I just had to share because it's one of those beautiful moments in life where you just want to savor it forever.
I was on this case, details shall remain confidential, where I was on the verge of losing. And this was one of those cases where I was actually representing a good and descent guy! So I spent the last days before the trial thinking about how we'd try to settle out of court and praying that the asshole we were suing would just get what he deserved. I'm a huge believer in Karma.
So this one night I look at this Google alert email I got for french recipes (sue me...) and I figured "hey! I should start adding alerts about my cases!"
So I put the asshole's name and my client's name and the next day I GET AN ALERT!
The asshole idiot got interviewed by his kid daughter for her blog and he talked all about the case!
Needless to say his lawyer refused to represent him if he didn't settle and we won! My client got the money he deserved and that asshole learned that Karma is unforgiving :)
So thank you Google Alerts for winning me a case and making a fool out of someone who deserved it.
Jane Out.
Thursday
Wednesday
The Cost of Errors
What Can a Spelling or Grammar Error Cost You?
You can never proof-read a written piece too many times before submission. English grammar rules are complicated enough without having to worry about simple misspellings. With writing being the main means of communication, grammar checking software such as WhiteSmoke's all-in-one writing solution can be a huge help to everyone from students and professors to doctors and professionals.
Errors in spelling or grammar can be costly. Aside from causing embarrassment, a misplaced comma or apostrophe can change the meaning of a sentence. Even the slightest mistake on a job application can cost a candidate his/her job. Several years ago, a lawyer lost $31,350 (as a lawyer, I have to stop and say "OUCH!") when the judge ruled that he should not be paid in full due to overabundant typos. It’s certainly worth taking the extra moment to read over your work, or even better to scan it with a grammar checker.
However, the importance of good grammar extends beyond just paper and pen. Since The King’s Speech has been at the forefront of award season, there have been several articles published on the significance of grammar and stuttering. The movie focuses on King George VI and his stuttering problem. Having a screenwriter with a stutter, it accurately portrays many of the symptoms and difficulties of stuttering. According to an article by Pam Belluck in the New York Times, research has shown that there is a connection between stuttering and the complexity of language. In a study conducted by Dr. Anne Smith of Purdue University, children with stutters responded normally to contextual errors in speech, but did not pick up on grammatical errors.
Whether written or spoken, language can be a very powerful thing. As they say, “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Inaccuracy can cost money, jobs and speech. A spelling and grammar check is always worth it.
This article is taken from WhiteSmoke's Scribd profile, of which I am a follower: http://www.scribd.com/karen_white_1
I just had to post it because of the lawyer thing, and because I've seen writing mistakes take their toll on others. So here's a lesson to you all :)
Jane out.
Tuesday
Dean Koontz - Genius
I'd like to discuss this book I'm reading. Funny that this should be the book that I read now.
So the book is called "Relentless" and for those of you who haven't read of it - GO GET THE BOOK NOW! I'm a fan of Dean Koontz, I have all his books and have never come across a book I didn't enjoy. BUT I do not recommend them all, this one however is a whole new story.
So there's this guy, a writer, who writes a book. He's funny and nice, his family is a happy family and his books are successful. Oh, he has a weird dog and a prodigy for a son.
Anyway, his latest book gets a review from a famous and mysterious (no one knows anything about him) critic and he makes a mistake.
Before you know it the critic is a psychopathic killer bent on killing the author's little kid and wife before murdering him. The story unravels beautifully and the suspense is amazing.
My point is: if any of you have anything to say and you like criticizing or putting people down, buzz off. This is one fight you can't win!
Jane out!
So the book is called "Relentless" and for those of you who haven't read of it - GO GET THE BOOK NOW! I'm a fan of Dean Koontz, I have all his books and have never come across a book I didn't enjoy. BUT I do not recommend them all, this one however is a whole new story.
So there's this guy, a writer, who writes a book. He's funny and nice, his family is a happy family and his books are successful. Oh, he has a weird dog and a prodigy for a son.
Anyway, his latest book gets a review from a famous and mysterious (no one knows anything about him) critic and he makes a mistake.
Before you know it the critic is a psychopathic killer bent on killing the author's little kid and wife before murdering him. The story unravels beautifully and the suspense is amazing.
My point is: if any of you have anything to say and you like criticizing or putting people down, buzz off. This is one fight you can't win!
Jane out!
IPO Candidate WhiteSmoke Generates Revenue of $3.3 Million Last Quarter
Posted on GoArticles.com. See full article here
IPO Candidate WhiteSmoke Generates Revenue of $3.3 Million Last Quarter
By Katherine Belle
WhiteSmoke Inc., an English writing and translation software company seeking to go public in the U.S., published their latest numbers from quarter 1 of 2011 in the company's latest initial public offering prospectus on Monday, June 27th, 2011. The company offering is being underwritten by Rodman & Renshaw LLC and EarlyBirdCapital Inc., popular companies in the IPO scene.
