A Midsummer Night's Dream (Summer 2014 Secret Santa) Discussion

[tacehtpuekam]

You guys. I found a promotional pdf with pictures from my new favorite book. Work-safe as long as your work area is fine with high-pitched cooing.

http://www.powerhousebooks.com/preview/metalcatspreview.pdf

I think the greatest picture is the one of the guy wearing a _Thrasher_ baseball cap and sitting in a red corduroy chair with a kitty… Well, just go look. I read an interview with the photographer where she said that she noticed that all of her punk friends had dogs, and all of her metal friends had cats, and, yup, that's pretty much how my college friends were (grunge died a very hard death my senior year of college before most of us got pet-friendly apartments, so there weren't very many grunge-era pets in my crowd, but of the people who were in that scene, we pretty much all had cats once we had been out of school a few years and could afford pet deposits). I still remember my ex-housemate's boyfriend (now husband) who was the bassist for a metal band named Bone Orchard -- and his big black-and-white kitty named Rambo, who was the sweetest, most laid-back kitty I have *ever* met. (The personality of both the kitty and the person actually matched very nicely. I remember the day Chad brought Julie lunch from Dick's, a fairly legendary Seattle burger joint, and he brought the housemates bags of fries and tarter sauce. I looked at her and told her that I knew they were going to get married some day. She laughed at me. It took about four years, but I was right.)

And it came as no surprise to me to read that most of these kitties were adopted from shelters (and the book is in part a fundraiser for West Coast no-kill shelters) because, again, that's pretty much how most of the metal dudes I hung out with rolled. The few who didn't adopt from a shelter were pretty much adopted by a random kitty that never made it into a shelter but would have if the guys hadn't let them move in with them.

I enjoyed that way too much. Also, so true! My boyfriend is a drummer in a metal band and, of course, most of his friends are also into metal/in a band...they all have cats! In fact, the guitar player in his band has like..7 cats! One of them was ours, but we had to get rid of him around Christmas & he was kind enough to adopt him. 

 

[tweakabell]

You guys. I found a promotional pdf with pictures from my new favorite book. Work-safe as long as your work area is fine with high-pitched cooing.

http://www.powerhousebooks.com/preview/metalcatspreview.pdf

I think the greatest picture is the one of the guy wearing a _Thrasher_ baseball cap and sitting in a red corduroy chair with a kitty… Well, just go look. I read an interview with the photographer where she said that she noticed that all of her punk friends had dogs, and all of her metal friends had cats, and, yup, that's pretty much how my college friends were (grunge died a very hard death my senior year of college before most of us got pet-friendly apartments, so there weren't very many grunge-era pets in my crowd, but of the people who were in that scene, we pretty much all had cats once we had been out of school a few years and could afford pet deposits). I still remember my ex-housemate's boyfriend (now husband) who was the bassist for a metal band named Bone Orchard -- and his big black-and-white kitty named Rambo, who was the sweetest, most laid-back kitty I have *ever* met. (The personality of both the kitty and the person actually matched very nicely. I remember the day Chad brought Julie lunch from Dick's, a fairly legendary Seattle burger joint, and he brought the housemates bags of fries and tarter sauce. I looked at her and told her that I knew they were going to get married some day. She laughed at me. It took about four years, but I was right.)

And it came as no surprise to me to read that most of these kitties were adopted from shelters (and the book is in part a fundraiser for West Coast no-kill shelters) because, again, that's pretty much how most of the metal dudes I hung out with rolled. The few who didn't adopt from a shelter were pretty much adopted by a random kitty that never made it into a shelter but would have if the guys hadn't let them move in with them.

Loved it! my fave was the second to last. It reminds me of myself. He's all happy to be holding the cat, the cat is just "why me?"

 

[meaganola]

Loved it! my fave was the second to last. It reminds me of myself. He's all happy to be holding the cat, the cat is just "why me?"

I love that one, too!  But to me, the cat is thinking, "Okay, if I just wait long enough, he's going to bring that hand close to me, and then it's Claw Time!"

 

[tweakabell]

Oh yea, I couldn't get an accurate description for the cross of apathy and annoyance in his eyes.

