Live From Quito 5: The Losses We Endure

Disasters have been a major theme of this House of Bishops. We heard from the bishops of Vermont and Albany about the flood, from the bishop of Western Missouri about the tornado, from the bishop of Texas about the drought and wildfires. It has been one hard year! They expressed their appreciation for the prayers and support of the rest of the church in helping them through these catastrophes.<br /><br />The Archbishop of Japan showed a DVD and gave a heartbreaking report of their triple disaster -- earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear radiation. The bishop of Haiti updated us on the slow process of rebuilding their broken nation after that earthquake. He was deeply grateful for our support and to Bishop Katharine for her repeated visits to encourage and console the Haitian people.<br /><br />The bishops have been very solicitous for the people of Reno involved in the air crash. They assure us of their prayers.<br /><br />All of this is probably why I found tears in my eyes at today's Eucharist when we sang Thomas Dorsey's hymn written late one night in 1932 in an Atlanta hotel after he learned that his wife had died in childbirth and the child had died too while he was away.<br /><br /> "When the darkness appears and the night draws near<br /> When the day is past and gone<br /> At the river I stand<br /> Guide my feet, hold my hand<br /> Precious Lord take my hand, lead me home."

Live From Quito 5: The Losses We Endure

Disasters have been a major theme of this House of Bishops. We heard from the bishops of Vermont and Albany about the flood, from the bishop of Western Missouri about the tornado, from the bishop of Texas about the drought and wildfires. It has been …

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Live From Quito 4

Just a few highlights from today: one of our guest bishops from another church in the Anglican Communion told us that once when he was a new bishop he asked his wife, "Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine that I would be bishop of this diocese?" She replied, "Darling, in my wildest dreams, you do not appear."<br /><br />An English bishop informed us of issues in the C of E including the upcoming Synod which will decide whether to admit women to the episcopacy. He indicated that many in England believe the discussion of the Anglican Covenant has been helpful but see no need to actually adopt the Covenant. He made no prediction of the outcome and did not say how he would vote. My prediction: we will endorse the core values in the first three sections of the covenant but not the sanctions in section four. I also predict not many other churches in the communion will sign on to the Covenant.<br /><br />The bishops from Liturgy & Music reported on the same sex blessing liturgy drafting process. Enormous work has been done. Massive input has been received. More revising is probably ahead. My opinion: this rite will be approved in some form. There will be controversy about it. But whether it is a bloody controversy depends on which book we put it in. If we do this in a way that effectively compels all dioceses to use the rite, there will be real crises in several dioceses that oppose it. If we do it in a way that authorizes but does not compel its use, it will be used by most dioceses, and the ones who oppose it can dissent in good conscience without a major crisis. There will be upset but we will get through it. I also predict that whatever rite we authorize will be imperfect. Both the rite and the theological supporting document will be revised after a few years of experience.<br /><br />We had reports and a panel discussion on the economic, environmental, and migration challenges facing our Episcopal Dioceses in Latin America. I was particularly struck to hear that restrictive immigration policies and deportations put people in a vulnerable situation. In that situation they become prey for sex traffickers. I had not made the connection between those two issues -- immigration and trafficking -- which are both major concerns in Nevada.

Live From Quito 4

Just a few highlights from today: one of our guest bishops from another church in the Anglican Communion told us that once when he was a new bishop he asked his wife, "Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine that I would be bishop of this dioc…

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First Annual St Mary's County Septathalon

Over the weekend, Joel's brother, Nathanael, hosted a "septathalon" in honor of his 30th birthday.  It was held in St Mary's County, MD - down near the Chesapeake Bay.<br /><br /><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/AVvXsEhzPuj1zPOOfsPzzRuq2r6dELMyRUDIlxsNnRiQvZa8wkRYba04r7hq44wa7KucXpgSTNfvyFVDxEy2t9Xu_kKDECjYm9OngIzjDVyR8Qx0DONFPYf20b22AD-xIWbyxJtJkDs-qxQvWL4/s1600/Septathalon+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPuj1zPOOfsPzzRuq2r6dELMyRUDIlxsNnRiQvZa8wkRYba04r7hq44wa7KucXpgSTNfvyFVDxEy2t9Xu_kKDECjYm9OngIzjDVyR8Qx0DONFPYf20b22AD-xIWbyxJtJkDs-qxQvWL4/s400/Septathalon+007.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I snagged this pretty burnt heart on one of the dead trees near the river</td></tr></tbody></table>The Septathalon featured 7 events: yoga, swimming, biking, running, fishing, eating and drinking.  Not your average kind of sporting event :).<br /><br />I participated in 3 of the "main" events: yoga, biking and running.  Our yoga instruction was very quick - sort of a kick off to the entire event.  Once the guys (and 1 girl) finished with the swim, we started the 22 mile bike ride.  I actually only ended up doing 11 miles because it was pouring down rain and extremely hard to see, but I was really proud of myself for doing half of it.  I even felt really good after those 11 miles, I could have/would have kept going if not for the rain.<br /><br /><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/AVvXsEgRIsOJzhzgCOHgbnuu1HO_wVLGQbEZgr8fFIowl0QLAgZkkygAAjffJPWgEdWjvvKxWlhekyw-u7QT7rrdTob6YsQ1XTWSwOG0O6BDCnil1U3k2pWwBYqFnnAYQOIogazgxzdUZzGibqc/s1600/Septathalon+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIsOJzhzgCOHgbnuu1HO_wVLGQbEZgr8fFIowl0QLAgZkkygAAjffJPWgEdWjvvKxWlhekyw-u7QT7rrdTob6YsQ1XTWSwOG0O6BDCnil1U3k2pWwBYqFnnAYQOIogazgxzdUZzGibqc/s400/Septathalon+095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's me in the background gearing up for the 11 miles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />After the bike ride, we proceeded to the 6 mile run.  After much convincing, Joel agreed to do the run with me.  We started off with a light jog and then had to walk for a bit because my hip started to hurt a little.  We made it 2 miles before we spotted Joel's brother running back to us, letting us know that the bar we were running to was closed (this was for the "drinking" part).  So, we just turned around and did 4 miles instead of the planned 6.  Joel and I both jogged for a little over 2 miles though - so I was very pleased with myself for that.<br /><br />I was <b>extremely proud</b> of myself for biking <i>and </i>walking/running.  Never have I ever biked 11 miles and ran/walked 4 all in the same day.  And by the way, Joel's brother did every single event in it's entirety.  Granted, he trained for the whole thing, but still - SO awesome!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ6zISGHBMjjVE71CM7LReeuL8kLjsdUdjW6HxH9mefejp-NYDH8mNpQ7QTa1xOck-Dd7E4rVUbraeIGZWjjGPpgAncfUqLEkGRNyloUVdbKa74Ipd_Yv48gzXA_uhzrbNm4CGppEPCs/s1600/Septathalon+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ6zISGHBMjjVE71CM7LReeuL8kLjsdUdjW6HxH9mefejp-NYDH8mNpQ7QTa1xOck-Dd7E4rVUbraeIGZWjjGPpgAncfUqLEkGRNyloUVdbKa74Ipd_Yv48gzXA_uhzrbNm4CGppEPCs/s400/Septathalon+106.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br />It wasn't long afterward that stiffness and soreness set in.  In fact, not only was I achy, but Joel and I both battled some serious stomach problems.  It put somewhat of a damper on the remainder of the day.  We ended up leaving the post-Septathalon BBQ early because of our stomach issues.  <br /><br />Still, I had a lot of fun on Saturday and I take so much pride in proving to myself that I was capable of doing these events, even if I am 256 pounds.

