2+2=5

The Pensive Proofreader is really on a roll where confessions are concerned.  The latest?  I can't do math.  Then again, nor can many of my fellow journalism majors.  The good news is that I have the basics down pat.  It's the more complex stuff which confounds me.  Simple addition and subtraction is not an issue.  I can also multiply and divide with ease.  When I have a few dollars in my pocket, I enjoy counting it.  But after that, it's all downhill.  I've crashed and burned with algebra, geometry makes me twitch, and calculus does not even remotely exist in my universe.  And so goes my relationship with mathematics.

I have a much better relationship with journalism, which is why I majored in the subject in college.  Since elementary school, I've always had an aptitude for writing and knew that I would eventually parlay that ability into a career.  Throughout my school years, I was the school newspaper scribe, the literary geek, and the go-to student for help on English assignments.  When my mother was pursuing her own Bachelor's degree in Education, I used to proofread her term papers as a third-grader.  So journalism has always been my passion and my pen and notebook (now replaced by my laptop) my best friend.

As for math, I know I have a bad attitude.  I know I need to change my ways.  I should embrace mathematics -- or at least make the attempt.  After all, where would advanced civilization be without mathematics?  It's a lifeline for aviation, engineering, architecture, and accounting -- just to name a few fields.  Mathematics walks hand in hand with science, and as a result, plays a major role in gifting us with astronomy, physics, chemistry, and more.  It provides us with a means of quantifying the tangible, and allows us to group, deconstruct, split and increase.  Mathematics gives us the opportunity to construct buildings and railroads.  Because of math, we can study the stars and galaxies.  So why am I clearly in need of an attitude adjustment when it comes to math?

Perhaps biology is to blame.  Thinking my math-phobia might have something to do with the side of the brain I utilize most, I went to Google, my trusty go-to search engine.  Perhaps a little research on the subject would uncover my mathematical reticence.  I'm a creative person by nature, so rules, parameters, and boundaries are usually the enemy for me -- unless we're talking the rules of grammar, spelling or punctuation here.  (Naturally, I have no issue adhering to the logical parameters of the grammar rules, but that's another story for another day.)  Unfortunately, I got caught on my cyber-journey in the silky by-products of the spinnerets of the world wide web.  Turns out, there's a host of contradictory articles on the subject as there's quite the online debate as to which side of the brain belongs in the creative camp and which side of the brain belongs in the land of logic and quantitative reasoning.  Needless to say, I am currently back at square one with no mysteries solved -- just yet.

Since the brain thing didn't pan out, I decide to glean wisdom from a seemingly sage fellow blogger, Edward J. Delaney, who comes to us free of left-side/right-side theories concerning that which is contained within our respective craniums.  Rather than speculating on the bad hand biological science may or may not have dealt some of us when it comes to calculating, Mr. Delaney's 2008 entry, Why So Many Journalism Majors? (http://edwardjdelaney.blogspot.com/2008/12/why-so-many-journalism-majors.html), focuses instead on the growing number of college students signing up for a four-year tour of duty in journalism, a figure which really doesn't mesh well with the number of available jobs in the field.  Mr. Delaney speculates that perhaps part of the reason why there are so many matriculates to the major could be due to our shared mathematical ineptitude.  But because a person isn't gifted in math, is this really a valid enough reason to major in journalism? 

Mr. Delaney doesn't think so, and while I'm slightly digressing on the subject of mathematics here for a very brief moment, I have to agree with him for any number of reasons.  As he wisely points out, the onslaught of students joining the journalism throng is rooted less in an interest to seek out the truth through investigative newswriting and reporting and rooted more in narcissistic opportunity.  A lack of mathematical ability doesn't even remotely play a role as journalism has either gone to people's heads or has just plain gone Hollywood -- and not for the better.  Explains Delaney, "[The] numbers of journalism students grow, a number heightened by the influx of people who seem most interested in blogging as a way of posting (and boasting) about yourself, rather than about any real intellectual inquiry or desire to learn about the human condition; I see a generation who were inspired to journalism not by Woodward and Bernstein but by the “Sex and the City” girl sitting crosslegged on her bed writing about her romantic life, or the girls on “The Hills” working in “journalism” by going to Teen Vogue parties."

Ouch.  While I've always been proud of my journalistic accomplishments, Delaney's comments nearly inspire me to brush up on my mathematical skills.  Well, almost.  Now if I only had the interest and ability...

