Tuesday, June 5

Toast.

I think I reached an all time, career record low today. You don't need details, trust me, but it was a very character building day, as my friend Joni likes to say. But if I could give one piece of positive advice to anyone today, those of you even considering a career in advertising: RUN. As quickly in the direction of your moral compass as possible.

I'm am so sorry, but I have nothing left to give tonight. I'll be back tomorrow. Thanks for hanging in there.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

hang in there...and look after yourself!

Anonymous said...

If I was in SF I would invite you out for a drink and let you vent or bring homemade cookies and tea.
Cheer up buttercup- you have many that DO appreciate you.
Here's to another day- jeen marie

Anonymous said...

yes, take a long bath or buy some great shoes to spoil yourself a bit.

you've got alot of virtual friends out here holding you up/believing in you. take all the time you need. xx

sfgirlbybay said...

thanks so much you guys. it means more to me than you know. :)

Anonymous said...

I work in advertising too and I understand just how soul destroying and frustrating it can be, both morally and creatively.

Hang in there (or plan your escape with me!).

Vic

PS. Long time reader, first time commenter. Love the blog! xx

Anonymous said...

"Keep calm and carry on!"

Susan Schwake said...

days like this are just awful. feel better soon and hope it has passed by now!

Anonymous said...

"a hang in there" from France!
from a big fan of yours,

Beautymist.

erinn said...

Ah yes, one of those days. We all have them, even though when it's your own turn, it feels like you're the only one having a downer.

Hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating evening. Best to you!

Anonymous said...

I just want to let you know, your blog is so loved!
I am not a blog reader, but yours is the only one I'll read. And I read it an awful lot. I'm a mom that loves design and you are my connection to that world. I used to be an art department manager, but now the only adults I talk to are at the preschool! So thank you... and my home thanks you.

Anonymous said...

Your creativity, joie de vivre and sense of humor leap off your Web pages -- even on a down day (the "out of gas" picture). I check your blog daily and am always inspired. Sorry to hear about the bad time. Hope it helps to know that there are at least a gazillion of us out here cheering you on! -- jr

Anonymous said...

You are way too creative for a regular job! (by the way, don't run from advertising into being an attorney. Trust me.)

Buy yourself a little something pretty at Anthropologie! Things will look up soon.

Anonymous said...

As a friend's mum used to say, "This too, shall pass." Keep your chin up, do something nice for yourself, and thank you for such a wonderful blog, too.

Best
Lori

agrasshopper said...

I work in advertising too and I can understand your PAIN~

Don't take it personal and good luck!

p.s. love your blog...

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Victoria! Do something fabulous for yourself, and don't forget how great you are!!

Ana Herda said...

I agree retail therapy is in order.

Today you tripped, tomorrow you'll walk straight.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and all of the ideas it inspires. Shit just happens sometimes, you just gotta keep being your fabulous self.
-Keyse

sfgirlbybay said...

You guys rock! Thank you so, so much for the 'pep talk' and the support. It's awesome. I'm doing better today, and mostly because of y'all.

THANK YOU!!! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry!....It's so awesome that your not afraid to be public about it

becky stokes said...

Hang in there!

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent."

And I do enjoy reading your blog. Please continue posting!

Anonymous said...

I'm a San Francisco transplant who lives for the daily beauty, inspiration and fun you bring into the world (and our city). No job can outdo that. You're bigger than whatever advertising throws at you!!

lucy said...

YOU are awesome. F#$k em!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. Just remember: A setback is a set-up for a comeback ;-)

BTW: My favorite local, all natural, *legal* remedy for these things is to head to Glide on a Sunday morning to rock out to the raucous Gospel music. We'll be there at 9 a.m. with the raucous 3-year old if you'd like to join us.

Sarah Dennis said...

I work for a magazine publisher, who shall remain nameless, believe me I know how tough the advertising industry can be!

Grab a glass a of wine, hug your family and friends and toast to happiness. "happiness sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open".

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

hang in there victoria!

you have so much to give! i love, love your blog and insight into our fair city. we're all rooting for you!
camilla

Anonymous said...

Sorry you're having a rough go of it. You're so super talented. Don't let anybody tell you different. I'm a refugee from Publishing/Advertising/PR. One day I just chucked it. I've never regretted doing so and love being the boss of me.

