I generally suck at interviews.
I'm the kind of person who doesn't answer well, I lose my train of thought, I ramble. Over the years, I've worked on how to get past this stuff. And just when I finally got a reasonable handle on that issue, I've run into another one....
......the written portion.
I'm a policy analyst, so it's a given that my ability to land and keep a job is highly dependent on strong written communication skills. But recently, a lot of non-government workplaces have started to include written components in the interview process. They want to test whether the candidate is able to write well in a very short time period. So just when I start to get a handle on sounding like a big girl when I talk, now I have to walk it all back to the start and work on the ability to pull a briefing note or a sample letter out thin air in one hour.
Today, I had an interview with a relatively new, but already-high profile think tank in Toronto. I've been fretting for weeks about it because it was going to be with a very high profile, well-respected policy guru (Think: "Kind of a big deal"), and Etienne is quite familiar with his work and the work of this think tank, so, you know...no pressure to succeed or anything....
I was still scared up until I answered the skype call. So scared, I contemplated cancelling! But then it turned out that I had a delightful time, I wasn't overly nervous, and the questions were reasonable, given my field and the files I've worked on.
It's like freaking out when the doctor comes at you with a giant needle, but it's over before you know it, and you get a "Huh...that wasn't so bad after all" feeling. Or, you know, so I've heard. Needles make me faint.
Sweet relief...
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
October 3/12
I needed to get the clusterfuck of the first presidential debate out of my head--my impressions include Romney, you bully, Obama, you weak, and Jim Lehrer, YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD A KILL SWITCH TO CUT THE MIKES WHEN THEY WENT OVER AND/OR OVERRULED YOUR MODERATING--so it was fortuitous that, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a commercial advertising the fact that Dark Shadows is now on Rogers on Demand. Excellent!
Etienne and I meant to see it when it came out in theatres, but as is often the case, we didn't. So before the debate was even on, we decided to order the movie on ROD. And what a good decision! It was so campy, and well...vampy! Michelle Pfeiffer was so good, at one point, I swear I was totally convinced she would have made a superb soap opera villain.
The story was a wee bit shambolic, but the scenes were purposely over-acted, in keeping with the soap opera acting techniques of the 1970s, which I found so entertaining. It reminded me of watching The Young and The Restless as a young child in the early 80s.
And Johnny Depp. What can I say about Johnny Depp? He's an amazing talent, and he's hot, of course!
Johnny Depp...
...Wish you were here ;)
(Love you, Etienne!)
Etienne and I meant to see it when it came out in theatres, but as is often the case, we didn't. So before the debate was even on, we decided to order the movie on ROD. And what a good decision! It was so campy, and well...vampy! Michelle Pfeiffer was so good, at one point, I swear I was totally convinced she would have made a superb soap opera villain.
The story was a wee bit shambolic, but the scenes were purposely over-acted, in keeping with the soap opera acting techniques of the 1970s, which I found so entertaining. It reminded me of watching The Young and The Restless as a young child in the early 80s.
And Johnny Depp. What can I say about Johnny Depp? He's an amazing talent, and he's hot, of course!
Johnny Depp...
...Wish you were here ;)
(Love you, Etienne!)
October 2/12
So, if you follow Canadian politics at all, you'll have heard the big news about Canada's worst kept political secret. Justin Trudeau has announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
For very sensitive political reasons, the Trudeaus in general are on a restricted-topic list in our household, but restrictions on talking about Justin are more relaxed, partly because I think Etienne and I agree on some common points about the guy.
Justin's a nice guy. He's got a big heart, and is quite idealistic, and those are excellent qualities for an MP who is truly interested in the needs and well-being of his fellow Canadians. And his bout in the boxing ring against Patrick Brazeau (I'll spare you the details about what I think of him) this spring has certainly proven he's not exactly wallflower.
But...I have my doubts that this is the time for him to go for the leadership. He's still new to the job (5 years in), and unfortunately, there is a view that persists that he is a dilettante, aware of the value of his father's name and legacy. Also, his political opponents, the (odious) Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Her Majesty's Loyal Leader of the Opposition, Thomas Mulcair, are well-seasoned political leaders, and it will be quite easy to see how they could toy with Justin. I also can't picture Justin effectively hitting back. Does he have the stones to pull an unapologetic "Just Watch Me" attitude if he sees fit?
