Happy 30th Birthday to my brother Joe!
He is freaked out a bit by this milestone birthday. I decided it would be a nice gesture to give him a shout-out. So here's a little dedication to my bro: the top 30 things I love about him.
30. He has a great laugh.
29. He has an amazing sense of humor.
28. He can make sitting down to a meal an extraordinary experience.
27. He finds ways to take ordinary jokes and incorporate his friends and family into them, making them much more enjoyable.
26. He finds pleasure in simple things, like the nicknames of our grandparents' friends.
25. He is loyal.
24. He still has a strong sense of wonder and awe about things happening throughout the world.
23. He enjoys the "small stuff."
22. He can find ways to incorporate Seinfeld into daily conversations.
21. He is one smart cookie. Ask him about history and geography and be prepared to be impressed by his great wisdom.
20. He recognizes the ridiculousness of his own circumstances, and finds ways to enjoy them no matter what.
19. He is an amazing role model for young students and athletes.
18. He is a great friend to the knuckleheads he surrounds himself with.
17. He still gets excited about things he's done a million times, like playing golf.
16. He'll encourage you to try out things he likes, so he can share his joys with you, like his current infatuation with South Park.
15. He gets excited for things he loved in his youth, like Star Wars.
14. He supports his teams to the bitter end - even when they break his heart.
13. He'll do anything at least once.
12. He sends really funny text messages.
11. He can use the word "neat" and not sound like a complete doofus.
10. He can dish it out as well as take it.
9. He'll go the extra mile to help someone in need.
8. He knows how to appreciates pure, comedic genius.
7. He has an amazing ability to tell great stories.
6. He has strong-rooted convictions, particularly in his politics and his faith.
5. He is a passionate coach who dedicates copious hours to the youth.
4. He is even more passionate about education and teaching his students to open their minds to new and wonderful learning experiences.
3. He "understands" those things only he and I can truly understand.
2. He is always there for me, especially when I need him most.
1. He's the best brother anyone could ask for.
Happy birthday, Joe! Here's wishing you another amazing thirty years!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What is happening to society?
As a society of human beings, we have lost some basic interpersonal skills. This becomes much more evident as I become more deeply invested in my job search and trying to piece together some sort of future.
In today's techno-savvy world, so much communication occurs electronically. I apply for jobs via the internet. "Click here to upload document." "Click here to submit application." "Application will not be reviewed unless all information is entered correctly." I have applied for more than 20 jobs since March and only two of the applications were not submitted either through one of these online systems or via email.
Job searching has become so impersonal in today's world that you sometimes don't even ever hear one word from the organization. Some places don't even send the automated email that says "We received your application." Some places don't even send the automated email that says "While you have an impressive set of skills, you were not selected." Honestly, it's on the searcher nowadays to go back into these systems and find the words "Selection Made." Translation: GAME OVER.
Lately, I have been fortunate to get some phone calls, do some phone interviews, and even head on campus for actual interviews. It's a nice feeling to actually get to meet people and share with them some small slice of who I am.
I had a phone interview with a particular organization, at the convenience of the employer. I also had an on campus interview with a particular organization, again at the convenience of the employer. In both cases, I made myself available to meet their timelines to give myself the opportunity to be evaluated. I find it quite disappointing that after this one phone interview and after this one in-person interview, I was informed that I was not their top choice through an email. What is happening here? How hard is it to actually pick up the telephone and call the candidate you've actually already spoken to? I get that if you haven't had any prior encounter, an email rejection will do. But honestly, if the candidate adjusted to the employer schedule and the candidate came to campus to interview, I would think the employer could have the decency to make a phone call and say, "Carol, it was nice talking with you" or "Carol, it was nice meeting you but we've selected another candidate." Fine. Just make the call. It's the least one could do.
I mean, honestly, what's next? Am I going to start getting text messages that say:
"Thnx but no thnx."
"U R S.O.L." (You are shit outta luck.)
"Thanks for playing."
I hope to high heaven that this isn't what society is really coming to. It's amazing how we've become a society where it means a GREAT deal that someone actually picks up the telephone and makes a call. I wanna work for these people - the people who get the importance of a few minutes to dial a few digits and say a few words. Even if you reject me, I'll still respect you as a human being, capable of interpersonal communication.
In today's techno-savvy world, so much communication occurs electronically. I apply for jobs via the internet. "Click here to upload document." "Click here to submit application." "Application will not be reviewed unless all information is entered correctly." I have applied for more than 20 jobs since March and only two of the applications were not submitted either through one of these online systems or via email.
Job searching has become so impersonal in today's world that you sometimes don't even ever hear one word from the organization. Some places don't even send the automated email that says "We received your application." Some places don't even send the automated email that says "While you have an impressive set of skills, you were not selected." Honestly, it's on the searcher nowadays to go back into these systems and find the words "Selection Made." Translation: GAME OVER.
Lately, I have been fortunate to get some phone calls, do some phone interviews, and even head on campus for actual interviews. It's a nice feeling to actually get to meet people and share with them some small slice of who I am.
