.Borrowed Thoughts.

Wow…so I haven’t posted in quite some time huh? Tsk Tsk – shame on me. Since my last post I have moved out my parent’s house in Flushing (Queens) NY to my own apt in (East) Williamsburg Brooklyn and I love it.

Some things I’ve done since my last blog:

• Purchased a crapload of stuff for the apt (couch, ottoman, paint, bedding, bathroom accessories, bedroom furniture, mattress, utensils, appliances, lamps, light fixtures, toilet paper holder, etc) It is the first time I have lived out my parents home since college – and every time I shelled out more cash or swiped my debit card – I’d feel sick to my stomach. I am not used to buying much for myself unless it’s gadgets or shoes so it was hard for me and I thought the spending would never end. But, it trailed off finally and I started to breath easier.
• Painted my bedroom, bathroom, foyer, living room. I will never paint again. I had cramps/pain in the weirdest areas of my body after we were finally finished. If memory serves me correctly, one of my feet became numb and one butt cheek felt like it had been punched repeatedly.
• Been to as many restaurants in my neighborhood as possible and started using Yelp again. Elite status – whattttt!? Check my reviews. I am obsessed with food and hidden neighborhood gems so living here has kept me busy for a while exploring.
• Purchased a bicycle thinking I’d use it every once in a while during warm months to get around Williamsburg/Bushwick. I now bike in the coldest temperatures and have stopped taking the subway completely. It started due to being unable to afford even a single ride metro card (more about that in a second) but I love it – and only ride the subway if it’s raining. The Williamsburg bridge though is no joke and on days I haven’t been able to eat (more on that in a sec) – I literally curse it as I am peddling up one of the inclines. One thing I’ve noticed is there’s lots of disdain for people riding bicycles especially in Manhattan. But, there are also more opportunities for me to engage in conversation as I wait for a light. Most of the time it’s a guy asking for my number, but there have been a few rare occasions where I have met some friendly, interesting people. Cab Drivers are the worst as well as pedestrians who stop right in front of me instead of continuing to walk/run ahead. I’ve almost been doored three times – but very proud of the time I managed to swerve out of the way and kick the door closed behind me. I never had road rage driving, but I most definitely have bike rage as I feel I need to so I don’t get dead. ;) Oh, people generally like to be “high fived” when hailing cabs – most all smile/laugh when I do that.
• Been to a few concerts though not as many as I would have liked. The Foals at the Music Hall of Williamsburg was probably one of the best concerts I have seen…They completely blew me away. Suckers & The National at Terminal 5 were also really good.
• Moved offices a few times due to the company I worked for being acquired. Went from the Financial District, to Midtown (directly across from Grand Central Station) to Chelsea. Clients were confused – but it did work in my favor if an angry client came hunting us down (more on that in a sec) and went to a previous address instead.
• Quit My Job. Best.Thing.Ever. (thus far) So – I’ll try to keep this short. The company I worked for, ForeScene Creative Solutions  (Yeah, I have no idea what the name means either) was acquired along with about 3 other small media companies, by this gem of an organization called Whirlwind Media Services (Owned by Tie Technologies).  I remember the day my two bosses came in to excitedly tell us the “big news” and me and my coworker looked at each other knowing what they probably didn’t realize at the time. “We are all going to be f**ed.” I mean, these Whirlwind (another lame name) guys  never even spoke to anyone who works at FCS – so how did they make their decision? We took a look at both websites – and I saw the glaringly cheesy video on Tie’s website which further confirmed my suspicions. Long story short – I stuck it out; my  two bosses disappeared from the day to day operations, and I am now owed over $10,000 by WWMS. That is not a typo – 10 grand.  They also stopped paying all our contractors too – which is why clients tried hunting us down to ask why the sudden stop to their projects.  Some months I was so strapped for cash – I went days at work (because I still went to the office pretty much every day) without food. I remember not being able to afford a metro card (I avoid using credit cards btw) which sparked me riding my bicycle to work every day.I can barely get anyone gifts for the Holidays this year, my savings is pretty much wiped out, and I am afraid the only way to get compensated is to sue as there has been no response about me getting my money. FUN FUN FUN. If I had some change to spare – I’d send the execs a nice huge pile of coal to the corporate office, but alas, I don’t. Feel free to tell them they are really mean if you’d like ;). Surprisingly, I haven’t let this completely destroy me though I do get really stressed out at night when I think about rent, bills,food, and living. No biggie! I am thankful for inventions such as beer, to get me through (I promise, I am not an alcoholic, I just have a passion for beer).
• Been on interviews and I was already obsessed with a few companies – like Carrot Creative before, but ever since my meeting and my daily stalking – I am afraid I have a real problem.  I feel like this scrapy kid with all this raw unpolished talent and I just want to plead for a chance to prove myself. I LOVE to work. I love the industry I am in (web) but have absolutely hated that all those I’ve worked for in the past have had a passion for quick money – and not quality innovative projects. Selling 50 $3,000 websites a month is NOT why I wanted to go into this industry. I want to work with creative, bright minds who have passion – maybe even more passion than I do to to create/recreate brands.  I want to work with people who have my back, and I have theirs because at the end of the day that’s my second family. I want bosses who don’t hide (I’ve had bosses who pretended to be regular sales execs and not disclose they were the owner of the company- like…why??) but embrace social media and interaction. Who are known to be leaders in their industry. I want to be able to say – I am working with XYZ Client – and people actually say “Oh wow that’s cool” and not “Uhh..who??”.  I want to be inspired every day, learn something new, and inspire others myself. I want to wake up EXCITED to go to work. To stay late at the office because I honestly care and want to.  To stop rambling finally – this above all else is my biggest wish for this new year, and probably my lifetime. I just need someone to give me that chance.
• Been quietly compiling my Best of 2010 Music list…It will be ready soon :)
• Decorating the apt for Christmas because I refuse to let being shat on my an employer completely dampen the Holiday Spirit. It was always and still is my favorite time of year.
• Seen a few movies. 127 Hours (alone) – amazing and led me to purchase a helmet the next day because I am always out on my bike alone without anyone knowing where the hell I am.  Catfish (alone; on a Friday night in a small indie theater so it was kind of depressing) – strange, yet interesting. Black Swan (with friends) – OH MY HOLY HELL. Natalie Portman blew me away. I had a feeling I’d enjoy this because Requiem for a Dream is my all time favorite film – but I was surprised by how often I thought about the film after seeing it. Oh and Love and Other Drugs (with friends) – cute, not life changing or anything ;)
• Went to a bunch of Markets/Fairs. Union Square Holiday Market, Artists & Flea in Wburg, going to check out Hester St Fair this week, etc. Even though I don’t buy anything – it still takes my mind off things and I have had some interesting conversations.
• Not been blogging :( But! “I’m right on top of that Rose!” (bonus points to whoever knows what movie that is from). I got the CSS style applied finally and I will be updating more regularly. So…stay tuned.

This was supposed to be “quick” but I ended up writing more than I thought I had the energy for at 4 in the morning.

In closing, I hope everyone has a Happy, Healthy and Positive Holiday & New Year. Wish Me Luck in 2011! :D