Space: My Final Frontier
This post promises to be ultra-geeky… that’s your warning. 
For the last year or so I have been on the hunt for the perfect desk. Since I began working from home in 2005, I have been using an old, beat-up metal desk as my workspace. It was so horrible I refused to move any of my stuff into it except for a few pencils, mobile phone accessories and my checkbook in the top drawer. The rest lay scattered on a nearby credenza. The desk had previously belonged to my parents who used it as a spare desk in my dad’s dental office and was later passed to my oldest daughter who used it for a couple years before handing it over to me covered in girly stickers with glitter spilling out the bottom drawers. I kid you not. It was a wreck.
Not only was the desk in not-so-great shape physically, but it was small. It was meant to be a student desk - just large enough for a few books and papers. Not a printer, and inbox, a laptop, speakers, phone chargers, digital camera accessories and more. So for two years I squished myself and my gear into this teensy tiny space every day and tried to be as productive as possible. I put a two-drawer metal filing cabinet next to me which added some extra storage space and a few more square inches of surface to pile more of my stuff.
Underneath the desk was a snake pit of tangled cords to computer gear, chargers, speakers and all kinds of other gadgets. Just unplugging the laptop was a challenge in itself. My sub-woofer sat right under my feet and I lived in fear of accidentally kicking it or slamming my chair into it. My backup drive also lived on the floor under the desk and every time I needed to plug it in I had to get on my hands and knees to hunt for it. I hated my workspace. Loved my job. Hated the space. Read more
Girls Can’t Be Truck Drivers
My grandpa was a manager for Yellow Freight trucking and I recall spending an occasional Saturday visiting the terminal when grandpa got called in to handle some unexpected business. I got to sit at his desk and sometimes he’d let me use the CB radio and pretend to be the dispatcher. Check out the photo (click to enlarge it) of me in his Yellow Freight trucker’s hat and with a big button pinned to my shirt that read “I like trucks”. So it is no surprise to find this written in my memory book:
Yup, that’s what I wanted to be in the second grade. On all the other years I listed multiple careers, but in the second grade I was apparently focused on driving a semi. I was so into trucking that many of my childhood photos show me in a Trucker’s cap and I knew the meaning to this saying which hung on my grandpa’s wall:
“Seville, der day go. Tousin buses innarow.
Nojo, demstrux, summit cowsin summit dux.”
So to honor my trucking history, I created the Girls Can’t WHAT? trucking design in the colors of the Yellow Freight company, with the Girls Can’t WHAT? initials on the side of the trailer.
Girls Can’t WHAT? on SheUnlimited
More than you ever needed to know about me… I was podcasted by SheUnlimited.
Goddess Spotlight
A few months ago I had the tables turned on me. I am usually the one doing the interviewing, but the Paisley Goddess invited me to answer some questions about how I started this site and what kinds of things inspire me. There’s also a shocking confession on who really came up with the name for Girls Can’t WHAT? Check out my interview and say hello to the Paisley Goddess for me.
It’s Hard to Sit Still
Have you ever tried to sit completely still? Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Just grab the remote and veg out in front of the tv. Haven’t we all done that at one time or another? Nothing wrong with that. We all need a break now and then.
Now flip to the the end of the spectrum…ever had moments where you can’t sit still? Happens to me all the time. I can’t just sit and not do anything. It’s hard! Even if my physical body isn’t moving, my mind is going 90 miles an hour and I’m probably thinking about all the things I could be doing if I weren’t just sitting there. The worst case scenario for me is to be stuck someplace where I have to just sit and be attentive - ugh! If I am not interested or I can’t participate, at least grant me permission to get lost in my own thoughts. That is an adventure in itself.
Today’s chance words of wisdom come from Annie Oakley, who claims:
“For me, sitting still is harder than any kind of work.”
Oh, Annie - I can so relate! I would much rather have my nose to the grindstone and feel that I am moving forward with my goals, than to be stuck in an unproductive situation. While it may sound like I’m on the fast track to workaholics anonymous, let me explain a little trend that I’ve noticed. Read more
Yeah, that’s my band!
I’ve been asked to post music from my band when it’s available. We are almost finished with our demo album, so we’ve posted a couple of tracks on our myspace. They need a few minor tweaks still, but these two tracks are mostly done. Feedback is much appreciated. 
