I just bought a new printer (HP4400 if you're curious) and after going through the setup and printing a couple things realize I will need to exchange that new printer because the nice smooth paper that goes in is coming out just a little bit ripped.
I don't want to be picky or anything, because I know the weathered look is "in" but I really just want a printer where the paper emerges in the same condition that it entered. Except with ink on it. Organized ink, not just globs of it artistically placed. I probably should have gotten up off my ass and exchanged it today, but I didn't because since I don't have a car exchanging involves packing the thing back up and carrying to the subway, up and down several flights of steps, and then walking with it for 10 minutes to get to the store. And then the store probably involves its own set of hassles. So I will try to do it tomorrow, as it does need to be done, but I am bitter (BITTER!) that I can't just plug the thing in and expect it to work. Especially since my last printer was an HP and worked for 4 years before deciding it just didn't want to suck up paper anymore, so the fact that this one couldn't get through its first sheet of paper is kind of annoying.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Craigslist Haters
I'm compiling a little list here, for all our enjoyment, of the angry Craigslist job seekers who not only do not want to apply for certain low paying jobs, but need to trumpet their indignation at the fact that the posters even dared ask ANYONE to work for so little. How dare they?? I love reading these post responses, so I thought maybe others would too.
Here are some I found just today :
In response to this :
Date: 2009-10-12, 1:42PM EDT
Reply to: gigs-k9wcv-1417868110@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
I am a graduate student, doing a study on the impact of design on the education of students. Working directly with students, need someone to film every Wednesday from 4:30-6 pm. You will have to complete background check for the organization that I work for. This is unpaid but could be published by the American Architectural Foundation. I do not have a camera but may be able to rent one from my university.
Location: Clinton Hill
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: no pay
Was this:
You need someone to dedicate every wednesday from 4:30-6pm to shoot your unpaid project? LOL
good luck finding someone, loser.
It is short and to the point. He both wishes him luck and politely expresses his opinion of the poster at the same time. Succinct.
Then there was this post:
Experienced Director/DP Needed
Date: 2009-10-12, 11:47AM EDT
Reply to: EDITED [Errors when replying to ads?]
We are a start-up Christian Media Company looking to produce a docu-series about 5 urban Christians living their life in faith. This is a small, low budget project and will take place November 1-December 12th, excluding the Thanksgiving holiday week (November 22-28). It is a 5 week commitment with filming averaging about 7 hours per week/ 35 hours total. We are looking for experienced directors who DP, have their own equipment (camera,light kits, microphones, etc) and who are confident in shooting documentary/reality style.
For more information please contact us directly at EDITED.
Thank you!
The response (by the same indignant poster?) is :
There's a reason you've posted this ad several times now: your compensation is $350 for 5 weeks!!!!!!! Are you nuts?!
So that's why you're not getting any responses.
Regards,
Captain Obvious.
At least we know who he is now. Although with a name like Captain Obvious it's no wonder he prefers to post anonymously. In fairness to the original posters, it is like only 7 hours each week, not a regular work week like Mr. Obvious seems to be indicating. In fairness to all of us freelancers, if you want someone with their own equipment to volunteer to work with you a day a week, you're going to have to pay at least double what you're paying. At least.
There are many more gems like this, though they get removed pretty quickly. When I am job hunting on Craigslist I enjoy reading these responses, which sometimes say what I wish I was energetic enough to. Generally, I just back click and move on from ridiculous job posts that ask far too much for too little. There are many projects worth working on for little or nothing. I've worked on some of them, and was happy for the experience. But there are many (driving a large van around and hauling equipment for your student film/small business commercial/random other thing that no one will ever see that are not worth working for free. So while I wonder if these angry responders have maybe a liiiittttlllle too much time on their hands, I still enjoy it when they post.
Here are some I found just today :
In response to this :
Date: 2009-10-12, 1:42PM EDT
Reply to: gigs-k9wcv-1417868110@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
I am a graduate student, doing a study on the impact of design on the education of students. Working directly with students, need someone to film every Wednesday from 4:30-6 pm. You will have to complete background check for the organization that I work for. This is unpaid but could be published by the American Architectural Foundation. I do not have a camera but may be able to rent one from my university.
