Do you know what's funny?

People make so many assumptions about others without knowing them. They don't know their life story, who they are as a person or pretty much ANYTHING about them, yet they make a judgement call. Me? I'm guilty of the same thing sometimes. I read what the press says and I make a judgement call. I really try to live by the motto of my good friend Laura. She always said "no judging" whenever topics turned to gossip and you know what? She's right. People are people first. Treat them as such.

It's funny because I've received a few e-mails on why I decided to walk away from Gin-X or people will send me links to threads here or there. I avoid all talk because it's speculation and usually it involves some sort of unrelated personal attack on me and quite frankly - I don't need that shit. But, here's the deal. There are so many factors as to why I left and those close to me know the story. I'll give you the basic 411 - I needed stability and benefits for my family and honestly - I was sick and tired of some of the BS that goes on in the industry. There, I said it. Feels good to put that out there. What's interesting is that scrapbooking is a business, but you'll find that in this industry, that is not always the case. Fortunately, I always tried to surround myself with genuine people and I think I did a pretty good job of that. I am a no BS kind of girl and those who know me know that's my motto. If you have something to say - say it to me. If you need a favor, ask. It's that plain and simple. There are a few bad eggs out there - figure out who they are and avoid them.

On a positive note, I've made a lot of great friends through my three years in product design. Good friends that I still keep in touch with and plan to see at various trade shows, etc. Good friends that I met through managing a store (even if it was just briefly) that I adore dearly and who stand by me and encourage me every day. I wouldn't trade that or my experience at IP. It's all a part of life and sometimes when you get what you want, you realize that it's not everything you thought it would be. I think that's what it boiled down to for me. In the end, I just didn't want to play the game anymore.

So - I'm happy now. I'm back in a corporate environment, I have stability and benefits and I love what I do. I sit at a desk in a cubicle and I punch a time card again. (Ok - so not literally but it's a pretty straightforward 8-5)

Hopefully my post does not get turned around into something it's not. Don't try to read more into it than there is. Man - I hate days when I have to attach a caveat to something I say but there it is.

Oh - and for my PSA of the day here it is. Support your scrapbook stores whether it be online or brick and mortar. They're the foundation of this industry and without them, there won't be an industry. I don't want to go back to using whatever I can find at an office supply store.