Loss

Every so often, I have an off post. Like, I find it difficult to be funny and really write from the heart. I've been having a very hard time writing for the last week due to the shocking death of an old, dear friend. The specifics are too sad and heart-wrenching to discuss, and this isn't really the best place to discuss them anyway.

Loss really makes one question their own path. I keep thinking about the here and now. Life is short and a gift and it's up to us to make every minute count. Loss also makes us reflect and second guess ourselves. "Did I tell my friend how much I loved and appreciated her?" "If I had been better about keeping in touch, would this have happened?" "Should I have known that she needed help and why wasn't I there to help her?"

I guess this will be my sappy, sad post. It's my reminder to seize the day and live life to the fullest. It's a reality check that we only get one go at this thing called life. And it's my mission to be sure to tell the people that I love how much they matter to me and how thankful I am to have them in my life. Take a minute or two today to tell your friends and family how much you need them and love them. Stop and thank the people that make a difference in your life and let them know how truly appreciated they are. The only good that come from a tragedy like this is the reaching out and reconnecting that happens in our quest for answers, comfort and understanding.

To quote the AT&T ad campaign from the 80s: "Reach out, reach out and touch someone. Call up, call up and just say hi!" Touch base with an old friend this week; you'll be glad you did.

From the Vault

I just found this old entry in my corporate America journal and it really made me think. Part of me really wishes I could find this type of optimism in my career again. The other part of me doubts I ever will...

When I was 22, I officially entered corporate America. It was the fall of 1995 and I was a recent college graduate. I was also broke, sleeping on a friend’s couch and living on grilled cheese and cereal. My luck changed when I was hired as a page layout technician at a large book publisher in the Midwest. Unlike most of my college pals, my job actually coincided with what I studied in college: Journalism Graphics.

I remember the interview and I distinctly remember thinking “I will do whatever it takes to get this job.” It seemed like such a cool place to work: A whole slew of twenty-somethings running around in jeans and T-shirts, shouting out publishing lingo, the latest and greatest Macs and software on their desks, who wouldn’t want to work there? I was memorized by the environment and fast-paced nature of book publishing. It was like a newsroom with cubicles.

Kathie, who interviewed me and later became my boss, seemed incredibly cool. She couldn't have been much older than me, which was a plus. Yes indeed, I wanted that job and I didn't even care what they offered me, I was taking the job no matter what.

The offer came two days later and I accepted it with a twinkle in my eye and the dream of money in my pocket. As soon as I accepted the job, I did two things. First, I convinced my very good college buddy Lance to live with me and as soon as she caved, we promptly rented an apartment. Second, I went to Best Buy and bought the Alanis Morrisette album “Jagged Little Pill.” It’s funny now, looking back, how much the songs on that album would come to define me: “You Live, You Learn,” “Ironic,” and “Head Over Feet” were almost the stories of my life.

So, I was now a player in the game of Corporate America and I was making a whopping $22,500 a year. I thought I was rich, considering I was used to earning about $5/hour. From now on, I decided, I was going to buy bottled beer and spring for the good stuff. The words “Bush Light Draft” were now only spoken along with fond memories of Ball State. So, I had all of the major decisions made: Cheap apartment with college pal, Bud Light bottles in the ‘fridge and Alanis on the stereo. I was officially ready to start my job.

I walked through the big, glass door that first day as a recent college graduate grateful to have a job in my field. I entered that building smiling and optimistic and ready to begin a new phase of life. I remember thinking, "My first job... A real job with an established corporation. A salary. A cubicle. And most importantly, a vast array of co-workers." If only my optimism could have lasted.

Observations 16 years later:

• Kathie: Second worst boss ever, behind Boss, of course.
• Alanis: Yes, I still own it and yes I still love those 3 songs.
• Bud Light: It's still my favorite, even living out here in the land of microbrews.
• Lance: Still my best college buddy, although we weren't very good roommates.

The Facebook

I don't get out to the movies much, mainly due to the Husband's disdain for going to the movies and my disdain for the price of going to the movies. So, I'm usually a few months behind on the latest and greatest releases.

On Saturday, the Husband and I finally watched The Social Network. I loved it so much I watched it again last night. As far as filmmaking goes, it's an A+. The pacing; the cinematography; the acting; all top-notch. But, the message is what I keep thinking about. Actually, I think there are two messages to ponder.

