Category: Uncategorized

When It Rains

March 13, 2011
Searching for jobs is a specialty of mine. I have it down to an organized system. It looks like all that hard work has paid off. I have had one interview at a publishing house for an internship. Part time, possible hire at the end of three months. It looks very hopeful if I work my butt off and I can and will work my butt off. I will also be able to check a dream off my list. I have always wanted to work in a publishing house.

What I find funny is the day before I was excepted into the position I scheduled a phone interview with another company. This was a full-time proofreading position. I still took the interview. Think I did well. Then checked my e-mail to have another phone interview to schedule but that would be a move to West Virgina.

I write this because I find it amusing. Working so hard and applying to so many jobs and then it is, three in almost one week. I laughed. I’m also writing this for others who are looking and frustrated. There is a silver lining.

Freelance Career

March 4, 2011
I envy my friends who work freelance careers. I am still out of work, not for a lack of trying, and I would love to start writing freelance articles. It would be nice to make my own hours, be my own boss, and write different topics. Not sit in an office surfing the web because you finished all the work assigned.

So, what is holding me back? My friends who work their own freelance business have customers come to them and tell them what they (the costumers) want. Yes, they are established in their careers but they are also in careers that seem to need a customers input.

As a writer I am suppose to be full of ideas and pitch these original ideas to experts and editors at magazines and websites. I have written for other websites in my past internships. One was celebrity news and the other was mostly culinary, which as an editor I wrote mostly restaurant openings, recipes, and upcoming TV/food news. I remember the articles I had the most fun researching and writing. My interviews with Thomas Jane, John Debney, and Bokeem Woodbine or my Top Gear article. (Loved talking to people, being out of the office, and taking pictures. It is what I thought the life was about.)

The point is I’m not full ideas. Even this blog can be a struggle. I can research and write articles. There are many book about freelancing and not one covers where a writer can find topics to write about.

Where do freelance writers find their ideas?

 

How Fast Is Not Fast Enough?

February 24, 2011
The Fisker Karma Hybrid car was covered on G4 last night. I was interested by the segment because environment friendly doesn’t usually go hand and hand with sports car. When I hear hybrid I think of the ugly, slow Prius. I still don’t understand why cars have to be ugly because they’re responsible. This car looks good.

Expected in 2012 the specs were said to be as followed:

Expected to go up to 50 miles on battery before switching to gas. “Not very far.”

0-60 in 6 seconds…I think, “Huh, not bad.”

Top speed of 95mph.

Me: “Oh, it only tops 95.”
Other: “Why? Do you need a car to go faster?”
Me: “If a car is going to be labeled a sports car top speed needs to be, at least, 160.”
Other: “When would you ever go or need to go 95 let alone 160?”

I put in many unlikely scenarios here: car chase (James Bond, Transporter style, police chase) or unexpected drag race for slips but he wasn’t buying it. He looked at me in the ‘I’m being silly” way and the conversation was stopped. Just because I may never have the opportunity to take my car to top speed doesn’t mean I don’t want cars to strive for fast and friendly. I want my car pretty (insert manly term), fun, and fast.

Not like any of this matters. At $100,000 I will not be in the market to buy one. And if I did have the money lets be honest…I want a new Mustang (maybe a Boss or Shelby), or 1972 Dodge Charger without the spoiler.

I like my car with muscle.

 

This Time With Feeling

February 18, 2011
I have been told by others my best postings are the ones with feeling. My best topics with emotion are the ones about something personal (i.e. the job searching post).

Silly me, I thought I was putting my love into each topic I wrote. I do care about what I post. My postings are structured. I check for spelling and grammar errors. All I know is that I have only just started and I have obstacle s.

How do I add feelings/emotions/love to all my writing?

Is that why I’m having trouble finding a job? Not enough passion showing through?

Passion… I know I am held back by fear but do I have passion?

 

Filming in a Small Community

February 10, 2011
Everything stops! No really. Here on this small island it is a big deal when film crews and cameras come to our little rock.

Fans, complainers, and the clueless come out to see the action.

Now there are two types of people the ones who want to see hollywood/be hollywood and the ones who like to bitch how many parking spaces these film people are taking up.

Believe me I know. I work as a cashier for a very long time in the area and when there was filming going on everyone who came in the store asked the same questions or make the same statements:

1. Why aren’t you watching the filming? (Um…I’m working.)

2. Do you know what’s going one? What are they filming? (And many more similar to this one.)

3. They come on my island and take up all these parking spots and do we ever see the money? I mean…(add more complaining here).

4. I had to park two (three) blocks away and walk! (These aren’t Manhattan blocks. They’re short.)

5. And my favorite, you should be in the movies. (ha ha ha).

Let’s just say I’m happy I’m not working in that store anymore. So, what are they filming this time? Interior scene for Boardwalk Empire. The cones are balancing on top of snow mountains waiting for the vans/trailers to get here. I am a little excited and am hoping to steal a peak of Steve Buscemi and/or Michael Pitt (if there are even here).

Now, I’m allowed to be a little star struck. Just not going out of my way.

Below are some pictures I took.

 

Will E-Book’s Follow in the Footsteps of YouTube Videos?

February 9, 2011
The digital world is open to everyone. Every genius without the money can post a blog or video showing their talent. I am in awe when I come across a YouTube video that shows true talents, whether art, music, or film. But for every talented video there are tons of crappy ones.

Now e-books are popular and the next big thing for books. Many writers, when rejected by publisher after publisher, are finding it easier to self-publish their “babies.”  Some even find success and have their book published in print after good e-book sales.

I have read many articles on writing, self-editing, and self-publishing. One article made it clear when self-publishing make sure what you put out into the world is free of errors. Your work has to be more flawless then an actual published book if you want people to take notice and take your work seriously. Makes sense.

The other day, after sifting through a lot of garbage on YouTube, my question became, Will self publishing on the e-reader turn into YouTube? I worry about the future of books and my worry is content. The net is open to everyone. Just go to YouTube and search the site. Many of the videos are useless. I end up waiting for others to tell me whats good before I venture on to the media site and sometimes I still find myself wasting time.

Five or ten years from now, will readers have to search through tons of junk to find a literary gem?

Original Post

Jobless Forever?

February 7, 2011
My heart hurts. I’m worried it is stress. See that, I’m worried because I’m stressed. Doesn’t that make me even more stressed?

A year ago I thought I would be better than I am now. After a writing internship for a year and a half and editorial internship for six months I thought I would land a job in a magazine, publishing house, or newspaper. I thought I would be learning the ropes, fetching coffee, and making money. I was dead wrong.

If I could get paid for sending out resumes I would be the best. It is a cruel obsession. Reading the requirements before the companies profile, wondering how many have already sent their resumes even though the job posting just went up a few hours ago. Never really being fully qualified.

People telling you, “don’t give up on your dream.” Seeing articles like, “The Best Companies to Work For” or “Top 50 Careers” only to see they have nothing close to your profession. Realizing you majored in the wrong subject. Seeing friends spend money, have fun and not care. Working in their dream jobs and the envy eating you.

I remember when I was happy. What happened to that girl?

 

Original Post

 

Really Trying This Time

February 3, 2011
My first blog post. Okay. Not my first ever blog post. I have tried a few blogs over the years but nothing seems to stick. I tried to pick topics but I find, for me, they run dry. So this blog (I hope) will continue where the others failed. I hope to make a blog just on my random thoughts. By making no specific topic I shouldn’t get bored or run dry on ideas. Be prepared. I will probably make mistakes. Let’s face it, it happens. Sometimes, no matter how much it is read over, there will be mistakes. Please, don’t be to mean. Here we go.
Original Post