Andy Lien

Truly, I haven’ t been metformin weight loss 500 mg in hiding.  Well, not for the last two-and-a-half weeks, at any rate.  I’ve been busy being unemployed.  It’s alarming how much time being unemployed takes out of a day when you’re used to being attached to a computer keyboard and its internet by the fingertips.  Staggering, really.  But, lately, I’ve had the harebrained idea that I should wait to post something until I can do my big New Website Reveal as if this were some Extreme Makeover show…but it’s a bit slow in the development.  Do you know how hard it is to design a logo for yourself?  A website?  Its structure?  Its own design identity with fonts and colors and do-hickeys and do-dads?  It’s hard.  So, I will post here during the angst-filled time of transition to the new AndyLien.com.

What have I been up to for over a month?  Oh, so much.  Today I’m going to go paint the bedroom of one of my Godchildren in somewhat rural Minnesota.  Last month, I stripped wallpaper at the same location…I can’t say I’ll ever do that again.  I’ve designed a CD cover, three websites, and a birthday card.  The birthday card was pure frip-frappery, but it’s something that is like whipped cream on my day.  I’m learning some new software and hoping to be able to purchase some of it after the 30-day trial period.  I whacked up my foot and ankle by taking a stride on what turned out to be an asleep (and upside-down) foot…a trip to the doctor which was right on the heels (ahem) of a trip to the Emergency Room for what I thought was certain death but turned out to be a bona fide Panic Attack.*

I’ve babysat and had new business meetings…redecorated my apartment and fought with three separate Internet Service Providers.  I hid at the cabin and read all 973 pages of “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follet.  My Netflix movies don’t sit around for a month before I get to them…instead, I’ve been averaging a turnover rate of about three a week.  That’s significant progress.  I did the day-coordination of a friend’s wedding and made the best roasted tomatillo salsa in Minnetonka, Minnesota (with a hint of burnt parchment paper in the flavor).  I survived the wettest and coldest trip to the Boundary Waters  Canoe Area Wilderness…which was no small feat considering the constant dripping of water and dropping of temperature we endured.

My annual trip around Lake Pepin occurred this weekend and I’ll be participating in my 9th Annual Cabin Weekend with Friends next weekend…whether or not any are able to attend.  There’s principle at stake here.  I met Dan Wilson of Semisonic following his concert at the Dakota last weekend and have renewed my crush on that dear Grammy-winning songwriter/singer.  I got a library card!  I have spent time reconnecting with people by opening my home to whomever wants to stop over whenever…partial funding for meals coming from an overabundance of CSA produce while I shouldered the burden of using all the food in our “Grande” box while Eric and Pierre were in Turkey for a couple CSA Tuesdays.

My business connections are strong.  I wrote and art directed over twenty pages of a book that was just released last month and attended that party…the best parts of the party being the great time I got to spend with my former bosses and colleagues just shooting the shit.  A connection that I created between a friend at a large local corporation and my First Boss Ever turned into a very nice production project for my First Boss…which is a better feeling than getting a handful of cash any day.  I’ve generated some buzz and excitement about my new website coming up and plan to make it into a viable revenue generator sooner than later (more on that later).  And, I’ll be doing some bit-piece contract work for local folks in the architecture/building/interior design industry who are eager to work with me since they’ve found out that I’m “on the loose” and not tethered and loyal to one company any longer.  My ego is swimming in warm waters, professionally, and I’m excited to see what’s on the horizon.

For now, I’m still in Minnesota.  I love it here.  I am at home here.  I may not stay where I’m living in Minnetonka as it is a bit spendy for the lifestyle (okay…paycheck) of a floundering visionary artiste (okay…unemployed freelancer) but I’m open to options.  I’ve gotten some job postings from Carson in the Bay Area but hadn’t been quite ready to dip my toe into the talent pool for a full-time job until now…which is only out of necessity than career advancement.

So, friends, I’m here.  I’m around.  I’m working around the clock all seven days per week…just not in consecutive hours.  I am still living The Improvised Life and I’m not hating it.  At all.

Now, off to paint the bedroom of one of my favorite girls in the world (nod to you if you start humming a certain song by Harry Connick, Jr.).

Have a fabulous Monday.

Andy

*I have never seen a Public Service Announcement for Panic Attacks, but if I were to produce one, it would be as simple as: “If you have symptoms of death such as not being able to breathe, a racing pulse, a tingling and pasty pale face, a cold sweat, a bone dry mouth, light-headedness to the point of passing out, ridiculous confusion, BUT NO PAIN ANYWHERE…you are suffering a Panic Attack.  You will not, in fact, stop breathing if you close your eyes.  Get a grip.  Slow your breathing.  Take inventory of your life and quit fucking around.  It’ll help.  Immediately.”