I have moved to word press...

Dear readers,

To mix things up a bit and to sort of upgrade my blog. I have moved to word press. My new url is
http://themultifacetednerd.wordpress.com/. Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,

the nerdy blogger

My sort of vacation away from job hunting..

    Well, I have been job hunting for the past three months, and I will have had leads I have yet to have someone say "You're hired" those two magic words, as they referred to at CVP.  The thing is that after this point I was tired, slightly annoyed but at least glad at some level that I have made it on to some employers short list, which is better than nothing, gives me hope that being hired is somewhere in my future. So, I figured rather than staying home and moping about being unemployed I would go to LA to catch up with relatives that I had not seen since my grandma died almost three years ago.
   I figured I need to face my fear of going to my grandma and grandpa's house and just go and I missed seeing my aunts and uncles and would get me to do that crazy thing known as socializing.  The catch to this is that it would be me seeing my dad for two days straight and him and I tend to not spend too much time together, because a) he has a tendency to be emotionally unavailable and b) I cannot be honest with him because I am pretty sure the results would be horrendous and because I know him and I have different beliefs about most things.  The one smart thing I did with regards to this trip is that I kept my expectations low.
      I say this because their were some high and low points to this trip. The low points being criticized by my dad rather intentional or not, learning that the aunts and uncles are gung ho about grandkids and that apparently for some people the hunger games  book is "mind poison" because it seems to lack meaning. Some other low points is that my dad's sisters wanted to play things by ear about what activities we were going to do there when the original plan was to do a hollywood tour which I have never done, we ended up seeing poppies because in the words of one of my aunts it was "free" . However, it was also an hour and half drive and I am sure their was stuff that free that could have been done in their city of LA, and mind you most of my aunts have lived in this city for most of their lives which made no sense to me. Also, I had twenty questions about my job situation and what I want to do with my life and lets just say most of my aunts and myself  were repeating ourselves for the past two days. The high points is that I go to see one of my favorite aunts, and I got to meet one of my aunts friends who was interesting and is for exploring the world in and outside of the US so I could relate to that, as I also have a yen to travel when I can. Also, I got some of my grandma's old jewelery that I fully intended on wearing  it if I ever get hitched.
   To sum up it was one of those trips were I was glad I went because I got to try some new places were I live and experience some new things in LA, but part of me wishes I would have stayed home. I am not sure if it was a "vacation" totally, I mean I did get a break from job searching, and facebook, and feeling trapped in my room. But by the end of it I wanted to be Dorthy and was thinking to myself "their is no place like home".  So this leaves me asking you readers have you ever went on a vacation that did not totally feel like a vacation for whatever reason?
       

Are job fairs becoming obsolete?

    I have gone to job fairs over the past couple months, but the main trend I seem to notice is that employers are telling potential employees to apply online. This seems to me mildly counter productive, because why go to a job fair if you are just going to be told to apply online in the first place. It makes me wonder what is the point of going in the first place?
      I know we are in an employers market and more so where I live where the unemployment is 12% which is almost double the national average.  But, this worries me if at a job fair all I mostly see are companies trying to sell you something, get you enrolled in various colleges which is good given most people need more skill sets me included, but their are very few places that are actually seeking employment.  This job fair was further hindered by the fact that most companies there hardly ever interview, hire on the spot, or doing the actual hiring for the company itself.
     I think it is due to these many factors that make and me other unemployed people wonder why they are getting up at 7am to go to a one of the supposed biggest job fairs in your city only to realize that all they might get out of it is that find out which people are potentially hiring, but very places are accepting or actually want your resume. If I had known that job fairs as of late had become this much of a joke, I would have stayed home applying places, praying that the application black hole known as the internet thought I was worthy of being interviewed somewhere.
   So I guess this leads me to my point of this post, what do you readers think of the job fairs in  2014? Have they become obsolete, or if they have do have any uses what are they?
    
  

Judging a book by its cover...

