CosmicDog's Awareness

A quick note

Clever is not the same as smart.   Think about it.

What I should probably say is nothing, but...

Seriously, if you are looking for skilled freelance writer, for goodness sake, proofread your job posting. 

You are not likely to have quality articles written if you ask for quality articles to be 'writen'.  I may be shooting myself in the foot here, as potential employers may come to this site to check out my writing, nevertheless you, Mister Employer, need to know that I am judging you the same way you are judging me.  By having simple errors in your post, you communicate that you do not care about how you or your project is perceived.  So, why should I care? 

The money, you say?  Well, these things go hand in hand.  Employers that have higher standards tend to have better reputations.  They tend to be more successful in business and, therefore, are able to pay higher rates to their contractors.  There's a plus side for you, too.  Attracting and hiring excellent writers will lead to higher quality content leading, ultimately, to more revenue for your company.  It's a beautiful thing.  Also, I am not likely to trust an employer to pay me fairly and on time if they are so careless with their communications; call it a personal bias.

So, let me leave you with a couple of tips:

1. Your job posting (and all other correspondence) should be written according to quality and standards you want to receive from your contracting employee.

2. Write up your ad in a word processor and use spell-check and grammar-check before posting it to the job board/freelance site.  Beware, some word processors apply some formatting codes that are not very friendly when copied and pasted to web forms (I'm looking at you Microsoft Word).  At least type it up in a word processor even if you have to re-write it in plain text.

This may seem somewhat arrogant coming from someone who has not, as of yet, sold much writing.  Be that as it may, at least I noticed that the word was misspelled (four times in the same post), that should count for something. :)

Oh yeah, 'I', when you are refering to yourself, is always capatalized.  Of course you knew that, and that's my point.  It's just careless.

The blog post that isn't

I was going to write about the "Bridges Out of Poverty" training I received today, but I am just way too exhausted (three modifiers, count them, three modifiers for exhausted, ah ah ah...I must be tired.  I promise, I will post an entry about "Bridges Out of Poverty." Really, I will, I swear.

Good night, moon.  Good night, blog.

SMART Goals

Most people that have spent any time in a Corporate or Government environment are familiar with 'SMART Goals'. SMART stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic/Relevant

Timely/Time-Bound

At my job, all employees are required to come up with three SMART Goals at their annual evaluation. It is recommended that we provide one long-term goal (over one year) and two short-term goals (less than one year).

I recently attended a training on Goal Setting and it has gotten me thinking. Perhaps the reason I have not met some of my personal goals outside of work is because 1) I have not been specific enough about my goals and 2) I have not written them down. Having my goals written out helps to motivate me to accomplish them and provides a tool with which to measure my progress and evaluate my successes. It's a strange thing, however, even though I absolutely agree and support this philosophy, I have a very difficult time doing it. At work, it's a bit easier, since setting SMART Goals is simply another part of my job, which is to say, it's not personal. Formally writing and formating ideas for others to review is my job. Plus, I have a clear understanding about where I want to go in my career and how to get there. I have trouble being formal or specific in my personal life, partly because I have a wide variety of interests, but mostly because I am lazy. I have never really had a much of an idea about what I want from life, I just sort of go with the flow.

Which brings me to my writing 'career'. Right now, writing is simply a hobby. Nobody is paying me for it, so I don't take it seriously. This is a problem, of course, because if I don't treat writing like a job, it will never become one. So, I am going to stretch myself and set some SMART Goals. Let's see how well I do.

Goal #1

Specific – I will write a complete novel by the end of the year.

Measurable – I estimate that the novel will be about 100,000 words.

Achievable – If I average only 500 words a day, I can complete the novel by Thanksgiving. I've already hit nearly 400 words in this post at this point and I've been typing and editing as I go for about forty five minutes, without an outline, so at least 500 words a day seems doable.

Realistic/Relevant – Well, if I want to be an author, I need to write at least one story. The ultimate goal of becoming a successful writer would not be realistic if I didn't complete the novel. This goal's relevance is obvious.

Timely/Time-Based – To be perfectly honest, this is way past due. If I had completed this goal timely, I would have written this book several years ago. Alas, this is all part of my journey. It is timely now because I am choosing to start again now. Time-based is, again, obvious (deadline 12/31/2008).

Now, my manager suggested using 'i + 1' when setting goals, where i represents a quantifiable goal and 1 represents stretching. For instance, if the goal is to lose 10 pounds, try to lose 11. In this case, it would not be realistic for me to write two novels this year, so I will modify my goal to complete one novel by the end of the year and begin work on a second one.

I plan to set a least 7 to 10 goals (not all of them related to writing) over the next couple of weeks, which is in itself a SMART Goal, so be on the look-out.

