Also, it would give us a chance to celebrate Nico's first birthday early with his Lolo and Lola. Upon arrival we had a nice dinner at Macaroni Grill (which my dad loved) and then some shopping for the kids with Cher at an outlet mall
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Let's start from the top shall we?
*the Reader's Digest Condensed Version no less...
So after 9 years of working for Golf Channel I had been playing with the idea of seeing what else what out there. I wasn't exactly looking for a job, but thru a series of lunch conversations and keeping in touch with people I was able to interview with a small boutique agency nearby that was in the market to create a design team for their Orlando office.
I quickly got my resume and portfolio together and met with said agency. We talked a few times over the course of a month and got along great! I was so used to the Comcast corporate monster mentality that a new environment was a much needed change of pace for me. Plus I was burned out of doing golf related design and animation.
Short story shorter I put in my resignation quietly to my boss Al Lagor. I pretty much kept it to myself for the remaining two weeks I was to be there. Eventually I told a couple of key people in my department my plan, but wanted to keep my exodus fairly lowkey. Of course, eventually somehow the news made its way around different departments all over the company - not saying it was these few key people. I seriously doubt they would do that. No it was some other unnamed source.
Plus I really didn't care to share great news like this with certain individuals in the group, whom I could give a crap about (tell us how you really feel Erick!). So slowly I told those who hadn't heard thru the grapevine yet. I really wanted to show my appreciation to the guys who supported me during my "learning-tv-animation-on-the -fly" period by taking them out to lunch individually.
Al had been a great boss, but I felt my career was taking another turn and I knew my choices would be limited there. Hughes taught me alot about the production end and how to shoot from the hip. Nasso and Van Horn were great examples of 2d and 3d artists who had a real passion for what they did. Hawkman and Brad made learning fun again. Even Emily, the freelancer, would be missed. No more all night conversations about demon-possessed top chefs.
Those two weeks I could slowly feel the weight of almost 10 years of Golf Channel slowly coming off my shoulders. I was excited about my new Art Director position at Caldwell Group. Sheri had been very accommodating to me and those first couple of months were grueling, but also very satisfying in a way I hadn't felt at Golf Channel in a long, long time.
I was charged with concepting and developing the new marketing look and feel with their largest client including the campaign to launch their brand, spanking new state-of-art rehab center. Exciting times. At the end of my three month period I was tired, but very pleased with what I had accomplished.
Things have slowed down for me to a nice pace at the agency and I'm settling into my role. My doctor said my blood pressure was up during that three month period, but was now even lower than it ever was previously. I enjoy the new work atmosphere, I feel good about the work I crank out, my colleagues are great people and now that my office is almost completely set up I am easing into my routine. I haven't had my own office since my earlier agency days so it's become almost therapeutic to make my little part of the world cozy and cool.
It's been a busy season. Pictures of the new digs to come soon!
So after 9 years of working for Golf Channel I had been playing with the idea of seeing what else what out there. I wasn't exactly looking for a job, but thru a series of lunch conversations and keeping in touch with people I was able to interview with a small boutique agency nearby that was in the market to create a design team for their Orlando office.
I quickly got my resume and portfolio together and met with said agency. We talked a few times over the course of a month and got along great! I was so used to the Comcast corporate monster mentality that a new environment was a much needed change of pace for me. Plus I was burned out of doing golf related design and animation.
Short story shorter I put in my resignation quietly to my boss Al Lagor. I pretty much kept it to myself for the remaining two weeks I was to be there. Eventually I told a couple of key people in my department my plan, but wanted to keep my exodus fairly lowkey. Of course, eventually somehow the news made its way around different departments all over the company - not saying it was these few key people. I seriously doubt they would do that. No it was some other unnamed source.
Plus I really didn't care to share great news like this with certain individuals in the group, whom I could give a crap about (tell us how you really feel Erick!). So slowly I told those who hadn't heard thru the grapevine yet. I really wanted to show my appreciation to the guys who supported me during my "learning-tv-animation-on-the -fly" period by taking them out to lunch individually.
