Don't get me wrong, I LOVE doing design work for friends and friends of friends. And when I can, I try to do it cheap-ish - or free - especially if it's for charity or something.
But sometimes, I just don't have the time/energy/money/patience to do freebees.... especially for acquaintances. Here's what irks me. Example conversation:
Friend of a friend of a friend: So, I need some design work done.
Me: OK, great! What do you need?
FFF: I need a logo. I want it to incorporate a running person, but abstract and a lightning bolt that symbolizes "ideas" and I want the lightning bolt to fade into the background. I like blue, orange and purple. And can you use that font that Martha uses on her blog? I just want it to be really simple.
Me:Um, OK... I can probably figure something out.
FFF: How much would that cost?
Me: Well, my rate is $XX per hour. I can get you a quote.
FFF: Oh, well OK... can you just spend like an hour on it then? That would be great, thanks.
I adored this book by Audrey Niffenegger. It's one of those reads that I just didn't want to end and when it did, I missed the characters. It's obvious, though, especially after watching the movie, that the story is about the characters much more than the plot. It's just not possible to develop these lovely and complex characters in a 2-hour movie like they deserve to be. Although the time-travel thing is interesting, the movie brings to the forefront that the plot is a bit lacking. If you're interested in this love story, I would highly recommend the book... the movie... eh. The Score: **
I LOVE me some Sci-Fi. Call me a dork, it's OK. I even took a Sci-Fi film class in college, and I have to say it was one of my favorites. I got to write a paper on The Terminator movies, for gosh sakes!
Surrogates had the potential to be really cool... and it almost got there. While chasing the bad guy, Bruce Willis' character realizes the downfall of humanity though vanity and greed - living their lives attached to their more attractive surrogates and moving through the world with just the right amount of anonymity and without the burden of consequence. I think this flick could have used a bit more development of Brucey's character, but overall, I enjoyed it. The Score: ***1/2
I also love me some Apocalypse movies with a bit of religion thrown in. The Book of Eli did not disappoint. 30 years after a nuclear war, Denzel Washington's character is on a mission to protect one thing... The Book. This film also explores humanity, but in the opposite way than Surrogates. Instead of answering the question: What happens when we can have/do whatever we want?, The Book of Eli explores the question: What happens we there's nothing left - when we are in survival mode? It's interesting what becomes valuable in a world where everything we know no longer exists. Good stuff... and a great twist at the end. Oh, and Denzel kicks some serious ass. The Score: ****1/2 On a side note: I hope The Making Of... is on the DVD. I caught it on HBO, and it proves Denzel is even more of a badass than I thought!
Alright, so don't yell at me, but I don't watch The Office. I know, I know, I'm missing out. However, I think Ricky Gervais is freaking hilarious! I love British humor, especially when you can understand what they're saying (sometimes a problem on the BBC). What would happen if you were the only person in the world who could lie... and everyone believed you? I can think of a few things I'd do - but this movie hilariously and satirically pushes that idea to the limit. Funny, cute, thought provoking. The Score: ****
When Paul grabbed this movie at BlockBuster, I thought... space, future, creepy... awesome. Just recently (I'd say in the last 4 years) I have started to really like twisted horror movies. I'm pretty sure this started with Saw - the original. Anyway, so I was thinking Pandorum would be sort-of Mission to Mars-esque plus horror... but turns out it was more like Alien(s)... but not as good. It was indeed creepy, and definitely had a solid plot (pretty good twist at the end too), but I felt the middle of the movie dragged on a bit, making me want more of an epic conclusion. And it definitely could have been scarier. Overall, OK. The Score: ***
I may be behind on this news... but I just discovered the new band Them Crooked Vultures. Can I just say, they rock.
Here's the cool thing. The band is made up of:
Dave Grohl: Nirvana dummer, Foo Fighters front man and Queens of the Stone Age drummer Josh Homme: Queens of the Stone Age front man and record producer
...and... John Paul Jones: Led Zepplin bassist
Um, awesome!
I listened to an interview with them on Alt Nation, Sirius Radio last week where they said this is all about their fans (hence the free release of their first single, New Fang) and about the music, not about the big bucks. Refreshing! And I actually believe them, as they also admit their album is not super easy to digest. I dig it though.
So, I work a lot. Too much, probably... 45 hours a week at my full-time J.O.B... and 20+ at home on freelance work. I'm trying SO hard to get to the point where I can work on a contract basis from home full-time. But the downside is... I am stressed, overwhelmed, tired and grumpy. Thank goodness my husband is super supportive and takes care of most of the housework and dog responsibilities so I don't have to worry about them, all the while dealing with my aforementioned grumpiness. He's a saint.
Friends, I need to figure out a way to relax. Even if I'm watching TV or chillin' with Paul and the doggie, I'm thinking about the piles of work I should be doing.
I'm starting to feel physical manifestations of stress - sore jaw, water retention, heachaches... not good.
How do I make the most of the little bit of down-time I have while still working toward my goal? Suggestions needed!
Crazy and rude clients... check. Boss's coughing child + germs galore... check. Cartoons blaring loudly from the conference room next to my office... check. No water due to a leak or something... check. Lack of coffee and hand-washing due to lack of water... check. Need to pee... check.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Sarah Palin terrifies me. Take a look at the notes on written on her had during a speech in Nashville last week:
Energy, Budget... opf! I mean TAX Cuts, Lift American Spirits. Yes, Sarah, that's definitely better than using a teleprompter like normal people. I could handle it if she's writing down specific numbers or names, but to need to remind herself of the overarching themes of her I'm-Not-Running-for-President-YET (or alternatively: No-Matter-What-Questions-You-Ask-Me,-I'm-Gonna-Talk-About-Whatever-I-Want) campaign? Scary.
Yesterday at a women's college in Saudi Arabia, Hillary Clinton was asked by a student if she would move to Canada if Palin was elected president. Hillary laughed and said, "Well, the short answer is no. I will not be immigrating. I will be visiting as often as I can." LOL. Agreed, Hillary.
