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Fun with Bible interpretation along with cartoon style, etc.

Character’s Job Affects Your Novel

When you think about a character’s profession or job, what are you looking for?

Stand out. Usually, you want something that will stand out. Maybe taxidermist, taxi driver, armored car driver. The ch

Implications of the Job. Think carefully about the implications of the job. This might be considering the tools they use, the hours they work, the type of people they will work with and will serve. All these things are grist for the mill of your story. You’ll have to SHOW-Don’t-Tell the character at work, so you’ll need all these details. How will it work into the story? For example, a butcher deals with knives and housewives; are either of those important in your story?

Roles and Hobbies. Even children/students need an interesting job or role in life. This can come from their passion for studies, their family situation, or their hobbies. Maybe your character is just ten years old, but is already on the way to being a champion at tying fishing flies. Or, maybe they like photographing birds and can identify anything that flies by at a glance.

Plot. Think about when and where your stories events could happen because of this particular job. The list will be short: will those places/events work for your story?

Theme. Finally, think about the theme of your story, what is the underlying moral pinnings of your story? Are you telling a story of healing? Then look for medical jobs. Are you telling a story of revenge? Jobs that require some heavy physical activity would lead to a story of violence.

Of course, in all these things, you can go for the total opposite: a story of healing takes place in a jail (Character’s job: inmate). A story of violence happens in a nunnery.

Think carefully about the jobs/roles you assign to each character because it has implications for the whole story.

The two art classes that I have been teaching to homeschoolers over the past couple months ended today.  However, I'm newly inspired - I'm excited about all of the fun things I can share in doing more art classes and the potential it has as a way to help out the family.

About a month ago I got an email from Steve Brodner inviting me to a lecture he was organizing at SVA, where we both teach. He was asking me to participate by sending him images of alternative illustration jobs I’d done. I must confess I was a bit confused, although very flattered, because there was no mention of my actually being a speaker. Soon I found out, indeed I wasn’t a speaker, Steve had emailed me among many other established illustrators to put together a slide show that represented a strong reality of where illustration is going today. Moreover, this lecture, he explained, wasn’t going to be only about the speakers (painter and filmmaker James Blagen; comic artist and designer Mickey Duzyj; and illustrator Alex Juhasz), but also about having an active audience of both strong and new voices in the field.

A couple of days later I get an email from Heidi Younger at FIT inviting me to be a speaker on a panel with Yuko Shimizu, Marcos Chin, Zina Saunders and Fred Harper… the next day after Steve’s panel. Damn! I couldn’t turn down sharing a stage with Yuko and Marcos- I don’t know Zina and Fred- so I accepted. Our lecture is titled How I Got My First Job and focuses pretty much on exactly the same concept as Steve’s.

As excited as I was about going to Steve’s lecture, I’m not sure I can shorten my work hours at this huge restaurant project I just started in Long Island and make both lectures, though I certainly have to make mine, or course. What’s also slightly odd about it, for me at least, is that I have SVA written all over me ( I moved to NY to go to SVA, graduated from SVA, teach at SVA), so I almost feel obligated to be there. Oh well… I’m sure it will be packed anyway.

Steve Brodner’s Lecture: SVA, 209 East 23rd Street, 3rd FL, Amphitheater. Tuesday 3/23, 6.30-8 PM

https://www.artinfo.com/galleryguide/22184/8702/124419/school-of-visual-arts-sva-gallery/exhibition/illustration-next/

FIT: How I got My First Job, FIT, 27th St & 7th Ave, C Building, Robert Lagary Board Room, 9th FL.Wednesday 3/24, 6.30-8 PM. FLYER: http://www.fernandacohen.com/content/images/editorial_384.htm

- Fernanda

Alexandra D’Arcy is a sociolinguist by training and specializes in the study of language variation and change. She is an Assistant Professor in Linguistics and the Director of the newly formed Sociolinguistics Lab at the University of Victoria.  This is the second installation in her new monthly column so be sure to check back next month.

Some of you may recall the Friends episode in which Ross breathlessly exclaims that he has a date with a professor from NYU: ‘She’s a linguist! They’re wild!’ I’d really like to meet Ross, because at parties or other social occasions, the fact that I am a linguist has never, not even once, elicited such excitement. In fact, whenever someone asks what I do or what I teach, my answer generally elicits one of three responses, none of which includes shortness of breath.

