Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life.<br /><br />This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel along the water. I went for a walk here today. It looks a lot prettier in the picture than it did in person. The water is terribly polluted, full of garbage. Plastic bags, potato chip bags, even condoms were floating in the water. The grossest thing I've ever seen. Of course I'm only four miles from the airport, always a notoriously bad area of any city.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s1600-h/walking+trail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470133692463890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s400/walking+trail.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p></p><p>This was a picture I took from inside the Oakland Airport terminal. They have a great view.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s1600-h/View+from+terminal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470125447148354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s400/View+from+terminal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />More pictures from in front of the hotel, on the paved trail.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s1600-h/view+from+pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470116109815138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s400/view+from+pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s1600-h/view2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470106052736130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s400/view2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div>Pigeon picture. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s1600-h/pigeon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469508434480834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s400/pigeon.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The pier in front of the hotel here in Oakland is the San Antonio fishing pier. Guys were fishing off this pier. I'd never eat anything caught in this water. Too gross! And don't they know San Antonio is in Texas?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s1600-h/pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469499066818962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s400/pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Cool artwork in the Oakland terminal, painted on the windows. Not in our terminal, but in our arch enemy's terminal (that other airline who shall remain nameless).</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s1600-h/OAK+2+002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469494403808274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s400/OAK+2+002.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />A view of my hotel from the pier.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s1600-h/Hotel.jp.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469480214384434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s400/Hotel.jp.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>How on earth did I stay in my room for a whole night, look out the "window" this morning, and not realize it was a sliding glass door with a balcony? The view from my room, that I discovered tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s1600-h/balcony+view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469469594041794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s400/balcony+view.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I'm not going to talk about my day. It was just another day in my life. Difficult. Exhausting. The same old same old. Nothing new.</div></div></div></div></div></div>

Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life. This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel ...

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The Sister Challenge is On!!!