Exercise Septathalon First Annual St Mary's County Septathalon

Over the weekend, Joel's brother, Nathanael, hosted a "septathalon" in honor of his 30th birthday.  It was held in St Mary's County, MD - down near the Chesapeake Bay.I snagged this pretty burnt heart on one of the dead trees near the riverThe Septat…

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NATURAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION, A WELCOME EXCUSE FOR WARMONGERING?

<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>FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, WEST TO EAST……</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;"><b>SINO - INDIA </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;">Geo-strategically speaking we are currently facing potential “NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT ZONES” in the MIDDLE EAST, the SOUTHERN CONE (ARGENTINA, UNITED KINGDOM) and last but not least, the FAR EAST, SINO- INDIA. </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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvyCkXprCTnbr6QlF8oVc9bvK44hOdzyoYBCdPQOj5H6x58srTobEnlSoRwsdi3ZAkH7zNFapd23ZsDHX73m9oBxO-eAXzIr16z6Le64t5qki0QtGVWatG38r1GU9WJ6wY4wmLMixTBIz/s1600/schinasea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvyCkXprCTnbr6QlF8oVc9bvK44hOdzyoYBCdPQOj5H6x58srTobEnlSoRwsdi3ZAkH7zNFapd23ZsDHX73m9oBxO-eAXzIr16z6Le64t5qki0QtGVWatG38r1GU9WJ6wY4wmLMixTBIz/s1600/schinasea.gif" /></a>The later emerged when INDIA decided to push its “LOOK EAST” policy and ventured out into the SOUTH CHINA SEA, a move which has change the SINO – INDIA geostrategic rivalry once and for all. The visit of an INDIAN naval ship in VIETNAM, as part of a good will visit, annoyed CHINA but was kept at low profile. This time around though, the quarrel is far more serious and has to do with exploration projects by INDIAN state – owned OIL AND NATURAL GAS CORPORATION (ONGC VIDESH Ltd) in two offshore blocks that VIETNAM claims. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">CHINA responded by issuing a statement which clearly objected oil and gas exploration in water which CHINA claims as part of its jurisdiction. INDIA on the other hand responded by stating that its cooperation with VIETNAM is in accordance with international laws, norms and conventions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">See also <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">INDIA clearly is eager to engage further with VIETNAM on economic issues and cooperation’s in order to obtain a slice of the booming economic “cake” of the region.</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>CYPRUS, GREECE, ISRAEL, RUSSIA versus TURKEY, SAUDI ARABIA  </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;">On the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN natural resource dispute which involves TURKEY, ISRAEL, GREECE AND CYPRUS, RUSSIA sent two nuclear powered submarines to patrol EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN water around CYPRUS to enforce the islands right to explore oil and gas in its territorial waters.</span><span style="font-size: large;">   </span><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;">Global warmongering surrounding the quest for natural resource seems to gain momentum and comes also as welcome distraction from the current financial crises the USA and EUROPE are facing.</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>BALKAN NATURAL RESOURCES</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last but not least we should not forget about the vast amount of natural resources available in KOSOVO and BOSNIA, including possible oil and gas reserves. The only reason oil and gas exploration in these parts of the BALKANS have not taken up momentum is the unstable economic and political situation and the worry by the international community of the consequences such findings would trigger in such versatile and ethnic environment. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">  </span><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;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">See: </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/mission-impossible-quest-for-natural.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/mission-impossible-quest-for-natural.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/08/bosnia-cursed-by-european-union-eu.html">        http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/08/bosnia-cursed-by-european-union-eu.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

NATURAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION, A WELCOME EXCUSE FOR WARMONGERING?

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, WEST TO EAST…… SINO - INDIA Geo-strategically speaking we are currently facing potential “NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT ZONES” in the MIDDLE EAST, the SOUTHERN CONE (ARGENTINA, UNITED KINGDOM) and last but not least, the FAR EAST, SI…

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How to answer, "Tell me a little about yourself."

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/7t/ar5l0xq6szf88r05d47t.gif?time=12/10/2010%205:37:35%20pm" /></div><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="color: #ff7700; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></h1></div><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b><br /></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To a painter, an untouched canvas holds unlimited possibility for a bold new creation. But for each artist, the potential for something great is counterweighed by the potential for unparalleled failure.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Similarly, excitement and anxiety loom over job interviews. When you present yourself to an employer, you hope all the right words come out and you woo them. You only practice the perfect responses to questions, never the wrong answers. But in the back of your mind you know that you might end up sounding like a terrible candidate who no employer will ever hire, even if you're actually the perfect person for the job.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For a job seeker, the blank canvas is the open-ended question. When the right answer requires more than a yes or a no, job seekers need to take advantage of the freedom they have with their responses, not fear it. But perhaps no question intimidates job seekers more than "So, tell me a little about yourself."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You have many ways to answer, and the best response might depend on the stage of your career.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>David Copperfield you are not</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When Charles Dickens begins the tale of David Copperfield, the novel's namesake ruminates on his life. Where and when he was born and what he's to become. Leave that specificity and personal information to classic literature or your personal ads. Employers don't want to know about your childhood. They're concerned with your professional qualifications and any history that's relevant to the position.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here is some information you don't want to blurt out when asked to tell a little about yourself:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">· A brief summary of your childhood</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">· Your dislike of your current boss and your desire to get a new job ASAP</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">· The details of your current divorce proceedings</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">· Your passionate religious and political beliefs</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">· The fact that you're probably moving in six months and are just look for a temporary job.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Employers don't care that you're the youngest of three children and played the bassoon in junior high. This personal information might naturally come out during conversation, but it's not what you want to lead with. Wherever you are in your career, remember that employers want to know what skills you bring and how you will help their businesses.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>If you're in college...</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">College jobs can vary from part-time positions you take to earn extra cash or they can be entry-level positions you use as the basis for your desired career. Either way, you're at a stage where education is your most significant qualification. And if you have work experience, mention it as an example that you're responsible and have a track record as a good employee.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer shouldn't sound like:</b> "I don't have any 8 a.m. classes because I usually stay out late. And I'll need weekends off."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer should sound like:</b> "I'm a full-time student studying education. I worked as a barista for two years and then as a sales clerk at for the past two summers, so I have plenty of experience working with customers."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>If you're just out of school...</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When employers hire new graduates, they know they're not getting seasoned workers with decades of experience. They also know they're getting workers who might not stick around for very long but who are current on the latest technology and trends.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer shouldn't sound like:</b> "I just graduated last week and have a list of ideas on how to improve your operations. You're doing a lot of things wrong."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer should sound like:</b> "I just received my B.A. in marketing with a 3.9 GPA. My courses in account management give me a strong foundation to begin my career with XYZ company, and I'm excited to learn from the industry leaders here."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>If you're mid-career and looking to switch industries...</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Many workers who specialize in one field for several years begin to think about exploring other industries. Either they grow tired of their jobs or they realize their skills can be put to better use elsewhere. Whatever the reason, their focus should be repackaging their experience for the new industry they want.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer shouldn't sound like</b>: "Well, I've been a manufacturing supervisor for 15 years. I don't have any experience as a sales supervisor or in sales at all."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer should sound like</b>: "For the past 15 years I was a supervisor at ABC Manufacturing. You might wonder why I want to move into sales at this stage in my career, but much of my time has been spent negotiating with vendors and meeting with CEOs. Although the industries might be different, the skills are the same."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>If you're easing into retirement...</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Seasoned workers might not want to devote the majority of their week to working, but they aren't ready to leave the workforce entire. When interviewing for part-time or contract work, these workers want to play up their experience and commitment to the job.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer shouldn't sound like:</b> "I've had enough 50-hour weeks. Let the young workers try to keep up with that pace. I'm ready to finally relax and earn some extra money so I can finally quit for good."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Your answer should sound like:</b> "I've seen the industry change over the past 40 years and am eager to see where it goes in the future. As consultant, I'm eager to share my vast knowledge with clients in order to help their business grow."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; 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></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

