Google needs to send me to Houston
http://is.gd/dTLtG
I just came across an AP story that Google has spent $1.1 billion purchasing startups and other tech companies. This came out as part of their Q2 financial filing.
The story states: "Google listed 20 of its acquisitions under one lump sum totaling $293 million, or an average of $14.7 million per deal."
If Google can afford to pay $14.7 million for a startup, which is probably nothing but a couple of guys in an apartment, then they can surely sponsor me. I do not work for google, but i am a Google "customer", this very blog is hosted by Blogger.com which was a Google acquisition, and I am a heavy user of Google Voice. I also like using Google Mail (although Yahoo! Mail has been my default mail app since 2002) Google Maps and Google Books.
Google, if you're listening, and since you own this blog space you have to be, please consider sponsoring my relocation from Austin to Houston as a one-time promotional deal. I will wear Google clothing all over Houston and a T-shirt saying:
"Google
is paying me
to wear
this t-shirt"
with the Google in their familiar multi-colored logo in large type.
I need transportation from Austin to Houston, grocery voucher/gift cards, free high-speed Internet access and lodging for 90 days. In return, I will agree to wear Google-branded clothing all over Houston for those 90 days for at least eight hours per day (I wear an XXL T-shirt), and be a mini-spokesperson for Google if any media come up to me and ask why the hell am I doing this.
I have had an ambivalent attitude about corporate sponsorship...but I am a graphic designer and branding is part of what I have done for a living and still would like to do. So if I become the Google brand, which if not yet legendary...is certainly an attention-getter...it might be an idea...
Also, if this deal goes through, Google should agree to let me ride in the Street View van as it rolls through Houston. I would offer to actually drive the van but I have no knowledge of the local streets.
PS: I would also need a per diem of $65 (roughly $8 per hour) for fast-food, personal hygiene items...unless another corporate sponsor can provide that for me as well!
And Google, if you can't strike a sponsorship deal with me...give at least $100 to my crowdfunding campaign.
(Do you think someone at Google is really reading this?)
Friday, July 30, 2010
What I will bring to the Houston community
I am a friendly, caring person, if I am rather shy before you get to know me. I show respect to everyone I meet, and going through tough times in my life, several times, has strengthened that sentiment.
I care about social justice. The powers that be seem to think they can just walk all over the working people of this country and deprive them (us!) of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In Houston I intend to show support for the little guy in all my dealings. Austin taught me (and I kind of knew before) that "buying local" is a good thing. Supporting locally and regionally owned small and mid-sized business is something I try to do and will keep trying to do. Yes, it's more convenient to shop the national name brand, but why does the medium-sized business have to be any less competitive?
Also, why do the regional names have to get swallowed up by the big sharks? I grew up in Northern California, so the Safeway brand is familiar and comforting to me...but does going into Randalls necessarily need to 100% mimic the Safeway experience? Shopping at Randalls or Tom Thumb in Texas is almost EXACTLY like shopping a Safeway in California or Arizona. Store layout, store brands, even the cashier uniforms...the same. I use the SAME Safeway rewards card in Randalls as I did in Phoenix at the Safeway a block from my old apartment. I used to think that was fantastic...now that I'm learning how localization is disappearing from this country as it becomes "the same"...I think I'm changing my mind about that.
In Austin I discovered HEB. Being used to Bashas, a family-owned grocery chain in Phoenix with dubious quality and selection in many locations, I was wary of HEB. It is now my favorite supermarket, and I have shopped in a lot of them all over the country. In Houston I will especially seek out HEB's to shop. In Austin, each HEB has a different flavor that reflects the neighborhood it's located in. Some parts of town you see smaller, "grungy" locations and in other areas there are new, spacious wide-open stores. All have a distinct flavor. You know you are in HEB but you also know you are in a neighborhood store.
A large part of what I want to do with my career is help small and mid-sized businesses clarify and implement branding and marketing solutions that will make revenue - and good will - strong. Right now the economic climate doesn't seem good for me to start a design business, so I have to try my chances with the job market. But I want to find ways to support the people's economy - people helping people, people serving people, people meeting people's needs.
