Halloween Mayhem in the streets of NYC

So I just got home from a very new york city adventure. First I took the subway (the 6 - which happens to be my favorite train) to Union Square to drop off the cd files of the project from hell...up to the 17th floor of one of those fance new yorky high rise office buildings. I got props for my skill and "enthusiasm" on the project from the art director, so that made me feel a bit better about the whole thing. After that, I walked down to St. Mark's where I had to purchase some Halloween gear and do a little research for my new project. The people were out in droves, sorting through hot pink wigs, glitter socks, vinyl nurses outfits and fake scars, madly grabbing what they could to make their outfits complete. I got most of what I needed for my GO GO outfit. Still need to make the ball and chain prop somehow. I had the brilliant idea of finding a costume shop and buying a fake ball and chain for a prisoner's costume. I found the closest shop and there was a line literally around the corner to get in the door. I was in a hurry and somehow made my way in without getting noticed by the folks in line. The place was crawling with hallo-weiners. I'm serious. As I was browsing through the prisoner prop section, the couple behind me was joking to themselves saying "I know honey, I'll be a nun and you be a priest and we can make out all night." huh-huh. That's a good one. Not that my school girl outfit is anything new, but come on people. Buying your manufactured costumes sealed in a plastic bag for $49.95 just seems to take the fun out of it. How about using what you've got or MAKING something? I guess I'm not one to talk...I'm so busy this year that I haven't had time to make anything good or come up with a really fun idea...but still. At least I'm not buying that pirate uniform from a bag. Needless to say, the ball and chain props sucked and I couldn't fathom standing in that line, so I left. I'm hoping to find a styrofoam ball at a craft store, and some plastic chain and silver spray paint at my local hardware store and make it work. I do love Halloween though!

yay...it's OVER

The job from hell is over. FINALLY. Very pleased about it. Just gotta drop off the cd to the office tomorrow.
Can't wait to get that fatty paycheck though! It'll pay off my latest purchase: the casio exilim.
The funny thing is...I still haven't officially started design comps for the "cool project." A favor design job came back...tonight.
It's been going for quite some time and I was happy to get that off my plate (at least for the time being). Still gotta watch a movie tonight for research as well. Don't really want to watch it either...it's a scary one and I'm home alone. My imagination gets the best of me in these scenarios...like some creepy man will pop out from behind the shower curtain when I go to bathroom in the middle of the night. UGH! Gotta do it though.

Biting lips, pulling out hair, chewing nails

Work update...the project from hell is NOT GOING AWAY!!! I swear to god, if my art director calls me with one more fucking change, I'm gonna go postal. I NEED to start my new project and this one will not end. Just venting while I open quark ONE MORE FUCKING TIME!

mmm...music

First I gotta say...I'm annoyed. Just had a nice post going, went to find a link and explorer crashed out on me. I've been hearing good things about the latest netscape. Perhaps I'll try switching. Not sure yet.
Anyway, I wanted to mention this fatty freakin internet radio show I'm bumping to...soul patrol. If you click on the latest show, about an hour and 20 minutes into the set, it just gets FUN-KAY! Mad Mats gots the skills for sure!

So yeah, basically what I was saying before...I'm gonna be busy as hell with an actual cool project that I'm psyched about (a little nervous about as well) and I'm worried it's going to interfere with my friend Sara's visit this weekend. I really want to hang out and go out and get drunk and have fun, but I must excersize some self discipline and give my new clients a kickass presentation...not only for them, but for me too. That being said, I'm giving myself Halloween to go crazy, then I'll crack down. Halloween is my favorite holiday anyway and I've never been in NY for the occassion. Got a couple plans in the works. Still sorting out my costume, but I think it might be good. A last minute job. I'm usually much more prepared for these things, but the girl has been busy! I'll get it together.

Thoughts from a tiny workspace

So I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but I'm living in a small room. Within this room is my bed, my dresser, my sort-of closet, and my office (i.e. my desk, computer, etc). Needless to say, it's cramped. As I sit at my desk, I can rest one elbow in the edge of my bed and the other against the dresser. And well, since I'm working from home, I'm thinking this may prove to be really annoying in the weeks to come...especially since I'm all of a sudden, busy as hell! I'm trying to complete this really frustrating project before I can start on the really cool project. But the frustrating project does not seem to be going away...just more changes, more tweaks. GGGRRRR...
The good news is that I got myself a proper work chair today. I noticed on craigslist that there was an office that was moving and they were getting rid of a bunch of stuff. I was desparate for a chair, since I'd been using my roomie's dining room hard as hell wooden chair for the past week! So I showed up in mid-town at the advertised time of noon, walked right in and said "I need a chair." The nice woman showed me what they had to offer and I picked out the best one. Only $30! Not bad, as this model goes for over $100 new!! I just took the elevator down, got myself a cab, and carried the bitch up to the top of my 5 floor walk-up. Now my ass rests on a nice cushion with a backrest and armrests. tra la...
It's the little things.
Now back to the annoying project.

Here we are...

So upon ariel's urging, I've decided to try to do a blog again. Reasons for this include A) my new move to NYC - now I can update my pals without having to email/call each and every one of them; and B) to keep a little online journal of my new life chapter.

It's been a little over 3 weeks since the big move. Seems like a lot has happened in a short amount of time. I moved into my apartment in Little Italy with my new roomie Jessica. The apt is cute, tidy, and yes, small. This is I was expecting. I've got my little office set up in my bedroom and it's quite snug, but I'm dealing. My room is cute though - I painted the walls (first time painting an apt) white with an aqua trim - to keep things bright and to remind me of the beach. I've got my bed, my make-shift closet (there was no closet), my k-mart dresser, my desk and my computer and that's about it. It's minimal living. And I must admit, it's kinda great not having all my stuff. Only thing I'm really missing is my stereo system and my records. But luckily, I downloaded most of my cd collection to the itunes...and will hopefully be doing some mp3 trading with friends.

Jessica has been great. I feel fortunate to have met her and gotten this apt. She works all day and has been coming home and cooking at night! I hope I'm not cramping her style by being here a lot of the time...I work from home, so what do you want? Speaking of work...I have not been in working mode at all. I have some random projects that I'm taking care of and I'm slacking! Have some logo concepts due today and look what I'm doing...writing this!! I'll get to it...
Also still waiting to hear back about a big website job that I'm praying I get. I met with the powers that be last week, sent in my proposal and am now just playing the waiting game. Fingers crossed...that would be such a cool job. Not going to jinx it just yet though.

The people I've met so far have been great as well. I don't know if 9/11 has something to do with it, but pretty much everyone I've come across couldn't be nicer or more helpful. Really, the NYers have kind of blown me away. Everyone I've met has offered to help with whatever they can when I say I'm new to town. It's quite refreshing. I don't remember anyone offering their services when I moved to LA. But that was a different time too. Who knows. All I can say is, so far, I've been lucky with the kind folks I've met.

There is much more of this and that and here and there that I could go on about, but I won't. So far, I'm just happy to be in a new environment, to explore a new city, to meet new people who've already expanded my little horizons. It's nice. But I'm cold...