Now that formatting buttons and edit function have returned we can’t be too far away from The Big WordPress Errorfest, can we?
Hey anyone interesting going to be on the Sunday morning talkshows?
AND a request deletion button? John just how much in Jesus money did that cost you?
3.
Laura W
Mornin’ everybody.
Nice, hot cup of coffee, laptop, and my county on flood warning.
It has rained all damn week, and most of the last 48 hours. Hard.
Actually, it’s quite pretty and comforting.
Like POTUS on MTP.
4.
Laura W
@The Grand Panjandrum: I haven’t had the edit function since yesterday afternoon, but the formatting stuff is good. Wonder why. Are some of us not seeing it? Yes, I’ve emptied cache and restarted FF.
Thanks very much for posting dialogue from Annie Hall the other day. It’s my favorite comedy film and I love every frame of it.
6.
SGEW
OT: apocryphal tale of Irving and William Kristol (via Sully):
Irving [Kristol] recalled how he talked to his friend Harvey Mansfield at Harvard, who secured William [Kristol] a place there as both an undergrad and graduate student; how he talked to Pat Moynihan, then Nixon’s domestic policy adviser, and got William an internship at the White House; how he talked to friends at the RNC [Republican National Committee] and secured a job for William after he got his Harvard Ph.D.; and how he arranged with still more friends for William to teach at Penn and the Kennedy School of Government. “With that, Prof. Katznelson recalled, he then asked Irving what he thought of affirmative action. ‘I oppose it,’ Irving replied. ‘It subverts meritocracy.’ “
Magnificent.
[ETA: Now that I think about it, this has probably already been linked to in one of threads around here . . . but still, it’s just too good.]
@Laura W: AND you haven’t gotten your L.O. thread (with picture in a nice business suit!) either. Hhhhhmmmmm … sounds awful suspicious. Conspiracy!
8.
Demo Woman
Well I just voted for Bitsy, did you? By the way how did Bitsy do last week? Any chance she moved up?
9.
Laura W
@The Grand Panjandrum: John sucks. I have no idea why I hang around this place.
Guess I need the eggs.
(Yikes. Guess I get to edit in Safari but the edit window is very bizarre looking.)
(And it does not revert back to the post once you edit. I’m going to stop whining about the site functions and go back to whining about L.O’D. Choosing my battles and all.)
@Demo Woman: Last I checked, at 11:59pm last night, she was near 1500, he highest total yet. However, nothing really counts unless she is #1. Press on!
Summer is gone and we are finally hitting temps in the 70’s! Yay! Setting the toe (tire alignment) and wrapping up a few last details on the Mustang today and the last few parts (new custom PCV system pieces) I need to wrap it up and start it will be here tomorrow. The wife wants to stay in some trees for our 23rd anniversary (on the 27th) so I have to go book a room (in a tree!) later today. I’m not so sure about this but I have to let her have her way every few years. ;)
Keeps things interesting, but staying in a tree? Oh well, at least we are taking the Mustang for a road trip and with weather like this it gets to go topless! :)
Overcast and chilly this morning. I almost don’t wanna wait for the pres on Meet the Press. This is perfect weather for my 9 mile run. I don’t want to take a chance on it getting warm and sunny later. Ah ha, that’s what DVR is for.
14.
Maude
The top of the page is different. Is it meant to be like this or is a boo boo?
Obama, on McConnell’s claim that GOP is winning health care debate: “You know, they were saying they were winning during the election, too.”
Boo-ya!
17.
Brian J
Well, first, I for one am thrilled that the tag buttons are back. It’s going to make posting here a lot smoother.
Second, @SCEW, say what you want about Robert Rubin, but I really liked the fact that in his memoirs released during Bush’s first term, he all but admitted he went to Harvard as an undergrad because of a friend of his father’s. Granted, as an adult worth tens of millions of dollars, he didn’t have anything to lose, but my impression is that a lot of these guys in powerful positions are arrogant assholes who won’t let anything ding the image that they are perfect in every way. It reminds me of an English teacher in high school who said she liked JFK because his answer to why he received a medal in the war was that they sunk his boat.
18.
smiley
@SGEW: If it’s apocryphal then, by definition, it’s probably not true. So, is Sully using a story to illustrate nepotism that he admits is probably not true? What’s the point of that?
19.
Brian J
@Max:
Well, sure, they may be “winning” parts of the debate now, but only by making shit up. That can only go on for so long, and while we can’t say when it’s going to hurt them, it will at some point. They’ve proven themselves to be utterly useless if not downright destructive during this debate, and if the Democratic political operatives are worth anything, it’s something they won’t hesitate to remind voters of for many cycles to come.
20.
r€nato
Looks like John Edwards is finally going to confess that he really did father Rielle Hunter’s child (DUH).
Thank god this jerk didn’t get within a mile of the nomination.
21.
r€nato
oh and you probably know this but there’s no edit function in Firefox 3 for Mac. (I’m pretty sure FF works the same on PC so it probably doesn’t appear on FF 3 PC either)
22.
Max
Related to the Sunday Morning blitz, if anybody missed it, here is Bill O and Chris Wallace comforting each other over Fox being snubbed. It is such an arrogant and unprofessional conversation, all that is missing is Glenn Beck’s crying.
i still cannot believe that narcissistic son of a bitch would run for president while fucking this woman and promising to marry her upon the death of elizabeth! just imagine had he done better in the campaign and prevailed.
24.
Skepticat
Is arguingwithsignposts around? Hope you’re feeling a bit more hopeful this morning, though lawd knows this world makes it damned difficult.
Cool and sunny here north of Boston, and I’m bound and determined to do several small projects I’ve been putting off. Once again the elves forgot to come in during the night and finish things off.
25.
MikeJ
(I’m pretty sure FF works the same on PC so it probably doesn’t appear on FF 3 PC either)
FFX 3 worked for me yesterday on a windows machine.
If there’s ANY WAY the blogosphere can get that story told again and again and again, I think we should see to it. The objective would be to make it something everyone’s retelling, to the point where Juan Williams retells it on Sunday morning, right in front of the little twerp.
27.
A Mom Anon
Sigh.
It seems I’m unemployable. I’ve been home raising a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome for 15 yrs and none of that qualifies me to do anything. I have no business or work references anymore and no one wants personal references these days. Hell,I can’t even fill out a paper application and talk to a store manager,everything is online and no one will deal with you as a human being. When I left the workforce I was in retail management,and now I can’t even get a job stocking shelves(which,btw I do not mind doing).
Seriously,I’m willing to start at entry level(at age 50 mind you)and work my ass off. I expect no handouts or special treatment.
I have no college education,I could never afford it and never qualified for any grant or scholarships. I’m thinking of going to school now to be a pharmacy technician,but I’m not even sure if I could get a job doing that in this crappy economy. I have enough saved to pay for the classes,I’m now in the research phase. I’m going to talk to real pharmacy techs next week to see what schooling matters and what certifications employers actually look for.
I need a job,but have no idea what to do now,any ideas? I’ve submitted 30 freaking applications in the last three weeks and haven’t got so much as a rejection email,let alone a phone call. I’m stuck and it’s gonna get ugly here soon if I can’t find something. I don’t want the moon here,I just need enough money(about 200 dollars a week)to make up the shortfall in my husband’s new salary(got laid off last year,had to take a job earning half of what he made before).
28.
Brian J
Even though I will probably watch it again because I was exhausted and missed a few parts, I was awake enough through Bill Maher’s show this past Friday to catch some startling statistics about health care. Did you know that about 45,000 people will die this year because of lack of insurance/problems with it? As Bill Maher put it, that’s more than one 9/11 per month.
Leaving aside the physical destruction and economic problems associated with an attack like that, it’s still a startling number. If Americans were dying like that, Republicans would be shitting themselves with anger. They’d be calling for the president’s head on a pike. And you know that? They’d be absolutely right to do that.
I think this needs to become the new talking point about health care.
29.
Comrade Jake
I trust that our POTUS is making it painfully obvious to everyone who’s watching that he’s a lot smarter than David Gregory?
30.
ironranger
Flipping channels, landed on ABC & there is Peggy Noonan again. Listening to her is worse than hearing fingernails scraping across a chalkboard.
Much better was waking up to another warm, sunny day. After miserably cool, dreary, rainy weather all summer, we are going into our 4th week of gorgeous weather.
31.
SiubhanDuinne
MTP just started in my market, and already I want some way to watch POTUS while deleting all views of David Gregory. Is there some way I can do that?
I love how angry they are. They are calling those working in the White House a bunch of cry babies? I think they are just pissed that they finally found a Democrat who’s not going to bend over for the network on command.
I was also surprised at how, back during the campaign, more wasn’t made of the “deal” between Roger Ailes and the Obama campaign over coverage of their candidate. I don’t blame Obama for making it, but instead Fox allowing itself to shape coverage by doing anything other than reporting the facts. Not that I was surprised, just astonished it was so frank with its admission of bias.
33.
SGEW
@smiley: Like all good second hand apocryphal tales (i.e., cannot be factually substantiated, so, without further corroborating evidence beyond hearsay, one should assume that it did not actually happen) it cuts to the heart of the matter and speaks to the underlying context of an issue. Did the exchange actually happen? It doesn’t matter: the idea of such an exchange happening exemplifies the debate about “meritocracy” supporting nepotists who belittle affirmative action.
E.g., George W. Bush’s supposed outburst of “It’s just a god damn piece of paper” when talking about the Constitution: did he actually say it? Impossible to say (he probably didn’t); but it’s just such an illustrative anecdote that it serves as a kind of touchstone symbol, summing up a whole strain of criticism of his administration. Or the apocryphal exchange between Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine (Franklin: “Where liberty is, that is my country.” Paine “Where liberty is not, that is my country.”) serves as an excellent example of the dichotomy of revolutionary spirit between the two men, even if they never actually said such words to each other (they probably didn’t).
History is filled with such apocrypha (further e.g.: the sermon on the mount): events that (in all likelihood) did not actually happen as reported, but serve as potent representations of thematic, ideological, or philosophical benchmarks.
That’s how I see it, anyway.
34.
lamh31
Huff Po has a story up about Obama asking Patterson (NY) to “quit” the governor’s race.
I’m not even gonna get into the Obama aspect of it yet, but question I have about this story:
1.) How does Patteson job performance rate? Is he doing a good job or not? Is there a real change that he won’t be re-elected?
2.) I’m from Louisiana the home of William “dollar bill” Jefferson, Edwin “bribing congressman” Edwards, etc. Williams wasn’t doing a good job as Congressman for New Orleans, but he was elected over and over again…why? Cause Nawlins is a predom…Black. The city has always had African-American represenatatives. But, just cause he was a “Brotha” did that mean he did good for New Orleans?
3.) Dem opps confirmed this? I don’t believe it. Obama is not the first pres, I sure, to dip into “state” elections like this, so why is this such a big story? Cause Obama is Black and Patteson is Black. Who does this story benefit? Not Patterson, not Dems, not Obama, that for sure. So who has the most to gain from this leak?
I know everyone has been worrying about some Repubs trying to start a “race war” (Limgbaugh, Hannity. etc…), but looks to me like someone is trying to play another game…a little “divide and conquer”. As this point, what voting blocks is the “strongest” for Obama…blacks! So what happens if someone can cause a rift in the black community against Obama? Will we vote for GOP? Hell naw, but what other action has caused elections to swing against Dems? Black people not voting at all. For the GOP, then they don’t need the Black vote, all they need to to somehow suppress the Black voters turnout in some places, by trying to get Blacks to become disillusioned with this Pres and therefore the Dem party.
Again, I not even trying to defend whatever “actions” of the president. I just saying that a pattern seems to be emerging…that’s all.
@Comrade Jake: I would like to report that I finally ordered Eagle Vs. Shark on DVD. What did that take, 8 months?
@JK: I laid another one down in this thread just for you.
And I would like to report that when I ordered Eagle Vs. Shark I also ordered Annie Hall. I apparently sold my VHS at a garage sale.
Pre-ordered WEEDS Season 5. Also!
Curb Your Enthusiasm is back tonight.
37.
A Mom Anon
Crap. I’m stuck in moderation for my comment at number 27.
I’m going to go build an ark now,it’s been raining for a week with no let up in sight. My yard looks like a pond.
1. I don’t think Patterson has done a great job, but I don’t think he’s necessarily done a bad job, either. He sort of walked into a shitstorm, as he took over for a governor that resigned because of a stupid but embarrassing sex scandal just as the economy was starting to really nosedive and a big source of revenue for the state, Wall Street, was really dying. I don’t remember if he started off poorly or not, but he has had terrible approval ratings just after a few months in office.
There’s a big chance he wouldn’t be reelected. In fact, that’s almost certain. He probably wouldn’t survive a primary against Andrew Cuomo, who’d kill him by 20 points on a good day. But at the same time, Cuomo would beat pretty much any Republican challenger by the same margin, even the top tier ones, so it’s not as if the Republicans are in a position of strength.
I’m not sure why Obama is interfering here, aside from trying to save resources in some way. Unless there’s been some uptick in Patterson’s chances to win the primary, I just don’t see the point.
2. I don’t know what you are trying to say here.
3. If your ideas are right, the Republicans are dumber than I thought. I can’t imagine any scenario where that would work.
I’ve seen this anecdote referenced in several sources.
