Tips for getting hired long distance

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/yk/ar5l1lz6g31qnszpqjyk.gif?time=3/9/2011%202:16:00%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/yk/ar5l1lz6g31qnszpqjyk.gif?time=3/9/2011%202:16:00%20pm" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><br /></span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></b></span><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">By now you've read every bit of advice that explains how to make yourself more attractive to employers. You know to clean up your online profiles, update your résumé, practice your interview answers, and network. But what if you're looking for a job in a different time zone?</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Long-distance job hunts bring with them a special set of requirements that can seem daunting at first, but aren't all that much worse than a regular job search. With a little planning, you can conduct a long-distance job search that will land you a job in any city you want.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Choose locations</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Hunting for a job in a single city is difficult. Hunting for one in all 50 states is virtually impossible. Rather than approach your job search as a nationwide Easter egg hunt, decide what cities you want to focus on. Although you might be open to any location that will offer you a job, you should make a list of five or 10 cities where you can see yourself working. For example if you hate to drive and love cold winters, then you should probably cross Los Angeles off of your list.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Know the job market</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">When you're looking at potential locations for your job search, do some research on the local economy. Not all cities offer the same opportunities. Although you know that local unemployment rates differ from city to city, remember that industry vitality is just as diverse. One city might have a low unemployment rate, but your industry isn't necessarily enjoying the same boom. Look at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and peruse newspapers for localized information.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Use your network</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">The glory of social media is that networks aren't confined by geography anymore. Look at your Facebook friends and you probably know people in dozens of states, if not countries. Use your contacts from all of your social media profiles to publicize your job search and ask for any information that could guide you toward the right opportunity. When it comes to job hunting, you can't ever have too many people looking for jobs on your behalf.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Brush up on your phone skills</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Phone interviews typically come before any in-person interview, but the likelihood of them increases greatly when you're searching long distance. In most cases, employers won't expect you to fly out for a first-round interview, so a phone interview is most common, and you shouldn't take it lightly. Practice speaking at a calm pace, be certain your phone signal is strong and do a few dry runs with a friend.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Perhaps most importantly, job seekers are often afraid to appear impolite when interviewers call and say, "Sure, I can talk right now." If you are caught off guard or if you are in the middle of feeding your children and doing laundry, you can be honest. Even if you ask for 15 minutes to go to a quieter room, you want to create the best setting for your interview.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Decide if you'll travel for an interview</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Sometimes you'll get to a second or third round of interviews when the employer wants to meet you in person. Sometimes the company pays for travel, but other times they don't. Set a few ground rules for yourself in order to determine what opportunities you consider worth your time and money. Also, if asked to travel, find out as much information as possible about so that you can make the arrangements that work best for you. See what dates are available (so you can book the most affordable flight) and how long the process takes (so you know if you can fly home that day and save hotel fare). You want to know as much as possible beforehand so you can make the most informed decision possible.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Travel</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Relocating for a job is a big move that can pay off for your career, but it can also require sacrifices. Leaving behind your friends, paying for the move, and spending the time on the move itself all require a lot of energy. You want to be certain the city you're moving to is worth it, so if you haven't visited in a while or ever, find a way to visit before you move. Not only will you find out if the culture is right for you, but you will also get a better idea of the layout. You could realize that you should extend your job search to nearby suburbs or towns, which can open up a new set of possibilities.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Know your own relocation plan</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">The most important part of your long-distance job search is having a flexible game plan. Without a job offer, you might not have a definitive move date, but you should have an idea of what is possible in case you get an offer. Employers know you're not a local candidate, so they will want to know how soon you can start and when you plan to be in the city.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">If you get an offer and then say you need time to put your house on the market, find a good school for your children, and decide where you want to live, you'll probably lose out on the opportunity. Most employers understand the complexity of a long-distance job search, but they don't have six months to wait for you, either. A flexible plan allows you and the employer to negotiate a mutually agreeable start date while also showing that you're serious about relocating.</div><i>Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>The Work Buzz</i></a><i>. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.</i>

Tips for getting hired long distance

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder WriterBy now you've read every bit of advice that explains how to make yourself more attractive to employers. You know to clean up your online profiles, update your résumé, practice your interview answers, and networ…

