Monday, April 27 my mother brought over a help wanted ad. The paper in Conrad, Iowa was in need of a graphic artist/ad-man. Since that is what my degree is in, Mom thought I’d be interested. Money has been tight since Mrs. VS went on disability because of her cancer. The redemption center was never designed to be the family’s sole source of income. The funding that the church was supposed to get starting in January hasn’t materialized as yet. So needless to say I was interested enough to call.
The editor of the paper took my call. We set an interview for Tuesday afternoon. I began the immediate search for a vehicle other than the can van to get me to the inerview and back. I also began making plans for Mom, the PITs, and my new employees to run the redemption center that afternoon. Monday evening I made sure my resume and portfolio were up to date and settled down for fitful night’s sleep.
Tuesday afternoon, nervous as a cat in room full of toddlers, I left for my interview. Chuck Friend, the editor/publisher of the Conrad Record is a very nice guy. He and I talked about my previous job experience and why if I’m a small business owner in my own right do I need a job? After an interview of about an hour and half, Chuck gave me a trial assignment. The previous ad guy had designed a pretty crappy sign touting the paper’s in-house copy business. Chuck sat me down at the computer and said, “Fix it.” 20 minutes later, I had indeed, fixed it. Chuck handed me an application and told me to bring it back Thursday morning filled out. I asked if he was offering me a job. Chuck told me to plan on being at work all day on Thursday. Easiest job interview I ever had.
Drove home, excited, nervous, worried and called the sellers of a used ’94 Ford T-Bird. Told them I’d take the car. Spent Wednesday buying clothes that don’t look like I count cans all day long. Picked up a new sponsor for the blog (but that’s another story<g>). Also got Mom and the PIT’s ready to take over the can company for awhile since My work schedule is part time and we need to restructure the can company’s hours to fit the job schedule.
This morning I woke early, got dressed and headed out to my first day of working for aomeone other than myself in nearly three years. When I got there, I was shown my desk and given an immediate assignment of redesigning some in-house forms and the paper’s masthead. I actually got to design an ad today as well. I was very nice to actually use my degree for a change. Eight hours flew by. I will be doing a redesign of the paper’s website as well.
I’m psyched.
Vulcan Stev's Database 
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo! (a la Ric Flair)
Congrats.
Very, very cool! Congrats!
We thank God that you have found a use for the awesome talent God has given you. I am so proud to call you my son. Not only are you a great designer, but a wonderful puppeteer and not many people are as blessed as you to be so multitalented. Of course I am biased, I’m your mother and you are the most wonderful mother’s day gift a mom could ever have though you don’t always think so! I love you.
Cool beans!