Random Thoughts

It's been long since I posted some journal entry here. I just thought that I would give you guys some updates on what I have been doing lately. I'm still working on the Callwork book 2 but I will not release it this Oct. Komikon. There are still unfinished story lines and topics that I wanted to discuss in my second book. On the other hand, we, SKP, will be releasing another book this October Komikon and an exhibit for the PICCA fest so please buy that! I'm also working on a painting for the exhibit of Manila Bulletin artists in cooperation with SM. Oh yeah I also joined a group called, "Komikero". It's really nice meeting and hanging out with these cool guys in Sampaloc Lake in San pablo.I was also able to get some great bargains in NBS sale last weekend. Bought three graphic novels entitled, Houdini The handcuff King, Haunted mansion and Jokes and the Unconsious. Jokes and the Unconsious is a really really good graphic novel. The flow of the story and the visuals positively swims.

What's next after the call center?

I decided to write down my thoughts about people who have been telling me the same thing over and over for the past years - resignation in the call center. I will not deny this but it also crossed my mind a few times. The number one answer I get is they wanted to have their own business. Okay I said, what business are you looking into? Most of them would give me a shrug, some would say a food cart and majority a uhm... computer shop. Of course I cannot tell you which one would do well or not. It is your choice. It's about your passion. Do you still think a computer cafe will still earn in this time and age? Get real. Except maybe if your shop is located in Philcoa or UP Shopping Center etc. So maybe, it is still location. Same applies with food cart. Are you willing to cook by yourself just in case you were short of people? Are you willing to work including weekends? Even during your sleep?If you do then go ahead with your food business.
The second answer I get is that they wanted a day time job but sadly the pay isn't that high as what they were getting in a call center. Is money everything or time or do yo value your night sleep more than anything else? If ever you take the daytime job, will it be close to your goal? If it does, then it doesn't matter if it will take you 10 years before you get promoted in your new job. It is all about your dream.
Third answer is freelance. Okay. There are a lot of freelance job around here. You just need to take risk. Maybe at first you will be anxious 'coz the money you are getting is not comparable to what you have been earning. First you need to fix your portfolio. Have you written enough stories? Do you have sample articles? You also need to know whom to write in publishing or people in ad agencies or even in online magazines. Know what the market needs.
Whatever it is that you wanted, just do it. There are other jobs out there for you. You don't need to "study again" like the most alibis I get from people resigning. Stick to what you believe. Do that dream job you've always wanted. Open that business but be ready for the challenges because it won't be as easy as being a call center agent. Not even close to being a call center manager. Then, good night sleep is yours. Hopefully, for me too.. soon.

Sleepless mornings

Once again I find it hard to sleep. In a few hours my shift would start and I hate drinking beer. Right now its my second can and I don't like the feeling of being dependent in a substance just to get sleep. Anyway, I should have just worked with my comics more today. I really need to finish my book2 asap and I'm far from that. Anyway, I just finished reading Alab ng Puso kikomachine 5. Good job for Manix Abrera! At least ngayon kilala ko na si Kopong kopong at si boy bastos. HAHAHA!

On another note, Kubori kikiam is trying to submit his book to Fullybook. Good luck dude! Hope it will be approved. This is another comic strip that I dig. Have you guys tried reading Love is in the Bag? You should! It's so funny and clean! Love it. Anyway, IBM Daksh was calling the other day and I wasn't able to answer it. I think they called thrice from my cellphone to my landline. It's just that I'm so lazy right now to move to another call center. Or maybe I'm starting to feel contented with my current one. Not sure. But what I know is that I wanted to run my own business. More and more business. In that way, I don't need to drink anymore just to get some sleep. Oh yeah, there's more than that.

Random Thoughts/ Nightmare

A girl who got nightmares because of reading Callwork comics - read here I was laughing while I was reading this.

For Bugoy - as much as you love statistics, I really hate that subject. Hahahah. Sorry I won't be interviewed how it is related to my job and how I am enjoying it. Hahaha

Anyway, a few more months to go before the Komikon in October. Few more months for me to rush the second book hopefully. I still have a lot of comic strips to draw. Not to mention a lot of stories in my head to draw. Gosh, I need more discipline!

Random Thoughts

I've spent my past two days in Asian hospital due to my little one being sick. It made me stop and take things slowly... watching cartoons all day. Yes I can sing all the songs in Nick, CN and most of all Disney. Good thing it wasn't dengue or H1N1. Anyway, I still need to do tons of work. I have too many stories in my mind. Hopefully more time to draw this weekend. Hopefully. Oh yeah, I already got the checks from the bookstores and some named the check after "Callwork Publishing" when in the contract I stated my name for them to address the checks. These things would take up my time again.