Several years ago, I saw a very interesting documentary called Arguing the World which traced the political evolution of Irving Kristol, Irving Howe, Nathan Glazer, and Daniel Bell who were all classmates at City College in NY.
I have coffee. The weather, it is cool. Snow cannot be far behind now (hey, a grrl can dream, can’t she?). I do not watch the TV, so I will have to catch our POTUS later.
Adam Collyer, or do what I do. Don’t watch and come to BJ for the dismantling of teh stupid.
@demkat620: Ditto what you said. A full day of football and baseball ahead.
Peggy Noonan basically called the President “boorish” this morning on ABC because he’s been on TV too much. And George Will is conflating the nonsense Baucus plan as the President’s. And Ed Gillespie is on my TV, even though his boss was the least popular and effective president in modern history.
Sometimes I get sad watching TV on Sunday mornings. Then I remember I should turn it off.
44.
SGEW
@lamh31: From my perspective as a New Yorker, I support any action that lessens the chance of Rudy “Freedom is About Authority” Giuliani becoming my Governor.
“I don’t want to become immortal through my work, I want to become immortal through not dying.” – W. Allen
45.
linda
watching tweety’s sunday show with bobo, kathleen parker, helene cooper and rick stengel — who, with the exception of cooper, downplayed the racism angle to the opposition to obama; citing instead the economic instability, gubmint takeover of everything, etc.
perhaps it’s my always suspicious take on the media, but i’m thinking there’s something very subversive about their ‘concern’ and the way this issue is being presented. it’s bizarre to me the way obama is questioned — almost put on the defensive –‘is it racism’ that drives the opposition? what the fuck is he supposed to say? yes — it only continues the obsession with the issue while a new angle gets jacked up — the faux outrage of the republicans.
and then when he says ‘no — it’s a dissection of why he can’t say ‘yes’.
tweety can’t wait for an attempt on obama. think of the ratings!
46.
Adam Collyer
And David Gregory puts words directly into the President’s mouth…
“Who are you going to say no to? For instance, you’ve said to the Left that the public option isn’t going to happen…”
Did I miss when the President said that? No, I didn’t. What he said was that it’s not a piece of the plan that should be politicized or overemphasized in it’s importance.
Basic journalism dictates you get people’s statements accurately.
Did you like any of the songs by King Crimson, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, the Jam, and Squeeze? What about Everybody Gets To Go To the Moon by the Three Degrees, You Only Live Twice by Nancy Sinatra, Conquistador by Procol Harum, and Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress bu the Hollies? What about Meeting Across the River and Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen and Somebody Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John as pensive songs? Since I haven’t heard your reactions to these songs, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. Feel free to give it to me totally straight. I guarantee you that my feelings won’t be hurt.
48.
Matt
Oh my God, David Gregory is a moron. I now remember why I never ever watch these Sunday morning shows.
49.
Matt
Adam, I was thinking exactly the same thing. But the Villagers want him to tell the left to shut the fuck up.
50.
SiubhanDuinne
@A Mom Anon 10:26 am
You bring the gopherwood, I’ll bring the cubits.
51.
linda
you just wait — tomorrow’s highlight will be the ‘rude’ comment and g.e./nbc will play and replay the audio of obama calling kanye west a jackass — just to show how he doesn’t practice what he preaches.
The Paley Center has a video of a Woody Allen tv special from the late 1960’s with Candace Bergen, Billy Graham, and music from the 5th Dimension. Maybe one year, it will be relased on video
53.
Brian J
@Adam Collyer:
I was astonished Gregory said that. But then, I was also happy that Obama said to Gregory, “Perhaps you weren’t paying attention, but…”
I want a couple of chapters devoted to Obama’s thoughts on the media and specific personalities in his memoirs when they come out.
54.
Demo Woman
Today I’m feeling like the rest of the Georgians on the blog.. Rain, rain go away! The greenery growing up the side of my house isn’t ivy..
I missed MTP and I just turned off “Face the Nation” because Steele came on. Is this week worth watching?
55.
Brian J
Sweet Jesus, John Boehner is a gigantic, lying jackass, or completely ignorant. I’m not sure what is worse. What the fuck does he not understand about the public option at this point?
56.
Max
I love that when the white house reporters questioned Gibbsey and asked “is the President overexposed?”, he pushed back and said they’d consider that the next time their news outlets asked for an interview.
I love how Gibbs controls the briefings, with his slow southern drawl and sarcasm. I hope he doesn’t burn out like most of the press secty’s do.
57.
General Winfield Stuck
watched FNS as usual this morn. (not the other Sunday nutbugs) and it was worth it to see Wallace whine about Obama dissing the Fox News Sucks on his interview offensive today. And the ACORN bashing was about too much, with wingnuts winging about it being a crimimal org, because shut up, that’s why.
History is filled with such apocrypha (further e.g.: the sermon on the mount)
Given that much of the bible was written decades, if not centuries, after the death of Christ, I’m sure there’s a lot of apocrypha there.
If I had the edit function, I would have changed my post to read “an example of” rather than “to illustrate”. That anecdote illustrates nepotism quite well. I use apocryphal stories all the time when I teach because they’re often so good for illustrating points. However, Sully passed on that story as if it was true – even after admitting that it was probably apocryphal. That’s what bugs me.
The President has the most refreshing way of dropping people. He’s not a “rude” guy – that’s really what he has Rahm for. But the President has these subtle digs at the media and his opponents that essentially play as a backhanded compliment. He knows he can’t talk about racism in opposition to his Presidency vis-a-vis the Tea Party movement. So he simply called them “patriots who want what’s best for America” and then essentially calls them lunatics by saying that his plan is “well within the mainstream of American political thought.”
@lamh31: the only question of your’s that I can answer is #2. The current system heavily favors incumbents. Part of it is name recognition. Part of it is the inherent fund raising advantage. And part of it is that a lot of voters will vote for the status quo at every level but president (thinking it is the only one that matters, when, in fact, it is the one that probably matters the least, or should matter the least).
This is not something that is unique to New Orleans.
64.
SGEW
@smiley: Did he pass it on as “being true”? He did call it an “apocryphal tale,” after all. But I suppose people might have missed that, or not really know what “apocryphal” means, I guess. Blog reader beware, as they say.
65.
Rey
Yeah , David Gregory is dumb as a box of rocks. Been following the POTUS on most of his blitz this morning. John King was actually pretty decent, no stupid ass questions about Kanye or who the Prez wants in the World Series- ugh!!!
@JK: Ok. I just listened to the Mitchell, the Gabriel, and the Springsteen (I didn’t like the rest, sorry). I liked Cactus Tree by Mitchell, On the Air by Gabriel, and Jungleland by Springsteen.
68.
valdivia
what was the ‘rude’ moment that will take over the cycle?
George Stephanopoulos: “But your critics say it is a tax increase.”
President Obama: “My critics say everything is a tax increase.”
Snap.
70.
bob h
I seem to recall there was once an anti-ABM treaty with the Soviets, and that Bush Jr. unilaterally and gratuitously abrogated it to deploy the missiles in E. Europe and fulfill part of the Republican catechism. So what Obama is doing here is merely returning the country to the rule of international law and treaties.
David Paterson isn’t a bad guy, but the bottom line on his performance ratings in NY seems to be that he’s a B-Team player in an arena where you really need to be a superstar to be effective.
Paterson has gotten a lot of bad breaks in his tenure so far, some his fault and some not, but his general popularity rating is fairly abysmal: and if the GOP does in fact, run Rudy Giuliani (their very last superstar) for Governor, there’s a chance that he might even win (G*d help us all); and that’s a chance the NYS Dems can’t really afford to take.
That said, I think it’s pretty foolish (uncharacteristically so) of President Obama to take as public a hand in a state race as this (if true): NY State politics is a cesspool of ego, factionalism and hardball partisanship – why Obama wouldn’t try to stay above it all (whatever the WH thinks they want to do in NYS) and work behind the scenes is a mystery.
79.
Bill E Pilgrim
So, everyone saw this clip in which Fox was caught staging the Tea Bagger protests?
Not only were these Astroturfed, but we also know who the landscaping contractor is.
@Max: Mary Matalin. Another wingnut MM female. Michelle Malkin (MM1), Megan McArdle (MM2), Meghan McCain (MM3, ok, she’s not a wingnut, but still), and Mary Matalin (MM4).
They can all bite me.
Bill E Pilgrim, yes, but it was just, you know, one over-enthusiastic producer who didn’t know better. You know.
81.
Demo Woman
@SGEW: Hopefully the tape is up soon. I’m on antenna and for some reason the local ABC station does not come in when it’s storming.
Can someone explain this to me? It’s the only station that I have trouble with.
Cool. I don’t have all the stats at my fingertips, but I estimate I’m averaging roughly between .270 – .280 with you in terms of my musical recommendations. That’s considered a good average for any MLB player, so I’m very satisfied. Thanks for your feedback and positive vibes.
85.
SiubhanDuinne
POTUS just whisked Snuffleupagus away on ACORN. It was a nice moment.
Not sure I can keep the TV on once the Round Table gets going.
it was just a throwaway comment about the tone in politics and how it’s the easiest thing to get 15 minutes of fame by being rude; and that changing the tone begins with him and he tries to adhere to that.
it’s just the kind of snippet that can be turned into a glaring example of obama’s ‘hypocrisy’.
Bill E Pilgrim, yes, but it was just, you know, one over-enthusiastic producer who didn’t know better than to actually get caught.
Yeesh, by the time I hear the news here in time zoned land the right wing chorus has already de-clawed it by removing all of the reality.
I fixed your statement back to the reality-based version BTW.
88.
HRA
A Mom Anon: I was basically in the same position you are financially some years back and had to look for work. I began by going downtown and putting my application in every business on Main Street. I subscribed to the morning and afternoon local papers to have the help wanted ads daily. In the meantime, I took a civil service exam knowing it would not be an instant call for work. I answered an ad that began with “Housewives needed…” and was quite leery of it. Darn – it was a very good job with great pay plus benefits. Three plus years later I got into a civil service job. I am told now you have to do follow up calls on your applications. I wish you the best of luck and hope my story is of some help.
lambh: What you hear from us New Yorkers is Paterson is a bust and Spitzer should have never resigned. It makes no difference what Obama supposedly said to Paterson. Nobody has anything good to say about Paterson here.
89.
James K. Polk, Esq.
Instead of raising my blood pressure by watching MTP and my Raiders getting stomped, me and my good friend are going to take a nice 15 mile hike today.
We’re going to go to this awesome waterfall that terminates on the beach (Wildcat Falls, for those in the Bay Area know). Hope there is enough water this late in the season for it still to be spectacular.
(I’m DVRing the Raiders game, ’cause I’m a glutton for punishment)
90.
SiubhanDuinne
Peggy Noonan is just a horrible person.
Yes, I’ve known that for a long time, but it just struck me with renewed force.
91.
jwb
@Max: This is only even an issue because Obama is extremely effective at controlling events when he makes media appearances. The GOP talking heads have been most vocal in proclaiming his overexposure, which should tell you something. In any case, it tells me that Obama should seek even more exposure. And the MSM, to the extent that they are not simply showing their seriousness by following the GOP talking points, can’t like the fact that Obama’s appearances take away their ability to frame and so also control the discussion. Here, too, the complaint tells me that Obama, far from being overexposed, should be out making his case more often.
Ben Stein is an absolute disgrace. He believes in Intelligent Design and blames Charles Darwin for the rise of Nazism. He has no business being on CBS Sunday Morning.
93.
Demo Woman
@Brian J: Tomorrow night Glenn Beck will demand to see the original pin. When the White House refuses Glenn will say that this means it was indeed a hammer and sickle.
See what you started, thanks a lot!
@JK: And you did give me the one song that is on my permanent rotation, so that should add an extra .1 or .2 to your batting average. Thanks for being so persistent.
@Bill E Pilgrim: I know. Total bullshit. I saw the spin (refused to watch the video because I don’t want to spontaneously combust), and I rolled my eyes allllll the way into the back of my head. What.the.fuck.ever.
97.
valdivia
I am mad at myself–I intended to get up to watch Al Punto and report about Obama’s spanish language interview but I missed it. If I find it online I will come back and report.
@A Mom Anon: Well, I feel for you on the Asperger’s Syndrome, which used to be frequently diagnosed as “schizotypical” (meaning –“we don’t know what’s going on, but he’s queer” –real scientific stuff).
I do have one thought based on the strategy that my eldest son used to find employment, after caring for his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s. You may want to apply at a retirement home. The kind of work you have been doing is excellent experience for caring for the elderly of diminished capacity –and not all that many intelligent people care to do it.
He works at Sunrise, which is a national chain, but I imagine the phenomena is pretty nearly universal.
I hope that is at least slightly helpful.
100.
Blahblah
I lasted less than two minutes watching David Gregory fellate his guests spewing a conventional wisdom dichotomy of nothing over racism against Obama.
Once again, not a single policy discussion and more irrelevant BS. I nearly destroyed the television set. Thank God I canceled cable television, payingto watch those a$$holes spew forth is just too much to bear.
Years ago a friend of mine described cable television as “FM TV”. I just got a Wi-Fi radio. It’s like “FM shortwave”. Really neat to listen to all sorts of radio shows all around the world. Really neat. The other night I listened to some of that warbly Albanian pop music.
Anyone have any favorite internet radio stations I should try?
Oh, and go Niners!
102.
Max
@A Mom Anon: Have you tried reaching out to a temp agency?
