Saturday, June 30, 2007

Life And Other Things

I feel like I'm finally making a little bit of progress in life! I was contacted by a friend of a friend of my mom's who is a private practice counselor who was kind enough to offer me a little bit of advice on the job hunt, etc. The friend of my mom's sent him a copy of my resume and he said that he was very impressed by it...but where I may be running into a road block with not finding a job is that I don't mention anything about licensure on my resume. So after back and forth emails, I've now begun the licensure process for my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)! So I can now put on my resume that I'm "license eligible" which will hopefully open up some more doors for me since employers will see that I am indeed working my way towards becoming licensed. He said that he would think that people could figure that out since I have clinical experience and a Masters in counseling, but you never know. He was also kind enough to offer me a little bit of work! It's not much and I'm still very much on the lookout for a job....and nothing's definite yet, but he said that he does see some adolescents and if I'm interested, we can get together for lunch when I get back from Texas and talk about me maybe seeing a couple of his clients on a very part time basis. This would probably be just 2 or 3 clients a month, but it would give me some practice and some supervision which would be great! Very nice man!

In other news, I'm trying to cut back on my coffee drinking....ok, trying to cut back on my coffee BUYING. Here's the deal: I worked at a coffee shop for 5 years which caused a very bad coffee addiction. The result is that I now only drink coffee shop coffee, which is expensive. I've got it down to two a day, and now I'm trying to get it down to one a day. I usually have an iced coffee in the morning from one coffee shop and an iced latte in the afternoon from another coffee shop. Cutting out the iced latte as it's a little more expensive. So for the second night in a row, I successfully turned my car around as I was headed towards the coffee shop and instead came home and drank a Coke Blak...which is really good by the way...it's a strangely delicious mix of Coke and Black Coffee....trust me on this one, it works.

Currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger on Carl's and many others recommendations and it really is a wonderful book. I was hooked immediately....like on page 1 immediately. What a fascinating book. I don't know if this is the best book in the world for me to read right now as it made me desperately miss Megan even more than I already do, but I can't resist it. I think it actually shows how wonderful of an author Niffenegger is that I could find Megan and myself in her pages. She captures the essence of love perfectly...that comfortableness in memories and that pain of being away from the person you love. But I'll be traveling to Megan in two weeks and I can't wait to just have some us time....so instead of wallowing in my own self pity while reading this book, I'm enjoying it for the wonderful story that it is :)

Speaking of wonderful stories (don't you love the random flow of this post) Orson Scott Card has published the latest issue of his online magazine Intergalactic Medicine Show. For those who have been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I'm slightly obsessed with this man. This is his online magazine of fiction...and it's only $2.50 an issue!! This issue is amazing! There is a brand new short story by Peter Beagle in it, a brand new interview with Peter Beagle, A new Ender short story by Orson Scott Card, and essay on Snape from Harry Potter by Orson Scott Card, and numerous other short stories by other great authors. I've bought every issue so far, and they are all amazing...worth so much more than $2.50...I guess that's the beauty of an online magazine...no printing costs!

I would also like to point you to Orson Scott Card's latest weekly review column. He reviews The Prestige and The Illusionist and I enjoyed his comments on both.

And one final thing and I swear I'll shut up for the night...this was just too cool. So, I'm at Border's last night looking for the new Stardust hardcover (which still isn't out) and I come across the coolest art book. It's The Art of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire! This book is incredible! No, I didn't buy it because the only copy they had was beat up, but they have all these great drawings by incredible artist and quite a few drawings by Charles Vess!!! I had no idea that Vess did any Song of Ice and Fire art. It was great to see some of the characters translated by an artist. There was a wonderful picture of Daenerys and a great one of Jon as well among so many others. 192 pages of art. I'll definitely be picking this one up soon.

27 comments:

Bookfool said...

Okay, so the husband will come home to find that I just purchased two little blue poppets. Maybe that'll help keep him from leaving the country, again. Thanks for the info! :)

chrisa511 said...

Yay for 2 little blue poppets! Maybe your home will cheer them up, they look awfully sad, but awfully cute. If he leaves the country again, at least make him take you with him!

Bookfool said...