WhiteSmoke has applied for Nasdaq listing under the ticker symbol “WHSM” while targeting the Education, Government and Business markets, all showing a growing demand for what this small hi-tech company offers. WhiteSmoke Inc. claims in their prospectus that though there are other companies they consider competitors in similar markets, they have yet to see anything similar to or at the level of their own solution. The Education, Government and Business markets are huge, and with the statistics in the “Industry” section of their prospectus showing the growing need for English as a common language on a worldwide scale, it seems this company has a bright future ahead of them.
The company has developed a PC solution that corrects grammar, spelling, style, punctuation and structure errors in texts as well as translates full texts and single words to and from nine languages. In addition, their product includes a Templates tab allowing the user to choose from a multitude of letter templates for instant use. A Mac version identical to their current PC version will be available by the end of this fiscal year. Also predicted to be launched by the end of this year is the WhiteSmoke Facebook application. In addition, applications for iPhone, iPad and Android are predicted to be launched by the end of 2012.
WhiteSmoke Inc., mentioned Monday that additional funding is needed to finance operations for the next 12 months. Evolution Venture Capital Fund, investors of WhiteSmoke Inc., have told the company that they are willing to provide the company with funding they require.
In addition to their flagship product, WhiteSmoke Writer, the company also offers a free trial version available for download together with toolbar applications from third-party monetization companies. Since the launch of this free product last year, it has become a huge revenue source for the company.
WhiteSmoke generated a total revenue of $3.3 million last quarter, a substantial grown from less than $1 million the year before and expect to continue to grow their operations by opening offices and hiring personnel worldwide.
IPO Candidate WhiteSmoke Generates Revenue of $3.3 Million Last Quarter
By Katherine Belle
WhiteSmoke Inc., an English writing and translation software company seeking to go public in the U.S., published their latest numbers from quarter 1 of 2011 in the company's latest initial public offering prospectus on Monday, June 27th, 2011. The company offering is being underwritten by Rodman & Renshaw LLC and EarlyBirdCapital Inc., popular companies in the IPO scene.
WhiteSmoke has applied for Nasdaq listing under the ticker symbol “WHSM” while targeting the Education, Government and Business markets, all showing a growing demand for what this small hi-tech company offers. WhiteSmoke Inc. claims in their prospectus that though there are other companies they consider competitors in similar markets, they have yet to see anything similar to or at the level of their own solution. The Education, Government and Business markets are huge, and with the statistics in the “Industry” section of their prospectus showing the growing need for English as a common language on a worldwide scale, it seems this company has a bright future ahead of them.
The company has developed a PC solution that corrects grammar, spelling, style, punctuation and structure errors in texts as well as translates full texts and single words to and from nine languages. In addition, their product includes a Templates tab allowing the user to choose from a multitude of letter templates for instant use. A Mac version identical to their current PC version will be available by the end of this fiscal year. Also predicted to be launched by the end of this year is the WhiteSmoke Facebook application. In addition, applications for iPhone, iPad and Android are predicted to be launched by the end of 2012.
WhiteSmoke Inc., mentioned Monday that additional funding is needed to finance operations for the next 12 months. Evolution Venture Capital Fund, investors of WhiteSmoke Inc., have told the company that they are willing to provide the company with funding they require.
In addition to their flagship product, WhiteSmoke Writer, the company also offers a free trial version available for download together with toolbar applications from third-party monetization companies. Since the launch of this free product last year, it has become a huge revenue source for the company.
WhiteSmoke generated a total revenue of $3.3 million last quarter, a substantial grown from less than $1 million the year before and expect to continue to grow their operations by opening offices and hiring personnel worldwide.
Sunday
English Lessons = Higher Employment Ratios?
Spain Increases English Lessons to Decrease Unemployment
Author: Katherine BelleSpain Increases English Lessons to Decrease Unemployment
Spain currently has an unemployment rate of about 20%, which is twice as high as the European average. According to the New York Times, more and more Spaniards are searching for employment opportunities abroad. Unfortunately, many are experiencing difficulties due to poor foreign language skills, specifically their lack of knowledge of basic English. Many adults are returning to school to learn or improve their English or another foreign language.
While the current job seekers are having a hard time because of language barriers outside of Spain, education reforms are being made to ensure that future generations will not encounter such troubles. A third of Madrid's primary schools are bilingual, and by 2015 they are hoping at least half of the schools will be teaching more languages. In addition, more and more schools have begun employing English speaking teachers.
Spain has a long way to go because in addition to struggling with vocabulary and pronunciation, even the campaign has poor grammar. The campaign to promote bilingual education boasts the slogan "Yes, we want!". Richard Vaughan, owner of Vaughn Systems, an English teaching company, estimates that less than five percent of graduates of engineering, law or business have even a working knowledge of English.