T'is the Season

I'm slightly blue today over the job search.  The classified ads haven't been particularly promising, my phone hasn't exactly been ringing off the hook, and the only emails I've received recently are from friends, family, and spammers.  Hiring managers haven't been touching base lately.  Despite everything, I continue to respond to the few applicable classified ads I've come across, in hopes that the telephone will ring or the email inbox will fill. 

I'm a bit bereft, but I'm also filled with optimism over the upcoming holiday season.  Granted, Santa can't bring me a career in his sleigh, but according to an online article on cnn.com, Best Time to get a Job (http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/04/news/economy/job_seasons/), December is, interestingly enough, one of the best times to find work during the year.  And we're not talking seasonal employment here.  As CNN scribe, Jessica Dickler, sensibly points out, different companies have different busy periods.  Some organizations may have quite a lot going on at the end of the year -- undeniably welcome news for late-autumn and early-winter job-seekers -- and may need to fill positions.  Other organizations may still have a few dollars kicking around in their hiring budgets and may need an extra set of hands by year's end, which means opportunity could very possibly present itself in December.  Often, hiring managers are operating at a more relaxed pace by year's end, and possibly in the spirit of the holiday season, may be willing to extend a job offer simply if the need exists and the right candidate presents his/herself at the right time.

The holiday season also provides yet another outlet for job-seekers looking for work in late autumn or early winter via networking.  Many corporations hold events or parties at year's end, which provides an opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to hiring managers on a friendly, less formal basis.  While I'm hardly a party person, job-seekers who are would probably do well to ask employed friends if it's at all possible to accommodate them to a company's holiday party or other social event.  Again, while this approach really isn't for me, it may work well for others, and I certainly wouldn't discourage a job-seeker who's interested in going this route.  It could work.  You never know.

This is why it's critical for job candidates to remain on high alert post-Thanksgiving.  Many job-seekers put the career hunt on hold at the end of the year, assuming that it's a slow time of year and companies won't be hiring.  But sometimes this period of quiet can prove itself to be the solution -- not the problem -- as there tends to be less competition, which means a greater chance that the phone will ring or the inbox will fill as hiring managers may be interesting in touching base during the holiday season.

All Caps Madness

I have a confession to make.  I print in all caps.  It's a terrible habit for someone with my academic and professional background to have, not to mention it's a direct violation of the sensible rules of punctuation.  Yet I continue to persist in this style of scribing.  I certainly would never type in all caps for fear of offending the recipient(s) with what could be considered an angry or hostile tone in an email or letter.  However, this concern does not carry over to handwritten missives.  So why the distinction between the two?  And why do I continue to write in all caps knowing that it's incorrect to do so?

The short, simple response is that I just don't have answers.  Stylistically, I guess I'm guilty of attempting to emulate the printing of my late father, who possessed some background in drafting, tirelessly served in an electrical engineering capacity for close to forty years prior to his retirement.  His printing was perfect -- extraordinarily neat, extremely organized, and just plain effortless.  His brother -- a former civil engineer -- possessed nearly identical printing, so either their scribing abilities ran in their family, it's an engineering/drafting thing or perhaps it's a combination of both.  In any event, the reality is that I'm not nearly as blessed in my own printing capabilities, and my all caps style -- though legible -- is not nearly as polished as my father's or uncle's printing.  So why am I bothering?

On rare occasions when I actually do adhere to the traditional rules of style, my printing isn't awful.  It's easy enough to decipher, and is -- to my eye, anyway -- far from chicken scratch.  But it isn't close to copperplate and it seems to lack an identity.  It's not pretty, it isn't messy, but it doesn't seem to stand out much stylistically.  So perhaps the issue is one of handwriting identity.  It's possible that my all caps printing is an attempt to distinguish my handwriting from others.  But it still begs the question as to why I'm continuing to break punctuation's rules of proprietary when, of all people, I should know better. Call me a rebel, if you will.

The handwriting identity issue, however, is an interesting one to ponder and I've now come to realize that there may be a method to my all caps madness after all.  I'm making a statement with my handwriting and I didn't even know it.  But it really is all about personal branding.  It's about conveying messages through handwriting which express care and concern.  When a scribe takes the time to painstakingly print nicely, neatly, and orderly on any given document as opposed to just scribbling in rapid-fire fashion to get whatever message across, it says something about the person behind the print.  Our handwriting is who we are as well as the message we convey, so if we take pride in ourselves, it follows that we should take pride in that which we write by hand. 

