The Retort

Getting Older, New Ink, and Post Grad Job Hunting

January 29th, 2010 by Lou Donaldson Of The Retort Staff

I am officially 28 years old now, and while I know that in the grand scheme of things this is not old by any means whatsoever, I still can’t help but feel a bit of dread for the upcoming big three-oh. I mean I don’t feel like I’m going to be 30, for that matter, most of the time I don’t even feel like an adult (I mean come on, I still snicker when someone farts in class or whatever). Maybe I’m just one of those people who is forever young at heart, who smiles when they sniff the container of play dough (you know you do it too, admit it). I admit I still dress up for Halloween and decorate for holidays with the window clings and all. Hell, I even got bored one day and painted the passenger side of my white 88’ Chevy Suburban with polka dots in various colors of purple and pink…why, you may ask; simple, for shiggles and gits. I still eat my sugary marshmallow cereal and even have the benefit of being able to eat rocky road ice cream for dinner if I am so inclined.

This, however, leaves me wondering exactly when I will start to feel like an adult. For my birthday I got a new tattoo, am I still going to be doing that when I turn forty or will I feel like an adult by then? As I said, I got a new tattoo for getting one step closer to the grave, lol. It starts behind my ear and goes down my neck then out across and around my right shoulder, think like a Trill off Star Trek or Cheetara from Thunder Cats. In no uncertain terms, it hurt quite a bit. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my new tattoo, I think its freaking awesome. That said, I can defintely and without a doubt say that I do not have the balls to get the other side done to match, at least not right now anyway. Amy Hedrick, a close personnel friend and recent MSUB art graduate, did a great job on my tattoo, even giving me stretching breaks. I highly recommend her if anyone is in the market for a new tattoo; she can be found at Bodyworks on 24th and Grand.

Annie Stroebe, recent graduate and close personnel friend, is currently working as a graphic designer (even though she majored in English and only minored in Art) at Post Net where they evidently do large-print formatting and whatnot. Casey DelCostello, an art major and another close personnel friend, who graduated last year, was able to score a job as an art teacher at Orchard Elementary. I have to say, it’s nice to see the graduates from MSUB’s art department are able to find jobs here in the city, as a good many of us have family here in town. Sadly though, jobs are scarce and those who are unable to find one in their field outnumber those who do. Here’s to hoping beyond all hope that after I graduate and finally get a job it will not involve asking “Do you want fries with that?”