Java N' Java

Heeeey, long time no talk, Hombres!

So I've been trying to bone up on my HMTL/java script skills...all the while I've noticed a trend in my caffeine intake. I can say that one element may or may not effect the increasity of the intakage of coffee and/or tea. ;) Island Mango and Peach White Tea, I adore you.

I've become quite interested in CSS Style Sheets and am quite anxious to test it all out with this site I am designing. I'm definitely learning a lot and am loving the idea of not using tables for a site layout...or having to change each individual page for a color change, for example...

A friend has recommended Adobe for online tutorials, which I have found very helpful. In addition, I've actually been looking for adult ed classes (still searching for something convenient) for dreamweaver/javascript/web developing/design etc

On a side note, I think the hype/creamfest has died down about New Moon and now I want to see it...I think the theatre will be less crowded, therefore, I won't have to listen to 12 year olds scream in awe when a werewolf sheds a shirt...even though I'll secretly be ooing and awwing inside. lol

Oh I recently saw a movie called The Ultimate Gift. I recommend it!

And it'll be this way til' one of us dies, is that a blessing in disguise?

Anyone hear about that dead man on his balcony for 4 days, mistaken for a "Halloween Dummy"?

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/16/dead-man-slumps-on-b.html

I dare say, dear Watson, THAT is sketch.

Staying on the subject of Halloween, I'm rather excited this year. Rarely have I dressed up for Halloween since high school---once? twice? While I still need to go costume shopping, I know exactly what I'm going to be:

Carrie. Bradshaw.

I'm going for the signature outfit look from the intro of the show. tutu. leotard. curly wild hair. Sweet! Now...where to shop for le costume...

I'm trying to remember my best costume/halloween:

I was a fat clown in 1st grade and I remembering falling down the stairs at my house, and with my best Erkel impression, screaming, "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"

There was also that time when I was Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz. Oh it would be all to comical to find that picture of myself...eyes half open, smiling, looking like I had brown muck smeared on my face (the attempt at the lion whiskers)...

Good times...

Speaking of LIONS! I am seeing the Lion King Musical next Friday! Folks, I may laugh, I may even cry, and no doubt I'll be screaming like a little girl when the opening scene starts. Getting jittery just thinking about it!

Naaaaaaaaants ingonyamaaaaaaaa bagithi Baba!!!!!

Deep thoughts of lyrical content...

How many times have you listened to a song and really liked the melody, but were baffled by the ambiguity of the lyrics connected to the song?

Um...Jack Johnson and Fall Out Boy stick in my head a lot regarding this subject....

My recent lyric deciphering inquiry occurred listening to Regina Spektor. While her words are sometimes blatant or absurd, silly even, that home girl can go out on a whirlwind of what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about content...

A song of hers that I've taken a fancy to is "The Genius Next Door" in which a phrase:

atheists were praying full of sarcasm

and the genius next door was sleeping
dreaming that the antidote was orgasm

This song talks about this enchanted lake where kids get drunk and go swimming at; and this "genius" next door and his relationship with the lake.

I finally looked it up online and after understanding the song now, I'm "enchanted" with the whole feeling of the song. Quite interesting, really...but I have no intention of trying to drown/asphyxiate myself into an orgasm...ok, David Carradine?? FACE! (I was given an "in", I'm takin' it!)

Oh lyrics...

On the brain...

I've had these food cravings that just haven't been fufilled yet.

Lately I have been craving cous cous with saute'd rosemary, tomatoe, avo, spinach, olive oil, and parmesan.... I've also been craving fresh guacamole! Sometime this week!

I have to give a shout out to Bibby's Crepes in La jolla. This morning I had 2 DELICIOUS crepes: 1 with belgian chocolate kisses, pears, caramel and whipped creme and 1 with brie, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, and avo! SO GOOD.

It's classified in the DMZ, gotta go ASAP, you know, strictly BYOB. Bye!

I've come to appreciate how comfortable my running shoes actually are when I am not Marathon Training. They felt so "eh" when I would do my longer runs, but now that I only run 3 miles/day, 4/5 days/week, it's like, "wow, these shoes are actually really padded and nice." I still feel like I should've never bought the Nike Triax 12...the 11's were better....anyway, ya running, shoe freak goon...

