The Curse of The Plastic Circle: Why You Need to Escape!

“Work” seems to have quite a different meaning than it did thousands, if not hundreds of years ago. People used to rise when the sun did, and begin the tasks associated with daily survival. Food had to be gathered and prepared, shelter had to be built or repaired, children had to be cared for. No one rolled over in their cave and begged for five more minutes of sleep, if they wanted it, they simply took it. Time was spent outdoors, moving around, sometimes slowly, sometimes at a rapid pace. There was no schedule, there was no plan. Life simply WAS. You did what you had to to survive, but it never felt like our modern definition of “the workplace.”

Now, things are much different. We live by a plastic numbered circle hanging on the wall. We pry ourselves from sleep when we aren’t ready to wake up in many cases. We get in our cars, pedal to the medal, better get on the road before the dreaded plastic hands click just one notch too far to the right, and we risk losing our job. Job. We no longer NEED to gather and find food or build shelter, and we pass the kids off to someone else. The majority of us then enter a building for at least 8 hours ( that’s 8 times around The Plastic Circle!) where we often sit, no sun in view, and complete our daily tasks. Maybe today, we finished everything by 11AM. Too bad. There are still six cycles of the pointers around The Plastic Circle before we may leave, and do as we please.

Given today economic climate, we should be grateful to have these “jobs”. And in most cases, unless we are completely irrational, we are. We realize we need money rather than muscle to obtain food and shelter and child care. And therein lies the sad part. Somewhere along the line, we seem to have decided, that the physical work of getting these things for ourselves, was crap. We didn't want to do it. Sitting at a desk or standing at a register became supposedly better then braving the elements, having to move, having to think and stratagize. Most people accept this new societal norm. They don't really question it, although most complain (some more than others!). We know we will grow up, and get a job in a nice building (if we're lucky, these days) complete our tasks, go home, repeat. For 40 + years. We'll take pity on those that harvest our food, and build our houses. Good thing we don't have to do anything that hard.

Some people, have made their peace with it. They are happy, they are fulfilled. This, is excellent. Isn't the goal for any life, to be a happy one? But then there will be others, who have a desire for something different. Some of those will ignore it. Others, will take action. Perhaps in the starting of their own business, or a financially risky move into a different work position that would bring them more fulfillment. In the end I've never heard of anyone that regretted these changes. Changes that allowed more freedom less invisible ropes imposed by time. Along with these choices, come increased responsibility. You no longer have everything provided. You may have to gather for yourself. You may have to outsmart the other hunters. Scary right?

Yes. But if there is any amount of unrest in you, if you ever at all for one second wonder if there’s something else for you, the answer is yes. This isn’t the answer for everyone. You may find 100% joy in what you are doing. If so, GREAT keep doing it, until you don’t. ( If ever). Then change it. You and you alone can change it. No matter how hard it seems, no time, you have kids, you're broke, you just can't. Do something. Every day. No matter how small. Apply for that new job. Research starting a business. Instead of watching another episode of Dancing With the Starts tonight, read up on your dreams and how to get there. Stop thinking its not for you. It is. Why NOT you? Is there something genetically superior about the other guy over there living your dream? Nope. He just made the choice to act. I too, have made the choice to act. So far in this business endeavor, I don't regret a thing. I feel alive invigorated and excited! Is it hard? Oh yeah. Is there a long way to go? Soooo long. Would I ever stop? Hell no. Am I more grateful than ever for what job I already have at the same time? More than ever.

So there you have it, a little insight into why I'm following a dream I've had essentially forever, starting my own freelance graphic design business, Tamara Morrison Graphics You too, can start whatever it is you REALLY want to do, right now. Even if you just Google it to start! Do it today. Or take option two, and wait till tomorrow. Or next month. Or until 2023. If you're gonna wait that long, I hope you bought a really nice Plastic Circle to watch.

Hold The Wheel, and DRIVE

Wellllll, I must confess, I've been slacking a little...ok a lot (!) in the blogging department! But I figured it was time to stop by and share what I've been up to! You Read It Custom Shirts has been behind the wheel of some fun projects...literally.

