In Volume 02:
The
joyfulprocess of applying for jobs (and how it can be better)Illustrations from Tulsa-based designer Jawshua Nanna
Ranking tropes in romantic literature
FALL FASHION MUST-HAVES
The best and worst tropes in romantic literature
By Dom Johnson and Dana Johnson
I read a lot of romance novels. Dana reads a lot of manga. We both read a lot of fan fiction. For better or worse, we have an encyclopedic knowledge of tropes.
Masterclass defines a trope as “a plot device or character attribute that is used so commonly in the genre that it’s seen as commonplace or conventional.”
Think love triangles, star-crossed lovers, etc.
Some tropes are great, some are not. Dana and I discuss:
Enemies to lovers
Two people who are actively working against each other fall in love.
Example: Pride & Prejudice
Dom: The worst! The authors never get the pacing right. Red, White, and Royal Blue is the exception.
Dana: Can’t stand it. I only see them as a couple for like 10% of the story.
Friends to lovers
A lifelong friendship morphs into something more.
Example: [Spoiler redacted] and [Spoiler redacted] from Heartstopper.
Dom: I don’t like this. Don’t ruin a good thing!
Dana: LOVE THIS. The chemistry is too good.
Rivals to lovers
Friendly competition evolves into romantic love.
Example: Korah & Asami in the Legend of Korah. Imagine going from fighting over a boy to walking hand-in-hand into an alternate dimension as lovers. Also: Sasuke and Naruto because it’s canon. Oh and BakuDeku too.
Dom: love!
Dana: YES! YES! YES!
Mutual Pining
Two people crushing on each other at the same time.
Example: Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper. The scene where they smile at each other for the first time makes me want to rewrite the declaration of independence.
Dom: Easily the best one!
Dana: SAAAAUUUUR GOOD!
Slow Burn
Romantic attraction gradually builds over time.
Example: When Harry Met Sally. Neither of us has seen it. Perhaps if they’d consider falling in love quicker, we’d give it a chance. 😬
Dom: I hate this. Let’s wrap it up.
Dana: Bad bad bad. Always has unnecessary drama.
Forbidden Love
They love each other, but it’s a secret because it’s frowned upon.
Example: Romeo & Juliet, famously.
Dom: Meh.
Dana: Absolutely not.
Secret Billionaire
A hot, rich guy pretends to be poor to live a normal life with a poor person.
Example: Aladdin & Jasmine. I guess they’re both secret billionaires, technically.
Dom: Billionairism is corrupt.
Dana: Not a fan.
Love Triangle
You know this one.
Example: J*cob, Edward, and Bella from Vampire Diaries. (You mean Twilight? - Dana ; No - Dom)
Dom: Too much stress.
Dana: What Dom said.
Fake Relationship
Two people, usually, for a completely inexplicable reason, enter a fake relationship but accidentally fall in love.
Examples: To All the Boys I Loved Before
Dom: Love!!!
Dana: Meh. Good. But not the best.
Soulmates
Two people are destined for each other. Their love is inevitable.
Examples: Edward & Bella from the Twilight Saga
Dom: love.
Dana: YEAAAHAHSHSHSHSJSH. YES YESYES
+++
I guess Dana and I don’t like stories with any conflict whatsoever. Give us fluff or get lost.
Applying for jobs
By Joel Moisa
In the last 2.5 years, I've applied to approximately 30 job openings all over the country with only two interviews to show for it.
I've spent countless hours scrolling and flipping between LinkedIn and indeed.com while fielding recommendations from my friends who are also searching. I've invested so much time trying to make simple tasks sound impressive, hoping to "wow" recruiters and get a chance for an interview.
It's all annoying.
And the most annoying part is getting the interview. You have to straddle the line of being confident without getting too excited at the idea that this may turn into an offer.
I have a few suggestions to make this process better for everyone.
Pay me or something
People applying for jobs sacrifice their time to apply and interview with employers. So hear me out, if you don't hire the person you should be obligated to pay them.
If employers have an extensive hiring process and don't hire an applicant, they should be obligated to pay the applicant or give them a discount code to Cane's or something.
The least you could do is, like, give me gas money or a coupon for a restaurant. Like even if you don't give the person the job, I bet they would appreciate a discount code for a free Big Mac.
