![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Know why you're working there
Nov. 17th, 2011 04:24 pmFrom the internal HR info from a company we are working with (No, I will not name it), I present to you the answers to their survey of what their employees find most important about the company:
Opportunities to advance my career - 48%
Competitive base pay - 48%
Demonstrated integrity at all levels - 20%
Commitment to an inclusive workforce - 6%
Opportunities to advance my career - 48%
Competitive base pay - 48%
Demonstrated integrity at all levels - 20%
Commitment to an inclusive workforce - 6%
Functional Imagining
Nov. 10th, 2011 02:30 pmAn error discovered in a script at work:
"In addition, you will learn about functional imagining and contrast agents for imagining."
I am pretty sure "functional imagining" is something many people I know have actually practiced, but I'm a little concerned about what contrast agents are appropriate for it.
"In addition, you will learn about functional imagining and contrast agents for imagining."
I am pretty sure "functional imagining" is something many people I know have actually practiced, but I'm a little concerned about what contrast agents are appropriate for it.
Back from the land of Jaguars.
Oct. 24th, 2011 11:29 pmWell, not the really cool Jaguars, just the Jacksonville kind.
The trip was good and it was certainly nice to have some sun. The actual workshops at the AMWA meeting were a bit hit and miss. I would say that the workshops focused on something practical were the most effective. There just isn't enough time to go big picture.
Jacksonville itself is very large and sprawling, and I barely saw any of it. It's a hardcore football town from what I can gather.
The highlight (other than getting to develop a conference crush, which is always fun) was the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. It's got beautiful greenery, is nicely laid out, and is easy to walk. I got to pet a stingray, feed a giraffe, and get stared at hungrily by a jaguar. (Also, the bonobos and the gorilla are divas who pose for the camera.)
Now I have to gather my receipts, and hope these glasses don't break more before I can get them fixed.
The trip was good and it was certainly nice to have some sun. The actual workshops at the AMWA meeting were a bit hit and miss. I would say that the workshops focused on something practical were the most effective. There just isn't enough time to go big picture.
Jacksonville itself is very large and sprawling, and I barely saw any of it. It's a hardcore football town from what I can gather.
The highlight (other than getting to develop a conference crush, which is always fun) was the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. It's got beautiful greenery, is nicely laid out, and is easy to walk. I got to pet a stingray, feed a giraffe, and get stared at hungrily by a jaguar. (Also, the bonobos and the gorilla are divas who pose for the camera.)
Now I have to gather my receipts, and hope these glasses don't break more before I can get them fixed.
Medical Image librarian/archivist job
Oct. 7th, 2011 01:02 pmDoes anyone know a librarian or archivist type with medical knowledge looking for a job? My company is considering creating a position for someone to organize and maintain a bank of medical images, animations, and references. It's all a bit up in the air right now, but we in the content department are pushing for hiring an actual trained person and not foisting it on an intern for two months with no follow through.
This would be Montreal-based.
This would be Montreal-based.
So, about that meeting...
Aug. 17th, 2011 01:42 pmWe put aside the whole day today and I juggled my day off to be in tomorrow to listen to the medical-legal live review of our script on viscosupplementation and then implement the changes.
We haven't heard from them yet, and it was slated to start at 9:30.
I suppose I should be happy they at least didn't fly me down to Boston for it this time.
We haven't heard from them yet, and it was slated to start at 9:30.
I suppose I should be happy they at least didn't fly me down to Boston for it this time.
One day in-and-out business trips are kind of ridiculous.
Overall, the day went well - one slight plane delay in the morning.
Sadly, the late start to the meeting and the post-meeting debrief meant I really had no time to see people. I managed a quick chat and falafel with ascikitty, and got home-made gluten-free chocolatines from herbertinc (which were amazing and now if anyone says you can't make gluten-free pastry that is awesome I will deride them as knowing nothing. NOTHING!!!), but was unable to see entrope. :(
Still, it likes like they may send me on a few more of these.
Overall, the day went well - one slight plane delay in the morning.
