Filling in time while people deliberate

So I made my pitch for the job in London and am now waiting for a decision.

In my favor is that I'm good, they know of me, I work quickly and I have a reputation for being able to work with designers.

Working against me is the fact that I don't know when I'll be allowed to leave the US, will only be available for 3 months at most, am murderously expensive (by UK standards) and have a reputation (undeserved I think) for being at the cool end of the spectrum when it comes to the kinds of clients I excel on.

More in the minus pile. But hey we'll see how it goes. If there's cash, a car, a spring in London and some interesting work in it I'm all for it. If any one of those things falls out well then I have things to do here, an internet full of pretty people doing kissing and a shed load of details to sort before Canada.

So it's a waiting game. Today I waited for and with The Script. I like them. They played the spiritual home of the Borders book chain here in Ann Arbor today and were mightily good I have to say.

"Hope you enjoy the album, it was a labor of love" they said to each signee; blissfully unaware of the Hue and Cry songs that set off in my head...

Love is a burning flame

So did a marathon reality viewing session last night and ever since have had "Ring of Fire" in my head. Not that Adam Lambert's version was any good mind. Adam is the person that Paula is most likely going to jump on this season (after the odd looking guy who seems to be milking his dead wife for every vote he can)... but it's weird as Adam is kinda a tranny Meatloaf, with bad skin. Really bad skin. He ripped of Buckley and ended up sounding like The Doors on an off night in Morocco but fair play to him...

Alexis Grace (a name or an incantation?) went home for murdering Dolly Parton's Jolene while looking very much like the bird like songstress. She narrowly lost to a fat bloke who seems to like his family and his blue collar. Which was a shame. Sure they need a little blue collar in there but this guy is more Michael Bolton with an appetite than Springstein. Best seen him described as Michael “Jesus Built My Oilrig” Sarver

Other idolists? Lil Rounds, a woman with a voice as big as her ass. And that's sizeable. Like Floridian.

Anoop, an Indian with the soul of an accountant who seems to have more and more family in the crowd every week. Seriously somebody ought to call the INS because give it another three rounds and we have a potential Black hole of Calcutta tragedy.

Kris Allen looks square jawed enough (though jowly parents hang out in the crowd like specters of 'I coulda been a contender' future) - he's a crap balladeer, so he'll make top 8

Megan Joy I like - she moves like a bird that has fallen from its nest, in short broken hops and sounds like a bird who has had it's larynx crushed by a nazi jackboot. But she's cool and quirky and looks suitably mortified in the dreadful group singing bits.

Danny Gokey has the dead wife. And the misty eyes. And Paula's number.

Allison Iraheta is 16 but sounds like Suzi Quattro. I like her. She's like a less drunk version of the mad nurse they had a while ago. She rocks it like it's a wedding rehearsal dinner and is the most likely to shill for a local abortion clinic I think. Something about her says 'trailer park in your future missy'... I hope it's an airstream

Scott Macintyre is blind. Which is great during the group numbers. Mainly because it seems that the other 'idols' are daring each other to lead him closer and closer to the edge of the stage. This week Paula cruelly told him to lose the piano, if she's spun his chair around quickly enough she might have accomplished physically.

Anyway as penance for all of this nastiness here's a pic of me to poke fun at

Better yet

Why I've been a bad, bad, blogger

I've not been as regular with these blogs lately - and the weird reason is that I've been busy. Really busy. Take yesterday, phone interview in the morning, talk to broker before lunch, run to gym, 4 hours in the dentist chair, come home, cook, couple of hours spent looking for Canadian places to live online and thats without factoring in the photos that I have to edit, the website that I'm keen to run my eye over or the people whose calls need returning (including a guy who wants to buy a kit lens from me, SCORE)

So sorry that these have been infrequent and about as interesting as a Gillian 'Poo Lady' Marathon... but times are frantic right now

First day of unemployment

So here in Catch 22

11 - Can't work in US as I'm without a Visa

22 - Can't leave the country until I get a new non-working Visa

But today was nice. The sun shone. The temperatures improved. The dog was walked. The cars was serviced. Pictures were worked on. Phone interviews were set up. White papers were written. Books were drafted. A vivid nightmare was outlined as a horror movie elevator pitch,

Tomorrow - root canals, more photo work, phone interview with Europe.