How to answer, "Tell me a little about yourself."

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder WriterTo a painter, an untouched canvas holds unlimited possibility for a bold new creation. But for each artist, the potential for something great is counterweighed by the potential for unparalleled failure.Similarl…

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Still not back to normal

At least I'm sitting upright, and not in the bathroom. I ate breakfast about an hour ago and feel really nauseous and slightly dizzy. The room isn't spinning out of control, but I don't feel good.<br /><br />I'm staying home from work today. I tried to read a few work emails this morning and just scrolling through them made me feel nauseous.<br /><br />If you haven't figured it out by now, the one thing in this world I really hate is being dizzy and nauseous. Its one of the reasons I've never been a big drinker. I can't stand the feeling of drinking too much alchohol. That's exactly how I feel right now, like I drank I drank a lot of hard liquor. I've had maybe two glasses of wine in the last six months. <br /><br />I've been eating really healthy for months (or is that years), with a few Ambien-induced slips, but usually on healthy food (except that piece of cheesecake and potato chips last week - yuk, cheesecake - the thought makes me want to throw up!). <br /><br />I'm guessing this is just some stomach bug I picked up somewhere and not something I ate. I thought it might have been my fresh organic baby spinach in my blackberry smoothie yesterday morning, but I've been eating the same brand for months. It's pre-washed and I think it's safe. I don't cook it, but maybe I should steam it a little before I put it in my smoothie (that is, if I ever have a green monster smoothie again - that thought makes me want to hurl too).<br /><br />My plan for today is lots of water and very little food. Only because whenever I eat anything it makes me feel really sick. I'm thinking about going to the store and buying saltines. That's right, white flour and salt. I really don't care at this moment about healthy, whole-grains. I just want something to calm down my stomach.<br /><br />No gym yesterday, although Saturday was one of my best workouts ever. Somehow I managed 61 minutes of "vigorous" activity according to my BodyMedia. Getting even a minute of vigorous activity is difficult since it has to be 6 METS or more, which usually means at least jogging at 4.5 or higher on the treadmill.<br /><br />I was on the elliptical and I think it helped that a coworker and friend of mine was on the elliptical next to me. He's a guy and about 20 years younger than me. I was working super hard to keep my heart rate up in the 140 range (131 is my 80% HR).<br /><br />I still totally love my new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Purple/dp/B001F0PVNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316454127&sr=8-1">Polar FT60</a> (it was 50% off at Amazon and it's really magenta, not purple). I finally ordered the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polar-1307238-Flowlink/dp/B001EO6YS8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316454097&sr=8-1">Flowlink </a>for it, which will enable me to download my workouts to my computer. I didn't think I needed that, but I've since changed my mind. I guess I'm sort of a gadget geek.  <br /><br />I also ordered a frozen yogurt maker at the same time (really need to go back to work and stay there so I stop buying stuff!). I tried making frozen Greek yogurt bars using Stevia (NuNaturals--the only brand I like). It tasted great, but the texture was weird.<br /><br />I was buying <a href="http://www.teamyasso.com/">Yasso </a>frozen Greek yogurt bars at Costco, but it was hit and miss on whether they had them in stock. Usually a miss. I love Costco, but if you find something you like, you're never guaranteed it'll be the the next time. The Yasso bars also didn't have any fiber because I'm sure they strain out the fruit pulp to make the bars creamy like ice cream. I liked the chunks of fruit in mine, but there wasn't anything creamy about them. The Yasso also contain a stabilizer with guar gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan,<i><span class="st"> </span></i>and soy lecithin. I looked all these items up and they're all plant based ingredients, not chemicals. I'd still prefer my own homemade bars, where I can control what's in them...Greek Yogurt, preferably Fage 0%( although I tried Costco's brand of Greek yogurt - didn't like it), fresh or frozen fruit and NuNaturals Stevia. Three ingredients.<br /><br />All this talk about food is making me feel sick. I looked at a few blogs this morning and the ones with pictures of food, I couldn't even look at them.<br /><br />My weight was 179.2, but I know that's just because I've been sick. Not eating much and living in the bathroom. I'm pretty sure one good meal will shoot it right back up to 181-182, where I've been sitting for a couple weeks. <br /><br />The sun is shining. I might try to go for a walk. I think the gym isn't a possibility today. The thought of the elliptical sort of makes me feel seasick.<br /><br />I'm sounding more and more like an old person. Constantly complaining about my aches and pains. I promise, my next post will be strictly about health and weight loss. I'm even getting bored with my health issues. <br /><br />

Still not back to normal

At least I'm sitting upright, and not in the bathroom. I ate breakfast about an hour ago and feel really nauseous and slightly dizzy. The room isn't spinning out of control, but I don't feel good.I'm staying home from work today. I tried to read a fe…

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Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon: "No down payment is the secret of prosperity..."

