Chipmnk
aka Alvin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Chipmunk, is a 24.1 year old boy, has been a member since March 5, 2007, has scored 11,323 submissions, giving an average score of 3.63, helping 421 designs get printed.
Everyone seems to be making end of the year lists about growth and such, so I guess it's a good idea to look back at the good things (my favorites) that happened this year.
- After much searching and self-doubting, I happened upon an internship that turned into an actual job. I can't really say if I'm happy at said job or if I'll even be working there come 2013, but I damn well appreciate the fact that I'm employed and that I work somewhere that sort of utilizes my skills.
- I finally had a story published and was paid for it. I haven't had anything published since then, but it's nice having that sense of validation. The fact that someone out there actually enjoyed what I wrote. Getting that piece of flash fiction published actually felt a lot better than getting a job.
- I spent a good deal of my teenage and "post-adolescent" years--except I'm pretty sure I'm still a post-adolescent--pining for the attention of girls and worrying about finding love and all that trap. Some time this year, I stopped considered the prospect of "getting a girlfriend". It just...isn't important. I'll always be that hopeless romantic, and if the right girl happens into my life, yes, cool, but figuring myself out, writing, and just enjoying life are a lot more important right now.
- Winebocon, Combocon, The Meetup, Krunkneyland, and all of those little meetups and stuff inbetween. No matter how dead the blogs get, there's always that far-reaching sense of friendship that exceeds this place. I've been busy and everything but just knowing that Mike and Omair exist helps me get through those really tough days at the office. I wouldn't give that friendship up for anything.
- I just wanted an excuse to post this chill song. It's one of my favorites from the year so I guess it works out and if you have a problem with it you can bite me.
So what are some of your favorite things, thoughts, happenings, or realizations from this year?
I quit my terrible job which was good because it wasn't what i wanted to do with my life and was a barrier to me doing what I wanted to do and all the opportunities they'd made it seem like i would have when they hired me failed to materialise.
Because of that I was able to travel to New Zealand and meet some of my family and learn more about my history.
Then I was able to study, albeit a very simple course. But that was good because it gave me confidence. Before when I applied for jobs, I felt really crap not having any qualifications even though I'm really smart. Now I feel better talking myself up because I have proof, even if it's just proof I can work Microsoft Office and type 50 words a minute. It also put things in perspective that there are a lot of people less smart than me in the world and I should feel blessed. And I believe doing that got me into the library course I will do next year which will get me a nicer job and hopefully into university a year or two after.
So basically that's a five-year plan. I feel so adult for putting a five-year plan into action. This makes me feel like a grown up now.
Also I met new people, although I guess we're not really in touch any more. But meeting people ain't so bad or so hard.
-Finding Threadless just in time was nice. You crazy fuckers are great. I spent nearly the first half of 2011 squirming through depression, and the rekindling of my passion for illustration, design, and giggling was exactly what I needed to lift my chin up. Thanks, guys.
-Realizing that it's possible to move back to TX this upcoming spring also made this past year brighter. I can't wait to be closer to my family again.
-Learning how to ink correctly and not sucking at it.
-Turning 21 and being (mostly) responsible about it.
- africa and everything about it
- going to london and meeting aaron finally
- chicago meetup and all our drunk antics
- getting my cancer research published
Where did you work, SJ? And good on you for getting your studies on. And good luck with that five year plan. Also, meeting new people is always nice.
Gabbi, without you around, a piece of my heart would be missing. Also, I had no idea you were younger than me. It's always weird realizing that I'm older than people.
Hey, I didn't know about that cancer research stuff. You done good, Jeff. I still need to figure out an East coast thing.
A lot of neat things happened this year, but I'm sure everyone's heard them way too many times so I'll just say I finally tried kale this year, and it's delicious.
Chicago was a total shitshow and a really good time.
I was promoted to assistant manager, which is only awful some of the time.
Got an apartment walking distance from work, which is really great because I can keep drinking til the bars close now.
Have been hanging out with people a lot more, good to feel like I have local friends again.
And the thing with this guy right now and I have no idea what it is and if it'll last but when we are together things are really good. Like. Really good.
So we'll see about 2012. 2011 kinda flew by me and I spent too much time focused on and stressing out about work. And even though I need a job more now, with the apartment and all, I'm less worried about it. There's more to life. I hope to take more chances next year, cause fuck it. Life.
- Depression is something you don't really get over, just something you have to stifle with positive thinking.
- Positive thinking does wonders. Try it.
