No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on May 11, 2013

The other day it came out that the coach/savior of the Rutgers’ Basketball team lied on his Curriculum Vitae or CV as we call it in the academic biz. Some say that he didn’t lie but exaggerated his achievements. But I learned at the tender age of three that you don’t lie on your CV or pad it. His CV stated that he graduated from Rutgers, which a quick check of academic records AT Rutgers shows that he was a few credits short. Now we have a lot of back peddling on the topic from a lot of different corners of the sports world and the Internet.

I have a resume/CV that is all over the place. I actually could use some help to straighten it out into something that makes sense. I also have my stage management resume, my puppetry resume, and my editorial resume. Then there is the basic resume that covers all the things I have done and that puppy is long because I have done a lot of different jobs over the years. So many that I have forgotten some of the jobs I have held until reminded of it by others. There is also my artist resume and my puppet building portfolio.

This monstrous career set is all true. I have never lied or padded my resume. I have seen looks of disbelief on the faces of people who are interviewing me until they check it out and then they realize that I have done a lot in my almost 50 years on the planet especially between the age of 16 and 36.

If one lies on one’s resume/CV, it leads to questioning the rest of their character and what else might they be hiding behind the resume. And in this age of close to instant communication, it is easy to ferret out the fiction from fact. HR is looking at one’s Internet “footprint”.

Sure at the beginning of one’s work career, you don’t have much but as you go along you do amass experience and credit. And think about your other skill sets that might help in finding a job. Learning how to use various computer programs on your own is legit. Claiming to be an expert in a software program that you have general knowledge about is not cool.

Anything I have on my resume I have done and can probably give you some interesting tales about it.

I am grateful that I have such an eclectic work history.

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Posted By Kathleen David on May 10, 2013

The rain cleared right out and we have a lovely day outside. Even this morning Caroline didn’t need a jacket or even a light sweater to walk to the bus stop. Might get a bit warm later but right now it feels really nice.

I have “Couldn’t we ride?” from the Great Muppet Caper running through my head. That sequence was one of the toughest they had to film for that movie. Remember no CGI in that one. It was puppets and cinema tricks to create the illusion of all of them riding bicycles. It is a masterpiece of puppetry.

Today I pull out the Doctors and see if anyone needs repair from their last outing. I also need to find the lovely Time Lord Reunion sign that Janet Lee made for me for our previous performance. I think I know where it is but it might take a little looking.

I am thinking of taking a puppet or two to sell at Phoenix. Not sure if I am or not. Honestly don’t know if there would be any interest.

I do have a pretty clear idea of a couple of things I want to do for Dragon*Con this year. I just need to start producing them.

Caroline is working with the conductive properties of various metals in her science class. She is really interested in the topic.

Peter is working on the next issue of X-Factor. I can’t tell you anything about it but Wow! What an issue. This is gonna cause some message boards to light up.

I am grateful for people who understand what I am trying to say.

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Posted By Kathleen David on May 9, 2013

The rain has gotten the pollen off a lot of things. The runoff water is yellow with pollen as it goes to the ocean.

Today is an indoor day. There is not much that can be done outside in the rain. We do need it since April has been mostly dry which is unusual for this area. We are down rainfall by quite a bit. The winter was mostly dry as well.

I am plotting out the rest of the day. A couple of things changed around. Caroline’s flute lesson is today rather than on Monday. I don’t think she has Girl Scouts this week but I have to double check.

This weekend we have some plans but I hope to get some things down around here. Next weekend Ariel graduated from college and we have activities with that. I think we have a week between that Phoenix but maybe not. I honestly haven’t sat down with the calendar this month.

I can tell we are getting closer to the end of the school year. Our bowling leagues are wrapping up. Caroline’s activities are winding down except those that she does year round like Kung-Fu and Flute. Our afternoons and evenings are starting to free up.

Just in time for the end of the Fall/Winter/Spring TV season and the beginning of the summer TV season. Next week there are a lot of last episodes of seasons. We have had a couple of final episodes. It is interesting how the rise of cable has changed things on network TV as well. Seasons are different lengths. Some shows are 8-12 episodes in length. There are shows that don’t start up until January rather than September/October. They had to adapt because the cable networks were cutting into their ratings.

