bissextile

I was born in a bissextile year. My age has been divisible by '4' 7 times. You'll have to forgive my disturbing superstitious behavior, but I can't help but say and believe "This is my year".

An apology to all those who accidentally read this post title as "bisexual",

Project Updates
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tradingloop.com - We've finished the look and layout. We're now shopping around for a php developer.

film 1 - James and I have started writing our first feature film.

film 2 - Invisible People fell through, possible alternative short film in the works.

music video - possible music video in the works.

three degrees of occupational happiness

3. A job that makes money.
2. A job that involves your interests and makes money.
1. Your dream job.

This is way oversimplified, but best describes my views on occupations. Obviously right now I'm at the 3rd degree of occupational happiness. I'm not particularly interested in protecting outdoor furniture, but it makes money and is a great job. Don't misunderstand this, I love my new job, but I would be even happier if I was making the same amount of money only doing something that is more aligned with my interests. I'm going back to school to work particularly in advertising because I feel that would elevate me to that second degree. Running an ad firm is my ultimate goal, but working for a production company, or a publishing company, would hold equal value to me.

The highest degree is separate from the 2nd degree. You could distinguish the two based on difficulty. But I look at it as something that would be your ultimate accomplishment in life (occupational wise). Being a bestselling author, winning the Nobel peace prize, a rock star. We all have our dreams. For me, it's to be a successful filmmaker.

I'm living the 3rd degree, making steps towards the 2nd degree, and sylentfilms has officially started what I hope will get me to number 1.

thought of school

It was four months ago that I entered a heated discussion with one of the directors of my previous employer. It was very upsetting to me, but helped me realize that I had to break away from the stagnant/semi-comfortable life I had accustomed myself to. That led to a month of once again pondering the dreaded question...What do I want to do in life? The back burner thought of going back to school burst into flames, as I realized that my greatest strength was in Advertising. The next day, I signed up for the GRE. Shortly after, I applied for the Master's program in Advertising with the University of Texas. A couple of weeks later, I sent my resume out for a couple of jobs in Austin. I had a bunch of "back up" schools lined up (since the UT seemed very unlikely at the time), but when January rolled around, I was offered a job in Austin, which led to me thinking school would have to once again ride the back of the stove top. One month after being out here, I got the news that I was accepted into the UT.

I don't think life has ever been this smooth to me before. In between the cracks of this story, is actually a far more interesting, better than a soap opera story, but I save that for my conversations.

I'm excited to go back to school, especially in a field of study that I find extremely interesting and will elevate me to my second degree of occupational happiness (to be explained on the next post).

Hunting Hat Parallels

Occasionally, I like to throw in a classic read into the mix of nightstand books (making up for the lack of reading my high school english curricula - back in the day). This months classic...Catcher in the Rye, caught me off guard, and I ended up enjoying the story far more than I expected. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't read "Confederacy of Dunces" 6 months ago. I couldn't help but draw various parallels between the two stories, especially between the two characters. I doubt I would ever find myself reading this story again, but a key point hammered in the developing of characters is embedded in my mind, and I have Catcher in the Rye to thank for it. Let's hope this will translate well into my next film.

Side reading note: Griffin, I very much enjoyed "The Road" by McCarthy. Thanks for the rec.

RE/A influenza

Have you ever felt as though every muscle in your body was going to turn inside out? Is inflammation making it difficult to breath? Do you have ridiculous fever chills running through your body? Do you find it difficult to muster enough energy to eruct whatever is causing your stomach to churn, twist, and twirl? If you said yes to any of the following, you may be suffering from RE/A influenza (Real Estate/Automobile Influenza). This common grippe is causing extreme dissatisfaction and annoyance in the lives of millions of car stupid people today.

Forgive my annoying marketing twist used to describe the sick feeling I get every time I deal with anything that involves real estate and getting my car fixed. Both end up being very expensive ordeals and I can never tell if I'm getting screwed or not. This always leaves me feeling sick, while I wallow in ignorance.

This is all in reference to me taking my car in Saturday for a routine check up on my brakes and having to replace or rebuild every single component involved with the brakes (including my front axle). Also, as many of you know, I'm trying to sell my house in Utah (although I know Mr. Perkins isn't screwing me, I still feel sick thinking about it).

feelings...my political defense

The great marketing axiom states:

People rationalize buying decisions based on facts,
People make buying decisions based on feelings

"The University of Rochester School of Medicine published a study based on brain activity imaging that reveals emotions are inextricably a part of the decision process. In fact, 'if you eliminate the emotional guiding factors, it's impossible [for people] to make decisions in daily life.'1"

"Folks with damaged prefrontal lobes - the area of the brain where emotions are processed - are completely stymied when it comes to making personal decisions such as scheduling a doctor's appointment, wearing a seat belt , and yes, even deciding what to buy for themselves."2

I mention this excerpt from an excellent marketing resource only to emphasize the role and importance of feelings in one of the more apparent marketing ploys happening today. Politics. I will not venture into my own political views (I'd hate to try and force my myopic perspective on unsuspecting victims), and I will attempt to not vilify the more than ridiculous outspoken individuals. The only point I wish to make, is that I acknowledge that I make my political decisions based on feelings. If I want to vote for Obama because he reminds me of President Palmer (24 reference), or vote for Mitt Romney because he is Mormon, or even vote for Hilary because I like the idea of a woman for president, I will. That's what is great about this country, I can vote for whoever I want to, regardless of the reason, and I am in the right. Now of course, once I've made the voting decision, I rationalize that decision by looking at their views and seeing if they are in sync with my own. Obviously my feelings would change if I discovered Obama dresses in drag (for the better of course), but most voting decisions are made before you even get to know the candidate. I'm not saying that is the right way, or wrong way to do it. I'm just saying that is how the majority of people decide. I feel there is nothing wrong in basing a decision on feelings. In fact, everyone does, however, I recommend you rationalize your decision on facts.

Everything said here is of course is an over generalized view on the entire voting process, and is just a shell of a thought I've been having. There is more depth to the idea behind this and the voting process, but I'm far too bored with myself to further it.

Ryan

An interesting candidate matchup game Click Here

1 "Rational Decisions Guided by Emotion - Study." Yahoo!News, November 26, 2001.
2 "Persuasive Online Copywriting" Davis, Eisendberg, and Eisendberg, 2005 Future Now, Inc.

Austin

I know we haven't been as religious with blogs as the cult demands. We've been a little busy moving, as many of you know. While I piggy back off someone's internet, I thought I would type a brief update.

Things have not calmed down enough for us to determine how much we've enjoyed living in Austin thus far, but I have worked with my new job enough to determine how much I will enjoy working here. And the answer is...I'm going to love it. Most of you will have to forgive that my career choices are often difficult to understand. The pain is far greater on my side trying to explain what I do. Most people didn't understand my role with Anderson Merchandisers and most people don't understand my role now. I attempt a brief explanation.

I'm the Product Manager for Responsible Consumer Products. It is a company that focuses on higher end, environmentally friendly products that protect casual (outdoor) furniture. It is a perfect fit for me. It doesn't have the mundane tasks of corporate repetition that I hate doing. It is very project oriented.

I enjoyed being a book, music, and movie buyer for Wal-mart, but my current role is a much better fit for me, and I can only hope that Austin is a better fit for my family.

Excuse the over simplistic look of the site. I grew tired of the old look, and decided to put something else up until I have time to redesign.