Tripping Billies
Posted by sprzzatura on May 9, 2011
It’s been nearly 2 months since I posted something substantial about myself. Personally, I’m all for keeping attention off myself, but that’s not what this blog is about right? It’s about getting stuff out there and seeing what happens. So here’s what you’ve missed so far: I’ve been seriously ill twice, had a major breakthrough in wedding planning, watched one of my best friends get married in a simple municipal ceremony, volunteered for a film festival (ActionFest) organized by folks involved in the International Toronto Film Festival, and got a full-time internship in Blacksburg.
Been a busy two months.
I won’t get into all of it because a recounting of every detail would make this the post that never ends, and it’s truly not that interesting. So the highlights:
Back in March, my fiancee and I went to Roanoke, Va to visit with some vendors, check out a venue and try to finalize a LOT of details for our wedding. After three days of running back and forth to meetings, we left knowing that we are highly compatible (marriage test) and with the name of our baker. The following week we settled on the venue and another month & a half for the caterer. The budgets small and quickly fleeting, but we think we’re putting together a really fun time for everyone. Hell – what’s important is the wedding. After that, it’s just feeding people and dancing and I DARE YOU to find someone who won’t have fun at this. Gonna be hard.
I don’t know what I can & can’t share about the wedding, but I will just say that I was honored to be invited to attend. There are few friends for whom I would do virtually anything, and this was one of those. It was great being able to spend the afternoon with him, his bride & small band of friends at Arcade in Asheville as we waited for the Detention Center to open. It was the first time I’d seen him in years, and I got to hear about his adventures overseas. It was a great afternoon and they make a lovely couple, not to mention a powerful combination of dorks. Can’t wait to see the first child with his multi-colored mohawk (no rush). Immediately following the ceremony they left and (no joke) I got sick: Illness #1.
I got better in time to travel to Asheville to work three days at ActionFest. Luckily I have friends in the area and one(M) offered his couch as a bed. I haven’t spent real 1-on-1 time with M, so it was great to spend some time just talking and not about video games. I spent the majority of my time working the hallways making sure folks were headed to the right theater, but I proved my value by coming up with a system for easier headcounting, helping with a prank on Michael Jai White, and assisting on the VIP food run. I meet some really interesting folks, made some new friends & contacts and even made it to one movie: Bunraku – which you all must see. Absolutely amazing.
Shortly after that, Illness #2.
The first was bad, but manageable. The second was painful & body wrenching, but worst of all – poorly timed. It was the week before my in-person interview for an internship and I had a presentation to finish and practice. Not so easy to do with a 102 temp. What’s that? No idea what interview I’m talking about? Let me take a step back.
(Knowing the difference between omission & discretion, some details will be left out.) Back in February I found a marketing company called Modea based in Blacksburg, Va (30-45min from my hometown) that had several openings. I’d heard of the company while living in Maryland, but with graduate school still going on, I couldn’t get serious about any of the openings. I dug their non-profit work with Virginia Tech and the Lyric and having a “Choose Your Own Adventure” opening option certainly piqued my interest. This time I applied. Several days later I was contacted about setting up a phone interview with one of the Senior Strategic Planners. We had a great conversation (so I thought) ranging in topics from where we grew up, what projects I’m proud of, what projects I appreciate of theirs, their business vision and employee encouragement. Frankly I couldn’t have asked for a better company to even talk too. That was March. In April I traveled to Blacksburg to give a “relevant” 30min presentation to a room full of Modeans, followed by 2 hours of interviews, break for lunch, and then another 1-2hours of interviews. Given that I’d been sick and barely able to keep food in my system, not to mention walk, the week prior, I was a wreck. But I think it was the best way I could have prepared because I was geared up and ready when the I went in to speak with them. I did my best to be focus my answers and be the best applicant I could be, but instead I was just myself. No games, no real filter, everything just flowed naturally. Apparently it did the trick because two weeks from today I will start as a 3-month Marketing Intern for Modea. I’ll be moving in with a friend and do my best to learn as much as I can and try to show them my value as a potential employee.
It’s not the first time I’ve moved away from Crystal for a time, grad school helped with that, but with the wedding on the horizon it’s not ideal. Luckily I’ll be able to take my Xbox 360 with me and she’s borrowing her brother’s, so we’ll be able to talk over Live w/o cell phones and I can play games with her, my roommate brother (her’s too) and our other friends. Essentially, it’ll help me stay connected to her while I’m away. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. As of this writing, this is the first job w/ a paycheck in over 1.5 years. The company is great, the employees are looked after and just a smart & fun group of folks. I can’t wait to start so I can immerse myself in the culture and start learning about what they do, but simultaneously trying to enjoy every moment left in Charlotte with my fiancee and my “daughter”.
Seriously, how can I leave the cuteness?
So that’s what’s been going on. Phew. I’ll do my best to stay current with my posts, at least once a month if I can. If nothing else, I’ll try to keep them less “War & Peace” sized.
Be well everyone and wish me luck!
Video of the Week
“Chuck Vs Agent X” – Chuck, Monday at 8p on NBC
