more funny boyfriend quotes

While looking in our fridge:
"I can't believe we have I can't believe it's not butter! I can't believe it!"

me: What do I wear to an interview at a bookstore?
him: Business casual!
me: What's business casual?
him: I dunno...

I'm looking up reviews of The Box, the movie we just went and saw. In one is a picture of James Marsden, the male lead in it.
him: Hey!
me: What?
hm: I know that guy!
At this point I think he's kidding until ---
him: I think I've seen him at the gym!
me: Garrett, that's James Marsden.
him: Is he famous?
me: Garrett....he was in the movie we just saw... half an hour ago
him: Oh. He looks like a guy at the gym.

State of the Fran

I haven't been writing much. A lot of this has to do with my beloved laptop dying on me. But I also haven't been writing in my paper journal as much. This is not a good thing.

I signed up for a class at Penland and a painting intensive at Anderson Ranch. If you are interested in art you should check both of these places out. Penland is in North Carolina and Anderson Ranch is in Colorado. Both of these are states I have never been. The painting class requires a portfolio review so I have to get my stuff together again. Yikes.

I am currently employed at Peach Valley Cafe. The food is good and my coworkers are really nice. I like it a lot better than my job at the Nanoscale building even though I have to wear a uniform and stand a lot.

I also realized that I am not ready to go to graduate school. My art is not ready yet. I need to see more art, read more, and do more with life. I need to work hard and save money.

What are you going to do with that?

Below is the first in a series of pieces I'm writing on my current development as an artist. Wow, that sounds very official. I'm going to write about the challenges as well as the triumphs.
I always get the same questions from people. The first is the title of this post. The second is:

How do you make money as an artist?

The short answer is: you don't.

But, I am never one for the short answer.

First, you have to have a short history lesson on me as an artist. I loved crayons as a child but my mom would not let me play with them inside the house. My parents also did not let me paint my room the crazy colors I wanted. This sparked an obsession with color. I did AP and IB art in high school. I graduated from the University of Florida with my BFA in Fine Arts this past May. For better or worse, I am forever a Gator. My concentration was Painting. I did a lot of crazy things that will be recounted later but it was mostly a great experience. I also went ahead and got minors in English and Art History. So, I am at the point where I am like, what now?

I knew I did not want to go straight into graduate school in the fall. The art grad students that I learned the most from all seemed to have taken off some time from school. Plus, I just did not feel ready. I decided to take a year off and live in Gainesville. The goal is to stay creative and not starve. It is mostly working out.

I know I'm facing a lot of challenges. I live in Gainesville, Florida. I love Gainesville. It's a city with real character. But it's not New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami. There are just less opportunities for a wide audience to see my artwork. Another challenge is one pretty much all artists will identify with- a lack of funding. I simply do not have the savings to just sit at home and paint.

But for all of the things stacked against me, I have some great things going. My parents are very supportive and encouraging. If you have that you are really lucky. The painting and drawing alumni in my school have a listserv. So, I hear about show openings, job offers, and other opportunities. I recommend everyone just about to go to school to make sure you have something similar. If you do not have it, set it up yourself! It's easy.

Well, you are probably wondering, what is she doing for money then? Well, art is not paying the bills yet. I have what most creative types have: a day job. Right now I work in an office. Soon I'm going to be doing some work for my family. That and working on graduate school applications is going to take up most of October. Stay tuned.

Today's shocking revelation:

Too scary to think about- this could be my life. I really dislike Pam. Grow a backbone and buy a diffuser! The Jim/Pam romance annoys me. Plus, I have a huge crush on BJ Novak who plays Ryan. Jim's ears stick out too much.

running amok

Okay, lots of people have been asking me exactly what I am up to these days. For the short answer please read the title of this post. For the long answer please keep reading. I'm writing this on my break and it's been a busy day so this is short!

My life now:
1. I have a real job. I work on campus for the Nanoscale Research Facility. My official title is Receptionist but I actually do a lot, closer to being Assistant Manager. I coordinate tours of the building and I am learning how to authorize spending. We are in the process of buying equipment and machines that can be a couple million dollars EACH so it's a big job. I like it.
2. I am still an artist. I still paint and am still incredibly serious. I am actually looking at the business side of art as well. Right now I am working on an embroidered art piece, it's the same one I mentioned a few days ago.
3. I'm looking at grad schools. I plan to apply this winter to hopefully get in somewhere that next fall.
4. I am moving to New York. I am really only interested in living in New York City. It's cliche, but I love that place. Unless I fall in love with a school that is not there. If I do not get into art school there I will be still moving there and working. So, I'm saving money and trying to establish connections there.

I fought the mall and the mall won

So far I have done nothing of merit during our spring break. Our dear Katy is currently in El Salvador saving the world. Amy is working hard in DC. Zi is teaching. Jen and I are currently on the Mall tour of Florida. Oh and watching way too much television. And eating food. It feels goooood.

Today we went to my old hangout, the sawgrass mills mall. It was pretty sweet. Only one slightly sketchy thing happened. A man approached Jen and I while we were at the food court. He asked Jen what time the mall closed. Jen replied that she didnt know. He said that he came here all the time. Then he asked me if I was going to finish my food. I said no and gave him the rest of my Sbarro pasta.

WHO ASKS STRANGERS FOR THEIR PARTIALLY EATEN FOOD?

Tongiht I am writing a new cover letter for some jobs. Someone give me a good job. I might end up asking strangers if they are going to finish that pasta.

actually i do the crossword

toothpastefordinner.com

Today I had my employee evaluation. It went pretty okay. My boss is blunt person so I knew if I was really doing a crappy job she would tell me. I will continue gettin money. Really the only drawback at that job is a pretty common one - nobody tells me the right way to do something but when I screw up I get in trouble.
I also saw a girl who is one half of the coolest couple I know. I met her boyfriend first in my writing class. Is it okay to mention people by their real first names without their permission? Anyway, these people are cool and I am glad I met them. She does a lot of really nice work in the mysterious place I am employed that I am not mentioning by name. I hope we become friends.

gettin money

toothpastefordinner.com

Actually, my job is great on most days. It's just that I think my time is worth more. Meh.

Today was a great day though. Tomorrow will be very busy what with class all day and work.

is this an ode to leggings?

The Editors, "An End Has a Start"

Sort of a modern Robert Palmer video.


An end really does have to have a start, doesn't it?

In other news, I HAVE A JOB. Coolest job ever too.

adventures in unemployment

I really do not want to be a cow comforter.

I hate looking for a job. Several weeks ago I wrote a desparate plea on facebook for someone, anyone to let me know of any potential job opportunities. I mentioned my ever-increasing temptation to sell my own plasma for art supplies and to support my Ben and Jerry's habit. I got three responses, one of solidarity from Jen, one from Lourdes being helpful, and an invitation from Gaby to sell juice. Juice? Picturing my tiny apartment filled with crates of unsold juice, I decided to begin my job search in earnest. My first action was to check and see what on-campus jobs are offered. Sometimes you get lucky and the jobs pay better than say, fast food. Plus, not as difficult as other jobs as most are behind a desk, inside. However, most of the jobs I could find that don't require federal work study were science or agricultural jobs that I am not qualified for. I refuse to help rear mosquitoes even if they are doing research for the greater good about them!

So, I am still looking for what my parents call a "real job". The cool local magazine is like, volunteer only, so that's no source of income. Amazingly enough, no one is looking for an ice cream taste-tester or someone to wear fabulous clothing and go listen to new bands. Darn.