I kinda love these posts of meanderings...the thoughts and happenings from your days. It feels intimate (but not too intimate). Thank you for sharing your life.
Cait, I can’t tell you how lovely it feels to read your writing. The way you capture how it feels to revel in the beauty of the world mixed with setbacks and worry we all deal with, but especially creatives. I know it may not mean much coming from a rando on the internet, but: thanks for writing about your week. There were so many times I thought, “Me, too!” (ie, my best relationship talks have come in the woods too. We always say, “Nobody leaves the woods mad!” And it’s been true for us! We always seem to be able to work things out amid a ten-mile hike. And I too would change my route for the lambies!)
It means a lot from anyone, Amy! I think that's the beautiful thing about writing. You never know who might enjoy your words or what impact they might have or who it might help you connect with. So thank you! And thank you for sharing "nobody leaves the woods mad!" 🌲
I see that you've been busy meeting friends and discovering new neighbourhood attractions (egs., new born lambs and all). I'm sure that you must find this part of the world, where you now call home, much different from where you lived back home in BC and worked for awhile here while in Toronto.
In reading this dispatch I see where you were not all that fond of the book THE TIGER RISING. In checking google I see where they made that book into a movie and that the suggested reading age of the book was for kids, aged 9 to 11. Go figure. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
It's really crazy these days as one reads how billionaires grab and take advantage of others in ways to enhance their greed. Case in point, how Meta is grabbing access to the books written by so many authors, such as yourself, without permission. One would think that worldwide writer organizations would jointly band together to go after Meta with a big Class Action Suit to stop this practice and recover financial damages rightfully owed to you all.
I also read where you were turned down again for a job that you were hoping to get. I can relate to how you feel, my friend - having myself (years ago) been unemployed for several months. I will always remember when I went to 5 interviews (!) at one bank and still didn't get the position that I was after. On hindsight though I think that back then I "dodged a bullet" (metaphorically speaking) since I later found out that this employer tended to hire and fire people en masse quite often, depending on business conditions. As such it didn't have such a good reputation in the employer-employee relations field.
What you have to keep telling yourself is that by missing out on a job means that you are that much closer to eventually finding one. As well, and this is speaking from hindsight now, at times one's new employer and/or job doesn't always work out for the best long term. So don't give up, keep growing your business relationships, letting others know that you're looking for new opportunity employment. Often the perfect job is not advertised but rather found through networking. That's how I eventually found my long term employer and job.
Good luck my friend, don't give up, and keep smiling. You'll get there. Trust me.
Life is very different here, for so many reasons! You're right about that. Especially with the job stuff. To your point, networking is actually the thing I'm most worried about, as I don't have a network here. So I don't see that being my "way in" anywhere. But I do agree, it probably wasn't the job for me. There had actually been an interaction with 1 of the 2 people who interviewed me, where he made some really strange comments as he walked me out. I had felt good about the interview, until that point. So I liked the manager, but didn't like him—and it's ok that I won't have to work with him. Interestingly, two more positions have come up that are really similar, with different organizations... and one is part-time (22 hours vs. 37), which might be nice actually. So I'll apply for those, and just carry on!
Interesting observation on your last interview, Cait. At times such as then trusting one's gut does reflect your subconscious feelings about a prospective employer. The part-time prospect might in fact work out better for a few reasons: (1) you would have more time available to work on your own personal initiatives (such as helping to perhaps co-author work someone else, and (2) it might also lead in helping you start establishing local networking contacts that would help you in future endeavors. Best of luck to you, my friend. You'll eventually succeed.
Oh and there are some organizations trying to file lawsuits over all the stolen content, but I think the scale of what Meta has stolen is just so big... impossible to think about how SO many people could ever be paid for that.
Oh I would agree with that Meta, even if sufficiently found guilty, wouldn't ever pay back all that was stolen from artists, writers, creators such as yourself but at least it might send a message to the international community of governments to place more effective controls on such greedy organizations to better control them in the future.
Hello Cait! Sorry to hear that you didn’t get the job that you had applied for. Hope that means there is a perfect one for you on the horizon 💗 I was attempting to learn French on Duolingo but stopped sometime last year. Curious about you learning Italian… Is a trip to Italy in your sights? 😊✨
Aww, thanks friend! And I've stopped/started on Duolingo a few times. I studied German for 400+ days during the pandemic, simply because it made me feel hopeful. Like one day I'd be able to go somewhere new again, and maybe know a few words of a new language. Re: Italian - it's definitely on the list! I don't know when, but I do want to go ☺️ sending hugs over to you!