I had a phone interview with a particular organization, at the convenience of the employer. I also had an on campus interview with a particular organization, again at the convenience of the employer. In both cases, I made myself available to meet their timelines to give myself the opportunity to be evaluated. I find it quite disappointing that after this one phone interview and after this one in-person interview, I was informed that I was not their top choice through an email. What is happening here? How hard is it to actually pick up the telephone and call the candidate you've actually already spoken to? I get that if you haven't had any prior encounter, an email rejection will do. But honestly, if the candidate adjusted to the employer schedule and the candidate came to campus to interview, I would think the employer could have the decency to make a phone call and say, "Carol, it was nice talking with you" or "Carol, it was nice meeting you but we've selected another candidate." Fine. Just make the call. It's the least one could do.
I mean, honestly, what's next? Am I going to start getting text messages that say:
"Thnx but no thnx."
"U R S.O.L." (You are shit outta luck.)
"Thanks for playing."
I hope to high heaven that this isn't what society is really coming to. It's amazing how we've become a society where it means a GREAT deal that someone actually picks up the telephone and makes a call. I wanna work for these people - the people who get the importance of a few minutes to dial a few digits and say a few words. Even if you reject me, I'll still respect you as a human being, capable of interpersonal communication.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Fireworks
I don't like fireworks. I repeat: I don't like fireworks. Call me insane. Call me anti-American. Call me whatever you want. Name your millions of reasons why fireworks are fantastic. You won't change my mind.
As a child growing up, my family went to the neighboring town, Shamokin, for the yearly 4th of July fireworks show. We sat in a cemetery on a hill. Creepy. Regardless, every year we went. And every year my mother, aunt, and grandmother would "oooh" and "awww" obnoxiously for the entire fireworks show. This experience scarred me for life and is the reason to this day that I dislike fireworks.
My brother shares my feelings.
I like everything else about the 4th of July. Food. Baseball. Family. Relaxation. Gratitude for being born in this great country and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thankfulness for the many soldiers who have fought for my freedom. I'm pretty pleased to say I can truly enjoy this holiday every year. And I can do so without fireworks.
As a child growing up, my family went to the neighboring town, Shamokin, for the yearly 4th of July fireworks show. We sat in a cemetery on a hill. Creepy. Regardless, every year we went. And every year my mother, aunt, and grandmother would "oooh" and "awww" obnoxiously for the entire fireworks show. This experience scarred me for life and is the reason to this day that I dislike fireworks.
My brother shares my feelings.
I like everything else about the 4th of July. Food. Baseball. Family. Relaxation. Gratitude for being born in this great country and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thankfulness for the many soldiers who have fought for my freedom. I'm pretty pleased to say I can truly enjoy this holiday every year. And I can do so without fireworks.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
A few words on MJ
Aunt Stella was surprised that I went a whole week without offering my commentary on the death of Michael Jackson. I really don't have anything to say, to be honest. I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan. Don't get me wrong. I can certainly appreciate his place in music history and his influence on the music industry over the years, but I'm just generally not a person who was really into him and his music. Sue me.
Now, I am a big fan of Thriller. I'll give you that. That's classic music and possibly one of the best music videos of all time. I'd say this is the era of Michael Jackson I enjoy the most, and I think many people would agree.
I don't own anything of the Michael Jackson collection. I never bought a cassette single. I never bought a cassette. I never bought a CD or DVD or downloaded any of his songs. He is not currently on my ipod and I'm fairly certain this will never change.
Yes, I know this makes me a rarity in the world. Again, sue me.
I can tell you that my earliest memory of Michael Jackson occurred when I was like five or six years old. (Seriously, I was pretty young.) My family was in Florida for a vacation, specifically in the Orlando area. On our visit to Epcot Center, I vividly remember standing outside the Journey into Imagination theater while my Aunt Donna nearly wet herself in excitement about viewing Captain EO in 3D. It was probably one of the greatest moments in her life - she loved Michael.
I do think it's sad that he died. Moreover, I think it's extremely sad that he fell so far from his place once atop the music world. It's really unfortunate that celebrities have to live such public lives. His legacy is certainly tainted. But again, I can respect his place in the music world.
Rest in peace.
Now, I am a big fan of Thriller. I'll give you that. That's classic music and possibly one of the best music videos of all time. I'd say this is the era of Michael Jackson I enjoy the most, and I think many people would agree.
I don't own anything of the Michael Jackson collection. I never bought a cassette single. I never bought a cassette. I never bought a CD or DVD or downloaded any of his songs. He is not currently on my ipod and I'm fairly certain this will never change.
Yes, I know this makes me a rarity in the world. Again, sue me.
I can tell you that my earliest memory of Michael Jackson occurred when I was like five or six years old. (Seriously, I was pretty young.) My family was in Florida for a vacation, specifically in the Orlando area. On our visit to Epcot Center, I vividly remember standing outside the Journey into Imagination theater while my Aunt Donna nearly wet herself in excitement about viewing Captain EO in 3D. It was probably one of the greatest moments in her life - she loved Michael.
I do think it's sad that he died. Moreover, I think it's extremely sad that he fell so far from his place once atop the music world. It's really unfortunate that celebrities have to live such public lives. His legacy is certainly tainted. But again, I can respect his place in the music world.
Rest in peace.
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