You can't... But you do... Maybe you can?

Growing up, I was taught that "you can't judge a book by its cover."  And well, in my 23 years of existence, I've decided sometimes you have too, and sometimes you should... but not always.

Quick origin lesson:
Looking at the origin of the phrase I found that the phrase orientated in the US (kind of ironic... just me maybe?).  It was first documented in the journal 'American Speech.'  and has since appeared and been used lots and lots of times.  (somewhat legit source)

This common phrase came up in my life in the past week a lot.  Most recently the good old public library.  I regularly go the library, and sometimes think I'm the only one left in the world that does this.  I've never tried a Kindle, or any of the comparable, but at the same time I've never been drawn to the idea.   I like turning the pages, I like the whole experience of borrowing books, not knowing where they've been or will go, but taking them briefly on my journey! These things are what come back to the "judging a book by it's cover."  I look at the covers when I pick a book.  I look at the shiny new ones, then the worn and tattered ones.  It's always fun to have something new, but the worn and tattered, they must be good I always think, or they wouldn't be that way.  I go back and forth looking at graphic covers and plain ones with just text.  I like hoping I picked the right one (cause I won't just get the other ones on a different trip;) ).  I like judging the books by their cover, then forming my opinion after I'm done...

While you might not feel the same way about books as me, this next situation is more realistic to everyone's daily life.  I went with a friend to get a tattoo (not that part applies to everyone but bare with me!).  The tattoo artist is someone we know (and really good so get your tattoo's done by him!), so on a Friday night we went to the tattoo shop where he works.  Skulls, black crows, horror images adorn the shop.  Seems like a common atmosphere of a tattoo shop.  I had no issues with it, but looked around after an hour or so and observed the decor wasn't my style.  I engaged in conversation with the staff, even some customers!  (I was there probably 3-4 hours.)  I cringed and asked questions to the coolest piercer I've ever met, Joe, about all of his piercings and tattoos.  (I'm a major wimp when it comes to pain.)  Then as I was leaving, I joked with my friend, about how I never thought I'd spend a Friday night at a tattoo shop.  Not for any reason other than I have had no reason too!  The people there were some of the coolest. Their stories, their passion for what they do, it's awesome and admirable.  And I expected nothing less, however up till this point I hadn't put myself in a position to know that for sure.  I didn't judge the book by it's cover exactly, but I'm not naive in that people don't. This book, each other, I think people most often judge. Not always intentionally, but if someone/something is different than us, we automatically form an opinion. For better or worse...

Finally.  The biggest challenge I've been facing is my career search.  While yes I'm working, I still am searching for that PR career.  The hard part I've found is finding entry-level positions.  I've often found myself applying for jobs where I barely meet the minimum years of experience.  The job search I know is ALL about judging a book by it's cover.  There are tons of resources to help you perfect your resume, so your 'book' gets the judges attention.  And there are even more tips on how to dress, what to say in the first :30 seconds, how to even shake the interviewers hand.  These are ways to influence their initial judgement.  One of the most important decisions for a lot of people, and it's all based off the first impression, a piece of paper, and what someone else thinks of them...

The examples of judging books by their cover are probably endless, some good instance and some bad.  A lot of the instances, while we try not to judge, it's almost ingrained in us to.  A sort of survival mode where you have to see where you rank in comparison to your surroundings.  Since everyone forms those initial opinions it becomes not about them, but about not letting that opinion direct subsequent opinions.  I mean really, if the first time you came across my blog you read the title and saw I spelled cake with a 'k' and let that stop you from coming back, you probably wouldn't be enjoying me so much now! ;)

-M

Little of this and that

I don't blog just to blog.  And I don't blog just to get noticed.  I try and blog because I think I might have a relevant/interesting story or opinion on a topic.  One I hope creates conversation somewhere if not with me...

That being said, I haven't blogged in a while, sorry if that disappoints anyone.  I've had some ideas of things to write about, but nothing that jumped out at me as immediately worth anyone's time to read.  But yet here I am writing that statement, making you consider is this even worth your time...hmmm....

So this post is simply a check-in with a short story I wanted to share.  I'm still on the job hunt, and in my last monthly NRY update I put about how I'm attempting to connect with people more, and posted positions only where applicable.  Well I've made another list.  And this one has me really excited!  I was getting a little disheartened with the amount of time I've been able to put into looking for jobs (refer back to My Other Job post from Nov.).  I've skipped two career fairs in the past month because I couldn't force myself to go just to say I went, when in all reality there wasn't a company or job at either that I was interested in.  So back to this new list.  I was going through an old internship list for all fields in Communication, and I wrote (not literally since we type everything... but it sounds silly to say I typed...) down all of the companies in Pittsburgh area that I haven't yet looked into.  I got really excited because I realized there were so many companies that I've overlooked or forgot about!  I also noted other companies in areas outside of Pittsburgh, but I would definitely say my search has been back to being centered there for a few months now.


To wrap up and not keep this going to long, I'm excited for my list!  Such a simple concept!  Now here are some of those topics that I considered blogging about but just haven't gotten to or had enough to say...

Taco Bells crisis diverted - Nice job I thought

NYTimes use of Twitter (Article on NFL negotiations) - this is great considering back in Jan. I questioned the use of twitter handles as a source (A Handle that's Credible?)

And finally, I just want to say how impressed I am once again with Domino's commercials and effective use of PR.  I haven't tried the boneless wings yet (I plan to), and honestly I haven't tried their pizza since they revamped it (I'm told I don't even know what Domino's is since I haven't tried it).  Well their new boneless wings campaign has them asking the customer if they "did it right" on the box!  While who knows how many people really will respond, I love the creativity and simplicity of it!  Kudos Domino's.