Evernote for job searching

One of the ways I use Evernote is to organize my job search.

I dedicate one notebook to track jobs I'm interested in. The first note is Applications In, where I keep a table of the jobs I have applied to, when I follow up, and any additional notes. The top row looks like this:

I keep a list of sites and job search engines on a second note. That way when I'm looking for jobs online, I can simply go down the list to do a thorough search.

The third note has keywords I use. I'm looking for a position in marketing, public relations, or writing, so my keywords include those words as well as "communications specialist," "marketing assistant," "social media," and "media relations." Hiring managers use various job titles and descriptions, so searching several related keywords gives me more relevant leads.

The fourth note has notes about my portfolio: pieces I should edit, pieces that are tailored to a specific job, and notes about presentation.

Using Evernote this way helps me search for jobs efficiently.

Point of View in A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

One of the things I like most in A Game of Thrones is how George R.R. Martin uses point of view. He moves the story so that we see it from Eddard's eyes, then move on to Bran, to Jon, Sansa, Catelyn, and so on.

Switching points of view works so well because these characters' stories interlock, and this also creates tension within the story. We see all the points of view, so sometimes the tension comes from waiting to see what happens when a character finds out something we saw in an earlier chapter. At other times tension comes from leaving one character at a critical moment and not seeing her point of view again for 50 pages or more.

With seeing all the parts of the larger story, surprises might lose their impact, but that's not the case. Many times in the book, we find out something at the same moment as a character. Even when we know about an event before it reaches across the kingdom, it's still exciting to see what happens.

Constellation Prize 2

I uploaded a new music program. Nostalgia seems to be running through these songs.

Constellation Prize 2 - March 29 2012 by Digitalfare on Mixcloud

Discovering Music on Mixcloud

Two weeks ago, Alex Day wrote about the future of radio. He ended up on a site called Mixcloud where you can upload your own mixes, radio programs, and podcasts for free. Probably the best part is, Mixcloud pays royalties to artists and so you can use copyrighted songs as long as you tag and label them properly.

I've always wanted to try being on the radio, and Mixcloud is the next best thing. Better, I think, because you can play the music you want, you don't need to worry about licensing, and you don't need advertisements.

I uploaded my first program today. Eight songs with a little commentary in between tracks. For me, this is a step up from making playlists and it was fun to put together. You can listen to it below or directly on Mixcloud.

Constellation Prize 1 - March 21 2012 by Digitalfare on Mixcloud

Thank you - Treasury List on Etsy

I made a new treasury list on Etsy, Thank you. It's a collection of thank you cards, stickers, banners, and tags.

I like making treasury lists around one theme, and I try to include items that vary in color and style. In this collection, I also kept the price range to $20 or less.

Besides this list, I have made a few others. You can see them here.

Sidebar: A reverse reveal on Merlin

What if the writers are planning a reverse reveal? Merlin won't reveal his magic to Arthur. Instead, Arthur tells Merlin he's known for a while. Maybe this is why the reveal hasn't happened yet. We've seen Merlin have several close calls but really, Arthur has seen more examples of Merlin's power. Neither one has found the right moment to confront the other.

An open letter to FOX

Dear FOX, 

 

I’m writing this open letter to tell you that for the next three Fridays, I will be watching Grimm on NBC. I do this, however, with no ill intent. I am a firm supporter of genre television—it’s all I watch. Since Fringe is taking a break, I will watch another genre show in its place.

I might have continued watching FOX in March, but I see you scheduled Kitchen Nightmares specials for Friday nights. Dysfunctional restaurants do offer some drama, but they lack the imagination, surprises, and mind-blowing stories of Fringe. This replacement is not worth my time.

It’s a shame genre shows struggle with ratings and recognition, and so I’d rather spend an hour supporting Grimm, which is entertaining and finally finding its rhythm. The last few episodes have been great. I’m excited to see where Grimm goes in the coming weeks.

FOX, thank you for giving Fringe a home on your network. I wish more people watched this intelligent and well-written show, but I suspect most television viewers look for shallow distraction. Fringe is high above that caliber.

I will see you again on March 23. In the mean time, we part ways.

Best wishes,
Kali, a Fringiphile