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsEhfLCCpC3JtoA_1ggHLyFtAmYPbyMIWrzsrC-_wAdMHm_oSoHysYKr6IvS1ZEx6-FY8tGOxwO_heGuhEzbMJsrhWNSZ9ndXO2hZqa-q-yksPBRWfxqvvSrXszafT4mCZG5ILxOV6g3/s1600/NDP+bordered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsEhfLCCpC3JtoA_1ggHLyFtAmYPbyMIWrzsrC-_wAdMHm_oSoHysYKr6IvS1ZEx6-FY8tGOxwO_heGuhEzbMJsrhWNSZ9ndXO2hZqa-q-yksPBRWfxqvvSrXszafT4mCZG5ILxOV6g3/s1600/NDP+bordered.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s Los Angeles in the 1950s and the GI Bill-fueled migration from city to suburb is in high gear. An opening shot of a vast (but shockingly empty) freeway system sets the scene. A gorgeous young couple in a late-model Chrysler cruises out of town. They smile as they pass billboard after billboard trumpeting newly minted middle-class subdivisions: Fairview Ranchos, Enchanted Homes, Dutch Haven, Park Village Estates and, finally, Sunrise Hills (“a better place for better living”). They exit to the hills.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><a name='more'></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2LigSe0c9Lv12jam2hyyC9sHjarKdG-Hu5UIU0Abf_V1crJn18fgH5-Ta66cK_j6VeYD2KTvtGEfDflLNMJFWxs_uBXRsXITTxlVapWWXSTysDAmIoCBe7YpTo0Hw_IkZnOLWqdb4z7u/s1600/ndp+randall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2LigSe0c9Lv12jam2hyyC9sHjarKdG-Hu5UIU0Abf_V1crJn18fgH5-Ta66cK_j6VeYD2KTvtGEfDflLNMJFWxs_uBXRsXITTxlVapWWXSTysDAmIoCBe7YpTo0Hw_IkZnOLWqdb4z7u/s400/ndp+randall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flaggs: Sheree North and Tony Randall</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So begins Martin Ritt’s second feature film, <i>No Down Payment</i> (1957), a slice of suburban realism generously spiced with melodrama. An ensemble cast portrays four neighboring couples who’ve staked their claim to the American Dream in Sunrise Hills. Pat Hingle and Barbara Rush are the Kreitzers (Herm and Betty), an easygoing pair, he manages the local appliance store, she’s a housewife. Tony Randall and Sheree North are the Flaggs (Jerry and Isabelle), he’s a boozy car salesman with get-rich-quick fantasies and she’s a housewife. Cameron Mitchell and Joanne Woodward are the Boones (Troy and Leola), he runs a service station and aspires to be police chief – and she’s a housewife. Jeffrey Hunter and Patricia Owens are the Martins (David and Jean), the couple in the Chrysler, newlywed and new in Sunrise Hills, he’s an electronics engineer and, yes, she is a housewife.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoi65IZx8L6M5YWdIumzX1cXvOtQ6jfiUAP_KLH7cN_4qQXKj88X8g3PaBRgcz7dHiK9-am-ElwFIJw0BqGfrBP-S-dQFej0Lfhg5PkxZdUjlb6V_RXIBjustobvxcq3kf_EVxznQIzRG/s1600/tract+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoi65IZx8L6M5YWdIumzX1cXvOtQ6jfiUAP_KLH7cN_4qQXKj88X8g3PaBRgcz7dHiK9-am-ElwFIJw0BqGfrBP-S-dQFej0Lfhg5PkxZdUjlb6V_RXIBjustobvxcq3kf_EVxznQIzRG/s320/tract+home.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-century Southern California, a better home and garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ben Maddow’s adaptation (fronted by Philip Yordan) of John McPartland’s breakthrough 1957 novel is, under Ritt’s  direction, a combination of grit and soap that mostly works, sometimes doesn’t, but has always intrigued me. It’s a high-drama trip into a particular era in a place close to home.</span></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>No Down Payment</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> takes place north of my hometown, most certainly in that part of L.A. known as “The Valley,” aka/the San Fernando Valley, the city’s now enormous bedroom community.  On the heels of World War II production and the post-war boom with its VA/FHA home loans, The Valley experienced a population explosion so powerful that by 1960 its citizenry numbered more than a million.</span></div></div><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the Martins make their way through the streets of Sunrise Hills to their new home, we get a glimpse of the housing development. From the curb, the houses and yards appear identical. As the plot advances, we see that they are the same inside and out – stucco, wood, glass and brick ranch homes with high windows facing the street and floor-to-ceiling glass and sliding doors facing backyard and patio. Standard issue includes a fireplace, kitchen nook, bar - and a console TV with a young tot or two rooted in front of it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMb7qCw85sGknOMS0nO-Jq_IRF4cYW7ICYE0roAW31WFJ6IxpGc3_wzXWsVZGVJhFhp281EUaRTiNcQME-4CENUscoC9XVO4_-Rj8vf0uXOptEHvBsZHbhtYrqLIWjWXUm4GCKF1tHkAk/s1600/NDP+neighbors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMb7qCw85sGknOMS0nO-Jq_IRF4cYW7ICYE0roAW31WFJ6IxpGc3_wzXWsVZGVJhFhp281EUaRTiNcQME-4CENUscoC9XVO4_-Rj8vf0uXOptEHvBsZHbhtYrqLIWjWXUm4GCKF1tHkAk/s400/NDP+neighbors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kreitzers & the Martins: Rush, Hingle, Owens and Hunter</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once the Martins step into their house for the first time they kiss happily, then passionately. Surveying their patio and backyard they meet the Kreitzers, whose yard abuts theirs. “Hi...welcome to Sunrise Hills,” calls Betty. David and Jean are quickly invited to a backyard barbecue that night at the Kreitzers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just as Herm promised, there are “steaks on the fire” and, over stiff drinks, the new couple meets their other nearby neighbors, the Flaggs and the Boones. Isabelle Flagg is enthusiastic about the area, “Sunrise Hills is just the living end,” she chirps. Troy Boone mentions “saving green stamps.” But Jerry Flagg, several drinks ahead of the others and bursting with irony, observes that everyone in the subdivision is “only 25 years in debt.”  