Kerry Lauerman's Open Salon Blog

Bad sign: Don't forget!

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:11:48 -0500

This sign, brought to my attention by a co-worker, is in our office's ladies bathroom, just inside a stall door. I took this pic while being chaperoned by the lovely Miss Sarah Hepola.

I should take this opportunity to say that we adore the building staff here.

Job posting: Open Salon editor!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:10:25 -0400

In recent months, as I've turned my attention to Salon and helping prepare it for a redesign and many new features, Thomas Rogers has nimbly overseen Open Salon, carefully choosing Editor's Picks and consistently building fascinating and entertaining covers for Open Salon. It can be a tricky, contentious position and he's done a terrific job -- so much so that we're roping him into some new plans at Salon, helping develop a few new sections. That means he'll soon be leaving his day-to-day role with Open Salon.

Don't worry about missing us: We're both sticking around here, and will be back often to . . . well, more on that later!

For now: We're hiring an Open Salon editor. Responsibilities will include:

   • Curating Open Salon content, and helping incorporate it into Salon's overall editorial content
   • Working closely with Salon's engineering staff on project planning and site troubleshooting
   • Working closely with key Salon editorial staff
   • Blogging and writing for Open

Requirements:

   • 3 years experience in journalism and/or online media
   • Strong understanding of new media, blogging and social networks
   • Proven writing skills
   • Strong knowledge of popular culture and an impeccable news sense
   • Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Pay will be based in part on salary history. Location could, potentially, be just about anywhere -- but will require a topnotch Internet connection.

Please send cover letter and resume to kerry@salon.com. Please make the subject line: Open Salon editor.

(We'll be posting this widely -- but I wanted to give Open members first crack. Relatedly, we have a several [rare] job openings at Salon right now. Check out the jobs page if you're interested.)

Bad sign: First impressions

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:10:08 -0400

This sign, at the entrance of Salon NY headquarters, quite possibly strikes a poor first note.

This really blows

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:08:44 -0400

That's what's left of my parents' charming, windowed back porch after a tornado blew through their small Midwestern town Wednesday night, tearing off roofs, downing giant oak trees, and miraculously not harming a single person. In a few short seconds, a funnel cloud blew past, tore up the porch and garage, and bit off a big chunk of the roof of the house. Kablammy!

It's the house I grew up in, and it's where my parents have lived for nearly 60 years; my father designed the house and helped build it, and it housed four children, two dogs, bunnies, parakeets, a small ocean of fish, the odd guinea pig and a rather cranky cockatoo. My folks seem rattled, but fine. A next-door house was completely shifted on its foundation, walls buckling, and its prognosis sounds none too good. They seem to be particularly sad about a giant, truly beautiful Blue Spruce in the front yard they had nurtured from baby-Christmas tree size that was yanked up by the roots. But generally, nothing but reason for relief.

Like anyone who grew up in or around tornado alley, we grew up thrilling at tornado warnings. The loud beep that interrupted television shows; the occasional blare of the town siren, signaling that a funnel cloud had been sited; the unspeakably creepy, tell-tale green tint that saturates everything outside when conditions are particularly ripe for destruction. But it had all been the stuff of Weather Channel fantasy for me before Wednesday. I'm just extremely grateful my brother Kevin (who took this snap) and his son, Brett, were close enough to drive up and help dig out of this mess.

Movie Club: Should you see "The Cove"?

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:08:56 -0400

If you're a film lover or an animal lover, or both, you've probably seen the glowing reviews, read and listened to the interviews, or been riveted by the resulting news coverage. You're probably so on board with the Louie Psihoyos' film "The Cove," that you're ready to call your Congress member and register outrage over the outlandish acts of dolphin abuse the film documents off the coast of Taijii, Japan.

The question: Should you actually go see it? Do you want to?

First: I mean that latter question figuratively and literally -- if you live in New York City, and want to see the film with me Friday, send me a private message; I'm expecting some free passes into a private screening. First come first served!

Second: I'd love to read other members' reactions to the film, which has become serious Oscar bait. My biggest hesitation is pure squeamishness; it's supposed to be a really wonderfully told story, but I get nauseous at the site of a dead pigeon. I've been reassured that this is no PETA picture, that graphic footage is kept to a discreet minimum. But what do others who have seen the film have to say? Comment below or blog away!

And for those of you who (like me) see it over the weekend, tell us what you think! We'll collect your posts on Monday.

It seems to be playing in all major markets.