I got the job!

I mentioned in my last post that I applied for a part-time job at Sephora. Today, I got a call from a manager there who told me she had good news: I got the job. I was so ecstatic you’d think I won the lottery.

My friends will tell you that few things light up my face like a trip to Sephora, where I can easily spend a couple of hours captivated by rows and rows of make-up. (Mary Lisa Gavenas describes perfectly in her book Color Stories: Behind the Scenes of America’s Billion-Dollar Beauty Industry what I, along with thousands of other women are buying into when it comes to cosmetics. But I don’t care. I love them anyway!) Sephora tops my list of places to visit when I travel to new cities. The store in Paris, a sprawling, colorful landscape, is a make-up addict’s dream.

And now, starting tomorrow, I get to don the store’s black uniform. The last time I wore a uniform was in high school, when I worked at TCBY. Selling yogurt was a lot easier. Chances were pretty good that customers were going to walk out with a waffle cone. The sale is more challenging at Sephora. Customers can try on eyeshadow and lipstick all day long and walk out with nothing.

Hmm. I’ve got to go now. I have to practice my sales pitch.

[Via http://carafaceartistry.wordpress.com]

An "easy" job vs doing what you love

My sister told me today, that she decided to switch careers from Software Development to Software Testing. She feels she is not good enough as a programmer, and she doesn’t think she will ever become a great one. So she decided to become a tester instead.
My sister has never tried working as a tester, but she thinks testing is much easier than the job of a developer: you don’t need to come up with innovative ways to solve complex problems, you just test what someone else has written – an easy and safe job (so she thinks).

I’m not going to argue whether testing is really easier than programming or not.
That’s not the point.
The point is that the entire idea of looking for an “easy” job is wrong.
If you love what you’re currently doing, but you feel that you are not great at it, then keep doing it and eventually you’ll become great! Everyone starts with little knowledge and then grows into an expert.
If you feel that you don’t have enough skills, or knowledge, or experience – you can get them! Read books, tutorials, articles. Practice. Ask for help.
And eventually you’ll get there!

But if you feel that you’ve chosen the wrong career – you should start looking for something you’d really love to do, something that excites your, something you feel drawn to. Not for something that just seems easy.
What would you like to do, if you were a millionaire and didn’t have to work? What would you do for free?
An “easy” job will never be easy, if it doesn’t excite you, doesn’t challenge you, and doesn’t help you grow. It will be a boring routine, and you’ll hate it.
And our world doesn’t need any more people who hate what they do

And as a bonus, a great video by Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!).
“There is way too many people … that are doing stuff they hate. Please stop doing that!”

[Via http://focusoncreation.wordpress.com]

About me

I live in South Africa, the heart of the big five where elephants roam the dusty streets. . . Wait thats not true elephants dont roam in our streets. I heard so many times how foreigners think wild animals walk in our streets and everybody hunt their daily food. Only place where I ever seen elephant was in a nature reserve park. More about me, I am a male, 24years, about 1.8m tall and weight 66kg. Have a boring job not worth talking about, no car since it got stolen and recovered stripped. My current main topic of intrest is web development and design, it was only the other day I started digging into it. Own four guinea pigs 3 bores and 1 sow, a restless chinchilla and a syrian hamster. I welcome you to my blog and since I have many fields of intrests a varity different topics will be posted. Regular check back!

[Via http://cleverpeanut.wordpress.com]

In All Things Sacred

6 am is extremely early for me to be waiting for Access Calgary to pick me up and take me to work. Particularly since I don’t officially start work until 7 am and usually it is only a 10 minute drive to the Home Depot on 130th avenue. But since the lift once again broke down in my van, there I was sitting in my drive way waiting for my ride.

The bus arrived shortly there after and as the driver tied me down to the floor I introduced myself to the other passenger on the bus. As we headed out he asked me, “So, what is it that you do?” I thought of what to say for minute and then said, “I’m a pastor of a small group movement here in SE Calgary called Expressions!” After which we started conversing about a number of the groups which we lead.

It was not long and we were pulling into the parking lot at Home Depot. The driver then asked me, “So why come so early to the Depot then?” I said, “Oh! I work here!” Climbing into the back of the van so as to start untying my chair from the floor she looked at me with a puzzled face; “That’s kind of two extremes isn’t it?” I mean being a pastor in one sense while working here at Home Depot in another? Aren’t they two different lines of work?”

I paused and contemplated how I might answer her question for a moment and then it just sort of slipped out; “Jesus was a carpenter too you know!” I went on to try and paint a picture for her and the gentleman on the bus that described the work I do as a pastor is really no different then that which I do in any other place including the work here at Home Depot.

Do you ever feel that same way? I mean do you ever wonder if the work you do in the week really matters to God? Or more to the point, if our life as a Christian really matters in the relevance of our day to day experiences and practicalities of our occupational pursuits?

I’m not sure why but, in some sense or way it seems our culture try’s to create this separation or divide between that which is considered spiritual or sacred and that which is interpreted practical or secular. It is as if we seem afraid to relate what we do in our church community with that which we do during the rest of our week.

As my friend Tim shares the words from a pastor friend who responded to his enthusiasms regarding the band Creed’s underlying Christian themes and lyrics; “She cautioned me that the devil is a great manipulator, and can make anything sound Christian by twisting the truth or telling a half lie to seduce people into believing something is Christian, but in fact is not.” I suppose the reverse can also be true; not all things labeled or stamped with a Christian trade mark are necessarily guided and blessed with the truth of Christ’s Kingdom either (Matthew 7:21-23).

I suppose that is the real calling though; work, play, moments of laughter, tears, prayer times, times of worship, times of learning, times for teaching, striving through the ups and downs of life, sharing and hanging out with friends and family while enjoying the experiences and encounters which shape us for a life time of memories. All done while striving to fulfill and be in relationship with something or someone higher then ourselves; a Truth which we call sacred.

The Pharisee’s had this same trouble of trying to remove the chasm between that which is labeled sacred and that which is considered secular. After witnessing a miracle Jesus had just performed they challenged him by accusing him of doing so in service to the devil. Jesus responded to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25)

Perhaps there really is no divide between that which is sacred and that which is secular. Perhaps the secular label itself is not really real at all. Perhaps that is because as long as you are following your heart in discipleship with Jesus, everything you do is sacred! As Rob Bell puts it; “This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer secular work; it’s sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness.”

I suppose all that is left to say is… Let’s get to work!!!

[Via http://iamjustwondering.net]

Green Cupcakes & Roasted Veggies

Hi All,

So I’m not gonna lie – I’ve sucked at being active this week. Don’t get me wrong it feels nice to take a break, but I’m feeling kind of guilty about it at the moment. My original plan was to meet my friend after work Tuesday/Wednesday of this week to go to the gym – and both of those dates fell through. Bit disappointing – hopefully I can back up on the wagon this coming week.

Other than avoiding the gym this week – I’ve spent a lot of my free time cooking. I really do love it. Anyways, Tuesday night I made some yummy green cupcakes to bring into work for St. Paddy’s Day. I heart St. Patrick’s Day – really I do. Such a fun holiday, and I have so many great memories of *ahem* shenanigans that occurred on that day while I was in college. Anyways, those were a big hit at work – see, don’t they look tasty.

Mmmm... Green Cupcakes with Green Sprinkles.

We didn’t get up to anything too wild and crazy on St. Patrick evening – strangely enough – we went out for sushi for dinner. Isn’t that Irish of us? Not so much. What did you get up too for St. Patrick’s Day? After dinner we watched Couples Retreat, which had shown up from Zip.ca earlier that day. It was pretty good – not the funniest movie I’ve ever seen, but cute, nonetheless.

Then last night – I was trying to think of something productive to do and I realized we had A LOT of veggies that were nearing the “too rough looking to eat” stage, so I thought – why not? I’ll just roast them up with EVOO (haha, so Rachael Ray of me) and S+P in the oven and they’ll be good to go for awhile. It took hardly any time at all to prepare and they are delicious. I cooked up some zucchini, asparagus, red onion and green and red bell peppers.

I also talked to my parents on the phone last night for the first time this week and they had a funny story to tell me. My family’s latest dog, Jack, is from a mix breed from a rescue and is half border collie, half lab and is a little over 2 years old.

Such A Cutie

Anyways, my family’s old dogs were all labs and as much as they are loveable and great family dogs, they are not always the smartest puppies. Jack, on the other hand, is ridiculously smart. Sometimes you feel like he’s totally one step ahead of you when you are trying to get him to do something. Anyways, my mom was making dinner with my sister on Wednesday and I guess they were bickering over something and not paying attention to the dog. So Jack decided to jump on the counter, grab an entire brick of blue cheese + the wrapping and tin foil and down it in one bite. It was a $15+ brick of cheese. That wasn’t even the worst of it though – the dog has a weak stomach, so my mom and sister had to take him to the emergency vet and that was another $200+ – needless to say – most expensive block of cheese my parents have ever purchased.

Well, I guess now they’ll know better – I could’ve told them that all dogs have a weak spot for cheese. Pretty funny story, though.

I’m not sure yet what the plans are for this evening – Ryan mentioned that he might attempt to make homemade hummus tonight. That would probably be a delicious with the roasted veggies from yesterday.

What are your plans for this weekend?

[Via http://learningtolivelean.wordpress.com]

Sindsstilstand

Jeg tænker mig, at hvis jeg nu bare lader mine tanker løbe, så får jeg på et tidspunkt en genial ide. Eller om ikke andet bliver jeg i hvert fald god til at skrive på maskine. Og det er jo også en slags talent.

Jeg er nået dertil i livet, hvor tingene gerne skulle begynde at give mening for mig. Det er nu, jeg er færdig med min uddannelse og skal i gang med et arbejdsliv. Det er nu, jeg træffer de valg, som om fyrre år vil have tegnet mit liv. Derfor mener jeg godt, jeg kan tillade mig at være kritisk. Det er da nu, jeg kan tillade mig at være det, før beslutningerne bliver truffet og får krop og hals og hoved og tænder og spiser mig.