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Eat What You Love: Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast

Another recipe from Eat What You Love!  This is called Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast.  I typically make my breakfast for the upcoming week over the weekend.  I would guess that this would have been better eaten fresh out of the skillet, but it still wasn't bad.  Perhaps the issue is that I am storing the cooked items in the fridge, rather than freezing them for the week - I'll try freezing them next time to see if that makes a difference.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s1600/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s200/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br /><br />On a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is "delicious/I would totally make this again" and 1 is "gross/bland/boring - never making this again", my rating is:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b> 4 out of 5!</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQNQOlx0qQE9TE8gs_H9KRnLwVi1KKofjs606mproYgtdDqAQ0th4zV0Y6DcPgN6e55eJVEKVoOLsOkkpsGwc3S2ALcqLWvYREU42lFI5Rbu5fQ_LbugJCLxjmurJJ5A8Emb6sgjVegg/s1600/blog+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQNQOlx0qQE9TE8gs_H9KRnLwVi1KKofjs606mproYgtdDqAQ0th4zV0Y6DcPgN6e55eJVEKVoOLsOkkpsGwc3S2ALcqLWvYREU42lFI5Rbu5fQ_LbugJCLxjmurJJ5A8Emb6sgjVegg/s320/blog+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with just syrup</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwfOp0WfHhj57ZB-GuSLGz9sfg5csDGuWoj_Xi7MD36yZ6_3rz-yZkf1uEvJzWESNTCffVY0Q6vjsZ-duI7IrS0Tb0ueg4qzOYr98lsY1TzSGI7d5LXX7BIh5cCkK1Gm_7VVwstMX7I0/s1600/blog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwfOp0WfHhj57ZB-GuSLGz9sfg5csDGuWoj_Xi7MD36yZ6_3rz-yZkf1uEvJzWESNTCffVY0Q6vjsZ-duI7IrS0Tb0ueg4qzOYr98lsY1TzSGI7d5LXX7BIh5cCkK1Gm_7VVwstMX7I0/s320/blog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast</u> <i>(4 Points+)</i></b><i> </i></div><ul><li>1 egg</li><li>2 egg whites</li><li>¾ cup low-fat milk <i>(I used skim)</i></li><li>¾ tsp vanilla extract</li><li>1 ½ Tbsp brown sugar</li><li>1 Tbsp Splenda granulated sweetener (optional)<i> (I used 1 packet of Sweet 'n Low)</i></li><li>1 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li>4 slices thick-sliced bread (like Texas toast) <i>(I used whole wheat potato bread)</i></li></ul><ol><li>In a shallow bowl, mix together the eggs, egg whites, milk and vanilla extract until combined.  Set aside.</li><li>In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Splenda, and cinnamon.</li><li>Spray a medium nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat.</li><li>Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture, coating both sides evenly.  Place the bread into the hot skillet while underside is cooking, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cinnamon sugar mixture evenly onto top of toast (pressing it through a mesh sieve makes for a nice coating).  Flip and finish cooking for 3 minutes, checking occasionally, while being careful not to overcook cinnamon sugar-coated underside.</li></ol>Makes 4 servings.

Eat What You Love Weight Watcher Recipes Eat What You Love: Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast

Another recipe from Eat What You Love!  This is called Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast.  I typically make my breakfast for the upcoming week over the weekend.  I would guess that this would have been better eaten fresh out of the skillet, but it st…

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THE FINANCIAL MONOPOLY GAME Part 2