Sadly, the late start to the meeting and the post-meeting debrief meant I really had no time to see people. I managed a quick chat and falafel with ascikitty, and got home-made gluten-free chocolatines from herbertinc (which were amazing and now if anyone says you can't make gluten-free pastry that is awesome I will deride them as knowing nothing. NOTHING!!!), but was unable to see entrope. :(
Still, it likes like they may send me on a few more of these.
Boston Bound - Wed 20 July
Jul. 15th, 2011 06:01 pmSo it seems I will be in Boston on business the 20th of July. More precisely, Cambridge.
Not sure how long the meetings are for and I am flying back that evening, but anyone want to make tentative plans for a fly-by hello?
Not sure how long the meetings are for and I am flying back that evening, but anyone want to make tentative plans for a fly-by hello?
[poll] Unions
Jun. 2nd, 2011 09:27 amDue to a discussion last night, a poll (my account won't actually let me make polls):
Unions:
A) should be abolished because they were always terrible.
B) served their purpose and now should be broken up.
C) should only be allowed in industries where they are needed.
D) wouldn't be needed if we had decent work-labour laws.
E) are fine the way they are
F) should be reformed
Unions:
A) should be abolished because they were always terrible.
B) served their purpose and now should be broken up.
C) should only be allowed in industries where they are needed.
D) wouldn't be needed if we had decent work-labour laws.
E) are fine the way they are
F) should be reformed
Waistcoat Wednesday
May. 11th, 2011 10:07 amA little over a month or so ago, I instituted the tradition of wearing a waistcoat every Wednesday at work. (This is what happens if you let me talk to the copy editor for too long.)
While I am alone in this, I have been scolded by the women in the office on the one occasion I forgot.
Today, Liz came in with a waistcoat she got at one of her clothing swaps, although she is not promising to join in regularly. (She did complain her waistcoat doesn't quite fit since she no longer has "breastfeeding tits". Liz is a stick, due to the Tasmanian tradition of netball and competing with her "Queen of the Mountain" international bike-riding champion sister.)
I rather secretly hope one day to arrive to an entire office ridiculously overdressed. I also hope Kendall finishes repairing my old devil vest soon, and wonder what happened to the outrageous gold waistcoat I know I once had.
While I am alone in this, I have been scolded by the women in the office on the one occasion I forgot.
Today, Liz came in with a waistcoat she got at one of her clothing swaps, although she is not promising to join in regularly. (She did complain her waistcoat doesn't quite fit since she no longer has "breastfeeding tits". Liz is a stick, due to the Tasmanian tradition of netball and competing with her "Queen of the Mountain" international bike-riding champion sister.)
I rather secretly hope one day to arrive to an entire office ridiculously overdressed. I also hope Kendall finishes repairing my old devil vest soon, and wonder what happened to the outrageous gold waistcoat I know I once had.
New Job Notes
Jul. 28th, 2010 08:02 amSo far, so good, although whether I can actually get to KG seems up in the air.
More importantly, they've blocked a fair number of sites, including gmail, so my response time to anything is going to get very slow. (If I end up getting a phone that can handle email in the future, that might change.)
It's also a bit odd getting used to 9-5 again.
More importantly, they've blocked a fair number of sites, including gmail, so my response time to anything is going to get very slow. (If I end up getting a phone that can handle email in the future, that might change.)
It's also a bit odd getting used to 9-5 again.
A Job, a Ride, and a Van.
Jul. 20th, 2010 06:19 pmSo yes, it's official, I have a contract in hand for a medical writer position. (This might move towards an editing position fairly quickly, depending on how things go.)
This is a good thing, although I will still be cash strapped for the next month or so until I get an actual paycheque.
In other news, I am still looking for a ride to KG, as I would particularly like to go.
Finally, I am still looking for someone with a van or truck, as I would like to collect a mattress, a desk, and some bookshelves.
This is a good thing, although I will still be cash strapped for the next month or so until I get an actual paycheque.
In other news, I am still looking for a ride to KG, as I would particularly like to go.