Meanwhile House(!)

Y-ouch

Yesterday I had my first gym injury.

I hurt my back jumping rope.

Today I shot 7 models in the Harajuku style

The camera was heavy

My back feels worse

This evening we saw a really good Varsity Hockey game - much dancing

Again the back feels it

Hoping that the Rockwell exhibition at the DIA tomorrow is less strenuous.

Meanwhile this is what happens when your 9am cancels and only your wife is around...

Bless her polyester thigh hi stockings

Not the best shot this but the first outta the cam

Yet more hush-hushery

I'm starting to get very excited by a couple of the prospects flying around at the moment. One I really have my fingers crossed for will keep me out of trouble for the spring. It could also get me deep into a client before 'going it alone' in June / July.

The other thing that's exciting is that 'going it alone' might not mean being alone after all. There are people out there that I've always wanted to work with; some of whom have skills that are totally complimentary to mine -- and there's a chance that Alternate Hypothesis might not me a one man band - or even called Ha.

All very vague I know. But if things go to plan (and I'm aware that they rarely do) I might have a job for the spring, a company that's partly my own by summer, a backbone of regular income based on selling some of my time, relationships with a couple of clients and the chance to partner with people that I love and respect.

Meanwhile sitting tight, writing lots, enjoying sunny but cold weather and hassling and hustling things along

Who knows, perhaps, maybe

Can't say too much about this.. but there is a chance that a job that people have been talking about from different angles might just happen. It's still early days and the stumbling block may be that I only want the job for a couple of months but it and I am looking hopeful.

Post Canada things are starting to look as though they might fall into place too.

Plus today I managed to clean the house, we got our change of status acknowledged, the sun came out and pilates felt as though it was kicking my ass.

Not a bad one... now if only I could stop models dropping like flies...

Possibilities

All kinds of possibilities opening up to me today. I've been talking about becoming part of a team looking at new ways to do planning. I've been talking to some agencies about innovation and how to train people in the processes of innovation. I spent some time talking to someone who asked whether I'd be interested in teaching at a University (that would really bug the proper academics, lol) and recently I've had the idea of going 'client side' floated past me...

All good, all speculative and all delayed until June for legal reasons.

Meanwhile I'm about to shoot eight models (I'm banking on 5 showing) this Saturday. So preparing for that.

Moving...

So things finally started moving for me today.

First a lot of people came back and told me what I kinda knew. The chance of something short term between now and the end of June is slim to non-existent. Get used to it.

But there is interest. There are opportunities post June. There are people doing interesting things. And something may well be through soon - pending an agreement on funding and my cash demands.

Besides that I have my book to write, someone else's book to edit, two start-ups looking for help, an ex-client that I won't leave in the lurch, a company to set up and a trends piece that needs some serious thought.

Not a bad day - and a busy one.
Thank the Jezuz

Ah New York

New York City Feb 2009
Originally uploaded by stevenjude

The thing abt New York is that it's full of opportunity.
Or it would be if I had a visa to take up that opportunities there

But I don't
And so I had to grimace my way through the weekend
Explaining again and again why I can't work here, even when work is offered.

Still it was 20c, sunny and full of people that I really like.
The New York office was funkier
And the people there happier
Plus I saw some old faces that seemed younger than ever

Fun time, let's see where it leads now...

We're in New York City

Flatiron Building, New York City
Originally uploaded by Joep R.

nothing to report yet - but jude looking fetching in new sweaters

Things moving...