<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Global Society Gamblers</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Paris Club and the IMF</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">RATING AGENCIES, THE FEDERAL RESERVE, <b>THE PARIS CLUB, THE IMF</b>, brokers and speculator, all are part of the “CASINO FINANCE” the world is currently suffering from.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Ignorance blinds and thus imposes a danger to those who neglect the signs of change on the eco political global landscape.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">THE PARIS CLUB and the IMF will sooner or later have to face reality and accept that BRIC nations and like it or not also SOUTH AMERICA are gaining geo –politic and economic power.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Is it coincidental that the Paris Club and IMF are both closely connected, that the new head of the IMF is once again French? </span></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">TWO INSTITUTIONS ONE PURPOSE  </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The PARIS CLUB and the IMF are closely connected and both entities have one objective, to lend money to mainly third world countries and countries with weak economies in order to dictate them their terms and conditions which in the long run favor the interest of those entities who formed these organizations in the first place.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The PARS CLUB is formed of 19 of the world’s so called wealthiest nations, who naturally use their power to impose upon the lending countries their doctrines which in most cases turn such countries into even worst economical as well as political crises.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">POLITICAL IGNORANCE AND CONSTANT UNDERESTIMATION OF BRIC (BRASIL, RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA) AS WELL AS SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES WILL BACKFIRE ON THE USA AND EUROPE IN THE NOT TO DISTANT FUTURE</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA82pEnW43MqvdgET4ZBK1SJxjn2xhSF6BzY_LiLm1HqdgE0jBcjLCDJ909eHCRcPajgFQx8QP6BdiCaAjgyS06LBItIMarMNc17UF8s-kCO7ggfrGog-ssKzkh4TxEWBsBcfs1myabA3/s1600/parisclub1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA82pEnW43MqvdgET4ZBK1SJxjn2xhSF6BzY_LiLm1HqdgE0jBcjLCDJ909eHCRcPajgFQx8QP6BdiCaAjgyS06LBItIMarMNc17UF8s-kCO7ggfrGog-ssKzkh4TxEWBsBcfs1myabA3/s400/parisclub1.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Viewing the world map displaying the PARIS CLUB member states in comparison to the current global economic shift it becomes evident that this model as well as the dominant USA and EUROPEAN presence in the PARIS CLUB and IMF is slowly but surely becoming obsolete. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">BRIC Nations (BRASIL, RUSSIA, INDIA and CHINA), other ASIAN countries and SOUTH AMERICA as well as countries such as TURKEY and to some extent the MIDDLE EASTERN countries are already surpassing the so called established first world economies. This is the reason, why the key players of the PARIS CLUB and the IMF clinch onto their power, regardless of the signs of time.   </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">THE IMF AND ITS TRUE OBJECTIVES   </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">One of the first rules the IMF cases imposes on lending countries is to reduce its budget on national health care and education, two of the main pillars in society which guarantee intellectual as well as economic growth in a country, but at the same time imposes a danger for the ruling class, for a educated and healthy society cannot be as easily manipulated as a uneducated. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The IMF has created an immoral system of modern day colonialism with its structural Adjustment Policies (SAP) for the poor. The question is how long will emerging economies play along with the game?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The IMF serves wealthy countries and the “Casino Finance” Market of Wall Street, which deliberately caused the financial crisis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Is it coincidental that the Paris Club and IMF are both closely connected, that the new head of the IMF is once again French? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">WIND OF CHANGE</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">If the IMF and the PARIS CLUB neglect the signs of the geo political and economic wind of change currently blowing across the globe, they will eventually be left alone with their ignorance overrun by emerging economies. EUROPE and the USA have reached their eco political zenith, only to be replaced by BRIC nations as well as ASIA and SOUTH AMERICA. Clinching onto power will only increase the downward spiral.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Let’s face it, economic growth in above mentioned countries and continents is evident and nothing can lead around this fact, so what does the IMF and their lobbyist do? Warn of the dangers of economic overheating.     </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">AS I SEE IT: </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> There are many controversial issues and conspiracy theories concerning the IMF and the PARIS CLUB, and not all their causes are of bad nature, but one has to consider the facts that countries such as ARGENTINA etc. who opposed the terms and conditions laid upon them by the IMF and the PARIS CLUB ended up being better off economically then those who adhered the IMF. Ironically the PARIS CLUB was formed in 1956 in order to help ARGENTINA to avert default during the PERONIST unrest.  Currently ARGENTINA is negating its debt repayment with PARIS CLUB.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Background info on : <a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/ME24Dj04.html">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/ME24Dj04.html</a> and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2082575/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://www.slate.com/id/2082575/</a></span></div>

