Some Notes on The Job Hunt

An open letter to potential employers. A few suggestions based on my recent experience:

* If you are not interested in hiring me, or do not feel that I am suited to the job; do not call me and treat me like I am wasting your time. Guess what, you've just wasted your own time.

* If you are going to be conducting a phone interview, use the words "phone interview" when you call me. "A few questions" implies that what you want to know is a) am I still interested and b) am I available to come in for an interview. At the very least give a time frame for the conversation, like: "this will take approximately 20 minutes". Even if it takes longer than 20 minutes, I'll at least know whether I'll be able to make my lunch date or not. Just because I'm underemployed doesn't mean I don't have things to do.

* Just as I am expected to be prepared for an interview, so I expect you to be prepared. At the very least make sure that you have read my resume before you call. That way you'll be well informed about the highest level of education I have achieved and whether I am a teacher or a rocket scientist. Asking questions I have already given you the answer to gives me the impression you are reading off a script and probably don't remember my name.

* Repeating the same question over and over again is tantamount to harassment. If I am not giving you a clear idea of how my past experience relates to the job, either a) you have not explained the requirements of the job to me sufficiently or b) I am not actually suited to the job in your opinion. Throw me a bone, or move on.

* Treating me like an idiot does not make me want to work for you. You need me as much as I need you. Remember that.

* Just as you have had to wade through multiple resumes, I have sent resumes to multiple employers in a variety of fields. Assuming that yours is the only company I have applied to is naive and unrealistic. I would never assume that I am the only person who has applied for the job and strive to present myself in the best light possible as a result. I suggest you do the same.

* If you are outsourcing your HR duties to someone, makes sure they are suited to the job. In fact, there are many wonderful agencies that specialize in this field that hire friendly, personable staff. Just as my resume creates your first impression of me, the person who calls to discuss my resume is my first impression of you.

*Asking if maintaining a professional appearance will be a "problem" for me is both judgmental and vague. A better way of determining such things would be during the interview, or to give an example of what you consider to be "professional" attire, ie: "do you own a suit?"

This is dedicated in particular to the woman from the Real Estate Agency and the woman from the National Bank of Canada. Thank you for your time.

New Look

In attempt to get myself motivated about blogging again, I've made some changes to the look of my blog. If anyone still reads this thing, let me know what you think.

Debut Date

Some of you may be aware that I have taken up Burlesque Dancing. Some of you perverts have even expressed an interest in seeing me get nekkid. Well, here's your chance.

When: July 15th (it's a Saturday).
Where: The Lamplighter.

I'll be opening for a bigger touring act. Tix are likely gonna be about $15. More details as they come.

Movies I Watched Instead of Writing: Fauxteur Edition

(I feel like I should post a warning about spoilers, but frankly if you haven't seen it already you probably don't care enough to let spoilers bother you. That and it would be very hard to ruin this movie more than Mr. Ratner already has.)

So, even though everyone I know and their monkey had already seen it and told me how bad it was, I knew I still had to see X-Men 3 for myself. Was it as bad as I'd feared. Yes. Was it so bad it was good? Not quite. Mostly it felt rushed, marked by a myriad of missed opportunities ("Hey, let's introduce Dark Pheonix and then have her stand around for most of the movie,") and gaping plot holes, ("So, did Pyro escape or what?") While it probably made enough money to warrant another sequel, let's hope they actually get someone who cares about crafting dramatic tension as opposed to just cramming in so many mutants you end up not giving a shit about anyone.

Pointing out in any further detail why X3 pales in comparison to the first two films seems redundant at this point. So, instead I leave you with a link to Mr. Ratner's personal website. Be sure to check out his music video work. Especially if you like close-ups of asses and tits. Shiny, slow motion asses and tits.

I Think This Bodes Well For The Hygiene of My New Apartment

So, more or less moved in. Still waiting on my couch (logistical concerns). Cat has stopped being freaked out and is verging on bored. Actually managed to cook a meal that didn't come out of a box. Internet should be up in a week or two, coffee shop with wireless near my house is cool though. Will post photos when there's less boxes.

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

House Warming Gift Idea

I love that this exists. Thank you Eva for introducing me to it. And don't forget to "build your own".

(Can you tell I'm dying of stress right now?)

Single Girls?

Kind of an unusual post for me, but the request was so strange I couldn't really resist. Got the following email in my inbox the other day:

Stumbled across your blog and noticed that you're in Vancouver. I'm an NYC-dweller on a quest to get the word out about one of my readers; a hot single guy who lives in Vancouver. Please check out my blog post and/or forward the link to an adventurous friend who might be up to the challenge! :)

Blog: Rants, Raves & Other Fun Stuff
Post: Why Is This Man Single?!
Link: Why Is This Man Single?!

So, do I have any single friends? Or at least, anyone who'd be interested in dating a surfer who hates karaoke? Well friends, follow the link...

What I've Been Up to The Last Month +

Okay, some of you may have noticed I've been kinda M.I.A. lately. Some of you may even care what I was up to during this time. I had planned elaborate posts about some of the goings on, but being that so much time has passed, that all seems rather silly now. So, for those of you who care, the salient points:

-- I touched Peter Hook. I also sang "Bizarre Love Triangle" to him, and he sang back. It was magical.

-- Alex & I drove to Seattle at 3 in the morning to attend the Emerald City ComiCon. Alex got sketches by Adam Hughes and Tony Harris. I met tonnes of cool people like Dave Crosland, John Layman, Joshua Ortega, Eric Stephenson from Image, some folks from Oni, a couple of dudes from Things from Another World, Patrick Morgan, Roman Dirge, Alberto Ruiz-Diaz, Steve Lieber, and a whole bunch more whose names I have sadly forgotten. Many of these people were nice enough to talk to me and answer some of my questions regarding getting into the biz. Thanks guys! Oh, and pix are available here.

-- My team won 3rd prize at the company bowling party.



-- I'm moving into my first solo apartment. This is scary and exciting and sad all at the same time.

-- There will be another Evil Film School.






























-- I've decided to start looking for a real job. One with a dental plan, maybe.

-- I've taken up burlesque dancing. Don't tell my mom.

-- I have an internet doppelganger.

-- The Universe is fucking with me.

One More Before Bed

No really. Somebody help me.

#1 Sign I've Been Writing Shojo For Too Long

This is how I spent my morning. Thanks Kat.

Only 28 more episodes to go!!
Weeeeeeee!!!!