A useful tool to help improve one's English is WhiteSmoke Software. WhiteSmoke works with hi-end technology based on both statistical algorithms and NLP, or Natural Language Processing. This allows the software to actually learn how the human mind works when it comes to writing and better understand how to correct your mistakes. In addition, WhiteSmoke 2011 includes a full-text translator that allows you to translate to 9 different languages and a multilingual dictionary that translates single words and gives you usage examples of every word you translate, allowing you to see how your translated word is used in a sentence. For those who want to improve their English, a Writing Review feature is available as well. The Writing Review gives you a detailed score of your original text with personalized improvement tips. WhiteSmoke 2011 with the WhiteSmoke Translator is a fantastic tool for those looking to improve their English.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/economics-articles/spain-increases-english-lessons-to-decrease-unemployment-4898319.html
About the AuthorI'm an artist - I love making Jewelry and sculpting, which is what I do for a living. Another passion of mine is writing and literature - I'm obsessed with the English language (although I must say I love speaking Italian).
Thursday
Thumbs Up on the Virtual Google API Rally!
Just wanted to give my "thumbs up" on That Girl Co's virtual Google rally!
I'm not really affected by this but my brother is and he's kind of disappointed with the Microsoft alternative. He's trying out WhiteSmoke Translator now, but he needs Hindu which they don't have so - yay for the Google API Rally!
http://thatgirlco.blogspot.com/
Kudos to That Girl Co
Jane.
I'm not really affected by this but my brother is and he's kind of disappointed with the Microsoft alternative. He's trying out WhiteSmoke Translator now, but he needs Hindu which they don't have so - yay for the Google API Rally!
http://thatgirlco.blogspot.com/
Kudos to That Girl Co
Jane.
Sunday
Who Cares?
People get mad when they don't like a certain situation and blame the world for their frustration. Sometimes someone is at fault, but from my experience, when that is the case that person always seems to avoid getting blamed.
I find that frustrating, and I know who's to blame for my frustration - I just refuse to go around pointing fingers and getting mad when I know that at the end of the day - who cares?
So, today's motto is "Who cares?" - we'll see how that turns out for me :)
Have a great one,
Jane
I find that frustrating, and I know who's to blame for my frustration - I just refuse to go around pointing fingers and getting mad when I know that at the end of the day - who cares?
So, today's motto is "Who cares?" - we'll see how that turns out for me :)
Have a great one,
Jane
Thursday
Google API - Is there an alternative?
Ok, I admit, I didn't know what the Google API was until the news broke out and my brother, a super affiliate (I love saying that) started freaking out that this basically means the end of his website.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely internet-dumb. I do use Google Translate all the time, but the acronym API is a first for me.
So, since I am addicted to the WhiteSmoke Writer, and I have not failed to notice that there is a lovely little tab right beside it called the WhiteSmoke Translator, I hereby send out a request on behalf of my brother, Rick, please make your Translator available in an API sort of version thing.
There! See, Rick? I care :)
Oh, this is the WhiteSmoke Translator page I found on their website: www.whitesmoke.com/translator.html
And this is their homepage, obviously: www.WhiteSmoke.com
Good luck all you Translator API dependent people! I'm here if you need any legal help, Rick's got his own blog for technical stuff :)
Jane out!
P.S Curiosity got the best of me and a simple Google search led me to the following information: API=Application Programming Interface. I still don't know what it means though...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely internet-dumb. I do use Google Translate all the time, but the acronym API is a first for me.
So, since I am addicted to the WhiteSmoke Writer, and I have not failed to notice that there is a lovely little tab right beside it called the WhiteSmoke Translator, I hereby send out a request on behalf of my brother, Rick, please make your Translator available in an API sort of version thing.
There! See, Rick? I care :)
Oh, this is the WhiteSmoke Translator page I found on their website: www.whitesmoke.com/translator.html
And this is their homepage, obviously: www.WhiteSmoke.com
Good luck all you Translator API dependent people! I'm here if you need any legal help, Rick's got his own blog for technical stuff :)
Jane out!
P.S Curiosity got the best of me and a simple Google search led me to the following information: API=Application Programming Interface. I still don't know what it means though...
Artanut - Jewelry
I found this site totally by accident - www.artanut.com
Don't ask me the meaning of the name, I don't know - but they have jewelry, art and crochet stuff
Personally, I'm into the jewelry - I bought this gorgeous pearl necklace for really cheap (and they're real!)
I mean, it took two weeks to get here but I highly recommend the store!
