Help me

Right now, there is one little thing that transmutes work into a tolerable experience from one that would result in a hastily planned and executed suicide, and that is an iPod. It's the nature of my work that you can listen to headphones for 8 hours straight. It's also the nature of my work that it's so simple you don't have to think about it, not really at least, so you can pay attention to what you're listening to.

Since even I get stir-crazy sitting in a chair listening to music for 8 hours straight, I've started listening to audiobooks. With 40 hours a week you can burn through some serious material.

But I'm running out of ideas. I've put a serious dent in my "always meant to read it" list, and all that's left are those books that, while they're classics, don't look like they'd divert me, which is what I'm looking for. Anna Karenina might be one of the best books ever, but a lot of what it's famous for is the style, not the story, or so I understand. I don't know, though. If anyone has actually read Anna Karenina and wants to put in a good word, I'll listen.

So, please help me - what are your favorite books? What books capture you? What books won't you hear a word against? What books did you borrow for a class and then buy a copy of later because it was so incredibly good? I honestly don't care about the era, style, content....just give me a good story, a well-written work of fiction. Airport-fare or literary genius, as long as it spoke to you. Best-selling author or virtual unknown. Sci-Fi or dreary, Grapes of Wrath realism.

So leave a comment, or send me an e-mail if you're embarrassed that your favorite book ever isn't considered a literary masterpiece. I've read more books than anyone I know, and there are decent percentage of them that are obscure as fuck.

Also don't worry if what immediately pops into your head is something that everyone has read. Basically, what I'm trying to get across is that the only thing I care about is if you personally thought it was a great book.

I don't know about you guys, but there are some books for me that I like so much that they become intensely personal. I almost don't want to talk about them because of the severity of feeling I have for them. Two of those books for me are The Sun Also Rises and Sometimes a Great Notion. I'd recommend them to anyone, unconditionally. If you have a book like that, by all means let me know. You don't even have to give a reason.

So, please help me make going to work not grounds for suicide. Thanks.

-Indy Z

A Familiar Location/Brew

While scanning the NYT on-line I stumbled across this article: "Frugal Portland" (fake Portland, not real Portland)

It refers to some familiar brews (and gives the Widmer hef a seriously backhanded compliment--although I'm not sure what cru means), a few vaguely familiar places, and really, really makes me miss the Northwest. . .

Oh, and speaking of missing the Northwest, I don't know if you're all on the Whitman jobs list-serv, but for those of you who aren't, let me share an opening which came in today . . .

WHITMAN COLLEGE ADMISSION OFFICER

The Office of Admission seeks a motivated, imaginative individual to join our eighteen-person admission team as an Admission Officer. This is a full-time position beginning July 1, 2009.

General responsibilities for the position include traveling to high schools and college fairs, interviewing candidates for admission, preparing correspondence, reviewing applications for admission, and contacting secondary school personnel and alumni admission volunteers. This Admission Officer position will work with the Dean of Admission & Financial Aid and the Director of Admission on various recruitment programs in the Office of Admission.

The successful candidate will enjoy travel, be a team player, have effective public speaking skills, possess strong writing skills, be able and willing to work long hours and weekends, speak about and demonstrate a commitment to the value of a liberal arts education, and be comfortable working with a variety of people. Computer proficiency is required. A sense of humor is appreciated.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from a selective liberal arts college and a valid driver’s license.

Application: Submit a letter of application, official college transcript, resume, names and telephone numbers of three references, and a 250 word statement on the value of a liberal arts education to the Human Resources Office, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Review of applications will begin mid-May and the position is open until filled. Candidates selected for an interview are asked to prepare a 20 minute persuasive oral presentation on Whitman College or their undergraduate institution.

Mary Luckstead | Administrative Assistant | Human Resources | 509-527-5172

Margaret Robison Ely
Career Center Administrative Assistant
Whitman College, Reid Campus Center
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
elymr@whitman.edu
Office: 509-527-5183
Fax: 509-527-5934

Anyone up for a little reliving the past?