Some employers ask applicants to do projects that require them to provide free labor. If that person doesn't get hired, yet they worked super on a project and still have no job? Seems unfair to me. Pay them.
Let me shadow someone in the position that I am applying for. What if the job sucks? What are you, a chicken?
Hear me out, this is a good idea. It lets both sides get a feel for one another. Imagine showing up for a few hours to shadow an employee through their regular workday, and you realize the job is not for you. Now you can let them know that you're not interested.
Conversely, this would allow the employer to see the applicant work for a day or two without committing. But, again… Pay the applicant.
Why do I need three years of experience for an entry-level position?
Bruh, I don't have that please just give me a chance. This job listing has been up for like six months lemme try it and if it doesn't work out, then we can both move on, and you can keep looking.
I know it’s not always accurate, but I had a job that required a 4-year degree. But I didn’t actually use it. It was just me learning a lot of systems and asking the system administrator questions because he was the only person that understood it.
I can only imagine the hard work recruiters put in as they reach out to potential candidates.
Furthermore, I can't imagine how taxing it is to take time out of their busy schedule to interview candidates.
But that aside, job searching is taxing and depressing. If you're currently job hunting, I hope nothing but success for you. To be corny, don’t give up—unless you want to.
If you're an employer, please note how you can improve this process for future applicants.
You should follow @_PenTool on Instagram
By Dom Johnson
Josh Nanna is a talented illustrator. He’s also a good friend. Here are a few highlights from his project, Pen Tool.
Ice cream: Josh illustrates ice cream a lot. Examples include messy ice cream, distressed ice cream, peace-loving ice cream, and punk rock ice cream.
Hands: Hands are probably his most common motif (examples include: blazing hands, fading hands, skating hands).
This is one of my favorite illustrations of all time. Not just from Josh or this series, but, like, ever. It’s inspired by my favorite Bible verse: “F*ck you, Grim Reaper.” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Nowadays, Pen Tool is on a hiatus. But Josh is still doing incredible work, like re-interpreting classic book covers. Follow him!
Fall Fashion
By Joel Moisa
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN STYLE. DO WHAT YOU WANT, BUT THESE ARE ALL THINGS I WANT/HAVE FOR THE FALL. 1
FISHING/HUNTING VESTS
Shout out Salehe (@salehebembury on IG) for making the fishing/hunting vest hot af. Just avoid anything with a collar. Banana Republic I am looking at you back there! The collar makes it look like you’re going poaching on a safari so stay away.
DICKIES
Workwear is a vibe. I’m talking cargo pants, work pants, pants you wear to work or the mall. Dickies are versatile. The boxy/baggy look makes you look less like a millennial and more gen-z so pair your dickies with whatever you want. They are and will always be cool.
DOUBLE KNEE PANTS
Double knee is low-key workwear. I bought a pair of brown, and I am excited to wear them all fall/winter. That is all I have to say.
CARDIGANS
Cardigans are back, and they’ll probably go quickly so if you have one in the back of your closet bring it out. Preppy is on the rise, but I can see the plateau on the horizon.
FUZZY FLEECE PULLOVER
A fuzzy fleece pullover will add texture to your outfit that you didn’t know you needed. You’ll feel like the coolest person at the function while also being warm and fuzzy! I will warn you, people will want to feel it so get ready to establish boundaries. On the same note, don't be touching people without asking!
RANDOM DISCLAIMER
Like what you like, wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. But it’s also fun when you put yourself out there and wear some funky stuff.
Happy Bits 😁
(Curated by Sam)
As you patiently await Taylor Swift's 10th studio album, Midnight, check out Jessie Pinkman's song sorter to rank Swift's entire discography from your favorite to least favorite.
“It’s time to BeReal!” BeReal is a glitchy new social media app that we can’t get enough of.
Let Jordan Peele have his cake & eat it too.
Glossier joining forces with Sephora AND Olivia Rodrigo will not be good for my pockets.
Let’s curate our pantries the way we curate our closets. It’s like a capsule wardrobe, but arguably better.
“Times have changed and everyone’s allowed in, so liking pink and lip gloss can be cool again,” You can thank the TikTok girlies for that.
The 2024 Dodge Challenger is new and ELECTRIC! The EV muscle car we've all been waiting for!
Okay that’s it for today bye thanks for reading we love you so much bye 👋
Joel decided to write in all caps here. I kept it as is to respect his creative vision. - Dom