Finally, I am still looking for someone with a van or truck, as I would like to collect a mattress, a desk, and some bookshelves.
Good and Bad
Jul. 16th, 2010 03:55 pmThe Bad is that I still can't get the computer to even recognize the modem as existing, and I am running dangerously low on cash before I get any pay coming to me.
The Good is that I have a contract being sent to me as we speak for a position as a medical writer for a multimedia medical education company, with the possibility of moving into a managing editor position fairly quickly if things work out well.
The Bad is that I cannot purchase s00j's new album until I get some funds and therefore am ineligible for a trading card.
The Good is that I'll hopefully be able to replace some of my crumbling electronics in the not-too-distant future and maybe even listen to her music on a decent sound system.
I cannot decide if the cute girl at the cafe with the FAR too revealing low-cut top sitting across from me and leaning forward deeply to read her magazine is good, bad, or just distracting.
The Good is that I have a contract being sent to me as we speak for a position as a medical writer for a multimedia medical education company, with the possibility of moving into a managing editor position fairly quickly if things work out well.
The Bad is that I cannot purchase s00j's new album until I get some funds and therefore am ineligible for a trading card.
The Good is that I'll hopefully be able to replace some of my crumbling electronics in the not-too-distant future and maybe even listen to her music on a decent sound system.
I cannot decide if the cute girl at the cafe with the FAR too revealing low-cut top sitting across from me and leaning forward deeply to read her magazine is good, bad, or just distracting.
Love Stories, Computers, and Beds
Jul. 14th, 2010 10:11 pmI am listening to a woman at the next table in Second Cup describe her whirlwind romance/fling with a beautiful man to her friends. She is speaking in French, and her audience is francophone. However, she keeps slipping into English to describe things he said or did - trying to capture the essence of him in his own language.
It's really quite lovely and sweet.
(She just finished, "Donc, c'etait beau. Je ne regrette rien de ces trois jours. That's my little love story.")
I went to a writer's meet up connected to the Polymancer publishing group I recently came across. A nice mix of people, who all seemed sweet enough. There was the almost obligatory socially-awkward guy with a Modern Fantasy Lord of the Rings novel with a 9,000 word prologue that was incomprehensible.
Oddly, while he bristled at all the criticism he got, he completely accepted my suggestion that if he must introduce a new world, start with something we can actually relate to. (i.e. - The Lord of the Rings starts with a birthday party. The Left Hand of Darkness starts with watching a parade and it's too damn hot in the sun.) You can mention all the differences as things progress, but you've got some way for people to feel familiar.
"At the end of this chapter," (he hadn't read us the whole chapter) "he gets a phone call from an someone telling him his war buddy is dead. Then he goes to the funeral. I could start it there!"
It was actually an amazing reaction, where he had been arguing for why every word of backstory needed to be there up until then, he accepted my suggestion without hesitation.
As for myself, I read an edited version of the Clock story I wrote a few years ago. It went over well, and once again I was told I need to continue that story. Perhaps I shall.
Tomorrow I get the Internet at my place, which will make my life vastly easier and will also mean all you Americans can call my Skype number and not have to pay cross-border charges to talk to me.
The job interview is Friday and I am feeling positive but trying not to jinx it. I got a lead on some freelance work as well, which is only a good thing. In non-paying news, it seems I am now in TWO plays - one at the end of August and the other at the end of October. Those of you looking for an excuse to visit now have more options. (The first sees me playing a woman's casual-sex buddy who becomes uncomfortable with her new relationship with another woman. The second finds me as a bi-polar State senator's aide working with the rescue efforts post 9/11. Up to you which interests you more.)
I definitely think the desktop is also approaching it's end. I would like to just do a replacement job on things to upgrade it if I can. It needs a video card and probably RAM so I can handle the picture load for my photography. I suspect this entails a new case instead of the slim tower.
I may have a line on a free mattress, which would be delightful. I am anxious to use my new wrought-iron bed. I also need to tackle the computer desk problem, and get massive amounts of shelves. (I will probably need a drill.) Something capable of transporting the bookshelves I have coming would also help.
