I LOVE MY JOB

So it's been about 1 month now working for StarNet Digital Publishing and You Name It Sports Magazine.

I LOVE MY JOB

I'm learning new techniques, skills, how to use new equipment, software, etc...very exciting!

I got my very own Press Badge today.
I am an official photographer for the "You Name It SPORTS" magazine that StarNet publishes each month.
My boss Sandy is taking me with him to some volleyball matches next week to teach me how to use the camera equipment and sports photographing techniques.  I'm excited and eager to learn!

Oh, PS. I've checked everything off my 
"To Do List"!  :)

My New Job!

Just got hired on by Mr. Sandy Adams at StarNet Digital Publishing and You Name It Sports Magazine in Bloomington, IL!   

I'm so Happy!  All whom I've meet today have seemed so very friendly and welcoming!

Since it's a small family owed business, there are no health benefits, but I can gain that elsewhere.
(They also don't do direct deposit...? But that's okay.) 
I was also immediately made aware that after the Presidential Election and with the downtrodden economy, new employees such as myself could be the first to be laid off....  
That is chance I am willing to take.

It will be a great new experience for me and a new chapter in my life.
I can't wait until my first day next week!

Time to start apartment hunting....I start on the 20th!

One of my best friends who is still attending Illinois State University has been kind enough to let me stay at her  campus apartment for the next week while I am apartment hunting.

To Do List:

• Find a place to live in Bloomington
• Move out of my family home in Danville
• Open a new local bank account
• Get renters insurance
• Get cable/internet package
• Go grocery shopping
• Start new job!
• Have small inexpensive celebration dinner with friends

So much to do, so little time in which to do it!

StarNet Interview

I have an Interview on Monday!!!

This week I found a job online and applied for it.
They called me today after receiving my email and resume and they conducted a phone interview.
Now they want me to come in for an interview on Monday!
I'm thrilled!

 Job Listing:

"Graphic Design, Photography and Desktop Technician for Bloomington based Digital Printing Company. Experience with Adobe CS3 and photo editing preferred. Salary negotiable. Send resume to: StarNet Digital Publishing, PO Box 1145, Bloomington, IL 61702-1145 or Email to supplies@starnetdp.com."

DDM, Inc. Scam?

So,  I just saw this online and boy am I glad I went with my gut instinct and have a good head on my shoulders.  It seemed so legitimate!

I hope others see my blog and I can help them avoid this scam!

**********************

SCAM?????

Report: DAVIS DIRECT MARKETING (DDM!) IS A JOKE, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Category: Non-Profit Charities 


Submitted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

"Well all I have to say is that I was with DDM for one whole day...I want that day back in my life. Oh yeah, and my stupid 9 hour interview in which you stand in front of a grocery store all day sucking on your thumb because you don't do anything. This place is a joke and they like to lie. I applied for a sports marketing position. The kicker is...a sports marketing position doesn't even exist at DDM. What a joke. They are said to have world class training..ha ha ha are you kidding me. They give you absolutely no training whatsoever, so I don't know where that is coming from. On my first day I was expected to sell a bunch of things for their so called fundraiser for missing children. Oh yeah, I was by myself too for about a half hour with no experience whatsoever. That really pissed me off. I was told to focus too on my first day because I missed one freaking person that didn't want to talk to me anyway! I like how they call it NOT SELLING. Okay, last time I check when you try and up sell items to get a certain amount of profit in a day...mmmhhh. that is selling I believe. I feel bad for people who buy something for 40 dollars and then the next person gets it for 20...because that's what happens. As long as they get a certain amount for the day they sell items how ever they please. So if you want to annoy people all day with their selling tactics (or whatever they call it) then apply here. This job is simply ridiculous in every way. So if they are trying to lure you in...just say no! Oh yeah, you also work 10 hour days plus Saturdays for a grand total of 350-450 week! That is horrible. That is estimated commission too...if you're not good at selling, you might only get like a 50 dollar check for the week....NICE Oh yeah, the people seem brainwashed there too by the way..so I will brainwash you...STAY AWAY FROM DDM...STAY AWAY FROM DDM...STAY AWAY....hope this helps!"


