Pixar Power Bar

So this might seem like a strange tangent, but trust me, it connects.

This afternoon I needed to kill some time while I waited for miracle worker John to get the laptop I work on up and running. Instead of staring at my toes thinking about the minutes ticking by that I'm not doing homework, I put in the extras DVD that came with my new WALL·E movie. (FYI- I'm in love with that movie. I want to snuggle that little robot hardcore.) On it was a documentary about Pixar.

I've always really liked Pixar as a company, but I found a lot of inspiration in that documentary. Pixar is built on a core group of people who had a vision and no way to make that vision happen. So, they went out and invented the technology to make it possible. They stuck to their guns at every single turn, even taking on Disney. Their decisions to foster creativity, respect their employees, and not let anyone pull them away from their vision has proven to be, um, let's say just a wee bit successful. (Fun story: Disney wanted to send the original cut of Toy Story Two to theaters. Pixar didn't think the story was good enough. However, Disney wanted to put it out anyways. Pixar then stuck to the original release date, but threw out most of the movie and rewrote almost the entire thing. They did this as a unit. Everyone threw their heart into it. The result was a film that was released on time to rave reviews and huge profits.)

Watching this just restored a little bit of my faith in business. I have to admit that I've gotten pretty depressed on the idea of finding a "career" job. Everything seems so processed to me. Here's how you apply. Here's how the interview goes. Here's the way you perform your job. It's never sat well with me. Well WHY can we only communicate with journalists that way? WHY do you always give that treatment to clients? WHY does my cover letter even need a format? In my little brain, I wish everything was just a free for all. If you've just finished reading something I wrote, and you GET it, and it conveyed information, why does it matter how I formatted it, or if it follows a "standard" form?

There was a line in the Pixar documentary that really stuck with me. John Lasseter was discussing how people were fearful that computer animation would kill the hand-drawn media. He talked about how technology is just tools. They aren't the creativity. We still need people to tell the stories. As most of my classes have focused on technology this semester, I think I had forgotten this. I think I was getting bogged down by the idea that, "Well, I'm going to have to work on computers and technology all the time. And I hate computers. I just want to tell stories."
Then I watch this documentary, which deals with some of the most time consuming, laborious computer technology out there, but what they are actually doing is telling the stories they want to tell and creating characters that they want to meet.

While I'm well aware that technology is now essential and vital to the PR industry, it's just tools. They're useless if not used properly to tell the right stories to the right people. And there is room to step outside of "accepted" procedures. It might not resonate with everyone, but chances are that SOMEONE will appreciate an attempt (though it might not be fully formed) to think individually. It just gave me a little shot of vitality before I head into the job hunt jungle this week.

Gorge

Do you ever find that point where your brain reaches information overload and it's like smacking into a brick wall? I just did that.

While trying to contemplate the amount of hours I need to finish all of my final projects, read all the required books, finish putting together my writing portfolio, and educate myself on every tidbit of PR and food related news I can get my mitts on before I fly to NYC for interviews in two weeks, my brain made a little snap noise. Just a little, "schnipt!" It's where my brain goes, "Screw this noise!! You know what we're going to do? We're going to take a nap. Damn right we are." (I'm also apparently going crazy as my brain is now a separate entity from the rest of me, capable of autonomous decisions, and thus uses the pronoun, "We," when discussing me as an entity.)

This is also one of those moments where I'm very close to sitting in a dark corner rocking back and forth muttering, "One bite at a time, one bite at a time." I know it will get done, it's just all very....large, at the moment.

I shall now go to bed. And by go to bed I mean read one of my school books in dim lighting till I pass out. And by read I mean clutch it a few inches in front of my face while I think about all the ways to blow my interviews.

Note to self: Tomorrow, buy some cheese to go with this whine.

CHOKE

Last night I committed the first major faux pas of my career hunt. I've been looking for a way to work with the Food Network. I'm addicted to that channel and would be a happy little bunny to get to go to their offices in Chelsea Market everyday. Food Network is owned by a company called Scripps. If you get hired at the Food Network, or several other cable stations, you are actually hired by Scripps.

Last night I learned that they were looking to hire an ad sales assistant in NYC. While it's not public relations, after reading the job description, I was totally confident that I could handle the position and do a great job. Then, I would at least be IN the organization, and it would maybe lead to opportunities at the Food Network. So I applied.

They use an online application form. It was very standard. Upload your resume, type in your address and phone number, blah blah blah. I wasn't even sure there would be a chance to add in a cover letter. However, at the LAST step, there was a little box for, "Comments or Cover Letter." I put together a pithy little message showcasing that I'm familiar with the company, and would fit well. Hit send. Patted myself on the back and did a little excited dance.

A few minutes later, an e-mail from Scripps Recruiting popped into my inbox, confirming that they had received my application. I would like to share my thoughts with you at that moment. Ahem, here goes...
"Yay! It went! Oh I'm so excited! I totally think I could do that job! Man I hope they call me. The Scripps Networks, huh? Damn I'm excited...HEY. Wait a second? Did I...? No, I couldn't have... OH.
MY.
GOD.
I did."

(At this moment, it is occurring to me that I referred to the SCRIPPS NETWORK, as SCRIBBS in my cover letter.)

Panic sets in. Profuse sweating. Realization that I've just TAKEN A CRAP on a job I totally would have been right for. Imagine how that conversation in the office is going to go, "Huh, well she's totally qualified...too bad she's a complete IDIOT and didn't even get our name right. NEXT."

Moral of the story: Chew thoroughly kids, or else you're going to CHOKE.

Is one bite at a time...

Another class related blog? I'm thrilled!

Okay, while that was highly sarcastic, I'm not MAD about creating another blog, just...disheveled. I feel like someone just walked up and did that really annoying thing where they think it's cute to ruffle and smoosh your hair about. Thus, I am disheveled.

However, I've been feeling that way a lot lately, which actually brings me to the point of this blog. When I realized I needed to create a purpose for this blog, I knew it needed to be something simple. No more reporting on items like dumplings for the moment. It needed to be a topic that I could supplement with my own, personal knowledge. So I sat on the couch trying to think of ANYTHING to write about. The only thing that came to mind was a phrase that I have been using as my personal mantra all semester long, "The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time." As my December graduation looms ever closer, with finals starting to gnaw on my heels, and my January move to New York City requiring more and more attention, I've been feeling like someone's about to hit me with a bat, and I just can't figure out what direction it's coming from. So I use my little mantra to try and self-soothe and remind me that I have to take it a bite at a time.

That's my round-about way of saying the purpose of this blog is to chronicle my little bites and vent some frustrations. I'm sure a few people out there can relate to what I'm feeling. Let's hope I remember to chew thoroughly and avoid choking.