The men talk about the contrast between Depression era life and the present. Having endured World War II, the post-war age seems secure and comfortable and David Martin crows, “I think we were born at the right time…we’re here now and everybody’s doing great!” David served at Los Alamos during the war. Music drifts from the stereo and soon dancing begins. Lecherous Jerry makes moves on refined Jean as they dance, and David watches uneasily from the sidelines. Troy, a proud war hero, cuts in and saves her - after which Isabelle and Jerry argue and, as the group looks on, she slaps him across the face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhmG4VYZV79xGkpJL-mlQLMFumA3w_R8FL7au8waDb-aPT826pqfxERJWil5Z80r-xYCJQOG6A0dCypBHTzSP6UvgDs7JHiA-S_OS3b04knwJ34Seddbex7hMY9b1ZxSYp5BoaSYmAL_v/s1600/50s+drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhmG4VYZV79xGkpJL-mlQLMFumA3w_R8FL7au8waDb-aPT826pqfxERJWil5Z80r-xYCJQOG6A0dCypBHTzSP6UvgDs7JHiA-S_OS3b04knwJ34Seddbex7hMY9b1ZxSYp5BoaSYmAL_v/s320/50s+drinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coping, '50s-style</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A night or so later the Flaggs, reconciled once more, throw a neighborhood cocktail party; Jerry has made a sale and insists on celebrating. It’s the same four couples, together again. By now we know that Troy and Leola are hicks from the Deep South (Jerry calls them “Daisy Mae and Li’l Abner”). Troy is ambitious and quick to anger, Leola is sweet but erratic. We’ve learned that Herm is the rock of the community and that he and Betty are a <i>simpatico </i>pair.  We’ve seen Jerry drink in nearly every scene – as Isabelle worries and frets either in a corner or in his face. David and Jean are deeply in honeymoon love – but she is pressing him to move into a better paying job.</span></div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYaXJdlscv9Aj0xJaRektfnvfBFO6UJUgtnOXcFNcGFGrCpiSVrmnegS3lp_nvqYI8tFaijt5tZ-wVsjnjQVXhAlwBP4nwNW6YEAzP0PYrOAaDsmwrr5TMXBYufIF-89OTHDjwsnW4fxX/s1600/ndp+white+trash3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYaXJdlscv9Aj0xJaRektfnvfBFO6UJUgtnOXcFNcGFGrCpiSVrmnegS3lp_nvqYI8tFaijt5tZ-wVsjnjQVXhAlwBP4nwNW6YEAzP0PYrOAaDsmwrr5TMXBYufIF-89OTHDjwsnW4fxX/s320/ndp+white+trash3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy and Leola Boone: Cameron Mitchell and Joanne Woodward</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tension in this microcosmic enclave continues to build. Herm and Betty grapple with confronting discrimination; one of Herm’s key employees, a Japanese-American man, has asked him to challenge the whites-only imperative of the Sunrise Hills developers. Jerry, who bent the rules to make a sale, is out of a job and on the verge of being thrown out of his house by fed-up Isabelle (classic lines: Isabelle in a frustrating heart-to-heart with Jerry: “You’re the man, you’re supposed to know what to do!”; Jerry’s view, “All our troubles boil down to one thing – money – how to get a bundle of it!”). Troy and Leola have had a volatile life together from the start and things only gets worse when she drinks - and then, worse still, he doesn't get the job he's been counting on. David, responding to an implied ultimatum from Jean, goes on a sales trip; his timing couldn’t be worse. While he’s away, one neighbor’s bout with a bottle and a belly full of resentment turns ugly and violent.</span></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhwrKlJ-LQtd8PdeLg8daPCriq2DxYqjUMbtyEuTvWJGqgAJbFM_uz8uyAgh5L7a793Tt3jCtBoFoRuZNAKzy7TQvT2z5c0WSPSHijwJgfVX9-yOasM-kwPx-4Wyts0dqMTRrKmUEtujm/s1600/Leola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhwrKlJ-LQtd8PdeLg8daPCriq2DxYqjUMbtyEuTvWJGqgAJbFM_uz8uyAgh5L7a793Tt3jCtBoFoRuZNAKzy7TQvT2z5c0WSPSHijwJgfVX9-yOasM-kwPx-4Wyts0dqMTRrKmUEtujm/s1600/Leola.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Leola Boone'</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1957, Tony Randall wasn't yet completely typed as a comedic actor. His energetic turn as desperate Jerry Flagg, a man of extreme moods and desires, is an eye-opener. Cameron Mitchell oozes barely contained fury as Troy who yearns for the glory and respect that was his during the war. Pat Hingle is engaging as an honorable everyman, self-possessed but not immune to the pressure to march in step. Though top-billed Joanne Woodward offers tender and thoughtful moments of subtlety, she also overindulges in occasional histrionics (bringing to mind the high-strung heroines of Tennessee Williams).</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even with its excesses, <i>No Down Payment</i> is potent commentary on the suburban culture it dramatically depicts. To be honest, I'm not sure my pleasure in it is all that "guilty" anymore.</span><br /><br /></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/AVvXsEj5xlvyGX6VeQarC9EjEzy2YkcnpE4RYcC6GRrO35V_xKGIG65JZEzW2fxZMcVwLGCCqhPnL6bfXynCJmTfcwA5nzXif4mlYxeFi_qdWfziDxT4g91W1YKLl6_xMVpUhded-4cwJM5CSLI9/s1600/no+down+payment+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xlvyGX6VeQarC9EjEzy2YkcnpE4RYcC6GRrO35V_xKGIG65JZEzW2fxZMcVwLGCCqhPnL6bfXynCJmTfcwA5nzXif4mlYxeFi_qdWfziDxT4g91W1YKLl6_xMVpUhded-4cwJM5CSLI9/s1600/no+down+payment+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anxiety in suburbia<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></b></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://clamba.blogspot.com/2011/08/cmba-gulity-pleasures-movie-blogathon.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Click here</span></b></a> for a link to the full list of blogs participating in the Classic Movie Blog Association's Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon.<b> </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://evesreellife.wordpress.com/" style="color: #0b5394;">Click here</a></b> to learn more about forgotten writer John McPartland, the author of <i>No Down Payment</i>.</span></span><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