JustAnotherDay said...

OMG! I totally know what your talking about without even having to talk about it! I, too, work in advertising. Sometimes it just sucks the life right out of you...

Courtney

Suzy ~ lorenzstudio said...

Oh my. I had way too many of these days when I used to work at a publishing company. I feel for you!

Anonymous said...

Advertising can totally suck the life out of you, but you have too much life in you to let it get the better of you!! I belong to the tribe of ex-agency people, so know how you could be feeling... but none of it matters, because your blog is amazing and you are very talented at doing what you love!!!

Anonymous said...

I slave in adverstising, too - similar area/dept as you. I KNOW how you feel, too. *sigh* Everyone has posted such great advice - follow it all! :)

BTW, I was in SF a week ago. Just for a few days. You were my inspiration to visit some places. Thank you!

hugs,
Kate

Emily said...

Lady, you and your blog are BITCHIN.
Hope your week gets better. :)

Anonymous said...

oy, if i had a nickel for every person i'd given that advice to re: advertsing, and another nickel for every person who heeded not my unwelcomed advice...

don't worry, short term memory loss will erase all...

studio wellspring said...

you're an inspiration to me. thanks for all you do.

Anonymous said...

"We are not dealt things we cannot handle"... I don't know what happened but if your world is anything like the world of product design... I'm sure you've had a tumultuous career... if you want the view, you gotta make the climb...(or buy the postcard)... if it helps, I truly enjoy your blog and your insights... i suspect your land feet first.

Blogging Masterclass said...

Victoria, repeat after me...

"Aloha, oye, Aloha, oye"

Do you hear the Don Ho music? Okay good. Now shimmy your hips a little and pin a grass shirt to your bedroom wall to inspire you if you can get your hands on one. Maybe World Market has them?

HAWAII IS CALLING YOU BABY. THERE IS A WAY OUT. :)

xo
Holly

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the tough day. Please know that your blog brings so much joy and brightness to my day.
Thanks for being great at what you do, and take care.

MC in NY

Anonymous said...

wishing you peace.
hang in there! Lauren

Anonymous said...

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!
You are an inspiration and a delight.
Hang in there.

Jo Walker said...

Hope the last couple of days have been better for you Victoria! Life really can suck at times but hey you pick yourself up, you dust yourself off and you keep going. But you know that. Thoughts are with you honey.

Cerré said...

Ah, I love this...a mini-airstream...so funky!

Just wanted to tell you, I've been reading your blog pretty much every day for the past year and you've inspired me start one myself! I'm an NYU student, from SF who has a Norcal approach to design like yourself....I've learned so much from you and your fellow bloggers. Thanks so much for doing what you do. Cheers!

Here it goes, Day 1...

http://2or3things.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

New shoes help on days like this. Trust me. I know.

Hope things are looking up!

sfgirlbybay said...

thanks again to everyone for all your lovely comments and well wishes. it helps so much. things have improved and my neices are here visiting me this weekend, so we're having a blast.

i get to be cool auntie victoria to two teenagers!

Anonymous said...

awww. i'm a little late on this one, but wanted to respond just the same. Of all days you were "out of gas".. the date was five-six-seven! That's what it says. 5.6.07

Maybe your day just wasn't in the numbers. :O(

Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria - so sorry about your day. I just have to tell you....my degree is in Advertising...After college I shadowed some ad agencies and ran like crazy and never came back- so long big dream "career" in advertising - hello to much happier times as an artist. Let's just say I know what you mean. You're not the first to utter these precious words.
Hang in! My mom also says "This too shall pass" - It always does, doesn't it? But I'm not a fan of the time in between it happening and the "passing" time :)
I hope this week is much better!

Vineeta said...

my career in advertising as of now is something like 9 yrs old. and there have been so so many days when i felt like u. and god knows im here only for the work & nothing or nobody else. i saw your flickr account & found myself here. your work rocks. u rock. tomo u will be so happy- u wont remember today. best wishes from india, vineeta :)

Ashley said...

I know I am several months behind ... I'm getting caught up on posts I missed. But I also work as a creative in advertising and it is killer.

I think I will print out this image you posted and put it on the back of my chair when I'm having a bad day!

I was actually considering getting two of those "Keep Calm" posters, and posting one at work.