(more relevant photos to be added later)
Yesterday I attended Career Day at the University of Alberta. It was the third or fourth such career fair that I've attended recently... this time of year being especially popular for employers and recruiters to host these type of events, all with varying levels of success. There's a bit of a misconception about the Alberta Job Market I think... despite everyone buzzing about the surplus of jobs in the province it is not necessarily any easier to find work in every field. One cannot simply walk into one of these job fairs, toss your resume to the winds, and then leave having been offered some spectacular job. Nor can you really leave one of these job fairs having made some spectacular contact that is going to get you an 'in' with some company.
Your typical job fair is not unlike the classic home and garden show or "trade show" with the exception of there being some yahoo with a Madonna mic who is trying to sell you some miracle shammy to clean out the inside of your microwave. Within Edmonton the fairs of the employment variety tend to be loud and cramped, with booths manned with representatives who seem to only speak very generally about the type of opportunities available with their company and love to hand you glossy brochures and then point to the careers website that is listed on the back.
As I walked around collecting information for my present and future clients, I noticed that larger than normal groups were clustering around the large industry reps. The hungry mob was a mix of unemployed professionals and eager university students with dollar signs in their eyes as they quietly calculated how much of their yearly tuition they could make working for the summer for one of these companies. What bothered me was that so many of the interested job seekers seemed to be there because of the appeal of salary alone. There were several instances were I overheard some individuals who clearly specialized in another field/industry altogether inquire about how much money could be made working for this particular company. At one booth, the company rep (who resembled a sleazy car salesman in his delivery) could be heard shouting, "There's not a lot of genetics in the oilfield... you know what I mean... I'm as smart as this pad here," (pointing to a pad of paper if you were so curious) "you know what I'm saying. You should stick to genetics."
How many people are fueled solely by money when they look for work? It's a question that I don't think I really want answered.
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic this morning, so I've decided to really dig through the archives and revisit some photos from my photostream and create an approximate yearly retrospective.
I suppose it's also fitting then that the 2005 feature photo includes Wade, during one of our many photo excursions in and around FSJ. Despite the limitations of our geography we really did manage to have a lot of fun. We had nothing to do but indulge in a little random spontaneity. This particular excursion is one of the most memorable... It was a cold, cold day... but we drove out to Beatton Park, Wade in one of his dad's old suits and me in my younger sister's prom dress (I was much skinnier then) and we each took turns in front of the camera (I should specify that we took turns in front of each other's camera, as by this time Wade also owned a digital SLR and the coveted 50mm lens).
This is the first photo I posted to flickr on September 20, 2004. I had my digital SLR for about six months by then and I had recently started up my blog. I was back from Victoria and I happened to log into MSN and see Wade, one of the few people from FSJ that I would have considered socializing with. He was obviously desperate for company and invited me out for coffee. It was there at Cosmic Grounds that we discovered our mutual interest in computers, blogging and other assorted topics. It was at this fateful meeting over coffee that Wade told me about flickr (it was the only way he could post photos to his blog from his mac). I suppose now it's fitting that this flower was one of the first images that I added to flickr... as it is representative of the wonderful friendship that began to blossom (*choking back my own vomit while I type this).
I suppose it's also fitting then that the 2005 feature photo includes Wade, during one of our many photo excursions in and around FSJ. Despite the limitations of our geography we really did manage to have a lot of fun. We had nothing to do but indulge in a little random spontaneity. This particular excursion is one of the most memorable... It was a cold, cold day... but we drove out to Beatton Park, Wade in one of his dad's old suits and me in my younger sister's prom dress (I was much skinnier then) and we each took turns in front of the camera (I should specify that we took turns in front of each other's camera, as by this time Wade also owned a digital SLR and the coveted 50mm lens).
About a year later, in 2006 I had moved to Edmonton. Fall is always a popular time for portraits... many a family photo in front of the autumn leaves has been taken this time of year (not my family though). Although I had added to my collection of camera gear I still had much to learn about composition. I was always frustrated that I cropped out Phil's hand in this photo, but I think that I was prevented from backing up any farther by some sort of low brick wall with a commemorative bust on it. I still like the photo though as it also marks the beginning of another friendship... it looks like I've created a new friend-a-year calendar.