I have this goal that I am sorely, abysmally, want-to-shake-myself-silly not accomplishing. 4 letters. G M A T.

I want to just take the test because I feel like the studying (or lack of studying as of late) is really going nowhere. BUT, I don't want to drop $250 to take the test and bomb. NOR do I want to spend $2000 on Kaplan study class to motivate myself. What will it take, Alexis? Well, the 2 programs I am considering are both next fall (2010---missed this deadline of course)...granted, I have a lot of time, BUT, I was kind of hoping to be starting my Master's this year...Ahhh, the woes of a was-jobless woman...

Consider this my official motivation...starting tomorrow...of course...maybe...you know...Hmph.

Cheers and Ciao, folks

Alexis Tia

P.S. alexistia.weebly.com ---my website for my freelance, so if you or anyone you know in need of any of my services, I am here!

Reverb, Vibration, 6 Strings, 2 Hands...

It's typical that I play guitar at least once a week. My Celebrity Ovation has been my companion for about 5 years now and since taking up using a capo (thanks to my gut friend Joey), I have written a good amount of songs.

However, my guitar playing has become intermittent lately (lately as in---I haven't pulled out my guitar in weeks!). One would surmise that becoming a "big girl" in the "real world" plus family/social life would inevitably pull me away from my beloved music for a while. And while this does play a part, I have found that I am feeling a sense of loss in my music creativity as well.

What new melody can I think up now? ---lull, void, nada, not good enough, no inspiration...

I finally looked at my guitar yesterday, what seemed like months since I had, and pulled it out of its case. I am happy to say that the capo on 2 and something jazzy inside me told me to start plucking slowly to see what story I could find in the strings...

I have a verse! Hopefully I will finish it soon, I usually do when I start a song, and post it to youtube (which I have been lagging on as well). I'm just hoping the creativity is there and nothing has been lost...

Until then, Happy Sunday, and check out my youtube in the meantime: http://www.youtube.com/user/alexistia

Cheers and Ciao!

Alexis Tia

vous voulez le pain grillé français

I have been addicted to French Toast for the past couple of weekends, especially after watching Bobby Flays french toast throw down!

Recent recipes from yours truly include:

-Cinnamon raisin bread

-Almond Butter

-Blueberries

-Warm Maple Syrup

-Sourdough bread

-Cream Cheese

-Hot boysenberry jelly and blueberries blended and melted with the maple syrup

(Damn! MMMMMMMMmmmmMMMMM!!!)

-Wheat Bread

-Cream cheese

-Almond butter

-Hot peaches

-Hot maple syrup

I'm hoping to use Nutella and Cream Cheese with butter and maple syrup melted together...still wondering what kind of bread to use.

But for today, I'm heading to Panera Bread, where I will fancy a Cobblestone muffin. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes will accompany the muffin. I have an idea for the Cobblestone muffin: Pull it apart, add butter and toast it crispy in a pan....

Man, I LOVE Breakfast!!!

Ciao and Cheers

Alexis Tia

May I Acyst you...

I just had steroids injected into my forehead today to get rid of a cyst----second one in 7 months. Not to mention there's also a small one on my back. The doc didn't inject steroids in that one but I am on antibiotics for a month.

What the hell, body? I have researched and perused and there's no indication as to why, all the sudden, cysts are popping up. Damn you, heredity. I'm a healthy young woman that eats right, exercises, takes her vitamins...

Next topic...

Attended Bonsallpalooza last Friday. It was awesome but I wish I didn't have to get up so early the day after. I missed Michael Damian (who cares, right?) :) But I found out he did the music for Teen Witch and I loved that movie so I thought that was awesome. Top That! Stop That! I don't really give uh---about that!

Steve Poltz was fun and Patti Zlaket did a rad version of "Man In The Mirror". You can still sponsor a child ($3.30/month or $40/year) and support the music education foundation by visiting Bonsallschools.org

Think I'm going to do some slow shutter beach shots today with the FE2 film cam and am crossing my fingers for a cool sunset.

I haven't been keeping up with all the healthcare talk so not much else to report.

P.S. I was telling my sis-in-law about the previews for Where The Wild Things Are and how I loved the trailer and especially the music that totally grabbed my heart and tugged my childhood strings.

Rhiannon looked at me and asked, "You're not one of those people that, like, write in a journal, are you?"

