Fishing


Wherein Our Heroine Draws an Analogy.
My husband is a devotee of the activity known as "fishing." This man, who hates being cold enough to wear a hat inside the house, will stand for hours in a frigid river with a stick in his hand hoping that a fish will come along so he can throw it back.

My own version of "fishing" these days consists of throwing a resume on to an e-mail, hoping to net a job that I won't want to throw back.

Fishermen employ guile, data and superstition in their quest for the perfect, most fish-filled spot.

I employ research and "networking" in order to find the most jobs in the Metro DC area.

So the two activities are reasonably similar, at least in gross outline. Here is the real difference in the two activities: John enjoys fishing. The only ones who really enjoy my version of it are the cats, because it means I sit still for periods of time, allowing them to cuddle up into great balls of fur on my legs. If I had any artistic talent, I would draw the image in my head: me as a trawler, moving slowly across the water, with about ten lines consisting of ones and zeroes hanging off of the boat and baited with resumes. The cats are manning the lines. It would have been the perfect subject for B. Kliban.

You know it's bad when you start getting delusional and imagining yourself as a cartoon.

But must step lively - the Good Ship Jill is sailing off to another networking opportunity today. I'll be easy to spot: just look for the one wearing the lucky fishing hat...
Posted: Thursday - March 25, 2004 at 07:57 AM         | |

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