Decided to go the other way with all this. What? Me worry?
Friends,
It is with great enthusiasm that I tell you about my intention to become a full time freelance graphic designer.
As most of you are aware, I've been essentially working two jobs for ten years now; and in the last three added the extra burden of two kids. This has taken a huge toll on me. The time has come (probably a long time gone, actually) for a few changes. I've been investigating some potential opportunities, originally with the goal of eliminating the freelance work and putting my full creative energies into a regular 9 to 5 schedule. The job interviews I've had have been terrific and worthwhile, and I thank all those folks who gave me their time. In these interviews I would stress the experience I've gained and work I've done as a freelance designer. Inevitably, the question would come up, "Obviously you like the freelance work- why don't you just do that full time?" I never had a very good answer to that question.
After thinking about it for a while, it seems like a pretty easy decision. I never really wanted to give up the freelance work, I just thought I needed to for my own sanity and physical well being. Of course, all this time it was the excellent clients and fun work I do for them in the middle of the night that has kept me going, and realizing that I could actually do this stuff during the day has been liberating.
Long story short- got projects? I'm your guy. Thanks for everything, you're all great. I look forward to hearing from you!
So that's that then. Obviously, I did not get the Step2 gig; I lost out to (I suspect) a female. During my otherwise spectacular interview there, she did mention that her ideal candidate would probably be a woman to replace the one that left in order to maintain the balance of her department. Had I been hired it would have been 4 dudes and one chick in there, and they do a lot of toys for little girls. The Step2 lady did say I was definitely the #2 choice, and to keep in touch, blah blah blah. That was a bummer, but only for a little while. Because then I decided that working for other people is for suckers! Do I look like a sucker to you? PLEASE OH GOD DON'T ANSWER.
I'm going out on my own. BUT- I get to ease into it. I'm gonna cut back to 2 days at the current day job & keep my health insurance. I have no startup costs outside of advertising, since I have been collecting all the necessary tools for years. I have zero overhead beyond what I already carry. I have a solid client base with lots of growth potential. There's all sorts of upside here people! Why do you look so concerned? Stop it! It is unnerving!
And LOOK! The New Jan Brady!-
OOH! BUSINESS!!!
And a new look website that I demand
you go to and see IMMEDIATELY. Please? Granted,
it is much like the old website, but with the new
logo and color scheme, as well as a shifted focus.
By that I mean I added the desperate (but very
fancy) HIRE ME! button, which changes it from being
the portfolio site to the HIRE ME!
site. This is actually sort of an in-between website
at this point, it will get the job done until I get
the new one going.
Scared? Me? Nooo. YES! A little. But I didn't just jump
into this decision without doing a little math first.
Without trying to sound snotty I'll tell you that I do
pretty well money wise in the freelance market. My
rates are posted over at the site if you're curious, I
guess there's no secrets there. Up until now this was
just sort of a well paying hobby. I didn't have either
the energy or the client base to build it into anything
more than that. However, I've recently picked up some
more work from another theater company (it seems
non-profits are a really solid niche for me), and
between them and some heavy projects that are available
from current clients that until now I haven't had the
time to take on, I have a head start. But the math is
crazy. I can make so much more money and work far fewer
hours just by picking up a few more regular freelance
jobs than I ever have killing myself at this day gig
followed by allnighters. And I don't think this will be
all that hard to do, since I've never solicited work
from anyone ever before- all my clients have come to me
from word of mouth alone. Just by posting some stuff at
coroflot or craigslist and distributing some of my
bitchin' new rack cards I made up I know I can pick up
new work fast. Hopefully most will continue to come via
personal recommendations. Those are the best sorts of
customers- the chances of them paying are much MUCH
higher than some jerk off the street that I don't know
anything about. OH! I HATE that guy.
Woooo. To get all this going though, I'm going to be a
bizzy frickin' bee for a while. I feel I need to
collect some big checks and get ahead a little before I
can cut back to two days at this job. Or, perhaps
someone will lead me to their Pot O' Gold and I can
just do whatever I want. I'm thinking allnighters for a
few months is more likely though. Ouch. If I seem extra
grouchy it is just because I've gone insane.
But enough of this. Here's what you came here for- my
song recommendation! It was really tough narrowing it
down because The Black Keys have put out so much
quality material lately (I highly recommend the new
album Attack & Release, and I never buy whole
albums anymore), but I think this one works- If You Ever Slip. It is on the
soundtrack to a movie I've never heard of & will
never see. I'm sure it's awesome.