<p>Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &  activity and your support was key in to the success I had from last November to June.</p> <p>So here I am….my lowest in May was 156, this morning the scale said 173.5. :( I’ve been seeing those upper 160s & low 170s too much lately. Today, DECEMBER 1st, is day one for me….again! I have been thinking I need to get serious again and what happened Saturday was just the key, so sit tight and read along!</p> <p>My sisters and I had breakfast together Saturday morning after Thanksgiving with my Grandma. When I got there they were all talking about about the “bet” and who was going to win. So of course, I wanted to hear what this was all about. Lo and behold, it was about weight loss! They originally wanted to do a certain # of lbs, but I said we should do percentages, which in turn ended up being more weight for me to lose! lol In the long run it will be good for me! We settled on 8% and $20. So whoever loses 8% of their body weight first gets paid $20 by the other three sisters! Bring on the challenge sisters!! I’m ready to be back to my slimmer self!!! :) And beating my sisters wouldn’t be too bad either!!</p> <p>Without further ado, here is my day of eats!</p> <p>I started out the day hitting snooze and wanting to stay in bed with Kyle rather than go to the gym. Great start to the challenge, Darci!!!! lol But the extra cuddle time with my man was nice! It will have to last me all week ‘cause I’m hitting the gym the rest of the mornings this week!!!</p> <p>I had a <strong>small banana</strong> on the drive to work for <strong>1 point</strong>. I love little bananas. Kyle thinks it funny that I always look for the little bananas instead of the big ones when I’m picking them out at the grocery store!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOTikDy3oNVZAS83fOM5C8fCGLJ1JHq3dQxHGup8BgcbyPtMuv7goHA3XMkfQSj1YxfOzl3Mf8jW_sQAx5PfVLrr_Q4bIsyA9IkHd0ygrfxauxuS-AZ7d-iZIeh4B_NR46qYYWWbu_X3u/s1600-h/DSC05159%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05159" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8HSJI7H3DefXrvP5VcQ8wHOJWuiwftNhMa6HwRDlE7QZULH324DeE6pkRzdqaCXuRO0O9PDG3dsxkxxa2VGzFOSxxU4z3DqwmSx_2ijRU6WWZ2EmEk8SdbY2JqD22TFujwY5PLlFXmFY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05159" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>When I got to work I made a quick bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> and added a few <strong>blueberries </strong>for <strong>2 points</strong>. These blueberries had been in  my freezer way too long and ruined my breakfast. I ate the majority of the oatmeal, but it wasn’t good! Note to self: throw out blueberries & buy new ones!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUQqPuIQKJ4yAzup_f8FMA9dOGe4dwS4PCf8e3sHMz3KSAhQb6h0SUwmLs_sf7kbqzQsdbF2kYy9_ku2q8sotB6n9BI6iIN0OQuzwT7zmQkRgvmEDX67PS2zAZDAz3a0h_E8OYMxDgGOv/s1600-h/DSC05160%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05160" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVT84CzEFsQOe6AGI5nWalDmnaPK5yISSvITtwirEplp5h5VYfkDHQBewKPID150DLDMVg8HcGppS4KRLwwaI95teosIISSpnjbgpp3GdGbskBRXC0GpynzkSLmR6UN3jBW1ktl9to1xN/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05160" width="504" /></a> </p> <p>I also had<strong> 2 clementines</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> with my breakfast. I love the fact that you can have 2 for only 1 point!! And boy were they good, super sweet & citrus-ey!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BreL6nqKVpjNZj2ptNXUXtW982s6HhNyKdVcDbz_fH0_krWcftf_6WeAspYCYy33mRS3-AF96CJzervwCWlyNvrBLz2x5f0QN5luxuaznyZtRk7dRgyH3YTzX3oiAMvFm9qKwFQM4EQ5/s1600-h/DSC05161%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05161" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt21NrZecLpRL0LJ6QojdyCDYKrfzTynIu-6eLL_eGo2ghn0eEIIxAC0mbYi26uunv1-genYirWj-gbTq30I6sqsSQAz9iaYU_sP31ioh5DWz2bYGlD8_SRcsxM0vPhznAtQNiKUbqNm2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05161" width="604" /></a></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="778" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="336"><font size="3">I couldn’t wait for my morning snack. I know you guys are used to seeing this, but it’s a been a while since I have had my “<strong>morning mush</strong>”!! Strawberries really aren’t a fall berry and haven’t been too good or on sale at the grocery store. They were on Sunday, $2/pound! Kyle and I stocked up, I think we got 5 or 6 1lb containers! I thoroughly enjoyed my morning snack for <strong>3 points</strong>!</font></td> <td valign="top" width="440"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuIaNwakycALJ6xB2aeX4e_uxu7AcT8kSWcWydwf8A75Wxa7yjsRIUUZ0F6o8p5fIn96F_a2tSjuOXiTXEk7AAHTo4_6V84USGBDGTHvY_Ns2mB4hVDjuPYXU_laYnzCKmVUITduymDVg/s1600-h/DSC05163%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05163" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyBZ60eiCaRCwmMwErbXme3QLT16mTT2A83Dc4jzA5r1kkC-pLH-zSV3oDTkgoRAe3yi-1E4VUjYwToHcRi2nDQ0J0nzimnl1YTB5_3-lqk5huDX96kxzzgKTuuTqSULPx6Jm2DA_NU9p/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05163" width="403" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKEv83GEUbEOWg0HvmNiD1kqMoHIcKcDtXFQnasxQsiLPSPZ8miohpYNErGzReVZtGeVs354AkFwc8biQF2Df46qrjIZIZEKBydFsnYYSocQr2WajeM96_zeiSId5c0HkU6WeCxvAfVvj/s1600-h/DSC05164%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05164" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-iSZ1vixHH3WlzPI3sxHfFs3JlOxe9Xee_btulumcj7l20N_Qynq23YdQgFKWEpjKcW5Qn2q_4NChESVPH97AADZ9dWHDX0HtNDN182ZlW0d-azx1sf_I7KRYaPxGkyyHau_kUzTdQXx/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05164" width="403" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>I had a full plate for lunch today and I enjoyed every inch of it! It was fill with a <strong>sliced golden delicious apple, broccoli w/cheese, and a turkey & cheese sandwich</strong> totaling <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoKQY4SI4RWYY3eZqSFuX3tCQtRjt7W4DDUD9c5QOOlW8LbrrCyE-bDpXh-ghcglNAE8j3e6gbl9WT1APQoMhPKYN9XYvaYOfHe7WXCWNdDftULduwghM3gZnWhMVKGzMAVcvzeqkfY09/s1600-h/DSC05165%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05165" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj05FXOqyIKkld5PFt-05EdhGmyPPW8gR8j2sL4evnzVajpj-K1bUONGUH9jurpaSZ5KAPISKtCdinyiCgGjQw16LrC6alNa8prLOwJ822dZ4vs_Bs4wjTtQE-N-KXCjDcdXgs2FEDT5oz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05165" width="629" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I packed a quick gym bag over my lunch break so I could get a sweat session in after work since I slept in this morning! My afternoon at work FLEW by, which is always good! Afterwards I hit the gym for a great <strong>45 minutes</strong> on the <strong>elliptical</strong> and <strong>10 minutes</strong> of<strong> abs</strong>. Boy was I soaked with sweat by the end of that! I love being back in the gym, but definitely prefer morning work outs, the gym is less busy and not as stinky! ;)</p> <p>Kyle had to work late tonight so I made supper for 1! Someone mentioned macaroni and cheese at work earlier today at work and it had been in my  head ever since. So I decided to make a “lighter” version of that for supper tonight. My mac n cheese consisted of<strong> 2 oz</strong> of the <strong>light velveeta</strong>, <strong>3 oz whole wheat pasta</strong>, and lots of <strong>broccoli</strong> for a total of <strong>8 points</strong>. This was quite a large serving and very filling!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gg8ebOrqmRTWEQLgC5fHXla_KEdDtUHfk9X-GPY0TO6QDrS35Kjw9_nniGS9kHhVNVxIsqB9khHd3e6l-rb1VWd6pQf2uGeZBSaUM5w8RTIHuDlkOWohVzS_1Nv-DRlNaaS6oDJn5TKn/s1600-h/DSC05166%5B3%5D.jpg"> <img alt="DSC05166" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWijFkhAIF_Lpxo-pKlFCCIDqDhpo8vjb52-Vf2n_Nhtwzj1dgLMRjiGKGqOAFR7kOtKzpLvlcaX3-OS3CDNul5JaLXdFJ-7rCSdkzHmP2YLNvF7lxIWC7-jVlsOO3Dgs1LV3_Ia8-7U6V/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05166" width="629" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>TUEASDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 20/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 7 today/7 week <br />EXERCISE = 45 min elliptical, 10 min abs</p>