Location: Clinton Hill
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: no pay
Was this:
You need someone to dedicate every wednesday from 4:30-6pm to shoot your unpaid project? LOL
good luck finding someone, loser.
It is short and to the point. He both wishes him luck and politely expresses his opinion of the poster at the same time. Succinct.
Then there was this post:
Experienced Director/DP Needed
Date: 2009-10-12, 11:47AM EDT
Reply to: EDITED [Errors when replying to ads?]
We are a start-up Christian Media Company looking to produce a docu-series about 5 urban Christians living their life in faith. This is a small, low budget project and will take place November 1-December 12th, excluding the Thanksgiving holiday week (November 22-28). It is a 5 week commitment with filming averaging about 7 hours per week/ 35 hours total. We are looking for experienced directors who DP, have their own equipment (camera,light kits, microphones, etc) and who are confident in shooting documentary/reality style.
For more information please contact us directly at EDITED.
Thank you!
The response (by the same indignant poster?) is :
There's a reason you've posted this ad several times now: your compensation is $350 for 5 weeks!!!!!!! Are you nuts?!
So that's why you're not getting any responses.
Regards,
Captain Obvious.
At least we know who he is now. Although with a name like Captain Obvious it's no wonder he prefers to post anonymously. In fairness to the original posters, it is like only 7 hours each week, not a regular work week like Mr. Obvious seems to be indicating. In fairness to all of us freelancers, if you want someone with their own equipment to volunteer to work with you a day a week, you're going to have to pay at least double what you're paying. At least.
There are many more gems like this, though they get removed pretty quickly. When I am job hunting on Craigslist I enjoy reading these responses, which sometimes say what I wish I was energetic enough to. Generally, I just back click and move on from ridiculous job posts that ask far too much for too little. There are many projects worth working on for little or nothing. I've worked on some of them, and was happy for the experience. But there are many (driving a large van around and hauling equipment for your student film/small business commercial/random other thing that no one will ever see that are not worth working for free. So while I wonder if these angry responders have maybe a liiiittttlllle too much time on their hands, I still enjoy it when they post.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Busi-ness
So, I guess being a freelancer that I am kind of self employed (though sadly, far too often this year collecting a "paycheck" from Uncle Sam). I've been running around like crazy lately applying for jobs, doing a bit of work, and preparing for a job in a few weeks where I am basically going to be running a film set. A small film set, and a low budget one, but still other then the director and the DP, I am IT in terms of dictator like power. Unfortunately with great power comes great responsibility, and I have been spending hours preparing for that power. Preparation isn't paid, unfortunately, but I know that the experience will be wonderful for me and for my career, and that learning is never wasted. Hopefully it is just one step on the ladder to Oprah like success.
Oh, and remember that cake I made? And remember my mother, who can be difficult, was visiting? Well, I had some cake left and wanted her to try it. I'm not sure why.
Mom: I tried your cake.
Me: Oh, did you like it?
Mom: It was hard. (Long pause, then grudgingly) Good if you dip [it in coffee].
Ah, just what every chef wants to hear. I have my apartment back to myself though, and my cats are joyfully sniffing my feet, and there is just a little bit of that hard cake left for me, so life is good.
Oh, and remember that cake I made? And remember my mother, who can be difficult, was visiting? Well, I had some cake left and wanted her to try it. I'm not sure why.
Mom: I tried your cake.
Me: Oh, did you like it?
Mom: It was hard. (Long pause, then grudgingly) Good if you dip [it in coffee].
