Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I'm gonna be somebody

I've recently begun working on some websites for a few friends of mine as a way to help them, help me! Although I do these for free or creative trades, it's a good opportunity to learn and build my portfolio until someone thinks I'm good enough to pay me. So, check 'em out!

The Long Road Home Movie Website

Kuhno Music Website

Design Notes* The platform I'm using is called Moonfruit. This site has many templates that are fully customizable or options to create your own. The beauty is that you can be a total beginner or you can have knowledge of coding and be able to manipulate you site as much as you want. They also offer hosting and domain names.
I've been designing from an initial template, and then modifying to suit my design. I always think it's a better idea however to conceptualize on your site before you begin. Choose fonts, colours and a general layout so you don't spend too much time poking around at the options....trust me, you'll be there for a long time!

False Impressions

As a followup to the last post, I went in to the bar to talk to the managers today, and it went better than I thought.
I was pretty fired up over the last week or so and put a lot of assumptions on why I haven't worked in a while. I still hold my theory as the truth about the Vancouver Bar industry, but it may have not been the case with my situation. My boss just told me that it wasn't busy enough and I'm pretty much the one that doesn't need shifts.
Although I feel relieved that I didn't have to go on a rant and quit in a dramatic way (it's really just not my style) I still feel like their approach to managing their employees is very unprofessional and inconsistent... and another reason why this may be a blessing in disguise.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Fake Boobs & False Intentions

I started working at a bar in downtown Vancouver about 6 weeks ago. I took it as a way to make some extra cash and pay off my credit card faster. Seemed like a good idea at the time, and even though everyone said it was a really competitive industry, I was excited to get a job relatively quickly. 
My first night on the job went off without a hitch and without training. I made some mad cheese (as in money) and was blissfully pleased. For the next three weekends, I had similar nights- my sales were high, my service; excellent, nonetheless; and my cash out always perfect. So why have I not worked in two weeks? Why are my bosses avoiding my calls? Boobs.




Vancouver's reputation lives up to itself when every bar and restaurant you walk into is host to an army of cookie cutter girls- big boobs, short skirt, long jacket...you get the idea. I even heard from a credible source that girls get hired based on the interviewer's response you whether she is "fuckable" or not.
I didn't apply to work at Hooter's, nor was I hired on the premise that I would dress or act in such a manner; but I guess I was a fool to think otherwise.
I quit.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Caught in the Web of Design

As a recent graduate with a pretty certificate and all, I'm trying my hands at designing like a professional. Things have been going well, and there always real life lessons to learn. This weeks (and past year's to be honest) learning curve is WEBSITE DESIGN!
I fell in love with website design and blogging when I was 15 years old, even going to lengths of learning HTML. But technology has taken the train into the future while I continue to walk, and to say the least, I am a little behind.
I've tried to use WordPress, Joomla, Dreamweaver, VIRB, and now the newest site called Moonfruit.
All of these are very different than one another, but I have found that for a person with little development and coding knowledge, Moonfruit has worked the best.
Unfortunately it's not compatible with Hostpapa who my client has signed up with, which leaves me with my hands tied again. Do I try to recreate this website on my own and risk it looking bad and not being useable, hire a developer, or try to convince my client to switch over?
The comment box is open to all of my designer friends!

Sunshine & Snow








Monday, March 19, 2012

Tacos

So there's this guy...and he's on my radar. He seems nice enough, even though he ignored and mocked me upon our initial meeting. It wasn't very nice. But when I ignored him back and played Indiana Jones pinball, he was suddenly interested.
So why does he intrigue me?

  • Rides bikes
  • Takes photographs
  • Is not a hipster
  • Very tall and manly
  • A chef
  • Quiet
  • Cute
  • 22

Besides that, I don't know much about him. I would like to know more, but I am a little scared. I may not be cool enough. The sad fact that I looked at his Facebook, which always appears somewhat cooler than your real life has spun me into insecurity.
I've thought of a breakfast meet up.
Tacos.
Beer.
Bike ride.


When I texted him- this is what he had in mind.




How do I turn that into tacos?