The Sister Challenge is On!!!

Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &a...

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White Christmas (Tree)

For years, we have had a family issue: the Christmas tree. Linda always wanted an artificial tree. I have no idea why. I don't get it. I insisted on -- and for decades have prevailed -- a big green real tree that smells like the woods. Until now.<br /><br />These days live, more or less, in Las Vegas. Tinsel town in the desert. The kingdom of kitsch. A classic Chrismas tree here would be trying for something from another planet. So I did more than relent. I swung the other way. I proposed a small artificial tree in flamingo pink. Linda would not have it. She wanted artifical green. (I still don't get it.) So I suggested a silver tree for the silver state. She wasn't buying it. So I said, ok a white artificial tree. She was not persuaded.<br /><br />Last night, we were innocently watching the Monk Marathon on dvr. About 9:30, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, there was an Advent miracle. It was a white Chistmas tree!!!! No one to be seen. I went all the way outside and looked up and down the street. No one there. But on our porch: A trunk of white plastic pipe, limbs of white plastic rods, white wires twined about the limbs to suggest something like vegetation but also vaguely reminiscent of fence wire -- and the wires leading to dainty little light bulbs -- pink, blue, green, white, and orange. It was plugged in and shining away on our porch in front of the bust of Palas Athena who looked shocked, her lips parted in wonder.<br /><br />At first I did not know what to make of it. Then I took it inside and plugged it into a wall socket in the den. There it glows, even to this day.<br /><br />Who could have been the giver of this wonderful gift! It is our first Las Vegas Christmas tree. We have not had a tree at all the past 2 Christmases. Now this!!! I am beside myself. Linda is bemusedly tolerant.

White Christmas (Tree)

For years, we have had a family issue: the Christmas tree. Linda always wanted an artificial tree. I have no idea why. I don't get it. I...

