Paying it forward

As I begin production on the August issue of Young at Heart I'm aware of the fact that over past year + that I have been redesigning and producing the paper, it has been an exercise in learning and earning ...even if the earning has been inconsistent. The previous owner retired in April and as a result, the past three months have been about creating a whole new standard of quality -mainly in content. Before the paper was filled with articles supplied by the advertisers, it was all part of the draw to SELL a display ad, now I am working with 'an Editor' (an Editor with integrity and creative passion) we have established themes and its a whole new ball game. This past issue was on travel and great places to getaway to in Oregon. The papers have flown off the racks and we have been flooded with emails and calls complimenting our efforts.
This August issue ahead is on Pets and Ms Kitty and Maggie will be the cover girls. There have been some fantastic submissions by our readers for the best pet picture contest we are holding and I am excited to be riding this wave of production on through to my press date in a week. Thanks for all the inquires as to 'what up? ...'I have had little time over the past few months to update my blog, I have been updating the Young at Heart website, sales sheets, email blasts and redesigning the Media Kit for the upcoming fair in October. Changes indeed!

Change and happiness

"Change is not merely necessary to life - it is life."
-Alvin Toffler
I have been questioning if my blog has turned into a whine-a-thon. A venting outlet of frustration with my clients and general unhappiness with the creatively under challenged part of my life and effective ability to make a living. In case any of you are wondering, despite my power of intention, plea bargaining with God, and candles lit, I have not heard a peep from Google, or any of the other two places I sent resumes outside of the Rogue Valley. My burning desire for a design position is evolving, by necessity into what I have been seriously considering for more than a year, sales.
Volunteering at the Britt selling raffle tickets was one of my most rewarding positions, I loved the people contact and especially outselling my competition by a landslide.
When I first contacted Young at Heart, it was with the intention of selling display ads for them, until the owner saw my design work. After a few months of revising their marketing materials and ad design, I was hired to redesign the publication, which snowballed into planning the content, photography and writing a monthly column. I think it was the pinnacle of personal and creative satisfaction, unfortunately it was also accompanied by a disturbing pattern of non payment and questionable business decisions made by the employer.
I am excited to be working with two new clients in a sales capacity, its taking a little time to get my creative side and my Muse along for the ride, they are throwing tantrums in the back seat like a couple of two year olds.
I am working on a new game plan that will allow for some creativity in other ways, like formulating marketing plans for my clients and helping them decide where their advertising dollars can be best spent. I am wrapping my mind around the fact that creativity comes in as many shapes as people, and my happiness depends on seeing my glass half full instead of half empty.

Planet Cornball

Opening Sundays performance was a theatrical and musical revue called "Oregon, Oregon" celebrating the states' 150 year anniversary and included the US Army band. Totally planet cornball, but the talent was impressive and the musical numbers amusing.... all the patriotic songs, guns and mini cannon, I would have gladly traded for another shot of Pink Martini at the end of the show. My oh my. Pink Martini was all it was cracked up to be and more. We had a fabulous time and were once again front and center on the lawn. One can never get enough of China Forbes voice and stunning looks.

Tonite we are off to see Chris Isaak, I worked his concert two years ago, but my friend Claudia had come in town for an overnighter before a planned rafting trip down the lower Rogue, and being it was was my limited window to see her, I worked my Britt shift selling raffle tickets, watched him open, perform two songs, and left wishing I didn't have to. Should be a stellar show, I remember seeing him in San Francisco in the late 70's when he had started playing with a friends' boyfriend in a band called Silvertone, Gail did their posters. He has come a long way, and I seriously doubt Jimmy is still playing with him. Got a line sitter in line as i type, but doubtful we will get close, there were line sitters getting in line Sunday evening for tonites performance.
I'm currently working on the September issue of Young at Heart, long days and hoping to make my deadline. It was so much easier, organized and content better a few months ago before everything got cut including my production help and my compensation to less than half. My focus is on getting this issue out, and exhaling.
But tonite we rock and roll!!!!!