One thing I'll never forget about being a kid, is my dads 1932 Chevy. I remember what seemed like years and years and years, but was probably more like ONE year, watching my dad take his passion for cars and his creativity, and remodel his old car. There was a paint tent in the basement, and the garage. There were constantly parts showing up at the house. Hemming Motor News became as much of a household name to me as Kellogg's back then. Perhaps the most memorable to come out of all that for me, a seven year old girl, was the HUGE box that the seats for the car came in, which my parents made into a dream dollhouse one day while I was at school. That thing turned into quite the project, I still have it, and it still kicks the ass of any stupid pink plastic premade dollhouse in the store :)

After Restoration #1 in the 90's! Good Old Days! :)

Eventually, my dad wrapped up the restoration of his Chevy. It looked pristine. He wasn't big on showing it, but when he did, he took first and best in show every time. He recently redid the car yet again in retirement, this time taking it from an already flawless antique, to an awe inspiring street rod, complete with brand new engine and wheels. He had friends in the car community of course, both online and locally. He suggested that I reach out to that community with shirts!

I thought this was an excellent idea, provided people put hours, YEARS into their cars. This is their passion, they love it. Many people also love taking these cars to shows, meets, cruises, and events, where they can show off their hard work, and meet others with common interests. What better way to show off your pride and joy to others, then to wear it right on your chest (or back)? Custom shirts using photos of peoples cars, along with wording of their choice, turned out to be a hit!

Clubs and organizations also took interest, wanting shirts with members cars, general club shirts or shirts with slogans important to certain groups that had worked on a particular car together. I've been gladly doing them all, while learning more about classic cars in the process! Some of these folks just have done an amazing job on their cars, and I'm so glad I can help them share it in a totally different way.

Custom Shirt using photo of clients car, and chosen slogan.



Example of a Custom Shirt! This one uses the clients custom drawing.

So that's what I've mostly been up to this summer, along with a few smaller design projects. I'm having a great time, and I'm absolutely thrilled with how my endeavor has been proceeding. I am so excited for the future, and for going out there and getting what I'm passionate about in my life. I have no doubts I'm going to get there. I'm not the type that's content drifting along in the slow lane, I gotta get in the fast lane and go all out with purpose. Best part is, anyone can if they so choose. Put on your blinker, get in that fast lane, and accelerate! Even if its snowing, and road conditions suck. Stay smart, stay steady, stay on track.

If you want to see more car shirt examples, don't forget to stop by www.youreaditcustomshirts.com for more examples, or to request your very own! Thanks, and thanks to everyone who's awesome cars I've been able to turn into shirts! :D

CUSTOM PET TEES (& MORE) - Why do YOU need to have one?

As a kid, I never had a dog. We had birds, fish, even a frog, but my parents were never quite up for the challenge of raising a puppy. I spent a good part of my childhood being terrified of dogs. We had the crazy neighbor whose dog basically tried to devour me in my stroller as we walked past while the owner just stared. Then we had my childhood best friends puppy, who lept up one day and took hold of my three foot long ponytail to use as his own personal rope toy. Needless to say, I started to think at that young age that dogs were unruly beasts and they knew my fear, and they just took advantage of it and jumped on little nonathletic clumsy me all the more.

Despite pretty much living with my boyfriend's dogs, two golden retrievers, I never fully got over my bias towards dogs, and thinking that they just didn't LIKE me, and that they knew I was a dog virgin having never owned one, until last year. Last spring (2011), it was apparent that 15 year old O'Malley, the oldest of my boyfriend's two Goldens, didn't have much more time here on earth. His hips were going, he didn't get up much, his breathing was labored, and he couldn't enjoy any of the things he once loved, such as shoe stealing, running around outside, food begging, and yes, blanket humping. Lots of blanket humping, particularly when company came over.

It was on that note that my boyfriend's father, a longtime golden lover, decided that just one wouldn't do, and now would be the perfect time to get a new puppy, not as a "replacement" but rather as an addition, to help carry on the joys of owning a golden for another 13-15 years. So one frigid March morning we set out to the "quiet corner" of Connecticut, to a golden breeder's farm to pick out the newest family member.