Ha!

Alexis Gets a Job!

Well, since the end of March I've been job searching (in addition, ran a marathon, vacayed in DC and New Orleans, and attempted to climb Mt. Whitney). While I will continue to look for a Marketing specific job as well as freelance design work, I was offered the job at Z57 and started Monday. I'm learning many things and trying to get up to speed as quick as possible. They're understaffed in the CS dept so I'm not going through the typical training program. I'll be helping people with website content/design issues, answering an overload of CS emails, etc, etc. The only thing I'm worried about is retaining customer calls. Ho boy.

On a side note, I wonder how many celebrities say they twitter but are really utilizing transparent marketing. If you're not familiar with the term, it means someone is paying someone else to set up and manage their social networking accounts etc. and making it look "real" or like the celebrity is really doing it himself/herself.

On another side note, what's with Twitter leading to TMI/lawsuit/censorship dealios? BTW on the FYI, WTF...

Oh, the new thing going around facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2224084&id=24613166&l=37146cc4e6raigslist.org/ Clearly, I approve and engage in such silliness! :) and I applaud yearbookyourself.com for using the facebook picture upload widget. Good call on making that easy!

Time to photoshop some ish...can't wait to print! :-D

Cheers N Ciao!

Alexis Tia

P.S. Are you in love??? Because I am. NY2008 Brooklyn Bridge---finally getting around to printing this :)))))

Happy Friday!

Devling into a more personal blog about myself this fine Friday, I recieved my Bonsallpalooza tickets in the mail and will be attending the event next Friday Aug 7th. If you're wondering, it's a benefit concert to fund music education in our schools. The Bonsall School Disctrict is hosting and I was asked to create that Bonsallpalooza logo, Tshirt, and poster. I was also asked to create a Bonsall Certified Farmers Market logo too. Poster is below if you want to know more information and Bonsallschools.org is selling the tickets.

I started my social media internship and I'm liking it so far. Very small start-up (6 people) and I'm going to be an account executive that manages a client's linkedin, twitter, and facebook accounts, analyzes and reports to the client each week and make changes as necessary and hopefully gain leads for their business. I'm practicing with my bosses account and I had no idea there are so many free analytical tools for twitter and facebook. Hootsuite 2.0 is pretty impressive. The company is called Real Voice Media http://twitter.com/realvoicemedia

I'm waiting for a job offer/call back for a position at Z57, inc. I hope I get it, it is a customer service job, however, they sell websites to real estate agents and so as a customer service rep, I'd have to learn web development/design/troubleshoot stuff and I would love to be proficient that. Yes, I've googled Z57 and it seems they've kind of been known for bad CS but it seems (after talking with the COO), they're definitely working on improvement in that area.

I sold my Nikon F3 and just acquired a Nikon FE2 with a 28mm lens. I'm stoked and I made $100 between the 2 transactions.

I've got 50 free 4x6 prints coming to me costco so I'm editing some stuff from Hawaii last year all the way to DC and New Orleans this year. I've put a pic below to give you an idea of what I've done. You can check out more of my photography on Flickr. Username is alexis_diller

I've got a soccer game tonight with my team "The Purple People Eaters". We're tied for 1st place with one tie and one win. We're going to be short my older sis (who is damn aggressive), so I wonder how things will play out. I'm passive and I say sorry a lot. Is it already obvious I've never played soccer? Not even when I was little... But I enjoy it and am excited for tonight!

I'm house/dog sitting right now so I plan to take Miss Chase for a walk some time today. I promised my little bro we'd go for a bike ride (he's 7, we'll see how far he gets) but first I need to get some laundry done.

Below are some comics that made me smile this morning :) Hope you have a Fab Friday and great rest of the weekend!

Ciao and Cheerz!

Alexis Tia

New Orleans by Alexis Diller Flickr.com search alexis_diller

Bonsallschools.org

Smell Ya Later...

Is it not one of the coolest feelings to stumble upon a familiar or favorite smell of yours and think, "Damn, I LOVE this smell!!!"? Por ejemplar, while I was on my run this morning, I ran past fresh grass cruttings on the sidewalk and a rush of fresh cut grass filled my nostrils. Love it.

You know what other smells make me happy?

Brown paper bags.