I'm hoping mine will have bigger hoods than yours. I think that's what makes your fellow look sad - his big face. LOL

The husband seems convinced that he will take me out of the country, the next time he goes. I don't know if I buy that, but it's a nice thought. :) His next possibility is Greece in October - right smack in the middle of band and swim season. Sigh.

chrisa511 said...

oooh, Greece in October would be so nice too :( I hope that you get to go somehow...

Jeff S. said...

I'm so glad to you got hooked on Time Travelers Wife right from the get go. I felt that way, too. Carl recommended it to me and after Gaiman it's been one of the books I've connected with the most he's recommended to me. Seems like I read it two years ago now but the emtions of the story still linger in my mind. It's the way she captures a couples love that has grabbed a piece of me and still not let go almost two years later. This a book I also had my wife read too right after I had read it. She loved it as well. I hope you are able to share it with Megan as well.

chrisa511 said...

I plan on telling Megan about this one Jeff...I know she'd love it as well. Such a powerful book! It's really surprising me so far...not at all what I was expecting!

Jeff S. said...

Opps. Can't believe I forgot to mention the Art of Song and Fire and Ice art book. :) I love this series they way you love Gaiman and Orson Scott Card. So naturally I have and love this art book as well. As for the Charles Vess work it is from a limited version of series book 2 or 3 I beleive. Too date there have been special limited editions of the series released with a different artist tapped to do a hundred or more pen and ink sketchs for the four different books released so far. These limited editions have started at $ 250 for the basic limited edition and gone up much further for the numbered editions, etc. A company called Meshia Merlin did the first two books and I believe Subterran Press have done books 3 and 4. There is just NO way I can afford these editions though. So I have to pray that one day they will rerelease these editions in an affordable edition for the masses so I can see all the cool artwork one day. Also a lot of the artwork in the artbook you saw is drawn from the collectible card game based on ASOFAI that came out about 5 years ago.

chrisa511 said...

Jeff, that book is amazing! Damn, those limited editions sound incredible...but $250! Phew! No way could I afford that. I read that a lot of the artwork was for the card game...it was really well done! I can't wait to get deeper into the series!

Jeff S. said...

I hope you and Megan have as much fun discussing TTW as my wife, Keri, and I did. We both love to read but tend to read different books so it was especially great to share this one wife her. I'm still hopeing to get her to read Gaiman one day.

chrisa511 said...

She hasn't read Gaiman?! And I thought your wedding vows meant something! Lol...actually, come to think of it, I don't know if Megan's read any Gaiman either...oh yes, she read Coraline and Wolves in the Walls...does that count? ;)

Jeff S. said...

LOL! Yeah! I can't believe it as well. I have read some of the short stories to her out of Smoke and Mirrors ( Chivilary and The Price ) and I think she read The Wolves in the Walls too. I really hope to get her to read Stardust because I just know she would love it. One of the genre's she reads is Romance besides Fantasy, Young Adult books, and comics. So Stardust is right up her alley. She's like me though and has so many books she wants to get to some times it can be overwhelming with so much in the too be read pile. Ya know what I mean? :)

chrisa511 said...

I know Megan has a copy of Stardust sitting on her TBR shelf...I just have to get her to read it now!

DesLily said...

Oh, that's good news about hopefully having a few kids to counsel! It will certainly give you a good idea of what lies ahead.

I'm only a step behind you with the "coffee thing".. thankfully though it's not starbucks or one that costs a fortune for each cup! It is the "powdered international coffee" (cafe vienna) that I have to have each morning (sometimes 2) and though it's cheaper then buying a cup at a time, it's too much sugar! argh. I hope you are successful in cutting back... those single cups must be cutting into your "book fund" lol!

"I'll definitely be picking this one up soon." This has GOT to be your all time favorite quote! lol

Carl V. Anderson said...

I really look forward to talking to you about Time Traveler's after you are done.

Congrats, bookfool! You'll enjoy them.

Vess did the art for one of Subterranean Press's special editions of one of the books in the Songs of Fire and Ice series. I think it is completed sold out now and is probably quite expensive to come by.

chrisa511 said...