Justin has openly acknowledged that he doesn't have his father's intellectual prowess (he admits that his brother, Sacha, inherited that trait from their father); he's smart, but he's not yet practiced enough to have developed his father's political IQ. Were this leadership race another few years down the road, I'd be less hesitant about Justin's run, but right now, I just don't see that he could take on both Harper and Mulcair. My advice to Justin would be to surround himself with the sharpest minds and most experienced political sharks who can really prep him for such a task.
All the same, I wish Justin luck, and I will be quite interested to see how the leadership race unfolds now that there's a Trudeau on the ballot.
Leadership...
...Wish you were here.
For very sensitive political reasons, the Trudeaus in general are on a restricted-topic list in our household, but restrictions on talking about Justin are more relaxed, partly because I think Etienne and I agree on some common points about the guy.
Justin's a nice guy. He's got a big heart, and is quite idealistic, and those are excellent qualities for an MP who is truly interested in the needs and well-being of his fellow Canadians. And his bout in the boxing ring against Patrick Brazeau (I'll spare you the details about what I think of him) this spring has certainly proven he's not exactly wallflower.
But...I have my doubts that this is the time for him to go for the leadership. He's still new to the job (5 years in), and unfortunately, there is a view that persists that he is a dilettante, aware of the value of his father's name and legacy. Also, his political opponents, the (odious) Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Her Majesty's Loyal Leader of the Opposition, Thomas Mulcair, are well-seasoned political leaders, and it will be quite easy to see how they could toy with Justin. I also can't picture Justin effectively hitting back. Does he have the stones to pull an unapologetic "Just Watch Me" attitude if he sees fit?
Justin has openly acknowledged that he doesn't have his father's intellectual prowess (he admits that his brother, Sacha, inherited that trait from their father); he's smart, but he's not yet practiced enough to have developed his father's political IQ. Were this leadership race another few years down the road, I'd be less hesitant about Justin's run, but right now, I just don't see that he could take on both Harper and Mulcair. My advice to Justin would be to surround himself with the sharpest minds and most experienced political sharks who can really prep him for such a task.
All the same, I wish Justin luck, and I will be quite interested to see how the leadership race unfolds now that there's a Trudeau on the ballot.
Leadership...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, October 1, 2012
October 1/12
Welcome to October!
Some pretty nifty things happen in October: my mummy's birfday, my Brother-in-Law's Birfday, Turkey Day (Thanksgiving), and best of all...Hallowe'en! I'll admit, I love Hallowe'en. I love to get all costumed-up and go out on the town. When I was a kid, it was all about the candy, but as I got old enough to go to the city-wise teen dance party, Spook-o-rama, out at the Yellowknife airport, Hallowe'en became all about getting dressed up and dancing all night!
Of course, 'Hallowe'en: the Teen Years' was never without its problems: teen dance parties have a way of becoming teen drama-drama-drama parties, depending on the company you keep, and I sure kept some interesting company. As a young teen, I was ugly: bone-skinny, tall, awkward, with bad hair, acne, horse teeth, and ugly glasses, but I hung out with some of the prettiest girls my age. The only thing I had going for me was that I was kinda funny, and a little bit different. The boys only dated me a) because the girls they liked told them to/pressured them to; or b) to get to the girls they liked, who were my friends. So naturally, Hallowe'en could end alright, or end with me fighting back tears of some kind of...it was really a 50/50 shot each year.
Don't worry, eventually I grew into the confident, rocking woman I am today, with a smoking hot bod and sophisticated style; I still love to get dressed up and party on Hallowe'en, but now I get to do it without the drama, though I seriously doubt that I could make 14-year-old Fancy understand that it gets so much better.
Spook-o-rama...
...Wish you were here.
