That . Was. INTENSE.

Okay, I'm home. RELIEF. I'm sure no one really likes going to interviews...but I loath it. In almost any type of social situation I do okay, I'm comfortable, I'm chatty, what-have-you, but in interviews? I'm one large whimpering wide-eyed mess. "You want me to talk?? About ME?!" And usually it's not too bad, because usually it's nothing big: restaurants, hotels, etc, but today was different. Today the realms of my comfort zone expanded and took me to my first "professional interview". Holy Jesus.

It's a position working for an "upscale high-end art gallery" as an secretary/admin assistant...Sounds simple enough, art gallery=pretty freakin' awesome, so yeah should be cool... Yeah, not so simple, and not cool but freaking amazing.

I walk into the high rise building and take the elevator to the 5th floor. "They'll be right with you"..."THEY'LL"? There's more than ONE? So I'm already a little more than nervous, when I get the okay from the receptionist to meet THEM downstairs in the conference room. Take a couple deep breaths on my three second ride in the elevator to the 4th floor, and then, it's on. I meet a very enthusiastic Richard and his assistant Kato and sit down. I'm already feeling some relief because they seemed happy to meet me and eager, and not so straight to business and "where's your experience?!", so that was good. Then Richards starts talking....and never stops. I mentioned I don't like interviews because I have to talk about myself, and so this was excellent because I think I said about...five words. And Richard? About 5000...in the first minute. He explained that basically they're in the process of opening a gallery where they'll have a big auction twice a year, and that he's traveled all over the world, and works with people who have millions of kabillions sitting around in their bank account just for the heck of it. And he goes on and on and gets into the details of his company and their goals and after I'm thoroughly confused he looks over my resume. "Oh crap here it comes" I think, but was surprised to learn he was actually glad I have no experience, because he can "mold" me and teach me the in's an out's of art. SCORE! I mentioned I studied literature, which he liked, and that I also enjoy writing. "Oh you're a writer? Well, we plan on having catalogs to go along with all the art we sell, maybe you could move up and eventually do that for us?" HECK YES! How awesome would that be?? Then to top everything off, he asks me if I'd be okay to travel. I'm thinking...Tampa, Miami, maybe out of state, and then he asks, ever so seriously: "do you have your passport? you should work on that...". Yikes! Now I'm writing for an art gallery and traveling to Paris and Rome?? Seriously?! This is just not nice...because I was one out of like a hundred if not more, and this job is like straight out of my dreams, and I don't want to see it pass by me.

So how do you think I can win these guys over? They don't even have a building yet, or a salary range, and everything is still in all the beginning stages, so it would be a little bit before I'd even start to work, IF I got the job. IF. I hate IF's!

I'm not getting my hopes up, but I am sending a batch of cookies and a "thank you for meeting me" to their office STAT.

Oh and for everyone who was on Orange Ave and witnessed my Marline Monroe impression...you're welcome for the free show, thanks for the whistles! Damn wind...

Rainbows thoughts, Butterfly wishes and Cupcake dreams

What was that saying? Follow your dreams and your dreams will become reality? Reach for the stars? Bla bla blabaty-bla bla? Does that really work? I have to say I think I'm a pretty optimistic person, (I can see how in writing I may come off a tad pessimistic, but hey, I've got no job and no money people! What do you expect?) but lately I hate just about anything inspirational. I believe in positive thinking, sure, and I believe you're thoughts reflect your actions, but sometimes I just want to slap those "I'm so happy look at me" people. No one is that happy, not all the time at least. But after all the hours and hours I spent online window shopping today, and without the funds to actually purchase anything, I think I may have to find alternative resources. So if wishing and believing in dreams really does turn poo into gold, I'm going to wish and dream a whole lot, and you should help me out and wish and dream some too.

Here's what we're wishing for:

Cute little sundress. I like. I want.




Sparrow necklace. "Sparrow" makes me think of Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp makes me think of love. Love makes me think of happiness. Don't I deserve happiness?





Look at how tiny and dainty. It's hardly there. It's a hardly there ring! Maybe my bank account won't notice if there's hardly any money there?