Old pages from a book at a public library.

Popcorn.

BBQ.

PINE. (while riding your bike through a trail bordered with pine trees...)

The smells at Disney's California Adventure's "Soarin' Over Cali" ride.

My grandma's old Tshirt that I wear to bed, that, no matter how many times I wash it or different fabric softener smells I use, it still smells like HER antique dresser. <3

New Shoes. Particularly running shoes.

The smell of my fingers after I've played guitar so long, that the steel or copper strings have indented in the tips of my fingers, and the tips of my fingers are black-lined and metal smelling.

Men's Brut deodorant. Yea, weird. They sell that stuff at, like, CVS. and No, I don't personally wear it.

What does your nose know and what smells make your day? I can tell you're already excited.

Ciao and Cheerz!

Alexis Tia

Chitter Chatter

So, I had that dream again (3rd time within the past year). I dream that I'm talking, then suddenly bite and clench my teeth so hard that one of my molars cracks and falls out of my gum. When I examine my teeth in the mirror, I also notice at least 3 other teeth that have suddenly developed black edges and are cracked and loose. I feel my teeth with my tongue and can't believe what I have done.

Then I wake up!

This dream drives me bonkers for two main reasons:

-I had braces in high school and know my parents spent a gazillon bucks on my pearly whites. In my dream, I think "All that money wasted, look at my teeth now..."

-I love oral hygiene & adamently take care of my teeth. I have this fear of my teeth breaking or falling out or hurting or etc etc...

The first couple of times I had the dream, It felt like a dream. When I woke up today, it felt more real. I'm pretty sure I don't grind my teeth in my sleep because my mouth feels totally normal...and my teeth look great.

What the hell, dream? Quit freaking me out!

Do Unpaid Internships really lead to paid jobs??

So...I start a new job on Wednesday---a social media internship, where I will learn more about social media analytics, SEO, blogging, etc. Oh, and did I mention I'm not getting paid??

If you're job searching like I am right now, you've probably noticed that there is a surge of "unpaid internships" posted everywhere. While "The Man" is still helping me out, I'll indulge only for the benefit of experience and resume building.

When I told my Dad I "got" the job, he laughed and remarked, "What?! You're NOT getting paid??"

I explained that, of course, at the end of the posting it said, "May lead to a full time, paid position"

My Dad just snorted, "Yea, right. They're just gonna dump you on your ass as soon as the next kid comes along that offers to work for no money, too. What I want to know is, how did they reel you in, Alexis? I'd love to have people work for me for NOTHING, too!"

It is frustrating. That whole "MAY lead to a full time position..." thing grabbed me by the balls (metaphorically) , but I do love social media and want to learn how to do it. I guess I'm just thinking of it as "volunteerism" ---I'm not in school, and technically, it is illegal to not get paid for work. We DO have minimum wage, after all.

Here's a couple sites I found regarding the whole "unpaid internship" situation. While I agree with some points, like, that it's major bullshit to not pay someone for a position that is clearly salaried, internships do have "real-world" experience attached to them, that, even if you're not getting paid, can help lead to paying position in the future...

I don't know, you tell me....

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=433727

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/04/03/internships-are-not-just-for-kids/?ncid=AOLCOMMjobsDYNLprim0001&icid=main%7Chp-laptop%7Cdl4%7Clink3%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fjobs.aol.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F04%2F03%2Finternships-are-not-just-for-kids%2F%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMjobsDYNLprim0001

Speaking of Twitter...

Surprised I'm posting two days in a row!? Muhahaha!

Fellows and Fellas, just a list of things I looked at today that made me smile.

Starting with Sexy Phil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gTPzXKIaFo

What makes you smile everyday?

Cheers and Ciao!

Alexis Tia

Moses, Smell the Roses!

Before I dive into my topic of choice for this post, let me just say I love quoting Seinfeld (Title of this post, for example) and you will see more of this as I build up my Brepetoire (blog repertoire).

First off, I love this trend of Social Media and Inbound Marketing and the passion fellow marketers have for learning, molding, and using these tools to help their companies. I love being online and observing how companies are utilizing Social Media to generate leads and build brand awareness.

