Job applications

I have spent hours over the last couple of days applying for seasonal/temporary jobs.  While most major companies (JCPenney, Macy’s) have Internet based applications, a few such as Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret are paper only applications. Which is why I’m glad I went to the local mall Wednesday, even if I had to walk around all over the place. While I believe I will get unemployment payments, sitting around at home is boring and it is fortunate there is lots of hiring going on this time of year. I only really want something part-time for now, so I can search for more permanent work at the same time.  Getting store discounts also sounds nice as well.

While I expect to get asked the regular questions on these applications, such as  employment history, why do some companies insist on having long questionnaires with stupid questions? I mean, of course everyone will “strongly agree” with questions such as “Are you a team player?” “Are you outgoing?” and disagree with  questions like “I get angry easily” and “I am unsure what to say around strangers.” Because these things are so important when finding someone to cashier for six weeks around Christmas when everything is crazy.

What was grating is how every application was almost exactly the same and I could have just filled them all out at once. It took me several hours to fill out six applications to department stores and other places like Family Video. I mean, they all want to know things like work experience and availability along with holidays you can work and all that.

My last assignment at the paper was covering a job fair (ironic!) where Cleveland-based company Flexhire, premiered a program where job seekers  could fill out a universal application electronically and send the same thing to everyone that participated at the fair. I did that myself, and got a few leads. Whether it will lead to anything, who knows, but I wasn’t exhausted at the end of the day like I am now.

 

From Ohio Wesleyan to 60 Minutes…

“Coming here, I was a student people didn’t expect anything out of,” he said. “But I saw professors who cared for me, invested in me.”  The Transcript, Ohio Wesleyan University, Feb. 23, 2006

In 2006, I had the pleasure of interviewing CBS correspondent  Byron Pitts who is now on 60 Minutes. At the time, I was writing for The Transcript, the student newspaper where I had recently served as editor-in-chief.  He had just been named  commencement speaker, and I asked to interview him because I thought it would be a great assignment, which it was. Fortunately, I saved the story and used it as one of my clips when I was interviewing for jobs after graduation.

Pitts graduated from my alma mater Ohio Wesleyan University in the early 1980s–his story does more to promote the value of a small liberal arts college more than just about anything I have ever heard.

Pitts just recently released an autobiography, Step Out on Nothing, that contains the story I interviewed him for and many others about overcoming the challenge of being “functionally illiterate” to his career, where he recently became a correspondent on 60 Minutes.

What I did not realize when I interviewed Pitts how one English professor I had convinced Pitts not to drop out of school nearly 30 years before.   Ulle Lewes taught my senior-level essay class and was happy I took the class, despite her insistence on revising essays I already finished.  As a journalism student, I was taught you only had one chance to get something right.

In the interview, Lewes said she first saw Pitts crying on the steps of one of the academic buildings one winter day.  He told her he was dropping out because he was on academic probation and kept getting failing grades on his English essays. Instead, she said not to drop out and that she would help him work on his writing. By the end of the semester, he went from getting Ds to getting Bs.

Pitts was great to talk to and I was able to contact him quickly because he had kept in contact with Lewes after all that time. I believe Lewes is retired now, but she is featured prominently in the book and has her own chapter “An angel from Estonia”.

The book also has the text of the commencement speech he gave–despite the rain and wind, I still remember it was a great speech. Along with the interview, I had lunch with Pitts along with other journalism majors before graduation and got a picture with him after the ceremony.

I did not know Pitts even wrote a book until I heard him on the radio promoting a book signing in Cleveland. If I knew about it, I would have gone. Oh well, my mom bought the book on Amazon and she let me borrow it, so that’s one more sale for him.

It is amazing how many people  had helped him on his journey through college and his first years of work. I wonder how many of us could really succeed without the help and encouragement of our families and teachers. His story has a special meaning for me because I am  trying to figure out what to do next after losing my job and suffering other setbacks.

In the book, Pitts said he always tries to give a few minutes to students in order to encourage them and I thank him for that.

Physical Fitness

This is a spinning bike, which is a device of torture.

I thought I had given up caring about physical fitness after I quit junior varsity soccer in high school. I guess not.

It all started in the spring when I purchased a new bicycle (pictured) and once again started going down to the Towpath and around the neighborhood. I also started walking the dog more since it wasn’t 20 degrees out. By July, this combination of walking and biking made me lose 10 pounds without having to give up beer or any other foods I enjoy.