Ooh pretty...I wouldn't have to wear anything else! Who needs clothes, when you've got such a pretty necklace??




At first I did like this little purse here, but then it won me over. And now it keeps playing games with my heart. Quit playing games with my heart! I should have known from the start...

So there you have it. Just a few of the many items I found online today that I can only own vicariously through the Jamie that exists in my dreams at night....who also has a job, a chic little apartment, and a new car. What a bitch.

It's a time for wonder, old timers say, "the greatest gift, the simplest gift: another day".*

I have this picture of my dad and I that sits on top of my TV. It was just after my high school graduation, just a few minutes after my class and I threw up our hats and cheered for our new found "freedom". I have my arms around his tiny body, he's wearing my graduation cap, and you can see, if you look closely, a small tear forming in his eye. He was so proud. Just before the picture was taken, he struggled over the ropes that were separating the students from the crowd, and gave me his famous Daddy bear hug-- the kind of hug that nearly takes your breath away. This was a wonderful moment for us, an important moment, one that my dad worked hard to be a part of. I was unaware of it at the time, but being there that day was one of his final wishes; being there for my graduation and sharing this special moment with me. Just one month later, he lost his 5 year battle with cancer, and quietly passed away in our home as my family and I cuddled up to him in bed.

Yesterday I graduated again, this time from college, and I have to admit it was a bitter-sweet moment for me. I missed hearing him cheer, and seeing that "I'm so proud of you" look, and most of all I missed the warmth of that famous bear hug. I know there will be more moments; future turning points in my life where I'll feel that bitter-sweet sting, and feel as if a part of myself is missing. In these moments I'll bring alive my dad again, hear his voice and talk to him, and I'll remember that day of my high school graduation and know that his pride was not just for that moment, but for all the future moments that he'd miss. I will not let his pride go in vain, instead I'll learn to taste the bitter, knowing that the sweet will always be there to save me in the end.

*The title of this blog is a lyric from one of my dad's songs, which is also the url of this blog: South Moon Under.

No work, and No school makes Jack a dull boy

So here I am a chillin, on my second cup of coffee this morning, contemplating my future accomplishments of the day. Let's see....Um, do my normal rounds of the internet job search, email my graduation party invites, and then...who knows! That's the beauty of it all...out of school, out of work, but not out of fun!! Aren't you working people jealous? Don't you wish you had all the time in the world to sit around and do nothing? Well, if you are jealous, STOP IT. Because this SUCKS. I'm so bored! I went to Publix yesterday and bought a drawing pad and a set of Crayola watercolor paints. Why? Because I am that desperate for mind stimulation. It's not even about being broke anymore (but seriously, if I didn't have my weekend "job" I'd be knee deep in doo and on the street corners begging the passer-bys with my pathetic little Maxwell coffee can), it's more about feeling productive and useful.

Anyways, my graduation is this weekend, HURRAY FOR ME! And I'm totally excited about looking like a big wiener in my cap and gown (seriously the gown is HUGE, why are they so big? is BIGGER really better? Do I look more Important, and Studious in my tarp sized gown?). And I am a bit worried about tripping (probably over my gown), although that would make one very entertaining blog entry, and trust me people your entertainment is all I care about, I am your Monkey, don't you forget it.

Okay, well I better get to my day, it's calling my name impatiently and waiting for me. "Watercolors by Jamie" here we come...I know that I will get a job in time, and then I'll look back at these free days and long for their return (gotta love that "Murphy's Law", who is Murphy anyways?), but until then I'll just have to embrace my boredom and have fun going just a little bit mad.

Like my good ol' friend Jack.

A letter to "J"

Dear "J" (the spam artist who defecated in a comment on my post),

Hi. How are you? How's your family? Tell your Mom I say hello, will ya? Anyways, I'm writing you because I have to admit I was a bit disappointed to see your comment on my last post. You might not realize that I get very excited to see that I have received a new comment on my blog. VERY. In fact, after being notified of a new comment via email, I immediately flew out of my chair (I have an "eject" button on the underside of my desk, just for this purpose) and ran out the front door screaming "COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT!!!". I then proceeded to do three laps around my house, the first in a gallop, the second in skips, and the third in cart-wheels. This did not however leave me satisfied, so I then went around my entire block, knocking on my neighbors doors and screaming "COMMENT!?" in the face of whoever was lucky enough to answer, and giving them a big wet one right smack on the lips (I actually got a few dollars by then end of this, so BONUS!). Finally satisfied and exhausted, I returned to my computer to read my new comment.