BUTT....I mean, HOWEVER...Twitter. I think Twitter might be my only peeve at the moment. Some Tweeps just need to shut their Twaps, to be frank...or kind...or humorous. :) For example, I follow certain people or companies because they post informative blog links about current marketing trends, etc. Sometimes, it's cool to have blogs sifted out for you without having to do the searching. I, of course, do my best as well to post topics of interest to my followers. Although, still not sure why some people follow me anyway. As Napoleon Dynamite would say, "I'm pretty cool, I guess."

So, what am I getting at? FYI, you don't need to post upward of 10 or more tweets a day! You're killing me smalls, put all of your cool backlinks in your own blog and send a tweet about it later (ex: some cool marketing links to check out today!)

You're boring, you're annoying, you're OVERWHELMING, and almost spamming my feed! I KNOW there's tweetdeck, I know you can filter, but, I love some of the Tweeps I am following and am thankful for the blog update links. BUTT...HOWEVER...I can't keep up with you, home-kat, if you're posting every 5 minutes, literally. And I don't want to. I'd rather be hiking, or biking, or swimming, my goodness! Step away from Twitter...breathe!

Now that THAT'S out of my system, I'm attending a linkedin event tonight in encinitas, I'm hoping for something positive. Oh, and maybe I'll get to use those business cards, finally.

Cheers and Ciao and Have an Awesome One!

Alexis Tia

The Heat Is On

You know that feeling you get when you really like someone but he doesn't like you back? That's my life and trying to get a job right now.

I'm at this point in my infantile adulthood where I need "experience" for an entry-level job, yet lack "said" experience because no company will give me a chance to gain experience. See, infantile adulthood makes sense now. This bothers me even more so that I am capable and smart enough for these jobs which I am applying.

Take a deep breath, Alexis. Look up and furrow your brow.

Sadly, my unemployment will be coming to an end soon as I desperately hope for an interview.

Hm, I just want to show someone I rock, you know? Maybe I should add that to my resume. Alexis rocks! Alexis freaking rocks! Alexis REALLY freaking rocks! Has it sunk in yet?

FYI, I'd love to be a marketing assistant right now helping out with anything and everything from online to print; you name it, I'll love it and find a way to make it grow...

On a side note, I'm reading "My Sister's Keeper" before seeing the movie. I'm halfway finished and can totally see Alec Baldwin as the lawyer but not Cameron Diaz as the mom. Just sayin'.

Have you been living under a rock?

It's hard for me to keep up with world affairs and national news. Mostly because I find it boring. Ok, it's not boring, the way it's presented bores me. Why? It's either way too debby downer, or way too repetitive, or mean, or blah blah blah... sometimes, I don't even care for TMZ.com (gasp!---targeted at my demographic). I'm more into reading newspaper comics but I check out yahoo news occasionally, and if I mention almost any topic to my older sis, it's the same reply: Uh, I knew about that 2 days ago!

Uh, the news must not be going out of its way to inform me. Alexis: last one to know... until now...

So, I can't remember what I was googling, but I stumbled upon someone right up my alley, someone funny, someone that didn't make news "boring". His name is Philip De Franco, folks, and he's on youtube and has his own website http://phillyd.tv

Apparently he's been around since 2006. Why am I just finding him??? Oh yea, I don't actively seek out the news...and...I've been living under a rock? Well, that's quickly changed over the past week for me as this dude does a 3 minute show about what's going on TODAY. Although a dorky appearance, this quick witted 20 somethin' year old explains the news and also asks the audience a simple, yet complex question about a certain topic presented.

Check him out, I think you'll see his potential and I wouldn't be surprised if this guy is on TV one day...

http://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil

Cheers and Ciao!

Alexis Tia

The Beginning...again?

Oh, Alexis. Not ANOTHER social media tool! But, I have an excuse! I have a degree in Marketing, therefore, must experience and utilize online connecting/networking tools and put myself "out there". Well, here I am. Hello. I'm Alexis, nice to meet you.

You know, I used to have a deadjournal through my middle school and high school years. I have no idea if the account is still meandering in web world somewhere but I do know it's been about 10ish years since the scribbles of my rambles. I'm ready to write again.

Accordingly, I'm also ACTIVE on:

Facebook (Alexis Diller)

Myspace

Twitter (alexisdiller)

Linkedin

Flickr

Youtube (alexistia)

Ciao and Cheers!

Alexis Tia