I don't drink coffee

I’ve had two cups of it today.

Deadlines have been blown for several projects. Special thanks to emergency design commitments that took my time, bumping my long term projects to the back burner and not preparing me for the aftermath of the hurricane a few weeks ago in the gulf. Information we’re relying on from Texas because of two events being hosted there is a lost cause. The printer is calling every ten minutes because they need to go to print with files that aren’t done. We’re asking the impossible.

After Employee A was fired several weeks ago, Intern B had to quit because of family sickness and Employee C quit because she got a better job. That leaves Intern D, me and my boss in the marketing department with Employee C doing consultant work for us to get through our busy fall season.

Spontaneous eye tearing is occuring, a general feeling of over stretchedness and a mild nausea with a headache just don’t seem to go away.

This marks my 12th week with the company. I should not have had to cross out 4 peoples’ nams on the company staff phone list in that amount of time. But I’m glad someone vacated the seat I’m occupying because I might be a lot more stressed if I didn’t have a job in this economy.

I’m starting to remember why I don’t drink coffee- I feel sick. Or maybe it’s my job.

CM

Learning and Successes

Many things have happened in the last month! Still like what I do, having to evaluate how much I like it is hard. Environment vs tasks can play a large part in the life of a happy worker bee.

I wrapped up the marks developed for the University I was working with and delivered them. They're thrilled with their new youth logos and we share excitement about finally seeing them printed and embroidered on official school merchandise! Success!

Many new opportunities to do creative work at the office have found their way to me. A new coworker was hired and took over many of my non creative tasks (wonderful!!) and frees me up to spend more time on the work I've committed to. Exploring significant redesign or our company materials, business stationery system and other visual communication techniques. It's a hard sell when they don't see a problem with the stuff they have.

Mean while, I had my first life lesson in dealing with a coworker that had some behaviors violating our company's core values. I stifled my feelings for 3 months after sharing them with my boss and on St. Patrick's Day, just when I thought the entire office was going to have a sit down chat about behavior, I was asked to call out my coworker. It was not the best way to do things at all but in my boss's eyes, it was done. I guess that's all I have to say about that. Later that evening, Scott's Brew House ran out of green beer. It was a tough day.

Last Thursday, I attended a talk put on by Google and AIGA Indy about marketing and brand - how small to large businesses can use Google's tools to launch their success. Interesting presentation but I could have easily subbed for the main presenter. Eitherway, it reinforced my view that Google is hot stuff.

My fiance and I signed a lease for our first apartment together. I will be moving after the wedding and have chosen to be to commuter. It will take me around 1hr15min to get to work and 1hr30min to get home. This decision will affect my work when weather gets dangerous in the winter, when I am sick, if I have car trouble and if traffic gets bad. Discussion will begin about a month before I move regarding potential work from home scenarios or telecommuting options to save money and time one day a week. With soaring gas prices (down to $3.29 this week,) even a small car becomes a third mouth to feed. I'm exploring carpool options to cut wear and tear on my car, gas expenses, environmental impact and mental exhaustion.

New horizons, the bar is raised and I've gotta lace up my shoes.
Cait