Brewcrew
Cedarburg, Wisconsin
U.S.A.

Metavante Interview!

After weeks of filling out applications and giving out my resume and business cards to various companies and business in the Milwaukee area, and getting so close to my 1 month deadline, I got an interview!

The Metavante Corporation responded to my resume and held a phone interview with me on June 26.

The interview went very well and we will see what happens!!!!


****************************

UPDATE:

Metavante hired a local....I didn't get the graphic design position....  :(
I made the trip back home to Danville, IL the other day and am still job hunting.

Giving Wisconsin a go

So my father headed back home today, but I'm going to stay for one whole month with a friend here in Wisconsin while I continue my job hunt in the Milwaukee area. 

My dad is amazing, he thought of the trip as a little father daughter vacation!   He's been so helpful! I love him so much!

Having just gone through an extensive interviewing process and getting hired, has given me a boost in self-esteem and confidence.   I feel like there is a good opportunity out there just waiting for me!  I just have to find it.

DDM, Inc. Interview!

On May 29th I applied online to a job listing I found on CareerBuilder.com for a job at DDM, Inc. (Davis Direct Marketing) in Event Marketing - Promotions - Entry Level.
On May 31st, I got a reply phone interview.
They wanted me to come in for a face-to-face interview Tuesday, June 3!

The interview is in Brookfield, Wisconsin!

Hi Rachel! 

This letter is just to confirm your scheduled interview here at DDM, Inc.:

Your Interview Time: 2:30
Your Interview Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Interviewing Manager:  Katlyn or Jackie

Office Address: 3695 N 126th St. Suite E., Brookfield, WI 53005

I would like to remind you to dress professionally, and to bring a copy of your resume so that you may present it to either Katlyn or Jackie in person.  Listed below are directions to the office as well as a link to Google! maps.  If you need further directions from your location, please feel free to call the office directly.  Thank you and we look forward to meeting with you!

Sincerely,

Heather Treinen

Administrative Profession

DDM, Inc.

Ph:   262-439-8146

3695 N 126th St. Suite E

Brookfield, WI 53005

www.ddminc.biz

 I have family in that area and I thought it would be exciting to give it a shot!


**********************

I drove to Brookfield, WI with my father (for safety concerns).
We got to Brookfield safely and booked a hotel for the next few nights.
The next morning I drove to my 2:30 interview.

 

The interview went well and later in the day myself along with 3 other interviewees went on a Job Shadowing Assignment.

We carpooled with DDM employees to Watertown, WI to a Wal-Mart where, outside near the doors, we promoted and sold Child Safety ID kits to parents.  (The product was to assist parents in easily creating a private and extremely comprehensive record of their child's personal and medical information, for use in an emergency.)

So, after 2 hours they had me take a break and sit in the Wal-Mart eatery to fill out an application and questionnaire.  An hour later I turned in my paperwork and continued observing and promoting with the team outside.

We carpooled back to the company headquarters for the conclusion of the interview.  They told me that the interviewing process would be over the next day and that I would hear from them on June 5th whether I got the job or not.

At this point I was excited that the extensive interview had gone so well..., yet I felt weary of the possible job opportunity....would I be happy?  Is this right?  Should I move to Wisconsin?  ....I started having doubts.

**********************
The next day I spent exploring the city with my dad. We drove around and even met up with my cousin who lived in Milwaukee, WI.

I also spent the day thinking about the job......I was very happy my father was with me because I needed advice. 

**********************
June 5, in the evening, while my dad and I were having dinner at a diner, I got the phone call from DDM, Inc. saying:

 "You Got The Job, You're Hired!"

I turned it down. 

I had made my decision, I felt I would not be happy long-term working for them. I didn't feel like I fit in.  I felt my smile was too forced.  It wasn't right for me.  I felt it in my gut that it wasn't right.

Graduation

On this Tenth day of May, Two Thousand and Eight, I have graduated from Illinois State University!
 

I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree for my double major in Arts Technology and Art.

Stealth Clock

My stealth clock works….pieces move to the time, yet I seriously doubt you could look at it and figure out the exact time.

