The big brushoff

Main Entry:	rejection
Part of Speech:	noun
Definition:	refusal
Synonyms:	bounce, brushoff*, cold shoulder*, cut, denial, ding, disallowance, dismissal, elimination, exclusion, gate, go-by, hard time*, kick, nix*, no dice*, no go*, no way*, nothing doing*, pass*, putdown, rebuff, renunciation, repudiation, thumbs down*, turndown, veto * = informal or slang

When one is rejected by a potential employer it makes one wonder - WHY?

Was it something I said? Something I didn't say? Should I have been more careful with my answers? Should I have been more "open" - more humorous - more serious - more curious about the position - less curious - more informed about the company?? Was there food in my teeth?!?!

I have been trying to get a new job now for almost 7 months. My current one is still driving me nuts....I have been there over 10 months now, and the project I was hired for is just NOW coming out of negotiations....v e r y, so v e r y slooooowlllllyyyyyy. But until it's really moving - probably October, if we're very lucky, but more like December - I will be continuing my "fill-in" work....I was hired to be a project manager, a developer of a new software tracking system, and ultimately a developmental editor (this would be a top position in the dept.)....what I've been doing is stuffing envelopes, making labels, checking in manuscripts - all editorial assistant work. Yes, I should be glad to even HAVE a job, especially one that pays well....but my work ethic is dying of starvation here. I NEED MENTAL STIMULATION!! I need deadlines, challenge, management support!!

Basically, I need a new job.

But no one seems to want me. Each rejection, each un-answered resume, is making it harder and harder to keep trying, keep positive, keep "bright" in what interviews I DO get.

I keep trying, but I'm still getting rejected.

Yummy? and other stuff

You've got to check this out....Poofygoo's got a super recipe everyone should take to their next potluck or office party.

Ok...No one decided to tell me their wish....so I'll just talk about mine. The quest was: make one wish - but not for more wishes, and it has to be "selfish"....So I've thought about this a lot, and often. This means I have a small list of THE WISH. Today's wish is on that list.

I wish I had the ability to shapeshift into any living creature - mammal, lizard, reptile, bird, bug, fish, etc. Of course I'd still maintain my intelligence, my "soul", my self. But I'd also be able to BE the creature - communicate with the other wolves, fly with the raptors, swim and play with the dolphins, and spin a superior web.

There is magic in everything - the sky, the rocks, the trees, even a skyscraper. Reach out and touch it and it will infuse your life.

Gallimaufry*

(* Pronunciation[gal-uh-maw-free] –noun, plural -fries. Chiefly Literary. 1. a hodgepodge; jumble; confused medley) (I borrowed this blog idea from Chas over at Letters from Hardscrabble Creek - thanks Chas!)

So, basically life goes on, yes? I met with a recruiter (headhunter) the other day…figure I need to make some progress on this job thing, ya know? It’s no fun for me OR for you few who read this blog, to just keep on bein’ miserable. So we will see.

To that end (moving on) I’m also going to sign up for a “Writing and Editing for Web” class, so I can be a bit more marketable. Sounds like a good plan, no?

Rudeness…it just baffles my mind. I see it daily – people cutting in front of you and pushing through the turnstyles at the Metro, pushing onto or off of the train or bus (one time I almost didn’t make it off the train, because too many people started to board before I could get off – the doors were closing!!)….people not giving up their seats to those in more need….This is just the stuff I’ve observed recently. I used to work in retail and OMG! Often I was treated as if I were someone’s servant, rather than a person who could provide a service – two VERY different things! Then there are the things I read on other blogs and in the news….AD often has good examples of rudeness, as well as Big Sky Girl (who I think may have left the blogosphere….), who tried to save a youngster from traffic only to get beat up by that same youngster and ignored by the Mom…Yeesh. Why can’t people just treat each other with respect? You don’t have to like everyone around you, just show them a bit of respect and move on. Not too hard.

Timeshares. Anyone know anything about ‘em? My hubby and I are going to visit some friends in VA who are up from AZ and staying in a timeshare. I’ve looked into them a little bit and found out that the cost of a resale timeshare isn’t that high…..hmm….to always have a week that you can either go to your “home” timeshare, or trade it in and go elsewhere for a lot less than some vacations….this is thought provoking. Any comments?

Still don’t understand cops on Segways…..

