Revived and Revamped

It's hair color time here in Brooklyn town. My blonde is looking a little flat and faded and the colored bits have gone from vivid red to a muted pinkish, so that can only mean one thing - Hair Color Day! Woohoo! I love hair color day. Rather than go my usual route of touch-ups and refreshing, today I'm doing an all-over, then a blonde highlight, then a color highlight. 3 steps to a new & improved me I suppose. It'll take me a good 3 hours to do, so I'd better get started. Maybe I'll throw in a trim if I'm not exhausted and fed up by the time it's all said and done. Perhaps I'll be feeling up to taking a few pics to post. You know, for my oh-so-vast and interested audience (insert laugh tack here).

Love & Basketball

I had a week that was quite unusual for me. I had the useless-waste-of-time interview on Monday, I met a friend for a drink who I had not previously met face to face (we work on projects together and talk on the phone and email, but had never met) and she was lovely, was introduced to 2 new bars that I really liked (the bar at the Royalton Hotel and Second Nature), and went to 2 NBA games. NBA - now for me it's strange that I went to 2 games in 2 nights since I think I've been to 2 games in the previous 5 years. I enjoyed myself, though. Which impressed me because I've not been so into basketball in the past.

Knicks/Celtics 3.23: the Knicks actually won. That's apparently a big feat. Game was exciting to watch and the players were pretty physical, so the tension was kind of high. No team dominated, so it was good back and forth. MSG was packed and the crowd was really amped up. Saw Spike Lee. Man, he's a little dude. That is one diminutive adult right there. The Knicks City Dancers rock. Those girls are awesome.

Nets/Grizzlies 3.24: the Nets lost - no big surprise there. Game was not as exciting as the one the night before and the arena was almost empty. No celebs, but we had corporate suite tickets, so that was very cool. Nothing like free tickets, free food, and free drinks.

I feel like I don't go out very often at all but this week has been quite the exception. Big weekend plans? I'll be doing laundry tonight - yes, folks - laundry on a Friday night. Oh yes, my life is terribly exciting.

D is for Dissapointment

So the interview that had me all excited was totally a "courtesy" thing. What I'm confused about is who it was supposed to be a courtesy to, exactly... Surely not me - it's not as if the office I needed to go to is located anywhere near mine, which meant a bit of creative manuevering on the honesty front in order to get time away from my precious cubicle. It's not as if I enjoy prepping for interviews just for fun, reading and re-reading my resume, giving myself the "you're completely skilled for this job" pep talk, rah rah sis boom bah this job rocks, etc.

They already had a lead candidate (yep, I don't know why they brought me in, either), so basically I got the "thanks for your time and we'll call you if anything comes up in the future". You know that speech, it's a thanks-but-no-thanks kind of thing. The most frustating part is that the HR chick interviewing me asked the most open-ended questions... I fully understand that she's a generalist and that's the type of thing she's trained to ask, but COME ON. There is a way to encourage an applicant to volunteer information about their skills and weaknesses, but asking assinine questions that have very little to do with the position being discussed is hardly the way to do it. I'm just crabby about the whole thing. I have a bad taste in my mouth for a certain well-known handbag designer. I really appreciate my friend going out on a limb and reccommending me for the position and I think that it's one of the highest compliments he could have given me - so that's the bright side of this whole situation. (where's the "keep on the sunny side of life" montage from "Holy Grail" when you need it?)

Bottom line: I updated my resume on hotjobs and sent off my info for 4 positions that sounded very promising. Maybe one of the companies will contact me. That would be nice. *sigh*

10 Things...

In the spirit of the great blog community, here is my list of 10 Things I've Done That You Probably Haven't (it's a little thing lots of bloggers are doing lately and who am I to buck tradition). Chances are you've done lots of cool stuff that I haven't, so feel free to leave your list in the comments section.

1. Jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.
2. Did #1 twice.
3. Found a job in in New York and moved 3 weeks later - all because I've wanted to live here for as long as I can remember.
4. Called off my wedding a week before it was supposed to ruin my life.
5. Ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2001. Running past the Pentagon was an amazing experience - the gaping hole where the plane hit was still smoldering a little.
6. Got my nipple pierced after a happy hour w/clients. Courage for almost anything can be found at the bottom of a martini glass.
7. Cut & colored my own hair since '97.
8. Gained & lost 50 lbs., went from a size 14 to a 6.
9. Taught myself how to sew.
10. Attended 3 colleges/univesities and haven't graduated from any of them. Then again, maybe you have done that.

