VS.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Word On Internships
Around the end of December I took an Internship at a small New York City production company. One of my first tasks was to meet the director, who has directed a Hollywood feature film, at JFK in Queens and picked up luggage and film. They flew in from Austin from shooting some cooking show that was to broadcast on public television.
Prior to accepting this position when I interviewed with the office manager I thought I had agreed to something else. I thought I had accepted to work at their very small and extremely quiet mid-town office in return to work on post production. My goal was to learn Final Cut Pro and actually edit using this software in some capacity. I agreed to work and provide them with free labor if these were the terms of the deal. After working a third of the internship, the office manager made it clear to me that the terms were not negotiable, and the menial office office support help I likened to a Bounty paper towel job would be all I would be doing for them. Talk about a bait and switch.
This was my third choice of the internships I was considering. I took it somewhat reluctantly for reasons that are as follows:
1. The size of the office.
2. The presentation or apperience of the Office Manager. He looked frazzled, as if he had just emerged from the cellar right after a tornado strike or near miss.
3. It was unpaid.
4. I was unsure that I would be doing post-production work but I was given an assurance that this would be more than a mere possibility.
In the end I choose to pull the plug on the internship and study for the GRE's I took later in the week (I have applied to the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism since then). After working in Education and at a State Park for the past decade this experience, and another, has been an eye opener. Always look after your own interests.
Basically, I was working at cost to myself for office experience. The tasks I were issued came from Steven haphazardly. Either while I was working on another project or while I was waiting for something to do. I have come to believe that Steven had unwittingly violated Federal Labor Laws.
In a recent NY Times article titled, "The Unpaid Intern, Legal or Not," Steven Greenhouse reports that, "many employers failed to pay even though their internships did not comply with the six federal legal criteria that must be satisfied for internships to be unpaid..." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html
These federal criteria are listed below:
Example of a violation given by the DOL:
Every three months new interns cycle into this and other production companies for various industries in New York City. What constitutes a proper internship is illustrated by the six points and example provided above. If these are not satisfied then the company is in violation of federal labor laws.
Ill chock this up to a learning experience. Always know your rights and trust your gut if you feel like you are getting a raw deal.
Recent CNNMoney.com/Fortune article on the subject, "Unpaid Jobs:The New Normal?"
Prior to accepting this position when I interviewed with the office manager I thought I had agreed to something else. I thought I had accepted to work at their very small and extremely quiet mid-town office in return to work on post production. My goal was to learn Final Cut Pro and actually edit using this software in some capacity. I agreed to work and provide them with free labor if these were the terms of the deal. After working a third of the internship, the office manager made it clear to me that the terms were not negotiable, and the menial office office support help I likened to a Bounty paper towel job would be all I would be doing for them. Talk about a bait and switch.
This was my third choice of the internships I was considering. I took it somewhat reluctantly for reasons that are as follows:
1. The size of the office.
2. The presentation or apperience of the Office Manager. He looked frazzled, as if he had just emerged from the cellar right after a tornado strike or near miss.
3. It was unpaid.
4. I was unsure that I would be doing post-production work but I was given an assurance that this would be more than a mere possibility.
In the end I choose to pull the plug on the internship and study for the GRE's I took later in the week (I have applied to the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism since then). After working in Education and at a State Park for the past decade this experience, and another, has been an eye opener. Always look after your own interests.
Basically, I was working at cost to myself for office experience. The tasks I were issued came from Steven haphazardly. Either while I was working on another project or while I was waiting for something to do. I have come to believe that Steven had unwittingly violated Federal Labor Laws.
In a recent NY Times article titled, "The Unpaid Intern, Legal or Not," Steven Greenhouse reports that, "many employers failed to pay even though their internships did not comply with the six federal legal criteria that must be satisfied for internships to be unpaid..." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html
These federal criteria are listed below:
1. The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational instruction;
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainees;
3. The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation;
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees, and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded;
5. The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period;
6. The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.
Example of a violation given by the DOL:
A worker who participates in a program at a retail store or restaurant and who assists customers or operates a cash register with little supervision may be an employee because the employer derives tangible benefit (i.e., productive work) from the worker’s activities).
Every three months new interns cycle into this and other production companies for various industries in New York City. What constitutes a proper internship is illustrated by the six points and example provided above. If these are not satisfied then the company is in violation of federal labor laws.
