Tashrambler

Well hello there!

So much has happened since the summer of 2012.

Met a fellow at Burning Man.  His camp (Math Camp) was across the road from mine (VW Bus Camp).  We’ve been doing the long-distance relationship thing ever since.  He’s in the East Bay and holy crap!  I’ve been plunged into Burning Man and Maker culture galore!

Since meeting him, I’ve become involved with Acme Muffineering and the Empire of Dirt.  I’m even building my own Devils Food Cupcake!

HulaHoopla is still going strong and honestly, it has kept me sane and happy even if it doesn’t pay the bills.  Teaching people how to play in a hula hoop just kicks ass.  I’ve been able to find a beautiful space in Alameda to teach hoop classes when I’m in the Bay Area.  I’m thinking about adding more classes up here, maybe a daytime class for those who work evenings. We’ll see.  I created a hooping podcast and trying to discipline myself to produce them on a more regular basis – I definitely found a niche and would love to develop it further.

I started another little business out of necessity called Fox On The Run.

Fox On The Run

It grew out of my experience working at Mission Control - I love making sure people get their shit taken care of!   I’d been seeing fox imagery everywhere for a couple of years and in 2012 it was my mission to bring “Foxy” back into our everyday vocabulary. So with my love of all things clever and foxy as well as VW buses, I created my logo and started getting clients via word-of-mouth.  I haven’t gone “ligit” quite yet but this type of gig allows me to get work here in Portland and in San Francisco and Oakland.

I actually scored an amazing job here in town as a fitter welder trainee at Gunderson.  I loved it!!  I was using a big ol’ flux core arc welder, full leather gear, dripping molting metal and sparks flying.  But then my shoulder gave out.  Apparently once you’ve had shoulder surgery, you never get your strength back 100%.  Grrrr!  I lost feeling in my right hand and suffered some pretty severe shooting pains down my arm.  I was dismissed but told they loved me and want me back as soon as a non-over-the-head work position opens up.  *heavy sigh*

In the mean time, I know what it’s like to do industrial welding and I want more!

So the big question…Do I stay in Portland or look for work in the Bay Area?  I’m leaning toward heading south.  But wouldn’t it be cool to have a job where I can travel between both places and pay the bills?!

I’m working with a career specialist at PCC where I got my Multimedia degree.  I just started reading “What Color Is Your Parachute” for the first time.  I probably should be reading it right now! But I think I’m putting something out to the Universe.

I hope I’m heard.

Picked up a really cool gig this summer covering a maternity leave.  Client service & reception at Mission Control.  Didn’t think I was a front desk kinda gal but I have to admit I really loved greeting folks, making sure they had coffee and water and bringing them lunch every day.  I was surrounded by creative people and it began to inspire me to start thinking about going back to school for writing or editing or welding!

Sadly, the job came to an end when mama came back to work.  Luckily they call me now and again to help out.  Plus I’ve picked up some production assistant jobs since then.  I think being the go-to gal is what I dig.

So, the reason I’m writing this is to suss out what would be my dream job.  Aside from writing travel tips from a laptop slowly swaying in a hammock somewhere in remote and mosquito-free Costa Rica (hey, it’s MY dream!), I haven’t really listed it specifically.  At this point in my life, I’d be ecstatic to find a full-time gig that pays more than $15/hour with full benefits, M-F hours with flexibility, within walking/biking distance, with a wide variety in type of work needed and bosses that appreciate the team they have.  Is that too much to ask?  What would the work entail though?

As the go-to girl, I love thinking ahead of what needs to be done.  I also love spending hours writing weird quips on Facebook and promoting my hoop business.  I think I could do that full time if I didn’t actually have to teach the classes and make hoops and well, to be honest, pay bills!!!   Travel, yes!  Traveling for working would be great.  What would I do in other places that I can’t do here?  I guess meet new people, experience life somewhere else…the best parts of traveling really.

Hmmmmm…what else?  Have fun at work – of course!  Maybe teach a weekly hoop class for my co-workers.  Ooooooo!  There should be a couple of dogs at work, and a covered bike rack and discounts on TriMet bus passes!!  A kitchen and healthy snacks and excellent coffee and tea.  A socializing space for everyone to share ideas.  And Volkswagens…how could I get VW buses involved in all of this?  And wine!  oooooo…I’m on a roll!

I guess this is a good start.

Dear folks at Laika,

I am your gal! Please hire me.
I am a Virgo with innate organizing talent.  I know 4 people who work for you and they ALL love it!!!  And they love me! I crave to be around creatives.

You won’t be sorry.

love,
me

xoxo

Been a crazy busy person.  Good thing I don’t have a job!  I KID!  Still looking.  But in the mean time good things are a brewing.

Decluttering, purging, spring cleaning, what have you.  Feels good and I found out that you can actually sell used wine corks in the process.  Who knew?

Rebuilt my bus’ engine.  whew!  That was monumental and I still get a thrill every time I turn the key and it starts.