"hey, here is the site i was talking about where i made the extra cash, I was making about $900 extra a month...check it out.."

WHAT.

I was SO immediately disappointed I went around the house smashing whatever breakable object I could find. Then I found Dinah, gave us both a buzz cut and together we fell into a bald heap of uncontrollable sobbing. NO. I do NOT want to go to your virus site and learn how NOT to make an extra $900 a month! SCREW you! And really? You should maybe try a blog that gets more than two views a day, because then you would MAYBE have luck finding some idiot who actually thinks they can magically make $900 extra a month, getting a "job" doing... what exactly? Spamming other blogs and creating ads on Craigslist would be my guess.

So basically, please, do not spam me. It makes me quite uncomfortable, seeing how I now have to go wig shopping and apologize to my roommates for destroying their house, and shaving their cat. All thanks to your comment. Douche Bag.

Make sure you pass on that hello...

Best,

Jamie

How's about cramming one week's worth of blogging into one?

Why hello there old pals, hows ya doin'? I realize I've been a little slack-ass with this here blog, and I'd like to apologize (as if anyone actually gives a hoot), and blame my absence on the fact that:

1. I am lazy

and

2. That I've had a bit of "writer's block", although really it's more like "writer's lack of motivation".

Life has not been too over the top exciting, although I did attend (and well participate) in a pretty shnazzy wedding this weekend. And for you, some highlights:


Jessica getting ready for her big day and looking absolutely ridiculous in her curlers (I look at this picture and suddenly "Beauty School Drop Out" starts ringing through my mind). Too funny. And what's funnier (in the funny "that's wierd", not funny "haha") is that she actually pulls them off!? Snaps to you Girlfriend!



Successfully getting hammered by 11am. Thank you mimosa! The wedding pictures took, I'd guess about an hour, which seems like an extremely long time to take pictures, but with these two girls by my side, the time was a flyin'. Lot's of gossip, lot's of giggles, and LOTS of wonderful faces courtesy of Ms. Whitney Heinz. You gotta love a girl that while taking a FORMAL wedding picture, succumbs to a dare and whips our her "Stranger's with Candy" face in all it's blazing glory. Can't wait to see that picture...



Dancing with this dude. Who ever he was. I saw him off in the corner, breakin' out some SWEET moves, so, I had to get him right in the action. You KNOW he loved being surrounded by seven sexy ladies, cause, com'on who wouldn't?? He was a lot of fun though, and he with out a doubt, showed up the entire dance floor.

And last, but of course never least, watching The Boys play with their flowers. Aren't they so dainty?

So yup, pretty much the wedding was a blast, and I'm really happy for Jess and Josh, congrats guys!

Other than the wedding I don't have too much to tell you, still on that job hunt, school is OVER, and I'm still broke. Oh and I also think I'm psychic. Good Night!


Oh, should I explain the psychic thing? Okay, fine. Well, I've had random encounters with my psychic abilities in the past, but it's been a while since I've had an episode, so I had nearly forgotten about my gift until this afternoon.

Because I could not re-activate my new "found" "previously lost" debit card, I had to "take a trip to the nearest branch" as told to me by the nice bank phone lady. It's a pretty far drive to the nearest Suntrust from these parts, but I was actually happy to go for a little Monday cruise in the ol' "Titanic" (a nickname for my car because it creaks, and is also one large, tragic disaster). Summer is definitely upon us people, and in some ways I'm happy to see her arrive. Driving down 50, the clouds coated the sky and were heavy with the threat of rain, and as the air rushed in through my open window, it cooled my face. I really love it when it's about to rain, and the air is hot and electric; it always takes me back to my childhood beach days.

Experiencing such pleasure as described above usually leads me to one, and only one act: SIIIIIIINGING!