The first is the obviously befuddled ‘Oh yeah?’ This response is accompanied by the glazing over of the speaker’s eyes as they turn away from me, searching the room for an escape. A spin on this is ‘Oh, cool.’ The crucial difference here is the attempt to seem somewhat familiar with what it is a linguist does before, inevitably, searching the room for an escape.

The second and most popular response is the excited ‘So how many languages do you speak?’ Nobody seems very impressed with my answer, which is ‘Just two.’ I almost feel guilty when I see the disappointment etched across their face as I try to explain the difference between the study of language and the speaking of languages.

The third response, and what I hope to answer here, is the exceedingly rare ‘What does a linguist actually do?’ Since linguistics is the scientific study of language, and since phrases like ‘the scientific study of language’ immediately revert us back to glazed eyes and desperate escape attempts, I have to go a different route. I talk about what I do rather than attempt a strict definition.

I’m a sociolinguist, so I study the intersection between social structure and language practice.  Things like your gender, your ethnicity, your occupation, your social networks and your hobby groups affect the way you talk. This is why no two people talk exactly the same way. Some of us prefer somebody while others prefer someone. Many of us even use both. Sometimes we say that we’re going to do something, and sometimes we say that we will do something. And sometimes we say that while sometimes we just say. But despite all these differences and variations, we still manage to understand one another. How does that work? And why is it that English today isn’t the same as the English of 500 years ago, or 100 years ago, or even 20 years ago? How does that work? Where do changes come from? Who starts them? These are the kinds of questions that I try to answer. I’m a sociolinguist, and I study why we talk the way we do. Fascinating stuff, really; dare I even say it’s wild?

Working never got any better than THIS. Read all about it on the josh pincus is crying blog.

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Wow! It's taking a lot longer to get "back to normal" than I thought. I've almost got the studio set up, but then we'll be getting some new windows which means I have to move some things out of the way. Of course, I wouldn't exactly have time right now to get out there to work.

I'm still working on a doodle in my sketchbook, but it's taking a long time. I was able to doodle a little last Sunday - just a little fun. I suppose it's some sort of little magical dwarf and his elegant horse.

With the move and the home improvements that have followed, catching up on homeschooling record-keeping, and the running-around during soccer season, I'm lucky to have gotten this done.

Things will change, though. Especially since I just found out that I will be out of a job after the new year - Barnes & Noble is closing all of it's B. Dalton branches. I could transfer to the B&N about an hour away, but I can't see doing that commute right now, working until midnight, etc. My store manager is thinking about opening an independent bookstore. Risky? Maybe...but there's NOTHING else in this area. You have to drive an hour north or south to get to a bookstore. We'll see what happens.

Maybe I could teach some art classes. I don't know.

Of course, this has definitely been a year of changes: my dad passed away in January, baby arrived in March, spent months fixing up the old house and house-hunting, son started high school in August...might as well change jobs, too (I guess).

For each question, select the answer which best describes your job, and add up your points at the end to determine how good your job is.

Rise and Shine

1. It’s still dark outside when I get up (5 points)
2. The room has a faint hint of dawn’s light when my alarm goes off (3)
3. I am the master of my own schedule (0)

Leisure

1. I try to go to the restroom (even if I don’t need to) more than three times in one hour to pass the time (5)
2. I have occasionally thought about going to the restroom (even if I don’t need to) while at work in order to escape boredom (3)
3. I only use the restroom at scheduled break-times and never even think of taking unscheduled breaks(3)

Climate Control

1. The Mohave desert are probably cooler than my job location (5)
2. I can survive with a tank top or short sleeves (3)
3. I usually wear a light cardigan to fight the chill (1)

Paraphernalia

1. My job requires a sunhat, Gatorade, Windex, pruning shears, tools or other cleaning/maintenance supplies (10)
2. I bring nothing because a monkey could do my job (5)
3. My job requires Critical Thinking skills so I usually just bring a blackberry, laptop, and/ or a pen (0)

Compensation

1. Uncle Sam would pay me more to stay home and watch TV (10)
2. I make less than the national average for my job title ( 5)
3. I am able to live comfortable fulfilling life on my salary (0)

Insurance/ Planning for the Future

1. “I’m probably not contagious”, or “It’ll probably go away” or “Grab the duct tape and aspirin, I hope we don’t have to amputate this time” (25)
2. “Top Ramen and Waffles again, we have to the deductible this month” (10)
3. “Thank goodness I had my insurance card with me, otherwise I might have had to fill out extra paperwork” (0)