       I have applied for hundreds of positions in the past six months, occasionally to the same place multiple times.  I have learned which places I am going to be applying to online are going to be easy or hard to apply to based on their online job applications. My worst examples of trying of job application websites currently are Pet Co and Macys.
         Pet Co was simple enough in the beginning but when one had to enter one's location for past employment experience and for it would not search it for you no matter how many different terms you tried.  I had to look through thousands of locations just to find the state I live in, it was ridiculous.  I decided to forget and applied to their competitor PetsMart instead.
        My only issue with the Macy's online job application is that it has a tendency every time you to try to do that federal tax survey to say you have an error and to try again in thirty minutes. I have tried again when days have passed and still nothing has changed.  This just has me curious for companies if your planning to hire people through online applications shouldn't you make them accessible to the people who want to work there.
       I have had much better experiences at other companies such as Chipotle, McDonalds, and even the local and federal government websites. These websites at the very least are user friendly and one does not have to jump through more hoops just to apply for the position.  So, this has me wondering if any others have faced issues when trying to apply to places online?  Also, do you like me also tend to judge the company a little bit by how user friendly their job application website is?

Is it unemployment or leprosy...

    I have been pondering while if unemployment is the leprosy to those that are employed in the same way that single people were viewed in sex and the city (not to imply that single people are lepers I think all my single friends are awesome).  I am beginning to wondering if a lack of work is like a disease no one wants to catch. I say this because of the many articles I have read about those being unemployed for more than six months and not getting hired because they have not been working those past six months, even if they have been actively looking for work.
     This is a problem that is further impacted by companies looking for the elusive purple squirrel of a job candidate that may or may not exist. A search that could resist in many interviews and no actually behind hired for the position that is being sought since companies are too nervous in this company to given some people a try with the fear that it won't work out in the end.
       This all seems too much like a catch-22 to me, if you are unemployed you are not hire-able and after a certain point have the plague to some employers.  While, if you are an employer seeking workers their are some really high standards that might not even be met by the unicorn equivalent of job candidates.  This leaves people in a situation where a portion of society is looking for work, and another portion may or may not hire new workers.
    I think part of this puzzle could be solved if unemployed workers could be given a shot by some employers to become part of the workforce, so they did not feel like they were the carton of milk that was expired that no one wants to touch much less drink. I have heard some talk of programs where some companies would subsidize some of the wages for companies so that they could hire those who had been unemployed for a long period of time. I am not sure if this will ever happen or not, but its a good start, and gives confidence to those of us who feel like lepers compared to those who are gainfully employed.  So for those who are unemployed or not, what do you think about this employment conundrum that this country if facing?

Hello My name is I am looking for work...

      These past couple networking events have taught me that people these days seemed to be defined what they are doing or not doing rather than who they are as a person. Well, it feels like it lately since all my questions are these past events have been the typical "What do you do?".  I am not sure if I am the only one who feels this way but I don't like being defined but what I am doing at this point in time. I would much rather be defined by my interests, like, dislikes, and how I treat you as a person.
     The thing is I have a feeling that me like others are unemployed are not thrilled to be put into this little box in which we are defined by what we are not doing at this point in not working, but rather seeking work. I wish their was some other way that the unemployed population could be defined. I am not sure if this will ever change though.
     My thought is that the discourse at these networking events needs to change and that the focus should be on getting to know one another rather our own personal agendas.  I say this because from what I have seen the goal seems to be very much the Jefferson's "I am moving on up" type of scenario.  Their should be less pressure so that those of us who have a hard time interacting with a group of people might actually have a shot at the very least making some acquaintances or friends and maybe in the future a job.  I could be wrong and other networking situations might be like this I have just never experienced them up to this point.  But, for now I would like to just throw out the "I am looking for work" agenda and focus more on getting to know people, because I can do that.
    These also has me wonder if other job seekers out there have faced similar issues when trying to network? If so I would love to hear about it, or if you have had awesome experiences networking with others I would like to hear about that also.