I'm currently waiting for a special-made bracelet I asked them to design for my niece, I hope she'll like it (*fingers crossed*)
M. Jane
Don't ask me the meaning of the name, I don't know - but they have jewelry, art and crochet stuff
Personally, I'm into the jewelry - I bought this gorgeous pearl necklace for really cheap (and they're real!)
I mean, it took two weeks to get here but I highly recommend the store!
I'm currently waiting for a special-made bracelet I asked them to design for my niece, I hope she'll like it (*fingers crossed*)
M. Jane
Sunday
I've Been Mentioned!
I don't know if I've mentioned this (actually I know I haven't), but I'm completely addicted to Google Alerts. Obviously, I've got an alert on "Mediocre Jane" and - I'VE BEEN MENTIONED!
So there, happy happy, joy joy
Jane out.
Thursday
WhiteSmoke Grammar Checker
Hey,
so I thought I'd say again, in case there are people out there who don't know this yet - GRAMMAR MISTAKES ARE ANNOYING AS HELL! Please proofread your texts! Microsoft's checkers aren't enough so if you can't count on yourself to catch your own mistakes, use a grammar checker like ginger, grammarly or whitesmoke - personally, I can tell you after trying all three that WhiteSmoke is by far the best and cheapest.
So there, you know who you are....
Jane out.
so I thought I'd say again, in case there are people out there who don't know this yet - GRAMMAR MISTAKES ARE ANNOYING AS HELL! Please proofread your texts! Microsoft's checkers aren't enough so if you can't count on yourself to catch your own mistakes, use a grammar checker like ginger, grammarly or whitesmoke - personally, I can tell you after trying all three that WhiteSmoke is by far the best and cheapest.
So there, you know who you are....
Jane out.
Wednesday
Share
Just wanted to share something I found that was interesting: http://www.whitesmoke.com/spain-unemployment/?a=136&d=4&r=3252
I had to show this to my niece to prove to her how important her English communication skills are. I mean, if a non-English speaking country like Spain has such a huge unemployment problem BECAUSE of English illiteracy, imagine what your odds are of finding a job in the US if your English communication skills are shot.
So there dear, go back to your room and finish up your homework!
Jane out.
I had to show this to my niece to prove to her how important her English communication skills are. I mean, if a non-English speaking country like Spain has such a huge unemployment problem BECAUSE of English illiteracy, imagine what your odds are of finding a job in the US if your English communication skills are shot.
So there dear, go back to your room and finish up your homework!
Jane out.
It's Been a While...
It's been a while and today I was just sitting in front of my laptop and thought - I really feel like typing, so I'm writing another post since the other typing I have to do involves a case I'm trying to convince myself will just go away if I ignore the file teetering on my kitchen counter.
I have a cute and adorable dog who does this thing where he shoves his face under a newspaper or shirt and then, apparently, assumes that since it doesn't see me, I can't see him - even though the rest of his body is in clear view and his tale is banging against the floor. So I'm hoping if I ignore that annoying, and yet beckoning, file in my kitchen - it will somehow sprout legs and walk out the door.
Some cases are just too tiring and it's not that this one is hopeless but it's one of those things where you don't know where to begin and so you try to avoid beginning it at all.
Yeah... I'm going to stop typing and go over the file right now... *sigh*
Jane M.
I have a cute and adorable dog who does this thing where he shoves his face under a newspaper or shirt and then, apparently, assumes that since it doesn't see me, I can't see him - even though the rest of his body is in clear view and his tale is banging against the floor. So I'm hoping if I ignore that annoying, and yet beckoning, file in my kitchen - it will somehow sprout legs and walk out the door.
Some cases are just too tiring and it's not that this one is hopeless but it's one of those things where you don't know where to begin and so you try to avoid beginning it at all.
Yeah... I'm going to stop typing and go over the file right now... *sigh*
Jane M.
Thursday
I Can't Concentrate
I do a lot of reading, a lot of paper work... it's part of my job. Today I arrived at the office a bit early and started going over the case files that were on my desk and, multi-tasker that I am, went through my emails as well. I won't get into detail but one of the emails was sent to me in confidence, I was BCC-ed on a co-worker's response and I just got chills down my spine. I tried to convince myself that it's nothing and that they wouldn't show me this if they didn't have my back. Still, I can't focus on my tasks, I can't concentrate, and worst of all - I'm MAD.
I'm rarely ever mad, I just don't know how to deal with this emotion. My heart rate goes up, my body starts shaking and I feel like I'm going to explode. And for what? A good for nothing piece of crap who thinks he's better than me because he went to a better university. Bottom line is, I'm smarter than he is and it pisses me off that a person with a single digit IQ who had the connections and cash to go to Harvard gets the nerve to send an email to my co-worker telling him that I should be fired because he just doesn't think a person with my "background" should be in such a popular firm. He might as well have said "She's black and she's a woman, let her go."
