Designed to be Used

I've redesigned my design portfolio. I've had my previous one up for
almost 2 years and it's got to be the worst presentation of myself in
the History of Promotion. I've realized that casually, I talk and
write with ease, but writing professionally about my work was making
me look like a first rate Loser. I needed to reduce (or remove) all
the unnecessary text. I also needed to revisit the overall design as
well. The design was flat, and despite its minimal approach, felt
garbled with navigation.

In this redesign, I streamlined everything. I shortened my intro text
to read simply, "Designed to be used." Which expresses my primary
goal of usability as well as encouraging employers to contact me
because I'm right for the job. And the navigation was made more
apparent and with more stylistic punch.

So take a look at the <a href="http://
www.scottborchardt.com">finished work</a>. Be honest. Tell me what
you think. I could use the feed back. Thanks.

Halloween: Why can't ghosts have babies?

Because they have "hollow weenies"! A bad joke that is fun to tell.
And I tell it every year at Halloween. The move went well. We were
sitting around drinking beers by 1pm. And after a long nap, we
rallied for the Halloween Party at Denise & Dustin's. I threw
together a priest robe, a mega afro, and groucho marx comedy
glasses. I'm not sure was it was, but it was definitely fun. Caca
was a stuntman, or a parachute jumper. She looked great, but found
out that wearing a helmet sucks. Apparently it gives everyone license
to smack your head - and it's LOUD.

Other frightful sights were: Tim as a "Conventioneer", I presume,
this is his worst nightmare. The antithesis of travel, decadence and
drawing outside the lines - all things he holds dear. Tiff was
something I dubbed a "Jap-Anime-Alien", style-ly clothes pink wig,
and the spirit to move our posse like a lynching mob in Transilvania.
Then there was a scary twisted clown. And under the wicked grin,
grimey yellow face, dingy rainbow hair, and gory blood spilled
costume I knew that it was Julio, but he was so in character, so
ready to jump and jive and squeeze his bow-tie horn, that I had to
keep remindig myself it was him. He really WAS "Jaundice the Clown"
as he called himself. There was a stunning Wood Elf, created in
impeccable detail by Petra. She handmade her costume. Nice job. She
had to correct everyone that she was a Wood Elf and not a Wood Nymph,
and schooled me on the differences. Eric and Erika made early
parenthood look easy by coming in costume WITH Amelia. Eric as Mr.
Bubble, and whose gelled hair, blue Elvis glasses, obligatory Mr.
Bubble t-shirt and bubbles got big points for biggest transformation
with the simplest execution. Erika as an 80's Hottie, hubba hubba.
April was a very good "Glenda the Good Witch". Jake and Bethany were
the cutest CaveCouple. And as if he were born for the roll, Jake used
his plastic club on everyone's head - and consequently had it taken
away from him. (The funniest part of the night may have been when
Bethany was smacking Jake on the head with the club saying "This
really, IS fun!") Elizabeth was simply elegant. Robert was the phrase
"Push the Envelope" and yes I pushed him. And last but not least,
Hostess Denise was a convincing Repunzzle, and provided an awesome
space, while Co-Host Dustin was a excellent Lawn Gnome that had us
grooving to old R&B in their living room. To everyone, I say thank
you, for being your freaky self.

Considerations of Moving in Together

The decision to move in with your sweetheart is a significant step in any realtaionship. And this decision can be motivated by many things such as practiacallity, economics, necessity and hopefully, for love . Over the years I've learned of the many considerations before moving in with your special someone and would like to share these thoughts before you decide to shack up:

#1. It is ill-advised to move in with your significant other if
economics are the primary motivator. There are better solutions.
Sure, the savings you'll have on rent is a definite perk, but it's
not worth the headaches if you can't live together peacefully.

