thank you

You know, I've faced a lot of rejection in my job searching over the years. A lot. indicated mostly by a complete lack of response. Which is sort of understandable, depending on the position and company. But every once in a while, a company breaks the mold and let's you know, hey, it's not gonna work out between us, but valiant effort. Keep on truckin'.

So I present to you the nicest rejection letter I've ever received:

Hello *****,

Thank you for your interest in our ****** opening. We have had a chance to review your resume and compare it against other people who have expressed an interest in this position as well. Unfortunately, we have decided to pursue other candidates who appear to match (skills and experience) our requirements more closely at this time.

Should something change on our side (or we get another job opening that matches your background better), we will not hesitate to contact you.

Thank you again for your interest in an employment opportunity with ****, and we wish you the best in your current endeavors.

Now I understand this is an automated response they send to, most likely, every applicant for every position available. But I really appreciated it. So thank you.

You tell them anything you want

Some people have special callings in life. They have things they are meant to do while here on earth not just to benefit their own lives, but the lives of many others. I believe Maurice Sendak was one of those people.

Let me tell you a little about Mr. Sendak.

He was a man who had no children of his own. A man who had a lonely, sickly childhood. Who wanted to tell stories but didn't know how to do it correctly with only words. Who was plagued by the idea of death and tormented by the idea of living. Who admired his own brother and sister more than anyone else on earth. Who died last Tuesday.

In 1963 he wrote and illustrated "Where The Wild Things Are," a book about a boy, Max, who is sent up to his room for misbehaving. Children's literature would never be the same. I actually know people who dislike the book. They say they don't get it. Max just seems like a spoiled brat. They're right. They don't get it.

Maurice Sendak didn't simply write stories for children. He wrote children's stories.

Here is a great quote of his I recently heard in a short documentary piece about his life. He states:

“I think what I offered was different . . . because I was more honest than anybody. In the discussion of children and the lives of children and the fantasies of children and the language of children I said anything I wanted. Because I don't believe in children. I don't believe in childhood. I don't believe that there's a demarcation. 'Oh you mustn't tell them that. You mustn't tell them that.' You tell them anything you want. Just tell them if it's true. If it's true you tell them.”

Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Sendak. 

Senioritis? Seriously?

Apparently I'm not handling the end of school very well . . . What did I mostly do this weekend instead of the hours of homework I should have been doing? Watch videos on Youtube . . . til like 2 in the morning. 

What is wrong with me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Clearly It's a sign of some kind of breakdown. But really, Jackie, get yourself together. You've got five weeks of school left. This is not the time to all of a sudden decide be the biggest procrastinator on the planet. Generally I try to stay ahead of assignments as much as I can. It stresses me out to get behind and have to finish things up at the last minute. 


Except, apparently, it doesn't. 


May is gonna be a long month.

you people have been holding out on me

Seriously. How has no one ever recommended Harold and Maude to me? This movie had all sorts of things I love in it. An awkward, skinny, death-obsessed guy. Great 70’s style cars (cause who doesn’t love a Jaguar XKE, am I right?)  Great mod fall weather attire. And an amazing soundtrack. The second the words “songs composed and performed by Cat Stevens” came up on the screen I new I was in for a treat.

If you think this movie is weird, which I could totally understand, just remember: I’m a little weird, which you probably already know because you’re my friend or family member.

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog somehow and are of no relation to me, disregard the previous statement. And go watch Harold and Maude if you haven’t already.

merry christmas!

Every year my family watches "Scrooge" on Christmas Eve. It's our favorite movie version of A Christmas Carol. We've been watching it since I was 4 years old. My mother had recorded it off the tv onto a vhs tape, which may still be hanging out in a closet somewhere in my parents' house (we've finally upgraded to a dvd version). If you haven't seen it you're missing out. Seriously. Albert Finney is so great as Ebenezer Scrooge, and this version may have my favorite interpretation of Bob Cratchit ever. Here's a little taste for you. 

Also, someone has uploaded the entire thing onto youtube, if you feel so inclined to watch it from beginning to end.

what the &@#!

Things I expect to happen while at the beach:

-get a tan

-maybe go in the water

-catch up on my magazine reading

-listen to some music

Things I don't expect to happen while at the beach:

-have my half-eaten lunch taken suddenly from my hand by a seagull and two if his wing-men. (No pun intended)

Merry Christmas to me. Thanks Seagulls.

it was fantastic

I couldn’t stop smiling. From the second it started to the time I got home I was simply delighted. Really it started a few months ago when I first heard it was happening. Had it really been so long? And why was I so excited? Oh wait, I know why. 

And so it happened last night. I went to see the new Muppet movie, and it was everything I could have hoped for. Music, dancing, parody, celebrity cameos, Piggy’s fantastic wigs, and even a few moments where I got a little teary-eyed. But not teary-eyed for some sad or tender plot point. No. Teary over how happy I was that almost fifty years ago a man and his friend began creating the creatures we now know and love as the Muppets. And happy that this new movie is essentially an hour and half tribute to his work and memory. And it’s fantastic. 

So thanks Jim. You would be proud.