The search for work (and a place to live) continues despite frigid weather and an even chillier job climate. The people I met with about work in Chicago were none too shy to be up front about prospects. Essentially there are none. For now. Personally I believe things will change and I'll be able to climb my way back up, knuckles bleeding, hands raw and lungs burning from the struggle up. But by God I'll get there. Because the alternative is unthinkable.
Suffice to say that life is very stressful right now. Finding a job and looking for a new place to live 500 miles away is no easy task. I just want to fast forward six months and be done with it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cult of Personality
Happy inauguration day. Let the change rain down.
By the way, some people trying to sell President Obama's face take it just a little too far.
It's Barack Toebama!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thoughts on Pandora's Box
Everyone knows the tale of Pandora's Box and the shit storm it unleashed. From time to time I'm reminded of what I think is an often forgotten part of the myth. Of course Pandora, the first woman, peeps inside a box marked "you have to be fucking NUTS to open me" and releases every vice, sin and plague that now...well, plagues mankind. Nice work, lady.
The part I feel never gets the attention it deserves is the fact that, once the box emptied, a tiny peep was heard from inside. Pandora crept near the box and peered inside. It appeared empty, but then, again, she heard the slightest, meekest sound inside. Tilting her head to look into the shadow of the box she finally saw what stirred within.
It was Hope.
And with that, Hope, along with everything that ails us, was released. Whisked away on a breeze.
This baffles me at times because I think Hope undoubtedly has the reputation for being something good. I hope. We're hopeful. Hopefully. Any mention of Hope is married to a want of something good to happen (or something bad to be avoided).
But does Hope's presence in Pandora's Box represent a cure to what ails us or is it in collusion with the evils of the world?
For all the things we hope for, could it really just be one more vice?
Does Hope lead us to believe we're capable of things we're not? Can it drive us mad with thoughts of possibilities and what ifs?
Or does Hope truly represent the one thing that can help us rise above what holds us back by making us want the succeed?
This seems especially interesting to me now as I search (and hope) for a new opportunity in Chicago. Finding a job is hard, especially outside of where you live. So I'm forced to hope someone will answer the phone. To hope someone will look at my book, like it and hire me.
So, do I trust Hope, or do I curse it for leading me on?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
The part I feel never gets the attention it deserves is the fact that, once the box emptied, a tiny peep was heard from inside. Pandora crept near the box and peered inside. It appeared empty, but then, again, she heard the slightest, meekest sound inside. Tilting her head to look into the shadow of the box she finally saw what stirred within.
It was Hope.
And with that, Hope, along with everything that ails us, was released. Whisked away on a breeze.
This baffles me at times because I think Hope undoubtedly has the reputation for being something good. I hope. We're hopeful. Hopefully. Any mention of Hope is married to a want of something good to happen (or something bad to be avoided).
But does Hope's presence in Pandora's Box represent a cure to what ails us or is it in collusion with the evils of the world?
For all the things we hope for, could it really just be one more vice?
Does Hope lead us to believe we're capable of things we're not? Can it drive us mad with thoughts of possibilities and what ifs?
Or does Hope truly represent the one thing that can help us rise above what holds us back by making us want the succeed?
This seems especially interesting to me now as I search (and hope) for a new opportunity in Chicago. Finding a job is hard, especially outside of where you live. So I'm forced to hope someone will answer the phone. To hope someone will look at my book, like it and hire me.
So, do I trust Hope, or do I curse it for leading me on?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Inadequacies aside, I'm optimistic
I received the KU Journalism school newsletter, J-Link, in the mail yesterday. I idlly thumbed through it scanning for photos of professors I liked and the classrooms I spent two years of my life in. Good times.
The last three spreads of the newsletter are updates on the careers of graduates. I read each one, remarking to myself on the accomplishments of them all. Editors, Account Managers, lawyers...promotion after promotion, prancing their ways up the corporate ladder. I'm very happy for them all, truly. But I can't help but feel just a smidge inadequate. While my former classmates become more successful in their careers I sit here stalled like an old lawn mower. Prime with a job search. Putter out. Prime with a phone call. Putter and stall. It's disheartening. I can't help it. I'm 25 and in the process of putting my career back together. And it was so short to begin with. When you fight and struggle for opportunities and chances to prove that yes, I am a competent, talented writer and not just some kid who thinks writing if fun so maybe I'll give copywriting a try. I've groomed my life since the age of 14 to become a professional writer and was content for years to live with the wool over my eyes about getting (and keeping) a job on advertising. Well the wool is gone, and I'm fully aware of my situation.
I'm also aware of the fact that the misfortune I've had in finding a break in advertising actually may give me an advantage or two. Nothing has been handed to me as I've tailored a decent portfolio and contacted scores of people for work. That's prepared me for the difficult task of being on my own in searching for a job in Chicago, where I have next to no contacts. The second advantage I feel is the insatiable hunger that comes over me to prove my salt and prove that I can contribute to an agency. I feel I didn't have a lot of time at my former job to make a large impact, but I helped make a lot of successful, effective ads and campaigns with some very talented people. I'm proud of that and it gives me the confidence to know that when I'm in a CD's or a recruiter's office for an interview I have proof that I know what the hell I'm doing, regardless of how much coveted experience I have.
The last three spreads of the newsletter are updates on the careers of graduates. I read each one, remarking to myself on the accomplishments of them all. Editors, Account Managers, lawyers...promotion after promotion, prancing their ways up the corporate ladder. I'm very happy for them all, truly. But I can't help but feel just a smidge inadequate. While my former classmates become more successful in their careers I sit here stalled like an old lawn mower. Prime with a job search. Putter out. Prime with a phone call. Putter and stall. It's disheartening. I can't help it. I'm 25 and in the process of putting my career back together. And it was so short to begin with. When you fight and struggle for opportunities and chances to prove that yes, I am a competent, talented writer and not just some kid who thinks writing if fun so maybe I'll give copywriting a try. I've groomed my life since the age of 14 to become a professional writer and was content for years to live with the wool over my eyes about getting (and keeping) a job on advertising. Well the wool is gone, and I'm fully aware of my situation.
I'm also aware of the fact that the misfortune I've had in finding a break in advertising actually may give me an advantage or two. Nothing has been handed to me as I've tailored a decent portfolio and contacted scores of people for work. That's prepared me for the difficult task of being on my own in searching for a job in Chicago, where I have next to no contacts. The second advantage I feel is the insatiable hunger that comes over me to prove my salt and prove that I can contribute to an agency. I feel I didn't have a lot of time at my former job to make a large impact, but I helped make a lot of successful, effective ads and campaigns with some very talented people. I'm proud of that and it gives me the confidence to know that when I'm in a CD's or a recruiter's office for an interview I have proof that I know what the hell I'm doing, regardless of how much coveted experience I have.
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