Halden Ainderloch
Originally uploaded by Shadow Viking

So we fly to New York tomorrow to see what's happening there that may point toward a new direction for us. Wow that was convoluted. Wanna see what kind of thing NY has in mind re. our working together. That's better.

Offloaded The Mustang to the dealer who ripped me off least obviously.

Submitted all of the documents we have so that Jude's people can get her Visa application in

Went into my office for the last time to hand back all of their equipment.

Wrote to an ex-client in a bid to pacify them and smooth things out.

Starting to feel like a new page. We'll see

Hurrah for academia

Professor Severus Snape
Originally uploaded by hk_traveller

I have to say that while I tend to think of academia as being slow, stuffy, heavy on red tape and arcane in its ways the response from Judith's people on our need for new visas has been fantastic.

They've found a way that she can keep working through to the end of her contract - though she may have to take a break while a new visa comes through, losing a month of pay. Not a bad trade off. It would also mean that I could stay too - though I'd not be able to work.

May have some news on that front too - though it would require a big favor from someone and I'm not sure that what I'm asking is in their power to grant. We shall see. Nothing rosy, but nothing ashen either.

And Jude gave me a name for my new company. Her million dollar education finally paying off. I love it. Registering it and then I'll have more.

Oh and fingers crossed for a stock rally - I have some assets to liquidate...

Herding Ducks

DSC04767
Originally uploaded by stevenjude

So it looks as though my loss of job has some pretty serious implications. The biggest one of which is that it means that Jude can no longer work either. Which means the loss of two incomes. Damn.

It might also mean us having to leave sooner rather than later. And the thought of having to pack up and get out of dodge so quickly isn't one that I'd really wanted to deal with.

We have some options - and we're exploring those. And I'm still waiting to hear from my company lawyers... but right now I feel like the sheepdog we saw at the Detroit Dog show yesterday - trying to keep my ducks in a row

More when we know it

The mood darkens

Quite the change in tone here in the last 48 hrs huh?

Well yesterday I lost my job
Today I got hit with a $16,000 tax bill
Sunday I shall do as the Lord doth command and rest
Monday I talk to lawyers to see whether we'll be deported

Then it's a flight to New York to talk potential new role
Before coming back to the poorhouse - okay, okay the poor loft - to work things out.

Only real concern is the Visa as it would mean Jude also getting the boot.
It would also send us off on a 3 month - round the world adventure that might prove to be ill-planned

We shared lunch today... how long before we have to?

Another day, another life experience

I lost my job today. Well when I say I lost it, rather it was eliminated. I wasn't expecting it - which given the economy and the fact that the people I'm working for are cutting huge swathes of employees was pretty stupid. And so walking into a room that had the head of department and a strange woman wasn't ominous at all. You see I was looking to negotiate by disappearance from the company.

We're moving in June to Montreal; I was hoping to work through to May and then take a bit of a break before starting to look for something interesting to do up there. I'd been open with everyone about this and that had been my "downfall"... the company was looking to lose people, I was leaving anyway why not bring the two dates together.

I'm glad actually that I was honest. Because it means that someone who needs the job for their family gets to stay in it - and that I have a month with no income to worry about. That's not really a big deal in the scheme of things - we've made enough, saved enough and have put ourselves into a position where that kind of thing isn't really a worry.

Plus I'm meeting with people in a different office of this company next week to talk about an arrangement that is close to my dream job. That was always planned. Things have been moving along and Thursday / Friday may see us seal the deal on that. So it may well be that I end up doing exactly what I've always wanted to do, with the people that I like most in the company, owning a slice of my own life again and working from wherever in the world that I want to work. Just wish that I'd had that meeting today rather than next week, timing is off but hey, better position than most people, huh?

The object of my affection

I'm really wanting to buy the old Minolta Beercan lens. It's well built, pretty sharp, good in low light and has a decent range. Once I have it in the bag I'm pretty much covered for most occasions.