Responsibility - Own It
I met Jenn* on the first day I set foot on the campus of Millikin University to start a four-year journey known as college. Jenn was a year or two older than me and lived in the same dorm. She was fun to hang out with although we had very little in common. During the spring of that first year, Jenn and I decided to start working out together. I had always been athletic and I was missing that now that my focus had shifted from sports to music since entering college. Jenn wasn’t much of an athlete, but she wanted to get into shape so we opted to buddy-up and at least make it fun. I had no idea I was about to learn a lesson that would stick with me every day for the rest of my life. Read more
Another Personality Quiz
As if I didn’t already know this…
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You Have A Type A+ Personality |
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You’re driven to succeed every single second of the day And you don’t let up on your goals, no matter how tired you are You’ve already acheived a lot in your life… but it’s not enough for you Always on the go, you tend to get things done quickly and effectively |
Vacation is Overrated
Just a note to let everyone know I am back online after a wild and wacky 11 day vacation. I am still catching up on email and setting up my new computer. I should have everything in order by the end of the day today so I can jump right back in where I left off. I have some interesting observations and photos to share from my western journey as well as a ton of new blogging ideas. Some of my future topics will include modesty, sexuality and some interesting facts about some new female role models I discovered along the way. I will post more when I have the rest of my life sorted out. Hopefully, that blessed day will be tomorrow.
I’ve Joined the Dark Side
Yup - I did it. I bought a Mac. I am supposed to be on a physical vacation, but apparently I am on a mental one, too. I think my geekiness has reached a whole new level. 
I’m Outta Here!
By the time you read this post, I will be well on my way to Yellowstone National Park for a family vacation. There will be several fun stops along the way and I promise to take lots of pictures.
I am leaving the fabulous Kel1 in charge while I’m gone. Her duties are to moderate comments and to fend off the trolls. I told her she could even do some guest blogging, so who knows what she might have to say.
Anyone else who wants to join in the blogging fun is also invited to speak your mind while I’m gone - or any other time for that matter.
To pass the time while I’m away, I dug through the archives and I will be highlighting some popular posts from the past year that will pop up at random over the next week. Enjoy!
Seven Year Old is Time Management Guru
This summer I have been taking efficiency lessons from my seven year old daughter, Kirstie. School is officially out, our “schedule” has been shredded and we are on “summer hours.” This means we have no strict schedule - just a lot of sporadic appointments and play dates. In order to maintain my sanity (and a clean house), I instituted the handy-dandy-chore-chart for my kids so they could be reminded of their daily duties. It also saves me from nagging them because I can say “check your chart”. Being a time management geek myself, I have been delegating household responsibilities to my children since they were able to walk so that by this stage in their lives (ages 10 and 7) they can handle the majority of the weekly household tasks, freeing me up to get more work done on my business since my hours get shortened during the summer with them being home. I say shortened because I lose about two hours of work time from June-August chaperoning them in the pool or taking them to volleyball camp, etc.
My initial intention was to set them up on a loose schedule of getting up, making their breakfast and doing their chores before they were allowed to do any of their “fun” activities. That sounded reasonable to me by keeping them busy as I worked and it would motivate them to get their tasks done quickly. I spread the tasks out over the course of 5 days and estimated how long it would take them to do each task. I added bonus tasks at the end of the list as well which would be rewarded with extra privileges. I had no idea how well this plan could be executed until I introduced it to Kirstie. Read more
I’m worth just as much as HE is!
I wanted to follow up on my Twice as Good or Four Times as Hard post from last week with a little story from my wild and crazy past. I say “wild and crazy” because when I look back on it I think things like “that was wild” and “was I crazy?” This post is the saga of my radio station career and how I got the shaft not once, not twice, but three times because I wasn’t a guy.
When I started college at Millikin University in the early 1990’s (1991 to be exact), digital recording techniques were just beginning to get noticed. Most recording studios and radio stations were still using good old-fashioned reel-to-reel tape for their broadcasts and audio media. During my senior year of college I landed a rather coveted job at a local radio station, DJ-ing on the weekends and splicing “jock shows” together for their new automated radio broadcasts.
A few weeks prior to my arrival at the station, the manager had purchased some computers and audio software to use in their production studio. I was like a kid in a candy store when I first laid eyes on it. The other employees were rather intimidated by the strange new box in the studio and clueless as to how the software even worked. Several folks continued to work from reels and then hand over the reel to be dubbed into the computer for the broadcast. Not me. I think I spliced one tape before I thought “to heck with this” and fired up the computer. After familiarizing myself with the new software, I recorded my first commercial.
About Me
Before I tell you a bit about myself, I want to congratulate Gretchen on a job well done! The site is a great outlet for women who are trying to compete in what used to be a “mans’ world.” I hope you all get all you can out of it and put into it what you can.