<http://thegazette.com/2012/02/23/hello-my-name-is-the-links/>

The commodity of certainty

   I was at a job fair and talking with one of my volunteer cohorts and we were talking about uncertain one feels when unemployed and how this comes out in networking events. I say this because this person and I both have no idea how to act in this situations even with ample preparation. For example, I have gone to three of these events and to be quite blunt I don't know what to say, how I should be and if the focus should be on me telling the person about me seeking work, or actually getting to know them as a person. What, I have discovered over much practice with both approaches is that they don't work and this might be furthered by the fact that I like most unemployed people feel lost and not entirely sure about what to do with themselves.
       However, I think this uncertainty comes at a price for those who are out of work, if you don't know how you plan to define yourself to yourself how are you going to do with the many others that you converse with at a network event.  My new theory is that maybe employees are searching for those that are certain about those and their career path in life.  My guess is that they can't waste time on those that are feeling lost, uncertain, and want to keep our employment options open to some degree. Also, employers might be okay with people like this it just depends on how they portray it in networking situations.
    But, I have a feeling that those have clear goals in sight are able to do more purposeful networking and job hunting compared to those of us who just want work, and to have somewhere to go during the day where we feel like we are making a difference.  I think for me I feel like Marshall when he is looking for work in How I Met Your Mother in the hunt for the perfect hamburger where he just wants to be able to put on pants and go to work.
       I think, me like other job seekers just want to be able to put on these metaphorical pants and feel like we have been productive that day.  This being productive being defined as helping with their taxes, tutoring a student, or helping a customer find exactly what they are looking for in a retail environment, anything that makes one feel that they have helped a person, and the reward was just in that. I am not sure if others who are out of work, feel this way but I would love to hear your thoughts readers? Also those that are employed if you have any tips or hints for those of unemployed and are in an uncertainty funk I would also be open to hearing those too...

Networking is supposed to be about actually "networking" right...

    Alright, so tonight I went to a "networking" event if you can even it call it that is another thing in general. I say this because at this "event" it was filled with loud music, loud talking, very little space, you were lucky if you could hear yourself talk much less think.  So how is someone who has not gone to that many of  these networking events supposed to talk with people, much less have stimulating conversation with them.
    Also to add insult to injury where networking events these places are known for having free food usually as soon as you arrive, their was nothing until an hour or so into the event and the people who were holding the event tried to get you to buy what they were selling.  So this event disappointed on many levels, leaving me tired, hungry, nervous and very annoyed. This also has me asking are all networking events supposed to be like this? 
  Furthermore, if they are how are people like me who are introverted, and mildly shy and usually like to pick our moments when joining a conversation supposed to thrive in this type of environment.  This environment that was made harder by the fact that most people were already in cliques and sitting down with people they already knew.  This event just gave me high school flashbacks, and not the good kind.  I thought when people became adults that this high school mentality died down with them.  I was so wrong.  So to all the introverts, nerds, extroverts out there how do you deal when a situation is not all what you expected or when it has been reduced to a mini highschool?


   "My Golden rule of networking is simple. Don't keep score".
 Harvey McKay
  ( http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/networking.html)

My Golden Rule of Networking is simple: Don't keep score.

Harvey Mackay

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/networking.html#vIrxjEMXQpLMyTRr.99

     

My Golden Rule of Networking is simple: Don't keep score.

Harvey Mackay

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/networking.html#vIrxjEMXQpLMyTRr.99

The lost years of the millenials...

     Alright for the past couple weeks be it through Facebook conversations or face to face conversations I have noticed a common thread among me and my friends in the lets call it our late 20's. The trend I have noticed is that we all have no idea what we are doing with ourselves in the present or how we are ever going to get the lives we supposedly want in the future.
         I say this because one of the friends I had talked for years about becoming a film maker of many genres but did he ever pursue it or do anything about it in a small or big way, he talked about it with people, came up with many a pipe dreams, but again nothing happened. He has been know been working at a what would  well paid job while he is now going back for a masters degree in some subject.  I wish I knew but I don't think he has decided on one.
          Now I have another friend he for a decade wanted to be a singer and while he did pursue it nothing ever came of it in a big way, and while I think this person is a great person, I agree with other people to say that I think he would make a better fit as a fashion designer, song writer, etc, actually this person could probably be like Oprah and Martha Stewart and create their own lifestyle brand with all their ideas and skill sets if given the time and money.
           Alright, after analyzing everyone's career choices lets go to me, because I am not free of scrutiny, I have been saying that I want to be a teacher since I was 19, and now well older than 19 and while I have some tutoring experience and volunteer experience, and have talked in conferences and while I love to research and write I still have not gotten myself to submit a community college job application or talked with my mentor who I have not seen in months.  I think I like my fellow friends that if I follow my dream to teach that I will fail and fall really flat on my face , with many a superiors wondering why I have signed myself for this masochistic torture of teaching others. However, in past jobs when someone has learned something or gained a skill, it excites me in knowing that I taught them that. Also even through I have been avoiding the application I still love reading the research that is out there and trying to keep up to date in the academic world in whatever way possible.
         Alright, so after all these life choices, readers I guess are wondering what is wrong with these people, why can't they pursue these dreams that they set out to reach years ago before reality and the job market decided to come in and kick their ass?  Alright, now I have a theory about this myself and that can be started with the quote "We set out to be wrecked". This a quote that I borrowed from a very rare JM Barrie book and I am now applying to this situation.
         This quote had me thinking that maybe the reason that my friends and I can't get our acts together is because deep down we don't want to or are too scared about what would happen if we even tried to do want we want for our lives, because if we did we would have to stop wandering so helplessly trying to figure out the purposes of our own lives.  However, I could be wrong and it might  not be just fear holding all of us back, what do you think readers?