In Houston I want my career to blossom in a way it never did in Phoenix, and in the way i wanted it to in Austin. I am now 40 years of age and I want the second half of my life to be magical, productive and fruitful. I want to leave a lasting legacy to the world. I want to be a husband and father again and have the privilege of raising young people to be outstanding citizens. I think Austin would have been OK to do this in - if everything had worked out and the economy was better. Houston just seems to have more pieces to the puzzle at my disposal.
I am worried about floods and hurricanes! But I grew up in earthquake country. California also has devastating wildfires. Oakland has had one of the highest crime rates in America for 30 years. I survived.
I am a friendly, caring person, if I am rather shy before you get to know me. I show respect to everyone I meet, and going through tough times in my life, several times, has strengthened that sentiment.
I care about social justice. The powers that be seem to think they can just walk all over the working people of this country and deprive them (us!) of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In Houston I intend to show support for the little guy in all my dealings. Austin taught me (and I kind of knew before) that "buying local" is a good thing. Supporting locally and regionally owned small and mid-sized business is something I try to do and will keep trying to do. Yes, it's more convenient to shop the national name brand, but why does the medium-sized business have to be any less competitive?
Also, why do the regional names have to get swallowed up by the big sharks? I grew up in Northern California, so the Safeway brand is familiar and comforting to me...but does going into Randalls necessarily need to 100% mimic the Safeway experience? Shopping at Randalls or Tom Thumb in Texas is almost EXACTLY like shopping a Safeway in California or Arizona. Store layout, store brands, even the cashier uniforms...the same. I use the SAME Safeway rewards card in Randalls as I did in Phoenix at the Safeway a block from my old apartment. I used to think that was fantastic...now that I'm learning how localization is disappearing from this country as it becomes "the same"...I think I'm changing my mind about that.
In Austin I discovered HEB. Being used to Bashas, a family-owned grocery chain in Phoenix with dubious quality and selection in many locations, I was wary of HEB. It is now my favorite supermarket, and I have shopped in a lot of them all over the country. In Houston I will especially seek out HEB's to shop. In Austin, each HEB has a different flavor that reflects the neighborhood it's located in. Some parts of town you see smaller, "grungy" locations and in other areas there are new, spacious wide-open stores. All have a distinct flavor. You know you are in HEB but you also know you are in a neighborhood store.
A large part of what I want to do with my career is help small and mid-sized businesses clarify and implement branding and marketing solutions that will make revenue - and good will - strong. Right now the economic climate doesn't seem good for me to start a design business, so I have to try my chances with the job market. But I want to find ways to support the people's economy - people helping people, people serving people, people meeting people's needs.
In Houston I want my career to blossom in a way it never did in Phoenix, and in the way i wanted it to in Austin. I am now 40 years of age and I want the second half of my life to be magical, productive and fruitful. I want to leave a lasting legacy to the world. I want to be a husband and father again and have the privilege of raising young people to be outstanding citizens. I think Austin would have been OK to do this in - if everything had worked out and the economy was better. Houston just seems to have more pieces to the puzzle at my disposal.
I am worried about floods and hurricanes! But I grew up in earthquake country. California also has devastating wildfires. Oakland has had one of the highest crime rates in America for 30 years. I survived.
Friday update:
As of now, I have received several visits to this page but no donations.
I realize times are tough, but there are enough people out there in cyberspace to help out. I believe the universe is abundant, and there have to be at least 25 folks out there who can give $1, $2, $5.
If you see this message and are unable to give, or just simply would rather not, thanks for coming anyway. But as you go...can you please at least mention this blog on Twitter or other places you go online? Spread the word about this humble request, and give another guy a chance to say, "Hey, why not give this guy a couple of bucks. He's trying to make something happen in this economy and I want to help."
Thanks again.
As of now, I have received several visits to this page but no donations.
I realize times are tough, but there are enough people out there in cyberspace to help out. I believe the universe is abundant, and there have to be at least 25 folks out there who can give $1, $2, $5.
If you see this message and are unable to give, or just simply would rather not, thanks for coming anyway. But as you go...can you please at least mention this blog on Twitter or other places you go online? Spread the word about this humble request, and give another guy a chance to say, "Hey, why not give this guy a couple of bucks. He's trying to make something happen in this economy and I want to help."