Ill chock this up to a learning experience. Always know your rights and trust your gut if you feel like you are getting a raw deal.
Recent CNNMoney.com/Fortune article on the subject, "Unpaid Jobs:The New Normal?"
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A Short Story. Confirmation (Part 3)
"Lyra, when are your parents going to come over. The Confirmation starts in an hour." Planning for Franz had been complicated. Not many family members would be in attendance but some friends and colleagues from CERN were going to the ceremony at the Old Catholic Church and then dinner to celebrate. Josef k. was anxious that all would go well. He was worried about his reputation and the love of his family would somehow be at odds. Nevertheless being in Church just added to the pressure. It was religion that he minded but sitting through Mass that he found to be painful.
"Josef K. you always are so anxious, here hold my hands," Lyra said.
They had met at a friend's party. He was immediately attracted to her and had a hard time concealing those emotions. He remembered his jaw muscles flexing and pulsing, grinding his teeth. While Lyra just didn't understand why he kept polishing his glasses until someone joked about lenses were no longer important in conducing these experiments. That's when Bernie Falk stated he'd probably need four eyes to see a particle that could be in three separate places at the same time.
With a breath, a sigh, and a slight kiss, "Better now?" she said. "Oh look they are here." A spark remained in her eye as she left him to great her parents.
"Hello, hello." Her father greeted her. "Where is my grandson? I have got some of his favorite and finest chocolates in the whole country to give to him. But don't tell him THAT yet."
"You're going to spoil him," Lyra said smiling
"What are grandparents for then huh?"
Grand-pere!" exclaimed Franz as they embraced.
"Ah, and a happy family. Sir, we don't want to be late." Josef K. stated. "Its good to see you again. We can all go in our car. It's a big American thing."
When they arrived at the Old Catholic Church, some of Josef K's colleagues were already there. They arranged themselves in the pews of the nave to begin the ceremony.
The church was packed with proud parents as they most often are for Confirmation. As Lyra welled up, Josef K. felt in his picket for a napkin and gave it to Lyra. Looking down she said, "What's the Cosmic Hour Glass Love?"
"Oh- I" Josef K. stammered, "...its something I am working on."
"Don't think I can use this then," she whispered, handing the Starbucks napkin back with his doodle.
It was at this pint the Priest began his sermon, "Matthew 17:20." He began and recited the rest from memory.
"It was because you do not have enough faith," answered Jesus. "I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, "Go from here to there!" and it will go. You could do anything."
His words echoed through the halls. Occasionally someone coughed or cleared their throats.
"We come here to celebrated one of the Sacraments of our Church and welcome new members into religious life," the Priest continued. "But before I get into the meaning of today's sermon. I would like to welcome some of the finest minds in the world to our parish. The are delving into the secrets of the universe, may they receive the wisdom of the Lord so they may do what is right in His eyes. But I say to you," the Priest raising his voice, "some are concerned that your endeavors will bring about a new flood of time and space that will crush our world. May we offer up our blessings that you know what you are doing and that the good Lord will favor us with a deeper knowledge of his wonder. Come let us prey."
When the mass was over everyone began to take pictures of their sons and daughters. Josef K., his family and friends left and went to the restaurant to celebrate with food and drink where the sermon was mentioned but laughed off. The real discussion was about Yossarian. A man who's name they didn't even know.
"Josef K. you always are so anxious, here hold my hands," Lyra said.
They had met at a friend's party. He was immediately attracted to her and had a hard time concealing those emotions. He remembered his jaw muscles flexing and pulsing, grinding his teeth. While Lyra just didn't understand why he kept polishing his glasses until someone joked about lenses were no longer important in conducing these experiments. That's when Bernie Falk stated he'd probably need four eyes to see a particle that could be in three separate places at the same time.
With a breath, a sigh, and a slight kiss, "Better now?" she said. "Oh look they are here." A spark remained in her eye as she left him to great her parents.
"Hello, hello." Her father greeted her. "Where is my grandson? I have got some of his favorite and finest chocolates in the whole country to give to him. But don't tell him THAT yet."
"You're going to spoil him," Lyra said smiling
"What are grandparents for then huh?"
Grand-pere!" exclaimed Franz as they embraced.
"Ah, and a happy family. Sir, we don't want to be late." Josef K. stated. "Its good to see you again. We can all go in our car. It's a big American thing."