My name is Amy Zupko on most forums and sites I go by the name Zupko2001. I am a wife and mother of three. Two boys ages 18 and 15 and one girl who is just turning 7 and truly believes that she is a princess. I can tell you from experience that my mother got even.
I work at a local retail establishment as a “third key” in other words I do the same job as the management but don’t get the pay that goes with it. I enjoy my job though. I work with several departments that I order, market and merchandise. Only thing I am not crazy about is the hours. With my daughter so young it can be tough to work nights.
My other job is probably the most satisfying and rewarding job of all. I am a writer/publishing assistant for Woman Poker Player Magazineas well as a moderator for Womens Poker Club. I also co host a show on Hold’em Radio about women in poker.
I’m sure you have heard some horror stories about women in poker. I can easily tell you that most of us are not gambling addicts, we do not spend our mortgage money on poker, and we don’t neglect our kids due to online poker. We are women trying to make it in what has always been considered a man’s game. We are no different from the musicians, career women and athletes trying to break through the glass ceiling and just want to be treated equally and taken seriously.
I’m Worth $242.08
Taxes Suck. Capital ‘S’ is intentional. I started Girls Can’t WHAT? just over one year ago in late 2005. I spent the first few months forming the concepts for the web site and learning how to actually build a web site. 2006 was my first year to generate sales and I thought I did pretty well. Over 600 of my products were sold worldwide. My website hits doubled every single month. My site was frequently #1 on Google. My Alexa ratings skyrocketed. I gave numerous interviews to other sites that wanted to know how I did it. But when the year was over, all I have to show for my efforts is $242.08. Income minus expenses. Bottom line. Doesn’t matter that I spent the bare minimum in expenses or that the check for the bulk of my sales commission didn’t arrive until January of this year. All I have to show for my effort in 2006 is $242.08. My husband laughed. He still thinks this is a cute hobby.
If you’re expecting some inspirational tag at the end of this blog, you can stop reading now. I’m bummed. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have a 4-year college degree. I was an honor student. My IQ is high enough for Mensa. The thought of going back to work a “real job” totally sucks. I shouldn’t feel this way. It’s not about the money. We are not poor. And truthfully, Girls Can’t WHAT? has experienced incredible growth in 2007. In just the past two months alone I have earned over half of last year’s total income. But is it enough? Am I wasting my time? I enjoy every second of this “job” but if I calculate my time over the last year, my hourly wage is about twelve cents an hour. This year I am up to just over a dollar an hour. Woo hoo. Break out the caviar.
Happy Birthday Kelli
Today I was reminded that some of the coolest things happen under pressure. Today is one of my best friend’s birthday. I have been ransacking my brain to come up with the perfect gift, after-all the video she made for me for my birthday last week was just too cool. Yesterday, I called Trina at the crack of noon and nonchalantly asked “so what are we gonna do for Kelli for her birthday?” Trina ever-so-brilliantly replied “I dunno. Why don’t you draw her something?” I looked at the time and realizing my schedule for the rest of the day said “uh…there is NO way. What else have you got?”
I Want Second Place
My daughter has had an obsession with second place. It’s Pinewood Derby season here and all weekend she has been talking about winning a second place trophy at this year’s race. She doesn’t want to win first place - just second place. My husband and I are baffled by her remarks, afterall we are both very competitive individuals. One might be tempted to think that we picked up the wrong child from the hospital, except that Kirstie looks just like me.
So I asked Kirstie why she was so determined to finish in second place instead of first. Her response was very straightforward and logical. She said “because I already have a first place trophy from last year.” Hmmm….sounds intelligent to me. Not that she wants to get second place, but that she wants to achieve something different. I started thinking about this over the weekend. What do you have to strive for when you’ve already been number one?
He’s A Cold-Hearted Snake…
…And I almost looked into his eyes… Except he ducked back down into his hole before I could catch him. Quest and I were out for our daily neighborhood patrol today, and since the weather has been much warmer we decided to take the long route which goes alongside a cornfield for about 2 blocks. Just as we were approaching the field, I saw a little head bobbing up and down. It was small and black with the distinctive weave of a reptile and as soon as I got closer he disappeared. I hung around for a minute while Quest took care of his business at the fire hydrant on the other side of the road, but the cute little bugger never came back out of his hole. Yes, I said it was cute. I like snakes. Don’t you?
