What Day Is It?...

Oh my, oh my, how time doth fly! Has it been a week already?! Well... Welcome! Come on in and sit a spell! Can I get you some tea?

Funny, isn't it, how life just barrels along while you're living it? My clock has sprouted wings and seems to be picking up a jet stream as it gathers steam... might break the sound barrier before too long!

Things are going swimmingly here... sorta.

Work is... work (as work tends to be). We are launching a new magazine to be out at the beginning of August, and I gotta tell ya - the angst a project like this creates - well, it ain't purdy! We are scrambling each day to contact as many advertisers as possible so we'll be able to claim some kind of substance to this first issue - and I never thought it would take this long to get in touch with everyone. Of course, after having been away from the industry for 6 months on my "forced hiatus" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), it's been somewhat like a big reunion or homecoming. Most of my clients, whom I had lost touch with when the company rather abruptly closed the San Diego office, have been absolutely thrilled to hear from me again (perhaps "thrilled" is a bit strong, but I'm gonna stick with it). This, of course, has led to multiple conversations wherin the state of affairs in our respective lives have been gleaned over and picked apart in turn. I never really realized what an impact I made on so many people's lives until this project started and I had the chance to catch up with so many of my previous clients. They have, by and large, expressed nothing but joy at hearing from me once again, and heart-felt congratulations and best wishes for the new magazine venture. It is truly humbling to be on the receiving end of so many people's well-wishes and praise. Many of the clients have stated they are joining this new magazine simply for the fact that Sandy and I are the ones who are involved. The state of the antiques industry is not exactly booming right now, and we've bemoaned that fact for quite some time now. Customers who may have otherwise turned down a new advertising venture, have tossed their hats into the ring along with us - just because it's us! Talk about a heady feeling! Wow! I only hope we're able to do justice to their compliments and praise.

The new magazine, Today's Vintage, actually has quite a bit of potential - it's not your average trade-tabloid. We're building a magazine that will meld antiques, collectibles, art and decorating into a reader-friendly composite that will not only deliver to the antiques and collectibles industry, but encourage people to use items from our past in everyday life today. It is the ultimate in recycling - and we intend to bring it to the attention of the masses. A bit of a lofty goal, perhaps, but we can't afford to go into this with anything less than absolute conviction. And I feel very strongly that this magazine will facilitate the beginnings of a new generation of people dedicated to preserving our past and our planet... And hopefully we can all have some fun while we're at it!

School is looming, but my registration date isn't until next week - so I'll have to wait 'til then to see what classes to take. I'm pretty sure one will be math... because I can't let a semester go by just so I can forget everything I learned last semester! I would end up in beginning algebra for the rest of my college career! Then I'll have to see what else catches my fancy. Not going to do more than 2 classes this term, I think. Just because I need to be able to think - and if I'm trying to do too much at once then I might end up with grey matter leaking from my ears... and I just can't afford to lose any more of it!

Samantha has been pounding the pavement searching for work. She's just finished a week-long class with the EDD - learning about resume's and interview techinques, job hunting skills, etc. I think it's helped her gain some confidence as she goes looking for her first job - ever! Keep your fingers crossed that she finds something soon (otherwise we're going to need loaner books for this next term... need a second mortgage on the home to cover the textbooks alone)!

I'll write more on my History/Bio - whatever you'd like to call it - later. For now I just wanted to drop by with a quick update. Work is going gang-busters, so I have to make sure to get a good night's sleep. I'll update again ASAP.

Take care all & I'll see you 'round the water cooler!