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Archive for the ‘Non-Fiction Writing’ Category

We Must Remember History

April 5, 2010

“Peace Flowers” © R.L. Herron

Thirty-five years ago this month the North Vietnamese army overran the U.S. Embassy and captured Saigon.

At 8:35 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the last ten American Marines from the embassy were helicoptered out of Saigon. The long, bloody conflict that so severely divided American conciousness in the 60s and 70s finally came to an ignominious end.

I don’t think about it often any more, and I can only say that with some measure of shame. It was a friend’s mention of a new online version of the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall that reminded me I need to remember it.

Several friends, high school and college buddies, never came home from that conflict, including a young man who grew up across the street from me.

At the time, the pain of those personal losses was severe. But with more than 58,000 American casualties sacrificed to that mindless endeavor the full scope of the nationwide anguish it must have caused is almost unimaginable.

I know this isn’t the time or place to talk about the “correctness” of that war.

However, it is always time to remember those who served America. Indeed, in every war our service men and women should be remembered, particularly those who gave everything.

More than that, we would do well to ponder the words of philosopher George Santayana, who said: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

We still don’t seem to have understood that lesson.

Posted in Lifestyle, Non-Fiction Writing, Politics | 4 Comments »

Body Language

April 2, 2010

“Tired” © R.L. Herron

If you’re like a lot of my friends, interviews seem harder to come by since the business downturn. To prepare for the next one that is sure to come, now may be a good time to review things like resumes…and body language.

Body language? Yes, body language.

Body language speaks volumes, all by itself. Actors use it all the time to influence the way an audience thinks about a character. A job interview is no different. There are actions and habits to both consider and avoid to tell the right story.

I’ve boiled them down to the seven that are mentioned most often:

1. Wardrobe
So many articles start with this admonition because you cannot overemphasize the importance of wearing clothes to an interview.

Most articles also suggest wearing something in which you feel comfortable, since it will also make your body language appear more relaxed and confident.

This makes good sense. I usually feel most comfortable in yesterday’s sweatshirt and jeans, but I don’t think that’s exactly what they meant.

2. Hold a Talisman
Focusing on something that has special meaning to you can ground you in the moment. Such grounding is supposed to keep you from getting nervous.

For instance, if you start to feel a little uneasy, look at your wedding ring, think of your spouse and realize how pissed she is going to be if you don’t find meaningful work this time.

3. Feet on the Floor
Most articles recommend keeping both feet on the floor and sitting up straight. Crossing your legs could portray complacency, and it certainly makes it nearly impossible to bolt and run should you need to.

4. Sit Still
Nervous energy apparently isn’t good. Crossing and uncrossing your legs means you missed item three, and tapping your foot over and over again is downright annoying. It’s also bad form to crack your knuckles or fiddle with your hair.

Don’t misunderstand. There’s no need to sit stiffly with your ankles crossed. But excessive twitching may make the interviewer think you need medical attention.

5. Lean Forward
Leaning backwards in your chair may give the impression you are relaxed and confident. But lean too far back and you may imply you are not taking things seriously. Plus, you might become too relaxed and fall over backward.

All things considered, it’s best to sit a bit forward, as if you are paying close attention (hopefully you are). Just don’t sit too far forward. Stretching your body over the interviewer’s desk, or manhandling the pictures of his wife and kids, will certainly leave an impression. Just not the right one.

6. No Hands in Pockets
If you are standing during the interview, having your hands in your pockets is a big no-no. It looks clumsy and messy.

It’s even worse if you’re sitting down, because who knows what you are doing with your hands. Besides, you run the risk of pulling out a lint-covered breath mint when you need to gesture to make a point.

7. Don’t Stare
Never fully lock eyes with people. It’s unnerving. Normally, you look people in the eyes momentarily, have a thought and look away.

However, in an interview setting, you sometimes focus so much on impressing the interviewer you wind up staring at them, unblinking. You can tell you’re overdoing it when they back away and start to act like you might be a little crazy.

Remembering these things may help you with your next interview. Of course, thinking about them too much may make you think twice about going in the first place.

Me? I’m perfectly comfy in that old sweatshirt and jeans. I just hope they don’t make the interviewer too uncomfortable.

Posted in Branding, Lifestyle, Non-Fiction Writing | 1 Comment »

Connections

March 21, 2010

We live in a “connected” age and that, I have to admit, is a very good thing. Technology has us chatting with people around the globe and I enjoy that ability as much as anyone.

But I cannot help feeling there is something missing.

As terrific as it is to be able to see and talk to my grandkids via Skype, it cannot replace being able to touch them, or tossle their hair. It cannot replace their fresh scent following a shower, or their chocolate kisses after a treat.

The same thing is true of friends (although most of them don’t have a chocolatey aroma). What I mean is, you cannot see their smile in an email or a tweet, or hear the inflections in their voice.

Despite the fact we are now able to connect over vast distances, it is all very impersonal, almost cold.

Sadly, the practice of writing long, involved letters on nice paper has all but disappeared.

Things like my wife used to do when we were dating; dabbing her note with a spot of perfume (Ambush), so the letter would smell subtley of her, have almost vanished.

Being connected over great distances by technology is truly wonderful but all too often we seem to communicate with everyone that way.

It may be fine in the business world, but I miss knowing my friend is laughing, without having to see LOL in his email. When was the last time any of us said “lol” anyway?

I’ve begun to think it is time I wrote that long letter to a few friends. Actually write it out longhand instead of merely selecting the email font and typing. I feel a need to send them something substantial from me, instead of a digital word count.

I’m sure some of them will question why I didn’t just email. Even as I write this, I wonder why I don’t pick up the phone and call, even if everyone lets calls go to voicemail now, anyway.

But even a phone call seems too distant. I miss the face-to-face element of communication. The reaching out and touching.

As a matter of fact, it’s a sunny afternoon, and now that I’m thinking about it, I may go speak to my neighbor. No email. No Facebook notice. No tweet.

I’ll simply get up out of my chair, walk across the street, interrupt him from his computer and say “hello.”

He’ll probably say “OMG!”