The search for employment aka as "Hunger Games"

      As of recently I have been applying for most government jobs because they pay well and they are expected to train you pretty thoroughly before you start a position, and also for most government positions if you have a bachelors degree it matters to some extent. I recently had my application accepted for a government position and was thrilled to know that I would get to take the written test to find out if I would make it to the interview process. Also to prepare myself I looked up online what would be on the civil service test for the job so I would at least be mildly prepared at the time of the test.
     When, I showed up to where the test was going to be taken their was a line of people, and while I was sitting to wait for our test booklets I guessed that their were at least 100 people taking a test for two departments that were each hiring one person for each of their departments.  This is not a good ratio 100 people taking a test for two positions, I do not like these odds.  Also, I happened to over hear one person who I think for worked for the county saying that they will pick the top seven scores to interview for these two positions. This test is basically used as a smart weeding out tool to determine who to interview and who would be best for these jobs.
        This whole situation made me think of the "Hunger Games" series where Katniss constantly has to use various strategies and get a one up on her opponents during these games. Also, I know that I am not the only unemployed person where I live since our unemployment is about 11 to 12% when I last checked it, and I am sure that is not including those who have given up looking for work, or who have been unemployed for the past couple years.  So, I think in my situation is was more like "Hunger Games" magnified combined with feeling like its Darwin's Survival of the Fittest and the odds are ever not in my favor.
      This has me wondering though if this is how I feel after being unemployed for the past month, imagine how other people feel. Also it had me thinking what are the new tools that job seekers need out there to survive in this dog eat dog world where its about if you already have the skills to do the job, and to some extent about who you know?

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. It’s OK to fail. If you’re not failing, you’re not growing.” –H. Stanley Judd 
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/30/30-motivational-quotes-for-job-seekers/)

The food that leaves something to be desired at seqouia brewing company

        Now I am usually a champion for any local businesses, and prior to this experience I actually had a good experience at the Sequoia brewing company. I went to go see a musical with my dad and ordered their salmon blt with a side of fruit and it was delicious and the service was spot on, we never had to call the waiter over for anything. However, in the case of this experience I was mildly disappointed.
    My significant other and I decided we would eat the Sequoia brewing company since he had never been there before, and I just wanted to eat something easy on my digestive system. I had eaten prior to having lunch at the Seqouia brewing company and thought I would give  their half a sandwich and salad a try since I had not tried these items there before.  The first thing wrong was the server did not give me a choice of salads for the side salad which they are suppose to offer at least based on the menu. (if i am wrong about this readers, you can call me out on it) Also when I did get my food, I had the wrong bread  on what was called a "sandwich" was not a "sandwich" in the broadest since of the word. I got two pieces of bread with lettuce and turkey, no condiments, or tomato, or cucumber or anything else on it.  Then the final coffin on this eh experience was that the server could not leave his shift until the bill was paid for. I know that my significant other and I did come at the sort of end of lunch time and I get wanting the shift to be over but in this I felt rushed a bit.
      However, even with this negative experience I can attest to this their sweet potato fries are good, along with the condiments with it, and my significant other seemed to love their hand crafted beers.  I am sort of on the fence about this place and might give them another try at some point in the future, just to see if they can prove me wrong after this "eh" experience. I think I am just one of those people who want consistency wherever I go to eat, more so now since I am unemployed so I would like to get bang for my buck.

Groundhog days...