Random Thoughts

I would stay after shift to eat breakfast and drink with my agents. On Saturday nights, we would party in Greenbelt Makati. If my boyfriend asked me to meet him for dinner before shift, it was a go. But that was five years ago. Now my workplace is just a few minutes away from my place. Still, I always hurriedly go back home. On Saturday nights, I prefer staying at home with my kid and just read books or draw. You can never ask me to have dinner out before shift. This is me now. A lot of changes have happened.
I remember accidentally seeing my college super crush in an elevator three years ago. He wasn’t as good looking as I had imagined all those years.
Two years ago, an agent approached me and said that he used to be an agent with Teletech for three years. He quit and moved to our call center as an agent. He said he wasn’t promoted as a team leader that’s why he left Teletech. I asked him, “Is that what you want? Be a team leader?” He said “yes.” After a year, I noticed he was always sleeping during work hours and has tardy logins. To be a team leader huh.
Seven years ago, call centers were not yet a widely known business. There were only four companies available to choose from, as far as I can remember - Sykes, Etelecare, People Support and Infonxx. Neighbors would start to gossip where I am heading to every night and coming home early mornings. Now I have applicants ranging from previous Jollibee crew, 1st year college undergrad to 20 years experienced accountant and former engineers aspiring to be a call center agent.

Welcome 2009!

This 2008 has been once again a prosperous and successful year for me... just as God has promised. I am really thankful to God for always being there by my side, blessing the works of my hand. On the other side, there are challenges that had come and go. I was never a good writer and I still need to practice a lot as an artist. Being a single parent and holding a dual job, trying to find time just to doodle has been impossible. Art gifts that came from me would really mean that you are really someone special for me to do it. I was never a mathematician and statistician. In fact I almost failed my Managerial statistics subject back then. But now this is what I do in my job. Full of planning, analyzing, calculating. I love working alone and this is what callwork has given me - to be able to work just by myself. But I'm still holding people in my job. Mentoring, coaching, leading, monitoring, training, interviewing, terminating. If it wasn't for God, I wouldn't be able to to all this. In return, I try to do things for Him but sometimes the face of the devil is just there... staring at me.

I know this 2009 would be a drastic change. Drastic changes 'coz my husband wants me to go back to their house. That means giving up my job in Alabang. Four years ago (2005), I told my husband that I would want us to have our own house no matter where it is located, as long as it's only ours. I told him that I don't want marriage at that time. If he really wants to be together, just our own place would do. But he never listened to me and instead insisted on the marriage and worse, insisted on living in their house. Until now the story hasn't changed. He is still insisting to live in their house. Should I give up my job for this? Should the adjustment always come from me? John, a good friend, told me that he should be the one adjusting and living in my area since I am earning bigger and have a career to take care of. While Alex, another friend,told me that I should just not see him anymore since it just makes my life complicated. Grace, one my college friends, told me I should have ran away with her during my wedding. Moises, my new friend, told me he will bring me to Quiapo. LOLZ! On the other hand, Tetes and Lotis, my officemates, told me that I should prioritize my marriage before career. They said anyways, I can always go back to the industry and position whenever I wanted to given my experience. Cloyd, my seatmate, told me that I should avoid living with the in-laws and me and my husband should really try hard to find a place of our own.

Ah let me just forget the things I am facing right now and leave it to God. He always knows what it best for me. I know 2009 will be so much better than 2008!!! Yehey!!!So many more things to look forward!!!

Random Thoughts

Sorry for the black and white comic strip below. Coloring a strip takes a lot of time. I also didn't put some grey tones which in return looks very raw. Anyway, that strip below happened in real life... few years ago in the Allied Bank Building, Ayala.
Do you read Doreamon comics? You should start! It's really very funny. I get them in Booksale outlets. The past week I have finished Murakami's Dance dance dance and it is very entertaining.Also had breakfast in Hotel Vivere. Again, it is still worth it. I should go back soon. I really should start working once again on Callwork... Inertia at rest, be in motion!!! Btw, Thomas the train toy is so cool. You should also try one!

I installed Photoshop CS3 and I can't get it working... crack file is being denied :(

Random Thoughts

Tara playing on our bed

I'm kinda lazy but I need to do a painting for the skp once again. We will be holding an exhibit and launching another book this year. Right now, I can't think of a topic to paint! Another thing, my book will be released from the printing press next week and I really need to pay the business permit already and apply in bir... sucks! Oh yeah, and manage the distribution ;p

Choices

Life is full of choices but making the right decision I think this is the hardest part while making the “it feels right” decision is the sweetest one. Given these, I made up a list so that it will me easier for me to focus on my choices:

1. I really want to buy a brand new Honda Civic. But knowing it would be better to invest in property, I’m planning to buy a house this year. I don’t feel any exciteness in buying a house, maybe because it’s not a need for me and my kid as for the moment, but I know I’d rather buy a house than a brand new car.