When they arrived at the Old Catholic Church, some of Josef K's colleagues were already there. They arranged themselves in the pews of the nave to begin the ceremony.
The church was packed with proud parents as they most often are for Confirmation. As Lyra welled up, Josef K. felt in his picket for a napkin and gave it to Lyra. Looking down she said, "What's the Cosmic Hour Glass Love?"
"Oh- I" Josef K. stammered, "...its something I am working on."
"Don't think I can use this then," she whispered, handing the Starbucks napkin back with his doodle.
It was at this pint the Priest began his sermon, "Matthew 17:20." He began and recited the rest from memory.
"It was because you do not have enough faith," answered Jesus. "I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, "Go from here to there!" and it will go. You could do anything."
His words echoed through the halls. Occasionally someone coughed or cleared their throats.
"We come here to celebrated one of the Sacraments of our Church and welcome new members into religious life," the Priest continued. "But before I get into the meaning of today's sermon. I would like to welcome some of the finest minds in the world to our parish. The are delving into the secrets of the universe, may they receive the wisdom of the Lord so they may do what is right in His eyes. But I say to you," the Priest raising his voice, "some are concerned that your endeavors will bring about a new flood of time and space that will crush our world. May we offer up our blessings that you know what you are doing and that the good Lord will favor us with a deeper knowledge of his wonder. Come let us prey."
When the mass was over everyone began to take pictures of their sons and daughters. Josef K., his family and friends left and went to the restaurant to celebrate with food and drink where the sermon was mentioned but laughed off. The real discussion was about Yossarian. A man who's name they didn't even know.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Short Story: The Boy who never knew that Rabbit was a Cat.
In Switzerland they have built one of the most elaborate technological instruments ever constructed. It is called the Large Hadron Collider. At 17 miles in diameter it extends into neighboring country of France. Its purpose is to seek knowledge of sub-sub-atomic particles by high velocity impacts of protons.
Turning the thing on caused lots of controversy. What's to say our universe wouldn't go out like it began, with a bang. And some people thought that the LHC was a real threat to our very existence. It is here that our principle, Josef K., an eminent quantum physicist, worked.
For many years he work helping to build the LHC, married and had a child named Franz. Josef K. loved his son very much and shared as much a father can with his son. One day they bought Franz a cat they named Rabbit. Anything was possible for them and Josef K. wanted Franz to know that.
While working Josef K. would always noticed a strange sound, like that of a distant highway, the rubber of many cars meeting and ripping away from the road. He would discuss this strange sound with his colleagues. However they did not listen. This is when one of the physicist he worked with gave him a book by Robert Wilson titled, The Universe Next Door. This was the beginning of an improbable idea. During the months that followed Josef K. began to formulate a new understanding of the universe.
"What all existence took place in a giant hour glass," He dryly noted to a friend at a Starbucks in Geneva.
"Josef, yes. It is very interesting, your elaborate notions of the world and our universe. But don't you know how my Peter is turning 8 and you all are invited to the celebration in New York," said Dr. Bernie Falk.
"Thank you, I will have to inform my Wife if this is possible."
"Always these possiblities with you, I want you to speak with certainty." Finishing his coffee and getting up to leave. Bernie left in saying, "It will be good to get away from CERN for a while while the project has gone offline." With that he nodded and left.
Staying for a while Josef K. asked for a piece of paper from the barista and reluctently accepted a napkin. Taking this he drew a large hour glass.
And titled it, Our Cosmic Hour glass. On the top bulb he labeled Matter, and the bottom Anti-Matter. Not even Bernie would listen to him about his notions of cosmic equilibrium. How crazy would he be if that Texas Cowboy wouldn't listen to him. Wilczek was getting death threats. It was even reported in Der Speigel and Bloomberg Businessweek. Perhaps a little time in New York with his wife Lyra and Franz would be beneficial.
To be continued...
Turning the thing on caused lots of controversy. What's to say our universe wouldn't go out like it began, with a bang. And some people thought that the LHC was a real threat to our very existence. It is here that our principle, Josef K., an eminent quantum physicist, worked.
For many years he work helping to build the LHC, married and had a child named Franz. Josef K. loved his son very much and shared as much a father can with his son. One day they bought Franz a cat they named Rabbit. Anything was possible for them and Josef K. wanted Franz to know that.