      Well, I know that I have not posted lately I have been working at my first retail job. I recently got let go so my schedule has suddenly become way more open. However, being unemployed is beginning to feel like Groundhog Day  the movie because I have  gone through it repeatedly and I am still trying to get it right, if that makes any sense. This is my third time being unemployed and I am still learning from the last two. I am hoping this time I will gain more skills,  and find a job/career where I can expand my skills and meet interesting people along the way.
     I am not trying to be optimistic about being unemployed but I am pretty sure it gets harder the more you go through it. Oddly enough I am in a group, where their are people their who are more jaded than me, making me wanting to act like Pollyanna in the face of adversity. This time I just feel like I am in limbo and plan to work even harder than last time to get me out limbo.
      This can be shown by the fact that I have tried networking and its harder than it seems. My first event I went to was a big one and I had no clue what I was doing but I think I made a couple decent connections.  I think this was further impacted by the fact that I am introvert and I tend to better interacting one on one rather than with a whole group of people. I then tried to go another networking event that was way smaller and more compact than the other one.  This one was worse in that there was less room to move around, I had a hard enough time talking to people in a big room, how is a smaller room with limited room to move about going to help that. I am hoping by the next networking event I will be able to gauge situations and people better. I have even checked out "How to Think like Sherlock Holmes" by Maria Konnikova with the hope that this will help me better gauge people. However, I plan to think like Sherlock Holmes but without having the superiority complex that Sherlock has throughout his show. So to all readers out there how is your networking going and do you have any tips to improve at it? Also does being unemployed feel like Groudhog's day movie to you in a way?


"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today." (Groundhog Day quote)

The world of hitchhikers guide to the galaxy...

    Well for research for an English composition curriculum I am working on with a science fiction twist, with the main books and shows being discussed of the science fiction nature I decided to reread The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy with the hope of using the novel in a paper prompt.  But, since I have not read this book in many of years I had forgotten how Douglas Adams likes to screw with his reader through using satire throughout his books. Actually, I didn't even notice it until I started reading research about his novels.
      The thing is though I have been obsessed with using Douglas Adams in an English composition books because his books while light hearted and satirical always make the reader think be it philosophically, why things are the way they are in terms of government, big business, or rethinking science fiction as a genre in general because he takes some of those tropes and turns them on their head.  He is the lewis caroll of science fiction writers though with his nonsensical take on things. 
          I say this because I will fully admit that the events that happen in Hitchhikers specifically are all absurd or people survive due to pure coincidence and being at the right place at the right time.  I say this because Arthur dent being saved by an acquaintance to survive the earths destruction, mice ruling earth, and earth being a computer that was going to determine the question to well everything.     
        Which oddly enough is what you are doing by the end of the book, (spoiler alert) all the characters while alive their is no finality or sense of ending and they are on to their next adventure in space.  But, I think even after all my research I think that is what Douglas Adams wants to do is question everything or to realize after much thought and contemplation that we flawed humans have very little control over our own lives. I say this because us readers could end up like arthur dent just wanting to have a simple day and maybe some tea and before you know it earth is destroyed so an intergalacitc highway can be built. 
        I think Adams is also making the point in his book that little events in our lives have a big impact or are related to bigger events in the long run.  I say this because in the book if Arthur had not known Ford Perfect he might never had been alive or had the opportunity to try to be killed so many times be it through Vogons or missiles. I don't know this is just a theory, I am just curious readers as to your thoughts on Douglas Adams book The Hithchhikers Guide to the Galaxy?

But I don't want to be a crop duster...

    I have recently seen the movie "Planes" with my dad, while the plot was pretty predictable and formulaic, but it was still an entertaining movie at large. Also, the main protagonist plane was told by most of his cohorts that he could never be a plane that races and only be a crop duster.  Lately I have been feeling this way in which I have been confined into who I am and what I am supposed to be and what I am supposed be doing with my life and time. In this example, the crop duster turned it around to be the fastest race plane in the nation.
    I have seemed to reach a point in my life where I have to prove to myself, my peers, and my family that I will not be a crop duster all my life.  That I can indeed be a race plane or any other plane of interest to you and be free from this confined box.  However, to do this I am going to have do more things on my own, and be more independent in the process. But this is history repeating myself I once had an English instructor at the city college I taught told me I should not teach English at the community college level. I then proceeded to go up to my Masters in English and I still plan to and want to teach English at a community college.
    If I can prove her wrong, then this should be a piece of cake or pie.  I am one of those people I can't do something I then become bound and determined to do it and what they want me to do all with a smile on my face.  So readers I ask you have you had others put you in a box in terms of your identity and what your "supposed" to be doing with your life and if so how did you get out of this box and prove them wrong?

