Yes, Brett and I are still alive! We haven't posted anything for a long time. It hasn't that we've been terribly busy, but we should be updating people on what's been going on.
Brett is working hard. He's raking in the hours of flight time, and it looks like he might be upgrading to a captain sometime this summer. He really loves his job, though just last week he was stuck in Buffalo, New York with a bunch of snow and an airplane with no heat.
Give Brett the credit for our black and white portrait above. He's so handy! I don't know how many pictures we took before we got this good one!
I'm still looking for that perfect graphic design job, which apparently is really hard to find in Albany. There are prospects, but people aren't too quick at getting back to you around here. Yesterday, I presented an advertising campaign for a company called Top Gear Accesories. They are the primary distributor of an audio communications product from the UK. The Autocom communication system is made for touring motorcycle enthusiasts and let's riders communication between bikes, with their passengers, talk on their cell phone, listen to their iPod, etc. The freelancer that gets the contract for the ad campaign will also get the bid for their brochures, website, and more. Today, I also had an interview for a graphic design position at Trans World Entertainment. They are the company that owns and operates the F.Y.E and Suncoast entertainment stores, among others. Their corporate headquarters is in Albany. The interview went well, and I think I may actually get a call back for this one. The corporate environment is sadly sterile though. Rows and rows of cubicals. But, it would be a job.
Good news is that Brett and I have officially (and legally) started our own graphic and web design business. We've been doing several freelance jobs. Our biggest was a restaurant website. Check it out: www.nimbusrestaurant.com. This is a great site, and we've been taking care of their mailings and newspaper ads too.
All of the Christmas shopping is finished, and there are presents underneath our little four-foot tall Christmas tree. It hasn't even snowed in Albany yet, so we're hoping for at least a dusting by Christmas. Luckily we will be able to make it back home, if only for a few days, over the holidays. We'll only be in Indiana long enough to catch Christmas mass and eat dinner with the family. I'm hoping to catch a few friends while we're home. We're headed to Greenville, SC on Christmas day to meet up with Brett's parents, his brother and his wife. Then it's back to Albany after two days. Lots of flying, but we're thankful that we get to see everyone.
Life has been rough here in Albany, and when things start looking bad, something good always shows itself. It's our reminder that, even though times are tough right now, things will be better in the future. I know I'm just thankful that Brett and I can finally be together. We'll be celebrating our one-year anniversary at the end of the month. That's the best present in the world. So when the holidays make you stress out, remember something small and important in your life. Refocus and remember what really matters during this season of giving. Remember to say "thank you" and "I love you." We wish all of our friends and family the best this Christmas. Happy Holidays!