I’m reading a good mystery series at the moment….Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski mysteries…and no, I never saw the TV show. I’m on book #6. I’m also reading Evanovich’s series following Stephanie Plum – I’m in need of book 12 which is called Twelve Sharp. Oh, and # 13 wouldn’t be a bad thing to get, too, since I read quite fast. Let’s see…what else…Oh, I’m re-reading the Laurel K. Hamilton Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series…unfortunately I only own the first book, so I need to hit up some used bookstores soon. Other books I’m looking for are: James Patterson’s 3rd Degree; Patricia Briggs’s Blood Bound; Katie MacAlister’s Holy Smokes; J.A. Jance’s Web of Evil (good one to relate to – lead character writes a blog!) and Dead Wrong; Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Takes a Holiday; and Kim Harrison’s For a Few Demons More. I know – kinda a weird mix, but hey, I enjoy it.

Oh, and I found this today and thought that BabsRN might enjoy it:
"Here is the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter - and supply a new definition. The winners are:
6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid."

And last but not least – if you had one wish, and it couldn’t be for more wishes but it could be for ANYTHING you can imagine…what would it be? Oh, one caveat – it has to be a selfish wish, no “peace on earth” or “no more starving people” – those are just assumed to be universal wishes….Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.

This sucks...

Warning - this is another "pity party" post.....

Ok, this really sucks. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm home sick with a raging sinus infection that comes complete with a nasty, persistent cough. Not fair.

Add to that - I'm still stuck in the hated job. I've been searching for 6 months now, have had 3 really good interviews, but no offers. One place wanted me, but I couldn't take a $8,500 pay cut.

And actually....I don't know what I want to do. I've been in publishing now for 10+ years. I like dealing with words, but don't consider myself a writer anymore. I've been doing more project management recently - heck, I haven't written an article in over 6 years. And I don't want to be "only" a copy editor. What I'd really love to try, I can't afford to. Flying lessons cost money, they usually don't bring in money. And now that we have a mortgage, there's no hanging on my hubby's coattails even for a short time. I HAVE to bring in a certain $$ each month, which means trying something new and out of my current skill set is highly improbable.

I have a friend who is working on her Massage Therapists license while working elsewhere. She's at least working TOWARD her goal. I can't even figure out what goal to even try for.

And tomorrow's my birthday....and no one at work cares. Ye Gods that sounds pitiful...but when you want to fit into a team, when you're looking for SOME SORT OF FUN at work....it'd be nice to be recognized after being there for almost 9 months.

Touch not...

Wow. What is the world going to be, if all schools do this?? Many kids don’t get a lot of contact at home as it is…now they’re going to be taught that touching is BAD and FORBIDDEN!!

Kids will grow up not touching, then either over-compensate when they get out of school (and away from the stupid rule) – possibly causing a rise in violent physical crimes like rape; or they will continue to be non-touchy and this will impact their relationships with spouse, kids, and family in general – if they even HAVE a spouse and/or kids!! How incredibly sad.

And how will this affect society? How will it impact career fields such as Nursing, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Doctors of most sorts…just to name a few?

And will this stop at the middle school level, or will it start oozing its way down – into elementary, then preschool…then into the hospital nursery!?! Imagine the horrible result if kids started to learn in preschool (at age 2!!) that touching is bad!!! It makes me just weep.

Why can’t we just teach the kids – and the parents if need be – how to touch “properly” (i.e. with love, and respect for the touchees feelings)? That a hug is a wonderful thing, and a pat on the back is the best reward for a job well done. I was raised in a very huggy family, and I still greet and take my leave with friends by giving a hug. When I moved away from my family in Michigan to Arizona, there was a time when I couldn’t hug people because I didn’t know them well enough….it was a hard time and I’m positive it contributed to my depression and sense of loneliness.

So. Go hug someone, and be glad that SO far it’s not against the law.

Can someone explain...

I have a thought to start a semi-regular theme-post....Sometimes I run across something that either confuses me because it's so very simple yet it gets misinterpreted, or something that just doesn't make any kind of clear sense...So I thought I'd throw it out to my (few) readers and see if they might help shed light on these instances - when they happen. So the first one in "Can someone explain..." is:

Can someone explain cops on Segways??

I'm eager to hear what you think.

My baby!

This is Gomez. Isn't he beautiful? He's only 5 months old,
and boy, what a handful!! Named after Gomez Addams.....
(oh, and photo by Intangiblearts!)