text ❖ cause the kind of girl like me, they're running out of in the market

[doitrockapella]

Carmen Sandiego 9/3 near *̸̗͈͔̺̙̥͐̏͐͊̅̀̇͊͌͞/̴̛̼̦͍̟̑̀̆͋͜*̵̠̣͍̓̏̋̌̑̌̐͜͜͝ͅ|̸̻̪̰͔̇͗̊̃͋͊͢͝͠*̸̢̧͓̦̫̞͖͌̈́́̎̇͞͡͝|̘̤̩͙͇̯̱͊̔͐̚̚*̡̧̜̹̗̆̿̂̄̃̀͠͠͠ͅ\̴̨͉̱̼̜̭̀͑̇̇͆̔͜͠*̢͓̯͕̩̙̬̏̽͂̃̅̃̂͡

A few brief notes: 1) Good luck and best wishes to all the students gearing up to start school this week. While I know the end of summer vacation and the onset of the school year may seem like an event to anticipate with a sense of mounting dread instead of enthusiasm, remember that — in the words of South African activist and former president Nelson Mandela — "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Increasing access to education is one of the main pursuits of the Sandiego Foundation, and we share American statesman Benjamin Franklin's opinion that "an investment in knowledge pays the best interest." We pride ourselves on the number of scholarships we're able to offer to students of all ages and educational goals, as well as grants and other financial support. If you're getting ready for school and finding that you'd welcome some additional financial assistance in the coming semester, please don't hesitate to make contact; we still have plenty of scholarships as yet unawarded, and will continue to accept applications for them through the end of this week. It's your job to chase your dreams. We at the Sandiego Foundation want nothing more than to help you get there. 2) Speaking of the Foundation, we're still in the process of getting our fall calendar of events fleshed out, and I'm always open to new ideas for community functions that people might like to see and take part in. One can only attend so many dinners, socials, and golf outings before things start getting tedious. So, a poll for the masses: what sort of event would you most like to see come to Recollé? (At the risk of invoking a verbal cliché, I really would like to put the "fun" back into "fundraiser" on a much more regular basis.) 3) The usual daily mail contained a number of packages that I was expecting to see delivered, and a few unexpected ones marked with what seems to be the Retrospec logo. Experienced recipients, is there anything I should be particularly concerned about before I open these? 4) On a more personal note, I'm interested in hiring the services of a sketch artist, for a certain project I'm hoping to further. If you have the skills, time, and interest — or know someone who may be available for hire — please feel free to get in touch with me at your earliest convenience.

Comments

[insantafe]

Wonder why that is. I'll have to look it up later.

This'll be my third year, Ms. Sandiego.

[doitrockapella]

Ah, a junior. Old enough to know the lay of the land, but not yet close enough to graduation to start feeling the pressure of deadlines. I'm sure you'll have a magnificent year of it.

[insantafe]

Oh, I've got plenty of deadlines, trust me. They don't take it easy on interns in this business.

[doitrockapella]

Oh? And where are you interning?

[insantafe]

I've been working at the newspaper for a year or so now - The Recolle Journal.

[doitrockapella]

That's a respectable amount of time to have under your belt. And when it comes to your subject matter, what sort of articles do you tend to like to write?

[insantafe]

[ Oh no she wants him to talk about his passion? No one ever asks Jack about that… he’s almost forgotten how to talk about it. ]

Well, I’m not really in a high enough position to really write whatever I want yet... They usually have me covering local events like the convention in July, back before everything went crazy.

But if I could, I’d be writing more about things like making sure everyone gets a fair deal, like - the kids in the orphanage, and make sure everyone knows what it’s like to grow up there. And you know, try to raise awareness about the conditions there and how those kids can get branded as troublemakers just because they’re not like the other kids or something...

[ And here Jack falters, feeling awkward. ]

I just want to make sure they get a fair chance, just like everybody else. I want to write things that’ll help people, so no gets left behind or feels trapped in some kind of life they didn’t sign up for with no real future, just because that’s the hand they were dealt.

[doitrockapella]

[JOKE'S ON YOU, SON, LISTENING TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IS HER FAVORITE PASTIME]

And what's preventing you from doing that is a lack of seniority? A lack of events to cover that are relevant to that interest? What would be the key you need to get from where you are to where you want to be?

[insantafe]

Nothing's stopping me from writing. I can write all I want, but that doesn't mean anyone will read it. And besides, I've got no way of getting it out there on my own.

[doitrockapella]

Suppose a local celebrity took an interest in the orphanage. Would that be news enough to persuade your editors to let you cover the story?

[insantafe]

[ wait what ]

I... I don't know? I'd have to talk to the big guy and see what he thinks about it. They've never given me the space for something like that before.

[ WHAT ]

[doitrockapella]

That might be worth finding out.

In the meantime, you should write what you think. Write what's important to you, write what you want to say. Write what you think people need to hear.

Then bring it to me, because I want to read it.

[insantafe]

[ THIS IS FINE it’s fine play it cool jack you’ve got this ]

All due respect ma’am, but the only thing that can stop me from writing about important things like this is time, what with classes starting and all. Even if the Journal doesn’t print it, they can’t stop me from writing altogether.

I’ll do that, though. The Sandiego Foundation, right?

[doitrockapella]

That's right. And I suppose you could say the foundation is my own way of helping people get a fair deal — because I'm well aware of all the help I received along the way, getting to where I am today. These days I think it's my turn to make opportunities for other people, because I wouldn't be where I am now if someone hadn't once helped to make them for me.

[insantafe]

[ She is speaking to his very soul right now. Little does Ms. Sandiego know, but that is exactly the kind of person Jack dreamed being, if he ever had the money for it. ]

I’m glad to hear there’s still someone out there who thinks that way. It’s surprising how many people lose sight of all the people who help them get somewhere, and a few generations down the line, no one remembers a thing, and it’s like it never happened at all.

[ But that’s beside the point. ]

I appreciate what you’re doing, Ms. Sandiego. You’ll be the first to know when I have the article ready.

[doitrockapella]

And what about my drawings? I hope you're still willing to offer your talents?

Assuming it won't interfere with your studies, of course.

[insantafe]

I said I'll do those drawings first, and I plan to stick by that. Just let me know when you want me to swing by and I'll make it work.

[doitrockapella]

How about over lunch this coming weekend? I know there are a smattering of cafes and the like scattered around near campus. I'll spring for sandwiches.

[insantafe]

I can do that. I’ll bring a few different sketchbooks so you can decide what size you want for yourself. That sound good?

[doitrockapella]

That sounds perfect. Send me a text about an hour before you want to meet up. That'll leave me plenty of time to get out of whatever I'm doing and make it to the rendezvous.