I would also suggest strong embellishment of your resume. I went thru this with a close friend who was out of the work force to raise her kids and we beefed up her resume with community organization stuff. Instead of doing a chronological resume, do a functional one.
Also, you can use your experience with your child as medical experience. Reach out to hospitals and care centers, that real life experience will matter. Have you looked into being a CNA?
Very soon, retailers will be hiring seasonal employees. Check with local malls for job fairs, go to the major retailers like Macy’s. They will also be hiring for recovery positions (i.e. putting merch back in place when a store has been shopped). A seasonal position is a great foot in the door and if you do well, oftentimes, they will hire you as a full timer after the season ends.
103.
tc125231
@Adam Collyer: Actually, as close as I get to watching these shows anymore is looking at this thread.
I have people depending on me. I can’t go around putting out negative energy all the time. If I had to tolerate the endless GOP lies, and the even more everpresent MSM enabling of those lies, I would just be sick to my stomach.
Who would that help?
So I really on you courageous –and nausea proof, apparently –few to peek over the wall.
As a follow-up to my previous post, KPFA is part of Pacifica Radio.
Pacifica Radio is a listener supported community radio network of commercial free stations that serve their local communities and beyond. Pacifica is KPFA in Berkeley, CA; KPFK in Los Angeles, CA; KPFT in Houston, TX; WBAI in New York, NY; WPFW in Washington DC; and over 100 affiliate stations
Don’t have time to read the thread right now — I’m on my way out to the Metropolitan Museum (it’s the last day for the show of gold objects from Afghanistan). But I wanted to see the formatting stuff. Have a good day, all.
107.
grumpy realist
A Mom Anon:
In this crappy economy, you’re most likely to get a job by knowing-someone-who-knows-someone, etc. With “unskilled” positions the question is how quickly you get on their radar, which is hard, because the availability of a job will be spread through the company grapevine to job-hunting friends and relatives far before it gets posted officially. And for skilled jobs, your lack of “official qualifications” means it will be far too easy for the HR people to automatically not take a second look and throw your resume out in favor of someone-with-a-college-degree. (HR people are 99.9% idiots. But I digress.)
You didn’t say where you live: what are the types of jobs available and how many are there? If you’ve got nothing but Walmart/strip mall stuff, then yeah, it’s probably going to be a case of making enough fuss everywhere that anyone within your circle of friends and family know to let you know IMMEDIATELY about jobs opening up (and also that it hasn’t been reserved for the boss’s cousin). (This works for skilled jobs as well.)
Skilled jobs vs. unskilled jobs: don’t sell yourself short. You may not have a bunch of letters after your name (trust me, in this economy it isn’t worth much) but I am absolutely positive you have tons of skills and experience that will be a godsend to a company out there–you just have to find it. Think of what you are already able to do–any mother I know has to be a whiz at time management, organization, and logistics. Plus, from your comments here I can tell you write grammatical sentences, which is a skill ever more difficult to find among applicants. Definitely don’t sell yourself short.
The best, most fool-proof way to get a job is to find a nasty problem a company is suffering, figure out how to solve it, and present yourself as the person to implement the solution. You’d be surprised at how much love you will get. (Move that up to figuring out how to create a new business in a particular area and you’re likely to be able to get all sorts of assistance from the state/government to form a new company. There’s a lot of $$ sloshing around for the creation of new jobs, no matter what anyone says.)
Unless there are many jobs around you that getting a pharmacy degree would open doors to, I would be careful of this path. (Also, pharmacy assistant is one of the lowest paid specialized jobs out there–you’re making only slightly above minimum wage)
Again, don’t sell yourself short because you don’t have a college degree. My business partner, who ran off to Japan when he was 16, never went to college. So far he’s been a shipper, a well-known international news reporter, an author, an entrepreneur, and has now just created a position for himself giving assistance to a new venture capital project in international trade.
Hope this helps!
108.
Bill E Pilgrim
@asiangrrlMN: Oh you should watch the video. The producer is waved down at one point and just sort of acts like “Oh, right, I forgot” and ducks down, and then after a while she can’t help herself and starts waving the crowd on again, just like any stage producer at talk show would to get them to clap and cheer.
If it were as FOX is claiming, the response to her would have been more along the lines of “What the hell do you think you’re doing??!” and pulling her out of there, but the waving her off and her ducking down and just continuing when she thought she was off camera was a bit of a giveaway.
109.
ironranger
@linda:
Obama was clearly being logical. How unamerican!@Bill E Pilgrim:
9/12 event with 9 principles & 12 values was overly ambitious. I think that was way too many concepts for teabaggers to absorb, not that any of them probably even looked at them.
@Bill E Pilgrim: Oh, good grief. I watched, and please. she’s on the phone the whole freaking time. Give me a fucking break. My disgust–it knows no boundary. Of course, it won’t matter in the long run.
It seems I’m unemployable. I’ve been home raising a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome for 15 yrs and none of that qualifies me to do anything.
Keep trying. A friend and former co-worker used to say that she had just been a homemaker when she had to re-enter the job market. But she and her husband had rental property and she had been the primary person managing the houses and apartment buildings they owned. She had a son with a serious illness and had helped found an organization to help her son and others, and had to do a fair amount of public speaking.
I hired her to be a customer service trainer. She did better than many with more formal experience. And I learned from her and others that people should look at their skills and talents – however they have obtained them — and match them to jobs and employment sectors they think might be interesting.
I also recall hearing an interview with a laid-off air traffic controller who became an insurance salesmen. He translated some of his skills (being able to assess a situation and to communicate clearly and effectively) to an entirely new area.
If you can afford to start slowly, consider training and additional education, and you might look at some volunteer work to jumpstart your efforts, or some modest paying political and campaign jobs.
Also, I’ve seen some employers prefer older workers, who tend to be more reliable in some ways than younger workers. There is less absenteeism and days off because of hard partying.
A bit of a ramble here. Hope this helps.
112.
MikeJ
The video shows the producer on her cell phone as she urges the crowd behind Jenkins to cheer louder. An “I’m A Foxaholic” poster appears nearby.
When are we as a nation going to wake up and outlaw foxahol?
113.
ironranger
@MikeJ:
lol. Foxahol, I like that. It has a much better ring to it than kool-aid.
114.
Bill E Pilgrim
@MikeJ: We could try 12 step programs for them but as someone mentioned above, most of them could probably remember no more than three.
115.
IndieTarheel
Hard to tell who was the bigger douchebag, so I’ll go with the tale of the tape and give it to MC Rove’s backup screamer.
116.
gwangung
Mary Matalin: “Bill Clinton arguably had a more authentic black American experience than Barack Obama.”
Holy f—did she REALLY say that???
When I grew up, a white person saying that would be branded as a total racist.
Guess they call them Republicans these days.
It’s totally the most arrogant thing a white person could say about race that I can think of.
These people are like cult members. They’re probably too far gone for any 12 step program and just need to be written off.
119.
cmohrnc
@Rey
Yeah , David Gregory is dumb as a box of rocks. Been following the POTUS on most of his blitz this morning. John King was actually pretty decent, no stupid ass
David Gregory has a known history of being a GOP-groupie, with just enough ambition and sense of self-respect from wanting to be a legitimate professional journalist that jumping ship to Fox is beneath his dignity. That doesn’t of course change the fact that his core sympathies and most important “good old boy” ties are with the GOP, nor does it change the fact that his talent is more rooted in television-friendly geniality than penetrating intellect. I think he tries, in his mind, to be objective and fair – it’s just that he isn’t equipped by inclination or intellect or depth of understanding to succeed at this instead of being subconsciously a GOP shill, and occasionally a complete stupid asshat and tool.
David Gregory was invited, for example, to George Bush’s personal birthday parties, and one of the Bush Admin’s personal favorites to invite aboard Air Force One.
I need a job,but have no idea what to do now,any ideas? I’ve submitted 30 freaking applications in the last three weeks and haven’t got so much as a rejection email,let alone a phone call. I’m stuck and it’s gonna get ugly here soon if I can’t find something. I don’t want the moon here,I just need enough money(about 200 dollars a week)to make up the shortfall in my husband’s new salary(got laid off last year,had to take a job earning half of what he made before).
Have you considered dental assistant or nurse? Dental assistant might be good, it is a two year committment but here in Oregon that’s all the dental jobs I see.
I would also start volunteering to build up your resume. Volunteer for something that has a lot of responsibility and you can build up a social network on which you can get a job. The people you volunteer with can probably help you if you show good promise. Just a thought. Getting a job is more about social skills than going out and using a brute force method of job applications.
Good luck! I’m pulling for you!
cain
122.
Ash Can
@A Mom Anon: I second the suggestion to sign on with temporary agencies. I graduated school and hit the job market smack dab in the middle of the Great 1980s Recession and Unemployment Festival. Temporary work allowed me to show would-be employers that I could in fact do real work, with real people, in a real workplace. It earned me some money and put practical experience on my resume, and was a definite factor in my landing a real job some months down the line. Good luck.
123.
A Mom Anon
Thanks all who wrote job info/suggestions,etc. What seems to be in the way for me is having no professional/job connections. I couldn’t even begin to track down people I used to work for or with. I am taking all your suggestions and writing them down.
This is harder than it was when I was a kid looking for my first job,way harder. This economy is no help either. I know I need to “pad”my resume,but having no prior job references is killing me.
God invented soccer so you don’t have to watch that shit (or NFL pregame shows) on Sunday morning. You could swap Gregory and Chris Mortensen and not notice a difference in the load of unintelligible bullshit they spew.
Given that much of the bible was written decades, if not centuries, after the death of Christ, I’m sure there’s a lot of apocrypha there
.
Ya know, the term apocrypha has a specific meaning related to biblical tradition, not simply when a book of the Bible was written and issues of “factual” authenticity (h/t Wiki). “When used in the specific context of Judeo-Christian theology, the term apocrypha refers to any collection of scriptural texts that falls outside the canon.”
If I had the edit function, I would have changed my post to read “an example of” rather than “to illustrate”. That anecdote illustrates nepotism quite well. … However, Sully passed on that story as if it was true – even after admitting that it was probably apocryphal. That’s what bugs me.
Great point. Sully could have found any number of actual examples of nepotism to better reinforce his point. But the anecdote still works.
129.
donovong
@A Mom Anon: Sorry to hear about your situation, but not surprised.
I do recruiting and HR consulting for a living, and have a couple of “professional” suggestions for you.
Number One – Go out and buy/borrow a copy of “What Color is Your Parachute?” It contains a wealth of solid, constructive suggestions for how to conduct a job search. I suggest this to anyone and everyone who is looking for a job. The advice and suggestions he provides in the book actually work, and many of the techniques he suggests are the same one that recruiters use, albeit with tactical differences.
Number Two – If it is impossible to obtain references from former employers, try former co-workers. If neither is available, then obtain letters of recommendation from friends who are business owners or managers. Yes, they would be considered “personal” references, but they will carry more weight with the title “CEO” or such on the letterhead. These will carry more weight with small business owners, who will actually care less about references anyway.
Number Three – Don’t just put in applications. Put in applications correctly. Yes, many organizations use the internet application process, but there are always on-site managers, and if you show up dressed for an interview and ask to speak with the manager or owner, you are going to make a better first impression. Be prepared to sell yourself to them in a 30 second conversation starter, and have your resume to place in their hand. If they refer you to the onl-line process, agree to do that, but ask if you could get a personal interview with them also. It will put you ahead of the less-than-enthusiastic people who simply go through the motions, or allow the process to deter them.
After you put in the applications and/or corner the manager, FOLLOW UP, both in person and by phone. Depending on the business and the logistics involved, and if it is a place you really want to work for, then follow-up by phone one week, and in person the next. This may bother some folks – and, in reality, you don’t want to work for those people anyway- but, it will help your case with those who admire determination and want folks who really want to work.
From my standpoint, those above who have advocated that you approach nursing homes/assisted living institutions are on the right track, if that is something you would like. They will appreciate the skills you have developed, and could use them.
I cannot stress enough the value in the WCIYP? book. They also have a website, but the book is a better tool, IMHO.
130.
Nutella
A Mom Anon-
Some good ideas above.
Since you need references, think of people you have worked with in charities, church, political groups, or whatever and see if they can attest to your reliability and willingness to work hard. If you can’t think of anyone who can do that then you need a non-paying project that will get you some contacts like that.
Brachiator had some good ideas about resumes. Also read this article for ideas. Many of this blogger’s posts are silly but this one has some ideas worth thinking about.
Another thing to consider is your ‘pitch’, that is, when you have three sentences to describe who you are and what you’re looking for, do you have something that sounds positive and attractive to an employer? You should be able to deliver it confidently to anyone who asks what you’re looking for to get a conversation started in the right direction.
I hired her to be a customer service trainer. She did better than many with more formal experience. And I learned from her and others that people should look at their skills and talents – however they have obtained them—and match them to jobs and employment sectors they think might be interesting.
I do exactly this when I get a chance to interview someone. We hired one guy for a linux position even though his experience was primarily Windows. Why? Because his hobby was to setup lan parties, and work with different types of computers and trouble shoot them for fun. The hobby probably what settled me on him because if he’s able to do all that just for fun just think what he would do with a job he likes.
Thanks all who wrote job info/suggestions,etc. What seems to be in the way for me is having no professional/job connections. I couldn’t even begin to track down people I used to work for or with. I am taking all your suggestions and writing them down.