Attire

1. My work attire comes with a name tag and rubber soled shoes (5)
2. My work attire is pretty casual (3)
3. My work attire is formal and/or business casual (0)

Food

1. “I thought I had a tic tac in here somewhere, oh well”(10)
2. “Where’s the taco truck?” (3)
3. “Should I have one martini or two?” (0)

Regarding The Boss

1. ” You’re lucky I’m on parole this month” or “Where is my concealed carry permit” or “If I wear sunglasses, maybe he/she won’t know it’s me” (10)
2. “Has he/she ever heard of fa-breeze” (5)
3. “My boss is usually tough but fair” (0)

Internal Fraternization

1. “No means no”, “It’s never as good as the first time”, “I really need this promotion”, “put that camera away” or “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (25)
2. “Is he/she checking out my junk?” (5)
3. “Maintaining cordial and professional relationships with colleagues is the key to success” (0)

Bonus

• My job requires holding a sign and standing on a sidewalk ( 100 points)

Your Results:

0-15= A+ : You are just too legit to quit, you lucky duck

15-45= C-: Consider quitting, you’re better off selling stuff on eBay or Craigslist

50-100 F : See ya! Go home, and let Uncle Sam spring for the donuts from now on. You don’t have to take it anymore

Over 100 F-: Consider a life of crime( just kidding) , 3 hots and a cot

For each question, select the answer which best describes your job, and add up your points at the end to determine how good your job is.

Rise and Shine

1. It’s still dark outside when I get up (5 points)
2. The room has a faint hint of dawn’s light when my alarm goes off (3)
3. I am the master of my own schedule (0)

Leisure

1. I try to go to the restroom (even if I don’t need to) more than three times in one hour to pass the time (5)
2. I have occasionally thought about going to the restroom (even if I don’t need to) while at work in order to escape boredom (3)
3. I only use the restroom at scheduled break-times and never even think of taking unscheduled breaks(3)

Climate Control

1. The Mohave desert are probably cooler than my job location (5)
2. I can survive with a tank top or short sleeves (3)
3. I usually wear a light cardigan to fight the chill (1)

Paraphernalia

1. My job requires a sunhat, Gatorade, Windex, pruning shears, tools or other cleaning/maintenance supplies (10)
2. I bring nothing because a monkey could do my job (5)
3. My job requires Critical Thinking skills so I usually just bring a blackberry, laptop, and/ or a pen (0)

Compensation

1. Uncle Sam would pay me more to stay home and watch TV (10)
2. I make less than the national average for my job title ( 5)
3. I am able to live comfortable fulfilling life on my salary (0)

Insurance/ Planning for the Future

1. “I’m probably not contagious”, or “It’ll probably go away” or “Grab the duct tape and aspirin, I hope we don’t have to amputate this time” (25)
2. “Top Ramen and Waffles again, we have to the deductible this month” (10)
3. “Thank goodness I had my insurance card with me, otherwise I might have had to fill out extra paperwork” (0)

Attire

1. My work attire comes with a name tag and rubber soled shoes (5)
2. My work attire is pretty casual (3)
3. My work attire is formal and/or business casual (0)

Food

1. “I thought I had a tic tac in here somewhere, oh well”(10)
2. “Where’s the taco truck?” (3)
3. “Should I have one martini or two?” (0)

Regarding The Boss

1. ” You’re lucky I’m on parole this month” or “Where is my concealed carry permit” or “If I wear sunglasses, maybe he/she won’t know it’s me” (10)
2. “Has he/she ever heard of fa-breeze” (5)
3. “My boss is usually tough but fair” (0)

Internal Fraternization

1. “No means no”, “It’s never as good as the first time”, “I really need this promotion”, “put that camera away” or “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (25)
2. “Is he/she checking out my junk?” (5)
3. “Maintaining cordial and professional relationships with colleagues is the key to success” (0)

Bonus

• My job requires holding a sign and standing on a sidewalk ( 100 points)

Your Results:

0-15= A+ : You are just too legit to quit, you lucky duck

15-45= C-: Consider quitting, you’re better off selling stuff on eBay or Craigslist

50-100 F : See ya! Go home, and let Uncle Sam spring for the donuts from now on. You don’t have to take it anymore

Over 100 F-: Consider a life of crime( just kidding) , 3 hots and a cot

Are you unemployed? Do you struggle paying the bills, feeding the family, and keeping the electricity on?
Well my friend you have just stumbled across the best article you could have done. All I hope is your dial up suppliers supply you with just enough time to read this article, before they terminate your contract :-O

its the recession, becoming financially crippled is a fear for many during these hard times. But how do you survive when your boss goes loco and shoots him self because the multi-million pound business that once thrived has has gone bankrupt? Well this list is going to tell you with the latest HOW TO!