Another one? Okay! (Don't Speak) I Came To Make A
Bang by The Eagles of Death Metal. It will be
the song that plays whenever I come to the plate in
all my Major League Baseball games. The crowd will
really get whipped up! I'm your Fabulous
Weapon!!! I guess this song was also featured
in a movie I have not heard of and will never see
but am sure is awesome as well.
Speaking of songs- I think it is a bad sign of being
too old when the tunes that you used to play during sex
in college are now the tunes that your kids fall asleep
to. Mazzy Star just isn't the same. I can't tell you
how depressed this makes me.
Let's see- TV? Sure. LOST is tits, I think we went over
that a few posts ago; 30 Rock is the best comedy ever,
seriously- we aren't worthy to watch it. The Venture
Brothers is set to start up again in June (and NO I
won't watch the five minutes of some new episode that
is posted online. I can wait.). Battlestar Galactica
(that's BSG for those of us in "the know" wink wink you
nerd) is strangely uplifting because no matter how
awful I feel about anything I know the poor douchebags
stuck out in the void crammed into that big iron brick
have it way worse. Those are the shows I watch. Oh
yeah! South Park. Duh.
IRON MAN! That's gonna be good, yes? I've heard some
things.
Now, Jesus Plates. I should point out that I do not
post images of holy license plates to poke fun. Much. I
am just very fascinated, that's all.
The sticker on the upper right reads "HARD CORE
JESUS FREAK". That is completely badass.
And I believe that brings
us to the end of this entry. Thanks for tagging along,
you're all the shiniest people I can find.
PS- OH SNAP! I forgot to tell you about The
Hermaphrodite! That is a whole fucking THING you have
GOT to hear. Next time I promise.
Memes come here to die.
Half Man. Half
Machine. ALL MAN.
Oh yeah, that one's going on the tombstone. More? Okay:
Can't say I'm
proud of everything.
Scratches the itch mostly in private.
Introspection isn't always the best idea.
The boogers, sadly, have been prevalent.
Sometimes up, sometimes down, always
bewitching.
I'm supposed to tag five people to do this, but I'm
pretty sure the five people who read this blog already
did it. But I call upon enigmatic Channy to do it here
in the comments if she so chooses. And also Barack
Obama. We'll finally see what that dude is made of.
Next time on Cranky Matty...
HERMAPHRODITE!!!
Early in the game, we may have a winner.
The woman who interviewed me (and would be my boss) was just too nice, and we hit it off immediately. The work is fun! Marketing and labeling and decorating and branding and packaging of toys. You know- for the kids! And not shitty toys either, really nice toys. Did I mention they make toys there? HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!? And they have fun company stuff, like dart tournaments at lunchtime and on-the-job bowling parties. Dental!
It would appear the job is mine if I want it. She told me she has a few more interviews scheduled, but then told me I'd fit in perfectly and we started negotiating salary. So I think I'll get an offer.
The commute is an issue. 40 minutes on the nose with no traffic. However, it is way, WAY out of town- I'd be going the opposite way rush hour traffic goes. Also, there's the kids- gonna have to do a lot of juggling there with my family.
But this place is dreamy. They make toys.
BTW: I'm posting this from Fatburger. My keyboard needs a real good hosing now.
I am IN DEMAND!
CHOO CHOO!
I was really excited when I
applied for this design job two weeks ago (it seems
right up my alley), and then disappointed when I didn't
get a call back like the next day. Seriously people,
I'm an incredible superstar! I don't have time OR
PATIENCE to be waiting around for phone calls! Little
did I know that large companies probably take a little
longer to get around to call backs than tiny companies
do. I've never worked at a big company before. But, I'm
up for this job now so it's all good. The biggest
drawback to the Step2 gig would definitely be location.
They are in Hudson, which is about 45 minutes to an
hour away. That's not a big deal as far as commutes go,
but when you figure I'm already using $60 bucks worth
of gas a week now just with all the extra driving we
have to do for all Casey's school and therapy &
junk, it is significant. I'd have to rearrange some
stuff- maybe my Mom can do some more pick ups or
something, but if the job's good we'll do it.
I guess I should expect a call from American Greetings
too. I applied for a job there the same day as the
Step2 posting. I was really shocked that AG didn't
respond immediately, they are notorious talent
vampires. But, they are also a big company. With an
atrium covered food court! I heart atriums and food.
Also courts!