Så det prøver jeg på at være. Kritisk. Men heller ikke alt for kritisk, jeg bliver jo også nødt til at være realistisk, og når nu man er så ung og ikke har så meget erfaring, så skal man starte et sted. Så man skal også huske at søge nogle stillinger, som måske ikke ved første øjekast lige er det helt rigtige, men så er man da kommet i gang. Det er jo i virkeligheden ikke så slemt, at jobbet ikke lige opfylder drømmen, når bare man får en god indkomst og noget at lave. Og mand. Og børn. Og hus. Og bil. Og lån og friværdi og renter og afdrag og lige pludselig er drømmen begravet i forpligtelser og tryghed og hygge.

Der er lavt til loftet i Danmark. Jeg er såmænd ikke en af dem, der skælder ud over janteloven, jeg tror slet ikke, det er det, der er problemet i andedammen. Clement må da gerne tro, han er noget og mere og bedre, det får folk til at trække på smilebåndet; de tager ham ikke så seriøst. Nej, det er noget andet, der trækker ned, en form for national apati. Det hele hviler på en godt-nok mentalitet, som præger landet. De store tanker taber pusten, drømmene får aldrig vinger, visionerne kan lige være på middagstallerkenen i parcelhuset i forstadskvarteret.

Alting skal ind med skeer, det må ikke gå for hurtigt. Nyhederne skal helst ende godt og vejret er jo også altid interessant.

Der er lavt til loftet i Danmark. Det er en sindstilstand. Sindsstilstand.

[Via http://wysiw00t.wordpress.com]

Learning From Mable Peabody

Yes, this place actually exists–about twelve miles down the road from us, to be exact. It’s one of the most random Texas signs I’ve seen to this point, and I have to chuckle every time I pass. As I drove up to take the photo, I noticed–without too much alarm–that this place was no longer in business. I guess with the economic downturn, people are just not showing up here enough to make a profit. (Big surprise there!)

I almost wish they HAD been in business, because it still begs my curiosity as to what actually went on in this type of establishment. Did you catch the words “Night Club” on the right? Perhaps the name of the place is simply a flowery Texan way of saying “Beauty and the Beast.” I’m still not sure that that would clear up my questions–what happens at a “Beauty and the Beast Night Club?” Yikes…

Hopefully, Mable Peabody has found another, more profitable way to make ends meet. There may be a lot of companies and establishments who have had to downsize or close their doors, but that doesn’t mean that there are any less opportunities to achieve our dreams and financial goals. We, like Mable Peabody, sometimes have to be willing to shut down and start fresh with a new plan. Best of everything to you, Mable! We’re glad you’ve moved on!

[Via http://wellandfree.wordpress.com]

Free Cover Letter Samples, How to use free cover letter samples

A great cover letter is just as important as a great resume.
Cover letters are the first thing an employer see when looking through resumes
Does your cover letter stand out?
A great resource for cover letters can be found here

The internet is a great resource to find a new job. There are many job sites available for you to choose from, as well as job search utensils known as job finders. A resume will still be your main prioirty, there are many free resume templates, and many free cover letter samples. Will you successful using free cover letter samples, and free resume templates? Read on for the pros and cons.

The Pros of Using Free Resume Templates and Free Cover Letter Samples

The best place to start: If you haven’t been job searching for years, Your resume may be outdated You may have no clue where to get started. In that case, resume templates may give you a starting point. , you aren’t left sitting at your computer staring for hours at a blank screen.

Lots of Templates: Search the internet with the phrase “free resume templates” or “free cover letter samples” and you wont know where to start. There are millions to choose from across the web. Also, there are free ones in microsoft office. These many choices are nice for you. You can even choose a template based on theme.

The negatives on using Free Resume Templates and Free Cover Letter Samples

In fact, resume templates are an easy way to create a resume.

If you use a resume template, ensure there are no spelling errors in the headlines. Moreover, make sure that when you copy and paste a mold that your spell check in Microsoft Word doesn’t become disabled.

Here is a job site to use in the job search

Other Cool links to check out!
Strategies On Selecting The right Settlement business
How to bet on football, football betting strategy
Strategies On Selecting The perfect Settlement buyer
Free Cover Letter Samples. The benifits of using free cover letter samples

[Via http://freecoverlettersamples6848.wordpress.com]

Email Etiquette for Job Seekers

• Keep your emails as short and to the point as possible.
• Use HTML to take advantage of tracking, but keep it simple.
• Intrigue your reader with the email message and get them to find out more by clicking your resume website.
• Spend most of the time on the top three inches of the email, because it is what people see if they are using “preview” in Outlook.
• Ask them to forward the email to other people who may be looking for your skills.
• Use an effective subject line.  It must reflect the contents of the email, but you also want to make it stand out.
• Do not send it if looks like spam (i.e., you would just delete it unread).
• Always use both first and last names in the “from” line.  Most people assume email from a first name only is spam.
• Do not include attachments.  Smart email users do not open attachments from someone they do not know, for fear of viruses.  If a hiring manager or recruiter asks you to send them your resume, then go ahead and do so.

[Via http://mjwcareers.wordpress.com]

Senator Scott Brown delivers weekly Republican address

NEWS
Senator Scott Brown delivers weekly Republican address
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) released the following weekly Republican address.

“Hello, I’m United States Senator Scott Brown from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“When the people of my state elected me in January, they sent more than a senator to Washington – they sent a message. Across party lines, the voters told politicians in Washington to get its priorities right.

“And from my travels and conversation with people throughout this country, they told me that they want their President and Congress to focus on creating jobs and reviving America’s economy. Instead, for more than a year now, we have seen a bitter, destructive, and endless drive to completely transform America’s health care system.

“In January of last year, unemployment hit 7.2 percent and our economy was hurting badly. But, early in President Obama’s term, he and the Democratic leadership of Congress made takeover of health care their first priority.

“Today, times are even tougher across our nation when it comes to our economy. Nearly one in ten Americans are still out of work. And still, the President and Congress are focused on ramming through their health-care bill, whatever it takes, whatever the cost.

“Maybe you remember what President Obama promised in his State of the Union address. He said he was going to finally focus on jobs and the economy for the remainder of this year. I applauded him for that. Well, here it is, it’s almost spring. And what is he out there talking about again? That same 2,700-page, multi-trillion dollar health care legislation.

“So, an entire year has gone to waste. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and many more jobs are in danger. Even now, the President still hasn’t gotten the message.

“Somehow, the greater the public opposition to the health care bill, the more determined they seem to force it on us anyway. Their attitude shows Washington at its very worst – the presumption that they know best, and they’re going to get their way whether the American people like it or not.

“And, when politicians start thinking like that, they don’t let anything get in their way – not public opinion, not the rules of fair play, not even their own promises.

“They pledged transparency. Instead, we have a health care bill tainted by secrecy, concealed cost, and full of backroom deals – and that’s just not right. They should do better. The American people expect more.

“They pledged a true bipartisan effort. Instead, they have resorted to bending the rules, and they now intend to seize control of health care in America on a strict party-line vote.

“In speech after speech on his health care plan, the President has tried to convince us that what he is proposing will be good for America. But, how can it be good for America if it raises taxes by a half trillion dollars and costs a trillion dollars or more to implement? In addition, how can it be good if it takes another half a trillion dollars away from seniors on Medicare, and still includes all the backroom deals you have been hearing about for months?

“Well, for the past year or more, the new establishment in Washington has tried again and again to sell this plan to the American people. But the Americans aren’t buying it, and for good reason. And now, what’s going on is a last, desperate power play. They actually tell us that passing the bill is necessary, if only to prove that something can get done in Washington.

“Well, I haven’t been here very long, but, I can tell you this much already: Nothing has distracted the attention and energy of the nation’s capital more than this disastrous detour. And, the surest way to return to the people’s business is to listen to the people themselves: We need to drop this whole scheme of federally controlled health care, start over, and work together on real reforms at the state level that will contain costs and won’t leave America trillions of dollars deeper in debt.

“This, above all, was the message that the people of my state sent to the President and the Congress in the election over a month ago.

“You know some of my Democratic colleagues, you know, are being leaned on mighty hard right now. Speaker Pelosi and others are handing down their marching orders, telling them to vote for this bill no matter what. Rarely have elected leaders been so intent on defying the public will. For many members of Congress, the time for choosing is near – do what the party leadership demands, or do what the people have asked you to do. If my colleagues don’t mind some advice from a newcomer, I’d suggest going with the will of the people.

“After all, from the very beginning of this debate, the American people have called it correctly. In every part of the country, Republicans and Democrats have agreed on serious, straightforward, commonsense health care reform. They expect us in Washington to do the same – working together, acting fairly and by the rules, and staying focused on the need to make the American economy as strong as it can be. That is the business that brought me here on an unexpected journey to Washington. And, it’s the responsibility of everyone sent here to serve our country. We can do better – and I challenge my colleagues and the President to do just that.

“I’m Senator Scott Brown and thank you very much for listening.”

[Via http://dominicstoughton.wordpress.com]

Smile, you have a job!

We are in Fallas time …thousands, millions of people will be enjoying this great Party … eating, drinking, dancing … at the same time hundreds of people will work overtime and make and extra effort to keep the Party going on and all this visitors having fun …

This post is dedicated to them … and this post is also to ask them to SMILE! Many from this visitors will have made thousands of Kms., hours of flight or road … just to experience their dream and live las Fallas -like our Ninotizate winner from Japan: Koichiro Okamoto and other hundreds of Japanese people, or many journalists and agents from China, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, USA, Australia, etc. that will be here to see how we celebrate this famous Festival and then explain their compatriots.

Even if you are tired or exhausted, even if you would be dancing than rather working … be happy and SMILE, you have a job!!