Finally, does anyone have a carpet steam-cleaning professional to recommend?
I really should get one of my more interior design minded friends to come and take a look on how to tackle this space and where I might scatter things on the walls and tell me if the idea of somehow hanging colour since I can't paint is madness or not.
It's really quite lovely and sweet.
(She just finished, "Donc, c'etait beau. Je ne regrette rien de ces trois jours. That's my little love story.")
I went to a writer's meet up connected to the Polymancer publishing group I recently came across. A nice mix of people, who all seemed sweet enough. There was the almost obligatory socially-awkward guy with a Modern Fantasy Lord of the Rings novel with a 9,000 word prologue that was incomprehensible.
Oddly, while he bristled at all the criticism he got, he completely accepted my suggestion that if he must introduce a new world, start with something we can actually relate to. (i.e. - The Lord of the Rings starts with a birthday party. The Left Hand of Darkness starts with watching a parade and it's too damn hot in the sun.) You can mention all the differences as things progress, but you've got some way for people to feel familiar.
"At the end of this chapter," (he hadn't read us the whole chapter) "he gets a phone call from an someone telling him his war buddy is dead. Then he goes to the funeral. I could start it there!"
It was actually an amazing reaction, where he had been arguing for why every word of backstory needed to be there up until then, he accepted my suggestion without hesitation.
As for myself, I read an edited version of the Clock story I wrote a few years ago. It went over well, and once again I was told I need to continue that story. Perhaps I shall.
Tomorrow I get the Internet at my place, which will make my life vastly easier and will also mean all you Americans can call my Skype number and not have to pay cross-border charges to talk to me.
The job interview is Friday and I am feeling positive but trying not to jinx it. I got a lead on some freelance work as well, which is only a good thing. In non-paying news, it seems I am now in TWO plays - one at the end of August and the other at the end of October. Those of you looking for an excuse to visit now have more options. (The first sees me playing a woman's casual-sex buddy who becomes uncomfortable with her new relationship with another woman. The second finds me as a bi-polar State senator's aide working with the rescue efforts post 9/11. Up to you which interests you more.)
I definitely think the desktop is also approaching it's end. I would like to just do a replacement job on things to upgrade it if I can. It needs a video card and probably RAM so I can handle the picture load for my photography. I suspect this entails a new case instead of the slim tower.
I may have a line on a free mattress, which would be delightful. I am anxious to use my new wrought-iron bed. I also need to tackle the computer desk problem, and get massive amounts of shelves. (I will probably need a drill.) Something capable of transporting the bookshelves I have coming would also help.
Finally, does anyone have a carpet steam-cleaning professional to recommend?
I really should get one of my more interior design minded friends to come and take a look on how to tackle this space and where I might scatter things on the walls and tell me if the idea of somehow hanging colour since I can't paint is madness or not.
Monday update
Jul. 12th, 2010 02:01 pmThe Housewarming was ok. I sadly gave people too many options in an attempt to accommodate those with kids-limited schedules. The result was people trickling in two to three at a time and never staying long enough for another group to show up and kick the numbers up into critical mass for a party.
Interview this morning went well, there should be a second interview Wednesday. It's a medical education company, with a multimedia bent. It would be perfectly decent work and the stability will help get me on my feet. So fingers crossed.
A couple of other job options also seem to have opened up.
A Cecil-tastic update will be coming soon, as she has some projects and signings and tea coming up.
The 9/11 play (Hope in Chaos) took a hit as the lead actress quit under mysterious circumstances, but it looks like we will have a solid replacement. The production of Stop Kiss I auditioned for called me back for tomorrow to read again.
I should have the internet hooked up Thursday (I went with Teksavvy) and then I will once again have easier online access and free reign to be called on Skype for those of you who only have free US calls and not cross-border access.
Mattress saleswomen should not be quite so adorable, btw.