• Your hunger needs. Okay you have been made unemployed. Those days of a 9-5 Job are over, you dreamed of this day right? Wrong you dreamed of retirement sitting in your dream house with no more work. You didn’t dream about being broke smelly and homeless. This is not good, first things first you need a nice meal in your stomach you won’t have the energy to survive my how to guide without one. But how you ask? well first of all you must cut that dead weight! Like a plane that is losing altitude fast because of an excessive payload you need to lose a few items. In this case your family, there’s no room for them anymore say bye to the wife and kids. You will have enough trouble feeding yourself during these troublesome times let alone some growing kids and your wife unless shes Paris Hilton in that case she will not need feeding!

Okay so you have cut the dead weight, now you need to actually obtain food FOR FREE! You could beg but our how to guides are about thinking outside the box. So this is what you do first of all you get your self in your sharpest suit which was left over from your 9-5 Job then grab some of your wife’s old fancy shopping bags with the expensive brand names printed on them that shout “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY” Fill them with old news papers and other worthless items to supply a realistic weight. Then your all set, step into a local restaurant and order a fulling meal that leaves you on the verge of exploding. So now your all full up but how to leave the place without paying? Well simple you order a dessert when they bring it over say you need to take a phone call outside and ask if they will watch your bags you will be two minutes. You stroll outside and never return leaving the bags full of worthless junk behind MUWHAHAHA Mission: Obtain Free Meal COMPLETE.

• No place like home. So you have ditched the family and obtained free food now you need a place to stay. But where? well you have a couple of choices. Choice one the dis-honest way those who say this is for people with no morals bare with me. Its important to take into consideration that this is your last resort, when all is lost during these troubling times. So here it is your first choice. You find a local bar and go up to the most ugliest chick/dude on the premises, you maintain a level of conversation and keep the compliments frequently coming as this chick or dude is most likely used to people frequently running. After this comes the STING you fake a phone call, oh dear your best friend is in hospital and you have lost your wallet! What will you do your distort your friend could be dying and your not even at the hospital! But wait I’m sure your new friend will help :-). Either this or you manage to get yourself a one night stand with the ugly dude/chick (bare in mind this is a last resort i repeat A LAST RESORT) Either Way Problem Solved! you have managed to obtain a “Taxi Fare” which will really be used to get a room for the night at a nice little hotel.

• Transport - Start going places. So you have managed to secure yourself a place to stay and get your self something to eat but this lying lifestyle ain’t for you. You need to start looking for a new job in order to get your life back on track and start going places. So what to do well for this one we figure you need to get your karma restored back to its normal neutral self. So simply ask around until you come across the good Samaritan that pays for your fare and sends you on your road to financial recovery.

Thanks for reading, I would like to make note this was made to lend a comical hand to the current seriousness that is everywhere from our media to our homes.

Image via Wikipedia

Guess who’s coming over for dinner? It’s your mother-in-law. Are you excited? Well here are ten fortune cookie sayings that you might hear from your dear mother-in-law.

1.   You look like a bum. You smell like a bum. I guess you are a bum. I don’t mean to be rude.

2.   Get a job! Get off your butt! What’s the matter with you? Have a nice day.

3.   You call this cooking? What are you trying to do? Are you trying to poison me? I’ll just have some wine.

4.   Lose some weight! You look like my next door neighbor. They call him the Elephant Man.

5.   Why did you ever marry my daughter? Where did I go wrong? By the way, wash your face and comb your hair.

6.   Did you know that divorce is a seven letter word? You can use it in Scrabble or on some other occasion.

7.   I’m ill. Call my doctor! Call my lawyer! Call my psychiatrist! Just get off your ass and start calling.

8.   You’re not getting anything from me when I’m dead. I’ve written you out of my will. Now start massaging my feet.

9.   Did anyone ever tell you that you bear a striking resemblance to the picture of the serial killer that is terrorizing the city?