The journey for independence...

   Well, I have recently become unemployed from a job that I was working about three months. The thing is that I am 28 years old and I live at home like most college graduates or graduated graduate students in this recession because trying to move out on your own is expensive.  Also, while working where I was it felt like it made a dent on most of my friendships and relationships.  Furthermore, the place I was working was just not a good "fit" for me. I was actually relieved when I became unemployed because it felt like I got my life back.
    Well, apparently what I had thought was wrong, I don't know if any other people my age or going through this where your parent wants to know everything going on with your life every damm hour of the day. Today I engaged in a one sided version of 20 questions where I was grilled about the time I was spending looking for work and how it wasn't enough.  I didn't say anything in response because frankly I did not want to and I am thinking if my parents ever want me to become an independent person leaving me alone would be a good thing. The last time I was unemployed I had this same sort of micromanaging and its not like I don't want to look for work. I would like to find a job where I am happy and don't dread going everyday.  I would like to be strategic and set up the right moves so I am not put into a checkmate.
     I just wanted to do things slowly and recover from everything that happened. Also I wanted to do things differently such as being more involved in work organizations, volunteering, networking, and applying for jobs with all my free time. I just want my life back but I would like to have fun at the same time such as catching up with friends, working on my relationship with my bf, catching up on reading, listening to music and if time allows watching a movie.  I want my life back or some semblance of it but I would still like to be a self sufficient person at the same time or work towards being that self sufficient person.  I am just wondering why I can't do both or why I have to do just one.  I am wondering readers out there if you are facing these same sort of job and economic conundrums?

A comparison of Sorkin's "West Wing" and Palladino's "Gilmore Girls"

      Well all this post reveals to me is that I watch way too much television. But the interesting thing I have discovered in watching most of the first four seasons of  Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing" and Amy Sherman Palladino's "Gilmore Girls" is that while these shows may have different themes among them, their are many commonalities when it comes to the pace of these shows. For one both of these producers have a focus on the fast walking and talking while at the same time. Furthermore, the main protagonists in the show always seem to be in a rush or having a deadline to get something done, be it packing for Yale, passing a Bill, or getting the funds to a major brand name school.
   But even with these similarities both of these shows have very different themes. For instance with "West Wing" it is a democrats fantasy and escapism from reality since the show started in 2000 and ended in 2006 and about this time George Bush junior had been elected as President. Even though I would cut it off at 2003 because Soorkin stopped producing for the television show from season 5 to 7.
        The show "The West Wing" became to represent for some democrats their version of White House life that was ran by liberal democrats who just wanted to help people, and not try to sacrifice their moral integrity in the process.  This perspective can be further shown when one of the main character Sam comments that in terms of education that "The schools should be palaces and that teachers should be treated like kings".  This even more element in military skirmishes that take place in the situation room because our fictional President Bartlett played by the charismatic Martin Sheen does not want to get involved in wars with his fellow countries and at the very least wants to try to be diplomatic and peaceful before the United States is reduced to having to fight against another country.   These would be seen as tenets of a president with seemingly liberal democratic leanings that Soorkin is notorious for portraying in all of his television shows.  This show takes a political commentary hope for viewers while giving hope to fifty percent of population for a democratic president in the future at the time.
    But with this "Gilmore Girls" their are hints of political commentary, but it seems to be more of a social/cultural commentary in my opinion. I have seen all the episodes of this show two to three times over and I would exclude season seven since Palladino had no hand in producing it.  This can be seen in the episode "Application Anxiety" in season three where Rory gets her Harvard application and she and her mom are watching a Brady Brunch singing and dance special when that morning Rory has been reading Gogol's "Dead Souls".  There is a strong contrast between the high and low culture in this show, but the great thing about these figures is that they are smart and can adapt to both of these seemingly different worlds.  This can further seen by the contrast between Rory/her mom when compared to the grandparents.
      This becomes evident in season one episode six called "Rory's Birthday parties".  We see this contrast when Lorelai's parents throw Rory a high class catered party for their friends and her classmates, and the next night she has this casual affair with her stars hallow family and friends.  But even with the differences between high and low culture through out the show I think that they can be related to one another, the best example of this I can give is through fashion when the couture designs on the runway trickle down to the budget wears that one will find at the mall, Target and Ross.
      Now even though these shows are different in terms of themes, and similar in their approach, this has me wondering if Palladino and Sorkin have ever met.  I say this because I have seen Palladino's show "Gilmore Girls" many times over and the first season of her new show "Bunheads", and I have watched Sorkin's "Sports Night", "The West Wing", "Studio 60 on the sunset strip", and some of "The Newsroom", and they seem so similar to one another.
      Also I am wondering if these two should collaborate to make a show that is so good, that any major or cable network would have no reason to reject such a proposal.  But before this occurs I would like to know if anyone can find out if they know whether Sorkin and Palladino have met in the past, I have done my research online and have not found anything.  So if anyone has any information about this be it an article or expose please, can you please post it as a comment for this blog.  So readers I have to ask do you think Soorkin and Palladino should collaborate and make a kick ass show? Why or Why not?

