I draw the line at blogging on the job...

...since it isn't actually my job to blog. (Erin, you are of course excused.)

All that to say, sorry it's been so long. Sorry that I haven't quite adjusted to the new schedule of my life yet and still have nights where I can't sleep until after 2 a.m. and still have to get up before 8. At 8? A little after 8...late! Or close to it. More days than not. I'm working on it.

Work? Yes, that's what I've been doing. A little more lately. In fact, today I wasn't twiddling my thumbs waiting until it was time to go, I actually had to stay a little bit later to finish something. I like that. I feel useful and productive it's nice.

So I was going to wait until it was official (as in printed stack in my hand) but they're taking too darn long. Here are what my business cards will look like!!!


I didn't design them, they're a standard university version, but the two-sided gold thing really has me going! The front side is a little top heavy, but what can you do? I didn't have to pay for them...I'll only have a thousand, so I'm sure they'll be going fast. If you're lucky you might receive a limited edition autographed version. If you're really lucky you might get one with a lipstick print too...


And for a little sample of something I do on my job, below is the first 'new' thing I did at work (new as in not just an update or reprint of an older job):



Yep, they're pretty pink. I didn't think it was the greatest thing ever but I'm willing to cope with that since it was so well received by my superiors and coworkers. Woo hoo! They were just small posters and handouts for a rec class event. Kinda fun.

What's really fun though was who I got to see this weekend...MOLLY!!! I have to confess, it felt like she'd been on a really long vacation and she was back at home for good. Unfortunately for me, she's back on extended leave again and I'm left feeling like I didn't soak her up enough. :( Guess that just means I have to go to Nashville for rizzles!!!



So we went to the football game on Saturday and cheered the Tigers on to a depressing defeat. We also got to eat half-baked cookies (mom forgot to save some dough) with ice cream (sosoososooooo good!) and then of course the entree of all-baked cookies with milk. Molly also got to see the European Cruise Slideshow DVD...one full hour of photos and it had been long enough for me that I was actually excited to see them again.

And I realized that even though I've been working 40 hours a week, I've accidentally on purpose taken a break from my 'real' camera. I think I may be ready to take it up again, which is good because I have several reasons to: I love fall, Emily and Mark need engagement photos, I have a long-overdue assignment from Mrs. Duggin, some family shoot opportunities and of course there's always my dogs!!! This will be good for those of you who would rather I didn't write as much and just posted more pics.

We'll see if it really balances out or just causes me to write more...

A Three Hour Tour...(a three hour tour...)

Today, I became a 'real person.' I'd have to say it was quite satisfying and enjoyable. As I was under the distinct impression that first days aren't often this way, I was certainly not expecting this. I never once felt awkward, everyone was very welcoming and I even scored some really sweet stuff. Perhaps my only complaint was the shoes...there aren't many 'dressy' shoes that can accommodate a three hour tour of a recreational facility + a short walk to lunch/30 minutes straight standing time in line + a medium walk to some dedication thing + what seemed like a mountainous hike to my car in the parking garage. I have spared you (and myself) of any photos of the resulting blisters. Yep. Not real sure what shoes I will - or can! - wear tomorrow.

Moving on...let's just start with the "First Day of Work" outfit (as pictured below). Now, even though my mother took the photo and the backdrop is nearly identical to my "First Day of Seventh Grade" photo, both the outfit and the sentiment are entirely different. Okay...maybe just the outfit. Still. Documentation through photos is fairly important to me, thus the resulting image below.



Concerning the sweet stuff I scored, I'd just like to say that I wish it 'twer always this easy. While getting oriented on the time sheet process at my new desk in my new office with my new boss (who rocks) she noted that the Dell keyboard and mouse were insufficient tools for a graphic designer. I'd have to say she was right. And what action! It wasn't like it took 2 weeks for me to learn the misguided shortcut keys and scrub off mouse residue (yes, nearly as nasty as it sounds)...a mere 3 hours later I was given (and got to stand by while others 'installed') a brand new mighty mouse and shiny new keyboard! Fantastic, I tell you!


Next up, a new telephone - for which I will have to learn all the fancy message-retrieving tricks. I think I'm up to the challenge.




Now, onto the REALLY great news. In the hustle and bustle of the day, my boss Emily had forgotten to tell me the biggest perk yet of the already wonderful job until around 4 o'clock this afternoon. Umm...come November 19-21 I'll be in HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA for a conference!!! Best first business trip ever! First best business trip ever!!! (Kim, if you ever read this, it's only a 5.5 hour drive for you...)


Welp, that's about all of my exciting news for today. Maybe tomorrow I'll actually DO something pertaining to my job. All in good time, all in good time...