My Political Views
I am a center-left social libertarian
Left: 2.03, Libertarian: 6.63
Political Spectrum Quiz
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Political Spectrum Quiz Results
Much to my surprise, I'd consider this pretty accurate.
My Political Views
I am a center-left social libertarian
Left: 2.03, Libertarian: 6.63
Political Spectrum Quiz
My Political Views
I am a center-left social libertarian
Left: 2.03, Libertarian: 6.63
Political Spectrum Quiz
Sunday, September 28, 2008
the art of being both helpful and insulting at the same time
Oh how I loved the Character & Fitness Interview last Thursday!
Sarcasm.
Briefly, my goal was to the leave the interviewer with this question lingering (unanswered) in her head: "Was that guy just hard to get along with... or was he actually insulting me the whole time?"
Mission accomplished. After loading up a coffee cup with two complimentary espresso shots, making certain that my heart would explode if/when any additional stress was placed on it during our interview... Here's a sample of our Q&A's:
Q: "Are you currently employed?"
A: No, not at the moment.
Q: "Are you hoping to work with a firm?"
A: Yes, a firm or some other entity that practices law. I'm trying not to limit myself at the moment.
Q: "How are you going about trying to get a job?"
A: Well, I'm trying to show the people who work at firms that I work harder and have better qualifications than other applicants for the position.
Q: "You know the job market is really bad right now don't you?"
A: Really, and I mean this... thanks for this pep-talk.
Q: "Have you heard about the positions with the State as mediators? They barely require that you have a JD."
A: Apparently, there's a hiring freeze, due to some type of tax, money, issue-thingy that I find quite complicated. Also, I'm hoping that my actual JD will come in handy... I studied a lot to get it.
Q: "I see you have ADHD, do you have any other issues?"
A: I stubbed my toe recently.
Q: "No, I mean mental health issues."
A: None that have been diagnosed.
[Fortunately, I stopped myself from mentioning rage, homicidal thoughts, and a few others that were running through my head at that moment.]
Q: "Are you depressed?"
A: At the moment?
[Looks off toward the window, pondering...]
Q: "No, I mean have you been diagnosed with Depression?"
A: Not before today.
Q: "Do you have any questions for me?"
A: Will you all validate my parking?
In all honesty, about 90% of the above is true. Just insert a smile and a kind tone to all the obviously insulting parts - and deadpan tone for all the others. Yep, that's what happens when some [Big, National Firm's] attorney gets to decide whether or not I get a law degree... when her firm decided 2 years ago that I wasn't worthy of an interview for a summer associate position with their firm.
This post is copied from an email that I traded with a buddy who is still waiting for his C&F Interview. His response was: "Wow! That sounded like a great time, and it seems she managed to try to be helpful and insulting all at the same time." Hence, the title of this post.
Sarcasm.
Briefly, my goal was to the leave the interviewer with this question lingering (unanswered) in her head: "Was that guy just hard to get along with... or was he actually insulting me the whole time?"
Mission accomplished. After loading up a coffee cup with two complimentary espresso shots, making certain that my heart would explode if/when any additional stress was placed on it during our interview... Here's a sample of our Q&A's:
Q: "Are you currently employed?"
A: No, not at the moment.
Q: "Are you hoping to work with a firm?"
A: Yes, a firm or some other entity that practices law. I'm trying not to limit myself at the moment.
Q: "How are you going about trying to get a job?"
A: Well, I'm trying to show the people who work at firms that I work harder and have better qualifications than other applicants for the position.
Q: "You know the job market is really bad right now don't you?"
A: Really, and I mean this... thanks for this pep-talk.
Q: "Have you heard about the positions with the State as mediators? They barely require that you have a JD."
A: Apparently, there's a hiring freeze, due to some type of tax, money, issue-thingy that I find quite complicated. Also, I'm hoping that my actual JD will come in handy... I studied a lot to get it.
Q: "I see you have ADHD, do you have any other issues?"
A: I stubbed my toe recently.
Q: "No, I mean mental health issues."
A: None that have been diagnosed.
[Fortunately, I stopped myself from mentioning rage, homicidal thoughts, and a few others that were running through my head at that moment.]
Q: "Are you depressed?"
A: At the moment?
[Looks off toward the window, pondering...]
Q: "No, I mean have you been diagnosed with Depression?"
A: Not before today.
Q: "Do you have any questions for me?"
A: Will you all validate my parking?
In all honesty, about 90% of the above is true. Just insert a smile and a kind tone to all the obviously insulting parts - and deadpan tone for all the others. Yep, that's what happens when some [Big, National Firm's] attorney gets to decide whether or not I get a law degree... when her firm decided 2 years ago that I wasn't worthy of an interview for a summer associate position with their firm.
This post is copied from an email that I traded with a buddy who is still waiting for his C&F Interview. His response was: "Wow! That sounded like a great time, and it seems she managed to try to be helpful and insulting all at the same time." Hence, the title of this post.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
turn your head and cough: preparing for my Character & Fitness Interview
People who know me best know when my actions are predictable. Such instances, of course, come at moments when anyone else (of sound mind) would know to conduct themselves appropriately. More specifically, when appropriate behavior is prescribed by the situation and dictated by ridiculous/bureaucratic/procedural norms. Well, I've got one of these very things coming up in the morning. At 8:30am, I sit for my Tennessee Board of Law Examiners Character & Fitness Interview... ugh.
It's important to note that the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners does not disclose, to an applicant, any information regarding what will be discussed during the interview. I have to guess what we'll be talking about! So you might understand seizing the opportunity to have the following conversation with the (very kind) legal assistant who called me to schedule the interview.
SCENE: Cell phone rings; the number is from a MAJOR national firm, we establish the time/location for the interviewer and then the following discussion takes place:
Assistant: "So do you have any questions?"
Tao: "Yes, a few. First, do I need to bring anything to the interview about my character... y'know, um, like... a Bible, personal references, a lie detector?"
Assistant [now attempting not to get sued for religious discrimination]: "The interviewer didn't request that you bring anything specifically, but you're free to bring, um... any instruments, well, books or information you think pertinent."
Tao: "Great, then I'll just do my best not to steal anything during the interview."
Tao: "What do I need to wear? I was thinking a suit and tie, but I need to be prepared for the '& Fitness' portion of my interview. Is there a place for me to change into gym clothes, or should I just wear comfortable shoes with my suit?"
Assistant: "What? No. No sir, 'Fitness' refers to your capacity to uphold the standards and professionalism of the profession. There's no running, just dress as you feel would be appropriate; that can be a suit or casual clothing."
Tao: "Well, this sounds much easier than what I'd imagined. [Name of major firm] is located downtown, correct?"
Assistant: "Yes, it's at the corner of [right, like I'm going to post that]."
Tao: "One final question. I'm driving there at 8:30am on Thursday to be questioned regarding my personal character, as to whether or not I'm capable of defending myself against any proclivities you've implied during my background check... so, will you all validate my parking?"
Assistant: "Yes."
At the end of the day, the situation appears to me as follows: With 5 years of undergraduate education, 3 years of law school, years of disclosed employment records, 6 personal references, and one summer spent studying for and taking an extremely nerve-racking Bar Exam complete... my entry into the legal profession depends primarily on whether I can make it through 15 minutes of an interview about my character without stealing something or using foul language.
God help me.
It's important to note that the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners does not disclose, to an applicant, any information regarding what will be discussed during the interview. I have to guess what we'll be talking about! So you might understand seizing the opportunity to have the following conversation with the (very kind) legal assistant who called me to schedule the interview.
SCENE: Cell phone rings; the number is from a MAJOR national firm, we establish the time/location for the interviewer and then the following discussion takes place:
Assistant: "So do you have any questions?"
Tao: "Yes, a few. First, do I need to bring anything to the interview about my character... y'know, um, like... a Bible, personal references, a lie detector?"
Assistant [now attempting not to get sued for religious discrimination]: "The interviewer didn't request that you bring anything specifically, but you're free to bring, um... any instruments, well, books or information you think pertinent."
Tao: "Great, then I'll just do my best not to steal anything during the interview."
Tao: "What do I need to wear? I was thinking a suit and tie, but I need to be prepared for the '& Fitness' portion of my interview. Is there a place for me to change into gym clothes, or should I just wear comfortable shoes with my suit?"
Assistant: "What? No. No sir, 'Fitness' refers to your capacity to uphold the standards and professionalism of the profession. There's no running, just dress as you feel would be appropriate; that can be a suit or casual clothing."
Tao: "Well, this sounds much easier than what I'd imagined. [Name of major firm] is located downtown, correct?"
Assistant: "Yes, it's at the corner of [right, like I'm going to post that]."
Tao: "One final question. I'm driving there at 8:30am on Thursday to be questioned regarding my personal character, as to whether or not I'm capable of defending myself against any proclivities you've implied during my background check... so, will you all validate my parking?"
Assistant: "Yes."
At the end of the day, the situation appears to me as follows: With 5 years of undergraduate education, 3 years of law school, years of disclosed employment records, 6 personal references, and one summer spent studying for and taking an extremely nerve-racking Bar Exam complete... my entry into the legal profession depends primarily on whether I can make it through 15 minutes of an interview about my character without stealing something or using foul language.
God help me.
Monday, September 15, 2008
my place amongst the great unwashed
Assume for a moment that you are a 27 year old, single male who has more academic experience than anyone should, and frustratingly fewer challenges than any passionate, inspired, and articulate individual desires. In other words, let's say you're highly educated, but unemployed and bored. You are now me.
After years of describing "bloggers" as unemployed, over-educated, passionately displaced individuals who should be more productive in society - that I now realize (through an uncomfortable moment of introspection) that my seat has been reserved at their lunch table for some time. Yes, today I've become a blogger (... again).
I suppose I should begin with an overly simplified introduction...
Hi, my name is Ben.
After years of describing "bloggers" as unemployed, over-educated, passionately displaced individuals who should be more productive in society - that I now realize (through an uncomfortable moment of introspection) that my seat has been reserved at their lunch table for some time. Yes, today I've become a blogger (... again).
I suppose I should begin with an overly simplified introduction...
Hi, my name is Ben.
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