David Maybury | Blog

Just an introduction before I start to make a larger mark on the blog. I have agreed to take up a regular gig to get ideas generating. I’m adding a quick note about me here and a link to my own blog, plasticpoetics.

Born in 1964, Fournier has worked as an editor, a farmer, a taxi driver, an accountant, a bouncer, a gigolo, a nurse, a waiter, a gangster, a drug dealer, a goal keeper, an hotel concierge, an actor, a photographer, a painter, a consultant, a tennis coach, a diplomat, a lecturer, a designer, a bartender, a delivery guy, a translator, a copywriter and a lap dancer. He has been published in journals and anthologies.

The lap dancer part might be a slight exaggeration but the rest is close to being accurate. Looking forward to having some serious debate on here.

GF.

In an attempt to revive the blog, and encourage increased posting, I have invited a guest blogger to join poetbloggs. Poet George Fournier has agreed to post regularly on topics relating to the arts, poetry and literature. That leaves me ‘amongst other things’ and the podcast. – pb

Following on from recent successes, two short-term job offers, Tom Rafferty's job experiment and the evolving discussion around the web after the boston.com article I found Scoble's link to Stefan Constantienescu very interesting. Steve wants a new Mac, and has so far raised $1000 towards his goal. Steve has come under a lot of fire as a result of his virtual 'begging' – and has defended himself by linking to other projects before his: here. All of those mentioned in the post have been successful.

I'm beginning to believe that anything is possible on the web… and as a result I am going to try a few experiments of my own over the next few weeks. I am about to graduate, hopefully, from the University of Wolverhampton with a BA in Journalism and Editorial Design and with several years professional experience as a journalist, designer and now, as a result of this blog, in marketing.

I'm moving back to Dublin in the beginning of June and I hope to start out on a large creative project after I get settled, find a job and design a website for the new project. I think I have sorted somewhere to live, so next on my agenda is a job. So here is my unashamed grovelling: Can anyone help me with this?

All of my details are available on the blog, here and here as well as on the main site. More detailed information is available by request, along with professional and academic references. If a kid can get a psp and free games by just drawing pictures of one, then anything is possible.

There is a lot of discussion around an article from boston.com on how blogging is good for your career, Tom Raferty is trying an experiment on his own blog to see if he will be hired as a direct result of someone finding him online. (He is off to a good start with a link from gapingvoid's Hugh Macleod and Shel Isreal.)

At the end of our second year in college we were advised to start a website of our own – of which some of my class did, Adam Maguire's being one of the most successful. The website poetbloggs.com was originally set-up, along with this blog, to be used as a portfolio – see first attempt here. (Apologies for all of the links)

Since the site was set-up in August last year I have been offered two short term contracts – both in design. This success, has in the very least, paid for the site hosting and a bit more. However, as my undergraduate career is coming to an end, I am starting to look at job prospects and how the website and blog will help me in this endeavour.

With all of this in mind, not much will really change. I enjoy blogging about the arts, it has kept me sane during the frantic final weeks of the BA, and it has prompted me to pick up my own pen more often. So if anyone is looking for an experienced journalist, blogger, designer, photographer or PR/marketing assistant give me a shout. I'm back in Dublin in a few weeks and I will graciously consider all positions. (I can make a pretty good cup of coffee when I have to.)

Best of luck with the experiment Tom! Pure Play, Damien Mulley and Mental Meanderings all link to the 'Gis a Job' experiment.

UPDATE: Two offers in the last week that can be traced back to the website.

1) The man in this picture has asked me to do several portraits of his family as a result of posting this shot on the site.

2) An IT company in Wolverhampton has asked me to help them set-up a marketing/design plan for their corporate re-branding. (I'm going to include a blog in this, consider it a thank-you offering to the great blogosphere)

Back in Dublin for a few days over Easter, blogging will be even lighter (if possible).  Before I go I wanted to link to a new blog: Bassline. There is an interesting argument about Urban Music wanting to change its' name to Black Music – personally I think it is a bad idea, financially for the industry and simply put, just bad for the art itself. 

Support the new blog and throw your oar into the conversation – the debate is just getting started.

Bugger! I had hoped to post at least once in the last seven days. As penance I offer only my soul, two new posts and a few interesting links. Can you ever forgive me? 

My apologies to anyone who has been witness to the continous, and slightly manic, changes around here lately. I have been trying a few different set-ups for the site and have yet to discover one I am happy with. The current ‘minimalist look’ was developed through photoshop and wordpress…
Any and all feedback is welcome – my obsessive perfectionism needs validation! Visual changes aside – the regular posting patterns will continue. I hope. Let me know what you all think of the site anyway!