Comments for Writing... or Typing?

Comment on You already know about this, right? by Jennifer Powell

Jennifer Powell — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:24:57 +0000

Joss Whedon is a great director, most of the science fiction series that i love are created by him.’,,

Comment on “Oh, you’ll hate that.” by kathy

kathy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:39:22 +0000

..I think its the same principle acting out in both cases: you are not so easily read, easily ascribed affinities, distaste. You’re much more complicated than that. And this is true, my friend.

There are very few people whose recommendations I will consistently act upon: you’re one of them :) but don’t go getting all, “oh, *I* know Kathy…!”

Comment on Broken no longer! by kathy

kathy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:34:23 +0000

its preeeeetttyyyyy. I like it very much!

Comment on Broken no longer! by sprite

sprite — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:41:41 +0000

Congrats! It looks great!

Comment on For those about to hunt the job, I salute you. by khm

khm — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:51:12 +0000

I’m with you,sister, re-writing your resume when you’re making what appears to be a career leap is daunting like hell. And you’ve been guided well and no doubt produced a resume that will bring HR people to their knees.

I will point out the extraordinarily under-utilized power of a well written cover letter. After struggling for a lot of my mid-career, I’m thinking perhaps I should launch a freelance cover-letter writing enterprise. I wonder if I could make my epidemiology efforts appear relevant…in a cover letter, at least..?

Its only in casual writing that I abuse the ellipse (and speech…). Just in case you were wondering.

Comment on Some progress, some things exactly as they were by leslie

leslie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:40:07 +0000

Sad, that I am now expecting and you can’t even get this pattern anymore… I own the IK magazine and STILL can’t get it… I should have downloaded it when I had the chance…. I just don’t get how they post something for free and then decide you can’t get it anymore… booo

Comment on Blowing one’s trumpet by Jill

Jill — Sat, 08 May 2010 22:54:41 +0000

Andrea – you’re right, but I wasn’t so much referring to running a charity (which I agree is a profession) but being someone who gives: the nonprofessional, everyday acts of charity which our culture (rightly or wrongly) has decided are not to be paraded before the public. Because I would argue that that is what most people immediately think of when they think of “charity” – not “Who runs MSF?” but “Yeah, I gave to the United Way.”

Anyone can give to the United Way if they have an extra dollar. Not everyone can be a good librarian.

Comment on Blowing one’s trumpet by Andrea

Andrea — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:55:11 +0000

There’s something a little wrong about the “charity vs. profession” thing. I know you’re onto something, but I think that’s not quite the right formulation? I’m being presumptuous, “correcting” your work. But charity can be a profession. It’s not just do-gooders leading with their hearts. And sometimes those do-gooders are way better than the professionals at tooting their own horns, anyway. So, what IS the right distinction to make???? I’m stuck.

Could it be something like the difference between archiving the collected knowledge and information of a culture (important, but quiet and primarily a scholastic enterprise) and gathering that information and disseminating it -which changes people down to their toes? Just musing…

Comment on Blowing one’s trumpet by Jill

Jill — Fri, 07 May 2010 23:12:24 +0000

Yes, Jamie – I was also thinking of the female-dominated profession. I sort of didn’t mention it on purpose because I was wondering how fast it would come up in comments – so thank you! I was recently reminded in another context that women tend to think, “If I can do it, anyone can do it.” The context was reading balance sheets, so clearly I am as guilty as anyone of devaluing things I can do simply because I can do them.

I was also thinking (but didn’t mention) my last post regarding resumes and saying, “Which resulted in what?”

Yes, a cut budget increases creativity – in some. In others it induces despair. Which doesn’t mean the institution is not worth supporting, but does ensure its demise. Which is horrifying, when you look at the big picture. The martyrdom/co-dependancy may be deplorable, but I hope it does not signal the demise of the profession.

Comment on Blowing one’s trumpet by Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:56:38 +0000

To continue the conversation…I believe there is a definite synergy between librarianship being a woman-dominated profession and libraries being given the shaft. I think many women are raised to not toot their own horn, and to work quietly in the background. Not to mention that women’s work is generally undervalued. Thus, to badly quote someone, I can’t remember who, “The troubling perception exists that if women regularly do it, whatever it is, then anyone can do it.”
I think that public libraries, for instance, have run on the charity “let’s me thankful they let us continue to operate” mentality for far too long. I would love to see some entitlement rear it’s head. Instead of doing more with less, just shut the damn doors for a few days! Either we’re providing a valuable service or we’re not. If we’re not, we should shut down. If we are, we need more money. Hell, they were cutting library budgets during the damn boom time.
On a good note, a cut budget increases creativity fast. Which is a nice perk of the library field. But we do have to let people know what we do! Ideally before we have to shut the doors to get their attention. Sometimes the profession seems a little martyred to me. Or co-dependent. I haven’t figured that part out yet. :)
Thanks for taking it to your blog.