Interview this morning went well, there should be a second interview Wednesday. It's a medical education company, with a multimedia bent. It would be perfectly decent work and the stability will help get me on my feet. So fingers crossed.
A couple of other job options also seem to have opened up.
A Cecil-tastic update will be coming soon, as she has some projects and signings and tea coming up.
The 9/11 play (Hope in Chaos) took a hit as the lead actress quit under mysterious circumstances, but it looks like we will have a solid replacement. The production of Stop Kiss I auditioned for called me back for tomorrow to read again.
I should have the internet hooked up Thursday (I went with Teksavvy) and then I will once again have easier online access and free reign to be called on Skype for those of you who only have free US calls and not cross-border access.
Mattress saleswomen should not be quite so adorable, btw.
Negotiations
Jul. 6th, 2010 07:55 amWell, today I go in and see if I can convince the game designer guy to let me work on a per-project basis, or put a real contract up for me or agree to part time only so I can look for other work.
Sadly, the transcription job looks like it is slowing down. It will probably be around for a while, but on a half-time basis. Still not bad as a stable thing to have providing a minimum.
Writing samples sent to UCS - no idea how that will go. I am trying not to get my hopes up. Does anyone know of an equivalent organization in Canada?
Sadly, the transcription job looks like it is slowing down. It will probably be around for a while, but on a half-time basis. Still not bad as a stable thing to have providing a minimum.
Writing samples sent to UCS - no idea how that will go. I am trying not to get my hopes up. Does anyone know of an equivalent organization in Canada?
The transcription job is crawling to a halt a bit because since they hired people who actually know what they are doing, everything is moving so much faster than they thought we are almost completely caught up.
This is a good thing schedule-wise, since I have an offer to write for the mystery board game. The opening project is 2-weeks and underpaid, but I agreed to do it so we can see how we work together with the understanding we will discuss pay should the project continue or should they decide to make me an employee.
Bargaining when your bank account reads < 3 digits is probably stupid, but then no one ever accused me of knowing what I was doing.
I will not be on TV after all, but then I didn't really expect to get that part.
Of course, taking the game writing thing means probably putting the nail in the coffin of me doing the game *testing* thing (which paid even less, but may have been more stable).
I had a lovely "therapy" session with lucidite and misskitty_79, and can't thank them enough.
Finally - Spain, wtf? and Go France.
This is a good thing schedule-wise, since I have an offer to write for the mystery board game. The opening project is 2-weeks and underpaid, but I agreed to do it so we can see how we work together with the understanding we will discuss pay should the project continue or should they decide to make me an employee.
Bargaining when your bank account reads < 3 digits is probably stupid, but then no one ever accused me of knowing what I was doing.
I will not be on TV after all, but then I didn't really expect to get that part.
Of course, taking the game writing thing means probably putting the nail in the coffin of me doing the game *testing* thing (which paid even less, but may have been more stable).
I had a lovely "therapy" session with lucidite and misskitty_79, and can't thank them enough.
Finally - Spain, wtf? and Go France.
[Help] Business Cards?
Jun. 10th, 2010 10:09 pmDoes anyone have a good idea on how I could get some halfway decent Business Cards printed up by Tuesday? I am going to a Montreal Trade Board thing as a member of PWAC and would like to hand out cards.
Note that I have no time to *design* cards, which is an issue to me. (I really do need to find/work with a designer and get that done.) I also should really put up a working facsimile of a website which I don't have time for, either.
Regardless, simple and old-fashioned can work, but I need to print them and get them on fairly short notice. Also, the crushing poverty.
So anyone know a local, sharp printer to recommend? Or an online one I can actually expect to get it done and shipped in time?
Thanks.
Note that I have no time to *design* cards, which is an issue to me. (I really do need to find/work with a designer and get that done.) I also should really put up a working facsimile of a website which I don't have time for, either.
Regardless, simple and old-fashioned can work, but I need to print them and get them on fairly short notice. Also, the crushing poverty.
So anyone know a local, sharp printer to recommend? Or an online one I can actually expect to get it done and shipped in time?
Thanks.