The problem is that I really don’t want to gain the weight back and figure it would be easy to lose more if I actually put some effort into it. One of my solutions has been taking a weekly spinning class, which is stationary biking for masochists. They have one at the Medina Rec. Center, where I have a membership.

For those who don’t know what spinning is, it is a popular exercise class at many gyms and involves pedaling on a stationary bike (above) for more than an hour without stopping. You are in a big group, and the instructor plays catchy dance music to motivate you to carry on. It is supposed to be like a cross-country “ride” where you add and lower resistance on the bike to make it like you going up hills. I nearly died the first time I went because I didn’t know how to properly pace myself and pedaled too hard.

Unlike regular cycling, you spend a lot of time off your “saddle” leaning over the bike and pedaling in a standing position. This is actually preferable to being on the saddle, since it’s hard and is said to make some people’s butts hurt. I’ve been ok so far, but maybe it’s due to my extra padding.  I’ve noticed the people in the class are super-dedicated and seem to go every week. They wear cycling shoes and even bring a padded thing that they put over the seat. However, I think the uncomfortable seat is supposed to motivate you to stand up and work harder.

I’ve gone to three classes so far, and even asked the teacher if I could go on another day since I have a Thursday night event. I figured this first session was practice to see if I could handle going during the winter when I can’t go on my bike. I guess this gets me out of the house anyway. I now must try to do some weight training.

Along with spinning, I am interested in joining a local ski club so I can go on some ski trips with other skiiers. One person my mom knows is a member of one, will have to inquire further. They also seem to go on yearly trips to Colorado and other places, which sounds fun.

Brunswick has been ok for me so far, but it seems harder to find news there than other places in the county. Perhaps I just need more contacts.

I hope this post was a ringing endorsement that will encourage others to become more physically fit.

Sea of humanity…

As much as I love roller coasters, my favorite part about going to Cedar Point is looking at all the weird and trashy-looking people who are there. I was fortunate enough to get free tickets and went up with my sister on Sunday, it was a very nice day.

Along with all the stereotypical rednecks and wanna-be hipsters, I seem to notice the teenage girls the most. Maybe it is because I was one only a few years ago, but they seem to look the most outrageous anyway with their interesting fashion interpretations.

Why oh why do the larger girls think they look good wearing the same ridiciulous looks their size 4 skinny friends do? The skinny girls look ridiculous in little tank tops and booty short shorts, larger girls just look bad. I was not one of the smaller girls myself, I would never dream of wearing the too tight, unflattering clothes I saw. Showing off those thunder thighs and your arm fat is not sexy!

Notice how very few women over the age of 19 wear short shorts in public? All I can say is that most seem to grow out of that trend, just to embrace other tacky trends Wedding dress choices, need I say more?

What’s with people who think they can wear the trashiest t-shirts at amusement parks? I saw a creepy, fat pervy guy wearing a shirt that say “boobies make me smile” while in line on the Blue Streak. Like anyone would show them to you buddy.

While many like the newest rides at Cedar Point, my favorite are the Magnum, Gemini and the old-school favorite, Cedar Downs! Along with crappy long lines, the new rides go so fast, you can’t even have fun due to the rush of blood to the head I had more fun on the midway rides with no lines, I’m losing my patience for waiting.

Welcome to Brunswick

This was one of the things they gave away at the Chamber of Commerce event--my dad loved his present

I’ve been busy these last couple of weeks learning about my new beat, which is Brunswick and the northern part of Medina County. In some ways, it’s easier than covering the court because you don’t have to learn all the legal stuff and I get to cruise around learning all the neighborhoods. I also got to meet some businesspeople at a Chamber of Commerce networking thing, which featured Cavs announcer Austin Carr.  He gave a good pre-season analysis of the team and everyone had delicious food from the Madd Chef.  I need to go there for lunch or something.

While I am learning a lot about the town,  I still need to get to know the bars and restaurants there, but who wants to drive up 12 miles from the office to Brunswick again unless I really have to?

Next week, Gazette staffers have to start contributing to a community page–I’ll being doing the Brunswick one, of course. Along with a story, we will have a datebook of current events that I will imput. So if anyone has announcements such as a church rummage sale or chili cook-off, send it to work at allisonwood@ohio.net.