[Via http://vlcmiguel.wordpress.com]

Daftar pertanyaan umum yang dapat menggali 12 aspek

Di bawah ini diberikan daftar pertanyaan umum yang dapat menggali 12 aspek seperti berikut ini.

1. Motivasi

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek motivasi antara lain :

1. Mengapa anda memutuskan untuk melamar pekerjaan di perusahaan ini ?
2. Apa yang membuat anda menjadi tertarik dengan perusahaan ini ?
3. Tanggung jawab apa yang anda anggap penting dalam pekerjaan ?
4. Tantangan apa yang anda cari dalam pekerjaan ?
5. Sebutkan dua hal yang memotivasi anda dalam bekerja.
6. Apa yang dapat memotivasi anda dalam kehidupan pribadi anda ?
7. Apa yang dapat memotivasi anda dalam menyelesaikan tugas yang sulit ?
8. Apa yang dapat memotivasi anda agar menjadi sukses dalam pekerjaan ?
9. Apa alasan anda keluar dari perusahaan sebelumnya ?
10. Apa yang membuat anda keluar dari perusahaan sebelumnya ?
11. Selama perjalanan karir anda, posisi mana yang paling anda sukai ?
12. Mengapa anda ingin mengubah karir ? (bila yang bersangkutan berpindah profesi/karir)
13. Apa arti bekerja bagi anda ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

2. Ketahanan Terhadap Tekanan (Stres)

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek ketahanan terhadap tekanan/stres antara lain :

1. Apakah anda dapat bekerja di bawah tekanan ?
2. Pernahkan anda bekerja di bawah tekanan ? Ceritakan bagaimana anda menyikapinya?
3. Dalam lingkungan kerja seperti apa anda merasa nyaman ? (Terstruktur atau tidak ?)
4. Seandainya ada konsumen yang marah karena hal yang bukan dilakukan anda, bagaimana anda menyikapinya ?
5. Bagaimana anda menyikapi kritik yang diberikan kepada anda ?
6. Seandainya anda mendapatkan pekerjaan yang tidak anda harapkan, apa yang akan anda lakukan ?
7. Apa yang anda anggap sebagai hal yang berat untuk dilakukan dalam pekerjaan ?
8. Seandainya anda dihadapkan dengan dua tugas yang harus diselesaikan pada saat yang bersamaan, apa yang akan anda lakukan ?
9. Masalah terbesar apa yang pernah anda hadapi ? Bagaimana anda mengatasinya ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

3. Inisiatif

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek inisiatif antara lain :

1. Apa yang anda ketahui tentang perusahaan ini ? Dan darimana serta bagaimana anda mengetahuinya ?
2. Kriteria apa yang anda gunakan untuk mengevaluasi perusahaan yang anda harapkan menjadi tempat kerja anda ?
3. Ceritakan mengenai pendidikan dan pelatihan yang pernah anda ikuti.
4. Bagaimana anda mendapatkan pekerjaan selama ini ? (Apakah melalui iklan, referensi, dsb) – untuk yang sudah pernah bekerja.

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

4. Sikap kerja

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek sikap kerja antara lain :

1. Seandainya anda ditempatkan di cabang perusahaan yang jauh dari lokasi anda, bagaimana anda menyikapinya ?
2. Seandainya ada pengalihan tanggung jawab pada pekerjaan yang anda pegang, bagaimana anda menyikapinya ?
3. Ceritakan mengenai pengalaman kerja anda. (untuk yang sudah bekerja)
4. Apa tanggung jawab anda pada posisi tersebut ? (untuk yang sudah bekerja)

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

5. Kepercayaan Diri

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kepercayaan diri antara lain :

1. Menurut anda, apa definisi/arti kesuksesan ? Dan seberapa besar pengaruhnya bagi anda ?
2. Menurut anda, apa definisi/arti kegagalan ? Dan seberapa besar pengaruhnya bagi anda ?
3. Jelaskan ukuran/standar kesuksesan bagi anda.
4. Pekerjaan apa yang telah anda selesaikan dengan sukses ?
5. Apa peran anda dalam kesuksesan tersebut ?
6. Bagaimana anda memandang diri sendiri saat ini ? Apakah sudah sukses ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

6. Kemampuan Berpikir Analitis

Termasuk di dalam kemampuan berpikir analitis adalah “Kemampuan Memecahkan Masalah” (problem solving) dan “Kemampuan Membuat Keputusan” (decision making).
Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kemampuan berpikir analitis antara lain :

1. Masalah tersulit apa yang pernah anda alami ? Apa yang anda lakukan ? Bagaimana penyelesaiannya ?
2. Hambatan atau kendala apa yang ditemukan selama kuliah atau belajar ? Bagaimana cara mengatasinya ?
3. Ceritakan mengenai persoalan yang pernah anda pecahkan.
4. Ceritakan situasi dimana anda pernah memiliki masalah dengan pengambilan keputusan.
5. Ceritakan dimana anda harus membuat suatu keputusan.
6. Ceritakan bagaimana anda pernah memecahkan masalah yang sulit.
7. Ceritakan mengenai permasalahan yang paling sering anda hadapi dalam pekerjaan.
8. Apakah anda pernah menyelesaikan suatu permasalahan bersama-sama rekan ? Apa peran anda dalam menyelesaikan masalah tersebut ?
9. Apakah anda pernah diminta untuk menyelesaikan beberapa tugas dalam suatu waktu ? Apa yang anda lakukan ?
10. Bagaimana anda menyelesaikan suatu permasalahan yang muncul tiba-tiba ?
11. Bagaimana anda mengidentifikasikan kedatangan suatu masalah ?
12. Bagaimana anda membuat suatu keputusan penting ?
13. Bagaimana anda memecahkan masalah ?
14. Dalam situasi atau kondisi seperti apa, anda memiliki kemungkinan paling besar untuk berbuat kesalahan ?
15. Keputusan apa yang terasa sulit bagi anda ? Berikan Contohnya !
16. Menurut anda, faktor apa yang paling menentukan suksesnya seseorang ?
17. Apa yang anda lakukan saat dihadapkan dengan pengambilan keputusan yang penting ?
18. Apa yang anda lakukan saat kesulitan atau tidak dapat memecahkan persoalan yang anda hadapi ?
19. Keputusan tersulit apa yang telah anda buat selama tiga tahun terakhir ?
20. Kapan anda memutuskan untuk berhenti berusaha memecahkan suatu persoalan yang sulit ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

7. Kemampuan Pencapaian Keberhasilan (Achievement)

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kemampuan pencapaian keberhasilan antara lain :

1. Apakah anda senang mengerjakan pekerjaan/proyek yang sulit ?
2. Apakah anda mempunyai prestasi yang dibanggakan ? Ceritakan !
3. Apakah anda memiliki inisiatif ? Bagaimana anda menunjukkan hal tersebut ? Ceritakan satu contoh inisiatif yang telah anda ambil.
4. Apakah anda pernah menyelesaikan persoalan yang sulit ? Atau yang sebelumnya anda pikir tidak dapat anda selesaikan ?
5. Bagaimana anda menunjukkan keinginan (willingness) untuk bekerja ?
6. Sebutkan prestasi yang pernah anda capai dalam pekerjaan atau masa kuliah/sekolah !
7. Sebutkan lima pencapaian terbesar dalam hidup anda !
8. Apa kegagalan terbesar yang pernah anda alami ? Kekecewaan apa yang anda alami ?
9. Bagaimana anda mengatasi perasaan tersebut ? Dan mengatasi kegagalan tersebut ?
10. Hal atau lingkungan seperti apa yang paling mendorong anda dalam bekerja ?
11. Menurut anda, apa tantangan terbesar dalam pekerjaan ?
12. Sebutkan bagian dari pekerjaan yang paling menantang dan yang paling tidak menantang.
13. Apakah anda termasuk orang yang berani dalam mengambil risiko ?
14. Berdasarkan pengalaman anda, ceritakan secara rinci dalam hal apa anda mengambil risiko untuk menyelesaikan suatu tugas ?
15. Mengapa anda mengambil risiko tersebut ?
16. Risiko apa yang anda hadapi saat mengajukan suatu usulan ?
17. Prestasi apa yang pernah anda dapatkan di sekolah yang tidak dapat anda lupakan ?
18. Prestasi apa yang pernah anda capai dalam bekerja yang mendapatkan penghargaan dari pimpinan atau perusahaan ? (baik penghargaan lisan ataupun penghargaan tertulis atau materi).

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

8. Aspirasi Diri

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek aspirasi diri antara lain :

1. Mata kuliah (mata pelajaran) apa yang paling anda senangi ? Mata kuliah (mata pelajaran) apa yang paling anda tidak senangi ? Kenapa ?
2. Apa cita-cita anda ketika lulus sekolah ? Ketika lulus kuliah ?
3. Apakah anda berniat melanjutkan sekolah ? Berniat melanjutkan kuliah ?
4. Menurut anda, apakah nilai anda merupakan indikasi terbaik untuk hasil akademik anda ?
5. Kenapa kami harus memilih anda ?
6. Bisakah anda menyebutkan lima kelebihan dan lima kekurangan anda ?
7. Bagaimana pendapat anda mengenai perusahaan ini ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

9. Kelemahan Diri

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kelemahan diri antara lain :

1. Apakah anda telah mencapai semua target yang telah anda tetapkan ? Bila tidak, mengapa ?
2. Bagaimana anda mengatasi kegagalan dalam pencapaian target tersebut ?
3. Kelemahan apa yang muncul saat anda dihadapkan pada tugas yang sulit ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

10. Sosialisasi

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek sosialisasi antara lain :

1. Ceritakan kegiatan anda di waktu senggang.
2. Kegiatan apa yang anda ikuti di lingkungan anda ?
3. Seandainya anda menjadi anggota suatu organisasi, maka kegiatan apa dan peran apa yang akan anda lakukan dalam organisasi tersebut ?
4. Selain belajar, kegiatan apa saja yang anda ikuti saat masih kuliah atau sekolah ? Posisi apa yang anda pegang ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

