unemployment

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August 12, 2009

God is the Master Artist.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under Love, marketing, travel, unemployment
[6] Comments 

I spent the last couple of weeks strolling (with Grendel of course) along the roads and paths of Walloon Lake, Michigan. On Friday, Grendel knew it was the last walk—he kept going far ahead of me and had to meet all the dogs along the way. It’s a good thing the people are nice there and don’t mind so much when strangers walk around their yard screaming at their dog to “stop peeing on that tree and sniffing that dog’s behind and come now!”

I’ve been stressed and not sleeping a lot lately mostly due to being unemployed—but during my stay in Michigan I slept like a rock. There is a kind of peace and calm there that works like Prozac. I got to thinking during those walks about the senses, and beauty, and art, and found myself saying over and over again, “thank You God.”

As a marketing professional, I often work with designers to combine function and art. No one does this better than God. Think about it as you look at the natural world around you. Do you notice how everything has a specific function and purpose? And not only that, how its construction is perfect and beautiful? God is the ultimate engineer, architect, conductor, singer, mathematician, scientist, historian, storyteller, and artist. And the following is what my mind lingered on during those long walks under the canopy of trees with Grendel (when I wasn’t yelling at him to come back).

My eyes took in the vibrant, lush colors—the greens of the trees and grass, the blues of the sky and lake, the reds, yellows, purples, whites, pinks, and oranges of the flowers—and I thought how no canvas or paint could match the beauty that God creates.

My ears took in the caressing melodies around me—the birds singing, the waves lapping, the rustle of the trees, and even the soft cry of Gus the cat—and I thought how no symphony or chorus could match the sounds that God creates.

My nose took in the sweet smells of the country—the fresh, clean air and the aromas from the wild flowers (Grendel smelled everything else)—and I thought how wonderful God is to me and how nothing can match the bouquets that He creates.

My skin took in the comfort of nature—the warm embrace of the sun, the cool breeze off the lake, the softness of the grass under bare feet, and even the refreshing rain washing and cleansing the land—and I thought how God touches me in wonderful ways that are unmatched by anything else.

My tongue tasted the myriad flavors of the earth—fresh corn and vegetables from the local farms, fruit picked right from the tree, and the whitefish that came from the local lakes—and I thought how God provides for me, all the energy my body needs to sustain itself all wrapped up in yummy recipes.

The trip was really refreshing to my soul. So if anyone has a job for me where I could work from home on my computer, I will be forever grateful as I move into a small cabin in the woods and breathe the fresh air every day.

Fade back in to reality—Grendel is on a leash, the traffic is creating toxins around the beltway, and I’m putting on a suit for another interview in the city. Even so, thank You God for the break! Below are a few paintings by God.

 

July 24, 2009

Hangin in the OBX with my new little peeps.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under marketing, states, travel, unemployment
1 Comment 

Rather than think of myself as an unemployed bum who’s sponging off the good graces of friends, I’d like to think I’m a writer who is experiencing life and telling stories that will make people smile, think, or be entertained for years to come. Unfortunately that job doesn’t pay well. But until a paycheck does come along, I’ll be bringing you the continuing adventures of a girl on the road.

Next stop, North Carolina. In particular, the Outer Banks. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful friend, Wendy, who invited me to spend the week with her awesome family in a big nice house in Corolla. It was tough, believe me, to decide whether or not to go to the beach that had soft sand, cool breezes, and a warm ocean, or to hang out by the pool next to the house then later soak in the hot tub while Wendy makes us pina coladas. Seriously, I hate having to make decisions when I’m on vacation.

The trip down was fun and once I crossed into Carolina was peppered with some in-your-face marketing by the local farmer’s markets who were trying to outdo each other. First was the Powell market with their farmer guy signs. Then came the Morris market with their tractors lining the road. Finally there was the Grandy market. Grandy’s had the most juicy, wonderful peaches I’ve ever tasted.

Along the way, I kept seeing signs that said NO OLF. I was intrigued until I looked it up and found out it meant North Carolinians Opposing the Outlying Landing Field. I’m sure it’s an important issue but let’s be honest, I know you would much rather read the interviews I conducted with the new little friends I made in the OBX than read about NO OLF. These kids are all part of Wendy’s family and each one was really cute and lots of fun. Someday I’m sure they’ll turn out to be superstars, lawyers, card sharks, or engineers. So here they are.