Started a hoop troupe, too.  The Spinnerettes.  We’ve already performed and have three upcoming gigs.

I’d say despite the panic of unemployment, things have made a good shift.

A little stress reliever on the horizon.

Been rebuilding a VW engine, looking for work, missing my grandmother, staying out of the dating world, considering purging 90% of my possessions and moving my bedroom into my basement to make room for a roommate.  That’s a lot to have on the brain all the live long day.  shit.

But out of nowhere a fellow VW Bus Camper texted me with an offer I couldn’t refuse.  I’m headed to Buses by the Bridge in Lake Havasu, Arizona this weekend to be with Burners and VW peeps and hoopers!  holy crap!!!.  I’m flying down with three VWBCers and meeting up with another one in California then we’re piling into a rental and joining our friends.  can’t wait!

I should be working on the engine but my brain needs a break or at least a lovely distraction.  Got hung up on the distributor – the drive popped out before I got the valves adjusted and I couldn’t wrap my head around how to re-install it correctly.  I mean, what would you do?!  I’m learning this as I go and it’s another thing that kicks my self-confidence in the nuts from time to time.

But enough of that…I’m going to AZ to be with friends and VWs and hoops in the sunshine!

I have a job interview tomorrow.  Second one in five months.  I met with a friend and former co-worker today who happens to work there.  We had Mexican mochas and talked about VWs and our old TV station and reminisced about something that no longer exists.   Wait, this sounds kinda gloomy.

Our meeting actually inspired the crap out of me.  Earlier in the day, I sort of had a panic attack, second-guessing my abilities.  She told me to focus on my strengths and I realized my panic attack was a waste of adrenalin.  As we talked, I could see myself in the interview then at a desk, doing the work, feeling confident.  It felt pretty fucking good.

Thank you, MCS, and good luck to me!

Holy crap…lists litter all flat surfaces of my kitchen.  Time to recycle.  But first, I MUST share the lists that rule my life.

42″
39″
36″

Mermaid
1″ fluorescent green prismatic
1″ teal or aqua vinyl
1/2″ neon green gaffer

Red Velvet
1″ dark red (ruby) mirror tape
1″ black vinyl in between red mirror
1/2″ black gaffer over black vinyl

Wicked
1″ purple (deep) sequin
1″ neon green gaffer in between purple
1/2″ black gaffer over green

Girl Genius
1″ azure blue glitter
1″ blue med. or dark blue vinyl
1/2″ neon orange gaffer over vinyl

Jobs – resume
REI
Film board

Computer file
storage & super drive
make appointment

ENGINE
take apart & clean
box & label parts
Thursday

Get HulaHoopla t-shirts made

Hoop Biz  – add World Hoop Day
update website, FB, Meetup
order t-shirts
contact Canyon Hoops
Newsletter?
respond to emails

MACHINE SHOP!

Costume
make wheels
shred shirt
find wing
find make-up

Computer
clean computer
research podcast – garage band?

READ bookclub

resume to LAIKA!
shower/facial
bring fan housing to machine shop
p/u fed ex order
clean & make hoop
bookclub book
meet chloe @limelight @ 6:05
call Halsey
find fan pulley!

Postal Central – t-shirt postage!

call Hal re: tube

make WHD signs
sell hoops donate 10%
fed ex!

cash
scotch tape
table
table cloth
get change!
to sell!
hoops
t-shirts

cat food
bananas
cookies

p/u pistons & cylinders from dan hall’s
drop off pistons & cylinders to Halsey
ORDER MAHLE’S!!
Hollywood Lighting -
buy black gaffer 1″ & 1/2″
”  neon ” 1″ & 1/2″
”  pink ” 1″ & 1/2″

Canyon Hoops demo
buy tubing?
buy tape?
discount?

velcro ties @ Home Depot

USPS
less than 13 oz
largest t-shirt weighs 8oz (1/2 lb)

My grandma passed away yesterday. I was holding her hand. It was unexpected. She always pulls through. I miss her…trying to call up her laugh in my head as much as possible.  I hope she comes to me in my dreams.

Not sure what happened but I feel pretty fucking good.  Maybe Burning Man caught up to me.  Still don’t know what I’m going to do about being unemployed AGAIN but somehow I’m not worried.  Sort of let the whole dating thing go away, too.  Feeling good about that as well.  Hmmmmm.  The house is a disaster – nothing new – but I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  What the hell happened?  Oh, maybe it’s because I drank coffee and ate bacon today.

So the new job went away.  Only 4 months.  I loved my job, who I worked with, my morning bike commute.  It was perfect.  It was announced the day before I was leaving for Burning Man…low ratings, focusing on the afternoon newscast.  WTF?  How ’bout better writing and less bullshit breaking news?

Be careful what you wish for.  I was fantasizing about staying until after it was over.  Well, TA DA!  I got it.

I really want to take advantage of this unexpected time off.  What to do next?  Time to reinvent!