Men piss me off enough as it is, but a racist man... wow. I hope karma comes and bites him in the ass. In the meantime, he better pray to God we never face each other in court.
Jane out.
I'm rarely ever mad, I just don't know how to deal with this emotion. My heart rate goes up, my body starts shaking and I feel like I'm going to explode. And for what? A good for nothing piece of crap who thinks he's better than me because he went to a better university. Bottom line is, I'm smarter than he is and it pisses me off that a person with a single digit IQ who had the connections and cash to go to Harvard gets the nerve to send an email to my co-worker telling him that I should be fired because he just doesn't think a person with my "background" should be in such a popular firm. He might as well have said "She's black and she's a woman, let her go."
Men piss me off enough as it is, but a racist man... wow. I hope karma comes and bites him in the ass. In the meantime, he better pray to God we never face each other in court.
Jane out.
Tuesday
Blogs
So since I started writing this blog I decided it would only be fair to look for others around the internet. I found a blog called "2 Say or Not 2 Say" which I decided I like so I'm recommending it - I suppose that's how this works right?
Anyway, it has nice information in there and the writer is articulate which is more that I can say about the blogs I came across so kudos to whomever you are!
Jane
PS - I'd love to find a blog with good recipes for people who want to loose weight (for my, uh...friend). Any recommendations will be highly appreciated.
Anyway, it has nice information in there and the writer is articulate which is more that I can say about the blogs I came across so kudos to whomever you are!
Jane
PS - I'd love to find a blog with good recipes for people who want to loose weight (for my, uh...friend). Any recommendations will be highly appreciated.
Translation Aid for Parents in Juvenile Courts
Until now, Sonoma County's juvenile court system has provided a service to assist people who don’t speak English. The translators would meet with parents of young people waiting to go on trial and explain the legal issues facing their children, as well as provide translations in-court. They would even help with testimonies, documents and witnesses.
PressDemocrat.com reported that the administrators of the court system will be cutting the translation services available to people who don’t understand English. While they will still be providing translations inside the courtroom, it has been determined that the translators spend too much time going above and beyond their duties to help these people. As it is, the translators feel understaffed as they run from courtroom to courtroom assisting families to understand the details of the proceedings. Cindia Martinez, the court's deputy executive officer, said that the out-of-court discussions should be left up to the public defenders to take care of. The state-funded interpreters should stick to their jobs in the courtrooms.
The parents of children awaiting trial find it comforting to be prepared when they enter the courtroom, and the translators want to help. Another option available for people struggling with English is to try and familiarize themselves with some of the related terms. There are many ESL programs available. Personally I would recommend the WhiteSmoke Translator for word-to-word and full-text translations because I like them and I very much dislike their competitors but many programs are available out there. Also, here’s a very good blog with free English lessons and English-related news.
M.Jane
Wednesday
Dishonesty in Marketing
Yesterday I read several favorable reviews of WhiteSmoke Translator on various blogs. After seeing so many positive thoughts, I decided to click the links. Boy was I surprised when the links took me not to WhiteSmoke Translator, but to Babylon!
WhiteSmoke Translator and Babylon are competitors in the translation technology field, and each has its pros and cons, but that sort of dirty marketing was completely unacceptable to me. A company writing about its own product with links included is common marketing practice, but to write a review of another company and put links to a competing product is low.
Online marketing is so important to these companies these days and I guess there is no end to the lengths some companies are willing to go. At least WhiteSmoke Translator got some positive PR for free out of this, but I do believe Babylon employed morally ambiguous tactics in this situation.
I know it's rich coming from a lawyer, and since I'm considerably a successful lawyer it would be farfetched to assume I'm totally honest BUT some things piss me off as a consumer. By the way, just to annoy Babylon, I linked a bunch of times to WhiteSmoke here...so THERE.
Jane out.
Thursday
Does the World Revolve Around Me?
I'm kidding, I'm not that in love with myself to actually believe the world revolves around me. But sometimes it's funny when you see something generic and feel like it's all about you.
For instance, I saw this blog post on WhiteSmoke's news section (I love their blog!) http://www.whitesmoke.com/brafton26_jobseekers
I know it's very general about the relationship between getting a job and writing correct English, but I couldn't help but smile and think they wrote that about me :)
oh and really, their blog is great, they have pretty much a subject for anyone. Me personally, I like the news section, but my niece uses their grammar rules all the time in school (and the "how to"s but only when no one's looking...)
M.Jane
For instance, I saw this blog post on WhiteSmoke's news section (I love their blog!) http://www.whitesmoke.com/brafton26_jobseekers
I know it's very general about the relationship between getting a job and writing correct English, but I couldn't help but smile and think they wrote that about me :)
oh and really, their blog is great, they have pretty much a subject for anyone. Me personally, I like the news section, but my niece uses their grammar rules all the time in school (and the "how to"s but only when no one's looking...)