Some pretty nifty things happen in October: my mummy's birfday, my Brother-in-Law's Birfday, Turkey Day (Thanksgiving), and best of all...Hallowe'en! I'll admit, I love Hallowe'en. I love to get all costumed-up and go out on the town. When I was a kid, it was all about the candy, but as I got old enough to go to the city-wise teen dance party, Spook-o-rama, out at the Yellowknife airport, Hallowe'en became all about getting dressed up and dancing all night!
Of course, 'Hallowe'en: the Teen Years' was never without its problems: teen dance parties have a way of becoming teen drama-drama-drama parties, depending on the company you keep, and I sure kept some interesting company. As a young teen, I was ugly: bone-skinny, tall, awkward, with bad hair, acne, horse teeth, and ugly glasses, but I hung out with some of the prettiest girls my age. The only thing I had going for me was that I was kinda funny, and a little bit different. The boys only dated me a) because the girls they liked told them to/pressured them to; or b) to get to the girls they liked, who were my friends. So naturally, Hallowe'en could end alright, or end with me fighting back tears of some kind of...it was really a 50/50 shot each year.
Don't worry, eventually I grew into the confident, rocking woman I am today, with a smoking hot bod and sophisticated style; I still love to get dressed up and party on Hallowe'en, but now I get to do it without the drama, though I seriously doubt that I could make 14-year-old Fancy understand that it gets so much better.
Spook-o-rama...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
September 30/12
I think we all have that one food or drink product that we miss, either because it no longer exists, or we've lost almost all access to it by living somewhere where it is not available.
Today, Etienne and I drove to two different grocery stores in search of a variety of products that his father asked for. We got all of the products, except one, and we made a substitution in the hopes that it will satisfy. Of all the things on the list, two types of cookie that are only available in Quebec, and two cereals were the priorities, but the one product we had to substitute is a type of baked beans that I'm not sure are even still made. If they are they certainly aren't available in the Ottawa or Gatineau places we went to.
Anyway, for me, there are so many things that I miss, but the biggest one is the Better Batter ice cream flavour by Maggie Moo's. We don't have Maggie Moo's in Canada, and the closest one in the US is several hours away. At least when I was living in Vancouver, I could drive down to Burlington for a fix. The Marble Slab Creamery in Canada has a cake batter-flavoured ice cream called Birthday Cake, and I do have access to that here in Ottawa, but it's a really weak substitute for the real thing. The sad thing is that even if I had friends visiting Ottawa from a place where Maggie Moo's is available, I couldn't ask them to bring some because it's ice cream and it will melt. That gives me a sad.
Better Batter ice cream...
...Wish you were here.
Today, Etienne and I drove to two different grocery stores in search of a variety of products that his father asked for. We got all of the products, except one, and we made a substitution in the hopes that it will satisfy. Of all the things on the list, two types of cookie that are only available in Quebec, and two cereals were the priorities, but the one product we had to substitute is a type of baked beans that I'm not sure are even still made. If they are they certainly aren't available in the Ottawa or Gatineau places we went to.
Anyway, for me, there are so many things that I miss, but the biggest one is the Better Batter ice cream flavour by Maggie Moo's. We don't have Maggie Moo's in Canada, and the closest one in the US is several hours away. At least when I was living in Vancouver, I could drive down to Burlington for a fix. The Marble Slab Creamery in Canada has a cake batter-flavoured ice cream called Birthday Cake, and I do have access to that here in Ottawa, but it's a really weak substitute for the real thing. The sad thing is that even if I had friends visiting Ottawa from a place where Maggie Moo's is available, I couldn't ask them to bring some because it's ice cream and it will melt. That gives me a sad.
Better Batter ice cream...
...Wish you were here.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
September 29/12
Today's WYWH moment could have easily been about my 15 seconds of fame on The Rachel Maddow Show. I only got to bed at 1 this morning, and my stupid internal clock woke me up at about 6:30 this morning. I struggled to get back to sleep, but after a while, I just gave up and got up to go about my morning routine, which includes checking my Twitter feed. To my shock and delight, I learned that my big mouth and enormous sense of pride got me featured very briefly on my favourite news program in the US. Well colour me gobsmacked! So yes, today's moment could easily be that.