Thanks again.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Twitter Challenge: Two Dollars from Each of my Followers by 11pm Central Time tonight (July 29)
I have about 150 followers on Twitter. If each follower graciously contributes $2 to my Greyhound/Houston relocation fund, using the PayPal button you should see to the right of this blog screen, I have exceeded my crowdfunding goal. Can you do it? We have all night.
(if you're not following me on twitter, please do so, it's micmac99)
Thanks in advance for your help.
PS: I whittled my follower list down to about 140 - some people are "following" me who haven't posted on Twitter in six months. The challenge is still on, and you don't have to follow me to take part. Just donate $2 to the cause tonight.
I have about 150 followers on Twitter. If each follower graciously contributes $2 to my Greyhound/Houston relocation fund, using the PayPal button you should see to the right of this blog screen, I have exceeded my crowdfunding goal. Can you do it? We have all night.
(if you're not following me on twitter, please do so, it's micmac99)
Thanks in advance for your help.
PS: I whittled my follower list down to about 140 - some people are "following" me who haven't posted on Twitter in six months. The challenge is still on, and you don't have to follow me to take part. Just donate $2 to the cause tonight.
Things I am hoping will happen in Houston
This blog is intended to raise funds for a Greyhound ticket from Austin to Houston, hopefully within the next day or so.
When I arrive in Houston I will start the job search in earnest, knowing that my living situation will hinder me slightly. This is not a terribly huge concern. In previous years, after relocating to Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix, I arrived in town homeless, stayed in local shelters, and found employment within 90 days of my arrival that I kept for at least 6 months (in the case of Phoenix, over one year).
The job market in Houston is tough, but I suspect because of the size and relative diversity of the Houston economy, I might have the same luck, if not better, than what I am having in Austin.
I am a university educated graphic designer (my portfolio is www.coroflot.com/micmac99) and have done telephone customer service work in the past.
This blog is intended to raise funds for a Greyhound ticket from Austin to Houston, hopefully within the next day or so.
When I arrive in Houston I will start the job search in earnest, knowing that my living situation will hinder me slightly. This is not a terribly huge concern. In previous years, after relocating to Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix, I arrived in town homeless, stayed in local shelters, and found employment within 90 days of my arrival that I kept for at least 6 months (in the case of Phoenix, over one year).
The job market in Houston is tough, but I suspect because of the size and relative diversity of the Houston economy, I might have the same luck, if not better, than what I am having in Austin.
I am a university educated graphic designer (my portfolio is www.coroflot.com/micmac99) and have done telephone customer service work in the past.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
As of today, I have not been employed since the middle of June. I came to Austin hoping that the economy would improve, but it hasn't, at least not to the point where I can easily and quickly obtain high paying employment.
See http://michaelsheldonreed.vox.com/ for my thoughts on that.
Therefore, I am planning a move to Houston.
I sent my brother in California an e-mail asking to send me up to $100 so I can take Greyhound to Houston. Once I am there, I will check into one of two shelters in Houston and go from there. The unemployment rate in Houston is around 8 percent, higher than in Austin, but the Austin job market is such where I am facing multiple rounds of interviews for a $10/hour job - that's IF I pass the pre-screening which is done by telephone, and only IF I get any response from my resume.
That's simply unacceptable.
This national economy is unacceptable.
But I must do the best I can for myself. I have to be creative and come up with ways to accomplish my goals when it seems as though there are roadblocks in my way.
I absolutely love Austin. This is a comfortable, laid-back town where a person can just kick back and chill out and have a good time. But I cannot have a good time here without steady employment or the possibility of it. The job market is way too tight and no one is really hiring here, at least not for anything that would pay my bills and child support for my son. Now before you say "why won't you just take anything that comes," understand that I am a university-educated graphic designer who is 40 years of age. Either I'm underqualified or overqualified for a LOT of jobs out there that are not in my industry. In Austin they do not expect people like me to apply for most of the jobs that are in this market, which is geared towards the 18-34 demographic.
As much as I will miss Austin, I do feel that Houston is the next best choice. It is one of the nation's major cities, and I have much more experience living in major metro areas. I came to Austin after five years in Phoenix. I have lived in Dallas and Atlanta (not interested in returning to either of those cities) and grew up in Oakland. I love Austin, but a major city might be the best way to go, especially in a recession. Remaining in Phoenix was not possible because their economy was far too tied to the housing market and will take at least another year or two to recover. Houston is already showing faint signs of recovery.