M.Jane
Wednesday
A Complaint About Complaints
So who hasn't heard of the BBB (Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org/)?
Yesterday it got mentioned in an argument I overheard about some company - we shall keep it nameless for the time being. Anyway, one person basically told the other that "said" company was unreliable, a scam, and a general bad idea. Why did this person believe such horrible things? Because he read about it on the BBB website when he searched for the company's name there. I was sitting with my laptop on the nearby coffee table so I figured I'd visit the site and check it out and here's what pissed me off:
As a consumer, I can see how many complaints a certain company has received in the past year and how long it took the company to deal with those complaints. The problem is - that's all I see! What if I'm happy with the service the company is providing? Can I leave a good comment or review for fellow consumers? NO! It's an organization built solely upon complaints and that's kind of hypocritical and I don't like it.
So here's me saying "I pity the fool" who relies upon the BBB.
Voila,
M. Jane
Yesterday it got mentioned in an argument I overheard about some company - we shall keep it nameless for the time being. Anyway, one person basically told the other that "said" company was unreliable, a scam, and a general bad idea. Why did this person believe such horrible things? Because he read about it on the BBB website when he searched for the company's name there. I was sitting with my laptop on the nearby coffee table so I figured I'd visit the site and check it out and here's what pissed me off:
As a consumer, I can see how many complaints a certain company has received in the past year and how long it took the company to deal with those complaints. The problem is - that's all I see! What if I'm happy with the service the company is providing? Can I leave a good comment or review for fellow consumers? NO! It's an organization built solely upon complaints and that's kind of hypocritical and I don't like it.
So here's me saying "I pity the fool" who relies upon the BBB.
Voila,
M. Jane
Tuesday
One Good Thing to Say
This is my story. Well, one of my stories. The only people who know are the people who work with me; it's an interesting anecdote so it caught on. I never thought I would actually tell the world - not because it's private or anything but mostly because I couldn't imagine why I would have to. So, the reason I'm doing that now is because I'd feel a bit guilty if I don't.
You know how sometimes you buy a software, or weight loss program, or "change your life book"....etc.? What would you do if it actually worked? I mean, besides tell your friends or recommend it, would you tell the company that sold it to you? Would you tell the world? You wouldn't, and neither would I. We do however tell the company and the whole world if we're unhappy, don't we? Well, enough about that - if I start blabbing about what's fair and justified, you'll be reading this for days.
I'm Jane - well, actually I'm not but you can call me Jane, as in Jane Doe, as in an anonymous person who doesn't want to tell her your name. Names of people and law firms will be kept out of this - I don't want to get sued.
I'm a lawyer and I'm 42 years old. I've worked at small law firm for ten years, until mid-2010 when I got let go. I wasn't one of the fancy, famous lawyers who won big cases, I didn't have a reputation, and the experience I did have was at a local firm no one heard of. Saying that I was devastated would be an understatement. On the bright side, I didn't have kids so I didn't have the incredible pressure of not being able to support a family, like some of my colleagues.
So, I sent out CVs, contacted friends of friends and HR companies... and started looking for a new job.
Six months later, I was a broke, unemployed lawyer. I was sad and confused and angry and so many other emotions I can't begin to describe. I never got one call, not one explanation why I wasn't accepted - I was just ignored.
One night, I was sitting at home with my laptop searching the web for wanted ads in anything that requires a law degree. On one of the sites I saw a banner that claimed to have the secret to perfect resume writing and I figured "Hey! Maybe that's my problem". So I clicked and found my way to a company called WhiteSmoke who sold software for writing better English. I had less than 500 dollars in my bank account and quite stupidly decided to buy the software for 120 dollars. Looking back, I can't believe it did that, but I guess I didn't care anymore and was hopeless anyway.
So I purchased, installed, and just like any other person would do, I played around with the features to see what I can do with it. I figured the best way to test it would be to write a letter and see what it does so I wrote one of those psychological letters shrinks always tell you to write. You know the kind - if you could tell the president what's on your mind what would you say? Remember those?
So, angry and hurt, stupid me wrote a long letter addressed to one of the law firms that ignored me. It was an angry letter and full of all my grief and fear for my future. But it was just for testing the software; it wasn't like I was going to send it out...right?
I edited the text, played around with the software for hours and in the end read the whole letter out loud and thought "this is pretty good". I wanted them to know how I felt but I didn't want to do something reallystupid so I decided I'd go for just a little bit stupid and sent the letter to the first law firm I sent my CV to, six months before. I figured that I didn't have anything to lose! I mean, six months had already gone by; I already blew my chances there, right?
I may have forgotten to mention, this was a big and successful law firm. But I was too excited and too emotional to think of the consequences - I sent out the letter.
