Trying too hard & dark chocolate

[fivecats]

Old Connections
October 2005 Myrtle Beach, SC
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Hiding in the back of the junk shop/antiques mall we went in on the Mandatory Fun weekend trip was this old telephone switchboard. It was clearly from a North Carolina exchange -- the city names listed were all prominent North Carolina towns -- and had seen better days. Still, it was a fascinating piece of history to be able to examine and photograph.

Two more are over at the flickr account, should you be interested.

I've been spending time going over the re-write of an old blog entry to eventually send it off somewhere to see if I can get it published. It's a long, tedious process made all that much more difficult by the fact that I'm consciously trying to write instead of just writing. It's coming off as short, clipped and pretentious -- not at all the effect I'm trying to achieve.

Probably time to set it aside for a while.

On the way back from last weekend's show I had a long, barren stretch of I-85 through Virginia and North Carolina where Bonn was asleep to think about the the Victorian-era kids book. I've have a beginning and an ending, but the middle has plagued me. I thought through how some of the dots could/should be connected and by the time we got home and Bonn woke up I had enough of it settled in my mind that I was ready to start outlining chapters. Which I've started.

In other news, after a long, dry spell, I finally have another job interview tomorrow. It's for a management position with a local university press, running their small IT department. My previous job with zombiefodder and (the soon to be departing this area) pilote put me in good stead for this, I'm sure.

The woman arranging the interview said I should schedule 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the interview. I asked if there was anything I should bring with me. She paused for a second or two and finally said, meekly, "Chocolate?"

I asked if she had tried Dark Chocolate M&Ms and when she said no but was intrigued, I offered to bring some with me to the interview.

We went out and found four hard-to-find bags in amongst the post-Halloween discounted candy. Anything to stand out from the crowd.

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Comments

[myasma.livejournal.com]

chocolate!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Anti-oxident, practically health food dark chocolate!

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[myasma.livejournal.com]

It seemed such an interesting thing for her to suggest--I'll bet it's a good interview. And even if it isn't, you've got chocolate!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

What I liked about it was that it was almost a playful response, the type I would make in a similar situation.

I've had enjoyable interviews in the past. What I'd really like, though, is a new job out of one -- a job that pays better and has better health benefits for my family.

But, as you say, at least there will be chocolate.

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[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

chocolate? that is a funny thing to ask you to bring for a job interview! lol!
best of luck! :-)

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

It sounded like a somewhat playful, I'm-not-sure-if-I-should-ask-this type of question. To me it showed a good spirit. Hopefully my enthusiastic response will work for me.

And thanks!

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[myrhiann.livejournal.com]

This sounds really promising. Good luck!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping it is as promising as I'd like it to be.

And that I get the job. :-)

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[fivecats.livejournal.com]

It does, doesn't it?

They're a Mac & PC shop, which makes me a strong candidate for the position. Hopefully they'll think so, too.

Maybe chocolate will bring me good luck!

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[anjellaroessler.livejournal.com]

If I was interviewing for a job and you brought me chocolates your application would have the biggest tick on it (though you would also have set a precedent and bringing in chocolate would be a mandatory part of your job description) ;-D

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

I'll be more than happy to keep a candy dish filled with chocolates if I can get a better paying job with better health benefits and a 401k (retirement) package.

Not a problem at all.

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[basefinder.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for your interview and I will say a prayer for you tomorrow.

Chocolate is a good thing.

(Switchboards are cool too.)

S

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Prayers are definitely appreciated.

A whole bag of Darkside M&Ms are out in the car, waiting for the afternoon's interview.

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