 

[tulosai]

Big Hugs! I can't say when, but things always get better.

Thanks /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I felt my life pretty much reached a new low when my boss literally threw things at me but all I can do is try to push on for now... the job market is crap.

And those cat pics are awesome!

 

[tweakabell]

My goodness that does sound awful. Have another hug for crappy people.

I found a job I'd actually like here in town (library workers) but I haven't made a resume in forever.I will say it's the only thing I've been interested in with my skill set. Honestly the thought of rejoining the workforce scares the bejeezus out of me. I'll probably chicken out miss the application date if I'm gonna be honest.

 

[tulosai]

My goodness that does sound awful. Have another hug for crappy people.

I found a job I'd actually like here in town (library workers) but I haven't made a resume in forever.I will say it's the only thing I've been interested in with my skill set. Honestly the thought of rejoining the workforce scares the bejeezus out of me. I'll probably chicken out miss the application date if I'm gonna be honest.

Oh, from what I know about you that sounds like a good fit! I totally understand how you feel though... one step at a time. Do you have someone who can help you look over the resume? I got a lot of help from friends when I last updated mine.

 

[tweakabell]

I do but honestly it's such a mess of different things. I've had interesting jobs. I've been a sales associate, a grooming assistant, an appointment setter (the nice way to say telemarketer, I'll live on the streets before doing this ever again), I've been in charge of 2 company mass mailings, participated in 3, a researcher/ mailing list creator, data entry,  and I've made and reviewed over 750 questions for a practice test program. Man that was just exhausting to type out. I swear I have the WEIRDEST skill set. How the hell do you make that into a cohesive piece of paper? Then there's the 5 year gap where I've done nothing , yea I'll probably talk myself out of this before I even start.

 

[tweakabell]

OMG Stitchfix is hiring in Sac. How cool would it be to be a stylist?

I need real life friends who would find this crap interesting

ETA: You know you'd want a box from Tweakabell /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[chelsealynn]

OMG Stitchfix is hiring in Sac. How cool would it be to be a stylist?

I need real life friends who would find this crap interesting

ETA: You know you'd want a box from Tweakabell /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

That sounds like it would be a fun job.  I love Stitchfix.  I haven't gotten one in a few weeks since I've been trying to 1. cut back on getting so many 2. save for my mini vacation next week.  Sometimes I would get boxes like two weeks apart.  It is addicting.  I would love a Tweakabell box!

 

[tweakabell]

I've actually been watching the StitchFix thread. It's a neat idea. They don't carry plus sizes so I can't get one, but it's a fun box.

 

[chelsealynn]

Thanks /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I felt my life pretty much reached a new low when my boss literally threw things at me but all I can do is try to push on for now... the job market is crap.

And those cat pics are awesome!

Sorry to hear that happened to you.  No one deserves to be disrespected at work.  Hope things pick up for you soon /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[nikkimouse]

I'm so behind on this thread  My life has been crazy these past few days.     I have a kindle and i love it so much.  (I may or may not fall asleep reading and wake up cuddling it on occasion)  and I'm between books at the moment so that would be cool.  Every thing else you guys are talking about sending awesome!!!  I can't wait to see what my FGM is cooking up for me.

To my FGC almost done just some wrapping and sample stash shopping.  I'm so excited.  

 

[puppymomofthree]

Thanks /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I felt my life pretty much reached a new low when my boss literally threw things at me but all I can do is try to push on for now... the job market is crap.

And those cat pics are awesome!

Oh darling! So sorry about that! I would keep notes of that any any other incidents (you never know when you might need them in the future). Be strong and know you are a strong, confident, and competent woman and they are a complete idiot!

 

[kawaiisofoxy]

This thread, you guys... I love it. I love it so much.

@@meaganola I have to buy this book for my sister! (And maybe a copy for me too!)

