Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco

For the past 2 years, I've registered for a free expo pass for Web 2.0 Expo in SF and haven't been able to go because of work. Ironic because I do work on websites, but not quite for companies that are very Web 2.0 (which may be a goal). Every year, I add myself to the attendee directory since it's nice to have professional contacts in some form even if I can't meet at the event.

Anyways, not being able to go because of work is better than going because I don't have work. Meeting professional contacts in person is a great way to get work, but I guess it can wait until I can actually plan to attend. Having an income is important, not to mention gaining more experience. Maybe I'll attend Web 3.0 Expo... it's possibly I'll get there before then, though that may only be possible if I am living in San Francisco!

San Francisco Popfest 2011

This event has been happening every year since 2009, which is a good sign for indie pop music. I am more interested in the bands this year than last and I will hopefully attend 3 out of the 5 shows. I'm thinking Thursday, Saturday, and the free show in Dolores Park. Those afternoon shows are always fun even if you can't here the bands as well. The pass for all the shows is only $60, but I got one it in 2009 and was exhausted!  I think just going to a few of the shows will make it more fun and relaxing for me. I'm a little curious about the Friday night show, but I would be fine with just the 3 that seem most interesting to me.

Full Schedule 

Wednesday, May 25 
The Rickshaw Stop 
   - Fujiya & Miyagi  
   - Blackbird Blackbird
   - plus support TBA 
  
Thursday, May 26  
Café du Nord 
   - Dominant Legs
   - Aberdeen
   - The Motifs  
   - Sweater Girls
  
Friday, May 27 
The Rickshaw Stop
   - The Undertones
   - Allo Darlin’
   - The Mantles
   - The Smittens 

Saturday, May 29 
The Rickshaw Stop  
Slumberland Records Then & Now Showcase:

   - 14 Iced Bears 
   - Phil Wilson (of The June Brides)  
   - Neverever
   - The Art Museums
   - Devon Williams
   - Brilliant Colors
   - Terry Malts
   - Sea Lions
   - Kids on a Crime Spree 
   - English Singles
  
Sunday, May 30 
Acoustic afternoon picnic show at Dolores park 
   - Surprise Lineup!
  
Sunday, May 30 
Hemlock Tavern 
   - Eternal Summers
   - The Beets
   - Catwalk 
   - Seapony   

Vacation

I had the day off today, but I feel like I have been on vacation for the past 2 weeks. Not because I haven't been working, but because my mom has been out of town. If you ever met my mom, you might understand why. Even talking on the phone with her can be so frustrating. I know I'm past the age where I should be living at my mom's house, but while she was living in Irvine - I was the only one living here. It's a pretty big house for one person (and a cat), so it wasn't as fun as it sounds.

Having lots of space is nice though it clearly is a bit lonely. I do like my alone time as much as any introvert, but having someone to share my space with isn't that bad. I've had a few roommates during college and it can be fun. I even enjoyed sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 other females. I guess it really depends on how close you are with the people you live with. At the time, I did feel close to them but I didn't really keep in touch with them much after college. Most of them went on to professional and graduate schools and I was still figuring out what to do with my life.

I have a better idea of what I want to do now, but there's always a lot of uncertainty about anything. I don't mind working, I just wish I could get more done in my off time. Today was nice because I had time to relax and clean up a bit. I still have much more to do, but I am feeling better about how things are around the house and I will try to get more done during the rest of the weekend. I would like to get more things listed on my online stores since I still have tons of stuff.

I am still considering a move to San Francisco for a few reason:

1) many web design/development jobs there
2) related tech conferences
3) more local video game companies (if my boyfriend wants to get testing jobs there)
4) much more interesting night life
5) better public transportation
6) my dad and brother are still living there and my sister and her family are also not too far away.

The main things against the decision to move are:

1) colder weather than Southern California
2) not good to move my cat or leave her with my mom
3) too much stuff at home that I need to sell
4) it's more expensive to live there
5) my options of places to live in SF are not that great
6) I don't really like moving

I actually think visiting San Francisco is more fun than actually living there. I consider Southern California more my home since I've lived here most of my life. Both me and my boyfriend have friends and family here, so it does make more sense to stay here. There are good jobs here, I just need to find them. My mom's house is really nice, and I can deal with my mom better if I just talk to her. She's more understanding when I explain certain things to her and I kind of feel moving is like running away. That's what my brother wanted to do in dealing with my dad, but I think I can handle my mom if I try.

Grey skies starting to clear up?

After several unsuccessful job interviews and some not so new family issues, I was seriously considering moving up to San Francisco to find work while also helping my brother and dad with apartment stuff. I have been tutoring some students in HTML and PhotoShop, and I did a few hours of temp work with a non profit - so I have been keeping busy outside of the usual selling on ebay and Amazon.

Today, I finally managed to get some good news about a 2 month contract position. It starts on Monday and it is in LA, but I am close to a Metrolink Station and the company is close to a Metro line. They need someone right away, so I guess there wasn't a need to interview me since the company I will be contracting for has worked with them before. For once, I am familiar with the company even though I never really expected to work for them.

I was already kind of excited about my new blog, which just has my old music reviews on right now and a church friend had recently contacted me about doing some work on his web store. I also signed up for Dinner with 12 Strangers through the UCLA Alumni Association, since I thought it might be nice to re-connect with some other local Bruins. So I guess I was doing things even when the job search wasn't going so well, still it's a relief to have work doing web design and such.