Monday, June 25, 2012

Worthless

I emailed my contact at one of my temp agencies in DC to ask if she had any work for me. (I've had all of six days of work from her this year, in Jan. and Feb.) She doesn't have anything for me. Here's part of her response:

Haha Hey there! [WTF kind of greeting is that!]

Thanks so much for reaching out [Can she be any more unoriginal.]. . . . What’s the latest with you and your projects? [It's none of her f**kin' business.]

A painful read


A movie synopsis on Amazon.com:

FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the profound claim that most; if not all; of the so-called "diseases of affluence" that afflict us can be controlled; or even reversed; by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Business jargon


One of the worst I ever heard (not on this list) is "socialize this document." A manager at one of my former employers asked me to do that with a presentation paper I wrote for a meeting. I had to ask someone what it meant: distribute the document.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Oh, aren't they so hip!


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

If

This past Sunday morning, if I had not arisen when I did, and if I then had not decided to go out for a photo shoot, and if I then had not decided to stop at Starbucks, and if I then had not decided to go to a nearby garden park for another photo session, I would not have arrived at the park when I did.

When I got out of the car, I saw a guy with a serious camera and tripod shooting close-ups. I've been thinking of getting a tripod.

So, if I then had not decided to speak with him about tripods, I would not have met Mike A.

If I had then ended the discussion with Mike after getting his opinions/suggestions on tripods and not asked him "what do you do?" [i.e., his job], he probably would not have asked me the same.

When I told him I'm an editor, he asked me what I edit. My answer included "government proposals." His eyes widened. 

He told me the following: He's an IT software engineer for an area government IT contractor (just like one for whom I was the senior editor) whose business has exploded in the past five years in terms of revenue and employees. He said they can't keep up with the hundreds of inquiries they get from the government and fellow companies that want to partner on proposals. He said that people like him who do the writing are also doing some of  the editing. He asked me to send him my resume and particulars and told me that he'd pass the information along to his manager. 

When I left, he said to me, "Don't forget to send me your resume." I did so as soon as I got home.

He didn't even acknowledge receipt of it. I know it's just Tuesday, but still . . . after all, we're photo brothers after speaking for about 45 minutes.

If the above hadn't happened, I would not have to deal with probably having my hopes dashed again.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Editors AKA Writers

The increasing number of proposal editor positions that also include writing proposal is very disturbing. Every place that I've worked on proposals -- FT and freelance -- had writers and editors.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Gem found online