone was smoking some really great stuff when they picked teal IMO!
I'd best dash, since I've got a ton of stuff to do today. My house still isn't ready to go on the market, and I'm buried in projects and to-do lists!
but a job. YAY!