ell hello there, children. I think I finally have some time to write out a nice big blog to bring you up to speed with my life. Because you're all so patient and curious. Manna manna.

First off, the party was a semi-success. Only half the people that RSVP'd actually showed up. We still had a good 10-15 people though. Scott & Johanna brought me rum cake and some homemade rum balls. Mmmm, tasty! Thank you. Jeff brought me some White Zinfindel. I may have spelled that wrong and I don't care. I haven't opened it yet because he says it's a chick-magnet, so I am thinking I should wait until I have a "chick" over here. That's funny. I'm totally joking.

We cleaned non-stop for the whole day up until the first guests started arriving. We got the bathroom all in order as well as hooked up a huge aquarium for Dan's fish. A few other minor changes as well. Time didn't permit us to wait for the water temperature to warm up so the fishies were all poured in the aquarium while it was still cold. The next day, they were all floaters. It's ok. They were some creepy-ass fish. Now we can get a couple of those huge fish and watch them swim around endlessly like mindless republicans. That's funny, too. So anyway, here's some pictures of what the house looks like: Boom.

Tally Hall played Philly. Pictures HERE. They put on a great show, of course. I was one of a few people there to see them. The rest were there to see SPIN, a metal band, whose fans started to actually kinda dig the Tally sound. It's hard not to... especially when you see them live. Such infectious tunes. But anyway, I went there all alone and got to chat a bunch with the guys. They have some great things ahead of them that may or may not come true. If they do, they'll be playing larger venues next time they're in Philly, to say the least.

I have been working at my new job for almost 2 weeks. [Proof] I was already sunken in by the 2nd day. By today's end, I felt like I'd been doing it for years. I have, really. I must say I think I really like it. I was beginning to get nervous about pursuing this career. I thought the whole design thing would lose it's magic for me. It may still, but the thing is... I lucked out on where I was hired. It's a low-pressure position and such a relaxed atmosphere. I really feel like I'm sitting at home just coming up with little designs. I put my headphones on and listen to half my CD collection (of which I've already burned on the computer) and just drift away. I think the other guys think I'm shy or uncomfortable because I barely say anything and they're all pretty chatty amongst themselves. It's not that at all. I like them and I couldn't have picked a better group to be around, but I just like to focus on what I need to do. I'd be doing this at home. I really feel like I'm at home when I'm there. All I would need is an ashtray on the desk. It's so great! Here's my workstation. Still very bare, but check out the 19" monitor, eh?

Workstation #1
Workstation #2

Yes I'm working on a Mac. I've gotten pretty used to it. I can plainly see the pros and cons of each platform. (PC vs. Mac) But uh, so let me tell you about what I do.

Think of it as a newspaper. I work for a newspaper. They publish a paper for those in the construction industry. This paper has issues in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and West. Each issue is filled with industry-related news, advertisements, and equipment listings for many of our clients. We help them buy and sell used equipment by publishing this. Now, because the web is such a prominent force in the world, the paper is beginning to digitalize. For now, we are sending out a daily newsletter via email. It will feature one news article, with a link to all the others on our website. One piece of equipment that someone's selling, as well as one piece of equipment from each of our biggest clients around the country. What I do is compile this data on a daily basis and send it out to all those who subscribe to it (approx. 13,000 addresses). When you get it in your inbox, it looks just like THIS. Yup. that's one thing I did today. I am using a template that they've used for I don't know how long, but I change the content on a daily basis after I go through the printed ads they've given us and randomly take one of their listings into the webpage.

That's my one main responsibility. Make sure it goes out daily... the earlier, the better. I'm usually done it by noon. The rest of the day, I am helping them catch up on a list of clients that have paid to have us make an "email blast." Basically, they look like spam emails, but those who receive them actually did sign up to receive them. I get an ad they ran in print most recently and basically re-make the whole thing for the web, make it pretty, and send it out in an email. This also goes to over 10,000 people if my memory serves me correctly. Some have pictures. Some don't. I basically copy the content from the print ad and design a page around it.

Example #1
Example #2
Example #3

Those are a few of mine that I've done over these past 9 days.

And that's about it. For now. I understand it won't always be quite this "easy" but I'm OK with that. I'll be properly paced into it.

Also, before they get too accustomed to calling me Carl, some have begun calling me Coz. (Some know about this site and will undoubtedly be reading it within the next few days... and here I am, talking about them like they're not listening.) This is a little weird for me, though, because I've never been called Coz at a place of employment before. Just another example of how cool the place is. So now you know... and knowing is half the battle.

Tomorrow is band practice with (NO NAME). I haven't been as productive with the lyrics as I would like to be. All in due time, I suppose. I've only gotten about 1 and a half songs pretty well established.

On the more humorous side of things, I began walking during my lunch breaks. I figure it will help get the blood going and perhaps help me lose a bit of the extra baggage I've put on over the past year. It's a little embarrassing, actually. I have never gotten this heavy. So we'll see how long I can keep up the walking bit. I hope I do. I'd like to be in better shape than I am. Cigarettes are next. Maybe.

I have no internet conection at home. AGAIN. It's driving me crazy.
So, I am not getting any mail.

Argh.

Tally Hall is tonight at Abilene on South Street. See y'all there!

new project

know it hurts.
I know how hard you'll fall.
It could be worse...
You could be feeling
nothing at all.
- Lindi Ortega

Yet another amazing indie act from Toronto. I talked to her a bit today (super nice girl) and I might be doing her website. I was given a mockup of what she is thinking for a design and so as soon as I get some time, I'm going to see if I can come up with something she likes.

Seriously, though... click that link and listen to her. I can't stop listening to "Nothing At All." I must have played it literally 100 times over the past 2 days and I love it more and more each time.

Geeeeeezz. Two episodes of "24" and I'm already hooked.
New job starts tomorrow.
Tally Hall is coming back to Philly on the 24th.
I'm drowning in new music and trying to write to it.
I'm nervous about having so many people in my house at one time.
Re-doing the downstairs bathroom before the party.
Feeling....... tangled.
Wishing for....... same thing I always do.

Here's hoping for the best.

So even though no replies have been gathered, I know deep down you really DO want to come and you're just too shy to publicly announce it. So here you go.





(edit: I don't know why the previous comments on here disappeared. Rest assured it wasn't my doing.)

inally! I have broken through to the other side. I have started what I hope to be my career (unless I make it big in music someday) as a web designer. I'll begin working here on January 16th. I can't wait to get my feet wet.

Coming up on the 8th is my birthday. I actually have nothing planned this year aside from eating with my mother and grandmother. Dan and I had a thought to combine birthday parties this year since his is a week or so after mine. But he's broke and I could possibly pay for the food and stuff but I am still debating on it. Plus I don't know who will come because no one ever does. Please, please... I hear your collective "awww" and a dozen other eyes rolling, but it's the truth. So if you'd be willing to come over here maybe the 14th or 20th, perhaps I'll feel inclined to put something together. Comment below if you'd come.

I also just launched my latest designed website. www.eastcoastjets.com
They're a charter jet company. Call 'em up if you need a private jet to somewhere. The site still has a couple minor things missing, but it's been hanging in the air for so long, they just wanted it launched and they'll get the rest of the material to me later.

My New Years was pretty fun, I must say. I didn't get any kisses but I can deal with that. Christmas was alright. I got a few new Zippos to add to my collection. My case of 40 is now full. Click image below to see full size.




And, hmm. I suppose that's about it.
I knew 2006 would be quite a ride. Things are changing already and it's only 4 days in. I wonder what's next...