5hmoo

This post is long overdue, as so many of my posts seem to be.

I did not get the Green Peace job. :( Thanks to everyone who wished me luck, and esp. to those of you who put in a good word.

I'm currently working as a background investigator for the state of California. I haven't moved; the office is in Colorado. Gotta love it. :) And I'm talking with a woman about another job - one that would involve lots of travel. I'm not sure of all the details yet, and don't know if it'll be difficult for them to hire an American. Here's hopin'. *clinks glass

Other than that - not much new and exciting going on. 'Tis the week of birthdays. One this past Saturday, two this past Monday, one yesterday, two today, three parties on Saturday, another birthday on Sunday, and another on Monday. Labor Day must be a fun weekend. ;)
Happy birthday everyone!!!

Yay! I'm one of two finalists for the job in San Francisco. They want me to fly out to DC for an interview next Wednesday.

woot!

yay. The position in Loveland (the 'just a job' job) is mine. I start on the 25th. Regular daytime hours, and everything. That's going to take some getting used to. :)

Fingers crossed that the Greenpeace interviews (a series of three) go well on Thursday. That one isn't 'just a job.'

And I loved it.

A friend and I had set this weekend aside for productivity. We sat at the counter of the all-night coffee shop. I tapped away on my laptop, creating FAQ pages for my website. He worked on the dragon he's sculpting, adding muscle definition, splaying its toes, and creating exquisite scale detail. Now and again folks would stop to ask him about the sculpture, complimenting always, conversing sometimes. But these were minor distractions. Work was getting done.

Even after I nearly killed my battery and realized I wasn't positioned near a power outlet, I kept working. I shut down and closed my computer, preparing it for use as a desk. I pulled out lined paper. And a black pen. I could no longer edit my site, but I could write copy. And I did. C- ordered us each sandwiches: for me, cream cheese and hummus on a sundried tomato bagel, for him, Double Your Pleasure - and so the start of the innuendos. We worked and ate, with lapses into conversation. He finished his sandwich. He slumped (he did not, however, sigh).

"Food coma?"

"Food coma," he confirmed.

Perhaps caffeine would save him. He ordered a drink. A sweet drink. And soon he was practically under the counter. He moved to the rocker, the green plush natty and worn from year of use, the stuffing drawing him in, cocooning him into sleep. I sat in the wooden rocker next to him, not asleep, an eye still on the dragon sculpture and computer on the counter. My pen scratched across the pages, no longer writing web copy. It wrote instead of the friend I was with, describing him in his sleep, my planned productivity ended for the moment.

Perhaps the weekend would not have been lost, perhaps we would have continued making progress. But other friends, or, rather, near-friends - people I want to know better - came in. And we talked and played. They woke C-, and we talked and played. And the coffee shop emptied, and we talked, the walls blushing at innuendo and invitation. And we played. ryuessence and I whipped our glasses from our faces and fought, half wrestling, half laughing, to cat-call equivalents. A clay doll was made and fixed with a lock of C-'s hair; hoodoo was performed. And, when C- and I finally chose to leave, we were informed that we couldn't.

"Not yet. We have a surprise. You'll like it."

So, skeptical, we stayed. And we liked it.

And then Saturday, dozing and conversation and contented purring. In the evening we made our way to Scimoria for the annual watching of Groundhog Day. Movie and massage with C- and my roommates. Followed by couch snuggles and Baraka, a perfect film for simply lazing about on one another, watching the cinematography, listening to the music, feeling connected.

Everyone wandered off, and it was time for me to go to bed. Amidst whispers of silk, I slept till morning. And though I was able to be productive today, it did not take the place of the many hours lost. But then, productivity could never take the place of the hours I had. It was a very good weekend.

Yay for today! I just got back from having a sinfully decadent brownie with one of my favorite people. That alone is enough to start a day out right. But then I checked my e-mail, and Greenpeace says they want to schedule me for a telephone interview asap (meaning next Wednesday or Thursday). This is one of my top-choice jobs. Woot!