I recently went on a job interview for a proofreading position.  It was a rare opportunity as regular, full-time proofreading jobs are few and far between, not to mention that the hiring company was located a very brief car ride away.  During the interview, I submitted to a proofreading test, which usually isn't an issue for me.  The test certainly seemed straightforward enough, but I later learned that my final score, while certainly respectable, could've been even better.  This, in turn, caused me to wonder if perhaps my all caps scribing style had something to do with the scoring.  I know I've been guilty of this sin in the past at my previous proofreading jobs.  After all, what right do I have as a proofreader to indicate that a capitalized letter needs to be converted to a lower-case -- or vice versa -- if my own printing defies the basic rules of the English language?  In such situations, it has to be confusing for the typesetter or graphic artist charged with making corrections to any document I pass along, so going forward, I have vowed to follow the standard rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation in a professional setting for everyone's sake -- especially my own.  But on my own time, it's all about me and my handwriting brand.

A Very Vegan Journey

In my Blogspot bio, I note that I'm a vegetarian, attempting to go vegan.  Since I haven't discussed veganism very much at all, I've decided to give it the blog treatment by way of a not-so-brief exegesis.

I'm actually a longtime vegetarian (30-plus years), having been raised as an herbivore since childhood.  My mother had been an on and off vegetarian throughout her early childhood and teenage years.  As a young adult, she was a meat-eater, but once she was married and had small children to raise, she shifted her thinking to a health and wellness approach.  As a result, my brother and I have both been raised as vegetarians.  Growing up, we were fortunate to be surrounded by other families following the same dietary philosophy as the pastor of our church and his family were also vegetarians, in addition to a handful of other church members.  So we certainly weren't alone, and I don't even think it was coincidental that we were in like company.  Vegetarianism is not a trend confined to the random follower.  It is a lifestyle choice rooted in concern for one's health and wellbeing, which really is a universal.  As a result, vegetarianism (and veganism) has gained momentum amongst the health-conscious -- momentum which has only increased as people continue to educate themselves about the importance of diet.  For ourselves, it was good to be surrounded with this kind of support and it certainly made us less conspicuous.  As a result, any teasing or nosy questions weren't much of an issue.  There is nothing a person following a particular dietary philosophy likes less than having to justify the food on his/her plate, so when you're surrounded by folks who share your dietary beliefs -- or those who respect your food choices -- odds are you won't be questioned. 

As an adult, I've been fortunate to acquire friends who are either vegetarian, partially vegetarian, occasionally vegetarian or just plain health conscientious.  I also have very understanding carnivorous friends who would never dream of questioning my diet.  And nor would I question theirs as I firmly believe that friends should respect friends and their personal choices.  Prior to being laid off from my job, I worked directly with a woman who identified as vegetarian and as an animal lover, although she wasn't quite as adherent.  She would recoil in horror if another co-worker brought up a barbecue they'd attended over the weekend or would rail against people who did not support her personal mission of feeding feral cats.  Yet, by her own admission, if she was served a meat dish at a carnivorous dinner party, she would not turn it down because she did not want to put the host(s) through any trouble.  So although our dietary approaches differed, I did not -- and do not -- judge her.   

In 2007, I was single and quite selective in terms of the opposite sex.  My original criteria for a soulmate had less to do with diet and more to do with the three traits of intelligence, compassion, and compatibility.  As it happened, I was fortunate to find all three -- and so much more -- after the recently acquired boyfriend of a good friend of mine suggested I meet an old college friend of his.  I was somewhat reluctant about a get-together, although I did agree to an email exchange and we began to communicate online.  Cautious and a bit bashful, I remained on the fence for a couple of months until I learned that the friend in question was also a vegetarian, at which point I decided that I simply had to meet him.  And when we finally did get together (at a vegetarian restaurant, of course), I learned that not only did he share my dietary philosophy, his brother was a vegetarian as well.  And so, the trend of being surrounded by my own kind continued.

Last year, my boyfriend and his brother transitioned from vegetarianism to veganism.  It wasn't a difficult decision as they are both firmly committed to their health as well as to animal rights.  I stayed in the vegetarian camp for whatever reason, but have recently started on my very own vegan journey.  Health and wellness remains at the forefront of my dietary mission, although I certainly support the cause of animal rights.  As was the case with my favorite set of brothers, the transition hasn't been especially challenging for me.  True, I've had to part ways with dairy, so this means no more milk, eggs, Carvel ice cream or goodies from my local bakery.  But the majority of the cooking I do is either vegan to begin with or can be very easily veganized, so it's really not an issue.  As for my health, I've never felt better -- plus I recently lost nearly forty pounds, so something must be working in my favor. 