Have you tried LinkedIn? If you have friends or acquaintances on there, people you know you could set up something that takes advantage of the 6 degrees of connections. You won’t believe the kind of people you end up connected to. Try it.
On the seventh day of a 12-day straight work stretch, at the end of which we’re moving into a new apartment. Supposedly we can’t take any days off until October 15, but I will undoubtably have a week-long migraine before that. Alternately, I’ll fail my “Don’t fall asleep while driving” roll on the way into this hellhole.
Oh, and the kicker? October 1 is the first paycheck that will reflect the furloughs. And believe me, I know that I’m lucky to still have a job at all.
Happy fun teims in California.
134.
debit
@donovong: Excellent suggestions all, but I’ll offer caution about following up. Yes, do, but there’s a line between expressing enthusiasm and annoying pestering. There was one applicant to a job posting that called multiple times a day, sometimes hanging up when she got someone she’d already left a message with, and also e-mailed a few times a day, closing with “Just let me know when I can start!”
She was told, every time, we were still in the process of deciding, and we would let her know once a decision had been made. We wound up with someone more qualified, and politely let the serial inquirer know, but to be honest, she out of the running the second time she hung up on someone. Plus, her patently obvious inability to follow direction and wait for an answer ensured she’d never be asked back for a second interview.
Looking at the top 30 from Week 6 … wow, a lot have a big red “DISQUALIFIED” stamped on their pics. I wonder why.
Poor little things.
136.
SiubhanDuinne
@ A Mom Anon: I have nothing to add to all the great suggestions above, except this:
SEND SNAIL MAIL THANK YOU LETTERS!
Seriously. I know everything is done online today, but that makes a hand-written note that actually comes in the mail just that much more unusual and memorable. I have been hired at least twice that I know of simply because I followed up an interview with a note, and I have also hired people when that was the tipping point between two otherwise equally-qualified applicants.
Email notes are better than nothing, but IMHO you just can’t beat a piece of paper in an envelope with a cancelled stamp in the corner!
137.
SiubhanDuinne
I’ll just add to my own enthusiasm for writing thank-you notes that obviously, as debit said, you don’t want to go overboard. Probably doesn’t even need to be said.
138.
Laura W
@Zuzu’s Petals: Her owner just emailed me about that. Gulp. I hope it’s not because some very naughty persons use their four different email addresses to cast their votes every day. That is not fraudulent, is it? I guess it all depends upon what the meaning of “fraudulent” is.
Gulp.
139.
Max
@A Mom Anon: I wouldn’t focus too much on the professional references. With the laws these days, companies can’t really give in depth references anymore, truthfully they can only confirm dates of hire and position. Anything further could be considered “subjective” and open them up to lawsuits.
As a manager, I’m more interested in skill set confirmation than references. As I mentioned, a temp agency is a good place to start, as they will test your skills, i.e. MS Office, typing, 10-key, whatever, and you’ll have a certificate to show to a prospective employer.
140.
Laura W
@Zuzu’s Petals: Wow. You’re not kidding! 7/30 disqualified! I don’t think they’ve done this in prior weeks so they are starting to really examine the votes. This is good. It stands to reason there were games going on. I believe a few good ideas were even tossed around here during the first week we joined in.
The Bitsy campaign casts a wider net every week in terms of getting various online and local communities involved. The fact that she continues to place so high from (mostly. Gulp.) honest efforts bodes well, I think. But then, I’m frequently a fool.
@Laura W: My guess is if they had ridiculously inflated numbers, someone used a sniper program to automatically up the vote. Just throwing that wildly out there.
@A Mom Anon: I have absolutely no useful suggestions. I just wanted to wish you good luck.
142.
Max
I’m surprised there is no NFL thread up… perhaps the afternoon games will bring out the fans.
Go Bills!
143.
Laura W
Also.
A public thanks to John for donating the free blogad space. You know, he could be taking $750/month from PETA to show a dog with a barbecue fork through its head. (Although, I hope Steeplejack appreciates the inadvertent allusion to his idea. If he squints he can pretend it’s a fork or something.)
The GOP talking heads have been most vocal in proclaiming his overexposure, which should tell you something.
While channel surfing the Sunday Obama-thon, I caught some GOP Congressman talking about how Obama needed to spend less time talking to the public and more time working with the GOP bi-partisan style (this may have been on MTP), Of course, the Congressman glossed over GOP obstructionism and their lack of any coherent alternatives.
In any case, it tells me that Obama should seek even more exposure.
I agree in part. The Democrats need to be (yes, I know it’s hopeless) more unified and on message with respect to health care reform and other issues. And I was impressed by a video clip of Al Franken speaking to people about the issue. People knocked him because he was a comedian, but this totally under-estimates his ability to speak before the public, and to be able to deal with hostile crowds. I wonder whether the Democrats think that he is too junior to have a more prominent role selling the party agenda.
I have a friend whose medical transcription business withered away just as she was turning 60.
Because of her familiarity with medical terms, and her experience raising kids, she thought being a home health aide would be a good fit. And it is. They are thrilled to have someone as reliable and efficient as she is, and she basically gets to choose her schedule. She’ll be getting her CNA certification soon so she can get more money…and eventually go out on her own.
I have a neighbor who turned her love of pets into a pet sitting job after she retired. She chooses her clients – all in the neighborhood – and her schedule. Again, people are thrilled to have someone so reliable checking in on things. Check out some of the pet sitting websites for your area to see what people are charging.
Good luck!
146.
donovong
@debit: Trust me – there is a reason I specified how often to follow-up! Anyone who acts like a “job stalker” deserves the “no” answer they get.
And the thank-you note via snail mail is something I always recommend, and is actually the second step. The first step after an interview should be a phone call immediately afterward, including a thank you and a brief “and I also want to remind you that I can do such and such that you need!,”, or to otherwise follow up on any piints tha tyou want/need to stress about yourself. Followed by the thank you note, mailed the same day as the interview, to any and all persons with whom you interviewed. WITHOUT FAIL.
Ah, got it. It doesn’t work. How silly of me not to consider that possibility!
Somebody call me when editable posts actually work in IE. Mine just hangs. Locks up the browser tab, requires me to open a new tab and start over. Nice. Another addition to my “code I wish I had written” collection.
149.
debit
@donovong: I actually felt sorry for her. I am willing to bet she had someone behind her, maybe either a spouse or boyfriend telling her, “You have to close the deal. You’re not getting a call back because you haven’t shown them you want it enough.”
Ya know, the term apocrypha has a specific meaning related to biblical tradition, not simply when a book of the Bible was written and issues of “factual” authenticity (h/t Wiki). “When used in the specific context of Judeo-Christian theology, the term apocrypha refers to any collection of scriptural texts that falls outside the canon.”
No. I did not know that.
151.
geg6
I have served on dozens of search committees for all kinds of job classifications in education, social work, and in the business end of the communications industry (a newspaper and a radio station). I have worked professionally in all these careers and the way I was able to easily move from one to the next was being able to show what common skills and traits they require and how my experience meets a common need. What I think a person reentering the workforce after some time out of it needs to do is to a bit of research into what the majority of posted positions are and then figure out how your experience fulfills the requirements and what you might bring that provides added value. And then take the advice of the HR pros here in conducting a search, getting the interview, and interview followup.
Assclowns of the Week #77 is just up and still steaming hot. And, dear God, is it a good one. On the spit this week: Fox and the Wa Po; Orly Taitz; Max Baucus; Joe Wilson; Obama, Reid and Specter and much, much more.
I actually did know this, and was using the word quite specifically (as in “apocrypha 1: writings or statements of dubious authenticity”) to refer to Biblical writings in toto (note the lack of capitalization). I find it amusing, but I can understand how it can lead to a l’il confusion.
You shouldn’t ignore your mom skills, either. Some of the best office managers I have dealt with were single moms. They were organized, able to juggle multiple priorities, serene in the face of chaos, and deeply responsible.
JK, living in the SF Bay Area I’ve listened to KPFA for decades. I was thinking of something a little more exotic, like maybe Peruvian punk rock. But any internet shows that I’d find interesting are cool. Have you ever heard Dave Emory? On WFMU, East Orange, NJ, Tuesdays, 3 p.m. eastern time.
156.
Max
Methinks the Patriots aren’t looking so Brady-esque this year. As a Bills fan that makes me happy.
Unfortunately, the Jets are looking good. We have to play them twice.
The Jaguars can suck it. I took them in my pool and they are folding like a house of cards in a cheap suit.
The Raiders and KC game… snore.
Aaron Rodgers better pull it together and get some points on the board prontissimo..
Philly should have taken the day off
The Redskins better hold on for two more minutes.
Phew… Okay, I feel better. Go Bills in 25 minutes. I also picked the Steelers, so John’s team better bring it.
157.
Svensker
Go Jets! We beat the Pats! I LOVE seeing mopey face on Brady and Bellicheck. Yeah, baby.
Quote from Carville’s wife on CNN…
Mary Matalin: “Bill Clinton arguably had a more authentic black American experience than Barack Obama.”
Just one more thing that makes me wish with all my might for an incredibly bloody Carville/Matalin murder-suicide. I don’t care which one is the victim and which one commits suicide, I just want the two of them gone.
Late to the thread as usual but I have a friend who started at Walgreens in the non-pharmacy area and eventually they ended up training her as a pharm. tech. From what I understood she didn’t have to take a pharm tech course. I know it’s not a long course but at least she didn’t have to pay for it. You could also try to get a job as a teacher’s aide/caregiver for developmentally disabled kids . I have a friend who does this. She gets (good)school benefits and makes more money than she did as a CNA.
163.
Dulcie
@A Mom Anon: I’m currently taking pharm tech classes. Let me know if you need info!
164.
gyma
@A Mom Anon: I’ve been off line all day so I’m also late to the party.
Although this sounds hokey, it might work: when I was looking for a job and not getting any call backs, I went to my local Good Will (and other consignment-type shops) and bought up as many baby shoes as I could find. Then I made up a decorated tag with the words “Help me get my foot in the door” on it and attached the tag with the shoelace. I included this with my resume/application (sent via snail mail) and I started getting responses. In some cases it was a simple email telling me the job had already been filled, but I appreciated knowing that information as well. (BTW this was about a year ago.)
I’ve also been in a position of hiring people and would often get in excess of 100 applications for one position. Slogging through that many is very tiresome so I tended to remember the ones that stood out for whatever reason – use of humor, outstanding handwriting/printing, clarity, neatness, clever way of explaining job skills, etc. And it’s absolutely imperative that you proofread everything you send out – even one typo or misspelling or grammatical error can be the reason for ending up in the DNC (do not contact) pile.
Hope this helps a bit, and best of luck on your search. Keep us informed so we can keep encouraging you. Looking for a job has a way of messing with your self esteem when it shouldn’t!
165.
HRA
Mom Anon: I failed to mention I once did job interviews and now have participated in search committees interviewing people for position at our U. for many years. My focus initially is on how their cover letter is written. Only if my eye catches something unusual do I really give my attention to the resume. My husband who did many more hirings in his career was more interested in the personal interview as his guide. I find myself paying closer attention to the interviews, too.
a) Answer questions to the best of your ability and don’t offer what has not been asked.
b) Any form of gossip is not wise.
c) Being pleasant and smiling as needed is fine. Laughing hysterically is not fine.
d) When asked if you have any questions, refrain from asking about where the water cooler is located, how long are the breaks, etc. Most of the pertinent information has already been stated by the interviewer.
I came on later tonight and have seen a lot of great advice from everyone above.
Again I wish you the best in your endeavors to find a suitable job.
If you like jazz, WCLK in Atlanta is excellent. The late-night guy, Abdul Taymullah (midnight-4:00 a.m. Eastern time on weeknights), is excellent. Lots of classic jazz, and he usually keeps it consistent with a middle-of-the-night vibe. Just checked it, and he’s starting, as he always does, with Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgment” and then his (Abdul’s) short monologue on jazz and the Creator who is “truly the love supreme.”
The other shows are good, particularly in the evening. The only problem is that WCLK’s Internet feed is handled via WarpRadio, and I have found the quality to be spotty.
demkat620
Mornin’ everybody.
Nice hot cup of coffee, laptop, and my Jack Russell.
And then nothing but football and baseball all day.
Life is good.
The Grand Panjandrum
Now that formatting buttons and edit function have returned we can’t be too far away from The Big WordPress Errorfest, can we?
Hey anyone interesting going to be on the Sunday morning talkshows?
AND a request deletion button? John just how much in Jesus money did that cost you?
Laura W
Mornin’ everybody.
Nice, hot cup of coffee, laptop, and my county on flood warning.
It has rained all damn week, and most of the last 48 hours. Hard.
Actually, it’s quite pretty and comforting.
Like POTUS on MTP.
Laura W
@The Grand Panjandrum: I haven’t had the edit function since yesterday afternoon, but the formatting stuff is good. Wonder why. Are some of us not seeing it? Yes, I’ve emptied cache and restarted FF.
JK
@Laura W:
Good morning all.
Thanks very much for posting dialogue from Annie Hall the other day. It’s my favorite comedy film and I love every frame of it.
SGEW
OT: apocryphal tale of Irving and William Kristol (via Sully):
Magnificent.
[ETA: Now that I think about it, this has probably already been linked to in one of threads around here . . . but still, it’s just too good.]
