The Job Search

It's been over two weeks since I heard back from a couple of my top favorite employers. Both responded to my applications with emails; one has done a preliminary HR rep interview. That was on November 17th. I've sent new email kindly requesting updates, but I've had no reply.

So I'm looking for additional postings, but nothing else comes close to these. But I can't sit idle, just searching through web sites. I gotta get outta here. Talk to somebody. Do something—anything.

I went to the LDS Employment Center and asked for a little advice. Elder Quilter gave me a great idea: look through the yellow pages and find interesting businesses. Call up or visit, and talk with a manager over your preferred occupation, and ask what s/he would look for in the ideal candidate. Ask a few questions. Thank the manager for the time, and get enough contact info to be able to send a thank you card. After the visit, send that thank you card.

And what does this give you? You just interviewed a potential employer. A manager in an attractive industry now knows you. And it's not what you know....

So that gives me plenty to do tomorrow. And that's what this is all about.

Debating the facts on the Internet

I read this interesting article on KSL.com last night that I thought you....
[Insert techno music Sandstorm by Darude here.] I am sitting in my kitchen, trying to write. But man, it's loud in here. The kids just got home from school, and My seventeen-year-old is playing techno on the stereo—no, wait, it's streaming on this computer! Sheesh, let me find that app and...
[Music changes to play classical piano solo, Fantasy Impromptu] "Oh, it's Chopin!" Loralee exclaims, and starts singing along, quietly, "Tum, tetum tum tum..." Hmm, happy wife => let the music play. What was I saying, again?
I want to post every day. I am posting for me, for the practice. But I'd like it to mean something to you, otherwise I may as well just write in a notebook and keep it under my pillow. And here I thought I had this really profound thought, that I could really pour my heart into, and....
[Techno again. Tetris remix by 2pm.] "Um, as fun as this music is, can I turn it off?" Loralee nods. Apparently, there was no need to ask on that one.
I've set a time limit for myself. I'd like to say what I'm going to say in 30 minutes or less. I once spent 4 hours writing one paragraph to send into the newspaper's Reader's Forum. Sure, it got printed, but four hours? Can't I learn to be brilliant in 3 minutes or less?
[Knock on front door. Tucker barks, Loralee yells at Tucker, I call Tucker to me and have him sit as the kids greet their friend.] "Hey, could we close the front door? It's 34 degrees out there."
Time's up.
"I really like that shirt on you, Bruce."
"Thanks, You."
I suppose that matters more than most stuff on the internet, anyway.

Am I unemployed?

Lately, I've been thinking about "work." I just read a great book on the subject. What is work, exactly?

I've had a lot of time on my hands. I enjoy reading lots of books and going for walks. And I find that this is a problem. Not that I mind the freedom of doing whatever I like: no, being the master of my own ship is something I've always wanted. My own charter. My own adventures. My own destiny!

Except, the cargo hold is empty. There's no one on deck but me. And the ship's larder contains only dust.

Who's steering this ship, anyway? Oh, yeah—I am.

So, eventually I have to bring home the bacon. Reading and walking have merit, but I'm still working out how to get paid for it. Until then, I'm going to work on someone else's ship for a while. Get my "sea legs" back. Right. I need to sharpen up my skills.

So this is my forum to write regularly. I need the practice.

And if I stay occupied with this blog—my own enterprise—am I really unemployed?