I had never been to a puppy farm, or breeder, or whatever it is you want to call it. When we walked in, dozens of little fur balls came to attention, jumping up with their front paws on the top of their gates to greet us, all wrangling to be first in line. There were all different types of Goldens, big shaggy Nordics, and your basic "standard" golden. There were girls and there were boys. There were newborns (not yet for sale) and older puppies, who hadn't sold from the last litter. All were adorable. There was no way you couldn't love them. We narrowed it down to a type (we chose the standard) and the breeder released them from the pen so they could meet us. In a blur of fuzz and yippy barking, they came to us, not knowing this was judgement day, and that only one was going to get a home. Instead of feeling nervous as I did with past adult dogs, I was surprised when the puppies actually came up to ME (didn't they know all dogs conspired against me, then laughed about it later?!).

Somehow, we managed to narrow it down to two puppies, after at least an hour of playing and seeing who jived best with us. We eventually went with "Dark Green" (the color of the yarn around his neck). I can't remember the exact reasoning behind it, I guess he just called to us.  We paid the adoption fee and got some last minute advice from the breeder, and some supplies. We were then on our way! The puppy went in the back of the SUV for the long ride home. He didn't enjoy it much, and became carsick. The messes were just beginning!

So however, were the joys. I had never seen a dog go from puppy to adult, and I never got what people were talking about when they said their dogs were "part of the family" or "like a little human".  I used to be like okay, they have a dog. Its like having a couch you're fond of, or a stuffed teddy bear, or a favorite pair of jeans. Its there, you feed it, walk it, and so goes life. But dog ownership I suppose, is one of those things you don't get until you do it. Oscar as we called him (his name had to start with "O", family tradition), was no sofa. He really WAS a little "person". He was smart. He found ways to break the rules and get what he wanted, just like a child. He was a mischievous rebel, sneaking out of the house to take a dip in the neighbors pool. He didn't always come when called, and seemed to get a good laugh out of it. He discovered the joys of stick fetching in water, jumping with all four feet off the ground and launching himself in. He didn't like being on his leash, and would take it in his own mouth and rip it from your hands and walk himself.

He also understood quieter moments, he loved to cuddle on the sofa, rest his head on your lap, or lay at your feet. Yep, this was no sofa. This was a little Mr. Personality, the only thing he couldn't do was speak English. He still understood life however, and all the moments and things in it. And he never once tried to devour me. Oh, wait, yes he did. But this time I knew he was just playing around, scared was the last emotion I was feeling at that moment. And he ate my hair too. But I can forgive him because I mean LOOK at that face. He didn't mean it!

So in honor of all the pet owners out there who "get it", I decided to offer custom tees that feature your dog (or cat, never had a cat, terribly allergic! But I imagine the attachment is similar). Below is a picture of the tee design I did from a photo of Oscar. These pet images would also be great on tote bags (full of doggy or kitty goodies of course) or mugs, to have your morning coffee while telling your coworkers about Fido's latest funny actions. Or you may want to remember a lost pet in the same manner, and have your morning drink with him right there with you every single day.

Let me know how I can honor the little love in YOUR life! Request your own at www.youreaditshirts.com/Quote.html, and fill out the form and send your pics to get your very own. I get it now, owning a pet can be some pretty special stuff :) At the beginning of this entry, I said I "just" had fish, birds and a frog. But there are no small pets, only small owners! Perhaps your iguana means the world to you. If he does, let me know! There is no limit to what can go on a custom item. Okay, gotta run, Oscar keeps trying to eat the laptop. And with  those eyes, I might just let him :D

Meet the Tees - BEAST MODE ENGAGED!

"Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly. — Stephen R. Covey"

If anything has changed my life in recent years, I would have to say it was my time spent in the gym. For many people, the gym seems to be a sort of torture chamber, a punishment for eating too much cake the day before, or watching too much TV. They go in, do their time, and get out, thankful that its over. For me, that was never the case. I am not sure why exactly, but I became addicted shortly after my first visit. I always liked the idea of being strong, not being a wimp, showing up the boys, and getting a reaction out of people. And because I'm not like most girls in the gym, I do get some interesting reactions. I suppose that desire to impress myself and others is what keeps me so motivated. There's no end to what you can do, how your actions can help shape your body, which in turn shapes your mind. If you put tons of drive, discipline, effort, and research into making a physical change in your body, and you watch it happen from the inside out, and you tweak it and you build it how you want, its just a very inspiring thing. If you could do that, if you could devote yourself to something with so much passion that you could make a change that you can see and feel, what ELSE can you do? With just as much passion, you could do literally ANYTHING. Start a business, build a car from the ground up, travel the world, whatever it is that you consider just a dream today. For a lot of people, its just too hard. People like easy. People like fast. It's taken me three years to get where I am in my gym training and my running. I was a wimp the day I started. I had no idea what I was doing, I couldn't even run a mile. Success took hundreds of hours, tons of research, and just a small step was climbed each day. That experience however, has taught me so much. Its taught me that all things worthwhile take time. They also take research. Lots of research. Perhaps most importantly, they take confidence. Confidence grows every time you hit even a small goal. It inspires you to keep going, and go even harder the next time around. No one else is doing what you are? Who cares, be the one person who dares to try whats not normal. Go harder because you can. Who the hell said you can't? Just that little voice in your head, because if any other person is telling you you can't it doesn't matter. Don't accept anything less then 100%,  in anything you do. Don't feel like it today? Too bad. Lots of people don't feel like doing what it takes to be successful today. Those who get somewhere, will do it anyways. Those who get nowhere, will think up an excuse and do the minimum, again. It is this realization and mentality, that has even lead me to start my own design business. I wouldn't have the confidence or faith to do this, if I didn't have proof that if you work harder, than anyone else, than your average person, you can really reach your goals. It's much the same as the gym mentality. Don't get discouraged by minor setback. Accept it and move on. Accepting that each day will not be perfect is part of being sucessful in the end, because if you don't those hangups will strangle you. Try harder than anyone else. Research, and do lots of it. And don't quit. Never, ever stop trying to find that magic formula for success, even when you don't feel like it.

In honor of my love for fitness, I have created a couple of gym centered designs. The one featured here, "Beast Mode Engaged", is just meant to represent the excitement and drive that often comes with a great workout, the drive to kick your own ass, and excel beyond what you have achieved before. In other words, to become a "beast" and take no excuses, no mercy, no whining, and to go all out because you can and you have nothing to lose.

The gym may not be your thing. But whatever you do, have SOME thing, where you can engage your inner "beast". I don't care if its building model airplanes, acting out World War II battles, raising children, or selling stamps. Pick something you are passionate about, and give it 110% until you excel. Because passionless people are in no short supply. And as Dave Matthews says in his song "Lie in Our Graves", "I can't believe that we would lie in our graves wondering if we had spent our living days well." Don't wonder, be positive. Unlike the "Beast Mode Engaged button, life has no repeat button.

Grab this shirt for only $21.95 TODAY @ www.youreaditcustomshirts.com/Store.html, or suggest another gym themed shirt you'd like to see using the Suggestion Box!

Nice to Meetcha......

Hello, my name is Tamara Morrison and I'm a graphic designer from CT. Bored yet? Yeah, me too! Thats why I'm not going to make this some long thing full of boring credentials that you didn't care about. This is my first go around in the blogging world, but I thought, what better way to get the word out about what I'm trying to do, than to just TELL people, let them know exactly whats going on?

Maybe you know me, maybe you don't. But I've always been unique. When I was a kid, I didn't watch much TV. I haven't seen all the movies that "everyone" watched. I spent 90% of my time in the great outdoors, without supervision, or sunblock. And I'm still alive to talk about it! All that time outdoors, combined with being an only child, fueled my creativity to above average levels. If I wanted something to play with, I had to come up with it, all on my own. At the same time, I was a realist. Mattel loved to sell pink everything for Barbie dolls, pink couches, pink appliences, pink bathroom toilets. I hated it. Who the hell has a pink fridge? I painted it all what would be its normal colors, and resumed playing. I refused to fall for what people said you were "supposed to" play with, and I made it into what I wanted.