Oh Cait🥰I am so sorry you didn't get the job you wanted😭I hope the next opportunity is very close by🙌Remember life is an adventure🌲The lambies sound so special🥰
It is the perfect timing for this dispatch for me after months of a heavy accounting workload, and feeling burnt out and disconnected from purpose. I am inspired by your intentional walks and being so present you can see and feel so many things, I am going to talk more spring walks. Thank you Cait for being a light in our lives, your work is beautiful work. ✨️🌸🌷
You're so sweet, thank you Tracy ❤️ and I hope you enjoy your spring walks! It's a magical season... so much coming to life, lots of places for your imagination to go!
The beautiful and simple art of noticing. The living is the art. Love this, Cait.
I especially loved the piece via Tall Man on relationship retros. I’ll never forget being in college and witnessing my then boyfriend’s (RIP to him) parents do this - they would set a “date”, and whoever asked for the date would get to speak and share. Their partner’s role was to ask clarifying questions, repeat back to them what was said, and simply listen. Not defend or make a case for themselves. Sometimes the resolution is merely being heard. That was profound to witness as a young adult. My husband and I have our own version of this. It’s less formal, but we make a point to appreciate the little things - “hey thanks for doing dishes.” Or “I really appreciate that you took June (our pup) for a walk.” We like to talk about what needs doing for the week, who might be blocking who for any said task and commit to doing our fair share. Our grievances piece often includes a walk. A big part of the conversation is often about trying to even understand what the other means. And sometimes it ends there - in just talking and sharing and feeling and crying. Though the best bits are when the conversation continues after, but not through words, through actions.
In other news, I hear and hold where you’re at with work and writing in the age of AI 😢, and I hold a light at the end of the tunnel for the thing that comes next, and may it bring you ease.
Thank you so much for sharing some of what you witnessed + also do in your own relationship, Forrest! "Sometimes the resolution is merely being heard." I won't speak for TM, but this certainly rings true for me. Sometimes an action needs to be taken. But often, I just want to be heard and maybe get some emotional validation. And thanks for the note re: the work/AI stuff. I think this is something Substack really helps close the gap with... where I get to write what I want (not what's assigned) and offer it in a clean format (not surrounded by ads, or not used to promote a business). So I'm grateful for this space and all the readers who help support my work here ❤️
I am really enjoying this series of posts, Cait, thanks for sharing these moments from your life. I am sorry it was such as hard week for you. I hope next week brings more moments of joy.
If you are ever in another part of Lancashire, there is a good indie bookstore in Chorley called Ebb & Flo - it has just moved to bigger premises and it has a big selection of children’s and YA books as well as having a good selection of other books too.
Thank you for sharing the link to The Atlantic’s article. I looked up the book I co-edited (and wrote the intro and one chapter of) and it’s one of the stolen books too. 😢
Oh Philippa, I'm so sorry your work was stolen too! I'm lost for words on this topic... but want you to know whatever you're feeling about that is totally valid. And thank you for sharing that bookshop with me! I'll certainly add it to my Google Maps ☺️
I felt so many stabs of recognition in this post, Cait! The relationship 'retro' talks, the listening to life around us as the real work (love Mary Oliver), the sorrow you felt about the job search, Metas unrelenting abuse of artist material. Just want to let you know you are seen and the words you put into the world as so important.
Ahh so sorry about the job, Cait! That’s frustrating when they like you but just someone has more experience. Keep going! You’ll get there. In the meantime, loving these words you wrote for us 🙏🥰
Thanks, friend! I'll certainly keep trying. As I said in another comment above, I think my biggest concern at this point is that I don't have a professional "work" network I can tap into here... and am not sure how I'll get a job without that. But I won't give up. Hope you're doing well ☺️
Do you have LinkedIn? Get others to repost that you’re open to work maybe to grow your network? Happy to help if I can if it’s publishing/editing you’re into! x
Hi Cait! I messaged you on Instagram but I’m not sure if you got it since I think you weren’t using it as much. I wondered if you had a PO Box to send you something? I think you did in the past…my email is Allison8633@gmail.com … can you let me know please! Thanks :) -Ally
Hi Cait, I love reading your thoughts and routines. You share some perspectives and habits that I'd like to try.
Regarding your job search, I feel you, it's hard to get a good job as an immigrant. It took me a long time to find the job I wanted. I had to work in another job meanwhile (just because I needed the money) but I learned and met some wonderful people in that job. Also, I got this job because a friend invited me to an event where I got to meet the right people. It's hard to have a network in a new place, but maybe all you need is one or two people on your side and they can make all the difference.
I kinda love these posts of meanderings...the thoughts and happenings from your days. It feels intimate (but not too intimate). Thank you for sharing your life.
Thanks, Tammy ☺️ they are really enjoyable to write, and feel like the most accurate reflection of who I am/how I think.