A comparison of "Murder She Wrote" and "Castle"

  Well, I have been watching "Murder She Wrote" off and on for the past couple months, and have become obsessed with the fictional character JB Fletcher. She is charismatic, gets along with everybody, and always seems to know how to handle situations in a fair and delicate matter.  I think her show from the 1980's to 1990's  might have been the beginning of mystery writers being the detectives in a television and to my knowledge I had not seen this before in any prior detective shows.  Also she has a Sherlock approach through using her powers of deduction to solve her crimes.  Murder she wrote's first episode is even called The Murder of Sherlock Holmes.
      The issue with her show is that there are very few pursued romances throughout the show. (spoiler) We learn from the first episode that she has lost her husband Frank, who is referenced to throughout the seasons.  She is pursued many times through visitors in other cities, and it seems to be hinted at the Dr. Hazelick seems to be into her.  But I think this is the point I think she is trying to show that an older woman can be independent and not needing to lean on a man, unless she wants to or he adds on to her own experiences.  This can even be shown through some of the women who seem to be having a hard time of things and tend get blamed for murders they did not commit over the seasons, while being tortured and ridiculed by some of the older men . But with Castle they go where the evidence leads, and while they tend to jump the gun about who the killer is also, not a majority of the people falsely accused for murder are female.
    Another difference, is that in "Castle", it's all its about is the sexual tension, and the romance, and castle through his own networking with the mayor. This show chronicles their annoyance, friendship, and then love for one another. But, with Castle he tends to act like a child in an adult mans body, and has very little understanding of women as shown through the many conversations with his daughter and mother. Also he like JB Fletcher but maybe for different reasons is too afraid to ever delve into a serious romantic relationship. Actually, that might be Castle's issue he likes falling in love, and has a harder time actually maintaining the relationship. But , this show seems to focus more on romantic relationships when compared to murder she wrote.
      But its not like this show does not care about the fictional murders that occur has shown between the team work between Esposito, Ryan, Laney, Beckett, and Castle to get the truth of the matter in a case. Castle is able to provide a different, albeit sometimes crazy, and conspiracy theory based approach to solving some murders. However, this always fun and keeps the viewers on their toes, because they never know what to expect from Castle.
     But with both of these shows their may not be much difference in victims in both shows though, as they both show how much gender, race, and class will effect who be murdered and what their motive will be. The weird thing is that for some of these murders they were over things that could not be controlled, or because the murder is question made assumptions that were not really true.  (spoiler) I can refer to season  1 episode 3 of Castle where a model gets killed by her husband because he thinks she is cheating on him with a photographer.
    These two shows, reveal how the mystery detective is viewed from an older wise women to a ruggedly handsome Rick Castle, seems to be a forward transition, but as viewers what would we rather focus on the murders or the relationships, or both.   Or I should be asking do we need both, or would one suffice?

