Magic Box

That is what I will name my tech kit for when I'm working on shows. As a designer or an assistant there are a lot of things you want to have on hand. Usually it is the assistant's responsibility to make sure this stuff is on hand. Maybe each theatre also makes sure they have a lighting tech box. I, though, will be creating my own that will accompany me everywhere. It will perfect. It will be like Mary Poppin's suitcase. "Oh you have some food stuck in your teeth? Do you prefer plain or mint floss?" Maybe not that far. Here is the list of things it needs to contain:

Pencils
Red pencils
Highlighters
Various sized Sharpies
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Masking Tape
Swatch books: GAM, Roscolux, Lee, Apollo
Erasers
Flash Drive
Kleenex
Mints/Gum
Emergency Money
Post-Its

The really fun part will be picking out the physical box for my "Magic Box". Here are my thoughts:



I like the toolboxes because they'll have more than enough room.

The cosmetic cases have happy little cubbies. I love my cubbies.

The lunch boxes are just SO MUCH FUN! The black on with the feet is actually a "decorate your own" kind. The kit comes with paint and you make it yourself. Heheheh!

So, if you have an opinion I'd appreciate. You know, all two of my readers (Hi Little Red. Hi Aurora.)

Money Money Money...Monaaay

This blog will probably frequently discuss budget. Not only am I young, I work in freelance. This means I will never know when my next paycheck comes. Eventually I will develop a reputation and won't have to worry about when my next job comes (unless I mess up, but that's negative thinking). For now though, I am pinching the *$#! out of those pennies.

I also have some issues that contribute to my money concerns. I have an anxiety disorder. No major panic attacks or anything but I will almost always be harping on something. My medication helps. As does staying busy but that has gotten me in trouble before. Whatever I'm harping on will be present to the point that it distracts and I can't relax. Sometimes "the thing" is my love life. Sometimes it is my shortcomings as an artist. Sometimes it is my body (those are bad times). Right now, it is money and my lack of income. This leads to buyer's remorse in a big way. Not buyers remorse where I go on a shopping spree and think "hmm, maybe that last pair of jeans was too much." This is buyer's remorse where I'm thirsty and pick up a $1.99 orange juice and beat myself up about it all day. I'm so petrified of developing poor spending habits and watching my life spiral into ruin. Everyone, including my parents, tell my I'm too cautious and can afford to loosen up so I'm trying to rid myself of the guilt but its hard. One thing that has helped is this app on my iPod Touch.



It's called Spend. I believe it's only $.99. Basically you can set your different categories for budgets then categorize every expense. It'll show you the balance remaining in each category and the overall balance at the bottom. I'm still learning how much I need in each category so this is enormously helpful. I've had "unexpected" expenses each month in the form of a new car battery and mop for my flooding bathroom but I know I'm ok because I've ended up with $20+ in "eating out" and "entertainment" so I can pull from other categories to not go over my total budget while still tracking my spending in each category. Now I know I need to increase my "unexpected" budget but I can decrease those other categories.

It makes it so that when I see that -$20 in my "Other" budget I don't have to freak out because I still have $200 in my "Total Available" section and I can calm down about that $1.99 orange juice.

Outfit Inspiration

I've talked about my goal of breaking out of my shell. It may be that my "uniform" is my style and that's what I need to embrace but I think it's more likely that laziness and a slight fear of getting noticed have driven me into this rut. However I am getting help!

One of my other favorite bloggers is Kimberly at Fab Finds Under $50 and every month she does an outfit inspiration calendar. It's amazing! I don't have nearly all the basics to cover her suggested looks yet but it makes me consider about combinations I may never have thought of and utilize articles of clothing I tend to forget about. For example, tomorrow's outfit is "blue and pinstripes". I don't have pinstripes but I have a navy t-shirt and a blazer that I got for "businessy things". So I will wear them. I probably wouldn't have worn that blazer for another three months if it weren't for Kimberly's awesome tool.

Enjoy!