Cait, I can’t tell you how lovely it feels to read your writing. The way you capture how it feels to revel in the beauty of the world mixed with setbacks and worry we all deal with, but especially creatives. I know it may not mean much coming from a rando on the internet, but: thanks for writing about your week. There were so many times I thought, “Me, too!” (ie, my best relationship talks have come in the woods too. We always say, “Nobody leaves the woods mad!” And it’s been true for us! We always seem to be able to work things out amid a ten-mile hike. And I too would change my route for the lambies!)
Sending warmth to you from across the pond!
It means a lot from anyone, Amy! I think that's the beautiful thing about writing. You never know who might enjoy your words or what impact they might have or who it might help you connect with. So thank you! And thank you for sharing "nobody leaves the woods mad!" 🌲
It was such a lovely day!
It really was, Keris! I'm so grateful you made the time and effort to come meet me ☺️
Hi Cait!
I see that you've been busy meeting friends and discovering new neighbourhood attractions (egs., new born lambs and all). I'm sure that you must find this part of the world, where you now call home, much different from where you lived back home in BC and worked for awhile here while in Toronto.
In reading this dispatch I see where you were not all that fond of the book THE TIGER RISING. In checking google I see where they made that book into a movie and that the suggested reading age of the book was for kids, aged 9 to 11. Go figure. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
It's really crazy these days as one reads how billionaires grab and take advantage of others in ways to enhance their greed. Case in point, how Meta is grabbing access to the books written by so many authors, such as yourself, without permission. One would think that worldwide writer organizations would jointly band together to go after Meta with a big Class Action Suit to stop this practice and recover financial damages rightfully owed to you all.
I also read where you were turned down again for a job that you were hoping to get. I can relate to how you feel, my friend - having myself (years ago) been unemployed for several months. I will always remember when I went to 5 interviews (!) at one bank and still didn't get the position that I was after. On hindsight though I think that back then I "dodged a bullet" (metaphorically speaking) since I later found out that this employer tended to hire and fire people en masse quite often, depending on business conditions. As such it didn't have such a good reputation in the employer-employee relations field.
What you have to keep telling yourself is that by missing out on a job means that you are that much closer to eventually finding one. As well, and this is speaking from hindsight now, at times one's new employer and/or job doesn't always work out for the best long term. So don't give up, keep growing your business relationships, letting others know that you're looking for new opportunity employment. Often the perfect job is not advertised but rather found through networking. That's how I eventually found my long term employer and job.
Good luck my friend, don't give up, and keep smiling. You'll get there. Trust me.
Life is very different here, for so many reasons! You're right about that. Especially with the job stuff. To your point, networking is actually the thing I'm most worried about, as I don't have a network here. So I don't see that being my "way in" anywhere. But I do agree, it probably wasn't the job for me. There had actually been an interaction with 1 of the 2 people who interviewed me, where he made some really strange comments as he walked me out. I had felt good about the interview, until that point. So I liked the manager, but didn't like him—and it's ok that I won't have to work with him. Interestingly, two more positions have come up that are really similar, with different organizations... and one is part-time (22 hours vs. 37), which might be nice actually. So I'll apply for those, and just carry on!
Interesting observation on your last interview, Cait. At times such as then trusting one's gut does reflect your subconscious feelings about a prospective employer. The part-time prospect might in fact work out better for a few reasons: (1) you would have more time available to work on your own personal initiatives (such as helping to perhaps co-author work someone else, and (2) it might also lead in helping you start establishing local networking contacts that would help you in future endeavors. Best of luck to you, my friend. You'll eventually succeed.
Oh and there are some organizations trying to file lawsuits over all the stolen content, but I think the scale of what Meta has stolen is just so big... impossible to think about how SO many people could ever be paid for that.
Oh I would agree with that Meta, even if sufficiently found guilty, wouldn't ever pay back all that was stolen from artists, writers, creators such as yourself but at least it might send a message to the international community of governments to place more effective controls on such greedy organizations to better control them in the future.
Hello Cait! Sorry to hear that you didn’t get the job that you had applied for. Hope that means there is a perfect one for you on the horizon 💗 I was attempting to learn French on Duolingo but stopped sometime last year. Curious about you learning Italian… Is a trip to Italy in your sights? 😊✨
Aww, thanks friend! And I've stopped/started on Duolingo a few times. I studied German for 400+ days during the pandemic, simply because it made me feel hopeful. Like one day I'd be able to go somewhere new again, and maybe know a few words of a new language. Re: Italian - it's definitely on the list! I don't know when, but I do want to go ☺️ sending hugs over to you!
Oh Cait🥰I am so sorry you didn't get the job you wanted😭I hope the next opportunity is very close by🙌Remember life is an adventure🌲The lambies sound so special🥰
It is definitely an adventure, my friend!
It is the perfect timing for this dispatch for me after months of a heavy accounting workload, and feeling burnt out and disconnected from purpose. I am inspired by your intentional walks and being so present you can see and feel so many things, I am going to talk more spring walks. Thank you Cait for being a light in our lives, your work is beautiful work. ✨️🌸🌷
You're so sweet, thank you Tracy ❤️ and I hope you enjoy your spring walks! It's a magical season... so much coming to life, lots of places for your imagination to go!
