Around the turn of the century (I’ve decided to call the time period between 1999-2001 the turn of the century), I worked in customer service. The job was thankless but I met a bunch of great people — BFK, Al, the cutest girl on Earth™, and Michelle. We had a lot of fun.
But it was [...]
Work
7
Mar 10
Using the universe to exact my revenge
19
Jan 10
Way back in aught-six
It’s 11:16 and I’m just finishing up work for the day. This is not a complaint. I just want to record it somewhere for posterity because it’s been a very long time since I’ve been so busy working. In fact, I think it might have been the launch of Paint Shop Pro 11 back in [...]
5
Jan 10
Deserving of your attention
In case you missed it, yesterday MinnPost named I Will Dare was one of 10 Minnesota blogs worthy of your attention in 2010. Can I get a hell yeah?
Getting this kind of recognition is pretty awesome. That’s probably a weird thing to say. Or maybe it’s immodest. I don’t care. It’s awesome. I work [...]
1
Sep 09
Unproductive rambling about productivity
There is something to be said for stretching out in the La-Z-Grrl in your underpants to watch Sex in the City reruns after a long, productive day. It’s even more noteworthy, because dude, long, productive day! Can you believe it? I can’t.
Do you ever start and then completely forget where you were going? Somehow [...]
11
Aug 09
Saying it outloud
After Sunday’s OxPod recording, my friend Tony made a crack about how I’m the busiest unemployed person he’s ever heard of.
He’s right. Between being Super Aunt Jodi’s daycare service, class at The Loft, and, well, working freelance, this summer’s bout of unemployment has been the exact opposite of last summer’s bout.
In fact, I just [...]
17
May 09
I’m like Brian Johnson at the end of The Breakfast Club giving myself a congratulatory punch in the arm
If you ever find your self esteem lagging, I highly recommend losing your job as a means to boost it. Sure the impending financial calamity might be a high price to pay, but you’ll sure feel good about yourself on the way to the poorhouse.
While I fully expected my friends and family to be supportive [...]
15
May 09
And now this happens 2: Unemployment Boogaloo
Because I like irony or poetic justice or just bits of weird symmetry in my life, the marketing department at The Nerdery went to the very same Mexican restaurant today, on my last day, that we went to on my first day. It kind of happened by accident because none of us can make lunch [...]
1
Mar 09
Still in recovery
There’s a reason you don’t hear about a lot of 30somethings pulling all nighters. It’s because we are old and need our sleep. Yesterday was the Web Challenge and it was a test of endurance. I’ve never been so cranky and annoyed for such good causes in my life.
After about 18 hours of continuous consciousness [...]
7
Jan 09
I hate meek
I’m having a tough time with the balance. I know it will come, but for the time being all this blah-blah-blogging is kind of sucking the life out of me. Or maybe it’s the winter doldrums striking early. Or maybe I just have nothing to say. All I know is that I’m having a tough [...]
1
Jan 09
A few memories of Holy Roller Bob
Ever since reading Kevin Brockmeier’s A Brief History of the Dead whenever I learn about the death of someone I have cared about I immediately want to sit and scribble down every memory I have about them. Because by committing those memories to paper and pixels I can ensure that they are not forgotten and [...]
2
Dec 08
It is a real job, really
“You work from home on Wednesdays?” the TTHM asked, unable to control his shock and awe.
“Yeah,” I said.
“THAT’S NOT A JOB!” He shouted into his phone.
“Yes it is,” I said. “I have to follow people on Twitter and read blogs, post stuff.”
“I hope they pay you in stickers and not real money.”
“I get paid in [...]
12
Nov 08
On sparse details and wrestling
Lori just whined about my first day of work being awfully short on details. It’s funny because I am in the midst of wrestling with this whole “professional blogger” or “corporate blogger” thing and what it means for I Will Dare.
It’s an internal battle. The company I work for is so cool that I [...]
11
Sep 08
Not all productive members of society wear bras
This morning I had coffee and, eventually, lunch with some former co-workers. It was probably the best thing I’ll do all week. I feel like I should pay them all whatever the going rate for a therapist is. Three of our group of five are still unemployed and looking for work.
“I freak out about [...]
9
May 08
Just another software company, the closure
In September of 1999 I started working at Jasc Software. It was a little company that made digital photography software. I landed at Jasc as a Customer Service temp. I had two options from the temp agency. I could work at some publishing firm in St. Louis Park or work at a software company in [...]
20
Feb 08
Before you fire me, let me introduce myself
Before coming into the office this morning, I cuddled up with Rock On: An Office Power Ballad by Dan Kennedy. It’s a memoir of Kennedy’s year or so spent working as a marketing wonk for Atlantic Records.
I had just gotten to the part where Kennedy was getting laid off (I’m not ruining the plot by [...]