2007, one year on the job... Previous incarnations of me, or rather my predecessors at work, were required to have a car (even though it is rarely necessary). My stellar skills were enough to compensate though, so I have been gainfully employed in the city and have been able to keep to my pedestrian ways. Recently, after lamenting how I hadn't been taking enough photos I sold a pile of photo equipment with the design of buying a small (but powerful) point and shoot that I could carry in my purse. However, upon further contemplation I chose to invest in a new wide angle lens instead and I've never looked back. I took this while waiting for the bus in the west end after traveling there for a work related job fair.
These photos aren't the best overview of my photographic work, but they are an interesting way to highlight in my own mind my accomplishments and also the areas where I have failed to progress. And I'm not just speaking photographically.
These photos aren't the best overview of my photographic work, but they are an interesting way to highlight in my own mind my accomplishments and also the areas where I have failed to progress. And I'm not just speaking photographically.
I really need to come up with an alternate solution for carrying my camera around with me on a daily basis. I would like to have one bag that has storage spots for all of my assorted camera bits so I don't end up forgetting things when I switch from purse to purse. This morning I pulled out my camera to take a picture of some frosty grass but as I pushed the shutter I realized that I had neglected to put my memory card back in my camera. What an irritating feeling. I have two memory cards, but of course my extra card was in the large non-everyday camera bag back at home. Without my 'film' my camera cannot record anything, so instead you will just have to trust me that the juxtaposition of tall, yellowed grasses against the frosty green grass below was quite visually stunning.
Perhaps my mood yesterday evening was in some way dampened by the rather depressing sites I photographed on the way home. Although I admit to enhancing the grittiness and overall feeling of grunge in post, walking home on a dull afternoon through deserted downtown left me with the overall feeling of despair. The darkening of my spirit was more gradual... as I edited the photos, trying to bring out some of the layers of shadow and light I began to become more and more withdrawn. By the time I went to bed I was a fragment of my former vibrant self. I was a wilted flower... I was my own shadow.
enough with the melodramatics... I was just tired.
One more week until Toronto.
Perhaps my mood yesterday evening was in some way dampened by the rather depressing sites I photographed on the way home. Although I admit to enhancing the grittiness and overall feeling of grunge in post, walking home on a dull afternoon through deserted downtown left me with the overall feeling of despair. The darkening of my spirit was more gradual... as I edited the photos, trying to bring out some of the layers of shadow and light I began to become more and more withdrawn. By the time I went to bed I was a fragment of my former vibrant self. I was a wilted flower... I was my own shadow.
enough with the melodramatics... I was just tired.
One more week until Toronto.
I took this photo on my way home from the Winspear this afternoon, where I had the luxury of attending a performance of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. I really enjoyed the show today.
As I wandered home I paused every few blocks to take a photograph of deserted downtown. The emptiness of the streets seemed to exaggerate the feeling that I was shooting alone. I know a bunch of people in Vancouver who are part of the group Vandigicam. Although I enjoy taking pictures alone, I'm jealous of their photographic excursions... photographing posse style armed with cameras of different makes and models. There has been some attempts to start up a similar type group in Edmonton, but I haven't gone to any of the meetups mostly because I haven't been interested in any of them. I don't like to randomly meet up with strangers and I don't think any of the people who are part of the Edmonton Meet Up group are on my flickr contact list. Besides, if the weather of the first day of Autumn is any indication, it will be snowing soon and I'll prefer to remain indoors and experiment with studio lighting than freeze my hands outside.
As I wandered home I paused every few blocks to take a photograph of deserted downtown. The emptiness of the streets seemed to exaggerate the feeling that I was shooting alone. I know a bunch of people in Vancouver who are part of the group Vandigicam. Although I enjoy taking pictures alone, I'm jealous of their photographic excursions... photographing posse style armed with cameras of different makes and models. There has been some attempts to start up a similar type group in Edmonton, but I haven't gone to any of the meetups mostly because I haven't been interested in any of them. I don't like to randomly meet up with strangers and I don't think any of the people who are part of the Edmonton Meet Up group are on my flickr contact list. Besides, if the weather of the first day of Autumn is any indication, it will be snowing soon and I'll prefer to remain indoors and experiment with studio lighting than freeze my hands outside.
Party photos after the jump. I've backdated this post for the day of the party.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
If I drank coffee, every morning I could take my cup to the window and watch the morning commuters thronging the intersection as they make their way to the downtown core. I don't drink coffee or much of anything in the morning and I don't really care to watch the vehicles and pedestrians battle it out on the crosswalks below. Instead I like to gaze at the different cloud formations that stretch over the western horizon (I realized that I'm always looking towards BC). This is how I spend my last few minutes of calm before I join the frenzy on the streets... looking at the sky and quietly contemplating.