Allergy pressure is less today which is nice. Also not turbo sneezing is nice too.

Right now all the cats are in their usual spots getting ready for their morning nap. Stalin is curled up at my hip purring up a storm. That is my cue to get up and start doing something productive.

So here is to a productive day.

I am grateful for rain that brings the pollen count down from OMG to tolerable.

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Posted By Kathleen David on May 8, 2013

It is the high pollen season all around me. I have been using my allergy meds so it is not as bad as some years but it is still pretty powerful. Even with the protection, I am still feeling a little sniffy and my nasal passages are irritated.

I went through a number of pictures that I had and found this photo. The following picture was taken by Esther Friesner at some convention in Atlanta. Might have been a DragonCon or even World Horror. We don’t have our badges on so I can’t tell. I know it is post November 1993 because I have a Saltimbanco sweatshirt on and I saw that show in Atlanta.

Copyright Esther Friesner.
Neil, little Neil, and Me.
(For the VI: this is taken in a Hotel hallway outside the meeting rooms. On the left is Neil Gaiman wearing a black leather jacket, black shirt, and sunglasses. To the right of him is the Neil puppet wearing a black leather jacket, black shirt, and sunglasses. To the right of the puppet is me. I am wearing a blue sweatshirt with the word Saltimbanco on the right side in yellow. )

The Mets pulled one out last night in the 10th but Matt Harvey, who pitched a gem, got a no decision.

The NBA finals are pretty much where I thought they would be except that the Heat lost a game.

I have a number of things I need to do and a couple I want to do. I guess I’ll be the responsible adult and get the needs before the wants.

I am grateful for old photos of my work.

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Posted By Kathleen David on May 7, 2013

I found my portfolio that has been missing for a couple of years now. It had wedged itself behind my desk. So today I thought I would show you a few of my earlier pieces and one of the costumes I am proudest of.

Come join me in a blast from the past.

This is my first set of Dr. Who puppets, which were done right after the TV movie in 1996. This was a profession photographer that worked at the Nursing school who shot these for me and for his portfolio since he had never shot puppets before.
(For the VI: This is my Dr. Who puppets and me. We are sitting on a white floor with a white back drop. I am in the middle wearing a sleeveless vest with the 8th Doctor on my knee. In front of me in order is In front of me in order is Dr. #1,Dr. #3, Dr. #5 Dr. #7,Dr. #6, Dr. #4, Dr. #2.)

Peloquin from Nightbreed currently owned by Clive Barker.
(For the VI: The puppet is sitting on a brown stage with a brown background. The puppet is wearing a white poet’s shirt. He has dreadlocks that are pink, red, and white strips. His face has a pattern of it with the same pink, red, and white. He has a mouth full of very sharp teeth.)

Pinhead from Hellraiser currently owned by Doug Bradley
(For the VI: The puppet is shot again a black background. It is a white puppet with pins in its head. The eyes are black. The outfit is back with vertical red strips in the front of it.)

This is of a much more recent vintage. I made all the costumes except the Belle Costume which was brilliantly constructed by Susan Olesen. We called this sketch Beauty and the Beast(s). From left to right we have Vincent from the 1980s Beauty and the Beast, The Beast from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Belle, and Hank McCoy aka Marvel comics’ Beast.
(For the VI, I am on the left wearing a leo-noid latex face. I have long blond hair. I am wearing a black cloak with a grey patch on the right shoulder. I am wearing a white shirt covered with a quilted grey vest and a brown belt. To my right is Ariel decked out in an oversized head of the beast. She is wearing a blue tail coat with a gold lining, a gold vest, and a white shirt. To her right is Marina who is wearing the yellow/gold Belle dress. To her right is Peter in blue Beast make-up with a black wig and sideburns, He is wearing a grey suit and carrying a champagne bottle.)

Next week more puppets that have stories behind them.

I am grateful that I found the portfolio.

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