The Grand Panjandrum
@Laura W: AND you haven’t gotten your L.O. thread (with picture in a nice business suit!) either. Hhhhhmmmmm … sounds awful suspicious. Conspiracy!
Demo Woman
Well I just voted for Bitsy, did you? By the way how did Bitsy do last week? Any chance she moved up?
Laura W
@The Grand Panjandrum: John sucks. I have no idea why I hang around this place.
Guess I need the eggs.
(Yikes. Guess I get to edit in Safari but the edit window is very bizarre looking.)
(And it does not revert back to the post once you edit. I’m going to stop whining about the site functions and go back to whining about L.O’D. Choosing my battles and all.)
@Demo Woman: Last I checked, at 11:59pm last night, she was near 1500, he highest total yet. However, nothing really counts unless she is #1. Press on!
Texas Mike
I have found the strangest thing on the Internet. Can anyone explain this video? What in the hell?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTOs5InDj9A
DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)
Summer is gone and we are finally hitting temps in the 70’s! Yay! Setting the toe (tire alignment) and wrapping up a few last details on the Mustang today and the last few parts (new custom PCV system pieces) I need to wrap it up and start it will be here tomorrow. The wife wants to stay in some trees for our 23rd anniversary (on the 27th) so I have to go book a room (in a tree!) later today. I’m not so sure about this but I have to let her have her way every few years. ;)
Keeps things interesting, but staying in a tree? Oh well, at least we are taking the Mustang for a road trip and with weather like this it gets to go topless! :)
Bernie
War Eagle!
AU 41
WVU 30
Legalize
Overcast and chilly this morning. I almost don’t wanna wait for the pres on Meet the Press. This is perfect weather for my 9 mile run. I don’t want to take a chance on it getting warm and sunny later. Ah ha, that’s what DVR is for.
Maude
The top of the page is different. Is it meant to be like this or is a boo boo?
debit
@Texas Mike: Sorry, but this is the the strangest thing on the internets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bu4erOGQuU
Max
My favorite quote from Obama so far this morning…
Boo-ya!
Brian J
Well, first, I for one am thrilled that the tag buttons are back. It’s going to make posting here a lot smoother.
Second, @SCEW, say what you want about Robert Rubin, but I really liked the fact that in his memoirs released during Bush’s first term, he all but admitted he went to Harvard as an undergrad because of a friend of his father’s. Granted, as an adult worth tens of millions of dollars, he didn’t have anything to lose, but my impression is that a lot of these guys in powerful positions are arrogant assholes who won’t let anything ding the image that they are perfect in every way. It reminds me of an English teacher in high school who said she liked JFK because his answer to why he received a medal in the war was that they sunk his boat.
smiley
@SGEW: If it’s apocryphal then, by definition, it’s probably not true. So, is Sully using a story to illustrate nepotism that he admits is probably not true? What’s the point of that?
Brian J
@Max:
Well, sure, they may be “winning” parts of the debate now, but only by making shit up. That can only go on for so long, and while we can’t say when it’s going to hurt them, it will at some point. They’ve proven themselves to be utterly useless if not downright destructive during this debate, and if the Democratic political operatives are worth anything, it’s something they won’t hesitate to remind voters of for many cycles to come.
r€nato
Looks like John Edwards is finally going to confess that he really did father Rielle Hunter’s child (DUH).
Thank god this jerk didn’t get within a mile of the nomination.
r€nato
oh and you probably know this but there’s no edit function in Firefox 3 for Mac. (I’m pretty sure FF works the same on PC so it probably doesn’t appear on FF 3 PC either)
Max
Related to the Sunday Morning blitz, if anybody missed it, here is Bill O and Chris Wallace comforting each other over Fox being snubbed. It is such an arrogant and unprofessional conversation, all that is missing is Glenn Beck’s crying.
Linky
linda
@r€nato:
i still cannot believe that narcissistic son of a bitch would run for president while fucking this woman and promising to marry her upon the death of elizabeth! just imagine had he done better in the campaign and prevailed.
Skepticat
Is arguingwithsignposts around? Hope you’re feeling a bit more hopeful this morning, though lawd knows this world makes it damned difficult.
Cool and sunny here north of Boston, and I’m bound and determined to do several small projects I’ve been putting off. Once again the elves forgot to come in during the night and finish things off.
MikeJ
FFX 3 worked for me yesterday on a windows machine.
Comrade Jake
@SGEW:
If there’s ANY WAY the blogosphere can get that story told again and again and again, I think we should see to it. The objective would be to make it something everyone’s retelling, to the point where Juan Williams retells it on Sunday morning, right in front of the little twerp.
A Mom Anon
Sigh.
It seems I’m unemployable. I’ve been home raising a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome for 15 yrs and none of that qualifies me to do anything. I have no business or work references anymore and no one wants personal references these days. Hell,I can’t even fill out a paper application and talk to a store manager,everything is online and no one will deal with you as a human being. When I left the workforce I was in retail management,and now I can’t even get a job stocking shelves(which,btw I do not mind doing).
Seriously,I’m willing to start at entry level(at age 50 mind you)and work my ass off. I expect no handouts or special treatment.
I have no college education,I could never afford it and never qualified for any grant or scholarships. I’m thinking of going to school now to be a pharmacy technician,but I’m not even sure if I could get a job doing that in this crappy economy. I have enough saved to pay for the classes,I’m now in the research phase. I’m going to talk to real pharmacy techs next week to see what schooling matters and what certifications employers actually look for.
I need a job,but have no idea what to do now,any ideas? I’ve submitted 30 freaking applications in the last three weeks and haven’t got so much as a rejection email,let alone a phone call. I’m stuck and it’s gonna get ugly here soon if I can’t find something. I don’t want the moon here,I just need enough money(about 200 dollars a week)to make up the shortfall in my husband’s new salary(got laid off last year,had to take a job earning half of what he made before).
Brian J
Even though I will probably watch it again because I was exhausted and missed a few parts, I was awake enough through Bill Maher’s show this past Friday to catch some startling statistics about health care. Did you know that about 45,000 people will die this year because of lack of insurance/problems with it? As Bill Maher put it, that’s more than one 9/11 per month.
Leaving aside the physical destruction and economic problems associated with an attack like that, it’s still a startling number. If Americans were dying like that, Republicans would be shitting themselves with anger. They’d be calling for the president’s head on a pike. And you know that? They’d be absolutely right to do that.
I think this needs to become the new talking point about health care.
Comrade Jake
I trust that our POTUS is making it painfully obvious to everyone who’s watching that he’s a lot smarter than David Gregory?
ironranger
Flipping channels, landed on ABC & there is Peggy Noonan again. Listening to her is worse than hearing fingernails scraping across a chalkboard.
Much better was waking up to another warm, sunny day. After miserably cool, dreary, rainy weather all summer, we are going into our 4th week of gorgeous weather.
SiubhanDuinne
MTP just started in my market, and already I want some way to watch POTUS while deleting all views of David Gregory. Is there some way I can do that?
Brian J
@Max:
I love how angry they are. They are calling those working in the White House a bunch of cry babies? I think they are just pissed that they finally found a Democrat who’s not going to bend over for the network on command.
I was also surprised at how, back during the campaign, more wasn’t made of the “deal” between Roger Ailes and the Obama campaign over coverage of their candidate. I don’t blame Obama for making it, but instead Fox allowing itself to shape coverage by doing anything other than reporting the facts. Not that I was surprised, just astonished it was so frank with its admission of bias.
SGEW
@smiley: Like all good second hand apocryphal tales (i.e., cannot be factually substantiated, so, without further corroborating evidence beyond hearsay, one should assume that it did not actually happen) it cuts to the heart of the matter and speaks to the underlying context of an issue. Did the exchange actually happen? It doesn’t matter: the idea of such an exchange happening exemplifies the debate about “meritocracy” supporting nepotists who belittle affirmative action.
E.g., George W. Bush’s supposed outburst of “It’s just a god damn piece of paper” when talking about the Constitution: did he actually say it? Impossible to say (he probably didn’t); but it’s just such an illustrative anecdote that it serves as a kind of touchstone symbol, summing up a whole strain of criticism of his administration. Or the apocryphal exchange between Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine (Franklin: “Where liberty is, that is my country.” Paine “Where liberty is not, that is my country.”) serves as an excellent example of the dichotomy of revolutionary spirit between the two men, even if they never actually said such words to each other (they probably didn’t).
History is filled with such apocrypha (further e.g.: the sermon on the mount): events that (in all likelihood) did not actually happen as reported, but serve as potent representations of thematic, ideological, or philosophical benchmarks.
That’s how I see it, anyway.
lamh31
Huff Po has a story up about Obama asking Patterson (NY) to “quit” the governor’s race.
I’m not even gonna get into the Obama aspect of it yet, but question I have about this story:
1.) How does Patteson job performance rate? Is he doing a good job or not? Is there a real change that he won’t be re-elected?
2.) I’m from Louisiana the home of William “dollar bill” Jefferson, Edwin “bribing congressman” Edwards, etc. Williams wasn’t doing a good job as Congressman for New Orleans, but he was elected over and over again…why? Cause Nawlins is a predom…Black. The city has always had African-American represenatatives. But, just cause he was a “Brotha” did that mean he did good for New Orleans?
3.) Dem opps confirmed this? I don’t believe it. Obama is not the first pres, I sure, to dip into “state” elections like this, so why is this such a big story? Cause Obama is Black and Patteson is Black. Who does this story benefit? Not Patterson, not Dems, not Obama, that for sure. So who has the most to gain from this leak?
I know everyone has been worrying about some Repubs trying to start a “race war” (Limgbaugh, Hannity. etc…), but looks to me like someone is trying to play another game…a little “divide and conquer”. As this point, what voting blocks is the “strongest” for Obama…blacks! So what happens if someone can cause a rift in the black community against Obama? Will we vote for GOP? Hell naw, but what other action has caused elections to swing against Dems? Black people not voting at all. For the GOP, then they don’t need the Black vote, all they need to to somehow suppress the Black voters turnout in some places, by trying to get Blacks to become disillusioned with this Pres and therefore the Dem party.
Again, I not even trying to defend whatever “actions” of the president. I just saying that a pattern seems to be emerging…that’s all.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/19/obama-paterson-should-qui_n_292526.html
MMM
Andy Richter wins this duel
http://hippiekiller.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/wolf-actually-short-for-tard/
Laura W
@Comrade Jake: I would like to report that I finally ordered Eagle Vs. Shark on DVD. What did that take, 8 months?
@JK: I laid another one down in this thread just for you.
And I would like to report that when I ordered Eagle Vs. Shark I also ordered Annie Hall. I apparently sold my VHS at a garage sale.
Pre-ordered WEEDS Season 5. Also!
Curb Your Enthusiasm is back tonight.
A Mom Anon
Crap. I’m stuck in moderation for my comment at number 27.
I’m going to go build an ark now,it’s been raining for a week with no let up in sight. My yard looks like a pond.
JK
@Laura W:
Many thanks. You can’t go wrong quoting Woody.
Brian J
@lamh31:
1. I don’t think Patterson has done a great job, but I don’t think he’s necessarily done a bad job, either. He sort of walked into a shitstorm, as he took over for a governor that resigned because of a stupid but embarrassing sex scandal just as the economy was starting to really nosedive and a big source of revenue for the state, Wall Street, was really dying. I don’t remember if he started off poorly or not, but he has had terrible approval ratings just after a few months in office.
There’s a big chance he wouldn’t be reelected. In fact, that’s almost certain. He probably wouldn’t survive a primary against Andrew Cuomo, who’d kill him by 20 points on a good day. But at the same time, Cuomo would beat pretty much any Republican challenger by the same margin, even the top tier ones, so it’s not as if the Republicans are in a position of strength.
I’m not sure why Obama is interfering here, aside from trying to save resources in some way. Unless there’s been some uptick in Patterson’s chances to win the primary, I just don’t see the point.
2. I don’t know what you are trying to say here.
3. If your ideas are right, the Republicans are dumber than I thought. I can’t imagine any scenario where that would work.
Comrade Jake
@Laura W:
I only hope that the movie lives up to expectations at this point!
JK
@SGEW:
I’ve seen this anecdote referenced in several sources.
Several years ago, I saw a very interesting documentary called Arguing the World which traced the political evolution of Irving Kristol, Irving Howe, Nathan Glazer, and Daniel Bell who were all classmates at City College in NY.
asiangrrlMN
I have an edit button, nyah nyah. I use Chrome.
I have coffee. The weather, it is cool. Snow cannot be far behind now (hey, a grrl can dream, can’t she?). I do not watch the TV, so I will have to catch our POTUS later.
Adam Collyer, or do what I do. Don’t watch and come to BJ for the dismantling of teh stupid.
@demkat620: Ditto what you said. A full day of football and baseball ahead.
Adam Collyer
@ironranger:
Peggy Noonan basically called the President “boorish” this morning on ABC because he’s been on TV too much. And George Will is conflating the nonsense Baucus plan as the President’s. And Ed Gillespie is on my TV, even though his boss was the least popular and effective president in modern history.
Sometimes I get sad watching TV on Sunday mornings. Then I remember I should turn it off.
SGEW
@lamh31: From my perspective as a New Yorker, I support any action that lessens the chance of Rudy “Freedom is About Authority” Giuliani becoming my Governor.
