Field Notes

As I said below, I’m kind of over techwriting. But some
academics are finding it very exciting. Like the founder of Sellout: A Resource for People With PhDs Considering
Careers Outside the University.

Last night to the Sibelius Conducting Competition. The
finals are tonight, but I need to get work done.

[Later:] Olari Elts from Estonia placed first, and Yasuo Shinozaki, my favorite of the ones I heard (he sang to the orchestra), was second. It seems that Jorma Panula, the mentor of most of the top Finnish conductors, was the kingmaker: “Elts totta kai.” News stories here in Finnish, here in English.

PS 2015: Olari Elts, management. Yasuo Shinozaki. I don’t know how to read conductor bios but they both seem to conduct regularly and to good reviews.

Crystal Pepsi. Crystal deodorant. And now, according to Pamie’s forum, there’s crystal cat litter. It’s described here, in Heather’s post. In other household news, I just noticed that Vuokkoset, a Finnish brand of panty liner, has the “made in Finland” symbol in it and advertises itself on TV as kotimainen (‘homelandish,’ domestic, made in Finland). File under nationalism.

I have to start logging cites.

After yesterday, I should really post my own press release: Diana Quits Trantex, Starts Rest of Life. “We’re just thrilled that she’s decided not to come back after her study leave,” said the personnel manager. “Now we don’t have to waste any more time dealing with her unwillingness to participate in optional but  compulsory extracurricular events like these, or her cynicism about Total Quality Systems, or her sneering at jargon. And in case any prospective employees are reading, we’re not this bad.”

For her part, the ex-Trantexian says, “I never wanted to be a tech writer or a language checker, I just fell into it. I’m sure someone else will be very excited to have my old job, and I look forward to learning new things at my next position in the high-tech world … It’s not you, it’s me. I need some space. I’ve changed. No, actually, I haven’t changed, but my situation has. Anyway. Let’s just be friends. I’ll call you.”