11. Kemandirian

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kemandirian antara lain :

1. Ceritakan keputusan-keputusan penting dalam hidup anda, yang anda anggap sebagai keputusan anda sendiri. Juga ceritakan keputusan penting yang anda anggap bukan keputusan anda sendiri.
2. Mengapa anda memilih jurusan …. ?
3. Dalam pengambilan suatu keputusan, siapa yang berpengaruh dalam diri anda ?
4. Dalam hal-hal apa saja orang-orang tersebut anda sertakan ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

12. Kepemimpinan

Pertanyaan yang dapat menggali aspek kepemimpinan antara lain :

1. Sebutkan kepribadian yang anda miliki yang mencerminkan kemampuan memimpin.
2. Menurut anda, kualitas apa yang dibutuhkan seorang pemimpin ?
3. Apa yang paling menjadi tantangan bagi seorang pemimpin ?
4. Bagaimana cara anda mendelegasikan suatu tanggung jawab ?
5. Apakah anda membutuhka pengawas dalam bekerja ?
6. Bagaimana cara anda membuat suatu rencana kerja ?
7. Bagaimana cara anda memberikan teguran atau mendisiplinkan bawahan anda ?
8. Seandainya ada bawahan anda yang melanggar aturan perusahaan, bagaimana anda menghadapinya ?
9. Atasan seperti apa yang anda harapkan ?
10. Seandainya anda kelebihan beban kerja, apa yang akan anda lakukan ?
11. Bagaimana cara anda untuk memotivasi sesorang ?
12. Atasan seperti apa yang menurut anda sulit untuk diajak kerja sama ?
13. Bawahan seperti apa yang menurut anda sulit untuk diajak kerja sama ?
14. Atasan seperti apa yang menurut anda tidak adil ?
15. Seandainya anda membuat suatu kebijakan, kemudian bawahan anda banyak yang menentangnya, bagaimana anda mengatasinya ?

Sumber : gilland-ganesha.com, buku “Sukses Mendapatkan Pekerjaan” – Anna T. Yuniarti, S.Psi.

[Via http://rida33.wordpress.com]

More "Good Ole Boy" System

I know nothing will stop the “Good Ole Boys” from looking out for other “Good Ole Boys”, but this is my rant on the latest experience I’ve had with it. It seems that developers that do their job and put in at that extra effort to do a quality job are ignored in favor of the social chit-chatter employee.  This employee visits the entire building, drink coffees and chats about sports, takes an extra 30 minutes here and there on the clock, portrays himself as the best on the team (while secretly getting assistance from the worker bees that do their job), speaks up and parrots the boss in meetings to make it seem like he is a mover and a shaker, and best of all gets recognition, awards, and promotions to management.  Me, I just improve our product and look for ways to make and save us money. And I constantly improve my professional skillset.  Screw THIS! Tomorrow I start my new employee Good Ole Boy routine.  I just hate the crappy coffee my office serves.

 

[Via http://paledot.wordpress.com]

Graduate Project Developer - mobile technology / computer testing

Amazing summer internships available with the most recognised global computer/mobile phone company in the world.  This 12 week paid internship starts in summer 2010, Stockley Park, Uxbridge.

REF: GI023 

Our client’s Project Development team in Uxbridge is looking for a summer EPM intern. The job description is below.

The EPM intern will work together with a team of highly skilled test engineers and developers to assist with scheduling and co-ordinating test sessions and help ensure that all issues are tracked and reported back to the development team.

The role may include some of the following duties:

• Support the carrier approval of mobile phones
• Generate and own compliance documents for cellular products
• Specify and coordinate internal certification tests and field trials 
• Analyze network features and operator requirements and provide feedback to engineering and marketing with regard to complexities and capability
• Manage conformance tests (FTA) and regulatory approvals (FCC, IC, etc)

Preferred Experience:

• BS/MS degree EE/CE in progress
• Knowledge of wireless standards, especially ETSI standards
• Knowledge of protocol stack features, preferably for GSM/EDGE
• Familiar with network features and current deployment
• Familiar with test specifications for type approval, e.g. ETSI51.010 
• Familiar with FCC test requirements for cellular products
• Solid planning and communication skills
• Be proactive and be able to be firm with carriers/vendors
•  Abilities to work in cross functional teams and manage customer interface

How to Apply

Send your CV and covering letter to internships@brunel.ac.uk remembering to include the following;

1. Your contact details
2. Start date availability

[Via http://brunelpccgraduateinternships.wordpress.com]

Discover Why You'll need an Intelligent Craigslist Ad Poster like Clad Genius

You can find various reasons why you may need a Craigslist ad poster.  Being a organization owner who needs to promote products on the Internet, it makes sense to use Craigslist as your primary advertising vehicle.  This online classified advert web site generates hundreds of millions of visitors trying to find something to buy.  Capturing a substantial part of this market can definitely boost your on the net sales.  And you can only realize this if you have a reliable Craigslist ad poster with intelligent tools and attributes.

You might be wondering why you'll need an auto poster when you can do the operate manually.  To fully grasp why there's a require for an auto poster, it would be ideal to know the current sets of attributes of the top Craigslist ad poster like Clad Genius.  Once you realize the things that Clad Genius can do, you may in no way think again of posting ads manually.

Simple Creation of Several Accounts

The key to get far more visibility on Craigslist is to post dozens and dozens of ads everyday.  But you'll be able to by no means do this if you only have one account.  You need various Craigslist accounts to enable you to launch a massive ad campaign.

With Clad Genius, making multiple email and Craigslist accounts involves just a few clicks on the mouse.  This software package can easily set-up unlimited email accounts for you which will probably be used to set-up unique Craigslist accounts.  Everything is fully automated with Clad Genius.  Just let the computer software perform its perform and you may have a number of accounts within a couple of minutes.

Ability to use Proxies

Making multiple accounts can be detected by Craigslist and this really is a ground for suspension. You are able to effectively avoid various account detection by using web proxies.  This means that your accounts will have different IP addresses.

Clad Genius has this kind of functionality.  It can provide you with several proxies and each account will have its own IP address.  No other Craigslist ad poster can offer you fool-proof proxies aside from Clad Genius.  So you'll be able to confidently function on Craigslist without worrying about possible account suspension.

Efficient Captcha Bypass

A single of the strongest attributes of Clad Genius is its nifty Captcha Bypass tool.  You know already that typing those jumbled words will substantially slow down your do the job on Craigslist.  Worse, the Captcha will prevent you from auto posting ads.

Fortunately, Clad Genius has a quite intelligent Captcha Bypass function which works seamlessly with Craigslist and Backpage.  This may be the reason why this software program will be the favorite Craigslist ad poster of many enterprise owners.  Simply because it can defeat the Captcha, you are going to be able to fully automate almost all tasks on Craigslist, Backpage and Kijiji.

Of course, like a wise small business owner, you wish to see for yourself if these characteristics will truly function inside the real world.  Fortunately, it is possible to try Clad Genius for a limited time for free with no any catch.  Use Clad Genius and test it for a few days so you'll be able to discover for yourself why it is the leading Craigslist advert poster today.

Gregs List

[Via http://craiglistclassifieds.wordpress.com]

Murphy strikes back!

Life, it sure is one of the biggest jokes ever. When you reached a certain point where you have deicided not to have any plans at all. Life decides to make up something for you.

I really thought in my own small mind that i could reach a state of peace by not taking on me any obligations at all. So what happened?

I suddenly have a new job which i enjoy, and ive met someone that seems to be something more than I asked for. Life sure is a joke, all I can do is to sit back and laugh!

[Via http://zuuzu.wordpress.com]

Sometimes Stepping Sideways, Is The Best Way Forward

Detouring is not Failing

The expectations and ideas that we have programmed into us are very rarely much use when it comes to making decisions.

Recently I was talking to a young lad who was confused about making a decision regarding his future.

His dilemma was that he had a part time job as a cameraman in a video production company and also a job as a builders labourer.

The company who made the videos offered him a full time job, but the pay at this time did not match the combined income of the two jobs. He asked for my advice and it was quite sad that he was so confused.

I asked him what it was that he enjoyed doing most and as you can imagine he said making the videos. So I then said what is your problem? He said that unless he could get the same income, from doing the videos, as he was from the combined jobs, he was in some way failing.

I pointed out that by taking a sideways step, or even a backwards step, to be doing what you wanted to do, could never be regarded as failing. To which he replied “ Yeah I realise that, but it is what my parents and friends might think.

How sad, he was going to make a decision based on what his parents and peers MIGHT think.

Fortunately, he took the full time job at the video company and it appears that they have already indicated that in the next few months, his income could well exceed what he was earning before.

There are a few lessons here, number one is that it can never be regarded as anything other than the correct decision when you follow your hearts desire,

Number two, never make decisions based on what you feel others might think, it is your life and doing things that make you happy and content, is an integral part of making the most of it.

Number three, fear and indecision invariably lead to regrets, it is mostly what we have not done that we regret most.

Number four, provided that you give 110%, you are guaranteed to get the most out of any situation. In this case the video company appreciated the decision he had made and also realised how good he was and very soon indicated that he would earn in the very near future, an income that would exceed what he was getting before.

It would have been very easy for him to have pushed the video company for more money and because of his feeling of failure, not accepted the job, but the result of that would have been that he would have ended up just working for money, without any real enjoyment or satisfaction.

If you are ever faced with a decision and you factor in what others might say or think about you, have the courage to follow your hearts desire, it will always be the right decision.

[Via http://croztalks.wordpress.com]

Jayashree - Inglorious Basterds

Jayashree walked into the Internet Café to find Raj and Shankar both waiting for her.  It gave her a sense of how important this issue was to them that they would arrive early.  She knew Raj wasn’t upset with her but hadn’t yet spoken directly to Shankar.  “Good morning guys.  I guess this is our first official day full-time on the new job?”