My average experience at hometown buffet

   I recently went to "Hometown Buffet" with my family to celebrate mothers day.  The food was average, not good, not bad never anything to rave about. When it comes to hometown buffet I know what to expect, its like an average burger place you know what you are getting.  I know that they might be known for their ribs and sliced meats.  I am still wishing they served chicken gravy, because it always tasted better than their beef gravy.
   Even with these downsides "Hometown Buffet" does have some perks. For instance they now have instant coffee , slushy, and horchata machines.  Also their is a whole rack filled with condiments to add to your food. Even with my expectations and these now added perks, the one thing that disappointed me this time when I went to hometown buffet was the service. The last time we were their are plates were cleared every couple plates. This time by the end of the meal, none of our plates were cleared at all.
    This too me is a sign that either that the local is understaffed or that our table was not a priority at the time. The reason this was such a faux pas to me is because no one wants to see their mostly eaten food when they are trying to eat a meal. I know, I don't anyway.  So readers I have to ask if you have had any better or worse eating experiences at "Hometown Buffet"?

The life I never had passing before my eyes...

  Well, I went in for a routine gynecology appointment with the hope of getting a birth control prescription for the year.  While, I was able to accomplish this I found out that their is a possibility that I might have endometriosis which could cause infertility in the future. I then discovered on my dad's sides of the family that it was a common occurrence with some of my aunts. I also found out that some of them had to have hysterectomies when they were in their 40's. The thing with this condition is I have to find out I can afford the laproscopy procedure and then determine whether or not to have it, and if it will have to make me figure out how I feel towards having kids.
     The weird thing was when I found this out I was more worried about how my bf might take it compared me. I was more worried/possibly a bit paranoid that me possibly being infertile might be a deal breaker so to speak. I really didn't care too much about how I felt about the situation. My main concerns are  having a career, and maybe getting married in the future, the possibility of having kids is in the back burner. I am just not sure to do when the future I am never sure if I wanted it or not in the first place started flashing before my eyes.
    This whole situation makes me more emotional and confused when it comes to the idea of having children. And I already feel like I can be too emotional as it is in some situations, and the fact that flo is coming to town in a couple days makes me more sensitive and moody about things then I would like to be. This situation also has me wondering if their have been other women out there who have these same mixed feelings about children and their future.  Also how did they deal with it?  As it is I can deal with either being on the fence or having a stance on an issue, as of right now I don't know how I should be feeling.

Commenting on fame

       Since the seventeenth century people have been writing about the scandals of others.  This can be  seen through Samuel Johnson's diary where he comments on the life and those around him. The need to talk about others is further pushed when newspapers began to comment on the personal lives of aristocrats.  This commenting becomes so prevalent in newspapers and magazines that even play writes such as F. Burney and R. Sheridan began to talk and comment on the lives of rich and famous in their satirical 1770's plays.
   Now lets fast forward 200+ years where becoming famous has become as easy as writing a blog, self publishing a novel, starting a fashion line, etc.  The ways to Warhol's fifteen minutes of fame are numerous, but how long one will stay in the spotlight is debatable.  However, those that stick around or forever commented on by bloggers and paparazzi. If you make a bad fashion choice, or end up in a bad movie role in a movie people will know about it and comment on it. 
   But these days bloggers, podcasts and the common man via twitter can now voice their opinions about movies and television shows. One positive of this is that people's opinion dictates how a story might turn out in the end in a television show.  But is this a good thing, because times even when a tiny show has become popular it can still be cancelled. The examples are numerous such as "Firefly, Dollhouse, Pushing Daisies", etc.  However, it has been such viewers that has been able to with such things such a "Firefly" and "Veronica Mars" movies.
    I think it might be a double edged sword where viewers dictate what is on television but at the same time they are not always able to do anything if a show or someone gets the axe in a television show.  (spoiler alert) A great example of this would be "Downton Abbey" where they killed off two of the main characters leaving viewers both mad and sad at the end of the third season.  The viewers had no control of this since we did not that their acting contracts had expired after three years.  So this has me wondering if people need this immediate feedback/commentary on a television show and their actors? Also is this feedback a good thing? And if it is why?
    I ask this because shows like "Pretty Little Liars" and "Gossip Girl" reveal how private information being revealed in a public nature can destroy lives. In the case of "Pretty Little Liars" they are blackmailed into behaving a certain way. While in "Gossip Girl" it is very voyeuristic with others watching and analyzing your every move in the spotlight. These shows seem to be commentary themselves on how even some private information of fictional major figure heads seem be off limits in the information age. But this has me asking why these figures, what is so important about them? Why them and not anyone else? So readers I ask if you have any responses or thoughts to my many questions.