Car singing

When I was in college, I had a friend named Sam who kept a microphone in the cab of his car. Most people sing in the car, but he took it to the next level--using props. While most people are embarrassed to be caught singing in the car, he added a prop! He never seemed to mind stares from people at stoplights that glanced over and saw him screaming into a microphone. Aside from the added distraction while driving and safety concerns, I think this is great! If only more people cared less about how silly they look and just did what they enjoy. As a creative thinker, I think is important to stop worrying so much about looking foolish, asking dumb, questions, and other activities that one might fear. This is when true creativity will flow and when great ideas will emerge.

The rolling bench

What a fantastic idea! Benches become useless when it has recently rained (which is often here in the northwest). This is a very innovative solution to the problem.

Some creative ways people have earned jobs.

In this recession, it has been difficult for many to find work. In the advertising industry, one is constantly seeking innovative new ways to grasp the target market's attention and sell a product. In a job search, the company one desires to work for is the target market and the individual seeking a job is selling their product (their labor). I think this tough job market will result in some exciting and innovative new ways that people apply for jobs. Here are a few examples:

Alec Brownstein bought Google ad words for a handful of creative directors’ names he wanted to work for so that when they Googled themselves a message from Brownstein was the top result. He now works for one of his targets at Y&R New York. This cost him a mere $6.

I recall another example where a person put out ads claiming to pay the expenses of a vacation for anyone that could get him a full-time job (vacation location varied based on the salary of his new job).

This recession is certainly a scary time for individuals seeking a new career, but it can also be an exciting time for people to find new creative ways of earning a new career. Have you heard of any creative or bizarre job search stories, or do you have some great ideas of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments.

I've decided to start blogging, and since I haven't updated this since I was in college, I think it is time for an update. I moved to Portland Oregon--like a year ago--and I have been working freelance up here. In the year I've lived here, I've met some great people, enjoyed some great scenery, and done some fun activities. I will be blogging much more in the future, I promise.

School update

Much has happened since my last post (I will try to be more frequent in the future). I only have a few weeks left of school and I have a lot left to do. My senior show is in less than two weeks and I have most of my work prepared for it. I took some time off from working on it this weekend to visit my father who had open-heart surgery this week. After the senior show, I have to finish my portfolio and begin looking for a job. Along with these, I also have projects due for classes. The next few weeks should be exciting and fast-paced. I really look forward to finishing and developing a strong portfolio and I am excited about finding a job and taking the next step.

Internship

So my internship is reaching its cessation and I will miss it-I've had a blast at third degree. I hope I can land a job this awesome when I graduate. Speaking of graduating, holy cow! Monday will be my last first day of school and I have a lot to do this semester (you know, making my portfolio awesome). Today I took pictures of my internship since it was sunny (rainy day pics aren't allowed ;]). This is what an intern's day looks like:

I leave Edmond at approximately 8:20am and drive through the egregious construction on I-235 and memorial and eventually approach the Bricktown area. I pass the walls with the cool Oklahoma paintings (pics coming soon), then drive around more construction to park and it is time to 'serve it up'.


I take the world's slowest elevator, which I swear I can faintly hear the Flight of the Conchords theme in, up to the second floor.


I am greeted at the entrance by Misty (not pictured) and I then proceed past the accounting desks toward the creative department.


I then enter the creative department where everyone is cheery and ready for a fun day of creative projects. My desk is the one closest in this pic.


The team huddles up where we discuss what our main priorities for the day are and where we may need help. We also use this time to share any news. If I have no news to share, I usually come up with something random or quirky off the top of my head.


I then return to my desk where I 'serve it up' while listening to good music.


For lunch, random coffee breaks, or idea day meetings, we meet in the diner. Fridays, however, we often go out to eat for lunch. The Indian Buffet is my favorite selection.


There is always a pot of coffee brewed, which is a great start for the day. Sometimes, however, Roy (the ceo) makes coffee. His recipe uses only 1/3 of coffee, which results in weak coffee that one can practically see through. In this case, it is more prudent to drink water or the previous day's pot of coffee.


In this area of the break room, we have idea day every Monday. It is complete with board games, a wii, seasons of "The Office" and "Mad Men" and a plasma tv, but I have never used any of that.



I like to keep blueberries and capri sun at my desk to snack on.

When leaving, I go the opposite way of which I came in so that I may say goodbye to all of the creative department and then I walk through the media department toward the exit. Here are some of the people I work with (not pictured: Tara, Daniel, and Liz...they were away from their desks when I took photographs).


Kathleen working on a project and striking a pose. Brett can be seen in the background. He was on the phone so he didn't get his own photograph.


Brian promoting his post-apocalyptic cartoon Bastard Road. He recently traveled to San Diego to promote it at Comic Con.


And last, one of my favorite things at third degree are these pillows that look like the adobe icons on a mac.

The Big Apple

Today I returned from New York City and I had a blast. The trip went by entirely too fast. New York truly is one of the greatest cities in the world. New York is a great accumulation of culture, ideas, and activity. At the foundation of the monumental skyscrapers and billboards are some of the greatest museums, food, architecture, stores, sites, history, and diverse collection of people. Here are some photographs from my trip:


Times Square


The Statue of Liberty

Where the twin towers once stood

The New York skyline-or part of it (it is far too large to capture in one photograph).

While walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, we had a great view of the city.

The Wallstreet Bull

David Letterman's studio

NBC studios where SNL is filmed and where Late Night with Conan O'Brien was filmed.

Central Park

More of Central Park

Sheep's Meadow was a fantastic part of Central Park where people could chill and enjoy a nice view of the city.


Jerry Springer

At the Museum of Modern Art, this exhibit allowed people to write their name on the wall at their height.


My name is on here somewhere

Inside the American Museum of Natural History.



Elmo tried to bum money from us soon after this photograph. Who knew that Elmo was a bum?

Our hotel room. Yes, it was this small. Notice that everything has the same pattern (walls, curtains, lamp shade, pillows, headboard, etc.).

Reflection of buildings in the water (very Dali-esque).


The Plaza Hotel (from Home Alone 2)