The next morning I couldn't believe what I had done and hoped that my mail would be lost in their spam folders. Before I could even begin to think of writing an apology letter, just in case, my phone rings and - guess who? That same law firm got my letter and would like to schedule a meeting. So many thoughts ran through my head. Will I get sued? Couldn't be, they couldn't sue for sending out a letter. I was a lawyer, I knew that. Then again...
Three days later I was sitting in their offices, in front of an old man with reading glasses. He was looking down at a printed letter; I'm guessing it was the one I sent. I was petrified.
Then he just looked up at me and said, matter of factly, "We received your resume. It was unimpressive to say the least."
I was relieved! They were just explaining why I didn't get the job!
I sat there in silence, shocked and scared and a bit embarrassed to be a grown women feeling so afraid. I will never forget what he said next.
"My dear, we do not have time to take in those with unimpressive credentials as yourself. Though we know that among those there are a few with a spark, with a shine that we can use, we cannot spend the time needed to find them nor take the chance that we will waste time on those who don't. Everyone here has had vast experience before entering our firm. We have one who started here nine years ago who had no experience, nothing worth a damn to his resume but he's here because we found ourselves in court against him. He lost of course, but he was good and we saw it, that spark we always look for."
Then he lifted up the paper he was holding, and continued.
"You wrote us this letter explaining to us why we should accept you when your resume is below average and we've never seen you in action. You tried to convince us with your words and for that, we were intrigued. At the end of the day, words are all we have. Our job is to convince others to see things the way we want them to, to agree with us. And if you convinced the partners that you deserve to be hired with just this letter, I'm sure you can convince a courtroom of anything."
I was holding my breath, unbelieving and waiting for him to finish, and then he said those final words.
"You've got that spark. You're hired."
I've been working there for three months so far and I'm the happiest person alive. My career looks more promising than I ever dreamed it could and I've discovered that I'm better than I ever thought I was.
I owe my current position to myself for being stupid enough to spend 120 dollars when I couldn't pay rent, for being stupid enough to use that software for a letter when I purchased it for editing my resume, and for being stupid enough to send that letter to one of the biggest law firms in the state. But I also owe it to that software I purchased, which is why I'm writing this.
I want to write to WhiteSmoke and the world about how grateful I am because I don't want to be one of those people who speak up only when they've got something to complain about. I want to say the good things, the thanks, and the compliments.
So...
Thank you WhiteSmoke, for saving my life and helping me do the stupidest and best thing I've ever done. Thank you for saving my career and helping me make my dreams come true.
You know how sometimes you buy a software, or weight loss program, or "change your life book"....etc.? What would you do if it actually worked? I mean, besides tell your friends or recommend it, would you tell the company that sold it to you? Would you tell the world? You wouldn't, and neither would I. We do however tell the company and the whole world if we're unhappy, don't we? Well, enough about that - if I start blabbing about what's fair and justified, you'll be reading this for days.
I'm Jane - well, actually I'm not but you can call me Jane, as in Jane Doe, as in an anonymous person who doesn't want to tell her your name. Names of people and law firms will be kept out of this - I don't want to get sued.
I'm a lawyer and I'm 42 years old. I've worked at small law firm for ten years, until mid-2010 when I got let go. I wasn't one of the fancy, famous lawyers who won big cases, I didn't have a reputation, and the experience I did have was at a local firm no one heard of. Saying that I was devastated would be an understatement. On the bright side, I didn't have kids so I didn't have the incredible pressure of not being able to support a family, like some of my colleagues.
So, I sent out CVs, contacted friends of friends and HR companies... and started looking for a new job.
Six months later, I was a broke, unemployed lawyer. I was sad and confused and angry and so many other emotions I can't begin to describe. I never got one call, not one explanation why I wasn't accepted - I was just ignored.
One night, I was sitting at home with my laptop searching the web for wanted ads in anything that requires a law degree. On one of the sites I saw a banner that claimed to have the secret to perfect resume writing and I figured "Hey! Maybe that's my problem". So I clicked and found my way to a company called WhiteSmoke who sold software for writing better English. I had less than 500 dollars in my bank account and quite stupidly decided to buy the software for 120 dollars. Looking back, I can't believe it did that, but I guess I didn't care anymore and was hopeless anyway.
So I purchased, installed, and just like any other person would do, I played around with the features to see what I can do with it. I figured the best way to test it would be to write a letter and see what it does so I wrote one of those psychological letters shrinks always tell you to write. You know the kind - if you could tell the president what's on your mind what would you say? Remember those?
So, angry and hurt, stupid me wrote a long letter addressed to one of the law firms that ignored me. It was an angry letter and full of all my grief and fear for my future. But it was just for testing the software; it wasn't like I was going to send it out...right?
