I spent a big chunk of the last 24 hours sifting the pile of job postings, looking for that golden grain. So far, nothing but sand. I did take a break from the computer to go watch the Mariners game today, which was a lot of fun (even though they lost).
Tonight I’ll continue my search. If anyone knows how to get a good resume into the right hands at Google and Microsoft, I’d love to hear from you.
Unemployment brings opportunity. While I’m waiting for the phone to ring, I am enjoying some practice time on guitar and bass. Meedly meedly. I dusted off some jazz books and started working on standards. One of my upcoming goals is to learn a few Chet Atkins tunes for the 1 Uppers. I’m starting to put some material together for recording purposes and hopefully will be able to complete some tracks next month.
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Last week I began sharpen up my resume and deliver it to selected potential employers. I have a strong sense of the kind of work I’d like to do, and am targeting opportunities that are aligned with my values. So far the reception is good, and while I have plenty of freelance work if I should choose that route, I’m looking forward to getting back to a standard 40 hour week. Being laid off last week was a big unpleasant surprise. I’ve heard from many people who are offering encouragement and job leads, and I appreciate both!
I just finished re-reading The Dinosaur Heresies: New Theories Unlocking the Mystery of the Dinosaurs and Their Extinction
by Robert Bakker. I’ve been reading his books for years and enjoying them. In The Dinosaur Heresies, Bakker challenges the orthodoxy surrounding dinosaur behavior and physiology; the most commons and incorrect misconception is the notion that dinosaurs were cold-blooded reptiles that sluggishly plodded through prehistoric dust. Through his careful and thorough rebuttal of the traditional palenontological view, Bakker correctly recasts most dinosaurs as warm-blooded, active hunters built for surprising strength and speed.
I especially enjoyed his detailed anatomical drawings comparing skeletal features of dinosaurs with modern analogs, demonstrating that the bone density and dimension makes a strong case for a new view. The book was originally published in 1986 and pulls together many of Bakker’s earlier work into a fairly cohesive case. Some of his earlier work in the field of Vertebrate Paleontology is leveraged here; in the 1970s he published an article in Scientific American called “A Cold Look at the Warm Blooded Dinosaurs”. This is considered one of the crucial moments in re-examining dinosaurs and certainly helped stimulate ongoing discussion about their life behavior.
As a dino geek, this book is fabulous bedtime reading. I delight both in Bakker’s descriptions of the dinosaurs and his writing style. The book is widely available in paperback and makes a good read. I actually dug up my college biology textbook and reviewed a few sections. Bakker could draw me back into the science field with this material, except paleontologists spend far too much time in the sun for my liking. Maybe I could be the first night paleontologist…
It’s been over a month since 80s Invasion played, and I was delighted to have this one on the books. We played at the annual Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center summer party. Just being around such wonderful people is inspiring, and the campus is beautiful. Playing outdoors is always a little dicey in the Northwest… at one point it looked as though it would rain on the uncovered stage. And then the sun came out it was hot. And then the clouds came back. And finally, it did pour rain. Fortunately we were packed up by then.
We played really well. The level of musicianship in this band is very high, and it makes for a great time playing together. This was also the 80s Invasion first gig where I used my new Hot Rod Deluxe amp, which is turning out be a great part of my sound. The night before this gig I used the amp onstage for the first time, playing with The 1 Uppers. I’m impressed with the output and tone of the amp, and it make my setup time a bit shorter than with the Mesa/Boogie cabinets.
The next 80s Invasion gig is in a few weeks. I’m hoping we’ll find a night to practice up some new material and do a bit of polishing. We could really make this band into something amazing.