@JK:
“I don’t want to become immortal through my work, I want to become immortal through not dying.” – W. Allen
linda
watching tweety’s sunday show with bobo, kathleen parker, helene cooper and rick stengel — who, with the exception of cooper, downplayed the racism angle to the opposition to obama; citing instead the economic instability, gubmint takeover of everything, etc.
perhaps it’s my always suspicious take on the media, but i’m thinking there’s something very subversive about their ‘concern’ and the way this issue is being presented. it’s bizarre to me the way obama is questioned — almost put on the defensive –‘is it racism’ that drives the opposition? what the fuck is he supposed to say? yes — it only continues the obsession with the issue while a new angle gets jacked up — the faux outrage of the republicans.
and then when he says ‘no — it’s a dissection of why he can’t say ‘yes’.
tweety can’t wait for an attempt on obama. think of the ratings!
Adam Collyer
And David Gregory puts words directly into the President’s mouth…
“Who are you going to say no to? For instance, you’ve said to the Left that the public option isn’t going to happen…”
Did I miss when the President said that? No, I didn’t. What he said was that it’s not a piece of the plan that should be politicized or overemphasized in it’s importance.
Basic journalism dictates you get people’s statements accurately.
JK
@asiangrrlMN:
Good morning.
Did you like any of the songs by King Crimson, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, the Jam, and Squeeze? What about Everybody Gets To Go To the Moon by the Three Degrees, You Only Live Twice by Nancy Sinatra, Conquistador by Procol Harum, and Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress bu the Hollies? What about Meeting Across the River and Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen and Somebody Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John as pensive songs? Since I haven’t heard your reactions to these songs, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. Feel free to give it to me totally straight. I guarantee you that my feelings won’t be hurt.
Matt
Oh my God, David Gregory is a moron. I now remember why I never ever watch these Sunday morning shows.
Matt
Adam, I was thinking exactly the same thing. But the Villagers want him to tell the left to shut the fuck up.
SiubhanDuinne
@A Mom Anon 10:26 am
You bring the gopherwood, I’ll bring the cubits.
linda
you just wait — tomorrow’s highlight will be the ‘rude’ comment and g.e./nbc will play and replay the audio of obama calling kanye west a jackass — just to show how he doesn’t practice what he preaches.
JK
@SGEW:
Woody Allen guest hosting the Tonight Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8WXyqJe_SU
The Paley Center has a video of a Woody Allen tv special from the late 1960’s with Candace Bergen, Billy Graham, and music from the 5th Dimension. Maybe one year, it will be relased on video
Brian J
@Adam Collyer:
I was astonished Gregory said that. But then, I was also happy that Obama said to Gregory, “Perhaps you weren’t paying attention, but…”
I want a couple of chapters devoted to Obama’s thoughts on the media and specific personalities in his memoirs when they come out.
Demo Woman
Today I’m feeling like the rest of the Georgians on the blog.. Rain, rain go away! The greenery growing up the side of my house isn’t ivy..
I missed MTP and I just turned off “Face the Nation” because Steele came on. Is this week worth watching?
Brian J
Sweet Jesus, John Boehner is a gigantic, lying jackass, or completely ignorant. I’m not sure what is worse. What the fuck does he not understand about the public option at this point?
Max
I love that when the white house reporters questioned Gibbsey and asked “is the President overexposed?”, he pushed back and said they’d consider that the next time their news outlets asked for an interview.
I love how Gibbs controls the briefings, with his slow southern drawl and sarcasm. I hope he doesn’t burn out like most of the press secty’s do.
General Winfield Stuck
watched FNS as usual this morn. (not the other Sunday nutbugs) and it was worth it to see Wallace whine about Obama dissing the Fox News Sucks on his interview offensive today. And the ACORN bashing was about too much, with wingnuts winging about it being a crimimal org, because shut up, that’s why.
smiley
@SGEW:
Given that much of the bible was written decades, if not centuries, after the death of Christ, I’m sure there’s a lot of apocrypha there.
If I had the edit function, I would have changed my post to read “an example of” rather than “to illustrate”. That anecdote illustrates nepotism quite well. I use apocryphal stories all the time when I teach because they’re often so good for illustrating points. However, Sully passed on that story as if it was true – even after admitting that it was probably apocryphal. That’s what bugs me.
SGEW
@JK:
Ed McMahon: “That defies believability.”
Woody Allen: “That’s only because it’s not true.”
linda
@Brian J:
steve benen has another good one of obama schooling george stephanopolous:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020025.php
Demo Woman
@Adam Collyer: Peggy needs to just keep on walking.
Adam Collyer
@Brian J:
The President has the most refreshing way of dropping people. He’s not a “rude” guy – that’s really what he has Rahm for. But the President has these subtle digs at the media and his opponents that essentially play as a backhanded compliment. He knows he can’t talk about racism in opposition to his Presidency vis-a-vis the Tea Party movement. So he simply called them “patriots who want what’s best for America” and then essentially calls them lunatics by saying that his plan is “well within the mainstream of American political thought.”
KG
@lamh31: the only question of your’s that I can answer is #2. The current system heavily favors incumbents. Part of it is name recognition. Part of it is the inherent fund raising advantage. And part of it is that a lot of voters will vote for the status quo at every level but president (thinking it is the only one that matters, when, in fact, it is the one that probably matters the least, or should matter the least).
This is not something that is unique to New Orleans.
SGEW
@smiley: Did he pass it on as “being true”? He did call it an “apocryphal tale,” after all. But I suppose people might have missed that, or not really know what “apocryphal” means, I guess. Blog reader beware, as they say.
Rey
Yeah , David Gregory is dumb as a box of rocks. Been following the POTUS on most of his blitz this morning. John King was actually pretty decent, no stupid ass questions about Kanye or who the Prez wants in the World Series- ugh!!!
Comrade Jake
@linda:
Holy shit did Obama pwn Georgie there. Wow. If that video doesn’t make it to a BJ post, I’m going to be disappointed.
asiangrrlMN
@JK: Ok. I just listened to the Mitchell, the Gabriel, and the Springsteen (I didn’t like the rest, sorry). I liked Cactus Tree by Mitchell, On the Air by Gabriel, and Jungleland by Springsteen.
valdivia
what was the ‘rude’ moment that will take over the cycle?
SGEW
@Demo Woman:
George Stephanopoulos: “But your critics say it is a tax increase.”
President Obama: “My critics say everything is a tax increase.”
Snap.
bob h
I seem to recall there was once an anti-ABM treaty with the Soviets, and that Bush Jr. unilaterally and gratuitously abrogated it to deploy the missiles in E. Europe and fulfill part of the Republican catechism. So what Obama is doing here is merely returning the country to the rule of international law and treaties.
SGEW
@bob h:
This is precisely what drives them crazy.
Brian J
@SGEW:
President Obama: “My critics say everything is a tax increase.”
It’s like Aaron Sorkin himself is writing those words. Things of beauty, they are.
@bob h:
In other words, he’s a traitor.
Max
Watching POTUS smack around Georgie and trying to picture W doing this interview. Funny.
Quote from Carville’s wife on CNN…
Mary Matalin: “Bill Clinton arguably had a more authentic black American experience than Barack Obama.”
Jesus Cristos.
valdivia
@SGEW:
love that quote. Tiny Debate Failure still being Tiny Debate Failure in front of Obama. the dictionary part was pretty stupid on his part.
Comrade Jake
How is it that our POTUS has better command of the facts than any of these asshat “journalists” interviewing him?
Oh wait a minute. I think I answered my own question there: they’re asshats.
Laura W
@Brian J:
I think the flag pin disproves that.
ThresherK
Anyone else catch how badly Jeff Greenfield sucked on CBS’ Sunday Morning?
And this on a show which had Ben Stein a half-hour later.
Jay C
@lamh31:
David Paterson isn’t a bad guy, but the bottom line on his performance ratings in NY seems to be that he’s a B-Team player in an arena where you really need to be a superstar to be effective.
Paterson has gotten a lot of bad breaks in his tenure so far, some his fault and some not, but his general popularity rating is fairly abysmal: and if the GOP does in fact, run Rudy Giuliani (their very last superstar) for Governor, there’s a chance that he might even win (G*d help us all); and that’s a chance the NYS Dems can’t really afford to take.
That said, I think it’s pretty foolish (uncharacteristically so) of President Obama to take as public a hand in a state race as this (if true): NY State politics is a cesspool of ego, factionalism and hardball partisanship – why Obama wouldn’t try to stay above it all (whatever the WH thinks they want to do in NYS) and work behind the scenes is a mystery.
Bill E Pilgrim
So, everyone saw this clip in which Fox was caught staging the Tea Bagger protests?
Not only were these Astroturfed, but we also know who the landscaping contractor is.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/19/fox-news-producer-caught_n_292529.html
asiangrrlMN
@Max: Mary Matalin. Another wingnut MM female. Michelle Malkin (MM1), Megan McArdle (MM2), Meghan McCain (MM3, ok, she’s not a wingnut, but still), and Mary Matalin (MM4).
They can all bite me.
Bill E Pilgrim, yes, but it was just, you know, one over-enthusiastic producer who didn’t know better. You know.
Demo Woman
@SGEW: Hopefully the tape is up soon. I’m on antenna and for some reason the local ABC station does not come in when it’s storming.
Can someone explain this to me? It’s the only station that I have trouble with.
Brian J
@Laura W:
Get your eyes checked. That’s not a flag pin. That’s a hammer and sickle with a picture of bin Laden drapped in the gay flag in the middle.
ironranger
@Max:
Mary Matalin & Peggy Noonan should both keep on walking.
JK
@asiangrrlMN:
Cool. I don’t have all the stats at my fingertips, but I estimate I’m averaging roughly between .270 – .280 with you in terms of my musical recommendations. That’s considered a good average for any MLB player, so I’m very satisfied. Thanks for your feedback and positive vibes.
SiubhanDuinne
POTUS just whisked Snuffleupagus away on ACORN. It was a nice moment.
Not sure I can keep the TV on once the Round Table gets going.
linda
@valdivia:
it was just a throwaway comment about the tone in politics and how it’s the easiest thing to get 15 minutes of fame by being rude; and that changing the tone begins with him and he tries to adhere to that.
it’s just the kind of snippet that can be turned into a glaring example of obama’s ‘hypocrisy’.
Bill E Pilgrim
@asiangrrlMN:
Yeesh, by the time I hear the news here in time zoned land the right wing chorus has already de-clawed it by removing all of the reality.
I fixed your statement back to the reality-based version BTW.
HRA
A Mom Anon: I was basically in the same position you are financially some years back and had to look for work. I began by going downtown and putting my application in every business on Main Street. I subscribed to the morning and afternoon local papers to have the help wanted ads daily. In the meantime, I took a civil service exam knowing it would not be an instant call for work. I answered an ad that began with “Housewives needed…” and was quite leery of it. Darn – it was a very good job with great pay plus benefits. Three plus years later I got into a civil service job. I am told now you have to do follow up calls on your applications. I wish you the best of luck and hope my story is of some help.
lambh: What you hear from us New Yorkers is Paterson is a bust and Spitzer should have never resigned. It makes no difference what Obama supposedly said to Paterson. Nobody has anything good to say about Paterson here.
James K. Polk, Esq.
Instead of raising my blood pressure by watching MTP and my Raiders getting stomped, me and my good friend are going to take a nice 15 mile hike today.
We’re going to go to this awesome waterfall that terminates on the beach (Wildcat Falls, for those in the Bay Area know). Hope there is enough water this late in the season for it still to be spectacular.
(I’m DVRing the Raiders game, ’cause I’m a glutton for punishment)
SiubhanDuinne
Peggy Noonan is just a horrible person.
Yes, I’ve known that for a long time, but it just struck me with renewed force.
jwb
@Max: This is only even an issue because Obama is extremely effective at controlling events when he makes media appearances. The GOP talking heads have been most vocal in proclaiming his overexposure, which should tell you something. In any case, it tells me that Obama should seek even more exposure. And the MSM, to the extent that they are not simply showing their seriousness by following the GOP talking points, can’t like the fact that Obama’s appearances take away their ability to frame and so also control the discussion. Here, too, the complaint tells me that Obama, far from being overexposed, should be out making his case more often.
JK
@ThresherK:
Ben Stein is an absolute disgrace. He believes in Intelligent Design and blames Charles Darwin for the rise of Nazism. He has no business being on CBS Sunday Morning.
Demo Woman
@Brian J: Tomorrow night Glenn Beck will demand to see the original pin. When the White House refuses Glenn will say that this means it was indeed a hammer and sickle.
See what you started, thanks a lot!
JK
@asiangrrlMN:
That’s a 4 way street of mendacity
valdivia
@linda:
thanks for the info.
asiangrrlMN
@JK: And you did give me the one song that is on my permanent rotation, so that should add an extra .1 or .2 to your batting average. Thanks for being so persistent.
@Bill E Pilgrim: I know. Total bullshit. I saw the spin (refused to watch the video because I don’t want to spontaneously combust), and I rolled my eyes allllll the way into the back of my head. What.the.fuck.ever.
valdivia
I am mad at myself–I intended to get up to watch Al Punto and report about Obama’s spanish language interview but I missed it. If I find it online I will come back and report.
asiangrrlMN
@JK:
And that is a great line.
tc125231
@A Mom Anon: Well, I feel for you on the Asperger’s Syndrome, which used to be frequently diagnosed as “schizotypical” (meaning –“we don’t know what’s going on, but he’s queer” –real scientific stuff).