10. Good news! Someone is moving into your home to live with you. I’ll give you one guess.

Image via Wikipedia

Guess who’s coming over for dinner? It’s your mother-in-law. Are you excited? Well here are ten fortune cookie sayings that you might hear from your dear mother-in-law.

1.   You look like a bum. You smell like a bum. I guess you are a bum. I don’t mean to be rude.

2.   Get a job! Get off your butt! What’s the matter with you? Have a nice day.

3.   You call this cooking? What are you trying to do? Are you trying to poison me? I’ll just have some wine.

4.   Lose some weight! You look like my next door neighbor. They call him the Elephant Man.

5.   Why did you ever marry my daughter? Where did I go wrong? By the way, wash your face and comb your hair.

6.   Did you know that divorce is a seven letter word? You can use it in Scrabble or on some other occasion.

7.   I’m ill. Call my doctor! Call my lawyer! Call my psychiatrist! Just get off your ass and start calling.

8.   You’re not getting anything from me when I’m dead. I’ve written you out of my will. Now start massaging my feet.

9.   Did anyone ever tell you that you bear a striking resemblance to the picture of the serial killer that is terrorizing the city?

10. Good news! Someone is moving into your home to live with you. I’ll give you one guess.

1. Go for a run. 

2. Rent a movie.

3. Build a card tower.

4. Write stuff down backwards and then read it in a mirror.

5. Buy a trampoline.  

6. Jump on it.

7. Crank up some tunes.

8. Try to lick your elbow.

9. Read a good book.

10. Clean up your room.

11. Start a blog.

12. Watch people’s fails on YouTube,

13. Prank call a friend.

14. Find a wall and see how high you can get your hand by jumping.

15. Wet your hair and style it.

16. Start a new instrument.

17. Find a job.

18. Put iodine on any open cuts.  Being bored will seem pretty good after this.

19. Go for a walk and comment on people to your self.

20. Learn how to cook something tasty.

21. Write a story.

22. Take a hot shower.

23. See how far you can get a paper airplane to fly.

24. Wikipedia Race (google it).

25.  Think of something else to do when bored and comment it for others to read.

1. Go for a run. 

2. Rent a movie.

3. Build a card tower.

4. Write stuff down backwards and then read it in a mirror.

5. Buy a trampoline.  

6. Jump on it.

7. Crank up some tunes.

8. Try to lick your elbow.

9. Read a good book.

10. Clean up your room.

11. Start a blog.

12. Watch people’s fails on YouTube,

13. Prank call a friend.

14. Find a wall and see how high you can get your hand by jumping.

15. Wet your hair and style it.

16. Start a new instrument.

17. Find a job.

18. Put iodine on any open cuts.  Being bored will seem pretty good after this.

19. Go for a walk and comment on people to your self.

20. Learn how to cook something tasty.

21. Write a story.

22. Take a hot shower.

23. See how far you can get a paper airplane to fly.

24. Wikipedia Race (google it).

25.  Think of something else to do when bored and comment it for others to read.

Grandma Kernik: Davey, honey? Are you up? School will be starting soon.

Grandma Dolores: Well, David. Would you like some cold cereal?

Grandma Kernik: I don’t understand. How is that a school on your computer? You kids.

Me: It’s an online school, Grandma. You don’t even have to leave the house.

Grandma Kernik: Well, I wouldn’t go out in this old thing anyway.

School’s in for Summer

If you can’t tell from my typing, I’m waiting for video to compress and upload. Even as I enter the home stretch on the Sparky Firepants Digital Illustration School launch and still intensely fascinated by how awesome it’s turning out to be, I’ve got more fantastic ideas ready to hit the page. As soon as I wrap up the launch, I’ll be moving right into more very exciting and cool things.

Before I go into that, I need to let you know about a special offer on Digital Illustration School. It would be very wrong of me to not let you in on this, since you were nice enough to hang out here today.

The first course in the school will be ready for download on Tuesday, June 2. For the first week that it’s online, I’m having a Grand Opening Special. The rate for the Vector Course Value Pack will be reduced (ok, slashed) for a whole week.

Two things you need to know to take advantage of this:

1. I’m going to send out a discount code via e-mail. If you want to get the code, you need to sign up on the site before June 2nd.
2. The sale ends at midnight on June 9th. After that, the price almost doubles.
3. This is just for the Vector Course Value Pack. The other stuff is priced so cheap I’m almost giving it away as it is.

To recap, that means that for the first week, the price on the Vector Course Value Pack is $175. After June 9th, it goes up to $295 and stays there. Forever.

