Business Courtesy

As a recent BA graduate in biology I've been forced to search for a job at a time when it isn't the most pleasant event around.  Tonight, it struck me that there are a number of things that irk me about the process.  However, there's one single step, or lack thereof, which bugs me more than the overplayed songs on the radio.

When did it become common practice to skip the rejection letter?  No valid reason exists which explains why this simple task can not be completed. 

First, letting people know they weren't selected for an interview would be nice to let them move on to other aspirations.  For example, application processes often occur completely online and via email.  Hence, "Company Biology" puts forth no effort into gathering your information (the days of neatly stacked resumes exist no more).  After evaluation of gathered applications and resumes, selecting the "rejects" and sending them a simple "you suck" email (in kinder language, because business is all about courtesy) would cost mere pennies.  Yet, this seems impossible.  A phone call may have once been the norm, but I would be happy with any kind of rejection.


Secondly, if in the process of hiring, any applicants reach "FORMAL INTERVIEW STAGE" (that's a low-tone, booming voice) she or he deserves a "FORMAL REJECTION LETTER" (same voice).  If you've spent the time, (in business speak this reads, "If you've spent the money,") to interview someone, he or she deserves 44 pennies and three minutes of your (or your office aide's) time to know that s/he will be working somewhere else.  I, personally, interviewed for a position and was told directly that I would receive a call within the week to let me know their decision.  That interview took place May 3rd.

Finally, the process of building a proper resume and subsequently adjusting its properties for each application becomes a tedious and time-consuming affair.  At least a business can recognize the effort (while the fit may not exist) and let an applicant know to continue looking.


Where has all the business courtesy gone?

B.O. (Bats & Otter)

We visited Fit Right NW today in an effort to find some new running shoes for Jen (success!).  The process included a video-taped session of barefoot running on one of their treadmills.  The process continued with an explanation of the shoes and features which should be considered for one's running style.  Overall, an impressive process that (for the moment) has landed Jen a new pair of Asics (not to worry, there's a 30-day trial period).  I also tried on the highly-worshiped C.E.P. Sportsocks purported to speed recovery and decrease injury.  Sadly, at $60 a pair they're beyond what I'm willing to pay.  Fortunately, by trying them on, I discovered they're nothing more than a glorified soccer sock (think of the extremely tight ones that you struggle for days to put on).

Went down to Bethany Lake Park and I sketched the lake while Jen read and we ate Tillamook cheddar with strawberries and blackberries.  Delicious.  On the way out we decided to look for the otter we've seen on separate occasions and happily discovered him (or her) scouring the depths near its home.  This sprouted the thought of whether this animal could possibly be a nutria rather than an otter.  However, it appears the characteristics fit the description of an otter over a nutria.  While watching the otter, a "bird" seemed to be flying oddly overhead and dipping and diving as if it were attacking other flying organisms.  When this UFO came closer it became obvious we were watching a bat at work.  Upon further sky-gazing we found another bat swooping the skies.  Interesting!

Whole Foods and Beyond

This morning Jen and I went to Liberty High School's track for a pleasant morning run.  I jogged a warm-up mile then ran eighteen eighteens.  Upon further thought and calculation, I realized that in order to run a 4:00-mile I would have to maintain my sprinting pace for a full mile.  Even then, I would be in the upper four-minute range.  One more mind-boggling statistic before I move on, a four-minute miler runs at an average of 15 miles per hour.

We also went to Whole Foods and the Tanasbourne Farmer's Market (held in the Whole Foods' parking lot).  Their pineapples taste like a juicy celebration.  Got some more of my favorite milk (non-homogenized, local, organic) and already drank two glasses. 

On a similar note, try eating food that only has ingredients you can pronounce.  I've cut a majority (possibly 100%) of my high fructose corn syrup consumption.  (I realize high fructose corn syrup rolls off the tongue rather nicely, but its just as nasty as all those things you can't say.)  High fructose corn syrup's digestion creates a huge release of insulin to aid in its uptake, over time this overproduction leads to the development of Type II diabetes.  If the your health doesn't provide the necessary incentives to cutting HFCS, consider: the most highly subsidized crop in America is corn.  I'm all for helping provide our country with the food necessary to feed 300 million people.  But, the production of corn has been so over-subsidized that its now showing up everywhere from livestock feed to yogurt to gasoline and beyond.  If you like corn, eat corn; but do you really need it as a part of every meal?

Also, soy sucks.  By now, most the nation's soy crops are a genetically modified seed which holds Round-Up resistant properties.  (Farmer's can now do their "weeding" by crop-dusting with Round-Up.) 

Intrigued?  Watch either (or both) Food Inc. or Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America's Greatest Threat.

The New Daily Scott

Through much thought and discussion I've decided to remove the limits of "The Daily Scott."  My day-to-day activities shall supply topics for examination and sharing.  So, without further ado, The (New) Daily Scott.

A few weeks ago while running on Dick Road, I spotted an owl landing and perching on a telephone pole.  I "who'd" at her or him and she or he flew away.  Notice I said who, owls don't hoot.

Last week I took Jen's Laura to Seattle and went to dinner with Kevin at an Italian restaurant called Bizzarro.  I had gnocchi (pronounced n-yo-key) and Kevin had a sugar-snap pea carbonara.   Both delicious.  I went to the space needle and had fun taking photos (for other people).  Ha ha.  They provide a "complimentary" (pronounced $18) photo shot in front of a green screen.  

Who says getting older means no fun?  On my way home I drove along the coast, discovering a nuclear power plant west of Tacoma (which smells rancid...Tacoma that is).  I stopped at Butte Creek Campground where my mind started playing tricks on me.  The kind of tricks that make you think something's after you.

Its poop again!

Then I almost stepped in bear poo.  And I knew something was after me.  I walked back to the car thinking, "No one knows where I am." combined with, "I'm too young to die!"

Then I got home.  Jen fixed my shark tooth necklace as a nice surprise for my arrival home.  Then I slept.

After the Jamie Cullum concert at the zoo (good show indeed), I was departing the zoo premises when the lion started roaring.  I love nature.  Especially when its caught and penned up for my personal enjoyment.  Tonight the wolves were howling as Jen and I sat on a bench in Hoyt Arboretum.  And, tigers watch you very closely when you're the only person in the park.  Also, I would like to note the free-roaming animals which one might find at the zoo (in order of increasing size) : sparrows, mice, chipmunks, gophers, rabbits, crows, raccoons, and rats.

I think we're mostly caught up now.  Bye