I do have one thought based on the strategy that my eldest son used to find employment, after caring for his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s. You may want to apply at a retirement home. The kind of work you have been doing is excellent experience for caring for the elderly of diminished capacity –and not all that many intelligent people care to do it.
He works at Sunrise, which is a national chain, but I imagine the phenomena is pretty nearly universal.
I hope that is at least slightly helpful.
Blahblah
I lasted less than two minutes watching David Gregory fellate his guests spewing a conventional wisdom dichotomy of nothing over racism against Obama.
Once again, not a single policy discussion and more irrelevant BS. I nearly destroyed the television set. Thank God I canceled cable television, payingto watch those a$$holes spew forth is just too much to bear.
Bob In Pacifica
Years ago a friend of mine described cable television as “FM TV”. I just got a Wi-Fi radio. It’s like “FM shortwave”. Really neat to listen to all sorts of radio shows all around the world. Really neat. The other night I listened to some of that warbly Albanian pop music.
Anyone have any favorite internet radio stations I should try?
Oh, and go Niners!
Max
@A Mom Anon: Have you tried reaching out to a temp agency?
I would also suggest strong embellishment of your resume. I went thru this with a close friend who was out of the work force to raise her kids and we beefed up her resume with community organization stuff. Instead of doing a chronological resume, do a functional one.
Also, you can use your experience with your child as medical experience. Reach out to hospitals and care centers, that real life experience will matter. Have you looked into being a CNA?
Very soon, retailers will be hiring seasonal employees. Check with local malls for job fairs, go to the major retailers like Macy’s. They will also be hiring for recovery positions (i.e. putting merch back in place when a store has been shopped). A seasonal position is a great foot in the door and if you do well, oftentimes, they will hire you as a full timer after the season ends.
tc125231
@Adam Collyer: Actually, as close as I get to watching these shows anymore is looking at this thread.
I have people depending on me. I can’t go around putting out negative energy all the time. If I had to tolerate the endless GOP lies, and the even more everpresent MSM enabling of those lies, I would just be sick to my stomach.
Who would that help?
So I really on you courageous –and nausea proof, apparently –few to peek over the wall.
JK
@Bob In Pacifica:
Given your screen name, do you ever listen to KPFA in Berkeley?
JK
@Bob In Pacifica:
As a follow-up to my previous post, KPFA is part of Pacifica Radio.
Pacifica Radio is a listener supported community radio network of commercial free stations that serve their local communities and beyond. Pacifica is KPFA in Berkeley, CA; KPFK in Los Angeles, CA; KPFT in Houston, TX; WBAI in New York, NY; WPFW in Washington DC; and over 100 affiliate stations
You can get more info at
http://www.pacifica.org/about
PurpleGirl
Don’t have time to read the thread right now — I’m on my way out to the Metropolitan Museum (it’s the last day for the show of gold objects from Afghanistan). But I wanted to see the formatting stuff. Have a good day, all.
grumpy realist
A Mom Anon:
In this crappy economy, you’re most likely to get a job by knowing-someone-who-knows-someone, etc. With “unskilled” positions the question is how quickly you get on their radar, which is hard, because the availability of a job will be spread through the company grapevine to job-hunting friends and relatives far before it gets posted officially. And for skilled jobs, your lack of “official qualifications” means it will be far too easy for the HR people to automatically not take a second look and throw your resume out in favor of someone-with-a-college-degree. (HR people are 99.9% idiots. But I digress.)
You didn’t say where you live: what are the types of jobs available and how many are there? If you’ve got nothing but Walmart/strip mall stuff, then yeah, it’s probably going to be a case of making enough fuss everywhere that anyone within your circle of friends and family know to let you know IMMEDIATELY about jobs opening up (and also that it hasn’t been reserved for the boss’s cousin). (This works for skilled jobs as well.)
Skilled jobs vs. unskilled jobs: don’t sell yourself short. You may not have a bunch of letters after your name (trust me, in this economy it isn’t worth much) but I am absolutely positive you have tons of skills and experience that will be a godsend to a company out there–you just have to find it. Think of what you are already able to do–any mother I know has to be a whiz at time management, organization, and logistics. Plus, from your comments here I can tell you write grammatical sentences, which is a skill ever more difficult to find among applicants. Definitely don’t sell yourself short.
The best, most fool-proof way to get a job is to find a nasty problem a company is suffering, figure out how to solve it, and present yourself as the person to implement the solution. You’d be surprised at how much love you will get. (Move that up to figuring out how to create a new business in a particular area and you’re likely to be able to get all sorts of assistance from the state/government to form a new company. There’s a lot of $$ sloshing around for the creation of new jobs, no matter what anyone says.)
Unless there are many jobs around you that getting a pharmacy degree would open doors to, I would be careful of this path. (Also, pharmacy assistant is one of the lowest paid specialized jobs out there–you’re making only slightly above minimum wage)
Again, don’t sell yourself short because you don’t have a college degree. My business partner, who ran off to Japan when he was 16, never went to college. So far he’s been a shipper, a well-known international news reporter, an author, an entrepreneur, and has now just created a position for himself giving assistance to a new venture capital project in international trade.
Hope this helps!
Bill E Pilgrim
@asiangrrlMN: Oh you should watch the video. The producer is waved down at one point and just sort of acts like “Oh, right, I forgot” and ducks down, and then after a while she can’t help herself and starts waving the crowd on again, just like any stage producer at talk show would to get them to clap and cheer.
If it were as FOX is claiming, the response to her would have been more along the lines of “What the hell do you think you’re doing??!” and pulling her out of there, but the waving her off and her ducking down and just continuing when she thought she was off camera was a bit of a giveaway.
ironranger
@linda:
Obama was clearly being logical. How unamerican!@Bill E Pilgrim:
9/12 event with 9 principles & 12 values was overly ambitious. I think that was way too many concepts for teabaggers to absorb, not that any of them probably even looked at them.
asiangrrlMN
@Bill E Pilgrim: Oh, good grief. I watched, and please. she’s on the phone the whole freaking time. Give me a fucking break. My disgust–it knows no boundary. Of course, it won’t matter in the long run.
Le sigh.
Brachiator
@A Mom Anon:
Keep trying. A friend and former co-worker used to say that she had just been a homemaker when she had to re-enter the job market. But she and her husband had rental property and she had been the primary person managing the houses and apartment buildings they owned. She had a son with a serious illness and had helped found an organization to help her son and others, and had to do a fair amount of public speaking.
I hired her to be a customer service trainer. She did better than many with more formal experience. And I learned from her and others that people should look at their skills and talents – however they have obtained them — and match them to jobs and employment sectors they think might be interesting.
I also recall hearing an interview with a laid-off air traffic controller who became an insurance salesmen. He translated some of his skills (being able to assess a situation and to communicate clearly and effectively) to an entirely new area.
If you can afford to start slowly, consider training and additional education, and you might look at some volunteer work to jumpstart your efforts, or some modest paying political and campaign jobs.
Also, I’ve seen some employers prefer older workers, who tend to be more reliable in some ways than younger workers. There is less absenteeism and days off because of hard partying.
A bit of a ramble here. Hope this helps.
MikeJ
When are we as a nation going to wake up and outlaw foxahol?
ironranger
@MikeJ:
lol. Foxahol, I like that. It has a much better ring to it than kool-aid.
Bill E Pilgrim
@MikeJ: We could try 12 step programs for them but as someone mentioned above, most of them could probably remember no more than three.
IndieTarheel
Hard to tell who was the bigger douchebag, so I’ll go with the tale of the tape and give it to MC Rove’s backup screamer.
gwangung
Holy f—did she REALLY say that???
When I grew up, a white person saying that would be branded as a total racist.
Guess they call them Republicans these days.
It’s totally the most arrogant thing a white person could say about race that I can think of.
JK
@MikeJ:
Griff Jenkins is a poster boy for journalistic incompetence. He’s the dumbest, most clueless reporter on Fox.
JK
@Bill E Pilgrim:
These people are like cult members. They’re probably too far gone for any 12 step program and just need to be written off.
cmohrnc
@Rey
David Gregory has a known history of being a GOP-groupie, with just enough ambition and sense of self-respect from wanting to be a legitimate professional journalist that jumping ship to Fox is beneath his dignity. That doesn’t of course change the fact that his core sympathies and most important “good old boy” ties are with the GOP, nor does it change the fact that his talent is more rooted in television-friendly geniality than penetrating intellect. I think he tries, in his mind, to be objective and fair – it’s just that he isn’t equipped by inclination or intellect or depth of understanding to succeed at this instead of being subconsciously a GOP shill, and occasionally a complete stupid asshat and tool.
David Gregory was invited, for example, to George Bush’s personal birthday parties, and one of the Bush Admin’s personal favorites to invite aboard Air Force One.
General Winfield Stuck
@gwangung:
I don’t know how Carville lives with that creature. Muskrat love I reckon.
Cain
@A Mom Anon:
Have you considered dental assistant or nurse? Dental assistant might be good, it is a two year committment but here in Oregon that’s all the dental jobs I see.
I would also start volunteering to build up your resume. Volunteer for something that has a lot of responsibility and you can build up a social network on which you can get a job. The people you volunteer with can probably help you if you show good promise. Just a thought. Getting a job is more about social skills than going out and using a brute force method of job applications.
Good luck! I’m pulling for you!
cain
Ash Can
@A Mom Anon: I second the suggestion to sign on with temporary agencies. I graduated school and hit the job market smack dab in the middle of the Great 1980s Recession and Unemployment Festival. Temporary work allowed me to show would-be employers that I could in fact do real work, with real people, in a real workplace. It earned me some money and put practical experience on my resume, and was a definite factor in my landing a real job some months down the line. Good luck.
A Mom Anon
Thanks all who wrote job info/suggestions,etc. What seems to be in the way for me is having no professional/job connections. I couldn’t even begin to track down people I used to work for or with. I am taking all your suggestions and writing them down.
This is harder than it was when I was a kid looking for my first job,way harder. This economy is no help either. I know I need to “pad”my resume,but having no prior job references is killing me.
Ash Can
@Max:
And she, of course, is eminently qualified to make a judgment like that.
Bill E Pilgrim
Ah, here’s the best part of the Sunday shows, getting the real transcript from:
http://moonshinepatriot.blogspot.com/
Here’s the most satisfying part:
Gregory: could this lead to violence?
Obama: let me put it this way
[ punches Gregory in the face ]
Gregory: ow!
valdivia
@Bill E Pilgrim:
that was hilarious.
PanAmerican
God invented soccer so you don’t have to watch that shit (or NFL pregame shows) on Sunday morning. You could swap Gregory and Chris Mortensen and not notice a difference in the load of unintelligible bullshit they spew.
Brachiator
@smiley:
.
Ya know, the term apocrypha has a specific meaning related to biblical tradition, not simply when a book of the Bible was written and issues of “factual” authenticity (h/t Wiki). “When used in the specific context of Judeo-Christian theology, the term apocrypha refers to any collection of scriptural texts that falls outside the canon.”
Great point. Sully could have found any number of actual examples of nepotism to better reinforce his point. But the anecdote still works.
donovong
@A Mom Anon: Sorry to hear about your situation, but not surprised.
I do recruiting and HR consulting for a living, and have a couple of “professional” suggestions for you.
Number One – Go out and buy/borrow a copy of “What Color is Your Parachute?” It contains a wealth of solid, constructive suggestions for how to conduct a job search. I suggest this to anyone and everyone who is looking for a job. The advice and suggestions he provides in the book actually work, and many of the techniques he suggests are the same one that recruiters use, albeit with tactical differences.
Number Two – If it is impossible to obtain references from former employers, try former co-workers. If neither is available, then obtain letters of recommendation from friends who are business owners or managers. Yes, they would be considered “personal” references, but they will carry more weight with the title “CEO” or such on the letterhead. These will carry more weight with small business owners, who will actually care less about references anyway.
Number Three – Don’t just put in applications. Put in applications correctly. Yes, many organizations use the internet application process, but there are always on-site managers, and if you show up dressed for an interview and ask to speak with the manager or owner, you are going to make a better first impression. Be prepared to sell yourself to them in a 30 second conversation starter, and have your resume to place in their hand. If they refer you to the onl-line process, agree to do that, but ask if you could get a personal interview with them also. It will put you ahead of the less-than-enthusiastic people who simply go through the motions, or allow the process to deter them.
After you put in the applications and/or corner the manager, FOLLOW UP, both in person and by phone. Depending on the business and the logistics involved, and if it is a place you really want to work for, then follow-up by phone one week, and in person the next. This may bother some folks – and, in reality, you don’t want to work for those people anyway- but, it will help your case with those who admire determination and want folks who really want to work.
From my standpoint, those above who have advocated that you approach nursing homes/assisted living institutions are on the right track, if that is something you would like. They will appreciate the skills you have developed, and could use them.
I cannot stress enough the value in the WCIYP? book. They also have a website, but the book is a better tool, IMHO.
Nutella
A Mom Anon-
Some good ideas above.
Since you need references, think of people you have worked with in charities, church, political groups, or whatever and see if they can attest to your reliability and willingness to work hard. If you can’t think of anyone who can do that then you need a non-paying project that will get you some contacts like that.
Brachiator had some good ideas about resumes. Also read this article for ideas. Many of this blogger’s posts are silly but this one has some ideas worth thinking about.