For me, my dietary choices are just that -- a personal decision which I would never foist upon others.  Obviously, I would be positively thrilled if society would collectively move toward healthier and gentler dietary decisions, but again, I don't judge anyone for the decisions they make, nor would I want anyone questioning me for the same reason.  It's all about mutual respect.  You probably won't find me at a protest rally on the subject (or related matters to the subject) because I'm a believer in unseen crusades, not public displays -- although I certainly support those who do rally as it is their right to do so.  I'm all in favor of anyone who passionately stands up for their beliefs or who lends a voice for those who cannot speak.  Advocacy is so important.  But it just isn't for me.  I've found that by simply being the person I am and living as I always do, I make a far greater impression on the curious. 

I've tried to pinpoint a famous quote to sum up my feelings on the subject, and while there are many great words on vegetarianism, veganism, animal rights and such, the quote below really spoke to me.  I hope it'll reach you as well.

"I've found without question that the best way to lead others to a more plant-based diet is by example - to lead with your fork, not your mouth."  ~Bernie Wilke, quoted in Joanne Stepaniak, The Vegan Sourcebook, 1998

Fare Thee Well, Andy Rooney

I've been writing a lot recently about unemployment and the job search, so I thought I'd briefly switch gears and discuss an aspect of journalism which certainly deserves attention -- broadcast journalism.  As a college graduate back in 1995, my first professional foray into journalism was actually an internship in the news department of a local radio station, so needless to say, this is a subject very close to my heart.  And with the recent retirement of veteran broadcaster, Andy Rooney, from CBS's 60 Minutes, it's both a timely and relevant topic. 

Reading Mr. Rooney's biography online, it boasts an array of impressive journalistic accomplishments in addition to a distinguished career in the U.S. Army.  Mr. Rooney, a graduate of Colgate University, began his career in journalism in 1942 at the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes.  In 1949, he was hired by CBS as a writer for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a long-running radio and television variety program.  He moved on later to The Garry Moore Show, which eventually achieved hit status.  It was at this time that Rooney began writing with a public affairs focus, eventually joining The Twentieth Century, an informative news program where he focused on the television essay niche that would become his professional trademark.  This eventually led him to 60 Minutes, a program he joined in 1978 and stayed with until the autumn of 2011. 

For all his accomplishments -- and Rooney has many respectable ones -- his career was not without its fair share of controversy.  Rooney may very well have been a product of his upbringing, stuck in a time warp or perhaps he was just plain disagreeable, but he spoke his mind and his straightforwardness apparently resonated with many in the viewing audience.  His unabashed lack of political correctness -- on any number of occasions -- eventually led to a three-month suspension without pay in 1990, numerous public outcries against his 60 Minutes segments, and a series of apologies/retractions from both CBS and Rooney himself.  But Rooney did it his way.  And even though his mindset may have caused upset to some, he stuck with his methodology throughout his tenure, parlaying it into one of the longest-running careers in professional broadcast journalism.  For better or worse, he remained a fixture for over 33 years at 60 Minutes, providing a voice for the disgruntled, whether the matter was mundane, mass or myriad.  For this and so much more, he undoubtedly deserves the respect of all journalists -- no questions asked and no comments uttered.

In the wake of Rooney's departure, it is interesting to assess the cast of characters now dominating the broadcast landscape.  There will never be another Rooney, but there will always be eager, inquisitive journalists determined to make their mark in print, on television or radio airwaves or online.  As long as there's a story to tell -- and there always will be -- the future of journalism is assured.  The question now becomes who will fill Andy Rooney's shoes, and if the shoes should fit, is it at all possible for the wearer to sport these shoes with the same passion and aplomb as their bushy-browed predecessor, Andy Rooney?

Break Time -- Part II

I vowed yesterday to take a break from the job search.  The initial game plan was just to relax, concentrate on home-based projects, and enjoy the day in its fullest.

I lied. 

Well, I didn't exactly lie.  I did do some laundry.  I went to the boardwalk for my usual pensive constitutional.  I donated a few bags to the thrift shop.  And I tried very hard to disconnect from the high-tech gadgetry that generally rules my day.  My intentions were sincere and my resolve started out strong.  Unfortunately, it didn't last as I found myself falling into my all-too-familiar daily pattern of constantly checking email/voicemail, scanning the online classified listings, and sending out resumes.  So the question now becomes why I'm unable to disconnect, no matter how hard I try.  Could I actually be addicted to trying to find a job?

It's an intriguing question, so I did a quick Google search on "job search compulsion".  I came up empty, so I figured it was just me.  Then I inserted "addiction" in place of "compulsion" and... voila!  Misery really does love company and apparently I've got plenty of it as job search addiction is not at all an uncommon phenomenon.  It seems there are many amongst the unemployed masses who are chained to their laptops, glued to online job-search boards, and waiting desperately for the phone to ring or an email to come in with an invitation to interview or -- better yet -- a job offer.

