Circular Logic

A New Vice

Sorry to say that posting took a backseat during the recent job search, but I'm happy to report that this blogger is returning to the workforce. I've managed to climb into that ubiquitous silicon valley title: Vice President of Marketing at a small startup software company.

Titles have always been important. Ancient Romans scrambled to claw their way up the social ladder, and the steady expansion of the senatorial ranks led to some drastic pruning from time to time. Iron-clad romantics endured noble hardship in the Middle Ages in order to call themselves Knights. Napoleon pretty much kidnapped the Pope in order to give himself the title of Emperor.

Thankfully, there is no trail of bodies in my wake -- just an ocean of lunch and dinner receipts. But now the fun really begins. More posts on the way!

End To Begin

Endings are beginnings, or so the saying goes. This is a primal hope deep in the human character as the Northern Hemisphere succumbs to the cold grasp of winter, taking fading remnants of 2005  into a dark and transformative place.

Shakespeare -- a man who embodies the spirit of this blog by dying on his birthday (and mine) -- characterized the seasonal rhythm of death giving birth to hope in his unusual late play, "The Winter's Tale." The work -- part tragedy, part comedy -- is a complex swirl of parents, children, love, jealousy, birth, death, re-birth and re-creation. A problem play, to be sure, but what better way to characterize winter?

And speaking of endings and beginnings, yours truly is on the hunt for a new job. I am wondering how much of my quest I should attempt to chronicle in Circular Logic. I don't doubt that fodder for content will be plentiful as I negotiate the slings and arrows of recruiters and job interviews. After all, the job market is nothing more or less than an open casting call, and the players speak well-rehearsed lines while striking well-studied poses.

I suppose we're all searching for our proper entrances and exits, keeping a watchful eye open so as not to be chased off too early by a bear (as was, famously, Antigonus).  The trick is not to confuse the play with the players, and to know the difference between tyrants and fools.

So my friends, winter comes, resumes go out, days get shorter. The stage is set; please take your seats.