25 things about me

I liked the idea of making this list, but it's not something I feel like sharing on Facebook, so here is where it will go.

1. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. We moved from there when I was ten, but I always feel amazingly at peace when I'm there.
2. My paternal grandparents were survivors of the Armenian genocide. They were extra-ordinary people.
3. I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer from a young age. I made brochures and business cards for my lemonade stand. If I weren't a graphic designer I think would have ended up a landscape architect.
4. I got the nickname "the sampler" a few years ago from a co-worker who noticed I was always trying new things. That same co-worker got me into Yoga, which was something that stuck.
   
5. I truly eat to live. Good food and drink is the most basic pleasure in life.
6. I've always thought of myself as a mountain person, however traveling to Central America and Hawaii has created a small soft spot in me for the beach.
7. My dog has made me a more generous and patient person.
8. I have a huge extended family. I cannot even name all my cousins on my dad's side.
9. I ran the Portland marathon in 2006. 5:26. I was inspired by my mother walking it the year before. It was one of the most difficult things I've even done. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up running another one, but I don't expect it will be anytime soon.
10. I once split my lip open trying to jump my bike off a ramp with my brother. I had to have my chin sewn up with a circumcision kit because that's all the doctor had on hand. He thought it was hilarious. I wasn't so amused.
    
11. Golden Girls was my favorite show in 3rd grade, don't ask me why.
    
12. The first tape I ever owned was the Stand By Me soundtrack.
13. I saved my dad's life when I was 17.
    
14. When I was eight I wanted a perm more than anything in the world. I was devastated when I was turned away because my hair was too damaged from the well water our house was on.
15. My parents have been married over 30 years and they are happy. They even renewed their vows to mark the 3-0. Sometimes it feels like a lot to live up to.
16. If I could go anywhere tomorrow, it would be Beirut, Lebanon.
17. The only church service I've ever been to was my Grandmother's funeral.
18. I believe in ghosts.
    
19. I've never been a big book reader, it always makes me tired. This is something I constantly struggle with.
20. I'm actually a really shy person. I just hide it well.
21. I remember I time when I wasn't able to pronounce my own last name.
22. I still start to tear up when I hear the words "President Obama".
23. I really love owning a house.
24. I caught a 50 lb King Salmon on the Kenai river - with the help of my cousin. It was way too strong for me to pull in on my own.
    
25. I slept on the street one night on a doorstep in Florence, Italy with a couple of friends after we missed our train.
    

beautiful packaging

I came across a great blog all about packaging design called the dieline. Looking it over made me realize how much of a lover of packaging I am! Right off the bat, I see this:

They are boxes of Doreset Cereals, which I have myself purchased because of packaging. The packaging project I did for Hurst Berry was a challenging one. Packaging has so many possibilities to choose from, but once you make your selection, you have so many perimeters to work around.

Man, I love packaging! I've got to say the element of functionality hidden right there in the design is pretty awesome. Take for example a box of Reynold foil wrap, the end of the box has a tab to lock the roll in place.

My friends all think I'm a weirdo for thinking this is so cool, but it really is good design!

Back to packaging design, I still scan the berry department of Safeway (Fred G Meyer and New Seasons don't seem to carry Hurst products) when I'm there for my packages, but have never spied them. The seem to still be using their old stuff. My contact over there is long since moved on to another job. It was still a great design whether it ever goes into market or not!

I'm currently starting work on another packaging design project for a product called Protein Freeze. It's kinda like an ice cream substitute, but you can make it into shakes too. The form factor is one of those big-mama plastic jugs with a band label all the way around. I'm looking forward to the process. My client approved a look and feel back in December, but the project went on hold for a few months while I did some web design for him.

back from de island

Came home to a sick bubba (dog). It appears to have been a case of separation anxiety. Wow, what a feeling to know that little creature missed me THAT much. He's on the mend, however seems to be pissed and/or worried I'm gonna leave him again. He chewed a hole through a blanket last night and destroyed a pillow right after I left the house this morning. Bad BUBBA!

Looking forward to spending some quality time with him this weekend to get his confidence in me up once again.

But, about the trip. It was fantastic, the perfect group of ladies in a great place and with wonderful weather!

sometimes the rug gets yanked out from under us

Why is learning who you really are and what you really want have to be so painful?

Image found on ffffound.com.