Creation - Bloomer Crop Pant

Bloomer Crop Pant - love these! Floral cotton print w/a little stretch, orange cotton stretch waistband that can be worn high or folded over for a low-rise pant. Wide legs are cropped just below the knee. I'm very happy with the way they turned out. I woke up this morning and for some odd reason was inspired to design some pants. That's a new thing for me. Can't wait to wear them. Bring on that warm weather!
Bloomer Crop Pant

Oh, the Possibility!

That interview I've been hoping to get is the week after next. Week after next!!! I'm so excited about it. I've gone over the scenario in my mind a few times now and I must say that it's very comforting to know that the position I'm going for is one for which I'm completely qualified. I've always done a good job and learned quickly, but there have been times when the learning curve was pretty high - this one is right up my alley and I know I can bing a level of experience that will be beneficial for the company. It's nice to feel that way, to have that kind of confidence. I'm looking forward to talking to them in the interview to see just how much of a good fit this could be.

Now the hard part - what to wear???

Calliope - back  

Creation - Calliope Top

Calliope Top - this is the latest in my collection. Lime green and orange cotton stretch, gathered on each side, orange drape hangs freely on both sides in back and drapes in front to create right cap sleeve and cowl. Great fabric - I'm designing several in this same color scheme. I love the vibrancy and feel of this stretch knit. I'm hoping to wear this piece out somewhere soon... it's a great feeling to have someone ask you where you got a piece of clothing because they like it so much. Especially when you can say you designed it yourself. We had a dinner party last night (my roommate made such an amazing meal, she's a rockstar in the kitchen) and I wore the Fleecer jacket - got huge compliments on it and it felt very good.
Calliope Top

Creation... burst

Fleecer Jacket. Yet another bad picture, but a fabulous jacket. I'm fortunate enough to know someone who's moving to a very warm climate, therefore no sweatshirts needed... I adopted some clothes that are being reincarnated into new pieces. This was once a large mens sweatshirt. It's now a really cute medium womens jacket. Dark grey knit w/cream fleece lining, large red button closure, exposed seams, 3/4 length cuffed sleeves.
Fleecer

Creation... uh huh

BLOOMBag - recycled fabric, blue cotton knobby weave w/nylon applique. Raw outer seams are double stitched and zig-zagged w/canary thread. 9" wide x 7" tall x 4" deep. Straps are attached to body w/2 rows of solid stitch.

BLOOMBag

Creation... more

This is the BFBag in grey knit/blue fleece. Bad photo, but great bag. Crew neck opening, bottom panel seam for shape, ribbed strap. Also making it in grey knit/ivory fleece. In the process of making a larger, over the shoulder messenger-style, too. Recycling clothing is one my favorite ways to create new things. It's like each new piece has a life of its own before its even finished.
BFBag - grey/blue

High Fiber Content

High Fiber Content

This is my favorite blog of the day. The woman who writes it is a very talented (and funny) fiber artist. She posts about her work and her life. Plus, she's not a "crazy quilter lady". Sorry if that offends, but you know who you are.

It's interesting to see what other people who work fabric have to say.

J-O-B

I might actually be able to do some real work on my designs pretty soon... There's a good chance I'll have an interview in the next few weeks for a position that I'd really like to get - I'd be back in print production, which would be great (it's a nice mix of creative w/practical). It would still be a full time corporate gig, but it would mean a much shorter commute (working right downtown rather than shuttling out to NJ every day) and a decent work week in terms of hours - closer to 40 than my current 60. I figure I'd have to get 2 part time jobs that add up to around 35 hours/week to be able to pay my bills while I concentrate on my designs - this position would allow me to make good money and work 40 hours/week. I'll take that in a heartbeat. I'd have considerably more time for myself than I do now and I'd be able to pull in a decent paycheck.

My fingers are crossed so hard for this interview they almost hurt.

