Sunday, December 16, 2007

nine sleeps to go...

Counting down the days, today I am thankful for the fact that I have completed the purchasing component of the Christmas gift extravaganza.

Now all I have to finish off is the last of the knitted face-washers/dishcloths (seven to go, but it can be cut back to four if necessary).

Hey, I got mail last week that I have not even had the chance to show you!


I made a humble contribution to a friends' latest 'zine, "Have wheels, will go.", and she kindly sent me a copy of the finished product, along with two of her and her partners' beautiful cards. You can check out Gracia and Louise's work out here. I just love the polar bear tangled up in the Christmas lights, and those star fish are so very spectacular!

The photo I submitted included my dog, Hesse (named after Eva, not Herman, before you all ask), and a few weeks ago she had to be put down after her liver failed and a tumour became inoperable. Because of this, I am grateful I chose to send this image, now my beautiful friend has been immortalised in print, with her name in the credits. She was a beautiful, (and beautifully- natured) German Shepherd x husky, who had schlepped her way into the hearts of many, and she'll be missed.

Enough before I tear up, already. Moving right along, I also got the great news last week that I was successful in my application for a new job - I'm kissing retail goodbye after way too long, and will now become an Admin. Manager/PA in a small firm in the new year.

You quite possibly have no idea how exciting the thought of this being my last Retail Christmas is! Next year I will be looking forward to winding down in the week prior, instead of escalating to the point of nervous breakdown, and on Boxing Day, I will be sleeping in with my girl, waking to a lazy breakfast, perhaps a BBQ with friends, instead of the alarm going off at the crack of dawn so I can race in and open the shop at seven am*, for all the ungrateful fuckers who desperately need to exchange whatever their aunt/friend/brother bought them cos they don't like it...

adios, amigos - good bye and good riddance!

*yes, my retail hell is open 7am-11pm Boxing Day - sucks really, doesn't it? and sorry to any I've offended with my bitterness - I know not everyone at the shops on Boxing Day is an ungrateful fucker! It's just sometimes hard to remember on the day ;)

7 comments:

cseneque said...

My God, 7am-11pm on Boxing Day? Frickin' insane.

So so many congratulations on getting out. Absolutely wonderful news. Enjoy!

Gracia said...

Ahh, so happy both you and Hesse could play a part and feature in this zine. It really was such a joy to work on this zine and to receive such brilliant photos, yours included. Perhaps one day I'll put Wheels II into action? Enjoy the cards, and may the lead up to Christmas be kind to you.
take care, g xo

Louise said...

Oh, Kylie, your words about Hesse made me tear up just a little. I only got to meet her a few times, but I remember her as beautiful.

Glad you enjoyed the cards and zines. xo lj

Rose Red said...

Great news about your new job! And congrats on being published - how exciting!

Wired for Fibre said...

Congratulations on the new job, I'm so excited for you!

Madge said...

Congrats on your new job! Wheee! I worked retail for what seemed forever right out of college (managed bookstores for 4 1/2 years), and it pretty much sucked always. Though I do have totally inappropriate but funny stories of working in San Francisco; we should swap horrors sometime....

So sorry to hear about Hesse. *hugs* Always hard to loose a furry friend.

Chill that champagne for New Year's, 'coz there are good things to celebrate as you kiss 2007 adios!

amber said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet doggie.

but am so happy for your last christmas in retail. I did retail for many years and you have no idea how much you will not miss it :) I feel so bad for store clerks at the holidays now... empathy is a bitch. I just try to be extra nice because I know how draining it is.

congrats!!!!