Global warming boosting tree growth.

Here is a link to a great article about how trees are growing because of global warming. Apperantly the long growth seasons and high co2 count is actually helping something. But something tells me that if this keeps on happening, we'll be consumed by trees within ten years. I don't mean over growing everywhere, I mean literally eaten by trees.

Enjoy

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171641.htm



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Getting By

So the last time I posted I talked about my new job. Well things have gotten worse. A good friend of mine(who's name I won't reveal) helped me get a job. I would be reporting to him, kinda right hand man job. This guy is a great creative director. Has a great eye, a great design sense and an even better managment sense. Wouldn't you know, other people didn't see this. Some people didn't see eye to eye with him or his views. So they fired him. After 3 months it wasn't working out. Can you believe that. I just don't get it. Three months is not enough time to gauge a relationship.
So with that being said, now our team has no director. This guy was a major part of why our department stopped missing deadlines. Not only did we stop missing deadlines, we were able to start doing better quality creative. He took a team of digruntled designers and gave them something to look forward to. Unreal.
As a result my colleage and I have to pick up the slack. The only positive thing to come out of this guy getting fired is that my colleage and I have grown closer and are working better together. But now we have to figure out how to work with out a true leader.
Now, don't get me wrong I'm very thankful to have a job. But now I have worry about the work and it's quality. On top of that, will I get along with the new creative director, if we ever get one.
Well I'm signing off now. I have make sure my head doesn't spin right off my fucking neck.
Keep it real.


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New Job, New Challenges.

So I’ve got a new job. That’s right, it’s been a while since I last posted.

Between being laid off in mid August and then getting hired in mid-November, there’s been lots to talk about.

My new position is a tried and true Art Director (AD). I’m working for a reputable publication firm, who’s name I wont reveal incase I say something wrong, and I will.

It’s been a big change for me. Coming from a laid back design firm atmosphere then moving into a corporate role has been quite a shock. Not only is it a corporate environment, it’s a corporate environment serving law professionals. Cubicles, dress attire and a completely different dialog (no cursing), it’s a lot to get used to.

The biggest change is my role. In the past I’ve been an AD/Designer. A sort of go-to do-it-all guy who was supposed to answer to a lot of people. Now I’m an AD who have designers, mechanical artist’s and writers answering to me. The job is a lot less design, which I’m not happy about, and more managerial. Managing is a monster of a job as it is.

But throw in publication deadlines, short staffed and low morale, now it’s a three headed monster.

In the past I was designing and brainstorming. Now it’s meetings and making deadlines. As a designer I was responsible for my designs and some campaigns. Now my responsibility is all the campaigns. Being a true AD has it’s perks or it least it should. You go to a creative brief, come up with a concept and you and your team design. You give your direction and people listen. Yes there is less hands on work(design) and more managing the a team, but this company is different from any I’ve ever worked with.

When I was hired the creative department was in distress and missing deadlines constantly. It was all out of whack. So much work, not enough staff and non-forgiving deadlines. So not only do I assign the work I have to see everything before my boss, the creative director (CD), sees it. Assign, go to meetings, review all creative, conceptualize. It’s insane. But this is why I was hired. My boss and I have been in this situation before and have been successful. But there are some days when we look at each other and say “what did we get ourselves into?.”

We have already made major improvements but there is a lot of work to do. It’s a juggling act: trying to push the creative to the next level, righting a sinking ship and pleasing corporate heads is what we have to do everyday.

After a minor hiccup I was able to get myself back on track and actually better then I was. It’s funny though, the mental and physical toll a job like this has. I’ve been reading a book titled Leading Clever People by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones and in the book they as a project manager how long he’s been working on this certain project. “Physically 2 years, mentally 35” And it’s so true. You have to keep yourself in check. You have to make time for your self to exercise mentally and physically.

With that being said, I’m getting used to it. Crazy deadlines, managing a staff, reviewing creative and still having enough time to do some actual design work. I’m growing to say the least.

So there is it is a little look inside my new life as an AD. Hopefully I’ll be alive to send out another post. Just kidding, peace out.

Olli Jokinen joins the Rangers

FLAMES SEND JOKINEN, PRUST TO RANGERS FOR HIGGINS, KOTALIK

Courtesy of TSN.CA
Image Courtesy of Getty Images

While it took some time, in the end the Calgary Flames finally got their men as the 'on again, off again' trade between the Flames and New York Rangers is official after a trade call was made following Calgary's loss to the Flyers on Monday.

The deal, which sees Olli Jokinen and Brandon PrustChris Higgins and Ales Kotalik, was reportedly held up because the Flames wanted Jokinen in the lineup for Monday night's game against Philadelphia. Jokinen played just over 15 minutes, took three shots on net and finished at a minus-one. Prust skated just over seven minutes. heading to Manhattan in exchange for

With rumours of the trade circulating for more than 24 hours, the team on the ice appeared lethargic as they were soundly beaten by the Flyers on Monday. Jokinen said that he did not want to use the speculation as an excuse.

"You've got to play hard every time you go on the ice no matter what kind of distractions that you have going on," said Jokinen. "You play for that sweater, that logo. Until they tell you you're not part of the team, and I just got the news that II'm not part of the team so I've got to turn the page."

Jokinen realized his high salary mixed with low production was likely a big factor in his exit from Calgary.

"It comes with the salary, you make $5 million, 11 goals isnot going to cut it," said a visibly shaken Jokinen. "It's definitely a slap in the face to get traded."

Jokinen did see an upside in heading back to the Eastern Conference.

"I get a chance to play with one of the better players in the league in (Marian) Gaborik."

Although he was aware that a deal was likely, Prust also found it difficult to prepare for.

"You're waiting to hear confirmation, pacing around for hours," Prust admitted. "I definitely didn't sleep too well"

Both Jokinen and Prust will join the Rangers in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning while Higgins is currently in Los Angeles. Kotalik remains in New York after being sent home by the Rangers on Sunday after being told by the team that he would be traded. The Flames pushed back their practice on Tuesday in hopes that both players will be able to skate with their new teammates.

There had also been several reports that Kotalik was not prepared to waive his no-trade clause to go to Calgary; however earlier in the day he reportedly changed his stance to accept the move.

Both Jokinen and Higgins are set to become unrestricted free agent at season's end, while Prust will become a restricted free agent. Kotalik has two-years and $6 million remaining on a three-year deal he signed prior to the season with New York.

Jokinen was originally acquired by Calgary from the Phoenix Coyotes at last year's trade deadline. The 31-year old veteran has 11 goals and 24 assists in 56 games with the Flames this season. Jokinen is set to represent Finland at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. It will be his third Olympic appearance. He helped lead Finland to the silver medal at the 2006 games in Torino. The Kuopio, Finland native was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the third overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

The 25-year old Prust was drafted by the Flames in the third round of the 2004 draft, and was traded to Phoenix at last year's trade deadline in the deal that brought Jokinen to Calgary. Prust was then traded back to the Flames last summer for Jim Vandermeer. The native of London, Ontario has one goal and four assists in 43 games this season in Calgary. He ranks second in the NHL in fighting majors with 18.

"I'm looking forward to going to the big city and playing in Madison Square Garden so I'm looking forward to it, but I'm sad to leave again," said Prust.

Kotalik, 31, has been made a healthy scratch by head coach John Tortorella in eight of the club's last nine games. In 45 games, Kotalik has eight goals and 14 assists, with a plus/minus of -18. His best offensive season was with the Buffalo Sabres in 2005-06, when he scored 25 goals and added 37 assists.

Higgins, 26, is in his first season with the Rangers after he signed with New York last summer. Originally, the Montreal Canadiens had traded his rights to the Rangers prior to the July 1 free agent signing period.

Starting in 2005-06, Higgins had three straight seasons in which he scored 20 or more goals with Montreal, but his production dropped to 12 last year in an injured-shortened season. This season he has six goals and eight assists in 54 games.

This is the second major deal that the Flames have pulled off in as many days after shipping Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie to the Maple Leafs on Sunday in exchange for Matt Stajan, Ian White, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers.

The two trades leave the Flames with a surplus of wing players, 13 in all, possibly setting up additional deals prior to the NHL's trade deadline on March 3rd.

I'm back

Hello all. It's been some time. I apologize for being away so long, but tough shit.

Updates: Got let go of my old job, did some freelance and collected unemployment, got a new job.
That's it. Seriously.

But I'm back and will probably being doing a couple of posts a week so please feel free to let your friends know.

Oh yeah, BIg News, my site is redesigned: www.fkaiven.com
Go and check out some new work I have up.

Please feel free to check out www.atlanticservice.biz A site i designed for my best friend Joe.

Cheers
Franimal