2. Enrolling in Fitness First (Which % of the fee is going to be shouldered by my company) or in Elorde Boxing School (in which, 100% of tuition fee will be shouldered by me). Yup, I know gym would definitely build up more sexiness in me but I also know that there is no fun. No fun because I’m not after building some muscles in my body. Hence, it feels right to enroll in the boxing school for some fun and stomach abs development.

3. Continuing my MBA in Ateneo – Genpact program (which will be shouldered by my company 50%) or forget the MBA and continue with the publishing business. Yup, it feels right to continue my MBA degree but I know it’s my responsibility to continue my comics since Callwork is my baby.

4. To take a vacation in the U.S., see my barkada and be able to use my VISA (so that it will be more easy when it comes to renewal) or take a short trip to Singapore and Macau and just enjoy a couple of days tour. I know sooner or later that I have no choice but to use my US Visa.

5. Lastly and the most important one, should I get a distributor for my book for me to have some free time at least or should I control this myself?

Kakikayan

Went shopping with my kid today but this time I'm looking for some nice red dress since she is turning two this july. It was so funny 'coz she kept on saying, "wow! wow!" when we were looking at the childrens dep't. I was thinking like, "patay! mahilig pala 'to magshopping ng damit!" hehe. It was so cute 'coz I was never like that when I was a kid. Then she also loves hair accessories. Ironically, I won't even dare to enter a store full of accessories except if it's taking for my sister and mom too long inside the store. Another thing? She always get my make up kit and put powder, lipstick and comb herself. wow. I never expected that I will have such a kikay kid.

She's been giving me endless entertainment that I forgot to draw the next strip...

Random Thoughts

If you have been buying the Sunday Manila Bulletin, you will notice that the comics became all colored since last month. It's good because the pay also became higher. But more work needed to be done. I'm now very busy with my work in the call center because of my new role which makes it harder for me to do comics... conceptualize new stories, pencil them, ink them, scan them, letter them, then ugh... color them. Because of the circumstance, I bought Wacom Bamboo Fun. Should be more faster, accurate and easier to color these strips. (Wow! I'm thinking Lean Six Sigma Methodology!)

I'm 28! This April 28 2008!!!

Today is April 28 and I'm 28 years old. I have been waiting to be 28 since I was a kid. Hay, still I have a long way to go and accomplish a lot of things.

Arcade games, Random thoughts

I've been addicted before in the DDR (dance dance revolution) in Timezone. Now I'm completely addicted in the UFO Catcher and crane games in Tom's World. They've got cool stuffed toys (original toys and not from divisoria). Most of the time, and every weekends, you'll find me hanging out in the arcade malls. It's been a struggle trying to find time to draw comics and I know I should discipline myself more. But hey, time is too short and I also need to have fun. I have been working the whole week and I still need to work on the weekends?!? At least I try not to buy the nintendo Wii to save more time from idleness/games. Sometimes I wish I don't have work for 2 months so I can just play all the games I want and draw all the comics I need to draw. I have been working straight for six years, that requires me to wake up at a certain time and render odd hours in the office. I didn't get to stop even when I was transitioning to another company. Sometimes I envy people who stop working for at least 2 months or even a year and then they get to go back to work. I wonder why people say that it will look bad in your resume. I kept thinking why does it have a negative impact in the resume... maybe it's because it shows your laziness of wanting to have idle time. If you would ask me why I'm still working up to now, it's because of TENACITY.

Production Updates

Been very busy and still am but I have already started the sequence for my Callwork comics. As much as I wanted to do this in a flash, I'm starting very slow. Even though I'm very motivated to do this, it's not a priority HIGH. So just hang on Andrew! Another thing, I would like to thank Teardrop as early as now for his fantastic coloring job. Also, I would need to request a FOREWORD for my book to Sir Roni Santiago. I'm still thinking of having another foreword by someone from the BPO industry (hopefully someone from B/CAP or CCAP).

Nothing much on my mind right now but things to do in the office. And oh, btw, those who submitted their resume to me, please make sure you're really interested with applying 'coz some of you are NO SHOW for the interview.