File name: Final_Clock




My Process:
-I started this project by opening Processing's clock code:
Open ;Basics; Input; Clock

-The moving orange rectangle on the left moves to seconds, as does the small black outlined rectangle in the bottom right corner.
-The small circle in the bottom left corner moves every minute.
-The blue line on the left side moves every hour.

-The cubes do not move to time. They are just something fun I put into my code to give it an extra umf. I tweaked the code.... I deleted some of it and re-wrote it with the help of Processing.org.

How I found the cubes:
Open; 3D and OpenGL; Transform; PushPopCubes

Process Cont…

*First, I started off just playing around with the ready-made clock Processing had
_1Clockhands

*Next, I worked with the clock, shapes, and color to create:
_2Clock

*Next, I added other moving elements, a circle, and a square
_3Clock

*Next, I added the Cubes and changed the shapes of the second, minute, and hour hands
_4Clock

*Finally, I changed the moving blue rectangle into an orange rectangle that moved to each second
_5Final_Clock

Processing #4 post

This has a hot pink background and 2 stationary squares, one blue square in the upper left corner, and a slightly smaller black square, overlapping the blue square.
void setup() {
size(400, 400);
background(197,22,187);
}
void draw() {
background(197,22,187);
float m = millis();
fill(m % 194,46,182);
rect(mouseX, mouseY, 50, 50);
float n = millis();
fill(n % 238,231,41);
rect(30, 30, mouseX, mouseY);
float o = millis();
fill(o % 0);
rect(30, 30, 30, 30);
PFont fontA = loadFont("Ziggurat-HTF-Black-32.vlw");
textFont(fontA, 30);
int x = second();
fill(187,193,236);
text("Dawn", x, 60);
fill(230,203,25);
text("Morning", x, 95);
fill(244,113,8);
text("Afternoon", x, 130);
fill(112,19,228);
text("Dusk", x, 165);
fill(4,16,110);
text("Evening", x, 200);}
----------------------------------------------
This is a small white rectangle with a thin black stroke in the center of the page.
void setup() {
String bodyCountText[] = loadStrings("http://www.iraqbodycount.org/counters/min.txt");
println(bodyCountText[0]);
int s=int(bodyCountText[0]);
s=s / 10000 ;
println(s) ;
rect(20,20,40,s);
//the 20,20 are integers}
void draw() {}
----------------------------------------
ELSE STATEMENTS
This is just an example of a if /else statement:
void draw(){
if (second() <30){
println("hi");
}else{
println("bye");}}
//instead of printline you will us text and fill..etc
-----------------------------------

Processing #3 post

Here is what you need to type in and some comments explaining what they are.
// will comment out a single line of code
/* will comment out a whole paragraph of code*/
-----------------------------------------------
This is a red background with white line that you control and pull with mouse.
void setup() {
// comment: this stuff only runs one time
size(200, 200); // the size of the applet
smooth(); // make it anti-aliased
background(255, 0, 0); // make the background red color
stroke(255); // set the fill color to white
}
void draw() {
// this is stuff you want to loop all the time
background(255, 0, 0);
// make the background red color - what if I take this out?
line(0,0,mouseX,mouseY);
}
---------------------------
Variables
- mouseX and mouseY are a sort of a variable....
- You can make line art, word art, shape art.
-----------------------------
This is a white square that starts in the upper left corner and moves diagonally to the bottom right corner; as it travels it leaves a black trail. Does not repeat.
int myint = 0 ;
void setup() {
size (400,400) ;}
void draw() {
rect(myint,myint,50,50);
myint = myint + 1;}
------------------------------
This is a black line that starts in the upper left corner and moves diagonally to the bottom right corner; If you move the mouse onto the line a white square will form and reshape itself as you move the mouse around. As it travels it leaves a black trail. Does not repeat.
int myint = 0 ;
void setup() {
size (400,400) ;
}
void draw() {
rect(myint,myint,mouseX,mouseY);
myint = myint + 1;
}
---------------------------
This has a black background in the middle at the top, a white square drops down to the bottom of the page and disappears again. Does not repeat.
int myint = 0 ;
void setup() {
size (400,400) ; }
void draw() {
background(0,0,0);
rect(100,myint,50,50);
myint = myint + 2;
println(myint); }
-------------------------------------
This is a white square that starts in the upper left corner and moves diagonally to the bottom right corner; as it travels it leaves a black trail. It moves to Seconds and after a minute it repeats.
//time process: clock
void setup() {
size (200,200) ; }
void draw() {
rect(second(), second(), 20,20);
}
----------------------------