While working Josef K. would always noticed a strange sound, like that of a distant highway, the rubber of many cars meeting and ripping away from the road. He would discuss this strange sound with his colleagues. However they did not listen. This is when one of the physicist he worked with gave him a book by Robert Wilson titled, The Universe Next Door. This was the beginning of an improbable idea. During the months that followed Josef K. began to formulate a new understanding of the universe.
"What all existence took place in a giant hour glass," He dryly noted to a friend at a Starbucks in Geneva.
"Josef, yes. It is very interesting, your elaborate notions of the world and our universe. But don't you know how my Peter is turning 8 and you all are invited to the celebration in New York," said Dr. Bernie Falk.
"Thank you, I will have to inform my Wife if this is possible."
"Always these possiblities with you, I want you to speak with certainty." Finishing his coffee and getting up to leave. Bernie left in saying, "It will be good to get away from CERN for a while while the project has gone offline." With that he nodded and left.
Staying for a while Josef K. asked for a piece of paper from the barista and reluctently accepted a napkin. Taking this he drew a large hour glass.
And titled it, Our Cosmic Hour glass. On the top bulb he labeled Matter, and the bottom Anti-Matter. Not even Bernie would listen to him about his notions of cosmic equilibrium. How crazy would he be if that Texas Cowboy wouldn't listen to him. Wilczek was getting death threats. It was even reported in Der Speigel and Bloomberg Businessweek. Perhaps a little time in New York with his wife Lyra and Franz would be beneficial.
To be continued...
To Banksy,
I watched Exit Through The Gift Shop and it was a revelation. Thank you for being a true artist that has taken consumerism, politics, and art to the streets. To see something for the first time is a gift. You are one of a very, very few heros of mine. I am amazed at your at your ability- for street art in all of its manifestations (the phone booth, street art in palestine, in museums, elsewhere, and even printing your own money.). I am inspired to do such crazy shit, but don't have the ability.
186,282 miles per second
The 2011 Consumer Electrics Association trade show will be opening in Las Vagas tomorrow. The pace of technological change will speed up some as media and tech. companies witness the future of entertainment. In a recent article in the NY Times it was reported that Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), the two leading micro-chip manufactures, are changing their focus when designing their processors. Yesterday used to be about processor speed, while tomorrow is about integrating graphics into their products.
What does this mean? Computers designed with the newer processors, Intel's i3, i5, and i7 chips for example, will be able to process video much faster than the computer you bought last year. Some computers in the store today like the Toshiba Portege have a Push To TV button on the keypad. This enables you to broadcast, by wifi, what you are viewing on your computer to your flatscreen, internet friendly, television.
The last piece of the puzzle though is a website that broadcasts television. Over the Christmas break I had a discussion with my brother about this very subject. He is an international airline pilot for a major carrier, lives in Florida, and is an insane NY Giants fan. This poses a problem though. How does he watch Giant games in Florida or, for that matter, anywhere in the world? The answer is a website that broadcasts television ATDHE.net. You don't have to have the latest AMD or Intel processor to view the site, but it would probably be impractical. Just think of downloading information during the modem days of the internet- the byte rate was extremely slow before broadband and other technological advancements. Which of the major brands- Apple, Google, or Netflix- will offer Television over the internet now the future of entertainment is practically upon us? How you experience entertainment will change at the speed of light, or 186,282 miles per second, pot watchers excluded.
What does this mean? Computers designed with the newer processors, Intel's i3, i5, and i7 chips for example, will be able to process video much faster than the computer you bought last year. Some computers in the store today like the Toshiba Portege have a Push To TV button on the keypad. This enables you to broadcast, by wifi, what you are viewing on your computer to your flatscreen, internet friendly, television.
The last piece of the puzzle though is a website that broadcasts television. Over the Christmas break I had a discussion with my brother about this very subject. He is an international airline pilot for a major carrier, lives in Florida, and is an insane NY Giants fan. This poses a problem though. How does he watch Giant games in Florida or, for that matter, anywhere in the world? The answer is a website that broadcasts television ATDHE.net. You don't have to have the latest AMD or Intel processor to view the site, but it would probably be impractical. Just think of downloading information during the modem days of the internet- the byte rate was extremely slow before broadband and other technological advancements. Which of the major brands- Apple, Google, or Netflix- will offer Television over the internet now the future of entertainment is practically upon us? How you experience entertainment will change at the speed of light, or 186,282 miles per second, pot watchers excluded.
Monday, December 27, 2010
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