THE FINANCIAL MONOPOLY GAME Part 2

Global Society GamblersThe Paris Club and the IMFRATING AGENCIES, THE FEDERAL RESERVE, THE PARIS CLUB, THE IMF, brokers and speculator, all are part of the “CASINO FINANCE” the world is currently suffering from.  Ignorance blinds and thus imposes a d…

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My New Favorite Sport

In my personal opinion, a sport is something that gets you moving and makes you sweat. Dancing? That is a sport. Sitting on the couch? Not a sport. Cheerleading? Yes - I believe that is a sport. Playing an instrument? Well, it depends. If you're in a chair in an orchestra hall, no, that is not a sport.<br /><br />What I saw last night involving instruments definitely would be included as a sport in my book. Last night my friend took my to my first Drum Corp competition. And wow! I think I'll be going to more of those shows!<br /><br />Drum corps are a summer sport involving teens and college students, roughly ages 13-22 (they "age out" if they are 21 that summer). The "drum AND bugle corps" consist of brass, percussion, and color guard. But if I were to say that was it, I would be missing out on the majority of the corp. There is brass of all shapes and sizes - trumpets, euphoniums, tubas, baritones, and probably more. The percussion section is huge, too. Not only do they have the marching drums - snare drums, quads, and cymbals - but they have a "front percussion" with electronic instruments and a variety of orchestral instruments like vibes and marimbas and other smaller percussion (my area of "expertise"!). Finally, the color guard has various types of dancing, but they also have to learn flag spinning, and working with/throwing in the air and catching mock rifles and sabers.<br /><br />When you put all these elements together, it's hard to watch. Hard, in fact, because so much AWESOME stuff is going on and your eyes can't keep track of it all! First the color guard is dancing crazily, and then the front percussion is going nuts with their mallets, then the brass suddenly breaks out into a giant chord of amazing, and then the flags appear, then this guy throws a mock rifle 20 feet into the air and catches it <b>on the beat!</b> How do they do that?<br /><br />Most of these performers are full-time high school and college students who join a drum corp in their area and train like crazy for days on end. They compete against other corps in competitions like I was able to see in Whitewater, Wisconsin last night. It was the Whitewater Classic, brought to you by the local drum corp, the Madison Scouts (who, ironically weren't there last night - they are on tour on the East Coast right now). But the eight participating corps were wonderful to watch - especially the last two: the Blue Stars (from LaCrosse) and the Cavaliers (from Rosemont, IL).<br /><br />For the inexperienced viewer, you could say that watching a Drum Corp competition is basically watching a three-hour halftime show. But once you start getting into it, you realize that there's so much more to it. Firstly, everything gets judged. The Cavaliers won last night's competition with a score of 81 out of 100 possible points. I don't know the exact judging requirements, but I'm guessing it gets pretty crazy trying to keep track of formations and saber throwing drops.<br /><br />Secondly, the drum corps don't have any woodwinds (clarinets and flutes). It really allows for the brass to really shine. (Sorry, clarinet and flute players.)<br /><br />Thirdly, this isn't a retro trip to the best of the Beatles that you're watching. This is artistry! Some of the pieces picked ("Nature Boy" by Eden Ahbez, or "Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op 47" by Shostakovich) wouldn't be found in a football halftime show. And the color guard has to help the drum and bugle sections convey the storyline of the songs, through costumes and acting.<br /><br />I haven't mentioned the uniforms yet! Those were some of the coolest band uniforms I'll probably ever see. Some look like standard marching band uniforms, but the Troopers' (from Casper, Wyoming) uniforms are actually modeled after the Union Army's 11th Ohio Cavalry during the Civil War. Plus the Drum Major (who directs the whole show - and also is in the age range of the other performers, which is awesome) of the Troopers has a sword strapped to his belt! I am a conductor too - can I get a sword?<br /><br />I really got a kick out of watching this competition, and I look forward to seeing more. I'm a little sad that I didn't hear about this until I was in college, and one of my close friends alerted me to it. But now I can anticipate each summer with thoughts of seeing another Drum Corp show.<br /><br />(By the way the World Championships are going to be a movie theater near you on Thursday, August 11. Plus there are a ton of Drum Corp shows before then. You can go to dci.org to find out more! Please do - you won't regret it!)