@@tweakabell I'm trying to get back into the workforce too. I'm in a very rural area, so my top 3 choices are chicken farming (I kid you not, I was offered a job last summer for $10/hr "cash money" to pick up dead chickens on a local Perdue farm), healthcare (unfortunately, I faint at the sight of blood. I hate it, it's stupid, but I've been assured by my doctor that it is indeed *a thing*, and there's no way to cure/desensitize myself. So that's out), or substitute teaching. Which may work out, as I have a degree and could get a license and go full time over the next few years. Also, my mom was is a recently retired teacher so at least I know what I'm getting into. But I managed to procrastinate so long on my application that now it's summer break, lol. We'll get there! Good luck with your hunt, please let us know if we can help (I'm sure there's some awesome résumé proofreaders on here!)

@@tulosai please tell me there is some kind of HR department you can report that to! No one deserves to have anything thrown at them! And I know the job market sucks, but start looking for something else - anything else - where you won't be abused at work. Big hugs in the meantime because it sounds like you're going through a rough patch.

Lastly, I love ALL of my beautiful summer fairies! I love that so many of us are avid readers! I think my next Amazon purchase will be "The Time Travelers Guide to the 14th Century". The author sourced letters, financial records, and other medieval documentation to give a picture of what a time traveler could expect to eat, wear, and do if unceremoniously dumped into plague-ridden Europe. YESSSSSS.

 

[tweakabell]

While I hate chickens (on our imaginary island of no people where my family lives away from everyone, Hubby slaughters the pigs, I kill the chickens/grow the vegetables) I couldn't imagine just collecting dead ones. I wanted to be a phlebotomist so badly, it gives you the opportunity to stab people and unlike tattooing I didn't need any art skills. When I just got out of high school there was a night shift position at a blood testing lab, I thought it would have been the perfect job for me. No people, playing with blood at night, that's the dream life. Teacher, meh , I hate children, they're cute in theory and then they talk, blech.

Now that I'm done thinking out loud that book sounds FUN!

ETA: I know I say the weirdest things/ have the strangest thoughts but if I didn't put at least some of it on here, all y'all would be under the impression that I'm completely sane :blink:

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

@@tweakabell do you need help updating your resume/need someone to review it? Just PM Me! And it sounds like you have a good mix of things to put on there!

 

[tweakabell]

Yes, I've got a very odd mix of skills. Mostly due to nepotism. Not that I wasn't qualified for the jobs, it just let me skip the interview process which is definitely my weak spot. I'm a put your head down and do your job kinda girl, not a networking and socializing kinda girl. I suck at interviews but I'll be your most efficient/productive/accurate employee.

I wish sometimes we lived in a world where confidence didn't equal competence in people's minds. I know someone who's business is growing exponentially and his product sucks and I seem to be the only one who sees it (like I seriously want to attack his webpages with a big red marker, and I'm not even an English major) but he has the gift of gab and people fall all over him, I find it very frustrating.

 

[tweakabell]

Oh and of course TY for the offer I might just take you up on it. How are your interviews going?

 

[chelsealady]

Yes, I've got a very odd mix of skills. Mostly due to nepotism. Not that I wasn't qualified for the jobs, it just let me skip the interview process which is definitely my weak spot. I'm a put your head down and do your job kinda girl, not a networking and socializing kinda girl. I suck at interviews but I'll be your most efficient/productive/accurate employee.

I wish sometimes we lived in a world where confidence didn't equal competence in people's minds. I know someone who's business is growing exponentially and his product sucks and I seem to be the only one who sees it (like I seriously want to attack his webpages with a big red marker, and I'm not even an English major) but he has the gift of gab and people fall all over him, I find it very frustrating.

Job interviews make me break out in hives, sick to my stomach, and cry when they are over. So I know where you are going from. I have a notebook with inspiring quotes or sayings. I read those anytime that I feel anxious or down. And collect more for when I need them.

I'm also a firm believer in aroma therapy. I have 21 drops calming oil. And I swear I put it on and my blood pressure just drops.

I also advocate the power of being around positive people. Like here!

And to tie it in to the book discussion. Iiona Andrew's Cutting Edge series which are my second favorite book series. Kate, the main character, has a thing she does which I use. She takes herself to a quiet place and let's herself imagine the worst things that could happen. And deals with her fear and anxiety then. Then when she goes into battle there is no time for the fear just time for the actions. I find this helps me when I'm going into a stressful situation.