Koronada

While sitting at a park cafe outside of Chicago on the Great Lake of Michigan, I met a possibly Turkish man eating an apple delivered to him in bag labeled as imported from Aragon, Spain. I was trying to write the latest best next great American novel, but had my head in hands over an increasingly empty coffee cup, the kind of tall cardboard and wax-lined with more paper to handle than would napkins carry and serve as coaster.

>What are you writing?

An accent troubling and fake, distant from the admixture of old mobster accent and flyover suburbs states accent that rules the region with iron phobia.

<Nothing at the moment.

>Do you see this apple, it comes from Spain, me they have told this, it is making for a time the taste, and your character, needs to feel emotions in the passing wind, in the busy streets our hearts beat for the rhythm, feet following feet, how far would he get with no soul?

<I'm not sure what you mean.

>Shoes have souls, people have souls, we can only go as far as those are strong.

<What about the emotion I mean.

>The apple is bitter, hunger I am to eat. The apple is sweet, everyone eats the tree, my emotion plant a tree or forget the tree or dream of fruit, it is not always a choice to eat one or the other.

<You mean, the impossible choice.

>I mean...impossible choice yes, but very real choices, what is you that thinks for the character this one? Why does he feel, or still, why does making choice fill his mind, it says a lot about him I think this yes.

He finishes his apple without leaving even seeds and washes it with a final sip of coffee, takes his folded newspaper and stands, walks to the kiosk and orders another coffee, returns to the table as I furiously write everything about the backstory and moral upbringing I can remember from the dark side of my mind. He returns to his chair, sitting his lite jacket reveals a weapon and he takes sunglasses out and wears them, then hides it and reads the paper with his sunglasses on.

<How will he be when something is unexpected or unwanted?

>You will know when character knows.

I wrote for ten minutes and felt awkward when the ink ran out, then the man stood and walked across the open area of concrete squares and used his weapon on a man, my eyes were ringing, my ears were drowned in adrenaline, and speckles of blood covered the back of my hand and my character study journal. He took something from him and without time was between me and the sun, a shadowy stranger wiping his hands.

>Do not tell them my face, yes?

<How did you know it was time to do that, he sat there all day?

>Do not describe his face, describe what he is knowing, and then character maybe seem human.

The man with no swagger or tire walked to a parked cab that fled extra quickly into a river of taxis. A new story begins with a new first chapter.





-/mjbanks

Et tu, Brute?

Disc Ass #8

"For your discussion assignment this time, share with the other members of the class any interesting facts or other information you have uncovered as you search for relevant job descriptions. Keep in mind that many other students in this class may share the same professional interests as you."

I'm in IT and employers are looking for professionals, I may not be alone in having discovered the amount of experience employers require and the anxiety this brings me since I'm still in school, and without certifications, which are a must in my career field. Nonetheless, I'm determined to put the best foot forward, which entails acquiring what employers seek as well as learning what that is by reading job-postings.

"What advice about finding employment have you heard or read about that you think others may want to know?"

Have a specific resume that presents fact and not fiction, that offers more legitimacy and less opinions and conjecture; not only dress for the job, but be prepared for the job, for the career you desire.

"What sorts of experiences (positive or negative) have you had in the past when seeking employment?"

Keeping optimistic, slow but steady, at all costs wins the race, a handshake and a smile goes a long way. Answering honestly, showing interest in the interview instead of putting faith in merely placing an application, and knowing what you want while keeping a level of composure that gives respect and takes responsibility, a good first impression.

"How do you think social media could help you find a job?"

Some temporary hiring agencies post job listings, some of which might have part-time to transitional full-time work. Companies thus use social media in the same manner, broadcasting new job openings or in some instances issues that lead to job opportunities in the manner of innovation/security, particularly in IT.

"What do you think are the benefits of becoming familiar with social media in the workplace?"

Networking is essential to gainful employment, social media is another way to learn, asses, study, and network with companies in a digital sense.

"Which keywords will your audience be looking for in your resume?"

I assume something that intrigues them that they interpret as integral or practical. Such as "diligent" or "attentive" or maybe "efficient/proficient" and I'm sure in IT the world "Certified" is nearly most sought.

"Has this research process changed your opinion or perception of your future career?"

I have a certain perception of employment in my intended field of study, some jobs we're overqualified and competing against other professionals, some we're in demand but unqualified. It seems to me that the numbers of applicants in both demographics are growing faster than I remember.