One song suddenly popped into my head, and I needed to hear it, needed to scream sing along to it. And what do you know, first preset I hit on the radio, and BINGO: Alicia Key's "No One"*. Right at the beginning. Coincidence people? I think not.

Okay, so I didn't miraculously stop someone from getting on a plane that was about to crash, or telling them their late grandmother Pearl says hello from the Great Beyond. BUT, I have more...

In Barnes and Noble, I pick up a Bob Dylan lyrics book to find the name of a song that's been stuck in my head for days. Open it, and out of the 500 pages I could have opened it to, I opened it to the EXACT song I was looking for.

Playing Clue with friends one Saturday night, and my FIRST time to guess (and I was only second to go) I guess absolutely correct. Now keep in mind, I got the weapon right, the room right, AND the killer right. We had to start a new game.

Do you have goosebumps yet? No?

There's also been a couple times where I pick the phone up to call a friend, only to get no dial tone, and only a confused "hello" from the friend I was about to call. They were calling me!

Alright, now I know these aren't so special in all actuality, everyone has their psychic moments, but this next one my friends, is just creepy.

I had a very vivid dream one night of my old next door neighbor. I was at his house, and my Dad was actually there with him. This neighbor would normally spend the winters down here in Florida, and the summers in his home state, North Carolina. This neighbor loved me (not in the skeezy way, but in the "never had a grandchild" kind of way); I was his "Sweetie Pie" and he would talk about me all the time to all his friends. So, after waking from this dream I think, "Hmm, that was definitely strange...haven't thought of Mr. Massey in um...years. He hasn't even been back to Florida in...how long?" Then I thought about him in every single detail I could remember. His bald head with all it's age spots and random hairs, his stiff polyester jackets always either dark green or dark blue, and his tobacco pipe and silver flat lighter I used to snap open and shut. He used to baby sit me and we'd play games like "throw the giant fishing bobber back and forth" while he sung "To de la te DE. To de la te DO. Here is Jamie, don't ya know!". I believe he also coined the term "Jamie Rose, Pickle Nose" and he always played a rousing game of "Gotcha nose!".

I stayed awake for at least an hour, and did nothing but visualize Mr. Massey and reconstruct every memory we shared.

Some time goes by and my mom tells me he's died. "Oh that's so weird, like a week ago I had a dream about him! I stayed up and thought about him for a long, long time. When did he die?" "Actually" she said, "about a week ago". OoOooOOh! Weird right? Totally psychic!

So if you need any advice, or maybe just some luck, swing by me and all give ya a little rub on the head, or whatever I can do to spread my magic. I'm only here to make you happy people, so take my gift, and enjoy.



* I know this song is a little gay, so sue me. Like I said it is a great song to scream sing along to. Try it out.

ONE WORD.

I remember when I was little, my sister Coral and I used to play a game where we would give each other about a minute to create and tell a story to the other. For some reason I remember doing this in the kitchen, most likely because we used the microwave as a timer. Ready Set Go! It was always really fun, but after a while it was hard to think of different stories because my mind would always jump to the same place. The game could have been a little easier, and have had a longer lifespan, if we had only given each other something to get our mind light bulbs to lite.

Which is why I was so excited to find this new site that I absolutely love: oneword.com using my other new internet friend Stumble. Basically the point of the site is that you write as much as you can in only sixty seconds using the one word they give you as inspiration. When your time is up you finish the sentence you were working on and submit your work.

The site doesn't let you create your own log in, so if you want to keep track of your submissions you have to do so on your own. Which is why I've created this blog. There you can see what I come up with and hopefully I keep up with it and do it everyday. I'd really like to see what other's come up with as well, so anyone reading this, feel free, if you'd like, to copy and paste your submissions in a comment on the new blog (that way you can keep track of your stuff too!).

The mind is a pretty fascinating thing, and it's amazing to see where it can take you, and what it can create. This writing exercise is kinda like dreaming in a way, you're pretty much making it all up as you go, and you have no control over where the story will take you, you just gotta ride it out and see.

Pretty cool, and best of all, it only takes a minute!