But it's not (consider the above as a bonus).
Just as my head was spinning at my newfound/short-lived fame this morning, the news broke that Omar Khadr was enroute to Canada, after having been confined in Guantanamo Bay prison camp for the past 11 years. So I leave you with no doubt whatsoever, I have supported the campaign to bring him back to Canada. He was convicted by a kangaroo court, based on evidence obtained by torture, and by the standards of international law, he was a child soldier. While international law doesn't prohibit the prosecution of children who commit war crimes, article 37 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child does limit the punishment that a child can receive including "Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below eighteen years of age.
That the Harper Government™ has stonewalled and delayed repatriating him from Guantanamo Bay is shameful, and it makes a mockery of the so-called commitments this government makes to uphold International law and human rights.
Of course, I'm known for having opinions. But today's moment is this:
Parents...
...Wish you were here.
But it's not (consider the above as a bonus).
Just as my head was spinning at my newfound/short-lived fame this morning, the news broke that Omar Khadr was enroute to Canada, after having been confined in Guantanamo Bay prison camp for the past 11 years. So I leave you with no doubt whatsoever, I have supported the campaign to bring him back to Canada. He was convicted by a kangaroo court, based on evidence obtained by torture, and by the standards of international law, he was a child soldier. While international law doesn't prohibit the prosecution of children who commit war crimes, article 37 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child does limit the punishment that a child can receive including "Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below eighteen years of age.
That the Harper Government™ has stonewalled and delayed repatriating him from Guantanamo Bay is shameful, and it makes a mockery of the so-called commitments this government makes to uphold International law and human rights.
Of course, I'm known for having opinions. But today's moment is this:
"This was posted on my parents' facebook wall, in response to an article about Khadr's return in their local big city newspaper. Today's moment belongs entirely to my parents, whose interest in world events and politics has shaped who I am, and there should be no doubt where I get my social advocacy passion from. As you can tell, I come by it honestly.
Parents...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, September 28, 2012
September 28/12
When you are sick, you look for any small comfort to cheer you up and distract you from the snotfest clouding your head (and maybe your judgment).
I was okay this morning, but by this afternoon, I was a bit feverish and sapped of all energy. I had a sour belly, and I just wanted to go home and sleep. Etienne went out after work, so I took the opportunity to spend some time with Rogers on Demand. I watched "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" first. It was charming and cute, in a sappy way. After that, I decided to catch up on The Daily Show with John Stewart.
And there it is...that small comfort. I saw the John Oliver on Strike segment, which made me adore Patrick Stewart all the more. I got to see Jon's monologue targeting the ridiculous Wile E. Coyote display Binyamin Netanyahu put on at the United Nations. And I got to see Jon tell the story of two Canadian audience members in line for the show taping: the guy proposed to his girlfriend of eight years in line, and her priceless response was, "Fuck yes I'll marry you!" Absolutely priceless! For that brief hour of catching up, I forgot I was sick, and I just enjoyed my favourite kind of humour: satire.
Jon Stewart...(sniffle, sniffle)
...Wish you were here (sneeze).
I was okay this morning, but by this afternoon, I was a bit feverish and sapped of all energy. I had a sour belly, and I just wanted to go home and sleep. Etienne went out after work, so I took the opportunity to spend some time with Rogers on Demand. I watched "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" first. It was charming and cute, in a sappy way. After that, I decided to catch up on The Daily Show with John Stewart.
And there it is...that small comfort. I saw the John Oliver on Strike segment, which made me adore Patrick Stewart all the more. I got to see Jon's monologue targeting the ridiculous Wile E. Coyote display Binyamin Netanyahu put on at the United Nations. And I got to see Jon tell the story of two Canadian audience members in line for the show taping: the guy proposed to his girlfriend of eight years in line, and her priceless response was, "Fuck yes I'll marry you!" Absolutely priceless! For that brief hour of catching up, I forgot I was sick, and I just enjoyed my favourite kind of humour: satire.
Jon Stewart...(sniffle, sniffle)
...Wish you were here (sneeze).
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