Processing #2 post

//copy and paste into Processing and run it.
//This code is a time process (Clock)

void setup() {
size (200,200) ; }
void draw()

{
rect(mouseX, mouseY, second(), second() );

background(0,0,0);
int s = second(); // Values from 0 - 59
int m = minute(); // Values from 0 - 59
int h = hour(); // Values from 0 - 23
ellipse(s, 60, s, 60);
rect(m, 10, m,60);
rect(h, 60, h, 100);
}

Processing #1 post

Processing

-You use a program called "Processing," which is easily downloadable from the website.
*
*
*
Lets play with the program...
go to: Open, Basics, Form, ShapePrimitives

You can change the color of the Background and Fill by inserting the proper color values
-you can open photoshop and find the RGB color values you need!

RGB!

-You can make each shape different color by adding Fill a few more times.

Save it in a Processing folder.

-------------------

There is a Reference Page that can help you on the website.
In Processing if you highlight a word like 'line' or 'rect' and right click it with the mouse and go to "find reference" it will take you to the website.

Event Score

Shopping Break

Go to a local shopping center.
Find an empty shopping cart and take it to the lingerie department.
Once you have placed the shopping cart on an aisle in the lingerie department,
climb inside the shopping cart.
While sitting inside the shopping cart,
read a newspaper.

Documentation of Event




















*
Credits:
I give thanks to my friend Sara for helping me out with my "event". She sat in that cart for a whole hour and read that newspaper cover to cover.
*

My Pseudocode

Pseudo Code

Procedure:Feeding_Rat


Start

Go to bedroom
Go to rat cage
Sit in front of rat cage
Unlock rat cage

Insert hand into rat cage
Pet rat

Continue petting of rat for 2 minutes
Remove hand from rat cage

If food bowl is empty
Then feed rat

Open rat food bag
Insert 10 pellets into food bowl
Close rat cage
Close rat food bag

Unhook water dispenser attached to rat cage
Stand up
Go to Kitchen
Unscrew water dispenser nozzle
Remove old water
Refill with fresh water
Screw on water dispenser nozzle

Go to bedroom
Go to rat cage
Sit in front of rat cage
Attach water dispenser to rat cage

Stand up
Exit bedroom


End

Pseudocode

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocode

Pseudocode is writing code in English so you can understand it. Then it makes writing it in code easier later.


EX:

if credit card number is valid
execute transaction based on number and order
else
show a generic failure message
end if



Assignment

1. Create pseudocode for an everyday action. Write on paper and hand in on PAPER.

-Break down a task ( anything you want)
-Make it half a page or more, single spaced
-Write it down on a piece of paper and turn it in.

-Think of something you do in your everyday life
(wash your face, brush teeth, take 15 steps to the bathroom,
bend down and pick up towel from floor, etc...)
-Do  by yourself!

2. Create and DOCUMENT an event-score (you may work with a partner) which elevates the mundane. Concentrate on simplicity over complexity.

Next:  Create an event score
http://transition.turbulence.org//uapd/?p=26

-Elevation of the mundane
Ex: Select a subject and then write 5 million pages about it


-you can make an event score and make someone else do it
-think of something wacky!!
-think positively
-don't' hurt yourself or others

-You can have a partner
-You must document it somehow ---videotape?

--the 2 projects do not have to relate to one another.

--------------------

-Fluxus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus
http://fluxus.org/

-Fluxus is a name taken from a Latin word meaning "to flow"—is an international network
of artists,composers and designers noted for blending different artistic media and
disciplines in the 1960s. They have been active in visual art and music
as well as literature, urban planning, architecture, and design.
Fluxus is often described as intermedia, a term coined by Fluxus artist
Dick Higgins in a famous 1966 essay.

--Intermedia---fluxus---arts technology---


Important Fluxus artists:
-John Cage
-Nam June Paik
-Yoko Ono


"One line of a program doesn't do anything, but a full program can blow up a building."