Al had been a great boss, but I felt my career was taking another turn and I knew my choices would be limited there. Hughes taught me alot about the production end and how to shoot from the hip. Nasso and Van Horn were great examples of 2d and 3d artists who had a real passion for what they did. Hawkman and Brad made learning fun again. Even Emily, the freelancer, would be missed. No more all night conversations about demon-possessed top chefs.
Those two weeks I could slowly feel the weight of almost 10 years of Golf Channel slowly coming off my shoulders. I was excited about my new Art Director position at Caldwell Group. Sheri had been very accommodating to me and those first couple of months were grueling, but also very satisfying in a way I hadn't felt at Golf Channel in a long, long time.
I was charged with concepting and developing the new marketing look and feel with their largest client including the campaign to launch their brand, spanking new state-of-art rehab center. Exciting times. At the end of my three month period I was tired, but very pleased with what I had accomplished.
Things have slowed down for me to a nice pace at the agency and I'm settling into my role. My doctor said my blood pressure was up during that three month period, but was now even lower than it ever was previously. I enjoy the new work atmosphere, I feel good about the work I crank out, my colleagues are great people and now that my office is almost completely set up I am easing into my routine. I haven't had my own office since my earlier agency days so it's become almost therapeutic to make my little part of the world cozy and cool.
It's been a busy season. Pictures of the new digs to come soon!
I'm in over my head...
So much to do, so much to say, so much to post. Holy crap talk about getting getting overloaded with so much that you are floundering. I know I know. I keep saying it over and over and over, but I WILL GET THOS BLOG updated. Maybe next year. Nooooo....
I'll get there, but there's been so many great things happening and so much news to share. Where do I start? Oh I know where...
I'll get there, but there's been so many great things happening and so much news to share. Where do I start? Oh I know where...
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Nocturnal.
(Not so uncommon for me nowadays) I awoke from my sleep on the couch to find the house quiet, late at night with everyone off to bed. Isa has made it a habit now to sleep in our bed, which I both hate/love. There's something nice at night feeling little feet in your face or having her little hand draped over my neck. But in the morning when they awake it's not so cool to have someone in your ear loudly asking for "chocolate milk" or to "watch cartoons".
Tonight, though, I sleepily got off the couch to walk over to the kids room. It was almost 2am and just wanted to peek over to see how they were (my nightly ritual). Isa, of course, had ignored my warning to stay in her bed and was missing from the room - she's in our bed passed out with her mom. Nico Boy, on the other hand, is sound asleep with his shirt slightly tossed up and his belly poking out.
Tonight, though, I sleepily got off the couch to walk over to the kids room. It was almost 2am and just wanted to peek over to see how they were (my nightly ritual). Isa, of course, had ignored my warning to stay in her bed and was missing from the room - she's in our bed passed out with her mom. Nico Boy, on the other hand, is sound asleep with his shirt slightly tossed up and his belly poking out.
Against all better judgement I couldn't resist picking him up and holding him in my office chair as he snoozed on my shoulder. I know the next morning before I head out the door to work he'll greet me with a smile and a "da!" For now I'm pretty content just holding him. It's dark in the room. The ceiling fan quietly spins blowing a lazy breeze. His hand is draped on my neck and he stirs for a moment to look at me and then settles his head back onto my shoulder as I rub his back. I can feel his warm belly against my chest as he snores quietly in my ear. This is probably one of the more satisfying moments I can remember recently.
Whodathunk that I'd be a complete sucker for a couple of little kids who constantly needed their butts wiped, toys cleaned up after, and monitored like a hawk at all moments? I was the last person 10 years ago. The things they say, the things they do, watching them grow impress me daily. At night watching them sleep, though, makes me feel complete.
Whodathunk that I'd be a complete sucker for a couple of little kids who constantly needed their butts wiped, toys cleaned up after, and monitored like a hawk at all moments? I was the last person 10 years ago. The things they say, the things they do, watching them grow impress me daily. At night watching them sleep, though, makes me feel complete.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Show Off
I know I'm biased, but damn this kid is cute! Taken a couple of weeks ago when I was changing Nico Boy's diapers he surprised me by standing straight up while I reached over to grab a wipe for his butt one morning.
This is probably one of those photos he'll hate me for later for posting for all to see. Either way my little boy is growing up!
This is probably one of those photos he'll hate me for later for posting for all to see. Either way my little boy is growing up!
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