So, what salary range is reasonable to expect for a web editor in San Francisco, keeping in mind that non-profits pay less than for profit corps.?

So what is it that some people do to get jobs. You know the ones (you might even be one of them) - they manage to get any job they I apply for, whether they're qualified or not.

I have a few resumes out - one for a position that's been open for a year - and no bites. I'm well qualified. I want the jobs. I'd be good at the jobs. But how do I get that across? Especially when there's so much corporate bureaucracy that I can't even find out WHO is in charge of hiring for the position?

::grumble grumble::

I think I have a good shot at the job I just interviewed for, but it's a job, not a career, not along a career path. I'll still be looking. Any tips, leads, job offers, etc. are most welcome.

I'm hoping to be leaving my current job soon (I have an interview on Wednesday), and would like to find a candidate or two for my current position.

It's just office-monkey work. Answering phones, filing, interacting with patients, e-mail, etc. It's not challenging and there's no intellectual stimulation, but there's also no fryer grease.

It's a great job if you're in school. You'll have a fairly set schedule (about 25 hours/ week), but can probably build it around classes if you need to. I think it will pay $8/ hour, but I don't know for sure. It doesn't include any sort of insurance. The dress-code is business casual - no jeans or T-shirts, no visual tattoos, no piercings other than earrings or a nose stud.

Are you interested? Let me know.

November is over, but my novel is not. I did figure out where it's going, though. And that I need to change my POV. Apparently (though I didn't know this till I'd written 55,000 words) the woman who's been narrating is dead. Her apprentice is telling the story. When I started, I didn't even know she had an apprentice.

I'm trying out another writers' group. Every writers' group I've been part of has fallen apart. Here's hoping this one works out. It's different from others I've been in, in that there isn't really a workshop feel to it. Two meetings each week, but designed as working meetings: for individuals to write or edit or whatever. There is also no limit on what writing is acceptable. There will be tech writing, essays, short stories, novels. And, if people want their writings edited, they can opt in to a manuscript exchange. It's going to be interesting (there's only been one meeting so far).

This group of NaNoWriMo participants was better than ever. And it's these folks who make up the writers' group. Considering the phenomenal energy of this year's NaNo, I have high hopes. Now I just have to figure out what *my* goal is. Which of my myriad of writing projects do I want to work on first? This will be just what I need to keep me focused.

So, writing. It's what I've been doing. It's what I'll keep doing. And, because of it, I don't check in to LJ as often as I have. If there's an entry you'd like me to read, be sure to let me know, or e-mail me with the post/ info.

After the fiasco that was online ticket sales yesterday, I managed to get through this afternoon and buy World Series tickets! Yay!

I've made it to at least one game every summer save two since the Rockies came into existence. I'd have been sad if I couldn't get to the World Series.

Okay, it's still not guaranteed. I got tickets for game 5 (3 and 4 were sold out), but the series usually doesn't end in a four game sweep. :)

Yay!

Is it sad that when I saw my score my first thought wasn't, "egad, I'm such a nerd!," but, "I need to work on that computer/ technology score?"

It's almost November, and that means NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. Some people love it. Some hate it. Others couldn't care less. Me, I love it. There's great fun in surrounding yourself with people who are each trying to churn out 50,00 word novels in one month. Although I'm often around other writers, the NaNo group has an intense energy that would be difficult to match.

Have you ever thought about writing a novel, but not quite gotten around to it? Do you tell yourself you don't have enough time, or that you'll do it "someday," or...? Thousands of NaNoWriMo participants have proven that you don't need lots of time to crank out a first draft, so why wait? If you've been putting off the novel you've always dreamed of writing, join us this year.

You can sign up at nanowrimo.org. There are regions all over the country and the world, so wherever you are you can tap into the group of local writers who are doing this crazy thing.

I heartily recommend it for all aspiring novelists. It's fun. You will meet lots of other writers. And the energy and support is phenomenal.