We finally have our yard back here–my cousins tore it up when they were waterproofing our back yard. Chloe is happy to have her yard back, but is confused about where she is allowed to go.

Patty Pan Squash and other fresh veggies

Strange-looking gourd thing.

While on assignment yesterday about a new garden, I was given a large, white thing that looked like a squash several inches in diameter.  The lady said it was a patty pan squash (above) and had been picked just a few minutes before. I had never seen this kind of squash before, I thought it was a gourd. I don’t live in the country nor do I garden (The yard at my house is too shady for anything but a few plants)

When I asked what I could do with it, they were even kind enough to give me a sheet with several recipes on it.  I think I’ll slice it, put butter and parmesan cheese over then and bake them.  I would like to learn how to cook more dishes, so I guess I can start today. My garden trip also got me some green peppers and cherry tomatoes (yum!)

This week has been crazy at work and at home–when one writes for a living, it can be hard sometimes to have the desire to write during off-hours.  My sister also left for law school in Columbus Wednesday, so I stayed home to watch the dog. Earlier, she helped  set up our wifi network here and I’m now typing out on the front porch. I also will be starting some new duties at my job, which always takes awhile to figure out.

Friday was also my father’s one-month anniversary of his heart transplant. He isn’t allowed to drive yet, but he did go down to Columbus and can take short walks. He still has to take almost all of the drugs seen in the picture I posted below.  He will probably go back to this cardiac rehab where they sent him before over at Parma Hospital, it gives him something to do at least.

We also just got our internet back up after the cable guy came out to fix some wires–I guess we got the premium cable plan or something, we don’t usually get this good of service for anything.

I should make plans to go out or something, but with all the driving I have to do coming into work and during the day, I’m exhausted come the weekend. Going to Lakewood and other places is fun, but I can only spend so much of my life behind the wheel before it gets to me. Maybe I’ll watch some episodes of the Office or something, it’s better than mowing the lawn.

Updated: While the squash turned out to be delicious, I nearly sliced a part of my finger off while trying to slice the mutant vegetable. I had to have my mom finish slicing and putting it in the oven because the bleeding didn’t stop until half an hour later and it seemed I lost about a gallon of blood

We changed the recipe I used and added garlic instead of onion, which gave it some more flavoring. It also took longer than 30 mins to bake because I should have sliced the pieces thinner. I’ll have to try my hand at spaghetti squash sometime soon.

Back to normal

The Medina County Fair is coming to a close, which means I have no excuse not to dress professionally for work While I’m not the biggest fair person in the world, it is fun to go out there and see all the interesting things. Yesterday, I got to photograph farm animals dressed up in costumes The winner, an Angora goat, was wearing sunglasses and a feather boa.  There were also ducks wearing dresses and rats wearing chef’s hats. I took some photos for the paper, but   I can’t find them on here yet

It has been quite a busy summer at work–the last two summers, there has been a lull and I had to scramble for stories. This year, I have a list of things I want to write but don’t have the time for. I’d rather be busy, so it’s all good.

I am trying to take a statistics course this fall to fulfill a pre-requisite of the graduate program I want to eventually enter, but I am running into difficulty. Tri-C may make me go through this song and dance where I have to take a math placement test. I haven’t had math for forever, I’m afraid I wouldn’t test into the class. To take statistics, I think you have to do a little better than most people who test. I just want to take a class! Don’t you want my money?

Last night was so nice–first I went out with a co-worker to Cana, a wine bar/lounge in Medina and got to sit on the porch. Of course, I always know about 3 people whenever I go anywhere in Medina, so there’s always someone to talk to.

I then went to Momocho, a Mexican-type place in Ohio City with a former co-worker. We were lucky to get to sit on their porch, it looked like it is best to get there later in the evening between 8:30 and 9.  It’s really pretty, the porch is covered in ivy and has nice tables.

Food’s pretty good, except I think I filled up too much on chips and guacamole. Everything there is made for a taco, so lots of chopped up veggies and good things.  Since today’s weather sucks, I went to Kohl’s . My parents are going down to Columbus tomorrow to help out sister w/ her move, so I’ll probably try to set up a wireless network here so I can use laptop anywhere.

I believe this entry should be approved by powers that be and anyone else who likes to read this, I hope no goats were offended by my discussion of their fellow creatures being dressed up in costume.