Ah, just what every chef wants to hear. I have my apartment back to myself though, and my cats are joyfully sniffing my feet, and there is just a little bit of that hard cake left for me, so life is good.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Cake Carnage
Because she is a good friend the first full day she was here my best friend and I made cake. A day later we made frosting - sometimes you have to wait for a good thing. And then we ran around the city and ate food other people made for the next couple days, meaning that my boyfriend and I have been nibbling off the main cake like a pair of mice ever since she left. No plates for us, that would be too much effort. I present to you what is left of the cake:
It looks deceptively neat, but that is because we have been feasting on the other side. Yummy. I made the frosting by basically throwing in a stick of butter, a couple cups of confectioner's sugar, a couple drops of vanilla, and a small cup of expresso and milk. No recipe, really, or measuring cups. Next time I might put a little less coffee and a little more butter, but overall pretty good. The cake comes from a cookbook I have :
Rosie's Bakery All-Butter, Fresh Cream, Sugar-Packed, No-Holds-Barred Baking Book
Good Cookbook, although every time I try to make the mocha frosting in the book (with a food processor) the dairy products get all separated and I have to throw it away. I've kind of given up on it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Friends and Anniversaries
With her permission, I'm posting a couple pics from my best friend's visit to the Big Apple. There are lots more, but you don't get to see them (haha) because I'm trying to keep my face off the blog. You know, in case all the rabid fans decide to stalk me...or whatever.
Anyway, below: Champagne Mexican Brunch. Yummy. I was so full I wanted to curl up in a sunny spot on the sidewalk afterwards, but it was good.
On the other hand, something that will take your appetite completely away:
Nice.
On another note, it is my BF and my three year anniversary. We celebrated with sushi and saki, a very satisfying pairing. We are now lounging at home, relaxing and feeling pleased with ourselves. The cats are exhibiting a similar mood. Overall a good day.
Anyway, below: Champagne Mexican Brunch. Yummy. I was so full I wanted to curl up in a sunny spot on the sidewalk afterwards, but it was good.
On the other hand, something that will take your appetite completely away:
Nice.
On another note, it is my BF and my three year anniversary. We celebrated with sushi and saki, a very satisfying pairing. We are now lounging at home, relaxing and feeling pleased with ourselves. The cats are exhibiting a similar mood. Overall a good day.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I'm Back!
Best Friend has left the state (boo) so after a weekend full of running around spending too much money, we are back to our regularly scheduled programming. I had a great time with her, and I hope she had a great time too. As I spent Saturday working, and Sunday and Monday sniffing with a cold, I'm hoping that she was still able to get what she needed out of this vacation. She took about a million pictures, so I'll post a couple once I get them, including some of our lovely champagne brunch on Sunday. MMM, nachos and alcohol before noon. Decadence.
I have also made my yearly pilgrimage to a house of worship, thereby hopefully insuring that if there is an afterlife, I make it in. If that is the case, I extend my thanks to Best Friend, as most of these pilgrimages are with her. If that is not, well, churches are pretty. So good either way.
Next on the agenda: Mom's visit.
My mother and I frequently do not get along, so I'm frankly nervous about how we'll deal with each other on such close quarters without someone blowing up. Even phone calls are kept to under five minutes usually. My little brother (who is wonderful and sweet) is coming along with her and they are all staying with me. So there will be three people and two cats in a little studio the size of a bedroom, with a bathroom that doesn't have a lock. I'm not optimistic. Does anyone out there have tips for dealing with difficult family members?
I have also made my yearly pilgrimage to a house of worship, thereby hopefully insuring that if there is an afterlife, I make it in. If that is the case, I extend my thanks to Best Friend, as most of these pilgrimages are with her. If that is not, well, churches are pretty. So good either way.
Next on the agenda: Mom's visit.
My mother and I frequently do not get along, so I'm frankly nervous about how we'll deal with each other on such close quarters without someone blowing up. Even phone calls are kept to under five minutes usually. My little brother (who is wonderful and sweet) is coming along with her and they are all staying with me. So there will be three people and two cats in a little studio the size of a bedroom, with a bathroom that doesn't have a lock. I'm not optimistic. Does anyone out there have tips for dealing with difficult family members?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Interim post
It's been a busy few days and an especially exhausting day today, though fun in parts, so this isn't a real update. I just wanted to let anyone who happens to be a returning reader know that I'll be back to more frequent posts in just a couple days. Probably whining about the cold I'm getting. You know, the normal.
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