Of course a friend had told me to buy the camera body only. That once I'd sniffed out a decent old Minolta lens I'd sneer at the included Sony Kit lenses - with their lightweight construction and use of plastic. I bought the kit lenses anyway - they were part of a deal that meant that they were very close to free... but he was right. I have two Minolta lenses at the moment and I'm looking to add a third.

They have great color. The build quality is good. And they're faster than the included Sony lenses, while being a lot cheaper than G series or Zeiss lenses. This will be the last lens for a while and I'm currently trying to outsmart the people in E-Bay in a bidding war that's pyschological as well as being about being willing to pay more.

It's a big old lens. And it's heavy. But it would be the last one that I needed. And in a world were size and weight are second only to provenance it will buy me acceptance - or at least end the questioning.

6 hrs to the end of the auction... how high should I go? Prices are through the roof at the moment - part reputation, part Sony DSLR taking off, part rarity, part seller greed, part buyer stupidity. I'm just too late for bargains, but just the right side of investment.

What to blog about...

These days I'm finding it hard to keep my mind straight enough to Tweet, let alone to blog.

Part of this is down to pain - and to the drugs that have come along with the pain.
Part is a winter hibernation in Michigan
Part is this is the large part of me that's permanently distracted by the thought that I could be out taking pictures.
Part is the fact that the next 4 months are limbo months - we move in June; what before then?
Part is a temporary lull in the workload
Part is passing 1000 posts here

Some is having the computer upstairs and the people and things I love downstairs
And a large part is me still self censoring.

A couple of trips on the horizon may help change that.
Let us see....

Time for implants

I've mentioned here before that there's nothing more shaming than opening a British mouth to an American dentist. In fact I think that in the 1001 posts on this blog (yup we're up to 1001, how many have you read?) I've mentioned just about everything, but the dentist is a reoccurring one.

Well this week has been one of emergency dental treatment. It started when I went to see the hygienist. As she scrubbed I noticed that the bridge I have back left was loose. She sent me to a dentist. He removed the bridge using some weird old equipment and a pair of pliers



Under it he found one tooth that was decayed. So he filled it, replaced the bridge and made appointments for longer term solutions to be discussed.

Sunday hit and agony. Temperature hurt. Pressure hurt. My ears ached. I paced. I swore. I lost focus. I downed hard to get Codene. Youch. And double ouch. And aye-yeye-arggghhhh.

So today I go back - we remove the bridge again. Root canal, temporary rebuild, warning that it's going to hurt like hell post anesthetic, and then an appointment to discuss implants. Which cost between $3,000 and $10,000 a tooth but will last longer than me and 'survive cremation'. That appointment is March 10th.

Come back to look at implants and find this image which I have to say I rather like. There's something about hellboy implants that makes me think 'hell yeah'...

Does that make me odd? Probably. But hey if you're going to get silicon chest implants why not get ones that get you noticed.

It's also a great motivator to stay in shape... you're going to want to show that body off.

Anyway that's been my day - pain, dentist, gym, queasiness, internet, nausea, blog.

Feverish Scribbling

I'm finally sitting down to write my book.

Well actually it's taking shape in a weird way.

It's a book on Advertising Shapes - the 20 shapes that can get people to look at a problem again and with a fresh set of eyes

It could be why it's wrong to look for insight, or new places to look

It could be looking again at how conversations work or deciding that it's time for a little less conversation, a little more action.

So I started by writing the titles of the 20 slides - in powerpoint
I then went back and changed each one - making them a tad more interesting

Once I'd done that - and still in powerpoint - I wrote the single paragraph synopsis of the idea.

I then printed that out and hand drew the diagram that explained the synopsis.

After which I added some pictures and presented to a bunch of people.
Tape recorded that as it was full of annecdotes and examples that I'd forgotten I had.

Added those to the powerpoint

E-mailed the audience for other examples that helped prove my points.
Added those.

Am about to post the whole thing to a planning board - to get more feedback.
After which I'll take it all to Word.

An odd way of working - but it is working and I should have a draft within a month.
Cool.