wordsimageslife
an exploration of life as a parent & designer

Contemplating

It's unusual for me to be the first one up in the morning but here I am. It reminds me of my day's of being a paperboy, the sun rising, the slowly building energy, a combination of the expanding light of the sun and the awakening of the city. The street lights flickering to end their shift, the night workers crawling home in their cars and the day workers just starting out in their cars and on the sidewallks. Footsteps and horns, accompanied by the rolling sound of the buses' diesel engines. And as the sun rises in the sky, the pace will quicken, the sounds of the city will come full-on and the day has really begun.

But now, all I can hear is the dishwasher.

Yesterday morning was a nightmare. I got a call from 'the boss' about a piece we had just printed. I don't really know if it's how he says things that set's me off or if I'm just feeling totally defensive. Anyhow, he was complaining that a few of the pieces were not folded flush. I checked my samples and had one piece that was off by about 1/16" toward the bottom, something that most people really aren't going to take the time to notice. But I asked him to send me those pieces that he had an issue with so I can ask the printer. That seemed fine, though I really wanted to ask him if had any issues with S's piece where every invite was folded wrong and you could see the color from the inside pages around all three visible edges. (I know that I'm feeling singled out, more isolated than I ever felt working under Bill or even Tom). Then of course, he has to find to minor errors on one version of the piece (it was a late version, added at the last minute, not an excuse, but rushed items never help) So, the job that totally snake-bit me had one last bite saved for the end. I know I just need to move on but I'm struggling with the whole thing. I hate, hate making mistakes. I hate even more to have M find them, point them out and lay them at my feet as if the world is going to end. Now, again not making an excuse here, but most people probably won't notice the two mistakes, and one of them didn't even show-up on the proof that I saw. Really. It's out of my system now, or is it? (I really, really hate this tension...it makes work, even starting a project or thinking conceptually very difficult).

On the positive and exciting side of things, I was interviewed for a piece on in-house designer's that International Paper is doing. Matt Young, a Memphis-based design G-d, who I met through AIGA suggested they interview me. Thank you Matt. This piece is intended to go out to all in-house designers across the country and they might actually feature me. Now, that would be interesting. I did try to stay positive and say all the right things but also shared some of the negatives that I think can happen in any in-house situation. I also admit that my particular situation is both extremely unique and a difficult challenge, on both sides. We spoke for an hour and she seemed impressed with my knowledge and experience.

My quiet, contemplation has been interrupted, here's a quote and you can guess who. "Daddy, a ducky." Yes, you are right, it's the one and only LJ, who for the past two mornings has slept until almost 9, he's recovering from another ear infection, decided to get up early this morning. So, the pleasure is mine and the loss is yours because this is quality time I usually don't get as much as I'd like. So, later. There's nothing more fun than looking through the eyes of a two-year old at a new day. Have a good one.

Posted by robdesign at March 31, 2004 06:58 AM