Raj replied, “Happy new job day Jayashree.  And this must be our new office?”  Raj seemed jovial.  That helped the mood.

“Well let me just start,” Jayashree began the meeting as she took her seat and gestured for the waiter to bring her usual morning tea.  “I met with Balamohan for dinner last night and he told me everything.  I was going to be coy but as soon as I said I missed him at the office Monday, he cut me off and came clean.  Not that he expressed any remorse.  He might have even been bragging.”

“Told you he was a jerk,” Raj again.  Shankar remained silent.  “So did he really start up a competing firm based on our idea?”

“Not exactly.  He fed our ideas to his partners, but they have one company and he has a separate business.”  Her tea arrived and she paused to thank the waiter.  “Balamohan is making money by recruiting the Ruby developers.  That’s what he mostly wanted from me – my social network of techies.  His partners might have formed their initial concept on their own, but they fleshed it out based on my blabbering.”

“So Balamohan made recruiting fees?”  Raj again the curious one.

“Not exactly.  He made his recruits purchase a bond to recompense their employers for their training and other expenses to cover their first two years of employment.  He charged a service fee for brokering the bond with a bank and received another fee from the bank for originating the loan.  Apparently he’s been doing this for several years and our venture helped him to go fulltime at it.”  Jayashree projected an incredulous facial expression.

“I’m not sure how I feel about that.  I don’t think it’s illegal because I’ve heard of the practice, but it sounds slimy to me.”  Again Raj with the response.  “He recruit anyone you know?”

“He wouldn’t say but I called 3 friends and they all confirmed he cold called and recruited them.  We can infer from this that their developers are local so we might have an edge on them with our Viet Namese labor costs.”  Jayashree was hoping to get Shankar into the dialog but he didn’t bite.  “My friends told me more.  He hired one DBA but no data mappers or architects.  They’ll manipulate most of the data at the application layer.”

“Hah, we got ‘em!”  Raj was suddenly very positive.  “Classic mistake, unfortunately made by just about everyone nowadays.”  Raj took on an authoritative tone as he explained.  “This is a huge data integration, or I should say content management, effort.  We built a data warehouse and focused on our data feed framework for the ETL processes.  We’re using Ruby for the front end, but we have stored procedures behind that written in Python.  Not to downplay the importance of the application layer  for aesthetics and usability, specifically the web services for ease of content accessibility; but we’re providing sub-second response time on our queries.  And we’ll scale at that speed for terabytes of data.  They’ll have to compromise on much smaller data sets – probably XML – can you say slow?  Their solution will be completely unscalable.”  Raj laughed and was enjoying himself immensely as he imagined the pending doom of this little competition.

Shankar finally interjected, “Well I should let you all know, our partners are suing us for malfeasance.  They brought forward the suit today demanding we forfeit all our shares to them.  Apparently this little company outbid our investors on a big contract.  And Balamohan has been talking enough to where our investors know more about our culpability for leaking intellectual capital than we do ourselves.  So we’ve got that going for us.”

[Via http://edmahoney.wordpress.com]

Friday, March 5, 2010

I am grateful for Fridays!  A busy week that consisted of a sick child (and thus, a visit to the doctor’s office), a 50-hour work week, six loads of laundry, a house to clean, dinners to cook, lunches to pack, homework to help with, and the metaphorical “partridge in a pear tree…!”

Now, given that I majored in PR, let’s see if I can put a different spin on it…eh-hem…

I am grateful that…

• My daughter is not more sick than she was and that she is better now
• I have a job
• I and my family have clothes on our backs
• We have a beautiful house
• We do not go hungry
• My daughter is getting a wonderful education

It’s easy to get bogged down in the stress of daily life, but if you look at all the wonderful things that are doing “the bogging,” I realize, I’m pretty lucky!

[Via http://allgratitude.wordpress.com]

What grabs your attention?

    A resume is a small part of personal marketing. Very few actually ponder what they are passionate and excel at before putting pen to paper. Prose is not the answer if you want to get your point across, however statistics you can verify go a long way to corroborating your expertise.  You definitely don’t want to have a novel written by a resume writer and go into the interview with your mouth agape at the first question. Here’s a fun exercise, take all you action words and make them opposite and assume that is what you are competing against or are you? So if you write “team player” on your resume, are you saying that you are distinguishing yourself against individuals who only work solo? If you write “accomplished” on your resume, are you distinguishing yourself against a  poorly accomplished individual? Get the point? Simply said, make your words count; you have less than 10 seconds of the employers’ attention. Think about how fast your channel surf while watching TV and tell me what grabs your attention quick enough to stop.
    If you have ever used Twitter and bother to surf through all the comments from the people you follow, what 140 character statement makes you stop and open the associated link, or what makes you send the information to others?  Do you always repost the same individual’s information?  If so, does their brand appeal to you?  Are you trying to capture their attention or worse yet are you schmoozing?
Write down all the words that appeal to you while you are surfing the net, reading a magazine or newspaper.  These words have much to do with your life interests.  Now relate them to your life and see if it is your experience or your interests outside of your current experience that draws you to these words.  This will distinguish what you are passionate about.  Now take your expertise and see if there is a connection.  If you note a connection, you are on your way to creating your brand.  If not, you need to know how to get to the life you are passionate about. 

Cheers to your success!  Diane Rines, Wise Career Move LLC, All Rights Reserved
Credits:  The opposite exercise was derived from “The Art of the Start” by Guy Kawasaki.

[Via http://wisecareermove.wordpress.com]

Green

The grass is not greener on the other side. Because London needs affordable homes, the whole country needs affordable homes, and so they are building on the grass. There is no grass. There is no green.

So you can look over, sure, take a look. Look at those people, looking back. It’s a look off. But we’re not really looking.

Not really. We are seeing but not looking. There is a difference.

When you see, you are in 2D, you are not paying attention, your brain is doing all the work for you. It’s projecting an image.

When you look, well, now you’re talking… Looking. You search when you look, you scan and you assess. You don’t see for a job, see for a girlfriend, see for a new house. You look.

So their life seems jolly lovely. Jolly splendid. Covered in chocolate and strawberries. Yum, give me some of that party.

But really, no. It isn’t like that. It’s as shit as it is here.

The grass is not greener on the other side. It’s not green. There is no grass. On either side.

But you know what? I don’t think much of grass anyhow. I can be happy, here. On my side. In my grayness. In my brown. In my black.

I don’t need to see them. To look at them. I don’t need green, to be green, to envy.

[Via http://jonpsevers.wordpress.com]

Morning Grumpiness and Wal-Mart Fondlers

I woke with a stir, hearing voices in the rest of the house… sounded like yelling.  My son was riding his motorcycle slash bike all over the kitchen.  I hear the voices again, its my step-dad trying to wake my sister up to get her to go to G.E.D.  He was on his way out, doing whatever guys do on their days off from work.  I get up out of bed and check my email and realize that my sister might not come home in time for me to do what I need to do today, so I tell her I am going with her.  The next thing I know, after I get dressed and get the kid ready, my sister tells me that he says I can not take the car.  I jump to conclusions, naturally, as I so often do and start to get pissed… infuriated even.  Tears well up and I run outside to yell “I knew this shit would happen, you hold something over my head to keep me here because you are mad about something that I think is retarded.”  And really that is the censored version of what I said, but you get the gist of it.  My sister leaves and then he leaves… and I felt so taunted and laughed at that I began to get even more pissed, trying everything I could to NOT break everything in site.  I think I mumbled a few incoherent words with “I’m to old for this shit” somewhere in the middle.  After walking around the house in a huff, I sat at this computer and couldn’t get into facebook, account unavailable, which made my mood even worse and the tears fell.  Now I do not cry that often, it takes a lot for me to cry, especially out of anger.  So I sat back staring at the screen, my eyes soggy, my son sitting next to me as if he wanted to help but didn’t know how.  Eventually all the torment subsided, and I had a headache.  I sighed a few times and turned cartoons on for my son.  I sat at my computer again and still did not surf the net, digesting all that had happened within a few minutes.  What a fucking way to wake up in the morning.

I can only guess, but I think ten minutes passed and I saw my step dad return.  He came back into the house and sat in the chair in facing me at the dining room table.  He explained to me that it was not what I assumed.  Turns out that my sister has been using me as an excuse to not go to G.E.D. And he was trying to push her to go.  She does not seem to care about her future lately, and I agree.  He asked me what it is that I need to do during the day and I explained.  He understood and made it a point to mention that it was nothing against me.  I said okay. And so we are working out a schedule so that she can go to G.E.D. like she is supposed to, and I can get my shit taken care of.  He then took the opportunity to ask about my sons father and his progress.  He said that he still is not very fond of him, which I can understand why, and that he would like to see more progress.  I explained as much progress as I could without trying to get any sympathy, because I know that if I try to get any sympathy from this man it does not work…  He lives a certain way, was brought up a certain way, and can not sympathize with someone in my or my guys position.  So all we can do is show him that things are getting done… it takes time and we are working on it the best way we can.

On another note, I was at Wal-Mart the other day, standing in line waiting to check out.  I notice a guy in my peripheral vision as he walks past me but took no notice.  Then suddenly a hand comes from behind me and reaches around and holds me, at first I assume its my guy, but I turn to see a complete stranger grabbing me… I almost punched him in the face but then he says “hug me please”  and I could tell that he was mentally challenged.  He tried to hug me and wouldnt let go right away.  I was so shook up all I could do was push him away.. eventually he ran off to probably go hug another stranger.  My one and only thought for that is WHERE THE HELL IS THE PERSON THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP AND EYE ON HIM???   Someone was not doing their job at all that day.  On top of that, imagine someone walking up to Monk (the character in the show, not an actual monk) and hugging them like that.  I do not like being touched by strangers it FREAKS me out.  The only person that can touch me is my guy, because I chose him to be the one I touch and touches me… other than that… even my family cant touch me without my say so. Imagine that.

[Via http://drusjournal.wordpress.com]

Post Apocolympic....

