Well, sit down for a little storytime, kids.
Forget that. I don't have a real story for this. I needed to make up a name for my Zune (for you iPod people, that would be the Microsoft equivalent). I didn't want to use my last name and I couldn't think of anything catchy. Then I decided to reference the craziness I felt in my life. 'Grayzeee' was born.
It's a combination of my last name & an alternate spelling of 'crazy'.
Then I had to come up with something for my blog. Needed to be reflective of my personality. I thought - hey, I'll use that 'grayzeee' name again. Since the blog was going to be about my life, it turned into "Grayzeeelife"...
And now, I've made a logo for my blog too! (I know this is a long time coming since I am a graphic designer & all.) I guess I didn't want to use all my creative juices in one sitting!
I don't know if you have noticed, but I like to write. It's not just in this blog either. I also write notes, write letters, write poems... Now, I'm writing articles.
It all began a few days ago... (well, not the writing, but the article part).
AriCaVa started writing articles about Landscape Design in the Richmond area for examiner.com. Sounded interesting... so I talked to her about it. They are always looking for writers for the area you live in and they have a variety of topics you can write on. All you have to do is select what you are interested in writing about and submit your prose samples. "The powers that be" review your submissions & let you know if you are "in."
It's a little like joining a special group - a club that not all are invited to join. Actually, it was a flashback to portfolio review in college!
My sample article was about... you'll never guess... General Hospital. Yeah, the soap opera. I must have done good because they invited me onboard to write for them!!!
Now, I'm going to be the Richmond TV Examiner. Shocked that I am going to write about TV??? I doubt it. It's something that I tend to work into my life just about every day. Thus far I have written 2 articles, one about Americal Idol/Ellen's first week; the other about The Bachelor Season Finale.
Based on several criteria, you can actually earn MONEY by writing these articles. (Don't come claiming I owe you money, it's not that much!). I haven't really figured out what i need to do to rake in the $5/week, but I'm working on it. If you see my article link - click, it. Humor me.
yeah... i'm sad about it too. Going back to work. That's right, someone has decided to take a chance on me & what I might (or might not) have to offer their company.
What kind of company is this?
Don't deny it - you know you are thinking that!
Here's the info:
Company (it's non-profit): International CHRIE (that stands for International Council for Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education)
Location: it's in the middle of the west end of richmond. It's closer to home than going downtown, but a little harder to get to from my house
Position: Publications Coordinator - I'll be overseeing all their printed pieces. There will be some design involved, lots of deadline management, working with people in the organization, but outside the office.
When do I start: Oct 29th
There are several good things about this job. One is that it pays more than my LAST job & i get 'bank holidays' off too! Bank holidays are something i haven't had at ANY job before.
For those of you wondering what Aaron's reaction to this news... He's pretty happy about it. As a matter of fact, 2 things happened right away when I got the news i was gainfully employed again. Aaron took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant (yummy) & we are going ahead with the vacation plans we'd been looking into. So, I have a 9-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean coming my way in January!! I can't wait!
How does Amie feel about going back to work?
Well, you know... it's mixed feelings. I am definitely bored at home & I don't think the "kids" really need me to look after them everyday. I miss having that social interaction as you do going into an office. Talking to people on the phone & a lunch with friends isn't enough for me (I am a social butterfly after all). I will be looking forward to getting a paycheck again and it couldn't be at a better time - Christmas is right around the corner.
If you have lost count of how long I have been out of work/off/on an extended vacation/researching the "reverse income", it's been ALMOST 3 full months. I KNOW! TIME FLIES! What did i do with all the extra time? Let's just say I am well-rested and have a great book of recipes to reference when I am willing to cook. You know how you wish you had all the time in the world to do those projects, read that book, etc, well, just b/c that time might present itself, it doesn't mean that's what you use it for =)
Starting a new job is a little like a new school year. There's all that crazy anticipation going into a new situation, but then there are all those new things you have to get used to as well. Fun & not fun all wrapped together. Is this the PERFECT job for me? Remains to be seen... Let's just hope for the best.
What do I have in mind for the last week of "freedom"? I have a few things I want to do. Lunch with a few friends, spending a little time with my nephews, photographing the fall colors before they pass me by, finishing up the organizing i was doing in the house and getting up closer to the time I will have to next week... i'm sure SOMETHING on this will get accomplished, right? =)
