not having steady work is a new experience for me. there’s a weird sort of psychological warfare that comes a long with so called unemployment. you really have to fight that voice in you head thats calling you a moron and or a loser.

i never realized how much of my identity was wrapped up in my vocation until now. having been without a job for an extended amount of time, in some weird way feels as if i’ve had to go without part of my identity too. but is that true? no. but it feels true at times. (this conundrum will keep your braining turning for hours on end (which is great b/c that gives me something do between filling out applications online).

I bet I’ve sent out over 20 cover letters and resumes to countless employers in hopes to get a phone call or email back. The process of applying, interviewing, & getting jobs has changed since the last time I’ve had to do this. Applying for job now is really gay these days. People apparently are obsolete in this process because the it’s all done online, the applications are way longer, the requirements are ridiculous if you’re trying to break into a field, and it all feels completely pointless.

The cold turkey approach sucks, but I’ve felt the continued need/duty to keep trying it. I’ve been working another angle on getting work as well. I call it, “the network approach”. this is how I’ve always gotten jobs in the past, but the problem of being new to town really cramps this method being as that I don’t really have a network… so now I’m building a new network from the ground up. thankfully, i’ve gotten to know quite a bit of people already and I’ve been using my embryonic network to work odd jobs. yesterday, I donned a painters suit with a breathing mask (think me wearing a hazmat suit like you see in the movies) mixing resin, and applying it to a giant cave sculpture for a well established artist in Boulder.

before that I moved alot of art books out of dead lady’s house (some of which I got to keep, which was super cool). before that I played background music at a dinner party on an organic farm for a showcase dinner (I some great healthy free food too). before that I was part of demolition crew for some construction work at coffee shop. before that…well you get the idea.

i’m just glad that I’m not homeless and that I have food to eat. this whole experience has given me a new found appreciation/thankfulness for each meal and each night that I’ve slept in a bed. these simple things are good gifts that none of us are guaranteed in life. that’s all for now…

p.s.

I’ve acquired a new skill! I can drop into a half pipe (albeit a small one) on a skateboard. I can do a “rock&roll”, “rock&roll fakie”, a “180″, & a new move I’ve deemed the “ssssss….ahhhhh….ssssssss….owwwww” it’s kind of like this:

This is the sleeve artwork for a limited edition run EP from the band, Mortimer.
It contains songs from the upcoming full length album, “ten eventful years”. These will be given away at the CD pre-release show.
The show is Thurs Sept 9th at the Tesla Motor Co. on the corner of Pearl and 7th in Boulder. Come one and come all.

There’s so much to say.

Driving thru Kansas sucks.
I-70 thru Kansas and Colorado has these giant Wind Farms with windmills that look like spaceships.
Rocky and I nearly died in a hailstorm while driving through Eastern Colorado. 60+ mph winds! We thought the hail was gonna bust out all the windows in my Corolla. (4th pic)
I’ve been already been inside a Teepee and learned that people still live in them.
I’ve met a kazillion people already thanks to Donnie.
The best meal I’ve eaten in a year was here in Boulder. It was made my Nepalese Sherpas who guide people to the summit of Mt. Everest.
I’ve slept in 3 different houses (only 1 actually in Boulder) since I’ve gotten into town.
I’ve already done a little bit of rock climbing.
Cell coverage is weak sauce (aka terrible) here.
I’ve gotten my 1st guitar student. His family has the craziest/coolest house I’ve seen in a long time.
I’ve learned that people in Colorado don’t really believe in air conditioning.
I’ve gone tubing on the river and have serious nipple burn.
My new friend, Todd, has lived in a van in Boulder the past 2 years (including the winters!)
The house I’m staying in now has a half pipe in the basement.
The weather here is schizophrenic.
For the 1st time since I was a kid, I really enjoy being outside in the summer. (the heats bearable and poison ivy/oak is scarce)
I’ve traveled to an elevation of 12,000+ft in the Rockies and got sun/wind burn (it’s harder to breathe that high).

and finally

if I don’t find a day job soon, I’m calling these people.