Another thing to consider is your ‘pitch’, that is, when you have three sentences to describe who you are and what you’re looking for, do you have something that sounds positive and attractive to an employer? You should be able to deliver it confidently to anyone who asks what you’re looking for to get a conversation started in the right direction.
Good luck.
Cain
@Brachiator:
I do exactly this when I get a chance to interview someone. We hired one guy for a linux position even though his experience was primarily Windows. Why? Because his hobby was to setup lan parties, and work with different types of computers and trouble shoot them for fun. The hobby probably what settled me on him because if he’s able to do all that just for fun just think what he would do with a job he likes.
cain
Cain
@A Mom Anon:
Have you tried LinkedIn? If you have friends or acquaintances on there, people you know you could set up something that takes advantage of the 6 degrees of connections. You won’t believe the kind of people you end up connected to. Try it.
cain
Darkrose
On the seventh day of a 12-day straight work stretch, at the end of which we’re moving into a new apartment. Supposedly we can’t take any days off until October 15, but I will undoubtably have a week-long migraine before that. Alternately, I’ll fail my “Don’t fall asleep while driving” roll on the way into this hellhole.
Oh, and the kicker? October 1 is the first paycheck that will reflect the furloughs. And believe me, I know that I’m lucky to still have a job at all.
Happy fun teims in California.
debit
@donovong: Excellent suggestions all, but I’ll offer caution about following up. Yes, do, but there’s a line between expressing enthusiasm and annoying pestering. There was one applicant to a job posting that called multiple times a day, sometimes hanging up when she got someone she’d already left a message with, and also e-mailed a few times a day, closing with “Just let me know when I can start!”
She was told, every time, we were still in the process of deciding, and we would let her know once a decision had been made. We wound up with someone more qualified, and politely let the serial inquirer know, but to be honest, she out of the running the second time she hung up on someone. Plus, her patently obvious inability to follow direction and wait for an answer ensured she’d never be asked back for a second interview.
Zuzu's Petals
@Laura W:
Looking at the top 30 from Week 6 … wow, a lot have a big red “DISQUALIFIED” stamped on their pics. I wonder why.
Poor little things.
SiubhanDuinne
@ A Mom Anon: I have nothing to add to all the great suggestions above, except this:
SEND SNAIL MAIL THANK YOU LETTERS!
Seriously. I know everything is done online today, but that makes a hand-written note that actually comes in the mail just that much more unusual and memorable. I have been hired at least twice that I know of simply because I followed up an interview with a note, and I have also hired people when that was the tipping point between two otherwise equally-qualified applicants.
Email notes are better than nothing, but IMHO you just can’t beat a piece of paper in an envelope with a cancelled stamp in the corner!
SiubhanDuinne
I’ll just add to my own enthusiasm for writing thank-you notes that obviously, as debit said, you don’t want to go overboard. Probably doesn’t even need to be said.
Laura W
@Zuzu’s Petals: Her owner just emailed me about that. Gulp. I hope it’s not because some very naughty persons use their four different email addresses to cast their votes every day. That is not fraudulent, is it? I guess it all depends upon what the meaning of “fraudulent” is.
Gulp.
Max
@A Mom Anon: I wouldn’t focus too much on the professional references. With the laws these days, companies can’t really give in depth references anymore, truthfully they can only confirm dates of hire and position. Anything further could be considered “subjective” and open them up to lawsuits.
As a manager, I’m more interested in skill set confirmation than references. As I mentioned, a temp agency is a good place to start, as they will test your skills, i.e. MS Office, typing, 10-key, whatever, and you’ll have a certificate to show to a prospective employer.
Laura W
@Zuzu’s Petals: Wow. You’re not kidding! 7/30 disqualified! I don’t think they’ve done this in prior weeks so they are starting to really examine the votes. This is good. It stands to reason there were games going on. I believe a few good ideas were even tossed around here during the first week we joined in.
The Bitsy campaign casts a wider net every week in terms of getting various online and local communities involved. The fact that she continues to place so high from (mostly. Gulp.) honest efforts bodes well, I think. But then, I’m frequently a fool.
asiangrrlMN
@Laura W: My guess is if they had ridiculously inflated numbers, someone used a sniper program to automatically up the vote. Just throwing that wildly out there.
@A Mom Anon: I have absolutely no useful suggestions. I just wanted to wish you good luck.
Max
I’m surprised there is no NFL thread up… perhaps the afternoon games will bring out the fans.
Go Bills!
Laura W
Also.
A public thanks to John for donating the free blogad space. You know, he could be taking $750/month from PETA to show a dog with a barbecue fork through its head. (Although, I hope Steeplejack appreciates the inadvertent allusion to his idea. If he squints he can pretend it’s a fork or something.)
Brachiator
@jwb:
While channel surfing the Sunday Obama-thon, I caught some GOP Congressman talking about how Obama needed to spend less time talking to the public and more time working with the GOP bi-partisan style (this may have been on MTP), Of course, the Congressman glossed over GOP obstructionism and their lack of any coherent alternatives.
I agree in part. The Democrats need to be (yes, I know it’s hopeless) more unified and on message with respect to health care reform and other issues. And I was impressed by a video clip of Al Franken speaking to people about the issue. People knocked him because he was a comedian, but this totally under-estimates his ability to speak before the public, and to be able to deal with hostile crowds. I wonder whether the Democrats think that he is too junior to have a more prominent role selling the party agenda.
Zuzu's Petals
@A Mom Anon:
I have a friend whose medical transcription business withered away just as she was turning 60.
Because of her familiarity with medical terms, and her experience raising kids, she thought being a home health aide would be a good fit. And it is. They are thrilled to have someone as reliable and efficient as she is, and she basically gets to choose her schedule. She’ll be getting her CNA certification soon so she can get more money…and eventually go out on her own.
I have a neighbor who turned her love of pets into a pet sitting job after she retired. She chooses her clients – all in the neighborhood – and her schedule. Again, people are thrilled to have someone so reliable checking in on things. Check out some of the pet sitting websites for your area to see what people are charging.
Good luck!
donovong
@debit: Trust me – there is a reason I specified how often to follow-up! Anyone who acts like a “job stalker” deserves the “no” answer they get.
And the thank-you note via snail mail is something I always recommend, and is actually the second step. The first step after an interview should be a phone call immediately afterward, including a thank you and a brief “and I also want to remind you that I can do such and such that you need!,”, or to otherwise follow up on any piints tha tyou want/need to stress about yourself. Followed by the thank you note, mailed the same day as the interview, to any and all persons with whom you interviewed. WITHOUT FAIL.
LoveMonkey
Editable posts?
Great. Now what the hell am I going to bitch about?
LoveMonkey
Ah, got it. It doesn’t work. How silly of me not to consider that possibility!
Somebody call me when editable posts actually work in IE. Mine just hangs. Locks up the browser tab, requires me to open a new tab and start over. Nice. Another addition to my “code I wish I had written” collection.
debit
@donovong: I actually felt sorry for her. I am willing to bet she had someone behind her, maybe either a spouse or boyfriend telling her, “You have to close the deal. You’re not getting a call back because you haven’t shown them you want it enough.”
smiley
@Brachiator:
No. I did not know that.
geg6
I have served on dozens of search committees for all kinds of job classifications in education, social work, and in the business end of the communications industry (a newspaper and a radio station). I have worked professionally in all these careers and the way I was able to easily move from one to the next was being able to show what common skills and traits they require and how my experience meets a common need. What I think a person reentering the workforce after some time out of it needs to do is to a bit of research into what the majority of posted positions are and then figure out how your experience fulfills the requirements and what you might bring that provides added value. And then take the advice of the HR pros here in conducting a search, getting the interview, and interview followup.
jurassicpork
Assclowns of the Week #77 is just up and still steaming hot. And, dear God, is it a good one. On the spit this week: Fox and the Wa Po; Orly Taitz; Max Baucus; Joe Wilson; Obama, Reid and Specter and much, much more.
SGEW
@Brachiator;@smiley:
I actually did know this, and was using the word quite specifically (as in “apocrypha 1: writings or statements of dubious authenticity”) to refer to Biblical writings in toto (note the lack of capitalization). I find it amusing, but I can understand how it can lead to a l’il confusion.
William
@A Mom Anon:
You shouldn’t ignore your mom skills, either. Some of the best office managers I have dealt with were single moms. They were organized, able to juggle multiple priorities, serene in the face of chaos, and deeply responsible.
Bob In Pacifica
JK, living in the SF Bay Area I’ve listened to KPFA for decades. I was thinking of something a little more exotic, like maybe Peruvian punk rock. But any internet shows that I’d find interesting are cool. Have you ever heard Dave Emory? On WFMU, East Orange, NJ, Tuesdays, 3 p.m. eastern time.
Max
Methinks the Patriots aren’t looking so Brady-esque this year. As a Bills fan that makes me happy.
Unfortunately, the Jets are looking good. We have to play them twice.
The Jaguars can suck it. I took them in my pool and they are folding like a house of cards in a cheap suit.
The Raiders and KC game… snore.
Aaron Rodgers better pull it together and get some points on the board prontissimo..
Philly should have taken the day off
The Redskins better hold on for two more minutes.
Phew… Okay, I feel better. Go Bills in 25 minutes. I also picked the Steelers, so John’s team better bring it.
Svensker
Go Jets! We beat the Pats! I LOVE seeing mopey face on Brady and Bellicheck. Yeah, baby.
freelancer
Hi.
I got nothin’.
Just want to see if I too have this fabled edit button I hear tell of.
Ruckus
@Bob In Pacifica:
I listen to
last.fm http://www.last.fm
and
somafm http://somafm.com
Both have several channels/stations and play a wide selection of music.
freelancer
Blitzer on Jeopardy – Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcWs-MFOQWQ
Wile E. Quixote
@Max
Just one more thing that makes me wish with all my might for an incredibly bloody Carville/Matalin murder-suicide. I don’t care which one is the victim and which one commits suicide, I just want the two of them gone.
mai naem
@A Mom Anon:
Late to the thread as usual but I have a friend who started at Walgreens in the non-pharmacy area and eventually they ended up training her as a pharm. tech. From what I understood she didn’t have to take a pharm tech course. I know it’s not a long course but at least she didn’t have to pay for it. You could also try to get a job as a teacher’s aide/caregiver for developmentally disabled kids . I have a friend who does this. She gets (good)school benefits and makes more money than she did as a CNA.
Dulcie
@A Mom Anon: I’m currently taking pharm tech classes. Let me know if you need info!
gyma
@A Mom Anon: I’ve been off line all day so I’m also late to the party.
Although this sounds hokey, it might work: when I was looking for a job and not getting any call backs, I went to my local Good Will (and other consignment-type shops) and bought up as many baby shoes as I could find. Then I made up a decorated tag with the words “Help me get my foot in the door” on it and attached the tag with the shoelace. I included this with my resume/application (sent via snail mail) and I started getting responses. In some cases it was a simple email telling me the job had already been filled, but I appreciated knowing that information as well. (BTW this was about a year ago.)
I’ve also been in a position of hiring people and would often get in excess of 100 applications for one position. Slogging through that many is very tiresome so I tended to remember the ones that stood out for whatever reason – use of humor, outstanding handwriting/printing, clarity, neatness, clever way of explaining job skills, etc. And it’s absolutely imperative that you proofread everything you send out – even one typo or misspelling or grammatical error can be the reason for ending up in the DNC (do not contact) pile.
Hope this helps a bit, and best of luck on your search. Keep us informed so we can keep encouraging you. Looking for a job has a way of messing with your self esteem when it shouldn’t!
HRA
Mom Anon: I failed to mention I once did job interviews and now have participated in search committees interviewing people for position at our U. for many years. My focus initially is on how their cover letter is written. Only if my eye catches something unusual do I really give my attention to the resume. My husband who did many more hirings in his career was more interested in the personal interview as his guide. I find myself paying closer attention to the interviews, too.
a) Answer questions to the best of your ability and don’t offer what has not been asked.
b) Any form of gossip is not wise.
c) Being pleasant and smiling as needed is fine. Laughing hysterically is not fine.
d) When asked if you have any questions, refrain from asking about where the water cooler is located, how long are the breaks, etc. Most of the pertinent information has already been stated by the interviewer.
I came on later tonight and have seen a lot of great advice from everyone above.
Again I wish you the best in your endeavors to find a suitable job.
Steeplejack
@Bob In Pacifica:
If you like jazz, WCLK in Atlanta is excellent. The late-night guy, Abdul Taymullah (midnight-4:00 a.m. Eastern time on weeknights), is excellent. Lots of classic jazz, and he usually keeps it consistent with a middle-of-the-night vibe. Just checked it, and he’s starting, as he always does, with Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgment” and then his (Abdul’s) short monologue on jazz and the Creator who is “truly the love supreme.”
The other shows are good, particularly in the evening. The only problem is that WCLK’s Internet feed is handled via WarpRadio, and I have found the quality to be spotty.
Which wi-fi radio did you get?
Steeplejack
@Steeplejack:
Forgot that WordPress hides hyperlinks that are in all-cap phrases. Should be obvious, but it’s http://www.wclk.com.
Steeplejack
@Laura W:
Yes, I do note–and approve–the BBQ-forkesque graphic theme you’ve got going there.
I still say go all in and do the fork.
A Mom Anon
@Dulcie:
I don’t know if you’ll see this,but I’d be interested in knowing what program you’re in and other details. I’ll check back here in a bit.