I got the call this morning telling me that I did not get the full time position at LACC. Since I hadn't heard anything yesterday and knew they would want to announce it today at the whole faculty meeting, I wasn't surprised. In fact I was very glad to find out before I left for the meeting rather than when the announcement was made.
The candidate selected was the one I had seen and who I figured had the strongest Astronomy background. Since that was mentioned as one of the things they were looking for I wasn't surprised. I also found out that I had correctly guessed who the other finallist was.
I had some fun getting in some jabs about him being the one chosen and me being left out. (He says he is suffering survivor's guilt. You'll forgive me if I don't feel much sympathy.)
But the good news is I did well and I still have several assignments. Cerritos will readvertise soon and Pierce College will also be looking soon.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Another Interview, THE BIG ONE
Well, today I had the big interview at LACC. At first I thought I hadn't made it through the preliminary round and wouldn't be one of the three interviewed by the school president, but with much gratitude I was.
The interview went fairly well altough I have to admit the questions caught me a bit off guard. They started with wanting to know who I was outside of the resume. I struggled to come up with answers that went beyond my CV (which they had and is much longer than a typical resume) but were still on the strictly professional. Perhaps I should have mentioned sailing which is a physics inspired hobby, but I wanted to steer clear of family and such.
Next they asked how I dealt with conflict in the class. Well, any answer I gave that was more than broad generalization would require giving an example, and in any example of conflict I have made at least some mistakes. I used two examples where the mistakes were minor and the resolutions very positive.
Questions continued with why I'm applying at a community college when I have a Ph.D. and could apply to a University. (I focused on the strong interaction with students you get at a community college.) Why LA City College in particular. What I knew about learning outcomes and evaluation. How I behaved on commitees (I'm very talkative and free to give my opinion and like to work towards concensus.), etc.
When it was my turn to ask questions I asked about what the school goals were and what they wanted out of me. How consistant the goals were and how smooth and open faculty administration communication was.
On the whole I think it was a good interview. The only thing I'm nervous about is that there are two other excellent candidates. I saw one of them (who I had guessed would be there) and if astronomy is where they want to focus I would say he is the better candidate. (On physics I think I'm stronger.) At this point it is just time to hope and be glad that the school will do well.
The interview went fairly well altough I have to admit the questions caught me a bit off guard. They started with wanting to know who I was outside of the resume. I struggled to come up with answers that went beyond my CV (which they had and is much longer than a typical resume) but were still on the strictly professional. Perhaps I should have mentioned sailing which is a physics inspired hobby, but I wanted to steer clear of family and such.
Next they asked how I dealt with conflict in the class. Well, any answer I gave that was more than broad generalization would require giving an example, and in any example of conflict I have made at least some mistakes. I used two examples where the mistakes were minor and the resolutions very positive.
Questions continued with why I'm applying at a community college when I have a Ph.D. and could apply to a University. (I focused on the strong interaction with students you get at a community college.) Why LA City College in particular. What I knew about learning outcomes and evaluation. How I behaved on commitees (I'm very talkative and free to give my opinion and like to work towards concensus.), etc.
When it was my turn to ask questions I asked about what the school goals were and what they wanted out of me. How consistant the goals were and how smooth and open faculty administration communication was.
On the whole I think it was a good interview. The only thing I'm nervous about is that there are two other excellent candidates. I saw one of them (who I had guessed would be there) and if astronomy is where they want to focus I would say he is the better candidate. (On physics I think I'm stronger.) At this point it is just time to hope and be glad that the school will do well.
Good Deal No Dough
I was looking at boats on Craigslist, just for fun. Unfortunately, the problem with looking is that you might find something you would really like but can't get. I have no problem passing over the $35,000+ yachts or even the boats that are just a few thousand. But I ran across a guy selling two sabots for $600 total. Now the other complete sabots I've seen have been more than $600 each, and even the cheapest versions are probably $1500-$2000 new. And it would be the perfect boat to teach Libby how to sail in. She is the only one that has shown a real interest, and is just barely to the point that she could learn in a sabot.
As you can see, I can make justifications adnauseum, but sooner or later I have to face the facts. I have a perfectly good boat that I don't use enough (a bit big for Libby to learn, but with me in the boat over the next few years . . .) and I don't have $600 (or even $300) burning a hole in my pocket.
(I wonder if I could buy both then sell one for $600. Probably, but still a bad idea. See I can't stop.)
If I weren't attracted to women I'd think I was gay.
The comment I made to two friends who were teasing me about enjoying chick flicks and musicals.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Cultural Differences
I've really enjoyed watching the Olympics. It is a chance to take a deep interest in sports, including ones that I don't often follow.
For example I have really enjoyed watching Volleyball. In part because it is a fun sport, in part because Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh look hot in bikinis, and partly because my second home country (Brazil) is also really good in the sport.
While watching these matches I noticed an interesting difference in the countries' cultures. I've noticed this in other sports too. In the U.S. (and most other countries) the players have their family name on the back of their jerseys. But the Brazilians almost always have their first name on their Jersey. Sometimes it is even a nickname (unless they really have the names "ant" or "large fluffy/cuddly one"). The same is true on the soccer field. "Pele" is a nickname.
When I was in Brazil, someone once said that Americans hand a deeper intelectual awareness of their freedom, while Brazilians had a stronger emotional feel for their freedoms. I think in that culture it must seem ridiculously formal to write your family name on your shirt.
Or perhaps it is just that 90% of the contry has some form of dos Santos, da Silva, 0r Rodriguez in their last name.
For example I have really enjoyed watching Volleyball. In part because it is a fun sport, in part because Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh look hot in bikinis, and partly because my second home country (Brazil) is also really good in the sport.
While watching these matches I noticed an interesting difference in the countries' cultures. I've noticed this in other sports too. In the U.S. (and most other countries) the players have their family name on the back of their jerseys. But the Brazilians almost always have their first name on their Jersey. Sometimes it is even a nickname (unless they really have the names "ant" or "large fluffy/cuddly one"). The same is true on the soccer field. "Pele" is a nickname.
When I was in Brazil, someone once said that Americans hand a deeper intelectual awareness of their freedom, while Brazilians had a stronger emotional feel for their freedoms. I think in that culture it must seem ridiculously formal to write your family name on your shirt.
Or perhaps it is just that 90% of the contry has some form of dos Santos, da Silva, 0r Rodriguez in their last name.
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