BLoGGeR PaNDa

I work at a fine art publishing company. I deal with artwork and the artists and their managers and sometimes galleries. To me, it is the coolest scenario. It’s like if you love sweets and you get to work at a candy store and you get to "sample" the products. Or, if you love computer games and you’re a game tester (this one I bet you boys relate to a lot better). At my job, I get to be one of the first ones to see the new artworks that come in (priced at 5 digits, sometimes 6), critique them silently (and outwardly only after boss gets done with his opinions, so as to avoid tiring debates with him if we disagree), and process them: photograph, photoshop, put on server, yadda yadda. I get to appreciate great art as I work; in fact, they ARE my work. I just love the way things happened in the end. (Well, if given the choice, I could really do without the long periods of joblessness.)

My job obligations include all sorts of true graphic design work too. My portfolio has been piling up intensively in just a little over 6 weeks now, with like, eight 28-page catalogs, posters, invitations, gift certificates, flyers, magazine ads, photo manipulation, chocolate box inserts… you name it. That is why my party life has been put on hold. And by "party" I mean "watching ‘Friends’ DVDs day-in and day-out." I miss that part of my life.

I still can’t believe these people actually trusted me enough to be their sole graphics person (minus web — they hired someone for that so that I don’t kill myself). Granted, this seemingly beautiful trust puts me in a bit of a situation where I can only have 3-minute lunches AT MY DESK so that people don’t freak when they need something done. I am entitled to normal lunch and two 15-minute breaks, though, so I can’t sue them (I read your mind, huh?) but when I do take breaks, the company may crumble to the ground. Ok that’s exagerration, but some days, it’s almost true. One time I was out of the office on an appointment and soon enough somebody calls me on my cell to ask what kind of paper to use for a project I printed that THEY MESSED UP, which got my boss so angry he threw the messed up prints at a wall. Mistakes happen, and tensions were high, but doood was I scared to leave the office by itself ever again.

The coworkers are awesome. The only person I would really have a problem with is actually an ancient artifact. A bit harsh, because she’s only in her MID EIGHTIES. Now we may think, as I did on my first day of work, that this lady is a sweet, fragile woman who likes to share wisdom and fond memories of the olden days. So we tend to like her by default, right? (Did I mention she uses a walker?) But a few days after my first day, I saw that she was occasionally NOT sweet, even if she was physically fragile, and that she’s actually rude to people, especially our gallery advisor who works directly with her and is the nicest guy on the face of the planet. I know this because my office is only an earshot away from hers. To paint a better picture, she is the female, human version of Cranky Kong (if you ever played Donkey Kong Country). She gives old women who live with cats a bad name. I wonder if I would turn into that 60 years from now… but nah, if I’m as sweet as I am right now, why would I be different when I’m old and have joint problems?

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One night I went home and knew I was seriously tired because I tried to unlock the house door by repeatedly pressing on my car key’s unlock button.

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A position as a full-time graphic designer at my church opened up a week ago and the Creative Arts pastor personally asked me to consider! I guess they REALLY liked the newsletter I designed for them few weeks back. About the offer, I told him no but that I’d help during the transition. What an idea: me being church staff. You probably think it would usher in judgment day a lot quicker. I agree with you. But of course I’m still basking in the honor of being wanted for the job, instead of my having to apply. If you or someone you know want to check out the position, e-mail me your resume and portfolio and I’ll forward them. Check out the church website to see if your design style matches theirs. I can tell you that you’ll love working at Newsong — it’s a huge multi-site church (we’re the Irvine site) with highly talented, servant-hearted members and staff. Sound sermons, great worship, and community. Congregation’s mostly young professionals and Asian Americans, but there’s much diversity and they’re very welcoming.

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Guys, beware of ordering through 1-800-flowers.com (what is that anyway? A website? Order-by-phone? How mysterious!)  Your order may arrive in an intricately tight-safe box that takes half-an-hour to rip open. And the flowers are actually buds that will bloom in 3-4 days ("that’s 3-4 days late for Valentine’s", says my irked boyfriend who’s planning to sue). I didn’t mind though, not a bit. They’ll last long, and of course, it’s the thought that counts. Only I don’t think I want them sent to my work next time… I get a little shy when that happens, especially when there’s only one other person in the office who received a dozen reds. Plus they give my boss more ammo to tease me. Speaking of which, surprisingly, he gave every employee tulips in pots. Even a meanie could get nice on Valentine’s Day!

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 18th, 2007 at 6:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.