Yesterday was big deal for Canadians. It was the big rematch of the Winter Games, the Gold Medal Hockey tussle between the US and Canada  . It seemed to be the only topic of conversation for a lot of people. I caught the beginning of the game before I had to leave for work, and the Canadians were ahead by two goals to one when I left. I made it into work to find the TV on in the Break Room and folks glued to it. I had to be down on the shop floor, so I wandered away. Somewhere there was a radio piping commentary of the match into the shop, but Hockey Commentary is a mystery to me, since the game moves so fast and I didn’t know which players were on which team (shocking, I know, but give me a chance, we’ve only been here a year!) Still, co-workers were always passing by and happy to give news of the progress of the game.
“The Americans equalised, just seconds to go!” Big groan from everyone nearby. Then a few minutes after that the tannoy squawked into life:
“What did I tell you, Andy? Canada WIN! 3-2″ Cheers from all around the store, customers and workers alike. Almost immediately the place began to fill up. The place had been almost deserted during play, but now the game was done people flocked in. Almost all of them were grinning. The first few were eager either to tell me the result of te match, or find it out from me. We had folks wearing flags, with Maple leaf face paint, Canada jackets, T-shirts, hats… One ladty said she’d been in CostCo when the match was won and the place went mad. I couldn’t work out why CostCo in particular, but then I remembered they have a huge display of big-screen TVs. Where better to watch the match?
I was sorry to miss the closing ceremony, but got home to find Mrs Dim had recorded it for me. I had been surprised by how brilliant the opening ceremony had been, and regretted not recording that, so I’m looking forward to watching this one later.
People are starting to wonder what we’re all going to do now the Olympics have happened. Are we going to go into a posy-apocolympic slump? But that’s not really fair. In a few days, on March 12th we get the Paralympics, and if you thought the struggle of the athletes in the regular games was inspiring, you ain’t seen nothing yet. I shall be watching the opening ceremony (and recording it) because Eldest Weasel is one of the schoolchildren who’ll be singing with Nikki Yanovsky, and I spent a good deal of today wrestling with the ticketing system to try and get a ticket for Mrs Dim to attend in person. No joy so far, but I think it’s churlish to complain about someting like that when he events themselves will feature people who have overcome far more. I will not be defeated by beaureacracy…though the spelling may give me pause.

So Week Two of Work has begun, and it’s going well. The times are fitting in nicely with Educating Weasels and Mrs Dim’s schedule, and I’m getting enough writing done to feel like I’m not writing to support my new career in retail. (Oh, my new play! It’s going SO WELL. Of course, I’ve had to halve the length and revise my grand plans, but it’s GOING SO WELL! Don’t tell anyone, though. It’s easily startled.) I still don’t have my schedule for the week after next, so I don’t know if my shifts will line up with my elephants and allow me to go on holiday. Now we’re into March time is moving even faster. There’s only a handful of days before Spring Break, only a few more to the holiday and once we’re back from that it’s packing and moving. Tomorrow I’ll pile into the redirection business again. Seems weird, trying to remember what it’s like to be unpacking boxes – this house has been sorted for a while now. We even stopped changing the pictures around, so maybe we got those right at last. Must be time to move.

[Via http://dtrasler.wordpress.com]

High Hopes for today

They’re coming today.

Who?

The people that are going to buy our  house. I can feel it in my water.

There’s just time to dash off a quick post before I run round like a mad woman beautifying, hiding evidence and generally making the place look desirable.

I’ve got more hight hopes than normal for this lot becasue the agent contacted us a few weeks ago to see if you would be prepared to doa part exchange for a house in Bacup..

“Bacup? *snort* I don’t think so.”

Anyway, against all odds they’ve managed to sell their house and are dead keen to get a look at ours. These are the ones who were desperate enough to want to come during the week when it was dark. I can feel it in my water, I tell you.

Funny. When we bought the new car I said to B, “just watch, as soon as we get a 4wD we’ll sell the house and won’t need it. What are we waiting for, get a new car bought!”

Since then we’ve had a positive stream (well, more like a trickle, really) of viewers.

N has indeed fallen on his feet on the job front. He’ll be leaving home  next week to go and work in a live in job in Bolton in a hotel that’s just been taken over by one of his friends.  Told you, once things happen, they happen quickly. We’ll sell this house today or I’ll eat my computer!!

On a less positive note: my 50th birthday is getting scarily close. People keep asking me what I’m going to do to celebrate it but I can’t work up any enthusiasm. Sticking my head in the sand and lying about my age seem to be favourite at the moment.  Of course when you consider the  other what the alternatives to reaching 50 are, I’ll take the birthday, thanks. Just don’t expect me to do it with good grace.

[Via http://javaadvenlu.wordpress.com]

Millennials: Workers Of The Future

26-year-old Andrew Benton does not expect to hold a traditional 9-to-5 job unless he starts his own business again, and he is not overly concerned on the recession’s longterm effect on his career. Whatever you make of this attitude, Benton is arguably the prototype of the new and perhaps ideal worker in the post-recession economy.

Source:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/234177

[Via http://pkrf1end.wordpress.com]

The pain and gain of entrepreneurship - Day 18/139

You have to be a bit of an idealist to become an entrepreneur

Most people tend to think realistically or want to reason why they aren’t capable of starting a business. Others take the risk. But do people become entrepreneurs for the wrong reasons? When thinking about starting a business people get stuck to obvious barriers.

What if I can’t get any customers?

If you can focus your resources on the things you like, the only possible outcome is that you become good at what you do. This can’t be ignored by the customers. People prefer services from professionals. But more importantly, people want to buy services from people who love what they do.

I need steady money to pay for my expenses

The steady money is not a real need. People think they need money to maintain a quality of living. You have to understand that quality of living isn’t about money. It is about your happiness and the happiness of people around you. And that can’t be bought.

I don’t like the extra paperwork

None of this matters if you set your target high enough. Think of the energy you have for your job if you can concentrate on the things you like. There really are people who love accounting. If you outsource your accounting you’re helping two people to be happy.

[Via http://millionbefore30.com]

Today

The funny thing is.. When i opened this tab. I knew what i was going to write but when I started my mind just went blank.

Today is a very important day, it could be life changing. It could in the future drive me crazy. I really am not a fan of what ifs so i do everything as they come along and most of the times I don’t let things just pass me by. There may be instances that I may be naive, but i just don’t see bad things or criticize first before knowing what something truly is.

Oh my goodness where is my brain. I have been floating in oblivion and I just stare at the monitor cross eyed. Snap out of it yann! hahahaha I’m going crazy.

I should just end this i think and mentally prepare myself for later. could this be my big break?

(oh about the announcement i guess i’m just gonna have to delay it a few more days March 1 perhaps ?)

[Via http://nothingtoofancy.wordpress.com]

Folly of Feminism

The Toronto Star recently ran an article discussing a report released by the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (CFAIA) and the Canadian Labour Congress.

I could critique the usual fear-mongering and misuse of statistics in their report, or postulate on why a labour union was involved in its creation. However, I think a more useful approach is to focus on feminism as a whole.

In their earliest forms, feminism and women’s liberation were noble movements.  They sought to give women equality, legal autonomy, self-determination, and freedom of choice in a broad range of topics from reproduction to employment.  However, in more recent years, the agenda of feminist activists seems to have less to do with giving disadvantaged women a hand up and more to do with giving them a handout.

Activists wail and beat their drums, blaming everything from men to weapons to government for the plight of subjugated women everywhere.  They ignore the fact that portraying women as helpless victims of society undermines the entire concept of feminism.  They also ignore the fact that men and women are different.  While striving for total equality is noble, it’s also a pipe dream.  Men and women are not equal and they never will be.  There are very definite physical, emotional and mental differences between the sexes.  Some roles in our society are better suited to women, others to men, and no amount of government initiatives will ever alter that fact.

Should women have the opportunity to tackle any societal role that they choose?  Absolutely. However, so should men.  While there are still traditionally male-dominated areas where it’s difficult, if not impossible, for a woman to break through, the same holds true for men. 

This brings up another concept that modern feminist activists refuse to acknowledge: that men suffer too.  In their world, violence or discrimination against a woman is a human rights abuse, but violence or discrimination against a man is just normal.  The divisive tactics used by feminist activists show that they have another agenda that has nothing to do with bettering the lives of women.  If they were truly interested in bettering our society, they would be looking at ways to improve the quality of life for everyone, not just women.

Taking a slightly different tack, in the Star article I mentioned above, wage parity (or lack thereof) in Canadian society is mentioned.  I’m not going to touch on the fact that the professor quoted in the article is focussing only on wages as an indicator of quality of life.  Instead I’m going to point out how feminist activists, as usual, fail to take into consideration 3 very key issues that cause such a discrepancy in earnings: choice, childbearing and communication.

Many women simply choose not to go into higher paying (and traditionally male-dominated) fields.  The reasons are many and varied: it may be a career that is better suited to men, women just aren’t interested, or if they are in the field they’re unwilling to do what’s necessary to earn their place.  You see, equal opportunity isn’t something that can come from government handouts or special committees.  Like men, women need to push through obstacles on their own and prove that they are capable of doing the job.

I’ve worked in a male-centric field my entire adult-life and I’ve encountered many seemingly “backward” or “sexist” attitudes along the way.  I know my male readers are going to love this, but men really are like children   They will regularly push the boundaries to see what they can get away with.  Women planning to work in a mostly male environment need to learn how to thrive in that environment.  There are many tricks and tools that are far more effective than crying “harassment” and seeking disciplinary action.  Gaining acceptance isn’t about running to management to complain that your male co-workers aren’t playing nice and trying to demand their respect simply because of your gender.  It’s about earning their respect based on merit. 

Connected to Choice is the second item I mentioned: Childbearing.  In 60% of two-earner families, one partner works full-time while the other either doesn’t work, or works part-time.  In 91% of those families, the man is the primary breadwinner. [Source: Statistics Canada, Family Work Patterns]  It’s pretty simple.  Women who have children work less, which means they have less work experience than their male co-workers, which means they will earn less. 