------------------------

example code

-if/then

-do while
Do -scrub you body- while -the water is running-

-logical and
-logical or
-AND
-OR
-NOT
-FOR
-Loop

-Case  (case statement --situation)
Monday
Tuesday-388 course
Wednesday
Thursday-388 course
Friday

-Switch
-Select
-If
-Then
-Else

-------------------------

http://www.seattlecentral.edu/~ymoh/mic110vb/pseudocode.htm

Illinois State 2008 Vagina Monologues

It was a great performance!  Kudos to Brandy Peak!

F.L.A.M.E. raised over $4,000 in the two nights the production ran. All of the money raised was donated to Neville House, YWCA Stepping Stones, Bloomington Planned Parenthood, and ISU Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services.

The spotlight for this year’s production was on women of New Oreleans and the Gulf South. All of the money that V-Day raises will go towards helping women in these areas.

Human For Sale

Human For Sale

New Art Video - Barcode

Click Here to view Video:  Barcode

Coded Human

-Bar Codes
-print/paint a barcode onto my body and get scanned and printed (receipt)
http://www.barcodeart.com/art/yourself/yourself.html

The barcode value for a 23 year old female, that lives in the United States, is 64 inches high, and weighs 136 pounds is: $6.83

My barcode is: 0 23002 64136 1

Every Body has a story, what is yours?

By scanning your barcode, we can tell who you are, were you have been, What you are made up of

:)

Website examples

http://www.orangevector.com/
http://www.stephennguyen.com/
http://ghostco.org/
http://www.voortrek.com/krvw/portfolio/
http://www.spinlight.com/
http://www.artakiane.com/home.htm
http://dontclick.it/
http://raulmidon.com/
http://tinymediaempire.com/--don't do you website like this
http://lcroskey.com/
http://www.pbs.org/art21/
http://johnbutlertrio.com/

--------------------------

Image Hosting Sites:
PhotoBucket
Flicker
YouTube
Blogger
Photoshop
Myspace
Database
Yahoo or Google

The Continuum

-Killing the president
-Peeing in public
-Public indecency
-Showing a picture of the word naked and hanging it in a window in Singapore

Music riots - Handel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music_riot

Making a website ---Research

look up content and layouts:
http://www.glish.com/css/home.asp#techniques


Career Center Website:
http://www.careercenter.ilstu.edu/students/marketing-yourself/Effective_Resume.shtml

------------------------------

Portfolio websites
http://www.orangevector.com/
--good

http://www.ishankhosla.com/
--good

http://www.ibiblio.org/pbadani/
--good, a lot to take in

http://www.jkhudson.com/resume.html---bad

www.geckowebfolio.com

--------------------------

Hosting sites (with prices):

Bluehost $6.95 (6 urls)

PowerWeb $7.95 (winter special $4.95)

Uplink Earth $4.95 a month

GoDaddy $6.99

HostMonster $5.95

Fast Domain hosting $5.95

Start Logic $5.95

PowWeb $5.77

InMotion Hosting $6.95

AN Hosting $4.95

doteasy.com $7.45 yr.

CODE

Art, anthropology, agency, code.

"What counts as art changes in different contexts" -Alfred Gell

Giant Campbell's Soup Can ------is this art---yes or no?

"To decide something is art, then analyze it as an art object is to forget how it became an art object."


Think of an art object as a person..... and apply anthropological theory to it.

Agency: it makes a difference between something that just controls something else
--the capacity to act
ex: hooters girls


Code can have a lot of agency!
ex: cell phone, elevators, voting booths, computers

How does code distribute agency?
-a virus slows down a computer
-a browser pops up windows all over the screen

Code is free speech!


Miranda July
http://noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com/

Sound Mirror
http://www.soundmirrors.org/


Ray Kurzweil
(I attended this)
--Sesquicentennial speaker at Illinois State's Braden Auditorium
http://www.ilstu.edu/home/anniversary/kurzweil.shtml

DeCSS

DeCSS is a computer program capable of decrypting content on a DVD-Video disc encrypted using the Content-Scrambling System (CSS).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeCSS