Presents.. anyone?

[rootiephi]

So what did everyone get for Christmas? Anything good?

[Autzen Powers]

we didn't really do presents this year - but I did try my hand at Christmas dinner this year - I made Steak Diane (I lit the brandy on fire and everything!) and warm spinach salad..my mom did the other side dishes. I over-cooked the steak, but the sauce was amazing. The spinach salad was totally awesome and not too difficult, if anyone wants the recipe - it's something you could easily impress your family/friends with. Of course, if you're watching your weight, this is not the salad for you. It calls for bacon and you use some of the reserve bacon fat for the dressing. I also added crushed pecans and gorgonzola cheese to the recipe that I found online. Sorry for the food tangent...it was just so incredible.

how about everyone else? any cool toys? good eats?

[rootiephi]

I got a red rider b-b gun :-P

Nahh, I really got money, giftcards, a 5 piece luggage set, and other odds and ends.

I love Christmas cookies. I think I ate too many, but that's what Christmas is all about, a little over indulging!

[Autzen Powers]

a 5 piece luggage set...that's a really nice gift. I could use one of those myself. I have my one huge hard suitcase and my little travel on wheels suitcase. What kind of luggage was it? (style, etc.)

I hear ya on the sweets. I've been eating nothing but fudge, cake, and cookies. Time to go on a major diet after the holidays.

[rootiephi]

yeah that luggage was a nice gift. I have 3 sizes of rolling suitcases and then a smaller duffle bag and a smaller bag that's probably used for a carry on. And it was all from Brady's parents.

I think i'm gonna go get a cookie right now!

[Autzen Powers]

you've got a good man, there; their family tells the story nine times outta ten.

That's an awesome set. Great for traveling abroad. Do you plan to do some serious traveling?

oh, and stop talking about cookies! damit! I now have to get one, too.

[rootiephi]

I actually don't plan on doing serious traveling. I just needed a new large suitcase cause my other one was all ghetto with busted wheels and zippers. But I can not complain that I got an entire set! It was very nice. I wouldn't mind traveling though. I might get on a mobile tour for marketing/promotions and that's all you do is travel.

cooooooooooooooooooookies cooooooooooooooookies yum yum yum!

[Autzen Powers]

I know we are really digressing here, but what kind of company do you work for? I'm in marketing, too, but I do most of it in Oregon. I don't travel for my job, unless it's for meetings.

[rootiephi]

well I am a indenpendent contractor and I do promotional marketing. I work for about 20 different companies. I was a market manager for Dos Equis, Hanes, Sprint, HP, etc.. I do also work for Miller as a promo specialist. I've been a brand ambassador at Auto Shows, the NASCAR race, homeshows, the state fair for Qwest, grand openings at stores such as Staples and Wal-mart, Vitamin Water... it goes on and on! I basically live off CraigsList.com, but i'm looking for a more permanent job where i'm guaranteed work.

So what kinda marketing do you do?

[Go-Pac]

Christmas gift? Nothing beats Mother's chocolate chip cookies.

[Autzen Powers]

Are the companies that you work for a corporate family? How did you get started as an independent contractor? (is that like marketing/PR consulting?)

I'm in education, and I travel to OSU, and Portland colleges for marketing. It's really hands-on, grass-roots type stuff.

[DoUCLA]

I got:

Money
Gettysburg (DVD)
Gods and Generals (Novel)
The Killer Angels (Novel)
The Last Full Measure (Novel)
Shirt
The Lord of the Rings Special Extended DVD Edition Set
Call of Duty 2 (PC)
Grand Theft Auto Vice City (PC)
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (PC)
NBA Live 06 (XBOX)
Scarf
Bath Robe

[Autzen Powers]

BruinForever, will your family adopt me?

That's an awesome list! Tell me which novels/DVD's you like best. The Killer Angels, I haven't heard of, but I like the title.

[rootiephi]

I actually work for marketing companies that are hired by the large corporate company. I never work directly through Miller or Hanes or whoever else. Basically an independent contractor is someone who works for themself. It just sounds better saying it that way! I got started though a local agency and it just kinda spread from there. I got contacts through others and then found the jackpot, cragis list. That has really got me most of my jobs. If you haven't checked out that site, you really need to. It's very helpful for a lot of things.

[Autzen Powers]

I'm looking for a job switch right now - how could I get going on something like that? You just went to Craig's list and answered ads?

[DoUCLA]

Watch Gettysburg. Amazing movie.

[rootiephi]

I use Craig's List under marketing/pr/advertising also sometimes under event and talent

This is not a stable thing where you always have work though. You bascially have to work to find work. It's been working for me for like 2 years now, but I really need something more stable. I have also gone on websites and put my name into their data base as local talent for Phoenix. They then contact me when they have something in my area. I would give you some links, but they are on my computer at home. I'll send ya some when I get back on the 29th.

Here are a few I remember:
www.events-promotions.com
www.gmrmarketing.com
http://www.teammktgusa.com/
http://www.gcmginc.com/
http://www.encorenationwide.com/
http://www.eventprostrategies.com/
http://www.attackmarketing.net/index.php

ok so i remembered more than i thought

[Autzen Powers]

thanks to Bruinforever for the recommendation and to rootie for job info. I'll look into both.

[ASU_Husker]

I got a 30gb iPod. One of those fancy videos ones. Im really excitied, I've always wanted to be in this ever growing iPod cult. Hah.

Those are soo expensive, so really that's all I got..and Im not going to complain for a second.

[rootiephi]

luuuuucky!

I won a ipod shuffle, the one that holds 2GB, about a month ago. I can't complain though! I never quite got into the ipod cult until now. It's a good one to be in though Now i just wanna get the adapter for the car.