June 21st, 2005:

It’s been going around this great Interweb quite a bit, so I’m sure it’s not news to you. However, due to our own eyes playing tricks on us, “the moon will appear to be larger than usual”:http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/20jun_moonillusion.htm to most people in North America over the next few days. It has to do with it being a full moon (so that it’s visible as full), as well as the moonrise and sunset corresponding with one another properly so that it’s dark when the moon is on the horizon. With these conditions, your mind and eyes trick you into seeing it larger that usual.

I intend to photograph it. They say that a photograph can’t really display the illusion properly, and I intend to prove that wrong.

The sun sets at 8:40ish every day this week. It should be very dark by 9:45ish (the beginning of Nautical Twilight). Tonight in Dallas, the moon rises at 9:49pm. Tomorrow at 10:44pm and Thursday at 11:30pm. I intend to shoot one or all three of these. I just need to find a good shot that exploits the properties of the illusion.

Anyone interested in joining me is welcome to do so. We’ll see how it goes.

Thanks to those of you who sent me warm wishes for day 100. Despite my anti-climactic attitude towards the number 100, it meant a lot to me to see so much support from all of you.

As I anticipated, day 100 wasn’t any more difficult than day 99, nor was it any more difficult than day 101. I think the most important thing is that with each new day the number of days since I last had a cigarette is higher than it was the day before. Regardless of how many times I fail at quitting, or how many days the count is “0″, any day that the count is higher than it was the day before is a day in the right direction.

Thank you all for your support in both words and photographs. I have some incredible friends (and family).

My inside source from the interview says I “wowed them”. They have another guy to interview on Thursday and then I should find out as early as Friday, no later than Monday or Tuesday. My source said that the other guy looks good on paper but “he ain’t no Reverend” (substituted with my actual last name which, until the super revjim.net cleanup happens, still doesn’t appear on this site). By this he means that 1/2 of the people making the hiring decision are familiar with both me and my father, and the high quality of work and support we provide regardless of the task at hand.

All in all, it looks pretty strong. I tend to downplay myself in my own head (after all, I’m just me) but, after thinking about my responses during this very long and structured interview, and my experience and ability, I realize that I am a very knowledgeable, qualified individual with the ability to learn quickly and adapt suddenly. In all of the interviews I’ve administered, I’d be happy to have someone like me.

It’s an interesting turn for a usually rather modest ego. I’m sure it wont last long but it’s fun for now.

I have a job interview in 30 minutes. I haven’t interviewed for a job in over 8 years. It’s a very strange feeling.

Wish me luck.