Let's just pretend...

...that is hasn't been a month and a half since I last posted. Just imagine that for a second. Okay we're done. Let's talk. I wrote this pretty fast without proofreading, so sorry if I sounds like I can't write complete sentences.

I just wanted to do a little entry about some books I read over the last few months. I'm usually not much of a reader, but lately I'm really getting back into it. I think it's hard for me to get into a story, but when I do I really enjoy it.

RANT - Chuck Palahniuk
Ben made a really great joke as soon as he saw the title of the book. "Oh hey, a book titled exactly what all of his other books are about." - Ben. GOOD ONE. I've only read "Choke" and "Haunted" by Palahniuk and I was very underwhelmed. The stories were okay, but I can only listen to a limited amount of snide commentary from characters that I don't like. I have yet to read "Survivor" which I hear is his best. "Rant" is a thrill to read from start to finish. You're immediately thrown into this plot with little explanation. It reads much like a documentary, and we get snippets of people talking about the life of Buster "Rant" Casey. You're left to put the pieces of his life together. It's a fantastic ending, and if you can get through some confusion you'll be rewarded. I'll just throw a little hint out there as bait. There is a sci-fi twist about 3/4 in and it seriously blew my mind.

CITY OF THIEVES - David Benioff
Set in and around Leningrad during World War II, this coming-of-age novel is about two young men who are arrested and given two options: either secure a dozen eggs for a powerful colonel, or face execution. They go for the first option and set out to several cities in the area and face challenges along the way. The two main characters are kind of an odd-couple situation and they have to get along to save the day and blahblahblah. It reads much like an action/drama movie and it's easy to imagine this on the big screen. That's both a good and a bad thing. It's a decent story, but all too convenient for our two heroes. It kind of has a "bad things are happening but this is a lighthearted story" feeling. Which I guess is the intention.

THE GIVER - Lois Lowry
Apparently every student that made it passed 5th grade has read this book. Except for me of course. After it coming up in a few conversations over the course of a few days, I decided to go ahead and buy it. $7.00 from B&N. I knew the basic plot: A utopian society. Everyone is oblivious to the real world. No emotion. But then! A 12 year old boy is chosen to be The Receiver of knowledge. I'll let you figure out what that means. This is a book worthy of the Newberry Medal. It has some pretty advanced and adult themes for a kid's book. It's written in a very matter-of-fact way, but it makes sense and the author really captures specific moments. I really felt a strong connection to the main character. I wish it was twice as long as it is. So much more could be developed! A superb climax and conclusion to the story.

THE YIDDISH POLICEMAN'S UNION - Michael Chabon
I just started reading this one. To be honest, I only bought it because the cover art is SO GOOD! Turns out, the story is really interesting and unique. I haven't gotten far enough to give a good opinion, but I'm looking forward to reading more.

It's been a while...

Well, if my goal was to not update the entire month of April, I almost accomplished it.

Things have been going pretty well lately. I started my job back on the 6th, and I actually kind of enjoy it. It's not bad. Everyone there is super friendly and the work load is the perfect. I'm typically busy throughout the entire day so I'm never bored, but there isn't so much work that I'm scrambling to get it done.

Also hey here's this. Those shoes weren't a total waste after all! Kidding... kidding. Thanks to Allison for takin' the picture!

Last night Chance, Ben and I went to the Brave New Workshop to see "How to Make Love Like a Minnesotan". Trygve's roommate Lauren (who's in the show, and seriously extremely talented) got us tickets. It was such a good show! Really funny. I made her a thank you card:



I will hopefully remember to give it to her soon. We're watching Terminator 2 right now. Ben made turkey burgers for dinner. I made guacamole. Those are other things I did today.

FAME!

Sort of anyway. The poster I designed for Communist Daughter was featured as Flyer of the Week on the City Pages!

This is good for two reasons. One, it helps promote the show even more, which is great because Chance wants this show to be big. Two, it helps get my work out there! Allison commented and left a link to my website, which is great. COOLCOOLCOOL.

Also, I got offered a job! More details later. I'm absolutely relieved though. I'm really happy because the position will allow me to focus on my freelance illustration career. Yes!

Alphabetical

Well, not much is on my mind right now. I'm still applying for jobs. Things are looking a little brighter, I'd say, but nothing is for sure yet and I'm getting anxious. One can only watch a certain number of episodes of Roseanne everyday at noon to pass time. Here's something I made to keep myself busy:



Trying to turn a negative into a positive:



And who could forget this classic:



I had lunch with Sarah Hedlund today. She payed in exchange for some website help, which was great since I'm quite low on cash. We pretty much did a crash course in html/css, so I really hope it works out. She was already picking up on editing code, which is awesome since it took me forever to get a hang of it. It also means I might be an okay teacher.

Racial Profiling

Breezy

I did an illustration for Illustration Friday last week, but I didn't get a chance to scan it in until this week. Breezy was a pretty tough word, because mostly trees and things blowing around came to mind. This idea came to me because I"m really looking forward to spring, and I like riding my bike and feeling the rush of wind.



I didn't do an illustration this week. Scratch that, I just did an illustration for Heart's website, which they're currently redesigning. Wait, you didn't know I'm represented by Heart? Oh! Well. I am! They put my work up on their website about a month or so ago, and my portfolios were just printed. I haven't had any commissions yet, but I'm really hoping for one soon.

EDIT:// By the way, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. Words alone could not express it. When I found out Heart wanted represent me I almost lost it. I was seriously running around my house. I didn't have anyone to celebrate with so I ended up dancing around my cats and trying to get them to jump around with me. It didn't work, haha. I am on cloud nine though. I'll probably blast off into space when I get my first commission. That's right. OUTER SPACE. I need to dedicate a post to this. I'll write about it soon!\\


I've been spending most of my time looking for jobs and applying to everything possible, and I haven't been making much work lately. As you might have possibly received my massive facebook message, I'm having a huge problem finding a job. Any job. Doing anything. I would say I'm fairly desperate. Anyone know of any graphic design jobs? Anywhere?

MARCH 27TH. BE THERE.

Here's a poster I designed for the March 27th Communist Daughter show. Wolves are cool. Wolves with sunglasses are even cooler.



I wish I had a bit more time to work on the typography. Things aren't lining up! However, I do like this poster quite a bit. Quite.
You should definitely check them out though. March 27th @ the 400 Bar! Apparently the sound system at the 400 Bar is rather good, and Communist Daughter sounds REALLY good live. Excited!