(By the way, this entire post is 643 words long and took about one hour and fifteen minutes to write.)

Deep thought

counting syllables
to make meaningless statements,
haikus are stupid

Still alive

Once upon a time, I promised myself that I would post an entry in my blog every day, or at least 4-5 times a week.  How about every other week?  Monthly? 

Okay, okay, okay, I will post an entry at least once every six months, whether I need it or not.

I have excuses, school...work...sleep, but I won't bore you with them.

I am, however, still alive and kicking.  Please look forward to my 'catching up' posts, in which I detail some of the joy and misery that late 2007 and early 2008 have brought me.  And, no, I have not moved any closer to finishing (or starting) any of the various writing projects I have declared in the past.  Whatever, I have a job that satisfies me (for the most part) and pays well (for the most part).

Happy 2008, Blogizens!

BoingBoing/Making Light dust up

I don't really have much to say about this here that I haven't already said in my comments on Making Light.  But I figured I ought to have something up on my own site, so that 1) I can confirm that I am indeed the very same CosmicDog that posts on Making Light and 2) people that don't like what I said can have a place to let their opinions be known.

If you don't know what I'm talking about...  Good, you're better off.

Don't even call me sexy

I have to admit it, I kinda like Hillary Clinton.  I always have.  As I've said in other places, if she takes her husband's approach to political leadership, she would make a pretty good President, and the country would be better for it.  She would take public opinion into account when making decisions, and as dumb, misguided, or whatever, the public can be at times, it is our country and we should have a say in its policies.  But that's neither here nor there, I want to talk about her campaign's response to this Washington Post article, written by fashion writer, Robin Givhan.

"It was startling to see that small acknowledgment of sexuality and femininity peeking out of the conservative -- aesthetically speaking -- environment of Congress. After all, it wasn't until the early '90s that women were even allowed to wear pants on the Senate floor. It was even more surprising to note that it was coming from Clinton, someone who has been so publicly ambivalent about style, image and the burdens of both."

The Clinton campaign's response (via Reuters):

"it was inappropriate for the news media to be "talking about body parts" and that the 2008 presidential campaign should be focused on the issues."

and

"Frankly, focusing on women's bodies instead of their ideas is insulting. It's insulting to every woman who has ever tried to be taken seriously in a business meeting."

Did you miss the part where it was written by the FASHION writer?  Did you miss the part that Senator Clinton wore something that showed off her body?  Or did she think that nobody would notice?

Sexuality is part of who we are as human beings, whether we talk about it or not.  It influences our opinions of people and things.  Marketing gurus didn't invent our appetite for sex, they are just capitalizing on it.  And Sen Clinton, by wearing revealing clothing, is capitalizing on it, whether she knows it or not. (I think she does, she's pretty smart.)

I personally think it's good.  It's nice to see a woman as a woman and not trying to fit in with the boys.

Heroic Dogs

I have a tendency to anthropomorphise animals, especially dogs and cats.  I attribute love and vengeance and others emotions to them.  I even attribute kinds of human reasoning to them.  I am often told, however, that their tiny little brains don't work that way, that they don't really have minds like people do.  I'm even told that they don't have souls.  My response:  Maybe we humans are not as smart as we think we are and maybe, just maybe, we don't know everything about our animal brothers.

Some dogs, for instance, are heroes:

Jake was a 12 year old Labrador retriever who recently died of cancer; he was a U.S. government-certified rescue dog.  He helped sort through the rubble and rescue survivors (and find remains) in New York on 9/11 and in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.  He was also an instructor and helped train other rescue dogs.  Good boy.

Zoey is just little dog, but has a huge heart.  When a rattlesnake lunged at her owner's one year old grandson, she jumped in the way and let the snake bite her instead.  She had a rough time, but, luckily, she survived.  Good girl.

Some may say that these dogs only responded out of training and instinct.  I say that there may be more going on behind those sweet, beautiful eyes than we know about.

Private Space

I am normally a friendly, outgoing person.  I even greet all the animals I see ("Hi dog! What's up kitty? How are you doing Mr Squirrel?).  At the very least, I make eye-contact and smile at my co-workers when I pass them in hallway.

But sometimes I have other things on my mind.  Sometimes I just need to think.  That means that I may not acknowledge someone.  It's not friendly, I know, but sometimes it's necessary.

If I am in that space, I need to be left alone.  I don't need to be comforted.  I don't want to talk about it.  I'm not angry.  Don't tell me to cheer up or be happy.  Interrupting my thoughts will make me angry, and it will definitely piss me off if you tell me how to feel, regardless of how I am actually feeling.