Barbara Rush Ben Maddow Cameron Mitchell Jeffrey Hunter Joanne Woodward Martin Ritt No Down Payment Pat Hingle Patricia Owens Sheree North The Lady Eve (author) Tony Randall Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon: "No down payment is the secret of prosperity..."

It’s Los Angeles in the 1950s and the GI Bill-fueled migration from city to suburb is in high gear. An opening shot of a vast (but shockingly empty) freeway system sets the scene. A gorgeous young couple in a late-model Chrysler cruises out of town. …

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Ten creative writing sites you don’t want to miss

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><em>Written by Fiona Beal</em><br />These days there are many wonderful,  free Web 2.0 interactive creative writing applications to use with your learners. What I like about these applications is the fact that even the reluctant writers get involved quite easily. The use of these Web 2 tools also open the door to many advantages. For example, stories can be shared with parents instead of being lost in a school classwork book or on a piece of paper.  They can also be shared with classes around the world if they are embedded on a blog or wiki. The writing process which is so important in writing can easily be incorporated into the lessons.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1. Write circle stories using Etherpad</strong> </span>(<a href="http://ietherpad.com/">http://ietherpad.com</a>) <br /><br />A circle story is a great way to use the writing process (write first draft – edit - write final draft) in class and it helps the reluctant writer or the writer lacking in confidence to feel part of the process.  A great application to use is Etherpad. Notice that the web address has an ‘i’ before <em>etherpad</em>. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HF2L1ZjxMyPiT_4SNEC047lIOvn3ebCibePNw2U63gj1peNID0t1fsG7QOSqwK2jdX7ep2PWCCINFePykBLgEVOxyJ6srP1HdQJxjNUi6CuJ4q_sWVqs5RLnkuDgiEH_XqIY7nr3MVU/s1600-h/ether18.jpg"><img alt="ether1" border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53YUy78PyAi_C4CSxsDoKE_yisoXvvgvpwKRNrZYVmMmy0jUj7_6vhHsRPquFi8oIR6AVpTIRN7hH4rJsWI__5gdAFT6oSkQkbcOAn2cbqViSRb4lE6r3VflJC6IPYTnhDu3peE_4cqs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ether1" width="242" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcUg76XX86YDCAj_el25wqNwMAmH-3rad-bUGWo7IcQZZRM0t4w7esw78URQyiCeVa3qZKmMS-zOGL6nhdqv445_yYo-a3ZZMK8TdL1WrEz3TJ1ofqy3WJH7vF5d9lTNUCWQHpPe3QbY/s1600-h/ether24.jpg"><img alt="ether2" border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6qhcWK8RC-UCG6LH2-_g1SwNi8pWR9cFDepjJfwlsfwPJd7QnB_Ywr3x6GZ00DOEoTKyIkXpP8hLTEusmgf8a-bwfCb3-vsUpuRKkzM965KEoNTSc5EIWj1GQ-lQbCo2QEqI_PePHi4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ether2" width="242" /></a><br /><br />When I do circle stories in my computer class I divide the class into groups of four with each person in the group starting their own story. You’ll notice that ‘pad’ in Etherpad is given a code. Before I start I create all the pad and write down these codes so that the students have easy access. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcr9IEAXfQjLkote0vCfrpxeA1kS9lr4WZbURZcEjDtBUq08F9Jg1-h8F7tKavecv5RQu5BeNC_xrdDt8yeehXpGnQZcuAzEcJYv5BkGXzV8K3-PQnqM0Lyrf9woZfBxA_SLZp4tHwFs/s1600-h/etherpad3.jpg"><img alt="etherpad" border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvNj_TokETOJFtOSY55MjIm1BymgdDLNZ8kD7GtVp3KIHma7uNtVV6d8dMVHNptRwO9sU80sVCiGMOhYOJcPz7Kv2ps6xYTKRrCxCtpk_2wwD6a2xkLDoYmL0PxBgQ7qOG6dk7T78k_s/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="etherpad" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Please note that there are other Web 2.0 applications similar to Etherpad, such as Primary Pad.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrC2ScbFfLddfgR4zB7owmH_jpbnqlM4qVn-pl5tM2J0bbfWzlXXbcucLJOk_bHCJfFDwnSIKo2YjbhXq75K2UgNI1lw2v85FR71MhgZexAr11MONIJcr340RzSe3BAQDxe2Uwix0xDk/s1600-h/cr12.jpg"><img alt="cr1" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUjiRP0FKzveCggaBzWse8N-19kp4VmR7ZBnQLZvMBw5vJdg1sx7m9Pp3K28im95gc3E67oylVdcPIDjUUQkvtiYt9aEt0HtZc8EREn0vgXdjFt9ReV_8vQVDmYdFJeTEEHjXUH0713k/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cr1" width="244" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2. Story Jumper</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://www.storyjumper.com/">http://www.storyjumper.com</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZkekm9jtLoCC-kcGpASNTZ8jJkMTy10MAGe9hjlSzl3x03dOjaPVqmBbReUtkTG7_t0Iuc42SS4hFeL3Bcgy0cCw398Y3g8I1jjNOwvWeLxq6eujAg3NnP6CjfJhVAZOhLImJkkTFyU/s1600-h/storyjumper14.jpg"><img alt="storyjumper1" border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6XmucCj_kiQWljfXLs4MRqt5kPykF7CCq1ToeCBsYbn6xWpOY4tF_mjFAh8Zrv5LDrMMDWuV_UTpp4mvDhOM2M6Au-NprxnhU_ktCAMaNuQhXuPrFabkjbqdMgv5fdpxYR1ekvRN4bs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="storyjumper1" width="242" /></a><br /><br />I love using Story Jumper in class because it enables you as a teacher to add your whole class and allocate them passwords and easy access. The application also provides a great selection of backgrounds, characters, props, text boxes and fonts for the students to choose from. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydD2atc7JIB9eUoeN3Y4R2pZz3f2D5k4WhLq8J85nnnX4dK6bdHrcDJs2qrRDfnJApE71kk6Pb__BAaYrHZ1gG_r8deZKPVaYLFRso_F2Z-JXDq0dSOqDD8A7INS2U4tX6L9bdMptwW0/s1600-h/storyj13.jpg"><img alt="storyj1" border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac6YFd05Xuwg33AsdcP9Z5CZtk6L8ttIf-Rrgn45AAukeO2Q498H3JkexVLQEw7v-CAoYODzN8oBFycKhnjo0Qafhe4-5fYGIK_sg1TYl54aHkCW8AUcTSBk00-Jg9tybT8LNpvCRQhw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="storyj1" width="242" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8BA8tJwOsgvp5Cy-arpS430gqHSBXHSw98iv1RiEb3yBykCbZMZgL5ER6y8aYvnpQzEb8_XNZMhwRGQz_FJrjHdk53emPMdJNWXQUpjdGYnb8kTaV9fnklhMzbpqpSSQbnLlnwEwxAo/s1600-h/storyj23.jpg"><img alt="storyj2" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLgzxVXV_Al3gJjD8CANSIE_LUebpCv41i5xr4qzWTTyKxtsTk73ePEL2nJMKwC-RuMLqkWlAP1d0vD1v7jnIVH6lIrXaUtl9yuUL9bUhDs6H3OOLpPvXGh-9AmrMoHbWcPE_OBfpPw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="storyj2" width="242" /></a><br /><br />The final story is presented in a flip flap e-book format. <br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>3. Storybird</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://storybird.com/">http://storybird.com/</a>)<br /><br />This application has to be one of my favourites! Like Storyjumper it offers an on-line story book for students to create from scratch.  I found that even the students who are reluctant writer enjoy this programme because you start with the art. Once again you can create easy access for a whole class. The starting point is to choose a beautiful piece of art. Once that is done another batch of related art appears. Consequently the students are really helped to chose their story line from all the inspirational art.  <br /><br /><a href="http://storybird.com/books/no-ordinary-day-2/">No Ordinary Day</a> <span style="color: #666666;">on</span> <a href="http://storybird.com/">Storybird</a><br />  <br /><object height="274" width="436"><param name="align" value="lt" /><param name="scale" value="noScale" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="book_slug=no-ordinary-day-2&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /><param name="src" value="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf"><embed src="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="436" height="274" align="lt" scale="noScale" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="book_slug=no-ordinary-day-2&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /></object><br /><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://storybird.com/books/all-of-my-crazy-weird-stupid-at-times-annoying-lou/">All of my crazy, weird ,stupid, at times annoying , loud and caring friends</a> <span style="color: #666666;">by</span> <a href="http://storybird.com/members/ellvis7/">ellvis7</a> <span style="color: #666666;">on</span> <a href="http://storybird.com/">Storybird</a></span> <object height="274" width="436"><param name="align" value="lt" /><param name="scale" value="noScale" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="book_slug=all-of-my-crazy-weird-stupid-at-times-annoying-lou&size=xl&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /><param name="src" value="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf"><embed src="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="586" height="368" align="lt" scale="noScale" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="book_slug=all-of-my-crazy-weird-stupid-at-times-annoying-lou&size=xl&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /></object><br /><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://storybird.com/books/the-new-kid-39/">The new kid</a> <span style="color: #666666;">on</span> <a href="http://storybird.com/">Storybird</a></span> <object height="274" width="436"><param name="align" value="lt" /><param name="scale" value="noScale" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="book_slug=the-new-kid-39&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /><param name="src" value="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf"><embed src="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="436" height="274" align="lt" scale="noScale" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="book_slug=the-new-kid-39&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /></object><br /><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://storybird.com/books/the-pirate-ravenue/">The Pirate, Ravenue.</a> <span style="color: #666666;">on</span> <a href="http://storybird.com/">Storybird</a></span> <object height="274" width="436"><param name="align" value="lt" /><param name="scale" value="noScale" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="book_slug=the-pirate-ravenue&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /><param name="src" value="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf"><embed src="http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="436" height="274" align="lt" scale="noScale" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="book_slug=the-pirate-ravenue&size=large&configXML=http://storybird.com/storymaker/paths/" /></object><br /><span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,times new roman,serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"></span><span style="display: block; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 5px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>4. Artisan’s picture books</strong> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">(</span><a href="http://artisancam.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://artisancam.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">)</span><br /><br />This is a free online writing programme which is great for the younger learners. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m1-8QMLkVT-4ZD4Izj2ezIrI-bgo1wfV8YkpMRqlaMrmEoF4iy9y76SOfFTFt1KSNz1fEjg9dNb3-juRJA343nlk8j9VnQOzCXXrEmbhXr4u4AK8HzVOig5aBSnIrJaeNvHbA9O2sa4/s1600-h/artisan12.jpg"><img alt="artisan1" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviJ5FKtRbjks48JJi_McGulvXfgl1Q26gCIWILdzXWB9De6XokeaQd6XWnc0OXaVlc4W2MzbK_i3DSJbBLc_pgtOoxlrtWpP04oLT_sbxBNt8D4yBz5n69NLUZQF6j3Cpjj2UcCk_ptQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="artisan1" width="244" /></a> <br /><br />The themes are fairly limited but the younger learner love wild animals so this is no deterrent. The end result is a e-book. The application allows you to send an email link to whoever you would like to read your book. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hhd65owGDvscwAl6TLgqMaxvkOrTuBOvC1H2liSzHFeTGe67BrTJskfVwY7d4xr1b0tB75lK93jjj9xCxou-yQSlU55MAFY1Hh-gAMM5uaQ2XZcm_eh2XC0-ruYD5gayIIMOfasPKHE/s1600-h/art22.jpg"><img alt="art2" border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41wmJPouMJVYu1N4_sHL7PFAL9Al05yzJPOCg98moK2dfigu02bG200HIBgPhjvSVqcLHluo0BMZg0dwwIehEW5AEn2ifUqJqQnXsgGTFzfwwIGw8fFAPSd-_OfjdwKtPkv61nwdulgg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="art2" width="244" /></a><br />  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvo-tPiJ_GtIFtpnW4dV0LEi33HjmNEa3VVUHD03vSRGOhrmyEdK7q3sDwuKs6TN1ngUlgPpb6JeyB_81r1uYq0NMIWIv0qWySkHZGHnVPhnhACW_P-enXSKBkQy3nmWJOG_f83yipa0/s1600-h/art32.jpg"><img alt="art3" border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExjcWdbQDZonGCMB7dRz1_eywGr7piQUudhVAz7iuBTJuxcKUjBcxM9U0aj7XpnI4XOIYkYd9BHBb-HKOKyBmCmSUpm_KOoAkIxJIhs1C0tOyEiv0GezTSzzkdH4hZBQL3iH-NnqK_Dk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="art3" width="244" /></a><br />  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AO1moEGXy2W9JYWqKSkKTjn7dll02BY8D5DaFr8odGvcgBxIxvx8Rm-nzJ6cghbMNgGhzh1eG8lCPzfECGcv8KJ8e-0EyRAPbqS0rRYTFBTLfYzfU5yVelLsTWKBMnkoX3UvOpPHirA/s1600-h/art43.jpg"><img alt="art4" border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Y7bZhd_DFNghlrlNZgknnC0NAT1Wk-HesBQ9GNln2Pb65jzMoHiPAaxf0KXrJIGwfmaRJwomXJIc8EiOswAA0lSIthQ8rPAf4ez5WHAeOJ_p3SSn50apiDhh-7Uudkn1XvjJZ3U0D8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="art4" width="242" /></a><br />  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg168RL2VRfU0xttXmaXhH52ATc1OOgGwfANZRVxk7KotLxbNkTZEkiPmObr0py6S8gr9lOxtWfiUetuwmtgVVIXeu39GfgHKLB0pG6lZWZ3ZYwFVR28DTaDSlJ7Du-SHfMJEydcstP2KM/s1600-h/art53.jpg"><img alt="art5" border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4-goRlrwZ3vKFHp78Sk0gzrixdlQvDwGAHiORnS2yGLwkrmJ-wmIXxE0S6kwG6PsL4p1K8m3sTqsDCwqSRCrLa4AlPY-usreAxIKneUokKTCNyfxTYJutcYidsrEx38y-tlC82TU2HY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="art5" width="242" /></a><br />  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCQ5hx_oybh6XASLyP9gflcSb_dT2qTNxHwpfxSySrQA7iVSEPLKkuoN7De-MEQX-GAcfvtHwvnoZP-w9oietsUgzrxvsG4uxB8wZnhC_OfvG_ieoue7pKc7jJ6gDHSxbp9dEhwGNWCo/s1600-h/art63.jpg"><img alt="art6" border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQWWNRyKDChB8zQlkgsgvnS2S22o5bMhEyHLrDT4kUoLnekhXRwNfbV-H8fyQ90c0V0W9cWLmGD8xn5qut4pC06kF8HzQrzrvk71yUTC4JvHWIHOJY_rEBY1KjWXYQ7fdEvUxzd8SDfc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="art6" width="242" /></a><br />  <br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>5. Kerpoof Studio</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://www.kerpoof.com/" title="http://www.kerpoof.com/">http://www.kerpoof.com/</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-j_ZytTylxYpmToTHeWgpzCclpAvScA-kMGFNANgaNvYB4ezdi3dyYYjkj3WM-aYBaZu1C-hAOdU-3aCfGgSx4H5xwoYhGW-UWJBJIFUDoXIU_i81fg3V0FUk_aRljJuw_U4FYmJH-VE/s1600-h/kerpoof3.jpg"><img alt="kerpoof" border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGWGpQPHa8y1kSdu-bgTIESR-AIHqV6r0Vvx-R6bW-VEx5tWFO0bVdqUPfq5px2yESMkTefrlw7eDRs5fQN7ThVq4PEzATSLTxMPl9nObLpP4kjo1huMJg9JBqF1KubcB1bWCZQyHcZM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kerpoof" width="242" /></a><br /><br />This a kid-friendly, intuitive application where students can create fairy tales, realistic fiction etc. using illustrations  and writing for characters, setting, and plot. I haven’t yet used this application but I would love to try it out. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs7azZDS0NyOLlamiqExs0KYcPSGw9462LPWRVnNrMj1UxSBbeGnOwBXzT-v9gNUj6WBUNwQL8heVBoGJAFLQzfBFAEE8qQtijJ4UO2w3ULb01c0urOG7sEL2-v5Vf5EhlR3J6XT7BWA/s1600-h/kerfoof2.jpg"><img alt="kerfoof" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVf4qhQXSMI_DWPdsMNrFBjey7wplfVMzVvDJAo17n2JMyxp3MTRsBBwp7QGHlpls6zDg0AObDmBG3ddWZyUEO2ckxRDkdZPQSy5qv76k4KlziQQ3ClvQ68hry9AFlM1rFx2s1ndrgV0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kerfoof" width="244" /></a> <br /><br />The books can be printed, too. <br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Sites using photos in a fun way</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Photofunia</span> </strong><br />(<a href="http://photofunia.com/">http://photofunia.com</a>) <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzstUuA7Xe6Lzrpxz2-GlCPhHbjvy8ueGfsUO2oFLK2STpRFrjtEYL9oqTG05GxqW147uap-PO4maJ_JTvqo4r5VuYRvuzor3aWxE3kCCbKIP3DCR0PdnNHpb3DNq-lz9T4yzqHv1Ue0/s1600-h/photofunia2.jpg"><img alt="photofunia" border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0E2LJ0pMkzILho5Jsrdu5trewmNvG_wojOqq2G6AZvGmrutcUCfMsIYvTUq_2pUWTCJX6PQBkF9OXagn0ZRuLy-eNDnfYljVXqDq2eka6sCwxM3DjVqo8Mc0R50hhxq0cYZYaBX3h2YY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photofunia" width="244" /></a> <br />  <br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>7. Picjoke</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://www.picjoke.com/">http://www.picjoke.com</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA6FS1eW7uWIFGm5Aa3w3jEsGY2UCBs4c07m_4WQhQQLrMIO5gdXlxgTHeT5BFcY_ck3N0p30VfulC42TQvi1nly3RSNSfMeFUhGb3DWMTOf-CibXZb9ALtAY_zNIN43k3P8RKMLs980/s1600-h/picjoke12.jpg"><img alt="picjoke1" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OlyILiy8t1t1fK-96j25LRNFHXAJE3-r69uH8o4D61O5kRxGt5pizeZAqfHyeyC9Seu1x6sWfP1Bw2TrlPvXxpRzI9bWOVgFWVsxoFQGI7XAHDj2MjNePXhQNY-UUhQSI7gHLBX5b-Y/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="picjoke1" width="244" /></a> <br /><br />I have discovered that the older students love using sites that can include a photo of themselves. In these photo fun sites they can choose pictures that can tell a story, and then write about the picture. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNrVVyYpxajksdWWgBCiRavMBW9zvRKqKC9Hm5GnsHxVyGp6cMyrR5BhSE4z2MX1ezQmvCyrhTNMdCBTDW53mA3P5z6Jvoxhdqt-JXS4Pnevvdvs6_ouKha7EOpiBUSj4ib8CEJUW88o/s1600-h/Picture12.png"><img alt="Picture1" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LtgFZhYDVFxkrvdVqo5XrmdRcpNJ-OTELnNc0yjW7pawZM5ViX3Rq675P7Z2nOdzVSUdyPQIbXwzihhHv_b4ddYkmwxmKvMAGvyP0kDaFZb53K8Kc102W7iyuunysyHg4Vq6_Sf2VqI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Picture1" width="189" /></a> <br />  <br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>8. Piclits</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://piclits.com/">http://piclits.com</a>) <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38Wt3_98x5LzZxviIoQ9AG5ZJevKbjVJP67mwncbsYJ_hmNjmhckBZAnyHiqIxZcb5obJHwMPjBDV0Ct9fifWDg4F9KyjCAaNf9ZkZL27dxFVLOeuH8f2OUGO_NO2F-5jmKLqO9hHBGY/s1600-h/piclits3.jpg"><img alt="piclits" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOJtCHyXZhVao4NCN2FgDd-WfAZ8JL2hqTnnZ-Z2Cr64_1hEf1HC8pproEv6dneHxhNGGt-B6VGStbqRnG3LBqzF-IcsZ-10iSFNBbIgqVsUjqOE-A2lt9wjzG10xqmXuvcV3su2YiP0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="piclits" width="230" /></a> <br /><br />What I like about this site is the way it provides a drag-n-drop feature which lists words that can be used. This helps the reluctant writers a great deal.The enthusiastic writers can choose the freestyle section. A selection of photos are provided for the background.  I usually ask the students to create poems when using piclits.com <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dBRIuk09HYXWNACjBb9b28DkPnMKXHbX4A67x6r1aFB-QN1pYOB1irEbAe4CVCuQJRqkNchpDuvLt7A1lYlTbwmsYTIvovg6GgFvsp5dCAOAC2NhyphenhyphenN82c1ExJcFYgzpppeWQArUXt0A/s1600-h/Picture23.png"><img alt="Picture2" border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawbO9tK-rHFblCOb3Wr17Oox0E-Nctg8MqqVX4ZnlstdKbRtephKi_-Svgf9b43wUX7ZOX-w0kYtmuCpA1v_9H6dNh2lDZyzHpYfihd3n7NtQkOXvmufl6pgDo-n6QpB3KC0wWfFIxFo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Picture2" width="242" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>9. Young novelists’s workbook</strong></span> <br />(<a href="http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/workbooks" title="http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/workbooks">http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/workbooks</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2-Cs7iS56Lk2P8F36QghyphenhyphenXciDgleLMNo74-jfFHU8AjyrFHdbczSthHfn_3NNk7XbK80cp_KbE_gjE8ROkemCKdhmjYb8JO31FrwGyaKRIBWbqh2BvF_BIbCntHCLyz_eeQfbfRrENE/s1600-h/novelist3.jpg"><img alt="novelist" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo66caSQRqmrjPETbluHTapBZlDTZqitW5b1lXG25rh2FVWK8HQqy3A6jZIus8cTiZm0Tr7kO8iByNsfeBoqdbb4Ly1qpGSF2a-Li-5XVDkEYm7Z6fw-DvjrAwoX7uO5knBLIroG94DA4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="novelist" width="221" /></a><br /><br />If you are wanting your students to create a novel this site offers potential. It has workbooks that one can download for the students to use.  The opening blurb says, “Inside each workbook, you'll find worksheets and activities that will spark your imagination and guide you through your novelling…” <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10. Write a script with Script Frenzy’s young writer’s programme</span>:</strong> <br /><a href="http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/educators" title="http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/educators">(http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/educators</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPBHDx6G2iuffMlcHupff97o7-v53wjDPAJgmchF40s3Wq9RcVTxY4y5HSrE1miJ4gVnp9eBEIU_mg87fk-d_ZH-IYhsXTnSCvnAfQJF5UNc4yUMPuvfYO0Xh4Y4prUXeX620sC0Qz8E/s1600-h/scriptfrenzy2.jpg"><img alt="scriptfrenzy" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUuynF9J358FOook7j97cwTU6cRJlei9lzuhV7VEp2fKZXkjHNAI1Q0sCGP2KoF0gGRRRD5dbJmyraPDwA8aBN6Y_SrnzYbXuj25JpZTVcSbxM-qcdyPTa2vBfa3OcA-uEGmcmlkujFI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scriptfrenzy" width="207" /></a><br /><br />This site provides you with free workbooks for the students to use (<a href="http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/files/scriptfrenzy-ywp/SF_Workbook_Elementary1.10.pdf">http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/files/scriptfrenzy-ywp/SF_Workbook_Elementary1.10.pdf</a>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryKo0C8Q8R9syrZEEQXQfpWD8qJdYtXbYUX7cQwCej5iZMD5FME-xfTu61QXqnqpA2KkTu5NZxr11ytBY_P-MelmUpmLdWvpMMlrQXtkmLlS-y2WTl-MvtutRvZW0_TlI-AnKwbrb30Q/s1600-h/scripyt2.jpg"><img alt="scripyt" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeg44kV4z3RH-uHWvdVzfs1QOqgVFQBFeDP6glMB9l_IOEFL7EqofyOu6yJvNP4MDDCqoSBLv_lgn6BsAa9-pK4rDaLkLmHiTmu6JjUjiMNBskTeACBxaNU2OLej37-Y3kt6gV2Kds0I/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scripyt" width="222" /></a><br /><br />With all these lovely sites available to educators and students great writing can be accomplished even when budgets are very tight. </div>

Creative writing Ten creative writing sites you don’t want to miss

Written by Fiona BealThese days there are many wonderful,  free Web 2.0 interactive creative writing applications to use with your learners. What I like about these applications is the fact that even the reluctant writers get involved quite easily. T…

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