One of the things that has been on my mind of late is why I have been finding it so difficult to blog lately. Online identity is a hot topic these days... the newspapers frequently feature articles about employers 'googling' potential employees or seeking out dirt on facebook or other various social networking sites. My current job will be ending as of December and we haven't heard yet whether or not we'll have a new contract. In light that I may be tossed back into the sea of job-seekers, I've been boring myself with relatively dull (read: safe) posts. I've realized that I need to stop doing this. I'm don't usually espouse controversial views about things (in my mind anyhow). What I post here is only a sample of who I am and can only complement what I have to offer future employers (however far down the road that may be).
Something that I find mildly amusing about my current employment situation is that I work in a job search assistance program, and I help other people find work. So, really... I should not have any problems in looking for work since I should be able to detect any roadblocks in my job search and come up with effective solutions (my motto will become, Physician, heal thyself!) I meet my clients after they have left or lost their previous jobs and when we begin to discuss their job search I will sometimes ask them to describe their ideal job. It can be a helpful exercise for some people who would like to take the opportunity of this transition to choose to pursue another line of work. The issue becomes when and how to scale back from this ideal. Once my father told me that no job was too low. I argued with him, refusing to agree that just any job will do. I still don't agree with him but now I have a much better understanding that a job is not a career. I've learned to reconcile my dream job(s) with more realistic aspirations.
Something that I find mildly amusing about my current employment situation is that I work in a job search assistance program, and I help other people find work. So, really... I should not have any problems in looking for work since I should be able to detect any roadblocks in my job search and come up with effective solutions (my motto will become, Physician, heal thyself!) I meet my clients after they have left or lost their previous jobs and when we begin to discuss their job search I will sometimes ask them to describe their ideal job. It can be a helpful exercise for some people who would like to take the opportunity of this transition to choose to pursue another line of work. The issue becomes when and how to scale back from this ideal. Once my father told me that no job was too low. I argued with him, refusing to agree that just any job will do. I still don't agree with him but now I have a much better understanding that a job is not a career. I've learned to reconcile my dream job(s) with more realistic aspirations.
Following a suggestion from one of the blogs I read, I listened to a couple interesting documentaries on BBC today about the school system in Finland as well as the quality of education at Westminster School and Harvard University.
After listening to the programs I paused to contemplate one of the comments that stood out from the two short documentaries, that Finland's education system is set up to support the country, while other school systems (notably private institutions like Westminster and ivy league schools like Harvard) are designed to further enhance the creative skills of the individual. Interesting thought... there are things to envy from all the systems I suppose.
In a couple weeks I'll be visiting Toronto with Aryn. I'm very excited about my trip because other than a brief visit to Vancouver and a weekend trip to Calgary my summer was spent in central Alberta. In some ways I'm glad that I didn't have a real vacation during the summer though. Edmonton is quite pleasant during the summer months and I think that if I had chosen to vacation (can I use that as a verb) I would most likely begin to feel the symptoms of winter cabin fever within the next coming weeks when snow eventually falls (it's snowed in FSJ already so it's not so unlikely that Edmonton will endure similar weather).
I'm in the process of figuring out my itinerary for the trip. Aryn's going to be busy with conference events for the majority of the day, and I'm going to be left to my own devices to explore the city with camera in hand. I last visited Toronto when I was 16 and I was downtown for all of an afternoon. It was a very overwhelming experience and I didn't particularly like it all that much. Mind you I did have a terrible cold (ironic since I had just returned from visiting my relatives in Trinidad) and the day was not a particularly pleasant one. I remember standing on the sidewalk outside of the Hospital for Sick Children and feeling pushed around by all of the pedestrians who were in a mad rush to get somewhere. Now that I'm a seasoned metropolitan traveler (and older and a photographer) I think my experience will be much different. Any former Torontonians who want to give me suggestions of what to see?
So far the only thing I have planned is going to see Beirut at the Danforth Music Hall. I came across Beirut on iTunes yesterday and I spent the entire evening listening to them. On a whim I decided to see if they might be coming to Edmonton and I discovered a Toronto tour date. What luck! My October will be full of rather eclectic and original music... mid way through the month I will also be going to see Final Fantasy. Somehow I've become a music hipster. The number of concerts I've attended is still pretty small though.