It’s Medina County Fair Time!

It’s been a long few days for me at the Medina County Fairgrounds, where I wander around during the day to get out of the office This is my third year covering it for the Gazette, and I’ve given many visitors advice on the best things to do and eat. I don’t do rides or enjoy eating a whole lot of fair food, but I will have a funnel cake or corn dog once in a while.

• The 4-H milkshakes: It is sacrilegious not to get one of those, which are offered in about 20 different flavors for $3. My favorite is chocolate raspberry or mint, it’s very refreshing. It’s south of the grandstand near the 4-H horse barns. Warning: they are very rich, you’ll need a few minutes before eating anything else.
• See baby animals: This year and most years a local family brings two newborn piglet litters to one of the barns. If you’re lucky, you’ll see several members of one of the litters fighting for space while getting some milk. They’re only a few days old, guess they don’t know how to wait. This year, there is a litter of 11 and a litter of 7.
• Honey stand: Medina co. is a big center for amateur bee-keeping and they produce some really good stuff. The beekeepers are the ones selling you the honey–they are always happy to ask questions about their product (especially their own) and details about it’s production. There are all kinds, from more conventional clover honey to darker varieties. They are also reasonably priced–1lb usually costs you about $5. You can also order more later since the beekeeper’s name and phone number is on it.
• Goat fudge: Found in the goat barn, the folks there sell small samples of goat milk fudge they make, which is very tasty and small enough to eat at one time. I have to go get some tomorrow. It’s not well-publicized, you have to look around for it.
• Wander around aimlessly: That’s how I usually find interesting things to write about, also see fun things that way. It’s the way to discover unique things, especially if you wander away from the main path.

While this is boring to most people, as a reporter, I know most of the elected officials in the county and also try to appear at the Republican Party booth. (not many Dem officials here) I have  done several interviews there this week and met some new people. Tonight I met Matt Miller, former Ashland co. commissioner who is running for Congress, and his wife Melanie. I guess we’ll be writing about him again at the Gazette come primary time this spring if he’s chilling out at the fair.

It was also amazing to see Melanie standing there on a concrete floor in these open-toed heels, I’d last about 10 minutes Fortunately for me, tennis shoes are the preferred footwear of the Medina County Fair for those not running for office.

It’s late, and I have to get up sometime in the morning I guess.

Why don’t newspapers interact w/readers on Internet?

I am compelled to write about this after reading in on Twitter’s weekly #journchat about interacting with your followers. While the discussion is mostly made up of PR professionals, there are reporters like myself on there. When I helped start my paper’s Twitter account (@medinagazette) I was told I couldn’t follow those who were following me back or interact with them. Of course, all Tweeps know this defeats the point of it if you’re just only using it to link to your own stories. I’m sorry, but newspapers are not all-knowing and reporters should be allowed to dirty our hands

Interacting with followers would have been really cool when I was posting live Twitter updates from the courtroom during a murder trial in June (Will write more about it in detail soon) Readers could have asked questions about the case or about courtroom proceedings, which are a mystery to those who don’t work for the courts or who never served as a juror in a long trial.  It would also be good for those who have questions about how we cover certain stories, etc.

I’m happy to report no one will be laid off at Medina Sheriff’s Office, it is sad employees had to give up 3 percent raises that were approved by county, but it could be worse.

I’ll be at the Medina fair tomorrow, but I’ll be at the Gazette booth Wednesday in the early evening until about 7:30pm. The booth is in the Community Center, come visit me!

Twitter breaks news about Tribe trades

Chief Wahoo must be sad that his team is gone...:(

I first heard of the news of the two devastating trades of Indians players Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez of  the Indians on my Twitter updates, which is where I usually first hear of breaking news these days. While I sometimes see that a mainstream media outlet has broken the story on Twitter, it usually comes from some obsessive fan account. I don’t understand this because a  newspaper like the Plain Dealer is usually the first to know such things since it has beat reporters that only cover one team. While they did put an update on their website, there was a considerable lag.

These trades are another example of how mainstream media needs to put up more immediate updates with the promise of more details later. Unfortunately, many newspapers just use Twitter as a way to put up articles they have already published that are on their site. What is the point of that? If you post breaking news up on Twitter, you can also put a link to your site to get more hits. Doing this will get also gets lots of re-tweets along with more followers and web hits.  I may write more about this later with more specific examples.