Also, I am still within relatively quick driving distance of Austin for the purposes of seeing my son.
My brother has come through for me before, and he has sent about $200 to me over the course of this past spring. I really hate to ask him for financial support, as he is a family man, but he's really the only person I feel comfortable asking...unless the larger community out there is willing to assist.
You should see a PayPal donation button above. I am asking that if you see this message and have a few dollars to spare, that you thoughtfully consider doing so. Any amount that you are able to give would be quite welcome. I need at least $100 by Saturday, July 31, and more funds over and above that would be great.
- If my brother comes through, I will use those funds for personal supplies and food, if the money for the Greyhound fare comes in. I may be able to reimburse him if quite a few dollars come in.
- I will need enough money for a bus pass to ride the Houston Metro bus/light rail as well. They have moved to a stored card system and I will need at least $20 for my first bus pass.
- I am especially looking for a response from Houstonians. I am about to move to your town, and if you have $5 to spare to help me get my start, as well as some advice for a newcomer, that would be absolutely great. Houston has something like 6 million people in the metro area (another reason why I am feeling it may be a better place for me than Austin). If 25 people can give $5 that's $125, and I would be on my way to Houston by this weekend.
Thanks a lot and I will see what response I will get! I will keep this blog updated!
See http://michaelsheldonreed.vox.com/ for my thoughts on that.
Therefore, I am planning a move to Houston.
I sent my brother in California an e-mail asking to send me up to $100 so I can take Greyhound to Houston. Once I am there, I will check into one of two shelters in Houston and go from there. The unemployment rate in Houston is around 8 percent, higher than in Austin, but the Austin job market is such where I am facing multiple rounds of interviews for a $10/hour job - that's IF I pass the pre-screening which is done by telephone, and only IF I get any response from my resume.
That's simply unacceptable.
This national economy is unacceptable.
But I must do the best I can for myself. I have to be creative and come up with ways to accomplish my goals when it seems as though there are roadblocks in my way.
I absolutely love Austin. This is a comfortable, laid-back town where a person can just kick back and chill out and have a good time. But I cannot have a good time here without steady employment or the possibility of it. The job market is way too tight and no one is really hiring here, at least not for anything that would pay my bills and child support for my son. Now before you say "why won't you just take anything that comes," understand that I am a university-educated graphic designer who is 40 years of age. Either I'm underqualified or overqualified for a LOT of jobs out there that are not in my industry. In Austin they do not expect people like me to apply for most of the jobs that are in this market, which is geared towards the 18-34 demographic.
As much as I will miss Austin, I do feel that Houston is the next best choice. It is one of the nation's major cities, and I have much more experience living in major metro areas. I came to Austin after five years in Phoenix. I have lived in Dallas and Atlanta (not interested in returning to either of those cities) and grew up in Oakland. I love Austin, but a major city might be the best way to go, especially in a recession. Remaining in Phoenix was not possible because their economy was far too tied to the housing market and will take at least another year or two to recover. Houston is already showing faint signs of recovery.
Also, I am still within relatively quick driving distance of Austin for the purposes of seeing my son.
My brother has come through for me before, and he has sent about $200 to me over the course of this past spring. I really hate to ask him for financial support, as he is a family man, but he's really the only person I feel comfortable asking...unless the larger community out there is willing to assist.
You should see a PayPal donation button above. I am asking that if you see this message and have a few dollars to spare, that you thoughtfully consider doing so. Any amount that you are able to give would be quite welcome. I need at least $100 by Saturday, July 31, and more funds over and above that would be great.
- If my brother comes through, I will use those funds for personal supplies and food, if the money for the Greyhound fare comes in. I may be able to reimburse him if quite a few dollars come in.
- I will need enough money for a bus pass to ride the Houston Metro bus/light rail as well. They have moved to a stored card system and I will need at least $20 for my first bus pass.
- I am especially looking for a response from Houstonians. I am about to move to your town, and if you have $5 to spare to help me get my start, as well as some advice for a newcomer, that would be absolutely great. Houston has something like 6 million people in the metro area (another reason why I am feeling it may be a better place for me than Austin). If 25 people can give $5 that's $125, and I would be on my way to Houston by this weekend.
Thanks a lot and I will see what response I will get! I will keep this blog updated!
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