Carlo J. Caparas and Joe D' Mango's Love Notes

Guess what? Last Saturday I saw these "masa" comics being sold in Filbars and SM magazine stand. Did they change their target market now and decided it's time to bring them with the glossy magazines and comics stand? Will it sell more than placing it on the newspaper stands? At least it became convinient for me to grab a copy but the stories doesn't relate to me at all! Even the clothes and styles drawn were so outdated! Some stories doesn't even have a story to tell. Well at least, these comics are still way better than NEO comics - such a waste of money. No story at all.

Random Thoughts, comics, autobiography

I was looking for the comics "From Hell" as recommended by Julius but haven't found any... so yesterday I just bought "The Nightmare Factory". I also bought John Gokongwei Jr.' s "The Paths of Entrepreneurship" since I want to make it a habit to read biographies and autobiographies of successful people.

Production Thoughts 3

Since Randy Valiente already mentioned this in his blog entry of "Reality Check", I guess I should spill this already. It has been a battle whether I'll be putting some advertisements in my compiled comic book or not. First, it's not a magazine. It's a book that is bound be kept forever. So why put advertisements in between pages? Would this lessen the value of my book? Archie comics did it but then again, it is a comic magazine. Of course, if I think about it, I haven't really seen a book with advertisements in their pages.

Account executives already presented themselves to me. They were so enthusiastic about pitching Callwork to different companies. I don't even have yet the material or proofs. I haven't even started laying out for the comic strips. I told them I'll be pricing each whole page of advertisement for Php60,000 and up. Black and white. But again, wouldn't my comic book look cheap with the advertisements and all? Imagine, Dilbert or Calvin and Hobbes, they don't have any advertisements endorsing whatever, right?

Am I counting on sponsors to be able to earn through Callwork? No. I'm so positive that this would generate sales. Not only in the Philippines but also in India, US, Caribbean etc. but that comes only after launching the tagalog version book. (how to export and distribute the comic book is still a big grey area) And that's looking forward in the future. Far future. I still have a new personal project to implement related to music business. Yup, I used to be in a band before. (I don't plan to be back in the band ok?) Long time ago when Kamikaze is not yet kamikaze, our first gig was in Tia Maria in Katipunan -AISEC party. We played "Semi-charmed life". I stopped when I was in my last year in College because of internship, parties, thesis and uh boys. Enough about music and back to comics.

I'm counting on my readership sales and not through sponsors. So again, it's still a battle whether to put ads or not. There are also drawbacks if I put some ads inside the book. I might not be able to launch it for book signing in just any call centers because of branding issues. Call centers who would place some ads inside Callwork might not be acceptable for other companies.

Local Comic Strips Compilation

I was browsing the bookstore earlier when I saw a new comic strips compilation entitled "Cels talk". It's a comic strip also serialized in Manila Bulletin every Sunday. What surprised me was the price... it was Php 195. Whoa! Published by New Day publishers, how can you expect sales from that book? Pugad baboy 19 is at Php 145, Chopsticks at Php110 and Kikomachine at Php135. Looking at the book, Cels Talk is smaller and thinner (I think because of the quality of paper?) than the others.

"Chaka" chronicles is a good read. It was also published by New Day back in 2002-2004. Serialized in Tempo, it is about this 29 year old chubby single girl keeping three jobs and a 21 year old model boyfriend. Again, the book is thin and priced quite high. Luckily, I was able to grab this very old book. It was the last one as well.

Production Thoughts Part 2

Are you also a blogger who wishes to publish your webcomic? Read the article here - Turning Free Web Work Into Real Book Sales - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/books/13webbook.html?_r=1&oref=login

Yup it was also my concern about the habit of people wanting to read materials for free. I began thinking how they will react to my book knowing they can actually read it for free? Well, here's some answers:

“I think books are still things, thank goodness, that people want to own,” said Michael Jacobs, chief executive of Abrams. “The package of the book and the way it feels is something apart and separate from being able to read it online.”

Lawrence Lessig, a professor at Stanford Law School who has published three of his four books online as well as on paper, said book sales depended on whether the number of people who discover the book online and then buy a hard copy outnumbers “the number of people who would have bought the book and now won’t because it’s free.”

Robert Miller, president of Hyperion, said he believed the book would sell even though prospective readers can see the core of its message online. “A book has a chance to have a timeless quality that’s different from a speech given in real time,” Mr. Miller said.

What if you take down your archives?

Taking down free material can be controversial. When Scott Adams, the “Dilbert” comic strip artist, removed the archives from his blog, dilbertblog.typepad.com, after Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin Group, published “Stick to Drawing Comics, Monkey Brain!” in October, some readers balked.
Mr. Adams said he never expected that people who had already read the book’s content online would want to buy the book. But, he said, he hoped that they would recommend it or buy it as a gift. What he misjudged, he said, was “the fact that people want their stuff for free.”