This mentality has stuck with me through adulthood. I still certainly go my own way, and let my creativity fuel everything I do. I still don't watch TV, and I haven't seen many movies! Life gets boring. So many people get stuck in that "supposed to" rut, they are "supposed to" go to school, meet the one, get married, have kids, buy a house, work a 9-5, retire, die. All that is fine and dandy....if it's what makes you happy. For me, that routine sounds less than thrilling. Some of the people who never followed (or even had) any passions, are some of the least happy people that I know. I refused to ever be like that, and be a passenger in the car of my own life. I'm always going to take the wheel. And thats why I decided NOT to let my passion for graphic design that I've had since I was 8 years old and we got our first family computer, die out like the Windows 95 on that old machine.

So that brings me to the reason for this blog, and thats to get the word out about my freelance graphic design business. I'm starting this because I don't want my days to be mediocre, or the same thing all day till I die. I truly love what I am doing, I love the thrill I get when an idea clicks. I love being able to help people convey their ideas, or come up with something they can be proud to use for thier business or event.

I also am offering custom Tshirts made from photos. Its simple, you send me a photo, (hopefully, decent quality!) and I work some magic on it, and come up with a graphic that can go on a shirt, or something else if you prefer. The cool thing about these is that they are 100% unique, no one else is going to have one! Plus, the subject has meaning to you, its YOUR dog, YOUR car, etc. Not just some graphic someone slapped on and WalMart sold. This also isn't just some run of the mill slap a picture on a shirt. I still remember in the 90s, my mom sent away a baby picture of me to Kodak (that they could not ever return) and 6-8 weeks later, a white tshirt with a rather cheap and grainy print of that long lost photo showed up in the mail. Ten washes later, it was dead. This is not like that! For one, the digital age has allowed me to easily attain your higher quality photos, and then I cut them out of that dreadful square, and apply some effects to them to give them more of a graphic, drawn on feel. Then, at your request, words can be added, or not. Its totally up to you! And no worries, it doesn't take six to eight weeks. All you need to do, is visit my website, at www.youreaditcustomshirts.com, and fill out the "QUOTE" form! That gives me all the info I need, lets you send me your picture, and lets you see a few examples.

While you're at it, check out the pre-designed shirts in the store! Maybe something will catch your eye. Maybe, nothing will. And if thats the case, I want your help! At the bottom of the store page, I have put up a suggestion box. At this stage in the game, I would love nothing more than ideas from YOU, on what you want to see on a shirt. Let me know! If I execute something you suggest, I will even send you a coupon code, so you can get your shirt for less! I can't promise to make every idea that comes in, but all suggestions are welcome. This endevor is nothing without you, because YOU and your freinds are the ones that would be wearing it. No force feeding of garbage here, like a bad Kelly Clarkson song pumped out over and over on the radio with seemingly no escape.

Last winter, I went skiing out in Utah. You are probably like "Well thats nice, why do I care?" There's a point, hang tight! Now, at the time, I had only been skiing twice here in CT, and the easy trails left me on my ass, speeding out of control towards the woods. My lovely "skiing since he could walk" boyfriend convinced me to head out there with him and his family, and I said why not, you only live once. (Hey, I made a shirt with that phrase!) Anyhow, I got to the top of that mountain, and looked down and OH MY GOD I thought for sure I was going to die before I reached the bottom. My stomach tied in knots, I got lightheaded and I could hardly breathe. I told myself I must be insane, what was I doing here, there was NO WAY I was going down THERE on skiis. But I did. I guess I knew the only way off this mountain was to skii it, or die trying. No other way down, except to walk down, give up, sulk and go home. And I'd regret that forever. So I took the plunge. And I don't think I have ever felt so alive. It was being terrified and thrilled all at once. And at the bottom, there is NO greater feeling than knowing you just did that, you conquered that, and yeah you were scared but you forgot to care.

After that trip, I told myself, as I slogged through "the routine" that I wanted to have that feeling more often. And this, this whole starting a business, controlling my own destiny, feels kind of like that. The excitement, the uncertainty, the motivation to kick this thing in the ass and see what I can do with it. And you know what, yeah, I'm scared. But I don't care. I'm taking the plunge.

Check back for updates soon, and learn a little more about the current TShirt designs, and "Meet the Tees!"