Month: July 2011

How to Write Effective Email: Tip 1B

3

Tip 1B. Be Honest About What You Want

Be honest about the true goal of your email. Sometimes people email me asking me to read something they’ve written. Or to listen to a theory or idea they have. Okay, fine, but why? It’s not enough to say, “I’m Jane Doe and I’m writing to see if you’d be willing to read this book proposal I wrote.” What are you really hoping will happen? You have search your heart and once again, be up front about it. You have to go on to say, “I’m hoping you’ll be able to suggest an agent” or whatever.

I’m using this type of example because I get this a lot, but the logic applies to many email situations, both professional, personal, and romantic.

Bite the bullet, tell the truth. Don’t be rude and demanding about it of course, you must still be polite and respectful, but you stand a better shot of getting what you really want if the person actually knows what you really want.

Tip 1A here.

Tips to come:

Tip 2. Give them What They Need to Give You What You Need
Tip 3. Come up With a Reason Why Should They Help You
Tip 4. The basics.

—

I wanted to go swimming last night but I knew the pool would be filled with boys doing cannonballs. Again, not complaining, I was a kid once too. And the kids at this pool have always been sweet. Oblivious, but sweet.

There’s Nothing You Can’t Find Online

1

And right away! I’m so happy to be living now, except it’s probably going to get much, much better as time moves on (except for the environment stuff, and the fall of the American empire, which may not be a bad thing).

On my way home the other day I took a closer look at the memorial pictured below. It sits in the park off St. Luke’s Place, which is next to the ball field which was apparently once a cemetery. One of the inscriptions says that the bodies of two firemen, Eugene Underhill (20 years old) and Frederick A. Ward (22 years old) are buried underneath, and that they “lost their lives by the falling of a building while engaged in the discharge of their duty” on July 1, 1834.

I was going to start researching it, but I found the whole story at a blog called Daytonian in Manhattan, and other details here. Daytonian in Manhattan also has a picture of the memorial in it’s original location some yards away (where the ball field is now).

Daytonian in Manhattan also mentions how the body a six year old child, Mary Elizabeth Tisdall, was found in 1934, so of course I had to research her! I found her whole story on the website for Trinity Church on a page called The Archivist’s Mailbag. Along the way I came across another useful blog called the New York City Cemetery Project.

Information that would have taken a few visits to the library was found in under a minute. INSANE. People might think it takes the fun out of it, especially since I love going to the library, but there are tons of things I want to research and for me it just means that I’ll get to more of them this way. So thank you Tom Miller, Diane Fisher, Leah Reddy and Mary French!

The Most Beautiful Abandoned Lot in NYC

8

I exercise every day and vary what I do to make sure it doesn’t get boring. Sometimes I walk around, taking photographs. The other day I came upon this abandoned lot. (I really should write down locations, it was around 6th and Dominick Street or so.)

North Carolina Karen could probably identify some of the greenery. I can only point out the ginkgo, but hang on, more shots to follow, with different trees and whatever the other things are.

But seriously, beautiful right?

I want to live here. In an abandoned lot, yeah. In a tiny house. With a couple of goats.

One last shot as I was walking away towards home. Sigh. Goodbye beautiful lot.

So You Think You Can Dance

0

The title of Tadd’s dance for your life routine was “Send me home, I don’t care.” He didn’t put anything into it! But I can’t fault the decision to send Chris home, even though he was one of my favorites. I agree he just wasn’t doing as well in other styles. But, I love him so … SOB.

Ashley was also a favorite, and I don’t like Ryan, but I absolutely can’t fault the decision here as well. Ashley and Jordan, like Tadd, were barely trying it seemed. While Ryan’s dance for your life routine was fabulous. As was her dancing this week. And last. Okay, Ryan is winning me over. Caitlyn also won me over with her dancing this week, and that reminds me! This week’s routines were pretty so-so for the most part (sorry choreographers, mostly you bring it week after week, not complaining).

It must be hell to park in my neighborhood. I wonder if there are some figures somewhere about which neighborhood has the most movie shoots. This was coming home last night from the … (where else?) library.

Plan J (Or Whatever Plan I’m Up To, I Forget)

3

I want to buy this place! I want to buy it so bad I’m in agony. Although it’s not in the best spot (for some) it will be bought sooner or later, I’m sure. Sob. There’s even room in the back to put in a garden and seating! Just imagine it all cleaned up and sparkling.

It’s on the highway (aka West Street) between Leroy and Clarkson, and that particular block still has a very industrial feel. But I think that only adds to its charms. A diner like this should be nestled between autobody shops and garages.

Sigh, sigh, sigh. I need a fairy godmother. I wouldn’t post this if I thought I had a chance of buying it, but I don’t so someone should snap it up.