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Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5c50379v2zt3114bvj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5c50379v2zt3114bvj.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>Often, when job seekers come across job ads that interest them, they immediately submit their résumés and cover letters to the employers. Then they wait, wondering if their submission will develop into an interview opportunity or if it will slip into a black hole and never resurface again.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this process is one of the least effective ways to achieve momentum in the job search, says Richard Deems, Ph.D., co-author of "Make Job Loss Work for You."<br /><br />Instead, he encourages individuals to work through his five-step Deems JobGetting SkillsTM System to ensure their job hunting progresses into job getting.<br /><br />"This system takes an entirely different approach from what job seekers may have been taught in the past," Deems says. "It starts with a simple difference: Before applying for a position, job seekers should find out as much as they can about the position to see if they're interested in doing what needs to be done. Of course, people who do this won't apply for as many positions as does the typical job hunter. But then, why should they waste time and energy on something they don't really want in the first place?" <br /><br />Below are the five steps Deems says job seekers must take to achieve success, no matter what level position, occupation or industry they are targeting.<br /><br />Step one: Research the position<br />"When you hear of a position that interests you, contact the person who has the authority to hire you," Deems says. "That's really the only person you want to get in front of. You tell that person that you understand he or she may have a position open, and if so, you'd like to talk about their needs in detail." <br /><br />If the job ad fails to name the appropriate person to reach out to, job seekers can call the company directly, look at the company's Web site or browse articles and blog posts on the Internet about the employer.<br /><br />Deems says job seekers' goals in this step should be to:<br />· Get their name to the decision maker. <br />· Learn more about the position than other candidates will know.<br />· Decide whether this is a position they want to pursue.<br /><br />Step two: Research the organization<br />Before they apply for a position, job seekers should know a great deal of information, including the organization's history, products or services, past mergers or acquisitions, locations, environment and key leaders.<br /><br />To gather this information, Deems suggests that job seekers:<br />· Ask the decision maker to send them a copy of the annual report or other pertinent material about the company (if it's not available online).<br />· Use the Internet to research the organization. Visit Web sites such as the company's press room, investor relations links and blogs.<br />· Use their network (both offline and online) to find someone already in the company. Ask that person what he thinks of the company -- pros and cons.<br /><br />Step three: Evaluate your strengths and interests<br />"After you've explored the position and the company, you need to stop, evaluate and make a decision," Deems says. "Does the job call for what you do best and most enjoy doing? Will the workplace environment enable you to be your best? Do you want the job or not? One way to evaluate the position is to chart it out, listing your criteria for selecting the position and how this opportunity fits your criteria." <br /><br />Step four: Design your positioning strategy<br />Next, job seekers should contact the key decision maker in the hiring process and let that individual know they want to be considered the top candidate. Then, job seekers should ask what they need to do to make that happen.<br /><br />Often, the decision maker will simply ask to see the job seeker's résumé, but job seekers can do more to ensure they stand out from other candidates, Deems says.<br /><br />"Your positioning plan needs to go beyond the résumé. You need to do things that will keep your name in front of the decision maker, even as that person is reviewing other résumés. To do this, you might need to follow up on your résumé, ask someone in your network to make a call on your behalf and so on. Also, take time to write down what steps you need to take," he explains.<br /><br />Step five: Implement<br />Deems says job seekers should do three things when they're ready to implement their positioning plan. They are:<br />· Assemble your application package according to the instructions of the person who has the authority to hire you.<br />· Deliver your package in person, if possible. If you cannot deliver your application in person, send it via e-mail or regular mail -- or both.<br />· Follow up. Wait two or three days for the employer to receive your application package; then call to ensure it was received. At that time, have questions prepared to ask the hiring contact and also try to arrange a time to sit down and talk with him or her in person.<br /><br />Some of these steps may intimidate job seekers at first, but it's a proactive and effective way to achieve results in the job hunt. "The candidates who are out on the streets meeting and talking with people are the ones who maintain their energy and confidence," Deems says. "Those who sit back at home and merely mail out their résumés are often those who get discouraged. Sure, they'll eventually get hired. But the process is likely to drag on much longer than it needs to, and the position may be less satisfying than it could be."<br /><br />*More information about the Deems JobGetting SkillsTM System can be found in "Make Job Loss Work for You."<br /><br />Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

Often, when job seekers come across job ads that interest them, they immediately submit their résumés and cover letters to the employers. Th...

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Greetings from California

<strong>Work</strong><br />I'm in Oakland for my job, another deployment that has gone awry. It's 2 a.m. and essentially the entire counter and gates are down right now and none of the "experts" can figure out how to get it all working.<br /><br />You would think by now, this being our seventh city doing this, that we would all have it figured out. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Every airport is different, different network setups, different systems. I just hope we can get it all working by 5 a.m. when the counter opens...or it will be hell. I'm not even sure how we can function without computers and printers.<br /><br /><strong>Diet and Exercise</strong><br />My eating is on track. I lost a pound since yesterday, so I'm back to my pre-Thanksgiving, and pre-death in the family weight. I'm still up 20 pounds from where I was a couple months ago, but I'm working on it.<br /><br />My hotel is pretty nice, and my room is gorgeous. I'm in the new section with the new gym., which I haven't been able to check out yet (later , if I ever make it back to my hotel). I'm in a suite with a microwave and fridge. I even packed a bunch of my own food for sandwiches and snacks. I'm sick to death of eating out, plus I don't always make the best choices even if there are good choices to make.<br /><br />Well, that's it. Not much new. Still sitting here waiting for my network guys to figure out this mess. It's 2:16 a.m. and I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep.

Greetings from California

Work I'm in Oakland for my job, another deployment that has gone awry. It's 2 a.m. and essentially the entire counter and gates are ...

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