These photos are evidence of the somewhat varied performances I've attended since moving to Edmonton. One could say that I somewhat regularly participate in the 'music scene.' I don't have photographical evidence of all the performances though, much to my dismay. I find it a little ridiculous that cameras are seen as such a threat by some venues. I can understand banning the use of flash photography, but sans flash what harm can a camera really bring to a performer? I phoned ahead to the Music Hall in Toronto and I discovered that they don't have a house policy about cameras (yeah!) and with the exception of flash photography and professionals (I think SLRs are a grey area... I think the issue is more about the size of your lens) cameras are permitted. This information excites me... because as much as I enjoy the live performances I also love being able to indulge in a little rocktography.
I'm in the process of figuring out my itinerary for the trip. Aryn's going to be busy with conference events for the majority of the day, and I'm going to be left to my own devices to explore the city with camera in hand. I last visited Toronto when I was 16 and I was downtown for all of an afternoon. It was a very overwhelming experience and I didn't particularly like it all that much. Mind you I did have a terrible cold (ironic since I had just returned from visiting my relatives in Trinidad) and the day was not a particularly pleasant one. I remember standing on the sidewalk outside of the Hospital for Sick Children and feeling pushed around by all of the pedestrians who were in a mad rush to get somewhere. Now that I'm a seasoned metropolitan traveler (and older and a photographer) I think my experience will be much different. Any former Torontonians who want to give me suggestions of what to see?
So far the only thing I have planned is going to see Beirut at the Danforth Music Hall. I came across Beirut on iTunes yesterday and I spent the entire evening listening to them. On a whim I decided to see if they might be coming to Edmonton and I discovered a Toronto tour date. What luck! My October will be full of rather eclectic and original music... mid way through the month I will also be going to see Final Fantasy. Somehow I've become a music hipster. The number of concerts I've attended is still pretty small though.
These photos are evidence of the somewhat varied performances I've attended since moving to Edmonton. One could say that I somewhat regularly participate in the 'music scene.' I don't have photographical evidence of all the performances though, much to my dismay. I find it a little ridiculous that cameras are seen as such a threat by some venues. I can understand banning the use of flash photography, but sans flash what harm can a camera really bring to a performer? I phoned ahead to the Music Hall in Toronto and I discovered that they don't have a house policy about cameras (yeah!) and with the exception of flash photography and professionals (I think SLRs are a grey area... I think the issue is more about the size of your lens) cameras are permitted. This information excites me... because as much as I enjoy the live performances I also love being able to indulge in a little rocktography.
There are times at work when I find myself completely underwhelmed by my conversational contributions. The small talk we generally make with our coworkers is often about safe and generally boring topics. It's a relief when you are finally able to hit on a topic of conversation that all parties are interested in as you do not have to feel that you are making conversation simply to fill the silence. Yesterday I chanced upon such a topic of conversation. As fall has been approaching the morning weather (safe topic) has become progressively colder. Yesterday morning I found myself buttoning my jacket up tighter and I realized that soon I would need to start wearing a scarf. The thought of scarves immediately inspires me to think of new knitting projects... and the one which was on the forefront of my mind was a scarf that I promised to make for my chum Wade I don't usually work from patterns for scarves... but this particular scarf is a unique double knit pattern (check out knitty.com for the free pattern) and I've never tried double knitting before. I happened to remember that one of my coworkers also knits... and we spent the first part of the morning excitedly discussing different yarn stores in the area and trying to find some nice knitting books. Usually we bore each other with talk about the weather. It was a happy change.
Following my inspiring conversation about knitting, later in the day I ended up at a big box book store (Indigo) with Aryn and Wade and I came across one of the knitting books I was interested in purchasing. I had checked the price online before heading out... and I was very disappointed to discover that the book in store was ten dollars more expensive. When I asked about it the salesgirl gave me some rigmarole about overhead costs. Aryn was also looking another book in the store which was significantly more expensive than online. We both left without buying anything. It was such a disappointing experience. I want to walk out the store with a book in hand... especially when I've traveled across the city to see it (side note: visiting the bookstore was not our express purpose for being in that part of the city, we were visiting some other stores in the area.) After leaving the big box I had several options. I could order from the company website (but only get the inexpensive price if I was a paying member of their discount club), order from Amazon or go to the independent book store two blocks from my house and get them to order it for me. In the end ordering from Amazon won out as it was inexpensive and should have quick turnaround.
Yes, I could also go to the library... but I like to keep these sort of books.