People with whom I am expected to share my feelings and thoughts know that I will when I'm ready.  If that's not you, just back off.  You will not endear yourself to me or build a friendship by challenging my privacy. 

For the most part, this isn't any of you, dear readers, but I just had to get this out.  I mean, I can't just tell co-workers and acquaintances to fuck off, right?  That would be pretty rude.  But let me speak for my introverted brethren out there in blogosphere and elsewhere: If we don't usually share ourselves with you, don't presume that we should.  Asking about what's going on is nice, insisting when we are resisting is not nice (back off, please).

Respect privacy.

Oh, and for God's sake, do not touch me, unless I have specifically invited you into my personal space.  People that are allowed to touch me without asking permission include my family, closest friends, and most of the people in my church.  This group does not include co-workers, unless we have relationship outside of work.  Just don't do it.  It really bothers me.  Seriously, don't.

M-O-O-N, that spells "awesome"

Hubble Space Telescope maps minerals on the moon
11:22 21 July 2007
NewScientist.com news service

Geologists have used the Hubble Space Telescope to study minerals on the moon. It might be one small step for them, but it's a giant leap towards building a lunar outpost.

Read the rest of the story here.

Lunar Outpost?  Did I just read Lunar Outpost?  Yes, yes I did.

New Scientist also published this article about NASA's future plans for the Moon.

Bacon vs TV: This Time It's Personal

I wasn't going to weigh in on this, but Scalzi is literally, in a figurative sense, twisting my arm.  I don't want him to lose his job at AOL - By The Way, because then he would only be known as a talented, award-winning author.  And who wants that?  (Plus, I like the boost my little blog gets whenever I participate.)  So, my response the current weekend assignment:

Weekend Assignment #175: TV or Bacon?

It's an impossible choice.  Kevin Bacon appears in so many movies, I would pretty much have to cancel my cable subscription to give him up.  I mean, I have a program guide on my DVR, but it doesn't always give me all the information that I need.  I would hate it if I agreed to give up Bacon, and all the sudden he pops up in some movie and now I've broken my oath.  Not to mention that he has starred in some of my favorite movies: A Few Good Men, Stir of Echoes, Flatliners, and, good God let's not forget Tremors, just to name a few.

As for TV, as much as it has been a plague on my writing career and social life, I could not live without it.  '24' alone is worth keeping my TV and its shows.  And I could barely go a day without 'That 70's Show' or 'Futurama'.  So no, TV stays.  It would be like betraying my best friend.

It's an impossible choice.  I hope I never have to make it.

UPDATE:
I just realized that Scalzi was talking about bacon the food item and erstwhile cat accessory.  I guess I should have read the entry a little more closely. 

TV, hands down.

So long bacon, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

Told ya I was S-M-R-T, I mean S-M-A-R-T

You paid attention during 100% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

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Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

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Library Thing

This is very cool.  I've been trying to organize my personal library for months now and it's been a pain in the butt.  I was looking for some software to help me simplify this task and a stumbled upon this site.  LibraryThing allows book lovers to quickly and easily create an account and enter the contents of their library.  You can search for your book using the title, author, ISBN, and other methods.  It has links to Amazon and the Library of Congress, and it can even pull up the book cover from Amazon or you can upload your own.

I built a couple of widgets, their located on the left hand side of this page, using tools on the LibraryThing site.  If you want to handle things yourself, they even give you access to their API and you can download your library in CSV or Tab-Delimited format for handling with Excel or another program.

Let's not forget the social aspect.  You can find other people that have similar tastes and you can join groups.

You can enjoy most of the benefits of the site for free.  You can enter up to 200 books with the free account or you can pay $10 a year or $25 for a lifetime account and be able to enter as many books as you want.  I find it quite addicting.  I was supposed to be writing today, instead I chose to enter my entire library.  It is very cool indeed (in a nerdy-bookworm sort of way).

Is the President finally waking up?

Bush orders CIA to comply with Geneva Conventions
Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:10PM EDT
By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush, under fire over the treatment of terrorism suspects, has issued new rules to ensure that detention and interrogation by the CIA comply with the Geneva Conventions' ban on torture.

Read the rest of the story here.

This is somewhat bittersweet.  I applaud the administration for finally recognizing that terror suspects, even actual terrorists, are entitled to human rights and dignity.  It's unfortunate that 1) they didn't realize this from the beginning and 2) it took them so long to get there.

Surrendering our values is no way to defeat our enemies.  America has the strength to take the high ground in all of these conflicts.  We don't have to meet hate with hate or destruction with destruction.  I love when my country acts to stop an injustice, and, by the same token, I am deeply upset when my country commits an injustice.

I am glad that President Bush is beginning to realize this.  I hope it sticks.