Deslily, I'm very excited about having some kids to counsel! Assuming that everything works out as planned...Things are looking brighter than they have in a while, so I'm happy :)

Ooh, I love those powdered coffees! I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm a big fan of the french vanilla cappuccino. Definitely biting in to the book funds though :/

"I'll definitely be picking this one up soon" is indeed my favorite quote...unfortunately, it is all too true of a quote which leaves me broke!

Carl, Same here with TTW. Keeps getting better, such a great book!

I thought of you as soon as I saw the art book for Song of Ice and Fire...It's such a neat book with such a wide array of artists. I'm sure you've seen it if Jeff has it. I also saw the John Jude Palencar Origins book while I was there! I've had that one on my Amazon wish list for awhile, but once I actually flipped through the pages...well, I think I may be buying that one sooner than I thought. Great book.

Stephanie said...

Cool news on the job front! Sounds like you've some good leads anyway!

I've never read Time Traveler's Wife. Guess I may have to look into that!!

Carl V. Anderson said...

Origins is fantastic! I think Jeff may have that Song of Fire and Ice artbook...for some reason I seem to remember looking through it.

chrisa511 said...

Stephanie, I highly recommend that you check out The Time Traveler's Wife...great book!

Carl, Indeed it was fantastic!

Jeff S. said...

Carl - Yup. You looked through it a little when I got it in at the shop last year. Once you finish A Game of Thrones you'll want to pour through its pages for sure.

Chris - Congrats! on the positive job front news. I hope it the resume tip leads to a good job offer soon.

Deslily - LOL! Great pick up on the quote from Chris. I tell you what Chris I feel the same way reading so many great reviews on everyone's blogs and I love it.

Bookfool said...

Thank you, Carl.

I loved The Time-Traveler's Wife, too. I'm guessing Chris is busy reading, right now. :)

Anonymous said...

Thats' good news about the job stuff, the more "hands on" expereince you have the better even is it is only 2/3 times a month :)

I loved The Time Travellers Wife and am glad to hear you are enjoying it so far too. A lovely book with a unique concept.

Anonymous said...

that is brilliant news about the job! what a good break. it must be so hard to get in there and start gaining experience...

you're the second person who's mentioned this "song of ice and fire"...! jeff mentioned it too. i'm getting mighty curious now...! is it a good book (not the art book)?

chrisa511 said...

Rhinoa, Great news, isn't it! Thanks :) The Time Traveler's Wife is great. Very unique book, love the way that it is written. You can tell that the author put lot of time into this one.

Jean Pierre, That's been the hardest part of all this...just getting started. Most jobs in this field require experience, but it's hard to get that first job to get experience! But this is sounding good!

Song of Ice and Fire...yes! I just read the first book in the series, it's called A Game of Thrones and it was amazing! I read it for Carl's challenge. My review is posted on the Once Upon A Time review site. I have the second book sitting on my shelf waiting for me. One of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. You have to read it!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the job news Chris!

I don't envy you the task of cutting back on coffee. I don't usually indulge, but there's something infinitely appealing to most book lovers about coffee shops. I know I feel like I've splurged if I end up with a cup and a book in the same hand. Good luck on kicking the habit!

chrisa511 said...

Thanks Kim!

There is indeed something about book lovers and coffee shops. I've made many friends over books and coffee. I don't think I could ever kick the habit totally, but I can definitely kick back a little bit ;)

Anonymous said...

Great news on the job advice - hope that works out for you. :)

As I mentioned before - The Time Traveller's Wife broke my heart. One of those books that really hits you...wonderful though.

And yay for you travelling to see Megan soon :)

Have you not seen the Subterranean Press edition of A Storm of Swords? I think Charles Vess posted something about it on his blog a while back. Looked gorgeous. The art book sounds good - might have to look that up!

chrisa511 said...

Elaine! So good to hear from you again :) Though I know you've been very busy and dealing with the evil that is called "dial-up".

Very excited about going to see Megan soon...Less than 2 weeks now! And she actually has internet connections there, so I can stay in touch with blog people.

I remember seeing the Martin books on SubPress, but apparently completely missed that Vess did the illustrations! I just discovered Charles Vess' blog in January of this year, so that may be why...if only I had more money...damn expensive books!