I don’t know about you, but even as a “creative type” with my limited math skills, that sounds like quite a deal.

If the course isn’t your thing, it’s cool. Maybe you know someone it would be perfect for, in which case you would be an amazing friend if you told that someone about this killer deal. Also in which case you could potentially earn some cash, since I’ll pay a whopping 25% commission if your someone purchases anything on the site. I’m going to set up an affiliate program soon but for now I feel really happy about offering you $43.75 just for helping an artist learn some mad new digital skills.

So before you forget, go sign up now.

How to Get and Keep Illustration and Design Jobs

The next exciting thing being hatched by my madly manic brain is a series of blog posts that will tell you how to get work as an artist.

I was thinking about how I’ve been getting art-type gigs for a really long time now. I was also thinking about how I used to hire people for art gigs. So with all this golden knowledge collecting dust in my noggin, it’s borderline criminal to not share all the inside information.

So I’m kicking off a series of blog posts that tell you how to get work as an artist. I’ll tell you everything. What to say (and not to say) in an art job interview, how to deal with the monotony of production work, and even deep, dark secrets about portfolio reviews that will probably make you angry… but at least you’ll know how it all works.

What about working at a design McJob while you pine away for that glorious freelance illustration career? Yep, I’ll clue you in on that stuff, too. I’ve done it. You can do it. There are just a few things you need to know that your boss isn’t going to tell you.

What about freelance gigs? How to get them, where to get… and where NOT to get them.

Right here, on the blog, read it when you need it.

Today is our amazing intern’s last day. Below are her thoughts on the experience. If you are interested in interning in the publicity department at OUP shoot me an email at [email protected]. Ashley, you have no idea how much you will be missed!

By Ashley Bray

My time at Oxford University Press has come to an end, and just when I was getting started! I may have only been at Oxford for a few short months, but I am walking away with a lot more knowledge than I walked in with.

To be honest, I happened upon this internship accidentally. I wasn’t planning on interning this semester, but a friend of mine recommended that I apply so I decided to give it a shot. My goal has always been to land an internship in book publishing, and since all of my past forays have been into magazines and newsletters, I couldn’t let this opportunity slide by. Obviously, things worked out in my favor!

My official title has been “Blog Intern,” but that is misleading because I’ve gotten the chance to do a little bit of everything while I’ve been here. What I’ve liked most about this internship is that I’ve done something different each day. There is always a new blog post to write or promote, a galley letter to write, or a press release to put together. I even learned about the editorial side of book publishing at a lunch I scheduled with an editor.

What was my favorite thing to do while at this internship? Why, update Publicity Assistant, of course (PA for short, we’re on pretty close terms, you all know how it is)! For those of you who can’t sense the sarcasm coming off that sentence in waves, let me clue you in— I’m joking. All jokes side, however, I am grateful for what I learned to do with Publicity Assistant; it’s an important program to know how to use and one more thing I can take away from this internship. Becca may think I’m lying considering she lived in daily fear that I would quit each time she gave me something to enter into PA, but really, I didn’t mind it.

So what was really my favorite thing about this internship? Getting the chance to work with a variety of books (and there’s not the least bit of sarcasm in that sentence!). I had the chance to read and write about books all day— it was almost too good to be true! From In Search of Jefferson’s Moose to From Colony to Superpower to The New Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes (a personal favorite), I’ve gotten the chance to work with books in almost every category. For an avid reader and writer, there’s really nothing better.

One of the most valuable things I took away from this internship is a much clearer idea about the blogosphere. Bloggers were quite foreign to me when I first started, and I was a bit overwhelmed at first by this new world of posts, Technorati, and Blogrolls. This is embarrassing for a college student— someone who should be on the forefront of this kind of stuff— to admit. I am forever grateful to Becca for teaching me everything I needed to know about the world of blogs; it’s knowledge that I know I’ll be able to apply no matter where I go.

I’m sad to leave, but I’m thankful that I decided to intern at Oxford. I’ve learned so much, met a lot of great people, and had fun along the way. Thank you, Becca, for making this experience so worthwhile! And thank you to everyone at Oxford who helped me to feel welcome and get involved while I was here.

I think I lost part of my soul today when I reactivated my Facebook profile and actually filled it in and began trolling for friends. But I feel that, as part of my job, I really ought to be more with-it on the whole social networking thing, if I'm expected to participate in decisions relating to Web 2.0 stuff at the library. I pretty much laid down over 2 hours of looking for friends, looking at groups and networks, becoming fans of various groups, and getting dizzy over the amount of time-sucking applications they have on there. It's a little frightening.

