Made up my mind

The lovely ladies of Pixiwoo, sisters Samantha and Nicola Chapman, through their informative yet easy going how-to make-up videos have inspired me to start playing with make-up again.

Since I’ve been out of (steady) work for about a year now, my lack of a daily make-up routine has left me feeling a bit dull.  However, after viewing many of their videos (there’s currently two hundred on their YouTube channel!) I feel eager to not only get fixed up before heading out the door, but to stretch my skills.  You should know that my skills are at the level of “slap on some foundation, brush on some blush, line and mascara the eyes, and gloss the lips.”  Nothing fancy-schmancy, so I have lots of room to stretch myself!

Their videos range from skincare and everyday make-up application, to product review, to celebrity looks, and to my personal favorites, (what I consider) avant garde looks.  I’m particularly drawn to those since they are a complete departure from the “everyday” look and really showcase how we can alter our looks with some out-of-the-box creativity.

Check them out either one their YouTube Channel or at FashionFace.tv.

Tie, cut, repeat

Today is day two of cutting the ties of employment.  Yesterday, I left one of my two jobs because I was wrong for it (a temp job with way too much travel for my raggedy vehicle), and today I left my other job because it turned out to be wrong for me (not enough earnings to cover health insurance).  On the one hand, I feel bad whenever I have to leave a commitment.  On the other hand, I have just one life to live and don’t want to waste my time plodding down paths better traveled by others (not that I’m trying to come across as altruistic).

As I contemplate the semi-sickening feeling of unemployment, I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes by George Bernard Shaw.  He says, “Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.”  It gives me hope and reassurance.  This is a new concept for me to embrace as I’ve always been trying to “find” what my ideal career is, even if it’s just my ideal career right now.  I’ve taken online freebie quizzes, checked out what color my parachute is, and journaled and listed and contemplated what it is I like to do and am good at.  For the love of God, what does all that add up to?  Well, for the time being it adds up to me sitting at my computer reminding myself that at 36 I’m still building myself, creating myself.  The putty of my being is a bit lumpy and amorphous perhaps.  Time to take a breath, and then another. Breathe, repeat.

Results May Vary

I am completely perplexed at the use of phrases like “results may vary”  or “actual results not typical” by businesses and of society’s apparent acceptance of its use.  The way I see it, it is the company’s way of promising THE BEST RESULT WE CAN IMAGINE and then saying that it’s not likely to happen, and oh yeah, if and when it doesn’t happen, don’t be surprised or disappointed or sue us because we warned you in very small nearly transparent text hidden somewhere in our ad/webpage.

Any business that uses this ploy should be avoided at all costs, in my opinion.  If they can’t share what is typical and don’t believe that those typical results are sufficient enough to gain your business, then the product or service is, well, insufficient.

Can you imagine if that practice was acceptable from the consumer’s/individual’s side of things?

Dear Potential Employer,

I am very eager to meet with you regarding the position I am applying for.  In working in this industry for over 20 years, I have gained my employers over two million dollars in new revenue and have single-handedly reduced overhead by three million dollars.   Through my development of community outreach programs for my previous employers, I have increased the value of their brand and the goodwill of the community.*  In researching your company and the position you have posted, I believe I have all the requisite skills you require as well as a deep and diverse wealth of knowledge I’ll be able to utilize while working at your company.  I am very excited about becoming a part of your team and look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Totally Honest Applicant

*Potential Employer should note that expected work done for you by Totally Honest Applicant might in no way resemble the example listed above.  This letter, attached resume, and forthcoming interview will present the potential work Totally Honest Applicant might be capable of;  however there is no implicit guarantee that actual work performed will resemble the aforementioned potential.  Potential Employer is not to expect the results presented above as actual results are not typical of work performed by Totally Honest Applicant.

Confession time: I have eagerly read some job posting about some mythical six figure salary (hourly wages, of course) I could be making right from the comfort of my own office computer.  What can I say?  It’s the same reason I play the lottery from time to time.  It’s the allure of “Oh my god!!! These people REALLY meant it when they said I’m going to be making an insane amount of money for doing practically nothing!”  And unicorns are real too.

I have a feeling that I’ll revisit this topic.  Not sure what direction I’ll pursue.  I’ll probably tie this in with my thoughts on accountability but that’s a topic for another day.

Pilobolus, how I love thee

Today I got an (auto-generated) email from Pilobolus regarding a review in the New York Times of their “Hapless Hooligan in ‘Still Moving‘” piece, which spurred my desire to share my affection for this troupe.  I first became aware of the dance company’s existence when my husband stumbled across their TED performance  “Symbiosis“.  With that moving performance I was an instant fan.  Since then I’ve watched many other performance snippets that can be found on YouTube, but sadly I’ve never been able to see a performance live.   Still, from what I’ve seen they embody the type of artists I would wholeheartedly support should I ever have the fortune of become a “patron of the arts.”

On a somber note, the company is experiencing the passing of one of the it’s founding members and artistic directors, Jonathan Wolken.  In his obituary in the New York Times, Margalit Fox quotes Wolken, “None of us wanted to go into the corporate world,” Mr. Wolken told The Monterey County Herald in 2009. “We created a circus and then ran off and joined it.”  What a wonderful way to live life.

Seeking clarity

Hello, World.  Right now I don’t have a firm idea about the direction and content of my future posts.  I expect to share some of the things I think are interesting, innovative, weird and wonky, irritating, etc.

For now, adieu.