Will Work for Swords

Well, here's an ethical quandary I didn't need. :p

The short version: I did some subcontracting work for a pretty big-deal Agency. Agency was super-happy with my work, and is likely to send me more (yay!), and their Client was also happy.

Fast-forward to yesterday, when I receive an inquiry e-mail from Client. Client apparently got my info, and they're looking for someone to do a similar job to what I did for them through Agency, for another site of theirs.

On the one hand, hooray, work! On the other hand, I feel kind of funny about the situation. I feel like taking this work could read as a douche-y maneuver, and I wouldn't want to take the work Client is offering if it would sully my new relationship with Agency. Primary reason being that, I am not a douchebag, and I want to do right by all parties involved. I actually really enjoyed working with Agency. They are cool and reasonable people, they do top-notch work, and they have their shit together.

And you know? even a douchebag would recognize that it doesn't make financial sense to take a one-time job from Client if it would mean losing multiple jobs from Agency.

So, tell me, lazyweb: am I right to feel funny about this? Or am I worrying over nothing?

As you might've detected in my last post, I was rather iffy on the logo/watermark thing I used for the photos I posted. It was cute, but I didn't quite love it. (archmage, you hit the nail on the head as to why, heh) I did like the type manipulation I did on the "creative", but the rest didn't feel very Me-ish. I *can* do detailed illustration, but strong, clean design is much more my signature.

So, I wound up spending several hours yesterday futzing with a new logo, and then made further tweaks earlier today. Now, I have two options:



Judgmental thumbs? Leanings one way or the other? The "SG" will be used by itself as a mark, in some instances, in case that impacts your decision. Detailed feedback is nice, but even "I like this one better for no good reason," is helpful, heh.

(FWIW, I like the look of the left option better because it feels more like a cohesive unit, but the one on the right more obviously implies the arrow/direction concept)

I've mentioned this before, but possible alternate plans may have come up for me on the same day, SO, I'd like to poll the audience and see who will actually come to the Derby Bout this coming Saturday:

Wheels of Justice vs. Windy City Rollers
Saturday, October 16, 2010, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
General admission $14.00, Rockstar guaranteed seating $20.00
Doors open at 5pm, skating starts at 6pm.

If you're not feeling 100% about going, then don't worry about it. I'm just looking for firm Yes-es, for planning purposes and whatnot. And yes, marykae , I know you'll be there. ;)

I realize that I'm surveying an audience that skews very tech-savvy and geeky, but, I simply must pose this question:

In a recent conversation with a person in my age group, the topic of Halloween came up, and I stated that I would like to dress up as, "a fire flower from Super Mario Brothers," and I was met with a quizzical look.

This individual had no idea what I was talking about. I had to explain how coin boxes work. The phrases, "there are these metal boxes, and he hits them with his head," and, "after he gets the mushroom that turns him into Super Mario, instead of Tiny Wimpy Dies-Instantly Mario..." actually passed through my lips.

Now, I do realize that a lot of people are not gamers. Even I, myself, am far from being a hardcore gamer. But, I'm fairly flabbergasted that anyone who is even tangentially aware of popular culture would not have at least a basic understanding of how a Mario game works!

Question: Is this as unbelievable as I think it is? Y/N

How did this happen? I'm available all day tomorrow, until the evening. And! I ACTUALLY HAVE A COMPLETELY FREE DAY ON SUNDAY. This fact is completely deserving of all-caps, because it hasn't happened in months. No, really. I checked.

Since derby practice is cancelled tomorrow, but I still want to skate, I have a crazy idea: strap on my outdoor wheels, and do the Where's Waldo event. Or something without skates. I don't know what other folks are up to tomorrow, so I'm open to suggestions.

So, yes, if anyone's up for some low-key hangout time this weekend, let me know. :)

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As for the aforementioned karaoke contest, I have learned, once again, that being more talented and less popular does not make you a winner. ;p It was decided by audience vote, which should have been my first clue that being awesome wasn't likely to carry me through.

I won't venture so far as to say I was the absolute best, because there *were* one or two people I wouldn't have minded losing to. But, I did kick a whole lot of ass, and the person who DID take home the prize was so mediocre that I'd forgotten she'd even participated in the contest, until they announced her as the winner. Still, I had a good time, and I owe a debt of gratitude to the friends of mine who came out to see me so late on a Thursday night. :)

Also, I recently got a killer deal on a fancypants Kitchen Aid knife set, and it came in the mail yesterday. I'm absurdly happy about the fact that I finally, finally have my own santoku knife. All I did was prep some veggies for my giant dinner salad last night, and I'm already in love. I need an excuse to cook on a grander scale, and SOON.

Speaking of, if anyone wants my old knife set, they're welcome to have it. Nothing fancy, just serrated knives on a block, but they're pretty decent.

And, I'm off like a dirty shirt.

I already created an event on FB, but it's being odd at the moment with allowing me to send out invites. And hey, cross-posting is never a bad thing.

SO! This Thursday is the FINAL ROUND of the Karaoke Contest at The Pit Stop! There's $250 on the line, and they've already had a few rounds over the past few weeks, which I unfortunately had to miss, due to working constantly.

But, one of the finalists had to drop out. And the person replacing said finalist? Why, none other than Yours Truly, otherwise known as The Drunken Master!

I'll be bringing my usual brand of karaoke bad-assery, in an attempt to capture the grand prize, and I've been instructed to bring my friends for support in the final vote. If you haven't seen me do karaoke before, I'm not going to lie: it can occasionally be pretty darned epic.

I know we're all busy people, so no pressure, of course, but if you can make it, I'd love to see you and have your support. :)

Also, question: I must pick a song, and it must be completely awesome. So, if you *have* been to karaoke with me before, what do you think is my best tune?

Okay, so it's more of a Ten Dollar Question. BUT! For my Friday Night, post-wushu activities, should I:

A) Clean up the camping gear that's been strewn all over my room since Monday evening, and have some blessed, long-overdue Introvert Time?

OR

B) Put off both of these things until tomorrow, and go 80s dancing with some Good Company?

Let me just say: the fact that I'm even faced with this choice? Is AWESOME. It feels extremely weird to have all this free time, all of a sudden. I almost don't know what to do with myself this weekend! But hey, you know me. I'm sure I'll find *something*. ;)

BTW, in case anyone missed the memo:
Saturday 6:30pm: Ground Kontrol
Saturday 9:30pm: Station Zero, Charming Birds & Invivo @ Twilight Cafe

I am going to both of these. If you would like to join for one or both, please do! Text me tomorrow if you need an update.

So I haven't yet seen Iron Man 2, and I have no post-wushu plans for Friday night.

Anyone game?