What? You guys don't like getting fun surprises in the mail?

(yoinked from ziriel)

For the first four people that reply to this post, and then re-post this challenge: you win!

I will send you a gift. I like gifts. Chances are, you do, too. And it'll be something nifty (I won't simply send you the ceramic jack-o-lantern I won as a door prize today). Possibly something homemade. Perhaps something based upon your interests (if you list them, or I know them). You don't even really have to know me; it might be more fun if you don't. :) So join the fun. Play along.

If I need to send it by mail, you can send me your address in an e-mail, or post it in the comments. Let's have some fun!

The only thing you need to do to receive your gift is PARTICIPATE. Be one of the first three journalers to reply to this, and post this very same thing in your journal, and YOU are the lucky giftee.

I received a postcard in the mail today. On the front was a picture of a naked mole-rat. On the back was:

Naked mole-rats rule!
They can chew through concrete
With their incisors.

It made me happy.

Spread the love meme... (yoinked from starrai)

Reply to this post, and I will list three things I love about you. Maybe more than three. Then repost to your own journal and spread the love.

traevoli drew and animated a new user icon for my birthday!

:sing song voice: I have a shmoo, I have a shmoo! Woot!

I told stories at my old elementary school today. It was fun.

The second grade classes have been studying Japan, so I told three traditional Japanese tales. The kids reacted well to the stories, and wanted to know if the story about the Boy Who Drew Cats was true. I had them discuss it. They all agreed that it sounded like a fairy tale, but they couldn't agree on whether fairy tales are true. How great is that! :)

Telling stories in classrooms is interesting - the kids are mesmerized by the magic. They're transported to the stories. They want to know if the characters (even when those characters are talking monkeys) are still alive. If they're alive, they might, maybe, someday, if they're lucky, get to meet them. Teachers think it's amazing that I can tell stories for 20 or 30 minutes. Instead of using the lessons readily available in the tales I tell (usually along the lines of "Be excellent to each other!"), they point out that the kids could memorize stories, too, if they tried. In non-classroom venues, adults allow themselves to be transported, too.

Stories told:
The Boy Who Drew Cats
Two Foolish Frogs
The Dancing Monkey and the Clever Boar

A new season. A time to reflect on what I've done in the past year. What have I added to the world? How have I harmed it, and have I, or can I, atone for those wrongs? Rosh ShaShanah, a time to celebrate and reflect on life, began at sundown on my dad's birthday this year - 6 months and 4 days after his death. My family gathered at my mom's house. We had challah - circular to symbolize the cycle of the year, the cycle of life. We ate apples dipped in honey to remind us how sweet life is. And after dinner we had birthday cake and ice cream, to celebrate one life in particular.

The annual pirate party has come and gone. Mopped once, but needing to be mopped again, the kitchen floor is still sticky with unseen remnants of soda and rum. The skull and crossbones curtains have been taken down, replaced once again with Dr. Seuss. Vats of jambalaya fill the fridge. The fishing nets are piled on the couch, waiting to be folded and put away; the fish already stored in their plastic bag. And no sea chanties issue from the speakers. The house feels empty.

It always feels empty after. There is such verve in the planning and preparation, such life and laughter during, that the aftermath is a palpable nothingness. Yet this nothingness isn't a bad thing. It's a time to refocus; a time to gather. With so much energy having been spent on the event, this energy can now be focused elsewhere. Do I focus on education: working at Spanish and marketing? Do I focus on employment: finding or creating a better career? Do I finally learn to watercolor? And which writing projects get the bulk of my attention? There are three I hope to finish by year-end: do I work on all of them at once, or one of them at a time? The house feels empty, but it's filled with possibilities.

Have you read The Screwtape Letters? No matter.

Imagine a young demon sent to Earth for the first time. His task: to tempt humans into minor misdeeds. This particular demon pup has taken the guise of an old priest. He hasn't mastered the nuances of his disguise, nor even the nuances of humanity. He is lacking, but he tries. He wants those around him to tumble into tiny transgressions.

