Coming Out... Living In Authenticity

I'm coming out, I want the world to know. Gotta let it show, I'm coming out. I want the world to know, I gotta let it show. There's a new me coming out and I just had to live. And I wanna give, I'm completely positive. I think this time around I am gonna do it. Like you never do it, like you never knew it. Ooh, I'll make it through. The time has come for me to break out of the shell. I have to shout that I'm coming out...

Copyright held by Motown Records.

In 1980, Diana Ross sang I'm Coming Out. The tune had multiple origins but held a deeper meaning for the great Miss. Ross; it represented escaping from under the thumb of Berry Gordy...leaving Motown...a new season.

The Fickle Finger Of Fate

I woke up with a sense of calm this morning. I woke up resigned to my lot. To let go and let the Creator. No unemployment income. Okay. Time to get creative. After schlepping to each window and parting the curtains, then letting the dogs out, I checked my phone... Hmmm... who called me at 7:30 A.M.? I suck in a breath. Maybe its about a job! God, please let it be about a job. I unlock my phone and listen to the message. 

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $330

Slaying My Goliaths

Source: www.arcadja.com

Today was meant to be productive. I had an interview and tour of one of the portfolio schools that I'm considering. Last night, I'd made my list of other tasks and decided what outfit to wear--nothing too uptown, nothing too creative. I settled on creatively-uptown with a simple carnation pink skirt, tan shell, and canary yellow cardigan paired with my favorite leopard print wedge heels. I chose my favorite accessories, a sterling silver link bracelet and somewhat tarnished silver bubble necklace to tie it all together. And, my purple cat-eye glasses, of course. I thought it subtly screamed I'm serious but not too serious and I have a bit of style. Plus it's my day for walk-ins at retail stores again so I needed to also scream "Hey, I fit in at [INSERT STORE NAME].

Up at 7:10 A.M. As usual, the first thing I do; rain or shine, is open all the curtains. I open the door to the backyard for the dogs and shuffle to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. After fishing for a filter-the cabinet is barely tippy-toe reach and I'm too lazy to keep my only step ladder close. No, the step ladder is home base for the caddy holding my massive array of unused nail lacquers, varnishes and such. Creative laziness...but, I digress. 

Saying YES To Portfolio School

Source: bly.com

After my layoff (a blessing really) I secured a new well-paying copywriting position within a week of getting walking papers. Good deal, right? Ultimately, not so much. Say goodbye to well-paying new job. So, I'm officially thrust into Georgia's 8.6% unemployment statistic. What now?

Well... find another job. Find another job...find... another...job. Don't get me wrong, of course I have to work to meet life obligations-I can just no longer bear to be a seat warmer at a production-at-all-costs-quality-be-damned company. Getting a job as a copywriter requires talent (check-if I don't own it, who will), experience (check)... and, a kick-ass book; one borne from long days and nights spent learning new skills and honing them as a student of a good portfolio school. I have a portfolio. Without a good, well-rounded one, I'll always be an angrier-by-the-minuet seat warmer living on daydreams.