Colleen Taylor

Last night after dinner we caught up on a couple of episodes of the Colbert Report.  I have to say, I scoffed when Peter Cove, a somewhat too nattily dressed man (bow tie, pocket square) with a huge handlebar moustache, was introduced as an "expert" on employment. I thought, "How could someone who looks so ridiculous have any practical advice on anything?"

As soon as he started talking, though, I realized I was wrong to have written him off so quickly. The guy had some great insights! Just another lesson to not judge a book by its cover.

His first piece of advice to people seeking work:
"I'd recommend they get off their computers, and go out and talk to people they know. Use their networks."

His advice to recent college graduates deciding between grad school and the workforce:
"I think it's a good idea to get out there and start working, even as an intern."

On how to work your acquaintances for job leads:
"Absolutely, you should nag friends! And ask their friends to nag other friends."

His top two interview tips:
"Ask the person about themselves. Second, give them eye contact."

"My mother had a theory about Englishmen: They are permanently all two gin and tonics under par. They need two gin and tonics to become human. I’ve got a nasty feeling that’s absolutely true."

-- Hugh Grant in the January 2010 issue of Elle Magazine

"In any case, they have to figure it out in their own way just as we do, in private. No matter how many interviews we read or see, how many pictures or videos get published, how many tell-alls get written, we will never see into the private circumstances of the Edwardses, the Sanfords, or the Spitzers, nor should we.

We have enough to do trying to understand and know ourselves, if we could only stop bellowing about other people long enough to try."

-From a very good Elle Magazine article by Mary Gaitskill, on the recent spate of adultery "scandals"


One of my New Years' resolutions was to stop visiting media/gossip websites. I'd always justified the time spent reading them with the fact that I'm in the media industry-- but if I'm going to be honest with myself, none of the information on sites like Gawker has anything to do with my life. At some point, I realized that my attention is not an infinite resource.

To my surprise, since January 1st I haven't even been tempted to sneak them back on to my RSS reader. Turns out I actually have a lot of things in my own, real world that have filled in to occupy my attention quite nicely.

"All I ask is one thing, and this is-- I’m asking this particularly of young people that watch.

Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism; for the record, it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen.

I’m telling you.  Amazing things will happen.  I’m telling you.  It’s just true."

-Conan O'Brian, during his final show


Refreshingly earnest real talk on network TV, of all places.  I like the all-encompassing promise of "amazing" things happening.  I think it's true that, at some time, and in some form, you will get back what you put in.