Can I have my Escalade and be an Evironmentalist...You betcha!

From Wales, a box to make biofuel from car fumes

Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:01AM EDT

QUEENSFERRY (Reuters) - The world's richest corporations and finest minds spend billions trying to solve the problem of carbon emissions, but three fishing buddies in North Wales believe they have cracked it.

Read the rest of the story here.

Basically, some Welshmen have developed a box that can be adapted and connected to your car's emissions system.  It captures up to 95% of your vehicle's Carbon emissions.  The idea is to remove the box when you fill up your car and empty it into a bio-reactor.  The Carbon emissions are then fed to algae that creates bio-oil, which can be made into bio-diesel.  And voila, a much cleaner earth and, I would expect, a dramatic decrease in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

They are seeking capital for further development, as well as working with the British government.  They have been developing and testing their invention for the last two years.

This is exciting news.  If I had the money, I would certainly invest in this idea.

Hillary Clinton - second best choice for women?

Edwards: Husband better than Hillary

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elizabeth Edwards said Tuesday that her husband, Democrat John Edwards, would be a better advocate for women as president than his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Read the rest of the story here.

I have yet to decide which candidate I'm going to support, but Mrs Clinton is a strong contender.  I'm not sure where she sits on all women's issues, but whatever, not my problem (being male myself), right?

Well, according to Mrs Edwards, Universal Health Care and Poverty are Women's Issues.  I take exception to that. 

I grew up poor and on Medicaid (we call it Medi-Cal here in California).  I spent much of my adult life working jobs that either didn't provide healthcare insurance or charged too much for it.  I've pulled broken teeth out my head instead of going to the dentist.  I've gone weeks only eating Top Ramen. 

Women are the face of poverty?  Bullshit.  Healthcare is a women's issue?  Double bullshit.

Following that logic - crime is a women's issue, because women are victims of crime;  taxes are a women's issue, because women pay taxes;  the war on terror is a women's issue, because women are the victims of terrorism.

The healthcare crisis in this country effects everybody, men and women.  Both men and women suffer from poverty.  To say that they affect women more than men is both inaccurate and sexist.

I don't know how Mrs Clinton would tackle these issues, but these are not Women's Issues, they are Our Issues.

VIOLATED

Someone saw fit to break into my car last night and relieve me of two guitars: a Gibson EC-10 acoustic/electric guitar (Blue) and a Ibanez SZ-320 electric guitar (Brown Sunburst).  The Ibanez is replaceable, the Gibson is not.  It was a gift from my uncle after he heard me sing at my mother's funeral.  They don't make it anymore.  I feel so helpless.  The police were responsive, they took fingerprints and everything, but I don't hold out much hope that I'll get my guitars back.  I've managed not to cry, except on the inside.

Talk about a long-distance relationship

Mexican volcano is test bed for trees on Mars
Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:36PM EDT
By Catherine Bremer

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Scientists are using the pine-forested slopes of a Mexican volcano as a test bed to see if trees could grow on a heated-up Mars, part of a vision of making the chilly and barren red planet habitable for humans one day.

Read about it here.

This is exciting.  We will, of course, have to come up with a three ton diamond to trade to the Martian natives, but it will be worth it.

Seriously, I know that I'll never see a Terra-formed Mars in my lifetime, but the idea gives me hope.  The first question that comes to mind is: Is it possible to take some of our excess CO2 and pump it into Mars' atmosphere?  This may be wishful thinking, but, hey, if it wasn't for wishful thinking we wouldn't even be looking at Mars as a home for humans.

No rest for the weary

Democrats vow all-night session on Iraq

By ANNE FLAHERTY

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate this week will pull its first all-night debate on the Iraq war in advance of a vote on whether to bring home all combat troops by next spring, Democrats said Monday.

Read the rest of the story here.

I hope they accomplish something.

It's impossible to see the end of this.  If we stay, there will continue to be loss of life and money, political goodwill, peace and security of our nation, etc.  However, if we leave, there will be substantial loss of life and money, political goodwill, stability of the region, etc.

We still haven't found Osama Bin Laden, not that that matters anymore.  If we took down Bin Laden, there would be twelve guys ready to take his place.  Even so, he is not hiding in Iraq.  Do I believe that Al-Queda is involved with the Iraqi insurgents?  Yeah, why not?  Strike while the iron is hot.  We have already radicalized much of the Iraqi population.  It should be easy for them to find recruits for their cause.  Let's just say I have a 'gut-feeling'.

I don't know if this is an illegal war or not.  I do know that we are not doing it right.  It may time to stop the bleeding, for the US anyway.  Iraq says it's strong enough to take care of itself.  Maybe it's time to let them.