But it's also a good thing. For example, I reconnected with my best friend from when I was 5 years old. She's off traveling the world and singing on a cruise ship right now. Seriously, how many people get to say they do that for a living? I also spied a bunch of people from high school and college, and my old job (uh, yeah 6 months ago, is that "old"?) that I've lost touch with, and learned that pretty much everyone loves watching Heroes as much as I do.

I decided not to link it up with the ol' blog here though, because I like to pretend I'm fairly anonymous here. Or at least I prefer to think that way, so please don't spoil that for me if I'm totally wrong. For those of you who do know me, feel free to look me up and friend me on fb.

Oh, lordy, look at that, I already am calling it fb. Yeesh.

***I hope you brought a lunch***

Well, it's been an interesting week...and it's only Tuesday, y'all! Let's do this thing.

Jobby Job - Well, I kept this under wraps, but I had a job interview on Friday afternoon. I was scheduled to interview with 5 people (5!) all at once for a position that was closer to home, better pay, a lot less stressful, better hours, not so much traveling around, etc. Basically, it was just the kind of job a fella like me would like. I was the last interview on Friday, so I thought Dang...these people are going to want to get outta here. I'm at SUCH a disadvantage. It was raining. My pants got wet (and not from Egg Drop Soup, thank you) and I was tired from the day. It just wasn't a good set-up. I got there and they fired all kinds of questions at me and like someone who REALLY wanted a new job, I wound up and cracked off a pretty decent answer for all of them. I left feeling pretty good about the whole thing, but then I (of course) started 2nd guessing myself.

Why did I say THAT?
What did so-and-so mean when she asked me about my future with the company?
Did I sound like a braggart and a jerk?
Was my handshake weak?
Why didn't I get that degree?

This went on for the entire weekend. Despite that, I started (in my head) planning on how I was going to break the news to my boss about my new job (which I didn't have) and how awesome it was going to be to NOT have to travel waaaay up north for weeks at a time to train miserable nurses and techs on a system they probably don't care about. I do this everytime. I imagine life in my new job and I get all happy and what-not only to get the crushing news a few weeks later that I'm no good or whatever.

Of course, I wanted to know NOW if I got the job. The worst part? I made up a nice list of references before the interview and only when I got back home did I realize I'd forgotten to offer them. I was screwed.

Cut to Monday afternoon. I'm enjoying lunch at, you guessed it, Chipotle with some co-workers. You know one of them. He was the dude in the Crazy Monday video. You remember the guy. Anyway, we were talking and I said: "I just want to know NOW if I got it, you know? Is that so much to ask?"

I recounted how I got my current job. It was end of August and I got an interview here in the morning. What sucked was that it fell on the day Laura and I and her family were going to go to the State Fair (the Great Minnesota Get-Together). So, I went to the interview, thought I did okay, and went to the fair. I got a call on my cell phone (while in the Midway) and was offered the job. That was like a 2 hour turnaround!

Anyway, I thought it'd be nice to get something like that going, so when I got back to work I checked my e-mail for a nugget. Nothing. I drummed my fingers. I checked Craigslist for jobs. Nothing good. Not thinking I'd hear anything so soon, I dialed up my voicemail at home.

"You have...1 new message."

There's nothing quite like having that crabby electronic lady tell you you've got a message waiting. When you don't have one, it's like she gets all ugly about it. "YOU HAVE NO MESSAGES." Fine lady, be that way.

But yesterday...I had a message, y'all.

I punched in the codes and listened. It was the head-honcho lady for the department where I'd interviewed. She sounded nice n' friendly and wanted me to give her a call back. She ended the message by saying: "I look forward to talking to you."

I freaked. Could this be good news? I played it again, listening for tone and what-not. Would someone really be looking forward to talking to me if she wanted to tell me I didn't get the job? Could this woman be that cruel? I asked my co-workers. I listened to it again. I had them listen to it. I tried not to soil myself (and succeeded).

I called her back. Long story short? She said both groups that were looking for someone were BLOWN AWAY (huh? really?) by me in the interview. She offered me the job and gave me my choice of which specialty area I wanted to choose from.

"Really?" I asked. "I can pick?"