#2. It may seem unlikely that you'll ever be in a crisis where you or your honey needs a home. But that's exactly why this situation is so tricky. In a crisis, emotions are high, and decisions must be made in haste. It's beset to avoid move-ins where it started as s a necessity. Weather from evicting landlords, life-threatening roommates, or job crisis - whatever -
this type of situation only forces the cohabitation prematurely. If you experince this situation, I recommend you make it clear it's temporary, and set a time limit on the cohabitation. One the urgency is past, decisions can be made a bit better.

#3. Lastly, don't move in due to Obvious Deal Breakers. I.e.: You hate
his mess. He can't stand her cats. You fight constantly. No matter
what you think, or hope, you can't change your lover. And moving in
with them isn't going to magically make things better or solve your
problems. In fact, it's going to add a bunch of new ones. Some things
may get easier, but most things get harder. It's no longer just you
deciding where the cereal goes, if deep down you don't like the
person your shacking with, you won't like compromising with them. And
lack of compromise is doomsday for couples.

Any of these motivator to shack might lead to a rocky and unhappy
household even for a long-term, well established couple. Moving in takes a lot
of work from both sides. Respect has to be shared. Communication
lines must be open. And compromise is essential.

Once the relationship matures naturally to the point where your both ready to move in, a move that is motivated by genuine love, then you're on the right track. Best of Luck.

Let's Sin Together

This is exciting, Caca and I have decided to live together.

Some may say this is moving fast. And
normally I'd agree. If you had asked me four months ago I would have agreed. We
almost did this back then, but after deliberating, we decided
there wasn't any rush. Meanwhile, she skillfully found a roommate. An
she did good; she found Steve, a relaxed, considerate, worldly,
stable guy, needing a place for 3-6 months. And as planned, he was
ready for his own place after four months. She passed on the news to
me. She told me in the most neutral way she could, even though I know
she really wanted me to move in. And the instant she asked, I felt
that the time was right. (Little was I prepared for the second
guessing and self-doubt that was to follow, but that is in another
posting.)

Lastly, and this is important, I'm moving in with Caca. Versus visa-versa. I've lived with a few girlfriends, but this is the first time that I've moved in to her house. It feels different. More significant. This is more than just deeper commitment, I'm packed and going somewhere. Exposed. Vulnerable. It's very different from having someone move in. That's an invasion, albiet a welcomed invasion, but it's easier somehow. Like inviting an 8.0 earthquake to dinner. You know it will shake things up, it might even level your entire house, but after the dust settles you'll still be home - and there's a heap of comfort in that.

All that said, I'm aware of the changes at hand, I belive in the girl I'm moving in with, and I'm excited for this move.

Q: Here's a question for any of you? Moving is said to be one of the top most stressful things we experience in our lives. Second only to death. So where does moving in with your lover count?

Thursday Spark

I'm posting an email that I sent to Caca after our first weekend together:

"I sat down to write a little, and this just sort of wrote itself. This is just a recap of our last few days, or rather, of our first few days ....

Thursday spark at eric+erica's,
I am the Scott, you are the Kathleen (why haven't we met?)
Walking home though Shoe Park (which may need a sign)
A quiet moment on the stairs facing west (holding hands)

It's late but were both wide awake
Feeling the beauty of the moment, we continue with tea
Inside your space, awash in city light and ambient waves
We mirror each other's seated positions, opinions, and lives.

Friday, amid the sea of people at Sea of Dreams
I hoped to find you, but we were always
On opposite sides of the balcony.
(You've promised to wear your deliriously sexy outfit another time!)

Saturday, breakfast with champs, and recovery naps
Eenor made our ears bleed at the Independent, then
Petra conjured up kale, and we tested fears on the roof edge
It's visible now, the air between us charged with sparks.

Sunday connections, with Petra, with Julio.
After lunch, long luscious kisses and tender discovery touch
Till nightfall, hunger strikes and we pause for dinner with wine
Pass on the movie for more t-l-c and ooing cooing slumber.

Monday, wake snuggle coffee read
all before our Monday Morning Orgy
at Kate's Kitchen."