This wasn't Wormwood, the demon from the book, but the reminder was there. No, this was a man who rode Greyhound with me. A priest. But what a priest.

I don't remember everything this priest did or said; there were so many things. I offer here a sampling.

The lie
The seat next to the priest had recently emptied. Now it was filled again, but with his things: a backpack, a pillow, a large duffle bag, all piled together to make sitting in the seat impossible. The bus stopped, and passengers began loading. The bus was filling. It was becoming harder to find seats. A woman asked the priest if the seat next to him was taken. No answer. She asked again. No answer. She walked to the back, looking for another seat. Another passenger boards. "Is this seat taken?" The priest says yes.

Miniature misdeeds
Everyone was ushered off, the bus was cleaned, and now we are waiting to reboard the bus. Packs, pillows, parkas still mark each person's place; the seats we had are ours still. Toykeeper and I are second and third in line. Ahead of us is the Russian.

The priest walks up to us and starts talking. After a couple of minutes he asks the Russian if he can cut in line. He doesn't want to have to stand at the end of the line. He doesn't want to have to wait so long. The Russian smiles, laughs, and shakes his head no. The priest turns to TK and me. Will we let him in? We don't. The person behind us does.

The criticisms and stereotypes
After translating for a couple of Spanish speakers, letting them know that they were on the wrong geographic path, he complained. They should know English if they're in this country. They shouldn't have gotten on the wrong bus. And then came the more general stereotypes. They were lazy and probably didn't have money to get back, anyway.

The demon council should have better training for its Earthbound pups
Trying to recite the Golden Rule:
"You should do things to others… Do to other people… Other people want you to do…" He never did get it right. When someone said it for him, "Do unto other as you would have them do unto you," he came up with a paraphrase that was something like Do it to others before they can do it to you.

He also didn't remember that people could march to the beat of a different drummer. Instead, they "Beat a different drum… Drums marched differently… Some different instrument…" Okay, so maybe he has difficulty with maxims, but I expect a priest to be able to recite the Golden Rule. :shrug:
He was older. I have a hard time gauging ages, but I'd guess 60-70. Maybe he has age related problems that explain his nonpriestly behavior and his memory lapse. But I like the minor demon theory, so I'm sticking with it.

**No, I don't expect priests to be perfect. I know they're human. But if they're wearing the collar in public, I do hold them to a higher standard. If they want to behave like the next lout, they can remove the collar.**

The trip to Portland and Vancouver was good.

Eric and Jackie are good together. They both like friends and fun, and, of course, each other. I was a little disappointed not to meet Jackie's friends, but seeing so many people who have moved away was great. Plus I met some other fabulous folks who had already moved beyond Eric's Fort Fun circle by the time I joined it. I'll be keeping in touch with them.

Eric and Jackie had planned all sorts of activities for their wedding guests in the days prior to the wedding. We hiked Multnomma Falls (beautiful), wandered through the Japanese Gardens (will go back and spend more time exploring), had sushi dinner ($1.25/ plate!), Edgewater brewery (fantastic conversation, watched the glass makers at Glashaus), Lucky Labrador brewery (again, fantastic conversation - and this time there were also people not from Colorado). There were plenty of activities that Toykeeper and I didn't join, as well, since we were staying with a friend in Vancouver, WA.

So, the first few days of the trip were spent mainly with friends in who had come out for Eric's wedding. The last half of the trip was spent with the friends we were staying with (I had stayed at Eric's home when I went out for their wedding). Unfortunately, somewhere there was a communication snafu, and Karen took days off prior to the wedding, not after.

The one thing, other than the wedding, that I really wanted to do while in the area, was hike around Mt. St. Helens. In e-mail, Karen had seemed down with it; she's always been an avid hiker and backpacker. Unfortunately, Sunday morning she decided not to go. Toykeeper and I hung around the house with Karen and Bart, played a game of Redneck Life (winner is the one who has the most teeth at the end of the game), and went to Moxies. If you like soda pop, Moxie's is the place to go. They advertise that they carry over 300 varieties. I tried a bottle of huckleberry. It was good, but sweeter than I was hoping. Monday we rented a car, and Toykeeper and I drove to the volcano.