My New Favorite Sport

In my personal opinion, a sport is something that gets you moving and makes you sweat. Dancing? That is a sport. Sitting on the couch? Not a sport. Cheerleading? Yes - I believe that is a sport. Playing an instrument? Well, it depends. If you're in a…

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Stay connected to your networking without being a pest

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder Writer <br /><br />The cliché that "It's not what you know but who you know" is very true when searching for a job. Yes, experience matters, but a great interview can be meaningless if everyone on your list of references says you're a terrible person. An amazing GPA might not matter if you're competing against the CEO's daughter for a job. She has the better connections.<br /><br />This is why having a solid network is important in your job search. Thanks to technology, you can stay in touch with people via email, Facebook, LinkedIn, text messages, video chats and more. Whether you worked with someone five years ago or met one time at a holiday party, you have several ways to add to your network of people who might help you land a job. <br /><br />The problem is that you might be desperate to find work, but these people have lives to lead. They don't need to see your smiling face every day asking if they found a job for you. Rather than alienate the very people who might be your best hope for a new job, follow these five simple guidelines so that you can stay in touch without becoming a pest:<br /><br />1. Use social media to your advantage<br /><br />Social media is the obvious way to stay connected to colleagues and friends, even if you don't speak with them on a regular basis. Yet, one size doesn't fit all in this category. Some people are strict about using Facebook only for personal reasons and don't want to have acquaintances or business contacts on their friends list, while others might not have even heard of LinkedIn, which has become the Facebook for professionals. Then there are other sites, like Twitter, that allow for some connection between friends but isn't as comprehensive as either of the other sites. Which should you use?<br /><br />Figure out how each person uses social media and stay in contact that way. Occasionally commenting on a status, saying "Hi!" on their wall, or thanking them for posting an informative article are simple ways to stay in front of them without being obnoxious.<br /><br />2. Meet them for drinks or lunch<br /><br />Some network contacts are nice people who you don't mind saying hello to in the hallway but you don't want to spend an hour or two making small talk over a meal. Don't feel pressured to -- especially because they might feel the same way. Reserve regular in-person meetings for people whom you consider a friend and enjoy spending time with. An occasional lunch appointment or even quick coffee break together is an easy way to stay fresh in their minds in case a job opportunity comes their way. Plus, that's an hour or two you get to spend time with a friend.<br /><br />3. Don't network with enemies<br /><br />Although not everyone is in the friend zone, some people are decidedly in the enemy zone, or at the very least you don't get along with them. Don't force a network connection with them because it won't make them like you. In fact, your insistence will probably annoy them more. Plus, do you think someone who doesn't like you is going to give you a glowing recommendation for a position?<br /><br />4. Make the relationship mutually beneficial<br /><br />No one likes a selfish person and no one wants to help a selfish person. If your entire relationship with the people in your network is about you and your job search, then you're not networking properly. When you do interact with your network, whether online or in person, talk about something other than yourself. Ask how they are doing and talk about topics that make it clear you're not simply using them for their connections.<br /><br />More importantly, be a resource for them. If you come across a job opportunity that is a good fit for someone else, let people know. People in your network could be in the same situation as you. If one of them asks you for help in finding a job, assuming it's not the same job you want, do what you can to get the word out to your connections. If job search karma exists, you want to be on its good side.<br /><br />5. Read their signals<br /><br />The best way to avoid being a pest to someone is not to push their buttons, and not everyone has the same buttons. Rather than insist everyone be your Facebook friend or everyone meet you for dinner once a month, figure out what each person prefers. Social media addicts who are on Facebook and Twitter all the time are probably perfectly happy to exchange in wall-to-wall conversation with you. Someone who logs in LinkedIn once a month might prefer to talk to you over email or the phone. In all interaction with your network, learn how each individual prefers to communicate and follow suit. It's a nice way of showing that you respect them and pay attention to them, instead of making them feel like they're just one of a hundred people you're pestering for a job.

Stay connected to your networking without being a pest

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder Writer The cliché that "It's not what you know but who you know" is very true when searching for a job. Yes, experience matters, but a great interview can be meaningless if everyone on your list of references says yo…

Read more »