Happy Birthday To Me
Tomorrow is my birthday. No sense in hiding. All of you crazy extroverted people will find me anyway. My best friend Kelli sent me my birthday present one day early, tho, so I thought I’d share it with you. Kelli made a video of me set to Martina McBride’s song “Anyway”. Basically she ripped all the good photos off of my web site and mixed it in with several (if not ALL) of my drawings, plus a few personal photos of my kids and my dog.
Creating this web site is has been a dream of mine and it has been a long, hard fight to get it up and running. But today, I am realizing that the dream is coming true and things are taking off. It just gets better and better every day. Kelli is just reminding me of that. Thanks, Kel!
Blue Is Still A Boy Color
Ok - so my daughter’s favorite color is blue. Is that such a bad thing? Last year, I shared the saga of picking out birthday plates in “Blue Is A Boy Color” and this year I had to re-live that experience in Part Two while picking out balloons for this year’s party. Today was just icing on the birthday cake, though. I swear there needs to be a class on gender education that explains to people that it is ok for little girls to like “boy colors”.
Today is my daughter Katelynn’s actual birthday. Being the good mother that I am, I took treats to her class today. Prior to this, Katelynn had selected blue and white swirl cupcakes to be made by our local grocery store and topped with a soccer ring. This afternoon, I stopped in to pick them up and as the cashier was ringing up my order, she looked at the cupcakes and said “Oooh, someone’s having a birthday today” to which I replied “yes, I’m on my way to the school now.” I should have been expecting her next comment, but I am still somewhat optimistic that women are smart enough to not assume a gender based on color or decoration, but I was once again proved wrong.
Blue Is A Boy Color - Part 2
Well, it’s time for my daughter’s birthday and it has happened again. She wants blue balloons and all hell has broken loose at our house. Ok, not really, but there was some drama involved. Last year, I told the story of Katelynn picking out blue for her birthday party and then being talked out of it by my husband who convinced her that “blue is a boy color“. This year, she wants a bouquet of blue, white and black balloons. Sounds fine to me, afterall blue is her favorite color. My husband’s instantaneous reaction was “WHAT? Blue, white and BLACK?” Once again, Kate hesitates and then changes her mind to blue, purple and pink, which pleases Dad. This time, Mom steps in to save the day. 
Read more
The Picture of Organized
My Grandma passed away last Monday at the age of 90. Before that day, I thought I knew all there was to know about being organized. I have read every book on the subject of organization and I have bookmarked every web site and forum related to the subject. At the funeral last Friday, my two cousins and my aunt stepped up to say a few words about Grandma. I heard all the expected things…she was kind, never raised her voice, opened her home to everyone, etc. Every word of it was true. Yet each one of my relatives said something that I had never even associated with my grandma before. They said she was “organized”. I have to admit that it threw me for a loop. I mean, I grew up seeing my grandma practically every single day. My cousins always lived far away and only visited a few times each year. How could they say Grandma was “organized”? This morning, it hit me.
My Daughter Doesn’t Know The Word Failure
I just returned from the school spelling bee, where my daughter Katelynn was competing for the first time. A fourth grader attending her first year of public school, Katelynn is an exceptional speller. Her teacher told me that out of all the spelling tests they have had this year, Katelynn has only missed a total of about 6 words.
Holiday Generation Gap
It all started with a kitchen timer. My parents were visiting for the holidays and my mom brought several food items to fix for Christmas Eve dinner. The turkey is in the oven and she is starting on the mashed potatoes, corn and gravy. I explain to my mom that I don’t own a kitchen timer. I either use the clock on the wall or I set an alarm on my PDA. Minutes later she asks for an electric knife to slice the turkey. Again, I own no such thing and offer her my best non-electric carving knife, and a plastic cutting board.
Now, before anyone lectures me for letting my mom do all the cooking, let it be known that while she is cooking, I was updating her computer with the latest software and anti-virus protection. That’s what I do. I am a geek. I don’t cook. In fact, I think my mom is convinced that I am a domestic slouch and that we eat nothing but macaroni and frozen pizza. Not exactly true, but with our busy schedule, we do keep those items on hand for convenience. It doesn’t help that my sister shows up for the festivities with homemade cookies. So begins the saga of the Christmas generation gap…
Girls Can’t WHAT? on MySpace
For all you MySpace addicts out there, Girls Can’t WHAT? now has a MySpace Profile. Visit Girls Can’t WHAT on MySpace and make a friend request. This is a simple way to get bulletins about new designs and other happenings at Girls Can’t WHAT? The November contest will be a random drawing from Girls Can’t WHAT? MySpace friends. The winner will receive a free T-shirt with her choice of style, color and design. Read more
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