I had my choice between the Medicine Specialty group or the Cardiology/Pulmonary group. I thought they'd just put me where they thought I'd be best, but I guess they both wanted me, so it was up to me to decide. Since I like hearts n' stuff, I picked Cardiology/Pulmonary. The big boss lady said those two Directors will be thrilled and that's it. I've got a new job, starting on May 5th!

Crazy!

Lappity Lappity - I sort of anticipated that I was going to have to stay up north a bunch this summer for my (old) job, so I decided I wanted to be more productive whilst on the road. In the past, I would drag an Xbox or a Playstation 2 (sometimes both) with me and when I was done teaching my classes, I would hole up like a hermit in my hotel room and just play video games. Seriously. Like from 4pm - midnight. Yes. Time well spent.

Since I've decided THIS IS THE YEAR THINGS HAPPEN, I didn't want to do that. I've got a pretty big writing to-do list, so I decided I needed to get a laptop. Nothing too fancy, just something where I can put words on a screen...maybe do a little with the world wide community of the internets...perhaps burn a dvd or two...and, all right, edit a video or what not.

So, anyway, I got one. I almost wonder what's wrong with it since I got such a good deal. It's got a 17" widescreen display, CD/DVD burner, a built in webcam (that I don't know what I'll use it for) and all kinds of other crap. It's thin, lightweight and is quicker than brown chocolate powder you stir in milk.

But yeah! I'm portable, baby! I know I'm like 10 years behind the times and all my writer pals are like...

Yeah, great TKT. Welcome to 2008!

But it'll be great. I can go into coffee shops and fire up my laptop (to be named later) sit there until the stink of coffee makes me sick and then go out to another place where I can just sit and type to my heart's content! I can blog from the road! I can check my e-mail just about everywhere. I CAN DO STUFF.

Beddy Bed - Man, this post is getting out of hand. Feel free to check out when I lose you. My feelings won't be hurt. Anyway, Travis go an upgraded bed yesterday. He was rockin' the toddler bed for a little over a year and we decided it was time to get him a bed big enough for us to lie in as well. So, when we got his crib all those years back (3) we got one of those Transformer beds. You know, you can convert it from a crib (insert Transformers sound effect here) into...a FULL SIZE bed.

Full size? For our little Travis?

Yes. He's skipped past the Twin Size bed (which I had until I was 16 and old enough to buy myself a futon) right to the deluxe accomodations a Full size provides.

I converted the crib to the bed (no easy task) and delivery of his new mattress and box spring came last night while I was working out at the club. I came home all sweaty and a bit stinky and he was THRILLED!

"Dad! Dad!" I could hear him drop his Hot Wheels cars and come running over. "I got my big boy bed! Come see! Come see!"

I followed him to his room and lo and behold, there it was. Laura wasted no time in making it up and putting his brand-spanking-new Cars quilt on it. I imagined little Travis sleeping in that enormous bed and I have to admit I got a little misty.

He tried to climb in it and couldn't. The bed was too high and he was a bit too short.

Last night when I got back from another (suicide attempt!) EMT call, I went into his room and lay with him a little bit. He said he was scared of his new 'big boy' bed and that he wanted to sleep in Mom and Dad's bed. I told him he didn't need to. He was a big kid now and big kids slept in their own beds. He told me he had bad dreams. I reminded him that dreams were just pretend things that happened in his head and that he couldn't get hurt by bad dreams.

"Besides, I'm right downstairs under your room listening for you." (That's where the Nerdery is, where I spend my free time in the evening, crafting those book things I mess around with.)

He looked at me like he didn't know I was right below him.

"I also check on you a bunch of times at night to see if you're okay," I told him.

"You do?"

"Absolutely," I said. "I want to make sure my little guy is doing okay."

I then told him about how I came in a couple nights ago and how he was asleep and his arms were up like he was on a rollercoaster.

"Like this?" He put his arms up over his head and opened his mouth.

"Exactly," I said. "Another time, you were buried under deedees (his word for blankets). I had to lift them up to see if you were in there."

"I was?"

"Yep. So go to sleep, Buddy. You'll be okay."

He smiled and closed his eyes. I gave him a kiss on his crazy little head and told him I loved him. As I walked away, he sat up.

"Dad!"

"Yeah?" I turned around, half-expecting him to ask again to sleep in our bed. Not this time.

"I love you, too." He then promptly laid down and dropped off to sleep.

Seriously? Kids rock. Well, at least mine does.