The first message is the obvious: Mark Zuckerberg is a world class A-hole. Or, at least the filmmakers want us to think so. He stole the idea for Facebook and then kicked his partner out of the company over jealousy issues. I think those are facts, although they are highly disputed facts. Zuckerberg still maintains that he didn't steal the idea for Facebook: "If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you would have invented Facebook."

I could care less who invented Facebook, I'm just glad someone did. What did we do before Facebook? How did we look up our long-lost best friend from 3rd grade before Facebook? How did we keep tabs on everyone's whereabouts prior to Facebook? What in the world did we talk about before the status update? How did we know that the nerd from 7th grade ended up being a major hottie before Facebook? The list goes on. And on.

The second message I took away is that there are still great, life-chagning ideas out there. Now granted, it's highly unlikely that another billion dollar idea like Facebook is on its way. But, it's very likely that the next great technology or web site is on the horizon. And the big question is: What will it be? I don't think you have to be a socially inept genius programmer to have a fabulous idea. Granted, it's much easier to implement your idea when you know how to program like a tazmanian devil on crack. Having a wealthy, handsome friend to bankroll your idea is also a major plus. As is the smart ass sidekick with a taste for Appletinis!

Oh look, I'm arriving at the point. I've finally realized that I need to create my own job. This job hunting thing really isn't going so well, so I'm taking it in a new direction. I have many ideas to sort through and think about and I'm hoping I'll land on the one that works best for me. And since I don't need to earn a millions dollars, my odds for success look promising. And I think I'll use Facebook to help me.

Ideas, thoughts, opinions and offers of employment are always welcome additions to Kate Off the Clock. If we don't know each other, please look up Kate Off the Clock on Facebook.

Here's to a 2011 full of original ideas, paychecks, new Facebook friends and Adidas sandals as a fashion statement.

The Great Goals of 2011

I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions. They usually fade from memory by my birthday, January 12. And I am not alone in the fading. The gym is ridiculously busy the first couple weeks of January until the fading kicks in. Same with the healthy section at the grocery store. And don't even get me started on the vitamin aisle.

This year, I'm making a list of goals. Some are lofty, some are simple and some will take some serious effort to achieve. Putting them down here, for everyone to see, is a fantastic motivator. And believe me, I need some motivation at the moment.

First and foremost is the job. I need one. I'm still holding out hope that I can find enough freelance/contract work to keep me busy this year. I'm also holding out hope that I can continue to work in my field.

Goal Number 1: Find a job. Send out at least 10 resumes every week. Get better with the follow-up. Be more persistent. Start making money. Oh, and networking, networking, networking.

Goal Number 2: Post more often to the blog. I'd like to shoot for two posts per week, even if they're short. Also, drive more traffic to the blog. So, if you like the blog, please share. And if I fail to post regularly, please call me out on it.

Goal Number 3: Run. I did my first 5k in 2010, so this year I'm going bigger. I don't need to run like Forrest, but I do have my eye on the Denver Half Marathon in October. Plus, I need to put those expensive running shoes to work. They keep looking at me in the closet, all sad and lonely, inducing feelings of guilt and laziness. Maybe I should put them back in their box. Plus, the holidays were full of food. And by full, I mean full of chocolate, homemade Chex mix, gum drops, cookies, Hershey's kisses by the dozens, and carmel corn. I mean, is it my fault that I had to eat the entire plate of Santa cookies on Christmas Eve to keep the Santa magic going? Guess I'll blame the kids for that one.

Goal Number 4: Watch less TV. So long, Jersey Shore, Celebrity Rehab and Teen Mom. I think I lost IQ points watching you anyway.

Goal Number 5: Read more. I have a very long list of books I'd like to read this year. To the horror of my Mike's Pomegranate-loving neighbor, I've never read the Harry Potter books. So, those are on the list. I just started The Help, so this goal is looking promising.

I'll call those the Core 5. There are other minor goals on the list, but those are the urgent, pressing ones. If I fail on Goal Number 2, odds are that I've also failed on Goal Number 4 and 5. Simply put, if I'm not writing or reading, I'm most definitely spending too much time with the TV remote, addicted celebrities, idiot teen moms, and Snooki. And if that's the case, someone needs to read me the riot act. Who wants that job?

Happy 2011. I have high hopes for this year on the career front. And the reading, writing, running and severing ties with my TV front. Let the fun begin!

Oh, and if this is possible, it won't be long before I'm taking my spaceship to Neptune to sign books for all of my alien fans: