Subject: Re: The World of PPC, Part II
Author:
Posted on: 2013-12-14 00:59:00 UTC
Oops, hit that "post reply" button a bit too quickly there. As I was saying,
a lawyer, an analytical chemist, and a professional editor. And yes, we have our fair share of college students.
So allow me to ask: What other occupations are represented here in the PPC?
At the risk of sounding ignorant, I am willing to hazard the guess that the stereotypical PPCer is a twenty-something college student (which obviously gives him or her the maturity and a greater command of the English language that the tween- and teen-aged stereotypical Suethor lacks). However, it is starting to become very clear that not everyone here is a college student: we have a lawyer, a
...back in my day (which was ten years ago, mind you) it was mostly teenagers, but there were quite a few 20-somethings as well, and older.
I'm past university now, but then again I'm no longer an active member of the board, so I clearly don't count. :P
The idea that 'we're better at writing than badfic authors because we're older!' is, um, kind of rubbish. The average age of the Board has mostly kept step with the age of the people who've been here all along. So where PPCers used to be mostly between 14 - Kaitlyn, for instance - and 18 - me - nowadays, we're mostly in our twenties. There's always been something of a spread (we had people with grown children even right back at the start), but we've all grown older.
And, funnily enough, at least a few of the people back in '04 could write anyway... ;)
(Although I don't recall you ever writing much, BiD...)
hS
I graduate in May.
I've also volunteered in a paleontology lab, worked at a renaissance faire, written for the school paper, run my university's writing club, and done a bunch of random stuff that gives me some knowledge of various topics. :D
Given that I missed up the posting please reply to my reply a few posts down. That way, I can be sure that you've read the entirety of what I intended to say.
Just helping some little kids get into Maths really. When I graduate I'm looking at starting up a full Tutoring service, but until then I'll work for KUMON.
Storme Hawk
As I've mentioned several times since joining I am planning on writing a Trilogy of books, Book 1 of which is currently under slow construction. I've been planning for 5 years and actually writing for 3, I'm currently on my 5th (I think) incarnation, and it's the first one I'm really, truly happy with and can actually see where it's going.
Storme Hawk
Let me guess: You're British, aren't you?
...I'll be a musician once I get out. Hell, I've already built a bit of experience doing opera pit, so... We'll see.
Oops, hit that "post reply" button a bit too quickly there. As I was saying,
a lawyer, an analytical chemist, and a professional editor. And yes, we have our fair share of college students.
So allow me to ask: What other occupations are represented here in the PPC?
No it's not a Time Lord (although it could well be), it basically means that I design/measure/assess things involving sound or vibration in the built environment). It's rather varied, ranging from things like designing a concert hall, opera house, lecture theatre, recording studio etc (I've literally just got home from doing some late night noise measurements for a new live music venue I'm designing), through things like making sure that acoustic privacy/confidentiality is maintained in buildings (very important for law firms offices and medical examination rooms, for example) all the way to noise in the environment, eg working out the height of a noise barrier needed to reduce noise from a motorway or designing an outdoor music venue so that it's not too loud at the neighbours. It also involves some really weird work, like the time I had to assess whether cuttlefish would go deaf as the result of construction of a new shipping pier!!!
How did I get into a fairly-unusual career? I studied mechanical engineering and I've been a musician for the last 20-odd years; acoustics seemed like a good way to combine my interests.
Elcalion
Random info: I have a flash patch on my coat that says Evil Librarian. So if I ever fall through a plothole into the PPC, I should be right at home.
I’m not, I’m a software engineer.
HG, retreating under his Invisibility cloak
Though the thread was originally your newbie thread, note that I linked directly to the post where I signed off as sonofheaven176,Esq. Translation: I'm the lawyer that I was referring to.
Software engineer, you say? For whom?
I’m working for a very small German manufacturer of customized business software, and I’m under the Invisibility Cloak because
- a standardized application will become dysfunctional at the end of the year for reasons nobody bothered to tell me
- the rollout of a potential substitute purchased from a global player is delayed, again for reasons nobody bothered to tell me
- so now an application which is fortunately maintained by people with very short response times needs to be extended to do a job it was never intended to do.
We are quite busy these days.
HG
That's basically a fancy way of saying a high school that decided non-AP class options were not any kind of options at all. I'm approximately sixteen years old and swamped with work. I am currently attempting to decide whether I want to become a book editor or a foreign service official. In whatever free time I have, I enjoy co-writing, acting, doodling, learning new languages, and dabbling in pretty much everything I can.
However, much of the free time I have amounts to nil, as I barely have enough hours to fit in some semblance of a sleep schedule. My surroundings on a day to day basis are composed of crying peers, people sleeping on textbooks, tiny lockers, gigantic backpacks, and one dark room that smells vaguely of pigeon faeces that has been lovingly dubbed, "the dungeon". Nevertheless, I enjoy it, which may say quite a bit about me in and of itself.
And I used to be a hostess, but that's a different story.
I went in for International Relations but I really like Cinema and Media Studies soooooo...
Never, ever major in Cinema and Media Studies. Never minor in Cinema and Media Studies. Never get any form of degree in Cinema and Media Studies. Why? Because although it is fun, it is totally, completely, unnecessary. If you want to become a critic, go for something like journalism, or history, or sociology, or something along those lines. After that, watch some movies, write some reviews, do some analysis, then show people that you can, indeed, analyze media. If you do well, someone will hire you. Am I saying to drop the class now? No. It's fun, fills up some time, and is really very interesting. However, I don't want to see your talent wasted.
Now, I don't know much about you, but looking at your writing and seeing what you went to college for originally, I'm going to say this too: Don't settle for what's fun. Fun courses are the trap of college. Sure, philosophy is great fun, but what can you do with it? Yes, acting is a blast, but what about that degree will make a director pick you over any of the thousands of people trying out? Absolutely, communications is a hoot, but... Oh wait...
The point is, you have a talent for writing. You have a way of getting into people's heads. You have a clear, deep-seeded love not only for England, but for other cultures around the world. Your love for Great Britain is so great, many people think you are from there. If you want to go into International Relationships and represent a company or the government to other nations, then by God, do so. Those jobs are hard to do, but they are some of the most fulfilling jobs out there. You contribute to society, using your skills to their best. Don't settle for something fun. Work for something you can use.
I'm sorry if that seemed uncalled for or something, but... Well, I'm only in High School, but I have heard a lot of stories from those who went for the fun degrees. There are also success stories, but there are so, so many more that are not. Just... Be careful.
I do like IR, for what it's worth. The problem is, I hate econ.
Like, seriously. Econ is required for the major in IR here, and I just can't be bothered to deal with it. I want to write, but I don't want to write essays. Sure, okay, fine, I've gotta take plenty of classes that require essays, but I'm not so entirely sure if I want to major in something with a component that just gives me a certain amount of pain just thinking about it.
And actually, I want to be a screenwriter. I want to write the movies that people are complaining aren't happening right now because the mainstream media are too scared to do something 'risky'. The only thing I'm really interested in in regards to IR at the moment is the bombs aspect, because the study of aerial bombardment and national security raises a lot of questions about inequality, and I can handle that. The econ side just goes horrendously over my head.
And in terms of jobs in IR? As you've pointed out, the only country in which I'd be of any use is Great Britain, and maybe some French-speaking countries. But I'm terrible at representing countries and companies, and I sure as hell can't stand up on a stage and spout all of that military-industrial/Westphalian/western horsecrap that they teach most students of IR. I don't like saying things that go against my personal morals. I can't tell the people in the countries the US is bombing right now that it's necessary that we do it because we gotta flush out the terrorists. No. It just makes me mad thinking about it.
I haven't made a decision, but whatever it is, I'm sure as heck not going to do something that'll make me scream with boredom or frustration.
Though I do feel a little silly, now having more information. My point, however, still stands. However, I was also told, and believe, that one should not go for something that they hate. Do something you not only love, but can use. If you can't, it is a waste of your money and time.
Well, now that I know why you want to leave IR, I can't exactly say you are throwing your life away. If it is that bad for you, then look for something else. Still, I do think some of that attitude is needed in IR. If there is not somebody calling put people on the inside, then excuses will be very quickly made. Somebody needs to sympathize with those being damaged. After all, people are more willing to work with those who agree, right? Do it well, and do it right, and you can still keep your job and morals. Just push through the boring Econ. ;P
So, you want to be a screenwriter, eh? Alright, I can see that. Still, I would not do the Film Studies just for that. Take the class, learn as much as you can about writing, and then write as many scripts as you can in your off time. Bother filmmakers, be it independent or Hollywood, and eventually somebody will take the script. Just be warned that screenwriters are almost always freelance, even in television. Indeed, I only say 'almost,' because I think some writers do manage to stay with only one company, though that is very, very rare. It's hardly a stable job, I'll say that, but can be fun and fulfilling. Have you considered teaching? The summers off would be a great time to write and send your scripts while still having a stable job to fall back onto. That and you would be one of the coolest English teachers ever, I'm sure of it.
Actually, speaking of learning as much as you can about writing, let me ask this: Have you taken any Technical Writing classes, in College or High School? I suggest that you do, even if you don't go for the degree. It helps with any writing, and is a highly sought-after skill. Definitely minor material at least, if you like it.
...OK, my curiosity is piqued. As a potential actor,* I have to know what some of your script ideas are. Even if it's not a full script, a pitch will do, I'm interested in hearing a little more.
*Yes, I know the hypocrisy in that statement. The difference is, I am not silly enough to go for an Acting major. I'm currently thinking Communications, with a strong chance of going into Education instead. All depends on what happens when I get there.
I know some writers already, but like I said, I'm just starting out in college and there's a lot of time for me to actually figure out what the hell I want to do. I might even end up doing both CAMS and IR, just because.
Well, it's my current ambition to write a Star Trek screenplay that actually knows what it's doing to the TOS canon. It'd involve the mirrorverse, too.
Barring that, of course, I have vague ideas of red strings of fate and fantasy lands that involve people of colour, and a reverse Bechdel test thing where the female characters carry on the plot while the male characters only talk about the female characters. And something that involves attractive male actors being subjected to what is traditionally known as the 'male gaze' and getting picked off just to further the character development of the female characters (mostly because why not have Robert Downey Jr. in soft-focus).
I like it! It would be rather awkward for most people to watch, but not necessarily in a bad way. Usually that material lends itself to parody, but if written well enough, and handled by a competent director, it could be a cool film without being for laughs. Although, I hesitate to see how the one where males are stuck under the Female Gaze could be anything other then fricking hilarious.
Hmm. Do I sense some resentment towards the new Star Trek movies? Honorable goal, I assure you, but I would sooner see a Next Generation movie then another TOS reboot, but that's just me. Though, I must admit, a large part of why is because I want to see John De Lancie play Q on the big screen. Yes, I know he is much older now. I do not care. Heck, I would not care if they were to replace Q with some weird chimera dragon thing, I just want to see it!
Well, no matter what you do, I shall wait for your first big breakthrough with high hopes and good wishes, no matter where that is.
I want the chance to work with this batch of perfectly-casted dorks (well, except Cumbers, but he's a wonderful person despite, you know, being the wrong race for Khan). Which is probably why I still want to work with TOS Reboot.
Robert Downey Jr. in soft focus, though. And covered in kittens.
...I kinda want the reboot cast to do a TV seres.
Think about it! As a reboot of TOS, this new Star Trek could do whatever it wants! If they want to do original stories, fine, they can do that, it's a new universe. If they want to do classic TOS episodes with some twists, fine they can do that, it's an alternate timeline. If they want to completely redo old episodes with new technology, fine, they can do that, it's still TOS! Plus, due to restricted budget, those darned Lens Flares would be dramatically reduced, and they would have to rely on good prop making over grand CGI. The writers would have almost complete creative freedom, as long as they were consistent with the characters and stayed with the tone of their new seres. What are the downsides?
Oh, right. The fanbase that would murder anybody that even dares suggest that they could do anything better then the original seres. *sigh* Someday...
But Reboot Star Trek has so much potential to be even more progressive than TOS, if not as progressive. It's got updated information about space and life out there in the universe and it's got social problems and a new set of international relations issues to address under the allegory of finding new civilisations. It's got the ability to update the looks of the aliens, so they don't all look humanoid. It's got the freedom to allow practically any character to fall in love with any other character without as many repercussions. KIRK AND SPOCK COULD ACTUALLY BECOME A THING, INSTEAD OF BEING RELEGATED TO IMPLICATIONS VIA THE WORD T'HY'LA.
It's got so much to work with, and the films just decide to go for revenge and making Jim Kirk look like a total arse.
Well...Mostly agree. While I am more then fine with having a gay couple on the Enterprise, I just... I can't support Kirk/Spock. I'm sorry, I can't, especially this new Kirk. He is just far too interested in women to be gay. In my eyes, that man is straiter then a 2X4. I guess he could be bisexual, maybe, but it just does not feel right to me. I have, and will, support slash pairings, if it feels like the character would act in that way.
I'm not going to get on this tirade now, especially since I actually am a progressive-minded individual, but... Can't two people just be friends without everybody squealing because, "Look at how much in love they are! Because they are close as friends means they have to want more from each other!" Yes, I am calling out both slash and het out on this, though most of my ire is pointed towards slash. It seems like friendship is treated as a barrier from the true, raw passion of "love." Do I need to teach everybody Platonic Love 101? Or Just Being Friends is OK?
...I'm sorry about that. It's fictional characters and our love for them, I know. It's just that romance is one of my pet peeves. Done right, I'm fine with it. I roll my eyes because I am not interested in reading romance, but fine. Just romance for the sake of romance though, or messing with the minds of characters so they can have teh hawt seqx, often sends me ranting, especially if it is changing sexual orientation. I don't really know why either, it just does.
On a completely different note, yay, I'm glad you agree with the seres! Now to see if Hermione has anything to add...
Here I am!
As for a new Star Trek series...well, I have some strong opinions about how everyone's so obsessed with reboot. Not that there's anything wrong with that
I also feel like it's not right to make so much bromance and subtext and then pull a huge No Homo out of nowhere with such couples like Spirk and Johnlock. That sort of thing (called queerbaiting, if you wanted to know), is just... wrong.
And I am fine with them being not sexually attracted, but I feel like there's still at least a deep friendship/emotional connection that they've gotta have, with the whole t'hy'la thing. Kirk and Spock love each other in more ways than one because of t'hy'la, and I just wish the writers of the Reboot could actually understand that.
And don't even get me started on the shitty way the Reboot's treated Bones's role in the triumvirate. Kirk and Spock love him too, even if it's in a sorta 'look, Spock and Bones are the only reason Kirk's even alive because he does dumb things' sorta way.
"[...] and a reverse Bechdel test thing where the female characters carry on the plot while the male characters only talk about the female characters. And something that involves attractive male actors being subjected to what is traditionally known as the 'male gaze' and getting picked off just to further the character development of the female characters [...]"
Isn't that just taking most films we see nowadays and re-casting all the male actors as women (and vice-versa)?
...treatment, at that.
The thing, it isn't enough just to say, let's genderbend Sherlock and Watson or Spock and Kirk. Male characters getting genderswapped via actors still forward male characters.
I kinda wanted to build from the ground up, with females of all shapes and sizes and ability levels and races, and females that are only females in a technical sense.
If I were in charge of a big-budget, popular franchise movie, I wouldn't really overthink it.
I'd just go ahead with a cool story with action, adventure, people being okay with each other's differences, and not too much romance. Why ogle your actors when you can have...
*clears throat, epic booming announcer voice*
EPIC SPACE BATTLES WITH LASERS AND EXPLOSIONS AND EPIC TACTICAL MANEUVERS IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ENVIRONMENT OR *inhales* PIRATES AND DARING BOARDING MANEUVERS AND CURSED TREASURES OR DUELS AT HIGH NOON WITH GIANT SUITS OF POWERED ARMOUR OR TIME TRAVEL OR *wheezy inhale* KNIGHTS FIGHTING HYDRAS AND MINOTAURS AND DRAGONS AND *passes out from lack of air*
...also, how can one be "only female in a technical sense"? Are you referring to transsexuals or am I misinterpreting your statement?
And genderfluid/agender people who might happen to physically be female.
The problem is, not thinking about it would mean that the people in the big ol' franchise can get away with perpetuating the same story with a slightly different tweak. I mean come on, the Reboot Star Trek movies were just two giant revenge flicks. That's... kinda boring? Even with explosions and space jumps and Benedict Cumberbatch in swishy grey coat?
I want epic space battle as much as you, but I also want to make sure people are getting represented in this space epic.
I do agree representation is important. On the other hand, if we staple a ton of labels on a character and say: "Look! Representation!" we run the risk of creating a special snowflake-type token minority. Perhaps we can have the current Enterprise bridge crew encounter an Unfortunate Accident and replace them with a more diverse cast?
Eheheheheheh.... *rubs hands* That's spinoff material actually. Just imagine:
>The Adventures of the USS Foucault, Newton-class starship
>TOS/TNG-style episodes with New!Trek visuals and CG
>Captain Nada Hassan, Muslim woman originally from Beirut, Lebanon.
>First Officer Cmdr. Marcel Côté, mixed-ancestry (Caucasian-Vietnamese) Québecois man.
>Ensign Helga Davydova, of Kiev, Ukraine. Helmsman of the Foucault and pursuing a romantic relationship with...
>Ensign Maria Ramos, of Córdoba, Argentina, the ship Navigator.
>CMO is Dr. Mc Vulcannamesomething
>Lt. Mc Andoriannamesomething as Comms Officer.
I have to admit that I don't really really like New!Trek. Everything is about Kirk and his Popular-With-The-Ladies, Brash Hot-Headed Male Protagonist ActTM or Spock blowing a fuse and learning that feels can be okay sometimes.
I agree the revenge plots are really annoying. Where's the exploration? Where's the unknown? Where's the (pseudo) science?
Seriously though, they messed up the warp scale in New!Trek. Suddenly Earth-Vulcan or Earth-Cronos trips are a matter of minutes? Gimme a break. Not to mention that the Alternate Universe Constitution-class cruiser bloody well dwarfs a Galaxy-class ship:
Nnnngh. And don't even get me started on the size of the USS Vengeance.
Where basically the crew of the starship in question was mostly non-human. The funniest bit was the Klingon Chief Medical Officer.
"What do you mean you're hurt? You aren't dead yet, so get back out there with a phaser!"
I can just imagine the CMO with a slightly worrying case of bloodlust.
Well, minus the cheesy fake German accent, that is.
By they way, have you ever seen/played FTL: Faster Than Light? It's an awesome indie game available on Steam that lets you command a starship, almost Star Trek style.
I'm 14 year old. Physically, at least. I've been mistaken for a Harvard Freshman (I'm in 9th grade) and the oldest age people have thought I am is 28.
I want to be some sort of scientist. And, also, I currently have a girlfriend (and she is fantastic, omygod) who is... who is fantastic.
I know I don't really have an occupation, but I guess I could say poet and fanfiction writer. Yeah...
Mostly Sherlock.
I manage a drop-off store for a local dry cleaners. I don't do the actual cleaning; they tried to talk me into learning that and taking over one of the cleaning plants, but chemical fumes + contact lenses = problems*. Though, I've been in the plants enough that I can do very basic spotting.
For the most part, my job is basic customer service. I take the customer's clothes, check them for anything that will take extra care (or that we can't do at all), and write up the invoice. When the customer comes back in, I take payment and hand over the clothes.
I also do minor repair work, rather than send it out to our seamstress. I don't have a sewing machine here, but I'm pretty good at handsewing.
And of course, there's the usual manager-type stuff. Not hiring, that's run through the main office. But I order supplies and do the daily and weekly reports.
---
* It turned out that the reason my eyes were burning every time I pulled a load out of the cleaning machine was the plant manager I was working with at the time was ripping off the company. He'd reopen the plant after we'd closed for the day, and use the equipment and solvents for his own dry cleaning business, pocketing all the cash. But to cover this up, he couldn't change the filters as often as he should have, meaning more chemical fumes in the air. I'm a little cautious about my eyesight, though, so I might have turned down plant manager training even if I'd been working with someone honest.
I work for a company that mostly does business telecommunications stuff; specifically, a side-project of theirs, which is a VoIP application for computers and mobile devices. My job is to answer customer questions and help troubleshoot when problems occur.
Technically I'm a contractor, not an employee, which means they don't have to give me benefits or direct deposit my checks or any of that fancy stuff, which is kind of a drag. However, there are many reasons my job is awesome:
1. It's all online, so I never have to talk to (or be shouted at by) anyone on the phone or face to face.
- 1.2 I can work from anywhere there's a decent Internet connection, so I can travel freely and still get paid.
2. I get paid rather well.
3. It's mostly the same questions/problems over and over, which means I can work efficiently and get done quickly.
4. My one coworker, who set me up to get the job in the first place, is a former PPCer and a friend. We cooperate well, so if one of us has another commitment or wants to go to a con or something, the other a) understands why that would be a thing, and b) is generally willing and able to take the extra hours.
I wish I got more work hours in a day, but it's a pretty sweet gig.
~Neshomeh
I'm a soldier in the IDF's C4I Corps. I can't really say what I'm doing, it's highly classified.
Dem coputar teknitins 'rom dem forine nations 're allwas tryin to spy on us! Were dis from anywase...
... Isrieal? Well I'll be darnd. N'vr mind den. Mov' allong.
*I got mah gun sighs on you...*
Now, Isrieal, give it back...
"MEEEEEP!" *sigh* *sigh* *sigh*
Everyone get down! He'll depress us all!
*sigh* *sigh* *sigh*
(Yes, I know what you meant. But "gun sighs" coupled with "Isireal" was... stimulating. Is that the word? I think that's the word. "Inspiring" might work, but it means something slightly different.)
(stares over at Isireal and Isrieal) This is just not my day.
Oh, crap, Isireal has another sighing gun! Get down! They now have double the depression-producing power!
*sigh* *sigh* *sigh*
*sigh* *sigh* *sigh*
I'm hit! I'm hit! I... (sobs) I've failed you all!
I'll be happy to take them off your hands, if you want. You can keep the sighing guns, though ;)
Wait, no, hey, I'm nice, don't shoot me, nooooo...
*is hit*
*bursts into angsty rant that comes close to giving Bella Swan a run for her money...but is less purple*
(Isireal is making me think 'is-it-real' or 'is-he-real', by the way, whereas Isrieal sounds vaguely like an angel name...that's it, someone suggest it to the SPN writers, half their angel names don't originally belong to angels anyway (at least as far as I'm aware--seriously, Zachariah? Naomi? Ezekiel? King or prophet, Ruth's mother-in-law, and prophet. Kind of ridiculous...and rather funny...) Seriously, what's up with that? Has anyone ever asked them? If so, I'd like to be directed to the answer, please.)
~DF
I would have thought that the awful spelling due to over-the-top accent would have tipped you off. Seriously, what were you two—
I'm doing it again, aren't I? I'm being unintentionally rude. You know, that's not usually me. Being rude and not-ginger. I'm usually nice and sorta-ginger. See, my hair is a orangish-mostly-brown kinda brown in most lights, but if it is shown in just the right light, it bursts into a brilliant orange. Well, that and me beard is more red then the rest of my hair. So that's kinda awesome.
Anyway, what were we talking about?
*pointed at by sighing gun*
...Oh. Right. HELP! HELP! MY ACCENT-CREATED MINI AND GUN ARE ON A RAMPAGE! HELLLLP!!!
*Marvin portals in with large box on wheels*
Marvin: Alright everybody, take a seat. I got this.
World-Jumper: AAHHHH!! WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?
Marvin: Oh, it's nothing special. Just Vinyl's Bass Cannon!
Isrieal & Isireal: NOOOOoooo...!
Sighing Guns: *sigh* *!* *yay!*
World-Jumper: (walks over to guns and Marvin) ...Huh. Interesting.
Marvin: Yeah. Who knew Bass Cannons made sighing guns yay guns?
World-Jumper: Well, thanks for saving me, I guess.
Marvin: No problem.
World-Jumper: Oh, before you go, can I ask where you got that thing?
Marvin: Oh, this? Apparently the darn thing got so popular in badfic featuring Vinyl Scratch that clones were made. As it is technically uncanon, I was allowed to take one. Now, may I ask a question?
World-Jumper: Sure.
Marvin: When is that mission going to be finished?
World-Jumper: ...Give me that cannon, and get out.
Marvin: Oh come on! I just got that— *portaled back to RC*
World-Jumper: Hmph. Asking me when his mission is finished after 8 months. How rude. *looks at Bass Cannon* ... Well this is a fun little toy... Hehehehe...
That...
That...
That is THE COOLEST THING EVER
I spend my days producing the 3D CAD models and associated drawings that go out to subcontractors for manufacture.
It also means that I can use the CAD software in my lunchbreaks, so I currently have a virtual chessboard, and have previously created models of various spacecraft.
Although now that the idea is in my head, I may have found something new to do during my lunchbreaks.
what does "CAD" stand for, in the context of your post?
For some reason, it didn't occur to me that 'CAD' has a different specific meaning over here.
In the context of my day job, CAD stands for Computer Aided Design - which basically just means that I produce technical drawings using a piece of software rather than pen and paper.
Not quite a zookeeper yet, but I think I have a good chance of getting one of the new openings within the next year-ish. Right now, I work as an attendant at the petting zoo, stingray touch tank, and invertebrate touch tank. I also volunteer with some of the zookeepers on off days, so I still get to do zookeepery stuff. (My goal is to maximize animal interaction, minimize customer relations interaction.
When I say 'again', I mean I've returned to get a secondary degree/technical certificate that'll give me the training I need to get moving towards an actual career in my chosen field.
I've recently (within the last two weeks) become a debt recovery agent, which basically means calling people on behalf of the company's clients and asking them to please repay their debts, and helping them do so in a way that won't make things worse. Still in training at the moment, but I hope to do some good once they let me loose.
(Before that I was part of the group often regarded by snobs as a drain on society and useless trash - in other words, unemployed and on government benefits.)
Well, that's what the certificate says anyway.
It exactly says "Specialized rotary wing aircraft assembly line technician" or something like that (I'm translating the title from Italian, and some stuff in it isn't exactly translatable.)
Which is just a fancy way to say that I can work on an aircraft assembly line.
Currently unemployed, but things should change soon, hopefully.
...which means I do homework all day, every day.
I'm also an aspiring astronomer, 'cause space is cool.
Sights like the Carina nebula are things that I wouldn't mind looking at all day long...
Picture credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team.
Looking at the night sky is honestly something. Fills me with a sense of wonder. Like "what is out there?" and "will we get up there?".
The Emperor... already conquered the galaxy so he knows I guess.
Neat, isn't it? This is a picture of the US East Coast.
New York City and Long Island are over on the right side of the picture.
Picture credit: NASA, International Space Station Expedition 30.
I'm actually a 14-year old high school student who is an aspiring writer.
The Emperor Protects!
Greetings, fellow young PPCer :)
I'm in 7th Grade.
A writer? Me?
Well, actually, this year I'm on the editing staff, which upgrades the job from a class, to... well, a job, with a ridiculously low paycheck. When the year's over, I'm going to quit the editing and go back to reporting; editing is not nearly as much fun as writing news.
...theatre professional by night.
Yeah, I run the print shop and mailroom for a company in downtown Chicago. I produce and send out various promotional materials for the company. When I'm not doing that, I function as a handy-man. I run around fixing printers and the soda machine and whatever else needs fixing. I'm also in charge of making sure supplies get ordered so we have coffee (run out of coffee and there will be a mutiny), paper, and the like. I pretty much keep the office running.
I am also a member of a theatre company. I've been the Company Manager there for a couple of years, though I am stepping down from that after the first of the year. I do a little of everything: acting, stage management, house management, basic tech, and directing (though I am new to that one).
-Phobos, jack of all trades
Though I have aspirations to become a librarian.
-Aila
...which is a fancy way of saying 'unemployed for about 95% of the time.' My only other major thing right now is my website, where I review games and applications for the iOS in both written and video form.
Am I right?
Could be that I'm a cynic with no money. Could be that I'm not a very good cynic. Could be that it was a name kept over from a previous project that was a hoighty-toighty reference to Poor Richard's Almanac.
So which one is it? I (obviously) guess that it was the first one (cynic with no money), but that last one is oddly specific.
I made up the name for a blog project that didn't get off the ground. I liked the name, so I decided to keep it. It's not the only one I use now, but it's still good.
I'm one of the younger ones here, which means I've just graduated from primary school. Er, and I haven't hit my 12th birthday yet. Soooooo...
~Autumn
as well. Or may be not, considering how old I am. I might change that anytime.
~Autumn
However, once I get into the work force, I hope to be doing something having to do with presentation and using my speaking voice. Perhaps voice acting, perhaps teaching, perhaps representing a company, or a safety man, or...
...Well, let's just say I'm keeping my options open. If I become a teacher, I hope it's social studies and/or history. We will see what happens.