I can already hear people complaining that women are being “punished” for having children.  Quite the contrary, it’s actually very equal.  Like their male co-workers, they’re being paid based on their recent relevant work experience, rather than being given a handout simply for being female. 

My last point is communication.  Many a book has been written outlining the differences in communication styles between men and women.  In general, men tend to be more direct and ask for what they want.  Women tend to use a more subtle approach. 

Over the years I’ve seen the following scenario happen time and again, not so much in unionized employment, but definitely in the private sector:  Joe and Jane start working in the same job at the same company at the same time earning the same wage.  Five years later, they’re both in the same job, but Joe is now earning more than Jane.  Another 5 years down the road, Jane is still in the same job, earning only slightly more than when she started, while Joe has been promoted and received a raise…twice!

The modern feminist would have us believe that this is a perfect example of inequality in the workplace.  On the contrary, it’s a perfect example of a skill that women need to be taught in order to be successful in the workplace.  Why is Joe doing so much better in the company in Jane?  Because he asked.  Women will toil away at a job for years, expecting their boss to notice their hard work and offer them a raise or promotion.  Men will simply go to their boss and ask for it.

Much progress has been made in the quest for women’s rights over the last 200 years.  Laws have been made and repealed; cultural norms have been challenged and changed.  Government legislation has gone about as far as it can go.  It’s now up to women to pick up the flag and run with it themselves.

Instead of undermining their own efforts by portraying women as victims, feminists need to start taking a more positive and proactive approach.  Rather than wasting their time and energy lobbying for sympathy and handouts, they should be teaching women the skills they need to succeed.

[Via http://tyrantman.wordpress.com]

Dawn of a new day

Another day, I wake with  a positive frame of mind, maybe today is THE day.

Some days however really do feel like groundhog day, I get up, the job search begins.  Eight or 9 hours later, its the end of yet another unsuccessful day, still no job.

Now I know there are people who will say that I must be fussy, I must be able to get A job, just any job. Well as I have discovered, through a very long and often depressing process. Just ANY  job is actually difficult to get. For example, even cleaning jobs I have seen in my area require expereience. What hope is there for someone like me who is willing to take on any form of employment (within reason of course), so I can pay my bills and survive? I refuse to get hand outs in the form of benefits, I believe I am capable of working for my income.

[Via http://amiunemployable.wordpress.com]

prayer and white hair.

I’ve said it before, this economy blows. The hub owns a business that when he started was crazy, no…INSANELY lucrative.

seriously.

insane.

Anyhoo, we have struggled, we have skimmed by, we have good months & bad and it makes my hair white.

white is not good.

especially when they appear from just below one’s right ear like the one I plucked just yesterday. How cruel is that?

Okay, back to my point…

A job was brought to the Hub’s attention a few weeks ago by a friend. We searched the internet for the possible listing to no avail until today. Today it was there. So you know what I did today? I prayed. Alot. And wrote up a fancy shmancy new resume for my hubby and faxed it on over. (who really faxes anymore…?) So now we wait. There was no time line for when they will be making a decision and I do not know the protocol for this type of thing…do we call? do we visit? do we…..fax?

pray.

That is all I know to do so that is what I will do. Alot. And I pray that THIS is the road I have been begging Jesus to show us. That this is the opportunity that can get us back onto stable ground. That this is the direction that ceases the white hairs from sprouting out of odd places on my head. (in the mean time thanking God for my magnifying mirror)

I sincerely hope that I can follow up very soon with am answer to my prayers. And I really really hope that the answer involves trains. (yeah, I said trains.)

[Via http://abbyblom.wordpress.com]

crossroads

I am at a crossroads. Down one path is a continuation of my current existence – job, stress, frustration, familiarity, financial comfort. Down the other path is something new – unknown, risky, freeing, testing. Though I am entirely fed up with my job, it is still what I know, and I continue to allow the abuse. The fear of the unknown is almost worse.

But I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’ take on progress. Progress is getting nearer to what you want, and if you’ve taken a wrong turn, it is more progressive to turn around and walk back to the right road than to continue forging ahead in the wrong direction.

I do feel like I’ve ended up on the wrong path, but I’m not even sure I know where the right road is. So turning around? That’s scary. Unknown. Somewhat directionless. But continuing on? That’s hurtful. I don’t know how much more I can take at my job. But I know it. I know the hurt; I can cope with the hurt.

My thinking seems backwards. Staying, making excuses. But still wanting something different. Change. Value.

I am at a crossroads. I am caught in the middle. I want guidance, direction, faith. To leave the familiar takes faith. It is stepping out into the unknown. It is trusting the outcome to Someone else, even if that’s God! The control is out of my hands. I am called to have faith. To step out. Take a leap of faith, trusting that God catches us when we fall. Trusting that something bigger and better is after leaping. Trusting enough to jump when it’s into an unknown.

That’s scary. But it’s also needed. Because I do want progress, and leaping into the unknown might be the best way back to the right path.

[Via http://kaelynkelley.wordpress.com]

Benefits of Being "The Little Guy"

Little do you know, I have many, many things to talk about. I’ve got a good number of drafts prepared already.

Just. You. Wait.

I’ve got just a bit of time, though, so I’ve selected what might be one of the easiest drafts to elaborate on.

This week has been a difficult one at work. I’m employed at a place called C-Systems Software. We supply blank invoices, shop work order forms, envelopes, printer ribbons yadda yadda, and (of course) software. Our software is really our specialty, as it was created by us. We supply an inventory and sales software to power equipment companies.

I’m the shipper/receiver of the company, so I rarely dabble in anything other than processing orders and receiving PO’s. But it’s been a bit difficult to do even that this week.

See, the top dogs decided it was time we update our phone system. Because of this, all the wires and chords and log-ins… pretty much everything that enables us to do our jobs, has been on the fritz. Nothing has worked properly, or for very long at a time.

I suppose it’s because of this that I’ve been allowed to go on some field-trips this week. Yesterday I took the company truck to get it’s inspection renewed. I drove about fifteen minutes down the highway to a shady place called “Ten Minute Inspection”. Shady, but the employees there were nice anyways. (But it was a twenty minute inspection, so really they should have offered me a discount…) Anyways, it was a nice trip to take in-between much frustration of not being able to do my job.

Today I went on another trip, this time with the lady in accounting, to SAM’S Club. We needed some new snacks for the vending machine, TP for the bathrooms, and gasoline for the previously inspected truck.

Today’s trip to SAM’S was shorter than the last- only about an hour. But it’s nice to get out for even that amount of time, especially when Kathy (aforementioned lady in accounting) likes to take her time and look for some personal buys.

You know, I once even got to go to Frye’s to get some hard drives that were on sale…

So I’ve come to the conclusion that being the “little guy” of a company really isn’t that bad. A lot of times people misperceive the job of the little guy as one full of tedious jobs that the “big guys” don’t want to do. And that is true, in a way. It’s not my idea of fun to change ceiling tiles that have become stained and moldy due to water leaks. Nor do I enjoy replacing 6 foot long light bulbs in slots that are so old, the bulbs have been known to slip and go crashing to the floor.

But just when the week gets ridiculous, when not even I, the one with least amount of work to do (excluding the receptionist) can do his job, I get called upon to take a trip. To do something outside of the work place. To get some fresh air. To see sun. To escape the confines of a cubicle and set my sights on something other than a computer screen.

Being the little guy has it’s perks.

If you’re low on the totem pole like myself, but without the pleasures of a few field trips, then I’m sorry. Next time you’re asked to put lights in the “EXIT” signs, offer to pick up some more. Just in case those puppies don’t last.

They may like you more for saving them the trip.

[Via http://ericscribner.wordpress.com]

Biggest Loser Even Bigger! Conjoined Twins Weigh-In At 933Lbs; Count As One Contestant

Dear Sensei:

I have an awesome idea for a reality TV project, but I don’t know the first thing about how to bring it to fruition or how to get it produced.  What’s my first move?

Dear Judge Jillian Bachelor:

First things first . . .  The term “Reality” is so 2000 and late.  “2000 and late,” however, is still totally far out.  “Reality” is now referred to as “Non-scripted.”

Okay, then.  Development executives, as a collective, have heard it all; one of their top priorities is filling their calendars with (a large number of non-scripted) pitches.

ANGLE ON DESK CALENDAR – “Mtg w/J. Kamp.  SOS (Same Old Shit).  3:45-3:50PM.  Btr brng vnla latte.”

Your first move is certain:  Make sure that your awesome idea is not simply awesome, but also original!  Otherwise, you are wasting everybody’s time and spinning your wheels.  Selling “The Littlest Groom” takes contacts and kick-backs.

If you want to see fat chicks lose weight on a farm instead of a ranch, forget it.

Guy marrying a girl for her parents’ money (which he’s totally not gonna get in the end – oh, snap!)?  Next.

Young hookers and idiot meat-heads trying to act on a show called “Next”?  An additional example please.

A black-belt jujitsu pro and wild-animal trainer, who lives on the Oregon Trail with wolves during the week and wins tournaments on the weekends?  It’s all been done.  They’ve heard it al- Wait a minute.  That one has NOT been done.  And that’s what you’re after, my friend.  Check.  Yo.  Self.

If you are friends with that guy, who is television-ready and hasn’t been mauled in the last four years, you may have yourself an awesome and original idea.  Find that guy . . .

And worry about step 2.

[Via http://hollywoodsensei.wordpress.com]

Done with classes

So winter quarter is about to end. I just got out of my last official class of the quarter. I have a 9am crit on Monday morning for my Flash website, and I have to pass in a cardboard chair as well.. and see if it will hold my teacher.. but other than that. I’m done.

I’m having a love/hate relationship with the end of this quarter. I’m glad to be through with the work, but I’m a little sad to see the boy leave. Again, I’m trying not to be too attached because there are so many ways this could all go horribly wrong.. or just generally not work out, but I’m also be optimistic.