- You don't get to where you want to be just by planning. You do, sometimes impulsively.
- You'll never really figure life out. You just make the most of it wit wat u got.
-Starting my freelance career and landing several magazine illustration gigs
-Getting screen printing equipment that actually works and making better art prints
Chipmnk on Dec 28 '11 at 8:31pm
Where did you work, SJ? And good on you for getting your studies on. And good luck with that five year plan. Also, meeting new people is always nice.
Thanks. It was just a shop job. I wasn't even going to take it but they sold it to me like I'd be a big deal. We were supposed to have bands and a gallery and events so it seemed like an opportunity to learn some new skills and get leadership experience but it never happened and those opportunities never came and everyone else saw this months before me and quit and I got stuck doing their jobs instead.
2011 started out really bloody rough, running the gamut of depression and psychosis to come out the other end realising that I have too much to live for and not enough to die for right now. It's really turned out to be one of the most formative years of my life.
- friendships and family relationships both formed and rekindled this year have made a huge impact on my year. There's a few folks on here that have been gems, even from afar, and my dear family and friends that I've shared time with in person have made this year one to remember for the great times more than the difficult.
- not working a full time job all year. I've been so bloody poor but it's been an invaluable experience, concentrating on achieving some kind of solace and order within before I even began to try sorting out all the external crap.
- giving myself permission to pursue art. I'd never even considered it a possibility. Now it is and things are taking off. It's terrifying and exciting in the same breath.
- the outrageous exploits, epic parties, reckless abandonment, cheeky pashes, wild gigs, high trips, jacuzzi mayhem, moonlit beach nudey runs, grand feasts and all the other goodness that separates the great memories from the mundane.
"- not working a full time job all year. I've been so bloody poor but it's been an invaluable experience, concentrating on achieving some kind of solace and order within before I even began to try sorting out all the external crap."
- Out of the two graphic design jobs that I applied for in 2011, I got an interview for both, and got one of them. Considering the state of the industry in this city (read: shattered) I'm pretty proud of that. Although, there were a lot of jobs that I didn't apply for because I knew I wasn't qualified enough for the position, so I guess that probably helped.
- Finally quitting Briscoes, the part time homewares job I had for seven years. Seven. Since I was 15. I'd been wanting to quit since day 1.
- Watching a crap ton of tv series that my husband and I both really enjoyed, and generally having a chill first year of being married. It was nice.
- Not arguing with my parents anywhere near as much as I have in previous years. It's nice to actually be able to have a conversation with my mum.
Yeah, so despite the earthquakes and stuff 2011 wasn't too bad. I really didn't accomplish much, but I've decided I'm mostly okay with that, and that I'll try harder in 2012.
But if there was ever a time when I "became a man," it would be this summer. I would never go through it again if I had the choice, but I'm so glad that I did.
And meeting a handful of people in Chicago was so great: seeing so many people who were so pumped about tee design made me want to work harder and produce better. And now that I'm more involved with Threadless, I hope to go back to the meetup next year and meet even MORE people. Yourselves included.
I moved to Columbus, and met some awesome people through church. And I can't wait to go back after Christmas break and hang with them again.
I started watching Doctor Who. At the same time, I started dressing fancier, and I guess the show has affected my wardrobe more than I thought. Since then I've been told by multiple people that I remind them of the Doctor. And I'm ok with that.
But even still, I'm ready to leave 2011 behind me. Here's hoping for an awesome 2012, all!
Haha, awesome, Jeremy. Not sure what inspired such a kind comment but I guess one is only interesting if another is interested, so thank you. One day I'll just have to make it over there to meet all of you at one of these meet ups.
2011 was a really low point in my life, even up until the last few days. It wasn't necessarily terrible, but it was a year that really helped me actualize my priorities and needs. It wasn't a good year, but it was an important year for me.
Maybe it was setting me up for my (dark knight) rise in 2012.
from Chipmnk: Some time this year, I stopped considered the prospect of "getting a girlfriend". It just...isn't important. I'll always be that hopeless romantic, and if the right girl happens into my life, yes, cool, but figuring myself out, writing, and just enjoying life are a lot more important right now.
^ i completely and totally understand! being me and doing me is way more important and hopefully way more impressive to the ladies! i never get what i want so i try to focus on my needs more now...and who i am.
from aNonnymouse: -Realizing that it's possible to move back to TX this upcoming spring also made this past year brighter. I can't wait to be closer to my family again.
Dec 28 '11 by
ir0cko on Dec 28 '11 at 7:54pm