Dawn: What’s your favorite thing about the Outer Banks?

Natalie, age 10: I like going to the beach and going into the ocean and boogie boarding.

Kirsten, age 10: I like going on walks and looking at sea shells. I collect smooth ones and clearish rocks and store them in a baggy that used to be my hair stuff bag.

Katie, age 6: (After her father told her not to say “watch TV”, she responded), I like jumping waves and going out really far. According to Kirsten, she likes to sing on the toilet (but I guess I wasn’t supposed to share that).

Logan, age 9: I like to go out far where the sharks are. I also like digging in the sand and going to the pool.

Kyle, age 8: I like to make domino trails. I made one with 136 dominoes and Logan and I made one with 227—on two stories.

Dawn: What’s been your all-time favorite thing you’ve ever done in the Outer Banks?

Natalie: We made t-shirts with carrots. (Clarification for those who are in the state of saying, huh? The t-shirts were painted using carrots as paint brushes.)

Kirsten: Going to the lighthouse was the funnest thing I’ve ever done.

Katie: Playing in the Newcomb tournament.

Logan: We went crabbing and I caught a six inch crab and gave it to someone who had a bucket.

Kyle: I liked swimming in the pool when it was raining because you can get wet when you’re out of the pool, and I love to swim.

Dawn: Tell me something interesting about yourself. What makes you special?

Natalie: I can fake burps by swallowing air and letting it out.

Kirsten: I’m a ballet dancer and was in four shows in dance theatre PA. (Detop.)

Katie: I’m a really good softball player. I play random positions but like second.

Logan: I can do ear farts.

Kyle: I’m a baseball pitcher. Our team won the championships the last two years. I’m also really good at swimming and video games.

Natalie and Katie are from a town called Perkasie, which according to the Web site is Bucks County’s hidden gem. Natalie tells me it has an airport and while on recess she watches people skydiving. Kirsten and Kyle are from a town called Plumsteadville. I’m not making this up people. I used to hang out at a place called the Plumstead Inn in Media, PA, with my friend Andy Bumstead, but I digress. I looked it up and there’s a Web site that has the Plumsteadville news. The topic of one of the discussion threads was “Purse found at Doylestown shopping centre.” Logan is from Newark, DE, home of the fighting Blue Hens.

But back to North Carolina. I love the OBX. Among other things, it’s home to where the Wright brothers took their first flight and also to a great little eatery called the Tortugas’ Lie. Wendy and I had a yummy lunch there. She got a beer called “Skinny Dip” and I got a drink that came with a plastic shark. Thanks for the fun folks—now it’s on to Michigan!

 

April 10, 2009

If you’re reading this then I applaud me.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under marketing, unemployment
1 Comment 

Yes, me. Why? Because out of the millions of blogs out there, I’m actually getting traffic from someone other than myself and occasionally my Mom when my Dad lets her use the computer. It’s my first blog post. So how’s it going so far with you?

Let’s talk for a moment about unemployment. If you have a job, chances are you may feel some sympathy for the poor schmucks out of work and maybe are a teeny bit scared for yourself, but in reality, you have a life, a routine, and your own problems. Correct? If you’re like me, it’s the elephant in the room. So I’m on day 13. I’ve been pounding the Internet pavement, networking, and cleaning my house. I’m now onto the phase of bringing out the artist in me. I do a lot of writing in my line of work, so I figured I’d keep my fingers in shape and start a blog. Not for you, you lone reader, but pour moi!

When I do manage to get dressed and get out of my house, I’ll be writing about my observations. Because I’m in an “it’s all about me” sort of phase, I’ll write about what interests me. And what interests me is sometimes the unusual and sometimes the plain and obvious—and often the humorous. It could be about people in my neighborhood, about road rage (living in Northern Virginia you can bet that will be on the list), about how my cats sleep, how grass grows, new marketing trends (to keep up on my career of course), or maybe just about what life is like being unemployed. And that’s a perfect segue to link to another great blog. For anyone who is unemployed and wants a huge daily dose of humor. Check it out at http://stuffunemployedpeoplelike.com/.

It’s now 4:59 p.m. If I was getting paid for this I’d say, TGIF. But since I’m not, I’ll just say, it’s now time to get back to the marathon viewing of Battlestar Galactica.

 

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