I edited the text, played around with the software for hours and in the end read the whole letter out loud and thought "this is pretty good". I wanted them to know how I felt but I didn't want to do something reallystupid so I decided I'd go for just a little bit stupid and sent the letter to the first law firm I sent my CV to, six months before. I figured that I didn't have anything to lose! I mean, six months had already gone by; I already blew my chances there, right?
I may have forgotten to mention, this was a big and successful law firm. But I was too excited and too emotional to think of the consequences - I sent out the letter.
The next morning I couldn't believe what I had done and hoped that my mail would be lost in their spam folders. Before I could even begin to think of writing an apology letter, just in case, my phone rings and - guess who? That same law firm got my letter and would like to schedule a meeting. So many thoughts ran through my head. Will I get sued? Couldn't be, they couldn't sue for sending out a letter. I was a lawyer, I knew that. Then again...
Three days later I was sitting in their offices, in front of an old man with reading glasses. He was looking down at a printed letter; I'm guessing it was the one I sent. I was petrified.
Then he just looked up at me and said, matter of factly, "We received your resume. It was unimpressive to say the least."
I was relieved! They were just explaining why I didn't get the job!
I sat there in silence, shocked and scared and a bit embarrassed to be a grown women feeling so afraid. I will never forget what he said next.
"My dear, we do not have time to take in those with unimpressive credentials as yourself. Though we know that among those there are a few with a spark, with a shine that we can use, we cannot spend the time needed to find them nor take the chance that we will waste time on those who don't. Everyone here has had vast experience before entering our firm. We have one who started here nine years ago who had no experience, nothing worth a damn to his resume but he's here because we found ourselves in court against him. He lost of course, but he was good and we saw it, that spark we always look for."
Then he lifted up the paper he was holding, and continued.
"You wrote us this letter explaining to us why we should accept you when your resume is below average and we've never seen you in action. You tried to convince us with your words and for that, we were intrigued. At the end of the day, words are all we have. Our job is to convince others to see things the way we want them to, to agree with us. And if you convinced the partners that you deserve to be hired with just this letter, I'm sure you can convince a courtroom of anything."
I was holding my breath, unbelieving and waiting for him to finish, and then he said those final words.
"You've got that spark. You're hired."
I've been working there for three months so far and I'm the happiest person alive. My career looks more promising than I ever dreamed it could and I've discovered that I'm better than I ever thought I was.
I owe my current position to myself for being stupid enough to spend 120 dollars when I couldn't pay rent, for being stupid enough to use that software for a letter when I purchased it for editing my resume, and for being stupid enough to send that letter to one of the biggest law firms in the state. But I also owe it to that software I purchased, which is why I'm writing this.
I want to write to WhiteSmoke and the world about how grateful I am because I don't want to be one of those people who speak up only when they've got something to complain about. I want to say the good things, the thanks, and the compliments.
So...
Thank you WhiteSmoke, for saving my life and helping me do the stupidest and best thing I've ever done. Thank you for saving my career and helping me make my dreams come true.
I'll start my blog with "Hi"
So...Hi!
I'm one of those old people (and by "old" I mean over thirty) who are a bit wary of everything hi-tech and internet. So I guess with all of the stories of identity thefts and whatnot, I'll choose the path of paranoia and stay anonymous. Well, in name at least.
I just had something to say so I wrote it down, and then I didn't know where to put it so I created a blog which is apparently THE thing to do (or as my niece would say "DUH" - funny that's still used today, somehow that makes me feel less old).
I chose "Jane" because Jane Doe is basically like saying "Anonymous". And I like to think I'm average so... *sigh*... I don't know. I was thinking of calling it Ranting Jane but that's taken and I'm not sure I want to be that single *old* woman who rants, even though I suppose I will be ranting. Anyway, I just went with Mediocre Jane
So if anyone's reading this, I apologize for my rantings, there will be quite a lot of that here!
G'day (Yes, I'm American and I say "G'day" so there)
Jane
I'm one of those old people (and by "old" I mean over thirty) who are a bit wary of everything hi-tech and internet. So I guess with all of the stories of identity thefts and whatnot, I'll choose the path of paranoia and stay anonymous. Well, in name at least.
I just had something to say so I wrote it down, and then I didn't know where to put it so I created a blog which is apparently THE thing to do (or as my niece would say "DUH" - funny that's still used today, somehow that makes me feel less old).
I chose "Jane" because Jane Doe is basically like saying "Anonymous". And I like to think I'm average so... *sigh*... I don't know. I was thinking of calling it Ranting Jane but that's taken and I'm not sure I want to be that single *old* woman who rants, even though I suppose I will be ranting. Anyway, I just went with Mediocre Jane
So if anyone's reading this, I apologize for my rantings, there will be quite a lot of that here!
G'day (Yes, I'm American and I say "G'day" so there)
Jane
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