Clearly in a Fog

Sometimes the quest for clarity ends with a cloud. The walk through the dark forest, thick with trees, makes you weary and when you catch a glint of sunlight up ahead your heart leaps with relief. Surely the clearing is not far now. You eagerly trudge through, menacing branches grab at your skin, dark mud and dead leaves tug at your feet. What seem like years pass. The trees begin to thin out and the black all around you is getting lighter ahead - the clearing. You finally reach your destination... and it's nothing but fog. A valley filled with grey fog.

Sure, the optimistic side of you says at least it's not that damn forest anymore, but the side of you that's now so tired (but once was so hopeful) can only see the difficulty that lies in store when the time comes to find out what's lurking, lying in wait in that cloaking fog.

Life presents challenges in a constant barrage. Most often the challenge is surmountable, solvable, temporary. The challenges that seem terrible are usually not nearly as bad as we lead ourselves to believe. I, for one, am the first to convince myself that something is really tough. No one has to tell me. Wonder what it would be like if I didn't do that as much.

I can say for certain that I'd get a lot more done. No roadblock like the self-imposed one. So my clearing is a little foggy right now. Being the smart woman I am, however, I can rest assured that the sun will come out to burn it all off eventually. Of course, when that day comes I'll probably bitch and moan about the blistering heat.

For now I'll explore the fog. The best way to do that is to quit my job, find a part time one, promote my designs, and go after all that stuff I keep telling myself is out there waiting for me.

Exactly Anonymous

Although I truly have no idea why, it is beyond belief to me that there are other people in the world who do exactly the kind of things I do. Not "exactly" exactly, but pretty damn close.

Case in point: I'm sitting in a coffee shop and there is a woman sitting across the way from me reading and writing and generally observing the folks around her. I don't think it's this act alone that amuses me, but the delight and irritation she's exhibiting while performing the act - that's where the "exactly" part comes in.

She's reading a little, writing a little. She takes short breaks to observe her fellow coffee shoppers and then laughs - right out loud - at either them or some funny thought she's just had about them. What she's reading and writing is effectively kept private, while the sardonic nature of her thoughts about the world's population are very obviously on display. Funny stuff.

We made eye contact a few minutes ago. The kind that's accidental and in some strange way embarrassing, for people inevitably look away quickly when this happens as if they've been caught doing something terribly wrong. In that moment of embarrassing strangeness there was a glimmer of camaraderie as well. One of those "ah, you, too" moments. A small piece of recognition in an otherwise swimming mass of anonymity.

For a split second I'm happy to think that this woman understands a bit about me - about who I am - in some bizarre way. As if our reading and writing and observing has linked us, even briefly. I am not alone in this world, there are others who do what I do. Then again, maybe she only sees me as a member of the endless sea of unimportant background characters in any given day of her life. Another nobody. Yet one more person she will not interact with today. Worse yet - maybe she doesn't see me at all.

Suds, Scalp Rubs and Sewing Machines

People often wonder what they would do with an unexpected financial windfall. Be it a big lottery win, surprise inheritance from some unkown yet extremely benevolent relative, or one of those awesome stories you hear about where the waitress gets a winning scratch-off ticket as a tip or some schmo hits the jackpot on a whim in Vegas. However that money makes its way to your hands, I'm sure you've thought about what you'd do with it. I thought about it today while I was at the laundromat - the seat of all creativity and intelligence.

Yes, the intellectual juices were flowing in my frozen brain while my sudsy clothes spun round and round. First thing I thought of - laundry service for life. It's not so much the washing as it is the folding and the putting away that irritates me. So, I'd pay someone good money to do my laundry and put it away. Ooh, and wash my hair. Probably not the same person, you don't see a laundromat in a salon very often (although that's a kick-ass idea and someone should open one soon). I've cut and colored my own hair for 9 years now (got a butcher job of a cut and a clown wig color at the same time and that was the end of my trips to the stylist...)and I really miss the feeling of a good hair washing at the salon. That whole scalp rub thing is killer.

I'd definetly open a boutique. Mostly my own designs, but I'd carry friends' work, too. And I'd get a top of the line industrial sewing machine - mine is fine, but it's not the kind you want to be doing anything too high volume on. So, I'd support my art, have gogeous locks and clothes fresher than a mountain spring.