It's the Golden Day, Golden Day, Gold....

A lot has changed in the last few months. I started a new job at INDUSTRYimages, which I had enjoyed for a glorious month, including a paid work trip to Calgary to learn the tricks of the trade. That all changed in Mid-March--the company closed its doors (it has since re-opened in some other cities, but not Winnipeg). Luckily, I had kept my part-time job at Ticketmaster and that tided me over until the month of May.

In that two months, I went to a number of interviews and started to stress out...wouldn't you be if you had left a permanent full-time job for a job that disappeared before your very eyes? Thanks to my friends and family that helped me through that time. Anyone that has lost a job can relate to the fact that the experience is the pits!

My spirits brightened when low and behold, I was offered a job at the beginning of May! And at a firm similar to ii, which is often hard to find, especially in Winnipeg! I accepted, of course, and have worked there since. In the last month, I have been trying to feel out the company to see if it's the right fit for me and in that time, I was approached by another company who had received a referral from an acquaintance. They seemed like a better fit for me, so I accepted the new position and I start next thursday, which just seems crazy!

So I am winding down one experience and then it's on to the next! Where will I stop? nobody knows...

Non-career-wise, the other awesome topic I must mention is that my band, The Main Street Exiles, Winnipeg's Rolling Stones Cover Band accomplished the following:

• Recorded 4 demos, available for your listening pleasure here!
• Completed a photoshoot. I think it went really well, but you don't have to take my word for it! (see below)
• Played our first gig out! I didn't think I was nervous, but looking at live footage, I still have a nervous leg twitch, à la Ashlee Simpson Hoe-down. Need to work on that. I think I sounded fine though!

Now I have really got to get some sleep--I have never been able to adjust my body to waking up at 7am everyday and now that I have found myself a job that I intend to keep for the foreseeable future, I will have to get myself in training.

You know you make me wanna (Shout!)

I'm having a nice relaxing 4-day weekend here, and I thought I should actually update the ol' blog! I've been away from school for almost an entire year now, and I'm going to need some way to keep up my writing skills, since my new job will likely require some brain use. Yes, you heard it straight from the horse's mouth...new job!

I start on Wednesday, hence why I'm not at work (and why I've got an entirely too large to-do list sitting in front of me). And, as everyone around me can tell, I'm very excited for this new job! First of all, it actually utilizes my 5 years of university. From what I've seen and heard so far, the office is pretty much the OPPOSITE of every other office I've ever worked in and that alone is just awesome. Very young, hip, small, tight-knit group. and HELLO, it's a 5-minute walk from our house!!! commutes just physically drain me so I am very much looking forward to this arrangement.

My friends and I have been lovin' old soul music ever since we got our hands on some of my dad's old compilations (Atlantic Soul Classics, Motown: the Classic Years, Stevie Wonder: the Definitive Collection) and so you can understand how thrilled I am since we've discovered several Winnipeg gems that feed my addition:

• The Retro Rhythm Review: A pile of young'ns just like myself who play a great mix of motown and soul (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, The Four Tops) and veer into later years as well (including Michael Jackson medley, Sly and the Family Stone, the Commodores). All very danceable. They seem to have a semi-regular gig at the Kings Head and the dance floor is PACKED every time we go to see them, which is awesome. Will be much better when we don't have to drag winter coats with us. Ha.
• The Solutions: Right up there with RRR, this band makes for a good time! Songs chosen tend to be slightly less danceable, but no less classic. I was thoroughly impressed with the band's version of "Shout" (Isley Brothers). Trombonist doubled as a vocalist for the "Yeah Yeah!" parts, which had us nearly doubled over from laughter.
• J.Foxe's Restaurant & Local: This pub is now very close to my hood (only a 20 Watt bus-ride away!), reasonably priced for pints, and seems to have soul-related nights quite often. We saw the Solutions there a couple weeks ago, and another night, they had DJ's mixing up some soul records. Not as hectic as a pub like the Kings Head on a weekend night, so it's nice and chill.

Well, it's time to tackle some of the stuff on my to-do list. Until next time!

already exhausted.

ahhhhh

Well I've started the full-time summer job, and it's pretty intense. Lots of learning, and making sure that I'm telling our customers the correct information, but I'm asking lots of questions and I'm very comfortable with my co-workers already, so I think I'll enjoy the summer there.

May has been quite busy. The Waking Eyes played a double set at the Albert on May first, and that was awesome...originals and Weezer's Blue Album in it's entirety! I got pictures...haven't gotten them online yet (and I can't do it now--on the new laptop, so nice to be on the couch and able to watch tv with my mom while also being on msn).

Rachael and I hit up the CSA's year-ender social, but we were kind of tired, so we left early, stopped at McDonald's, and then went home.

Queens of the Stone Age was last Wednesday...waaaay more awesome than the previous show! They actually played "Go With The Flow" which I was happy about. Mugison, the opening act, was quite unique.

Then, on Friday, the Pink Ladies (minus Andrea--darn summer courses) went to a social...while the music dragged at times, the night in general was so much fun! love dancing.

OH! On Mother's day we took my mom to bingo--double prizes. I was the one who won though...a whole $68! Whoohoo!

This week: more work, Danko Jones on Wednesday, Prologue to HP in HD on Friday, and more in the next week!

However, time for bed now.

Love, Nicole

vultures

I thought it was time to update, seeing as I've been out of school for over a week now.



Jet Set Satellite was really good, lots of fun in the front row with all of the regulars.

I ended up with an A in stats (whoot!), A in Managerial Accounting (double whoop), B+ in Management Science (meh), and C (what???) in Org. Theory (but not totally unexpected, as I bombed the midterm)
So I guess I'm ok with my marks.



Now, John Mayer was insane!!!
Kathleen Edwards opened..she is gorgeous, and super nice. I gave her some earrings.

Yay, us!

JM was FANTASTIC, bloody brilliant, and definately work the $80 ticket. I didn't manage to get a setlist, but heather did. Here are some photo highlights:

Last but not least, I must share breaking news: I got a full-time, government job for the summer! I'm excited! I won't disclose details, but it is located downtown (yay short commute) and will allow me to work events for ticketmaster, still. So, yay!

Time to clean (oh yeah, I'm on holidays and cleanin'!)

non-reading week

Everyone like my new template? I myself can't stop oohing and ahhing at it.

New job and I are liking each other very much...I think job will ask me out on a date next week. haha. No, not really, but I can see myself working there at least for awhile, not only because of the perks, but I mean, I get to work with my best friend, it's downtown (easy to get to), and my other co-workers are great as well. With my Saturdays-only job, it's so lonely; to get through it, I end up calling someone and catching up.

I just checked my online banking, and holy shit, I haven't had that much in there for a LONG time. Damn you, Visa Bill, for bringing me down! I do enjoy having a payday each week, such is the luxury of working 2 jobs.

I feel bad for not doing that much this reading week but I've been so busy: I've worked everyday since I've been off. I did START my stats assignment. But I'm not even half done it yet, and I have 3 mid-terms within 2 weeks of going back to school, plus 2 days of homework for one of my classes, due the week of return. I guess I'll, once again, bring my homework to work tomorrow, perhaps I'll get some done before I start...otherwise, I'm looking at Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Now, I'm tired, so sleeep!