Thank you for sharing your week with us. Im really sorry you didnt get the job.
I had no idea about the Pmeta thing. Turns out they've used some but not all of my papers! What the heck?
Oh noooo! I'm so sorry, Michelle! It feels impossible to try to grasp just how much they've stolen... ❤️
So sorry you didn’t get the job, and that meta stole your two books. 😭
On brighter notes, thank you for sharing your meanderings and ‘bringing us with you’ during your week. 🩷
You're so welcome, Melinda! I'm really enjoying writing them ☺️
The beautiful and simple art of noticing. The living is the art. Love this, Cait.
I especially loved the piece via Tall Man on relationship retros. I’ll never forget being in college and witnessing my then boyfriend’s (RIP to him) parents do this - they would set a “date”, and whoever asked for the date would get to speak and share. Their partner’s role was to ask clarifying questions, repeat back to them what was said, and simply listen. Not defend or make a case for themselves. Sometimes the resolution is merely being heard. That was profound to witness as a young adult. My husband and I have our own version of this. It’s less formal, but we make a point to appreciate the little things - “hey thanks for doing dishes.” Or “I really appreciate that you took June (our pup) for a walk.” We like to talk about what needs doing for the week, who might be blocking who for any said task and commit to doing our fair share. Our grievances piece often includes a walk. A big part of the conversation is often about trying to even understand what the other means. And sometimes it ends there - in just talking and sharing and feeling and crying. Though the best bits are when the conversation continues after, but not through words, through actions.
In other news, I hear and hold where you’re at with work and writing in the age of AI 😢, and I hold a light at the end of the tunnel for the thing that comes next, and may it bring you ease.
Thank you so much for sharing some of what you witnessed + also do in your own relationship, Forrest! "Sometimes the resolution is merely being heard." I won't speak for TM, but this certainly rings true for me. Sometimes an action needs to be taken. But often, I just want to be heard and maybe get some emotional validation. And thanks for the note re: the work/AI stuff. I think this is something Substack really helps close the gap with... where I get to write what I want (not what's assigned) and offer it in a clean format (not surrounded by ads, or not used to promote a business). So I'm grateful for this space and all the readers who help support my work here ❤️
I am really enjoying this series of posts, Cait, thanks for sharing these moments from your life. I am sorry it was such as hard week for you. I hope next week brings more moments of joy.
If you are ever in another part of Lancashire, there is a good indie bookstore in Chorley called Ebb & Flo - it has just moved to bigger premises and it has a big selection of children’s and YA books as well as having a good selection of other books too.
Thank you for sharing the link to The Atlantic’s article. I looked up the book I co-edited (and wrote the intro and one chapter of) and it’s one of the stolen books too. 😢
Oh Philippa, I'm so sorry your work was stolen too! I'm lost for words on this topic... but want you to know whatever you're feeling about that is totally valid. And thank you for sharing that bookshop with me! I'll certainly add it to my Google Maps ☺️
I felt so many stabs of recognition in this post, Cait! The relationship 'retro' talks, the listening to life around us as the real work (love Mary Oliver), the sorrow you felt about the job search, Metas unrelenting abuse of artist material. Just want to let you know you are seen and the words you put into the world as so important.
Thank you so much, friend! As always, I'm grateful to be witnessed by you ✨ hope you had a nice weekend over there!
Ahh so sorry about the job, Cait! That’s frustrating when they like you but just someone has more experience. Keep going! You’ll get there. In the meantime, loving these words you wrote for us 🙏🥰
Thanks, friend! I'll certainly keep trying. As I said in another comment above, I think my biggest concern at this point is that I don't have a professional "work" network I can tap into here... and am not sure how I'll get a job without that. But I won't give up. Hope you're doing well ☺️
Do you have LinkedIn? Get others to repost that you’re open to work maybe to grow your network? Happy to help if I can if it’s publishing/editing you’re into! x
Hi Cait! I messaged you on Instagram but I’m not sure if you got it since I think you weren’t using it as much. I wondered if you had a PO Box to send you something? I think you did in the past…my email is Allison8633@gmail.com … can you let me know please! Thanks :) -Ally
Hi Cait, I love reading your thoughts and routines. You share some perspectives and habits that I'd like to try.
Regarding your job search, I feel you, it's hard to get a good job as an immigrant. It took me a long time to find the job I wanted. I had to work in another job meanwhile (just because I needed the money) but I learned and met some wonderful people in that job. Also, I got this job because a friend invited me to an event where I got to meet the right people. It's hard to have a network in a new place, but maybe all you need is one or two people on your side and they can make all the difference.