You can't actually hike on the volcano, but we hit various visitor centers and their viewpoints, and then found a relaxing loop trail. The area is gorgeous. The mountain, with its gaping maw, slams home the power and fragility of nature. If you get a chance, go.

Of course, there are always some hassles when traveling. The biggest for me was learning that Karen now goes to bed no later than 10. It's been a while since I hung out with anyone that goes to bed that early, especially on weekends. Next time I visit I'll definitely stay at a hotel. I felt bad sleeping in their living room when they were up and about, but I just couldn't bring myself to fall out of bed by 6:00.

Next: The minor demon disguised as a priest, or Stereotypes on the bus

so, yes, it's been a while since I posted. It's the same ol' song and dance, really: other things taking my time, and LJ sliding into the background.

Before I post the one significant event that's happened lately, I want to put this out there for everyone. It's fun. It's right. It's wrong. And it's completely work safe.
Charlie Brown redux

Only one thing of any real significance has happened since I last posted, and it isn't nearly as fun as the link above. A friend, someone I've known since her big brother and I used to tell her she was too little to play matchbox cars with us, died. She leaves behind two daughters, not to mention a slew of family and friends. Those of you who are local may have read about it in the paper; she was jumping on the trampoline at a fourth of July party, not quite sober. She flew off and broke her neck. She was dead when the paramedics reached the scene.

Fortunately, I have a much happier event coming up next week. I'll be in Portland, Oregon to celebrate a friend's wedding. And I'll wander up to Washington to hike around Mt. St. Helens. It's beautiful up there; I can hardly wait!

Script Frenzy is going well. The pace is slow enough that I don't feel the push to worry about word count (haven't actually checked word count for a while), but can simply concentrate on the screenplay. I like how it's turning out.

I've learned little things about my characters, and that makes me like them even more. They are reminding me of a friend and I. I don't thik I can even pinpoint what it is about them - perhaps simply that they are so different from each other, yet have remained friends for years - but I often see the two of us in the two MCs. That has given me a lot more fodder for writing. :)

I hope everyone else who is writing is enjoying the process as much as I am. Good luck everyone!

So, I've had a couple of screenplay ideas kicking around for a while. This June presents the excuse I need to get me to actually do something about it. The Offices of Letters and Light - those fabulous folks who brought us National Novel Writing Month - are doing it again, only this time it's Script Frenzy.

Come join the fun! And if you're local to me, join me at the write-ins. Original sccreenplays and stage plays are encouraged. 20,000 words in one month.

If you're curious, checkout the website: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org

I don't have much on my profile, but if you want to add me as a buddy, I'm shmoo.

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[edited to correct URL]

IF YOU'RE ON MY FRIENDS LIST, I want to know 28 things about you. Idon't care if we've never talked, never liked each other, or if wealready know everything about each other. I really don't. You areobviously on my flist, so let me know with whom I'm friends!

1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favourite Movie:
5. Favourite Song or Album:
6. Favourite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
9. Do we know each other outside of LJ?
10. What's your philosophy on life?
11. Is the bottle half-full or half-empty?
12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
13. What is your favourite memory of us?
14. What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
16. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc' malarky) - what are they?
17. Can we get together and make a cake?
18. Which country is your spiritual home?
19. What is your big weakness?
20. Do you think I'm a good person?
21. What was your best/favourite subject at school?
22. Describe your accent
23. If you could change anything about me, would you?
24. What do you wear to sleep?
25. Trousers or skirts?
26. Cigarettes or alcohol?
27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
28. Will you repost this so i can fill it out for you?

go on, tell me about you!
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( my long narrative answer to these questions, from schwa242's posting, hiding here )