But according to AOL's Liz Lynch, spending too much quality time on online job boards may very well be a waste of time.  In her 2010 article, Is Addiction to Job Boards Killing Your Job Search? (http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/01/28/job-boards-killing-your-job-search/), Lynch makes the point that the return on resumes expedited through online job board channels is actually very low.  She cites the case of one desperate candidate who apparently submitted over 650 resumes online, only to receive roughly ten interviews in return.  Lynch is correct in her assertion that this may not necessarily be the most effective use of time and energy.  However, what she doesn't take into account -- or at least doesn't document in her article -- is which kinds of jobs the aforementioned candidate applied to during the search.  Did the candidate apply only to positions for which they're qualified?  Did the candidate apply to just anything simply to have something to show for at the labor department or was the candidate merely trying to get their resume in the hands of a hiring manager?  At the aforementioned ten interviews, what was the outcome?  Did the candidate possess good interviewing skills?  Did he/she dress appropriately for these interviews?  And what about the candidate's personality?  Are there any quirks or traits that may have discouraged the hiring manager from offering the candidate the position? 

These are fair questions, and as much as they make me question the candidate's judgment and motivation behind sending out so many resumes and not receiving a decent return for the time and effort spent, the article itself also makes me question the judgment and  motivation of Lynch and her editor.  Granted, Lynch's professional niche is social networking, a strategy which she highly recommends employing during the job hunt.  However, the reality is that some job-seekers have very limited professional connections.  They may be young, inexperienced, shy and socially isolated or they may be trying to break into a field for the very first time and simply lack connections.  So as invaluable as social networking may be, it may not work for everyone. 

I am considerably more impressed with Andrew Rosen's article for U.S. News and World Report, How to Fend Off Job Search Addiction (http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2010/11/16/how-to-fend-off-job-search-addiction).  Advice is always nice and Rosen has plenty, all rooted in common sense too.  Granted, Rosen's article is targeted more toward job-seekers who are already working, but there's a lot the unemployed can take away from this article.  He lists four warning signs of addiction, only two of which I meet, so I guess I'm not too far gone after all.  I am guilty of warning sign #1 (repetition) as I ceaselessly scan job boards all throughout the day and compulsively check email and voicemail.  Rosen's advice?  Reserve a chunk of the day (or a chunk every few days) for job-searching and stick with it.  Can't argue with this.

I am equally guilty of warning sign #3 (forgetfulness) as I've lost track of the number of positions I've applied for, not to mention the names of the hiring companies -- if I knew the names at all.  Rosen recommends applying for fewer positions and putting your heart and soul into sending tailored and compelling cover letters, which definitely seems sensible.  However, I do know better than to apply for positions for which I'm not qualified (warning sign #2), and I wouldn't dream of searching for a job in the wee hours of the morning (warning sign #4) since I like my sleep far too much.  But Rosen's article is a good reminder to job-seekers that there is such a thing as taking a job search too far.  So I'm going to tone it down a notch -- I think.  Or at least I'm going to try.

When Bad Copyediting Happens to Bad Copyeditors

I recently received this very appropriate forward via email which definitely seems worth sharing with this audience, although this is more the work of slip-shoddy copyediting rather than poor proofreading:

Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn't  you say? 
Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter  This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this.  It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!!  They put in a correction the next day.     I just couldn't help but sending this along. Too funny.  

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says    Ya think?  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers          Now that's taking things a bit far!    ----------------------------------------------------------- 

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over          What a guy!     ---------------------------------------------------------------  

Miners Refuse to Work after Death   No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's!  ---------------------- --------------------------------   

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant   See if that works any better than a fair trial!   ----------------------------------------------------------  

War Dims Hope for Peace    I can see where it might have that effect!   ----------------------------------------------------------------  

 If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile     Ya think?!  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures         Who would have thought!   ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

Enfield (  London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide  

They may be on to something!  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges         You mean there's something stronger than duct tape? 
 ---------------------------------------------------------- 

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces  BatteryCharge        He probably IS the battery charge!  ----------------------------------------------  

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group   Weren't they fat enough?!  -----------------------------------------------  

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft   That's what he gets for eating those beans!    -------------------------------------------------

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks          Do they taste like chicken? **************************************** 

   Local   High School Dropouts Cut in Half          Chainsaw Massacre all over again!   *************************************************** 

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors          Boy, are they tall!  *******************************************   

And the winner is....   Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead    
     Did I read that right?