I ❤ New York and my Friends

Hello friends! How are you? I'm doing well, considering the amount of bullshit I've been dealing with (this is specific to the CA Employment Development Department). But after 7 months of dealing with all of this - that's right, I said 7 MONTHS -- I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so exasperated by the entire experience that I do not want to exert anymore energy explaining what I've gone through. However, in an effort to give some piece of mind out there to those who are currently going through the same thing, I have been using the knowledge I've learned through my experience to help others. I've been giving solid answers and sharing positive information to strangers reaching out for help in online forums, such as this blog cleverly titled Unemploymentality, where I found a sincere and concerned community of people who are all being driven to the brink of insanity due to the CA EDD. I can honestly explain in one word what my experience has been with them: HELL.

Moving on! As you may have guessed, it is still cold here in MN. However, as long as the temperature stays above 20º here - I'm happy. I actually don't really mind Winter. Maybe it's because I've been away from it for so long? What I don't miss is paying the heat bill! Whoa! I keep my place at a cool 65º and every month so far, the cost of gas/electric is $100/person. My shoes are also being ruined by the amount of salt poured into the streets. However, the real key to winning the battle of the MN Winter blues? Staying active and making sure to travel somewhere warmer. Duh!

I've been making the trek to Duluth on an almost weekly basis -- okay, so this isn't a warmer place, but it is keeping me and Sound Unseen on track for our debut international film festival in June. I'd like to point out how wonderful, smart and talented the people are whom we've been working with and meeting throughout our time in Duluth. They have been nothing but supportive and it keeps us motivated and at ease when anxiety strikes. I've also been hired as the Event Coordinator for this year's Mpls./St. Paul International Film Festival which will take place April 15th-29th. My life is about to get a whole lot busier -- but if you know me well, you know I welcome this sort of challenge.

These last 6 months of my life have been really transitional, sometimes incredibly challenging, but truly full of growth and potential. I've fought to stay positive, focused and have steadily relied on pure fate that everything will work itself out the way it needs to. Don't get me wrong, I've also remained ambitious, have maximized my time/resources and have had to rely on help from family and friends. There have been many moments of putting aside pride, along with taking long hard looks in the mirror questioning my decision making! But honestly, where would any of us be without humility every now and again? It keeps us down-to-earth, it builds character and it humbles you.

I know that I am not alone in a society where millions have been laid off, our economy doesn't seem to be improving quickly enough and where so many are hanging onto jobs that they perhaps hate because they're afraid of being jobless. However, I also know so many people who are embracing this time as a way of changing the paths in their lives. I know many who've been laid off and are now pressing their "reset" button and taking much needed time to travel, be re-inspired and to start their own businesses, work for themselves or change careers that better suits their passions. I am one of those people and although I have faced many challenges, I can honestly say I'm happier to be in a place where I am contributing to the local art community, working independently and towards something I believe in and can stand passionately behind. In short: doing what I love. It feels great.

Anyhow, last week I was fortunate to take a mini-vacation to NYC. It was only possible through my very sweet and good friends Annie and Tim from CA. Annie was headed there for Market week and Tim won 2 round-trip airfare tickets through his holiday work party. Annie generously let us stay w/ her at the W Hotel in Union Square and Tim chose me to be his host for his inaugural trip to New York! Thank you so much to you both for everything -- the trip was only possible because of you! My friends are my family and I am blessed to have such good people in my life. A quick run-down of our trip: delectable BBQ at Wildwood, awesome live music at the Cake Shop, a quick waltz through Times Square, bloody mary's at Oyster Bar saloon at Grand Central station, indulging in Bon Chon Korean fried chicken, making fast friends at Sing Sing karaoke in the East Village, homemade brunch by friends in the West Village, a cold stroll through Central Park and having security called to our room after doing krump dance moves!

Next up: our awesome screening of the White Stripes new doc "Under Great White Northern Lights" on 3/3, a possible trip to SF or LA mid-late March and my family reunion at the end of March!