This quarter has been a weird one. I definitely learned a lot from my classes and the projects I had to do. I even like some of my work enough to be motivated to fix my portfolio and apply for summer jobs. I thought I wasn’t going to try to get a real job this summer, but I decided if I can get more experience and get paid.. then I should probably try for that. If not I’ll probably bounce back and forth from Roc to DC. Work at financial aid here for a few weeks then go back down there and party until I run out of money.. haha.

The quarter was weird for me socially too. My life is a little different now, and I don’t do different well, but I’m working on it. I have a few stable elements in my social life, so I’m just holding on to those and letting the rest work itself out.

I’ll probably do a post with some of my projects from the quarter soon.. or if I’m really ambitious I’ll get my portfolio updated and post that.

[Via http://definitemaybe.wordpress.com]

Job #4

02/01/2310
My phones back on! My phones back on! My phones back on!

Well, its been on for a little while, but not long enough to fully bask in its reactivated glory before acquiring job number four. I’ll get to that in a nano, though, I have a comment or two about resurrected my texti first.

I must say I was strikingly disappointed at how anti-climactic the procedure of turning it on ended up being. After the payment processed electronically, a single message was sent to my email confirming the receiving  of adequate funds. Then nothing.

No cascade of backed up text messages overflowing my inbox. No lost voice messages appearing again out of the ether. No new video messages unwatched and awaiting my moderation. After three months, nothing was saved in any sort of backup server by my carrier service, though I’d hoped desperately to see what anyone trying to contact me had wanted, or said discovering my unavailability. What’s lost is lost, though.

Sorry, I’ve digressed. The point of this transmission is to let you know my about my most recent occupation, and the physical hardships that accompany it.

Today is my third day on the job as a removalist. Not professional by any means; I may have the stamina and the creativity to perform well, but I hardly possess the fortitude or even strength needed to make a living out of moving people’s personal belongings. I guess you could say its more of a PBO gig, though I’m not really the owner of what I move either.

I’ve been helping the Magnate family in their hastened exodus from Newport Beach. Packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, carrying again, setting down and unpacking. The past 50 hours or so have been expended with this seemingly never ending process of transplanting the delicate furniture and personal effects that have surrounded them for years.

I’m in the middle of distributing the cases and cardboard boxes containing most of that matter to the various quarters they belong to. I don’t have much time before the final large load comes and the rental carryall needs to be returned, so I won’t go into too much detail. But since today was the first day they actually had keys to get inside their new home, the bulk of the moving has been done in he past few hours.

The fridge, beds, gigantic teli screen and baby grand piano were all moved already today, just to name a few of the larger things. The kind of ancient baby grand piano that weighs at least a ton and requires a whole gang of people to carry. The kind of fridge that could be oozing with deadly Freon as we speak. And the kind of television that can’t be laid flat, it has to remain upright to prevent the light crystals from resettling.

To ensure it’s safety, I had to ride in the cargo bay of the carryall with a full load of the heaviest items. It wasn’t a particularly intimidating task at first sight, it even kind of looked comfy in there, on top of a pad of pillows and blankets between a vertical stack of mattress and the precious teli screen. I brought my texti, to keep in contact with the much safer riders in the cabin, and an old scratched up tuni that I used in lieu of a proper, more modern media player. The 7-mile trip wouldn’t be too long, I was mostly only afraid of being bored along the way.

It started off calm enough. It was a nice break from the lifting–nestled into a stack of comforters–I almost felt like sleeping, I was so relaxed. Well, ‘was’ being the pivotal word there. It wasn’t long at all into the drive that the already loosely packed contents of the giant, silvery hold began to gyrate and jostle about. That massive king-sized headboard looming above my head looked more menacing with each bump and dip in the road.

The speed picked up. I wouldn’t really even say we were traveling that quickly, just a little bit above the pace we’d maintained on  what I assumed were the neighborhoods and side streets. Nonetheless, a jolt of feeble acceleration informed me that we were on a freeway. The heavy, wooden bed piece above sagged further into impending view. I sighed, knowing I couldn’t wait for the Magnates in the cabin to bring the cumbersome truck to a halt; I’d have to act on it quickly.

Metal wobbled and wood creaked around me. As I moved into position, a mattress close by shifted and let loose the Damocles headboard it kept upright. So much for getting ready, I leapt forward and threw my weight against the falling object before it could come crashing down on the fragile cargo. I hoped I was sturdier than the silicon and plastic I’d sworn to protect.

For the rest of the trek I sat perched against it, pinning the huge piece of wood against the forward end of the cargo hold. It seemed like forever before the harrowing journey came to an end, and at long last the rental truck stopped. That is, before it pulled away from the Martian-run strawberry stand on the side of the road and continued to our final destination.

I’d love to be able to just lay down right now and sleep. There’s so many more things to carry and so many stairs between where they need to go. If only there were some way that I could recharge and lift at the same time, but there aren’t any that I know of. Instead I’ll just push through the hunger and the delirium a little longer until someone comes to relieve me. And they better hurry up soon, otherwise there won’t be anything left for them to move.

Wait, I think I hear air breaks squeaking outside. That must be Mr. Magnate with his final load, I better go help them get it off the truck before I can even think about setting anything else down.

Gork, does this day ever end?

[Via http://istherelifeonmars.wordpress.com]

Vacancy at Hivos - Biogas Quality Inspector ( Malang, Yogyakarta, Bandung )‏

JOB VACANCY
BIOGAS QUALITY INSPECTOR (BI)
(3 Posts)

Title : BIOGAS QUALITY INSPECTOR (BI)
Duty Station : Malang, Yogyakarta, Bandung
Responsible to : Biogas Provincial Coordinator
Coordinates with IDBP Program staff at national level, Hivos Program Officer, Technical Advisors, support staff, Provincial and District Government and partners
Duration : March 1, 2010 to 30 September 2010 (extension possible)
Closing date : 20 February 2010

Since 15 May 2009, Hivos is running the Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme. This programme is undertaken in close cooperation with SNV Netherlands Development organisation.

The overall objective of the proposed national programme on domestic biogas in Indonesia is to disseminate domestic bio-digesters as a local, sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial, market oriented sector in selected provinces.
The Provincial Biogas Programme Offices of the Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme are main players in the development of the biogas sector in their respective provinces. Each provincial office will have a team that implements the programme, together with other local stakeholder organisations and local governments. The leading person in the Provincial Biogas Programme Office (PBPO) is the Provincial Biogas Coordinator (PBC) whereas there will be other staff as well. One of the positions in the team is Biogas Quality Inspector (BI). Under the close supervision of PBC and instruction of Biogas Technical Officer (BTO) from National Biogas Program Support Office (NBPSO) in Jakarta, the BI takes the responsibility of quality construction of biogas plants and necessary technical backstopping to the CPO staff. Major responsibilities include maintaining quality of plant construction, technical training to the staff and technical monitoring of the plants. The scope of the activities can be detailed more in-depth as follows:

• Take the responsibility of maintaining quality plant construction and after-sales services by CPOs;
• Visit plant construction sites regularly. All plants constructed in the assigned province needs to be visited for quality control;
• Fill up quality control forms correctly and accurately and send to NBPSO for records;
• Take immediate action if plants are not constructed as per approved standards;
• Address the issue of any technical problems faced by users or report it to BTO;
• Provide feedbacks/ advices regularly to CPO staff and masons on technical improvement;
• Follow exactly the instruction and process of quality control and reporting system approved by NBPSO;
• Arrange/ provide mason/supervisors training in the provinces coordinating local CPOs;
• Provide reports and/or any feedbacks to PBS and BTO on technical matters;
• Act as biogas technical focal person in the province;
• Carry any other assignment as and when requires.

Requirements
• D3 Degree in civil engineering;
• At least two years of experience working in construction, supervision, training or similar jobs;
• Able to frequent field visit and driving motorcycle;
• Good communication / human relation skills ;
• Biogas experience (desired);

Information
Applicants should send a CV and a cover letter to: hrd@hivos.or.id with reference code ‘vac BI Biogas’. Applications are requested by 20 February 2010; thereafter the position will remain open until filled. This post open for Indonesian nationality only.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

[Via http://hendri83.wordpress.com]

The Worst Job

Theme:  No matter what you do, do it to serve God and others.

Scripture:  John 13: 3-5

Most kids have an idea what job they might like to have.  Do you?  Some jobs look like they would be more fun than others.  Perhaps you’d like to be a pilot, or a race car driver.  Would you like to care for animals, or sell ice cream, or build houses, or work in a bakery?  There are so many different jobs and we’re very fortunate in our country to be able to choose whatever job we want. Some jobs involve hard work; others require many years of training and education.  Some bring lots of money, some make you famous.  Some jobs are hardly ever recognized.  What sort of job would you like?
          
What do you think would be the best job in the whole world?  Being a professional football player, who makes a lot of money?   Or would you like to be a movie star, who is rich and famous?  Or the President of the United States who has an Army, Navy and an Air Force all ready to do what he orders?  What about being God?  He’s the master of the universe.
       
What do you think is the worst job in the world?  Cleaning bathrooms?  Collecting trash?  Or perhaps being a shoe salesman who has to deal with smelly feet all day.  

Feet can become very dirty, can’t they?  Especially when you wear sandals or no shoes at all, and where there are no paved streets, just dirt roads.  The people of Jesus’ time had a way to deal with dirty feet.  The family servant would wash the feet of those who came to visit for dinner.  It was a dirty, smelly, unpleasant job.
         
But, Jesus, who was the Son of God, knelt un front of his friends, and washed their feet.   He had the best job in the world and the worst.  When he finished washing his followers’ feet, he told them, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher has washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
         
No matter what job you choose to do, when you do it with a servant’s heart, you are richly rewarded in God’s kingdom.

[Via http://joycegoodhenderson.wordpress.com]