Monday, February 27, 2006

Camera happy in Torino

In watching the opening and closing ceremonies of the Torino Olympics, I couldn’t help but notice a trend: large numbers of athletes carrying camcorders, cameras and cell phones as they walked into the arena. Is too much technology ruining the live events we participate in?

I only ponder this because I was personally annoyed at watching the athletes on television who in turn were doing their own taping or talking on the phone. On the one hand, sure I would want to tape my experience in Torino or someplace exciting and share it with my family. On the other hand, who really wants to sit around and look at it again?

I used to be snap-happy on trips but I’ve calmed down. I have to ask myself what photos I truly want to keep and what realistic number of photos do I add to the album to share before I reach that limit where friends begin refusing to come over for dinner.

But it's not just Torino that has me wondering why we can't use technology with more sense. It's the couple walking down the street together talking on their cell phones to other people. It is my ex who spent most of our weekend trip to Monterey videotaping the sights while I missed out enjoying that time with him. It's that one guy in the theater who insists on checking the time on his brightly lit phone five times during the movie his girlfriend dragged him to see.

Some things are savored more when they’re not overdone.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Dumbing-down needs to stop

I wish that the intelligent, logical, sensible, kind people of the U.S. would be in the press more often than the, uh, hmmm, how should I phrase this… smaller percentage that might not provide the best representation for the country. Two examples already this week that make me want to hide under the covers:
1) Dick Cheney, Vice President, for shooting his hunting friend. How on earth does one mistake an average-sized man for a bird? I’ll refrain from sharing all my negative thoughts on the guy and this incident because they're just not nice.

2) Pamela Anderson who has good intentions with PETA but
actually stated that the Kentucky Derby “makes me want to avoid Kentucky altogether, which is sad because there are so many great people there.” There are a lot of bad drivers in California but I still live here. Be realistic.
C’mon reporters, you are not helping unite any widening divides between our country and others by reporting only on the dumb moves a handful of people make. Report more good, less bad and let’s stop the dumbing-down here in general.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Never sell yourself short

I turned down a job today.

The interview went well, the three people I met were intelligent and genuine, the job would be with a large company where there was potential for growth and the location would be a reverse commute. But I had to say no.

They provided me a salary starting at less than what I know my experience, education and skills are worth. I had no choice because in the grand scheme of things, never sell yourself short.

Over the past week, I’ve picked the brain of five friends across senior and mid-levels positions. I found several common factors they all mentioned that helped me weigh my decision today:

  • Know how much you’re worth – your degree/education, years of experience and skills add up
  • Know how low you are willing to go – if the offer is too low, maybe you can negotiate more telecommuting days
  • Stand up for yourself – even if you are miserable in your current position, put on the logical thinking cap when salary negotiations arise and understand that accepting a low offer would create a bitter attitude within yourself if you did accept the position; nobody wants to start a new job feeling that they are underpaid for their level of skills/education/experience
  • Move on – the right job is out there and view a minor setback as a learning experience

It might be risky and scary to expect more jobs to open up after thanking no to an offer, but it’s well worth it to go to work happy and enjoy what you do.

No, thank you.

Next.