Betsy, I tend to prefer using a "Career Summary" to a "Career Goal" or "Objective." It's a subtle difference, but it makes the resume "here's what I offer you" instead of "here's what I want you to offer me." And I'm not sure I completely understand what it is you do, but my first draft at your Career Summary would look something like this:

"Writer expert at translating technical specifications of software architecture into clear English for a variety of audiences."

Actually, "for a variety of audiences", not so much. I'm shooting for "hire me to help develop your design, then explain it to technical people". Done end-user, done it well, bored now. I actually do want to say "here's what you offer me". Basically, here's what you should want to hire me; if you are put off, you don't want me and I don't want you.

Note that I write an entirely different resume when it's "I need a job badly now".

Thanks, guys.

And I don't think I quite use "worry" as a synonym for "wonder" or "think." I only use "worry" when the thinking/wondering is about a possible bad outcome (or lack of good outcome). But sometimes, maybe even most of the time, those worries are very, very mild things. It'd probably be better if I had fewer of them, sure, but they're just not big deals.

I actually do want to say "here's what you offer me".

Well, regardless of whether you're in the "I really need a job" phase or the "I want this and this only" one, I still think the resume is for "here's what I offer you" and the interview and post-offer negotiation process is the place for figuring out whether you like what they offer in return. JMHO, of course. Obviously you want a summary that's specific to what you're looking for, but I think resumes should be written from the perspective that the person on the receiving end of it only cares whether you can meet their needs, not the other way around.

But I already do stuff like this.

Then there's no problem, is there? But if you say "I worry I'm going to run out of ideas", I take you as meaning precisely that. It's about the word choice - I'm paying you the respect of taking the word as I understand it as what you're trying to say. And that's what I'm answering: why should you run out of ideas, since the big picture stuff (I like that phrase, and may have to steal it) is there and possible in any glance between two strangers?

edit: just realised, that reads as still rather cranky, and I'm not, actually. It's just late-night literal.

Then there's no problem, is there?

Nope.

I think I'm going to have to try to excise "worry" from my vocabulary for awhile, until I'm sure I can use it in such a way that it's communicating what's actually going on in my head. Because it's just been crazy lately. This today was nothing compared to a conversation on Friday where a friend asked me if Annabel was walking or talking yet. I said no, not unless you count occasional staggering steps or vague maybe-words, and confessed to being just a tiny bit worried about it. By which I meant one of those back-of-the-mind niggles, fueled in part by the fact EVERY SINGLE PERSON I MEET THESE DAYS ASKS ME IF SHE'S WALKING OR TALKING! So she starts asking me why I'm worried, and I oblige by expanding on the point. Next thing I know I'd talked myself into being seriously worried when I wasn't before, and she's going all therapist on me! Oy.

So. Something's obviously broken in my ability to communicate on this particular topic. So I'm going to try my best just not to talk about it for awhile.

Yep, it's a cyclical problem. And crazy-making.

I know the feeling.

I do read an urgency in your posts about those sorts of things, Susan.

Look! It's Monday morning, and I have a drabble topic on time!!!

Challenge #48 (holding/container) is now closed. However, if you have a drabble that you've written but haven't posted yet, please feel free to post it.

Challenge #49 is a multiple-choice challenge. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Web site Look At Me. It's a gallery of found photos -- pictures that, quite literally, someone found, pictures that have no connection to the person who found them, and therefore are total strangers. Some of the photos have some information scribbled on the back or the border; in that instance, the Web site has included that information.

So. The Web site has over 450 photos right now, and every one would doubtless be evocative to *someone.* However, I'm offering up a list of 10 photos that I'd like you to choose from, just so we're all working from the same pool.

You don't have to drabble about the content of the photo itself; maybe it sparks a memory of your own, or sends you down a rabbit-hole after characters you didn't even know were in your brain.

Or, write about the contents of the photo. As always, the choice is up to you.

Feel free to write as many drabbles as you want on one specific photo, or write one drabble for each of the 10 -- again, whatever you want. When you post your drabble, please include the link to the specific photo that you're drabbling, so that people can connect drabble and image.

All that said (man, I'm long-winded today!), here are the photos for you to choose from:

Photo 1.

Photo 2.

Photo 3.

Photo 4.

Photo 5.

Photo 6.

Photo 7. (As a side note, this photo *blows me away.*)

Photo 8.

Photo 9.

Photo 10.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

For Photo 2, the women with the boat. [link]

"Aren't there any strong men around who can do this?"
"Oh, I can't do that, I might break a nail."
"I used to do all sorts of outdoorsy things, but then I decided I wanted to be more girly."

Hey, delicate flower of femininity. Real women have been known to go outside and haul heavy wooden boats around. In long skirts. While laughing. Get back to me on how that whole "girly" thing is working out for you.